No fewer than three MSPs and one former MSP attended the launch of a fundraising appeal earlier today in Leith, emphasising the importance of the work done here and the urgent need for cash to help it keep going.
Local MSP Ben Macpherson helped out the cake at Dr Bell’s Family Centre as they began their 2017 appeal for funds #BackDrBells. The organisation needs to raise £25,000 by April 2017 to keep its doors open in Leith, and to allow it to continue with its outreach service.
Following a 50% reduction in funding from external bodies during 2016, the popular Dr Bell’s has had to scale back on their main services and in staff numbers.
They want to ensure the centre’s future by raising enough funds to keep it open for the children and families in Leith who depend on the service. The funding would then ensure that they could work on ways of developing sustainable long-term funding. They already run a popular community cafe in their building on Junction Street where the scones are fabulous! (yes I had to have one….)
Commenting, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Ben Macpherson said:
“For over 10 years Dr Bell’s Family Centre has supported hundreds of local children and many local families, often at difficult times – Their services provide significant, and sometimes critical, support for the local community.
“Since being elected, I have been working with Dr Bell’s to support them through this challenging time and assist them in securing a sustainable future. We have managed to secure some NHS funding and I’m currently working with them to secure other Scottish Government support.
“I will continue to do all that I can, working with local councillors, NHS Lothian and others, to help keep this excellent centre open for Leith.”
Leith Councillor, Adam McVey said: “Dr Bells has been there for people who needed their services, now Leithers are needed to help secure those services for the future.
“People in Leith, just a few months ago, voted to award Dr Bells two grants through Leith Decides, I’m confident people will give support with their money as well as their votes and support to this valuable resource.”
Speaking at the launch Sarah Gunn, Chair of the Board said: “Dr. Bell’s Family Centre is a vital community hub which has supported over a thousand struggling families in Leith over the last ten years.
“Not only are we the only family centre in Leith, but we are the only facility of our kind in Edinburgh.
“We are unique in offering family support in the same location as a crèche and community cafe, meaning we provide a wide range of support: from counselling, to helping parents into employment, low cost childcare to English language skills, and offer a place to make friends and build up confidence.
“We want to do more, but to do that we need to be here, this year and in the long term. Today we are calling on the local community, businesses and partners to come together to back Dr Bell’s and support our campaign.”
Former Leith MSP and Board member Malcolm Chisholm added: “Our ambition is for Dr Bell’s Family Centre to return to being the full-time one-stop shop for the community it was established to be ten years ago.
“Although the reduced services we currently provide are targeted at those who need them the most, there is a high demand for family support in Leith which we believe is not currently being met.
“Raising these funds will put us back on a secure footing to continue delivering vital support services to the local community.
“Going forward we will review our services to identify, in close consultation with the community, those areas where Dr Bell’s can make the greatest impact for Leith families and we invite you all to be part of that project.”
You can help by donating even a small amount here.
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Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
