The homebuilder has unveiled a brand new four-bedroom Showhome of Support, as well a three-bedroom showhome and three-bedroom show apartment at Rosebery Wynd
LOCAL businesses from in and around South Queensferry have been put in the spotlight by Cala Homes (East) as it unveiled its second ‘Showhome of Support’ within the area.
Situated within the homebuilder’s Rosebery Wynd development off Builyeon Road, the impressive four-bedroom Buchanan townhouse showhome has provided a platform for local retailers to promote their wares and showcase the very best that businesses in the area have to offer.
The initiative forms part of Cala’s South Queensferry Community Pledge – a bespoke package of community support designed to assist with local projects which bring benefit and value to the local community, in a meaningful and measurable way.
Jenni Colquhoun, studio manager at Harbour Lane, said: “We were thrilled when Cala approached us to style their new showhome with some of our pieces.
“South Queensferry’s high street is a gem which is filled with unique, vibrant independents that draw people to this truly special area, so it’s fantastic to see a housebuilder of that size celebrating and supporting the businesses at the heart of this community.”
As well as the new Showhome of Support, the award-winning homebuilder has also unveiled a new three-bedroom Balvenie showhome and three-bedroom Almond show apartment which are now available to view at Rosebery Wynd.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the iconic Forth Bridges, each of the homes within this new development offer a unique versatility that suit any lifestyle, with flexible spaces perfect for hosting friends and family, working from home or even transforming into a home gym or hobby room.
Homes within this vibrant new community benefit from all the beauty and convenience South Queensferry has to offer, all while being within easy reach of Scotland’s capital. The development perfectly combines semi-rural and urban city living, with Edinburgh just 20 minutes away by train and excellent commuter links to Fife and beyond.
What’s more, the development is surrounded by plenty of green space and is positioned within close proximity to a number of walking and cycling routes, as well as excellent local schools and a range of amenities, including independent shops, cafes and restaurants.
Elaine Doyle, Sales and Marketing Director at Cala Homes (East), said: “We’re delighted to showcase the incredible talent of South Queensferry’s local businesses through our new Showhome of Support at Rosebery Wynd.
“This initiative is a key part of our South Queensferry Community Pledge, and by featuring locally sourced items from various artisans in our new four-bedroom Buchanan townhouse, we’re providing a unique platform for these businesses to showcase the best of their wares.
“With the addition of our new three-bedroom showhome and three-bedroom show apartment at Rosebery Wynd, we’re excited to offer even more choices for prospective buyers, whether it be first time buyers, downsizers or growing families alike.
“We expect demand for these homes to be high, so I would recommend to anyone who is interested in making the move to South Queensferry to book a viewing appointment with a member of our expert sales team, who will be able to discuss the range of incentives Cala can offer.”
The four-bedroom Buchanan Showhome of Support is available to view now, as well as the three-bedroom Balvenie and three-bedroom Almond apartment. To book a viewing, visit the Cala Homes website or call the sales team on 0131 608 5652.
Cala’s Showhome of Support initiative is one of many activities designed to bring meaningful and measurable benefit to South Queensferry through the town’s Community Pledge.
The housebuilder is currently supporting Queensferry and District Community Council’s (QDCC) ‘Community Chest’, which will see a total of £5,000 distributed to local organisations in 2025.
Groups can apply for up to £1,000 of funding until the deadline on Thursday, 31 December 2024. To apply, visit the application form link on the QDCC website.
To learn more about the South Queensferry Community Pledge, go to:
Community projects across the city are facing financial armageddon following news that Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) plans to discontinue funding to 64 community projects across the city.
The EIJB is facing a financial crisis and sees slashing funds to third sector organisations as a way to tackling a massive deficit. If the recommendations are approved by board members at a meeting on Friday, the disinvestment in much-needed community services would save EIJB £4.5 million.
Although rumours of swingeing cuts were circulating for some days, the key papers announcing the plans only appeared online late on Friday afternoon – and they make grim reading for community organisations across the city.
