UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW COMES TO LONDON, WOLVERHAMPTON, MANCHESTER AND GLASGOW THIS JULY
WWE® (NYSE: WWE) has announced that the critically acclaimed UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW will return to the UK this July debuting in London, Wolverhampton, Manchester and Glasgow ahead of Money In The Bank.
UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW will feature “The Phenom” in an intimate setting, sharing never-before-heard stories from his Hall of Fame career and taking questions from the WWE Universe in attendance. Since its premiere, the show has sold out venues in Nashville, Philadelphia, Boston, San Antonio, Montreal, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Cardiff.
UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW heads to the following UK cities this July:
Saturday, July 1, 2023 – Indigo at The O2, London
Sunday, July 2, 2023 – The Civic at The Halls, Wolverhampton
Monday, July 3, 2023 – Albert Hall, Manchester
Tuesday, July 4, 2023 – O2 Academy, Glasgow
Tickets for UNDERTAKER 1 deadMAN SHOW are available on presale this Wednesday, May 31 at 10 a.m. BST exclusively to O2 customers and WWE fans who sign up at https://www.wwe.com/undertaker-uk-tour-2023.
General tickets are available next Friday, June 2 at 10 a.m. BST from AEGpresents.co.uk
A limited number of VIP tickets, which includes premier seating and a meet-and-greet with The Undertaker, will also be available for each show.
The O2 in London hosts two nights of WWE action with SmackDown live on Friday, June 30, followed by MoneyIn The Bank the next night on Saturday, July 1. This marks the first time ever that SmackDown will broadcast live and in primetime from the UK at 8pm local.
Money In The Bank marks the first WWE Premium Live Event to be held in London in over two decades.
£1.5 million investment reimagines the Loch Ness story with brand new immersive experience for new generation
The wait is almost over for global tourists to the Highlands and Monster spotters, as the newly imagined Loch Ness Centre in Drumnadrochit near Inverness will officially open its doors on Saturday 10th June.
The Loch Ness Centre, located at one of Scotland’s most famous tourist destinations, is nearing completion following a major refurbishment by Continuum Attractions, following its take over earlier this year. £1.5m has been invested in a full upgrade to enhance the visitor experience, allowing people to explore the legend and myths of Loch Ness through immersive tours and also via trips aboard the attraction’s famous research vessel, Deepscan.
Guests will become part of the Centre’s ongoing Quest with regular updates on all the latest news, developments, and Nessie sightings. The attraction is investing in support for Loch Ness Exploration teams to help ensure the search continues for a new generation.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the famous sighting of Nessie, by Aldie Mackay, in 1933 which catapulted Scotland, Loch Ness, and its monster phenomenon into hearts and minds across the world.
The ‘Monster Spotted’ headline went global, launching Loch Ness centre stage into worlds media and attracting visits from around the world. A media frenzy ensued, just one real story celebrated at the new Loch Ness Centre.
The centre’s social channels have received numerous messages from excited fans, ranging from as far as the United States to Kent, one follower saying ‘Do you have an opening date yet? I’m super excited to see the new centre’.
Visitors will soon have the opportunity to try the new experience, which is located at the epicentre of legendary tales and activity – the old Drumnadrochit Hotel, the home of former Manageress Aldie Mackay.
The experience features seven stories told in a variety of exciting ways: they celebrate This Majestic Place, Scottish Myths and Legends and the scientific search for the Truth; just three areas of the attraction which features real artefacts and peoples’ witness statements.
The new one-hour experience offers guests the chance to immerse themselves in the story of the legend and explore the real stories of Loch Ness.
Guests will walk through 500 million years of history to explore the myths and examine the scientific research surrounding the monster. Guests can hear real people’s stories, discover artefacts, and hear scientific debate on the existence of Nessie, a phenomenon boasting over 1,000 eyewitness accounts and recorded sightings, alongside lots of unexplained evidence.
Voyage seekers will also have the extraordinary chance to explore the depths of the world’s most famous Loch with Deepscan Captain, Alistair Matheson, the Skipper for the Loch Ness Project. Guests can book a trip on board the vessel, named after the famous expedition carried out on the Loch in 1987.
