With the colder months of the year now upon us the city council has announced the official launch of a network of Warm and Welcoming Spaces across the capital.
Council Leader Cammy Day formally launched the initiative yesterday during a visit to Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.
Council venues such as libraries, community centres, museums and galleries, alongside partner and community spaces, will put on free activities for a variety of age groups and provide a space where people feel safe, warm, and at ease.
In certain spaces residents will be able to access information to help alleviate food/fuel poverty and other support available to them.
At this stage, there are more than 60 Warm and Welcoming Spaces across the city. The council ia also working with a network of partners to provide and promote further spaces.
Residents will be able to find out more about the initiative and find their nearest ‘Warm and Welcoming Spaces’ via an interactive map on a dedicated webpage.
Please also visit our dedicated home energy page for advice on how to keep your homes warmer, save money or if you’re worried about your bills.
If you are an organisation and want to get involved in Warm and Welcoming, please email us on warm.welcoming@edinburgh.gov.uk
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We are now in the midst of one of the most challenging winters in recent times with the cost-of-living crisis, rising energy prices, and inflation. Many of our residents will rightly be concerned about heating their homes in the months ahead.
“The Warm and Welcoming Spaces initiative brings together a host of spaces across the city where people can connect with others, learn new skills, and relax.
“These spaces are also key in combatting social isolation, boosting mental health and welling, and allowing people to access services and support in a respectful and friendly manner.
Biddy Kelly, Managing Director at Fresh Start, said: “As we head into what we know will be a difficult winter the need on our communities is ever growing. That is why it has been so important that we work collectively to ensure that we have community spaces, both statutory and in the third sector open and that people are aware of where they can go and when.
“Working in this collaborative manner ensures that we have places open that people feel supported in a dignified manner and where they can access a wide breadth of services and support. The co-ordinated Warm and Welcoming website will allow both staff and people access on site to find vital information.”
Ian Brooke, Deputy Chief Executive of Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC), said:“The voluntary sector always plays a part in supporting communities during difficult times and will have a key role to play in the Warm and Welcoming Spaces programme.
“Our shared priority is to offer meaningful opportunities for people to gather together within their own community, activities that can also help combat issues of social isolation, loneliness and mental health.
“Our priority to Edinburgh’s voluntary sector is getting cash into people’s pockets, as the primary solution to combatting the issues of poverty that have been worsened so much by the current cost of living crisis.
“The Warm and Welcoming spaces programme is and must continue to be supplementary to that.”
“Edinburgh has been amazing. I can’t say anything other than that.”
More than 1,300 people fleeing conflict in Ukraine have arrived through Edinburgh’s Welcome Hub, with the significant majority of all arrivals to Scotland coming in through the city.
Located in a peaceful and secluded area close to the Airport, the Welcome Hub offers some respite after long and difficult journeys reaching Edinburgh, with medical assistance from the NHS available.
Established with the support of the Scottish Government and other partner agencies in Gogarburn at the RBS/NatWest campus, it involves a huge, combined effort – from both volunteers and Council officers – to welcome around 40 new refugees a day, which is approximately four times that of the national average.
Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, Andrew Kerr, said:“I am truly proud of the incredible response Edinburgh has provided to Ukrainians seeking sanctuary here in Edinburgh.
“The support we’ve provided to over 1,300 refugees to date wouldn’t be possible without the time of volunteers, the donations we’ve received or the generosity of residents. The number of local people giving over their hearts and their homes to become host families has been nothing short of remarkable. I want to thank everyone involved – from Council colleagues and partners, to every volunteer who has been working tirelessly.
“We are starting to see up to 90% of all arrivals to Scotland enter through Edinburgh’s Hub, which demonstrates the scale of responsibility we now face. I’m pleased that the feedback from those using our services has been very positive and other cities have been turning to Edinburgh as an example of best practice.
“There is a significant ongoing effort to ensure every refugee settling in the city receives a warm welcome and access to vital support. It remains an extensive piece of work which involves a great deal of resource, but we are committed to supporting every person who settles in Edinburgh, as far as we possibly can.
“This includes everything from arranging accommodation, transport, interpreters, access to GPs and healthcare, counselling, education, employment support, host checks and other vital services.”
