Do you have an enquiry for the North or South West council locality offices?
Representatives from both will be at Drumbrae Library Hub on Thursdays from 2pm-4pm to assist you.
Pop along and meet them.
SATURDAY 29 NOVEMBER at 11am – FREE EVENT
LifeCare is delighted to host a special St Andrew’s Day storytelling celebration led by storyteller Fergus. Families are invited to drop in for a fun-filled morning of stories, dancing, and crafts—perfect for children aged 3–10.
The free event will take place on Saturday, 29 November at 11am, with guests encouraged to wear something tartan to join in the spirit of the day.
This fantastic storytelling adventure is supported by the Scottish International Storytelling Festival’s Big Scottish Story Ripple initiative, organised by Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland (TRACS) and supported by the Scottish Storytelling Forum.
No booking required just come along to the Lthe LifeCare Hub, 2 Cheyne Street, Edinburgh, EH4 1JB
We can’t wait to welcome you!
DROP-IN FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT
Businesses in Edinburgh are being invited to engage with dozens of Council services and business-facing partners face to face.
A Meet the Council event will be held on Tuesday 11 March at the Assembly Rooms on George Street between 10:00am and 2:00pm.
Local businesses are encouraged to register in advance to secure a space to the drop-in, with opportunities throughout the day to meet with key Council teams and hear about opportunities for business growth.
Offering a single point of access for business support, the event will bring together Council officers from:
• Building standards
• Business Gateway
• Commercial property
• Cultural events
• Economic development
• Edinburgh Convention Bureau
• Environmental health
• Film Edinburgh
• Forever Edinburgh
• JET (Jobs, Education & Training)
• Licensing
• Non-Domestic Rates
• Parental Employability Support
• Planning
• Procurement
• The Edinburgh Employer Recruitment Incentive
• The Edinburgh Guarantee
• Trading standards
• Visitor Levy
Throughout the day, external partners will also be on hand to present and share their expertise, including:
• Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce, an independent membership organisation which supports over 1,000 organisations who employ more than 120,000 staff in the Capital
• British Business Bank, a government-owned economic bank specialised in helping businesses in the UK access financial support
• Federation of Small Businesses, a non-profit organisation that helps small businesses and the self-employed
• Capital City Partnership, the anchor delivery body for Edinburgh’s employability strategy, working together to tackle inequality and poverty
• Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network, which works to create opportunities for Edinburgh’s Social Enterprise community to develop and thrive
• Forth Green Freeport, Scotland’s largest opportunity to deliver a just transition to net zero, to attract significant inward investment, to build international trade and export capability, and to create high quality and well paid jobs.
Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Edinburgh continues to have the strongest local economy outside of London and the highest number of registered Living Wage employers in Scotland.
“The entrepreneurialism, success and resilience of Edinburgh business owners contributes hugely to what makes our City of Edinburgh a unique and special place to live and work.
“We would like to work much more closely with the business community in offering meaningful support, understand more fully the views, concerns and aspirations of business owners and work jointly in securing a vibrant, sustainable, and resilient economic future for Edinburgh.
“We recognise that the current economic climate is challenging, and in working together with businesses and other partners, there is much we can do collectively to grow and sustain Edinburgh’s economy, promote the benefits of Fair Work, and become a fairer city for all. That’s why the Council is hosting this opportunity for businesses to meet us face-to-face and engage with our staff teams across a variety of services which support business.
“Whether you’re looking for advice on funding, navigating licensing, or exploring how we can support employers, this event is an ideal place to connect directly with the right people, who can provide the advice and support you need.”
The Meet the Council event is designed to support Edinburgh’s business community and help foster a thriving, greener, and fairer economy – as outlined in the Council’s Business Plan 2023-27.
A new drop-in session for veterans living in the Edinburgh area is opening next week (26 November).
Emma Weir, who is the Community Builder for the local area for Help for Heroes is bringing a ‘Heroes Café’ to the Gyle Shopping Centre, as part of a programme to reach out to even more veterans across Edinburgh and the surrounding region.
Emma, who has been supporting veterans in Edinburgh for three and a half years, said: “We know that the city and surrounding area has one of the highest populations of veterans in the country. Over the years we’ve helped hundreds of people who have got in touch with us for support.
