June 2014 – Page 9 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

City set to celebrate dedicated volunteers

and Muirhouse’s Betty is Inspiring Volunteer of the Year!

Edinburgh’s Volunteering Ambassador the Lord Provost Donald Wilson will honour some of the dedicated volunteers who give their time, energy and commitment to the people of Edinburgh at a special awards ceremony taking place on tomorrow (Wednesday 4 June) during Volunteers’ Week.

Now eight years old, Edinburgh’s Inspiring Volunteering Awards reflect the exceptional range of organisations and individuals working in the city’s vibrant charity and non-profit sectors.

This year’s nominees include sports coaches and language teachers; fundraisers and befrienders; green fingered gardeners and inky fingered administrators as well as charity shop workers and guardians of our artistic heritage. We even have a group who don costumes to bring history to life.

A wide age range is represented and our nominees come from across the broad spectrum of cultures that make up our ever more diverse city.

This year there’s a new special recognition category of Tenant Participation Champion which recognises the work done by Community Councils and tenants organisations in fighting for the rights and improving the quality of life for those living in Edinburgh’s public and private rented sectors.

This year’s recipient of the “Lord Provost’s Inspiring Volunteer of the Year Award” is Betty Stevenson, the Chair of The Edinburgh Tenant’s Federation.

Betty has been a consistent champion for the rights of Edinburgh’s tenants for many years. Fearless and forthright, she has never been afraid to stand up to the powerful be they councillors or MSPs if she believes they are not doing enough to protect the most vulnerable. She expects the same level of commitment from everyone involved in ETF and leads by example.

Lord Provost Donald Wilson, said: “There are thousands of dedicated and inspiring volunteers in Edinburgh selflessly giving up their own time to help and support others. These awards are simply one way of recognising some of their tremendous work, and their contribution to the wellbeing of our city’s residents cannot be overstated.”

Kris Von Wald, Convenor of Volunteer Centre Edinburgh, said: “The Lord Provost has agreed to present these awards because he recognises how important volunteers are to Edinburgh and its residents. The Awards seek to acknowledge the hard work, commitment, energy and positive difference that volunteers make”.

Congratulations to Betty, and congratulations also to the following individuals who will receive Special Recognition Awards:

Arts, Culture & Heritage Volunteer
Dr Helen Bennett, Curation and cataloguing of the glass plate negative collection of George Paxton (1850-1904) at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Charity Shop Volunteer
Kieran Potter, Accessories Merchandiser / Sales Statistician / Weekend Shift Leader / Shop Window Display Team at Oxfam

Environment / Conservation Volunteer
Evie Murray, School Garden Clubs and Leith Croft Co-ordinator at Leith Community Crops in Pots

Fundraising Volunteer
Irene Schofield, Fundraising Volunteer at Gorgie City Farm

Health & Social Care Volunteer
Donald Peden, Befriender at Ecas

Long Standing Contribution to Volunteering Award
Reg Kingman, Former Chair of Drum Brae Community Council at Drum Brae Community Council

Sports Volunteer
Kate Graham, Coach Coordinator at Forth Canoe Club

Tenant Participation Champion *New category this year*
David Thomson, Chair Redbraes Residents Association at Redbraes Residents Association

Trustee Volunteer
Amelia Calvert, Chairperson (Trustee) at Eczema Outreach Scotland

Young Volunteer
Naomi Paton, Peer mentor at Citadel Youth Centre

The award ceremony has been organised by Volunteer Centre Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Compact Partnership. Should be a great night – there’s a lot to celebrate!

Betty (second from right) with ETF Executive Committee colleagues

Community Council office bearers announced

Drylaw Telford Community Council appointed the following office bearers at last week’s Annual General Meeting held in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre:

Chairperson: Alex Dale – email alex.dale@blueyonder.co.uk
Secretary: Andrew Barnett – email andrew@abarnett.net
Treasurer: Jackie Brown – email catchjackiehere@hotmail.co.uk
Vice-Chairperson: Mhiari Curran – email mhairi.curran@hush.ai

The Community Council meets at 7pm on the last Wednesday of the month in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre – all meetings are open to the public and new faces are always welcome!

Help Royston Wardieburn raise funds for summer programme

Fundraiser 14 June 2014

Royston Wardieburn Community Centre is holding a Fun Day on Saturday 14 June to raise funds for their Summer Programme (see publicity poster, above).

