Day: September 16, 2021

Non-profit dance studio House of Jack fully reopens!

House of Jack, a not-for-profit community interest organisation, has now fully reopened after 18-months of pandemic restrictions, welcoming back a bigger community than ever before to its dance studio at Ocean Terminal in Leith.

Founded and run by Artistic Director Ashley Jack and Studio Producer Becky Enoch, with the aim of making dance, and its many physical, social and mental health benefits, as accessible as possible to all, House of Jack dance studio offered multiple online classes free of charge throughout each lockdown. In the process they built an ever expanding global community of young people and adults alike who met regularly online to dance and connect, while the pandemic kept everyone physically apart.

Youngsters joined from not only Edinburgh, but also from further afield in Scotland, and even from around the world, including two children hailing from India.

The parent of one of the children joining from the Isle of Iona said, “The House of Jack zoom classes were a real game changer for my 11 year old daughter during lock down. We live on a small Hebridean island so she hadn’t been able to access the benefits of dance previously.

“Besides all the mental and physical benefits of movement to music, she now has a love of Hip Hop and a new skill and confidence to take through to high school on the mainland.

The first of its kind in the UK, House of Jack dance studio is located inside a shopping centre – Ocean Terminal – with all the benefits that provides its students and the families of its students, including free parking, being fully under cover, and with numerous shops, restaurants and further leisure opportunities in the same building.

Ashley said: “We have a strong belief in the power of dance to connect people, build confidence and self-esteem while creating outlets for expression, and have strived to create a studio that is as welcoming as possible, with something for everyone regardless of age or level of experience.

“As a non-profit, fees are kept to an absolute minimum and participation in annual shows is always free for all children, including rehearsals and costumes, to remove as far as possible any financial barriers to taking part.”

Over the pandemic, House of Jack CIC secured generous funding from The National Lottery via Creative Scotland which allowed the studio to offer totally free, live and online world-class dance training and invaluable Q&A sessions with renowned dancers from around the world, even including LA-based Marty Kudelka (Justin Timberlake’s exclusive choreographer), Jaja Vankova (Step Up 5, So You Think You Can Dance), Deydey (the first female World Popping Champion), and many more.

A House of Jack regular who attended the Marty Kudelka workshop said, “Yesterday was a dream come true. Thank you so much to Mr Kudelka for taking the time to share his amazing talents and skills [and t]hank you to House of Jack for being able to put this on and having us learn from literally one of the dance industry greats!“

Becky added: “Between major lockdowns, while the studio was able to open to small numbers of under-18s, some of the local children who had attended online finally met for the first time at in-person studio classes, while adults classes continued via Zoom.

“What made such a difference, however, was that we were able to find new ways to connect, whether through the Q&A sessions with famous choreographers or by creating dance videos.

“In the run up to Christmas 2020, instead of the studio’s usual big theatre Christmas Show, we created Christmas-themed videos for each children’s class, something for the children to focus on and have fun with and for the parents to view and keep, in the absence of a show DVD!” 

Now reopened fully, with waiting area and changing rooms again, the focus in the studio remains firmly on safety, keeping class numbers to a safe level, giving everyone plenty of space and following all guidelines.  The Ocean Terminal studio is buzzing again with a renewed sense of hope that everyone can dance to a better future.

Week-long Drug Drive Campaign sees 42 drivers arrested

More than 100 roadside drug screening tests were conducted during a Drug Driving Campaign carried out by Police Scotland.

The campaign ran from August 23 to 29 when officers conducted a total of 109 roadside drug screening tests across Scotland, resulting in 42 drivers being arrested for providing a positive test. Blood samples were subsequently obtained from those arrested and sent for further analysis.

Officers from Greater Glasgow Road Policing, who deployed in support of the campaign observed a man driving using his mobile phone. When stopped he admitted to having consumed cannabis and the subsequent roadside drug test was positive for cannabis and cocaine. Following his arrest, a blood sample was obtained and submitted for analysis.

Superintendent Simon Bradshaw said: “Despite roadside drug testing being in place for almost two years and our continued efforts to raise awareness of the dangers associated with taking drugs and driving, our officers continue to detect drug driving offences far too regularly.

“Driving after taking drugs can have serious or even fatal consequences, impacting not only the driver but all those involved including family and friends.

