Join ELREC for a sunny cycle to Portobello THIS Saturday.
The rides are fun, social, and inclusive.
Participants will need their own bike and we are offering a free bike safety check on the Friday afternoon prior to the ride at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.
All details in the poster below 
KIDS HOLIDAY CLUB CANCELLED
Due to unforeseen circumstances, we are sad to share that our kids holiday programme has had to be cancelled.
Check out what we’ve got going on in July! Every Wednesday.
Just pop along, or phone us to book taxi transport. 
WEDNESDAY 29 JUNE at 7pm in DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
Come along to our AGM on June 29 @DrylawNC at 7pm and hear from @greenspacetrust about our consultation on parks and open spaces and have your say on how these can be improved.
We are also looking for new members so if you want to help improve the local area please get in touch.
ELREC is pleased to announce our new small project, The Creative Kitchen, thanks to the cost of living part of The Lottery Community Fund. And in partnership with Cyrenians who give us fresh ingredients.
The project aims to deliver free weekly workshops on sustainable cooking, making simple yet nutritious and fresh meals from whatever you have left in the fridge.
The sessions will be delivered in different locations, with the first one held at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, by our staff member and chef, Shana.
You can find out more by following us on Instagram:
THECREATIVEKITCHENCOMMUNITY
The sessions are free, to sign up please email: bolyn@elrec.org.uk
Dr Bike at North Edinburgh Arts Community Shed
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
This Friday = 26 May, 1pm – 3pm
Free to local residents (North Edinburgh)
Don’t miss the opportunity to have your bike inspected and repaired, ensuring it’s ready and safe for the road.
Bring your bike along and put your mind at ease knowing that your beloved two-wheeler will receive a thorough safety check and any necessary fixes, courtesy of the fantastic Dr Bike team.
A MEMORIAL BENCH – WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM OUR FRIENDS
Last Thursday, we were delighted to welcome a group of volunteers from Natwest Bank NatWest to Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre. The volunteers, who were organised by The Conservation Volunteers TCV Scotland, spent the day helping us in the gardens and preparing the area for a Memorial Bench.
The volunteers worked hard to prepare an area at the rear of the centre and plant new flowers. They also helped us to install the Memorial Bench, which was built by Penny and Andrzej in memory of a much-loved member of our staff and community,
Dawn Taylor will always be remembered for the amazing impact she had on so many young lives. The materials for the bench were donated by North Edinburgh Arts – Shed Project. If not for their help, this would not have been possible.
We are very grateful to Natwest Bank and The Conservation Volunteers for their support. Their hard work has made a real difference to our gardens, and we are sure that the Memorial Bench will be a popular spot for people to come and reflect and remember.
Thank you!
TASTER session! Come along and try out Freda’s Drama Group next Tuesday 23rd May!
This group runs EVERY Tuesday 10:30-12:30. Open to ALL, no matter how much experience you’ve had. A fun and friendly way to spend your Tuesday morning.
Chat… Stories… Games… and a cuppa. 
CHARITY CASH BOOST FOR DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
Three good causes across Edinburgh have been awarded a share of a £75,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme. The awards were decided by a vote of Scotmid Members.
The recipients secured the funding after being shortlisted by the community retailer to receive the lifeline financial support, helping them to continue delivering their vital work.
Upward Mobility (Upmo) received a £15,000 award, with Drylaw Telford Community Association and Beacon Club – Space & Broomhouse Hub each receiving £5,000.
Drylaw Telford Community Association, based in Northwest Edinburgh, Children, young people, adults, older people, and families are offered a varied programme of activities and The Centre is an integral asset to the local community.
One of their key projects is to provide safe and suitable activities for adults and older people suffering from loneliness and social isolation with over 150 members meeting weekly to enjoy a chat, warm refreshments, and activities.
They are supported by a dedicated worker and funding from Scotmid would be used to for activities, transport to the Centre and help with support worker costs.
Beacon Club – Space & Broomhouse Hub is based in Southwest of Edinburgh run The Beacon Club, which provide support for people suffering from Dementia. Due to an increase in demand for their services and despite opening a second facility they still have a waiting list for people to join.
Open 7 days a week, members take part in activities, enjoy a nutritious homecooked lunch and have a safe place to socialise whilst giving their carers some vital respite. Funding from Scotmid would be used for outings, events, reminiscence activities and cover volunteer costs allowing members to live life to the full.