The full papers for Friday’s meeting can be found below – and the Chief Officer’s recommendations make truly awful reading for 64 community organisations and the thousands of citizens they support.
Rubbing salt into the wounds, the EIJB also proposes cutting funding before the end of THIS financial year – two months early – forcing voluntary sector organisations to issue redundancy notices immediately. A fine early Christmas present!
For some projects, cuts on this scale would see a devastating reduction to the services they are able to provide to people living in some of Edinburgh’s most deprived communities. Scores of jobs will be lost if the cuts go ahead, vital services will be slashed and a number of community organisations may even be forced to close completely.
Restalrig’s Ripple Project announced: ‘The Ripple is devastated by the release of proposals to remove a huge proportion of health and social care funding from The Ripple in just 90 days time.
‘Please come to the Ripple next week and join us in our campaign to stop this happening.’ The Ripple provides and hosts a range of services from their busy community hub and they have set up a petition to oppose the cuts.
People Know How have already made the difficult decision to close their doors – and more will undoubtedly follow if the proposed cuts go ahead.
People Know How told service users: “Due to the drastic changes across the fundraising landscape in Scotland, it is with great sadness that we must announce that we are beginning to work towards closing People Know How including the redundancy of all our staff team.”
An online post explains: ‘People Know How was founded in 2013 and has grown to deliver services to thousands of people across Scotland over the past decade. Supporting people to be digitally and socially included through Reconnect, providing help to children as they move from primary to secondary school through Positive Transitions, and enhancing communities with projects including All Aboard, People Know How has always put people at the heart of what we do. ‘
‘A dedicated team of 24 paid staff and around 100 annual volunteers, interns, and placement students (VIPs) make all this work possible, and we collaborate with numerous funders and partners to maximise the reach and impact of the charity. In the last 4 years, People Know How has also expanded its reach to effect social change nationally as well as locally, through research, campaigning, influencing policy and our national Digital Support Helpline.
‘Due to the drastic changes across the funding landscape in Scotland, at the end of September, our Board and Chief Executive were faced with a difficult conversation in light of the lack of funding for the current and forthcoming financial years.
‘In just the last few months, we have seen devastating funding cuts across the sector and a drastic shift in the funding landscape. As a result, we have seen fewer options for long-term funding, with other funders closing entirely and leaving those that remain severely over-subscribed.
‘The Scottish Government is currently examining their approach to funding in the third sector, responding to calls from the sector for longer-term funding, unrestricted core funding, funding to accommodate paying staff a Real Living Wage and more. But as the debate continues, charities like People Know How are dealing with the reality.
‘The decline of available funds is directly at odds with the increasing need of the communities we support. Over the last few months, we have seen attendance to our digital groups and calls on our Digital Support Helpline increase.
‘We also recently partnered with BT to provide information about the digital landline switchover, with many groups across the country eagerly coming forward to work with us on this project. And just 2 months ago, we began our Positive Transitions support in schools for the new academic year, addressing a very real need for support felt by the children, young people and families moving to secondary school.
‘While we have funding for some projects, we will not hear back from our biggest funders until the end of this financial year and cannot move forward without the certainty that we will be able to support our service users and employ our staff beyond Christmas.
‘Since September, People Know How has been undergoing a 30-day collective consultation process to assess its future and options to avoid redundancies, including pausing all new activities to prioritise the support of those using our services.
‘We have also been speaking with our partners and contacts to assess options and opportunities where possible. That consultation process has now come to an end and unfortunately, we have not found a solution to save the 24 jobs and charity and have had to make the extremely difficult decision to work toward closing People Know How.
‘From today, (25 October), we will be working to wind down our projects and identify opportunities for those who use our services to continue being supported by other organisations. Our staff will also be looking for new employment opportunities. We will remain open until December but our capacity will be reducing gradually until then, as our team moves on.
