Amazon Development Centre Scotland – The NEN

The Yard welcomes Amazon donation

A charity supporting children and families in Edinburgh has received a £4,000 donation from the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

The donation was made to The Yard, a charity that has been involved with the Edinburgh community for more than 35 years. The Yard supports disabled children, young people, and their families through creative and inclusive play experiences.

The donation from Amazon will go towards The Yard’s ongoing programmes and services, including their family sessions.

Colin Mackenzie is a Software Development Engineer at Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh, and he nominated the charity for the support. Colin said: “The team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland has supported The Yard for several years with donations and tech support.

“It’s been a joy to see how impactful the charity’s support can be to families across Edinburgh. Its work in the local community directly benefits families and with Amazon’s donation, The Yard can continue to support those in need.”

Hannah Dunlop, Senior Fundraising Manager from The Yard, added: “It’s wonderful to receive so much support from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

On behalf of the staff and volunteers at The Yard, I would like to say thank you to Amazon for its continued support.

“This contribution will provide vital support and opportunities for disabled children and their families to connect, play, and thrive together.”

The donation forms part of Amazon’s Volunteer Cash Donation Programme, where Amazon employees nominate causes where they volunteer their time, to receive a cash donation. In collaboration with hundreds of community organisations around the world, Amazon employees are encouraged to volunteer and support causes they’re passionate about.

Community cash donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates.

In 2022, Amazon co-founded the Multibank initiative with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families experiencing poverty. The first Multibank, ‘The Big Hoose’, opened in Lochgelly, Fife providing surplus essentials like nappies, toilet rolls, toothpaste and school uniforms, donated by businesses like Amazon and others, directly to those in need.

The initiative has gone on to donate more than 2 million goods to over 200,000 families across Scotland and Greater Manchester.

Amazon also helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good, including more than seven million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in partnership with Magic Breakfast.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief to help people tackle poverty and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose. Last year, together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, and food insecurity across the UK, and around the world.

Amazon has supported more than 500,000 students across the UK with free computer science and STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer.

Edinburgh homeless charity welcomes support from Amazon

An Edinburgh charity that aims to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness has received a £3,000 donation from the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh.

The donation was made to Cyrenians, a homelessness organisation with over 50 year’s experience supporting those excluded from Home, Work, Family and Community. Since its formation, the charity has worked with thousands of people facing homelessness to help them towards more positive futures.

Cyrenians understand there are many routes into homelessness and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to supporting people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness. From their residential homes to their work ensuring dignified access to food, to their family mediation and outreach work, Cyrenians are there for those who need them.

Amazon’s donation will help Cyrenians to provide vital supplies to those living in their residential communities, such as new bedding, hygiene products and more.

Speaking on the donation, Oliver Masting, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “Cyrenians helps thousands of people every year in our city so we’re very pleased to support the impactful work the charity does.

“With the current cost of living crisis, the services provided by the Cyrenians staff and volunteers are needed now, more than ever, and we hope that this donation helps them to continue their invaluable work.”

Nicole LeBlond, Community Manager from Cyrenians, added: “I would like to say thank you on behalf of our team at Cyrenians for Amazon’s donation. Support like this enables us to keep offering help and guidance for people in our community who are impacted by homelessness, and we really appreciate this gesture from Amazon.”

Cyrenians received the donation as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.

Four Edinburgh charities welcome donations from Amazon

Four charities based in Edinburgh have received donations totalling £14,000 from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle and Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) received £5,000 each, and The Yard and Four Square Scotland each received £2,000.

The charities received the donations following nominations for support from employees at Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh and the company’s Head Office in London.

Formed in 2020 with the goal of making Edinburgh a safe place for refugees and asylum seekers to live, Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle organises safe pathways for families fleeing conflict zones and helps them secure a new life in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council works to combat inequality and discrimination. The charity promotes equality of opportunity and good relations between people in Edinburgh and across the region.

Four Square Scotland supports people impacted by homelessness in Edinburgh. The charity provides accommodation, advice, support and learning and employability training for homeless and vulnerable people.

The Yard has been involved with the Edinburgh community for more than 35 years, supporting disabled children and young people, and their families, through adventure play.

