Month: January 2021

BAME concerns over Covid and vaccine information

As the Chair of ELREC, an equality organisation, I want to share some of our concerns in regards to Covid and the roll out of the vaccine, especially amongst BAME groups. 

Since the start of this pandemic, it’s been obvious that information has not always been disseminated properly specifically amongst our local ethnic minority communities. 

There hasn’t been official translated information made available to minority groups, specifically to those with language and literacy issues which is quite prevalent amongst the older BAME generations.

People not being able to understand something is daunting as it is but if it relates to their health and wellbeing then it’s an actual risk to them. Many older south Asians living in Edinburgh and Lothians rely on friends and family to relay information to them, and this doesn’t always happen so they are left to rely on foreign messages which may not always be correct.  

During the Covid-19 pandemic the information hasn’t always been executed the best or in a responsible manner which has led to many relying on other sources.

Misinformation in these circumstances can be just as deadly as the virus. People need to know factual information about every aspect of the pandemic. As the vaccine is being rolled out, we need to know the facts, in order to ensure all individuals are vaccinated.

We need facts, such as the ingredients and side effects. Many BAME people have underlying health issues and illnesses specific to their groups so how will the vaccine affect them, has it been tested vastly and diversely enough.  

Everyone has the right to correct information, in a manner they understand and can apply to their lives and this is the responsibility of every government. I call on the Scottish Government to ensure the facts regarding the vaccine are communicated to the BAME community in a way that reassures them.  

Foysol Choudhury MBE

Chair. Edinburgh and Lothian Regional Equality Council

Free music sessions from Scotland’s national music school

Scotland’s national music school is launching a series of free online music sessions which will be open to all young musicians practising at home while their schools tackle COVID-restrictions.

Starting with two workshops for the flute, St Mary’s Music School, is providing the additional resources to support music education across Scotland and encourage those learning to play a musical instrument to stay positive and motivated.

Led by St Mary’s Music School teacher Lis Dooner, who played with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra for 25 years, the flute workshops will cover breathing techniques and musical phrasing. Both will be a mix of live introductions and commentary and pre-recorded material.

Divided into sessions suitable for Grade 3 and below and Grade 3 and above, participants will be able to follow instructions on screen and ask questions during the sessions. Teachers are also welcome to attend. Taking place on the 28 and 30 January, the flute sessions have already attracted over 100 young musicians and teachers.

Other sessions with expert tips and friendly advice, technical nitty-gritty, help with practice and music theory are in the pipeline. Details can be found on the St Mary’s Music School website: Events (stmarysmusicschool.co.uk)

Dr Kenneth Taylor, headteacher of St Mary’s Music School, said: “It is important that we continue to encourage our young musicians. Music complements all learning and contributes to the wellbeing of pupils, so we are delighted to offer our resources to those who can’t get face to face with their teachers.

“We have worked hard to create engaging and effective music lessons online and we’re happy to share that experience with other teachers and pupils.”

Talking about the flute workshops, Lis Dooner commented: “The sessions focus on simple techniques and exercises to improve playing skills. We use a demonstration lesson between pupil and teacher as an example, and those at home can play along or simply watch. The aim is to have some fun and provide some useful practice and instruction.

“As human beings we derive a powerful and fundamental benefit from seeing and interacting with people ‘for real’. As musicians, that need is even more palpable and is core to how we develop and grow our craft. As a teacher it is a hugely important part of what we do and how we teach. I am really delighted to be hosting these sessions and hope that they support our young players.”

A third of Scots don’t feel financially secure in current Covid-19 climate

A new survey from Royal Bank of Scotland has found that a third (33%) of people in Scotland don’t feel financially secure or believe they have enough money to live comfortably and afford essential payments (e.g. groceries, utility bills, mortgage and rent payments) in the current Covid-19 climate. 

Despite this, three in ten (29%) Scots surveyed admitted that they would be uncomfortable speaking to friends and family about their current financial status and three in ten (30%) said they have previously lied to make themselves seem more financially secure than they are.

Almost two-thirds (63%) of Scots surveyed also acknowledged that they would feel embarrassed to ask family or friends to borrow money, however, more worryingly, three in ten (29%) said they often and always feel depressed when they think about their current financial situation.

