Tag: Children and Families

Spooktacular Events at Edinburgh Leisure this Halloween

Little monsters can actively enjoy Halloween this year and have a frightfully good time at Edinburgh Leisure’s three soft-play centres across the city.

Let them get into the Halloween spirit by joining one of our soft play parties. There’ll be ghoulish discos, petrifying party games and of course lots of soft play fun. 

Prizes are on offer for the best fancy dress so get creative!

Where:         Clambers at Royal Commonwealth Pool
21 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh EH16 5BB

When:          4.00-6.00 pm
Thursday, 19 October and Thursday, 26th October 2023

Cost:            £13.00 – non-members; £9.00 – members; free for 0-11 months

To book:      Book your child’s space at reception during your next visit.

Where:         Scrambles at EICA Ratho
South Platt Hill, Newbridge, Edinburgh EH28 8AA

When:          3.00-5.00 pm, Friday, 27th October 2023

Cost:            £13.00 – non-members; £9.00 – members; free for 0-11 months

To book:      Book your child’s space at reception during your next visit.

Where:         Tumbles at Portobello
20 Westbank Street, Edinburgh EH15 1DR

When:          3.00-5.00 pm, Friday, 27th and
4.00-6.00 pm – Monday, 30th October 2023

Cost:            £13.00 – non-members; £9.00 – members; free for 0-11 months

To book:      Book your child’s space at reception during your next visit.

Tickets are now on sale. Entry is for ticket holders only. Please present tickets at the venue’s welcome desk. Each venue will close to ‘pay as you play’ entry one hour before the start of the party. Children must be under the supervision of their parent/carer at all times.

Soft Play Membership – October offer

Sign up for a Soft Play Membership in October and we’ll gift you December FREE!

From only £17.99 a month*, your little adventurers can have fun in our three unique soft play venues across the city as well as receiving exclusive member benefits throughout the year.

This is a great way to keep your kids active and entertained.

Find out more about the offer here.

*Membership is £17.99 a month for one child, £31.99 for two children and £39.99 for three children.

Edinburgh Leisure: FREE Gym Nippers Coaching Taster Classes

Kids can try out Edinburgh Leisure’s preschool gymnastics and trampolining classes from 23rd – 27th October and work on lots of key development skills.

🤸

Running across multiple venues, book your child’s free spot today!

https://tinyurl.com/y799rmdu

Tens of thousands of young Scots ‘swipe’ to learn more about keeping safe from violence

Fearless – the youth service of Crimestoppers – have reported a huge increase in young people engaging with their recent youth violence and weapon possession campaign.

In just a three-week period, over 33,000 young people in Scotland swiped from Fearless’ latest Snapchat campaign to the charity’s website at Fearless.org Once there, young people were able to learn more about the common myths around weapon carrying, the Law and listen to podcasts from people with lived experience of serious violence.

Dozens of intel reports were submitted 100% anonymously to the charity about people carrying weapons and responsible for other serious crimes.

The campaign was launched in September at Eastbank Academy, Glasgow.

The highly successful Snapchat campaign content was designed entirely by a small group of young people from elsewhere in the city who volunteer with the charity.

Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects Coordinator at Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “I’m delighted by the results our youth violence campaign. It shows the sheer scale of young people’s willingness to engage; recognising that the issue of violence and weapon possession needs to improve and wanting to play their part in making their community safer.

“Young people have so much talent to offer. When we focus on a tiny fraction of young people making unsafe choices, it can be easy to forget that the vast majority want to be, and indeed are, part of the solution.

“Fearless provides a very clear call to action for young people. We make it easy to speak up about crime by providing a way to do so 100% anonymously through our website Fearless.org or by calling us on 0800 555 111.

“That means you don’t need to worry about the stigma sometimes associated with reporting, the potential retaliation and so on. We can’t track your IP address or any contact details so nobody will know the information came from you but you will make lives safer.

“I am immensely proud of the service we offer at Fearless.org and how we empower young people in Scotland to feel confident speaking up about crime.”

One young person who was involved in the design of the Snapchat content said: “I know people who are in gangs and have knives and stuff and I know someone my age who was stabbed recently.

“Something needs to be done and I cannae get rid of like the gangs or anything but helping with this was fine. I’m really happy there was a good response.”

Chief Superintendent Derek Frew from Police Scotland’s Partnerships, Preventions and Community Wellbeing Division said: “Carrying or using a knife can have a devastating impact on our communities.

“We remain committed to reducing the number of knife-related offences occurring within Scotland and working with partners to educate young people about the risks and consequences associated with such crimes.

“The Fearless campaign allows young people to anonymously report any concerns they have about someone carrying a knife, which, in turn, allows police to investigate and potentially prevent a violent crime involving a bladed weapon.

“We have been extremely encouraged by the engagement from young people throughout Scotland as part of the campaign and are grateful to those who have come forward and provided Fearless with information, for us to follow up on.”

Halloween Party at Montgomery Street Park

Montgomery Street Park’s Halloween Party – Sunday 29 October – 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm – free event, includes: kids’ costume parade, kids’ costume awards, pumpkin and neep carving competition awards.

Games and activities, lots of fun, buy food and hot chocolate.

Many local kids and adults enjoyed this in 2022, 2021 and before! Come along again in 2023!

Hallowe’en 2021 , Montgomery Street Park, Edinburgh

Spartans October break programme

We’re happy to confirm our October programme.

We are open each day Monday-Friday.

11-12.30pm : P4-7 aged children

1-2.30pm : S1-S4.

There’s trips & lunch is provided.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Boys, Girls, FooTEA & Breakfast Clubs will all continue as normal.

