Day: April 12, 2022

Queen’s University to host Belfast Good Friday Agreement 25th Anniversary Conference

Queen’s University Belfast is set to host a major international conference to mark the 25th Anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement. The event follows the success of Building Peace Conference that marked the 20th anniversary of the Agreement in 2018, which attracted worldwide media attention and brought together all of the main architects of the agreement.

The conference, which will be organised jointly by the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice and the University’s Public Engagement Directorate, will take place on April 17th and 18th 2023.

Announcing the event, the President and Vice-Chancellor of Queen’s University, Professor Ian Greer, said: “We are privileged to again mark such an important anniversary of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, which will pay tribute to the significant achievements of the then local political leaders and the Governments of the UK, Ireland, and the USA.

“This event, which will take place over two days, will provide an opportunity for dialogue and reflection on the success of the peace process alongside a timely debate on how we as a community take the next steps to building a shared future which focuses on delivering socioeconomic progress for everyone.”

Speaking about the announcement, Queen’s Chancellor, Secretary Hillary Clinton, said: “It is fitting that Queen’s University Belfast will again host a major international event to mark the anniversary of the 1998 Belfast/Good Friday Agreement.

“As an anchor institution in Northern Ireland, the University continues to play a vital role in the development of peace and reconciliation initiatives through the work of the Senator George J. Mitchell Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, appropriately named after our former Chancellor and Chair of the talks that led to the Agreement.

“In April 2023, 25 years after the Agreement, we can rightly reflect on the significant achievements made since 1998. More importantly, we can discuss how we shape what the next 25 years of life in the region will look like. Our students and alumni at Queen’s are well placed not only to contribute to that discussion, but also to lead the way in building a better future for everyone in our community.”

Sir Tony Blair Former Prime Minister and Honorary Graduate, Queen’s University Belfast, said: “I am delighted that Queen’s University Belfast will again play host to the events marking the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

“The 25th anniversary is an appropriate time to reflect on the progress that Northern Ireland has made over the past quarter of a century and to discuss how the region can make further progress and tackle the many current challenges facing its people in the years ahead.”

Bertie Ahern, Former Taoiseach, Honorary Graduate and Honorary Professor, Senator George J. Mitchell, Institute of Global Peace, Security and Justice, said: “I look forward to attending the 25th Anniversary Conference organised by Queen’s University Belfast to mark the anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.

“The conference will be an important and timely forum to celebrate the significant achievements of everyone involved in the Peace Process and also to engage with young people to hear their views on how we build a better future for everyone who shares these islands.”

Scottish Ambulance Service: Extra staff and resources for West Lothian

The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) is boosting its ambulance provision in West Lothian as part of its Demand and Capacity Programme.

The Demand and Capacity Programme is aimed at ensuring SAS is working as efficiently as possible and has resources in place to meet both current and projected future demand.

As part of the review, across Scotland an additional 540 frontline A&E staff have been recruited this financial year – the highest number of staff ever to have joined the Service in a single year.

The programme has been supported by £20m investment from the Scottish Government so far.

In West Lothian, Bo’Ness will receive an extra resource and the station will also gain an extra five staff this year.

Bathgate will increase its resources, moving from one vehicle to two 24/7 vehicles.

In total, across the East Region, there is an overall increase of 1940 Double Crew Ambulance hours.

Clair Wright, Area Service Manager for West Lothian, said: “This is welcome news for the West Lothian region and surrounding areas. We are committed to increasing our ambulance provision in and the past 12 months have been the busiest in terms of recruitment for the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“With the increased demand for our services, it’s vital we introduce extra resources and staffing. This will ensure we continue to deliver the very best patient care by boosting capacity and increasing our resilience in communities across Scotland.”

This increase in staffing and resources, coupled with alignment of shift patterns to patient demand profiles, aims to improve patient safety and staff welfare.

This year, additional ambulances have gone live in Edinburgh and Lothian, Greater Glasgow, Tayside, Grampian and Clyde.

