Day: April 26, 2023

WLF’s Call for Youth in Edinburgh!

Registrations are now open for young people in Edinburgh to be a local Youth Ambassador for the World Literacy Foundation.

Young people can apply online for the 4-month youth leadership development initiative to support and advocate literacy in their local community.

https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/ambassador-program/

Rebecca Aldred, Youth Ambassador Program Coordinator, said: “We are looking for young people who aspire to be a “Change Makers” in Edinburgh.

“Each young person will join a global community of other Youth Ambassadors to develop their leadership skills, learn about literacy, fundraise, and make a positive impact in their region.”

The young person will undertake 5 training modules, learn about the topic and raise funds to address illiteracy.

Ms Aldred said: “It’s a perfect opportunity for inspiring young people to take action, develop leadership skills, be a voice in their community, and connect with young people who are eager to make a social impact. 

“Nearly 61% of children from disadvantaged homes in Edinburgh don’t own a single book and face lifelong poverty if something isn’t done, I don’t think that is a figure we should accept and our Youth Ambassadors can help change this”.

Through this program, young people who join can support education and literacy in their local community and be connected to young people worldwide.

Visit https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/ambassador-program/ to apply.  

About The Youth Ambassadors program and World Literacy Foundation  

The Youth Ambassadors program has its objectives: to develop a group of young people who have a strong sense of global citizenship and give back to their local community. As “change makers” the young people will gain an awareness of literacy issues and develop leadership skills.

At the World Literacy Foundation, we promote mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration among people around the world and provide them an opportunity to participate in an experiential learning program, leadership training, community civic engagement, mentorship by community, business, and NGO leaders, and volunteering.  

The World Literacy Foundation is a peak not-for-profit charity striving to eradicate illiteracy by 2040.  In the UK, 9 million people struggle to read a sentence and are considered to be functionally illiterate.

We work in 52 countries and reach 500 million people each year. 770 million people on the globe are illiterate. A further 2 billion people struggle to read a sentence.  

The economic and social cost of illiteracy is estimated at £36 Billion in the UK per year. 

Police recruitment and information event for women

Come along to our women’s recruitment and information event at Fettes Police Station, Edinburgh on Thursday, 4 May 2023, from 6pm to 8pm

Our Positive Action recruitment team will talk about the recruitment process, the entrance test and fitness test, as well as the assessment day. A serving female police officer will be there to discuss their experience of the recruitment process and their experiences of the role so far.

You will have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have and meet potential candidates who are also thinking of applying to become a police officer.

We are committed to increasing the number of officers and staff from under-represented groups. There are well documented barriers to some people applying to join the police service.

We therefore run a number of different recruitment events to answer specific questions from people from diverse communities. This is to make sure everyone has fair access to the Police Scotland recruitment process.

These events are for groups currently under-represented in Police Scotland. The consent, support and cooperation of our fellow citizens lies at the heart of the identity and legitimacy of policing in Scotland.

To ensure that bond is as strong as possible, we must fully represent and reflect the communities we serve. Inclusion is an operational necessity and morally the right thing to do.

👉For event details, please visit http://ow.ly/3MoV50NGW22

👉To sign up, please email RecruitmentPositiveActionTeam@scotland.police.uk

HMRC prepares to send 1.5 million tax credits renewal packs

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will issue 1.5 million annual tax credits renewal packs for the 2023 to 2024 tax year to customers between 2 May and 15 June 2023.

Once customers receive their annual renewal pack they will have until 31 July 2023 to check the information is correct and notify HMRC of any changes to their circumstances which may affect their claim.

Tax credits help working families with targeted financial support, so it is important that people do not miss out on money they are entitled to.

There are two types of renewal packs:

·         if it has a red line across the first page and says ‘reply now’, customers will need to confirm their circumstances to renew their tax credits

·         if it has a black line across the first page and says ‘check now’, customers will need to check that their details are correct. If they are, they do not need to do anything and their tax credits will be automatically renewed

More than 500,000 tax credits customers will need to reply to HMRC by the deadline to confirm their circumstances for the 2023 to 2024 tax year, or risk having their payments stopped.

Customers can renew their tax credits for free via GOV.UK or the HMRC app.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director-General for Customer Services, said: “Tax credits provide families with vital financial support, so it is important that customers look out for their renewal pack and renew by 31 July.

