SCSN Team: Looking Back at 2025, Looking Forward to 2026
As we closed out 2025 and headed into the festive break, we asked the team to pause and reflect on the year that’s been – and share what they’re hoping for in 2026.
It’s been a year of challenges and growth for SCSN, and these reflections capture some of that. But mostly, we just wanted to share a bit about the people behind the newsletters, events and partnerships that keep this network going.
2025 in One Word
We asked everyone: if you had to sum up your 2025 in one word, what would it be?
Dave – Adaptation
Dawn – Growth
Malie – Becoming
Casey – Learning
What We’re Looking Forward to in 2026
We also asked: what are you hoping for in the year ahead?
Casey: “Starting off the new year with a holiday to somewhere warm!”
Very exciting. We all need a bit of sun after a British winter.
Dave: “Good health, certainty for SCSN, and Scotland winning the football World Cup of course.”
One of these feels more achievable than the others, but we’re backing Dave on all three
Dawn: “Launch of the Community Safety Place Standard Tool at work and hopefully a Med Cruise for my summer holiday!”
Big professional milestone paired with a well-deserved break – the balance we all need.
Malie: “Levelling up to the next decade ”
A milestone birthday year ahead! Here’s to new decades.
What the Team Has Been Reading, Watching, Playing and Listening To
We also asked everyone to share some recommendations – books, podcasts, shows, games – things that helped them unwind or think differently this year.
Books
Malie has been reading My Friends by Frederick Backman: “50 pages in and I KNEW this was going to be a really good book. Backman is quite a storyteller.”
Casey recommends The Maximalist by Dani Dazey – perfect if you’re into colourful, bold interiors and want some design inspiration.
Dave has been dipping into The Essays by George Orwell: “Beautifully economical, lucid, rich prose describing a varied life from another time. It’s a treasure, easy to dip in and out of, particularly if time to read is short.” Dave also gave honourable mentions to Laurie Lee, Nan Shepherd, Robert Macfarlane, and Niall Williams – “all gifted me words that mattered this year.”
Dawn enjoyed I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest with You by Miranda Hart: “An easy read where Hart brings her own brand of humour to her difficult challenges with Lyme Disease.”
Podcasts
Malie has been listening to Young Warriors by Alistair Fraser, calling it essential listening for anyone in community safety: “A powerful 6-part podcast exploring youth violence and gang culture in Scotland through the voices of those who’ve lived it. Professor Ali Fraser (who joined us for a brilliant Lunchtime Learning session earlier this year) combines research with deeply human storytelling. It challenges assumptions and offers real insight into the complexities of serious youth violence.”
Dave has been enjoying What Went Wrong – a podcast about the production nightmares of Hollywood filmmaking: “For cinephiles and casuals alike, it’s a fascinating peek behind the curtain at some of Tinseltown’s most infamous projects. Well researched, well produced and fun. I’d recommend the 3-parter on Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy to get you going.”
Shows
Malie recommends Pluribus on Apple TV: “That first episode gave me chills!!”
Dawn just finished House of Guinness on Netflix: “It exceeded my expectations – would recommend!”
Casey has been watching Physical: 100 Asia on Netflix: “For someone who isn’t a fan of exercise, it’s inspiring me to get fit and stronger!”
Dave has been absorbed by Shifty by Adam Curtis on BBC iPlayer: “This is such a brilliantly peculiar, hypnotic look back at Britain’s past using extraordinary vintage stock footage as is Curtis’ signature style. It’s a slow burn – so don’t attempt this if you’re feeling impatient – but it’s a seductive journey, mixing ideas that can be quite confronting, remaking our views of history and Britain today.”
Board Games
Casey recommends Cobra Paw for fast-paced fun with family or friends.
Malie is obsessed with The Mind: “Everyone I introduce this co-op game to gets obsessed! It’s a simple game suitable for everyone who can count to 100. Players need to work together to arrange cards in numerical order, but you’re not allowed to speak or gesture!”
Here’s to 2026
There’s a lot of uncertainty ahead for SCSN this year, but there’s also hope, determination, and a team committed to supporting Scotland’s community safety sector for as long as we’re able.
Thanks for being part of this network. Whatever 2026 brings, we’re glad to be navigating it alongside all of you.
— The SCSN Team
What are you reading, watching or listening to at the moment? We’d love to hear your recommendations – drop us a message at hello@scscotland.org.uk
Recent Posts
