It’s World Porridge Day on 10 October – and while for some this might conjure up images of Goldilocks and The Three Bears, or those famous old porridge adverts, there’s also a more important meaning to this day, one that can, quite literally, change lives.
Mary’s Meals feeds more than two million children in 19 countries around the world every school day. In the countries where the charity works, including Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, children are normally served steaming mugs of porridge, known locally as likuni phala, enriched with vitamins to help them learn and grow.
Providing a daily meal in a place of education is helping even the most vulnerable children to attend school and concentrate in lessons, giving them the freedom to learn and fulfil their potential. And the average global cost to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a whole school year is just £15.90.
Your readers can learn more about the work of this charity, and how a mug of porridge is helping to transform young lives, at marysmeals.org.uk
Sophie Thompson,
British actor and former winner of Celebrity MasterChef
The world’s first postgraduate degree programme focusing on animal behaviour and welfare is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.
The MSc in Applied Animal Behaviour and Welfare is a collaborative programme offered by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and the University of Edinburgh.
The anniversary will be celebrated on Monday (4 October) – with a day of talks, videos and interviews with alumni and lecturers, past and present – to coincide with World Animal Day.
Established in 1991, it cemented Edinburgh’s reputation as the birthplace of animal welfare science.
Previously, the Society for Veterinary Ethology (SVE) had been formed in Edinburgh in 1966, following public pressure on the Government to investigate the welfare of farm animals – which in turn led to the Brambell Report on Animal Welfare.
The MSc programme utilised contributions from colleagues in SRUC (then the Scottish Agricultural College), the University of Edinburgh – including the departments of the Institute of Ecology & Resource Management, The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Department of Divinity, The Roslin Institute and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland.
More than 700 students from all over the world have since graduated from the programme and gone on to forge successful careers in animal welfare or related fields in research, education, government, veterinary practice, non-governmental and industry organisations.
The qualification is awarded through the University of Edinburgh, and SRUC has continued to play a pivotal role in its development. SRUC’s Animal Behaviour and Welfare research group, which was established in the 1980s, is now one of the largest in the world with more than 15 post-doctoral scientists and 20 PhD students studying the behaviour and welfare of all farmed species.
Chair of Animal Behaviour and Welfare at SRUC and University of Edinburgh Professor Alistair Lawrence, who was one of the founding members of the Masters programme, said: “This course has easily surpassed our expectations when we established it in the early 1990s in terms of its longevity and number of graduates.
“It is hard to imagine a more important and impactful contribution to animal welfare than this MSc.”
An Ambulance Control Centre (ACC) Call Hander for the Scottish Ambulance Service has been named UK Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the Year, following his involvement in helping deliver a baby over the phone.
Neil Hardy, who works as a call hander at East ACC, was presented with the prestigious award at UK Navigator, the International Academies of Emergency Dispatch (IAED) conference.
Neil was praised for his role in saving the life of a mother and newborn baby, after receiving a call from the father, who was driving to hospital on the motorway. The mother had gone into labour in the back of the car, and Neil provided instructions over the phone for the father to deliver the baby at the side of the motorway, all the while helping to keep him calm.
However the baby came out feet first, and was not breathing when delivered. Neil instructed the father to clear the airwaves and administer CPR and when the crew arrived the baby was breathing, and both the baby and the mum, made a full recovery.
Neil said: “Being nominated for the award of Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the Year by my colleagues is extremely humbling. To have been selected by the IAED as the 2021 winner is an amazing personal achievement as well as a huge reflection on all of us within ambulance control in Scotland.
“Within the ACC it’s acknowledged that assisting with the delivery of a baby over the phone is one of the most challenging calls to take. In this particular case there were added complications with the birth, including the limited space of a car backseat on the side of a motorway.
“Later finding out that both Mum and Baby have recovered and are doing well is hugely rewarding and reflects on the efforts and expertise of the whole team involved in their care.
“Emergency call handlers are the first ambulance response to patients calling for help and I am proud to be part of the team that does this in Scotland.”
Pauline Howie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “Our call handlers are the first line of contact between patients and the ambulance crew, and their knowledge, experience and ability to keep calm under pressure can make such a difference to patients and save lives.
“I’m so proud of Neil Hardy for his actions, and this award is testament to his dedication, and of the ACC as a whole, in providing care to patients across Scotland.”
Other SAS finalists at the event included Neil Spiers, Kirsten Mann, and Suzanne Stuart.
