When Scotland first went into lockdown in March 2020, a wave of uncertainty and fear was felt throughout society as people were told to stay at home, to save lives.
But as schools, shops and offices closed, communities did not.
Local people and grassroots groups were quick to come up with innovative ways to help during the crisis. Social action accelerated and became a central feature of Scotland’s response to the lockdown and ongoing challenges of coronavirus.
In July 2020 Social Action Inquiry partners commissioned The Collective to lead on a short-term piece of research to capture the stories and lessons learned from communities coming together to help.
From food drop offs to phone calls to isolated neighbours, volunteering and wellbeing support, the research brings to life the ways people developed creative approaches to make a difference.
The final research report Together We Help is now available and shines a light on the power of communities to mobilise and initiate social action in response to the issues that matter to them.
Eighteen community researchers gathered insights from 367 people involved in social action in their local areas, asking what inspired them to be involved and what lessons can be learned to build a fairer Scotland.
The research suggested that the stigma associated with accessing support such as food banks in times of need may have reduced as demand for these vital services increased dramatically throughout lockdown in 2020.
Community researchers also found that offering support and participating in local responses to the coronavirus crisis was both a ‘blessing and a curse’ as while it helped people to feel more connected to their community it also increased awareness and feelings of frustration at the growing levels of inequality on their doorstep.
This independent inquiry will look at how communities take action and will try to contribute to a Scotland where social action is valued and is able to make change happen in communities.
As current Scottish Government guidance means we can open our gates to provide a safe, outdoor environment for City of Edinburgh residents, we are reopening the zoo on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays starting this Friday (26 February).
Tickets for 26 – 28 February are only available to members and prepaid ticket holders as a thank you from our charity for your support during this difficult time.
March weekend tickets will go on sale to everyone next week, and we may add extra dates if there is demand.
Safety comes first and it is important everyone follows government guidance to protect themselves and others. This means you must not travel from outside the local authority area or gather in groups of more than two households with more than two adults and everyone must book a time slot online in advance.
Please respect the new ‘rules of the road’ at the zoo and our dedicated teams who are there to make sure everyone has a safe and fun day out.
Remember we can only open outdoors which means all indoor animal areas and our gift shop must remain closed for now. Toilets and changing facilities, takeaway only catering and ‘Click & Collect’ options from our online shop will all be available.
We really appreciate your support and patience and kindly ask that you read the information below before getting in touch (you can find contact details at the bottom of this page).
Hopefully you can visit us soon – we look forward to seeing you!
Police are appealing for information following an attempted robbery in Wester Drylaw.The incident happened between 2pm and 2.15pm yesterday (Tuesday 23 February).
A 29-year-old man working as a delivery driver was approached by two unidentified people who assaulted him and attempted to take a set of van keys. They were subsequently disturbed by a local resident and the males fled without having taken anything.
Officers are working to identify the two men, both of whom are male:
One is described as being white, around 6ft 2in tall and wearing a grey hooded top and black gloves.
The second is white, around 5ft 10in and of medium build with very short hair or possibly bald. He was wearing a red hooded top, dark tracksuit bottoms and black gloves.
Detective Constable Zaira Marker, of the Edinburgh Division Violence Reduction Unit, said: “Our enquiries are ongoing into this attempted robbery and this includes establishing exactly where in the Wester Drylaw area this happened.
“This incident was disturbed by a local resident and we are particularly keen to speak to them.”If you recognise yourself or if you saw or heard a disturbance in the Wester Drylaw area between 1400 – 1415hrs on Tuesday I would urge you to get in touch.”
“Any information can be passed to police on 101, quoting incident 1854 of 21 February, or call anonymously Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
93.3% of pupils had a ’positive destination’ including work, training or further study within three months of leaving school last year, official statistics show.
The proportion of school leavers in higher or further education is at a record high, with 72.2% continuing in education in 2019-20, up from 67.6% in 2018-19.
The statistics highlight the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, with the fall in positive destinations from 95.0% last year mostly driven by a decrease in leavers going into work.
The figures also show that for National Qualifications:
The proportion of school leavers with one pass or more at SCQF Level 5 (e.g. National 5) or better is 85.7%. In 2009-10 the proportion was 77.1%.