SAS has also established seven new satellite stations, of which six are co-located with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Breakdown of national staffing

The new staff include 414 Technicians, 25 Paramedics, 58 Newly Qualified Paramedics, 23 Advanced Practitioners and 20 Ambulance Care Assistants. 192 staff have been recruited into the East, 111 for the North and 237 for the West.

Dogs Trust extends Home from Home Scheme

Dogs Trust has extended its successful Home from Home Scheme into Dundee and the surrounding counties of Angus, Perthshire and Fife and is calling on locals to get in touch.

Megan Wilkinson has just been employed as Dogs Trust’s first Home from Home Co-ordinator in Dundee and is hoping to hear from dog loving locals who are willing to become foster carers, opening their hearts and homes to dogs that await their forever home. 

Megan said: ““Our Home from Home foster scheme is a very important part of Dog Trusts work finding new homes for every dog that comes into our care.  Some dogs are more suited to a home environment than kennels and these are the dogs that we look to place into a foster home.

“The long-lasting impact of the pandemic means some dog owners are finding themselves having to make very difficult decisions which may include giving up their pets. We need to be there for as many people and dogs as possible so increasing the number of foster carers we have is a positive way to increase our support during this challenging time.

“Expanding Home from Home into Dundee and the surrounding areas will allow us to provide more support in Scotland. I’m excited to be working within the local community to find forever homes for more dogs within Tayside, Perthshire, Fife and Angus and am keen to hear from locals who want to help us.”

Susan Tonner, West Calder Rehoming Centre Manager said: “Having the option of foster homes locally in and around the Dundee area is fantastic. It allows us to help local dogs more readily and also offers local people the opportunity to adopt a dog closer to home.

“Since the Home from Home scheme started at West Calder at the end of 2016, we have rehomed over 500 dogs through fostering. Last year we found new homes for 130 dogs through the scheme thanks to the wonderful help of 20 fosterers.  We are about to place our first dogs into foster in the Dundee area with our aim being to rehome over 100 every year.

“A lot of our current fosterers don’t want the long-term commitment of owning a dog but miss having a four-legged friend in their life. Fostering can be a perfect solution where you care for a rescue dog on a temporary basis. Thanks to our fosterers, we really get to know our dogs and how they are in a home environment, which enables us to match each individual dog with their perfect new home.

“To foster you must have the time and patience to help the dog adjust to their new surroundings and also be prepared to say goodbye when their forever home is found. As a fosterer you can be assured you have played a pivotal role in the successful happy future life of the dog and your next foster dog could be patiently waiting for your help.  We couldn’t do our vital work without our fosterers and we are so incredibly grateful to have their loyal support.”

Fosterers must have a love of dogs, a secure garden area, be at home most of the day and preferably not have young children.

Dogs Trust will support you every step of the way providing food, bedding and any other practical things you need to make your new canine friend feel at home.

The charity also covers the costs of all veterinary treatment and is working in partnership with Parkside Veterinary Group in Dundee. The length of time a dog is in foster care differs in each individual case.

Dogs Trust is currently looking for Home from Home fosterers in Dundee, Tayside, Perth and Kinross, Fife, Angus and Kincardine.

Anyone interested can call Megan on 01506 873459 or email:

HFH.Dundee@dogstrust.org.uk

Letters: Councils have vital role

Dear Editor

With the elections for Scotland’s local authorities happening on May 5th, it is important to emphasise the vital role councils play in helping blind and partally sighted people to live as independently and inclusively as possible.

People with a visual impairment are more likely to depend on services  from their local council, for information that’s readily available in alternative formats, public transport that’s accessible, streets and thoroughfares that allow people to walk safely and without obstacles, education that allows every child to reach their full potential, and employment that’s informed by a better understanding of what those with sight loss can do.

Around 178,000 people are currently living with a significant degree of sight loss in Scotland, of whom over 4,000 are children and young  people. Our ageing population and the increase in sight-theatening conditions such as diabetes means this number will, inevitably, grow.

