Edinburgh City Mission Impact Report 2023

Letter from the CEO

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Edinburgh City Mission’s 2023 Impact Report. This is a story of the huge variety of activities, meetings, conversations, provisions and answered prayers that took place under the umbrella of Edinburgh City Mission last year, as we worked in partnership with a multitude of agencies, churches, volunteers and supporters.

While this Impact Report gives an overview of what we achieved in 2023, I hope you will sense that it also shows what God did through us. We believe He was listening to us in our prayer meetings, and He was at work in many people’s lives through our projects: Foodbank+ network, Clothesbank+, Soul Food meal, An Open Hand, The Care Van, Rooted, Grounded, Two’s Company, Salaam and Nations.

Having continued to grow significantly during the Covid pandemic, Edinburgh City Mission had an even greater impact in 2023. Many more churches partnered with us as we continued to “stimulate and strengthen the church’s mission”; more volunteers joined us; new community outreach projects started; more food was distributed to people in crisis; more toys were delivered and more befriending matches were established. Furthermore, attendance at our annual Restless for Mission spring conference grew by more than 50%, we held a training conference with SOHTIS and a new befriending conference was held in the autumn, in partnership with Bethany Christian Trust.

Edinburgh City Mission has become an essential part of the Edinburgh church eco-system, inspiring churches to love their neighbours and providing them with support. While a report like this captures the story of our growth and impact, it is more difficult to convey our growing sense of excitement that we carried into the various projects that we were involved in. But it was very real. Despite the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis and

the awful impact that it had on individuals, families and communities in 2023, we still had a sense of hope and optimism with us, knowing that God is in the business of rescuing people from hopelessness. We moved forwards in fulfilling our vision of becoming nothing less than an unstoppable mission movement!

As you read this report, I hope it stirs your heart not only with the many good news stories that are told here, but with the good news story of Jesus. Even more significant than the impact that we had in 2023 is the message that we carried into our communities: that the God who loves us as we are, whoever we are, seeks to restore us into a dynamic relationship with Himself, through Jesus. Our hope and prayer is that many more people experience His life in their hearts. This is our mission.

Duncan Cuthill

Letter from the Chair

Forty years ago, as a new Christian I was deployed into in a war zone as part of the Army Medical Services. On returning home safe and well, I was amazed to hear of people who didn’t know me praying regularly. This was a humble reminder of the depth of God’s love for someone like me and the impact of His grace and mercy.

Since then, like all of us, I’ve been buffeted by the challenges that life brings. I have stood firm because I was known, loved and supported by family, friends and church community, building resilience in me for the next challenge of life.

As Jesus reminds us… ‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’ (John 16:33).

Not everyone has had this experience when faced with challenges. The buffeting of life catches them, trapping in unhealthy patterns and difficult situations, overwhelming at times, like drowning without life raft or buoyancy aid. Feeling alone, unloved without support and resources, leading to hopelessness and death, without the resources to develop the resilience needed to stand firm.

As Edinburgh City Mission, our small staff team and vast army of volunteers give of themselves, their skills, talents, time and money to bring hope to our city. United we are a movement of people motivated by God’s love, responding to the isolated, the impoverished, the refugee and the lost. Helping folks buffeted by the difficulties of life stand firm because they’re known, supported and connected, strengthening people for the next challenge of life.

Resilience is an individual attribute but one we are also developing as an organisation. Like everyone else we are adjusting to a Post

Covid World facing unexpected challenges in staffing, funding and direction requiring much prayer, discussion and action.

As Trustees we view this as an opportunity to review our practises, grow deeper roots and build stronger relationships. Developing resilience as we move forward in partnership with the local church to serve our city well.

Historically Edinburgh City Mission has had a key role in the wellbeing of the city. Currently we have an amazing team each playing such an important part in building on that legacy. Is it too grand to say we are loving our city? You can decide for yourselves as you read this Impact Report about changing lives and developing resilience.

With love and hope for the future,

Judy White

Trustees

Rev. Judy White (Acting Chair)

Judy is a retired minister in urban ministry and is a mission consultant. She worships at Stenhouse Baptist Church.

Louise Waugh (Treasurer)

Louise is a Chartered Accountant and Finance Director. She worships at Community Church Edinburgh.

Malcolm McGregor

Malcolm is Director of Langham Partnership and is a retired International Director of SIM. He worships at Carrubbers.

Rev. Richard Cornfield

Richard is a pioneer priest in urban ministry and currently works for Soul Food Edinburgh.

Andy Bathgate

Until his death in October 2023, Andy was the Chair of Trustees. He was previously the CEO of SU Scotland.

About

Edinburgh City Mission’s vision is to help create an unstoppable mission movement across Edinburgh. We seek to stimulate and strengthen the mission of churches across the city as they pray for and serve their local communities, and share their faith in Jesus with their neighbours.

We do this through seven Foodbanks+, Salaam (refugee and asylum seeker support work), Nations, a Clothesbank+, An Open Hand toy delivery service, The Care Van, Grounded, Rooted, Two’s Company Befriending for older people and a Soul Food meal.

Our values are love, generosity, unity, justice and pioneering. As we humbly seek to live out these values, serve Jesus and the church, we aim to help individuals flourish and communities thrive. We trust that many people will find forgiveness and hope in Jesus.

