Blind and partially sighted people in Scotland who have been struggling to get food and groceries will now be offered priority access to online delivery slots from Iceland stores.
Where appropriate, those in need of support will be given an individualised code that will let them book available delivery slots on Thursday mornings between 9 and 10am, before other shoppers.
The move is intended to help those people with sight loss facing persistent difficulties accessing food, who have no available support from others, and live in a postcode area serviced by an Iceland store. Iceland currently operates within 22 of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas, including Edinburgh.
Sight loss charity RNIB Scotland said the move will be welcomed by many blind and partially sighted people living alone.
“Some people with sight loss have experienced a very anxious past three months,” said director James Adams. “As we entered lockdown the competition for delivery slots has increased, and many of our members reported that they were struggling to get access to their usual reliable supermarket delivery.
“This has been compounded by social distancing measures which are largely laid out with visual signs and markers, making it more difficult for people with sight loss to navigate shops safely. This move by Iceland will be a relief to many blind and partially shoppers.”
In a UK-wide survey undertaken by RNIB in May, 67 per cent of respondents had experienced difficulty finding a supermarket delivery slot, and three in four reported being very or quite concerned about getting access to food.
Since the lockdown began in March, RNIB has pressed government and supermarket chains to add blind and partially sighted people to their priority delivery lists.
Anyone with sight loss struggling to access food can call the RNIB Helpline on 0303 123 9999 between 8am and 8pm Monday-Friday and 9am and 5pm on Saturday and will be directed to the most suitable option in their local area.
A team of costume-clad superheroes and film characters have completed an epic 22 mile run from Dunfermline to Edinburgh to bring smiles to children and families at the Sick Kids hospital.
Starting from Glen Gates in Dunfermline, the band of heroes including Spiderman, Buzz Lightyear, Batgirl and Superman ran just under a marathon in full costume, before being piped through the Meadows and finishing up outside the hospital to visit their fans.
The superheroes initially teamed up during lockdown to bring some cheer to Dunfermline locals during difficult times. They are now taking part in the Lap the World challenge – a fundraising race between Edinburgh and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charities to virtually cover the distance around Scotland and the world’s Equator (50,087km) before 31 July.
The gang have raised an incredible £5700 so far for Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), which supports the Royal Hospital for Sick Children. They are part of an army of over 2000 participants that have signed up to help the charities Lap the World.
Buzz Lightyear, aka Andy Spence, says: “I’ve joined Team Edinburgh in the race to Lap the World as I’ve been a supporter of the Sick Kids since 2005, when they saved my daughter Hope’s life.
“Our family is so grateful to the wonderful hospital teams for everything they have done for us. Myself and my wife have clocked up many kilometres over the years by running marathons and half marathons to raise money for them. Hope has also signed up to the fundraising challenge, as without Team Edinburgh, we wouldn’t be Team Spence.
“Our team of superheroes are absolutely thrilled that we have now raised over £7000 for the charity and we hope to raise even more before the end of the challenge.”
Victoria Buchanan, from ECHC, said: “The Lap the World fundraising challenge has been bigger than we could ever have imagined, and who better to have on our team than some of the fastest superheroes on the planet as we race Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity to the finish line?
“We are so excited to have the superheroes on Team Edinburgh and would like to say a huge thank you to them for running such an incredible distance for the children, families and staff of the Sick Kids.
“Though the heroes are unfortunately unable to visit the wards at the moment, we know the kids would still have been amazed to see some of their favourite heroes and there would have been lots of smiles all round.”
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written and by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
Healthy Eating in Older Age
It is sometimes believed that older adults (65 years or over) do not need to eat as much because they may be less physically active than younger adults. However, eating a healthy and well-balanced diet is important for maintaining good health at all ages. Older adults are vulnerable to malnutrition and it is recommended that they eat the same amount as younger adults. We have some tips for eating well and looking after your heart in older age.
