Birthlink has 111 years of history

THE CHARITY Birthlink has two shops in

Edinburgh, one at Lower Gilmore Place and

the other in Bruntsfield

The well-established thrift shops have a simple ethos - nothing is ever wasted, and very little goes to landfill.

In 1957 the first Thrift shop was founded to contribute to the organisation’s funds. It started off with three members of staff and the following year the charity bought Number 6 Bruntsfield Place and employed four members of staff. A big celebration was held in 2017 to mark the 60th anniversary of the oldest thrift shop in Scotland with staff and volunteers dressing up for the occasion.

The charity began in November 1911 and was founded as the Eastern Division of the National Vigilance Association of Scotland by a group of well-known Edinburgh citizens, who included Dr Elsie Inglis. The Association conducted community based work, mainly providing temporary shelter to women and girls who were in need.

NAME CHANGE

In 1941 the organisation changed its name to the Guild of Service for Women and its main purpose was to “Advise and befriend women and children in any difficulty” by means of individual case work. Students at the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social Studies were given practical training by the Guild. This link with universities continues, supporting social work placements. The charity then opened

Edzell Lodge which was a family group home with house parents working with social workers and about a dozen children. The Guild of Service then moved to 21 Castle Street in 1954 becoming a registered

adoption agency.

The Guild supported and organised adoption placements for more than twenty years and supported foster carers.

The next and most important phase of the charity’s work began in the late seventies and early eighties when it began to support people enquiring about their own origins and connecting with their birth family.

If you are an adult who has been affected by adoption with a Scottish connection – an adopted adult, a birth parent or relative, or an adoptive relative contact the charity on 0131 225 6441 or mail@birthlink.org.uk