Month: June 2021

New project launched to provide sailing programmes for young people affected by lockdown

A NEW campaign, Our Isles and Oceans, has launched in Scotland today, which will create funded programmes for young people affected by the pandemic and lockdown.

The Our Isles and Oceans’ mission statement is ‘Youth Opportunity and Professional Development for Sustainable Livelihoods’ and it intends, through the vehicle of sport and business, to highlight the importance of a sustainable future for the next generation, through activities and partnerships with sustainable organisations and enterprises.

The cornerstone of the project will be a partnership with the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race.

Through this partnership, Our Isles and Oceans and the Clipper Race will be providing funded sailing programmes for young people to learn to sail on the West Coast of Scotland.

Our Isles and Oceans is calling for 18-to-35 year-olds to apply to its initiative, as the pandemic has had a negative impact on the age group’s education and employment opportunities over the last 15 months.

The charity, Young Minds, ran a survey earlier this year and found that 67 per cent of young people believe that the pandemic will have a long-term negative effect on their mental health. Our Isles and Oceans aims to provide positive experiences for these young people.

This new project will create social benefits and business growth in the UK, develop enriching participatory events, and spread positivity and inclusion throughout the British Isles.

Through the programmes, businesses will work with young people to provide opportunities for professional development and will focus on building confidence and promoting sustainable livelihoods. This will be a training atmosphere where individuals will gain life experiences and will be fun, exciting and unique.

The Clipper Race is one of the only events of its kind which offers everyday people the opportunity to train to become ocean racing sailors. The confidence built and the skills learnt through the sport of sailing can be transferred from on deck to the workplace which is why the first Our Isles and Oceans programme to launch will take place on a Clipper Race yacht.

This summer, along the west coast of Scotland, up to 50 successful candidates will take part in a funded sailing course on board an Our Isles and Oceans-branded (68ft) Clipper Race training yacht.

Under the guidance of a Clipper Race training skipper, each group of recruits will be challenged to learn new practical skills, develop their self-belief and work as a team.

In addition, ten of these recruits will then be offered the opportunity to apply for an additional four weeks of intensive ocean racing training, to be held at the Clipper Race Training HQ in Gosport, Hampshire.

If successful, they would receive a funded place on board the (70ft) Our Isles and Oceans team entry which will be competing in the Clipper 2023-24 Race. Each recruit would complete one leg of the Clipper Race circumnavigation.

Taking part in this endurance challenge would see them face oceans such as the North Pacific, North or South Atlantic and Southern Ocean, carrying the message of Our Isles and Oceans from a national to a global stage. The Our Isles and Oceans team will compete alongside other organisations and cities and will visit notable ports across the world.

With young people being particularly impacted this past year, Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the first person to sail solo, non-stop around the world and co-founder of the Clipper Race, hopes this new programme will make a positive change in the successful candidates’ lives.

He said: “Sailing is so much more than just a sport or pastime as it gives you experience that is as useful in the workplace as it is on board a yacht. The sport develops self-confidence and self-esteem which is so important to restore following the pandemic.

“Everything you do on board a sailing boat is practical and I feel practical skills have somewhat been lost over the years. Knot tying is one of the obvious skills that will be learnt but the crew will also start to understand the weather, the enormity of the sea and how to cope with them both.

“Problem-solving is key to sail training, as is leadership and teamwork. You’ll often find young people are judged too early. Putting them on a yacht, with a team, is a great equaliser. You’ll see things are picked up quickly and as each challenge is overcome, confidence grows, with a new belief in themselves that they can achieve anything.”

Recruitment for the Our Isles and Oceans campaign opens today.

Applicants aged 18-35 can apply through www.ourislesandoceans.co.uk. The focus of recruitment will not be based on past job or work experience but will instead be based on an applicant’s ambition to take part in this special programme. The campaign is looking to assist people who may think opportunities such as these are out of their reach.

Our Isles and Oceans founder, David Stewart Howitt, explains: “In these challenging times, Our Isles and Oceans seeks to bring together the powerful forces of business and sport to offer an inspiring opportunity for the youth of today.

