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tigers Partner with MCR Pathways for The Biology of Belonging
tigers are thrilled to welcome MCR Pathways to our growing community of valued partners, with the Glasgow-founded charity joining Aberlour Children’s Charity and The Wise Group as headline sponsors for The Biology of Belonging.
The Biology of Belonging is a groundbreaking, two-day – Not For Profit - conference bringing local and international voices to the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow to explore the biological, physiological and psychological impact of belonging on the brains of children, young people and adults.
We are welcoming leading speakers such as Dan Siegel, Claudia Gold, James Docherty and Vivian McKinnon to the stage, with former broadcaster and current child therapist Kate Silverton chairing the event, helping to frame the content of both days for our audience.
This two-day event will feature keynote presentations, fireside chats, immersive workshops and audience Q&As, exploring the topics of children and young people's mental health, the power of relationships in a divisive world, the impact of restorative practice in the justice system, and benefits to business of adopting inclusive and trauma-informed polices and practice.
MCR Pathways were founded in 2007, with the vision of helping young people unlock their potential, no matter their circumstances. Working together with their inspiring mentor community and partners, they can help young people to realise their skills and progress onto a positive destination. Their vision is for all young people to experience equality of education outcomes, career opportunities and life chances.
MCR Pathways is a life-changing mentoring charity dedicated to helping every young person - especially those who had an unfair start - find their flicker of ambition and ignite that spark.
MCR Pathways believe in the power of connection, the transformative potential of mentoring. They believe that a single spark of connection can change a life, connecting young people with dedicated, caring volunteer mentors. They become trusted role models. They offer consistent support, encouragement, and a listening ear. They empower young people to define their own ambitions, supporting them on a journey from aspiration to achievement. It’s more than academic success; it’s about instilling belief, behaviours, wellbeing, resilience, and the power to thrive.
Speaking on forming this exciting new partnership, tigers Group Managing Director Pauline Scott said: “At the heart of this conference is a simple belief that when individuals experience true belonging, they can grow, heal, and thrive. That individual transformation, when nurtured and sustained, becomes the foundation of empowered communities. And those communities, in turn, hold the potential to shape more just, compassionate, and resilient societies.
We are immensely grateful to our colleagues at MCR Pathways for their sponsorship. They have helped our aim of inclusivity, enabling more individuals and communities to experience the insights of our renowned international speakers.”
Speaking on joining our community of lead sponsors & partners, MCR Pathways Chief Executive Sharon McIntyre said: “We’re really proud to be supporting tigers Group’s conference and its powerful focus on the Biology of Belonging. At MCR Pathways, we know just how life-changing a sense of belonging can be — it’s at the heart of everything we do.
When a young person feels seen, heard and supported, something incredible happens. That vital spark of ambition — the one that might have been dimmed by tough circumstances — can start to burn brightly again. That’s the spark we work to ignite every day through our mentoring programme.
The tigers Group’s values and vision resonate so strongly with ours. Their commitment to relationship-led practice and creating environments where everyone feels included and valued is exactly the kind of change we want to see more of — across all sectors, all communities.
This conference is a special moment — one that reminds, informs and inspires us further about the path we're all walking to drive the hope for lasting change.
It’s a privilege to stand alongside tigers at this conference. Because when we create space for connection and belonging, we don’t just change lives — we shape brighter futures.”
tigers Partner with the Wise Group
Tigers are excited to welcome the Wise Group to our growing community of sponsors and partners for The Biology of Belonging, with the Glasgow-based social enterprise joining Aberlour Children’s Charity as one of our lead sponsors.
The Biology of Belonging is a groundbreaking, two-day – Not For Profit - conference bringing local and international voices to the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow to explore the biological, physiological and psychological impact of belonging on the brains of children, young people and adults.
We are welcoming leading speakers such as Dan Siegel, Claudia Gold, James Docherty and Vivian McKinnon to the stage, with former broadcaster and current child therapist Kate Silverton chairing the event, helping to frame the content of both days for our audience.
This two-day event will feature keynote presentations, fireside chats, immersive workshops and audience Q&As, exploring the topics of children and young people's mental health, the power of relationships in a divisive world, the impact of restorative practice in the justice system, and benefits to business of adopting inclusive and trauma-informed polices and practice.
The Wise Group is one of the UK’s leading social enterprises, working across Scotland and England to support people facing complex, connected challenges that limit life chances - from skills gaps and poor mental health to housing instability and economic inactivity.
They work in close partnership with both the Scottish and UK Governments and others, using their evidence-led Relational Mentoring model to help people overcome barriers, prevent crisis, and build long-term resilience.
Whether supporting people on remand to keep housing and family ties, or helping young people excluded from education into sustained work, the Wise Group focuses on what works - creating better outcomes, reducing public cost, and building stronger communities.
Speaking on this new partnership, tigers Group Commercial Director Gerry Hamill said: “We’re proud to have another values-aligned partner in the Wise Group joining this fantastic community of social innovators. A sense of belonging isn’t a nice to have, it’s a core human need, vital for our children, young people, and the adults who shape their world.
This event offers a bold, research-led development opportunity for current and future leaders, blending cutting-edge neurobiology with real world impact across our workplaces, communities, and wider society.”
