LIFT are having a Meet & Greet Day on Thursday (18th August) from 10am – 1pm at Muirhouse Millennium Centre.
Come along for a chat and a wee bite to eat, meet the staff and find out what LIFT will be up to over the next few months.
WEDNESDAY 23rd MARCH from 10am – 2pm
Muirhouse Millennium Centre is among twenty-seven community groups across Edinburgh are sharing in a £717,108 cash boost from The National Lottery Community Fund today.
The Millennium Centre receives £97,000 to ‘provide a range of community activities within Muirhouse Millennium Centre engaging approximately 150 local community members and four volunteers.’
Muirhouse Millennium Centre is also the base of LIFT (Low Income Families Together), who run a range of services from the Millennium Centre.
Thanks to an award of £53,463, Leith-based Fast Forward (Positive Lifestyles) Ltd will be able to continue their ‘Ask Dad’ project – a health education and training programme for dads and male carers across Edinburgh and the Lothians -for another three years.
Mark Hunter, Project Officer, Ask Dad, said: “Thanks to this support from The National Lottery Community Fund our ‘Ask Dad’ programme will be able to continue to support dads whose families are going through a period of difficulty.
“We’re looking forward to developing our work to date, including our Good Conversations programme, supporting parents to have what they perceive as awkward, difficult, or embarrassing conversations with their children.
“We are looking forward to working on our new programme, ‘Dad: The Invisible Parent’ which will support better awareness and understanding by practitioners of the challenges faced by dads, to improve their engagement and communication with dads, towards better outcomes for their children.
“In addition, by working with parents who feel ignored or unwelcome by service providers, we aim to improve their ability to communicate with services and to understand a service provider’s role and their limitations.”
Better informed, more confident dads improve the wellbeing of the whole family. They also improve their children’s educational attainment. These impacts are even more profound in the communities affected by poverty and inequality.
An award of £114,344 means that Craigmillar Literacy Trust will continue to provide their support to local families with babies and children up to nine years of age for the next three years.
They will also be able to run their new ‘Express Yourself’ programme for older children and young people aged up to the age of sixteen using digital media and performance to support them to connect with literacy in a way that is more relevant to them.
Kara Whelan, Project Manager, Craigmillar Literacy Trust, said: “This grant will support our work with babies, children, young people, and families in Craigmillar though our early literacy, family literacy and young people’s projects.
“Our work is relationship based and embedded in our community. We are looking forward to building on the strengths we have and to developing new and innovating approaches to supporting literacy in our community.”
Edinburgh Tool Library receives £9,500 to help with the costs of a Volunteer Co-ordinator who will deliver a bespoke training programme for volunteers as well as making links with other third sector organisations in Edinburgh and will help the group engage with new communities and neighbourhoods across the city.
Chris Hellawell, Founder and Director, Edinburgh Tool Library, said: “This support will allow us to reach communities that we haven’t yet spoken to before, help us enhance the support we give to our community and to produce materials to share with other organisations like ours across Scotland so we can amplify the impart of all the hard work or our volunteers in Edinburgh. Thank you so much.”
More Edinburgh projects celebrating today include Ama-zing Harmonies, Big Hearts Community Trust, Leith Community Centre, LifeCare and St Columba’s Hospice.
Across Scotland 179 projects are sharing in £5,752,948 today. Announcing the funding, The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “Local community groups bring people together to support one another through difficult times.
“Sometimes this is as simple as providing a listening ear and other times it can be a real lifeline connecting people who might otherwise be lonely and isolated. Each of the projects receiving funding today in Edinburgh remind us of the power of social connections and the difference that community projects can make to people’s lives.
“National Lottery players can be proud to know that the money they raise is helping to support this vital work.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes money raised by National Lottery players for good causes and more than £30 million a week is raised for good causes across the UK.
Thanks to National Lottery players, last year we awarded over half a billion pounds (£588.2 million) of life-changing funding to communities across the UK. Over eight in ten (83%) of our grants are for under £10,000 – going to grassroots groups and charities across the UK that are bringing to life amazing ideas that matter to their communities.
North Edinburgh Active Travel Network are hosting a number of events this weekend to promote active travel.
See poster for more information – we hope you find an activity to take part in.
North Edinburgh Arts are hosting a Dr Bike Session on Saturday either in MacMillan Square or in the Shed if the weather is poor.
