For the first time ever, Edinburgh Leisure, the charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives, is running a members’ only event from Black Friday (25th November) to Cyber Monday (28th November), rewarding their direct debit customers.
The Black Friday members-only event will offer 5 activities for £5 each, allowing direct debit customers to book any of the following:
fitness classes of 45 minutes +
Tee times across all golf courses (excluding weekends)
Squash sessions for at Meadowbank and Craiglockhart Tennis Centre
Outdoor tennis Meadows and Craiglockhart Tennis Centre (evenings only)
and Soft Play at Scrambles at the EICA: Ratho.
The offer is not available to non-members, although customers can join to take advantage of the offer. The offer is only available to buy online (with the exclusion of soft play at Scrambles, which needs to be paid in venue and is only available in-venue during the Black Friday event).
Edinburgh Leisure customers who pay their membership by direct debit will be able to log into their accounts during the offer dates and book the activities for £5 each. Customers will book as normal and will have 8-days to use the activity following payment. Customers will be able to book multiple activities, multiple times.
Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives. They do that by running over 30 sports and leisure facilities across the city and deliver their Active Communities programme, which helps improve the lives of people affected by health conditions, poverty, inequalities, and disabilities.
Friday pub nights introduced to help improve quality of life for care residents
RESIDENTS at an Edinburgh care home have been enjoying a night at the pub – without even having to leave the development.
Dedicated staff at Cramond Residence launched ‘Friday Pub Nights’ in a bid to engage residents in a social event imitating what they would ordinarily experience in their own home lives.
A pub environment with simulated pub seating, a bar, music, Sports TV and table games has been set up within the home.
Residents have used this activity to engage in lively and meaningful debates about current and past affairs, as well as enjoying a good sing-song to a wide range of music.
Garylee Rushforth, one of Cramond Residence’s Lifestyle Co-ordinators, said: “The pub nights are designed to help to combat loneliness, whilst also improving our residents’ quality of life.
“We are one of a few care home’s offering evening activities as we feel it is important for the independence and wellbeing of our residents.
“Old traditions have certainly not been forgotten at our pub nights, and frequently the first drink of the evening is welcomed with a Scots toast.”
The new activity, which occurs every Friday evening between 7pm and 9pm, has proven a hit with residents, having already developed around eight regulars.
Christian Daraio, Cramond Residence’s Client Liaison Manager, said: “The pandemic highlighted the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness, so in our care home, we have endeavoured to create a highly-enriching social calendar that fosters social interaction and enjoyment, ensuring that every resident feels involved in our small community.
“Our lifestyle coordinators have worked hard to put together an extensive activities programme and other activities offered include baking, painting, pet therapy and cheese and wine nights, to name a few!”.
All activities are optional, with residents being able to dip in and out of the daily excursions and classes. Nonetheless, participation in a few activities every week is encouraged by the Cramond Residence team to ensure residents make the most out of the offerings from the care home.
Launched in 2018, Cramond Residence offers uncompromising nurse-led care, as well as specialist services such as respite and dementia care. The care home currently has 74 residents spread across nine luxuriously-appointed homes.
Residential life is full of activities, freshly prepared meals and top-class facilities, ensuring that all residents enjoy a rich and satisfying life at the care home. The facilities provided include a cinema and function room, a games room and also a sensory experience which offers therapeutic activities for those with dementia.
Each resident also receives a personal care plan from health care professionals which is continually assessed and revised, ensuring that residents have access to the best possible level of care.
Cramond Residence offer tours of their quality accommodation and facilities in the north of Edinburgh. The tour allows potential residents and their loved ones to see the residence for themselves, meet the team and discuss any additional requirements.
Today Glenigan, one of the construction industry’s leading insight and intelligence experts, releases the November 2022 edition on its Construction Review.
The Review focuses on the three months to the end of October 2022, covering all major (>£100M) and underlying (<£100M) projects, with all underlying figures seasonally adjusted.
It’s a report which provides a detailed and comprehensive analysis of year-on-year construction data.
The key takeaway of the November Review is a softening in the downward trajectory of project-starts registered throughout the second half of 2022. However, this brief period of respite should be approached with caution as geopolitical turmoil persists in Eastern Europe, material and energy costs soar, and the UK enters a recession.
