Millennium Community Centre lowe-down: happy and fit

David Lowe’s Zumba & Fitsteps: “Together or Not” on Tuesday nights

David-fitstepsDavid has introduced a new format of his popular forms of exercise by starting on Tuesdays with Zumba Class for 1 hour. Participants can, if they want to (after a short break) participate in the Fitsteps activity for a further hour.

Costs are as follows: 1 hour of Zumba (on its own) 6.30 – 7.30pm £ 4.50 1 Hour of Fitsteps (on its own) 7.30 – 8.30pm £ 4.00 Zumba & Fitsteps (the full programme (6.30 – 8.30pm.) £7.00

This is proving to be successful in its first weeks with all of the participants taking part in both activities. We will soon be able to claim our area as having the fittest and happiest people in Edinburgh !!

So come along to the biggest fitness party in North Edinburgh and join in the fun for whatever, and whenever, you want !!

See more at:

http://muirhousecommunitycentre.co.uk/new-concept-from-david-lowe/#sthash.MEksE07z.dpuf

James McGinty, Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre

STV’s Real Heroes – Fet-Lor features this Friday

 

Crewe Road South’s Fet-lor Youth Club and Serenity Cafe from Dumbiedykes will feature on STV’s Real Heroes this Friday

Mark Foster (fetlor) with Paul Brannigan

 STV’s brand new series of RBS – Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes kicked off again on Friday. Presented by Carol Smillie and sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the STV series celebrates people whose tireless effort, resourcefulness, and kindness has improved local communities across Scotland. 

The nominees were selected by a special jury and will feature in a series of programmes every Friday evening. Across the five episodes, ‘star reporters’ visit each of the nominees to interview them about their work in the community and their thoughts on the nomination for a Real Hero award.

The star reporters this year include The X Factor runner-up Nicholas McDonald, actress Clare Grogan, Taggart star Alex Norton and actor Bill Paterson.

The year’s shortlist includes deserving Scots from Wick to West Lothian, and Skye to South Lanarkshire, recognising the amazing work local people are undertaking in their communities across the country. The categories include Carer of the Year, Young Real Hero of the Year, and a new award for Hero Animal of the Year.

At the end of each programme viewers are invited to vote for the nominees they believe most deserve to win a Scotland’s Real Heroes Award, with the overall winners being celebrated at a glittering televised awards ceremony later in the year.

Elizabeth Partyka, deputy director of channels at STV, said: “The time has come to highlight the outstanding work modestly carried out by the finalists of the series RBS – Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes.  We look forward to celebrating the enormous achievement of all of the nominees.  Each story tells of a remarkable accomplishment and is very moving – all the finalists are considered to be most deserving however it is the STV viewers that decide who will pick up an award.”

Chris Wilson, Royal Bank of Scotland’s Managing Director of Branch and Private Banking in Scotland, said:  “Everyone at Royal Bank of Scotland is looking forward to finding out more about this year’s incredible finalists. We think it’s important to celebrate those people who go that extra mile for their community. Each one of the finalists is deserving of recognition and we are all looking forward to seeing who the public choose.”

For more information, visit www.stv.tv/realheroes or get involved on Twitter #scotlandsrealheroes or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scotrealheroes

 

RBS FINDING SCOTLAND’S REAL HEROES 2014

 THE FINALISTS 

 

CARER OF THE YEAR           

Nell Graham (Portobello Monday Centre)                   Portobello, Edinburgh

Clare Grogan visits Nell who runs the Portobello Monday Centre, for people who have dementia.  The club offers a break for their carers whilst also providing fun filled activities and a homemade lunch for the members.

Maw’s Mafia (The EK Hangout)                          East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire

Carol Smillie meets this group of four mums who set up The EK Hangout, a club for young adults with learning disabilities, which allows them to set up strong friendships with people their own age and have some fun.  All the ‘Maws’ have sons who attend the club and they care for at home.

