Month: October 2020

Supporting Scotland’s mental health recovery

A new plan will help ensure mental health and wellbeing remains at the heart of the Scottish Government’s response to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Children and young people, those facing redundancy, and people with long-term physical health conditions and disabilities are among key groups the plan focuses on.

It builds on innovations and new service designs that have emerged in response to the pandemic, such as the ‘Clear Your Head’ campaign, the expansion of digital services and the establishment of Mental Health Assessment Centres.

As well as promoting good mental health and wellbeing, the plan prioritises rapid and easily accessible support for those in distress and ensures safe, effective treatment and care of people living with mental illness. A tailored programme of work will help individual NHS Boards respond effectively to the anticipated increase in demand in the months ahead.

Announcing the plan to parliament, Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “If the past few weeks have told us anything, it is that the road to recovery from this pandemic will not be linear. However, one thing that has remained constant is the importance of looking after ourselves, and of keeping well.

“I doubt there is a single one of us who hasn’t thought about our mental wellbeing, or worried about that of others, at some point during 2020.

“Throughout this year, mental health has continued to be an absolute priority for this government, and we’ve invested £6 million of dedicated funding to support the whole population.

“Our Transition and Recovery Plan for Mental Health reflects how fundamental this issue is. It is comprehensive, containing over a hundred actions, and focusses on the specific mental health needs of everyone across Scotland.”

Director of Scotland and Northern Ireland at the Mental Health Foundation, Lee Knifton, commented: “We are pleased to see the Scottish Government embark on a mental health in all policies agenda and to have played a role in shaping this plan.

“We have consistently advocated for all policies approach and today’s plan feels like a breakthrough moment. Mental health is much more than mental illness, it must be considered in our schools, workplaces, our welfare system and our justice system. This plan is an important step in that direction.  

“It is encouraging to see that the Scottish Government has taken our recommendations on board and we look forward to working in partnership to implement the commitments laid out. This ambitious plan will need investment to achieve maximum impact, but any investment in mental health will realise social, health and economic benefits down the line.” 

Mental Health – Scotland’s Transition and Recovery is available on the Scottish Government’s website.

https://clearyourhead.scot/ contains a variety of resources and tips to help people take care of their mental health and wellbeing.

For those who need more support the Scottish Government has expanded the NHS24 Mental Health Hub so that it is now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and increased the capacity of the Breathing Space telephone helpline (0800 83 85 87) and web support service.

The Mental Health Foundation’s vision is good mental health for all. The Foundation works to prevent mental health problems and drive change towards a mentally healthy society for all, and support communities, families and individuals to lead mentally healthy lives with a particular focus on those at greatest risk.

The Foundation is the home of Mental Health Awareness Week

Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards open for applications

Applications are now open for bursaries of up to £750 of National Lottery funding, through Creative Scotland’s Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards (VACMA) programme. 

Delivered in partnership with local partners across Scotland, these one-off grants aim to support the creative development of visual artists and craft makers at all stages of their career. 

This year’s VACMA programme offers two fixed fee bursaries – the first is a £750 grant for visual artists and craft makers who can demonstrate a commitment to developing their creative practice; the second is a grant of £500 for new graduates/emerging artists. 

VACMA funding has previously supported projects including skills development and courses, artistic mentoring, researching a new body of work and experimenting with new materials. 

Full eligibility criteria and a list of participating local partners through which applications will be made, is available on the Creative Scotland website.  

The deadlines for applications are: 

  • Autumn: 5pm, Tuesday 10 November 2020 
  • Winter: 5pm, Tuesday 2 February 2021 

Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts, Creative Scotland said: “These bursaries are invaluable in supporting the creative development of artists and craft makers across Scotland. 

“With thanks to National Lottery players who make these awards possible, we’re pleased to be working with local partners to deliver the scheme across 25 Local Authority areas, offering grants to emerging and more established practitioners, alike.” 

Free, online information sessions about the Visual Artist and Craft Maker Awards will be held on Thursday 15 and Tuesday 27th October from 10am – 11am.

Hosted by local partner representatives and members of Creative Scotland’s Visual Arts Team, the sessions will include an overview of the scheme, followed by a panel discussion and Q+A. 

Booking is required to take part in the sessions. This can be done here for Thursday 15 October, and here for Tuesday 27 October. 

Law firm Purdie & Co. joins Will Aid campaign for another year

A law firm from Edinburgh is aiming to raise vital funds for nine of the UK’s best loved charities, after signing up for Will Aid, the annual charity will writing campaign.