Hannah Beaton-Hawryluk, the Holova (Chair) of the Association of Ukrainians in Edinburgh, said: “We have come full circle from the Association being set up. We were beginning to become quite a quiet community here in Edinburgh, but now we are using the community centre for the reasons that our fathers set it up. We are supporting newly-arrived Ukrainians and their families in Edinburgh, until they choose to go home.
“We’ve been giving out SIM cards and bus passes. We’ve also got laptops and iPads so that the students who have arrived can continue their studies and stay connected to Ukraine.
“Edinburgh has been amazing. I can’t say anything other than that.”
Paul Wilson Chief Officer of Volunteer Edinburgh said: “Once again our Community Taskforce Volunteers have been amazing. For almost two months we have been deploying volunteers seven days a week at the airport to welcome people from Ukraine and help guide them to the Welcome Hub.
“Our volunteers have done Edinburgh proud, often going beyond the call of duty. They have stayed until the early hours of the morning at the airport to make sure passengers arriving on late-night flights are supported.”
“I am so proud of all our Community Taskforce Volunteers who not just helped at the airport but have provided informal language support, sorted donations, and packed hundreds of back packs with basic supplies.
Things are only getting busier, and with Edinburgh increasingly becoming the hub for arrivals to Scotland it is the partnership approach the Edinburgh has taken that is ensuring that displaced Ukrainians are receiving the help and support that they need.”
Bridie Ashrowan, Chief Executive, EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council) said: “Our hope for the Ukrainian people is peace in the very near future, but in the meantime it is vital that we at EVOC, and the community and voluntary sector, collaborate with partners across the City (and at a national level) to offer a warm welcome to those who are arriving in Scotland.
“Edinburgh Community Food, Fresh Start, North Edinburgh Arts and Cyrenians are already on the ground, providing emergency food support and more organisations are coming together to deliver on a longer-term approach.
“The Edinburgh Community Transport Operators Group are helping with onward travel from the Airport and other community and voluntary organisations are involved in delivering support for children and families, providing opportunities for Ukrainians to learn English and to build social connections.
“It’s so important that they settle into and feel part of the communities where they live… in Edinburgh or further afield.”
Welcome arrangements
Free transport is provided from the airport to the Hub and arranged from Edinburgh bus and train stations where required, 24 hours a day. We organise onward travel to, for example, hotel or host accommodation. The safety and wellbeing of refugees remains paramount and we are also coordinating home and host checks through our licensing team.
For people settling in Edinburgh on the Homes for Ukraine and Super Sponsor scheme, we provide the first part of their £200 resettlement grant at the Hub.
We’ve also set up a 24-hour helpline (in our customer contact team) for Ukraine arrivals in Edinburgh. To date the line has been very busy, averaging over 50 calls a day.
As an extension of the Welcome Hub, the customer contact team is providing a specialist drop-in facility at 249 High Street. This operates Monday to Friday, 10am-12pm and 2-4pm, with an interpreter present to help people settling in Edinburgh with benefit and grant payments.
Since opening in April, colleagues have supported 250 people, primarily with financial and employability support. Work is also underway to recruit Ukrainian-speaking customer contact advisors.
Volunteer efforts and donations
The response from residents and businesses has been typically generous. EVOC and Volunteer Edinburgh are leading on a strategic approach to co-ordinating this goodwill and the work of third sector groups in the city, focused around four main themes – food, translation, transport, and the volunteer ‘taskforce’.
The Ukrainian Club on Royal Terrace has become a point of community support and communications for people when they settle, with regular coffee mornings/events at which the Council, DWP and other partners attend to give advice and support. This is where many donated items are being collected under the Club’s direction.
Alongside resident and local community efforts, the Visitor Attractions Group (Capital Group) have provided free tickets to key Edinburgh attractions, including the Castle and the Zoo.
Edinburgh Leisure have provided passes for leisure centres, while Boots have donated toiletries, Clarks have donated shoes and NatWest is continuing to provide office space for the welcome hub. The Edinburgh Tattoo has also provided office space, for donations to be sorted.
The rucksacks we hand out at the Welcome Hub – filled with initial donations of essential items such as toiletries – are well received and special rucksacks with teddies are provided to children. We also have a supply of baby accessories including baby boxes, buggies, prams, and car seats.