Anne Swartz (Scottish Kinship Care Alliance)                       Dumbarton, West Dunbartonshire

Ron Donachie visits Anne who is a full time kinship carer for her three grandchildren and is the chairperson of the Scottish Kinship Care Alliance.  Anne works tirelessly to improve the provision for children in Kinship care.

COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

 Jim McConkey                                                                     Govan, Glasgow

Sanjeev Kohli meets Jim who invents safety gadgets in his garden shed for the pensioners in his community.

Vicki McCarthy (REACH for Autism)                              Greenock, Inverclyde

Paul Brannigan meets Vicki – the mother of an autistic daughter who set up specialist centre and social enterprise cafe for autistic people and their families.

Ross Cowie (Lucky2BHere)                                             Portree, Isle of Skye

Jayd Johnson travels to Skye to meet Ross Cowie who set up ‘Lucky2BHere’ which provides training and defibrillators to public places across Skye and now Scotland.  Ross set up the enterprise after he suffered a cardiac arrest in 2007. 

RBS – COMMUNITY PROJECT OF THE YEAR 

Fet-Lor                                                                                              Pilton, Edinburgh

Paul Brannigan visits the oldest youth club in Scotland (pictured top), which provides constructive after school activities in a safe environment to young people in an under-privileged area of Edinburgh.  The group also puts members through the Duke of Edinburgh Award so they have something positive to put on their CVs when leaving school. 

The Driving Force                                                               Bonnybridge, Falkirk

Alex Norton spends the day with the volunteers of ‘The Driving Force’ who provide free hospital transport to cancer patients and people with other long-term illnesses.   This service gives people with cancer the opportunity to regain a sense of purpose by hiring them as volunteer drivers.

The Serenity Cafe                                                              Holyrood, Edinburgh

Carol Smillie visits this special cafe (pictured below) which is run by people in recovery from addiction.  It is used by people in recovery and open to public customers too.  This safe-haven also provides volunteer opportunities for those in recovery.  The cafe is a focal point for various activity groups such as a running club, guitar group and sewing group.

Carol Smillie at the Serenity Cafe

SPORTING VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR            

Elaine McKenna (Special Olympics Lothian)              Blackburn, West Lothian

Des Clarke meets Elaine who coaches a multi sport group and football team for people with learning disabilities.  From carpet bowls, to new age kurling and boccia – some of her students have gone on to represent team GB at the Special Olympics.

Pat Bannan (Bannan Fitness Club)                   Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire

Stephen Purdon meets Pat – a 66 year old who is passionate about keeping everyone in his community fit and healthy.  From tots to pensioners, everyone is welcome at the Bannan Fitness Club.

Andrew Campbell (Camran Taekwondo)         Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire

Jayd Johnson meets this taekwondo instructor who provides low cost and sometimes free lessons for kids in his area, teaching them the ethos of this popular martial art.  Andrew has even coached a few medal winners over the years! 

HERO ANIMAL OF THE YEAR 

Barra the dog (K9 Search and Recovery Scotland)               Luss, Argyll & Bute

Alex Norton meets Barra the dog – a trained search and recovery dog whose specialist skill is submerged victim recovery.  Barra is trained to find the scent of missing people underwater and has helped bring closure to many families across Scotland.

Sid the horse (Aberdeen RDA)                                       Milltimber, Aberdeen

STV’s Andrea Brymer visits Sid the Horse – a much loved member of the team at ‘Riding for the Disabled Aberdeen’.  Sid’s great temperament means he is the ideal horse for the riders who all have learning and physical disabilities.

Ben the dog (Therapet)                                        Old Meldrum, Aberdeenshire

Ron Donachie meets Ben, a ‘therapet’ who regularly visits the acute stroke ward at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary where patients can sit with him, pet him and talk to him.  Offering comfort in stressful times, Ben is loved by the patients and the ward staff. 

