A group of Syrian refugees met with MSPs yesterday to tell them how their lives are being transformed thanks to the expertise of the staff at Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC).
The group who arrived in Scotland through the UK Settlement Scheme, met Sarah Boyack MSP and Foysol Choudhury MSP to tell them how they are adjusting to their new life in Scotland.
The group meets up every Friday to learn digital skills using devices provided by ELREC and Connecting Scotland through its Kickstart Scheme. The group receives weekly training at ELREC to help them to improve their English and computer literacy.
Kickstart staff Hassan and Mohammad are originally from Syria. They have been helping the group adjust to life in Scotland by providing practical help to complete forms and register for banking.
With the help of Hasan and Mohammad who acted as translators, Sarah Boyack MSP, and Foysol Choudhury MSP heard some of the issues the group are facing since their move to Scotland.
Language barriers are a huge issue. Inappropriate accommodation which is simply too small for traditional large Syrian families is causing significant problems too. Some families remain in temporary accommodation for several years, and the lack of affordable housing has only intensified the problem.
The group spoke of health conditions and some are waiting for surgeries. Other families are suffering mentally from the trauma of war and resettlement, and many are under a great deal of stress trying to obtain VISAs for relatives who have been left behind in Syria.
Foysol Choudhury, MSP for Lothian Region and ELREC’s Chairperson, said: “I’d like to thank the group for giving us their time today and ELREC for hosting the meeting.
“From our conversations, it is clear there are many issues for refugees, but I was heartened to hear the support ELREC can and is providing to help them adjust to their new life in Scotland.
“I hope this meeting showed the group they are a valued part of the community and reassures them that we will take forward the issues we discussed”.
There were 79,588 ambulance arrivals, 2.7% less than the previous week.
More than one quarter of ambulances experienced delays of 30 minutes or more, equal to 21,051 ambulances – an increase of 7.4% on the previous week
This is the highest proportion of ambulance delays on record
More than one in nine ambulances were delayed by more than 60 minutes, a 10.2% increase on the previous week, setting a new record high for this reporting period.
The average number of delays for this winter has continued to creep up, increasing from 0.3% up to 21.3%. The previous highest weekly average number of delays was 14.3% in 2019-20.
The Royal College of Emergency Medicine and The College of Paramedics have collaborated on this Ambulance Handover Options Appraisal guidance that details the ways in which Paramedics and Emergency Medicine staff can reduce ambulance handover delays.
Dr Ian Higginson, Vice President of The Royal College of Emergency Medicine, said:“The data show Emergency Department crowding, long “hidden” within the walls of EDs, has become more visible as handover delays have dramatically increased, leading to ambulances waiting outside EDs with their patients still inside.
“It is vital that ambulances return to active service whenever possible and safe to do so. Delaying ambulance handovers should be a last resort. Holding patients in ambulances leads to unnecessary delays to their care, leaving seriously ill or injured patients in the community requiring an ambulance to wait longer.
“Ambulance handover delays are almost entirely caused by dangerous crowding in Emergency Departments. The root cause of these problems is “exit block” where there are delays for patients to be admitted to inpatient beds from the ED. Patients suffer harm or die unnecessarily when they cannot get an ambulance in time, when they are held in ambulances on arrival in ED, or when they are treated in crowded EDs.
“Emergency Departments must have sufficient capacity to meet demand, and constant flow from the Emergency Department into inpatient beds, otherwise they will not be able to keep patients and staff safe. This means that risk must be properly shared within organisations, and through systems.
“When this does not happen leadership teams tend to look for mitigation. Unfortunately, this mitigation is usually focused at the front door of the hospital, rather than being directed at the root cause of the problem. The Royal College and The College of Paramedics have produced this joint guidance to support good decision making when managing ambulance handover delays in an effort to tackle ambulance handover delays and dangerous Emergency Department crowding.”