‘Consideration is being made on how we close in the best way possible to value all the work and achievements since 2013. We are proud of what we have achieved over the last 11 years, supporting communities to improve wellbeing across Scotland.
‘The passion we have seen in every single one of our staff members and VIPs during this time has been incredible and we couldn’t be prouder to have been part of their lives and careers. Thank you to all who have been with us on this amazing journey.’
North Edinburgh’s R2 group is a coalition of local projects who united during the Covid pandemic lockdown to support vulnerable local people with food and essential supplies.
Spartans Community Foundation CEO Debbi McCulloch, who chairs R2’s development group, wrote to politicians and members of the EIJB yesterday:
Proposed IJB cuts to third sector organisations
As Chair of R2 Development Group I am writing to express our concern and dismay at the current rumours circulating within the 3rd sector about the IJB cuts to third sector grants, and potential disinvestment from 64 community organisations.
This disinvestment appears to be part of the IJB’s in year recovery plan and savings strategy for 2025/26. We find this particularly surprising given the consultation that the IJB have recently completed on their new strategy which prioritised prevention and closer collaboration with the 3rd sector.
We would also like to acknowledge that the third sector has already taken significant cuts this year from the grant funding and has still achieved (or in many case over achieved) on the targets set, yet the sector is facing the biggest cuts.
In north Edinburgh, it is estimated that this will result in around £1million worth of funding being lost to the area. We are particularly concerned that local income maximisation services could be lost as many of us work in partnership with these services and see the difference they can make in household income for the people we work with. This work is key to our collective contributions to reducing poverty in the City.
While we recognise the significant funding challenges faced by the IJB, disinvesting from the 3rd sector for short term cost savings seems misguided. Such actions are likely to increase pressure on both NHS and Council services, contradicting the Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, and the Audit Commission’s strong advocacy for enhanced prevention and early intervention strategies which are known to take time and require investment.
Evidence consistently shows that investment in prevention is one of the most cost-effective methods to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities, ultimately fostering greater sustainability with economic, social, and environmental benefits.
We hope for a constructive discussion with the IJB and other partners on how we can best support our communities together. We would be very grateful if you could investigate on our behalf and advise us accordingly.
We ask that:
• The funding for this year is guaranteed and runs the full length of the contract. • That the 25/ 26 grants are not cut in entirety and that we can be part of a conversation regarding how we maybe able to assist in making savings.
• That there is recognition that is these “savings” are to go through, we are shoring up future impacts.
We’d ask you to explore this matter further and share anything you find out with us. In particular we would like to know:
• What consideration has been made for the Audit Scotland, Chief Medical Officer and Scottish Government guidance to invest in health prevention, health activities in community? • If an equality impact assessment on these proposals has been carried out and what the conclusion of this was?
Finally, we’d ask you to talk your party colleagues, particularly if they sit on the IJB and ask them to do all they can to prevent these cuts.
We know, that when local community sector organisations get cut, it can take years to rebuild projects and relationships with local communities. As the social and health issues in our communities are continuing to increase, we want to continue to do all we can to alleviate the current crisis and build towards a more positive future. Please help us do this.
Edinburgh Community Health Forum (ECHF) has called for an immediate halt to the funding cuts announced by IJB.
ECHF’s Strategic Development Manager, Stephanie-Anne Harris, said: “This drastic cut threatens the very fabric of our community support systems and undermines our collective commitment to health and wellbeing in Edinburgh.
“This disinvestment will lead to the closure of numerous charities and an increased reliance on statutory services, including the NHS and Council.
“Furthermore, it contradicts the Scottish Government’s and Public Health Scotland’s advocacy for prevention and early intervention strategies.
“Evidence overwhelmingly supports that investing in prevention is one of the most cost-effective methods to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities.
“This short-term approach to achieving savings is fundamentally misguided.”
Historically, core funding for the Third Sector was managed by the Council before being transferred to the IJB.
The current proposed cuts pose a severe threat to organisations that provide essential services to some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable residents.
