In response to proposals from the City of Edinburgh Council to cut budgets to services for children, young people and families Bridie Ashrowan our Chief Executive led a deputation to the Finance and Resources Committee meeting on Tue 7 Feb 2023. This also involved Laurene Edgar (Director, LAYC), Amanda Farquhar (Co-Chair, SW Locality Operational Group) and Andy Thomas (Co-Chair NE Locality Operational Group). 

You can watch the deputation here (starts at 0:59:00)

You can read the Council paper that includes details of the proposals here. 

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With the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II we mark the loss of a mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

The Queen was someone who understood the importance of supporting others and we celebrate the many contributions she made. EVOC wishes to express condolences to everyone affected by this sad news.

 

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our friend and colleague Maria Arnold.

Maria passed away peacefully, surrounded by her children and family, on the morning of Tue 5 Jul after a short illness.

A kind and genuinely funny human being, Maria was known for her honesty, her principles and her commitment to fighting injustice for other people. She was first employed at EVOC in 2015, in a role focused on adult health and wellbeing. She championed people and communities with lived experience – helping inform our work and fight for improvements across services.

The impact she made was, and will continue to be, felt in the areas of drug and alcohol support and through the development of Thrive – an innovative, multi-disciplinary approach to mental health that is focused on culture change.

A Memorial for Maria
As Maria’s life, both professionally and personally, has spanned environmental and mental health causes, her family have chosen to celebrate her life by raising funds with the intention of planting a small community orchard in her memory.   

The project is in its very early stages, but in the coming weeks the team at EVOC will support the development of this community-based memorial to a much-loved friend and colleague.   

You can find out more about the early plans for the memorial or donate here.  

Share Your Memories of Maria
If you have a photo, a story or an anecdote you would like to share – we would love to hear from you: [email protected]

Everyone at EVOC will miss Maria so very much.

Bridie Ashrowan, Chief Executive

 

We’re delighted to announce that Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation has provided additional funding to support more micro-grants (up to £300) to community organisations based across Edinburgh and the Lothians who are supporting groups and communities experiencing vaccine / testing inequality. 

You can apply for funds for a range of activities and ideas, some of these are detailed on the application form, but we are open to hear about your ideas too! 

Applications are now open and will be considered on a first come first served basis. 

If you had previously applied to this fund to support vaccinations, you are still welcome to apply.

Download an application form

Submit completed applications and get more information by emailing us: [email protected]