An Edinburgh charity that has supported expectant families for more than 40 years is facing the threat of closure to a major funding shortfall.
Bosses at the Edinburgh Pregnancy and Parent Centre (EPPC), which provides vital support through classes, workshops, and drop-in groups, says it is struggling to secure the funds needed to keep its services running.
In response, the centre has launched a crowdfunding campaign and submitted an application to Edinburgh Council’s Third Sector Resilience Fund.
More than £12,000 has been raised so far toward its £40,000 target.
Staff and service users say the charity plays a critical role in helping new and expectant parents navigate the challenges of early parenthood, especially for those without close family support nearby.
‘I’ve made amazing friends through this group’
STV NewsFor Hanmo Zhang, whose parents live in China, the support she received at the hub helped her navigate her first experience of motherhood.
“It’s absolutely crucial,” she told STV News. “I’m an only child, so I had very little support in terms of how to look after a baby and what they do at what stage, what’s okay and what concerns there may be.
“I was properly anxious when I first came here – but they made me feel at ease.
“I’ve made amazing friends through this circle and now we can watch each other’s baby grow. Without this group, none of that would’ve happened.”
Lucy Everett joined yoga classes at the centre during her pregnancy and discovered a welcoming, supportive space.
“It was something I didn’t know I needed,” she said. “It’s really valuable while we figure out this new thing called motherhood.
“You’ve got your own friends, but having people here going through the same thing at the same time, makes such a difference to mental health and learning about the experience of having a new baby, especially as a first-time mum.”
‘They helped me deliver my baby at home’
STV NewsOthers credit the centre with giving them the knowledge and confidence to shape their birth experiences.
Elizabeth Lake, for instance, said she was able to have a home birth thanks to what she learned at EPPC.
“If I hadn’t gone to those groups, my birth would’ve been really different. I’ve learned so much and it gave me confidence. That wouldn’t be possible if we didn’t learn as much as we did.
“It made the world of difference to feel comfortable with it.”
The centre, which has been based in Edinburgh for four decades, has long been seen as a safe and inclusive space for parents of all backgrounds.
But now there are fears the charity may not be able to afford to keep these services going.
‘People feel at home here’
STV NewsMum-of-three Daisy Dingwoodie first came to the centre while pregnant 21 years ago and now works there as a yoga instructor and birth educator.
“Everyone has such fond memories of being here, feeling at home and valued. It’s really connective,” she said.
“People describe arriving and feeling like they have a community in the first session. We all want to belong and have a place. It’s very inclusive and homely.”
But escalating costs and dwindling grant funding are threatening its survival.
“We’re struggling to get the funding we used to get,” Daisy said. “Grant funding is competitive and the rates for renting the space have gone up hugely during the pandemic into the current space we’re in.
“It’s put us in a situation where we’re losing money rather than staying even.
“It’s become obvious we really need help to stay open. We really need to plug the gap to stay here beyond the 40 years we’ve been around.”
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