“I was HOOKED after the third page! Literally even text my better half to say I wasn’t going to be able to put it down!” Review MorellisReads
In 1971, Nan Douglas and her toddler twins arrived on the remote island of Inniscuiilin, the long-lost family of the eccentric Miss Campbell.
For fifteen years, they all live quietly up at the Big House until the twins start planning their future – forcing Nan to confront their past.Because someone somewhere believes that the twins aren’t twins.
That they’re not even Nan’s children. And that Nan isn’t Nan.Only Nan herself can prove them wrong – but it’s a gamble. Win or lose, she’s still at risk of losing her beloved family …
Gill Merton is the collective pen name for five local writers, based at Gilmerton Community Centre on Drum Street in Edinburgh.
Please come along to hear readings from the novel and hear what it has been like to write collaboratively … copies of the book witll be available by donation, all proceeds to Ukraine.
Publication generously funded by the National Lottery Awards For All.
Mental Health Awareness Week – highlighting our #NorthEdinburgh Community Listening training offer for local people and volunteers, find out more about the power of listening and its connection to mental health and wellbeing.
SCVO are pleased to announce this year’s Scottish Charity Awards finalists. The shortlist includes 44 inspirational individuals and organisations from voluntary sector organisations across the country. Our judging panel will determine the winners across our nine categories.
Members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award sponsored by WorkFlo Solutions, voting closes at 5pm on Friday 20 May. You only have ONE vote, so choose your favourite carefully!
If you would like to find out the winners of all our Awards categories, you can now book to attend our glittering awards ceremony which will be held on Wednesday 15 June!
NHS 24 is marking its 20th Anniversary this May with the opening of a new centre in Hillington, Glasgow for more staff to meet the needs of people across Scotland.
Opening the new contact centre on behalf of NHS 24, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “NHS 24 has been a critical part of our NHS in Scotland for many years and it is fantastic to see the way the service continues to develop and adapt to the changing needs of the population.
“From the expanded 111 service available 24 hours a day seven days a week, to a key role in responding to the outbreak of COVID-19 and now dedicated mental health support through the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub and Breathing Space, it has become an indispensable part of our health service.
“The committed and professional staff providing these services work tirelessly day in and day out to make sure that the public always have access to the right information and support as quickly and as easily as possible. It is a pleasure to open the new Hillington centre and to be given the opportunity to put on record my thanks to everyone who has played a part in NHS 24’s journey over the past 20 years.”
NHS 24 took its first call at 14.10 in the afternoon of the 8th May 2002 at its Riverside Contact Centre in Aberdeen. The 27 millionth call to the service was made at 06.51 on Saturday 26th March 2022, also to the North contact centre.
Originally set up as a pilot project to support patients in Grampian, the telephone service quickly expanded and by 2004 was serving the whole of Scotland. NHS 24 now provides a range of services in addition to the core telephone triage which was changed to 111 in 2014.
NHS 24’s Chief Executive, Jim Miller, says the 20th Anniversary marks a significant moment in the organisations history: “As we slowly emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, NHS 24 is taking the opportunity to look at its services, technology and workforce to ensure we continue to meet the needs of people across Scotland.
“The progress we have made in the past two decades is really impressive and we are determined to continue to work collaboratively with colleagues from NHS Lothian and across the health and social care system to make sure people get the right care in the right place.”
Young people struggling to access employment will be supported by an additional £4 million through the Young Person’s Guarantee.
The funding will help young people impacted most by the pandemic, including those who are care-experienced and those experiencing mental health issues.
Three programmes will share the £4 million, which will connect people with employers, training and volunteering opportunities.
Minister for Youth Employment and Training Jamie Hepburn said: “We want all of our young people to succeed, no matter their background or circumstances. Our aim is to ensure those seeking work have access to valuable support and opportunities for years to come.
“We know that many young people may face additional barriers to successfully gaining permanent work and the uncertainty caused by the pandemic combined with the cost of living crisis has made this more challenging. By connecting young people seeking work directly with employers we can offer them potentially life changing opportunities.
“This additional support is on top of £15 million already allocated to local authorities through the Young Person’s Guarantee for the current year and will build on our strong record of tackling youth unemployment.”
Thousands of tulips line the Vennel Steps in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town thanking the public for supporting charitable causes.
