Scottish Book Trust has opened nominations for its Bookbug Hero Award 2023. The national charity, which runs the Scotland-wide Bookbug programme for young children and families, is asking people across the country to nominate a librarian, early years worker, volunteer, health visitor, or anyone who uses Bookbug in their work.
Run in association with Walker Books, the award honours someone who has made a real difference to the lives of young children, families and communities they work with.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:“Bookbug touches the lives of so many young families all over Scotland, in libraries, early years and nursery settings and also through the health service.
“We are excited to open nominations for our fourth Bookbug Hero Award, which celebrates the brilliant work of our Bookbug practitioners.
“Without this work, many families and children would not discover the fun and lifelong benefits of sharing stories, songs and rhymes. We are grateful to Walker Books for their support in helping us recognise these heroes in local communities.’
Ian Keane, librarian and Bookbug Co-ordinator, Clackmannanshire Council and winner of the Bookbug Hero Award 2022, said:“I was very surprised to win the Bookbug Hero Award.
“The idea expressed by the people who nominated me was that somehow during Covid times, I had offered an anchor that helped bring a bit of stability to the week.
“However, the truth is they offered me an anchor, a light to cling to in darker times, I’ll forever be grateful to the attendees for recalling me to life. I think without Bookbug we have all been a lot poorer – it is a panacea for our times.”
Ed Ripley, Walker UK Sales and Marketing Director:“At Walker we appreciate the huge impact individuals can have on supporting communities to grow their reading culture, and as such we’re delighted to get behind any initiative that celebrates and applauds these individuals.
“Scottish Book Trust’s programmes have a huge impact on families and young people, and the vast array of practitioners who help implement them do stellar work, so we are thrilled to support the Bookbug Hero Award.”
Nominations for the Bookbug Hero Award can be made online via Scottish Book Trust’s website. The closing date for nominations is Friday 4 November 2022.
The winner will receive a special trophy and a bundle of picture books worth £500 from Walker Books.
ADT shares advice for students to help keep homes safe
Glenn Amato, Managing Director at ADT UK&Iexplains: “Moving into a university house after being in halls of residence should be an exciting time. But with lots of carefree students all living together under one roof, each with many expensive personal belongings, such as laptops and phones, burglars can sadly see student homes as a bit of a quick win with potentially big payoffs.
“Universities are notoriously bad at publishing crime data (both on and off campus) and so before deciding on an area to live, it is highly recommended that students compare the crime rates within the most popular student areas using data from ADT’s Crime In My Area tool, an easy, online platform to check crime rates in a given postcode.
“Once students have picked an area to live, the good news is that there are many simple ways to keep a house safe and sound from unwanted intruders, leaving students free to be able to focus on enjoying university life. The below advice provides simple and practical ways for students to look after a house for the first time, to help make living away from home a little safer and less daunting.”
ADT guidance on protecting a university house from burglars
· Remember to always lock your windows and doors: Seems simple right, but the more doors and windows a home has, the more potential entry points there are. Before leaving for university or a social engagement, check that every window and door of the property is closed and locked – an open window is a big temptation for opportunists, even if it’s only left open at night. It’s crucial to make sure all doors are locked (front and back) before heading out, as it’s harder to hear someone entering the property from the back of the house. Also, if there’s a lock on the bedroom door, always remember to lock it before heading to lectures or on a night out.
· Make it look like someone is home even when they’re not: There are times throughout the year when universities close and the homes will be sat empty and so making it appear like someone is home could help to deter burglars. Smart bulbs (and smart plugs) can connect to a home’s Wi-Fi and can be operated remotely via a smart phone, even when no one is home. This is a great way to indicate that a house is occupied out of term-time, rather than the predictable routine of a conventional plug-in timer switch.
