On Monday 18 May, JCI Edinburgh ventured into their main 2009 project in conjunction with the Grassmarket Mission, which is a charity dedicated to getting alongside people who are poor, marginalised, excluded, homeless, struggling with addiction or mental illness. Its ethos is based around trying to meet people's needs both physically and spiritually.

They run a drop-in service five times a week providing meals and conversation, advice and community all free of charge. Through the meals they try to offer a nutritious and varied menu with items consisting of homemade soup, sausage casserole, mince and tatties, prawn curry, etc and make a special emphasis on fresh fruit and veg though not averse to offering the odd pie or cream cake! They try and provide a safe and comfortable environment where people can meet and feel relaxed, community can be built, and social networks can be formed breaking the cycle of loneliness and isolation.

A team of five from JCI Edinburgh volunteered to lend a helping hand in a variety of ways from food preparation, washing/drying/storing dishes and the serving of food to other general kitchen duties and welcoming and assisting those people who came through the door. One volunteer Kenneth Logan said "it was an amazing and greatly enjoyable experience where the team pulled all their skills together for the benefit of others, a true feeling of being able to make a difference in the lives of others".

JCI Edinburgh are committed to assisting with this project once a month, more if people can, and the next schedule session is on Monday 29 June from 6pm to 9pm/9:30pm at:

Greyfriars Community Project,
79/3 Grassmarket
Edinburgh
EH1 2HJ

If you want to truly make a difference and give something back to those less fortunate than yourself please contact Pauline McLeod at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and get involved!