Resident Reward Edinburgh: Gives Back

New charity drive announced

News release: 04 December 2024

Forever Edinburgh has unveiled a new charity drive today, which will see it collaborate with local tourism businesses to provide hundreds of free experiences to those most in need this festive season and beyond.   

‘Resident Rewards Edinburgh Gives Back’ is being delivered via Forever Edinburgh’s ‘Resident Rewards Edinburgh’ programme, local tourism businesses, and the One City Trust, an independent charity, which supports those living in poverty or facing social inequality in Edinburgh.  

Almost 500 leisure and cultural experiences will be available for One City Trust to distribute amongst its network of partners and community groups in areas such as homelessness, youth empowerment, mental health, older people, disability support, food poverty, refugees and migrants.  

The scale of the initiative has been made possible thanks to the generous donations of local businesses, who have match-funded experiences purchased by Forever Edinburgh’s Resident Rewards Edinburgh programme.  

This will include tickets to venues such as Edinburgh Castle, Gladstone’s Land, Go Ape Dalkeith and Camera Obscura & World of Illusions. Residents can also explore the rich stories of the capital with Mercat Tours or delve into the chilling tales at The Edinburgh Dungeon.  

Tastings and tours have been organised at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Port of Leith Distillery and Lind & Lime Gin, along with a visit to the renowned Scotch Whisky Experience. Dining highlights include The Brasserie at The Scholar, Ten Hill Place Hotel, Fazenda Rodizio Bar and Grill and The Roseate Edinburgh.   

Forever Edinburgh’s Resident Rewards Edinburgh programme was launched in 2021 to reconnect residents with their city via a range of discounts, offers and exclusive experiences at attractions and venues throughout Edinburgh.  

Working with local businesses, it has helped to drive the local economy, encouraging residents to get out and explore new experiences, especially at non-peak times of the year and beyond the city centre.  

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, said “These fantastic donations are hugely welcome and will help nearly 500 people in the city to create lasting memories. Everyone should have the opportunity to experience being a tourist in their home city, and to enjoy the incredible events and attractions we have on offer.   

“Forever Edinburgh is on a drive to make sure the city’s tourism offering is truly inclusive and these contributions will be gifted to local people through our charity partners, adding to the 8,400 discounts and experiences exclusively for residents that have already been enjoyed. 

“It gives a chance to people who otherwise would not be able to experience these great attractions, and I’d like to extend my gratitude to all organisations who have stepped up to make the new initiative possible and who have exceeded our expectations. Their generosity is supporting the One City Trust in its efforts to tackle inequality across our communities.” 

Julie Trevisan-Hunter, Marketing Director at The Scotch Whisky Experience, added: “We have been working with Forever Edinburgh’s Resident Rewards Edinburgh since it launched in 2021. In that time, it has helped us to reach new audiences and attract people already living on our doorstep to come along to visit. We are delighted to support this campaign, knowing the impact it will have on those living in challenging circumstances and perhaps not able to enjoy some of Edinburgh’s iconic experiences as often as they would like.”    

Resident Rewards Edinburgh Gives Back launches today with experiences open for use until spring 2025.  

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Participating businesses and experiences include:

• Camera Obscura & World of Illusions 
• Department of Magic
• Edinburgh Bus Tours 
• Edinburgh Castle
• Edinburgh Marine Academy
• Fazenda Rodizio Bar & Grill 
• Go Ape Dalkeith Country Park
• Gladstone’s Land
• Johnnie Walker Princes Street
• Lind & Lime Gin 
• Mercat Tours
• Port of Leith Distillery
• The Scotch Whisky Experience  
• Surgeons Quarter – Ten Hill Place Hotel
• The Roseate Edinburgh 
• The Edinburgh Dungeon
• The Brasserie at The Scholar Hotel

Registered Scottish charities or constituted community groups across Edinburgh can nominate individuals to receive a voucher. To speak to One City Trust about nominations, please contact admin@onecitytrust.com.  

Find out more about Resident Rewards Edinburgh.

ENDS

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Contact information

Issued by BIG Partnership on behalf of Forever Edinburgh. For further information, please contact foreveredinburgh@bigpartnership.co.uk or Jen Ward on 07593586354. 

Forever Edinburgh is the city’s official destination marketing brand. Working with private tourism businesses, public agencies and the City of Edinburgh Council, Forever Edinburgh leads the marketing of Edinburgh as a destination to live and visit, supporting the Edinburgh 2030 Tourism Strategy.  

It promotes the city to those living in Edinburgh as well as those visiting as part of a domestic or international break supporting sustainable tourism and economic growth for the city and positioning Edinburgh as a leading and accessible leisure destination. 

In December 2021, Forever Edinburgh launched Resident Rewards Edinburgh to reconnect residents with the city’s leisure, hospitality and cultural experiences, and give back to them by offering exclusive offers to enjoy the city for less. This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.  

Open to those with an EH postcode, it supports the local economy by promoting local businesses and encouraging footfall throughout the year, not only during peak times, and encouraging exploration beyond the city centre, such as Leith, Southside, Tollcross, and South Queensferry.  

There are five types of Resident Rewards currently available: Monthly star reward – a high-value reward offered by one business each month, Resident previews – first look at new openings, attractions, exhibitions and tours, Half price and free days – half price of free tickets during quieter periods, Annual pass – concessions rate on annual passes for major attractions, Resident rates – a special concession rate for residents.  

In the last two years, Forever Edinburgh has worked with more than 50 businesses in the city, including Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Surgeons Quarter, Mercat Tours, The Royal Yacht Britannia, Scotch Whisky Experience, Department of Magic, The Real Mary Kings Close, The Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian and Port of Leith Distillery.  

One City Trust

The mission of the OneCity Trust is to fight inequality and exclusion in the City of Edinburgh. It is an independent charity which is uniquely linked to the city. 

The Trust was established in 2003 in response to the OneCity report of the Lord Provost’s Commission on Social Exclusion. It uses the idea of a ‘community foundation’ to give people and organisations a means to reach across the divides of the city and support those who are excluded from the community. A permanent endowment was established with a donation from the City of Edinburgh Council, which the Trust has added to over the years, and continues to build. 

In 2012 with the creation of the ‘Lord Provost’s Rapid Action Fund’, the Trust acquired the ability to raise funds specifically to give out grants (rather than rely solely on the interest from the Trust). 

OneCity Trust is a registered Scottish charity (SC034165).  

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