Catriona Windle, Chair of ECHF and CEO of Health All Round, a charity dedicated to supporting residents in Gorgie Dalry, Saughton, Stenhouse, and surrounding areas, added: “We call for an immediate halt to cuts scheduled for 2025 and urge the IJB to engage in meaningful discussions with the sector about sustainable funding solutions.
“While we recognise the need for budgetary considerations, we cannot afford to compromise on the vital support that Third Sector organisations provide. We propose delaying cuts until September 2025 to allow for a proper conversation about the future.
“The IJB must recognise that resourcing for the Third Sector is not non-essential; it is crucial for the wellbeing of our communities.
“We implore Council leaders and the IJB to consider resuming full responsibility for funding these vital services or to engage the Third Sector in developing a strategic funding model that ensures ongoing investment in our collective health.”
EVOC, the voice of Edinburgh’s voluntary sector, said: “We are devastated to see the depth of the cuts proposed to the Third Sector in the EIJB Meeting Papers: https://bit.ly/4eZsPXL
“Our sector has an essential role to play in delivering key health and social care services for some of the most vulnerable people in Edinburgh and contributes to the four priorities of the @EdinburghHSCP ‘More Good Days Strategy’.
“Our Board and staff are meeting key colleagues and partners to move quickly on a strategic response and will share more details in the coming days.”
The first option would close the existing programme early, giving grant recipients only three months’ notice and saving £700,000 in this financial year. This would be extremely disruptive for both organisations and people accessing their programmes. Third sector organisations are reasonably entitled to expect to receive funding for the entire grant period. We are especially concerned that this could lead to sudden job losses and financial hardship for affected third sector workers.
The second option would be to end the grants programme entirely in future years, and develop an alternative approach, saving £4.5mn in direct costs next year and beyond. Whilst this would mean existing grants would continue for the remainder of this financial year, it would result in significant uncertainty for the future of some organisations and programmes and for the people who ultimately benefit from these supports and services.
Nevertheless, it is claimed that only one of the funded services represents “value for money”. Our understanding is that this assessment has been made via an additional, retrospective EIJB evaluation, and it is unclear if organisations were given adequate time and direction to monitor and evidence the value of their programmes.
In many cases the impact assessment refers to the availability of statutory services as an alternative, for example in relation to maternal mental health. However, the extreme pressures on statutory services, especially mental health services, are well documented.
Third sector services are in many cases supporting people who have fallen through the gaps in or been unable to access statutory services. The withdrawal of grant funding for third sector services will therefore leave those people with no support at all.
Responding to the proposals, the ALLIANCE Chief Officer of Development, Sara Redmond, said:“Third sector organisations provide a range of invaluable services that help to reduce health inequalities and support a preventative approach to health and wellbeing. We are therefore extremely concerned by the proposals from Edinburgh IJB that could see their entire health inequalities grant programme close.
“The EIJB’s own impact assessment acknowledges that these proposals will negatively impact the health and wellbeing of people in Edinburgh, especially in areas already experiencing higher levels of health and socio-economic inequality. In addition to the risk of job losses, these proposals also risk seriously damaging the relationship between the third sector and statutory sector funders, especially as there has been no public consultation in advance.
“Third sector organisations must be able to trust when bidding for contracts or grants that funding will be provided for the entire contracted period. They must also be consulted as equal partners to find a way forward when circumstances change, and for the responsibility to be shared for evaluating the impact of what are complex social policy agendas.
“We urge the EIJB to reject these proposals and develop a fairer way forward that will ensure people receive the support they need and that the third sector can continue its invaluable work to mitigate and prevent health inequalities.”
Work has urgently been going on behind the scenes since the EIJB papers were released and a number of meetings have taken place with more to follow in the run-up to Friday’s crucial board meeting.
Deputations are being arranged, community support is being harnessed across the city and politicians are being lobbied – and opposition to the draconian proposals has gained political support.
