Tag: Wester Hailes

Company Shop Edinburgh marks first birthday

Members have saved more than £3 million since opening

Company Shop Edinburgh, which is part of the UK’s leading redistribution organisation Company Shop Group, is celebrating its first birthday, having saved members over £3million collectively since it first opened its doors on Dumbryden Road one year ago.

The store has since redistributed an incredible 1,547 tonnes of surplus items, which is the equivalent of 570 Olympic swimming pools. This means that perfectly good surplus food and household products, purchased by Company Shop Group from the FMCG supply chain including from major retailers and manufacturers, have been prevented from needlessly going to waste.

To mark the occasion, Company Shop Edinburgh celebrated with members with cake and refreshments in-store, and a range of exclusive ‘1st birthday’ offers were made available to members on the day.

Shelves in the store are stocked with heavily discounted food and household products from big name brands such as Marks and Spencer, Nestlé, Iceland and Tesco. All the products sold are in date and perfectly good to eat or use, but are deemed ‘surplus’ and may have otherwise gone to waste due to incorrect or wonky labelling, seasonal packaging or overstock – amongst many other reasons.

As a result, products are on average 50% off the normal retail price, helping to stretch hard-working family budgets further.

The store operates on a membership basis and is open to those working in the NHS, emergency services, social care, FMCG supply chain, British Armed Forces, prison services and employees of charities.

To ensure that the discounted food and household products reach those most in need, the store is also open to those receiving means tested benefits. Anyone eligible for membership is encouraged to sign up for free online, and once registered, membership lasts a lifetime.

As well as providing low-cost food and products to those who need it the most, Company Shop Edinburgh has helped local businesses to do something positive with their surplus, in addition to bringing around 80 new jobs to the area.

Company Shop Edinburgh is part of a network of what is now 14 stores. The Group’s latest impact report revealed that over 80million surplus items were redistributed across stores over the course of 2020, saving 28,073 tonnes of surplus from going to waste.

Company Shop Edinburgh Store Manager, Jory Kinney, said: “We’re really proud to be celebrating the one-year anniversary of Company Shop Edinburgh, and particularly to reflect on the impact that the store has made on the local community over the course of the year.

“Company Shop Edinburgh would not be possible without the ongoing support of our members, the wider community and our industry partners, and we’re grateful to all of them for that.

“We look forward to continuing to build on the strong foundations in the years ahead, preventing surplus from going to waste and stretching the budgets of hard-working families.”

Have you seen Bervely?

*** UPDATE ***

*MISSING PERSON TRACED*

Police have confirmed that Bervely Chaleka has been traced safe and well. Her family have been notified.

PI Keith Forrester said “Thanks very much for all the shares and comments, they helped us to find Bervely.”

Police in Edinburgh are continuing to seek the public’s support to find Bervely Chaleka, who went mssing on Monday evening.

Bervely is 25 years old and is described as 5’ 7” in height with short black hair. When she was last seen she was wearing a white headscarf, navy jacket and light patterned trousers (see attached picture).

Inspector Keith Forrester from Wester Hailes Police Station said: “Thank you for sharing my previous post and for the feedback so far.

“Bervely is known to have travelled in to the city centre on Monday evening to visit shops on Princes Street and she was seen sitting at the tram stop at St Andrews Square between 7:30pm – 9:30pm before walking away northwards.

“If you have information about her whereabouts, or you have seen her on or since Monday night, please phone ‘101’ quoting incident number 491 of 21/09/2021.

“Bervely, if you see this message, please contact Police or your family to let us know you are safe. Thank you“

Police appeal following distressing incident in Wester Hailes

Officers are continuing enquiries and appealing for information in relation to an incident which occurred in the Dumbryden area last Friday (10th September).

Around 10pm a 55-year-old woman was alone and distressed when she approached a vehicle in the area asking for assistance. She thereafter ran from the vehicle and boarded a Lothian bus.

It is unknown why she was distressed or what took place.

Police Constable Nichola Reid of Leith Police Station said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and I am appealing for any witnesses to come forward, particularly the occupants of the vehicle at the time.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland through 101, quoting incident number 0290 of Saturday 11th September 2021.”

Wester Hailes to feature in National Architectural Exhibition

Wester Hailes will feature in a new exhibition called ‘What if…?/Scotland’ opening in V&A Dundee on 22 May which will explore the relationship communities have with their built environment.  

