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.
Everyone is welcome, just drop in.
Time table
10.15 Start off Parade
10.20 Approx arrive at Portgower Place Raeburn Hotel – 5 min reindeer & pony rest
10.25 Depart Portgower Place
10.40 Arrive Inverleith Park
10.45 Onwards Refreshments in main marquee for all parade participants.
CHRISTMAS CHARITY FESTIVAL
Fun Runs on Sunday too!
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.”
For more information about LifeCare’s services visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/ or call 0131 343 0940 to chat with the friendly team.
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.
Contact@LifeCare_ to sign up on 0131 343 0940
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.
For more information about LifeCare visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/
And for Val McDermid visit https://www.valmcdermid.com/
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 .”
So that’s okay then !
Stockbridge and Inverleith Community Council are hosting this free Home Energy Scotland event at Edinburgh Academy this evening.
Find out how you can make your home more energy efficient and save money on your fuel bills.
The event starts at 7pm.
Inspired by our recently received Walking Collection, we are starting a monthly mindful walking group to practice walking meditation.
The walk will be led mostly by our staff member Zina, who has been practising mindful walking and meditation for many years herself, though sometimes by other staff members.
We’ll walk every third Saturday of the month starting 18 June – 11:30am – 12:30pm.
Everyone is welcome!
To register, please ask at the reception, call us on 0131 529 5665 or email:
CafeLife, the popular community cafe on Cheyne Street, is set to officially reopen on Monday 9th May with a brand-new menu and revamped interiors following its forced closure through the pandemic.
Run by renowned local charity LifeCare Edinburgh, all proceeds from the cafe go towards supporting the delivery of the organisation’s vital care services for older people living across Edinburgh.
The charity, which turned 80 last year, helps over 1,000 local older people a year. Essential services such as registered outreach care and day centres, help at home, meals on wheels and support for carers enable local older people to remain living full and independent lives.
The pandemic forced the café to close its doors to their loyal sit-in customers in March 2020. The closure has been a real loss to the area as CafeLife is the only full-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.
The charity is today announcing that they will be joined by celebrated and best-selling Scottish crime writer Val McDermid for the official ribbon cutting event on Wednesday 11th May.
Val will sign copies of any of her books brought along on the day.
Jemima Hankins, Community Hub Co-ordinator at LifeCare said “We are absolutely delighted that we are reopening CafeLife at long last. There’s nothing else like us in the area and we know how much our regular customers have missed us.
“We’ve a huge bright space that appeals to all ages and stages; people pop in on their own or come with friends to enjoy good honest food and drink – with all proceeds going towards our vital care services for local people. We really are a cafe with a difference!
“Our loyal customers love to pop in to meet or make new friends, enjoy good value food and we’re relaunching with an exciting new menu designed by Chef Tony keeping our cafe staples such as soups, bacon rolls and paninis but we’ve added pancakes, smoothies and milkshakes. The blueberry pancakes are a must!
“We are thrilled to be marking our reopening with a guest appearance from Val McDermid on Wednesday 11th May and we will be running lots of promotions across the week – check our socials for full details or pop-in for more info.”
LifeCare Edinburgh is a registered charity and with no service fully-funded the organisation relies on the generosity of its funders.
Recent funding from the Scottish Government’s Adapt and Thrive fund covered the cost of the café upgrades and an award from The National Lottery Community Fund supports the new Community Hub Coordinator position created to help safely bring people back to the space after the pandemic.
For more information visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/