The proportion of school leavers with one pass or more at SCQF Level 6 (e.g. Higher) or better is 63.9%. In 2009-10 the proportion was 50.4%
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “Despite the challenges of COVID-19, it is heartening to see a continued high proportion of our pupils in positive destinations after leaving school, with a record percentage continuing in further and higher education.
“This year’s statistics clearly highlight the impact of the pandemic on young people, with a sizeable decrease in those entering employment reflecting the limited opportunities in the labour market. We are providing direct support to those affected through the Young Person’s Guarantee which gives every 16-24 year old a job, placement, training or volunteering opportunity.
“The data shows increases in the proportion of school leavers gaining one pass or more at SCQF Level 5 or better, SCQF Level 6 or better and SCQF Level 7. We also see a welcome increase in school leavers choosing vocational qualifications to develop wider skills for the world of work, with more than a fifth (22.5 per cent) now achieving one or more vocational qualification at SCQF Level 5 or better, compared to 7.3 per cent in 2013/14.
“Closing the poverty-related attainment gap and giving every young person the chance to fulfil their full potential, regardless of their background, remains our defining mission.
“This commitment is a long-term one, and we know the closure of schools and the cancellation of last year’s exams due to COVID-19 has impacted our progress and made that task harder.
“While official measures of the attainment gap rose slightly over the year, the proportion of leavers from the most deprived areas gaining one pass or more at a given level or better rose at most SCQF levels and the attainment gap is much smaller than it was in 2009/10.
“Over the last 10 years we have seen the gap close significantly at most SCQF levels with the difference in the proportion of school leavers achieving a pass at SCQF Level 6 (Higher or equivalent) or better among those from the least and most deprived areas decreasing by 9.6 percentage points compared to 2009/10.
“We have committed over £300 million in education recovery over this year and next, including to recruit additional teachers and support staff and address digital exclusion. and I am determined to continue to support our young people through these unprecedented times.”
During February half-term, volunteers from Greenpeace Edinburgh Group hosted a covid-compliant community activity in the form of an online art competition to celebrate our existing low traffic neighbourhoods, cycling paths and other active travel infrastructure.
It is important for children to engage with this important topic as it will shape their future living spaces.
The winners of the competition have been announced on the Greenpeace Edinburgh Facebook page, and all pictures can still be admired online.
The art competition was judged by councillors from the transport and environment committee, Sustrans, Spokes (Lothian Cycle Campaign), local artists and activists. The judges combine expertise on transport politics, active travel, accessibility, art, photography and activism.
Ellie from Edinburgh said, ‘As a parent of a ten year old this issue is really close to my heart. I have promised my daughter I will do everything I can to ensure that by the time she is twelve our neighbourhood will be safe so that she can cycle or walk independently to school and to the play park.
“As a car free family by choice, we choose to cycle and walk across our neighbourhood and city daily. However, that choice shouldn’t mean exposing our child to polluted air or dangerous on road cycling conditions.
The off carriageway new cycle lanes on Leith Walk have transformed our daily journeys to school, work and to the shops; we are so excited for it to be completed once the tram works are finished!
“But to be really meaningful this section of route needs to join up to create direct A to B routes across the city linking residential areas to green spaces, local facilities and the city centre.”
Ellie continued: “The huge increase in people walking and cycling during the lockdown has highlighted how much we all value our city, and has encouraged us all to take a fresh look at our local areas, especially as dodging congestion and pollution by escaping to the countryside is not an option right now. For many people this was never an option in any case!
“Hopefully spending more time locally will lead to a renewed sense of ownership of our streets and open spaces and greater support to tackle these issues for the health and sustainability of our city.
“As a family we are so supportive of the Council in taking bold action to protect our children’s health and to tackle the Climate Emergency through joined up, holistic action such as low traffic neighbourhoods, increased infrastructure for walking, cycling and wheeling city-wide and the introduction of more Controlled Parking Zones.
“We were relieved and excited to see the temporary measures in place tackling some areas during the Covid-19 lockdown, but there is so much more that that now needs to happen to transform our city.”
At the start of the pandemic in 2020, the government committed £2 billion for councils to roll out new walking and cycling infrastructure like protected cycle paths and traffic calming measures.
