Category: Stockbridge

Stockbridge Postmaster shares top tips as as Last Posting Dates approach

New research reveals nearly 9 in 10 Brits are unaware of last posting dates, and over a third leave gift buying to the last minute. 

Stockbridge Postmaster, Waheeda Akram, is reminding customers of the UK’s last posting dates to ensure gifts arrive in time for Christmas: 

Last posting dates for 2024:

TODAY – Thursday 19th December: 

  • Parcelforce Express48 

Friday 20th December: 

  • Royal Mail 1st Class 
  • Royal Mail Tracked 48 
  • Evri Standard 
  • Parcelforce Express24 

Saturday 21st December: 

  • Royal Mail Tracked 24 
  • Evri Priority 
  • DPD 

Monday 23rd December: 

  • Royal Mail’s Special Delivery Guaranteed® 

Postmaster Waheeda Akram from the Stockbridge branch advises: “There is always such a buzz in the branch around Christmas time and with so many customers, old and new, coming in we work around the clock to make sure they get their cards and presents sent to loved ones at home and around the world.

“This year, we’ve even added extra counters to help keep the queues moving smoothly.” 

Waheeda shares tips for posting parcels smoothly: 

  • Prepare ahead: “Have the packages all wrapped up with the addresses clearly written on the front. We also always encourage customers to make sure packages are secure with strong parcel tape. Also, avoid using black bags to wrap parcels up in as they can, on the very rare occasion, be mistaken for rubbish! Pack as well as possible and make sure the addresses are legible!” 
  • Label and secure: “This ensures your hard-earned money spent on Christmas presents means they arrive safely. We also advise customers to use address labels rather than hand-written addresses where possible to reduce errors.” 
  • Choose the right service: “We offer a range of options to suit timing and budgets, including Parcelforce, Royal Mail, and Evri. If you’re unsure which service to use, just ask one of my team – we’re here to help make the process as smooth as possible.” 

The research shows 12% of Brits missed last year’s posting deadlines entirely.  

In addition to posting parcels, nearly one in five Brits are busy returning items before Christmas, driven by pre-holiday sales like Black Friday.  

Post Office advises customers to check specific posting dates and requirements at their local branch or visit postoffice.co.uk/christmas for more information.

Broughton High School Parent Council needs YOU!

We need you! In fact – YOU need you!

Parent Council works best with lots of people involved. So why not spare a few hours a month to join in and help on the committee?

You can get more involved in your child’s school, find out more about what they’re up to and contribute to how the school works.

You can decide how much time you want to spend on it.

We would love people to do anything, but in particular these jobs – which can all be shared:

  • Vice chair(s)
  • Minute taker
  • Communications – website and social media
  • ASN
  • Parent reps from specialists – football / dance / music

So when you’re writing your New Year’s Resolutions, remember to add Parent Council!

Our first meeting of 2025 is online in January.

You can message us here or by email at intouch@broughtonhighpc.org

LifeCare Christmas Fair

SATURDAY 7th DECEMBER 11am – 3pm

Our Christmas Fair is happening THIS SATURDAY!

Just a few days until we bring the local community together at The LifeCare Centre, 2 Cheyne Street, Edinburgh, EH4 1JB, THIS SATURDAY, the 7th of December, between 11am and 3pm, for a fun filled day of Christmas magic at our charity fair!

Come along on the day and enjoy: – Craft Stalls – Santa’s Grotto (bookings on 0131 343 0940) – Gifts – Raffle – Merry tunes and delicious festive treats

Whether you’re looking for unique Christmas gifts, or just a chance to make a difference by supporting your local charity so we can keep local older people warm and well this winter, we’d love to see you there!

Mark your calendars and spread the word!

First Minister joins Vintage Vibes in the fight against loneliness

The First Minister shows support for Vintage Vibes’ work helping lonely and isolated older people in Edinburgh and highlights the value of building lasting relationships this Christmas and for the future

First Minister, John Swinney joined local older people to hear their impactful stories at an event hosted by Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes to highlight the importance of friendship and community connections in tackling loneliness in the over 60s this Christmas and for the future. 

Edinburgh is one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people and Vintage Vibes has been committed to tackling the loneliness crisis since 2015 – empowering over 60s to lead happier, healthier lives through one-to-one volunteer friendship matches, groups, events and activities. 

