Improving our building, extending our welcome

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2 Our charity, aims and values The need for change The Church of St John the Evangelist (St. John s) is a landmark listed building; a place of inspiration, peace and reflection in the heart of Scotland s capital city. Many know us by reputation, for example via our murals, designed to encourage reflection on culturally relevant, often controversial, issues. Others know us as a vibrant festival location, or through the terrace shops run by charitable organisations. Our beautiful worship space is in good condition and enjoyed by over 50,000 visitors each year. For us, however, it is not about the building. It is about the difference we make to individual lives throughout the country and beyond. Our city centre location, welcoming atmosphere, meeting rooms and hall make us an ideal venue, community space and platform for challenging injustice. Over the last 200 years we have engaged with such diverse groups as Hospices of Hope, the Big Issue and the Scottish Iranian Festival. In addition we have been a launch pad for initiatives like the JUST Festival. Individuals benefit from a convenient location that is easily reached by public transport. People also find comfort and sanctuary. Addicts, refugees and homeless people are just some of those who find a welcome here. Whatever their relationship with St. John s, we want people to feel a connection with us. Our aim is to remain culturally relevant, and accessible. Improving our building, extending our welcome Case Study: The Welcoming The Welcoming helps newcomers, mainly migrants and refugees, settle in Edinburgh. They have been using our facilities since 2010 and their classes are now full to capacity. Eli, in her early forties, is just one of the many people who have benefited from the opportunity to learn and socialise with others. She arrived alone in Edinburgh two years ago with no English and little understanding of life and culture in the UK. She dedicated herself to the classes, has a good level of English and has found work. Eli has now joined the management group of the Welcoming, keen to give something back to those who have helped her. The planned St. John s development is the result of a long consultation involving those connected with us. Through developing St. John s, we aim to make the best use of our location by upgrading our existing building and expanding to create much-needed new space. There is an urgent need to improve and upgrade our venue and the facilities we offer. Our worship space is in excellent condition, but many of the other rooms in St John s where important work takes place are not fit for purpose. Much of our activity is currently centred in the least hospitable parts of our building. The meeting rooms used by charities, support organisations and children s groups, as well as our offices, are in the basement. These rooms have no natural light, no disabled access and poor facilities. Our community hall is unwelcoming and there is a real need for more space. Until recently we had to make do with an antiquated heating system and our toilet provision is still woefully inadequate. Access to St. John s and throughout the building is limited and prohibitive to anyone with a disability or mobility issues. It is becoming increasingly difficult to continue with what we have and there is little room to meet new challenges. We have already lost more than one support group who grew too large to use our space. We don t want to lose any more valued friends.

3 The project: what we intend to do Working with LDN Architects, who have a history of expertise working on similar projects, we have produced a plan that enhances our vision for developing St. John s. Planning permission and listed building consent are in place. The diagram below gives an outline of the planned development. Reception & meeting rooms More welcoming entrance into St John s Office mezzanine By expanding and refurbishing St. John s, we can continue to offer important support and outreach services for groups and individuals throughout Scotland and further afield. The development will provide a fresh centre for activity; one which fully embodies our values of inclusivity, creativity and welcome for all. It will ensure everyone is able to benefit from our landmark building, convenient location and stunning surroundings now and for many generations. Retail spaces for charitable organisations New toilet facilities Access to all levels via stairs and disabled access via lift Cafe New door from hall to gardens outside Inside the multi-use hall Multi-use community hall with south facing views

4 Project aims One of the most eye-catching aspects of a re-developed St. John s will be the new extension constructed in a south-facing, ground-level area. The new space will be light, spacious and flexible enough to accommodate different groups at the same time. It will enable everyone to make best use of one of the most attractive areas of our site all year round. The aim of the project is to provide St. John s and the groups that use our building with modern accommodation that is fit-forpurpose. This development focuses on: Accessibility: improving our layout to achieve full accessibility throughout Flexibility: designing new, multi-use activity and meeting spaces Comfort: upgrading existing facilities including increasing and improving toilet provision Capacity: creating the space to welcome larger groups and accommodate more activities Environment: minimising our impact through use of efficient heating systems, natural light and sustainable construction materials Financial Sustainability: helping our building remain relevant and economically viable