The research comes as Royal Bank of Scotland launches its new Financial Flex campaign that will encourage Scots – especially younger generations – to start talking more openly and honestly about their finances to combat growing worries around money. Through a Royal Bank Financial Health Check, anyone, whether a customer or not, can get free advice on how to manage their money better.

Psychotherapist Kelly Hearn, an accredited UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) member, reviewed the findings. She said: “Financial anxiety is high and increasing in this pandemic, particularly among young adults.

“Money worries can lead to enormous shame and so are difficult to discuss. They cut straight to issues of self-worth and feelings of ‘not enough.’  Often people suffer in silence which only compounds the issue. A vicious cycle emerges where financial stress causes mental stress which affects physical health as well, particularly when coping mechanisms like binge drinking or eating are enacted. 

“Financial anxieties affect most of us and yet are rarely discussed.  It is time to address the taboo subject of money more openly as financial wellbeing is an important pillar of mental and physical health.”

The free financial health check service is available from Royal Bank.  It is a review with a highly trained senior personal banker and is currently offered by video. 

During the appointment, the senior banker will consider all areas of finances to help customers make the best decisions about what they feel is right for them. The review can also be completed by telephone if required. 

To book or for more information, visit:  

https://personal.rbs.co.uk/personal/financial-health-check.html 

Celebrate Burns Night with Invisible Cities

Online quiz will support the social enterprise and bring people together to celebrate Burns’ contribution to Scottish culture 

Invisible Cities, the social enterprise that trains people who have previouly experienced homelessness – become walking tour guides of their own city, in Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow and York – will be hosting an online quiz to celebrate Burns Night.   

Their official quiz master and Invisible (Edinburgh) guide has designed the special quiz for teams of up to six to enjoy online. All of the questions will be centered around Scottish Culture and there will be a few trick questions thrown in there too!   

Zakia Moulaoui Guery, Founder & CEO of Invisible Cities comments: “We know this year, we will not be able to come together to enjoy our traditional Haggis, Neeps and Tatties. But with Invisible Cities, you can still invite a few friends to come together (virtual) for a special online quiz, in support of our work!”  

The quiz will start at 6pm and can accommodate up to 6 teams – so those interested in attending are advised to book their spot promptly to avoid disappointment! Entry fee for the quiz is £30 per team and the winners will receive unique Scotland Goodie bags put together by the Invisible Cities team.   

For more information and to sign up, email info@invisible-cities.org.   

Burns Night is annually celebrated on 25th January in Scotland. It commemorates the life of the bard (poet) Robert Burns, who was born on January 25, 1759. The day also celebrates Burns’ contribution to Scottish culture.  

Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that doesn’t believe in labels or stereotypes. They want to show that everyone has great potential. They train people affected by homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city and offer these alternative tours to tourists and locals. 

Their training focuses on confidence building, public speaking and customer service. They partner with professional tour guides to build bespoke tours and practice their routes.  

For more information visit https://invisible-cities.org/   

Greens leader Lorna Slater to contest Leith seat

Scottish Greens co-leader Lorna Slater has been selected by local party members to stand in Edinburgh Northern and Leith in the Holyrood election.

Ms Slater is an electro-mechanical engineer working in marine renewable energy, most recently project-managing the construction of powertrains for the world’s most powerful tidal turbine, which is currently being assembled in Dundee.

A Leith resident, she stood in in the Leith Walk by-election in 2019 where she beat Labour to claim a strong second and was then elected co-leader of the party.

The Scottish Greens already have two councillors representing the area.

Commenting, Lorna Slater said: “I’m delighted to have been asked to run in the place I call home.

“Voters in Edinburgh North and Leith frequently see property developers put before people, our streets showing illegal levels of traffic pollution and our skies lit up by the Mossmorran gas plant in Fife. We have too many short-term lets and not enough affordable housing. That’s why we need a local Green MSP that pushes the SNP to take action on these issues and the climate emergency. 

“We do things differently in Leith. I’m excited that this is the first time in the constituency vote here that voters will have the option to back the bold proposals the Scottish Greens have, for our future, for rejoining the European family as an independent country and leading the charge on renewable energy.”

