Month: June 2023

Launch of new guardianship service for children seeking asylum

There will be more support for unaccompanied asylum seeking and trafficked children arriving in Scotland, thanks to a new statutory guardianship service.

The Scottish Government has provided £1 million for the Guardianship Scotland service in 2022-23, and a further £1 million annually for the next two years initially.  

The service will support children who have arrived in Scotland alone and help guide them through the asylum process.

Aberlour Children’s Charity and the Scottish Refugee Council have been awarded the contract to the run the service. Professionals employed by the service, known as Guardians, will:

  • accompany children and young people when they claim asylum and support them with expert advice
  • empower children and young people in the decision making process
  • listen to the experiences of affected children and young people and explain what is happening to them

Launching the service, Minister for Children and Young People Natalie Don said: “It is a privilege to help launch this new guardianship service, which is another example of how Scotland is offering a welcoming environment to people arriving in our country.

“Arriving alone can have a devastating and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people – so it is vitally important for them to be given access to the care and support they need to help them adjust to their new life here.

“I look forward to working with the Scottish Refugee Council and Aberlour to ensure that we are getting it right for all of the young people in need of our support.”

Catriona MacSween, Head of Guardianship Scotland, said: “It is wonderful that we can continue to deliver the excellent service. It is testament to the commitment and fantastic work of our guardians who work closely with local authorities and many other organisations to support unaccompanied children and young people.

“Asylum seeking children and victims of trafficking arrive in Scotland alone, confused and scared, having been through unimaginable trauma. We are so pleased that our work has been recognised and we can continue to help them.”

SallyAnn Kelly OBE, Chief Executive of Aberlour Children’s Charity, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the contract to run Guardianship Scotland.

“Aberlour has worked alongside the Scottish Government, Home Office and local authorities to ensure every unaccompanied asylum seeking child who is a victim of trafficking or potential victim of trafficking has the support of a guardian over the past 12 years. Recently, we have seen a significant rise in the numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and there is an even greater need for the service.

“We are delighted to build on this successful partnership with the Scottish Refugee Council and provide support to more unaccompanied children.”

Sabir Zazai OBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council said: “We are delighted to be delivering Guardianship Scotland with Aberlour and look forward to continuing our work together to develop this essential service.

“The young people we work with have been through things no child should have to endure. Many have survived human trafficking or fled countries torn apart by war, arriving in Scotland traumatised and alone with no friends or family to take care of them.  

“We are committed to ensuring that every unaccompanied child in Scotland gets a dedicated guardian to support them, speak up for them and be by their side as they rebuild their lives.”

Deadline for voluntary National Insurance contributions extended to April 2025

Taxpayers now have until 5 April 2025 to fill gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 that may increase their State Pension – an extension of nearly two years – the UK Government has announced.

Extending the voluntary National Insurance contributions deadline until 2025 means that people have more time to properly consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them and ensures no-one need miss out on the possibility of boosting their State Pension entitlements.

The original deadline was extended to 31 July 2023 earlier this year, and tens of thousands of people have taken advantage to pay voluntary contributions to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) since then. The revised deadline is expected to enable tens of thousands more to do the same.

Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “People who have worked hard all their lives deserve to receive their State Pension entitlement, and filling gaps in National Insurance records can make a real difference.

“With the deadline extended, there is no immediate rush for people to complete gaps in their record and they will have more time to spread the cost.”

Laura Trott, Minister for Pensions, Department for Work and Pensions, said: “I am pleased to see so many people taking steps to review their State Pension, which is why we have extended the deadline for customers to add extra years to their National Insurance record.

“This extension means thousands more people will have time to check their entitlement, and in many cases, increase the amount they receive when they retire.”

The extension means that taxpayers have a longer period to enable them to afford to fill any gaps if they choose to do so. All relevant voluntary National Insurance contributions payments will be accepted at the rates applicable in 2022 to 2023 until 5 April 2025.

