Day: June 16, 2023

Animation launched to prevent drownings this summer

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) has launched a brand-new animation which focuses on the Water Safety Code as part of its annual Drowning Prevention Week campaign which runs 17-24 June. 

Since 1891 the national charity has been sharing their expertise in water safety, lifesaving, and lifeguarding to educate everyone to enjoy water safely. Drowning Prevention Week is now in its 10th year and continues to help educate school aged children on how they can enjoy water safely and prevent any future drownings. 

The charity conducted research with parents in the UK which showed that only around one in six UK adults were familiar with the Water Safety Code and its aims, and one in four parents haven’t or don’t remember ever discussing water safety with their child(ren).  

In 2022, we tragically saw 37 people aged 19 and under die from accidental drowning in the UK, and RLSS UK hopes that their new animation will provide parents with a starting point to have conversations with their children around water safety. 

The animation walks through the water safety code which is the fundamental spine of all water safety education. It is designed to provide simple and easy to remember information that acts as both a proactive measure to help educate people to make early, critical decisions, and also to help people understand what they should do in an emergency. 

The code focuses on four simple points:

STOP AND THINK: take time to assess your surrounds. Look for the dangers and always research local signs and advice. 

STAY TOGETHER: when around water always go with friends or family. Swim at a lifeguarded venue. 

IN AN EMERGENCY…

CALL 999: ask for the Fire and Rescue Service when inland and the Coastguard if at the coast. Don’t enter the water to rescue. 

FLOAT: fall in or become tired – stay calm, float on your back and call for help. Throw something that floats to somebody that has fallen in. 

Lee Heard, Charity Director at RLSS UK said, “We hope that our new animation provides families with a resource to start those conversations around how everyone, including children, can stay safe in and around water.

“We want families to be able to enjoy the water but do this in a safe way by recognising any potential dangers, and also knowing what to do if they or someone else finds themselves in difficulty. 

“The animation will also form part of our education resources that we have once again made available to primary and secondary schools in the UK and Ireland. Last year over 341,000 school children were educated in water safety using our free downloadable school resources and this year we hope to educate even more children.”

The charity provides educational resources for schools to allow them to integrate them easily into their curriculum to provide opportunities for all children to have the vital skills and knowledge around how to enjoy water safely. 

RLSS UK are also working with their Patron Lord Storey as in June last year he put in a Water Safety Education (Curriculum) Bill, which went through its second reading in the House of Lords in April of this year. If approved, the Bill will mean that more water safety education will be a compulsory part of the curriculum, something RLSS UK has been lobbying towards for many years. 

Lee continued, “Although swimming and water safety are included on the PE curriculum for England there are inequalities in reality that means many children do not have access to the water safety education that is so vital. 

“Pre-COVID, almost 1 in 4 children were not hitting the statutory ‘can self-rescue’ standard. Worryingly there is huge disparity between high and low affluence households, as well as between different ethnic backgrounds, with those from the lowest affluence and those from ethnic minorities most likely to fail to reach the statutory standards.

“The work that RLSS UK does, in providing resources such as the animation and other school resources, as well as lobbying government to include water safety education on the curriculum, shows that we are committed to ensuring that there is equality when teaching water safety education to children in the UK and Ireland.” 

For further details on water safety and to view RLSS UK’s latest animation, visit www.rlss.org.uk/DPW.

Local sight loss group to meet at a new time and place in Edinburgh

LEADING RESEARCHER TO GIVE TALK AT MACULAR SOCIETY SUPPORT GROUP MEETING

The Edinburgh Macular Society Support Group has moved venue to St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Comely Bank, EH4 1AG, where it meets on the last Friday of each month (excluding August and December) between 10.30am-12.30pm.

The monthly group is run by the leading UK sight loss charity the Macular Society, in partnership with local people.

The group is one of 400 of its kind in the UK. It offers vital information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease – the leading cause of sight loss for which there is no cure. The meetings are also social occasions where members can chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

At its meeting on Friday 30 June, renowned ophthalmologist Professor Baljeen Dhillion, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Edinburgh will attend to discuss the latest research developments including an ongoing local project to maximise the use of data collected from retinal scans.

Iona McLean, Macular Society regional manager for Scotland south east, said: “We’re extremely excited to welcome professor Baljean Dhillion to our upcoming group meeting, which will offer a great insight into the world of macular research.

