Local writers launch short story book
Join us on Tuesday 24 November at 6:30pm for the launch of Muirhouse Library Writers group’s short story book. There will be readings from the collection of stories, question and answers, a chance to buy a copy of the book and refreshments.
A year of growth for Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden
Botanic Lights cancelled tonight -Thursday 12 November
Unfortunately, Botanic Lights is cancelled tonight for safety reasons due to severe weather conditions forecast for this evening.
For further info visit bge.org.uk/botaniclights
Schools violence prevention initiative ‘goes from strength to strength’
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson yesterday announced a further £450,000 of funding to provide extra training staff for the innovative Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Scotland programme. Mr Matheson made the announcement during a visit to Tynecastle High School, where he met the programme’s American founder Jackson Katz (above) and some of the young people benefitting from the scheme. Continue reading More government funding to support MVP programme
Volunteer Edinburgh prepares to open new HQ – in Leith
Lord Provost Rt. Hon. Donald Wilson will officially open Volunteer Edinburgh’s new HQ on Leith Walk next week. The Lord Provost, who is also the city’s Volunteering Ambassador, will be joined by local councillors, trustees, funders, volunteers and members of the local community at Tuesday’s ribbon-cutting event. Continue reading Provost volunteers to open new HQ!
Edinburgh College January courses open for application
Edinburgh College is inviting anyone who wants to fast track their futures towards great careers and further studies to start a new course in January. Applications are now open for a range of full-time, part-time, evening and open learning courses starting in the new year at the college. Continue reading New year, new career?
Lauren’s swopping Muirhouse for Maldives, Maui and Morocco!
Lauren Laing’s Circuit Training class has now come to a sudden end here at the Millennium Centre (writes James McGinty). Why? Lauren apologised for the short notice, but she has accepted a year’s contract with a cruise liner company – starting immediately! Continue reading Lauren’s off to see the world
Minister praises Beyond Gender’s ‘fantastic work’
UK Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan MP (above) met with transgender young people in Edinburgh last week. Speaking to young people from Beyond Gender youth group – recently awarded Youth Group of the Year at the Equality Network’s LGBTI Awards – the Minister heard young people’s stories and learned more about the issues affecting their lives.
The Minister’s visit is timely, given that The Women and Equalities Committee is currently undertaking an inquiry into equality for transgender (trans) people. LGBT Youth Scotland works with LGBT young people across Scotland, and supports two trans specific youth groups – one in Edinburgh and one in Glasgow.
LGBT Youth Scotland, Beyond Gender and Scottish Transgender Alliance all raised the importance of the Equal Recognition Campaign to reform the Gender Recognition Act, in particular the importance of legally recognising people who do not identify as men or women and lowering the age of gender recognition to 16 years old.
Fergus McMillan, Chief Executive of LGBT Youth Scotland said: “We were delighted to welcome Nicky Morgan (Minister for Women & Equalities) to LGBT Youth Scotland to visit the Beyond Gender youth group. It was a great opportunity for young people to have their views heard directly by a Government Minister. Young people spoke about their experiences of education and health services: they asked for more teacher training in order that transgender young people feel safe and supported in their education; recognition of non-binary identities; and work to reduce the waiting lists for gender specialists.
“Our research shows that 67% of transgender young people self-identified as having a mental health problem or condition due to experiencing prejudice and discrimination; 37% of transgender young people had left education as a direct result of homophobia, biphobia or transphobia; and less than half of transgender young people would be confident to report a hate crime. It is clear that more needs to be done – we hope the visit has been valuable in getting trangender young people’s stories heard and will go some way to improve the lives of transgender young people across the UK.”
Nicky Morgan MP said: “It was a pleasure to visit the Beyond Gender youth group in Edinburgh. The young people I met were truly inspirational, and it is clear that the organisation is doing fantastic work to tackle discrimination and raise awareness of the issues affecting LGBT young people.”
On young person from Beyond Gender youth group added: “It was nice to be heard by someone who has power to make changes and we hope that the minister acts on the issues we raised with her today. Beyond Gender is a lifeline for us – it’s a place you will always be accepted as yourself. We want to live in a Scotland and UK where trans people are accepted and respected for who they are and can grow up safe and happy.”
‘You were so dazed that you just didn’t realise that you could stand up straight and not be shot’ – Corporal Reg Haine, November 1918
The Armistice came, the day we had dreamed of. The guns stopped, the fighting stopped. Four years of noise and bangs ended in silence. The killings had stopped.
We were stunned. I had been out since 1914, I should have been happy: I was sad. I thought of the slaughter, the hardships, the waste and the friends I had lost.
Sgt Major Richard Tobin, Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division Continue reading Armistice Day: remembering the fallen
Search is on for capital’s top youth workers
Scotland’s National Agency for Youth Work is looking for the very best youth work being done with young people across Edinburgh. Youth workers and volunteers in Scotland are being encouraged to nominate entries for the National Youth Worker of the Year Awards 2016 organised by YouthLink Scotland. Continue reading Who are Edinburgh’s youth champions?
