Day: August 15, 2018

Abstract Mythology: new exhibition by blind artist at Water of Leith Cafe

Abstract Mythology

Paintings by Alan McIntyre

Friday 24th August – Friday 28th September 2018.

Where: Water of Leith Cafe Bistro, 1 Howard Street. EH3 5JP.

Open Hours – Tues to Sat. – 09:30 – 17:00, Sunday – 10:00 – 16:00.

Phone Number: 0131 556 6887.

http://thewaterofleithcafebistro.com/

A new art show opens later this month from 24th August 2018 at the Water of Leith Café in Canonmills. Abstract Mythology, is an exhibition of small format highly textured and vibrantly coloured acrylic paintings by Edinburgh blind artist Alan McIntyre. Continue reading Abstract Mythology: new exhibition by blind artist at Water of Leith Cafe

Gilson Gray backs Football Festival to support Musical Therapy for Children

A FOOTBALL festival raising money for a programme of musical therapy for children staying in hospital has received sponsorship support from a top legal firm.  Continue reading Gilson Gray backs Football Festival to support Musical Therapy for Children

Transforming Edinburgh: putting people at the heart of city design

Daisy Narayanan, who is leading the City Centre Transformation project on behalf of the Council during a secondment from Sustrans Scotland, shares her vision for Edinburgh: Continue reading Transforming Edinburgh: putting people at the heart of city design

Summer update from Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden

Dear Friends Group Members and supporters, 

Rain forced cancellation of Sunday’s volunteer mini-session, water butts filling nicely though!

A sunshine filled July and the start of August has brought many new visitors to the walled garden, enjoying the unique atmosphere and tours led by knowledgeable local historians.

Huge thanks to everyone involved in helping at the garden volunteering their time and energy at this busy time of year to open the garden to visitors.

One of the highlights of July was the volunteer picnic and harvest day with a chance to relax and chat together over a bite to eat. Thankyou to Ashley Erdman for documenting the progress with beautiful photographs Tattie Lifting and Garlic Harvesting (see above)

We hope to have another harvest picnic, weather permitting this Saturday the 18th August from 2-4pm. 

All volunteers welcome to bring along family members, neighbours and friends. Anyone you think would like to come and see the secret garden. Bring something to eat, or share too, some refreshments provided.

Brambles are beginning to swell and ripen, so a container with a lid would be handy if you would like to ‘pick your own’ superfruit!

Samples of our first crops from the kitchen garden like new potatoes, courgettes and garlic are still available for a few weeks, remember to bring a bag to take some home to try.

Volunteer mini-sessions set to continue this August on Wednesdays and Sundays from 11am-1pm,

Lots of harvesting, weeding, seedsowing, mulching, compost making, fire-pit building, bramble picking and perhaps some rustic carpentry… Some extra autumn clearance sessions in the planning with a team called the Dirty Weekenders descending on the garden to help with the community orchard preparation and open up more of the South Terrace, previously unexplored.

A short film from footage of recent visit by filmmakers Written in Film helping to raise awareness and document our progress July at the Garden 

Great that we are able to share our first fresh produce at nearby community venues like North Edinburgh Arts cafe, Granton Community Garden & Fidra Community Kitchen.

Lots happening at Granton’s secret Garden, hope to see you there!

Best,
Kirsty
on behalf of the Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden

Website grantoncastlewalledgarden.word press.com/

Harry Potter spends his birthday at Sick Kids!


On the run up to Harry Potter’s birthday on the 31st of July the Royal Hospital for Sick Children was transformed into The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.  It wasn’t magic that caused the metamorphosis, it was the amazing effort, talent and teamwork of the staff and children which made it all come together!

Each ward’s name changed to reflect their magical purpose with ‘Diagnostic Alley’, ‘Haemogoblyn’ and ‘Surgical Snape’ to name a few. Beautiful installations were created to match including huge floating Harry Potter glasses and dragons swooping down from the ceiling. There were always more details to be discovered and enjoyed such as opportunities to free Dobby by decorating a sock.

Throughout the week the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s (ECHC) Arts Programme ran lots of exciting Harry Potter themed activities. Artists used projectors to create immersive environments for flying cars and children and families were invited to take part in classic Hogwarts classes such as Transfiguration class using 3D printing pens. Potter super-fans were also taken on a virtual Potter Trail and learned all the secrets behind the creation of the books.

ECHC also gave out awards to each ward to highlight the team’s talent. ‘Best Name’ went to ‘HuffnCough’, and the ward which split their space into Hogwarts and Diagon Alley won ‘Best Narrative’ by naming each bed space after a different magical shop.

Feedback from staff has been very positive ‘[The week] has been amazing at pulling everyone together and making the hospital look great’ and ‘It has created such a positive buzz around the hospital’.

Harry’s birthday was aptly celebrated with a Magic Show with ECHC’s resident magician, Tricky Ricky.

ECHC would like to thank the staff and children who worked so hard to make the hospital a truly magical place!

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Baby Boxes

Gimmick or Godsend, Baby Boxes are one year old today

A year since the first delivery

As the first Baby Box bairns celebrate their birthday this week, Scotland’s Baby Box has now been gifted to 52,065 newborns in its first year.