“Our Isles and Oceans will offer applicants the chance to learn from experienced professionals and to push themselves outside their comfort zone to equip them for the challenges of today’s marketplace.

“Outwardly focused and with a relentlessly positive approach, we at Our Isles and Oceans believe that there is opportunity for all given the right chance. We also want to bring awareness to the plight of the oceans and to promote the importance of sustainable livelihoods.”

The Our Isles and Oceans campaign begins with the first series of sailing programmes in July 2021.

Applications are now being accepted through the website at www.ourislesandoceans.co.uk

Follow Our Isles and Oceans at:

www.facebook.com/ourislesandoceans

www.instagram.com/ourislesandoceans

www.twitter.com/OurIslesOceans

www.tiktok.com/@ourislesandoceans

www.linkedin.com/company/our-isles-and-oceans

New Food Menu & Euros-inspired Scottish Cocktail to kick off summer at Fore Play Crazy Golf

Edinburgh’s favourite adult-only alternative night out, Fore Play Crazy Golf has today unveiled an exciting new street food and cocktail menu, including a Euros-inspired Scottish serve, to kick off summer.

Fore Play Crazy Golf believes that life’s happiest moments are found in the exceptional experiences we share with others. While they won’t be showing the football, you can still join the fun and show your support for our national team by sipping on their ‘Yes sir, I can bogie’ bevvie at the end of a round of crazy golf in their clubhouse bar, or sun-soaked cocktail garden. 

The patriotic blue and white showstopping serve features blood orange gin, Blue Curacao liqueur, and is topped with white cotton candy clouds. The refreshing drink features on their new cocktail menu which is now available to enjoy. 

Other quirky concoctions to try include a sweet Water(melon) Hazard – made with Midori liqueur and their blend of sweet and sour syrup, Snake in the Rough with Disaronno Originale liqueur, WKD Original Vodka and orange juice, and a delicious 5 Irn-egroni with Pickering’s Original 1947 gin, Campari and the OG Irn Bru. 

Meanwhile, in their kitchen, street food kings The Pitt have created a new global-inspired summer menu to tantalize your taste buds complete with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. 

There’s a sweet and sticky Duck Bahn Mi with locally-sourced baked milk bun, duck liver pate, crispy aromatic duck, Asian slaw, pickled vegetables, sriracha mayo, lime coriander and crushed salted peanuts. 

Go meat-free with their BBQ pulled jackfruit taco with marinated and stewed young jackfruit, mango salsa, coriander and pickled cabbage, or switch it up with locally-sourced white coley, avocado guacamole, iceberg lettuce, parsley cream, lemon and sriracha mayo.

Veggie fans will love their Korean BBQ mushroom Asian noodle salad, and of course, there are house favourites on there like their Buffalo cauliflower wings with shaved spring onions, lime and chilli flakes if you like things hot.

The Edinburgh venue, which recently opened their stunning cocktail garden seating up to 70 people, is the perfect destination for having fun this summer. They’ve also got great local independents available from their bars, including craft beers and ales from Edinburgh Beer Factory. 

From sipping on their playful cocktails, enjoying street food to tackling their signature crazy golf courses, you’re guaranteed to leave happy after your time on and off the green.  

Craig Neilson, Chief Greenkeeper at Fore Play Crazy Golf said: “It’s been a tough few months and we could not have come back swinging without our incredible customers and the support of the Edinburgh community. We think it’s high time to celebrate the beginning of a much anticipated, very Scottish summer. 

“We’ve gone all out with our new summer drinks, there’s something for everyone on there and it wouldn’t be complete without our homage to Scotland!” 

The new cocktail menu goes live today – Friday 11th June.

Book your tickets now at https://foreplaycrazygolf.co.uk. 

Fore Play Crazy Golf Edinburgh is now open and operating under Level 2 restrictions.

Let there be light!

Christmas at the Botanics returns for 2021

Christmas at the Botanics – the botanical festive spectacle – will once again take up residence at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh this winter.

The one-mile after-dark illuminated trail will run from 25 November to 2 January (selected evenings only) featuring a series of new installations. 

The first installations confirmed for 2021 include Meadow of Light, a newly designed Fire Garden and a shimmering Field of Light.

