Celebrating the good stuff: city social enterprises surging ahead

Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network (ESEN) has published a report into the impact of social enterprise in the city. Titled ‘Celebrate the Good Stuff”, it’s a real good news story!

There are now more than 200 social enterprises across the city, and the report reveals that the turnover of the sector has trebled from £44 million to £120 million in two years, with 94% of the sector’s income generated from direct trading (up from 75% in 2013).

There are also 8000 people involved in social enterprises across Edinburgh – as staff, volunteers or trainees.

Commenting on the social enterprise sector boom, Emma Galloway, chair of ESEN said: “We have seen social enterprise become the model of choice for entrepreneurs who want to effect real change in the society and community. As a result of the work of the city’s social enterprises and ESEN, the Business Gateway and the City of Edinburgh Council Economic Development team, more and more people in Edinburgh are both finding out about social enterprise and making the choice to get involved.

Emma added: “New social entrepreneurs are coming from a variety of sources – universities, schools and colleges through to former sole traders wanting to operate their business with an ethical purpose at its very heart.”

The report also relates to the Social Enterprise Strategy for Edinburgh: (2013 – 2018) Enabling Enterprise as it moves into its second year of delivery. With key highlights including the “Buy the Good Stuff” marketing campaign promoting social enterprises to consumers; the running of Social in the Square, Scotland’s first social enterprise festival as well as initiatives to raise awareness of social enterprise amongst businesses including the running of social enterprise markets at the Royal Bank of Scotland’s headquarters and social enterprises being invited to speak at the Business Gateway’s monthly Growth Club events.

Susan Harkins, Business Gateway Manager, said: “The study shows the huge range of social enterprises in Edinburgh selling at least 40 different product types and services and many selling out-with the city and overseas as well. One of the vital elements to success has been the shift from public sector support to selling to consumers direct – as the social enterprise market has matured.”

Speaking at the launch of the report, Minister for Local Government and Community Empowerment Marco Biagi said: “Social enterprises play an important role in supporting communities and delivering quality services, so it’s fantastic to celebrate their success and see them grow and evolve.

“Social enterprises help to improve people’s lives, they can reform public services and give people the chance to be involved in the design and delivery of the services and decisions that affect them.

“The Scottish Government has invested heavily in developing and supporting the sector and we look forward to considering what more we can do to boost social enterprises in the future, as its work is crucial to creating a fairer and more inclusive Scotland.”

Edinburgh’s Economy Vice-Convenor, Councillor Gordon Munro, said: “Over the last year, we have been calling on the general public to think about how they shop around the city and to consider purchasing from social enterprises. It’s clear from these impressive turnover figures that our call to action is working. We have a growing number of local businesses which provide great ideas and service, create jobs and support our local economy – all of us should celebrate and show our appreciation for this exciting and entrepreneurial community.”

This study has focussed solely on organisations that meet the Social Enterprise Code and have engaged with ESEN as social enterprises or that have defined themselves as social enterprise.

Red mist rage at Red Bridge

Police are appealing for witnesses following an assault on Ferry Road yesterday afternoon. The incident happened at around 2.30pm under the red footbridge near Crew Toll roundabout on Ferry Road.

A 54-year-old man was approached by another man who assaulted him following a brief altercation. The victim suffered facial injuries and was taken to St Johns Hospital, Livingston.

The suspect, who had a Husky-type dog on a lead, is described as white, of medium build and aged around 30 years old. He was wearing a grey jumper, dark grey trousers, dark coloured walking shoes and had a blue jacket tied around his waist.

He was last seen walking off in the direction of Ferry Road Gardens.

Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their inquiries to come forward. Detective Constable Douglas Mogg said: “This was a brutal and unprovoked attack on a cyclist who was using a marked cycle path and it has left the victim injured and badly shaken.”

“We are keen to hear from anyone who saw a man meeting this description around this time or who can supply this man’s identity and they are asked to contact Police on the 101 number or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Letter: Why Politics Matters

Dear Editor

We work through a Parliament or a Council to change things, so it is crucial to know whom the Members represent and why.

Throughout history there have been many changes in how society works – but not without struggle. Those resisting change stood to benefit from the old system: it is the same today.

The system of Capitalism under which we live is not a stable one; it exists in crisis, followed by a mini-boom, followed by another crisis. The result is unemployment, restricted wages for most people and cuts in public services of all kinds.

