Good listeners sought by Edinburgh-based helpline

GOOD LISTENERS SOUGHT BY EDINBURGH-BASED HELPLINE

An Edinburgh based helpline for stressed parents and carers is looking for volunteer call takers. ParentLine Scotland took more than 4000 calls from anxious mums, dads and carers from across the country last year.

The charity offers a helpline, email and web-chat service, for anyone caring for or concerned about a child. It is run by CHILDREN 1^ST which works to ensure every child and young person in Scotland has a happy, healthy, safe and secure childhood.

Helpline Manager Jill Cook said: “Our volunteers make an enormous difference to the lives of mums, dads, carers, and professionals just by being there to listen and reassure. It’s a vital service and we ensure they’re ready for the role with 40 hours of high quality training. They also have back-up from a supervisor.”

Volunteers at ParentLine Scotland give a minimum commitment to a year after training. The charity says it’s looking for caring, non-judgemental people who are interested in the wellbeing of children and young people. Calls can be about all sorts of issues from bullying to separating families, teenage behaviour and toddlers tantrums.

Volunteer Janin Pohl (40) said: “Whatever people call with we take it seriously, it’s not trivial. In that time they are valued. You don’t often find out how things go but at the time you have that sense that there is now a bit of light at the end of the tunnel.”

The next volunteer training course starts on 31 January. To find out more contact parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk

ParentLine Scotland is open 365 days a year on 08000 28 22 33. You can also get in touch by web-chat at www.children1st.org.uk/parentlineor by email parentlinescotland@children1st.org.uk

Volunteer Profile

Janin Pohl (40) from Edinburgh has been a ParentLine Scotland volunteer for three and a half years. She was born in Germany and travelled before settling in Edinburgh seven years ago. She is trained in counselling and shiatsu massage. Janin is blind.

How did you get involved?

“When I saw the advert for ParentLine Scotland I came at it from the perspective of a child. There are so many things that aren’t talked about in families. They’re swept under the carpet or people never say how they are feeling and I thought maybe it’s like that for adults too. Plus I’d done counselling training and this was a way I could use my skills. I’d been volunteering from home and I thought it would be good to go to an office with a team and a supervisor and be with people.”

Why do you think ParentLine can help even when friends and family can’t?

“You can decide when you want to talk and the caller is in control. They can say things they would never say at home. Some people do have support but find it easier to talk to a stranger who will not judge them or their situation.”

How do you cope with calls that are upsetting?

“If I have a difficult call the most important thing is to acknowledge how it is making me feel. If I feel sad then I am sad. If I need to I can get support from the supervisor and we can talk about it.”

What would you say to someone considering volunteering?

“I’d say it’s always good to give something a try. You don’t need to have a family of your own. As someone from outside of the family you have perspective. It’s about being there with them accompanying the person in what they are going through.”

EPIC! Awards for voluntary arts groups

UK’s largest amateur cultural award opens for nominations

RUN by Voluntary Arts, the Epic Awards recognise and reward excellence and innovation in the amateur cultural sector. The 2015 Epic Awards are now open for entries and groups have until 16 March to nominate themselves.

Previous Scotland Epic Award winners include a Paisley drumming group set up to promote good mental health, an arts festival in Braemar that encouraged new people to get creative, a craft group on the Isle of Barra that invited people around the world to send bunting, and a tapestry created by 1,000 volunteer stitchers.

Across the UK and Republic of Ireland over 60,000 voluntary arts groups provide regular opportunities for cultural engagement in their local areas – the Epic Awards shine a spotlight on their achievements.

All voluntary-led arts groups are eligible to apply. Entries might include:

groups who formed interesting collaborations;
projects that engaged with their local community or beyond;
creative activity that inspired others or increased participation;
groups who used new ideas in innovative ways

Application forms can be downloaded from www.epicawards.co.uk

Closing date for entries: 16 March 2015.

College Big Band to perform at Festival Theatre

Edinburgh College Big Band to showcase student talent

The Edinburgh College Big Band will demonstrate the talents of music performance students in a showcase at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre next month.

The Edinburgh College Big Band showcases the next generation of musical talent at the college, and will present a new programme of big band favourites on 4 February, from Sammy Nestico to Bob Mintzer.

The Edinburgh College Big Band comprises some of the best music students currently studying at Edinburgh College. It is only open to students studying music performance as the level and demands on band members are exceptionally high. The band is led by two of the college’s music lecturers, saxophonist Allan Glen and guitarist Robin Robertson.

