Tag: Corstorphine Community Centre

All Ears at Corstorphine!

Corstorphine Community Centre is working with Citadel Theatre, on a short project to unearth some of our stories.

Come along to share your story, help write it, devise a sketch or perform if you want to (not essential).

Get involved, no barriers, all adults over 50 welcome!

Corstorphine Community Centre receives Scottish Land Fund support to buy Westfield House

Corstorphine Community Centre (CCC) in Edinburgh has received £960,000 from the Scottish Land Fund (SLF) in order to buy Westfield House, which the organisation already uses as a community hub.

With the money, CCC will be able to purchase the building and to start making internal improvements, including improving accessibility, while at the same time continuing to provide a wide range of services and space for hire.

The grants are amongst six that have been awarded to groups across Scotland by the Scottish Land Fund, which is funded by the Scottish Government.

Amongst those also receiving funding are Tayvallich Initiative, which has received £565,608 to purchase land in Argyll & Bute where it will build housing for affordable rent, along with a number of environmental initiatives.

And Kingsbarns Community Development Trust has been awarded £590,00 to establish a community hub, which will consist of rooms to let, pub, restaurant, cafe, and community shop.

Shulah Allan, Chair, Corstorphine Community Centre, said: “This is a momentous occasion for the local community who have been raising funds since a fire in 2013 to rebuild a community centre for the area.

“We are grateful to the Scottish Land Fund Trust for providing us with this level of funding, which will be added to the funds which are already in place, to complete the purchase of 5 Kirk Loan.

“We still have some more funds to raise for the refurbishment of the building, but this is the final stage for the purchase and our forever home for CCC.”

It’s a double celebration for Corstorphine Community Centre, who will be marking one year in their new home with a fete this weekend.

Martin Mellor, Chair of Tayvallich Initiative said: “The award from Scottish Land Fund will enable Tayvallich Initiative to move forwards with plans to create housing for affordable rent and to promote the use of Rural Housing Burdens for houses and plots so that more people can live and work in the area. 

“We are happy to be starting off with two rental houses as part of the community project. We hope that this long-term project will encourage a good balance in the area between tourism/holidays alongside an established year-round community. Rural areas need enough affordable housing to keep schools open and the day-to-day economy running, and community-led housing projects can help to facilitate this.”

And Sharon Makin, Kingsbarns Development Trust, said: “The Kingsbarns Development Trust is delighted to accept the award of £590,000 from the Scottish Land Fund.

“This will enable us to keep the pub open and is the first step to realising our dream of creating a lively and welcoming community hub in the village including a shop for essentials and local produce.

“Everyone on the team has worked tirelessly to get us to this point. We are so thankful to the Scottish Land Fund, for their guidance and for seeing the amazing potential this funding will mean for the community.”

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary, Rural Affairs, Land Reform, and Islands, said: “The Scottish Land Fund is continuing to help community groups take control of local land and buildings and manage them in a way which benefits people in their neighbourhoods.

“By 2026 the SLF will have doubled to £20 million which will allow more groups to get involved.

“This SLF aims to place the needs of local communities first and it is clear that the most recent recipients live up to this goal. The successful projects will help to create jobs, mitigate climate change, and tackle social isolation and loneliness.

“I commend them for their efforts so far and wish them all the best in the future.”

Cara Gillespie, Scottish Land Fund Committee Chair said: “From supporting rural housing to strengthening urban communities, the Scottish Land Fund continues to empower local people to deliver services that meet their needs.

“It is about listening to communities and helping them to address their unique local challenges, through ownership of land and buildings.”

And Sandra Holmes, Head of Community Assets at Highlands, and Islands Enterprise, said: “The successful projects announced today across Scotland are all great examples of people taking control of local resources for the long-term benefit of their communities.

“For example, the Great Bernera Community Development Trust in the Isle of Lewis will acquire the former salmon hatchery at Kirkibost to develop into a community-owned social and enterprise hub with space and equipment for businesses, entrepreneurs, and the community. The new hub will be an important asset and helps to create a sustainable future for the area.

“All these projects announced today will help retain the population, attract visitors, and create jobs. Ownership will give the community groups greater control over important assets that will reap rewards for people now and for generations to come. We wish all the successful groups the very best in their new ventures.”

