Month: July 2021

Emergency! Key staff shortages are increasing the pressure on struggling ED workforce

Census by RCEM Scotland shows a shortage of key senior decision-making clinicians and a workforce below adequate staffing levels

A census of the Emergency Medicine workforce in Scotland by the Royal College of Emergency has found shortages of key senior decision-makers, and a workforce that is below adequate staffing levels to deliver the best and most effective care to patients.

When asked for immediate staffing needs, Emergency Departments across Scotland reported they needed an increase of:

  • 25% in consultants
  • 45% in Advanced Clinical Practitioners/Advanced Nursing Practitioners/Physician Associates
  • 16% in Emergency Nurse Practitioners
  • 22% in Higher Specialist Trainees/Non-consultant Senior Decision-Makers
  • 21% in Junior Doctors

RCEM analysis shows that to resolve the shortages of senior decision-makers and to achieve adequate staffing and aspirational staffing levels by 2026 the current workforce in Scotland needs a total of 405 more health care staff broken down as:

  • 113 more consultants
  • 74 more Higher Specialist Trainees/Non-consultant Senior Decision-Makers
  • 38 more Advanced Clinical Practitioners/Advanced Nursing Practitioners/Physician Associates
  • 180 more Junior Doctors

RCEM’s Scotland workforce census consisted of a 64-question survey and was sent to Emergency Department Clinical Leads across Scotland.

Responses were received from 24 Emergency Departments, including all 20 consultant-led Emergency Departments, one Minor Injury Unit, and three Remote and Rural Hospitals.

Commenting on RCEM’s Scotland workforce census, Dr John Thomson, Vice President (Scotland) of the Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said: “The census clearly shows that the Emergency Medicine workforce in Scotland is not adequately staffed to deliver the highest quality patient care.

“This has led to an increase in intense pressures on the existing workforce and is very likely to be a contributing factor to the continued deterioration in performance.

“We have always been proud of Scotland’s performance in Emergency Medicine, ensuring quick and effective care that outperformed the rest of the United Kingdom. But, even before the pandemic, the increase in demand put severe pressure on staff, and departments began to struggle to meet the four-hour access standard, but more seriously began to struggle to deliver appropriate treatment to patients, resulting in more delays and longer stays.

“The pandemic certainly exacerbated these issues and now there are some major challenges that face Emergency Medicine in Scotland. Emergency Medicine can be relentless; a service delivered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, will always take its toll, and the pandemic has highlighted the severe burnout that Emergency Medicine staff, especially face.

“Departments must be staffed with a workforce trained and qualified in Emergency Medicine. Shortages in senior decision-making staff groups can lead to Emergency Departments over-depending on junior staff. The census shows that we need considerable expansion of funded consultant and senior decision-maker posts in order to prioritise patient safety and quality of care.

“We managed to survive the first two waves of pandemic with an insufficient workforce, but now these existing staff are facing burnout and exhaustion – with some clinicians reporting they are planning on retiring early. This census clearly shows that we must act and address these problems without delay.

“The Scottish Government must work with the specialty to devise an adequate workforce plan for the emergency care system, taking into account population needs and rising demand on the service. Plans must ensure sustainable and fulfilling careers for all staff, allowing for the delivery of quick, safe, and effective care for patients.

“Without a sufficient workforce plan that addresses the findings of the census, it is likely that there will be continued deterioration in Emergency Department performance and rates of burnout will continue to increase amongst Emergency Medicine staff.”

Health Secretary Sajid Javid: “We cannot eliminate COVID-19”

Learning to live with Coronavirus

Moments after the Prime Minister called to ask me to become Health and Social Care Secretary last Saturday night, I spoke to my teenage daughter in the kitchen (writes UK Health Secretary SAJID JAVID).

‘You won’t have much to sort out then, dad,’ she said sarcastically.

When I came back to Westminster on Sunday morning, I found the biggest in-tray I’ve had at any department – and I’ve run 5.

