We’ll be holding a food collection at Sunday’s home match against Celtic. Supporters are invited to donate food items from the listed provided below, which will be used at our Community Hubs to support those in need across our community.
The collection point will be opposite the club store at the Famous Five Stand from 10:30 before kick-off. We’ll also be accepting cash and card donations 
Leith is calling for ideas to help shape how the town celebrates its 900th birthday in 2028, with three £3,000 commissions available now and the potential for much larger projects if its UK Town of Culture bid is successful.
“Big Ideas. Leith Style.” is deliberately simple: no lengthy application forms and no need to be an established arts organisation. If you have an idea rooted in Leith, you can pitch it in writing, by voice note or short video.
Ideas could become projects, events, collaborations, conversations or acts of creativity: big or small, loud or quiet. They might draw on Leith’s football, food, music, memories, shipbuilding, golf, street art or community life, and could happen anywhere from a stage to a pub, playground, bowling club, church hall, theatre, café or kitchen.
Three £3,000 Countdown Commissions
Three projects will each receive £3,000 to take place in January and February 2027, marking one year until Leith’s 900th birthday.
Projects should celebrate an aspect of Leith’s culture, heritage or identity, bring people together and leave something behind, whether that is skills, relationships, confidence, memories or knowledge.
The commissions are open to people based in Leith, including individuals, community groups, charities and social enterprises, cultural organisations, businesses and informal networks. Partnerships are encouraged.
Bigger ideas for 2028
The call is also looking for ambitious ideas that could form part of Leith’s programme in 2028.
Local, national and international artists, creatives and organisations can submit ideas, provided they are rooted in Leith and create meaningful opportunities for local people and organisations.
If Leith is named UK Town of Culture 2028, successful projects could receive between £15,000 and £150,000 towards their development and delivery.
The strongest ideas will feel unmistakably Leith: made with people rather than for them, reaching beyond the usual audiences and leaving something lasting behind.
Susie Gray and Jenny Mungall, co-Directors of Leith Culture Partnership, said: “Culture isn’t something Leith is short of – it’s all around us. In the pubs, the bowling clubs, the church halls, the streets, artists spaces and renowned kitchens, and it has been for 900 years.
“This call is about finding the people who can tell our story brilliantly and backing them. We want ideas from everyone, locals with things to say and dreams for Leith and those who have been captivated by Leith’s character and spirit far and wide.”
Got an idea? Send it in
There is no complicated application form. Simply tell the team what your idea is, what part of Leith it celebrates, who you would work with, who it is for and why it matters.
Ideas can be submitted in writing, by voice note or short video by the end of the day on 6 November 2026.
A new Leith People’s Forum will review ideas in November, with shortlisted applicants invited to talk through their ideas further.
Email: hello@leith2028.com
Instagram: Leith2028
Shocking new analysis carried out by Living Rent and Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council on data obtained by Edinburgh Green Councillor Chas Booth reveals that only three in ten licensed Short Term Lets in the capital have planning permission.
Meanwhile a quarter have withdrawn a planning application and just under a quarter have not even applied for planning consent at all.
The analysis covers secondary lets only – in other words letting an entire property that is not someone’s home, and does not include people letting out a room in their own home. The research was released more than four years after the introduction of Edinburgh’s Short Term Let control area, in September 2022, which declared that a Short Term Let in the city was “a material change of use requiring planning permission”.
The analysis was based on comparing the publicly available register of short term let licences with data on every short term let planning application made in the city since 2018, obtained by Cllr Chas Booth.
This analysis shows that:
1,225 (69.84%) of Edinburgh’s 1,754 licensed Short Term Lets do not have planning permission (secondary letting)
465 (26.51%) licensed Short Term Lets have applied for planning permission and then withdrawn the application before it was determined (secondary letting)
425 (24.23%) licensed Short Term Lets have never applied for planning permission (secondary letting)
Commenting on the analysis, Cllr Chas Booth, who obtained the data, said: “Edinburgh’s short term let control area was meant to ensure every STL in the city had planning permission. Yet four years on from its introduction, it clearly isn’t working. Residents living next to unregulated lets have to put up with the disruption that brings, and every STL is one fewer home in a city with a housing emergency.”
“This analysis shows two things. First, the Council isn’t doing enough to enforce the planning and licensing system, and that must improve. But more importantly, it shows the Scottish Government’s legislation is not fit for purpose. There is a loophole as big as a barn door that hundreds of STL owners are exploiting, and residents are paying the price.