“The cafés give veterans an easy way to connect with others in the local area. People can just drop in and have a chat and a brew with others who share their life experiences. They can also find out about the different services we offer. It’s a gentle way to dip your toes back into the water and to feel like you’re part of a community again.”
Former service men and women can sometimes feel they’ve lost their support network, which can leave them feeling isolated and lonely.
Adjusting to civilian life can also bring challenges, for example a recent report showed that over a quarter (27%) of adults who have served in the UK’s armed forces have run out of food in the last 12 months, and they did not have money to buy more*.
Help for Heroes offers practical support for anyone who has served from any branch of the UK military – regulars or reserves – irrespective of length or place of service, and locally embedded civilians who worked under the command of UK Armed Forces..
Chloe McKenrick, aged 49 and from Dumferline, was in the army for 22 years and has been supported by the Hidden Wounds service, which helps veterans deal with mental health challenges and has taken part in different sports and social activities. She said: “I’ve attended a number of Help for Heroes Cafés and have always found them to be a great way to catch up with fellow veterans.
“It enables you to socialise in a civilian setting, which can be hard for some of us for a variety of reasons – and being with people who genuinely understand and support you makes you feel more relaxed and safe.”
The Help for Heroes café will be held on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Space to Be in the Gyle Shopping Centre.
You can find out more by going to Help For Heroes | Community Taster Sessions | Help For Heroes or by contacting Emma Weir emma.weir@helpforheroes.org.uk
Manufacturing wind turbines in Leith Docks? Big new plans!
Drop in, learn more, ask questions & give your views.
26th September between 3pm and 7pm, Leith Community Centre, Newkirkgate
Join Stuart Dobbin, SNP Councillor for Forth Ward for an informal Twilight Drop-in session tonight Monday 19th of August from 5pm to 6:30pm at Pilton Community Health Project.
This is great opportunity to chat about local issues, share your thoughts. Whether you are looking to discuss specific concerns or just want to stop by and say hello.
Feel free to drop-in anytime during this session – no appointment necessary.
THURSDAY 13 JUNE 3 – 7pm
MARRIOT DELTA, 111 GLASGOW ROAD
THE city council would like your views on revised plans for a major expansion of West Edinburgh based on feedback from residents, businesses and Scottish Government.
Come to Tweed Room, Marriott Delta, 111 Glasgow Rd, Thursday 13 June 3pm to 7pm or fill in our survey at http://edinburgh.gov.uk/westedinburgh
INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?
Pop along to Pilton Community Health Project today between 11.30am-1.00pm for a coffee (& cake 
) to find out more!!
For our first Open Day of this year, we are delighted to be taking part in Agroforestry Open Weekend 2024, this Saturday 18th May. You can drop-in anytime between 10am-3:30pm, or come for the programmed activities (times below). Feel free to just turn up! No need to book.
Day programme
10:30am-11.30am
Agroforestry Tour (meet at green portacabin near the Toby Carvery farm entrance)
11:45am-12:30pm
Market Garden tour (meet at Market Garden portacabin)
12:30-2:30pm
Pollinator Picnic with @Art for Granton Gas Tower artist Natalie Taylor (drop-in to the Wildflower Hill by the wooden gazebo)
1:30- 2:30pm
Agroforestry tour (meet at green portacabin)
2:45-3:30pm
Market Garden tour (meet at Market Garden portacabin)
+ Our Community Orchard volunteers will be around to chat about fruit trees
+ Farm staff and volunteers will be at the green portacabin from 10am and throughout the day to welcome you, chat and signpost you to walks and other points of interest across the farm
+ Free refreshments
+ Wildflowers and Grass Roots Remedies Co-op stalls
More details about the day here:
#AgroforestryOpenWeekend#Agroforestry#Agroecology#NorthEdinburgh#Edinburgh#UrbanFarm#FarmVisit#Pollinators#Biodiversity
WE WANT YOUR THOUGHTS!
SATURDAY 4th MAY 11am – 2pm
The future is exciting for Granton Waterfront, we want to share plans and capture ideas for your heritage buildings.
Please share your ideas at our:
Drop-in event THIS SATURDAY 4th May
Granton Station, Waterfront Broadway
11am – 2pm
Or ONLINE from the 1-29 May
