GRANTON COMMUNITY GARDENERS
THIS WEDNESDAY (29th) AT THE COMMUNITY GARDEN. OUR SUMMER BBQ, FREE EVENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Scran Academy and Granton Garden Bakery
Tomorrow: Free Community BBQ!
Tag: Scran Academy
Scran Café celebrates one year of impact at Royal Hospital for Children and Young People
Today marks one year since the opening of Scran Café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP), the largest café operated by youth-led social enterprise Scran Academy.
In just 12 months, the café has become a valued and welcoming space for patients, families, NHS staff and visitors, while creating life-changing opportunities for young people across Edinburgh through real-life enterprise experience and Scran Academy’s youth programmes.
This year the café has made over 33,758 meals and 15,305 coffees, welcoming more than 37,540 customers, that’s over 200 NHS staff, patients and family members served each day, who are supporting Scran Academy’s mission to see every young person, regardless of background or barrier, realise their full potential in learning, work and life.
The RHCYP café represents this mission in action. Since opening, it has provided 8 young people with Living Wage employment, alongside work placements and volunteering opportunities, with young people making up the majority of the café team.
For many, it is their first experience of paid employment, giving them the chance to develop workplace skills, confidence and independence in a busy healthcare environment.
This impact has resulted in the café team gaining national recognition, with Scran Café becoming a finalist at the National Youth Work Awards 2026.
Reflecting on their first year, the young team at RHCYP shared: “Thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. We are also thankful to all the people who made this possible, who have been leading and supporting us in this newly opened space.
“We have also built great friendships along the way, and we are so proud of what we have created.”
Founder and Chair of Scran Academy, John Loughton BEM, said: “This year we’ve watched young people graft, grow in confidence and build something pretty special.
“Yet again, they proved what I believe to my core: Back young people and they will amaze you.
“To NHS Lothian, our customers, partners and every person who has championed us this year, thank you for believing in young people with us.”
Join the Scran Fam!
We’re looking for Academy support volunteers!
Want to be part of something that makes a real difference?
We’re on the lookout for passionate volunteers who want to make a positive impact in their community and work with amazing young people.
As a Scran volunteer, you’ll be part of a welcoming, supportive family that’s committed to creating opportunities, empowering young people, and making a difference together.
Ready to become part of the Scran fam?
Email jane@scranacademy.com to find out more
Scran Academy to receive £8,000 boost from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland Tough Mudder challenge
Housebuilder staff brave mud and obstacles to support young people into education and employment
Eleven members of staff from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland have raised £8,000 for Scran Academy, an Edinburgh catering social enterprise that supports school-aged young people facing poverty and trauma to engage in education and employment.
The funds were raised through the team’s completion of the Tough Mudder obstacle course challenge, with parent company Barratt Redrow match funding the £4,000 raised on the day.
The Tough Mudder team, drawn from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland and Oregon Timber Frame, a Selkirk-based timber manufacturer acquired by Barratt Redrow in 2022, took on the course, battling mud pits, physical obstacles and teamwork challenges across the course’s demanding terrain.
Scran Academy is a youth-led catering social enterprise on a mission to help every young person, regardless of background or barrier, realise their full potential in learning, work and life. The organisation was selected as Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland’s charity partner of the year for 2026/27.
Yvonne Barrie, Regional Finance Managerfor Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland said: “Taking on the Tough Mudder is never easy, but having colleagues alongside you makes all the difference.
“The team gave everything on the day and the spirit throughout was brilliant. Raising £8,000 for Scran Academy makes it all worthwhile.
“The work they do to support young people through food education is genuinely important, and we’re proud that our fundraising can play a part in that.”
Through the match funding programme by the Barratt Redrow Foundation, every pound raised by the team on the day has been doubled, meaning Scran Academy will receive £8,000 to support its work helping young people across Edinburgh into education and employment.
For further information about Barratt and David Wilson Homes visit:
Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland deliver £3,000 funding boost to two Edinburgh groups
COMMUNITY FUND SUPPORT FOR SCRAN ACADEMY
Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com
Charitable organisations across the country are already benefiting from a share of Barratt and David Wilson Homes Scotland’s £63,000 Community Fund for 2026, with two groups in Edinburgh being awarded funding in the first four months of the year.
Part of the UK’s leading housebuilder Barratt Redrow, Barratt and David Wilson Homes Scotland’s Community Fund supports charities and community organisations delivering positive impact in the areas in which it builds.
Since the start of the year, two organisations in Edinburgh have shared a total of £3,000 in funding to support their work. The funded projects span a diverse range of community initiatives, reflecting the breadth of support being delivered through the fund.
