Shoosmiths Edinburgh office volunteers for Pilton Youth and Children's Project

The Edinburgh Office has worked with Pilton Youth and Children’s Project for the past two years as its chosen office charity partner, in line with the firm’s focus on championing social mobility.

PYCP works with the local community in Pilton, Edinburgh, offering a range of activities and targeted support to over 450 young people and children ages 5 to 18 to provide them with the best chance of a successful future. Its centre in Pilton operates as a hub for young people and their families and includes a large sports hall, art room, kitchen and café, dance studio and open youth workspace. It also works with other organisations within the community, strengthening outcomes for young people and sharing knowledge and resources.

The Edinburgh Charity Committee first began this partnership in 2022 and in the first year raised and donated £6,535 the Project from firm donations and a variety of fundraising events, including everything from bake sales and guess-the-sweeties-in-the-jar to raffles and coffee mornings. We have also put the firm’s Volunteer Day policy to good use by having a number of members of staff volunteer at the Project’s centre, helping to repaint and decorate some of the spaces and putting up the Christmas decorations. The staff in the Edinburgh office have also contributed to PYCP’s Christmas Appeal, which helps some of the families who are most in need in the community by providing them with gifts and vouchers.

Our partnership with PYCP has been exceptionally rewarding and a great way for staff in Edinburgh to engage with the local community and work with an organisation which provides such essential support and progression opportunities for young people.