Scottish Parliament Elections: Your Candidates

The candidates nominated to stand in the City of Edinburgh’s six constituencies and the Lothian Region in the Scottish Parliament Elections on Thursday, 6 May have been announced.

Nominations for candidates closed earlier today (Wednesday 31 March). The nominated candidates for each constituency are listed in full below.

Edinburgh Central Constituency

BOB, Bonnie Prince – Independent
DOUGLAS, Scott – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
JOHNSTONE, Alison – Scottish Green Party
KIRKMAN, Maddy – Scottish Labour Party
LAIRD, Tam – Scottish Libertarian Party
MACKAY, Donald Murdo – UK Independence Party (UKIP)
ROBERTSON, Angus – Scottish National Party (SNP)
WILSON, Bruce Roy – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh Eastern Constituency

COOK, Bill – Scottish Labour Party
DENHAM, Ash – Scottish National Party (SNP)
HUTCHISON, Graham – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
REILLY, Jill – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh Northern and Leith Constituency

BELL, Rebecca – Scottish Liberal Democrats
FACCENDA, Katrina – Scottish Labour Party
LAIDLAW, Callum – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
MACPHERSON, Ben – Scottish National Party (SNP)
PULLMAN, Jon – Scottish Freedom Alliance
SLATER, Lorna – Scottish Green Party

Edinburgh Pentlands Constituency

CAMERON, Lezley Marion – Scottish Labour Party and Scottish Co-operative Party
GRAHAM, Fraser John Ashmore – Scottish Liberal Democrats
LINDHURST, Gordon – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
LUCAS, Richard Crewe – Scottish Family Party
MACDONALD, Gordon – Scottish National Party (SNP)

Edinburgh Southern Constituency

BRIGGS, Miles – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
HOLDEN, Philip – Scottish Family Party
JOHNSON, Daniel – Scottish Labour Party and Scottish Co-operative Party
MACDONALD, Catriona Mary Elizabeth – Scottish National Party (SNP)
MACKINTOSH, Fred – Scottish Liberal Democrats

Edinburgh Western Constituency

COLE-HAMILTON, Alex – Scottish Liberal Democrats
FRASER, Daniel – Scottish Libertarian Party
GRAHAM, Margaret Arma – Scottish Labour Party
MASSON, Sarah – Scottish National Party (SNP)
WEBBER, Sue – Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

Lothian Region list:

PARTY: Abolish the Scottish Parliament Party

CANDIDATES: LECKIE, John Johnson; NICHOL, David Lindsay

PARTY: Alba Party

CANDIDATES: MACASKILL, Kenneth Wright; ARTHUR, Alexander; HENDRY, Christina Mary; AHMED, Irshad

PARTY: All for Unity

CANDIDATES: MORLEY, Charlotte; SINGH, Parvinder; HOGG, Alan; MACAULAY, Andy; HAMILTON, David; KNOX, Mike; CLARK, Derek

PARTY: Animal Welfare Party

CANDIDATES: MOIR, Vivienne; RIDLEY, Gavin

PARTY: Communist Party of Britain

CANDIDATES: WADDELL, Matthew Finlay

PARTY: Freedom Alliance – Integrity, Society, Economy

CANDIDATES: PULLMAN, Jon; WASE, Cara Patricia; MCCANN, Patricia

PARTY: Reform UK

CANDIDATES: WINTON, Derek Steven; BROWN, Mev; MORSE, Iain Murray; MACDONALD, Lesley

PARTY: Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party

CANDIDATES: BRIGGS, Miles; WEBBER, Sue; BALFOUR, Jeremy; FRASER, Rebecca; OFFORD, Malcolm; DOUGLAS, Scott; LINDHURST, Gordon; MUNRO, Marie-Clair; HUTCHISON, Graham; WHYTE, Iain; LAIDLAW, Callum KENNEDY, Charles

PARTY: Scottish Family Party

CANDIDATES: LUCAS, Richard Crewe; HOLDEN, Philip; COLVILLE, Norman David; KIRK, Gareth; IRELAND, Amy