How We Work

Most of Edinburgh City Mission’s projects operate a referral-only service to provide help for individuals and families in genuine need across our whole network, providing food, clothes and other support.

Edinburgh City Mission receives referrals from support workers, social workers and church ministers, alongside organisations such as Edinburgh Council, Citizens Advice and the NHS. We also inter-refer between Edinburgh City Mission services, ensuring we provide our guests with the wrap-around support they need in all areas.

+200 more

The Edinburgh City Mission Team

We have a small staff team who work with a large group of volunteers. Together we seek to demonstrate God’s love in action and share the hope that we have in our hearts, just as Jesus did.

In partnership with churches and agencies across the city, our ministry projects bring the good news of Jesus by sharing our faith in him as we help individuals and families across Edinburgh who are experiencing deprivation, exclusion and isolation.

The diagram below represents which needs each of our different ministries primarily seek to meet. However, it is worth noting that there is huge crossover in the needs each ministry meets.

As you read this impact report, keep an eye out for the tabs at the top right corner of each page which indicate the category of needs each ministry seeks to primarily meet.

“Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same”

Luke 3:11 NIV

Deprivation Exclusion

Jesus’ Mission

Nations Grounded

Care Van Foodbank+ Clothesbank+ An Open Hand Soul Food Rooted Two’s Company Befriending

Isolation

Foodbank+

In partnership with seven Churches across the city we have run Edinburgh’s largest independent foodbank network for the last twenty years. We equip and empower churches to care for those in crisis, supporting the surrounding communities spiritual, emotional, and physical needs.

It’s estimated that over a million people in Scotland are currently living in poverty, while over a third of children are experiencing serious poverty across the UK (Department for Work and Pensions, 2024).

The Foodbank+ Network is vital; our amazing staff and volunteers distribute food and toiletries to families and individuals who face desperate situations.

Many of those that come to the Foodbank+ Network experience challenging life issues such as serious illness, family breakdown, homelessness, or benefit delays. This is why the ‘+’ in Foodbank+ is essential as the support we give is about more than just food, it is about welcoming people into community and providing whatever one-toone support each person needs.

The ‘+’ can also be seen as a cross signifying our belief that Jesus gives fullness of life to those who trust in Him. We believe the Church has a unique role to play in providing genuine community and support as people’s lives are transformed.

Over a third of children are experiencing serious poverty across the UK (Department for Work and Pensions, 2024)

£328,169.71 was the total annual estimated value of the food distributed from our Foodbank+ network in 2023. This estimate is based on basic, nonperishable food parcels without any additions or fresh food. If fresh items were included, this number would be much higher.

“Thanks

a ton for your help. Kids were given exposure to different things which we were not able to [give them] earlier. The kids enjoyed the Christmas chocolate a lot.” - A Guest

96%

of our guests received the food they needed while they were in crisis

We have seen another significant increase in the amount of people using our Foodbank+ network, with 9748 Adults, 5109 Children in 2023, a 40% increase on 2022. It is clear to see that the cost of living crisis continues to affect the rate of referrals to our network.

Despite The Storehouse (our food distribution centre) closing its doors at the end of 2023, our Foodbanks continued to supply the food-needs of our guests. Our volunteer teams have been working very hard in the background to source food and we have seen God provide for them despite the end of our food fund, supported by the City of Edinburgh Council.

47%

of our guests have conversations about God, and/or are prayed with

Our team was bolder in 2023 in talking about Jesus with our guests – and we are seeing amazing results. We praise God for the seven people who came to faith last year. It is incredible that 47% of our guests heard something about Jesus, and we thank God for these opportunities.

“I was able to cut my food expenses so was able to switch on heating sometimes for my kids. Earlier we used to wash utensils with cold water but now we switch on hot water occasionally.” - A Guest

64% of our guests feel listened to and 59% of guests feel more positive about their situation after attending Foodbank+

Our Foodbank+ venues are a safe refuge for those in crisis. We want them to be places where guests experience genuine love as the local church shares the hope of Jesus. This vision is becoming reality. We recognize the positive impact that caring for people’s physical needs has on guests’ mental wellbeing. The figures above demonstrate that the love and care we show has had an impact in 2023.

Our Foodbank+ provides guests with more than just the food they need. They can also access a range of advice services, included debt, budgeting, housing, benefits and energy advice.

This figure shows the percentage of guests from across our Foodbank+ network who received signposting to the different services we offered across the year.

“It’s helped me get back on track after getting out of prison.” - A Guest “

“My family were able to eat which we otherwise would have struggled with especially having to keep warm and the cost of living. It wouldn’t be possible and my mental health had dipped, I got suicidal, and now I don’t have to worry as bad.” - A Guest

Soul Food

In 2023 Edinburgh Council spent almost £50,000,000 on temporary housing for those facing homelessness (Riding, 2024), a 193% increase over the last three years. Living in a permanent state of cold and hunger, whether you have a home to call your own or not, is the reality many individuals and families now face in Edinburgh.

Our Soul Food meal launched in October 2019. Every Monday evening our volunteers gather with those experiencing deprivation and isolation for a community meal hosted at The City of Edinburgh Methodist Church. Together our staff and volunteers prepare a delicious two-course meal, before joining our guests at the table to eat together in a warm and safe space.

