Edinburgh Pentlands MSP, Gordon MacDonald, has commended Cue and Review, a talking newspapers daily service in Scotland, on the launch of their new Alexa “skill” app “Talking Newspaper”.
The MSP welcomed the app, which allows visually and reading impaired users to access talking newspapers and magazines from all over the UK using their Alexa device, by lodging a celebratory motion in The Scottish Parliament
The project was funded with £50,485 from the Scottish Government’s Community Recovery Fund, which enabled Cue and Review, since January 2021, to work on the project with the British Wireless for the Blind Fund (BWBF). The app is currently compatible with all Scottish talking newspaper titles available on the current BWBF Talking Newspaper phone app onto Alexa.
To get started using the skill say “Alexa Enable, Talking Newspapers”. Then say “Alexa, open talking newspaper” to your Alexa device. A short message will play, meaning you have successfully started the skill. Say “play” and the name of the title you would like to listen to; for example, “play Cue and Review The National”.
SNP MSP, Gordon MacDonald, said: “The last year has shown, more than ever, how important it is to be able to access quality, trusted news. It lets us stay informed and connected on a daily basis, and is a vital resource when we are going through some of the toughest times in our lives. It should go without saying that those who are visually and reading impaired should have access to this too.
“I am thrilled that Cue and Review have managed to launch their Alexa Skill , “Talking Newspaper”, and I would like to extend a huge congratulations to everyone who has been involved in this success.
“I would also encourage anyone who would like to support this extremely worthwhile initiative, to volunteer with Cue and Review – you can even help from your own home. I understand that the service is heavily reliant on volunteers so every bit of help will be very much appreciated.”
The City of Edinburgh Council and VOCAL, Voice of Carers Across Lothian, have announced a new Carers Recovery Fund.
Recognising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on unpaid carers, the City of Edinburgh Council has committed to an investment of £250,000 to support unpaid carers. VOCAL will serve as the lead partner, managing the delivery of the fund.
Prior to the pandemic, 65,084 people in Edinburgh had caring responsibilities, 13.7% of the population. For many their caring role increased massively and it is estimated that across Scotland nearly 400,000 additional citizens took on caring responsibilities.
Research released for Carers Week by the Carers Week charities found that 71% of unpaid carers in Scotland have not had any breaks from their caring role during the pandemic.
Of those who got a break, over a third (36%) used the time to complete practical tasks or housework, and almost a quarter (24%) to attend their own medical appointments.
Three quarters (77%) reported being exhausted as a result of caring during the pandemic.
More than a third (36%) said they feel unable to manage their unpaid caring role.
The Carers Recovery Fund is an important step towards further investment in carers as the largest providers of care in our communities. The Fund will be allocated as a one-off payment to individual carers, and can be used to support carer health and wellbeing, enable carers to take a short break and to improve the financial wellbeing of carers.
Cllr Joan Griffiths, Carers Champion for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m so pleased we’re investing £250k in this Carers Recovery Fund in recognition of the extra challenges and additional pressures they have faced during the pandemic.
“Many carers have been unable to get a break from their role and have suffered a loss of support networks so this one off investment recognises the dedicated, unheralded and unpaid work they do.
“This funding is really important in the current climate especially for young carers who have been badly affected by not being able to meet their friends through lost school time. Anything we can do to support them is welcome news and we look forward to working with VOCAL on this project.
“The Carers Recovery Fund is part of a wider £21m package boosting our work for core ambitions of the Council – tackling poverty and inequality, boosting sustainability and enhancing wellbeing for everyone here in Edinburgh.”
Sebastian Fischer, Chief Executive of VOCAL said: “We look forward to working with the City of Edinburgh Council to administer the new Carers Recovery Fund for unpaid carers across the city.
“As the Carers Week report has shown, many carers have not been able to access a break due to the pandemic. Now, more than ever, the health and social care system relies on unpaid carers.
“It is vital that their right to regular breaks is recognised. This investment is a statement of intent and will have a positive impact on the lives of individual carers across different caring roles.”
