Save Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre to close on 31st March due proposed ‘disinvestment’ by the City of Edinburgh Council in this year’s annual grant programme to charities.

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre provides a huge range of essential, accessible services to people of all ages – from babies to residents in their 90s - including people experiencing physical disabilities, mental health issues, learning difficulties, social isolation and poverty. Services are delivered by, for and with local people. Maintenance of this grant funding is essential to keep the Centre open and continue its work to help Drylaw thrive. 

There are no grounds for ‘disinvestment’. This is a much valued and successful Community Centre serving as a local hub in an area of multiple deprivation and across the Inverleith Ward. There is no public building in the immediate area and the Centre operates as a contact and service co-ordination base during severe weather to help vulnerable people. It has received Council support since inception and has met all grounds and targets for grant funding. User satisfaction levels are regularly evaluated and range between 80 – 100%.

This year, the Council are proposing to offer grants to new, un-tested projects - including those run by private businesses - rather than local charities or voluntary/community groups who rely on Council funding. Without Council funding most other trusts and foundations will withdraw or refuse additional funding to charities which provide essential community services.   

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is financially lean and efficient - but it delivers big outcomes for its 1000’s of users each year, including running the essential breakfast club for Ferryhill Primary School.