Category: Muirhouse

Big wins for Edinburgh’s community groups as they celebrate National Lottery funding boost

MORE than seventy community groups across Edinburgh are shaking off the winter blues with the exciting news of their share of the latest round of National Lottery funding, announced today (Thursday 6th February). 

Among the local projects celebrating this morning are Fresh Start, Living Rent, Granton Parish Church, Project Esperanza, LifeCare, Granton Youth and LIFT at Muirhouse Millennium Centre – who receive not one but TWO Lottery grants!

The Muirhouse centre recently launched an online fundraising campaign so today’s news of lottery success is a welcome boost.

LIFT receives £62,553 to continue delivery of their community support offering
within Muirhouse. Through support and advocacy LIFT aims to tackle child poverty, increase wellbeing for individuals and families, and allow them to move forward from poverty and crisis.

LIFT was awarded a further £23,187 to employ a staff member to work on and develop their ‘sharing shelf’. This is a space where members of the community can come, without a referral, to pick up some food essentials and acts as a link point to other services within the centre.

Hard-pressed community centres have done particularly well in this round of grants: as well as Muirhouse Millennium Centre there are big grants for Space at Broomhouse, Craigmillar’s Sandy’s Community Centre and Southside Community Centre.

This vital support will enable them to continue to bring together local people, deliver essential services, and provide much-needed support to their communities. 

This latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 549 projects across Scotland. A full list of projects is attached.  

Craigmillar 2

 Thanks to an award of £76,336, Craigmillar Literacy Trust will continue to deliver their programme of early and family literacy activities for families, parents and carers for the next two years.

Kara Whelan, Project  Manager, Craigmillar Literacy Trust, said: “This funding will enable us to continue to deliver our literacy support programmes to families with babies and young children, specifically, early communication and family literacy through home visits and one-to-one support for individual families. ” 

An award of £63,399 means that Living Rent will provide support and guidance around a range of housing issues affecting hundreds of people in Leith, Newhaven and Granton over the next three years.

Emma Saunder, National Organiser for Living Rent, said: “This will have a huge impact on our ability to continue to grow and empower our members.  

“This award will support us to grow in the Leith area of Edinburgh, as well as building a thriving group in Granton. We can also continue our work, supporting members who are  trapped in awful housing conditions through empowering them to know their rights and take action to receive compensation, repairs or stop evictions. 

“The National Lottery funding is a continued source of strength and support for local communities helping us to support them to  come together to ask for change.” 

Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL) will expand their ‘Financial Wellbeing’ service for disabled people living in Edinburgh and the Lothians after an award of £25,000.

Florence Garabedian, Interim CEO, LCiL, said: “From our work, we clearly see the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the lives of disabled people, their families and carers.

“This funding will help us provide a targeted response to the current financial climate, help many more people who are struggling with day-to-day costs and offer accessible advice and information around welfare benefits, income maximisation and financial security.” 

Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said:  “At The National Lottery Community Fund we are so proud to be able to support local groups to make a real and lasting difference and help address the challenges their communities face.

“It’s all made possible by National Lottery players and we’re excited to see the outcomes of all of the funded projects across Edinburgh in the months ahead.”

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.         

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk    

LOTTERY-GRANTSDownload

Edinburgh Zoo coming to Muirhouse!

We’re so excited to announce that we will be having EDINBURGH ZOO come to Muirhouse Library on the first Saturday of every month!

They will be talking about their animals, answering questions about the animals, and running an animal-themed craft session.

This will be at 11am on Saturday 1st March.

A *must* for animal lovers! This event is suitable for children aged 5 to 11, but if your slightly younger or older child is interested in animals, the event is likely to be suitable for them too.

Money worries? Local debt advice at Granton Information Centre

If you are anxious about debt or struggling to keep on top of bills, you are definitely not alone! Rising costs in energy, groceries and fuel has resulted in lots of people struggling to cope.

