Landmarks across Scotland shone green on the longest night of the year in support of the NSPCC and its Childline counselling service, which will be there for children across the country this Christmas.
Buildings and landmarks lit up on Friday, December 22, for the charity, including the Falkirk Wheel, Glasgow Science Centre, Glasgow Botanic Gardens and Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura as a reminder that the Childline offers a beacon of light to young people in their darkest hours.
Other sites in Scotland that lit up for the NSPCC include Dalkeith Country Park, West Lothian Civic Centre, Dundee Science Centre, Marischal College, Aberdeen and the Titan Crane in Clydebank.
Also, on December 22, people across the country took part in the NSPCC’s Walk for Children – a 5k fundraiser.
Caroline Renton, NPSCC Scotland Fundraising Manager, said: “Our Childline service is expecting a child to contact them every 45 seconds this Christmas.
“For children facing abuse, the winter nights are dark, long and lonely, and we want all children to know that Childline is here for them, even on the darkest nights.
“We’re grateful to everyone who raised funds through walking and all those who helped with lighting up these landmarks and buildings as a reminder that Childline is here throughout the Christmas period.”
Childline counsellors are on hand around the clock to talk to young people throughout the festive period, including Christmas Day.
With schools closing their doors and children having reduced contact with wider support networks over the festive season, many vulnerable children face increased risks at home.
For those children and young people for whom Christmas means abuse, Childline is a lifeline.
Childline delivered 240 counselling sessions to children in Scotland during the 12 days of Christmas last year1.
During this period, Childline delivered more than 1,000 high-risk counselling sessions across the UK, with 64% of high-risk calls and web chats during that period coming in after dark. Childline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, even over Christmas.
Last year, hundreds of people walked 5k on the longest night of the year and raised over £100,000 to help fund vital NSPCC services, like Childline.
Seven of the weirdest festive objects PDSA pet patients have eaten at Christmas
Christmas is often dubbed ‘the most wonderful time of the year’, but sadly some pets will need to see a vet this year due to a festive emergency.
This Christmas period, PDSA Vets alongside PDSA Pet Insurance are warning pet owners of certain dangers to be wary of this time of year.
PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Walsh explains: “Festive foods, gifts under the Christmas tree, decorations, and even the most ordinary household objects can tempt curious cats and dogs, putting them in harm’s way.
“Over the festive period, we all eat things we shouldn’t, and that’s no exception for many pets. Our veterinary teams will likely see many poorly pets in need of emergency treatment after they’ve wolfed down something they shouldn’t have over the festive season.
“In December alone last year, our veterinary teams treated over 53,000 pets, conducted over 61,000 consultations, and performed over 2,300 operations. Some of which will have been related to ingestion of a festive hazard.
“This Christmas, we’re urging owners to watch out for prying paws as we revisit seven of the oddest Christmas-themed objects our pet patients have eaten.”
7 of the oddest Christmas-themed objects PDSA pet patients have eaten
1. Fairy lights
Now, you wouldn’t think fairy lights could look appetising, would you? Think again! Cheeky Charlie underwent emergency surgery at Southampton PDSA when his family discovered he had eaten fairy lights. Thankfully, the glass hadn’t cut his mouth or throat, and he hadn’t bitten through the wire when the lights were on, which could have electrocuted him! Thankfully, vets performed life-saving surgery to remove the lights, and Charlie was able to go home with his family.
2. Tinsel
Renowned for eating sofas, carpets, and tinsel in his younger days, when Dexter’s family noticed tinsel was missing from the mantelpiece, they were sure their dog was the culprit. However, Dexter showed no signs of illness until later that night, when he was sick. The following morning, Dexter was taken to PDSA, and x-rays confirmed tinsel in his stomach. Vets performed emergency surgery, and to his owners’ relief, Dexter could go home in time for Christmas.
3. Golf balls
If you’re planning to surprise a friend or family member with golf-inspired gifts this Christmas, be careful around inquisitive pets. When Azar the Doberman suddenly lost weight, his owner took him to her local PDSA Vet. To her surprise, they discovered he had swallowed not one but three golf balls! Sadly, two of the balls had lodged themselves in his small intestine, and he was at risk of suffering stomach injuries. It was touch and go, but thankfully Azar survived the operation.
4. Star-shaped Christmas decoration
When a five-month-old puppy called Charlie was gagging and struggling to breathe, his worried owner knew something wasn’t right. Charlie visited his local PDSA Pet Hospital, where vets performed x-rays and, to their surprise, found a star shining back at them! Vets had to act quickly to remove the star-shaped decoration with forceps to stop the puppy from choking.
5. Nintendo DS game
It was almost game over for Rocco when PDSA Vets discovered the curious canine had swallowed a Nintendo DS game. He started vomiting and refused to eat, so his owners took him to PDSA Glasgow Shamrock Street Pet Hospital for an emergency appointment. Vets found a rectangular-shaped object in his gut on x-rays and performed emergency surgery to remove it immediately. They were stunned to retrieve a video game cartridge from his small intestine, but thankfully, Rocco survived and was able to go home to rest and recover the following day.
6. Christmas tree decoration
Leah’s owner was distraught when her beloved cat began vomiting and losing weight. Her owner took her to Middlesbrough PDSA to get to the bottom of the issue, only to find Leah had eaten a tiny Christmas tree-shaped decoration! X-rays showed a perfectly formed Christmas tree in the cat’s abdomen. Vets performed emergency surgery to remove it, and thankfully Leah was able to go home with her loving owner.
7. Spoon
Don’t forget, pets can be drawn to the most ordinary household objects too. Rottweiler Max bit off more than he could chew when he was fed strawberries and cream from a spoon and ate the spoon too! Worried, Max’s owners took him to her local PDSA Pet Hospital. An x-ray showed the spoon lodged firmly in Max’s stomach, so he was rushed into surgery to remove it. Thanks to PDSA Vets, Max survived.
PDSA is the UK’s largest vet charity providing a vital service for pets across the UK whose owners struggle to afford treatment costs for their sick and injured pets. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn.
The charity’s insurance arm, PDSA Pet Insurance, offers a range of policies to cover cats and dogs for accidents and illness, as well as providing access to a 24/7 veterinary helpline. Every policy sold raises funds for the charity’s life-saving veterinary work.
A BUMPER month-long festive celebration is well underway at one of Scotland’s most luxurious care homes.
Pensioners at Cramond Residence have been treated to the homes’ biggest ever range of activities in the build-up to Christmas thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Lifestyle Team.
In the lead-up to the big day, residents have enjoyed a delightful mix of songs, carols, parties, fine food, Christmas jumper celebrations as well as a pantomime, creating a buzzing festive atmosphere.
Elaine Vallance, Head of Lifestyle at Cramond Residence said: “This is our sixth and biggest Christmas at the home and it’s our goal to ensure it’s a magical experience for our residents.
“We focused on creating a festive atmosphere with activities that cater to all tastes to help get everyone into the spirit.
“The residents have thoroughly enjoyed the events so far, and we’ve made sure that Christmas week is filled with fantastic activities to help carry the joy into the New Year.”
Across December, Cramond Residence sparkled with festive spirit, beginning with the annual Christmas lights switch-on and a carol performance by Fettes students.
The month has featured a variety of events including religious ceremonies, sensory sessions, a Kirk service, pub nights, and numerous parties.
On Christmas Day, residents will enjoy a special festive lunch, followed by a week full of seasonal movies, a pub night, a Nutcracker ballet performance, and a grand New Year’s Eve celebration to bring in 2024 in style.
Christian Daraio, Client Liaison Manager for Cramond Residence said: “We are lucky to have Elaine and her exceptional team orchestrating an incredible array of activities for our residents.
“Christmas at Cramond Residence is always a special time for both our staff and residents. This year has been particularly memorable, and we’re looking forward to celebrating Christmas and New Year’s with all our residents.”
Cramond Residence is dedicated to meeting the unique needs of its residents, offering a bespoke activity programme that blends the luxury of a hotel with the warmth of home living. Constructed at a cost of £8m, the residence opened its doors in October 2018, embodying a philosophy of small group living with a strong focus on social interaction.
