Some good news just in from TRIM:
‘Good morning everyone – just a quick e-mail to let you know that TRIM (Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse) has won Tenants Group of the Year!
Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children was the first Scottish hospital to adopt Beads of Courage, a programme designed to boost the bravery of sick children – and it’s now welcomed donations totalling nearly £10,000.
The programme sees young patients in the oncology and haematology service at the RHSC receive a strand with beads spelling out their name. Beads will then be added for each procedure the children go through, such as blood tests, lumbar punctures, chemotherapy and overnight stays.
Last month, the programme – which has been funded by Be Child Cancer Aware – received donations from charitable organisation Spifox Too, sixth year pupils at Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools and from the family of current patient Melissa Crouch. The three donations totalling £9,750, ensure that this innovative and positive support tool for children with cancer can continue.
During a visit to the hospital, Steph Dorward, Suzanne Graham and Hannah Ross from Spifox Too, met eight-year-old Tabitha Lawson, a pupil at Erskine Stewart’s Melville Schools, along with ward staff.
Jenny Tomes, clinical psychologist, NHS Lothian, said: “’Using the Beads of Courage is a wonderful way of helping children to cope with procedures by rewarding their courage, encouraging coping strategies, and providing a focus for discussion of their experiences.
“It’s great to see how well the scheme has been received by the children and we’d like to reiterate our thanks once again for these generous donations which will enable the scheme to continue.”
John Drummond, Chairman of Be Child Cancer Aware, said: “Coming to terms with cancer or haematology disease is a very difficult and confusing time, especially for children. Beads of Courage gives children a tangible way to show what they go through and how brave they’ve been. The programme gives the children the power to take control and should never be underestimated.”
Steph Dorward, from Spifox Too, added: “It was a great opportunity for three of us from the Spifox Too committee to be able to see the Beads of Courage programme in action, thanks to all that facilitated the day and the visit certainly underlined the fantastic work that all at RHSC do.”
Scotland’s national poet Liz Lochhead will be among the participants at a major community event to be held in North Edinburgh later this month. ‘The Big Night Out’, an evening of songs, fun, poetry and protest, is being organised by the local Power to the People group.
The programme is yet to be finalised, but the event will also feature a photography and artwork exhibition.
CLD worker Lynn McCabe, who supports the group, explained: “There’s going to be a couple of exhibitions on the history of protest (one is a photographic exhibition, the other is being put together by arts students from Edinburgh (Telford) College. The main part of the night will be in the theatre and will include protest poems and protest poetry. We have just had word that Liz Lochhead will be doing a turn which is great, and it’s likely that some pupils from Craigroyston High School will also be participating in the event – I’m meeting with their teacher to discuss this further. There’s still a lot to organise and confirm but the Power to the People group are very excited about The Big Night Out.”
Power to the People’s Big Night Out will be held in
North Edinburgh Arts on Friday 29 November from 6.30 – 9.30pm.
Tickets £3. All welcome.
The Bill to allow the people of Scotland to choose whether Scotland should be an independent country has been passed by Holyrood.
MSPs voted in favour of the Scottish Independence Referendum Bill following a final debate on the legislation this afternoon.
The Bill confirms that:
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:
“This is a truly historic moment in Scotland’s national story. It means that in September next year the people of Scotland will be asked whether they want this country to be independent.
“This Government believes independence will benefit everyone in this nation, and that having decisions taken here by the people who live and work here will help us create a fairer and more prosperous society.
“Later this month, we will publish the White Paper on independence, outlining in great detail the benefits and opportunities of having decisions made here in Scotland, for Scotland.
“The Edinburgh Agreement confirmed that next September’s referendum should be legislated for by the Scottish Parliament and that it should be conducted so as to command the confidence of parliaments, governments and people.
“With today’s vote, Holyrood has fulfilled that objective. It is a strong message that, whatever our political differences, we have agreed the rules and the procedure to be followed in the referendum. “I hope we can continue in this spirit as we make our case for either outcome by committing to engage in a constructive and respectful debate.
“People want to know what the gains of independence will be for their families and communities. We already take decisions here on a wide range of devolved issues, and these have led to real gains for communities all across Scotland. Independence is the next logical step in Scotland’s Home Rule journey, and the passing of this Bill will allow people to have that choice.
“Independence is not about this administration but about the right of the people of Scotland to choose a Government of our own.”
