Tag: Community Fund

Edinburgh 900 programme launched

The Edinburgh 900 programme launch took place at the City Chambers yesterday evening, where successful applicants to the civic and community funds were officially announced.

Edinburgh 900 represents almost a millennium of shared history, and the full programme will examine how Edinburgh came to be over the centuries, from commerce to conflict and from faith to finance. The programme will also celebrate Edinburgh in the present day and look ahead to our future ambitions and aspirations.

The Lord Provost congratulated recipients and expressed his appreciation to those who took the time to apply to take part in the Edinburgh 900 programme.

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “We are celebrating nine centuries of history, traditions and stories and we have a real opportunity to shine a light on Edinburgh’s local communities.

“These two funds represent a great opportunity to showcase these stories to our city and the wider world.

“We had an overwhelming response in terms of applications, which shows how 900 years is resonating with so many in the city.

“We sincerely thank everyone who took the time to submit a funding request. There were so many excellent applications, that we’re disappointed that we are unable to fund each one of them.

“It is imperative that our communities play a central role in these celebrations, from discovering stories of local heritage to events programmes alongside our partners across the city, I’m really excited to see the programme come to life.”

As part of the Edinburgh 900 budget, £100,000 was allocated to a community fund and a further £100,000 to a civic fund.

The community strand will feature local events run by community groups across the city over 2024-25 promoting local heritage and initiatives, designed to engage with new local audiences and to showcase the diversity of Edinburgh.

The civic strand is an opportunity for our cultural and heritage organisations to exhibit Edinburgh and it’s illustrious past like never before.

Successful Community Fund applications:

  • Citadel Arts Group Leith Customs: £5,000.00
  • Ukraine at Margaret’s Saturday School & St Cuthbert’s Parish Church 900 Artworks
  • Exhibition for the 900th Anniversary: £3,000.00
  • The Living Memory Association Our Working City: £4,860.00
  • Art and Spirituality CIC “International South West Community Project”: £3,466.00
  • THE MELTING POT Innovation: Past and Present: £4,750.00
  • Passion4Fusion Black History Month Gala: £5,000.00
  • Abbeyhill Colony of Artists Colony of Artists 20th Anniversary Celebrations: £5,000.00
  • Leith walk polisbox Outside the (polis)box: £5,000.00
  • Newhaven Coastal Rowing Club Seafaring Spirit: Celebrating Newhaven’s Coastal Community: £2,396.00
  • PenPal Productions Tales of the City: £4,116.00
  • Portobello Toddler Hut Storytelling – The UK’s oldest playgroup: £4,685.00
  • Project Esperanza A City of Diversity: Past, Present, and Future: £5,000.00
  • The Edinburgh Remakery Ltd Celebrating 900 Year through Art & Stories: £5,000.00
  • Just Festival: £5,000.00
  • Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust Magical Woodland Walk: £4,990.00
  • Active Inquiry 900 years of Leith – a play: £5,000.00
  • WHALE Arts WHALE Members’ Art-History Trips: £1,875.00
  • Scottish Historic Buildings Trust Open House: Leith Custom House Festival: £4,953.00
  • Lavender Menace Queer Books Archive Reading Queer Edinburgh with Lavender Menace Archive: £5,000.00
  • Gracemount Mansion Development Trust Our Gracemount Community Heritage 900: £5,000.00
  • Greatway Foundation SCOTAFRICAN Stories: £5,000.00
  • The Edinburgh Tool Library Edinburgh Tool Library turns 10: Celebrating a Decade of Community and Creativity: £4,812.50
  • Art in Healthcare: £2,464 

Successful Civic Fund applications:

  • TRACS for The Scottish International Storytelling Festival EDINBURGH: Our Storied Town: £10,000
  • Multi-Cultural Family Base Heritage, community and wellbeing: £12,380 (above)
  • Edinburgh Leisure Edinburgh Leisure Celebrating Edinburgh 900: ‘Your Health Is for Life’: £7,000
  • Edinburgh Printmakers Castle Mills: Then & Now | 900 Stories in Print: £14,736
  • Push the Boat Out (Arts SCIO) Disrupting the Narrative at Push the Boat Out, Edinburgh’s International Poetry Festival: £14,627
  • F-Bomb Theatre Monumental: £14,987.2
  • African Connections CIC / Edinburgh Multicultural Festival: £14,883.75

For more information visit the official Edinburgh 900 website, hosted by Forever Edinburgh, the Council’s destination and visitor attraction website. 

