We are excited to share details about our new meal preparation course, funded by #LeithChooses
The “Efficient & Healthy Cooking” programme is designed primarily for, but not exclusively limited to, migrant and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) residents in Leith.
This programme aims to support individuals facing financial and societal barriers to accessing healthy food by offering an educational and practical course covering the following topics:
1. Efficiency and sustainability in meal preparation for families
2. Maintaining health and nutrition without compromise
3. Sourcing ingredients efficiently without breaking the bank or damaging the environment
4. Shopping for food with efficiency and sustainability in mind
5. Practicing efficient and sustainable recipes and cooking methods
6. Learning about food waste elimination and managing leftovers
Led by a qualified nutritionist, this programme provides an excellent opportunity to gain practical knowledge about food, including financial, nutritional, and cooking skills.
Additionally, we aim to combat loneliness and isolation by bringing people together to learn and share meals!
Having a Bank Holiday Weekend spring clean out? Did you know you can donate many different items to the Hospice?
– That bottle of wine gathering dust
– That gin still untouched
– The gift set you’ll never use, or the candle that’s not quite your scent
– The extra goodie bag items from your child’s party
– Even those kids toys still in their packaging!
Yes, we want it all, and you’ll feel great having decluttered and done a good deed! Every donation helps us raise vital funds at our upcoming events.
Please drop off unopened gift sets, bottles and kids games at our reception during opening hours, or contact the Fundraising Team on fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or 0131 551 1381 for further details
All are invited to our Time to Remember Summer event in Fidra (No.17 Boswall Road) on Friday 19 June, at 2pm. This is an opportunity to gather together to remember loved ones who have died.
It’s an inclusive event, appropriate for all ages, and for people of all faiths and none. If you have children, feel free to bring them too. The event will include: quiet music, readings and reflections, the chance to think about the people we love and to write their name(s), and a gift to take home.
The Iona cafe will be open afterwards offering free hot drinks for anyone who wishes to stay and chat.
Join us for the Newhaven Maritime Festival 2026 — a celebration of the rich maritime history, culture, stories, crafts, and coastal ecology of Newhaven.
The Heart of Newhaven Community 4–6 Main Street, Newhaven, Edinburgh
Saturday 16 May 2026 12 noon – 3pm
Step into the past and explore the people, traditions, and heritage that shaped Newhaven through music, storytelling, art, memories, and hands-on activities for all ages.
Festival Activities & Exhibits
Songs from Newhaven Traditional songs and music celebrating the harbour and its people.
Seascape Making and Story Telling with Tortoise in a Nutshell Creative seascape activities and imaginative coastal storytelling.
Married to the Sea – The Fishwives and Women of Newhaven Stories and history of the remarkable women who supported Newhaven’s fishing community.
Tales from the Harbour – Fishermen, Sailors and the Boats of Newhaven Hear fascinating stories from the harbour and the lives lived at sea.
The Newhaven Tapestry Discover the community tapestry celebrating local heritage and identity.
Wave after Wave – Word Chain A collaborative creative word and poetry activity inspired by the sea.
Traditional Knitting Explore maritime knitting traditions and techniques.
Newhaven Coastal Echo – Rephotography Then & Now See Newhaven through time with historical and contemporary photography comparisons.
Talking and Remembering – Reminiscences of Newhaven in Days Gone By Community memories and conversations about old Newhaven.
Newhaven Heritage Learn more about the history and development of the area.
Mapping Maritime Heritage with Wessex Archaeology Interactive exploration of maritime archaeology and local heritage mapping.
Exploring the Ecology of the Firth of Forth with Edinburgh Shoreline Discover the wildlife, coastline, and ecology of the Firth of Forth.
Bring family and friends and celebrate the heritage, creativity, and community spirit of Newhaven!
THE Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has announced the return of Fringe Days Out, the Fringe Society’s flagship community engagement programme.
Fringe Days Out supports Edinburgh-based community groups by providing free Fringe tickets to deliver an entire festival experience paid for by the Fringe Society. Through Fringe Days Out, more than 20,000 community group participants have visited the festival since 2017, with many having never experienced the Fringe before.
This year, Fringe Days Out launched at the Heart of Newhaven, a community hub in north Edinburgh that hosts a range of community groups. The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, joined Fringe Day Out community groups such as Vintage Vibes and Gig Buddies to celebrate the launch of this year’s programme.
Encouraging community groups to continue to embrace the Fringe in their own way and on their own terms, the event also featured a performance by Edinburgh Festival Fringe performer Greg Sinclair from the show Tongue Twister, part of this year’s Made in Scotland showcase.
The Fringe Days Out partner organisations work with a range of groups in Edinburgh and the surrounding area, including young people, single parents, isolated older adults, disabled and autistic people, ethnic minority communities, refugees and asylum seekers, LGBTQ+ people and many more.
This collaboration has fostered long-term, meaningful relationships and helps the Fringe Society better understand how it can open doors and allow communities to celebrate the arts, culture and creativity on their own terms.
Alongside the launch of Fringe Days Out, the Fringe Society has published an independent report studying the impact of Fringe Days Out, produced by Ruthless Research and funded by the Scottish Government.
