Power tools such as lawnmowers, hedge trimmers & pressure washers could lead to tinnitus and hearing loss
In the run up to the Chelsea Flower Show (22-27 May) which marks the start of the peak gardening season, Tinnitus UK is calling for gardeners to protect their ears when mowing the lawn, trimming hedges or using power tools on their patch, as new data shows only a quarter (26%) “regularly” or “sometimes” use hearing protection.
This means that over 4 million gardeners in the UK are putting themselves at risk of hearing loss and tinnitus, both of which can be permanent.
One in seven adults are affected by tinnitus – which is a condition that causes the perception of noise when there is no external source. There is currently no cure for the condition.
Noise becomes a risk to hearing health at levels of 80dB or above. Lawn mower sound levels vary, but they can be as high as 95dB for petrol driven models, and even higher for ride-on models.
Pressure washers – a popular way of cleaning paths and patios – can reach 94dB. Hedge trimmers are even more problematic as they can be as loud as 103dB. At this level, hearing damage can occur in under 8 minutes.
Caroline Savage, CEO of Tinnitus UK said: “Noise exposure is the single biggest preventable cause of tinnitus, and it is clear from our research that people appear to be unaware of the risks. Even if you’re only giving your hedge a quick trim or the patio a spruce up, use hearing protection. When it’s loud … Plug’em is our very clear message.
“We want to make sure that people are able to enjoy their garden to the fullest, and to be able to revel in the bird song and natural sounds in their outdoor space. We know gardening to be beneficial for people’s physical and mental wellbeing, and we’d hate for people to put that at risk.
“People protect their cherished plants from frost and slugs – we want protecting your ears to be second nature. There should be no stigma around using ear plugs – we only have one pair of ears, and damage to our hearing is irreversible.”
Culture and business will be able to connect in new and exciting ways thanks to the launch of a new Marketplace initiative, pioneered by Culture and Business Scotland (C&BS).
The Culture & Business Marketplace Scotland is the first-of-its-kind online platform that will match up businesses looking to expand their creative horizons with culture organisations seeking support in delivering their creative ideas.
A range of Scottish creative organisations have already committed to participating in the Marketplace pilot, including household names such as the Scottish Book Trust, Scottish Ensemble, Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Screen Education Edinburgh.
Launching today (Wednesday May 17) the platform will work similarly to a database, where these pilot not-for-profit culture organisations will be able to list their products or services as ‘sellers’.
Businesses, or potential ‘buyers’, will then browse the available opportunities using filters such as ‘supporting innovation, creative thinking and problem solving in the workplace’ and ‘improving staff health and wellbeing’ to find culture organisations that would be well-suited to fit a gap, combat an existing challenge or fulfil a specific target.
David Watt, CEO of Culture & Business Scotland, said: “Past experiences have shown us that giving businesses and culture organisations the opportunity to forge meaningful connections is hugely empowering, not only for those organisations involved but for wider society as well, and the impacts have the potential to reverberate for generations to come.
“The launch of our Marketplace initiative will increase those opportunities, both in number and in scope, and help to ensure that organisations from both sectors are equipped for a more innovative, forward-thinking future.”
Being given the opportunity to connect and receive backing from businesses can be transformational for creative organisations. In 2021 the Edinburgh-based Living Memory Association partnered with Leith’s Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre through Culture & Business Scotland’s already established match-funding scheme, the C&BS Fund, a precursor to the Marketplace initiative.
The funding enabled Living Memory Association to make use of two vacant units as exhibition spaces. The initial offering of two units grew to include the use of a whole empty 6000 square metre store across two floors, which the Living Memory Association used to facilitate reminiscence as a means of engaging people with heritage, recording their memories and combatting loneliness and social isolation in the process.
The community-focused nature of Ocean Terminal’s location enabled the organisation to reach a wider audience than would have otherwise been possible, raising the Living Memory Association’s profile and creating a positive snowball effect, as it was then able to attract further funding and opportunities.
Ocean Terminal, meanwhile, benefitted from the increased footfall into what would have otherwise been an abandoned space, with the resulting added social value surpassing expectations and generating positive impacts in ways that the retail centre had previously not experienced.
