The Citizen Writing Group meets online every week under the guidance of Communities writer in residence Eleanor Thom and, with life after lockdown returning to something like normal, have recently met in-person at two lively sessions at Musselburgh’s Fisherrow Centre and Granton Hub at Madelvic House.
Three writers – Nandini, Janet and I – were recorded during August’s Edinburgh International Book Festival at Edinburgh College of Art, where the Citizen Writers Group performed a selection of writing at the popular Stories and Scran event. The group’s work was also showcased in One Day Ticket, an ensemble piece performed by actors.
The cost-of-living crisis might be taking its toll on your mental and physical health but never has it being more important to look after your wellbeing.
Edinburgh Leisure, a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives has launched its seasonal promotion, 12 Days of Fitness, with the aim of encouraging people to stay active in December.
Available to buy online or in venue, the 12 Days of Fitness promotion, which is also available on climbing too, offers 12 consecutive days of membership for only £12 any time in December.
As the promotion includes unlimited access to all Edinburgh Leisure’s gyms, swimming pools (excluding the Turkish Baths at Portobello Swim Centre), over 750+ fitness classes per week, and climbing, this represents excellent value for money. And new this year, members will receive a free pass to gift to a friend or family – it’s the promotion that just keeps giving.
The pass isn’t restricted to one pass per person either – if you wish to buy a second pass after your first pass expires, it’ll mean you’re doubly on the way to reaching those fitness goals ahead of New Year. And the promotion is timely as experts continually agree that maintaining some level of physical activity during December is important to boost immunity, manage stress and mental health.
Edinburgh Leisure’s facilities are second to none and offer choice and great value, across various city locations. Their gyms feature some of the latest fitness equipment and you will be assured a warm welcome, with helpful staff ready to help you reach your fitness goals. They also have numerous swimming pools across the city, from historic baths to the famous Olympic-sized Royal Commonwealth Pool and Europe’s largest climbing arena at Ratho.
So, gift yourself a wellness present and get one step ahead of those New Year fitness plans – that first trip back to the gym in January will be far easier.
For further information about Edinburgh Leisure venues and services and the 12 Days of Fitness Promotion visit:
Improvements make it easier for families to get money they are entitled to
People who receive Scottish Child Payment and qualify for Best Start Grant Early Learning and School Age payments will be paid them automatically from this week, without the need to apply for them separately.
Social Security Scotland will notify clients by SMS when they are checking eligibility for the Best Start Grants and, if they are eligible, will write to advise them of the payment.
The move to automatic awards will mean less paperwork for tens of thousands of families and ensure that families automatically receive the support to which they’re entitled.
It builds on work already completed to make applying for our five family payments as simple as possible.
It includes the ability to apply for all children in a household on a single form.
Minister for Social Security, Ben Macpherson said: “Our extension to the Scottish Child Payment and its increase to £25 per child per week has been widely welcomed and will make a significant difference to families across the country. The increase represents a rise of 150% in just eight months.
“The increase and extension was described as a watershed moment in tackling child poverty by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and already people have applied in their tens of thousands.
“Tackling child poverty is a key mission for the Scottish Government and automating payments, where we have the information we need to do so, will mean parents and carers automatically getting the financial support they are eligible for paid directly to them.
“We are committed to making sure that receiving our five family payments is as straightforward as possible, using our limited social security powers and resources to help”.
CEO of One Parent Families Scotland, Satwat Rehman said “We are delighted that Social Security Scotland have made changes so that parents who have applied for and receive Scottish Child Payment will no longer have to fill out separate forms to receive other family benefits.
“Many of the single parents we support are not aware of the financial support available to them and would therefore be at risk of losing out. We hope the change to automatic payments will lead to an increase in the number of families accessing benefits they are entitled to and will ease the financial and mental strain of the cost-of-living crisis.”
Police are appealing for information in connection with a serious assault which took place in the Sighthill area on Saturday (26 November, 2022).
Officers received a report that a 23-year-old woman was assaulted on the Calder Road flyover of the City of Edinburgh bypass at around 8pm.
Detective Inspector Barry McDaid said: “Despite the late hour this area was busy with traffic and is well-lit. It is likely someone will have seen this incident or may have captured it on a dashcam.
“I urge people to contact us with any information they believe may assist our investigation by calling 101, quoting reference number 3265 of Saturday, 26 November 2022. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
