Speakers Evening

On Thursday 24th September the virtual meeting of the Rotary Club of South Queensferry was chaired by President Irene Brownless. Jim McCulloch introduced the speaker Claire Edwards from Edinburgh Development Group (EDG). After graduating BA in London, Claire studied counselling, HR and training at Strathclyde and Napier universities. She is at present focused on physical and mental wellbeing with EDG in the South Queensferry and Kirkliston area helping local families.

Edinburgh Development Group has been working with families and communities for thirty years. It works with people to identify gaps in provision, explore what works and develop ideas for change. The South Queensferry and Kirkliston Co-operatives offer childcare, adult social care, wellbeing, sport and fun activities. Edinburgh Development Group seeks to bring together families and people who might need this kind of support. The group has experience of forming Social Care Co-operatives which unite families who don't necessarily know each other but are interested in supplying local people and using local services. At the same time, they have formed a Workers' Co-operative whose members will 'sell' their skills and interests to their neighbours in the South Queensferry and Kirkliston areas. EDG have received funds from the National Community Fund. There are two parts to the project, organising and supporting the Co-operatives and communicating with the communities which can benefit from their services. So far, over the past few months,  two newsletters have been distributed to every household. Because of current restrictions, EDG has not been able to hold public meetings, but Claire has met with small groups at the Little Bakery Cafe. She has also had a positive response from local business people.