Looking for a career in banking? 
Join us for a session with TSB Bank professionals!
Gain valuable insights on CV writing, interview skills, personal branding, and explore career opportunities at TSB.
– Date: Friday, 7th March 2025
– Time: 14:00-15:00
– Location: ELREC, 14 Forth Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3LH
If interested, please register by emailing mrostami@elrec.org.uk.
High street hub welcomes PDP committee members to its free Community Room – and don’t miss your chance to win this month’s hub raffle prizes
Natasha Baillie, Supervisor at the Leith Energy Hub, and her dedicated team are looking forward to welcoming the Pilmeny Development Project (PDP) management committee members to the hub’s Community Room on Friday, 7 March.
PDP is facing a loss of funding which will mean closure of its services to socially isolated older people in Leith Walk, Leith Wards and North East Edinburgh.
The Utilita Hub’s Energy Experts have worked with the PDP for several years, ever since they began using the Community Room to help those being digitally excluded during the pandemic.
Keen to encourage others to make use of the hub’s facilities, Natasha said: “Our Community Room provides local groups and charities with a free and safe space for them to hold meetings or community events – with complimentary WiFi and refreshments available.
“Whilst we fully appreciate that times are tough and that difficult funding decisions have to be made, we also recognise the important work that Pilmeny Development Project does to protect vulnerable, local, older people. Our shared aim of helping the local community makes using the Community Room an obvious venue choice for PDP.
“Whether you’re running a literacy class, a knitting circle, or gathering for a community event, please do get in touch to find out more about the hub’s meeting room facilities.”
Tackling food and fuel poverty
Hub visitors will have the chance to enter this month’s Utilita Leith Energy Hub’s Kids and Adults prize raffles – with the prize winners being revealed on Red Nose Day (Friday, 21 March). This year’s Red Nose Day event will focus on supporting those in need during the current cost of living crisis, shining a spotlight on issues like food and fuel poverty.
Utilita’s charitable partner, Utilita Giving, is dedicated to alleviating and preventing the hardship caused by fuel and food poverty while raising public awareness about this critical issue.
Natasha added: “We would like to wish all our hub visitors good luck in this month’s Kids and Adults prize raffles – by taking part you’ll be helping us to raise awareness of food and fuel poverty.
“The Kids prize hamper includes toys, Teddy Bears, sweets, as well as art and craft items. The prize up for grabs by their grown-ups is a 3.5L slow cooker, with a packet of slow cooker liners.
“There’s also a Tombola coming soon, so be sure to visit the Leith Energy Hub for your chance to win craft goods, chocolates and gift sets.”
Open to all
Utilita Energy Hubs are high street locations where customers can top up their accounts, check their balances, and get energy-saving advice – based not just in Edinburgh but also Gosport, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Luton, Derby, West Bromwich, Sheffield, Leicester, Blackburn, Huddersfield and Hartlepool.
The Utilita Leith Energy Hub is open from Monday to Saturday at 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA. See more on Utilita Energy Hubs at https://utilita.co.uk/energy-hub.
Granton Youth have partnered up with The Junction – Young People, Health and Wellbeing, 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Cafe, Canongate Youth & Wester Hailes Youth Agency to be apart of a project called ‘Time to Talk’ – to try and support more young people across Edinburgh.
If you are aged 12 – 25 and are looking for support then get in touch with ourselves or find the contact information for your area in the poster attached.
POLICE have responded to a number of incidents of football-related disorder and violence in Edinburgh in recent months. As a result, Chief Superintendent David Robertson has authorised the use of powers under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994.
This allows officers to stop and search people where this is appropriate and necessary, either in vehicles or on foot.
This power allows officers to require the removal of any item the officer believes is being used wholly or partly for the purposes of concealing their identity.
The Section 60 stop and search power will be in force in various areas, including the city centre and Leith, from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sunday, 2 March,2025.
It will be used responsibly and when justified to help prevent disorder and serious violence.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson said: “Over the past few months, we have responded to several incidents of disorder and violence linked to football events in Edinburgh.
“Attacks on police officers, possession of offensive weapons or dangerous instruments, and attempts to evade justice by concealing their identity will not be tolerated. Our officers will take all necessary action to ensure public safety.