The system cannot be stable if the main aim of the owners of industries is private profit making; Capitalism as a system can no longer cope and poses a danger to all. It is time to be replaced by a Socialist sytem, where increasingly industry will operate for the benefit of all, not the few.

This means a struggle, as in the past, with those resisting change. The areas of struggle must be decided by the needs of the people. This will arouse the wrath of the resisters, taking many forms: diverting attention in various ways, pitting one section of people against another to disrupt unity of purpose nationally and internationally.

Throughout history there have been many changes in how society operates: the present society of Capitalism will change but must be replaced by a fairer system called Socialism – that operates for the benefit of ALL.

A.Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Five star lifesavers!

Woman rescued from icy water off Gypsy Brae following boys’ prompt action

Officers in Edinburgh have commended the actions of five 11 and 12 year-old boys after they saved a woman’s life.

Last Sunday, at around 4.30pm, a woman entered the very cold waters at Gypsy Brae and started to swim out towards Fife, despite advice from Wacka Ceesay (11), Andrew Bell (11), Tyler Jay Anderson (12), Aleks Czernecki (12) and Kian McGee (11) not to do so.

When the boys were unable to persuade the woman against swimming, one of the lads raised the alarm with an adult and asked for the Coastguard be called.

Police and Coastguard arrived and the boys were able to identify the area where the woman was and provided footage of the woman entering the water to assist the emergency team.

The woman was rescued from the water and taken for treatment and is now recovering from her ordeal.

The boys were very helpful to police and they were taken for a tour of Drylaw Police Station as a reward – officers then took them home and praised them in front of their parents.

The boys told police that they knew what to do due to what they learned at The Risk Factory, a Police Scotland-sponsored interactive safety centre. The Edinburgh-based initiative is sponsored by local authorities and emergency services in the Lothians area, and is available to all local children in Primary 7.

Police Sergeant John Brock said: “This incident could have quite easily had a tragic ending. Due to the swift and conscientious actions of these boys a woman’s life was saved. Police Scotland commends them for their bravery and quick thinking. Thank you to these five boys for demonstrating outstanding community spirit.”

So long, summer – hello, Halloween! News from Trinity

TCC resumed its meetings on 14 September – Summer is officially over! But as (admittedly meagre) compensation, here’s the September newsletter!

And remember, we would really like to have your feedback on what’s good around Trinity, what’s not so good and what could be better. How else can we represent your views? Look forward to hearing from you!

Bill Rodger, Trinity Community Council

Trinity CC September Bulletin

TRINITY COMMUNITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER UPDATE

Twenty five people came along to TCC’s first meeting after the summer break. Here are the main points …

Police Report

No representative available but a written report was received:

Enquiries are in hand concerning recent housebreaking reports including incidents in Larkfield Gardens.
Several people have been charged with break-ins in Forth. Some are in custody whilst others are on bail curfews.
Three addresses in north Edinburgh searched for stolen property to try to identify perpetrators and return property.
Overall domestic housebreakings in Forth are down 2% over the same period in 2014 (which was lower than 2013).
Detection rates are also increasing with more culprits being taken to court.
Additional Police resource has been deployed City-wide.

We can do a lot ourselves using security measures such as alarms, locks, lighting etc. Crime prevention advice or a personal visit with more specialist advice can be arranged through the local Forth Community Policing Team.

Waterfront Developments

Cllr Hinds provided a map showing the ownership pattern for the development area following our concerns about piecemeal development and potential impact on Trinity residents. We will be discussing this with Granton CC. The Second Regeneration Conference has been scheduled for 2.30pm on 30 September at Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre. All are welcome to attend.

Traffic Issues

Feedback about East Trinity Rd suggests that the improved Lower Granton/Trinity Rd junction has improved matters and that no further measures are needed meantime. The knock-on impact to the west end of Lower Granton Rd will continue to be monitored with the 20mph limit expected to be very helpful in the first instance. An application for a pedestrian crossing on Craighall Rd has been assessed and turned down and we are seeking further information on the reasons for that.
CEC officials have advised that nothing is scheduled to review the North Edinburgh Transport Strategy. Cllr Hinds has undertaken to review that position with them in light of previous assurances.

