Listen up … local radio for North Edinburgh?

A Local Radio Station?

Various people have suggested that a local radio station for Muirhouse/West Pilton/Drylaw and the surrounding area might be a positive development. Some of the positive aspects of this proposal might be:

Training opportunities for local people in radio and media (with possible links between local high school and Edinburgh College)
Opportunities for local bands and individuals to gain experience produce demos and be given air time
Opportunities for local projects to get their information across to the local communities
Slots throughout the week with different types of themes ie music, younger and older audiences, new migrant communities etc
An overall increase in artistic and creative activity in the area

Interestd? An initial meeting has been organised to discuss the possibility of creating a local radio station, and will take place on

Wednesday 12 June at 5pm

in North Edinburgh Arts Centre

15A Pennywell Court, Edinburgh, EH4 4TZ.

All welcome

Location: http://www.northedinburgharts.co.uk/locate.php

Allan Hosey

Community Learning & Development Worker, West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

Phone 0131-551-3194

Allan.Hosey@ea.edin.sch.uk

Sign up for Street Dance Summer Mix

Kick start your summer and join us for this five day Street Dance Summer Mix!

Learn the latest moves from your favourite artists, be introduced to new and exciting styles including Street Jazz, Street Dance and Hip Hop styles including, house, locking and krump. You will also take part in a taster ballet session and a free stage make up session.

Street Dance Summer Mix is a great way to either improve your dancing and performance skills or give them a kick start. If you are aged between 12 – 17 and looking for an intensive week of classes to keep you entertained, this is the place for you!

Classes 10am – 3pm, Monday – Friday

(Studio sharing on Friday at 2pm for Family and Friends)

To apply please contact Roz Lynch by June 21^st 2013

Rosalind.lynch@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

Must bring packed lunch.

Rugby players wanted

Duke joins volunteers to open new St Andrew’s First Aid offices

St Andrew’s First Aid Chairman of the Board of Trustees Rudy Crawford, CEO Stuart Callison, The Duke of Buccleuch Queensberry and Chairmen of the Edinburgh Lothian and Borders Executive Committee Jo Berry.

Volunteers were at the heart of a reception hosted by The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, President of St Andrew’s First Aid, to celebrate the opening of their new premises in Leith’s Dock Place during Volunteers’ Week 2013.

Volunteers’ Week is an annual event which takes place from 1 to 7 June each year and helps celebrate the fantastic contribution that millions of volunteers make across the UK. Volunteers’ Week plays a huge part in raising the profile of volunteering in the UK. At the reception which took place on last night (Thursday 6 June), The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry officially recognised some of St Andrew’s First Aid’s most valued volunteers at an awards ceremony.

Jonathon Hughes (pictured above) and Clare Tervit (below) and Julie McLaren all received awards for their First Aid endeavours. Jonathon and Claire each received an award for Outstanding First Aid Contribution after Jonathon performed CPR on a casualty at the scene of a bike accident and Claire assisted with a fatal collapse earlier this year.

Julie (pictured below) received the award for Best Supporter of a Corps Company as she has been instrumental in the establishment of a Cadet section at the West Calder branch of St Andrew’s First Aid.

The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry met volunteers, staff and trustees before viewing a First Aid causality simulation demonstration preformed by the St Andrew’s First Aid Cadets. After the awards presentation and a short talk on the value of volunteering, the Duke officially opened Dock Place, by unveiling a plaque to mark the special occasion.

He said: “I was delighted to have been asked to officially open Dock Place and give some well deserved recognition to some of our most valued volunteers. It was a great pleasure to be able to present awards to the outstanding individuals who, through their skills, enthusiasm and commitment, are a credit to the St Andrew’s First Aid.”

Stuart Callison, Chief Executive, of St Andrew’s First Aid commented: “We have ambitious plans to raise public awareness of the importance of a good knowledge of First Aid, and to recruit new members to our team of volunteer First Aiders, who are a familiar sight at events all across Scotland. Dock Place is a more modern setting for our commercial and volunteering activities, which we have tailored to suit our exact requirements. We are honoured that our President was able to officially open our new premises, which we hope will go a long way to funding our charity work whilst providing room for future growth.”

