The New Year is usually a time for a fresh start – making resolutions, getting fit, setting new challenges and goals. But with the continuing uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it seems harder to commit to making a change.
With restrictions ongoing, it’s becoming even more important for us to find new and innovative ways to raise vital funds for NSPCC Scotland to help children at risk of abuse and neglect.
Children have been greatly affected by the pandemic. Since the first lockdown measures were introduced, the average monthly number of referrals from the NSPCC’s helpline to agencies in Scotland, such as the police or children’s services, have been more than 50% higher than the first three months of 2020. And the effects are far from over.
Even with social distancing, there are still many ways you can fundraise for us. From hosting a virtual quiz or coffee morning to selling handmade crafts, cakes or old clothes, we’ve got lots of great virtual fundraising ideas you can try while following the Scottish Government’s advice on social distancing.
By volunteering just a couple of hours each month, fundraising in your local area, you can help make 2021 a better year for children.
So please think about using your New Year passion and enthusiasm to come up with some ideas to fundraise and help us be there when children need us most.
University students will be taught online throughout January and February, with the vast majority not expected back on campuses until the start of March, as part of a revised plan for their return in light of the spread of the new variant of coronavirus (COVID-19).
Only very small numbers of students will be allowed back on campus this month, for example, those:
who have remained over the winter break
whose attendance is critical and whose education cannot be delivered remotely or postponed, essential placements, or for reasons of student well-being
Where attendance is time-sensitive to the ability to graduate and cannot be delivered remotely or further postponed, very limited numbers of students may be able to return from mid-February. However all arrangements are subject to a future review of COVID-19 conditions.
Colleges will follow the level guidance for their local authority area which in practice means with limited exemptions the majority of college students’ studies will be on line in January and into February
The current state of the pandemic, the impact of suppression measures and the roll out of the vaccine will all be taken into account in considering whether it is possible for a return at any point.
Richard Lochhead, Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science, said detailed sectoral guidance will be published as soon as possible next week, but that his basic message to students remains that they should not return to their term-time accommodation until in-person teaching resumes, as advised by their institution.
Mr Lochhead said: “These changes reflect the current status of the virus, the reality of the new strain, and the rise in cases in recent weeks.
“The return of students to campus, including returning to term-time accommodation, involves the mass movement of thousands of people across the country. The mixing of people on that scale, including the potential movement of tens of thousands of students to university halls and private-rented flats, simply isn’t safe right now. It would fuel the virus, and that is something no one wants.
“Our immediate priority right now is to say to students, other than in specific special circumstances, they must not return to their campus or term-time accommodation before they are specifically told to do so by their institution.
“For the overwhelming majority of university students, this means all learning will be online-only at least for January and February, and students should not expect to return to campus or student accommodation before the end of February.
“We will review plans in light of the state of the pandemic nearer the time, but right now even the very limited number of returns that were previously planned for phase 2 of the restart dates, cannot happen until at least the middle of next month for the majority of students, supported by rapid-result testing on arrival.
“We would like to thank everyone for their patience and fortitude in dealing with the pandemic over past months, and we understand this is more difficult news – but we want to give students and staff as much certainty as we can so they can plan effectively. That’s why we are setting this plan out now.
“As we have all seen, this virus moves fast and changes quickly but even in light of that reality, hopefully by setting out a clear plan that gives certainly for at least the next two months, everyone can now plan with a greater degree of confidence.”
A cat who hit the headlines after turning up 12 years after she disappeared has found a new home where she can live out her days in peace and quiet.
Georgie was discovered to have been living in the grounds of a Loch Lomond campsite where she had gone missing years earlier when her owners from Rochdale took her with them on a family camping holiday.
She vanished during the trip and despite efforts to trace her, Georgie’s owners had to make the 250-mile trip home without her in the hope that her microchip would eventually help reunite them – not realising this would take 12 years.
Despite Georgie becoming a much-loved fixture around the campsite, being fed by campers and staff at the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park site in Rowardennen, she was still living the tough life of a stray, enduring the harsh winters out in the open.
When the campsite was forced to close during the first Scottish lockdown, meaning there would be no-one on site to keep their eye on her, staff called in Cats Protection for help. The charity’s Glasgow Adoption Centre, in line with protocol, scanned for a microchip, and traced her original owner.
Owner Amy Davies was surprised and overjoyed to learn Georgie had been found after so many years, but a change in her personal circumstances unfortunately meant she was unable to have Georgie back, so made the difficult decision to allow her to be adopted.