Tracy Nicholls, Chief Executive of The College of Paramedics, said:“We hear from our members how consistently challenging this situation is and, whilst we can see that paramedics, ambulance clinicians and hospital ambulance liaison officers are doing everything they can, the system is now at breaking point.
“Those who need an ambulance are continuing to wait an unacceptable length of time and those paramedics and ambulance clinicians who are running to their next job can clearly see how long their next patient has been waiting and know they are going to be met with frustration, anxiety or fear.
“It seems incongruous that additional measures are being taken at the front door when the whole system flow of patients still needs to be addressed, but we suspect that there are now few options left without further risk to both those who are using the ambulance services and those who are working within them.
“Ambulance operations centres are still fielding calls at record numbers because callers want to know when an ambulance will arrive and are often calling back time and time again.
“It is difficult to hear that an ambulance might be delayed but imagine how a caller feels when their 999 call isn’t answered straight away. The moral injury is not just with the paramedics, but also with all of those involved directly with patients and their care.
“The College supports RCEM’s call for both the reduction in ambulance handover delays and in ED overcrowding. It is only by working together as a system that we will see this much-needed change and this guidance document outlines the risks associated with the current challenges.”
National charity Scottish Book Trust has opened submissions to encourage the public to share their real-life stories.
It marks the 14th year of Scottish Book Trust’s annual Your Stories campaign, which this year is partnering with EventScotland as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022. From those who write regularly to those who have never written before, Your Stories is open to all submissions, regardless of writing experience.
Submissions can be made in English, Scots, or Gaelic in any form – story, poem, comic strip, play or letter – of up to 1,000 words.
Every entry will appear on Scottish Book Trust’s website and a selection of pieces will be published in a free book distributed to libraries, community groups and schools during Book Week Scotland (14-20 November 2022) – the national celebration of books and reading.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust said:“The Your Stories programme has always been a cornerstone of Scottish Book Trust, giving a platform for the public to share personal experiences and for some, be published for the first ever time.
“Working with our partners EventScotland for Scotland’s Year of Stories, we hope that many people will be encouraged to share their different experiences and shape the narrative of our country.”
Alison Lang, Director of the Gaelic Books Council, said:“Ann am Bliadhna nan Sgeul tha sinn an dòchas gum bi daoine air feadh na dùthcha deònach na sgeulachdan Gàidhlig aca fhèin innse, agus gum bi e na bhrosnachadh dhaibhsan agus do na leughadairean aca an cuid obrach fhaicinn ann an clò.
“Tha e na thlachd do Chomhairle nan Leabhraichean a bhith a’ toirt taic don iomairt seo a-rithist.”
“In this Year of Stories we hope that people all over the country will be willing to tell their own Gaelic stories, and that they and their readers will be inspired by seeing their work published. The Gaelic Books Council is delighted to be supporting this Scottish Book Trust initiative once again.”
Scottish Book Trust has commissioned real life stories from: Helen Fields, author of the DI Callanach series; Graeme Armstrong author of The Young Team; Raman Mundair, filmmaker and playwright and Gaelic authors, Morag Ann MacNeil and Angus Peter Campbell.
Scottish Book Trust will share a variety of prompts through their website and social networks to help inspire those hoping to submit.
Bill to deliver £330 national insurance contributions cut announced by the Chancellor at the Spring Statement gets Royal Assent
Change means threshold at which individuals start to pay NICs will rise by almost £3,000 and align with the income tax personal allowance from July
70% of workers who pay NICs will pay less, even after accounting for the introduction of the Health and Social Care Levy
The UK government’s measures to tackle the cost-of-living crisis reached a key milestone this week, after a bill to raise NICS thresholds by almost £3,000 and deliver a tax cut worth over £330 for a typical employee in the year from July became law.
The National Insurance Contributions (Increase of Thresholds) Act, which received Royal Assent on Thursday, raises the threshold at which individuals start to pay NICs, aligning it with the income tax personal allowance at £12,570 from July 2022.
