Day: November 17, 2022

62% of Scots know “almost nothing” about pancreatic cancer

74% can’t name one symptom

Shocking new statistics from national charity Pancreatic Cancer Action have revealed that 62% of people in Scotland know “almost nothing” about pancreatic cancer and 74% can’t name one symptom.

93% of people in Scotland also said that they are more likely to seek help for what they consider to be classic cancer symptoms, such as a lump. 908 people in Scotland had pancreatic cancer in 2019 with only 20% of people reaching the 1-year survival mark.

This World Pancreatic Cancer Day (Thursday 17th November 2022), the charity is urging people to share the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer with their family and friends to improve early diagnosis and save lives.

Pancreatic Cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in the UK with only 7% of people surviving beyond five years. It can be difficult to diagnose as many of the symptoms are put down to other, benign diseases by both patients and GPs 90% of people with pancreatic cancer receive a diagnosis too late for potentially curative treatment.

Symptoms include mid-back pain, changes in bowel habits, stomach pain, losing weight without trying, a recent diagnosis of diabetes without weight gain, nausea or jaundice. An individual could have all or none of these symptoms. 

The survey was completed by over 2000 people around the UK to gauge the public’s knowledge of pancreatic cancer as part of Pancreatic Awareness Month (1st-30th November). The survey revealed some interesting results, including that 19% believe that veganism can help to cure cancer.

Ali Stunt, Founder and CEO of Pancreatic Cancer Action, and pancreatic cancer survivor, said “These shocking statistics show that we still have an incredibly long way to go to raise awareness of this deadly disease. Most pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed too late.

“In order to change outcomes for pancreatic cancer, we need to get people diagnosed sooner and improving public symptom awareness is one way to achieve this.”

Pancreatic Cancer Action is one of the UK’s leading charities that focus on early detection. They recently funded a ground-breaking new study alongside the University of Surrey and the University of Oxford that revealed that it may be possible to identify people with the disease up to three years earlier than current diagnoses.

Responding to reports that Scotland is the second worst country in Western Europe for pancreatic cancer survival rates, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “These figures from Pancreatic Cancer UK are very concerning. Pancreatic cancer is the least survivable cancer in Scotland and the only way to survive it is to catch it early, yet this all too rarely happens.

“November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, and I was fortunate enough to speak to several people at an event in the Scottish Parliament this week, including Wendy who had lost her daughter to pancreatic cancer aged just 25, leaving a 3-year-old child without a mother.

“She was initially told that her symptoms were likely to be a virus before ultimately being diagnosed with cancer. It was incredibly sad to hear of her case and other lives cut short by late diagnosis of this terrible disease.

“I have lodged questions in the Scottish Parliament asking the Scottish Government how they will improve early diagnosis for pancreatic cancer. I hope that by building momentum for awareness, funding and research, we can improve the prognosis for the over 900 people who are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer each year in Scotland.

“I would like to thank Pancreatic Cancer UK for their work in bringing these figures to the Scottish Parliament’s attention and advocating for improved diagnosis and treatment of this disease.”

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Teapot Trust secures a show garden at prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show 

Teapot Trust garden explores the transformative power of art therapy for children with chronic illnesses

A Scottish based charity is celebrating after securing a garden at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Teapot Trust is a charity at the forefront of transformative mental health support that provides art therapy to children, young people and their families living with chronic conditions. The show garden marks a rare Chelsea appearance for Scottish charities and designers and is made possible by a grant from Project Giving Back who provide funding for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Following the event next May, Teapot Trust’s Elsewhere Garden will be permanently relocated to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

One in four children and young people in the UK live with the pain and stigma of chronic health conditions that cause anxiety and depression. Almost a third of those aged under 21 who take their own lives have a long-term chronic illness.

The charity’s art therapy gives children and young people a release from the burdens of chronic illness allowing them to take some control, to express and process their feelings about their diagnosis, their treatment regime, and the impact of their condition on daily life.

