Tag: Hillside Crescent

Blind community hub reopens in Edinburgh

The Royal National Institute of Blind People Scotland (RNIB Scotland) has officially reopened its centre on Hillside Crescent in Edinburgh. The newly refurbished office offers a modern and accessible space for the blind and partially sighted community, volunteers, supporters and staff to use.  

The Hillside office had temporarily closed for renovation in November 2023, although many of the charity’s services continued to operate throughout this period. The refurbishment has been part of the charity’s continued work to ensure its support and services are robust, future-facing and consistently meeting the needs of people with sight loss. 

The facilities in Abbeyhill now include Café VI – a welcoming café serving the local community, a Product and Advice store offering accessible aids and equipment, and a multi-use community space which hosts various social, leisure and peer-support groups. 

Thursday’s launch event welcomed members of the blind and partially sighted community, volunteers, supporters, and staff.

The ribbon was officially cut by Kirin Saeed, Chair of the RNIB Scotland Advisory Group, following speeches from James Adams, Director of RNIB Scotland; Matt Stringer, RNIB Chief Executive; and Sarah Boyack MSP.

Kirin Saeed says: ““Having an accessible space like this in the heart of Edinburgh makes a real difference.

“Whether it’s grabbing a coffee, getting advice on equipment, or meeting with others who share similar experiences, this hub brings people together and supports us in living independently. I can’t wait to meet new and old friends.” 

Later in the day, a smaller, private gathering marked the naming of the new Sandra Wilson Boardroom, in memory of Sandra Wilson, former Chair of RNIB Scotland (2015–2021), who passed away in August 2024. 

RNIB Scotland Director, James Adams, says: ““Thanks to Sandra’s leadership Scotland is a more accessible place for blind and partially sighted people than it otherwise would have been.

“Dedicating this space in her name is a small way of honouring her legacy.” 

Matt Stringer, Chief Executive Officer of RNIB says: ““We’re delighted to open this fantastic new community facility in Edinburgh. It demonstrates RNIB’s ongoing commitment to delivering first-class services for blind and partially sighted people. 

“As a charity, we believe the world should be accessible to everyone. This investment reflects our values and our continued determination to help build a more inclusive society.” 

New Community Café Opening in Edinburgh

A new community café operated by sight loss charity RNIB Scotland will open to the public on Monday (23rd June).

Café VI will serve a selection of sandwiches, cakes, hot drinks and other refreshments. It will be open Monday to Friday from 10am to 3pm.

Located on Hillside Crescent, Café VI is an inclusive and accessible space, in line with RNIB Scotland’s mission to support people with sight loss and promote a sense of community in everyday life.

The café aims to provide a welcoming environment for the local community and to help raise awareness of sight loss through its design and operation.

The café will be staffed by a team of dedicated volunteers, including both sighted and visually impaired individuals, working together to deliver friendly service and foster inclusion.

The project has involved staff, volunteers, and individuals with lived experience of visual impairment. In addition to the regular food and drink service, the café will also host occasional events and community initiatives.

Daryl Stewart, one of the visually impaired volunteers who will help run the café, says: “Whether grabbing a quick coffee or staying for a chat, every visit helps raise awareness about sight loss and supports RNIB Scotland’s vital work.”

*Visit Café VI at 12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh, EH7 5EA, Monday – Friday 10am- 3pm.

Bearded dragon binned by owner

Scottish SPCA officers recently rescued a bearded dragon after the lizard was dumped in a bin by their owner.

They were called to student accommodation on Hillside Crescent, where a shocked member of staff had found the reptile in a communal bin on 6 July.

Senior animal rescue officer, Sarah Auldsmith, said, “The poor bearded dragon had been left in a large communal rubbish bin but luckily it was found by a member of staff.

“Some international students had recently moved out and it’s suspected one of them left the lizard behind. Unfortunately, as they have now returned overseas we have no way to trace them.

“We appreciate people’s circumstances can change but this is not the right way to deal with an animal you can no longer care for,” she said.

“Thankfully, the reptile was unharmed and they have now been taken to one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres to receive the care they need.”