Around 2.2m working age people will be taken out of paying Class 1 NICs, applying to employees, and Class 4 NICs, for the self-employed, altogether. From July, around 70% of workers who pay NICs will be better off, even accounting for the introduction of the Health and Social Care Levy.
At the Spring Statement the Chancellor set out a tax plan that will help families with the cost of living, support growth in the economy, and ensure the proceeds of growth are shared fairly. As well as the NICs threshold rise it included a 12-month-long 5p cut to fuel duty and a cut in the basic rate of income tax, to 19p in the pound, taking effect in 2024.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: “I know people are worried about making ends meet, with global supply chain challenges and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine driving up the cost of living for families across the UK.
“That’s why this tax cut for almost 30 million people is so important. And it’s part of further support worth over £22 billion in 2022-23 to help with the cost of living, by helping people with their energy bills and ensuring people keep more of their money.”
Thanks to above inflation increases in the income tax personal allowance and the NICs Primary Threshold since 2010-11, a typical basic rate taxpayer earning £24,000 in 2022-23 will pay £1,140 less in income tax and NICs than they otherwise would have, even after accounting for the Health and Social Care Levy.
That comprises £760 less income tax and around £380 less NICs in 2022-23 compared to what they otherwise would have paid.
The July threshold rise is a tax cut for a typical employee worth over £330 in the year from July 2022; the equivalent saving for a typical self-employed person, who pay lower NICs rates, would be worth over £250.
The UK Government has taken action worth over £22 billion next financial year to help with the cost of living including the fuel duty cut, increases to the NICs thresholds and an extra £500 million for the Household Support Fund to help those most in need.
They say they’re also helping low-income families keep more of what they earn by reducing the Universal Credit taper rate, boosting incomes by £1000 per average full time worker by increasing the National Living Wage and providing over £9 billion to help with rising energy bills.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Audubon’s Birds of America Until 8 May 2022 Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 Ticketed, £0-£10
This exhibition examines the artistry and legacy of one of the world’s rarest, most coveted and largest books.
Published as a series between 1827 and 1838, Birds of America by John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a landmark work which achieved international renown due to the epic scale of the project and the book’s spectacular, life-sized ornithological illustrations.
Audubon’s Birds of America showcases 46 unbound prints from National Museums Scotland’s collection, most of which have never been on display before, as well as a rare bound volume of the book, on loan from the Mitchell Library. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to see so much of Audubon’s work in one place.
Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The Typewriter Revolution Until 11 Sep 2022 Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 Free entry
The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this exhibition examining its role in society, arts, and popular culture. It traces the effect and evolution of typewriters across more than 100 years, from weighty early machines to modern style icons.
The impact of the typewriter has been much wider than simply speeding up the way we write. It helped revolutionise the world of work and change the lives of working women in particular. Typewriters helped them launch their own businesses at a time when female employers were rare and became a vital weapon in the fight for the vote.
Until 8 Jan 2023 Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1 Free entry
Following the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, experience his novels through objects that inspired him.
In this small exhibition discover how Scott drew upon real historical objects for inspiration, placing objects alongside Scott’s words, and the stories in which they feature. While you view these fascinating objects, you can listen to an actor reading extracts from these tales.
In association with Walter Scott 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Scotland’s Greatest Storyteller and supporting Year of Stories 2022.
31 Mar – 3 Aug 2022 Kingdom of the Scots gallery (Level 1) Free
Explore the pages of an illustrated prayer book featuring a handwritten poem by a young Mary, Queen of Scots in this display.
Written in Latin on vellum, the Book of Hours contains 40 exquisite illuminations by a 16th century Master artist. Used for private worship, it belonged to Mary’s great aunt Louise de Bourbon, Abbess of Fontevraud, who is believed to have gifted this precious volume to the young queen.
The book will be exhibited in the Kingdom of the Scots gallery, in a display alongside other objects associated with Mary, Queen of Scots. Six different pages within the book will be revealed, with a new page displayed every three weeks. A QR code will allow you to scroll through the vividly illustrated pages in detail.
