Local news

Bridgend Farmhouse is a community-owned centre, located in south Edinburgh. This charitable organisation operates out of a renovated farmhouse and is an inclusive space for locals to learn, work and strengthen community involvement.

Volunteers’ Week 2023 is taking place 1-7 June, and we’d like to take a moment to celebrate our staff and students at the University of Edinburgh who dedicate their time to volunteering to support their local communities.  

The University of Edinburgh is pleased to continue their collaboration with local organisation, Access to Industry, hosting digitisation workshops for Access to Industry’s service users.

The University of Edinburgh are proud to have funded Youth Vision’s Community Sensory Garden through its Community Grants Scheme.

In February 2023, the Principal of the University of Edinburgh signed a Social Impact Pledge, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to improve its social impact.

The University of Edinburgh and People Know How have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding, marking a new era of collaboration between the two organisations.  

The University of Edinburgh has committed to invest in a new fund that supports entrepreneurs from underrepresented backgrounds.

Edinburgh local news from 2022.

We are delighted that Doors Open Days are back for 2022! The University has been a long-standing participant in Doors Open Days, which gives you the opportunity to look inside some incredible buildings and find out more about what goes on behind closed doors.

Preston Street Primary School celebrated its 125th anniversary by enabling students to learn about its history through the University of Edinburgh’s heritage collections.  

Earlier this year, countless people across the globe watched in disbelief as Russian forces invaded Ukraine. To mark this year’s Refugee Week, it seems fitting to focus on the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and speak to staff who have been doing all they can to help.

Last year Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) and the Waste and Furniture Management team in Estates rehomed more than 40 serviced and working industrial sewing machines to the local community.

Our Edinburgh Neighbourhood is a project looking at improving community consultations. A new Urban Room will be located in Waverley Mall from 14 June to 8 July.

The University of Edinburgh have updated its successful Gaelic in Edinburgh leaflet and will be distributing 12,000 copies across the city in conjunction with the inaugural World Gaelic Week (Seachdain na Gàidhlig), 21-27 March. Tha Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann air a’ bhileag shoirbheachail aige mu Ghàidhlig ann an Dùn Èideann ùrachadh agus thèid 12,000 lethbhreac a sgaoileadh air feadh a’ bhaile airson a’ chiad Seachdain na Gàidhlig (World Gaelic Week)  riamh, air 21-27 Màrt.

The Festival of Positive Psychology will bring talks, live music, performance, art and games about public mental health to Edinburgh on 5 March.

Rowanbank Environmental Arts & Education's ground-breaking circus show, funded through the Community Grants Scheme, has been helping young people in Craigmillar learn about the environment.

The Edinburgh Gaelic Festival (Seachdain na Gàidhlig) will take place 5-12 November 2021, celebrating Edinburgh’s Gaelic community and Gaelic’s place in the capital city.

In the run up to COP26, The University of Edinburgh ran 'The Green Micro-grants' - a grants scheme for community projects with the natural environment and social impact at their heart.

Ed Local news from 2021.

The University of Edinburgh's home for information on Doors Open Days on 25 and 26 September 2021.

Edinburgh's four universities have come together with a message for our local communities.

An exciting new project has emerged from the Tollcross Community Action Network.

Young people in Edinburgh and East Lothian will develop transitioning skills through a University Museums partnership project this summer.

A photo taken by a University of Edinburgh staff member has made it to the White House. The photo is of a mural that is part of the BLM Mural Trail.

The University of Edinburgh has partly funded a £5m investment into Simon Community Scotland, an award-winning charity that helps people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Central Scotland. 

Volunteers’ Week 2021 is taking place 1-7 June, and we’d like to take a moment to celebrate volunteers at the University of Edinburgh. 

Education charity IntoUniversity, the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow have launched local education centres in Craigmillar and Govan, offering ground-breaking support to local young people.

The University's Accommodation, Catering and Events team (ACE) do their best to reduce waste and support local organisation wherever they can.

The data comic, and associated worksheets, were developed in order to consolidate and summarise a substantial body of research that had been produced over more than twenty years by members of the Law School at the University of Edinburgh.  

We spoke to Gavin Donoghue, Deputy Director of Stakeholder Relations, to hear about how the recently reformed Community Board is designed to help the University achieve the commitments laid out in the Community Plan.

This January, a friendly otter was spotted by a member of our Community Team.

The Principal of the University of Edinburgh, Professor Peter Mathieson is the latest person to sign the 2050 Edinburgh Charter, joining other organisations and representatives of the city such as the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Cllr Frank Ross.

Ed Local news from 2020.

The University has published a new  Community Plan 2020-25. The plan outlines how we plan to bring about positive social impact and act responsibly and collaboratively with communities in our local region.  

We have been working with Balfour Beatty to make sure our local communities benefit from the large projects ongoing across the city.

The University is proud to be able to support, and work alongside, local organisations and charities in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas through our Community Grants Scheme.

The University of Edinburgh's home for information on Doors Open Days on 26 and 27 September 2020.

Edinburgh's four universities have come together with a message for our local communities.

Many local organisations have had to pause their day-to-day activities to respond to the health crisis in their communities. As part of its response to Covid-19, the University has set up an emergency micro-grants fund to support these organisations in their essential work.

Projects supporting those most severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Edinburgh and the surrounding areas have been awarded funding from the University of Edinburgh.

