Harbour Homes’ Sheltered Housing Team has received a five-star certificate of nomination from Age Scotland’s Services for Older People Awards.
The awards recognise the hard work and dedication of individuals, groups and organisations who make a positive difference to the lives of older people in communities across the country.
Age Scotland’s Chairperson, Stuart Purdy, said it was hugely inspiring to learn about the dedication of Harbour Homes’ Sheltered Housing Team and all the work they do on behalf of older people.
Maureen Combe, Sheltered Housing Services Manager at Harbour Homes, said: “It’s our absolute pleasure to support our tenants and to do all we can to help create a real sense of community among them.
“I’m thrilled that our team’s dedication has been recognised by Age Scotland.”
Efforts to save Leith’s much-loved Lindsay Road Bridge (also known as Pride Bridge) have moved a step closer thanks to a funding award through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme.
The 1930’s bridge, originally built for vehicular traffic, was closed off to motor vehicles in 2008 and has since served as a key walking, wheeling, and cycling route over Hawthornvale Path. In 2021 community members painted the bridge in rainbow colours, leading to it being named locally as the ‘Rainbow’ or ‘Pride’ Bridge.
In December 2021 the bridge, which is at the end of its lifespan, was closed due to concerns around health and safety.
Council officers have since made a successful application for Transport Scotland funding through Sustrans for the design of a replacement bridge deck, with £232,700 awarded. A designer will now be appointed to progress the design, to be developed in consultation with stakeholders and the community.
This process is expected to last a year and, once it’s complete, officers intend to apply to Sustrans for 70% of the construction funding required to build the bridge.
The work will be delivered alongside the Leith Connections project which is making improvements to community spaces and providing better connections for anyone walking, wheeling or cycling through the streets of Leith.
The Leith Connections project was awarded funding through Places for Everyone, an active travel infrastructure programme backed by Transport Scotland and administered by Sustrans.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: I’m delighted that this funding award gives new hope for the future of Pride Bridge.
“This structure is a local landmark, a link to Leith’s industrial past and a reminder of the pandemic, but above all else for me it is a celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride. It also provides a safe and convenient walking and cycling route between North Fort Street and Newhaven area.
“Thanks to all those involved who have campaigned for its preservation.”
Kasper Schwartz from Sustrans said: “The Pride Bridge serves as a vital walking, wheeling, and cycling connection for the people of Newhaven.
“It not only provides a direct and accessible link to local shops, businesses, and public transport in the area, but also stands as a vibrant symbol of community resilience.
“We’re excited to be able to support the design and development of a new bridge deck, and in due course, see this important link reinstated.”
Róisín Thérèse from the Save the Pride Bridge campaign said: “We are delighted to hear that Sustrans has agreed to fund a full design with community consultation.
“We believe the Pride Bridge to be a very important piece of local history and heritage, an essential safe and accessible active travel route, and a much loved community space.
“We also believe that, especially in light of rising hate crime statistics, it is really important for us to show both our solidarity with the LGBTQ community and our commitment to their safety and inclusion.
“The Save The Pride Bridge group is looking forward to working closely with the council to find a suitable solution to restore this important local landmark.”
Shelter Scotland staff and volunteers will take their campaign against the housing emergency to the streets of Edinburgh today to mark World Homeless Day.
Campaigners will be out in force at the foot of Leith Walk issuing a Housing SOS.
The charity will be highlighting the increasing number of people experiencing homelessness and asking the public to join in it in demanding urgent action to address the capital’s worsening housing emergency.
At 12:00 activists in Edinburgh will be joining campaigners in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow in a “minute of noise”, letting our politicians know loud and clear that they need to act now.
World Homeless Day is marked each year on October 10th and unites activists working across the globe to end homelessness.
The latest figures released by the Scottish Government showed a 25% increase in the number of people who became homeless in Edinburgh in 2022/23, while more than 2,700 children in the city are stuck in temporary accommodation.
Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said: “Edinburgh’s housing emergency is getting worse; and across the country it is devastating lives so today we’re sending out a housing SOS.
“A household becomes homeless every 16 minutes on average, while 45 kids each day lose their home in Scotland.
“What’s so frustrating is that it doesn’t have to be like this, we know that by delivering social homes the government can end our housing emergency and give hope to the thousands of people across Scotland experiencing homelessness.
“That’s why this World Homeless Day, we’re out on the streets of Edinburgh not only demanding urgent action from those in power but urging the public to join our fight as well.
“At 12 o’clock we’ll join together to make a noise that politicians can’t ignore, to demand they make sure everyone in Edinburgh has somewhere to call home, and to remind them that none of us will be quiet until the job is done.”