Taiwan Film Festival Edinburghreturns for its second edition between 25 and 31 October with a fantastic range of Taiwanese cinema gems, many of them UK premieres, dating from the 1930s up to 2020, presented through in-person screenings and digital talks at Glasgow Film Theatre and Summerhall in Edinburgh and a free digital programme of films.
With the theme of Disruptions and Transformations, inspired by the fast-changing and unsettling world in the past few years, the Festival explores both the monumental historic shifts the Taiwanese society experienced over the decades but also portrays the seemingly small disruptions of the everyday.
Featuring the work of legends such as Hou Hsiao-Hsien and Edward Yang, and exploring topics such as war, urban life and the struggles of the LGBTQ+ community, the free programme of digital screenings is now available to pre-book on the Festival’s digital platform. Access is limited to a specific number of viewers per film so audiences are advised to book early.
For the first time, the Festival also presents a range of in-person screenings. As part of their special climate-focused strand in the run up to COP26, Glasgow Film Theatre will host a screening of two environmental documentaries showing how Taiwanese filmmakers address environmental transformations caused by economic and industrial progress – after all, the climate emergency is the ultimate change and interruption we all must respond to together.
On 25 October, Sacred Forest (2019) will delve deep into the majestic cypress forest in Taiwan and on 30 October, Whale Island (2020) will explore how the ocean might become our home one day. Tickets on sale soon.
Sounds in Silence is a double bill of silent cinema gems offering an extraordinary glimpse into the everyday lives of Taiwanese people in the early and mid-20th century, presented at Summerhall on 27 October and featuring new score from acclaimed composer and musician Lim Giong and live music by Glasgow-based experimental musician Rory Green. With contemporary film scoring featuring on the archive films from decades ago, the event is going to take audience on a trip through time to Taiwan in the 1930s and 1960s.
Liu Kuan-Ping, Chief Curator at the Festival, said: “I am really excited that for the first time, Taiwan Film Festival Edinburgh is bringing three in-person screenings taking place at two fantastic arts institutions: Glasgow Film Theatre and Summerhall – all exploring Disruptions and Transformations on a macro and micro scale.
“I cannot wait to meet our audience face to face, with facial masks on of course. We are also pleased to be back with an inspired programme of free digital screenings this year available to nationwide audiences.
“We would like to thank the Ministry of Culture in Taiwan, our generous sponsor, as well as our partners Taiwan Film and Audiovisual Institute who have been instrumental in securing some of the cinematic gems we are now able to share with our UK audiences.”
Telling us the inspiration of the theme, one of theco-curators, Chiu Yi-Chieh said: “On 23 March 2020, all of our lives were interrupted in unimaginable ways by the global pandemic- it was precisely at that time that the Taiwan Film Festival Edinburgh was born.
“It made us reflect on how changes and interruptions are always present in our daily lives. When we were making the selection, we wanted to encourage audiences to look beyond the canons and fall in love with films that are overdue the world’s applause.
“We welcome audiences’ own interpretative grouping by putting all films under the theme of Disruptions and Transformations without the conventional curatorial classification.”
Head of Taipei Representative Office UK Cultural Division, Dr Chen Pin-Chuan said: “It is great to see Taiwan Film Festival Edinburgh continuing the great work. Through these wonderful films from Taiwan, we hope to establish connections with Scottish audiences, and will introduce more cultural and arts programs to Scotland in the near future.”
2021 TAIWAN FILM FESTIVAL EDINBURGH PROGRAMME
IN-PERSON SCREENINGS in Glasgow and Edinburgh
Sacred Forest 神殿| Ke Ching-Yuan| 2019 | 60 mins
In-person screening on 25 October at Glasgow Film Theatre; tickets on sale soon.
Sacred Forest takes an eco-philosophical approach to introduce the deeply unique nature of Taiwan’s cloud enveloped cypress forest ecosystems and to explore the nation’s oldest forests, tallest tree species, and priceless, multi-millennial stands of giant ‘sacred trees’. Sacred Forest follows six separate groups, each with different interests and field specialties, as they experience the raw majesty of the forest from multiple facets ranging from the analytically intellectual to the introspectively emotional and spiritually uplifting.
The screening will also feature a special introduction from the film director, Ke Ching-yuan.
Whale Island 男人與他的海 | Huang Jia Jun| 2020 | 108 mins | UK Premiere
In-person screening on 30 October at Glasgow Film Theatre; tickets on sale soon.
Taiwan is an island. Although it is surrounded by the sea, its people fear the sea since the history and the religious beliefs held on this island make people turn their backs to the sea. Oceanic literature author Liao Hung-chi and underwater photographer Ray Chin lead the audience out to the sea and into the water. They prompt us to understand the sea and to think about the possibility that the ocean might become our lives and the future of our living land.
