Seventeen South West Edinburgh Projects will benefit from a share of £20,000 of funding thanks to Scottish Government’s Investing In Communities Fund and Space @ The Broomhouse Hub. The money will support everything from digital skills, yoga classes for older people, mental health support for children and even a dramatic production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
A series of community votes were held by Space to determine which projects would receive allocations from the fund. Polls were held online and within The Hub, with over 2,000 votes cast.
Neil Hay, CEO of Space @ The Broomhouse Hub, said:
Congratulations to all the successful applicants. We really were overwhelmed by the ingenuity and thought that goes into helping our diverse communities. Although The Hub has been at the heart of the community for over 30 years, it is refreshing to see new projects, ideas and plans coming to fruition as we all work together to meet the changing needs of the locality.
Proposals were submitted from a range of organisations, with a focus on meeting priorities set out by the Investing in Communities Fund. These included projects that improve communication, develop employment opportunities, enhance community wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and support families.
Thank you to all of the community members that took part in voting! You can find more information about the projects funded below:
The full list of grants awarded from the fund:
£2,000 – Broomhouse Community Growers
Supporting existing garden and orchard. Planting, growing and learning opportunities for 20 residents, providing a therapeutic environment for local community groups of all ages, plus food distribution within the local community.
£2,000 – The BIG Project
In response to requests from young people, the project would produce and perform the play ‘Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’. Weekly drama sessions would begin in February and culminate in a community performance of the play in May.
£1,920 – B Healthy Together
Providing further Yoga for Sleep and Yoga for Relaxation classes to members of the South West Edinburgh community following successful pilots last year.
£1,500 – Bridge 8 Hub CIC
Get Fit for Spring Wellbeing Programme. 10 Weeks of activities including walking, cycling, and paddling. Socially inclusive activities promoting health and wellbeing, with lunch provided and an additional 10 weekends of free cycle hire for up to 60 individuals.
£1,500 – Starcatchers
Inspirational family sessions delivered at the Community Wellbeing Collective in Westside Plaza. Activities are open to all children aged 0-5 and their grown-ups who live in the South West Edinburgh area.
£1,250 – The Speech Language Communication Company (SLCo)
Enhancing the existing weekly, mixed-activity club for children and young people aged 5 – 17 with additional support needs. Follows child-led interests from a wide range of resources and fun activities.
£1,240 – Anna’s Move It or Lose It
Weekly classes to help elderly people, including those with dementia, to stay active, strong, and independent whilst reducing loneliness and social isolation.
£1,240 – St. Joseph’s R.C. Primary School
Supporting an 8-week programme of weekly sports clubs at St Joseph’s, such as Dance, Karate, and Basketball, with a dedicated club covering each year group.
£1,200 – Community Wellbeing Collective
Free fitness and movement activities, such as yoga and Zumba, 4 times a week for beginner-level fitness enthusiasts and open to those that are not used to exercising.
£1,200– Four Square
Creating a small grant scheme which can provide service users with access to emergency support, such as fuel cards, supermarket vouchers, bus passes, and access to affordable appliances.
£1,200 – Mind You, Health & Wellbeing
An 8-week programme delivering education on mindfulness practices to improve the mental well-being of children and young people. Delivering practical tips in a fun and engaging way.
£1,000 – The WHY Project
Development of the Wee Haven Youth (WHY) Board, offering 5-12 young people the opportunity to develop their communication skills and gain confidence. Up to 120 young people will benefit from their peers’ involvement in making decisions for young people by young people.
£800 – People Know How
Setting up a ‘digital-café’ in Broomhouse Hub café for free digital support, a chat and a cuppa, making digital access affordable, simple and fun!
£600 – Your Yoga Edinburgh
A dedicated 12-week programme of weekly yoga sessions for parents and carers, with additional fortnightly sessions suitable for children as well.
£500 – With Kids
Purchase of play resources to better reflect the families that With Kids works with. This will include dolls, puppets, figures, or other toys representing people from different family structures, occupations, ethnicities, and abilities.
£450 – South West Fun Run
Development of a free fun run that people of all ages can participate in, encouraging an ongoing interest in exercise and fun activities.
£400 – Parents at Longstone Primary School
Supporting refurbishment of the school library so that students have a dedicated, suitable library space to enjoy.
