The housebuilder has a proud history of supporting causes through its Building Communities Fund, which makes annual awards in an effort to help organisations and projects, enhancing the lives of people in the communities where they build homes. Five Lothian-based organisations recently received donations totalling £4,500, with each allocating the money to great causes.

Edinburgh charity Hearts and Minds is working hard to deliver more Clowndoctor visits to bring laughter back into young people’s lives through storytelling, music and general ‘clowning’. Mactaggart & Mickel’s £1000 donation will deliver three visits, supporting 24 people and providing much needed respite for children, families and medical staff at the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh. 

Newtongrange Welfare Park requires upgrading, and with the park nearing its centenary in 2026, the donation will allow essential upgrades. The £1,000 donation from Mactaggart & Mickel will be put towards providing a new play area, along with new pathway improvements and lighting installations, greatly improving the access and welcoming feel of the park.

Play Midlothian is using the £500 funding from Mactaggart & Mickel to directly support their Stay for Play service in Mayfield and other areas across Midlothian. Stay for Play are family sessions which are free to attend, taking place on Saturday mornings for children aged up to four and their families. Providing fun activities such as messy play, dens, treasure baskets, dressing up clothes, stories and songs, these sessions bring families together, and allow parents and young children quality time together.

Corstorphine Dynamo Football Club has transformed a disused pavilion and created a community hall designed to improve the health and fitness of the Corstorphine community and provide a hub for social interaction. The £1,000 donation is being used for continued improvements to the club, including a ramp for wheelchair access, a baby changing facility and improved audio-visual equipment.

As well as providing home-cooked food, Our Community Kitchen aims to reduce social isolation and loneliness for people of all ages and abilities by bringing them together. The £1,000 donation will be put towards a greenhouse and seating area within their community garden in the grounds of a local school. The charity encourages the community to plant, cook, eat and enjoy time together, establishing meaningful connections and friendships.

Joanne Casey, director at Mactaggart & Mickel, said: “From improvements to community facilities to Hearts & Minds’ Clowndoctors putting smiles back onto the faces of children and families facing unimaginable pain, we’re particularly thrilled to see this round of donations put towards improving the lives of young people. We have always cared deeply about the people in our communities where we want to make a positive difference. We are committed to helping organisations and projects that benefit people’s lives and these are just a handful of the charities we have been able to donate to, this year alone, as part of the Building Communities Fund.”