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Edinburgh

Edinburgh, a city of 530,000 people, is the wealthiest* city in the UK but 1 in 6 of its residents are in material poverty.

*Edinburgh’s GDP per capita, £69,809 (2023)

We’re here to love the Lord and our neighbour, and make disciples in Edinburgh

Edinburgh City Mission exists to carry out God’s Greatest Commandments (Matt. 22:37-40) and the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). We share Jesus in word and action with the disadvantaged in Edinburgh; the bound, the oppressed, the hungry, naked, poor and homeless, the broken-hearted, captives and prisoners (Isa. 58, 61).

Our work is expansive because our city is full of people with great need

87,000 people in Edinburgh are in poverty. In Scotland, a fifth of our young people are lonely; a quarter of older Scots are chronically lonely. Young people battle with mental health at historic rates. People in deprived areas are 15 times more likely than wealthy neighbours to die from drug misuse. Refugees and asylum seekers don’t get basic amenities, let alone welcome and hospitality. Healthcare is crumbling, housing is an emergency, services are disjointed, community spaces haven’t revived post-COVID. Life online is becoming the norm and real engagement with colleagues, the community or neighbours is diminishing.

Christianity no longer has a clear place in the public sphere: touchpoints with Jesus can be hard to find. Census data shows a continual drop-off in Scots with a Christian faith: more than half of Scots have no religion. Gospel outreach in areas of greatest poverty is lacking, as is the presence of the church. Hope isn’t prevalent these days.

We’ve been sharing Jesus in Edinburgh for nearly 200 years

David Nasmith founded Edinburgh City Mission in 1832 with the chief purpose to share Jesus in word and action. For over 193 years, we’ve partnered with churches and sent missionaries, chaplains and workers into the city to share the hope found in Jesus. Sharing in word has been done in the same breath as improving education, healthcare and sanitation, supporting people in court and prison, supporting New Scots, running outreach cafés, and feeding and clothing people. The Gospel is all-embracing, and our mission is holistic (James 2:16-17). We’ve seen many people meet Jesus over the years. We seek revival of faith in Jesus again for Edinburgh’s people.

The History of Edinburgh City Mission

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Poverty in Edinburgh

End Poverty In Edinburgh Annual Progress Report 2024

In summary, the data shows that:

• An estimated 17% of people in Edinburgh were living in poverty in the period to spring 2023, accounting for over 87,000 individuals

• These included over 17,200 children, or 20% of all children in the city

• 10% of all residents (including 14% of all children) had been living in poverty for three of the past four years

• Poverty rates across the UK are projected to rise by 1% in the period to 2030

• Rates of very deep poverty and destitution rose by 23% in Edinburgh between 2019 and 2022

• Two thirds of all people in destitution have a long term chronic health condition or disability, while around 40% of all lone parent or minority ethnic households are in poverty

• Child poverty rates vary significantly across areas Edinburgh, ranging from over 30% in Leith, to less than 10% in Morningside

A full analysis of the latest data on poverty trends, including progress against key progress indicators and associated measures is provided in Appendix 1 to this report.

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…seek the welfare of the city… and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

Jeremiah 29:7

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Apply Now

Applications for this position are now closed.

Apply Now

An Open Hand Referral Application
This form may be used by support workers and other professionals to apply for gifts for families in Edinburgh from An Open Hand (we cannot accept self-referrals).

Our aim is to help the families that need it most. We would be grateful if you could ensure that families fall into an area of need listed below before applying. We won’t be able to accept applications out with the below criteria.

Criteria for application:

  • Families (both parents/carers) who are facing severe hardship because of job loss or benefit delays/interruptions and have no other means (e.g. savings) of helping their child celebrate their birthday
  • Families who have no recourse to public funds
  • Families facing unexpected bills/costs/debt repayments around the time of their child’s birthday which prevent them from buying their child a present.

We are keen to help as many families as we can through this project, whilst still ensuring that each individual child feels treasured and receives a gift they will delight in. We will evaluate the funding for each gift on a case by case basis according to the financial needs of the family, the age of the child and the funding available. A general rule of thumb is that we anticipate most gifts along with the family bag to be in the region of up to £45.