Mark Haywood, Living Memory Association Director, said: “This has been a phenomenal partnership for The Living Memory Association and investment from Culture & Business Scotland made it possible.
“It has raised the profile of The Living Memory Association, led us into new areas of work and allowed us to support a whole range of fascinating artistic and heritage endeavour. It has meant we can support individuals and groups to showcase and develop their work and bring them into direct contact with the public.
“We have used the new units to engage people and work with older people to record their memories and value their life experience. All activities are free, taking art and heritage straight into the heart of the community. We are extremely grateful to Culture & Business Scotland and Ocean Terminal for their support to our work”.
Michelle MacLeod, Ocean Terminal Manager, added: “We could not have believed that this partnership would be so socially and economically beneficial to The Centre and we hope to be able to further develop this collaboration going into the future and incorporating this work into the new developments currently underway at Ocean Terminal.”
Funding facilitated by Culture & Business Scotland has also enabled creative organisations to make scientific ideas accessible through the arts, as Edinburgh Science Foundation discovered after being partnered with Cirrus Logic through the C&BS Fund.
As a leading global semiconductor supplier, Cirrus Logic’s commitment to promoting science, technology, engineering, and maths amongst young people underpins the company’s support of the Edinburgh Science Festival. Last year, sponsorship from Cirrus Logic enabled the creation of several new activities at the festival, helping to encourage awareness about Scottish flora and fauna through a photography exhibition and multi-sensory, immersive experiences which incorporated visual and artistic elements.
Subsequent analysis of the event found that its messaging around climate change and the natural world impacted on visitors’ behaviour and attitudes, whilst Cirrus Logic benefitted from the comprehensive marketing and publicity activity surrounding the festival.
For more information on the Culture & Business Marketplace Scotland, please visit:
A senior programme manager from Fife is sharing his career story during Learning at Work Week 2023 (15th-21st May) with the aim of inspiring others to achieve their professional goals through lifelong learning at work.
Learning at Work Week is an annual programme run by the charity Campaign for Learning. The charity works with organisations around the UK to create activities and fun challenges in the workplace to help employees learn and grow. This year’s theme, Create the Future, explores how lifelong learning at work can help individuals and communities achieve life and work goals, shape lives, drive innovation and achieve organisational ambitions.
Simon McMahon, who works at Amazon’s corporate office in Edinburgh, has used Amazon’s development and training opportunities to shape his professional career at the company and hopes his story will encourage others to take their career to the next level through the Amazon Career Choice programme.
Simon, who is from Fife, works at the Amazon Development Centre in Edinburgh as a senior programme manager in the UK Impact Team.
Simon joined Amazon in 2010. 13 years and seven promotions later, he has progressed from seasonal employee at the fulfilment centre in Dunfermline to his current role. Simon has taken part in a number of training courses over his years at Amazon, most recently participating in social return on investment studies.
As part of his current role, Simon is involved in an initiative to donate products to more than 50,000 families in need alongside local charities, businesses and former Prime Minister, Rt Hon Gordon Brown.
44616 Amazon.
Simon McMahon (37), Senior Programme Manager at Amazon EDI5, Edinburgh.
Speaking on his career at Amazon, Simon said: “I’m really fortunate that I enjoy what I do. The roles I have done here have led to a lot of amazing opportunities. Once I started progressing beyond area manager and operations manager, I didn’t see myself working in a social impact and responsibility role, but it’s the best move I’ve ever made and it’s the most fulfilling role I could take on.”
To anyone considering developing their careers at Amazon, Simon said: “Amazon has far more opportunities than you could think of and if there’s something you want to do or learn, you just have to ask. The number of people in my position and beyond that have joined Amazon at entry level and have ended up in a senior management role is staggering.
Amazon is a company that really benefits people that own their development and learning and I think if you’re motivated, keen to learn and try new things, you can go anywhere.”
Career Choice is an innovative programme which provides funding for adult education, offering to pre-pay 95% of tuition and reimburse employees for eligible fees for nationally recognised courses; up to £8,000 over four years. Courses available include accountancy, HGV driving and software development, and are designed to help employees pursue careers at Amazon or elsewhere.
Since launching in the UK in 2014, Career Choice has seen around 13,000 participants explore a range of opportunities, including starting or returning to school, learning new skills and languages, or earning industry certifications. The most popular fields of study in the UK are transportation administrative and business services and technology.