Education
We’re arranging places for early years and schools, with many children and young people already supported into education.
With support from charities, electronic devices such as laptops and iPads are being provided to student aged arrivals to ensure they can continue studies in Ukrainian. The Ukrainian Club has also funded a number of bus tickets and passes.
When children are enrolled in a school, families can apply for a National Entitlement Card through Travel.AllocationPanel@edinburgh.gov.uk. Ukrainian applications will be fast tracked.
We have also been working with partners to support the Dnipro Children’s charity, a Hibs Supporters Group, which has had a relationship with children’s homes in Dnipro since 2005. The charity arranged to bring 52 children and six house mothers to Scotland. We are providing provide ongoing support, including education and health, in partnership with the Dnipro Charity and Edinburgh College.
Twin City support
We are continuing to maintain supportive relationships with and respond to appeals from our counterparts in Edinburgh’s twin cities Kyiv and Krakow. Following an appeal to the Lord Provost from Kyiv to help protect their monuments and statues, and in a show of ingenuity and collaboration between ten different organisations, over 3,000 sandbags were sourced and transported on an easyJet flight from Edinburgh to Krakow.
We are now working with a Scottish charity, Sunflower Scotland, to send over 10,000 more sandbags – this time to Kharkiv – along with a ton of potatoes, on the city’s request. A shipment of shoes has also been made to Kyiv.
In an ongoing display of solidarity, the Ukrainian flag continues to fly above the City Chambers while the Granton gasholder remains illuminated in blue and yellow.
Data shows scale of crucial voluntary sector impact in Lothian and beyond
Figures collated by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) using data from OSCR, Volunteer Scotland, the TSI Network Scotland, and the Social Enterprise in Scotland Census have highlighted the crucial role of charities, social enterprises, and community groups in Scotland.
The data reveals that across Lothian alone there are currently 3,729 registered charities, generating a combined annual income of £4,342,612,905, and 1,125 social enterprises operating across the TSI area.
Along with employing 64,190 paid staff, an amazing 234,336 people from across the area also support organisations by volunteering their time and skills to help people, communities and groups, making an invaluable contribution to their local community in the process.
Nationally, Scotland enjoys the benefits of over 40,000 voluntary sector organisations, employing over 100,000 paid staff – a similar number to the Scottish digital and technology sector.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) and TSI Scotland Network believe that sharing this data will further highlight the indispensable contribution of the voluntary sector, particularly over the course of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which charities and voluntary organisations, both local and national, have played a vital role across Scotland.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive for the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) said: “We know that the voluntary sector is a major player in Scotland in terms of economic impact and employment.
“Our recent #NeverMoreNeeded campaign highlighted how crucial the sector has been during the pandemic across the country, and continues to be essential in recovery.
“These findings highlight not only how vital charities, social enterprises and community groups are in Lothian, but also the level of local support provided to these organisations through volunteering, which is really encouraging.”
A spokesperson for Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council (EVOC) said: “Scotland’s vibrant voluntary sector is a key asset in our communities, even more so over the last two years, but it is one which is often underestimated and overlooked.
“We hope that this data, which shows the size and scale of the sector, can emphasise just how vital the sector is and how much it supports us all, both locally and nationally.”
Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian, said: “I welcome the figures produced by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), particularly those that highlight the invaluable contribution that charities and voluntary organisations make in Lothian.
“The voluntary sector has been crucial throughout this pandemic, both in the local area and nationwide, and it’s important that we not just recognise that incredible contribution, but also explore how the Scottish Parliament can work better with the sector to maximise these efforts.”
EVOC is delighted to announce that more than 120 community and voluntary organisations are to benefit from grants totalling £1.32 million from the Scottish Government’s Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund in Edinburgh.
This investment will support a wide range of projects and enable people across the City to access additional mental health and wellbeing support in their communities. Programmes being funded include activity-based canal boat trips; befriending services; art therapy sessions; community garden growing workshops; 1 to 1 mentoring with childcare; outdoor programmes for families; local pantries and counselling.
A full list of groups and organisations awarded grants is available here.
As a partner in Edinburgh’s Third Sector Interface we have taken the lead in developing a new community commissioning-based funding approach that invests the Scottish Government funding in projects that support the needs of different communities.