80%

80% of guests felt welcome at our Soul Food meal

100% of volunteers feel more engaged with issues of injustice and poverty as a result of their involvement

5000

meals were estimated to be served to guests at our Soul Food meal in 2023

Soul Food meets our guests’ critical needs first. But we want Soul Food to be more than just a meal. So over time, we bring people into community, working with them 1-to-1 to address the root issue that has brought them to our door. We love to share stories and testimonies of God's goodness round the table, and when we do He changes lives.

As we sit around the table and eat as equals, Soul Food offers a place of safety and security where people feel accepted, respected, valued, loved, and heard.

“

“I am glad for this opportunity to do as Jesus commands, to love our neighbour. The food is so delicious. I really love getting to volunteer with soul food, and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.” - A Volunteer

“Soul Food helped me to be more confident in asking for and accepting help. A warm, friendly place to go where I am not judged or criticised about being homeless.” - A Guest “

An HandOpen

An Open Hand aims to provide parents in severe hardship with a present for their child’s birthday, along with books for each child in the family, games and stationery for everyone to share and play with together. Each parent chooses the gift for their child, so that the gift is specific to each child’s interests and tastes and one they will cherish and enjoy. Once the birthday parcel is packed, we deliver it to the family while the children are out at school.

100% of parents said the main gift was what they hoped for

90% of parents said they felt supported by our service

Rooted

Rooted is a project that runs out of our allotment, which was gifted to Edinburgh City Mission from Craigentinny and Telferton Allotment Committee. The allotment is a space for rest, purposeful gardening work, and intentional gospel-centred relationships. We extend invitations to guests we meet in our projects such as the Foodbank+ Network or Salaam’s English classes for asylum seekers and refugees.

Often, the support that people in crisis receive will be disjointed and short-term. The nature of this support can leave people feeling isolated in the challenges that they face and isolation can create a downward spiral.

“I was mortified that I wasn't able to get my two kids birthday gifts due to benefit issues and bills. I felt like a failure. The kids absolutely loved the gifts and were super happy with all of it. They had big smiles and I felt so relieved. I can't thank you enough!” - A Parent

We run projects like Rooted as follow on services from our other projects such as the Foodbank+ because ultimately, we want to see our guests break the cycles of poverty or loneliness they can be in. This requires longer-term projects, as they are well suited to befriending and supporting guests we meet who would benefit from having someone who can spend quality time with them. We want to provide the long-term friendships they need, whilst signposting guests to specialist support if required.

Clothesbank+

The Clothesbank+ is a partnership between Edinburgh City Mission and Central Church. Since 2020 we have operated together a weekly service for those unable to afford their own clothing. Clothes are very personal so we try to bless people with good quality clothing that they can choose themselves to suit their style.

Clothesbank+ is not just about handing out clothes but about addressing the needs of the whole person: physical, emotional and spiritual. So, we take every opportunity to listen to each of our guests and hear a little of their story.

Jack*, was relieved at the prospect of having dry feet; or Lynne*, was thankful to know her kids will be warm. We often see the immediate impact of providing good clothes to wear. Most guests leave with a smile on their faces, 'lifted' by the experience. *Names have been changed.

Care Van

The Care Van is a project we run in partnership with Bethany Christian Trust and 40 local churches.

The van is an important source of care and support for people who are homeless and vulnerable in the City of Edinburgh. Relying on volunteers, it goes out seven days a week, 364 days a year. It provides soup, food, hot drinks, blankets and clothes, friendship, encouragement and advice to up to 45 people a night who are rough sleeping or housed in homeless B&B accommodation by Edinburgh Council.

Edinburgh City Mission coordinates the evening rota for 40 church teams from local churches across Edinburgh and the Lothians and includes over 750 volunteers.

72% of people found everything they needed at our Clothesbank+

534

people were provided with clothing in 2023

Up to

400 pieces of clothing were handed out on busy days

Over 8539

meals were served by the Care Van on the streets of Edinburgh in 2023

Andrew’s Story

We first met Andrew* as a guest at one of our Foodbank+ venues.

Before I knew Jesus, I felt like I was living on an island totally isolated, swimming to get my money. I was going round in circles, living in chaos. I was just chipping away. I never thought there was anything out there for me. I felt like I was living life functioning at a 2 on a scale of 1-10.

An acquaintance of mine had told me to get myself to the Foodbank+ because he’d met a Mission Strengthener he thought would be able to help me. And so I first encountered God and experienced His goodness and grace when my chaotic circumstances led me to one of the Foodbank+ venues in Edinburgh. That was also the first time I met and spoke to two of the Mission Strengtheners from Edinburgh City Mission. They offered to pray for me and asked if there was anything that I would like prayer for. I said I wanted my family and son back in my life.

Then, boom! That night, my family contacted me. I’d not heard from either of them for more than six months, so it was a miracle to hear from them. God definitely answered my prayer.

Since coming to know Jesus for myself, He’s opened my eyes and given me strength. Before, I had no one. God has changed my life in the past year – I have faith to move forward and I feel motivated.

The people I’ve met through Edinburgh City Mission have made me feel valued, like I’m being seen. The Mission Strengtheners and church workers that I’ve been connected with have made me feel welcome and believe in me. Everything that I’ve heard of God and the good news of Jesus has got me thinking. I’ve met so many wonderful and supportive people.