“This type of behaviour impacts the local community and the vast majority of football fans who simply want to enjoy these events safely.”
Local authorities could be given the optional power to introduce a tax on cruise ships that visit their areas in future.
The Scottish Government is seeking views on the practicalities of such a levy, as well as the potential market implications and effect on local economies and communities.
Analysis shows there were around 1,000 cruise ship visits to Scottish ports in 2024, bringing 1.2 million passengers – an increase of almost 400,000 per year compared with 2019.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “The tourism sector is a crucially important part of the Scottish economy and cruise visits are increasing. The consultation will help to inform the Scottish Government’s decision over whether or not to bring forward legislation and it is really important that we hear from a wide variety of voices on this matter.
“Last year, we held events to hear the views of the cruise ship industry, local government, and others. We want to continue the helpful dialogue which started at those events, and explore further what a cruise ship levy could mean in a Scottish context.”
Consultation on a potential local authority Cruise Ship Levy in Scotland – gov.scot
The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a nationwide cruise ship levy.
The areas that welcome the most cruise passengers are Invergordon, Orkney, Edinburgh, Lerwick, and Greenock, and the average ship in the five busiest ports carries over 1,000 passengers.
Commercial real estate investor, developer and asset manager, Firethorn Trust, has passed a major milestone at its purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) scheme on Leith Walk with completion of the building’s substructure.
Ogilvie Construction has been appointed to deliver the six-storey block, which will create high quality accommodation for 230 students when it completes next year.
The development includes construction of a single storey block adjacent to the main building, which will provide laundry facilities, a gym, cinema, and cycle store, as well as an electricity substation to power the buildings.
Donald MacDonald, Managing Director, Ogilvie Construction, said: “Site operations started in October with the demolition of the previous structure and the project has made excellent progress since then.
“With the completion of the ground slab substructure, the next phase of the build will see the columns rising as we complete each storey of the new building.
“This is our 15th student accommodation project in recent years, and we look forward to handing over a first-class facility to Firethorn Trust next year.”
Paul Martin, Development Director at Firethorn Trust, said: “As the first PBSA scheme within our Living portfolio, Leith Walk reflects our ambition to meet growing demand for modern student housing in prime university cities across the UK.
“With a shared commitment to quality, alongside the strength of its local expertise, Ogilvie Construction is perfectly positioned to deliver our vision for the development, which has been designed to meet the highest sustainability standards, while providing a vibrant community for students to thrive.”
Work is expected to complete in time for the 2026/27 academic year.
Ogilvie Construction is part of the Ogilvie Group, one of Scotland’s most consistently successful family-owned businesses. The company is over 65 years old and employs 600 people across its various business operations in the UK.
6.30pm on MONDAY 24th FEBRUARY at McDONALD ROAD LIBRARY
Want to know your rights as a private tenant? Struggling with housing issues and need some solutions?
Join us for a fun and informative quiz night on Monday, 24th February, and learn all about your tenancy rights! 
The winner will receive a £50 Sainsbury’s gift card as an award!
If interested, please email tenancysupport@elrec.org.uk to secure a spot!
A Heartfelt Thank You from Leith Festival
The results are in for £eith Chooses 2024/25, and while we’re disappointed not to have secured funding this time, we are incredibly grateful for the support we received. A huge thank you to £eith Chooses, to everyone who voted for us, and to the fantastic Leith community for engaging in this important process.
We’d like to extend our congratulations to all the successful groups who will now be able to bring their projects to life:
Leith Runs Together
Leith Community Growers
Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC)
Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain
Hibernian Community Foundation
Nepal Scotland Association
Broughton Primary School Parent Council (partial award)
Your work makes a real difference in Leith, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact you’ll create!
Although we missed out on funding this time, we’re still passionate about launching our Youth Advisory Board, which aims to give young people a real voice in shaping Leith Festival’s activities.
We want to empower the next generation, helping them build confidence, skills, and connections through creativity and community.
What’s Next for Our Project?