The process has taken both a geographical and thematic approach and focused on making sure people get the support they need, when they need it, where they need it.
Ian Brooke, EVOC’s Deputy Chief Executive said: “‘It is fantastic to see this investment going out to grass-roots organisations across Edinburgh and to know this is the result of shared decisions based on evidence of real need in the City’s communities.
“Our ambition to roll out a community commissioning-based approach for this fund, in less than six months, has relied on the hard work, commitment and energy of everyone involved.
“We believe this is the first process of its kind to be delivered in Scotland, if not the UK and have commissioned a research team to make sure that lessons learned and further improvements are made from this experience which can then be used to develop and refine future cross-sector funding models.”
Fresh Startis one of more than a hundred and twenty organisations and partnerships that have received a grant in this the second phase of the Fund – fourteen grants of under £2,500 were awarded earlier this month.
They have been awarded £10,673 to deliver a project that reduces the anxiety and stress that parents and care givers encounter trying to keep food on the table.
Fresh Start will run a variety of food related projects including family Fridays, provide Dish of Day cook bags, deliver community meals and provide additional support to families to tackle holiday hunger.
It is envisaged that they will support over 100 families in North Edinburgh.
Biddy Kelly, Managing Director, Fresh Start said: “We are delighted to have been successful in our application to the Scottish Government Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund and are looking forward to getting the services to people at a time when they are most in need.
“I am also delighted that our collective Respond and Recovery Group in North Edinburgh could co-ordinate our applications to ensure maximum impact and reduce duplication, and that we saw a significant amount of essential work being not only funded but recognised by this process of funding in a new way.’
A partnership between Leith Community Growers and Leith Growing has been awarded £17,341.72 to explore views about local community garden development, develop community garden spaces across the North East of Edinburgh and deliver a programme of workshops on gardening, growing, connecting with nature and outdoor play.
Patrick Dunne, Leith Community Growers said: “‘Leith Community Growers aims to support and develop growing and green space initiatives in Leith.
“This funding allows us to run sessions about gardening with local organisations and our own community to the benefit of their wellbeing and mental health, and also supports us to encourage local community members to develop their local spaces in whatever way they can.
“It’s been interesting to be a part of this new model of funding process. While challenging at times it has encouraged us to reach out and collaborate with groups and spaces that are new to us and we are very happy that those new relationships will grow and be of benefit in our community in the next 12 months.
“We are looking forward to growing alongside the people of Leith this year.”
A NEW APPROACH
EVOC has worked alongside key partners in the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, Edinburgh’s Thrive Collaborative, Volunteer Edinburgh and others from the voluntary sector to develop a process that prioritises what works at a grass-roots level and what the people and communities of Edinburgh really value.
These efforts will continue and build on the City’s partnership working, developing new ways in which people and local organisations can be supported.
In addition, the work being carried out toward the development of an Edinburgh Wellbeing Pact offers opportunities for organisations to get involved throughout the next year.
Judith Proctor, Chief Officer, Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “The pandemic has seen rises in health inequalities, mental health challenges, and growth in social isolation.
“Whilst this is a national picture, in Edinburgh we are committed to finding ways to reach people and ensure they have access to the right kind of support at the right time. Everyone’s different.
“Via this funding, we’ve not only been able to accelerate work in this area, but through the engagement led by EVOC and our Edinburgh Wellbeing Pact, we’ve been able to reach a wide range of communities and reach those with lived experiences who are not always heard.
“Without doubt, we are very encouraged by what’s been achieved and are committed to building on this as we move forward.
“We’re incredibly thankful to all who have engaged and taken part in this process, particularly to our partners at EVOC for their hard work throughout.”
A full list of groups and organisations awarded grants from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for the City of Edinburgh can be found here.
The Scottish Government announced the £15 million-pound Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund in October last year and announced additional investment for this fund on 25 February.
An overview of the community commissioning process devised and delivered for the Edinburgh funding by EVOC and other key partners can be found here.
EVOC & EHSCP invite you to a shared learning and networking event focused on building partnerships and networks in Edinburgh’s NW Locality.
