Day: June 28, 2021

Plan now for Clearing!

COVID delayed has delayed decisions about university

COVID has caused many young people to delay thinking about their future. But as the prospect of freedom slowly returns, they are starting to get serious about what happens next.

Exams were cancelled this year making way for teachers to determine students’ grades, so, if you’ve left it until now to think about university, we’ve got some top tips.

Many people think that university clearing is only open on results day and for a few weeks afterwards – it’s not the case!

Dr Lisette Johnston, Head of School at ScreenSpace, part of MetFilm School explains what Clearing is all about and urges young people to plan now!

This year, clearing opens on the 5th July, and universities are already advertising courses available through Clearing. 

What is Clearing?

Clearing is the process that students use to access university AFTER they’ve received their A-level level results (or A-level equivalents).

Is it just for those who didn’t get their expected grades?

No, COVID-19 has really affected the way people are thinking about university. Historically, it was widely recognised that schools and colleges didn’t always get predicted exam grades right, and this year with teachers effectively awarding students’ their predicted grades, universities are expecting lots of lastminute applications.

Last year’s results were affected by the pandemic, but that didn’t put young people off from going to university, and the number of students given university places rose nearly 3%. 2020 was also a record year for students applying through clearing: 70,000, people, including those who had applied earlier in the year, were accepted through Clearing.

What if my grades are higher than I expected?

If your results are better than expected and you’ve accepted a place at a university based on lower grades, you can ‘trade up’ to a different course or university that required higher grades, this is called Adjustment.

I’m getting my A-level results in August – I’ve put off deciding whether to go to university because of COVID-19, but… what can I do now?

Here are Dr Lisette’s 6 top tips

1.Get Cracking: the sooner you apply the better! Some courses cap the number of students they will take, so apply early and that way you are more likely to get a conditional offer, which is better than missing the boat if you leave it to phone on results day. 

2. Be informed. Don’t wait until results day to look around universities and get a taste of what’s on offer, there are lots of campus tours (real and virtual) between now and August, so as well as looking at course content online it’s a real bonus if you can actually go to a university and see what it is really like. That way you can hit the ground running.

3. What do you really want? If you haven’t got the grades you expected, you might not get into your first choice, but that doesn’t mean going through Clearing to get in just anywhere. If staying at home is important to you, find out what the options are available locally. If you are passionate about a specific topic, find out where the next best place on the list is and what grades they expect currently. It’s also acceptable to ask how many people they took through Clearing last year. They might not be able to tell you on a course by course basis, but you should be able to get a breakdown across the university.

4. Be realistic. Oxford and Cambridge may be out of reach. Decide what is a priority for you. If you haven’t got the results you expected, what is more important – the course, the location, or a degree in general? The last thing you want is to get on a course and find out it’s not what you want. And don’t just go somewhere ‘cos all your mates are going there!

5. Be open minded. Within a university there are often opportunities to transfer courses to take electives more closely linked to your original choices. See who offers this. Also Clearing gives a chance to go to a place you might not have thought about before.

6. Remember, you’re not stuck – if you start at a university and you realise it’s the wrong course or the wrong place – you can change! 

At ScreenSpace we had students who came through Clearing last year, some after the course started; they’re actually much happier than they were with their original choice. 

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tips: Gardening for Good Health

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

Gardening for Good Health

Gardens and greenspaces have been hugely important to many people during the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many people finding their refuge through gardening.

Here we explore some of the health and mental wellbeing benefits of gardening:

Stress relief

Gardening is a fantastic stress reliever and can cultivate feelings of empowerment, connection, and calm. Being in touch with nature and the great outdoors can help you feel more removed from the daily stressors of life. 

Work out

Gardening is exercise and working in a garden can use every major muscle group in the body. While activities such as raking and cutting the grass may be light exercise, shovelling and digging can be counted as vigorous exercise.

Grow your own

There is nothing quite like eating your own fresh home grown produce! Not only are many fruits and vegetables very easy to grow, but they are also more nutrient-dense, free of pesticides and tasty. By growing your own, you are also helping to preserve the environment.

Get the kids involved

It can sometimes be a challenge to get children to eat healthy foods and enjoy them. Growing vegetables not only teaches children valuable lessons about the work that it takes to grow them, but it can also help them to gain a keen interest in eating them too.

Work with what you have

Whether your patch is large or small, a raised bed, a community garden or window box – make the most of it by researching the best plants for your space and sunlight exposure. You can grow a range of things with very little space and maintenance, whilst still reaping the benefits.