Edinburgh-based catering social enterprise Scran Academy was awarded £1,500 to support its work providing opportunities for young people to gain meaningful work experience and skills by helping them to transition beyond the classroom to take control of their development.
The programmes engage them in a bespoke and informal skills training journey, accessing qualifications and accreditation that support them to achieve their next training or employment steps.
Simba Honouring Baby Loss, a charity also based in Edinburgh, was awarded £1,500 to support its services for affected families by helping them create special moments to honour the memory of their baby.
Andrew Morrison, Managing Director at Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “It’s fantastic to see the positive impact the Barratt and David Wilson Homes Scotland 2026 Community Fund is already having on communities across the East of the country.
“The organisations we’ve supported so far are doing vital work, whether that’s providing health and wellbeing services or bringing people together through inclusive community initiatives to make a real difference.
“We’re committed to creating thriving, sustainable communities and we’re proud to play a part in helping these groups continue and expand their work, and we look forward to supporting many more organisations throughout the year.”
The launch of the 2026 Community Fund builds on Barratt and David Wilson Homes Scotland’s long-standing commitment to social responsibility and community engagement. The housebuilders are currently creating a range of new communities in Edinburgh, including Barratt Homes @ West Craigs and David Wilson Homes’ West Craigs Quarter.
The Barratt and David Wilson Homes Scotland Community Fund is funded by the Barratt Redrow Foundation, the charitable arm of Barratt Redrow, which aims to help communities across the UK to thrive. Grants will be available exclusively to registered charities operating in the areas in which Barratt and David Wilson Homes build, including the East of Scotland.
Applications for 2026 funding will close on 30 October 2026 with successful applicants continuing to be selected throughout the year*.
For more information about the Barratt and David Wilson Homes Scotland 2026 Community Fund including eligibility and how to apply, visit:
www.barrattredrowfoundation.org.uk/faqs
For more information about Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, visit:
Additional £26 million for CashBack for Communities projects
Seized criminal assets support 1.4 million young people to date
Thousands more young people who may be at risk of becoming involved in antisocial behaviour and crime will be supported by an additional £26 million of CashBack for Communities funding.
CashBack uses money recovered from seized criminal assets and reinvests it into communities. The funding supports young people by providing safe spaces, training and free activities that build confidence and skills, while also addressing issues that could lead to harm before they develop.
In this latest round of funding a record 51 projects will share up to £26 million – bringing the total amount paid out to CashBack to £156 million since it began in 2008, with more than 1.4 million young people supported so far.
New projects include North Edinburgh’s Scran Academy, an acclaimed catering social enterprise that works with local schools, youth workers, social workers and the police. SCRAN will soon be opening a new cafe in West Pilton Park, and the project has been awarded funding to help young people aged 11–25 learn catering and customer service skills and gain work experience in a busy community space.
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “CashBack for Communities turns the proceeds of crime into life-changing opportunities for the thousands of young people who take part in projects across Scotland every year.
“Seeing the fantastic work of Scran Academy first hand and meeting the young people benefitting from projects like this, is exactly why investment in the CashBack programme matters.
“Since 2008, CashBack has had a transformational impact on young people’s lives. This unique initiative underlines our commitment to support Scotland’s young people to live full, healthy lives and to help address some of the underlying causes of crime and antisocial behaviour in our communities.”
Will Bain, CEO of Scran, said: “We’re thrilled to be part of the CashBack for Communities fund. Too often we talk about young people as a problem, but at Scran Academy what we see every day is pure potential, just waiting for the right chance.
“This fund will help unlock that potential, creating the relationships, experiences and opportunities that allow young people to shape their own futures.
“Every young person, no matter their background or barrier, deserves that chance, and we need a Scotland that offers it. Because the truth is, young people are never the problem; they are the solution.”
Phase 7 of the CashBack for Communities programme will run from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2029 with an increased overall programme budget of up to £26 million.
Scran Academy are Barratt Homes East Scotland’s new Charity Partner
SCRAN Academy are excited to announce that we have been selected as Barratt Homes East Scotland’s charity partner for 2026 & 27!
This partnership is a huge moment for us and the young people we support, helping us grow our impact and reach even more young people across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Will Bain, CEO, Scran Academy, said: “We’re so excited to be partnering up with Barratt Homes East Scotland! Working with our biggest home builder will transform just how many young people we can help feel at home in education and employment. We can’t wait to help build positive futures together!
“It’s been amazing to welcome such an enthusiastic team from Barratt Homes on board. They’ve already shared brilliant ideas that will genuinely benefit both organisations, and it’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know the whole team. We’re really excited to keep building this partnership and creating new opportunities together.
