Day: February 10, 2022

There’s lovely: Welsh road signs debunked for Scottish rugby fans

 

Scottish rugby fans in their thousands are getting ready to head to Cardiff for match day. But once they cross the border how will they find the Principality Stadium without understanding the Welsh language? 

Wales-based temporary insurance provider, Veygo, is issuing an A to Y (there’s no ‘Z’ In Cymraeg) guide to Welsh road signs so Scottish fans can safely navigate their way to the Capital: 

James Armstrong, CEO at Veygo said: “Thousands of rugby fans will make the long road trip from across Scotland to the Welsh capital ready for Saturday’s face-off. 

“For those driving the ship, reaching the border at the seventh hour with a backseat of weary fans and then being faced with unfamiliar road signs and markings is enough to push the most patient driver to their limits. Brushing up on your Welsh before you leave is one way to take the edge off what will undoubtedly be a long and trying journey. 

“Another way to take some stress out of the journey is to rope one of your mates in to sharing the drive. Just make sure you get some temporary cover before you switch seats. You can take out temporary driving insurance with Veygo from just one hour to help with the driving. 

“You could also keep your travelling companions entertained by testing their knowledge en route. Don’t panic – the road signs are bilingual, something many people from Scotland are familiar with.” 

Welsh road sign translations 

·       Welcome to Wales – Croeso I Gymru 

·       Please drive carefully – Gyrrwch yn ofalus  

·       Slow – Araf 

·       Stop – Stopiwch 

·       Speed cameras – Camerâu cyflymder 

·       Mile – Un filltir 

·       One way – Unffordd 

·       Give way – Ildiwch 

·       In / out – I mewn / allan 

·       No Exit – Dim ffordd allan 

·       No Entry – Dim mynediad 

·       Services – Gwasanaethau  

·       Ring Road – Ffordd gylch 

Finding your way into and around the city 

Once you’re in the city, you’ll need to know how to get around. The Welsh for ‘bus lane’ is definitely one to know as Cardiff is hot on its fines, with 20 ‘always on’ bus lane cameras across the city!

The areas where drivers are most likely to get a penalty charge notice are on Kingsway outside the Hilton Hotel, North Road City Centre and Custom House Street. So watch out for lôn fysiau signs! 

·       M4 (W) – M4 (Gn) 

·       M4 (E) – M4 (Dn) 

·       Cardiff – Caerdydd 

·       Bus lane – Lôn fysiau 

·       Town Centre – Canol Y Dref 

·       City Centre – Canol y Ddinas 

·       Castle – Castell 

Public transport  

Cardiff is a very walkable city, and the City Centre is mostly pedestrianised. Plus if you’ll be enjoying a drink with the game, you’ll be looking to take a bws/bwsiau, tacsi or tren to get around. You’ll need to keep an eye out for these signs. 

·       Central station – Gorsaf ganolog 

·       Park and Ride – Parcio a theithio 

·       Bus stop – Safle Bysiau 

·       Bus station – Gorsaf fysiau 

Getting to the stadium  

The Principality Stadium is in the heart of the city, but it is vast, and finding the right entrance can be a challenge. So brush up on your Cymraeg to avoid any added confusion.  

·       Stadium – Stadiwm  

·       Main entrance – Y brif fynedfa 

·       East Gate – Porth y Dwyrain 

·       West gate – Porth y Gorllewin 

·       Cardiff (E & S) – Caerdydd (Dn a D) 

·       Cardiff (N & W) – Caerdydd (G a Gn) 

·       Cardiff Bay – Bae Caerdydd   

 

Edinburgh’s Mouat and Dodds curling coach praises team performance

As Edinburgh’s Bruce Mouat and Jennifer Dodds compete out in Beijing, back home David Aitken can reflect on his contribution to their journey with pride – as one of their ever first curling coaches.  

David Aitken watched on as Mouat and Dodds lost out to a strong Sweden team in the bronze medal match. Despite not coming home with a coveted Winter Olympic medal, the team can be immensely proud of their performances in a world class field of opposition.  

Representing GB and at an Olympic Games is the pinnacle of sport for the pair, but David can recall their first steps onto the ice having coached them from complete beginners to promising young curlers.

David reflected on the value of coaching, and what it means to ‘make an athlete’:

“I used to be a player myself, and initially started by just helping out with absolute beginners. At first, it was tricky to work out exactly how best to communicate some of the more technical things as I transitioned into being a coach – but eventually you develop that skill.

“When I first started coaching, it was just from a participation perspective – I wanted more and more people to play the sport that I enjoyed so much. But then as the players progressed, you see this opportunity for them to experience something at an elite level, and that journey is a magical thing to be part of.

