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Helping people build confidence, wellbeing and opportunities through accessible learning.
Our learners consistently tell us that education has helped them rebuild confidence and improve their wellbeing — with growing numbers going on to volunteer or continue their learning.
Data from Marie Trust 2024-2025.
“It is only through attending the community photography classes at The Marie Trust that I gained sufficient confidence and self belief to apply to college.”
Our courses are designed to reduce barriers to learning and support people who may feel apprehensive about returning to education. This is the only Community Education Curriculum in Glasgow specifically designed to widen access to mainstream education for homeless people and those at risk. This includes people experiencing or recovering from homelessness, affected by trauma, mental ill health or addiction, involved with justice services, or simply looking for a supported route back into learning.
We handle enrolment and course allocation for you, whether learning takes place at our Albion Street premises or with one of our education partners — reducing barriers and giving you a supported way in.
Our Albion Street building has hosted exhibitions celebrating work created by learners and community partners, and may be available for exhibitions linked to education, creativity, community projects and social impact.
With funding from The Clothworkers' Foundation, we are working with Citizen Literacy to create a Digital Hub for our Education Service, providing learners with devices and access to a customised literacy platform.
To book a place on any course, complete the enrolment form at the bottom of this page, or contact Adam McIlwaine, Curriculum Manager, at amcilwaine@themarietrust.org.uk.
A short course for people experiencing homelessness, or affected by mental health, addiction or justice services. Learn techniques for involving residents, volunteers and service users in shaping programmes and initiatives in their community.
Explore the history of tartan from its ancient origins to its place in popular culture today — the people who wore it, the people who made it, and the chance to weave a small sample of tartan for yourself.
An intermediate course diving into storytelling, with weekly focuses on character, dialogue, plot and theme. Explore mini sagas, poetry, journalism and music-inspired writing, with constructive feedback on your work.
Delivered in partnership with Glasgow Kelvin College, this course offers practical experience of traditional skills like spinning, weaving and knitting. Work at your own speed, producing textiles you can be proud of.
A beginners course building skills in commonly used software including Microsoft Word, Office and PowerPoint. On completion you have the option to achieve SCQF Level 4 — 3 units in IT.
Places still available — get in touch to book yours.
Explore what wellbeing means personally and collectively, looking at sleep, nutrition, exercise and relaxation, and build individual and group plans with achievable goals and structured support to review your progress.
We are hoping to run the course in January 2027
Prepare for a move into your own home or maintain your current tenancy. Covers cooking skills, keeping your home safe and clean, moving in and managing your money, leading to SCQF Level 4 — 3 units.
We are hoping to run the course in January 2027
A beginners short course delivered in partnership with Lingo Flamingo, run as a conversation where you use and discuss the Scots language and culture while learning new and old phrases used in Scotland every day.
The Marie Trust works with Glasgow Life to provide ESOL classes and assessments at our Albion Street premises, for anyone aged 16 and over wanting to improve their English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Classes are available for beginners to pre-intermediate learners, with Book Groups and Creative Writing Groups available for intermediate and advanced learners.
To request an assessment:
Classes run only when there are enough participants in a local area, so availability may vary.
Our education department works with partner organisations to create courses best suited to the needs of the learner, whether that be a route back to formal education, a chance to return to learning or for the more social and confidence-building aspects of a short course.
Partners include City of Glasgow College, Glasgow Kelvin College, Glasgow Clyde College and the University of Glasgow.
If you would like to take part in a course, or you are supporting someone who would, get in touch and we'll talk through the options.
£150 can fund one place on a 12-week course for someone rebuilding confidence through learning. A regular gift or one-off donation helps us keep education accessible.
Free, confidential and trauma-informed therapeutic support for people experiencing or recovering from homelessness.
Supporting patients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness during hospital stays, through discharge and into the community.
