Day: March 26, 2021

Usdaw Ne’er Day trading petition secures a Scottish Government consultation … after 14 year delay!

Retail trade union Usdaw has at last secured a commitment from the Scottish Government to consult on large stores closing on New Year’s Day.

The union submitted a petition to the Scottish Parliament and spent a year providing evidence to convince the Public Petitions Committee to press Ministers to make progress on a consultation.

Jamie Hepburn MSP (Minister for Business, Fair Work and Skills) wrote to Usdaw yesterday (Thursday) confirming that the Scottish Government will now conduct the necessary consultation, as set out in the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007. However no timetable has yet been set for the consultation.

Stewart Forrest – Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer says: “Confirmation that a consultation on large stores closing on New Year’s Day will now take place, after an unnecessary 14 year delay, is a step forward in our campaign to get a proper break for shopworkers over the festive period.

“We are disappointed that the Minister has not set out a timetable for the consultation and we will continue to press for further progress.

“As key workers delivering the essential service of keeping the nation fed, shopworkers deserve a decent break over the festive period. They have worked long hours in difficult circumstances throughout the pandemic, faced unprecedented levels of abuse and worried every working day about catching the virus and taking it home to their families.

“The very least that key workers in retail can expect is that the Scottish Government shows their appreciation for the essential work they’ve done throughout this appalling pandemic by progressing the call for a proper festive break.

“However this is not just a campaign for the pandemic, our members have for many years demanded a proper break after the extremely busy and stressful shopping period in the run-up to Christmas. 98% say that large stores should be closed and only 4% are happy to work on New Year’s Day or 2 January. Hogmanay and New Year is a special holiday, but this is not reflected in the experience of many retail workers, with three-quarters saying they spend too little time with friends and family.

“On behalf of Scotland’s retail workers we are urging the Scottish Government to open the consultation as soon as possible, so that the necessary legislative processes can be completed in time for 1 January 2022.”

Coalition raises concerns as new figures highlight slump in support for vulnerable children

  • Near doubling in the number of pupils with additional support needs since 2012
  • Decline in the number of specialist ASN teachers by 578 since 2012
  • 500 per cent increase in those with mental health problems

An alliance of leading providers of children’s services, the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), has called for greater resourcing to support children and young people with additional support needs (ASN), both during and after the Covid-19 crisis.

The call comes as new figures out today (23rd March 2021) from the annual Scottish Government pupil census, reveal that while the number of specialist ASN teachers has slumped to a record low, the number of those pupils with ASN has escalated dramatically.

Between 2012 and 2020 the number of full-time equivalent ASN teachers (publicly funded primary, secondary, special and centrally employed) has fallen from 3,389 to 2,811, a decrease of 578 teachers (17%).

This fall is against the background of an overall increase by 92.2 per cent since 2012 in the number of pupils identified with ASN, from 118,034 to 226,838 in 2020,representing just under a third of all pupils (32.3 per cent).

The number of those with autism spectrum disorder has increased by over 150 per cent (from 8,650 to 21,820) between 2012 and 2020, those with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties by over 125 per cent (from 23,485 to 52,921) and those with mental health problems by 500 per cent (from 1,254 to 7,524).

Against a background of a per pupil cut in spending and in specialist support, the SCSC has called for greater resourcing from both the Scottish Government and local authorities to ensure that those with ASN in Scotland’s schools, who disproportionately come from lower income families and areas of deprivation, are getting the care and support that they need. 

The coalition has also raised concerns about the effectiveness of a presumption of mainstreaming, meaning that all pupils are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply.

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “It is vital that those with ASN get the care and support they need, especially during and as we come out of the current Covid-19 crisis.

“This is also key if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap as we know that those with ASN disproportionately come from lower income families and areas of deprivation. Such a situation is clearly challenging in an environment of austerity and evidence of cuts in spending per pupil with ASN and in the number of specialist teachers supporting this group.

“While we also support the presumption of mainstreaming, which means that all children and young people are educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, it is clearly difficult to see how this is functioning properly for all those with ASN given this fall in specialist support and increase in the number of those identified with conditions such as autism and mental health problems.

“The Scottish Government and local authorities need to work together to provide the necessary resourcing to address the needs of those children and young people with ASN, who represent some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. “

IT’S AN EGGSTRAVAGANZA! Morrisons launches limited edition food box packed with Easter treats

– Includes an Easter Egg Hunt Kit, Chick & Bunny Marshmallows, Milk Chocolate Micro Eggs, ingredients for making cornflakes cakes and more –

– The new limited-edition food box is available to order online now, and the price includes next day delivery –

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Calling all chocoholics! Morrisons has launched a new Easter Treat Box to help customers hop into the spirit of the spring celebration. 

Priced at £22 including next day or nominated day delivery, the limited-edition box has everything customers need to celebrate Easter at home with the kids or makes the perfect surprise gift for a loved one. 