· Keep valuables out of sight: This is a simple step that can make a big difference. Before leaving the house (or going to bed), make sure there are no flashy valuables or expensive bits of tech left lying around, especially in any places that are visible from the exterior of the home. If you’re leaving the house for a long period of time, such as for the Christmas holidays, remember to take all your valuables with you, such as your laptop. It’s also worth keeping a back-up of your coursework on the cloud or an external hard drive, just in case the worst does happen, and your laptop is stolen.
· Forget hiding a key: Most people have managed to lock themselves out at least once but hiding a key in the vicinity of a home – whether under a flowerpot or above the doorframe – simply isn’t worth the risk. If a spare must be kept outside, at least keep it in a locked key safe, which requires a code.
· Be mindful on social media: Tempting as it is to share snaps when the house is lying empty, posting a location on a non-private social media account is a clear signal to potential intruders that the house is empty. Don’t let criminals know when the home is vulnerable to intrusion. ONS1 has revealed that it is as likely that a burglary is conducted by a stranger as it is to be done by someone who is known to the victim.
· Set your alarm: If there’s one installed in the property, be sure to use it!
· House party preparations: Moving away from home offers plenty of opportunities for house parties, but with multiple members of the household usually inviting friends along, it can be hard to keep track of who is inside. Where possible, try to only let people known and trusted inside. It’s also worth dedicating one bedroom for hiding all valuables and personal belongings, to stop potential thieves from stealing expensive items.
A SCOTTISH housing developer has recognised the dedication and positive impact of five good causes in the Musselburgh community, awarding each with a £1000 grant.
The Dundas community fund – which had been extended to allow more time for deserving groups in and around Musselburgh to apply – came to a close at the end of July.
Hollies Community Hub, Blue Triangle Housing Association, First Step Community Project, Changes East Lothian and DadsWork were the chosen recipients, with each playing a vital role in the local area.
The roll out of the £5000 fund came as the Livingston-based firm launched its 140-home Wireworks development in the seaside town, forming part of its pledge to deliver lasting benefits to Musselburgh, in addition to contributions of up to £400,000 towards schooling and infrastructure.
Craig Fairfoull, Head of Sales and Marketing at Dundas, said: “We were thrilled that the decision to extend the community fund resulted in four times the number of original applicants.
“It did, however, make the decision to choose just five recipients out of a strong, deserving and varied group of applicants that bit harder.
“It has been a real pleasure to learn about each of the applicants, their inspiring causes and their contributions to the local community – I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their interest in the fund and wish them every success in achieving their project’s endeavours.
“While it has been a challenging task, we are really pleased to be able to announce the five recipients of the fund and believe that their initiatives are essential in supporting the local area.”
Hollies Community Hub, an organisation which aims to help elderly people in Musselburgh retain their independence by providing them with a safe space where they can engage with and meet their friends, will be using the £1000 fund to organise fun excursions to the East Coast for its members.
Liz Shannon, Manager of Hollies Community Hub said: “The Hollies would like to thank Dundas for allowing us to take our lunch club members for a much-needed day out.
“After nearly two years of social isolation, a trip down the coast with a fish supper and ice cream will be a day for them to remember and a chance to reminisce with their friends about past trips.”
Blue Triangle Housing Association is a supported homeless accommodation service which houses up to 14 young people at a time, helping them gain independent living skills. The community fund will help the group revamp its enclosed garden area to provide its tenants with a safe and secure communal area for socialising.
Steven Cranston, Assistant Project Manager at Blue Triangle said: “We are so thankful and grateful to Dundas for this opportunity. Our garden area can now be upgraded, which will provide our service users with a space to relax while also giving us the opportunity to teach them how to grow fruit and vegetables and how to then be self-sustainable by cooking what they grow.”
Set up by a group of local parents over 30 years ago, First Step Community Project works within the close-knit Musselburgh community supporting vulnerable families who are facing extreme financial difficulties during the current cost of living crisis.
With its funding from Dundas, the group will be issuing Winter Warmer Packs which seek to provide families with essentials such as hot water bottles, flasks and thermals, as well as useful information on how to help save on energy bills while keeping warm and healthy over the winter period.
