Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, The Old Kirk and Muirhouse parish church will be hosting their annual ‘All Souls Service’ on Sunday 25th Oct at 2:30pm.
It is an opportunity for anyone in the community, church-goer or not, to spend time reflecting on the life of someone who has died.
There will be music and readings, though sadly this year no cuppa afterwards. You will need to wear a face covering, and because the number of seating spaces is restricted, all spaces must be reserved for ‘Test and Protect’ purposes: please call 07305 825 697.
A £30 million package of funding is being made available to local authorities to support people facing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19), including money to provide free school meals over the school holidays.
Local authorities will be given flexibility to use £20 million, previously held in reserve for the Scottish Welfare Fund, to support people in their communities.
A further £10 million has been made available so councils can continue providing free school meals through the winter breaks with future funding confirmed to extend support over Easter.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “No one should be struggling to put food on the table, keep the lights on, or stay warm at home in the midst of this pandemic.
“With continuing uncertainty around Brexit and the furlough scheme being scaled back we are doing all we can to ensure the right support gets to people at the right time in the right way.
“We know a healthy meal during the school day helps children to learn – but right now it’s an essential to support families at such a difficult time. This money will offer nutritious free meals for children or allow families to get food they desperately need.
“Those experiencing financial hardship can currently apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund and seek advice on which benefits they can receive. However, this will not be suitable for everyone: some people are not eligible for crisis grants or already receive the full benefits they are entitled to, while others may need immediate support with food and essentials.
“We are giving local authorities greater flexibility over funding held in reserve for the Scottish Welfare Fund, to support local action and address people’s needs. This may include supplementing local budgets for the Scottish Welfare Fund to meet demand, providing financial support to tackle food insecurity or to meet fuel costs, or boosting local funding for Discretionary Housing Payments.
“Additionally we are making further resource available to continue the provision of Free School Meals over forthcoming holidays, including Easter.”
Chair of the Poverty and Inequality Commission Bill Scott, said: “We welcome this much needed additional help for low income families and individuals. The funding for Free School Meals during the Christmas, February and Easter breaks will come as a great relief for many hard pressed parents.
“We would urge local authorities to use the flexibility given to them by Scottish Government to ensure that every penny of extra help available gets to those who need it most.”
COSLA’s spokesperson for Resources Councillor Gail Macgregor, and spokesperson for Community Wellbeing Councillor Kelly Parry said: “The impacts of the virus have not been felt equally across society and we welcome this funding which can be used flexibly by councils, enabling them to provide more support for those who need it most in our communities.
“Local authorities will deploy it in ways that best meets local circumstance, to provide the most effective support to those experiencing financial hardship, for example through grants, addressing food insecurity, or support for fuel costs.
“We know that as winter arrives and the furlough scheme draws to a close unfortunately more adults and children are likely to need assistance to ensure they are fed and warm. Local Government is the anchor in our communities and is able to provide advice, support and assistance to those that need it.”
Edinburgh College Graphic Design lecturer Helena Good has been named teacher of the year at the Tes FE Awards, which celebrate the best of the UK’s further education sector.
Helena has worked in education for 23 years and in her role as a Graphic Design lecturer at Edinburgh College, she shares her passion for creativity and design with students through the College’s NC, HNC and HND graphic design courses.
Through her lecturing work, Helena has had a huge impact on her students, who have won numerous national and international awards in recent years. She connects the classroom with careers through a programme that partners her students with a mentor from the graphic design industry to ensure they receive guidance and advice on their studies and future paths.
Helena’s impact has been felt far beyond her own college. She is the driving force behind the Daydream Believers programme – a pioneering project which aims to make the transition from school to college more appealing and seamless for secondary students who are looking to progress to post-16 education.
It is delivered in collaboration with student ambassadors and industry partners, and involves a number of high schools across Edinburgh.
The judges described the programme as “the most important educational initiative in Scotland at the moment”.