“Our group members will no doubt find it incredibly beneficial to hear from one of the people making a difference to the lives of so many others with a macular condition.

“The group is open to anyone with a visual impairment, their friends, family or carers so pop along and see how being a part of our community can make a difference to you.”

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement.

There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50.

The Edinburgh Macular Society Support Group is one of six groups which meet across the city. The charity runs support groups in Morningside, Portobello, Stockbridge, South Queensferry and the Edinburgh Working Age and Young People.

For more information on the group, or other groups in your area please contact Iona McLean on 07517 543 998, or email Iona.McLean@macularsociety.org

For general information on macular disease, call the Macular Society on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org

A local sight loss group which supports people living with a visual impairment is to meet at a new time and place in Edinburgh.

The Edinburgh Macular Society Support Group has moved venue to St Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Comely Bank, EH4 1AG, where it meets on the last Friday of each month (excluding August and December) between 10.30am-12.30pm.

The monthly group is run by the leading UK sight loss charity the Macular Society, in partnership with local people.

The group is one of 400 of its kind in the UK. It offers vital information, encouragement and friendship to people who are affected by macular disease – the leading cause of sight loss for which there is no cure. The meetings are also social occasions where members can chat over a cup of tea or coffee.

At its meeting on Friday 30 June, renowned ophthalmologist professor Baljeen Dhillion, Professor of Clinical Ophthalmology at the University of Edinburgh will attend to discuss the latest research developments including an ongoing local project to maximise the use of data collected from retinal scans.

Iona McLean, Macular Society regional manager for Scotland south east, said: “We’re extremely excited to welcome professor Baljean Dhillion to our upcoming group meeting, which will offer a great insight into the world of macular research. Our group members will no doubt find it incredibly beneficial to hear from one of the people making a difference to the lives of so many others with a macular condition.

“The group is open to anyone with a visual impairment, their friends, family or carers so pop along and see how being a part of our community can make a difference to you.”

Macular disease is the biggest cause of sight loss in the UK. Nearly 1.5 million people are currently affected and many more are at risk. The disease can have a devastating effect on people’s lives, leaving them unable to drive, read or see faces. Many people affected describe losing their sight as being similar to bereavement.

There is still no cure and most types of the disease are not treatable. Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common form of macular disease, affecting more than 600,000 people, usually over the age of 50.

The Edinburgh Macular Society Support Group is one of six groups which meet across the city. The charity runs support groups in Morningside, Portobello, Stockbridge, South Queensferry and the Edinburgh Working Age and Young People.

For more information on the group, or other groups in your area please contact Iona McLean on 07517 543 998, or email Iona.McLean@macularsociety.org

For general information on macular disease, call the Macular Society on 0300 3030 111 or email help@macularsociety.org

Councillor organises Drylaw walkabout

Inverleith SNP councillor Vicky Nicholson has organised a walk round in Drylaw with council officers from the parks team and police on Thursday 29 June at 1pm, meeting at White Church.

Cllr Nicholson said: “This is in response to a few requests by local people and hopefully any questions people have about maintenance of green spaces, areas where people store motorbikes and also other Drylaw issues can be asked and, if not answered during the walk round, followed up by officers and police”.

New ten year cancer strategy launched

A new 10-year Cancer Strategy aims to significantly cut the number of people diagnosed with later stage cancer and to reduce the health inequalities associated with the disease.

Currently around 42% of cancers are diagnosed at the later stages but through continued investment in the Detect Cancer Earlier (DCE) Programme the ambition is to reduce the number diagnosed at stages III and IV in year 10 of the plan to 24%. That would mean around 5,000 fewer people diagnosed with later stage disease in the year 2033.

The strategy is underpinned by a three-year Cancer Action Plan that contains 136 actions. Both documents focus on improving all areas of cancer services, from prevention and diagnosis through to treatment and post-treatment care, with a particular focus on the currently less-survivable cancers.

Health Secretary Michael Matheson, launched the plan at the Cancer Centre at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, where he met staff delivering the Single Point of Contact service, which helps ensure patients have dedicated person-centred support throughout their treatment.

Mr Matheson said: “Our absolute focus is to improve cancer survival and make sure everyone gets excellent and accessible care. The pandemic had a significant impact on all aspects of health and social care, and cancer services were no exception. This Cancer Strategy will make sure we are properly delivering these vital services and clearly directing future investments.