For the fourth year running, Benefact Group is giving away over £1million to charities with the return of its Movement for Good Awards.
To mark the occasion, thousands of brightly coloured tulips have appeared in the city centre. The garden of gratitude features 1,500 bunches of flowers representing a ‘thank you’ on behalf of the 1,500 charities that have already benefited from the awards to the members of the public who voted for them.
From today, people are once again invited to nominate a cause close to their hearts for a potential £1,000 award to help make a difference.
This year, another 500 charities around the UK will each receive £1,000 during the campaign.
It’s quick and easy to nominate, you can vote for your favourite charity online at: www.movementforgood.com
Each of the 4,500 wooden tulips have been individually hand-made in the UK, featuring hand-written thank you notes.
Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, says: “We’re delighted to announce the launch of Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards for the fourth year running.
“We hope that our Garden of Gratitude reminds people that their nominations really do make a difference. Thanking those who have chosen good causes they love, as well as celebrating the 1,500 charity beneficiaries over the last three years is, we think, a fitting way to start this year’s awards.
“Benefact Group, formerly named Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, is the fourth largest corporate donor in the UK and is keen to give even more. Owned by a charity, all of its available profits go to good causes, and the more the group grows, the more the group can give. As a company whose purpose is to contribute to the greater good of society, charitable giving is at the heart of what we do.”
Since the initiative began in 2019, more than 210,000 people across the UK have nominated causes they care about, leading to more than 13,000 charities receiving votes.
Anyone can nominate a registered charity at any time for the chance to receive £1,000. The first 250 winners will be announced in June, a further 250 winners will be announced in September.
Winners will be drawn at random and the more times a charity is nominated the more chance it has of being selected.
A further 120 £1,000 grants will be given away in December and £500,000 will also be given in larger grants later this year. For more information about the awards visit www.movementforgood.com
Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.
Yesterday (Sunday 8 May), Greenpeace Edinburgh volunteers spoke to members of the public on Portobello Promenade about The Big Plastic Count.
Throughout April and May Greenpeace Edinburgh, along with local Greenpeace groups up and down the country, have been talking to the public about the nationwide survey on plastic wastage.
Volunteers showed passers-by a photo of the six months’ worth of plastic used by Everyday Plastic founder Daniel Webb (below), and asked them to guess how many people’s plastic this was. Answers ranged from one household to 100 people but only a few people guessed correctly that it was just one individual’s plastic waste!
The Big Plastic Count, a collaboration between Greenpeace and Everyday Plastic, is taking place between 16th – 22nd May.
It will uncover the truth about how much household plastic we throw away, and how much is really recycled. Individuals, households, schools, community groups and businesses across the UK will count their plastic packaging waste, record the different types they throw away and submit their results online.
The campaign is supported by actor Bonnie Wright, as well as naturalist and television presenter, Chris Packham.
Zoë, a volunteer from Newington, said: “We’re all doing our bit to recycle, but plastic waste is still everywhere. It’s so sad to see it polluting the environment in beautiful areas such as Portobello Beach.
“That’s why I’m counting my plastic for one week between 16th – 22nd May, and submitting this data to get my personal plastic footprint, to find out what really happens to our plastic waste.
“More than 140,000 people from across the UK including more than 650 households in Edinburgh have signed up to participate. Sign up to take part too at https://thebigplasticcount.com“
The data each participant generates will contribute to an overall national picture, filling a crucial evidence gap on exactly how much plastic packaging waste is leaving UK homes.
The results will demonstrate the scale of the plastic waste problem and pressure the government and supermarkets to tackle the root cause of the plastic crisis.
The launch of The Big Plastic Count comes as new polling from YouGov, commissioned by Greenpeace UK, shows that more than four in five people (81%) want the UK Government to introduce targets to reduce plastic waste.
Across Scotland, support is also very high, with 82% supporting targets.
The YouGov survey also shows how almost four in five (77%) people in the UK recycle plastic products in order to reduce plastic waste. However, three in four (75%) don’t know what happens to their plastic recycling after disposing of it.
The UK produces more plastic waste per person than almost any other country in the world – second only to the USA [2]. In 2018, the UK generated 5.2 million tonnes, enough to fill Wembley Stadium six times over.
Joan from Marchmont said: “‘I was amazed that one person used so much plastic in 6 months. I put the plastic I use in the recycling bin, so I’m disappointed to hear that lots of that plastic might not actually be recycled, but is in fact often incinerated, sent to landfill, or dumped abroad.
“It’s up to the Government and big supermarkets to cut plastic packaging, and to properly deal with our waste.”
This year, the government is starting to decide on legal targets to reduce plastic waste. Greenpeace Edinburgh is calling on the Government to set a target to reduce single-use plastic by 50% by 2025, to introduce a Deposit Return Scheme for plastic re-use and recycling, and ban the dumping of our waste onto other countries.
Former Jewish-German child refugee Henry Wuga MBE, who came to Glasgow with the Kindertransport, returned to Central Station on Friday to launch a new learning programme with high school pupils.
Mr Wuga, 98, joined Poppyscotland and Gathering the Voices to help launch new lessons for Scottish schools, based on his story and that of other young refugees during the Second World War.
Pupils will also be encouraged to reflect these incredible stories and on the issues facing more recent child refugees, including millions of Ukrainians fleeing their war-torn country today.
Aged just 15, Mr Wuga escaped the horrors of Nazi Germany in 1939, leaving his parents behind in Nuremberg. He went on to make Scotland his home, marrying Ingrid, who also escaped via the Kindertransport, and managing his own catering business.
Mr Wuga met 10 S2 pupils from Shawlands Academy under the clock at Central Station, where he first arrived in Scotland. That was followed by a discussion between Henry and the students about his experiences, the Holocaust, and modern child refugees to Scotland.
The school has piloted Poppyscotland’s 10 lesson activity pack, written by Alison McFarlane, a History and Modern Studies teacher from Oban High School. The engaging and factual content focuses on the video testimonies of three Kindertransport escapees and Holocaust survivors, Mr Wuga, Rosa Sacharin and Karola Regent.
The new suite of resources will further enhance Poppyscotland’s vast Learning programme and are designed to help pupils understand the plight of Jewish people under the Nazi regime and the experiences of young refugees then and now.
Mr Wuga chatted to the pupils about their thoughts on the lessons and answered some thought-provoking questions.
The only son of successful caterers, Mr Wuga enjoyed a happy childhood before the Nazis took power. Then, he witnessed growing anti-Semitism, from bullying at school to the horrors of Kristallnacht in 1938, when Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues were attacked.
As tensions increased, his mother secured him a place on the Kindertransport, an international humanitarian programme that brought around 10,000 children to Britain in the months leading up to the outbreak of war. After arriving in Glasgow, he went on to attend school and work on a farm in Perthshire before being wrongly accused of espionage after writing letters to his parents in Germany
His name was cleared, and after the war ended, he returned to Glasgow, where he took a job as a chef. Sadly, his father died of a heart attack during an air raid in 1941, but he was able to bring his mother, who had survived the war thanks to the help of a Catholic neighbour, to Scotland. His wife, Ingrid, also lost many close relatives and friends during the Holocaust.
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Mr Wuga said: “It was very interesting meeting the pupils and answering their questions. I think it’s so important to share my story with a new generation while I can.
“When I first arrived here 83 years ago it was a shock – I didn’t speak the language well, the food and customs were new. But Glasgow was very welcoming and I made it my home.”
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Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Mr Wuga for supporting us and sharing his harrowing story with a new generation of Scottish children.
“His first-hand testimony is an important addition to our learning programme and will encourage young young people to reflect on issues that are all too relevant today.
“Sadly, millions of children throughout the world continue to be uprooted from their homes, escaping war, persecution, and poverty. We hope this will promote a wider understanding of refugees’ experiences, then and now, the challenges they face when arriving in Scotland.”
The Gathering the Voices Association is a project to record audio and video testimonies from Holocaust refugees who have a connection to Scotland, and educate current and future generations about their resilience.
It is made up of three ‘second generation’ refugees and their partners, who have collected more than 50 interviews which are freely at www.gatheringthevoices.com.
Dr Angela Shapiro, from the Gathering the Voices Association said: “We hope that by focusing on the stories of Mr Wuga and other young refugees, this will help bring the lessons to life.
“Young people can learn about the Holocaust and the resilience of the refugees who escaped from Nazi-occupied Europe, and the lessons we can all learn from those who lived through it.”
113 charities have benefitted from £5.4 million to prevent suicide in high-risk groups, including people from Black communities and men
Demand for services has increased during the pandemic and funds have bolstered services including therapy, stigma-busting workshops and helplines
Government will publish a Suicide Prevention Plan later this year to outline further support for those in need
The UK government has announced the charities that have received a share of £5.4million, to support people experiencing suicidal thoughts or approaching a crisis. This follows increased demand for services, met by the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector during the pandemic.
The Scottish Government announced an additional £15 million for The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund last week.
Marking the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week the UK government has announced that, following an open and competitive application process, 113 charities were awarded a share of the VCSE suicide prevention grant fund.
This funding, which was distributed and used earlier this year, enabled recipients to either set up new projects, or expand or sustain current services to ensure people are supported – including funding projects retrospectively.
Funded projects included providing additional capacity in crisis helplines, both for those struggling with suicidal thoughts and for those who are concerned about a loved one, providing signposting to local services, support and information, refreshing campaigns to provide targeted support to specific at-risk groups, therapy sessions and supporting families who have tragically been bereaved by suicide.
These voluntary and community services are vital for supporting individuals in the community, ensuring they receive the help they need, whilst also allowing health services to continue tackling the Covid backlog.
In 2021, there were over 5,000 suicides registered in England. In both men and women, around 40% of suicides are by people in their 40s and 50s, whilst men aged 45 to 49 have the highest rate.
Whilst this additional funding is already helping communities, the government is committed to doing all it can to prevent deaths by suicide. Later this year, it will publish a new Suicide Prevention Plan that will set out actions and commitments to do so.
To support the development of this plan, the department has opened a 12-week call for evidence which is running until 7 July, to help inform both the new 10-year Mental Health Plan and the new National Suicide Prevention Plan. It is seeking views from the public, as well as the sector, on what can be improved within the current service, and what more can be done to prevent suicides – particularly in light of the pandemic which has led to record levels of people seeking treatment and accessing support.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “I know how devastating suicide can be and I am committed to making sure the NHS and voluntary sector services have the support they need.
“We know many more people have been asking for help with their mental health over the last two years and we’re publishing a Suicide Prevention Plan later this year to outline further support for those in need.
“If you’re struggling, please reach out for support – we’re here to help.”
Minister for Mental Health, Gillian Keegan, said: “The suicide prevention voluntary sector has played a crucial role in providing people with the help and support they need throughout the pandemic and I thank them for all they do.
“Suicides are preventable tragedies when the right support and help is in place. I’m committed to continuing to support the sector and to do all we can to ensure people have the help they need.
“This Mental Health Awareness Week, I want to be clear that there is support for those struggling – and if you need help, I encourage you to reach out.”
The £5.4million of funding has been awarded to a wide range of organisations, including small community groups which play a vital role in responding to local needs, ensuring communities up and down the country can access suicide prevention support.
The support has predominantly been targeted at high-risk groups who may have struggled the most during the pandemic, such as people with a pre-existing mental illness, children and young people, and those from groups considered to be at higher risk of self-harm and suicide, such as people from Black communities, men, and people who are economically vulnerable.
The charities who’ve been awarded funding include:
James’ Place Charity, who’ve been awarded £283,968 and provide innovative, free, suicide prevention therapy to men over the age of 18 in Merseyside who are in suicidal crisis.
Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN), who’ve been awarded £41,599 and address the wider social determinants to reduce health inequalities for people from Caribbean & African communities, tackle taboos around suicide in black communities, raising awareness though workshops and campaigns as well as running virtual chat and support sessions for young people.
Chasing the Stigma, who’ve been awarded £51,918 and provide the Hub of Hope, a mental health signposting tool accessed by over 22,000 people per month
Papyrus, who’ve been awarded £151,815 and provide confidential support and advice specifically to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person. This support is provided through their HOPELINEUK.
Ellen O’Donoghue, Chief Executive Officer at James’ Place said: “At James’ Place, our professional therapists work with men in suicidal crisis who have an active plan to end their lives or who have recently made an attempt.
“The DHSC’s Suicide Prevention Fund has made a huge difference to the men we supported at our Liverpool centre in 2021 and 2022.