Salmond praises Scotland’s volunteers during Western General visit

First Minister Alex Salmond worked alongside longstanding Royal Voluntary Service volunteers at the Western General Hospital yesterday. As part of Volunteers’ Week, the First Minister spent an hour meeting volunteers and staff of the Royal Voluntary Service (formerly known as the WRVS), serving tea at the hospital café and chatting to staff, patients and visitors. The First Minister said that the nation’s volunteers are ‘a true credit to Scotland’.

During the visit Mr Salmond met a number of older volunteers including Margaret Collinson, age 83, Eleanor Taylor, age 79, and Agnes McFarlane, age 88, who between them have given more than 100 years of voluntary service.

The First Minister also encouraged people to nominate volunteers for a Diamond Champion award which recognises and highlights the fantastic, selfless volunteering that is being done by older volunteers across the country.

Mr Salmond said:

“Scotland has a rich tradition of volunteering and community involvement is part of the core fabric of Scottish social and community life. Volunteering represents a huge investment of time, energy and commitment by individuals who want to improve the lives of those around them, give something back and help make their communities better places to live.

“The Royal Voluntary Service volunteers who have given so much of their lives in voluntary service have been inspirational to meet. Not only are these individuals doing a wonderful job in serving those who come to their café, they also get so much out of it for themselves.

“A service like this is not just crucial for those who visit hospital, for patients and their families, nurses, doctors and hospital staff but also for the older volunteers as it provides an opportunity to work together, to socialise and to remain active.

“I am overwhelmed by the commitment and dedication of the volunteers here at the Western General and touched by the care and compassion with which they deliver their roles. Volunteers are a true credit to Scotland and I sincerely thank them for all that they do.”

David McCullough, Royal Voluntary Service chief executive, (pictured above) said:

“We are delighted to welcome the First Minister to our cafe at the Western General Hospital and introduce him to some of our dedicated volunteers. Volunteers’ Week is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the fantastic work of our army of 7,000 volunteers across Scotland who, without making a fuss or asking for reward, give their time selflessly to others, which is why this week we are launching Diamond Champions our search for volunteers over the age of 60; the hidden gems in our community.

“So if you know an older volunteer who deserves some recognition then please nominate them for this prestigious award. We know that our volunteers make a huge difference to the lives of older people and they themselves also get great satisfaction from the work they do; so it’s win-win!”

Carol Crowther, NHS Lothian’s Assistant Nurse Director Person Centred Care, Quality, Patient Experience & Professional Standards, said:

“The presence of the Royal Voluntary Service volunteers in our hospitals is very welcome and contributes to the overall positive experience for users of our services through the warm and welcoming atmosphere in their cafes and shops and their cheerful attitude toward staff and patients.

“The Royal Voluntary Service outlets on our sites give back proceeds to the hospital from income generated from these outlets. This means that these volunteers not only give their time but their support enables this financial gifting through which we are able to provide additional patient comforts at the Western General Hospital.

“We are very proud of the contribution all our hospital volunteers make. They bring a range of skills and life experiences and are extremely beneficial in the delivery of all our services.”

About Royal Voluntary Service Formerly known as WRVS, Royal Voluntary Service has been helping people in Britain for 75 years. Originally set up as the Women’s Voluntary Service in 1938, the charity played a crucial role during the Second World War. Whilst keeping the same values of community service, Royal Voluntary Service has now focused its work on helping older people to remain independent and get more out of life.

