SASS4us: Spreading kindness and hope across Muirhouse and West Pilton

SASS4US (Support And Survival Skills for Unleashing self love) is a trauma support group facilitated through LIFT, bringing together women aged 20 to 50 from the Muirhouse and West Pilton communities.

The group provides a safe and supportive space where women can talk openly about life experiences, mental health, personal challenges, and goals for the future. Around eighteen women attend every week.

Through mutual support, encouragement, and understanding, members work together to build confidence, develop resilience, embrace positive change, and support one another in their personal journeys.

Recently, many group members shared their concerns about the negative atmosphere they feel has developed within the local community. Some residents have expressed feeling anxious or even afraid to visit local shops, and there is a growing sense that negative stories are overshadowing the many positive aspects of the area.

Wanting to make a difference, the women of SASS4US decided to take positive action. They created inspirational stones and uplifting quotations, which have been placed throughout the Muirhouse and West Pilton communities.

Their writings aim is to spread kindness, hope, and encouragement, while reminding people that even small acts of positivity can have a meaningful impact.

This project reflects the group’s commitment not only to supporting each other’s wellbeing but also to helping create a stronger, more connected, and more hopeful community for everyone.

The girls would like to be anonymous as they want to start making these each month and placing them around the community continuously.

SASS4us

Bank of Scotland Foundation backs Scottish charities for the long term with Empower grants programme

Bank of Scotland Foundation, an independent charity funded solely by Lloyds Banking Group, has awarded £4.25 million to seventeen Scottish charities through Empower – its multi-year, unrestricted funding programme – at a time when communities across Scotland are facing sustained and growing pressures.

In response to the ongoing cost of living crisis and the increasing strain on frontline services, the Foundation has taken the deliberate decision to strengthen and extend Empower, upgrading the programme from three to five years and increasing funding from £150,000 to £250,000 per charity.  

This shift is designed to give grassroots charities not just funding, but certainty, stability and breathing space – enabling them to focus on people, not survival.

Each of the seventeen charities will receive £50,000 per year for five years in unrestricted funding, allowing them to plan with confidence, retain staff and respond quickly as needs evolve.  

This represents the single largest grants programme investment in the history of the Foundation and reflects a long-term commitment to charities supporting people living in vulnerable circumstances, at a time when demand for help continues to rise while resources are under increasing pressure.

By prioritising long-term, flexible funding, the Foundation is backing charities to do what they do best – reach people earlier, provide consistent support, and build stronger, more resilient communities across Scotland.

Donald MacKechnie, Chair of Bank of Scotland Foundation, commented, “Empower reflects our belief that lasting change happens when charities are trusted and given the stability to plan for the long term.

“Through our conversations with charities, we know that unrestricted funding is transformative – it allows charities to cover essential costs, retain skilled staff and respond quickly when circumstances change.

“At a time of real uncertainty for many communities, we are proud to be offering five years of support through Empower, and we look forward to seeing the positive, life-changing impact these grants will have over the years ahead.”

The seventeen charities each awarded an Empower grant of £250,000 over the next five years are: 

CHARITYCONSTITUENCY
CENTRAL SCOTLAND
Talk NowEast Kilbride
Home-Start Falkirk LtdFalkirk West
GLASGOW
The Saturday Cafe ClubsGlasgow Cathcart
Starter Packs GlasgowGlasgow Pollok
HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS
Cowal Elderly Befrienders SCIOArgyll and Bute
LOTHIANS
Steps to Hope SCIOAlmond Valley
Richmond’s HopeEdinburgh Eastern
Pilton Youth and Children’s ProjectEdinburgh Northern and Leith
LIFT@ Muirhouse Millennium CentreEdinburgh Western
Queensferry Churches’ Care in the CommunityEdinburgh Western
Changes East LothianMidlothian North and Musselburgh
MID SCOTLAND AND FIFE
Denny and Dunipace Citizens Advice BureauStirling
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND
Grampian Women’s AidAberdeen Donside
Angus Citizens Advice Bureau (SCIO)Angus South
SOUTH SCOTLAND
Home-Start East LothianEast Lothian
Roxburgh and Berwickshire Citizens Advice BureauEttrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire
Eildon West Youth HubMidlothian South, Tweeddale & Lauderdale

Funding boost for LIFT

We are delighted to announce our 5 years funding award from the Bank of Scotland Foundation Empower Fund.