Sarah Randell, Chief Executive of Teapot Trust said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have a show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show next year.

“The opportunities this will give Teapot Trust are hugely significant. It’s a platform from which we’ll share the impact of our work and draw more children and families in need to us so they can access our art therapy without barriers or cost.

“Semple Begg has done a fabulous job creating the Elsewhere Garden which perfectly illustrates the release that art therapy gives children, taking their minds to a place of escape.”

Ruth Girvan, Chair of Trustees of Teapot Trust said: “My daughter suffers daily physical and mental pain from an invisible chronic condition. The support we had from Teapot Trust to access art therapy helped Neve find ways to understand her condition, her treatment and has enabled her to navigate a world where she faces barriers and stigma often on a daily basis. 

“Winning a show garden at RHS Chelsea gives Teapot Trust the opportunity to spread awareness, giving more children and young people like Neve access to transformative art therapy. I can’t wait to experience Teapot Trust’s Elsewhere Garden and see how Neve’s experiences have been creatively imagined.”

Susan Begg of Semple Begg said: “Teapot Trust Elsewhere Garden represents a child’s imagination as it blossoms in response to the freedom gifted by art therapy.

“Through this escape into art, children find coping strategies to deal with life.”

Nicola Semple of Semple Begg added: “For inspiration we looked to Willy Wonka’s factory, to Oz and Wonderland. Where colour is vivid and exuberant, shape and form are exaggerated. And, where the inner world of a child’s anxiety is expressed as an outer wonderland.”

An illustration of the garden created by children’s illustrator, Sandra Dieckmann can be downloaded here. 

Following Chelsea, the garden will be relocated to a permanent home at Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow which serves areas of social need, where chronic illness in children is 2.5 times more prevalent. An inclusive safe space to help overcome barriers to accessing healthcare, it will be used for outdoor art therapy and all patients and visitors will be welcome.

Commenting on the relocation Prof Tom Steele, Director of Estates and Facilities for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “We are delighted to be receiving this unique garden space which I am sure will have an instant benefit for our patients, families and staff.

“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde manages a diverse portfolio of land across central Scotland that has the potential to improve the wellbeing of surrounding communities by enhancing the environment and creating green spaces which improve mental and physical health. Increasing evidence links access and use of green space to a multitude of healthcare benefits.

“Recognising the health and social benefits of high-quality green space leads to better outcomes, not only for patients, but for staff and the wider community and is a priority for NHSGGC. Our experience throughout the pandemic has shown us that access to high quality external space is essential for wellbeing.”

Innovative health technology helping patients

More than 5,000 procedures performed

An innovative new procedure which speeds up cancer diagnosis has now benefitted more than 5,000 patients.

The cytosponge diagnostic service, introduced during the pandemic, means patients can access cancer checks closer to home, helping to reduce the strain on health services.  

Using cytosponge means that patients can get scope results by simply swallowing a small pill with a thread attached rather than using traditional scope methods and sedation. After swallowing the pill, it expands into a tiny sponge which is pulled back up the oesophagus, collecting cells on the way which are then examined for abnormalities. Cytosponge helps to identify important conditions such as Barrett’s oesophagus which is a known risk factor for oesophageal cancer. 

The procedure, which is supported by NHS Golden Jubilee’s Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD), has now been used 5,036 times (to 3 November 2022) across Scotland.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The cytosponge is an excellent example of an innovative technology that allows people to access services quicker, and closer to home. It is helping to deliver better outcomes for patients, while also easing pressures at our hospitals. That’s why I am pleased to see it being used so widely.

“Cytosponge offers a simpler alternative to endoscopy procedures and takes only around 15 minutes. It is a much simpler and more patient-friendly test than endoscopy that enables faster diagnosis of patients at risk of pre or early cancer, without the need for them to undergo a more invasive procedure.