The screening will also feature a special introduction from the film director, Huang Jia-jun
Sounds in Silence double bill at 6.30pm on 27 October in Summerhall, Edinburgh; also online 28-31 Oct on Festival website.
A Morning in Taipei 臺北之晨 | Pai Jing-jui | 1964 | 20 mins | UK Premiere
Director Pai Jing-jui’s 1964 short documentary depicts a modern, industrious Taipei full of diverse and determined individuals as they perform their morning routines. People begin their workday, actors prepare for a theatrical performance, and children play in the schoolyard; the day is full of wonder and possibility.
A pre-recorded conversation between Chen Chia-Huei (co-creator of the new score and sound for A Morning in Taipei and the art consultant and Head of Education at the Taiwan Sound Lab) and musician Rory Green will be screened after A Morning in Taipei.
Deng Nan-guang’s 8mm Movies 鄧南光8mm家庭電影| Deng Nan-guang| 1935-1941| 57 mins| UK Premiere
Deng Nan-Guang’s 57-minute collection of intimate home-style videos, filmed between 1935 and 1941, captures an overlooked side of Taiwanese life under Japanese occupation. The films serve as a well-preserved time portal to a bygone era, offering a glimpse of life in Taiwan under colonial rule in the lead up to the Second World War. Screened to a live music score from a Glasgow-based experimental musician Rory Green.
DIGITAL SCREENINGS on the Festival website between 25 and 31 October
The Best Secret Agent 天字第一號 | Chang Ying | 1964 | 102 mins
The first Taiwanese-language spy film produced in Taiwan; The Best Secret Agent is a remake of the 1945 movie of the same name that caused a sensation in Shanghai. During the Sino-Japanese War, Tsui-Ying flees with her father from the Japanese occupation. She meets a young man, Ling-Yun, and falls in love. In the meantime, Special Agent 001 leads the resistance against the Japanese.
Foolish Bride, Naive Bridegroom 三八新娘憨子婿| Hsin Chi | 1967 | 101 mins
The parents of two young lovers meet to discuss the possibility of their marriage, only to discover that they themselves were lovers 30 years ago.
Dangerous Youth 危險的青春 | Hsin Chi | 1969 | 95 mins
Khue-guan (Shi Ying), a penniless delivery boy for a cosmetics company, meets Tsing-bi (Zheng Xiao-fen), a young and charming waitress, in awkward circumstances just as his girlfriend leaves him for a wealthy suitor. Khue-guan is intrigued by Tsing-bi and tries to get her another job after meeting Giok-sian (Gao Xing-zhi), who runs a cabaret. Eventually, she finds out that her new job is as an escort to a lonely, elderly millionaire named Mr. Tshi.
The Homecoming Pilgrimage of Dajia Mazu 大甲媽祖回娘家| Huang Chun-ming | 1975 | 27 mins | UK Premiere
Viewers are transported back in time to 1974 to see the annual Taoist celebration of the Dajia Mazu Pilgrimage. Thousands of participants accompany a statue of the goddess Mazu on a 9-day, 8-night procession, stopping at several prominent temples along the way.
Taipei Story 青梅竹馬 | Edward Yang | 1985 | 115 mins
A headstrong and financially-secure woman, Chin (played by Chin Tsai), is anxious to move forward in life and escape from the dissatisfaction and pain caused by family troubles, urban alienation, a lack of job security, tumultuous friendships, and a distant past of baseball glory to which her boyfriend, Lung (Hou Hsiao-hsien), so desperately clings. Chin thinks moving to America may be the solution, but as time goes by, it becomes increasingly clear that may not fix all her problems.
Dust in the Wind 戀戀風塵 | Hou Hsiao-Hsien | 1986 | 109 mins
Dust in the Wind is a coming-of-age love story about two young individuals, Wan and Huen, from the Taiwanese mining village of Jio-fen. Their hope is to make enough money to be able to get married one day, believing like everyone else that they are meant for each other. Despite what fate may seem to have in store for them, they cannot help but care deeply for one another.
Peony Birds 牡丹鳥 | Huang Yu-shan| 1990 | 107 mins | UK Premiere
A multi-generational story about the troubled relationship between a mother and a daughter: from when she was a young child to adulthood and her joining her mother in the busy Taipei of the 80s and 90s and pursuing a career of her own.
Also available on the Festival’s digital platform will be a Q&A session with director Huang Yu-shan.
Hill of no Return 無言的山丘 | Wang Tung | 1992 | 175 mins
This 1992 drama, set in 1927, tells the tale of two brothers, Chu and Wei, who leave home following the death of their parents to work at a Japanese-occupied gold mine in the remote, poverty-stricken town of Jiou-fen in the northeast of Taiwan. The brothers dream of one day becoming rich and owning their own land and, taken in by the gold rush, they endure back-breaking labour for little reward. They then both fall deeply in love with partners that risk to complicate their lives even further.
Also available on the Festival’s digital platform will be a Q&A session with director Wang Tung.
The Personals 徵婚啓事 | Chen Kuo-Fu | 1998 | 105 mins
Du Jia-zhen is a 29-year-old eye doctor at a hospital, who decides to quit her job and find a husband. She places a personal ad in the newspaper, searching for a potential match to distract herself from recent heartbreak. The film depicts the urban dating scene of Taipei in the 1990s in all of its absurdity and hideousness, conveying humour through humiliation and evoking sympathy for the strangest people.
Splendid Float 豔光四射歌舞團 | Zero Zhou | 2004 | 73 mins
An aesthetically stunning, lightly humorous, and dramatic film that confronts traditional gender roles and explores the themes of conformity, grief, acceptance, personal struggle, and identity. A Taoist priest named Xiao Qiang-wei (James Chen) doubles as a drag queen by the name of Rose that performs at various nightlife venues.
Closing Time 打烊時刻 | Nicole Vogele | 2018 | 116 mins
Swiss filmmaker Nicole Vogele’s documentary Closing Time captures the calm after the storm of midnight living. The film draws attention to the quiet, fatigued period that follows the hustle and bustle of Taipei’s vibrant city life and the night shift workers that keep the city awake well into the early hours of the next day.
Famous faces of Scottish culture and arts including crime writer Ian Rankin to feature on The Scotch Malt Whisky Society’s new podcast series
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has partnered with Vic Galloway for a special podcast series dedicated to great music and stunning whisky.
Since collaborating with the Society in May 2021 to match music with the 12 SMWS flavour profiles, BBC Scotland DJ and writer Vic Galloway is taking his passion for Society whisky to the next level, with his Whisky Talk: Malts & Music podcast series.
Across the series, Vic will sit down in the Tasting Room at The Vaults, the Society’s spiritual home in Leith, for a whisky-fuelled chat with well-known whisky fans from Scottish cultural life.
Along with a tasting pack of five Society single cask malt whiskies, each of Vic’s guests will explore their creative loves, their passion for whisky and most importantly, how each of the five Society drams has inspired a favourite piece of music.
Whisky Talk: Malts & Music kicks off on Thursday, 7 October with crime writer Ian Rankin, who pairs his Society drams with tunes from John Martyn, James Yorkston, Karine Polwart, The Skids and The Blue Nile.
The podcast series will continue with Norman Blake from Teenage Fanclub, writer Val McDermid, Justin Currie from Del Amitri and Stina Tweeddale of Honeyblood.
BBC Scotland DJ, writer and whisky enthusiast, Vic Galloway said: “Good whisky and good music go hand in hand. I had such a great time pairing 12 music genres with the 12 Scotch Malt Whisky Society flavour profiles earlier this year, and that gave us the idea for Whisky Talk: Malts & Music.
“Asking a whisky-loving creative person to match five malts with five pieces of music and chat to our guests about the experience was a huge amount of fun. As the whisky flows, we go off on unexpected tangents about creative work, opinions and life in general.
“I hope the Whisky Talk: Malts & Music interviews give listeners and viewers a new insight into these creative minds and some of the finest whisky on the planet. Join us for a good chinwag and spectacular drams!”
SMWS: Vic Galloway, Radio DJ photographed at The Vaults, Edinburgh.
Photograph: Mike Wilkinson…02/04/21.
Copyright: Mike Wilkinson.
07768393673
mike@mike-wilkinson.com
www.mike-wilkinson.com
Whisky Talk: Malt & Music with Vic Galloway launches on Thursday, 7 October on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iTunes, Google Podcasts and Stitcher, or simply search for ‘Whisky Talk podcast’.
You can watch the videos of the conversations on the SMWS YouTube channel at: https://cutt.ly/4ERQC4R.
For more information about The Scotch Malt Whisky Society click here.
The creative team behind Castle of Light has unveiled a first look at this year’s mesmerising sensory show, as general tickets go on sale.