Upward Mobility (Upmo) strive to create a more inclusive society across Edinburgh & The Lothians by supporting adults & young people who live with physical or learning disabilities, Autism or have complex healthcare needs.
They offer the students tailored support services and learning opportunities and their Outdoor Learning Project is based within Jock Tamson’s Gairden in Duddingston, where students learn to grow veg, fruit and flowers.
Funding from Scotmid will be used to build raised beds, wider accessible pathways, purchase suitable tools & equipment and help with the cost of staffing the outdoor project.
Each year, Scotmid Members vote to award a share of £150,000 Community Connect funding to six shortlisted Scottish good causes.
Left to right: Martin Hinds (Drylaw Telford Community Association), Faith Nicholson and Claire Farquhar (Upmo), Nancy Bryson and Lyn Glen (Space & Broomhouse Hub)]
The North Edinburgh Arts Community Shed has finally reopened its doors after a 3 month hiatus. The Shed will now operate from Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre until the new North Edinburgh Arts building opens early next year.
The shedders created their new home by converting what was previously Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s minibus garage into a fantastic new workspace.
North Edinburgh Arts chairperson Lesley Hinds said: “The Shed is a welcoming, safe space where people living in North Edinburgh can come to make or mend stuff using recycled wood. We aim to be a fun space where our members can meet new people, learn new skills, and feel supported to realize their creative ambitions.
“We believe that when we work together we can achieve almost anything. Our limitation is our imagination!”
Community Shed Manager Rik Hodgson explained: “We are delighted to be finally reopening and to be getting back to the bread and butter of what we do – which is making and mending in Muir … ehhh, Drylaw!
“I don’t think any of us were particularly excited about operating for a year in this garage – just two months ago it was full of rubbish, was dark, dingy, damp, dreary, and tiny.
“It was hard to envisage us operating out of it, having luxuriated in the space at the old Co-op (on Pennywell Road), we moved from a Tardis into a phonebox!
“Each day of the build involved dragging large sheets of plasterboard, sterling board, MDF in and out of the garage and the shipping container prior to being able to do anything constructive. And then at the end of the day, the items we hadn’t used had to be put back.
“Most of this board has been used to line the garage and the shipping container to give us insulation and something to hang our tools on and put up our work benches.
“All the wood used in the build was recycled and, apart from a few tools we have bought nothing for this build.
“I would like to express my massive thanks to both the staff but in particular our truly awesome volunteers who, without their help, this build would never have happened.
“I would like to personally thank Alex, Andy, Bob, Bob, Dee, and Stuart who have worked tirelessly to ensure that our new temporary home is as welcoming as it is. Other volunteers have come along and been supportive but these six in particular have been coming almost daily to help us transform this garage into a workshop.
“Can I ask you to put your hands together and clap these six people for their work. I have put them forward for the team volunteering award 2023 and no mistake they deserve to win it! Hopefully the judges will look at the photos of the before and after of this transformation and recognise their enormous endeavours.”
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre (DNC) is also excited to announce a partnership with Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) to provide the following activities:
Sustainable Cooking:
Looking to spice up your kitchen skills? Come join our sustainable cooking sessions to learn new techniques and create delicious meals while making the most out of your ingredients. You can save money while eating well. The sessions will be held on May 8th and 22nd from 5pm to 8pm at DNC. To book your spot, email shana@elrec.org.uk.
Cycling Club:
Want to join a cycling club? Here’s your chance! DNC and ELREC are hosting a cycling club every other Thursday at DNC. It’s completely free! You can email cfc@elrec.org.uk to book your place. Here’s what you can expect:
Cycle Rides: Join us for our weekly flat cycle path rides. Everyone is welcome, including children under adult supervision. Bring your own bike, helmet, water, packed lunch, sunscreen, and waterproofs. To learn more about dates and times, email cfc@elrec.org.uk. Bikes and equipment are also available on request.
Drop-In Bike Repair: From 2pm to 4pm, join our drop-in bike repair service and learn how to fix your bike. Our experienced mechanics will guide you, whether you need to fix a flat tire or overhaul your entire bike.
Electric Bike Library: Lastly, check out our e-bike library and loan one of our top-of-the-line e-bikes for just £10 per week! Explore the city with ease and comfort, while reducing your carbon footprint. To request an e-bike, email cfc@elrec.org.uk (first come, first served).