“We are now focussing on expanding our provision further, opening our second centre in London and three more beyond that, so that we can reach more men and help them to find hope for the future.”
Charles Kwaku-Odoi, Chief Officer of the Caribbean & African Health Network (CAHN) said: “Suicides occurs in all communities although it is not a topic openly spoken about in ethnic communities often due to stigma, shame, cultural and religious issues. It is important that we combat the threat of increasing suicide in the Black community while encouraging people to seek help at the earliest opportunity.
“The funding will enable us increase understanding and knowledge of practical suicide prevention techniques via different platforms helping people to spot the early signs and act appropriately.
“CAHN is committed to helping the Caribbean & African community tackle suicide. Our helpline (07710 022382) is open 9am to 9pm every day for those who need someone to talk to, feeling down or struggling.”
Jake Mills, Chief Executive at Chasing the Stigma said: “The grant of £51,918 received from the DHSC’s VCSE Suicide Prevention Grant Fund felt like a real lifeline for us at Chasing the Stigma in what was a year of unprecedented demand for our services.
“As a result of the pandemic, our Hub of Hope, the UK’s biggest and most comprehensive mental health signposting tool, witnessed an exceptional increase in demand from people looking for help and support across the UK.
“Although encouraging that more people were seeking and finding support, the significant pressure on our services came with its own challenges, including rising costs for maintaining and sustaining the platform. A challenge which has been made easier as a result of this grant.
“Chasing the Stigma is a national mental health charity with lived experience at the very core of all we do, which is why we are pleased to see the announcement of a new suicide prevention strategy in England. We are eager to engage in any plans as a voice of those who have lived through the pain of suicide and suicidal ideation.
“We fundamentally believe that the experiences of people should play a vital role in any new initiatives to reduce suicide and we are committed to represent those voices wherever we can.
Ged Flynn, Chief Executive at Papyrus said: “PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide was pleased to receive a grant of £151,815 from DHSC’s VCSE Suicide Prevention Grant Fund.
“The grant has helped to offset some of the rising costs of our vital HOPELINEUK service which offers professional advice to young people experiencing thoughts of suicide, and to those who are concerned about them. The service met hugely increased demand during the first two years of the Coronavirus pandemic.
“As a national charity, we welcome the announcement that there is to be a new suicide prevention strategy in England. We are keen to see the voice of young people at the heart of that initiative. After all, suicide remains the leading cause of death in those aged under 35.
“That’s why strategic cross-Government and cross-society effort is so important. PAPYRUS continues to do all it can to work with others, and especially with young people themselves, to help save young lives.
This fund is on top of £10.2 million already given to mental health charities over the course of the pandemic, and will support suicide prevention organisations to continue to provide support to all those who need it.
More widely, the Mental Health Recovery Action Plan, backed by £500 million, has ensured the right support is being offered to people with a variety of mental health conditions who have been impacted most by the pandemic.
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event which provides an opportunity for the whole of the UK to focus on achieving good mental health.
This year, the aim is to raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on people’s mental wellbeing and the practical steps which can be taken to address it.
Last week the Scottish Government announced an additional £15 million for The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.
A murder inquiry has been launched following the death of a 30-year-old man in Edinburgh.
Around 8pm on Thursday, 5 May, 2022, Liam Maloney was seriously assaulted on Niddrie Marischal Road, near to its junction with Niddrie Marischal Grove..He was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, where he died yesterday (Saturday, 7 May).
His relatives are aware and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.
A post mortem examination has been carried out and the death is being treated as murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Frank Travers, of the Major Investigation Team, said: “This appears to have been a targeted incident and we do not believe there is any risk to the wider public.
“Extensive police enquiries are ongoing at this time and officers are gathering CCTV footage from the surrounding area.Door to door inquiries are also being carried out.
“We will have a continued police presence in the area and I would like to reassure the local community that everything is being done to trace the person responsible.
“I would ask anyone who was in the Niddrie Marischal Road and Niddrie Marischal Grove area on Thursday night, and who may have seen or heard a disturbance, or witnessed anything suspicious, to please get in touch with us.
“We have also set up a website that gives members of the public access to a form to send information directly to the Major Investigation Team.
“Anyone with any CCTV, dashcam or any other footage that they think would assist the enquiry can also send this via this link.
“You can select to remain anonymous when submitting information.