“The strategy takes a strong public health approach, which means more cancers will be prevented. Those who require diagnostics and treatment will have prompt access to quality services. As well as being able to cure more people, we also recognise the importance of treatment to extend good quality life and the provision of excellent palliative care.

“The Scottish Cancer Network will be at the heart of our strategic ambitions, setting out agreed best clinical practice and assuring people with cancer of common standards of care, no matter where they live.

“We will continue to work closely alongside the NHS, third sector, and industry to deliver quality cancer services for the people of Scotland. The new Scottish Cancer Strategic Board will provide oversight of the strategy and action plan.”

Chair of the Scottish Cancer Coalition and Public Affairs Manager for Cancer Research UK in Scotland Dr Sorcha Hume said: “The Scottish Cancer Coalition works with the Scottish Government to ensure that the voice of cancer charities and patients is heard. We therefore welcome the publication of the new Cancer Strategy for Scotland 2023-2033.

“Our NHS is under more pressure than ever, and it is our sincere hope that this strategy is the first step towards better cancer services for the people of Scotland. It is vital however that implementation is swift, and that the strategy is adequately funded.

“We look forward to continuing our work with the Scottish Government to realise our shared ambition of improving cancer outcomes for everyone in Scotland.”

Lorraine Dallas, Chair of the Less Survivable Cancers Taskforce Scotland and Director of Information, Prevention and Support at the Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation, said: “The new Cancer Strategy for Scotland is a big step in the right direction for people diagnosed with one of the less survivable cancers.

“Those include cancers of the pancreas, lung, stomach, liver, brain and oesophagus (the less survivable cancers) which have an average five-year survival of just 16% from diagnosis. Lung cancer remains Scotland’s single biggest cause of cancer death and a continued focus and action to address this should be an urgent priority.

“We’re encouraged to see a clear commitment to taking action on those cancer types that have the poorest survival. We now need significant investment in research and action to improve cancer diagnostic and treatment services.

“Early diagnosis is crucial when it comes to cancer survival. We know that less survivable cancers are far more likely to be diagnosed in the later stages of the disease and this has a significant impact on treatment options.

“We will work closely with the Government, patients and clinicians to ensure that we now see action to give people who are diagnosed with these cancers a better chance of survival.”

Cancer strategy – https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805255444

Cancer action plan – https://www.gov.scot/isbn/9781805255451

Make A Difference: Young people encouraged to apply to be a Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament

Are you 25 or under and passionate about issues such as climate change, equality, poverty and your community?  Or do you know someone who is?  If so, then you might be interested in the forthcoming elections for the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP). 

The SYP represents Scotland’s young people and democratically elected members listen to and recognise the issues that are most important to young people, making sure their voices are heard by decision-makers.  It is a highly rewarding role that requires passion, determination and, perhaps most importantly, commitment.

All young people aged between 14 and 25 can stand for election and anyone aged between 12 to 25 is eligible to vote.

This year’s elections will be held in November and applications are open until 31 July.

Before then, interested young people can find out more and begin the application process on the SYP website which is open until 31 July.

Information sessions will be held and there is support available from the SYP and from Edinburgh’s Youth Work Team.

Beau Johnston, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Edinburgh Central, said: “I felt so well supported and was pushed out of my comfort zone constantly – but in the best possible way.

“My confidence has improved, and I have learnt many new skills. I feel grateful to have met so many inspirational people throughout this process, and to have worked with them on issues that I am so passionate about.”

Cllr Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener, for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for young people to join the Scottish Youth Parliament and make their voices heard.

“The Parliament has a proud history of delivering youth led campaigns that deliver meaningful change and have led to many improvements to the lives of young people not just here in Edinburgh but across Scotland. I would encourage anyone interested to apply and see if you can really make a difference.”

Craigievar House Fire: Emergency Appeal

Can you help the residents affected by this local disaster?

Corstorphine Community Centre is a drop off point for the following items:

Toiletries, and toothpaste/ brushes, deodorants, hair brushes/ combs & sunscreen

New underwear & clothing for adults and children.

Footwear for adults and children.

Toys, teddies and games for children.

Non perishable food items

Can you support this appeal by volunteering to sort and distribute these items?

We are available to receive and give out these items

Friday 16th 10-5pm

Saturday 17th 10-3pm

Drop off and collections at Corstorphine Community Corstorphine Community Centre5 Kirk Loan (opposite Astoria Centre / Winstons)

Thank you

CCC

Trees Please: George Street plans approved

A final operational plan for Edinburgh’s George Street and First New Town (GNT) project was approved yesterday (Thursday, 15 June), along with updates to the proposed design.