COMMUNITY CHAMPION OF THE YEAR        

 Bathgate Street Pastors                                                   Bathgate, West Lothian

Jennifer Reoch spends a busy Saturday night with this group who help keep the people of Bathgate safe on nights out.  Their Saturday night involves handing out flip-flops to girls struggling in heels, providing a listening service to those who’ve had a bit too much to drink, handing out alarms to young women as well as keeping them safe in taxis.  This is all voluntarily.

Jackie McIntosh(MS Therapy Centre)                          Inverness, Highlands

Kelly Cates meets this wonder woman who single-handedly raises £140,000 a year to keep the MS Therapy Centre running.  It’s down to Jackie that this vital service is kept running and was saved from closure. 

Margaret Gibb (West of Scotland Play Scheme)       Bellshill, South Lanarkshire

Clare Grogan meets Margaret who has given over 30 years of her life to the young people of Bellshill with her playgroups and play-schemes.  This group have been used as a model for the 300 plus play-schemes now running across the west of Scotland. 

HERO NEIGHBOUR OF THE YEAR 

Ann Graham                                                                         Riverside, Stirling

Anita Manning meets this hero neighbour who not only organises local flood defences, neighbourhood clean-ups and a beautiful orchard, she also delivers handmade cakes and Sunday lunches to her doting neighbours.

Mo and Roxy Razzaq                                              Blantyre, South Lanarkshire

Carol Smillie visits the owners of the neighbourhood shop who provide deliveries to the elderly and disabled, a ‘losers lotto’ to regular customers.  Mo and Roxy run the local football team, give milk and groceries to the primary school, as well as giving two pence charge for carrier bags to local charities.

Margaret (Garry) Robertson                                                       Wick, Caithness

Kelly Cates visits ‘Garry’ who lives in sheltered housing. Garry arranges activities and days out for others in the home whilst volunteering at the local scouts, running a chess class at the primary school and helping as treasurer at a bell ringing group.  On top of all this Garry assists the local archives, and mentors people with mental health issues.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR 

Saltburn Woodland Walk                                                 Invergordon, Highlands

Ron Donachie visits Bob and Sandy.  They are a pair of retired friends who have dedicated years to regenerating an area of Invergordon.   What was formally an aluminium smelter has been transformed into a lovely woodland walk.  All the work was carried out with their bare hands and a small tractor.

Yooz Reuse & Recycling                                       Bellshill, North Lanarkshire

John Amabile visits this social enterprise which provides products from recycled building materials for people to buy at a reduced rate.  All profits go to the Scottish sporting centre of excellence for disabled people.

Killie Can Cycle                                                       Kilmarnock, East Ayshire

Bill Paterson meets the children’s charity that recycles aluminium cans for money.  This allows them to buy parts for fixing up bikes that in turn are sold back to the local community at a very low cost.  

SCOTLAND’S YOUNG REAL HERO OF THE YEAR 

Danii McArthur       (Young Carer)                                             Barrhead, Glasgow

Sharon Rooney meets Danii (18) who cares for her ill mother and two younger sisters whilst also having diabetes herself.  On top of this she highlights the plight of young carers by giving talks and putting on workshops.  Danii is also working towards her dream of becoming a primary teacher by volunteering at her old school.

Mitchell Kinnen (Bright Lights Theatre Group)        Blantyre, South Lanarkshire

Jayd Johnson meets trainee primary teacher Mitchell (18) who set up and runs the theatre group for people of all ages in his area, only charging £1 for the class.  Anyone of any age is welcome at Bright Lights no matter what their level of ability.

The Volunteers of the Glasgow 77th (Disabled) Scout Group             Glasgow

Stephen Purdon meets the volunteers at this very special Scout Group for boys aged 8-25 with physical disabilities and life limiting conditions.  All the volunteers are in their teens or early twenties and pair up one-on-one with a member of the group.