Curiosity boxes packed with fun STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) activities have been given the thumbs up by primary school pupils in Edinburgh.

The University of Edinburgh and their construction partners Balfour Beatty have marked Eid by making a donation to families involved in the Syrian Futures Project.

The importance of voluntary work is recognised by the University, as staff are encouraged to volunteer.

The originals of these panels would have decorated the walls of Athens’ Parthenon in Greece.

Did you know that the University has several pieces of public art across our campuses?

The Edinburgh Local Team would like to share how we will be working during the ongoing Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak.

The University is helping locals like John Williamson gain valuable new skills.

This month we have two objects of the month: both are harpsichords which one of our volunteers, John Williamson, chose to highlight the variety of instruments available to view at St Cecilia’s Hall.

We are looking for a Community Engagement Projects Coordinator to run community engagement projects throughout the city.

A clinic for homeless people's pets, a data literacy club and a choir for refugees are among recent local projects to be backed by our grants.

Winsome Douglass was an embroiderer from Hartlepool, well-known for her bold and bright designs, which often featured animals.

The University of Edinburgh has joined food-waste fighting app 'Too Good to Go'.

Ed local news from 2019.

Have you ever wondered how a bassoon reed is made? Or how the uses and prices of recorders have changed through time?

The University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Greyfriars Charteris Centre to support the local community.

This rather cheeky-looking child’s headdress from China is one of the key objects soon to be on display in the Main Library’s exhibition Touching Stitches.

Find out what it's like to be a volunteer or student on our Digital Skills course.

Dr Cathy Southworth from the Centre for Regenerative Medicine (CRM) has played a key role in Community Engagement at Castleview Primary School, which has recently been recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony.

Meet the bicycle buglet...

The Edinburgh Gaelic Festival (Seachdain na Gàidhlig) is a city-wide festival, taking place 8-16 November 2019 and celebrating Edinburgh’s Gaelic community, past and present.

The University of Edinburgh is opening its doors to the public as part of the Doors Open Days on 28 and 29 September.

The University of Edinburgh has signed a pledge to make a positive social impact through its work with the local community.

The Business School recently hosted a multi-cultural 'Human Library' event.

This rather elegant photo features in Body Language, the current exhibition on at the University’s Main Library.

An eye-catching sculpture of much-loved national icon 'Oor Wullie' is to take centre stage in the University’s Old College quad this summer.

Every month we feature a fascinating object that's on display in one of the University's museums and galleries. You're invited to come along to the exhibition and see it for yourself! This month: an Indian Mayuri lute

On Tuesday 14 May the University hosted a showcase of some of the fantastic work being carried out by our students in partnership with local schools and community organisations. 

Every month we feature a fascinating object that's on display in one of the University's museums and galleries. You're invited to come along to the exhibition and see it for yourself! This month: Florence Nightingale’s Lace Cap.

Every month we feature a fascinating object that's on display in one of the University's museums and galleries. You're invited to come along to the exhibition and see it for yourself!

Bids are invited for grants that help local groups make greater impact across the city.

On 25 March, hundreds of fibre optic flowers will illuminate the University of Edinburgh’s Old College quadrangle to honour a remarkable student who founded a charity during her studies. 

We are delighted to invite YOU to join us for the 2019 Festival of Creative Learning, a week of innovative learning events at the University of Edinburgh, taking place 18th-22nd February 2019. This year we have more events than ever that are open to the public, so it really is not to be missed!

The Estates Department at the University of Edinburgh have found creative ways in 2018 to raise vital money for the Centre for Dementia Prevention.

Ed local news from 2018.

Scottish rugby legends gathered for a sports-themed quiz to raise funds for research into motor neurone disease.

Since Monday 29 October, The University of Edinburgh's Little France campus has become officially known as Edinburgh BioQuarter.

Students and staff to take part in Sleep in the Park to raise money to tackle homelessness.

On Tuesday 4 December, Moira Gibson, the recently retired Head of External Affairs at the University of Edinburgh, was invited by the Southside Association to switch on the lights at St Patrick Square as part of their Carol Service and Festive Lights Ceremony.

They are among the world’s most notorious serial killers but the details of their story are often mis-told…

The University of Edinburgh will take part in the annual Doors Open Day on 29 and 30 September, allowing the public to explore some of the institution’s most interesting buildings for free.

Researchers at the University are looking to hire an experienced teacher to help turn a piece of research into a teaching resource and advice where it would best fit into the curriculum.

Jonny Kinross, CEO of a successful social enterprise based in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, has been awarded an honorary doctorate in recognition of his charitable work.

On 4 June 2018, community members and University staff were invited to attend The Edinburgh Local Showcase and Forum.

An online course offers an insight into some of the books and authors shortlisted for this year’s James Tait Black Prizes, the UK’s longest -running literary awards.

Two initiatives at our beautiful Concert Hall help people with dementia and their carers.

A new website and free app called Curious Edinburgh explores the history of the city and its role in science, technology and medicine.

The Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine (IGMM) is delighted to be hosting its first Modern Apprentice.

Researchers would like to know more about how families on a low income manage when bringing up a deaf child.

A fascinating exhibition and a rare book are part of the University’s exceptional collections.

Our annual Spy Week runs from 16-20 April and the University will be hosting public events focusing on espionage fiction and film.