“Using this new technology means we can help tackle the waiting lists for endoscopy procedures that have arisen during the pandemic.”

Professor Jann Gardner, Chief Executive of NHS Golden Jubilee, said: “In these challenging times, it is vital that we improve patient experience with faster diagnostic imaging, facilitating targeted treatments and improving long term outcomes. This cutting-edge technology has helped NHS Scotland advance cancer diagnosis and provide direct benefit to over 5,000 patients.  

“Cytosponge provides a better, more comfortable experience for patients, and we look forward to ensuring that even more people are treated this way as we continue to help meet the diagnostic demand resulting from the pandemic.” 

Unlike endoscopy procedures, where clinicians use a long, thin, flexible tube with a light and camera at one end to inspect organs inside the body, cytosponge is a non-Aerosol Generating Procedure (AGP) and can be performed outside of traditional hospital environments, such as community health centres or general outpatient clinics.

Get into the festive spirit at Christmas at the Botanics

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh opened its gates to ‘Christmas at the Botanics’ this evening, Thursday 17 November, with an awe-inspiring trail of new installations.  

The Garden, full of Christmas cheer, is inviting the people of Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond to embrace the festive season and to support the trail. A visit to the magical, botanical illuminated trail is a way of helping to fund the Garden’s important plant conservation work. 

Director of Enterprise and Communication at the Garden, Kari Coghill said: “Christmas at the Botanics has increased in popularity each year and has become one of the city’s most popular festive traditions. Its opening is a milestone moment in the capital’s festive calendar that kicks off the holiday season feeling for so many people.  

“Bringing new installations to the trail is exciting and we are also bringing back much-loved favourites this year too, such as the light projection on the front of Inverleith House and the ‘Christmas Cathedral’, a tunnel of sparkling lights which has provided so many fantastic Christmas images for visitors in recent years. 

“Visitors to the light trail contribute directly to our wider work because our profits from ticket sales support the Garden’s plant research and conservation efforts in Scotland and around the world.” 

New Installations: 

·               Lilies by Jigantics, 12 one-metre high LED illuminated lilies floating on the Botanics Pond. 

·               Aurora by Ithaca, recreating the famed visual tones of the stunning Aurora Borealis. 

·               Christmas Gifts by Woody Fox, 14 giant wicker sculptures of Christmas presents. 

·               Feathers by Pyrite Creative, a display of UV feathers up to two metres in length which appear to float in the trees. 

·               Floraison by French artistic collective Pitaya features 240-red-lit flowers. 

·               Edison Trees includes 60 reproductions of the filament bulbs made popular by London’s historic Edison Electric Light Company at the turn of the century. 

This year’s trail is more twinkly than ever but has been created with sustainability in mind. The installations are low in energy usage, over 90% of the trail is LED, and are lit by the Garden’s main power supply to remove the need for generators.

Continuous lighting of trails and paths has been avoided and audience area lighting is only used where it is necessary for public safety.    

Kari Coghill added: “Part of the joy of the trail is that it is a chance to be in the Botanics after dark and to experience the Garden from a whole new perspective.

Our trail designers have been appointed on the strength of their experience of working in environmentally sensitive ways in heritage and landscape settings. This year’s trail is the best yet.” 

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a world-leading scientific organisation, a globally important resource, and a charity funded by the Scottish Government and by visitor income. Visitors to the trail contribute to the Garden’s wider work which addresses biodiversity loss and the impact of the climate crisis. 

Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.  

Jonathan Marks, Director at Raymond Gubbay, the division of Sony Music which is promoting the event, said: “It is always exciting to open Christmas at the Botanics. 

“The trail attracted over 90,000 visitors during its five-week run last year and we hope that this year’s trail will inspire even more people to come and enjoy the trail, a festive tradition for so many.  Everyone involved in the production has worked hard to provide a special experience for all who attend as they explore installations old and new.”  

Tickets for this year’s show are available to buy. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.

