Tag: loneliness

Vintage Vibes: One week to go to transform someone’s Christmas!

Plus, how to support us without it costing a penny!


Thank you so much! We are so humbled and grateful to everyone who has got involved in our 2025 campaign to send Christmas cards to the isolated older people in our community.

If you haven’t yet but still want to make a difference, sign up today and pop your card in the post to us by Thursday 4th December or drop off in person to Heart of Newhaven by Monday 8th December.

You will receive an individual profile of a local older person in our community, and all you need to do is write them a Christmas card to transform their Christmas

… And if you’ve sent a card, scroll down to find a super easy way to support Vintage Vibes without it costing you a penny!

YES, I’d LOVE to send a card!

We have profiles for older people across every part of Edinburgh…

From DAVID who loves computer games, to SHEILA who dances around the living room to Glastonbury, from ROBIN the film buff to FAY the foodie.

These Christmas cards make a huge difference to people who are often or always alone, and often feel invisible during the festive period.

The messages don’t need to be long, a simple Christmas joke and a kind word will do, it’s the act of letting someone know they matter that makes all the difference.

And it’s great to get the kids involved in too! 

Check out these amazing cards from the Beavers, Scouts & Young Leaders at 21st Craigalmond Scouts in South Queensferry!

I can’t wait, sign me up! 

*Although there is a suggested donation to help us tackle isolation all year-round, anyone can also get involved without donating by using the code NODONATE.

Already sent a card? Here’s a super easy (and free!) way to tackle local loneliness…

Will you be shopping online this Christmas?

We’re heading towards that magical but expensive time of year again – but there is a super easy way to do a little bit of good with every purchase.  

With any online shopping you need to do as we head towards Black Friday and Christmas, you could raise vital funds for Vintage Vibes with just one click. 

Vintage Vibes have just registered with EasyFundraising, which means that when anyone shops with 8,000+ online stores (including supermarkets), Vintage Vibes can receive a small free donation, courtesy of who you shop with – without it costing you anything. 😊

SIMPLE – EASY – IMPACTFUL

It’s super simple, you just sign up (at no cost to you) and then download the ‘donation reminder’ and it will pop up when you’re on an eligible website. All you do is click ‘click to get donation’ and the business will give a little donation to Vintage Vibes. Yay!

It’s predicted that more than £3m will be raised this way for charities across the UK during the coming months and we’d love to be able to increase our reach in Edinburgh in 2026, so every penny raised helps us support more local isolated older people 😊

Find out more about EasyFundraising

As a tiny local charity, ever single share helps!

Be the reason someone smiles this Christmas – and help us spread the word about our work however you can.

You can find links to all our social media channels below, filled with posts and videos that can be shared with friends, family and colleagues! 😍

Thank you so much – we are forever grateful.

Georgia, Andrew, Alison, Cara and Emma

VINTAGE VIBES xxx

Strachan House launches initiative to help combat loneliness at Christmas

DON’T DINE ALONE ON CHRISTMAS DAY

Local care home Strachan House in Blackhall is opening its doors to members of the community in a bid to help tackle loneliness this Christmas.

Older community members, who might usually eat alone, are invited to join staff and residents at the home on Christmas Day from 12.30 pm onwards for a free three course meal and a good old natter.

Diners will be treated to a tasty Christmas lunch in the home’s dining room. Guests will have a chance to mingle and get into the festive spirit with music and tales of Christmas’s gone by as well as taking part in the festive cheer throughout the day.

The ‘Don’t Dine Alone’ initiative was launched by Barchester Healthcare as a way to reach out to isolated or vulnerable members of the local community.

The company has its own Charitable Foundation, a registered charity that gives grants to older people and other adults with a disability or mental health problem to help combat loneliness and enable people to connect with their local communities. 

The home’s talented Head Chef Paul Dow will be creating an array of delicious dishes all cooked from scratch using fresh produce for diners to enjoy. 

Fran Fisher, General Manager at Strachan House said: “Loneliness and isolation can have a huge impact on people, especially older members of the community. 

“We want all our neighbours to know that they are welcome to come and dine with us here at Strachan House,, we very much hope that anyone feeling lonely will join us for a hot meal on Christmas day”.

Strachan House care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care from respite breaks to long term stays.

A Triumph for Muirhouse!

‘Come Dine With Us’ initiative recognised for tackling loneliness and fostering community wellbeing

MUIRHOUSE HOUSING Association is celebrating a magnificent triumph in a prestigious set of national awards.

The Association excelled in the Tenant Participation Service (TPAS) Scotland National Good Practice Awards scoring a win in the keenly-contested category for Community Involvement – tenant/community group. 

It was a powerful endorsement of Muirhouse’s commitment to placing its community at the heart of everything it does as a housing provider.

