Day: February 22, 2022

New documentary turns the spotlight on asylum seekers’ experiences 

Film captures the harsh realities of life in temporary accommodation during a pandemic

A NEW film documents the hardships and challenging living conditions faced by asylum seekers in Glasgow during the Covid-19 pandemic.

I’m Still Here, based on video diaries and photos shared by people living in temporary accommodation and other forms of housing, highlights the insecurity of their lives and constant battle to find the strength to carry on.

Around 350 asylum seekers were moved from their settled flats into various hotels in the city centre following the outbreak of Covid-19 in March 2020 in what was said to be an attempt to curb the spread of the virus.

A study last year by Edinburgh Napier University researchers found that they faced unsafe conditions, mobility restrictions and a lack of communication from service providers.

The report said the asylum seekers’ accounts – in which they likened their hotel-type accommodation to detention centres – “pointed to a provision that was inattentive towards their needs, vulnerability and wellbeing.”

Now an 18-minute documentary film produced as part of the research project by staff from Edinburgh Napier is to be premiered at Glasgow’s GMAC Film hub at a stakeholder event from 11am-2pm tomorrow – Wednesday February 23.

Further public screenings are being organised across Scotland and the UK to highlight the challenges faced by the country’s asylum seekers and raise public awareness of the issue.

Film director Dr Kirsten MacLeod, the University’s Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Television, said: “I’m Still Here offers a powerful insight into the lived realities of men, women and children placed in temporary accommodation in Glasgow during the pandemic.

“Participants speak of the insecurity of the system in which they find themselves and of extremely challenging living conditions.

“From hotels, hostels and a mother and baby unit, they tell of the stress and hardships they have faced as well as their personal efforts to stay strong, bravely sharing their experiences in the hope that their stories can affect audiences and create change.

“Featuring footage from across 2021, the film aims to humanise and give voice to those seeking asylum and living in Scotland and highlights inadequate policy and treatment of asylum seekers.”

The research study – funded by the Economic and Social Research Council – and film were produced in collaboration with migrant-led grassroots organisation Migrants Organising for Rights and Empowerment (MORE).

Dr Taulant Guma, Principal Investigator and lecturer in Edinburgh Napier’s School of Applied Sciences, said: “The recent moves by private sector firms to relocate asylum seekers to hotels across the UK during the pandemic have led to a great deal of misinformation in the public and media about the ‘luxurious’ conditions offered by these temporary arrangements, misinformation which has further perpetuated the stigmatisation of asylum seekers during the pandemic.

“This co-produced documentary captures the impact and reality of these moves through the eyes and from the perspective of asylum seekers themselves. 

“Through their video diaries, our participants tell a very different story from the one we often hear, a story that sheds new light on Covid realities for those individuals whose lives and mobility are largely regulated and restricted by the state and private companies.”

Yvonne Blake, co-founder of MORE, said: “The footage of the prison-like conditions the participants endured in the hotel capture the hostile environment at work and its significant impact on people’s mental health.

“Sadly, it has become common practice for the UK government Home Office through various contractors to subject international protection applicants to this kind of treatment.”

Charity book club aims to help veterans turn a new page

A Help for Heroes virtual book club, which was launched in North Wales, has now gone nationwide as the Charity looks to engage further – and in different ways – with veterans across the country.

And organisers are particularly keen to recruit new members from the Edinburgh area.

The club was the brainchild of the Armed Forces charity’s Project Case Manager, Sarah Hattle, whose role is to tackle loneliness and isolation among veterans in Mid- and North Wales. She also hosts the event, which is encouraging participants to make connections with each other beyond, merely, their shared military service.

The club was quick to receive the patronage of one veteran for whom books have taken on a new meaning post-service.

Former Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander-turned-author, Mike Klidjian, donated 10 copies of his first novel, Bluestreak, to the group and joined a session in February to discuss it with participants.

Sarah Hattle said: “It’s great that Mike attended because it meant a lively discussion and helped people to engage more easily with the characters.

“The virtual book club concept is ideal for veterans as they are spread nationwide, and this is something they can do online across any distance. It provides a catalyst for group work where they can engage with like-minded people and make new friends in a relaxed atmosphere.

