Advertised from 14 October 2025

Role

We are looking for new trustees to join our experienced board. We currently have nine trustees but have space for three more. The board meets approximately once a month in person at the Centre, usually on a weekday morning. We also have a dedicated staff team of four, plus a part time gardener.  

Who are we?

The Drylaw Telford Community Association is a SCIO. The board oversees the running of the Centre. The Drylaw Telford Community Association currently owns the building of the centre, which is set within large grounds covering more than one acre. This land is owned by the City of Edinburgh Council and the Board is currently progressing a Community Asset Transfer application for the land. We receive no direct funding from the City of Edinburgh Council but rely on funding from a range of sources.

Along with many valued volunteers, we run a wide range of activities at the Centre for the benefit of our members in the local community.  

Our weekly programme of courses and drop-in events at the Centre, includes yoga, a walking group, a parent and toddler group and craft groups. We host a community larder providing fresh produce from our garden and donated food for members of the community.

Our grounds provide the context for so much of the work and volunteering which takes place. We have fruit trees, flower beds and a summer house. There is also a vegetable garden, an enclosed child’s play area, a fenced football/basketball court and open grassy areas fringed by woodlands for children to play in. At the front of the building we have a car park which is bordered by a variety of activity places – the tool library, a bike repair shed and a polytunnel. We employ a part-time gardener and run a programme of courses in the grounds, including working with local schools. We also hold an annual Open Day with a range of activities for children and adults alike. Our 2025 event saw over 250 people attending.

All our activities are inclusive and aimed to meet the needs of our members. We know that many of them face challenges, ranging from poor physical and mental health, to social isolation and poverty. We also have a significant proportion of people living in the area who are refugees or from ethnic minority groups. The Centre and the garden are a welcoming and safe space for our members.  

How can you help?

We are looking for people who are willing to donate their time and energy to us to help us develop the work of the Centre and ensure its resilience. We are keen to hear from anyone who would like to get involved with the management of the Centre. However, we are particularly interested in recruiting trustees who have the following skills:

- finance/treasurer role

- human resources

- legal experience

It would be desirable if trustees live in or near to the Drylaw/Telford area in Edinburgh, but this is not essential.

Application notes

If you are interested, contact our coordinator, Rik Hodgson by email on [email protected]. We can then have a chat about what is involved and what you can offer.

You can see our website at https://drylawnc.org.uk/