Now, when I have bad days or bad weeks, it is just a blip, not a relapse. God’s given me the strength to keep going. Where I felt like I was living life functioning at a 2 on a scale of 1-10 before giving my life to Jesus, these past couple of months I feel more like I’m functioning at a 7 or 8.

If I could encourage myself now, I’d say: “look at where you’ve come from and where you are now. You’ve had blips, but you’ve recovered quickly. You’re doing well. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

*Names have been changed. The photo shows one of our Food+ Mission Strengtheners talking with a Foodbank+ guest.

Nations

There is a prevailing narrative in Scotland of the declining Christian church. This is seemingly proven by the closure of buildings belonging to established historic Scottish denominations and the reduced numbers of these churches being involved in the work of local charities. However, these statistics often neglect the growing number of communities, fellowships and churches which are being planted and opened by people from across the world.

Around a quarter of Edinburgh’s residents were born outside the UK. This is the highest ratio of any Scottish city (Chow, Wild-Wood, Hatzaw, 2023). With this increase of migration to the Capital, comes an increase of backgrounds, languages and traditions in which to worship God.

Nations works to stimulate and strengthen the mission of ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse churches in Edinburgh. Our vision is to champion diversity and build unity in the wider church through creating meaningful and mutual engagement between local and global Christian communities. We encourage these churches as they share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word, deeds, and actions with both local and global communities in the city.

79 ‘Nations churches’

63 churches, 5 sub-congregations, 3 parachurch groups and 8 worship services

23 languages are worshipped in as the majority language among the ‘Nations churches’

“I am very thrilled to hear about the development of the project: by connecting Nations churches together and sharing resources in cross-cultural ministries, there begins the possibility of further connection, one that will bring the “local” “Scottish” churches to the table as well. And, if we can come together, this pooling together of prayers and resources towards the Kingdom’s mission will become an offering like the five fish and two loaves - the offerings each church can bring to the table may be small, but together in God they will be big enough to feed this hungry city and many, many more.” - A Pastor

“The [Nations Gathering] was a resounding success. It was great interacting with different church representatives from all over Edinburgh. There is unity in diversity. To God be the glory in Jesus’ Name. Amen.” - A Pastor

Salaam

Salaam is Arabic for ‘peace,’ ‘welcome’ and ‘hello’. In the Bible the equivalent Hebrew word, Shalom, paints a picture of harmony, completion and wholeness; the state of the world as the loving Creator intended it.

Salaam is our work supporting refugees, asylum seekers, and other newcomers (New Scots). We do this through our one-to-one Befriending Programme, Peaced Together Groups, weekly English Conversation Café, New Scot Christmas Appeal and The Salaam Weekend Club. Our goal is to equip churches across the city to welcome New Scots and to help them create spaces of safety and belonging for all.

As a consequence of war and conflict, since 2015 Edinburgh has welcomed more than 4,200 people seeking sanctuary of many different nationalities. This has included

Syrians, Afghans, Ukrainians, Sudanese and others. In 2023, Salaam had the privilege of engaging with and supporting New Scots from more backgrounds and countries than ever before.

New Scots face many challenges as they adjust to life in Edinburgh, both in the short and long term. It can be difficult to access English classes, to connect meaningfully with local people, and to navigate cultural norms. Through Salaam activities we seek to facilitate community, connection, and integration, while building capacity in local churches to come alongside our New Scot neighbours. Our Salaam Mission Strengtheners also support individuals and families, connecting them with our other ministries and relevant external agencies.

“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

Leviticus 19:33-34 NIV

New Scots Christmas Appeal

In 2023, hampers were given to refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, and people with insecure immigration status, from at least 29 different countries. We asked referrers to prioritise people who are newest to the city, and who are most in need.

Over 35 churches got involved in different ways, including volunteers from 20 different churches helping to deliver the hampers across Edinburgh.

Thanks to generous donations from churches, each hamper contained a £30 gift voucher for a range of supermarkets, chocolates, a Christmas card, a candle, a

“I didn’t have to spend for food for Christmas dinner.” - Recipient “

flyer about Salaam and a verse from John 1:5: “The light shines in the dark, and the dark cannot put out the light”. Our prayer is that in the face of difficult circumstances, global conflict, and hostile immigration laws, these hampers will bring something of God’s light and love into the lives of the individuals who receive them.

For one lady, the voucher meant she could eat three meals a day, during a difficult season of living in a hotel where her only cooking facility is a microwave. For some of the asylum-seeking men housed in hotels, the voucher was used to buy hair clippers, providing an opportunity to practice cutting hair and increase confidence and a sense of agency over their appearance.

- Recipient “

“It gave me a feeling of joy and happiness. This is what gifts do, even if they are small.”

Christmas hampers were distributed to New Scots across Edinburgh, funded by churches

Salaam Befriending

Our Salaam Befriending Scheme welcomes New Scots by providing 1-to-1 connections with our local volunteer befrienders. Each friendship looks different depending on the needs of the befriendee, but all are centred on offering friendship, practical help and support. Our befrienders are matched carefully with each individual or family. These relationships become key to building strong connections in the wider community and to realising their full potential.