“It has been proven connections are far more likely to be meaningful if there is a shared interest, rather than just a group based on demographics. If the only commonality in the group was just their military service, it is less likely people will connect meaningfully. People attending the group will have – or will gain – an interest in books and reading, and I’m hopeful this will spark friendships beyond the bounds of the group.

“And, whatever the book and topic under discussion, just the regular interaction is both beneficial and enjoyable for all.”

Hattle has already lined up further authors to participate, as they offer their support to the Charity’s efforts to get veterans to engage further.

The next author to attend a session will be Welsh writer Rebecca F John, who will discuss her novel The Empty Greatcoat, a fictionalised account of a British soldier’s experiences during WWI, inspired by the journals of her great-great uncle.

Help for Heroes believes those who serve our country deserve support when they’re wounded. Every day, men and women have to leave their career in the Armed Forces as a result of physical or psychological wounds.

The Charity helps them, and their families, to recover and get on with their lives. It has already supported more than 26,500 people and won’t stop until every wounded veteran gets the support they deserve.

The book club meets three times a month with the next scheduled meeting on 7 March.

To register your interest contact sarah.hattle@helpforheroes.org.uk.

For further information on Help for Heroes, or to get support, visit:

helpforheroes.org.uk.

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New role’s a piece of cake for Rachel!

AN INSPIRING Edinburgh woman with a passion for baking has secured a catering position with one of the city’s finest care homes.

Rachel Murray, 21, who has Down’s syndrome – and has landed her first paid role as a Food Service Assistant at Cramond Residence, after demonstrating her hard-work and talent in a variety of volunteer roles in cafes and the former Royal Hospital for Sick Children.

Now fully settled into the job, Rachel plays an integral part in the day to day running of the care home – supporting the home’s four chefs creating bespoke dishes, doing the daily tea and coffee run, taking breakfast orders and baking sweet treats for residents.

Rachel said: “In my role I get to do so many different things like deliver breakfasts, bake cakes, help with food prep and make cheese boards and platters for the residents.

“My favourite thing is definitely baking. I love to make lemon drizzle cake, cheese scones and apple crumble.

“Since starting in June 2021, I’ve learned a lot of new skills thanks to the team who have been showing me the ropes. It’s a really friendly environment and my colleagues are great.”

Since starting, Rachel has passed her level two food hygiene, Rachel is going through her basic level dementia training and has learned a variety of kitchen skills under the watchful eye of head chef, Patsy.

Outside work, Rachel loves drama, socialising with her family and friends at the weekends and watching football. Rachel is also a first aider for a church football team – managed by her Dad, Brian Murray – and helps with physio and first aid.

The team at Cramond Residence were so impressed by Rachel’s application they created a tailored Food Services Assistant role, just for her.


Christian Daraio, Client Liaison Manager at Cramond Residence said: “Rachel is a total asset to the Cramond Residence team. Her positive attitude really brightens everyone’s day.

“I know Head Chef Patsy in particular is very appreciative of her and she’s a great help to the rest of our food service assistants too.

“Because of her past experience volunteering at Sick Kids and Broomhouse café, Rachel is versatile and can work in the kitchen or on the floors, taking orders and doing the tea and coffee runs.

“As we look to grow our staff base further for 2022, we’re hoping to give more people in a similar position the chance to progress in their career and learn some new skills.”

Speaking about Rachel’s success in landing the role at Cramond Residence, Eddie McConnell, Chief Executive of Down’s Syndrome Scotland said: “We are not at all surprised that Rachel has secured this opportunity. 

“She is a great role model for our community and like so many people with Down’s syndrome, she has so much to contribute and has a great set of skills.  We are delighted for her and we commend Cramond Residence for its foresight in seeing the potential of everyone who just happens to have an extra chromosome.”  

Following record occupancy rates and growing demand, Cramond Residence is set to hire additional members of staff to take its team to more than 100 in response in the coming months.

The home is currently looking for applications from care assistants & registered nurses.

