Four Square – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Four Square’s Springboard Project

The Springboard programme is for young adults aged 16-25 who are currently either at risk of homelessness or accessing homelessness services across Edinburgh.

Participants will be able to gain qualifications in Emergency First Aid at Work as well as Elementary Food Hygiene.

We will support the group with employability skills such as CV writing, Job Interview Skills and Job Applications. We also run workshops focused on mental health and wellbeing as well as weekly social outings to encourage participants to form lasting friendships.

The programme also includes a 3-day Residential trip with the Scottish Outdoor Education Centre to allow the participants to try their hand at some adventurous outdoor activities like rock climbing, abseiling, archery and much more!

Bus fare can be covered by Four Square and lunch will be provided on each day of the course.

Self-referrals can be made by emailing springboard@foursquare.org.uk

Four Square: Springboard Project

The Springboard programme is for young adults aged 16-25 who are currently either at risk of homelessness or accessing homelessness services across Edinburgh.

Participants will be able to gain qualifications in Emergency First Aid at Work as well as Elementary Food Hygiene. We will support the group with employability skills such as CV writing, Job Interview Skills and Job Applications.

We also run workshops focused on mental health and wellbeing as well as weekly social outings to encourage participants to form lasting friendships.

Bus fare can be covered by Four Square and lunch will be provided on each day of the course.

Self-referrals can be made by emailing springboard@foursquare.org.uk

North British Distillery announces limited release of rare 60-year-old charity whisky

The North British Distillery (NBD) has released a uniquely packaged run of 60-year-old Single Grain Scotch Whisky, with all proceeds going to charity.

Distilled in 1960, the liquid for this rare expression comes from a single cask, which lay resting in the NBD warehouse in the outskirts of Edinburgh for 60 years. Bottled at natural cask strength of 50.6% ABV, the release is limited to just 60 individually numbered bottles.

Each has been hand filled into an elegant wax dipped decanter and packaged in a luxury moleskin coffret, which comes complete with a signed certificate of authenticity.

Available to purchase for £3,000 + VAT, the NBD aims to raise £60,000 for each of the three charities it is supporting in 2023 – Big Hearts, Scottish Autism and Four Square.

Picture – Chris Watt Photography 07887554193 info@chriswatt.com www.chriswatt.com

Managing director of NBD, Alan Kilpatrick, said: “North British is a modern company founded on traditional values. We’ve manufactured whisky for 138 years and recycle our by-products for animal feed and electricity. We value our roots and respect our environment, which is why it’s important for us to give back to the community around us as we safeguard our future.

“We have a long history of supporting local charities, which is something we’re really proud of. This 60-year-old gives us, and whisky lovers and collectors around the world, a chance to boost these fundraising efforts and make a real difference.

“Creating great whisky for three great causes, the 60-year-old is the perfect harmony of flavours, with rich spiced fruit, deep oak, and velvety caramel notes. With every sip, you can indulge in one of the finest grain whiskies, having secured an exclusive piece of North British Distillery history while supporting these important causes.”

Established in 1885 on the outskirts of Edinburgh, The North British Distillery is one of Scotland’s oldest and largest Scotch Grain Whisky producers. It serves leading brands across the world where its grain whisky forms a key component of many well-known blends, but rarely releases eponymous single grain whiskies straight to the consumer.

Having supported neighbouring charity Big Hearts, the official charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, for over five years, proceeds from the 60-year-old sale will raise vital funds to help bring community resources together to offer adults and children at risk of social isolation and poverty free opportunities to help them live a safe and fulfilling life.

New charity partners Scottish Autism and homeless charity Four Square will also benefit from the bottling, with an equal share of all proceeds.

The North British Distillery 60-year-old Single Grain Scotch Whisky is now available to purchase for £3,000 + VAT per 70cl bottle: nb60.squarespace.com/

Four Edinburgh charities welcome donations from Amazon

Four charities based in Edinburgh have received donations totalling £14,000 from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle and Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) received £5,000 each, and The Yard and Four Square Scotland each received £2,000.

The charities received the donations following nominations for support from employees at Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh and the company’s Head Office in London.

Formed in 2020 with the goal of making Edinburgh a safe place for refugees and asylum seekers to live, Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle organises safe pathways for families fleeing conflict zones and helps them secure a new life in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council works to combat inequality and discrimination. The charity promotes equality of opportunity and good relations between people in Edinburgh and across the region.

Four Square Scotland supports people impacted by homelessness in Edinburgh. The charity provides accommodation, advice, support and learning and employability training for homeless and vulnerable people.

The Yard has been involved with the Edinburgh community for more than 35 years, supporting disabled children and young people, and their families, through adventure play.

Speaking on the donations, Oliver Masting, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “Edinburgh has been a happy home to Amazon for many years and we’re proud to be a part of the community in the city.

“We’re passionate about supporting great organisations in our community with donations and it’s great to lend a helping hand to these four important charities.”

Jane Devine, Chief Executive from Four Square Scotland added: “It’s fantastic to get this support from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

“On behalf of all the staff and volunteers at Four Square Scotland, I’d like to say a big thank you to the Amazon teams in Edinburgh and London for their kind support.”

Angus Robertson MSP added: “Each of these charities provide huge support and excellent services to so many in Edinburgh and beyond. They are thoroughly deserving of these donations and I thank Amazon Development Centre employees for their nominations.”

The charities received the donations as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK.

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with online STEM courses and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer.

The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than five million healthy breakfasts to disadvantaged families around the UK.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click here.

