North Edinburgh Arts – Page 2 – The NEN

Further investment in cancer support services

£9 million extension of partnership to help patients

A partnership to support cancer patients and their families to deal with the financial, emotional and physical health effects of the disease is to be extended with a further investment of £9 million.

The programme looks to ensure that everyone affected by cancer in Scotland has access to a specialist key support worker. This means clinicians have more time to offer direct medical and clinical support to patients.

Over the next three years, it is anticipated there will be a gradual increase in access to the service, with a minimum of 14,000 new cancer diagnoses accessing it each year.

The Scottish Government has been working in partnership with Macmillan Cancer Support to improve the service offered to those affected by cancer through the Transforming Cancer Care Programme (TCC). This partnership – the first of its kind in the UK – began under the 2016 Cancer Strategy and has seen £18 million invested to date.

The Scottish Government has agreed to continue the partnership and provide an additional three years of funding for the Improving the Cancer Journey services. Each partner will invest an additional £4.5 million.

Making the announcement ahead of a visit to NHS Forth Valley to celebrate the NHS 75^th anniversary, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: ““Our recently published Cancer Strategy and Action Plan places an emphasis on person-centred care for all and supporting the mental health of cancer patients and their families.

“We have committed to launch the final Improving the Cancer Journey service, in partnership with Macmillan, over the next three years. We will also commit to spreading this successful model to all areas in Scotland over the coming year.

“This will see an additional £9 million of joint investment and ensure that everyone diagnosed with cancer in Scotland has access to a key support worker. It will be of great benefit to patients while also easing pressure on the NHS by freeing up clinicians.”

Janice Preston, Head of Partnerships at Macmillan Cancer Support in Scotland, said: “The Macmillan Improving the Cancer Journey (ICJ) Services are available for anyone affected by cancer.

“By the end of 2024, everyone in Scotland who needs support will have the chance to talk to an ICJ practitioner who will help individuals to identify their needs and access expert support, from benefits advice to emotional support – whatever they might need.

“This is a unique service for people affected by cancer that helps to reduce pressure on the NHS and is making a really positive difference to people living with cancer and their families. Since 2014, these vital, non-medical services have already helped over 18,500 people and this money will mean they can keep on transforming cancer support across Scotland.

“We are excited that, through our partnership with the Scottish Government, another £9 million is being made available to ensure people can continue to get this help for another three years.”

The roll out of the Improving the Cancer Journey model to every Health & Social Care Partnership follows 4 key principles:

o 100% of adults diagnosed with cancer, within agreed criteria, will be invited or referred to an ICJ service to speak to a specialist practitioner.

o An ICJ practitioner with the service user will complete a Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) and generate a care plan to meet the needs identified.

o Local community assets will be identified and utilised to support the service user in meeting their needs.

o The service user will be followed up by the ICJ practitioner in the community to monitor progress with agreed actions.

North Edinburgh Arts secures £250,000 Community Ownership funding

LOCAL ARTS ORGANISATION REACHES 80% OF FUNDING TARGET

North Edinburgh Arts has been awarded £250,000 from the UK Government’s Community Ownership Fund to support the Millan Hub project.

The announcement marks a significant step forward in NEA’s capital development journey, bringing the organisation closer to achieving their fundraising target: they have now reached 80% of their total goal.

Communites across the UK will benefit from over £50 million in funding to support community ownership of local assets.

North Edinburgh Arts was one of eight successful applicants in Scotland at this stage of the process. Another Edinburgh applicant was Portobello’s campaign to renovate their Town Hall. They receive £90,000.

This £250,000 awarded to NEA will be added to funds already secured for the ambitious build from Foundation Scotland, The Garfield Weston Trust, The William Syson Trust, The Robertson Trust, The Binks Foundation, and the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund.

Reaching four fifths of the target gives a real boost to NEA’s Board, team, participants, visitors, and volunteers alike.

A NEA spokesperson said: “We are grateful for the overwhelming support we have received from our local residents, with over 96% backing our mission to keep NEA at the heart of a creative, connected, inspired, and inspiring community.

“Your unwavering belief in our vision has been the driving force behind this achievement. Thank you for your ongoing support!”