UK schools to promote the environment to students ahead of COP26 climate conference in November
Prime Minister visits school in Cornwall as part of school education pack launch
Education Pack to encourage student climate leaders to come forward as an inspiration to others
Schools across the UK are being encouraged to start a conversation on climate change with their students, ahead of the UK hosting global climate summit COP26 later this year, as the Together for Our Planet Schools Pack launches today (Thursday 10 June).
The pack, which is hosted on the COP26 website and sent to UK schools, is designed to engage students on climate action, encourage conversations about tackling climate change, and help students learn more about the COP26 summit in Glasgow this year. This will include a guide for running a green assembly, along with ideas like a ‘walk to school’ week and resources that have been created by the likes of WWF and TED Talks to support schools.
Ahead of the G7 Leaders’ Summit, the Prime Minister will visit a school in Cornwall today to see how schools and students are already playing their part in protecting the environment and learning about the fight against climate change.
As part of the pack, there will also be content focused on identifying the UK’s future student climate leaders, remarkable young people who are already contributing to climate action in many ways including recycling, eating seasonal foods and walking to school. The actions that schools and pupils are taking across the country will help inspire others to follow their lead.
On the launch of pack, the COP26 President-Designate, Alok Sharma said: “The role of young people in tackling climate change, one of the greatest challenges of our generation, will be crucial.
“I am delighted to see this school pack being launched today which will be made available right across the UK so that pupils can bring discussion and debate on the environment directly to their classrooms.
“It will be exciting to see young people engage on this pressing issue ahead of COP26.”
The Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson said: “When I visit schools around the country, something I’m always struck by is how engaged in environmental issues young people are. Tackling climate change requires action from each of us on an individual and collective basis and this pack helps schools encourage both those things.
“I’m excited to see how schools’ climate leaders bring their passion, creativity and intelligence to help us secure a sustainable future.”
Matt Larsen-Daw, Education Manager, WWF-UK said: “I’m delighted to be involved in the launch of today’s Together For Our Planet Schools Pack and to have been part of its development.
“Young people have the biggest stake in the outcomes of the UN COP in November, and it is vital that they are informed and engaged as this pivotal milestone in the fight against climate change takes place on their doorstep, here in the UK.
“This pack can help educators bring COP and the issues it seeks to address to life for their students and the whole school community.”
Matt Hipperson, Head Teacher, St Luke’s CEVA Primary School said: “The issue of climate change is probably the most important problem of our age. It is destroying opportunities for large areas of our planet to prosper and live sustainably.
“Our most important resource in the struggle against the impact of climate change is our young people who have the bravery to make the changes needed to give the world hope for a sustainable future.
“This resource will help our children access trustworthy information, organise their thoughts and work towards the solutions that our planet is crying out for.”
Community pharmacies across Scotland are extending access to rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing kits for people without COVID-19 symptoms.
The expansion, which began yesterday (Wednesday 9 June) is aimed at encouraging further uptake of testing among people with no symptoms and finding cases which would otherwise go undetected.
It builds on current efforts in place to improve access to rapid lateral flow devices (LFDs) for people without COVID-19 symptoms, by making it easier for people without access to digital services.
Free packs are available to be collected from participating pharmacies, with each containing seven devices which can provide results in around 30 minutes.
People with symptoms of COVID-19 should not enter pharmacies to collect self-test kits or use a LFD and must instead self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test at NHS Inform.
Heath Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “Testing has a vital role to play as we move safely out of lockdown and this rollout of testing kits to pharmacies for the public to drop in and pick up helps build on our strategy to tackle COVID-19.
“It would be a mistake to think that the successful delivery of the vaccination programme means testing becomes less important. The evidence suggests vaccination provides strong protection, but does not yet guarantee you can’t still get the virus and pass it on.
“Around one in three people with COVID-19 do not show any symptoms and rapid lateral flow testing is already helping us identify new cases. The ability to quickly identify new outbreaks and put appropriate measures in place will remain at the heart of our strategy to help break chains of transmission.
“Regular, rapid testing is already available to people in a wide range of settings, including schools and communities where rates remain high and everyone should access testing regularly.”
People can find out which pharmacies are taking part by going to NHS inform, following a link and entering their postcode.
Anyone with symptoms, such as a cough, fever or loss of taste or smell should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR (polymarese chain reaction) test.
Rapid LFD test kits, which can be used from home for people to test themselves twice-weekly, are already available for pick-up without an appointment from many local walk-in, or drive-through test sites, or by ordering online, or by phone.
Professor Harry McQuillan from Community Pharmacy Scotland said: “The community pharmacy network across Scotland provides access to NHS services close to people’s homes at the heart of our communities.
“This distribution service further enhances the ongoing testing programme and builds upon the community pharmacy teams role in supporting Scotland’s public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, has praised pharmacies across the city for helping to rollout rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) testing kits for people without COVID-19 symptoms.
The expansion which began yesterday (Wednesday 9 June) is aimed at encouraging further uptake of testing among people with no symptoms and finding cases which would otherwise go undetected.
This is building on current efforts to improve access to rapid lateral flow devices for people without COVID-19 symptoms, by making it easier for people without access to digital services.
Among the many pharmacies who have voluntarily signed up to participate in the expansion are Colinton Pharmacy, MacKinnon Pharmacy, Lloyds Pharmacy Wester Hailes, Lloyds Pharmacy Calder Road, Gate 55 Sighthill Road, Colinton Mains Pharmacy, Lindsay and Gilmour Chemist Juniper Green, Calder Pharmacy, Oxgangs Pharmacy and Boots Pharmacy Buckstone Terrace.
SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald said: “This is very welcome news and I am sure will be a source of great help to so many people across the city.
“Rapid lateral flow testing is already helping to pick up news case so all efforts to increase LFDs will help even more. This, in turn, helps to identify new outbreaks and put in place mitigating measures to reduce transmission as quickly as possible.
“I would like to thank all the community pharmacies across Edinburgh Pentlands, and right across the city, who are participating in this rollout. Community pharmacies have, and continue to, play a key role in supporting Scotland’s public health response to the Covid-19 pandemic by providing access to NHS services close to people’s homes and lives.”
There are 1,258 community pharmacies across Scotland that are eligible to sign up for the service. Participation is voluntary and it is for pharmacy owners to opt-in to provide the service.
Four Edinburgh businesses are amongst the first cohort of businesses to sign up to The Academy, a new and unique training initiative to help food and drink businesses targeting growth, after the industry was one of the hardest hit by COVID-19 and Brexit.
Open to food and drink businesses of all sizes and ambition, The Academy, is a series of programmes being delivered by Scotland Food & Drink Partnership and training experts Levercliff Associates to support businesses sell themselves, build their brands, thrive and compete in highly competitive retail and foodservice markets.
The three training programmes – Seeding Growth, Accelerating Growth and Commercial Excellence – have been designed to support companies at various stages in their development.
The Academy programmes are the first major investment from the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership’s £5m Recovery Plan which is supported by The Scottish Government. It will run for two and a half years and aims to support over 200 Scottish businesses.
Mimi’s Bakehouse are kickstarting their growth journey by joining the Seeding Growth programme. A further three businesses including Bon Accord Soft Drinks, Scotch & Co and The Drinks Bakery are upskilling on Accelerating Growth.
Seeding Growth, which started in May and will run for twelve weeks, is aimed at companies whose primary focus is maximising their local markets and beginning to consider opportunities in the broader Scottish marketplace.
Natalie Togeher, Finance Manager at Mimi’s Bakehouse, said:“The past year has been beyond challenging but we have attempted and survived! We feel now is a great time to reflect on where the business is and how we can move forward in a sustainable way continuing to bring the best sweet treats we can to our customers.
“The Academy will help us with the direction of the business and understand planning decisions when it comes to potential new product lines.”
The Accelerating Growth course is aimed at established businesses already supplying large customers in Scotland and looking to advance in the wider UK market, and will start this month (June)and run for six months.
Andy Murray, Founder at The Drinks Bakery, said:“This last year has been a huge challenge for The Drinks Bakery as much of the hard work and momentum built up through 2019 came to an end and the large-scale contracts that we were so close to getting simply fell away.
“That said, we still saw growth through 2020, just from different channels. Our D2C channel took off through Amazon and a hastily set up webshop as people wanted to spoil themselves at home. Plus our range started to fly off the shelves in the delis and farm shops around the UK as more people shopped closer to home.