Purdie & Co. has signed up to the scheme, which runs throughout November, for the second year in a row.

The firm has raised £27,747 for the nine charities involved since it joined the scheme.

Struan Douglas from the firm (above) said: “We are very excited to be involved in the Will Aid campaign again this year. It gives us an excellent opportunity to reach people in our community who do not have a will and help them to protect their loved ones for the future.

“It also means we can raise funds for nine incredible charities which make a huge difference to people in need both here in the UK and around the world.”

The Will Aid scheme takes place across the country during November and supports ActionAid, Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, Save the Children, Sightsavers, SCIAF (Scotland) and Trocaire (N. Ireland).

Thanks to the generosity of solicitors like Purdie & Co., the campaign has raised more than £21 million for these charities since it launched 31 years ago.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, charities are in need of donations now more than ever.

Campaign director Peter de Vena Franks said: “One in three people die in the UK without making a will, often leaving confusion and chaos behind along with the sadness of losing a loved one.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly made people reflect on the fragility of life and reinforced the importance of having a professionally-written will in place.

“Will Aid encourages people to prepare this vital piece of paperwork at the same time as making a difference by raising money for charity.

“We are thrilled that Purdie & Co. has joined this year’s campaign. They have contributed a great deal to our fundraising efforts in the past and I know they will continue to work with us in future.”

Law firms across the country are being asked to sign up and pledge a portion of their time to write basic wills, putting duty before profit and instead asking clients to make a voluntary donation.

The suggested voluntary donation for a basic Will Aid will is £100 for a single will and £180 for a pair of mirror wills. Donations support the vital work of the nine partner charities.

Any additional work to the will can be charged separately and is paid to the law firm.

Will Aid solicitors will be following the most up-to-date government health advice to ensure that face-to-face meetings remain safe. Many firms will be able to write wills at a distance via a phone or online consultations. Some firms will only be offering their services remotely. Participating firms can be contacted directly for more information.

For more information about how to sign up or how to make an appointment to write a will visit www.willaid.org.uk/solicitors.

Tonight: Scotland Talking Europe – Latvia and Estonia

How much do you know about Estonia and Latvia and their economic, cultural and social links with Scotland?

This evening Edinburgh4Europe, supported by the European Movement in Scotland, is hosting a live webinar that aims to take a deep dive into these two Baltic countries that both joined the European Union in 2004.

Scotland now needs to use soft power to maintain our links with EU member countries. But to do this effectively it is essential to audit our relations with each of the 27 members.  With that in mind this evening’s webinar focuses on Latvia and Estonia.

The two speakers this are Christopher Kenmore Consul for Latvia in Scotland and Peter Ferry, the Consul for Estonia in Scotland.

The event will be chaired by Mark Lazarowicz, Chair of the European Movement in Scotland.

Despite their size and recent membership Latvia and Estonia already hold considerable influence in the EU.  Yesterday it was announced that the past Prime Minister of Latvia, Valdis Dombrovskis, will take on the key Trade portfolio, and another Another strategically important portfolio – Energy – is held by Estonia’s Kadri Simson.

Whilst research by Kirsty Hughes from the Scottish Centre for European 
Relations has found that irrespective of the constitutional context “it will be hard for Scotland to influence future EU developments from the outside. But bringing expertise, building long-standing bilateral relationships, participating in debates and stepping in early and constructively …. will all pay dividends”.

So, increase your knowledge of Latvia and Estonia and join in the conversation this evening from 7pm by registering your email using this link:

 https://lu.ma/EMiS-Scotland-EU-Relationship 

and engaging on social media using the hashtags #ScotlandTalkingEurope #Latvia #Estonia.

Game-changer? New spin-out will tackle the ransomware threat

Memcrypt aims to repeat earlier University cybersecurity success stories

Edinburgh Napier’s School of Computing has revealed plans to spin out a business dedicated to tackling the multi-billion pound ransomware market.

Memcrypt follows earlier University cybersecurity ventures ZoneFox, Symphonic Software and Cyan Forensics in making the leap from research lab to the market.

Ransomware – malware that encrypts files, giving the attacker scope to demand a ransom to restore access – is increasingly becoming the attack of choice for cyber criminals as it has a high chance of financial return coupled with a low chance of detection, and the threat is increasing daily.

However, the University’s cryptography experts are developing new methods of detecting ransomware as it runs. This will provide new ways of stopping the ransomware from infecting systems before it has a chance to spread.

The team’s work is part of Innovate UK’s CyberASAP programme accelerator, and is also supported more recently by Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Spin-out Programme – the early stage growth challenge fund.

