Day: May 20, 2020

An open letter to Government on young people’s mental health during lockdown

Over thirty charities and youth organisations have written a joint letter to the UK Government to tell them to limit the long-term impact of the pandemic on young people’s mental health:

Dear Prime Minister, 

Covid-19: impact on children and young people’s mental health

We are writing to you to ask that your Government takes urgent steps to reduce the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on children and young people’s mental health – both now and in the future.

The Covid-19 pandemic is the biggest health crisis for generations, and the measures that the Government has taken to limit the spread of the virus, including restrictions on movement and the closure of schools to most students, are necessary to save lives.

However, the crisis is affecting many young people in ways that will risk long-term consequences for their mental health. One in eight children and young people already have a diagnosable mental health condition, and research suggests that the majority of those believe that the pressures created by the crisis are exacerbating their needs.

Many others – including those who have experienced bereavement, abuse or domestic violence – are also likely to require additional support. The fear of becoming ill or seeing a loved one become ill, the loss of routines, the difficulties of social connection, the impact of loneliness, the disruption to education and the challenges of living in difficult or dangerous situations are creating additional pressure for young people across the country.  Young people who belong to groups that are already marginalised or disadvantaged may be particularly at risk.

While mental health professionals deserve enormous credit for responding to the challenges the pandemic brings, many young people who were receiving some form of mental health treatment before the crisis are now receiving reduced support or no support at all. Other young people who would not previously have met the threshold for mental health support are likely to require it. Without preventative action, their needs are likely to escalate.

With the restrictions on access to schools, universities and primary care, there is often uncertainty or reticence about how and when to access mental health support. In many cases, young people have also lost the coping mechanisms that could help them to manage their mental health.

When it is safe for restrictions to change, there needs to be a clear plan about how to grow and develop services, how to enable social re-integration and how to support groups who are disproportionately affected by the crisis.

Before the pandemic, young people’s mental health was beginning to get the attention and resourcing it needs – but, despite improvements, services were often overstretched and inconsistent across the country. With demand likely to increase, we cannot afford to lose momentum.

We welcome the steps that the Government has already taken to prioritise mental health, including a £5 million fund for organisations providing mental health support, and guidance for parents issued through Public Health England.

However, this falls well short of meeting the scale of need. While many voluntary sector providers have been quick to adapt to the changing landscape – moving support online, and using innovative approaches to safe service delivery – there remain gaps in infrastructure and funding which threaten the long term sustainability of these efforts

That is why your Government must take a clear and coordinated approach to tackling the impact of the pandemic on children and young people, launching a recovery plan that enables the growth and continuity of support as restrictions change.

We are calling on your Government to:

  • Offer immediate emergency funding to increase young people’s and families’ access to mental health support through youth organisations charities and helplines; and ensure that clear routes are available for young people to access NHS mental health services while restrictions are in place.
  • Launch a national campaign to reach 10 million children and young people, and their families, to promote positive approaches for maintaining mental wellbeing, working alongside the voluntary sector to do so.
  • Deliver a wellbeing support package for schools, enabling them to prioritise wellbeing now and over the next academic year, and providing guidance and resources on how to manage transitions when it is safe for students to return to school.
  • Commit to introducing additional support for young people’s mental health as we move out of the pandemic to meet rising demand, including re-committing to the measures outlined in the NHS Long Term Plan in full and funding additional early intervention services.
  • Launch a cross-government strategy for young people’s mental health, taking a ‘young people’s wellbeing in all policies’ approach to future policy-making and addressing inequalities that can contribute towards worse mental health

We recognise the scale of the challenge that the Government is facing. However, by taking bold action now, you can reduce the impact of the pandemic and give hope to millions of children and young people across the country.