“For details on how to renew, search ‘manage my tax credits’ on GOV.UK.”

The renewal packs will be sent out in batches. HMRC is reminding customers who have not received theirs to wait until after 15 June before contacting HMRC about their pack.

HMRC has released a video to explain how tax credits customers can use the HMRC app to view, manage and update their details.

Renewing online is quick and easy. Customers can log into GOV.UK to check the progress of their renewal, be reassured that it is being processed and know when they will hear back from HMRC.

Customers choosing to use the HMRC app can:

·         renew their tax credits

·         update changes to their claim

·         check their tax credits payments schedule, and

·         find out how much they have earned for the year

If there is a change in a customer’s circumstances that could affect their tax credits claim, they must report the changes to HMRC. Circumstances that could affect tax credits payments include changes to:

·         living arrangements

·         childcare

·         working hours, or

·         income (increase or decrease)

By the end of 2024, tax credits will be replaced by Universal Credit. Customers who receive tax credits will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) telling them when to claim Universal Credit.

It is important that customers claim by the deadline shown in the letter to continue receiving financial support as their tax credits will end even if they decide not to claim Universal Credit. However, there is no need to wait for their transfer letter, and customers can apply to move to Universal Credit sooner, if it is right for them.

The UK Government is offering Help for Households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support individuals could be eligible for.

Criminals use deadlines, like the one for tax credits renewals, to trick people who might be expecting to hear from HMRC into sharing their banking or other personal details. If a phone call, text or email is unexpected, do not give out private information or reply, and do not download attachments or click on links. 

It is ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests – only criminals will try to rush or panic people. HMRC is also warning people not to share their login details with anyone else.

Visit GOV.UK for more information on how to report a scam or suspicious activity.

Have your say on parks in Leith

Come along and talk about plans for parks in Leith! 🌿

We have events coming up looking at how to make six of our parks in Leith better for people and nature. This is part of the #EdinburghNatureNetwork

📧Booking is essential: email the team at thrivinggreenspaces@edinburgh.gov.uk

“A City where you Don’t Need a Car”

Spokes public meeting, Wednesday 24 May

Speakers

  • Cllr Scott Arthur, Edinburgh City Transport Convener – the Council’s plans
  • Phil Noble, Strategy Manager for Active Travel and Streetspace – more detail on the policy delivery documents, including ATA, the Active Travel Action Plan
  • Adrian Davis, Professor of Transport & Health at Napier Transport Research Unit – he will critique the policies – are they sufficiently ambitious? will they work?
  • … followed by our one-hour panel QA, chaired by Dr Caroline Brown, Spokes member, Transform Scotland policy adviser, transport academic – your chance to interrogate and challenge the speakers

Arrangements

  • Where Augustine United Church 41 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EL
  • Date Wednesday 24 May
  • Time Starts 7.30, Ends 9.30. Doors open 6.45 for coffee, stalls and chat
  • Queries & Questions Queries, or questions for the speakers, can be emailed to spokes@spokes.org.uk. However, questions in person from audience members are likely to have greatest priority on the night
  • Online We hope to live broadcast on our youtube channel – details nearer the time on Spokes website. We also intend to make the recording available a few days later.

Background

Edinburgh City Council is consulting on a new Active Travel Action Plan (ATAP) and a series of other Mobility Plan ‘delivery documents’ all aimed to support Edinburgh NetZero 2030, and a 30% reduction in car-km by 2030.

Our public meeting will hear from the Council, followed by an expert critique, and then there’s a full hour panel discussion – your opportunity to challenge the speakers.

Do the delivery plans live up to the Council’s ambition to cut car-km 30% by 2030, alongside greatly increased travel by foot, bike and public transport? Will they enable more people to live car-free? Will they lead to speedy implementation? Our meeting is your opportunity to find out!

The ambition “to create a city where you don’t need to own a car to get around,” mentioned in several of the documents (e.g. Parking Action Plan, p8) is very welcome, for reasons of climate, public health, congestion and equalities. Such an ambition is also essential if the Council is to achieve its ultra-tough target to reduce car-km 30% by 2030.

A top cycling takeaway from the draft ATAP is the new focus on main road segregated routes. It says [chap 5],

“The (off road) traffic-free routes will continue to play a vital role, and we will seek to improve their comfort,safety and security. However, we now plan to develop a joined-up network of routes that feel safe to everyone at all times of day. This network will need to use segregated cycle tracks on main roads, as well as unsegregated on-street routes that have low volumes of motor traffic.”

