A second man has appeared in court following an attempted murder and robbery at a Trinity newsagent last month. Continue reading Trinity newsagent attempted murder: second arrest
Day: September 7, 2016
Kidz to Adultz Scotland – 15 September
Edinburgh’s Highland Hall at the Royal Highland Centre is to host Kidz to Adultz Scotland – one of the largest, free Scottish events dedicated to children and young adults up to 25 years with disabilities and additional needs, their families and the professionals who work with them in Scotland.
Approximately 120,000 children and adults in Scotland are living with a learning disability, and over one million are living with a sensory impairment.
Over 80 exhibitors will assemble at Highland Hall on Thursday 15 September to offer advice, support and information on mobility, communication, equipment and technology, education, toys and learning aids, transport, beds and seating, service, funding, sports and leisure and much more.
Organised by registered charity Disabled Living and free to attend, the event will feature a host of educational and practical seminars accredited by The CPD Certification Service for parents, guardians, carers and professionals. Essential topics such as moving and handling, sleep issues, parental experiences, continence issues, legal advice and many others will be covered, with opportunities for parents and carers to ask questions during the day.
There will be representatives from local and national organisations including Caudwell Children, Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, Theraplay, Munro Rehab and Fast Aid Medical and Mobility Products and more.
Edinburgh Leisure will provide taster tennis sessions for all age groups including wheelchair tennis, additional support needs (ASN) tennis and cardio tennis.
Carmel Hourigan, senior manager at Disabled Living says: ‘Kidz to Adultz Scotland is a valuable opportunity for children and young adults, as well as their families, carers and professionals to find out more about the products and services available to them.
“We’ve got some fantastic organisations from Edinburgh and from around Scotland exhibiting and a great line up of speakers so all attendees will leave having learned something new. Professionals can also boost their CPD portfolios and gain credits by attending one or more of the FREE seminars taking place alongside the exhibition. Our ‘sports area’ will offer visitors a chance to try out a variety of tennis taster sessions throughout the day and all attendees will be entered into our free prize draw to win some fantastic prizes.”
Anna Myatt, Tennis development Officer from Edinburgh Leisure, says: “Summer 2016 has been named summer of sport with the Olympics, Paralympics and Wimbledon all taking place and following Andy Murray’s success at The Championships, we’re hoping to inspire more people to take up tennis and find out more about clubs and sessions in their local areas.”
All attendees will be entered into a free prize draw with prizes from Celtic Football Club and Rangers Football Club, The Edinburgh Dungeon, The Falkirk Wheel, The Royal Yacht Britannia and lots more.
Kidz to Adultz Scotland takes place in Highland Hall, Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB, on Thursday 15 September from 9.30am to 4.30pm
For more information on the event and to book your free ticket, visit http://www.disabledliving.co.uk/Kidz/Scotland
Latest phase of Leith Walk programme is underway
Work has begun on the next stage of a major project to improve Leith Walk. Phase Four of the Leith Programme, between Pilrig Street and McDonald Road is now under way in September and will last around ten months. Contractors Land Engineering Ltd are now on site, with construction expected to end in summer 2017. Continue reading Latest phase of Leith Walk programme is underway
Ben Macpherson: ‘Get behind us’
Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, has challenged politicians from all parties at Holyrood to get behind the Scottish Government in delivering “the best for Scotland”. Continue reading Ben Macpherson: ‘Get behind us’
Cold call crackdown success
Special zones which help ‘stamp out doorstep crime’ have been hailed a success as the city passes the 100 mark of ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ (NCCZ).
Following a successful Trading Standards campaign during the summer, supported by Police Scotland, all City of Edinburgh Council Sheltered Housing complexes have been designated NCCZ’s and a number of other zones have also been established.
A No Cold Calling Zone is an area in which a majority of residents have stated that they do not want traders to call at their homes without being invited. These areas help local residents to have the confidence to say “NO” to uninvited salespeople and to warn rogue traders and cold-callers that they are not welcome.
Community Safety Leader Councillor Cammy Day visited one of the most recently set up zones in Barnton. He said: “I’m delighted at the response from our residents working with the Trading Standards team to protect vulnerable neighbours by forming No Cold Calling Zones. The feedback from existing zones indicated that 92% of residents have noticed a drop in cold callers, and a satisfaction rate of 100%.
“Cold callers can often be a precursor to doorstep crime incidents, and the formation of these zones encourages neighbours to be aware and gives them the confidence to challenge traders calling within a zone. Traders identified as calling within a zone will be dealt with robustly by our Trading Standards team.”
Street signs have been installed in the area and residents can be provided with stickers to display on their front doors. A stencil was sprayed on the pavement of the street to make callers aware that the area is a ‘No Cold Calling Zone’ and that the residents will not deal with them.
Inspector David Happs, Police Scotland Prevention, Intervention and Partnership Department said: “The creation of these ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ right across Edinburgh illustrates the willingness of local communities to work in partnership with Police Scotland, Trading Standards and others to stamp out doorstep crime. It is a crime that can affect anyone and we want to equip our community in how to keep cold callers out of their homes and protect themselves against doorstep crime. Those responsible, like bogus callers and rogue traders, are often extremely convincing in how they approach and interact with potential victims. ‘No Cold Calling Zones’ really sends out a strong message that these criminals are not welcome in Edinburgh.
“Police Scotland is committed to continuing to work with our partners to tackle this unscrupulous crime and urge you to report it. Please report any suspicious activity to Police on 101, or your local Trading Standards Department. If the person refuses to leave your door, or you feel threatened or scared – call 999 and ask for the Police.”
If you would like to find out more about setting up a No Cold Calling Zone on your street, ContactEdinburgh’s Trading Standards team on 0131 529 3030 or email trading.standards@edinburgh.
The Name Game: one in three Scots phone the wrong animal helpline
This Scottish Animal Week, the Scottish SPCA has released research which reveals 31 per cent of Scots are calling the wrong animal helpline. A recent study has shown that although 69% of people would call Scotland’s animal welfare charity if they discovered an injured or distressed animal, 25% of people would contact the RSPCA and 6% would contact other organisations. Continue reading The Name Game: one in three Scots phone the wrong animal helpline
Call for action as half of Scotland’s Health Boards miss child mental health targets
A coalition of independent and third sector children and young people’s service providers has called for urgent action from the Scottish Government to increase investment in and radically improve mental health services for children and young people. Continue reading Call for action as half of Scotland’s Health Boards miss child mental health targets