Lothian Junior Chess competitions at Broughton High School: Can You Help?

Broughton High School Association are looking forward to the school hosting two more Chess Competitions for Lothian Junior Chess on Saturday 28 October and 11 November.

We will be running our café in the Hub area again to provide refreshments for the young people taking part in the competition and their parents/carers.

If any of our school families can help with the café and/or provide homebaking (just no nuts please) get in touch by emailing bhsassociation@gmail.com.

The money raised goes into a fund that the teachers can apply to pay for items that can’t otherwise be funded by the school or the Council.

BHSA provides things like funds for sports strips, subsidised travel for trips, specialist equipment etc. If you would like to help decide how the money is spent, you are welcome to join the BHS Association Committee.

Tomorrow: Granton Summer Festival

The weather forecast is looking good for the Summer Festival tomorrow at Granton Parish Church from 10am – 4pm.

Food all day from breakfast rolls in the morning, soup at lunchtime and finishing off with a burger BBQ at 3pm. Music from Granton Youth and Ukranian folk singers

Food available all day breakfast rolls in the morning, soup at lunchtime and finishing off with a burger BBQ at 3pm.

• LIVE MUSIC FROM GRANTON YOUTH MUSIC & UKRANIAN MUSIC GROUP

• Children’s crafts

• games and activities

• Craft stalls

• sewing workshop

• Quiet spaces to chill out

• FUN for the whole family

Club Together at Easter Road

We are delighted to be part of @SPFLTrust Winter Response Fund 2023

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Starting 25th January we have a free lunch offering for our community to attend

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In our community hub space we have hot meals and access to wi-fi / devices, book swap & clothing bank.

FREE Fun Family Drop In at McDonald Road Library this Saturday

Looking for something fun to do with the wee ones during the school summer holiday?

Why not pop along to a Fun Family Drop-in at the McDonald Library, Edinburgh, on Saturday, July 23, for some arts and crafts, balloon modelling, face painting and loads more.

The event has been organised as part of a campaign that was launched two years ago by the city’s Child Protection Committee and NSPCC Scotland.

All of Us was set up to help people find out where to get support and advice with parenting or other worries about family life and where to turn if they have concerns about a child.

The partnership wants to help parents and carers, who may be struggling, and signpost them to where they can get advice and support before reaching crisis point.

Stalls at the event, which runs from 1pm to 3pm, will include NSPCC Scotland, Home Start, Children’s Health Scotland, Venture Scotland, Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) and The Junction.

There will also be arts and crafts from Polymorphics, a Bookbug session, snacks and drinks, a face painter, balloon animals, and the Institute of Physics, a professional body which strives to make physics accessible to people from all backgrounds.

Gail Sayles, NSPCC Scotland local campaigns manager, said: “Looking after a child can be challenging for all parents and carers at times, and it is so important that people feel they can seek support and know where to turn for help.

“Everyone is welcome to come along to this event to find out what support and activities are available where you live.

“Don’t forget the NSPCC Helpline is also there for anyone who wants advice or knows a family that needs support.”

The campaign has also been raising awareness among communities and professionals about the early signs of child neglect and how to help families who are struggling.

Jackie Irvine, Chair of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said: “Many organisations will be on hand to offer advice and provide practical support to parents and carers at this fun free drop-in at McDonald Road Library.

“This campaign was first launched just weeks before the pandemic struck and highlights the very real issues around child neglect. The past couple of years have really driven home the importance of raising awareness among communities and professionals so they are alert to the signs of child neglect.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to come along to find out more information about what is available.”

The Family Fun Drop-In is being held at the McDonald Library, McDonald Road, Edinburgh, from 1pm to 3pm.

The campaign has also been raising awareness among communities and professionals about the early signs of child neglect and how to help families who are struggling with online workshops and seminars.

For parenting advice and support visit NSPCC helpline or call 0808 800 5000, weekdays 8am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 6pm. People can also contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324, their health visitor, GP or child’s school.

To find out more about the campaign visit: Edinburgh.gov.uk/allofus

It takes ‘ALL OF US’ to raise happy, healthy children.

Expert reveals how puzzles and games can increase our mental wellbeing

Whilst playing games, whether it’s a board game or a video game or team sport can be a great way to spend your time, there are numerous benefits that games can have on our mental health.

