Supporting Community Groups

The Neighbourhood Alliance has maintained its support function to several community groups. The NA is looking to build social capital in these bodies to move them from being dependant on the NA and other third sector partner, into confident independent groups that can represent themselves and articulate their needs to statutory agencies and local and national level. This shift in the NA's position allows us to work with more community groups, while offering guidance and support when required to existing groups.

By building social capital in each community group ensures key skills are retained and passed on to new members while promoting a sense of unity and shared feeling of responsibility.

You can phone 0131 652 6320 if you want to get in touch about any issues in your community.

All Weather Facility

CAT has been working with both the Scottish Football Association and Sport Scotland to develop this site into a first-class multi-sport venue. Plans are underway to replace the playing surface and equipment, repair the perimeter fencing, while producing a community facility to support the clubs and participants while offering much needed community space for meetings and activities, other that sports. Our ambition is to extend the facility appeal by developing both a walking and cycling hub, to allow local people to enjoy the countryside park on their doorstep.

Anchor Organisation Support

CAT has a long-standing tradition of being an anchor organisation in the area, it means we provide support to other community groups and individuals involved in running them. We share our experience, contacts, knowledge, resources, and expertise with other third sector organisations. CAT listens to the community, shares information, and help create plans to move projects forward. Our ultimate objective is to pull both the third sector and community groups together to form a collaborative body. At this moment in tone this body is called the East Synergy Group, and more information will be released in the coming months.

This collaborative body will add value to the work that is delivered and influence decisions that affect the wider communities. Below is a number of partners that use the White House to deliver essential support in the area.

CHAI at the Whitehouse

We have been discussing an outreach programme with Edinburgh University called Into University which may be based in the White House and we have also been in discussions with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra who are interested in working in the area.

CHAI delivers two morning session and the White House on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am till 12 noon. This support service offers the following.

Free independent advice on Social Security Benefits, Housing Rights, Debt Issues, Council Tax/Rent Arrears.

Employability Support.

Tenancy Support.

To set up an appointment with an advisor call CAT on 0131 652-6320 or call the CHAI main office on 0131 442-1009. CHAI also has a helpline on 0300 323 9961

Into University

Young people growing up in least privileged neighbourhoods have always faced an uphill struggle.

Homes are often overcrowded spaces where young people have nowhere to study, where devices are shared between siblings, and where hard-pressed families do not have spare cash for tutors and after-school activities. Few get the grades to go to university. As a result, many families are caught in a vicious cycle, where the disadvantages of one generation are passed onto the next.

This creates neighbourhoods where for decades, poverty and educational underachievement have gone hand in hand. Into University centres offer a safe space for young people to learn, explore and succeed, a welcoming and supportive home-from-home, located in young people's neighbourhoods.

Through after-school study sessions, mentoring meetings and our FOCUS programme which inspires and supports ambition, we provide the dedicated, long-term support that can break cycles of disadvantage.

ADVO Card

Advo Card offer Independent Advocacy as a way to help people have a stronger voice and to have as much control as possible over their own lives. (Scottish Independent Advocacy Alliance) They take a Human Rights Based Approach when working with people to make sure they have the information they need about their rights and the choices in front of them. They do not make decisions for anyone or tell them what they should do, but we can help support people to express their views and have their voices heard.

As an independent charity AdvoCard is separate from organisations that provide other types of services. They are not part of the traditional statutory bodies, such as Council, the NHS, or the Scottish Government, though they do receive some funding for some of their services.

Mental Health Advocacy

Problematic Substance Use Advocacy

Prison Advocacy

Welfare Reform Advocacy

Outreach Services

All services they offer are free.

Phone - 0808 196-3525

Email - advocacysupport@advocard.org.uk

Social Security Scotland

Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. It's responsible for managing the benefits that are devolved to Scotland, to make sure the people who need them get them correctly and fairly.

These benefits will be for people on low incomes, disabled people, carers, young people entering the workplace and help for people to heat their homes. The Scottish Government has established Social Security Scotland to administer these benefits. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and local authorities will also continue to deliver some benefits in Scotland.

Social Security Scotland will put dignity, fairness and respect at the heart of everything we do.

Services offered are to people living in Scotland.

Adult Disability Payment - Support if you have a disability on long-term health condition that affects your everyday life.

Carer's Allowance Supplement - An extra payment for carers who already get Carer's Allowance on a particular date.

Child Disability Payment - Provide support for extra costs that a child with disability might have.

Funeral Support Payment - Money to help pay for funeral and burial or cremation costs.

Scottish Child Payment - An extra payment every 4 weeks for each child under 6 years of age if family already gets other support

Young Carer Grant - An annual payment for 16, 17 and 18-year-olds who give care to someone else.

Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods - Cash payment to help people with some of the costs of having children and a payment card for food.

Carers Support Payment - A benefit to help you if you're a carer.

Child Winter Heating Payment - A payment to help disabled children and young people and their families with increased heating costs over winter period.

Job Start Payment - A benefit to help you with the costs of starting a new job.

Winter Heating Payment - A payment to help people on low-income benefits who might have extra heating costs over winter period.

Phone - 0800 182 2222