The Cheyne Gang was established in 2013 by 3 Practice Nurses in Edinburgh. They set up singing for breathing groups for people with long term respiratory conditions like Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Bronchiectasis, severe asthma and more recently Long Covid. These diseases cause distressing and disabling breathlessness that often leads to social isolation, anxiety and low mood. They teach reflexive breathing techniques to aid breathlessness and put this into practice through singing. The attendees report improvements in sleep, reduced anxiety, improved breath control and few flare ups of their condition.
The Cheyne Gang requested funds to expand their services in the Tweed Valley area. The funds will be used for advertising, trial sessions, including family and carers, and providing transport.

The Royal Highland Education Trust (RHET) Lothians helps young people to develop food literacy through experiential learning opportunities required in the Curriculum for Excellence. They are a charity that provides world-class learning opportunities about farming, food production, the outdoors and the countryside (including forestry, estate management and environmental awareness) for 3-18 year olds in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Their main focus is to support school pupils to visit working farms to learn where their food comes from, or to support a farmer volunteer to deliver a talk to the pupils in the classroom. To ensure equality for as many children as possible, RHET requested funding for multiple buses to maximize participation and additional resources to educate the next generation about the importance of Scottish agriculture.

Founded by carers in 1990, Interest Link’s befriending projects foster the social networks of isolated children (aged 8+), young people and adults with learning disabilities, overcoming social barriers and lack of opportunity and giving respite to family carers. Interest Link Borders requested funds to support their ongoing work in the Tweeddale project and assist 45 members through various activities.

Lauderdale Football Club provides organised youth football to children from across the Scottish Borders. The Club was founded to provide opportunities for local children to access football coaching, organised football matches and other occasional leisure activities in a safe and supportive environment. Their aim is to develop their individual and team football skills, and to develop their self-awareness, confidence and general social skills. Our support will help them re-turf their football pitch, add drainage, and apply the appropriate substrates to make it playable again.

Scottish Young Musicians (SYM), now in its third year, has become Scotland’s leading school music competition, covering 30 of the 32 regions. Open to all young musicians in Scottish schools, SYM offers solo and ensemble contests, achieving high participation, especially in deprived areas. SYM aims to support top-tier music competitions, enhance mental health through participation, and ensure access and inclusion with financial assistance. We support SYM in their ongoing efforts to run competitions for young musicians.

The playgroup operates within an area facing significant socio-economic challenges, with many families residing in the top 10% of income-deprived areas according to the SIMD. Within their care, some children are on the child protection register, while others receive support from social workers, highlighting the vulnerability of many families in our community. For some children, the playgroup represents their sole opportunity for enrichment amidst challenging circumstances.
With our support Arniston playgroup will integrate sustainable food practises into their community, through hands-on activities such as gardening, cooking with homegrown produce and workshops.

Pass It On supports homeless and vulnerable people in the UK, providing immediate support to those in need. Working in partnership with other UK charities, local organisations, corporate partners and their own network of volunteers, they deliver warm clothing, essential items and hot food to vulnerable people living on the streets.

Go! Youth Trust

Go! Youth Trust is a Christian charity that supports young people to grow, explore and thrive. Working across Central Scotland with young people aged 7-25, they are passionate about helping young people get the best start in life. For some this simply means having somewhere to go and feel safe, for others this means having a conversation every week with a positive role model while others need help gaining qualifications in an environment which is tailor made to ensure they can achieve their potential.

Caledonian Environment Restoration Trust organise beach clean events across Scotland, between April and September running monthly 4 day event to target an identified litter hotspot, and in June hold an annual Big Beach Clean event working with community groups across Scotland to celebrate World Ocean Day. Orcome Trust helped fund a small landing craft type boat that can access the shoreline to transport volunteers and litter between the bigger boat and the shore allowing them even more beaches to clean.

Play Therapy Base supports children aged 3-14 years and their families living in the Lothians. Play Therapy is a special way for children to learn about their world through using toys. Some children choose to explore things they find hard, or that are worrying them, through play. For some it is a chance to practice skills of sharing and turn-taking so they can build new friendships. For other children play therapy sessions may provide a space to have time on their own without chaos or interruptions.

St. Mary’s Pleasance, a private garden maintained for the public by Haddington Garden Trust SCIO, a charity that relies on grants, donations and gifts to maintain and develop the garden.

The garden occupies 1.6 acres between St. Mary’s Churchyard, Lady Kitty’s Garden and Haddington House, which dates from 1648 and is the oldest dwelling in Haddington.

Orcome Trust donated to help, among other costs, for repair to damage following Storm Arwen.

A further donation made to help with boat running costs for Autism on the Water which is a registered Charity fully committed to raising awareness of the Autistic Spectrum through the sport of Sailing and helping autistic people to access sailing. They pride Themselves in being present at some of Scotland’s top regattas to raise awareness. They also aim to assist autistic people to access sailing with their charity. They believe that sailing can benefit autistic people with the following skills – confidence, problem solving and social skills.

Linton Hotspur required funding to help them obtain ‘Senior’ status for the club, whereby the clubs status moved from amateur football into the East of Scotland Football League. However in order to achieve this the club needed to meet the criteria set out by the Scottish Football Association and the East of Scotland Football League in respect of fencing to the pitch, improvements to their pavilion to provide segregated facilities and designated first aid facilities amongst other requirements.

