TUESDAY 4 FEBRUARY from 6 – 8pm
FREE ENTRY – Please come along!
Pitch to Plate at Easter Road
EVOC: CEO Update
I have now been in post as CEO with EVOC for 25 days (on 22/1), though it sometimes feels like a lot longer! I have had a whirlwind of an introduction, and my feet have hardly touched the ground, which has made it exciting.
I have met a lot of great people from across the sector and our partner organisations, including the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government. I have been made to feel welcome and have learned a lot from a diverse mix of individuals.
I have heard of the challenges different organisations are facing right now, and these conversations are shaping my understanding and giving me insights that I will be distilling, with colleagues, into our future planning.
We are currently seeking the views of members and voluntary organisations in Edinburgh to tell us about their needs and the challenges that they are facing in 2025 and beyond. To increase the number of people who can contribute, we are using a survey that will be circulated to our members.
Please take a few minutes to complete it to ensure we consider the needs of more organisations in shaping how we work in future and what our priorities will be.
This month we are preparing for our Annual General Meeting at 4pm on Wednesday 26 February which will be held on Zoom. We will report on the year 2023/24 and give a flavour of our plans for the future.
We are looking for new individuals with business skills to be elected to the board of EVOC to join a committed group of volunteers who are interested in the development of EVOC as representatives to serve third sector organisations in Edinburgh. You can find how to apply to join the Board of Directors here.
Separately we are seeking a new Convener to chair the board and provide leadership to the organisation and directors. We’re looking for somebody with integrity good governance, leadership, finance and change management experience. If you are interested in this role, please see the details here.
We are spending a great deal of time currently in seeking ways to support those organisations affected by the impending cuts to the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) grants scheme which is a partnership between the NHS and the City of Edinburgh Council.
In recent months we have increased our engagement across the sector, so that we are better able to represent the views and interests of voluntary organisations in strategic forums such as the EIJB and the Edinburgh Partnership.
We are doing this as we strengthen our culture of service, to our members and to the sector.
With best wishes
Bruce Crawford, CEO
Scottish Government: New approaches to eradicating child poverty
Wrap-around support delivering improved outcomes for families
Lessons learned from innovative work with families in Inverclyde are helping deliver new approaches to eradicating child poverty.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville will visit Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde in Greenock today (Wednesday 29th January) to see work funded under the Scottish Government’s Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund, which is helping to reshape services locally and elsewhere in Scotland.
The Social Justice Secretary will meet staff at the project as well as parents who have benefited from the work which focuses on providing early intervention to support families, particularly those with children under five and those affected by poor mental health.
Learning from the project is supporting Inverclyde’s Fairer Futures Partnership, which is supporting local services to test and improve how they deliver services to promote family wellbeing, maximise incomes and support people towards education and into sustained employment.
Ms Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and a national mission.
“I’m keen to hear more about how whole family, person-centred support is being developed in Inverclyde through the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund and the Fairer Futures Partnership.
“Through close partnership between Home-Start and Inverclyde Council, this project provides holistic support so that families can maximise their household incomes, and parents can improve their employment prospects through upskilling and volunteering. Putting this kind of vital support in place means that we don’t just help families in a crisis but enable them to thrive in the longer term.
“The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund was set up to support local areas to test new ideas and innovate to improve local approaches to eradicating child poverty. I’m pleased to have the opportunity to learn more about how this funding is informing Inverclyde’s overall approach to supporting families out of poverty.”
Edinburgh School Uniform Bank: Water Bottles Needed
We need your help!
We are constantly expanding the items we give in our Crisis Packs. Extras like reusable water bottles are an essential part of the kit a young person is expected to have when attending school. Many schools are now no longer able to offer disposable cups for students in need of a drink.
Could you purchase a water bottle for us? We would love to be able to keep adding these to each Crisis Pack requested. One Mum recently reported that her son was drinking water for the very first time because he was so delighted with his special water bottle.
There are a few ways you can help:
Buy a water bottle via our shopping partner Give Today. There are also smaller items that can be purchased. We will ensure every donation gets to a young person in need. Anything purchased will be sent directly to us. https://givetoday.co.uk/edinburghschooluniformbank/
Donate funds and we will purchase water bottles and other items needed for our packs. Every contribution, no matter the size, is appreciated. Donate here: https://edinburghuniform.org/donate/
You can of course buy a water bottle and drop it off at one of our drop off points. More information on those can be found here: https://edinburghuniform.org/donate-uniform/
Thank you!