SCOTLAND’S REAL HEROES COURAGE AWARD 

Dean Reilly (Dean Reilly vs MS)                                                Portobello, Edinburgh

Mark Beaumont meets Dean who has multiple sclerosis, but won’t let it limit his life.  He fundraises for the MS Therapy Centre in Leith through a range of tough challenges.  Dean is currently in training for a boxing match with ‘The Celtic Warrior.’

Amanda MacTaggart (Wig Bank Glasgow)  Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire

Jennifer Reoch visits Amanda who has overcome breast cancer and set up the ‘Wig Bank’ in Clydebank to provide a relaxed and comfortable service for female chemotherapy patients who have lost their hair.

Jenny Cook (Wee Jenny Cook)                           East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire

Nicholas McDonald surprises Jenny with a visit to her car boot fundraiser.  Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at four years old, she has since raised over £30,000 for Yorkhill Children’s Charity and the Catherine McEwan foundation.  Jenny is also a Yorkhill buddy, providing support for other sick children.

STV productions logo

Volunteer and help Scotland’s animals

Scottish Animal Week, 1 – 7 September

FundraiserThe Scottish SPCA is appealing to kind hearted people in Edinburgh and the Lothians to help raise funds for abused, abandoned and injured animals by volunteering.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity is urging locals to get involved this Scottish Animal Week, which runs from 1-7 September, by shaking a collection tin in their area.

Diane Stewart, manager of the charity’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre said, “Last year our centre cared for a staggering 1,365 animals and 2014 is proving to be even more challenging.

“As an animal welfare charity, we receive no government or lottery funding and rely on the generosity of the public to continue our vital work.

“During Scottish Animal Week we have opportunities to fundraise throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians and we’d be very grateful if locals can get behind our appeal and help.

“Door-to-door fundraising can be carried out between Monday and Friday,
while people can hold street collections on the Saturday. Even if someone can only spare an hour or two to shake a collection tin, their time and efforts would be hugely appreciated.

“It’s something we always say because it’s true: every pound and penny raised really does make a difference and gives animals in desperate need of our help a second chance in life.”

Anyone who would like to help fundraise for the Scottish SPCA can contact the fundraising team on 03000 999 999 or email fundraising@scottishspca.org

Fundraisers

Alexander: ‘best of both worlds’

Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander sets out why he believes being part of the UK is helping Scotland’s economy grow and create jobs …

Danny_AlexanderThis week I will be travelling across the breadth and width of Scotland, from east to west and from north to south, talking to businesses and families about the issues that matter to them.

I will visit a range of companies, representing many of Scotland’s key sectors like life sciences, financial services, tourism, manufacturing and the creative industries.

I am certain that the one common thread which will emerge during my travels is this: the economy of Scotland is rich, diverse and prosperous, with huge and exciting opportunities ahead of us. But our present strength and our future potential come from the fact that we are – and I believe we should remain – part of the United Kingdom.

There’s little doubt that the UK and Scottish economies are recovering strongly. Scotland has now seen seven quarters of continuous growth. And that impressive performance is contributing to the strength of the UK economy: data released on Friday showed that the UK has grown by 3.2% in the past year.

This means that our economy is now recovering faster than all our major international competitors like the US, Germany, Japan or France.

What’s more, independent experts predict that the UK will continue to lead the pack over the rest of this year and grow faster than any other G7 nation.

With more economic growth we’re also seeing more jobs. Since 2010 some 1.8 million additional jobs have been created across the UK, as part of that there are almost 160,000 new jobs in Scotland.

There are now more Scots in work – some 2.6 million – than ever before.

The strength of our labour market means we can continue to reduce unemployment in Scotland, including among our young people: new data released last week showed the biggest fall in UK-wide youth unemployment since records began.

All the evidence shows that being part of the UK is helping Scotland’s economy grow and create jobs.

One reason for this is that Scottish companies do most of their trade with the rest of the UK.

Almost 70% of Scotland’s exports go to England, Wales and Northern Ireland – more than to the every other country in the world combined. As a single state, the UK shares common regulations and a bigger marketplace where people can move freely, all of this makes it far easier to do business.