Memcrypt has evolved around a technical team of Professor Bill Buchanan, Dr Peter McLaren, Dr Owen Lo and Dr Gordon Russell, and a core business team of Dia Banerji (Imagine Ventures Ltd) and Matt Burdge (the Business Development and Relationship Manager supporting the School of Computing), as the University seeks to repeat earlier successes in converting ground-breaking research into high impact spin-outs.

Threat analytics spin-out ZoneFox has since been acquired by US giant Fortinet, and Symphonic Software and Cyan Forensics have also scaled up to become players in the international marketplace.

At the heart of Memcrypt lies Dr Peter McLaren’s PhD work, the first to discover the presence of the key schedule of a popular encryption method – ChaCha20 – within running memory on the computer.  Another team member, Dr Owen Lo, earlier showed that encryption keys could be discovered just by listening to the electrical noise created by a device.

Dr McLaren said: “The core of our approach is to search for things that look completely random with memory, and mark these as suspicious.”

Dia Banerji said: “Ransomware attacks can have a debilitating effect on businesses, often leading to loss in revenue, falling share prices and reputational losses. We aim to better protect those at risk, and work with law enforcement agencies on improving their responses to these attacks.”

PGP Academic – Bill Buchanan (Dr), lecturer in the School of Computing

Professor Bill Buchanan (above), who played a key role in the research which paved the way for Edinburgh Napier’s earlier cybersecurity spin-out successes, added: “Ransomware affects virtually every market sector, and can affect every size of company. While building our company in Edinburgh, we aim to scale on an international basis.”

Fiona Mason, Head of Business Engagement and IP Commercialisation at the University, said: “We are delighted that our emerging spin-outs are recognised by CyberASAP and by Scottish Enterprise.

“Our success here is testament to the entrepreneurship, commitment and creativity of the University’s academic staff and students, supported by our talented Business Engagement and IP team in the Research Innovation and Enterprise Office who worked tirelessly to bring these opportunities to life.

“Over the last 10 years, our School of Computing has achieved three successful cyber spin-outs; ZoneFox in 2010, Symphonic in 2013 and Cyan Forensics in 2017.

“All of these spin-outs are currently in operation and growing, with ZoneFox having been acquired by the NASDAQ-listed US company Fortinet. This success is further highlighted in a UK government-backed report from The London Office for Rapid Cybersecurity Advancement (LORCA), which listed Edinburgh Napier in the top six universities that have contributed to the cybersecurity spin-out ecosystem.

“We believe Memcrypt will be our next game-changer.”

Committees unite to scrutinise UK Government coranvirus response

Westminster’s Health and Social Care Committee and Science and Technology Committee  have today launched a joint inquiry into lessons to be learned from the response to the coronavirus pandemic so far.

Scope of the inquiry

The two Select Committees will jointly conduct evidence sessions examining the impact and effectiveness of action taken by government and the advice it has received. Each Committee will draw on specialist expertise and call witnesses to consider a range of issues including:

  • the deployment of non-pharmaceutical interventions like lockdown and social distancing rules to manage the pandemic;
  • the impact on the social care sector;
  • the impact on BAME communities;
  • testing and contact tracing;
  • modelling and the use of statistics;
  • Government communications and public health messaging;
  • the UK’s prior preparedness for a pandemic; and
  • the development of treatments and vaccines.

Joint Inquiry Chairs Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP and Rt Hon Greg Clark MP issued the following statement:

“Parliament has a crucial role in scrutinising the actions of government at a time when the country is in the grip of a crisis such as the current pandemic with its tragic impact on lives and livelihoods.

“Important lessons need to be learned that can help inform further decisions that will need to be taken in the months ahead. It is crucial to learn and apply them now since the Public Inquiry that the Prime Minister has promised is likely to be some time away.

“Our committees will jointly learn what went well, what didn’t, and what lessons must be learnt at this point in the pandemic.

“We will use the independence of our cross-party committees and weekly detailed questioning of witnesses to consider the decisions taken and the evidence they were based on and assess their effectiveness. We will develop clear recommendations so that the UK can benefit from the lessons learned for future stages of this pandemic and for future crises.”

Edinburgh College appoints two new Board members

Edinburgh College’s Board of Management has appointed two new non-executive members to support it in leading the strategic direction of the College.

The new members are experienced figures in Scottish public life and have an extensive background in human resources, organisational development and law, within the public and private sectors. 

The new Board members are management consultant Alex Killick and Toni McAlindin, an employment law specialist.

