Category: Leith

Local volunteer helps Care & Repair Edinburgh

Keith is a local volunteer for the charity Care & Repair Edinburgh that helps older and vulnerable people stay independent, comfortable, safe, and secure in their own homes for as long as they can and want to.

Keith gets the bus or walks to the homes of older and disabled people in EH3, EH4 and EH5 (and further abound!) who have booked some DIY work with the charity.

Keith has completed 50 jobs since August 2022 in the area which has included changing many lightbulbs, and he is up a ladder in a whizz!

This is the most popular job that Keith does and can make so much difference to someone who only has one bulb as the main light source in a room. Another popular request is changing lightbulbs in fridges and hanging curtains or setting up a new laptop.

Keith goes that extra mile and has done jobs like typing up simplified instructions on how to use a mobile phone for an older person. In many cases, just visiting the client makes a big difference to them especially if they are housebound and have had few visitors.

2025 is the 40th anniversary of the charity Care & Repair Edinburgh who provide practical help around the homes of the elderly and disabled residents of Edinburgh.

The charity, which was based in Leith, was established in 1985 with the premise of “helping elderly people who are in most need and whose homes require repair or improvement”.

Forty years later the charity still provides affordable DIY and repairs for older and disabled residents of Edinburgh, however the services and the number of people being helped has dramatically increased.

Between a four-year period of 1985 to 1989 670 clients were helped but in 2025 the charity will help nearly that number of elderly and disabled people in one month!

In 2024 Care & Repair Edinburgh carried out over 6,000 DIY jobs around the homes of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable residents.

This has ranged from changing lightbulbs and putting up pictures through the Volunteer Service or installing keysafes so that an older person can stay independent in their own home with a little bit of help from friends, family members or carers. Small electrical repairs have been carried, which have included changing cracked light fittings and socket plates.

The joiner has fixed sash cords in windows, installed grab rails and handrails so clients can get out into their garden or installed shelves and curtain poles to make a house more homely.

Interestingly the age range of clients that the charity has helped has also changed over the years. In 1985 only 17% of the clients were over 80 years’ old, while today the figure is more than 46% and 11over 100-year-olds were supported last year.

Care & Repair Edinburgh’s Director, Allison Strachan, said: “It is wonderful to see the difference that we can make to the lives of the elderly and disabled residents in Edinburgh, and we receive such kind feedback from clients.

“Sometimes what seems like an impossible job for an elderly person who does not have very good mobility, for example climbing a ladder to change a lightbulb can be done by our wonderful volunteers in a flash!”

Today Care and Repair Edinburgh help older and vulnerable people stay independent, comfortable, safe, and secure in their own homes for as long as they can and want to.

Please get in touch with Care & Repair Edinburgh if you think we can help you and need some practical work carried out around your home or you would like to volunteer or make a donation so that this Edinburgh institution can carry on for another 40 years.

TODAY: Heating Meeting

ONLINE: – 2 to 3.30pm

Calling all community activists in Newhaven / Trinity / Granton / West Pilton – can you share your ideas about how decisions should be made on heating system changes coming within 5-15 years?

– How to tackle fuel poverty? Stop energy leaking out of homes!

– After gas … what? Heat pumps or heat networks?

These are big technical options being discussed right now by the Scottish Government and the City Council.

– Do you want a say in the new arrangements the infrastructure needed?

– Share your views on what will happen when gas no longer heats homes / workplaces.

– Could a Local Place Plan / a Local Energy Plan help?

This online workshop is for community organisers and residents interested in the issues. It will inform future funding applications and support for community organisations looking to take control of their journey to a low carbon future.

Book your place: https://tinyurl.com/2vfp5kv8

#community

#newhaven

#trinity

#granton

#westpilton

#heating

#localenergyplan

Strange Town presents ‘The Dark Up Close’

Established in 2008, Leith-based charity Strange Town was set up to ensure that everyone, no matter their experience or their background, gets the opportunity to access life-changing activities in the arts.  

Founded by local Directors Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, the organisation has expanded across the last 15 years and now reaches 2,000 local young people every year through youth theatre classes, holiday programmes, a touring company and agency support for young actors helping to develop the careers of some of Scotland’s best-known local talent including Tallulah Greive and Lewis Gribben.

Across all the charity’s activities, Strange Town creates high quality work that is daring and entertaining, tackling subjects of importance to young people’s lives, such as consent, knife crime and climate change anxiety.

The organisation tours local schools with educational performances that spark discussion, debate and often provides local young people with their first experience of a theatrical performance.  

This week the charity’s Young Company (18-25) returns to the Scottish Storytelling Centre after their sold out shows there last year.  ‘The Dark Up Close’ by local writer Jack MacGregor has been specially commissioned for Strange Town’s Young Company.  

Open to everyone age 12+ the play will run for two nights Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March.  

‘Two teenagers digging graves, an island full of conscripts and puffins, the guns are silent on the eve of World War III.

‘These are scenes from a near future Britain, a country in crisis, with national service reinstated for all young people. The old world is dying, and the new world has been delayed indefinitely.’ 

Venue: The Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street, EH1 1SR

Times: 7.30pm (1 hour)

Tickets Prices: £12 / £10

Ticket Link: https://scottishstorytellingcentre.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:5893/

Arts activities enrich lives, but organisations such as Strange Town are seriously under-funded, and the future is uncertain. Strange Town relies on its fundraising activities to deliver fully accessible activities for local young people.  

Funders include the Backstage Trust, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Cordis Trust, Crerar Trust and others.  

The charity also runs the 15for15 fundraising initiative where local people can donate monthly to support their life-changing work.  

More details here https://strangetown.org.uk/about-us/donations-info-page/

Man convicted of Leith Street murder

A 25-year-old man has been convicted of murder and an attempted murder in Edinburgh in 2023.

On Friday, 2 June 2023, police were called to attend a report of a disturbance on Leith Street near to the junction with Greenside Row. Peter Mullen, aged 30, was found with serious injuries and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died a short time later.

Officers subsequently arrested and charged Dylan Curran in connection with the death, and on Friday (14 March, 2025), he was convicted of murder following a trial at the High Court in Edinburgh.

Dylan Curran

Curran was also convicted of the attempted murder of a 43-year-old man during the same incident. He will be sentenced at a later date.

Detective Chief Inspector Bob Williamson said: “Our thoughts remain with Peter’s family and friends as they come to terms with what happened to him. I hope this verdict will bring some sense of justice for them.

“Dylan Curran will now face the consequences of his deplorable actions.

“Thankfully violent crimes like these in public places are rare in our communities. When such incidents take place, we will use all resources necessary to carry out thorough, rigorous inquiries to ensure we track down those responsible to bring them to justice.

“I would like to thank those members of the public who assisted with our enquiries.”

Interested in a career in banking?

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.

#TSB

#nationallotterycommunityfund

#employability

#edinburghevents

#freeevents

Utilita Energy Hub supports campaign to save Pilmeny Development Project

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.

Young People: Time to Talk

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.

#grantonyouth

#gy

#timetotalk

Stop and Search: Section 60 authorised in city centre and Leith ahead of Sunday’s derby match

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.”

Cruise Ship Levy consultation

Views sought on proposed new power for councils

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. 

Firethorn Trust reaches build milestone at Leith Walk site

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.