06:30, 07 August 2025
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
Twenty-five years ago, James Dunbar stood at a crossroads shaped by tragedy. At just 13, he lost his older sister to suicide – a loss that, while devastating, planted the early seeds of what would become one of Scotland’s most impactful social enterprises. Today, New Start Highland operates from the heart of Merkinch, Inverness – one of Scotland’s most deprived area – supporting over 1,500 people every year through a wide range of practical and life-changing services.
“Losing my sister at such a young age set me on a path I could never have imagined,” James recalls. “I don’t think I really knew it at the time we set up New Start Highland, but it was a catalyst for launching a service that could provide support to those affected by depression, poverty, homelessness, and substance misuse. It was a way of channelling grief and negative energy into something positive.”
From humble beginnings with just one employee, the organisation now offers employability training, housing and refugee support, furniture reuse programmes, food parcels, energy advice, a horticulture therapy garden, and more. Its aim? To provide not just support – but stability, dignity, and sustainable futures.
While New Start Highland serves communities across the Highlands, Merkinch remains its emotional and operational hub. “It’s one of the most breathtakingly beautiful parts of the world, yet remote geography and overstretched health services have resulted in profound inequalities,” says James. “Barriers to work here often lead to poverty, insecure housing, social isolation, and deteriorating mental health. We exist to change that.”
Their model is holistic, refusing to treat symptoms in isolation. “It started with something as simple as giving people duvets,” James says. “But people would say, ‘this will be great when I get a bed.’ That’s when I realised, we had to go further.”
And further they’ve gone. In the past 25 years, New Start Highland has:
But despite its reach, James insists the organisation belongs to the people. “New Start Highland is theirs to shape. We constantly evolve by listening and learning.”
For James, homelessness is deeply misunderstood. “People often see it as a separate issue – something that happens to ‘other’ people. But every homeless person is someone’s parent, child, sibling. It’s usually trauma, poor mental health, or even just bad luck that leads them there. As a society, we need to treat people as if they were part of our own family.”
Sustainability, both social and environmental, lies at the heart of the charity’s ethos. With six pre-loved retail shops, furniture reuse programmes, and house clearance services, they’ve helped build a more circular economy in the Highlands. “We want everyone – not just those in crisis – to have access to high-quality second-hand goods,” says James. “It’s about conscious consumerism. Last year alone, our shops welcomed as many visitors as the Highland’s entire population of around 235,000.”
Their volunteer network, too, is an essential thread in the organisation’s fabric. “We’ve had volunteers with us for over 20 years,” James says proudly. “Some come to give back. Some come to rebuild their own lives. The transformation we witness, not just in service users but in the volunteers themselves, is profound. We simply wouldn’t exist without our community.”
Growth, while positive, brings its own challenges. “We’re expanding quickly,” says James. “New shops, new partnerships, and this year we’re launching Scotland’s first Training and Reuse Village. It’s exciting – but it’s also a sign of the increasing need. More people are struggling with cost of living, mental health, and housing insecurity than ever before.”
Set to open later this year, the new Village will bring together a bike hub, tool library, retail outlets, training kitchen, café, and horticulture spaces, creating 40 new employment and training opportunities annually. It represents a bold vision – not just for New Start Highland, but for how communities across the UK can be supported and uplifted.
James also highlights their sister brand, Unique Ness, which upcycles donated furniture into one-of-a-kind pieces. “It’s about second chances – for furniture, and for people,” he says. “Our workshop gives volunteers a creative outlet to channel their experiences and reclaim a sense of purpose.”
As Homelessness Awareness Day approaches, James offers a poignant reminder: “The terrifying thing is, someone who is homeless today could have been just like you yesterday. Let’s not see it as ‘us and them’. With empathy and understanding, we can make sure no one is left behind.”
And what of the next 25 years? “I’d love for New Start Highland to no longer be needed,” James says, quietly. “But even as I dream of that future, I feel we’re just getting started.”
For those wanting to support the charity’s work – through donations, volunteering, or shopping second-hand visit: newstarthighland.org. As James puts it: “We may be small, but the power of community is mighty.”
At Smiley Movement, we elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this post.
Homewards: Launched by Prince William and The Royal Foundation in June 2023, they work with six flagship locations across the UK, fostering locally-led coalitions and providing resources to demonstrate that homelessness is solvable. Find out more.
Shelter: A UK-based charity that helps people facing homelessness and poor housing by providing advice, support, and advocacy to secure safe and affordable homes. Learn more here.
Centerpoint: A UK-based charity supports young homeless people by providing accommodation, health support, and life skills to help them build a brighter future. Support them here.
This article aligns with the SDG No Poverty, Good Health and Wellbeing.
Photo credits:
John Paul Photography
Paul Campbell/New Start Highland