Granton Information Centre is here to help you with free, confidential, and impartial advice. If you would like to make an appointment with one of our advisers, please get in touch on 0131 551 2459 or 0131 552 0458 or email appointments@gic.org.uk

MYDG to launch Trainee/Volunteer Group

NEW GROUP STARTS WEDNESDAY 5th FEBRUARY 6.30 – 8PM at PENNYWELL HUB

⭐️⭐️TRAINEE/VOLUNTEERS⭐️⭐️

MYDG have a new project starting on Wednesday evenings for S3+

If you are interested in being a trainee or volunteer with MYDG drop us a message or email Gillian@mydg.org.uk

The group will run Wednesday evening 6.30-8pm @ our Pennywell hub starting on Wednesday 5th February.

Family Fun Day at Muirhouse Library

Our Family Fun Day is looking so exciting!

It’s next Friday, 31st January, 11am – 2pm.

We will have face-painting, slime-making, a magic show, a drop-in sewing workshop and the opportunity to meet the Muirhouse Library team and lots of great local organisations! It’s totally free – just pop by! We can’t wait to see everyone.

Ed Sheeran LIVE in North Edinburgh!

Global pop superstar and singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran wowed children and young people in North Edinburgh today with a surprise visit to local music initiative, Tinderbox Collective.

The secret visit formed part of the launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, a new music education initiative setting out to support and develop young talent and make music accessible to all.

During his visit, Ed Sheeran stunned a local youth club at Muirhouse Library, where he joined a group of young people trying out different instruments, and chatted to them about his journey, offering tips to aspiring musicians.

Maxwell from Craigroyston High School said: ““We were absolutely shocked. I’ve always admired Ed Sheeran and the way he sings and his music. I want to do music and now I feel even more motivated.”

A member of the Tinderbox Collective, Anno said: “Unbelievable. I really like Ed and I listen to his music. Just to see him right now is amazing. Crazy. Inspiring.”

Muirhouse Library was the first of Scotland’s “We Make Music Instrument Libraries” – an initiative to get musical instruments into public libraries so people can borrow them for free, just like taking out a book.

The initiative was established by Tinderbox Collective in partnership with Scotland’s Music Education Partnership Group and has since spread to over 30 libraries in 12 local authorities across Scotland.

The ambition to spread this as widely as possible across the country continues, and other libraries or library services interested in joining this programme and offering instruments as part of their service should get in touch.

Ed then joined a 100-piece choir at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre made up of pupils from Forthview Primary School, Craigroyston Primary School, Pirniehall Primary School, St David’s RC Primary School and Craigroyston High School, and performed his hit single ‘Bad Habits’ with young rappers, singers and musicians from Tinderbox’s wider music programme.

Rhian from Craigroyston High School said: “Singing with him is something we’ll always remember.”

Lily from Pirniehall Primary School added: “He came in and we all started screaming and there were happy tears.”

The visit to Edinburgh marked the official launch of the Ed Sheeran Foundation, an initiative designed to support youth music education across the UK through grant-making, raising awareness, and fostering collaborations.

Speaking about the foundation, Ed Sheeran said: “Music education has shaped who I am. I’ve always enjoyed playing music, and it’s led to some of the best moments of my life.”

As one of the first organisations across the UK to benefit, the foundation will support Tinderbox’s “Live in Libraries” tour to help kickstart Instrument Libraries around the UK, as well as elements of its signature programmes including its multi-genre orchestra, music technology lab and youth music hub.

Tinderbox Collective is a local charity offering a vibrant and inclusive space for young musicians who might not otherwise have access to such opportunities. From creative youth clubs filled with instruments, bands, song-writers and game design, to their flagship 20-piece Tinderbox Orchestra, their work builds a strong sense of community that has a profound impact on the lives of budding young artists.

Ed Sheeran’s visit underscores the importance of music education and the positive impact of making it accessible to all. In Scotland, a successful campaign to make instrumental tuition in schools free across the country was adopted by all parties in the last Scottish elections, and research from “What’s Going on Now” – a report on youth music in Scotland – has shown that over 100,000 more young people would take up opportunities to learn music if the service was expanded.

Ed Sheeran added: “It is so important to have brilliant music education both in and out of school. It’s great to hear that music tuition is now free in all schools in Scotland, but it is not reaching everyone and we need to do everything we can to make sure it is accessible and inspiring for all children and young people.”