Eat Out Edinburgh returns this March
Back with a bang, Eat Out Edinburgh returns to the city this March offering a month of incredible deals, discounts and events from the capital’s best bars and restaurants.
Following the hugely successful 2024 campaign, which saw the celebrations last for the whole month, Eat Out Edinburgh 2025 will once again bring family, friends and colleagues together from across the Lothians to support the city centre’s vibrant hospitality scene with over 50 venues expected to get involved this year.
Founded in 2022 by Essential Edinburgh, the city’s dedicated Business Improvement District (BID), Eat Out Edinburgh offers diners a chance to sample new cuisines and take advantage of discounts and curated offers, ultimately bringing more footfall to the city centre. 2024’s campaign saw Edinburgh’s hospitality sales boost an incredible 9.2% for the month of March.
Once again, the campaign highlights a host of restaurants, cafés, and bars from Princes Street to George Street, to Charlotte Square and St James Quarter to take part with both established city favourites including Chaophraya, Lady Libertine, BABA, and Bonnie & Wild returning for another year after a successful 2024, and exciting new additions to the campaign like Dishoom, Manahatta, SUSHISAMBA, The Dome and Roxy Lanes among others.
Interested businesses within the BID are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible, whether they participated in 2024 or would like to be a part of the 2025 campaign for the first time.
A full list of participating Edinburgh venues and offers will soon be available to browse on Eat Out Edinburgh’s website, with special tasting menus, events and exclusive offers for city centre workers.
Diners are encouraged to sign up for regular updates on participating venues and the best deals available at www.eatoutedinburgh.com.
With support from Scotland Food & Drink, this year’s campaign highlights Scotland’s incredible fresh, seasonal produce through the menus and offers created by each restaurant.
Lothian Buses returns as the major transport partner with city centre offers open to Lothian Bus employees, and promotion for the event to be shown on bus screens across the city throughout the campaign.
Emily Campbell Johnston, Senior Manager of Marketing & Communications, Essential Edinburgh, said: “2024’s Eat Out Edinburgh event was a huge success, particularly as our first month-long campaign, with a fantastic turn out filling tables throughout the city centre so well, and a staggering 18,700 bookings made throughout the month of March.
“With some of Edinburgh’s most exciting new restaurants opening in the BID, we anticipate an even wider range of venues taking part this year, with menus and offers to suit any occasion – giving locals, city centre workers and visitors from further afield a reason to get out, have fun and support the local hospitality industry.”
For more information, and to keep up to date with the campaign, visit:
Oxbridge to become Europe’s Silicon Valley?
Chancellor unveils new plans to deliver the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor that will boost the UK economy by up to £78 billion by 2035
- Rachel Reeves will today vow to go ‘further and faster’ to deliver the government’s Plan for Change to kick start economic growth and put more pounds in people’s pockets.
- Chancellor to unveil plans to unleash the potential of the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor that will add up to £78 billion to the UK economy according to industry experts, catalysing growth of UK science and technology.
- Comes after Chancellor last week announced National Wealth Fund and Office for Investment will take new approaches to spur regional growth across the UK.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves will today vow to go “further and faster” to kick start the economy, as she unveils new plans to deliver the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor that will boost the UK economy by up to £78 billion by 2035 according to industry experts.
In a speech in Oxfordshire, the Chancellor will tell regional and business leaders that economic growth is the number one mission of this government and its Plan for Change. She will declare that Britain’s economy has “huge potential” and is at the “forefront of some of the most exciting developments in the world like artificial intelligence and life sciences.”
She will back the redevelopment of Old Trafford and will review the Green Book – the government’s guidance on appraisal – in order to support decisions on public investment across the country, including outside London and the Southeast.
The speech comes after the Chancellor last week announced a new approach for the National Wealth Fund (NWF) and the Office for Investment (OfI) to work with local leaders to build pipelines of incoming investment and projects linked to regional growth priorities. This includes the NWF trialling Strategic Partnerships in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, and Glasgow City Region and the OfI piloting an approach in the Liverpool City Region and the North East Combined Authority to connect their regions to central government and industry expertise in order to unlock private investment.
Reeves will say “low growth is not our destiny, but that economic growth will not come without a fight. Without a government that is on the side of working people. Willing to take the right decisions now to change our country’s course for the better.”
The Chancellor is expected to say: “Britain is a country of huge potential. A country of strong communities, with local businesses at their heart.
“We are the forefront of some of the most exciting developments in the world like artificial intelligence and life sciences. We have great companies based here delivering jobs and investment in Britain.
“And we have fundamental strengths – in our history, our language, and our legal system – to compete in a global economy.
“But for too long, that potential has been held back. For too long, we have accepted low expectations, accepted stagnation and accepted the risk of decline. We can do so much better.
“Low growth is not our destiny. But growth will not come without a fight. Without a government that is on the side of working people. Willing to take the right decisions now to change our country’s course for the better.
“That’s what our Plan for Change is about. That is what drives me as Chancellor. And it is what I’m determined to deliver.”
In her speech the Chancellor will announce:
- The Environment Agency has lifted its objections to a new development around Cambridge that could unlock 4,500 new homes and associated community spaces such as schools and leisure facilities as well as office and laboratory space in Cambridge City Centre. This was only possible as a result of the government working closely with councils and regulators to find creative solutions to unlock growth and address environmental pressures.
- That the government has agreed for water companies to unlock £7.9bn investment for the next 5 years to improve our water infrastructure and provide a foundation for growth. This includes nine new reservoirs, such as the new Fens Reservoir serving Cambridge and the Abingdon Reservoir near Oxford.
- Confirming funding towards better transport links in the region including funding for East-West Rail, with new services between Oxford and Milton Keynes this year and upgrading the A428 to reduce journey times between Milton Keynes and Cambridge.
- Prioritisation of a new Cambridge Cancer Research Hospital as part of the New Hospitals Programme bringing together Cambridge University, Addenbrookes Hospital and Cancer Research UK.
- Support for the development of new and expanded communities in the Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor and a new East Coast Mainline station in Tempsford, to expand the region’s economy.
- That she welcomes Cambridge University’s proposal for a new large scale innovation hub in the city centre. As the world’s leading science and tech cluster by intensity, Cambridge will play a crucial part in the government’s modern Industrial Strategy.
- A new Growth Commission for Oxford, inspired by the Cambridge model, to review how best we can unlock and accelerate nationally significant growth for the city and surrounding area.
- Appointment of Sir Patrick Vallance as Oxford-Cambridge Growth Corridor Champion to provide senior leadership to ensure the Government’s ambitions are delivered.
The Chancellor is expected to say: “Oxford and Cambridge offer huge economic potential for our nation’s growth prospects.
“Just 66 miles apart these cities are home to two of the best universities in the world two of the most intensive innovation clusters in the world and the area is a hub for globally renowned science and technology firms in life sciences, manufacturing, and AI.
“It has the potential to be Europe’s Silicon Valley. The home of British innovation.
“To grow, these world-class companies need world-class talent who should be able to get to work quickly and find somewhere to live in the local area. But to get from Oxford to Cambridge by train takes two and a half hours.
“There is no way to commute directly from towns like Bedford and Milton Keynes to Cambridge by rail. And there is a lack of affordable housing across the region.
“Oxford and Cambridge are two of the least affordable cities in the UK. In other words, the demand is there but there are far too many supply side constraints on economic growth in the region.”
Designed to take advantage of the region’s unique strengths and potential, the announcements are further evidence of the government’s modern Industrial Strategy in action as it seeks to create the right conditions to increase investment in our leading growth sectors like life sciences, artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing.
She will add: “Taken together, these announcements show that for the first time a government is providing real leadership to deliver this project with a clear strategy for the entire region backed by funding for the housing and infrastructure we so badly need.“
The speech comes after the Chancellor last week announced a package of investment reforms to spur regional growth across the UK.
Rachel Reeves set out a new approach for the National Wealth Fund (NWF) and the Office for Investment (OfI) to work with local leaders to build pipelines of incoming investment and projects linked to regional growth priorities.
Putting local knowledge and leadership at the forefront, there will be tailored strategies for each region to ensure investment matches local needs and drives sustainable growth.
Putting the government’s Plan for Change into action, the Chancellor set out that the goal is to harness growth everywhere to rebuild Britain and usher in a decade of national renewal. Measures included the NWF trialling Strategic Partnerships in Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, and Glasgow City Region and the OfI piloting an approach in the Liverpool City Region and the North East Combined Authority to connect their regions to central government and industry expertise in order to unlock private investment.
Science Minister, Lord Patrick Vallance said: “The UK has all the ingredients to replicate the success of Silicon Valley or the Boston Cluster but for too long has been constrained by short termism and a lack of direction.
“This government’s Plan for Change will see an end to that defeatism. I look forward to working with local leaders to fulfil the Oxford-Cambridge corridor’s potential by building on its existing strengths in academia, life sciences, semiconductors, AI and green technology amongst others.
