Midlothian Third Sector News

 

Midlothian TSI: Midlothian Community Action 

 

Latest News from Midlothian Community Action (MCA)  

 

MCA - Funders’ Fair 

In September, MCA held a Funders’ Fair in Dalkeith.

Over 20 funding organisations were represented including the Corra Foundation, Cycle Access Fund, Firstport, Historic Environment Scotland and Midlothian Council.

Around 90 people representing charities, social enterprises and other Third sector organisations in Midlothian came along to chat to the funders at an informal marketplace-style event. 

 

 

Attendees welcomed the opportunity to ‘meet funders face-to-face,’ ‘make new connections’ and have ‘conversations with funders they had no awareness of previously.’ Additionally, they were able to network with each other and find common ground.

The funders noted that shared themes included capital projects (especially village halls), support to pay core costs, and ventures requiring multiple sources of funding.

We hope that the fair will lead to increased funding for local organisations which will benefit the wider population.

Due to the high attendance we plan to hold similar events in the future!

 

Challenge Poverty Week 2026

Midlothian Financial Inclusion Network had a busy time in Challenge Poverty Week this year.

Inspired by The Poverty Alliance we ran a social media campaign highlighting the daily themes which included Social Security, Energy, Fair Work and Tackling Child Poverty.

We attended the Midlothian Food Summit which brought together many of the local organisations who work to provide healthy, affordable food for everyone.

We met up with ‘Making A Difference in Midlothian’ who are a group of peer researchers with lived experience of poverty. Together we drafted a letter to the First Minister requesting a formal response to the recommendations set out in their recent child poverty report, Our Story: Voices of Midlothian Families. The barriers they identified included childcare gaps, rigid work, housing inequality, lone parent burden, isolation, exhaustion and guilt. They hope that the FM will meet them and use their findings to form the basis for a national solution panel.

MFIN also attended the launch of the South of Scotland Whole Family Support Rural Collaborative. Led by Borders Community Action, Midlothian Community Action and Third Sector Dumfries and Galloway, £1.8 million has been secured to strengthen support for children, young people and families experiencing poverty.

Finally, we continued promoting volunteering as a way to develop skills, build confidence and gain valuable experience for your CV.