Visitors are encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment.  The trail runs for 37 nights on selected evenings from 17 November to 30 December 2022.  

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram. 

PDSA: Road Safety 101

Keeping dogs safe while out and about

Heading out for a walk is great, not only for our own mental and physical health, but for our dogs’ wellbeing, too.

But with the dark evenings drawing in, walking along roads can become increasingly unsafe for us and our furry family members – each year, vet charity PDSA treats thousands of pets who have been involved in road traffic accidents.

As we mark Road Safety Week (14 – 20 November), PDSA Vet Nurse, Nina Downing, has shared some top tips for keeping furry friends safe while out and about:

Keep them on the lead

“The easiest way to keep your pooch safe while out walking, especially near roads, is to use a lead. A short lead, attached to a well-fitted collar or harness, will give you more control and keep your pup close by – this is particularly important as the nights grow darker.

“If you let your pooch off the lead to run around, only do so in a secure, enclosed area where they can’t run onto nearby roads or become disorientated and lost. It’s also vital and a legal requirement that, should the worst happen and you get separated, your pet is wearing a collar and tag and that their microchip details are up to date.”

Stop, look, and listen

“Our four-legged friends aren’t naturally street smart when it comes to avoiding traffic, so it’s important to train them to stop and wait to help prevent them rushing onto an unsafe road. To do this you’ll need three separate commands – ‘sit’, ‘wait’, and ‘go’.

“When approaching a curb, ask your pet to sit and wait while you check the road is clear, rewarding them when they’re calm and sitting. Once the coast is clear, instruct them to cross safely and reward them when they reach the other side. Make sure you do this each time you cross the road to help your pet learn the routine, and understand that it’s more rewarding to wait than to dash across the road.”

Stay visible

“It’s always best to walk your dog during daylight hours but, as the days get shorter, this may become trickier, so making sure you and your pup are both visible on your walks is important. 

“Wearing a high visibility jacket is great for this, as is brightly coloured clothing, so that drivers can spot you. You can also use a reflective lead, harness and LED collar for your pooch.

Remember to take a torch to help keep your surroundings illuminated when you venture out, too, and choose roads with pavements where you can”

Master key commands

“It’s a good idea to consider teaching your dog an emergency ‘stop’ command – as an extra safety precaution. Even if they aren’t let off the lead, being able to control them in an emergency is important for their safety.

“It only takes something small to spook your dog and for them to run towards the road, so training them to obey this verbal instruction is another safeguard to keep you both happy and safe while out and about.”

For more information on ensuring your dog gets enough exercise, visit:

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/what-we-do/blog/6-road-safety-tips-for-dog-owners

Modernising OSCR: Scottish Government publishes Charities Bill

Improvements and updates to increase transparency and accountability

Legislation to update and strengthen existing charity law has been published. The Charities (Regulation and Administration) Bill aims to increase transparency and accountability and improves the powers of the Office of Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR).

As part of the proposals OSCR will:

  • publish annual accounts for every charity
  • include the names of all charity trustees in the Scottish Charity Register
  • be able to remove charities that fail to provide accounts and don’t respond to OSCR’s communications
  • create a publicly searchable record of removed charity trustees

The legislation will also give OSCR new powers to issue positive directions to a charity to take action, such as managing a conflict of interest, where a risk has been identified by the regulator.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “Charities play a vital role in our society, from supporting individuals and communities, to informing policy at a national level.

“Current charity law is now 17 years old, the charity sector has changed significantly in that time and the legislation needs to be updated to reflect that. Charities have told us that they want these changes to help strengthen existing charity law and update their system of regulation.

“In order to maintain public trust and confidence in this important sector and its regulator in the years ahead, we are taking the required steps to increase transparency and to extend OSCR’s enforcement powers.

“Scotland’s charities raise more than £13 billion of income each year and this Bill will give the public further transparency as to how that money is used.”