The National Good Practice Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in tenant participation by individual tenants, tenant groups and social landlords.

The category won by Muirhouse “recognises and celebrates the achievements of a tenant or community-led group or project that has supported other individuals or groups within their community and made a positive impact.”

Muirhouse’s triumph centred on its innovative and inclusive “Come Dine With  Us” initiative – a recurring event offering a free meal and companionship to local residents aimed at tackling isolation and loneliness

Launched in 2022, it instantly resonated with the community and attracts between 15 and 30 people to the weekly get-together in winter with it running fortnightly in the summer.

It has chalked up some impressive outcomes with evaluation showing an increase in the age groups attending ranging from 26-85 plus an impressive 140% increase in how satisfied those attending are with their lives. An increase of 83% was recorded from those attending who felt the things they do in life are “worthwhile”.

Muirhouse Chief Executive Susan Bell, added: “Ensuring we do our bit to tackle loneliness and isolation in our community – especially among those who are single – remains an important part of our work.

“In the face of the cost-of-living challenges, we as a housing association are ideally placed to make a difference and Come Dine With Us tackles this very issue. We remain very grateful for the funding received which helps to support this important initiative.”

“This project provides the opportunity to inspire and empower individuals to foster better health, connect with others in the community and feel valued.

“We are thrilled to receive this award, which recognises the dedication and teamwork behind our efforts to support the community.”

Mental Health Foundation: Loneliness

Loneliness, especially long-term loneliness, increases the risk of mental health challenges like anxiety, depression and stress.

On the flip side, regular social interactions can help us feel less isolated and protect our mental health.

Loneliness can affect anyone. Here are some ways that can help you cope. 💜

Visit our website for more tips: https://bit.ly/4kcDalm

#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

#ThisIsMyCommunity

Vintage Vibes set Cake Grab date

SAVE THE DATE: SUNDAY 13th JULY at LEONARDO MURRAYFIELD

Exciting announcement! After a couple of technical challenges our Cake Grab Event will be taking place on Sunday 13th July at the Leonardo Murrayfield (great parking and public transport).

What’s a cake grab? 100 lovely local folks bring 100 amazing homemade cakes and we all spend the afternoon stuffing our faces, chatting, playing games, drinking tea and having a great time whilst doing good.

Tickets will be a £10 donation to Vintage Vibes to tackle local loneliness in older people. For now, save the date! 🍰

Vintage Vibes organises Edinburgh’s first Cake Grab

We’re doing it! On Sunday 18th May, from 1pm to 3:30pm at Leonardo Hotel, Murrayfield we will be hosting Edinburgh’s first Cake Grab to raise funds to tackle local loneliness. 🍰

This unique event, hosted by Vintage Vibes, brings together 100 local people to create the ultimate cake-sharing experience.

HOW IT WORKS

🧁 100 brilliant bakers will each bring a homemade cake to share.

🧁 Our VIP judges, members of Vintage Vibes Community, will award prizes for the most exciting and unusual cakes.

🧁 Then, the fun begins! Each guest will receive a box and a set time limit to grab as many different slices as possible.

🧁 No cake left behind! Once time’s up, any remaining cake becomes a free-for-all—so pace yourself wisely!

But it’s not just about the thrill of dashing for cake. Throughout the afternoon, you can chat all things baking, enjoy eating your chosen treats, take part in fantastic raffles and games, and even grab a drink at the on-site bar. All whilst making a difference to Edinburgh’s most isolated older people.

🎟 DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND 🎟

We’ve had so much interest in this event and limited ticket numbers, so we are announcing the time and date that the tickets go on sale in ADVANCE!

Tickets will go on sale on our website https://vintagevibes.org.uk/support/ at 11am on Saturday 26th April.

Tickets will be first come, first served but you can book multiple tickets in one go. Add a reminder to your diary now!

🤩 Practical Bits and Bobs 🤩

✅ Yes, there is free parking and good bus connections

✅ Yes, bakers of all levels welcome

✅ Yes, if there are enough bakers we will have tables for Gluten Free and Vegan cakes

✅ Yes, it is a fully accessible venue

Please help us spread the word by sharing with friends and fellow cake lovers! 🥰

Teen Issues: Loneliness

If you notice that your teen seems down or withdrawn it may be because they’re feeling lonely.

Even if they have lots of friends or if they’re surrounded by family, they can still feel lonely, misunderstood or like they don’t fit in. And teens often feel emotions like loneliness even more strongly than adults.

For tips on how to support your teen or young person if they are withdrawn or feeling isolated:

https://www.parentclub.scot/articles/teen-issues

Improving communities’ mental wellbeing

£30 million for grassroots projects for adults

Community-led mental health and wellbeing projects are to benefit from £30 million Scottish Government funding over the next two years.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults – first launched in 2021 – supports local groups to deliver programmes for adults which build resilience and tackle social isolation, loneliness and mental health inequalities. It is expected the Fund will open to applications this Autumn.

