Please see below publicity advertising two information and discussion sessions being hosted by the Power to the People group this week. Continue reading Power to the People: double event this week
Day: March 14, 2016
Funding for community health projects
£900k for schemes that support local communities
Over £900,000 of grants have been awarded to voluntary organisations working to improve Scotland’s health.
Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn, announced the awards during a visit to the Food Train in Dumfries, one of the successful bidders, on Friday.
The funding has been awarded as part of the Section 10 grants scheme. Including on-going grants, this year’s pot of £912,990 brings the current Scottish Government investment in this scheme to £2.7 million.
The Food Train, which received a grant for £42,890, delivers food to older people who are unable to go shopping. It started in Dumfries in 1995 and now helps more than 1,400 people a year across Dumfries and Galloway, West Lothian, Dundee, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Stirling and North Ayrshire. This additional funding will help them to expand their services to help more older people in Scotland.
The full break down of grants is as follows:
Headway, various locations, £80,000
SAMH, Glasgow, £90,000
Scottish Huntington’s, Paisley, £73,000
PAMIS, Dundee, £100,000
People First (Scotland), Edinburgh, £79,568
Sandyford Thrive, Glasgow, £35,000
Stop it Now, Edinburgh, £90,000
Arthritis Care Scotland, Glasgow, £30,000
COSCA, Stirling, £70,000
SDEF, Alloa, £80,132
Contact the Elderly, Kilmacolm, £42,400
Food Train, Dumfries, £42,890
Alzheimer Scotland, Edinburgh, £100,000
Mr Hepburn said: “Through these grants the Scottish Government helps the third sector in its vital work in Scotland’s communities. These organisations are all working to improve health, reduce inequalities and build social inclusion. Many are run largely by dedicated volunteers, who give up their free time and expertise to help others.
“I’m delighted to be here in Dumfries to visit the Food Train, which has been doing excellent work for more than two decades, both here in the south west and now right across Scotland. Food Train is typical of the kind of organisation that want to help through this scheme. They help their members to live independently and to play a full and active role in society.”
Michelle McCrindle MBE, Chief Executive of the Food Train said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding support from the Scottish Government who continue to play a key role in the national expansion of our food access service to older people.”
PEOPLE FIRST is based on Easter Road – click on link below to find out more about the member-led organisation
https://youtu.be/eCBpNiwSMls
Be alert: ATM skimming devices warning
ATM SKIMMING DEVICES
Given further discoveries of ATM skimmers in Edinburgh city centre, Dalkeith and Drylaw, Police Scotland is urging members of the public to be extra vigilant when withdrawing cash from ATMs.
– Check for tampering
If anything looks out of the ordinary, don’t use it. There might be something that just doesn’t look quite right near the screen, near the card reader itself or the keyboard perhaps. Trust your instincts.
– Have a wiggle
Skimmers read the magnetic stripe on your card as its inserted. By giving your card a wiggle as you put it in the machine, this will foil any skimmer that’s in the machine, without interfering with your transaction.
– Assume you’re being watched
Whether its through a hidden camera or by someone hovering over your shoulder, shield your pin as you enter it.
– ‘Up the Ante’ at the Weekends
Fraudsters know it’s harder to report anything suspicious to the bank over the weekend, so chances of machines being hit are higher. Take extra care out of business hours and on Saturdays and Sundays.
If your card is retained by the cash machine, contact your card issuer immediately.
Green light for new theatre in city centre
A £1.8m plan for a new theatre and arts venue in Rose Steet has been given the go-ahead by city planners. Continue reading Green light for new theatre in city centre
Tune in: Four year package to support and enhance youth orchestras
The Scottish Government will award £2.5 million to support Sistema Scotland to transform the lives of thousands of children and young people in disadvantaged communities, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop announced last week. Continue reading Tune in: Four year package to support and enhance youth orchestras
Flying the flag for Commonwealth Day
Edinburgh will be flying the flag today to mark Commonwealth Day 2016.
The event, now in its third year, will see the Lord Provost Donald Wilson raise the Commonwealth Flag at the City Chambers. A specially written message from Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General, will be read out before a recital of the Commonwealth Affirmation.
More than 850 flags are expected to be raised in 53 Commonwealth countries around the world.
The Lord Provost will say: “The Commonwealth is made up of two billion citizens drawn from all faiths, cultures and ethnicities.
“The countries come together voluntarily in a spirit of co-operation, partnership and understanding and it is for that reason we raise the Commonwealth Flag in unity with those throughout all the participating countries of the world.”
He will also convey a message sent from Kamalesh Sharma, Commonwealth Secretary-General. It will say: “Our theme as we celebrate Commonwealth Day 2016 is An Inclusive Commonwealth.
“Reflection on the many ways in which the Commonwealth is a great global good can go hand in hand with celebration as we put out the flags for Commonwealth Day with pride in our shared commitment, and dedicate ourselves afresh to progress and prosperity, with fairness, justice and opportunity for all.”
In 1997, the Edinburgh Declaration was issued by the heads of government of the Commonwealth of Nations. Developed over two-thirds of a century, the report served as a consolidation of the membership criteria of the Commonwealth and was signed in Edinburgh.