The one-of-a-kind cruise takes up to 12 guests on a very special journey witnessing the breath-taking beauty of Urquhart Castle and searching the depths of the Loch using specialist sonar equipment on board, sailing across the magnificent water that intrigues visitors just as much today, as it did back when Aldie Mackay first spotted the ‘beast’ 90 years ago. It’s strongly recommended to book in advance to secure your spot with Skipper and increase your chance of spotting Nessie the National treasure.
Juliana Delaney, Chief Executive of Continuum, said: “We are thrilled to finally announce our opening date The Loch Ness Centre, it’s been a highly anticipated date!From 10th June we look forward to welcoming guests from across the UK and the globe, excited to join us for this must visit experience when they arrive in the Highlands.
“We now present the story of this global phenomenon in a modern and engaging way. We appreciate we are only guardians of this legend as many Nessie enthusiasts are truly passionate about this place and its history.
“We wanted to involve them and the community to get it right for the locals and tourists alike. At Continuum, we are passionate about finding great stories in great locations – and this really is Scotland’s best story.”
To guarantee entry on the date and time of your choice, it is strongly recommended to pre-book tickets online in advance, where guests can also save up to 10%.
Adult tickets start from £13.95 and Deepscan Cruises tickets start from £19.00.
To book your trip to The Loch Ness Centre or a cruise tour, please visit:
A total of 24 businesses with high-growth potential have benefited to the tune of £1.4 million after being named as winners in the Scottish EDGE Round 21 awards, which were attended on Friday by First Minister Humza Yousaf and businessman and philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter, as well as entrepreneur and world record holder, Jamie Douglas Hamilton.
Amongst the winners were Glasgow-based Infix Support which won £100,000 towards its Clinician-led, cloud-based scheduling platform that improves NHS theatre efficiency. Clearwell Technology Ltd, a business based in Aboyne which develops exothermic milling systems, also walked away with a prize worth £100,000.
Eight of the prizes went to winners from the Young EDGE Category, where all directors are under the age of 30, with the top Scottish Enterprise prize going to Euro Ticket Club Ltd, which provides flight and ticket offers to British fans of European football. The Institute of Export prize was awarded to LU Innovations Ltd, which creates menstrual products and accessories for adventurers in remote environments. Both winners were recognised for their entrepreneurship with prizes worth £15,000.
Sustainable business practices and a commitment to protecting the planet remain central to the awards. The twenty-first round saw the return of the Net Zero EDGE category, which rewards the efforts of organisations committed to contributing towards the Scottish government’s commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2045.
North Berwick-based Frontier Robotics, which revolutionises marine robots’ sensing and autonomous capabilities, won the Net Zero prize worth £100,000, thanks to additional support from the Royal Bank of Scotland.
Judith Cruickshank, MD of Commercial Mid-Market at Royal Bank of Scotland said: “The time to act on climate change is now and investing in businesses focused on developing solutions through initiatives such as the Net Zero EDGE award is key.
“At Royal Bank of Scotland, we are committed to championing SMEs and each and every one of this year’s winners demonstrates the passion, innovation and determination needed to help bolster and strengthen Scotland’s economy while also making positive strides towards our climate ambitions. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners but in particular, our Net Zero EDGE winner, Frontier.”
The Circular Economy EDGE award, which was introduced in collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland and recognises businesses implementing more circular business methods went to Fife-based Seilich, which harvests skincare product ingredients from the organisation’s own wildflower meadows.
Meanwhile the STV Growth EDGE award, which guarantees airtime went to a consumer-based business, Three Robins, a company creating family-friendly plant-based products, in addition to a financial award of £85,000.
Sharing the accolade of Social Enterprise EDGE winner, Stitch the Gap CIC, which uses sewing tutelage to improve community mental health and environmental impact, and Rhyze Mushrooms, a community mushroom farm and education project, received £50,000 and £20,000 respectively from the Postcode Innovation Trust supported award.
The ceremony marked the final round of the awards for Scottish EDGE Chief Operating Officer Steven Hamill, who has been involved with the awards since their inception in 2013 and has overseen the establishment of partnerships with the Royal Bank of Scotland, the Hunter Foundation, the Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.