Celebrating ‘hidden treasures’, the 2021 show is set to put a spotlight on the lesser-known stories from Scotland’s past. Projections unveiled today tease the re-discovery of the Honours of Scotland, the return of Rex the lovable lion rampant and a first look at some of the secrets of St. Margaret, and the treasures within her chapel, ahead of the show launch in November.
10-year-old Robert Lauder, from Balerno, took to the grounds of Edinburgh Castle after-dark for a first glimpse of the light spectacular.
Tasked with uncovering stories, old and new, Castle of Light promises to bring tales to life with the use of stunning visuals, state-of-the-art projections and captivating storytelling.
Creative Director Andy McGregor, who is working alongside Double Take Projections, NL Productions and War Productions Ltd, in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, on this year’s event, said: “We are hugely excited to be back with a new show for 2021. The fact that we couldn’t make it last year has given us 2 years to develop HIDDEN TREASURES and we truly believe it will be worth the wait.
“There will be new takes on popular family features plus a whole lot more in the way of legend, light and sparkle – all inspired by the lesser known stories of this incredible site. Edinburgh Castle is a magical place at any time but a visit by night with over a dozen unique light and sound experiences to enjoy really makes it Scotland’s unmissable winter experience.”
Heather Soutar, Head of Commercial Development at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), which operates Edinburgh Castle, said: “We are thrilled to welcome back Castle of Light this year, especially following the success of our last event in 2019.
“This year, we are inviting visitors to explore Scotland’s untold history as we take them on a journey using state-of-the-art projections at Edinburgh’s iconic landmark. Prepare to be amazed by the biggest light experience the capital has to offer, we can’t wait for everyone to experience it.”
Edinburgh Castle will be home to the immersive walking tour for eight weeks throughout the festive season, from Friday 19 November 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022. Tickets are on sale now.
Tickets are also available for an ‘Access’ night taking place on Thursday 25 November, designed to cater for people with additional support needs, including autism and dementia.
Ensuring as many people as possible can experience the animated storytelling tour, the evening will feature a range of specific support, including British Sign Language interpretation and audio described tours, as well as a designated quiet space and ear defenders to help manage noise.
Adult tickets cost £20, with concession rates, family tickets and discounts for Historic Scotland members available. For more information and to get your tickets, visit CastleofLight.scot.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is urging Working Tax Credit (WTC) customers to check if they need to update their working hours if these have reduced as a result of coronavirus.
During the pandemic, WTC customers have not needed to tell HMRC about temporary short-term reductions in their working hours as a result of coronavirus – for example if they were working fewer hours or were furloughed. It is one of several measures HMRC introduced to help those facing uncertainty around their hours.
If a WTC customer’s hours temporarily fell because of coronavirus, they have been treated as if they were working their normal hours.
Customers do not need to tell HMRC if they re-establish their normal working hours before 25 November 2021, but from then, they must do within the usual one-month window if they are not back to working their normal hours shown in their WTC claim.
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:“We introduced this measure last year to help support working families. It is vital that Working Tax Credit claimants who have benefitted from it update HMRC with their working hours if they have reduced, and they won’t return to their normal level before 25 November.
“Anyone who is no longer eligible for Working Tax Credit due to a change in their circumstances may be able to apply for other UK Government support, including Universal Credit.”
Customers should continue to tell HMRC about any permanent changes to their circumstances within one month – for example if they are made redundant, lose their job or their hours change permanently during this time.
This will ensure only those who are entitled to tax credits receive them, otherwise those ineligible or due a lower rate of payment will have to pay them back later.
If customers receive tax credits they are not entitled to as a result of a change they will need to repay this money and may also have to pay a penalty if they do not let us know within one month.
HMRC is also reminding claimants that Post Office card accounts are closing. From 30 November 2021 HMRC will stop making payments of Child Benefit, Guardians Allowance and tax credits into Post Office card accounts.
Child Benefit and tax credits customers who use Post Office card accounts to receive their payments will need to notify HMRC of their new bank, building society or credit union account details. HMRC is encouraging customers to act now so they do not miss any payments once their Post Office account closes. They can contact HMRC’s helplines (0345 300 3900 for tax credits or 0300 200 3100 for Child Benefit) or use their Personal Tax Account.
Congratulations to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC), who received not one but TWO top awards at last night’s SCVO Scottish Charity Awards event!
The charity explained on Facebook: ‘Something pretty AMAZING happened tonight … ECHC won the PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD at SCVO Scottish Charity Awards 2021!
‘And then, just as we were gathering our thoughts and getting our emotions in check … we were announced as WINNERS of CHARITY OF THE YEAR too!
‘This is truly incredible. THANK YOU to everyone who voted for us and to our wonderful supporters, partners, volunteers and staff for your dedication in helping children and families in hospital.
‘This past year has been one of the toughest and we could not have done it without you all. So, this one’s for you…THANK YOU! ‘
ECHC’s Victoria Buchanan said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named Charity of the Year and People’s Choice winner at the Scottish Charity Awards 2021! Through the tightest Covid restrictions and a hospital move; ECHC was privileged to stand alongside those ill, injured and shielding at home.
” From emergency care packs, silent discos, giant inflatable octopuses and record-breaking fundraising appeals, we pulled out all the stops to continue to bring fun, comfort and friendship to wards and waiting rooms and ease worries during one of the toughest years families have faced.
“None of this would have been possible without the incredible dedication of our supporters, partners, staff and volunteers. This award is recognition of their phenomenal efforts to ensure children in hospital could be children first, patients second, even in a global pandemic.”
https://youtu.be/C8chri-SO_o
You can watch the whole SCVO Scottish Charity Awards 2021 event on YouTube (above).
The winners of the annual awards ceremony dedicated to recognising Scotland’s voluntary sector were announced last night (1 October) in a glittering online event hosted by Sally Magnusson live from the EICC.
Run annually by the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), the Scottish Charity Awards celebrates the best of the voluntary sector and this year’s shortlist included 47 individuals and organisations from charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups across the country.
The winner of each of the nine categories was decided by a judging panel, with the tenth People’s Choice category winner decided by the public, with over 12,000 votes cast. As a result this year one finalist received both the Charity of the Year and People’s Choice Awards!
The winners for 2021 are:
Campaign of the year – Stop It Now! Scotland – Get Help or Get Caught
Child Sexual Abuse impacts one in six children in Scotland and targeting offenders is one of the most important ways of tackling abuse before it happens. As a result of the ‘Get Help or Get Caught’ campaign over 79,000 people visited the team’s website and 185 people accessed specialist self-help resources designed for people who are worried about their own online behaviour towards children and young people.
Stuart Allardyce, Director Stop It Now! Scotland said: “We’re thrilled to have won Campaign of the Year for our #GetHelporGetCaught campaign – thank you so much. As a child protection charity, our aim at Stop It Now! Scotland is to prevent children from being sexually abused, whether that’s online or offline.
“Child sexual abuse affects one in six children across the UK, and the number of adults posing a threat to children is growing. Our campaign is one way to tackle that problem, by telling adults who are offending or who might offend about the harm they cause, the consequences, and the support our helpline and website provide to stop their illegal behaviour.”
A special commendation was given to Aberlour Children’s Charity – Aberlour Urgent Assistance Fund.
Volunteer of the year–Central and West Integration Network – Shawn Nicholas Fernandez
Shawn wants to be a role model for both BAME and disadvantaged communities. He successfully made an impact in communities across Glasgow by delivering Cyber Crime Prevention Awareness Workshops and also creating a space through a community gardening project to help refugees by encouraging them to spend more time in nature to benefit their mental health and wellbeing.
Sean said: “I am extremely overwhelmed and proud to be part of Central and West Integration Network and a special thanks goes to all the Staffs and the beautiful volunteers who are always working unconditionally without expectations.
“By winning this award, I hope it will be an eye opener and encouragement for other volunteers especially those that are socially excluded. Nothing is impossible if we put our minds to it. Every organisation should recognise their volunteers and their contributions to the community because they are the cornerstone and should be rewarded.
“Circumstances in life may not always turn out the way we want it to be. Life may not be as smooth as we want it to be. But hard work, dedication and perseverance goes a long way. Thank you.”
A special commendation was given to Bob MacKenzie from CACE (Cumbernauld Action on Care of the Elderly)
Pioneering project – Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs – Click and Deliver Naloxone
Over the last ten years, nearly 10,000 families in Scotland lost a loved one through drug-related death. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that reverses opioid overdose, providing vital time to call an ambulance.
The team at Scottish Families recognised the need for access to this vital medication and launched a unique national Click and Deliver service, providing training and free Naloxone by post to any adult in Scotland. From May 2020 until March 2021, the team issued 295 kits, potentially saving 295 lives.
CEO Justina Murray said: “We are absolutely delighted to win the Pioneering Project Award. This life saving project was set up in a matter of days, at the height of lockdown and we are so proud of it.
“Our colleague Suzanne Gallagher has done an awe inspiring job of running this service from her front room, delivering 743 kits and counting. Thanks also need to go to Kirsten Horsburgh and our friends at Scottish Drugs Forum for everything they have done to help create and promote this service.”
Employee of the year – Carers Trust Scotland – Nicola Bell
Nicola has achieved a huge amount in the last 12 months. Working with young carers, she set up #Supermarkets4Change, campaigning to raise awareness of unpaid carers with supermarkets to include young carers in the protected hours set aside for vulnerable people to shop.
This work, led to those young people nominating her for the Scottish Youth Parliament Support Worker of the Year Award, which she went on to successfully win. Resources she produced for professionals and young carers on the topic of supporting carers through a whole family approach have been so well received they are being translated into other languages by European carers organisations to use in their own countries.
She said: “I am so honoured to have won Employee of the Year! I would not be here without the support of the amazing Carers Trust Scotland team and the Scottish Young Carers Services Alliance. To all the incredible young carers & young adult carers – thank you!
“I feel very proud to work with such inspiring colleagues, services and young people each day.”
A special commendation was given to Fiona Mitchell from Harlawhill Day Care Centre.
Community Action – Cumbernauld Resilience
Cumbernauld Resilience was established in March 2020 as a community-based response to the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic. It united people from all over Cumbernauld from a diverse demographic to reach out and help their neighbours.
The team has over 120 volunteers who have freely given their time, expertise and commitment to distribute over 90,000 meals and other essentials to locals – even hosting Christmas celebrations for over 600 people!
Chair Tony Murphy said: “As a relatively new charity, we are humbled and delighted to have been recognised in this way. We are especially delighted to have won in the Community Action Category as, from the outset, Cumbernauld Resilience’s ethos has been about mobilising the wonderful community spirit that exists in our town to help those in need.
“Thank you so much to every supporter, donor and volunteer – without your unbelievable support and unselfish commitment we really wouldn’t have been able to reach out and help so many in our community during their hour of need.”
Climate Conscious – Forth Valley Sensory Centre – Making Sense of Energy Saving
The project helped people cut their energy bills, despite the pandemic, but also secured new heating systems, warmer home payments and even new windows for a number of deaf and blind people who were struggling to heat their homes and pay their bills.
On top of this, with the change to LED lighting in the centre and the advice provided to centre users in braille, workshops, accessible video and BSL, it saved the equivalent of 300 tonnes of CO2.
Chief Executive Jacquie Winning said: “This award covers two of the biggest issues in today’s society, accessibility and the climate emergency.
“Thank you to everyone who supported us and to the staff at our Centre for making such an innovative project come to fruition!”
Trustee of the year – Linkes (SCIO) – Robert Smith
Robert is the co-founder and driving force of Linkes community project (2006), serving as chairperson to promote integration, empowerment and social inclusion. In response to the pandemic, he was visionary and determined, quickly building alliances to set-up a food distribution project.
Between March – September 2020, Robert’s team of volunteers delivered a whopping 18,000 meals and 2,000 grocery packs. Since October he has also overseen logistics of a weekly food-hub. Robert makes the magic happen, whether he is running board meetings, bulk buying food, driving the van, supporting new volunteers, making friendly phone calls– he is an unstoppable force for good.
He said: “I am absolutely delighted to receive this award. It’s not something I expected as the other finalists have all achieved incredible things and I’d like to congratulate them on their work.
“I would also like to thank the amazing team of staff, board and volunteers at Linkes, our partners and funders and everyone else in the community who contributes to what we do. I’m really proud of what we’ve achieved in what has been an extremely difficult year and on behalf of the team at Linkes, I’d like to say a big thank you for this award.”
A special commendation was given to Julia Grindley from Edinburgh School Uniform Bank.
Digital citizens – People Know How
People Know How believe in the inextricable link between social and digital isolation and the pandemic has only reinforced that view.
Over the last year the team has provided devices, digital skills and connectivity to thousands of people across Edinburgh and East Lothian. In doing so, the team has helped people stay connected with loved ones, access support and home-school their children.
Throughout this work they identified that the biggest obstacle to digital inclusion is data poverty, which is why they have now launched a national campaign to end data poverty.
Claudia Baldacchino, Communications & IT Officer, said: “It’s an honour to have been awarded the Digital Citizens Award. We’re so proud of our volunteers and staff for achieving so much over the last year, supporting thousands of people with devices, digital skills and connectivity.
“We’d also like to thank all our partners and funders who have made this work possible through their support and collaboration. We will continue to combat data poverty and digital exclusion as we recover from the pandemic and beyond, and can’t wait to see what the future brings.”
