Now in its second year, the Scots Language Publication Grant was created by the Scots Language Resource Network to support Scots publishers and to encourage Scots writers. It is funded by the Scottish Government and administered by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing.
Applications were assessed by a panel with expertise in Scots and publishing, including a writer and representatives from Creative Scotland, Education Scotland and Publishing Scotland.
The successful titles are:
The Itchy Coo Book of Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Saviour Pirotta, illustrated by Emma Chichester Clark, translated by Matthew Fitt and James Robertson (Itchy Coo/Black & White Publishing)
Duck Feet by Ely Percy (Monstrous Regiment Publishing)
The Leerie by Stuart Armstrong & Joseph Daly (Leerie Press)
A Nicht Afore Christmas by Irene McFarlane & Rosemary Cunningham (Tippermuir Books)
Ghost Polis by Matthew Fitt,
But N Ben a Go Go (audiobook) by Matthew Fitt,
Scotsaga by Donald Smith,
A Short Story Collection in Scots by Gerda Stevenson and The Classics in Scots by William Imray Brown(Luath).
The Scots Language Publication Grant provides assistance for publishing new work (including translated texts), reprinting existing historical or culturally significant work, and also effective marketing and promotion of existing and new work.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney, said:“The Scottish Government is a strong supporter of our indigenous languages, including Scots.
“We want to support those who wish to learn and use the language and access new and exciting reading materials. These books are for adults and children, encouraging a love of Scots from an early age.
“We have invested £30,000 funding towards the Scottish Book Trust grant for publishers. This is the second year that we have supported the grant and it is hoped it will foster the development of new writers.”
Rhona Alcorn, CEO of Scottish Language Dictionaries and Chair of The Scots Language Resource Network, said:“The Scots Language Resource Network is incredibly proud of this grant.
“By helping Scots publishers publish new work in Scots, we directly influence the number of titles on the Scots language shelves of libraries and book shops, real and virtual. For those for whom Scots is a first or subsequent language, this broadening of choice is immensely gratifying.”
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:“It’s fantastic to see a diverse range of titles receiving the Scots Publication Grant: from classic fairy tales to brand new zines.
“Our thanks to the Scottish Language Resource Network for their excellent recommendations, and to the Scottish Government for funding this programme which helps to support publications in the Scots language.”
A Short Story Collection in Scots is by Gerda Stevenson, anaward-winning writer, actor, theatre director and singer-songwriter. She has worked on stage, television, radio, film and in opera, throughout the UK and abroad.
Gerda Stevenson said: “I look forward to the challenge of another creative journey into the unknown with the supple Scots language, and appreciate the support of this grant.”
Scotsaga will be a bold reinvention in one interlinked narrative of Norse sagas, myths, folktales and legends connected with Scotland.
Donald Smith said: “I am honoured to receive support from the Scots Publication Grant fund. I want to show how Scots takes us into new areas of cultural expression and linguistic virtuosity. I hope that Scotsaga will intrigue readers and sustain the role of Scots as an international literary medium.”
Family brand unveils huge haul as climax to summer giveaways
A BRAND renowned for its sweet treats is set to grant a popular wish – by awarding a lifetime supply of its famed ice cream to a lucky fan.
As the culmination of its “Summer of Simple Pleasures” promotion, Mackie’s of Scotland are offering the chance to win a lifetime supply of their ice cream – two litre tubs every month for life. Entries are open this week and all entrants from the 10 weeks of giveaways will be included in this final draw.
The campaign is the Aberdeenshire family firm’s largest ever on-pack and online competition, with ten weeks of carefully curated prizes intended to provide the winners with simple joy.
So far more than 50,000 people have entered to win prizes celebrating ice cream but also many other simple pleasures such as cooking for friends and family, listening to music, receiving unexpected flowers – and even the simple pleasure of clean new sheets with a bed makeover.
Karin Hayhow, Marketing Director at Mackie’s of Scotland, said: “We couldn’t host our summer campaign about simple pleasures without incorporating our favourite simple pleasure of all…which is, of course, ice cream!
