A community social group for people in Edinburgh, set up and run entirely by local volunteers, is looking to grow its membership.
The Out and About in Edinburgh Group was set up by Royal Voluntary Service, the national volunteering charity, with support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery. The group meets twice a month at Café Connect at the Eric Liddell Centre (Morningside Road, EH10 4DP) before heading off to visit a wide variety of local places of interest by bus.
Each outing includes some gentle exercise in the form of a short walk and an opportunity to socialise over light refreshments. Destinations visited to date include a walk along the Water of Leith, guided tours of Saint Giles and the Scottish Parliament and a cruise along the Union Canal.
The group meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, leaving Café Connect at 10am and returning by 1pm.
Group members or ‘friends’, as they are called, must be able to get on and off a bus and to walk short distances. New members are welcome to bring along a family member, friend or carer for their first outing. There is a voluntary donation of £1 per outing which goes towards future outings and the group’s small running costs.
Volunteer co-ordinator for the group, Jan Corbett, says: “Staying socially active is important for our well-being but sometimes it can be daunting. A friendly welcome is guaranteed at the Out and About in Edinburgh Group.
“Our aim is to improve people’s lives by offering friendship and helping to reduce loneliness and isolation and our group friends tell us that they really enjoy the company, conversation and outings.
“I really enjoy volunteering with the group, getting to know new people and visiting places I haven’t been before. It’s good to be able to give something back to the local community where I live. Our friends.”
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery said: “I am delighted that thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, more and more local people are coming together to provide vitally important social activities that keep people engaged in the communities where they live.”
Royal Voluntary Service is one of Britain’s largest volunteering charities with over 20,000 volunteers supporting thousands of people each month in hospitals, at home and in the community.
The simple acts of kindness volunteers provide help make communities stronger and relieve the pressure on overstretched public services. The charity is also one of the largest retailers in the NHS, with its network of cafes, shops and trolleys providing a valued haven in hospitals.
For more information about the Royal Voluntary Service Out and About in Edinburgh Group, contact 07909 748926 and speak to one of the group’s volunteers.
To find out more about becoming a volunteer in Edinburgh, contact Diane Bate, Royal Voluntary Service Community Engagement & Operations Manager, at diane.bate@
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