Allan Glen said: “It’s a real privilege to work with each and every one of the students in the big band. The music is difficult and the rehearsal schedule demanding but every member always rises to the challenge and, most importantly, they enjoy it.

“Performance is at the heart of a student’s musical education and having the opportunity to present a new programme of music at a venue such as The Studio is a great thrill not only for the members of the band but also for myself and Robin.”

The band has performed in numerous venues in Edinburgh and Glasgow, including the prestigious Queen’s Hall.

The showcase will take place on 4 February at 7.30pm in The Studio at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre. Tickets are £15 for adults, £12 for concessions.

Tickets are available from the theatre box office on 0131 529 6000 and at www.edtheatres.com/bigbandshowcase

Macmillan tops 2014 charity poll

Macmillan Cancer Support was the top charity brand of 2014, analysis from YouGov’s CharityIndex has shown. Macmillan is named the research company’s best charity brand for the second year running.

YouGov’s 2014 CharityIndex, which is compiled using data on the public’s perception of charities on a daily basis, ranked Cancer Research UK in second place (up from third in 2013), and armed forces charity Help for Heroes in third (down from second).

The rest of the top five is rounded off by the British Heart Foundation in fourth position (which moves up from sixth place last year) and the Royal British Legion in fifth (which drops by one).

Across the top ten charity brands last year only one, the Royal British Legion, increased its average year-on-year ‘buzz score’. It’s score rose by 0.6 points following the hundredth anniversary of the start of World War One which generated heightened media coverage. One other, Marie Curie Cancer Care, stayed exactly the same. However, all of the other charities in the top ten had lower average scores across 2014 compared to 2013.

CharityIndex measures the public’s perception of charities on a daily basis across a range of measures. YouGov’s 2014 rankings were compiled using Buzz scores from across the year. Buzz scores measure whether people have heard good versus bad news about a charity in the previous two weeks.

YouGov’s 2014 end of year charity brand Buzz rankings (2013 rank in brackets):

1 (1) Macmillan Cancer Support – 18.3

2 (3) Cancer Research UK – 12.8

3 (2) Help for Heroes – 11.2

4 (6) British Heart Foundation – 7.6

5 (4) Royal British legion – 7.3

6 (8) British Red Cross – 6.7

= (5) RNLI – 6.7

= (9) Dogs Trust – 6.7

9 (12) Marie Curie Cancer Care – 6.6

10 (7) Guide Dogs– 5.8

Briony Gunstone, Associate Director at YouGov, said: ‘This is the second year we have released end of year charity brand rankings and Macmillan Cancer Support once again heads the list. It is notable just how stable the top ten is. Clearly these charities are all still engaging in activity that is achieving cut through among the public.

“One area that is worth watching over the next 12 months is that – with just two exceptions – there has been a small decrease in the scores across the charities on the list. It could be a small wobble that will right itself next time. If it continues into next year’s figures, though, it could speak to a wider problem among the sector.”

Earlier this month Macmillan Cancer Care released a study that showed there will be a record high 2.5 million people living with cancer in the UK in 2015, an increase of almost half a million people over the last five years.

Lazarowicz supports accessible transport plan

‘disabled people must have a say in how the service is designed’ – Mark Lazarowicz MP

Mark Lazarowicz MP has responded enthusiastically to a report by the Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance (SATA) on the way ahead to make transport more accessible for disabled people.

The Scottish Accessible Transport Alliance (SATA’s) Accessible Transport Strategy and Action Plan for Scotland is the first and most comprehensive such strategy and plan for Scotland. It covers the period 2015 to 2020 and includes all transport modes and services, the transport environment, information provision and staff training. It addresses the need to consult and involve disabled people at all levels and all stages in reviewing what is lacking and what should be done (see link to full document, below).

It’s an issue the North and Leith MP has campaigned actively on, and he said: “I warmly welcome this report which aims to make transport accessible for everyone: accessible transport must be at the heart of any new public transport development and disabled people must have a real say in how it is designed.

“Accessible transport benefits everyone: tackling problem parking which forces people out into the street to get by, audio-visual announcements on buses, access at Waverley station are all issues I have campaigned on which especially affect disabled people, but not just them.

“Making transport more accessible for disabled people is a key way to enable them to lead more independent lives but it can improve everyone else’s quality of life too.”

Mark Lazarowicz campaigned strongly against the current UK Government’s decision to axe its own advisory body on accessible transport and it was forced into a u-turn.

Last summer he introduced a Bill to devolve the power to tackle irresponsible parking, working closely with the voluntary organisations, Guide Dogs and Living Streets. It forced the Government to consult with all the interested parties and make a commitment to make the change by Executive Order.