The judges also said: “Good is an inspirational lecturer. She is a solid professional doing her job outstandingly. Her work is transformative and makes a huge difference within and outside of Edinburgh College.”
Helena said: “I feel so honoured to have been considered alongside such an inspiring group of teachers who all deserved to be recognised for going above and beyond. Thanks to the judges, Edinburgh College and everyone who believes in daydreams!”
Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “It is wonderful to see Helena named Teacher of the Year by the UK Tes FE Awards, she works tirelessly to not only inspire her students, but also young people across Scotland and beyond, through the Daydream Believers programme which brings students, school pupils and industry together to innovate. She is a true inspiration and her infectious energy for creativity is an absolute asset to our College.
“I am extremely proud of Helena and our other finalists in the Foundation Apprenticeship team and Automotive Engineering team. Our staff are competing with colleges throughout the whole of the UK and this success reflects their status as national leaders in their field of expertise.”
Edinburgh College was shortlisted in two other award categories. Its Foundation Apprenticeship team were shortlisted for Apprenticeship Programme of the Year.
The team worked relentlessly in 2018/19 to boost the number of FA enrolments and ensure the learning needs of pupils are met while satisfying the requirements of employers as they seek to nurture the future workforce.
And the College’s Automotive Engineering team was shortlisted in the Best Teaching and Learning Initiative category following the team’s partnership with the Scottish Motor Racing Club and Knockhill Racing Circuit.
Introduced in March 2019, the partnership saw students convert a Citroen road car into a race car fit for track action at the Scottish C1 Cup held at Knockhill.
Helena was one of eighteen winners across further education and skills who were recognised at the first virtual Tes FE Awards 2020.
Police are appealing for information after an 18-year-old man was seriously injured in the Gorgie area. The incident happened around 5pm on Monday (19 October) when the teenager walked into a shop on Gorgie Road with a stab wound to his leg.
It’s believed the incident happened in the Westfield Court area. The 18-year-old was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
There is no description of the suspect.
Detective Sergeant Rory Legge, of Corstorphine CID, said: “This happened at a busy time of the day and we know there would’ve been a lot of traffic and people in the area.
“I would ask anyone who witnessed this incident or saw any suspicious behaviour around the Westfield Court area just before 5pm on Monday to contact us.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2228 of 19 October 2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.
*Energy Price Cap extended until end of 2021, protecting around 11 million UK households from being overcharged
*households on standard variable and default energy tariffs will continue to save between £75 and £100 a year on dual fuel bills
*2.8 million electricity and 2.1 million gas customers switched supplier in the first six months of 2020
Around 11 million households across the UK will be protected from being overcharged on their energy bills thanks to an extension to the government’s Energy Price Cap until the end of next year.
The Energy Price Cap shields those least likely to shop around for the best deals – including the elderly and most vulnerable – from being charged excessive prices.
Since its introduction in January 2019, the cap has saved customers around £1 billion a year, equivalent to around £75-100 a year for typical households on default energy tariffs.
An additional 4 million households with prepayment meters on default tariffs will also come under the protection of the cap from January.
Business and Energy Secretary Alok Sharma said: The Energy Price Cap has been vital in ensuring customers do not pay too much on their bills, which is why we are keeping it in place for at least another year.
“Switching energy supplier to find the best value deals is still the best way to save on bills, but this government is determined to make sure all customers are treated fairly and get the protection they deserve.”
In addition to the price cap, millions of customers have been able to benefit from lower bills as the numbers of those switching to cheaper tariffs has increased and the rollout of smart meters has progressed in recent years.
A total of 2.8 million electricity and 2.1 million gas customers switched supplier in the first 6 months of 2020, building on record numbers of households switching to cheaper tariffs in 2019, the first full year of the Energy Price Cap.
However, more than half of customers are still on standard variable or default tariffs, where, in the absence of the cap, they would likely still be paying excessive charges for energy use.
In August, the independent energy regulator, Ofgem, recommended an extension to the cap following a review into the market. Today’s announcement follows that recommendation.
The Energy Price Cap extension is the latest government measure to help vulnerable customers with their energy bills and follows particular support during the coronavirus pandemic.
Energy suppliers have given prepayment and pay-as-you-go customers support when they faced financial distress.
Those with prepayment meters have also benefited from a price cap that is in place until the end of the year.
Today’s announcement means a further 4 million households with prepayment meters on default tariffs will continue to be protected from excessive prices by the wider Energy Price Cap once the Competition and Market Authority’s Prepayment Meter Cap expires at the end of 2020.
Jonathan Brearley, Chief Executive of Ofgem, said: The Secretary of State’s announcement means that 15 million households will continue to be protected under the price cap and will pay a fair price for their energy in 2021.
“Although those protected by the cap are paying a fair price, they can also reduce their energy bills further by shopping around for a better deal.
“Ofgem will continue to protect consumers in the difficult months ahead as we work with industry and government to build a greener, fairer energy system.”
Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, said:“With energy bills expected to rise and tighter coronavirus restrictions returning to many parts of the country, it is good to see the regulator taking steps to protect vulnerable customers and ensure they can stay warm this winter.
“Anyone facing financial difficulty or struggling to pay their energy bills should speak to their provider about what support may be available to them. Households could also potentially save themselves hundreds of pounds a year by switching to a provider offering a cheaper deal and possibly better customer service.”
Customers looking for cheaper energy deals can compare deals with Which? Switch, a transparent and impartial way to compare energy tariffs and find the best gas and electricity supplier for you.
Which? calculates that a medium user (using 12,000kWh gas and 2,900kWh electricity per year) on a dual-fuel default tariff at the level of the current price cap could save up to £221 by switching to the cheapest deal on the market. Based on widely-available tariffs available across England, Scotland and Wales, paying by monthly direct debit, with paperless bills. Data is from Energylinx and correct on 13 October 2020.
Overuse of technology and excessive screen time for Brits can be detrimental to physical and mental health, so here are seven ways to reduce screen time:
The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way Brits stay connected with friends, family and colleagues, as we have been kept physically apart.
We are all spending more time at home and staying connected virtually, but it can be hard not to have an entire day consumed by technology.
The experts at CE Safety have researched and revealed seven easy to action tips to help reduce screen time and improve Brits wellbeing.
CE Safety recommends undergoing small but effective day to day changes such as taking fewer pictures, switching electronics to grayscale, and having tech-free zones around the house like the bathroom.
Research has shown that low levels of happiness are associated with increased smartphone usage, and social media can contribute to feelings of loneliness.
Excessive technology and smartphone usage also negatively impacts sleep. With heightened anxiety and stress due to the coronavirus and lockdown, additional screen time will not help.
A spokesperson for CE Safety says: “Technology does solve many problems and can help with communicating with people. There is also an endless amount of information at our fingertips.
“But it can be distracting, time-consuming and addictive. Nomophobia is a real term to describe a growing fear in today’s world—the fear of being without a mobile device, or beyond mobile phone contact.
“We think everyone should be more aware of their technology and smartphone usage, and look to make small changes to improve their screen time, and ultimately improve their wellbeing.”
Establish tech-free zones.
There are a few locations around the house that mobiles and laptops aren’t needed. From the dining room to the bathroom, try to keep your phone in your pocket. Our parents and grandparents survived just fine without taking a phone to the bathroom.
Switch to grayscale.
Laptops and smartphones allow you to turn your screen or display grey. As a result, this will remove all the attractive, eye-catching colours from your screen. Not only is it better for your eyesight but the visual appeal is also lost.
You can even schedule greyscale or ‘night mode’ across devices now to help soften the colours your eyes consume before bedtime.
Don’t take as many pictures.
Taking pictures with your smartphone has become second-nature. A birthday party, sporting event, and holidays are all picture worthy events and Brits tend to snap at every opportunity. But in an effort to reduce your screen time, try not to take as many photos and cherish the moment for what it is, rather than turning to a smartphone at the first opportunity.