Hosted by EVOC and the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, this is one of four locality-based events focusing on how we can develop relationships and referral networks to improve support for clients – particularly those who might benefit by engaging with local organisations to explore preventative and early intervention ‘Conversation 1’ type activities.
NORTH WEST LOCALITY EVENT OVERVIEW
Dr Linda Irvine-Fitzpatrick, EVOC’s Bridie Ashrowan andthe NW Locality Manager will discuss the interconnections and learning from the Three Conversations Model, The Edinburgh Wellbeing Pact and work within communities.
Here’s some of that wonderful feedback we received last year:
“So much out there – great to come up to date with the resources and look at the potential supports.”
As the current plan comes to an end, it’s time to explore opportunities, hopes and aspirations for the next 3 years.
Help make sure the community and voluntary sector has a voice in this process, by getting involved in this discussion.
You’re invited to have a say on Edinburgh’s Community Learning and Development Plan for 2021 – 2024.
About this event
You might ask yourself what is Community Learning & Development (CLD) and why is it important for my group or organisation to have a say in future planning?
The ambition for the Edinburgh CLD plan is to make a positive difference for the citizens and communities of the City and the organisations in the community / voluntary sector work with children, young people and adults to do just that.
That means it’s essential that our sector plays a part in strategic planning in areas like adult learning, youthwork, community centres, communities and citizens who are seldom heard and so much more.
THE EVENT
Paul McCloskey (CEC Lifelong Learning Strategic Manager – CLD and Libraries), Laurene Edgar (LAYC Director and Edinburgh Community Learning and Development Partnership Chair) will lead this event.
They’ll take you through the plan and the potential for this to be a key aspect of the development of citizens and communities in Edinburgh.
You will also have the chance to join in 2 of the following themed breakout groups:
Adult Learning
Community Centres
Youthwork
Seldom Heard Communities & Voices
EVENT LINK
Registration for this event closes TODAY – Wednesday 18 August at 6pm.
You will receive an email through Eventbrite by 9am on Thu 19 Aug that includes the Zoom link for this event.
If you don’t receive this email please get in touch, but we recommend checking your email junk folder: esther.currie@evoc.org.uk
Join EVOC for a session focused on how to re-open / re-mobilise your organisation, projects and activities safely.
About this event
Aimed at organisations and managers who are making plans to re-open / re-mobilise, this event will focus on a selection of issues including community transport, workforce and volunteers.
1. National overview: Ian Brooke (Deputy Chief Executive, EVOC)
2. Volunteers: Marion Findlay (Director of Services, Volunteer Edinburgh)
3. Re-opening Guidelines: Angela Davis (Environmental Health Officer, City of Edinburgh Council)
4. WHALE Arts Re-opening Experiences: Laura Delahunt (Enterprise and Facilities Manager, WHALE Arts)
5. Panel Q&A
Breakout group discussions:
Buildings
Volunteers/workforce
Transport
Organising Group work
Guidance/paperwork/risk assessment discussion
Please note that this event is now taking place on Microsoft Teams.
EVENT LINK
Registration for this event closes on Tue 17 Aug at 6pm.
You will receive an email through Eventbrite by 9am on Wed 18 Aug that includes the Teams link for this event.
If you don’t receive an email please check your email junk folder or get in touch with us: esther.currie@evoc.org.uk
Forth & Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum reconvenes tomorrow (Tuesday 11 May) at 1pm via Zoom.
For information on how to join the meeting contact Kate Barrett, EVOC Community Planning Development Worker on 0131 555 9100 or email: kate.barrett@evoc.org.uk
The Scottish Government’s Community & Third Sector Recovery Programme funding stream is now open, offering both organisational support and funding to deliver services.
The Community & Third Sector Recovery Programme is a £25m Scottish Government funded programme aiming to support charities, community groups, social enterprises and voluntary organisations that are supporting people and communities through the shift from lockdown to recovery.
The Community & Third Sector Recovery Programme has two strands:
Strand one: Adapt and Thrive
The programme aims to support organisational change. It offers tailored support and funding to develop a plan so third sector organisations can operate sustainably post-COVID.
Strand two: Communities Recovery Fund
The fund aims to support the delivery of services in communities that were suspended or reduced because of COVID, or the creation of new services that tackle new challenges presented by COVID.
