Tag: community engagement

Inverleith Neighbourhood Network to meet next week

There’s a distictly Drylaw flavour to next week’s Inverleith Neighbourhood Network meeting.

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre will be giving a presentation to the meeting in a ‘Getting To Know You’ session and Easter Drylaw Park has also been tabled as an agenda item.

The meeting, which will take place online using TEAMS, will be held on Monday 6th December from 6 – 7.30pm.

AGENDA

  1. Welcome and introductions
  2. Minute of meeting of 12th October 2021
  3. Getting to know you – Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
  4. Local Community Planning Partnership (LCPP)- Verbal update from Joan Beattie, Rep on LCPP from this group
  5. Progressing Inverleith NN priority – Greenspace and community growing subgroup – verbal update
  6. Community Grants Fund – discussion
  7. Easter Drylaw Park issues – discussion
  8. AOCB
  9. Date and format of next gathering

For further information contact North West Lifelong Learning Development Officer, Elaine Lennon: email Elaine.Lennon@edinburgh.gov.uk

Croft Coorie-in all set for Saint Andrew’s special!

Get your dancing shoes ready! 💃🏼

We’re very excited for our next Croft Coorie-in which will take place on November 27th at Leith Community Croft ✨

From 11am we will have flea market stalls, (email greta@earth-in-common.org for a stall), a whittling workshop (sign up: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/introduction-to…), as well as a crafting corner ✂️

From 3pm we will have a Ceilidh with wonderful ‘Flaming Nora’ 🎶🎻 – we can’t wait to have a boogie together, so make sure to save the date!

Scottish charity HorseBack UK chosen to deliver new Prince’s Trust Team Programme

Scottish charity HorseBack UK has been chosen to deliver the Prince’s Trust Team Programme, starting next January.

Aimed at young people aged 16-25, the Prince’s Trust Team Programme inspires and empowers participants to think about their future.  The emphasis is on teamwork, community, environment, wellbeing and future employment. 

The programme is based on HorseBack UK’s decade plus experience running its Military courses to empower serving and former military personnel suffering from both physical and mental life-changing injuries.

Using horsemanship and outdoor activities the charity delivers personal development programmes that encourage participants to acquire new coping strategies and life skills, and to build lasting resilience and leave with an official SQA qualification.

Horseback UK’s Schools Development Programmes have been successfully running for the past six years. With an emphasis on participation and personal development, teenagers participate in the same SQA Level 4 Certificate in Personal Development Through Horsemanship over a 15day programme.

The new Youth Development Programme, a 12-week course of personal development training and community engagement, has been created in collaboration with The Prince’s Trust and will be delivered as part of The Princes Trust Team Programme at HorseBack UK’s HQ in Dinnet, Aboyne.

Horseback UK is a charity based in Scotland and is supported by HRH the Duchess of Cornwall who is now the charity’s Royal Patron.  The Duchess shares a passion for horses, is a keen rider and understands the incredible emotional impact horses have on human recovery.  It is this emotional connection, along with HorseBack UK’s distinctive educational tools, that makes the charity leaders in mental health recovery.

Anxiety and depression are seriously affecting our young people, particularly following the Covid pandemic.

There is evidence of increasing anxiety and depression among young women aged 16 to 24 years in the UK, with nearly one-third (31%) reporting some evidence of depression or anxiety in 2017 to 2018; this is an increase from the previous year (26%) and the same period five years earlier (26%) (Source www.ons.gov.uk)

Evidence shows young people between 16 to 24 reported suffering more from some form of anxiety than other age groups (28%) and also of moderate to severe symptoms of depression (22%) (Source www.ons.gov.uk)

HorseBack UK delivers personal development programmes using horsemanship and outdoor activities that encourage participants to acquire new coping strategies, life skills and build lasting resilience.

The team at HorseBack UK is imperative to the success of the participants and each course leader has some form of mental health life experience that supports the delivery.

Throughout the programme participants will get the opportunity to take part in an Activity Residential, two Weeks Work Placement, Interview and CV building skills, a Community Project, The Prince’s Trust Certificate and Award in Employment, Teamwork and Community Skill, develop Presentation Skills, work with Horses and gain additional qualifications:

  • SQA Level 4 Personal Development Through Horsemanship.
  • SQA Level 4 Mental Health and Wellbeing.
  • John Muir Award (Discovery Level).

HorseBack UK provides a number of courses including Military, Community, Schools and Corporate. The Prince’s Trust Team Programme at HorseBack UK starts on Monday 31 January 2022.