Steven Hamill said: ‘Over the course of the last decade, the EDGE awards have acknowledged the innovation, creativity, and future-centred mindset of over 500 Scottish businesses.
“With over £20 million having been awarded so far, Scottish EDGE plays a crucial role in giving businesses with high-growth potential the resources to scale and develop their work. It’s been an honour to collaborate with partner organisations to form long-lasting relationships and ensure that Scottish entrepreneurship continues to be rewarded’.
Jane Martin, MD of Innovation and Investment at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Once again it has been great to partner with Scottish EDGE, which plays an important role in nurturing innovative high growth potential start-ups as part of Scotland’s fantastic entrepreneurial ecosystem.
“I’d like to congratulate all of this round’s winners, who I am sure will go on to do amazing things both for the Scottish economy and for the benefit of societyas a whole.”
Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com
Full list of this year’s winners (alphabetically)
Category: Scottish EDGE Award
Chorus Training – Aberdeen – £70,000 – In hazardous environments safety culture is key to business performance. It’s essential to perform, comply with regulations, deliver training and promote individual accountability for safety.
Clean Water Designs (ta Novus) –Edinburgh – £80,000 – Our high-speed low-energy distillation technology, enables homes and businesses anywhere in the world, to access consistent high-purity water, without expensive consumable parts or plastic bottles (above)..
Clearwell Technology Ltd – Aboyne – £100,000 – Clearwell Technology is developing unique exothermic milling systems which aim to transform offshore decommissioning by delivering substantial time, cost, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
Fitabeo Therapeutics Ltd –Edinburgh – £100,000 – A specialty pharmaceutical company that develops and commercialises innovative medicines to address some of the society’s most pressing challenges.
Frontier Robotics – North Berwick – £100,000 – We revolutionise marine robots’ sensing and autonomous capabilities with minimum hardware and software modifications. We focus on the renewable offshore energy sector.
Incharvie Group Ltd – Leven – £60,000 – Feragaia is Scotland’s first distilled alcohol-free spirit. Based in Fife, Feragaia is distilled in Fife, bottled in Glasgow and ships to customers around the world.
Infix Support Ltd – Glasgow – £100,000 – Infix is a clinician-led, cloud-based scheduling platform that significantly improves NHS theatre efficiency. Integration to the NHS showed an increase of theatre efficiency by 26%
Nooku – Glasgow- £80,000 – Nooku is creating an engaging air quality monitor which empowers people to understand and improve their environment in pursuit of better comfort, health, and happiness.
Seilich – Pathhead – £75,000 – At Seilich we create wildflower meadows from which we harvest ingredients for our range of award-winning natural skincare products.
Silver Lion Innovations – Glasgow – £80,000 – SLI exists to provide healthcare solutions based on personal experience. EasyOver, is a ‘smart’ product that safely turns people with mobility issues over in bed.
Three Robins Ltd – Edinburgh – £85,000 – Our mission is to make healthy, great tasting oat milk products that children, their parents and the planet will love.
Tuggs – Glasgow – £75,000 – Tuggs is the country’s first freshly-prepared, insect-based dog food. We create customised meal plans that are delivered to consumers on a subscription each month.
WEETEQ LTD – Glasgow – £100,000 – Weeteq is a ‘tiny’ embedded technology company providing industrial solutions. Our mission is developing circuit-level artificial intelligence solutions to accelerate sustainable growth of smart technologies.
Yaldi Games – Edinburgh – £60,000 – Yaldi Games is a mission-led game developer making meaningful games that inspire real life activities.
Category: Social Enterprise EDGE
Rhyze Mushrooms – Edinburgh – £25,000 – Rhyze Mushrooms is a community mushroom farm and education project. We grow mushrooms from waste and teach others the skills to do so too.
Stitch the Gap CIC – Glasgow – £50,000 – We deliver a mental health and environmental impact at the grassroots of our communities by teaching the sewing skills to repair, reuse and repurpose textiles.
Category: Young EDGE
4SB Mobility Ltd – Peebles – £10,000 – We are engineering a swappable, ‘jerry-can’ electric vehicle (EV) battery. It attaches to the EVs main battery, giving users 90 miles range in 2 minutes.
