We are one of Scotland’s leading health and social care charities, providing practical care and support through more than 100 services across Scotland.
We are there for adults and children with a physical or learning disability, and families facing poverty, family breakdown and disadvantage. We are there to help young people facing homelessness or mental health difficulties, for carers of all ages, and for people affected by epilepsy.
Our services are shaped by the people we support and their needs. We are always with you, never without you.
Our new look
In November 2023, we launched our fresh new look.
We worked with The Touch Agency to design a brand that was engaging across all platforms and communicated all the incredible work that Quarriers does.
The redesigned logo plays on the inseparable relationship of the letters Q and U from Quarriers, with the custom U character adding a friendly and approachable face to the brand.
Our strapline – Always with you, never without you – highlights our dedication to working with the people we support and making positive changes together.
Our year with you
All of our services have one thing in common: supporting people to live life to the fullest. We are there to help people take steps towards achieving their goals, and to celebrate their wins along the way.
Innovative support
Always with you... in partnership
Picture Book Fashion has been supporting Quarriers since 2017, making donations of clothing for children supported through our Family Centre in Ruchazie, as well as equipment for the centre and treats like Easter eggs and selection boxes.
Keen to take their support further, Picture Book Fashion became the headline sponsor of Quarriers Golf Day in 2023. The event was a sell-out, and raised a record amount.
Andrew Molloy of Picture Book Fashion says, “The part we play in the Quarriers story is extremely small, but we can see the difference it makes, especially to children. We would encourage companies of all sizes or even individuals to think about how even the smallest contribution can assist. If we are all able to add a little, the overall effect would be huge.”
Always with Claudia
Claudia was supported by our WHAT IF Female Service for three years and moved into her own tenancy at the beginning of 2023. Claudia wanted to give something back to the service and told her story in our supporters’ magazine, Quest.
The team at WHAT IF decided to frame Claudia’s article and display it for other young women supported by the service to see, and Claudia was invited to a celebration event to sign the framed copy.
Always with… young people in kinship care
Our Families Matter Team delivered a Kinship Peer Mentoring programme, bringing together young people from across Glasgow and offering the opportunity to connect with others in kinship care.
A total of 35 young people aged eight to 18 years took part in workshops with a focus on improving their wellbeing, including mental health first aid, and internet and social media safety.
The programme culminated in a two-night residential trip to Wiston Lodge in Biggar full of exciting outdoor activities.
Celebrating success
Always with you... to spread Christmas cheer
Our annual Christmas card competition is open to people we support, volunteers and staff. In 2023, we received so many fantastic entries that we had to choose two winners.
Bella, who is supported at our Homelife Girvan Service, created a created a beautiful snow globe card. She is very artistic and finds that expressing herself through drawing and painting has a positive effect on her mental health.
Support Worker Kalina contributed the other winning entry: a friendly Christmas coo.
Always with... Shared Lives carers
Our Shared Lives Adult Placement Service holds an annual celebration, giving families the chance to meet up and have some fun together. Carers also received pamper packs full of goodies to help them unwind.
Always with you... celebrating excellence
Quarriers Excellence Awards 2023 celebrated the accomplishments of staff and people we support. These awards are particularly meaningful as the nominees are put forward by their colleagues.
Natalie Don, MSP for Renfrewshire North and West and Minister for Children, Young People and Keeping the Promise, joined us to present the awards. Natalie is a former volunteer with Quarriers, and she spoke about what it meant to her to help celebrate the work that takes place throughout the organisation.
Always with... people affected by epilepsy
Wednesday 12 April 2023 marked 10 years since the opening of the William Quarrier Scottish Epilepsy Centre.
Since it first welcomed patients in 2013, the multi awardwinning centre has revolutionised the treatment and diagnosis of epilepsy, and has made a real difference to the lives of people affected by the condition.
Achieving goals
Always with Emma and Kelly Anne
We support people to take part in activities that are important to them.
For Emma and Kelly Anne, that’s swimming. Their dedication to the sport has been recognised: Emma was named Disabled Sports Personality at the Inverclyde Sports Personality of the Year Awards, while Kelly Anne won a gold medal for backstroke at the Port Glasgow Otters Annual Swimming Gala.
Always with James
People supported by our services in Quarriers Village decided they would like to plan their own X Factor event. It was a fantastic event, with people we support helping to set up the hall, compering the event and performing. On the stage, everyone shone.
James previously had no musical experience, and but when the event was announced, he started to learn to play the piano. He spent six weeks learning Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and performed the piece beautifully at the X Factor event.
There was not a dry eye in the house when James was crowned the X Factor 2024 winner.
Always with Ryan
Ryan, supported at our SOLE Service, is a talented artist.
He is supported to attend classes at Project Ability, where he works with paint and clay, and his work has been displayed in exhibitions.
