A leading Scottish care provider has launched a campaign to boost recruitment into the care sector against the background of a ‘perfect storm’ of staff shortages and the potential impact of Brexit. Continue reading Campaign to boost recruitment into the Scottish care sector
Civil Service Strollers to support LIFT with food bank collection
Civil Service Strollers will be supporting the Low Income Families Together (LIFT) project with their annual Christmas ‘Donate at the Gate’. Continue reading Strollers give local project a Christmas LIFT
A new study has shown that Britain’s puffins may struggle to adapt to changes in their North Sea feeding grounds and researchers are calling for better use of marine protection areas (MPAs) to help protect the country’s best known seabirds.
Britain’s coasts support globally important populations of many species of seabird, but they face many challenges as their established habitats change. Continue reading Puffins making poor diet choices when the chips are down
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has praised the work of the Scottish Council of Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) in supporting charities, social enterprises and Voluntary groups to make Scotland a better place.
The SCVO promotes voluntary organisations and lobby the Scottish Government on their behalf.
To celebrate 20 years of the voluntary sector and the Scottish Parliament working together SCVO have published a book, “Charities, Scotland & Holyrood, Twenty Years Delivering Change”. You can find an electronic copy of the book here.
Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP, said: “The voluntary sector in Scotland plays a huge role in communities up and down the country.
“Thousands of volunteers give their time and money to help a range of excellent causes that make a huge difference to peoples life.
“The SCVO do an exceptional job speaking on behalf of volunteers in Scotland and this new book aptly celebrate the working relationship between the Scottish Parliament and the voluntary sector over the last 20 years.”
Scotland has declared a global climate and ecological emergency.
Join us to learn more about the climate crisis and talk about how the changes will affect us all. Discussion will take place between 12 – 1pm, which will be followed by a free lunch.
Everyone’s welcome! Please register in advance as places are limited.
MSPs from all five elected parties to the Scottish Parliament have backed Aberlour Child Care Trust’s campaign to tackle child poverty and inequality in Scotland. Continue reading Holyrood politicians back Aberlour’s child poverty campaign
It may have been a typically dreich Scottish day, but the show most certainly went on as the seventh annual Edinburgh Poppy Day once again captured the city’s imagination on Friday. Continue reading City comes alive for Edinburgh Poppy Day … despite the rain
With fireworks season upon us and Bonfire Night displays about to take place all over the country, most of us will be getting ready to enjoy the festivities. For dogs, however, Bonfire Night and firework celebrations can be some of the most stressful and terrifying times.
And with Sainsbury’s becoming the first major supermarket to stop selling fireworks across all its stores in the UK, the discussion on whether fireworks should be further regulated has never been more topical.
Lintbells, the pet supplement manufacturers, have thought of a few ways dog owners can help look after their four-legged friends this fireworks seasons, with the help of a 2018 survey they conducted with 2,000 dog owners, that revealed, more than 70% of those surveyed claim the firework season has a negative impact on their families – including their dogs.
House prep
There are some simple things you can do in your house that will help make your dog feel more comfortable while there are fireworks going off. Creating a safe place inside your home can be an ideal place for your dog to hide from fireworks. Almost 50% of dog owners build a safe haven for their dog to escape to during fireworks – using blankets and pillows can be a great way to create a den. Over 75% even choose to close the curtains, windows and doors to further shelter their pet from the loud noises and bright flashes of lights.
Sound
The sudden bang of fireworks can be extremely terrifying for your dog, so playing other sounds can be a great way to mask the noise of the bangs. Nearly 80% of dog owners turn on the TV or radio to help drown out the sounds of the fireworks, which will help distract your dog from the noise outside.
Walking
When walking your dog during fireworks season, perhaps consider walking them earlier in the day. Walking before dusk is ideal to make sure your dog is comfortable when going outside. Try to tire your dog out earlier on in the day, so they’ll be more likely to fall asleep before fireworks are set off. Regardless of the time you’re out walking, make sure you walk your dog on a load and they are microchipped.
Consider an alternative
If you have tried everything you can to help your cope with fireworks and they are still stressed, then it may be time to reach out to your vet for advice in the first instance, as they will be able to provide the best course of action.
Lintbells range of natural calming supplements, YuCALM, are a great way to help combat your dogs stress and anxiety. By supporting natural calming pathways in the brain, YuCALM is an effective way to help reduce stress and support your dog to become happier and more playful once again.
Giving your dog YuCALM in the build up to Bonfire Night and fireworks season, will help to support calm behaviour and ease any anxiety in time for the fireworks going off. Nearly 25% of those surveyed even tried giving their dog a natural supplement to help soothe their pets stress and anxiety.
Gemma Cunningham, Campaign and Communications Manager at Lintbells, said: “Many dog owners are calling for a change around firework laws, with over 60% calling for an outright ban on unlicensed fireworks, according to the study we conducted, with 96% believing that the laws around fireworks should be changed.
“In addition to the recent announcement from supermarket Sainsbury’s and its plans to stop selling fireworks in all of its stores, the results of the study have raised further questions on whether fireworks should be further legislated, to protect not only dogs, but other animals too.”
Project to stimulate more open discussion about dying is rolled out to four sites
A MEMORIAL Garden project aimed at stimulating more open discussion about death and dying is returning to Edinburgh – and expanding into a series of events across eastern Scotland. Continue reading Life, Death and Lilies installation returns
The Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland Awards saw Port of Leith Housing Association be named winner of the Excellence in Organisational Change Award for its “Culture Club” programme. Continue reading Award for Port of Leith’s Culture Club programme