“Together we will build the infrastructure and partnerships needed to join up this region’s academia, investors and business so that we can boost growth, deliver innovations and create new jobs that improve all our lives.”
Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander said: “Well connected communities are a cornerstone for growth. East West Rail will not only provide better links and lasting benefits to Oxford and Cambridge, but to all the surrounding areas.
“I’m also delighted to announce a brand new station at Tempsford, which will be game changing for the region – allowing a new community and businesses to grow, unlocking faster and smoother access to opportunities, and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.”
Responding to Rachel Reeves’ speech today on economic growth Roger Mortlock, CPRE countryside charity chief executive, said:
On airport expansion and the Lower Thames Crossing
‘The single biggest threat to the countryside is climate change. If the government expands Heathrow, Luton, City and Gatwick airports, the increase in carbon emissions will make a mockery of its commitment to reaching net zero by 2030.
‘Airport expansion will do nothing to boost UK growth. There has been no net increase in air travel for business purposes or in jobs in air transport since 2007. Recent research from the New Economic Foundation indicates that airport expansion will drive significant tourism revenue abroad, not bring it to the UK. To create the jobs of the future we need investment in low-carbon industries and transport, not more unsustainable expansion of the UK’s airports.
‘CPRE local groups in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, London and Sussex have been at the forefront of campaigns to prevent further airport expansion. If implemented, these proposals would have a devastating impact on some of the UK’s most valuable agricultural land, vital wildlife habitats and green spaces close to millions of people’s homes.’
On the Lower Thames Crossing
‘The proposed Lower Thames Crossing would also drive-up levels of unsustainable travel at a time when funding should be directed into sustainable public transport instead. CPRE Kent has highlighted how the crossing’s environmental and economic impacts on the local area would far outweigh any supposed benefits.’
On zonal planning reforms
‘We welcome the government’s plan to support the construction of more homes close to existing transport hubs, particularly in our towns and cities. Provided that they are genuinely affordable and built on brownfield land, these homes could help unlock growth by providing sustainable places to live close to where people already live, work and go to school.
‘Building more homes close to transport hubs must not be allowed to undermine the Green Belt, one of this country’s most successful spatial protections with huge potential to help address the climate and nature emergencies.’
On the planning regime for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects
‘It’s clear we’ve got to build a clean energy grid fit for the future but the best way to achieve this is with local communities involved from the start.
‘To speed up the planning system, the government should deliver on its commitment to fund hundreds of new planning officers.
‘The UK could learn from countries such as Ireland and Australia, which involve communities in decision making from the beginning, reducing the need for lengthy and expensive legal processes without eroding democracy. For everyone’s sake, we should be building consensus, not dismissing people with real ideas and solutions as ‘blockers’.
Scottish Budget agreements secured
New funding agreed for bus fares, drug services and free school meals
Agreements have been reached separately with the Scottish Liberal Democrats and Scottish Green Party to support the SNP’s 2025-26 Budget.
Finance Secretary Shona Robison has announced she will table amendments to the 2025-26 Budget Bill to allocate £16.7 million funding to:
• Bolster drug and alcohol services, including £1 million for specialist support for babies born addicted to drugs
• Begin a £2 bus fare cap pilot in one regional transport area
• Further strengthen support for hospices from £4 million to £5 million
• Increase Nature Restoration by £3 million to its highest ever level
• Invest in targeted support for the College sector and protect Corseford College
• Extend free school meal eligibility in S1-S3 in eight local authority areas for pupils in receipt of Scottish Child Payment
• Offer flexibility for Orkney Island Council in terms of capital and resource funding
Ms Robison said: “We are determined to deliver on the issues that matter most to the people of Scotland – and that is why this Budget invests in public services and in eradicating child poverty, acts in the face of the climate emergency, and supports jobs.
“The First Minister was clear that we would bring forward a budget by Scotland for Scotland, and the negotiations we have taken forward have been in that spirit. These additional initiatives demonstrate the value of a progressive approach and dialogue.
“During every stage of this process the Liberal Democrats and the Greens have engaged in our discussions in a positive and constructive manner.
“Through seeking compromise I believe we are delivering a budget that will strengthen services and support our communities. With the agreements with these two parties now in place this will secure a majority in parliament in support of the Budget Bill.”
The Scottish Greens will support the forthcoming budget, following confirmation that the Scottish Government have agreed to the party’s proposals on record climate funding, the expansion of free school meals and trialling a £2 cap on bus fares.
