Month: October 2012

TOiL worth it for young graduates

Minister Angela Constance (centre) celebrates with TOiL graduates

Scotland’s Minister for Youth Employment has congratulated nine young people who have completed a six-month work placement programme. Angela Constance MSP handed out completion certificates to the Training Opportunities in Lothian (TOiL) graduates at a ceremony held at Edinburgh City Council Chambers yesterday. 

Ms Constance said: “Congratulations to the young people graduating today, the latest in a line of young people in the Lothians who have benefitted from the support of the TOiL project in getting started in their careers. I believe that our young people are the best and seeing success like this today is why we are providing funding for projects like TOiL through our Get Ready for Work programme, right across Scotland.”

TOiL offers paid six-month work training and placements. Operated by Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), the programme was established in 2004 and since then has helped over 400 young people aged 16 to 24 into work and training.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive at PoLHA, said: “We are very grateful to the Minister for attending our ceremony. Youth unemployment is a major issue and it is imperative that projects such as this continue to deliver real results in helping young people develop their skills to get on that first step of the career ladder.”

One of those graduating was 21-year-old Charlotte Cameron, who has secured permanent employment as a direct result of the programme with the City of Edinburgh Council in its Criminal Justice Department. Charlotte said: “The TOiL programme was really good and the courses were great. I now have a job I love.”

Also graduating on the day were Sean Fernie, 16, who was a heating engineer with TB McKay; Patrick McDermott, 17, who was a painter and joiner with Seddon’s; Lauren Campbell, 18, who was a Finance Assistant with PoLHA; Darren Holland, 18, who was a cleaning assistant with ISS; Ryan Walker, 17, who was an electrician and joiner with Castlerock; Jamie Tubby, 16, was a painter and decorator with Mitie; Aaron Blues, 18, was a lift engineer with Clyde Valley Lifts; and Ryan Sutherland, 16, was a painter with Seddon’s.

John Murray, who manages the TOiL programme, said: “Congratulations to all the young people who have graduated and we look forward to continuing to support them as they progress in their early careers.”

As well as the young people graduating, the ceremony also honoured those involved in TOiL and there were awards for Partner Organisation of the Year, Employer of the Year and Best New Employer of the Year. Lorraine Borwick, of Community Learning and Development – named Partner Organisation of the Year -, said: “TOiL ensures that young people’s employability goals are central to the planning process and that sessions are engaging and relevant. The partnership works really well as we work closely to plan and develop literacy and numeracy sessions for young people.”

Angela Constance MSP added: “We are committed to improving the employability of all Scotland’s young people and have guaranteed every 16-19-year-old a place in education or training through Opportunities for All. I will continue to work with employers, local authorities and third sector partners to secure the best opportunities for all our young people.”

If you are a young jobseeker or employer interested in learning more about the TOiL programme, contact 0131 554 0403.

 

 

 

Letter: Muirhouse must not be divided

Dear Editor N.E.N

I am writing regarding the residents of Silverknowes Eastway who want the walk-way shut off to stop access from Muirhouse Drive.
Silverknowes Eastway is part of the Muirhouse EH4 area and the housing was built on the land that was formally Silverknowes Primary School which was in Muirhouse Gardens. When the area in Muirhouse Gardens was developed for housing it was part of the planning application that it would have pedestrian access to the Linear Park as part of Central Muirhouse regeneration, and that no part of Muirhouse would be divided or excluded.
I fail to see what Davidson Mains and Silverknowes Association or Almond have to do with issues in Muirhouse.
John Davidson
Resident of Muirhouse (by email)

Bruce Peebles as never seen before …

Transformer factory 1979

Granton History Group will be presenting an illustrated talk about Bruce Peebles in Wardie Parish Church next month. Organised by member Ian Luttton and presented by David King, the talk will be illustrated with photographs of electrical items produced by Bruce (and later Parsons) Peebles, for many years one of North Edinburgh’s major employers. Many of these images will be on public view for the first time.

The talk takes place on Wednesday 7 November at 7.30pm at Wardie Parish Church, which is situated on Primrose Bank Road at the corner of Netherby Road.

For further information about the talk – and for a look at Granton’s fascinating history – visit the group’s recenly upgraded website at www.grantonhistory.org

Bruce Peebles winders, 1905

 

 

Deal struck for single question referendum?

There is speculation that the Scottish and Westminster governments have reached a deal over the independence question. Following months of negotiations it appears that the Scottish people will now vote in a one-question referendum – a straight yes or no – other than a ballot paper that contains another – increased powers for Holyrood or ‘devo-max’ – option.

It also seems that likely that sixteen and seventeen year olds will have the right to vote in the independence referendum, scheduled to be held in autumn 2014.

Further details will be announced when Prime Minister David Cameron meets Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood next Monday.

Should sixteen and seventeen year olds have the right to vote? Let us know!

Celebs know breast when it comes to cancer awareness!

A galaxy of Scots celebrities have backed an online campaign to help raise awareness of the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early Campaign. The campaign aims to save lives by helping Scots to spot the symptoms of breast cancer and by encouraging them to visit their GP if they are worried they may have a sign of cancer.

The new online viral featuring Amanda Hamilton, Michelle Mc Manus, Greg McHugh (Gary Tank Commander), Kaye Adams and Tom Kitchen can be viewed at:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_301895&feature=iv&src_vid=lxQdfB-no50&v=yNKbmif0M6c

 

Primary care – Travel Safe Charter launched

A new resource to help improve road safety education has been launched in primary schools across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scottish Borders. The Travel Safe Charter is a unique approach to promoting safe road practises to young people, seeking a commitment from schools and other agencies to develop curricular activities and partnership working.

Scotland’s national Road Safety Framework aims to reduce road deaths by 50 per cent through 2020 and the Travel Safe Charter has been designed to promote these key visions to all Pl – P7 year groups within our schools. The Charter provides advice and guidance on a range of policies, practices and procedures while encouraging and rewarding individual efforts. It will fit within the existing Curriculum for Excellence framework.

Travel Safe will reinforce and consolidate current good practices, whilst highlighting partnership working, parental input and involvement from the local community. All schools will submit evidence demonstrating that they have achieved the goals set within the Travel Charter framework and will be acknowledged accordingly through the award of a Charter certificate. The schools adjudged to be meeting these criteria will be given Travel Safe accreditation, which will be reviewed after three years.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill showed his support and helped launch the campaign at Duddingston Primary School yesterday.

Police believe Travel Safe will be a very useful tool to ensure a more sustainable approach to road safety education in primary schools. Chief Inspector Jim Royan from Lothian and Borders Police Safer Communities said: “As part of the Edinburgh Road Safety Partnership’s commitment to education, the Travel Safe Charter has been introduced to assist primary schools developing road safety education as a more vital part of the curriculum. Too many lives are lost needlessly on our roads each year and the earlier we can educate young people on road safety issues the better.

” School is where children receive the vast majority of their education and it’s appropriate for schools to play a key role in promoting road safety to their pupils. However, they are not alone in this project and police and partner agencies will provide all the necessary support and guidance schools require when adapting their curricular programme. We are also keen to get parents more involved and would encourage anyone who would like to assist with road safety education to respond to local school appeals for volunteers.”

Duddingston Depute Head Teacher Sara Webster said: “We are very excited about being part of the new Travel Safe Charter. Road safety is a skill for life which we feel is part of our responsibility asking children to assess and manage risk to protect themselves in the 21st century.”

Letter: Building barriers is not the answer

Dear Editor

I am writing  express my anger regarding the proposal from residents of Silverknowes asking to brick up three access points leading to Muirhouse following incidents of antisocial behaviour being blamed on Muirhouse residents. While I disagree with vandalism and antisocial behaviour, blocking pathways will not be the solution to this problem. This could have the adverse effect on the problem. Unfortunately lots of this behaviour is happening all over the city.

I recall this same group opposing the building of the new Craigroyston High School close to their homes . What do these people want? A Berlin Wall within North Edinburgh? They are not an elitist group who can dictate what they want.  The majority of people from Muirhouse are decent people who strive to improve their community and retain good links with surrounding neighbourhoods. Perhaps the answer is getting activists groups together within the neighbourhood to consult with each other . This could hopefully help to resolve the problem. Building barriers between communities is not the answer.