A befriender takes time to listen to their New Scot friend and spends time with them in their home or over coffee. New Scots get the chance to practise English and to feel like they belong, and the befriender is blessed in the process. This leads to what New Scots have said they need: a chance to practice English, to understand their new community, and to feel like they belong.

“

“At the beginning of the befriending relationship my kids were ashamed to speak. Now they speak to our befriender and they are not ashamed. We understand him 100%.”

- A New Scot Friend

100% of newcomer friends and befrienders said they were satisfied or highly satisfied with their befriending relationship at the 6-month stage 16

matches were made between a local Christian and a New Scot/New Scot family in 2023

“

“We feel alone. I don’t know anyone. I don’t have anyone except my husband here. It’s good to meet someone here in this country. My befriender is lovely and helpful. I asked her, ‘How do feel about my English language?’ She said, ‘Your English is better. I can understand everything you say.’ She is really supportive. She helped me with my personal statement when I applied to university.”

- A New Scot Friend

Salaam Peaced Together

Peaced Together is an eleven-week creative arts course for New Scot women that Salaam delivers alongside church volunteers. The curriculum is based on the idea that good can come from difficult experiences. Each craft helps the group to reflect on our lives and set out on a personal journey to hope, by exploring topics such as thankfulness, courage, peace with the past and positive choices.

This year, we ran two Peaced Together courses: one in partnership with Duncan Street Baptist Church, and one with Bellevue Chapel. Women who attended the course often described it as an ‘oasis’ in their week. It has consistently been a safe and inclusive place where women can find community, learn new crafts, and experience healing through friendships they make.

As well as having meaningful conversations during the sessions, some connections were made between volunteers and participants that led to visiting people in their homes and supporting one another outside of the group. This has been mutually beneficial for New Scots and church volunteers!

“I want to say thank you. Since it was the first place where I wanted to return. It was also the first place where I could relax and be a little bit myself. Thank you for your help, support, and understanding. For the fact that you all have big hearts and for the fact that you opened them for us. Thank you! It’s truly priceless!” - A Guest

100% of participants reported that they learned new skills at Peaced Together, made friends, and that it helped them feel less isolated and lonely

88% of participants felt confident to take steps towards volunteering, education, and employment by the end of the course

“I realised that this group is already feeling like a tradition and routine in the week, which is so important when our lives are so unstable. And each week I feel more and more grateful for that.” - A Guest “

Salaam ConversationEnglish Café

In January 2023, we launched an English Conversation Café in partnership with Mustard Seed and Abbeyhill Baptist Church in response to a need for community-based English practice. New Scots often experience long waiting lists for formal ESOL classes at college and lack opportunities to practice what they know, meaning that the English Conversation Café supports people with varying degrees of fluency. Over the year we had participants join us from over 30 different countries, and the diversity of the Café is one of its greatest strengths.

Our goals are for everyone to grow in confidence, feel more connected, and to learn from one another. Through a culture of ‘us and us’, we seek to dismantle the dynamics of ‘teachers’ and ‘learners’, meaning that our goals for the Café apply to participants and volunteers in equal measure. This has led to the English Café being a place of mutual support, common humanity, safety and trust.

32 different nationalities of participants. The diversity of the Café is one of its greatest strengths

“The first time I came I was nervous, I thought I couldn’t speak well, but after a while it felt like home. We are all different, but it feels like home.” - A Participant

“I like that here I can share my goals with others. To reach your goals you go towards it step by step.” - A Volunteer

Refugee Prayer Meetings are prayer gatherings in which we ask God for peace and protection for people who live in the midst of difficult circumstances such as war, violence, poverty, climate change. We also pray for the situation of asylum seekers and refugees in Edinburgh, in the UK, and in the world. Christians gather with New Scots to pray, five times a year.

The Salaam Weekend Club Refugee Prayer Meetings

The Salaam Weekend Club is a fun monthly activity hosted by churches throughout Edinburgh for New Scots. Our aim is to create a safe and relaxed atmosphere where friendships can begin and grow, and where New Scots and their welcoming communities can learn from each other’s cultures.

Activities in 2023 included sharing delicious meals, children’s activities and games for the entire family, a ceilidh and a zoo trip. We also celebrated Burns’ Night, Persian New Year (Nowruz), and Christmas! It is a fantastic way for churches to get a taste of what is like to share God’s love in this very practical (and enjoyable!) way and get to know their New Scots neighbours.

Pause for Peace

Pause for Peace is a prayer gathering that started in October 2023 to pray contemplatively for peace in the situations of conflict and war around the world. Many join us to lament together and to pray with hope for peace.

- A Participant “

“I loved all the activities of the Weekend Club and meeting new people and making new friends; they are all so nice! I specially loved when we see all the children, playing and sharing and enjoying together!”

- A Participant “

“People [were] very welcoming and made me feel at home.”

Grounded

Grounded is an employability project for ex-offenders, run in partnership with Junction42 at Stenhouse Baptist church. The programme is an 8 week barista training course, where clients learn all aspects of coffee machine operation, the crafting of espresso-based drinks to international standards and are guided through some of their first steps into the hospitality industry.

After completing the programme, our trainees are offered a voluntary placement in a local café to gain more on-the-job experience, with assistance, to move towards employment. Additionally, trainees are also offered the opportunity to achieve an external qualification via the Scottish Barista Academy.

