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The Fate Board Statement following the NO vote in the Scottish Parliament
Emma Cooper, Convener of Friends at the End (FATE), said: “We are extremely disappointed to see that MSPs did not reflect the views of the people…
Support, plan & action. At the end of life, for everyone in Scotland.
Friends at the End is a Scottish charity. We support people facing the end of life and the people who love them, help everyone plan ahead, and make the case for assisted dying to be one of their choices.
About Friends at the End
For 25 years, Friends at the End has helped people in Scotland talk, plan and choose at the end of life. Our support is free, confidential and open to everyone.
Support.
Counselling and support are free.
Contact us by message or email and we’ll refer you to a professional counsellor, a visiting volunteer or a death café.
Who are you looking for help for?
If you are facing the end of your life
We can refer you to a professional counsellor, and our free guide helps you put your wishes in writing.
Get in touchFor partners, family and carers
We can refer you to a counsellor, help you and the person you care for record their wishes, and point you to carers’ services near you.
Get in touchAfter a death
We can refer you to a counsellor at no cost, whether the death was recent or some time ago, and we set out what needs to happen after a death.
Get in touchDeath cafés are open group conversations about death and dying.
We’re planning our first death cafés, in Edinburgh and online. Each is free, open to everyone and led by a trained volunteer host.
Find a death café- Free to anyone in Scotland. You don’t need to be a member or share our views on assisted dying.
Plan.
You can set out your wishes for your care now, under the law as it stands.
Our free guide takes you through planning ahead in four steps.
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Think it through
Where you’d want to be cared for, who you’d want with you, 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 someone you trust make decisions for you if you can’t make them yourself.
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Talk about it
Share your plan with family and your GP, so they know what you’d want.
Get the free guide
Free to anyone in Scotland.
Advance directive
A statement of my wishes for my care at the end of life
I, Margaret Anne Reid, of Edinburgh, make this statement while I am able to make decisions for myself. I ask that it is followed if I cannot say these things myself.
- Place of care. I wish to be cared for, and to die, at home, with the window open.
- Those with me. I would like Anna and the boys to be with me.
- My representative. My sister, Morag Reid, holds my welfare power of attorney and will speak for me.
- Treatment. I do not wish to be kept alive by artificial means if there is no reasonable prospect of recovery.
Signed
7 October 2026Date
Witnessed by
Dr J. CampbellName of witness
Action.
Where the law on assisted dying stands in Scotland, and how to have your say.
Assisted dying is not legal in Scotland. We believe it should be one of the choices open to people at the end of life, with strong safeguards. Three bills have come before the Scottish Parliament since 2010.
Assisted dying is not legal in Scotland.
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2010
End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill
Margo MacDonald MSP.
Fell at Stage 1 -
2015
Assisted Suicide (Scotland) Bill
Patrick Harvie MSP.
Fell at Stage 1 -
2025
Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill
Liam McArthur MSP.
Passed Stage 1 -
2026
Final vote
MSPs voted against the Bill.
Not passed -
Next
What happens now
A future Parliament can return to the question.
Support, planning and information for anyone in Scotland facing the end of life.
Get involved
Our members and donors pay for our support, and volunteers help run it. You can join, volunteer, sign our pledge to MSPs or donate.
Members’ archive
Members can sign in to search and download our papers, guides, newsletters and consultation responses.
- Members’ newslettersEvery issue, back to 2008
- AGM papers and accountsMinutes, reports and annual accounts
- The handbookOur guide to end of life choices
- Guides and researchBriefings, evidence and reading lists
Donate
Our counselling referrals, planning guide and information are free, and our death cafés will be too. Members and donors pay for them. UK taxpayers can add 25% through Gift Aid.
You don’t have to give online. You can send a cheque or make a bank transfer. How to give by post or bank transfer.
Scottish Charity SC048875. Payments processed securely; we never store card details.
Urgent support
We support people facing the end of life and promote choice at that time; we don’t provide information about methods of ending life. For urgent support, Samaritans are on 116 123, free, day or night. 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.