Day: November 23, 2014

Community Health's in safe hands

Scotland’s senior community health project still forging ahead

PCHP chair Tom Kirby and Cllr Lesley Hinds, who chaired the meeting
PCHP chair Tom Kirby and Cllr Lesley Hinds, who chaired the meeting

The oldest community health project in Scotland, Pilton Community Health Project has played a key role in promoting healthy lifestyles in North Edinburgh for thirty years. And if their recent annual general meeting is anything to go by, PCHP will be at the forefront of community health initiatives for a long time to come!

Annual general meetings can often be fairly dull affairs, but Pilton Community Health Project used their AGM to showcase the many elements that go into making a very successful community project.

Yes, there was the tedious but necessary business, but then the packed meeting was treated to the highlights of the past twelve months, courtesy of PCHP staff who gave presentations on the wide range of activities that are taking place at the Health Project’s Boswall Parkway base and, increasingly, out in the wider community.

Food development workers Memes Molina and Joe Jones kicked of the presentations with the launch of a new educational toolkit, then Women Supporting Women development worker Alison Hughes gave an overview of the PEEP programme.

Lianne Pipskyj and Clare Symonds shared the news of the Physical Activity Project’s ongoing success and Carol Targett, who leads PCHP’s counselling team, focused her contribution on the team’s work with young people in North Edinburgh.

As you can imagine there was a lot of information to take in – but fortunately you don’t have to! The morning’s other presentation saw PCHP manager Jen Richards launch PCHP’s bright new website, which contains all the information you need on everything that’s happening at PCHP!

Read all about it at www.pchp.org.uk

And here’s the Annual Report:

pchp-annual-report-2013-14

pchp3

Tough times but North West Carers are back on track

‘change is part of the provision of social care’

NWCarersNorth West Carers Centre has had it’s share of difficulties over the last year: without a manager and facing a funding crisis, there were times when the voluntary board and staff must have thought about throwing in the towel. Thankfully they remained loyal to the project, however, and their recent annual general meeting heard that the Carers Centre is still very much alive and kicking!

Chairperson Ian Huggan told the meeting, held in Muirhouse Millennium Centre: “it has been a particularly difficult year for the Board and staff of North West Carers. We spent most of the year without a Manager while coping with a difficult financial position. We are especially grateful to our main funder, the City of Edinburgh Council, for their support not only financially but also from the commissioners during this time.”

During the course of the year the project has been strengthened by the addition of committed new directors, who have worked with the existing Board and staff team to keep the project afloat. The project also received a much-need boost with the arrival of experienced manager Angela Dias (pictured above with Ian)  in July.

The North West Carers Centre is now moving forward again at last, but challenges remain: as always in the voluntary sector, funding is one concern and adapting to changing demands on your service – often with reduced budgets – is another.

“When the Scottish Government seeks cuts in expenditure from local authorities voluntary organisations feel the result of any cuts in the funding of our services,” Ian Huggan said. “I remember the chairperson of a voluntary organisation asking me ten years ago: ‘when will all this change stop?’ My answer then is the same as now: change is part of the provision of social care. Don’t expect things to be the same year in, year out.”

He went on: “North West Carers is acutely aware of some changes that will come from outside but we must also look at the way we work and deliver services. Looking for threats and opportunities is the name of the game”.

The Board continues to look for new funding streams and has developed a series of plans to address change, detailing clear outcomes and targets, but in a time of change one thing remains constant: the determination to provide a service that Carers want and need.

Mr Huggan, who stepped down as chairman at the meeting, concluded: “Carers are at the heart of our service and the Board and staff will be working hard in the coming year to improve communication with, and participation of, Carers in all that we do. We need to ask you what you want from us and endeavour to meet your needs.”

NHS volunteers head out to Sierra Leone

maskMore than 30 NHS staff from across the UK departed for Sierra Leone yesterday to join Britain’s fight against Ebola – the first group of NHS volunteers to be deployed by the UK government.

