Turn the Tables

Edinburgh homeless project changing lives through DJ’ing nominated for major national award

An Edinburgh based social enterprise whose mission it is to use DJing to change the lives of people affected by homelessness, is appealing for votes in order to be crowned National Lottery Project of the Year.  

Turn the Tables beat off stiff competition from more than 1500 organisations to reach the public voting stage in this year’s National Lottery Awards, which celebrate the inspirational people and projects who do extraordinary things with the help of National Lottery funding.   

There are 17 shortlisted finalists from across the UK, who will compete in a four-week public vote to be named the inaugural National Lottery Project of the Year. Winners will receive a £3,000 cash prize for their project and an iconic National Lottery Awards trophy.  

Turn The Tables was started in 2018 by Robbie Tolson, an Edinburgh-based professional DJ, when he volunteered at a homelessness charity. He set up DJ workshops for people living in hostels and temporary accommodation with the vision to share his passion for DJing and live performance.  This grew into Turn The Tables.   

A National Lottery grant received during the pandemic was a lifeline for the organisation and has enabled them to further expand their work in Edinburgh and Glasgow with The Homelessness DJ project.

Participants graduate through three creative stages from beginner to professional, with the programme culminating in a live stream performance. Some recent graduates of the project have done so well they have been offered positions as Turn The Tables resident DJs and have been booked to perform live under the Turn The Tables banner at major events including the recent Riverside Music Festival in Glasgow.  

Robbie Tolson, founder of Turn The Tables, said: “We are delighted to have been made a finalist in this year’s National Lottery Awards, especially after such a tough year.    

“Our belief is that nobody should live their life without live music. That’s why we have created a safe environment for vulnerable people, who often avoid music venues and events, to not only experience live music but to also be the headline act.   

“We are so proud of all the people involved in this project and the positive changes being made by so many.  To be recognised for that is an honour and we really hope people will get behind us and give us their vote.”    

Jonathan Tuchner, from The National Lottery, added: “In these challenging times that we still find ourselves in, we see so many examples of inspirational work throughout our communities, driven by these very projects.

“It’s thanks to National Lottery players, who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes, that brilliant projects like these, are possible.    

“Turn The Tables are doing some incredible work in their local community and they thoroughly deserve to be in the finals of the National Lottery Awards Project of the Year 2021. With your support, they could be a winner.”  

To vote for Turn The Tables, please go to lotterygoodcauses.org.uk/awards.  Or simply use the Twitter hashtag #NLATables. Voting runs from 9am on 6th September until 5pm on 4th October.