History of MARC

MARC has been in existence since 1982. Our object is to help the community and offer volunteers a chance to help in our activities.

Mid and East Lothian Trades Council, with support from Midlothian Council opens Dalkeith Unemployed Workers Centre in Lothian Street, Dalkeith The centre is both a campaigning centre for jobs and a centre which provides practical help to the community on welfare benefits and learning opportunities.
The demand for the centre by the local community means a move to bigger premises in Elmfield Bank, Dalkeith, owned by the council.
In response to the Liverpool riots in 1984 the Tory Government sets up the Unemployed Voluntary Action Fund (VAF) and the centre is awarded the first grant of its kind in Scotland to develop a range of activities to help both unemployed volunteers and disadvantaged people. The centre is able to take on a full time worker and an administration assistant.

The centre continues to provide a wide range of activities in addition to its core services including the forming of a food co-op, a community kitchen the development of women's and men's groups and health living projects. Volunteers remain at the heart of the centre. We become a Registered Charity. The centre changes its name to the present MARC and moves to new premises in Woodburn Road, Dalkeith owned by the council.

The centre is awarded a lottery grant to develop a furniture recycling project and along with the continued support of the VAF and the council we open a shop, the Furniture Bank in Mayfield. We buy a van and employ a driver to collect and deliver used furniture with help from volunteers. We sell the furniture at the shop and help the homeless.
The furniture recycling project turns out to be great success and we begin to develop other ideas. As a result we become a company limited by guarantee and become a Social Enterprise.
MARC is awarded the Queens Award for Voluntary Service in recognition of 25 years services by volunteers to the community of Midlothian.
In June 2007, the 25th Anniversary of the organisation, MARC created a subsidiary company called MARC Contracts Ltd. to deal with the social enterprise side of MARC which is now the parent company.