Housing and homelessness charity Shelter Scotland has thanked shoppers for helping it raise a record breaking £24,000 at the 20th Anniversary of its Stockbridge January launch event.
The charity shop’s ever popular January extravaganza attracts excited bargain hunters from across Edinburgh and beyond.
This year saw queues out the door well in advance of the 10am opening time. Shopper patience was rewarded as they snapped up designer clothes from brands such as Prada and Ralph Lauren, early jazz records on shellac as well as beautiful antiques.
Shelter Scotland is gearing up for the rest of the year and keeping one eye on 2024’s launch event, by asking people to donate any high-quality goods and clothes to help support the fight for home.
Director of Shelter Scotland, Alison Watson, said:“I’d like to thank everyone who donated items that were sold at our January launch and everyone who came along to grab a bargain on the day.
“Over its 20 years our Stockbridge January launch has become renowned across the Capital, so it was no surprise to see people queuing out the door before we’d even opened.
“Raising more than £24,000 from our launch is an incredible start to our year, but we want to keep that momentum going. If you have any good quality items or clothes that you no longer need then please consider them donating to your local Shelter Scotland shop.
“There is a housing emergency in Scotland that is causing misery in communities across the country. The incredible generosity of our donors and customers will help us in our fight to end that injustice.”
LifeCare are providing a warm space at weekends, 3:30 – 6:30pm at CafeLife, 2 Cheyne St, Stockbridge, with free soup & hot drinks, board games, books & free wi-fi.
Mix 1 Radio based in Stockbridge have been on air for just under a year and are attracting some big names to join them as guests on air.
The station which has a mixture of music and conversation is exploiting the gap in the local radio marketspace as the larger stations are consolidating shows across the whole country. With presenters giving regular updates on local news, traffic and weather along with promoting local business’s the station is pulling in listeners across the capital and beyond.
The special guest on this weeks Edinburgh Weekender Show on Friday 6 till 8pm is London’s First Lady of Soul, PP Arnold who made her breakthrough as backing singer with Ike and Tina Turner before carving out her own successful career with hits like Angel of The Morning and The First Cut Is The Deepest.
She has a fascinating story to tell and listeners of Mix 1 will enjoy a great conversation with PP Arnold and Mix! Presenters Big T and Clayton P.
PP Arnold talks about her audition in Tina Turners front room. Moving to London and becoming the Boyfriend of Mick Jagger and her bond with Bee Gee Barry Gibb.
Previous guests on Mix 1 recently have been Tim Hower, lead singer of Mike and The Mechanics, Steve Smiley Barnard who played drums in Robbie Williams band, Craig Eddie winner of The Voice 2021 and Paul McCarthy star of TV’s Grange Hill.
There are more exciting guest lined up over the next few months.
The interview will be broadcast on Friday from 6pm on The Edinburgh Weekender Show. You can listen to Mix 1 Radio on your Alexa, just ask Alexa to enable the Mix 1 Radio Skill then Alexa Play Mix 1 Radio or listen online via their website Mix1Radio.co.uk
In response to the rising cost of living, thanks to funding from The Edinburgh Wellbeing Pact ‘Coorie in for Winter’ fund, LifeCare is opening a Warm Space for the community this winter.
We will be welcoming people to join us in our cosy cafe space at the LifeCare Centre in Stockbridge on Saturdays and Sundays between 3.30pm and 6.30pm. We will be offering free soup and hot drinks as well as board games and books to enjoy.
Stockbridge charity urgently needs funds to keep people warm and well this winter
LifeCare Edinburgh has launched an urgent appeal to raise vital funds to support older people living across the city this winter. The renowned charity, which turned 80 last year, provides positive care for hundreds of local people but is struggling to cope with the increasing demand for its services.
LifeCare’s personal and practical services include registered outreach and day-clubs, help at home, meals on wheels, unpaid carers support, and companionship activities.
The charity runs a busy community hub and café on Cheyne Street in Stockbridge with all profits going directly to the running of its services. Through its relationship-based approach the charity supports those living with dementia, isolation, reduced mobilities, mental health concerns, and those struggling on low-incomes.
With over 85% of clients living alone, services enable each older person to live well and independently in their own homes for as long as possible.
Through the ‘Winter Warmer’ campaign LifeCare will extend its services this winter. This will include setting up their community café as a welcoming ‘warm space’ offering free warmth, hot food, companionship, and activities to those that need it across weekends, but the charity needs support to offer this care.
The organisation is calling on everyone, from individuals to local businesses, to join their appeal and give a donation to help deliver care to those that need it most this winter.
James Wells, Chief Executive of LifeCare said: “We are extremely worried about those in our community. The cold, dark months are always difficult, and this year, with rising food and fuel costs, it will be devastating for many.
“Older people are still coming to terms with the aftermath of the covid restrictions; abilities and mobility deteriorated rapidly and enquiries for our help are rising, up 250% in some services.
“Now hit by the cost-of-living crisis these same people, who are just regaining the confidence and motivation to get back to their communities, can’t afford to take part in activities or meet friends for food/drink. On top of the ‘heat or eat’ dilemma they face this winter they are also at risk of serious social isolation.
