Tag: Granton Youth

Young local talent take to the stage in Tinderbox Collective and Granton Youth’s new all-day festival, NxNW 

Tinderbox Collective and Granton Youth new launch youth-powered festival, showcasing the city’s most exciting emerging artists at The Pitt Granton on World Music Day.

The Tinderbox Collective and Granton Youth come together to ignite Granton with the NxNW All-Dayer at The Pitt – a festival-style celebration of Edinburgh’s thriving youth music scene.

Taking place on World Music Day, 21st June 2025, this packed one-day event will showcase nine exceptional young acts, all aged between 15-21, across indie rock, folk, alt-pop and more, all united by their development through Tinderbox and Granton Youth’s transformative Mixtape programme.  

Following multiple sold-out NxNW nights at Leith Depot and The Mash House, this All-Dayer version expands the format to meet overwhelming demand, offering both established followers and new audiences the chance to discover Scotland’s most exciting emerging artists in one electrifying location. 
 
The Lineup: A Showcase of Edinburgh’s Rising Stars

The lineup features an electrifying mix of emerging talent, each with their own unique story. Kicking off the day at 3:15 PM is Kieran Crosbie, a singer-songwriter whose journey into music began through Tinderbox’s hospital outreach programme. Later in the day, The Citrines take the stage, led by 16-year-old Abi, whose band are fast becoming a staple of Edinburgh’s grassroots scene.

The evening crescendos with two acts fresh from Hit The Road, Scotland’s national youth music tour: Ace & All The Other Animals and Low Tide, whose recent tour together has cemented their reputation as ones to watch. Edinburgh-born singer songwriter Lewis McLaughlin and psychedelic pop duo Logan’s Close also join the bill in support of the day.

The lineup for the day spans alt-rock to intimate folk, with the following performances:

3:15pm to 3:45pm - Kieran Crosbie

4pm to 4:30pm - Leon Highway

4:45pm to 5:15pm - Parma Violence

5:30pm to 6pm - Logans Close

6:15pm to 6:45pm - Silenced Blue

7pm to 7:30pm – The Citrines

7:45pm to 8:15pm - Ace & All The Other Animals

8:25pm to 9:10pm – Lewis McLaughlin 

9:15pm to 10pm – Low Tide  

For some, like Kieran, getting involved with Tinderbox has been hugely impactful, offering opportunities they would not have found elsewhere: “I started playing guitar at 12 years old and got involved with Tinderbox through my guitar teacher.

“From that I joined Tinderbox’s ‘Sparks’ project and played at Dynamic Earth performing a collaborative piece of music we had been working on.

“I’m really looking forward to playing the NxNW All Dayer because its such a nice venue and the atmosphere at NxNW is always amazing!”  

For others, like The Citrines, working with Tinderbox has provided the launchpad for their first major gigs and recordings. 
 
Reflecting on her experience with Tinderbox, Lead singer of The Citrines, Abi said: “The first gig we played that I was really properly proud of was the NxNW at the Mash House last year.

“I was buzzing when I got off that stage. It’s helped us branch out, meet other musicians, and build our confidence performing.

Discussing the Pitt All Dayer further, Abi added: “This line-up is amazing – rock music, folk music, rap – and so many talented people I know through Mixtape and Tinderbox. It’s going to be such a good day in such a cool venue.”  

The event builds on the growing success of Tinderbox’s NxNW (North by Northwest) series, a community-rooted platform for young artists that champions creativity, collaboration and the power of live performance.

The NxNW All Dayer is a rare chance to experience the future of Scottish music in its rawest, most exciting form. 
 
Tickets are available now via Ticketsource: 
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tinderbox-collective/nxnw-all-dayer-at-the-pitt-granton/e-qdamor 

Trainee Youth Worker Opportunties

Aged 16-19 and looking to get into youth work?

Applications for the 25/26 North Edinburgh Youth Work Collaborative Traineeship are now open!

Work with us, @fetloryouthclub , @spartans_community_foundation , @muirhouseyouthdevelopmentgroup , and @piltonyouthchildren over the year and take your first step into the profession!

Deadline for apps is 23rd May and you can apply via the QR codes in the graphic attached!

GY x

#grantonyouth

#northedinburghyouthworkcollaborative

#northedinburghyouthwork

#fetloryouthclub

#spartanscf

#mydg

#pycp

#youthworkchangeslives

#youthworkmatters

Young People: Time to Talk

Granton Youth have partnered up with The Junction – Young People, Health and Wellbeing, 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Cafe, Canongate Youth & Wester Hailes Youth Agency to be apart of a project called ‘Time to Talk’ – to try and support more young people across Edinburgh.

