Fresh Start

Don't forget to book your ticket!🎟️

There's still time to get your ticket for Quiz for Good - an evening of friendly competition for a good cause at The Hoxton, Edinburgh, in partnership with Goose's Quizzes.

We'll be running a raffle on the night, with VIP tickets to see the amazing Jungle at the Ovo Hydro in Glasgow, a 3-course meal for 2 at the Courtyard Hotel Edinburgh, and a tour of the Lind and Lime Gin Distillery amongst the fantastic prizes on offer. Ticket strips are £5 each, and proceeds from ticket sales will go towards supporting those moving on from homelessness in Edinburgh to settle into their new homes.🙌

Find out more and book your ticket below! 👇

https://ow.ly/oktg50Z6zEF

Yesterday, we kicked off Volunteer Week with our annual Volunteer Brunch - celebrating the wonderful people who give their time and energy to Fresh Start. 🥐

It was great to bring volunteers from all our services together to enjoy a coffee and a catch-up, and say thank you for the work they do. We truly couldn't do what we do without our fantastic volunteer team.

Thank you to everyone who attended, and who show up to support Fresh Start! 💙

🌟 It’s Volunteers’ Week 2026! 🌟

We’re proud to celebrate Volunteers’ Week and the incredible people who give time, energy, and care to help individuals move on from homelessness in Edinburgh.
Whether you’re sorting starter packs, painting and decorating new tenancies, or helping in our community kitchen, volunteering at Fresh Start is hands-on, meaningful, and truly life-changing for both the people we support and our volunteers.

💬 “It’s great to be part of a team doing something that really matters. You feel like you’re helping someone take their first step into a better life.” — Fresh Start Volunteer

👉 Whether you can give a few hours a week or help on an occasional basis, we’d love to welcome you to the Fresh Start team.

🔗 Find out more and get involved:
www.freshstartweb.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer

🪻May at Fresh Start! 🪻

Somehow it's the end of May already - what a busy month its been!

🤝 This month, our services have been supported by corporate volunteers from System C, Turner & Townsend and Criterion. Our corporate partners are integral to the work that we do and the volunteering opportunities offer a great first-hand insight into our services and the people we support.

🌱With the lovely sunshine we've had our Growing Spaces are in full swing and thanks to the hard work of our fantastic volunteers it's looking like it will be another bumper crop this summer 🫛After a session of hard graft we always make sure there's time for tea and cake in the sunshine ☀️

🍜Our cooking services have also been a hive of activity with particular highlights including a favourite Community Meal of chicken and mushroom noodle broth and chocolate and mandarin cake with toblerone sauce for pudding 😋

🎪A definite highlight of the month was attending the North Edinburgh Community Festival where we had the pleasure of seeing the local community come together and celebrate North Edinburgh. We were inspired by all the families that came to chat to us and in particular the pictures the kids drew of their homes 🏡

🥐 We ended the month with a lovely referrers breakfast where we welcomed people from different partner organisations such as CHAI, Edinburgh Council, Cyrenians, NHS, Help for Heroes, Simon Community Scotland, Turning Point Scotland. It was a fantastic opportunity to share information about our services, how people can access our services and answer any questions referrers have. Thanks to everyone who took the time to attend!

💙We're Hiring!💙

Are you looking for a role where your work really matters?

Join our team as an Admin and Finance Assistant! 💻

At Fresh Start, you will be part of a charity that supports people moving on from homelessness and those at risk of homelessness across Edinburgh. Through practical support, essential household goods, and community services, you will help people build a new beginning and create a more stable future.

As our Admin & Finance Assistant, you will play a key role in keeping the organisation running effectively every day. You will often be the first point of contact for volunteers, donors, service users, partner organisations, and businesses, so you will need to be approachable, organised and confident communicating with different people.

As our Admin and Finance Assistant, you will do the following:
📞Respond to calls and emails from service users, volunteers, donors and partner organisations.
💻 Processing referrals, organising paperwork and inputting data on our in-house database.
🤝 Support meetings and events and help to manage diaries and schedules.
💰 Support with finances including reconciliation, processing invoices and tracking Gift Aid.