Edinburgh 900 community fund opens for applications

Community groups in the Capital can now apply for up to £5,000 worth of funding as part of the Edinburgh 900 programme.

Edinburgh 900 is a celebration of the nine centuries of history and traditions in Scotland’s capital city since the founding of the royal burgh by King David I around 1124. 

As part of the wider programme, £100,000 has been allocated to the Edinburgh 900 Community Fund to allow our residents to celebrate their city’s rich heritage and inspiring present. Community fund applications need to be led by an Edinburgh-based community group and focussed on activities or events held within their local area. Each application can be to a maximum of £5,000.

There is also a separate civic fund of £100,000 focussed on city-wide events with applications led by an Edinburgh-based cultural or heritage organisation. Each application can be to a maximum of £15,000.

For both the civic and community fund applications must demonstrate a commitment to the Edinburgh 900 programme aims and themes. The full criteria and guidance for applications are available on our website.

The deadline for applications to the civic fund is 20 May 2024. For the community fund the deadline is 27 May 2024.

The Edinburgh 900 Implementation Programme Board will review all applications and determine funding allocations for both funds. We will let you know the outcome of your application within four weeks of the application deadline.

If you are already planning events for 2024 or 2025 and would like to be part of our Edinburgh 900 programme, you can apply through our separate application process to use the Edinburgh 900 logo and be advertised on the programme website and marketing activity.

For any general queries about the Edinburgh 900 programme please contact edinburgh900@edinburgh.gov.uk

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “I’m delighted that both the Edinburgh 900 community and civic funds are now open for applications.

“I’m clear that our communities should play an integral part in these celebrations and I’m really excited to see the proposals as they come through in the next few weeks. I have no doubt that our residents will rise to the occasion and show the very best aspects of our city.

“On the civic side this is an opportunity for our cultural and heritage organisations to exhibit Edinburgh and it’s illustrious past like never before.

“Edinburgh 900 represents almost a millennium of our shared history. The full programme will examine how Edinburgh came to be over the centuries, from commerce to conflict and from faith to finance, there are an incredibly rich and varied set of themes.

“The programme will also celebrate Edinburgh in the present day and look ahead to our future ambitions and aspirations. These two funds represent a great opportunity to showcase these stories to our city and the wider world.”

Barratt Developments donations support local communities

Three vital causes supporting families and individuals in Edinburgh and the Lothians have been named the first recipients of this year’s Barratt Developments Community Fund.

Barratt Developments, which includes Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, currently donates £1,500 per month to local charities in its divisions as part of the homebuilder’s pledge to improve the quality of life of those living in the areas in which it operates.

The homebuilder kicked off 2024 by donating £3,000 to its new East of Scotland main charity partner, Cash for Kids. 

The charity aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people living locally who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or have additional needs. The cause also works with grassroots organisations that aim to make a difference to young lives, directly supporting families who often have nowhere else to go.

Cash for Kids replaces St Columba’s Hospice Care as the East Scotland division’s main charity partner, having raised a whopping £247,909 in the last two years through fundraising, including a Pentland Hills walk, charity dinners and office events.

Victoria Hendry, Charity Manager at Cash for Kids, said: “We were absolutely thrilled to receive the Barratt Community Fund for this first quarter of the year. This £3,000 will make such a difference in our local community, specifically to families really struggling with the cost of living.

“We are receiving hundreds, if not thousands, of requests for support with real basics such as food, toiletries and nappies, so these funds will go a long way in supporting us with helping these families who are living on our doorstep.

