A children’s charity based in Edinburgh has received a donation of £2,000 from Amazon Development Centre Scotland as it continues its services following the impact of COVID-19.
The staff and volunteers at 16+ Edinburgh, part of Barnardo’s Scotland, received a £1,000 cash donation and a donation of products worth £1,000 from the Amazon team to help increase the reach of its services across the area.
16+ Edinburgh works with young care leavers aged from 15 to 26 years to support them as they transition out of care and into independent living.
The donation is part of a longstanding relationship between Amazon and Barnardo’s. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon donated £10,000 to Barnardo’s to help the charity during the early stages of lockdown.
In late 2019, Amazon donated £30,000 to Barnardo’s and hosted STEM Christmas parties for children supported by the charity in dozens of Amazon buildings across the UK.
Speaking on the donation, Graeme Smith, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, said: “The team at Amazon is passionate about supporting the young people in our community and we jumped at the chance to make this donation to 16+ Edinburgh.
“The work they do in partnership with Barnardo’s is needed now more than ever and they have our full support as they continue to have a positive impact on children across Edinburgh.”
Claire MacDonald, Assistant Director from Barnardo’s Scotland, added: “The impact of COVID-19 continues to be deeply felt by children and young people in the Edinburgh community and it’s fantastic to get this support once again from the Amazon team.
“The donation is hugely appreciated by everyone at 16+ Edinburgh and Barnardo’s Scotland and will enable us to continue offering services to the young people who need us most.”
Community donations are one of a number of ways in which Amazon is supporting communities across the UK during COVID-19.
Throughout the pandemic Amazon has provided disadvantaged students with online STEM courses and supported virtual classrooms with no-cost resources from AWS and Amazon Future Engineer. The company has also teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver 1.4 million healthy breakfasts to disadvantaged families around the UK.
For more information on how Amazon is supporting the UK during COVID-19, click here.
An Edinburgh mum whose son has been in hospital at Christmas time every year since he was born is supporting a charity appeal to make this Christmas as magical as possible for children at the Sick Kids.
Claire Narrie’s son Josh, age 3, was born with a complex heart condition and has spent much of his short life in and out of intensive care.
Claire said: “When Josh was born in 2017, he spent six months in intensive care, so we knew his first Christmas would be in hospital.
“In December 2018 though, things were looking good. We allowed ourselves to get excited to finally be at home for Christmas. Josh had been invited to some little parties with his friends, we had bought lots of presents and we were desperate to take him to see the Christmas lights in town – something we’d tried to do the year before but missed out on.
“But Josh became really unwell and we found ourselves back in intensive care at the Sick Kids. He had a common virus but because of his heart, lung and immune system problems, it floored him.
“It’s devastating to be robbed of Christmas. Every year, as Josh’s friends have put their Christmas jammies on and laid out mince pies and milk for Santa, we have sat at our little boy’s bedside, willing him to keep fighting.”
Claire and husband John will always be grateful for all the care and support both they and Josh received while in hospital over the festive period.
Now, the family are backing Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s (ECHC) new Christmas appeal, which aims to “give Christmas back” to those children and young people who are unfortunately too ill to spend it at home this year.
Claire continued: “When you’re in hospital, everything goes on hold. Time just stops. Your baby is all that matters. Especially when you’re upstairs in critical care, it is isolating and the days are long. But the support provided by ECHC has made such a difference to every Christmas we have spent in hospital.
“The activities and visitors arranged by the charity throughout December have always given us things to look forward to, and break up the day. On the most difficult days, we have left the hospital feeling uplifted.
“Josh had met the Scotland Rugby Team in the past and when they came to the ward they remembered him and spent special time with him. Christina the ballerina was wonderful and he loved Rhys the musician who sang songs with him. When he was well enough, we would go for little walks and he loved to find the charity’s Living Advent Calendar Doors hidden around the hospital.
