New homes in Newhaven

Port of Leith welcomes new homes

The second development built solely for mid market rent (MMR) by Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), and its subsidiary company Persevere Developments Limited (PDL), has welcomed new residents.

Eight households have moved in to a block of new, high-quality properties in Flaxmill Place, Newhaven.

The £956,000 development, compromising two bedroom properties, is part of a larger scheme currently being built by Barratt East Scotland which already accommodates eight flats for social rent for Port of Leith Housing Association.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of Port of Leith Housing Association, said: “High quality, energy efficient and affordable homes is what we passionately believe in and being able to deliver. We are extremely pleased to have completed these homes and welcome eight new households.”

The development was funded by a combination of private finance raised by PoLHA and a Government grant allocated by the City of Edinburgh Council.

PoLHA has built the mid market rent homes on behalf of its wholly owned subsidiary company Persevere Developments Ltd (PDL) which was set up in 2011 to enable the Association to offer a wider variety of affordable housing in future.

PoLHA owns over 2700 properties throughout Leith and the wider North Edinburgh area and has plans to deliver 400 more new affordable homes over the next few years through the Association and its subsidiary Persevere Developments Limited.

Port of Leith Christmas appeal

Christmas Appeal Poster final

Leith memories brought to life at Hermitage Court

A book has been launched recounting the dancing memories of seven very special Leithers. ‘Dancing Days’ has been produced by the Citadel Arts Group and tells the stories of Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) Hermitage Court residents.

A launch event was held at the complex, with musician Laure Paterson entertaining the residents and Gina Martorelli, one of the contributors to the book, singing Ave Maria.

Suzie Connery who manages the complex, said: “It brought back happy times for so many residents who like to reminisce and it’s lovely getting to hear their stories.”

‘Dancing Days’ is a collection of memories, not only about going to the dancing in the 1940s, but of school days, work memories and travelling abroad, collected by Citadel Arts Group living memory workers, Laure Paterson and Liz Hare.

The book stars Hermitage Court tenants Irene Graham, Sally Kyles, Robert McCauldlin, Isa MacKenzie, Gina Martorelli, Babs Russell and Chris Whelan.

Citadel Arts Group’s Liz Hare said: “The residents kindly shared their memories and we have collected them into this book which will be a resource for the whole community. Copies will go into local libraries and PoLHA’s other sheltered housing complexes – Jameson Place and St Nicholas Court.”

The project is supported by Tesco Community Awards.

Fayre's fayre – PoLHA thanks community for Christmas support

Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) sheltered housing complexes raised nearly £2,800 at their Christmas fayres – over £1,000 more than last year.

St Nicholas Court, based on Ferry Road, raised £1,797 and Jameson Place took in £1,000.

All funds raised will go towards supporting activities for residents including day trips, theatre trips, exercise classes and lunch clubs.

The complexes had an array of stalls including a raffle, tombola, home bakes and some of the residents knitted and crafted Christmas gifts and created gift sets.

Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager, said: “We’re over the moon to have raised such a fantastic amount. The turnout was fantastic and supported by the local community. We want to thank everyone who came along.”

Honest TOiL proves worthwhile for city youngsters

Young people graduate from PoLHA training programme

Thirty five young people from across Edinburgh have completed an 18 week training programme, with 23 going straight into employment following their training. The young people join almost 500 who have graduated from Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) training programme Training Opportunities in Lothian (TOiL).

Among those to graduate at an event at the City Chambers last night (25 Nov) was Magdalena Susfal who said: “I gained a lot of admin skills and got a feel for how it is to work in an office environment. The training was very useful and I enjoyed it. The Excel training was very good and the interview preparation before my Modern Apprenticeship interview helped me get the job.”

The young people were presented with their certificates by co-founder of Social Bite, Alice Thompson, at the ceremony attended by employers, stakeholders of the programme, young people and proud friends and family members.

Alice Thompson said: “The jobs market can be difficult for young people to get in to, but given they are the lifeblood of the economy it’s imperative they are given opportunities. I want to congratulate them on their achievements as they are now on the path to bigger and better things.”