The project, commissioned by the Scotland + Venice partnership, is the creation of Edinburgh-based 7N architects together with Architecture and Design Scotland, Scotland’s design agency, and a number of local partners. Initially started in 2019 it paired five local people from Wester Hailes with five architects and designers to discuss how they would improve the spaces where they live and what their hopes, wishes and aspirations for the future are. 

The designer responded to the wishes of the people by proposing a way to make the hopes a reality – asking What if…?/.  The process was filmed by film maker Basharat Khan.

The exhibition of the wishes, alongside the films, were initially prepared for the Scotland + Venice exhibition for the 17th International Architecture Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2020 – the world’s leading architecture exhibition. 

However, with the 2020 exhibition postponed and uncertainty around travel in 2021 due to the on-going Covid-19 pandemic, the organisers were able to adapt the exhibition to premiere at V&A Dundee.

Connecting Wester Hailes

In Wester Hailes one of the key topics was around connections; connecting communities within the area and providing spaces for human connections. 

Emily Stevenson and Eoghan Howard discussed with Katie Hay from 7N how a footbridge across the Union Canal would provide a connection to green spaces which would enhance the lives of locals. 

Several groups discussed the derelict garage as a potential location for a community meeting place and how it was once an important part of the community and had the potential to be so again.

Leah Black from WHALE Arts, who hosted the workshops, said: ““It feels like a lifetime ago that Eoghan and I introduced a small group of local residents from Wester Hailes – Eunice, Emily, Bahiya, Ili, Chuks and Louize to the architects working on What If…? Scotland.

“We were delighted at WHALE Arts to play a part in making these introductions, however the success of this project was contingent on the generosity, open-mindedness and creativity of the group of local people who are passionate about improvements to the local area.

“The project was timely for us as we were working with Wester Hailes Community Trust, Ian Gilzean and partners on the beginnings of a Local Place Plan for Wester Hailes.

“This work on the LPP has continued to develop throughout 2020 and 2021 and we are thrilled at the notion of being able to incorporate some of these inspiring ideas into the long-term regeneration of Wester Hailes.”

Wester Hailes is one of five communities taking part in the project alongside Elgin, Annan, Paisley and Lerwick.  Dundee will be added in time for the opening at the V&A.

As well as themes individual to the local communities there were many overarching themes of regeneration of lost and iconic buildings, the issues of closed shops in High Streets, community spirit, pride in local areas and how to create a meeting space that’s accessible to everyone. 

In addition to the five films there will be an interactive installation called the Cloud of Dreams, where anyone attending the exhibition can submit their wish for their place.

Ewan Anderson of 7N Architects said: “When we first met with these communities in late 2019, who could have foreseen how much our lives would change? 

“It’s interesting that even prior to a year in lockdown, community and spaces to gather and meet were of common importance throughout Scotland. 

“I’m delighted we have found a home for the exhibition as it is important that these stories are told.  And how fitting that this exhibition examining our places and how design affects them will be presented at Scotland’s first Design Museum V&A Dundee.”

Exhibition dates: Sat 22 May – Sun 21 Nov 2021 – Free museum entry.

Booking open at:  www.vam.ac.uk/dundee

Missing man FOUND

Appeal to trace missing man Robbie Russell

UPDATE: MISSING MAN FOUND

Police Scotland has reported that Robbie Russell (25) who had been missing from Wester Hailes, Edinburgh, since Sat, 17 April, has been traced safe and well in Edinburgh this afternoon.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 25-year-old man reported missing from the Wester Hailes area of the city.

Robbie Russell was last seen around 7am on Saturday (17 April) in the Longstone area. He also has connections in the Sighthill and Dumbryden areas of the city as well as Livingston.

He is described as 5ft 11ins, of slim build with dark brown hair and brown eyes. When last seen he was wearing a black hoodie, black joggers and black and white trainers.

Inspector Keith Forrester said: “We are growing increasing concerned for Robbie and ask anyone who may know where he is to get in touch. Likewise if he sees this appeal, please call your family or Police Scotland to let us know you are safe.

“Anyone who has information that may help us find Robbie is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 0571 of Monday 19 April, 2021.”

Wester Hailes incidents: two youths charged

Police have confirmed that two 16-year-old male youths have been charged in connection with wilful fire-raising in the Wester Hailes area.

They were both charged with a fire on Murrayburn Drive that was reported around 8pm on Friday, 13 March.

A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and they will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow (Monday, 16 March).