Keep an eye on your weight
The best way to know if you are eating too much or too little is to monitor your weight over time and check if your weight is stable. If you are losing weight without trying, you should speak to your GP.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration can occur when you lose more fluid through sweating and urination than you consume. Dehydration is a common problem in older adults. Try to drink 6 to 8 glasses or cups of non-alcoholic fluid every day, such as water, tea and coffee. Keeping hydrated can reduce your risk of a heart attack, while helping you to maintain your cognitive ability.
Get enough fibre
Constipation is a problem for many people in later life. Try to prevent constipation by staying physically active, keeping hydrated and eating foods that are high in fibre. Foods that are high in fibre, such as fruit and vegetables, wholemeal bread, wholemeal breakfast cereals and brown rice, play an important role in reducing your cholesterol and keeping your heart healthy.
Include good sources of protein every day
Eating adequate amounts of foods that are high in protein, as well as getting plenty of physical activity, can help to prevent muscle loss in older age. Good sources of protein include chicken or turkey, canned tuna, soybeans, tofu, eggs and dairy products. If you eat fish, try to eat two portions each week, one of which should be an oily fish, such as salmon, sardines or mackerel.
Include plenty of fruit and veg
Aim to have at least five portions of fruit and veg every day. Fruit and veg are packed with nutrients and fibre to help keep your heart healthy. Fresh, tinned, frozen and dried fruit and veg all count towards your five a day and you can count one glass of fresh juice as a portion.
Aldi has partnered with Edinburgh-based The Old Curiosity Distillery to launch a new small-batch premium gin which will be available from all 92 Aldi stores across Scotland.
The luxury spirit is set to delight aficionados across the country, who can now enjoy a deliciously pure, premium gin at the excellent price of just £19.99 (70cl, 40% ABV).
Eidyn (pronounced ee-din), named after the Scottish Gaelic for Edinburgh, has been developed exclusively for Aldi by The Old Curiosity Distillery, which is nestled in the lowlands below the Pentland Hills, just to the south of Edinburgh.
Famed for its captivating ‘Secret Garden’, home to over a thousand juniper bushes and more than five hundred different botanicals, The Old Curiosity Distillery was founded by renowned Scottish herbologist Hamish Martin.
The distillery uses a base spirit, which is then carefully blended with botanicals that are grown, picked and dried by hand, from their Secret Herb Garden, to create this outstanding natural product.
The exceptional quality and purity of this gin will shine through and is best served with a light tonic, a slice of lemon and a sprig of lemon thyme.
Eidyn has been lovingly blended with lemon thyme and lemon balm botanicals which produce fresh citrus notes followed by a crisp juniper finish. The stunning bottle, sure to take pride of place in any gin lover’s collection, features a striking turquoise and gold label, with the clear glass bottle etched with key herbs and botanicals featured in the liquid.
Hamish Martin, Director at The Old Curiosity Distillery, commented:“We’re thrilled to be working with Aldi to create a new and truly unique, premium gin. We are a family business and we put our passion and love into everything that we do, and we believe that comes through in the quality of the products that we create”.
“What makes Eidyn so special is the unique blend of fresh lemon thyme and dried lemon balm, juniper, angelica, winter savory and coriander, all of which are grown right here in our Secret Herb Garden using no chemicals what-so-ever to ensure the true essence of these fantastic botanicals are infused into every bottle”.
“I love growing the botanics with all my heart, and I’ve loved creating this new gin for Aldi. I truly hope their customers enjoy it.”
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland said:“It has been a long-term ambition of ours to partner with a leading Scottish distillery to develop a new, premium gin that will form part of our core range across Scotland.
“We are extremely proud to launch Eidyn Gin, which we know can happily hold its own amongst the leading gins across the country, while carrying an exceptionally competitive price. It’s been a real privilege working alongside The Old Curiosity Gin on this project, and witness the skill, care and passion that has gone into crafting this delicious gin.”
Eidyn perfect serves
G&T
– 50ml Eidyn Gin
– Low sugar tonic
Garnish: lemon slice and lemon thyme
Cocktail: ‘The South Eidyn Fizz’
– 50ml Eidyn Gin
– 25ml fresh lemon juice
– 12.5ml Elderflower cordial
– Club soda
– 8 mint leaves
Method: Place the mint leaves in the bottom of the shaker and lightly muddle. Add the gin, lemon juice and Elderflower cordial into the shaker and shake for 10 seconds until chilled. Double strain the liquid into a highball glass over cubed ice and garnish with mint sprig.
Since lockdown began at the end of March, Urban Union – a construction company which delivers large-scale, housing-led regeneration projects across Scotland – has handed over 23 properties and secured 52 reservations at its developments in Glasgow, Perth and Edinburgh.
To ensure none of its clients found themselves homeless during the coronavirus pandemic which put much of the UK housing market on hold, Urban Union has been using key safes, hosting video demonstrations and conducing handovers via FaceTime in order to continue operations in line with social distancing guidelines.
Urban Union, which is part of Robertson, one of the largest family-owned construction, infrastructure and support services businesses in the UK, has also been providing advice to those moving on how to do so responsibly to respect social distancing measures.
Neil McKay, Managing Director of Urban Union, said: “Coupled with the raising of the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax threshold for residential properties, it’s a promising sign for the industry that we have continued to see strong interest from new homebuyers.
“Despite the economic uncertainty and temporary hold on the property market, the extra time we’ve been spending at home has given many people the opportunity to reflect on what they want from their living spaces.
“Whether it’s extra room to work from home more comfortably or access to an outdoor space, many people will have re-evaluated their priorities when looking for a new place to call home and this has been reflected in the interest we have received over the last few months.”
Urban Union currently has a collection of properties ready to be called home at Muirton Living in Perth.
The Anderson and the Grant at Muirton Living in Perth are one-bedroom apartments perfect for first-time buyers ready to get onto the property ladder, with prices starting from £105,000. Featuring a bright open-plan kitchen and lounge, the properties also benefit from wide hallways, a spacious bathroom and built-in storage throughout, giving a real sense of modern living. The development also sits close to a number of shops and offers good transport links for those commuting to Perth city centre and Dundee.
Key workers interested in buying a new home at the Muirton Living development are also eligible to receive up to £2,500 from Urban Union as a thank you for their help and dedication during the COVID-10 crisis.
The Ross and the Adam at Pennywell Living in Edinburgh are one and two bedroom apartments available from £140,000.
Located only a few miles from the centre of Edinburgh, the development is ideal for those who work in the city centre with good bus services to and from the area. With a selection of primary and secondary schools, as well as a wealth of useful amenities in the area, the development would suit young professionals and families.
At Urban Union’s newest development – Pollokshaws Living in Glasgow’s Southside – there are a number of apartments available, including The Stewart, a one bedroom apartment priced from £160,000.
In addition, there are three types of two bedroom apartments – The Glen, The Collins and The Monteith – all of which start from £175,000.
For more information on the properties available, please visit
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is updating its advice to business owners and dutyholders as Scotland moves into phase three of its exit from Lockdown.
As Scotland sees an increase in ‘staycation’ holidays throughout the summer months, SFRS is urging holiday letting businesses and duty holders to ensure that premises being used as rental accommodation meet the appropriate level of fire safety provisions.
Scotland’s national fire service is urging business owners and duty holders to consider the following steps:
Carry out a fire risk assessment for your premises or a review of your existing fire safety risk assessment as soon as possible to determine if any further actions are required
Ensure that you have provided the required level of automatic fire detection to safeguard sleeping occupants
Ensure you have provided the required level of firefighting equipment
Ensure that occupants know what to do in the event of an emergency
Check that all means of escape routes are adequately protected to allow a safe evacuation
Alasdair Perry, SFRS Deputy Assistant Chief Officer for Prevention and Protection, said: “We appreciate that businesses and dutyholders who run holiday rentals will be excited to re-open and welcome people back to their facilities in the coming weeks and months.
“As demand for accommodation will undoubtedly increase, we are acutely aware that this could place pressure on business owners – however safety from fire must remain high on their priorities.
“We are therefore asking anyone who rents out a property as a holiday let to ensure that a thorough fire safety assessment has been carried out to determine if any action is required, before welcoming any guests to your facility.
“It is also important that those visiting are kept safe and aware of what fire safety measures are in place, and they know what to do should a fire occur during their stay.
“It goes without saying that these recent months have been trying times for Scotland as a whole, but we cannot become complacent and must continue to work together to drive down the risk of fire across the country.”
Recently, SFRS has also highlighted safety and awareness guidance to ensure that social distancing and protection measures within businesses do not impact on overall fire safety; and warned against the risk posed by excess stock and packaging.
As more and more retail outlets, public areas and workplaces continue to re-open, businesses and duty-holders are advised to ensure stock rooms and fire exits do not become blocked by surplus materials to allow for safe and easy passage in the event of an emergency or fire drill.
Premises owners and operators are also asked to look at the possibility of increasing waste collections to avoid overspill, and to ensure goods are stored safely and appropriately.
DACO Perry added: “We’ve already seen some businesses and buildings reopen, but we understand for many this will be the first time they will have opened their doors for quite some time.
“We appreciate that many workplaces will have taken robust measures to protect staff and members of the public through means such as the installation of plastic screening.
“However, we would also ask that businesses consider what impact any changes or installations could have on fire detection or fire safety measures.
“For example, it is possible that screening installation, along with any increased loading or materials in the premises, may obstruct automatic fire detection apparatus such as smoke alarms.
“We would also remind people to manage their premises for excess stock and waste and to consider if this would increase the risk of a fire, or hamper fire safety measures and escape plans.
“We would also remind both staff and members of the public that one-way systems in place, installed to manage social distancing, need not be followed in the event of any emergency. If fire occurs, occupants of buildings should continue to leave by the nearest exit or emergency route as quickly as possible.”
What If…North Edinburgh? (WINE) is a programme run by First Port to support local people to develop social enterprises to create jobs and do something worthwhile in the community. Run by the manager, Julie Smith, it has assisted people over the last year to start up businesses doing sewing and tailoring, running markets and making crafts.
WINE offers workshops, training and discussions on various topics from ‘what is a social enterprise’ to managing your finances. It started a digital training course for local people just before lockdown, to include things like using social media, creating your own posters, how to sell online. That had to stop, but Julie is keen to offer training, this time online. She wants to know what would be useful for people.
“I got a really good tutor in from an organisation called Mhor Collective”, Julie explained. “They do a lot of work around what people want to learn, their motivation etc and don’t just have a set course they deliver. It’s tailored to people’s needs.
“Since lockdown, we’ve all seen how important having access to the internet it. But it’s hard if you can’t afford broadband or data – and if you have to share one tablet or phone between a whole family. I know a lot of people will have been doing home schooling too online, a very new thing for everybody!
“I’m doing a survey of people in north Edinburgh to find out what they’d like to learn to do, or do better using technology. We can then put on a course based on those needs. It’ll be great to build on the skills people already have and maybe identify some digital champions locally who can then go on to support others.”
The survey is straightforward and shouldn’t take too long.
“It’s important we get as many views from as many people as possible. If you need a paper copy of the survey, let me know. And pass it on to others!’’
Scotland’s largest pro-EU organisation, the European Movement in Scotland, has today launched a campaign calling on the UK government to reverse changes to its rules about how EU citizens living in this country can become British citizens.
It has urged that it extend to EU citizens the same rights as it proposes to those British ‘overseas citizens’ in the UK.
Under UK nationality law, EU citizens can normally apply to become British after they have lived in the UK for a total of 5 or 6 years (depending on whether or not they were married to a UK citizen).
Many EU citizens who have made their home in the UK have decided after Brexit that they wish to apply for UK nationality. This will give them the full range of rights and duties which apply to all UK citizens.
EU citizens who have lived in the UK for 5 years can currently apply for ‘settled status’, which gives them broadly the same rights which they had as EU citizens before Brexit, although it does not give them the full rights enjoyed by citizens. Until recently, if EU citizens had settled status, the process of acquiring UK nationality was relatively straightforward in most cases.
