Dunedin Canmore supports Fresh Start hit squads

Edinburgh-based social landlord Dunedin Canmore Housing has renewed funding for a vital ‘Hit Squad’ service that helps people who were previously homeless to decorate their new home. The social housing landlord has linked up with Pilton-based resettlement charity Fresh Start to help fund the initiative.

Dunedin Canmore has donated £500 for each flat, which will allow the tenants to paint and carpet two rooms in their home with help from a Fresh Start Hit Squad – a team of volunteers who support the charity’s work.

Hit Squads not only provide help to decorate and give client’s long term skills – but they also help combat vulnerability and isolation through positive social contact.

Graeme Russell, Housing Services Director, Dunedin Canmore Housing said: “We’ve been in partnership with Fresh Start for the past 18 months on this project and it has proven to be a great success. Last year, every tenant involved said they felt more settled in their flat after having a visit from the Hit Squad. We’re therefore delighted to support the project once again this year.”

Keith Robertson, Managing Director, Fresh Start, said: “The support from Dunedin Canmore has been invaluable in helping people make a home for themselves. When you have been homeless moving into a home can be daunting, particularly as very often you’ll be moving into a shell. There is a lot of new responsibility. Our Hit Squads help people to really feel they are making the house their own. And having support from others to settle in is very important too.”

Denise Cranston, 24, who is training to be a football coach, received support from the Hit Squad in March this year when she moved in to her new flat in Edinburgh after living in a homeless hostel.

Denise said: “It was quite daunting moving in to my new flat and looking at all the things I needed to do it. The Hit Squad helped me to paint my flat and they also gave me a cooker. This made the flat feel more like a home and they helped me to feel more settled. I’m really happy in the flat – I absolutely love it.”

HOME SWEET HOME A Fresh Start volunteer applies the finishing touches

Urban Resort update

The site’s been cleared, and work on the DeVere Hotel and Urban Resort at Crewe Toll will soon be underway.

The company’s Chief Executive Robert Cook said:

“Demolitions have started in preparation for building to commence on our Edinburgh site – a new Village Urban Resort at Crewe Toll on the site of the old Telford College. It will have 120 bedrooms and 20,000 sq ft of leisure including a 20m pool, full cardio gym and studios for spinning and pilates.

“We’ll have a seven bedroom spa called Viva Urban Spa and a full-blown meetings and events facility with the ability to do weddings for up to 200 people. The food and beverage element will include Starbucks and a chop and ale house, which is fundamentally a large gastro pub with a sports element (plasma screens), counter dining and a theatre kitchen.”

The Crewe Toll development will be De Vere’s first in Scotland. Mr Cook went on: “Edinburgh is without doubt one of the strongest markets in the UK. It’s a 52 weeks of the year market with very busy summers and good corporate business. Our analysis of the particular location we chose showed a need for a health and fitness facility for 3,500 to 4,000 members, and making our food and beverage work will be a particular side of that.

“Typically 60% of our business comes from within a three-mile radius of the hotel. We’re in a strong position with the Western General Hospital up the road and it’s a good base to create something for the community around the hotel.”

The Urban Resort on Crewe Road South will open next year.

Exam pass rates ‘best ever’

Standard Grade and Higher results at record levels

The nervous wait is over – the 2013 exam results were published today, and Scotland’s school pupils have excelled themselves with great grades.

Minister for Youth Employment Angela Constance has congratulated the 151,000 candidates who sat exams this year, and has also emphasised that help is available for those who hadn’t achieved what they’d hoped for.

Key results show:

Overall pass rate for Advanced Highers increased by two percentage points to 82.1 per cent
Overall pass rate for Highers increased by 0.5 percentage points to 77.4 per cent
Overall pass rates for Intermediate levels one and two increased to 77.8 and 81.8 per cent respectively
Overall pass rate for Standard Grades increased by 0.1 percentage points to 98.9 per cent
Overall pass rates for Access levels two and three increased to 71 and 93.6 per cent respectively.

Ms Constance said:

“The wait for tens of thousands of Scotland’s pupils and their families is finally over, and I am delighted that so many have come out with strong grades, leaving them well positioned for whatever they choose to do next. The exam pass rates are building on a solid record of achievement, meaning that today is a time for celebration. Record pass rates in a set of rigorously assessed exams confirm Scotland’s strong record in attainment and I wish the class of 2013 the very best of luck in their next steps, be it another year in school, or moving on to college, university, training or employment.