85% of expectant parents have taken up the opportunity to receive the Baby Box, while the latest parent survey showed 100% satisfaction.

Greater Glasgow and Clyde has received the most Baby Boxes in the past year, with 12,815 new babies being welcomed by a box, while 199 babies on the Western Isles received boxes.

The boxes have travelled far and wide, with 206 boxes travelling 400 miles from the depot in Leith to Haroldswick in Shetland.

Children and Early Years Minister Maree Todd said: “A year on from when the first Baby Boxes were delivered, we can say these boxes are having a real impact on the lives of those who receive them.

“I’ve heard stories from across the country about how the thermometers have helped parents seek appropriate medical care for their babies, how its contents are providing essential products for babies who arrive early, and much needed comfort for those who might not have family or friends around to shower the little one with gifts when they arrive.

“These boxes demonstrate that, as a society, we value each and every child in Scotland. We’ve had a very successful first year, with 85% take-up, and we want to continue to build on this as we move into year two.

“I’m delighted to have reached this milestone . It’s an honour for everyone involved – from the organisations providing the items to the box packers to the people delivering the boxes – to have been part of something that is having a real impact on the lives of babies and their carers across the country.”

Shelagh Young, Scotland Director of Home-Start UK, said: “Many parents have been telling Home-Start staff and volunteers just how much the items they receive are helping them.

“Being a parent, especially for the first time, can be overwhelming, and many of the families we work with we work with feel isolated and alone. The Baby Box gives the clear message that every child matters, and that parents are not alone.”

NHS Lothian Chief Midwife, Frances McGuire, said: “The Baby Box has been a great opportunity for our midwives and health visitors to chat to expectant parents about its contents and how they can help improve a child’s health and wellbeing.

“Not only that, but the box helps new parents at a time where they may be particularly stretched financially, and can provide crucial support.”

The boxes are a signal of the Scottish Government’s determination that every child, regardless of their circumstances, should get the best start in life.

Each box contains a large number of essential items for parents and babies, while the box itself comes with a mattress and can be used as a safe sleep space.

Research into parents’ views taken in December 2017 shows 100% are either satisfied or very satisfied with the overall quality of the contents.

Ninety-nine per cent of parents are also either satisfied or very satisfied with the range of items, the design of the box and delivery arrangements.

  • Contents were all very highly rated – most popular items were the bathroom/room thermometer (32% said it was most useful item), ear thermometer (22%) and sling (15%)
  • When asked spontaneously what was missing most parents (69%) could not think of any suggestions. The most common request (made by 10%) was for new-born nappies to be included
  • The most popular idea for inclusion when prompted was a second sheet for the mattress (67% said this would be very or quite useful). This has now been added into the box.
  • The majority of parents (62%) had used or planned to use the box as a bed. The main reason given for not using the box as a sleeping space was that parents had  already purchased an alternative or received one as a gift (86%)
  • Most parents had read all of the information included. The two most popular inclusions were a poem for your wee one (97% said they had read or planned to read) and information on safe sleeping (93%).

Statistics:

 Health Board 19/6-12/8 Cards Received Boxes Delivered
NHS Ayrshire and Arran 3551 3154
NHS Borders 1138 1033
NHS Dumfries and Galloway 1373 1241
NHS Fife 3743 3366
NHS Forth Valley 3033 2757
NHS Grampian 6712 5932
NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde 14581 12815
NHS Highland 2903 2556
NHS Lanarkshire 6565 5743
NHS Lothian 10231 9172
NHS Orkney 212 194
NHS Shetland 237 206
NHS Tayside 4105 3697
NHS Western Isles 224 199
Total 58608 52065

Baby Box to be placed in Museum of Childhood

Scotland’s Baby Box will be preserved in history when it is placed into the Museum of Childhood a year after it was first introduced.

52,065 babies across the country have now received a Baby Box containing essential items aimed at tackling inequality and promoting health.

The Museum of Childhood, in Edinburgh, will place the box into exhibition from next year.

Each box contains a large number of items for parents and babies, while the box itself comes with a mattress and can be used as a sleep space.

Children and Early Years Minister Maree Todd said: “I am absolutely delighted that our Baby Box will have a place preserved in history here at the Museum of Childhood.

“This box has made such a difference to people’s lives in the past year, and to know that this will now be on exhibition as a legacy of the babies of Scotland should make everyone involved in creating, packing and delivering the Baby Box very proud.

“We are committed to ensuring every baby has the best start in life, and I’ve seen over the past year the difference this box and its contents has made to the lives of babies and their parents and carers.”

Sandra Martin, History Curator for Edinburgh’s Museums and Galleries, said: “The Museum houses some extraordinary examples of childhood history from all sides of Scottish society.

“From real silver spoons, a popular gift with babies in Victorian Edinburgh, to makeshift dolls crafted with nothing more than a wooden spoon and some old cloth, by families who couldn’t afford anything more.

“The modern baby box is the great equaliser. The same gifts for baby, available to all new mothers. It’s a pleasure to welcome it into our collection.”