PARTY: Scottish Greens

CANDIDATES: JOHNSTONE, Alison; SLATER, Lorna; NEVENS, Kate; BOOTH, Chas; BURGESS, Steve; MUMFORD, Alys; FROOD, Emily; PARKER, Ben; TAYLOR, Elaine; WILSON, Bill; WESTON, Evelyn; STANIFORTH, Alex

PARTY: Scottish Labour Party

CANDIDATES: JOHNSON, Daniel; BOYACK, Sarah; CHOUDHURY, Foysol; KIRKMAN, Madelaine; SULLIVAN, Kirsteen; WARD, Nicholas; HESSLER, Frederick; CURRAN, Stephen Robert

PARTY: Scottish Liberal Democrats

CANDIDATES: COLE-HAMILTON, Alex; MACKINTOSH, Fred; REILLY, Jill; BELL, Rebecca Louise; PATTLE, Sally; GRAHAM, Fraser John Ashmore; LINDSAY, Caron Marianne; WILSON, Bruce Roy; DUNDAS, Charles Christopher

PARTY: Scottish Libertarian Party

CANDIDATES: LAIRD, Tam; PATERSON, Cameron Paul

PARTY: Scottish National Party

CANDIDATES: CAMPBELL, Graham; ROBERTSON, Angus; HYSLOP, Fiona; MACPHERSON, Ben; MACDONALD, Catriona; MASSON, Sarah; MCCARRA, Greg; DICKIE, Alison; ORR, Alex; EWEN, Andrew; CONNELL, Rob

PARTY: Scottish Renew

CANDIDATES: ASTBURY, Heather Jane; FREEMANTLE-ZEE, Anna

PARTY: Scottish Women’s Equality Party

CANDIDATES: WATT, Emma Jane; RENTON, David Malcolm Alexander; HAMMOND, Lucy

PARTY: Social Democratic Party

CANDIDATES: YOUNG, Alasdair James; MANSON, Neil Peter; EDWARDS, Lawrence Sebastian

PARTY: UK Independence Party (UKIP)

CANDIDATES: MACKAY, Donald; MUMFORD, John Laurence; HOLLIS, Steve; LOWRY, Kenneth

INDEPENDENT:

GRACZYK, Ashley

Find out more about where, when and how to vote.

WHO-convened COVID-19 origins study: joint statement

Joint statement on the COVID-19 origins study convened by the World Health Organization (WHO):

The Governments of Australia, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Israel, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America remain steadfast in our commitment to working with the World Health Organization (WHO), international experts who have a vital mission, and the global community to understand the origins of this pandemic in order to improve our collective global health security and response.

Together, we support a transparent and independent analysis and evaluation, free from interference and undue influence, of the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In this regard, we join in expressing shared concerns regarding the recent WHO-convened study in China, while at the same time reinforcing the importance of working together toward the development and use of a swift, effective, transparent, science-based, and independent process for international evaluations of such outbreaks of unknown origin in the future.

The mission of the WHO is critical to advancing global health and health security, and we fully support its experts and staff and recognize their tireless work to bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic, including understanding how the pandemic started and spread.

With such an important mandate, it is equally essential that we voice our shared concerns that the international expert study on the source of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was significantly delayed and lacked access to complete, original data and samples. Scientific missions like these should be able to do their work under conditions that produce independent and objective recommendations and findings.

We share these concerns not only for the benefit of learning all we can about the origins of this pandemic, but also to lay a pathway to a timely, transparent, evidence-based process for the next phase of this study as well as for the next health crises.

We note the findings and recommendations, including the need for further studies of animals to find the means of introduction into humans, and urge momentum for expert-driven phase 2 studies.

Going forward, there must now be a renewed commitment by WHO and all Member States to access, transparency, and timeliness.

In a serious outbreak of an unknown pathogen with pandemic potential, a rapid, independent, expert-led, and unimpeded evaluation of the origins is critical to better prepare our people, our public health institutions, our industries, and our governments to respond successfully to such an outbreak and prevent future pandemics.

It is critical for independent experts to have full access to all pertinent human, animal, and environmental data, research, and personnel involved in the early stages of the outbreak relevant to determining how this pandemic emerged.

