The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended a reception at the City Chambers yesterday to recognise and celebrate the city of Edinburgh’s work in supporting Ukrainians.
Their Royal Highnesses Edward and Sophie were also attending to thank the diverse range of volunteers who are supporting them across the Capital.
During the reception Their Royal Highnesses met the Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, Council Leader Cammy Day, Consul of Ukraine Andrii Kuslii, Hannah Beaton Hawryluk, Chair of the AUGB (Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain) Edinburgh Branch, Paul Wilson, Chief Officer for Volunteer Edinburgh, alongside senior Council officers involved in the Ukraine effort.
Friday marked exactly one year to the day since the City of Edinburgh’s formal response to the war against Ukraine began.
In that time over 10,000 Ukrainians have passed through our Welcome Hub as the primary entry point to Scotland, with over 3000 Ukrainians making their new lives here in the Capital. Over 500 Ukrainian children are in education across the city and receiving the full support of our services.
The Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “I am hugely proud of the efforts by colleagues, partners, residents, and businesses in welcoming Ukrainians making their new home here in Edinburgh over the past year. Whilst this past year has brought significant challenges, the city of Edinburgh has shown its resilience, compassion, and character.
“On this momentous day when the Dukedom of Edinburgh has been conferred on Their Royal Highnesses, it is fantastic to have The Duke and Duchess in attendance to meet some of these individuals and groups. This visit is testament to the selfless and dedicated work that has gone on across the city since the start of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.
“We must continue to recognise the extraordinary sacrifice made by the Ukrainian people over the past year and reiterate our continuing solidarity with all Ukrainians.
“I would also like to make it clear to the Ukrainians who are building their new lives in Edinburgh that this is your home, and we are incredibly proud to support you.
“We are grateful for the enormous contribution our new Ukrainian community to making Edinburgh the modern, diverse and vibrant capital city it is today.”
Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, Branch Chair of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) Edinburgh, said: “It was a privilege to meet with the newly titled Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, and on the occasion of the Duke’s 59th birthday, today to showcase the contribution of AUGB Edinburgh and the wider partnership to Edinburgh’s response to supporting newly arrived Ukrainians in the city.
“The city’s response has only been possible by partners working together and supporting each other, thank you in particular to the City of Edinburgh Council and third sector partners who we have worked closely with over the last year. We hope the Duke and Duchesses visit today has demonstrated the continuing work across the city and the work of the Association here in Edinburgh.”
Paul Wilson, Chief Officer at Volunteer Edinburgh said: “Since the start of the war against Ukraine, volunteers in Edinburgh have been giving their time to help. Edinburgh has been at the forefront of Scotland’s response to the Ukraine crisis and volunteers too have been there from the start.
“Whether it be collecting, sorting and dispatching much needed aid, supporting the community activities of the AUGB, providing cultural and welcome activities, supporting English’s language learning or the nearly 7000 hours of volunteering done by Welcome Volunteers at the Airport, it is these volunteers that have enabled our city to give such an amazing welcome and their kindness and generosity has shown the very best of Edinburgh.”
Community groups in Edinburgh will be able to provide vital services and support for thousands of local people thanks to National Lottery funding announced today (THURSDAY 9 MARCH).
The latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 324 projects across Scotland, sharing in £10,909,040.
A full list of projects is below.
Among the big winners are Corstorphine Community Centre, who receive £98,550 to provide a range of activities for all ages that will be developed and led by local residents in Corstorphine and the surrounding neighbourhoods.
They will also provide a variety of different volunteering opportunities for community members.
Scotland Yard Adventure Centre will use their £120,000 grant to provide family play sessions at their Edinburgh base for disabled young people and their families.
These sessions will support whole families to play together, and to meet other similar families and young people.
Cyrenians hit the jackpot with two awards totalling over £230,000.
The charity will use funding of over £70,000 to recruit an Income Maximisation Worker who will work across work across all services to support people impacted by cost-of-living crisis.
The Worker will provide one to one support and train 50 key workers at the organisation to also provide financial support. Cyernians estimate 1,800 people will benefit from the project over 12 months.
Cyrenians was also awarded a further £160,000 to continue its “Golden Years” service which is formed from a variety of support and activities for people over 60 years of age living in Edinburgh.
This is led by a befriending service, which has now evolved to offer additional support to meet the needs of participants. Over two years of funding there will be 460 participants and 65 volunteers.
Thanks to an award of £100,000, Aberlour Child Care Trust will provide a befriending service to people in Edinburgh and the Lothians experiencing perinatal mental health issues.
Liz Nolan, Deputy Directorsaid: “Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund we can offer vital emotional and befriending support to parents of babies living in the Lothians who have received care through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
“Working in parallel with our NHS partners, the service will offer in person support from a Perinatal Coordinator, a one-to-one match with a Perinatal Befriender and our bespoke digital support all of which connects parents, improves emotional wellbeing, reduces isolation and supports positive relationships between parents and babies.”
An award of £58,844 to Space @The Broomhouse Hub means the group can provide free early evening meals for local people four nights a week for the next 12 months. Working with local partners their will also be an advisor on hand at each session to offer support and signposting for those who need it.
Neil Hay, CEO, said: “Space @ The Broomhouse Hub is literally and metaphorically at the heart of our community. Our events allow us to listen to local people and shape future support locally.
“We pride ourselves on being dynamic and innovative, so it is refreshing that funders like The National Lottery are supporting our work helping people through the cost-of-living crisis.”
Thanks to an award of £9,953, The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) – Edinburgh Branch – will be able to offer a cost-of-living response to Ukranian families who have been displaced by conflict.
This will come in the form of regular community meals and drop-in sessions for those in need.
Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, AUGB Edinburgh Chairperson, said: “Over the last year, as an organisation we’ve had to work through a great deal of change.
“Prior to the start of the war in February 2022, our main activity was to provide social and cultural activities for a small community however since February we’ve welcomed over 6,000 Ukrainians to Edinburgh who have been displaced by the war with Russia.
“As a community, we’ve focussed our energies on providing a range of social and integration activities such as coffee mornings, information sessions, English language lessons and cultural events.
“The support of The National Lottery Community Fund will enable us to further support our community to integrate into communities across Edinburgh, reduce social isolation and decrease longer term mental health issues that may be experienced.”
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fundsaid: “This latest round of National Lottery funding will be distributed to important groups and organisations who are providing essential services, drop-in points, and community centres around the country – making a real, tangible difference to everyday life.
“With the rising cost-of-living being at the front of everyone’s minds, groups like these are more vital than ever, offering people across Scotland a place to turn to in times of need. This amazing support is only possible because of National Lottery players.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
A selection of traditional Ukrainian art workshops for both children and adults