The facility provides an extensive array of dementia care services, available both within the general living environment and in a dedicated area specially designed for those in more advanced stages.
With a variety of activities specifically tailored for individuals with dementia, Cramond Residence aims to enrich their lives. The home boasts state-of-the-art facilities and a team of trained professionals committed to offering both support and respite.
For further information about Cramond Residence, call 0131 336 1064 or visit the care home’s website at cramondresidence.co.uk.
The holidays may be about to start but our Christmas programme will ensure that there are activities available during the festive season, beginning with Fridays FooTea Christmas dinners!
Check the information and remember there’s food etc available each day!
Jet2holidays launches a cracker of a Christmas competition, offering 13 tree-mendous holidays
Jet2holidays has announced the launch of Smashing Through the Snow – a very merry competition online, giving holidaymakers the opportunity to win one of 13 tree-mendous holidays over the festive period.
Customers are being given daily chances to win a holiday between 14th-25th December by smashing through presents to gain as many points as possible in 30 seconds. Watch out for the coal, however, as points will be deducted!
To enter customers must sign up to become a myJet2 member and download the Jet2 mobile app.
With points contributing towards entries into a grand prize draw on 28th December to win a 7-night Indulgent Escapes holiday for two adults and two children to the 5-star Cullinan in Antalya, there are additional ways for players to increase their chances of winning. Entering consecutive days in a row creates a bonus multiplier which increases each day users play and sharing the campaign with friends earns extra entries too!
In addition to the lucky grand prize draw winner, twelve more holidaymakers will be jetting off with Jet2holidays, Jet2CityBreaks, Jet2Villas, Indulgent Escapes or VIBE by Jet2holidays in the instant daily wins hidden behind each door.
With a total of thirteen prizes up for grabs and multiple chances to win, entrants have plenty of opportunity to grab a getaway with Jet2holidays in the run up to Christmas.
A 7-night VIBE by Jet2holidays getaway for 2 adults to the Amare Beach Hotel in Ibiza
Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, said: “We are delighted to be giving the gift of holidays this Christmas and spreading some festive fun by unwrapping our Smashing through the Snow competition.
“With 13 holidays up for grabs, customers have plenty of opportunity to win a holiday this festive season. We wish everyone the best of luck!”
48% professionals aren’t planning on attending their work’s Christmas party this year
Almost two fifths state it being ‘too much effort’ this year
31% are not attending because of the ‘cost associated’ with going
59% of workplaces are having a downsized celebrations or none-at-all
Over a quarter planning to ’not drink at all’ at their office celebrations
48% of professionals in the UK and Ireland are planning on missing their work’s Christmas party this year – whilst 20% are going just to ‘show their face’.
A new poll from Walters People has shown that many professionals in the UK and Ireland are being deterred from the idea of a workplace Christmas party this year – with less time in the office, cost-of-living, and economic uncertainty all playing a role in employees decision making.
What’s changed?
When asked about the reason behind them not wanting to attend their work Christmas party – the two most common responses from professionals were that it is ‘too much effort this year’ (37%), and the personal costs associated with attending (33%).
Janine Blacksley, Director of Walters People UK comments:“The Christmas or end-of-year party has always been an important diary entry in professionals calendar – in particular in the white-collar world where the end of the year is typically a period where the company is able to slow-down or shut for a few days.
“This year it feels there has been a tide-change on the end of year Christmas party being a festive calendar staple. Our poll results show that the main deterrents echo a fatigue in professionals to make the effort or foot the costs associated with attending their office party this Christmas – they’d rather spend on their own personal Christmas plans.”
A mixed bag for many
A further quarter stated another primary deterrent for attending their Christmas work party is that their employer is spending less on the actual event. In fact, when asked if their employer was holding a Christmas party this year – 59% stated they were either having smaller celebrations or none at all due to cost cuts.
Contrastingly, less than a third (32%) of professionals stated their workplace Christmas party was going to be a ‘big one’ this year.
Janine comments:“2023 has been a mixed bag for many companies, so it isn’t surprising that festive celebrations this year will be very dependent on industry and employer. Whilst the majority are having pared down celebrations or none at all – a percentage are planning to push the boat out.