The three highlighted phrases above [our emphases] neatly summarise important major developments, which we strongly welcome, in the Council’s approach to cycling policy, and we urge determined implementation.–

** Spokes: spokes.org.uk; twitter.com/SpokesLothian

When Harry met … Harry!

Scotmid celebrates International Guide Dog Day

In a nod to International Guide Dogs Day (26th April) – Scotmid has surprised its soon to be retired President with a gift he’ll never forget!

With four legs, a fluffy tail and skills that help change lives, A Guide Dog puppy has been ‘named’ Harry after Harry Cairney as a parting gift. Human and hairy Harry met to shake paws and celebrate Scotmid’s ongoing Charity partnership with Guide Dogs.

PICTURED (L to R) –  John Brodie (Scotmid Chief Executive), Harry, , Shelagh Davidson (Guide Dog Puppy Raiser), Kyla McVicar (Guide Dogs), Harry Cairney.

It’s all about that Base!

Celebrate International Dance Day this week with Dance Base

Dance Base, Scotland’s National Centre for Dance, is inviting everyone to celebrate this year’s International Dance Day on Saturday and take part in the fantastic summer term starting just two days later, on 1 May.

Audiences can now choose from over 50 dance classes for people of all ages and all levels of dance experience forming Dance Base’s summer term. The term will run until 24 June and feature audience favourites such as Burlesque, Bollywood, Aerial, Tap and Cuban Salsa as well as Irish dance, Musical Madness and Pilates, available as an 8-week course or drop-in classes.

As always, Dance Base provides a range of classes for the youngest (3+ yo) and mature dancers (60+ yo). It also continues its popular Dance for Parkinson’s classes suitable for people with no dance experience, aimed at developing participants’ confidence and creativity, whilst addressing Parkinson’s specific concerns such as balance, flexibility, coordination and gait.

Jim Hollington, Dance Base’s CEO said: “International Dance Day provides a fantastic excuse to celebrate all things dance, the joy it brings and the community it helps build.

“We are honoured and driven to continue to play a vital part in Scotland’s creative landscape which has been under a lot of strain over the past few years. but thanks to the high level of support from our teachers and regular dancers, who helped to make the term we’ve just finished much busier than anticipated, we’re able to open over 50 classes in the summer term.

“Our future depends on your support, so I hope you’ll celebrate the International Dance Day with us and sign up to one of our fantastic courses or drop-in classes.”

Tony Mills, Dance Base’s Artistic Director said: “We recognise that a dance class can become an incredibly meaningful experience that builds community, creativity, joy and well-being.

“At Dance Base, I consider us to be in the business of providing this kind of opportunity, so I am happy that we mark this year’s International Dance Day with a new fantastic term of over 50 classes.”

Scottish Charities share in almost £1.2 million funding boost from ScottishPower Foundation

TWELVE Scottish charities have been awarded a funding boost from the ScottishPower Foundation.

THE charities from across the country will share in funding totalling almost £1.2 million for projects tackling a range of issues, from cost-of-living support, to promoting diversity and inclusion, raising awareness of the ongoing climate and biodiversity crises and addressing skills and attainment gaps in society.

The Earth Allies programme – an exciting project from the Glasgow Science Centre – is helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds learn about climate change and become climate advocates. Supported by funding from the ScottishPower Foundation, young people aged 16-24 will build their knowledge of climate change issues by taking part in activities that help them learn new skills like public speaking, online campaigning, and filmmaking.

Melanie Hill, Executive Officer and Trustee at the ScottishPower Foundation, said: “The young people on the Earth Allies programme are the climate ambassadors of the future, so it’s amazing to see them gain the skills they’ll need to influence decision-makers and put protecting the planet in the spotlight.

“Projects like this are prime examples of how the ScottishPower Foundation’s support is helping to create a better future for the next generation, and why it’s important for us to recognise and boost the incredible work of charities across the UK.”

Sally White, Senior Community Learning Coordinator from Glasgow Science Centre, said: “At Glasgow Science Centre, we’re determined to reduce the barriers young people face in accessing climate education – particularly if they’re from a disadvantaged background, who may be most at risk as the world around them continues to change.