Being part of the UK is also good for jobs. New analysis published last week showed that almost 270,000 jobs in Scotland – more than one in every ten jobs – is dependent on trade with the rest of the UK.

This includes 45,000 manufacturing jobs and 180,000 jobs in the services industries, all of which benefit from the larger single integrated market available as part of the UK.

Many of these jobs are in the key industrial sectors which I will be visiting over the coming week.

We have a top financial and professional services sector. We are world-leaders in renewable energy. Aberdeen is a global hub for oil and gas expertise. We have a state-of-the-art life sciences sector. We have a vibrant creative industries scene, concentrated around Dundee and Glasgow.

All these sectors are thriving precisely because Scotland benefits from the broad shoulders and economic stability that come from being part of the UK.

I am in no doubt that the ingenuity and hard-work of the Scottish people is one of our greatest assets – an asset that will yield even more success as part of the UK.

And that’s because the UK offers stability and strength, with certainty about our currency, better funded public services and safer savings and pensions.

And with a more powerful Scottish Parliament we can have the best of both worlds, so that we can find Scottish solutions to Scottish issues while remaining part of a stronger United Kingdom.

We should all be incredibly proud of everything Scotland has achieved. Let’s make sure that our children and grandchildren can be even more successful as part of the United Kingdom.

Independence Referendum: Are you registered?

First Minister: Make sure you have your say in your country’s future

SalmondReferendum

With just four weeks to go until the independence referendum First Minister Alex Salmond has sent out a message to all voters highlighting the importance of being registered in time to vote.

To vote in the referendum on September 18, voters must be registered by September 2. For more information on registering visit: www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

A message to encourage voter registration has been recorded and personalised along with a British Sign Language version.

The First Minister said: “On September 18, the people of Scotland will have the biggest and most exciting democratic opportunity this country has ever seen, when they vote on the question: Should Scotland be an independent country?

“Already, more than 4.1 million people in Scotland have registered to vote – that’s a record for any election. But we want the number to be higher. We want all the people of Scotland to be represented.

“I think of it like this. Scottish identity is like the tartan. It is made up of many colours, many threads, many strands – each one of them is vital to our Scottish fabric of identity.

“From all parts of the globe – from Pakistan to Poland, from Nigeria to Italy, from Canada to Australia – Scotland has been blessed by people who have chosen to come and build their lives here. All of us, together, are part of modern Scotland. And every single one of us has an equal say in choosing Scotland’s future.

“So if you haven’t yet registered to vote, please do it before September 2. You can visit www.aboutmyvote.org.uk for more information. Registering is easy, and won’t take long.

“This 18th of September, Scotland’s future will be in Scotland’s hands. Please make sure you’re part of that choice.”

Links to messages:

Hindi – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbes5q6eom4
Bengali – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9se9fMjQmM
Irish Gaelic – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9A_YmFyLOg
Polish – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir7CbTXiSY4
French – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWqxDjJYCP4
Punjabi – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaLIV7GdsfY
Urdu – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5nLhsPZRLVc
Cantonese – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4K0tmXPB5A
Mandarin – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vXK_iFekJg
Arabic – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3Qj1L3VdQ
Gaelic – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3KyLTZadxw
BSL – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHqVKe7hzM4

NHS Lothian to consult on Victoria Hospital plans

Royal Victoria Hospital

NHS Lothian’s plans to develop the Royal Victoria Hospital site off Craigleith Road have been submitted, and members of the public can see what is being proposed at a session in Comely Bank early next month.

NHS Lothian plans to develop the site to provide a range of accommodation – both residential and non-residential – to meet the health and social care needs of older people, but also to market the remainder of the site as a ‘residential development opportunity’.

The public consultation session will be held at St Ninian’s Church, Comely Bank from midday – 8pm on Thursday 4 September.

PAN_Royal_Victoria_Hospital_Site