EASTER SCHOOL HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES AT GRANTON LIBRARY
Easter activities at Granton Library
Day: April 14, 2022
Easter opening times at Fort Kinnaird
For those looking to enjoy a day out with family and friends or pick up some last-minute Easter gifts and decorations, Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its Easter weekend opening times.
With a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as ODEON cinema, there are plenty of ways to make the most of the Easter break at Fort Kinnaird.
From Friday 15th – Monday 18th April the centre’s shopping hours will remain the same as normal:
- Good Friday – 15th April: 9am – 9pm
- Easter Saturday – 16th April: 9am – 6pm
- Easter Sunday – 17th April: 9am – 6pm
- Easter Monday – 18th April: 9am – 9pm
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know many people will be looking for ways to spend quality time with family and friends during the Easter break, and we look forward to welcoming them to the centre.
“To help them make the most of this time together, we’re open every day over the Easter weekend, so visitors can spend a day or evening out at the centre.”
Fort Kinnaird is home to more than 70 retailers and restaurants, including Primark, M&S, ProCook, Next, Smyths, Wagamama, Nando’s and Fridays. There are also over 2,600 free parking spaces.
It’s recommended to check the opening hours of individual retailers before setting off to avoid disappointment.
For more information to help plan your Easter trip to Fort Kinnaird, including what’s on head here.
Scots reminded to take small steps to get set for a healthy Easter
People across Scotland are being encouraged to put a spring in their step this Easter with a few simple steps from NHS 24 to manage their health safely at home.
NHS 24’s Spring Campaign features lots of simple tips and advice on how to keep you and your family well by preparing for minor illness or bumps and scrapes.
NHS 24’s Medical Director, Dr Laura Ryan says: “Easter is one of the busiest times of year for Scotland’s health services. Lots of people tackle gardening or DIY over the break, so it’s a really good idea to think about what you might need at home to stay safe.
‘Treatments for minor injuries, such as plasters and antiseptic, are always useful to have at home, and your local pharmacy can help with advice about how to treat any minor cuts, bumps, bruises and scrapes.
‘If you have kids at home, some simple medicines such as ibuprofen, paracetamol, cold and hayfever remedies are great to keep in the cupboard to make sure that any sniffles or sore heads don’t get in the way of enjoying the break.
‘This year many GP practices and community pharmacies across Scotland may have different opening hours over Easter so it’s useful to know where to go if you do require medical advice or you have run out of medicines. NHS Inform has lots of symptom checkers on common illnesses so you can get fast, clinically assured advice that can help you decide what to do next. Managing minor ailments at home means we can enjoy Easter and make the most of the holidays.”
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.scot/spring.
YOTEL Edinburgh announces Smart Works Edinburgh to receive free working space for 6 months
YOTEL Edinburgh has announced local charity Smart Works Edinburgh will receive free working space for six months in the city-centre hotel, following a social media campaign for local charities and non-profits to be nominated by YOTEL’s local community.
Smart Works Edinburgh will receive use of the hotel’s meeting space, providing a fresh and engaging environment for the charity to further its work in the local community, plan for future corporate partnerships and host staff training days, with an ambitious plan to double the number of women it helps by 2025.
Opening its doors to local charities for International Women’s Day in London, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh the hotel group asked for charity submissions across social media, with nominations for organisations doing incredible work for or with women in their cities.
YOTEL Edinburgh is giving Smart Works Edinburgh its flexible meeting rooms for one full day per month over the next six months for the charity to use however it wishes in its city centre New Town location.
Smart Works Edinburgh is part of the UK charity Smart Works, and helps unemployed women across Scotland gain the confidence they need to succeed at job interviews.
Its free services include one-to-one interview coaching plus a bespoke dressing facility, with women referred to the charity from job centres, mental health charities, women’s refuges, the prison service, homeless shelters and care services.
The dressing service consultation with trained volunteers helps clients find a high-quality interview outfit that will boost their confidence.
The local charity’s work is truly transformational, with 95% of women feeling more confident about succeeding at their next interview following their appointment, and 93% more aware of their strengths and skills. An incredible 69% of Smart Works clients go on to get the job within a month of their appointment.
The charity hosts various fundraising events throughout the year, with 2022’s calendar including; spring and autumn fashion events for guilt-free, sustainable shopping with designer, vintage and one-off sample items for sale, plus a special charity concert event at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall in June. More information on the charity’s events and services can be found at www.edinburgh.smartworks.org.uk
Maggie Darling, founding Trustee of Smart Works and Chair of the Edinburgh centre, said YOTEL Edinburgh’s generous offer could not have come at a better time: “Faced with the devastating consequences of the pandemic on female employment, our simple and transformative services have never been more needed.