“Ministers need to wake up and smell the coffee and act urgently to close it.”
Booth added: “I’m very grateful to Living Rent and Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council for carrying out this detailed analysis. If community volunteers can establish the scale of the problem, the Scottish Government has no excuse for not acknowledging it and fixing it.”
Jon ‘Geo’ Camp from Leith Harbour and Newhaven Community Council, who undertook the analysis, said: “Our community council has heard from many residents concerned about short term lets, and this analysis shows why.
“A significant number of licensed lets have no planning permission, and many of them applied for it and then withdrew before a decision was made.
“Residents need to know the system that regulates these lets is working properly, and too often they don’t believe that it is.
“We will keep listening to our community, and keep working with councillors and MSPs to make sure these issues are heard and resolved.”
Want to learn practical skills, get creative, and make your clothes truly yours — for free?
Join our Youth Sewing Workshop — no experience needed!
Sign up using the link below/ on our website:
https://remode-collective.live.baluu.co.uk/…/youth…
We can’t wait to welcome you again!
LIFT@MUIRHOUSE MILLENNIUM CENTRE WINS WORKPLACE AWARD
The Forth Awards, presented by Livingston Designer Outlet, celebrated the very best of Edinburgh and the East yesterday at a stellar show which saw local heroes pick up awards alongside Scottish stars Emeli Sandé, Cammy Barnes, Craig Hill and more.
A sold out Usher Hall enjoyed a surprise line-up including a stunning performance from Emeli Sandé, dance sets from iconic voices including Kelly Llorenna, Janice Robinson and Simone Denny, entertainment from ‘Dirty Dancing’ and a rousing set from man of the moment Cammy Barnes.
Forth 1 presenters distributed awards to hometown heroes, nominated by Forth’s audience, across categories including Best Teacher, Best Workplace and the prestigious Forth Local Hero Award.
Station stars including Arlene Stuart, Steven Mill, Garry Spence, Callum Gallacher, Grant Thomson, Lynsey Gibson and more hosted the show as well as a charity auction to fundraise for Forth 1’s Cash for Kids, making a difference for kids across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.
10 awards were handed out across the star-studded show, recognising hometown heroes across Best Teacher, Best Restaurant, Best Workplace and the all important Forth Local Hero Award.
WINNERS:
The Forth Best Artist Award with Victor Paris – Cammy Barnes
The Forth Contribution to Music Award with The Liquid Room – Janice Robinson
The Forth Icon Award with The Edinburgh Playhouse – Emeli Sandé
The Forth Fringe Award with Watermans – Darrell Martin
The Forth Best Restaurant Award with Saltire Hospitality – Luca’s Kitchen
The Forth Cash for Kids Award with Newtown Décor – Rocco Wood
The Forth Best Teacher Award with Omni Centre – Matthew Crawford, Beath High School
The Forth Best Workplace Award with Fuse – L.I.F.T @ Muirhouse Millennium Centre
The Forth Visitor Attraction – Falkland Palace & Garden
The Forth Local Hero Award with Edinburgh’s Christmas & LNER – Lisa Petrie
The talented ensemble from ‘Dirty Dancing’, currently showing at Edinburgh Playhouse, kicked the afternoon off with an outstanding performance before Darrell Martin was presented with this year’s Forth Fringe Award.
Founder of Just the Tonic Comedy Club, which presents hundreds of shows every year at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Darrell has welcomed some of comedy’s top names to his club in Nottingham over the past 30 years including Sean Lock, Jo Brand, Rob Beckett and more.
One of the UK’s most successful songwriters, Emeli Sandé was honoured with this year’s Forth Icon Award, marking a career which has seen her pick up four BRIT Awards, achieve three UK No.1 singles and sell over 6 million albums.
The Scottish star’s upcoming 2027 UK tour celebrates 15 years since the release of her hit debut album ‘Our Version of Events’ and guests at the Forth Awards were treated to her biggest hits including ‘Next To Me’ and ‘Read All About It’.
Picking up her award Emeli Sandé said, “This is awesome, Scotland is where my whole journey began so thank you for this recognition.”
Dunfermline restaurant Luca’s Kitchen picked up the Forth Best Restaurant Award for their family-friendly authentic Italian fayre, whilst L.I.F.T at Muirhouse Millennium Centre won the Best Workplace Award.