However, in last November’s Spending Review, the government maintained its commitment to spending £27 billion on new roads, while failing to guarantee any additional money for walking or cycling, or green local public transport.
Transport is the UK’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a significant source of toxic air pollution, and building more roads only adds to this problem, encouraging more people to buy cars, and drive more miles.
Our transport system is unfair – people in poorer areas are more likely to die on roads, and the highest levels of air pollution are also experienced in the poorest neighbourhoods.
In cities, people of colour are more likely to live near polluted streets and suffer the health impacts of air and noise pollution.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are designated to reduce traffic in certain streets, improve air quality and encourage walking and cycling.
A recent study of LTNs in London by the University of Westminster found that among all age, income and ethnic groups, almost 90% of people live on roads that could be part of an LTN. This dispels criticisms that they primarily benefit wealthier, white residents, rather than improving urban areas more broadly.
Creating more space for everyone to be able to walk and cycle safely is crucial for making our transport system fairer. At the moment, men are much more likely to cycle than women, and women of colour in particular are underrepresented among cyclists. This is not the case in cities where cycling has had more support, such as Amsterdam or Copenhagen.
Councillor Karen Doran, Vice-Convener of the Transport and Environment Committee, said: “Low traffic neighbourhoods transform how people live. I was very lucky to have grown up in a time when my parents encouraged me to play outside skipping, elastics, rounders … we had great fun!
“LTNs not only make for quieter streets to allow our children to play more safely, it gives us cleaner air to breathe. The wonderful artists taking part in this competition understand that and have shown us exactly what they want and need.”
Anke from Edinburgh said: “Thank you very much to Councillors Lesley Macinnes and Karen Doran, Kyra Whittle from Sustrans, Robert Simpson from Spokes, photographers Malena Persson and Lee Live, local artist Dette Allmark, and local group member Jess Martin for their fantastic support judging all of the wonderful submissions.”
Winning Entries:
F (8 y o) – PUBLIC VOTES (13) – PHOTO 12 – 18 yrsT (9) – PHOTO 5 -11 yrsR (16) – POSTER 12 – 18 yrsY (9) – POSTER 5 – 11 years
Former First Minister Alex Salmond will not now give evidence to today’s session of the inquiry into how the Scottish government handled complaints against him.
He was due to present his evidence to the committee this morning, but a Scottish Parliament spokesperson has confirmed that Mr Salmond’s legal advisers yesterday informed the committee he would not be attend unless his final submission was published in full.
Mr Salmond’s decision was brought about after The Scottish Parliament’s Parliamentrary Body withdrew his final submission from the Scottish Parliament website under pressure from The Crown Office, who expressed ‘grave concerns’ over it’s public presence – despite the fact that the Salmond testimony was published in The Spectator magazine some weeks ago.
The submission was later uploaded in a redacted form – but the removal of some sections would potentially hamper Mr Salmond’s ability to give full answers to committee questions which would be based on the redacted report.
The Crown Office’s role is severely criticised in the Salmond submission, in which he accuses a number of individuals and organisations of an orchestrated attempt to ‘damage my reputation and remove me from public life in Scotland’.
In his final submission, Mr Salmond says: “I leave it to others the question of what is, or is not, a conspiracy but am clear in my position that the evidence supports a deliberate, prolonged, malicious and concerted effort among a range of individuals within the Scottish Government and the SNP to damage my reputation, even to the extent of having me imprisoned.
“The individuals, for the avoidance of doubt: Peter Murrell (Chief Executive), Ian McCann (Compliance Officer) and Sue Riddick (Chief Operating Officer) of the SNP, together with Liz Llloyd, the First Minister’s Chief of Staff.
“There are others who, for legal reasons, I am not allowed to name.”
Alex Salmond’s submission concludes: “The real cost to the Scottish people runs into many millions of pounds and yet no-one in this entire process has uttered the simple words which are necessary on occasions to renew and refresh democratic institutions – “I Resign”.
“The Committee now has the opportunity to address that position.”