If you are passionate about working with people, proactive, adaptable and a great team player, then we want to hear from you!

Applications close Friday the 12th of June at 5pm.

For more information, and to apply for the role, click here: www.goodmoves.org/vacancy/a4sP1000001jBd3IAE/admin-and-finance-assistant

Have you got your ticket yet? 🎟️

Join us at Quiz For Good for a night of fun and friendly competition at The Hoxton, Edinburgh, with the quizzing led by Goose's Quizzes!

By attending, you’ll be helping to support those moving on from homelessness in Edinburgh, with funds raised by this event going towards the essential goods and services they need to get started in a new home, and get settled into the community 🙌

Alongside the quiz, we'll be running a raffle draw, with tickets available on the night. There’s a heap of prizes to be won, from organisations like Argonaut Books, Paradise Palms, Uplands Roast, Pizza Geeks, Fayre Play, Soul Water Sauna, and The Courtyard Hotel.

What are you waiting for? Find out more and get your ticket below!

👉 https://ow.ly/fP0O50Z0p4E

A massive thank you to all our runners in this year's Edinburgh Marathon Festival - we couldn't do what we do, without support from people like you.💙

Taking part in a running event while fundraising for Fresh Start is a great way to challenge yourself while supporting a good cause - helping people moving on from homelessness settle into their new homes.

Whether you want to run solo or with friends, we've got places available in a range of races this year. Here's what's on offer:

🏅 Scottish 10K/ Half Marathon – 16th August
🏅 Edinburgh Men’s and Women’s 10Ks – 20th September
🏅 Supernova Forth Road Bridge 5K – 7th November

And don't forget that entries for the 2027 Edinburgh Marathon and Half-Marathon are now open! Spaces often fill up quickly, so secure your spot now - we'd love to have you running for Fresh Start!

Get in touch with us at [email protected] to find out more about registering for an event.🫶

Fresh Start FAQs: Why is JustGiving asking me to leave a tip? 🤔

JustGiving is a straightforward and secure online fundraising platform, where people can set up a free fundraising page to support Fresh Start, or other charitable organisations 💸

When making a donation on JustGiving, it asks you to leave a tip, which is automatically pre-set at 15%. These tips go towards the cost of running and improving the JustGiving platform.

If you'd like to adjust the amount, simply click 'Enter Custom Amount'. Then, you can adjust the tip to be however much you're comfortable with. Remember, this tip is optional, so, if you just want to make a donation to Fresh Start, you're able to opt out of leaving a tip by entering the value as £0.

Have more questions about JustGiving? Leave them in the comments below, or reach out to us at [email protected] - we're happy to help! 🤝

📣Could you spare a kettle, toaster or lamp?

Fresh Start is currently looking for donations for our Starter Pack service, which supports people moving on from homelessness with essential household items to help them settle into a new home.

Right now, we particularly need:
Kettles
Toasters
Lamps
Pots and pans
Frying pans
Cleaning products

One supporter said:
“It’s a good feeling knowing something I no longer needed could go straight to someone who really needs it.”

Please only donate unwanted items that are still in good condition. We are not able to take broken goods. Your donation could help someone move into a home with the basic items many of us take for granted.🩵

Donate goods here:
https://www.freshstartweb.org.uk/donate/goods

Join Team Fresh Start at the Edinburgh Kiltwalk! 💙

The Edinburgh Kiltwalk is a brilliant way to support Fresh Start, while having a great time. Whether you fancy the Wee Wander, Big Stroll or the full Mighty Stride, you can take part at a level that suits you. The Edinburgh Kiltwalk is on September 13th, and registration is open now.

As one previous participant put it: “I liked that you didn’t have to be a serious walker to take part. It just felt inclusive, fun and really worthwhile."

The Kiltwalk is a great way to bring friends, family or colleagues together to see the sights of Edinburgh, while supporting people in the local community to move on from homelessness with dignity.

If you’d like to walk for Fresh Start, please reach out to us at [email protected] so our team can send you the registration link and support you on your fundraising journey.💙