McAleer & Rushe has announced a three-year commitment to community groups in Edinburgh as part of its Dockside project, a neighbourhood of at least 338 build-to-rent homes where Goodstone Living is the developer and investment manager.
Each year McAleer & Rushe will provide a monetary donation to a community group or charity as well as ongoing support and engagement throughout the year.
The first organisation to be chosen in the Design & Build Contractor’s three year plan is Citadel Youth Centre, which has been providing community based youth work in Leith since 1980, and will receive a £5,000 donation.
As well as funding day trips for Mums and toddlers, new equipment and a Wellbeing Festival, the financial investment will support a number of the charity’s employability schemes including new laptops and personal PPE for young people entering their first new job.
This initiative from McAleer & Rushe will complement Goodstone Living’s social value strategy for the waterfront scheme, which will deliver over £2m worth of socio-economic benefits for the local community – including the creation of 60 jobs – as well as the construction of over 1.3 acres of new public realm space.
Commenting on the partnership Paul Marlow, Project Director at McAleer & Rushe said, “We are incredibly proud to be supporting Citadel Youth Centre who through their hard work and dedication are helping people within the local community via a range of programmes and educational opportunities.
“As a company we are committed to making a positive impact to the communities in which we work to bring wider community benefits and create social value for those living in the local area and this project in Edinburgh is just one example of this.
“Enriching so many lives in the Leith community, Citadel Youth Centre really inspires and supports a range of young people from 6-18 shaping lives for the better, guiding young people into employment and making a real difference with the community.”
Willy Barr from Citadel Youth Centre said: “We would like to thank Paul and all the team at McAleer & Rushe for all of their help and support.
“The money that they have kindly donated will help us to continue to be able to deliver our youth programmes, educational schemes, family support groups and intergenerational work and will really make a difference to those in the community that use our services.”
Lee Hawkins, Construction Director, Goodstone Living, said: “Together, Goodstone Living and McAleer & Rushe will be delivering long-lasting benefits to the Leith community, with direct support for local people as well as the charities and key stakeholders making an impact here.
“In addition to the supply of high-quality and much needed rental housing, we are committed to the creation of jobs, skills and learning in a sustainable manner.”
YMCA Edinburgh, in partnership with Bethany Christian Trust and Harbour, are organising two opportunities to share your experiences of the Covid-19 pandemic is part of the Lets Be Heard programme.
We are trying to reach as many people in Leith as possible so the voices and stories of Leiths pandemic experiences are heard.
Our sessions will be on the 24th of October at 1 p.m and 6p.m at the Harbour offices.
The events are open to anyone over 16 who live, work or volunteer in Leith and were here during lockdown.
ELREC are organising a very exciting workshop in partnership with Heriot-Watt University exploring people’s perception of their language and how it can be reflected in a form of art.
Join us for this very creative course. Attendance at all the sessions is not necessary, you can come along to as many sessions as you wish. All materials and food are provided
Two Leith-based charities – Edinburgh Young Carers and The Junction – have secured a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative.
The funds were allocated following a vote by Scotmid Members.
Edinburgh Young Carers has been awarded £15,000. The charity is a voluntary organisation that provides respite and support to young people between the ages of five and 25 who care for somebody at home.
It aims to improve the lives and wellbeing of young carers by raising awareness of the challenges they face and by offering emotional and practical support.
The Junction, which has secured £5,000, works with young people aged 12-21 across Leith and the North East of Edinburgh, offering access to a wide range of health-related services, education and information by providing a safe and welcoming environment.
The charity encourages social and economic inclusion and promotes long term health and wellbeing.
Margaret Murphy, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Young Carers, said: “We are over the moon to have been awarded £15,000.
“Young carers in Edinburgh face many challenges and responsibilities looking after their loved ones and this funding will provide new opportunities that they otherwise would not have.
“We are committed to offering young carers valuable respite and a place to grow their confidence and skills away from their caring responsibilities.”
The final good cause group in the East of Scotland to have been awarded £5,000 funding is Fairway Fife, a peer mentoring charity addressing the social isolation faced by most young adults with Learning Disabilities or Autism.
Keen to support local good causes? Pop into your local Scotmid and pay £1 to become a member.
HIBERNIAN Community Foundation is hosting an event at Easter Road through Older Peoples Week! The Older Peoples Activity Day is a FREE event taking place between 12pm – 4pm tomorrow (Thursday 5 October).
For further information or to book your place for this event, contact lewis@hiberniancf.org