Mr Salmond also accuses the First Minister of both breaching the Ministerial Code and of misleading parliament in her recollection of events. If this was proven to be the case, Ms Sturgeon would be expected to resign.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon took to the airwaves on Monday evening, challenging Alex Salmond to prove there was a conspiracy against him and saying he has made claims “without a shred of evidence.”
The nine-person Holyrood committee will meet in private today to discuss how they can overcome the latest setback – their inquiry has been dogged by procedural issues and legal wrangling since it was set up in January 2019.
Mr Salmond has now offered to appear before the committee on Friday if the legal dispute over the written submission can be resolved.
It is highly likely that Covid 19 has exacerbated existing structural inequalities in Scotland, according to the Finance and Constitution Committee’s budget report published today.
A fair and equal economic recovery should, therefore, focus support on lower income, less educated, younger workers and help their progression in the labour market, says the Committee in unanimously agreed findings..
The report also says a “fundamental examination” of the Scottish taxation system should be held in time for the 2023-24 Budget.
The committee calls for a ‘national conversation’ on what tax policy is designed to achieve – in particular its role in achieving a just, sustainable and strong economy as we recover from Covid 19.
Finance & Constitution Committee Convener Bruce Crawford MSP said:“Our Committee recognises that it is highly likely that Covid 19 has exacerbated existing structural inequalities – with people on low or precarious incomes, with fewer employment rights facing the harshest of consequences.
“The pandemic has also had a devasting impact on the economy with some sectors and businesses being hit harder than others
“Our view is that a fair economic recovery from Covid will require a particular focus on supporting lower income, less educated and younger workers into the labour market. It should also help them progress up the labour market while driving up standards of pay and workplace rights.
“If the reduction in jobs in hospitality and non-essential retail is to become a permanent feature, support for training in other sectors and industries is also likely to be important.
Calling for a ‘national conversation’ on the Scottish tax system, Mr Crawford added:“We now consider that a fundamental examination of what the Scottish tax system is designed to achieve must be undertaken. In particular, it should look at the role of tax policy in achieving a just, sustainable and strong economy as we recover from Covid 19.
“This would include the breadth and nature of the tax base, the impact of economic activity on the size of the tax base, and the relationship between local, Scottish and UK-wide taxes.
“The Committee’s view is that this requires a national conversation jointly led by the Government and Parliament and which includes a wide range of voices across Scotland.”
The committee’s report says if the work was completed by September 2022 it would allow its successor Committee to consider the findings as part of its pre-budget scrutiny ahead of the Government preparing its 2023-24 Budget.
Find the full budget report of the Finance & Constitution Committee here..
Bonnie Bairn, Scotland’s Premier Pregnancy & Family Fair, is set to take place online for the first time ever, encouraging a nation of parents to #ShopLocal and discover new businesses all from the comfort of their own home.
Talks, workshops, live demos, taster sessions and even a fashion show will take place digitally across the ‘main stage’ and ‘breakout areas’, each day. With 46 in total, and all included in the £3 general admission ticket price, topics across all areas of pregnancy and early years parenting will ensure something for the whole family to enjoy.
From giving birth during a pandemic, to invaluable information on what to do if your baby chokes, the 30-minute sessions are packed full of tips and tricks to see you through the best and the most challenging, parts of parenting. Hosted from 10:30am to 3:45pm, highlights of the weekend include:
Saturday 6th March
10:30am: Baby Sensory Taster Session – a gentle and fun introduction to the world of baby sensory. A mini session with movement, cuddles, baby-signing and more. By Baby Sensory.
12pm: Three Top Tips for a Positive Birth – from midwife, birth educator and birth trauma therapist Gemma Nealon, on behalf of Positive Birth Scotland.
1:30pm: Newborn Photography at Home – how to take gorgeous photos of your newborn from home. By Diana Baker Photography.
3pm: Back to Basics, Back to Baby – learning how to keep baby safe during sleep times and understanding how simple it can be to prevent sleep related accidents. By Safe Sleep Scotland.
Sunday 7th March
10:30am: First Aid, Fevers and Fast Action! – from febrile seizures to what you should do if your little one swallows something poisonous; this session will give you the knowledge every parent needs. By Daisy First Aid.