  • Meadow of Light is an enchanting installation featuring thousands of fibre optic lights covering the ground which when caught by a breeze will mesmerize all who pass by.
  • Fire Garden returns to bring serenity and calm and is themed around pinecones this year to reflect seasonality and the environment.
  • Field of Light is an exciting light show containing hundreds of LED light strands set across the ground that shoot up the surrounding trees, creating a dazzling display.

As ever, the trail will feature the eye-catching Cathedral of Light and the Festive Finale projection at Inverleith House which has a new narrative for 2021.

Despite restrictions in place in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the trail attracted over 66,000 visitors during its five-week run.  With the current easing of restrictions, should these continue into the winter months, it is hoped that more people than ever before will be able to attend and experience the spectacle under the stars.

Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Simon Milne said: “While the summer solstice may only be around the corner, planning is in full swing for our popular Christmas event. I am so pleased to announce the return of Christmas at the Botanics, a highlight of Scotland’s winter.

“Last year, more people from the city than ever before visited the event where they enjoyed a magical light show set within one of the world’s greatest plant collections. The benefits of Christmas at the Botanics go beyond the festive season as ticket sales help to maintain the garden and continue our work in plant research, conservation and education.

“This year, we look forward to even more people from across Scotland and beyond celebrating Christmas at the Botanics and experiencing a new and exciting light trail.

“At a time when the role of botanic gardens has never been more important to society – on a global scale – this event provides us with a wonderful opportunity to engage new audiences with the work we do to for nature, human health and a sustainable economy.

“Health and safety is at the forefront of our minds in planning the trail, and we will continue to have measures in place to ensure all visitors feel comfortable and to enjoy the trail safely.”

Jonathan Marks, Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the event, added: “Christmas is a time of joy and restrictions allowing, we can’t wait to be able to extend an invitation to Christmas at the Botanics to everyone from Edinburgh and beyond.

“With new and popular returning installations, we’re aiming for the 2021 trail to be brighter than ever. We are also now able to accommodate larger groups and so we hope that more people can come to enjoy the magnificent experience.”

Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.

A timed entry system will remain in 2021 with visitors encouraged to book now to avoid disappointment.

Christmas at the Botanics is one of 15 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.

“No-brainer”: £5 million to remobilise NHS dentists

£5 million to help meet safety standards and see more patients

Additional funding of up to £5 million is available to NHS dentists to help remobilise services as Scotland recovers from the coronavirus pandemic.

This new funding will help NHS dental practices to purchase, renew or upgrade ventilation equipment as improved ventilation in surgeries can substantially reduce the time between seeing patients, and offer dental teams the opportunity to see more patients safely.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The remobilisation of the NHS is one of our number one priorities and the Scottish Government remains committed to ensuring that NHS dental services emerge from this pandemic well-placed to care for the oral health of the population.

“This new funding is an important step in ensuring the continued remobilisation of NHS dental services and to ensure more patients can be seen safely. We will also continue to fund free PPE for the dental sector and, from July, we will increase it by up to 50 per cent.

“We are continuing to work with the sector to provide much-needed support to fully remobilise dental services.”

Funding will be available throughout this financial year, and will be distributed by NHS boards to those practices meeting the scheme’s conditions. Claims can be made for the period 1 April 2020 to 31 March 2022. Further details of the scheme and how to apply will be provided to the dental sector by separate circular issued by the office of the Chief Dental Officer.

The British Dental Association Scotland has welcomed confirmation the Scottish Government will allocate £5 million to help practices invest in ventilation equipment to increase patient volumes while meeting COVID restrictions.   

The BDA first made the bid for financial support to improve ventilation to the Scottish Government in November. England is now the only UK nation not to have committed any capital funding for ventilation to help restore services.   

Chief Dental Officer Tom Ferris has confirmed funds can be used to purchase, renew or upgrade ventilation systems, and practices can claim retrospectively for the period 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2022.

 The BDA is awaiting details of the conditions applied to the scheme, but has expressed concern that it may not cover those practices who have already installed portable units or air cleaners (such as HEPA filters) when they were unable to improve ventilation by other means in the short term, following guidance from the Scottish Dental Clinical Effectiveness Programme (SDCEP).