He has also highlighted that more work needs to be done to make Waverley station properly accessible for disabled people after its closure to vehicles but there is also a problem for pedestrians and cyclists as well who have to share the pedestrian footway from Waverley Bridge.

Accessible Transport Strategy Action Plan Scotland

Five broad principles are adopted in SATA’s strategy:

Working in partnership with public, private, community and statutory transport providers to improve transport services, making them easier to use and understand so that people’s confidence about using them is increased;
Being proactive in our efforts to identify and remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities accessing the transport system and to ensure that further barriers are not created;
Implementing best practice by making sure that we keep up-to-date with best practice and reflect this when developing policies and implementation plans;
Good consultation, working openly and in partnership with people who provide transport services and facilities and those who use them. Strive to maintain good communication with people with disabilities to listen to their views and exchange information;
Value for money in targeting available resources towards initiatives that are affordable, sustainable and that maximise the benefits for people with disabilities.

The Plan sets out seven strategic objectives:

Ensure that disabled people have an effective say in the planning, design and operation of transport services, facilities and operations.
Ensure that the Equality Act requirements are met and affordable adjustments are made so that accessibility for disabled people is a condition of public money being spent on all new public transport investment;
Develop an integrated and fully accessible public transport system in partnership with key stakeholders which will enable disabled people to travel in safety and in comfort and be able to move easily between modes;
Enable disabled people to travel using cars and other means of private transport;
Address a lack of awareness and understanding that prevents or discourages disabled people from using transport services and facilities that are available to them;
Ensure that information in a range of formats is available for all public transport services to enable disabled people to plan and make these journeys easily; and
Provide help with travel costs and offer practical assistance to enable disabled people to use the transport services available to them.

Consultation on the strategy and plan closed on Friday (16 January).

You can find the North & Leith MP’s formal response here

Keeping the faith: ‘a future built on mutual trust, respect and understanding’

Social Justice Secretary to meet with faith groups

New Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Alex Neil will meet today with the Board of Interfaith Scotland for the first time since his appointment to discuss interfaith work and how to continue building closer relationships between all faiths.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Mr Neil said: “The Scottish Government values all of Scotland’s diverse faith and belief communities and the vital role they play in supporting and developing cohesion among and between communities.

“These groups are essential in transforming lives, promoting social justice and supporting some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in our society.

“Like the rest of the world, I have watched with horror the events in Europe and I am clear that there is no place in Scotland for any form of anti-Semitism or religious hatred. We will not tolerate any threat to any of our citizens going about their daily lives and are committed to tackling all incidents of hate crime to ensure the safety of all our communities.

“Scotland’s diversity is a strength and we have always been highly regarded in the international interfaith community. It is my sincere hope that all communities in Scotland will continue to be part of our work to ensure a future built on mutual trust, respect and understanding.”

Interfaith Scotland provides a forum for people from different religions and beliefs to meet and discuss matters of religious, national and civic importance. The organisation runs ‘dialogue events’ for young people, women, faith communities, religious leaders, members of Interfaith Scotland and local interfaith groups as well as running interfaith workshops in schools and producing interfaith publications and resources.

Interfaith Scotland also provides ongoing support to local interfaith groups and give public presentations, seminars and training on interfaith and faith awareness.

Interfaith Scotland will be holding the National Scottish Holocaust Memorial Day event on Tuesday 27th January at Ayr Town Hall with special guest speakers Ela Weisberger and Hasan Hasanovich. 2015 marks 70 years since the liberation of the death camps and 20 years since the Srebrenica massacre. During their eight day visit to Scotland, Ela and Hasan will also speak at schools in Glasgow, Ayr and Edinburgh, Glasgow City Chambers and the Scottish Parliament.

Citizens celebrate Getting Online

‘It’s made a huge difference to my life’ – 94 year old William Amcotts

Edinburgh’s newest web surfers celebrated their computing achievements at a special event in the City Chambers on Monday when learners, volunteers and staff who contributed to the Council’s Get Online initiative toasted its success.

Among the participants was 94-year old William Amcotts, who attended sessions at Blackhall Library and is living proof that it’s never too late to learn something new!

Over the last five months more than 140 people have benefited from the scheme, run in libraries and community venues, which helps develop digital skills for those who aren’t confident using the internet. Organisers are now looking at ways to expand the project across the city.

The service also assists members of the public to use a wide range of online services offered by the Council, including council tax payments and car permit renewals.

The Council recently launched a new responsive website, which was co-designed by residents, ensuring people’s experience is adapted to their needs. By moving services online, it aims to open up more ways to access support, allowing people to carry out transactions from the comfort of their homes.

