Since 2017 our ‘Time for Togetherness’ project has hosted a total of 7 multicultural ceilidhs, facilitated a series of 6 music workshops and collaborated with around 4 local musicians and groups. We have brought together around 80 Leith based children and parents from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds at each of our ceilidhs, using music and dance to help create greater community cohesion.

Many of the families that have attended our ceilidhs are suffering from social exclusion and are affected by unemployment, racism, poor housing, loss and displacement and traumatic experiences. The children and families come from 'hard-to-reach' and isolated communities and we know from our regular contact with the families that very few of them would normally go to cultural events of any type. The reasons for this reluctance are varied but will include lack of awareness of the times and places of events, language difficulties, difficulties (both practical and financial) in attending, fear of being harassed or discriminated against if they do go, anxiety about the 'proper' way to act at such events and insufficient confidence to go to something out with their normal comfort zone.

As well as some traditional Scottish content, the music and dance provided by local musicians reflects the ethnic diversity of the participants.  Parents and children are encouraged to bring music and dance from their own cultural traditions to the events.  We consider it important that there is an opportunity for parents or children to sing, play an instrument or take a leading role.  There are also activities (arts and crafts, face-painting, games) for some of the smallest children. An essential feature of the gatherings is a shared 'family' meal.

Children and adults involved in the project have had an opportunity to build cross cultural friendships and enjoy each other's company away from the many stresses of their everyday lives.

We are very grateful to both Aviva and City of Edinburgh Localities Fund for funding  Time for Togetherness during 2017 and 2018. In order to continue with this project, we need to secure further funding. Today, on our 21st anniversary, our Tesco Bags of Help appeal goes live at Tesco Leith and Tesco Express, Great Junction Street and runs until 30 April 2019. We hope to be able to use any money raised from this appeal to offer more events to continue to bridge cultural and ethnic differences and promote inclusion, tolerance and diversity.