About us

Who we are

Friends at the End SCIO works to increase public knowledge about end of life choices and supports people to die with dignity.

We provide comfort and support to those suffering distress towards the end of their lives. Our team can also assist with documentation including Advance Directives, Advance Care Statements, and Powers of Attorney.

Our long term aim is to see the passing of assisted dying legislation in Scotland. We supported Liam McArthur MSP in the development of the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill. Sadly, this Bill fell at the final stage at the end of the last session of Parliament.

The Board of Trustees have taken time since then to consider the way ahead. Our AGM later in the year will be an opportunity for forward planning. We have already agreed that FATE will support Miles Briggs MSP when he brings forward his proposed Palliative Care Bill in the autumn.

What else we do

Host knowledge-sharing events about end of life issues.
Support legal cases on assisted dying taken forward by individuals.
Provide legal advice on assisted dying legislation, including assisting with the preparation of three parliamentary bills in Scotland.
Invest in academic research to increase knowledge and awareness of end of life choices. Including providing a scholarship for Dr Amanda Ward’s PhD thesis which provides the legal and philosophical framework for the current proposal.
Facilitate local support and campaigning groups for assisted dying legislation. (Want to get involved? Become a member.)
Work with partnership organisations in the third, private and public sectors who support end of life care.
We are currently in partnership with DID and HSS to sponsor Dr Amanda Ward (recognised as the expert on Scots Law on Assisted Dying) as Research and Legal Advisor on the Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill.

We formed as a voluntary society in 2000 and received charitable status in 2018. As a registered charity in Scotland (SC048875).You can access a copy of our 2023-24 annual accounts at Friends at the End SCIO Report and Accounts 2022-24.

Our consultation responses

Friends at the End regularly generates consultation responses based on the views of our wide-ranging membership. Consultation documents are then submitted to a range of sources, including the Scottish and UK Government, Committees of the Scottish and UK Parliaments or other parties who can influence policy, such as the Law Commission.