Community project based in Muirhouse Millennium Centre, Low Income Families Together (LIFT) works with individuals and families to develop new skills to improve their lives – from tackling child poverty, budgeting skills, confidence building and employability skills, the team go above and beyond for their community.
Man of the moment and local lad Cammy Barnes took home the Forth Best Artist Award after storming onto the UK’s music scene blending contemporary country songwriting with traditional Scottish music.
Hailing from Fife, Cammy shot to fame on Britain’s Got Talent in 2023, supported Amy Macdonald on tour and is now set to play two huge dates at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro in 2027. The singer songwriter treated the audience to a rousing set including a song dedicated to his hometown ‘Beauty In These Streets’, ‘Whiskey Roll’ and a special cover of ‘Tennessee Whiskey’.
Picking up his award, Cammy said: “I can’t believe I’ve just won that award! A massive thank you to all the team at Forth 1 and Clyde 1 for backing me and playing my music on the radio – it has singlehandedly changed my life.
“When I started this journey I just wanted to make my wee girl proud – and now we just sold out The Hydro! Things like this don’t happen to be, so I’m buzzing.”
Matthew Crawford, a guidance teacher at Beath High School in Cowdenbeath won the Best Teacher Award for his commitment to his pupils and their parents and the Best Visitor Attraction went to Falkland Palace & Garden in Fife, recognising its staff and volunteers in a year of ongoing building works.
One of the afternoon’s most heartwarming moments came when Rocco Wood was presented with the Forth Cash for Kids Award. Born at just 28 weeks, three months premature, Rocco was diagnosed with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and has overcome significant challenges in his 17 years.
Cash for Kids has been able to support Rocco and his family for many years, mostly recently funding an eye-gaze communication device which has given Rocco a new way to express himself, communicate and display his cheeky sense of humour.
American singer songwriter Janice Robinson collected the Forth Contribution to Music Award, honouring a vocalist career spanning over 30 years, beginning with her global hit ‘Dreamer’ as part of ‘Livin’ Joy’. Janice went on to support the iconic Tina Turner on tour and released hit dance tracks include ‘Earthbeat’ and ‘There Must Be Love’, which she performed at this afternoon’s ceremony.
Janice said: “It feels amazing to be recognised after decades of a song that has lived in the hearts of so many people in the UK.
“Looking into the audience and realising that most of these people were really young when ‘Dreamer’ came out – I’m so blessed to have done something that brings people such joy.”
For the final award of the day, local Edinburgh woman Lisa Petrie was honoured with the Forth Local Hero Award for her extraordinary campaign for stricter retail security on knives, and the roll out of life-saving bleed kits across the local community.
After losing her son John in 2025, Lisa has campaigned tirelessly – meeting the First Minister, the King and MSPs to introduce accessible bleed kits across Edinburgh.
Lisa has assembled and distributed over 100 emergency medical bleed control kits to pubs, community centres and shops across Edinburgh and Midlothian, aimed at saving lives in all kinds of medical emergencies.
On stage, Lisa said, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Pauline and the team at L.I.F.T. – I would have turned my face to the wall and cried, but I’ve had support and an army behind me after losing John.
“It’s been hard, but knowing that there’s other families out there and we can support each other, that’s what I want. These aren’t stats, these are kids, they’re human beings. I need change and I know that we will save lives and make change for John. These awards have given me more strength to keep going.”
The 2026 Forth Awards had the Usher Hall audience on their feet with dance performances from Canadian dance and house star Simone Denny before UK trance-popstar Kelly Llorenna brought the day to a rousing end with ‘Set You Free’.
Recognising everything from small acts of kindness from teachers and care workers, to achievements in the world of entertainment, The Forth Awards were once again a celebration of inspiring stories from Forth 1’s local heroes and performances to remember.
David Robertson, Director Of Content for the Hits Radio Brand (including Forth 1), Scotland and Northern Ireland said: “In our 21st year of the Forth Awards, we continue to be inspired by the local listeners striving to make a difference and delivering, at times, life-changing work in their local communities.
“Whether it’s a teacher supporting kids in school, or individuals like Lisa Petrie campaigning on a national level, it’s Forth 1’s honour to shine a spotlight on them and say thank you.
“We send our huge congratulations to all of today’s worthy winners, and a special thanks to our outstanding performers for entertaining our sold out crowd.”
