About us
WElcome To the leith community centre
A vibrant hub of activity in the heart of Leith!
We’re proud to be managed through a partnership between Leith Community Centre Association SCIO and City of Edinburgh Council, working together to serve our local community.
With around 3,000 people using the Centre every week, we’re one of Edinburgh’s busiest Community Centres. Our Centre, situated on the first floor of the Newkirkgate Shopping Centre, was beautifully refurbished in 2004 and features a Sports Hall, a smaller Hall, 4 general purpose rooms, a crèche room and much more!
We’re thrilled to offer a home to more than 120 local groups, who use our facilities for meetings, training events, AGMs and conferences. From healthy living information to support with narcotics dependence, we’re dedicated to providing a wide range of services that meet the needs of our community.
We offer a diverse program of activities, including English as a Second or Foreign Language classes, dance classes, history groups, art classes, martial arts, and a variety of youth clubs and family crafts, among others. We’re also honoured to host local groups, including resident’s associations and community councils, who help shape the future of our community.
Our goal is to continue to work tirelessly to ensure that the groups and events we offer are varied and relevant to the local community. We’re proud to be a friendly and welcoming place, where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to learn, grow, and connect.
Our purpose
We exist to advance education and to provide and assist in the provision of recreational facilities for the community of Leith.
Our History
10th March 1969
The week which heralded the official opening of Leith Community Centre fifty two years ago. Emerging from the Kirkgate clearances was our lovely new hub of the community, funded by the Edinburgh Corporation (now succeeded by City of Edinburgh Council), with the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh – The Rt Hon Sir Herbet A Brechin CBE – formally declaring the centre open.
The building looked a little bit different back in 1969, as the Community Centre occupied two levels of the Newkirkgate Shopping Centre, and included a ‘beauty culture room’.
Much like today there was an interesting array of groups utilising the modern Community Centre including Leith Trefoil Guild and Leith Aquarist Club. We are fortunate to have a copy of the officially issued programme from the official opening.
24th - 19th March 1969
With the opening of a brand new Community Centre in the heart of Leith there was a need to give everyone the opportunity find out what was happening in the centre and with that Leith Community Week was organised by Leith Community Association, Leith Rotary Club and Leith Round Table acting as joint organisers.
24th - 19th March 1969
With the opening of a brand new Community Centre in the heart of Leith there was a need to give everyone the opportunity find out what was happening in the centre and with that Leith Community Week was organised by Leith Community Association, Leith Rotary Club and Leith Round Table acting as joint organisers.
Throughout the week various centre groups contributed to a wide variety of exhibitions including Leith Badminton Club, Leith Weight Training Club, Port of Leith Motor Boat Club as well as the centre very own Archery, Fencing, Netball and Trampoline sections.
An original copy of the programme is held in our archives, it contains some very interesting advertisements for local businesses such as Leith Provident on Great Junction Street, Abbot’s Choice whiskey and local printers MacKenzie & Storrie Ltd of Coburg Street.
Throughout the week various centre groups contributed to a wide variety of exhibitions including Leith Badminton Club, Leith Weight Training Club, Port of Leith Motor Boat Club as well as the centre very own Archery, Fencing, Netball and Trampoline sections.
An original copy of the programme is held in our archives, it contains some very interesting advertisements for local businesses such as Leith Provident on Great Junction Street, Abbot’s Choice whiskey and local printers MacKenzie & Storrie Ltd of Coburg Street.
10th March 2019
This was certainly a special day as we celebrated the 50th years Anniversary of the Leith Community Centre, and there was no better way to do that than a day of community celebration.
Various centre groups provided taster sessions & demonstrations, such as football skills, various dancing and even some singing. We had a family celebration in the Sports Hall during the afternoon, and a party in the Kinnaird Hall into the evening.
18th March 2020
Certainly a hard day as we had to close the doors of the Leith Community Centre due to the emergency Coronavirus global pandemic. It was sad to see the doors closed, made harder by us not knowing when we will be able re-opening but it was a necessary step to keep our community safe. Days later the whole country moved into a national lockdown.
TODAY
After a long period of transition due to the pandemic, Leith Community Centre has reopened its doors thanks to the hard work of our dedicated trustees, staff, and volunteers. We’re delighted to see our Centre full of life once again, and it’s now a space with doors opened, always welcoming to all members of our community.
Nothing beats the feeling of being together in person, and we’re thrilled to have resumed in-person activities.
Our Centre is now buzzing with a wide range of activities catering to various interests and ages, and we’re proud to offer a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. We’ve taken all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our visitors, and we’re delighted to see our community members enjoying themselves once again.
We’re grateful for the support and patience of our community during these challenging times and we’re excited to be back stronger than ever. Come visit us and see for yourself what our Centre has to offer!
Who we are
Trustees
Leith Community Centre Association SCIO is led by a team of Trustees who are responsible for the day to day management of our charity. and work alongside the staff at the centre.
Become a Trustee
Any person aged sixteen or over who supports our purpose can apply to become a member of Leith Community Centre Association SCIO. Our members meet at least once every fifteen months. Members elect up to nine of its fellow members to serve as Trustees of the organisation who manage its day to day affairs.