“The need for an expansion of our service is clear – our ambitious new Three Year Plan aims to double the number of women we help across the UK from 5000 to 10,000 by 2025.
“Having the use of YOTEL Edinburgh’s meeting space will allow us to meet with new and existing referral partners and expand the work we do to encourage more corporates to partner with us. It means we will have a place to hold dedicated staff and volunteer training and meetings so that our existing centre has more space in which to help more clients.
“We have exciting plans for Smart Works Edinburgh this year. We now have somewhere to meet, to help make those plans reality. YOTEL is helping us empower more women to be the best they can be.”
As a small thank you for all of their work in Edinburgh’s local community, YOTEL Edinburgh has also offered the founder a complimentary overnight stay for two in the hotel for the charity to use however it wishes. Smart Works Edinburgh has chosen to raffle off the overnight stay as part of its upcoming event calendar.
Charity submissions were whittled down to a shortlist of five organisations spotlighted on YOTEL Edinburgh’s social media channels this month, encouraging followers to explore the incredible work these non-profits are doing in their local communities.
YOTEL Edinburgh’s charity shortlist was: Smart Works Edinburgh, White Ribbon Scotland, Shakti Women’s Aid, S.H.I.E.L.D Fife, and Edinburgh’s Women’s Aid.
Stuart Douglas, General Manager at YOTEL Edinburgh said: “We’re delighted to welcome Smart Works Edinburgh into the hotel over the next few months, after some incredible submissions from our local community in Edinburgh.
“We’re also working with the charity to provide support in additional areas; whether through clothing donations or space for future events – we’re looking forward to continuing to work with them whichever way we can.”
Aiming to give back to their local communities, YOTEL offered an inspiring space to work and collaborate in four cities in the UK, with hotels in London, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow taking part and hoping to provide organisations with room to grow in a welcoming and friendly environment in their city-centre hubs.
Jail for Edinburgh man involved in serious and organised crime
An Edinburgh man has been sentenced to more than nine years for drugs and organised crime offences.
Shaun McKinnon (35) was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh today for his involvement in the supply of drugs and serious and organised crime. He is also subject to a Serious Crime Prevention Order for a period of 3 years.
He pled guilty at the High Court in Glasgow on Thursday, 17 February, 2022, when he appeared alongside his co-accused Samantha McCafferty (35) who pled guilty at an earlier date. McCafferty received 200 hours community service.
Detective Inspector Robert Campbell said: “I would personally like to acknowledge and praise the bravery of the victims who refused to let fear and intimidation stop them from speaking out.
“The arrests of McKinnon and McCafferty were achieved through painstaking work and dogged determination by officers working on the investigation. Their efforts have ensured that McKinnon is no longer in a position where he can bring harm to the local people of South Edinburgh.”
If you have any information or concerns about drug misuse or wider criminality in your area, do not hesitate to contact Police Scotland via 101 or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Childcare savings for Scottish families
Thousands of families are saving around £4,900 annually thanks to funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) from the Scottish Government.
The latest figures show that 111,574 children were in funded ELC places at the end of January 2022 – an increase of 20,684 (23%), since August 2021.
Of these, 88% (97,887 children) were taking advantage of the full offer of 1,140 hours of funded ELC a year. The total saving to families from the 1,140 hours offer is estimated to be £4,900 per child per annum.
Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said: “It’s fantastic to see so many families accessing funded ELC and making significant savings – particularly at a time when so many are struggling with cost of living increases.
“As well as saving families money, funded ELC brings real benefits for children. Providing access to free, high-quality early learning and childcare enriches children’s early years and provides them with skills and confidence for starting school and beyond. It also supports parents’ ability to work, train or study.”
Early Learning and Childcare Delivery Progress Report: February 2022
The latest figures show that at the end of January 2022:
- Every council had reported an increase between 6% and 26% in numbers of two to five-year-olds accessing funded ELC compared with August 2021
- 97% of those (108,678) were accessing more than 600 hours a year
- 20,684 more children were accessing 1,140 hours compared with August 2021
- the number of three to five-year-olds in funded places increased by 23%
- the number of two-year-olds in funded places rose from 5,966 to 6,913 – an increase of 16%
Legislation came into effect on 1 August 2021 to make the expanded offer of 1,140 hours available across Scotland. The offer is available to all three and four-year-olds and two-year-olds who need it most.
