Tag: Eric Liddell Community

The Eric Liddell Community invites you to Open Day showcasing dementia care and carer support

The Edinburgh-based charity will open its doors to the public on Saturday, 7th March, to display its range of dementia care services and carer support programmes.

The Eric Liddell Community will open its doors to the public on Saturday, 7 March 2026, inviting local residents to discover the charity’s vital dementia care services and carer support programmes at a special Open Day in Morningside.

With around 90,000 people in Scotland currently living with dementia, and an estimated 1.7 million people providing unpaid care, the need for accessible, compassionate support has never been greater. For decades, The Eric Liddell Community has been a cornerstone of care in Edinburgh, offering specialist dementia day services, practical and emotional support for carers, and a welcoming space for connection and community.

Taking place at the charity’s home on Morningside Road, the Open Day will give visitors the opportunity to explore the vibrant community hub, learn more about its sector leading Dementia Day Care Service, and find out how carers can access dedicated support. Guests can also discover the charity’s open community activities, designed to reduce loneliness and foster meaningful connections.

The event will include guided tours of the building, interactive taster sessions that demonstrate how programmes are delivered, and opportunities to meet the experienced and compassionate team who continue Eric Liddell’s legacy of care.

Jo Wright, Building Operations Manager at The Eric Liddell Community, said: “If you’ve ever wondered what goes on behind our stained glass windows, we are delighted to invite you in to see for yourself.

“Our Open Day is a celebration of the incredible work of our team and volunteers, and a chance to highlight the importance of the charity, not just as a care provider, but as a lively community hub helping to tackle loneliness and isolation.”

The Open Day will take place this Saturday, 7 March 2026, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm at The Eric Liddell Community, 15 Morningside Road, Edinburgh, EH10 4DP. The event is free to attend, and no registration is required.

To find out more about The Eric Liddell Community, please visit: ericliddell.org.

To find out more about the Open Day, please visit:

 https://ericliddell.org/events/the-eric-liddell-community-open-day/ 

The Eric Liddell Community’s Christmas appeal urges support to grow crucial befriending service for unpaid carers

The Eric Liddell Community, an Edinburgh-based care charity, has launched its 2025 Christmas Appeal to raise essential funds for its befriending programme, which supports unpaid carers.

This year’s campaign invites the public to “give the gift of friendship,” helping reduce loneliness and isolation among carers. Any donation to the Eric Liddell Community will help the charity reach more unpaid carers, offering relief, connection, and stability as many navigate turbulent transitions and mental health challenges.

With over 1.7 million of Scotland’s adult population having provided unpaid care at some point, and 700,000 currently doing so, the demand for reliable and relieving support continues to grow. Many unpaid carers struggle to access long-term and meaningful help, which is where the Eric Liddell Community steps in. Its befriending service already delivers more than 2,500 hours of companionship each year, and with your support, it can extend this vital lifeline even further.

From today – Tuesday 2nd December at 12pm, to Tuesday 9th December at 12pm, donations to the appeal will be matched by The Big Give thanks to its ‘Christmas Challenge’. By donating directly to The Eric Liddell Community’s Big Give page, all donations will be doubled, enabling the charity to support even more people who urgently need help.

Hannah Rees, Fundraising Relationships Officer at The Eric Liddell Community, highlighted the importance of the Christmas Appeal: “With around 700,000 unpaid carers in Scotland providing caring support, full-time for loved ones with dementia, disabilities, or long-term illnesses, we are looking for your support in extending the reach of our essential befriending services.

“82% of unpaid carers report dealing with mental health struggles, and during the season of giving, we ask you to consider a donation via our Big Give page to help double the impact of your support.”

John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, added: “We are proud to welcome thousands of monthly visitors through the doors of The Eric Liddell Community, and with your support, we are excited to expand our offerings as we move into 2026.

“The match funding provided by The Big Give will make a significant difference, enabling us to reach and support even more unpaid carers facing daily challenges.”

To donate to The Eric Liddell Community’s Christmas Appeal via The Big Give, please visit the donation page between 12 PM on the 2nd and 9th of December 2025.

After the 9th of December, donations towards the appeal can be made directly via The Eric Liddell Community’s website.

For more information on the befriending services that the charity offers, please visit https://ericliddell.org/carers-programme/#befriending

Councillor presents congratulatory motion to Eric Liddell Community

Following the visit of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to The Eric Liddell Community in April this year, local Councillor Marie-Clair Munro brought forward a Congratulatory Motion that received cross-party support.

The motion formally recognises the charity’s vital work, championed by Her Royal Highness, in delivering specialised dementia care across Edinburgh and establishing a welcoming hub to combat loneliness and isolation. 

Last Friday (6 June), Councillor Munro visited The Eric Liddell Community to present the motion in person. The recognition was formally handed to Irene Adams OBE, Chair of The Eric Liddell Community, and Paul Drury, Head of Fundraising and Community Services.

Councillor Munro was in attendance as Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal made her first appearance at The Eric Liddell Community since becoming the Royal Patron of the charity. Following this event, the local councillor has praised the charity for its ongoing commitment to supporting the local community and shining a light on the importance of compassionate, person-centred care. 

Councillor Munro said: “I was honoured to be invited along to The Eric Liddell Community in April to be in attendance and meet Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, during her first official visit as Royal Patron of the Charity.

“I have always admired the important work that The Eric Liddell Community does within our local area and further beyond and have had the pleasure of working with the team during a range of events, including as part of The Eric Liddell 100 programme in 2024.

“Following my interaction with Her Royal Highness, I was inspired to write this Congratulatory Motion to mark my support of the incredible work being done, and I am proud to say that this has received cross-party backing, highlighting the esteem in which the organisation is held.” 