We hope to see you at one of these events!
Urban Union, as part of their community benefit programmes for the City of Edinburgh Council, and Muirhouse Housing Association (MHA) have together provided over £15,000 in ongoing support to the Muirhouse Millennium Centre in the north of Edinburgh since the onset of the pandemic in March 2020.
Muirhouse Millennium Centre, run in partnership with Low Income Families Together (LIFT), aims to relieve poverty among the residents of the surrounding areas, provide recreational and leisure facilities, and promote education and training in skills of all kinds.
During the first wave of the pandemic, from March to October, the cash boosts from MHA and the developer behind Pennywell Living helped the Millennium Centre become a major player in food distribution in the north of Edinburgh.
Since then and throughout the two lockdowns, the money has helped fund over 5,000 food parcels, 22,000 packed lunches, 6,000 ready meals, as well as baby formula and nappies for local families and homeless accommodation.
Adapting their recreational support service, the Millennium Centre also delivered over 500 play packs and activity resources, allowing children to continue taking part in the Centre’s homework and youth clubs through Zoom. In October, once children were allowed to be welcomed back, the Centre used the funding to deliver five sessions a week to reduce isolation and strengthen social skills after being at home for the duration of the first lockdown.
As part of their community benefits mission, Urban Union has previously also supported Muirhouse Library’s Breakfast Club to ensure local children had a nutritious start to their day as well as helping Pennywell School build their STEM curriculum, recently launching a STEM-based learning project.
Neil McKay, Managing Director of Urban Union, said: “Our focus at Urban Union is to not only regenerate a physical landscape, but to create strong relationships and support the communities in which our developments are based. We are ecstatic to have been able to support the Millennium Centre and LIFT throughout a very challenging period for many families.
“We are always happy to give something back to the Muirhouse community and we will continue to offer opportunities for local people and support for the most vulnerable in the area.”
Iain Strachan, Chair of the Muirhouse Housing Association added: “Muirhouse Housing Association is dedicated to supporting our tenants and local community.
“This last year has been one of the most challenging in our near 30 years of being part of the Muirhouse community. We are glad that we can work with Muirhouse Millennium Centre and LIFT in supporting local people and families during a very difficult time and will continue to do so in the future.”
Pauline Bowie, Managing Director of Low Income Families Together said: “We are very grateful for this generous donation from Urban Union and MHA which has made a real tangible difference to children and families alike across Edinburgh during an extremely difficult time.
“The Centre relies on funding to deliver our programmes and reach those who need it the most. Everyone deserves a chance in life, and donations like this allow for local people in challenging situations to access different forms of support.”
City of Edinburgh Council’s Convener of Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work, Councillor Kate Campbell said: “During this crisis, we’ve worked together to put our most vulnerable residents first and making sure people can access the right support when and where they need it has been an absolute priority.
“It’s great to see our development partner Urban Union and Muirhouse Housing Association providing this much needed funding for Muirhouse Millennium Centre’s invaluable work, and the positive impact it’s had on the community’s families and children since the beginning of the pandemic.”
Pennywell Living is the centre of an exciting 8-year regeneration project as part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s house-building programme.
Now in phase three, the development offers an exceptional range of 315 one to four bedroom flats and houses designed for modern living. Over half of these will be for affordable rent.
Urban Union regenerates areas across Scotland to create revitalised communities through building new, high quality, affordable homes.
Across each of its developments, Urban Union aims to deliver sustainable long-term benefits to the new and surrounding neighbourhoods, with job and training opportunities, ensuring the community will benefit from the projects for years to come.
To find out more about Urban Union, visit: https://www.urbanunionltd.co.uk/
To find out more about the Millennium Centre, visit: https://www.lift-edinburgh.com/muirhouse-millennium
There’s been a great response from the people of Edinburgh to help the city get through the current coronavirus pandemic.
We’d like to thank everyone who has been in touch with the voluntary and public sector to offer their skills and time. We know that many of you are keen to also ‘do your bit’ to contribute to this effort and we would like to thank those of you who are trying to find ways to help your communities.
Your kindness and generosity in these difficult times are a reflection of all that is best about the city we share and the people who call it home.
We need everyone to look out for each other now more than ever and being a good neighbour and taking care of those who need help in your building, street or immediate community is going to help get us through – Volunteer Edinburgh has advice and information on how you can help.
