15/11/2021 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Puzzle of plastics: why do some people recycle but others don’t?

Researchers at Queen’s University Belfast have been interviewing people across the region to try to crack the puzzle of why some people recycle and others don’t.

The experts carried out 18 in-depth interviews with people living in Northern Ireland during Autumn 2019.

The findings suggest that some of the reasons that people aren’t recycling plastics are being so busy they don’t get round to recycling, they aren’t clear on what can be recycled, and they can’t see the impact that their recycling could have on the environment.

The study was part of a larger interdisciplinary grant ‘Advancing Creative Circular Economies for Plastics via Technological-Social Transitions (ACCEPT Transitions)’ led by Professor David Rooney from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering at Queen’s. The researchers are also involved in the ‘Clear on Plastics’ campaign, which is being run by the sustainability not-for-profit organisation WRAP.

Dr Emma Berry from the School of Psychology at Queen’s co-led the project alongside Professor Martin Dempster and Dr Debbie Roy. She explains: “In Northern Ireland, people recycle twice as much as they did 15 years ago and 10 per cent of this is plastic.

“For many people, recycling has become part of their everyday routine – we have the bins and collection service, so it’s much easier to do now. Most of us also know its ‘good’ for the environment, so we try to follow the guidelines on putting recyclable products in the right bins. However, while most people recycle, some households do not, so it’s important to understand why this might be.”

Following the research, the experts say there are three common barriers to recycling in Northern Ireland. Firstly, some people felt that with such busy lifestyles, family life, and competing priorities, recycling was often simply at the bottom of the daily agenda – it did not feature in their long list of important day-to-day tasks.

Secondly, people felt that with the enormous range of products and materials available in shops, it can also be tricky to know which products can be recycled and in which bin. Likewise, it is not always clear how to recycle some products if they are made up of multiple materials, such as a cardboard sleeve on a plastic yogurt pot, which need to be separated.

The final common barrier reported was that individuals feel that it’s often difficult to see the impact that small actions such as recycling at home or while out and about, can have on the environment, making small efforts feel pointless.

Dr Bronagh Millar from the Polymer Processing Centre at Queen’s was also involved in the project. She says: “Based on our findings, it’s understandable why many people find recycling baffling. The good news is that recycling does not have to be difficult and time consuming and small efforts do make a difference to our local environment and society.

“Taking small actions like recycling at home, not only helps reduce the amount of waste in local landfill and which gets washed up on beaches, but it is also helping our local economy because recycling supports the generation of local industries and jobs. Old and used packaging isn’t waste, it’s material that can be reformed and used to make more of the same packaging or something different.”

An interesting example of this is Cherry Pipes – a company that manufactures the land drainage pipes that are found in new housing developments, road construction, sports stadia and beyond all made from 100 per cent recycled plastic.

Recycling at home supports this business and the jobs created there and it will also continue to support economic growth as new businesses are formed and flourish in the sector.

Dr Millar adds: “Recycling at home is the best place to start and it’s where most waste comes from – in fact almost 90 per cent of all waste collected in 2019/2020 came from households!

“It’s easy to think that as one individual or family, your recycling won’t make a difference when you feel like loads of other people and companies are not recycling. But if every individual household just increased its recycling even a little bit, it would make a huge difference over time.”

Expert tips to make recycling easier at home:

Place a second bin or a ‘bag for life’ beside your general waste bin (this not only makes recycling easier, but it helps remind you/others in your household to recycle).
Use visual and automatic reminders to give you a nudge to recycle e.g., daily/weekly phone reminders and post-its/signs on or around your indoor bins.
Likewise, create visual reminders of what goes where (visit www.recyclenow.com/local-recycling to find out what you can recycle in your area, or check out your local authority website.
When you aren’t sure about whether certain packages can be recycled, look for the on-pack recycling label which is usually on the bottom or sides of packages and tells us what plastics most local authorities accept. As a rule of thumb, tins/cans, cardboard, and most hard plastics can be recycled.

Winter road safety advice from Police Scotland

Advice for pedestrians

Advice if you are out walking during winter:

Dress for the weather by wearing reflective or bright-coloured clothing so other road users can see you when it’s dark or visibility is poor
If you are walking home late at night, make sure someone knows where you’re going and when
Vehicles can take up to ten times longer to stop on slippery road surfaces so take extra care crossing the road
Stick to pedestrian crossings
If there are no crossings nearby, find a place with a clear view and wait for long gaps in the traffic before crossing the road
Don’t cross the road between parked vehicles, unless it can’t be avoided then take extra care (look out for vehicles that suddenly pull out or reverse)
Never cross the road behind a bus
If there is no pavement, keep to the right hand side of the road so you can see traffic coming towards you.

