The Gyle Shopping Centre is the venue for a new church-run community space to help tackle loneliness and the cost of living crisis
The Gyle Shopping Centre is the venue for a new church-run community space to help tackle loneliness and the cost of living crisis
Corstorphine Old Parish Church is encouraging people from all walks of life to gather in a large, bright and airy room on the upper floor of the Gyle Centre, which is open seven days a week. The project is called Space To Be.
Community Chaplain Dr Esther Elliott said: "Space to Be is open to local groups, charities and organisations as well as individuals who want to work or catch up with friends and colleagues."
The warm and welcoming space was officially opened by Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge.
It has already been used for get-togethers for carers, an English language conversation group for Ukrainians and a playgroup for Ukrainian families.
On Wednesdays between 1pm-4pm, Corstorphine Old Parish Church invites people to drop in for a chat, to read a book or the paper, play a game, do a jigsaw or just sit in peace for a while.
Previously a Burger King restaurant, the space has views over the Pentland Hills and is divided into three zones.
There is private space at the back for meetings and group activities, a cafe-style area with comfy chairs and coffee tables for meet-ups and individual working and reception area for welcoming people and ermanent or ad hoc information stands.
There is clean wall space for community exhibitions, an accessible open-air balcony and storage space.
Corstorphine Old Parish Church is encouraging people from all walks of life to gather in a large, bright and airy room on the upper floor of the Gyle Centre, which is open seven days a week. The project is called Space To Be.
Community Chaplain Dr Esther Elliott said: "Space to Be is open to local groups, charities and organisations as well as individuals who want to work or catch up with friends and colleagues."
The warm and welcoming space was officially opened by Lord Provost of Edinburgh Robert Aldridge.
It has already been used for get-togethers for carers, an English language conversation group for Ukrainians and a playgroup for Ukrainian families.
On Wednesdays between 1pm-4pm, Corstorphine Old Parish Church invites people to drop in for a chat, to read a book or the paper, play a game, do a jigsaw or just sit in peace for a while.
Previously a Burger King restaurant, the space has views over the Pentland Hills and is divided into three zones.
There is private space at the back for meetings and group activities, a cafe-style area with comfy chairs and coffee tables for meet-ups and individual working and reception area for welcoming people and ermanent or ad hoc information stands.
There is clean wall space for community exhibitions, an accessible open-air balcony and storage space.
Corstorphine Old Parish Church holds the licence to manage the space as a community venture.
Minister Moira McDonald, said: "We want the Church to be seen as a place that's welcoming, open, local and available." This is a great project to support and illustrates that being involved in the Church isn't just about Sundays, activities are available throughout the week too."
Mr Aldridge said: "As we are emerging from COVID there are an awful lot of people around in the community who are lonely, isolated who need an excuse to be able to go somewhere to meet up with people and get out the house." This is a fantastic, bright welcoming space and I think it's going to be a hugely valuable asset to the whole local community."
Source; churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events
Minister Moira McDonald, said: "We want the Church to be seen as a place that's welcoming, open, local and available." This is a great project to support and illustrates that being involved in the Church isn't just about Sundays, activities are available throughout the week too."
Mr Aldridge said: "As we are emerging from COVID there are an awful lot of people around in the community who are lonely, isolated who need an excuse to be able to go somewhere to meet up with people and get out the house." This is a fantastic, bright welcoming space and I think it's going to be a hugely valuable asset to the whole local community."
Source; churchofscotland.org.uk/news-and-events