Many in this position are based in sites unsuitable for major works, such as premises owned by health boards, in densely packed city centres with adjoining residential and commercial units, or in listed properties.

To meet strict guidelines on COVID transmission, dentists have had to leave surgeries fallow between most common procedures. Investment in ventilation ensures practices can reduce these gaps and increase patient throughput.    

Restrictions have left practices operating at a fraction of their former capacity. Data from Public Health Scotland has shown a dramatic reduction in NHS dentistry delivered, which has hit those in most deprived communities the hardest. Between April and November 2020, the number of courses of treatment delivered was 83% lower than during the same period in 2019.  

This week Scotland’s CDO joined colleagues from the other three UK nations to commit to reviewing current restrictions. [1] While the review may reduce the need for a fallow time longer-term, the BDA has stressed this investment is required to ‘future proof’ services in the advent of any future pandemic, to secure an immediate boost in access, and will prove cost-neutral through increased patient charge revenues.   

David McColl, chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee said: “This is a no-brainer from the Scottish Government. Investment in ventilation can future proof Scotland’s dental services, boost patient numbers, and pay for itself.

“We must avoid half measures. Many dentists have had no option but to buy portable systems to get patients back through their doors. Ministers must ensure they do not lose out.  

“For our patients’ sake, this needs to mark a turning point when it comes to providing ongoing support to practices. Access to services has fallen off a cliff. A signature policy on free dentistry for all will be a promise that can’t be kept unless we see real commitment from ministers.”  

UK facing ‘pensions tsunami’

Treasury’s ‘£17bn mistake’ that will take “generations to resolve”

In its report published today the Public Accounts Committee says HM Treasury has “done little to identify and manage the stark differences in average pensions between genders and other groups” and “should have foreseen the age discrimination issue that gave rise to the 2018 McCloud judgment”.

In 2011 and 2015 the Treasury introduced reforms aimed at making public service pensions more sustainable and affordable, but a 2018 Court of Appeal judgement (the McCloud judgement) ruled parts of the reforms unlawful.

The Treasury now wants pension scheme members to pay the estimated £17 billion cost to put that right, despite the unlawful reform having been “its own mistake – a mistake which could have been avoided by listening to advice and which will take many decades to resolve.”

Around 25% of pensioners and 16% of the working-age population are members of one of the four largest public service pension schemes covering the armed forces, civil service, NHS and teachers. The schemes are almost all unfunded, meaning retirees’ pension benefits are paid out of current workforce contributions.

The Committee saw “evidence of public service pensions issues affecting delivery of frontline services, and independent schools opting out of pension schemes because of increasing costs”.

It says HM Treasury doesn’t have the data it needs nor evaluated the impact of its reforms, or whether they are achieving its pension policy objectives – the PAC is “not convinced it is on track”. 

The Treasury also seems “unconcerned about the drop in enrolment by some workers”. The Committee warns on the “a danger of a perfect storm where some young people believe they cannot afford pension contributions because of high costs of living and retire with a reduced public sector pension as a result.

Many younger workers will continue to pay rent in retirement because they cannot afford to buy a home and the cost of supporting this generation will fall on future taxpayers”.

Meg Hillier MP, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, said: “The Treasury’s £17 billion mistake on pensions reform is a ripple compared to the tsunami of costs to the public purse if Government fails to address the growing number of young people unable to afford to plan for a proper pension.

“It’s lack of curiosity about why nearly a quarter of a million workers are not joining these pension schemes is a concern. Pension planning must be long term; mistakes and poor planning have an impact for decades. Short term cost savings can become long term costs to individuals with lower retirement incomes and the taxpayer who may end up supporting them.”

Council ‘makes positive progress’ despite pressures of Covid

New performance and benchmarking reports have revealed that the City of Edinburgh Council continues to make good progress, despite the significant impact of Covid on the hundreds of services it provides.

The latest Annual Performance Report for the last financial year, which was considered by the Council’s Policy and Sustainability Committee yesterday, provides a detailed analysis of Council performance during a year in which the Council had to make big changes to how it delivered services to residents due to Covid19.

