Tag: The Yard

Tomorrow: Businesses team up for Big Match charity clash at Ainslie Park

Businesses from across Edinburgh come together to raise money for The Yard

Businesses from across Edinburgh and the Lothians are teaming up this week to raise money in the second annual Big Match charity fixture.

Some of the city’s prominent private banks, legal firms, finance brokers, property developers and estate agents will be among those running out at Ainslie Park on Friday afternoon in a bid to raise as much cash as possible for The Yard, which runs adventure play services for disabled children, young people and their families in the east of Scotland.

Former Hibs star Darren Dods and ex-Dundee defender Matt Lockwood will also be pulling on a strip, as will celebrity chef Tom Kitchin as Commercial City take on Residential United.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural The Big Match, where Edinburgh’s property sector came together in aid of the Turkey-Syria earthquake appeal, Friday’s event has again been organised by Steve Currie of Murray and Currie Property in the capital.

Steve Currie said: “I’d like to say a huge thank-you to everyone who has made this possible.

“I’m delighted The Big Match is now an official charity after our successful application to become a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO). 

“We have secured the services of our loyal supporters and partners to achieve this status and ensure the charity is reputable, credible, ethical, and professional in delivering all its objectives. It’s been a team effort from everyone. 

“Friday promises to be a great occasion which will raise vital money for The Yard which offers disabled children and young people and their families the chance to experience creative and adventurous indoor and outdoor play in a well-supported environment.

“It’s particularly exciting to have former professional players Darren Dods and Matt Lockwood taking part, while I’m sure Tom Kitchin will be demonstrating some tasty touches as well!”

Celine Sinclair is chief executive of The Yard, which is based in the centre of Edinburgh with other sites in Dundee and Kirkcaldy, and she said: “We are incredibly grateful to be chosen as a charity partner for The Big Match, the money raised will go a long way towards helping us deliver vital services for disabled children and their families.  

“We directly support over 2300 children and young people from 16 different local authorities, and are reliant on fundraising as well as governmental support. A huge thank you to everyone who’s involved in this charity match, we’re hugely appreciative of the support.  And, good luck to the teams on Friday.”

Kick-off is 3.45pm and a Just Giving page has been set up for donations: 

https://www.justgiving.com/page/steven-currie-1708676927412?newPage=true

£2 million funding commitment for The Yard

First Minister announces support for disabled children’s charity

A charity that provides support to disabled children and young people, and their families, is set to receive up to £2 million of future funding. 

First Minister Humza Yousaf made the commitment during a visit to The Yard’s head office in Edinburgh where he met children and their families who benefit from the charity and saw the adventure play facilities offered by the centre.

Subject to the outcome of the Scottish Budget process, the Scottish Government will look to provide extra funding to The Yard over the next three financial years.

The First Minister said: “I am absolutely committed to improving outcomes for disabled children and their families across Scotland. Visiting The Yard has given me a chance to see their outstanding work first-hand, and hear more about the support being provided by the charity.

“I was extremely impressed with the flexible and creative ways in which The Yard are offering services and support to disabled young people and their families, many of whom I know are facing additional and significant challenges.

“I sincerely hope that this vital funding will enable The Yard to grow their services and offer support to more families of young disabled children across Scotland – and I look forward to continuing to engage with The Yard in all of their family support centres in Edinburgh, Fife and Dundee.”

Chief Executive of The Yard Celine Sinclair said: “We are absolutely thrilled that First Minister has committed to working with us to grow our services in Scotland.

“This announcement is transformational for disabled children and their families, and we look forward to working with our partners to ensure that our children get the support they need to get the best start in life and thrive.”

Inverleith councillor Vicky Nicholson has welcomed the announcement. She said: “I am hugely proud @theyardscotland is in Inverleith Ward.

“In my professional career, I knew The Yard well and visited recently with @DeidreBrock (above).

“Just thrilled this exceptional organisation’s future is secure thanks to @scotgov and at a time when families need support more than ever.”