Royal Voluntary Service supports over 100,000 older people to stay independent in their own homes for longer with tailor made solutions. Through its army of 40,000 volunteers, the charity runs services such as Good Neighbours (companionship), Meals-on-Wheels and Books-on-Wheels that alleviate loneliness and help older people. Royal Voluntary Service also provides practical support for older people who have been in hospital through its On Ward Befriending and Home from Hospital services. For further information please go to: www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

Communities to benefit from social housing reforms

Social tenants and landlords are set to benefit from a number of reforms announced yesterday by Housing Minister Margaret Burgess. The reforms will change the way social landlords allocate and manage their housing. They will allow social landlords to address the specific needs of the local community, ensuring best use of available social housing, tackling antisocial behaviour and providing further protection for tenants.

Speaking at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations’ Annual Conference, the Housing Minister outlined the measures, which are likely to form part of a forthcoming Housing Bill.

This includes:

Replacing prescriptive and outdated priority groups with a broader framework that gives landlords and their communities more local flexibility
Allowing landlords to consider any property that a social housing applicant already owns when allocating housing
Introducing a qualifying period before succession to a tenancy following the death of a tenant
Allowing a minimum period to be put in place before antisocial tenants are eligible for the allocation of social housing
Introducing a new right for tenants to appeal a landlord’s decision to suspend them from being allocated a property
Allowing landlords to give Short Scottish Secure Tenancies to applicants and tenants with a history of antisocial behaviour
Simplifying eviction procedures for tenants convicted of a serious offence

During the SFHA Conference Mrs Burgess also announced that initial or probationary tenancies will not be included in the Housing Bill.

She said:

“The changes I am announcing today will ensure that we deliver first-rate homes and services to tenants, residents and homeless people – the most vulnerable in our society. By giving landlords greater flexibility at a local level they will be able to respond to the needs of their local community.

“In order to provide affordable warm homes for people in Scotland it is vital that we continue to find ways to increase supply and quality across all tenures. Despite Westminster’s cuts to our capital budget, we have taken every opportunity to increase our investment in housing. By the end of April we had allocated £200m additional funding for housing supply, bringing total investment to almost £860m in the three years to March 2015.”

Home to Stay

HOME TO STAY PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday 13 June

We want private tenants to feel secure in their homes, and not be forced out of their houses without due cause. Currently, tenants can be asked to leave without reason, even if they have been good tenants. This leaves many unable to plan for the future, or generally feel secure in their homes. And many tenants won’t report repairs or bad practices for fear of being kicked out. ‘Home to stay’ is a grass-roots campaign to abolish the insecure ‘short assured tenancies’ in Scotland.

Join us for a public meeting:

Thursday 13th June, 7-9pm

Augustine United Church

George 4th Bridge

http://goo.gl/maps/lauUZ

Speakers:

Tenants telling their stories about the lack of security in the private rented sector; Shelter Scotland; National Union of Students Scotland; Edinburgh Private Tenants Action Group.

Read about first hand accounts of how insecurity affects private tenants, and submit your own stories here:

http://home2stay.tumblr.com/

Website: www.eptag.org.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/edinburghprivatetenantsaction

Twitter: @eptag

Edinburgh Private Tenants Action Group

MoonWalk’s Psychedelic Extravaganza this Saturday

The streets of Edinburgh will be transported back to the Swinging Sixties this Saturday night! After months of training, thousands of women and men wearing brightly decorated psychedelic bras will Power Walk through the streets of the capital at midnight …

Organised by grant-making breast cancer charity Walk the Walk, The MoonWalk has raised in excess of £15.5 million since 2006, with most of the money being granted in Scotland, to help improve the lives of people with cancer.

This year’s theme is “Psychedelic Extravaganza”, where anything groovy goes, as long as it’s bright and bold – a Magical Mystery Tour from the Swinging Sixties, full of Flower Power!

The walkers will start their amazing challenges from Walk the Walk’s huge Pink Tent at its new venue of Leith Links. Uniting against breast cancer, many iconic buildings across the city will be lit pink on the night, giving the walkers a huge collective hug. Amongst others, Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Yacht Britannia and Lloyds on The Mound will all be basking in a pink glow!

