Groathill accident: Can you help?

Road Policing officers are appealing for information after a pedestrian was seriously injured in a crash on South Groathill Avenue at Queensferry Road South.

The incident, which happened around 7.10am on Wednesday, 17 April, 2024, involved a red and white DAF truck and a pedestrian.

Emergency services attended and a 58-year-old woman, the pedestrian, was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Her condition has been described as critical but stable.

The road was closed for around two hours to allow for investigations to take place.

Sergeant Louise Birrell said: “Our enquiries into this collision are ongoing and we would like to ask anyone that was in the area at the time who has not already spoken to us to please get in touch.

“We would also be keen to see any dashcam or private CCTV footage from the area around the time of the crash. In particular, there was a blue BMW X2 which was stationary at the time and may have information which could assist.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0487 of 17 April.

South Groathill Avenue reopens after pedestrian injured in road accident

UPDATE 11:40am

South Groathill Avenue has re-opened following a report of a crash involving a lorry and a female pedestrian made around 7.10am this morning (Wednesday, 17 April).

Emergency services attended and a 58-year-old woman was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment to serious injuries.

​Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with any information or dash cam footage is asked to contact 101 quoting reference 0487 of 17 April, 2024.

Strachan House Care Home invites community to Open Day

The Strachan House care home in Blackhall will be opening their doors to the local community for a day of tea and entertainment on Saturday 20th April.

Taking place between 10am and 4pm guests will be able to enjoy home-made cream cakes prepared by Paul Dow the home’s Head Chef, and will have the chance to meet the team and take a tour of the home. 

Fran Fisher, General Manager at Strachan House says: “I’m excited about welcoming new visitors and existing friends of the home to our open day.

“Looking for care can be a little bit daunting, but our team here at Strachan House will do all we can to provide all of our guests with the guidance and support they may need, and answer all of their questions, big or small.

“Our open day is a great chance to enjoy some delightful entertainment in a homely and friendly setting- hope to see you all there!”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.

Islamic Relief supports the Association of Scottish Muslims to help vulnerable communities during Ramadan

The cost-of-living crisis has put a significant strain on families during Ramadan, and people in Edinburgh have been struggling. 

The food pack distribution is part of a wider initiative by the Embassy of the State of Qatar and Islamic Relief to distribute 2,000 food parcels and 10,500 cooked meals across the UK for the duration of the holy month.  

Food is being delivered through 15 of Islamic Relief’s partners such as local organisations, food banks, mosques and football club foundations from London to Edinburgh. Partners include: East London Mosque, Newham community Project, Sufra, City Retreat, Himmah, Luton Foodbank, Association of Scottish Muslim – Blackhall Mosque, Give a gift, Finsbury Park Mosque, and Renaisi. 

Photos of the signing of the agreement that took place earlier in March with The Embassy of the State of Qatar and IslamicRelief can be found here 

Tufail Hussain, director of Islamic Relief UK stated: Poverty in the UK has been exacerbated by years of cost-of-living crisis, and families are struggling more than ever to put food on the table. It is imperative more than ever to come together as a community and support one another. 

“To alleviate the challenges people have been facing, the Embassy of Qatar and Islamic Relief is working together to reach even more struggling families here in the UK this Ramadan as we have done with the Association of Scottish Muslims at Blackhall Mosque. 

“Charity is a major part of the Islamic faith, and Ramadan is the time when we see this huge outpour of support for others. We are proud to be collaborating with the Qatari embassy to help make a difference.” 

‘Pimm’s O’ Clock’ delights at Strachan House

Residents of Strachan House Care Home were treated to an afternoon of cocktail themed fun as we invited the local community to join us for ‘Pimm’s O Clock’ 

The afternoon featured a live musical performance by the talented singer Kirsty Duncan. 

The Homes lounge buzzed with excitement as Kirsty took centre stage, delivering a brilliant and energetic repertoire of hit favourites spanning decades.