Be aware of your screen time and set time limits
Ignorance is bliss, but in this case, we’d advise making the effort to track the time you actually spend staring at screens each day. There are plenty of tools and apps that will do this for you, and iPhones track your screen time automatically and tell you how many minutes you are spending on each app.
Many Brits might be surprised at just how long they spend glued to the screen. What else could you do with that time? Go for a run? Do some cooking? Read a book?
Don’t watch the TV in bed
Try and watch TV or films from your living room rather than in your bed. Watching from your couch makes it easier to stop watching that next episode on Netflix. You want as little blue light as possible before going to bed. Also, try and turn off the TV when you’re not actually watching it.
Don’t charge your phone in the bedroom
We advise not to charge your phone next to your bed as it might tempt you to check for messages. Looking at your phone’s screen just before bed has been shown to disrupt sleep patterns.
Get your news in one place
The internet provides us with a wealth of ways to access news. But trawling through social media and news headlines to make sense of the latest events can keep users glued to the device. Try and find a reliable news source you like, and stick to it.
A virtual fun-day with activities for children and advice for parents is being held during the school holidays as part of a campaign launched to support families in Edinburgh.
The All of Us family fun day on Thursday, October 22, will have 15 online sessions, including story time, children’s yoga, a scavenger hunt and advice for one-parent families, which are being put on by organisations from across the city.
Some sessions will be hosted on Facebook, while people will need to sign up for others in advance.
All of Us was launched by NSPCC Scotland and Edinburgh Child Protection Committee earlier this year to help people find out where to get support and advice with parenting or other worries about family life and where to turn if they had concerns about a child.
At the start of the year a number of community events were held across the city but further ones were cancelled because of Covid-19, and all activities were moved online, including the family fun-day.
In April, the partnership brought together information on its web page about organisations and contacts where families could go for help and support during lockdown. This resource has continued to be regularly updated.
Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland local campaigns manager, said: “Because of the pandemic, this year has been extremely difficult for so many families, who have faced financial pressures, relationship strains, isolation and ill-health.
“But we want people to know that support is still out there and if they or someone they know is struggling then it is important they feel that they can seek and get help.
“Our family fun-day, as well as providing some enjoyable activities for children and parents during the school holiday, will be an opportunity for adults to get some advice, such as how to help keep kids safe online.
“There are still spaces left, so please look on our website and find out about the different sessions we are running.”
Jackie Irvine, Chair of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said: “Protecting young people and supporting families remains a priority for us, and we want everyone across the city to be aware of where to turn for help if they or someone they know is struggling.
“And we really hope people will join us for our fun-day, which has a wide range of activities for children and some advice for parents. We are really pleased to see so many local organisations taking part.”
The campaign is also raising awareness among communities and professionals about the early signs of child neglect and how to help families who are struggling. Two new webinars have been produced about the role that everyone can play in preventing neglect and helping to raise happy healthy children in Edinburgh.
One of the webinars is designed for parents and wider community members and describes what neglect is, its causes and signs and what people can do if they are worried about someone else’s child or need some support themselves. The other is for professionals and gives some insight into working with families in Edinburgh.
The 20-minute long webinars, which are free and can be watched until 28 February, 2021, can be accessed here.
To find out more about our fun-day programme visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/allofus. People will need to sign up for some events in advance and the session organiser will then contact them with details of how to take part on the day.
For parenting advice and support visit NSPCC helpline or call 0808 800 5000, weekdays 8am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 6pm. People can also contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324.
THE Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is changing how it recruits wholetime firefighters to further enhance the safety of communities.
The Service will move away from national intakes which traditionally took place over a four-week period, resulting in up to 6,000 applications from across Scotland.
Recruitment will now be open year-round with shifting regional focuses through the East, North and West of the country aimed at meeting local workforce needs.
The change will also ensure more regular intakes of new firefighters who are not only trained to protect their communities but work to prevent risk from occurring.