Advice for cyclists

Advice to consider if you are cycling during winter:

Make sure your bike can be seen by people on the road
Use a good set of front and rear lights (white at the front, red at the back)
Wear clothes that help you be seen on your bike, such as bright and light reflective items
Pay attention to road signs, markings and particularly red lights
Do not cycle on the pavements, they may be slippery and can also endanger pedestrians
Be mindful of the effects poor weather can have on other road users
Make sure you know about the dangers around you
Cars can take twice as long to stop in wet weather
Braking can be unpredictable in ice and snow.

Advice for drivers

Advice for drivers during winter:

Make sure your car is ready for winter
Check that your tyres, brakes, windscreens, wiper blades and windows are free from defects and clean
Drive to the road conditions. Road conditions can change without warning, stopping distances will be affected by the weather
Make sure your windows are clean and aren’t misted up
Make sure there is no snow and ice on your windows before you drive
When the roads are icy, drive at a slow speed in a high gear
Accelerate and brake very gently
Driving distracted (for example, using a Sat Nav) can cause additional stress. It is dangerous to yourself, passengers and other road users.

EVOC AGM this Wednesday

EVOC Annual Conference + AGM: Thriving Local

Wednesday 17 November, 9.30am to 1pm (online event)

We’re delighted to present 3 great keynote speakers at our 2021 Conference + AGM:

· Dona Milne (Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian): Public Health & Health Inequalities

· Daisy Narayanan (Senior Manager, City of Edinburgh Council): 20 minute neighbourhoods and living well locally

· Paul Wilson (Chief Executive, Volunteer Edinburgh): The impact of COVID-19 and the future of volunteering

There will also be a selection of breakout group discussions focused on the communities mental health funding; a new climate initiative for Edinburgh; the children, young people & families taskforce and a strategic refresh for EVOC.

Find out more & register

Booster for over 40s and second dose offer for 16 & 17 year olds

Health and Social Care Secretary accepts independent advice to extend booster programme to people aged 40 and over, and offer a second dose to people aged 16 – 17.
Scotland will follow suit

The UK Government has accepted updated JCVI advice on COVID-19 vaccination programme. Scotland will also ‘follow the science’.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Our coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination roll-out has been a phenomenal success, saving countless lives, reducing pressure on the NHS and helping us stop the spread of the virus.

“We are expanding the programme even further and today I have accepted the advice from the independent experts at the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) to extend the additional offer of a booster jab to people aged 40 and over and offer a second dose of a vaccine to all young people aged 16 to 17 as part of the primary vaccination schedule.

“All 4 parts of the UK intend to follow the JCVI’s advice.

“I have asked the NHS to prepare to offer those eligible a vaccine as soon as possible.

“We know immunity to COVID-19 begins to wane after 6 months and new data published today shows a third dose boosts protection against symptomatic infection to more than 90% – this highlights just how important it is that everyone eligible gets their top-up jabs as soon as possible.

“The JCVI will keep under review whether the booster programme should be extended to all people under the age of 40 and I look forward to receiving their advice in due course.

“This is a national mission – the vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones, and I urge everybody to get your jabs as soon as you can.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will address the Scottish Parliament tomorrow.

Police forces launch national week of action to stop uninsured drivers

45 police forces launch Op Drive Insured on 15-21 November, in a national week of increased roads policing activity to seize uninsured vehicles and protect road users.
Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is injured by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. Over 26,000 victims were supported by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) in 2020.
Drivers can check their vehicle appears insured on police systems for free at www.askmid.com

On 15-21 November 2021, all 45 UK police forces will execute Op Drive Insured in a national effort to reduce uninsured driving levels and protect road users.

The week-long campaign which has been developed by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB) and NPCC’s National Roads Policing Operations, Intelligence and Investigations (NRPOII), will see an increase in roads policing activity to detect and seize uninsured vehicles.

MIB which is a not-for-profit organisation that compensates victims of uninsured and hit-and-run drivers, supported over 26,000 injured victims in 2020 – equating to one injury every 20 minutes.

In addition to causing more collisions, MIB records show uninsured drivers often commit wider road crime ranging from ‘hit and runs’, using a stolen vehicle and drink driving.

Ben Fletcher, Chief Customer Officer at MIB, said: “Put simply, uninsured motorists are very dangerous. They cause a worryingly high level of collisions and are frequently involved in wider crime.

“By using MIB’s Motor Insurance Database police can easily see if a vehicle appears to have no insurance and will take swift action to remove the threat. Op Drive Insured serves as an important reminder that no one is above the law and illegal motorists will be caught.”