Georgie remained at the adoption centre for four months while dedicated staff gave her time and space to recuperate. At the age of 16, she had a list of health problems including thyroid and dental issues which needed treatment, as well as arthritis.
Meanwhile, cat lover Margaret Petrie, a secondary school teacher who lives minutes from Cats Protection’s Glasgow Adoption Centre, was looking for a new cat companion, having lost her previous pet, Cheddar, to illness.
Margaret said: “It’s always good to have a wee cat. I hadn’t heard about Georgie’s story when I was looking at the centre’s website, but I was looking to home a cat that other people might not want. I was heartbroken when I heard what a tough life she’d had.
“Years ago, my old cat Poppy escaped on a trip to the vets and I never gave up searching for her, putting up flyers and leaflets through doors. She turned up after six weeks of living in the wild, including through fireworks night, and I was so happy.”
Georgie came to live with Margaret before Christmas and has settled in well to her new home, spending much of her time in her favourite spot on a memory foam mattress by the radiator. She continues to be on regular medication for arthritis and her healthy appetite has seen her put on weight.
She also shares the home with giant rabbit, Rupert, and an occasional visitor into the house, Ruby, Margaret’s pet hen.
“Georgie’s very affectionate, friendly and loving and will come in and in say hello when I’m sitting in the lounge, before returning to her bed. She could go out if she wanted but she isn’t very mobile and prefers to stay indoors after such a long time spent living outdoors.
“Georgie pays no attention to the rabbit, who is bigger than her, or the hen!”
Glasgow Adoption Centre manager Andy Currie said: “We are delighted Georgie has found a home where she will be able to live a quiet, stress-free life after so many years living the life of a stray. We wish them all the best for the future.
“We also want to remind people of the importance of microchipping, and keeping registration details updated, so that if your cat should unfortunately go missing there is a much better chance of being reunited.”
Microchipping is a simple procedure which involves placing a chip the size of a grain of rice beneath a cat’s skin. It contains an owner’s contact details and can be easily updated by a vet. It is a safe and permanent way to identify a cat and the best way to ensure lost cats are returned to their loving families.
Guidance for teachers and families to support remote learning in schools has been published by Education Scotland.
It has been created in partnership through the Education Recovery Group and sets out a shared understanding of the key principles of remote learning, the support and resources available for teachers and families and what children and young people are entitled to.
This is in addition to remote learning guidance already produced by local authorities for schools to plan and prepare.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Our national e-learning offer, launched in June 2020, is already strengthening the remote and e-learning option available to schools.
“All authorities and schools in Scotland are already able to access to live, recorded and supported learning resources, while more than 50,000 devices such as laptops have been distributed to children and young people to help with remote learning.
“I am grateful for the huge amount of work that has already been done to prepare for next week and more is being done in order to continuously improve the national remote learning offer.
“This guidance sets out a range of entitlements for children and young people during the period of remote learning. It highlights the importance of achieving an appropriate balance of live learning and independent activity and an entitlement to ongoing dialogue, reflection and feedback with teachers.”
– Click & Collect slots now available from 447 Morrisons stores across the UK –
– Up to 37,000 slots available every day
– Slots available to book now nationwide for collection tomorrow
Morrisons is expanding its Click & Collect service to 447 stores across the UK to help feed the nation during the third national lockdown.
At the start of March 2020, there were just 14 Morrisons stores offering the Click & Collect service, growing to 280 in the second lockdown in November. Now, Morrisons has extended the service even further to help customers during the latest January lockdown, with 447 stores now fulfilling Click & Collect orders across the country.
Morrisons’ Click & Collect service allows customers to complete a Morrisons.com order online and then collect from a store, without an additional delivery charge and contact-free, at a time that suits them best.
Since the first lockdown, Morrisons has introduced lots of new ways to help customers shop, including:
Its Doorstep Delivery service for elderly and vulnerable customers wishing to place a next day delivery order. Anyone wishing to use the service should call 0345 611 6111 and select option 5
Same-day deliveries with Amazon and Deliveroo for quick and convenient shopping
A selection of Food Boxes available online, which will be delivered next day if ordered before 3pm
Morrisons is also offering 10% discounts on shopping to key workers, which include NHS, Teachers and Blue Light Card holders. There is also an NHS shopping hour which takes place at 6am – 7am, Monday to Saturday to make it easier for the nation’s key workers to do their shopping.