If you are aged 12 – 25 and are looking for support then get in touch with ourselves or find the contact information for your area in the poster attached.

#grantonyouth

#gy

#timetotalk

GY drop-in Youth Clubs at The Pitt

Our new drop in Youth Clubs @thepittmarket are starting tonight! As always, these are open access and you just have to be S3 or above to attend!

Tuesdays and Thursdays 4-8pm and Fridays 1-4pm! We want the space to evolve and grow with our young people so come down, shoot some pool on our new table, and tell us how you want it to look!

PS: The Pitt isnt open on a Tuesday, but we will very much be there so give us a message if you have any questions – other times you will also be able to enjoy the delicious scran on offer from them too!

GY x

#grantonyouth

#thepittmarket

#youthclubsedinburgh

#layc

#grantonyouthclubs

#youthworkworks

#newera

#youthworkchangeslives

Tinderbox and Granton Youth head back to The Mash House

NORTH BY NORTHWEST 5

NORTH BY NORTH WEST 5!

We’re back at the Mash House with Granton Youth on 15th December for another edition of our emerging talent night!

Tickets are by donation (minimum recommended 50p) – head to the link below to grab yours – they’ll go fast!

https://shorturl.at/pA877

#YMI

Granton Youth Christmas Fair

Too early for the Christmas chat? Nah!

After the success of last year’s Christmas Fayre our fundraising Volunteer big Nic is organising another one with the support of staff and other service users.

This will take place on the 30th of November 2024 at Granton Parish Church. The money raised from this event will go towards our summer program.

We are also looking for more donations if you think you can help please give us a message x

#GY

#grantonyouth

#christmasfair

#gychristmas

Granton Youth announces Summer Programme

Its that time of year again where we roll out our Summer Programme!

Beach Days, Highlands and Islands Trips, A music festival, designing your own trips, climbing up and jumping off waterfalls (safely), and our big families and young people Fridays are just some of the stuff we’ll be getting up to!Full programme starts Monday 1st July!

Whilst we’d love to meet you at our Monday sign ups in the Summer, we give priority to people who regularly attend our youth and families groups for all trips, so why not get along to some clubs before our trips start!

P7/S2 from 5pm to 6:30pm

S3+ from 7pm to 8:30pm!

GY x

#grantonyouth

#grantonyouthsummerprogramme

#grantonyouthmixtapeclub

#familiestogether

#summer2024

Granton Youth’s AGM

Granton Youth held its virtual AGM this week for its members and invited guests. Apart from the usual administration process of electing its volunteer board members those present heard about the work that the organisation did over the past year as well as a look ahead.

Mary Q-Burnside, Manager of GY, said in her report: ‘The year 22/23 was the first year following the pandemic when we were free to operate with full complement of staff and put the focus and vision of the GY strategy fully into practice – which is to provide holistic support to work with young people and their families.

‘GY has created a multi-support network and programme that can make a real difference to young people’s lives – by being where they are: in their streets, school, at our base within RWCC and within the family home.’

Mary highlighted there was a growing demand following pandemic and exacerbated by cost of living crisis means services are at capacity.

As part of GY strategy it has been recognised what we do well and ask young people and their families what they need and want.

In order to make this happen we have developed valuable and supportive collaborations through:

  • Community Mental Health fund partnership – Bwell together
  • North Edinburgh Youth Work collaborative – supporting youth work apprentices
  • Single Point Access pilot in North Edinburgh – working with NHS, Social Work and schools to ensure the right targeted support is identified for local families and young people

Despite the challenges in finding funding GY continues to be successful in sustaining its funding in an ever more competitive market.

