One Dalkeith is delighted to announce a programme of twenty-one new projects to support the community through the next few months, towards the new normal beyond.  These projects will be delivered remotely, then outdoors, and eventually within a re-opened building.  One Dalkeith has secured substantial funding for this from the Scottish Government as an “Anchor Organisation”, which will in-turn be shared with local community groups.  One Dalkeith is also pleased to support local musicians, artists and small businesses.

Following highly successful series of “pop-up” events in 2019, One Dalkeith had been developing a programme of events and activities in Eskdaill Court for 2020.  Permission had been secured to convert the building into a permanent community facility and plans were also underway to make physical upgrades.  Whilst using the building obviously became impossible when the lockdown started, continued hope in this for the longer term remains important.  When adapting the existing programme in response to Covid-19, One Dalkeith has therefore included ways for the community to keep the momentum going through socially distanced projects.  Other work towards this longer-term vision will also continue in the background.

Each of the twenty one projects has been configured to promote community cohesion and wellbeing.  More detail will follow on each as they are rolled-out, including from the partner organisations delivering some of them directly.  In the meantime, here’s a very brief overview:

• 1.       Doomed, Dead and Buried – Heritage walking tours online.
• 2.       Music Nights – Local bands perform songs voted for by the community.
• 3.       Postcard Challenge – Designing postcards of Dalkeith.
• 4.       What’s for Dinner – Sharing healthy recipes and stories, showcasing local food businesses.
• 5.       Virtual Cinema – Continuing the success of One Dalkeith’s Community Cinema events.
• 6.       Quiz Nights – Fun for all ages with prizes to be won.
• 7.       Getting Online – Helping build confidence in online/digital skills through courses.
• 8.       Mindfulness – A course to help with stress and anxiety management through unprecedented times.
• 9.       Well-being Drop-ins – Socially distanced within the large building, following easing of restrictions.
• 10.   Tales from Shedders – Dalkeith Mens Shed delivering a series of online films.
• 11.   Supporting Local Businesses - https://onedalkeith.wildapricot.org/page-18151
• 12.   Community Art Installation – A legacy piece around the outside of the building.
• 13.   Digital Arts Exhibition – Working with Dalkeith Arts
• 14.   Community Banner – A collaborative sewing project with Kiki Pearson.
• 15.   Singing Project – A series of singing workshops with Corrina Hewitt.
• 16.   Upside Down – Young fiction series with local author, Samantha Cochrane.
• 17.   Hanging Pottery Pumpkins – A collaborative pottery project for display at One Dalkeith
• 18.   Amazing Brains Committee– A self-empowerment project for local kids run by the Art Club.
• 19.   Kids Wellbeing – Online kids’ mindfulness and meditation run by the Art Club.
• 20.   Junior Rangers – A partnership between Art Club, Midlothian Forest School, Newbattle Abbey College and The Bee Keepers Association.
• 21.   Decorate a Tired Old Bicycle – Upcycling, with an environmental and artistic flavour.

One Dalkeith is delighted to be delivering the above programme of events through a combination of its own voluntary efforts, paying small local businesses, and partnering with a number of fantastic local organisations, including; Art Club, Made in Midlothian, Dalkeith Arts and Dalkeith Men's Shed.