Great neighborhood center. Has helped people in my community for many years now and I support it…read morefully. Check out day classes and volunteering here!

Pollokshields Playhouse spring into life in November 2015 but tonight was the first time I'd been…read moreable to attend any events there. It is opposite Tramway and looks like a building site because, well, it is a building site. I believe the contractors have given it to the local community for a period of time. It is a work in progress and the organisers are responding to the requests of the community so there's a shed, a stage and various seating areas. Most are made from pallets as they want to recycle and be sustainable. Please don't wear heels or your best frock, boots and a warm coat are the fashion here. They've already had family and music events and tonight was the turn of Pollywood! We were treated to Indian dance before it was dark enough for an outdoor screening of The Lunchbox. If you were feeling chilly you could have sat round the campfire or, for a donation, eat some lovely fresh food or grabbed a coffee. They've events planned throughout the year so get it bookmarked and if you fancy creating an event please talk to them as they seem open to suggestions. PS did I mention it's outdoors? Don't forget that when you visit.

A former church building converted into a community centre to serve citizens in the South side of…read morethe city. The centre runs throughout the whole year providing sports classes, drama, creative writing, etc for young and not so young members. The programme includes hours for surgery consultation, the rights club, lip reading, and a variety of courses for people with disabilities. Every Friday the centre screens a film for its members which is followed by a discussion. For immigrant or refugees the centre offers language classes twice per week. And during the Fringe festival the centre turns into one of the most exciting performance venues - the Pleasance.

This is VERY much worth doing. We did a lot in Edinburgh but this will be by far the most…read morememorable. DO THIS. This is not a good tour for handicapped as there are stairs and these are real caves so you must be sure footed and not afraid of the dark or small spaces. You must get tickets ahead of time before leaving the U.S. This is a VERY small operation and you must email or call many times to get the tickets. Calling from the U.S. is VERY expensive so try emails and keep at it as you will need to do quite a few back and forth emails. To get there from the center of Edinburgh. Get a one day bus pass for Lothian Buses today. Have exact change. Buses only take cash. It was 1lb 70 per person when we went. Take bus #3 to Mayfield or Dalkeith (2 #3 busses) or #29 to Burkenside/Gorebridge from North Bridge, it takes 25 minutes. Get off bus at Gilmerton Crossroads. Arrive 10 minutes ahead of time and knock on white door in Gilmerton Cove bldg. Bathroom is across the street in Gilmerton Cove Community Center (just walk in and follow the signs). Grocery store is right where the bus lets you off (in case you need shortbread or other cookies!). Return by bus #3 Cloverstone or #29 Silverknowes to go back to Northbridge.

I randomly came across this place when I was looking through activities in Edinburgh for work stuff…read moreover a year ago. It was ranked number three on Trip Advisor of places to see in Edinburgh and I had never ever heard of it before, even though I worked just around the corner from it!!! You could easily drive past it as it's on a main road and the entrance is into a small cottage which you wouldn't necessarily notice. It's out in Gilmerton which is only a short bus ride (no. 3 or no. 29) away. Once you go downstairs into the basement you'll see underground passageways and chambers which have been hand-carved from sandstone. You need to make an appointment to see it as it's a very small place and they only take up to 12 people. It's a simple, very enjoyable tour and it will leave you with lots of questions about the place that can't be answered, yet! I would recommend anyone to pay a visit.

Whilst Lifecare does a lot of good in Edinburgh, this review is not for the services they provide…read morebut, rather, for the cafe inside which is open to the public. £1.75 for a bowl of soup and bread. I repeat...£1.75! The quality is no less than that of cafes nearby and it's a real hearty portion too. The Lifecare interior is minimalistic and bright; it very much feels like a community centre. The food is all made in Lifecare and it's all mostly healthy too, with the option of fresh fruit and vegetable juices too. I'm kicking myself for all the times I've bypassed here before, only after something quick and inexpensive when I was caught short with a rumbling tummy. - I could have saved myself quite a few pennies! Now I know, and now you know too. - Lifecare is a reliable spot for a quality bargain lunch!

Attended the lifecare cafe for Christmas lunch with a party from an elderly day centre. They do a…read morecheap two course Christmas lunch with coffee. Cheap the price may be, but you would not get a better quality turkey dinner in a 5* hotel. And plentiful as well. I did not need another meal afterwards. Its in a very spacious and modern building which had all mod cons and is fully inclusive for all people. The staff are great and accommodating. Did I mention that the food was piping hot? This was my first time here, but if in the area I would make a point of visiting again. I have heard that they do a mean bacon roll as well. It is run by a charity but it is no poor second best. Highly recommended.

This is a great place for kids clubs, gives them things to do after school and keep them off the…read morestreets. They hold some classes and clubs for adults too which is good for young mums etc, who want some time out of the home from the kids. Not a great variety of things to do but things are seemingly going to improve soon.

North Kelvin Meadow is a fantastic bit of green space in the north of the city that is little known…read moreabout outside of the area. Amazingly, the land has never been built on, it's only ever been used as football pitches so it is a bit of original 'green' that still survives inside the city. Since 1993 when the Council removed the goal posts and gave up on the land, the local folk have taken it over and have been running it as a community garden, with lots of tree and wild flower plantings, recycling and compost bins, and even a 'children's wood' section. There's also a community herb garden section with planting areas; however it is essentially 'wild' meadow space, not a formal park; and that makes it something special and worth preserving as such. There are lots of activities that can be done here that wouldn't be permitted in areas like the nearby Botanic Gardens or Kelvin Walkway. Local volunteers keep the place tidy, emptying bins daily, organising events like community bonfires, barbecues, Christmas Fayres and suchlike; it really is a much-loved space for the local residents and local schools. As the Council still technically own the land, they consider it to be zoned as housing rather than the community green space that it has been for years, so it has become a political hot potato with campaigns by the local residents, the Greens and now the Scottish Government, who have appointed an independent reporter to oversee the Council deliberations. The outcome is still undecided and the fate of this wonderful green space still hangs in the balance. There's a petition on the website that's worth signing to preserve this wild flower sanctuary.

North Kelvin Meadow is a true haven in a residential area. It is not too large, includes areas of…read moregrass and woodland, and is poplar with all ages. Students spend time revising for exams, or meet their friends for barbecues. Those of advancing years can grow vegetables in raised beds, or walk their dogs on level ground. Small children are introduced to the wonders of nature. Birds sing, bees buzz, and even orchids bloom among the wild flowers. This plot of land once contained football pitches, a running track and tennis courts. Since it was abandoned by the council it has regenerated naturally. The red blaes surface is now covered in a mix of shrubs and grassland while mature trees fill the old tennis courts forming a dense and dark wood.. It is a magical place because, unlike the nearby Botanic Gardens and Kelvin Walkway, it is not landscaped or controlled by council rules. This freedom is supported by the local community which undertakes the maintenance of the land, clearing rubbish, and emptying bins. Let North Kelvin Meadow and Children's Wood Flourish!