It includes an Easter egg hunt kit, additional solid milk chocolate eggs, a classic milk chocolate bunny and even Easter chick themed bags for hours of happy hunting entertainment. 

For those who like to get creative in the kitchen, Morrisons Easter Treat Box also contains all the ingredients to make classic Chocolate Easter Nests including cornflakes, milk cooking chocolate, pastel fairy paper cases and chick & bunny-shaped marshmallows or milk chocolate micro eggs for toppings. 

Aidan Buckley, Food Boxes and Eat Fresh Director at Morrisons said: “Whether our customers are celebrating at home with family or sending gifts to loved ones, we created the Easter Treat Box to make it even easier for everyone to enjoy the spring festivities, and all delivered, hassle-free, right to their doorstep.” 

Morrisons limited-edition Easter Treat Box is available now on the Morrisons food boxes website https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/box/easter-treat-box. 

Morrisons has also teamed up with Dr Oetker to create an Easter Baking Box for £23 – https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/box/easter-baking-box. 

Delivery by courier is included in the price shown and customers can order boxes until 2nd April.

 For more information on Morrisons Food Boxes range visit 

www.morrisons.com/food-boxes

New website launched to help people with mental health

People living in Lothian can now access a new website dedicated to helping them manage their own wellbeing and mental health and get information on available support and services.

The Wellbeing Lothian website (wellbeinglothian.scot) has been designed by an expert team of NHS Lothian psychologists and practitioners. It aims to help people navigate the range of online self-help advice by providing a hub of trusted information and resources, which are known to be effective.

Dr Belinda Hacking, Director of Psychology NHS Lothian and Consultant Clinical Psychologist explained: “The pandemic has been a source of worry and anxiety for most people. During these difficult times it’s vital that we take positive steps to look after ourselves. Our mental health is just as important as our physical health, and managing our wellbeing is a really good place to start.”

The website hosts a wide range of self-help resources on topics from managing weight and sleep to dealing with stress and anxiety. It also offers information on how to access online courses such as computerised Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for those who are interested in learning more about these techniques.  All the resources are free.

Dr. Donna Gilroy, Consultant Clinical Psychologist for NHS Lothian who coordinated the development of the website said: “We know people use different things at different times to improve their mental health. That’s why we’ve created a resource people can access when they need and where they feel comfortable.

“You can search the website for support on different things, such as improving your mood or coping after a break-up and find out more about normal reactions to these situations, which can help to reassure people. You can also choose whether you want to learn, assess, manage or get support about an issue or condition.”

Wellbeing Lothian was designed with support from Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian Health and Social Care Partnerships.  It includes a section with links to relevant services and organisations in each regional area and beyond.

Dr Belinda Hacking added: “It was important we designed a credible website based on what we know works well. That’s why you’ll find bite size video and audio clips from health professionals and service users, as well as easy read guides and tutorials.

“We hope it will be a valuable resource for people, particularly during lockdown, and we encourage everyone to explore it.”

Scottish Conservative Edinburgh Southern candidate, Miles Briggs, said: “Wellbeing Lothian is an excellent initiative to provide practical mental health tools for people who are struggling.

“The past year has been incredibly tough, with the stress and uncertainty of Covid-19 being bad for many people’s mental health.

“This website is not a solution for the mental health challenges we are facing in Scotland, but part of the solution, providing access to resources for supporting people to maintain good mental health.”

Anyone can access the website online at wellbeinglothian.scot.

The resources will be reviewed regularly and updated to address people’s feedback and needs.

It’s been a while … Inverleith Neighbourhood Network to meet next week

The next meeting of the Inverleith Neighbourhood Network will be on Wednesday 31st March from 6 – 8pm.

Agenda is below: 

  1. Minute of meeting – 210120
  2. Role of Chair / Rep of the NN 
  3. Communications within NN 
  4. Inverleith NN Greenspace priority – how do we take this forward and are there any other local priorities to be considered.
  5. Revised LIP (Locality Improvement Plan) priorities – update from LCPP (Local Community Planning Partnership)
  6. Poverty Commission – update from LCPP

The meeting will take place online using Microsoft Teams.

Joan Beattie, Inverleith community representative on the North West Locality Community Planning Partnership ( LCPP), said: “Our Neighbourhood Network is having a Team’s meeting on 31st March starting at 6pm to discuss among other things how to take forward our priority ‘MAKING THE MOST OF OUR GREEN SPACES’.  ​

“This was chosen as our priority in the last meeting before Covid restrictions but has proved to be even more important given the use of our green spaces over the last year.   

“I would really like to hear all of your views on this to feed into the next LCPP meeting and to let you know how I think it could be linked to the Local Improvement Plan.

I really hope you are all able to make the meeting but if that’s not, please pass on your ideas.”