Please ensure this application is submitted at least two weeks before the first child’s birthday to ensure there is sufficient time to deliver to the family.

Applicant's Details

Parent/Carer's Details

Address
Address

Children's Details

To add more children's details, please click the Add button. To remove details, please click the Remove button.
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Details of Application

Please give details of why you are applying for this family and what impact a present from An Open Hand may make.

N.B. - The more information you can give, the greater the chance your application will be accepted

An Open Hand Disclaimer

All the gifts given to parents/carers from An Open Hand are new, and in new working order.

Once the gifts are given to the parent/carer, it is their responsibility to check the item is suitable and safe for their child, in good condition and used according to the manufacturer’s advice.

An Open Hand will keep all details of this application protected in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

An Open Hand is not a business or trader and has no ongoing responsibility for the gifts, once given, and takes no responsibility for loss, damage or injury sustained from the gifts or their use.

  • I confirm I have read the above disclaimer to this child’s parent/carer and they understand and agree to it.
  • I also confirm the parent/carer knows An Open Hand will be in contact directly with them, prior to the birthday, to discuss the gift and arrange a suitable time for delivery or collection.
  • I confirm that the parent/carer knows An Open Hand will be in contact directly with them, after the birthday, to receive feedback about the gift delivery, as well as our wider service.

Disclaimer and GDPR

Disclaimer
GDPR Compliance
Once we receive your application, we aim to be in touch with you within 5 working days to let you know if your application is successful.

Many thanks for your application!

Edinburgh City Mission Gap Year


Gap Year

Section 1 - Personal Details

Address
Are you involved in any activity that might limit your availability to work or your working hours?
Have you any convictions (other than spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974?)
Do you need a work permit to take up employment in the U.K.?

Section 2 - Education

Starting with the most recent, please list any education, qualifications and / or training.
In the format MM/YYYY.
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Section 3 - Work History

Please list your recent work history. We want to know about your work experience, paid and unpaid. Please include your current/previous employment, voluntary work, community activities and time spent caring for dependents.Starting with your current employment, please state name and address of employer(s) and/or voluntary agencies and describe main tasks, responsibilities and achievements.
In the format MM/YYYY.
Hours/week*
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Section 4 - The Gap Year Role

Please answer the following questions.

Section 5 - References

Referee 1 (Professional e.g. teacher / tutor / pastor)
Referee 2 (Other leader e.g. Church group leader)
Additional Information
Can we approach your referees before an offer is made?
Is your church supportive of your application to Edinburgh City Mission (ie would they be willing to take an active interest in our work and pray for you in your role?)

Section 6 - Declaration

I declare that the information given in this form is complete and accurate. I understand these details will be held in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. I undertake to notify the company immediately of any changes to the above details. You agree that Edinburgh City Mission may use the details provided to contact you for purposes of the job application and nothing more.
Do you agree to the above Terms?

Monthly Prayer Newsletter (click to expand)

Volunteer Now

Volunteer Application

Section 1 - Personal Details

Please note: you must currently live in or near to Edinburgh if you wish to volunteer with Edinburgh City Mission.
Address
Do you speak any languages other than English?

Section 2 - Role

In what part of the work of Edinburgh City Mission would you be interested in volunteering? (Pick up to 3)
Do you have a Full UK Driving Licence?
Have you had any accidents, regardless of fault in the last 5 years?
NB - This will help us check your details with the DVLA and reduce the number of questions we need to ask you later.
Please tick your available days.

Section 3 - Belief

For some of our volunteer roles we require the volunteer to have an active Christian faith. Please tick which of the following applies to you.
Do you currently attend a church?

Section 4 - References

We will take up references once we’ve agreed a suitable volunteering role. Please provide us with the details of someone who has known you in a professional capacity for more than a year. For example, someone you have volunteered for, an employer or a teacher.
Additional Information

Section 6 - Declaration

I declare that the information given in this form is complete and accurate. I understand that any false information or deliberate omissions will disqualify me from employment or may render me liable to summary dismissal. I understand these details will be held in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. I undertake to notify the company immediately of any changes to the above details. You agree that Edinburgh City Mission may use the details provided to contact you for purposes of the job application and nothing more.
Do you agree to the above Terms?

Monthly Prayer Newsletter (Optional - click here)

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