Millennium Centre News

James McGinty with all the latest news from Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre …

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Stepping Stones Take Great Strides

After the Introductions and approval of the minutes of the of the last AGM the scene was set for the Trustees Report in which many accolades were given to the retired Marilyn Keilloh who managed the project for 27 years,and a huge thank you for Morag Wilson who has taken up the challenging position.

Fiona Gray (Chairperson) then said she was happy to announce moving into a new , shared premises, beginning in010_0250September 2016 and to be completed by May 2017. Fiona finished off by thanking all involved on behalf of the Trustees.

Next on the Agenda was the Managers Report by Morag Wilson. Morag started by by acknowledging Marilyn’s contribution to the project She stated that the services continued to flourish and that they had secured 5 years funding from the Big Lottery, this along with a further 3 years funding from the Health Improvement Fund and a new funding from Young Start enabling a more secure future to the Development Workers role. A new element was in the name of new PEEP groups ( Family Groups to tackle Isolation)in which they hope they achieve S.Q.A accreditation.

A  PowerPoint presentation was then shown with input from three Staff members.
Financial Report from treasurer Roy Craig: Roy stated that the project had increased its income by 61% and use this to fund additional roles:
Programme Development Worker
Seasonal group Worker
Early Years Parenting Practitioner

Roy stated a thank you to Edinburgh Council, who continue to be their main source of funding, and the many other funders who play such a large part in Stepping Stones.

Morag thanked all for attending and invited everyone to a delicious buffet.

Crafting for people with disabilities

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Crafting for people with disabilities
Mondays 10.00am – 12.00 noon

A new activity has now begun at the Centre in the form of arts & Crafts for people with disabilities. This was the brainchild of Eileen Carr who runs the Arts & Crafts on Friday afternoons.

This activity started with 14 participants (7 one – to –one carer support and 7 crafters) This group have also been integrated into the Friday Group. Some of the group are with the Craighall Group, but many more are arriving in taxis to attend both the Zumba and the Crafting.

All are welcome to join this enthusiastic group. Eileen’s general rules apply, ie: If you don’t feel up to crafting, you can just come along for a chat!

Sessions will be split into 2 main sessions with a break fore tea and biscuits and the remainder of the time for tidying up.

James McGinty

 

 

 

Bumps to Bairns Nearly New Market: Sunday 23 October

Bumps to Bairns Nearly New Market

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Do you have nearly new and in good condition maternity, newborn, toddler, junior clothes, toys, bric a brac, etc. looking for a new home? If so, why not take a table at the “Bumps and Bairns” event on Sunday 23 October at Saint Stephens Stockbridge from 10 – 4pm.

The cost will be £20 a stall and there will be a £1 entry fee which will go to the Benzies Foundation and the restoration project for Saint Stephen’s Stockbridge. If you’re keen to run a stall, please email your name, address, number and what items you plan to sell to susie.coupar@benziesfoundation.org

Free seeds from Grow Wild Scotland

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Dear Grow Wild Scotland partners,

To celebrate winning a National Lottery Award (Environment Category) Grow Wild are giving away over10,000 FREE Scottish native wild flower seeds to be sown this autumn, click here to register for your FREE seed packet www.growwilduk.com .

Please share this email with your impressive network of community organisations and partners and encourage them to register. This special opportunity ends at midnight onSunday 9th October 2016. If you would like to create a personalised seed packet offer to share among your groups, members, audience, clients or contacts please let me know.

We do also have some seed kits left for autumn sowing should you wish to kick start a transformation project or event. Please get in touch.

Claire Bennett

Grow Wild Scotland Partnership Manager

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c.bennett@kew.org

0131 554 2561  |   07917 264891

www.growwilduk.com  |  @GrowWildScot

Carnegie Trust calls for renewed focus on digital inclusion

Need to tackle the digital divide

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The Carnegie Trust has issued a call for a new focus on tackling digital inclusion.

In a new report, Digital Participation and Social Justice in Scotland, the Trust has highlighted the significant overlap between digital exclusion and other forms of social and economic inequality. The report argues that to solve this problem, all organisations delivering services across the public and charitable sectors need to take action to help everyone enjoy the benefits that digital can offer.

The report, which was funded by the Scottish Government, is based on in-depth analysis of the Scottish Household Survey carried out for the Trust by Ipsos MORI. This analysis reveals who is most likely to offline, why this is the case and what might be done to tackle this problem.

Douglas White, Head of Advocacy at the Trust, said: “Digital participation – helping everyone to get online and maximise the benefits of digital technology – is arguably one of the great social challenges of our age.

“We know the great advantages that being digitally connected can offer – improved employment opportunities, higher levels of educational attainment, cheaper goods and products and better access to public services. However too often those who are excluded are the same people who are also disadvantaged according to most other social and economic measures. This means that digital technology – the great enabling force of the 21st century – is actually exacerbating rather than bridging  long-standing inequalities in our own society.

“It doesn’t have to be this way – and all of us who are interested in improving well-being have a role in tackling this issue.”

The research builds on previous studies the Trust has undertaken, looking at the digital divide in different locations across Scotland and in mapping best practice in digital participation activities across the UK.

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All together now? Capital sets it’s sights on collective city vision

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Edinburgh residents, businesses, partners and stakeholders are being called upon to share their vision for the Capital’s future. The ‘2050 Edinburgh City Vision’ – which begins development today – will encompass the diverse needs of the city, ensuring it continues to thrive as a great place to live, work and visit over the next 30 years. Continue reading All together now? Capital sets it’s sights on collective city vision