If you are part of an existing or newly formed community group please contact EVOC who have developed a directory and are connecting the amazing community responses across the city. EVOC is working hard to connect supply and demand of food at a very local and community level.
EVOC is asking people to complete this basic form or email info@evoc.org.uk for more information.
Council Leader, Adam McVey, said: “The voluntary sector is doing an amazing job pulling everyone together and making sure people can help out appropriately following government guidelines. If you are able to help others then please ‘Think Local and Act Local’.
“Where you can, offer support to your wider family, your friends and your neighbours to help ensure that they can receive the essential supplies and medicine that they may need.
“Volunteer Edinburgh has a range of information and guidance on how to be a good neighbour safely. At the moment the best thing that most people can do is still to stay at home, limit social contact and follow NHS guidelines. This really is the most important contribution that can be made to the safety and resilience of the city.”
Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “To keep essential services running and support those who are vulnerable, we’re constantly monitoring how we deploy our own staff as well. We’re working to identify where our services need help and at the moment we’re relying on our own internal capacity to meet those needs.
“We’ll be monitoring this over the weeks ahead and will work with Volunteer Edinburgh if we think we need the wider community to help us. In the meantime staying safe at home is the best thing people can do. If you can offer more then it really is a matter of thinking local and acting local.
“I want to make sure the local community organisations have a key contact to make sure we have a joined up approach and would urge people to make connect via the EVOC.”
Ella Simpson, Chief Officer of EVOC, said: “I am incredibly proud to be part of the voluntary sector in Edinburgh. They know their communities so well and have been absolutely amazing in their responses to Covid-19.
“As we continue to respond it is vital that we all work together – volunteers, voluntary sector and statutory agencies – to support the most vulnerable people in our communities.”
Paul Wilson, Chief Officer of Volunteer Edinburgh, said: “People’s response to the pandemic has been overwhelming. In every street in Edinburgh people are helping each other, looking out for their neighbours and supporting the vulnerable and those in self isolation.
“Never before has it been more important to give your time, if you are able to, be a good neighbour and look out for each other. More than any other city in Scotland Edinburgh has always been a city of volunteers, of people who helped and I am very proud to live here.
“Please everyone be safe, think and act locally, continue to support your community in the weeks to come and most of all be kind.”
North Edinburgh’s voluntary sector has rallied to the cause with community organisations pulling out all the stops to ensure the area’s most vulnerable residents get food and essential supplies.
Now three weeks into operation there’s a co-ordinated effort to pool community resources and expertise to get supplies to people in Muirhouse,Drylaw Telford, West Pilton, Granton and Royston Wardieburn.
Do you, or someone you know, need food, supplies or other support during this hugely difficult time?
An information sheet with key telephone contact numbers is currently being produced and should be available over the next day or two, but in the meatime please email me at northedinburghnews@gmail.com and I will pass on your details to the relevant area organisers.
Remember the key advice: STAY HOME UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY
Congratulations to the LIFT (Low Income Families Together) team based at Muirhouse Millennium Centre who picked up an award at the annual Forth Awards in the Usher Hall yesterday. LIFT’s Paula Bowie won the Cash for Kids category.
LIFT’s Paula Bowie said: “Absolutely over the moon after yesterday. Winning a Forth award has given me the acknowledgement I needed to say: job done.
“LIFT is what was needed, all mine, my amazing staff, sessional workers Kirsty Day Maryann Paice Fallon hard work has paid off. We couldn’t do it without our volunteers Sonia McCraw Jadee C Wilsonn Lynette Hughes Nicola Spence Ashley Bambrick Jade Buchan.”
The great and the good from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife were celebrated yesterday at the annual Forth Awards, alongside music industry legends and Fringe favourites.
Ten awards were handed out – six for community winners and four for entertainment – as nominated and voted for by Radio Forth listeners.
The Community Awards were set up to recognise those unsung heroes who never normally get credit for the great things they do, and this year six incredibly worthy winners took home awards.
Sean Carr collected the Community Venture Award sponsored by Gyle Shopping Centre for Urban Nature Retreat who have created a unique, safe environment for disadvantaged children with disabilities to enjoy the therapeutic benefits that animals and nature can provide.
Irene Squires-Guild was crowned Local Hero, collecting the award sponsored by The Edinburgh Evening News after dedicating her life to helping others, following the death of her son. A volunteer with the Red Cross, Irene assisted with relief for the Grenfell tragedy and regularly fundraises for those in need, offers support to refugee families, amongst many other selfless endeavors.