In 2023, we ran four 8 week barista training courses. We praise God for the people who have moved through the programme and that they have experienced marked increase in their skills and confidence.

96% of our trainees have taken part in a voluntary placement growing their soft skills and practicing what they have learnt through Grounded

45% of our trainees achieved a job outcome, moving in to full or part-time work

Sandra’s Story

Sandra is a volunteer with Peaced Together.

Peaced Together sessions are the highlight of my week! It’s a warm, welcoming and calm space where we get to unwind and chat about life’s ups and downs. Meeting New Scots and swapping stories has really opened my eyes to different life experiences. I’ve made friendships and meaningful connections with some amazing women I’d never have met otherwise – it’s been such a blessing.

Thanks to Edinburgh City Mission, I’ve gained the confidence to share my faith in our sessions. We talk about all sorts, facilitated by great resources, and while we’re crafting it just feels easy to open up about deeper matters like beliefs and life’s big questions. It’s been a helpful way to explore and grow in many areas of the Christian life, from hospitality to creativity, learning, mission and more.

At Bellvue Chapel, we’re now more aware of the New Scots around us and have been able to support them in practical ways. We’ve been able to invite Peaced Together participants to other events at church. These include: meals, celebrations, special services at Christmas and Easter, walking groups and outings, and Alpha Courses, and welcome them and their families.

We absolutely couldn’t have done this without the partnership with Edinburgh City Mission! The Salaam team has great expertise in working with New Scots. The training and guidance provided gave us confidence and encouragement in how to deal sensitively and appropriately with the potential challenges of meeting people with different languages, cultures, and backgrounds.

The materials provided for the course are excellent and Lydia (Mission Strengthener for Salaam) has been inspirational as she excels every week in demonstrating how to facilitate the sessions and welcome participants in a way that radiates love, sincerity, and compassion.

If you’re thinking about joining in, just give it a try! With help from Edinburgh City Mission you will be amazed at how you can overcome any hesitation or nervousness about entering a new area of ministry and service, and I’m sure you’ll find it really rewarding to connect and share life with New Scots. Why not drop by a Peaced Together session and see for yourself?

Two’s BefriendingCompany

EDINBURGH

“Improving quality of life through friendship.”

- In partnership with Linking Lives UK, Two’s Company Befriending aims to help churches engage with older people facing loneliness, by establishing a befriending scheme within their community.

The scheme helps those facing loneliness caused by bereavement, declining health and mobility, anxiety and depression amongst other causes.

We know that “God sets the lonely in families...” (Psalm 68) and we believe that He can use local churches to do just that. We hope that through Two’s Company we will be able to reach the most isolated, and bring hope and connection to older people experiencing loneliness.

“I enjoy just getting her to laugh. We’ve hit it off because she likes that I don’t take things too seriously. It has been great to get her to the café to see her come alive in the environment. We go for coffee each week. Its worked so well. She used to go on and on about that pain, but she barely mentions it now… I’m really pleased with the progress. And I’m pleased that I committed to it because I needed structure for my week. It gives me something to do each Thursday, and it makes the downtimes worthwhile.” - A Volunteer

- A Scheme Member “

“She tells me about her brothers and her family, which I love. It is so nice to hear about someone else’s life because sometimes I feel that I am in a prison.”

“I feel happier when I see her and look forward to our visits…. I can ask her anything that I feel doubtful about.”

- A Scheme Member “

100%

of scheme members have reported feeling less lonely (this does not mean that they don’t struggle with loneliness)

100%

trust their befriender and feel safe with them

80%

say that that the support they have received from their befriender makes them less stressed or worried

60%

say that they have an increase in purpose and self worth

Gordon’s Story

Gordon Weir was appointed as the pastor at Granton Baptist Church in 2023, which is a Foodbank+ venue. We’ve asked him to reflect on their partnership with us.

The Granton community is growing and culturally diverse. People arrive in Granton for a whole range of reasons: international students, refugees and asylum seekers, or ‘New Scots’, as well as native Scots looking for work or coming to live in the area. Communication in English can be difficult at times since it is not the first language of many residents. The immediate community around the church is marked by a high degree of social need, evidenced in different degrees of financial poverty, substance use, family breakdown, social isolation, poor housing, and unemployment.

Edinburgh City Mission’s partnership with Granton Baptist Church has been a very significant factor in stimulating and strengthening our church’s mission. We run a busy Foodbank+ with 20 to 30 guests each week. They survive on very low incomes and collect food for themselves and their families. Almost a metric ton of food is taken to homes where it feeds between 70 and 90 people each week.

Foodbank+ guests are keen to chat to me about how they are getting on and talk about their needs, hopes and worries. Many want to share deeply and ask for guidance and support. They also ask many questions about the Christian faith and what our church believes. As I get to know folks over the weeks and months, trust develops, supportive relationships are formed, ideas are expressed and tearful moments are shared, as well as fun and laughter. As relationships deepen, I can pick up on conversations that we didn’t have time to finish at their last visit and enquire after the difficult circumstances in their lives.

Many Foodbank+ guests seriously consider the claims of Christ and the hope that He offers. Some have come along to our church service on a Sunday and everyone who has made that step said they enjoyed it.