Whilst the sector overall experienced relative stability in the three months to October, with project start levels remaining largely unchanged, figures were still down 4% against the previous year.
Underlying Issues
Major project starts performed well, helping to maintain sector-wide stability, rising an impressive 28% on the preceding three months to stand 19% up on a year ago.
The same could not be said for underlying project starts, which plummeted 17% against the previous three months and were 13% down on 2021 levels.
Overall main contract awards slipped back 7% against the preceding three months, 5% lower than a year ago. Although major projects performed well, growing almost a quarter (24%) on 2021 levels and up by a fifth on the three months to October, underlying projects declined by 13% against last year and 15% compared to the previous three months.
Despite the November Review’s generally sluggish outlook, there are indications of gradual recovery, with a pipeline of work starting to flow following almost six months of blockage. Refreshingly, detailed planning approvals were up 29% against the preceding three months and a nifty 22% higher than 2021 levels.
Major projects rose a stunning 99% compared to the previous three months and an even more monumental 126% up on last year’s figures. Underlying approvals dipped a modest 2% on 2021 but, encouragingly, increased 8% on the preceding three months.
Commenting on the results, Glenigan’s Economic Director, Allan Wilen, says, “UK construction continues to be buffeted by myriad external headwinds, many of which are entirely out of the industry’s control. However, it was encouraging to see a significant uplift in major projects over the period covered by the Review.
“Of course, the release of the November Review comes in the wake of The Chancellor’s sober Autumn Statement, which will no doubt have an effect on future iterations of this report. Significantly, as part of his drive for growth, Hunt outlined the largest public works package for 40 years and substantial funding for critical infrastructure, which will no doubt provide the shot in the arm many contractors have been looking for. Furthermore, the commitment to reduce built environment emissions by 15% by 2030 will provide plenty of opportunities for retrofit specialists.
“No doubt many housebuilders and developers will feel let down, particularly as the one significant point around the ending of Stamp Duty relief will no doubt disincentivise potential buyers in the second half of 2023.”
The Sector specific and regional Index, which measures underlying project performance, was characterised by a bottoming out of project-start levels. However, recent events have dented market confidence, meaning levels remain relatively depressed.
Sector Analysis – Residential
The value of residential work starting on site fell 21% against the preceding three month period to stand 10% lower than a year ago.
Drilling down into the figures, social housing project starts fell a substantial 26% on 2021 levels, yet fared less poorly against the previous three months to the end of October, only dipping 7%. This was a relatively good performance compared to other verticals.
In contrast, private housing dropped 24% compared to the preceding 3 months but only 6% against 2021 levels.
Sector Analysis – Non Residential
Bright spots were few and far between, however, office project starts experienced a good period, rising 11% against the preceding three month period to remain unchanged on a year ago. Industrial starts also experienced modest growth during the Review period, but remained 15% behind 2021 figures.
Hotel and leisure experienced the sharpest decline of any vertical (-38%) against the previous year, also slipping back 19% against the preceding three months.
Education (-24%) and health (-41%) fared little better in the three months to the end of October, respectively crashing 28% and 31% compared to 2021.
Utilities construction starts were the only ones to experience growth on last year (+14%), despite tumbling 15% against the previous three months. Looking at the wider civils landscape, work starting on site slipped back 13% against the previous three months to remain largely unchanged on a year ago.
Regional Performance
Regional performance was generally weak.
Once again, Northern Ireland posted the most positive results, increasing 16% against the preceding three months, to stand an impressive 35% higher than a year ago.
Scotland also had reasons to be cheerful, with starts 10% up on 2021 and 19% up on the preceding three months.
Whilst project starts in Wales advanced on a year ago (+25%), they slipped back 5% on the preceding three months. The North West performed relatively well compared with other regions and, whilst project-starts remained unchanged on the previous three months, they dipped 2% against the previous year.
All other regions experience a decline against the preceding three months and previous year.
We know everyone is busy, so this event is taking place online to fit in around family, work and life. It’ll only take 1 hour and will be informative.
Did you know Edinburgh North East Scouts has almost 100 young people on a waiting list to join? And they need new helpers to support their 14 Scout Groups in Portobello, Craigentinny, Craigmillar, Duddingston, Calton, Joppa, Stockbridge, Pilrig, Broughton, Trinity, Leith, Newhaven, Wardie and Willowbrae.