This comes as the Service prepares to open recruitment for wholetime firefighters, with a focus on the North and East of Scotland, later this month.
Liz Barnes is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of People and Organisational Development. She said: “We are putting firefighter recruitment back into the communities we protect, with localised recruitment efforts based entirely on local needs.
“Rather than recruiting nationally and selecting candidates from a larger pool of applicants, we will now be targeting our recruitment at where it is needed most.
“This means that our firefighters will be recruited from the area, train in the area, and work in the area they applied for – and by moving to open-recruitment, we can ensure a steady influx of trainees into the Service who will go on to protect their communities.”
While recruitment will remain open year-round, applicants will prioritised for the region that is currently recruiting – applicants should not apply if they are not prepared to work in the recruiting area.
Anyone who wishes to apply for the role will be able to see which area the Service is currently recruiting for online, through the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website or social media, or on the national recruitment platform MyJobScotland.
Director Barnes (above) continued: “It is absolutely vital that anyone who wishes to apply does so at the right time. For example, if we are currently recruiting in the North of Scotland, you should not apply if you are living in Glasgow and unwilling to work in the North of the country.
“Instead, take the time to work on your application, and make sure that it is the best it can be ahead of recruitment opening for the area in which you wish to work.”
Selected applicants will undergo a series of online psychometric tests designed to test their suitability for the role of a firefighter.
Candidates will then attend regional practical selection and selection centres.
More details on the opening of wholetime recruitment will be announced this week.
Director Barnes added: “This is an incredible opportunity for people to work in and protect the communities that they know and love.”
Two Edinburgh businesses have come together to offer visitors an authentic tour of the capital from guides who truly know the stories of the city.
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel is exclusively partnering with social enterprise Invisible Cities to offer guests a bespoke tour of Edinburgh from one of their specially trained guides, all of who have experienced homelessness in the city.
The team behind Invisible Cities has created specially crafted tours for hotel guests, starting at Charlotte Square and making their way through the iconic sights of Edinburgh. Along the way guides will share some lesser known stories, about how the city was built and why the names were chosen for some of the city’s most historical streets.
Tours are conducted with physical distancing in mind and in line with the latest local guidelines meaning that same household, support bubbles or small groups travelling together in a bubble will be able to join.
Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that is dedicated to training people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides in the city where they live. Through the unique training that Invisible Cities provides, the guides are empowered to create their own tours highlighting famous landmarks but more importantly sharing their own inspiring stories and experiences.
Kimpton has always been committed to caring for our community, caring for guests, and caring for the environment. We believe that the communities and neighbourhoods we inhabit are the fabric of who we are.
Kieran Quinn, General Manager at Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel, said:“In the last few months the tourism industry has gone through an incredibly difficult time but it has been heart-warming to see our community in Edinburgh come together in support of one another.
“The partnership with Invisible Cities feels like the perfect way to support an extremely important enterprise and also welcome guests back to Edinburgh in a meaningful way.”
Kieran Quinn added: “Kimpton has always been committed to caring for our community, caring for guests and caring for the environment. We believe that our communities and neighbourhoods are the fabric of who we are.
“Now more than ever, people are looking for deeper connections when travelling Invisible Cities has created tours specifically for our guests that are not only a true insider’s guide to Auld Reekie but are also a chance to support an innovative business who are striving to change people’s lives for the better.”
Zakia Moulaoui, Founder of Invisible Cities, said: “We are lucky enough to be able to offer visitors a truly special walking tour of the city from unique voices who have experienced the best and worst of the streets where they live.
“At the moment it feels important to regain a sense of community after everything that the tourism industry has gone through during the pandemic. Working with Kimpton Charlotte Square is an incredible opportunity for two celebrated businesses to come together and champion each other as well as the inspirational tour guides we have the pleasure to work alongside.”
