We’re delighted to invite you to free Wellbeing Sessions for Women 50+ delivered in partnership with Creative Edinburgh.
Join us for one (or more!) of three upcoming wellbeing sessions this autumn, each designed by artists to offer a welcoming space to learn new skills, share experiences, and connect.
First up: Paper Weaving Workshop with Sally Price
Thursday 17 September, 10am
You may know Sally from her work across some of our much-loved projects taking place at North Edinburgh Arts: Saturday Arts & Dance, Room for Art, and Art Buds Collective, and now she’s bringing her creativity to this new workshop.
In this session, Sally will guide us through a simple yet effective paper weaving technique, playing with colour, pattern and process. Repetitive and relaxing, paper weaving keeps your hands busy and your mind focused, using a mix of papers, including recycled and hand-painted pieces, to create beautiful results.
These sessions encourage personal expression and joyful creativity, helping build confidence and a sense of wellbeing.
With November being men’s mental health awareness month we wanted to make a powerful statement in addressing it and what better way.
Frank Bruno MBE is a former WBC world heavyweight champion who has faced many challenges in boxing and with mental health and we are delighted he is going to share some of these stories with us on the night.
The evening will consist with doors opening at 6 with some welcoming refreshments (non alcoholic), a photo with Frank and then listening to Franks journey. With the evening coming to an end around 8.15.
Tickets are on sale now for all BLAST members or affiliations.
On general sale from September 18th.
Please note, tickets are limited to only 100. This is a very small and intimate event.
Please contact the FB page with any enquiries or to secure your space.
GATHER is a brand new exhibition showcasing work by artists and community members from across Edinburgh, coming together for the very first time.
As well as artwork from the other hubs, the exhibition features 21 Art for Grown Ups members showing their work, plus our community banner (still a work in progress but almost complete!) on display alongside artwork created by NEA and Royston Wardieburn Community Centre members.
This is a truly special exhibition, and we’d love for you to join us!
GATHER EXHIBITION
Opening: Friday 11 September 2026, from 4:30pm
Main Exhibition: 12 – 26 September 2026
St Margaret’s House, 151 London Road, Edinburgh EH7 6AE
Free. No need to book.
The Creative Community Hubs Network consists of eight partner organisations based across Edinburgh: WHALE Arts, The Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Granton:hub, North Edinburgh Arts, Duncan Place Leith, The Crannie, Lyra and Craigmillar Now.
I SWEAR is a frank, funny and powerful film inspired by the life of John Davidson, MBE, charting his journey from a misunderstood teenager in 1980s Britain to a present-day advocate for the understanding and acceptance of Tourette Syndrome.
Diagnosed at 15, John navigates troubled teenage years and into adulthood, finding inspiration in the kindness of others to discover his true purpose. It’s a hilarious, moving and life-affirming story that shines a light on a condition still widely misunderstood.
This screening is part of the Local Cinema Network, supporting film screenings co-curated with and for local communities across a range of community venues in Edinburgh.
Just a wee reminder, Monday morning the centre is CLOSED for our staff meeting, and we’ll be opening our doors from 12pm. The Sharing Shelf will also be available from 12pm.
The rest of the week is packed with things to get involved in, from little ones to our over-50s, community groups, savings, the Sharing Shelf, Kidz Clubs, Pete’s Playden and more!
Homebaking is available from Tuesday, with prices starting from just £1.50
FOOD DRIVE — 9th September
Please help us help the community!
Whether you’re popping in for a group, grabbing a bargain, picking something up from the Sharing Shelf or just fancy a cuppa and a chat, there’s always a reason to come and see us!
MUIRHOUSE LIBRARY TO LEAD THE WAY IN DIGITAL SKILLS
Digital Xtra, the charity dedicated to increasing the provision of extracurricular computing activities for young people in Scotland, is to develop a national network of community coding and AI hubs, with North Edinburgh and Midlothian among the first areas to benefit.
Over the past 10 years, the charity – backed by the Scottish Government and industry – has supported 210 grassroots activities by awarding over £1.1 million via its annual grants programme.
These initiatives engaged over 60,000 young people across the country while laying a foundation for ongoing engagement about computing and technology. That figure is now set to rise considerably under the charity’s new ‘Code Xtra’ strategy.
The new strategy will see several new community coding and AI hubs rolled out across the country as the charity focuses on more of a place-based approach rather than funding individual projects. While the core objective of the charity will continue to be to inspire young people into tech, Digital Xtra will now work with select delivery partners to develop a national network of community hubs.
In turn, these hubs will directly support the growth of grassroots computing clubs in their local areas. With support from Holyrood, the first phase of the project will see hubs based in North Edinburgh (Muirhouse Library), Midlothian (Dalkeith Library), Inverclyde (Creative Regeneration), and Moray (Elgin Library), with more scheduled to be confirmed elsewhere in Scotland later this year.
