We wanted to drop you a line about Gorebridge Community Development Trusts response to Coronavirus, in particular the Gorebridge Beacon.

Right now, we are operating the Beacon as normal. This week, one group who use the hub for their own activities postponed until after Easter and we have had a couple of external conference cancellations that were due to take place in the coming weeks. Right now all community led classes are running and the cafe is open as normal.

Of course, this may change, we are carefully monitoring the situation and we will share as we see appropriate on social media. We are following advice, communication and information from SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations), MVA (Midlothian Voluntary Action), and like you, the Scottish Government.

Currently we have not postponed any of our upcoming events, classes or events, nor feel it necessary to close the cafe (bear in mind this may change in the coming weeks).

The Community Fridge remains open.

We have discussed as a staff team and created a plan and we may need to review our response quickly.

We have to show due diligence and care to all users, the community, our staff and volunteers. It’s really important to remind people that if they feel unwell (suspected COVID-19) to stay away from the Beacon and self-isolate to protect yourself, and others, especially the most vulnerable .

Below is some advice (again, based on NHS) which you might find useful:

1. Wash your hands regularly, for a minimum of 20 seconds – after going to the loo obviously, but also after coughing, sneezing and public transport travelling. It’s also been recommended that people avoid touching their faces.

2. Avoid sneezing or coughing without covering your mouth and nose. Ideally, you’d have a tissue, but the official guidance is to use your elbow if you don’t have one to hand. Dispose of used tissues quickly in an appropriate manner.

3. If you know of any particularly vulnerable or elderly audience members, perhaps check on them to make sure they aren’t too worried.

4. Following advice, we may choose to close the Beacon for a while. If this happens, we will keep everyone informed to the best of our ability here and on social media.

5. Again, at present, it appears that there is no need to cancel any bookings, classes or events – though we will keep our eye on this and recommend others do the same.

That’s it for now. Will update as needed.

Dawn Barclay, Trust Manager

Useful Links

https://scvo.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-information-guidance

https://scvo.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19-information-guidance/what-can-we-do-to-protect-support-staff-volunteers-beneficiaries-service-users

Take part in the 1st Great Beacon Bake Off on Saturday 28th September and put your whisking, mixing and decorating skills to the test. Entry forms can be downloaded below, or pop into the Beacon to pick one up.

Enter one or all of the following categories:

• THE BIG SHOWSTOPPER 
• SAVOURIES AND BREAD
• CUPCAKES AND MUFFINS
• COOKIES AND BISCUITS
• THE HUMBLE SCONE
• YOUTH BAKERS (UNDER 18’S)

£3 per adult entry, Youth Bakers are free

Judging will take place between 12 – 1, and the Bake Sale between 1 – 2.

1ST, 2ND and 3RD place will be awarded. Update: we are very grateful to Gary Blair owner of Restore Repair for donating Tesco Gift Cards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd winners overall. Get mixing and whisking for your chance to win a Tesco voucher for £50 (1st), £30 (2nd) and £20 (3rd).

Download the entry form here.

4:00 AM on Thursday, 18th May, 2017 – beneficent sleep is restoring the energy of Gorebridge residents, to see them safely through to the final day of this late spring month.

4:10 AM – Fire-fighting units arrive in Gorebridge to rescue what they can of Gorebridge Community Beacon from the raging flames of senseless fire.

Time and location – the site of the conflagration was on the east side of the Beacon and this no doubt played a part in delaying the alert until voracious flames had taken merciless hold of Gorebridge’s proud investment in the future. Deploying astonishing speed and incredible skill our emergency heroes soon extinguished the blaze. Their prompt and focused action will surely prove to have curbed the extent of the damage sustained by the building.

Beacon progress up to 17 May 2017

In various sections finishing was under way; painting of a number of rooms was completed; implementation of the staffing plan, including volunteers, had begun; detailed planning of the cafe could take place; many local groups had confirmed their interest as users/tenants of the Beacon; a revised Business Plan, taking account of current circumstances, was drawn up and was approved by our funders; we are continuing to strive to develop a financial plan that will see the Beacon safely through the initial period to the time when the project becomes self-sufficient and indeed can make important contributions towards further community development; site visits have enabled several community groups to see for themselves the quality of design, wealth of facilities and admirable workmanship that make Gorebridge Community Beacon an outstanding achievement of the Gorebridge community.

I am full of admiration for the huge number of supportive messages we have received from far and wide and I thank you all. My promise to you is that we shall keep you informed, get the Beacon built, and put it to work as expeditiously as possible. I hope to meet many of you at the public meeting described overleaf.

Once again Trust staff and Board have demonstrated their faith and commitment by facing up to further adversity with courage, determination and an encouraging measure of humour. They are stars.

The Way Forward

We have been greatly moved by the many expressions of sympathy that we have received from all quarters. Indeed, the willingness of folk to step up and help us is overwhelming. Of course, we would dearly love to take full advantage of these generous offers. The only problem is that there are so many uncertainties that we cannot begin to see the way ahead.

One thing is certain: This Beacon will be built and will support the people of Gorebridge and beyond.

What needs to happen to allow us to see with real clarity the way ahead? The insurers have to carry out their loss adjusting roles, a thorough survey by our architects, engineers, contractors and all the many sub-contractors regarding the current state of the building, the agreement of our funders to whatever adjustments in timings are required. The additional costs to our staff, architects and other professionals, refreshing the Business Plan and the Financial Plan, appointment of contractor for repairing and completing the building.

A public meeting with take place on Monday 12th June 2017 in Gorebridge Primary School (Activity Hall) from 7pm – 9pm. All welcome.