Happy birthday, Muirhouse Millennium Centre

Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre is celebrating a special anniversary today, writes JAMES McGINTY

Flashback: birthday celebrations 2003
Flashback: birthday celebrations 2003

Today’s our BIRTHDAY!! Yes we’re 15 today (sorry, that’s the Millennium Centre, not the average age of our workers – how they wish!!) Yes it’s fifteen years from the day Councillors Maginnis and Hinds officially opened the Centre. Have we changed? Ask our visitors!

YES we have, we’re busier more creative in our activities and projects in our activities than ever.

YES We have also improved our publicity and transparency with our venture into our own website, tweets on Twitter posts on our electronic North Edinburgh News and declaring the number of people who participate in the centre activities each month.

YES 15 years on, roll on the 25th & 50th anniversary! Click onto our website for full report with some nostalgic pictures:

www.muirhousecommunitycentre.co.uk

Bogus callers target 81 year old woman in Nichollfield

‘This is a despicable theft from an elderly lady in her own home’ – Detective Constable Mark Seymour

Bogus caller

Police in Edinburgh are investigating a theft from an 81 year old woman in Nichollfield in Newhaven.

The incident happened around 10.45 am on Saturday (22 August), when the woman was visited by two men who said they needed to speak to her about her water supply.

She allowed the men into the house and after a short while they stole items from her house and made off.  The suspects were chased from the scene and were last seen running through a common stair in North Fort Street.

The two suspects are described as:

(1) male, white, about 6’ tall, slim build, short dirty blond/grey hair, wearing a dark grey woollen jersey and carrying a carrier bag;

(2) male, white, about 5’10” tall, slim build, short dark hair and possible moustache, wearing a dark top.

Detective Constable Mark Seymour of Gayfield Police Station said; “This is a despicable theft from an elderly lady in her own home by these two suspects who have managed to trick their way into her home by acting as bogus officials.

“We are appealing for anyone who may have seen the suspects as they fled the scene around 10.45 am on Saturday to get in touch.

“A robust and thorough investigation is underway to catch those responsible and I would urge anyone who has any information which may help in this investigation to call us on 101, or if they want to remain anonymous then through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

nichollfield

Check it out: cancer awareness campaign launched

 #GetChecked for potential signs or symptoms of cancer

wee c

#GetChecked – a new campaign to encourage people to get checked for potential symptoms of cancer in a bid to save more lives in Scotland – has been launched.

The Scottish Government has joined forces with Cancer Research UK to call on people in Scotland to wear checked patterns in support of finding cancer early as part of the drive to turn the Big C into the wee c.

The campaign aims to make check patterns synonymous with early detection, so that every time someone sees a check they think about getting checked, attend screening when invited, or encourage a loved one to do the same.

X Factor and The Voice coach Yvie Burnett and Lindsay Blake from Burntisland, Fife who survived breast cancer after early detection, kicked off the campaign with M&Co, who were unveiled as its first #GetChecked partner yesterday.

The women are big supporters of the #GetChecked campaign and they joined staff at M&Co’s flagship store at The Gyle Shopping Centre, Edinburgh to raise awareness of the importance of early detection to help save more lives in Scotland.

#GetChecked will be promoted in M&Co’s network of 62 stores across Scotland over the next two weeks to help spread the message. Their windows will also be dressed in colourful checks and staff will be handing out leaflets and stickers to promote the importance of early detection to customers.

Members of the public will also be encouraged to take a ‘check selfie’ showing an item of check as a visual prompt for making people think about getting checked, either themselves or nudging a friend or relative.

Statistics show that the likelihood of surviving breast cancer is five times higher if detected at an early stage compared to a late stage, 14 times higher for bowel cancer and 20 times higher for lung cancer.

Around 1,000 deaths could be avoided each year if Scottish cancer survival matched the best in Europe and early detection is key.

Yvie Burnett said: “I lost my wonderful Dad in 1992 when I was in my twenties, which was far too soon. When I had children he wasn’t around to see them and there are so many things I have done in my life which I would have loved to share with him.