First Minister, John Swinney said: “Vintage Vibes is an absolutely joyful project which brings older people together with younger people to tackle the issues of loneliness and isolation that exist within our communities.

“What I heard from listening to those involved is that sense of improvement in their wellbeing; it brings happiness and connection within communities, and helps people feel they are making a contribution to society.

“Vintage Vibes is a good preventative intervention that helps to boost the resilience, capacity and strength of individuals – it’s a really strong model and is a lovely example of how we can combat social isolation and loneliness and build stronger communities.” 

Georgia Artus, Vintage Vibes Lead said: “As we come into our 10th year of creating long-lasting friendships in one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people, we are delighted to have gained the interest of the First Minister.

“This recognises the empowering contribution our volunteers make every week throughout the year in Scotland’s capital and the transformational change that can be made through friendship.

“We know that loneliness has a hugely detrimental effect on older peoples’ wellbeing and physical and mental health, with the negative health impacts equating to that of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

“There is an estimated 11,000 older people who are often or always alone in Edinburgh – and those figures are rising.

“We’re excited for our future as an independent charity, but we have a big challenge ahead to meet demand and fund our vital services. We hope this visit will spread the word that anyone with a little time to spare can volunteer or support the lives of older people, not just at Christmas, but every day.”

The First Minister kindly joined in the festive fun and wrote a Christmas card, joining a host of MSPs who wrote cards at Scottish Parliament last week and hundreds of members of the public who are getting involved in the campaign.  

Individuals can show their support by visiting Vintage Vibes’ website, where they too can receive a profile of a local, lonely older person to send a Christmas card to until 6th December – from Elaine, who loves to sing and enjoys musicals, to animal loving Betty, who loves to watching and listening to the birds in the garden.

After that time, gifts can be donated to help Vintage Vibes have an impact all year round, from meals out or a coffee and cake, to tickets to a show. 

Vintage Vibes VIP, Marleen said: ‘I lost my husband and was feeling down but reading all the lovely Christmas cards really cheered me up.

‘You made my day – thank you all so much.’ 

To show you care and give the gift of friendship to an older person this year, visit vintagevibes.org.uk today.  

LifeCare Edinburgh announces first Burns Day family-friendly Ceilidh

Local charity, LifeCare Edinburgh, is marking St Andrew’s Day by announcing first family friendly ceilidh.

This Burn’s Day, join LifeCare Edinburgh for dancing and delicious food at our Community Ceilidh. Enjoy music from the Gallivanters Ceilidh Band and traditional Scottish stovies. 

Everyone is welcome at this fully accessible, family friendly event at the LifeCare Centre on Cheyne Street in the heart of Stockbridge.

Date: Saturday 25th January

Time: 2-4pm 

Family ticket £28 (2 adults & 2 kids)

Adult ticket £10

Child ticket £5 (under 3’s go free)

Booking is open now via eventbrite or by calling 0131 343 0940  

We can’t wait to welcome you!

Meet Santa in Stockbridge!

LifeCare’s Christmas Fair is back!

But this year we have added an extra ho ho ho … book a slot to meet Santa on Saturday 7th December 11.30am – 2.30pm at our family friendly community hub on Cheyne Street.

£8 (including a small gift) with all proceeds supporting our vital services, call 0131 343 0940 to book in.

See you there! 

LifeCare wins Community Engagement Award at ScottishPower Foundation 10th anniversary charity celebration

The milestone year saw inspiring charities awarded additional funding for their vital projects including Stockbridge-based charity, Lifecare Edinburgh

At the 10th Anniversary ScottishPower Foundation Awards, LifeCare Edinburgh took home the Community Engagement Award for its outstanding Community Care for Everyone project.

This recognition comes with a £10,000 funding boost, which will be used to help the charity continue to fight the pressures caused by the cost of living crisis as well as bring new activities to its service users.

This dedicated service delivers significant, life-changing benefits to the growing population of older people living on low incomes. This includes the CafeLife where people in the community can meet, eat, chat, and feel a sense of belonging.

By providing practical help within the home, companionship, and hot, freshly-cooked meals, LifeCare Edinburgh is making a profound impact on both the physical health and mental wellbeing of over 200 vulnerable older individuals. This support ensures that these individuals feel secure, connected, and enabled to thrive in their own homes and communities.

