The role of many of Scotland’s public services as anchor institutions creates a powerful platform for building meaningful, place-based partnerships with the Third Sector.
By working together to reimagine how land and building assets are used, there is a unique opportunity to co-design greener, healthier spaces that support prevention, wellbeing, and community resilience. From transforming underutilised estate into vibrant community hubs, to enabling social enterprise activity that promotes low-carbon, sustainable lifestyles – these assets and opportunities can become living examples of how environmental and social value go hand in hand.
In collaboration, Scotland’s health and care and its Third Sector partners can unlock more sustainable models of care, enhance biodiversity, reduce the carbon impact of services, and create places that genuinely reflect local need and ambition – strengthening communities while supporting a just transition to a healthier planet.
Inspiring partnerships
Discover some of the major community collaborations and partnerships taking place across Scotland’s health and care.
Inspired thinking
Projects like Mosaic Landscapes – an early-stage co‑design tool bringing staff and communities together to shape greener NHS spaces – are helping turn engagement into practical decisions.
Watch the video from Design HOPES to find out more:
NHS Scotland’s Community Benefits Gateway
The NHS Scotland Community Benefit Gateway is a free online platform that connects NHS suppliers with third sector organisations to match community needs – including a range of green initiatives – with practical support.
It enables third sector groups to access in‑kind support—such as volunteering, equipment, expertise and environmental projects—to help deliver local community, health and sustainability outcomes.