Pilton – Page 2 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Debbi is new CEO of Spartans Community Foundation

The Trustees of the Spartans Community Foundation are thrilled to announce the appointment of Debbi McCulloch as its new Chief Executive Officer, after a UK wide recruitment process run by Executive Search firm FWB.

Debbi will bring exceptional leadership, passion and dedication to the role, building on the Foundation’s reputation as both an innovator and leader in delivering social impact through sport and physical activity.

Debbi has been a highly valued member of the Spartans Community Foundation leadership team for the last 15 years. Her commitment to the vision and values of the Foundation has been exemplary.

Debbi is delighted: “Firstly I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to Dougie for his leadership, support, friendship and passion over the past 15 years.

He has been a daily inspiration to us all, and has driven the Foundation’s strategy, success, and social impact to an incomparable level. For the difference you have made to so many people’s lives, and for the kind, thoughtful way you have done so, thank you.

“For myself, the opportunity to lead an organisation whose work is pivotal to changing people’s lives, is a tremendous privilege and honour. Over the past 15 years I have lived and worked in North Edinburgh.

“As we continue to help others, in whatever meaningful and relevant way we can, I am committed to making our local community a better place to work, live and thrive in. I look forward to working in partnership with the many fabulous people and organisations who share our passion for addressing and responding to the significant challenges we face as a society.”

Debbi is succeeding Douglas Samuel, whose contribution to the Foundation over the last 17 years has been immeasurable.

Douglas has been the embodiment of all that the Foundation seeks to achieve, and an inspiration to us all. We were delighted when his contribution was recognised with an MBE in 2022. We are also delighted that he will act as a consultant to the Foundation going forward.

Douglas said: “Coming from North Edinburgh, it’s been such a wonderful honour and privilege to be a part of the Foundation’s journey since it was formed in 2006. Not everyone gets to do their dream job.

“Being CEO has been just that, my dream job filled with so much love, joy and lots of special lifelong memories. It’s also a job which has given me so much. I have been lucky enough to meet and work with so many amazing and truly inspiring people from all over the world.

“To all the ‘blue coats’ and volunteers, I’d like to say a huge thank you to you for helping us to create a safe space, a ‘social home’ where people from all ages and backgrounds are truly welcome and can be themselves.

“I’d also like to give a special word of thanks to Craig Graham for giving me the opportunity to be a part of his dream. I’ll always be forever grateful and indebted to him. Lastly, huge congratulations to Debbi on her appointment, I can’t think of anyone else more suited and/or I’d rather see leading the Foundation going forward. Dream Big, Dream Fierce, always.”

Chairman Craig Graham concluded: “We owe Douglas a massive thank you. He has been the critical driving force behind our success.

“His input has made a massive difference to the lives of so many in North Edinburgh and it’s fantastic that he will continue to support Debbi, myself and the wider Spartans team in an advisory role.

“Debbi has been instrumental in our growth over the last 15 years and I am absolutely convinced that under her leadership the Foundation will deliver even greater social impact in our community in the years to come.

“Please join me in wishing Debbi all the best in her new role.”

Spartans Winter Appeal

TOILETRIES, SANITARY PRODUCTS AND HOUSEHOLD ITEMS WANTED

What’s new at R2?

LATEST R2 NEWSLETTER – NOVEMBER 2023

Operation Crackle: Dispersal Zones come into effect next week

Dispersal Zones for #OpCrackle have been set up across Edinburgh and will be enforceable between 3rd November and 5th November 2023.

These zones are set up to help prevent anti-social behaviour and to keep the community safe.

Additional officers will be deployed over the weekend across the city and they have the grounds to take action should people be involved in such conduct, as detailed in the below poster.

Keep yourself and others safe by attending organised events only, which can be found here:

https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/…/organised…/…

Spartans to benefit from Howdens £3m Game Changer Programme

NEW KITCHEN FOR AINSLIE PARK

The next generation of football players are set to benefit from a £3 Million programme aimed at improving clubhouse facilities as Spartans Community Foundation, home of Spartans FC at Ainslie Park, becomes the latest to receive support from Howdens and The Scottish FA.

Spartans FC was named as one of 450 lucky clubs to receive a state-of-the-art kitchen as part of the Howdens Game Changer Programme which was launched earlier this year with an aim to support grassroots football with improved clubhouse facilities, to bring local communities closer together.

Home to the Spartans Men’s, Women’s, under 20’s, National performance teams and 29 youth teams, the Foundation was chosen due to its commitment to make a difference in the local area. Under the umbrella of the Spartans family, the site also hosts the largest para-football section in Scotland, Spartans Connections.

In addition to their football development delivery, Spartans Community Foundation, the charitable arm of Spartans FC, provides free meals to everyone within their education and youth programmes.

Whilst bringing communities closer together, the pioneering programme will also play a vital role in enabling the club’s charitable arm to provide the much-needed facilities to people in North Edinburgh, so the club continues to thrive.

Daniel Gerrard, Commercial and Partnerships Manager at Spartans Community Foundation said: “Pilton in Edinburgh is home to some of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK and food poverty is still a big issue here.

