Day 45
The Leith Trust
A huge thanks to The Leith Trust members who helped write this piece about the history of their organisation and their current activities for day 45 of 100 Days of Leith.
The Leith Trust came into existence in 2011 following the creation of the Merchant Navy Memorial (see Day 4), now rightly in pride of place in front of the Malmaison. Having belatedly celebrated previous generations who gave their lives for others, a number of us then actively came together in support of the living.
The official launch took place at a formal session of the City of Edinburgh Council on the 30th April 2012. It was held in the Council Chamber of the former Burgh of Leith Town Hall. Lord Provost Rev. Dr. GDW Grubb occupied the Provost of Leith’s Chair. Possibly the first time a Lord Provost had done so in 80 years!
The Leith Trust was formed to assist in bringing the diverse communities of Leith closer together and in a variety of ways - I hope that we have done so. In recent years we have held 3 Leith Conferences, with the support of Citizen Curator among others, to discuss what the community would like to see in the future of Leith.
Photos by Kat Gollock at Leith Creative - Leith Conferences, October 2019
These effectively brought together all aspects of society from the third, private and public sectors with strong civic and political engagement. They have been dynamic occasions and have led to connections and outcomes which would otherwise not have been made.
In 2020 we promoted the notion that a range of charities, funders and others come together to work in support of the existing provision of food for less advantaged folk in Leith through December and January. Thus Leith Gives (see Day 38) was formed as a remarkable coalition of all sectors which seeks to address not just issues around the need for food, but isolation and support.
Leith Gives is continuing to provide support to those who need it throughout January. Please consider donating if you are able, or get in touch if you would like support.
We have a further programme to make available tablets and laptops along with guidance and connectivity, to the isolated and lonely - all made possible through charitable giving and volunteers.