It sets out a holistic picture of performance for 2020/21, showing where improvements were made, where service delivery performance was maintained or where progress was slowed due to the need to focus service capacity on keeping residents safe and businesses supported.

Also set discussed at Thursday’s Committee meeting, the latest Local Government Benchmarking Framework report covering 2019/20 reveals that Edinburgh saw an overall improvement over the period and compares favourably to the other Scottish cities.

Edinburgh compares favourably when considering overall rankings to those of the three most comparable urban cities, Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow. The Capital shows the highest number of indicators in the top two quartiles and the fewest in the bottom quartile of the four cities.

Finally, a report covering financial year 2020/21shows that of the Coalition’s 52 Commitments, which the Council has committed to deliver by the end of 2022, 47 have now been achieved or partially achieved.

The 14 Coalition Commitments recorded as ‘fully achieved’ include delivering the City Region Deal, increasing the number of classroom assistants and support staff for children with additional needs and planting an additional 1,000 trees in communities (since 2017, 39,966 trees have been planted, significantly surpassing this commitment).

Meanwhile, good progress continues to be made on the Trams to Newhaven project, despite changes to the programme necessitated by the temporary shut-down of construction sites during the first lockdown in 2020.

And construction is due to complete on the new Meadowbank Sports Centre later this year, meaning the commitment to build a new sports centre at Meadowbank by 2021 is on course to be fully achieved.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “It’s been a year like no other and Council services have been tested like never before as we’ve grappled with the impact of the pandemic on our lives and on the city.

“We’ve needed to make massive changes to the way we deliver hundreds of lifeline services to residents to make sure we keep the city going and ensure our most vulnerable are supported.

“While dealing with the immediate public health needs of the City, it’s inevitable progress has slipped in some areas but we’ve managed to improve and maintain progress in many more areas, which is testament to the sheer dedication and commitment of our workforce. Major important projects like taking trams to Newhaven and the new Meadowbank continue to progress at pace.

“The number of children receiving 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare continues to grow, we’ve successfully reduced our carbon emissions and our performance in areas like building warrant applications has improved despite the need to allocate resources elsewhere. Meanwhile vital services such as bin collections continued thanks to early actions taken to ensure our colleagues could work safely.

“Crucially, we’ve been able to keep progressing our core Business Plan priorities of reducing poverty and inequality, tackling climate change and improving wellbeing for everyone in the city – these continue to be the central pillar of our programme for the Capital.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “The global pandemic means that, as a Council, we’ve had to adapt in unexpected ways to maintain lifeline services and to quickly set up additional support measures – and throughout this our primary focus, rightly, has been on those who need our help the most.

“It’s really welcome, then, that we’ve been able to achieve so much despite the enormous challenges of the crisis. In a time of huge uncertainty, we’ve still made positive progress against our commitments, and where improvement plans have rightly had to be put on hold to let us focus capacity on keeping residents safe and businesses supported, we’ll set out how we plan to get back on track.

“In many areas, we’ve already delivered what we promised to do and are on schedule for delivering many others. More and more Edinburgh region employers are accredited as Living Wage Foundation employers, we’re making good progress on Trams to Newhaven and two more of our parks have netted Green Flag awards, taking our tally to 34, the highest amount of any Scottish local authority.

“Throughout the crisis, the End Poverty Edinburgh citizens group has continued its vital work helping us towards our goal of eradicating poverty in Edinburgh by 2030 and our agreement as a Council to invest £600,000 in additional revenue monies towards prevention services and community engagement will further support this work.”

