Edinburgh Central MSP Angus Robertson and local Inverleith Councillor Vicky Nicolson have obtained agreement from Hanover Housing Association to fix the uneven cobbles—known as setts—of the ‘pend’ access road from the Sheltered Housing complex in Veitch’s Square in Stockbridge.
Residents, many of whom are older and use walking aids, complained about the uneven surface posing a tripping hazard.
After working through complex issues about land ownership with the Council and housing association, Angus Robertson, Vicky Nicolson and residents have managed to bring the years’ long campaign to an end – and resurfacing will begin on Monday 2nd October.
Angus Robertson MSP said: “While it seemed like this should have been an easy fix, there were a number of issues to navigate and legalities to sort before the re-surfacing could go ahead.
“I’m delighted that Hanover Housing Association has taken on this responsibility and that residents will be able to go out to the community and back to their homes more safely.’
Councillor Vicky Nicolson said: ‘For far too long people who require walking sticks and other mobility aids to get around have felt trapped and anxious about using the most convenient access to the local shops, doctors and other amenities.
“Both Angus and I are over the moon that with winter fast approaching life for the residents of Veitch’s Square will become a little bit easier.’
A letter from Hanover Housing Association has been sent to residents informing them of the impending works.
Musician and PoLHA sheltered housing resident Mike Egan, 79, has released his first solo album to raise funds for the NHS.
Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has supported Mike Egan (79), one of its sheltered housing residents, to produce an album to raise funds for the NHS.
Session guitarist Mike Egan’s musical career includes recording and touring with Elton John, Carly Simon, Rick Wakeman, Shirley Bassey, Charles Aznavour, Sasha Distell and Engelbert Humperdinck. He played on the 1977 Bond soundtrack The Spy Who Loves Me and his song writing credits include Columns of Grey.
Having returned to Leith after living in Belgium for 38 years, Mike was inspired to write his first solo album which outlines his reflections on growing up in Leith.
Mike wanted to raise funds for the NHS after seeing their work during the Covid pandemic. All proceeds will be donated to the NHS.
The album’s production was financed by PoLHA’s Placemaking funds.
Mike Egan commented: “COVID 19 has been a really difficult time. I found solace in my guitar and song writing. Seeing the sacrifices everyone was making to get through the pandemic and those that were working hard to keep everyone safe including the NHS and our sheltered housing staff was inspiring.
“I really enjoyed recording the album, getting back in the studio was the best thing. Richard Werner from B&B Studios was excellent, he is a fantastic sound engineer.”
John Murray, PoLHA Placemaking Manager, said: “Placemaking is all about working with members of the community to improve their lives and the environment we live and work in.
“It’s about looking at what people can bring to their community, not what can be done for them. Our communities are teeming with knowledge, talent and skills and this is just one example of how a little bit of input from an organisation can facilitate something great.”
Utilita, the UK’s leading Smart Pay as You Go energy supplier, has donated £17,910 to The City of Edinburgh Council for community-based projects as part of its ‘Community Fund’ initiative.
The first project that’s kicked off included tree planting in a green space at Firrhill Crescent, in South West Edinburgh.
With Edinburgh set to become a ‘Million Tree City’ by 2030, three beautiful birch trees and three cherry trees were bought and planted by the council thanks to the Utilita Community Fund to benefit future generations to come.
Cllr Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener at The City of Edinburgh Council, commented: “Edinburgh already outstrips other Scottish cities by having more trees per head of population.
“In 2019, we became the first Scottish local authority to support the Charter for Trees, pledging our full commitment to cherish, nurture and celebrate our trees. We are also committed to becoming a Million tree City and this is a welcome step forward working in partnership with Utilita and with local communities.”
Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener at The City of Edinburgh Council, commented:“The generous donation from Utilita helps to support our mission to become a ‘Million Tree City’ by 2030.
“We’re looking forward to working on many other great projects using the Community Fund which benefits the people of Edinburgh and our beautiful city!”
Bill Bullen, Environmentalist and CEO of Utilita, commented: “We’re delighted that The City of Edinburgh Council is putting the Community Fund towards a series of positive projects that’ll help enrich the area and support locals.
“The tree planting is a great project to kick off with and we’re excited to see how the fund will be used further in the coming weeks and months.”
