We are running our current programme as normal through the October holiday but we are going to be providing our PY Lunches again!
Young people can come and collect a wee packed lunch to take home from 12:30-1pm Monday to Friday!
Veggie options are available but please make sure you tell us if you need one as it can get quite busy and we want everyone to enjoy their lunch 
Are you 14+ and looking to get into volunteering? Check out our flyers and get in touch with our Volunteer Development Worker Gillian!
We are also having a volunteer recruitment event on Thursday 29th September at 4pm – come along and find out more!
WHAT’S ON AT THE GREENHOUSE
We are nearing the day when young people can come and enjoy FetLor once again! Our clubs start back one week today – on September 5th. There has been a couple of small changes in our timetable from last year. See the flyer for all clubs and times.
As always clubs require registration. This needs to be completed by everyone.
To register simply click the link to take you through our digital form:
https://forms.gle/6vVQkj6zzriNCdx57
If you have any questions drop us a message. See you soon 
PILTON YOUTH & CHILDREN’S PROJECT
25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OPEN DAY
WEDNESDAY 10th AUGUST 1 – 3pm
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.
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:
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
A new report exploring how youth work responded to the needs of young people during the Covid-19 pandemic reveals the importance of youth work’s role in closing the attainment gap going forward.
Youth work: Closing the poverty-related attainment gap during the pandemic found that access to youth work within a whole system approach can play a key role in mitigating the longer-term impact of the pandemic in relation to attainment, mental health and wellbeing.
The report identified that disruption to youth work services exacerbated the impact of the pandemic on young people’s learning, achievement and wellbeing.
The youth work sector’s ability to adapt to changing guidelines to create new safe spaces had an overwhelmingly positive influence on young people’s resilience during the pandemic, with 83% of young people reporting that youth work had been important or very important to them over the past year.
A number of community centres will be providing a variety of children, youth and adult work next week as part of a phased approach by the City of Edinburgh Council to opening up more public services.
The centres at Jack Kane, South Bridge, Royston Wardieburn, Ratho, Clovenstone, Pentland and Goodtrees will be open in a limited way from Monday 12 July.
More community centres will have limited opening over the coming weeks as management committees liaise with the Council over what services can be provided in line with the latest health advice.
Up to now community centres had only been accessed to support essential services such as food poverty programmes, support for vulnerable groups and regulated childcare. From Monday there will be access for key youth groups and other children and adult activities.
The activities being provided are in addition to the Get into Summer programme of events which aims to children and their families to play, socialise and re-connect over the summer holidays.
Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s absolutely vital for our citizens that our community centres are able to welcome them back as soon as possible so it’s welcome that we’ve been able to accelerate their opening.
“They’re a focal hub for our communities and you can’t underestimate the positive effect they have on people of all ages who benefit enormously from using them.”
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m sure people will be pleased to hear that essential services such as youth work along with other activities will soon be resuming in our community centres.
“These buildings are much-loved local spaces, like our libraries and sports venues, and the important role they will play in the city’s recovery from the pandemic is immeasurable.”
Children and young people are getting geared up for a summer of fun as an exciting programme of activities is being delivered by over 100 Council services and partner organisations across the Capital.
The Get into Summer initiative is part of a nationwide scheme funded by the Scottish Government to create a variety of opportunities for children and their families to play, socialise and re-connect over the summer.
The activities will build on the regular summer programmes put on by the City of Edinburgh Council and partners and are taking place in communities across the city. They will help children and young people to get healthy, creative and most importantly, re-connect with each other after a disrupted school year caused by the pandemic.
A key focus of the programme will be activities targeted to those families from low income households who may otherwise struggle to access such experiences during the holidays. The overall programme has a focus on opportunities for youth and children’s work, very young children and their families, with opportunities for sport, outdoor, art and cultural activities.
Some of the partner organisations putting on events and providing support include: 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, Disability Services, Intercultural Youth Scotland, Edinburgh Young Carers, Lochend Football Academy, National Galleries of Scotland, Play2Learn Sports Coaching and Shakti Women’s Aid.
Councillor Ian Perry, Convener for Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We know how much our children and young people have had their year disrupted by the pandemic and our ‘Get into Summer’ programme aims to bring as many of them together as possible to play and socialise over the holidays.
“There really is something for everyone with activities ranging from sports coaching to museum trips and music workshops with many additional activities on top of what we usually offer during the summer. We want to do all we can to support our children, young people, their families and carers so they can enjoy the summer.
“This programme is a great way to do that. Thanks must go to the different Council teams and partner organisations across the city who have pulled together to put on such a great programme of activities.”
Councillor Alison Dickie, Vice Convener for Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We have listened to our young people who have told us about the impact of lockdown on their mental health and wellbeing as a result of the pandemic so these activities are a first step to help them re-connect with their friends and interests over the summer.
“They and their families are showing great resilience but no one should underestimate the huge impact the pandemic is having with many of the activities and support usually open to them not yet available. This must change.
“Many families on low income struggle during the summer holidays so this targeted offer is a positive step forward and will boost opportunities for those who have faced the greatest challenges in the past 15 months. This programme has children’s rights and needs at its heart.”
Dot Horne, Director of 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, said: “Get into Summer is a much-needed support for children and young people. During this pandemic so many young people have been adversely affected, isolated and missed out on essential life skills they would have learnt as they progressed through “normal” experiences.
“We’ve seen an increasing number of young people coming forward who are lacking things like self-confidence, coping skills, feeling socially anxious , lonely or unhappy. At 6VT we are offering teenagers a dynamic and active programme of activities where they will be supported to improve their wellbeing, experience new activities and learn how to build respectful relationships with others.
“We are striving for a lot of fun and laughter with the overall impact of improving happiness. We encourage parents to support their children and young people to engage into Get into Summer activities.”
Find out more about the full Get into Summer programme.
FETLOR Youth Club has appointed a director to deepen the work the charity does to support young people. Richie Adams joins the Club with a wealth of leadership experience and a passion to support young people, helping them achieve their potential.
Dr Adams describes his appointment to the north Edinburgh charity as a ‘homecoming’, giving back to the community he has served across his career.
Having worked as a community police officer in Drylaw, Muirhouse and Pilton, he knows the north Edinburgh community well.
Richie’s passion for supporting the vulnerable is also evident through his voluntary work as chair of Edinburgh Community Food.
Richie retired from the Police Scotland as a superintendent having served in both Edinburgh and Glasgow and has led a number of significant strategic projects for policing.
He comes to FetLor following a successful term as Director of Education in the Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service.
Andrew Barrie, FetLor’s chairman, said: “Richie’s appointment marks a real milestone for FetLor, at a time when young people need the charity’s services more than ever.
“The impact of the pandemic on young people has been profound. Richie is now working hard to get our resources to where young people need us most.
“It’s important that we develop partnerships across youth work in north Edinburgh and Richie is seeking to strengthen links with existing partners and forge new associations so we can reach the young people who really need us.
“Richie’s wealth of experience will drive this work forward. His collaborative approach will help build FetLor’s team so that we can continue to foster an environment where young people can build their confidence and go on to lead fulfilling lives.”
Prior to the pandemic, FetLor Youth Club was able to provide space for over 400 young people in the north of Edinburgh to feel safe, empowered and listened to.
The current restrictions have forced the Club’s youth outreach to be brought online.
Staff are continuing to work hard to ensure its children and young people are supported.
Work is also ongoing to make sure the charity can open the doors of its building on Crewe Road South as soon as possible.
Richie (51), said: “I’m really excited and proud to join the dedicated team at FetLor at this crucial time.
“FetLor has a long history of doing exceptional work to support young people in the north of Edinburgh. At this time, its services are needed more than ever.
“Many young people feel their mental health has suffered during lockdown and others have disengaged from school. At FetLor we are working hard to support our young people during these difficult times.
“We have partnered with a local school to support children who have become disengaged. Our youth team is also hosting regular one to one Zoom calls with a number of young people, helping them get through these most challenging of times.
“As we look towards delivering our service in a post Covid environment there will be much to do. We are looking forward to working with partners and to the community to work out how best to serve our young people as restrictions lift.”