Culture and Sport Convener, Councillor Richard Lewis, said: “This is a great example of volunteer working in our libraries and is clearly having a positive effect on those involved. We are proud to offer a range of digital services to library users, building on recent investment which put wi-fi access into every library in the city. Get Online will help introduce these to a whole new group of people.”

Councillor Alasdair Rankin, Finance and Resources Convener, added: “As part of our plans to make the Council more efficient we aim to offer more services online. Not only will this deliver financial savings but will save customers time and money by providing access to a range of transactions at their fingertips.

“That’s why initiatives like Get Online are so important, as they open up this potential to even more people.”

Led by co-ordinator Kenny Sharkey (above), along with a team of dedicated volunteers, Get Online involves a series of planned and drop-in sessions where participants are introduced to the internet using different devices, including tablets and smartphones.

Amongst the volunteers were S4 pupils from Castlebrae High School, who assisted the East Neighbourhood Get Online group throughout November, advising on everything from Skype to email.

On Monday, Councillors Lewis and Rankin congratulated participants and volunteers of all ages.

William Amcotts, 94, who attended Get Online sessions in Blackhall Library, said: “It’s an excellent service, very valuable. I was given a laptop but didn’t know how to use it. Now I’m able to send emails and listen to music – it’s made a huge difference to my life.”

Valerie Crombie has been learning about the internet at Morningside Library. She said: “I’ve been looking at email and sending photo attachments. I’ve been using the Council’s library service to borrow books too. It’s great to be able to do all of these things without going out the door.”

Get Online launched in February 2014 and has delivered sessions in Central, Newington, Blackhall, Morningside, Stockbridge and Leith Libraries, East Neighbourhood Local Office and Craigmillar Library and Moira Park Sheltered Housing in Portobello. The Get Online team are ready to extend the service to more libraries, social housing associations and other local venues.

Customers are now able to access Council services 24/7 on all devices including Smart TVs, tablets, mobile phones and smartphones, with more than 30 different types of digital transactions available, including reporting missed bins or problems with street lights. By carrying out transactions online, members of the public will be able to avoid queuing in offices or waiting on the phone, saving time and money.

Find out more about the Council’s online services on the website.

Green shoots? Record number of Scots in work

New GDP figures show fastest annual growth since 2007

Both Westminster and Holyrood politicians have welcomed the latest employments statistics published today. Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael says the figures show that the UK’s long term economic plan is working, while Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham says Scotland continues to outperform the UK.

The number of people in employment in Scotland has increased by 50,000 over the year, reaching a record high of 2,612,000 as new GDP figures show the fastest annual growth since 2007.

ONS Labour Market Statistics released today covering the period September to November 2014 show female employment has also reached a record high and Scotland’s youth unemployment level is at its lowest in five years.

Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training Roseanna Cunningham has welcomed today’s Labour Market Statistics which show:

The level of unemployment has fallen by 20,000 over the year and by 79,000 since its recession peak in 2010
The Scottish unemployment rate of 5.7 per cent remains below the overall UK rate, with Scotland also having a higher employment rate and lower economic inactivity rate
The number of people claiming Jobseekers Allowance has fallen by 24.9 per cent over the year.

In addition, National Statistics published today by the Scottish Government covering 2014 quarter 3 show that the Scottish economy continues to improve, growing by 3.0 per cent from the same quarter in the previous year. This is the fastest annual growth since 2007 with headline UK annual growth for the same period at 2.6 per cent. Growth over the quarter in Scotland was 0.6 per cent, the ninth consecutive quarter of expansion.

The construction sector again showed its strength, growing by 3.2 per cent over the quarter and 6.6 per cent over the year. The services sector, which accounts for around 72 per cent of the Scottish economy, grew by 0.6 per cent over the quarter with some manufacturing sectors also showing growth.

Ms Cunningham (above) said: “Scotland is again outperforming the UK on employment, unemployment and inactivity rates and a 3 per cent expansion in our economy over the year is a clear demonstration of our growing strength, not least in the construction sector.

“Our work on jobs and growth is continuing to pay off with record employment levels increasing this month and female employment also reaching a record high, welcome evidence of our on-going work on narrowing the gender gap.

“I am particularly pleased to note positive news on youth employment and I am determined that we will maintain our focus on increasing the employment opportunities for our young people. We will continue to work with local government and employers to deliver the recommendations of the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce so that we deliver our ambitious programme to develop a world class vocational education system.

