A Scottish charity
Let’s talk about the end of life and make it better.
Friends at the End helps people in Scotland understand their end of life choices, plan for them, and have them respected. And we campaign to make assisted dying one of those choices.
25 years supporting people at the end of life, in Scotland
Where to start
Most people come to us with one of three questions.
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What is assisted dying?
What it is, what it isn’t, how it works where it is already law, and where Scotland stands.
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What are my end of life options?
Advance directives, power of attorney, and how to make sure your wishes are known and respected.
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How can I help change the law?
Share your story, write to your MSP, join us or give. Every one of these moves the question forward.
In their words
Heartfelt accounts are the most powerful part of this campaign. MSPs remember stories long after they forget statistics.
Share your story“Mum had planned everything. She knew exactly what she wanted. The only thing she couldn’t choose was the one thing that mattered most to her.”
Illustrative. To be replaced with a real member’s words.
Assisted dying in Scotland
Fifteen years, three bills, and the story isn’t finished.
Assisted dying remains unlawful in Scotland. But each time Holyrood has been asked, support has grown, and each time Friends at the End has been in the room.
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2010
Defeated
End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill
Margo MacDonald MSP. Fell at Stage 1.
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2015
Defeated
Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill
Taken forward by Patrick Harvie MSP. Fell at Stage 1.
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2025
Passed Stage 1
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
Liam McArthur MSP. The first to pass Stage 1.
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2026
Voted down
Final vote
MSPs voted against the Bill. Read the Board’s statement
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Next
Not yet written
The next Bill
The new Parliament can make this law. It depends on MSPs hearing from you.
We are still campaigning, and we need you with us.
Planning ahead
Whatever the law says, you can already make your wishes known.
Most of the distress we hear about could have been eased by a conversation held earlier. Our free guides take you through it, one step at a time.
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Think it through
What matters most to you at the end of life. Where, with whom, and what you would and wouldn’t want.
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Write it down
An advance directive records your wishes about treatment, in case you can’t say them yourself.
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Choose someone
A power of attorney lets a person you trust speak for you when it counts.
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Talk about it
Share your plan with family and your GP, so it’s known before it’s needed.
Free to anyone in Scotland. No membership needed.
Get involved
The law changes when MSPs hear from you.
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Share your story
Heartfelt accounts are invaluable to our campaign. Tell us what you or someone you love went through.
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Pledge your support
Sign our petition and contact your MSP or MP.
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Join us
Our members are at the forefront of the assisted dying movement in Scotland.
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Donate
Help people with a terminal illness, improve end of life choices and change the law.
Donate
Every gift is a step towards greater choice.
Supporting us, in any way you can, helps us improve end of life choices and make sure people’s rights at that time are fully respected, whatever their circumstances.
- Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation · SC048875
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£10 a month helps us answer the calls and emails we get from people facing the end of life.
With Gift Aid your gift is worth £12.50 a month to us, at no cost to you.
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We’re recruiting
Join our Board of Trustees.
We’re looking for people with legal, medical, financial, communications or campaigning experience to help lead Friends at the End at an important moment. Trustees are volunteers; reasonable expenses are paid.
News & events
From the campaign.
The FATE Board statement following the no vote
Emma Cooper, Convener of Friends at the End, responds to the result in the Scottish Parliament and sets out what comes next.
Broad coalition urges MSPs to separate fear from fact
Medical, legal and campaigning voices sign together.
MSPs urge colleagues to vote for the Bill
MSPs from across the parties set out their support.
Upcoming events
Nothing scheduled just now. We run talks, members’ meetings and planning workshops across Scotland and online.
Hear about the next oneIf you’re struggling right now
We campaign for choice and help people plan; we don’t provide information about methods of ending life. If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans are on 116 123, free, day or night, and Breathing Space is on 0800 83 85 87. For questions about your own care, your GP or palliative care team is the right first call.