Calling volunteers! Help us spread the word of the festival by joining us for our big leafletting event
Whether you are already volunteering with the festival or if you want to just come along and help out for the day – everyone is welcome!
We will start with a quick brief together, then separate into smaller groups to cover different areas across the city and finish with a social picnic at the Edinburgh Meadows. Get to know new people and help us share the festival with more of our local community!
*Posters are printed sustainably by Out of the Blueprint in Edinburgh
Do you know of, or are you a young person in Scotland who is passionate about making the online world safe for children and young people?
The NSPCC is currently recruiting up to 20 young people aged 12 – 15, from across the UK, to join their campaigning group – ‘The Voice of Online Youth’.
This is an incredible opportunity for young people from all backgrounds, who have an interest in the digital world to be at the heart of the charity’s online safety campaign and work to make the internet safer for children across the country.
Having young people’s voices and experiences heard and recognised is one of the main driving forces behind the NSPCC achieving its goal that every child is safe online, can enjoy age-appropriate online experiences and help to ensure tech companies are held accountable for making their platforms safe for children.
Children’s opinions and experiences of the online world should be invaluable to decision makers as they know first-hand the risks young people are facing.
Members of the Voice of Online Youth will enable the charity to amplify children’s voices and experiences and help keep others safe online. They will meet with key decision makers, help influence policies, laws and regulation, share their experiences and opinions, and help tackle online safety issues.
No previous experience is required – just a passion for making the online world safer for children and young people.
Membership will run for 18 months, and successful applicants will need to attend online sessions and workshops every other month – with some in-person meetings.
The NSPCC will cover the cost of travel, accommodation and reasonable expenses for regional and national meetings.
It’s a great opportunity for a young person to learn a range of valuable skills, make a difference and have lots of fun. Participants will:
Meet decision makers, attend events and take part in workshops to explore all aspects of online safety.
Advise the charity, politicians, regulators as well as parents and professionals about the best way to protect children online.
Get training in campaigning, public speaking and teamwork – all valuable skills for education and life.
Have the chance to travel around the UK, meet other young people and take part in residential events.
Last year, members spoke at the world’s first Children’s AI Summit in London; attended the Global AI Summit in Paris and met with Peter Kyle, who was at that time Secretary of State for Science Innovation and Technology.
Earlier this year, three members of the group also met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in London and spoke to him about their views on children’s access to social media as the debate around social media bans continues.
Child Safety Online Senior Project Officer, Adam Diment, who runs The Voice of Online Youth said: “Children and young people can teach adults so much about the online world.
“The more we listen to their experiences, champion their voices, and include them in the national conversation, the safer we can make the online world for young people and for everyone.
“Through my work with The Voice of Online Youth, I have watched young people grow in confidence and develop skills that will last them a lifetime.
“That’s why the NSPCC set up the Voice of Online Youth – and we want you to encourage more children and young people to be part of it.”
More information and details of how to apply can be found at: The Voice of Online Youth | NSPCC or by searching ‘Voice of Online Youth’ online.
Become a peer educator and give girls a space to talk about what’s important to them!
As a peer educator you will explore important topics like mental wellbeing, safety and gender stereotypes, using your own experiences to become a role model for girls all across Scotland.
If you are 14-25 join us in May at our next peer education training weekend. Find out more through the link below
The gardening season has officially begun at St Columba’s. After a winter pause, our Compassionate Gardeners gathered for the first time this year — and they’re ready to get going.
These generous volunteers offer time, care, and plenty of TLC to the gardens of our community patients who need a little extra help. It’s practical support, yes — but it’s also about kindness, dignity, and helping outdoor spaces feel cared for again.
Gloves are on, tools are out, spirits are high… and the weeds have been warned.
Thank you to our Compassionate Gardeners for all you do — quietly making a difference, one garden at a time.
Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South, has called on the City of Edinburgh Council in a formal open letter today to take urgent steps to secure the future of Edinburgh South Community Football Club (ESCFC), one of Scotland’s biggest and most successful community clubs.