Speaking on the donations, Oliver Masting, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “Edinburgh has been a happy home to Amazon for many years and we’re proud to be a part of the community in the city.

“We’re passionate about supporting great organisations in our community with donations and it’s great to lend a helping hand to these four important charities.”

Jane Devine, Chief Executive from Four Square Scotland added: “It’s fantastic to get this support from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

“On behalf of all the staff and volunteers at Four Square Scotland, I’d like to say a big thank you to the Amazon teams in Edinburgh and London for their kind support.”

Angus Robertson MSP added: “Each of these charities provide huge support and excellent services to so many in Edinburgh and beyond. They are thoroughly deserving of these donations and I thank Amazon Development Centre employees for their nominations.”

The charities received the donations as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK.

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with online STEM courses and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer.

The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than five million healthy breakfasts to disadvantaged families around the UK.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click here.

Edinburgh youth charity is supported by Amazon

An Edinburgh charity that supports young people in the city has received £2,000 from Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Waterloo Place.

Canongate Youth provides a safe and welcoming space where young people aged 5-25 can enjoy a wide range of activities including cooking, art, games, employability support and group work. The charity also offers young people advice to help build skills, confidence and peer relationships.

Commenting on the donation, Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “At Amazon, we are passionate about developing young skills and confidence in young people.

“The staff and volunteers at Canongate Youth provide a brilliant service in Edinburgh and we are pleased to support them with this donation.”

Clare Jamieson, Manager of Canongate Youth, added: “We would like to extend our thanks to Graeme and the team for supporting us with this donation.

“Like all charities, we’ve found the last 18 months to be incredibly challenging but it’s donations like this that help us continue to support young people across Edinburgh during a time when they need us most.”

Amazon Development Centre Scotland has been based in Edinburgh since 2004 and is responsible for devising and growing innovations that bring new levels of choice and convenience to hundreds of millions of customers around the world.

It houses teams of leading engineers, scientists, designers and product managers who work on everything from interactive user interface design to large-scale distributed systems and machine learning.

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with free online STEM resources and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer.

The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than five million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas around the UK.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click: https://blog.aboutamazon.co.uk/amazons-actions-to-help-employees-communities-and-customers-affected-by-covid-19.

Edinburgh Rape Crisis charity supported by Amazon

Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, a vital source of support and advocacy for those who have experienced sexual violence, has received a £2,000 donation from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

The Centre, which was set up in 1978, provides a range of services to support women, members of the trans community, non-binary people, and young people (aged 12 – 18) who have experienced any kind of sexual violence in their lives. Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre also offers emotional and counselling support, advocacy service and group support.

This donation will go towards making the centre’s support and information services more accessible for survivors who face barriers accessing support.

Commenting on the donation, Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “The Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre is an incredibly important charity in our community and we’re pleased to support its team with this donation.”

Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, added: “We work to empower survivors and advocate for change, but we need support and donations from the community to continue our services.

“We appreciate this donation from Amazon – it will help us to continue supporting survivors of sexual violence.”

It houses teams of leading engineers, scientists, designers and product managers who work on everything from interactive user interface design to large-scale distributed systems and machine learning.

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with online STEM courses and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer.

The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than five million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas around the UK and helped to tackle holiday hunger by providing free breakfasts to children over the summer holidays.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click:

https://blog.aboutamazon.co.uk/amazons-actions-to-help-employees-communities-and-customers-affected-by-covid-19

Streetwork at Simon Community boosted by local Amazon team

Streetwork, a service provided by Simon Community Scotland, has received £2,000 from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

Streetwork has been offering care and guidance to those who are experiencing homeless or at risk of homelessness in Edinburgh for 25 years.

The charity provides expert advice and compassionate support, working to connect people to the services they need. The mission of the charity is to enable a life off the streets, showing dignity and respect to everyone.

The charity works with City of Edinburgh Council, so staff have direct links to accommodation that is available immediately. The charity also offers a 24-hour freephone line that provides information for anyone who needs it.

Amazon has made several donations to this charity in the past.

Commenting on the donation, Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland provides a vital service for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Edinburgh.

“We have supported the charity since 2017 and we’re pleased to give the staff and volunteers another boost with this donation to help them to continue the fantastic work that they do in our community.”

