community support – Page 4 – The NEN

Port of Leith’s Covid Response Fund supports local community organisations

Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) £50,000 Covid Response Fund has provided 18 awards of between £500 and £2,500 to local charities and social enterprises that are rising to the challenge of alleviating the effects of the coronavirus epidemic on people living in the community.

Grants to six additional organisations are also being processed.

With a remit to fast track flexible access to grants where they will have the quickest benefits, the Fund has already helped provide emergency food provision for isolated or vulnerable people, purchased vital equipment to allow third sector staff to carry on supporting service users from home and helped a wide range of people (from older adults to school-age children) access vital online services and education during lock down.

PoLHA Group Chief Executive, Heather Kiteley, said: “Organisations across Leith and North Edinburgh seem to have adjusted to the new challenges created by lockdown astonishingly quickly.

“They’ve been able to change both the ways they are working as well as the nature of the services they deliver in a few short weeks or even days.

“We’re thrilled to be able to support the life-changing work of community organisations through our Covid Response Fund which is helping organisations to create and develop crucial new services, from emergency food packages for vulnerable people isolating at home, to helping older adults bridge the digital divide and keep in touch with people.

“We hope to secure more funding to support even more organisations in the weeks ahead.”

Elaine Brown from the Edinburgh Remakery, which received a £2,000 grant from the Fund to provide refurbished laptop computers for vulnerable people in Leith to help them access digital services and keep in touch with loved ones, said: “Thank you so much for supporting the Edinburgh Remakery.

“This grant will not only support us in these challenging times, it will allow us to help vulnerable people within Leith and north Edinburgh to stay connected.”

The Milan Senior Welfare Organisation, which provides a range of services for older people from South Asian communities in Edinburgh and Lothian to meet their social, cultural, recreational, language and care needs, received a grant to buy laptops and phones to help staff work remotely, issue newsletters to keep in touch with service users and also buy bags and containers for hot food deliveries.

Sophia Latif from Milan Senior Welfare Organisation commented: “Funding like this is a lifeline to charities like us, especially when processed in such a timely manner.”

West Pilton-based Fresh Start, which helps people who have been homeless to get set up in their new homes and settle in their community, received funding to support the most vulnerable individuals and families across Edinburgh by providing them with emergency packs of essential food, toiletries and cleaning products.

Freh Start’s Jen McQuistan said: “This funding will make a big difference to the people we are supporting, especially during these challenging times.”

All funds have now been allocated but PoLHA are very hopeful of securing more funding to distribute soon – keep an eye on www.polha.co.uk and on Twitter @PortofLeithHA /Facebook

Scotland Cares: national volunteering plan launched

A new ‘Scotland Cares’ campaign has been launched to encourage people to volunteer during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

While the most important ask for the public remains to stay at home and follow the essential public health guidance, people who are healthy and not at risk can volunteer to provide practical or emotional help to those most in need.

A similar campaign launched in England last week has seen more than 750,000 volunteers sign up.

Those wanting to volunteer to support their communities have three options which are signposted from the Ready Scotland website:

• returning NHS workers will be directed to existing voluntary arrangements in NHS Scotland

• people wishing to offer their support to our public services, including the NHS and local authorities, will be directed to a site co-ordinated by the British Red Cross

• those looking for opportunities with other charities or community groups in their area will be directed to Volunteer Scotland for information

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We know there are a huge number of people who are already volunteering and many more with a desire to help their communities, public services and voluntary organisations. And for that we are incredibly grateful.

“This site means that those who are able to can contribute in a way which makes a real difference. It helps people to help each other, as we all get through this together.”

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Government is working closely with local government and a range of partners to co-ordinate the volunteering effort across Scotland.

“By providing this national portal we will be able to connect people to where their contribution is most needed in their local community, ensuring everyone can play their part in helping Scotland come through this pandemic.