“This year, we are desperate for Josh to be well and at home but the anxiety is crippling. We really hope we don’t have to spend another Christmas in hospital but we know if we do, ECHC will be there for us and all the children like Josh. Alongside the amazing NHS teams, they’ll make sure that families won’t miss out on the magic and joy. The kids will be treated like the heroes they are.”
Victoria Buchanan, from ECHC, said: “After such a difficult year, ECHC needs help now to give Christmas back to children at the Sick Kids. Due to the pandemic, restricted visiting is in place on hospital wards, which means no visits from siblings, grandparents or friends.
“With all the worry and limitations of lockdown and shielding for thousands of families this year, it is more important than ever that we ensure no child or young person in hospital misses out on the joy of the festive season.
“Every year, ECHC makes Christmas magical for children in hospital by creating a living advent calendar around the wards with a new surprise behind each door. It’s going to be a little different this year as we are unfortunately unable to have visits from large groups, such as Edinburgh’s football and rugby teams, but we are determined to make this the biggest and best Christmas yet, with everything from a real ballerina to festive magic sessions and a samba band!
“We also fund the parents’ accommodation so families can stay close to their children at Christmas, the hospital play team and Christmas gifts to make sure treats and distractions are always available to bring smiles and comfort.
“We rely solely on donations in order to do this. Please help by making a donation to ECHC this Christmas. You could give a child in hospital their Christmas back.”
To donate now to ECHC’s Give Christmas Back appeal, visit
Children across Scotland stage Shakespeare in lockdown with Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation
Thousands of children from over two hundred schools nationwide will be performing the works of Shakespeare this coming week in a unique initiative, One Night of Shakespeare, to be broadcast online at 7pm on Friday 20 November.
Schools from across Scotland are taking part, including from Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
In a year of unprecedented disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns, Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation (CSSF) has adapted its annual festival. Children and teachers have worked remotely and under Covid-secure conditions to rehearse performances that demonstrate their creativity and show that theatre lives, despite the closure of arts venues.
The annual Festival is the flagship project of award-winning charity CSSF. In a usual year, after months of preparation, children perform on professional stages in arts venues up and down the country.
Throughout the pandemic, the charity has worked to innovate and adapt its programme so that children can continue to gain the crucial life skills that the arts and performance give.
This has included creative online CPD sessions with teachers, sending specialist theatre practitioners into schools to run workshops, and providing a wealth of resources to enable teachers to guide their students through the Festival journey and become directors in their own right.
Schools have responded with creativity and ingenuity, filming their performances, rehearsing in bubbles and online and finding innovative ways to persevere, providing their school and wider local community with moments of joy and celebration in what continues to be an otherwise dark time.
Primary, secondary and special schools from right across the UK are participating and patrons of the charity including Harriet Walter, Hugh Dennis, Paterson Joseph, Alfred Enoch and John Heffernan are helping to celebrate the achievements of young people and their teachers.
Ruth Brock, CSSF Managing Director, says: “This is a unique Festival in a unique year. Thousands of children from communities from every corner of the UK will lead the way and show us that out of the hardest times, children can show incredible resilience and creativity.
“Using our greatest writer, CSSF is giving children the skills and creativity they need for life and teachers the tools to accelerate learning. The arts prepare children for their future and help build a better society; this year, next year and far into the future.”
One Night of Shakespeare is supported by a grant CSSF received as part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund (CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic and to ensure they have a sustainable future.
THIS MORNING, before the City of Edinburgh Council meeting, Another Edinburgh is Possible campaigners held a socially distanced protest at 9am outside the City Chambers to mourn the death of public services, and make the case for a new beginning – properly funded local public services.
In advance of the protest campaigners projected the ‘Another Edinburgh is Possible’ message on City Council, Scottish Government and Westminster Government buildings around Edinburgh.
The Council has already identified over £80m of savings and funding in 2020/21, but has to find at least £5.1m more because of extra costs and lower income resulting from the pandemic. Over the next three years, the Council has identified £40m of savings, but needs to find at least a further£47.5m in savings or service cuts.
The Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, through which the Council and the NHS administer integrated health and social care, has already agreed cuts of £8 million.
Since 2012/13, Edinburgh City Council budget cuts have amounted to £320 million. Year on year cuts – so called savings – have resulted in a hollowing out of jobs and services to Edinburgh residents.
The impact of a decade of cuts
These cuts have had a terrible effect on essential services. The most vulnerable, who have also been hit by cuts in social security benefits, have suffered most. Edinburgh has the lowest expenditure per capita on local services in Scotland.
Covid19 has added to an already bleak picture with increases in unemployment, child poverty and mental distress. The pandemic has shone a harsh light on the gaps in local services and underlined the importance of key workers and health, social care, housing and education.
Another Edinburgh is Possible
Another Edinburgh Is Possible brings together council workers, trade unionists and community activists around a common belief that the cuts need to stop; enough is enough. We argue for local public services that meet local needs. We call on councillors to unite with campaigners to argue the case for properly funded, democratically controlled local public services.
First 100 bookers eligible to win two-night London stay
Edinburgh’s Christmas producers, Underbelly and Mr and Mrs Santa Claus of 1 Forest Drive, Reindeer Road, North Pole NP47 2020, today announce the launch of an exclusive partnership to bring the magic of Santa’s Official Grotto ONLINE this Christmas to all Edinburgh residents, big or small!
Santa Claus runs the world’s biggest manufacturing and delivery company from his workshops in the North Pole, with the help of his longstanding staff of over 600,000 elves and 10,000 reindeer.
As we prepare for what sadly might be a mainly digital Christmas this year, Santa at Home will give children of all ages, from all over the world, the unique opportunity to meet Santa in a personalised and private Zoom session live from the North Pole.
We will bring the magic of Santa’s Grotto to a safe, socially distanced and wonderful online experience for everyone in the Scottish capital to enjoy. All EH postcode holders will receive a 20% discount when booking for Santa at Home Official.
Up to 6 children can meet Santa in any one session and unlimited family members can also join a session to watch their children, grandchildren, cousins, nieces or nephews meet Santa LIVE from the North Pole.
Thanks to Santa’s unique magical powers (and a bit of elbow grease from his elves and the “big children”), Santawill know each and every child on the call by name and will also have inside information on them to ensure the experience is completely personalised to the children that he meets.
And with the consent of you ‘big children’, we’ll even record the session and send you a video file FREE as a very special Santa present to cherish forever.
The first 100 people to book sessions with Santa will automatically be entered in a prize draw to win a 2-night stay in an Apex Hotel when restrictions allow.
Santa at Home is a magical opportunity for family and friends, grandchildren and grandparents, and cousins and aunts to come together in a shared and special moment online, allowing everyone to cast aside worries of the last year and to enjoy a moment of pure festive joy with Mr Claus himself.
Santa at Home is proud to be supporting Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) and The Brain Tumour Charity this Christmas. All customers will be given the option at checkout to make a donation, with all proceeds being split equally between the two charities, supporting their invaluable work.
To develop his Zoom presence in preparation for this special experience aimed at children and their loved ones, Santa has been working with Gill Robertson, Artistic Director of the internationally acclaimed Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, Musselburgh-based producers of work for children and young people.
Key Facts:
Fully private and personalised sessions for Santa at Home are now available to pre-book at www.santaathomeofficial.com with slots available from Monday 23 November until 24 December.
EH postcode holders receive 20% discount.
Sessions start at £42 for up to 6 children from multiple households (equivalent to £7 per child).
Unlimited invited grown-ups
Free recording of the session will be shared with participants (adult consent required)
Each bespoke Santa at Home session will last up to 12 minutes and is a unique and personalised experience for children, parents, friends and extended family alike. Big children will be expected to help Mr Claus and his Elves in gathering vital information.
Mr Santa Claus said: “I’ve been elf-isolating for hundreds of years and absolutely nothing is going to stop me from zooming down your chimney on Christmas Eve – I am a key worker after all!