Jo Shiner, Chief Constable at Sussex Police and NPCC Lead for Roads Policing, said: “Police officers take action against the users of uninsured vehicles every day, this national week of action really highlights how we work with all of our partners to take these vehicles off the road and prosecute offenders.

“We know those who are unwilling to insure their vehicles present more risk to other road users than those who do insure their vehicles.

“We have sophisticated systems to help identify offenders and we will use all of our powers to take appropriate action against offenders and make our roads safer.”

Uninsured driving is a problem that exists across all corners of the UK, with the worst-affected areas found in Birmingham, Bradford, Manchester and Greater London.

MIB which is funded by insurers and ultimately their honest premium-paying customers, requires around £400 million each year to compensate victims and help them rebuild their lives.

Furthermore, using government figures on the average value of prevention, MIB estimates that collisions caused by uninsured and hit-and-run drivers could cost the economy nearly £2 billion a year in emergency services, medical care, loss of productivity and property damage.

During the week of action, Police Officers will access MIB’s Motor Insurance Database (MID) – a central record of live UK motor insurance policies – to see if motorists’ licence plates show their vehicle as insured.

If the validity of insurance is disputed by the driver, MIB will liaise in real-time with the insurer in question to confirm if the vehicle has valid insurance.

Uninsured drivers will likely have their vehicle seized (and potentially crushed), receive a £300 fixed penalty notice and six licence points. Furthermore, uninsured motorists could face court and receive an unlimited fine and/or a driving ban. A criminal record can also affect job prospects.

So far this year, over 100,000 uninsured drivers have had their vehicle seized.

Driving insured? Be confident with MIB’s quick guide

Real Living Wage increases to £9.90 as cost of living rises

Over 300,000 Living Wage workers are set for a pay boost
More than £1.6 billion in extra wages has gone to low-paid workers since the start of the Living Wage movement 20 years ago
£613 million in extra wages has gone to low-paid workers since the start of lockdown, with a record number of employers signing up – over 3,000 since the pandemic began
Greater London Authority and Greater Manchester Combined Authority are today making announcements on their progress to becoming Living Wage City Regions
Despite these successes, 4.8 million employees (1 in 6 workers) are still paid below the Living Wage, with those from racialised groups1 more likely to be paid below the Living Wage than white workers (19.4% compared to 16.3%).

Over 300,000 people working for almost 9,000 real Living Wage Employers throughout the country are set for a vital pay boost as the new Living Wage rates rise to £9.90 across the UK (40p increase), and £11.05 in London (20p increase), supporting workers and families.

The Living Wage rates are the only rates independently calculated based on what people need to live on.

This year the movement for a real Living Wage celebrates its twentieth year, with new research from the Cardiff Business School showing Living Wage workers have benefitted from more than £1.6bn in extra wages during this period. One in 13 workers now work for an accredited Living Wage Employer.

The new Living Wage rates and the ‘National Living Wage’: know the difference

Unlike the Government minimum wage (‘National Living Wage’ for over 23s – £8.91 rising to £9.50 in April) the real Living Wage is the only wage rate independently calculated based on rising living costs – including fuel, energy, rent and food.

A full-time worker earning the new, real Living Wage would earn £1,930 a year more than a worker earning the current government minimum (NLW). For a worker today that’s the equivalent of 7 months of food bills and more than 5 months’ rent based on average household spending in the UK.

Even on next April’s higher NLW rate of £9.50, a full-time worker on the real Living Wage would earn £780 more.

In London, a full-time worker on the new real Living Wage rate would earn an additional £4,173 a year compared to a worker on the current NLW and £3,022 more than a worker on next year’s National Living Wage.

The increase in Living Wage rates this year has largely been driven by rising fuel and rent costs.

The Living Wage movement continues to grow

Major new Living Wage employers announced today include FTSE 100 construction firms Taylor Wimpey and Persimmon Homes, Fujitsu, food delivery company Getir, and Capita. They join half of the FTSE 100 companies, household names like Aviva, Everton FC, Burberry and Lush as well as thousands of small businesses, who are choosing to pay the real Living Wage to ensure all staff earn a wage that meets the real cost of living. More than 3,000 employers have now accredited with the Living Wage Foundation since the start of the pandemic.

Metro Mayors in London and Greater Manchester have also today announced major new commitments to create Living Wage City Regions which could see thousands more pay rises.

Looking globally, the Living Wage campaign also today launches Living Wage for US, the first coordinated national effort set up to ensure that workers across the United States are paid a real Living Wage.