Sign up for this event to find out about the exciting things the Scout Groups get up to and flexible volunteering opportunities.
Demand by young people to join Scouts in the Edinburgh North East area is good with youth waiting lists growing. However, they need new adult volunteers to reduce the waiting list and enable more local young people to benefit from Scouting.
Edinburgh North East Scouts is looking to the local community and organisations to help change the lives of local young people. They are appealing for help to reduce the youth waiting list and support 100 more young people to benefit from Scouts.
Scouts is only possible thanks to superstar volunteers – ordinary people, like you, making an extraordinary difference in young people’s lives. They are looking for new adult volunteers to assist their existing leader and executive team. So please consider what you can do and if you know anyone who may be willing to get involved and ask them to come along to the event too. It is possible that they may consider a job share if that was of interest to you?
Scouting has a reputation for helping young people to develop resilience, a positive character, respect for others, good community skills, as well as physical and mental fitness. Can you help inspire the doers and give it a goers of the future!
FACTS MATTER:
FACT 1: There are 14 Scout Groups in the Edinburgh North East area and they all want to provide more Scouting to more local young children.
FACT 2: You don’t need to have any specific skills or be Bear Grylls to lend a hand.
FACT 3: They have a collective youth waiting list of almost 100. FACT 4: If you volunteer as a Leader to get involved now then they can look at how your child could get automatic entry into their preferred Scout Group. FACT 5: You don’t have to have previous Scouting experience to get involved.
As a District, they want to offer your child and other local children across the Edinburgh North East area the chance to participate in all the fun experiences and adventures they do in Scouting week to week such as: camping, fire-lighting, climbing and abseiling, and yes, learning how to tie and use knots (these will come in handy in later life!)
Are you passionate about seeing local young people succeed? Are you a team player with a positive, can-do attitude? Do you enjoy fun activities? Do you want to do more in your community? Are you more of a ‘behind the scenes’ person? Do you have a skill or hobby you can share? Then this event is right up your street. Scouts has the opportunities – you just show up, get stuck in and make memories for life!
We all have the power to help young people to realise their potential. You don’t need to have been a Scout when you were younger. You don’t even need to know how to put up a tent.
Their door is open to people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and they’re only able to change lives because people like you lend a hand.
There’s lots of ways you can get more involved with Scouts as a parent, carer or family member. From helping out occasionally on a family rota or as part of their Executive Committee to stepping up as a leader, their volunteering activities are as varied as you.
The good news is you shape what you do and the time you have to give. Scouts happens when a lot of us give a little …and no, you don’t have to be a Scout or outdoors expert to volunteer.
Most of their volunteers work directly with young people aged 6-18 through their Beaver, Cub and Explorer groups – helping young people gain skills for life through fun activities.
District Commissioner, Rob Whitelaw, said, “This isn’t a job application, and you certainly don’t have to be an adventurer like Bear Grylls to get involved with Scouting and in fact not many of our volunteers are!
“Do you have first aid knowledge? Are you good with numbers? Handy in the kitchen? Or are you a DIY whizz? We all have useful skills, and you can volunteer and help in many ways. Are you ready to inspire a generation of young people to experience fun, friendship and real adventure?
“The opportunities to volunteer with us are flexible. Think of something you’d like to do, and chances are it’s just what we require. Whatever your skills, experience and interests, we can find a role for you!”
Contact/sign up:
Sign up for the online information evening on Tuesday 29th November at 7.30pm here:
Minister welcomes research which concludes measure has cut sales
Minimum Unit Pricing (MUP) “is achieving one of its key aims” according to Ministers after a new report concluded that it has been effective in cutting alcohol consumption.
Looking at the first three years since introduction, new research by Public Health Scotland and Glasgow University has concluded that the policy is reducing overall sales.
The level of minimum unit pricing is currently under review and a consultation on restrictions on the marketing of alcohol to help drive down hazardous consumption is also underway.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “I welcome this report which shows that minimum unit pricing has been effective in creating a 3% net reduction in total alcohol sales in the first three years of implementation.
“This important conclusion takes account of other factors such as the impact of the pandemic on alcohol sales, seasonal variations, existing trends, household income and comparison with England and Wales where MUP was not in place.