Miles Foster, Morrisons Online Operations Director said: “We are doing everything we can to increase the amount of home delivery slots available but we recognise that the slots get snapped up quickly in lockdown. Click & Collect is an excellent alternative and is proving really popular with customers.
“Since the first lockdown we have expanded our Click & Collect service significantly and it is now available from 447 of our stores across the country. We have slots available now nationwide so our customers can get the groceries they need in a contact-free and convenient way.”
Police are urging members of the public to stay at home and not attend a planned demonstration at the Scottish Parliament.
Information has been received that an event is scheduled to take place on Monday (11 January). However, under the current Level 4 restrictions, such gatherings are not permitted and anyone wishing to demonstrate is urged to find alternative ways to protest, such as online, to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Superintendent David Robertson from Edinburgh Police Division said: “We understand people want to make their voices heard, but they must do so lawfully and peacefully.
“The Scottish Government regulations are clear that no marches or parades are allowed due to the restrictions in place.
“Static demonstrations can take place if Scottish Government guidance is followed in local authority areas under Level 0-3 restrictions.
“They are prohibited in areas under Level 4 restrictions and we will continue to police these using the 4Es approach of engaging with those taking part and explaining the restrictions in place.
“Our response will be measured and appropriate and we will use enforcement as a last resort where required.”
For more information on the latest coronavirus guidelines please visit the Scottish Government website at http://ow.ly/QT2O50D43KL
Communities across the country are to benefit from fast-tracked funding to help tackle climate change and deliver Scotland’s green recovery from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A total of 279 projects will be funded through the Community Climate Asset Fund, helping to deliver electric bikes, food growing equipment and glazing to improve energy efficiency.
Successful recipients of the Fund based in the capital include Freh Start, Stockbridge Parish Church, ELREC and Granton Parish Church.
Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Communities across the country are playing a vital role in responding to the pandemic crisis and in maintaining our resilience, our sense of spirit and our local support network.
“In what remains an exceptionally difficult time for us all, this funding is providing fast, tangible support to deliver long-lasting benefits to community based organisations while also helping them tackle climate change as we accelerate our just transition to a net zero society.
“I am particularly pleased that the successful recipients of the Community Climate Asset Fund come from right across the country, meaning many thousands of people will benefit from the projects and help play their part in ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change.”
Chief Executive Officer of Keep Scotland Beautiful Barry Fisher said: “We congratulate all the community-based organisations across Scotland awarded Community Climate Asset Fund grants.
“Keep Scotland Beautiful are committed to making Scotland clean, green and sustainable, and through the Community Climate Asset Fund, we are delighted to support communities to tackle climate change and contribute to a green and just recovery from COVID-19.”
A total of 279 organisations are being funded through the Community Climate Asset Fund. Edinburgh projects to receive funding are:
Action Porty. For community building energy efficiency improvements. £3,777.60.
Blood Bikes Scotland. For an electric motorcycle and charging station to help to reduce carbon emissions within the Lothian region by transporting urgent items for the NHS more sustainably. £24,896.70
Craigmillar Now. For community building energy efficiency improvements. £9,770.00.
Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council. For an electric vehicle to help the BAME communities of Edinburgh to reduce local carbon emissions by empowering their club users to drive more sustainably. £12,150.00
Edinburgh Community Food. For an electric van and charging point to help reduce carbon emissions in Edinburgh by delivering food parcels to families and local community organisations more sustainably. £28,607.16
Edinburgh Hindu Mandir and Cultural Centre. For insulation and low-energy lighting to help the Hindu community of Edinburgh to reduce local carbon emissions by making the community hall more energy efficient. £24,660.00
Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association. For food growing equipment. £2,660.00.
Fresh Start. For an electric van to help reduce carbon emissions in Edinburgh by distributing donations and running their PAT testing service more sustainably. £13,986.00
Friends of Seaview. For food growing and food waste equipment. £2,036.32.
Inverleith Allotments Association. For garden waste reduction equipment. £3,474.00.
Stockbridge Parish Church. For community building energy efficiency improvements. £3,790.80.
Swap and Re-use Hub Co-operative (Edinburgh) Ltd. For an electric cargo bike, fridge and freezer to help the Food Sharing Edinburgh Network to reduce local carbon emissions by reducing emissions for collections and deliveries and diverting more surplus food from landfill. £7,703.00.
The Broomhouse Centre. For an electric van to help communities in South West Edinburgh to reduce carbon emissions by distributing food donations, other deliveries, and activities more sustainably. £18,601.92
The Edinburgh Remakery Ltd. For textile repair equipment as part of the Covid-19 response. £1,000.00.