NEA is a well-loved and well-used venue but we had outgrown our building. To meet the needs of current and future generatons of North Edinburgh residents it needed to be redeveloped.

As part of the new MacMillan Hub the NEA capital programme will:

 Increase the footprint of NEA by 380m2, adding two foors of studio and work/ space
 Extend the café to look/ into MacMillan Square, and ofer enhanced community facilites
 Provide bespok/e work/shop space for the ommunity Shed
 Reduce the carbon footprint through beter insulaton, lightng and environmental design and constructon
 Be a fully owned community asset.

With the build scheduled for completion early in 2024 NEA has set up a welcome cabin in front of the site to ensure local residents can find out more about the build, join up as NEA members (htps://northedinburgharts.co.uk//membership/) and share their aspiratons for the space.

The refurbished, redesigned and expanded venue will be a welcome space for all, ofering local residents high quality culture, arts, enterprise and meetng spaces. In additon, our venue will link, on site, to the city council’s new Library, new Learning and Skills Hub, new Early Years Centre and social housing.

Lesley Hinds, Chair of North Edinburgh Arts said: ‘North Edinburgh Arts is delighted to receive funding from Community Ownership Fund.

This funding from the Westminster Government shows the confidence they have in NEA and its future in the expanded facilities at MacMillan Hub.’

For more information, visit northedinburgharts.co.uk/development/

WHAT HAPPENED HERE: Films screening at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

RECALLING THE EXPERIENCES OF DURHAM WOMEN DURING THE MINERS STRIKE

NORTH Edinburgh Arts are excited to be working with Transgressive North to host two screening events at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre as part of The Folk Film Gathering!

On Monday 12th June at 6pm we have the pleasure of hosting the Amber Collective for the Scottish premiere of their dynamic tribute to the women of East Durham, who kept their communities afloat during the Mining Strike of the 1980s.

A powerful story of resilience, solidarity and survivorship – Amber Collective’s remarkable film (screened here along with the Scottish premiere of their latest short film) is a moving testament to enduring community.

The film willl be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.

Book your FREE spot here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/amber-collective-screening…

Folk Cinemas

A double-screening event of the Amber Collective’s 2021 feature doc WHAT HAPPENED HERE, alongside their 2022 film STILL HERE.

Monday, June 12 · 6 – 8:30pm. Amber’s remarkable film (screened here along with the Scottish premiere of the Collective’s latest short film) is a moving testament to enduring community.

The film willl be followed by a discussion with the filmmakers.

Book now:

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/amber-collective-screening…

#Cinema

#Filmfolkgathering

#Ambercollectivescreening

Granton Voices: Granton Primary School films at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

#GrantonVoices partnership with North Edinburgh Arts.

SATURDAY 7th JUNE 1 – 3pm at WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

A special afternoon of films made by the children of Granton Primary over half a decade: a remarkable body of work exploring the impacts of racism, homophobia, and experiences of immigration, as well as what happens when you sleep in past the school bell.

Film Hub Scotland Folk Cinemas

http://ow.ly/xwob50OsFBU

Join us for a special afternoon of films made by the children of Granton Primary School over half a decade: a remarkable body of work exploring the impacts of racism, homophobia, and experiences of immigration, as well as what happens when you sleep in past the school bell!

Moving, poignant, hilarious and full of life, witness Granton through the eyes of some of Edinburgh’s most exciting young filmmakers.

#GrantonVoices

Community Shed re-opens … in Drylaw

The North Edinburgh Arts Community Shed has finally reopened its doors after a 3 month hiatus. The Shed will now operate from Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre until the new North Edinburgh Arts building opens early next year.

The shedders created their new home by converting what was previously Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre’s minibus garage into a fantastic new workspace.

North Edinburgh Arts chairperson Lesley Hinds said: “The Shed is a welcoming, safe space where people living in North Edinburgh can come to make or mend stuff using recycled wood. We aim to be a fun space where our members can meet new people, learn new skills, and feel supported to realize their creative ambitions.

“We believe that when we work together we can achieve almost anything. Our limitation is our imagination!”