SNP Councillor Vicky Nicholson is a member of the EIJB board and she announced last night that the SNP will oppose the report recommendations:
Labour’s Cammy Day said in a statement on Twitter yesterday: ‘After over a decade of @theSNP cuts& under funding Edinburghs health &social care, proposals to cut the third/voluntary sector are here.
“Edinburgh Labour will propose a way forward to engage the sector, work with them & city partners and stop the in year cuts wherever we can.’
Edinburgh Integration Joint Board meets on Friday 1st November at 10am in the Dean of Guilds Room at the City Chambers.
You can read the full details of the recommendations here:
Firrhill High School is celebrating after being selected by a Tesco customer to receive a £5,000 donation.
On Saturday 21st September, Tesco customers in Edinburgh were given the chance to take part in a lucky dip to find a specially created gold version of Tesco’s famous blue voting token.
Firrhill High School was one of three local charities that customers could vote for to receive the £5,000 Golden Grant as part of Tesco’s Stronger Starts scheme.
Alexa Brown, Pupil Support Officer at Firrhill High School, said: “£5000 will make an enormous difference to us – it will mean security for the Breakfast Club and the ability to continue providing a healthy and nutritious breakfast to ensure the best start to the day for all our pupils.”
Over one hundred Tesco stores across the country took part in the Golden Grants event, with £500,000 in total being donated to good causes that help children and young people.
Golden Grants are awarded twice a year as part of Tesco’s £8 million Stronger Starts grant programme, in partnership with the charity Groundwork UK.
Stronger Starts grants help schools and children’s groups provide nutritious food and healthy activities that support young people’s physical health and mental wellbeing, such as breakfast clubs or snacks, as well as purchasing equipment for healthy activities.
Claire De Silva, Tesco Head of Communities said: “We know that £5,000 can make a huge difference to a school or community project, so we are incredibly proud to have been able to award Golden Grants to over one hundred schools and local projects to support the vital work they do for our children and communities.
“Our Stronger Starts programme continues to support our local communities year-round, and we encourage all customers to get involved by using a blue token to vote for a local project they feel will benefit people in their community.”
Since Tesco launched its Community Grants programme in 2016, more than £120 million has been given to more than 67,000 local schools and community groups.
Local Edinburgh organisations receive transformational grants to expand community programmes in Lochend, Craigentinny and Restalrig.
The Ripple Project celebrated local community enterprise this weekend, distributing £10,000 of vital funding grants to support community initiatives.
Now in its third year, ‘LCR Stands Up’ is a participatory budgeting programme, which this year saw over 600 residents in the Lochend, Craigentinny and Restalrig area vote to back 6 local projects, who each received a grant of up to £2,000 each.
The grants are funded by several private donors, including Harbour Homes, who are the owners of The Ripple’s community hub in Restalrig.
This year’s chosen projects are ‘Lochend Boxing Club’, ‘Tai Chi and Tea @ Craigentinny Garden’, ‘Just Dance at Disneyland’, ‘Investing in Youth Drama’, ‘The Botanical Mural at Craigentinny Primary School’ and ‘Mindfulness for Wellbeing’.
‘LCR Stands Up’ is led by Tristan Green (above), Community Action Worker at The Ripple, who commented: ‘One of the key benefits of participatory budgeting is that our local residents have democratically chosen who receives this additional funding to enhance our community.
‘We’re proud that over the last 3 years we’ve been able to support initiatives with almost £50,000 of funding. This year’s grants will be used across a spectrum of initiatives, including those supporting greater mental health, the creation of a new mural at a local primary school, the upgrade of fitness equipment at the local boxing gym and helping 20 children go to Disneyland Paris to take part in a performing arts programme.
‘I’d like to thank all of our amazing donors and to SCDC for their continued support of The Ripple and the LCR Stands Up programme and to our local community in North East Edinburgh for their dedication in offering vital voluntary initiatives to support and enhance the lives of residents in such a challenging financial and social climate’.
For anyone looking to find out more about how to get involved in participatory budgeting or support future ‘LCR Stands Up’ campaigns, contact Tristan at Tristan.green@theripple.org.uk or visit www.rippleproject.co.uk.