Jennifer Mitchell, Early Years Manager of First Step Community Project, said: “From the bottom of our hearts, we would like to thank Dundas. We will now be in a position to help families and community members ahead of what’s expected to be a very tough winter.”
Changes East Lothian is a mental health and wellbeing charity which provides free support services for over 16s living, or registered with a GP, in East Lothian. The charity provides counselling, therapeutic and peer support groups, as well as a wide range of activities and volunteer opportunities.
Marina Ramsay, Communications and Engagement Officer at Changes said: “Accessible mental health support is crucial for the happiness and wellbeing of people in communities across East Lothian and the funding will allow us to reach even more people, reassuring them that help is within reach and they don’t have to face challenges alone. We are incredibly grateful.”
DadsWork, a charity that delivers much needed support and services to men, fathers and male carers, will be using the fund towards its four-week programme for new expectant dads which aims to increase their confidence as they prepare for fatherhood.
Kevin Young, Project Manager of DadsWork said: “As a charity, we are delighted to be awarded £1000 from Dundas. As we know, emotional, practical and physical support for men is vitally important and this support should be readily accessible and offered locally. DadsWork and its beneficiaries thank Dundas for their donation and the benefits it will bring.”
Dundas has a mission to create homes that make people feel great. Headquartered in Livingston and proudly Scottish, it has a track record of building well-designed homes that are higher spec than a vast majority of competitor properties.
The independently-owned developer is focused on building welcoming, integrated communities and making the journey of buying a home more straightforward, inspiring and fun.
Through a partnership with Tesco, East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian, Dundas acquired The Wireworks site after receiving planning permission to regenerate the former Brunton Wireworks site and neighbouring land in 2008.
The development will have the capacity to store 140 bicycles in internal and external bikes stores. Electric car charging facilities will be available throughout the development. Private gardens and balconies will also be available at various apartments.
Now that autumn has officially started, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will host a Grow How Session on Saturday 1 October at 10:30am, focused on seasonal gardening tips. This free session will showcase the perfect plants for autumn tubs and baskets, how customers can create an instant colour display and top maintenance tips as we approach the cooler months.
Hosted by local Dobbies’ gardening experts, customers will be taught how to instantly brighten up their tubs and baskets and refresh their outside space by using Pansies, Violas and Wallflowers that will last right the way through winter.
Attendees will also learn how they can plan for the year ahead by preparing spring bulbs with expert advice on how best to group them in beds and borders. From Daffodils and Crocus which flower early, to indoor bulbs like Hyacinths and Narcissus Paperwhite, there will be hints and tips on how to prepare for Spring 2023.
The Edinburgh session will also emphasise the benefits of using Dobbies’ Peat Free No 3 Mature Plant Compost, organic feeds, and safer pest control products for their green space and environment.
Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies, said: “Autumn is one of our favourite seasons of the year at Dobbies and it’s a prime time for gardening. Not only can you add bursts of colour to brighten your garden, but it’s also a great chance to get ahead and prepare for spring.
“We’re committed to sustainable gardening, and we hope our free autumn gardening Grow How session will not only inspire Edinburgh gardeners to carry on with their efforts as the season changes, but also encourage more people to take up gardening for a blooming 2023.”
For more details on Dobbies’ Edinburgh autumn Grow How session in October, visit: events.dobbies.com.
For customers unable to attend the events, Dobbies currently has a three for two offer across bulbs in-store and online.
With this weekend marking the International Day of Older Persons (Saturday 1st October 2022) and Grandparents’ Day (Sunday 2nd October 2022), Dogs Trust West Calder is shining a spotlight on its OAPs (Old Age Pooches) in the hope that people will open their homes as well as their hearts by rehoming an older dog.
Whilst many people often want to rehome younger dogs and puppies, older dogs have just as much love to give the right owners and these refined older pooches make the perfect canine companions for people looking to provide a cosy retirement home for them to spend their golden years in.