Another trainee graduating was Reece Hunt, 17, who has gone on to work as an electrician with Bemco.

Reece said: “I most enjoyed getting to know new people. It was hands on work which is what I like. I found the training informative and it was very relevant to our age group. The delivery made it interesting.”

Other trainees graduating on November 25 were Matthew Mackie, Chris Singh, Jake Summers, David Reilly, Alex Pennykid, Nathan Moyes, Alex Main, Garry Mitchell, Jordan Bald and Lewis Ewen.

PoLHA’s TOiL programme has been running for eight years and 68 per cent of participants move into sustainable employment, apprenticeships or further education after the six-month placement.

PoLHA Chair Margaret O’Connor, who presided over the graduation’s proceedings said: “TOiL provides valuable work opportunities to young people in Edinburgh with a variety of valued partner organisations. Our trainees have access to support and a holistic approach is used supporting those that need it most.”

Port of Leith raises nearly £2000 for Macmillan

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has raised nearly £2000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

PoLHA’s sheltered housing developments St Nicholas Court, Hermitage Court and Jameson Place hosted events for their residents and locals as part of the charity’s ‘World’s Biggest Coffee Morning’ initiative – and they raised £1749.00 between them!

Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager who manages the St Nicholas Court complex, said: “We are delighted so many people came along to help makes the coffee mornings a success. Without their generosity we would not have been able to raise such a vast amount of money to this fantastic cause.”

PoLHA also held a coffee morning for staff at its Constitution Street office raising a further £220.

Pictured: Ian and May Vanhagen and Martin Hunter

Port of Leithers get on their bikes for charity

A team of eight from Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) took part in this year’s Pedal for Scotland event on 7 September.

The 47 mile cycling event from Glasgow to Edinburgh saw the team – John Murray, George McLeod, Ian Treger, Scott McAndrew, Neil Donald, Onder Ozdemir, Wendy Farmer and Stephen Allen – cross the finish line in 3 hours 45 minutes.

The PoLHA team raised money for Tartan Army Children’s Charity, which supports disadvantaged children in Scotland and will donate half of the proceeds (£200) to Homestart Leith which provides care to local families.

Neil Donald, ICT Manager at PoLHA who organised the team, said: “We have some keen cyclists at PoLHA so it made sense for us to jump on our bikes and raise money for a good cause.”

St Nick’s summer fayre raises £1400

Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex raised over £1,400 at its summer fayre held last Saturday (2 Aug) – despite the deluge!

Based on Leith’s Ferry Road, the complex has been open for 25 years and has 45 residents.

All funds raised will go towards supporting activities for them to enjoy including day trips, theatre trips, exercise classes and lunch clubs.

The complexes had an array of stalls including a raffle, tombola, home bakes, bric-a-brac, books and toys.

Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager who manages the St Nicholas Court complex, said: “This was our 17th summer fayre and we were delighted to raise £1,400 despite the heavy rain. We’re lucky to have the support of the local community as all fundraising proceeds go towards getting our residents out and about, which they thoroughly enjoy.”

St. Nicholas summer fayre’s next Saturday

SIZZLING SUMMER FAYRE AT SHELTERED HOUSING COMPLEX

Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex is hosting its annual summer fayre next Saturday (2 August).

The complex, on Ferry Road, will have stalls including a raffle, tombola, home bakes, bric-a-brac, books, DVDS and toys. There will also be a BBQ and face painting for children.

Admission is 50p and all funds raised will support activities for residents including day trips, theatre trips, exercise classes and lunch clubs.

Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager manages the complex. She said: “This is our 17th summer fayre and it’s one of the highlights on our social calendar. Many of the residents really enjoy it as they get to interact with the local community and we’re hoping this great weather we’ve been experiencing continues.

“We normally raise over £1000 at our summer fayres and we’ll be looking to achieve the same, if not more, this time as the money goes towards enjoyable and interactive social activities for the residents.”

The summer fayre will run from 12pm to 2pm at St Nicholas Court on 74 Ferry Road.