Have fun and support your local Centre too – it’s a win win!

CY4You: New service for vulnerable young people launched

CY4You, a one-to-one support service to help vulnerable young people, has been officially launched by the specialist relationships and sexual health charity Caledonia Youth.

Stacey Burns and Rachael Mulhern, two young women who have benefitted from Caledonia Youth services, helped launch the initiative and were joined by Kezia Dugdale MSP, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning and the Caledonia Youth team for the CY4You launch at the charity’s city centre facility at Castle Terrace.

Representatives from education, social workers, the voluntary sector and funders heard Rachael (18) and Stacey (24) describe their experiences and explain how they were supported by the Caledonia Youth one to one service.

Rachael had suffered from serious confidence issues at a transitional stage leading up to her leaving school and moving into employment, and Stacey had experienced relationship difficulties, stemming from a brain tumour when she was just five. The service helped them cope with these problems.

“We are delighted that Rachael and Stacey shared their own stories to help us launch our innovative CY4You initiative, along with Kezia Dugdale MSP who has been most supportive of our services,” said Caledonia Youth Chief Executive Hawys Kilday.

“CY4You is a fundamental part of our overall strategy to ramp up the provision of preventative services in Scotland. It builds upon years of experience delivering specialist one to one support and counselling services, which have benefited hundreds of vulnerable young people.

“It supports them by providing sessions tailored to suit each individual’s personal circumstances. We focus on a young person’s ability to cope with the transition into adulthood, aiming to improve resilience, reduce risk taking behaviour and enhance personal and family relationships. We also support those at risk of sexual ill health, sexual abuse and exploitation.

“We are most grateful to our funding partners, the R S Macdonald Charitable Trust, the Volant Charitable Trust and Ponton House Trust, whose support lets us deliver CY4You in the Edinburgh and Lothian region. Moving forward, we will be actively seeking further backing to help us extend as a centre of excellence and widen the reach of this unique service across Scotland.”

Kezia Dugdale MSP said: “Caledonia Youth has a strong track record in being dedicated advocates for young people, and I am delighted to see the launch of this innovative one-to-one service.

“Caledonia Youth excels at providing specific sexual health services for young people, something which I firmly believe should be supported. Young people need dedicated services, with people trained to deal with the needs of a young person, be it medical or emotional.”

The CY4You service, which complements statutory Relationships, Sexual Health & Parenthood Education (RSHPE) by providing much needed and more intensive individual support, begins with the preparation of an individualised plan and bespoke materials following a discussion based needs assessment, when learning outcomes are also agreed.
Young people are given the opportunity to attend up to 10-one hour sessions with an assigned member of the CY4You team. Information is only shared with the young person’s consent unless it is deemed a Child Protection or Vulnerable Adult issue when the relevant individuals are informed.

Young people must be under 25 and, at present, resident in Edinburgh and the Lothians when CY4You sessions begin. One hour sessions are delivered at Caledonia Youth’s Edinburgh facility at 5 Castle Terrace, unless otherwise agreed.

For more information on how to refer to the service contact the CY4You team on 0131 229 1402

email: cy4you@caledoniayouth.org

or online at www.caledoniayouth.org

Sing with the Time Bank choir!

Time Bank Sings!

We’re having an open evening on Wednesday 11 June from 7pm -8pm with a free crèche.

This is for anyone who wants to come along and try a bit of singing for fun. We’d like to have new members. The group is very friendly and easy going. No experience needed.

Some comments from people who have come along:

“Singing is great fun and I enjoy being part of a community. Great for your confidence!”

“ Meet new people, stops me being isolated”

“Works well as a group. We are positive!”

“Iit lifts your mood!”

So come along and lend your voice to our very own North Edinburgh Time Bank Singers!

Julie Smith

North Edinburgh Time Bank Broker

For further information visit:

www.edinburghtimebank.org.uk

email Julie at north.timebank@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

or telephone 07807 002 591.

£0.5m Foodbank fund open for applications

Food aid organisations in Scotland can now apply for funding through the £500,000 Emergency Food Fund (EFF).

The Scottish Government fund is part of a £1 million investment in food aid, with £500,000 already committed to charity FareShare which redistributes surplus food from retailers to charities supporting their local communities.

