Scotmid has announced the launch of an exciting new charity partnership with the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) and is rallying customers, members and colleagues to come together and ‘seas’ the opportunity to support their fundraising efforts.
Funds raised will enable the RNLI to purchase a new Atlantic 85 lifeboat, which will form part of the relief fleet and will be used by stations to assist in critical rescues during times when vessels are undergoing repairs or maintenance.
Jill Hepburn, Head of Region for the RNLI in Scotland, said:“We are very excited to be working with Scotmid, which has an incredible reputation for both fundraising and raising awareness for their charity partners.
“This partnership will reach into the very hearts of our communities and help us to raise awareness of water safety and the incredible work carried out by our dedicated volunteers.
“Over 90% of our rescues take place less than one mile from shore, meaning the Atlantic 85 is credited with saving countless lives each year. As part of our relief fleet, the Scotmid lifeboat will have a lifesaving impact on numerous communities in Scotland – a tribute fitting to such an outstanding organisation.”
The Atlantic 85 is one of the fastest in the RNLI’s fleet. The boat has the capacity to carry four crew members as well as core medical and rescue equipment. Critically, it has the space to transport several additional people, making it ideal for a range of open water incidents.
John Brodie, Chief Executive at Scotmid, said:“The alignment of the RNLI’s values with our own, which centre around serving our communities and enhancing lives, makes us perfect partners. As we eagerly embark on the year ahead, our colleagues are already ‘on board’ and enthusiastically charting out fundraising plans!”
Volunteer lifeboat crews provide a 24-hour rescue service, and seasonal lifeguards look after people on busy beaches. RNLI crews and lifeguards have saved over 142,700 lives since the charity launched in 1824, with lifeboats launching 9,312 times in 2022, saving 389 lives.
The RNLI has 238 lifeboat stations around the coasts of the UK and Ireland.
Scotmid colleagues across Edinburgh have helped raise an incredible total of £295,000 for Guide Dogs following the retailer’s year-long charity partnership.
The money raised will help support people across Edinburgh living with sight loss by trainingtwo Guide Dog Mobility Specialists and three Habilitation Specialists, as well as setting a whole litter of puppies off on their journey to become future life-changers for people affected by sight loss in our community.
[Pictured L-R: Shirley MacGillivray, Scotmid, Kyla McVicar & Bruce, Guide Dogs, John Brodie, Scotmid, Aileen Murphy & Breeze, Guide Dogs, Linda Jordan, Guide Dogs, Norrie Bainbridge & Kano, Guide Dogs, Jim Watson, Scotmid]
Scotmid and Guide Dogs are celebrating their paw-sitively perfect charity partnership, which has raised £295,000 to support people across Edinburgh living with sight loss
Scotmid colleagues, customers and members in Edinburgh have taken the lead in fundraising for the community retailer’s barkingly brilliant charity companion. Funds have been raised through a range of activities, including in-store raffles, physical challenges, bingo nights, and community events
The funds raised will make a significant difference by training two Guide Dog Mobility Specialists and three Habilitation Specialists, as well as setting a whole litter of puppies off on their journey to become future life-changers for people affected by sight loss in local communities
The success of the charity partnership is testament to the impact that collective efforts can achieve. Through the generosity and dedication of Scotmid and its supporters, countless lives will be positively transformed.
A community focused, environmental and wellbeing initiative led by Scotmid, is giving Edinburgh locals the chance to nurture and grow their own fresh fruit for free.
Scotmid is encouraging groups in Edinburgh to apply for £200 to purchase fruit trees or bushes to plant in a publicly accessible area, as part of its already highly successful, Scotland-wide Community Orchard campaign.
The campaign, created to encourage people to work together, increase physical activity and benefit the local environment, has spread its roots far and wide since launching earlier this year, with more than 70 orchards having been planted in sites up and down the country.
The retailer is now urging those in Edinburgh to apply, in a bid to complete Scotmid’s ambition to have a community orchard close to every Scotmid store.
Lynne Ogg, Communities Manager at Scotmid, said: “It has been so encouraging watching communities come together to plant a whole host of fruit trees and bushes. Some of our groups have already spotted their first fruit and we can’t wait to hear how good they taste!
“Not only is this a fun way to get together with your local community but it’s also a really easy way to get outside and enjoy your local environment – we would love for more communities to benefit from this initiative.”
Seeding success: Scotmid’s Winchburgh Community Orchard – Case Study
Orchards offer volunteering opportunities throughout the year, as well as the chance to learn new skills, create habitats for wildlife and produce an array of edible produce.
Since securing the Scotmid Community Orchard grant, the Winchburgh Community Growing Group has extended its community growing space.
The West Lothian based group started in 2018, with 50 planters across the village. By 2022, it had grown and moved to a 1.5acre site in Auldcathie Park which includes trees, planters, a community cabin and a kids zone.
The community growing space used Scotmid’s Community Orchard funding to purchase and plant eight Braeburn apple trees. Community volunteers will grow fruit to eat, cook and turn into juices.
Students from SRUC Oatridge college and local volunteers have been responsible for the planting and maintenance of the orchard, which is an open community space that hosts regular free growing and community events.
The orchard trees were planted close to Winchburgh’s Scotmid store, in a zone designed for wildlife and growing. Over 80 people in the community have benefitted from the additional trees from the Community Orchard initiative, with volunteers grafting, pruning and taking care of them for the benefit of the wider community.
John West from Winchburgh Community Growing Group, said:“The funding from Scotmid has helped us to purchase and plant eight apple trees which will provide Winchburgh locals with apples for years to come.
“As much as we are all excited to see the apples grow, it’s also been really rewarding to see members of the community work together to care for the orchard – now we can’t wait to try our first apple crumble!”
Scotmid is giving customers across Edinburgh the chance to make the perfect Chippy Tea at home all year round, after making new supplier We hae meat’s, chippy style battered pork sausage and battered black pudding products a permanent listing in 125 of its stores across Scotland.
These sought after Scottish delicacies, produced by the Ayrshire-based business, are now available from Scotmid’s stores across the city.
The listing’s long-term success follows the family run business’s recent accolade of being named a ‘Scotmid Scottish Favourites’ winner – a competition run in partnership with Scotland Food and Drink launched during Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight in 2022. After a triumphant three-week promotional listing back in February, which proved a triumph with customers, the products are back by popular demand on a permanent basis.
Jessica van Tromp, Local Sourcing Manager at Scotmid said: “Our customers love these products! We hae meat’s commitment to excellence has paid off and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this exciting Scottish business.”
Founded in 2007, We hae meat is run by Carlyn Paton and her husband Alex, on the family farm in Ayrshire’s beautiful Girvan Valley. With a commitment to developing products that are made from traditional recipes, while minimising their impact on the environment, the business implemented a comprehensive carbon management plan aimed at reducing on-site emissions in 2016.
On securing the permanent listing, Carlyn Paton said: “Knowing our products are available in over 100 Scotmid stores is a huge achievement for us.
“We are so proud that our family-run, sustainable-focused business can provide tasty products to more customers than we’ve ever reached before across the country.”
Since then, prioritising sustainability and showcasing dedication to operating in an environmentally responsible manner has been We hae meat’s focus. A notable achievement in its sustainability efforts is the on-site renewables plant, which plays a pivotal role in reducing its carbon footprint.
This plant generates 100% of We hae meat’s hot water requirements and 80% of its electricity demands. By harnessing renewable energy sources, the company not only contributes to a greener future but also showcases their innovation and forward-thinking approach, ultimately providing stores and customers with convenient, tasty and sustainable products.
We hae meat recommends that their chippy-style products are eaten with oven chips and peas – but the question stands on if they should be mushy or not!
Co-op Fortnight is an annual celebration of the cooperative movement, aiming to raise awareness about the importance of cooperatives, their impact on local communities, and their potential for fostering economic and social development.
It is the perfect time to celebrate the connection and shared values between two co-operatives that both proudly hail from Edinburgh, Scotmid and Capital Credit Union. Scotmid, an independent cooperative serving Scottish communities for over 160 years, focuses on sustainable practices and local sourcing.
