Category: North Edinburgh News

Dare you attempt tomorrow's Postcode Cycle Challenge?

Following the huge success of the Innertube Postcode Challenge event last year, the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust and The Bike Station are organising this event for the second year running.

The Innertube Postcode Challenge is a ‘Treasure Hunt on Wheels’- and this year there will also be a ‘Treasure Hunt on Foot’ for all you walkers out there! It is a community cycling event, aimed at all ages and abilities, on Edinburgh’s Innnertube Map (below).

As a participant in the event, the aim is to cycle to all ten stands that will be dotted about on the North Edinburgh Innertube Cycle Path Network and collect a postcode stamp at each stand. Everyone has until 4pm to collect all ten postcode stamps (for walkers, the aim is to collect 5 stamps) and hand them in at Fiveways Junction where participants will be entered into a prize draw.

A Challenge Card to collect your stamps will be given to you on the day with a map, or you can download it here and start planning your route!

All participants have the opportunity to win: (more prizes to come!)

  • ·         1 of 32 bike themed Goody Bags from The Bike Station
  • ·         2 Tickets to see a film of your choice at The Filmhouse
  • ·         2 Vouchers for Greenyonder Tours
  • ·         A prize of lunch for two at Hula Juice Bar
  • ·         Grow your own veg & wildflower seed packets from ELGT
  • ·         1 of 4 cycling maps of in and around Edinburgh and the Lothians from Spokes
  • ·         Herb planters, bird nests & nectar feeders from ELGT
  • ·         An assortment of prizes from the Postcode Lottery
  • ·         A £50 Alpine Bikes gift voucher donated by State Street

Supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, the main aim is to raise awareness of the paths and their potential as a means of travel across the North of Edinburgh, as well as to get people active in a fun and community fuelled way.

The event takes place tomorrow (Sunday 1 July 1) from 11am to 4pm.

This event is one of several activities that ELGT and The Bike Station have delivered to work towards ‘Inflating the Innertube’.

Park life gets Inverleith Summer Programme under way

A whole host of agencies have got together to organise and support Inverleith’s Youth and Children’s Summer Park Events, and the programme kicks off at Ravleston Park on Monday (2 July) from 1 – 3pm with a portable football pitch, games, music, sports activities and more.

Further park events are planned at Ravelston again (Monday 16 July,1 -3pm), King George V (Monday 30 July 1- 4pm) and Inverleith Park (Friday 10 August 1- 4pm).

For more information contact Anne Brown at Inverleith CLD at Broughton High School, telephone 332 6316 or email anne.brown@ea.edin.sch.uk or check out the website www.joininedinburgh.org/holidayprogramme

And the agencies who have made the Summer Programme possible? In no particular order: Edinburgh Leisure, Glenogle Swim Centre, Fet Lor Youth Centre, Scotmid Co-operative, Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership, CLD Inverleith, Library2go, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, sportscotland active schools Edinburgh & Lothian and Borders Police.

PYCP summer programme unveiled

Pilton Youth and Children’s Project’s Summer Programme is hot off the press and it’s packed with fun activities for the holidays.

From barbecues and fun clubs to movie clubs and summer snowboarding (!) – and trips to the Fringe, Blair Drummond and Laser Quest, too – there should be something to keep children and young people happy over the summer.

Spaces for trips are limited and priority will be given to existing service users; sign up day is Friday 6 July from 10am – 3pm.

For further information telephone 332 9815, visit PYCP’s website at www.pycp.co.uk or email summer@pycp.co.uk

 

 

GYC's Fame Academy needs YOU!

Granton Youth Centre have been developing their arts provision over the last couple of years and have created two successful pieces of theatre – Split Second and Just Like Everyone Else. Fame Academy is the latest opportunity for local young people to create their own piece of theatre that could potentially become as successful as previous productions.

The project offers young people aged 12+ the chance to try out various art forms including drama, music, film and set and costume design.

Heather Marshall explained: “GYC needs you! We’re looking for young people aged 12+ who would like to create their own show. Rehearsals will take place at GYC and will include: 

Theatre

Music

Movement

Film Set

Costume design 

You can sign up to perform or help backstage:

Monday 2 July 1-4pm Thurs 5 July 1-4pm

Monday 9 July 1-4pm Thursday 12 July 1-4pm

Monday 16 July 1-4pm Thursday 19 July 1-4pm

Monday 23 July 1-4pm Thursday 26 July 1-4pm. 

This is your opportunity to create a brand new show!”

i@grantonyouth.com

GYC’s Fame Academy needs YOU!