“The Drinks Bakery is now getting closer to partnering with the right sort of UK multiple retail and we’ve been exporting small amounts to Europe, UAE and North America over the last 2 years but things are about to get bigger.
“Being part of the Scotland Food & Drink Academy is exactly the support we need at this crucial stage of scaling.”
Lucy Husband, Market Development and Business Engagement Director at Scotland Food & Drink, said:“The Academy aims to bring a renewed sense of positivity and optimism for businesses when it comes to growing their brands. It is fantastic to see so many local food and drink businesses focus on their future and revisit their ambitions for growth after an extraordinarily difficult year.
“These programmes have a real focus on knowledge sharing, upskilling and innovating, and are fundamentally about helping businesses to deliver a real step-change for long term growth. Change that is rooted in the here and now in the commercial realities of the world we live in, but with an eye to the future.
“Whilst we don’t know what the future might hold, food and drink will undoubtably continue to be a key export and economic contributor for Scotland and we are thrilled to be able to support businesses grow their brand to compete in local, UK and international markets.”
Applications are now open for future cohorts of The Academy. The deadline for applications for cohort two of Seeding Growth which starts in September is Sunday 13 June, however applications will continuously remain open for future cohorts.
The first cohort of Commercial Excellence will start later this year.
An Edinburgh Napier product design student has created a bodysuit that aims to make it easier for women affected by type 1 diabetes to wear an insulin pump with any type of clothing.
Final year student Katarzyna Pohorecka has developed ‘Mude’ – a range of six nude-coloured bodysuits that contain a specially designed pouch that discreetly holds an insulin pump.
The work – which is being exhibited this week as part of the University’s online Degree Show – has been created after a gap in the market was identified for a product that allowed female insulin pump users to wear their pump under their clothes.
The inclusive range – which has been completely designed and sewn by Kat as part of her fourth year studies at Edinburgh Napier – comes in six different colours and in sizes XS to XXL.
Kat was inspired to create the range of bodysuits – which can also be worn as an individual item of clothing rather than as underwear – after her research showed that women regularly have issues wearing certain types of clothing, especially lighter clothes and dresses, while using an insulin pump.
Kat said: “My best friend has type 1 diabetes and she’s often remarked to me that she can’t wear certain items of clothing because they are just not compatible with her insulin pump.
“I started researching this area and I found that despite there being some accessories such as belts and bumbags to help with wearing an insulin pump, there was nothing specifically made with comfort and discreetness in mind.
“Mude – which takes its names from the word miód which is Polish for honey and nude which reflects the colours I have used – has been designed with these two aspects in mind. I wanted to create something that allowed women to wear any item of clothing along with their insulin pump.
“I’ve always been a believer that clothing – and the fashion industry as a whole – should be doing more to make clothing inclusive for all. I have designed the range in six colours and in a variety of sizes as I aim to make it as accessible for as many people as possible.
“Now that my time at Edinburgh Napier has come to an end, I’m really keen to continue pursuing my idea and would love to bring Mude to market, putting it on sale for those affected by type 1 diabetes who feel they could benefit from something like this.
“Design for a social impact has always been incredibly important to me and I’m hopeful of meeting this goal throughout the remainder of the year.”
The Edinburgh Napier Degree Show runs from 2 June. More information and to view this year’s work, visit here.
It’s something many of us have noticed over the past year. We’ve been getting our shopping delivered, the weekly Keep Fit class is on hold, and phone calls have replaced a cuppa with friends.
We’ve had to postpone regular activities, whether that’s a game of bowls or playing with grandchildren. And while many have tried to keep up that daily walk, the Covid-19 pandemic has kept others confined to home.
“Stay at home” has been the safest advice – with many older people either shielding or significantly cutting down their social interactions.
But now that the vaccine rollout is well underway and restrictions are starting to lift, what impact has this had on our longer-term health?
Age Scotland’s new research confirms the impact that lockdown has had on our daily life – almost two thirds of over-50s say they have been less active over the past year.
Around half are worried that spending so much time at home has led to a loss of strength and mobility.
This had led to concerns that the restrictions could have a serious impact on our health over the next few years. Tens of thousands of older people could be experiencing “deconditioning” – declining physical fitness caused by lack of activity and spending long periods of time sitting.
This can lead to a loss of muscle strength, balance, flexibility and overall mobility, which can leave people more vulnerable to falls and likely to require social care support in the years to come.
It can even lead to health problems resulting in higher mortality from cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.
One way to combat this is through an innovative app called LifeCurve, developed by researchers at Strathclyde University, It’s based on research that found that we lose the ability to do things in a particular order as we age.
Early on the curve, we might be able to go for a brisk walk, while as we get older we might start to struggle with housework, bathing or cutting toenails.
The good news is this is not set in stone at a particular age. We can improve our position on the LifeCurve by staying physically active and keeping up with regular daily tasks. This can slow the ageing process and help us to live a healthy, independent life for longer.
We can all try to build more physical activity into our lives, whatever our fitness and ability level. Age Scotland has developed its Around the House in 80 Days series of videos to help people of all ages stay fit safely at home.
For many people, the issue is a lack of confidence after around 15 months at home. It’s often tempting to offer to help an older relative or neighbour by doing the shopping or cooking a meal. But it might be more helpful to encourage them to do more independently.
Perhaps you could offer to walk with someone to the shops or try a gentle exercise class (in person or online) together?
Many Age Scotland groups, such as Men’s Sheds and walking clubs, are now re-opening safely, giving further opportunities for physical and social activity.
It might start with a small step, but it could go a long way to ensuring a healthier later life.
Scottish Ensemble (SE) and Social Bite are teaming up this summer to spread the joy of shared food and live music with new collaboration Sound Bites.
Based on the notion that these simple pleasures are at the heart of peoples’ lives as social beings, Sound Bites connects the worlds of food and music with a themed picnic box available for audience members to enjoy during upcoming performances as part of month-long outdoor festival Live at No.40.
Scottish Ensemble will bring to life Vivaldi’s iconic masterpiece, The Four Seasons, as audiences enjoy a bespoke picnic of handmade goodies sprinkled with a touch of the Four Seasons by Scottish charity and social enterprise Social Bite. Each picnic basket will contain a duo of tasty baguettes with two different fillings, and depending on dietary preference, a selection of pies, frittatas, sausage rolls, salads and even some of Social Bite’s famous brownie bites.
In solidarity with the Social Bite cause to end homelessness and in keeping with its reputation for thinking outside the (picnic) box, 10% of ticket sales for Scottish Ensemble performances are being donated to Social Bite and its work helping and supporting some of the most vulnerable individuals and communities across Scotland and the UK.
Taking place from the 3 July to 1 August 2021, Live at No.40. will unfold at Scottish Opera’s Production Studio car park at 40 Edington Street, Glasgow. Joined by Scottish Opera and Citizens Theatre in a specially created outdoor theatre, Scottish Ensemble will perform four concerts over two days, accompanied by Scottish charity and social enterprise Social Bite.
At a time when the country is cautiously celebrating new beginnings, Vivaldi’s works of art speaks poignantly to disruption and the inevitability of change with piercing precision. By bringing audiences together, not only for possible the first live performance in over a year, but to ‘break bread’ with fellow music lovers, friends and family, SE and Social Bite mark an important milestone during a turbulent time.
William Norris, Interim Chief Executive at Scottish Ensemble, said: “One of the things we’ve all missed in the last year has been sharing. Sharing time with friends. Sharing experiences. Sharing food. Sharing music.
“Our Sound Bites performances of Vivaldi’s ever-green Four Seasons promise to provide all of the above, but also share a portion of everyone’s ticket purchase with our partners in this project, Social Bite, who do incredibly important work in tackling homelessness.
“We’re really excited to be partnering with them on this project which marks our return to live performance in a characteristically different way.”
Co-founder and CEO of Social Bite, Josh LittleJohn MBE said: “This collaboration will not only be a brilliant celebration of enjoying food, drink and music together, something we’ve all missed over the past year, it’s also an opportunity to bring about real positive change.
“This fantastic event will deliver funding to our innovative programmes that support people out of homelessness and help them to build independent lives.
“We hope everyone who joins us at Sound Bites enjoys the performance, along with our delicious picnics – specifically crafted for this event by our talented kitchen staff of which 1/3 have come from a background of homelessness.
Thank you for your support and for joining us in our mission to ensure everyone has a safe place to call home.”
Scran Academy, a leading social enterprise in Edinburgh, is delighted to announce the launch of the new Scran Café, a professional café within NHS Lothian’s Comely Bank Centre, planned, launched and run by inspiring young people aged between 13 and 21 from across Edinburgh.
The café’s initial focus will be to create a welcoming, relaxing and safe haven for as many as 100 frontline NHS workers and clinical trainees on a daily basis, offering freshly made meals, drinks and other refreshments.
With an innovative social business model involving a voluntary, private and public sector collaboration, this unique partnership between Scran Academy and NHS Lothian will see more than 100 young people, too often judged and failed by both their city and country, access dedicated employment experience and skills support over the coming three years.
Through the charity’s existing community-based Academy School and Scransitions, a new 16+ employability programme, this ground-breaking social venture will empower these young people with the skills and confidence to lead in the hospitality industry.
At the same time the programme will take a significant bite out of the poverty-related barriers, life challenges and injustices they face on a daily basis – being care-experienced, disengaged from mainstream school, at risk of homelessness, unemployed or suffering from poor mental health.
Scransitions is supported by The National Lottery Fund’s Young Start Project, the Edinburgh Thrive initiative and Walter Scott Giving Group, who have all generously enabled the £300,000 project to run for three years.
The Café will open to the public later in the year as restrictions are eased. There are already strong signs that the café will become an essential resource to the wider community, instrumental in joining up other Scran programmes and initiatives.
Through the charity’s partnerships and intergenerational work including projects involving low-income family, elderly and homeless organisations, there are hundreds of individuals keen to access the cafe and get involved.
The cafe will also provide a free community library, with support from Edinburgh International Book Festival and other bookstores.
Founder of Scran Academy and social entrepreneur, John Loughton BEM (above), himself a young person who grew up struggling in North Edinburgh, said: “At Scran we do hand-ups, not just hand-outs.
“We must all respond and adapt to what is an oncoming crisis for today’s generation that has resulted from education systems failures, a bleak employment context and the rising grip of poverty and mental health. It’s brutal for young people and our work has never been more needed.
“What Scran’s story shows is that if we support local community organisations that are run with passion and authenticity, we can develop creative solutions to social inequality. It also shows that unlike the stereotypes so often in the media, young people make a real and positive contribution to society and your post code does not have to be your destiny.
“I also want to take this opportunity to thank all our funders, schools and volunteers whose contribution to the operation of Scran has made a huge difference to the young people of Edinburgh.”
People living across Scotland are being invited to lace up their trainers and get walking this summer in aid of people living with a chronic, life-limiting autoimmune condition called scleroderma.
The charity Scleroderma and Raynaud’s UK (SRUK) is asking people to get involved with its nationwide walking challenge and raise money for vital research and support. Participants have the option of making their walk physical or virtual and as long or as short as they need.
The fundraiser – called The SRUK Walk – aims to raise at least £19,000 to represent the 19,000 people in the UK living with scleroderma. The money will be used to support people affected by the condition and fund research to improve diagnosis, treatment and quality of life.
Sue Farrington, SRUK Chief Executive, said:“Scleroderma affects thousands of people and there is currently no cure. Through our research, information and support services we’re taking steps to improve the lives of everyone affected by scleroderma. And now we’re asking the public to quite literally do the same.
“The past year has taken a toll on many people with scleroderma who have been forced to shield and, in some cases, have their treatments put on hold. We want to make sure we can be there for everyone who needs us, which is why we’re asking people to put their best foot forward – a simple act that will help make a world of difference.
We know how supportive people in Scotland can be, so we’re hoping as many people as possible get involved.”
Scleroderma occurs when the body’s immune system becomes overactive and begins to attack healthy tissue, causing hardening of the skin and, in some cases, other organs. It is most common in adults over the age of 40 and can also affect teenagers and young adults, although this is much rarer.
SRUK is the only charity solely focused on improving the lives of people with scleroderma and Raynaud’s in the UK through information, support and ground-breaking research.
To get involved with The SRUK Walk or to find out more, visit www.sruk.co.uk/walk