“We are having fun helping people celebrate the simple things in life, because they can often be the best and bring the most joy.
“The response so far has been great and we are looking forward to making someone’s childhood dream of winning a lifetime supply of ice cream become a reality!”.
500,000 tubs of Mackie’s original and bestselling “Traditional” ice cream have been specially designed to coincide with the UK-wide campaign. Its ice cream is made simply and naturally, using fresh milk and cream on the fourth generation family dairy farm in rural Aberdeenshire.
It’s not the first time Mackie’s has given away the lifetime supply prize, with a fan from Swindon securing the big prize four years ago, coinciding with Mackie’s 30th anniversary producing ice cream.
The company’s ‘sky to scoop’ ethos sees it create everything from milk to its packaging on-site, renewable energy is a cornerstone of the business – with four wind turbines, a 10-acre solar farm and a biomass energy plant providing over 80% of the company’s energy requirement.
The lifetime supply of ice cream winner will be drawn at random on Monday 7th September (closing midnight on Sunday 6th September) – the simple entry form is at www.mackies.co.uk/simplepleasures
Edinburgh International Film Festival and Unique Events, organisers of Edinburgh’s brand new Drive In Movies event, have hailed the opening weekend a huge success.
Over 4,000 people flocked to Edinburgh Airport to experience a 4-day outdoor cinema extravaganza, supported by Edinburgh Live, for people of all ages which included family favourites, all-time classics and thrilling blockbusters.
PIC: Lloyd Smith
Tickets for the next Drive-in Movies (24 – 27 September) are now on sale at edinburghdrivein.co.uk with another packed programme of cinema classics including Back to the Future, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Mamma Mia! Rocketman, Toy Story and Mean Girls, among others.
The opening weekend of Drive-in Movies saw thousands of people from Edinburgh and Lothians enjoying a fantastic outdoor cinematic experience in the comfort of their own vehicles and in the unique surroundings of Edinburgh Airport.
Strictly following the health and safety regulations and the Scottish Government’s advice, Drive-in Movies offered a safe and fun environment for people of all ages to experience what was the first post-lockdown outdoor event for many.
A top-notch selection of films was shown on a state of the art 100sqm LED screen, one of the largest mobile screens in the world with the audio broadcast straight to cars, for audiences to control the soundtrack.
Audiences sang along to Sunshine on Leith and Grease, shed a tear at Up, fell in love during William Shakespeare’s Romeo + Juliet and enjoyed the planes landing and taking off nearby which was a particular treat at the screenings of Con Air and Airplane!
Prior to each film, audiences had a chance to sample some of the best fish and chips in the country from seafood specialists Alandas and those not behind the wheel, Edinburgh-based award-winning brewery’s Cold Town Beer.
Nairn’s Oatcakes distributed their ever-so-popular Oat Bars as a special treat for families who came to see Up and Mary Poppins Returns. Popular Edinburgh DJ Stewart Calverto became Captain Calverto as he warmed up the crowds with car disco and quizzes with spot prizes.
PIC: Lloyd Smith
Audiences took to social media to share their views of the event:
‘Great afternoon at #Edinburghdrivein @EdinburghAirpo1 Brilliantly presented by @UniqueEventsltd and @edfilmfest’
‘Had an epic time tonight at seeing alien at #EdinburghDriveIn, great set up’
‘brilliant night out at #EdinburghDriveIn’
‘Dreamy night at the drive-in. Thank you for the brilliant escape @edfilmfest @UniqueEventsltd’
Drive-in Movies continues during the last weekend of every month for the rest of the year. September dates are confirmed as 24 to 27 September and the organisers are now pleased to reveal first titles for the event, an exciting selection of cult films and blockbusters: Back to the Future (1985) with some of the most recognisable lines and the inimitable Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd, Big Trouble in Little China with Kurt Russell (1986), John Hughes’ Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986), all-time family favourite Toy Story (1995), teen comedy classic Mean Girls (2004), Drive (2011) with Ryan Gosling, and more recent hits, a homage to ABBA featuring Meryl Streep, Mamma Mia! (2008), Spike Lee’s Blackkklansman (2018), Incredibles 2 (2018) and Elton John’s biopic, Rocketman (2019).