Residents and guests sipped on classic Pimm’s cups as their toes tapped along to the music. 

General Manager at Strachan House, Fran Fisher said: “Our residents deserve moments of joy and connection,” said Fran Fisher, Home Manager at Strachan House. “Kirsty’s performance was a testament to the power of music in brightening lives.”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Stamford Bridge Beaumont provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care from respite care to long term stays.

North Edinburgh projects hit the Lottery jackpot

Community groups across Edinburgh will be able to provide vital services and support for thousands of local people thanks to National Lottery funding announced today.

North Edinburgh projects have done particularly well in the latest round of funding. Both North Edinburgh Arts and Stepping Stones North Edinburgh are awarded six figure sums, while Muirhouse Millennium Centre, Heart of Newhaven, Blackhall Children’s Sports Committee, Ama-zing Harmonies and Granton Parish Church are among other local organisations to receive grants today.

The latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 384 projects across Scotland, sharing in £15,048,544

See below for a full list of projects

North Edinburgh Arts will use their award of £148,821 to continue their ‘Green Projects’ programme which provides green spaces for local people to come together whilst offering a range of volunteering opportunities and arts and garden activities for people of all ages to get involved in.

Valla Moodie, Green Projects Manager, North Edinburgh Arts said: “This funding will enable us to start an exciting phase of work as we move back into our refurbished and extended building after two years in temporary venues, setting up our new Community Shed workshop and redeveloping our community garden at the back of our venue.

“This support, given to our ‘Green Projects’, will allow us to continue to offer opportunities for our local community that improve their health and well-being whilst contributing to the enrichment of their neighbourhood, building local resilience to big issues and sharing and supporting them with actions that combat climate change.”

STEPPING STONES North Edinburgh receive £132,020 through the Improving Lives programme.

The group, based at Inchgarvie Court in West Pilton, will use the funding to continue delivering their Family Wellbeing project, supporting primary school children and their families by providing individual, group and equine mental health support in North West Edinburgh.

Thanks to an award of £126,671, Deaf Action will run a digital literacy programme to help deaf people across the city develop and improve their skillset.

Support will be provided through a series of one-to-one sessions and group work covering specific topics such as word processing, scam awareness, healthcare apps and video calling software.

Lauren McAnna, Community Services Manager, Deaf Action said: “Our Digital Inclusion Service will support deaf people living across Edinburgh to become digitally empowered, unlocking a world of information, resources and opportunities that will foster greater independence and help improve life outcomes.

“We will support deaf adults and older people who face significant barriers to communication and social inclusion and who are likely to be experiencing financial hardship and/or socioeconomic disadvantage. 

“By supporting deaf people to overcome barriers to digital literacy they can become more connected and active citizens, have increased independence and improved wellbeing in many aspects of their lives.”

An award of £19,929 to Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland means they can continue to identify more victims of human trafficking across the city.

Joy M Gillespie, CEO, Survivors of Human Trafficking said: “We will be able to work with our cross-sector partners to recover more victims of human trafficking in Edinburgh and provide vital prevention information to those most at risk. 

“We believe there is power in partnership and are grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund for partnering with us to help end end human trafficking in Scotland.”

Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “This latest round of National Lottery funding will be distributed to groups across Edinburgh who are providing a range of essential services and support for thousands of local people, helping to make a real difference to their lives.

“As The National Lottery prepares to mark its 30th birthday later this year, today’s investment is a timely reminder of the difference that National Lottery players continue to make to communities across the country.”

The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.   

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk    

Islamic Relief UK distributes food this Ramadan

TODAY AT BLACKHALL MOSQUE

The charity, Islamic Relief UK, has launched its annual Ramadan food drive for 2024, to help the UK’s vulnerable communities who have been affected by rising poverty levels and the cost-of-living crisis.  

The food distribution will take places across the UK, in cities such as London, Birmingham, Leicester, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Luton and Nottingham, as the need is widespread. Islamic Relief will be working in collaboration with 18 of its local partners, such as food banks, mosques, football clubs, and local charities.  