Community Shed Manager Rik Hodgson explained: “We are delighted to be finally reopening and to be getting back to the bread and butter of what we do – which is making and mending in Muir … ehhh, Drylaw!

“I don’t think any of us were particularly excited about operating for a year in this garage – just two months ago it was full of rubbish, was dark, dingy, damp, dreary, and tiny.

“It was hard to envisage us operating out of it, having luxuriated in the space at the old Co-op (on Pennywell Road), we moved from a Tardis into a phonebox!

“Each day of the build involved dragging large sheets of plasterboard, sterling board, MDF in and out of the garage and the shipping container prior to being able to do anything constructive. And then at the end of the day, the items we hadn’t used had to be put back.

“Most of this board has been used to line the garage and the shipping container to give us insulation and something to hang our tools on and put up our work benches.

“All the wood used in the build was recycled and, apart from a few tools we have bought nothing for this build.

“I would like to express my massive thanks to both the staff but in particular our truly awesome volunteers who, without their help, this build would never have happened.

“I would like to personally thank Alex, Andy, Bob, Bob, Dee, and Stuart who have worked tirelessly to ensure that our new temporary home is as welcoming as it is. Other volunteers have come along and been supportive but these six in particular have been coming almost daily to help us transform this garage into a workshop.

“Can I ask you to put your hands together and clap these six people for their work. I have put them forward for the team volunteering award 2023 and no mistake they deserve to win it! Hopefully the judges will look at the photos of the before and after of this transformation and recognise their enormous endeavours.”

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre (DNC) is also excited to announce a partnership with Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) to provide the following activities:

Sustainable Cooking:

Looking to spice up your kitchen skills? Come join our sustainable cooking sessions to learn new techniques and create delicious meals while making the most out of your ingredients. You can save money while eating well. The sessions will be held on May 8th and 22nd from 5pm to 8pm at DNC. To book your spot, email shana@elrec.org.uk.

Cycling Club:

Want to join a cycling club? Here’s your chance! DNC and ELREC are hosting a cycling club every other Thursday at DNC. It’s completely free! You can email cfc@elrec.org.uk to book your place. Here’s what you can expect:

Cycle Rides: Join us for our weekly flat cycle path rides. Everyone is welcome, including children under adult supervision. Bring your own bike, helmet, water, packed lunch, sunscreen, and waterproofs. To learn more about dates and times, email cfc@elrec.org.uk. Bikes and equipment are also available on request.

Drop-In Bike Repair: From 2pm to 4pm, join our drop-in bike repair service and learn how to fix your bike. Our experienced mechanics will guide you, whether you need to fix a flat tire or overhaul your entire bike.

Electric Bike Library: Lastly, check out our e-bike library and loan one of our top-of-the-line e-bikes for just £10 per week! Explore the city with ease and comfort, while reducing your carbon footprint. To request an e-bike, email cfc@elrec.org.uk (first come, first served).

North Edinburgh Arts recruiting two Link Up development workers

Please see details attached for two new posts we are recruiting, Link Up community development workers, 12hpw and 35 hpw fixed term to March 2026.

I would be grateful if you could share these widely amongst your networks, freelance colleagues, and participants to ensure as wide a constituency as possible is aware of the roles.

With thanks in advance

North-Edinburgh-Arts-Link-Up-Community-Development-Worker-12hpw__-advert Download

North-Edinburgh-Arts-Link-Up-Community-Development-Worker-35hpw__-advert Download

ROOTED in COMMUNITY

ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS FROM NORTH EDINBURGH AND WESTER HAILES

29th – 30th April 2023, 11am – 6pm (daily)

Opening event: Friday 28th April, 6pm – 9pm

Venue: Granton Hub (Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh EH5 1HS)

Join us for ’Rooted in Community: Artistic Expressions from North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes’, an exhibition showcasing the work of local artists as part of Create Community Wealth – a collaborative community wealth building project, delivered in partnership between WHALE Arts, North Edinburgh Arts, SCOREscotland and Passion4Fusion.

The project aims to support local people living in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes to explore their creative and enterprising ideas, to tackle social exclusion and improve wellbeing and local economic prospects through creativity.