The Book of Hours is on loan to National Museums Scotland from The Pininski Foundation, Liechtenstein.
Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life 1 Jul – 13 Nov 2022 Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 Ticketed
Explore the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders.
This exhibition will look at the social and medical history surrounding the practice of dissection. It will trace the relationship between anatomy, its teaching and cultural context and the bodies that were dissected. Looking at Edinburgh’s role as an international centre for medical study, the exhibition will offer insight into the links between science and crime in the early 19th century.
National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF Open 10:00–17:00 daily
Edinburgh Science Festival 2022
9 Apr – 24 Apr 2022 10:00 – 17:00
The Edinburgh Science Festival brings two weeks of science-fuelled exploration to the National Museum of Scotland, from free interactive exhibits to family workshops and adult talks.
The Grand Gallery will be home to DataSphere, a multi-media exploration of the information driving our world. Elsewhere in the museum get-hands on with amazing drop-in experiments from the University of Edinburgh, and children’s workshops exploring everything from Creative Coding to Disease.
Adults can enjoy a series of fascinating talks and debates on topics from climatology and the philosophy of science to death, folklore and the cities of the future. Speakers include A.C. Grayling, Jim Al-Khalili, Alice Bell and Mary Roach.
The DataSphere will also be transformed after dark with bars, a DJ and exclusive activities just for grown-ups. Take the chance to have as much fun as the kids as you send, swipe and scroll through the data that drives our world.
*NEW* Centre for Open Learning: Victorian Scotland
21 Apr – 23 Jun 2022 11:00-13:00 Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4 £175 for 10 sessions (concessions available)
National Museums Scotland are delighted to host a new term of University of Edinburgh Short Courses – a great way to explore the national collections and their wider history with experts.
This 10-week course uses selected items from the museum’s collections as the basis for studying Victorian Scotland. Using a different historical object each week, students will consider the political, economic, industrial, imperial, cultural and social history of Scotland in this period of enormous change and creativity.
The course will be led by Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD.
21 Apr – 23 Jun 2022 14:00-16:00 Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4 £175 for 10 sessions (concessions available)
National Museums Scotland are delighted to host a new term of University of Edinburgh Short Courses – a great way to explore the national collections and their wider history with experts.
This 10-week course explores Scotland’s great changes and developments from 1714–1815. Making extensive use of National Museums Scotland’s collections, the course covers the Enlightenment and the growth of universities, trade, transportation and industry, as well as the impact of Jacobite rebellions and events overseas, from France and Spain to the American colonies.
The course will be led by Helen Rapport PGCE, M.A., PhD.
*NEW* Centre for Open Learning: Discovering the National Collections: Jewellery from Antiquity to Present Day
22 Apr – 20 May 2022 11:00-13:00 Seminar Room, Learning Centre Level 4 £75 for 5 sessions (concessions available)
National Museums Scotland are delighted to host a new term of University of Edinburgh Short Courses – a great way to explore the national collections and their wider history with experts.
This course will use the museum collections to introduce the extraordinarily diverse world of jewellery. From antiquity to the present day, we will explore our fascination with adornment to discover how trade, culture and craftsmanship pushed the boundaries of jewellery making around the world.
This course is led by Karen A Clulow BA MA FSA Scot, and will be taught within a range of galleries in the National Museum of Scotland.
*NEW* Festival Family Encounters Day 7 May 2022 10:00-16:30 Grand Gallery
Free, drop-in. Some events may have timed slots and require sign-up on the day.
The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival opens on Saturday 7 May with Family Encounters at the National Museum of Scotland. Come along to get curious, creative and enjoy specially commissioned performances from Scottish based artists.
All events at Family Encounters on 7 May are free. Some may have timed slots and require sign-up on the day.
*NEW* Woolly Weekend 28 May – 29 May 2022 11:00-16:00 Free with museum admission and Annual Pass
Visit the National Museum of Rural life to celebrate our woolly wonders. See our shearer at work with the Scottish Blackface sheep and enjoy wool-themed family crafts and activities.