Located in the north of the city, Cramond Residence opened in late 2018 and offers uncompromising nurse-led care, as well as respite and dementia specialist services and offers small group living in nine luxuriously appointed homes.

Included in the home’s current offering for residents is a tailored monthly activity programme, curated by its dedicated lifestyle team, bespoke physiotherapy sessions by boutique physiotherapy experts, Balanced, as well as specialist dementia care.

To find out more, call 0131 341 4037 or visit https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

Alcohol sales and harm in Scotland during the COVID pandemic

Public Health Scotland (PHS) has published an analysis of the latest available data on alcohol sales and harms in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic. This provides a picture of how the pandemic and its related restrictions may have impacted on alcohol sales, alcohol-related hospital stays and alcohol-specific deaths.

Presenting data on alcohol sales up to 8 May 2021, and previously published data on hospital stays up to 31 March 2021 and deaths up to 31 December 2020, the report shows that while rates of hospital stay related to alcohol fell, rates of alcohol-specific death increased. This was driven by an increase in deaths in men and those aged 45 to 64 years, groups that experienced the highest rates of deaths caused by alcohol prior to the pandemic.

This is despite total alcohol sales (litres of pure alcohol per adult) being 9% lower in 2020 than the 2017-19 annual average, and 16% lower in 2021 (January–May) than the average for January–May 2017-19. While sales of alcohol through supermarkets and shops (off-trade) increased during the pandemic, sales through pubs, clubs and restaurants (on-trade) decreased substantially due to the restrictions imposed because of the pandemic. 

This, combined with other evidence of how alcohol consumption may have changed during the pandemic, suggests that drinking at hazardous and harmful levels may have increased for some groups who potentially experienced higher rates of mortality as a consequence.

Lucie Giles, Public Health Intelligence Principal at Public Health Scotland said: “The data show that the number of people accessing hospital with an alcohol-related diagnosis fell during the pandemic, particularly at times when restrictions were at their most stringent.

“We saw the greatest reductions amongst men and those aged 45 years and over and it was in these same groups that we saw increases in deaths caused by alcohol. This was despite average alcohol consumption for the population falling, a change driven by a reduction in sales of alcohol through pubs and clubs.

“Despite the reduction in sales overall the data indicate that population level consumption of alcohol was still above recommended levels. Between March 2020 and May 2021, 17 units (171 ml) of pure alcohol have been sold per adult each week on average, 16 (162 ml) of which have been from off-trade premises. This represents enough alcohol to put every adult in Scotland over the Chief Medical Officer’s low-risk weekly drinking guideline of 14 units.

“Taken together, the evidence points to increased drinking amongst some groups, coupled with a reduction in the number of people accessing hospital treatment and greater rates of death caused by alcohol. Tackling alcohol consumption and harms, particularly among high-risk groups, should be a critical objective of any COVID-19 recovery plans.”

Matt Lambert, CEO of the Portman Group – the alcohol social responsibility body and marketing regulator – said: “Public Health Scotland’s latest data reaffirms a body of research that shows overall alcohol consumption fell during 2020.

“Yet in contrast alcohol-related deaths tragically increased which may in part be due to the heaviest drinkers finding it harder to access support. There is a duty of care to now focus on targeted measures for the minority, those who were already drinking at the heaviest and most harmful rates, who then increased their drinking as the impact of the pandemic compounded existing problems.  

“Finally, we would be interested to understand why this report focuses on alcohol sales while downplaying the Scottish Government’s own studies on actual alcohol consumption that shows a persistent fall in drinking rates for over a decade.

“With the majority of people in Scotland drinking an average of 12.1 units a week, below the CMO low risk guidelines of 14 units per week, it is important to view drinking rates accurately and address this within policy making.”

Alcohol sales and harm in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic

Read the report: Alcohol sales and harm in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic

Internal market creates tension in devolution settlement, MSPs find

The Scottish Parliament’s Constitution Committee has concluded that the UK’s Internal Market Act (UKIMA) places more emphasis on open trade than regulatory autonomy, when compared to the EU Single Market.

In a new report out today, the Scottish Parliament’s Constitution Committee has concluded:

·  There are significant challenges in managing the tension which exists in any internal market between open trade and regulatory divergence, and that the UK internal market has significant economic benefits;

·  In resolving this tension within the UK internal market, it is essential that the fundamental principles which underpin devolution are not undermined;

· The fundamental basis of devolution is to decentralise power so as to allow policy and legislation to be tailored to meet local needs and circumstances;

· Policy innovation and regulatory learning are one of the key successes of devolution.

The Committee also reports that it is essential as recognised by the Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) in 2017 that devolution outwith the EU continues to provide “as a minimum, equivalent flexibility for tailoring policies to the specific needs of each territory as is afforded by current EU rules.”

The Committee will invite the UK Government to explain how, in its view, UKIMA will provide for this equivalent flexibility.

The Committee’s report also noted that Common Frameworks in certain policy areas may ease this tension by managing divergence on a consensual basis. This could be achieved through creating opt-outs from UKIMA, allowing for divergence in certain areas.

However, the Committee has voiced concerns that because Common Frameworks are agreed between the UK and devolved governments, there is a lack of Parliamentary oversight and public consultation.

The Committee is working with counterparts in other parts of the UK as it seeks to press the Governments to open up the Common Frameworks process towards greater consultation and scrutiny.

Speaking as the report was launched, Committee Convener, Clare Adamson MSP, said: “We believe that policy innovation – being able to pass laws that are tailored to the situation in Scotland – is one of the key successes of devolution.

“As a Committee, we believe it is essential that outside the EU, devolution continues to provide at least the same level of flexibility.

“However, we have found that UKIMA places more emphasis on open trade than autonomy for the Scottish Parliament compared to the EU Single Market.”

Ms Adamson continued: “While the Common Framework process may resolve the issues between UKIMA and devolution, we have concerns about how these are created between UK and devolved governments, as well as their operation.

“Our view is that there needs to be a much wider public debate about how to deliver appropriate levels of parliamentary scrutiny and public engagement at an inter-governmental level.

“At present, we are concerned that lack of processes in place mean less democratic oversight of the Executive, and a less consultative policy-making process.”

Ms Adamson concluded: “The UK internal market has created tensions. We will seek answers from the UK and Scottish Governments on issues raised in the report, as well as continuing to work with our counterpart Committees across the UK.”

A copy of the report is attached.

New pharmacy for Waterfront?

Pharmacist Yaseen Yousaf hopes to open a new pharmacy in the expanding Granton Waterfront area. 

Yaseen said: “I am proposing to run a Pharmacy First Plus Service (Pharmacist Independent Prescriber-led common clinical conditions service).

“This will really help patients, as pharmacies are now doing more, and we are diagnosing and prescribing medication.

“Pharmacies are overwhelmed at the moment and this new addition should really help the community.”

A public consultation is underway and will end on 7th June 2022. The link to the consultation can be found below:

https://nhslothiansurveys.onlinesurveys.ac.uk/pharmacy-public-consultation-granton

Conifox Announce Easter Festival with Scotland’s First Easter Bunny Grotto

  • Scotland’s first Easter Bunny Grotto opens at new Easter Festival 
  • Cracking Easter Egg-stravaganza from Conifox Adventure Park 

‘Family run, for family fun’ Conifox Adventure Park, near Edinburgh celebrates spring with the launch of its new Easter Festival, an inclusive fun, family event introducing Scotland’s first Easter Bunny Grotto. 

The Easter egg-stravaganza features a whole host of characters and activities including the Bunny Grotto – a fully immersive, theatrical sensory experience for kids from three years upwards. 

In line with the Park’s ethos of providing fun events suitable for all, visitors with Additional Support Needs (ASN) will have access to exclusive sessions adapted to allow them to enjoy the exciting spectacle in a more relaxed atmosphere. 

The Easter Festival runs from April 2nd to 24th with a cast of characters including Baxter Bunny, The Easter Bunny, the Big Bad Wolf, Professor Eggbert and friends. 

The visitor journey starts at the Magic Shed, the gateway to Hoppity Hollow, home of the Easter Bunny. Then it’s on to the Spring Garden to meet Hoppy, learn about the Big Bad Wolf, the trouble he’s causing and how to help save Easter.  