“Whilst typically more money being spent often signifies that a company is doing well from a profit perspective, we are increasingly seeing organisations invest in their workplace culture – including Christmas parties – as an attraction and retention tactic.”
But what do professionals want this Christmas?
When asked what sort of Christmas party they’d prefer – 38% of professionals opted for ‘an open bar, party, Santa hats galore’ – whilst an almost equal amount (32%) stated that ‘a simple lunch would suffice’. A further fifth wanted a relaxed affair, with less focus on alcohol.
Many keeping this festive period dry
The theme of not drinking seems to be a preoccupation for many professionals this year – with almost double the amount (39%) of professionals planning to ‘only stick to one or two festive tipples’ at their office celebrations, compared to just a fifth who are planning to go ‘all out’ (22%). Whereas, a further 31% are planning to ‘stay entirely tee-total.’
Whilst Gen-Z seem to leading the charge in lessening the dependence of alcohol in workplace socialising, and more generally – according to Drinkaware UK, 86% of employees in the private sector are still more likely to say there is an ‘expectation’ to drink at employer events than those who work in the public sector.
Janine comments:“Our polls show a real change in attitudes towards how work Christmas parties could be carried out going forward – and potentially a permanent shift in workplace culture where there is more focus on oneself rather than team building, and a bigger lens on wellbeing and balance rather than socialising.
“Time will tell – on whether this is a more fleeting change in light of what has been a globally economically difficult year.”
RoSPA: with overall hospital admissions up across the board it’s more important than ever to prevent accidents and both reduce pressure on the NHS and ensure people’s Christmas isn’t ruined by spending hours in overcrowded A&Es.
RoSPA: Have fun and enjoy the festive period safely
Enjoy the festive season but make it a safe one too, that’s the message from accident prevention experts, The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), ahead of the Christmas chaos.
NHS figures show that overall total hospital admissions for all causes were up last year[i], with over half a million emergency admissions – the equivalent to the population of Edinburgh requiring urgent treatment.
Jim Oram, Public Health Project Officer at RoSPA advises reducing accident risk to avoid spending hours in overcrowded accident and emergency departments: “It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement during the festive period, but having more people in the home can add to the risks.
“With some forward planning and awareness of potential hazards, your festive season can be safe and happy for everyone.”
Here are RoSPA’s top tips to stay safe this festive season:
Reduce the risk of a fall
In the UK, we saw 7,229 patients admitted to hospital last December with hip fractures and that was up 20 per cent on the year before[1]. Keep yourself and loved ones safe by keeping the floor, stairs and walkways clear, and clean up any spillages as soon as you can. And if the weather takes an icy turn, grit the paths and walkways outside.
Only purchase gifts from reputable traders
When buying presents, opt for reputable retailers, especially when shopping online. If a trader does not have a high street presence in the UK, check online reviews before buying. Online sellers should have a UK address listed on their website.
Look for the CE, UKCA, UKNI, and Lion marks on toys, and check for age-appropriateness and warnings.
Button batteries in toys should always be inside a lockable compartment, and any magnets used in toys should be secure to avoid ingestion.
Prepare for young visitors
There are some fantastically fun novelty decorations out at this time of year, but it’s important to remember these are not toys and therefore do not have to comply with toy safety regulations.
If you have a young family or have children visiting, always be mindful of decorations they could put into their mouths. Some decorations are particularly risky, such as ones with unsecure button batteries, ones made from glass and those with magnets inside. It’s also worth having a check that cleaning products, vapes and medications are kept out of reach, and blind cords have the appropriate safety fixtures.
Think fire safety
Last year there were nearly 200,000 house fires in the UK alone[2], so taking fire safety seriously is key.
Use electrical candles over real flames, keep decorations and cards away from heat sources, replace old Christmas lights and try not to leave anything plugged in overnight.
Maximise kitchen safety
It’s a familiar scene – the chef cooking the roasties while helpers ferry plates from A to B, and children run around high on the festivities of the day. And while everyone should enjoy the atmosphere, it’s best to keep spirits high by avoiding accidents. Allow ample time to avoid accidents from rushing and where possible, keep non-helpers out of the kitchen.