11:15am: Be Ready to Parent – a mini taster session from the unique and hands-on ‘Be Ready to Parent’ workshop, including what to expect in the early days, cord care, bathing, swaddling, and settling techniques. By Baby Matters.
12pm: Story Massage – using stories and song alongside massage strokes, to discover the many benefits of positive touch for babies and their development. By The Birth & Baby Space.
2:15pm: Nurture the Play – a guided yoga story session for children aged 2 and over. By Nurture the Play.
The 2021 virtual show will also include stalls from brands such as Mama Bamboo and Graceful Changes, as well as nationally beloved retailers. Attendees and parents certainly won’t leave empty-handed, being able to shop everything from high-street brands, to bespoke keepsakes.
Scotland’s phased and careful approach to easing lockdown restrictions while continuing to suppress Coronavirus (COVID-19) has been outlined by the First Minister.
The updated Strategic Framework sets out the six tools the Scottish Government will use to restore, on a phased basis, greater normality to our everyday lives.
The immediate priority will continue to be the phased return of education, building on the return of some pupils to school yesterday.
On the basis that progress in suppressing the virus and vaccinating key groups remains on track restrictions would be eased in the following order:
the next phase of school returns with the rest of the primary school years, P4 to P7, and more senior phase secondary pupils back in the classroom for part of their learning and the limit on outdoor mixing between households increasing to four people from a maximum of two households
the stay at home restriction to be lifted and any final school returns to take place. Communal worship to restart in limited numbers mindful of the timing of major religious festivals. This phase would also see the re-opening of retail, starting with an extension of the definition of essential retail and the removal of restrictions on click-and collect
return to a levels approach with all of Scotland moving to at least level 3, with some possible adjustments. This could mean that from the last week of April that we would expect to see phased but significant re-opening of the economy, including non-essential retail, hospitality and services like gyms and hairdressers
There is likely to be a gap of at least three weeks between each easing of restrictions to assess the impact of changes, and to check that it is safe to proceed further using the six conditions for safe easing set out by the World Health Organisation.
As the vaccination programme progresses, a return to more variable levels of restrictions, which can vary by location, is likely when it is safe to do so.
Ongoing financial support is set out in the Framework and will continue to be available to businesses as we emerge from lockdown. This includes the ongoing commitment to fund the Strategic Framework Business Fund and to provide Level 4 payments for an additional month once businesses are moved down a level. These proposals are contingent on receipt of additional consequentials from the UK Government.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told Parliament: “I know how hard current restrictions are after 11 long months of this pandemic, however they are working and we can now see our way out of them.
“We are in a far better position now than at the start of January and these measures are initial steps on a slow, but hopefully steady, route back to much greater normality.
“Our intent remains to suppress the virus to the lowest possible level and keep it there, while we strive to return to a more normal life for as many people as possible.
“At the moment, and for a bit longer, we need to rely very heavily on restrictions to suppress the virus. This is essential when the virus is so transmissible, and when case numbers are still quite high.
“In time though – once the vast majority of the adult population has received at least one dose of the vaccine – we hope that vaccination will become our main tool for suppressing the virus.
“The Strategic Framework is deliberately cautious at this stage but in the coming weeks, if the data allows and positive trends continue, we will seek to accelerate the easing of restrictions.”
CAMRA: First Minister must make sure tier system is fair and extend financial support to save our pubs as lockdown is lifted
A spokesperson for CAMRA said: “Whilst there is now light at the end of the tunnel for pubs and breweries, today’s announcement still leaves lots of uncertainty about what re-opening our pubs could look like.
“The beer and pubs industry will need next month’s announcement on a return to the tier system and the plan for re-opening the economy to treat pubs fairly compared to other industries like non-essential retail.
“CAMRA has concerns that a return to any unfair or unevidenced restrictions like alcohol bans, curfews or only being allowed to serve alcohol with a meal as we move back to the different Covid protection levels would mean we aren’t getting a proper or fair re-opening.
“The First Minister mentioned ongoing tapered financial support. This must include enough help to make sure pubs are viable for as long as they are facing restrictions or having to operate at reduced capacity.
“Next week’s Budget at Westminster is also now more vital than ever. Pubs, breweries and the wider supply chain desperately need ongoing financial support beyond the next few weeks.
