Projekt 42 secures over £125,000 of funding support

Projekt 42, a charity aiming to tackle poor mental health in Edinburgh, has secured £125,000 of funding towards opening a community gym and wellness centre in the city.

The social enterprise currently operates out of a temporary space in Newkirkgate, Leith, but the new round of funding will help Projekt 42 open a permanent home on Halmyre Street later this year.

Funding has been donated from a range of organisations, including £90,000 from the Big Lottery Community Assets alone. Other key investors include Bonnington Micro Trust (£14k) and Leith Chooses (£10k), who were keen to support an inspirational community initiative in the local area. Funding was also secured from Foundation Scotland, Aberdeen Standard and PwC.

Projekt 42 will use the money to build on the success of the current facility, which has over 2,000 active users and has delivered over 15,000 classes ranging from metafit to hip hop fitness, yoga and meditation.

The new wellness centre on Halmyre Street will focus on improving the mental wellbeing of those in the local community through a range of services; from fitness classes, to mindfulness activities, life coaching, nutrition workshops, yoga, counselling, and more.

Edinburgh-based property developers, Buccleuch Property, are providing pro-bono support for the project, bringing together a task force of local building experts, engineers and architects to provide advice and assistance, free of charge.

Sara Hawkins, founder of Projekt 42, set up the not-for-profit community gym after being diagnosed with PTSD in 2012. She found that a combination of physical exercise, counselling and life coaching helped to improve her mental health.

Sara has been named one of the Charity Champion finalists in this year’s Scottish Charity Awards because of her commitment to tackling mental health issues in a positive and accessible way.

Commenting on the funding, Sara said: “It is incredible how much support we have received from organisations like the Big Lottery, the Bonnington Micro Trust and Leith Chooses. Their invaluable donations will go towards creating an accessible, welcoming space which will be a lifeline for many people suffering from mental health issues.

“The idea for Projekt 42 came as a result of my own personal experience with poor mental wellbeing, and it is extremely rewarding to see the positive impact our pilot programme has had already. It inspires me each and every day, and I’m looking forward to starting the next chapter at Halmyre Street very soon.”

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