The British team will now complete a week of training in Freetown before moving to British-built Ebola treatment centres across the country.

Following this training and acclimatisation, the group – which includes GPs, nurses, clinicians, psychiatrists and consultants in emergency medicine – will begin work setting up procedures, diagnosing and treating people who have contracted the deadly virus.

They will work in treatment centres built by British Army Royal Engineers and funded by the Department for International Development.

International Development Secretary Justine Greening said: “Our fight against Ebola in West Africa is one of Britain’s biggest responses to a disease outbreak. Almost a thousand military personnel, scientists, healthcare and aid workers are already on the ground in Sierra Leone working to contain, control and defeat this terrible disease.

“But to beat Ebola we desperately need the experience and dedication of skilled doctors and nurses to care for the thousands of sick and dying patients who are not receiving the treatment they need.

“Every one of these NHS heroes will play a vital role in the fight against Ebola. It is only because of their combined efforts that we stand a chance of defeating this disease.”

Candle Safety Week advice

Did you know this is Candle Safety Week? Me neither, but here’s some advice that’s particularly relevant at this time of the year … 

candleThe Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is making an appeal to the public to stay safe this Candle Safety Week.

Candles pose a real threat to life if misused. Follow our top tips to make sure you, your family and home stay safe from fire:

• Make sure that when in use, candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains, furniture,  Christmas trees, decorations or toys.

• Children and pets should not be left alone with lit candles.

• Put candles out when you leave the room, and make sure they’re put out completely at night.  In particular, never leave a burning candle in a bedroom.

• Trim the wick to ¼ inch each time before burning. Long or crooked wicks can cause uneven burning, dripping or flaring.

• Don’t move candles once they are lit.

• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on burn time and proper use.

• Do not burn several candles close together as this might cause flaring (mainly with tea-lights).

• Always make sure tea-lights are placed in a proper holder.  The foil container that tea lights are contained in can get very hot. They can melt through plastic, such as a bath, and have the potential to start a house fire.

• Use a snuffer or a spoon to put out candles.  It’s safer than blowing them out when embers can fly.

Taking these precautions will reduce the chances of a house fire, but should the worst happen, remember to ensure that your smoke alarms are in working order and that everyone living in your household knows their quickest escapes routes in an emergency.

Top safety tip: this winter, keep a torch and spare batteries readily available in your home in case of a lighting failure.

If you or someone you know could benefit from a FREE Home Fire Safety Visit, please join Scotland’s fight against fire and request a visit by calling the SFRS freephone number 0800 0731 999, by texting ‘check’ to 61611 or by contacting their local fire station.

SFRS

Edinburgh Police launch festive safety campaign

keep safePolice in Edinburgh have launched their annual campaign to keep people safe during the festive season.

As part of Operation Greenland, (formerly Operation Astrodome) officers in the city centre will each day issue a special ‘Countdown to Christmas’ photo on social media. The image will relate to a specific theme of festive safety or update the public on policing activity being carried out over Christmas and New Year.

The public can receive these images and updates by liking the Edinburgh Division Facebook page and by following the @EdinCityPolice Twitter account.

Social media users can also join in the discussion about the campaign by using the hashtag #OpGreenland.

As always, officers within the Capital will provide a high-visibility presence across the city in the coming weeks to offer a range of crime prevention and personal safety advice.

In addition, police will specifically target busy areas and destinations during the holiday season to distribute specially designed leaflets that inform the public on how to ‘Shop Safe’ and ‘Party Safe’.

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, Divisional Commander for the City of Edinburgh said: “Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful, vibrant and safe cities in the world, and the policing plans we’re announcing today means this is set to continue into the festive season and beyond.

“The city is already getting busier, with locals and visitors taking full advantage of the shopping and attractions on offer, and many people will soon be out enjoying festive nights out in the restaurants, pubs and clubs.

“We are keen to ensure people can have a safe and enjoyable time whilst soaking up the fantastic atmosphere that the city has to offer.”