“Minimum unit pricing is achieving what it set out to do – a reduction in sales overall with a focus on the cheap high-strength alcohol, which is often drunk by people drinking at harmful levels. Further studies on MUP, including a final evaluation report, which is due next year, will examine how MUP has impacted on alcohol harms.
“Our focus is not only on MUP – last week, we launched a consultation on restrictions on the marketing of alcohol to help drive down hazardous consumption, and we are reviewing Scotland’s Alcohol Brief Interventions Programme which aims to motivate people to cut down on drinking.”
Public Health Scotland (PHS) published a report last week which evaluates the price and range of alcohol products in the Scottish off-trade sector in the 12 months following the implementation of Minimum Unit Pricing of alcohol (MUP).
The research shows that the average price of alcoholic drinks in the off-trade increased in Scotland to a greater extent than was seen in England and Wales over the same period. The increase in average prices during the study period was also greater than the rises seen between the two years in Scotland prior to MUP.
Before the implementation of MUP, supermarkets tended to have lower alcohol pricing than convenience stores. In the first 12 months after the introduction of MUP, prices in supermarkets increased more than those in convenience stores, meaning that both had a similar pricing level.
The greatest increases in price were seen in the types of alcoholic drinks that were priced the lowest relative to their alcohol by volume (ABV) prior to MUP, such as some ciders, perries and supermarket own-brand spirits – all of which tended to be priced below £0.50 per unit prior to MUP being implemented.
The products that increased the least in average price, such as some ready-to-drink beverages, or those that decreased in price, such as some fortified wines in convenience stores, appeared most likely to see increased sales.
Changes were seen in sales across different container sizes, including reductions in the amount sold in larger single-item containers, especially for some ciders and own-brand spirits in containers of 1 litre and over. The amount of beer and cider sold in the largest multipacks also declined, while sales in smaller multipacks increased.
Dr Karl Ferguson, Public Health Intelligence Adviser at Public Health Scotland, said: “In the first 12 months after MUP was implemented, we found that, especially for products that were priced below £0.50 per unit of alcohol prior to MUP, prices went up, the amount sold in larger container sizes went down, and sales also declined.
“We also found that, because of the price increase, even in instances where the volume of sales went down, the value (£) of sales remained fairly constant or increased.”
Most data (price outcomes, container size, multipacks, volume and value sales) were derived from weekly off-trade electronic point of sale data covering May 2016 to April 2019, obtained from market research specialist NielsenIQ.
The lights of Edinburgh’s iconic Christmas tree on the Mound have been turned on ahead of Edinburgh’s Christmas opening later this week.
During a special ceremony earlier this evening, Lord Provost Robert Aldridge joined Natalia Antonia Golis, Deputy County Convener with other representatives of Vestland County Council and the Norwegian Consulate to do the honours.
Together they lit the lights of the tree, traditionally gifted by the citizens of Hordaland, now part of Vestland, to mark the help given by the Scots to Norway during WWII.
This year also marks the 60th anniversary of Edinburgh-based company Bernard Hunter Cranes being involved in the installation of the iconic 60ft tree and their representatives joined the special ceremony.
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Capital as Edinburgh’s Christmas festival gets underway on Friday and a number of community light switch on events will be taking place across the city.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, said: “Edinburgh’s famous Christmas tree is a fixture on the Mound every winter and the switch on of the lights signals the start for the festive season for me.
“For over 30 years now, the city has enjoyed the wonderful gift of a tree from the people of Hordaland and Vestland County Council in thanks for support Scotland gave to Norway during World War II.
“It is truly a wonderful symbol of this special bond of friendship between Norway and Scotland, and I am delighted we are able to mark the start of the City’s festive period together this year in person. I would like to thank the citizens of Vestland, for their continuing generosity and friendship over so many years.”
Natalia Antonia Golis, Deputy County Convener Vestland County Council, said: “Vestland County Council and the people of Vestland are happy to present the annual Christmas Tree in gratitude to the people of Edinburgh and Scotland and as a celebration of friendship, shared history and a prosperous future.”
Dogs Trust sees 85% increase in dogs referred through its specialist domestic abuse support service
Dogs Trust Freedom Project supports people fleeing domestic abuse by providing temporary accommodation for their dogs.