Other groups receiving funding are:

Eday Partnership: Award – £225,380

Eday Partnership will acquire a two-bedroom house in Eday, Orkney. The project will assist in providing affordable housing on the island of Eday.

Great Bernera Community Development Trust – £101,447

Great Bernera Community Development Trust will acquire The Hatchery building in Kirkibost. The vacant industrial building will be developed into a social and enterprise hub where people can work, learn, and create together.

Papay Development Trust – £208,596

Papay Development Trust will acquire two houses on the island of Papa Westray, Orkney, which will be offered for affordable rent.

Bute Community Land Company – £32,005

Bute Community Land Company will acquire land at Shalunt, Isle of Bute. The group will install a carpark and other infrastructure to improve the accessibility of their community owned Bute Forest.

Evanton Community Trust – £17,166

Evanton Community Trust will purchase land adjacent to the community owned Victoria Diamond Jubilee Hall which will allow them  to fundraise to extend the Hall and expand the support they currently provide to the local community.

Craigievar House Fire: Emergency Appeal

Can you help the residents affected by this local disaster?

Corstorphine Community Centre is a drop off point for the following items:

Toiletries, and toothpaste/ brushes, deodorants, hair brushes/ combs & sunscreen

New underwear & clothing for adults and children.

Footwear for adults and children.

Toys, teddies and games for children.

Non perishable food items

Can you support this appeal by volunteering to sort and distribute these items?

We are available to receive and give out these items

Friday 16th 10-5pm

Saturday 17th 10-3pm

Drop off and collections at Corstorphine Community Corstorphine Community Centre5 Kirk Loan (opposite Astoria Centre / Winstons)

Thank you

CCC

‘Our Fete is in your hands!’

CORSTORPHINE COMMUNITY CENTRE APPEAL FOR DONATIONS

Can you support your local Community Centre?

Corstorphine Community Centre are looking for prizes for their raffle and tombola. Every little helps.

Prizes can be dropped off at the centre – 5 Kirk Loan – Monday to Friday, 9.30am- 3.30pm

BIG Thanks

Moving Forward at Corstorphine Community Centre

NEW GROUP FOR WIDOWED MEN

CORSTORPHINE Community Centre is delighted to respond to local requests to house a group for men who have been widowed.

Volunteer leader Keith says ” It’s important we get out of the house and look forward to something.”

Moving Forward is about you deciding what the group should do next, chat, tea, games & visits. As long as we keep Moving Forward, one step at a time.

National Lottery funding boost for community groups in Edinburgh 

CYRENIANS at the double!

Community groups in Edinburgh will be able to provide vital services and support for thousands of local people thanks to National Lottery funding announced today (THURSDAY 9 MARCH). 

The latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 324 projects across Scotland, sharing in £10,909,040.

A full list of projects is below. 

Among the big winners are Corstorphine Community Centre, who receive £98,550 to provide a range of activities for all ages that will be developed and led by local residents in Corstorphine and the surrounding neighbourhoods.

They will also provide a variety of different volunteering opportunities for community members.

Scotland Yard Adventure Centre will use their £120,000 grant to provide family play sessions at their Edinburgh base for disabled young people and their families.

These sessions will support whole families to play together, and to meet other similar families and young people.

Cyrenians hit the jackpot with two awards totalling over £230,000.

The charity will use funding of over £70,000 to recruit an Income Maximisation Worker who will work across work across all services to support people impacted by cost-of-living crisis.

The Worker will provide one to one support and train 50 key workers at the organisation to also provide financial support. Cyernians estimate 1,800 people will benefit from the project over 12 months.

Cyrenians was also awarded a further £160,000 to continue its “Golden Years” service which is formed from a variety of support and activities for people over 60 years of age living in Edinburgh.

This is led by a befriending service, which has now evolved to offer additional support to meet the needs of participants. Over two years of funding there will be 460 participants and 65 volunteers.

Thanks to an award of £100,000, Aberlour Child Care Trust will provide a befriending service to people in Edinburgh and the Lothians experiencing perinatal mental health issues.  

Liz Nolan, Deputy Director said: “Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund we can offer vital emotional and befriending support to parents of babies living in the Lothians who have received care through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.  

