Pedestrian seriously injured after taxi mounts pavement

A man is in a serious condition after being hit by a taxi which mounted a pavement in the city centre yesterday.

The 59-year-old pedestian was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary following the incident on North Castle Street, near its junction with Queen Street, at 1pm. Continue reading Pedestrian seriously injured after taxi mounts pavement

Money Talk Team benefits thousands of families

Free advice service helps low income households save more than £6 million.

Low-income families who seek free financial advice from the Money Talk Team are on average now £1,850 better off.

The service offers one-stop, personalised advice on dealing with debt and ways to reduce household bills.

With around 450,000 cases of unclaimed benefits in Scotland, it also helps low-income families identify what financial support might be available. The service is supported by Scottish Government funding of £3.3 million over two years.

In the last nine months, the Money Talk Team has helped a total of 3,198 people be better off by more than £6 million – meaning households benefit by more than £1,850 on average. A total of nearly 8,000 people have accessed the service.

Launching a national advertising campaign to raise awareness of the Money Talk Team, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “The Money Talk Team is making a huge difference to the thousands of families that have already taken advantage of this free service.

“The friendly, experienced advisers talk callers through the options available, letting them know exactly what they are entitled to and helping them save money.

“But there are still too many families out there not getting what they should be.

“If you’re a parent struggling to pay the bills at the end of the month, you’re not alone. It doesn’t matter if you’re in or out of work, one call to the free phoneline is all it takes to get some advice that could be a massive help to your household.”

Money Talk Team is the new name for Financial Health Check, which started in 2018 and is delivered by Citizens Advice Scotland. It can be accessed through their free helpline on 0800 085 7145 or by visiting a local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Extra UK aid to help stop the spread of Ebola to vulnerable countries

Countries at risk of Ebola will receive extra UK aid support to help stop the deadly disease from spreading, International Development Secretary Alok Sharma announced yesterday.

Since the epidemic began last August, the UK has been a major donor to the Ebola response and has now allocated a further £8 million for countries neighbouring the DRC, such as Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda, as the likelihood of Ebola spreading to these countries is high.

Trusted partners will use this money for prevention work to help contain the outbreak and stop its spread. The funding will deliver more temperature checks at border crossings, support Ebola treatment units, provide clean water and sanitation, and enable engagement with local communities to raise awareness of the dangers of Ebola.

International Development Secretary Alok Sharma said: “This UK aid to countries that neighbour the DRC will make a real difference in helping to prevent further spread of this deadly outbreak.

“Livelihoods depend on people being able to cross borders safely so it is essential we continue to put in place the tools to contain Ebola. If we don’t, the outbreak will spread and many thousands more could suffer – ultimately Ebola is a potential threat to us all.”

There have been more than 2,850 cases in the DRC and almost 2,000 people have died from the disease. Three cases of Ebola were found in Uganda in June. The treatment centre where the cases were taken in the first instance was funded by UK aid and swift action prevented the spread of infection.

During a visit to Uganda this week, Mr Sharma will see first-hand how existing UK support has helped to:

  • build two treatment units
  • train health workers in 22 districts
  • fund 16 ambulances to help people in areas most at risk
  • provide protective clothing for health workers and thermometers at borders to screen people
  • vaccinate health workers.

Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden public meeting

The Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden became a charity in December 2018 (SCIO no SC048884).

We will therefore give a report on the finances and activities of the organisation up to the end of its time as an unincorporated community group.

This will be a public meeting and you are welcome to come along to Royston Wardieburn Community Centre on Monday 2 September at 5pm.

 

 

Work together to stop No Deal Brexit, SCVO urges party leaders

THIRD SECTOR CHIEF WARNS OF ‘PERFECT STORM’

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has issued an open letter to all UK Parliament party leaders demanding action to stop a no-deal exit from the European Union. Continue reading Work together to stop No Deal Brexit, SCVO urges party leaders

Brothers and sisters to reunite thanks to Lottery funding

Two city-based projects are celebrating news this morning that they have received a National Lottery cash boost. Multi-Cultural Family Base and Libertus are among nine projects sharing in £881,000 Community Fund cash. Continue reading Brothers and sisters to reunite thanks to Lottery funding

Edinburgh Invited to Say Cheerio to Oor Wullie

 

Oor Wullie enthusiasts are to have one last chance to see all 150 life-sized and mini sculptures from the Edinburgh trail at Oor Wullie’s BIG Farewell Weekend next month. 

As the trail draws to a close, locals are invited to St Andrew Square on 13-15 September to help say cheerio to Scotland’s favourite son before he goes to auction.  Continue reading Edinburgh Invited to Say Cheerio to Oor Wullie