This presentation will give you more information on four aspects of the project:

2. This presentation will give you more information on four aspects of the project:

3. Based in the heart of Edinburgh, we make use of our central location, meeting spaces, hall and resources in many different ways:

4. The main worship space at St John’s is a wonderful part of the site

5. However, many other parts of our historic building are not fit for purpose. Much of our activity is centred in the least hospitable spaces.

6. The rooms used by charities, support organisations and children’s groups, as well as our offices, are in the basement. They are reached by steep steps and a narrow corridor. The rooms have no natural light and no disabled access.

7. Our community hall is unwelcoming and outdated. There is a real need for more space.

8. Access to St. John’s and throughout the campus is poor. It is especially prohibitive to anyone with a disability or mobility issues.

9. Our toilet provision is woefully inadequate. This is especially apparent during the festival and many events held here each year.

10. It is becoming increasingly difficult to continue with what we have and there is little room to meet new challenges. “I was rather disconcerted by the corridor along to our room. It was long, dark and felt very claustrophobic.” Crisis Skylight “Our group has been meeting at St. John’s for more than ten years. We like the venue, which appears to have a healing and calming effect on people. However the many stairs down make it increasingly difficult for elderly or disabled members.” AlAnon “The church hall is rather bleak and cold, which is a pity because the church is so beautifully located.” Faith in Older People

11. The New Development Together with LDN Architects, we have produced our vision for the future of St. John’s. We have full planning permission and consent for this development. By making urgent improvements and upgrades it will provide a fresh centre for activity in Edinburgh; one which fully embodies our values of inclusivity, creativity and welcome for all. Main entrance to church unchanged Entrance to hall Gates lockable at night Disabled ramp LOTHIAN ROAD There will now be a new entrance from Lothian Road onto the west terrace, making St John’s a much more welcoming part of the city-centre

12. If you walk along the west terrace then you come to a door that currently looks like this WEST TERRACE

13. The door will be changed to look like this. It will create a more welcoming entrance into St John’s, leading to a central ‘hub’ for all our activity.

14. New Hall-Level Layout (i) WEST TERRACE Inside the new entrance (on the left hand side of this plan) there will now be a reception space with a new lift (providing wheelchair access to all levels), stairs and an easy access toilet...

15. New Hall-Level Layout (ii) In part of the space currently occupied by the existing hall there will now be one large meeting room (which can be split into two). This meeting space can be used by community groups during the week and by the Sunday School on a Sunday

16. New Hall-Level Layout (iii) DORMITORY GARDEN The new hall will be created using part of the existing hall as well as a new south-facing extension. This hall, with views towards Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle, will have direct access to the Dormitory garden as well as small kitchen linked with the larger cafe kitchen below

17. Office Mezzanine This is a plan of the new office mezzanine that will be built above the existing hall. It will have a mixture of open-plan and single person offices.

18. Lower Terrace Layout This plan shows the re-developed lower terrace with two retail units towards the left, new toilet facilities in the middle, then the lift and stairs and the cafe towards the right

19. The development focuses on: • Accessibility: improving our layout • Flexibility: new, multi-use spaces • Comfort: upgrading facilities • Capacity: much needed space • Environment: minimising impact • FinancialSustainability: helping us remain relevant and viable

20. . Office mezzanine Meeting rooms, etc Retail spaces Hall Access to lifts, stairs, toilets Retail / cafe overspill Cafe This view, from the direction of Edinburgh Castle, shows how the different parts of re-developed building link together

21. 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.

22. In 2012-13 work began on phase one of our development; the replacement of our existing heating system. This was essential due to the ineffective and uneconomical system which was in place. This work is now complete and the updated system is already making a huge difference.

23. We are now fundraising for the final phase of our development. The full cost of Developing St. John’s: • Heating system replacement- £240,169 • Phase two, main development- £2.5m • Construction related costs- £602,500 • Other costs including admin- £181,900 = £3.5million

24. We aim to start building in Sep’ 2015 The work should take 18 months. • We are thrilled to have raised £2m towards the £3.5m needed. We now need your help to raise the remaining funding.

25. There are many ways to support us: • Make a one off gift • Make a regular donation • Ask your company to support us • Organise an event or activity • Sponsor one of our existing events • Volunteer at one of our events

26. Thank You