Tag: Link Up

Scotmid launches community pilot programme in Leith to help people make positive life changes

RISE, a collaborative pilot programme designed to help people involved in crime to make positive life changes has been launched by Scottish convenience retailer Scotmid.

Scotmid’s Project RISE (Recovering In a Supported Environment) will be initially piloted in Leith. It has been designed to proactively intervene and support those living in the local community by encouraging them to avoid potential criminal situations, suggesting alternative choices and signposting individuals to support services.

Project RISE will work in partnership with several organisations including Cyrenians, Turning Point, Link-Up, Connecting Circles and Police Scotland.

As a ‘restorative practice intervention’, it will be used as an alternative engagement model to provide solutions to a recurring problem, which in many cases, tends to be crime.

If successful, Scotmid hopes that the programme will be rolled out across other areas of the city, where additional resources and support would help make a difference. 

Nick McGuirk, Project RISE Project Manager at Scotmid, said: “As a retailer based in the heart of our communities, we are in a fortunate position to be able to identify and reach some of the most vulnerable people in our local areas.

“We’re pleased to work collaboratively with some fantastic charities to ensure we can support as many people as possible, helping them to make more positive life choices.”

Carmen McShane, Scotland Service Manager of Turning Point, said: “It has never been so important to make mainstream services more accessible for those who suffer from alcohol and other drug use.

“Accessing support and treatment can be a protective factor in reducing overdose, therefore, outreach work in Leith, and other local communities like this, is vital if we want to prevent drug-related deaths. I’m so pleased to work with Scotmid, Connecting Circles, Cyrenians and Link Up in this initiative to deliver the support to people in our community who need it.”

A Spokesperson at Police Scotland said: “Police Scotland is looking forward to working alongside our partners in this pilot programme, designed to make positive changes for those who require support and help.

“We hope the programme will expand its work to other areas, so that people can avoid potentially dangerous circumstances, whilst flourishing in their communities.”

New link-up gives Northern Irish media students chance to continue studies in Edinburgh

Articulation agreement signed between the Northern Ireland Film & Television School and Edinburgh Napier University 

A new link-up between South Eastern Regional College’s Northern Ireland Film & Television School (NIFTS) and Edinburgh Napier University is set to give the next generation of TV and film talent the chance to continue their studies in Scotland. Continue reading New link-up gives Northern Irish media students chance to continue studies in Edinburgh

Join Link Up for free community meal

Link Up Muirhouse are organising their free Community Meal here at North Edinburgh Arts on Wed 22 August! 

Link Up provides opportunities for people in communities to come together, get to know different people, participate and help each other. By doing things together, individuals and communities become more resilient, happier and better able to face some of the challenges they face.

Come along and join Link Up for a meal!

For more details, contact Katie:  katiequinn@mydg.org.uk

Community Shop nominated for National Award

Council projects reach national awards finals

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Muirhouse community shop, a £68m housing project in Moredun and a digital rehabilitation service have reached the finals in a national awards scheme.

The City of Edinburgh Council is also in the running for Council of the Year, after the projects were shortlisted as finalists in the Association for Public Excellence (APSE) Local Government Service Awards – one of only three local authorities in Scotland, and 10 in the UK, to be shortlisted.

The three Edinburgh projects are the Muirhouse Community Shop, the Moredun/Hyvots Bank regeneration scheme, and the Smarter Rehab Project.

Shortlisted for Best Public/Voluntary Partnership Initiative, the Muirhouse Community Shop shop was opened by the local community following the closure of Scotmid – the area’s last remaining supermarket – last Spring. Supported by the council, the shop was the brainchild of Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse (TRIM) and local charity Muirhouse Link Up, and it’s gone from strength to strength: run by enthusiastic volunteers, it’s become a community hub.

The Smarter Rehab Project has reached the final in both the Best Health and Wellbeing Initiative and Best Information Technology and Communications Initiative categories, and is believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland.

Occupational therapists work with people who are recovering after a stroke, using digital technology such as smart phones and iPads to do ordinary activities, such as connecting with friends and shopping. The aim is to enable individuals to improve independence and quality of life, and to compensate for long-term impairment.

The Moredun/Hyvots Bank regeneration has been shortlisted for Best Housing and Regeneration Initiative. A ten year commitment to the area by the City of Edinburgh Council, Dunedin Canmore Housing and the community has seen a rundown area transformed into a desirable place in which residents have a sense of pride.

A total of £68m was spent replacing 200 sub-standard properties with 441 new houses, 371 refurbished homes and a community park by the Council and Dunedin Canmore Housing.

Council Leader Councillor Andrew Burns said: “It’s a great achievement for Edinburgh to have so many finalists in this year’s APSE awards. Despite increasing pressure on budgets and resources, our frontline services continue to ensure that the city’s residents are well cared for and looked after.

“I would like to congratulate all staff across the Council for their hard work and dedication to providing excellent services for residents which have led to these nominations.”