Community Safety Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Councillor Cammy Day, said: “Edinburgh is a safe place to visit and to live in, and our winter festival attracts people from around the world each year.

“We want to make sure that everyone will enjoy themselves and stay safe. I urge revellers to keep an eye on their belongings during a night out and to act responsibly.

“Working closely with the police and other agencies, our community safety wardens will be conducting high visibility patrols. Starting at the end of November, extra patrols will be out on Friday and Saturday evenings, and there will be a daily focus on the winter festival area.”

Ch Supt Williams said there are a number of simple steps you can take whilst enjoying the festive season. “Make sure you are always aware of your surroundings and keep your property safe when out and about. If you’re enjoying a night out in town then please drink responsibly and don’t let excessive alcohol consumption ruin your evening.

“This will also be our most interactive festive season yet and through social media we will issue a new ‘Countdown to Christmas’ photo each day with further information and advice. Members of the public can view these images by liking the Edinburgh Division Facebook page and following our @EdinCityPolice Twitter account.

“Updates on all Operation Greenland activity will also be available on these sites, as well as our @EdinburghPolice Twitter account, which covers the entire city.”

Edinburgh Award: last call for nominations

Edinburgh_Award_logoYou’ve just five days left to submit nominations for the next Edinburgh Award recipient. Votes for the Edinburgh Award 2014 must be submitted online or by post no later than Thursday 27 November 2014.

The Lord Provost, Councillor Donald Wilson, said: “The Edinburgh Award is the City’s chance to pay public tribute to an extraordinary individual whose work or achievements have brought positive attention to Edinburgh in the past twelve months.

“Whoever receives the award in 2014 will become the latest member of a very elite club indeed. If you haven’t cast your vote yet, fill out the nomination form right away and send it in to us to make sure your chosen candidate has a chance of gaining the recognition they deserve.”

To nominate, fill in the survey online or download and post the Edinburgh Award nomination form. Submissions are quick and easy to fill in and are available from

http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/edinburghaward.

Completed nomination forms must be received by

Thursday 27 November 2014.

The 2014 recipient of The Edinburgh Award will be honoured at a ceremony to be held in Edinburgh early next year.

NEN annual general meeting

‘Local folk know and trust the NEN’

NEN_LogoDespite the alternative attraction of a Scotland v England international football match live on TV fourteen people attended North Edinburgh News’ annual general meeting at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday evening.

Chairman Martin Hinds reported on what has been an ‘interesting and challenging’ year for the project and the meeting went on to discuss NEN’s role in Contact in the Capital, the city council’s community communication pilot project.

The pilot project ends next March, and there was further discussion on what happens to NEN at the end of Contact in the Capital. The NEN Board reaffirmed a reluctance to introduce a cover price for the community newspaper and treasurer Eddie Thorn said that plans to relaunch NEN as a social enterprise, first discussed last year, had been put on hold due to ongoing funding uncertainty and the volume of paperwork that a change to the  company status would entail – the NEN’s board of directors are all volunteers who live in the community.

NEN board member Willie Black said recent events in North Edinburgh had shown that the community newspaper remains as important as ever. “Our community has faced  serious challenges over recent months and one thing that has been very clear is that there is a desperate need for communication. Local folk want to know what’s happening and they know and trust the NEN”.

Willie Black, who is also secretary of West Pilton West Granton Community Council, went on: “Our role is to support the community and serve it well – we must keep a free community newspaper as long as we have poverty in this area, and we’ve got to campaign to make sure that happens.

“As for funding, support from community projects is important but the big players in this area’s regeneration should also be playing their part and supporting NEN. I know from many meetings I’ve attended that NEN is necessary, so I’m optimistic that we won’t see the end of the NEN in three months time – but we must keep up the pressure, step up the campaign and argue NEN’s case.”

Minutes of the meeting are attached (below)

Minutes NEN AGM mtg. 18th November 2014