A key change is the introduction of trees on George Street, which has been agreed following discussions with Edinburgh World Heritage, Historic Environment Scotland and the Cockburn Association and other stakeholders.

This recognises trees’ contribution to the city’s Net Zero 2030 goals as well as their capacity to enhance the street’s biodiversity value, helping to combat urban heat island effects and supporting our One Million Tree City pledge. Following the approval of proposals, the Council will continue to work closely with partners to determine the appropriate position, number and type of trees to be added.

Transport and Environment Committee members approved updates to the principles of the proposed GNT Operational Plan which include plans for the creation of a pedestrian and cycling zone where loading, servicing and licensed taxi access on George Street will only be permitted during evening and morning hours.

At this stage, automated bollards will provide additional public safety measures and enforce the pedestrian cycling zone restrictions. Blue badge holders will still be able to park in disabled bays on George Street and the surrounding streets.

The George Street and First New Town project is being supported by funding from the Scottish Government through Sustrans Scotland’s Places for Everyone programme and delivered by City of Edinburgh Council.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “In updating designs and operational plans for the GNT project, the project team has worked closely with the community, key stakeholders and elected members to develop proposals which will both enhance the space for all those travelling through and spending time in the area but also retain the First New Town’s unique historic value.

“I know the potential inclusion of trees on George Street will be welcomed by many, now their inclusion has been approved more work will be done to ensure the position and type of trees is sympathetic to the street’s iconic character.

“We have also listened carefully to the Edinburgh Access Panel and have agreed blue badge holders should have full access to up to 27 blue badge spaces in the George Street and First New Town area.

“This latest update marks an exciting milestone in the GNT project and it will allow us to move forward with the final stages of development before construction begins.”

Minister for Active Travel, Patrick Harvie, said: “I welcome the latest approved designs for the George Street and First New Town project. With over £13 million being invested by the Scottish Government, the introduction of more trees alongside improved walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure will create a more pleasant environment for people to enjoy.

“This work, supported by Sustrans Scotland, is part of our record funding for active travel in 2023/24 and we remain committed to investing at least £320 million or 10% of the transport budget for active travel by 2024/25.”

Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stage 3 developed design principles were approved in November 2022, though these were conditional upon further discussions around factors such as the potential inclusion of trees and taxi access.

Amongst the ‘core elements’ of the design are significantly widened pavements, the creation of a European style cycling street and the removal of parking bays (while retaining blue badge parking). The First New Town operation plan will support the area’s transformation and, in addition to setting out taxi access and enforcement, the plan maintains bus services in the wider First New Town (Hanover, Frederick and North/South St David Street) and criteria for exempt vehicles.

The next stage for the project will be to progress the promotion of all the necessary statutory processes for George Street, which provide the powers to enable the construction of the project, scheduled for 2025. Further engagement and analysis will be carried out on planned layouts for Hanover, Frederick and Castle Street during the next design stage in the process, RIBA Stage 4.

Earlier this year the George Street and First New Town project was shortlisted in the Pineapple Awards, celebrate excellence in place-based design and development, and is in the running as a finalist for the Scottish Design Awards in the Master Planning category.

The report was approved with a series of addendums and amendments from groups. These include agreements to consider of the project’s impact on the wider Active Travel Investment Programme, to continue dialogue on licensed taxi access for people with disabilities and to explore how the plan can deliver priority for pedestrians, wheelers and cyclists while also ensuring accessibility for disabled people.

Read the full report, George Street and First New Town – Operational Plan and Project Update.

Simon Strain, Head of Places for Everyone Programme at Sustrans, said: “We are pleased to see the final operational plan for George Street and First New Town approved by members of the Transport and Environment Committee, along with updates to the proposed design.

“The funding awarded for this project will help make everyday walking, wheeling, and cycling journeys a reality, as well as improving biodiversity and creating a new space for people to spend time and relax in Edinburgh city centre.”

Stuart Hay, Director, Living Streets Scotland said: “Edinburgh is currently one of the least pedestrianised historic cities in Northern Europe, so we are delighted to see progress in the plans for a place that prioritises people, not cars. George Street has the potential to become the heart of the city, creating a much-needed public space of high quality.