The report highlights the positive effects Fringe Days Out has had on local Edinburgh communities such as:
around one in six respondents (17%) were first-time Fringe-goers
95% of the community members felt welcome at the Fringe following their visit
52% of the community partners reported that Fringe Days Out had led them to work with the Fringe Society in other ways
The Fringe Society looks forward to further developing the relationships forged by Fringe Days Out, ensuring this project supports community groups across Edinburgh and the festival remains a force for good in the city.
Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘Fringe Days Out is a real privilege for the Fringe Society to deliver and a joy to relaunch for 2026.
“Fringe Days Out is a wonderful example of how the Fringe Society collaborates with Edinburgh’s communities to break down long-term barriers and celebrate this amazing festival.
“It is vitally important that the Fringe Society continues to ensure that our Fringe Day Out community partners feel empowered to enjoy the Fringe in their own way and on their own terms.’
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, said: ‘Fringe Days Out by the Fringe Society is really important as it helps local people to take part in this world-class festival taking place on their door-step.
“I’m proud to support Fringe Days Out 2026 and all it does to show the fringe is for everyone across the city and not only in its peak month of August.’
Sam Maggs, from Fringe Days Out community partner Gig Buddies, said: ‘Fringe Days Out gives Gig Buddies members a sense of ownership in their community.
“A lot of the time, access barriers and needing support can mean people feel disconnected from the place they live in. Fringe Days Out means that Gig Buddies members are part of the Fringe that’s on their doorstep.’
Find out more about Fringe Days Out and view the impact assessment at:
Edinburgh community group Ionad Gàidhlig Dhùn Èideann will be holding a Gaelic community day on Saturday 9th May at the Heart of Newhaven community centre as part of the initiative to develop a Gaelic hub in Edinburgh as a gathering place for Gaelic speakers, learners and supporters.
Wilson McLeod, the group’s chair, said: ‘Over 10,000 people in Edinburgh have Gaelic language skills according to the last census, but they are spread across the city, and there is no single place where Gaelic is the normal and natural language to use.
“A Gaelic hub in Edinburgh would be a real focal point for Gaelic in the city, helping to bring Gaelic speakers together and providing opportunities for everyone to get involved in Gaelic language and culture’.
This is the fourth and final community day under the title Cruinn Còmhla (‘Gathered Together’) over 2025/26. Over 500 people have attended the first three events, but this is the first to take place in North Edinburgh.
The event will offer Gaelic classes, introductory Gaelic workshops, an arts session for under 5s, a Gaelic singing circle, an introduction to the history of Gaelic in Edinburgh, a performance by the Edinburgh Gaelic Choir, a talk on the Gaelic creative process, a session for children to ‘Come & Try’ a traditional musical instrument, reading and conversation groups, and a City of Edinburgh Council session on Gaelic development.
There will also be a café, Gaelic books for sale, games and information on Gaelic activities in Edinburgh.
Development Officer Sarah Scott said: ‘The Cruinn Còmhla community days have been a huge success and we are excited to bring our next event to the Heart of Newhaven.
“We are keen to raise the profile of Gaelic in Edinburgh and bring new opportunities to learn and use Gaelic to people across Edinburgh as we work to develop a permanent hub space’.
Cruinn Còmhla Gaelic Community Day
9 May 2006 | Heart of Newhaven, 4-6 Main Street, Newhaven, (10am – 4pm)
Enjoying payday weekend? Put a few of those pounds to the best use by getting one of the last tickets to the Edinburgh Cake Grab next Sunday!
Enjoy an afternoon eating as much cake as you can, meeting amazing new people and even winning prizes. All proceeds go towards our work tackling local loneliness in Edinburgh’s isolated older people – and members of our community are even coming along as our special guest judges!
Tickets available on our website and use the code grab-a-friend to get 20% off you and any friends
More than 80 grassroots initiatives across Scotland will share in over £3 million funding to help deliver more ambitious community projects and activities and enable them to generate their own income.
North Edinburgh’s Heart of Newhaven and R2 are among the projects to be awarded Strengthening Communities Programme funding.
To date the Strengthening Communities Programme has helped hundreds of organisations to develop and improve their work with local communities and boost local economies.
This latest tranche of funding for 2026-27 will back community organisations to deliver local projects including spaces for business, improving access to employability and skills services, family and young people’s activities, and health and wellbeing support.
The First Minister announced the funding on a visit to the Usual Place in Dumfries – a charity that supports young people with learning disabilities to develop skills, gain qualifications and access employment.
First Minister John Swinney said: “Local organisations are best placed to understand what their communities need and how to deliver it. This programme helps to support and empower community initiatives to deliver what their area needs most – whether that is spaces for small businesses, culture and sport activities, or employability support.
“By providing this funding, we are helping organisations to become more financially resilient and develop the means to generate income for themselves. This will not only help boost local economies, but in turn help these projects generate more funds to serve wider community needs.