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel is one of four Kimpton Hotels in the UK, including Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel, Kimpton Fitzroy London and Kimpton Clocktower Hotel in Manchester. Kimpton was recently named the fifth best company to work for on the 2019 FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® list, the company’s 10th year on the highly coveted list.
Double rooms at Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel start from £180.
Edinburgh Cycle Hire has reported growth of 119% between September 2019 and 2020. Over 221,000 trips were made during that time, eclipsing growth reported by other UK cycle schemes and the record set by the company last year.
The scheme has seen exponential growth with average trips per day up by 46%. This is due in part to the 75 new hire stations installed at sites across the city including Montgomery Street and Belford Road next to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One) and Dean Gallery.
Other sites included West Crosscauseway, Corstorphine Road and Craigleith Road. These are areas previously not served by a cycle scheme and is part of a strategy to create a cycling network for the city as an alternative to short car journeys.
New users to Edinburgh Cycle Hire have totalled more than 34,000 bringing the overall to 57,000 customers cycling in and around the city. Earlier in 2020 the popular scheme was extended into South Queensferry with start/end journeys totally nearly 4,500 in the first six months and 1,500 new customers joining the scheme. Proving that cycle hire can function as a public transport service, as well as improving inner city connectivity.
George Lowder, Chief Executive, Transport for Edinburgh said: “What makes this performance truly outstanding is that this growth encompasses a period when the country was in lockdown, with homeworking, no Festivals and few visitors in The City.
“The people of Edinburgh have embraced cycling and we will continue to strive to grow the scheme to meet with this increasing demand.”
Alex Macdonald, General Manager Serco said: “We’d like to thank our customers to the moon and back for making the positive choice to cycle.
“Coincidently the one million kilometres our customers have ridden would take them from the moon, to earth and back again.”
Cllr Lesley Mcinnes, Transport and Environment Convenor, the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh Cycle Hire has proved itself to be an accessible and easy alternative to travelling by car and is a vital part of the city’s sustainable transport network, providing another useful choice of how to get around in Edinburgh.“
The scheme has not been without its challenges: theft and vandalism has been an issue with bikes stolen and dumped in public places and damage to hire points.
Further investment has been made to the cycle hire’s infrastructure to deter this type of anti-social behaviour and maintain the scheme’s sustainability. However, this impacts on delivering services across the city, especially in areas where cycling could become a more accessible mode of transport for many communities.
A partnership has been created with Police Scotland to support efforts to recover stolen bikes and prosecute those who choose to damage the scheme’s infrastructure.
Chief Inspector Neil Wilson, Police Scotland said: “Police Scotland, Edinburgh City Division has been working in close partnership with the Edinburgh Cycle Hire Scheme (ECHS) to address theft of their fleet and vandalism to their infrastructure.
“We have undertaken crime prevention surveys of hire stations throughout the city and we will support ECHS in the implementation of enhanced security measures. Our officers have been briefed on how to spot a stolen bike and regularly undertake targeted patrolling, which has resulted in numerous apprehensions and prosecutions.
“We will continue to develop our approach in partnership with ECHS and would encourage the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity involving the cycle hire network to police.”
The programme is grant-funded by Transport Scotland. The cycle scheme will implement an outreach programme to help people make the choice to walk or cycle for short local journeys, and to encourage groups who were reluctant to cycle feel confident getting on a bike.
In March Edinburgh Cycle Hire took ownership of an additional 68 ebikes through eBike Grant Fund, delivered by Energy Saving Trust and funded by Transport Scotland. These have been a popular choice with nearly 21,000 trips made. Feedback has shown a broader demographic of uptake for ebikes, especially amongst older users, proving that you never really forget how to ride a bike.
During the summer Edinburgh Cycle Hire, in partnership with Sustrans and funding from Transport Scotland responded to the Covid-19 pandemic by providing free passes to NHS Workers to support them with their essential work.
With increasing demand for the scheme, Edinburgh Cycle Hire’s future looks set to continue in a positive direction as the city continues to seek out ways to improve its connectivity in a sustainable way.
