It’s been a tough twelve months for Muirhouse Millennium Centre, but despite ongoing problems with limited funds the Centre’s staff and volunteers have had an impressive year. Members attending today’s annual general meeting heard that Muirhouse was the first community centre in Edinburgh to receive a Healthy Living Award and that careful financial management has seen the Centre’s deficit cut from nearly £18,500 to just under £400!
Millennium Centre vice-chair Jim McGinty told the meeting: “Funding has been a huge challenge for us and we have had to become even more efficient in everything we do. We’ve sharpened up our fundraising efforts and we are also working hard to develop the Centre’s profile, which helps to attract additional income by encouraging outside agencies in need of a satellite office space to use the Centre”.
Manager Peter Airlie said: “What a year it has been! With a budget cut of 54% the Centre had to go it alone, but anyone can see we did manage pretty successfully. It wasn’t easy, but with the support of centre users – who helped generate the extra income needed for heating, lighting, insurance and general running costs – we got there!”
The year ahead looks sure to be as busy and eventful as ever. A new website is currently being planned, and the Centre’s staff and management committee are looking forward to forging new links and new partnerships in the months ahead.