As a result of proposals tabled by Scottish Green negotiators, the Government’s budget will now be changed to include the roll-out of free school meals to thousands more young people and a year-long regional trial of a £2 cap on bus fares.
Other Green proposals accepted include increasing funding for nature restoration to a record £26m, more free ferry travel for young island residents, free bus travel for asylum seekers and help for first time home buyers by increasing tax on the purchase of second/holiday homes.
Scottish Greens finance spokesperson Ross Greer MSP said: ““The Scottish Greens put climate action, tackling child poverty, cheaper buses and ferries and funding for schools at the heart of our budget negotiations. We have delivered progress on all of these fronts, so our MSPs will be voting for the budget.
“No young person should be sitting in school hungry. As a result of our work, thousands more pupils in S1-S3 will now receive a free school meal. This will build on the success of expanding free school meals in primary schools, a policy delivered by the Scottish Greens a few years ago.
“Our Green MSPs have also secured a year-long regional trial where bus fares will be capped at £2, because we know the cost of public transport needs to come down. This also builds on the success of free bus travel for young people, another Scottish Green policy we made a reality.
“With climate chaos all around us, we have worked to deliver record funding for nature restoration and our environment. These Green projects are creating well-paid jobs in communities across the country, particularly in rural areas.
“From schools to libraries to social care to bin collections, our councils deliver the services we all depend on. We have worked with Scottish Green councillors to ensure that this year’s budget delivers a fair deal for local councils, including an end to the Council tax freeze.
“These changes secured by Scottish Green MSPs will lift more children out of poverty, reduce the cost of public transport, create good quality jobs, tackle the climate crisis and protect local services. That’s in stark contrast to Labour, who agreed to let the SNP’s budget pass without making any attempt to improve it. If you want action to help people and planet, voting Scottish Greens is the best way to deliver it.”
As a result of Scottish Green negotiations, this budget includes:
- Making public transport cheaper: A year long regional trial of capping bus fares at £2 starting 1st January 2026, free bus travel for people seeking asylum and free inter-island ferry travel for young island residents
- Action to tackle child poverty: The expansion of free school meals to thousands of S1-S3 pupils who receive the Scottish Child Payment, starting with eight councils areas in August 2025.
- Record climate action: A record £4.9bn of funding for climate action and nature restoration.
- Progressive taxation to support public services: Increased tax on the purchase of second or holiday homes and moving forward with proposals for a Cruise Ship Levy, the consultation for which will launch in February
- Protecting local services: A real-term funding increase for local councils, and progress on giving councils more direct power through a consultation on devolving Parking Charge Notices (parking fines)
Commenting on the deal, Scottish Lib Dems leader Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “We have today reached an agreement with the Scottish Government. There is a long list of policies and projects that we’ve won for our constituents, and for Scotland as a whole, and so we will be voting for the Budget.
“In a Parliament of minorities Scottish Liberal Democrats will always act responsibly and try to find common ground.
“As a result, Lib Dem priorities will now be backed by hundreds of millions worth of government investment. I am pleased that we have secured money for new drug and neonatal services. As a former youth worker I know how important it is to give children the best start in life and few have it tougher than babies who are born addicted to drugs.
“Alongside the long list of Lib Dem demands baked into the first draft of the budget, we have also secured additional money for new college programmes focused on care and offshore wind, more money for hospices, and backing for the young people attending Corseford College.
“Scottish Labour’s decision to abstain on the Scottish Budget confirmed once and for all that there would be no early election. This was always very unlikely and that’s why all along Scottish Liberal Democrats have sought to shape the budget to unpick some of the damage caused by years of SNP neglect.
“This budget shows that by backing the Liberal Democrats you get a local champion focused on the issues that matter the most.”
The Liberal Democrats said: “Lib Dem priorities will now be backed by hundreds of millions worth of government investment.
“Here is the long list of policies and projects that we’ve won for our constituents, and for Scotland as a whole:
Have you seen Sophie?
POLICE are carrying out enquiries to trace a 19-year-old woman who has been reported missing.
Sophie Webster left her home in the Leith area around 12pm yesterday – Tuesday, 28 January, 2025. She was last seen in the South Queensferry area at around 2pm and enquiries are ongoing to trace her.
Searches are ongoing and officers are appealing for the help of the public to trace Sophie.
She is described as white, around 5ft 2in tall, of slim build with short dark hair. When last seen, Sophie was wearing navy blue trousers, a navy blue hooded sweatshirt, a blue t-shirt and white trainers.
