A special charity dinner and ceilidh in Edinburgh this November will bring together two organisations with a shared ambition: giving children, young people and families the support they need to build brighter futures.
The Charity Dinner and Ceilidh in aid of Pregnancy Counselling & Care Scotland (PCCS) and Scran Academy will take place at Greyfriars Charteris Centre,138–140 Pleasance, Edinburgh, on Friday 20th November, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm.
The evening will combine a Scottish-themed two-course dinner prepared by young people from Scran Academy with live music from The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience, raising funds for two charities whose work complements each other in a uniquely powerful way.
PCCS supports people at the very beginning of the journey providing practical and emotional support during pregnancy, early parenthood and times of loss. Its Baby Bank provides essential items and equipment for babies and children up to the age of two, while its counselling service supports people experiencing challenges around fertility, pregnancy, birth, loss and early parenthood.
Scran Academy picks up the journey as those babies turn into young people, supporting those aged 11–25 who may face barriers to success. Through food and cooking young people develop confidence, practical skills, qualifications and meaningful work experience, helping them engage in education, employment and greater independence.
It is this connection that makes the two charities such a natural partnership.
“Together, PCCS and Scran Academy represent support at two crucial ends of a young person’s journey, from giving babies the best possible start and helping families through the early years, to supporting young people as they develop the confidence, skills and opportunities they need for adult life.” – Lucy Aitchison CEO of PCCS and Will Bain, CEO of Scran Academy.
PCCS has supported individuals and families across Edinburgh and the Lothians for almost 50 years. Its Baby Bank helps families facing financial hardship and other challenges to access essentials for their babies and young children, while its counselling service provides a safe, non-judgemental space at some of life’s most difficult moments.
Scran Academy takes a similarly holistic approach to young people. Its youth-led catering social enterprise uses food as a vehicle for learning, development and opportunity. Young people are involved in preparing food, running catering operations and developing their skills, gaining experience that can help them take their next steps in education, training or employment.
The result is a partnership that tells a bigger story about what communities can do when they invest in people from the earliest stages of life through to adulthood.
The fundraising ceilidh will also put that ethos into practice, with Scran Academy’s young people preparing the evening’s Scottish-themed meal demonstrating first-hand the skills, confidence and opportunities that support from the charity can create.
The event is an opportunity not only to raise vital funds, but also to celebrate community, food, music and the belief that everyone deserves the chance to thrive.
Guests are invited to bring their dancing shoes and enjoy an evening of food, live music and community spirit. The event is BYOB and there will also be a raffle on the night.