Roslin Moat is a local biodiversity site on the edge of Roslin and is enjoyed by many villagers and visitors to the area. The curling pond was used for curling until the early 20th century, but since then has been a haven for nature and their volunteer team has renovated it. The pond and surroundings is home to a variety of wildlife, including dragon and damselflies, frogs, toads and newts and many species of birds. Next to the pond is a stone-built repository which was used for curling stones and was converted to a bird hide in the 1990’s. However this hide had no door. Orcome Trust funded a gate being installed to help the hide become useable again.

Garvald is a registered charity looking after over 40 adults with learning disabilities. They have been committed to supporting an organic sustainable lifestyle for over 75 years and decided it was time for both keeping honey bees and educating locals in the benefits of honey bees to ourselves and society in general. They hope that in their own way they will be able to make a difference, however small, both locally and nationally to bee numbers and the considerable benefits that this brings.

A donation was made towards the Benedetti Sessions Lothians Mass Strings Day. The Foundation is working in partnership with East & Midlothian Instrumental Music Services, aiming to transform learning for c.100 string players, aged 7-15, by exciting, inspiring and motivating them through mass group playing. The Benedetti Sessions are 3-day workshops for school age string players, string teachers and primary classes taking place several times a year across the UK. They are high energy and high inspiration and by taking part, children will meet and work with some of the greatest music educators.

Amma Birth provide perinatal support to women and birthing people facing barriers like poverty, isolation, or language. They work in teams to provide continuous practical and emotional support to expectant parents and help to make sure that their clients’ needs are asserted, particularly when there are language or ability barriers.

Penicuik & District Men’s Shed is a place where men can meet together for companionship, friendship, passing on skills or indeed learn some new ones. They can work on community related projects, do their own projects or just have a cup of tea and a biscuit.  Operated by the members this gives the incentive to make the Shed a success. There is no one in charge; the members run the charity by committee and all have an equal say.

The aim of the Shed which is a Registered Charity is to:-

Provide a supportive environment for the men of Penicuik and District to gather, volunteer, teach, learn and seek fellowship.

Promote and Stabilise the Mental, Physical, Emotional and Economic wellbeing of men in the Community.

Counter a drift into Inactivity and overcome Isolation through getting men out of the home and into improved social interaction     

A contribution was made towards sound equipment to allow the church to stream church services with ease to those unable to attend in person. This service will extend the reach in the local community and connect with friends near and far. Further added benefits are that they can now also connect with other parishes across the new linkage of West Tweeddale for joint services and the in house sound is improved.

This local charity aims to be more than a food bank by providing a safe place for people to meet or talk to specialist advisors. They run a Men’s Group, a Learn Digital Skills Group and operate a Community Shop and Fridge. Most recently they have opened a Community Pantry. Our donation was towards their own vehicle.

This group gives young people a safe space and a sense of belonging by providing weekly casual access drop-in sessions. The drop-in sessions are at the heart of their youth work provision by offering local young people a safe, warm space to relax and socialise in. Our contribution was towards repair work necessary at their Innerleithen premises.

The Dnipro Appeal is a charity set up in September 2005 following a UEFA Cup trip to the Ukrainian city of Dnipropetrovsk by Hibernian FC where supporters became aware of the plight of Ukranian orphans. It supports and organises collections for Ukrainian orphanages and most recently due to the war brought orphans and their carers to Scotland.

A donation given towards this hall being improved and extended to enable different generations and groups to meet, mix and socialise and help people new to the area to integrate into the community. It also provides a permanent base for Oxton Community Shop.

A further donation to this Group which has been a registered charity since 1992 and works to provide specialist equipment for children with disabilities, learning difficulties and other special needs. They regularly donate to help children within the Edinburgh and Lothian areas.

The Brownies empower girls to find their voice, inspire them to discover the best in themselves and to make a positive difference to their community. This donation was made to keep the costs of running this pack as low as possible after so many members families were impacted by Covid.

This community run a nursery and after school club in West Linton on a voluntary basis by a board of local parents while employing qualified staff. They provide small scale affordable childcare to the village of West Linton and surrounding areas and link in with local businesses as part of their activities.

A further donation made towards equipment at The Polar Academy which identifies invisible 14-17 years old secondary school children, crushed by a lack of self-esteem and gives them the chance to redefine their physical and mental limits. Participants are put through a rigorous ten-month training programme before being immersed in the wilds of Greenland, navigating through some of the world’s remotest terrain for ten days. Their confidence soars with every step. On their return to Scotland, each pupil shares their experiences with their peer groups, speaking to more than 20,000 school children in their region.

A further donation made to help with boat running costs for Autism on the Water which is a registered Charity fully committed to raising awareness of the Autistic Spectrum through the sport of Sailing and helping autistic people to access sailing. They pride Themselves in being present at some of Scotland’s top regattas to raise awareness. They also aim to assist autistic people to access sailing with their charity. They believe that sailing can benefit autistic people with the following skills – confidence, problem solving and social skills.

This project was created to improve the health and well being of vulnerable older Midlothian residents, connecting them to their local community.  We supported sessions focusing on healthy eating and gentle exercise designed to reduce low mood and energy, falls, hospital admissions and loneliness and isolation.