Key areas of progress covered in the three Committee reports include:

  • the number of employers in the Edinburgh region accredited as Living Wage Foundation employers has increased year on year (545 in 2020/21, up from 416 in 2018/19)
  • 75% of early years settings are providing 1140 hours’ early learning and childcare (surpassing our 51% target)
  • 100% of emergency road defects were made safe within 24 hours in 2020/21
  • Total Council emissions of all greenhouse gases fell to 74 MtCO2e in 2019/20 from 151 All MtCO2e in 2017/18
  • At number 14 out of 32 Scottish local authorities, the latest Local Government Benchmarking Framework shows Edinburgh has risen to its best road condition ranking for unclassified roads in 9 years
  • good progress is being made on the City Region Deal, drawing down capital funding of £165m from the UK and Scottish Government grant of £600m. Projects worth 61% of the full Deal have had business cases approved
  • continued investment in school buildings with construction commencing on a further 2 schools in 2020/21
  • significant investment is being made in transport across the city for both active travel improvements and roads infrastructure
  • work has been able to continue on the new tram line to Newhaven during the COVID-19 pandemic and passenger services are scheduled to begin by the revised timescale of spring 2023
  • recruitment of Pupil Support Assistants (PSA) has continued throughout the school session in mainstream and Special Schools and the number of FTE pupil support assistants employed has continued to increase
  • the roll-out of Three Conversations approach is in its second year, and it has helped reduced the time people wait to see a care worker to 2.5 days
  • two new parks in the city have been awarded Green Flag status and a significant level of future investment has been agreed for future improvement work

Strange Town presents Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten

120 young people from Edinburgh create multi-artform production

Strange Town, one of Scotland’s leading theatre companies for young people, is delighted to announce that their large scale multi-artform project – theatre, movement, spoken word, film, sound – ‘Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten’, will culminate in a live promenade performance and video installation event at Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Dalmeny Street on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 June.

Despite the challenges of Covid-19 restrictions throughout the five-month project, Strange Town’s most ambitious production to date has involved more than 120 of Edinburgh’s young people (aged 8 -18), with support from the company’s emerging playwrights (aged 18-25) and directors; and guided and mentored by industry professionals.

Using the stimulus, ‘Can Young People Change the World?’, ‘Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten’ has been created by, and will be performed by, members of the eight Strange Town Youth Theatre Groups from across the city.  

The members of Strange Town Youth Theatre responded to the stimulus with work addressing a range of topics including isolation, technology, identity, generational division, Black Lives Matter, climate change, ideal society/world, protest, kindness, having your voice heard and Covid-19.

In order to maximise the opportunities audiences will have to experience the live performance and video installation, the 60-minute promenade event will be presented to 20 socially distanced audience members three times a night in three separate spaces. 

The whole audience will come together to experience a live performance from just six actors before being split into two separate groups to watch film and listen to audio material. 

Additionally, a site specific eight-minute video will be projected on a wall next to the St. Andrew, Ukrainian Catholic Church of Our Lady of Pochaev, on Dalmeny Street, which will include a specially choreographed movement piece.  This will also be be a ticketed event for socially distanced audiences. 

On 26 and 27 June there will be an opportunity to pay to view a film of the live event together with a variety of additional video, audio and written material developed by the groups.

Funded by Creative Scotland’s Open Fund: Sustaining Creative Development Programme, through the National Lottery, ‘Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten’ has been developed flexibly in response to the ever-changing situation caused by the pandemic.  

The eight groups have met for weekly online digital drama workshops and face-to-face creative sessions, where possible, to explore the question and to create, write, film and record material.  The groups have also worked together with members of the new Strange Town Young Writers Group who have both developed the work the groups have devised and written their own additional scenes.

As well as theatre, choreography and movement has played a big part in the project.  70 young people from the company got involved in a professionally choreographed movement piece, reflecting on the stimulus.  This involved Zoom rehearsals and everybody recording their final performance on their mobile phones.

Rehearsals for the live performance are now underway with a drastically reduced number of actors working to strict guidelines, while video and sound design and editing is nearing completion

The Creative Scotland funding has also enabled Strange Town to employ a full technical team and additional production staff that include film editors, projection mappers, sound designers, a choreographer and production designer.

Steve Small, co-creative director of Strange Town and producer of ‘Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten’, said: “The Gen Z project is a testament to the hard work put in by everybody involved in the company.

“Despite the challenges and difficulties of the pandemic, watching the enthusiasm, skill and pride with which the production team has undertaken this task and having seen how the young people have adapted and risen to the challenge, as well as the range and quality of the work they’ve produced, it’s impossible not to feel massively encouraged. Despite the dark days of the lockdown restrictions, we hope better days are coming. People will always find a way to be creative.  

