Since the terribly sad news of Val’s passing, Edinburgh Central CLP has been considering how best to mark our love and respect for our wonderful friend and colleague. We were all privileged to know and work with Val. Her boundless energy and passion for supporting culture and education in Edinburgh inspired so many of us and her passing leaves a giant gap in the city’s local government landscape.

Reflecting Val’s lifelong interest in storytelling, literacy and libraries, we have chosen to donate in Val’s name to Craigmillar Literacy Trust, an organisation that was close to Val’s heart.

We have very fond memories of Val and remember her from her days at Edinburgh City Libraries before she became a Councillor. It would be a real honour to be a beneficiary of any fundraising in her memory. Thank you for considering us for this. Kara Whelan, Director of Craigmillar Literacy Trust

The funds that we raise in honour of Val will support Craigmillar Literacy Trust with its invaluable work in Craigmillar, Niddrie, Magdalene and Bingham. Working in partnership with health visitors, speech and language therapists, the local library, early years settings, schools and community groups, the Trust provides one-to-one support for families, organises group activities and events and runs a book-gifting programme from birth to age 16.

The donations from Central CLP will contribute to 3 core projects:

• Craigmillar Books for Babies supports families with babies and young children (up to 4 years old) to develop communication and literacy skills through books, stories, rhymes, songs and book-gifting.

• Craigmillar Stories for Sharing encourages a fun and creative approach to literacy through storytelling and supported through workshops, home visits and book-gifting. Children aged 4-12 and parents/carers can explore and discover stories, books, reading and writing together.

• Express Yourself! This new programme for young people aged 12-16 years, shares creative ways to make sense of the world, fostering connection and a sense of belonging, with young people involved in directing, influencing, and coproducing the programme.

You can find out more about the wonderful work of Craigmillar Literacy Trust at https://craigmillarliteracytrust.org.uk/

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