SCOTTISH BUILDING SOCIETY marked its Annual General Meeting (AGM) by announcing a new round of funding to aid local charities and good causes across the country.
The announcement at the AGM, held on Wednesday this week at The Trades House of Glasgow, Grand Hall, will see the Scottish Building Society Foundation award successful applicants with individual grants of up to £5,000 to help their cause.
Marking the third phase of funding from the Scottish Building Society Foundation, the initiative has donated just under £60,000 to local charities across Scotland since it began last year.
Scottish Building Society Foundation was established by Scottish Building Society in partnership with Foundation Scotland, with the initiative designed to give back to Scottish communities.
Launched in May 2023 to align with the organisation’s 175th anniversary, an incredible £175,000 will be granted to local charities and good causes across Scotland.
Paul Denton, Chief Executive Officer, Scottish Building Society, said: “We were delighted to welcome our members to the AGM this year, and it seemed only right that we announce the latest round of funding for the Scottish Building Society Foundation, designed to support the fantastic causes which make a huge difference in their local areas.
“The creation of the Foundation has formalised our commitment to giving back to communities and through this initiative, in just over twelve months, the Society and its members have already supported good causes right across Scotland, from Wick to Galashiels.
“Since the Foundation began, we’re encouraged by the variety of inspiring community groups and charities across Scotland and look forward to seeing how they use the funding to make a positive impact to the people in their towns and villages.
“We hope the Scottish Building Society Foundation will make a big difference to many people across the country and we look forward to supporting more good causes in the years ahead.
“By investing in good causes, the Society and its members are building stronger communities.”
Applicable to a range of community groups and incentives, the Scottish Building Society Foundation particularly welcomes applications that support:
Community facilities and services, transport, open spaces, affordable housing, community development, reduction of poverty, and care for the elderly
Local community events
Youth and education, providing training opportunities and support for vulnerable youngsters
The first phase of funding attracted 44 applications from across 11 local authority areas of Scotland, with nine successful applicants chosen to receive individual grants of up to £5,000 to help their cause.
Meanwhile, the second phase of funding attracted 33 applications from across 11 local authority areas of Scotland.
With freezing temperatures cutting across the country, social enterprise Places for People is supporting the three warm spaces across Edinburgh to provide a safe and warm space for the community this winter.
It comes as part of their national support of over 25 warm spaces across the UK this year providing safe and warm spaces for people in social isolation and those suffering from fuel poverty over the winter months.
Warm spaces aim to support local people who may be at risk of fuel poverty or may be feeling lonely or isolated. A warm space can be any community building and will provide a confidential, warm, and friendly environment for people to socialise over refreshments and take part in activities.
Magdalene Community Centre, Gilmerton Community Centre, and Newtongrange Development Trust are warm spaces open to all where they can meet others, enjoy a hot drink, get involved in activities and stay warm.
Marcus Hulme, Director of Places Impact at Places for People commented: “As the cost-of-living continues to rise we know that many people are struggling with their energy bills and other general household bills.
“We are committed to finding ways to help and support our communities through these difficult times, and are proud to be supporting spaces for people to go where they can not only feel safe and warm but also where they can socialise and be part of a community.”
For the second year in a row, Places for People has chosen to support warm spaces within their communities to offer a space for people in social isolation and those suffering from fuel poverty over the winter months.
The impact that cost-of-living crisis is having on local communities continues to show and demand for these types of spaces is growing, with support from their Social Impact fund, Places for People are investing £5 million in activities to support customers and communities including warm spaces to address the cost-of-living crisis.
Opening times of the warm spaces vary; Gilmerton Community Centre’s warm space is open Tuesday to Thursday from 2 pm until 5:30 pm. Magdalene Community Centre’s warm space is open Monday and Thursday from 9:30 am until 2:45 pm. Newtongrange Development Trust’s warm space is open on Thursdays between 1 pm and 4 pm.