Anna Fowlie, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), said: “I welcome the introduction of this legislation. Charity regulation is vital to public trust and confidence in the sector, and it needs to be fit for purpose.

“This Bill is an opportunity to modernise regulation and ensure that OSCR has the powers it needs to fulfil its functions as effectively as possible. I also welcome the Scottish Government’s commitment to a wider review of charity law in the future.”

The Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill is a 2022-23 Programme for Government commitment.

Provisions in the Bill include:

  • updating the criteria for the automatic disqualification of charity trustees and extending it to individuals with specific senior management positions in charities
  • removal from the Scottish Charity Register of unresponsive charities that fail to submit statements of account
  • a requirement for all charities in the Scottish Charity Register to have and retain a connection to Scotland
  • a requirement on OSCR to publish the statements of account for all charities in the Scottish Charity Register
  • requirements on OSCR to include charity trustee names in the Scottish Charity Register, to keep an internal schedule of charity trustees’ details and to create a publicly searchable record of charity trustees removed by the courts

The Scottish Government consulted on proposals put forward by OSCR in 2019 and consulted again on a number of specific reforms in 2021 and found a majority of support for the changes.

Scottish charity law: consultation analysis 2019

Strengthening Scottish charity law: analysis of engagement responses 2021

Anonymous art auction brings in £45,000 for vital heart research

The fifth anniversary of Heart Research UK’s ‘anonymous heART project’ has raised over £45,000, auctioning pieces of A5 art produced by a host of internationally acclaimed artists and musicians.

Famous artists like Bambi, LUAP and Ralph Steadman, and the charity’s own patrons Robert Smith (The Cure) and Paul Insect were joined by hundreds of international artists to create over 450 pieces of unique artwork that were auctioned on eBay between the 4th – 13th November.

Though the list of artists was available to all bidders, the creator of each individual piece was kept anonymous and will been revealed only after the buyers have received their artwork.

The charity’s patron iconic rockstar Robert Smith has contributed to the auction for several years, and his pieces are always highly sought after. The piece he created this year, entitled “DREAMS OF A LOST WORLD”, (top)was the highest seller and went for £4,350.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas illustrator Ralph Steadman’s artworks both ended up in the top five pieces, with his piece “Blue Shock!” going for £1,020.

As sponsors of this year’s anonymous heART project, law firm Walker Morris also hosted an event exhibiting of some of the pieces and an auction of larger artworks, raising a further £2,000 for the charity.

The amount from this year’s auction is added to the £200,000 raised since the project started and will be used to fund pioneering research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK, said: “Once again we are so pleased to see the result of our anonymous heART project, one of our biggest yearly fundraisers.

“We love seeing how excited people are about the auction and are always so grateful for the support of both the artists and the people bidding on the artworks. It’s a great way for people to help fund vital research whilst also getting a beautiful original piece of art.

“We’d especially like to thank our patrons Robert Smith and Paul Insect for donating their time and art yet again, and our sponsors Walker Morris for supporting the project.”

To find out more and to register your interest for next year’s anonymous heART project, please visit heartresearch.org.uk/anonymous-heart/

Or follow the @he.art_project on Instagram for more updates.

ITEMSOLD FOR
Lot No 412 – DREAMS OF A LOST WORLD – Robert Smith£4,350.00
Lot No 040 – Blue Shock! – Ralph Steadman£1,020.00
Lot No 416 – Study of Lily 2 – Mary Jane Ansell (above)£830.00
Lot No 041 – Love Heart – Paul Insect£740.00
Lot No 039 – Yurch! – Ralph Steadman£670.00

Curiosity Collective announces new Executive Director

Learning and wellbeing charity has supported over 15,000 young people

Curiosity Collective has announced the appointment of Chloe Goodall as the charity’s new Executive Director. Chloe started with the charity over five years ago and led the development of the organisation’s ‘Wonderbox’ which has reached over 8,000 under-supported children and young people since the start of the pandemic. 