“Police Scotland are committed to taking action against those who selfishly put others at risk by driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs. I would encourage people to report drink or drug drivers or concerning behaviour to us, officers will act on this information to stop offenders before they injure or kill themselves or someone else.”

Kids coding studio is first of its kind in Scotland – and it’s coming to Edinburgh!

What kid doesn’t want to learn how to build video games, drones and robots with their friends? Thanks to a brand-new children’s coding studio in Edinburgh, budding technology buffs are putting their passion for coding first as they train to become real-life coding ninjas!

This exciting new business is the first of its kind to open in Scotland, with 400 Code Ninjas locations already operational across England, the US and Canada.

The team bringing the new venture to our nation’s capital is Mark Higgins and Dacre Purchase. Mark, who has over 25 years’ experience in IT and 10 years’ experience running his own technology company will run the business with Dacre Purchase; Executive Director of various successful businesses building ventures including renewable energy industry.

Being joined by the long-term friends and business partners to deliver this exciting coding curriculum is studio manager Suzy Enoch – professional actress and circus performer!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

“There’s nothing quite like Code Ninjas in Scotland,” said Suzy. “As someone who’s quite literally come from the circus, I wouldn’t have expected to be excited by coding and technology.

“But Code Ninjas is giving kids from all walks of life the opportunity to get involved with something they have a pent up passion for and love. I’ve seen some real parallels with Code Ninjas and my background in performance, as we aim to enrich every aspect of our ninjas’ development, including cooperation, their cognitive skills and their confidence.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s swinging from a Trapeze or putting the last part of code on a page. If it gives kids the chance to express themselves and to have a sense of accomplishment, developing digital literacy in a fun environment then we as adults and mentors should be doing everything we can to encourage it!”

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital literacy to families and has created an influx of children passionate about technology and computers, with Mark and Dacre already putting together a waiting list for prospective ninjas.

It is because of this that they are planning on opening a second location to meet the high demand for classes.

“We knew there was a market for Code Ninjas in Edinburgh but to already have so much interest is brilliant. We can’t wait to continue growing and give more kids the opportunity to express their passion for tech!” explained Mark.

At Code Ninjas, tech mentors are called Code Senseis® and kids are called ninjas. The brand’s fun, relaxed approach is something that helps kids ease into their learning experience. Instead of exams and grading, ninjas rise up the ranks through earning different coloured wrist bands – just like belts in martial arts.

Kids aged 5-14 will be found cooperating and learning alongside friends by building robots or even developing apps and games in a completely parent-free dojo!

Mark added: “As well as developing these important life skills, kids need to be able to express themselves away from their parents, as they haven’t been able to do so during the pandemic.

“The dojo puts kids in real-life problem-solving situations which, away from academics, are vital to their all-round development. We want kids to be able to see the other side of what they consume so freely on a daily basis, and what technology can do on a much larger scale in the future.”   

Ninjas can attend up to two sessions a week and at times that are convenient to the family, with no need to attend sessions on the same day or time each week.

The Code Ninjas Edinburgh team will be hosting a grand opening party at their Morningside base on Saturday 23rd October, welcoming the local community to celebrate with games, entertainment and a slice of yummy cake.

To find out more about Code Ninjas’ grand opening party – and to book your place! – visit:

https://www.codeninjas.co.uk/edinburgh-mln-uk

Amazon hiring 100 tech and corporate people in Scotland

Amazon creates highly skilled jobs for Scotland across a wide range of professions, from software developers and product managers, to machine learning specialists

Job-seekers encouraged to take advantage of Amazon Career Day, one of the biggest free virtual training and recruiting events in the UK

Amazon, which has a development centre in Edinburgh and currently employs over 2,500 people in Scotland, is hiring for 100 tech and corporate jobs locally.

The majority of roles are for highly skilled jobs across a wide range of professions, from software developers and machine learning specialists, to applied sciences and product managers. Edinburgh was Amazon’s first research and development centre outside of North America and it has a well-earned reputation as a global centre for innovation, software engineering and machine learning.

Graeme Smith, Managing Director, Amazon Development Centre Scotland (ACDS), (above) said: “These highly skilled jobs join our incredibly talented teams in Scotland and provide exciting opportunities for those who want to be at the cutting edge of global technology.

“Our employees benefit hundreds of millions of customers around the world by focusing on personalised shopping recommendations, digital advertising and research and development.”

Amazon has more than 2,500 employees in Scotland – across the Amazon Development Centre in Edinburgh, fulfilment centres in Dunfermline and Gourock, as well as the Prime Now site in Glasgow, Customer Service Centre in Edinburgh and delivery stations in Edinburgh, Dundee, Bathgate, Aberdeen, Baillieston and Motherwell.

Job-seekers who are looking for a new role or to transition to a different career – at Amazon or at another company – are also being encouraged to participate in Amazon Career Day on Thursday 16 September, a free virtual training and recruiting event.

The day will give attendees the opportunity to participate in one of the 3,000 one-to-one career coaching sessions with Amazon recruiters to help participants land their next job and view livestreamed sessions with Amazon employees and industry experts.

People can register at amazoncareerday.com, where Amazon Career Day content will be available to view on demand for one month after the event.

The initiative takes place in the context of new research from Amazon, surveying 1,000 professional (employed and unemployed) adults in the UK in August 2021, highlighting:

·       21% of UK professionals are actively searching for a new job

·       A further 38% of UK professionals are interested in finding a new job, but not actively looking

·       Among employed adults in the UK, 29% say the COVID-19 pandemic has caused them to reconsider their career paths

·       42% of active UK job-seeking adults are interested in pursuing opportunities in industries they do not currently have experience in

·       78% of professionals in the UK say they want more job training/resources

“We are working hard every day to be the best place for people to have satisfying and fulfilling long-term careers,” said Amazon CEO Andy Jassy.

“Amazon continues to grow quickly and relentlessly invent across many areas, and we’re hoping that Career Day gives job seekers the support they need to learn new skills or reimagine their careers at Amazon or elsewhere.

“Whether you’re looking to start your first job, to gain new skills, or thinking of a completely fresh start in a new field, we have thousands of exciting opportunities available right across the UK,” said John Boumphrey, Amazon UK Country Manager.

“We created Career Day to provide free guidance, coaching and inspiration to anyone who wants to develop their career, whether that’s with Amazon or somewhere else.

“Whether you see your long term future at Amazon or elsewhere, we provide a wide range of training and development opportunities to take your career to the next level.”

Career Day attendees will have the opportunity to hear from Amazon employees including gaming, robotics, AI and sustainability experts, as well as colleagues who have joined Amazon on fully-funded apprenticeships. Each will reveal what they do, what their career path was, and what it’s like working at Amazon.

Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce will also be hosting a panel about apprenticeships at Amazon and opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels to diversify and progress their careers.

Amazon now employs over 55,000 employees across the UK. All Amazon jobs come with competitive pay and benefits, whether they are based in a fulfilment centre or in a corporate office.

For hourly workers, pay starts at a minimum of £10.00 p/h. Amazon employees work in some of the most advanced workplaces of their kind in the world, with a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection and an employee discount, which combined are worth more than £700 annually, as well as a company pension plan.

This year, Amazon has created 10,000 new permanent jobs and 1,000 new fully-funded apprenticeship roles.

For employees who see Amazon as a stepping stone to a future career outside of Amazon, it has also created a pioneering Career Choice programme, through which Amazon pre-pays up to 95% of tuition fees for nationally recognised courses, ranging from accountancy to HGV driving and software development.

Up to £8,000 of tuition fees over four years is available through the programme. Amazon is partnering with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and local businesses on the programme to identify regional skills shortages and focus training on local demand – this will help meet the UK’s future employment needs outside of Amazon.

There’s still time to sign up and take part in Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk 2021

  • Alzheimer Scotland fundraising weekend 
  • Scotland’s Memory Walk 2021 
  • Takes place this weekend 18-19 September
  • New all-in-one fundraising platform at memorywalk.alzscot.org 
  • Participants can choose to walk where they like to celebrate someone they love
  • Connect with other supporters in an online group full of amazing people with a shared mission 
  • Every penny raised in Scotland stays in Scotland to fulfil Alzheimer Scotland’s mission to ensure that nobody faces dementia alone  

There’s still time to sign up and take part in Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk which takes place this weekend.

Scotland’s Memory Walk takes place on 18-19 September and a new fundraising platform has been launched to ensure that people taking part can feel connected and share their experience as one big community.