“There’s so many opportunities through coaching to develop not just as a player but as a person. Bruce wasn’t from a ‘curling community’ – it was just a case of parents bringing a child along to try a sport that looked like fun. Part of the responsibility of a coach is to ensure that your sport is inclusive, that anyone can get involved.”

David is still very much involved – currently British Curling’s Performance Foundation Manager based in Stirling. And regardless of medals, he could not be prouder of the talent emerging from GB’s curling scene:

“Britain are good at curling, because we have a very well-funded programme thanks to The National Lottery, we have a lot of experience regarding coaching and the support staff, and that input towards athletes really highlights the team behind the team.

“The breadth of input was a real eye-opener for me as I became a full-time coach, seeing how the athletes can be supported to perform to their best.”

Following an encouraging showing from the British curling contingent in Beijing, Aitken will be hoping for even more to follow – and with all the right coaching behind the team, they have everything they need!

If you are inspired to get into coaching, visit www.ukcoaching.org for support and resources to start your coaching journey.

Scottish Government launches debt advice campaign

If you are struggling with problem debt and worried about how best to deal with it, you’re not alone. That’s the message from a new Scottish Government campaign, encouraging people in Edinburgh to get the help they need and are entitled to get their finances back on track.

Problem debt could come from credit card debt that has gotten out of control, overdraft fees or from unpaid bills. Anyone can run into debt problems, and it can quickly spiral to unaffordable costs. But there is a wide range of trusted organisations, free support and advice available to help Edinburgh locals take control of their debt and ease their money worries.

As a starting point to living and enjoying a healthier financial lifestyle, you can follow seven simple top tips and useful guides from the Scottish Government’s partners.

A new website, moneysupport.scot, from the Scottish Government includes information and links to free and impartial debt advice to help people take control and live a healthier financial life. There’s also information on other financial matters such as affordable credit options and eligibility for benefits.

Sharon Bell, Head of StepChange, said: “With many Scots worried about money and debt problems, it’s important that people don’t fear seeking support before they reach financial crisis.

“By getting in touch with us, it’s a small and vital first step to getting your finances back on track and dealing with your worries. We can help people access and utilise the resources they are entitled to and will be there to support for as long as they need.

“StepChange is proud to partner with the Scottish Government on this campaign to raise awareness of the free support and advice available. Our skilled team of debt experts will help people achieve long-term financial control.”

DEBT ADVICE TOP TIPS

  1. DON’T IGNORE PROBLEM DEBT

It’s hard facing up to problem debt and it’s easy for it to spiral. From missing payments to not opening bills or checking your statements you can quickly run into trouble and be left feeling anxious. By facing up to the facts, you can get the support you need and take back control of your finances.  Go to moneysupport.scot for help.

  1. SEEK ADVICE

The sooner you ask for help, the sooner you can work towards tackling your debt and easing your money worries. Free and impartial advice is available from a range of trusted sources including Christians Against Poverty (CAP) who can advise you on practical solutions to a healthier financial life.

  1. TALK TO A MONEY ADVISER

Everyone’s circumstances are different. By calling StepChange, you’ll be put straight through to an expert money advisor, who can provide free debt advice tailored specifically to your needs and they will be there for as long as you need them.

  1. WORK OUT A BUDGET

Creating a budget detailing your income and what you spend each month, let’s you clearly track your finances. National Debtline’s, StepChange’s and Business Debtline all have useful planners available to download for free.

  1. RECOGNISE YOUR PRIORITY DEBTS

Understanding your ‘priority debts’ including rent can stop you facing serious consequences like being evicted. Citizens Advice Scotland has a useful guide to identify different types of debt and which ones you need to handle first.

  1. CONSIDER THE BEST OPTIONS TO PAY BACK YOUR DEBT

Various schemes can assist you in paying back your debt with step-by-step assistance available from StepChange and National Debtline.

  1. CONSIDER TEMPORARY SOLUTIONS

If your circumstances change such as losing your job, temporary solutions are in place to help manage your debt in the short term. National Debtline offer a useful digital guide on the various schemes in place to support you in seeking the help you may be entitled to.

For local advice and support contact Granton Information Centre – telephone 0131 552 0458 or 0131 551 2459 or email info@gic.org.uk

Port of Leith Housing Association: Fuel Support Fund now available

£33,000 funding secured from the Scottish Government to help with fuel poverty debts

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), in partnership with Changeworks, has secured £33,000 in funding from the Scottish Government and Scottish Federation of Housing Associations to support tenants with existing fuel poverty related debts.