Jack Nissan, Director of Tinderbox Collective, said: “Ed’s visit was so inspiring for all the young musicians in Tinderbox and it’s fantastic to have him advocate for music education and help build links with the wider music industry.

“We need to work together across schools, the community and the industry to fill music education with as much energy, diversity and creativity as possible, and to make sure that it is accessible, relevant and inspiring for everyone.”

Councillor Joan Griffiths, education, children and families convenor at the City of Edinburgh Council said: “We are committed to nurturing and encouraging local music talent in our city.

“In Edinburgh around 5,000 pupils currently receive free instrumental music tuition, with over 19,000 receiving free whole class music through the Youth Music Initiative. There is always more that can be done to make learning an instrument and access to music education more inclusive.

“Programmes run by Tinderbox Collective open up musical opportunities for youngsters who may not otherwise have had the chance, bringing young people and the wider community together.

“It’s fantastic to see Ed’s commitment to using his platform to champion accessibility to music and I have no doubt that he will have inspired all those he has met in Edinburgh.”

Mae Murray from Scotland’s Music Education Partnership Group said: “It is amazing to have Ed Sheeran visit young people in Scotland and help advocate for music education here.

“In 2021 we won a campaign to make music tuition free in all Scottish schools, but we still don’t reach all of Scotland’s young people, and we need more investment both in school and in the community to ensure that music is accessible to everyone.”

MYDG: New Year, New Programme!

‼️‼️NEW PROGRAMME‼️‼️

HERE IS OUR NEW 2025 PROGRAMME

THIS IS OUR NEW PROGRAMME BEGINNING 13th JANUARY

PLEASE NOTE:

  • GIRLS SPORTS HUB BEGINS – February
  • TRAINEE/VOLUNTEER GROUP – start date TBC

Any questions please contact us via Socials or on 0131 332 3356

Spartans: Weekend Little Dribblers classes for wee ones

NEW INDOOR SESSIONS AT CRAIGROYSTON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL

Looking to introduce your wee ones to football this year? We have the answer!

Our Little Dribblers class for kids aged 3-4 years runs on both Saturdays and Sundays.

You can choose our new indoors session at Craigroyston Community High School on Saturdays or outdoors at Ainslie Park on a Sunday.

https://scf.classforkids.io

Change the Game at Spartans

Aged 16 – 25yrs and not in education, employment or training and looking to kick start your career in sport and physical activity?

Join us for 8 weeks of free training. Open days 16th and 23rd Jan.

Contact eddiemalone@spartanscf.com

A Happy Christmas for North Edinburgh Arts!

NORTH EDINBURGH’s ‘LOCAL TREASURE’ TO OPEN EARLY 2025

  • £1.7 million Community Ownership Funding secures North Edinburgh Arts
  • Government funding will save at least 35 community centres, helping fix the foundations of our communities as part of the Plan for Change
  • Money will boost opportunities and help grow local economies, supporting the government’s drive for national renewal
  • This will help kickstart economic growth and rebuild Britain in a decade of renewal

Cherished community centres are among the 85 local venues across the UK that are set to receive government support to stay open, helping to fix the foundations of our communities. One of these is North Edinburgh Arts, which will receive £1.7 million.

An additional £36 million of funding has been provided to back local communities, including the rescue of at least 35 community centres, protecting vital local services, boosting opportunities for working families and supporting local economies.

As set out in its Plan for Change, the government is committed to kickstarting economic growth and raising living standards. Thriving communities lie at the heart of a thriving economy, and the support provided by the Community Ownership Fund will inject funding where it is most needed, making change happen and bringing people together in the process.

The projects will support the government on its path to national renewal, helping realise our regions’ huge potential while creating safer and happier streets by restoring community pride.

Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner said: “We are delivering on our Plan for Change by saving these vital community assets to provide important opportunities for working people and their families.

“These projects represent what is so special about communities across the UK – bringing people of all ages together, providing vital support and giving them a sense of purpose and belonging.