“I’m also really excited to be able to meet all you wonderful children of Edinburgh via the tippedy-tap computers, tablets and other gadgets this year. My new online grotto will allow me to meet up to six children at any one time and all the people you most care about can join in the magic as well.”
Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood, Directors of Underbelly said:“Christmas is all about family and we wanted to make it possible for families to gather together to share in a special festive moment.
“With so many of us experiencing difficult times and maybe facing a lonelier Christmas this year, we are very pleased and honoured to partner with Santa Claus to offer Santa at Home Official to residents of Edinburgh, big or small.
“We are also delighted to be able to offer a 20% discount to all EH postcode holders who we hope will enjoy the magical opportunity to meet the man himself at his base in the North Pole.
“We are pleased to be supporting two amazing charities on this special project, GOSH Charity and The Brain Tumour Charity, both of which are very close to our Underbelly hearts. Their life-changing work is incredibly important, and we hope that our Santa at Home visitors will be able to help support them as much as possible.
“Whether you’re a Santa’s elf or a little Grinch, Santa at Home is bound to put Christmas joy in your heart, so get booking!”
Producers of Santa at Home Official, Underbelly, also revealed the special digital programme for Edinburgh’s Christmas earlier this month which focuses on helping Edinburgh residents and businesses in these unprecedented times of hardship.
Advent Stories, daily bedtime stories written by Edinburgh and Lothians young budding writers and read by Santa Claus himself, will be published online and freely accessible, every day of the Advent for everyone to enjoy.
Shining a special light on the amazing array of artisan producers, makers, local retailers, bakers, gift companies, accessory and clothing businesses, hotels and restaurants in the Scottish capital, Neighbourhood Market is a digital platform established to support and celebrate local, independent businesses and it is live now!
For information on how to submit a story or to explore and shop in the Neighbourhood Market, visit www.edinburghschristmas.com.
Around 780 people are diagnosed with the pancreatic cancer every year in Scotland: tragically, and more than half of people with will die within the first three months of diagnosis.
Pancreatic cancer hasn’t stopped because of COVID-19.
We know that during the first lockdown people were reluctant to go to their GP, that’s why during this year’s Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month we’re doing all we can to raise awareness of the symptoms and, urging anyone whose systems persist, to use the NHS. There’s no time to wait.
If more of us know the symptoms – which include tummy and back pain, indigestion, itchy skin or yellow skin or eyes, unexplained weight loss and oily floating poo – it could lead to more people being diagnosed earlier. Crucially, this could increase their chances of being eligible for life-saving surgery.
I urge your readers to find out more about the disease and if they are worried that they have the symptoms of pancreatic cancer they should speak to their GP as soon as possible.
We’d like to make sure people living with pancreatic cancer and their loved ones across the UK (NI/Wales) know that Pancreatic Cancer UK is here for them. Our free and confidential Support Line is run by Specialist Nurses, my colleagues and myself.
If you would like to speak to a Specialist Nurse you can call 0808 801 0707 or email nurse@pancreaticcancer.org.uk, available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10am- 4pm and Wednesday 10am – 6pm.
The ‘Spirit Tables’ will represent the fall and rise of whales in the oceans of the sub-Antarctic
After a year-long search, the South Georgia Heritage Trust and the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands are delighted to announce the winner of a major international artistic commission that was designed to highlight the environmental recovery of the stunning sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, a UK Overseas Territory in the Southern Ocean.
The idea of the commission was to challenge artists to find a way to tell the powerful conservation messages of South Georgia, an island that was at the centre of the whaling industry for decades, but is now a modern rarity: an eco-system in recovery and a beacon of hope for conservation activities worldwide.
The winning artist is Scottish sculptor Michael Visocchi, with his work called ‘Commensalis – the Spirit Tables of South Georgia’. This site-specific piece will be situated on South Georgia at the Grytviken Whaling Station, with Michael’s concept drawing inspiration from a number of sources to tell the island’s powerful story.