The fund ensures we can support up to 50 households with this issue until the end of March 2022.

Currently, 21% of Edinburgh households live in fuel poverty, rising to 44% for social housing tenants. In Leith, 24% households live in material deprivation which has been further exacerbated by the pandemic.

Affordable Warmth Services Team Manager at Changeworks, Lisa Bygate, commented: “Through our work on the Link-Up Leith project we have seen increasing demand for support as people find themselves struggling with high bills and fuel debt.

“We are now seeing the highest incidences of households at risk of disconnection since the project started. This much welcomed funding will support people living on low incomes to have improved life skills and confidence to tackle fuel poverty issues themselves.

“We are delighted to be strengthening our partnership with Port of Leith Housing Association to provide support to their tenants and Leith residents with energy debt. We will be working closely with their welfare rights staff and other members of the Link-Up Leith project to identify and provide assistance to those who need it.”

PoLHA Group Chief Executive, Heather Kiteley, said: “I’m thankful that we have secured this funding to help our community during this time of rapidly escalating fuel costs.

“We are committed to ensuring our tenants’ welfare and I’m proud that the PoLHA Group has been able to react so quickly to our tenants’ needs and provide vital support.”

Eligible tenants will be identified for this grant through PoLHA’s Tenant Advice Service and Changeworks existing Link-Up Leith project run in partnership with Edinburgh Community Food and Stepping Stones.

Changeworks will also identify people eligible for support through referrals to their Affordable Warmth Service.

How to apply

Tenants can apply for the fund by speaking to their Housing Officer or our Tenant Advice team who can make a referral to Changeworks.

Other services

PoLHA offers the following support services to social housing tenants: welfare benefits advice, money advice and tenancy sustainment advice.

Visit advice and support for help.

Schools: Face coverings in classrooms can be removed after the holidays

It’s too soon, says EIS

High school pupils and staff will not be required to wear face coverings in classrooms from 28 February, after the schools mid-term break.

Teachers and pupils who wish to continue to wear a face covering in the classroom should be fully supported in doing so.

Face coverings will still be required in communal areas, subject to future review.

Specific mitigations relating to assemblies and transition visits for learners who will start primary or secondary in August 2022, will also be eased as of 28 February.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “In recent weeks I have promised to keep Parliament and school communities updated on mitigations within schools – including the use of face coverings within classrooms.

“I have been clear that we do not want to keep these measures in place for any longer than is necessary, but that we must continue to be led by scientific and expert advice.

“On Tuesday our Advisory Subgroup on Education and Children’s Issues met to discuss a number of issues, including the use of face coverings.

“The group reiterated its previous position that the removal of mitigations in schools should follow a phased approach. It also advised that the next phase could begin after the February half-term break, with the removal of face-coverings in classrooms – for both pupils and staff – on 28 February.

“In arriving at their decision, the Advisory Sub-Group pointed to reducing case rates for secondary-aged pupils, falling hospitalisation rates across all age categories, and the fact that the estimated R rate is below 1 and decreasing. In addition, vaccination rates for young people continue to increase.

“This change represents a further step in allowing our children and young people to return to a more normal school experience after many months of sacrifice.

“We currently expect that face coverings will still be worn outside the classroom, in indoor communal areas of schools, after 28 February. This will be kept under regular review. In addition, anyone who wants to continue wearing a face covering in classrooms will, of course, be supported to do so.”

Commenting following the First Minister’s statement in the Scottish Parliament, EIS General Secretary Larry Flanagan said: “The majority of EIS members supported the retention of face coverings until we were through the winter period so we would have preferred the end of March rather than the end of February for this change to happen.

“Having said that, it is important that both pupils and staff have the right to continue to wear face coverings if they wish and, in some cases, where there is a heightened vulnerability in play, face coverings may still be required.

“There has been a slight drop in infection levels within schools but they remain high – over 4,000 staff are off school for Covid related reasons and more than 20,000 pupils. Enforcing the remaining mitigations, therefore, around ventilation and face coverings in communal areas, remains critical to school safety.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on reducing the risks in schools will be updated next week.

North Edinburgh Community Festival: Call for contributors

Registration Form for our community festival is now available!

We are looking for local community groups, organisations, businesses, creators, makers or traders to join the festival family and host events, activities or a stall.

See below for registration form:

https://bit.ly/3svysWm

Over 90% of unpaid carers ‘ignored’ 

  • 91% of unpaid family carers feel ignored by the Government.
  • Almost nine out of ten (86%) unpaid carers either agree, or agree strongly, that successive governments have ignored the needs of unpaid carers for a long time.
  • 84% of survey respondents disagreed, or disagreed strongly, with the statement ‘I have confidence in the Government’s ability to improve the lives of unpaid carers’.
  • 49% of survey respondents said they’d had to use their personal savings because of their caring role.
  • 51% of survey respondents said they’d had to give up on hobbies or personal interests because of their caring role.