More information on the warm hubs being supported by Places for People can be found here:
Employees from the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline honed their DIY skills when they spent the day volunteering at a local high school.
The Amazon team volunteered at Lochgelly High School, a proud and ambitious learning community where everyone strives to achieve their best.
A group of six colleagues from the Amazon team spent over 40 hours at the school painting and building furniture to assist the school with turning a staff resource room into a new classroom.
Thanks to the efforts of the team from Amazon in Dunfermline, the school has saved around £3,000 in refurbishing. The Amazon team also donated school essentials including clothing, school bags and school meals worth over £8,000.
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “Our team really enjoyed helping transform the staff resource room at Lochgelly High School into a new classroom.
“I hope the students and teachers are pleased with the results and that they enjoy their new learning environment.”
Kim Skelton, who led the volunteering from Amazon in Dunfermline, added: “I love helping people, especially when it’s for our local community.
“As a team at Amazon in Dunfermline, we feel very rewarded that we can help the staff and pupils by donating essential goods. The donations have already brought tears to families who have been able to utilise the products.
“The school has acted as a hub for local families in need and it’s been a lifeline to most this time of year.”
Melissa Mann, a teacher from Lochgelly High School, said: ““Everyone at Lochgelly High School would like to thank Jamie, Kim and the team at Amazon in Dunfermline for their amazing work converting the staff resource room into a classroom.
“We are so appreciative of their help – it would have taken us much longer to make the transformation happen without them.”
The volunteering and donation to the school is the latest in a number of support programmes between Amazon and Lochgelly High School in 2023.
Earlier last year, drama and media studies students from the school visited FirstStage Studios, in Leith, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour aimed at inspiring and nurturing young creative talent in Scotland.
At the studio, the students saw how The Rig, which first premiered on Prime Video in January 2023, was filmed and had careers talks with the crew and cast, including Scottish actor Martin Compston.
Lochgelly High School has also taken part in Amazon Future Engineer Class Chats, part of Amazon’s computer science education programme that provides free access to STEM learning resources, including virtual school trips, coding courses, and career talks. As part of Lochgelly’s participation in the programme, Amazon UK Country Manager John Boumphrey spoke to students from Lochgelly High School about his career experience and unique insights.
The Amazon Future Engineer Class Chats programme brings both live and on-demand virtual career talks directly into UK classrooms. Amazon employees working in a wide variety of roles share their insights and experiences with school students, engaging young people about their future opportunities.
Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK.
Since the start of 2022, 1.5 million essential products have been donated to more than 150,000 families in need across Scotland and Greater Manchester by a charity initiative called The Multibank.
Founded by Amazon, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Cottage Family Centre in Kirkcaldy, The Multibank in Lochgelly, known locally as ‘The Big Hoose,’ offers an emergency service for families fighting poverty, providing surplus essentials like nappies, toilet rolls, toothpaste and school uniforms, donated by businesses like Amazon and others, directly to those in need and so helping to reduce waste.
Retailer’s Scottish Sports Fund initiative has supported more than 60 clubs this year
Aldi Scotland has revealed that it has donated £50,000 to amateur sports clubs this year, supporting more than 60 local clubs across six Scottish regions.
The retailer’s ‘Scottish Sports Fund’ encourages people of all ages and abilities to participate in physical activity within their local communities. It also provides a funding pot for sports clubs to apply for financial support ranging from £500 to £2,500 to help with purchasing new equipment or team kits.
Since launching in 2016, almost 600 clubs in Scotland have benefitted from a funding worth more than £390,000, as part of Aldi Scotland’s goal to improve community access to sports across the country.
This year, funds have been donated to sports teams across the country, including Edinburgh, Dundee, Tayside, Perth, Kinross, Fife, Glasgow, the North East, the Highlands and Islands, and Central Scotland.
One benefactor was the 2011 Girls Team at Musselburgh Windsor Girls Football Club, who received the top award of £2,500. One of the oldest and largest youth football clubs in Scotland, the community club helps girls looking to develop their skills in football.