Find Out More About Beyond Tomorrow

Yours sincerely,

Emma Thomas, Chief Executive, YoungMinds

Professor Peter Fonagy, Chief Executive, The Anna Freud Centre

Kate Fallon, General Secretary, Association of Educational Psychologists

Kathy Roberts, CEO, Association of Mental Health Providers

Natalie Bailey, Chair, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

Javed Khan, CEO, Barnardo’s

Dr Ruth Allen, CEO, British Association of Social Workers

Andrew Radford, Chief Executive, BEAT

Sarb Bajwa, Chief Executive, British Psychological Society

Amanda Chetwynd-Cowieson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, British Youth Council

Sarah Hughes, CEO, Centre for Mental Health

Sir Norman Lamb, Chair, Children and Young People’s Mental Health Coalition

Kathy Evans, CEO, Children England

Mark Russell, Chief Executive, The Children’s Society

Angela Salt, CEO, Girlguiding

Advocate Youth Panel, Girlguiding

Katie Ghose, Chief Executive Officer, KIDS

Hamish Elvidge, Chair, The Matthew Elvidge Trust

Mark Rowland, Chief Executive, Mental Health Foundation

Paul Farmer CBE, Chief Executive, Mind

Chris Martin, Chief Executive, The Mix

Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive, National Children’s Bureau

Paul Whiteman, General Secretary, NAHT

Caroline Stevens, Chief Executive, The National Autistic Society

Mary Bousted, Joint General Secretary, National Education Union

Leigh Middleton, Chief Executive, National Youth Agency

Catherine Roche, Chief Executive, Place2Be

Professor Russell Viner, President, Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health

Professor Wendy Burn, President, Royal College of Psychiatrists

Duncan Stephenson, Deputy Chief Executive, Royal Society of Public Health

Ruth Sutherland, CEO, Samaritans

Schools Wellbeing Partnership

Dr Rania Marandos , Chief Executive, Step up to Serve

Ndidi Okezie, CEO, UK Youth

Denise Hatton, CEO, YMCA England & Wales

Barry Williams, Chief Executive, Youth Access

Edinburgh social care staff welcome £90 Aldi vouchers from Blackwood

Specialist housing and care provider Blackwood has purchased the shopping vouchers as a thank you to its social care staff in Edinburgh working at the front-line of the Coronavirus crisis.

Each of Blackwood’s 284 care staff across the country received a £90 Aldi voucher to help with their essential shopping, as a token of the appreciation of their dedication to their job through the pandemic.

The donation from Blackwood is part of its continuing #ImInAwe campaign, which is dedicated to shining a light on the important front-line role local care employees are playing, and to encourage more people to look at different ways to show their gratitude.

Blackwood operates across 29 local authorities in Scotland, providing housing and care support to people with a wide range of care needs.

Blackwood Chief Executive Fanchea Kelly said: “We’re so immensely proud of all of our staff who have continued to provide excellent care to all of our customers during a difficult time.

“We have so many incredible stories of how our staff have helped customers manage during this national lockdown and have worked hard to keep spirits up along the way, use technology to keep families in touch and come up with some innovative ways to fill days with fun where possible.

“The vouchers are a token of our appreciation for our staff. They are a way of recognising the hard work our carers do, and saying thank you to everyone for continuing to inspire us and keep our staff and customers safe.

“One of the reasons Aldi was chosen was its range of supermarkets across the country and their dedicated opening hours for care staff – both of which will hugely benefit our carers.”

Natasha Murray, Interim Care Services Manager at Blackwood, said: “The staff truly deserve the vouchers – they have gone above and beyond to support all our customers.

“Care staff have worked extremely hard through the pandemic and are putting our customers first, before anything else. We’re proud of each and every one of them.”

 Fritz Walleczek, Managing Director of Corporate Responsibility at Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Care workers remain an essential support for communities to ensure vulnerable people are looked after at this challenging time.

“We’re delighted to play a part in this initiative from Blackwood to recognise the important contribution their staff make in the field.”

It is estimated that up to 150,000 staff work in the social care sector across Scotland, providing vital care to people in care homes and retirement developments as well as care-at-home services.

Blackwood believes it is essential to publicly recognise the important work of its care staff, showing support and keeping morale high at a difficult time.