A special commendation was given to Space – The Louise Project.
Charity of the year AND People’s Choice Award – Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC)
Covid-19 has been a rollercoaster for everyone; no less for children and families in hospital and those privileged to support them. Innovation and dedication from supporters, partners, staff and volunteers saw support for children shielding at home, in wards and waiting rooms continue through the tightest regulations and a hospital move. From emergency care packs, silent discos, inflatable octopuses and record-breaking fundraising appeals, ECHC has excelled to ensure children in hospital are children first, patients second, even in a global pandemic.
Victoria Buchanan said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be named Charity of the Year and People’s Choice winner at the Scottish Charity Awards 2021! Through the tightest Covid restrictions and a hospital move; ECHC was privileged to stand alongside those ill, injured and shielding at home.
“From emergency care packs, silent discos, giant inflatable octopuses and record-breaking fundraising appeals, we pulled out all the stops to continue to bring fun, comfort and friendship to wards and waiting rooms and ease worries during one of the toughest years families have faced.
“None of this would have been possible without the incredible dedication of our supporters, partners, staff and volunteers. This award is recognition of their phenomenal efforts to ensure children in hospital could be children first, patients second, even in a global pandemic.”
A special commendation was given in the Charity of the Year category to North Edinburgh’s Scran Academy SCIO.
Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of SCVO, said: “At SCVO we know that fantastic work is going on all the time in the voluntary sector and we were delighted to celebrate the achievements and successes of our finalists and winners at this year’s Scottish Charity Awards.
“We had a record-breaking number of entries this year and each one demonstrated just how well the voluntary sector has responded and adapted to changes and restrictions over the past 12 months.
“Thanks to our sponsors, the team at the EICC, our host Sally Magnusson and everyone who applied and voted for making this year’s Awards so special. Congratulations to our winners for 2021!”
NHS Lothian has said that a number of second vaccination appointments have been mistakenly scheduled for 16 and 17-year-olds.
The health board said text message and appointment letters have been issued to the teenagers in Lothian which urge them to attend an appointment for a second dose of COVID vaccine, even though they may not be eligible.
At the moment, and in line with national guidance, 16 and 17-year-olds are only being offered one dose of the vaccine, unless they are clinically extremely vulnerable themselves, living with someone who is or are an unpaid carer.
However a data error has caused 2,500 text messages to be sent to teenagers in Lothian inviting them for a second dose. Many of those invitations may be entirely appropriate, but many will not.
As a result, a second text message has been issued urging the teenagers not to attend unless they are clinically extremely vulnerable themselves, living with someone who is or are an unpaid carer.
The situation is under investigation to establish what happened and how many letters may also have been sent via the national booking system to teenagers.
Pat Wynne, Director of Nursing Primary and Community Care, NHS Lothian, said: “I would like to apologise to all of those teenagers affected and for any confusion and inconvenience caused.
“All of those who received a text message have been contacted again with more information on what to do next. We don’t yet know how many letters have been issued, but we are investigating fully to establish what happened and how many people are affected.
“If you are eligible for a second dose – if you clinically extremely vulnerable yourself, living with someone else who is or are an unpaid carer – please double-check your appointment and make sure you receive that vital protection from a second dose.
“However we are really keen to make sure that other teenagers do not face a wasted journey to a vaccination centre or that they do not receive a second dose when it is currently not recommended for them.”
There’s been another deliberate fire in North Edinburgh – for the third successive weekend.
This time, a garden shed in Easter Drylaw Drive was set ablaze in the early hours of this morning. Police, fire and ambulance services were on the scene from 1.30am and the road was temporarily closed while the fire was tackled.
It’s the third weekend in a row that there have been wilful fireraising incidents in the North Edinburgh community – and all have taken place in the early hours of the morning.
Last week’s meeting of Drylaw Telford Community Council discussed the arson incidents that took place on 18 September and the group issued an appeal on their Facebook page:
‘These fires were devastating to those affected and we are extremely lucky that more people were not injured. The “what if’s” do not bear thinking about.
‘The unusually dry weather for September that we have had recently would make any fire spread faster therefore It is so important that the perpetrators are caught and for this not to happen again.
‘The police have been talking to residents that have CCTV but we would urge anyone with CCTV, ring doorbell camera’s etc who have not yet been contacted to please contact:
The Police on 101 quoting incident number 0765 of the 18th September 2021.
Anonomously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Message this page and we can forward information
‘Likewise, if anyone has any information at all, then please make contact using the above methods.’
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