“Working in parallel with our NHS partners, the service will offer in person support from a Perinatal Coordinator, a one-to-one match with a Perinatal Befriender and our bespoke digital support all of which connects parents, improves emotional wellbeing, reduces isolation and supports positive relationships between parents and babies.” 

An award of £58,844 to Space @The Broomhouse Hub means the group can provide free early evening meals for local people four nights a week for the next 12 months. Working with local partners their will also be an advisor on hand at each session to offer support and signposting for those who need it.  

Neil Hay, CEO, said: “Space @ The Broomhouse Hub is literally and metaphorically at the heart of our community. Our events allow us to listen to local people and shape future support locally.

“We pride ourselves on being dynamic and innovative, so it is refreshing that funders like The National Lottery are supporting our work helping people through the cost-of-living crisis.” 

Thanks to an award of £9,953, The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) – Edinburgh Branch – will be able to offer a cost-of-living response to Ukranian families who have been displaced by conflict.

This will come in the form of regular community meals and drop-in sessions for those in need. 

Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, AUGB Edinburgh Chairperson, said: “Over the last year, as an organisation we’ve had to work through a great deal of change.

“Prior to the start of the war in February 2022, our main activity was to provide social and cultural activities for a small community however since February we’ve welcomed over 6,000 Ukrainians to Edinburgh who have been displaced by the war with Russia. 

“As a community, we’ve focussed our energies on providing a range of social and integration activities such as coffee mornings, information sessions, English language lessons and cultural events.

“The support of The National Lottery Community Fund will enable us to further support our community to integrate into communities across Edinburgh, reduce social isolation and decrease longer term mental health issues that may be experienced.” 

Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “This latest round of National Lottery funding will be distributed to important groups and organisations who are providing essential services, drop-in points, and community centres around the country – making a real, tangible difference to everyday life.   

“With the rising cost-of-living being at the front of everyone’s minds, groups like these are more vital than ever, offering people across Scotland a place to turn to in times of need. This amazing support is only possible because of National Lottery players.” 

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.

The National Lottery Community Fund – list of grants – March 2023.pdf 

Make Edinburgh greener: Vote for your favourite environmental projects

EDINBURGH COMMUNITY CLIMATE FUND

You have five votes – but you must vote by 12th March.

Dozens of organisations have applied for a share of the £100,00 budget. Here are just a few of the projects looking for your support:

Seedlings to Seniors (Corstorphine Community Centre)

We need your votes for the CCC project ‘Seedlings to Seniors’ to get a share in the Edinburgh Community Climate Fund.

Full details of how to vote are on our website here : 

https://corstorphinecommunitycentre.org.uk

or go straight to the Council page listing the projects at: 

https://yourvoice.edinburgh.gov.uk/budgets/1/investments

Note: registration with mygovscot is required in order to vote.

Edinburgh Climate Festival (ELREC)

Hey Edinburgh community!

The voting for the Edinburgh Community Climate Fund from The City of Edinburgh Councilis open and our project, Edinburgh Climate Festival is a part of it.

We need your help to make The Edinburgh Climate Festival a reality, so please vote for our project today!

You have 5 votes to support not only our project but other outstanding ones as well.

Here’s a guide on how to vote for The Edinburgh Climate Festival:

Step one: If you’re an adult, register on myaccount https://www.mygov.scot/myaccount to cast your vote. This is a secure online portal that provides access to various public services using a single login ID and password. You can find a registration guide on the Edinburgh Council website. Young people under 18 can vote through Young Scot https://getyournec.scot/ using their Young Scot NEC number.

Step two: Once your account is active, visit Your Voice website : https://yourvoice.edinburgh.gov.uk/ and sign in using your myaccount details.

Help us create a sustainable future for Edinburgh!🌎🌲🍃

#VoteNow#SustainabilityMatters#GreenerEdinburgh

Community wellbeing for climate impact (Ferryhill Parent Council)

We are a parent council groups that’s passionate able helping the children learn and thrive in the community.

This project will enable us to create a forest school within the school grounds, giving the whole school the ability to learn more about climate through hands on learning.

We will also be looking to add to the schools existing orchard with some raised beds for the children to grow food and learn about sustainable practice. We also plan on linking up with the local community centre to support the garden project.