5 The project: Beginnings In 2012 work began on the first phase of Developing St. John s: the replacement of our existing heating system. This was essential due to the ineffective and uneconomical system which was in place. We are now fundraising to raise the remaining amount required to pay for the final phase. St. John s is woven deeply into the fabric of Edinburgh. This goes for who we are, what we do, how we reach out and where we find ourselves gathering. The church campus is home to an awe-inspiring structure that is part of the UNESCO world heritage site. Our generation s challenge is to make this beautiful building accessible for all and to create space that strengthens the presence of St. John s, while reaching out to the city as a whole. Revd Markus Dünzkofer, Rector of St. John s Improving our building, extending our welcome

6 Who will benefit? Project management, monitoring and evaluation The majority of those who use our facilities are not members of St. John s. They are often the most disadvantaged and disempowered in society. They deserve better facilities. Beneficiaries will include: A number of support groups relating to addictions, e.g. Alcoholics Anonymous Community groups supporting disadvantaged people, e.g. Crisis Skylight and soup kitchens Other community groups including those involved with befriending, culture and discussion Terrace charity organisations The JUST Festival, which engages 50 volunteers from different faiths and cultures A registered congregation of 500 people The fact that so many choose to use our venue, despite current limitations, is encouraging. It shows that the ethos and location of St. John s make us a choice venue, especially for charities and social enterprises. Nonetheless, there are still more who are currently restricted from using our facilities by access issues and other limitations. The new improvements and greater flexibility will make us a more attractive, accessible venue. We will be able to open up to and accommodate a greater range of beneficiaries, for example, the elderly, those with disabilities and mobility issues, children and young people who are currently inhibited or put off by the existing building. Organising this popular and growing festival is a year-round job. St. John s provides an ideal hub for us and we are grateful for all their support which helps contribute to the festival s ongoing success. As a community-based festival, St. John s provides us with a warm and friendly venue that is open to all. We look forward to continuing our relationship as Just grows from strength to strength. Katherine Newbigging, JUST Festival. The Vestry, through the Rector and staff team, has overall responsibility for the day to day running of St. John s. They have established a separate committee with the skills and expertise required to make this development a success. In 2009, we carried out a Heritage Lottery Fund project to redevelop our grounds to make them more welcoming to the local community. Phase one of Developing St. John s, our heating upgrade, has also been accomplished successfully. We are confident, therefore, that our project management systems are robust. Developing St. John s has involved many years of discussion, consultation and research. We look forward to continuing these relationships and discussions over the coming months, throughout our two year fundraising appeal and the subsequent construction. We will communicate regularly with existing and potential beneficiaries and work closely with them to evaluate the impact of this project. More than 60 people who work or volunteer for St. John s and the organisations based here Soup and cheese for community lunch Crisis Skylight Project 50,000 visitors annually JUST Festival volunteers

7 Finance and Fundraising The total cost of this project is estimated to be 3.5m. A full breakdown of the budget is available on request. We are thrilled with the response of our congregation, who have been outstanding in taking the lead with this project. They have pledged and given over 2m towards our target and continue to support through fundraising, volunteering and giving. Building on the success of our internal fundraising, we are now contacting external funders, companies and individuals to help us raise the remainder. In addition to making a one-off gift, there are many ways to get involved and support our appeal. Whether you choose to make a regular donation, ask your company to help, sponsor one of our events or leave a legacy, any contribution at this stage in our fundraising will make a real difference. We will be very grateful for whatever support you are able to give. This project will only be possible with the help of our friends. Your support can enable us to make vital changes which will help ensure St John s continues to be a place of welcome and inspiration for many generations. For more information about these, or any other aspect of our Appeal, please contact Charlotte Bray using the details below. Charlotte Bray, Appeal Manager Tel: e: charlotte.bray@stjohns-edinburgh.org.uk We are a charity registered in Scotland SC012836