With all data in hand, the international community may independently assess COVID-19 origins, learn valuable lessons from this pandemic, and prevent future devastating consequences from outbreaks of disease.

We underscore the need for a robust, comprehensive, and expert-led mechanism for expeditiously investigating outbreaks of unknown origin that is conducted with full and open collaboration among all stakeholders and in accordance with the principles of transparency, respect for privacy, and scientific and research integrity.

We will work collaboratively and with the WHO to strengthen capacity, improve global health security, and inspire public confidence and trust in the world’s ability to detect, prepare for, and respond to future outbreaks.

Lib Dems announce candidate list and pledge to “Put Recovery First”

As nominations close, Scottish Liberal Democrats have announced their list of candidates for Lothian and are pledging their commitment to make recovery from the pandemic their number one priority as MSPs.

Today the Scottish Liberal Democrats submitted their nomination papers for the upcoming Scottish parliament election to be held on the 6^th May.

The Scottish Liberal Democrat candidate for Edinburgh Northern and Leith will be Rebecca Bell (above). She is also the mental health spokesperson for the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Rebecca Bell said: “People are under huge pressure from the pandemic. There’s a lot of work to be done to recover from this crisis. It will not be easily done and we will need our complete focus on the project at hand.

“As an MSP, I want to focus on cutting mental health waits, a bounce back plan for education, creating jobs and tackling the climate emergency.

“After years of arguing about independence and Brexit, the last thing we need right now is another independence referendum.

“As the MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, I will put the recovery first.”

Willie Rennie said: “This election is about priorities. Liberal Democrats will put recovery first. After the dreadful year we have endured, people want a needle-sharp focus on jobs, mental health, our NHS, schools and the climate crisis.

“With ten years of experience as leader I have won support for areas like mental health, education and nursery education. For me it has always been about investing in people so they can do great things.

“For the next five years the divided nationalists will put independence first, dividing the country too.

“For the next five years I will put the recovery first, cut mental health waits, help pupils bounce back, create jobs and take action on the climate. The SNP will prioritise another independence referendum.

Police appeal following North Edinburgh road incident

Police are appealing for information following a road traffic incident in the north west Edinburgh.

The incident happened at around 11am yesterday (Tuesday, 30th March), when a sliver Mercedes and black BMW were travelling at high speeds between Telford Road and Ferry Road at the junction with Granton Road.

Detective Sergeant Rory Legge said: “The incident took place in broad daylight on a busy stretch of road and we are asking members of the public to come forward with any information they may have.

“If you were in the area at the time and witnessed these vehicles, or have any dashcam or mobile phone footage that could assist with our investigation, I would urge you to contact police.

“Police can be contacted by calling 101 and quoting incident number 1017 of Tuesday, 30th March, 2021.”

Stepping back into Hemingway’s world

Associate Professor in Journalism lands major research grant

AN Edinburgh Napier academic has received a prestigious research award to provide fresh insights into the life of celebrated American novelist and journalist Ernest Hemingway.

Dr Eamonn O’Neill aims to shed new light on the writer’s time in World War Two London after being named as a recipient of the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Foundation’s Ernest Hemingway Research Grant.

The award will give Dr O’Neill access to the famous Boston institution’s Hemingway Collection and cover costs of up to $5000 as he delves into a fascinating period which saw A Farewell to Arms writer Hemingway stay at the Dorchester, drink at The Savoy and hang out with children’s author Roald Dahl.

The first recipient of the award in the UK, Dr O’Neill, 54 – an Associate Professor in Journalism at Edinburgh Napier – aims to produce both scholarly research articles and a book for a wider readership.

He said: “The library has been in lockdown since the pandemic struck and my research has been deferred, but I hope to hit the ground running in Boston as soon as is feasible.

“The grant covers research costs and travel, but for me its real value is in allowing me to gain access to original material from the narrow, previously hidden, period I am covering.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity. Hemingway’s work has influenced and fascinated me since I was an undergraduate. I am a committed member of the US-based Hemingway Society and I have been reading, teaching, and studying him since the beginning of my academic career at Strathclyde University two decades ago.”

Hemingway (1899-1961), whose most popular works include For Whom the Bell Tolls and The Sun Also Rises, is famed for his lean writing style and thirst for adventure, but his time in England is less well-known than his escapades in France, Spain and Cuba.

Dr O’Neill’s research award will give him the chance to scrutinise the writer’s time in Europe between May 1944 and March 1945 via the biggest repository of Hemingway papers, archives and personal belongings in the world.

The former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy secured the collection as part of her late husband’s Presidential Library and Museum directly from Hemingway’s fourth wife Mary Welsh Hemingway as the JFK Library was being established.

The John F Kennedy Library Foundation provides funds to scholars interested in researching the Ernest Hemingway Collection, with grant applications evaluated on the basis of the expected use of the Collection, the proposal’s contribution to Hemingway studies and the applicant’s qualifications.

Dr O’Neill said: “Hemingway was quite a phenomenon in 1944, a one-man global industry, with big-screen Hollywood film adaptations of his books playing in the London cinemas he walked past.

“He literally had the world at his fingertips, yet in the period I am researching he was also a human wrecking-ball, destroying his marriage to fellow journalist Martha Gellhorn, drinking morning, noon, and night, and yet still able to charm anyone who crossed his path. One minute he was staying in the White House with President Roosevelt, the next he was being spied on by the FBI.

“It’s that shadowy world, that nexus of a complex man who lived a very public life but retreated daily into his secret places, often hidden from even those closest to him, that fascinates me and which I hope to reveal in my work.

“There are few academics in the UK doing serious work on Hemingway but if the intense interest, even at this stage, from publishers and documentary and film production companies is anything to go by, it seems there’s already a massive audience ready to step into his world again.”

Free virtual conference on impact of pandemic on children for people working with Edinburgh families

Supporting children during the pandemic and beyond, is the focus of a free online conference being held for people working with families in Edinburgh.

The virtual conference has been organised by Edinburgh Child Protection Committee and NSPCC Scotland to mark the end of a year-long campaign launched to encourage families in the city to access support and advice.

Anyone who works with children or families in Edinburgh can sign up to the conference, which is being hosted on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday, April 13^th, between 2pm and 5pm.

Speakers will look at how the pandemic has impacted children, the ways in which organisations have adapted to help struggling families and what has been learned during the last year.

Attendees will hear about the All of Us campaign, which was launched to prevent child neglect by encouraging families to get help at an early stage and giving advice on how to support those who were struggling.

There will also be an opportunity for people to discuss how to better support children and families in Edinburgh in the future.

Carla Malseed, NSPCC Scotland local campaigns manager, said: “The pandemic has presented many hardships for families, including financial pressures, school closures, relationship strains, isolation and ill-health, and it has been more important than ever that people feel they can reach out for support and advice and get help.

“Organisations in Edinburgh have worked hard to find ways to adapt and support families while social distancing measures have been in place. This conference will give us the opportunity to look at what we have learned over the last year and how we can best support families in Edinburgh in the future.”

Jackie Irvine, Chair of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said: “We know that even as we move out of lockdown, people will continue to experience the impact of the pandemic on their lives.

“Protecting young people and supporting families remains a priority for us and we want everyone across the city to be aware of where to turn for help if they or someone they know is struggling.

“It is crucial that we work together to find the best ways of supporting families across the city during this difficult time and beyond.”

Early last year, as part of the campaign, a number of community events were held across the city but further ones were cancelled because of Covid-19 and all activities were moved online, including workshops, seminars and a family fun-day.

In April, the partnership brought together information on its web page about organisations and contacts where families could go for help and support during lockdown.

This included information on support offered by public services, voluntary agencies and charities. Some examples were food banks, financial advice, crisis loans, mental health support, activities for children and support and advice on home learning.

The information was sent in food boxes to more than 300 families across the city and via email to parents through schools, and it was highlighted through social media campaigns. This resource has continued to be regularly updated throughout the pandemic.

The campaign raised awareness among communities and professionals about the early signs of child neglect and how to help families who were struggling through lunchtime learning sessions and webinars.

To find out more about the campaign visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/allofus.

To sign up for the conference visit bit.ly/3w3UCjK or email allofus@safefamilies.uk.

