GMB Scotland and Unite are organising a lobby of the Scottish Parliament to coincide with the stage one debate on Scottish Government budget which takes place at Holyrood at 2.40 pm today (Wednesday 3 February). Continue reading Unions unite to challenge austerity cuts
A further education alumnus is blazing a trail in theatre photography with an exhibition of his work at the Creative Exchange in Leith. Continue reading From Stage to Still: exhibition now open at Creative Exchange
It’s that time of year again when Sainsburys Blackhall are launching our active kids vouchers (writes Gail Wilson).
This year we launched our Active Kids campaign at the Scottish parliament. Our store manager George Paton, Customer Service Manager Louisa Higgins and I had the great pleasure of meeting paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds, along with a group of children from Blackhall Primary school.
The children had a great time and showed that being active can be fun as they all bounced around on space hoppers they were given!
Make sure you collect your vouchers in store now as you shop!
Monday was National Breathing Space Day and it also marked the launch of Scotland’s Year of Listening.
The annual awareness day, which urges people in Scotland to take some ‘breathing space’ to look after their mental wellbeing, encourages us to take time to listen.
The Year of Listening is an initiative promoted by Breathing Space and Living Life mental health telephone services to highlight that listening, and being listened to, is good for your mental health.
Tony McLaren, Breathing Space National Coordinator, said: “We like to think we are good listeners but often find ourselves not truly listening. Talking through your problems is great but it can only help if you feel like you are being heard and perhaps understood.
“Relationships and friendships, where we feel listened to, can have a huge positive impact on our sense of wellbeing. This Year of Listening is a reminder for us all to try to be better listeners. Whether you are a friend, parent, sibling, colleague, spouse, neighbour or carer, take time to listen.”
Breathing Space is a free telephone service where advisors offer listening and advice to anyone feeling low, depressed or anxious. The service is open evenings and weekends on 0800 83 85 87.
The Year of Listening launch is being promoted by a number of national organisations and supported by Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health.
Mr Hepburn said: “Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is crucial. An important part of this is listening empathetically to friends, family or colleagues. Listening carefully and providing support in response can help people to feel a stronger sense of connection, helping to support confidence and wellbeing.
“The Breathing Space telephone advice line and the NHS Living Life service provide an invaluable service for people experiencing low mood, depression and anxiety. It can make such a difference to know that there’s someone there who is willing to listen and offer an empathetic ear. I’d like to thank the Breathing Space and NHS Living life teams for the tremendous work they do to support positive mental health and wellbeing.”
Forth Neighbourhood Partnership Public Meeting
Wednesday 3 February at 2pm
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
Come along and hear about:
West Pilton Park improvement plans
The Neighbourhood Environment Programme Fund (NEPs)
Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden group
All welcome
We still have places available for our Childcare Academy Information Sessions on:
Monday 8th February @ 10am
Wednesday 17th February @ 1.30pm
If you would like to book a place to come along and hear more about the Academy, ask any questions and take away an application pack, please do not hesitate to contact me on the number below or Barbara Webster on 0131 311 6926.
Audrey O’Neill
Training Administrator
North Edinburgh Childcare
18b Ferry Road Avenue
Edinburgh, EH4 4BL
