Supporting Communities Alongside New Homes:
Supporting The Junction, Leith At MNM Developments, creating exceptional homes is only part of the story. Just as important is the role each development plays within its wider community – supporting local people, contributing to neighbourhood life, and helping places thrive long after the final home is complete.
A More Considered Approach
There’s increasing focus across the industry on what development gives back, not just what it delivers. Long-term partnerships with local groups, charities and community initiatives are becoming a more meaningful way to contribute, helping ensure that investment reaches the places and people who need it most.
This is something MNM actively embraces. Recently, the team supported an Edinburgh-based youth charity, The Junction in Leith, where our upcoming Salamander Yards development is based, with a £1,000 donation. This contribution will directly help provide vital services for young people aged 12–21 across Leith and North East Edinburgh.
For over two decades, the organisation has been supporting young people’s health and wellbeing, offering a safe, accessible space and essential services including counselling, one-to-one support, creative programmes and open-access drop-in sessions. In the past year alone, more than 1,800 young people have benefited from this support which is a reflection of both the demand and the impact of their work.
Every location has its own character, networks and community structure already in place. Rather than starting from scratch, the aim is to understand that existing foundation and support it where possible – whether that’s through collaboration, funding, or simply designing in a way that complements what’s already there. This helps create developments that feel connected, rather than separate.
Beyond the Homes Themselves
Beyond well-designed homes, the wider environment matters just as much. Access to green space, walkable surroundings, and proximity to local amenities all play a role in how a place functions day to day. These are the details that shape how people experience a development over time. Taking these into account early leads to places that feel more natural and easier to live in.
The MNM Approach
For MNM, it comes back to balance. Delivering high-quality homes, while also contributing positively to the wider area. Taking a long-term view, rather than focusing only on the immediate. It’s a straightforward approach, but one that makes a difference over time.