The idea behind Scotland’s Memory Walk is simple. People can choose where they want to walk, and with whom. 

That means participants can choose somewhere that has a special meaning for them at a time that suits them over the weekend.

With so many great places to choose from locally you can create special memories with friends and family that will last a lifetime. 

The distance doesn’t matter, whether it’s 1km, 5km or 500km. It might even be a lap of the garden. 

Best of all, it’s free of charge for everyone who takes part, although everyone is encouraged to raise as much as they can.

Participants will have the option to create a team with friends, family or colleagues and fundraise via their own personalised Memory Walk page. 

Everyone who supports the campaign will also be able to earn rewards and badges, there are also prizes and medals up for grabs this year.

Every penny raised as a result of Scotland’s Memory Walk will go directly towards the support Alzheimer Scotland offers across Scotland, including their 24-hour Freephone Dementia Helpline (0808 808 3000). 

Glasgow woman Agnes Dunn (79), who is a carer for her husband Ian, said: “A few years ago, Ian and I cut the ribbon for one of the Memory Walks, and it was amazing to see so many people turning up, and everyone was so happy and upbeat and having fun. 

“Everyone was there for a common cause; it is something that everyone should try at least once. This year I’m planning on taking Ian around the block and to the park and get our family and friends to sponsor us.

“It’s nice to know that you’re part of a community that understands the challenges of living with dementia because it doesn’t just affect the person with dementia, carers and family live with it as well.”

Sarah Cheung, Stakeholder Engagement Lead at Alzheimer Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to bring Scotland’s Memory Walk back this September to raise vital funds and awareness of dementia in Scotland. It’s so important to connect with friends and family, more so than ever, and our walk is the perfect way to do so.

“We’d love people to choose a special location for their walk; perhaps somewhere local that holds a special memory, or even your garden if you’re not able to venture far. Our hope is that this year’s walk will reach every corner of Scotland over the weekend of 18-19 September.  If you are unable to take part on these dates we would still love you to sign up and complete your walk on a date that works for you.

“Many participants have something in common, they’re walking for someone they care about, a person living with dementia, a carer or in memory of a loved one. We hope Scotland’s Memory Walk gives people the chance to honour their loved ones and feel connected to the dementia community across the country.

“Every penny raised will go directly towards helping Alzheimer Scotland support people living with dementia and their loved ones, at a time when they need us more than ever.”

To sign up to Scotland’s Memory Walk, visit: memorywalk.alzscot.org

Edinburgh piper treats care home residents to favourite Scottish airs

A LOCAL Edinburgh bagpiper has been moving care home residents to tears with nostalgic melodies.

The musical visit from piper, Matt McKelvie, was organised by dedicated care home staff at Mansfield Care’s Pine Villa in Loanhead after putting up a notice on social media.

Playing traditional Scottish melodies such as ‘Scotland the Brave’ and ‘Highland Cathedral’, the young Edinburgh piper is now returning for his second gig.

Matt McKelvie said: “I saw that Pine Villa was looking for a musician on social media and thought playing the bagpipes for care home residents sounded great.

“As things are getting back to normal and people start to socialise more, I think events like these are so important, as they brighten up residents’ days and they get to enjoy something a bit different from their usual routine.

“It was a lovely event, everyone really enjoyed themselves! Residents were dancing away and laughing, it was great.  

“One of the residents used to be a minister for the Church of Scotland, so he asked me to play ‘Amazing Grace’ for him. It was truly heart-warming seeing his face light up when he heard the song.”

At 8 years old, Matt started private lessons at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming at Redford Barracks.

His early passion for music was ignited by his grandfather who used to be a drum major for ‘The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders’ and has been a leading role model and inspiration.

The young bagpiper added: “The best part for me was the way I made the residents feel, seeing them enjoy my playing truly makes me happy.

“I mainly have been playing at weddings and funerals, but after visiting Pine Villa, I am hoping that will change soon and I can play at a broader variety of events and celebrations.

Originally a hobby Matt is seeking to play full-time after he completes his higher education at Glasgow National Piping Centre.

Denise Williams, manager at Pine Villa, said: “Our residents had an amazing time listening to Matt and it was a delight to see them enjoying themselves and are looking forward to having him play again.”

Operating 11 care homes across Edinburgh Borders and west of Scotland, Mansfield care is designed to provide bespoke care to an exceptional standard with state-of-the-art facilities.  