Capital Credit Union, established in 1989, prioritises fair and affordable financial services, empowering individuals and communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
For over 20 years, Scotmid has been a proud member of Capital Credit Union. This longstanding partnership highlights the deep-rooted connection between these two Scottish organisations and the shared values that have fostered their successful cooperation.
Trudi Fisher is Scotmid’s Community Team Administrator – making a connection between the two organisations Trudi epitomises the positive outcomes resulting from their collaboration.
Trudi is a member of Capital Credit Union and uses their payroll saving scheme to build her own savings. She joined Capital Credit Union earlier this year to set aside funds for special occasions like Christmas and in case of emergency car repairs.
By saving directly from her salary, Trudi feels she is effortlessly contributing to her savings goals. She also appreciates that her savings are supporting another member organisation, reinforcing the cooperative values of mutual support and solidarity.
Trudi shares her experience: “I use the monthly payroll savings scheme from Capital Credit Union. It was really easy to set up. I downloaded their app, went through the instructions, and they did all the rest.
“Their Customer Service is great, and they get back to you straight away if you have any queries.”
Through this partnership, Scotmid colleagues gain access to a wide range of financial products and financial education resources. It strengthens their financial well-being, enables them to achieve personal financial goals, and builds a more secure future.
Abigail Ramage, Business Development Executive at Capital Credit Union, expressed her enthusiasm for the partnership: “The collaboration between Scotmid and Capital Credit Union is a testament to the power of cooperative values and shared goals.
“We are proud to have Scotmid as a longstanding member of our credit union, and, together, we have been able to make a significant impact in empowering individuals and building strong, resilient communities.”
Rizza’s of Huntly is proud to announce its victory in the Scotmid Scottish Favourites competition for the second year in a row, earning them the opportunity to showcase their latest creation, Scottish Tablet Ice Cream, in Scotmid stores across Edinburgh.
As one of the five Scottish businesses chosen to win the Scotmid Scottish Favourites competition, Rizza’s exemplifies Scotmid’s commitment to supporting local producers and promoting Scottish sourcing. Rizza’s prides itself on using Scottish ingredients whenever possible, bolstering the Scottish supply chain. The tablet used in their ice cream is sourced from Aldomak, a Glasgow-based supplier and fellow Scotmid partner.
Aldomak, a family business with 80 years of expertise, crafts their ‘Totally Tempting Tablet’ in small batches using traditional family recipes dating back to the 1900s. The collaboration between Rizza’s and Aldomak share a dedication to quality and authenticity.
Donald Morrison, Director at Rizza’s, said:“Winning last year’s competition allowed us to sell our ice cream throughout Scotland reaching new customers who hadn’t heard of us before – we even had some get in touch afterwards asking when we would be in store again!
“We are obviously delighted that we have secured a second listing, this time for our Scottish Tablet Ice Cream. We look forward to hearing what Scotmid customers think of it!”
Jessica van Tromp, Local Sourcing Manager at Scotmid, praised the winners, saying: “Our competition celebrates local Scottish producers, and we are always impressed by the quality of products available in our country.
“Rizza’s Scottish Tablet Ice Cream is an exceptional product that we think will excite customers across the country. We can’t wait to see it in Scotmid stores!”
The other Scotmid Scottish Favourites competition winners from this year are:
We hae meat: Chippy-style battered sausage and battered black pudding
Two Edinburgh based charities – along with a third good cause group in Fife – have been shortlisted to receive a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect award scheme.
The awards will be announced this October, following a vote by Scotmid Members.
Edinburgh Young Carers is a voluntary organisation that provides respite and support to young people between the ages of five and 25 who care for somebody at home. It aims to improve the lives and wellbeing of young carers by raising awareness of the challenges they face and by offering emotional and practical support.
The Junction works with young people aged 12-21 across Leith and the North East of Edinburgh, offering access to a wide range of health-related services, education and information by providing a safe and welcoming environment. The charity encourages social and economic inclusion and promotes long term health and wellbeing.