Individuals who are planning for their retirement could benefit from the opportunity to complete gaps in their National Insurance record. Other people who may benefit include those who may have been:

·         employed but with low earnings

·         unemployed and not claiming benefits

·         self-employed who did not pay contributions because of small profits

·         living or working outside of the UK

Paying voluntary contributions does not always increase your State Pension. Before starting the process, eligible individuals with gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 onwards should check whether they would benefit from filling those gaps.

They can find out how to check their National Insurance record, obtain a State Pension forecast, decide if making a voluntary National Insurance contribution is worthwhile for them and their pension, and how to make a payment on GOV.UK.

Taxpayers can check their National Insurance record through their Personal Tax Account.

Loneliness Awareness Week 2023: HEROES WANTED!

LOCAL CHARITY TACKLING LONELINESS ONE FRIENDSHIP AT A TIME

Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes is marking Loneliness Awareness Week (12-18th June) by encouraging Edinburgh locals to join them to become volunteer heroes, offering companionship to older people (VIPs) with like-minded interests, to tackle the loneliness crisis in the city.

The award-winning charitable partnership brings people together through friendship matches, groups, and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the over the 60s across Edinburgh – which has been named as the loneliest city in the UK for older people.

A statistic only exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic, with a 2022 Age UK study showing that 1 in 3 older people felt more anxious than before covid and less motivated to do the things they enjoy.

Now in its 8th year, Vintage Vibes has helped over 900 older people in the city to establish one-to-one friendships based on mutually shared interests from baking to music, and even, like VIP David and volunteer Emily, gaming. Events, and groups are also available from sewing to cinema, and singing to bring people together for fun and friendship.

Vintage Vibes volunteer, Alyssa Kuranowicz said: “I’ve had so much fun since becoming a volunteer with Vintage Vibes.

“I was introduced to a lovely lady called Betty based on our shared love of coffee and connecting with people. On top of our weekly coffee shop visits, Betty and I have also enjoyed going for milkshakes, attending concerts, going for beach walks, and attending events hosted by Vintage Vibes.

“Our connection has made a real difference to Betty’s well-being and quality of life and has also given me a great new friend and a lot of shared good times”.

Having successfully delivered over 20,000 hours of volunteering, Vintage Vibes’ 2023 annual survey showed that 75% of their VIPs felt that being involved in the project had improved their mental health and 95% reported feeling happier and having a better quality of life. 

Vintage Vibes is now seeking amazing new Edinburgh-based volunteers to expand the project and offer support to even more older people across the city.

Georgia Artus, Development Manager at Vintage Vibes said: “We’re delighted with the impact Vintage Vibes is making to the lives of older people and due to increasing demand, we’re seeking to expand our team of amazing volunteers.

“We’re looking for adults of all ages who can spare at least one hour each week, for a minimum of six months, to help an older person in need of friendship.

“During the pandemic, we all faced the kind of isolation many older people in the city suffer daily. Sadly, for a great many, that isolation will continue without our wonderful community of Vintage Vibes volunteers.”

For more information on becoming a Vintage Vibes volunteer, please contact Vintage Vibes please email hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or visit vintagevibes.org.uk.

New £1.5m Scottish Ambulance Service training facility opens at Newbridge

A new £1.5 million Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) special operations training and logistics facility was opened in Newbridge, Edinburgh yesterday (June 12).

Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care Michael Matheson  visited the base to see the expansion and learn about what type of training will be carried out at the facility, which is the first of its kind in the UK.

He spoke with Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive Pauline Howie, SAS Chair Tom Steele, incoming CEO Michael Dickson and General Manager of the National Risk and Resilience Department (NRRD) John Burnham, along with other staff from NRRD.

As part of SAS’s Civil Contingencies Response Programme, the training facility – which is an expansion to the ambulance service’s existing NRRD east base – will be used as a centralised training location and a dedicated equipment logistics hub.