“To also be chosen as Barratt East Scotland’s new main charity partner was really just the cherry on top. I was delighted to get the phone call and we are excited to build some brilliant fundraising plans across the next two years and help even more local children.”

In February, a further £1,500 was given to Capital Carers, which supports carers in the North West of Edinburgh. 

The organisation’s highly trained staff provide one-to-one support as well as a range of services which enable individuals to support the person they care for and assist them in carrying out their caring responsibilities, while ensuring that they also look after themselves.

Lauren Alexander, Young Carers Support Worker at Capital Carers, said: “A huge thanks to Barratt for this generous donation, it will enable us to provide respite trips for young carers and young adult carers which we would otherwise not have been able to do.

“All of our carers love interaction with animals, and this therapeutic approach can really benefit those with challenging situations. Horses are a big favourite, but it is an expensive activity. The money will allow us to take several groups horse riding, alpaca trekking, a trip to the zoo and going out to eat.

“The funding has already allowed us to take young carers on active respite trips, to Laser Tag, swimming and escape rooms, and meals out where all carers can relax together, make new friends, reconnect with old ones and have that important peer support.”

Finally, in March, Barratt Developments donated £1,500 to Midlothian Foodbank. 

The charity, which is supported by The Trussell Trust, provides three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people in need in the Midlothian area.

Ian Purves, from Midlothian Foodbank, said: “Thank you to Barratt for their generous donation to Midlothian Foodbank.

“The donation will help people in our area struggling with the cost of living and support them with emergency food parcels, food vouchers for families in school holidays, or a hot meal at one of our two weekly lunches. 

“They also have access to an advisor from Citizens Advice who is present during one of our lunches. All this helps to reach our aim of ensuring that no one in Midlothian goes to bed hungry.”

Alison Condie, Managing Director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “We’re proud to be supporting causes which are carrying out such essential work in communities throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“From foodbanks through to care, cost of living has placed a significant strain on the services that charities can provide. We hope that our donations can help to alleviate some of this pressure and allow causes to continue supporting families and individuals in the communities in which we build.”

For more information on Barratt Developments in the East of Scotland, visit:

https://bar.homes/east-scotland

Local charities benefit from share of £189,000 Barratt Developments boost

— The housebuilder donated more than £80,000 in 2022 to good causes in the east of Scotland, from children’s recreation and sports groups to foodbanks and conservation trusts —

Barratt Developments – which includes Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Oregon Timber Frame Ltd – is celebrating a year of giving after its charitable efforts topped more than £189,000 in donations across Scotland.

Each year, the five-star housebuilder supports a wide range of organisations promoting health, employability and care among many other causes. This is done through various charity initiatives, including the Barratt Developments Scotland Community Fund, which donates £1,500 to a deserving local cause in each of its Scottish divisions every month.

Over the last 12 months, Barratt Developments has provided financial support to a diverse mix of charities in the east of Scotland. Totalling a whopping £80,000, donations came at a vital time for many families, individuals and organisations affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

In light of this, the housebuilder made significant donations to a range of organisations which support families in need. St Columba’s Hospice Care, which provides world-leading hospice care to those based in Edinburgh and the Lothians, was Barratt’s main charity in the east for 2022 – securing a £60,000 donation.

Other Lothian donation included a £10,000 donation to Social Bite, a £1,500 donation to Empty Kitchen, Full Hearts in Edinburgh, which rescues surplus food to make meals for those in need, and Edinburgh Food Project which received a £1,000 funding boost. East Lothian Roots and Fruits, which aims to make fruit and vegetables more affordable and therefore more accessible, also received a donation of £1,500.

Other organisations which received donations in the east of Scotland included Dnipro; which supports orphans in Ukraine, disability-focused Capability Scotland, The Water of Leith Conservation Trust and Sporting Start – a group that encourages young people to get active and enjoy sport.