For parenting advice and support visit NSPCC helpline or call 0808 800 5000, weekdays 8am to 10pm and weekends 9am to 6pm.

People can also contact Social Care Direct on 0131 200 2324.

Mum with brain tumour marks end of awareness month by raising over £80,000 to start cancer cures

Worldwide Cancer Research thanks supporters for funding over 3,500 hours of research

Scottish charity Worldwide Cancer Research has today marked the end of Brain Tumour Awareness Month (March 2021) by thanking Suzanne Davies, a mum from Aberdeen living with stage four glioblastoma, for helping raise over £80,000 towards vital research.

Just five per cent of people will survive five years or more after a glioblastoma diagnosis – the most aggressive type of brain cancer. Seven years on, Suzanne is defying all odds and is on a mission to raise awareness of the cancer type.

As the face of their Winter Appeal, Suzanne’s story lead to over £84,194 in individual donations.

The fundraising total will support over 3,500 hours of research, backing the brightest minds around the world in their quest to find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.

Since it was established in 1979, the Edinburgh-based charity has funded over £200million of research in over 30 countries to start new cancer cures.

The charity is currently funding two brain tumour research projects, worth over £410,000, one looking at how to beat treatment resistance in childhood brain cancers, and the second hoping to better understand how a gene in our DNA allows brain cancer cells to survive and grow.

In 2014, Suzanne’s consultant told her she’d only have a year to live. Seven years on, she said: “It was a really hard time and came from nowhere. I suddenly found myself having vacant moments, where I couldn’t hear, speak or even breathe.

“When the doctors told me I had a tumour the size of a golf ball in my brain and that I’d only have a year to live, I had my two children (aged four and seven at the time) and husband to think about.

“Now seven years on, I’m so thankful for research and for the treatments, surgery advances and drugs that were and are available to me. I didn’t think I’d get to see my 40^th birthday, let alone see my sister get married and have children of her own.

“2020 turned our lives upside down and I think we’ve all breathed a sigh of relief that the year is over, but thanks to the generosity of Worldwide Cancer Research’s supporters, I’m feeling really positive about the year ahead.

“I am thrilled to hear that this campaign has raised over £80,000 towards life-changing cancer research. Any research that can help us get closer to cures, clinical trials and everything in-between is incredible. And the fact it’s a charity close to home starting the research across the world makes it even more incredible.

“I want to be a Grandma and to be able to live my life like I should be able to. And thanks to charities like Worldwide Cancer Research, I might be able to.”

Brain tumours kill over 5,000 people each year in the UK and over 400 in Scotland alone.

Dr Helen Rippon, Chief Executive at Worldwide Cancer Research said: “Brain cancer affects a huge number of people – not only in Scotland, but right across the world. By funding more discovery research, we know that we can save more lives in the future.

“We’d like to say a massive thank you to Suzanne for fronting this campaign, and helping us raise over £80,000 towards cancer research, helping us continue to make our ground-breaking research possible. This money will help us fund over 3,500 hours of ground-breaking research. Together, with the help of Curestarters like Suzanne, we can end cancer.”

For more information about Worldwide Cancer Research or to make a find out how you can help us start new cancer cures, please visit:

https://www.worldwidecancerresearch.org/support-us/donate/

Charity welcomes research into mental health impact of pandemic on UK fire service personnel

The continued need for The Fire Fighters Charity’s mental health support services has been highlighted today with the publication of research claiming that 65% of the UK’s fire and rescue service personnel have seen a deterioration in their mental health during the pandemic.

The study, conducted by Mind’s re-launched Blue Light Programme – of which The Fire Fighters Charity is a partner – found that mental health has worsened across all 999 services, with 20% of fire service personnel today rating their mental health as either poor or very poor.

Funded by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Blue Light Programme brings together The Fire Fighters Charity, The Ambulance Staff Charity, Police Care UK and Mind to further the mental health and wellbeing of the UK’s emergency responders.

Dr Jill Tolfrey, Chief Executive of The Fire Fighters Charity said: “We commend Mind and the Blue Light Programme on the publication of this latest research, which once again highlights the incredible pressures faced by those who work across our fire and rescue services.