In the short time I’ve been helping at the Foodbank+, I’ve had opportunities to share my faith, pray with guests, invite them to other church activities and give them a lift to their home with their food. I’ve also helped and advised them regarding other needs that they share with me. As my relationship with these individuals has deepened, I’ve sought to love and support them in Christ. It has resulted, for example, in three different people coming from the Foodbank+ to a recent baptismal service. This crossing over from Foodbank+ guest to church attender is evidence of God at work.

My prayer is that God will lead, bless and make fruitful all aspects of this partnership. I pray that lives will be changed, souls will be saved, and Christ be highly exalted.

Stimulating & Strengthening

There are few things, if any, more important than praying for our city. Edinburgh City Missions runs three regular meetings where we turn to God in prayer:

City Vision Open Table & Community Catalyst

The goal of City Vision is to encourage us all to cry out to God for Edinburgh, starting with prayer for the mission of the local church. We believe that praying for the city needs to be rooted in local ministry, so the City Vision prayer gatherings are hosted by a local church and focus firstly on their mission. It is hugely encouraging when people from other churches join in by praying for your church’s ministry.

One person said: “There is something very wonderful about joining with people from so many different denominations and to know that they are praying for you and vice versa – the family of God becomes so much more real.”

These events also involve praying for our work, and for Edinburgh itself. These have been inspirational times, helping us see the breadth of God’s work in the city and giving us a longing to see more.

Edinburgh City Mission has two other prayer meetings where we pray for people, churches, church leaders, other leaders and the work of other organisations, whilst sharing breakfast.

Open Table is a regular gathering for those who work in organisations involved in missional outreach across Edinburgh, such as Bethany Christian Trust, Safe Families and Junction 42.

Community Catalyst is a regular prayer meeting for church community development workers and for those who have other outreach roles in church ministry. We want to create a space for those in missional roles to connect with others in similar roles and to be supported and encouraged.

Future Development

We are always looking to pioneer new projects to meet the needs of those across our city. Here are two projects we are looking to grow and develop in the future:

Kids Matter Bible-Based Trauma Healing Course

The UK charity Kids Matter works with local churches and their community networks to run the evidence-informed Kids Matter parenting courses in communities and in prisons, equipping mums, dads and carers with the confidence, competence and community they need to build strong relationships and strong families.

Our vision is to facilitate churches across Edinburgh to engage with the vision of Kids Matter to see every child in need raised in a strong family, where no child is written off simply because of the circumstances they are in. We want children to have the best chance to flourish in life.

We provided training costs for three churches to run programmes in partnership with Kids Matter in 2023 and we can provide similar support for more churches in Edinburgh.

The Bible-based Trauma Healing course is a unique programme created by The Scottish Bible Society which can help the local church provide a compassionate response to traumatised people in their communities.

Emotional trauma impacts more than one in seven people worldwide. In the aftermath of human tragedy - war, famine and abuse - people lose hope. They feel trapped in a cycle of reliving their pain, which can make it difficult to believe that God can heal or release them from it. But Scripture contains a message of hope that can bring healing.

In 2023, we ran our first course in partnership with Liberton Kirk. We are exploring the future development of this connection.

Letter from the Treasurer

We approach the financial oversight of Edinburgh City Mission intentionally; trusting that God will provide, as we take responsibility for the stewardship of the funds entrusted to us. Everything we have belongs to God’s Kingdom and we recognise the generosity and sacrifice that every donation, gift, grant, and legacy represents.

By God’s grace, we have been richly blessed since 2020. He has allowed us to grow by improving and developing our services in response to the increasing and ever-changing needs of our city which have been expressed throughout this Impact Report.

A world in pain has become sadly familiar over the past few years. Our awareness of the need for our Saviour has never been greater. Throughout, we have continually forecasted and encountered increasing reliance on our services. In 2023, it’s safe to say that reliance transitioned into pressure, which we felt acutely as household finances continued to be simply unmanageable for many and global displacement instances multiplied.

Financially, this translated to acknowledging the strength of our financial position at the end of 2022. In response to the need we saw, we allocated a significant budgetary deficit to respond as powerfully as possible to our call to put funds into our ministries and projects - our hands and feet on the streets of our city. In everything, we seek to play our part in demonstrating God’s love for those who are so often forgotten.

We are truly grateful to our fundraising and support team, who work tirelessly in the background, to raise the funds we need to move forward sustainably into 2024, where we are budgeting to half the deficit that was realised in 2023. We are confident that we have adequate funds in place to be able to do this. As we balance our focused, fundraising efforts, with a now marginally smaller team, we trust that 2024 will be a year of consolidation in structure and funds. We remain watchful and responsive to God’s call on our work.

Louise Waugh

Treasurer

Get Involved

Pray

Join us in praying for this city. Follow the QR code to get involved by signing up to our Monthly Prayer Update and newsletters.

Donate

We are immensely grateful for the freewill giving of individuals and churches. Follow the QR code to find out more about how you can make a difference.

Volunteer

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer with Foodbank+, Soul Food, Befriending and more! Check out your options here.

“Now

to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

Acknowledgements

A huge thank you to all of our volunteers, who have given their time and energy volunteering with us. We are so thankful for each and every one of you and the work you do. By working together, we amplify the work being done in this city! We simply would not have been able to achieve all the incredible things celebrated in this impact report without you.