The facility will be used for a range of training exercises, including how to respond to major incidents, and also Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents.

It also includes a 360, fully interactive, immersive training suite which can be used to simulate a range of incidents in different environments including emergency departments, night clubs, industrial sites.

The suite enables not only the practice of clinical skills but subjects staff to a variety of stimuli including lighting and sound effects which may impact on performance.

SAS Chief Executive Pauline Howie said: “We are delighted to open this new training facility today and I’d like to thank all the staff involved. It has been an incredible effort and our NRRD department is a vital part of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“This training facility will be invaluable for our staff who respond to both large and challenging incidents.  This can include treating and conveying patents from challenging inaccessible and confined location including water, chemical accidents and incidents involving a large number of people.

“This facility will help us prepare to respond to these large-scale and complex incidents safely and provide the best care to our patients.”

Health Secretary Michael Matheson said: “This facility will be a valuable asset in allowing staff to train in a realistic but safe environment.

“Giving them the chance to experience different scenarios which could be out of the usual confines of their daily routine is so important as it will give them the confidence, resilience and knowledge of how to respond.

“Our ambulance staff run to help those in times of need and it is right that we give them the tools to allow them to do that and this training facility will do that.”

Portobello Beach Safety Markers

The City of Edinburgh Council installed location markers at Portobello Beach as part of a beach safety partnership with the Edinburgh Police Division and Maritime and Coastguard Agency in April 2021.

Numbered signs 1-6 have been attached to existing beach defence groynes and yellow circular signs to the sea wall. The emergency services can use these numbered markers to plot your location in an emergency.

Marker 1 – Pipe Lane

Marker 2 – Bath Street

Marker 3 – Bellfield Street

Marker 4 – John Street

Marker 5 – Bedford Terrace

Marker 6 – End of the promenade at Joppa Road

The signage has been used numerous times over the last few years, including search & rescue incidents.

Feedback from emergency responders and partner agencies has been very positive: “The numbered signs worked well, giving a direct place to attend, which in my view, saved vital minutes in our attendance.”

Please stay safe on our coastline. Further information on water safety can be found with our RNLI partners at https://ow.ly/txu250OLkfM

In a coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

#RespectTheWater

Sign up for the final consultation events for Leith parks this month

There’s still time to sign up for our final events that are looking at plans for 6 parks in Leith! 🌿

We are holding further events with updated designs – come along to have your say! 🌳

📅In-person event: Thursday 15th June, 6pm-7.30pm, Duncan Place Community Hub

💻Online event: Tuesday 20th June, 6pm-7.30pm – this will be on Microsoft Teams (link sent to attendees)

📧Booking is essential: email thrivinggreenspaces@edinburgh.gov.uk to book your place

The City of Edinburgh Council

Scottish Wildlife Trust

Greenspace Scotland

Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust

Summer dangers: Vet lists three things that could put your pet at risk

“Summer is an exciting time of the year, and often means more time spent outdoors. However, while many of us can’t wait to bask in the warmer weather, it’s crucial for pet owners to keep in mind that a new season means new risks for four-legged friends”, says PDSA Vet, Lynne James:

  1. Beware of the BBQ

“While we may enjoy the sunshine and take delight in an opportunity to cook up a storm outdoors, there are lots of things pet owners should be aware of when organising a summer barbecue. One thing to be wary of is furry family members getting hold of things they shouldn’t – eating things like kebab skewers or the core from corn-on-the-cob can cause serious and potentially life-threatening injuries.

“Make sure any leftovers and rubbish are thrown away in a bin that your furry friend can’t raid – food smells can be irresistible for pets, so make sure everything is paw-proof! Though it can be tempting to share tasty barbecue treats with your furry friend, undercooked and fatty foods can upset their stomach and cause sickness or diarrhoea. Bones are also a nasty choking hazard for dogs and risk causing dangerous blockages or damage to their insides.