We’re determined to make this vision a reality, and we’d love your help! Here’s how we plan to move forward:
Seek Alternative Funding – We’ll explore other grant opportunities, sponsorships, and partnerships to support the project. If you know of any funding sources or potential sponsors, we’d love to hear from you!
Volunteer & Collaborate – If you’re passionate about youth engagement and want to get involved, let’s talk! We welcome ideas, partnerships, and support from individuals and local businesses.
Keep the Conversation Going – We still believe in this project and will continue advocating for young people in Leith. If you have ideas or connections that could help, let’s work together!
If you’d like to support the Youth Advisory Board, please reach out to us – every bit of help counts. Together, we can make sure the next generation has a say in Leith’s future.
Edinburgh University student and lifeguard Alexandra Ogilvie is heating up her marathon fundraising efforts with a community bake sale at Leith Victoria Swim Centre on February 22nd, 2025.
The event marks a key milestone in her journey to raise £2,000 for Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme ahead of her London Marathon debut.
Alexandra, who balances her mathematics studies with lifeguarding duties, will be showcasing her baking talents with an array of homemade treats, including her signature cheesecakes and cupcakes. Local businesses have also stepped up to support the cause, contributing to what promises to be an impressive spread of baked goods.
“This will be my very first marathon, and I couldn’t be more excited to take on one of the world’s most iconic running events,” says Alexandra, who won Edinburgh Leisure’s coveted 2025 TCS London Marathon slot.
“Running a marathon has always been a dream of mine to accomplish before turning 20, and now I have the incredible honour of representing Edinburgh Leisure on this global stage.”
The funds raised will support Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme, which helps over 12,500 people affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty access physical activity and sport each year. As both a student and lifeguard, Alexandra has witnessed firsthand the programme’s impact on the community.
“Each year, Edinburgh Leisure relies on fundraising to support its work,” Alexandra explains.
“With rising costs and increasing demand, your support has never been more important. Every penny raised will go towards helping the most vulnerable in our community live healthier and happier lives.”
The bake sale will take place during regular operating hours at Leith Victoria Swim Centre, offering visitors the perfect opportunity to indulge in some sweet treats and perhaps work them off with a swim or workout afterward.
To support Alexandra’s marathon journey and donate to her fundraising total, visit: Fundraising Link
Find out more about Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme – www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/active-communities.
Event Details:
Date: February 22nd, 2025
Location: Leith Victoria Swim Centre
Time: From 10am
An exhibition charting the history of Leith St. Andrew’s Parish Church, and the community around it, opens to the public this Friday.
The church building, on the corner of Easter Road and Lochend Road, has been earmarked for sale by the Church of Scotland and has now closed as a place of worship, with its last service held on 29th December 2024.
The exhibition “The Heart of a Community” marks this moment of transition and has been organised by Leith St. Andrew’s Trust, the charity behind efforts to purchase the Leith St. Andrew’s Church building on behalf of the community and give it a new life as an activity centre and events space.
The artefacts and stories collected in the exhibition are the culmination of four months of work by local historian, Dr. Julian Grant, who undertook archival research and interviews with former congregation members and others with strong connections to the church.
The project was backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, whose support has also allowed Leith St. Andrew’s to carry out early-stage feasibility studies on how to ensure a sustainable future for the building.
The Heart of a Community will be on display in the church’s main sanctuary hall, launching 21st February, and then opening over the weekends of 22nd/23rd February and 1st/2nd March.
There will also be a special panel discussion event on Wednesday 26th February hosted by Leith St. Andrew’s Trust volunteer Julia König, and featuring local history expert Fraser Parkinson, award-winning writer Jemma Neville, project lead Julian Grant and Leith St. Andrew’s Trust Chair, Nina Ballantyne.
Nina Ballantyne, Chair of Leith St. Andrew’s Trust, said: “Leith St. Andrew’s Trust is so excited to share the findings from this project with the public, celebrating the people and stories of Leith St. Andrew’s at such a pivotal moment.
“The Heart of a Community” is an opportunity to learn more about the church’s history, its role in the community to date and its future potential.
“We hope that people seeing the memories and connections made here will be inspired to support our campaign for a community buyout of the building, and help make many more memories and connections in future.”
