Empowering endings

The end or closure of something – an organisation, a programme, a grant – is not often something that is welcomed in our sector. Much like death, it can be taboo and full of fear and grief; something to be avoided above all. 
 
Endings often do not feel empowering at the time. Many come with stress, pain, and grief – especially when they’re unexpected or unavoidable. For those involved, the impact can be profound, and sometimes it’s only with hindsight that we see what space an ending created for something new.

But what if more endings could be anticipated, supported and held in a way that made them positive – empowering even? Allowing the old to end in a well-managed, deliberate way, capturing the learning and making space for new shoots to emerge.   

Building a network around endings

This is the vision of the Empowering Endings network, a group of people working in third sector support roles across Scotland who want to help charities and voluntary groups to have good endings of all kinds and to challenge the narrative that endings are bad or shameful. 

The Decelerator offers free information, tools and hands-on support for better endings.

The network emerged from conversations between the Decelerator, a free UK-wide support service for civil society organisations who are considering endings, and the folk behind Community Enterprise’s emergency support for the third sector in Scotland. 

With a small amount of support from the William Grant Foundation, a network of up to 40 people largely from local Third Sector Interfaces have met throughout 2025, to share what they’re doing and learning around supporting good endings.

Insights from the sector

At the latest session, (in the bleakest of Christmas quizzes!) we discussed the inevitability of endings, learning that 54% of Scottish charities are using their reserves unsustainably, up from 40% from autumn 2024 (Third Sector tracker).  

But we also talked about financial difficulties often being a symptom of a deeper organisational conflicts that can go unaddressed. David Rock’s SCARF model of psychological security was mentioned as a way to remember what we as humans need to feel safe in times when honest conversations and difficult decisions are needed.

Looking at the Decelerator’s endings archetypes, we reflected that civil society people can sometimes tend towards the ‘rescuer’ mode, focused valiantly on protecting others and providing (short-term) fixes. But this isn’t the only role that we need.  

There aren’t often ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers in difficult times, but we agreed that potential endings are best dealt with early and with clarity and openness. Many of the network members reflected that organisations often approach support services only once it’s far too late to have options, and certainly to have any more expansive conversations about legacy. 

Hopefully talking more about endings as normal – maybe even beneficial – can help to remove some of the shame that can cling to them. Case studies from the Decelerator, for example on Year Here’s intentional ending, make for thought-provoking reading.  

Towards a regenerative approach

At the William Grant Foundation, we are thinking about our role in this too. What does a good end to a grant funding relationship look and feel like? How can we help necessary transitions to be done with intention and care? Should we consider funding orderly endings, even? 

Nature shows us that there are always cycles of growth and decay. 

Nick has spoken recently about our aim to help create a more regenerative future for our civil society ecosystem in Scotland. As part of this, we want to support and promote good endings where they’re needed, so that last season’s foliage is composted into rich fertiliser for what’s needed next.

If you’re interested in the Empowering Endings network, check out this page on the Decelerator’s website where you can download a Supporting Better Endings and Transitions toolkit and request to join the network.