Lothian Conservative MSP Miles Briggs has welcomed the announcement: “I am delighted that the Yard is set to receive £2 million of funding over the next three years, which will make a huge difference to the lives of disabled children,  young people and their families across the East of Scotland.

“This funding will allow the specialist team at the Yard to reach even more children and young people, changing their lives for the better.

“The Campaign for Fairer Funding has been a successful in raising awareness of the exceptional work the Yard does and securing funding to expand their services.

“I am pleased that the cross party campaign has succeeded in getting the Scottish Government to deliver this funding for disabled Children and Young People in the East of Scotland.”

The Yard | charity | disabled children and young people | adventure play | family support | Scotland (theyardscotland.org.uk)

National Lottery funding boost for community groups in Edinburgh 

CYRENIANS at the double!

Community groups in Edinburgh will be able to provide vital services and support for thousands of local people thanks to National Lottery funding announced today (THURSDAY 9 MARCH). 

The latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 324 projects across Scotland, sharing in £10,909,040.

A full list of projects is below. 

Among the big winners are Corstorphine Community Centre, who receive £98,550 to provide a range of activities for all ages that will be developed and led by local residents in Corstorphine and the surrounding neighbourhoods.

They will also provide a variety of different volunteering opportunities for community members.

Scotland Yard Adventure Centre will use their £120,000 grant to provide family play sessions at their Edinburgh base for disabled young people and their families.

These sessions will support whole families to play together, and to meet other similar families and young people.

Cyrenians hit the jackpot with two awards totalling over £230,000.

The charity will use funding of over £70,000 to recruit an Income Maximisation Worker who will work across work across all services to support people impacted by cost-of-living crisis.

The Worker will provide one to one support and train 50 key workers at the organisation to also provide financial support. Cyernians estimate 1,800 people will benefit from the project over 12 months.

Cyrenians was also awarded a further £160,000 to continue its “Golden Years” service which is formed from a variety of support and activities for people over 60 years of age living in Edinburgh.

This is led by a befriending service, which has now evolved to offer additional support to meet the needs of participants. Over two years of funding there will be 460 participants and 65 volunteers.

Thanks to an award of £100,000, Aberlour Child Care Trust will provide a befriending service to people in Edinburgh and the Lothians experiencing perinatal mental health issues.  

Liz Nolan, Deputy Director said: “Thanks to The National Lottery Community Fund we can offer vital emotional and befriending support to parents of babies living in the Lothians who have received care through the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.  

“Working in parallel with our NHS partners, the service will offer in person support from a Perinatal Coordinator, a one-to-one match with a Perinatal Befriender and our bespoke digital support all of which connects parents, improves emotional wellbeing, reduces isolation and supports positive relationships between parents and babies.” 

An award of £58,844 to Space @The Broomhouse Hub means the group can provide free early evening meals for local people four nights a week for the next 12 months. Working with local partners their will also be an advisor on hand at each session to offer support and signposting for those who need it.  

Neil Hay, CEO, said: “Space @ The Broomhouse Hub is literally and metaphorically at the heart of our community. Our events allow us to listen to local people and shape future support locally.

“We pride ourselves on being dynamic and innovative, so it is refreshing that funders like The National Lottery are supporting our work helping people through the cost-of-living crisis.” 

Thanks to an award of £9,953, The Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain (AUGB) – Edinburgh Branch – will be able to offer a cost-of-living response to Ukranian families who have been displaced by conflict.

This will come in the form of regular community meals and drop-in sessions for those in need. 

Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, AUGB Edinburgh Chairperson, said: “Over the last year, as an organisation we’ve had to work through a great deal of change.

“Prior to the start of the war in February 2022, our main activity was to provide social and cultural activities for a small community however since February we’ve welcomed over 6,000 Ukrainians to Edinburgh who have been displaced by the war with Russia. 

“As a community, we’ve focussed our energies on providing a range of social and integration activities such as coffee mornings, information sessions, English language lessons and cultural events.

“The support of The National Lottery Community Fund will enable us to further support our community to integrate into communities across Edinburgh, reduce social isolation and decrease longer term mental health issues that may be experienced.” 

Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “This latest round of National Lottery funding will be distributed to important groups and organisations who are providing essential services, drop-in points, and community centres around the country – making a real, tangible difference to everyday life.   

“With the rising cost-of-living being at the front of everyone’s minds, groups like these are more vital than ever, offering people across Scotland a place to turn to in times of need. This amazing support is only possible because of National Lottery players.” 

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.

The National Lottery Community Fund – list of grants – March 2023.pdf 

Four Edinburgh charities welcome donations from Amazon

Four charities based in Edinburgh have received donations totalling £14,000 from Amazon Development Centre Scotland. 

Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle and Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) received £5,000 each, and The Yard and Four Square Scotland each received £2,000.

The charities received the donations following nominations for support from employees at Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh and the company’s Head Office in London. 

Formed in 2020 with the goal of making Edinburgh a safe place for refugees and asylum seekers to live, Edinburgh Refugee Sponsorship Circle organises safe pathways for families fleeing conflict zones and helps them secure a new life in Edinburgh.  

Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council works to combat inequality and discrimination. The charity promotes equality of opportunity and good relations between people in Edinburgh and across the region. 

Four Square Scotland supports people impacted by homelessness in Edinburgh. The charity provides accommodation, advice, support and learning and employability training for homeless and vulnerable people. 

The Yard has been involved with the Edinburgh community for more than 35 years, supporting disabled children and young people, and their families, through adventure play.

Speaking on the donations, Oliver Masting, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “Edinburgh has been a happy home to Amazon for many years and we’re proud to be a part of the community in the city.

“We’re passionate about supporting great organisations in our community with donations and it’s great to lend a helping hand to these four important charities.”  

Jane Devine, Chief Executive from Four Square Scotland added: “It’s fantastic to get this support from Amazon Development Centre Scotland.

“On behalf of all the staff and volunteers at Four Square Scotland, I’d like to say a big thank you to the Amazon teams in Edinburgh and London for their kind support.” 

Angus Robertson MSP added: “Each of these charities provide huge support and excellent services to so many in Edinburgh and beyond. They are thoroughly deserving of these donations and I thank Amazon Development Centre employees for their nominations.” 

The charities received the donations as part of Amazon’s programme to support the communities around its operating locations across the UK. 

Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with online STEM courses and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer.

The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than five million healthy breakfasts to disadvantaged families around the UK.

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click here.

Will you help The Yard?

While we were celebrating our 35 Years of Play and planning our Christmas celebrations, we didnt know we had yet another challenge coming our way this year.

On the 7th of December, The Yard Edinburgh was a victim of vandalism. On Tuesday, a fire was deliberately initiated in the boardwalk, damaging the grounds, outdoors electric systems and the door of the Solar Dome.

We are devastated and currently doing our best to have affected areas repaired as soon as possible, which will be a costly process. Luckily, no one was harmed and damage was contained.

Services were suspended on Tuesday, but we reopened the following day. We are still going ahead with our Christmas celebrations as scheduled, but families will not be able to access some areas for a while which will reduce the quality of play experience we pride ourselves for at The Yard.

Despite this heartbreaking news, we are confident that we’ll come out to the other side stronger, as we always have.

Please support us today if you can and donate as much or as little as you can. Every donation will help us rise stronger and continue to be there for the families that use The Yard.

To see how you can help following the link:

https://buff.ly/3dURTRX

Amazon supports Edinburgh children’s charities

Two Edinburgh children’s charities have received £4,000 in donations from Amazon’s Development Centre in the city. 

Amazon Development Centre Scotland donated £2,000 to Canongate Youth and £2,000 to The Yard. 

The donations were made as part of the ‘Amazon in the Community’ programme, whereby the company supports the communities around its operating locations across the UK. 

Canongate Youth supports children across Edinburgh and the Lothians, offering youth clubs, support services, advice and counselling. Amazon Development Centre Scotland has supported the charity since 2014. 

The Yard is an organisation that creates safe play areas for disabled children and their siblings, giving them the chance to experience creative, adventurous indoor and outdoor play in a well-supported environment. 