Let’s make one positive legacy of the upheaval we’ve all been through a resolve to make sure we re-emerge as a society in which no one is left at the margins.

Our local authorities are absolutely key to this.

James Adams

Director, Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) Scotland

12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh

Keep the Heid and Read!

A new Scotland-wide reading initiative has been announced to inspire and encourage people to read every day to boost their mental health and wellbeing.

A national reading moment, called ‘Keep the Heid and Read!’ will take place on Wednesday 11 May, during Mental Health Week 2022. Readers of all ages and abilities are encouraged to pledge to read for just six minutes on 11 May – and they can read anything, from books and magazines to comics, graphic novels and blogs.

An online totaliser to count the overall reading time pledged by the nation will be launched on 11th April where both individuals and groups such as schools can sign up to get involved at www.keeptheheid.scot. People can also follow the progress of Keep the Heid and Read using #keeptheheid on social media. 

The reading campaign is led by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and Scotland’s 32 public library services.

Boys Reading in a Library

The idea was inspired by the post-lockdown plea for public libraries to reopen and the growing recognition that libraries play a valuable role in supporting mental health and wellbeing by connecting communities. 

It is taking place during Mental Health Week because of the known mental and emotional health benefits of reading. Research shows that reading for just six minutes a day can reduce stress by 68 per cent. Establishing a regular reading habit has the biggest impact on mental health and wellbeing.

Pamela Tulloch, chief executive at SLIC said: “The reading moment came about from an awareness that people have missed their libraries during the pandemic, coupled with the joy and benefits people gain from reading.  It is the most popular cultural activity people undertake and, during the COVID-19 lockdown, reading was the nation’s most popular pastime.

“We want everyone to get involved on 11 May by pledging to read for six minutes.  It is a great way for people to reconnect with their local libraries, which offer an abundance of free reading material and library staff can make recommendations based on reading ability and interests. 

“Getting lost in a good book is a highly effective stress reliever and reading fiction, in particular, can inspire creativity and boost emotional intelligence, not to mention improve overall levels of literacy.”

Chris O’Sullivan, Head of Communications and Fundraising at Mental Health Foundation in Scotland, said: “We’re delighted to support ‘Keep the Heid and Read’.  Local libraries are a fantastic source of support in our communities and we hope that every person in Scotland has, and continues to have, access to the world of books, social connection and services they offer.

“We know that reading has many benefits for our mental health; it can bring us joy, help us to relax and it can help alleviate the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression.  We encourage everyone to take part in the six minute reading event during mental health week and develop a reading habit.”

Culture Minister Neil Gray added: “Reading books for pleasure can have a huge impact on our wellbeing so I’m delighted to support this Scotland-wide reading initiative. Our libraries have a vital role to play in reconnecting communities and promoting health and wellbeing as we recover from the pandemic. 

“I’ll be pledging my six minutes of reading on 11 May and would encourage everyone else to pick up a book to do the same to support their local libraries.”

Fore Play Crazy Golf’s cracking good Easter Egg Hunt

SUPPORTING LOCAL WITH PRIZES HIDDEN AROUND EDINBURGH AND GLASGOW

Fore Play Crazy Golf are sending fans in Edinburgh and Glasgow on an Easter Egg Hunt with a twist this spring, with a range of egg-citing prizes worth a total of over £1000 on offer, hidden at iconic landmarks in both cities from today.

Plus, Fore Play’s venues have had a playful spring clean makeover; launching brand new cocktails and floral displays fit for the ‘gram. 

Rewarding six lucky winners, Fore Play’s Easter Egg hunt will feature prize packages including £100 Scotland Loves Local gift cards, as Fore Play aims to support fellow local independent businesses this Easter.

Winners will also take home a supercharged birdie package worth over £70 offering a round of golf, welcome prosecco, 2 cocktails and a delicious meal from Luxford Burgers in Edinburgh or Loaded street food specialists in Glasgow, PLUS a luxury Easter egg from local chocolatiers Bare Bones Chocolate.

Fore Play Crazy Golf take inspiration for their fun-loving courses from their city’s landmarks, from Glasgow’s famous Duke of Wellington cone to Edinburgh’s own Greyfriars Bobby, and this is where fans can expect to come across some egg-cellent prizes this Easter…

Fans should be on the lookout for Fore Play’s bright pink flags and branded envelopes at key locations throughout the cities, with a prize per day up for grabs in each city. Launching today – Tuesday 12th April – and running until Thursday 14th April, fans can secure the goods in time for the Easter weekend …if their detective skills are up to par! Stay tuned for clues dropping each day on Fore Play’s Instagram. 

And if that wasn’t enough this Easter, the crazy golf venues in both Glasgow and Edinburgh have enjoyed a real good spring clean – dusting off everything from a new cocktail menu, floral garlands fit for the ‘gram and even upgrading Fore Play’s golf carts with a special floral installation, sure to add a spring to your step as you crush the course.

Fore Play’s floral explosion continues in their photo booths with floral frames and flower crown props setting the spring scene.  

Just in time for those spring summer evenings, Fore Play have launched new cocktails with garnishes as good as their golf game, including the Match-Play Margarita – a delightfully fruity frozen blend of Tequila, Marshmallow Unicorn gin, strawberry pure and lime juice, all topped off with Haribo lovehearts.

The Glasgow venue have also introduced a perfect pick-me-up cocktail with the Lat-Tee Break – a Kraken Rum concoction with caramel syrup, coffee mix and milk, served with chocolate drizzle, whipped cream and cocoa powder.

In the capital, fans can enjoy the Sherputt Sour, made with Pickering’s Grapefruit Gin, melon liqueur, sweet and sour mix and lemonade, served with flying saucer sweets. 

Fore Play is the ultimate night out combining tasty street food and fun-loving cocktails with crazy golf. Whether you’re looking for some playful competition between friends or want to brush up on your putting skills, Fore Play Crazy Golf’s friendly environment makes for the perfect night out and the venue’s Easter makeover will see it transformed into a spring wonderland. 

For full competition Ts&Cs visit www.foreplaycrazygolf.co.uk

Book now at www.foreplaycrazygolf.co.uk

Council elections are ‘key moment’ in tackling the climate crisis, says FoE

Environmental campaigners say the upcoming council elections are going to be significant in tackling the climate crisis, and are calling on all parties to make policies on transport and waste management a priority.

The councillors elected across Scotland in May will be in their position for five years in what is a vital decade for action to avert climate breakdown.

The UN climate conference in Glasgow was a key moment for international action, but the powers held by Councils makes them pivotal when it comes to tackling Scotland’s emissions and building on the legacy of COP26.

Transport is the primary source of carbon emissions in Scotland, making up around a third of the total. While progress has been made in other areas, this has barely changed in the last three decades.

Councils have the power to set up publicly-owned bus companies which could make a significant difference here. They also receive funding, which will be increasing in the coming years as part of the SNP and Greens agreement, for cycling and walking, which some councils currently make use of more than others.

Scotland is now burning almost as much of its household waste as it is sending to landfill, while household recycling rates have fallen by 2.9% to 42.0% between 2019 and 2020. This means Scotland now has the poorest recycling rates in the UK. Councils are in charge of designing and providing waste collection systems for households and therefore have a key role to play in reducing the carbon impact of household waste.

Mary Church, head of campaigns at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “These elections are being contested against the backdrop of a climate and nature emergency. Many of the powers to drive action on the climate crisis sit with local councils, which is why this vote matters so much.

“Councillors must put people and the planet at the heart of all of the decisions they make. This means making it easier and more affordable to take public transport by running services in the interests of passengers rather than shareholders, helping people to reduce and recycle their waste, and planning for the vital phase out of incineration.

“Over the coming weeks, people can get in touch with candidates to hear what they have to say on these climate-critical issues and build pressure for ambition and urgency at the local level during the next five years.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland has set out a programme of priorities for climate action they want parties to champion, which can be downloaded below: 

FoE-ManifestoDownload

https://foe-scotland.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b5ad0d61b2a67d22c68bf7d8d&id=03ff780cb6&e=195fc3d780

Security operatives face realistic terror scenarios in nightclub exercise

A counter-terrorism emergency planning exercise in Glasgow yesterday saw security operatives dealing with realistic terror scenarios presented by actors.

The Security Industry Authority (SIA), which is the regulator for the private security industry, ran the safety resilience exercise at Kokomo on Glasgow’s West Regent Street. The SIA organised the exercise, which is the first of its kind in Scotland, in partnership with Police Scotland counter-terrorism officers and Glasgow City Council.

The training event at Kokomo confronted security staff with a series of real-time simulations, involving actors, of possible emergency scenarios. These included a mass stabbing, an acid attack, a marauding terrorist attack taking place outside the club, and a suspect package.

Ronnie Megaughin, the SIA’s Acting Director of Inspections & Enforcement, said: “Putting these security operatives into realistic terror scenarios is one of the best ways to prepare them in the event of a real-life incident.

“We stage a terror incident, watch how they deal with the scenario, and then provide an instant debrief from counter-terror experts. We know from past experience that operatives, and their managers, really appreciate what they learn from these events and find them worth their while.

“Any of these security staff could find themselves as the first responder at a serious incident, and this training could literally be the difference between life and death.

Lee Crofts, the SIA Criminal Investigation manager who co-ordinated the event, said: “The main aim of exercises like this is to enhance public safety in the night-time economy by working with venues and security staff.

“It’s also to showcase best practice by putting the Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) security e-learning package, which we’ve been recommending to all SIA-licensed operatives, into practice. We’re really pleased with the commitment that all the security staff put into the Kokomo exercise.”

This emergency planning exercise at Kokomo continues a programme of exercises and follows on from events in Chesterfield and London in autumn 2021. A pilot event took place at Buxton in Derbyshire in October 2019.

The Security Industry Authority is the organisation responsible for regulating the private security industry in the United Kingdom, reporting to the Home Secretary under the terms of the Private Security Industry Act 2001. Our main duties are: the compulsory licensing of individuals undertaking designated activities; and managing the voluntary Approved Contractor Scheme.

For further information about the Security Industry Authority visit www.gov.uk/sia. The SIA is also on Facebook (Security Industry Authority) and Twitter (SIAuk).

Welfare Reform: Reverse the changes!

New report on impact of UK Government policies on families in Scotland

A new report estimates 70,000 people in Scotland, including 30,000 children, would be lifted out of poverty by 2024 if UK Government welfare reforms introduced since 2015 were reversed.

The cost of reversing changes, including the removal of the £20 per week Universal Credit uplift and the two child benefit cap would be around £780 million a year, according to estimates in the Scottish Government’s Welfare Reform – Impact on Families with Children report.

Last month the Scottish Government published its second Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan – Best Start, Bright Futures – which sets out immediate and longer term actions to support people out of poverty and to tackle its deep-seated causes.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “Tackling child poverty is our national mission and we are helping to lift thousands of children out of poverty in Scotland within our limited powers. This report lays bare the cost of repeated UK Government welfare reforms since 2015 and the challenge we face in lifting children and families out of poverty for good.

“We are determined to tackle the cost of living crisis and we’re already helping to lift thousands of children out of poverty. We invested almost £6 billion from 2018-21 to support low income households, including around £2.18 billion to directly support children. We are also taking steps to mitigate the impact of the UK Government’s bedroom tax and benefit cap as fully as we can within our limited powers.

“We have introduced a package of five family benefits, including the Scottish Child Payment that we will raise to £25 a week by the end of 2022. We are also investing in employment support for parents, through new skills and training opportunities and key worker support to help reduce household costs and drive longer term change.”

welfare-reform-report-impact-families-childrenDownload