“For those young people out there who haven’t got what they had hoped for, did even better, or who are simply unsure what to do next, there is help available. The Skills Development Scotland exam results helpline on 0808 100 8000 offers dedicated advice on potential next steps. We have guaranteed every 16 to 19 year old the offer of a place in education or training, and I am working hard to ensure as many employers as possible are making young people their business in the ongoing difficult economic climate.

“Standard Grades have served our young people well for their academic and working lives since the 1980s. However, the introduction of National 4 and 5 courses next year are a fundamental part of Curriculum for Excellence, meaning that young Scots will be better prepared than ever to succeed in learning, life and work.”

Edinburgh’s schools shared in the national success story, enjoying a double-digit increase in the number of students scoring passes in their Highers.

City council education leader Councillor Paul Godzik said: “Early indications from the SQA exam results show that 2013 has been another really positive year for all our pupils, and I’m delighted by all their successes. Our pupils should be very proud of themselves, too – all their hard work has certainly paid off.”

Tony urges councillors: support the NEN!

North Edinburgh News’ senior and most enthusiastic contributor Tony Delahoy has written to councillors urging them to back the NEN.

In his letter, Tony (pictured below) – who celebrated his 90th birthday earlier this year – said:

‘Since the funding of our local monthly newspaper stopped it has been a tremendous struggle to produce some editions.

It now seems likely publication will have to cease unless the Council reinstates funding.

It is important that people know what is happening and have a say in what is happening in their areas, building a confidence in their community.

The Council policy of greater involvement of the population in helping to decide issues of concern will benefit.

The value to the Council in maintaining this means of communication by reinstating funding cannot be overestimated.’

Who’s your health hero?

Celebrating Success Awards- Health Hero category open!

NHS Lothian’s Celebrating Success Awards mark the inspiring and truly amazing work that takes place across health services in Lothian each day.

The Health Hero category encourages the people of Lothian to get involved. This is an opportunity for you to nominate for a health care worker or team who has been exceptional in their line of work. It may be someone who has constantly provided help to others or it may be someone that has made a positive change to a patient’s life. This is your chance to say thank you.

All shortlisted entries will be invited to attend an evening award ceremony, where our winners will be presented with their award by our special guest.

This year’s ceremony will be held on 24th October.

We are looking for someone who:

Is constantly supportive and helpful to others
Goes the extra mile
Is outstanding in what they do
Is approachable to both patients, colleagues and others
Professional in their line of work
Focuses on patients’ needs
Shows genuine understanding and care for patients.

If you know someone who you think is your Health Hero then nominate them by completing the nomination form and submiting it by email to:

celebrating.success@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

or by post to:

Celebrating Success Team

NHS Lothian, 2nd Floor, Waverley Gate,

2-4 Waterloo Place, Edinburgh EH1 3EG.

Tips for writing your nomination:

If you are completing this form by hand, please use block capitals
You can submit as many nominations as you wish – please use a separate form for each entry
Please provide your contact details.

Deadline for all nominations must be received by 30th August 2013

For further information call 0141 578 1779.

A book is born!

A new chapter: CIRCLE’s HAVEN Project celebrates Storytelling Week

Children and parents from Circle’s Haven project created a book with the help of children’s author Mike Nicholson last week.

The week-long event (29 July – 2 August) was all part of Haven’s Storytelling Week activities and culminated with a celebration at North Edinburgh Arts when storyteller Claire McNicol read aloud the new book.

Children and parents, guided by Mike, created a narrative for their story by visiting different Edinburgh locations and developed a plot from what they found on their adventures. The result of a visit to Silverknowes was a story about mermaids and pirates, so there were some fantastic ideas!

They then worked with Mike and Haven staff to drawing pictures to feature as illustrations in the new book.

Everyone involved in the project joined to celebrate at North Edinburgh Arts on Friday, where professional storyteller Claire McNicol read aloud the completed book, with help from some volunteers.

So did the pirates and mermaids feature in the finished book? Well, that’s another story!