Specialising in unique small, friendly residential / nursing care homes, staff work under an ethos that is inspired by the kind of care we would wish for ourselves in later life – supportive, friendly, bright, positive, empathetic, respectful and homely.  

The highly trained staff ensure a commitment and continuity of care to each resident with a dedicated home manager and wellbeing coordinator to plan activities according to resident’s wishes.  

To find out more about Mansfield Care visit, https://www.mansfieldcare.co.uk/ 

Cyrenians’ Keeping Families Together project advisory board holds first meeting

Cyrenians Keeping Families Together with Cashback for Communities project works alongside Scotland’s secure centres to support children to escape the cycle of homelessness and residential care. The first cross-sector advisory board meeting was held yesterday.  

The Promise Scotland, published in February 2020, is responsible for driving the work of change demanded by the findings of the Independent Care Review and sets out an ambition for Scotland ‘to be the best place in the world to grow up’ so that children are ‘loved, safe and respected, able to realise their full potential’. 

However, at any one time in Scotland, up to 84 children can be in secure accommodation. The aim of such secure care centres is ‘to provide intensive support and safe boundaries to help these highly vulnerable children re-engage and move forward positively in their communities’. 

Yesterday, experts from across the sector, including Cyrenians, The Centre for Youth and Criminal Justice, Scottish Government, Aid and Abet, Police Scotland Violence Reduction Unit, University of Strathclyde, East Lothian Council, the Care Inspectorate and Good Shepherd Centre joined the first ever Keeping Families Together Advisory Board meeting to share best practice and ensure whole family support for those currently residing in Scotland’s secure centres, to help #KeepThePromise. 

The focus of the ‘Keeping Families Together’ Project is to support children and their families to rebuild relationships and return to the family home where possible.

Family contact has been highlighted as a specific area where more attention is needed for those in secure care and without support, the issues affecting families and children – whether the impact of earlier ACEs (adverse childhood experiences), low income and related stresses – can be left unchecked.

Communication can break down, and relationships can fracture, with devastating consequences for the child and the wider community.  

Kerry Watson, Service Manager at Cyrenians, said “At what can only be an enormously stressful and difficult period in a child’s life, it is only right that both the child and the rest of the family receive the support they need to maintain those relationships, and for the child, where possible, to return home with a positive route forward. 

“Bringing together experts from across the sector ensures that we are able to provide whole family support, meaning that any decisions made are in the best interest of the child, including returning home.”  

Dr Cara Jardine Chair of Keeping Families Together Advisory Group added: “The past year has added additional pressures with COVID impacting on family’s ability to visit and stay connected.

“It is imperative that as restrictions ease we focus on providing meaningful support that ensures the rights of the children we support are upheld and advocated for. By putting the child’s needs at the centre of any decision making process we will be able to break the cycle of inter-generational trauma, homelessness and disadvantage, ensuring more positive outcomes for all.”  

To find out more about Keeping Families Together, visit www.cyrenians.scot 

Stagecoach marks Scottish Climate Week with bus fleet net zero plan

  • Investment to deliver estimated cut of 67,000 tonnes in annual carbon emissions by 2035
  • Cut is equivalent to reducing the carbon footprint of more than 5,000 Scots to zero
    New electric bus fleets to be rolled out in Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Perth later this year
  • Further 40 tonnes of CO2e a year expected to be saved through more energy efficient buildings
  • Stagecoach sustainability strategy aiming to deliver a greener, healthier and fairer Scotland
  • Government must show “strong and brave leadership” on transport to incentivise right choices.

Stagecoach, the UK’s biggest bus and coach operator, is marking Scottish Climate Week with a plan to cut tens of thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions a year from its business as it targets a zero emissions bus fleet by 2035.

Investment in clean technologies, including new electric buses, are expected to deliver an estimated annual reduction of around 67,000 tonnes of CO2e from its fleet of more than 1,200 buses in Scotland in less than 15 years.

According to Zero Waste Scotland, the average annual carbon footprint per person in Scotland is 13 tonnes of CO2e. This means Stagecoach’s plans are the equivalent of reducing the environmental impact of more than 5,000 Scots to zero.