Alison Condie, Barratt Developments’ Managing Director for East Scotland, said: “At Barratt, we’re committed to using our scale for good whenever and wherever we can. As Scotland’s leading housebuilder, it’s important that we give back to the areas in which we build and lead by example.

“There is so much vital work being undertaken by organisations up and down the country, and we’re extremely proud to have been able to support these activities and help them continue during what has been a very challenging year.

“From foodbanks through to environmental projects, we’ve donated to a variety of causes this year and look to continue supporting such a diverse mix in 2023. We would like to thank everyone who suggested charities and supported our fundraising activity, and wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy New Year.”

The full list of 2022’s beneficiaries includes:

•                  Highland Homeless, Inverness

•                  Aberdeen Cyrenians, Aberdeen

•                  Social Bite, Edinburgh

•                  The Coming Home Centre, Glasgow

•                  CATH, Perth

•                  St Columba’s Hospice Care

•                  Link Living

•                  Capability Scotland

•                  Cross Reach

•                  The Water of Leith Conservation Trust

•                  Sporting Start

•                  Edinburgh Food Project

•                  Four Square

•                  Dnipro

•                  Tenovus Scotland

•                  East Lothian Roots and Fruits

•                  Empty Kitchen Full Hearts

•                  Pink Saltire

•                  Edinburgh Cat & Dog Home

•                  Cash for Kids

•                  Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA)

•                  Perth & Kinross Foodbank

•                  Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation

•                  Trees for Life

•                  Hamish Dear Warm Hugs

•                  Ellon Castle Gardens – Bill Bruce Memorial Garden Project

•                  Elgin Sports Community Trust

•                  Cove Woodland Community Trust

•                  Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Scotland

•                  Newburgh & Ythan Community Trust – Seal Beach Project

•                  Dream, Believe, Achieve Highland

•                  The Leanne Fund

•                  Cash for Kids Coat Appeal 2022

•                  The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow

•                  The Lily Foundation

•                  Parklea Branching Out

•                  St Andrew’s Hospice – Thanksgiving Thistle Appeal                   

•                  The Simba Charity                                               

•                  Trust Jack Foundation                                        

•                  Kindness Homeless Street Team Glasgow

•                  Nil by Mouth                                       

•                  CHAP                                                                        

•                  CHAS

•                  Children 1st – Bairns’ Hoose Project                                                         

•                  The Prince’s Trust

•                  Glasgow Spirit of Christmas

•                  Canine Partners

•                  Selkirk Food Bank

•                  Stable Life

•                  Brake Road Safety

•                  The Wave Project

•                  Artbeat Scotland

•                  Earlston Scouts Group

•                  Rowlands, Selkirk

•                  The Difference, Special Baby Care Unit

Charities share £189,000 national boost from Barratt Developments

— The housebuilder donated more than £80,000 in 2022 to good causes in the east of Scotland, from children’s recreation and sports groups to foodbanks and conservation trusts —

Barratt Developments – which includes Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Oregon Timber Frame Ltd – is celebrating a year of giving after its charitable efforts topped more than £189,000 in donations across Scotland.

Each year, the five-star housebuilder supports a wide range of organisations promoting health, employability and care among many other causes. This is done through various charity initiatives, including the Barratt Developments Scotland Community Fund, which donates £1,500 to a deserving local cause in each of its Scottish divisions every month.

Over the last 12 months, Barratt Developments has provided financial support to a diverse mix of charities in the east of Scotland. Totalling a whopping £80,000, donations came at a vital time for many families, individuals and organisations affected by the cost-of-living crisis.

In light of this, the housebuilder made significant donations to a range of organisations which support families in need. St Columba’s Hospice Care, which provides world-leading hospice care to those based in Edinburgh and the Lothians, was Barratt’s main charity in the east for 2022 – securing a £60,000 donation.

Other Lothian donation included a £10,000 donation to Social Bite, a £1,500 donation to Empty Kitchen, Full Hearts in Edinburgh, which rescues surplus food to make meals for those in need, and Edinburgh Food Project which received a £1,000 funding boost. East Lothian Roots and Fruits, which aims to make fruit and vegetables more affordable and therefore more accessible, also received a donation of £1,500.

Other organisations which received donations in the east of Scotland included Dnipro; which supports orphans in Ukraine, disability-focused Capability Scotland, The Water of Leith Conservation Trust and Sporting Start – a group that encourages young people to get active and enjoy sport.

Alison Condie, Barratt Developments’ Managing Director for East Scotland, said: “At Barratt, we’re committed to using our scale for good whenever and wherever we can. As Scotland’s leading housebuilder, it’s important that we give back to the areas in which we build and lead by example.

“There is so much vital work being undertaken by organisations up and down the country, and we’re extremely proud to have been able to support these activities and help them continue during what has been a very challenging year.

“From foodbanks through to environmental projects, we’ve donated to a variety of causes this year and look to continue supporting such a diverse mix in 2023. We would like to thank everyone who suggested charities and supported our fundraising activity, and wish everyone a merry Christmas and happy New Year.”

The full list of 2022’s beneficiaries includes:

•                  Highland Homeless, Inverness

•                  Aberdeen Cyrenians, Aberdeen

•                  Social Bite, Edinburgh

•                  The Coming Home Centre, Glasgow

•                  CATH, Perth

•                  St Columba’s Hospice Care

•                  Link Living

•                  Capability Scotland

•                  Cross Reach

•                  The Water of Leith Conservation Trust

•                  Sporting Start

•                  Edinburgh Food Project

•                  Four Square

•                  Dnipro

•                  Tenovus Scotland

•                  East Lothian Roots and Fruits

•                  Empty Kitchen Full Hearts

•                  Pink Saltire

•                  Edinburgh Cat & Dog Home

•                  Cash for Kids

•                  Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA)

•                  Perth & Kinross Foodbank

•                  Abbie’s Sparkle Foundation

•                  Trees for Life

•                  Hamish Dear Warm Hugs

•                  Ellon Castle Gardens – Bill Bruce Memorial Garden Project

•                  Elgin Sports Community Trust

•                  Cove Woodland Community Trust

•                  Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Scotland

•                  Newburgh & Ythan Community Trust – Seal Beach Project

•                  Dream, Believe, Achieve Highland

•                  The Leanne Fund

•                  Cash for Kids Coat Appeal 2022

•                  The Prince & Princess of Wales Hospice in Glasgow

•                  The Lily Foundation

•                  Parklea Branching Out

•                  St Andrew’s Hospice – Thanksgiving Thistle Appeal                   

•                  The Simba Charity                                               

•                  Trust Jack Foundation                                        

•                  Kindness Homeless Street Team Glasgow

•                  Nil by Mouth                                       

•                  CHAP                                                                        

•                  CHAS

•                  Children 1st – Bairns’ Hoose Project                                                         

•                  The Prince’s Trust

•                  Glasgow Spirit of Christmas

•                  Canine Partners

•                  Selkirk Food Bank

•                  Stable Life

•                  Brake Road Safety

•                  The Wave Project

•                  Artbeat Scotland

•                  Earlston Scouts Group

•                  Rowlands, Selkirk

•                  The Difference, Special Baby Care Unit

Miller Homes unveils £10, 000 community fund for Scotland East

Miller Homes will donate £10,000 to charities, community groups and causes linked to its developments in the East of Scotland, including Edgelaw and West Craigs Manor in Edinburgh, over the next year.

The leading homebuilder has announced the creation of a community fund which will allow groups to apply for funding to support their projects. From local sports teams looking for sponsorship, nurseries looking to equip their garden or perhaps a food bank in need of additional supplies, Miller Homes wants to support its neighbours across the Edinburgh area.

The fund will officially launch on Wednesday 28th September and will cover all of Miller Homes’ developments in its Scotland East region. Applications for this first round will close on Friday 11th November after which donations between a minimum of £250 and a maximum of £2000 will be awarded to the successful applicants. Two funding rounds will take place each year in June and November and applications will be accepted throughout the year.