“Covid-19 has amplified these pressures for many on the frontline and brought new mental health challenges for others. As ever, our role at The Fire Fighters Charity is to ensure that we are always here for those in need.

“While we have had to move our mental health services online during the pandemic, we have supported thousands through virtual consultations over the past year and will continue to do so, while also bringing back our face-to-face services over the weeks to come.

“My message to anyone facing a challenge to their mental wellbeing today is therefore simple. We are here for you. Please pick up the phone or get in touch through our website and we will do whatever we can to help you.”

Members of the fire and rescue services in need of support with their mental wellbeing can call The Fire Fighters Charity’s Support Line on 0800 3898820 or visit www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/support

The Causey: sneak peek at plans to transform Southside street

The Causey Development Trust (CDT) is working with local Edinburgh resident Robert Motyka and Aga Miętkiewicz of Wee Dog media to share artist’s impressions and a video animation of how The Causey could look and be used
The Causey is a street in South Edinburgh that is currently vehicle dominated and unattractive
Objections to a design to transform The Causey into a street that is safer for walking, cycling and all users are currently with the Scot Govt. Department of Environmental Assessment
At a time when attractive outdoor space is at a premium and how we socialise safely has changed for the foreseeable future, creating places that prioritise people has never been so important

A charity that has been working tirelessly to transform an ill-used and vehicle dominated street in South Edinburgh for over 14 years is excited to give the local community a sneak peek at its plans thanks to a local partnership.

The Causey Development Trust (CDT) has teamed up with local resident Robert Motyka and Aga Miętkiewicz – the creative minds at Wee Dog Media – to create artist impressions of what The Causey (a street with historic significance in Edinburgh South) could look like, when the proposal currently sitting with the Scottish Government Department of Environmental Assessment (DPEA) gets the green light.

You can read the CDT proposal in full HERE

Available to view online and via social media, Robert and CDT have ensured that the local community are first in line to check out the artist’s impressions, by posting them in communal stairwells and around The Causey itself.

The first of the artist’s impressions looks down West Crosscauseway from Nicholson Street and using digitally created characters, draws attention to the proposed design that features a two-way bike system, plenty of space for pedestrians and makes way for trees, benches and neighbourliness.

The second impression looks from The Causey towards Nicholson Street, highlighting the change from a two-way, car dominated rat run, to a tranquil throughway for pedestrians and cyclists and hinting at the benefit to business spruced up shop fronts.

These artist’s impressions and indeed the design proposal promoted by City of Edinburgh Council in a Traffic Regulation Order for this street by CDT, have come about as a result of years of Ideas Workshops (with participants aged 12 -92 years) exhibitions, consultation with individuals and businesses located locally as well as liaison with The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh World Heritage, Sustrans Scotland, Spokes and Living Streets Edinburgh.

The City of Edinburgh Council supports CDT’s aims and the design proposed for The Causey.

It is not the first time that Robert Motyka and CDT have teamed up to help promote create a safer, healthier, and more attractive environment for those living in and around The Causey, and to promote the design proposal under review by DPEA.

In 2020 CDT premiered a film called The Causey – transforming a place created by Robert as part of their Doors Open Day 2020 contribution and you can watch it in full HERE.

The Causey Development Trust Chair David Wood said: “We are delighted to be in a position to share these amazing visualisations of our plans for The Causey with both the local community and wider Edinburgh public thanks to the fantastic work undertaken by Robert and his team at Wee Dog media.

“By working with local resident Robert and his Wee Dog Media colleague Aga, we have been able to put years of planning and canvassing of the local population into a visual format for the local community to enjoy for the first time.

“Given the impact of Covid-19 on how we work and interact, there has never been a more important time to prioritise people by creating spaces that are safer and greener and cater to the needs of the whole community.”

The Causey Development Trust is a charity committed to putting people back at the heart of The Causey, a street in Edinburgh’s Southside, by transforming it into a space that everyone can enjoy.

Currently dominated by vehicles and a redundant, unsightly traffic island, The Causey has the potential to be a fine civic space and plans to make it such submitted in 2018 are currently awaiting the final green light from the Department of Environmental Assessment.