Sean Duffy, CEO of the Wise Group said: “The Wise Group is proud to be part of the Tigers ‘Biology of Belonging’ conference this year.
At the Wise Group, we work with people navigating some of life’s hardest moments - poverty, isolation, trauma - and we know that change begins with connection. Belonging isn’t a luxury; it’s a foundation for hope, resilience, and growth.
Rooted in our Relational Mentoring approach, we build trust with the people we support, walking alongside them as they shape better futures. Like Tigers and Aberlour, we believe every individual deserves to feel seen, valued, and safe - because only then can they truly thrive.
This conference is an important opportunity to reflect on what belonging really means in practice - and how we can work together to create services and systems that put relationships, dignity, and humanity at their heart.”
tigers Partner with Sacro for The Biology of Belonging
tigers are thrilled to be partnering with Sacro for The Biology of Belonging, with the organisation joining our ever growing community for this groundbreaking event.
Sacro is a Scottish community justice organisation which works to deliver life-changing services that empower people, give hope and protection, and help to build safe communities.
The Biology of Belonging will welcome a diverse range of local and international voices to the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow on May 7th & 8th, including Dan Siegel, Claudia Gold, Vivian McKinnon and James Docherty, with limited tickets still available. Hosting this event, and tying together the content of the day for the audience will be former broadcaster and child therapist, Kate Silverton.
As part of this immersive experience, we are welcoming Darren Burns, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Timpson Group and head of The Timpson Foundation, who will be speaking at a business breakfast on the Thursday morning, giving insight into Darren’s journey, as well as the pioneering business and recruitment model at Timpson.
Commenting on the new partnership, tigers Group Commercial Director Gerry Hamill said: “We’re thrilled to have another values-aligned partner in Sacro backing The Biology of Belonging. Belonging isn’t just a feeling, it’s a biological need, essential for our children, young people, and the adults who support them.
This event offers a forward-thinking professional development experience for current and future leaders, grounding the latest research and neurobiology in the real-world spaces of our businesses, communities, and society at large.”
Speaking on this new partnership, Director of Justice at Sacro, Lynne Thornhill said: “Sacro is delighted to be partnering with tigers for their 'The Biology of Belonging' event, and as an organisation that shares our values and our belief in the importance that positive connections and relationships have in changing people’s lives for the better.
Our approach too is centred around people. Our services are co-produced and designed with input from the very people who use them, and we provide support without judgement, informed by each person's individual needs and background.
Building, maintaining and nurturing strong, positive relationships is critical in supporting people to thrive, and we appreciate the work Tigers does in fostering and promoting this approach.”
Sacro descriptors (2025)
Short version
Sacro is a Scottish community justice organisation which delivers life-changing services that empower people, give hope and protection, and help to build safe communities. The organisation provides a wide range of direct, innovative services in Community Justice, Community Safety and Public Protection. Its services are designed to reduce conflict and offending and are developed in partnership with the people and communities we support.
People are at the centre of all we do. We treat everyone inclusively, respectfully, and do not judge. Sacro supports a broad range of people, including those harmed by crime and those responsible for that harm.
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Long version
Sacro is a Scottish community justice organisation which delivers life-changing services that empower people, give hope and protection, and help to build safe communities. The organisation provides a wide range of direct, innovative services in Community Justice, Community Safety and Public Protection. Its services are designed to reduce conflict and offending and are developed in partnership with the people and communities we support.
People are at the centre of all we do. We treat everyone inclusively, respectfully, and do not judge. Sacro operates in partnership with others who share its values to support a broad range of people, including those harmed by crime and those responsible for that harm.
Our Community Justice services work within Scotland’s communities to provide support to people leaving custody – or at risk of custody. Community-based solutions are widely recognised as effective, credible alternatives to custody with a much higher rate of success in reducing reoffending. Sacro’s Community Justice services are designed to help people live safely in their communities with sufficient support to address their individual needs and reduce or eliminate the risk of reoffending.
Keeping the public safe from harm, discrimination and conflict is crucial to ensuring Scotland is a place of safety, inclusiveness, and wellbeing for everyone. Sacro’s Community Safety services provide support to address and raise awareness of hate crime, intolerance and abusive behaviour targeted at specific communities due to gender, race, colour, religion, or sexual orientation. We work with victims of crime and discrimination to provide the support they need to live peacefully and safely.
Sacro’s Public Protection services provide intensive monitoring and support to manage the risk of further offending by people who are assessed as posing a risk within the community. As with all services, we support individuals by providing bespoke support plans linked to their risks and needs in order to reduce the risk of harm.
Sacro is also an accredited training provider and provides consultancy and training services in Mediation and Restorative Justice to equip Sacro and other organisations to deliver best practice.
The organisation also works to promote wider understanding of the needs and issues of the people we support. To achieve our vision where Scotland is a place of safety, inclusiveness, and wellbeing for everyone, we seek to influence policy and legislation to increase the provision of evidence-based solutions based on the use of restorative practices and constructive conflict resolution, with the use of imprisonment restricted to those who have committed serious crimes or present a danger to the public.
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