A drop-in day of hands-on fun activities at the Wee Museum of Memory will gather Leith’s stories, priorities and big ideas for the town’s UK Town of Culture bid
Leith residents are being invited to help shape the town’s bid to be UK Town of Culture 2028 at The Leith Imaginarium, a (free) drop-in public event at the Wee Museum of Memory, Ocean Terminal, on Sunday 25 October from 12 – 4pm.
Leith is one of 15 places shortlisted from nearly 400 applications for the new national competition, run by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which will name the UK’s first Town of Culture. In 2028 Leith also marks 900 years since its first written record.
Leith’s waterfront and working docks. In 2028, Leith will mark 900 years since its first written record as the community bids to become the UK’s first Town of Culture.
The bid team is developing its plans now, and the Leith Imaginarium is a chance for the people who know Leith best to help decide what goes into them.
Visitors of any age – from 3months to 103 – can bring their stories, their priorities and their big ideas for Leith in 2028 and what comes next, through hands-on activities including a chance to be Mayor of Leith for a moment, sofa conversations about Leith’s past and future, and a giant illustrated interactive map of Leith to mark places that need a bit of care as well as hidden gems and favourite spots.
The ideas gathered will help inform the final bid, which is being built from the ground up by Leith residents in the newly formed Leith Culture Partnership, with the backing of more than 80 local and national organisations and public figures.
Leith Theatre hosts an Edinburgh International Festival performance. Cultural venues, artists and community organisations from across Leith are helping shape the town’s bid to become the UK’s first Town of Culture in 2028.
Susie Gray and Jenny Mungall, co-ordinators of Leith’s bid for UK Town of Culture said: “This isn’t about bringing ‘culture’ to Leith. It’s about celebrating what’s already here, backing the creativity and communities that make this place special, and giving Leithers a real say in what comes next.
“Whatever the result, 2028 will be a special year as Leith celebrates 900 years and looks forward to the future.
“The ideas and relationships coming out of the process of this competition belong to this place, and we want to keep building on them to preserve what makes Leith so distinctive and celebrate living in such a brilliant place.”
For anyone who can’t make it there are other ways in which to find out more and have a say in Leith’s plans for 2028.
The team are hosting drop-in sessions at Printworks Cafe on Constitution Street on Friday 16 October from 9 to 11am; Leith Library on Monday 19 October 6.30pm to 8pm and other locations to be announced.
Follow @Leith2028 on Instagram for the latest news.
Posters and postcards have also appeared across Leith inviting people to have their say and linking to a survey which can be found here.
The team of Leith residents behind the bid has formalised as Leith Culture Partnership, chaired by born and bred Leither, and Executive Director and Co-Chief Executive of National Theatre of Scotland Liam Sinclair.
Tue 17 – Sat 28 November 2026 Norton Park, Edinburgh
Union Theatre Company concludes its inaugural season with Pride and Prejudice by Kate Hamill, adapted from the novel by Jane Austen. The joyful, big-hearted adaptation will enjoy a two week run at Norton Park, selected dates Tuesday 17 – Saturday 28 November 2026.
Early 19th century. Regency England. The Bennet family live on Longbourn estate in Hertfordshire. The estate must pass to a male heir, of which the Bennets have none. In order to save the family from destitution upon the death of Mr Bennet, at least one daughter must make an advantageous match.
Despite this grim outlook, the clever and outspoken second daughter, Lizzy, is determined to never marry. But her plans for independent spinsterhood are put to the test when the wealthy, mildly handsome, vaguely amusing and entirely irritating Mr. Darcy arrives in Hertfordshire with his best friend, Mr. Bingley.
Bold, surprising and boisterous, Kate Hamill’s Pride and Prejudice brings the satire and playfulness of Austen’s novel to the fore, creating a timely new take on a classic love story. Originally premiered at the Primary Stages and Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival in New York in summer 2017, the play went on to critical acclaim and was selected by the Wall Street Journal and Huffington Post as one of the best theatre pieces of the year.
Kate Hamill is an actor/playwright, and one of the most produced playwrights in America for the last nine years (2017 – 2026). Hamill has adapted a number of Austen’s and other classic works, including Sense and Sensibility (2014), Little Women (2018), Dracula (a feminist revenge fantasy) (2020), and The Scarlet Letter (2024).
Her work has been produced in all 50 US states and internationally, including Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Norway and the UK.
Union Theatre’s production of Pride and Prejudice will be directed by Hannah Fitzpatrick, and performed for selected dates Tuesday 17 – Saturday 28 November at Norton Park in Edinburgh’s Leith neighbourhood.