The charity plans to use the money to support more disabled children and families with online videos for early years, play ideas and relaxation, and work towards bringing more people back into the playground in line with current guidance. 

Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “We are pleased to offer these donations to such brilliant charities. We hope the support will help both charities continue their important work with the children of our community.” 

Amazon’s Tich Kent with Anna Robinson (left) partnership manager and Danielle Campbell play team leader. NOTE picture was pre-COVID

Jenny MacDonald, Director of Development at The Yard, added: “We are very grateful for this donation from the Amazon team and for their support of our mission to ensure every child has the right to safe and fun play. We would like to say a big thank you to Amazon for its kind support.” 

Amazon’s Development Centre in Scotland is responsible for innovations used around the world by the company, including machine learning to power Amazon’s smart features like personalised recommendations and intelligent advertising. 

Community donations is one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19. 

Amazon is providing disadvantaged students with online STEM courses as well as teaming up with charity partner Magic Breakfast and delivering three quarters of a million healthy breakfasts to families around the UK. 

For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click here.

Youth Awards for city projects

Youth Work in Edinburgh has been celebrated with four national awards for the capital’s youth work.

Caitlin McKinnon, of The Fruit market Gallery picked up the National Youth Participation Award. She has been the driving force behind the development of Fresh Fruit, a collaboration of young people and artists exploring new ideas through innovative exhibitions. It is the only project of its kind in Edinburgh and is an exemplar in Scotland.

Caitlin has partnered with young people to review and reshape the programme, creating a safe space for co-production and informal learning. Participants were paired with prominent artist Jacqueline Donachie and tasked with programming three annual exhibition events at the gallery, each attracting up to 300 people. In 2019, these events were extended beyond the youth programme to be part of the galleries main programme.

Speaking after receiving her award, Caitlin said: “Creative opportunities with and for young people at The Fruitmarket Gallery are relevant and engaging because they are led by young people.

“Their voices are essential to shaping the right opportunities and structure for the Fresh Fruit programme that enables them to take the lead in a supported way, working alongside artists and staff.

I’m proud to win the Youth Participation and Voice award and see it as a joint win with Fresh Fruit, as recognition of the work we do together. It’s so great to be part of the awards as an art gallery with a youth programme among so many fantastic organisations working with young people.

“I’m looking forward to the next phase of Fresh Fruit as we build on our long term partnerships with youth and community organisations in Edinburgh to give young people access to creative skills development and the confidence and sense of wellbeing that arts experiences bring.”

Fresh Fruit participant Tosia Bargielowska Johnsen said: “My biggest surprise was how willing Caitlin and the gallery was to push forward strong but risky ideas, rather than resorting to safer yet less challenging solutions.

“I genuinely felt as if we were co-producing, rather than just passing on the crayons.”

Local project Scran Academy was runner-up for the National Attainment and Skills Award, for the work experience opportunities given to young people.

Scran Academy, based at Fel-Lor Youth Centre, is a social enterprise that not only tastes good, it does good! Young people gain first-hand work experience in a dynamic food and drink social start-up, helping them actively shape their own learner journey.

Scran Academy supports the most vulnerable to transition beyond the classroom into the workplace and wider life. Its recipe for success is to focus on what young people can do, not what they don’t have. The result of this approach is that young people feel listened to and empowered to make positive decisions in their own lives.

One care experienced young person, now 16, said: “I am now a scaffolder, my dream job! I’ve learned I’m a really hard worker but I didn’t know that until Scran, it has changed me and I want to say thank you for being there for me.

“For the future, all I want is a nice house with a family; a year ago I wasn’t thinking about these things, but now I can.”

Youth Development Coordinator Charlie Johnson said: “Scran Academy enabled me to do many different things and gave me a chance to work hard.

“I’ve had a few blips along the way and not always been an angel, but Scran gave me the chance to overcome my issues and prove myself. I learned that I am a really hard worker and since then, I’ve kept going and not stopped grafting.

“Scran felt more like a family. It has been so great for my personal and skills development. Since leaving Scran, things have been great. They helped me with my employability, CV and even helped me get a paid job as a trainee youth worker.