Originally established in 2013 as ‘Children’s University Scotland’, the charity rebranded as ‘Curiosity Collective’ last year to increase its appeal to all ages.  With a vision to ensure all children in Scotland are given the freedom to explore and enjoy learning outwith school, Curiosity Collective creates and distributes free and accessible resources designed to improve children’s skills, confidence and wellbeing. The charity has reached over 15,000 under-supported children across Scotland to date.

Chloe Goodall, Executive Director of Curiosity Collective said “I am proud and honoured to step up and lead the organisation. 

“By 2030, it’s thought that as many as one in three children will be growing up in poverty; a situation made worse by the impact of COVID-19 and the bleak reality of the current cost-of-living crisis. As a result, young people are missing out on opportunities to learn and have fun that boost their confidence and help to build skills for life.

“Curiosity Collective gives children the freedom to explore a world of learning beyond the classroom. We provide immediate support and long-term solutions for under-supported children who are shut out due to poverty and hardship, including urban and rural communities. We have ambitious targets and I look forward to making them happen with our committed partners.”

Mary De La Peña, Chair of Curiosity Collective said “We are absolutely thrilled that Chloe has agreed to lead the organisation as our new Executive Director. 

“Since starting with Curiosity Collective in 2016, Chloe has impressed us all with her passion and determination in helping under-supported children across Scotland. 

“Our programmes and activities have never been needed more.  As children and families struggle to cope with the extreme loss of learning through the pandemic and growing mental health concerns amongst young people, we need to work harder than ever to reach those who need us most with the best possible support. 

“We are confident that Chloe will continue our great successes, leading the organisation from strength to strength in our ambitions to support over 150,000 children by 2030.”

Curiosity Collective created the “Wonderbox” resource at the start of the pandemic to provide vital resources to inspire and enable under-supported children to learn and keep mentally well through the height of the restrictions. 

The resource has been hugely successful and is now an integral part of the charity’s long-term offering. Over 8,000 children have benefitted from the “Wonderbox” to date and 95% of survey respondents say it helped them to feel less isolated and stressed.  

The charity works with partners and stakeholders operating on a national level such as One Parent Families Scotland, the Fostering Network and Women’s Aid to distribute the resource effectively.

On a local level the charity collaborates with food banks and regional support groups.  Curiosity Collective has been working alongside Edinburgh Young Carers since earlier this year and together the partnership has supported over 100 young people with the distribution of Curiosity Collective’s Wonderbox resource. 

Leaders at Curiosity Collective visited EYC’s Under-12s project with one of the projects key funders, Cash for Kids, to announce the new appointment and meet some of the young people involved.

Gary Shaw, Youth Development Worker at Edinburgh Young Carers, said: “Through our partnership with Curiosity Collective we have been enabled to enhance the vital support we provide to the hundreds of children, young people and families that we reach across the city. 

“Being a young carer can be extremely challenging and often activities and days out as a family can be very limited – if at all.  We help to address this by hosting sibling support groups giving these families time and space to be together. 

“We were delighted that the Curiosity Collective team were able to come along to our most recent sibling coffee morning and introduce their Wonderbox to new families.

“The brilliant resource is already making a huge impact; the activities within are invaluable in supporting families to have fun and learn together at home giving young carers something of their own to cherish and the opportunity to engage in memory making and connection with their family members at home, at any time.”

As a registered charity Curiosity Collective relies on the generosity of its funders, such as Cash for Kids, The Robertson Trust, Wheatley Group, ScottishPower and the Scottish Children’s Lottery, to enable the organisation to deliver its vital activities.

Becca Stenhouse, Fundraising Executive at Cash for Kids said: “We were delighted to fund Curiosity Collective, earlier this year in order to support them in developing accessible programmes, tools and resources that can change under-supported children’s lives for the better across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.”