“Thanks to the funding from Creative Scotland, Generation Z: The Future is Unwritten’s mix of indoor and outdoor and digital work means that everyone will be able to enjoy it wherever they are. We hope it will create some much-needed hope and enjoyment for 2021.”

Celebrities urge Scotland to play in support of Childhood Day

Dame Esther Rantzen, founder of the NSPCC run service Childline, TV presenting duo Ant & Dec, and Scotland’s only professional Netball Team Strathclyde Sirens are calling on Scotland to play today in support of the NSPCC’s Childhood Day.

Thousands of children and adults have already signed up to play and raise money for the leading children’s charity, with communities from all corners of the UK and Channel Islands organising play themed events.

From a children’s play event in Govan Cross in Glasgow, to a pop-up fundraising stall in East Lothian, there is no end to the number of ways people are getting behind the day.

The NSPCC thinks we could all do with a bit more play and is calling on families, friends and work colleagues to celebrate childhood and give children their moment to really be kids after a difficult year.

To mark their support as Childhood Day champions, Ant and Dec are releasing a video which sees them playing some fun and simple games to show just how easy it is to get playing this Childhood Day.

The challenges that children have faced such as school closures, cancelled exams and being separated from family and friends have had a devastating impact on the mental health and wellbeing of many young people, with Childline delivering over 73,000 counselling sessions about this issue.

The NSPCC has also found that the pandemic has increased the risk of abuse and neglect. The Childline service reported an 18% increase in counselling sessions about emotional abuse, when compared to the year before.

Following a recent online YouGov poll of 1,036 parents across the UK with children aged three to twelve, the NSPCC found that almost three quarters (74%) think play has helped their child’s mental health and wellbeing since the start of the pandemic. 

Just over half think it’s helped to reduce stress (53%) and prevent loneliness (54%) and 58% said its helped to support learning outside of school. 

As we move out of the pandemic, it is vital we remain here for children and that they get the help and support they need to have a better and brighter future.

Those taking part in Childhood Day will not only get the chance to have fun with their loved ones, they’ll also be playing their part in helping to keep children safe by raising vital funds for the NSPCC.

Ant said: “It’s such an honour to be supporting the NSPCC’s Childhood Day today.

“There are so many benefits to play and sadly it is something that’s been really restricted over the last year with many children not being able to play with their friends like they normally would.”

Dec said: “As lockdown restrictions continue to ease, we want all children to have a bright future ahead of them.

“That’s why we’re getting involved in Childhood Day today so we can play our part for children. Check out our video and get playing!”

Gia Abernethy, Strathclyde Sirens captain, said: “The past year has been really hard for all of us, and we can only imagine how difficult it has been for children and young people, especially with most clubs and after-school activities being closed for much of the time.

“Thankfully, in our team we have been there to support each other, and we’ve really found some solace in training and playing our sport together.

“Play, being active and connecting with others is so important for all of our physical and mental health. That’s why we’re proudly supporting the NSPCC’s Childhood Day, and we encourage families across the country to do the same and enjoy playing together today.”

The online YouGov poll of 1,036 parents with children aged three to twelve also found that just over three quarters of parents (78%) think spending time with grandparents and the wider family will be important for their child’s wellbeing this summer.

Dame Esther Rantzen, founder and president of Childline, said: “The impact of the past year on children cannot be underestimated.

“The challenges that they’ve faced have turned their lives upside down and many have really struggled to cope. Throughout all of this, Childline has remained a vital listening ear and our counsellors are amazed each day by the resilience that children and young people demonstrate.

“After all the disruption and uncertainty, I think it is fantastic that the NSPCC are marking the importance of play through Childhood Day, whilst fundraising for their vital work.

“As a grandparent myself, I have really struggled with not being able to see and spend time with my grandchildren. The moments when we can be together and play feel even more precious now.

“So, if you haven’t already, I’d encourage you to visit the NSPCC website and get involved in Childhood day today.”

The NSPCC’s Childhood Day, which was previously piloted in specific areas, launched this year with a refreshed look and feel and a renewed ambition to celebrate childhood by getting the nation playing after a challenging year. 