Augmentum Influencer Solutions – Grangemouth – £10,000 – We’re an influencer marketing agency specialising in growing brands exclusively in the Health and Wellness space by leveraging the power of the creator economy.
Dastardly Line – Glasgow – £10,000 – Dastardly Line are a Glasgow based design studio that creates innovative products around problematic textile waste streams produced by UK industry.
Euro Ticket Club Ltd – Edinburgh – £15,000 – We provide flight and football ticket offers, via a weekly email newsletter, for British fans who want to watch European football.
LU Innovations LTD – Glasgow- £15,000 – LU’s on a mission to annihilate the hurdles stopping menstruators going on adventurers. Designing sustainable products, education and training to ensure good menstrual hygiene anywhere.
Nuclevolve Pvt. Ltd – Glasgow – £10,000 – Nuclevolve is a radiation protection technology company that relies on the development of materials engineering to achieve advancements in the space and medical industries.
Shasha Network – Edinburgh – £10,000 – Shasha Network (SCIO) is an online platform that equips secondary students across Africa with soft skills and career development to achieve their fullest potential.
Studio Lutalica Ltd – Edinburgh – £10,000 – Lutalica is a design studio focusing on Feminist & LGBTQ+ projects and supporting businesses to create safer workplaces for women and LGBTQ+ people.
Royal British Legion Scotland will mark Scottish American Memorial Day 2023 with a service led by the Reverend Peter Sutton AKC BD MTh PGCC, Minister of The Parish Church of St. Cuthbert, tomorrow (Monday 29th May) at 1:00pm from The Call Memorial, Princes Street Gardens.
Wreath layers will include the Right Honourable Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, Consulate General Jack Hillmeyer (United States Consul General Edinburgh), as well as representatives from the UK Armed Forces, Royal British Legion Scotland and the War Widows Association.
Music will be provided by the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, with USAF Honor Guard from the 48th Fighter Wing RAF Lakenheath and 2 SCOTS Colour Party.
The Scottish American Memorial, also known as ‘The Call’ was funded by Scots and people of Scottish descent based in the United States, through an organisation called the Scottish American War Memorial Committee, and is a tribute to the sacrifices made by men and women from the donors’ homeland.
This magnificent tribute stands as a testament to the brave Scots who valiantly fought in the First World War, and it serves as a poignant reminder of their sacrifices.
Designed and sculpted by the esteemed Doctor Robert Tait McKenzie, the Scottish American Memorial captures the spirit and essence of those who served. The centrepiece of the memorial is a kilted man, symbolic of the Scottish heritage, demonstrating the strength and resilience exhibited by these courageous men and women during the war.
The frieze behind the sculpture complements the central figure, showcasing the artistic mastery and McKenzie’s keen eye for physicality and movement. McKenzie himself played a vital role in the war effort by rehabilitating wounded soldiers who returned from the front lines.
For further details about the event, please contact Legion Scotland on 0131 550 1583 or email events@legionscotland.org.uk
A NEW digital hub in West Lothian showcasing housing technology of the future won Bield stakeholder approval after its official launch last week.
Following a tenant sneak-peek in March, Bield Housing and Care has officially opened the Bield Tech Hub in Linlithgow, having secured £75k of funding through the TAPPI project.
The launch allowed stakeholders, including local health and social care partnerships, staff and other housing associations, to trial and give feedback on digital care advancements of the future.
The Bield Tech Hub consists of four spaces including two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, one kitchen space and one living space. There is also a consultation room and a dining space. Each room has been fitted out with different technologies for people to test.
Stakeholders were welcomed to the space by Dr Lynne Douglas, Bield CEO, who said: “We are delighted to have officially opened the Bield Tech Hub and we’re sure it will bring life-changing technology to West Lothian and further afield. It was fantastic to give our stakeholders and project partners the opportunity to see first-hand what their support has facilitated.
“It’s very important that people get the chance to familiarise themselves with this incredible tech made available through the TAPPI project and get a true insight into housing of the future.”