Fanchea added: “Often, the work of carers can go unnoticed. We would love it if more people got involved in supporting the #ImInAwe campaign, by sharing and resharing our efforts to show our carers how much they are valued and how important their work is.

“If you or your business would like to get involved and help, we’d love to hear from you to continue to show a collective sense of support across the country.”

Blackwood aims to help people live their life to the full, by providing services which support individuals to live independently. It specialises in technology and design innovation to support the role of its housing and care staff across Scotland.

For more information, please visit: https://www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk

‘Theatre at Risk’ Leith Theatre gets a helping hand

Leith Theatre Trust has received an award of £11,000 to support business planning, leadership training and a package of consultancy work to strengthen its operation.

Leith Theatre is a Category B listed building, which had been empty from 1988 until 2016, when it partly reopened for pop-up events. There is still much work to be done to enable the building to fully re-open, programme and operate on a permanent basis.

This funding will provide mentoring consultancy works, accounts and leadership training, and a package of consultancy expertise work covering financial, marketing / fundraising, audience development and community membership, and stakeholder engagement.

Leith Theatre is one of six theatres to receive funding through the second round of the Theatres at Risk Capacity Building Programme, run by the national advisory body for theatres.

The others are Brighton Hippodrome, Derby Hippodrome, Granada in Walthamstow, Groundings Theatre in Portsmouth and Streatham Hill Theatre (above).

The programme is designed to support theatres on the Theatres Trust’s Theatres at Risk Register to commission expert advice and acquire the skills and knowledge to push forward capital projects to help save their theatres. Alongside the funding, the theatre will receive support and advice from the Theatres Trust advice team.

Lynn Morrison, Exec Director of Leith Theatre Trust said, “We are delighted to receive this funding and most especially at this time.

“We are a Theatre at Risk and a business start-up, with major refurbishment and construction needs. This funding allows us to prioritise strategic next steps for Leith Theatre and invest in expertise to work with us to support our business planning. The timing could not be more perfect and will help to build confidence at this time as we plan for what will be a new future.”

Theatres Trust Architecture Advisor Claire Appleby says: “We know how difficult it can be for theatres to raise funding for the early stage concept and viability works and for organisational support.

“These first stages of a project provide the vital foundations for both project and organisation, and we hope that with this support, these theatres will be able to make real progress.”

Theatres at Risk Capacity Building Programme is supported by Historic England, The Pilgrim Trust and Swire Charitable Trust.

Sue Bowers of the Pilgrim Trust says: “The Pilgrim Trust recognises the importance of supporting theatres at risk to save their buildings and give them a viable and sustainable future. 

“This is not just because so many of the buildings are of outstanding significance, but also because a restored, vibrant and well visited theatre building can assist with the regeneration of the centres of our towns and cities.  We are delighted to be funding this programme.”

Martha Allfrey Trustee of the Swire Charitable Trust says: “The Swire Charitable Trust is delighted to be supporting the Theatres Trust’s Theatres at Risk Capacity Building Programme.

“We applaud its goal of removing vulnerable theatres from the Theatres at Risk Register, thus securing the future of these vital cultural, community and heritage assets.

“Theatres Trust’s unique and intense work with these theatres can lend support in so many ways, offering exciting opportunities to the community and campaign groups involved – we will follow the progress of each project with great interest.”

Face coverings can reduce Covid-19 transmission risk, University study says

Wearing a face mask or other covering over the mouth and nose reduces the forward distance travelled by an exhaled breath by more than 90 per cent, Edinburgh University research suggests.

Scientists testing the effectiveness of seven types of face covering – including medical-grade and home-made masks – found that they could all potentially help limit the spread of Covid-19.

However, some of the masks enabled strong jets of air to escape from the back and sides, researchers found.

The findings could aid policymakers producing guidance on the wearing of masks to help combat the virus, which can be spread in small droplets of water in people’s breath, experts said.

