Big Hearts reveal collaborative approach for South West Edinburgh

Based on wellbeing economics and a greener recovery, the project is at the heart of the GoBeyond network, which is facilitated by Big Hearts and partners Whale Arts and Space & Broomhouse Hub.

Covid-19 increased demand for local support services overnight. In the Gorgie/Sighthill ward of Edinburgh, key anchors and small organisations came together to increase their capacity to address local challenges and build a coordinated map of services.

With an estimated poverty of 22% in the ward, including the highest rate of child poverty across the city at 35%, the GoBeyond network has initiated a pro-active approach for the long-term resilience and prosperity of South West Edinburgh communities.

GoBeyond aims to share expertise, organise resources and encourage mutual support between community organisations and groups in South West Edinburgh.

A distributive network for South West Edinburgh

GoBeyond is a network of trusted local voluntary sector partners with over 130 contributors working across local neighbourhoods in the Gorgie/Sighthill ward.

They would like to start a conversation with the people who live and work in South West Edinburgh with the aim to adopt a people-led strategy to create a ‘Community Wealth Building Locality’, based on wellbeing economics and a greener recovery.

Community Wealth Building refers to a pioneering and inclusive people-centred approach based on economic, social and environmental justice for the wellbeing and benefit of the local community.

As well as attracting new investments and green infrastructures into the local area, the new Community Wealth Building locality will open conversations with The City of Edinburgh Council, the Edinburgh Partnership and the Scottish Government on opportunities to ‘build back better’.

To find out more, visit: https://wearegobeyond.org/

Leading the Covid-19 recovery this summer

Big Hearts, is one of the three organisations behind GoBeyond who have been recognised by the Scottish Government as Community Anchor Organisations, with funding awarded to coordinate the local efforts in supporting communities throughout the pandemic.

This summer, GoBeyond is delivering financial support to grassroots projects and small community-based groups via its Small Community Grants scheme, which is supported by the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund via The National Lottery Community Fund.

As of 22 July, a total of £55,000 in crisis grants have already been distributed to 30 resident groups and grassroots projects helping vulnerable people from Gorgie and Dalry, to Broomhouse, Sighthill and Parkhead and up to Wester Hailes and Clovestone.

Bridie Ashrowan, Chief Executive at Space & the Broomhouse Hub comments:
“GoBeyond was initially created to share ideas and resources for a pro-active response to local needs. The Covid-19 crisis has demonstrated how our collaborative approach can benefit the whole community in times of need. It’s a first achievement as we move forward to building and implementing the first community wealth building locality in South West Edinburgh.“