Scran Academy – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

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.

https://twitter.com/i/status/2016813569946636698

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.

STV Children’s Appeal Ignite Fund support for local charities

SCRAN ACADEMY and THE YARD to receive a share of over £1m to help put a stop to child poverty in Scotland

Three Edinburgh children’s charities have been named among 11 Scottish organisations as partners of STV Children’s Appeal’s new Ignite Fund.

Each charity will receive a share of £1 million this year through the funding programme created to deliver ongoing financial and non-financial support to children, young people and family charities in Scotland.

Since its inception in 2011, STV Children’s Appeal has invested in long-term projects with charitable organisations. The Ignite Fund, a key part of the Appeal, will continue to provide sustained, multi-year financial and development aid to charities across the country to help break the cycle of child poverty in Scotland.

The Edinburgh charities which will receive funding are:

Scran Academy which is a catering social enterprise empowering young people to realise their full potential through transformational education and employability programmes;
based in Edinburgh and operating Scotland wide is Place2Be & Youth Scotland which equips youth workers and Peer Leaders with the tools to provide vital support for young people’s mental health and wellbeing, and
The Yard which has a play and family support centre for disabled children in Edinburgh as well as other cities across Scotland.

These charities were chosen for their commitment to offering tangible, scalable solutions which tackle the root causes of poverty – an ethos shared by the Ignite Fund.

The STV Children’s Appeal will work closely with Ignite partners to identify goals, needs, and opportunities for growth, aiming to drive both immediate improvements and lasting systemic change.

The initiative will include the launch of the Ignite Academy which will offer charity partners access to STV’s in-house expertise (such as marketing, communications, and creative), while fostering a peer network for knowledge-sharing and collaboration.

Natalie Wright, Head of STV Children’s Appeal, said: “At STV Children’s Appeal, we have always focused on ensuring the funding we give is well thought through and with a purpose, which is exactly what we are doing with The Ignite Fund.

“Our experience shows that a sustained approach to our partnerships gives real results which make an immediate and lasting impact to those who need it most.

“We’re excited to welcome Place2Be back to continue our successful partnership, and to have The Yard and Scran Academy on board for the beginning of a fruitful relationship which will change lives.”

Scran Academy is in its first year of partnership with STV Children’s Appeal and provides meaningful youth-led education, employment and skills-building programmes through innovative catering social enterprises, helping young people realise their full potential.

The STV Children’s Appeal’s Ignite Fund will allow Scran Academy to reach younger age groups earlier, generate systemic change, and build capacity by opening new youth-led cafes, including one in the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, opening this summer.

Scran Academy Founder and Chair, John Loughton said: “This is the largest single investment in Scran, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. This funding will create hundreds of new employment and training opportunities for young people across Lothian.

“Our team will keep driving lifechanging impact across education, enterprise and community development, led by the communities we serve. As Founder, I know at Scran we trust and believe that folk facing poverty are the solutions to their own lives – we see what they can do, not what they don’t have.

“Thank you to the STV Children’s Appeal, one of Scotland’s most forward-looking funders. We’re ready to get to work and quite literally, Cater for the Future.”

The Yard, which has a play and family support centre in Edinburgh, is dedicated to improving the lives of disabled children, young people, and their families across Scotland. Their mission is to create thriving, supportive communities that enhance the well-being of families facing the challenges of disability.

The organisation will be supported by the Ignite Fund for the first time as it sets out on its five-year strategy to expand its impact, improve inclusion, and ensure sustainable growth.

Celine Sinclair, CEO at the Yard, said: “The Ignite Fund partnership couldn’t have come at a better time for us at The Yard.

“Our Edinburgh based play and education centre is a thriving community space which makes a huge difference to the families we work with, and this new funding and support will help us grow and develop our team which will ultimately let us continue expanding across Scotland and helping more families than ever.”

Place2Be, a children’s mental health charity providing counselling and support to UK schools. In partnership with Youth Scotland, the national charity for community-based youth work development, they are setting out to equip community-based youth workers with the essential knowledge and understanding of young people’s mental health, and the skills and confidence to better support their emotional needs.

Michele Meehan, Head of Youth Work Programmes at Youth Scotland said: “The Ignite fund has allowed Place2Be and Youth Scotland to work together to create a suite of programmes and resources for youth workers in the community which are needed to support young people with the issues they currently face.”

Find out how you can get involved: stv.tv/appeal

Scran Academy launches new youth-led café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People

North Edinburgh-based social enterprise Scran Academy has announced the official opening of its exciting new youth empowerment café at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People (RHCYP) – the New Sick Kids.