Council Leader ADAM McVEY writes in the Evening News as the newspaper launches its Recovery Edinburgh campaign:
The past few months have been incredibly tough. The pandemic brought with it immense and abrupt change and a great deal of uncertainty about what was coming next.
However, our city has been faced with huge challenges before and has emerged the other side – stronger.
Our world-renowned festivals were born out of the ashes of WW2 and it is this deep-rooted spirit of creativity, among other things, that will see us flourish again as Edinburgh starts to recover from COVID-19.
Without losing focus from continuing to battle this virus and supporting the incredible efforts of our colleagues in health and social care, we’re planning and working towards the city that we want Edinburgh to become. This will challenge us all but with much to be done, it’s not something that we can shy away from or shelve for another day.
While we are very much thinking long-term, there is a need for short term action to provide immediate support to our local businesses and hospitality sector.
That’s why we have joined up with the Edinburgh Tourism and Action Group (ETAG) and other industry partners to launch the Forever Edinburgh campaign, encouraging all of Edinburgh’s residents and visitors to get back into the city, rediscover and fall in love with it all over again.
Adapting our city for the months ahead and thinking about its longer-term renewal must start now. We should not aim to return Edinburgh to where it was before the pandemic but to collectively strive to make this wonderful city even greater than it was before. Amongst all the challenges there is an opportunity to be grabbed to build an even better city for the future.
Back in 2018 we asked Edinburgers what they wanted their city to be like in 2050.
Resoundingly you told us it should be greener, welcoming, a place where people are happy, healthy and safe. You said you want your Edinburgh to thrive as a clean, green, sustainable City. And that it should be fair – a Capital which is inclusive, affordable and connected. You also said that that the Edinburgh of the future needs to be pioneering and value culture, business and data.
While clearly much has happened since then – I believe these values hold true; that they should become the cornerstones that Edinburgh is rebuilt on, our foundations for the next 30 years and beyond.
This vision could not have been formed without input from Edinburgh’s people and it cannot be delivered without all of us pulling for it. The same can be said for our recovery from COVID. We have to do this as one team: building a better Edinburgh, together.
Since March, our residents have cared for loved ones across our communities by following the government guidance: observing lockdown measures, implementing physical distancing and looking after our more vulnerable people.
Recently we asked you to invest in your communities by getting back into the town centres and supporting local businesses, but of course, only in a manner you feel safe and comfortable doing so.
Thanks to the gradual yet continued relaxation of lockdown measures, people are enjoying some elements of normal life again although they might look quite different now – bars and restaurants are open, and cultural attractions following with many businesses planning for their teams to return to work.
This year, we took Festivals online with several events like the Book Festival and the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival very well attended digitally. It might not have been the August that we’re used to but it reminds us of our city’s unique atmosphere which we can look forward to enjoying fully next year.
I know there was a collective sigh of relief at the news of shielding being paused at the start of August and we were able to see our older or infirm friends and family again – an emotional reunion for sure.
We’ve worked hard to bring back as many services as we can as quickly and safely as possible. Schools reopened earlier this month and we’re continually working to keep up with the changing circumstances and ensure our children’s education isn’t interrupted like it was earlier this year.
While work is underway on some parts of our recovery plan, there are many elements to be discussed and choices to be made in the short and long term. How we do this needs to be a collective conversation and there will be further opportunities for each and every person in Edinburgh to have their say in what happens next.
Our priority has always been to look after our most vulnerable people – that’s not going to change. We need to build on the great work being done by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission to support those who need it and use the crisis to inform how we tackle poverty in our city in the future.
