Tag: Craigentinny

The Ripple Project to open it’s doors for a day of happiness

WELLBEING OPEN DAY – SATURDAY 16 OCTOBER 9am – 4pm

People living in cities around the world care about their mental health and the mental health of their fellow residents; they also know that urbanization – living amongst masses of people with its related stressors and burdens – can often be toxic to mental health and well-being.

Edinburgh is no different to any other global city BUT the areas The Ripple Project works in – Restalrig, Lochend and Craigentinny – are different to other parts of Edinburgh.

Low and insecure income and problem debt, unemployment and poor quality housing has consistently been associated with an increased risk of common mental health problems, loneliness and social isolation only adds to this already bleak picture.

As part of their wellbeing programme, on Saturday 16th October the Ripple Project is offering local residents the opportunity to stop, look after themselves and try something new.  Activities on offer FREE of CHARGE include Reiki, massage, singing, drumming, capoeira, creative art, reflexology and many others.  

Cat Robertson, Wellbeing Co-ordinator said “This is a day where people can come and take stock, try something different and think about the things that matter.  So often we forget to do things that just make us happy”

The Ripple Project is a grass roots community that has a strong track record spanning over 20 years of tackling poverty and inequality by working with local people to help them to help themselves. 

Based at the Restalrig Lochend Community Hub since 2010, the charity normally provides daily activities including a community café, a youth service, a wellbeing project, a community shop, a programme for volunteers and support for people to make and sell their own items. 

The Ripple Project also writes and delivers a community newspaper into 6000 homes every 3 months.

Their Community Hub at Restalrig Road South is open 5 days and 4 evenings a week – 8am to 8pm as well as occasional weekends.  The Ripple Project has a small staff team, with the rest of the activities delivered by over 100 volunteers who commit to and give us over 5,500 thousand volunteering hours per year.

Rachel Green, Director of The Ripple said: “The Ripple is the place in our community that people come to chat with others, to have a healthy meal and to take part in exercise, learning and other social activities. 

“So often we see people who do not see anyone from one day to the next or just need help with some something small that is bothering them.  We get to know people and they get to know us, we know when they don’t turn up or when somethings wrong. 

“We work together to help each other and try and make our area a better place to live and work in.”

To find out more about The Ripple Project  please visit www.rippleproject.co.uk

Witness appeal following ‘deliberate’ hit and run

Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a man was struck by a car which then failed to stop. The incident happened on Restalrig Avenue near the junction with Craigentinny Avenue around 4.30pm on Friday (27 August).

A 34-year-old man was struck by a black Vauxhall Corsa car which had mounted the pavement before driving off.

The man was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh later that evening for treatment to non-life threatening injuries.

Detective Inspector Jonny Wright of Gayfield CID said: “Our enquiries so far suggest the car was deliberately driven at the man and we are seeking further information in relation to the matter.

“I would urge anyone who was in the area around 4.30pm on Friday afternoon and may have witnessed the incident or hold any information in relation to the incident to contact us.

“I would also ask anyone who may have seen a black Vauxhall Corsa car with collision damage since then to get in touch.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 4357 of 27 August, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Local groups receive awards for Keeping Scotland Beautiful

The efforts of 14 Edinburgh groups have been acknowledged by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful at an online seminar yesterday.

North Edinburgh is well represented among these green-fingered groups, with awards for Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Fresh Start Growers, Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden, Friends of Lauriston Castle Estate, Friends of Starbank Park and North Edinburgh Arts Gardening Group.

The other capital groups to receive awards are Balerno Village Gardeners, Craigentinny Community Gardening Project, Craigentinny Primary Parent Council, Friends of Morningside Cemetery, Friends of Saughton Park, Inch View Care Home, Inspiring Hillside and Northfield Community Growing Group.

Annually Keep Scotland Beautiful runs two community environmental improvement programmes in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society; the competitive Beautiful Scotland campaign and the It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative.

In total 197 groups, those who would in previous years have been out creating and maintaining community gardens or allotments, looking after habitats for wildlife and adopting streets, have been issued with Certificates of Recognition for the work volunteers and supporters did manage to carry out to brighten up and pull their neighbourhoods together during this year’s health pandemic.