“The Chancellor must commit to extending furlough for as long as pubs are running at reduced trade, even if that is longer than in England. CAMRA are also campaigning for a reduction in VAT for on-trade alcohol sales as well as food and cutting duty for beer served in pubs to help them compete with supermarkets.”
STUC broadly welcomes cautious approach set out by First Minister in Framework announcement and that future decisions will be driven by data not dates – but STUC remains concerned about precautions required for safe return of more pupils to schools.
STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “We welcome that the First Minister has taken a cautious approach towards the easing of lockdown restrictions and that, in contrast to the Prime Minister, the government will be driven by data rather than fixed dates. It is entirely correct that Scotland should not move out of national restrictions till all priority groups are immunised.
“We also welcome the call for employers to continue to allow employees to work from home. Unfortunately a minority of employers still seem to be resistant to this and we will name and shame any employer that does not stick to the Government’s guidance.
“Whilst we understand that giving hope is important, we must also manage expectations and tightly control the transition from restrictions to vaccinations as the key way we suppress this virus. If we rush too fast we risk people’s health and the future economic recovery.
“On schools, we echo the concerns of education unions at the Scottish Government rejection of the use of medical grade face masks, already used in other countries, as short-sighted given the need to guard against aerosol transmission.”
“Essential Edinburgh said: “We welcome @ScotGovFM‘s Strategic Framework announced today. It is imperative businesses can plan effectively, with some certainty for re-opening and the statement allows this.
“The proposed date of 26th April for a potential return to Level 3 is still however two months away.”
City council Leaders have welcomed the Scottish Government’s plans for easing restrictions, though have urged the public to continue following guidance.
The gradual easing of restrictions began on Monday when early learning and childcare and schools reopened for primary one to three, as well as for senior pupils carrying out essential practical work. Further easing will be subject to several conditions being met.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Today’s announcement by the Scottish Government offers hope for better times to come, where some sense of normality is restored and where we can return to some of the activities we have all been missing so much.
“Right now, though, our number one priority is keeping the public safe. The First Minister has made it clear that we must be cautious. While the overall number of cases are falling and the rapid vaccine rollout continues, increased cases in Edinburgh of recent days highlight that our position is still fragile.
“That’s why it’s still so important that we continue to observe the restrictions in place, led by expert public health data, to limit the impact of this virus, which has by no means gone away.
“We’re working hard to deliver services with as little disruption as possible during this time, and this week welcomed the return of some of our pupils to schools across the city. We’ll continue to adapt and respond to guidance as it changes, and I encourage everyone to do the same. We’ve come this far – let’s work together to follow the path out of lockdown safely and sustainably.
Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “The Scottish Government’s route map outlined today offers guidance on how we could carefully, steadily reduce restrictions.
“It’s essential that we observe this gradual, phased approach if we are to protect people’s health and safety while working towards the city’s successful recovery from the pandemic.
Responding to today’s announcement by the First Minister, a spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said:“We of course understand the priority given to protecting public health and whatever steps are taken now to prepare the economy for a sustained period of recovery should not distract health professionals from the important job to save lives and protect the NHS.
“But today we hoped we would hear some indicative dates to allow us to begin planning for some form of recovery, but we are no further forward and remain in limbo.
“There does not appear to be a plan, we are unsure what data will be used to make vital decisions about our future and the remit and membership of a task force announced two weeks ago is still to be confirmed. Meanwhile further divergence will see travellers, airlines and jobs move to England. It seems the Scottish Government remains indifferent to Scotland’s impending connectivity crisis.
“If we are going to use New Zealand as a blueprint on suppression then we must also follow their act in support for aviation. Aviation facilitates many things, such as tourism which contributes more than £6 billion to the economy. We cannot afford to throw that away because we failed to invest in protecting our hard-earned direct connectivity.”
The Scottish Licensed Trade Association commented:“Pubs and hospitality businesses, while welcoming the Scottish Government’s “cautious” road map out of lockdown for the sector, are bitterly disappointed that today the First Minister said nothing other than that there will be a “reopening of the economy and society” from April 26th.
“While today’s announcement by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon brings hope for the country, a late spring reopening will sadly be too late for many and for those who do survive there remain serious challenges ahead.”
