On Saturday 2 November the Ferrywell Youth Project moved into a new home in the heart of the community in Muirhouse and Pennywell, part of a shared community resource with partners including CItizens Advice Edinburgh.
Speaking at the launch of the new premises, which was attended by over one hundred supporters and local residents, Shelley McLaren, Head Teacher of Craigroyston Community High School, said: “The one thing that I ask of our staff in our school is that they love our young people, that they give them love, that they show them love, that they love them when it is hard sometimes to love them, when they need it most, in their darkest days.
“If the school is based on love, then everything will follow from that. Ferrywell Youth Project is at the heart of making that happen. The Ferrywell staff are incredible people and they help make the lives of our young people the best that they can be.
“They are patient, kind and they value our young people. I thank them so much for their support for our current and former pupils. We are very much looking forward to working with Ferrywell in this lovely new space”.
The Ferrywell Youth Project (FYP) charity primarily works with young people from Pilton, Muirhouse and Drylaw.
FYP was launched to provide a joined up approach to a range of volunteer led activities that had been running since 2001, under the auspices of Scripture Union Scotland, focused on this corner of the city.
These activities have grown to include a weekly youth club known as DIME; after school and lunch-time clubs in local primary and secondary schools; one to one mentoring work and counselling; as well as taking young people away on residential breaks during the year.
In total, the current work engages with over 100 young people in the local area. This work involves a group of around 20 volunteers several of whom include young people who have grown up in FYP and are now serving as leaders.
In August 2019 FYP began renting premises from Citizens Advice Edinburgh on Pennywell Road. The accommodation includes office space, a kitchen, two lounges for young people to hang out, and counselling space.
John Gillan, Lead Project Worker Lead with the Ferrywell Youth Project, said: “This is another significant milestone for Ferrywell. In many ways it is the culmination of an 18 year journey. A journey that has reflected God’s goodness.
“But this building also represents the opening of a new chapter on the journey. It is an amazing answer to our prayers. It provides a safe space for young people to come in and hang out, to feel at home, to make friends and even to sound off! It also gives us valued office space, along with space for young people to talk in confidence with our staff.
“We want these young people to see this as a place where they belong, and where they are wanted, and somewhere we can share with them that there is hope and peace.”
Retired local headteacher and long-term Ferrywell supporter Maggie Shearer formally opened the building, cutting the ribbon alongside Carol-Anne, one of Ferrywell’s current young people.
Performing the ceremony, Maggie Shearer reflected: “This is the culmination of years of hard work, prayer, fun and laughter. And tears! It is a wonderful joy to be able to open this, the new Ferrywell Youth Project home.”
Pictures: Jarlath Flynn
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