Figures from the Hip Fracture Database indicate a peak in falls around December[3], so be sure to clean up spills and clutter promptly to reduce the risk of your family or friends falling over.
Keep hot crockery and drinks out of reach
Burns are the fourth common form of trauma worldwide, after road traffic collisions, falls and interpersonal violence[4], with around half of those affected children. With a higher frequency of hot drinks, food, and cooked edibles around, be mindful to keep hot pans, plates and drinks out of reach.
New Lanark’s popular Carols by Candlelight event will return to the New Lanark Mill Hotel this Christmas, with a performance from the Strathaven Choral Society.
Taking place on Thursday, 14 December from 6.45pm until 9pm, guests can get into the spirit of the season with an evening filled with music, merriment, and a festive feast.
The Strathaven Choral Society is a mixed-voice choir which was first formed in 1972 to bring classical music to the region. Since then, it has grown in numbers with singers, sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses travelling from Lanarkshire and beyond to participate in rehearsals and events.
The choir will perform a repertoire of classical carols in two sets, illuminated by candlelight, in the Robert Owen Suite, followed by a traditional three-course meal. The first set will begin once guests are seated, and the second set will commence after dinner, finishing with the ultimate, joyous sing-along.
Tickets are priced at £32 which includes the performance, meal, and a glass of mulled wine on arrival.
John Stirrat, General Manager, New Lanark Mill Hotel added: “We are delighted to welcome back our Carols by Candlelight evening, which has been a favourite for many in of our winter calendar.
“This year’s celebration promises an unforgettable experience, featuring the Strathaven Choral Society for a night of live musical renditions to uplift the soul and set the festive mood.”
Tickets can be reserved by contacting the New Lanark Mill Hotel events team at 01555 667 500 or by emailing events@newlanark.org
Located on the picturesque banks of the River Clyde, New Lanark World Heritage Site is a historic location dating back to 1785. The historic village of New Lanark is one of six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Scotland.
The Christmas elves at Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, are busy getting ready to spread Christmas cheer across Scotland by delivering gifts to the canine companions of people experiencing homelessness.
Every Christmas, through its Together Through Homelessness scheme, Dogs Trust brings festive cheer to the dogs of people experiencing homelessness by delivering canine hampers of collars, leads, coats, treats and toys to dogs and their owners.
Dogs Trust has been running the unique service for over 30 years and as well as Christmas gifts, provides free veterinary treatment to dogs whose owners are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.
In recent months* Together Through Homelessness have seen an 82% rise in phone enquiries, as Crisis Homelessness Monitor 2023 shows that homelessness is on the rise in the UK.
This year, Together Through Homelessness will deliver almost 2,000 Christmas parcels to dogs and their owners at over 215 homelessness services across the UK. Services in Scotland that benefited from the scheme include Scottish Veterans Residences, Simon Community, All4Paws, The Salvation Army, Big Issue and Right There.
Richard Kerr of Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland, says:“The hampers from Dogs Trust benefit the people we are working with massively. It is a great idea and gives our clients and their dogs an experience that they might otherwise not have.
“The people we work with are generally very attached to their animals and create very strong bonds with their companions as in some cases they don’t have anyone in their lives that they can rely on for companionship. I know this support means a lot to our clients.”
Megan Evans, Together Through Homelessness Team Leader at Dogs Trust, explains: “Everyone knows that the bond between a dog and its owner is a strong one but for people experiencing homelessness, the bond is often unbreakable. Christmas can be an especially difficult and lonely time for people in housing crisis, but the company of a canine friend can often help to ease some of this loneliness.”
“However, thanks to the generosity of Dogs Trust supporters, this year we’ll spread a little bit of Christmas cheer and help almost 2,000 dogs celebrate Christmas with their best friends. Not only that, but we will be able to continue to support them into the New Year and beyond so that more dogs can stay with their owners, regardless of their housing situation”.
As well as distributing Christmas hampers and offering free veterinary treatments Together Through Homelessness supports homelessness services to accept clients with dogs and helps them put in place practical guidelines.