The Technology for our Ageing Population: Panel for Innovation (TAPPI) project aims to improve the way technology is used in housing and care for older people. Led by the Housing Learning and Improvement Network (Housing LIN), the TEC Services Association (TSA) and funded by The Dunhill Medical Trust, TAPPI seeks to address the opportunity that technology has to enhance the lives of our ageing population and the barriers that prevent its adoption.
The funding will give Bield the unique opportunity to work with tenants, staff and partners to gain insight into a range of devices, apps and systems across a variety of housing settings. With co-production at its heart, Bield staff and tenants will have shared responsibility to produce digital services to support independent living – a first for the Scottish housing charity.
The Bield Tech Hub features three main technologies. The first, Anthropos, uses predictive and analytical technologies to map individuals’ daily routines and sends insights to family or staff. If abnormal action is detected, Anthropos intervenes to prevent a crisis moment from occurring. This supports independent living for as long as possible by proactively averting potential injury or danger.
Aquarate drinking cups, which track individuals’ fluid intake by measuring liquid volume automatically, are also available. This monitoring means that optimal fluid levels are maintained, and can be personalised to reflect individuals’ needs and care.
The third technology is Vayyar, a non-wearable, non-invasive, 4-dimensional tracking technology which supports fall detection. It also determines room presence and tracks mobility levels and bathroom visits, all of which facilitate autonomous living.
Lynne added: “Our team have worked hard to ensure that Bield tenants, customers and their families are beneficiaries of extremely relevant tech that could make a real difference to their day-to-day lives – we are certain that the three technologies achieve that.
“Preventative care technologies across the board underpin our major tech revolution at Bield and we’re confident that there will be fewer falls and emergencies, generally helping people to live independently for longer and be more confident in their homes.”
Bield’s use of innovative technology has already received major recognition – it’s ‘Inspire Phase 2’ project which utilised proactive telecare was the winner of the Transformation Award at the 2023 ITEC Awards in Birmingham.
The ITEC Awards celebrate innovation within the sector and the positive impact Technology Enabled Care has on the lives of millions of people in the UK. The Transformation Award honours services that have planned and implemented major transformation with a proactive and preventative approach.
Bield is a housing and care charity committed to providing innovative, flexible and high-quality housing solutions and support for older people. Bield Housing and Care has around 180 developments which facilitate independent living across Scotland.
To find out more about Bield and its developments, visit https://www.bield.co.uk/ or follow on Facebook @bieldhousingandcare and Twitter @BieldScotland
Fringe Central: Artist Hub will be at Quaker Meeting House
Fringe Central: Arts Industry and Media Offices will be at Appleton Tower.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society reveals the locations for its Fringe Central hubs for Fringe participants, which will be split across two city-centre spaces for the first time.
Fringe Central: Artist Hub
The Fringe Central: Artist Hub will be located at the Quaker Meeting House on Victoria Terrace. A former Fringe venue of 25 years’ standing, the Quaker Meeting House is an iconic building located in the heart of the Old Town, a stone’s throw from both the Grassmarket and the Royal Mile.
It will be a welcoming, inclusive space dedicated specifically to Fringe artists, where they can access Fringe Society services, meet fellow Fringe artists or just grab a tea or coffee and escape the buzz of the festival. The hub will be open between 10:00 and 18:00, seven days a week, and any artist from any venue will receive a warm and friendly welcome from the Fringe Society team. This space is for anyone, and everyone involved with bringing a show to the Fringe.
The hub will have a wellbeing focus as the Fringe Society is working for the first time with local mental health charity Health in Mind, to offer one-to-one support for artists, workshops during the festival and targeted resources on Fringe Connect, a digital platform for Fringe artists and arts industry. Following artist feedback from previous years, and in keeping with the wishes of the building’s owners, the space will be alcohol-free throughout the Fringe.
The Fringe Society offers year-round support and services to Fringe artists, including advice on connecting with industry, support creating press materials and guidance around managing and improving ticket sales or resolving any problems with their show. All of these services will be available in person at the Fringe Central: Artist Hub.
The Fringe Society will also be hosting a programme of participant-focused events, including discussions of topics relevant to the sector and social/networking meetups. The full programme of events will be announced ahead of August.
Fringe Central: Arts Industry and Media Offices
The arts industry and the media represent two vital components of the Fringe ecosystem, providing Fringe artists with significant opportunities to increase their profile and progress their careers beyond the festival.
The Fringe Society will continue to provide support and services to both groups this year via the Fringe Central: Arts Industry and Media Offices in Appleton Tower, just off George Square through support from the University of Edinburgh. This space will be where industry can access Fringe Society ticketing services, and meet with Arts Industry and Media teams, while benefitting from a quiet place to work.
Although there are two buildings this year, all Fringe participants will be brought together through events in the Fringe Central events programme, details of which will be announced at a later date.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: ‘We are continually working to provide the best possible support to artists within our limited resources, and sometimes that yields beautifully serendipitous results.
“Establishing two separate Fringe Central spaces this year was borne out of budgetary and logistical necessity, but the consequent realisation of a dedicated space for artists is a massive benefit, both for them and for our team, in terms of having a focused and dedicated artists’ space throughout August. The Quaker Meeting House is a beautiful space with views that really connect to Edinburgh.
‘I’m especially pleased with our wellbeing offering this year, in partnership with Health in Mind. As everyone knows, the Fringe can be an intense experience – we want artists to know the Fringe Society is here to support them every step of the way, from finding affordable accommodation to onward touring and career development after the festival ends.’
Miranda Girdlestone, Manager, Edinburgh Quaker Meeting Housesaid ‘We’re delighted to be hosting the Fringe Central: Artist Hub space this year.
“We approached the Fringe Society a few months ago following concern about operating as a venue in 2023, to explore how we could still be involved in this year’s festival. We are thrilled that our peaceful Meeting House will be used as a home away from home for artists, looking for a wellbeing-focused space to relax and access support from the Society team.
“We hope to be back as a Fringe venue in the future, as are so proud of our long-standing relationship with this brilliant festival.’
Alana Genge, Head of Engagement at Health in Mind, said: ‘We’re excited to be working with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and supporting the talented and creative artists involved.
“We’ve had great discussions around what mental health and wellbeing support will look like this year for artists and it’s clear to see the passion and commitment the Fringe team has for ensuring artists know where to get support and that support is available in different ways.
“It’s the start of a hopeful partnership and we’re looking forward to being part of the buzz that the Fringe brings to Edinburgh.’
What do you think makes a strong community? How can we improve or change things for the better? Are you interested in climate and environmental issues?
You are warmly invited to come along to a relaxed and informal workshop and be part of a conversation about these questions. We’ll have free refreshments on offer and the discussion will be supported by a couple of facilitators who will help guide the discussion. No previous knowledge is required, we simply hope you will bring along your thoughts, opinion insights and hopes for your community’s future.
Please let me know if you’d like to take part in one of these sessions by emailing lynne.porteous@heartofnewhaven.co.uk and letting me know whether the morning or evening workshop works best for you. Please also let us know if you have any specific dietary requirements.
This event is organised by Restoration Forth, Heart of Newhaven and WWF (World Wildlife Fund) to gather information on community resilience. Your contribution is voluntary and confidential, but the anonymised results from discussions will be used to build a better picture of people’s perceptions, attitudes and practices around the Firth of Forth and the local community
The Scottish Government was unable to answer a parliamentary question regarding the number of NHS dentists who require a deposit to be paid before registering with them.
In response to a question submitted by Sarah Boyack MSP, the Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto, said that the information requested “is not held centrally by the Scottish Government,” raising concerns about the scale of the problem and the number of people it affects.
Earlier in May, the Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian, Sarah Boyack discovered that 75% of NHS Dentists in Edinburgh and Lothians are no longer accepting new NHS patients and some of those that are accepting new patients, are charging patients to do so.
The Lothian MSP has recently released findings showing that more than 3 in 4 Dental Practices serving patients in Musselburgh are no longer accepting NHS Patients.
This comes amid concerns over dentistry services failing to recover from the pandemic and fears that NHS dentists are becoming increasingly inaccessible.
Commenting Sarah Boyack, Labour MSP, said: “How can the Scottish Government get a grip of the crisis facing our NHS Dentists if they have no clue about how it is working?
