Aldi is embracing the season of goodwill once again this year, and is calling on charities and community groups across Edinburgh and the Lothians to register so that they can collect food donations this Christmas Eve. Continue reading Aldi stores across Edinburgh embrace the season of giving this Christmas
IN EQUAL RESPECT?
The Edinburgh Compact Voice Survey 2019 is now open for responses. The survey gathers data from organisations in the third sector in Edinburgh providing a collective picture of the state of the city’s charity and voluntary organisations. Continue reading Edinburgh Compact calls on charities to make their voices heard
Dear Editor
Cuts in funding for services affect people differently; most are appalled at the frequency and the damage it is doing to the local social fabric. But, as always, it is those who most in need of services are denied them, with all the consequences including further isolation within the community.
Pilton Equalities Project (PEP), an organisation based in North Edinburgh, runs many services for local people including:
These activities are attended by approximately 200 people each week.
PEP minibuses pick up from and return people to their homes; all the buses are staffed with volunteer escorts. Up to 80 other volunteers help throughout the week with other activities.
Funding cuts from the city council or Scottish Government will hit the provision of these services and the very people who are most in need.
PEP makes every effort in appealing to various social and charitable organisations for grants and support to keep these vital services going, but it is not sustainable in the long run if funding cuts continue.
PEP’s volunteers carried out 13,000 hours volunteering for local people in 2016, adding greatly to the quality of life and indeed their health.
As one of those volunteers, the reason for this letter is to raise public understanding of how serious are repeated cuts in funding for local services. With the best will and efforts, volunteers cannot operate on insufficient funding for their organisation.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
Withdrawal from the EU would pose a threat to Scotland’s third sector, which plays a crucial role in the drive for social justice and inclusive economic growth. That’s the findings of a recent survey conducted by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations – and it’s a view shared by Holyrood’s Brexit monister Michael Russell. Continue reading Russell shares third sector Brexit fears
Tuesday 8 November
It’s five years since Campbell Christie challenged us all to do things differently. Have we gone beyond the rhetoric? What have we collectively, as a sector and as individual organisations, done to drive change? Continue reading Complacent about Christie: EVOC conference and AGM
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What?
Our website will change from www.circlescotland.org to www.circle.scot and emails will change to firstname.lastname@circle.scot
Why?
We know that there is sometimes confusion with regard to the name of our organisation, due to our website and email addresses. The name of our organisation is Circle (not Circle Scotland). By changing our website and email addresses to circle.scot, our branding will be more consistent and recognisable.
When?
The change will be made on Thursday 2 April. There may be some disruption to the website and emails over that weekend. Following that, there will be a changeover period whereby the current website address will be redirected to the new one. Similarly, emails will be redirected from the old email addresses for a period of time, after which the old email addresses will become obsolete.
Scottish Parliament Community Conference this month
Local people keen to have their voice heard by their MSP and the Scottish Parliament can discover how to run a social media campaign, secure media stories on the issues that affect them, petition the Parliament and even hold their own Holyrood event, by attending a conference at Dumfries’ Easterbrook Hall on Saturday 21 February.
At the Scottish Parliament Communities Conference, local MSPs Elaine Murray and Alex Fergusson will share expert advice on how to help your MSP help you, with interactive workshops run throughout the day, led by MSPs and the Scottish Parliament’s expert staff.
Engagement can result in a wide range of actions, including parliamentary debate, changes to law and policy direction.
Alex Fergusson, MSP for Galloway and West Dumfries said: “When an issue matters, and when it is within Holyrood’s power to help, engaging with MSPs and the Scottish Parliament can be a direct way for individuals, community groups and organisations to be heard.”
He went on: “We want to make sure that people from across Dumfries and Galloway know how to engage with us, their local MSPs, and to know that the Scottish Parliament belongs to them. The conference is all about helping make sure their voice is heard. I hope to meet many people from across the South West who feel strongly about an issue, so I can share a range of ways the Scottish Parliament can help make a positive difference to people’s lives in their local community, or even throughout Scotland.”
Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfriesshire said: ““We’re looking forward to meeting as many local community organisations, charities, social enterprises, tenants and residents groups, local campaign organisations, volunteers and youth groups as possible. But we also want to hear from individuals with an important issue to share. Only by hearing from people who have perhaps never been involved with the Parliament or politics before can we continue to raise the profile of a wide variety of important issues and give the people of Dumfries and Galloway a voice.”
In addition to Ms Murray and Mr Ferguson, other MSPs leading workshops on the day include Chic Brodie, MSP for South Scotland; John Wilson, MSP for Central Scotland; Graeme Pearson, MSP for South Scotland and Aileen McLeod, Minister for Environment, Climate Change & Land Reform.
Joyce Harkness is a campaigner and social enterprise manager from Hightae near Lochmaben. She said: “It’s great news that the Communities Conference is coming to Dumfries. I would encourage anyone who wants to kick-start getting their voice heard at the Scottish Parliament to come to Easterbrook Hall on the 21st.
“I’ve attended Scottish Parliament community workshops in the past and they’ve been invaluable. When I was campaigning for better rural transport for older people across Dumfries and Galloway, working with the Parliament really helped get our issues raised in a positive way. The MSPs and Parliamentary staff really listen and have great ideas and practical advice that’s specially tailored to your campaign. The sheer range of ways you can engage with Parliament can be a real eye-opener.”
At North Edinburgh Dementia Care’s Seagrove Centre we provide fun and stimulating activities for our members and a wee break for their carers.
We aim to help people stay as well as they can for as long as they can which may help avoid the need for them to move into a care home.
We are having an open day to raise an awareness of the centre and to demonstrate the work we that we do with local people with dementia.
I would like to invite you along on Monday 8 September from 2 – 3pm to meet the staff and some of our members to have a chat and enjoy a tea/coffee and biscuits.
Janette McIntosh
Manager
For further information visit www.nedc.org.uk
The funders list just grows and grows! More names have been added to an already impressive list of organisations who will be participating in Thursday’s ‘Meet the Funders’ event in St Serf’s Church Hall between midday to 3pm.
The list now reads:
Big Lottery Fund
The Melting Pot
Community Sports Hubs
Community Grants Fund
General Enquiries
Youth Business Scotland
Pass It On
Edinburgh4Community
SCVO
Bank of Scotland Foundation
Royal Bank of Scotland Foundation
Waste Aware Grants
Recycling
Business Gateway
Climate Challenge Fund
Activcity
Tenants Grants
In Kind Direct
The Big Lunch
Prime
Sported
Sportscotland
Scottish Government 2014 Commonwealth Games Legacy
Edinburgh Airport Community Fund
CSV Action Earth Grab a Grant
Royal Bank of Scotland Inspiring Enterprise
Youth Employment Scotland Fund
Voluntary Action Fund
So if you are a small organisation looking for a grant to help your work, this drop-in event is not to be missed – it’s free, informal and no booking necessary.
You’ll find St Serf’s (pictured) at the junction of Ferry Road and Clark Road.
The NEN will appear in newspaper form again later this month thanks to the generosity of local organisations and individuals who have shown their support by advertising in the forthcoming edition.
NEN would like to thank the following for their commitment to North Edinburgh’s community newspaper:
MALCOLM CHISHOLM MSP
CRAIGROYSTON COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
FORTH & INVERLEITH LABOUR COUNCILLORS
GRANTON INFORMATION CENTRE
LIFECARE
NORTH EDINBURGH ALCOHOL INITIATIVE COLLABORATIVE
NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS
NORTH EDINBURGH CHILDCARE
NORTH EDINBURGH CREDIT UNION
NORTH EDINBURGH REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
THE PRENTICE CENTRE
ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE
THE SPARTANS COMMUNITY FOOTBALL ACADEMY
THE STAND COMEDY CLUB
STEPPING STONES NORTH EDINBURGH
TOTAL CRAIGROYSTON
WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
We’d also like to thank the organisations who got back in touch to say that, while they are not in a position to advertise at this time, they will consider doing so in future editions.
So thank you all for your support.
Without it, NEN just couldn’t continue.
PS:
If your name’s not down, you’re not gettin’ in! Is your name missing from the above list? Should it be there? Do you want it to be there? If so, get in touch at northedinnews@gmail.com but you’ll have to be quick!