Buchan Park Bowling Club also received £1,000 through Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund. Based in West Lothian, the club promotes and trains members of the public in bowling.
Laura Bosworth, Musselburgh Windsor Girls Football Club, said:“We are so pleased to have been awarded the highest funding of £2,500 from Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund.
“This funding has made a real difference to the work we do in our local community to continue helping girls develop their skills in football.”
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “Since 2016, Aldi’s Scottish Sports Fund has given a wide range of sports clubs the chance to benefit from essential funding to help them invest in much-needed equipment and resources.
“We remain committed to supporting sports clubs across Scotland to help continue the fantastic work they do in their local communities. Every year, we are blown away by the volume of applications we receive, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming even more in 2024.”
Applications for next year’s Scottish Sports Fund are expected to open in Spring next year.
The Aldi Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the application criteria. All applications will be considered by the Aldi judging panel and entrants will be notified of the outcome of their funding application within four to six weeks from the region’s deadline.
The next generation of football players are set to benefit from a £3 Million programme aimed at improving clubhouse facilities as Spartans Community Foundation, home of Spartans FC at Ainslie Park, becomes the latest to receive support from Howdens and The Scottish FA.
Spartans FC was named as one of 450 lucky clubs to receive a state-of-the-art kitchen as part of the Howdens Game Changer Programme which was launched earlier this year with an aim to support grassroots football with improved clubhouse facilities, to bring local communities closer together.
Home to the Spartans Men’s, Women’s, under 20’s, National performance teams and 29 youth teams, the Foundation was chosen due to its commitment to make a difference in the local area. Under the umbrella of the Spartans family, the site also hosts the largest para-football section in Scotland, Spartans Connections.
In addition to their football development delivery, Spartans Community Foundation, the charitable arm of Spartans FC, provides free meals to everyone within their education and youth programmes.
Whilst bringing communities closer together, the pioneering programme will also play a vital role in enabling the club’s charitable arm to provide the much-needed facilities to people in North Edinburgh, so the club continues to thrive.
Daniel Gerrard, Commercial and Partnerships Manager at Spartans Community Foundation said: “Pilton in Edinburgh is home to some of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK and food poverty is still a big issue here.
“For some children, their school meal is often the main meal of the day. With our new kitchen from Howdens, we will be able to continue supporting those children when they’re not at school with our weekend FooTea, Breakfast clubs and fun-fuelled holiday clubs.
“Spartans Community Foundation not only supports football and para football teams, but the wider community too. Our motto is ‘here for good’ and we exist to make a positive impact in North Edinburgh.
“Our programme’s focus is on education, youth work, physical and mental well-being with a host of activities taking place throughout the week. The ongoing cost-of-living crisis has caused increasing demand for our services and is one of the reasons we always provide a nutritious meal at every one of our clubs.
“The new kitchen from Howdens will be a real boost, it will allow us to keep up with demand and to continue providing meals for all who need them.”
Miller Gillespie, Depot Manager, Howdens Edinburgh, added: “An important part of what we do at Howdens is aiming to make a positive impact on local communities, which is why we are delighted to be able to support Spartans Community Foundation.
“There is a lot of attention on grassroots football and what happens on the pitch, but we believe that the off-pitch facilities are just as important. Clubhouses are often the hub of the community, which is why we’re incredibly excited to see the new installation once it’s complete and how it will benefit the club.”
The installation work is due to start later this year so everyone can benefit from the brand-new kitchen this season.
The Howdens Game Changer programme was launched earlier this year by football legend Julie Fleeting, MBE, who lent her support by driving home the importance of grassroots football and clubhouse facilities on her own career.
With depots all over the country, Howdens carries one of the largest in-stock ranges in the UK across kitchens, flooring, joinery, and hardware, so that products are readily available, and projects of any size can be completed without delay.
To find out more about Howdens products visit www.howdens.com