Millions of people think inflation will leave them better off
More than half of all cash savers (52%) don’t know what impact inflation will have on the real value of their cash savings over time, while 13% believe inflation will leave them better off
New research from Legal & General1 has found that despite inflation reaching record levels many people in the UK are not aware of its impact on their finances. The findings reveal:
- More than half of all cash savers (52%) don’t know what impact inflation will have on the real value of their cash savings over time:
- One in 10 (13%) incorrectly believe inflation will leave them better off
- 13% think the real value of their savings would stay the same
- More than a quarter (26%) say they don’t know what impact inflation could have on their cash
- Millions of savers (64%, the equivalent of 10.3 million) have taken no action on their savings, despite cash earning next to nothing in interest and inflation rising steeply. In fact, half of all savers (54%) currently keep their money in cash over the long-term.
- The total cost of “saver inaction” in such an environment (6% inflation) could amount to £18 billion if this trend continues over the next five years2.
- Savers currently have £136 billion sitting in cash ISA accounts on average interest rates of 0.26% per year3.
- Legal & General analysis shows the impact of inflation for every £1,000 stashed away:
| Inflation rate | Average £ lost overfive years | Time for savingsto halve | National cost of saver inaction overfive years |
| 6% | £243 | 13 years | £18 bn |
| 7% | £278 | 11 years | £21 bn |
| 8% | £311 | Under 10 years | £23 bn |
Source: Legal & General, 2022
Emma Byron, Managing Director, Legal & General Retirement Solutions, said: “Inflation is at its highest rate for three decades and it’s worrying that savers don’t realise its eating away at millions of pounds sitting in low-interest paying accounts.
“Understanding the impact of inflation is crucial to understand how much money you have in real terms. Whilst it is essential to keep some cash in the bank for an emergency fund, savers might want to consider other options to make their money work harder.”
Three ways of protecting your savings from inflation
Tip 1: Work out how much to put aside as an easy-access emergency fund
The Money Helper4 service suggests that you should save for emergencies. As a rule of thumb, you’ll need enough to cover your essential expenses for three months.
You should be ready cover bills like energy, your mortgage, travel and food costs, so should the unexpected happen, you’ll be prepared.
And you’ll know exactly how much money you need to keep in cash (which can be hit by inflation), so you can start saving any extra income in more inflation-proof ways.
Tip 2: Get best the interest rate you can on your savings
Make sure that any cash savings you have are getting the highest interest rate possible.
These days you can switch savings accounts and ISAs relatively easily. But if you do find a higher rate, remember that they can quickly go down.
For example, it’s common for Cash ISAs to offer high rates for the first year. Those rates can drop dramatically after the first year. So always set a reminder to keep an eye on any new savings rates you find. You can find more information on most bank websites and compare interest rates on comparison websites.
Tip 3: Think about investing your money or topping up your pension to beat inflation
It’s important that consumers are aware of the long-term impact of their pension contributions, alongside the compound effects of investing.
So if you can stash your savings away for the long term, think about topping up your pension, or investing in a stocks and shares ISA.
People will understandably be feeling unsure about the future at this moment in time, but the key thing to remember is that investing is for the long term.
With time on your side, you can balance out the ups and downs of market volatility. And if you have an emergency fund, you might well be able to ride out any storms and leave your investments untouched. That’ll give them a chance to go back up in value again.
Creative Mental Health Group to launch at Edinburgh College
Students! Edinburgh College Wellbeing team have launched a Creative Mental Health Group and are looking for students to join to help explore mental health through a number of creative methods.
If you would to take part, please email matt.cormack@edinburghcollege.ac.uk
More Scots are walking the walk to healthier lives
More Scots are walking the walk and not just talking the talk when it comes to keeping active by heading out for a stroll.
Scottish walking charity Paths for All, which champions everyday walking in pursuit of happier and healthier lives, has been encouraged by the findings of a major Scottish Government study.
The Scottish Household Survey, which shapes the Scottish Government’s approach to policy, found that 86% of adults had participated in physical activity in the four weeks leading up to the survey – and of that large cohort the most common activity was walking – with 82% of adults having walked for at least 30 minutes.
Disabled adults also opted for walking with 61% saying this was their most common activity, while women were just as likely to pull on trainers or walking shoes than men – 85% compared to 87%.
Not surprisingly taking part in physical activity varied by age group. Younger adults – aged 16 to 24 – were more likely to take part in recreational walking (89%) than those aged over 75, and the survey found 36% of this older cohort did not participate in any physical activity.
Paths for All chief executive, Kevin Lafferty, said: “Scots of all ages are putting their best foot forward in large numbers and as the Scottish Household Survey demonstrates, walking remains one of the healthiest and easy-to-access activities which can enable people to enjoy healthier and happier lives.
“Our objective is to get Scotland walking, and while it is encouraging to see that more than 80% of those surveyed had walked for at least 30 minutes in the weeks before the study, that still means there is room for significant improvement.”
Paths for All launched their “Step it Up” strategy in January which places walking and physical activity at the heart of the response to tackling some of Scotland’s biggest issues, including physical, mental and social health and wellbeing.
Based on the WHO Global Action Plan for Physical Activity, Step it Up promotes walking, by foot or with a wheelchair or mobility aid, as the natural choice in improving health.
The Scottish Household Survey also revealed that walking as a physical activity dropped dramatically in the 20% most deprived areas to just 66%, compared to 89% in the 20% least deprived areas, and in those deprived areas 29% of adults did not participate in any physical activity.
A separate report by Nature Scot – Enjoying the Outdoors – supported by Paths for All highlighted the increasing importance of nature to people’s health and wellbeing and spending time outdoors to de-stress, relax and unwind.
The report established that local parks and spaces were the most visited sites and that 79% of those surveyed took part in walking (August to September 2021), with more than half enjoying walks of two miles or less, while 41% enjoyed longer walks of between two and eight miles.
Kevin Lafferty added: “Both reports underline the importance of getting off the sofa and out into the fresh Scottish air to make the most of our local environments, paths, tracks, and green spaces.
“We are lucky to be spoiled for choice in Scotland when it comes to wonderful places where we can stretch our legs and unwind our minds, both urban and rural, and we hope that when the next Scottish Household Survey takes place that the popularity of walking as a healthy activity will be even higher.”
For more information on Paths for All, visit: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/
Alzheimer Scotland calls on people of Edinburgh to host a Tea & Blether coffee morning
- Tea & Blether 2022 launched
- Alzheimer Scotland fundraising week with strapline: ‘Now you’re talking’
- Coffee morning-style events set for May 30 – June 5 to coincide with Dementia Awareness Week
- Just pick a date, a location and gather up some friendly faces to have a chat over a cuppa – and a slice or two of cake if you fancy!
- New all-in-one fundraising platform with packs and resources at blether.alzscot.org goes live
- Every penny raised stays in Scotland to fulfil Alzheimer Scotland’s mission to ensure nobody faces dementia alone
Alzheimer Scotland are calling on the people of Edinburgh to pop the kettle on and get talking about dementia.
Ahead of Dementia Awareness Week, which kicks off next month, Alzheimer Scotland has launched its Tea & Blether campaign.
Communities across Scotland are encouraged to host a coffee morning-style event in a bid to raise funds and awareness of dementia.
And it’s simple: Just pick a date, a location and gather up some friendly faces to have a chat over a cuppa – and a slice or two of cake if you fancy!
Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Resource Centres will also run their own events to coincide with those happening across the country.
Whether at work, in school, at home or elsewhere in your community, every brew poured and slice served goes a long way to support people living with dementia.
Alzheimer Scotland promises that every penny raised will stay in Scotland as they strive to “ensure nobody faces dementia alone”.
Kirsty Stewart, Executive Lead for Stakeholder Engagement, said: “Alzheimer Scotland is delighted to launch Tea & Blether as a new national fundraising campaign.
“Some of our local teams across Scotland have been delivering Tea & Blether-style coffee mornings for quite a few years and we know our supporters enjoy taking part in this style of event.
“The successful ingredient is, of course, connection, and we hope that by talking about dementia, we are able to help raise awareness, reduce stigma and bring communities together to support people with dementia and their carers.
“Every penny raised for Alzheimer Scotland stays in Scotland and, as a charity, we are continually amazed and grateful for our supporters’ efforts to, ultimately, help us ensure nobody faces dementia alone.”
To get started, first register online for free at blether.alzscot.org to get your fundraising pack that ensures you’ll host a Tea & Blether worth talking about.
Participants are invited to host their Tea & Blether coffee morning during Dementia Awareness Week, which runs from Monday 30 May to Friday 5 June.
However, if you wish to enjoy your Tea & Blether another time, you are more than welcome to choose another date in June.
Whenever you decide to host your Tea & Blether and wherever it takes place, getting together to chat is great for everyone.
Fundraising is key to the campaign, but it’s important to complement this with awareness-raising as we continue to reduce stigma around dementia and educate ourselves on the positive impact that social interaction has on our wellbeing and brain.
To support this, fundraising packs include conversation flash cards to help raise awareness during people’s Tea & Blethers.
All that’s left to do now is sign up and start planning!
Join in the conversation online by posting a photo on Twitter or Instagram with your favourite mug and mention @AlzScot with the hashtag #MugShot.