WEDNESDAY 28th MAY 3.30pm at MUIRHOUSE MILLENNUM CENTRE
Everyone Welcome to our garden open day
Tomorrow: LIFT Garden Open Day
Tag: LIFT
Tomorrow: Housing Drop-In at Royston Wardieburn
WEDNESDAY 28 MAY from 10am – 12 noon at ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE
Housing information drop in this Wednesday at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre from 10am-12noon 
Staff/advisors are coming from:
City of Edinburgh Council Housing
RIGHT THERE
Grab a cuppa and get some advice!
Housing Advice Drop-In at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
WEDNESDAY 28th MAY from 10am – 12pm
Artwork by over 500 young Scottish artists goes on display this weekend at Scotland’s National gallery
Your Art World
FREE
National Galleries Scotland: National
10 May – 2 November 2025
A colourful exhibition, showcasing the artwork of 3–18-year-olds from across Scotland opens this Saturday [10 May] at National Galleries Scotland: National and is free to visit.
The nationwide call for the Your Art World exhibition has inspired nearly 500 incredible young artists from across the country to get involved, with the opportunity to have their work displayed in Scotland’s National gallery.
Their creations will be on show in the same building as iconic works such as The Monarch of the Glen and The Skating Minister aka Reverend Robert Walker (1755 – 1808) Skating on Duddingston Loch, as well as works by Scottish artists including William McTaggart and Phoebe Anna Traquair.
In the National you can discover over 20 works created by community and school groups who have been collaborating with the National Galleries of Scotland over the last few months.
The talented artists include young people from Redhall School in Edinburgh, Victoria Primary and Nursery in Falkirk, Oban High School and North Edinburgh’s LIFT Kids’ Club (Low Income Families Together).
Separated into four installations, the groups worked to create extraordinary displays ranging from drawings and embroideries engaging with social issues, to 3D sculptures, sensory works and vibrant abstract paintings.
Displayed on screens in the exhibition you can also explore the works of nearly 300 children from across the country who submitted their art digitally.
The young people were invited to be as imaginative as they liked and use any type of materials for their creations. From drawings, paintings, 3-D sculptures or video – there were no limitations on what they could make.
Plus, there is still time for young people to submit their works for display! All 3-18 year olds living in Scotland are invited to send their art for inclusion in the digital exhibition.
All you need to do is photograph their work and upload it to the National Galleries of Scotland’s online gallery, then come along to the exhibition and see their creations featured proudly on digital screens at the National.
New entries will be accepted throughout the exhibition and added to the rolling display on the digital screens every month until the end of September.
Your Art World is a celebration of what happens when young people are encouraged to be wildly imaginative, so why not see what’s possible.
Siobhan McConnachie, Head of Learning and Engagement, National Galleries of Scotland, said: “I’m so excited and proud to be showcasing the artwork of the talented young artists of Scotland. The response so far has been truly inspiring, and we have been so impressed with everyone’s creativity.
“We can’t wait to see what else is still to come! Your Art World is incredibly important to us at the National Galleries of Scotland as it hands over the creative process to young people and celebrates their work.
“Art has its place in every school, home and young person’s life, whether that be encouraging people to think creatively, use it as an expressive outlet or simply for some fun. This project and exhibition truly celebrates that art really is for everyone.”
The exhibition is part of a wider Your Art World project, designed to inspire and engage young people in art. With online resources available for teachers and families, the project supports children in creative activities.
By providing tools and guidance, Your Art World demystifies the creative process and invites everyone to explore and enjoy art.
Find out more here Your Art World | National Galleries of Scotland.
The exhibition is made possible thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
No more meetings. Time for action!
UPDATE FROM NORTH EDINBURGH PARENTS ACTION GROUP
North Edinburgh Parents Action Group held their 3rd meeting with senior housing staff at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre at the end of last month.
The meeting was well attended by local people affected by housing issues but unfortunately there were fewer senior staff in attendance than previous meetings which the group felt was disappointing.
The meeting focused on a number of key issues which have been raised by local people including :
- overcrowding and a shortage of larger houses in North Edinburgh,
- poor standards of repairs,
- issues with Edindex,
- lack of support to tenants allocated PSL (Private Sector Leasing) properties, and
- inaccurate information contained in progress reports on individual cases.
Local people presented each of these issues to the Director of Housing and his staff and pointed out that most of these issues had already been brought to their attention at the previous two meetings and in their publication ‘SOS – North Edinburgh’s Housing Emergency’ which was published last May.
It was also pointed out that since then the group have raised other issues which are affecting tenants who have been housed in temporary accommodation and nothing has been done to address these issues.
Commitment from Director of Housing
The Director of Housing acknowledged people’s frustrations and reassured the meeting that his team were working on these issues and were developing new ways of working which he hoped would improve the service.