Lifecare Edinburgh’s Ian McRae also came runner-up in the Charity Champion category for his work over the past six years, providing support to clients with dementia. His commitment and empathy shine through his work, including helping introduce new clients, supporting existing ones, and easing the reintegration of clients post-pandemic.

Ian’s personal experience with dementia in his family helps drive his passion, leading him to create a handbook, “The Importance of Memory,” to help others.

His efforts have been instrumental in raising awareness for LifeCare, and his warmth and understanding make him a beloved figure among clients, staff, and volunteers.

This award has also come with an additional £5,000 which the charity looks to put towards training new volunteers up to the incredible standards Ian has set.

Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive, LifeCare Edinburgh, said: “We are so grateful to have been honoured with this award and are excited for what this means for our service users. LifeCare Edinburgh provides vital support and to be able to do what we do is so vital to the population of Edinburgh.

“A huge congratulations must also be given to Ian who consistently has gone over and above, impressing us with his commitment, understanding, empathy and support.

“We send our thanks to the ScottishPower Foundation for its continued support through this project, and we cannot wait to put this funding to use.”

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer, and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “A heartfelt congratulations to all our winners at this year’s ScottishPower Foundation Awards. This milestone year is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the incredible work these charities do in our communities.

“Choosing this year’s winners was an immense challenge, given the outstanding quality of nominations we received. The dedication and passion demonstrated by LifeCare Edinburgh truly embodies the spirit of the ScottishPower Foundation Awards. Their unwavering commitment to making a positive difference in people’s lives is inspirational.

“It brings us real joy to celebrate with such highly deserving charities. The additional funding they receive will undoubtedly help them advance their impactful projects even further.

“Once again, a massive congratulations to all our winners. Their phenomenal work continues to make a significant difference, and we are excited to see what they achieve next.”

Further details on the winners and runners-up are available on the ScottishPower Foundation website: scottishpowerfoundation.com.

TOMORROW: LifeCare’s Winter Warmer Jumble Sale

Join LifeCare Edinburgh this Sunday 10th November for our family-friendly community jumble sale!

Come along for a browse, pick up a bargain, enjoy a hot bacon or sausage roll, tea and coffee. 

Running from 10.30 – 1.30 at the LifeCare community hub on Cheyne Street in Stockbridge. See you there!

LifeCare’s Winter Warmer Jumble Sale

Are you having a clear out before Christmas and looking for an opportunity to earn a little extra cash?

Local charity, LifeCare will be hosting its first community jumble sale on Sunday 10th of November at our thriving community hub on Cheyne Street in Stockbridge – and we’ve still a few spaces left!  

Tables cost just £20 each, call 0131 343 0940 or email enquiries@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk to book before they all sell out …

Hectors reopens with a fresh new look

Hectors in Stockbridge has officially reopened following an extensive 5 week refurbishment, giving the iconic pub an exciting new look. 

The pub has been given a facelift while keeping its traditional look and feel inside. Changes include a new hand-carved wooden gantry, brand new furniture and fresh frontage colour scheme. 

Hectors is renowned for its friendly and welcoming team, as well as the selection of comforting Scottish pub fayre. The pub itself takes its name from Sir James Hector, a Scottish-New Zealand geologist, naturalist, and surgeon who originated from Stockbridge in 1834. 

Guests can tuck into all the pub classics, a chicken and truffled oyster mushroom pie, classic fish and chips and delicious beef brisket burgers, as well as a delectable range of Sunday roasts. 

Along with the new food menu, guests will also be greeted with an extensive drinks’ menu, boasting a wide selection of craft beers, British Gins and an exciting range of whisky. 

Speaking about the refurbishment, General Manager Alex Bruce at Hectors said: ‘This is an exciting time, not only for Hectors, but for the people of Stockbridge. Our aim is simple, to serve delicious food, great drinks, and friendly service to all of our guests.

“Our fresh new look, matched with our welcoming team, will go hand in hand to provide Stockbridge with an excellent local pub where everyone is welcome.” 

Following the extensive refurbishment and significant investment made at the pub, several new jobs have been created for the local area, with the team now ready to pour pints and serve delicious food to guests. 

For more information about Hectors please visit: 

https://www.nicholsonspubs.co.uk/restaurants/scotlandandnorthernireland/hectorsedinburgh