Stagecoach services are already helping households across the UK reduce their carbon footprint by offering more sustainable travel. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Centre for Economics and Business Research found that without Stagecoach bus services, there would be an annual increase of around 190,000 tonnes of CO2e through people using alternative transport, mainly cars.

The latest Stagecoach targets and commitments are part of the company’s new sustainability strategy Driving Net Zero: Better Places to Live and Work, published in advance of the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow in November. Stagecoach is aiming to decarbonise its business by around 70% by 2035 as well as targeting a zero emissions bus fleet across the UK by that date.

The roadmap to becoming a carbon neutral business will see investment in new zero-emissions fleets and other green technologies over the next 15 years to reduce the impact of the company’s operations on the planet, as well as initiatives to cut waste, boost recycling and conserve water.

A £21.4m fleet of 46 new fully electric buses is being introduced by Stagecoach in Aberdeen, Perth and Kilmarnock this year as part of the Scottish Government’s Scottish Ultra Low Emission Bus scheme. It follows the UK’s first fleet of six fully electric buses serving rural communities which went into service earlier this summer under a partnership between Stagecoach and SP Energy Networks, connecting villages along the Irvine Valley with Kilmarnock town centre.

Stagecoach has already been converting its existing vehicles to make them greener in advance of the transition to electric and other zero emissions technologies.

The clean air retrofit programme has seen over a third of buses in Scotland retrofitted with either Euro VI or new exhaust systems, both of which mean they have 95% less emissions that standard buses. Stagecoach is also working with the manufacturing sector on how to use clean technologies that are applicable to coaches, which operate on longer routes not currently suited to electric vehicles.

Separately, five Scottish Citylink coaches in east Scotland have been fitted with new solar panels which provide clean solar energy to power all on-board electrical equipment. This reduces the requirement to create electric energy via the burning of diesel, a move that is estimated to save up to 7,500 litres of fuel and over 20 tonnes of CO2.

Investment is also being made in Stagecoach buildings and depots across Scotland, with 11 depots around the country fitted with hi-tech energy management systems to control heating and help reduce gas and heating oil consumption.

Under the latest plans, by 2027 Stagecoach energy management systems will meet the international standard ISO 50001 and it will also be procuring all electricity from 100% renewable sources from April 2022. As a result, annual carbon emissions from Stagecoach buildings in Scotland are expected to reduce by 40 tCO2e a year from 2027.

Sam Greer, Regional Director for Stagecoach in Scotland, said: “There has never been a more important time to take action to address the climate emergency and play a part in helping Scotland deliver on its net zero ambitions.

“Our plans start with improving the sustainability of our own business. But we can also leverage the power of public transport focus on our plans to create a greener, smarter, safer, healthier and fairer Scotland.

“Making net zero a reality – and quickly – is about more than just switching technologies. We also need to change how we travel, moving people away from cars to walking, cycling and wheeling, and public transport.

“This needs strong and brave leadership from national and regional governments to create incentives to reward the right choices. We also need to make sure the country’s transport infrastructure is prioritised for people, such as bus passengers, whose are contributing to a cleaner and healthier country.”

Soil Association: Pledge for our Planet this Organic September

With daily news about the impact of global warming and in the run up to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow many people are increasingly frightened for the future, frustrated with politicians and concerned about what they can do to help the planet.

That is why the Soil Association has launched ‘Pledge for our Planet’ to help people understand what they can do to help build a world with good health, in balance with nature and a safe climate.

From supporting local organic farmers and independent shops, to growing your own nature-friendly veg and minimising your waste, there are so many ways that everyone can play their part. 

This week we have heard about the level of anxiety young people have about the climate crisis and the future of the planet. The survey across 10 countries led by The University of Bath found that 60% of young people felt very or extremely worried about climate change and two-thirds felt sad, afraid or anxious. Many feel betrayed, ignored and abandoned by politicians.

In the Soil Association’s own research citizens have said how that they feel powerless and want to know what they can do to make a difference. They want the tools and knowledge to make changes in their lives which will have a positive impact on the planet.

Soil Association Citizen Communications Manager Claire Lampon said: “While many feel powerless in the face of the climate and nature crisis there are many positive things we can all do.

“The Soil Association is working hard together with other organistions to lobby our own, and international governments, to take urgent action to address climate change and to help restore nature.