Enquiries are ongoing into the fire on Calder Crescent and officers are following positive lines of enquiry in relation to the instances of assault.

Anyone who was in the area at the time of the incidents and who may have any information should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 3544 of 13 March.

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a series of assaults and wilful fires in the Wester Hailes area. The incidents occurred between 7pm and 9pm on Friday evening (13 March, 2020). 

Around 7.30pm a 30-year-old man was assaulted on the Union Canal path but sustained no injuries. The second assault also occurred on the Union Canal path around 8.30pm – a 37-year-old woman was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with serious but not life-threatening injuries.

Officers also received report of a fire at Wester Hailes Education Centre on Murrayburn Drive around 8pm and a second fire was reported at Bridge 8 Hub and Paddle Cafe on Calder Crescent around 8.25pm. No-one was injured as a result of the fires but there has been catastrophic damage.

Police believe the incidents are linked and are following positive lines of enquiry.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time of the incidents and who may have any information to contact them on 101 quoting incident number 3544 of 13 March.

The Seven Kingdoms of Wester Hailes!

A TEAM of community researchers will join forces with academics to help improve their neighbourhood.

UK Research and Innovation yesterday announced its backing for the Seven Kingdoms of Wester Hailes, one of 53 new UK-wide projects worth £1.4million which will enable members of the public to actively contribute to research and innovation projects that affect their lives.

Part of the agency’s Enhancing place-based partnerships in public engagement programme, the project involves community partners working with Edinburgh Napier University to contribute to the local place plan being developed with support from the Scottish Government’s Chief Architect.

Wester Hailes is made up of seven distinct neighbourhoods: Calders, Clovenstone, Dumbryden, Hailesland, Harvester, Murrayburn, and Westburn.

Local residents there will get the opportunity to become community researchers, and get involved in a variety of placed-based activities with support from researchers from across the university. The work, backed by cutting-edge technology, will include virtual reality, oral and art-based storytelling projects and the creation of a book.

Previous research carried out by the university has shown that the seven neighbourhoods in Wester Hailes have a distinct identity, and the project will help local residents and organisations to better understand the challenges this presents and how creating a local place plan may help.

The collaborative approach in Seven Kingdoms of Wester Hailes – one of 25 place-based partnership projects to share a £500,000 funding pot – will bring new skills to the community and bolster its relationship with the university.

Project lead Dr Louise Todd, from the university’s Business School, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be leading on this fantastic public engagement and research initiative.

“This is an exciting interdisciplinary project that will involve researchers from across the whole university and at every stage in their academic career.

“Working with our network of community partners in Wester Hailes to co-create and co-design place-making activities, the project will be of tangible benefit to both the local community and to the university’s public engagement and research communities.” 

Dawn Smith, Edinburgh Napier’s Public Engagement Officer, said: “UKRI funding provides the opportunity to work collaboratively to support the community in developing its Place Plan, creating a legacy and a stronger relationship between local residents and the university.”

Placemaking inspires people to collectively reimagine and reinvent the public spaces as the heart of every community, strengthening the connection between people and the places they share.

Tom Saunders, Head of Public Engagement with UK Research and Innovation, said: “This is one of 53 pilot projects that we have funded, all using exciting ways that researchers and innovators can involve the public in their work.

“In 2020 and beyond, we will build on the lessons we can learn through funding these pilot projects to help us achieve our ambition of making research and innovation responsive to the knowledge, priorities and values of society and open to participation by people from all backgrounds.”

The projects announced yesterday actively encourage people who would not usually get involved in research to take part in ground-breaking discovery and innovation.  They cover a diverse range of topics from plastic pollution to period poverty, and net zero carbon emissions to air quality.

Another project will see farmers working with researchers in Devon to make informed decisions on future land management to deliver carbon emission targets.

And homeless people in the north west of England will help the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and the University of Liverpool to explore women’s experiences and perspectives of managing menstruation while living in deprivation.

Benefits take-up: Holyrood comes to Wester Hailes

Holyrood’s Social Security Committee visited Wester Hailes Education Centre yesterday as they continued their inquiry into benefit uptake. The Committee met with various organisations and individuals to try to uncover why a huge number of benefits remain unclaimed. Continue reading Benefits take-up: Holyrood comes to Wester Hailes

Views sought on major active travel improvements in West Edinburgh

The public are being asked to have their say on significant cycling and walking improvements proposed for the west of Edinburgh. Continue reading Views sought on major active travel improvements in West Edinburgh