For further information contact:

Elaine Lennon

North West Lifelong Learning Development Officer, City of Edinburgh Council

8 West Pilton Gardens, Edinburgh, EH4 4DP

Tel: 0131 529 5270 / 35270

Email: Elaine.Lennon@edinburgh.gov.uk

Revealing the faces of centuries-old Leithers

New images been created showing what people living in Leith up to 700 years ago might have looked like.

Forensic artists have used hi-tech software to reconstruct the faces of remains uncovered during the excavation of the medieval graveyard in Leith, dating back to between the 14th and 17th century, as part of the Trams to Newhaven project.

Masters graduate students from the University of Dundee, working closely with project sub-contractors GUARD Archaeology and as part of an ongoing internship with the Council Archaeologist, used special 3D scanners to build up digital versions of skulls discovered during excavations outside South Leith Parish Church.

These were the basis for lifelike representations created of the former residents, the first step in the aging analysis of bodies.

The first two pictures feature a man and woman both aged between 35 and 50. Early forensic analysis indicates that the woman may have suffered from nutritional deficiencies.

Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “These images give us a fascinating insight into the lives of the people who lived in our city centuries ago. The work being carried out now will not only shed light on the area’s past but will help to conserve it for many years to come.

“This is all part and parcel of the broader project to bring trams to Newhaven, and I’m glad that we’ve been able to involve residents in exciting developments like this, as we progress with such a major scheme.”

Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “It’s so interesting to see these images.

“It really makes you think about what life could have been like in Leith all those years ago and I look forward to finding out more from the experts analysing the remains found.”

Council Archaeologist John Lawson added: “These fantastic reconstructions help us connect directly with our forebearers. Often, we as archaeologists just see the physical remains but the work undertaken by Dundee University’s forensic artists helps put the flesh, so to speak, back onto these remains and by doing so I feel brings them closer to us today.”

Excavations were carried out in summer 2020 outside South Leith Parish Church, Constitution Street, where previous investigations showed that in the medieval period the church’s graveyard extended across the road with graves surviving beneath the current road surface.

The team of archaeologists, who were working to remove any human remains that could be affected by the tram works, exhumed more than 360 bodies, dating from between 1300 and 1650, as well as finding the apparent remnants of the original medieval graveyard wall.

The remains are now subject to examination and analysis that will reveal information on the origins, health, diseases and diet of the people of medieval Leith. This has involved partnership work with the University of Dundee and Forensic Art MSc graduate students Viviana Conti and Elysia Greenway, who have created facial reconstructions and have recorded vlogs for the Trams to Newhaven YouTube account, explaining their process.

Lynn Morrison, Lecturer in Forensic Art at the University of Dundee, said: “Elysia and Viviana have done an excellent job reconstructing the faces of these individuals. This internship has given them a great opportunity to develop the skills learnt on the course and gain some valuable experience in the field. I am delighted to see how well they are doing.

The main construction works on Leith Walk from Elm Row to Crown Place are currently underway, with traffic management involving Leith Walk being reduced to one citybound lane between London Road and Crown Place for the duration of the works.

Find out more about Trams to Newhaven on the project website. 

Home cinema: Filmhouse at Home

The team at Filmhouse in Edinburgh and Belmont Filmhouse in Aberdeen is pleased to launch Filmhouse at Home, their new online streaming platform which allows audiences to enjoy some of the finest Filmhouse-curated cinema from the comfort of their own home.

Live from today (Friday 26 March), the platform’s first titles include the award-winning Stray, a captivating documentary about stray dogs on the streets of Istanbul that had its premiere at London Film Festival, Holocaust survival drama Persian Lessons from the director of House of Sand and Fog, Vadim Perelman, critically-acclaimed documentary Poly Styrene: I am a Cliché about counter-culture icon and punk pioneer Poly Styrene and first documentary entirely in Scots Gaelic, Iorram (Boat Song) which is a lyrical portrait of the fishing community in Outer Hebrides, past and present.

Initially offering 20+ titles starting from £3.50, the Filmhouse at Home programme will grow to present a similar selection of films to that which the cinemas’ audiences are accustomed to: independent, world cinema at its best. The future programme will include, among others, Sundance-winning and now Oscar-nominated Minari.

Rod White, Head of Programming at Filmhouse Cinemas said: “We’re excited to announce the launch of Filmhouse at Home. Our brand-new video on demand platform is another way for audiences to engage with the kind of cinema on which our reputation is built.

“Given a percentage of the online ticket price comes directly to us, it also offers another way in which you can support us across everything we do.

“We hope that not only will this allow fellow cinephiles a new way to enjoy our carefully-curated films before we are able to welcome them back into our cinemas, but that Filmhouse at Home will also ensure that those who are less able to venture out, or make it to our cinemas in Aberdeen and Edinburgh have a new way to access the best of independent, world cinema.”