Man found guilty of Pirniefield Bank murder

A 44-year-old man has been convicted of the murder of 77-year-old Jadwiga Szczygielska. Roman Frackiewicz was found guilty at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday.

Police were called around 7.50am on Saturday, 18 April, 2020 to Pirniefield Bank in Edinburgh after the body of Jadwiga Szczygielska was found within her home.

Detective Inspector Bob Williamson of the Major Investigation Team in Edinburgh explained: “Jadwiga Szczygielska was a generous and caring woman who was well liked within the community. She allowed Roman Frackiewicz to stay in her home at a time when he had nowhere else to live.

“Frackiewicz repaid Jadwiga by taking advantage of her within her own home and abusing her kindness. We will never know why he chose to attack her that night but his actions were violent, brutal and cruel resulting in the catastrophic injuries suffered by Jadwiga.

“This guilty verdict will never bring Jadwiga back but I sincerely hope it will bring some sense of justice to her family.”

Morrisons to provide 2 million meals to over 30,000 families in need from own food-making sites

– Food to come from Morrisons food-making sites, distribution centres and suppliers –

– Morrisons will work with food redistribution charity The Bread and Butter Thing to reach 30,000 families in 100 locations –

Morrisons is extending its work with leading food redistribution charity The Bread and Butter Thing (TBBT), to provide great quality food for thousands of families in the UK, while at the same time significantly reducing food waste in its food making operations and supply chain around the UK.  

Food factories are the second highest source of food waste after households, according to the food waste charity WRAP.  This typically happens because of overproduction, imperfections, mis-labelling or because the food runs out of shelf life. 

During 2021, Morrisons plans to redistribute surplus food to 30,000 families in need through TBBT. Morrisons partnership with TBBT was set up in 2016 and has so far provided 2m meals to its members. 

The food – amounting to another 800 tonnes or 2 million meals a year – will come from a range of Morrisons food-making sites, distribution centres, and UK suppliers. The range of products donated will include fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, prepared food and bread. 

TBBT will redistribute it to families in need of healthy and nutritious meals. Its research found 80 per cent of adults who received food from TBBT are skipping meals themselves to feed their families1. 

So far, the partnership has enabled TBBT to double its reach from its Greater Manchester origins. A second TBBT warehouse opened in County Durham in November 2020, new vans will take the fleet to 10, and over 50 hubs are expected to be operational across the North of England by mid 2021. Morrisons support will enable the charity to expand nationally to 100 locations by the start of 2022.

Steven Butts, Head of Corporate Responsibility at Morrisons, said: “Reducing food waste is important to our customers, colleagues and shareholders.

“We’ve made very strong progress in reducing waste in our supermarkets over many years.  But there is still more to do behind the scenes and this extension of our partnership with TBBT will mean that they can do even more for families around the UK while at the same time helping us further reduce wasted food.” 

Mark Game, CEO TBBT, said: “We’ve all faced enormous challenges this year and we could not have done it without Morrisons’ continued support and the heroic efforts of its team to keep its surplus food coming to us in addition to feeding the nation during this tumultuous time.

“I’m enormously grateful to Morrisons and all its staff for helping us to keep our members fed with quality, nutritious food which, for a whole variety of reasons, couldn’t be sold.

“We work in some of the UK’s most deprived communities. The financial savings for people using our service are significant, people eat better quality and a bigger variety of food, and we save tonnes of surplus edible food from going to waste.

“It’s a win/win solution for everyone. Morrisons have been a major supporter since our launch in 2016, and I’m excited that this new, extended partnership will enable us to grow nationwide.”

Morrisons has pledged to reduce operational food waste by 50% by 2030. To date the supermarket has launched the biggest Wonky fruit and veg range, has donated surplus food from every store, and offers boxes of veg, bakery and deli items for just £3.09 via the Too Good to Go App. Since 2015 Morrisons stores have also given surplus food to local good causes – totalling 3.5 tonnes last year. 

Morrisons has 18 of its own food making sites – preparing meat, fruit, veg, fish, bakery and fresh food products, plus six distribution centres. The supermarket is the largest fresh food manufacturer in the UK, and makes more than half of the fresh food sold in its stores. 