The exhibition, ‘Rooted in Community’, is a celebration of community and diversity, highlighting the unique experiences and diverse cultures of people living in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes.

Through their work, the artists explore themes such as community, identity, grief and mental health, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences and engage with the world around us.

From colourful paintings to representative photography, sculpture, portraits and pencil drawings, we invite you to take a journey through the works on display, each one telling a different story about life in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes.

Through their art, these talented individuals demonstrate the power of community and the importance of self-expression.

For many of the artists featured, this is their first exhibition, and the Create Community Wealth team are delighted to support them in showcasing their work publicly.

The exhibition is a testament to the importance and power of community, providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent and connect with a wider audience.

As we come together to celebrate the creativity and diversity of our community, we hope that this exhibition will inspire us to continue to support and uplift one another, as we work towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.

We hope you’ll be able to come along!

A First for Scotland: Floating solar panels to launch this year

Array currently tested before deployment this year

Scotland’s first array of floating solar panels will be installed this year as part of a move to generate renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions.

First Minister Humza Yousaf toured the manufacturing facility of Nova Innovation in Leith yesterday where the panels are being tested before their launch.

The company installed the world’s first offshore tidal turbine array in Shetland in 2016 and subsequently received £6.4 million from the Scottish National Investment Bank in September 2021 to boost production of innovative renewable energy generators.

It has since established project sites in Canada, France and Indonesia. Its floating solar panels build on its expertise in tidal energy and an official launch of the installation will take place later this year with a multi-megawatt international order already in the pipeline.

The First Minister said: “These panels give a fascinating glimpse into the opportunities for Scotland’s future energy system and are the first step towards harnessing our significant potential for floating solar.

“The investment by the Scottish National Investment Bank in Nova Innovation helped expand its manufacturing base here in Leith and aligned strongly with the Scottish Government’s priority of supporting innovative technology that will help us achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

“Scotland is already one of the most advanced hubs in Europe for the testing and demonstration of marine energy technology and I look forward to seeing where the panels will be launched in the near future.”

Chief Executive of Nova Innovation Simon Forrest said: “With record-high energy prices and growing concerns over security of supply, there is an immediate need for Scotland to focus on homegrown energy from our abundant natural resources.

“Scotland is at the heart of the tidal energy revolution and Nova continues to lead the sector with proven technology and unrivalled reliability. With the addition of floating solar to our portfolio, we are ideally placed to help drive the race to Net Zero.

“We were honoured to welcome the First Minister to discuss the economic benefits, job creation opportunities and the part Scotland can play in the global supply for renewable energy.”

Forcibly installed prepayment meters: major offenders named and shamed

‘over-zealous’ energy giants exposed

Over 94,000 prepayment meters were forcibly installed in homes under warrant last year without customer consent – on average over 7,500 meters a month.

After calling on suppliers to stop forcibly installing prepayment meters, the Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps has now revealed the most overzealous suppliers, as part of a crackdown on mistreatment of vulnerable customers in the use of these meters.

Leading the charge with the highest number of prepayment meters force-fitted last year are British Gas, Scottish Power and OVO Energy, making up 70% of all forced installations with a total of 66,187 devices fitted under warrant.

Of these, Scottish Power tops the list as the worst offender when taking into account their customer base – force fitting over 24,300 in their customer’s homes in 2022.

Mr Shapps has today doubled down on his call for any mistreatment of customers to be rectified, while again urging suppliers to help the households on traditional prepayment metres access the 2.1 million vouchers yet to be claimed under the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today’s figures give a clear and horrifying picture of just how widespread the forced installation of prepayment meters had become, with last year seeing an average of over 7,500 force-fitted a month.

“Prepayment meters are right for some people, so I do not want to ban them outright, but I do have concerns that companies have not been treating their customers fairly, over an already difficult winter during which the government has tried to help families by paying around half the energy bill of the average household.

After my calls for change, I’m pleased that suppliers have made their actions public and agreed to put a stop to forcing prepayment onto vulnerable customers for good – but this cannot happen again.

“I will be watching Ofgem’s ongoing review closely so customers get the support they need – and those vulnerable consumers who have wrongly suffered forced installations get the justice they deserve in the form of redress.”

Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway said: “Another increase in the number of energy bill support vouchers redeemed by customers is great news, but I urge those that haven’t done so to use them as soon as possible – and suppliers must continue to do everything they can to make sure this happens.

“We will not stand for the mistreatment of vulnerable customers who have been forced onto prepayment meters. I welcome the move from Ofgem to make it easier for customers to report cases but this can’t be a one off, and suppliers must now offer redress to those they have wronged.”

Prepayment meters allow customers to pay for gas and electricity on a pay-as-you-go basis and serve an important function by helping the avoidance of debt and court action.

However, an intervention from the Energy Security Secretary last month brought the practise to a firm halt, after evidence came to light of suppliers in forcing these meters on vulnerable households.

Mr Shapps demanded transparency from the sector over the number of forced installation warrants they had used, following a huge spike in applications as households grappled with high energy costs.

Lord Justice Edis issued directions for magistrates’ courts to stop all warrants that allow companies to force-fit these meters, alongside the government’s crackdown unacceptable behaviour from suppliers.

This move follows the government’s unprecedented support to help families with their bills this winter, including households on prepayment meters.

Latest figures published today show 7.6 million Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers have now been redeemed by households that use prepayment meters across Great Britain, as of February – saving them up to £400 on their energy costs.

Since the scheme launched the number of households redeeming their vouchers has steadily climbed with 78% used so far – up from 76% in January. Suppliers with the highest redemption levels include Shell Energy, E and Octopus Energy. However, those with the most vouchers still outstanding, with nearly 400,000 yet to be redeemed include Scottish Power, OVO Electricity and British Gas.

Customers will also benefit from new protections, announced in last week’s Budget, that will see households on prepayment meters pay no more than other customers for their energy.

The recent action from the government led the regulator, Ofgem, to launch a review into the use of prepayment meters in the sector. Companies have been instructed to revisit their past cases and offer redress, such as compensation, to customers where these meters were wrongly installed and regulations have not been followed.

Just last week, Ofgem also extended the ban on forced installations of prepayment meters until a new code of practice is agreed by energy companies, after British Gas was found to have broken into homes to fit the devices.

The government continues to work with the sector, as well as consumer groups, charities and local leaders to reach eligible customers with unused vouchers that have not yet benefitted from the Energy Bill Support Scheme.

This includes ongoing information campaigns across community radio, social media, national magazine titles and roaming advert vans that have been popping up in towns and cities across the country.

Today’s figures show the delivery of Energy Bills. Support Scheme in England, Scotland and Wales

North Edinburgh Arts: Community Shed Pop-Up Exhibition & Sale

The North Edinburgh Arts Community Shed is hosting a pop-up exhibition and sale on 18^th & 19^th November at the Old Co-op, 43 Pennywell Road.

Different items made by the Shed members from reclaimed wood will be on display over two days. You will also be able to purchase items, and by doing so support the NEA Community Shed and its members.

The pop-up exhibition & sale will be a perfect place to see a range of things made from recycled wood at the Shed and find sustainable items to decorate your home for Christmas and find festive gifts for your loved ones.

The NEA Community Shed is a welcoming, safe space where people living in North Edinburgh can come to make or mend stuff using recycled wood. We aim to be a fun space where our members can meet new people, learn new skills, and feel supported to realize their creative ambitions.

We believe that when we work together, we can achieve almost anything. Our limitation is our imagination.

We run weekly drop-in sessions Tuesday – Thursday, 10am – 2pm and forthrightly Saturday sessions (9am-12pm). The Shed is currently funded by the Big Lottery Fund until January 2024.

Rik Hodgson, The Shed Manager said: “The North Edinburgh Arts Community Shed’s mission is to enable people in the community make and mend beautiful and useful items for their homes, gardens, and community.

“We are hosting an exhibition of some stuff which has been made in the shed over the past 12 months and some items which we have made to help you decorate your homes for Christmas, including Mushrooms, Snowmen, Penguins, Christmas Trees etc. There will also be some other gorgeous items for sale and for you to enjoy looking at.”

Community Shed

https://northedinburgharts.co.uk/nea-community-shed-pop-up-exhibition-sale/