Other upcoming community-based projects taking place as a result of the Utilita Community Fund include the rollout of digital equipment across 13 City of Edinburgh Council’s Sheltered Housing complexes.
The devices will be for the use of sheltered housing tenants and others in the area who might attend activities in the community rooms.
The move aims to empower tenants to interact with the council and other services online, promote social inclusion, provide tenants with the tools, knowledge and advice to support them should they consider buying their own devices, and build their confidence in becoming digitally connected.
As a direct response to the Coronavirus pandemic, Utilita – the only energy company created to help households use less energy – introduced measures to reassure and promote a ‘worry-free’ experience for all customers, especially those experiencing hardship or vulnerability.
In 2020 alone, Utilita issued £8.5m in account credits at zero interest for customers facing financial difficulty through its ‘Power Up’ feature in the My Utilita app, or via a customer call. Utilita’s dedicated Extra Care Team has also called every customer aged 80 and over to advise them on all the ways to top-up and stay on supply.
Central to helping people save money is the Utilita Energy High 5 movement, which enables every household to use around £163 less energy each year by making five free and easy-to-follow changes at home.
More than two million households have engaged with the movement so far – every household can benefit – not just Utilita customers, to start saving today.
Port of Leith Housing Association is celebrating landmark anniversaries of not one but two sheltered housing developments which have played a big part of life in Leith for 25 years and 30 years respectively.Continue reading Two major milestones for sheltered housing in Leith
Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has welcomed more residents into its St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex on Ferry Road.
As part of a £1.6 million project, eight one bedroom flats were completed by Glasgow-based construction specialists, CCG, earlier in the summer. A sun lounge and guest bedroom, plus additional landscaping – including allotment plots for the residents to grow their own fruit, vegetables and flowers – have also been created
The heating system and bathrooms have also been upgraded in the original 35-bedroom development which was built in 1983.
Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager at PoLHA, said: “Our St Nicholas Court development has always been a popular choice for people seeking sheltered housing, so we’re thrilled to be able to give more people the opportunity to live here.
“We’re all really enjoying welcoming our eight new residents into these fantastic flats and hope that they make many happy memories in their new homes.”
New tenant Frances McPherson said: “I previously lived in a flat in Lorne Street for 50 years, but my husband has COPD and the stairs were proving difficult. We are delighted with our new home as it’s lovely and bright and requires no decorating. Plus, our four-year-old granddaughter is looking forward to sleepovers.”
Another new tenant Jane Kelly said: “It is lovely living here. It’s a big change as I lived in my last home for 51 years. I’m getting used to the open plan living layout and I’ve had my granddaughter across who has helped me make it feel like home with photographs and ornaments.”
Calum Murray, Director at CCG, said: “Over recent years CCG has become more and more active in the region of Edinburgh with a broad range of contracts ranging from new build housing to upgrade and renewal. We have worked with Port of Leith Housing Association on many of these contracts and we were delighted to continue this partnership with St Nicholas Court.
“The new residents across the development will benefit from savings on their energy bills thanks to the upgrades to their heating and the installation of solar PV on the roof as well as the enhanced accessibility brought by the new landscaping.”
Residents at a sheltered and owner occupied housing complex in Comely Bank were treated to a special lunch to celebrate a major anniversary in the history of the site recently.Continue reading Celebrations at Carlyle Court
SIZZLING SUMMER FAYRE AT SHELTERED HOUSING COMPLEX
Port of Leith Housing Association’s (PoLHA) St Nicholas Court sheltered housing complex is hosting its annual summer fayre next Saturday (2 August).
The complex, on Ferry Road, will have stalls including a raffle, tombola, home bakes, bric-a-brac, books, DVDS and toys. There will also be a BBQ and face painting for children.
Admission is 50p and all funds raised will support activities for residents including day trips, theatre trips, exercise classes and lunch clubs.
Maureen Tait, Sheltered Housing Services Manager manages the complex. She said: “This is our 17th summer fayre and it’s one of the highlights on our social calendar. Many of the residents really enjoy it as they get to interact with the local community and we’re hoping this great weather we’ve been experiencing continues.
“We normally raise over £1000 at our summer fayres and we’ll be looking to achieve the same, if not more, this time as the money goes towards enjoyable and interactive social activities for the residents.”
The summer fayre will run from 12pm to 2pm at St Nicholas Court on 74 Ferry Road.