“What matters most to us is the difference this partnership will make for young people. It will open doors to new experiences, and opportunities to build skills, gain confidence, and create trusted relationships.
“Hearing directly from Barratt Homes’ directors, sharing their own stories and showing real belief in Scran and what we do, has been incredibly reassuring.
“It’s clear they truly value our work, and we can’t wait to see what we can achieve together.”
Andrew Morrison, Managing Director for Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “We’re very proud to be partnering with Scran Academy and to support an organisation that is creating so many meaningful opportunities for young people. Their work is making a real difference, helping individuals build confidence, gain valuable experience and move towards brighter futures.
“Barratt and David Wilson Homes care deeply about the communities we help shape, and this partnership reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that have a lasting, positive impact. We’re excited to see what we can achieve together over the next two years.”
This partnership will include a range of collaborative initiatives, including fundraising, volunteering, work experience opportunities, and direct engagement with the young people we support. It’s going to make a real lasting impact!
Scran Academy are proud to be Barratt Homes East Scotland’s charity partner and can’t wait to see all the amazing things we’ll achieve together over the next 2 years!
Edinburgh’s Regenerative Futures Fund Moves into Next Phase
Edinburgh’s pioneering Regenerative Futures Fund has reached a major milestone in its long-term effort to shift power and resources into the hands of communities tackling poverty, racism and the climate crisis.
From 97 proposals, a Panel, made up of 15 Edinburgh residents with direct experience of poverty and racism, selected 34 projects to advance to the next stage of funding.
50% of selected projects are led by Black and People of Colour, reflecting the city’s commitment to dismantling racism, tackling the climate transition, ending poverty, and addressing the interconnected challenges shaping a just and thriving future.
Included among the projects initially selected are local initiatives Lauriston Farm Collective, Muirhouse Youth Development Group and R2 (above).
The Resident’s Panel has spent months listening, learning and working through each application with care, mapping projects across the City by geography, theme, and approach. Projects selected will enter the capacity-building phase, from August until December, giving groups the time, space and funding to develop full proposals for long-term, unrestricted funding.
Proposals submitted at the start of 2026 will then be considered for an annual award of £100,000, for ten years. Between 10 and fifteen projects will be selected.
However, the work of the fund goes beyond this as all 34 groups, and dozens more from the initial 97 projects, have registered interest in joining the Regenerative Futures Fund wider network for peer learning, collaboration and collective action – a shared movement for the future of Edinburgh.
“We’re here to build movements, as well as to distribute funds,” says Aala Ross, Co-Head of the Fund. “If we accept that the Fund exists to redistribute power, not just resources, we can reimagine our role as something more powerful.
We nurture conditions for collective power, we build trust across difference, and we learn together, to challenge the systems that shape our lives.”
Leah Black, Co-Head, adds: “We’re flipping the usual script on funding. We’re saying: here’s the time, here’s the space, here’s the support – now let’s imagine and build the future we actually want.
“That’s what makes this different. It’s rooted in care, equity and collaboration, and it’s led by the people who live and breathe these challenges every day.”
The Regenerative Futures Fund is backed by some of the UK’s biggest charitable funders, including the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The National Lottery Community Fund, The Robertson Trust, Turn2us Edinburgh Trust, Foundation Scotland and City of Edinburgh Council.
Crucially, these funders have stepped back from decision-making, placing control firmly with local people.
City Council Leader Jane Meagher said “Five years ago, Edinburgh became the first UK city to set a target date to end poverty. To achieve this, we must be ambitious and drive the change that is so greatly needed, which means being brave and being innovative.
“We know this is a challenging time for the third sector and we’re working to increase stability for organisations. By giving greater, longer-term support to community projects, they can get on with what they do best – supporting residents, tackling poverty, and changing lives.
“Edinburgh’s Regenerative Futures Fund is a unique new fund to help us achieve just that and end poverty together.
“I’m excited to see a shortlist drawn up by individuals with lived experience of poverty and looking forward to funding awards being presented early next year.”
In September, the wider network of applicants and community groups will come together for the first time to begin a city-wide journey of learning, connection and shared action.
The Fund is also inviting new partners, funders, donors, philanthropists and supporters to join this long-term collaborative effort to reimagine how resources are shared in the city.
For more information, including the list of the 34 projects in the capacity-building phase, visit Services 4 — Regenerative Futures Fund | Working Together Towards A Regenerative And Just Future For Edinburgh | Community Fund | Scotland – UK
How May I Help You?