However, the UK Home Office has now changed the way it deals with applications by EU citizens to become British citizens, even if they have lived here for more than five years and have ‘settled status’. The main change is that in many cases, they may have been asked to show they have had ‘comprehensive sickness insurance’ (CSI) for that period. Paying national insurance does not count as comprehensive sickness insurance.
Like everyone else, most EU citizens living in the UK work and therefore pay income tax and national insurance (our payment into a national system for sickness insurance). But, also like everyone else, few have taken out ‘comprehensive sickness insurance’. Even payments into private medical insurance may not count.
If the UK government enforces this requirement rigorously, many EU citizens who have resided in the UK for more than 5 years will now have to wait another 5 years before they can apply to become British citizens. This requirement to have had comprehensive sickness insurance is not imposed on other foreign nationals who wish to apply to become British citizens.
These new rules have caused many EU citizens in the UK a great deal of concern.
She said: “Many of those EU citizens who have made their home in the UK, decided after Brexit that they wanted to apply for UK nationality. This provides the full range of rights and duties that apply to all UK citizens and is the only way to escape the uncertainties Brexit has caused for us.
“Many of us have British spouses and children and we therefore want to ensure our right to stay here beyond any doubt and without having to constantly worry about our rights.
“The application process should be straightforward and many EU citizens applied in good faith, just to be surprised by a new Comprehensive Sickness Insurance rule introduced by the Home Office in May 2020. The guidance did not clarify whether this would be applicable only to new applications and EU citizens began to worry that this new rule would be applied in retrospect to applications pending.
“They were right to worry as recently cases of applicants who submitted before May and have now been asked to provide proof of CSI have emerged. This is not okay. The CSI rule in itself is questionable and the fact that voluntary National Insurance contributions are not accepted as such makes no sense. But to apply a rule in retrospect to applications pending, for which people have paid a non-refundable fee of £1349.20 (plus fees for language and Life in the UK tests) in good faith is completely unacceptable.
“In addition, many of us have been waiting for more than the six months promised processing time by the Home Office (waiting times of up to 15 months have been recorded), which means that we should have received a decision before the introduction of the CSI rule in May 2020.
“Since Brexit, the whole process of having to apply for Settled Status to be allowed to stay in our own homes has been degrading and the new, unnecessary hurdles in terms of British Citizenship create uncertainty and anxiety for many EU citizens and their families. CSI as a requirement for British Citizenship should be abolished.”
The European Movement in Scotland is supporting these EU citizens in their campaign to get this rule change reversed.
It is urging all MPs in Scotland to contact the Home Secretary to ask her to reconsider the decision.
The chair of the European Movement in Scotland, Mark Lazarowicz, said: “This change will mean that many EU citizens residing in the UK who had decided they wished to make the commitment of acquiring British citizenship will be deterred from doing so at this stage.
“Many of them have spent decades in the UK, perhaps almost their entire lives. They will have paid taxes and made a contribution to our community. If, after so many years, they wish to become British citizens, they should be encouraged to do so, and not have new obstacles put in their way.
“The UK government has, rightly, opened up the possibility of full British citizenship and a right to reside in the UK to more than three million British ‘overseas citizens’ in Hong Kong. It is surely right that EU citizens who have made their home in the UK for many years should be made equally welcome”.
The UK Government has secured early access to 90 million vaccine doses from the BioNTech/Pfizer alliance and Valneva with more in the pipeline as part of its strategy to build a portfolio of promising new vaccines to protect the UK from Covid-19
In addition, treatments containing Covid-19-neutralising antibodies have been secured from AstraZeneca to protect those who cannot receive vaccines
UK public encouraged to sign up to a new NHS website to make it quicker and easier for potential volunteers to join vital studies that could help save lives – the aim is to get 500,000 people signed up by October
Millions of people could be vaccinated against coronavirus as the UK secures early access to 90 million doses of promising Covid-19 vaccine candidates.
Announced by Business Secretary Alok Sharma today, the UK Government has agreed significant partnerships with leading pharmaceutical and vaccine companies BioNTech/Pfizer and Valneva that are developing innovative new vaccines to protect people against Covid-19.
The Government has also secured access to treatments containing Covid-19-neutralising antibodies from AstraZeneca to protect those who cannot receive vaccines such as cancer and immunocompromised patients.