This will help keep the centre doors open, help towards a Staff member salary and any running costs.

We are delighted, we have always depended on room hire, fundraising and donations to cover the centre Running Costs now a huge percentage of that will be covered for 5 years.

Thank you to all the LIFT staff, Volunteers, The amazing Board and the centre users for all your support

Pauline Nicol-Bowie MBE

Letter: LIFT Easter Appeal

Dear Editor,

We’re reaching out with a feel good community story we hope you’ll help us share:

At LIFT – Low Income Families Together, based at Muirhouse Millennium Centre, we are preparing for our Easter celebration taking place on Friday 3rd April, and we need the support of our amazing local businesses and community.

Every year, we support families across Edinburgh who are facing incredibly tough circumstances. For many of the children attending our Easter event, an Easter egg isn’t just chocolate,  it’s a moment of joy, a sense of belonging, and a reminder that their community cares.

This year, we are inviting local businesses to be part of something truly special by donating:

🐰 Easter eggs
🐰 Easter-themed gifts or treats
🐰 Vouchers or small prizes for our event
🐰 Baking or party food
🐰 Monetary donations to help us purchase eggs and supplies

Our Easter event on 3rd April will bring families together for a day filled with fun, smiles, and celebration — and with the right support, we can ensure every child leaves with something special.

We would be so grateful if you could help us spread the word and encourage local businesses to step forward. We are also happy to acknowledge and publicly thank businesses who support the event.

Donations can be dropped off at:

LIFT – Low Income Families Together
Muirhouse Millennium Centre
7 Muirhouse Medway
Edinburgh
EH4 4RW

Mobile: 07591 718 995
Centre: 0131 467 3578
Email: enquiriesmuirhouse@gmail.com

Together, we can turn small acts of kindness into big Easter smiles.

With love and gratitude,

Pam

LIFT 💛

John McNab ‘Not In Vain’ campaign

LIFT is proud to be supporting John’s Mum in spearheading her mission to ensure as many public spaces as possible have access to “Bleed Kits” in John’s name. We will be raising funds to purchase as many kits as possible to ensure lives can be saved.

If you want to donate please see information on the poster, BUT correct bank details are:

Sort Code: 80 11 05

Account Number: 00205715

Muirhouse Millennium Centre

Lisa and the LIFT staff will be undertaking training to use the kits correctly and we will supply a flyer explaining exactly what to do if you ever find yourself using one-off John’s Bleed Kits.

John McNab “Not in Vain” campaign spearheaded by Lisa and Dale supported by LIFT@ MMC

Can you help? LIFT looking for stuff!

We’re on the lookout for some bits and pieces that could be reused at the centre 👇

⭕️ Large cardboard tubes (like the ones from inside carpets or lino, even bigger is great!)

⭕️ Any black material, curtains, bedding, fabric you no longer need

⭕️ Old pool noodles or foam tubes

⭕️ Wooden pallets, large bits of wood, or strong plastic piping

⭕️ Lots of old newspapers 📰

💡 Please don’t go out your way to buy anything – second-hand or spare items are perfect and very much appreciated!

📞 To arrange drop-off, give us a call on 0131 467 3578.

Thank you so much for your support! 😊💛

#CommunitySupport

#RecycleReuse

#Muirhouse

#EdinburghCommunity

#LIFT

#DonationsWelcome

#Upcycle

#ReduceWaste

#SupportLocal

#CommunityMatters