Please let anyone you think would benefit know about this great new physical activity opportunity and share around your networks!
The physical activity team at Pilton Community Health Project have partnered up with The Spartans Football Club to develop a brand new physical activity programme for people with a range of inhibiting conditions.
The ‘Ease into Exercise’ sessions will be of great benefit to those with a range of health issues such including;
Participants will receive expert advice, instruction and guidance throughout the session. The session will consist of a safe warm up and circuit type exercises that will help improve their functional/CV fitness, strength, endurance and flexibility. The instructor is fully qualified and experienced in exercise prescription for people with the range of inhibiting conditions detailed above. The sessions will be of a great physical, mental and social benefit to those who attend. Ease into Exercise promises to be effective, safe, fun and affordable at only £2 per person. Details about the class are as follows:
When: Mondays 10.45 -11.30am (Starting on 11th November)
Where: Spartans Football Club, Ainslie Park Stadium (off Pilton Drive)
We also have a programme of volunteer-led health walks that take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. These are accessible to people looking for a gentle introduction to becoming more active. The walks are great way of familiarising people with their local area, addressing any concerns people have about safety and enabling walkers to meet new people.
If you know anyone who would benefit from taking part any of these activities, or if you have any questions please get in touch with me on 0131 551 1671 or email liannepipskyj@pchp.org.uk
For more information on health walks contact claresymonds@pchp.org.uk
Lianne Pipskyj, Community Development Worker (Physical Activity) PCHP
Are you involved in a small community project or group that is looking for funding? Forth and Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnerships have organised a
‘Meet the Funders’ event
on Thursday 28 November from 12 – 3pm
at St Serf’s Parish Church Hall off Ferry Road.
The drop-in event will be an informal opportunity to meet a variety of small funders such as Big Lottery and Sports Scotland, SCVO and Bank of Scotland Foundation as well as various City of Edinburgh Council funds including Neighbourhood Partnership Community Grants Fund and Waste Aware Fund, with opportunities to find out more about what type of things these organisations will fund and what the closing dates are.
This event will be of particular interest to small groups who do not have access to major funding sources.
The following funding organisations have confirmed that they will be attending – will you? If you do plan to attend, please contact jim.pattison@edinburgh.gov.uk . Refreshments will be available.
Big Lottery Fund
The Melting Pot
Community Sports Hubs
Community Grants Fund (City of Edinburgh Council)
Forth Neighbourhood Partnership
Youth Business Scotland
Pass It On
Edinburgh4Community
SCVO
Bank of Scotland Foundation
Royal Bank of Scotland Foundation
Waste Aware Grants (CEC)
Business Gateway
Climate Challenge Fund
Activcity Tenants Grants (CEC) In Kind Direct
The Big Lunch
Prime (Equivalent of Youth Business Scotland for over 50s)
Sported Sportscotland
Visit Forth Neighbourhood Partnership website at: http://www.edinburghnp.org.uk/page/Forth.aspx
Dear Editor
I wrote to NEN in 2010:
‘The struggle of the labour movement, trade unions and others has always been to ease the burden of work and to improve wages and conditions of work. It has been a long struggle, great sacrifices being made but always holding out the hope that, at long last, the nation will be able to look after the youngest – giving them all the care and opportunity needed, and giving the oldest respect, dignity and the care they need. This is how it should be and the nation will be judged accordingly.
‘Now despite all the evidence of the correctness of that struggle there are serious moves to undo the good. Raising the retirement age from 65 – to 68 initially, then later on to 70 – is a thoroughly backward move. I believe the majority of people, having worked for an average of fifty years, welcome relief from the daily grind. There should not, of course, be a compulsory retiring age if an individual wishes to continue working.’
It is now November 2013 and:
there is a situation where there are over one million young people out of work, and older people are told they will have to work for years beyond 65. This is creating new problems for the labour movement and the trade unions to solve: how can we tackle these problems and obtain the best results?
As a counter-proposal to raising the retirement age, I suggest an individual option lowering the retiring age to 62. The skills, knowledge and experience of those taking the option can be used for the benefit of their communities by agreeing to do a maximum of nine hours paid work for those three years.
No doubt this example will raise many questions and problems, but organisations representing working people must discuss what options there are and which are beneficial to all.
Comments and ideas needed!
Tony Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
Edinburgh College holding open days to showcase new January courses
Edinburgh College is hosting two open days this month to give potential new students first-hand insight into all courses due to start in the new year.