Paul Waterson, SLTA media spokesman, added: “Brighter days lie ahead – there’s no doubt about that. However, pubs, bars and restaurants have been unable to open since before Christmas – under significant Covid constraints – and large swathes of 2020 were lost to lockdown closures or severely limited trading conditions.
“While it is encouraging that our sector can hopefully reopen from the end of April, we are concerned that a return to the previous tiered system will lead many operators to decide that such restrictive reopening conditions are simply not worth the time, effort and money involved.
“Hospitality is not a ‘one size fits all’ sector given the breadth of premises that operate within it – pubs, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and so on – and depend on events and functions to survive.
“Of course, we welcome today’s news that the Scottish Government is committed to continuing financial support for those firms suffering as a result of the pandemic, and we also welcome the First Minister’s announcement that she is considering support for businesses facing trading restrictions after they are allowed to reopen.
“However, our response to today’s announcement is one of disappointment for the licensed hospitality industry which has been among the hardest hit by trading restrictions throughout the pandemic, an industry that invested an estimated £80 million on becoming Covid compliant.
“For us, it is now a case of waiting to hear what the First Minister puts on the table in her next announcement in three weeks’ time – until then, we will work with her officials to help the Scottish Government make the best decisions for our industry.”
Carers Trust Scotland and The Open University in Scotland have joined forces to help improve support to thousands of student carers in Scotland, who are studying alongside providing unpaid care for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.
Carer Aware is a new online training module which has been developed by Carers Trust Scotland and The Open University in Scotland with funding from The Scottish Funding Council. The module will help university staff to better understand the challenges faced by many student carers and provides guidance on how to improve support for these students at university.
Research by Carers Trust found that:
Student carers are four times more likely to drop out of college and university than those who are not carers;
84% of student carers find keeping good mental health while studying to be a challenge;
87% of student carers can find concentrating on assignments and work at home challenging.
Together, Carers Trust Scotland and The Open University in Scotland are calling on all Scottish universities to use this free resource to help their staff better identify, support and report on their student carers.
Scott Lafferty, Development Manager for Carers Trust Scotland, said: “Carers Trust Scotland is delighted to have worked with The Open University in Scotland to launch Carer Aware at University, an online module for university professionals.
“It aims to raise awareness to the challenges that many student carers face and offers guidance on how universities in Scotland can provide improved support to student carers, so that they have a fair chance to be successful in their own education and achieve their true potential in all aspects of their lives.”
Student carers can greatly benefit from dedicated support from their university and the Carer Aware at University online module should help improve outcomes for student carers after study.
Shona Littlejohn, Depute Director, Student Experience & Widening Access, at The Open University in Scotland, said: “Carer Aware at University is built around the stories of student carers as they share their experience of caring for a family member or friend, and the impact that has on their university studies.
“Huge thanks go to the many student carers who contributed to the course. This makes it a very compelling resource and really helps university staff better understand the challenges student carers face in juggling their unpaid care role alongside studying.”
This new resource complements existing work being undertaken by both organisations to raise awareness, improve identification and ensure adequate support is in place to give student carers a fair chance to be successful in their own education.
Since 2017, Carers Trust Scotland has been rolling out Going Higher for Student Carers Recognition Award, a scheme to assist and encourage all 19 of Scotland’s universities to develop their policies and practices to improve support for student carers, and award good practice. The Open University in Scotland achieved the award in 2020 demonstrating their commitment to improving their support for student carers.
Many student carers remain unidentified and unsupported at university and continue to be a hidden group.
There are student carers in every university trying to successfully complete their course to the best of their ability just like their peers. Yet, they often experience additional challenges because of their unpaid caring responsibilities and do not always receive the support they need to successfully complete university.
This prevents students with caring responsibilities from reaching their full potential, maintaining good health and wellbeing, and having equal access to the opportunities open to other students.
Additionally, due to the impact of the current Coronavirus pandemic, we know that many student carers are taking on additional caring responsibilities, therefore increasing the need for support at university.
The Carer Aware at University module was developed with partners in the University of Stirling, Heriot-Watt University, Glasgow Caledonian University and the College Development Network.