Inspector Sean McGarvey said last night: “It is important that we make sure Sophie is safe and well, as there are growing concerns for her welfare.
“I would urge anyone who has seen Sophie, or who has any information on her whereabouts, to please contact us as soon as possible.
“I am also keen to hear from anyone who may have dash cam or CCTV footage of the area, which may help us trace Sophie.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 1644 of 28 January.
CCTV appeal following theft by housebreaking in Brunstane
Police Scotland has released CCTV images of a man who may be able to assist officers with an investigation into a theft by housebreaking in Edinburgh on Friday, 29 November, 2024.
The incident happened at around 6pm in the Brunstane Mill Road area and a grey Audi A3 was seen at the time.
The man officers wish to speak to is described as around 6 foot, of stocky build and with short, black facial hair. He was wearing glasses, a black north face puffer jacket, black top, hat and gloves and dark trousers.
Detective Constable Jason Butler said: “We would appeal to the man in the images, or anyone who recognises him, to contact us as soon as possible.
“Anyone who has information that may assist with this investigation is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 2873 of 29 November 2024. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”
Utilita Energy Hub in Leith celebrates five years of supporting the local community
Join the five-year milestone celebrations for your chance to win the Hub’s Grand Hamper Raffle
Edinburgh’s Utilita Energy Hub is set to mark its fifth year anniversary this week and the team in Leith will be welcoming both regular and new hub visitors to join a free Coffee Morning and Energy Efficiency Workshop.
Natasha Baillie, Supervisor at the Leith Energy Hub,and her dedicated team are looking forward to welcoming the local community to help celebrate the milestone event on Friday, 31 January (08:30am-5pm) and everyone is invited along to enjoy a slice of birthday cake and a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate.
Hub visitors will also have the chance to enter the Utilita Leith Energy Hub’s Grand Hamper Raffle, filled with lots of goodies such as chocolate and other sweet treats – with the prize winner being drawn and revealed at 3pm. The Energy Efficiency Workshop is set to take place between 10 and 11am, followed by a special prize draw Tombola.
Not a customer? Not a problem!
Back in 2018, Utilita opened its first hub in the UK with the aim of getting out into local communities and serving to help not only customers, but everyone that is part of that community too.
At the start of 2020, Utilita officially opened Scotland’s first high street Energy Hub in Newkirkgate Shopping Centre in Leith, with Hibs legend Pat Stanton cutting the ribbon, and it’s been providing vital community support and energy advice ever since.
The hub aims to serve the community, offering energy advice to absolutely anyone that requires it and also engages in community events as well as working with local charities such as the Edinburgh North East Foodbank.
No matter whether you are a Utilita customer or not, the hub team is always happy to give free energy saving advice, something manager Natashasays is very important given the current cost-of-living crisis – and they’re also able to offer energy saving products at competitive prices.
Five year reflection
Reflecting on the hub’s success over the past five years, Natasha said: “We have had such fantastic support since the first day we opened our doors and really have been made to feel so welcome in the local community. It is thanks to them that we have done so well and been able to provide so much support to local good causes.
“Hub highlights over the past five years include hosting a charity match with Hibernian Community Foundation and the Big Hearts Community Trust, which made over £5,000 and was donated evenly between the charities.
“Every year at Leith Gala Day we book a stall to deliver energy efficiency advice and we work very closely with many other charities, one of them being Held In Our Hearts. Our recent abseil for this charity raised over £500 which was then match funded by the company.
”We’re immensely grateful to the people of Leith, and beyond, for really embracing what we do here. With the local community’s support, we’re able to regularly donate Christmas Eve bags to Ronald McDonald House, as well as donating 25 TVs for all the rooms.
“Having a presence on the high street lets the public know that the Utilita team are here for everyone and all you need to do is pop down for anything you may need help with, customer or not.
“We aim to make it super simple to manage your energy – no phone lines or online dashboards, just a friendly face to speak to in a warm space with a free cuppa if you’d like one and colouring packs to keep the kids entertained!”
Open to all
Utilita Energy Hubs are high street locations where customers can top up their accounts, check their balances, and get energy-saving advice – based not just in Edinburgh but also Gosport, Southampton, Isle of Wight, Luton, Derby, West Bromwich, Sheffield, Leicester, Blackburn, Huddersfield and Hartlepool.
The Utilita Leith Energy Hub is open from 08:30 to 5pm Monday to Saturday at 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA. See more on Utilita Energy Hubs at https://utilita.co.uk/energy-hub.