Currently GY provides:

  • Open access youth work – a safe space to explore learning, creativity and be heard
  • Targeted youth work for nuerodivergent/isolated young people
  • Music – employing professional tutors so young people can learn to play, write their own songs and record and release them as well as being given and opportunity to play live with some of our musicians playing venues such as King Tuts and La Belle Angelle
  • Families Together – working with families to identify areas where support is required and providing tailored programmes to meet their needs
  • Volunteering – offering local people an opportunity to volunteer and receive accredited learning and have access to a paid apprenticeship in youth work
  • Mentoring- delivering 1:1 for young people requiring additional support, targeted at those who may be socially isolated or who are  at risk of antisocial behaviour
  • Streetwork – working to engage young people who are not engaging in mainstream youth work services and or education. Meeting them in the local area and on their terms
  • Counselling – GY has a centre based counselling service for local young people and adults as well as counselling presence across 6 high schools in North West Edinburgh
  • Positive Activities programme is part of our open access youth work but also with offers a targeted programme to engage physically inactive/socially isolated or those engaged in risk-taking behaviour
  • Schools based youth work – supporting young people by providing 1:1 youth work mentoring to sustain attendance and improve attainment

Dave Macnab, Chair of GY, said: “All of this happens because we have developed a dedicated staff team who are experienced, skilled and enthusiastic about the work they do and the difference they make.

“It is heartening to see that 10 of our team of 21 are from the local area and that 6 of the core team started as volunteers at GY.

“In fact, in the last two years GY has employed five young people who are the product of the volunteer apprentice scheme”.

GY reaches around 500 young people and adults per year through its various provisions and demand is ever increasing as our word of mouth reputation and positive profile grow. 

If you want to know more about the work of GY contact Mary@grantonyouth.com

Making music at Granton Youth

A NORTH EDINBURGH SUCCESS STORY

Granton Youth has an open access introduction to playing, singing, song-writing and performing for young people aged 11+. Working with youth work staff and music tutors the young people learn a variety of instruments/ vocal coaching/ song-writing as well as learning about the music industry (writes DAVE McNAB).

Beau has been attending since age 16 and fronts the band ‘Low Tide’ – who on Sunday 21st January played to a sell out crowd at Glasgows King Tuts Wah Wah Hut supporting rising star Ben Walker. 

Beau said: “Going to mixtape has honestly been the best decision I’ve ever made and I really don’t say that lightly. I have always loved music since I was tiny, but never had enough confidence in my abilities to play it or create it.

“I’ve always been incredibly shy and previously used to refuse to sing in front of people and I’ve just played to a sold out king tuts! This is entirely down to mixtape and the opportunities it has given me to learn music, learn how to record and write, learn how to perform on stage.

“Not only has it improved my skills in music but it’s taught me skills that transfer to other areas of my life specifically confidence. There are so many times I’ve refused music related opportunities due to confidence and little by little mixtape has broken this barrier down.

“In the past year I’ve really struggled with my health and mental health and mixtape has giving me something to strive for and look forward to. It’s a safe haven for creative people to work together and spend their time doing something meaningful and expressive and is such an invaluable resource for so many young people in the community. It pure escapism and is honestly the best thing I’ve ever done.”

Leon has been attending since age 15 and never had the confidence to pursue music but is now recording his own tracks and starting to build towards playing live shows. 

“When I first came to mixtape, I was very interested in music but I never had a chance to do anything with my passion. Mixtape gave me opportunities I never knew would ever be available to someone my age.

“They helped to open my eyes as to how free the world of music can be and how rewarding it can feel. It has also helped me in my day-to-day life by helping to improve my confidence.

Another young person has been attending since they were 12 and was quiet, introspective and struggled to socialise with other young people – but has blossomed into a great song writer and performer:

“I have been with mixtape for a while, in all honestly I can’t really remember how I felt about it when I first joined. It was during covid times so having any extracurricular was an excitement.

“That doesn’t mean a lot of things haven’t happened. Mixtape allowed me to go through trial and error as a musician, to slowly but surely figure out its ways with the support of others. It makes me feel proud to tell others that I can song write and feel confident enough to perform.

“The amount of opportunities I was given and still am is so eye-opening. From big festivals to small hubs, from small activities to writing in the studio to record stuff! If I told myself when I first joined this is what I had done and was doing, I know younger me would be happy to hear it, and it wouldn’t of happened without this still growing club.”

We will leave the last word with Alba who has attended since age 14 and is thriving musically and will be playing Sneaky Petes in March with her band formed with other young people she met on the project:

“I was at a school concert when I first heard about mixtape, and learnt that the girl whose singing I’d been admiring for a while had been going there and I decided to join. I’ve always loved to sing but never had much of a chance to, except in the school choir.

“I’ve met my closest friends in mixtape and my confidence performing and in general has spiralled uncontrollably. I assure you I wouldn’t be where I am or who i am today without mixtape”

Granton Youth Mixtape is funded by Children In Need and runs on a Wednesday evening 6-8 at Royston & Wardieburn Community Centre.

If interested or have any questions contact Ryan at Ryan@grantonyouth.com