Happy gardening! You can find lots more tips, recipes and health advice at https://heartresearch.org.uk/

SENIOR SELECTIONS at HOME launches on Filmhouse at Home

Edinburgh Filmhouse has announced exciting plans to expand its popular online programme of screenings for over 60s. 

Back in February, they began a pilot programme called Senior Selections at Home, where people were invited to get together on Zoom to discuss a film they had all watched on BBC iPlayer. 

Since then Filmhouse has developed its very own online movie platform, called Filmhouse at Home –  and this will let the team of senior volunteers handpick the films to show for future Senior Selections at Home events.

The first season includes Minari, Breathless, Bait and starts with a screening of The Rider, by Oscar-winning director Chloe Zhao. As part of its ongoing commitment to access, all films chosen for Senior Selections at Home will have captions available and attendees will receive a discount code to access the film, making the whole event FREE to access.

The Filmhouse team will also be offering some simple digital training in how to participate in Senior Selections at Home, so that everyone who wants to join can have a chance to do so.

Yvonne Gordon, Head of Community Engagement and Learning at Filmhouse said: “I am really proud to launch Senior Selections at Home on Filmhouse at Home. We have all missed welcoming our older audience members to the cinema and were delighted to see so many of them engage with us when we trialled online events earlier in the year. 

“We also attracted newcomers, who hadn’t been to any of our cinema based sessions.  I am very keen to continue to offer a service to this online community and recognise that not everyone is able to come to us – so we can come to them! 

“Now we’ve all got used to Zoom, break out rooms, chat boxes and watching films from home, we hope to continue to build our online audience for Senior Selections at Home. 

“I am confident that using Filmhouse at Home will let us share films that are full of surprise and delight – and give us plenty to talk about after the movie, over our favourite beverage!

“I am grateful to our supporters and funders who allow us to offer this programme for free. Access is at the heart of all we do and Senior Selections is an excellent example of this.”

Senior Selections at Home is free to attend, but places are limited so booking is essential to avoid disappointment.

Sign up links will be released monthly on our website:

https://www.filmhousecinema.com/senior-selections-home. 

Details:

Upcoming online events will be held on:

Tuesday 13 July 2pm (The Rider)

Tuesday 10 August 2pm (Minari)

Tuesday 14 September 2pm (Breathless)

Tuesday 12 October 2pm (Bait)

You can already sign up for our event on Tuesday 13 July where we will be watching The Rider via the Eventbrite link below:

Register on Eventbrite

Training sessions will be held on Zoom on Wednesday 7 July and Thursday 8 July at 2pm. To join one of the sessions please email education@cmi-scotland.co.uk .

We will walk you through the process, from signing up on Eventbrite to creating an account and using Filmhouse at Home.

Thank you to our supporters who make Senior Selections possible: The Foyle Foundation, JTH Charitable Trust and all those who wish to remain anonymous.

Filmhouse at Home is supported by the Weston Culture Fund.

www.filmhousecinema.com  

Drop-in vaccinations from tomorrow at RBS Younger Building

NHS Lothian are opening a drop-in vaccination clinic for people aged 18-39. The new clinic opens tomorrow at 8.30am – 5.30pm at the RBS Younger Building at the Gyle.

You don’t need to be registered with a GP to get your vaccine at a drop-in clinic.

You can get your 1st dose, or your 2nd dose if it’s been more than 8 weeks since your first.

Meanwhile clinics for over 40s are still running as normal.

The news comes as the latest grim figures were released. 3285 new cases of coronavirus were reported in the past 24 hours – another new record – representing 12.6% of the total tests that reported results.

For more information, including how to get there, visit :

http://ow.ly/Dtsx50FjNeW.

‘UK has to stay ahead of the curve’ in global space race – Skyrora

One of the country’s biggest rocket companies has urged the UK to continue investing in its space capabilities in order to establish itself as a bona fide space nation.

Volodymyr Levykin of Edinburgh-based Skyrora, believes continued government commitment is crucial if the industry is not to fall behind other countries and private companies, following the successful rocket launches of the Space X payload and the Chinese manned mission last week.

It comes after the Space industry regulations 2021 were laid before Parliament on 24th May for ratification, promoting its ambition to building spaceports and launch capabilities across the country.

However, Volodymyr believes more needs to be done to keep the UK ahead of the curve in a revamped international space race.

He said: “Last week’s successful launches proved other nations, and private companies are continuing to break ground and develop their launch capabilities. While the new legislative news is welcoming to our industry, more needs to be done to propel the UK as a space nation superpower.

“The possibilities are endless, from developing cutting edge technologies that can produce huge environmental benefits; to boosting an already thriving sector in tourism with investment in rural areas around the country.

“Nevertheless, we are competing against a number of countries and companies abroad, and without continued investment we risk falling behind the competition.”

The new legislation will come into effect this summer, enabling the UK to develop its commercial spaceflight technologies through traditional rockets to high-altitude balloons and spaceplanes.

By 2030 it is estimated more than 17,000 small satellites will be launched by various countries from around the world – which is considerably more than what has been previously launched.

Volodymyr, said: “The UK’s goal is to capture 10% of the global space market by 2030 and this target will create 80,000 new skilled jobs in the UK Space Industry.

“In order to achieve these targets we need to be encouraging and educating our future generations. We all have a profound responsibility to make this happen, however, government backing can help improve awareness that the space industry is a legitimate sector in which young professionals can thrive in.”

The Edinburgh-based firm intends to test launch its Skyrora XL rocket from the UK in 2022. Skyrora XL is a 23-metre, 56-tonne, three-stage rocket capable of carrying up to 315kg into orbit.

The vehicle is on course to be test launched in 2022 from a UK spaceport and the project is set to generate 170 high-skilled jobs.

The company recently secured €3M funding from the European Space Agency, which will be used to complete Skyrora’s XL programme to deliver consistent orbital launches from the UK.

Big Hearts Community Trust receives European Legends cards

The Big Hearts Community Trust has received a boost to its resources for the Football Memories project in conjunction with Alzheimer’s Scotland.

The specially devised European Legends cards will be used in the Football Memories sessions, which support those with dementia, memory loss, poor mental health or social isolation.

As a result of Glasgow being a UEFA EURO 2020 host city, legacy packs were created to provide key resources to more than 250 Football Memories groups across Scotland, including the Big Hearts group.

To mark the 60th anniversary of the European Championship, the 60 special cards, including players and managers who participated in the tournament from 1960-1990, can be used by Football Memories groups to stimulate memories and aid discussions of the international greats of European football.

The deck includes two former Scotland internationals, the 55-times capped Denis Law, who remains the country’s joint-top goalscorer with 30 goals, and Danny McGrain, the Celtic legend who earned 62 caps during his playing career.

Other famous names featured include the likes of Johann Cruyff, Michel Platini, Lothar Matthäus and Sir Bobby Charlton.

Hearts’ Football Memories group is just one of the clubs to benefit from this legacy project and have used the cards to create a personalised Hall of Fame, select a ‘Legends XI’ team and simply reminisce about a golden age of football.

The Big Hearts group has been going since 2013. It’s a vital lifeline for the community and participants were delighted when the sessions resumed just in time for EURO 2020 starting.

The group’s bi-weekly meet ups have been replaced by packs and parcels of resources delivered to members’ homes instead. 

“The EUROs have naturally been the main topic of conversations between Big Hearts’ Football Memories volunteers and participants,” said Pauline Fraser, Volunteer Development Officer at Big Hearts Community Trust.

“The European Legend cards have played a major role in our reminiscence work and widening our conversations. Some of our participants also shared their experience of travelling abroad to see games in Germany or Italy, leading to really enjoyable afternoons spent together. We can’t wait for more of these afternoons with the cards to hopefully take place in person really soon.”

The Football Memories Scotland project, the world’s oldest national football reminiscence programme is headquartered at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

It is a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland and the Scottish Football Museum, supporting volunteers to spend time with football fans who are living with dementia, other forms of memory loss or who are experiencing loneliness, depression and social isolation.

You can discover more about the European Legends cards as part of the suite of legacy projects for UEFA EURO 2020 Glasgow and select your own dream team online here: https://euro2020.scottishfa.co.uk/european-legends/

Raw Material and Capital Theatres present James IV – Queen of the Fight

Raw Material and Capital Theatres, in association with the National Theatre of Scotland, have announced a new large-scale production James IV – Queen of the Fight that will come to stages across Scotland in autumn 2022.

Scotland, 1504, seen fresh through the eyes of new arrivals, Ellen and Anne, two Moorish women who were expected to take their place at a royal court … but not this one. 

Both women now have to fight to find and keep a place in the dazzling, dangerous world of the Scottish Court of James IV. It’s a world where war is never far away, words of love and promises of peace are not what they seem and where poets might turn out to be more dangerous than any assassin. 

Rona Munro’s vividly imagined trilogy has already brought to life three generations of Stewart kings who ruled Scotland in the tumultuous fifteenth century to the acclaim of audiences and critics from Scotland to Auckland. 

The original trilogy opened at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2014 before touring Scotland and internationally, winning several awards. They were acknowledged as a landmark event in Scottish and UK theatre. Now comes James IV with Laurie Sansom directing once more. 

Co-produced by Raw Material, the award-winning, independent, producing company based in Glasgow, and Capital Theatres, Scotland’s largest theatre charity based in Edinburgh, the production will open at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh in the autumn of 2022 before touring Scotland.    

Rona Munro said: “The first three James Plays – James I – The Key Will Keep the Lock, James II – The Day of the Innocents and James III – The True Mirror, were among the most exciting and the most satisfying theatre productions I’ve ever been part of.

“To be able to continue this work, with Laurie and with this team is, for me, to continue that excitement. My larger ambition is to extend the Stewart history of Scotland through James V, Mary Queen of Scots and to conclude with James VI who became James I of England.

“My hope is that I can make this history more accessible, make those invisible in history visible again and provide a representation of the most potent and telling truth of history- it was made by people like us.”

Laurie Sansom said: “It’s a great privilege to be returning to the world created by Rona in the first trilogy of James Plays.

“It was probably the most challenging and rewarding creative project I have worked on, and it’s now thrilling to be realising a long-held ambition to continue the story with the support of Raw Material, Capital Theatres and the National Theatre of Scotland.”

Fiona Gibson, CEO of Capital Theatres said: “I’m truly excited to be co-producing the next James Play with the highly talented duo that is Raw Material along with the support of National Theatre of Scotland.

“Gillian and Margaret-Anne have an eye for that special story that audiences just won’t want to miss.  As Scotland’s largest theatre charity, we are delighted to support independent producers and enable them to create new work for our stages.

“With this announcement we are also revealing a new artistic thread which will continue to enrich our work at Capital Theatres; broadening out our programming by taking a more active role in a select number of co-productions; allowing us to collaborate with a range of fantastic producing partners such as Raw Material and play a central role in the creative life of Scotland’s theatre sector.

“Having had a sneak peek during the initial development phase of James IV, we can’t wait to see what Rona and Laurie finally create.”

Gillian Garrity & Margaret-Anne O’Donnell, Raw Material said: “We are beyond thrilled to be working with Capital Theatres on this new production of James IV – Queen of the Fight by Rona Munro.  

“As independent producers we are acutely aware of the need for high quality Scottish plays that can perform on some of our largest stages.   This past year has been challenging across all parts of our sector and we look forward to heralding the return of our creative artists to venues and stages with the best stories and plays that will entertain and delight audiences across Scotland and beyond.

“Through a new co-producing partnership with the incredible team at Capital Theatres led by Fiona Gibson, a script by Rona Munro, direction by Laurie Sansom and support from the National Theatre of Scotland we are raring to go and very much looking forward to touring James IV to audiences across Scotland in autumn next year.”

Jackie Wylie, Artistic Director of National Theatre of Scotland said: “We are hugely excited to be supporting the next stage in Rona Munro’s ambitious and thrilling historical theatrical saga. We know that audiences will be delighted to have the opportunity to return to the Scottish court and to find out what happens next to Rona’s vividly imagined Scots Royals. 

“It’s brilliant to have Laurie Sansom at the helm and to welcome him back to Scottish theatre. We are also proud to be supporting an exciting new producing partnership between Capital Theatres and Raw Material which promises to bring much to audiences, artists and the sector”

£8 million package for health and social care workforce wellbeing

An £8 million package to support the wellbeing  of  health and social care staff across Scotland has been announced.

The increased support will help fund a number of immediate recovery actions and lead to the development of a National Wellbeing programme.

The priority areas for action will include the ongoing development of the National Wellbeing Hub, National Wellbeing Helpline, and psychological interventions and therapies for staff.

Coaching for Wellbeing, digital apps and the Workforce Specialist Service for regulated staff will also be provided, along with time and training for  staff to support each other as teams. More practical support for staff like rest spaces will also be provided.

Social care and primary care will be targeted with £2 million of support in recognition of the specific needs of staff working in those services in responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Health and social care staff have responded to the pandemic with extraordinary fortitude, often working in unfamiliar settings, learning new skills and undertaking new roles.  We owe them a great debt of gratitude for their continued hard work, commitment and professionalism.

“We are committed to supporting our NHS and social care staff now and into the future.  The wellbeing of staff remains a critical priority that will influence the way that our health and social services recover.

“We know that the pandemic has affected staff in a range of ways and this £8 million package of support will help us meet the basic practical and emotional needs which workers tell us are right for them, alongside more specialised mental health support where this is needed.

“The crucial frontline role of social work and social care going forward is underlined by the targeted support it will receive as part of this package.”

The package will support staff wherever they work in the system, from acute hospital wards to community settings, supplementing the resources that are in place locally.

British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland chair Lewis Morrison said: “Scotland’s doctors and indeed all NHS staff have been through an incredibly tough time over the course of the pandemic, so extra investment in support for their wellbeing is welcome.

“The BMA have been absolutely clear that NHS recovery won’t be possible unless it goes hand in hand with staff recovery – and this funding is a step towards making that a reality.

“Practical measures like peer support, enabling reflective practice and improved availability and quality of rest spaces are all things the BMA have pushed for and will help staff working incredibly hard on the front line to care for patients. It is vital this is now built on so doctors and their colleagues feel truly valued and get the help they need to do their job effectively and in a caring and supportive environment.”

Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) Chief Executive, Lorraine Gray said:  “Over the last 18 months social care workers have been at the heart of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic, providing a vital lifeline for the people they support when normal routines, services and contact with family and friends were severely disrupted. 

“I heartily welcome this new funding for our valued social care workers to make sure they have the resources and practical support they need to take care of themselves and their own wellbeing.”

Celebrating our Care Homes: Strong support for Open Week

  • Social Care Minister and MPs of all parties are supporting Care Home Open Week, celebrating care home workers, residents, and their role in local communities
  • With support from the Department of Health & Social Care & partnerships with National Citizen Service, Silver Sunday and Intergenerational Music Making, organiser Championing Social Care hopes to connect communities to their care homes

To find a participating care home in your area, please see the participation map at:
https://championingsocialcare.org.uk/care-home-open-day/what-is-happening-in-your-area/

Care Home Open Week, taking place this week from June 28th – July 4th, will encourage communities to celebrate and thank care workers for their work during the pandemic and showcase the positive role care homes have in their communities.

Events at over 500 participating care homes around the UK will include virtual tours, fundraising dance-a-thons, karaoke, fashion shows, art projects, community service days and much more.

Some 40 MPs from across all political parties are taking part in Care Home Open Week, including Helen Whately MP, Minister of State for Social Care, Sir Ed Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Dr. Rosena Allin-Khan MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Mental Health.

The Department of Health & Social Care (DHSC) will be participating in the Week with staff across the Department’s Adult Social Care team joining in a number of virtual events, including virtual tours of Majesticare and CareTech plc care services throughout the Week.

DHSC civil servants will also participate in opportunities to discuss the experience of key roles in care homes, including home managers, activity coordinators and care workers from across the sector. Care teams will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more of DHSC’s role in the sector.

Additionally, Championing Social Care has partnered with the National Citizen Service – the flagship programme for young people, Silver Sunday – the national day for older people, and Intergenerational Music Making to hold virtual events throughout the week.

See our Care Home Open Week video below:

Hallmark Care Homes will support Care Home Open Week and Championing Social Care with a live virtual event on Thursday, 1 July.

Event organisers have planned this year’s Care Home Open Week to be virtual, recognising that safety must be a top priority and have asked participating care homes to adapt their events to ensure they are COVID – safe and in line with government guidance.

Mitesh Dhanak (above), Founder of Precious Homes and part of the organising committee for the event, said: “We want to further enrich the lives of the UK’s care home residents by reminding the community that those individuals who live in care homes are unique individuals supported by dedicated, caring and professional teams.

“As we move ahead in the planning of Care Home Open Week, our top priority is, of course, to keep everyone safe. Our aim is still the same though: to showcase the incredibly valuable services that care homes provide at the heart of every local community.”

Many events held during the week will work to connect communities further to their local care homes.

Championing Social Care partnered with the National Citizen Service and consulted the organisation’s Youth Voice Forum for advice on how Care Home Open Week programmes can be successful and more engaging for young people.

The National Citizen Service has also encouraged the many thousands of young people it supports to get involved in volunteer opportunities for Care Home Open Week.

Examples of community engaging events include Precious Homes in Milton Keynes which will be holding their “Precious Festival” on July 1st and 2nd and will be providing outside, COVID-safe educational discussion opportunities between community members, support workers and people the home supports to speak about their experiences with Autism, sensory disorders and mental health.