Alex Killick has held senior positions at NHS Tayside and the Scottish Government Health Directorates (SGHD), and until recently was the Director of People at Glasgow Caledonian University. Alex is now a Director at Leading Kind, a management consultancy which specialises in wellbeing, equality and workforce development. 

Toni McAlindin is an experienced employment law consultant and a qualified barrister, who currently serves as an Employment Tribunal Member.

Toni previously served on the Court of Stirling University for six years, and was a non-executive board member at the former Jewel & Esk College.

Interim Chair of Edinburgh College’s Board of Management, Ann Landels, said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to welcome Alex and Toni to their new roles. Both have a vast wealth of experience in human resources and workforce development, as well as strong links within education. 

“Their respective experiences and skillsets will serve the College and the Board well as we aim to continue maximising experiences and opportunities for all of our students.” 

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “I am pleased to welcome Alex and Toni to the Board of Management as we work to achieve our ambitions for the future. 

“Their mixture of experience in the commercial and public sectors will add to the range of knowledge and expertise already at the Board’s disposal which, will no doubt, be of great benefit as we strive to be Scotland’s pre-eminent College, delivering life-changing education to our students.”

Find out more about the Edinburgh College Board of Management.

West Pilton attempted murder: Police appeal for witnesses

Detectives are appealing for information following the attempted murder of a 19 year-old man at a flat in West Pilton Grove last night.

At around 8.40pm on Wednesday evening (7th October), the 19 year-old man and another man were outside shops on Ferry Road Drive in Edinburgh, when they were involved in an altercation with a group of youths.

The 19 year-old man received a facial injury then made his way home to West Pilton Grove.

At around 9.30pm, he was in the flat when four men forced entry and seriously assaulted him. Police and Ambulance attended and the injured man was taken to Edinburgh Royal Hospital where he is being treated for stab wounds.

Hospital staff describe his condition as serious.

The four men responsible are white and aged in their late teens or early twenties:

The first man was of medium build and wearing a grey hooded top, a black gilet and black jogging trousers.

The second man was wearing a black hooded top and black jogging trousers.

The third man was wearing a green top and black jogging trousers,

The fourth man was of heavy build and wearing a black hooded top, blue t-shirt, black jogging trousers and white trainers.

Detective Sergeant Rory Legge of Corstorphine Police Station said: “Our enquiries are continuing into this incident and we have been carrying out enquiries and gathering CCTV from the local area to help us establish the identity of the four men responsible.

“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed, or who has information on the incident outside the shops on Ferry Road Drive or the further assault in West Pilton Grove to contact us as soon as possible. “Anyone with information should contact Corstorphine Police Station through 101 quoting reference number 3512 of 7 October.

“Alternatively Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Follow the Scottish Government Covid-19 rules and respect shop workers, says Usdaw

Retail trade union Usdaw has responded to yesterday’s tightening of the Covid-19 restrictions, by the Scottish Government, with a call for respect for shop workers.

From this weekend, shops across Scotland are to return to 2 metre physical distancing and reintroduce safety measures put in place earlier in the pandemic.

Usdaw is reminding customers of the five simple steps to encourage considerate shopping, that were agreed with the Scottish Retail Consortium (SRC) and the Scottish Government, urging the public to play their part in creating a safe and enjoyable retail environment for other customers and retail staff:

1. Queue considerately.

2. Maintain social distancing.

3. Follow instructions inside and outside shops.

4. Follow all necessary hygiene measures.

5. Be respectful to shop staff.

Tracy Gilbert  – Usdaw’s Scottish Deputy Divisional Officer said: “Unfortunately the early part of the Covid-19 crisis saw instances of abuse towards shop workers double and we are absolutely clear that ‘abuse is not part of the job’.

“With infections rising we understand why the Scottish Government wants to return to the original safety guidance for shops, that we developed with the SRC, to provide staff and customers with a safer shopping experience.

“Customers need to play their part and be patient, observe social distancing and show respect to shop workers. Retail staff are key workers delivering essential services and that role must be valued and respected.”

Saturday sale at Granton:hub

This Saturday 10th Oct between 11.00-13.00 our wildflower nursery in partnership with Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will be selling some wildflowers in the granton:hub community garden.

⁣⁣Plants on offer include Red and White Campion, Tansy, Wild Carrot, Comfrey and Meadowsweet and more!

⁣@edinburghscrapstore will also be open this Saturday. This unique resource has scrap materials which have been donated, like textiles, paint and tiles and can be purchased for reuse.⁣