Anna Hutchison (by email)

SILVERKNOWES EASTWAY ‘barriers not the answer’

Paralympic torch coming to Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s Blackhall customers will have the chance to see the Paralympic Torch as it goes on a special tour across the UK. Sainsbury’s Blackhall will welcome the torch on Friday 19 October, when customers will have the opportunity to see, hold and take photographs of the iconic torch between 1 – 3pm.

The Sainsbury’s Paralympic Torch Experience will see the Paralympic Torch travel to 400 Sainsbury’s stores across the country – the Torch’s epic journey begins at Sainsbury’s Bradford Upon-Avon and ends at the retailer’s Lampeter store on Thursday 1 November.

The Torch is one of 620 Torches used in the 24 hour Relay which took place from Stoke Mandeville in Aylesbury, the home of the Paralympic Movement, to the Olympic Park in Stratford, London on Tuesday 28th to Wednesday 29th August. 101 stores from other areas across the country previously saw the Torch ahead of and during the Games, and now the retailer –  and first ever Paralympic Games-only sponsor – is extending it to the rest of the country.

Sainsbury’s Blackhall Store Manager David Bainbridge said: “We’ve really enjoyed playing our part in raising awareness of the London 2012 Paralympic Games in Blackhall. For our customers, it’s a once in a lifetime chance for them to see the Torch and feel the buzz of the Paralympic Games, which we’re proud to have sponsored.”

The local Sainsbury’s store is also responsible for another Olympic legacy, with two local high schools sharing in the success of the 2012 games thanks to donations from Sainsbury’s. The Royal High School received a donation of London 2012 sports clothing which they aim to use for team events, and organisers of Broughton High School’s recent Septemberfest were delighted to use Sainsbury’s London 2012 merchandise for prizes.

The store hope the donation will help maintain the positive momentum and feeling created by the London 2012 Games. Sainsbury’s Blackhall Store Manager David Bainbridge said: “Our colleagues and customers have really got behind all Paralympics GB and Team GB athletes and we wanted to celebrate the success of the London 2012 Games by providing The Royal High School and Septemberfest with a lasting memento of what has truly been a year like no other.”

 

 

Living Well welcomes new manager Sandra

Living Well North Edinburgh (formerly PROP Stress Centre) has warmly welcomed new manager Sandra Walkingshaw (pictured above).

Sandra said: “I am delighted to have joined the Living Well team as the new manager. I am really looking forward to working with all our members, staff and volunteers on continuing the excellent work that is currently going on and also planning for the future aims and goals of Living Well North Edinburgh.”

Living Well North Edinburgh are currently presenting ‘The Journey Within’, an exhibition of members’ arts and crafts, at North Edinburgh Arts Centre as part of the Scottish Mental Health Arts and Film Festival 2012. The exhibition runs until 2 November.

PYCP happy to receive Wooden Spoon!

Scots rugby legend Chris Paterson was the special guest at Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (PYCP) annual general meeting on Friday 28 September. Chris was representing rugby’s Wooden Spoon charity, whose donation of £10,000 helped PYCP turn a little-used storeroom into an all-singing, all-dancing dance studio!

Unveiling a plaque to opening the new facility at PYCP’s Greenhouse, the record 109-times capped star said: “I’m an awful dancer with two left feet, but if I’d had something like this … well, I think I’d probably still be a pretty rubbish dancer!”

Thanking Chris and representatives of the Wooden Spoon charity, PYCP chairperson Clare Halliday said: “This really is a tremendous space for our young people to enjoy. The room has been transformed – it’s incredible to think that this was just a storeroom, more or less a dumping ground for lots of equipment. Many thanks to Wooden Spoon for supporting PYCP – we really do appreciate it.”

Young dancers from Edinburgh’s Dance Base were first to put the new Wooden Spoon studio to the test, entertaining guests with an energetic routine – Chris Paterson was not tempted to join in!

Some pictures: