See below for details of the Enliven Edinburgh Campaign – the funding application form is attached below.
The deadline for submissions has been extended to 5.00 pm on 22 April.
Enliven Edinburgh Campaign
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from 9 – 15 May will focus on loneliness and the Enliven Edinburgh campaign will use this week as a catalyst to highlight and spotlight the ways in which people can connect or reconnect.
Funding of up to £5,000 is available for partnerships and organisations to either build on existing initiatives or create new initiatives and opportunities for people to connect and interact.
These don’t all have to happen doing this week, but there will be awareness raising of the initiatives during Mental Health Awareness Week.
A milestone for Edinburgh’s City Centre ‘Transformation’ has been reached as final designs for the Meadows to George Street (MGS) scheme are published.
The Meadows to George Street (MGS) project will overhaul conditions for walking, wheeling and cycling on some of Edinburgh’s busiest and most iconic streets, as well as enhancing public spaces.
Changes made along the route via Teviot Place, Forrest Road, George IV Bridge, the Mound and Hanover Street will be made in a way which respects and enriches the World Heritage Site.
Plans include segregated cycleways, wider pavements and pedestrian priority areas and have drawn on feedback received through various stages of public and stakeholder engagement since 2018.
The council aims to begin construction in early 2024 and once complete, MGS will integrate with the forthcoming George Street and First New Town (GNT) scheme at Hanover Street, which is scheduled for a construction start later in 2024.
Amongst these, the two-way cycle track at Hanover Street is changing to one-way cycle lanes on either side of the road to better tie in with the proposed George Street junction under GNT.
A bus gate is also being introduced on Market Street to reduce through-traffic in the area, while footways along the route have been widened further and a new safe cycle crossing over Princes Street tram tracks has been added.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The transformation of Edinburgh’s city centre will lead to a truly connected, people-friendly place to live, work and spend time in.
“The Meadows to George Street project is one of the first steps to achieving this, as well as supporting our net zero goals by promoting sustainable travel, so it’s really exciting to see the final designs.
“We’ve worked hard over recent years to develop proposals which balance the needs of all those who use the street while prioritising safe and accessible travel by foot, wheel or bike. These plans provide a snapshot of how the route will look and operate in the near future, as part of our broader ambitions for the city.”
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Our plans for Meadows to George Street are key to creating a Capital fit for the future, where healthy, active and sustainable travel is supported, and public spaces are opened up for socialising and relaxation.
“This is one of many projects to transform the way we use our city centre and I look forward to seeing it progress in the coming years.”
The MGS project is principally funded through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme, via Transport Scotland. This links in with other major Places for Everyone projects in Edinburgh, including the GNT project and City Centre West to East Link (CCWEL) which is already under construction.
Simon Strain, Head of Programme, Places for Everyone, at Sustrans said: “Sustrans have been working closely with The City of Edinburgh Council over the last few years to ensure designs for the MGS project meet the wants and needs of the people of Edinburgh. It’s great to see the final designs for the MGS project now shared.
“Once complete, the MGS project will make walking, wheeling, and cycling across Edinburgh city centre a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, connecting the Old Town to the New like never before.”
By transforming walking, wheeling and cycling through the busy heart of Edinburgh, MGS will make it easier and more attractive for people to choose travel by foot or bike as part of their everyday journeys. Improvements to the streetscape will create a safe, vibrant place for people to live in and for all to enjoy.
MGS will be central to the broader transformation of the city centre, which will reshape Edinburgh by significantly improving public spaces and prioritising movement on foot, by bike and by public transport.
It will connect to several other major schemes already underway or in development, such as CCWEL, Meadows to Union Canal and, with cleaner air and a more a more pleasant and attractive city centre to spend time in, the Low Emission Zone.
The council plans to begin the statutory processes required to carry out the proposed changes to the road layout in May.
The final designs for George Street are due later this year.
Find out more about the Meadows to George Street project and view the final designs online.
Police Scotland is appealing for information following a number of incidents surrounding Sunday’s Old Firm game.
Officers responded around 2.45am on Sunday (3 April) following a large group attending at Ibrox Stadium where different areas of the stadium were vandalised.
Three men aged 18, 22 and 25 have been arrested and charged in connection with the incident and enquiries remain ongoing to trace others involved.
During the match, a number of missiles were directed from the stands including two separate incidents where glass bottles were thrown towards the pitch.Around 12.50pm, a glass bottle was thrown towards the field of play from the Copland Road Stand that resulted in a delay to the second half starting.
A second incident took place where another glass bottle was thrown and struck a Celtic staff member who required medical assistance.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: “The disorder and violence shown during the game on Sunday was completely unacceptable.
“All the relevant authorities must work together and with genuine fans to prevent incidents such as this in future. There is no place in Scottish football for this type of behaviour.
“We are continuing enquiries into a number of incidents that took place during the game, which includes the serious assault of a Celtic physiotherapist who was hit with a glass bottle.
“We would ask anyone with information to contact police via 101.”
Enquiries into these incidents are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.
With the clocks having gone forward and the lighter evenings now in store, national charity and leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding training across the UK and Ireland, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), is urging people to brush up on their water safety skills and knowledge.
With over 400 people dying each year in the UK and Ireland from accidental drowning, it’s clear that it’s a topic that needs more attention. With the hope of warmer days and evenings round the corner, and the Easter holidays upon us, now is a vital time to ensure you and your family know how to stay safe in and around water.
Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said: “It is vitally important that everyone has an understanding of water safety, especially now we have the lighter evenings where we will start to see more people out and about in, on and around the water.
“We have seen a rise in the number of drownings over the last few years, with peaks during the summer. In July 2021, there were 49 accidental drowning fatalities in the space of just two weeks in the UK, and we know that with the right water safety knowledge, accidental drownings are avoidable.
“We want to ensure that everyone can enjoy their Easter and summer breaks and enjoying the water but be safe in the knowledge that they, and their children, have the skills and understanding about water safety, which could potentially save a life. Every life is worth saving.”
Drowning is not just an issue that needs attention for those who take part in water-based activities either, evidence shows that one in two people who accidentally drown never intended to enter the water and in 2020 evidence from the National Water Safety Forum showed that 45% of accidental drownings took place when people were taking part in everyday activities.
RLSS UK has a range of free educational resources available on their website for children, young people and parents and are holding their annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign in June. The campaign will take place between 18th-25th June and aims to equip everyone across the UK and Ireland with the skills and knowledge to make the right decisions about water safety.
Lee continued: “This year for Drowning Prevention Week we are aiming to educate more young people than ever about water safety and give children the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.
“We have a range of free educational resources available on the RLSS UK website, including lesson plans for schools and resources for parents.
“In a recent survey, over 55% of parents said they would not be confident their child would know what to do if they fell into open water; this is something we want to change.
“Drowning Prevention Week brings the focus of water safety to people’s minds, giving everyone the opportunity to be equipped with the appropriate skills and knowledge to be summer ready when it comes to being safe in and around water when the warmer weather is here.”
Nearly2,000 visitors witness 200-year history of Scotland’s most prestigious agricultural show
The Royal Highland Show Illuminated is celebrating success after making a month-long tour across Scotland.
The immersive installations, which saw the Royal Highland Show’s rich history projected onto buildings and historical landmarks, attracted 1,780 visitors across the eight dates.
The events,which were free to attend and produced in association with Turcan Connell, projected expressive imagery, woven together with never-before-seen treasures and untold stories from the Show archives, creating a magical experience which truly brought the Show’s illustrious history to life.
Overall, there were 170 pieces of archive footage and images, put together by Edinburgh-based digital artists Bright Side Studios, that formed the 5-minute-long visual history of the Royal Highland Show.
Royal Highland Show organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), created the event to raise awareness of the Show and highlight its positive impact on Scotland throughout the years.
RHASS Chairman Bill Gray commented: ““The Royal Highland Show is a key moment in both Scotland’s events and agricultural calendar – these installations were the perfect showcase of its wide-ranging impact and influence over the last two centuries.
They took place in eight locations around Scotland, referencing how the Show would tour each of the RHASS regions annually before it settled permanently at Ingliston in 1960. These were Edinburgh City Chambers, Jedburgh Town Hall, Drumlanrig Castle, Dumfries House, Alloa Tower, Glamis Castle, Haddo House and Eastgate Shopping Centre.
“However, the Royal Highland Show Illuminated also looked to the exciting future of both the Show and the Society. We hope that you’ll join us this June as we mark 200 years since that very first Show and celebrate the full return of Scotland’s biggest outdoor event.”
Supported by Royal Bank of Scotland, the Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, on 23-26 June 2022.
Tickets, including for car parking, must be pre-purchased online this year and no tickets will be available to buy on the gate. Tickets are limited in number this year with sell out days anticipated, so it is advised to purchase early.
For further information and to purchase tickets please visit:
Although a discussion about neurotypical people’s period cycles has started in recent years, the same can’t be said for those on the autism spectrum.
Many feel unheard and uninformed, with almost half (49%) of autistic people reported not understanding their period, a third (30%) said it takes as long as four-to-five years to learn to manage it, over half (59%) aren’t comfortable enough to talk about it and 16% had to teach themselves about the cycle.
Intimate wellness brand, INTIMINA, has released a report which aims to breakdown the stigma around autism and periods. Whilst empowering and informing people about the challenges that those on the autism spectrum face and offering advice from experts, Psychotherapist Steph Jones (MBACP) andConsultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr Shree Datta, on how to cope.
On average it takes four-to-five years for almost a third (30%) of autistic people to learn how to manage their period, compared to just one year for a massive 38% of neurotypical people.
Reasons for this do vary but this new research shows that it could be down to autistic people having different experiences when it comes to their senses, mental health, physical effects, communication, and knowledge of the reproductive system and period products.
Sensory
Hyper or hyporeactivity to sensory input or unusual interest in sensory aspects of the environment, such as smelling or touching of objects is something that most autistic people experience. When asked if they notice the scents in menstrual products like tampons, menstrual cups and pads, 70% said yes, 66% said that it bothers them and 26% flagged odours as one of the main issues when they are on their period.
Mental Health & Physical Effects
Most people with periods struggle with a whole range of mental and physical issues during the cycle, including bloating, depression, anxiety, headaches, back pain, cramps, cravings, tender and swollen breasts, fatigue and insomnia[1].
Almost all participants (96%) said that they experience emotional changes during a period, with over a third (38%) confirming that mood changes were in their top three worries that they had before their period.
Alongside mood changes, 42% of autistic participants said that they were concerned about heavy bleeding during their period and 42% said they were most worried about period cramps.
One of the autistic people who contributed a comment in the report went as far as to say that they suffered with “waves of depression, climbing anxiety, panic attacks and random crying outbursts” during their period.
Communication
The findings show that 41% of autistic people don’t feel confident talking to close friends or family about their period with another 18% feeling very unconfident. This is in contrast to the neurotypical sample where 74% said they felt either confident or very confident. Perhaps a struggle with communication is what has led 16% of autistic people to teaching themselves about periods.
Knowledge of the female reproductive system
Almost half (49%) of autistic people don’t understand their period cycle completely and when asked to identify the cervix on an image of the female reproductive system, a massive 39% of people on the autism spectrum failed to identify it correctly.
Using period products
Four out of five (83%) autistic people find period products difficult to use, with a third (34%) citing using sanitary products as the third biggest concern when it comes to their period. However almost a quarter (24%) of autistic people said that they prefer to use menstrual cups.
Psychotherapist, Steph Jones (MBACP), said:“Those on the autism spectrum, like myself, might struggle to talk about periods because they feel ashamed, or it might be connected to the social challenges experienced by many autistic people. For example, not asking for help because it leaves individuals open to the possibility of being dismissed, humiliated or invalidated.
“It’s also extremely common to experience some feelings of depression and anxiety just before a period starts. To help with this I would recommend keeping track of moods to determine whether they seem related to hormonal changes or reveal an underlying issue. Tracking will also help reduce the anxiety of not knowing when you are due to start your period. An easy way to track is to note it down in a journal or use an app to follow your cycle.”
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist for INTIMINA, Dr Shree Datta, adds:“Periods are the most natural thing in the world, with most people experiencing them, so always ask for advice because periods are part of our health cycle, not something anyone should feel embarrassed about.
“Don’t be shy to approach a doctor if simple measures such as hot water bottles, gentle exercise and pain relief do not help manage period pains. The next step may be being referred to a gynaecologist but remember that doctors help people who have heavy or painful periods every day of the week, so go and see them early if there’s a problem.”
Danela Zagar from INTIMINA, the brand behind the report, comments:“We’re on a mission to offer advice and support to everyone, no matter your background.
“As part of this, we have commissioned this research to help the voices of those on the autism spectrum be heard, help to understand the challenges that they face and overcome the stigma around this subject.
“We really hope that the report and advice within it helps many people on the autism spectrum and their families.”
As part of INTIMINA’s mission to break the taboo when it comes to talking about issues surrounding autism, the brand has made a donation to the National Autistic Society, which is the UK’s leading charity for autistic people and their families. They’ve spent decades working to provide support, guidance and advice to help create a society that works for autistic people.
The National Climate Campaign empowers underserved communities across Scotland with climate change knowledge
Building on their success during COP26, where they first united under the banner ‘Scottish Science Centres Together for Climate’, Science Centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee have once again joined forces to form the National Climate Campaign (NCC).
Together, the centres aim to continue the legacy of COP26 by informing, inspiring and empowering a diverse audience to tackle the climate crisis and ensure the discussion on climate change remains open.
Working together to further climate science education in their communities, the National Climate Campaign saw each science centre deliver a coordinated and interactive campaign of over 89 events, reaching over 13,000 members of underserved and underrepresented audiences by the end of March 2022.
The programme strived to make science more relatable and helped learners develop their science skills to understand the world around them.
The four science centres offered a programme of events tailored to different groups local to them, from both within the walls of their centres and outside in the community.
Glasgow Science Centre reached over 3,000 school pupils in remote, rural and deprived areas by providing access to their online and interactive ‘Learning Labs’, while also facilitating transport and visits to the centre from a variety of community groups, including Glasgow Disability Alliance, Yorkhill Green Space and African Challenge Scotland.
The centre has brought together partners in science education to deliver the learning and engagement programme– including providing film screenings of The Ants and the Grasshopper in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful.
In addition, Glasgow Science Centre organised litter pickings and climate café sessions, shining a light on the importance of science in the community and engaging with groups who are often the most affected by changes in our climate.
Stephen Breslin, CEO of the Glasgow Science Centre said:“We set up the National Climate Campaign to ensure that there is a legacy of climate engagement left behind after COP26.
“We hope that by providing communities across Scotland with our knowledge and resources, we can act as a magnet for climate engagement and help empower young people to make considered decisions and learn what climate change means for them.”
A spokesperson for the NSPCC, who took part in visits to Glasgow Science Centre as part of the National Climate Campaign said:“Having the opportunity to go to the Science Centre inclusive of travel and lunch was invaluable to the families, as travel and access to food are barriers that are often forgotten about when providing activities free of charge to the public.’
“The visit to the centre allowed the children to broaden their horizons around science, a topic which has so many elements, but isn’t always understood. Some of the children linked their school eco projects to the work at the science centre and shared this with the community team.
“The families expressed how much they enjoyed the experience, pointing out that they wouldn’t be able to afford the trip on their income and that both children and adults alike, learned so much and had a great day out.”
A highlight from Aberdeen Science Centre’s 20-event programme was last month’s Supper and Science Evening, where families came together to cook an evening meal at Northfield Academy.
While the meal was cooking, Science Centre staff ran a series of climate-themed workshop activities, including one where they recreated an oil spill with feathers and soap, to give the children some hands-on climate science experience.
In Edinburgh, Dynamic Earth delivered a packed programme of events including the delivery of STEM kits to a local children’s hospital. The boxes contain a variety of activities and experiments for young people on earth and environmental sciences with connections to climate change and marine environments.
Alongside their 10 in-person events and digital programme, the centre have also been running climate change workshops with community audiences, including the Edinburgh Young Carers Project Care for Carers, the Citadel Youth Centre and family learning activities with local primary schools.
Over 1,000 primary school pupils took part in Dundee Science Centre’s experiments and challenges during COP26 Schools Week, while the centre has created 150-climate themed community kids for young people, containing a mini solar-powered windmill as well as other items to show how environmental sciences connect to climate change.
Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said:“Young people have been among the strongest voices calling for urgent global action to address climate change.
“This campaign will make sure that young people in communities across Scotland continue to play a key role in our journey to becoming a net zero nation, delivering a lasting legacy for COP26, and making their voices heard loud and clear.”
Kostas Minas, Head of Education and Learning at Aberdeen Science Centre said: “We are excited to be part of the National Campaign, which we hope will engage our local communities on what we can all do to help the environment and how our actions impact the planet, whilst demonstrating how science can help us understand our world and feel empowered by knowledge.
“We’re grateful to be able to work so closely with Scotland’s three other science and discovery centres and I’m sure this campaign will leave a legacy of collaboration between the organisations.”
Eilidh Massie, Marketing Director at Dynamic Earth said: “It is so important for people to not only learn about our amazing planet, but also to understand that the Earth’s climate system is something we have taken for granted for too long.
“At Dynamic Earth we’re committed to reminding people, young and old, that we need to act now before the damage is irreversible.
“It has been a fantastic opportunity to work collectively with Scotland’s Science Centres as part of the National Climate Campaign to further these messages.”
Carlene Cura, Development and Fundraising Advisor, Dundee Science Centre said:“As COP26 approached, the climate emergency dominated the news and will, quite rightly, remain high on the news agenda.
“Now and in the future, Scotland’s Science Centres have a responsibility and an opportunity to bring these important global topics down to a grassroots level, into our local classrooms, community centres and homes, from city centre flats to rural communities.
“We see it as a privilege to take these important messages, make them accessible and relevant to all and shape fun and engaging activities around them, creating impactful, memorable activities for our audiences and helping them understand and explore the role they can play in our futures.
“It’s particularly important that these messages reach underserved communities who may not typically visit a science centre or have the digital resources to access our activities online, but whose potential to make a difference is exactly the same. That’s where our community outreach box has been extremely valuable, giving individuals and families the chance to get involved wherever they live, and whatever barriers they might face.”
For more information on the National Climate Campaign and Scottish Science Centre’s climate change education programming visit:
The leading Scottish care home group is undertaking a full review of culture across the organisation after two years of care staff fighting at the front line against the pandemic
Leading Scottish care home group, Renaissance Care, has implemented a full review with its staff across each of its 16 homes to overhaul the traditional operations across the care home sector.
Following interviews with staff across all levels, the group, which employs 1,200 people across the country, is reviewing the culture, working practice, and its health and wellbeing offering across the board, as it responds to rising resignations of care staff across the industry on the back of the pandemic.
Staff across the homes will now be offered a range of new benefits including flexible working, a pay review across all roles, and a health and wellbeing package.
In response to feedback around long shifts within the care sector, which have historically been 12 hour shifts as industry standard, Renaissance Care will now offer staff a flexible working pattern based on their individual requirements.
The move means that those who want to change shifts around childcare commitments, or want to cut down on long shift times can do so, while office staff will have the option to move to a four-day working week.
The group will also implement a minimum 5% pay increase for all staff and has committed to becoming a Scottish Living Wage Employer.
In line with the review, the care group is also undergoing a project to promote inclusivity and security among its workforce.
It has committed to supplying sanitary items for female staff in all of its facilities, as well as becoming a menopause-friendly workplace with plans to roll out training for staff later this year, and is ensuring an inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ staff and residents with an understanding that identities can be complex.
The home will also introduce a health and wellbeing package which includes free access to danceSing for all staff members – encouraging health and wellbeing through fitness classes with a saving of £400 per year for each individual. It is also to invest in upgrades to the staff rooms in each home to ensure its care teams have a space that promotes a positive culture throughout shifts.
In addition, the care home operator is currently investing £500k on its operational management and accounting systems to improve administrative processing for all staff as it responds to feedback about time spent on paperwork throughout shifts.
Louise Barnett, managing director at Renaissance Care, said:“It is absolutely clear that staff retention and recruitment across the care industry is a massive issue on the back of the pandemic. It comes as no shock that staff, who have had an incredibly difficult two years looking after our most vulnerable in society, would consider changing careers.
“For most organisations, people are at the heart of the business, but within the care sector it is no exaggeration that staff play the most crucial role in ensuring that elderly residents receive care that goes above and beyond, and we see time and time again the difference that our teams make to peoples’ lives.
“Operationally, the care sector has always functioned in a certain way but now, as we begin to recover from the pandemic, it is time to turn it on its head and set a high benchmark for what the industry will look like for years to come. We need to modernise the offering for care staff and ensure that they can remain dedicated to delivering the best quality care while having a work life balance that allows a career around family and personal life.”
Robert Kilgour, executive chairman of Renaissance Care, has been a consistent industry voice throughout the pandemic, calling for more support for care homes across the country.
Last year, he spearheaded a group of the country’s leading care home operators who joined forces to help uncover answers to the many questions around the handling of the coronavirus pandemic in Scotland.
Robert Kilgour, executive chairman of Renaissance Care, said:“The last two years have been an incredibly tough time for residents, families and hard-working team members in care homes across the country and it is important to us that we provide the best possible care and facilities for our people.
“Despite all that we have been through since the start of the pandemic, we remain very positive about the direction of the business and at the heart of our plans for recovery is our people.
“We are investing, developing and working alongside our team, ensuring that we can attract and retain the very best of talent to perpetuate a person-centred approach across each of our homes for staff, as well as residents.”
Renaissance Care has a strong people service strategy which focuses on learning and development for individual staff members, as well as onus on creating a person-centred culture of inclusivity and care.
Seasonal uptick in project-starts stalled by rising material and energy prices
Value of underlying (less than £100million in value) construction work on-site falls 7% in Q1 2022
Residential project-starts struggle, falling 5% during Q1, down a third on a year ago
Non-residential work on-site sees uplift, increasing 2% against previous year but falls 2% against previous quarter
Steep decline for civil engineering project-starts, falling 31% on preceding quarter and 38% on same time a year ago
Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s insight experts, has released the April 2022 edition of its Construction Index.
The Index focuses on March 2022, covering all projects with a total value of £100m or less (unless otherwise indicated), with all figures seasonally adjusted.
It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data, giving built environment professionals a unique insight into sector performance over the last 12 months.
Outside forces
Persistent rises in building material costs, coupled with inflation pressures, have negatively affected the traditional project-start ‘spring uptick’.
These ongoing supply chain issues have been further exacerbated by external influences, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, stymieing growth and delaying forecast sector-wide recovery in the immediate future.
Against this disruption, starts were considerably lower than a year ago (22%), slipping back 7% on the previous three months (seasonally adjusted).
Sector analysis – residential decline
Residential struggled to improve on performance against the previous quarter, with the value of residential work falling 5% during Q1 2022 and was down 32% on the previous year.
Whilst there was a more optimistic outlook for private housing project-starts (-2%), witnessing a modest decline compared with the last quarter, figures were still 37% lower than a year ago.
Social housing project-starts fared worse, dropping 12% against the previous quarter and down 13% against the same period last year.