Digital Xtra will then continue working with the Scottish Government and its industry partners, including Skyscanner, Baillie Gifford, and Cirrus Logic, to extend the hub network. The charity is also keen to speak with other companies or organisations who may be interested in supporting the development of additional coding and AI hubs across Scotland thus providing even more opportunities for young people to learn vital digital skills.
Each hub will drive growth in three ways:
Delivery: Hosting high-quality, extracurricular coding and AI sessions for children and young people
Training: Offering instruction and guidance for local educators and community leaders
Resources: Serving as a lending library with equipment and resources for local schools and community groups
The hubs will feature LEGO Education’s brand-new, curriculum-aligned Computing Science & AI kits which teach age-appropriate lessons about foundational coding and machine learning.
Digital Xtra is one of the first organisations in Scotland to make this cutting-edge kit available to the public, while also introducing machine learning and AI skills to the charity’s remit for the first time.
Ongoing training and support will be provided by Digital Xtra, Raising Robots, and Raspberry Pi Foundation as well as Digital Xtra’s other education and industry partners.
Kraig Brown, Digital Xtra’s Partnerships and Development Manager, said: “Technology is evolving faster than ever, and extracurricular tech activities are no longer just ‘nice-to-have’ – they are now a key part of young people’s learning journey.
“When assessment and accreditation aren’t the primary focus, young people have the freedom to think creatively, naturally building their ‘STEM Capital.’
“They are also a proven way to reach young people who often disengage in a traditional classroom setting and can be delivered in various locations or times that work for young people, their families, and the wider community.
“However, access to grassroots computing initiatives in Scotland is often a postcode lottery with varying coverage and support. This is unacceptable. Digital Xtra will continue to champion extracurricular computing initiatives for young people through our new community coding & AI hubs network, which will create a more joined-up approach to informal digital learning.
“By working with the hubs to develop this new ecosystem, Digital Xtra will continue to be at the forefront of driving digital skills for young people, regardless of their background or postcode.”
Tom Arthur MSP, Minister for Business and Fair Work, said: “Digital skills are essential for Scotland’s future, and every young person should have the opportunity to develop them, regardless of where they live which is why I am proud to support this initiative.
“These new community coding and AI hubs will help more young people access high-quality learning opportunities, build confidence with technology and gain the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world.”
Tony Stewart, Libraries Development Leader at Edinburgh Council’s Library Services, said: “Edinburgh libraries are very proud to be partnering with Digital Xtra to host a new Code Xtra community coding & AI hub at Muirhouse Library.
“We see this a great opportunity to provide our local community and schools access to fun and inventive ways to learn coding and AI tech. The hub will be part of a larger expansion of our digital resources which will include 3D design and printing facilities, digital music production and digital design software.”
Ellen Scott, Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, Children and Families, said: “We’re thrilled Dalkeith Library has been chosen as one of Scotland’s first Code Xtra hubs.
“Code Xtra is all about helping more children and young people explore coding, robotics and artificial intelligence in a fun, hands-on way outside the classroom. The new hub will give local communities access to technology, equipment and learning opportunities.
“It’s an exciting opportunity to help develop the skills young people will need for the future.”
FOOTBALL was firmly in focus after Muirhouse Housing Association scored a winner with new kit for local young players.
The housing association has provided the team with winter kit – bringing a boost to their football activities during the colder months.
Muirhouse said this week that the sponsorship is another example of its commitment to supporting the local community and investing in opportunities for young people.
The sponsorship came about after Scott Lockhart, one of the coaches of “Craigroyston 2013 Yellows”, approached the Association looking for support.
The Association was very keen to help as many of the young people who play, or have previously played for the team, come from Muirhouse and the wider local community.
In addition, several Muirhouse tenants are involved with the club as volunteers and supporters.
Two members of staff from Muirhouse – Asset Manager Glenn Rivers and Community Engagement Officer Debbie Brown handed over the kit during a visit to the club.
Susan Bell, Chief Executive of Muirhouse, said: ”We are delighted to support the young players, who undoubtedly look very smart in their new kit bearing the housing association’s logo.
“We place great importance on supporting our community whenever and wherever we can. Sport provides young people with opportunities to stay active, build friendships, develop confidence and enjoy positive experiences.
“Supporting the team aligns closely with our commitment to promoting wellbeing, strengthening community connections and creating opportunities for young people to thrive.”
A healthy shared breakfast is included
For women aged 50+
Free, but registration required
Doors open & food sharing from 5.30pm (soup & bread served)
Screening starts 6pm
Book tickets at: 
Jobseekers can register for a place using link 