A full list of the 14 groups from Edinburgh can be found in the attached table (below).

Edinburgh-groupsDownload

Faced with the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to recognise and celebrate the achievements of communities and individuals across Edinburgh. 

Throughout lockdown and the following months, groups have worked tirelessly to improve their communities through horticulture, environmental responsibility and working in partnership for the benefit of residents, visitors and our natural environment. 

Despite circumstances this year, 47 new entrants were welcomed to the network, and although judging and mentoring visits were not able to take place due to restrictions across Scotland, groups were still supported with online seminars, networking events, question and answer sessions and a weekly e-newsletter.

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said, “We know that lockdown resulted in many people reconnecting with green and blue spaces local to them.  Yet, it has also been a particularly challenging year for the communities who strive every year to protect and enhance the places they live and work in. 

“We have been amazed by the desire of communities, volunteers and local authorities to stay connected, motivated and inspired by each other, all with a steadfast determination to do things to make a difference, even if this had to be done differently this year.  

“I’d like to thank all the groups in Edinburgh for the efforts they have made to keep Scotland beautiful this year.”

Although many of the groups had to stop or curtail their planned activities for the year, we have been blown away by what they have managed to achieve – whether that be setting up a food bank, encouraging and supporting others to grow their own, creating virtual garden tours, connecting their members through online catch ups and keeping their neighbourhoods bright and cheerful. 

Andrea Van Sittart, RHS Head of Community Outreach said: “It’s truly inspiring that so many Scottish communities continued to support others in need this year.

“From a phone box larder in Muthill to planter kits for others in Inverkip, the groups have shown incredible creativity and ingenuity responding to the needs of their diverse communities through this challenging time. Congratulations to all groups on their amazing efforts.”

If you’d like to join the network in 2021, check out the website for inspiration and details on how to get involved:

www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/BeautifulScotland or www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/IYN

A community going places

A local charity has asked NEN to support their campaign to make a city community a better place …

Craigentinny: a community seriously going places

People Know How, an Edinburgh charity based near Meadowbank, has an invitation for everyone living in Craigentinny to put together plans and ideas for a great future for the area.

People Know How works with local residents to identify a community’s assets – all the good and positive things happening – to capitalise on them and realise everyone’s aspirations for the future. Putting together your ideas and skills with their support can bring about positive social change and real improvements to the lives of people.

They believe that by sharing our feelings and listening to each other, we can work to enable huge and exciting changes that communities like Craigentinny want and need. Supporting and helping local people to consult local people on what they think is the first and most important step in this project.

So – to plan this future with you – People Know How’s volunteers want to start a conversation, all over Craigentinny. That way we can all find out EVERYTHING people think and feel about Craigentinny – your hopes, your beefs, your plans, your dreams …

Here are a few ideas to kick the conversation off:

  • They say north-east Edinburgh is going to expand and boom in the next few years. How’s that going to work for you? What would you like to see happening?
  • What are the great things about Craigentinny and around that work well? What’s under-appreciated? What could work better? What needs supporting and what needs sorting out?
  • How are you doing? Are you appreciated? Do you feel that your community could make better use of you and your skills?
  • What should People Know How do to help Craigentinny residents unlock their ideas and potential? What do you think we could do together to make life here fairer and happier?

In the next few months there will be many chances to share views and to sound off with the People Know How team. You’ll probably see their volunteers talking to folk on street corners (and, no, they won’t be asking for your money), in pubs, clubs, churches, outside the school and shops. They’ll be asking more questions and discussing the answers through NEN and other local media.

And – this isn’t just another bunch of “clipboarders” doing a survey that you’ll see nothing from. People Know How PROMISES that when the conversation is running, they’ll share what’s being heard, and help you get the change you want.

They want to hear from you:

People Know How:

Phone: 0131 652 1315

Email: craigentinny@peopleknowhow.org

Twitter: @PKHinnovation      

Facebook: /People Know How                            

Website: www.peopleknowhow.org