Find out how people grew and cooked their own food during the Second World War with cooking demonstrations, talks, tours and hands-on family activities.
Discover the challenges of wartime cooking with food historian Nichola Fletcher and find out about the fruit and vegetables that were grown on the airfield. Families can also join drop-in workshops to create a wildflower seed bomb or make a paper pot to take home.
This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery
31 Mar 2022 19:30-20:30 Online Free, with optional donation
Join David Lindo and Duncan Orr-Ewing to celebrate the joy that birds bring us, the urgent threats they face, and the science and conservation work protecting them.
David Lindo, also known as The Urban Birder, is a wildlife broadcaster, nature writer and urban wildlife educationalist. He is Vice-President of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, Honorary President of the Colombia Bird Fair, and was voted 7th most influential person in Wildlife by BBC Wildlife Magazine.
Duncan Orr-Ewing is Head of Species and Land Management for RSPB Scotland.
NHS Lothian Children’s Services is giving thousands of children and young people across Scotland access to important wellbeing resources with the launch of a new digital Wellbeing Hub.
Following the launch of the new Children’s Services website, a Wellbeing Hub has been developed to provide an interactive, engaging platform with expert support for young people aged 12–17 in Scotland. A children’s section for 5–11-year-olds has been launched at the same time.
The Wellbeing Hub was designed in collaboration with 10 key partners including CAMHS, the Children’s Rights Commissioner for Scotland, Young Scot, Chalmers Sexual Health Services, and Sleep Scotland who were all instrumental in providing outstanding resources and offering guidance in the development of a Wellbeing Hub that would be fit for purpose for children and young people across Scotland.
The new hub features a wealth of information to support a young person’s physical and mental wellbeing with topics such as anxiety, body image, social media, sleep, healthy relationships and consent featuring on the website.
The Wellbeing hub also incorporates Children’s Health Scotland’s SMS self-management service, advice about drugs, alcohol and tobacco, and support for young carers.
Young people will be able to access tools and resources, including top tips, videos and animations to help manage their own wellbeing. With an increasing focus on the benefits of youth work, the Hub also includes a tool to ‘Find a Youth Club’ along with how to speak to a youth worker while in hospital.
NHS Lothian worked with Passion4Social, a social enterprise that nurtures the talent of people with disabilities, to develop and build the site with funding made available through Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity.
Zoe Paige, Project Manager, Children’s Services, NHS Lothian, said:“Protecting and providing for the wellbeing and health of children and young people is a priority for the Children’s Services at all times and we know that there is a growing need for people to have digital choices if they are struggling and need to reach out, and the pandemic has only made this need more urgent.
“Colleagues and partners have been eager to bring helpful content together and make our Wellbeing Hub a reality. It was really important that we made our Wellbeing Hub as engaging and interactive as possible.
“The Wellbeing Hub encourages young people to feel empowered to seek out information on many things they might be struggling with or need advice online within a few clicks.
“The Children’s Services team at the RHCYP are always looking for ways to improve access to wellbeing support and we’re proud to continue to expand our Children’s Services website to support children and young people and their families. We have ambitious plans for its continued development.”
Professor Cathy Richards, Lead Clinician and Head of Psychology at CAMHS, said: “At CAMHS, we are thrilled that children, young people and families in the Lothians and across Scotland will benefit from access to the Wellbeing Hub.
“Young people who use the new platform can access mental health resources and information that are designed to keep them engaged and they can find recommendations for additional resources based on their needs.
“The new hub contains information that has been created or recommended by the NHS Lothian CAMHS Psychology team. This includes some newly developed online information sessions for parents on supporting children with anxiety and access to computerised CBT.”
Leanne Hughes, Communications Officer, Healthy Respect (Chalmers Sexual Health Services), said: “Young People can sometimes be embarrassed or unsure about accessing Sexual Health Services.
“We hope that the Wellbeing Hub will help to normalise using our services and highlight what is available locally for those 13+. The hub signposts to key Sexual Health information and resources in a way that makes sense to young people.”