“For some, that may involve roles responding to specific needs in health and social care. For others, it may be that we draw on their skills, enthusiasm and energy in the weeks and months to come.

“It is important to remember that the most helpful thing many of us can continue to do to help the NHS is to stay at home and follow all COVID-19 guidance.”

Volunteers who want to support their communities should visit www.ReadyScotland.org to find out how they can help.

The website is being constantly updated and provides advice on volunteering safely and the organisations to register an interest with such as Volunteer Scotland and the Red Cross.

Businesses who can offer support should email covid19response@gov.scot

In line with Scotland’s current stay at home rules the public can only volunteer to carry out tasks which involve leaving their home, once a day, if you are not required to be isolating and are not in any risk categories.

A similar campaign launched in England last week has seen more than 750,000 volunteers sign up.

Please check the latest advice at www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus

New community takeaway service from Royston Wardieburn

The community centre has been organising a community lunch in the centre on a Thursday for the last month as part of a new initiative to promote our classes and groups.

Unfortunately, we have had to cancel all our adult education groups and classes in the centre including our Thursday activities and sit down lunch. We will, however, be providing a take away service on Wednesday and Thursdays between 12 and 2 for the next few weeks.

The freshly cooked food will be served in take-away containers and can be heated up at home or frozen for future use. We have already paid for this food, so there will be no charge.

To protect yourself and others, please wash your hands carefully on entering the building and minimise your contact with others.

For people who are unable to pick up the food (ie over 70’s, people with health conditions, families with sick children and people who are self-isolating) we will be offering a limited delivery service.

If there’s anyone you know who would benefit from this service, please ask them to get in touch (email lynn.mccabe@ea.edin.sch.uk or phone the centre on 552 5700) and we will do what we can to help.

A meeting of local organisations to co-ordinate support across North Edinburgh will be taking place at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre at 2.30pm this afternoon and we hope to pull together an information sheet containing information on what services are available locally.

Keep an eye on local facebook pages for future updates.

‘That’s a business trying to be a good citizen’

Deirdie Brock MP visits Sainsbury’s Blackhall

Deidre Brock, local MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, visited Sainsbury’s Blackhall on Monday where she met staff and local customers (writes GAIL WILSON).

The MP was welcomed by store manager, George Paton and taken on a tour of the 71,000 sq ft store on Craigleith Road.

Ms Brock learned about the store’s new Local Charity Partner, Meningitis Research Foundation. The charity has a vision of a world free from meningitis and septicaemia and was chosen by customers in July.

She also had a chance to hear about the store’s Food Donation Partner, Fareshare, who Sainsbury’s are teamed up with to make use of surplus food and Granton Baptist Church food bank, who they support with in-store collections.

Ms Brock, who was elected to represent Edinburgh North and Leith May’s general election, said: “I was delighted to hear about the work that Sainsbury’s staff do to reach out into the community, the support they and the store’s customers give to a local foodbank and to Crisis Fareshare. That’s a business trying to be a good citizen.

“The store is also a zero waste store recycling all of its packaging as well as providing recycling facilities for customers in the car park. It’s the first time I’ve seen an oil recycling bank in a supermarket car park and I’m looking forward to coming back soon to see how it works out.”

Store Manager George Paton said: “It has been great having Ms Brock in to our store, and introduce her to our customers and colleagues. I’m incredibly proud of our team, our store and the impact we have on the community. ”

Deirdie Brock MP is pictured with Sainsbury Blackhall PR Ambassador Gail Wilson

Digital Information Day for MHA tenants

Muirhouse Housing Association tenants have an opportunity to brush up their technology skills at event at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre tomorrow (writes James McGinty):

Come and find out more about using phones,tablets and computers with the M.H.A. Team at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre (Lounge/Cafe area) on Tuesday (9 June) from 11am – 1pm.

This is an event for M.H.A.Tenants only.

An expert from the field of computers will be there joining the Team and if you attend your name will be entered to a lucky dip to win a tablet!

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