Granton Youth Centre have been developing their arts provision over the last couple of years and have created two successful pieces of theatre – Split Second and Just Like Everyone Else. Fame Academy is the latest opportunity for local young people to create their own piece of theatre that could potentially become as successful as previous productions.

The project offers young people aged 12+ the chance to try out various art forms including drama, music, film and set and costume design.

Heather Marshall explained: “GYC needs you! We’re looking for young people aged 12+ who would like to create their own show. Rehearsals will take place at GYC and will include: 

Theatre

Music

Movement

Film Set

Costume design 

You can sign up to perform or help backstage:

Monday 2 July 1-4pm Thurs 5 July 1-4pm

Monday 9 July 1-4pm Thursday 12 July 1-4pm

Monday 16 July 1-4pm Thursday 19 July 1-4pm

Monday 23 July 1-4pm Thursday 26 July 1-4pm. 

This is your opportunity to create a brand new show!”

i@grantonyouth.com

Dunedin Canmore kicks off Changing Lives campaign

A local housing association has launched a new campaign to help young people and homeless adults in Edinburgh break the cycle of unemployment and poverty – through sport.  Dunedin Canmore Housing Association and Street Soccer Scotland have joined forces in a bid to give hundreds of youngsters and excluded adults the confidence to move into employment or education through the Changing Lives campaign.

The Edinburgh-based social landlord says Changing Lives will help build the self confidence and motivation of youngsters, as well as homeless adults, by plugging existing gaps in employability services.

Kicking off the campaign, Dunedin announced it will be major sponsor of the Scottish Homeless World Cup Team. Dunedin will provide a £10,000 boost to support the team, trained and managed by Street Soccer Scotland, as they head to the prestigious annual tournament in Mexico this August.

Changing Lives is already delivering a raft of community projects, including personal development courses and healthy living events for communities around Edinburgh offering advice on mental health, sexual health, housing, employment and training.

Under the partnership Dunedin will provide specialist accredited training as part of Street Soccer Scotland personal development and training programmes – and plans to open up volunteering, training and job opportunities to people coming through Street Soccer Scotland programmes.

Gavin Edmonds, Community and Business Initiatives Officer at Dunedin Canmore said, “We are proud to launch the Changing Lives campaign with Street Soccer Scotland and excited to kick it off with our sponsorship of the Homeless World Cup team again this year. Ultimately the goal of all the projects we do as part of Changing Lives is to give people the self esteem and life skills to help them to make a better life.”

David Duke, Chief Executive of Street Soccer Scotland said, “At Street Soccer Scotland our motto is positive change through football. By working with Dunedin we will be able to have a bigger impact and change lives of more people. And thanks to their sponsorship we will be able to secure training for the Homeless World Cup team as they head to Mexico.”

Dunedin Canmore and Street Soccer Scotland are also bidding for funding to set up programmes throughout Edinburgh as part of Football Works which will be aimed at young people aged 14 – 19 who are deemed to be going into a negative destination when leaving school.

Changing Lives – a lifechanger for Peter

Peter Dante (pictured above) is 41 and lives in Leith.

He gets support from employability worker at Dunedin Canmore and says this has helped him to turn his life around. He has background in crime, addiction and homelessness.

Peter became team captain for the Salvation Army hostels tournament and went on to organise a mini tournament for hostels teams in Edinburgh in 2012. And last year he started volunteering at Street Soccer Scotland and went into rehabilitation. Now he is now doing a Street Soccer Plus programme, delivered as part of the Changing Lives partnership between Dunedin Canmore employability support and Street Soccer Scotland.

Peter is doing an HNC in Working in Communities at Jewel and Esk Valley College, coaching young people at Bathgate Academy, voluntary work with adult literacy project Glory and Dismay and has started an employment trial with the Marriot Hotel. Peter has also reconnected with his son and started rebuilding his relationship.

Haven summer fun day for dads and kids

News of fun events is coming in thick and fast! The Haven Project, based at Craigroyston Primary School, is holding a Summer Fun Day for dads and kids on Thursday 12 July from 11 – 2pm.

Dads, bring your kids along and enjoy a barbecue, bouncy castle, fun and games.

If you would like more information or you plan to attend, call The Haven Project on 332 9269 or email nick.smithers@circlescotland.org

Time Banking: time to give and take

Can you lend a hand to someone in your community? Do you need a helping hand every now and then? If so, you’re a perfect recruit to North Edinburgh’s growing team of Time Bank members! Julie Smith recently took up a new post as Timebroker with North Edinburgh Time Bank, and she explains what it’s all about:

What is Time Banking?