Amazon also provides opportunities to improve existing skills or learn new ones through internal career progression opportunities such as cross-training, transferring to a different department and promotion into a managerial role.
Oliver Masting, Managing Director at Amazon Development Centre Scotland added: “We’re extremely pleased to have Simon on the team here at Amazon in Edinburgh. He is an example of how much you can achieve if you put your mind to it, and we’re sure that others will be inspired to fulfil their own potential after hearing his story.
“Career development is at the core of our culture at Amazon; employees have a wide variety of opportunities at their disposal, meaning that lifelong learning is possible for anyone. We look forward to seeing the great things Simon and his colleagues will do in their careers in the future as a result.”
Amazon is investing £10 million over three years in training up to 5,000 employees in new skills to meet the UK’s future employment needs outside of Amazon. Amazon also partners with the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) and local businesses on the programme to identify regional skills shortages and focus training on local demand.
Amazon employees receive competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. Pay starts between £11 and £12 per hour depending on location and employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package, including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection and an employee discount as well as a company pension plan.
To find out more about a career with Amazon, visit Amazon Jobs.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Keep on top of your mental health
The 15th-21st of May is mental health awareness week in the UK. We know that each year in England, one in four people will experience some sort of mental health problem.
Long-term mental health problems can increase our risk of developing heart disease, which is one of the reasons why it is important that we look after our mental health by combating stress, maximising our ability to cope, and seeking support.
Here are some tips to keep our mental health in check:
Create balance
When we are busy and have lots of responsibilities such as work, family commitments and looking after a house we can be more susceptible to suffering from mental health conditions.
Often, in times of overwhelm, the first things to suffer are our nutrition, exercise and sleep. These three things are important for optimal mental health. Try to balance your day-to-day demands with some exercise, me-time, time to prepare meals and implement a good sleep routine.
Use your support network
If the above point sounds like too much to manage on your own, ask for help. Having someone you can talk to about your mental health can help you to better deal with any challenges you are experiencing.
People are often more than happy to offer support but may not realise you are struggling if you don’t let them know. This could be a friend, family member, or mental health professional.
Check in
Checking in with ourselves and noticing trends in our behaviour and the way we feel can help us to know when we may need to seek help or put something in place to support our mental health.
Apps such as Thought Diary or Daylio offer an easy way to track our wellbeing over time.
For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for weekly healthy tips at:
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has reminded borrowers they can get help from their lenders if they are struggling to keep up with payments, as it found the number of people struggling to meet bills and credit repayments has risen by 3.1m since May 2022 (10.9m, compared to 7.8m in May 2022).
The number of adults who missed bills or loan payments in at least three of the last six months has also gone up by 1.4 million, from 4.2 million to 5.6 million over the same period.
The FCA has repeatedly reminded firms of the importance of supporting their customers and working with them to solve problems with payment, including by writing to industry bosses to make sure they are aware of the regulator’s expectations.
Where firms haven’t supported their customers properly, the FCA has told them to make changes. It reminded 3,500 lenders of how they should be supporting borrowers in financial difficulty and told 32 lenders to make changes to the way they treat customers. This work has led to £29 million in compensation being secured for over 80,000 customers.
As part of its Financial Lives survey, the FCA found that the cost of living is having an impact on people’s mental wellbeing. Around half of UK adults, or 28.4 million people, in January 2023 felt more anxious or stressed due to the rising cost of living than six months earlier.
Sheldon Mills, Executive Director of Consumers and Competition said: ‘Our research highlights the real impact the rising cost of living is having on people’s ability to keep up with their bills, although we are pleased to see that people have been accessing help and advice.
‘If you’re concerned about your finances, you do not need to worry alone. We’ve told lenders that they should provide support tailored to your needs. And, if you find yourself in debt or want to know more about how to manage your finances, free expert advice is available.
‘We will continue to act quickly to make sure financial firms help their customers who are facing financial difficulty or are worried they might be soon.’
The support needed to deal with the rising cost of living goes beyond what is provided by the financial services sector. As a result, the FCA continues to work with other regulators and debt organisations to drive better coordination and help make sure customers are treated fairly and supported if they get into financial difficulty.