In the first three years around 4,800 grants were made to a wide range of grassroots community projects focused on connecting people and providing peer support through activities such as sport, outdoor activities, and the arts.

The charity, Empower Women for Change, has secured grant awards in all rounds of the Fund to date. This year, the group is using its grant to support lone parents, families with a disabled family member, Minority Ethnic families, and young mothers.

Visiting their office in Glasgow Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said: “I am pleased to meet staff and service users at Empower Women for Change and hear more about the valuable work they do in the community they support. It is inspiring to see first-hand the impact that this funding can have.

“Since the fund was established, we have invested £66 million, reaching a variety of groups supporting those at increased risk of poor mental health and wellbeing – including people facing socio-economic disadvantage, older people and ethnic minority communities.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact that this further £30 million investment will make to the wellbeing of people and communities across Scotland.”

Empower Women for Change CEO and Founder Asma Abdalla said: “We are delighted and honoured to welcome the Minister Maree Todd to our organisation. The Wellbeing Fund has played a transformative role in improving the lives of our service users of ethnic minority women and girls and our volunteers, members, and staff.

“Through our Inspired Women projects, we have provided vital mental health support, resilience, and community connection, changing lives and strengthening communities. We are looking forward to continuing this work, with support from the Wellbeing Fund.

“We welcome this unique opportunity to share Inspired Women participants’ testimonies, their voices highlight the urgent need for sustained investment in grassroots wellbeing services. Please join us in amplifying their stories and celebrating the power of community-led change.”

Partnership Manager at Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector Sheena Arthur said: “We are delighted that the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund is continuing. This fund delivers small grants which make a positive difference and so far, has supported over 900 Third Sector organisations and community groups across Glasgow.

“In increasingly challenging times, the Third Sector plays a crucial role. This fund enables the development of existing projects as well as emerging ideas from the community. It helps to bring people together- contributing to better health and wellbeing of people and families, strengthening social connections and tackling inequality and poverty.”

Within the first three years, the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults has provided around 4,800 grants to community organisations delivering mental health and wellbeing support.

£150,000 grant awarded to Eric Liddell Community to support Dementia Care & Community Service

The Eric Liddell Community has received crucial funding from The Garfield Weston Foundation to help sustain its vital work in combating loneliness and isolation in Edinburgh.  

The Eric Liddell Community, an Edinburgh-based care charity, is delighted to announce that it has received a generous £150,000 grant from The Garfield Weston Foundation. This three-year funding award will support the charity’s core operating costs, helping to continue its crucial work in dementia care and community support services. 

For over four decades, The Eric Liddell Community has been at the heart of Edinburgh, providing a range of essential services, including its flagship Dementia Day Care service, a wellbeing programme for unpaid carers, and a Community Hub programme.  

The Garfield Weston Foundation has been a dedicated supporter of The Eric Liddell Community since 2008, including providing multi-year grants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, foundation representatives visited the Community Hub, where they engaged with members of staff from the Dementia Day Care Service and spoke with members of the local community.

Their visit reaffirmed their commitment to the charity’s mission, leading to this significant funding award. 

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John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, expressed his gratitude for the support: “We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to The Weston family and entire Garfield Weston Foundation team.

“The cost-of-living crisis has impacted us all – we are more grateful than ever to partners like Garfield Weston for giving us the support and flexibility we need to thrive despite these challenges.

“Unlike project-specific funding, this grant gives us the flexibility to direct resources where they are needed most, ensuring we can respond effectively to emerging needs. It is a powerful endorsement of our work.” 

Securing funding for core operational costs is one of the greatest challenges which charities face. The Garfield Weston Foundation is among a select group of charitable partners that recognise the importance of unrestricted funding, allowing organisations to allocate resources where they are most critically needed. 

Through this generous grant, The Eric Liddell Community will continue to expand its essential services, ensuring that those facing loneliness and isolation across Edinburgh receive the vital support they need. 

For further information about The Eric Liddell Community, please visit:

ericliddell.org. 

LifeCare invites the local community to celebrate one year of Chatty Cafe

Are you looking to get out and about and meet new people?  Then we hope you will join us 11am – 1pm on Monday 13th January at LifeCare’s warm and welcoming community cafe, CafeLife (2 Cheyne Street), as we celebrate the 1st birthday of our Chatty Cafe and help turn Blue Monday into Brew Monday.  

Enjoy coffee, tea, cake and conversation as we bring the community together round our Chatter and Natter Table.  

We’re incredibly proud of all we have achieved this year and hope you can join us to celebrate!

Chatty Cafe is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund.