From Livity, what began as a simple idea, creating safe, inclusive and culturally aware spaces for young people, has grown into a network of some of the area's most impactful youth sport programmes. Each space has its own identity, energy and character, but all are united by the same purpose: giving young people a place where they can connect, belong and be themselves.
Livity Youth Edinburgh is a Black and Global Majority* led youth charity that provides safe, nurturing spaces for young people in the wider Craigmillar area. They reach over 200 young people each week through the Livity Football Academy, Niddrie Sports Club, Peffermill Friday Sport, Sandy’s Community Centre, The Venchie and The Hays Community Hub.
The partnership between Castlebrae Community Sport Hub and Livity Youth Edinburgh has grown in response to a changing community and the need to provide young people with spaces that evolve alongside them.
Craigmillar and Niddrie have experienced significant population growth over the past decade, with increasingly diverse communities and a rising number of young people from Black and Global Majority backgrounds helping to shape the area's identity. At the same time, the area continues to face long-standing challenges, with levels of child poverty remaining significantly higher than both the city and national averages.
As the community grew and diversified, so too did the need for youth spaces that felt welcoming, affordable and reflective of young people's lived experiences. Places where culture was celebrated, not simply recognised. Livity Youth Edinburgh has become that place, offering support, representation and a sense of home for young people navigating the realities of racial inequality and socio-economic pressure.
As Castlebrae Community Sport Hub expanded its place-based work, a mutual connection introduced the team to Livity Youth Edinburgh. What began as an initial partnership soon developed into a lasting collaboration. Both organisations shared a commitment to breaking down barriers, building trust and creating free, local opportunities that made it easier for young people to get active close to home.
Sport shaped by the community
Young people who once had limited opportunities now have a range of touchpoints and welcoming spaces where they can be active, build friendships and feel part of something bigger. For many young people, the sports sessions are a highlight of the week, bringing together physical activity, friendship and fun, in an environment where they feel safe, valued and included.
For some, the sessions are one of the few places where they can truly be themselves. It is evident in the way the young people arrive, greeted by familiar faces and a sense of belonging. The sports halls and community spaces are filled with energy, conversation, music and laughter, creating an atmosphere that feels both welcoming and inclusive.
Edviges Tavares Lima, Founder and Manager of Livity Youth Edinburgh said:
"We understand that young people in our community need a safe and welcoming space where they feel truly seen. Our partnership with the Community Sports Hub enables us to do just that by welcoming everyone with open arms, providing healthy snacks and delivering engaging activities where they can be themselves, build positive relationships and grow together.”
Young people who may once have been on the margins of sport and physical activity are now stepping forward to try new things, build confidence and take ownership of their participation. The programmes offer a positive outlet, helping young people choose connection over isolation, purpose over boredom and community over risk.
Adam Szymoszowskyj, Community Sport Hub Manager said:
“What we’re seeing is genuine community need being met. The young people in the area told us they wanted safe, local, free sporting activities where they could be active and connect with supportive adults. Livity Youth helps us deliver exactly that. The feedback from the community has been overwhelmingly positive.”
The role of the Community Sport Hub has been to bring people together and create the conditions for success. Through facility access, partnership coordination, funding support and connections across the wider network, the hub has helped strengthen and sustain the opportunities available to local young people.
At the same time, Livity Youth Edinburgh brings cultural understanding, youth leadership and deep-rooted relationships within the community. These qualities help ensure the programmes feel relevant, trusted and genuinely inclusive. Together, the two organisations have developed a model of community sport that is shaped by local needs and driven by the people it serves.
Inspired by impact
The impact of the partnership extends far beyond participation in sport. It is creating a lasting legacy through meeting the needs of their community where young people feel connected, supported, and able to thrive.
Families benefit from free, local activities that help ease financial pressures, which is particularly important in an area where many households continue to face significant economic challenges. Young people gain structure, positive relationships and a sense of routine that supports their wellbeing. The wider community benefits from safe and constructive opportunities that bring people together, while emerging youth leaders gain valuable volunteering, coaching and leadership experience.
From the perspective of the Community Sport Hub, the partnership has become one of its most significant developments in recent years. By combining their strengths and maintaining a shared commitment to young people, the organisations have created opportunities that continue to make a lasting difference across the community.
As the partnership continues to grow, and Livity Youth Edinburgh remains committed to empowering young people, celebrating diversity, and building inclusive communities, while the Community Sport Hub continues to support delivery, strengthen partnerships, and ensure the programmes remain rooted in local need.
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*Global Majority refers to people who identify as Black, Asian, Brown, Dual-heritage, Indigenous to the global south, and or have been racialised as “ethnic minorities”, and who represent approximately 80% of the world’s population.
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