“For some children, their school meal is often the main meal of the day. With our new kitchen from Howdens, we will be able to continue supporting those children when they’re not at school with our weekend FooTea, Breakfast clubs and fun-fuelled holiday clubs.

“Spartans Community Foundation not only supports football and para football teams, but the wider community too. Our motto is ‘here for good’ and we exist to make a positive impact in North Edinburgh.

“Our programme’s focus is on education, youth work, physical and mental well-being with a host of activities taking place throughout the week. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has caused increasing demand for our services and is one of the reasons we always provide a nutritious meal at every one of our clubs.

“The new kitchen from Howdens will be a real boost, it will allow us to keep up with demand and to continue providing meals for all who need them.”

Miller Gillespie, Depot Manager, Howdens Edinburgh, added: “An important part of what we do at Howdens is aiming to make a positive impact on local communities, which is why we are delighted to be able to support Spartans Community Foundation.

“There is a lot of attention on grassroots football and what happens on the pitch, but we believe that the off-pitch facilities are just as important. Clubhouses are often the hub of the community, which is why we’re incredibly excited to see the new installation once it’s complete and how it will benefit the club.”

The installation work is due to start later this year so everyone can benefit from the brand-new kitchen this season.

The Howdens Game Changer programme was launched earlier this year by football legend Julie Fleeting, MBE, who lent her support by driving home the importance of grassroots football and clubhouse facilities on her own career.

With depots all over the country, Howdens carries one of the largest in-stock ranges in the UK across kitchens, flooring, joinery, and hardware, so that products are readily available, and projects of any size can be completed without delay.

To find out more about Howdens products visit www.howdens.com

Scotland’s first outdoor nursery at a football facility receives high praise from Care Inspectorate

WILLOW DEN SCORES AT SPARTANS

Willow Den at Spartans, Scotland’s first outdoor nursery at a football facility, received 5’s across the board in its first review visit by the Care Inspectorate.

Based in Ainslie Park Stadium, home to Spartans Community Football Academy, Willow Den aims to improve the health and wellbeing of children in Scotland through access to fully outdoor early learning and childcare.

The nursery scored 5’s or ‘Very good’ across the board for care, play, learning, setting, leadership and staff team. The report commented, “Children were very happy, settled, and confident in the setting. They were supported by kind, gentle and nurturing interactions, helping children to feel safe and loved.”

Deborah Grant, Chief Executive at Willow Den said, “We are delighted to receive such positive feedback from our first inspection. Our nursery is based in an innovative outdoor setting, which enables children to follow their curiosity and develop their knowledge and skills.

“Research shows outdoor play as vital to emotional, physical, and mental health and well-being and critical to all aspects of childhood learning and development. This is why we are ambitious and want to open in more locations so more children and families in Scotland can play and learn in nature from nature.”

Willow Den was founded by Inspiring Scotland to accelerate outdoor nursery provision in Scotland and further its work developing outdoor play and learning.

Celia Tennant, Chief Executive of Inspiring Scotland said, “We are delighted Willow Den at Spartans has received such positive feedback from its first inspection.

“Our work over the past 15 years at Inspiring Scotland has highlighted the impact of high-quality outdoor play as an essential catalyst for healthy childhood development and a fundamental part of growing up in Scotland.

“We know outdoor play is a life-enhancing experience and together we want all of Scotland’s children to thrive outdoors.”

Debbi McCulloch, deputy Chief Executive from Spartans Community Football Academy said, “It is our vision to be a welcoming and inclusive social home for our local community.

“Hosting an outdoor nursery is part of this vision – it is wonderful to see pre-school children having fun and learning right here on our doorstep. Our education pathway now extends from nursery school all the way to college. The Edinburgh Care Inspectorate report is testament to the hard work of everyone involved.”

In 2021, the social enterprise secured £225,000 loan funding from Social Investment Scotland (SIS) matched by a £225,000 grant from the SIS Growth Challenge to support its launch.

Chris Jamieson, head of investments at SIS said, “It is great to see Willow Den thriving and receiving such a positive first review, as well as great feedback from parents.

“The outdoor nursery is an excellent example of a high-impact social enterprise that is meeting an immediate community need for early years education. We look forward to working with Willow Den as the organisation develops and grows in the years ahead.”

“Throughout the report, parents commented, “It is clear their number one focus are the children and making the nursery a safe and nurturing environment where the children thrive” and “we know that this is a very special place with very special people who care for and support our child completely.”

Willow Den is currently looking for more locations to expand outdoor play in Edinburgh. If you would like to find out more, please visit willowden.scot/

Wardie Bay BBQ for local men

Fancy a BBQ? If you’re a man living in the local area (Muirhouse, Drylaw, Pilton, Granton, Royston and Wardieburn) why not join Jules next Tuesday (25th July) at Wardie Bay Beach. We’ll be meeting on the beach at 1pm.

This will be an informal event where you can meet new people, connect with nature and enjoy some food.

All local men welcome – Please let me know if you’re coming so we can confirm numbers.

To book a spot contact Jules:

e – julesryan@pchp.org.uk

m – 07517109319 (call/text/whatsapp

Hope to see you there!