By reconfiguring The Causey, reducing the volume of vehicles passing through the street and creating two way cycling, CDT will promote safer everyday walking and cycling while giving local people, visitors and students an attractive and practical public space that they can use for community-inspired events, neighbourliness, resting, socialising and simply soaking up the historic surrounds – and maybe even some sun!

Young people given chance to play key role in NSPCC work

· The NSPCC has recruited 15 young people from around the UK aged 13 to 16 to become part of a new Young People’s Board for Change

· The board gives young people the opportunity to have a say on what matters most to them to influence the work by the UK’s leading child protection charity

· Fourteen-year-old Rachel, from Angus, was selected for the board after her work on anti-bullying campaign ‘think b4 you type’

Young people have the opportunity to play a defining role in the NSPCC’s mission to prevent child abuse, with the launch of a new group.

The Young People’s Board for Change has been launched to give young people the chance to shape and influence the work of the UK’s leading child protection charity – and is a vital part of the NSPCC’s commitment to ensuring they are right at the heart of its decision making.

The charity has recruited 15 young people aged between 13 and 16 from across the UK, including Rachel from Angus, to represent the views of children and young people and help to shape the work of the NSPCC across the UK.

Members are from across the UK and have a range of backgrounds, with many having active roles in their local communities and doing a range of work to help others.

They will use the platform to raise awareness of what matters most to young people, take action and make change happen – while also having a key role advising staff and trustees.

The pandemic has had a huge impact on young people, with the NSPCC’s Childline service carrying out more than 61,000 counselling sessions on mental health since the start of the first lockdown in March last year.

But as we look to the future, the NSPCC believes it is vital that their voices are represented. The charity is calling for governments across the UK to put young people at the centre of its recovery plans – and as part of this, their views and experiences of the last year must be listened to.

Board members will take part in new experiences and opportunities, meet other young people, as well as develop confidence and learn life-long new skills, such as campaigning and public speaking.

Over a two-year period, members will be involved in sharing what’s important to them, take part in residentials, meetings and workshops, and campaign to share their views and opinions.

Yesterday (Tuesday, March 30) they met virtually for the first time – and members say they are excited about getting started in their new roles.

They are also keen to talk about the impact of the last year and what needs to be done to support young people in the coming months.

Board member Rachel, aged 14, said: “I know the last year been beyond difficult for so many people, but lockdown helped me realise what is important to me.

“I got so many opportunities to do amazing things in 2020 – I presented to the NSPCC virtual Annual Council Meeting, I helped to launch the ‘think b4 you type’ initiative and was asked to give interviews on radio and TV!

“Working with the Angus Youth Advisory Group on the ‘think b4 you type’ initiative, which resulted in our council changing the anti-bullying policy, reinforced my belief that we, as young people can make a difference and change things. We have a lot of really important opinions and solutions – we just need help and support to be heard and, and to a certain extent, be taken seriously.

“I’d love to take the things I’ve learned from this advisory group to a bigger platform and make a difference for young people outside my local area and think that this board is a perfect opportunity to be able to do that.

“When the Covid crisis has passed, I’m really looking forward to getting back to circus school. After school, I hope to go to university to study law, specialising in children’s rights. Beyond that – I don’t think there has ever been a Prime Minister who can perform circus skills routines, so maybe it’s time for that to happen!”

Recently, the NSPCC appointed Ife Grillo, 22, and Sheanna Patelmaster, 24, as trustees with a specialist focus on working with and supporting the Young People’s Board for Change. The recruitment of the board is the next stage of an important journey to better represent young people’s views and include them in the charity’s work.

Lucy Read, NSPCC Associate Head of Participation, said: “The last year has changed the lives of many young people across the UK but, as we now look to the future, the new members of our Young People’s Board for Change have a great opportunity to make their voices heard.

“We received over 300 applications from young people to join the board and during recruitment, I was impressed by the genuine passion young people had for the NSPCC’s work and a commitment to get involved and make a difference.

“We believe that a generation of young people should not be defined by the pandemic, so it has never been more important to listen to them and embed their views into everything we do. Children are the experts on their own lives, and there is so much that we can learn from their experiences.”