Bruce Adamson, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, said: “Children and young people have the right to good healthcare, to have decisions made in their best interests and to be a part of those decisions. They should also get all the information needed to make choices about care.
“Good healthcare means that children can get the care they need, when they need it and that adults support them to get all of their human rights. The Wellbeing Hub will help children grow in confidence and understanding about the rights that they are entitled to in healthcare settings and will signpost them to extra support.”
Alyson O’Brien, Sleep Services Manager at Sleep Scotland, said: “Sleep Scotland is delighted to be working with the Wellbeing Hub.
“Children’s Services are committed to the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland, and we wanted young people to understand that a lack of sleep can be detrimental to their physical and mental wellbeing.”
Find out more information on @LothianChildren. These channels will share the latest news and updates from the Wellbeing Hub.
Forty years since the Falkland War began, pipers from across the world are being encouraged to come together to remember those who fell and were injured during the conflict.
Falklands veteran Graham Hopewell and Scots Guards Lance Sergeant Mark Macrae today (APRIL 2) joined military charities Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland to launch the call for musicians to take part.
They are asking them to perform “The Crags of Mount Tumbledown” on their doorsteps, streets, or hillside at 11am on June 18th as part of a day of national commemorations. This iconic march was composed by a Scottish soldier while under intense Argentine fire on the remote Falklands hillside.
On April 2, 1982, Argentinian forces invaded the British territory, leading to the 10-week conflict. A parade and service of remembrance will take place in Edinburgh later on June 18th to mark the anniversary of the ceasefire, remembering tens of thousands who fought in the South Atlantic and the 255 British servicemen who lost their lives.
The Crags of Mount Tumbledown was famously composed on the back of a ration packet by Pipe Major James Riddell, of the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, during the final battle of the conflict on June 13th, 1982.
After nine hours of fierce fighting and hand-to-hand combat, British forces captured the stronghold which guarded the approach to the Falklands capital, Stanley. This led to the Argentinian surrender but cost the lives of eight Scots Guardsmen and one Royal Engineer attached to the Battalion.
After the battle, Pipe Major Riddell, from Stonehaven, climbed to the top of the mountain and played the first rendition of his new composition in commemoration of the event. The following day, British forces retook Stanley and the Argentines surrendered.
Sadly, Pipe Major Riddell died from a brain tumour in 1997.
Graham Hopewell, from Ayrshire, was a 19-year-old drummer with the Scots Guards when he was sent to the Falklands, serving under Piper Major Riddell. He remembers fighting in bleak, freezing conditions, and losing close friends during the battles.
One memory he will never forget is coming under air attack in Bluff Cove on June 8th. Shortly after he landed, Argentinian air forces hit the British ships, Sir Galahad and Sir Tristram, resulting in the loss of more than 50 lives.
He said: “We heard a massive explosion. When the planes came over the top, we just started shooting at them. There was no time to think about it and the adrenaline was just going.
“Later on, when we heard the ships had been hit, we realised it was real. I knew many of the Welsh Guards who were on the ships, and a close friend was killed in the attack. That was a huge shock, and it made us more determined to go on, so they hadn’t lost their lives for nothing.”
Mr Hopewell, 59, who now works as an undertaker, said: “The Falklands has always stayed with me. I was one of the lucky ones, but I think everyone was affected by it in some way. When I came back, I had no one to talk to about it and I found it hard getting my head round it all.
“I feel honoured to play this year as part of the anniversary commemorations. It’s important that we remember all those who lost their lives.”
Lance Sergeant Macrae, from Sutherland, has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as traveling the world with the Scots Guards Pipes and Drums. He said: “I’m very proud of what Graham and the others have done for us, and I’d encourage other pipers around the world to join us in paying tribute.”
Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “The Falklands conflict lasted just 74 days, but it had a profound impact on the lives of thousands of Scottish servicemen, women, and their families.
“Many paid the ultimate price and never returned home, while others have lived for decades with the physical and mental scars of the conflict.
“We hope that pipers in every part of Scotland, as well as the rest of the world, will join us in paying tribute to the sacrifices that they made. As we mark this anniversary, we’re pleased to be working with the Scottish Government and Armed Forces to hold national commemorations between now and June, and would encourage veterans, their families and the wider public to take part.”
Mark Collins, Interim Chief Executive of Poppyscotland, said: “The extraordinary story of how Pipe Major James Riddell composed the Crags of Mount Tumbledown in the heat of the battle is symbolic of the courage and resilience of our Armed Forces. While this battle marked the end of the conflict, those who gave their lives must never be forgotten.
“Joining together in playing this tune will be a fitting tribute to everyone who played their part in the Falklands conflict, as well as the continued sacrifices that our servicemen and women make today. We hope it will encourage people to learn more about how these events have shaped our recent history, as well as highlighting the role of our Armed Forces community and the support that is available to them.”
Taking a few practical steps to support Muslim workers during Ramadan will help to create a workplace where everyone is respected and valued, writes TUC’s Riz Hussain.
For the next four weeks, thousands of Muslims across the UK will be fasting during the daytime to mark Ramadan or Ramazan.
Ramadan falls at a different time each year because Islam uses the lunar calendar.
This year, Ramadan will start at the beginning of April and continue for 29 or 30 days from when you begin your fast.
What happens during Ramadan?
It is a time for deep spiritual reflection and collective rituals for Muslims across the UK. It’s a time for Muslims to share food with their families and friends, and celebrate their cultures, heritage and faith.
The fasting day is long. The morning meal will be before dawn and people won’t break their fast until dusk. That’s 13 hours without food or drink (yes that’s right, not even water!). This can be challenging for many Muslims especially whilst at work.
That’s why it’s important to support your Muslim workmates, to stand in solidarity with them and create a team culture where everyone is respected and valued, no matter where they’re from or who they worship.
Practical steps colleagues and employers can take to support their Muslim workmates and friends:
Ask colleagues if they’re observing Ramadan
Don’t be shy about asking Muslim colleagues if they will be observing Ramadan.
Some people may choose not to take part – perhaps for medical reasons – as fasting is a personal choice.
Be considerate
Ramadan should not interfere with everyday tasks at work, but fasting co-workers may be tired or lacking energy during the day.
Usually the first ten days are the hardest. If you have colleagues who will be fasting, ask them if changing some aspects of work can make it easier for them.
Be flexible
Ramadan isn’t only about not eating or drinking during daylight hours.
It usually means rising early and eating late, and may mean taking part in late night prayers at the mosque or their homes. Ramadan is usually a time for deep spiritual reflection, congregational prayers and lots of social dinners with family and friends.
Some workers may ask to change their working day or shift times, to take a shorter lunch break, or to make sure they finish on time so they can break their fast at home.
Being flexible may help people work when they are most productive.
Some workers might have additional religious commitments during Ramadan. It may be especially important to perform prayers on time through the week. Employers can help by ensuring there’s a quiet space in the workplace for prayers and by allowing short breaks.
The last ten days of Ramadan are considered to be especially holy. Some Muslim workers might decide to take time off, or ask to change their working patterns to perform all-night prayers.
The end of the fasting period
Eid ul Fitr marks the end of the fasting period. It’s like Christmas for Muslims – the biggest celebration of the year.
There is often some uncertainty about which day Eid will fall because it depends on moon sightings, so be prepared for your Muslim colleagues not to know the exact date.
This may also impact on when they can work and how much notice they can give you, as Eid can last up to three days.
Supporting colleagues during Ramadan is part of building a culture where everyone is respected and valued.
This Ramadan, the TUC would like to wish all Muslim trade union members and everyone who is fasting in the UK: Ramadan Mubarak.