The Friends of Duddingston Charitable Trust. For food growing equipment. £2,956.83.
The Welcoming Association. For food growing and food waste equipment. £3,100.00.
Water of Leith Conservation Trust. For an electric cargo bike and community building energy efficiency improvements. £4,496.78.
THE Scottish Fire and Rescue Service is warning communities across Scotland to stay clear of frozen water as temperatures drop.
The national service is urging the public to be aware of the risks of going onto or allowing children and pets to go onto the ice.
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, more than 50 per cent of all drowning cases involving ice in the UK involved the attempted rescue of another person or a pet.
And SFRS is warning that while ice can look and feel solid, it can suddenly crack and cause a person to fall through and potentially become trapped under the ice.
DACO Alasdair Perry is SFRS’ Head of Prevention and Protection. He said: “We would ask everyone to be aware of the dangers of ice during this cold snap and strongly advise against walking or playing on any iced-up waterways and always ensure that children are kept away from any iced over ponds or rivers.
“If you are out with your pet, do not throw sticks or balls near frozen water, and if they do get into trouble on the ice, do not venture onto the ice yourself to attempt a rescue – dial 999.
“The ice may look solid, but it is not worth the risk to step out on to it.”
The low temperature of the water can also bring on cold-water shock, which can be potentially deadly.
Cold-water shock can cause breathing difficulties, blood vessels to close, the heart-rate to increase and lead to a heart attack.
Michael Avril, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution’s Regional Water Safety Lead for Scotland, said: “Walking on ice is extremely risky and unpredictable and the RNLI advise that you avoid doing this.
“If you do fall through, the freezing water temperatures can bring on cold water shock.
“If you find yourself or someone else in trouble, dial 999 and ask for the fire service immediately. Do not attempt to rescue anyone yourself.”
Parents across Scotland have been applying early for the new Scottish Child Payment that will open on Monday 15 February.
Social Security Scotland is taking applications ahead of the introduction of the new benefit to help manage demand. 56,000 applications were received between Monday 9 November and Sunday 3 January.
Those who apply before the start date will have their payments calculated from 15 February. Parents are encouraged to apply now to avoid losing out on any money.
The new benefit will give eligible families on tax credits or certain benefits an extra £40 every four weeks for each child under six.
Scotland is the only part of the UK where this additional payment for families with young children will be available. The Scottish Fiscal Commission have forecast that the payment could support up to 194,000 children this financial year.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This is a great response to our new payment.
“The Scottish Child Payment is the most ambitious anti-poverty measure currently being undertaken anywhere in the UK but there are many more families out there who are entitled to this support and we want to make sure that they get every penny that they are due. That’s why we are asking people to get their application in early so that their payments will be calculated from the first day the payment starts.
“Almost 60% of all children in poverty live in a family where a child is under six so I am proud we are able to introduce it early for families with young children before we roll it out to children under 16 in 2022.
“Significantly more families are now relying on benefits due to the events of the last year – some perhaps for the first time – and this payment will help lift children in Scotland out of poverty.
“COVID-19 continues to challenge us and the required additional restrictions bring additional pressures for families. I know that mums and dads and carers will be balancing many things right now but if you can find ten minutes, that’s all it takes to fill in the application form, it could mean that there is some extra money that could maybe ease the financial pressure that you may be facing post-Christmas and amid the national lockdown.”
Paul Carberry, Action for Children Director for Scotland, said: “Action for Children staff see the effects of child poverty every day and the impact it has on many of the children and families whom we support, care for and work with.
“We recognise that the impact of child poverty is not only felt in purely financial means but is also measured by children having an increase in poverty of opportunity. One simple act to help reduce child poverty is by putting money in the pockets of parents.
“The Scottish Child Payment can ease the struggle some families face in providing the basics and necessities of life. The impacts of poverty are profound for Scotland’s children, from poor mental and physical health and wellbeing to poor performance at school.
“The Scottish Child Payment will offer vital financial support for children, young people, and their families. It can give back choice and dignity. We urge all eligible families to apply for this.”
For those who apply before Monday 15 February, their payment will be calculated from Monday 15 February. For those who apply after Monday 15 February, their payment will be calculated from the date they apply.
US biotech company Moderna, Inc. has announced that the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved its mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 for use under Regulation 174.