“All pets should be kept at a safe distance from the barbecue as hot food, coals, and ashes can cause serious burns. Coal barbecues can take a while to heat up, so it is best to block off the area or keep your pet inside to stop them getting dangerously close. Whilst you’re grilling, keep an eye on where your pet is as the tasty smells may entice them to jump up and burn their paws.

  1. Watch out for algae

“When out on walks, it is important to look out for blue-green algae, which is most prevalent in still or stagnant water during summer and autumn. Despite its name, this is actually a type of bacteria which is highly poisonous to animals and can sadly be fatal, or result in long-term health problems for those that survive. Dogs are particularly at risk, as they are more likely to drink from ponds while out on a walk, or swim in affected water.

“Before letting your pooch dive in, make sure to check for blue-green algae. It often appears as a green or blueish scum, but sometimes has a brown tinge that can be seen on the water’s surface. It can also clump up and the blooms can create foam on the shoreline. However, it can be tricky to spot – look out for warning signs or dead fish in the water.

“Symptoms of blue-green algae poisoning can occur very quickly (within 15 minutes to one hour of exposure) and even a small amount can be lethal to a pup, so it’s important to act quickly and contact your vet immediately if you are concerned. Signs to look out for include vomiting, twitching, seizures, diarrhoea, increased thirst, drooling, breathing difficulties, or collapse.  

  1. Keep cool

“Pets can quickly overheat in warm weather, so it’s important to keep your furry friends cool while they’re enjoying time outside. Heatstroke is a serious situation that without swift treatment, can develop quickly, with sometimes fatal consequences.

“Signs of heatstroke can vary from excessive panting, confusion, bright red gums, foaming at the mouth, collapsing or even seizures. It’s important to ensure your four-legged friend always has access to fresh water and can easily get out of the heat to a cooler area when they need to – if they’re a sun worshipper, you might need to convince them to take regular breaks indoors!

“To help prevent dogs from overheating you can encourage supervised water play and keep them indoors or in cooler, shaded spots. Make sure to only take them out for a walk in the cooler evenings and mornings – and only if the ground temperature has cooled down! To help protect any neighborhood cats, including your own, regularly check greenhouses, sheds, and garages and encourage any of your own feline friends to hang out in well-ventilated rooms.

“For animals that live outside such as rabbits and guinea pigs, signs of heatstroke can include drooling, short and quick breaths, confusion, lack of energy, unconsciousness or even seizures.

“For these outdoor furry friends, it’s vitally important to keep their enclosures out of direct sunlight. If your garden doesn’t provide much shade, you can make your own by draping a tarpaulin or towel over part of your furry family member’s run – just make sure there’s a nice through-draught of cool air so it doesn’t get too hot inside.

“Remove any plastic houses, dens, and tunnels as they can become humid – instead opt for ceramic or cardboard alternatives. To provide some extra comfort you can also place a frozen water bottle on the outside of your small furry friend’s enclosure for them to lie against, or even buy some cool mats or blocks – but check these regularly for any damage.

“All of these situations can be preventable, but if the worst does happen then it’s important that owners are prepared to deal with the situation. I’d encourage anyone who doesn’t feel confident in providing emergency treatment to their pet to download PDSA’s free pet first aid guide, which has a host of resources that range from lifesaving tips to treating small cuts and scrapes.”

To download PDSA’s free pet first aid guide, visit pdsa.org.uk/pr-free-first-aid-guide.

National Galleries of Scotland acquires work by renowned Glasgow Boys artist Joseph Crawhall

A painting by one of the most outstanding watercolourists of his day, Glasgow Boys artist, Joseph Crawhall (1861–1913), has been acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland.

Now on display at the National in Edinburgh, Cock Pheasant with Foliage and Berries is a superb addition to the national collection. The work is a perfect example of Crawhall’s distinctive and exquisite watercolours of animals and birds. Acquired through the Acceptance in Lieu scheme, it joins a collection of other works by Crawhall, including the incredibly popular, The White Drake.