As a result of these partnerships, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland could have access to enough doses to vaccinate and protect priority groups identified, such as frontline health and social care workers and those at increased health risk.
With today’s announcement, the Government has now secured access to three different types of Covid-19 vaccines that are being developed here and around the world, giving the UK the most likely chance of getting access to a safe and effective vaccine at the quickest speed.
The Government has also today launched the NHS Covid-19 vaccine research registry. This new website will enable people in the UK to play their part by volunteering for future vaccine studies.
The new online service will allow members of the public to register their interest and be contacted to participate in clinical studies. To enable large-scale vaccine studies to take place across the UK, the aim is to get 500,000 people signed up by October, which is considered vital in the fight against coronavirus.
Clinical studies with hundreds of thousands of volunteers will help scientists and researchers better understand the effectiveness of each vaccine candidate and will considerably speed up efforts to discover a safe and workable vaccine.
The Government is also working with ZOE, the health science company using data driven research and behind the popular symptom study app and site, to look at collaborating around vaccine studies and to help their volunteers hear about how to sign up to the NHS registry.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “The hunt to find a vaccine is a truly global endeavour and we are doing everything we can to ensure the British public get access to a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine as soon as possible.
“This new partnership with some of the world’s foremost pharmaceutical and vaccine companies will ensure the UK has the best chance possible of securing a vaccine that protects those most at risk.
“The public can also play their part in vaccine research through the new NHS vaccine research register. By signing up and participating in important clinical studies, together we can speed up the search for a vaccine and end the pandemic sooner.”
Through its partnership with Valneva, which has a factory in Livingston, the UK Government is expected to contribute to UK clinical studies costs and is negotiating funding to expand Valneva’s Scottish facility.
This increased manufacturing capacity could potentially supply up to 100 million vaccine doses to the UK and internationally. This will create high-skilled jobs in the local area and contribute significantly to the local economy.
The Livingston facility is in addition to the new Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC) which is currently under construction in Oxfordshire thanks to a £93 million investment from the Government. When completed in summer 2021, the facility will have flexible capacity to manufacture vaccine doses at scale.
Chair of the Vaccine Taskforce Kate Bingham said: “The Vaccine Taskforce is investing in a diverse portfolio of vaccine candidates to maximise the chances of finding a vaccine quickly that meets the UK’s rigorous regulatory and safety standards.
“The fact that we have so many promising candidates already shows the unprecedented pace at which we are moving. But I urge against being complacent or over optimistic. The fact remains we may never get a vaccine and if we do get one, we have to be prepared that it may not be a vaccine which prevents getting the virus, but rather one that reduces symptoms.”
Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) head said: “Thanks to COVID-19 patients’ willingness to take part in treatment studies, we’ve been able to identify treatments that work and ones that don’t, which has improved patient care world-wide.
“Now that there are several promising vaccines on the horizon, we need to call again on the generosity of the public to help find out which potential vaccines are the most effective.
“Using a new NHS website developed in partnership between the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and NHS Digital, people across the UK can register their interest to be approached to join a vaccine study. Please go to the website and consider volunteering.”
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said: “A safe and effective vaccine is our best hope of defeating coronavirus and returning to life as normal.
We have some of our best scientists and researchers working on this, but members of the public have a vital role to play too. So I urge everyone who can to back the national effort and sign up to the NHS COVID-19 vaccine research registry to help find a vaccine as soon as possible.
“Every volunteer will be doing their bit towards finding a vaccine for COVID-19 that will have the potential to save millions of lives around the world and bring this pandemic to an end.”
Today’s announcement follows an existing global licensing agreement signed with AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford to research, develop and manufacture a Covid-19 vaccine for the UK public. AstraZeneca will work to produce 100 million doses for the UK in total.
As part of a wider £131 million investment by the Government, support has also been given to Imperial College London to develop their vaccine candidate, which started human studies in June.
In addition, the UK Government has committed £250m to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) – the biggest investment of any country – to support equitable and affordable access to new coronavirus vaccines and treatments around the world.
