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.
Further to this, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at the Timpson Group and Head of The Timpson Foundation Darren Burns will be speaking at a business breakfast, giving insights into the group’s pioneering approach to business and recruitment, with their focus on recruiting from the justice community.
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.”