The Sorted Project Showcases Unique Service in Voluntary Health Scotland’s Poster Competition for The Vital Health Sector Conference
The Sorted Project is excited to announce our participation in the Voluntary Health Scotland (VHS) poster competition! This opportunity is a significant step for our organisation as we continue to raise awareness about our work and connect with others who share our vision of tackling health inequalities across Scotland.
About The Sorted Project
Founded in 2008, The Sorted Project is a Scottish charity dedicated to supporting people in recovery with complex health needs, particularly those related to mental health and substance use. Our mission is to offer a safe and supportive environment for individuals on their recovery journey, providing them with the tools and resources they need to rebuild their lives.
We joined Voluntary Health Scotland very recently and this was to help us to learn more about the network, increase our visibility, connect with like-minded organisations, and amplify our voice in the wider health and social care community. As part of this community, we aim to highlight our work, forge new partnerships, and offer support to individuals in recovery who need it most.
A Unique Opportunity to Showcase Our Work
The poster competition hosted by VHS is a perfect platform for us to visually represent the impact of our service. Our entry is more than just a poster; it’s a visual narrative that showcases the heart of our work. We wanted to create something that not only informs but also inspires, showing the wider community what we do and how we do it.
Our canal boat, a unique venue for our services, plays a starring role in the poster. For those unfamiliar, the boat serves as a dynamic, floating community hub that allows us to reach diverse communities along the Union Canal. This innovative approach helps us break down barriers and bring our services directly to the people who need them, right where they are.
A Visual Journey Along the Waterway
In our poster, the waterway is used as a metaphor for the recovery journey. Just like the Union Canal, the path to recovery can have twists and turns, but it’s also a journey full of hope, support, and new beginnings. We wanted to capture this essence by showing how our canal boat brings people together and connects different communities.
The boat isn’t just a symbol; it’s a real, tangible part of our work that helps us reach those who might otherwise be isolated or underserved. Through workshops, support sessions, and community events hosted on the boat, we provide a space that’s welcoming and non-judgmental, where people can feel safe to grow, learn and begin to heal. Our team has lived experience, and this helps us to provide an informed approach.
As well as working onboard Panacea on the Union Canal, we also provide outreach services, to meet people where they are, and we have a working relationship with the Ritson Clinic at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Some of our regular partners include Edinburgh Recovery Activities, Change Grow Live, Turning Point Scotland, West Lothian Recovery Service, Restoration Fife, and The Bothy. We also network with canal-based organisations including Re-Union Canal Boats, Fountainbridge Canalside Community Trust, All Aboard, Edinburgh Union Canal Society, Seagull Trust, Linlithgow Canal Society and Community Moorings Scotland. The custodian of the Union Canal is Scottish Canals, and we are working together on several training and volunteering initiatives. Having this breadth of reach is helping us to reduce stigma around mental health and substance use recovery.
Recognising Our Supporters
To highlight the importance of collaboration in our work, we included the logos of our funders on the poster. We believe it’s crucial to acknowledge the organisations that make our work possible. Without their support, we wouldn’t be able to offer the breadth of services we do today. Our funders are vital partners in our mission, and we are proud to showcase their role in helping us to change lives.
Looking Forward
Participating in this competition is more than just an opportunity to display a poster—it’s a chance to share our story with a wider audience. It’s an opportunity to show that recovery is possible, that health inequalities can be challenged, and that community support makes a difference. We hope our entry will resonate with others and highlight the importance of accessible, inclusive support for all.
We are grateful to Voluntary Health Scotland for this platform and look forward to engaging with other organisations committed to improving health outcomes across Scotland. The Sorted Project will continue to advocate for those in recovery, and we’re excited to see where this journey along the Union Canal—and beyond—will take us.
Thank you for your support, and we can’t wait to share our poster with you all!
Let’s keep making waves!
Karen Bradford is the Project Manager and Founder of The Sorted Project
http://www.sortedproject.co.uk
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