First year of Home-Start Edinburgh sees more families in need supported

One year on from the merger that created Home-Start Edinburgh, 17% more families have been supported thanks to increased reach and efficiency within the charity.

Home-Start Edinburgh is Edinburgh’s family charity. It was formed one year ago through the merger of two well-established charities, Home-Start Leith & North East Edinburgh and Home-Start Edinburgh West and South West. The merger has expanded the volunteer-based charity’s services to cover all of Edinburgh. Meanwhile, demand for its services has increased.

Home-Start Edinburgh’s team of dedicated volunteers support families with young children who are struggling to cope for a variety of reasons. This can include isolation, mental or physical illness, crisis or bereavement, post-natal depression, and poverty.

Volunteers often have parenting skills themselves and can offer peer support. They listen to the problems a family is facing, provide practical help, and put in place plans to build family resilience, helping to ensure the child or children have the best start in life.

In addition to in-home support, Home-Start Edinburgh runs regular groups and social events for the parents and children it supports, which help them build wider support networks. The charity also helps families purchase essential items when they are facing hardship.

The merger has expanded the reach of the charity to cover the South East of the city, and demand for its services has increased across all areas of Edinburgh. Throughout the last year, it has supported 313 families and 404 children.

Commenting on the first year of operation, Home-Start Edinburgh CEO Eliza Waye said: “I am pleased that one year on we have already seen a substantial increase in the number of families we are able to support, thanks to our dedicated and compassionate volunteer community.

“However, the need continues to outstrip our capacity, particularly as we now service the entire city.

“We have seen more families who need our services because low employment, increased financial pressures, and the lack of suitable housing options, which leads to additional stress and difficulty when you have young children.

“We have also seen an increase in needs from the growing refugee and migrant community, and more families with complex needs. As the needs continue to grow, so must we as a charity. In the coming year we are focused on growing our volunteer community and increasing our funding, helping us meet this critical need.”

Ben Macpherson MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith attended the launch of the charity, which is headquartered in his constituency, one year ago. He said:  “As the local MSP, I know from my casework how Home-Start Edinburgh is able to offer a helping hand with its range of services and support for those who need it.

“During a difficult period with the cost-of-living crisis, in the first year of their merger and re-launch, it is good that Home-Start Edinburgh has been able to help more families in our communities.

“Home-Start began its Edinburgh presence in Leith in 1986 and I am glad that the charity has expanded, so that families in all parts of the city can now benefit from their services. Please get in touch with them if you think you may be able to help. Also, thank you to all donors and volunteers for supporting Home-Start’s impactful work.”

Ester Mateo received support from Home-Start Edinburgh and is now training as a volunteer. Ester said: “Home-Start supported me when I moved into a new area with young children. They helped me find activities for my kids so they could make new friends and feel less impact from the change. 

“I knew that my volunteer would always be there when I needed help or advice. I’ve now applied to become a volunteer – this has given me a sense of purpose and achievement and I hope to help others.” 

Sensational Scottish illuminated trail to stage inclusive evening for visitors with additional support needs

Visitors with additional support needs can enjoy the wonder of Scotland’s sensational illuminated trail Wondrous Woods during a dedicated inclusive evening next month.

The magical event at Gosford House in East Lothian on November 15 is being sponsored by Edinburgh investment managers Walter Scott & Partners through the company’s Giving Group.  

The spectacle, at the magnificent country estate near Longniddry, has been specially adapted to be suitable for those with additional support needs (ASN) including autism and other sensory processing disorders.

The dedicated event will provide a relaxed evening with lighting and effects that can be enjoyed by those who experience sensory overload. It also features the delightful Wondrous Woods mascot Woody the Owl.

Designed and produced by the team at GC Live and delivered by technical partners, 21CC Group, the glorious lighting journey takes visitors through the winding mystical pathways of Wondrous Woods, starting at Gosford’s enchanting Lily Pond and Ice House.

Guests then follow the 1.5km route of fabulous lighting trails which meander through ancient private woodlands and unseen gardens, past the Boat House and through the natural beauty of the landscape. 

All along the way are wonderful subdued sound and lighting installations, culminating in the stunning sight of Gosford House illuminated in all its glory. Visitors can then relax and join Woody in the Hay Field at Woody’s Nest for food and a browse in the Woody Shop.

Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group said: “We are thrilled to be taking this magical lighting event to Gosford House and very appreciative of the support from Walter Scott & Partners for this special night.

“The trail is breathtaking so we’re really excited about welcoming all our visitors back to Wondrous Woods and delighted to be able to provide another really special occasion for anyone with additional support needs.”

Dennis Wyles, Client Investment Manager at Walter Scott Giving Group, says: “As we’re based in Edinburgh we love to give something back to the community and like to focus on projects that can really make an impact.

“Wondrous Woods is a truly magical event and to be able to help visitors, who may not ordinarily have been able to attend something as awe-inspiring as this, is really meaningful.”

Wondrous Woods runs over Friday, Saturday and Sunday sessions from October 27 to November 19, including a special run during the last week, where sessions are extended to run from Thursday to Sunday.

The ASN evening will be held on Wednesday the 15th of November. 

Tickets for the ASN evening, priced £9.50 for adults and £6 for children, are available to buy online at www.wondrouswoods.com/relaxed-evening

Tickets for the rest of the Wondrous Woods events are available online at 

https://www.wondrouswoods.com/ticket-information 

with off-peak Friday and Sunday tickets priced at £11 per child and £18 for an adult. Peak tickets on Saturdays are £12 per child and £19 per adult.

For more information visit www.wondrouswoods.com.