The FCA will also be introducing the Consumer Duty in the summer. The Duty will be the driving force behind its consumer protection work, as it will require firms to act to deliver good outcomes for consumers and make sure that they are properly supported while using a financial product or service.
No long faces at Musselburgh Racecourse ahead of sensational raceday
THE COUNTDOWN is on to one of the most prestigious events in the Scottish racing calendar which promises a bumper offering for revellers both on and off the track.
With over £135,000 in the prize pot, The Edinburgh Cup Raceday sponsored by Edinburgh Gin, will take place on Derby Day on 3 June and will feature two of the most valuable races staged at Musselburgh Racecourse.
The event commonly referred to as ‘Edinburgh’s raceday’ is a dedicated celebration of the vibrant capital city with attendees getting an opportunity to enjoy a day packed full of entertainment and an array of Scotland’s best street food offerings to indulge in.
Edinburgh Gin’s long-term partnership with the East Lothian course has seen activities build year on year – with the upcoming 2023 event providing many an experience for gin and cocktail-fans to match the high-quality racing on display.
As well as eight-person gin domes and specially created drinks at bars around the course, the Edinburgh Gin tipple trailer will debut slushies alongside more traditional drinks and botanical-inspired cocktails.
Aisling Johnston, Commercial Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “Edinburgh Gin is a fitting partner to make one of the summer season’s social and sporting highlights.
“Revellers will be able to try the very best gin the capital has to offer while enjoying the racing and day’s festivities – which includes the Epsom Derby.
“The partnership matches Edinburgh Gin’s innovative and creative approach to gin production with our ambition to continually break down barriers, and we’re excited to showcase the best Musselburgh Racecourse and Edinburgh Gin have to offer on this exciting date in the summer Flat season.”
With the sought-after Edinburgh Gin domes already sold out for the Edinburgh Cup racegoers, visitors are being urged to book tickets now, with those booking before midnight on the 2 June saving £5 per person.
Aisling Johnston added: “Edinburgh Gin is a well-loved brand, and we believe its presence will bring an even greater sense of fun to events for guests by incorporating competitions and novelty features into the raceday.
“We look forward to welcoming the crowds to Musselburgh Racecourse on 3 June to enjoy what promises to be a spectacular day with a G&T in hand.”
Neil Boyd, Managing Director at Edinburgh Gin said: “Edinburgh Gin is delighted to once again sponsor the esteemed Edinburgh Cup at Musselburgh Racecourse, a wonder-filled day out for all concerned.
“We are very proud of our Edinburgh roots; our distillery lies in the heart of this great city and we continue to support local events that bring people together in the spirit of good fun and friendly competition.
“We will be raising a glass on 3June to the Edinburgh Cup and an exciting raceday ahead.”
Bill Farnsworth, Manager at Musselburgh Racecourse said: “The Edinburgh Cup is always a fantastic day of celebrations for everyone.
“The partnership between Edinburgh Gin and the Edinburgh Cup brings together the finest spirits and the finest horses for an unparalleled racing experience.
“We look forward to working with Edinburgh Gin to make it a day to remember for racing fans and Gin fans alike.”
Racegoers don’t need to worry about on-the-day transport as tickets are available on the Musselburgh Racecourse website for return tickets to Edinburgh. Buses will leave Waterloo Place in the city centre at 11:15 and return at 18:00, helping to provide a seamless experience. All return tickets are only £10 per person.
Edinburgh Cup Raceday gate admission is £40 for adults and £25 for concessions. Children aged 17 years and under go free when accompanied by a paying adult.
Gates open at 11.30am, with provisional times for the first race at 1.15pm and the last race at 4:50pm.
Musselburgh Racecourse provides year-round racing action, with 27 race days across the flat and jump racing seasons including weekend, midweek, and evening.
New union investigation reveals taking energy into public ownership would end the ‘scandal of energy company profiteering’
Last year bill payers could have saved £45 billion with average bills cut by £1800.
Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham to urge Starmer to reconsider Labour policy.
Taking public control of the UK’s energy network could reduce bills, reduce inflation, and pay for itself in a few years, reveals new research by Unite the Union.
