Includem Demands Better. Scotland Demands Better.
On Saturday, we joined organisations, faith groups, trade unions, and individuals from across the country to march for a better Scotland.
Organised by the Poverty Alliance and the STUC, the Scotland Demands Better march and rally brought together people united in calling for better wages, better social security, and investment in life’s essentials.
It was inspiring to see such a wide range of organisations and causes standing side by side – from those campaigning to end child poverty, to those fighting for women’s rights, fair work, housing, and rights for refugees. The Royal Mile was a sea of posters and banners, chants and demands for real positive change.
Together we sent a powerful message: Scotland demands better, and change is possible when we act together.
We were proud to march alongside our colleagues from the End Child Poverty coalition, amplifying the voices of children, young people and families we work with, who are too often unheard. Everyday we see the impact that inadequate incomes, a punitive social security system, and insufficient support have on the lives of those we work with.
After the march, we gathered in the Meadows to hear powerful speeches from campaigners and activists who called for a future built on compassion and justice.
We know that things can and must be different.
Change is needed urgently. The families we work with have told us that positive change means access to safe and secure housing, affordable rents, enough money to put food on the table without sacrificing heating and being treated with dignity and compassion by public services.
We want to see a Scotland where every family has enough to live on, every child and young person has the chance and the opportunities to thrive, and communities have the resources they need for every child, young person and family.
By standing together, we demand a fairer and better future for everyone in Scotland, and especially the children, young people and families we work with.
Through our Transforming Lives Whole Family Support campaign, we have been amplifying the voices of those we work with across three key themes: Housing, Education, and Youth Justice.
You can find out more about our Policy and campaigning work here.