Its’ a really simple idea designed to support people who help others and to offer support ro those that need it. For every hour you spend doing something for somebody, you get a time credit. You can then use that to get an hour of somebody else’s time to help you.

Isn’t that just being a good neighbour?

Yes it is! But we’ve all seen our communities change over time. We don’t all know our neighbours now, or where to go to ask for a favour. A time bank is a way of getting to know each other in the community, in order to give and receive help from each other.

What kind of help is on offer?

All sorts of different services are on offer – depending on the individual members involved. It can be anything from giving someone a lift to an appointment, to teaching them how to play guitar. It can be offering a bit of company to someone who is isolated, or doing the garden for someone who’s broken their arm … anything really, except babysitting and personal care.

I don’t have any skills to offer

Yes, you do!  TIme Banking recognises all the talents, experiences and knowledge people have. You might be a good listener and available to be company for someone for an hour or so. You might be able to help them so their garden, or put up shelves. maybe you’re good at knitting or you can give folk a lift to an appointment. Everyone has something to offer.

How Does It Work?

You become a member of North Edinburgh Time Bank. Contact Julie Smith, your local Time Bank Broker – details below.

You can then start offering help to folk and receiving your time credits. You can ‘cash’ your credits in when you want to use someone else’s skills or knowledge.

Who’s in charge of the bank?

The TIme Bank Broker keeps a record of what you’ve done and keeps you informed of all the time credits you have. The Broker also organises social events so the members of the Time Bank can get to know each other.

How much time do I have to give?

As much or as little as you want. You decide what you want to offer and if you see if you’re available when someone wants your service. It may only be a couple of hours a month – or more or less. It’s really up to you – you’re in control and you can get involved as much – or as little – as you like, As a member, you can come to all the social events too!

Isn’t this just volunteering?

Time Banking is NOT volunteering of charity. It is all about the members offering their skills, abilities and expertise to help others to a level that you can expect from a friend or neighbour. You do not need to be an expert – on anything!

Who Can Join?

Everyone is welcome, as long as you’re 18 or over. Everyone is treated equally – everyone’s time is worth exactly the same and everyone has something worthwhile to contribute.

Interested, or want to find out more?

Contact Jule Smith on 07807 002 591, email north.timebank@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

You can visit the website at www.edinburghtimebank.org or call in to North Edinburgh Arts cafe on Wednesdays from 10.30 – 11.30am

Local families – are you Motivated to Move?

Last year’s Muirhouse Million Steps was one of the area’s most talked-about community events, with over 120 people taking part in the marathon walk around the area. Community Healthy Lifestyles coordinator Lisa Arnott hopes to make the event even bigger this year, and offers a great opportunity for local families to improve their fitness. She explains what’s being planned:

“Preparations for Muirhouse Million Steps 2012 is well underway and this year’s event aims to be even more fun!  In partnership with the Move It Project,  Muirhouse Slimmers, Craigroyston Community High School and the Active Schools coordinator, Pilton Community Health Project is developing a new family fitness programme…. Motivate to Move or M2M.

M2M is a free eight week family fitness training programme which brings together great resources to enable up to eight 8 lucky families to improve their fitness and take part in the Muirhouse Million Steps. It is a pilot and place will be limited but a great prize for any family wanting to improve their families fitness with support from personal trainers.

The Muirhouse Million Steps 2012 will take place on Friday 28September. This year we are offering 8 local families the chance to win their own personal family fitness programme and to train for the Muirhouse Million Steps and beyond!!!!!!!!  Each lucky local family will receive:

  • Free personalised  8 week family fitness programme
  • Free support from their very own family fitness trainer
  • Free access to local sports facilities for a family fitness activity
  • At least 2 weekly sessions  of supported family fitness activity
  • Each participating family would need to be available from 5h August to end of September  and attend the Muirhouse Million Steps on Friday 28 September
  • Participating families must live in Muirhouse, West Pilton, West Granton, Drylaw, Granton, Royston or Wardieburn areas
  • Each family would need to be able to commit to at least 2 weekly supported family fitness training sessions. Times and days negotiable within reason, although there will be no supported training on a Sunday!
  • Each family will have their journey to fitness documented using photography and /or articles in the NEN, on the PCHP website, blogs and facebook
  •  A family can be up to 3 adults and at least 1 child of primary school age. The lucky families will be selected and notified by 12 July. “

If you are interested, please apply to Lisa Arnott, Community Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator at

Pilton Community Health Project 73 Boswall Parkway EH5 2PW

or email: lisaarnott@pchp.org.uk or tel: 0131 551 1671.