South East Scotland City Region Plan (SESPLAN) Major Issues Report (MIR)

This is the VERY IMPORTANT first stage of a new 20 year strategic plan for 1.5m people living in Edinburgh, Lothians, Borders and southern Fife. It is a consultation document and open for comment until 30 September. You can make your thoughts known at

http://sesplan-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/mir/mir

Alternatively pass them on through TCC as we will be making a representation. Or do both!

Other Planning Matters

Application to trade vehicles from 144 Newhaven Rd resubmitted. We have repeated our previous objections and trust that CEC will maintain the firm stance it took last time.
No further movement regarding 127 Trinity Rd or Sainsbury.

Reduction in Local Banking Services

Following RBS Goldenacre closing its doors on 13 August, Bank of Scotland has now advised a reduction in its opening hours. This is disappointing news for local customers and businesses.

Your Parks Need YOU!Keep Scotland Beautiful has awarded a Green Flag to Starbank Park recognising the magnificent efforts of the Friends and CEC staff in restoring the park to its place as a jewel in Trinity’s crown. So now both Trinity’s parks have a Green Flag. Celebrate by coming along to see for yourself. Party on Halloween! (see above)

And on the Glorious Twelfth, Victoria Park’s renewed basketball and tennis courts were formally opened by Cllrs Lesley Hinds and Richard Lewis together with Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport. Our parks are really going from strength to strength!

To get the best use of the courts, discussions are in hand about booking but we must ensure these and other amenities stay high grade. We are therefore looking for people to join a Friends of Victoria Park group.

Email tcc-comms@outlook.com if that’s you!

Other Improvement Matters with CEC

Bins installed at Trinity Academy Vennel. Surface improvements under discussion.
 Enforcement of yellow lines at Boswall Rd to be pursued.
 Ownership of Lower Granton Rd foreshore being clarified.
 Denham Green lighting to be investigated.

Clean, Green, Safe & Engaged?

This report from Forth Neighbourhood Partnership compared us against the rest of Edinburgh. Measures cover North: i.e. Forth + Inverleith unless stated. The good, the bad (+ some ugly!):

Street Cleanliness (Trinity): Well above target. Some litter on Granton Road.
Refuse Collection Complaints: Roughly double target (in common with rest of Edinburgh)
Park Quality: 100% achieved across all North¡¦s 5 parks!
Safety: Anti-social behaviour orders are low for the size of our population but a disturbing number go unresolved and we suffer a lot of repeat ASB¡¦s.
Satisfying Place to Live (Forth): Third worst in Edinburgh.
Community Engagement (Forth): Best ward in Edinburgh.

Come along and give your thoughts to our next meeting on

Monday 12 October at 7 pm

in Wardie Parish Church, Primrose Bank Road.

We need to know what you think!

Did you find this bulletin useful or informative? If so, why not show it to a neighbour? Anyone in Trinity can subscribe to the bulletin simply by emailing tcc-comms@outlook.com Or drop us a line and tell us what you think could be better.

We’ll support you evermore?

Consultation launched to give fans greater voice

A consultation into the best ways of increasing supporter involvement in football clubs is being launched today.

The Scottish Government is launching the exercise to inform potential future legislation to protect the rights of football fans. The consultation, which will run until 15 January next year, seeks to gather the views of supporters and other stakeholders involved in the game.

Respondents will be asked to consider a number of different options that could be included in future legislation. These include a right to influence the way the club is run, to govern the club or to bid for ownership when it comes up for sale. The final option is to introduce a right to buy, where fans would have a right to buy their football club.

The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament in June 2015. As part of the final legislation, the Scottish Government gave an undertaking to consult on a range of different options to enhance supporter involvement in football clubs.

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, said: “I believe that football clubs are stronger when supporters are involved in the way they are run. The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that fans have the chance to be involved wherever possible.

“It’s important to increase supporter involvement, but we also need to consider the long term stability of our clubs. We must make sure that whichever option we pursue does not result in any unintended consequences.

“This consultation is about gathering a wide range of views so we can decide the best way to achieve this. I want to hear from fans, supporters’ organisations, players and the clubs themselves – anyone who cares about this great game.”

The consultation paper can be downloaded here:

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/09/8222

Dobrou noc!*

*That’s ‘goodbye’!

Yesterday we welcomed the Zumba for people with disabilities session, our Boys Club, our residential Craighall Project our Crafting Group and a special Birthday party to end the day as we waved goodbye to the students from the Czech Republic and their tutors (writes James McGinty).

