Day: March 28, 2019

The Wonders of Science: family days at The Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament is throwing open its doors to families during the Easter holidays, with a wide variety of activities for children of all ages to explore the world of science. Continue reading The Wonders of Science: family days at The Scottish Parliament

Food bank use figures “truly shameful”

Shocking new figures have exposed an alarming picture of food bank use in Scotland, with nearly double the number of food parcels being given out than previously thought.

The new data, collected by the Independent Food Aid Network and A Menu for Change, for the first time reveals the startling number of food parcels given out by independently run food banks across the country.

The data shows that between April 2017 and September 2018, 84 independent food banks distributed 221,977 emergency food packages. Previously, centralised data for the number of food parcels collectively distributed by independent food banks hasn’t existed.

The numbers of three-day food supplies given out by independently run food banks build on existing figures, published by the Trussell Trust, which showed their network of 118 food banks distributed 258,606 food parcels during the same time period.

The new combined statistics mean that an estimated total of at least 480,583 food parcels – nearly half a million – were distributed by both Trussell Trust and independent food banks across Scotland between April 2017 and September 2018.

The Independent Food Aid Network supports and connects a range of independent frontline food aid organisations while advocating on their behalf at a national level. Their vision is of a country that doesn’t need emergency food aid and in which good food is accessible to all.

Sabine Goodwin, Coordinator of the Independent Food Aid Network, led the research. She said: “These statistics are deeply troubling, and provide yet more evidence of the growing number of people in Scotland who are unable to put food on the table.

“They also demonstrate the enormous collective effort of independent food bank volunteers and staff who are doing all they can to try to prevent people in their communities from facing hunger. Of course, we and they all know the long-term solution to hunger isn’t giving out food; it’s raising income. People should be helped financially well before they find themselves having to turn to a food bank as a last resort.”

The true scale of food bank provision in Scotland is even higher than these combined figures reveal, as a small number of independent food banks operational in Scotland during the research period were unable to contribute data to the Independent Food Aid Network and A Menu for Change’s joint project.

Experts are also warning that data on food parcel distribution still only provides a partial picture of the number of people in Scotland who are struggling to feed themselves and their families; with most people choosing to use other ways of coping, like skipping meals, rather than use a food bank. Last year, figures released by the Scottish Government revealed that one in five single parents in Scotland had faced hunger.

Kirkcaldy Foodbank operates multiple venues where people can access emergency food supplies. Joyce Leggate, Chair of the Foodbank, said: “Today’s statistics represent a worrying and growing number of people across Scotland who are struggling to make ends meet.

“Every day in Kirkcaldy, we meet people who are being driven to our doors because of problems with the benefits system. A third of the food parcels we give out go to families with children; the innocent victims of a system which is pushing people into debt, despair and poverty.

“We hope that today’s figures shine a light on the previously hidden role independent food banks are playing in picking up the pieces of a failing social safety net, and spur policy makers into taking decisive action to stop food banks like ours from becoming entrenched in Scottish society.”

Research shows that problems with the UK wide benefits system is one of the key drivers of food bank use, but Scottish campaigners from A Menu for Change say that the Scottish Government must urgently use its new social security powers to help prevent people in Scotland from being pushed further into poverty.

Scottish Ministers have promised to bring in a new income supplement by 2022 to help Scotland’s poorest families, but campaigners say people facing hardship can’t afford to wait three years for this extra support.

A Menu for Change is a partnership project run by Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, Nourish Scotland, Oxfam Scotland and the Poverty Alliance, and funded by the Big Lottery Fund. It aims to reduce the need for food banks.

Dr. Mary Anne MacLeod, Research and Policy Officer at A Menu for Change, said: “These figures are truly shameful in rich Scotland and they should make for deeply uncomfortable reading for our political leaders: the problem of rising levels of hunger in Scotland is much worse than previously known.

“The Scottish Government should be commended for its plans to help families put food on the table through the new income supplement, but promises to help people in three years’ time are of little comfort to parents whose cupboards are empty right now.

“If the Scottish Government wants to reduce the number of people facing hunger, it must urgently bring forward its plans to top up the incomes of Scotland’s poorest families from 2022.”