The charity’s fantastic walkers will be taking on two new Power Walking challenges this year. Anyone aged ten and over can do the quarter marathon New Moon (6.55 miles). For those seeking an extreme challenge, Walk the Walk has introduced the double marathon Over the Moon (52.4 miles). The famous Half Moon (13.1 miles) and Full Moon (26.2 miles) challenges are both still available.

STV Entertainment correspondent Laura Boyd will be taking on the Full Moon – Laura was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2009 and uses Maggie’s Cancer Care Centre at Gartnavel Hospital in Glasgow, which is funded by Walk the Walk. Also walking are singer/songwriter Carrie Mac, as well as the editor of Good Housekeeping Magazine Lindsay Nicholson, on the second leg of her 3 Land Challenge, which also includes MoonWalks in London and Iceland.

Five MSP’s have signed up for The New Moon – Jackie Baillie (Dumbarton), Sarah Boyack (Lothian), Siobhan McMahon (Central Scotland), Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) and Drew Smith (Glasgow).

Entries for all the walking challenges are now closed, but Walk the Walk still wants more volunteers to sign up – a thousand are needed to help the event run smoothly.

There’s a variety of roles available, including route marshall, cycle marshall, water crew, clean and recycle team, and directional team (helping direct walkers, and other jobs on The MoonWalk City site).

To sign up as a volunteer for The MoonWalk Edinburgh Scotland please click here

Broughton High School thanks community partners

Broughton High School staged a showcase event yesterday to thank agencies, organisations and businesses that have supported Broughton pupils over the last year.

Broughton’s Partnership Group was only established last year but the group has already built a considerable support network among voluntary sector community organisations, public bodies and private sector companies – many of whom were represented at the showcase event alongside Broughton staff and membes of the school’s Parent Council.

These included – and this is far from an exhaustive list – Ernst and Young, Pilton Community Health Project’s counselling service, Community Learning and Development, Active Schools, Police Scotland, Red Cross, Screen Education Edinburgh, Lyceum Theatre Company, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Out of the Blue, Western General Hospital, Science Festival, Standard Life, Scottish Business in the Community, Co-operation Education Trust Scotland, Catherine Wheels Theatre Company … you’ll get the picture!

The event was held to show how pupils benefit from the many business and support partnerships that Broughton are already involved with, and also to highlight how this has positive benefits for both the partners themselves, school pupils and the wider community.

In a short film, pupils told how the support of external partners has had a positive impact on their lives – whether through increasing self-esteem and self-confidence or by offering new and different opportunities and learning new skills.

Broughton’s Head Teacher John Wilson summed up: “We’re now seeing a variety of services centred around the school – far more than used to be the case. School and education is no longer just about the basics, teaching pupils to read and write – there are now so many other elements to be considered.

“Because of that huge diversity, where once we could look at education as a triangle – with the school, the parents and the pupil as the three sides – the triangle has had to develop a fourth side. It’s become a rectangle; partnerships have become that fourth side. As the inspiration film has shown, your support and encouragement has made such a huge difference to these young people. Thank you”.

And thank you, too, to the Health and Food Technology pupils who provided the freshly baked scones, shortbread and cakes for the showcase event!

Citadel double bill for Leith Festival

Citadel Arts Group is presenting a double bill of environmentally friendly plays during Leith Festival, which gets underway this weekend.

‘The Junk Food Vampire’ which features four Leith school pupils who delighted audiences in Citadel’s 2012 Leith Festival show, and ‘Granny was a Rock Star’ which uses humour, pathos and song to drive home the importance of recycling and explores cross generation friendship between two Leith teenagers and the older lady whose veggies they were trying to nick!

Two shows for all the family for the price of one!

Venue: The Granary, The Shore, Leith

Dates: Wed 12 June 7.30pm, Fri 14 June 2pm and Sat 15 June 7.30pm

The Granary are offering a 20% meal deal to our ticket holders so why not make it a night out with a healthy meal – no junk food of course!

Tickets@ £7/£5 from lizhare@blueyonder.co.uk or 0131 337 8570