Tag: Community Renewal

Bingham artist Elle joined by local councillors for launch of new community cookbook

A student from Bingham has been supported by a local project to create a cookbook for her community

Earlier this year, Elle Slow-Clayton (19) was considering her future when a knock at the door would lead her to start a project that would use her creative skills and links with the local community as a force for good.

At that door was Erin, a member of the team from Community Renewal: Lifting Neighbourhoods Together – a local project being delivered in the Bingham, Magdalene and the Hays neighbourhoods. After speaking with Elle for 5 minutes, Erin discovered she was an aspiring artist with lots of love for her neighbours. After a few more chats, Elle decided to create a cookbook with, and for the community.

Elle describes why she wanted to create the cookbook: “I was studying art and design at the time and wanted to channel my energies into something. When Erin knocked on my door – it was like fate.

“I have lived round here my whole life and I know and love this community so much. People round here are so friendly, but some are isolated and there are families who are struggling right now. So, I wanted to create something that was fun, accessible and affordable, and that led me to the cookbook idea.

“I issued a callout and people came forward and shared their recipes. I was keen that the recipes were affordable and that they were easy to make for elderly residents or residents with disabilities who love to cook but have been impaired in some way.

“I also wanted to get the kids involved, so I have included pages which they can add recipes or drawings or whatever they want. Plus, I wanted to use my creative skills, so I have illustrated the book throughout.”

Erin Smith from Community Renewal: Lifting Neighbourhoods Together adds why this is the type of project they are keen to support: ““Our role is to bring residents and people who work with and for the community together to improve quality of life for everyone.

“When we met Elle, her enthusiasm, talent, and love for the area was obvious, and we are proud to have empowered her to realise her vision for the area.

“This is a community-driven project with support from us and other funders like City of Edinburgh Council and Places for People. Now the book is complete, we are giving it out in the Hays Community Pantry, which we co-run with Places for People. The pantry provides affordable or free ingredients that can be used to make the recipes in this book.”

Elle was joined by two local councillors at yesterday’s launch. Cllr Jane Meagher was full of praise for the project: “It’s wonderful that someone so young is doing something so positive for her local community.

“I am delighted to support her in any way I can.”

Cllr. Kate Campbell SNP added: “During these extremely challenging times, to see a project created by the community, for the community is truly inspirational.

“I hope to be trying out a few recipes myself.”

The cookbook will be given out to most residents via the Pantry and by the Community Renewal team. As for Elle, she is now studying a HND in illustration, but says she will continue to collaborate with Community Renewal:

“I love my community, so I want to continue to be part of this project. I have already helped at events such as a community BBQ and I’m excited to talk to locals about what they want to see happen next.”

New bereavement support service launches in Edinburgh

Times are extremely hard for many now, especially those who have lost someone during the last two years. 

The mental health of the bereaved has particularly suffered during these uncertain times, so a not-for-profit funeral director has launched Caledonia Funeral Aid which aims to provide an extra support system for recently bereaved people in Edinburgh. 

Caledonia Funeral Aid is an extension of the work of Caledonia Cremation – a social enterprise funeral directors set up to fight funeral poverty by offering not-for-profit cremations.

Since their inception in 2018, they have been supporting Scots facing the additional stress of not being able to afford a funeral. During that time, the social enterprise found the support required wasn’t just financial, but practical and emotional too.  So, they have extended their offer by launching Caledonia Funeral Aid.  

Co-founder John Halliday explained: “We have learnt that just providing a not-for-profit funeral wasn’t enough – people needed more. By setting up Caledonia Funeral Aid– we will provide full emotional and practical support to the recently bereaved. 

“We will provide a trained coach and funeral support worker to help Edinburgh residents who have experienced a bereavement in the past 6 months. This support will focus on their emotional needs. We will deeply listen to their needs and give them a safe and trusted place in which to discuss their loss and the impact on their lives. 

“We are delighted to launch this initially in Edinburgh, thanks to funding from Edinburgh Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. However, our aim is to launch this nationwide very shortly. 

“With the average cost of a basic funeral sitting at £4,000, we receive calls from many people, especially those experiencing in-work poverty or students, who just can’t afford that amount. They don’t qualify for financial help and have nowhere to turn.  We never turn anyone away and through the fundraising efforts of Caledonia Funeral Aid we hope to extend our help to even more bereaved Scots nationwide. 

“We accept donations through our website and our team are also doing all the Kiltwalk this year so anyone wo wants to help us support more bereaved Scots can find a way to do so online.” 

Those wishing to access the support can call 03000 11 33 01. 

Funeral director’s Pay What You Can offer to bereaved families

The new year has got off to a bad start, and everyone has felt the negative effects of the recent restrictions caused by the rise of the Omicron variant. Plus the cost of basic household bills are rising. So, for those from low-income families who experience a bereavement, life must seem especially difficult.

So, a charity-owned funeral director has responded to the current Covid and cost of living crisis by offering pay-what-you can funerals for Lothian residents who have lost someone for the remainder of January.

2021 was a tough year for many. It also started with severe Covid restrictions which disproportionately affected low-income workers. Later in the year, it was announced that the £20 uplift in Universal Credit was to be removed, affecting over 450,000 Scottish households.

And this year, hard-up families face a rise in energy prices and inflation, leading to what has been described as “a cost-of-living crisis”. So, not surprisingly, 2022 may be looking very bleak for some Scottish families.

John Halliday, Co-Founder of Caledonia Cremation today announces a scheme to support bereaved people experiencing hardship this January: “Caledonia Cremation is not a traditional funeral director. When we launched in 2018, we became Scotland’s only social-enterprise funeral director. That means our first concern is people and not profits.

“I see all around that this pandemic has made rich people richer and poorer people poorer. I strongly feel it is up to society to do our bit now in helping those worst affected, however we can.

“People need better food, cheaper housing, catch-up education and help back into work. We can’t do all those things, but what we can do something about the cost of funerals.

“Sadly, it is a fact of life that everyone needs a funeral. But for some people their funeral is the most expensive purchase they ever make. The average cost of a basic funeral is over four thousand pounds.

“So, our contribution is this – we’ve decided to remove all our fees and just let bereaved families pay-what- you-can during this pandemic recovery period.

“There is no means testing, we trust people to know what they can and cannot afford.

“No one anywhere has ever done this before, so we are learning as we go.

“If someone wants to know the usual price, we can tell them. If generous people want to add more towards our fundraising to tackle the root causes of poverty, that is fantastic. But if all they can find to cover the funeral is a few hundred pounds, that’s absolutely fine too.

“No one should judge your worth based on the size of your savings.

“We hope everyone has a happy and healthy 2022, but if the unthinkable happens, then please know you are not alone – we are here and will do everything we can to support you throughout your loss.”

Get Active! NEAT community events to enjoy this weekend

North Edinburgh Active Travel Network are hosting a number of events this weekend to promote active travel.

See poster for more information – we hope you find an activity to take part in.

North Edinburgh Arts are hosting a Dr Bike Session on Saturday either in MacMillan Square or in the Shed if the weather is poor.

We hope to see you at one of these events!

Community Renewal Fun Day at Bingham Park this Saturday

Community Renewal Lifting Neighbourhood Together is a ground-breaking project, which is currently testing a new approach in lifting a whole neighbourhood out of poverty in five years. It has received funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and is being delivered in Bingham, Magdalene and The Hays.

The official launch took place in October 2020. However, lockdowns and Covid safety measures stalled the team’s visits to the local residents, so they have decided to host a fun day and picnic to officially launch the project to the community.

The event will take place at Bingham Park on Sat 4 September 1 – 3pm

During the day, residents will enjoy family friendly events, entertainment and much more. And along the way, the team will be talking to residents to find out more about their aspirations for the neighbourhood.

All residents from Bingham Magdalene and The Hays are welcome.