The Eric Liddell Community
The Eric Liddell Community is an Edinburgh based care charity and community hub committed to our vision to live in a community where no one feels lonely or isolated.
Our mission is to bring people together in their local communities to enhance health and well-being and have a positive impact on their lives. We do this through four strategic programmes: support for people living with dementia, including our flagship and ‘excellent’ Day Care Service, our wellbeing programme for unpaid carers, our Community Hub programme, and The Eric Liddell 100, which is an international legacy initiative to celebrate the life, sporting and community service achievements of one of Scotland’s iconic figures.
We are only able to run these crucial services due to the support we receive from funders, our dedicated staff team and volunteers.
The Eric Liddell Community was founded in 1980 in memory of the 1924 Olympic 400m gold medalist, Scottish Rugby international and committed missionary, Eric Liddell, and we continue to live out his values of care, compassion and community in the work we do. We are determined to secure his legacy for future generations to come. We were delighted that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal was the Patron of The Eric Liddell 100 from 2021 to 2024. She is now the Royal Patron of The Eric Liddell Community.
500 Unpaid
Carers
Our carers are supported and offered a varied programme on an ongoing basis
6,000 Visitors
welcomed
on average every month to our community hub
117 Amazing
Volunteers
We wouldn’t be able to run our services without the help of our amazing volunteers. Their support makes a massive and positive impact on our clients and the local community.
70 Spaces
Available
per week for people living with dementia to attend our specialist Day Care Service
Access our services
We reach out to care for the most vulnerable people in Edinburgh which includes a wide programme of support for people living with dementia, a day care service and comprehensive support for unpaid carers.
Visit us
Our charity is based in a large converted former church providing a range of spaces where many different groups and ages can gather together for activities ranging from meetings, keep fit and parent and child groups. We also have office space to let.
Support us
As a registered charity, The Eric Liddell Community is dependent on the generous support of funds and time donated by individuals, groups and corporates to continue to run our crucial services.
Find us
Find out where we are, get directions and other helpful information including our opening hours and building accessibility.
About Eric Liddell
The Community is proud to carry the name of the legendary Eric Liddell, an inspirational sportsman and missionary whose life is celebrated by people in many countries around the world. In holding his name, our charity follows many of his values – people centred, compassion, inclusivity, diversity, sustainability, respect and integrity.
Eric is famous for his missionary work in China where he refused to leave the people he cared for and ended up at an internment camp during World War 2. He is also known as an elite sportsman who achieved seven international caps for Scottish Rugby and won a gold medal in a world record breaking time at the 1924 Olympic Games.
Events & News
Trustees Recruitment
The Eric Liddell Community are looking for new Trustees to join the Board of Directors. If you are interested in becoming a Trustee of one…
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, visits The Eric Liddell Community for the first time as Royal Patron
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal recognises long-serving volunteer at The Eric Liddell Community and marks the arrival of inspiring new exhibition celebrating Eric Liddell’s…
Help us reach more isolated people this Christmas
Christmas can be an especially lonely time, especially this year when so many people are struggling to afford warmth and light in this cost-of-living crisis.…
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, announced as Royal Patron of The Eric Liddell Community
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, to continue honouring the legacy of Scotland’s Olympic hero through her new role with the charity. The Eric Liddell…
Belonging at Christmas- The Eric Liddell Community & Big Give
Our services are a lifeline for everyone who attends, providing a community for people to rely on. One of our service users recently shared that…
Eric Liddell’s legacy lives on as his inspiring story is celebrated at the ‘National Eric Liddell Awards’
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, presented eight winners with the National Eric Liddell Award, with Eric Liddell’s daughter and Scottish Rugby Icon, Chris Paterson,…
Eric Liddell 100 launches ‘Eric Liddell Awards’ in honour of Scotland’s Olympic Hero
Awards will be hosted at George Watson’s College by Scottish icons, Sally Magnusson MBE and David Tanner, and presented by Her Royal Highness The Princess…
Flying Scots Challenge
People from all over the world joined us in September to support our ‘Flying Scots’ Challenge. The month-long challenge offered participants the opportunity to set…
New Exhibition ‘Eric Liddell and Weifang’ opens at The Eric Liddell Community in Edinburgh
The Eric Liddell Community has announced a new exhibition, ‘Eric Liddell and Weifang’, organised by the Weihsien West Civilians Concentration Camp Site Museum, showcasing the…
History repeats at The Eric Liddell 131st Senior Championships
Scottish distance runner, Luke Davidson, channels Eric Liddell’s legacy to win gold in a different distance due to his religion Scottish middle-distance runner, Luke Davidson,…
HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of The Eric Liddell 100
We are absolutely delighted to announce that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has agreed to become the Patron of The Eric Liddell 100, which…
Edinburgh charity appoints Third Sector Expert as Chief Operating Officer
Edinburgh’s Eric Liddell Community is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Drury as its Chief Operating Officer. Paul joined The Community in April 2023.…
The Princess Royal welcomes two more champions to The Eric Liddell 100
At an inaugural event in Edinburgh, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal gave a warm welcome to two former Olympic stars who have joined the…
The Inaugural Eric Liddell Lecture
Edinburgh Care Charity hosts the Eric Liddell Lecture in the presence of Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal An inaugural lecture by the University of…
The Eric Liddell Community is awarded a six-figure sum to combat loneliness and isolation in Scotland
Edinburgh-based care charity receives £109,000 boost from The National Lottery Community Fund The Eric Liddell Community is awarded a six-figure sum to combat loneliness and…
The Eric Liddell 100 to launch Online Learning Course Celebrating Scottish Legacy
The Eric Liddell Community, in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and Woodgate Consulting, has today (Tuesday 16th January 2024) launched The Eric Liddell 100…
100 Years On: Schools nationwide empowered to keep sportsman’s memory alive with free education resource
The Eric Liddell Community charity unveils lesson plans and material to remember Eric Liddell. Nearly 100 years on from Eric Liddell’s Olympic Gold Medal win…
Pop-up exhibition launches in the heart of Glasgow to pay tribute to Scottish Olympic Champion
A display paying tribute to Eric Liddell, the legendary 1924 Olympic 400m champion, was launched on 19th February, in the lead-up to the World Indoor…
Shout out to The Edinburgh Remakery
The Edinburgh Remakery is a charity with a focus on sustainability and the re-use of resources. They offer a wide range of workshops teaching sustainable…
‘The Flying Scotsman’ Liddell honoured with World Athletics Heritage Plaque’
We are proud to announce that our namesake, Eric Liddell, ‘The Flying Scotsman,’ was awarded a World Athletics Heritage Plaque in the posthumous category of…
A place to
learn & play
meet & greet
live a fuller life
connect.