Susan Tonner, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust West Calder said: “Sometimes older dogs can be overlooked in favour of younger pups, but they deserve just as much attention and care from new owners as their younger counterparts.
“There are lots of benefits of rehoming an Old Age Pooch. Often older dogs don’t need quite as much exercise and although they can be a little less energetic, senior canines can be just as fun and playful.
“Older dogs are more likely to be fully house-trained and, as they are older and wiser, they usually know other training basics too, but you can certainly still teach an old dog new tricks.
“They can also make the perfect napping partner and enjoy a good snooze and a snuggle in the evening”.
The top three breeds of older dogs (aged 8 and over) that were taken in across all Dogs Trust Rehoming Centres between August 2021-22 were Jack Russell Terriers, Crossbreed and Staffordshire Bull Terriers.
One such Staffordshire Bull Terrier at West Calder Rehoming Centre looking for a loving new home to rest their paws is Brooke.
Brooke is an incredibly friendly and loving girl with people. She loves attention, getting lots of fuss and is partial to a belly rub and ear scratch.
Brooke may be 11 years old, but she still enjoys going for walks and playing with her toys especially catching her ball or playing tug. Brooke is very clever and knows how to sit, lie-down and give a paw.
She walks well on her lead and will happily jump in the car to go on a new adventure. Brooke is not so keen on other dogs, preferring to keep her distance from them. She could live with children aged 14 and over.
If you think you could help Dogs Trust West Calder show that age is just a number by rehoming Brooke or another older dog at the centre, please visit: www.dogstrust.org.uk
Over recent months, Dogs Trust has received a record number of calls from people needing to rehome their dogs in the face of the new cost of everyday living.
To be there for all dogs who need help, the charity is looking for dedicated foster carers who can offer immediate support and help out with cuddles and a comfy sofa until they find their forever home.
If you’re a dog lover, but not able to take on the commitment of rehoming a dog, but would be interested in fostering a golden oldie, please visit:
The CMA has imposed fines totalling over £2 million on Elite Sports, JD Sports and Rangers FC after they admitted to fixing the prices of certain Rangers FC merchandise
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has found that Elite Sports and JD Sports broke competition law by fixing the retail prices of a number of Rangers-branded replica kits and other clothing products from September 2018 until July 2019.
Rangers FC also took part in the collusion but only to the extent of fixing the retail price of adult home short-sleeved replica shirts from September 2018 to mid-November 2018. All three firms colluded to stop JD Sports undercutting the retail price of the shirt on Elite’s Gers Online store.
Elite Sports has been fined £459,000, JD Sports £1,485,000 and Rangers £225,000. The penalties include a settlement discount, reflecting resource savings to the CMA as a result of all 3 parties admitting to acting illegally and helping bring a swifter resolution to the CMA’s investigation.
Elite Sports’ and JD Sports’ penalties also include a discount for coming forward with information about their participation in the illegal conduct and cooperating with the investigation under the CMA’s Leniency Programme.
Michael Grenfell, Executive Director of Enforcement at the CMA, said: “At a time when many people are worried about the rising cost of living, it is important that football fans are able to benefit from competitively priced merchandise.Instead, Elite, JD Sports and, to some extent, Rangers, worked together to keep prices high.
“Today’s decision sends a clear message to football clubs and other businesses that illegal anti-competitive collusion will not be tolerated.”
During the time of the infringement, Elite was the manufacturer of Rangers-branded clothing and also sold Rangers-branded products directly through its Gers Online store and later in bricks-and-mortar shops in Glasgow and Belfast. The only UK-wide major retailer selling those products at the time was JD Sports.
The CMA’s investigation found that Rangers FC became concerned about the fact that, at the start of the 2018 to 2019 football season, JD Sports was selling the Rangers replica top at a lower price than Elite, which was seen at the time as the club’s ‘retail partner’.
