Over a hundred attendees at the Edinburgh Local Showcase and Forum

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

The event took place against the beautiful backdrop of flutes, French horns and harpsichords at St Cecelia’s Hall on Niddry Street, Scotland's oldest purpose-built concert hall and instrument museum.

The Showcase and Forum took place as a way of inviting those involved in Edinburgh-based community projects to come together to meet each other, hear about what others are doing in Edinburgh communities, and also find out about the University’s commitment to contributing locally. 

Attendees also took part in an informal ‘input session’ where they could write down any ideas or suggestions as to how the University could improve relations in the community, how it can support local people and contribute in a positive way to life in Edinburgh. This feedback will be very valuable for informing the University on how it contributes to communities in future. 

It was a packed agenda, and a huge range of people came to contribute their insights and share information on community projects they were involved in, including a student-lead project Best Buddiesthat bridges social gaps in the community between students and adults with learning disabilities, Cre8te Opportunities Ltd, a community-based organisation delivering digital skills to unemployed people in Edinburgh, and Curious Edinburgh, who create app-guided walks through Edinburgh's rich history of science and medicine, while also highlighting local communities and international connections.

We were incredibly pleased to have so many people attend the Edinburgh Local Showcase and Forum. Having the opportunity for so many people to come together and explore some of the great work that’s happening in our communities and what the University’s role is in that is a really important conversation to have.

Also speaking at the event was Lesley McAra, Assistant Principal Community Relations and Charlie Jeffrey, Senior Vice-Principal at the University who outlined the University’s commitment to exploring and improving how the University contributes to the city. 

Find out more

You can find out about any future Edinburgh Local events by signing up to www.ed.ac.uk/local/contact to receive occasional updates from the team. 

If you have any questions about Edinburgh Local or would like to get in touch, please email local@ed.ac.uk