The artwork will be made up of three main elements that all interlink to tell the story from devastation to the recovery of whale populations in the oceans around South Georgia, and more widely.
Visually it will make a connection between the barnacles found growing on the skin of various whale species and the steel rivets which literally held together the structures and vessels that powered the whaling industry for nearly a century. It will also reference the industrial nature of the whaling station and materials used in the derelict buildings that bore witness to the processing of so many whales.
The Key Table sets the scene through a series of rivets arranged in a Nightingale chart*. It will visualise for visitors the stark reality that 175,250 whales were processed at South Georgia between 1904 and 1966. The Key Table will help unlock the message of what will follow with the other elements of the artwork.
The Footbridge is being explored as an element of the project, once Michael has had the opportunity to visit, and crossing it will provide a moment of reflection and contemplation as visitors walk across the slipway area where thousands of whales were dragged up and processed.
It will act as a transition point from the Key Table area to the Flensing Plan – the name given to the platform where the processing took place. The Footbridge will guide visitors to the final element of the artwork – the Spirit Tables.
The Spirit Tables are at the heart of the Flensing Plan and consist of six tables representing the six different whale species that were hunted and processed at Grytviken: Blue Whale, Fin Whale, Southern Right Whale, Sei Whale, Sperm Whale and Humpback Whale.
The Spirit Tables are punctuated by stainless steel button head rivets in various patterns, with each rivet symbolising a live whale or the spirit of a live whale. Michael’s design allows light to bounce off each rivet, illuminating the space and emitting a feeling of hope that is now evident around the waters of South Georgia following the end of whaling and the return of a number of species.
Recent expeditions by British Antarctic Survey have resulted in an unprecedented number of sightings of both blue and humpback whales, suggesting that the waters of South Georgia are once again becoming an important summer feeding ground for both species.
The title of the artwork Commensalis is derived from the biological term commensal, which defines a biological relationship where two species benefit from one another and where neither species suffer. Michael’s artwork focuses on the commensal relationship between whales and the whale barnacle. The artwork’s title more broadly proposes whether humankind ought to aspire to have that same commensal relationship with planet earth.
On being awarded this prestigious commission artist Michael Visocchi said: “This is an enormous honour and an extraordinary opportunity to engage creatively with such an important story in a truly remarkable place. It is going to be a real privilege to work alongside the many skilled and dedicated people who are so deeply invested in South Georgia and its wildlife.
“It is very rare for an artist to have the opportunity to respond to and work in such a genuinely special place and with such a deeply emotive subject matter. I have tried to weave a sense of hope into this work in an otherwise tragic and charged location in the whaling station. The Flensing Plan was where the more brutal physical aspects of whaling took place. I hope though that future visitors will gain some insight and hope from my Spirit Tables.
“As a sculptor and maker my work has always attempted to deal with our interaction with the landscape. This is what drew me to applying for this commission in the first place. It isn’t often that ‘site specificness’ or responding to a particular context is written into a commission brief.
“I hope the scale of this work in some way evokes the majesty of these amazing creatures and the magnitude of this story about humankind’s quite often troubled relationship with other species and the environment, but also humankind’s amazing ability to steer ultimately towards enlightenment.”
The South Georgia Heritage Trust, the Scottish-based charity that has organised this artistic commission, has been working on the island in close partnership with the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) since 2005.
Its hugely successful Habitat Restoration Project has reversed two centuries of human-induced damage to the island’s wildlife, eradicating the mice and rats that arrived as stowaways on sealing and whaling vessels from the late 18th century onwards that preyed on ground-nesting and burrowing birds.
As a result, millions of birds reclaimed their ancestral home when South Georgia was declared rodent-free in May 2018 – the largest invasive species eradication in the world.
Alison Neil, Chief Executive of SGHT said: “We were delighted with the responses from all over the world to the commission and it was heartening that so many artists were moved by the compelling story of South Georgia and wanted to be part of making a difference.
