(More) power to the people!

‘Power to the People’, an introduction to the history of protest in Scotland, restarted at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre this morning but a few spaces for new faces are available for the new session.

Community Learning and Development worker Lynn McCabe, who devised and supports the course, said: “The Power to the People course started back this morning (Tuesday 29 January) at 9.45 in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, the first session of the second term which will cover the period 1800 – 1900.  From now until the end of March we will be looking at  the Radical War, Chartism, the Great Disruption, the Campaign for Home Rule and the birth of the Labour and Trade Union Movement.  We have regular visits and have a few outside speakers each term – next  week our guest speaker will be  Alex Wood.  We have a few spaces on the course at the moment and new people can join  at any time.”

The first term proved to be very popular (pictures below), so if you’d like to learn more about the history of Scottish activism drop in to Royston Wardieburn Community Centre on Pilton Drive North (telephone 552 5700) on Tuesday mornings for a 9.45 start, or email  lynn.mccabe@ea.edin.sch.uk for further information. It’s free – all welcome.

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Port of Leith appoints welfare rights officer and launches new service

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has appointed its first Welfare Rights Officer. Craig Samuel has joined the Association on a 14 month secondment from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Advice Shop.

Responsible for helping with the take-up of welfare state benefits and representation with tribunal work up to and including upper tier level, Craig will be on hand to offer expert guidance to PoLHA’s 3,500 tenants.

He said: I’m delighted to have joined PoLHA and the fact I was born in Leith made it an easy decision to take up this great opportunity to offer my help and to ensure PoLHA is well represented with our voice being heard within local government.”

Craig’s appointment has lead to the creation of PoLHA’s Welfare Rights Service, strengthening the Association’s existing advice services for help in managing debt, affordable warmth advice to help with fuel debt and advice and support to maintain tenancies.

Keith Anderson, Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: “Craig’s role and the creation of an additional service will greatly benefit our tenants at a time which is set to impact on them significantly.”

Craig Samuel
Craig Samuel