Emma Hutchinson, co-founder of Horseback UK, said: “Everyone at Horseback UK is very excited to be delivering this programme for The Prince’s Trust. It’s a perfect fit. We are passionate about helping people with mental health challenges and The Prince’s Trust focuses on helping vulnerable young people get their lives on track.

“Horses are such wonderful creatures and they have proven time and again that they can really help young people reconnect with themselves and build their confidence and self-esteem to help them make the most of their lives.”

Planning Democracy: Community Guide to Planning Appeals

Planning Democracy’s new Community Guide to Appeals is now available.

If a developer appeals a planning decision what can you do? How do you get the community voice heard at an appeal? What happens when?

All these questions and more can be found in the guide at:

https://www.planningdemocracy.org.uk/get-help/resources/

Climate Week ‘to put people at the heart of net zero journey’

Scotland’s Climate Week runs from Monday 13 September to Sunday 19 September

A week-long programme of events and initiatives launches across the country today to engage businesses, organisations and communities in Scotland’s response to the global climate emergency ahead of COP26.

Scotland’s Climate Week 2021 will turn the spotlight on the November summit by highlighting Scotland’s national and international actions on climate change while building awareness, generating conversations and encouraging commitment to further climate action.

Climate Week will include the launch of a series of Climate Festival events, part of a new engagement programme designed to empower local communities in the climate debate and ensure an inclusive approach which leaves no-one behind.   

Businesses, organisations and individual groups are being encouraged to take to social media to make a pledge they will commit to during COP26 to tackle climate change.

Net Zero Secretary Michael Matheson said: “COP26 coming to Scotland is a unique opportunity to advance the society-wide transformation required for us to become a net zero nation.

“I am determined to make sure the conference reaches out far beyond the negotiations in Glasgow. It must reach every community and deliver a lasting legacy that accelerates our emissions reduction whilst making absolutely sure we do that in a way that’s fair and leaves no-one behind.

“Becoming a net zero nation will require a huge national effort with all of us embracing the significant changes and the chance to secure a better future for us all. It’s crucial that everyone takes this opportunity to get involved. Only by taking action together will we succeed in creating a fairer, greener and climate resilient society.

“In addition to being part of the events taking place up and down the country this week, businesses, organisations, community groups, and individuals can be part of the COP26 Call to Action by making a pledge on social media to commit to climate action for the two weeks of the summit and beyond.”

Scotland’s Climate Week runs from Monday 13 September to Sunday 19 September.

More details can be found at netzeronation.scot

Community Planning: Edinburgh Association of Community Councils meets tonight

The Edinburgh Asociation of Community Councils (EACC) meets online tonight at 7pm.

Up for discussion is the Edinburgh Partnership’s draft Community Council Reform Implementation Plan (below)

In an email to community councils before the meeting EACC Chair Stve Kerr said: “I attach a draft implementation table which includes issues that have been covered in the initial discussion between the EACC Steering Group and senior City of Edinburgh Council officers. 

“The list is not exhaustive, and I would welcome your thoughts on whether the areas covered are appropriate and additional issues that you wish to see addressed.

“I hope that as many of you as possible can participate in the discussion to ensure that the views of all 44-member Community Councils are represented.”

EP-Community-Council-Reform-Plan-09.09.21Download

***Agenda for 9 September***

1. Steve Kerr, Chair of EACC, will give an update on the Edinburgh Partnership Improvement Plan’s Community Council Reform Programme.

2. Daisy Narayanan, Senior Manager, Place Making and Mobility for the City of Edinburgh Council, will introduce her new job, with a remit that includes ‘20-minute neighbourhoods’, City Centre Transformation, City Mobility Plan, and the Low Emission Zone (LEZ).

3. An LEZ team member will introduce the project and the current consultation which lasts until 20 September (to be confirmed).

4. Discussion about the National Care Service.

5. Any other business.

This meeting is open to the public, but priority will be given to questions from community councillors. The meeting will be recorded.

Please note that by joining the meeting you are giving your consent for the meeting to be recorded.

Duncan Place Community & Enterprise Hub launches £300 Community Event Fund

Duncan Place Community & Enterprise Hub is ready and waiting to welcome you inside.

With restrictions easing we can once again come together to learn, share, and enjoy making, watching and taking part in community activities.

If you would like to hold a community event, workshop, class, performance or similar, then apply to be in with a chance of winning £300 (plus room hire) to help make it happen!

We have 6 pots of £300 to hold events in the coming months.

Pots of £300 will be awarded as follows:

  • for an event for those aged 12yrs and under.
  • for an event for those aged 13-18yrs.
  • for an event for senior members of our community.
  • for a multi-generational event.
  • others.

Criteria:

  1. Your community event must take place in Duncan Place and be open to the Leith community.
  2. If your event will cost more than £300 you must be able to evidence that the remaining budget is in place.
  3. All health and safety and covid guidance in place at the time of the event must be followed.
  4. Any required insurance must be in place by the time of the event.
  5. Any re-usable equipment purchased for the events will remain the property of Duncan Place for use at future community events.

How it will work

Complete the application form and return it by Mon 1st November 2021.

The trustees will consider all applications, choose the winners and their decision will be final and suitable dates will be agreed upon.

We will accept applications from individuals or from groups/ organisations.

Duncan Place trustees are open to considering all types of community events but are particularly keen to support those that could be repeated to help reduce social isolation in Leith.

Forms can be returned by email to: info@duncanplace.org or by post to Nicola Lamberton, Duncan Place Community & Enterprise Hub, 4 Duncan Place, Leith, EH6 7NT

The successful applicant will be announced on or before Mon 20th December 2021.

Event planning and delivery can then take place in the months that follow.

If you are unsuccessful in being awarded one of the £300 pots but have another way of funding your class, workshop, performance etc, please remember that we offer affordable room hire. Please enquire via info@duncanplace.org

There is no minimum or maximum number of words. Please just let the boxes expand as needed.

This is the first time the Duncan place trustees have opened this fund.

We aim for it to be as simple and inclusive as possible.

We are open to considering all sorts of ideas so please just give it a try – you never know where it might lead!

It can be a one-off, or a small series of events over a few days/ weeks – just go with your ideal & we’ll consider it.

Application Form

Community Renewal Fun Day at Bingham Park this Saturday

Community Renewal Lifting Neighbourhood Together is a ground-breaking project, which is currently testing a new approach in lifting a whole neighbourhood out of poverty in five years. It has received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and is being delivered in Bingham, Magdalene and The Hays.

The official launch took place in October 2020. However, lockdowns and Covid safety measures stalled the team’s visits to the local residents, so they have decided to host a fun day and picnic to officially launch the project to the community.

The event will take place at Bingham Park on Sat 4 September 1 – 3pm

During the day, residents will enjoy family friendly events, entertainment and much more. And along the way, the team will be talking to residents to find out more about their aspirations for the neighbourhood.

All residents from Bingham Magdalene and The Hays are welcome.

New homes and improved artists’ studios planned for Canonmills

Residential developer HUB and Bridges Fund Management, a sustainable and impact investor, have acquired the 1.25-acre Beaverhall House site in Canonmills, Edinburgh.

Beaverhall House is one of the largest pieces of land in a single ownership in the Canonmills area. HUB and Bridges are developing plans for a mixed-use scheme incorporating build-to-rent homes and affordable, contemporary studio space for the area’s local artistic community, along with enhanced public realm.

With the aim of delivering the scheme in 2025, HUB will soon begin extensive community engagement to help shape their plans. Public consultation will run September through to November.

This is the ninth deal on which HUB and Bridges have partnered and builds on their successful track record of delivering well-designed, community-focused residential schemes across the UK.

In line with HUB and Bridges’ focus on delivering homes in well-connected locations, the site is ideally located just a 15-minute walk from the heart of Edinburgh and close to the green spaces to the north, including the Botanical Gardens and Water of Leith.

Damien Sharkey, Managing Director at HUB, said: “This scheme continues our strategy of acquiring sites in ‘lifestyle’ cities – places with strong fundamentals and demand for high quality housing.

“We have been seeking the right opportunity in Edinburgh for some time. Canonmills in particular is the perfect location to create a hub where you have everything you need on your doorstep, catering to the changing ways we want to live and work post-pandemic.

“We are excited to bring HUB’s proven experience of delivering beautifully designed mixed-use schemes in strategic locations to Edinburgh.”

Simon Ringer, Head of Property Funds at Bridges Fund Management, said: “There is a clear need for more lower-cost and affordable housing right across the UK, not least in Edinburgh where affordability is an increasing issue.

“Since 2014 we’ve successfully partnered with HUB on a number of projects, which are on course to deliver over 1,500 high-quality units – including a significant number of affordable homes.

“We’re very pleased that we now have an opportunity to expand this proven model into Edinburgh. We believe this scheme can deliver significant positive impact for the Canonmills area.”

Scarlett Land & Development advised HUB and Bridges on the acquisition. Turley is acting as planning consultant.