According to figures produced by the Trussell Trust, the number of people who used food banks in Scotland between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2014 rose to 71,428 compared to 14,332 people in the same period of 2012 to 2013.

EFF will support projects which respond to immediate demands for emergency food aid and help to address the underlying causes of food poverty.

Applications are invited for larger grants, up to four of which will be awarded at between £30,000 and £50,000 each. Smaller grants of up to £10,000 each will also be awarded, with £1000 being the minimum value for any individual grant.

Grants will be given to projects that concentrate on preventing food crisis recurring, those that build connections between food aid providers, advice and support agencies and organisations working to promote healthy eating and reduce food waste.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The amount of people experiencing food poverty in Scotland is simply not acceptable. Welfare reform, benefit delays, benefit sanctions and falling incomes are all having a detrimental impact on the people of Scotland.

“The Scottish Government’s Emergency Food Fund will help food aid organisations combat food poverty in Scotland by working in partnership with other local agencies. I urge relevant organisations to apply.

“One of the most depressing trends over the last few years has been the rapid rise of food poverty in our country.

“The only upside to this is seeing communities come together, gathering and distributing food for those in need. It is important that we support these people and organisations through initiatives such as the Emergency Food Fund.

“Most people recognise that the increase in foodbank use is directly linked to welfare reform and benefit cuts. Only an independent Scotland will have the full powers we need to protect people from poverty and help them fulfill their potential in work and life.”

Application deadline is w/c July 11, with successful projects due to be announced in early August.

Celebrate Africa at Craigroyston

We are pleased to invite you to the CELEBRATING AFRICA event on Saturday 21 June at Craigroyston Community High School on Pennywell Road.

The event aims to provide a unique opportunity showcasing African heritage and culture by the African community groups who live/ work across Edinburgh & the Lothians. Themes for the event are participation, heritage, culture and sports.

There will be live African music, dance, cultural performances, stalls, workshops and children activities at the event. Popular traditional food will be cooked on site and served by members of the African community groups.

As Scotland hosts the Glasgow 2014, we are proud to welcome participating African nations and celebrate their heritage. The event is supported by the Big Lottery – Celebrate fund. Please find about stall booking & for interested community groups and volunteers who wish to participate at http://elrecafricacelebration.wordpress.com/ .

This is a free event but places are limited. If you wish to attend the event please register online at:

http://celebratingafrica2014.eventbrite.co.uk

For more information about the event please contact Mizan Rahman e-mail: mrahman@elrec.org.uk or call 0131 556 0441.

We very much look forward to welcoming you at this celebration.

Mona Adhikari

Manager, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council

Tel: 0131 556 0441 | Fax: 0131 556 8577 | email: MAdhikari@elrec.org.uk | www.elrec.org.uk

Royston Wardieburn going the right way

Things are going the right way at Royston Wardieburn, Friday’s packed annual general meeting was told. Local politicians Mark Lazarowicz and Malcolm Chisholm were among the attendees who heard that the Centre continues to develop and is now home to more groups than ever before.

Centre Chairperson Anna Hutchison told the meeting: “There have been so many positive developments at our Centre over the last year it’s hard to know where to start! The management committee has worked very hard with Centre staff to make sure we could provide groups and activities for the whole community and we really feel like we are getting there – there’s a lot to be positive about.”

Community Learning and Development Worker Lydia Markham said that Royston Wardieburn was now beginning to progress after a difficult start.

“It often takes time for a new Centre to bed in (the new Royston Wardieburn Community Centre opened in 2012) but I think it’s fair to say that we are definitely moving in the right direction. Partnerships have been key over the last year, and with so many groups and organisations based here we’re absolutely delighted to see the Centre buzzing and really fulfilling it’s potential.”

One of those successful partnerships is with Stepping Stones North Edinburgh, who have a base within the Centre. Project Manager Marilyn Keilloh said: “I know that working closely with the Centre has produced some enormous benefits for us, and hopefully there have been some positives for the Centre as well. We wish you well for the future and because of the calibre of staff, volunteers and committee members I am sure you will go from strength to strength”.

Among the successful new groups is the Little Tigers, which was developed by a group of young parents. Founder members Nicola and Susan told the meeting that since it’s launch the group – which is run by local volunteer parents – has blossomed: between 50 – 100 adults and children attend every session!