Anyone who would like to learn about more than 100 full-time, part-time, evening and distance courses beginning at the college in January is invited along on 20 and 21 November. The open days are designed to give school leavers, adult learners, people looking for career boosts or changes and anyone else interested in education opportunities the chance to see the college up close and get advice about their options. Among the programmes on offer are access courses that will equip people returning to education with entry-level qualifications allowing them to progress onto college courses beginning next August.
Students will be putting on live music and dance performances as well as demonstrations to showcase their courses, and prospective students will be able to discuss course opportunities, applications and funding with staff. There will also be the chance to enter a free prize draw to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab 2.
Each open day will cover all the college’s course areas across its four campuses, including:
The open days take place on:
Edinburgh College principal Mandy Exley said: “It’s not always easy to know which course is the right one for you and the best way to choose is often to talk to students and lecturers and to get a feel for the environment. By throwing open our doors and inviting everyone in to the college, we’re providing a great way to get a proper sense of how our education opportunities can make a huge difference in people’s lives and give them a platform to achieve.”
For more information about the open days and which courses are available to start in January, go towww.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/opendays
Fresh Start honours volunteers’ community spirit
Hundreds of Edinburgh’s homeless households have been helped settle into their new homes thanks to generosity of local schoolchildren – who were recently honoured for their community spirit.
St George’s Lower School for Girls received a Community Volunteer Award from Edinburgh’s West pilton-based homelessness resettlement charity Fresh Start for its support in helping previously homeless families make a house a home.
Children from the school have collected items to go in Fresh Start’s Starter Packs for the last few years, providing invaluable support for the charity, which survives on donations to be able to make up the packs.
Every year, Fresh Start makes up and distributes around 9,000 packs, which provide the basics for new households to survive.
Keith Robertson, Managing Director, said: “The support of St George’s Lower School has meant hundreds of new households in Edinburgh have been able to make a house a home. These packs provide basics like bedding to keep warm at night, curtains to close the world out, crockery to eat dinner on. Without the kind of community spirit show by St George’s Lower School, we would struggle to continue to be able to provide the support we do.”
Head of Lower School Marjorie Hall said: “It’s been an honour to help provide goods for the packs – all the school children who have taken part have learnt a lot. They make houses to provide the goods in, which helps them to make the connection between being homeless and getting a house. It’s an important life lesson for them – that homelessness can happen to anyone.”
The school’s award was one of a number of awards, given out at the charity’s annual Volunteer Awards on Friday (November 8).
Every year Fresh Start volunteers, staff and directors nominate volunteers to get an award – Starter Pack Volunteer, Hit Squad Volunteer, Church Representative Volunteer, Community Volunteer and Corporate Volunteer.
Other award winners were:
Keith Robertson added: “At Fresh Start we depend on the support of our volunteers and the donations that come in, which is why we take a moment each year to honour those who help us so much.”
Over a thousand bewhiskered MoRunners from across the city converged on Holyrood Park for the Edinburgh MoRun on Saturday 9 Novemner, raising an estimated £30,000 for charity.
Weather held for most of the race with some showers but the cold temperature were quickly forgotten as the runners were tackling Arthur’s Seat hill.
The first male to cross the line was Danny White who completed the 5k course in an impressive 18.01 minutes, followed shortly after by the female winner Fionna Barrow who finished in 23:12 minutes.
For the 10k, Hedwig Ponjee finished it in 42:08 for the first female and Tom Wilson in an astonishing 36:50 minutes as first male.
Every runner who enters the run wears a moustache for the event, which raises for funds for Movember charity, and many dressed in fancy dress to take on the 5k or 10k route.
Dave Krangel, Edinburgh MoRun Race Director, said: “We were delighted at the success of the first ever Edinburgh MoRun, with thousands of MoRunners turning up to Holyrood Park in awesome fancy dress and comedy moustaches.
“MoRunning is about enjoying running with friends and family whilst raising funds for Movember to help fight men’s cancers. The atmosphere in Edinburgh was buzzing and we hope to have raised around £30 000 for charity”.
The Edinburgh MoRun is one of 11 MoRuns taking place in parks across Scotland and the rest of the UK and Republic of Ireland during Movember.
A full list of results and winners is available on the MoRunning website at http://edinburgh.mo-running.com
Runners can also follow @mo_running on Twitter or join the MoRunning Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/morunning