This resulted in an understanding between the 3 parties that JD Sports would increase its retail price of the Rangers adult short-sleeved home replica shirt by nearly 10%, from £55 to £60, to bring it in line with the prices being charged by Elite on Gers Online.
The CMA also found that Elite and JD Sports – without involvement from Rangers – colluded to fix the retail prices of Rangers-branded clothing, including training wear and replica kit, over a longer period. This included aligning the level and timing of discounts towards the end of the football season in 2019, to avoid competition between them and protect their profit margins.
Counter at Native Edinburgh will host the Scottish book launch of Feel Good Club, written by popular Manchester based entrepreneurs Kiera and Aimie Lawlor-Skillen.
Purchase tickets for Feel Good Club’s Scottish book launch at Counter from 7 – 8pm Thursday 29th September for only £4 here. The £4 event voucher is redeemable against a copy of the book and will help Lighthouse bookshop continue to run events. Alternatively, guests can purchase an event ticket and the Feel Good Club book for £9.99.
Guests will hear Kiera and Aimie Lawlow-Skillen discuss their debut book, written for the sole purpose of making people feel good, in Native Edinburgh’s stunning lounge space, Counter.
Renowned around the UK for their inspirational Instagram account @wearefeelgoodclub, the dynamic couple also operate Feel Good Club coffee shop and events space in Manchester and have now turned their talents to writing.
The debut book brings Feel Good Club’s trademark inspiring quotes to life, offering real-life wisdom and enabling readers to overcome life’s tough moments. Feel Good Club’s mission is to normalise sharing how we feel and making people feel good through positive, accessible self-help.
The launch comes following a new partnership for Counter with one of Edinburgh’s most radical, independently owned bookshops, Lighthouse. Lighthouse are set to host monthly feminist book salons at Counter each month, transforming Native Edinburgh’s luxurious lounge into a feminist book club with a series of talks and events from thought-provoking writers.
Queer owned and women led, Lighthouse is an intersectional, feminist, antiracist, LGBTQ+ community space and home to over 10,000 titles. Named as Scotland’s Best Independent Bookshop in 2020, Lighthouse will now partner with Counter at Native Edinburgh to host events, talks and book launches – bringing their feminist salon events to the aparthotel’s inspiring lounge space.
Counter serves up coffee by day and cocktails by night at Native Edinburgh’s newly renovated aparthotels on Queen Street. The stylish lounge offers coffee, co-working, cocktails and events.
Open 11am – 1am to all, including non-residents, Counter’s lush green hues and botanical themes take inspiration from the nearby Royal Botanic Gardens, welcoming guests into a peaceful haven right in the heart of Edinburgh.
With 82 apartments comprising studios, one bedrooms, and ground floor leisure and co-working spaces, Native Edinburgh provides the flexibility and amenities of a design-led boutique hotel, coupled with the space, comfort and privacy of a home from home.
Decarbonisation fund recipients announced as applications re-open
Ten companies have been awarded a total of £9.4 million to help Scottish industries reduce carbon emissions through decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects.
The recipients from the second round of the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (SIETF) are predominantly involved in the manufacturing and food and drink sectors.
The projects include a more energy efficient dryer at a seaweed processing facility, whilst several brewers and whisky distilleries will also receive funding for projects that aim to reduce the emissions that are created during energy-intensive manufacturing processes.
The projects awarded funding have the potential to reduce emissions by 40,482 tonnes of CO2 a year, the equivalent of the annual emissions from 17,000 households.
A further £160,000 has also been made available to conduct up to four engineering or feasibility studies into future projects that will aim to reduce emissions and increase efficiency within the sector by creating a pipeline of future projects.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced the funding while visiting Graham’s Family Dairy, where previous SIETF funding allowed them to upgrade steam production and heat distribution infrastructure.
The First Minister said: “Reducing emissions in our manufacturing sector will be a crucial step in ensuring Scotland reaches its net zero target by 2045.