“The Usual Place is a fantastic example of this type of initiative. Their work to support young people with additional support needs to build community connections and friendships, and develop the skills needed to access employment, helps to improve peoples’ lives and future opportunities. I was pleased to visit the charity and see first-hand the difference it is making for people in Dumfries.”
Craig McEwen, Chief Executive at The Usual Place said: “Following a very difficult year for The Usual Place, we are now in a much better financial position.
“With the interim funding found to give us breathing space and now the success in securing funds through the Strengthening Communities Programme, we have the space to create capacity to implement some strategic changes, decided by the Board of Trustees, to enable us to diversify our income streams to ensure a more stable future for The Usual Place. Over the past ten years we have put back into the economy of Dumfries and Galloway £9.8m, so our value speaks for itself.
“We thank the First Minister personally, and the Scottish Government for believing in the work we do in reducing the disability employment gap here in Dumfries & Galloway and beyond.”
STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES PROGRAMME
FUNDING BY ORGANISATION 2026/27
Organisation Name / Funding 2026/27
Active Communities £39,461
Annan Harbour Action Group £47,000
Antonine Sports Centre £44,980
Ardrossan Community Development Trust £40,679
Arisaig Community Trust £46,604
Assynt Development Trust £17,000
Belhelvie Community Trust £26,325
Bluevale Community Club £51,952
Bute Community Land Company £17,760
Campsie Memorial Trust £21,750
Castlemilk Community Football Trust £53,000
Community Development Company of Nesting £25,300
Comrie Development Trust £53,000
Cromarty Community Development Trust £33,100
Culbokie Community Trust £30,277
Dalbeattie Community Initiative £53,060
David Livingston Trust, Blantyre £31,500
Development Coll £41,597
Dufftown and District Community Association £18,825
Dunvegan Community Trust £26,661
Eday Partnership £18,000
Glen Urquhart Rural Community Association (GURCA) £8,500
Glengarry Community Woodlands £20,000
Go Golspie £40,000
Gorebridge Community Development Trust £48,169
Grow 73 £18,688
Healthy n Happy Community Development Trust £40,647
Heart of Newhaven£47,356
Helmsdale & District Development Trust £30,000
IG – Great Bernera Community Trust £39,048
Inspired Community Enterprise Trust (ICET) (The Usual Place) £25,402
Isle of Canna Community Development Trust £12,537
Isle of Gigha Heritage Trust £25,355
Isle of Luing Community Trust £27,000
Kilmadock Development Trust £10,049
Kinloch Historical Society £35,000
Kinlochleven Community Trust £24,110
Kinning Park Complex £42,500
Kirkcolm Community Trust £9,500
Kirkcudbright Development Trust £32,500
Kirknewton Community Development Trust £35,000
Lesmahagow Development Trust £60,504
Linlithgow Community Development Trust £34,885
Lochwinnoch Community Development Trust £25,773
Lockerbie Old School £53,500
Maslow’s Community SCIO £44,847
Midsteeple Quarter, Dumfries £56,420
Minginish Community Association £24,000
New Cumnock Development Trust £44,563
Nith Valley Trust £32,444
North Edinburgh R2 Co-ordinator £56,205
North Glasgow Community Food Initiative £29,388
North Ronaldsay Trust £23,000
One Dalkeith £36,057
Pollok United Nethercraigs CIC £46,498
Portgordon Community Trust Limited £28,723
Possilpark People’s Trust £32,700
Rannoch Community Trust £43,722
Roseneath Pennisula West CDT £44,500
Ruchazie Growing 21 £40,000
Sandness Community Development Group £22,028
Scalloway Community Development Company £38,468
Scourie Community Development Company £12,000
Shapinsay Development Trust £20,000
SHAX £50,500
Sleat Community Trust £38,601
South Islay Development Trust £20,000
South Ronaldsay and Burray Development Trust £33,990
Spean Bridge, Roy Bridge and Achnacarry SCIO £10,000
Stow Community Trust £36,382
Stranraer Development Trust £47,000
Stranraer Water Sports Association £35,690
South West Arts & Music Project (SWAMP) £20,000
Take a Bow Development Trust £48,320
Tayport Community Trust £48,638
The Furniture Project, Stranraer £40,500
The Pavilion, Glasgow £37,987
Three Kings Cullen Association £40,800
Tiree Community Development Trust £22,650
Torridon and District Community Association £46,090
Unst Partnership £37,288
Whitburn Community Development Trust £37,195
Wick Development Trust £26,030
Please note that all funding amounts are subject to due diligence.
The Edinburgh FluteFling concert returns with another lineup of some of the finest traditional flute and whistle players around.
This year’s performers are Claire Mann (Dumfries and Galloway), Tom Oakes (Edinburgh), Tina Jordan Rees (Glasgow) and Hammy Hamilton (County Cork, Ireland).
Expect music from Scotland and Ireland mixed with more recent tunes too. Inventive, dynamic and creative performances all in a friendly setting.
Heart of Newhaven Centre 27 March 2026. Doors open 1930 Performances 2000-2200 BYOB
The Heart of Newhaven Community
Saturday 16 May 2026
12 noon – 3pm
Songs from Newhaven