“LifeCare has a long history of supporting and empowering older people to live life to the full, but as a charity we rely on donations to enable us to deliver our lifesaving and life-affirming services.
” Thanks to our care, we will ensure that each older person receives the support they need. We will make sure they are warm in their homes, they eat well, have company to look forward to and are able to get out and about to activities safely.
“We are asking local people and businesses to consider giving a one-off or regular gift to our Winter Warmer appeal. With support, LifeCare can deliver the positive care older people need to ensure they keep warm and well in body and mind.
“There are different ways people can help support. One-off and regular donations can be made on our website or alternatively people can come along to our community café to pledge their support. Even choosing to have your coffee or lunch from our café will help us to deliver the care local older people need.”
Free Meals on Wheels provided by LifeCare Edinburgh are available for people aged 50 and over, with health and/or support needs, living in North Edinburgh/Leith who are eligible for Pension Credit or Universal Credit.
Sourdough pizza pioneers, Franco Manca, announce the arrival of their new Edinburgh pizzeria in Stockbridge
· To celebrate the opening, diners can enjoy 50% off all pizzas and salads at launch
· The new restaurant arrives in the Scottish capital today
Due to phenomenal demand, sourdough pizza pioneers, Franco Manca, have announced the opening of its second Edinburgh pizzeria on 1 Deanhaugh Street, Stockbridge, Edinburgh, EH4 1LU.
Opening to the public on Monday 11th June, Franco Manca is celebrating the launch by offering 50% off all pizzas and salads from the menu, available on Monday 11th – Tuesday 12th July.
The beautiful new restaurant follows the success of Franco Manca’s sister site on south St Andrew Street, which regularly welcomes up to 2,000 customers a week – the city’s top sellers include the classic margherita (No.2) and lightly smoked beechwood salami (No.7).
As well as offering its authentic Neapolitan cuisine, the new restaurant will serve up stunning views over the Water of Leith in the heart of Edinburgh’s Stockbridge community.
Simone Annette, Area Manager at Franco Manca, said:“Following the success of our Edinburgh debut on south St Andrew Street, we wanted to offer pizza lovers even more choice with the launch of an incredible new location.
“Our iconic sourdough, unique to Franca Manca, is sure to go down a hit with Deanhaugh Street diners looking to get a slice of authentic Italian pizza. So, if you live in the city, or are just passing through, feel free to drop in and enjoy 50% off our entire menu.”
Franco Manca pizzas are made with slow-rising sourdough, with a mother dough which dates back to the late 18th century, topped with fresh, properly sourced, seasonal ingredients. The dough is made fresh on site, with daily specials on offer, and menu prices starting at just £5.95.
First procured by the pizzeria’s founder, Giuseppe Mascoli, near the city of Naples, the recipe still honours the ingredients and methods that make the age-old style of Neapolitan pizza unique, delicious and world-renowned.
For more information on Franco Manca and other locations, please visit: www.francomanca.co.uk.
Val McDermid has officially reopened the revamped CafeLife community cafe on Cheyne Street. Dubbed the Queen of Crime, the author has sold over 17 million books to date across the globe and is translated into more than 40 languages. Val met with café customers and fans to sign copies of her books brought along on the day.
CafeLife is run by renowned local charity LifeCare Edinburgh and all proceeds from café sales go towards the organisation’s vital care services for older people living across Edinburgh.
Val said: “Every community should have a resource like CafeLife. We’re lucky to have it. The LifeCare centre, and all the vital services provided by the charity, help support serious issues such as isolation and loneliness.
“I’m proud to be supporting LifeCare in its important work.”
The pandemic forced the café to close its doors to its loyal sit-in customers in March 2020. The closure was a real loss to the area as CafeLife is the only fully-accessible community café around, offering good value food and drink appealing to all generations and with lots of space for buggies and wheelchairs.
Opened nearly ten years ago, the team took the opportunity to upgrade the café through the covid-closure. The charity secured emergency funding to revamp CafeLife’s interiors and the kitchen team have spent time creating a new and improved menu to appeal to all tastes and dietary needs.
CaféLife will be running a series of promotions throughout the coming months to celebrate the reopening and to welcome everyone back.
Granton Square … Goldenacre … Davidsons Mains, no more. And another Royal Bank of Scotland branch will join the Lost List when Stockbridge Branch closes it’s doors for the last time on 4th October.
In a letter to RBS customers, Local Director Mark Scanlon explained: “Closing branches is always a difficult decision and not one that we ever take lightly. So, we wanted to try to explain why we’ve had to do this.
“The simple reason is that the way businesses bank with us has changed. The shift towards digital means many of our customers now manage their money online. With fewer people going into branch, we’ve had to make some really tough choices. Which is unfortunately why we will be closing our Edinburgh Stockbridge branch on 4 October 2022.
“You can, of course, use any other Royal Bank of Scotland branch. And you can manage your money online through our Digital Banking service or via Bankline without having to go into a branch, To find out more go to: business.rbs.co.uk/ways-to-bank .”