Our team would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of our supporters. This includes all who have contributed to our impactful work, both practically and prayerfully, and to our Mission Enablers who are helping us to plan for the future through monthly direct debits.

We want to remember those who have left us a legacy in their will. The generosity of these individuals has made a huge impact in 2023. We would also like to pay tribute to those whose lives have prompted gifts in memory. These gifts have made a lasting difference to many lives across Edinburgh by providing vital support to those who are experiencing deprivation, isolation and exclusion.

135

Mission Enablers gave monthly donations to support the work of Edinburgh City Mission by the end of 2023.

803

Monthly Prayer Newsletter subscribers had partnered with us to stay updated and pray with us at the end of 2023.

184

is the number of regular volunteers who worked with us across our different ministries and projects in 2023

120%

increase in the total number of regular volunteers across our different ministries and projects from 20222023

Thank you to all the churches across Edinburgh and beyond who have partnered with us in a variety of ways in 2023. This list includes churches that have partnered with us in running our ministries, hosted events and prayer meetings, been a part of the evening Care Van team or partnered with us financially. We are so grateful to God for you.

Abbeyhill Baptist Church

African and Caribbean Christian Fellowship

Apostolic Faith Mission International Ministries UK

(Edinburgh Assembly)

Barclay Viewforth Church of Scotland

Bellevue Chapel

Bristo Baptist Church

Bruntsfield Evangelical Church

Buccleuch Free Church

Carrubbers Christian Centre

Central Church

Central Edinburgh Quaker Meeting

Charlotte Chapel

Chinese Evangelical Church of Edinburgh

Christ Church Morningside

City Gates

City on a Hill

Colinton Parish Church

Community Church Edinburgh

Cornerstone Free Church of Scotland

Corstorphine Community Church

Craiglockhart Parish Church of Scotland

Craigsbank Church of Scotland

Currie Baptist Church

Currie Community Church

Currie Kirk

Davidson’s Mains Parish Church

Deeper Life Bible Church

Duke Street United Free Presbyterian Church

Duncan Street Baptist Church

Ebenezer United Free Church

Edinburgh All Nations Church

Edinburgh Vineyard

Ferniehill Evangelical

Gorgie Dalry Stenhouse Church

Grace Church Leith

Granton Baptist Church

Greenbank Parish Church

Hebron Christian Assembly

Holy Ghost Chapel

Holyrood Evangelical Church

Holy Trinity Haddington

Hong Kong Circle Edinburgh

Japan Christian Link

Juniper Green Parish Church

Kings Church Edinburgh

Kirkliston Community Church

Leith St Andrews Church

Liberton Kirk

Lighthouse Central Prestonpans

Living God Church Edinburgh

Mayfield Salisbury Church

Meadowbank and Willowbrae Church

Musselburgh Baptist Church

Mustard Seed Church Edinburgh

North Leith Parish Church

Old Parish Church Costorphine

Palmerston Place Church of Scotland

Polwarth Parish Church of Scotland

Port Seton Gospel Hall

Portobello and Joppa Church of Scotland

Portobello Baptist Church

Priestfield Church of Scotland

RCCG King of Glory

Redeemer Church, Colinton

Romanian Orthodox Community of Edinburgh

Ross Chapel Edinburgh Korean Church

South Queensferry Parish Church

St Andrews Leckie Parish Church

St Catherine’s Argyle Church

St Columba’s by the Castle Episcopal Church

St Columba’s Free Church

St Cuthbert’s Episcopal Church

St John the Baptist and St Kentigern’s Church

St John’s Colinton Mains Church

St John’s Churches Linlithgow

St John’s Epsicopal Church

St Marks Portobello Episcopal Church

St Mary’s Cathedral

St Mungo’s Church Balerno

St Ninians Church Costorphine

St Paul’s and St George’s Church

St Peter’s Lutton Place Episcopal Church

St Philip’s and St James’ Goldenacre

St Stephen’s Comely Bank Church of Scotland

St Thomas’ Church Corstorphine

Stenhouse Baptist Church

Take Hold Church

The City of Edinburgh Methodist Church

Tron Kirk Gilmerton and Moredun

United Methodist Church UK

West Linton Churches

Wester Hailes Baptist Church

Wilson Memorial United Free Church

Chow, Wild-Wood and Hatzaw (2023). Global Christians in Edinburgh. Centre for the Study of World Christianity School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh.

https://era.ed.ac.uk/bitstream/handle/1842/40766/Global%20Christians%20in% 20Edinburgh.pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y

Department for Work and Pensions (2024). Households Below Average Income: an analysis of the UK income distribution: FYE 1995 to FYE 2023. Department for Work and Pensions, UK Government.

https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-forfinancial-years-ending-1995-to-2023/households-below-average-income-an-analy sis-of-the-uk-income-distribution-fye-1995-to-fye-2023#strengths-and-limitations

Riding, J (2024). City of Edinburgh Council to review ‘fairness’ of social housing allocation system. Inside Housing.

https://www.insidehousing.co.uk/news/news/city-of-edinburgh-council-to-reviewfairness-of-social-housing-allocation-system-85348#:~:text=Earlier%20this%20 month%2C%20an%20Inside,increased%20193%25%20in%20three%20years.