“I am pleased that the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund continues to support companies across the sector to embrace decarbonisation, improve efficiency and reduce their impact on the environment.
“This week is Scotland’s Climate Week, which puts a renewed focus upon the ongoing climate emergency and our efforts to tackle it. And as households and businesses struggle with rising energy costs, it has never been more important to support industry to become more energy efficient.
“I welcome the work that the Fund has already supported and I hope that many more businesses will apply in the future.”
Up to £34 million of Scottish Government funding will be made available through the lifetime of the five-year SIETF, which runs until 2026. The third round of applications is now live.
Robert B Graham, Managing Director at Graham’s Family Dairy said: “The SIETF programme has enabled us to accelerate our industrial decarbonisation programme, driving energy efficiencies and reducing waste.
“SIETF funding support has meant we have been able to deliver a number of process decarbonisation projects in parallel, to achieve scalable impact across our supply chain and share results to support Scottish industry & businesses with their journey to net zero.”
Peter Davison and Kieran Healey-Ryder from the Sustainability Leadership Team at Whyte & Mackay, which has secured second round funding, said: “As whisky makers we believe in a sustainable future for what we do here on Jura.
“This Scottish Government programme is a galvanising platform for industry to come together and solve for a green future right across these islands.
“This grant will accelerate our journey towards a sustainable future for whisky making here on Jura.”
SIETF supports industrial sites with high energy use to transition to a low carbon future. It will improve the international competitiveness of many companies whilst protecting jobs.
The application window for the third round of projects will remain open until 18 November 2022.
The second round of recipients of SIETF funding are detailed below:
Name
Competition
Sector
Location
Technology
Grant offered: over £2m
DSM Nutritional Products
Deployment
Food and drink
East Ayrshire
Mechanical Vapour Recompression (MVR) technology
Whyte & Mackay
Deployment
Food and drink
Argyle and Bute
Steam boiler with biomass fuel burner and flue gas purification
Grant offered: £1m – £2m
Pauls Malt
Deployment
Food and drink
Angus
The installation of a hot water network and CHP
Grant offered: £500k – £1m
Brewdog
Deployment
Food and drink
Aberdeenshire
Food grade (green) CO2 production via CO2 capture
Carbon Capture Scotland
Deployment
Dry Ice Production
Dumfries and Galloway
CO2 Feedstock Recycling
Uist Asco
Deployment
Manufacturing
Western Isles
Installation of a more efficient dryer with heat recovery
UPM
Deployment
Manufacturing
East Ayrshire
Replace existing pumps with three energy efficient turbo blowers
Grant offered: £250k – £500k
Diageo
Deployment
Food and Drink
Aberdeenshire
Installation of High Temperature Heat Pump
Macphie
Deployment
Food and Drink
Aberdeenshire
Conversion of oil fired steam plant to natural gas
Tennent’s
Deployment
Food and Drink
Glasgow City
Air compressor and spent grain transfer and smart air injection and spent grain removal technology
Grant offered: £100k – 250k
DSM Nutritional Products
Deployment
Food and drink
East Ayrshire
Heat recovery DCM evaporator and preheat feed effluent columns
City council leader Cammy Day said yesterday: The climate crisis represents the single greatest threat to all humankind, and it is something that we must face together.
Whilst recent events such as the death of Her Majesty The Queen, the ongoing cost of living crisis, and events in Ukraine have dominated our thoughts and indeed the news cycle, we must now turn our efforts back to arguably the most pressing issue of our time.
As Scotland’s Climate Week begins today, I would like to reiterate our commitment to becoming a net-zero city by 2030 and spearheading the climate fightback here in Scotland’s Capital. This is a cornerstone of the Council’s long-term goals, and I am determined that we will play our role in the wider climate effort.
As Council Leader I will be attending the UK100’s Climate Leadership Academy this autumn. This programme for leaders across the UK will provide knowledge on decarbonisation, financial transition, energy, and nature/adaption.
