Tag: PYCP

Pilton Youth and Children Project groups return next week

🤩 Aaaaaaand we’re back! 🤩

All our clubs and groups are back from next Monday!

We’re so excited to get going again and see all of our amazing young people, 2026 is going to be GREAT!

If you’re new and want to join in on the PY fun or still haven’t got one done yet 😬make sure you have a completed consent form which can be found through the link below ⬇️

https://app.upshot.org.uk/signup/301f3ae8/f55ef57de02572ae

A Budget to tackle child poverty

SOCIAL JUSTICE SECRETARY VISITS PYCP

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has said the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27 is a “landmark intervention” in the Scottish Government’s drive to tackle the root causes of child poverty and increase living standards.   

Around £8 billion has been earmarked for the social justice portfolio, boosting support for vulnerable people and low-income families.

This includes plans to:   

  • introduce a new premium element of the Scottish Child Payment in 2027- 2028, raising weekly payments for eligible parents of children under the age of one to £40 per child, benefitting around 12,000 children  
  • create a new £50 million package to boost whole family support. This will further enhance existing support and will include help with transport, skills, and commits £20 million for third sector partners to deliver the support that people need in their communities
  • increase the Tackling Child Poverty Fund from £12.5 million to £61.5 million in 2026-27 
  • invest £7.2 billion in social security, supporting disabled people, unpaid carers, those on low incomes and others, while also providing help with energy bills

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville met parents in receipt of any of the Five Family Payments, including the Scottish Child Payment, on Thursday (15 January) at Pilton Youth and Children’s Project, and said: “Eradicating child poverty is this government’s driving mission – no child should have their prospects hindered by circumstances beyond their control.  

“This Budget is a landmark intervention in our work to tackle the root causes of poverty and reduce the pressure on household finances – from increased support for Scotland’s newest parents, to new initiatives to help increase household incomes and ensure families receive the right support at the right time.  

“With more than £330 million committed across three years to our Tackling Child Poverty Fund and to investment in Whole Family Support, we are laying the groundwork to drive continued progress in the year ahead, breaking the cycle of poverty in Scotland for good.” 

Kitchen upgrade for Pilton Retreat thanks to rugby charity Wooden Spoon

We would like to thank the Wooden Spoon Charity for their very generous funding towards the upgrade of our kitchen at Pilton Retreat in Ratho (writes LESLEY ROSS).

The kitchen has been well used over the years and was dated and in need of repair. This funding has transformed the kitchen.

It was officially opened on Friday by Roger Baird, former Scotland International rugby player.

What a great afternoon it was meeting members of the Wooden Spoon, talking about the work of MYDG and all the groups that visit and stay at Pilton Retreat.

It was a chance to showcase the facility and talk about the importance of the centre for children, young people and their families in particular those from the North Edinburgh area.

We spoke about the history of Pilton Retreat and we hope this afternoon has raised the profile of the centre – we have grown our contacts and partnership opportunities and the chance of more funding in the future from a range of sources.

What a great afternoon it was !!!.   

Lesley Ross (Manager Pilton Retreat)

West Pilton Community Cleanup

MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER from 4.30pm – 6.30pm FERRY ROAD DRIVE

🌟 **Calling All Volunteers young and old!** 🌟

We’re hosting a **Community Clean-Up** and we need YOUR help to make a difference! 💪🌿

📍 **Where?** The Arena Basketball Court, Ferry Road Drive

📅 **When?** Monday 22nd September

🕓 **Time?** 4:30PM – 6:30PM (Clean-Up)

🕡 6:30PM – 7:30PM (Refreshments at PYCP – come relax and chat!)

Let’s come together to **tidy and improve the basketball court and surrounding green space**.

Whether you can spare 30 minutes or the whole time, every helping hand counts!

🎉 **Free refreshments afterwards** at PYCP – everyone welcome!

Let’s make The Arena a space we can all be proud of. 🏀💚

**Supported by:** Places for People Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (PYCP), Police Scotland Edinburgh

📢 **Tag a friend, share this post, and let’s build a cleaner, greener, more welcoming community together!**

#CommunityCleanup

#VolunteerEdinburgh

#MakeADifference

#PYCP

#FerryRoadDrive

#TheArenaBasketballCourt

PYCP Autumn Programme

👀 Have a good look at our new programme below! We are so ready to welcome everyone back NEXT WEEK!

Please look carefully as some of our age groups have changed and we want you to come along to the right one! 😎

Children/Young people MUST have a new completed consent form to come along, any done before or during the summer holidays don’t count! Please follow this link to fill them in ⬇️

https://app.upshot.org.uk/signup/301f3ae8/f55ef57de02572ae

Support for neurodivergent children as new school term looms

To all our PY Families and Friends – please share:

✨ Support for Families ✨

Are you the parent or carer of a neurodivergent child getting ready for the new school term and looking for a little extra support?

Check out supports available by visiting the Neurodiversity pages on the City of Edinburgh Support for Families webpages.

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/additional…/neurodiversity

Find a range of other supports at on the other Support for Families webpages.

https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/supportforfamilies

or email supportingparentsancdcarers@edinburgh.gov.uk

#SupportForFamiliesNeurodiversity2025

‘THIS ISN’T OK’: PYCP appeal after food stolen from Community Garden

We’re saddened to share that our community garden—lovingly tended by local children and dedicated volunteers—has been taken, and many of the vegetables we’ve grown together are gone.

This garden is more than just plants; it’s a space for learning, connection, and giving back. We’re asking for your help to spread the word and protect this special place.

👉 Please share this post with your friends and family.

👉 If you see or hear anything, let us know.

👉 Let’s work together to keep our garden safe and thriving.

Thank you PY Team x