Each of Miller Homes’ ten regional offices across the UK will have its own £10,000 fund, which combined will contribute £100,000 to community initiatives across the country every year.

Lynsey Brown, Regional Sales Director for Scotland East at Miller Homes said: “We don’t just build houses, we create communities, making Edinburgh a better place to live.

“There are so many amazing groups undertaking vital work in the Edinburgh area, doing everything from supporting vulnerable members of society to enhancing the town’s green spaces.

“Through our community fund we’ll help as many of these organisations as we can and we encourage projects of all shapes and sizes to get in touch and let us know how we can help.”

To make an application to the Miller Homes Community Fund visit: 

www.millerhomes.co.uk/corporate/commuity-fund.

£5k Musselburgh community fund deadline extended

Local causes called on to be in with chance of landing up to £1000

THE APPLICATION deadline for a community fund launched by an independent Scottish developer has been extended to ensure causes in and around Musselburgh don’t miss the chance to make their case.

The fund from Dundas Estates, which totals £5,000, will be distributed in £1,000 segments to five charities or community initiatives local to Musselburgh – whether it is to help them renovate a facility, secure a defibrillator or get a project off the ground and providing essential support, education or resources.

Craig Fairfoull, Head of Sales and Marketing at Dundas Estates, said: “We want to showcase this fantastic funding opportunity to as many amazing causes as possible as we know this kind of money is vital to charitable groups.

“When we first launched the fund at the start of summer, a few organisations might have missed out with it being a particularly busy period of time. Given the fund will provide lasting benefits to the surrounding community, the only option for us was to extend the deadline.

“Musselburgh already has a thriving and tight knit community with a number of local groups doing excellent work within the town, and this is something we are very keen to support.

“The cost of living crisis is bringing fresh challenges for good causes to navigate – so we hope this injection of funds will come at the perfect time for the five final recipients.”

In promoting and administering the fund, the housing developer is working closely with Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council (MICC) to help ensure worthy causes at the heart of the community are able to benefit.

Interested applicants can apply online via:

 https://www.dundas.co.uk/musselburgh-community-fund 

with applications now closing on Sunday 31st July.

The roll out of the fund comes as the Livingston-based firm launched its 140-home Wireworks development in the town, forming part of its pledge to deliver lasting benefits to the local area and in addition investing section 75 contributions of up to £400,000 towards schooling and infrastructure.

Dundas Estates, through a partnership with Tesco, East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian, acquired The Wireworks site after receiving planning permission to regenerate the former Brunton Wireworks site and neighbouring land in 2008.

Barratt Developments helps Edinburgh communities with charity donations

FACE (Fighting Against Cancer Edinburgh) and Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre have each received a £1,000 donation inaugurating Barratt Developments East Scotland’s Community Fund giveaway for 2021.

Barratt Developments, which includes both Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, celebrated a record-breaking 2020 after its charitable efforts topped more than £46,000 in donations across Scotland, including £14,000 in the east of Scotland.

Each year, the five-star housebuilder works with a wide range of local causes and has continued to step up its efforts through the Barratt and David Wilson Community Fund, which donates £1,000 to a deserving local cause in each of its three Scottish divisions every month.

FACE is a charity based at Western General Hospital that supports patients and families who have been affected by cancer.

The housebuilder’s donation will go towards making hospital stays more comfortable and welcoming, such as camp beds for a relative to stay close to a loved one, refurbishment of wards and complementary therapies to promote wellbeing for those who are unwell.

Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre, based in Moredun, has worked throughout the pandemic to provide a ‘one-stop-shop’ for food and other essentials for local people in need.

To date the youth volunteers have delivered over 50,000 packed lunches, tens of thousands of hot meals and food parcels to families affected by poverty and the elderly and shielding across Liberton and Gilmerton.