A team led by engineers at the University of Edinburgh assessed different face coverings using a technique – called Background Oriented Schlieren imaging – that enables scientists to measure the distance and direction travelled by air expelled when a person breathes or coughs.

Measurements were taken from people wearing different face coverings while standing or lying down, and from a manikin connected to a cough-simulating machine.

Researchers found that all face coverings without an outlet valve reduce the forward distance travelled by a deep breath out by at least 90 per cent.

A type of mask commonly worn by workers exposed to fine dust – called a respirator mask – was shown to provide protection to the wearer. However, the valves on these masks that made breathing easier could potentially allow infectious air to spread considerable distances in front, the study suggested.

Surgical masks and the tested hand-made masks were found to limit the forward flow of a breath out, but also generate far-reaching leakage jets to the side, behind, above and below. Heavy breathing and coughing, in particular, were shown to generate intense backward jets.

Only masks that form a tight seal with the face were found to prevent the escape of virus-laden fluid particles, the team says.

Researchers found that full-face shields worn without masks enabled the release of a strong downward jet.

The team also discovered that a regular medical procedure known as extubation – the removal of a breathing tube used during anaesthesia and when patients are on a ventilator – may increase the risk of spreading Covid-19.

Simulations showed that the coughing that regularly accompanies extubation caused people nearby to be enveloped in the patients’ exhaled air. This puts clinicians and others at high risk of exposure to the virus, the team said.

The research will be published as a preprint paper at 01.00 BST on Thursday 21 May. An advance copy of the paper is available here: https://bit.ly/36fOqbE. It also involves NHS Lothian clinicians and Heriot-Watt University.

Dr Ignazio Maria Viola, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Engineering, who coordinated the project, said: “I have generally been impressed by the effectiveness of all the face coverings we tested.

“However, we discovered that some face coverings allow the emergence of downward or backward jets that people are not aware of and that could be a major hazard to others around them.”

Dr Felicity Mehendale, a surgeon at the Centre for Global Health at the University of Edinburgh’s Usher Institute, said: “It was reassuring to see the hand-made mask worked just as well as the surgical mask to stop the wearer’s breath flowing directly forwards.

“This suggests that some hand-made masks can help to prevent the wearer from infecting the public. But, the strong backward jets mean you need to think twice before turning your head if you cough while wearing a mask; and be careful if you stand behind or beside someone wearing a mask.”

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:  “The use of a face mask to reduce the possible transmission of Covid-19 is apparent and now we have the science to back it up.

“As we move out of lockdown measures such as people using face masks will be vital for keeping the R number down.

“This is a very worthwhile piece of research by the University of Edinburgh on the effectiveness of different face masks.”

Letters – Coronavirus: support for Scots with heart and circulatory diseases

Dear Editor,  

I would like to let your readers know about the support the British Heart Foundation is continuing to offer to the 720,000 people across Scotland living with heart and circulatory diseases throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

People with heart and circulatory diseases are at increased risk of complications if they develop Covid-19. After dementia, coronary heart disease is the second most common pre-existing health condition in people who have died with Covid-19 in Scotland.

Since the pandemic began, we’ve seen an unprecedented demand for our Heart Helpline service. In response we’ve extended our Helpline opening hours and added to our specialist nursing team. We’ve also launched an appeal to help us offer this expanded service.

Understanding what lockdown and the different risk levels mean for people with heart and circulatory diseases has been one of the most common enquiries.

The uncertainty of the situation means we may not be able to answer every question, but we are here to reassure people who might feel anxious and provide information and support specific to their condition and concerns.

If you’re feeling unwell or concerned about your heart condition, it’s still vital that you use NHS services as you always would. Our team of nurses are available if you’re trying to understand what the pandemic means for you or the health of a loved one.