“The competition was tough, but the entire judging panel led by Elaine Shemilt (Vice Chairman of SGHT and Professor at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee), was impressed by the level of research Michael had undertaken and were struck by how his concept so effectively captured the essence of the brief, which was to shine a light of hope onto what can often seem a bleak future for our environment.
“This is just the start of the journey for SGHT and Michael, who will have the opportunity to visit South Georgia and evolve his concept once he has physically seen the site at Grytviken.
“The era of whaling and sealing was a dark period in our planet’s history, but the tide is turning.
“Now, not only are South Georgia’s birds free from invasive rodents, but whale species are starting to recover in the seas around the island too, which thanks to the GSGSSI now encompasses a 1.24 million km2 Marine Protected Area.
“We are thrilled that this artistic commission will sit at the heart of the work we are embarking, on as part of a cultural heritage programme to tell the world more about the human story on South Georgia.”
Helen Havercroft, Chief Executive of GSGSSI and a member of the judging panel said: “The Government looks forward to working alongside Michael and our Heritage Advisory Panel to ensure that the impressive concept Michael presented works to enhance the visitor experience at Grytviken and provide that critical ‘hope’ that humankind’s ability to destroy can be repaired through collective effort and a world-class management.
“Past human activities pushed some species to the brink of extinction but today, through hard work and commitment, South Georgia is a global rarity; an ecosystem in recovery with the recently published papers on returning whales to South Georgia’s waters serving as evidence of that recovery.”
Amanda Catto, Head of Visual Arts at Creative Scotland, who was also part of the judging panel, said: “Art is a really accessible and emotive way to tell powerful stories about the environment and engage people who might otherwise not be interested. The level of interest and entries to the competition demonstrates that.
“I am particularly impressed with the way the competition has been run and the quality of entries was incredible. Michael’s winning concept is exceptionally powerful and the way he proposes using the site and the materials to bring it to life is something I look forward to following as this project develops.”
Michael was due to visit South Georgia in the coming months, but due to COVID-19 this has been rescheduled to autumn 2021. Given the site-specific nature of the piece, it is imperative the artist has the chance to visit and adjust their concept accordingly, something that is particularly important for Michael who hopes to include disused materials from the whaling station in his construction.
The artwork will be permanently installed at Grytviken Whaling Station located in Cumberland Bay, South Georgia. Grytviken is the only visitor-accessible whaling station on South Georgia and receives around 10,000 visitors per year under usual circumstances.
Michael’s artwork will also be part of an outreach programme in the UK (currently under development), which may see Spirit Tables placed in a number of locations to engage a wider number of people in the story of South Georgia.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, has said that Edinburgh Council must urgently review their Space for People project to meet the needs of people with sight loss.
A recent FOI request by Mr Briggs revealed that no safety audits had been carried out by Edinburgh City Council ahead of putting new measures in place.
Guide Dogs Scotland have contacted Edinburgh City Council about a number of concerns they have with the Space for People initiative, the foremost being the lack of consultation with most vulnerable road users.
A key concern is that the Commonplace online map, an online tool for consulting on changes, has not been fully accessible to people with sight loss.
Another concern raised is a lack of transparency, with the walking and cycling charity Sustrans, managing the funds, providing advice and having developed the evaluation framework for the programme.
Particular safety concerns which have been highlighted include ‘floating bus stops’ and ‘bus boarders’ that require pedestrians to cross an uncontrolled crossing before and after they board a bus. For people with sight loss, this presents a particular challenge as many won’t be able to see approaching cyclists.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“The ill-thought-out Spaces for People initiative has created a number of significant changes to streets and roads across Edinburgh and has clearly impacted negatively on people with sight loss.
“From the outset Edinburgh City Council has failed to consult with local residents and must now act and take on board this guidance from Guide Dogs Scotland and fully consult with those who are visually impaired.
“Floating bus stops and bus borders are issues which have been highlighted as especially hazardous for people who have sight loss and these real concerns must be addressed urgently.”
This latest boost will help us to complete the proposed programme of temporary improvements first approved by Policy and Sustainability Committee in May. It will also allow the Spaces for People team to enhance schemes where possible, carry out more road and pavement resurfacing and increase the removal of street clutter.
Since May, we’ve introduced many temporary changes across the city to provide safe and protected routes, helping pedestrians and cyclists to travel while physically distancing. Amongst these are widened pavements in key shopping streets, segregated cycle lanes on main roads, closures on roads leading to popular parks and beauty spots, and improvements around schools.
Transport and Environment Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes said: “This is fantastic news and is testament to the hard work of our Spaces for People team, who are developing schemes which support people to walk, cycle and wheel while COVID restrictions are in place.
Additional funding will help us to deliver an even better package of routes and improvements which not only create more room for physical distancing but help residents to make healthy, active travel choices whenever they can.
Transport and Environment Vice Convener Councillor Karen Doran said: “We’ve already delivered a whole range of projects – helping children to get to school safely, creating space to spend time on shopping streets and giving cyclists safer, segregated routes for travel.
“This funding will help us provide additional improvements including removing street clutter to help reduce obstacles to pedestrian movement and improving some projects already on the ground, for example by renewing surfacing, and potentially adding some new projects.”
An update report to Transport and Environment Committee last week outlined the next steps for Spaces for People in Edinburgh, including amendments to existing interventions, several more complex schemes and improvements developed as a result of public feedback.
This has been referred to Full Council today (Thursday 19 November) for final approval.
This funding will enable the charity to deliver its important new ‘meals on wheels’ service set up to support some of the most vulnerable and isolated local older people through the crisis.
This will be particularly important over the challenging winter months ahead when older vulnerable people will require more support than ever to maintain physical and mental health and to remain connected to others through this unprecedented time.
The Stockbridge-based charity has almost 80 years of experience supporting older people living across the city.
The range of support services offered by the care organisation allows older residents to comfortably stay in their own home for longer. For example, the charity runs essential help at home services, registered outreach services and hosts three day centres for those with dementia and the frail elderly living throughout the city.
However, the crisis and the subsequent restrictions, has radically affected the usual range of in-person care services proudly offered by the charity. LifeCare has had to quickly evaluate, adapt and launch new programmes of support, such as this new meals on wheels service, to ensure that those in need continue to receive the high-quality support older people urgently need.
Kirstine Fergusson, Interim CEO of LifeCare, said: “We are so grateful to Barclays for this phenomenal level of support. The £100,000 award will enable our dedicated teams to deliver 100 hot meals a day to some of the most vulnerable and isolated older people living across our local communities right now.
“We all know that the colder, winter months ahead look a little harder for us all this year, but this is particularly true for the people we continue to support every day.
“Our older people are missing usual interactions such as coming to our day centres and participating in our varied support programmes. They are no longer easily able to get out of the house, have a change of scene and perhaps sit in our café to enjoy the company of others.
“Many of our clients live alone, are fearful or unable to leave their homes by themselves and they can become very isolated, so we are delighted that because of this new partnership with Barclays we are now able to visit those most in need regularly to check in, to say hello and to provide them with a hot and nutritious meal to keep them going through the colder and darker days. This is truly life-changing support.”
Scott Stewart, Head of Barclays Scotland, said: “This crisis has had an unprecedented impact across Scotland and we know this is an incredibly challenging time for many communities.
“By reaching those most in need of support LifeCare is playing a vital role in this crisis. At Barclays we are doing everything we can for our customers, clients and colleagues to help them through this pandemic. We hope that the donations we are making to charities across Scotland, including LifeCare, will allow them to amplify their vital work and support more people as the crisis develops.”
This new meals on wheels service will be managed by the team working within LifeCare’s renowned community café on Cheyne Street by their Help at Home service. The small team will deliver 14,000 freshly prepared hot meals across the coming months.
The charity will be targeting local older people most affected by the restrictions. If you, or someone you know, would like to benefit from the meals on wheels service please call 0131 343 0940 to discuss.
