Rosalind Hardie

Stephen was appointed to the Board of Trustees in September 2024.

Coming soon.

Liz was appointed to the Board of Trustees in September 2024.

Ralph was appointed to the Board of Trustees in September 2024.

Tom was appointed to the Board of Trustees in September 2024.

Martin was appointed to the Board of Trustees in September 2024.

We’ve published our April programme, which can be viewed online by clicking here, or downloaded by clicking here.

A new weekly group for those aged sixty & over. A chance to connect with others through activities such as arts & crafts, puzzles, bingo and more, with tea & biscuits!

A new weekly group for those aged sixty & over. A chance to connect with others through conversation, with tea & biscuits!

A new local area gardening & nature group is coming soon! The group will meet weekly and will visit local garden and nature spots, as well as work in our centre garden. Expected to launch in May 2024. More details to follow.

Michael became our Chief Executive in Winter 2023 with a remit to support the Board of Trustees to support the development of Southside Community Centre.

Prior to joining Southside Community Centre Association SCIO Michael has mainly worked in the third and public sectors, with only brief stints in the private sector. Michael has been active in his local community for many years and in various roles including being a charity Trustee and a Community Councillor.

In his spare time Michael enjoys spending time with his Ragdoll cat and exploring the history of Leith.

Fiona was born in Edinburgh and has lived in south Edinburgh for over 30 years. She graduated from Heriot Watt University and worked for City of Edinburgh Council and then the Scottish Government for most of her career. She took up music in later life and also graduated in Music Composition from Abertay University. She plays violin in the South Side Community Orchestra.

Under the auspices of the Gambian Community in Edinburgh, the Southside Community Centre Association was privileged to host Her Excellency Dr Fatou Bensouda, the High Commissioner of the Gambia in the UK.

The Gambian Community in Edinburgh, under the leadership of Lamin Bajo, a member of the Southside Community Centre’s management committee, hosted the event.

Lamin had invited local politicians and others to help build community relations. Gambian Dignitaries from across the UK had attended the event. Councillor Simita Kumar (SNP) and MSP Foysol Chaudhu ry (Labour) also spoke.

Imam Yahya Barry, a former priest of Edinburgh Central Mosque (our neighbour), started off the event with a recitation from the Holy Quran and then an address on the importance of unity and community cohesion.

Dr Bensouda, in her address, encouraged the Gambian diaspora to educate itself and to work diligently for the betterment all their host country and their country of origin. She said it is the Gambian diaspora that can work to improve the socio-economic conditions of the Gambia. she said reiterated the importance of building bonds of unity. She said that as a nation Gambia is proud of the fact that it is a country where unity between communities of ethnicity, religion and gender is strong. Gambians of all persuasions value unity and work wholeheartedly towards maintaining it.

As a nation Gambia is proud of the fact that it is a country where unity between communities of ethnicity, religion and gender is strong.

Councillor Simita Kumar, in her address, spoke about health equalities within marginalised minority communities and encouraged the community to seek out health services as a Right. She stated that, as an elected representative, she is there to support all Southside residents and, as an ethnic minority person, herself she is there as a support to them.

MSP Foysol Choudhury, in his address, encouraged the Gambian community to get involved in local politics for the improvement of their own community and the community at large. As a member of the working group on International Development, he was keen to see more voices speak on issues affecting the Global South, particularly Africa. He stated that we all have a role to play in promoting good governance so that all the citizens of the world can live in peace and harmony with each other.

Southside Community Centre

0131 667 0484

Rosalind Hardie

0131 667 0484