ESCFC, has over 1,000 players across 75 teams and more than 200 volunteers, collectively contributing over 40,000 hours of unpaid time, is facing severe challenges due to a shortage of pitches and lack of long-term security over its facilities. Every week, 5–10 children are being turned away, while six full teams, around 120 young people, risk having nowhere to train from September.
Despite more than seven years of talks with the Council, the club still does not have the land security or access to facilities it needs. Edinburgh Leisure has not responded since March regarding long-term Astro pitch availability, and without action the club has missed out on major investment opportunities, such as the £8.6m Scottish FA Pitching In fund.
The club’s impact stretches far beyond football, with initiatives including:
Free after school club and holiday camps (averaging 600 free places weekly across the year)
Free mental health counselling and physiotherapy
Racism and disability awareness training
Free use of club facilities for local schools
Fee waivers and discounts for families in need
Completely free Soccer School every Saturday for up to 120 children aged 5-8
ESCFC is a Platinum-level accredited club, the highest recognition awarded by the SFA, and has been nominated for National Community Club of the Year.
Ian Murray MP said: ““Edinburgh South CFC is a shining example of everything that is good about grassroots football. The scale of the club’s impact from free school holiday places to counselling, mentoring, and a boot exchange programme is extraordinary.
“But that success is now under threat. It is simply unsustainable for children to be turned away week after week because of a lack of facilities and security, and miss out on repeated funding rounds.
“This has gone on far too long. The Council must now step up, work with the club, and deliver the long-term security and pitches it desperately needs.”
Joe Sneddon, Chair of Edinburgh South CFC, said: “Our ethos has always been simple: if you want to play, you play.Thanks to our incredible volunteers we’ve been able to make that a reality for decades, but the lack of facilities and long-term backing is now putting that at risk. We don’t want to turn children away, yet that’s exactly what is happening.
“The Council cannot allow a club of this standing, delivering this scale of community benefit, to be held back by lack of facilities and short-term agreements. The time for warm words is over, we need action to allow us to continue delivering for our communities.”
Ian Murray has written formally to the Council setting out a series of practical steps, including a new Astroturf pitch at Inch Park, guaranteed access to the new Liberton High School Astro, and long-term leases at key facilities across South Edinburgh.
Big shout out and thanks to The Edinburgh Tool Library for bringing staff and volunteers here on Saturday to build stuff for the Neighbourhood Centre.
Also thanks to Andy and Matthew who are DNC volunteers for giving up their Saturday to help.
As you can see from the photos we built a massive planter 4.8m x 1.6m and put up some funky shutters on our summerhouse.
Last year the summerhouse came under regular attack by apples being thrown at it. Hopefully our new shutters mean little damage can be done should apples again find themselves on a flight path towards the summerhouse!
NSPCC Scotland is launching a new Community Fundraising Group in Musselburgh, Portobello and East Edinburgh. We are seeking enthusiastic and creative volunteers to play a crucial role in raising vital funds for our services such as Childline and Speak Out, Stay Safe.
We will only need volunteers for one to two hours a month, and we offer a flexible arrangement designed to fit around work, family and social life. Key activities include engaging with neighbours, local organisations and businesses to spread awareness, organise small-scale events or campaigns, and inspire donations that ensure our services remain free for those who need them most.
Participants will receive comprehensive support, including practical fundraising advice, promotional materials and ongoing guidance from our dedicated Community Fundraising Team. Beyond the personal reward of helping to keep children safe, volunteers gain valuable experience in communication, organisation and leadership, all while connecting with like-minded individuals who are passionate about making a difference.
If you would like to play your part in protecting young people and have a couple of spare hours each month, we’d love to hear from you. If interested, contact me via email at arlene.main@nspcc.org.uk or call 07891 598 086. Together, we can fight for every childhood and create safer communities for all.
**Calling All Volunteers young and old!** 
**Where?** The Arena Basketball Court, Ferry Road Drive
**When?** Monday 22nd September
**Time?** 4:30PM – 6:30PM (Clean-Up)
6:30PM – 7:30PM (Refreshments at PYCP – come relax and chat!)
**Free refreshments afterwards** at PYCP – everyone welcome!
**Tag a friend, share this post, and let’s build a cleaner, greener, more welcoming community together!**