For further information about Union Theatre Company, its production of Pride and Prejudice and to book tickets visit www.uniontheatre.co.uk.
Pride and Prejudice by Kate Hamill Adapted from the novel by Jane Austin
7.30pm Tue 17 – Fri 20 Nov | 7.30pm Wed 25 – Fri 27 Nov & 2.30pm Sat 28 Nov Norton Park 57 Albion Road, Edinburgh EH7 5QY
Tickets £20 (£17 conc.) ticketscandy.com/e/pride-and-
COMMUNITY groups, charities, social enterprises and other mission-driven organisations across Edinburgh are being asked to help shape the future of an important conference venue serving the city’s third sector.
Norton Park has launched a new survey as it explores investment in, improvements to and potential changes to its conference facilities, with the aim of ensuring the space continues to meet organisations’ needs beyond 2026.
The research will help inform a business case and future plans for the building, with a focus on creating affordable, useful and impactful space for organisations working to make a positive difference in their communities.
Keith Robertson, Chief Executive of Norton Park, said: “Norton Park has a long history of supporting Edinburgh’s third sector and community organisations.
“As needs evolve, it is important that our facilities evolve too. We want to hear directly from the organisations that use these kinds of spaces so we can ensure any future investment is shaped by demand, delivers genuine value and creates lasting impact for the sector.”
The study is being supported by Community Enterprise and Fraser Livingstone Architects, which have been commissioned to undertake research and develop a business plan for the venue’s future.
A key part of the project is understanding what charities, community organisations, social enterprises and other third sector bodies need from conference, meeting, training and event facilities in the years ahead.
The survey is open to charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises and other mission-led organisations operating in Edinburgh. Responses will help identify current needs, gaps in provision and opportunities for future development.
It takes just a few minutes to complete and is intended to give organisations across the city an opportunity to influence future decisions about the conference venue.
The research will also help ensure local organisations are at the heart of decisions about how the building and its facilities could develop in future.
Douglas Westwater of Community Enterprise said: “Third sector organisations are facing increasing pressures, from rising costs to changing ways of working.
“This survey is an opportunity for organisations to tell us what they need from affordable conference, meeting and event space in Edinburgh.
“Whether you are a small community group, a growing social enterprise or an established charity, your views will help shape future decisions about the venue.”
Feedback gathered through the research will contribute to the work being undertaken by Community Enterprise and Fraser Livingstone Architects as they consider the business case and future plans for the venue.
Norton Park is renowned as the home of charities in Edinburgh and currently accommodates over 25 third sector organisations.
To take part in the survey, visit Future Sector Survey.
Leith’s Utilita Hub welcomed local families, football fans and community partners for a successful National Football Rebooted Day 2026 event, helping to promote access to grassroots football through the donation and redistribution of pre-loved boots.
Hosted by Hub Supervisor Natasha Baillie and Energy Expert Finn Salisbury, the event attracted strong community interest, with 12 additional visitors attending specifically for Football Rebooted Day and total Hub footfall reaching almost 70 people throughout the day.
The event saw eight pairs of football boots donated, adding to the growing number of boots already collected through the Hub. In addition, representatives from the Hibernian Community Foundation collected a bag of previously donated boots, ensuring they can be redistributed to those who need them most across the local community.
Visitors were also delighted to meet Sunshine, Hibernian FC’s much-loved mascot, who proved a huge hit with children and adults alike. Families took the opportunity to pose for photographs, creating memorable moments throughout the day.
Further excitement came later in the event when Hibernian FC Women players Tiree Burchill and Scarlett Herron visited the Hub, meeting supporters and local residents. The players were warmly welcomed by fans, including season ticket holders John Paul and Amanda (pictured above), who were thrilled to meet some of their footballing heroes.
With a Football Rebooted gazebo positioned outside the Hub, the team was able to engage passers-by and answer questions about the initiative, raising awareness of how donated boots can help remove financial barriers to participation in sport.
Natasha Baillie, Supervisor at Leith Utilita Hub, said: “We had a fantastic day celebrating the National Football Rebooted Day in Leith. There was a real buzz throughout the event, with families stopping by to meet Sunshine, donate boots and learn more about how Football Rebooted supports people in our community.
“It was wonderful to see the smiles the mascot brought to visitors of all ages, and we were especially pleased to welcome Tiree and Scarlett from Hibernian FC Women. Events like this help spread awareness of the importance of making football accessible to everyone, while ensuring unused boots find a new home with someone who can benefit from them.”