This spectacular new addition to the collection is one of Crawhall’s most poised works, demonstrating his skill in studying birds. Cock Pheasant with Foliage and Berries depicts a pheasant sitting elegantly among berries, proudly puffing out its chest. Crawhall expertly captures the essence and character of the bird by embracing the quirks of his chosen material.

This includes using the colour, weave and surface finish of the linen to influence the overall effect of the painting. Using bodycolour – watercolour mixed with white pigment to make it opaque – he beautifully plays with light, adding sheen to the berries and the pheasant’s head.

The galleries are currently home to around forty works by Crawhall, including sketches and illustrated letters he exchanged with the other Glasgow Boys.

However, Cock Pheasant with Foliage, a work dating from 1906, truly illustrates the artist’s passion for wildlife. Sometimes studying animals for hours at a time, Crawhall would then return to the studio to produce incredibly accurate works from memory. His stunning artwork was even praised by experts in animals and birds, who testified to the accuracy of his paintings.

An artist hugely admired by fellow artists and Scottish collectors, Crawhall developed his own technique for painting such vivid and beautiful images. It was his interest in Japanese prints and Chinese wash drawings on silk which inspired watercolours like this one, which is painted on linen.

The elongated format of Cock Pheasant with Foliage and Berries and the branches which frame the image, are likely inspired by the compositional techniques of Japanese prints. His use of brush lines to define the bird’s feathers may also have been influenced by the black outlines typically seen in Japanese woodblock prints.

Crawhall was known as a key figure in the Glasgow Boys, a group who rebelled against stuffy Edinburgh-based art establishment, instead painting subjects drawn from everyday life. But unlike the other Glasgow Boys, apart from Arthur Melville, he specialised in watercolours and was the only member of the group to focus on painting animals.

The National Galleries of Scotland is grateful to Sotheby’s Tax & Heritage Department for the role it played in steering this painting to the collection.

Culture Minister Christina McKelvie said: “Joseph Crawhall’s watercolour painting, Cock Pheasant with Foliage and Berries, is a welcome addition to the National Galleries of Scotland’s collection through the Arts Council England’s Acceptance in Lieu Scheme.

“As a prominent member of the Glasgow Boys, Crawhall’s brilliant work is already well-represented in the galleries and this latest outstanding addition will further enrich our understanding of this wonderful Scottish artist and Scottish Art of the period.”

Helen Birchenough, Chair, Acceptance in Lieu Panel, said: “I am delighted that ‘Cock Pheasant with Foliage and Berries’ by Joseph Crawhall has been acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland through the Acceptance in Lieu Scheme.

“This painting is a fine example of Crawhall’s work. It is in brilliant condition and will help to enhance the National Galleries of Scotland’s representation of Crawhall. I hope that this example will encourage others to use the scheme and continue to support our national collections.”

Charlotte Topsfield, Senior Curator of British Drawings and Prints at National Galleries of Scotland, said: “We are elated to have acquired ‘Cock Pheasant with Foliage and Berries’ by Joseph Crawhall for the national collection, through the generosity of the Acceptance in Lieu scheme.

“Crawhall’s work was hugely popular with Scottish collectors, notably Sir William Burrell (1861–1958).  Both ‘The White Drake’ and ‘Cock Pheasant with Foliage and Berries’ were originally part of the outstanding collection of the Paisley thread manufacturer, William Allan Coats (1853–1926).

“Re-united at the National, these two outstanding watercolours demonstrate the evolution of Crawhall’s technique and his uncanny ability to capture the beauty of animals and birds.”