Findings from a new Carers Trust survey provide alarming evidence of a deep-rooted failure by successive governments to understand and meet the basic support needs of millions of people struggling to provide unpaid care for a family member or friend.

There is a near total sense among survey respondents of feeling abandoned by Government over a long time. Almost nine out of ten (86%) of unpaid carers agreed, or strongly agreed, that ‘successive governments have ignored the needs of unpaid carers for a long time’.

And only 1% of respondents (just 12 out of more than 1,500 unpaid carers who completed the survey) felt that politicians understand unpaid carers.

A separate poll of the UK public by research company Opinium for Carers Trust found that UK adults support the need for unpaid carers to receive more support from the Government.

According to the Opinium poll:

  • Four in five UK adults (80%) agreed that the Government needs to do more to support unpaid carers.
  • More than two thirds (68%) of UK adults agreed that all unpaid carers should receive financial support from the Government.
  • Almost half (46%) of UK adults did not agree that Carer’s Allowance is a fair level of support for an unpaid carer looking after a family member or friend for a minimum of 35 hours a week.

Unpaid carers being driven into acute financial hardship

Carers Trust’s survey results also demonstrated how many unpaid carers are being driven into acute financial hardship because of their caring role, with inadequate financial support from successive governments widely cited by survey respondents in their written responses.

Of those unpaid carers responding to a question on whether they had had to give up paid work because of their caring role, almost half (48%) said they had.

Financial pressures arising from giving up paid work are further exacerbated for many unpaid carers unable to claim Carer’s Allowance. The survey found that, of those responding to a question on whether they were receiving Carer’s Allowance, more than half (51%) said they were not.

A common complaint from survey respondents was how family carers of pensionable age stopped receiving Carer’s Allowance because they were receiving pensionable income, even though they were caring for a family member round the clock:

“I did [receive Carer’s Allowance] until I reached my state pension age, but as they class a pension as a benefit and you cannot get two “benefits” it was taken away. I have an underlying right to it though…Caring gets harder as you get older.”

Many unpaid carers receiving Carer’s Allowance complained that payment of £67.60 a week inadequately recognised the number of hours they spent on their caring role. They also felt the payment was not enough, given the complexity of needs many carers have to deal with. One carer commented that, after adding up all the hours he spent caring for his wife, he was earning just 50p an hour from Carer’s Allowance.

Responding to the survey findings, Carers Trust’s Executive Director of Policy and External Affairs, Joe Levenson, said: “Day in day out millions of unpaid carers play a crucial role, caring for family and friends and propping up our creaking social care system. But it’s clear from our survey that this is at great personal cost, and that unpaid carers are struggling to cope and feel marginalised and ignored by government.

“Reading the anguished responses from unpaid carers you get an overwhelming sense of how so many have been brought to breaking point. Unpaid carers are united in saying that they feel ignored and let down by the failure of successive governments to improve their lives, including through wide-reaching social care reform that could ease the responsibilities of care placed so heavily on family carers.

“That’s why the all too familiar practice of paying lip service to supporting carers while looking the other way must stop now. We welcome the UK Government’s recognition of the importance of unpaid carers in the recent adult social care white paper and are committed to working together to improve carers lives, but unpaid carers need ambitious and transformational change and they need it now.

“The Government could let carers know they have been heard straight away by introducing a national strategy for unpaid carers, to ensure their needs are a priority across government.

“And they should act on what unpaid carers have told us, putting them at the heart of this strategy so it’s able to deliver the transformational change that’s desperately needed – such as boosting Carer’s Allowance and making it easier to claim and funding regular breaks and respite for carers.”

In response to the survey findings, and on behalf of the carers who told us what was needed, Carers Trust is calling on Government to develop a new UK Government Strategy for Carers. ;

The strategy should include: improved availability of statutory care and support for people with care and support needs of all ages, so that unpaid carers’ caring roles are sustainable; improved support for unpaid carers themselves, including regular breaks and respite so unpaid carers can live a meaningful life alongside caring; a reform of Carer’s Allowance so that unpaid carers are better protected against financial hardship.

Carers Trust’s full set of recommendations for Government, as well as comprehensive findings from the survey, are available in its report, Pushed to the Edge:

pushed-to-the-edgeDownload

Police appeal following assault outside Balmoral Hotel

Police are appealing for information following a serious assault in the city centre.

Around 1.20am, on Sunday (6 February, 2022), a 39-year-old man was walking past the Balmoral Hotel in Princes Street when he was approached by man who was part of a group of people waiting at a nearby taxi rank.

An altercation took place which resulted in the 39-year-old sustaining an injury to his face. The victim attended the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and was released following treatment.

The suspect is in his mid-30s, bald and was wearing dark coloured clothing. He ran off over North Bridge towards the High Street following the incident.

Officers are reviewing any relevant CCTV images for any additional information on the incident or the suspect.

Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe from Gayfield CID said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident. We know the assault was seen by a large number of people who were waiting in a taxi queue and I am asking these people to contact us.

“Your information could important Also, if anyone has any recorded footage from either dash cams or personal devices, please check it as it could provide us with vital details which would assist us in identifying whoever is responsible.”

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland through 101, quoting incident number 354 of 6 February, 2022. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where you can give your information anonymously.”

Celebration of community heroes making Scotland blooming beautiful

Entries open for annual initiatives

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful is inviting community groups working to boost their areas to join the 2022 Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood initiatives.

Groups with an interest in improving their local environment – from cities and towns, to villages, parks or community gardens – are welcome to register and take part, with a deadline of 30 April 2022.

Run by the charity in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the projects give volunteers and groups the chance to benefit from expert support, resources and recognition for their efforts to protect and enhance their local places.  Our team of expert volunteers also provides mentoring throughout the year.

Following on from the success of last year’s theme of ‘Climate and Nature Friendly’, and joining the national celebration of Scotland’s stories, 2022’s theme will be the ‘Year of Stories’. 

Groups will have the option to build on last year’s projects or start new projects and focus activities around this, finding innovative and creative ways to tell the tale of their endeavours. Some ideas are:

  • install new interpretation panels to showcase your area’s history or natural wonders;
  • run a poster or short story competition for young people, with the winners displayed in a prominent location; or
  • use plants to tell a story.

In 2021, Keep Scotland Beautiful supported and celebrated the achievements of over 250 groups across Scotland. The dedicated volunteers overcame the challenges of the last year, finding new ways to look after and enhance the places they care about.

This year a full Beautiful Scotland competition will be held, after a two-year pause, with medal certificates, category awards including the prestigious Rosebowl, and discretionary awards being presented at a ceremony in the autumn. Judging will be held from 1-14 August 2022. There will also be a non-competitive option, allowing groups to connect with others and take part without the pressure of a judge’s visit.

Catherine Gee, Deputy CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said, “The last year has been very important for action on climate change in communities.

“Volunteers across Scotland make a huge contribution to the essential work being done to tackle the climate and nature emergency we are facing, helping make Scotland clean, green and sustainable for nature and people. 

“As a recognition of this and of the challenges faced by groups over the last year, the registration fee for Beautiful Scotland was removed in 2021 and entry will also be free this year.

“We’d love people from well-established groups, through to those just starting out, to register for free support through the Beautiful Scotland or It’s Your Neighbourhood initiatives this year – joining a network of passionate people who they can share their stories with and learn from.”

Kay Clark, RHS Community Development Manager said, “It is brilliant to see that Keep Scotland Beautiful will be delivering these important campaigns in full this year.

“The standard of entries across Scotland is always incredibly high, and we cannot wait to hear the tales of what all the Scottish groups have been up to in this special story-telling themed year.”

Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland said, “Scotland’s Year of Stories is a chance to spotlight and celebrate all of the incredible tales that make our country so special. And stories that connect us to the natural world can help create a more sustainable future for Scotland, and a greener planet.

“We are delighted that Keep Scotland Beautiful is adopting the Themed Year for 2022 and getting involved in our programme, we can’t wait to see what activities and stories local groups come up with.”

Brenda Whitelaw, of Active Arden in Glasgow, said: “We found our assessor’s visit extremely useful in giving us ideas to establish our garden and his terrific knowledge about funders, other similar groups we could learn from, issues we could encounter and plants of course. The assessment report is very comprehensive and so useful to our group.”

An online information session will be held on Thursday 17 February, 18:00-19:00. Come along and find out about the year ahead, the support and resources available, how we’ll recognise your activities through the year and meet other communities and volunteers from across Scotland. 

All are welcome – please email for joining instructions if you aren’t already registered with Beautiful Scotland or It’s Your Neighbourhood. 

Silverknowes fire: man charged

A 32-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a fire raising incident in North Edinburgh.

The incident happened on Silverknowes Road in the early hours of Tuesday morning (8th February).

The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.

Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp said: “We are grateful to everyone who assisted with our investigation into this incident.”