Over seventy children attend a weekly Kabo class at Royston Wardieburn, so it was fitting that a Kabo demonstration brought the meeting to an energetic close. For those who don’t know (me included!) Kabo is a boxing and dance class which improves coordination and fitness – and judging by the enthusiastic kids who took part in the demonstration it really works!

There’s so much going on at Royston Wardieburn, for the young and for the young at heart – call into the Centre on Pilton Drive North, telephone 552 5700 or check out the website to find something that’s right for you at www.joinedinedinburgh.org/organisation/8/

JUNE HIGHLIGHTS at ROYSTON WARBIEBURN

Don’t miss:

Fund Raising Event for the kid’s Summer Programme on Saturday 14 June 10am -12pm. Tables for hire £5.

The Referendum Debate on Thursday 29 June @ 6.30pm.

All welcome!

Letters: Word Play

Dear Editor

Most people now believe – with justification – that privatisation is a backward step, where provision of services in most cases comes second to making profits, yet the government and some local authorities are still selling off services.

They are aware that the word ‘privatisation’ is a ‘no-no’ so the term now used is ‘out-sourcing’: the outcome and results are exactly the same.

Another word being used to confuse people, in relation to protecting land from developers, is ‘safeguarding’; it should mean exactly that but to the confusers it means reserving the land for future development.

Confused? Taken in? That’s the whole point!

Very many examples of word play can be found; they can and do have serious consequences.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Communities: find time for a Big Lunch!

People across Edinburgh sat down with neighbours and residents in their communities for the sixth annual Big Lunch yesterday. They joined an estimated 4 million people across the whole of the UK as The Big Lunch seems set to establish itself in the nation’s annual calendar on the first Sunday every June.

The Big Lunch, which is funded by the Big Lottery Fund and led by the Eden Project, encourages people across the UK to have lunch with their neighbours once a year, for a few hours of community, friendship and fun. The simple act of chatting to neighbours can make a real difference in communities and can help tackle isolation, say organisers behind the initiative.

One of the Edinburgh Big Lunches took place on Summerside Place where around fifty neighbours got together over a bite to eat at their first ever Big Lunch street party.

Lou Kiddier, one of the organisers said: “Our street was really excited in the build-up to today, being our first ever Big Lunch. We took over Summerside Place for the day and enjoyed a day filled with fun, food and blether with everyone – it was a great chance to catch up with neighbours that we don’t always have time to in our busy day-to-day lives.

“I would definitely recommend others getting involved next year – whether your Big Lunch is for 5 or 5,000 it is the perfect excuse to get together with the local community. We can’t wait for next year and make it a regular event for our street!”

Other lunches taking place across the city included a street party in Gorgie and the second Big Lunch at the Oxgangs Neighbourhood Centre.

Robert Scott, manager at the Centre and one of the organisers of their Big Lunch said: “We started holding Big Lunches last year as a way to get to know our neighbours better and welcome people into the Centre.

“It was another fantastic day for the community and for the Centre this year and it was great to see everyone just coming together and getting to know each other or catching up with old friends. Gathering people together can have so many benefits, from chatting to neighbours people have not met before to helping people come out of their comfort zones and try something new, especially for those who may be living on their own, or who are socially isolated.”

Emily Watts, Communications Manager at The Big Lunch in Scotland, said: “Year after year, I never fail to be impressed by the sheer number of people who get involved and take the time to hold a Big Lunch in their community.

“The Big Lunch is always a great success and the perfect excuse for people to get together. While on the surface, it’s a day of laughter, friendship and fun, if you look deeper than that, these get-togethers are having an enormously positive impact on communities. Big things come from Big Lunches and what they each have in common is they all start in the same way – with small talk.

“After six years, it’s amazing to see so many people taking our simple idea and really making it work wonders for their communities. We’ve heard so many inspiring stories already and know they’ll be plenty more to come. Roll on The Big Lunch 2015…”

Inspired by this Sunday’s Big Lunch celebrations? There’s still chance to take part as you can organise a Big Lunch on a date to suit your community. Free packs including posters, invitations, an inspiration booklet and other resources to help organise your Big Lunch are available from www.thebiglunch.com until the end of June 2014.