Meanwhile, following a decade of growth, a new tourism strategy will see a fundamental change in how we approach attracting and managing visitors to our city. There is an all-important balance that has to be struck between attracting tourists and protecting the things that bring them here in the first place.
We also have a duty of care for the 30,000 people who are employed in our tourism industry. How do we make their jobs more sustainable? How do we make sure they have rewarding careers?
This stretches across much more than tourism of course and we need take steps now so that our young people leaving school have jobs to go to and careers to develop.
We’re exploring options with leaders from across Edinburgh’s employability and skills sector about what we can do as a City to best support the younger workforce and people who are disproportionately affected by the way Covid has hit our economy As part of this, we’re speaking to employers about expanding our Edinburgh Guarantee to create the training, education and job opportunities we need.
This crisis has shone a light on the health of our people and planet and, as we plan our recovery, we will also need to grapple with climate change, sustainability and accessibility. We made a commitment as a Council to be net zero carbon by 2030 and we must hold to that commitment.
During lockdown we implemented several measures to increase active travel, making it easier for people to walk and cycle around.
Things like pedestrianising streets, widening cycle paths and the new Waverley Masterplan to improve rail integration in our city – these are the types of actions with positive carbon impacts that can help Edinburgh to become a more people and environmentally friendly place to live. For now – and for the next 30 years.
There is a lot of work to be done, and we know that. But we also know that it can only be done together, working as one team Edinburgh to bring the city to a new glory, rather than returning it to its former one.
Edinburgh and its residents will bounce back, I have no doubt. We don’t have to sacrifice our long-term goals to do so and we can build a better Edinburgh for us all.
– 300 professional florists to offer handmade bouquet service across the UK this Autumn –
– Research shows flowers are the country’s most popular lockdown purchase, with online searches up 277% –
Morrisons is doubling the number of fully-qualified, expert florists in its stores to 300 this Autumn – to provide fresh, bespoke bouquets for its customers.
The supermarket is expanding its instore florist shops, which will see a further 60 florist stations installed across the UK – to take the total to over 100.
The new florist shops will provide 180 additional roles for qualified professional florists, who may be out of work following the impact that the pandemic has had on the high street.
Recent Google data has found that flowers have been one of the country’s most popular online purchases during lockdown, with online searches up 277 per cent. Morrisons is currently selling over four million flower stems every week.
Morrisons is doubling the number of fully-qualified, expert florists in its stores to 300 this Autumn – to provide fresh, bespoke bouquets for its customers. The supermarket is expanding its instore florist shops, which will see a further 60 florist stations installed across the UK – to take the total to over 100.
The new florist shops will provide 180 additional roles for qualified professional florists, who may be out of work following the impact that the pandemic has had on the high street.
Recent Google data has found that flowers have been one of the country’s most popular online purchases during lockdown, with online searches up 277 per cent. Morrisons is currently selling over four million flower stems every week.
All Morrisons florists will offer a handmade-to-order bouquet service, with customers able to choose from 75 different stem varieties. Bouquets can be crafted for any occasion and to any budget. They are prepared whilst customers do their weekly shop.
For more information, please contact the Morrisons press office at The Academy morrisons@theacademypr.com
All Morrisons florists will offer a handmade-to-order bouquet service, with customers able to choose from 75 different stem varieties. Bouquets can be crafted for any occasion and to any budget. They are prepared whilst customers do their weekly shop.
Morrisons offers a five day freshness guarantee for all of its flowers in the home. The supermarket works closely with growers to plant their fields and has one of the quickest ‘field to store’ transit times. Stems are delivered fresh to stores each day, sourced from FlowerWorld – a 17.5 acre flower site, wholly owned by the supermarket.
The prices of Morrison’s bouquets are up to a third lower than those from well-known national online florists as it has direct relationships with growers rather than working with wholesalers.
Jane Watson, Flowers Manager at Morrisons said: “Flowers make people feel happier – with their beautiful shapes, bright colours and scents. We work with some of the best growers in the world and have some of the best stems.
“So we wanted to have the best florists in store to make bouquets for our customers. It’s been a difficult year for the flower industry, and we hope this also provides good job prospects for florists looking for work.”
To place an order or find the nearest Morrisons florist, visit www.morrisons.co.uk.
A survey of EIS union Reps in schools has confirmed that there is still a considerable amount of work to be done to ensure that schools are COVID-secure environments.
The EIS issued the survey last month following the re-opening of schools and received responses from almost 600 schools across the country.
Amongst the key issues of concern identified by school reps were:
92% of Reps reported no reductions in class sizes to enable effective physical distancing
30% of Reps reported that physical distancing between staff and pupils was not in place in their school
49% of Secondary school Reps reported no change to timetables or class groups to support physical distancing measures
10% of Reps reported that physical distancing between staff is not in place in their school
43% of Reps reported deficiencies in the delivery of agreed COVID mitigations in schools
31% of Reps reported that face coverings were not being worn where physical distancing was not possible
7% of Reps reported that teachers in more at-risk groups (such as those previously shielding, those who were pregnant, teachers from BAME groups) had not received support in requesting individual risk assessments to ensure their safety.
Commenting, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said, “The results of our survey of school Reps make for worrying reading. While local authorities have taken numerous steps to make schools safer, there is still much to be done to ensure that all schools are as COVID-safe as they can possibly be.
“It is clear from the results of our survey that class groups are still too large to facilitate effective physical distancing measures, potentially placing staff and pupils alike at greater risk of COVID infection. While this is an issue in all schools, it is a particularly acute concern in the secondary sector where older pupils are at a greater risk of developing symptoms and of spreading the virus.”
Mr Flanagan added: “Teachers and pupils have a right to work in a safe and secure environment, so all possible steps must be taken to ensure that our schools are COVID-secure.
“The most effective means to ensure this is through physical distancing, which will require smaller classes and an increased number of teaching staff. Local authorities and the Scottish Government must act urgently to step up the deployment of the additional teaching staff required to ensure that all schools can operate safely in the weeks and months ahead.”
A copy of the report on the EIS national Reps’ survey is available here, for information.
It seems parents may be erring on the side of caution as over 100,000 pupils were marked absent from school last Friday, many suffering from cold-like symptoms.
Earlier this week national clinical director Dr Jason Leitch wrote an open letter to parents, offering advice and guidance on what parents and carers should do if their children are suffering from bugs and colds.
Ensuring Scotland’s economic, health, and social recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is the focus of this year’s Programme for Government.
Speaking in Parliament yesterday, the First Minister said the Scottish Government would prioritise work to suppress the virus – building on its commitment to COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, and surveillance.
The COVID-19 response will be bolstered with the launch of Protect Scotland, a new proximity tracing app, later this month. The app will add an additional means of notifying people that they may have been exposed to the virus and that they should isolate to prevent onward transmission.
The First Minister also set out the government’s plans for renewal while ensuring a green recovery is at the heart of the economic recovery, with job creation, support for health and wellbeing and work to tackle inequalities all high on the agenda.
A National Transition Training Fund will support up to 10,000 people at risk of redundancy or unemployment. The Scottish Youth Guarantee will ensure every young person has the opportunity of work, education, or training.
A new £100 million Green Jobs Fund will be created while a new Inward Investment Plan will create 100,000 high value jobs over the next decade and boost GDP.
The pandemic has also reiterated the need for a radical rethink of social care. An independent review of the care system will be established to examine how adult social care can be most effectively reformed to deliver a national approach to care and support services. This will include consideration of a National Care Service.
In order to support families, applications for the Scottish Child Payment will open in November 2020, with the first payments to be made in February 2021.
A new £10 million Tenant Hardship Loan Fund will protect people from homelessness by providing interest-free loans for those struggling to pay their rent and there will be a ban on evictions until March 2021.