Visitor attractions: London tops but Scotland outperforms rest of UK

The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) announced its members’ visitor figures for 2018 today. There’s been an average increase of 8.68% on 2017 visits to UK attractions, while attractions in Scotland saw the biggest increase of 19.07%. Overall 138, 823, 297 visits were made to the top 249 ALVA sites in the UK.  Continue reading Visitor attractions: London tops but Scotland outperforms rest of UK

Breath of fresh air as trishaw rides introduced at care home

The sight of elderly Edinburgh residents enjoying a spin on three wheels could soon become commonplace – thanks to the delivery of a new form of transport to Inch View Care Home in Gilmerton. Continue reading Breath of fresh air as trishaw rides introduced at care home

New look baby box ready for Mother’s Day

The new Baby Box design, created by a team of children and young people, has been unveiled. The new design features iconic landmarks such as Ben Nevis, Glenfinnan Viaduct and Edinburgh Castle and Trinity Academy pupil Sonny Robertson was one of the artists. Continue reading New look baby box ready for Mother’s Day

The People’s Projects: Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre bids for Lottery funding

PUBLIC URGED TO GET BEHIND LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS SHORTLISTED IN THE PEOPLE’S PROJECTS

  • Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is one of five inspiring local community projects shortlisted in STV’s transmission area in Edinburgh and the East to win a share of £3 million in National Lottery Funding
  • All five will be spotlighted on prime time STV so that the public can see for themselves the great work they do and can vote for this year’s worthy winners
  • Voting opens at 9am on Monday 1 April at www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk.

Five local community groups are set to have their inspiring work spotlighted on STV as they compete for a crucial share of £3 million in National Lottery funding. One of them is Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, who are bidding for a new minibus.

The five have all been shortlisted as part of this year’s The People’s Projects – a partnership between The National Lottery Community Fund and STV, which gives the public a unique say in where National Lottery money should go in their local area.

All five will have the opportunity to showcase their work on prime time TV as they go head to head in a public vote to help them make an extraordinary difference to their community.

Now in its 14th year, The People’s Projects celebrates some of the incredible projects The National Lottery Community Fund, which distributes money raised by National Lottery players to communities across the UK, has supported over the past year.

In total, 95 community-based groups are now shortlisted across the UK. In each region, the three with the most public votes will receive grants of up to £50,000. This will help them to continue their work to bring people together, build stronger communities and make a difference to people’s lives. The entire amount up for grabs across the UK is a life-changing £3 million.

Voting opens at 9am on Monday 1 April at www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk.

Details of the shortlisted projects:

STV News at Six will feature the projects over five nights, starting on Monday 1st April across STV’s transmission area in Edinburgh and the East when the Benarty Forum project by Benarty Community Forum in Lochgelly will be featured.

If successful, this community group will receive £17,346 to expand into the vacant property which is next door to their community shop.  They will then be able to buy the necessary equipment and furniture to open a community café for local people.  Volunteers will receive training and will be put through the necessary qualifications in food hygiene and First Aid Training.

On Tuesday it will be the turn of the A community continues to be connected by a shiny new bus project by Drylaw Telford Community Association SCIO, based in Edinburgh. 

They hope to receive £34,794 for a project to allow the centre to buy an accessible mini bus which will be used by a variety of local groups, schools and organisations. This will include young people, people who have difficulty walking, wheelchair users and housebound older people to attend groups at the centre. The mini bus will also be made available to local partner organisations to help them transport their members.

Wednesday it will be the Edinburgh Diwali project by Edinburgh Diwali. They are competing for £50,000 to expand the annual Edinburgh Diwali Festival bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds, nationalities and religions from across Edinburgh to celebrate together through music, dancing, feasting and fireworks. This free Festival promotes friendship and understanding across cultures and over 1000 Edinburgh primary school children will participate in workshops and activities.

Thursday’s programme will feature Kidz n Kin project by Kidz-Eco CIC, based in Livingston, who hope to receive £45,604. This community group hope to use the funds to open an Early Years Community Space in The Centre, Livingston.  Working with local partners including NHS and West Lothian Council they will be able to provide pre-birth and early years support to hundreds of families weekly through classes, activities, meeting space, play area and café.

The final project to be shown on Friday will be A Space to Play project by Bonnyrigg After School Club, based in Bonnyrigg.  If successful, they will receive £50,000to move into a central location in Bonnyrigg from which they can expand their early years nursery service to help meet demand locally. The building will also be used as a community centre to allow a variety of other groups and organisations to make use of the space and facilities.

Steven Ladurantaye, STV’s Head of News and Current Affairs, said: “The People’s Projects can make a real difference to communities and lives across STV thanks to funding from The National Lottery and we are looking forward to highlighting the incredible shortlisted projects and groups from across Scotland.  All you have to do is tune into STV News at Six and vote for your favourite project.”

Martin Cawley, Scotland Director at The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “As the largest funder of community activity in the UK, we are proud to support groups that are led by the vision, determination and drive of local people to strengthen communities.

“In previous years we have seen a wide range of successful projects, from a café supporting young carers to animal-assisted therapy for people living with dementia and the development of a bee-friendly orchard. The People’s Projects is a chance for you to have your say on how National Lottery funding can help your community to thrive.”

Since 2005 around £42 million has been awarded through this partnership to 960 good causes across the UK.  

 Voting closes at noon on Monday 15 April 2019.

People can vote once per region and will need an email address or mobile phone number to vote*. For Ts & Cs please visit www.thepeoplesprojects.org.uk