Sector Specific – offices on the rise
In the non-residential sector it was a mixed-bag in performance terms.
Office project-starts saw the greatest increase of any vertical over the past three months, increasing by over a quarter (28%) to stand 1% higher than a year ago. Education also saw a growth uplift, increasing 6% during Q1 2022, despite being down 9% on a year ago.
These were the only verticals to see growth against the last quarter.
Hotel and leisure project-starts fell by more than a fifth (-21%) during the quarter, despite growing 35% in the three months to January[1]. However, there was a value-increase of 11% against the previous year.
Industrial starts remained consistent with no growth against the previous quarter, but increased by over a fifth (22%) against the same period in 2021.
Civil works continued its downward trajectory, performing poorly during Q.1 2022. The value of project-starts fell by nearly a third on the previous quarter (31%), 38% lower than a year ago. A main driver for this was the poor performance by utilities, with work starting on-site dropping more than half (-52%) against the previous quarter, and -46% on last year.
Despite March’s Index indicating green shoots of recovery for infrastructure construction starts, it was down 16% against the last three months and by more than a third (-34%) on the same time period a year ago.
Regional Outlook
The North East maintained its position as the best performing region in the country, owing much of its strong performance to a number of projects coming online, including an £11 million office development in Middlesbrough. Work starting on-site was up 4% on a year ago and by over a fifth on the previous quarter (22%).
The outlook in Northern Ireland was also optimistic, which saw the UK’s greatest increase in project-starts against the previous year, up 29%. There was also an 18% rise on project-starts during Q1.
Wales also saw growth, reflecting major development plans including 269 residential units in Caldicot worth £45 million. It was also the only other area of the UK to experience project start growth against both the preceding quarter (10%) and previous year (3%).
The East of England saw project-starts rise by nearly a fifth (21%) during Q1 2022 but this was 17% lower compared to a year ago. A similar picture was painted in Scotland, rising 14% against the preceding three months, but down by 27% against the previous year.
The East Midlands and Yorkshire & the Humber also saw growth against the preceding quarter by 1% and 7%, respectively.
Commenting on the Index’s findings, Glenigan’s Senior Economist, Rhys Gadsby said, “At this point in the year, it’s normal to see an uplift in project-starts across the board, but outside influences such as choked supply chains and rising energy costs are preventing projects from getting off the ground on the level they should be.
“Despite the challenges the construction industry is facing, there’s some real glimmers of hope, particularly on a regional level, where the North East continues to be a strong performer. Growth amongst Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales against the past three months also show signs of gradual sector recovery.
“It will be a while until the full impact of current world events is fully realised but I have no doubts that the resilience of UK construction can weather the storm, no matter what lies in store.”
Collective is now open from Tuesday – Sunday, 10am—5pm
Visit Collective this Easter break to experience a range of creative workshops suitable for children of all ages – from workshops celebrating rainwater in partnership with Edinburgh Science Festival, to drop-in creative sessions exploring our PLAY programme, and a final weekend of activities inspired by our current exhibition H-E-L-L-O by artist Cauleen Smith.
Edinburgh Science Festival: Rain Harvest
9–10 April 11am—12.30pm & 2—3.30pm £5 | Book in advance
Join in with the 2022 Edinburgh Science Festival and explore the beauty and vitality of rainwater in this hands-on, sensory workshop that blends art, science and play.
11–22 April Tuesday – Sunday, 10am—4pm Free | No booking needed
Throughout the Easter holidays, families are warmly invited to drop in to Collective and join us at our Play Shelter and Hillside spaces to take part in a range of art activities related to our year-round Collective Play programme.
Collective PLAY Weekend: Vibrations
23–24 April, 11am—4pm Free | No booking needed
Join us for a final Easter holiday weekend of free outdoor play and creative activities for children and families, inspired by our current exhibition H-E-L-L-O by Cauleen Smith.
A limited number of quiet slots are available on 23 April for families and children with autism or sensory learning disabilities.