“A huge thanks to the ScottishPower Foundation for supporting the life-changing work that we do. Through our Earth Allies programme, we will ensure that those we support are given the opportunities to succeed.”

Among the other 2023 projects funded by the ScottishPower Foundation is Smart Works Scotland, which, in an expansion to its services, is continuing to support Black Minority Ethnic women across Scotland to develop the skills, confidence and self-belief they need to secure sustainable employment and gain financial independence.

The grant from the ScottishPower Foundation will help with the recruitment of a full-time outreach worker for the charity’s new Glasgow hub as it provides career advice, interview coaching and mentoring support to empower under-represented women in the workforce.

The Volunteer Tutor Organisation’s Learning Hub network – a key service supporting children living in poverty and affected by the attainment gap – is also supported by the Foundation’s funding in 2023. Following Covid, the highly impactful Hubs had to be suspended. Now, with the ScottishPower Foundation’s funding, the charity is set to reinstate 9 hubs, continue to run 14 hubs and launch five more to help vulnerable children to improve their academic attainment, confidence and self-esteem.

Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the ScottishPower Foundation has awarded over £12 million to charitable initiatives across the UK.

Melanie Hill added: “This is an incredibly exciting year for us, with so many amazing projects benefitting from our support and making a difference within their local communities.

“The real impact these initiatives will have for so many people can’t be understated, and I can’t wait to see what amazing work these charities will continue to do throughout the year.”

The full list of Scottish 2023 ScottishPower Foundation funded projects are:

·       Dance Base – Forres, Livingston, Edinburgh

·       Edinburgh Science Foundation – Edinburgh (above)

·       Givin’ It Laldie – Glasgow

·       Glasgow Science Centre – Glasgow

·       Home-Start Falkirk – Falkirk

·       Magic Breakfast – Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Greenock, Edinburgh

·       Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) – Glasgow and Edinburgh

·       Scottish Wildlife Trust – Ayrshire

·       Smart Works Scotland – Glasgow

·       Stable Life – Glasgow

·       Trees for Life – Inverness

·       Volunteer Tutors Organisation – Scottish Borders

Scottish Household Survey 2021 results published

Scotland’s Chief Statistician has released the results of the 2021 Scottish Household Survey.

In 2021, most (96%) people rated their neighbourhood as a good place to live, and around two thirds (64%) of households were managing well financially – both the same as in 2020.

Internet access was higher in 2021 (96% of households) than in 2020 (93%), as was internet use (95% of adults in 2021 compared to 92% in 2020). There was a significant increase in internet use amongst older people.

Levels of trust in the health, education and justice systems, and in the police, the Scottish Government and local government, were lower in 2021 than in 2020. Satisfaction with local health services decreased from 88% in 2020 to 78% in 2021.

The percentage of adults who had taken part in physical activity or sport in the four weeks before they were surveyed was similar in 2021 (85%) and 2020 (86%). Frequent participation (active on more than 14 days in the past four weeks) decreased slightly (from 61% of physically active adults in 2020 to 58% in 2021).

In 2021, 70% of adults lived within a five minute walk of their nearest area of green or blue space (such as parks, woods, rivers or coasts), around the same proportion as 2020 (68%). The percentage of adults who visited the outdoors at least once a week decreased from 79% in 2020 to 71% in 2021. People in the most deprived areas saw the largest reduction.

Climate change was more likely to be viewed as an immediate and urgent problem in 2021 (83% of adults) than in 2020 (80%). This includes increases among people aged 75+ (69% in 2020 to 76% in 2021), men (77% to 82%), and people with no qualifications (59% to 69%).

In the 12 months before they were surveyed, 59% of 2021 survey respondents had attended a cultural event or place of culture, including the cinema (up from 44% in 2020), 84% had participated in a cultural activity, including reading (similar to 83% in 2020), and 27% had given unpaid help to organisations or groups (similar to 26% in 2020). 

Satisfaction with Scottish Government funded Early Learning and Childcare was similar in 2021 (95% of households using it were satisfied) and 2020 (97%). Among households with a child aged under 12, the percentage who found it difficult to afford childcare was similar in 2021 (9%) and 2020 (7%).

scottish-household-survey-2021-telephone-survey-key-findingsDownload

Scottish Household Survey 2021 – telephone survey: key findings