Kindred has been proudly transforming lives in Edinburgh for over 35 years, providing hope and opportunity to families raising children with complex needs or life-limiting conditions. Founded in 1990 by visionary parents as the Special Needs Information Point (SNIP) at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, we quickly became a trusted lifeline in the community and evolved into a dynamic, parent-led organisation at the city’s heart. From 1990 to 2007, we operated from an office on Rillbank Terrace behind the hospital, growing steadily during that time.
In 2007, Kindred secured nearly £1 million in funding from the Big Lottery Fund, enabling us to expand our team to 14 members, including establishing a presence in Fife. We rebranded as Kindred in 2010 and opened our head office in Rutland Court Lane, Edinburgh, marking a new chapter in our growth and reach. Our work at the national level has strengthened our expertise and impact, including running a Glasgow project from 2014 to 2017 that evolved into the national Exceptional Families Project (EFP), supporting children with very high-level medical needs in partnership with the National Clinical Network for Children with Exceptional Healthcare Needs. Between 2015 and 2018, we partnered with Govan Law Centre to deliver the National Advocacy Service for ASN Tribunals, and in 2017, collaborated with the CAMHS Learning Disability Network to highlight the need for specialist autism services.
A milestone was reached in 2021 when we moved into a dedicated office space in the new Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, further embedding our place at the heart of family support. In 2022, we relocated our head and registered office to 1 St Colme Street, Edinburgh, where we continue to serve. Today, Kindred supports 800 to 900 families annually, primarily from Edinburgh, the Lothians, and Fife, while also extending support across Scotland. Our ongoing commitment is to deliver expert, compassionate, and accessible services that empower families and make a lasting difference.