Tag: West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

Local young people from Tinderbox Collective to stage free community event as North Edinburgh Community Festival launches programme

  • Ten young people (aged 14-18) have taken part in a six-month course with Tinderbox Collective and North Edinburgh Community Festival to learn how to organise a festival. 
  • The course, Festival Futures, culminates this weekend (Saturday 28th March) in West Pilton for the launch event for North Edinburgh Community Festival.
  • The launch event will feature live music from local performers, a games hub, food stalls, community stalls and sports activities. 

Local young people are behind the organisation of the launch event for North Edinburgh Community Festival, taking place in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre tomorrow (Saturday 28th March) from 12-2pm.

Festival Futures, a six-month project between Tinderbox Collective and North Edinburgh Community Festival, has allowed ten young people from North Edinburgh to get hands-on experience, workshops and work experience on how to run a live event. This festival launch is the culmination of their work and has given the young people the chance to step behind the scenes and learn how a real community festival comes to life. 

The launch event will host live music from local young performers who have been honing their skills and shaping their sound in youth clubs and community spaces delivered by Tinderbox Collective and Granton Youth, including Lotas, Georgia Amery, Abraham Olivier, and Leon Highway.

There will be community stalls from local organisations including Granton Baptist Church, Spartans, Childrens’ Holiday Venture, Project Esperanza and more, as well as sports activities and food stalls. Tinderbox Games Club will also be hosting an escape room they have designed, letting people try out computer games they have designed over the last year.  

This weekend’s event marks the launch of the programme for the 2026 North Edinburgh Community Festival, which will take place on 16th May.

Returning for its fifth edition, the much-loved festival continues its mission as a family friendly fun day out for all the residents in North Edinburgh, and a vital community anchor which brings people together, strengthens local pride, and connects thousands with essential services and opportunities. 

During the festival itself, Tinderbox Collective will be producing and running the Main Stage, which brings together choirs, youth bands and community performers from across North Edinburgh.

The North Edinburgh Community Choir – a vibrant group of around 100 singers from Pirniehall, St David’s Craigroyston and Forthview Primary Schools and Craigroyston High School – will return to perform, and Tinderbox’s Tuesday Music Club band – made of up thirty young people from across North Edinburgh – will also take to the stage with original tunes and reimagined covers they’ve been developing together.

Also featuring on the main stage are Edinburgh Ukrainian Choir, Ama-zing Harmonies and Pulse Of The Place. 
 
Tinderbox Collective will also join forces with Granton Youth to produce the North by North West stage which will feature emerging young musicians and new talent still to be announced.  

Adele Conn, Festival Director of North Edinburgh Community Festival, said: “I’m incredibly proud of the young people in our Festival Futures programme; their creativity, commitment, and professionalism over the last six months have been nothing short of inspiring.

“Seeing them lead today’s launch with such confidence and pride is a real joy, and they should each feel immensely proud of what they’ve achieved.” 
 
The North Edinburgh Community Festival launch takes place tomorrow – Saturday 28th March, from 12 – 2pm at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre and is free to attend.

The full festival will follow on Saturday 16th May 2026 at West Pilton Park and the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre. 

North Edinburgh Community Festival launch event this Saturday

You’re invited to the Festival Launch this Saturday 28 March, 12–2pm at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre!!

The young people in our Festival Futures programme have been hard at work organising the North Edinburgh Community Festival launch.

On the day, they’ll be running and managing a mini‑festival packed with community stalls, sports activities, a games hub, live music and great food.

We’d love to see you there. Free entry, and everyone is welcome!

North Edinburgh Community Festival

BE PART OF THE NORTH EDINBURGH COMMUNITY FESTIVAL!

Register below!

Deadline closes in 14 days!!!! MONDAY 30th MARCH.

Register using this link – https://forms.office.com/r/jMTLzXQUds

Even if you don’t know what you might do, or cant fill in the details yet, register so that we know you require a stall or pitch.

Local Community Council reboot?

We should decide what happens in West Pilton/West Granton 🫡 come along to learn more.

This event is being put on by myself (Jessica Fenn) and Chris Cullen – we live here, we aren’t an outside organisation, and we want other locals to join us 🫡

Today: BLAST Boxing at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

TUESDAY SESSIONS

9.30 -11.30 BOX N’ BLETHER

5 – 5:45 youth boxing and fitness session

6 – 7pm BLAST BOXfit!

All sessions are aimed at mental aswell as physical well-being.