I’ve spent the last year working with Harvard University on how governments can learn from this pandemic and be better prepared for future challenges, now I’m the one faced with so many of those tough choices.

I feel both the heavy responsibility and urgency that comes with this job.

My first video call on vaccine progress had to be at the same time as the England-Germany match. It was all going well until JVT (Jonathan Van-Tam, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for England) suddenly took off his headphones because he didn’t want to hear the score before he watched a recording of the match.

It was an honour to start the meeting by thanking the team who have delivered the rollout, including everyone in the NHS, the Vaccines Taskforce and the officials in my department.

Amid the endless policy memos and reams of data, I see 2 immediate challenges. The first is how we restore our freedoms and learn to live with (coronavirus) COVID-19. The second is to tackle the NHS backlog – something that we know is going to get far worse before it gets better.

We are on track for 19 July and we have to be honest with people about the fact that we cannot eliminate COVID-19.

We also need to be clear that cases are going to rise significantly. I know many people will be cautious about the easing of restrictions – that’s completely understandable. But no date we choose will ever come without risk, so we have to take a broad and balanced view. We are going to have to learn to accept the existence of COVID-19 and find ways to cope with it – just as we already do with flu.

The economic arguments for opening up are well known, but for me, the health arguments are equally compelling. The pandemic has hit some groups disproportionately hard.

Rules that we have had to put in place have caused a shocking rise in domestic violence and a terrible impact on so many people’s mental health. All the progress we have made is thanks to the sacrifices of the British people – and our phenomenal vaccine programme.

The jabs are working. The latest data from the Office for National Statistics shows that 8 in 10 UK adults have the COVID-19 antibodies that help the body fight the disease. The implications of this are huge.

Tragically, the last time we had 28,000 new cases of COVID-19 in a day, we saw about 500 people die each day. On Friday, we had almost 28,000 cases a day, but 24 times fewer people lost their lives.

There will always be the possibility that we have to deal with dangerous new variants that evade the vaccine but I encourage everyone to get their jabs now if they haven’t already done so. It is the single biggest contribution you can make to this national effort.

We have many other crucial health challenges that we need to confront. We protected the NHS to make sure it was there for everyone who needed care. The steps we took saved countless lives but also led to the build-up of a vast ‘elective’ backlog – checks, appointments and treatments for all the less urgent, but often just as important, health issues.

Because of the pandemic, we estimate that about 7 million fewer people than normal came forward for healthcare. Even if only some of that demand returns, we will see enormous pressure on the NHS.

To help meet this demand, build a better NHS and bust the backlog, we need to build on the changes we’ve all embraced through the pandemic, such as using NHS 111 to direct patients to the most appropriate setting to receive care, expanding the use of our pharmacies and encouraging more people to use the NHS app.

We have to keep doing all of that, and more.

Of course, if you are feeling unwell, you need to come forward. The NHS is always there for you – and now in many different ways.

We’re putting record levels of funding into the NHS. In March, we committed a further £7 billion of funding – including £1 billion to begin tackling the elective backlog and about £500 million for mental health services and investment in staff.

And we’re bringing so many more talented colleagues into the workforce. We have record numbers employed in the NHS, with more than 58,300 more staff in hospital and community health services since March last year, including over 5,600 more doctors and 10,800 nurses.

We’re also embracing technology to help staff spend less time on paperwork and more on patients.

It’s time to build on the spirit of innovation we’ve all embraced and use it for the other challenges we face: from finally fixing social care and putting it on a sustainable footing, to tackling the health inequalities that the pandemic has brought to the fore.

I’m determined we get that right.

There’s a lot of work ahead, but if we hold on to the spirit that has seen us through these difficult days, we will have a country that is not just freer, but healthier, too.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is likely to confirm later today that all COVID restrictions will be lifted in England from 19th July, so-called ‘Freedom Day’, despite a rising number of COVID cases.

Scotland is more cautious, with a tentative date of 9th August, and Wales and Northern Ireland have yet to make any decision on further relaxation on restrictions.

Investor confidence returning, says new research

Confidence levels are up, Millennials make their mark and interest in ethical investing hits new highs

Confidence levels amongst UK investors have risen 20 points (62 – 82) in the last 12 months according to new research amongst 1100 UK investors (£10k+).

The Investor Index, now in its second year, is conducted jointly by London-based communications agency AML Group and research agency The Nursery Research and Planning and was launched in April 2020 to assess the immediate impact of Covid 19 on investors and the UK investment marketplace.

The first report of its kind to provide an objective overview of the industry based on hard data,the study was welcomed as a barometer of post-Covid investor behaviours.

“57% of UK investors have changed their investment strategy since the pandemic started”

One year on, and still in the grip of the pandemic, the 2021 study has revealed some significant changes and ‘recalibrations’ amongst investors.

Confidence returns – but not to pre-pandemic levels

Over the past 12 months, confidence levels have risen most amongst older investors (55+) up 30 points (54 – 84), investors that are retired up 27 points (57 – 84), those that use financial advisers up 31 points (65 – 96) and investors with a portfolio of £200k+ – up 38 points (55 – 93).

The study has also revealed a disparity in gender confidence levels – with men indicating a 25 point rise over the last 12 months (61- 86) compared to a rise in confidence levels of just 10 points among female investors (65 – 75).

However whilst the results are cause for some degree of optimism – investor confidence levels are still 18 points down from pre-Covid levels.

Gen Z/Millennials Vs Baby Boomers – the emerging generational divide

10% of UK investors have started investing since the pandemic began – and of those new investors three-quarters (74%) are under 35s.

It’s a changing landscape with the younger investor bringing different attitudes and priorities to the investor table.

89% of under 35s have changed their investment strategy over the last year vs. 31% of 55+ investors. Younger investors are also increasingly looking to ESG products – with 27% including responsible investments in their portfolio compared to only 4% of investors aged 55 and older. Younger investors are also more focused on the long game – with 30% looking to longer term investments compared to 8% of investors 55+.

When it comes to investment decisions, younger investors are increasingly turning to family (40%), banks (30%) and friends (27%) for advice.

It’s a gift – investors demonstrate a change of attitude

57% of UK investors have changed their investment strategy since the pandemic started – with a focus on products offering ‘long term growth’ (46%) over ‘short term growth’ (30%).

Investors are increasingly concerned about their children’s financial security. 70% of investors are aware of the £3,000 wealth transfer allowance with 38% having given £500 or more over the last 12 months – with children the biggest recipients (72%). Indeed the average amount gifted in 2020 was £8087 compared to £5421 pre pandemic (2019) – a 49% increase and a clear indicator of the want for investors to safeguard futures for loved ones.

How invested is the UK investor in Responsible Investing?

Investors feel that ethical/socially responsible financial products are more important now than at the same time last year – up 9 percentage points (23% – 32%) with three in ten of those surveyed stating that they believe that these products will be more important in the future – up six percentage points (24% – 30%).

However despite investors acknowledging the importance of ESG/RI there is a continuing perception, despite contrary evidence, that it carries a performance penalty with investors ‘prioritising financial security over wider ethical considerations’ – up five percentage points (23% – 28%).

Younger investors look to DIY platforms

Since the start of the pandemic in March 2020, four in ten investors under 35 (39%) have invested more with DIY platforms – compared to just 14% of 55+. And while the younger investor has indicated a ‘happy to do it myself’ attitude regarding financial planning and investments they are less confident when it comes to their feelings about the industry. Just under one-third of under 35s (29%) are confident markets will bounce back compared to more than half (52%) of investors aged 55+.

Perhaps predictably, younger investors are more tapped into trends and news stories connected to investing.

39% of under 35s cited an awareness of the growth in DIY platforms with 44% familiar with the story around Reddit users driving up the share price of Game Stop and 31% aware of the rise in silver prices. Investors aged 55+ recorded significantly lower awareness across all trends.

Top 10 nine findings:

1. Investor confidence levels (overall index score) – 82 (up 20 points)

2. Confidence levels amongst men – 86 (up 25 points)

3. Confidence levels amongst women – 75 (up 10 points)

4. Confidence levels amongst under 35s – 74 (up 4 points)

5. Percentage of investors who have increased amounts invested since Covid-19 – 36%

6. Changed Investment strategy since the start of the pandemic – 57%

7. Ethical products considered more important now – 32% (up 9 percentage points)

8. Percentage of all new investors (in the last 12 months) that are women – 63%

9. Under 35s who have increased DIY investments since Covid – 39%

METHODOLOGY: 1,100 nationally representative interviews were conducted online in April 2021 from an adult sample with £10,000+ of investments. Respondents were recruited from Dynata’s online access panels. 7 in-depth interviews were conducted with a mix of IFAs and Wealth Managers – also in April 2021.

Revealed: The facts you were taught at school that aren’t true

Ten things you learnt at school which are no longer true

Our knowledge of the world is constantly evolving, and as such, some of the things which were once taught in schools are no longer true.

Remember when Pluto (above) was declassified as a planet and you began to doubt everything your teachers had ever told you? Turns out, that was just the start.

From science and history to English grammar, Oxford Home Schooling has compiled a list of 10 ‘facts’ which you may have heard in the classroom but are now considered outdated.

1) Diamond is the hardest material

Correction: There are six materials on earth which are harder than diamond

It was once taught that diamond is the toughest substance on the planet, but, while it remains the most scratch-resistant, there are actually six materials now known to be harder.

These include wurtzide boron nitride – a crystal lattice formed during volcanic eruptions, which is 18% harder than diamond – and graphene – a carbon lattice that is only one atom wide but is the strongest material we know of, in proportion to its thickness[1].

2) Water can only be found on Earth

Correction: There is water in multiple places in our solar system

We used to think that earth was the only place where water can be found, but NASA has since proved its presence on some of our galactic neighbours.

In 2015, it confirmed water flows intermittently on Mars and then, later that year, discovered an ocean beneath the icy crust of Saturn’s moon Enceladus[2]. Many suspect that there’s also an ocean on Jupiter’s moon Europa.

3) King Tutankhamen was murdered

Correction: He either died from a chariot crash or from genetic impairments

Some schools used to teach that King Tutankhamun of Ancient Egypt was murdered when someone struck him on the head.

However, a 2014 BBC documentary suggested that he died in a chariot crash that ultimately ended in an infection and blood poisoning.

Around the same time, a virtual autopsy of the pharaoh’s body indicates he may have died because of genetic impairments, with evidence suggesting his parents were siblings[3].

4) You can’t split an infinitive

Correction: It’s now acceptable

Star Trek’s famous line “to boldly go where no-one has gone before” annoyed a lot of hard-line grammatists by breaking a long-standing rule of the English language – that the infinitive form of a verb (I.e. to go) should not be split.

However, researchers at Lancaster University and Cambridge University Press found that split infinitives are now almost three times as common now as they were in the 1990s[4], and as language keeps evolving, most linguists now consider them acceptable.

5) There are three states of matter – solid, liquid and gas

Correction: There are at least five

One of the fundamentals of chemistry, most school students were told that there are three states of matter – solid, liquid and gas.

However, scientists now know of a fourth natural state, plasma, which despite not being common on earth, is thought to be the most prominent form in the universe.

There’s also a fifth state, the Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC), where molecular motion almost stops completely. BECs were discovered in 1995, but so far have only been found in laboratories[5].

6) Neanderthals were not very intelligent

Correction: They were skilled hunters with advanced tools

Many people used to believe that Neanderthals died out largely because they were less intelligent than Homo sapiens, but recent studies suggest they had similar cognitive abilities and were actually quite skilled hunters[6].

New archaeological evidence shows they used relatively advanced tools and were also better at socialising than once thought.

7) The universe is 13.7 billion years old

Correction: It’s actually 100 million years older

Science lessons used to teach that the universe is 13.7 billion years old, but it turns out we were out by around 100 million years. The European Space Agency’s Planck mission scanned the sky for radio and microwaves and in 2013 concluded that previous estimates were slightly short – the universe is actually 13.82 billion years old[7].

8) No-one knows where Richard III’s body is

Correction: He was buried under a car park in Leicester

For over 500 years, historians and archaeologists had been searching for the body of King Richard III, who died from injuries sustained in the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

The long mystery was solved in 2013 when researchers from the University of Leicester announced that they’d discovered the controversial monarch’s remains beneath a car park in the city[8].

9) Nothing can travel faster than light

Correction: Things can move faster than light under the right conditions

It’s still true that nothing can travel faster than light in a vacuum or in similar conditions in space.

However, scientists have managed to slow light down by either trapping it inside waveguides made with photonic crystals or inside ultracold atom clouds.

This can reduce the speed of light from around 300,000km per second to near zero, so lots of things could outpace it[9].

10) We have five senses

Correction: We have way more than five

The five main senses – touch, taste, sight, hearing and smell – are still our most fundamental, but we also have lots of other mechanisms helping us to make sense of the world.

For example, we have proprioception – a sense of space. This is how our brain understands where we are in relation to other things. We also have others, such as neuron sensors, which help to control balance[10].

Greg Smith, Head of Operations at Oxford Home Schooling, said: “Every year in every subject, experts are constantly learning and updating our knowledge. This means that some things which were once taught at school now don’t tell the whole story, or have even been proved to be wrong!

“This can only be a good thing, however, as it shows that we are developing a greater understanding of our world.”

For more ‘facts’ you learnt in school which are no longer true, visit: 

https://www.oxfordhomeschooling.co.uk/blog/15-facts-you-learnt-at-school-that-arent-true-any-more/

Stroke Association responds to Improvent Programme report

The Stroke Association has responded to Public Health Scotland’s Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme report 2021 which was published this week.

John Watson, Director Scotland of the Stroke Association said: “Two things leapt out to me in reading “The Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme annual report 2021″ launched today.

“First of all I am struck by how well stroke care teams around Scotland have managed to maintain specialist care and treatment to patients, in the face of unprecedented challenges.  Those teams deserve our thanks and respect.

“Of more concern was the reduction in the number of people coming into hospital with the signs of stroke. Although we are not fully sure why this is the case, it is presumed in this report that it has been due to a fear of hospital admission – likely due to hesitancy and fear of contracting COVID-19.

“This is a concern to us because stroke is a medical emergency and it’s essential to call 999 straight away if you suspect you or someone around you is having a stroke.  

“We continue to urge the public to use the world-famous stroke acronym, “FAST”, to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of a stroke: Face, Arms, Speech and Time (to call an ambulance) – Act FAST.  

“FAST remains an important message that both we and others continue to promote.  

“The Scottish Government recognised pre-pandemic that stroke needed significant improvement and made welcome commitments towards that.  We are pleased to see increasing awareness of the signs of a stroke is included, alongside commitments relating to improved hospital care. We look forward to seeing further progress on those commitments in the coming months.”

For more information on FAST, go to: https://www.stroke.org.uk/what-is-stroke/what-are-the-symptoms-of-stroke

A link to the summary and full report:

https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/scottish-stroke-improvement-programme/scottish-stroke-improvement-programme-2021-national-report/

Joy as Fringe by the Sea programme announced

We’ve been working towards this momentous occasion for months now and it has been a herculean effort given the challenges we’ve faced putting on a festival that is both safe for our artists, staff and visitors and full of what we all need right now: joy.

We’re delighted to say that our FULL online programme has now gone live and you can leaf through it in your own time by clicking on the image to the right.

If you’re in East Lothian, our printed programme will drop with the next issue of the East Lothian Courier, out Thursday 8th July.

Tickets for all shows are on sale here.

WHAT’S NEW IN OUR PROGRAMME?

We’ve kept a few class acts up our sleeve until the big programme reveal and here are a few of them …

Mica Paris was an absolute sensation when she last performed at Fringe by the Sea in 2018 and she will be back this August after releasing Gospel, her first album in over a decade.

Fourteen year-old singer/songwriter from Bellshill, Connor Fyfe, is one to watch. His tour has completely sold out so get in quick! Connor will be supported by local indie band Bluetile.

The latest track from Edinburgh’s swim school ‘Anyway’ was featured in Spotify’s June New Music playlist. We’re expecting great things from this four piece whose debut EP will be landing next month.

Neu! Reekie! has been performing multi-arts extravaganzas around the world for over a decade and FBTS21 will see them joined on stage by a host of special guests including ex-Makar Liz Lochhead.

Maggie O’Farrell is the author of The Sunday Times no. 1 bestselling memoir I AM, I AM, I AM and eight novels including The Sunday Times bestseller HAMNET, ‘Immersive, at times shockingly intimate… ought to win prizes’ – Guardian. Maggie talks to Jennifer Crichton, editor and founder of The Flock.

It wouldn’t be Fringe by the Sea without a good dose of Phil and Aly! Together, they have established themselves as the epitome of excellence in the world of traditional music.

With their musical magic and quick-witted humour they will pull your emotional strings one moment and have you falling off the seat with laughter the next.

To be able to put on performances this year, we need more space than we usually would and so FBTS this year is spread out over the town in various open-air venues. How beautiful is this venue map, designed by our artist in residence, Eilidh Muldoon!

The North Berwick Trust Harbour Home is where you will be able to pick up tasty food and drink at our Streetfood Market and handcrafted wares at the Mactaggart & Mickel Makers’ Market. It’s also the place where a lot of the music will happen with the Lighthouse Live Stage hosting open mic talent daily from 12pm till late.

Up at the Lodge Grounds will stand the Belhaven Big Top and SSE Renewables Envirozone tent, the Glenkinchie Lowland Stage located at the library. Further afield, the newly-reopened Marine North Berwick Hotel will be putting on masterclasses on an array of subjects from crime-writing and brewing to baking and whisky.

The show simply wouldn’t go on without all our amazing supporters, from our sponsors to our volunteers and to everyone who buys a ticket and shows up.

So thank you one and all and we look forward to seeing you seaside next month!

Old Royal High School: council invites development proposals

The former Royal High School has been put on the open market by the City of Edinburgh Council for interested parties to submit development proposals in return for a long lease of the building.

The Council’s Finance and Resources Committee agreed in January in a private session that the historic and iconic building on Calton Hill would be remarketed, signifying the start of a new chapter for the site which lies at the heart of Edinburgh’s original World Heritage Site.

Any proposals need to ensure a sustainable long term future for the Royal High School, be of the highest architectural quality and take into account the conclusions drawn by the Scottish Ministers following the public inquiry.

Councillor Rob Munn, Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, said: “This an important step forward for the future of this iconic site and means we can identify the best value option for the city and our residents in the future.

“We know there are a number of interested parties and having it back on the market allows them to submit any development proposals.”

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Vice Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, added: “There was unanimous agreement earlier in the year to remarket the old Royal High School and I look forward to seeing the options presented to us at a future committee which could occupy this very important building, so prominent in our World Heritage site.“

Letter: Calling all epilepsy heroes

Dear Editor

I am writing to ask your readers to seek out and celebrate the epilepsy heroes in your community.

Epilepsy affects over 55,000 across Scotland, some of them helped by truly inspirational people. Those who think nothing of going out of their way to lend a hand or even save a life, when someone really needs it. This year, national charity Epilepsy Action wants to thank them and honour their efforts publicly with a Helping Hands 2021 award.

This past year has been such an unsettling time, especially for those living with invisible conditions like epilepsy. Pandemic or not, so many people and families have struggled behind closed doors.

Community heroes have often been a lifeline, stepping up in a crisis. It could be a teacher who has been a legend in lockdown. A total stranger who rallied during a seizure. Or a local group who took on an epic fundraiser for epilepsy.

Whoever they are, we want to hear all about them!

Last year, my daughter 8-year-old  Sienna picked up an award for the care she gives to her sister, who has severe epilepsy and complex needs. Sienna does so much each day and this thankless job goes unnoticed by the outside world.

She is a remarkable little girl, who doesn’t even know the difference she makes to her sister’s life. I wanted to tell her – and everyone else – how proud we are of her.

This summer, Epilepsy Action would love for your readers to be inspired by amazing people like Sienna, and to nominate more Helping Hands heroes. To do this, visit  epilepsy.org.uk/ awards  before the 15th of August. We can’t wait to hear about your heroes, to celebrate and thank them on behalf of people with epilepsy everywhere.

Yours faithfully,

Dee Appleby, mum to 2020 award winner Sienna

Get into Summer programme: holiday fun across the Capital

Children and young people are getting geared up for a summer of fun as an exciting programme of activities is being delivered by over 100 Council services and partner organisations across the Capital.

The Get into Summer initiative is part of a nationwide scheme funded by the Scottish Government to create a variety of opportunities for children and their families to play, socialise and re-connect over the summer.

The activities will build on the regular summer programmes put on by the City of Edinburgh Council and partners and are taking place in communities across the city. They will help children and young people to get healthy, creative and most importantly, re-connect with each other after a disrupted school year caused by the pandemic.

A key focus of the programme will be activities targeted to those families from low income households who may otherwise struggle to access such experiences during the holidays. The overall programme has a focus on opportunities for youth and children’s work, very young children and their families, with opportunities for sport, outdoor, art and cultural activities.

Some of the partner organisations putting on events and providing support include: 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, Disability Services, Intercultural Youth Scotland, Edinburgh Young Carers, Lochend Football Academy, National Galleries of Scotland, Play2Learn Sports Coaching and Shakti Women’s Aid.

Fet Lor Summer Programme

Councillor Ian Perry, Convener for Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We know how much our children and young people have had their year disrupted by the pandemic and our ‘Get into Summer’ programme aims to bring as many of them together as possible to play and socialise over the holidays.

“There really is something for everyone with activities ranging from sports coaching to museum trips and music workshops with many additional activities on top of what we usually offer during the summer. We want to do all we can to support our children, young people, their families and carers so they can enjoy the summer.

“This programme is a great way to do that. Thanks must go to the different Council teams and partner organisations across the city who have pulled together to put on such a great programme of activities.”

MYDG Summer Programme

Councillor Alison Dickie, Vice Convener for Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We have listened to our young people who have told us about the impact of lockdown on their mental health and wellbeing as a result of the pandemic so these activities are a first step to help them re-connect with their friends and interests over the summer.

“They and their families are showing great resilience but no one should underestimate the huge impact the pandemic is having with many of the activities and support usually open to them not yet available. This must change.

“Many families on low income struggle during the summer holidays so this targeted offer is a positive step forward and will boost opportunities for those who have faced the greatest challenges in the past 15 months. This programme has children’s rights and needs at its heart.”

Dot Horne, Director of 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, said: “Get into Summer is a much-needed support for children and young people. During this pandemic so many young people have been adversely affected, isolated and missed out on essential life skills they would have learnt as they progressed through “normal” experiences.

“We’ve seen an increasing number of young people coming forward who are lacking things like self-confidence, coping skills, feeling socially anxious , lonely or unhappy. At 6VT we are offering teenagers a dynamic and active programme of activities where they will be supported to  improve their wellbeing, experience new activities and learn how to build respectful relationships with others.

“We are striving for a lot of fun and laughter with the overall impact of improving happiness. We encourage parents to support their children and young people to engage into Get into Summer activities.”

Find out more about the full Get into Summer programme.