Bearded dragons are native to Australia but are one of the most popular lizards in captivity in the UK and usually live for 10 or 15 years.

Ms Auldsmith said that due to the condition it was in when it was found last week at the accommodation on Hillside Crescent, it had clearly been cared for before being discarded.

If anyone is concerned about an animal, they can contact the Scottish SPCA on their confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

Lord Provost joins sight loss charity to plant commemorative tree to Queen

National sight loss charity RNIB Scotland commemorated its late patron The Queen this morning by joining with Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge to unveil a plaque beside a tree they have planted in the city’s Hillside Crescent Gardens.

The site is opposite the charity’s headquarters in the crescent, a long-established service hub and social haven for the city’s 15,000 blind and partially sighted people.

Lord Provost Aldridge noted that The Queen’s Green Canopy initiative, created to mark her Platinum Jubilee, has now seen over a million new trees planted in her name across the UK.

“Over the last year in Edinburgh, we have planted a large number of new trees as part of the National Canopy,” he said: “1,270 new trees planted at Stenhouse, and most recently on Calton Hill to highlight our fantastic Ukrainian community. Growing the Canopy through planting more trees is a lasting tribute to Her Majesty’s extraordinary seven-decade service to our country and to all of our peoples.”

The Lord Provost recalled that The Queen was an annual visitor to Edinburgh throughout her reign. “After celebrating her Platinum Jubilee only a few months earlier, this city, our nation, and those around the world were stunned and shocked by the sudden death of Her Majesty at Balmoral Castle.

“The atmosphere in our city quickly changed and became the focal point of mourning in Scotland, and our military, police, ceremonial, public, charitable and other services – alongside old and young alike – came together to offer their great respect. I could not have been prouder of our city, of our people and of our community.”

Matt Stringer, chief executive of RNIB said: “Her Majesty became RNIB’s patron in 1952 and made a tremendous contribution to our work. She was a passionate advocate for the rights of blind and partially sighted people and generously hosted many receptions on our behalf. RNIB was honoured to have had The Queen’s company at gala events over the years. Her presence elevated any event for our donors, guests and service users.

“Her Majesty’s support over the decades helped us work towards our hopes for a world where blind and partially sighted people can participate equally.”

The plaque placed alongside the newly planted deciduous tree reads in both text and braille:

‘This tree is planted in lasting memory of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Patron of the Royal National Institute of Blind People for 70 years. On behalf of the blind and partially sighted community of Edinburgh and Scotland, Robert Aldridge, The Right Honourable Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, unveiled this plaque on 15 March 2023’.

Sylvia Paton OBE, a member of RNIB Scotland from Corstorphine who has the sight loss condition aniridia, said: “The Queen lent us her support and encouragement to reach out to and help all blind and partially sighted people. I’m so glad this tree will mark and celebrate the backing she gave us.

“The tree is called a ‘davidia involucrate’ or ‘dove tree’, and will reach heights of between 20 and 25 meters, with lovely white and purple flowers. I hope it will stand as a proud Edinburgh token and tribute to our late Monarch and her wish to encompass all of her people, whatever their abilities or disabilities.”

Queen Victoria was the charity’s first royal patron after the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) was founded in 1868 by Thomas Rhodes Armitage, a physician who had lost his own sight.

Since then, RNIB has established itself as the UK’s leading sight loss charity, advocating and campaigning for the rights of blind and partially sighted people and helping them to live as fully and independently as possible.

Around 183,000 people are currently living with sight loss in Scotland and two million across the UK.

Edinburgh cafe offers warm space to people with sight loss

A cafe run by national sight loss charity RNIB Scotland at its Edinburgh base in Hillside Crescent is extending its opening hours to offer a warm space to blind and partially sighted people during weekdays, from 10am to 4pm.

Jane Coates, the charity’s community connection manager, said: “We’re very conscious that many people with sight loss might be particularly hard hit by the cost of living crisis. So we want to do our bit to offer a safe, accessible and friendly environment where they can socialise.”

Other members of the public are also welcome to drop in to purchase hot drinks and snacks between 10.30am and 3.30pm.

At present, however, payment can only be made by card or phone.