Audiences will have 30 days to watch a film once purchased and 48 hours to watch a title once they click ‘play’ (exceptions apply). In the 48 hours, the film can be watched multiple times. Wherever possible films are audio described, closed-captioned or subtitled.

Some films hosted by Filmhouse at Home are only available to rent a limited number of times so audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. 

Filmhouse at Home is generously supported by the Weston Cultural Fund.

Capital to mark 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh Independence

Edinburgh will light up in red and green tonight to mark the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Independence.

Lord Provost of Edinburgh Frank Ross, on behalf of Council of Bangladeshis in Scotland (CBS) and Bangladesh Samity (BS) has asked Edinburgh Airport and Historic Environment Scotland to assist with the illumination of land mark buildings in Red and Green on Friday 26 March.

The Lord Provost will also fly the flag of Bangladesh from a flag pole on the balustrade at the front of the Chambers.

Foysol Choudhury MBE, Chair of Edinburgh & Lothian Regional Equality Council said: “UK’s Bangladeshi community has disproportionately suffered from the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).

“Tonight, we pay tribute to all those affected by the pandemic and thank all frontline staff who serve selflessly despite the increased personal risks.” I would also like to thank Rt Hon Frank Ross, Lord Provost and City of Edinburgh Council for all the help and support.”

Abdal Ullah, Founder of The British Bangladeshi Power & Inspiration and Trustee of BBPI Foundation said: “In celebration of the 50th anniversary of independence, the iconic UK Building’s has lit up in the colours of the Bangladeshi flag.

“The red and green reminds us of the struggle for liberation and the elation of freedom. We also recognise the resilience of the many thousands in the British Bangladeshi community and the massive contribution they make to Britain.”

#Freedom50 is our hashtag for the day.

‘Stark disconnect’: Charity’s call for better understanding of the far-reaching impacts of epilepsy

42% of people with epilepsy in Scotland want you to know this one thing … (Purple Day, 26 March)

New research shows that public understanding of epilepsy doesn’t always match with the reality faced by those living with the condition. Friday 26 March is Purple Day, the global day for epilepsy, and a chance to redress the balance. There are over 55,000 people living with epilepsy in Scotland.

In Epilepsy Action’s new poll, nearly 1,000 people affected by epilepsy were asked for the one thing they wished the public knew about the condition.

42% of those surveyed in Scotland said they wished people knew that the impact of living with epilepsy goes far beyond seizures. Side-effects of medication, memory problems and impacted mental health are just some of the things that can affect people. 

A quarter (24%) of people said their biggest wish was for better awareness of the many different seizure types. Other hopes included more understanding that not all seizures are triggered by flashing lights and that epilepsy is a fluctuating condition.

However, new figures suggest much of the general public remains unaware of the ripple effect of the condition and are dismissive of how it affects people long-term. 

One in four people (23%) thought that epilepsy has no impact on a person’s life, aside from having seizures. A third said that the condition does not impact on a person’s mental health.

In one revealing statement, two thirds agreed with the suggestion that people ‘just need to be more positive when living with health conditions’. 

Yet, with a similar number of people (68%) saying they would be afraid to even witness someone having a seizure, the charity says this exposes a stark disconnect in understanding and compassion towards people with the condition.  

Louise Cousins, director of external affairs at Epilepsy Action, said: “These new insights are stark but not surprising. The impact of living with epilepsy can take a huge toll on people’s lives, their happiness and wellbeing.

“Everyone’s experience of epilepsy is different, but it can’t be overcome just by ‘being more positive’. This attitude needs to change. Lack of knowledge and empathy feeds into fearful, harmful assumptions and people with epilepsy feeling further misunderstood and dismissed.

“By giving them a voice and encouraging conversations on Purple Day, we can really improve society’s knowledge and compassion and close the gap on this chasm of understanding.”

Yorkshire comedian Maisie Adam was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 14. She is backing the campaign: “It’s totally normal for people to have those misconceptions about epilepsy, because of the information that’s out there at the moment. So much is frustratingly simplified, Hollywood-ified, it’s very bite-sized.

“It’s just the understanding that’s important and I think that comes from both sides. It’s about us being understanding of why people have those misconceptions but just hoping that people don’t assume – that they can hold back on any assumptions until the facts have been given. Epilepsy is so different for every single person.

“Be open to that huge variation. You’ll have your misconceptions, but don’t assume.”

Epilepsy Action has released a new awareness video on YouTube to coincide with Purple Day and to promote understanding of the condition. The charity is also urging supporters to take part in virtual fundraisers and to celebrate #purpleday on social media.

Support and information for anyone affected by epilepsy are available at epilepsy.org.uk or by calling the Epilepsy Action helpline on 0808 800 5050.

To support Epilepsy Action’s Purple Day appeal and help people affected by epilepsy, visit epilepsy.org.uk/purple