Other measures include:
accelerating the roll-out of Community Treatment and Assessment Centres so more people can receive medical care in their community rather than going to hospital
expanding digital access to health care to ensure more people can get the help they need
£1.6 billion low carbon funding to secure a just transition to a net zero economy, including a £100 million Green Jobs Fund, investment in heat and energy efficiency and industrial decarbonisation
a 20 year vision for energy efficient, zero carbon housing, with access to outdoor space, transport links, digital connectivity and community services
£500 million for infrastructure to support active travel
bringing 50,000 people into the digital world through the Connecting Scotland programme and creating a world class digital eco-system in Scotland
introducing legislation on domestic abuse protection orders and progressing legislation to improve forensic medical examinations for victims of sexual assault
The First Minister said: “The COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a profound impact on our health and wellbeing, on business and the economy – indeed, on our whole way of life. That is true here in Scotland, and across the globe.
“Today’s Programme is clear that suppressing COVID is our most immediate priority – and it will remain so for some time. However, it also makes clear that we will not simply hunker down and wait for the storm to pass.
“This Programme for Government sets out plans for a stronger, more resilient and sustainable economy – with a laser focus on creating new, good, green jobs.
“It guarantees opportunities for young people – and refuses to accept that their generation will carry the economic scars of COVID into adulthood.
“It sets out plans to strengthen and reform our public services, including our NHS. And it takes the first step on the road to a National Care Service.
“It promotes equality and wellbeing, with decisive action to combat child poverty. At its heart is the new, game-changing Scottish Child Payment.
“We must treat the COVID-19 challenge not as a brake on our ambitions but as an accelerant – helping us shape a stronger, greener, fairer future.”
STUC welcome National Care Service commitment in Programme for Government, but raise concerns around Fair Work
STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “While we strongly support many of the aspirations in today’s Programme for Government, aspirations aren’t enough and it will take a serious stimulus package to deliver the sort of transformative change being talked about by the First Minister.
“We welcome the First Minister’s commitment to review adult social care and support for a National Care Service. This is a very important development that we have long called for. However, it is deeply disappointing that trade unions representing the workers in this sector have not been offered a seat at the table for any review in order to hold the Scottish Government to account and represent our members.
“Additionally, given the scandal that has unfolded across our care services and the sub-standard employment practices that have been uncovered the Government must commit now to ensuring that the profit motive is removed from any future social care model and Fair Work issues are addressed as an urgent priority.
“We commend the Programme’s ambition of building a green economy. Unfortunately, the level of investment to create a zero-carbon economy is simply too small to meet the scale of the challenge. Supporting workers to upskill and retrain is important, but it counts for little when there is currently a lack of jobs and demand in the green economy.
“We need to see major investment and intervention and would have liked to have seen an extension of public ownership in key areas like transport, construction and energy to ensure that the government’s aspirations can be delivered effectively.
“Where money is invested it is essential that it comes with Fair Work conditionality attached. We are disappointed that the Fair Work agenda and conditionality has not featured more heavily in today’s programme.
“We would also have liked to have seen more commitment to increased funding for local government, which is absolutely vital if we are to ensure services in local communities for our most vulnerable.
“Overall the programme is full of the right ambitions, but it’s too cash tight. We will continue to call on both the UK and Scottish Governments to work together to deliver the level of stimulus our economy so desperately needs as this investment can’t wait for the debate on independence to be resolved.
“Today’s programme has good potential, but we need more investment to ensure real transformative change in our society.”
Joanna Barrett, NSPCC policy and public affairs manager, said: “It is clearly right that Covid-19 recovery, including for children, is at the heart of this year’s Programme for Government.
“Calls to our Childline service from children and young people who had experienced sexual abuse in the home tripled during lockdown. And there was an increase in referrals from our helpline to Scottish agencies, due to parental behaviour, physical and emotional abuse and neglect, during this time.
“It is, therefore, crucial that any efforts to support children recover from the effects of the pandemic, especially those focusing on mental health, include specialist and timely treatment for those who have endured traumatic experiences, such as abuse and neglect.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has reinstated coronavirus restrictions in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire following a rise in cases. pic.twitter.com/OzmfBFdu90
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has reimposed restrictions in Glasgow City, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire following a rise in cases.
