Please note that we will not accept donations on the day of the event.
If you wish to donate items, please pop into the ELREC Office (14 Forth Street EH13LH) on Wednesday July 5th, and Thursday July 6th from 10 am to 5 pm.
ELREC are very delighted to announce the next big chapter on our “Open Arms” project journey which has been fuelled by an award from The National Lottery Community Fund, made possible by National Lottery players.
This generous funding will be used to provide life-improving services and activities including fitness classes, arts and crafts workshops and socialising events to women from minority ethnic and migrant backgrounds in Edinburgh and Lothians.
With the amazing support of the National Lottery Community Fund ELREC can help women improve their physical and mental health which has deteriorated because of loneliness and isolation. We are thrilled to have this support and to be able to transform people’s lives for the better.
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
Fifteen hard-working Scottish community groups in are calling on local people to help them secure up to £70,000 of National Lottery funding by voting for them in this year’s The People’s Projects.
Back after a three-year break, The National Lottery Community Fund, ITV, UTV and the Sunday Mail (in Scotland) have teamed up to give the public a chance to decide how National Lottery funding should be put to good use in their local area.
All fifteen will have the opportunity to showcase their work in the Sunday Mail as they go head-to-head in a public vote in this year’s The People’s Projects to help them make an extraordinary difference to their community.
The three projects with the most public votes will receive grants of up to £70,000. This funding will help make a real difference to people’s lives, particularly in these difficult times. The runners up will be offered up to £10,000 towards their project, bringing the total funding up for grabs for communities across Scotland to £760,000.
Three of the short-listed projects were submitted by Edinburgh organisations:
LET’S TALK (YOUNG PEOPLE) CLC are looking for almost £70,000 to provide a range of sports and recreational facilities – including an outdoor gym – in Craigmillar;
ELREC have applied for £62,000 to stage a two-day outdoor Festival of Cultures, and
Morningside’s THE OPEN DOOR is seeking over £24,000 for a Music for Wellbeing project to improve the health and wellbeing of older people with dementia.
The People’s Projects not only delivers vital grants to the heart of UK communities, but also raises awareness of the incredible work of the shortlisted community groups vying for votes.
Since it started in 2005, The People’s Projects has awarded around £45 million to over 1,000 good causes.
Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, The People’s Projects is a fantastic initiative that showcases the incredible efforts of truly inspirational and hard-working groups, each delivering life-changing support to help their community thrive.
“We encourage the public to vote and have their say in how much-needed funding is used to make a difference to so many lives across Scotland.”
Voting is now open and closes at noon on Friday 26th May. People can vote only once per region and will need an email address or mobile number to vote*.
Visit www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk to vote, read the terms and conditions and see a full list of projects involved across the UK.
The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK, distributes money raised by National Lottery players, who raise over £30 million each week across the UK for good causes.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk
List of shortlisted projects
We are celebrating wellbeing and mental health awareness by organising Open Door Wellbeing Day at ELREC on the 20th May as part of Edinburgh ThriveFest #4 (15 to 21 May 2023) – a week of arts and activities supporting the intent to making Mental Health and Well-Being for All a Global Priority.
We have put together a programme for you. Come and take part in wellbeing and creative activities on Saturday 20th of May.
Any form of art is an amazing way to look within ourselves and deal with stress and problems of everyday life.
Come and check yourself how great it can be for our wellbeing!
Spaces are limited, book your ticket for:
wellbeing breakfast & face yoga session 
https://www.eventbrite.com/…/face-yoga-wellbeing…
macrame & wellbeing lunch https://www.eventbrite.com/…/macrame-wellbeing-lunch…
woodwork & wellbeing lunch https://www.eventbrite.com/…/woodwork-wellbeing-lunch…
conscious painting & tea https://www.eventbrite.com/…/conscious-painting-tea…
Location: ELREC office on 14 Forth Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3LH.
Thank you #ThriveEdinburgh for supporting us!
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).
Join us for a cycle ride to Cramond Beach! 
Departing from ELREC Office on Thursday 27th April 2023 at 5.30pm
Enjoy a relaxing ride to one of Edinburgh’s most beautiful beaches. Take in the stunning scenery along the way! Bring snacks if you want! 
The cycling route will take us from ELREC to Cramond Island, passing through Lauriston Farm and returning back to our starting point.
We will be riding on cycle paths and the ride is relatively flat. We will be going at a reasonable pace and the ride will be led by cycle ride leaders, so everybody can join! Children are welcome under adult supervision.
We can lend a limited number of bikes at ELREC. Please get in touch by emailing cfc@elrec.org.uk if you need a bike and we’ll see if it can be provided.
Please bring:
• A road-worthy bike
• Helmet
• Water 
• Your own packed lunch
• Sunscreen 
• Waterproofs 
We hope you’ll come and join our guided ride, meet new people from across Edinburgh, and explore new cycle routes. Book your space at cfc@elrec.org.uk. Looking forward to welcoming you! 
Have you always wanted to learn how to grow vegetables in Scotland but not sure where to start? 
ELREC has teamed up with The Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh (RBGE) to offer you an amazing opportunity! 
Join the Community Gardeners at the Botanics who will share their knowledge with us fortnightly on Friday mornings starting from April 21st!
We will have a plot where we will learn different aspects of growing vegetables, such as how to look after your soil, make your own compost, sow seeds, protect seedlings from pests and diseases using organic principles, and much more! 
These sessions are aimed at anyone interested in learning about growing produce, even if you are a total beginner!
The sessions start TOMORROW on Friday, April 21st, every two weeks ’til October – we don’t expect you to attend all of them, but it’s helpful if you attend most of them to build your knowledge.
The sessions will take place in the demonstration garden, by the Botanic Cottage, and will last 2 hours from 10:15 to 12:30. Be sure to bring sturdy shoes and clothing that can withstand the Scottish weather! 
Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to learn about growing your own vegetables in Scotland! 
SEE poster details to book your place.
Hello there!
Together with Granton Goes Greener we created a programme of up-cycling workshops for you.
Come and learn how to make jewellery and basic macrame knots which will enable you to create amazing designs of your own.
Places are limited, so book your place by emailing Ola on: aleksandra@elrec.org.uk
See you soon in Granton!
ELREC Cycling Club Activities:
All the below activities are taking place on Thursdays and are for FREE, please email cfc@elrec.org.uk for more information:
10am to 12pm – Join our cycle rides every Thursday on flat cycle paths. Our ride leaders will lead the way and everyone is welcome, including children under adult supervision. Bring your own bike, helmet, water, packed lunch, sunscreen, and waterproofs. Register at cfc@elrec.org.uk, and let us know if you need to borrow a bike.
2pm to 4.pm – Also, join our drop-in bike repair service and learn how to fix your own bike! Our experienced mechanics are available to guide you every step of the way, whether you need to fix a flat tire or advice on how to overhaul your entire bike.
4pm to 5pm – Finally, check out our e-bike library and loan one of our top-of-the-line e-bikes for just £10 per week! You can explore the city with ease and comfort, while reducing your carbon footprint. Enquire at cfc@elrec.org.uk.