Alison Condie, managing director at Barratt East Scotland, said: “FACE and Goodtrees carry out incredible work supporting those affected by cancer and those in need.

“We’re pleased to be able to help them and hope that our donation will allow them to continue to provide these crucial and important services through what continues to be difficult times for us all.”

Welcoming the donation John Macaulay, Convener at FACE added: “Through our fund raising we aim to provide ‘the little things’ that make a difference for patients and families affected by cancer.

“The donation from Barratt has gone towards a special shower reclining chair at the Western General Hospital, enabling us to shower patients with multiple care needs who otherwise may only be able to be washed in bed.

“The staff are delighted, and it is already making a difference for the ward and patients they care for, including those receiving treatment for cancer.”

John Beatson, Project Manager at Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre said: “Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre were delighted to be chosen for Barratt Homes’ £1,000 donation. It came as a surprise and is particularly special to us, as being put forward for the fund by a Barratt employee shows that the work that our young people and staff carry out is valued within the wider community. 

“We plan to use part of the donation to fund a treat to the elderly community we support with the rest of the donation giving us the opportunity to give back to our incredible youth volunteers, the key driving force behind our service, when guidance allows.”

As part of the housebuilder’s ongoing charitable activities, Barratt East Scotland also took part in a virtual 500k challenge, raising over £16,000 for The Prince’s Trust, and walking a total combined distance of 1,721km over the three-week competition period.

The division’s Land team is also providing in-kind support to Empty Kitchens Full Hearts, a foodbank based in Leith which turns surplus food into free meals for those in need.

Now in its third year, the Barratt Homes Community Fund pledges to donate £1,000 each month to a charity or organisation in the east of Scotland. Charities are nominated by and voted for by employees of Barratt Homes and the focus for the fund continues to be on organisations that improve the quality of life for those living in the area.

Interested charities can enquire about donation opportunities at 

charity.eastscotland@barratthomes.co.uk

Visit the Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes websites for more information.

City council receives Utilita support for community projects

Utilita, the UK’s leading Smart Pay as You Go energy supplier, has donated £17,910 to The City of Edinburgh Council for community-based projects as part of its ‘Community Fund’ initiative.

The first project that’s kicked off included tree planting in a green space at Firrhill Crescent, in South West Edinburgh.

With Edinburgh set to become a ‘Million Tree City’ by 2030, three beautiful birch trees and three cherry trees were bought and planted by the council thanks to the Utilita Community Fund to benefit future generations to come.

Cllr Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener at The City of Edinburgh Council, commented: “Edinburgh already outstrips other Scottish cities by having more trees per head of population.

“In 2019, we became the first Scottish local authority to support the Charter for Trees, pledging our full commitment to cherish, nurture and celebrate our trees. We are also committed to becoming a Million tree City and this is a welcome step forward working in partnership with Utilita and with local communities.”

Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener at The City of Edinburgh Council, commented: “The generous donation from Utilita helps to support our mission to become a ‘Million Tree City’ by 2030.

“We’re looking forward to working on many other great projects using the Community Fund which benefits the people of Edinburgh and our beautiful city!”

Bill Bullen, Environmentalist and CEO of Utilita, commented: “We’re delighted that The City of Edinburgh Council is putting the Community Fund towards a series of positive projects that’ll help enrich the area and support locals.

“The tree planting is a great project to kick off with and we’re excited to see how the fund will be used further in the coming weeks and months.”

Other upcoming community-based projects taking place as a result of the Utilita Community Fund include the rollout of digital equipment across 13 City of Edinburgh Council’s Sheltered Housing complexes.

The devices will be for the use of sheltered housing tenants and others in the area who might attend activities in the community rooms.

The move aims to empower tenants to interact with the council and other services online, promote social inclusion, provide tenants with the tools, knowledge and advice to support them should they consider buying their own devices, and build their confidence in becoming digitally connected.

As a direct response to the Coronavirus pandemic, Utilita – the only energy company created to help households use less energy – introduced measures to reassure and promote a ‘worry-free’ experience for all customers, especially those experiencing hardship or vulnerability.