Robert Pearson, who volunteers as the Community Shop manager, said: “I was surprised, shocked but exceptionally pleased to be nominated for a national award, it is fantastic.

“The shop has gone from strength to strength and there just seems to be no stopping it just now. The shop is run day to day by volunteers and it really wouldn’t’t be possible without them.

“When you ask people across the UK what they think of Muirhouse in Edinburgh, it would probably be a negative comment. There’s a lot of positive things happening and it’s important to get that out there.”

The winners were announced at a ceremony in Nottingham last night – sadly Muirhouse didn’t win, but a worthy nomination anyway!

Link Up makes things happen in Muirhouse

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The popular Pork Butcher’s shop on Pennywell Road reopened for just a week recently – not to sell meat, but as a community drop-in resource. Muirhouse Link Up project worker Julie Crawford explains all:

“The purpose of the week was to do a few things –

Promote Link up project which started in May last year. I work with local people in Muirhouse and West Pilton to identify activities that bring different groups of people together to take part and contribute on an equal footing. The activities could be anything, from people having a cup of tea together to taking part in an activity. We’ve been working with local people to develop a monthly bingo evening, which has seen over 60 people attend the last few months, supporting the Tenants and Residents In Muirhouse Group (TRIM), an Arts and Baking group at North Edinburgh Arts, establishing community cinema and much more.

During the week we had a huge map on the shop wall and local people were invited to write on it and give us views about places that are important to them, what people do in the community and things that they would like to see. Over the course of the week 250 people came through the door, which was fantastic. The highlight was seeing local artists using the space to work with young people doing light photography and some film-making. The shop window will be used by City of Edinburgh Council to advertise 21st Century homes and community activity – I believe there is massive potential to use the space by community organisations.

Link up will continue to work with local people to set up activities which they have skills or interests in, just get in touch! Local people are already running new activities this year, including chess and archery!”

To get in touch with Julie, call 315 6405 or email Julie@mydg.org.uk

You can also check out Muirhouselinkup on Facebook or ‘tweet’ @linkup11

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Muirhouse free family film nights

North Edinburgh Arts has teamed up with Link Up and Muirhouse Library to produce a top billing of free family and adult cinema this month. The programme got under way last weekend but there’s lots more to come for all the family in November.

On Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 6pm this month, adults can enjoy:

Tuesday 13 Nov – Carlito’s Way

Wednesday 14 Nov – Departed

Tuesday 20 Nov – Bladerunner

Wednesday 21 Nov – Avatar.

The family cinema programme – screenings at 1pm:

Saturday 10 November – Muppets

Saturday 17 November – Brave

Saturday 24 November – Shrek

Free films for all the family! What are you waiting for?

For further information call North Edinburgh Arts on 315 2151 or visit www.northedinburgharts.co.uk

 

Free movies in Muirhouse

Looking for something to do with the kids on Saturdays?

Well look no further, North Edinburgh Arts and Link Up Muirhouse are to host free family film days. Starting Saturday 3 November from 12.30 you’re welcome to come along and enjoy the film of the day in North Edinburgh Arts Centre’s fantastic cinema!

Films will be shown from 1pm, but children are more than welcome to arrive early and purchase goodies for the film from the tuck-shop. When the film finishes everyone is welcome to head into the library as they staff will be holding a film relevant fun session.

Sat 3rd November – 1pm                               Top Cat

Sat 10th November – 1pm                             The Muppets

Sat 17th November – 1pm                             Shrek 4

Sat 24th November – 1pm                             Brave

These films are totally free and we hope to see many families enjoying them, Parents and carers are more than welcome to come to the Arts centre if they wish and sit in the modern café area whilst younger children watch the film.

So rather than spend time on the streets when it’s cold and miserable why not come to the centre and enjoy the film?

More information please call in to the Arts centre or telephone: 0131 315 2151 or visit www.muirhouseresidents.org.uk/

Robert Pearson

 

Halloween Party at Millennium Centre

Halloween Party

Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre and Link Up Muirhouse is delighted to announce that on Wednesday the 31st October we are hosting scary but fun-filled Halloween party from 6.30 – 8pm – and you can come too!

On the night we will be dooking for apples, playing games, enjoying some art as well as awarding the best dressed with a small prize.

Tickets must be purchased in advance from Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre or North Edinburgh Arts Centre during opening hours, you can also call Julie on 07794467053 for information. Ticket only cost £1 per child to a maximum of £3. So if you have 4 children in your family you will only pay for 3, we felt this was fair to larger families.  We have 90 tickets for sale, available on a first come for serve basis – so get them quick before they sell out! When purchasing tickets we require a registration form completed by parent or carer.

Tickets must be bought prior to the 31 October part – No ticket, no entrance.

Parents and carers are more than welcome to remain at the Centre for the duration of the party, the Centre café will be open for sales of light refreshments.

The spooky Muirhouse ladies who have arranged this party with the guidance and support of Link Up and Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre hope that every child has a wonderful time and they hope to welcome many children back to future parties in Muirhouse!

Robert Pearson