“That’s why I’m passionate about what #GetChecked aims to do. I’m proudly wearing my checks today, and I hope others across the country will as well – the more we can encourage people to present early, the more lives that will be saved. It’s as simple as that.”

Mum of two Lindsay Blake, 42, said: “I was on holiday in Turkey when I first spotted a small indentation in my right breast that I’d never seen before. As soon as I got home I went to my GP to get it checked out and was referred to hospital for a mammogram, ultrasound and a biopsy.

“It was a shock when I was told I had cancer but my husband, kids, family and friends were all amazing from start to finish. Their support kept me feeling positive, even through the tough days. Now two and a half years on I’m well, back at work and starting to feel more like me again.

“I lost my own mum to lung cancer in 2009 and it broke my heart to watch her fade away. I don’t want that to happen to any other family. That’s why I’m determined to do everything I can to raise awareness that if cancer is caught early it can be very treatable. It’s so important women and men of all ages get to know their body by looking and checking themselves regularly then if they find any unusual changes or feel unwell go to see the GP.”

Shona Robison, Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport, said: “We know more about cancer today than ever before, and thanks to early detection, research breakthroughs and treatment advances, half of men and women now survive cancer in Scotland. But early detection is key to further boosting survival rates.

“#GetChecked is part of the wee c initiative, which aims to bring cancer down to size in Scotland. Early detection is one way we can all help turn the Big C into the wee c and we’re calling on the people of Scotland to show their support by wearing their checks.

“Having the support of M&Co, Cancer Research UK’s charity partner, who will be displaying checks throughout their 60 stores will help create the association between checks and ‘getting checked’ and lead to early detection. We want to empower people to visit their GP or attend a screening appointment, as well as encouraging their loved ones to do the same.”

John Hodgson, Central Operations Manager at M&Co, said: “We’re delighted to be kick starting such a vital campaign in association with our charity partner Cancer Research UK. Through our network of 62 stores in towns and cities across Scotland, 750 employees and large number of customers we’re committed to helping reach as many people as possible with the early detection message.

“Most people have been or will be affected by cancer at some point in their lives. If we can play a part in encouraging people to get checked earlier with signs or symptoms so more lives can be saved, we’ll be extremely proud.”

Gregor McNie, Cancer Research UK’s senior policy manager, said: “More people than ever are living beyond a cancer diagnosis and, over the last 40 years, survival in the UK has doubled. Today half of all those told they have cancer will survive the disease for at least​ ten years.

“We know that early detection saves lives but to help make that happen it’s important that people with unusual or persistent changes to their body go and #GetChecked. It probably won’t be cancer, but if it is, diagnosing and treating it at an early stage, means treatment is more likely to be effective .”

For more information on #GetChecked and the wee c visit: www.theweec.org andwww.facebook.com/theweec

Health advice for students from NHS24

students_studying_for_test

STUDENTS starting university and college this year are being advised to prepare ahead by Scotland’s national telehealth and telecare organisation, NHS24.

NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks is reminding students that there is a wealth of health advice and information available to them at the dedicated Freshers’ Health  section at www.nhsinform.co.uk

He said: “Many students find themselves living away from home for the first time when they start university or college and I would urge them to plan ahead for their health.

“Freshers’ week is the ideal time for new students to register with a GP when getting to know their new area. A number of universities have a dedicated GP practice for their students and for those that do not, you can use NHS inform to search for local services.

“For those students who use regular repeat prescriptions, make sure you take enough with you to last until you register with a GP and it is also a good idea to have a first aid kit and supply of pain relief with you.

“Setting up home on your own for the first time is a daunting, yet exciting experience. By preparing ahead and thinking about your health, students can make sure they make the most of it.”

The Freshers’ Zone at NHS inform provides a wealth of advice and information on health issues relevant to young people as they embark on or continue their higher education years, including safety advice, what to pack and where to go for health care.

From August 1 this year, young people under the age of 25 who are starting university for the first time, and have not previously received it in school, will be offered the MenACWY vaccine to protect against meningitis W.

For more information on the immunisation programme, and the signs and symptoms of meningitis, visit http://www.immunisationscotland.org.uk/vaccines-and-diseases/menw.aspx