To see a video of the completed book, visit the CIRCLE Scotland website at:

www.circlescotland.org

Pensioner attacked and robbed in Salvesen

An elderly woman has been assaulted and robbed in her Salevsen home.

Police said the woman was attacked at about midday yesterday (Friday). They said she was not seriously injured.

Polce believe her attacker, a man in his 20s, may have been carrying out gardening work in the area.

He is described as white, with dark hair and of slim build. He was wearing a white, patterned top, and is believed to speak with an Irish accent.

A police spokesman said: “Fortunately the woman was not seriously injured, but this has been a terrible experience for her nonetheless. We are appealing to anyone who may have information regarding this male to get in touch.

“In particular, we would be keen to talk to any person who may have been approached by this male regarding carrying out work in their garden.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

An appeal from afar …

… well, Portobello anyway! Fancy helping out with a beach cleanup? Then read on …

I was wondering if North Edinburgh News would consider doing a small feature on our up and coming beach clean-up at Portobello West, 10.30 Saturday 24^th August 2013?

https://www.facebook.com/events/213455335478868/

We need as many hands as possible please to clean up the beach, so everyone is welcome.

I started the group a few months back and we have regular awareness raising events, but this is the first (and not the last) of our local events to help local issues.

Thank you for your time and here are our pages, so you can see what were are up to:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lets-Make-This-World-A-Better-Place/645860645431054

http://www.meetup.com/Lets-Make-This-World-A-Better-Place/

Faith Canter

Join the Spartans Family!

Did you see any of the EUFA Women’s Euro 2013 football recently? There were some great skills on display, and if that’s whetted your appetite for more of the women’s game there’s a tasty encounter coming up at Ainslie Park this weekend …

North Edinburgh based football team, The Spartans Women’s FC have an important clash with third-place Rangers this weekend in the Scottish Women’s Premier League (writes David Hopkins). With all to play for in the second half of the season it’s time for the community to get behind your team!

Come along to Ainslie Park on Sunday 4th August at 1pm for some great football and a fun day for all. Adult tickets are only £5 and it’s free entry for under 16’s!

Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter:

@spartansfcwomen

for exclusive content and prize give aways.

Live Together. Play Together. Win Together.

David Hopkins

Health and Fitness Festival heading to Victoria Park

The words ‘health’ and ‘fitness’ are not part of my usual festival vocabulary, but a festival with a difference is coming to Victoria Park soon …

Zombies, space hoppers, hula hoops and health& fitness practitioners are among some of the activities, demonstrations and information stalls included in the official programme for the Leith Health & Fitness Festival taking place at Victoria Park, Leith on 10 August 2013 from 10am to 5pm.

Organised by local Edinburgh charity, Looking After Our Elderly, this new Festival is free to enter and aims to bring all generations of the local community together with the aim of getting active, healthy and having fun.

The programme contains a wide range of family friendly events and activities including:

5k charity run, adult space hopper race and fitness demos for the wider community from hula hooping and fencing to bodycombat and bootcamps
Range of health, fitness and nutritional information stalls including
Therapists offering taster treatment sessions
Entertainment marquee hosting a ceilidh band, comedian, dancers and afternoon tea
Complimentary bowling on the green
Range of local business and community information stalls

Kirsty Smith, Charity Director, said: “The countdown is now well and truly on to our first ever health & fitness festival and I’m excited about the programme that we’re launching today.

“The festival is all about bringing people together and reigniting community spirit.Whether you’re looking to find out more about getting active and healthy or just want to simply enjoy a day out with friends and family, there is something for everyone. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone along. ”

Kirsty set up Looking After our Elderly in November 2012 as a Christmas Gift Giving Campaign to ensure older people who were house-bound, in care, on their own or in need, did not feel alone at Christmas.

The Festival will help to raise proceeds for the Charity and for the 2013 Christmas Gift Giving Campaign.Entry to the festival is free for everyone to come along.There will be a small joining fee to participate in the 5k run.

Kirsty added: “We’re still on the lookout for people to get involved and support the festival in other ways, by racing, volunteering, hosting an event or demonstration or setting up a business or information stall.”

For more information on how to get involved, the latest programme updates and application forms for the race, stalls and volunteering visit: