Day: August 20, 2021

In the Frame: Free documentary-making course with Screen Education Edinbugh

In the Frame is a free programme for people living in North Edinburgh to learn documentary filmmaking and make their own short film.  

Running from 20th September 2021 to March 2022, the programme will amplify the voices of local people and capture snapshots of life in the community by providing a platform to express themselves through a series of short documentaries.    

Participants will learn each stage of documentary filmmaking, from an introduction to the genre via watching films, to learning the key skills in camera, sound, directing, editing, and interview techniques. We will also cover the ethics of documentary and support learners to use these skills to devise and produce a short film. 

Many films used as case studies will come from the Pilton Video/SEE archive, which reveal some of the hopes and issues that matter most to the community in North Edinburgh over the past 40 years.   

No previous film experience is required and In the Frame is open to people living in North Edinburgh (Crewe, Drylaw, East Pilton, Granton, Pennywell, Muirhouse, Royston, Salvesen, Telford, Wardieburn, Waterfront and West Pilton). 

The programme will take place on Tuesday evenings for adults (aged 19 and over) and Wednesday evenings for young people (aged 14 to 18) with films shot throughout November and December and editing in January & February, with the film’s receiving their premiere on the big screen in March.  

The programme is funded by Inspiring Scotland’s Creative Communities Programme which is funded jointly by the Scottish Government’s Culture and Justice directorates and aims to extend opportunities for people to take part in creative endeavours throughout their lives. 

To find out more and to take part, please complete our short form here and the team will be in touch. 

Ben Macpherson encourages take- up of School Age Payment

Well done to all the children who took the big step of starting P1 this week!

Social Security Minister Ben Macpherson is encouraging families with children born between 1 Mar 2016 and 28 Feb 2017 to apply for Best Start Grant School Age Payment if they get tax credits or certain benefits.

The one-off payment of £252.50, administered by Social Security Scotland, is made to families when a child is old enough to start primary school. The payment can be used to buy everyday supplies like a new pair of shoes, books and school bags.

More than £10 million has been paid in Best Start Grant School Age Payments to families across Scotland since the benefit launched in June 2019.

Applications are currently open for children born between 1 March 2016 and 28 February 2017. Parents or carers have until 28 February 2022 to apply.

Best Start Grant School Age Payment is part of the package of five family payments administered by Social Security Scotland. The package includes Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods and is available to families receiving tax credits or certain benefits.

Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “As children enter education for the first time, it is vital that the youngest people in our society get what they need to thrive. Whether it be a new pair of shoes or books or paints for an art project, the Scottish Government is committed to providing extra help to give every child the best start in life.

“We know that covering the costs of starting school can be difficult. So, I am urging families who may be eligible to get in touch with Social Security Scotland to find out more.

“Even if you are deferring your child’s start date until next year or home schooling, please remember to apply before the closing date. We are keen to ensure parents and carers receive all the financial support they can apply for, such as a school clothing grant and free school meals.

“The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people are supported and encouraged to access all of the benefits they are entitled to, and will invest in new partnerships between schools and advice services to help expand these vital links for families.

“I am proud that we are already delivering a social security system that is there for people when and where they need it, that is fair and straightforward to access, and that encourages and supports people to get the financial support they are entitled to.”

Glasgow-mum-of-three Becky Taylor successfully applied online for the payment ahead of her daughter Bella (aged 4) starting P1 at St Roch’s Primary School in Royston this week.

Becky said: “It can be hard at this time of year but the Best Start Grant School Age Payment covered everything we would need for Bella. I was able to buy her uniform, school bag and shoes as well as things like tights and socks.

“I was able to do the whole process online and it was easy. People should look into seeing if it is something they are entitled to and apply.”

Find out more by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 or visit mygov.scot/beststart.