To contact the BHF’s Heart Helpline call 0300 330 3311 (open 9am – 7pm Monday to Friday, and 10am – 4pm on weekends and bank holidays), or email hearthelpline@bhf.org.uk

Yours faithfully, 

James Jopling, Head of British Heart Foundation Scotland

Edinburgh

Five Million Workers Uncertain of Post-Covid Role

Woman with notepad and laptop

• A quarter (24%) of the UK workforce are learning new skills to mitigate against coronavirus uncertainty 
• Concerns for job security as 5 million expect the pandemic to dramatically change their role
• Younger employees are spearheading the distance learning boom, but want more direction from employers in bid to ensure their skills become valued assets
• Course enrolments during lockdown on The Open University’s OpenLearn platform have exceeded 950,000
• OU is urging organisations to harness this appetite for learning to adapt for the future and retain valuable talent

Covid-19 is expected to significantly change the skills required for as many as 5 million job roles across the UK, driving a surge in employees seeking out distance learning opportunities, according to The Open University. 

With coronavirus uncertainty affecting half (49%) of current job roles across the UK, a quarter (24%) of employees have taken on additional learning opportunities to boost their employability and protect the value of their skills.

The results suggest that younger employees are particularly fearful that their skills could become obsolete. Over a third (39%) of 18-34 year-olds agreed that they would put their own money towards development opportunities if it made them more employable.

However, for all the hunger for professional development, a quarter of employees (23%) admitted that they would like to have more direction from their employers when it comes to learning new skills, with younger team members again (38%) the most keen to have steer from their leaders on how to remain employable post-coronavirus.

OpenLearn homepage screengrab

Data from one of the UK’s largest free learning sites, The Open University’s   OpenLearn, backs up the findings. The site has logged over 950,000 course enrolments during lockdown, taking it beyond the 3.25 million mark since its launch. Specialist work-focused courses such as Leadership and Followership have proved particularly popular, in addition to modules designed to boost fundamental professional skills such as workplace communication.

In April, the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland launched a portal with the support of the OU in Scotland in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to support furloughed workers. The site on www.myworldofwork.co.uk was launched on 27 April by the First Minister in her daily televised COVID-19 briefing.

Across the board workers are investing in ever-green capabilities that will help them retain value to their employers in the long-term, as well as skills that will help them manage the current digital landscape. The majority of those who have taken on additional learning opportunities during lockdown have focused on developing managerial skills (51%), whilst just under a quarter (23%) have prioritised digital skills such as learning how to use new software.

While the OU welcomes this rise in independent study, the university is urging employers to make the most of the appetite for new skills development and utilise the advantages of online learning for remote employees, to cultivate the skills they are likely to require in the years to come.

Susan Stewart, Director of The Open University in Scotland said: “With the UK approaching a recession and the economic uncertainty that this will bring – the time to invest in skills is now.

“The world of work is changing and it’s clear that employees are recognising this and prioritising the development of their own skill sets to prepare for the ‘new normal’.

“With OpenLearn, employees can enrol on free courses that reward them with certificates and digital badges, helping them signpost their development and the value of their skills to their employers.

“Employees will still need direction from their employer if they are to acquire the new skills needed for post-lockdown business. Employers must embrace lifelong learning as a necessity for growth and ensure that teams stay engaged, potential skills gaps are tackled proactively and the associated risk of losing valuable talent is minimised.”

Heart Research UK: Look after your heart and mind

HEALTHY HEART TIPS

Look after your heart and mind

Approximately one in four people in the UK will experience mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression or schizophrenia (writes Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK).

People with mental health problems have an increased risk of developing heart disease.

If you are living with a mental health condition, there are things you can do to reduce this risk. Looking after your physical health can reduce your risk of developing heart disease as well as impacting positively on your mental health.

·         Follow a healthy diet and maintain a healthy weight

Eating a healthy diet can have a positive impact on your mood. Changing dietary habits can  be difficult, but small changes can make a big difference. Try to plan healthy meals in advance and make sure you include five portions of fruit and veg every day.

·         Stay hydrated

If you are not adequately hydrated, you may find it difficult to think clearly and concentrate. Try to drink 6 to 8 glasses/cups of fluid each day. Water is a cheap and healthy option. Tea, coffee and juices all count, but these may be high in sugar or caffeine.

·         Get plenty of physical activity

Being physical activity can help to improve your mood. Try to establish a realistic physical activity routine that fits in with your commitments. If you are not very active now, you should start slowly and try to be active every day, for example by going out for a short walk. If you do not feel like going outside, try exercising indoors.

·         Cut down on alcohol

Alcohol acts as a depressant and can have a negative impact on your mental health as well increasing your risk of heart disease. Try cutting down on alcohol by swapping to drinks with a lower alcohol content or having a soft drink between alcoholic drinks.

·         Stop smoking

Smoking in people with mental health conditions is higher than the general population. Stopping smoking will reduce your risk of developing heart disease and other serious health problems. Stopping smoking is more successful if you plan ahead. Speak to your GP or pharmacist about the support and set a date to stop smoking. Calculate how much money you are saving by not smoking and use this to reward yourself.

 

 

Scotland Secretary: Save Our Strawberries!

The UK Government and Prince of Wales have urged students and furloughed workers to apply for seasonal farm work.

As part of efforts to support British farmers and growers to recruit workers throughout the harvest period, the UK Government launched the Pick for Britain website in partnership with industry to help match up available opportunities with local jobseekers.

Scotland Secretary Alister Jack said: “Many of Scotland’s farms, in particular our soft fruit growers, rely on seasonal labour. As we near peak harvest time I urge jobseekers to sign up for this crucial work at the Pick for Britain website or the GOV.UK Find a job platform.

“I am in no doubt British workers and students will seize the opportunity to feed the UK and help the economy in these most challenging of times. Together, the UK Government, industry and workers will save the Scottish strawberry and our other delicious produce.”

The UK Government has already confirmed that those who have been furloughed from their jobs due to the coronavirus and who are contractually allowed to work for another employer can take on this seasonal work while continuing to receive 80% of their salary from the government.

Interested parties should continue to check the Pick for Britain website regularly as it will continue to be updated with new opportunities as the demand for fruit and vegetable pickers grows over the coming months.

British workers will continue to have the opportunity to make some extra money and help to feed the nation right up until the autumn months.

Industry best practice guidance is available for growers to help ensure workers are safe and protected in their roles during the pandemic.

Edinburgh MSP raises concerns over UK-wide companies encouraging return to work

An SNP MSP has urged businesses in Scotland not to call staff back to work early while the coronavirus lockdown remains in place.

Gordon MacDonald, MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, raised concerns that some organisations which operate in Scotland are now encouraging employees to return to work, contrary to official Scottish Government advice.

The UK government is asking those who cannot work from home in England to start returning to the workplace. But the First Minister said she was “not yet encouraging more people to go back to work” in Scotland so that we can continue to protect our NHS and save lives.

Scottish businesses will be able to reopen as soon as they can safely do so, and the Scottish Government is working with employers and trade unions to set out how staff could return to work safely and as soon as possible.

Gordon MacDonald MSP said: “The Scottish Government has been clear and consistent in its advice to stay at home except for essential purposes, and is not yet encouraging people to go back to work so that we can protect our NHS and save lives. 

“However, it is concerning that some UK-wide companies, which have sites and employees based in Scotland, appear to be encouraging employees to return to work.

“It’s absolutely vital that the UK Government makes it clear that companies should following official guidelines from the devolved administrations, now that slight variations between Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, and England exist.

“We still have a long way to go to overcome this crisis. I would ask that all employers in Edinburgh and across Scotland follow Scottish government guidance, and I am very grateful that the vast majority of employers have been doing so throughout this pandemic.”

Local High Schools are finalists in Growing Future Assets Investment Competition

Girls from Craigmount High School and The Royal High School have beaten off stiff competition and made it to the final of the Growing Future Assets Competition.