I relish the opportunity to speak to other local government leaders from across the country and the political spectrum. The climate crisis is a collective problem and as such requires a collective and cooperative solution.
To achieve net-zero, everyone must play their part in driving climate action. A reduction in emissions needs to take place across all areas of society and business sectors. Overwhelmingly, the scientific evidence clearly shows that to prevent the worst impacts of climate change, the increasing global temperature must be limited to 1.5°C.
Here in Edinburgh, we are already on our way to becoming a greener city.
This summer we launched a citywide network of electric vehicle chargers located on streets and at park and ride sites, which will help people to choose cleaner, low emission electric cars.
In June the citywas awarded silver statusby the Sustainable Food Places Network, recognising the Capital’s pioneering work to promote healthy and sustainable food. The City of Edinburgh Council was also ranked third in the UKby Climate Emergency UK in their scorecard of local authority’s climate action plans.
At the start of #ScotClimateWeek I would like to call upon our fantastic residents, businesses, and partner organisations to renew their climate commitments. Our dedicated climate webpage is filled with information on Edinburgh’s 2030 climate strategy, tracking our progress and climate action in the city. I would encourage everyone to educate themselves on the climate crisis and find out how small, individual changes can make a lasting impact.
Encouraging people to consider alternatives to travel by car like walking, wheeling, cycling and travel by public transport is essential to our net zero goals and we’ve set a target of reducing the kms travelled by car in Edinburgh by 30% by 2030. Last week we marked Car Free Day and this Sunday (2 October) we’ll be holding a fun event on Waverley Bridge to celebrate the occasion. The area will be transformed into an inclusive community hub of information, inspiration and activity encouraging people to consider more sustainable forms of transport.
We remain in the midst of a challenging fight against climate change, and the significant impacts that are already being felt across the globe. However, I remain confident that our capital city and its people will persevere and play their part in this shared effort to make our planet a safer, sustainable, and more prosperous place to live.
Locals urged to donate to those struggling with the cost of living
Heating bills are at an all-time high, inflation is on the rise, and the temperature outside is plummeting.
There is no doubt that the necessity to keep warm and the stress of trying to keep up with the rising cost of living will sadly push many people to their breaking point this winter. However, one local business is doing all it can to offer practical help.
Saturday 1st October will see The Leith Collective launch its winter coat exchange across its three Scottish stores. Locals are being urged to donate good quality winter coats and waterproof jackets suitable for all ages and sizes. The coats will be available for anyone to collect at Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre completely free of charge, no questions asked.
The Leith Collective launched its first ever winter coat exchange in January 2022. At the time, it proved to be a genuine lifeline for many local individuals and families unable to afford a warm and comfortable coat to protect themselves from the elements.
Sadly, The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, predicts this winter will be even more challenging for even more people: “We launched the winter coat exchange at the beginning of the year and sadly, here we are again. Except this time, it is even worse.
“Right across Scotland, there are people that are genuinely scared of what this winter may bring. People who now can’t afford even the most basic essentials because the cost of living has skyrocketed. For many people, winter 2022 will be a season of crisis. But we are determined to make a difference, and we know there are countless people in Edinburgh and Glasgow that want to help too.”
The winter coat exchange is not only a practical response to the cost of living crisis, but also to the climate crisis – a cause which lies at the heart of The Leith Collective. The winter coat exchange is a sustainable solution that aims to keep quality clothes out of landfill and in use for longer, promoting a circular economy and reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry.
As a Community Interest Company, all profits from The Leith Collective go towards supporting the community and promoting sustainability through the arts.
The Leith Collective actively supports individuals with mental health or support needs to grow in confidence and gain experience in the workplace, and offers business mentorship to any members of the Collective.
It is hoped that by hosting the winter coat exchange in accessible locations such as Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre, those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to receive a helping hand.
Coats can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird, and The Clydeside Collective at St Enoch Centre during opening hours.