Murray Easton from Simon Community Scotland added: “We’ve enjoyed a great partnership with the team at Development Centre Scotland over the last few years and I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve done.

“We are progressing with some very exciting projects in Edinburgh and this support will make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing homelessness.”

Edinburgh Central MSP Angus Robertson said: “Streetwork and the work the Simon Community Scotland do is vital for helping tackle homelessness and connected issues in Scotland.

“I am pleased to see this donation from Amazon which will help provide crucial advice and care of those experiencing homelessness.”

It houses teams of leading engineers, scientists, designers and product managers who work on everything from interactive user interface design to large-scale distributed systems and machine learning.

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with online STEM courses and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer. The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than four million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas around the UK.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click:

https://blog.aboutamazon.co.uk/amazons-actions-to-help-employees-communities-and-customers-affected-by-covid-19

Amazon boost for women’s charity

A Glasgow charity that supports vulnerable young women has received a £2,000 donation from Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh.

SAY Women offers safe, semi-supported accommodation and emotional support for young women aged 16 to 25 who are survivors of sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault. The charity also supports women who are homeless or threatened with homelessness.

The charity allocates tenants a key worker who provides practical and emotional support through a care plan system. This donation will go towards a winter package for young women with some fuel and food vouchers.

Amazon previously supported the charity with a donation earlier this year.

Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “SAY Women is a great charity offering vital services in to the Glasgow community.

“The staff and volunteers go that extra mile to ensure the safety of young women and we hope this donation will help the charity continue its services.”

Pam Hunter, CEO at SAY Women, said: “I would like to thank Graeme and the team for their continued support this year.

“It’s been a particularly difficult time for vulnerable women, so our services are needed more than ever. Thank you, Amazon.”

Kaukab Stewart, Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Kelvin, added: “I welcome this donation to SAY Women. As winter will be soon upon us, Amazon’s efforts will make a significant contribution to lifeline services for sexually-abused young women facing homelessness.

“I urge other corporations to join Amazon in supporting SAY Women.”

It houses teams of leading engineers, scientists, designers and product managers who work on everything from interactive user interface design to large-scale distributed systems and machine learning.

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with free online STEM resources and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer.

The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than four million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas around the UK.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click: https://blog.aboutamazon.co.uk/amazons-actions-to-help-employees-communities-and-customers-affected-by-covid-19.

Edinburgh charities boosted by Amazon team donations

Edinburgh charities Streetwork and Edinburgh Food Project have welcomed donations totalling £10,000 from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

Streetwork, a service provided by Simon Community Scotland, has been offering care and guidance to those who are experiencing homeless or at risk of homelessness in Edinburgh for 25 years.

Edinburgh Food Project operates eight foodbanks across the northwest, central and east of Edinburgh. The charity also offers a range of support to people including housing and benefits advice, a money advice service and a mental health and wellbeing project.

Edinburgh Food Project’s mission is to provide emergency support to people in crisis whilst also addressing the underlying causes of food poverty.

Commenting on the donation, Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “We are pleased to support Streetwork and Edinburgh Food Project with these donations.

“We understand how difficult the last year has been for people at risk of hunger and homelessness and these charities have gone above and beyond to support the Edinburgh community.”

Lorraine McGrath, Chief Executive, with Simon Community Scotland added: “We want to say a big thank you to the Amazon team for this donation. It means a lot to us to have this support at this time.

“COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the community and the demand for our services have rocketed. This donation will give our staff and volunteers a boost so we can continue to help those experiencing the most extreme impacts of homelessness including rough sleeping in Edinburgh.”

Angus Robertson, MSP for Edinburgh Central, said: “I welcome Amazon’s donation to Streetwork and Edinburgh Food Project, two important charities making a positive impact in the city.”

It houses teams of leading engineers, scientists, designers and product managers who work on everything from interactive user interface design to large-scale distributed systems and machine learning.

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with free online STEM resources and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer.

The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than four million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas around the UK.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click here.

Amazon Edinburgh team’s funding boost for music students

A £10,000 gift will help the next generation of stage, screen and behind-the-scenes talent fulfil their dreams at one of the world’s top destinations to study the performing and production arts.

Amazon Development Centre Scotland is supporting students as they develop their craft at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS) in Glasgow, a global leader in performing arts education.

