North Edinburgh Support Service
North Edinburgh Support Service (NESSie) is a new and innovative consortium led by Fresh Start, with Move On, North Edinburgh Arts, and Spartans Community Football Academy.
The project is one of the first in Scotland to be developed from a “Human Learning System” perspective. This is where it is different – we have no outcomes with our funders as we start with where people are at. We have no criteria – meaning we will work with all those who need our support and work in a real person-centred way. The purpose is to help people thrive, not survive, and most importantly, push for system change, as the current systems do not help, but hinder people.
If you need support, and live in North Edinburgh, please contact hello@nessienorthed.co.uk.
Case study
Through our North Edinburgh Support Service, we supported a woman who had become socially isolated after losing her husband. Bills kept coming through the door and she ignored them as this was something her husband had always dealth with. She also had little food and felt uncomfortable asking for help.
We initially supported her with the immediate crisis, registering her with a local food pantry, and topping up her gas and electric meters.
We have continued to provide ongoing support, including linking her in with the local community meals night, where she has been able to meet new people, form new links in the community, and feel less isolated.