​​Community organisations and charities are lifeblood of the city - Angus Robertson

​Community organisations and charities in Edinburgh are the lifeblood of the city. And, in the cost-of-living crisis, they are playing evermore essential roles in supporting individuals and communities in the capital.

First Minister Humza Yousaf meets children and families who benefit from services at The Yard in Edinburgh

I’d like to welcome the new CEO of LifeCare in Stockbridge, Sarah van Putten, to her new post. LifeCare is an Edinburgh charity that has been supporting and empowering local older people to live life to the fullest for over 80 years.

This summer, they launched the city’s first dedicated dementia-friendly hairdressing service for people living with dementia and their unpaid carers. Forget-Me-Not hair service involves an experienced, caring and dementia-trained mobile hairdresser visiting people in their homes so that they can continue to experience the joy of a haircut.

Many Edinburgh organisations have also been recent beneficiaries of National Lottery funding. £10,000 has been given to the Skills For the Future programme run by The Grassmarket Community Project (GCP). Based at the Grassmarket Centre, the GCP is a community of over 500 people, working together to support positive changes in one another’s lives.

Another fantastic organisation with big plans for the future is Edinburgh Printmakers. Established in 1967, the Edinburgh Printmakers is the first open-access studio in Britain. Its facilities are open to anyone who would like to take a course or join as a member, whether they are beginners or seasoned artists. Edinburgh Printmakers has played a key role in the careers of Alan Davie, John Bellany, Carol Rhodes, John Byrne and Kate Downie, among others.

Right in the heart of the city, The Crannie on Cranston Street serves the local Old Town community by bringing people together and encouraging social cohesion. Run by the Old Town Development Trust, it is a space for activities for locals (free of charge), a gathering spot for community groups and an events space for outside organisations. If you’re an Old Town resident, I encourage you to visit their website to check out the range of events on offer.

Close by, the homelessness charity Crisis has opened a new Scotland headquarters on Edinburgh’s Canongate. The premises better suit the charity’s needs, and crucially, the needs of the people they support, and will expand the fantastic work Crisis has been doing for more than a decade in Scotland.

Canongate Youth is another fantastic Old Town-based charity. They offer a programme of services to support children and young people with issues they face. They run youth and children’s clubs, holiday activities, employability support, group work, 1-1 support and outdoor play. They are currently searching for a paid Youth Development Worker to join their team, and volunteers to support their Play Ranger service on Friday afternoons. If you can get involved – please do!

Finally, I send warm congratulations to The Yard. The Edinburgh headquartered charity provides support to disabled children and young people and their families. First Minister Humza Yousaf visited recently to commit to giving up to £2 million of future funding from the Scottish Government to keep The Yard in operation. I’m proud to be part of this Scottish Government which has shown it will be there to support those who need it. The First Minister’s announcement will ensure The Yard can remain open and continue to provide the space and opportunity for children and young people with disabilities to play, learn, and make friends.

Angus Robertson is MSP for Edinburgh Central and Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture