Media release: Help build The Crannie community in Edinburgh’s Old Town!

The Crannie Halloween Party Image

A LOCAL community hub is looking to raise money through crowdfunding to grow its programme of activity post-lockdown to tackle isolation and wellbeing issues that have arisen out of the pandemic.

Any support would be gratefully received and worth double up 17 December, thanks to matching funds from the National Emergencies Trust Local Action Fund. And if you can gift aid your donation, your contribution counts for another 25 per cent of value.

Run by resident-led Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust (EOTDT), The Crannie was created in response to a need expressed by the community for a space to meet, work, play and learn.

Carol Clarkson, EOTDT’s Community Development manager, said: “This crowdfunding will help provide activity such as music groups, health and wellbeing sessions, a space for people to socialise with their neighbours, craft groups, creative writing sessions, film nights, cooking classes, drop in digital support sessions, as well as support for essential services. Currently, some of these are being funded short term, but long term we need to build the resource and capacity to allow the centre to increase its sustainability.”

Gemma, a local parent with two children, said: “Meeting Mo [EOTDT worker] from The Crannie has really helped during this harsh time of lockdown and, having regular contact with her, has lifted my spirits and stops me from feeling so isolated. I have just started volunteering with The Crannie and I am looking forward to meeting new people and working within my community to strengthen our connections.”

The crowdfunding reward levels start at £10 including certificates, books, limited edition prints – up to £500 which will get you afternoon tea at The Crannie for up to ten people! Though any level of monetary support will be welcome.

If you would like to help fill The Crannie with life – Click now to check it all out and support this local community venue: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-crannie

ENDS

Notes for editors:

  • Media enquiries to:

General: Jackie Cropper, Trust manager EOTDT Jackie@eotdt.org or tel: 0792 039 1937

Social Media: Ben Cochrane, Business Development manager EOTDT businessdevelopment@eotdt.org or tel: 0770 883 1052

Supplied photo caption: Enjoying activities at The Crannie’s recent Halloween Party!

Other photos are available on request.

  • The crowdfunder is looking to raise £5,000 and will continue up to Christmas though only donations made by 17 December will attract the match funding by the National Emergencies Trust Local Action Fund. Their maximum match will be £250 and only one donation per supporter will be matched.
  • What is The Crannie?

Resident-led, Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust’s vision for The Crannie is that it becomes a thriving community hub at the heart of the Old Town, supporting locals to build a community and improve their quality of life. It is based at 9 Cranston Street, Edinburgh EH8 8BE, just off the Canongate.

The development of The Crannie was in response to a need expressed by the community for a space to:

Meet: A hub that will build community around a social space

Work: An affordable place to work, particularly for new local business

Host events: A community centre that enables things to happen

Learn: Creating a culture of learning, volunteering and community action

There is demand and enthusiasm from locals to create something good at the heart of the city. If you like to be part of this revitalisation we would welcome your support.

  • About Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust

Established in 2009, Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust (EOTDT) is a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in Scotland (SC366198) and a registered Scottish charity (SC042964), committed to the revitalisation of the Old Town through stimulating growth in community participation, the arts and enterprise.

The Trust aims to support a vibrant, sustainable community in the Old Town by:

  • Developing enterprising projects to meet local needs;
  • Establishing a network of gardens and green spaces;
  • Promoting education and training, and;
  • Preserving the area’s built and cultural heritage.

More details are at www.eotdt.org

  • National Emergencies Trust Local Action Fund

The intensity of emergencies in 2017 – from the terrorist attacks in Manchester and London to Grenfell – led the Charity Commission to convene a number of people in the charitable sector to see if there was a better way of responding to national emergencies.

This has led to the creation of the National Emergencies Trust, which will collaborate with charities and other bodies to raise and distribute money and support victims at the time of a domestic disaster. It is a charity, not the state; it will be additional to what the state does. It is independent of government, and will not seek to replicate the work of central or local government. More details at: https://nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk/local-action-fund-launches/

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