Make an meaningful impact on the lives of Edinburgh families

Home-Start Edinburgh strives to do its part in Home-Start’s countrywide mission to help families with children (aged 5 and under) through challenging times.

Since Home-Start began working in Edinburgh in 1986, we have built a fabulous network of volunteers with one simple goal, to provide practical and emotional support to all our families in their home.

From our partnerships with local community projects to inperson family support, our volunteers are the backbone of our organisation, providing wonderful care to all our clients.

What does it mean to be a Home-Start Edinburgh volunteer?

Once you’ve signed up as a Home-Start volunteer you will take part in a training programme which will guide you through working as a volunteer, providing you with the tools and knowledge you’ll need to feel confident visiting Edinburgh families at home.

We will personally match you with families, tailoring your experience and skills to the right family. Our team will support and guide you throughout your time with us, so you can give the best help to the family that needs you.

Whether you are offering a lending hand in the home, taking a trip to the park with the little ones or acting as a friendly ear to help parents in need of someone to talk to, the kindness, guidance, and friendship you will provide is invaluable.

Home-Start has done outstanding work in Edinburgh for over twenty-five years. If you feel now is the time for you to make a difference then this is the perfect role for you. Please get in touch!

We are looking for volunteers who can offer 2/3 hours a week for a minimum of a yearthought we appreciate that some volunteers may need to juggle school holiday so endeavour to be as flexible as possible

For more information about our work or to sign up to our volunteering network please email us at admin@homestartedinburgh.org.uk or call us on 0131 553 7819.

If you have any suggestions on others ways you can help uswe’d love to hear from you.

Facebook – www.facebook.com/homestartedi Instagram – www.instagram.com/homestartedi Twitter – www.twitter.com/homestartedi

Water Confidence with Waterbabies

That moment, when everything else melts away and their smile washes over you.

That skin-to-skin contact, nurturing, bonding and developing in the warmth of the water. Water confidence builds life confidence, for you and your baby, and who better to guide you than the best trained teachers in the world? When you’re ready, we’re ready. We’ll teach you to teach your baby to swim. From lesson one, we’ll get your little one used to the sensation of the water, developing their natural instincts and transforming these into core aquatic skills.

We run lessons at 9 pool across Edinburgh and Dalkeith. Call 0131 554 6682 for information. www.waterbabies.co.uk

House of Jack is a dance studio based in Leith (Ocean Terminal), focussing on street and performance dance styles including hip hop, breaking (breakdance) and musical theatre dance.

As a non-profit organisation, we offer affordable classes for kids from preschool to secondary school (and adults of all levels!), as well as holiday camps, youth company training, performances, shows and events. We welcome all ages and levels of ability and run classes every day, with more than 40 classes per week - learn to dance in a fun, encouraging environment!

Doodles

Why not treat your Mum this Mother’s Day - Sunday 19th March, with either a lovely hand painted pottery item or bring her along to Doodles for a painting session (please note painted items take one week to be ready).

For those wanting to have a go at clay making, there is a Mother’s Day candle holder workshop running on Friday 3rd March, costing £25 per person.

Please call 0131 229 1399 to book today!

St George’s Junior School

The warm and welcoming ethos of St George’s Junior School is evident from the moment you come onto the beautiful site in Ravelston. With around 150 pupils (ages 39), teachers take the time to appreciate every one of the children individually to help them flourish academically and personally.

With access to the generous facilities of a 318 school, your future scientists, artists, and adventurers will experience a wealth of opportunities to foster their skills, talents and dreams.

St George’s welcomes girls and boys in Nursery and Primary 1, and boys will extend to the end of Primary 3 by 2024.

Meet the lovely team and explore the stunning site by contacting admissions@stge.org.uk for a visit or register for Open Afternoon.

George Watson's College sits in the heart of Edinburgh city, providing a world-class education for children and young people from Preschool to Senior 6.

We encourage our pupils to develop a love of learning through an inspiring curriculum and an extensive and inclusive enrichment programme, which are underpinned by the four values we live by: aim high, be kind, join in and respect all.

Our school is a place where pupils have the freedom to thrive, explore, perform, and grow, giving them the opportunity to discover their own limitless potential. Preschool, junior and senior pupils all learn and play on the same 52 acre campus, where you can find our sports facilities, music school, art department, technology building, drama studios and more. We offer our pupils one of the widest extra-curricular programmes you will find anywhere, plus the opportunity to travel internationally during their time with us, and a broad range of learning experiences outside the classroom. Life at Watson’s is about so much more than lessons.

Our school has an enviable reputation for the breadth of opportunities pupils have to get active, with around 25 different sports. Participation, excellence, professionalism and equality are the four cornerstones of our physical education and sport department here at Watson's. When it comes to music and drama, our pupils are given the opportunity to co-produce stunning shows, delivering memorable performances that live long beyond school days. Most importantly, the wellbeing of our pupils matters to us more than anything else. There are various ways we support pupils to proactively manage their mental health, while a range of peer-led programmes has created a culture in which we can all play our part.

All this means that when the sun shines we celebrate the happy moments, and when it doesn't we're there to protect and support, just as our motto says: Ex corde caritas - love from the heart.

Easter & Summer Holiday Camps

DnDance

Welcoming boys and girls from 5-12 years old, our Easter Holiday Club at DN Studios in South Gyle is inspired by Matilda the Movie.

Running from Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, our holiday club weeks are filled with acting, singing, craft, dance and games.

