Established in 1958, Pilton Central Association (PCA) is North Edinburgh’s oldest community-managed organisation and the group is looking for community support at their forthcoming AGM. PCA was set up to maximise community influence, address poverty and bring real economic and community benefits to the area, and those aims remain the driving force behind the organisation today.
Based at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre (which it manages), PCA supports community involvement and participation within North Edinburgh and works closely with other agencies and stakeholders to help tackle poverty and to improve the appeal and wealth of the local area. Through innovative initiatives and creative approaches, PCA aims to work together with others to ensure that the community is at the heart of local decision-making.
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre (pictured above) is North Edinburgh’s longest established community centre and the building in West Pilton Grove remains the hub for community learning and activity in the area. The Centre’s varied programme of activities is tailored to meet the needs of the whole local community – young and old, educational and recreational. Earlier this year the Neighbourhood Centre became the home of North Edinburgh’s newest food co-op, the Fabby Food Store.
Pilton Central Association also provides the building and supports the Thrift Shop on 26 Ferry Road Drive. The Thrift Shop sells second-hand clothes and household goods, providing an invaluable service for local families. Run by friendly volunteers, donations of clothes, household goods and children’s toys are always wecome – and the Thrift Shop would also welcome new volunteers to join their happy band, so get in touch if you would like to volunteer for this community resource!
The PCA also supported the local Community Employability service by providing a home for the project at 28 Ferry Road Drive, just next door to the Thrift Shop. Community Employability, (formerly Working Links), a local one stop shop committed to helping North Edinburgh residents into education, training and employment, closed earlier this year after failing to secure a new contract. PCA is hoping that the building will now be used by other community organisations.
PCA’s Betty McVay, who received an MBE for services to the Pilton community in 2000, said: “The PCA does have a remarkable history and we are very proud of what the organisation has achieved. What is more important, however, is the future and for communities to flourish we need active organisations and active, committed local people to make that happen. Many of the challenges facing our area today are just the same as those the community faced all those years ago – and when there are improvements, we’ve got to be vigilant to make sure things aren’t allowed to slide back. The PCA, like all community organisations, needs committed activists to make sure that the community’s voice is heard – that’s one thing that’s never changed over the years and it’s as important now as it ever was. There’s still work to be done.”
PCA’s AGM will be held in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Thursday 30 August at 6.30pm. All welcome
For further information telephone 551 3194