The temporary authorization permits the supply of COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna in Great Britain and is based upon the advice of the UK Commission on Human Medicines.
“We appreciate the confidence shown by the UK MHRA in COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna with this decision, which marks an important step forward in the global fight against COVID-19,” said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna.
“I want to thank the MHRA and the Commission on Human Medicines’ reviewers for their tireless efforts. The authorization of a product developed by Moderna is a significant milestone on the Company’s 10-year journey, and I would like to thank all our colleagues that have helped us get to this point.”
The United Kingdom government has also exercised its option to purchase an additional 10 million doses of the COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna, bringing its confirmed order commitment to 17 million doses. The first deliveries of the COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna to the UK from Moderna’s dedicated non-U.S. supply chain are expected to commence early in 2021.
The UK is the fifth jurisdiction to authorize COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna, following the United States on December 18, 2020, Canada on December 23, 2020, Israel on January 4, 2021 and the European Union on January 6, 2021.
Additional authorizations are currently under review in a number of countries including Singapore and Switzerland.
The vaccine will be available for free and the government is working with the devolved administrations to ensure it is deployed fairly across the UK.
Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock said: “This is fantastic news and another weapon in our arsenal to tame this awful disease.
“Through our vaccine delivery plan we have already vaccinated nearly 1.5 million people across the UK. The Moderna vaccine will boost our vaccination programme even further once doses become available from the spring.
“While we immunise those most at risk from COVID, I urge everyone to continue following the rules to keep cases low to protect our loved ones.”
Nearly 1.5 million people in the UK have already been vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech and Oxford University/AstraZeneca vaccines, with more than 1,000 vaccination sites live by the end of the week across the UK to rapidly scale up the vaccination programme.
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will submit updated advice on which groups to prioritise for vaccination before doses become available.
Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “Vaccines are the key to releasing us all from the grip of this pandemic, and today’s news is yet another important step towards ending lockdown and returning to normal life.
“The UK was one of the first countries in Europe to sign a deal with Moderna, and I’m delighted our Vaccine Taskforce has secured an additional 10 million doses of their highly effective vaccine to protect the British public and save lives.
“From the scientists and trial volunteers to our world-class regulators and clinicians, we are enormously grateful to everyone who has played their part in this national effort to defeat the virus and get our country back on its feet.”
The NHS has decades of experience in rolling out successful widespread vaccination programmes and is putting into place extensive preparations for the roll-out of the Moderna vaccine ahead of the spring.
The Moderna vaccine will be deployed through similar methods:
hospital hubs for NHS and care staff and older patients to get vaccinated
local community services with local teams and GPs already signing up to take part in the programme
vaccination centres across the country, ensuring people can access a vaccine regardless of where they live
Vaccine Deployment Minister Nadhim Zahawi said: “The NHS is pulling out all the stops to vaccinate those most at risk as quickly as possible, with over 1,000 vaccination sites live across the UK by the end of the week to provide easy access to everyone, regardless of where they live.
The Moderna vaccine will be a vital boost to these efforts and will help us return to normal faster.
Through the Vaccines Taskforce, the UK has secured early access to 367 million doses of 7 of the most promising vaccines so far. To date, the government has invested over £230 million into manufacturing a successful vaccine. In the Chancellor’s Spending Review, published on 25 November, it was announced that the government has made more than £6 billion available to develop and procure successful vaccines.
Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Jonathan Van-Tam said: The highly effective Moderna vaccine is another impressive success for science and is another testament to the hard work of researchers and selfless clinical trial volunteers.
This vaccine will save lives once doses become available, but it is crucial we all continue to follow the rules to protect each other until enough people have been protected.
Interim Chair of the government’s Vaccines Taskforce Clive Dix said: This is another important milestone in our efforts to end this pandemic, and I would like to thank those in the government’s Vaccine Taskforce who have worked so hard to negotiate agreements with vaccine developers.
“A key objective for the Vaccine Taskforce is to ensure we have a range of vaccines to deliver to the UK population. The addition of the Moderna vaccine to the UK’s portfolio is important to reach that goal.”
Yesterday’s announcement was a glimmer of bright light on Covid’s darkest day. Thursday saw the worst figures since the virus hit the UK last year. A record 68,053 cases were recorded – and there were 1325 deaths, another unwanted record. Scotland also saw it’s worst figures – 93 deaths were registered on Thursday and 1530 people were in hospital with the virus.
Health professionals have said that the worst is yet to come. Vaccination really cannot come fast enough.
