Help Upmo Find a New Home

For 16 years, St Margaret's House has been a second home for adults with learning disabilities and autism. In January 2027, we have to leave it.

Upward Mobility (Upmo) is a registered Scottish charity supporting 165 adults aged 16+ with learning disabilities and autism across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian. Around 80 of our students come to St Margaret's House every week. It is where friendships have grown, confidence has been built and people have discovered what they are capable of. Our landlord has given notice, and we must be out by the end of January 2027.

The clock is ticking

We are actively seeking new premises, but any new space will need a fit out before our students can use it. We want it to be fully accessible and welcoming, and we need to make that happen in a matter of months. To do it properly, we need to raise at least £150,000.

Why your help matters

For many of our students, Upmo is where they feel understood, included and free to be themselves. For their families, it's the reassurance of knowing their loved one is safe, happy and thriving.

Upmo works. Between June and August, 96% of nearly 2,000 daily feedback responses from our students were positive, and 92% of the parents and carers we surveyed told us Upmo makes caring easier to manage.

But routines and familiar surroundings matter enormously to the people we support, and a move on this scale can be daunting. The right space is the difference between a stressful upheaval and a smooth transition, so that when January comes, our students walk into somewhere accessible, welcoming and ready.

We are approaching trusts and foundations too, but the deadline is fixed and time is short, so we cannot do this without our community. Every gift, large or small, makes a difference right now.

Every pound brings us closer to a fully accessible, welcoming home for our students.

The people behind the move

In their own words:

"It's really good to have a place we can go and just be ourselves."
Upmo student

"Upmo is a special place, there's nowhere else I'd rather be."
Upmo student

"It's a loving community, it's like family."
Upmo parent

Take a look at our latest Impact Report to hear more from some of the people, stories and outcomes behind our work and watch our video below.

Help us make sure that when January comes, no one is left without a place to go. Please give what you can and share this page with anyone who might help.

Thank you for helping us build the next chapter for Upmo.