“In particular we are highlighting the impact our food and farming system has on the planet and how by addressing our diets,working with nature and transitioning to more nature-friendly agroecological farming practices we can improve our soils and act on carbon.

“But at the same time we want to encourage citizens to make small changes in their lives that add up to make a big difference. So while we would like everyone to consider how they can influence politicians, for example writing to their MP, we want everyone to consider the pledges they can make which will have a positive impact on nature and the planet too.”

There are 22 pledges on the pledge hub covering food and diet, gardening, zero waste, community and fashion and beauty.

This is just the start and will help people to realise that by making small changes in their lives, they can feel more positive about the future and start to do their bit for the planet and nature.

  • Food and Diet – The way we farm and eat has a huge impact on the climate, nature and our health. The good news is we can all play a part in making sure that the food we choose and the way it’s produced has a positive impact on the planet. From opting for organic – a way of farming that works with nature – to shopping locally and growing some of your own food, each small action adds up and helps build the movement towards a safer future.
  • Gardening – Around 87% of UK households have a garden. That’s over 10 million acres, which is larger than all of Britain’s nature reserves combined. Together, we have the opportunity to help restore nature, keep our soils healthy and protect the environment through our own patch of land, whether you have acres of space or a window box – we can all make a difference.
  • Fashion and Beauty – Have you ever thought about how your clothes are made? Or what ingredients are found in your health and wellbeing products? With fashion regarded as the world’s second most polluting industry, and the organic beauty and wellbeing industry largely unregulated, there’s never been a more important time to support certified organic, sustainable alternatives you can trust.
  • Zero Waste – Minimising our waste is a great way to live more sustainably and help protect the planet. In the UK alone, over five million tonnes of plastic is used each year and only a quarter of this is recycled. It’s clear that our individual actions really do add up. From being mindful of unsustainable packaging to using a reusable coffee cup, we can all play our part.
  • Community – There’s real power in collective action. By engaging with our local communities, we can build the movement towards a safer future from the ground up. From getting involved in a community growing or cooking event, to setting up your own fundraiser or encouraging your child’s school to serve healthy meals, there are lots of ways to make a difference together.

And share your pledges with friends and on social media

Claire continued: “So while you may not be a world politician attending the Glasgow climate summit in November, you can feel empowered knowing that you are making a difference. You can also have an influence by sharing your pledges on your social media and encouraging friends and others to make changes too.”

Use #PledgeforourPlanet @SoilAssociation and the URL soilassociation.org/pledge

Find out more about the pledges and the changes you can make which have a postive impact on the planet by visiting the pledge hub.

Named visitors now permitted to visit care home residents during Covid-19 outbreaks

New guidance will allow care home residents to choose a friend or relative as a ‘named visitor’ who will be able to visit them, even during a managed Covid-19 outbreak.

This is a change to current practice where most homes suspend routine visiting until outbreaks are over. It will allow those living in care homes to continue to have meaningful contact with loved ones, and balance the need for continuing infection prevention and control measures in care homes with the wider wellbeing of residents.

The change will apply to one named visitor when a care home is in a controlled Covid-19 outbreak, and a guidance note has been issued to support care homes to plan for this in consultation with their local Health Protection team.

Revised guidance from Public Health Scotland issued last week has already set out that residents should be able to receive visits from a nominated person even while they are self-isolating as a precaution (i.e. after hospital stays; after being close contacts of a COVID-19 case if fully vaccinated).

Meanwhile Social Care Minister Kevin Stewart has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to introducing ‘Anne’s Law’, to enable people who live in care homes to choose a person or persons to support them in their health and wellbeing, as called for by Care Home Relatives Scotland. A consultation on how best to implement this will be published shortly.

Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart said: “Throughout the pandemic, our overriding priority in care homes has been to safeguard and protect staff and residents from infection – but at times that meant that residents were cut off from their loved ones, which we know has caused anguish and distress for many.

“The proposal for a named visitor will provide continuity of meaningful contact for care home residents in managed COVID-19 outbreak situations, helping to protect residents’ wellbeing in parallel by allowing visiting in a safer way, rather than automatically suspending routine visiting during an outbreak.

“We will further strengthen residents’ rights in adult residential settings through the introduction of ‘Anne’s Law’ and a consultation setting out our aspirations for Anne’s Law and seeking views on how best we might make it work in practice will be published shortly.”