Starter Packs Project (Fresh Start)

Since 1999 Fresh Start has been supporting people moving on from homelessness to ‘make a home for themselves’ across Edinburgh. Responding to people with lived experience of homelessness we provide practical support as people move on from temporary accommodation into new unfurnished tenancies.

Our service-users typically are allocated unfurnished properties and do not have the means to purchase the goods that make a home. Fresh Start provides Starter Packs of essential household goods – crockery, pots/pans, bedding, towels – to homeless households within the first 3 days of them moving in to their new tenancies, relieving financial burden and ensuring they have the essentials they need to settle in their new home.

We supply 13 different Starter Packs of quality used-household goods which are donated by the public and local businesses. Teams of volunteers gather in these donations and sort them in our warehouse for distribution.  

In 2022 we distribute 14,430 packs and helped over 2,000 people moving out of temporary Housing. We diverted 75,500 kg (75.5 t.) of goods from landfill.

Community Shed (North Edinburgh Arts)

Vote for the North Edinburgh Arts Community Shed and support our ambitions for a more sustainable future!

Our Community Shed has been nominated for The City of Edinburgh Council‘s Edinburgh Community Climate Fund, and you can vote for it as part of the public participatory budgeting process until 12th March.

The primary focus of the Community Shed is to reuse wood and wooden furniture to enable our members to make and mend things for their homes, gardens and communities. Each year in Scotland we throw away tons of stuff into landfill, including wood and furniture, that should be recycled, reused, mended or made into something completely different and the Community Shed does its bit to convert this waste into useful and beautiful things.

Since its launch four years ago, the Shed has become a key community project in North Edinburgh with over 150 members. Being part of the Community Shed has a significantly positive impact on our members’ lives by improving their self-confidence, giving them meaning and purpose, making new friends and social connections, as well as providing them with an informal support network.

The Edinburgh Community Climate funding will enable us to purchase new much-needed technical equipment to cut and process wood, which will help speed up our processes while also significantly improving the quality of our output.

Please support our work and help create a greener community by casting your vote today!

This is a chance for you to decide how the Edinburgh Council money is spent on things that matter to you and your community.

Vote online at yourvoice.edinburgh.gov.uk/budgets/1/investments/10 by using/creating your own account.

For those under 18 wishing to vote this can be done through Young Scot using your Young Scot NEC number. School libraries will be offering supported voting too.

If you would like to vote in person, please visit your local library.

For information for our local residents, Muirhouse Library is currently located in the foyer of Edinburgh College Granton campus near Morrisons (350 West Granton Road), and its opening times are as follows:

Monday – Friday: 10am to 5pm

Saturday: 10am to 4pm

Make sure you vote before 12 March.

Thank you for your support, and please share with your friends and families as every vote counts! 💙💙💙

All Aboard for Climate Action (People Know How)

The All Aboard canal boat run by People Know How and Polwarth Parish Church has been shortlisted in the Edinburgh Climate Community Fund to receive funding to run climate change sessions with children and young people on the Union Canal.

These organisations are now looking for votes from the public, which will decide the final projects that will receive the funding. 

The climate change sessions will focus on engaging children and young people with nature and the local environment and exploring the impact of climate change. Using fun and engaging activities, we will introduce them to small everyday actions that they can take at home and in their community to help tackle climate change. 

The sessions will be open to pupils from local primary schools that People Know How work with as part of their Positive Transitions service, supporting children, young people and families in the transition to secondary school.

They will draw on the charity’s established experience of running groups across Edinburgh and East Lothian, including previous sessions on All Aboard that have introduced young people to a green space in the heart of their community, seeing plants and wildlife up close. 

All Aboard was launched in 2021 and aims to nurture community cohesion and wellbeing in an innovative space on the Union Canal. It is open to the community, serving as a safe space in which to explore the canal, find new experiences and socialise, while surrounded by nature. 

To vote, visit the webpage below and select All Aboard for Climate Action as one of your five projects. Voting is open to all Edinburgh residents over the age of 8 and can be done online or at your local public library. Please note, you must use all 5 votes for your selections to be valid.

Further instructions can be found via the link below.

Vote today: https://yourvoice.edinburgh.gov.uk/budgets