According to research undertaken by Islamic Relief, and polling company Savanta (1), over half of people in the UK are struggling more with their bills and food prices than they were a year ago, and 30% of Brits are worried about having to use a food bank in the near future. The data points that almost all people in the UK, across all strata of society, have been negatively affected by the cost-of-living crisis and are concerned about the future.  

Tufail Hussain, director of Islamic Relief UK, adds: “Poverty in the UK has been exacerbated by years of the cost-of-living crisis, and families are struggling more than ever to put food on the table. It is imperative more than ever to come together as a community and support one another.” 

“The research we conducted spells a worrying outlook for the UK, with no community of social group spared from the tough reality of the cost-of-living crisis. But for the already vulnerable, the homeless, refugees and asylum seekers, the poor, it is catastrophic. Now more than ever we are so grateful for the outpouring of support that allows us to provide food distributions such as this one.” 

Locations and dates for the food distributions are as follows: 


-ENDS- 

Local Care Home hosts free Prosecco and Art event

Strachan House Care Home, in Edinburgh invited the local community into our home to join our residents for a special ‘Prosecco and Art’ event.

Against the backdrop of soothing music, our guests, residents and colleagues took part in a professional art tutorial, with glasses of prosecco and themed snacks courtesy of our wonderful team in the kitchen.

General Manager Fran Fisher said: “It was wonderful to see the local community and our residents come together and share their love for art and creativity and with a glass of fizz in hand everyone had a wonderful time.”

Strachan House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. 

Strachan House Care Home provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for long stay and respite care needs.

Local Carer celebrates 20 years of service with Strachan House

A much cherished Care Assistant at the Strachan House Care Home in Edinburgh has received a prestigious Long Service Award in celebration of working at Barchester Healthcare for 20 years. 

Greg Libanan, a much valued Senior Care Assistant, started at Barchester in 2004 and has worked in dedication with residents and their relatives to ensure that their needs have been met over the years. 

He was presented with a £250 shopping voucher by visiting Regional Director Mandy Hurst, a golden leaf and gifts from his colleagues and friends.

Adele Keenan, Employee Services Director at Barchester said: “I’m always pleased to hear stories about the long service of Barchester staff and am delighted Greg has achieved this milestone.

“It is dedication like this that ensures our residents are provided with a happy place to live.”

Frances Fisher, General Manager of Strachan House said: “We’re delighted to be celebrating 20 years of loyal service with Greg. He has demonstrated his dedication and loyalty to this home and its residents year after year.

“I speak for all of us here at The Newton House Care Home when I say that I’m looking forward to many more years of working with Greg.”

Strachan House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Newton House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.

New General Manager for Strachan House care home

Staff at Barchester Healthcare’s Strachan House care home, in Edinburgh have welcomed a new General Manager to head up the team. 

Fran Fisher will oversee the running of the 83 bed home and will be responsible for a team of 114 staff.  Prior to starting in this position Fran was a Regional Director within the care sector bringing a wealth of experience to home. 

Fran returned to Barchester in late 2023 before transferring to Strachan House as General Manager, where she had worked as a student nurse 11 years ago. 

Strachan House is one of over 200 care homes owned by Barchester Healthcare that offers high quality care to its local communities. The home regularly holds events and activities for its residents and surrounding neighbours.

The new General Manager, Fran Fisher said: “I am delighted to join the team here at Strachan House and am enjoying meeting and getting to know our residents.

“Some of the staff team are familiar from my time here as a student and it’s a great chance to lead the team and get to know staff old and new.  I’m looking forward to managing this home and continuing to provide high quality care.”

Mandy Hurst the Regional Operations Director for Strachan House said: “I am pleased to welcome this addition to the team here at Strachan House.

“We are committed to providing high quality care and I really think Fran will be a big hit with our residents.”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.