Neal from SudokuCraze outlines five of the biggest benefits that playing games can have on our mental health:

  1. Reduces stress

Games have been shown to slow our breathing, our heart rate and our blood pressure and can result in giving us a calming effect, therefore reducing stress. By engaging in a gaming activity, whether it be a physical sport, a board game or an online game on a regular basis, can leave us feeling more relaxed and better able to cope with stressors around us from work and home.

  1. Keeps your brain active and healthy

Games and activities that require problem solving and critical thinking are fantastic ways of stimulating our brain to keep it healthy. Grey matter in the brain decreases as we age – a part that is directly responsible for memory, emotions, and cognitive ability. Studies have shown that the more mentally active we are throughout life and into our later years, the more grey matter that we retain and therefore the more healthy and active our brains are as we age.   Board games, video games and puzzles are all excellent ways to stimulate our minds and stay sharp, whether we are young or old.

  1. Boosts your mood

Not only are playing games fun, they also work wonders in boosting our mood. When we engage in an enjoyable group activity, our body begins releasing feel-good hormones, such as dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin and endorphins. These chemicals reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, boost our mood, increasing feelings of happiness.

  1. Increases self-esteem

Often when faced with a new challenge or situation, we may question if we are capable of pushing through and succeeding but through regular games, teamwork activities or sports, we are better able to build our trust in ourselves. Although it may feel scary, or place us out of our comfort zone, consistently working with others on a team can help us to feel more confident both in and out of the team environment.

  1. Increases attention span

Having a longer attention span means that we are able to focus on a single task, for a longer period of time, without becoming distracted. Attention span and focus is a skill that can be improved upon and can benefit us in all areas of our life, from focusing on lectures and schoolwork to sitting through meetings and staying focused on a project at work.

Playing any type of game that requires concentration, whether it be a board game like monopoly or chess, or a video game, can help to increase our attention span and therefore improve both the length of time and the quality of our focus.

Draughts championship to be held in celebration of former Scottish World Champion

The achievements of former Kelty miner, Robert Stewart, who held the title of World Draughts Champion, are to be celebrated through a new event, the Scottish Draughts Championship, fittingly held in his home town on the centenary of his first victory.

Robert Stewart reportedly lost only two out of 8,000 games and was otherwise unbeaten at draughts for 21 years, holding the title of World Draughts Champion from 1922 to 1933.

A century on from his first Championship win, this exceptional feat of skill and strategy is to be acknowledged in an annually held tournament to find a new Scottish Coal Draughts Champion as part of the Scottish Coal Carrying Championship.

Commencing in parallel with the 2022 programme, these events together will celebrate the history of the town of Kelty and also aims to increase the profile of the game of draughts in Scotland.

The Robert Stewart Tournament is for adult elite players of the game and will be held between the 25th-27th August 2022 with the final being played on Coal Race Day on Saturday 27th August 2022.

To encourage wider interest in the sport, especially for new participants of all ages and skill level, there will also be an opportunity to take part in an ‘all comers open competition’ which will be run in parallel with the main tournament and will consist of both a Junior Competition and a Senior Competition.

The draughts events will be sponsored and supported by the Scottish Coal Carrying Championships, the Scottish Draughts Association and head sponsor National Pride UK.

Founded in 1995, the annual Scottish Coal Carrying Championships was created by Michael Boyle whose aim was to create an enduring link between the modern-day village and its rich coal mining heritage.

The men’s race requires participants to carry a 50-kilo bag of coal and the ladies’ race requires a 25-kilo bag of coal to be carried over 1000 metres through the village of Kelty. There are races for children too carrying a 15-kilo bag of coal.

National Pride UK was principal sponsor in 2021 and continues its support in 2022, as part of its involvement in community wellbeing. National Pride UK sponsors community events and supports community groups through social value projects to ensure economic resurgence in the town and surrounding area.

National Pride UK, as new owners of the neighbouring St Ninians former opencast mine, have plans to develop an ecologically friendly and environmentally sensitive health, wellness and leisure destination at the site. Design proposals are forming into an initial masterplan details of which will be released as soon as the plan become mature.

The extensive 976-acre St Ninians and Loch Fitty site will promote health and wellness in mind and body accessible and affordable for all. It will also deliver an exciting leisure, entertainment and tourism destination creating significant employment opportunities and supporting local businesses.

Donald Oliphant of the  Scottish Draughts Association commented: A century on from Robert Stewart claiming the World Draughts Title in 1922, the Scottish Draughts Association is delighted to partner with the Coal Carrying Championship organisers to increase the profile of the game in 2022.