Furthermore, he agreed to take the following action in response to the latest information people had shared about their experiences :
- To meet with the Chief Executive of PSL to highlight all the complaints people have raised and to clarify how the system works
- To invite a senior member of the new build team to the next meeting to provide information on the numbers of houses available for social rent, particularly larger properties and new properties which can be adapted.
- To provide a written response to all the issues raised in the group’s report
- To organise regular drop-in sessions locally to enable tenants to access housing staff who are able to provide support and information on a variety of housing-related issues.
Enough is Enough
Although the group welcomed these commitments, there was also a feeling of disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress in tackling the area’s housing problems.
People also felt disheartened that after all these meetings senior housing managers were unable to provide answers to things they should really know about.
Susan Rowand, chairperson of the parents group, said: “We were shocked at the fact that people in this position didn’t seem up to speed or familiar with their own systems.
“We need to have confidence that those at the top understand what is going wrong and have a plan to put it right.”
No more false promises
The meeting was also attended by representatives from Low Income Families Together (LIFT) who reported that they were dealing with the same issues in Muirhouse on a daily basis.
Pauline Bowie, Manager of LIFT said: “As well as changes to the system, there needs to be a commitment by Council Officers, local Councils and MSPs to ensure that the changes are enforced. We don’t want any more false promises.
“Many of the properties people are stuck in are uninhabitable and would never make it onto the Edindex housing bidding service. These properties are offered as PSL to reduce the numbers of people in temporary accommodation and to reduce the level of support required by the CEC housing support services. This needs to change now.”
North Edinburgh Parents Action Group
Millennium Centre Funding Crisis: Public Meeting Tonight
COUNCILLORS MISSING BUT LIFT COMMUNITY MEETING GOES AHEAD
It is looking like NO councillors will attend but Peter, Brenda, Stacey and hopefully our chair will be on the panel to take and answer your questions the best they can, we will take a list of your questions and make sure they are sent to the relevant department within the council or to the councillors
We will have a petition to request the centre receives at least one years funding to help us to stay open.
We have been told that the budget is already set in stone but we are asking for any monies left from the 24/25 budget as we already know we wouldn’t be even a thought in the new 25/26 budget
We have been told this isn’t possible but two years ago funding was found for us so we don’t see why they can’t do this again
If you can come along to the meeting please do – and sign our petition!
Thank you
Please share this post
Artwork by young Scottish artists to be showcased in Scotland’s National gallery
Your Art World
FREE
National Galleries Scotland: National
10 May – 2 November 2025
A colourful exhibition, showcasing the artwork of creative 3–18-year-olds from across Scotland is due to open at the National gallery on 10 May.
Your Art World encourages young people across the nation to get creative, with the opportunity of having their work displayed in Scotland’s National gallery, which is home to iconic works such as The Monarch of the Glen and works by Scottish artists including William McTaggart and Phoebe Anna Traquair.
The young people are invited to be as imaginative as they liked and use any type of materials for their creations. From drawings, paintings, 3-D sculptures or video – there were no limitations on what they could make.
Plus, there is still time to submit works for display! All 3-18 year olds living in Scotland are invited to send their art for inclusion in the exhibition, all you need to do is photograph their work and upload it to the National Galleries of Scotland’s online gallery, then come along to the exhibition and see their creations featured proudly on digital screens at the National! Your Art World is a celebration of what happens when young people are encouraged to be wildly imaginative, so why not see what’s possible.
Discover physical installations created by community and school groups who have been working with the National Galleries of Scotland over the last few months. Groups involved include Redhall School in Edinburgh, Victoria Primary and Nursery in Falkirk, Oban High School and North Edinburgh’s LIFT Kids’ Club (Low Income Families Together).
The groups worked to create extraordinary displays ranging from drawings and embroideries engaging with social issues, to 3D sculptures, sensory works and vibrant abstract paintings.
Siobhan McConnachie, Head of Learning and Engagement, National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘I’m so excited and proud to be showcasing the artwork of the talented young artists of Scotland.
“The response so far has been truly inspiring and we have been so impressed with everyone’s creativity. We can’t wait to see what else is still to come! Your Art World is incredibly important to us at the National Galleries of Scotland as it hands over the creative process to young people and celebrates their work.
“Art has its place in every school, home and young person’s life, whether that be encouraging people to think creatively, use it as an expressive outlet or simply for some fun. This project and exhibition truly celebrates that art really is for everyone.’
New entries will be accepted throughout the exhibition and added to the rolling display on the digital screens every month until the end of September. All submissions can be made online.
The exhibition is part of a wider Your Art World project, designed to inspire and engage young people in art. With online resources available for teachers and families, the project supports children in creative activities. By providing tools and guidance, Your Art World demystifies the creative process and invites everyone to explore and enjoy art.