Scran Academy is an Edinburgh youth work social enterprise on a mission to help young people realise their full potential in learning, work and life. Set within the Edinburgh children’s hospital, the new Scran Café is a key milestone in its drive to open doors for young people in the region.

Building on four successful years running a popular café at NHS Lothian’s Comely Bank site, Scran Academy’s new café at RHCYP will provide employment and support for dozens of young people across Lothian, giving them opportunities to gain hands-on experience, develop valuable skills, and grow in confidence within a supportive work environment.

Initially employing six young people, the site will also provide a platform for hundreds of work placements and paid jobs.

The RHCYP offers world-class healthcare facilities for children and adults both locally and nationally with 600,000 staff, patients and visitors coming through its doors every year.

The bright youth-led space at Scran Café has been thoughtfully designed to offer a calm and comforting environment for both patients and their families navigating a hospital stay as well as staff taking a break from a busy shift.

Commenting on the opening, Will Bain, CEO of Scran Academy said: “Getting the keys to our Scran Café at the RHCYP is such huge step for us! We’ve got big plans to make this a brilliant, buzzing youth-led hub that brings young people’s voices and choices to life.

“Over the next 3 years our café at the RHCYP will provide work and training for over two hundred young staff and volunteers. Every one of these young people will access the opportunities, relationships and experiences needed to help them build their own futures.

“We’ve demonstrated our model through our partnership with NHS Lothian in the Comely Bank Centre, where we see dozens of young people step out of their café experiences proud, capable and ready for what’s next. Now we are ready to step it up a gear – and we are so excited to be doing it at the RHCYP, one of the most important places in our city.”

Aris Tyrothoulakis, Service Director for Women’s and Children’s at NHS Lothian said: ”We are thrilled to be welcoming Scran Café to RHCYP this summer. For our hard-working teams, patients and families alike, the new café will offer a bright and welcoming space to take some time out from the hustle and bustle of the hospital.

“NHS Lothian is proud to be an Anchor Institution. Our mission to deliver world class health and social care is complemented by our desire to make our buildings and service delivery work in ways that support community wealth building and stable, secure employment.

“Building on our partnership with Scran Academy’s successful café at our Comely Bank site, we look forward to working together to increase access to fair work opportunities for young people in the region.”

Councillor Jane Meagher said “What makes Scran and this cafe unique, is that they really live the principle that every young person has the potential, and the power, to thrive when given the right support. The young staff team here today are shaping their own futures.

“This is exactly the kind of innovative model we want to champion in Edinburgh, where employability goes hand-in-hand with wellbeing, and where young people are supported not just to work, but to feel happy, valued and confident while doing so.

“I am especially proud to know that Scran is fully integrated into the Council’s Accredited Pathways Framework for Schools, which means they are a key delivery partner in offering meaningful learning routes that equips young people right across Edinburgh with real-life experience, accredited training, and a strong sense of purpose.”

Bake Sale at Granton Community Garden

WEDNESDAY 27 NOVEMBER from 1 – 4pm

NEXT Wednesday afternoon, a group are running this bake sale, as a fundraiser for a local disabled person.

Donations of baked treats are welcome and can be brought along on the day..

We’ll also have our regular gardening club open drop-in (1-4pm) and free lunch at 2pm. Dress for the weather!

Later at 5pm, we’ll also have our regular monthly community meal with the Scran Van. Free, all welcome! (Weds 27th Nov)

Tonight at Edinburgh International Book Festival: Stories and Scran

Enjoy tasty food and brilliant performances from local people. Returning for its fifth year, Stories and Scran celebrates dynamic, thought-provoking work created by our Citizen participants.

Expect diverse and creative talent from Project Esperanza’s Women’s Group, WHALE Arts, the Book Festival’s own Adults Writing Group, and Citizen Collective.

And Scran Academy are back to serve up delicious, sweet treats you can enjoy during the event.

Stories and Scran runs from 8 – 9.15pm at the Book Festival’s new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute on Lauriston Place.

Supported by Jenny Colgan Books

Will is Scran Academy’s new CEO

ANNOUNCEMENT

We’re THRILLED to announce a milestone in the Scran Academy journey – congratulations to Will Bain, our new CEO!

Since 2019, Will’s compassionate leadership as our first Catering Manager has elevated our operations, scaling up our Covid response and forming strong partnerships in Edinburgh. He has demonstrated dedication, strategic thinking, and a profound commitment to our mission.

Will’s appointment to CEO with his wealth of experience and passion marks an exciting new chapter for Scran Academy.

Join the team in congratulating Will on this remarkable achievement!