Low pay in the UK

The announcement of the new rates comes as new research by the Living Wage Foundation has demonstrated the scale of low pay during the pandemic, with 4.8 million jobs (17.1% of employee jobs) still paying less than the real Living Wage.

Northern Ireland had the highest proportion of jobs paying below the Living Wage (21.3% or 236,000) and the South East the lowest (12.8% or 533,000). [4]

Those from racialised groups were more likely to be low paid – with 19.4% of these workers earning below the LW compared to 16.3% of white workers.

Katherine Chapman, Living Wage Foundation Director, said: “With living costs rising so rapidly, today’s new Living Wage rates will provide hundreds of thousands of workers and their families with greater security and stability.

“For the past 20 years the Living Wage movement has shaped the debate on low pay, showing what is possible when responsible employers step up and provide a wage that delivers dignity.

“Despite this, there are still millions trapped in working poverty, struggling to keep their heads above water – and these are people working in jobs that kept society going during the pandemic like social care workers and cleaners.

“We know that the Living Wage is good for businesses as well as workers, and as we rebuild our economy post pandemic, the real Living Wage must be at its heart.”

The Archbishop of York, the Most Revd Stephen Cottrell, said: “This Living Wage Week, the Living Wage Foundation has announced the new rates that cover what we all need to earn to get by.

“Their movement will see over 9,000 businesses elect to give their 300,000 workers not only what they need to survive, but to thrive as well.

“The principle behind the campaign for better pay and secure working conditions ought to be a pillar of our new society, and one I hope will be adopted by even more forward-thinking businesses as we look ahead to 2022.”

Sarah Wadsworth, Fujitsu UK HR Director, said: “I am delighted that Fujitsu have signed as a Real Living Wage employer. This long-term commitment is not only the right thing to do for our employees but also ensures that our suppliers and partners are also planning to align to this for their employees.

“Fair pay for all employees continues to be relevant for our business as well as the benefits it brings to wider communities.”

Anne Billson-Ross, Taylor Wimpey Group HR Director, said: “This voluntary commitment is a fantastic example of the direct action we are taking to ensure we remain an employer of choice, committed to do the right thing by our employees, suppliers and subcontractors.”

Dean Finch, Group Chief Executive of Persimmon Homes, said: “I want all our employees to feel valued and fairly paid for the good work that they do. Paying the real Living Wage is an excellent way of demonstrating this. I am therefore delighted we have become a Living Wage Foundation accredited employer and joined what is an important campaign.”

Kim Coles, Finance Director at Lush, said: “At Lush we are committed to a fair wage at all levels of the business and fully support the UK Living Wage Foundation’s approach of a hard day’s work deserving a fair day’s pay.

“We have been paying the London Living Wage since 2011 and paying all UK staff at or above the “real” hourly Living Wage rate since April 2017. We continue to commit to the rate in tough times because that is when our people need it the most, and it’s the right thing to do.

“Lush staff are crucial to our success, and they work incredibly hard making and selling our products. Having an independently calculated real living wage rate means that we have a positive step towards staff being able to afford what they need to thrive, not just survive.

“It also means that the same fair trade commitment we make to our ingredient suppliers is made to our staff and that we can be confident their rates of pay are fair and increase in line with real living costs.”

Turancan Salur, General Manager at Getir, said: “At Getir we pride ourselves on being a great employer. As well as paying all our colleagues at least the real Living Wage, with the opportunity to earn more through bonuses, we provide pensions, sick pay, paid leave, insurance and all PPE and electric delivery vehicles.

“It is only right and fair that we do this as our workforce is the most important part of our business and we fully support the Living Wage Foundation for promoting such an important issue.”

Ryan, a Living Wage worker at COOK Food, said: “Before joining COOK I’d worked in a pub for two years. I was on minimum wage and I was working at least 50 hours a week to pay the rent. Even though I was working so hard, I started to get in debt. My relationships suffered, and it started to affect my health both mentally and physically.

“However, since coming to COOK, being paid the real Living Wage made all the difference. I could work only 40 hours a week and take home more than when I was working 50 or 60 hours at the pub.

“Gradually my mental health improved, and I also started to live more healthily. I lost 30kg because I actually had the time and money to make real food, eat properly and exercise. My relationships improved as I had time to spend with my friends and made new friends at COOK, too.”

Commenting on the Living Wage Foundation figures which show that one in six workers are earning under the real Living Wage, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Every worker should be able to afford a decent standard of living.

“But these new figures from the Living Wage Foundation show that low pay is endemic in modern Britain. Millions are in jobs that don’t pay the bills or put food on the table.

“After eleven years of Conservative government, real wages are only just getting back to their 2009 level. And the Budget revealed we face another half decade of wage stagnation.