The students lined up at 8.15 as usual (classes start at 9am) Students from Czech Republic arrive here every week through to December due to the additional funding allocated to students by their Government.

Zoo sleepover raises over £24,000

Cold comfort: Fundraisers get a taste of what life’s like for Edinburgh’s homeless people

Edinburgh’s Lord and Lady Provost and 126 hardy local fundraisers braved the elements through Thursday night at Edinburgh Zoo to raise funds for charities supporting homeless people.

Together they raised £24,340 – and counting – to be split between the Rock Trust and Four Square.

The open air sleep out, which took place close to the popular Penguins and Lemur Walkthroughs, was compered by Grant Stott. Featuring talks with charity workers, some of the city’s youngest rough sleepers and comedian Susan Morrison, participants were moved by stories of teenagers living without a home.

The brainchild of Edinburgh’s Lady Provost Elaine Brand, the event was the first of its kind for the Zoo. She said: “I’m overwhelmed by Edinburgh’s fundraising efforts. So many people got behind the event and raised vital funds for charity.

“Homelessness in Edinburgh remains a pressing issue and while nobody can truly experience the struggle of sleeping rough based on one night in the cold, everyone who took part will take away the knowledge of just how difficult this year’s colder months will be for our young homeless people.”

The Lord Provost Donald Wilson added: “I’m so glad that together, we were able to make a difference. Our sleepover at the Zoo was certainly a challenge and leaves you feeling so thankful to have a warm bed with a roof over your head to go home to.

“That is something some of Edinburgh’s young people wouldn’t have without the efforts of the Rock Trust and Four Square. These charities are hugely important for Edinburgh’s struggling young people who find themselves with nowhere else to turn.”

Heather Arni, Chief Executive of Four Square, said: “On behalf of myself, The Board, staff and importantly our young people I would like to extend a huge thank you to the Lady Provost and her team, the staff of RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, all the individuals who attended and those who have donated.

“Such an event has enabled both charities to raise awareness of young people’s homelessness in Edinburgh and the services that work tirelessly across the city working with vulnerable, disadvantaged young people.”

Kate Polson, Chief Executive of the Rock Trust, added: “We hope that the people who slept out understand that because of the amazing amount of money raised, some of our young people won’t have to go through other nights like that.

“The Sleep Out participants have contributed to the provision of vital services which will help young people to overcome homelessness and build better futures. We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of all of those involved.”

Hold Me Dear: launch event this Sunday

Rodney Street Tunnel transformed

A month-long open air photography exhibition in the Rodney Street Railway tunnel in Canonmills, featuring unique pictures and stories of treasured city spaces taken by local people living in Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Hamburg and Istanbul, opens on Sunday.

Curated by HERE + NOW, the ‘Four Cities, [extra]ordinary Places’ exhibition provides a unique and exciting opportunity for people to share the places that matter most to them, building up a very personal insight into a residents’ view of their Edinburgh the places that actually matter personally to local people beyond the usual tourist landmarks.

EXHIBITION DATES

24 September – 20 October

freely accessible for public viewing in Rodney Street tunnel, King George V Park

PUBLIC LAUNCH PARTY

Sunday 27 September, noon

the exhibition will formally launch with a picnic event, talks, music performances and art-themed cycle tours around city.

Visit www.holdmedear.co.uk to see the submissions

Pirniehall Primary: Four-ever Green!

Four Green Flags – and a half day from Sit Tom too!

Pirniehall Primary School achieved their first Green Flag for their Eco-achievements back in 2008, and the children in West Pilton have been keeping up their efforts ever since to do what they can to help the environment.

Their hard work over seven years hasn’t gone unnoticed – and this morning Sir Tom Farmer called in to celebrate Pirniehall’s FORTH Green Flag!

Sir Tom is a great friend of Pirniehall and their neighbours St David’s, and he came to the school’s aid by buying a flagpole for Pirniehall when they received their first Green Flag all those years ago.

It was fitting, then, that Sir Tom was on hand to lead the celebrations to mark flag number four. He told the children: “Thank you for asking me back – I am very happy to come back to see you because I like to be close to people like you who have been very, very successful. I like to be with the best – and you have all worked extremely hard to do your very best. I am really delighted to be here at Pirniehall to share your success with you.”

So pleased was Sir Tom that he granted the whole school a half-day off – fair enough they get a half-day today anyway, but it’s the thought that counts!

Well done, Pirniehall!

More pictures on our Facebook page