“This government is determined to close the attainment gap in our schools and enable the widest possible access to Higher Education so that everyone gets an equal chance at gaining qualifications, and therefore a job, regardless of their background.

“As the economy grows, we must ensure that everyone is able to benefit from our success. We will continue to use all of the powers we have at our disposal to grow the economy, increase employment, lower unemployment and remove barriers to the labour market.

“The Scottish Parliament will shortly have the first reading of the budget bill for 2015/16 which includes £4.5 billion of investment in infrastructure and additional funding for youth employment to secure sustained growth for Scotland.”

Scottish Secretary Alistair Carmichael (above) also welcomed the latest figures. He said: “Today’s employment figures show a record number of Scots in work, more women in employment than ever before and jobseekers allowance claimants at its lowest level since 2008.

“The UK Government has stuck to its long term economic plan, creating the right conditions to rebuild and rebalance our economy. Together with the safety and security which comes from being part of the UK this has helped our businesses grow and create more sustainable jobs. As a result, over the past four and half years employment has risen by 167,000 and unemployment has fallen by 61,000.

“It’s also welcome news to see Scotland’s economy continuing to grow, building on two successive years of economic growth. The rise in unemployment over the past quarter highlight the challenges which remain. Recent business surveys however show Scotland’s economic growth is set to continue into 2015 and our labour market is expected to build further on the record numbers we have seen. We will take responsibility to help those who fall out of work ensuring they can make the most of the opportunities being created in communities across the country.”

Headline Statistics for the September to November 2014 quarter:

Employment in Scotland increased by 1,000 over the quarter, and increased by 50,000 over the year, to stand at 2,612,000.
The Scots employment rate increased over the quarter to 74.1 per cent. The rate is above the UK average of 73.0 per cent.
Unemployment in Scotland increased by 7,000 over the quarter and fell by 20,000 over the year. The level now stands at 158,000.
At 5.7 per cent, the Scots unemployment rate is just below the rate of 5.8 per cent for the UK as a whole.
Economic Activity increased by 8,000 over the quarter and now stands at 2,770,000. Also, the Economic Activity rate increased over the quarter to stand at 78.7 per cent.
In December 2014, the number of people out of work and claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) was 85,000.

Latest Data for Scotland:

Employment

The Labour Force Survey (LFS) indicates that the number of people in employment in Scotland from September to November 2014 was 2,612,000. Employment was up by 1,000 compared to the previous three months, and was up by 50,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The employment rate increased on the previous quarter, and it was up by 1.5 p.p. compared to the same quarter last year, at 74.1 per cent. In comparison, the Scottish employment rate is above the UK average.

Unemployment

Unemployment in Scotland was up 7,000 over the quarter September to November 2014, to 158,000. The level was down 20,000 compared to the same quarter last year. The unemployment rate was up 0.2 p.p. on the previous quarter at 5.7 per cent, which is down 0.8 p.p. over the year.

Claimant Count

The claimant count in Scotland, based on the seasonally adjusted number of people claiming Job Seeker’s Allowance (JSA), fell by 2,100 from November to 85,000 in December 2014. The level is down by 28,200 on December 2013. The claimant count rate fell by 0.1 p.p. over the month at 3.1 per cent, and is down 1.0 p.p. over the year.

Economic Activity

The number of economically active (defined as those in employment or ILO unemployed, and seasonally adjusted) in Scotland in the September to November 2014 quarter was 2,770,000. This was up 8,000 on the previous quarter, and is up 29,000 on the same point a year ago. Among those aged 16-64 the economic activity rate was 78.7 per cent, up 0.3 p.p. on the previous quarter, and up 0.9 p.p. over the year.

Police seek smash and grab thieves

£18,000 Rolex taken in raid

Two thieves who smashed a pawn shop window to steal an £18,000 watch from its display are being sought by police.

The raid on Duncanson & Edwards pawnbrokers and jewellers, on the corner of Queen Street and Frederick Street, happened at 4.45pm on Monday afternoon.

Staff were inside the shop when the window was smashed but no-one was injured during the incident.

The stolen watch was a Rolex yacht master II 18ct, in white gold.

The two men, thought to be in their 20s, ran off in the direction of Queen Street Gardens West.

The first thief is described as white, of slim build and between 5ft 10ins and 6ft 2ins tall. He was wearing dark/navy cotton tracksuit bottoms, a dark waist-length jacket and a dark beanie hat with a white horizontal line/motif.

The second thief was white, of slim build, about 5ft 10ins to 6ft 2ins tall, with short dark hair, dark beard with thin dark eyebrows, brown eyes and a round face.

If you think you may have witnesses the robbery or have any information call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.