“With Britain in the middle of a cost-of-living crunch, it’s time for the government to act.

“Ministers must start by increasing the minimum wage to £10 immediately, banning zero hours contracts and giving trade unions greater access to workplaces to negotiate improved pay and conditions.

“That‘s how we get wages rising for everyone.”

Adoption Week Scotland: The Current Face of Adoption

Kayden (10) shows how changes in adoption have benefitted families
Adoption Week Scotland 2021 shines a light on The Current Face of Adoption

When ten-year-old Kayden was adopted, his new parents told him that his family was growing bigger, not smaller.

Kayden had been in the care of foster parents in Midlothian as his birth mother was unable to provide the care he needed. When Lee Robertshaw and Dale Briggs adopted him in 2016, they knew how important it was that his existing relationships were maintained, even though they live in Yorkshire.

So ever since the adoption, Lee and Dale have made sure that Kayden stays in touch with his foster family and his brother, who still lives with his gran in Scotland. The families exchange birthday and Christmas gifts, catch up on Facetime, and regularly spend holidays together – and the benefits to Kayden have been obvious.

“I think the most important thing has been that Kayden knows those people who he knew and loved in Scotland are still a part of his life,” Lee explained. “We tell him ‘your family got bigger, not smaller’, which has been really important to him.”

The family also stays in contact with Kayden’s mother, seeing her once a year with hopes that this might become more regular in the future.

Lee said: “It was important for us that Kayden saw his mum and his dads were not in conflict with each other, giving Kayden permission to secure his attachment to us. This has been very positive for Kayden, and just shows how important life story work is in giving children a window to understanding their past.”

Contact with birth families and previous carers such as this would have been rare, if not impossible just a few decades ago, but has become increasingly common in recent years as adoption services have recognised how important prior relationships are to adopted children. Our recent Adoption Barometer report found that 28% of children who did not have formal contact arrangements in place had contacted their birth family informally, which can lead to devastating impacts on their mental health and family stability.

That’s why the theme of this year’s Adoption Week Scotland is ‘The Current Face of Adoption’, as organisers Adoption UK Scotland and Adoption and Fostering Alliance (AFA) Scotland aim to challenge misconceptions about adoption and celebrate how things have improved for adoptive families.

With a host of events and webinars covering topics such as staying in contact with birth families and siblings, understanding early-years trauma, and current developments in therapeutic parenting, Adoption Week Scotland offers something for anyone involved in adoption, whether they’re adoptive parents, adopted people, or professionals working in family care.

Fiona Aitken, Adoption UK Scotland Director, said: “We want to highlight the current issues and areas of importance for today’s adoptive families. Areas covered this year include the value of therapeutic parenting and engaging with children and families in a trauma-informed way, the importance of adoption support and services such as our TESSA and FASD Hub, and a focus on the importance of maintaining relationships.

“It’s crucial to recognise that adoption comes with the need to consider the life story of children and individuals involved, including the wider family relationships that child may have. Recent legislation ensuring that brothers’ and sisters’ rights of contact are ensured should have a significant impact on the way we support adoptive families to keep their children’s sibling relationships in mind, and there is more to be done to explore the best way to manage contact arrangements with other birth family members. This year’s programme of events will include conversations on these important topics and more.”

Robin Duncan, AFA Scotland Director, said: “Adoption week is a great opportunity to highlight the way adoption now works and to challenge some of the misconceptions that hark back to practice from previous eras where adoption was often seen as demanding a clean break with the child’s past.

“There will be opportunities to hear about good examples of practice where children can maintain relationships with people who remain important to them. The week will also highlight the potential of therapeutic parenting and the need for trauma-informed practice as part of an approach that insists that support needs to be available to adoptive families to manage the predictable challenges they will face.”

Clare Haughey, Minister for Children and Young People, said: “Adoption Week Scotland is our chance to say ‘thank you’ to all those involved and to celebrate the difference adoption is making to thousands of young people across Scotland.

“The themes that are being looked at over the week are all very relevant and important and we are working hard in partnership with the care sector and care experienced young people to make further improvements in these areas in line with our commitment to The Promise.”

Adoption Week Scotland 2021 runs from 15-19 November. To find out what’s on, visit the full programme of events at:

https://adoption.scot/adoption-week-2021

CASE STUDY – LEE ROBERTSHAW

Lee is 38, partner Dale Briggs is 37, their son Kayden is ten. They live in Yorkshire; Kayden was adopted from Midlothian in 2016:

In 2015, Dale and I were looking to start a family and decided adoption was the right way to go. We were matched with Kayden in 2016. He had been staying with a foster family in Midlothian; his mum was unable provide the care a child needs.