For more information, visit: www.morrisons.co.uk .

Keeping Kids Safe: RoSPA launches campaign to reduce domestic accidents involving under-5s

A new safety campaign to help reduce the number of domestic accidents involving under-5s in Scotland has been launched by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

During lockdown many people are spending more time at home than ever before. However, more accidents happen in the home than anywhere else – every year in the UK, about 6,000 accidental deaths are caused by home accidents.

In Scotland, there are an average each year of 1,856 children under five years old injured so severely that they require hospital admission due to injuries in the home.

Evidence shows that falls, poisonings, burns and scalds – many of which happen in the home – are the most common injuries leading to A&E attendance and hospital admission for pre-school children.

Liz Lumsden, RoSPA’s community safety manager for Scotland, said: “Due to their inquisitive nature, children under the age of five are among the most likely to end up in A&E because of a home accident.

“Since the outbreak of the pandemic, many of us have spent more time at home than we may otherwise have done which can increase the likelihood of little ones having a mishap.”

To help prevent home accidents among young children in Scotland, RoSPA will be coordinating an awareness-raising campaigning which promotes key home safety messages this week. The campaign is supported by Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership, Aberdeen City Council and the Scottish Government.

The campaign will include short videos which demonstrate how to avoid common accidents that occur in the kitchen, bedroom, living room and other parts of the home.

Commenting on the campaign Community Safety Minister, Ash Denham MSP,  said: “I am pleased to see the launch of this campaign which looks to help prevent accidents in the home among young children.

“With children spending more time indoors at home, and the added factor of many parents having to juggle childcare with working from home, we know there is an increased risk of potential accidents.

“I would like to thank the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents for their continued dedication to help keep our children and young people in Scotland safe during these unprecedented times.”

In addition to the campaign videos and graphics, you can find further home safety advice on the Keeping Kids Safe hub, at https://bit.ly/3iteczf

If Not Now, When?

Social Renewal Advisory Board report: January 2021

Tackling poverty and inequality can be central to Scotland’s recovery from the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a new report.

The Social Renewal Advisory Board has published 20 Calls to Action to help create a fairer country, with recommendations around the themes of Money and Work; People, Rights and Advancing Equality; and Communities and Collective Endeavour.

The report, If not now, when?, will now be considered by the Scottish Government.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “This ambitious report is a challenge to be bold as we recover from COVID-19.

“It recognises the strong response to the pandemic which has taken place across Scotland thanks to the collective efforts of local and national government, communities, organisations and individuals. The actions recommended build on work to tackle poverty and reduce inequality, taking a human-rights based approach.”

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Everyone has felt the impacts of the virus, but those who were already facing disadvantage have faced even greater challenges.

“We are committed to ensuring our renewal, alongside our response, ensures a Fairer Scotland for everyone no matter their circumstances.”

Sally Thomas, Scottish Federation of Housing Associations Chief Executive and Joint Chair of the report’s Editorial Sub-Group said: “While there is no doubt the pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges, it has also re-energised work to tackle the inequalities that persist and stand in the way of Scotland becoming the inclusive, fair and progressive country we all want.”

Fellow Joint Chair and Chief Executive of Crisis Jon Sparkes said: “If accepted and implemented, the calls to action in this report will transform Scotland, building on firm foundations of social justice by continuing to tackle poverty and inequality, ensuring basic rights are realised and working towards fairer, healthier and empowered communities.

“We must seize this opportunity because if not now, when?”

If not now, when? – Social Renewal Advisory Board report: January 2021 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

The report calls for the Scottish Government to: 

  • commit to working towards a Minimum Income Guarantee for all
  • offer skills, training and qualifications programmes targeted to those most affected by the pandemic – including disabled people, minority ethnic communities and lone parents
  • commit to a new Affordable Housing Programme, delivering 53,000 affordable homes, including 37,100 homes for social rent
  • set a target to end digital exclusion in the next parliamentary term
  • work with local government and other partners to give more say to people and communities over the decisions which affect their lives
  • strengthen approaches to address and prevent hate crime and public sexual harassment.