Margaret Murphy, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Young Carers, said: “We are thrilled to be shortlisted for a Scotmid Community Connect Award.
“Young carers in Edinburgh face several challenges looking after loved ones and this funding will offer new opportunities they wouldn’t have otherwise. We are pleased to provide young carers in Edinburgh with a much-needed break from their caring responsibilities as well as a chance to build their confidence and learn new skills.”
The other good cause shortlisted in the East of Scotland is Fairway Fife.
Keen to support local good causes? Pop into your local Scotmid and pay £1 to become a member.
CHARITY CASH BOOST FOR DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
Three good causes across Edinburgh have been awarded a share of a £75,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme. The awards were decided by a vote of Scotmid Members.
The recipients secured the funding after being shortlisted by the community retailer to receive the lifeline financial support, helping them to continue delivering their vital work.
Upward Mobility (Upmo) received a £15,000 award, with Drylaw Telford Community Association and Beacon Club – Space & Broomhouse Hub each receiving £5,000.
Drylaw Telford Community Association, based in Northwest Edinburgh, Children, young people, adults, older people, and families are offered a varied programme of activities and The Centre is an integral asset to the local community.
One of their key projects is to provide safe and suitable activities for adults and older people suffering from loneliness and social isolation with over 150 members meeting weekly to enjoy a chat, warm refreshments, and activities.
They are supported by a dedicated worker and funding from Scotmid would be used to for activities, transport to the Centre and help with support worker costs.
Beacon Club – Space & Broomhouse Hub is based in Southwest of Edinburgh run The Beacon Club, which provide support for people suffering from Dementia. Due to an increase in demand for their services and despite opening a second facility they still have a waiting list for people to join.
Open 7 days a week, members take part in activities, enjoy a nutritious homecooked lunch and have a safe place to socialise whilst giving their carers some vital respite. Funding from Scotmid would be used for outings, events, reminiscence activities and cover volunteer costs allowing members to live life to the full.
Upward Mobility (Upmo) strive to create a more inclusive society across Edinburgh & The Lothians by supporting adults & young people who live with physical or learning disabilities, Autism or have complex healthcare needs.
They offer the students tailored support services and learning opportunities and their Outdoor Learning Project is based within Jock Tamson’s Gairden in Duddingston, where students learn to grow veg, fruit and flowers.
Funding from Scotmid will be used to build raised beds, wider accessible pathways, purchase suitable tools & equipment and help with the cost of staffing the outdoor project.
Each year, Scotmid Members vote to award a share of £150,000 Community Connect funding to six shortlisted Scottish good causes.
Left to right: Martin Hinds (Drylaw Telford Community Association), Faith Nicholson and Claire Farquhar (Upmo), Nancy Bryson and Lyn Glen (Space & Broomhouse Hub)]
In a nod to International Guide Dogs Day (26th April) – Scotmid has surprised its soon to be retired President with a gift he’ll never forget!
With four legs, a fluffy tail and skills that help change lives, A Guide Dog puppy has been ‘named’ Harry after Harry Cairney as a parting gift. Human and hairy Harry met to shake paws and celebrate Scotmid’s ongoing Charity partnership with Guide Dogs.
PICTURED (L to R) –John Brodie (Scotmid Chief Executive), Harry, , Shelagh Davidson (Guide Dog Puppy Raiser), Kyla McVicar (Guide Dogs), Harry Cairney.
Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a robbery at shop premises in Morvenside.
Around 4.05pm on Saturday (8 April), a man entered Scotmid and threatened staff and demanded money. He left with a three-figure sum of money.
Staff were shocked but unhurt.
Detective Constable Peter Lyons of CID in Edinburgh said : “We are keen to trace a man described as 6’2” tall, of slim build, with a Scottish accent. He wore a black scarf or face mask, light blue hooded rain jacket, dark blue jogging bottoms and black trainers.
“He was seen to run off towards the Westburn area.
“Anyone who was in the area and witnessed the incident is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting 2383 of Saturday, 8 April, 2023.”