66 new positive tests have been recorded in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area.
The news was announced at 6:15pm.
Following an increase in the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire, additional restrictions will be introduced for people living in these areas for an initial two week period.
From midnight (Tuesday 1 September), the restrictions are as follows:
people in the Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire local authority areas should not meet with people from other households in indoor household settings, whether in these areas or elsewhere. Members of different households can continue to meet outdoors, including in gardens, and in hospitality settings, provided all existing guidance is followed
if anyone living in these areas is identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, they and all those in their household group should self-isolate for 14 days
indoor visits to hospitals and care homes will be limited to essential visits only to protect the most vulnerable. Outdoor visits to care homes are permitted by three people from a maximum of two households, in line with current guidance.
Those households who have formed an extended household and people providing care and support – for example caring for an elderly family member or delivering shopping – can continue to meet indoors with enhanced hygiene measures in place.
People living in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire who were previously shielding are asked to be particularly vigilant.
Schools and nurseries will remain open, and plans for the opening of colleges and universities remain in place.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The rise in new COVID-19 cases in all three of these local authority areas is of significant concern and these figures remind us all that the virus has not gone away. We are at a stage of this pandemic where we must all act with extreme caution.
“Following discussions with local public health officials and local authorities, it is necessary to ask people in Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and East Renfrewshire to limit their contact with other households.
“People living in these areas should not meet with other households in indoor household settings for at least two weeks, except where they are providing essential care and support, or have formed an extended household. People can continue to meet other households outside and in other settings but I would ask everyone to be extra vigilant, to follow all guidance and to isolate and book a test if they have any symptoms.
“Above all, I want to emphasise that getting a test – and even getting a negative result – is not a substitute for self-isolating. If you have symptoms, or if you are contacted by our Test and Protect team and told to do so, you will need to self-isolate.
“I understand this will not be welcome news for people living in Glasgow, East Renfrewshire and West Dunbartonshire but it is necessary to help us limit the spread of COVID-19. Acting now gives us the time and the space to protect people and get more control over the virus.”
The current restrictions will be reviewed every seven days in discussion with local partners. The Scottish Government has not ruled out extending restrictions if necessary to protect public health.
Remember FACTS for a safer Scotland:
F – Face coverings. These should be used in shops and on public transport (buses, trains and taxis)
A – Avoid crowded places
C – Clean your hands frequently, using water & soap whenever possible
T – Two metres – observe physical distancing
S – Self-isolate and book a test if you are suffering from COVID-19 symptoms
A ‘virtual choir’ of ten blind and partially sighted people has recorded their own version of The Proclaimers iconic ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’, the chart-topping hit that became an instant classic of Scottish pop.
But this version [https://www.facebook.com/RNIB.Scotland/] has changed the lyrics to give a humorous take on the frustrations and difficulties that people with sight loss have experienced during lockdown.
Mike Holroyd, who brings the RNIB Scotland Connect Singers together over the phone, said: “When it comes to social distancing, too often sighted people think that others are being careless if they are getting too close to them. But the reality is that those who are blind or partially sighted can’t always fully see other people even when they are alongside.
“Singing has become an important pass-time during lockdown in many countries, and this has certainly been true for some of our members in Scotland.
“Our singers, who continue to meet over the phone each week, decided to write a song about some of the challenges they face as we emerge out of lockdown. They were all involved in writing and re-writing lines of the song until everyone was happy with the result.
“We asked Steven Johnson, an RNIB Scotland volunteer and himself a singer/song-writer, to record some guitar and vocals. We were then able to add piano and further vocals through sending audio-files backwards and forwards and even collecting some vocals via phone call.
“This has been a fun project. But it also highlights a serious issue. Many of us who are blind and partially sighted do not find social distancing easy, and so we will need the wider community to understand and maybe offer a bit of support if needed. We have heard stories of blind and partially sighted people being shouted at because they have not been aware of queues or been unable to judge distances. This song conveys a serious message in a light hearted way.
