The snow’s stopped – so it must be hayfever time!

With snow settling on the hills again only this week, thoughts of seasonal illness are still more focused on winter coughs and colds – even at the end of May. And while Scots are looking forward to the arrival of some real summer weather, there is bad news for hayfever sufferers now that the grass pollen season is almost here – this time of year marks the peak of allergic reaction for 95% of hayfever sufferers and can often last until the end of September.

Unfortunately there is no cure for hayfever but there are a range of things that we can try to minimise our suffering. NHS 24’s health information service, NHS inform, has lots of tips and advice we can follow – from preventative measures to the types of treatments that are available.

NHS 24 Medical Director, Professor George Crooks, says people should try and be prepared for the season: “Most people who suffer with hayfever understand their own allergies and what triggers them. They’ll also know how to minimise the impact of an attack which, although perhaps not serious, can have a huge impact on a person’s quality of life.

“The severity of reactions can change because of all kinds of environmental influences so it’s important that people keep up to date with the Met Office’s pollen count. We have lots of tips available on www.nhsinform.co.uk and I would recommend that people take a look and perhaps try new techniques to help minimise their symptoms.

“It’s always worth reviewing how we minimise an allergic response since, like the things that cause it in the first place, it does change and evolve over time. I know from my own experience as a GP that patients can benefit from a fresh approach to dealing with the annoyance of hayfever to stop it ruining whatever summer we might get.”

Advice that’s not to be sniffed at!

hayfever

 

Addiction issues? Think SMART

North Edinburgh Drug Advice Centre (NEDAC) is to launch a new service at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre next month. The SMART Recovery programme offers support to people who feel they may be drinking too much and individuals whose compulsive or addictive behaviour is causing problems.

Sessions will be held in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre every Friday from 10 – 11.30am, with the first one taking place on Friday 28 June. For further information call Kennedy at NEDAC on 332 2314.

Smart Recovery Poster

Cross Currents dance performances this Friday

Dance students from Performing Arts Studio Scotland at Edinburgh College are inviting dance enthusiasts to attend their annual end-of-year production, ‘Cross Currents 2013’ at The Royal Lyceum Theatre this Friday (31 May). Pass Dance students will perform to over 1300 people on Friday, when performances include a free Schools Matinee at 1.30 and two evening shows 5.30 and 8.30.

Inspired by the rugged beauty of Scotland and the Scots, Cross Currents will bring flavours of urban and rural Scottish movement and music, blending inspiration from contemporary, tap and jazz techniques. This eclectic mix will tantalise the imagination of lovers of dance, music and theatre, of those who have the beat in their veins and music in their hearts.

‘Cross Currents 2013’ features the choreographic work of the dance teaching staff who reflects best practice in knowledge and skills by continually working within the industry. Student dancers range from foundation to degree level – and will showcase a combination of styles.  PASS at Edinburgh’s College  has an excellent reputation for its accomplishments in dance and the annual ‘Cross Currents’ show is one of the College’s highlights of the year. This year we are proud to announce our first collaboration with the music students from the Sighthill Campus. This will be an exciting theatrical experience brought to you by the dedicated team and talented students from PASS at Edinburgh College.

For further information and tickets for the matinee only, please email Jennifer Figures at

 Jennifer.figures@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

Tickets for the 5.30pm & 8.30pm performances can be purchased from the Lyceum Box office, telephone 0131 248 4848 or email https://bookings.lyceum.org.uk

 

Jennifer Kelly

Community Liaison, Edinburgh College

Cross currents 2013

Granton Campus to host ‘Great Big Art Show’

Students who have studied a wide range of creative courses at Edinburgh College are presenting their Art and Design work from Friday 7 to Thursday 13 June at Granton Campus in ‘The Great Big Art Show’.

Now in its fourth year ‘The Great Big Art Show’ will showcase the creative talents of students studying a wide array of artistic courses at the College – including Art and Design, Contemporary Art, Photography, Illustration, Textiles, Theatre Costume, Graphic Design to name a few and students from Access level through to Btec Foundation Diploma and HN level specialisms will be exhibiting at the Granton campus.

Edinburgh College has excellent facilities for those studying creative courses, with several specifically tailored spacious studios, equipped with the latest tools and materials required to produce a wide range of creative works. This is supported by fully qualified staff and strong links with employers, Industry and higher education institutions. Those interested in starting a career in the Creative Industries will be able to see the breadth of courses available and talk to current students first hand about their experiences and be inspired by their progression into further courses and employment.

Indeed this year students across all subjects are receiving a range of successful results into first and second year degree programmes across the UK and onto HN and specialist subjects within Edinburgh College and other Colleges in Scotland. Foundation Diploma students specialising in Sculpture have benefited from an articulation agreement with The Glasgow School of Art with six students progressing directly into second year of the BA (Hons) in Sculpture and Environmental Art this year.

Building on previous successes the ‘Great Big Art Show’ clearly demonstrates the growing reputation of Edinburgh College as a major creative power house and nurturing ground for Scotland’s future Artists and Designers.

The exhibition will be on display at the College from 9am to 4pm on Friday 7 June; from 10am to 4pm on Saturday 8 June and from 9am to 4pm from Monday 10 to Wednesday 12 June. The exhibition will be open until 8pm on the last day, Thursday 13 June.

For further information contact Programme Area Leader Art & Design Neil Manning

Email: neil.manning@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

BIG ART POSTER