A concert and a drink

Scottish Ensemble returns to light-filled venues across Scotland for their sophomore Concerts for a Summer’s Night tour

‘A fine mixture of well-known favourites and amazing new pieces all perfect for a summer night’s entertainment‘

‘Please make this an annual event, we loved it so so much. Really wonderful, music to soothe the soul.‘

Audience Reviews on Concerts for a Summer’s Night 2022

  • Concerts for a Summer’s Night will be performed in Perthshire, Strathpeffer, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow from the 19th – 23rd June.
  • Returning after its debut last year, this concert series promises a variety of uplifting and inspiring compositions, selected by Artistic Director Jonathan Morton.
  • Scottish Ensemble are announcing their 2023-24 season alongside this tour -– audiences will be able to pick up a copy of the new season brochure on arrival, getting first access to next year’s shows.
  • Audiences are invited to enjoy a welcome drink on arrival at the venue, then sit back relax and let Scottish Ensemble take them on a vibrant and vivid musical journey.

Scotland’s leading string ensemble will be returning to light– filled venues across Scotland in June for their latest Concert’s for a Summer’s Night tour.

Each concert will be presented in an open atmospheric space, where sunlight pours in through wide windows. Audiences will enjoy the late evening sunshine, as the natural light slowly fades throughout the concert, providing an immersive experience of the music that evolves over time.

Performing at Rossie Byre, Strathpeffer Pavilion, Aberdeen Art Gallery, The National Museum of Scotland, and Kelvingrove Art Gallery, Concerts for a Summers Night promises a unique evening of musical delights, in beautiful and inviting spaces.

The concert series made its debut last summer and is a companion to Scottish Ensemble’s annual Concerts by Candlelight tour which visits stunning churches and cathedrals across Scotland in December for an intimate and restorative musical experience bathed in comforting candlelight.

After the success of its 2022 tour, performing to sold– out audiences in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, Concerts for a Summer’s Night is back, with an additional date in Strathpeffer for Highland audiences.

Concerts for a Summer’s Night features an atmospheric programme, curated by Scottish Ensemble’s Artistic Director, Jonathan Morton.

Having led Scottish Ensemble for almost 20 years, Jonathan has forged a trademark programming style that seamlessly combines varied short works of string repertoire into a delicately crafted collage of sound, bringing audiences on a journey through different composers, eras and genres of string music.

This year’s programme includes music by familiar names including Claude Debussy, Frederic Choipin and Maurice Ravel alongside a variety of more unexpected pieces from composers including Isobel Waller-Bridge, Chick Corea and Britta Byström.

This programming style prioritises the atmosphere of the performance and finds unexpected connections between classic works of string repertoire and contemporary compositions, offering listeners an opportunity to be introduced to new pieces, and to discover new favourite composers. Audiences will be swept away by Scottish Ensemble’s skilled musicians on a journey of sonic discovery.

Alongside their Concerts for a Summers Night tour, Scottish Ensemble will be announcing their 2023-24 Season, which goes on sale on 19 June.

With six Scottish tours, as well as festival visits, performances in schools and the continuation of their long running series of Music for Wellbeing concerts in Maggie’s Centres, Scottish Ensemble are preparing for a bold new season.

Audiences,  who can arrive from 7.15pm for Concerts for a Summer’s Night, will be treated to a copy of the Season Brochure, and, whilst enjoying a welcome drink, will have an opportunity to discuss the new shows with Scottish Ensemble’s team.

Join Scottish Ensemble this June for a musical celebration of the summer solstice and enjoy a wide programme of contemporary and classical music in beautiful lit venues at Concerts for a Summer’s Night – touring to Perthshire, Strathpeffer, Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Listings information

  • 19 June, 8pm  – Rossie Byre, Perthshire
  • 20 June. 8pm – Strathpeffer Pavilion
  • 21 June, 8pm – Aberdeen Art Gallery
  • 22 June, 8pm – National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
  • 23 June, 8pm – Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, Glasgow

Tickets £19, Concessions £9 (plus booking fees)

Doors open at 7.15pm for welcome drinks, concert begins at 8pm.