The exhibition is made possible thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
Funding SOS: Public meeting at Muirhouse Millennium Centre
LIFT: SAVE OUR CENTRE – SIGN THE PETITION
WEDNESDAY 26th FEBRUARY from 6 – 7.30pm
Please see above a poster from our Parents who attended and delivered the deputation to the Councillors yesterday. We had some mums in the gallery who behaved extremely well but were disheartened by the sheer ignorance of over half the councillors who didn’t look up nor listen to many of the deputations being delivered.
They feel they have no choice but to ask for community support and a petition to ask for funding to keep their centre open not just for one year but for longer term funding for us and other community-owned community centres who are delivering some amazing work.
We have enough funding to the end of the year and depend on room hire and fundraising to keep us open.
Why do we have to every few years have to go cap in hand to the councillors we elected to ask for funding for vital resources based within our community?
We hope to have some councillors to sit on a panel and answer some questions but if they do not come we will have a panel of local people who will take questions and make sure these are sent to our local councillors and politicians.
Look forward to seeing you next week.
Thank you
The Parents from LIFT@ Muirhouse Millennium Centre
Big wins for Edinburgh’s community groups as they celebrate National Lottery funding boost
MORE than seventy community groups across Edinburgh are shaking off the winter blues with the exciting news of their share of the latest round of National Lottery funding, announced today (Thursday 6th February).
Among the local projects celebrating this morning are Fresh Start, Living Rent, Granton Parish Church, Project Esperanza, LifeCare, Granton Youth and LIFT at Muirhouse Millennium Centre – who receive not one but TWO Lottery grants!
The Muirhouse centre recently launched an online fundraising campaign so today’s news of lottery success is a welcome boost.
LIFT receives £62,553 to continue delivery of their community support offering
within Muirhouse. Through support and advocacy LIFT aims to tackle child poverty, increase wellbeing for individuals and families, and allow them to move forward from poverty and crisis.
LIFT was awarded a further £23,187 to employ a staff member to work on and develop their ‘sharing shelf’. This is a space where members of the community can come, without a referral, to pick up some food essentials and acts as a link point to other services within the centre.
Hard-pressed community centres have done particularly well in this round of grants: as well as Muirhouse Millennium Centre there are big grants for Space at Broomhouse, Craigmillar’s Sandy’s Community Centre and Southside Community Centre.
This vital support will enable them to continue to bring together local people, deliver essential services, and provide much-needed support to their communities.
This latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 549 projects across Scotland. A full list of projects is attached.
Thanks to an award of £76,336, Craigmillar Literacy Trust will continue to deliver their programme of early and family literacy activities for families, parents and carers for the next two years.
Kara Whelan, Project Manager, Craigmillar Literacy Trust, said: “This funding will enable us to continue to deliver our literacy support programmes to families with babies and young children, specifically, early communication and family literacy through home visits and one-to-one support for individual families. ”
An award of £63,399 means that Living Rent will provide support and guidance around a range of housing issues affecting hundreds of people in Leith, Newhaven and Granton over the next three years.
Emma Saunder, National Organiser for Living Rent, said: “This will have a huge impact on our ability to continue to grow and empower our members.
“This award will support us to grow in the Leith area of Edinburgh, as well as building a thriving group in Granton. We can also continue our work, supporting members who are trapped in awful housing conditions through empowering them to know their rights and take action to receive compensation, repairs or stop evictions.
“The National Lottery funding is a continued source of strength and support for local communities helping us to support them to come together to ask for change.”
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL) will expand their ‘Financial Wellbeing’ service for disabled people living in Edinburgh and the Lothians after an award of £25,000.
Florence Garabedian, Interim CEO, LCiL, said: “From our work, we clearly see the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the lives of disabled people, their families and carers.
“This funding will help us provide a targeted response to the current financial climate, help many more people who are struggling with day-to-day costs and offer accessible advice and information around welfare benefits, income maximisation and financial security.”
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “At The National Lottery Community Fund we are so proud to be able to support local groups to make a real and lasting difference and help address the challenges their communities face.
“It’s all made possible by National Lottery players and we’re excited to see the outcomes of all of the funded projects across Edinburgh in the months ahead.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk
Care Home celebrates International Day of Charity
Residents and staff at Strachan House in Edinburgh got together and collected food items, toiletries and treats for the local community charity L.I.F.T at Muirhouse Millennium Centre.
Staff and residents at Strachan House have given back to the local community today by donating these wonderful hampers to the local community charity L.I.F.T.
The local charity L.I.F.T supports the local community in a holistic way and ensures that children get the very best start to reach their full potential.
Frances Fisher, General Manager at Strachan House said: “We love to fundraise for charities throughout the year. We pick different causes to support that have been selected by staff, residents and friends of the home.
“Our staff and residents donated food items, treats and toiletries to the charity and our wonderful residents supported putting together the hamper!
“Everyone was overjoyed with the end product, and we hope that it brings comfort and joy to those who need it! Thank you to everyone who donated!”
Strachan House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides dementia, residential care, and respite care.