During the adoption process, we were introduced to Kayden’s foster family and developed a close relationship with them over the course of several meetings. We always saw a benefit in supporting Kayden’s existing relationships and nurturing positive ties with his past. So we’ve stayed in touch with them ever since, and now Kayden sees them in a grandparents’ role.

Since we adopted Kayden, we’ve been to visit his foster family regularly, as well as exchanging birthday and Christmas gifts and catching up on Facetime. We also visit Kayden’s brother, who still lives in Scotland with his gran, and whenever we can we book a week away in a cottage or caravan so everyone can get together to enjoy one another’s company.

Keeping in touch with his old life has been a massive benefit to Kayden. I think the most important thing has been that Kayden knows those people who he knew and loved in Scotland are still a part of his life. We tell him ‘your family got bigger, not smaller’, which has been really important to him.

Dale and I spent a lot of time on Kayden’s life story and he’s now starting to understand more about his early life – how nothing that happened was his fault, and how his dads are now his forever family. Of course, things haven’t always been easy. There was a time when Kayden went through a phase when he thought he’d been taken from his mum, but that became a way to open a new conversation and correct the narrative.

We’ve had amazing support from social workers since the day we began the adoption process. Kayden’s social worker in Midlothian did an amazing job preparing him for adoption.

He knew where he’d been and where he was going, all because of the life story work that had been done. And when we needed therapeutic support as we grew together as a family, we were able to reach out to our social worker for help.

It was also really encouraging that they dispelled the ‘old narrative’ of adoption – that Kayden would not be deprived of his past or feel like he had some huge secret that he would have to keep hidden.

We do keep contact with Kayden’s birth mum. We see her once a year, and hope this might become more regular in the future.

It was important for us that Kayden saw his mum and his dads were not in conflict with each other, giving Kayden permission to secure his attachment to us. This has been very positive for Kayden, and just shows how important life story work is in giving children a window to understanding their past.

Scottish hospitals roll out three-in-one winter virus tests

Hospitals in Scotland are rolling out new single tests to identify whether patients are infected with Covid-19, flu or RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

The new three-in-one “multiplex tests” will be used when patients arrive showing respiratory symptoms at some emergency departments and assessment units.

They have been introduced with £5 million of Scottish Government investment.

They provide an advantage over “multi-target testing” which requires two or more tests to be carried out – one for Covid-19 and a second for other viruses such as flu A, flu B and RSV.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The introduction of these new tests is an important step to help protect our NHS staff and patients, as services remobilise and we learn to live with the virus.

“The results will help hospital staff assess the treatment and placement of patients which should help accelerate patient flow through the system. It will also play a key role in avoiding healthcare associated infections and co-infection.

“It would be a mistake to think that the successful delivery of the vaccination programme means testing becomes less important.

“Testing will continue to play a vital role in our drive to bring down new cases of Covid-19 and break off future chains of transmission.”

The fastest multiplex tests will see results provided within two hours and will be prioritised for emergency admissions to assist with patient placement and treatment. Other laboratory-based tests may take between 90 minutes and eight hours for the results to come through.

All asymptomatic patients, staff and citizens will still be tested for SARS CoV-2 only and this will constitute the majority of testing in Scotland.

Anti-Bullying Week: Childline advice and counselling sessions for children in Scotland

Anti-bullying week (Nov 15^th – 19th) is an annual event in the UK that aims to raise awareness of bullying of children and young people, and highlights ways of preventing and responding to it.

The year’s campaign theme, One Kind Word, has been co-designed with young people before being adapted by the UK’s leading anti-bullying organisations, including respectme in Scotland.

Childline data – Scotland

In 2020/21, Childline delivered 334 counselling sessions about bullying to children living in Scotland.
More than a quarter (29%) of these were about online bullying.
In 2019/20, Childline delivered 558 counselling sessions about bullying (in person and online) to children living in Scotland.
The data shows that there was a 40% reduction in total counselling sessions about this issue in the year of the pandemic, which included lockdowns and children not attending school for months. However, there was only a fall in counselling sessions about bullying in person (464 sessions in 2019/20 and 238 in 2020/21). There was no reduction in the number of sessions for online bullying (94 sessions in 2019/20 and 96 sessions in 2020/21).

Childline data – UK wide

In 2020/21, Childline delivered 6,654 counselling sessions about bullying.

One teenage girl who contacted Childline about bullying said: “School was not great today. Due to the coronavirus there are new rules, and I have to sit next to the most horrible boy ever in almost every class.

“He tells me to do stuff, calls me names, spreads rumours and tells me I should hurt myself. I am so fed up with it and I can’t get away from him.” (Girl, aged 14, from Scotland)

Adeniyi Alade, Head of Childline in Scotland, said: “Each year, we hear from hundreds of children in Scotland who are being bullied. We know that the pandemic has been extremely tough for children as they have grappled with home schooling, being isolated from family and friends and worries about the virus. On top of this, some children were also being bullied.

“Children experiencing bullying online have told our counsellors that during lockdowns it felt even more overwhelming. The extra time they were spending online for their education, entertainment and to keep in contact with friends and family was making the bullying feel inescapable.

“Although for other children, the lockdowns provided some respite from the bullying they had previously experienced. But this meant that they felt anxious at the thought of returning to school.

“As we continue to move out of the pandemic and adjust to the new normal, it is essential that children know where to turn to for support. Our trained counsellors are always here for children and believe that no child should have to deal with bullying alone.”

Advice from NSPCC and Childline

For children

Share how you are feeling with other young people. Childline’s online message board is a non-judgemental space where you can speak to other children who are in a similar situation to you about your experiences and feelings. This can help you feel less alone and will give you an online support network that you can turn to.
Talk to an adult you trust about the bullying you are experiencing so you feel less alone and so that adult can support you. This could be a parent, teacher or you can speak to a Childline counsellor on 0800 1111 or online at childline.org.uk
Take a break from your device if you are being bullied online and do something you enjoy such as sport, listening to music or art.
Remember the bullying is not your fault.
Get into a healthy routine and make sure you look after yourself by eating healthily, getting enough sleep and taking time out for yourself.
Report and block someone if they are sending you messages online that upset you.

For Adults:

Signs to spot that your child may be being bullied online:

Not wanting to go to school or take part in normal activities.
Getting anxious or angry if you go near their device.
Feeling withdrawn, upset or angry at home.
Problems sleeping or eating.
Having angry outbursts that seem out of character.
Spending more or less time online than normal.

Signs to spot that your child may be being bullied in person

Belongings are getting lost or damaged.
Physical injuries such as unexplained bruises.
Being afraid to go to school.
Not doing as well at school.
Being nervous, losing confidence, or becoming distressed and withdrawn.
Problems with eating or sleeping.
Bullying others.

What to do if you think your child is being bullied

Talk to your child and remind them to come to you with anything that might be making them feel anxious or sad. If your child speaks to you about an experience of bullying that they’ve had online or in person, try to remain calm and don’t overwhelm them with questions and reassure them that it will be ok, and that you’re always there for them.
Show them how to report or block a message that they’ve received from someone online that upsets or worries them.
Don’t take their device away if they’ve had a negative experience online. Although you may want to do this if they are upset, this may make them feel like whatever has happened is their fault. Instead, suggest they take some time away from the app they received the messages on and do another online activity they enjoy like playing a game.
Know where you can get further support. Adults can call the NSPCC helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. There is also further advice on the NSPCC website.

Even harder winter predicted as new Aberlour survey reveals longer-term impact of poverty on their children

Survey reveals that 71% of parents in Scotland are worried about their family finances
Seven in ten parents are also concerned about their children’s future chances
60% of parents are concerned about their children’s mental health and over half (55%) about their children keeping up with their education
Younger and single parents are the most concerned

Scottish children’s charity Aberlour has warned that a decade of rising and stagnated poverty levels in Scotland combined with the impact of the pandemic, the increasing cost of living and the end of the Universal Credit uplift, will have long-term implications for children and families living in Scotland’s most deprived areas.

In response, Aberlour today launched its ‘Poverty to Hope Fundraising Appeal’ to support children and families through what is going to be a dark and hard winter – second time around. The charity knows that poverty, like COVID19 has long-term effects and is committed to supporting families throughout. As restrictions lift and life begins to resume as normal for many, the reality is not the same for the increasing numbers of families trapped in poverty.

The Aberlour survey found that seven in ten parents are concerned about their children’s future chances, with more than half (55%) anxious about their children staying up to date at school. Meanwhile 60% of parents are worried about their children’s mental health. In addition to the Aberlour survey, Scottish Government statistics also shared the news that one in four children in Scotland are estimated to be living in poverty.

Aberlour family support workers, featured in the new fundraising appeal, relay their everyday experiences of working with children and families swept up in the tide of poverty and struggling to keep their heads above water.

They report an increasing number of children missing out on life experiences, inadequate clothing, not sure where the next meal is coming from, afraid to put the heating on and fears around the long-term effects on children’s mental health and education.

Wendy, Aberlour Family Support Worker says: “Children affected by poverty are losing out on life experiences. They are not getting the same opportunities as other children.

“Families are finding it hard to provide for their children and their basic needs are not being met. Children are going to bed without adequate bedding and with empty tummies. It’s heart-breaking.”

Lisamarie, Aberlour Family Support Worker says: “For families caught in poverty there’s increased chances of poor mental health, domestic abuse, isolation and not making ends meet.

“Most of all, I worry about the children’s mental health and their future prospects.”

This is set against a backdrop of really challenging circumstances for the poorest families. The combination of the end of furlough, reduction in the £20 uplift in Universal Credit, spiralling utility prices and cost of living and likelihood of interest rate rises is conspiring to make it an even longer, harder winter.

Professor Morag Treanor from the Institute of Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE) at Heriot-Watt University says: “This survey confirms what I and my colleagues are also finding.

“More and more Scottish families are being dragged under by the rising tide of poverty and are simply unable to keep their heads above water. The stress this puts on parents can be unbearable and results in multiple adverse effects on them and their children.”

Aberlour’s work to challenge this situation for families, working alongside them long term, offering support to the whole family as well as cash for the basics via their Urgent Assistance Fund is very powerful and I am pleased to support this important campaign.”

The situation is reflected in rising demand for Aberlour’s Urgent Assistance Fund which since March 2020 has given over £1.5m in cash handouts and short-term relief to 5,090 families and 10,927 children in poverty. The charity continues to be inundated with applications to its Urgent Assistance Fund this winter and funds are dwindling dangerously.

SallyAnn Kelly, Aberlour Chief Executive says: “Over the past decade the number of children living in poverty has continued to rise and we have seen a corresponding rise in stress amongst struggling families.

“Then the pandemic hit and brought health, social and economic challenges – it’s been a perfect storm. Families, who were already struggling, are at breaking point, and as we’ve seen from the research parents are most concerned about their family finances and the mental health and future chances of their children.

“Aberlour is committed to supporting families in the long term. We stand by children and families for as long as they need us and that can often be for many years. We strive to provide a beacon of hope for their future.

“We’ve launched our Poverty to Hope Appeal, to raise awareness of the desperate situation thousands of children and families are facing right now. We are asking the public to donate what they can this Christmas so that we can continue to offer long term support and hope to more children and their families.”

Case study – Rory’s story

Rory* had a bad start to life: his parents had separated, and Rory lived alone with his dad. After the separation, Dad was struggling to cope, and his house was not the ideal environment for a child to grow up in. Children are so perceptive, and Rory was seeing and witnessing things no child should.

Over the years, Aberlour did everything to make Rory’s home life better, but eventually something had to give. His older sister Lucy became Rory’s legal guardian, giving him the chance to grow up in a more stable, loving home. But one thing stood in the way: money. Lucy simply could not afford to buy an extra bed for Rory to sleep in, nor did she know how she would cope financially long term, having to raise two kids of her own. She was already trapped in poverty but was desperate to help Rory. Before Rory moved in with Lucy, he was falling behind in school. He’d lost all confidence and even begun to believe he was a failure.

After Rory moved in with Lucy, his grades improved dramatically. All it took was a safe and loving relationship, some quiet encouragement, and a laptop for Rory to do his schoolwork on, which Aberlour provided. After a while, Rory started coming along to the Youth Club, and thanks to his growing confidence, he shared with us that he had a dream of his own: that one day he would like to become a professional cyclist, like his hero Sir Chris Hoy.

Aberlour sourced bikes which were just in need of some love (and repairs). Rory learnt how to fix a bike himself and he’s now the proud owner of one. He’s also thinking about joining a cycling club.

Anne, a family support worker for Aberlour said, ‘’I can hardly believe the change I’ve seen in Rory over the past few years: from a quiet, sad toddler, to a confident, warm young man, who’s daring to dream despite the challenges life throws at him.’’

Too many of Scotland’s young people, who, like Rory, didn’t get the start in life they needed, are growing up with no hope.

To donate, please visit: www.aberlour.org.uk/povertytohope

Do ✓	Don’t
Do check that your vehicle is appearing as insured on the Motor Insurance Database (MID) for free at www.askMID.com	Don’t withhold key information when buying insurance to save money. This is fraud – the consequences are serious, and it will invalidate the insurance policy.
Do only use your vehicle for the agreed purposes of its insurance cover. If unsure what your policy covers, speak to your insurer.	Don’t buy car insurance on social media, or through an unfamiliar source. It’s probably a fake car insurance scam called Ghost Broking.
Do find out when your policy expires and if it auto-renews, so you can ensure it doesn’t run out without your knowledge.	Don’t use a personal E-scooter on public roads and spaces. Only local authority-operated trial E-scooters are covered for third party use.