Helping Tomorrow's People in Edinburgh

We will shortly be starting work on the first two sites in this seven-site programme of affordable housing for City of Edinburgh Council. During the construction programme, we will be working with a number of local charities and initiatives to support local people

One such relationship has been formed with Tomorrow's People, a charity working with those in areas of high deprivation who are facing multiple barriers to employment.

Through our community engagement we identified a local community centre with an astro-turf football pitch in a bad state of disrepair, which was situated opposite one of the seven housing developments. Working with Tomorrow's People and our subcontractors, we supported eight local 15-17 year olds with work experience. We provided them with a week of construction training, which included a range of skills such as brick-laying and mono-blocking. They then helped to clear and repair the pitch and rebuild a wall around the astro turf. This provided the group with highly beneficial training, skills and confidence to take forward with the aim of breaking the cycle of unemployment and dependency in their community.

As well as supporting young people with work experience, the community centre can now rent out their football pitch again, helping them to be more financially independent. The reopening of the pitch will also provide a safe place for young people to exercise, helping to improve their health and wellbeing.