“The Proclaimers music publishers have been very generous in allowing us to borrow their tune for this song.”
The choir members come from Edinburgh, Stirling, Ayrshire and Glasgow.
DELIGHTED staff at Edinburgh’s most exclusive care home are celebrating being scored highly by care regulators, just 18 months after it was created.
Purpose-built Cramond Residence only opened in October 2018 and was subjected to an unannounced, three-day check by Care Inspectorate experts in March.
Now the national watchdog has published its report, awarding the home four 5s and a 4 for its performance to date – where 5 is “very good” and 4 is “good”. The highest available score of 6 is considered “excellent”.
Eileen Gray – General Manager at Cramond Residence
Eileen Gray, General Manager at Cramond Residence, said: “These results are great news for our residents and for their friends and family. What comes through repeatedly in the 10-page report is that this is a home where the residents are extremely safe.
“It’s also hugely gratifying that when the Inspectors sought the views of 13 residents and four relatives, the feedback was universally positive. Everyone told them how much they love it here.
“Of course, we aspire to score across-the-board 5s and 6s. In fact, that is the target we set ourselves to achieve after three years of operation. However, building a team from scratch in the care sector is a huge challenge.
“For us to have scored so highly after just 18 months is a real testament to the entire team. I’m very proud of them and what they have achieved here in such a short space of time.”
Ms Gray, a highly experienced nurse who has worked in the care sector for over 30-years, said she and the rest of the team would now be taking on the Inspectorate’s advice on “areas for improvement” from the report and would be drawing up detailed action plans to implement.
She added: “We will never be complacent. No matter how good a care home is, the inspectors will always find room for improvement. Our team know that we must constantly be developing and improving.”
Cramond Residence can care for up to 74 older people and has a specialist dementia unit to care for those with an advanced stage of dementia. Each resident enjoys a luxury room with en-suite bathroom facilities. It maintains a care staff to resident ratio of at least 1:4 at all times.
Spread across three floors, it also adopts a small-group living philosophy. That means groups of eight rooms form distinct “houses”, where residents are encouraged to eat and socialise together. This is believed to have played a major role in infection control during the Coronavirus pandemic to date.
Ratings for the residence included a 5 for supporting people’s wellbeing and the report praised the organised events, intergenerational work with local schools, and the ability for residents to move about freely, building rich friendships and relationships.
It said: “We saw that care staff, administrators, ancillary and management teams knew people who lived there, which meant people felt secure and confident with staff who cared for them.”
The residence also scored a 5 for its leadership, noting: “We saw that the management team were settling in well and working well together. People who lived in the service and their relatives were confident that the service was well managed.”
Another 5 was awarded for the residences’ staffing, with the report stating: “It is important that people who use this service have confidence in the staff who care and support them. We saw the level of training, support and supervision most staff received. This showed that they were competent, skilled, and were able to reflect this in their practice, whilst keeping people safe.”
Likewise, the residence was scored a 5 for its purpose-built setting, which includes a cinema, gym, garden lounge, library, hairdressing salon, activity rooms, a physiotherapy room and even a private, fine-dining area for residents to use with friends and relatives.
Inspectors graded the residence a 4 for how well care and support is planned. While acknowledging Cramond Residence’s pioneering and easy-to-access electronic system for individual care plans, it suggested those plans should have a greater focus on measuring outcomes for residents.
However, the report went on: “We found that people who were supported by different organisations worked well together by sharing information, examples of these include physiotherapists, pharmacists, podiatrists and GP’s, which was appropriate, confidential, and respectful.
“This meant that people who used this service could be confident that they received responsive care and support.”
Cramond Residence provides a combination of luxury accommodation and the highest quality of care. Set in a leafy location, it offers small group-living in nine houses, with all residents enjoying a wide range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care.
Places in the care home start from £1850 a week. To find out more, call 0131 341 4037 or visit https://cramondresidence.co.uk/