The Eric Liddell Community is delighted to see the support shown by Councillor Munro and those who backed the motion, local backing is invaluable in enabling the charity to provide help for some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable people and families whilst continuing to share the legacy of The Flying Scotsman, Eric Liddell. 

Chair of The Eric Liddell Community, Irene Adams OBE, expressed her gratitude, adding: “Everybody at The Eric Liddell Community would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Councillor Munro and her cross-party supporters for presenting us with such meaningful recognition for the work that we do.

“Through working with individuals such as Councillor Munro and Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, we have the opportunity to expand our services and provide support to those who need it most.” 

This June, The Eric Liddell Community is proud to launch its annual Summer Appeal, with a focus on recognising the vital contributions of unpaid carers.

These individuals provide essential care and support to their loved ones, often without formal recognition or access to resources. At the heart of this year’s appeal is the Community’s Befriending Project, which continues to make a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of those caring for people living with dementia.

By offering emotional support and meaningful connection, the project helps to ease isolation and enhance quality of life for carers, acknowledging the incredible role they play in our community. 

For further information about the appeal and The Eric Liddell Community, please visit https://ericliddell.org/get-involved/ 

£150,000 grant awarded to Eric Liddell Community to support Dementia Care & Community Service

The Eric Liddell Community has received crucial funding from The Garfield Weston Foundation to help sustain its vital work in combating loneliness and isolation in Edinburgh.  

The Eric Liddell Community, an Edinburgh-based care charity, is delighted to announce that it has received a generous £150,000 grant from The Garfield Weston Foundation. This three-year funding award will support the charity’s core operating costs, helping to continue its crucial work in dementia care and community support services. 

For over four decades, The Eric Liddell Community has been at the heart of Edinburgh, providing a range of essential services, including its flagship Dementia Day Care service, a wellbeing programme for unpaid carers, and a Community Hub programme.  

The Garfield Weston Foundation has been a dedicated supporter of The Eric Liddell Community since 2008, including providing multi-year grants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, foundation representatives visited the Community Hub, where they engaged with members of staff from the Dementia Day Care Service and spoke with members of the local community.

Their visit reaffirmed their commitment to the charity’s mission, leading to this significant funding award. 

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John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, expressed his gratitude for the support: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to The Weston family and entire Garfield Weston Foundation team.

“The cost-of-living crisis has impacted us all – we are more grateful than ever to partners like Garfield Weston for giving us the support and flexibility we need to thrive despite these challenges.

“Unlike project-specific funding, this grant gives us the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most, ensuring we can respond effectively to emerging needs. It is a powerful endorsement of our work.” 

Securing funding for core operational costs is one of the greatest challenges which charities face. The Garfield Weston Foundation is among a select group of charitable partners that recognise the importance of unrestricted funding, allowing organisations to allocate resources where they are most critically needed. 

Through this generous grant, The Eric Liddell Community will continue to expand its essential services, ensuring that those facing loneliness and isolation across Edinburgh receive the vital support they need. 

For further information about The Eric Liddell Community, please visit:

ericliddell.org. 

Edinburgh Charity launches Christmas appeal to help tackle loneliness

The Eric Liddell Community launches ‘Belonging at Christmas’ Appeal to help support its dementia care and community hub, with The Big Give doubling all donations (up to £4000) made in the first week.

The Eric Liddell Community, an Edinburgh-based care charity, has today launched its Christmas Appeal for 2024, ‘Belonging at Christmas’. This year’s appeal will help support the charity’s year-round dementia care services and community hub, providing a lifeline to many who rely on its support to combat loneliness and isolation.

The festive period can be particularly difficult for those experiencing loneliness. The Eric Liddell Community provides a safe and welcoming space where individuals can find connections and companionship. The charity is calling on the public’s generosity to help its continued efforts to create meaningful connections and essential support for those in need.

From Tuesday, December 3rd, to Tuesday December 10th, donations to the ‘Belonging at Christmas’ appeal through BigGive.org will be matched by The Big Give (up to £4000). This partnership offers an incredible opportunity to make a real difference for the many individuals who depend on The Eric Liddell Community’s support.

Anna Beauchamp, Fundraising Relationships Officer at The Eric Liddell Community, highlighted the importance of the Christmas Appeal: “As we seek the support of the local community during the festive period, we feel it is important to highlight the people whose lives we have positively impacted throughout 2024.

“The Eric Liddell Community has welcomed over 6,000 people through its doors monthly, providing over 2,500 hours of companionship and 300 support classes for those suffering from isolation.

“With your support, we look to grow these numbers even further in 2025 and beyond, providing a warm, safe community for those that need it most.”

Over the next 25 years the number of people in Edinburgh living with dementia is set to double, touching more lives with loneliness and isolation. It can take up to 12 months to receive a diagnosis from the NHS leaving a staggering number of people waiting to receive specialised support.

This not only affects those on their dementia journey, but their family and loved ones too. The Eric Liddell Community seeks to end this critical gap and provides vital care and support to those affected by this wait time.

John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, added: “Eric Liddell lived his life prioritising and caring for others. As a charity, The Eric Liddell Community works hard to live up to his legacy, putting the local community first in everything that we do.

“The festive season is often the loneliest time of the year for many, and as we continue supporting our service users throughout the holidays, we appeal to your generosity to help sustain these vital services for Edinburgh’s community.”

To donate to The Eric Liddell Community’s ‘Belonging at Christmas’ Appeal please visit Belonging at Christmas between the 3rd to 10th of December.

After the 10th of December, to contribute directly to the appeal, please visit The Eric Liddell Community website at ericliddell.org.