Everything we do throughout the week goes towards a fabulous musical theatre performance for parents to watch on the last day. A rewarding week not to be missed. www.dndance.co.uk

TotalRugby Easter & Summer Camps

3rd to 7th April 2023 31st July to 4th August 2023

7th to 11th August 2023

TotalRugby has been running fun packed school holiday rugby camps for 5 to 16 year old boys and girls in Edinburgh since 2009. Our structured yet fun programmes will help develop and improve their rugby skills and techniques in a fun and safe learning environment. We absolutely love seeing children return to us each year allowing us to help them in their next stage of rugby, whilst they enjoy spending the holidays with friends or making some new ones.

One mum recently commented ”..had an absolutely wonderful time, and the organisation and quality of the sessions seemed exceptional…already looking forward to the next camp”

10am to 3.30pm - £180 for 5 days

Fettes College Playing Fields, Edinburgh, EH4 1QX (indoor facilities available if wet). For more information visit www.totalrugby.org or contact us at info@totalrugby.org

House of Jack Holiday Day Camps

Ocean Terminal Centre, Leith House of Jack's Dance & Craft day camps are a fantastic way to spend some of the Easter holidays. Budding dancers and artists will explore and expand their creativity with highly qualified teachers - with two sessions per day devoted to each of dance and art, plus plenty of games, the children will learn fun choreography, as well as enjoying craft projects. Lunch is included, plus a mini-show for parents, guardians & family! Head to www.houseofjackedinburgh.com for more details and booking.

Mighty Oaks Holiday Clubs at the Botanics

Will your child be going into Primary 4, 5, 6 or 7 in August 2023? If so, then prepare them for a week with nature like they’ve never experienced before!

They can join our Mighty Oaks team this summer for five action packed days and explore the world of plants through trails, challenges, games, crafts and other activities – all based in the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

They will learn about the plants of the Botanic Garden whilst growing new skills, having fun and making new friends.

There are four weeks to choose from and the cost is £225 per child:

• 10th to 14th July • 17th to 21st July

• 24th to 28th July • 31st July to 4th August

For more details visit https://www.rbge.org.uk/holidayclub

over the Easter and Summer Holidays

Rugbytots are running their Easter Camp at the Trinity Scout Hall from 3rd to 7th April and their Summer Camp at the Trinity Scout Hall from 3rd to 7th July and at the North Merchiston Club in Polwarth from 7th to 11th August.

Camps are open to boys AND girls from age 4 to 7 with access to both indoor and outdoor space. For more information, email sandra@rugbytots.co.uk

Our Summer camps and mini camps will kick off on 3 July offering a wide range of options for kids to play and have fun in French !

Story telling, arts and crafts and more fun activities with the best native French teachers in Scotland. Email: frenchclassesife@gmail.com

Summer Holiday Clubs

Easter Days Out

Palace of Holyroodhouse

This Easter, explore animals in art at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Join us on Saturday 8 April for a day of activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Take inspiration from a cat, a mouse, and Mary, Queen of Scots to create a special fabric panel. Discover stories of Scotland’s national animal before making your own Unicorn Easter bonnet. Enjoy tales of animals who made the Palace Gardens their home and make some creatures to take home in our origami menagerie activity.

Make your own fabric panel activity will also run on 10, 13, 14 and 15 April, and why not pop into the Physic Garden on 13, 14 or 15 April to enjoy activities exploring this special space. Come back again for free by converting your ticket to a 1-Year Pass. For full details of upcoming events please visit www.rct.uk/whatson

Spring Trail: Plants on the move Royal Botanic Garden

Edinburgh

April 1-16, 10:00-16:30 daily | Age 3+ | £3 | Pick up a trail booklet on arrival | No need to book.

Spring is a busy time of year in the Garden. Follow the busy Botanics magpie as she moves around the garden building her nest. But did you know that plants can move too? As you go, discover how and why plants travel. Complete the trail and collect a yummy Easter treat.

Hop along to Easter at Dalkeith Country Park

We’ve got the holidays covered!

From 1 to 16 April you’ll find a basket full of fun family events & workshops on offer. Jump into the holidays with our Duck Race on Saturday 1 April, then run off all those Easter eggs at our Bunny Fun Runs on Sunday 16 April. Throughout the holidays, little adventurers can enjoy the Fort Douglas activity zone, with a scavenger hunt and egg decorating or hunt for golden eggs around The Park. Easter bunnies can get creative on our crafty kids’ programme. Book now for Easter cookie decorating & Easter decoration workshops, and for the young book lovers, our spring storytelling sessions will be just the ticket. Find out more and book tickets for our Easter programme at www.dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk

Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway

Make the most of your visit to Central Scotland’s family friendly steam railway and museum when our 2023 season starts on 1 April. Come travel on our steam railway and enjoy Scotland’s largest railway museum. You can show your oldfashioned ticket to the Guard and he may even let you help him clip it on the journey!

Watch the engine being coupled up to the carriages … is it really magnets that hold them together? Be Harry Potter in a compartment carriage with its own sliding door. Then enjoy some fun in the museum, get hands on and discover railway history through interactive displays, or have fun sorting letters in the Travelling Post Office! Come along and have a great day out! Day Out With Thomas and other special events also booking now. See our website for details. www.bkrailway.co.uk.

Doodles

The Easter bunnies have already started popping up at Doodles. Lots of spring and Easter themed pottery to choose from, such as egg cups, chicks, bunnies, flowerpots and spring animals.

Please book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Call 0131 229 1399 to book today!

Edinburgh Science Festival

City Art Centre five floors of hands-on science extravaganza for children between 3 and 12 years old.

With 6 new workshops this year – including Construction Challenges, Ella’s Wobble, Speedy Sails, Creative Coding, Tech Corner and LEGO® Build The Change – and all-time favourites E.R. Surgery and Splat-tastic, City Art Centre is the most fun a family can have this Easter holidays. Full programme online at www.sciencefestival.co.uk