Powered by performance, with a culture of creativity and collaboration, the nation’s conservatoire nurtures the most promising Scottish, UK and international artists and performers as they prepare for the professional world.

Scholarships enable young people from across Scotland and around the globe to study at an internationally renowned conservatoire. Donations remove the financial barrier or pressures they might otherwise face and may cover either part or the full cost of tuition fees, help with living costs or to purchase essential equipment.

Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “We are proud to support the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and its efforts to encourage as many people as possible to get involved with the performing arts.

“At Amazon, we’re passionate about helping young people succeed, whatever their background, and we hope this donation will help the institution as they continue to find and nurture talented artists across our community, especially in these challenging times.”

Professor Jeffrey Sharkey, Principal of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, added: “An arts education should be available to all and financial barriers or otherwise should never stand in the way.

“Scholarships are life changing – they open up a world of opportunity, offer enriching experiences and allow artists to immerse themselves fully in their studies as they work towards a career in the performing arts.

“We are grateful to Amazon Development Centre Scotland for their donation which is an investment in the future of the arts.”

It houses teams of leading engineers, scientists, designers and product managers who work on everything from interactive user interface design to large-scale distributed systems and machine learning. The team is currently recruiting for a number of positions including software developers, engineers and applied scientists.

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19. Amazon Prime Video recently committed over £1.5 million to support the recovery of the European TV, film and theatre production community in the UK.

Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided students with free online STEM resources and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS. The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver over 2 million healthy breakfasts to disadvantaged children around the UK.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click here.

RCS is the only place in Europe where all of the performing arts are taught on one campus, with specialist training in music, drama, dance, production, education and film.

Donations to RCS’s fundraising campaign, We Are Still Here, will safeguard the future of the arts through student scholarships. We Are Still Here launched in November 2020 with a powerful short film narrated by award-winning Hollywood and West End actor James McAvoy, a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s BA Acting degree programme.

With footage filmed throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the film features music from acclaimed pianist and composer Fergus McCreadie, a rising star on the European jazz scene, who is an RCS graduate and scholarship recipient.

RCS is committed to providing pathways for emerging artists, helping them to realise their potential and achieve their ambitions, regardless of their background. Its Fair Access programme and pre-higher education initiatives work with young people from across Scotland, to ensure the performing arts are accessible to all.

The award-winning Transitions programme is for Scottish residents living at postcodes that are identified as being within the top 20 per cent on the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) list.

It provides funded training, tailored support and mentoring for those wishing to study the performing or production arts and prepares them for degree-level training at conservatoire or university level.

Find out more and donate to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland student scholarship fund.

Edinburgh children’s services boosted by Amazon donation

A children’s charity based in Edinburgh has received a donation of £2,000 from Amazon Development Centre Scotland as it continues its services following the impact of COVID-19.

The staff and volunteers at 16+ Edinburgh, part of Barnardo’s Scotland, received a £1,000 cash donation and a donation of products worth £1,000 from the Amazon team to help increase the reach of its services across the area.

16+ Edinburgh works with young care leavers aged from 15 to 26 years to support them as they transition out of care and into independent living.

The donation is part of a longstanding relationship between Amazon and Barnardo’s. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon donated £10,000 to Barnardo’s to help the charity during the early stages of lockdown.

In late 2019, Amazon donated £30,000 to Barnardo’s and hosted STEM Christmas parties for children supported by the charity in dozens of Amazon buildings across the UK.

Speaking on the donation, Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “The team at Amazon is passionate about supporting the young people in our community and we jumped at the chance to make this donation to 16+ Edinburgh.

“The work they do in partnership with Barnardo’s is needed now more than ever and they have our full support as they continue to have a positive impact on children across Edinburgh.”

Claire MacDonald, Assistant Director from Barnardo’s Scotland, added: “The impact of COVID-19 continues to be deeply felt by children and young people in the Edinburgh community and it’s fantastic to get this support once again from the Amazon team.

“The donation is hugely appreciated by everyone at 16+ Edinburgh and Barnardo’s Scotland and will enable us to continue offering services to the young people who need us most.”

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with online STEM courses and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer. The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver 1.4 million healthy breakfasts to disadvantaged families around the UK.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click here.