Ashleigh Calder, Operations Manager – Central Region of Precious Homes, said: “We are extremely excited to be involved in Care Home Open Week. It has been a tough year and this will be a wonderful opportunity for everyone to get together and share awareness of the great work we do with the local community.

“We are hopeful our event will enable the people we support to share their experiences and for our staff to be acknowledged for their continuous hard work and dedication – and have fun of course!”

Carl Roberts, Sales and Marketing Director of TLC Care, which is providing free breakfasts on Tuesday the 29th to emergency and healthcare workers at their locations in North London, Cambridge, Hertfordshire and Surrey, said: ““Here at TLC Care we are so proud to be able to launch this group wide event series to acknowledge and reward the amazing work of the emergency services and health care workers across our communities.

“This is our little way of sharing some Truth, Love and Compassion with the health care heroes.”

Jonathan Freeman, CEO of the CareTech Foundation, Founding Patron of Championing Social Care, said: “Social care is provided in so many settings up and down the country, playing a key role in the fabric of local communities.

“Care Home Open Week is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the contribution of care homes and connect local people with them.”

This year’s Care Home Open Week is organised by Championing Social Care, a volunteer-led organisation that aims to ensure a wider and deeper public understanding, appreciation and respect for social care.

The week is sponsored by Civitas Investment Management (https://www.civitasim.com/) and Virgin Money (https://uk.virginmoney.com/).

UK’s first compost packaging recycling scheme trail launched

71% of residents in Scotland make a conscious effort to recycle

 Waste-aware gardeners in and around Edinburgh and Milngavie will now be able to recycle compost packaging thanks to a trial scheme from the country’s biggest garden retailer. 

Dobbies Garden Centres and Evergreen Garden Care are partnering on the initiative which will see garden furniture created from the recycled material and donated to Greenfingers, a charity that creates green spaces for terminally-ill children. 

Launching this week, trial will run in 10 stores for an initial three months, including Dobbies Garden Centres at Edinburgh and Milngavie.  

Most plastic packaging of the sort used for compost bags ends up in landfill because very few local authorities collect polythene sacks as part of kerbside collections or at recycling centres. 

In a survey conducted by Dobbies, in collaboration with Censuswide, 71% of respondents in Scotland make a conscious effort to recycle*. Dobbies will also be encouraging more people to recycle with instore and online information to make it as easy as possible for customers. 

Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising and Communications at Greenfingers said: “We believe that time outdoors can bring significant benefits to children with life-limiting conditions.

“By supporting our work through their unique initiative, Dobbies and Evergreen will help us provide more children with the valuable opportunity to spend more time outside enjoying the therapeutic benefits of being close to nature.”  

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies, said: “All that people have to do is bring any compost packaging, no matter what brand or where it was purchased, and return it to one of the recycling bins in our plant areas.

“It will then be collected by Veolia for recycling at Berry BPI Recycled Products before used as part of the raw material blend to produce garden furniture becoming a valuable asset for those children’s hospices working with Greenfingers Charity. It’s a great win for the environment, for customers in Edinburgh and Milngavie, and for the community, and an important next stage of our #sustainabledobbies mission.” 

Jane Hartley, Sustainability Marketing Manager said: “Evergreen is delighted to be working with Dobbies and their customers. Evidence suggests that consumers want to take the right action when it comes to recycling so our new Miracle-Gro Bring Back Compost Bags bins will create strong visibility in store to encourage people to recycle. 

“We want to reduce the amount of single use plastic used within our business and compost bags are key to delivering this, we have already increased the amount of recycled content in our compost bags which for Miracle-Gro, now contains 80% recycled content. However, we have so much more to achieve, this is the first of a number of initiatives we are working on.” 

Stores included in the trial are: Edinburgh, Milngavie, Woodcote Green, Altrincham, Morpeth, Cirencester, Milton Keynes, Atherstone, Keston and Brighton. 

Also in these stores are pot recycling bins, in collaboration with Elho, as well as a plastic pot and tray return service, which is available in every Dobbies store.   

Follow and support Dobbies sustainability campaign using the hashtag #sustainabledobbies 

For Dobbies sustainability policy: https://www.dobbies.com/sustainability-policy 

For Dobbies Sustainable podcast: https://www.dobbies.com/podcasts 

*Statistic obtained through combining ‘strongly agree’ and ‘somewhat agree’ answer options for question: ‘I make a conscious effort / go out of my way to recycle’