Dogs Trust has fostered over 150 dogs in Scotland since its launch in 2018
The charity is appealing for more foster carers to help people and their dogs fleeing domestic abuse
Figures released to coincide with 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence which begins on 25th November1
Worrying figures released by Dogs Trust show that they have seen an 85% increase in dogs in Scotland being referred through its specialist pet fostering service, The Freedom Project, which supports people fleeing domestic abuse by providing temporary accommodation for their dogs.
These figures have been released as Dogs Trust announces it has fostered 153 dogs in Scotland since launching its Freedom Project four years ago.
From January to September this year, Dogs Trust has seen 89 dogs referred to its Freedom Project service in Scotland compared to 48 the same period the previous year, a sobering statistic which demonstrates just how vital the service is as the charity experiences a growing demand year on year.
Pets are often abused and, in some cases, killed by the perpetrator of domestic abuse in order to control and coerce. In addition to the physical abuse that pets may suffer, Dogs Trust found that 97%2 of professionals working in the domestic abuse sector also said that animals are often used as a means of controlling someone experiencing domestic abuse.
In 2004 Dogs Trust launched its Freedom Project, offering vital support for dog owners escaping from domestic abuse and launched the service two years ago in East Anglia.
To date, the Freedom Project has fostered 2,400 dogs and helped 1,900 people. The project works alongside three other specialist pet fostering services; Cats Protection Paws Protect, Endeavour and Refuge4Pets providing foster homes for pets and enabling survivors to access safe accommodation without the fear of what may happen to their pet if left behind.
As many refuges are unable to accept pets, these important services give survivors the opportunity to escape abuse, safe in the knowledge that their pets will also be safe and well cared for.
The pet fostering organisations are also members of the Links Group, which raises awareness of the links between abuse of animals and humans.
The Freedom Project currently operates across the whole of Scotland, in 30 counties across England and has recently launched in Wales due to a demand for the service in the country.
Sarah Petrov, Freedom Project Regional Manager at Dogs Trust said: “Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in demand for our service, so it’s more important than ever that we are there to support anyone experiencing domestic abuse who needs to flee to safety with their pet.
“We see first-hand the ways that perpetrators use dogs to coerce, control, physically harm and threaten within abusive relationships. This is incredibly frightening for survivors and is often aimed to leave people isolated.
“We have heard of perpetrators not letting survivors walk their dogs alone, stopping them from accessing vet care for their dogs or being able to spend money on dog food and even repeatedly threatening to harm, kill or ‘get rid’ of their dogs.
“To instil fear and entrap, perpetrators prey on the strong bonds people have with their beloved pets – making these animals vulnerable to abuse because of the psychological and emotional damage that this causes. As many refuges are unable to accept pets, survivors are understandably concerned about their dog’s safety when they need to escape; the Freedom Project offers them a vital lifeline.
“Whilst we are pleased to have been able to help so many people, there is still very much a need for our service, and we urgently need more foster carers across the UK so that we can continue this life-saving work.”
Carlie is a victim/survivor supported by Dogs Trust’s Freedom Project when she was escaping domestic abuse. The charity fostered her dogs so she could seek safety.
She said:“I had to leave my home with my children as I was experiencing domestic abuse. I was offered temporary accommodation from the council, but they wouldn’t accept my dogs who we consider part of our family.
“The thought of giving them up was absolutely heart-breaking as the dogs had been the only constant in the children’s lives during such unsettled times at home; the dogs had always helped and supported them and this was another reason we felt trapped in an abusive home with no way out.
“He knew how important the safety of the children and dogs was to me and therefore used this as a means of control.
“I heard about the Freedom Project from my support worker and within a few days we were making arrangements for them to go into foster – the relief was amazing.
“We are now all reunited, happy and safe in our new home thanks to the Freedom Project. We couldn’t have done it without them.”
A spokesperson from West Lothian Women’s Aid, said: “The Freedom Project is a life-saving programme for women who are fleeing domestic abuse.
“Their dogs are not just pets but part of their family so won’t leave their pets behind meaning they end up staying in the abusive relationship. With the Freedom Project, women can flee safely, knowing their dog will be well looked after and will be reunited when they are settled into their own home.”
Dogs Trust Freedom Project needs more specialist foster carers in Scotland to support this vital service.
If you think you can help, would like to donate or would like more information on the service, please visit:
No need to contact us
If you’re eligible you’ll be paid automatically into your bank account