Visit Professor Eggbert in the Easter Egg Factory, where he’ll be busy making egg-straordinary creations with his Easter Egg Machine. But the sneaky Big Bad Wolf has mixed up the special ingredients and the professor needs visitors’ help to get production back on track.

Then meet the Easter Bunny himself in his Bunny Bedroom where the Big Bad Wolf has sabotaged his alarm clock. It can only be powered by singing the Easter Bunny Song which visitors will learn, thanks to Easter Bunny’s helper Fluffy.  

Families will then have the chance to have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny before taking on the challenge to name all the famous rabbits in the Rabbit Hall of Fame.  

There is even more fun in store with: the Egg-mazing Trail in the Magical Maze where solving the puzzle earns a Cadbury’s chocolate egg and look out for rare golden eggs to win a special jumbo Easter egg – if the Bad Wolf hasn’t found them first; Easter-lympics, when children can challenge each other and the big kids to the egg and spoon and sack races, tug-of-war and more; an Easter Disco throughout the day when everyone can dance along to family favourites with Baxter Bunny; Easter Footgolf when Easter Eggs replace footballs and so much more! 

During the exclusive Additional Support Needs Day on April 13th the festival will run with reduced capacity to provide plenty of open space, music and light displays will be muted and children will be able to interact with lots of sensory activities. These special sessions are exclusive only to families with ASN. Group bookings are available on request.  

Deborah Gammell, Conifox Adventure Park’s Business Development Manager, says: “Springtime and Easter are magical times and we want everyone to be able to join in the fun with us and our amazing Easter characters.

“Promoting inclusivity is part of our business values and we’re delighted to offer group discounts and are looking forward to welcoming families and groups with ASN. If anyone has specific needs, we’d love to hear from them and will do as much as possible to help with their visit.” 

All Easter tickets include access to Conifox’s Outdoor Adventure Park, at Kirkliston on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Tickets for the Indoor Activity Centre must be purchased separately. 

To find out more and to book tickets visit: https://www.conifox.co.uk/ 

Cultural Heritage at the Edge: Granton past and future exhibition

granton:hub and Edinburgh College of Art invite the local community to discuss what could happen with local spaces, places and landscapes.

Pop along on Friday (25th February) between 3 – 7pm to the heritage exhibition.

Find out about Granton, its past and its future as told by the local community.

Edinburgh College of Art students will present their findings, whilst over a cuppa you can read and hear about Granton’s rich industrial #heritage.

Second boosters for at-risk groups in Scotland

Second booster jabs will be offered to those aged 75 and over and those at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease in Scotland following the latest Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice.

Second booster jabs will be offered to those aged 75 and over and those at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease following the latest Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) advice.

To protect those groups a spring booster dose will be offered at least 24 weeks after the last vaccine dose to:

  • adults aged 75 years and over
  • residents in care homes for older adults
  • individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed

These people will be invited as they become eligible from at least 24 weeks after their last booster, with the first groups receiving appointments from the second week in March.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We know that these high priority groups are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and I therefore welcome the further advice from the JCVI and confirm Scotland will offer a further dose to these people from next month.

“Vaccination has been our most effective tool against coronavirus, and that will continue to be the case. I continue to encourage everyone to receive the doses they are eligible for as and when they become available.”

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Nicola Steedman said: “Our vaccination programme has been highly successful, with 85% of the eligible population having had a booster or third dose vaccination and the World Health Organisation estimating some 28,000 lives saved to date in Scotland.

“However, the degree of protection offered by the vaccines wanes over time, which is why booster vaccination is needed to maintain the best protection against COVID-19 for those at highest risk of severe effects of the virus. The additional booster dose will improve your level of protection significantly and is the best way to protect your health and those around you. 

“The primary aim of the COVID-19 vaccination programme continues to be the prevention of severe disease, hospitalisation and mortality, arising from COVID-19. I encourage anyone who is still to have any dose of the COVID-19 vaccine to get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible.”

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will update MSPs on Scotland’s plans for recovery from the pandemic in a statement to Holyrood this afternoon.