Crimestoppers Scotland, BTP Scotland, Network Rail and the Rail industry raise awareness about what constitutes sexual harassment, encouraging reporting and helping to make sure there is no unsafe space on Scotland’s railways
Research shows people don’t realise that behaviours like wolf whistling, leering/staring or deliberately invading personal space are forms of sexual harassment
Crimestoppers Scotland has joined with Network Rail, BTP Scotland and the rail industry to tackle sexual harassment by ensuring people understand what constitutes such behaviour.
The campaign will also inform people of the action they can take to report sexual harassment if they witness it and thereby help to combat it.
New research shows a lack of awareness about the seriousness of non-physical types of sexual harassment, which can be distressing and frightening for those who experience them.
The survey of over 2,500 people, carried out for the Rail Delivery Group by 2CV, reveals just a minority of rail passengers realise that wolf whistling (30%), inappropriate staring (37%) or someone sitting/standing too close on an otherwise quiet carriage (39%) is sexual harassment.
Government research shows that 84% of women and 60% of men in the UK population have experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime.
To tackle this, the rail industry is raising awareness about what constitutes sexual harassment with a Scotland-wide social media campaign, information distributed at Scotland’s stations – including big screens – to report instances where they feel unsafe. This will make it clear to perpetrators that their behaviour is not tolerated on the railway.
The rail industry expects that promoting a shared understanding of what sexual harassment looks like will help people who see or experience it gain the confidence to speak. This will help ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their actions and BTP is encouraging reporting to give them a greater opportunity to detect and punish offenders.
Allan Brooking, Community Safety Manager at Network Rail Scotland said:“Any form of sexual harassment is unacceptable on our railway and in wider society. We want all our customers to feel confident that they can use the railway without feeling unsafe, violated, or intimidated.
“This campaign will contribute to making Scotland’s Railway safer, ensuring people understand what constitutes sexual harassment and what actions they can take to report sexual harassment.
“We are working closely with Crimestoppers, BTP and the wider rail industry to demonstrate how we can all play our part in keeping each other safe and show that this type of behaviour will not be tolerated on our network”
BTP Detective Chief Inspector Arlene Wilson said: “Sexual harassment is anything that makes you or anybody else feel uncomfortable with a sexual element.
“This campaign is about educating people on what is not acceptable and how to report it, so we can work together to make the rail network a hostile environment for sexual harassment. Each report we receive provides us with valuable information which we can use to build an accurate picture of an offender and take action.
“We need to work together with the community to tackle this behaviour and create this hostile environment to discourage people from behaving in this manner. If you look at the root cause of some the behaviours around sexual assault it all stems from sexual harassment.
“We urge anyone who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment to text us on 61016, whether something is happening at the time or has happened recently. Save 61016 in your phone, so you have the number to hand should you ever need us.
“No report is too small or trivial, and we will always take you seriously.”
Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said:“Every form of sexual harassment is serious and actions like leering, sitting unnecessarily close or making sexual comments are unacceptable on our railway and in wider society.
“As an industry, we’re committed to ensuring there is no unsafe space on the railway by showing the small number of perpetrators that they are not welcome on trains and at stations. The British Transport Police will hold them to account to make train journeys safer for everyone.”
The campaign reminds passengers that they can contact BTP via text to report any cases of sexual harassment that they witness. By sending a short message with details of what they’ve seen to 61016, witnesses can help BTP to identify perpetrators and reduce potential harm for others in the future. In an emergency, always dial 999.
Angela Parker, National Manager of charity Crimestoppers Scotland, said:“Our charity believes that everyone has the right to feel safe, and that includes when travelling on public transport. Sexual harassment must be stamped out which is why we along with Network Rail Scotland and partners are playing our part in supporting this important campaign.
“If you are uncomfortable about reporting someone you know who is responsible for sexual harassment, remember that you can speak up completely anonymously by calling the railway’s sexual harassment line which is powered by Crimestoppers on 0800 783 0137.
“We guarantee no one will ever know you contacted us and you will be helping to protect others from the harm caused by this unacceptable criminal behaviour.”