Zoo sleepover raises over £24,000

Cold comfort: Fundraisers get a taste of what life’s like for Edinburgh’s homeless people

Edinburgh’s Lord and Lady Provost and 126 hardy local fundraisers braved the elements through Thursday night at Edinburgh Zoo to raise funds for charities supporting homeless people.

Together they raised £24,340 – and counting – to be split between the Rock Trust and Four Square.

The open air sleep out, which took place close to the popular Penguins and Lemur Walkthroughs, was compered by Grant Stott. Featuring talks with charity workers, some of the city’s youngest rough sleepers and comedian Susan Morrison, participants were moved by stories of teenagers living without a home.

The brainchild of Edinburgh’s Lady Provost Elaine Brand, the event was the first of its kind for the Zoo. She said: “I’m overwhelmed by Edinburgh’s fundraising efforts. So many people got behind the event and raised vital funds for charity.

“Homelessness in Edinburgh remains a pressing issue and while nobody can truly experience the struggle of sleeping rough based on one night in the cold, everyone who took part will take away the knowledge of just how difficult this year’s colder months will be for our young homeless people.”

The Lord Provost Donald Wilson added: “I’m so glad that together, we were able to make a difference. Our sleepover at the Zoo was certainly a challenge and leaves you feeling so thankful to have a warm bed with a roof over your head to go home to.

“That is something some of Edinburgh’s young people wouldn’t have without the efforts of the Rock Trust and Four Square. These charities are hugely important for Edinburgh’s struggling young people who find themselves with nowhere else to turn.”

Heather Arni, Chief Executive of Four Square, said: “On behalf of myself, The Board, staff and importantly our young people I would like to extend a huge thank you to the Lady Provost and her team, the staff of RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, all the individuals who attended and those who have donated.

“Such an event has enabled both charities to raise awareness of young people’s homelessness in Edinburgh and the services that work tirelessly across the city working with vulnerable, disadvantaged young people.”

Kate Polson, Chief Executive of the Rock Trust, added: “We hope that the people who slept out understand that because of the amazing amount of money raised, some of our young people won’t have to go through other nights like that.

“The Sleep Out participants have contributed to the provision of vital services which will help young people to overcome homelessness and build better futures. We are overwhelmed with the enthusiasm of all of those involved.”

Lady Provost to sleep rough – at the Zoo!

‘Nobody can truly experience the struggle of homelessness based on one night in the cold, but I hope our eyes can be opened to what it is like to spend a night outside’ – Lady Provost Elaine Brand.

Edinburgh’s Lady Provost will brave a cold night at the Zoo next week in a bid to raise thousands of pounds for local causes.

On a crusade to raise awareness of homelessness in the city, the Lady Provost Elaine Brand has challenged local businesses and individuals to join her as she swaps her bed for a sleeping bag and experiences a night with the nocturnal sounds of the RZSS Edinburgh Zoo’s animal inhabitants.

‘The Lady Provost’s Sleep Out at Edinburgh Zoo’ will raise vital funds for Four Square and the Rock Trust to help young people get off the streets and into work. Over 160 people have so far signed up to take part including teams from Edinburgh companies, members of the British Army and Lord Provost Donald Wilson.

The Lady Provost said she wants people to ‘open their eyes’ to what it is like for young homeless people during the colder months but admits the challenge will be nothing compared to the struggle faced by those who sleep rough every night.

She said: “In spite of Edinburgh’s continued growth as a successful and affluent city, homelessness remains a pressing issue. Nobody can truly experience the struggle of homelessness based on one night in the cold, but I hope our eyes can be opened to what it is like to spend a night outside.

“We’ll be sleeping out in September when the nights get longer and the temperature drops – I hope this shock to the system will emphasise just how difficult this year’s colder months will be for our young homeless people.”

The Lord Provost Donald Wilson added: “Elaine is determined to raise awareness of youth homelessness in Edinburgh and this event is an attempt to raise as much money as possible for Four Square and the Rock Trust. These charities are very close to her heart and I hope we can help to make a big difference.”

Edinburgh Zoo, owned by the charity the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), is home to more than 1,000 endangered animals and is one of Europe’s leading centres of conservation. The sleep out will take place outside the Zoo’s historic Mansion House, close to the popular Penguins Rock and Lemur Walkthrough.

Chris West, Chief Executive of RZSS, said: “We are delighted to support worthy causes of this nature. We wish every success to all those involved in raising awareness of homelessness in Edinburgh.”

While the number of people presenting to the City of Edinburgh Council as rough sleepers is the lowest of any Scottish city – having reduced by almost 15 per cent over the last five years – almost 4,000 people were assessed as homeless in the Capital last year: a quarter of those are aged 24 or younger.

The Rock Trust Chief Executive Kate Polson said: “We support approximately 400 young people from across Edinburgh and the Lothians every year, which shows that youth homelessness is a real problem. For the majority of people who become homeless, the main reason behind it is family breakdown or problems at school. It can really happen to anyone. This event will help raise awareness of the hardships faced by those forced to sleep rough and the Lady Provost and all the participants are helping to highlight the devastating issue of youth homelessness.”

Four Square Chief Executive Heather Arni said: “Every night in Edinburgh we provide a safe haven for 40 young people aged 16-24 in two hostels and 18 training flats. But simply giving them a roof over their head is not enough. We give them skills to fend for themselves, like cooking, budgeting and the chance to take a training course or volunteer. The Zoo sleep out facilitated by the Lady Provost and RZSS Edinburgh Zoo will enable both charities to continue their work.”

‘The Lady Provost’s Sleep Out at Edinburgh Zoo’ will take place overnight on Thursday 24 September.

Show your support on social media #ZooSleepOut

and by making a donation:

www.virginmoneygiving.com/SleepOutAtEdinburghZoo