Healthy Heart Tip: Organise your Kitchen for Success

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Organise your Kitchen for Success

It probably won’t come as a shock to hear that a tidy, clean, and well-organised kitchen can make healthy eating easier. Taking the time to practically declutter and organise your kitchen and making a conscious effort to keep it tidy and clean, can make mealtimes run much smoother.

When things are in order it encourages us to choose healthier foods rather than ordering takeaways or reaching for quick, unhealthy options. Organising your kitchen can be a daunting job, especially if you’ve neglected it for some time.

Not to worry, here we share some ideas to get you started:

Clean out the fridge

Start by emptying and cleaning out your fridge. Discard any old condiments you’ve got that aren’t used and reorganise everything into sections that promote healthy choices.

Such as, keeping your fruit and snackable veggies like tomatoes, cucumber and carrots at the front of your fridge so you can easily see them and reach for them when you’re after a snack.

Empty the cabinets

Empty all your kitchen cabinets, throw away anything which is out of date and donate any unopened food that you’ve had for more than six months (and don’t anticipate yourself eating in the next few weeks) to a local food bank.

Clean out the cabinets and organise everything when putting it back in, making sure the things you use most often are easily reachable. Using small containers to keep things like herbs and spices together can help keep things tidy.

Unwanted or unneeded items

Lots of us end up with random utensils and kitchen gadgets that we never actually use. These take up space and make it harder for us to easily find the things we need and use regularly. Gather all your kitchen utensils together in one place and sort out any that aren’t needed.

Similarly, if there are items that are broken or not fit for purpose, plan to replace them – using a frying pan that constantly sticks makes us less likely to opt for a quick, healthy stir-fry, for example.

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips.

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website: https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/.

Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-cookbook/.

Road Safety Week: Edinburgh has some of the worst roads in the UK 

This Road Safety Week it’s revealed Edinburgh has some of the worst roads in the UK 

This Road Safety Week, data from consumer law company, Slater and Gordon, highlights the most damaged roads in the UK.  

Slater and Gordon surveyed 1,444 road users across the UK and asked them to rate how damaged the roads were in their local area.  

Cardiff has been revealed as the city with the worst roads in the UK with 65.4% of people saying their roads are “bad” or “terrible” with Plymouth coming out as having the best roads in the UK. The full list of cities ranked on how many people described their roads as “bad” or “awful” is: 

·       Cardiff 65.4% 

·       Sheffield, 62.2% 

·       Bristol, 54.2% 

·       Glasgow, 52.2% 

·       Edinburgh, 50.9% 

·       Norwich, 50% 

·       Manchester, 49.6% 

·       Belfast, 47.9% 

·       Liverpool, 47.7% 

·       London, 47.3% 

·       Brighton, 47.1% 

·       Birmingham, 45.3% 

·       Nottingham, 43.2% 

·       Southampton, 42.6% 

·       Leeds, 39.3% 

·       Newcastle, 37.1% 

·       Plymouth, 30.3% 

In fact, only 3.6% of people in Edinburgh would describe the condition of their roads as “excellent”. 47% of people in the city said they felt more could be done to ensure that any damage to the road that isn’t immediately fixed is communicated to road users and 33% admit that they feel roads in Edinburgh are more dangerous due to problems being ignored by local authorities. 

35% of road users in Edinburgh have sustained damage to their car due to potholes whilst only 68% reported the damage so it wouldn’t happen to anyone else.  

Nicholas Hagi-Savva, senior associate at Slater and Gordon, said: “Even if you follow all the rules of the road, there may be external factors, such as ice or potholes which can both increase your chances of having a collision. This is of increasing importance as road conditions worsen approaching winter. 

“This Road Safety Week, we want to instil in people how important it is to protect not only themselves, but other and potentially more vulnerable road users. Accidents will, of course, always happen but by raising awareness of the data this Road Safety Week, we really hope that people are more aware of their surroundings and our roads are made as safe as possible.” 

For more information on Slater and Gordon, visit www.slatergordon.co.uk.