Football Rebooted is a nationwide campaign that encourages families to donate unwanted football boots so they can be cleaned, redistributed and reused by players who may otherwise struggle to afford the equipment needed to play.
Through partnerships with clubs, community organisations and Utilita Energy Hubs, the initiative aims to make football more accessible while reducing waste and supporting sustainability.
National Football Rebooted Day took place at Utilita Energy Hubs across the UK, bringing communities together to celebrate the positive impact that sport can have on people’s lives while helping thousands of football boots continue their journey on pitches across the country.
If people couldn’t make it to Saturday’s event, they can still donate football boots throughout the year; many local schools, colleges and sports clubs also have collection boxes.
A full map of collection points can be found on the Football Rebooted website: www.footballrebooted.co.uk
An inspirational mother who has campaigned for tighter security around knife sales following the death of her son has been recognised for her tireless work at Harbour Homes’ north Edinburgh Community Awards.
Lisa Petrie was named Community Champion at Harbour’s annual north Edinburgh Community Awards, held on Wednesday 30 September.
Tenants and local community members nominated neighbours, volunteers and community groups they felt deserved a big thank you. The categories were Good Neighbour, Community Champion, Community Group and Special Recognition.
Lisa began campaigning for tighter restrictions on the sale of knives following the death of her 22-year-old son, John McNab, in Leith in September 2025. She is campaigning for all knives to be placed in locked cabinets to crack down on shoplifting and ensure knife sales are carefully monitored.
Her campaigning work caught the attention of the media and people across north Edinburgh, who nominated her for the Community Champion Award.
She has also been distributing bleed kits across Edinburgh. Her work was recently recognised in the Scottish Parliament, where First Minister John Swinney committed to making the kits available at community hubs across Scotland.
On receiving her award, Lisa said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I didn’t expect it. I’m overwhelmed. “I started this to raise awareness and to save someone else from going through that, kids and adults. So I’m absolutely blown away by this.”
Lisa is now hoping to get into schools across Edinburgh to tell her story.
She said: “I think kids relate more to a realistic story than something from a textbook, so if I need to go around every school in Edinburgh to tell my story and John’s story, then I will.
“We’re looking at changing the law and we’ll keep pushing for bleed kits.”
In the Good Neighbour category, winner Joan Robertson, described by her neighbours as a “lifesaver in many ways”, was recognised for her kindness. Joan often goes above and beyond to look after her neighbours by taking in parcels, looking after pets and keeping contact details in case anything happens.
She was also nominated for Community Champion for her work in the wider Leith community, including at the Leith Polisbox.
On winning Good Neighbour, Joan said: “I’m absolutely gobsmacked.
“You just get on and do it. Do as you would be done by.”
The Community Group award was shared by the Girls Wellbeing Groups run by YMCA Edinburgh and the Pilmeny Development Project.
Girls attend the group for many reasons, including anxiety, stress, low confidence and friendship difficulties. The groups provide a safe space to develop confidence, friendships, self-care and life skills.
On receiving the award, Dawn Munro from YMCA Edinburgh, who runs the groups, said: “I think the girls will all be really chuffed with it.
“It’s really important to empower young girls with life skills. Our group is all about improving physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing. The world isn’t in a great place for young girls and women. But because our group starts at age eight, we can then transition the girls throughout the key stages of life.”
Nicola Hutchinson, from the Pilmeny Development Project, said: “We’ve worked hard to get the group to where it is and it’s nice to have some recognition in the community because it’s been going for over five years.”
Dawn and Nicola were joined by Robyn, who started out as an attendee at the Girls Wellbeing Group and now works with the group as a young volunteer.
The last award of the evening went to a group of Harbour tenants called the Leith Legends. The group set off on a 3,070-mile journey from Easter Road Stadium in January this year. Their challenge was to ‘March to the Match’ virtually by walking the distance from Edinburgh to Boston at locations around the city.
They finished in time for Scotland’s first World Cup game, then walked enough steps to get home again.
Heather Kiteley, chief executive of Harbour Homes, said: “The north Edinburgh Community Awards were a chance to bring people together for an evening of food, music, bingo and celebration.
“It was inspiring to see the incredible connections across the Leith and north Edinburgh communities and the strength of community spirit in the room.
“Every nominee and winner should be proud of the difference they make, and I am immensely grateful for the positive impact they have on the lives of our tenants and the wider community.”