Delivered in a friendly fun but challenging manner focused on having a laugh and building positive relationships within the groups.

BLAST, it’s more than just boxing! 👌🏻💪🏻❤️🥊

Tonight: Edinburgh Twirling Academy Spring Show

WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE – Doors Open 6.30pm

EDINBURGH TWIRLING ACADEMY SPRING SHOW🖤🌟

Reminder that our spring show displaying our competition girls hard work this season is TONIGHT!

Doors open 18:30 for a 19:00 start⏰

West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre🏡

Tickets are £5 entry £3 concessions🎟️

Can’t wait to see you all there🤩

Blast Boxing keeps community fighting fit with Business Gateway support

An Edinburgh start-up is making a major impact in communities after accessing support from Business Gateway. 

Blast Boxing, a community interest company, aims to improve mental and physical wellbeing through accessible boxing classes and one-to-one sessions. Designed to help locals get fit, have fun and learn core boxing skills, the sessions take place in a welcoming and supportive environment. 

Founded by Kevin Matthews, the organisation offers a range of affordable classes for children and adults, along with drop-in social events and PE sessions delivered through Edinburgh’s Active Schools programme.  

Blast Boxing also hosts specialist wellbeing sessions, including ‘Box N’ Blether’, a popular format combining one hour of physical activity with one hour of open conversation, as well as parent-and-toddler classes and wellbeing sessions for both men and women. 

Working with a range of established organisations and charities in Edinburgh, the team offer physical and emotional support to residents in disadvantaged communities. As well as boxing, the team brings years of experience and qualifications in youth work, community engagement, health and fitness. 

Having previously worked in the community as a pupil support assistant and youth worker, Kevin saw firsthand the positive impact exercise had on mental health. At the age of 30, he pursued a qualification in sports coaching, setting the foundation for his vision of a community-focused fitness organisation. 

Blast Boxing has recently worked alongside charities Score Scotland and Spartans, to support young people and adults in the area through introductory sessions, mentorship and dedicated classes and is currently running sessions with West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre. 

Kevin reached out to Business Gateway in January 2024 to turn his vision into reality. He has been supported throughout his start-up journey by local adviser Lee Briggs, who has provided expert one-to-one guidance, business planning assistance, and advice on business structure, legislation, and community engagement.

Business Gateway has also helped Kevin access funding opportunities and connect with local groups, enabling Blast Boxing to thrive. 

Lee’s guidance has played a key role in Kevin’s journey to grow Blast Boxing into a thriving enterprise, allowing the business to make a meaningful and lasting impact across Edinburgh. 

Kevin Matthews, Blast Boxing founder, said: “Business Gateway has been instrumental in helping me bring my vision for Blast Boxing to life.  

“The support and guidance I’ve received from Lee has given me the confidence and knowledge to shape Blast Boxing into an initiative that serves the community and makes a real difference on the lives of those involved.” 

Lee Briggs, Business Gateway adviser, said: “Having supported Kevin since day one, it has been fantastic to see his passion and dedication translate into real, positive change for the community. 

“Blast Boxing is a brilliant example of how the right support and determination can create something truly impactful.” 

To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit:

https://bgateway.com. 

Community Safety Consulation

WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

WEDNESDAY 21 MAY 12 – 3.30pm

Sharing this for anyone to join:

For more information on the Place Standard Tool visit www.placestandard.scot

WEDNESDAY 21ST MAY 2025

12:00 PM – 3:30PM @ WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

LUNCH PROVIDED

Join residents and service providers for an interactive consultation.

Have your say and help shape a safer and better West Pilton for everyone.

CREATE calm at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre on Friday

Join us for CREATE calm, an inclusive play sessions for children, this Friday 21st March at 2.45pm at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.

Experience the joy of play in a welcoming, supportive space! Our CREATE calm taster sessions are for local families with children aged 0-7 that might benefit from a smaller group and a calm, quieter experience.

This could include children with disabilities or health concerns; autism; neurodivergent; those struggling with school or other learning environments; challenging family or care circumstances; or other social or emotional support needs.

No diagnosis or referral needed – parents, carers, and siblings are welcome!

🌟 Safe, accessible play space

🎭 Activities tailored to sensory needs and interests

❤ Opportunities for family bonding and connection

👩‍👧 Families can explore and play at their own pace

☕ Tea, coffee & snacks provided

To find out more and register, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/neaevents

*By ‘local families’ we mean families living in the community surrounding North Edinburgh Arts, which includes areas of Muirhouse, Pilton, Drylaw and Granton.