“This will allow the community and the rest of Scotland to see for themselves the high level of skill required to play the game at its highest level. Nearly everyone has played at draughts but very few move to the next level and begin to realise the vast depth of skill and knowledge required to become a master player. This competition gives an opportunity to the people of Fife to see world class draughts on their doorstep.”

Irene Bissett, National Pride UK, said: “We are delighted to be again sponsoring the Scottish Coal Carrying Championship in Kelty, which is such a fantastic community event.

“The Robert Stewart Tournament not only celebrates his incredible achievement, but we are sure it will inspire all generations to participate in a new annual community event and have fun.”

10 expert lessons to teach your children about money

Finance can be a difficult topic to tackle with young children, but teaching them to have a healthy relationship with money from a young age is important to lots of parents around the globe. 

With this in mind, financial experts from money.co.uk have compiled a list of their top 10 tips for teaching your children about money. 
 

1.       Start with the basics of money and finance 

How you introduce money to your children will partly depend on their age. A good place to start is getting children comfortable handling cash and coins. Explain to them how money is used to buy things and that it must be earned before it can be spent.  

2.       Speak openly about small financial decisions  

Start getting your child involved with minor financial decisions, such as which brands and items to buy when shopping. This way your child is able to understand the decisions you make while also feeling in control of certain financial choices. 

Older children could also help with budgeting while shopping if you ask them to keep a running total of the items you buy. Not only will this help their maths skills, but it can also help them to understand how small items can still add up in price and not everything is affordable on a budget. 

3.       Try simple games and toys with younger children 

Creating easy monetary games such as counting pennies can help your child understand the value of different denominations of money. Try using a pile of 1p coins and asking your child to match the number of coins to the price of a higher value coin, such as 10p or 50p. 

4.       Set a good example with your own finances 

There’s no two ways about it, children learn money habits from their parents. Showing them small activities such as checking the receipt after your shop or putting money into savings can start developing positive habits from a young age. 

Encourage your child to ask questions without repercussion in this setting. While you might not necessarily have all the answers, opening up a dialogue is a healthy way for your child to learn more about finance. 

5.       Use pocket money as an incentive for small tasks 

Using pocket money as an incentive to do chores around the house not only helps you, but it also helps your child learn more about the value of money and what it takes to earn it. Creating a simple plan with a set amount of money for different tasks, along with caps per week or month, is a great way to help your child start understanding where money comes from. 

6.       Use pocket money to teach children how to save 

Alongside teaching children the relationship between work and money, household chores and pocket money is also a great opportunity to show children how to save. If your child has shown interest in a more expensive purchase, you could set them up with an old-fashioned piggy bank where they can ‘deposit’ their earnings or chart for them to fill out so they can track how much money they have.  

7.       Reward them by learning about interest 

Paying small amounts of interest on the money your child has saved is a helpful way to encourage them to keep saving. Older children will be delighted to learn that the interest they earned last week can be used to earn more interest if they save until next week. 

8.       Use trips to the shop to learn about saving vs. spending 

Another practical way to teach a child about the benefits of saving is by visiting shops. Allow them full control of their own money on the understanding that if they don’t have enough they won’t be able to borrow any more. The more they feel in control of their own finances, the more they will be able to make sensible decisions when it comes to spending or saving. 

9.       Use digital tools with older children 

There are a whole range of online tools for teaching older children about online banking and using cards for payments. One of the leading products on the market is GoHenry, which is suitable for those aged six and up, costs £2.99 a month and allows parents to set strict spending limits, monitor what their kids are buying and where they are spending their money. 

10.   Teach older children about selling old toys for extra money 

If you don’t want to give your child pocket money, teaching them about ways to earn money for themselves is a helpful alternative. 

When they’re old enough, you could ask your child to go through their old toys, books and clothes and set aside which ones they’d like to sell.

You can then sell these on their behalf through online auction sites such as eBay or Facebook Marketplace. Not only is this a great way for your child to feel independent in earning their own money, it presents an opportunity to also discuss how to use the internet safely. 

Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert from money.co.uk, speaks about why teaching children how to handle money from a young age is so beneficial. 

“Creating an environment in which you are able to speak more openly with your children about your financial decisions is vital to engaging them from a young age on the value of money. Showing them how to make choices when shopping will set up good habits and understanding of managing money. 

“It’s important to make sure your lessons are age-appropriate and that you continue to involve and teach your children about money as they grow. A healthy relationship with finances starts at a young age, and children learn most of their habits from their parents.” 

https://www.money.co.uk/share-dealing.htm