The Best Restaurant award with Caledonian Heating and Plumbing was presented to Italian La Rusticana, while Sarah Keenan from Carnegie Primary in Dunfermline was named top of the class, winning the Best Teacher Award, sponsored by Fuse.
Charity Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Heritage Portfolio went to Neil Rankin from Street Assist, founded to help the citizens and emergency services within the City of Edinburgh. Finally, the Cash for Kids Award with Westwoods Health Club was collected by Paula Bowie, founder of L.I.F.T – Low Income Families Together – a new project which works with these families to reduce barriers restricting families from moving forward in life.
The final four awards celebrated entertainment with special appearances and performances from award winners. Janey Godley collected The Forth Fringe Award sponsored by OMNI Edinburgh, awarded after her Festival run and for her hilarious take on the news with her now infamous ‘dub’ videos.
The Forth Scottish Best Artist Award with Victor Paris was claimed by Sophie Ellis Bextor who performed her hits ‘Groove Jet’, ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ and ‘Take me Home’.
Marc Almond of Soft Cell was awarded The Forth Icon Award, sponsored by The Edinburgh Playhouse. Marc delighted the attendees with a fittingly iconic performance of both solo and Soft Cell singles. Commenting on his win, Marc said: “It’s a real honour to be awarded the Forth Icon Award. I love performing in Scotland and can’t wait to return next month for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay”.
Finally, The Forth Contribution to Music Award with The Liquid Rooms was awarded to Scottish rockers Wet,Wet, Wet who have sold over 15 million singles and albums to date, and featured in the official UK charts for over a massive 500 weeks, with their albums certified platinum 20 times in the UK. The band, newly invigorated by the introduction of lead singer Kevin Simm thrilled attendees with their impressive back-catalogue.
The Forth Awards were hosted by Radio Forth favourites Boogie and Arlene and attendees were also treated to theatrical performances from The Lion King ahead of the show’s return to The Playhouse in December and The Steamie, ahead of their December run at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro.
Further musical entertainment came from Edinburgh girl Nina Nesbit and the now iconic dance music section of the awards saw Shena take to the mic with the classic ‘There’s nothing I won’t do’.
Richie Jeffrey, events and marketing manager at Radio Forth said: “The Forth Awards are a fantastic mix of celebration that spans local heroes plus the best music and entertainment.
“Everyone at Radio Forth is hugely proud to put on an event which is able to recognise the acts of selflessness of our local community winners whilst being able to provide top class entertainment from our industry winners and many more. Congratulations again to all of our incredibly deserving winners and nominees.”
Martin Perry, director of development at sponsor Edinburgh St James, said: “Every year the Forth Awards just seem to get better and better, which means our continued sponsorship of this great event is no real surprise.
“Our involvement with the Forth Awards throughout the lifecycle of this project feels especially poignant now we are less than a year away from opening our first phase, delivering a once-in-a-generation development that equals Edinburgh’s global reputation.
“But we knew from the start that, for Edinburgh St James to truly succeed, we needed to develop real partnerships across the city, and our relationship with Radio Forth continues to be one that we are very proud to have.”
Keep up with all the latest competitions, gossip, music and news on Forth 1 online, FM, DAB radio, via our app, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat:
Forth1official (Snapchat)
FORTH AWARDS PICS: Greg Macvean
Civil Service Strollers to support LIFT with food bank collection
Civil Service Strollers will be supporting the Low Income Families Together (LIFT) project with their annual Christmas ‘Donate at the Gate’. Continue reading Strollers give local project a Christmas LIFT
Edinburgh and Lothians groups celebrate £79,415 of funding
As the National Lottery gets ready to celebrate its 25th Birthday later this month, 173 groups from across Scotland are today marking the occasion by sharing in £1.2 million of good cause funding.
One of them is LIFT based at Muirhouse Millennium Centre, who receive almost £9000 to support a drop-in employability service. Continue reading Nice LIFT: Lottery cash for Millennium Centre project
LIFT Community Networking Day
Thursday 24th October 10am -2pm
in Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
Please feel free to pop in and find out more about the services and organisations in North Edinburgh. Have a cuppa, cake and a blether! Continue reading Thursday is Community Networking Day at Millennium Centre