“Every project will support social causes in the community, keeping widely used services open and thriving to improve people’s health and wellbeing.”

In Scotland, £5 million will be awarded to 11 projects including the £1.7 million to refurbish and expand the community arts centre in Muirhouse – North Edinburgh Arts’ MacMillan Hub.

In a statement, North Edinburgh Arts said: “North Edinburgh Arts is delighted to be one of 85 community owned venues across the UK receiving support from the Community Ownership Fund. Announced yesterday, £1.7m is earmarked for NEA to complete our build programme, kit out the venue and refurbish our much-loved community garden. 

“Sitting at the heart of our community the expanded and refurbished venue will run to over 2000m2, housing a 96 seat theatre, 72 seat café, welcome area, 2 wood workshops, 5 multi-purpose studios, 6 artist studios, music room, 4 offices, greenhouse, and the half-acre community garden. It will be bustling again in 2025 with a creative and community programme; shaped by the people who own, use, and love it.

“Funders of all types, large and small, public and private, have supported the community’s vision and bought into NEA’s ambitious plans. Many individuals have supported our crowd funder over the past year too. 

“The Board and NEA team are thankful to all our supporters, and thrilled that the Community Ownership Fund brings us to our capital target. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support of our local Councillors, MSPs, and our MP, Tracy Gilbert.

“But, mostly, we couldn’t have done this without the support of our neighbours, participants, and our community. Thank you all. We’ll see you in 2025 when we throw the doors open once again!”

Edinburgh North and Leith MP said: “I am delighted that the UK Government have announced the successful projects in the Community Ownership Fund including £1.7 million for @northedinarts in Edinburgh North and Leith.

Minister for Local Growth, Alex Norris said: “These are all multi-functional spaces that do so much for local people and most of us will have fond memories in treasured places like these.

“We’ve prioritised these grants to help preserve and upgrade what these vital places offer to their communities – whether that’s improving access to sport and education, tackling loneliness or boosting family services for parents and children.

“This is just the start of our work to support communities and give them greater control of their assets and we’ll be setting out our full strategy next year.”

Action4Youth, a youth charity in the South East, has been given £300,000 to refurbish the George Amey Centre in Milton Keynes, securing its future as a centre for outdoor education and supporting the charity’s work to tackle knife and gang crime.

Chief Executive of Action4Youth, Jenifer Cameron said: “We are so grateful to have funding which will enable us to complete our renovation project and to ensure the future of the outdoor centre which benefits 15,000 children and young people each year.

“We can now look forward with optimism and hope to support many more young people in future.”

Nineteen sports clubs and leisure facilities across the country will be saved, including four historic swimming pools. These include the 1960s Portishead Lido in North Somerset – where funding will also be used to renovate the café, supporting the local economy – and one of the last tidal pools left in the country, the Victorian Shoalstone Pool in Devon.

On the Isle of Wight, the Isorropia Foundation will receive more than £1m to purchase and renovate the Medina Valley Centre so it can provide a range of community services including mental health support, training and educational opportunities. And Elmfield Hall in Accrington will be renovated to secure its future as a location for counselling, mentoring and employment courses.

The MacMillan Hub in Edinburgh will be backed with £1.7m so it can continue to promote culture, learning and training opportunities, work and well-being in and around the town centre, and expand its café.

And more than £1m will be used to restore the Higher Woodhill Viaduct so the East Lancashire Railway can continue to deliver a heritage railway experience, boosting the local tourism industry in the process.

To tackle loneliness and support rural communities, £3.8 million will go to eight parks and eight pubs, including £300,000 to help buy back a popular village pub in North Yorkshire – The Punch Bowl Inn. £300,000 will also be used to renovate a 200-year-old countryside pub in Gwyned, Wales – Tafarn y Plu. This funding will back local businesses, create jobs and drive growth while restoring community pride.

The Westminster government is also developing proposals for delivering on its manifesto commitment to introduce a stronger ‘Right to Buy’ and take over important community assets so they can determine their future in a meaningful way.

This will be a genuine shift so local people feel far more control, power and agency in the places they live.