“Following concerns from constituents in Edinburgh and the Lothians, that they are unable to register with an NHS Dentist I conducted research on the state of NHS Dentistry in Lothian and the finding were shocking.
“When asked about this, the Scottish Government admitted they have no clue and do not hold any information about this.
“The SNP have created a two-tiered healthcare system that prioritises those who can afford to pay over anyone else.
“It is a disgrace that in a cost-of-living crisis the SNP/Green Scottish Government knows nothing about the added costs being placed on patients, which has been caused by their managed decline of the NHS and lack of support for dentists.
“People deserve better than a botched two-tiered system that fails the most vulnerable.”
Data collected by the office of Sarah Boyack MSP on 5th May 2022 for 39 NHS Dentists in Edinburgh
Nearly half Scots have never heard of aphasia, despite 350,000 people living with the condition in the UK.
New research from the Stroke Association reveals a huge lack of public awareness and knowledge of aphasia – a language and communication disorder most commonly caused by stroke
Of the Scots who have heard of aphasia nearly one in two (46%) are unclear as to what it is
Almost two thirds (68%) of Scots lack confidence in spotting the common effects of aphasia.
To address this and raise awareness of aphasia, the charity has produced a documentary ‘When the Words Away Went’ available to watch on stroke.org.uk/film or stream on Channel 4 from Friday 26th May
New research from the Stroke Association reveals nearly half of the Scottish public (45%) have never heard of aphasia*, despite it affecting over 350,000 people in the UK.
Aphasia is a language and communication disorder – with stroke being the biggest cause. The condition often has a profound effect on someone’s ability to speak, read, write and/or use numbers. There are 128,000 stroke survivors living in Scotland and over a third (40%) will experience aphasia after their stroke.
The new research* from the UK’s leading stroke charity highlights that most Brits don’t know about the disorder, and the huge impact it has on people’s lives. Moreover, nearly half (46%) of those who have heard of aphasia are unclear as to what it is.
To help raise awareness of aphasia, the Stroke Association has launched ‘When the Words Away Went’, a documentary about three stroke survivors living with aphasia embarking on their journey to find their voice and rebuild their lives.
The documentary aims to equip people with the knowledge, understanding and confidence to support those living with aphasia. Currently, most people (72%) lack confidence in recognising its symptoms and less than half of people (42%) would feel confident in communicating with someone with the disorder.
Whilst aphasia does not affect intelligence, the majority of Scots (68%) think being able to speak or communicate well is a sign of intellect, which can create huge barriers for those with aphasia. In fact, a fifth of adults (20%) also admit that, if they met someone who had problems communicating, they would assume that person had a learning difficulty.
John Watson, Associate Director Scotland of the Stroke Association said: “Aphasia is very common, affecting over a third of stroke survivors, so it’s disheartening to see such low awareness and knowledge of aphasia amongst the general public.
“Most of us can’t imagine living with aphasia, but it makes everyday tasks like getting on the bus or talking to a friend daunting, made worse by misconceptions that people with aphasia lack intelligence. This can often lead to anxiety and depression, feeling excluded from society and difficulties with personal relationships.
“We want to encourage everyone to watch our new documentary ‘When the Words Away Went’, featuring stories from three inspiring stroke survivors impacted by aphasia, so the public can better understand the condition and become an ally to those affected. Together we can help make the lives of those living with aphasia a little bit easier.”
The research also highlights other common misconceptions around aphasia including, over a fifth (25%) of Scots Brits believing that aphasia only affects someone’s ability to talk and one in ten people mistakenly thinking that aphasia can’t improve.
Tom Middlemass, 59, from Edinburgh – featuring in the documentary said: “When you have aphasia, you find people shout at you when they talk to you. You get that all the time.
“People need to know that those with aphasia are not dumb. There’s a person behind that voice who is struggling. It’s very hard to get these words out. It exhausts you.”
“The Stroke Association is here for everyone affected by aphasia, providing support and an important reminder that there is hope. Aphasia can and does improve, and with the right help people with aphasia can live normal lives.”
Watch the ‘When the Words Away Went’ online at stroke.org.uk/film or stream on Channel 4 now.
