Running for Fet-Lor

Amy and Sara are running the Edinburgh Half Marathon next month and Ryan is doing the full 26.2 miles.

They are running this for FetLor.

Everything they raise will go towards our Summer Programme. Last year we put on a 5 week programme that included 24 trips to lots of different activities including Fox Lake, Bridge 8 and North Berwick.

All our trips are free and can only happen thanks to the support of people like Ryan, Sara and Amy. If you can, please sponsor them.

Heres a link to their Just Giving page:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/amy-henderson14

Get into Summer programme: holiday fun across the Capital

Children and young people are getting geared up for a summer of fun as an exciting programme of activities is being delivered by over 100 Council services and partner organisations across the Capital.

The Get into Summer initiative is part of a nationwide scheme funded by the Scottish Government to create a variety of opportunities for children and their families to play, socialise and re-connect over the summer.

The activities will build on the regular summer programmes put on by the City of Edinburgh Council and partners and are taking place in communities across the city. They will help children and young people to get healthy, creative and most importantly, re-connect with each other after a disrupted school year caused by the pandemic.

A key focus of the programme will be activities targeted to those families from low income households who may otherwise struggle to access such experiences during the holidays. The overall programme has a focus on opportunities for youth and children’s work, very young children and their families, with opportunities for sport, outdoor, art and cultural activities.

Some of the partner organisations putting on events and providing support include: 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, Disability Services, Intercultural Youth Scotland, Edinburgh Young Carers, Lochend Football Academy, National Galleries of Scotland, Play2Learn Sports Coaching and Shakti Women’s Aid.

Fet Lor Summer Programme

Councillor Ian Perry, Convener for Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We know how much our children and young people have had their year disrupted by the pandemic and our ‘Get into Summer’ programme aims to bring as many of them together as possible to play and socialise over the holidays.

“There really is something for everyone with activities ranging from sports coaching to museum trips and music workshops with many additional activities on top of what we usually offer during the summer. We want to do all we can to support our children, young people, their families and carers so they can enjoy the summer.

“This programme is a great way to do that. Thanks must go to the different Council teams and partner organisations across the city who have pulled together to put on such a great programme of activities.”

MYDG Summer Programme

Councillor Alison Dickie, Vice Convener for Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We have listened to our young people who have told us about the impact of lockdown on their mental health and wellbeing as a result of the pandemic so these activities are a first step to help them re-connect with their friends and interests over the summer.

“They and their families are showing great resilience but no one should underestimate the huge impact the pandemic is having with many of the activities and support usually open to them not yet available. This must change.

“Many families on low income struggle during the summer holidays so this targeted offer is a positive step forward and will boost opportunities for those who have faced the greatest challenges in the past 15 months. This programme has children’s rights and needs at its heart.”

Dot Horne, Director of 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, said: “Get into Summer is a much-needed support for children and young people. During this pandemic so many young people have been adversely affected, isolated and missed out on essential life skills they would have learnt as they progressed through “normal” experiences.

“We’ve seen an increasing number of young people coming forward who are lacking things like self-confidence, coping skills, feeling socially anxious , lonely or unhappy. At 6VT we are offering teenagers a dynamic and active programme of activities where they will be supported to  improve their wellbeing, experience new activities and learn how to build respectful relationships with others.

“We are striving for a lot of fun and laughter with the overall impact of improving happiness. We encourage parents to support their children and young people to engage into Get into Summer activities.”

Find out more about the full Get into Summer programme.

FACENorth summer activities

Are you ready for a new, fantastic summer?

FACENorth (Focusing on Alternatives to Crime Edinburgh North) will be continuing with their regular service throughout the summer holidays, providing 1:1, crisis and family support and help with employment and training.

Have a look below to see the activities that’ll be offered and don’t miss the chance to participate!

MSP’s delight as Edinburgh receives £846,000 for childrens’ summer activities

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, has expressed his delight as the City of Edinburgh Council is set to receive £846,000 from the Scottish Government to encourage children to play and socialise as part of the recovery from the pandemic.

Councils across Scotland will receive a share of £15m to support summer activities that are already in place in certain areas.

The support will specifically target those aged up to 25 from low income households who may otherwise struggle to access such experiences during the holidays.

£5m will also be distributed among prominent Scottish children’s charities such as Barnardo’s and Who Cares Scotland.

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, said: “I am absolutely delighted at this investment in Edinburgh’s children and young people, who have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic as they have not been able to meet up with friends or play the sports they love.

“Coming out of the pandemic young people have told us that their mental health will be a priority and the SNP Scottish Government has listened to them and is investing in summer activities.

“This will have a positive impact on the mental and physical wellbeing of our young people, which will be extremely important when coming out of lockdown and into recovery.”

Youth Project unveils virtual Summer Programme

Pilton Youth & Children’s Project have unveiled their plans for a Summer Programme with a difference this year.

For the first time ever, PYCP activities won’t be happening at The Greenhouse in West Pilton – but will instead be taking place ONLINE ONLY because of ongoing coronavirus restrictions.

Like youth organisations all over the country PYCP have had to adapt to these unique circumstances but despite huge challenges they have managed to put together a programme that’s  packed with fun activities despite being drastically different to those of recent years.

Activities commence week commencing 29 June. Full programme below:

PYCP summer-programme