In 2020 alone, Utilita issued £8.5m in account credits at zero interest for customers facing financial difficulty through its ‘Power Up’ feature in the My Utilita app, or via a customer call. Utilita’s dedicated Extra Care Team has also called every customer aged 80 and over to advise them on all the ways to top-up and stay on supply.

Central to helping people save money is the Utilita Energy High 5 movement, which enables every household to use around £163 less energy each year by making five free and easy-to-follow changes at home.

More than two million households have engaged with the movement so far – every household can benefit – not just Utilita customers, to start saving today.

Find out more: www.utilita.co.uk/energyhigh5

Poverty-free by 2024?

Lottery funding sees Community Renewal go to work in Bingham and Magdalene

An anti-poverty charity is embarking on a bold and ambitious initiative, thanks to National Lottery funding, to lift an Edinburgh neighbourhood out of poverty in just five years.

Community Renewal: Lifting Neighbourhoods Together, which is being launched this month in Bingham, Magdalene and The Hays by charity Community Renewal, has received funding from The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK.

The initiative has already been strongly endorsed by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission* who described that it “exemplifies many of the features we are challenging the city to implement across all publicly funded services in Edinburgh.”* 

With an estimated 15% of the Edinburgh population and 1 in 5 children living in relative poverty, there is growing recognition that the support currently available to people in poverty is disjointed and it is difficult for them to know where to start to get help.

Building on 20 years placing transformative power into the hands of deprived communities, Community Renewal’s approach looks at the whole person and their whole family. Community Renewal: Lifting Neighbourhoods Together is a radically simple concept, as CEO Paul McColgan explains:

“We want see if we can re-organise current resources to wrap around the needs and aspirations of people and stick with them for as long as it takes to lift them completely out of poverty.”

“We are partnering with an ever-growing number of public and third sector services, as well as private companies, to join forces as together we can provide the coordinated, multi-faceted and practical support people need.

“What is different about this is that we will work street by street and door by door to engage everyone in every household. We are, thanks to the National Lottery funding, putting the whole community in the driving seat.

“We will listen to every person and decipher how to increase their income by helping them access better work and maximise their benefits and pension entitlements.

“We will reduce their costs, by obtaining better deals for households on their monthly bills and help them access fresh food that is locally available and cheaper. We will support people in securing more affordable housing, adequate to their needs.

“We hope to close the attainment gap for young people in this neighbourhood and build a bridge to the best job opportunities the city has to offer.

“After months feeling isolated in lockdown, we will be tackling loneliness and bringing the community together.”

As soon as 2024, Community Renewal hope that by everyone working together, they will have permanently lifted the neighbourhood out of the 15% most deprived category in the Scottish Government’s Index of Multiple Deprivation. 

By making use of existing resources, the project will also be delivered without any extra cost to the taxpayer. 

Paul McColgan adds: “The project is a culmination of 20 years working in 17 Scottish neighbourhoods. We have conducted over 40,000 community conversations and helped lift them out of the 15% of most deprived index. 

“Lifting Neighbourhoods Together will place transformative power into the hands of the residents to address key issues in their community, such as mental health and wellbeing, housing, education and training, as well as isolation and loneliness.”

Kate Still, Scotland Chair of the National Lottery Community Fund, added: “Thanks to National Lottery players, Lifting Neighbourhoods Together will put the aspirations of local people front and centre and will build upon these to bring about positive change in their lives.

“We understand that when people are in the lead, communities thrive and so we are delighted to be able to support this person-centred approach to tackling poverty and inequality.”

The project launches this month and Paul invites anyone interested in collaborating or discussing the project to get in touch. Details can be found on the Lifting Neighbourhoods website.

Read Community Renewal’s Towards a Britain Without Poverty brochure here

*From A Just Capital Actions to End Poverty in Edinburgh – Edinburgh Poverty Commission Report, September 2020