Pitching their chosen companies L’Occitane & ASOS, the girls demonstrated determination, resilience and ingenuity when presenting their chosen business as a viable and recommended investment opportunity.

The Growing Future Assets Competition introduces senior schoolgirls across Scotland to the world of investment, its operation, relevance and impact as well as the range of careers available within the sector. It supports them towards developing an understanding that good investing is about the long-term prospects, profits and sustainability of a company.

Deputy First Minister, John Swinney, said: “The Future Asset Competition is an exciting opportunity for girls across the country to access professional information and advice about careers in investment, a sector where women are under-represented.

The process offers competitors the opportunity to enhance and develop their employability, financial, data analysis and presentation skills in a creative and real-life context, and I wish all those taking part this year the best of luck.”

Rob Woodward, Chair of the Developing the Young Workforce Employers’ Forum comments: “As Chair of the DYW National Employers’ Group I wish all participants in this competition the very best of luck. 

Learning the benefits of investment and helping companies to thrive sits at the heart of good business.  Given the current COVID-19 crisis the skills being judged will be at the heart of the business response to rebuilding the economy and creating future job opportunities.”

Tom Rae, Head Teacher, Craigmount High School comments: “Competitions like this are a really important way of preparing young people for the world of work, a key element now in all school curriculum structures.

“As well as promoting awareness of dispositions and skills, the  project also serves the purpose of advancing gender equality. Most importantly, I can see from the student feedback comments that they have all really enjoyed the experience – this is crucial, as learning should also be enjoyable, challenging, and change young peoples’ understanding of the world of work.”

Pauline Walker, Headteacher, The Royal High School comments: “The Future Asset competition has given our pupils the opportunity to excel at a time when everything that was familiar to them was stopping around them both in their school and globally. Despite the difficulties they showed resilience and determination to complete the project and to a very high standard.

“They worked collectively to produce a very high standard of work and used all the advice and support provided to them through the project leaders and their teacher Ms Collins.

“We are extremely proud of what they achieved and really look forward to seeing them complete in the final. They demonstrated what is very best about young people today and are growing and developing skills for life and work beyond school.”

Each of the participating teams were matched with investment mentors volunteering from investment companies who could provide advice and guidance, before presenting their conclusions in research reports and elevator pitch videos.

The teams had to complete their pitches during lockdown, showing great determination, resilience and ingenuity. The judging panel of investment professionals, who were extremely impressed by the high standard of entries, selected only four teams to take part in the online competition final via Zoom calls on 8 and 9 June 2020.  

Mentor for The Royal High School, Edinburgh, pitching ASOS, Louise MacDonald, Head of Compliance, Cameron Hume Limited comments: “To reach the final of The Future Asset Competition is a fantastic achievement for The Royal High School team , and very well deserved !

“To create and deliver a presentation of the highest quality, in the difficult environment we find ourselves in at the moment, is a real credit to the team. The approach the girls took to the competition was excellent; they were inquisitive, analytical and eager to learn and understand key concepts of the investment world.

“Above all else, they showed a willingness for teamwork, and truly listened to each other (and their mentors!) , which showed in the strength of their presentation. I wish them all the very best for the final.”

Mentor for Craigmount High School, Edinburgh, pitching L’Occitane, Danielle Dunlop, Investor Access Co-ordinator, Baillie Gifford & Co comments: “The girls at Craigmount have done a fantastic job in reaching the finals. 

“Their ability to grasp important investment principles and present a thoughtful and interesting pitch is highly impressive. I can see great potential for a future in investment.”

The winning team will receive £1000 for their school and £200 for each of the team members in vouchers of their choice, with the runner up receiving £500 for the school and £100 of vouchers for each team member.

Future Asset believes that being female should never be seen as a barrier to progressing in a chosen career.  Their goal is to enable girls in the senior phase of high school to learn how investment can change the world for the better, gain valuable, transferable skills and consider the benefits of possible future careers.

They organise conferences and workshops for girls across Scotland.

For more information visit https://www.futureasset.org.uk/