Over the past few months the charity has been encouraging people to sign up, download a fundraising pack and organise a play event to fundraise for the NSPCC.

There’s still time to get involved and sign up to host a play event this weekend. Visit nspcc.org.uk/childhood-day to download your free fundraising pack with lots of play ideas.

You can also support Childhood Day and help protect children by making a donation through the NSPCC website – www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/ways-to-give/donate/

LifeCare invites locals to take part in a summer of virtual events

Older people’s care charity delivering fun and free online community sessions 

LifeCare Edinburgh is inviting local people to sign up to take part in its varied calendar of virtual community events.  

Funded in partnership with Inverleith Neighbourhood Network, Foundation Scotland and The TOR Foundation locals can take part for free. Events include history talks, quizzes, conversation groups discussing current affairs and special events such as the recent private virtual visit to Edinburgh Zoo.   

The renowned local charity offers registered care, outreach activities and help at home services for older people living across the North of the city.

Established in 1941, the organisation supports over 800 elderly clients a year including those suffering with dementia, mobility issues, those experiencing isolation and loneliness, food poverty, mental health problems and support for carers.  

The charity usually delivers its calendar of community events in-person at the LifeCare Centre on Cheyne Street, however organisers set up the sessions through Zoom in response to the pandemic.   

LifeCare understands that some people need a little encouragement and support to get started using Zoom.  Organisers therefore offer free, safely delivered one-to-one support for individuals to get started with the IT platform ensuring they have the skills and confidence to use technology to be part of their community. 

Aleks Pacula, LifeCare’s Community Engagement Facilitator said “We’re thrilled that we’ve been able to continue our successful calendar of events across the last year – we have more people signed up than ever before.  

“Shifting the delivery from in-person to Zoom had a few challenges at first but everyone is very much enjoying it now and it’s allowing more people to take part. We all look forward to the sessions – it gives us a chance to catch up with each other safely, see a friendly face, have some fun together and learn new things about where we live. 

“We’ve received a lot of feedback telling us that the talks bring back fond memories and give people the opportunity to share life-experiences with others. Our free tutorials helping people to use Zoom for the first time have been very popular.  

“I know our regulars found the help really useful at the start and they are unstoppable now!  We regularly update our calendar of events online so visit the LifeCare website to find out more and get involved.” 

The charity has already announced a few highlights to look forward to across the summer.  

In addition to their usual weekly schedule of events they will be hosting “Lothian castles on film” by Anne Daly on Tuesday 29th June at 3pm, “The visit of George IV to Scotland in 1822” by Eric Melvin on Tuesday 27th July at 3pm and “Greek inscriptions in Edinburgh” by Ian McHaffie on Tuesday 24th August at 3pm. 

 Gavin Barrie, Chair of Inverleith Neighbourhood Network said “We are extremely pleased to hear about the success of LifeCare’s Community Engagement Project.

“The important project reaches out to some who may be suffering isolation in our community.  The programme demonstrates all that is good when various arms of our community pull together to assist those in need of support. We were delighted to help LifeCare achieve its aims of engaging with local members of our community.” 

Beverley Francis, Chair of LifeCare said “A huge thanks to our generous funders for enabling LifeCare to continue to deliver and grow our important calendar of community engagement activities.  

“These events deliver huge benefits to those in our communities in normal times, but they are even more important through the current time. Activities are designed to keep people connected, give something to look forward to and to provide something stimulating for health and wellbeing needs.  We are encouraging anyone that is interested to get in touch to find out more.” 

LifeCare Edinburgh is a registered charity and relies on the support of its funders.  Key relationships include Barclays, The TOR Foundation, Foundation Scotland, Tesco Bank and all the many local people who take part in community fundraising events.  

For more information visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/lifecare-space/whats-on/ 

Tenement Tales!

Sometimes things do get magically placed on your doorstep!

The Scottish Storytelling Forum (TRACS) are running the fantastic initiative ‘Tenement Tales’, which kicks off this Saturday at 11am.

If you’re based in a #Leith tenement, open your windows and you might catch a story or two, without leaving the comfort of your home!

#communityspirit

Supported by Creative Scotland, Fèisean nan Gàidheal