“I still love my job now and continuing to grow and mature – and I am also now doing my Diploma.”

Khaleda Noon was a finalist for Inspirational Leader of the Year for her work with intercultural young people in Edinburgh.

“This is a movement.” That is the statement on the IYS website, and a fitting testament to the youth work leader Khaleda Noon is. She set up, developed and delivered Intercultural Youth Scotland with a culture of co-creation and co-leadership, with young people embedded in its DNA from the very beginning.

During Khaleda’s time working on BAME projects at Action for Children, she became convinced of the power of culture – specifically music, dance and spoken word – to make a positive impact on the lives of intercultural young people in Edinburgh.

As she developed this idea, she took the courageous decision to leave her job and devote countless unpaid hours to grow IYS into what it is today.

Her determination, drive and energy has taken IYS from an idea to an active charity within 18 months, with successful funding bids enabling her to employ youth workers and find a permanent base for the organisation.

Board Member Katrina Castle said: “Khaleda encapsulates the essence of inspirational leadership. Her idea, to enable young, intercultural voices to be heard, by providing specialised services to nurture talent and create social impact has become a thriving, effective reality – Intercultural Youth Scotland.

“IYS has been successful in such a short period of time because Khaleda creates a culture of trust and belief, ensuring the needs, opinions and interests of young people are at the heart of everything, while enabling them to develop the tools and confidence to express their ideas, deliver their vision and drive the work of IYS forward.”

And runner-up for National Youth Work Team of the Year is The Yard Fun & Friendship Club.

The project plays  is a vital part of any child’s personal and social development, but with mainstream services often difficult to access for children and young people with disabilities, opportunities to socialise with peers can be hard to come by.

This is where The Yard comes in, providing specialist fun and friendship clubs where disabled young people can come together in a supported environment.

The Yard has successfully developed inclusive programmes to increase the social, emotional and practical life skills of the children involved, allowing the young people to build positive mental wellbeing, self-esteem and confidence through new, exciting activities.

Having fine-tuned its model, The Yard has now developed a toolkit to enable it to upskill groups and local authorities to spread its model across Scotland.

The Yard currently delivers respite clubs for around 2000 disabled children across three clubs in Edinburgh, plus two smaller centres in Dundee and Fife.

Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive at the Yard, said: “We are delighted to be runner-up for Team of the Year at the 13th National Youth Work Awards. At The Yard, our success is largely due to our talented team of trained and experienced specialist play workers who inspire, guide and support the children who come to play.

“They are also a source of advice and support for the whole family. Our play team work very closely with the young people we support through our fun and friendship clubs for teens, ensuring that being part of a club at The Yard is a great, inclusive and fun experience for each individual.”

Commenting, Tim Frew, CEO of YouthLink Scotland said: “Youth work is one of our great national assets. The National Youth Work Awards are in their 13th year and it’s clear our sector makes a significant difference to the life chances and opportunities of young people across Scotland.

“These awards showcase our impact because without youth work, the landscape of our society would be much changed and not for the better. These projects in Edinburgh are a great example of how youth work invests in this and future generations of young people. So let’s take our message out there that now is the time to #InvestInYouthWork.”

The National Youth Work Awards 2020 are all about celebrating the power of incredible youth work and the vital role of Scotland’s 70,000 youth work volunteers and staff in the lives of our young people.

This national event is co-designed with young people, who have been involved in the judging and the planning of the night.

The Awards dinner took place on Wednesday 12 March 2020 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow, hosted by BAFTA award winning actress, Jane McCarry, aka ‘Isa’ from Still Game.

Speaking after the Awards, John Swinney MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills said: “It is fantastic that so many individuals and groups are being recognised in the 13th National Youth Awards for their excellent work to invest in both current and future generations of young people.

“Youth work plays a vital role in expanding young people’s experiences and supporting them to achieve their potential. These awards show how by reaching out and, in many cases, providing a lifeline to so many young people can enhance their opportunities and help them become confident individuals and effective contributors.”