Unite Investigates “Renationalising Energy – costs and savings considers how a publicly run energy network could use the massive profits of Britain’s energy giants to reduce household bills and fund the transition to a green future with secure jobs.
Unite Investigates’ report is the first to determine the potential costs and savings of taking public control of the entire UK energy network – including North Sea oil and gas production, electricity generation, transmission and distribution networks, and supply companies.
The report reveals that companies made £45 billion profit from the UK domestic energy system in 2022. If that money had been kept in public hands, it could have been used to save each household £1,800 on their energy bills. Read Unite general secretary, Sharon Graham’s interview in today’s FT.
Household energy bills have been one of the biggest contributors to high inflation. Using energy profits to freeze bills in summer 2021, when prices started to shoot up, would have meant inflation was at least 4.1% lower last year. So in due course nationalisation could markedly reduce inflation.
Unite’s report also investigates the potential costs of nationalisation. Using the ‘book value’ approach, which compensates companies for their spending, Unite estimates a total cost of £90 billion. That is equal to just two years of profits at the 2022 level. Even as energy prices fall, taking control of energy would pay for itself within a few years.
Sharon Graham, Unite General Secretary said:“It’s time to end the scandal of our energy system which allows profiteers to pocket billions while workers and communities are left in the cold.”
“For the first time we have laid out the full costs and savings of taking the entire energy network we all rely on into public ownership.
“It’s a tragic missed opportunity that, if the energy system had been run for the benefit of all not the profits of a few, households could have saved £45 billion, avoiding high bills that have left millions in the cold or searching for ‘warm banks.’
“It’s time to pull the plug on the energy profiteers. Unite is showing it’s no longer a question of ‘can we afford to’, it’s how long can we afford not to.”
This report follows the historic profits recorded by BP and Shell, who made a combined profit of £55 billion and British Gas owner Centrica.
TASTER session! Come along and try out Freda’s Drama Group next Tuesday 23rd May!
This group runs EVERY Tuesday 10:30-12:30. Open to ALL, no matter how much experience you’ve had. A fun and friendly way to spend your Tuesday morning.
The number of Self Assessment customers who choose to file their tax return on the first day of the tax year (6 April 2023) has more than doubled since 2018, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.
More than 77,500 customers submitted their tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year on 6 April 2023, compared to almost 37,000 customers on 6 April 2018.
The deadline to file tax returns for the 2022 to 2023 tax year is 31 January 2024 and customers have been able to submit theirs since the start of the new tax year.
By completing their Self Assessment early, customers have avoided the stress of last-minute filing – something which encouraged more than 860,000 customers file their tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year on 31 January 2023.
Visit GOV.UK to find out more about Self Assessment and how to file a tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year.
https://youtu.be/TnRQs2kvchA
Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said:“Filing your Self Assessment early means you can spend more time building your business or doing the things that you enjoy and less time worrying about completing your tax return. To find out how you can start yours and get help with budget planning, search ‘Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK.”
Customers can find out sooner if they are owed money. Once they have submitted their tax return for the 2022 to 2023 tax year, HMRC will let customers know as soon as the return has been processed and arrange for any overpayment to be refunded. Customers can also check if they are due a refund in the HMRC app once they have filed their return.
Customers who file early also benefit from knowing how much tax they owe and can set up a budget plan to help spread the cost and manage their payments. The Budget Payment Plan allows customers to choose how much and how often they want to pay – putting them in control of managing their bill.
It is important that customers let HMRC know if there are any changes in details or circumstances such as a new address or name, or if they are no longer self-employed or their business has closed down. They should not assume someone else will update HMRC on their behalf.
HMRC is reminding customers to protect their personal information and always be on their guard against tax scams. If a customer is contacted by someone saying they are from HMRC, they should never let themselves be rushed, especially if they are urged to transfer money or share personal information. Customers should not share their HMRC login details with anyone, including their tax agent.
Tax scams come in many forms – some offer a rebate while others threaten arrest for tax evasion. HMRC advises customers to take their time and if they’re unsure, check HMRC scams advice on GOV.UK.
Edinburgh Agroecology Coop – Join us on 20th May for an afternoon exploring Lauriston Farm – the UK’s largest regenerative urban farming project – and speak to people involved!