Always with Sue
Sue, supported at our Johnstone Supported Living Service, ticked an item off her wishlist when she visited the set of Coronation Street, including pulling a pint in the Rovers Return.
Achieving goals
Always with Kaitlin
Kaitlin was supported by Quarriers when she was younger, and is now a volunteer with our Kinship Care Service.
“One of the many reasons I work with Quarriers as a volunteer is because the organisation was there for me growing up. They helped me grow as a person and realise what I wanted to go into as a career.
“They always supported me and were in my corner when I was little, and still are in my corner when I’m a volunteer with them.
“Now thanks to Quarriers, I am one step closer towards my goal of becoming a social worker myself. I get to watch the children take part in fun activities and work together. The joy I get from that is unreal. I always think back to when I was the child experiencing moments like these for the first time - I never got to experience anything like it before. I saw most of my friends having holidays and felt left out, but Quarriers made me feel like I was included. I love that about them, and that’s why I’m giving back time and became a volunteer with them.”
Now thanks to Quarriers, I am one step closer towards my goal of becoming a social worker myself.
Kaitlin
special days and every day
Always
with you...
when you need a break
Mia is a carer for her mum, Helen. As Helen is unable to travel too far, it had been some time since they had been able to enjoy a break. Our Aberdeen Carers Support Service helped Mia to apply for funding through Creative Breaks, and Mia was delighted to be awarded £500.
Helen decided she would like to go to Edinburgh Zoo, so Mia booked two nights in a hotel in Edinburgh. They broke up the journey with a stop in Perth, then enjoyed some sightseeing in Edinburgh. Helen just loved seeing all the different animals at the zoo, especially the pandas, penguins and giraffes, and Mia took some videos so she could watch them again later.
At the gift shop, Helen bought some coasters with pink flamingos on them, which now sit on her coffee table and bring back happy memories of her trip.
Mia says, “It was a lovely trip, and something we would not have been able to do without Aberdeen Carers Support Service’s help and support, so we are very, very grateful.”
Always with you… for a kickabout
Our Inclusion Team runs monthly 5-a-side football sessions, offering a chance for people we support, staff and volunteers to get together for a little friendly competition.
The sessions have been well attended, and based on feedback, we will soon be launching walking football sessions too.
Always with you… to celebrate good times
From Burns Suppers and Halloween costumes to visits from the Easter Bunny and Christmas parties, our services certainly know how to celebrate!
Fundraising
Always with you… when you challenge yourself
Thirty-seven fearless flyers took to the skies to zip slide across the Clyde, raising more than £8,000 for Quarriers!
Yvonne, supported at our Calvay service, took on a trio of daring fundraising challenges. In 2023, she completed the Glasgow Kiltwalk, zipped across the Clyde and braved a firewalk!
Yvonne said, “What’s keeping me going is the staff, like Lynn, John, Linda, and the psychologist. They are always encouraging me to do things. My parents are not here anymore, and I need the encouragement that the staff at Quarriers give me. They understand me, and I don’t think I would be doing any of these things
without the support I get here. They are the first company to say that they are proud of me.”
Project Manager Lynn Donnelly said, “I’m amazed by Yvonne. I think she is a superstar. She used to lack confidence: she lost her parents one after the other and it left her very low, and she didn’t want to go out.
She was used to people leaving her, and it took her a long time to realise that we don’t put the phone down and say, ‘I’ll see you later’. We would always encourage Yvonne to come out, even for a coffee. By doing that, she learned to trust us. It has been an absolute joy to see Yvonne grow into the person she is now. We are so proud of her.”
My parents are not here anymore, and I need the encouragement that the staff at Quarriers give me.
Yvonne, supported by Quarriers
Thank you to our generous supporters.
Every year, you help us to keep making a difference in people’s lives.
£66,497 raised at the Noel Lunch 2023
More than 1,000 young people made wonderful memories on days out provided through our Children’s Appeal
£14,578 raised at the Ladies Lunch 2024
1,835 gifts made through our Christmas Appeal and Progress Fund
£21,827 by our incredible Kiltwalkers
42,201 direct debit donations
Financial overview
11 Annual review 2023/24 • Always With You
Awards
Scottish Charity Awards
Winner: Pioneering Project – Operation Protector
s1jobs Recruitment Awards
Winner: Best Recruitment Video
Commendation: Best Charity Employer
Carers Trust Excellence for Carers Awards
Winners: Aberdeen Carer Support Service, Moray Carers Support Service
QA Scotland Apprenticeship Awards
Winner: Rising Star - Kiera McMillan, Quarriers Digital Marketing Apprentice
Head Office: 20 St Kenneth Drive, Govan, Glasgow G51 4QD 01505 616000/612224 • hello@quarriers.org.uk
Quarriers is a registered Scottish Charity No SC001960