TOGETHER WE REPAIR: EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL
I met a nice couple after our Citizen Group’s performances at the Book Festival on Monday. Time was really tight at the end of the evening – we must have been among the last to leave the Edinburgh Futures Institute – and I’m sorry we didn’t have longer to discuss the event, but thanks for being so kind about it!
As I explained the other night, we had to pare our contributions right back to three minute slots due to time constraints. I think my original draft was over six minutes, but with careful editing (i.e. removing large chunks of swearie words!) I got it down to the required length.
So as promised, here is my Stories and Scran contribution How May I Help You? I am really chuffed that you enjoyed the piece so much and I do hope you’ll enjoy reading it again.
Stories and Scran is a real community event and I know my fellow Citizen writers get just as much pleasure from participating at the event as I do – there’s always a very warm and welcoming atmosphere and audiences are invariably supportive. It’s that enthusiasm that makes Stories and Scran so special.
It was nice to meet you, and who knows – maybe we’ll do it all over again next year!
HOW MANY I HELP YOU?
I was sitting in a queue of morning rush hour traffic when I was startled by a loud blast on a horn. I thought the traffic had moved again while I had been daydreaming, but no: the driver alongside me was pointing down to the back of my car.
Confused, I wound down my window. “Your back tyre is flat”, he called across.
Fortunately there is a big AutoCare Centre just along the road and I was able to trundle along there. The tyre was completely flat now and the wheel made a horrible squealing noise as it rumbled along.
I parked and approached the Reception Desk. John was in charge. I know this because he wore a big badge with his name on it – and he also answered the phone many times while I waited to be seen.
“Good morning AutoCare Centre, John speaking, how may I help you? Ah yes, Mr Wilson. The Zafira, wasn’t it? Let me check …”
I don’t know what John checked. He didn’t move, or even look at a screen. He stood, eyes closed, in a trance-like state for ages … maybe he was psychic?
“Mr Wilson? Sorry about that, sir. Yes, the lads are on it now. Can you give us a call back around lunchtime? … I do realise that, sir, but we have been very busy this morning … yes, I’ll call you back with an update. Of course … Yes, you have a nice day now …
Maybe I imagined it, but I’m sure he muttered: “Phone you back? Aye,right!”
Barely had John put the phone down than it was ringing again. “Good morning, Autocare Centre, John speaking how may … ah hello, Mrs Hill I was just going to call you. Great minds think alike, eh?
“Some bad news, I’m afraid – we are still waiting for parts … yes, six weeks IS a long time but we have to get the parts sent over from France you see … I do understand, Mrs Hill, but between Covid and Brexit … yes, yes, I can only apologise. You know what the French are like … I will chase them up again the second I put the phone down. I’ll call you right back … ‘
He put the phone down, gave a mighty sigh and raised his eyes. “Be with you in a second, sir,” he told me. “Help yourself to a complimentary tea or coff …”
The phone rang again. “Good morning Autocare Centre, John … och it’s just you, Benny!. How you doin’, my man? Are yous busy down there – we’re rushed off our feet here …’
I did fancy a coffee but a lengthy queue was building up behind me and I didn’t want to lose my place.
After quite a while, one customer had had enough. “This is bloody ridiculous!” he said in a very loud voice.
I heard it, the whole queue heard it, the tyre fitters in the workshop heard it – but John was oblivious. His conversation went on and on …
Finally, he glanced up … “Sorry, Benny, I’ll have to love you and leave you … we’re stowed oot the door here!”
I WAS NEXT!
“Sorry about your wait, sir, we’ve been UNBELIEVABLY busy this morning. Now, what can I do for you? What appears to be the problem?
Now, I would have thought that the problem would have been fairly obvious to John, but I pointed to my shredded tyre.
“Ah yes, we’ll take a look at that for you. The lads are busy just now but have a seat and we’ll get it up on a ramp as soon as we can. Help yourself to a coff …
The telephone rang again.
“Good morning, AutoCare Centre, J …Nearly afternoon? What a quick morning it’s been! Ah yes, Mrs Hill! Ye’ll no’ believe this – I was just going to call you …
Tomorrow: Summer BBQ with Granton Community Gardeners
SUMMER BBQ THIS WEDS 30th JULY 2-5pm (or when the food runs out). FREE, at the community garden (10 Wardieburn Road).
With BBQ from Scran Academy, bread from Granton Garden Bakery, and salad from Lauriston Farm (Edinburgh Agroecology Coop). ALL WELCOME!
Wednesday gardening club is on as usual from 1pm.
Dr Bike will be in 2-4pm -Free bike safety checks (thanks to R2 and North Edinburgh Arts)
Please note, this event with the Scran Van is earlier than our usual 5pm for the last Wednesday of the month.