Day: September 27, 2023

Edinburgh Leisure teams up with ReferAll to manage its Active Communities projects

Scotland’s largest leisure trust, Edinburgh Leisure, has partnered with ReferAll to manage all its health and wellbeing referral projects.

Edinburgh Leisure, which operates more than 50 first class venues across the city, is now using ReferAll’s data management platform to administer its Active Communities schemes.

Active Communities operates 18 different projects city wide, which aim to break down barriers to physical activity and help people to lead healthier, happier and more active lives.

Edinburgh Leisure currently supports more than 10,000 people affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities and poverty to get active and stay active every year, with projects such as Healthy Active Minds – which uses physical activity to support adults living with mental health conditions – and Steady Steps, supporting adults who have had or may be at risk of a fall.

ReferAll’s easy-to-view dashboard offers Edinburgh Leisure a real-time overview of all its Active Communities projects and their status, including details such as referrals received, uptake and completion rates.

The Reporting Solution enables the Active Communities teams to analyse service performance and patient outcomes. Ultimately, this means Edinburgh Leisure can clearly demonstrate to commissioners and stakeholders the positive impact they’re having on participants’ physical and mental health.

Ryan Martin, Wellbeing Referral Manager at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “We been working with ReferAll since July 2023 and already have 2,500 referrals on the system. With the ongoing challenges of securing funding from different partners, we needed a much more robust and seamless data platform.

“We were searching for an accurate way to measure our participants’ outcomes and record the positive impact we’re having on people’s health thanks to their involvement in our Active Communities projects; ReferAll does just that.

“Having the ability to clearly see the number of non-starters and record reasons for non-participation has been especially helpful. Our Active Communities team has a big role to play, working with partners and focusing on individuals and communities who need extra support and ReferAll helps them to do that easily.”

From the iconic Royal Commonwealth Pool and the brand-new purpose-built Meadowbank Sports Centre to its Victorian Swim Centres and six golf courses, Edinburgh Leisure’s facilities are based right in the heart of communities. They are committed to harnessing the power of physical activity to tackle inequalities and combat the negative effects of inactivity. 

Jerry Saddington, Sales and Account Manager at ReferAll, adds: “During Edinburgh Leisure’s onboarding we’ve been thrilled to help their teams map out key points in their pathways using ReferAll’s automated features. This swill save their team so much time in managing referral-based health and wellbeing schemes, as well as prioritising GDPR security.

“Our data management platform was designed and built by industry experts to reduce workloads for service managers and their teams. It simplifies and standardises service delivery, as well as the ability to report on specific Key Performance Indicators and outcomes, offering real-time visibility of programme performance providing confidence to commissioners and stakeholders.”

L&G: Bank of Family lends £20.7k on average to homebuyers in Scotland

  • Bank of Family support varies regionally and isn’t closely aligned to house price differences – recipients in the East of England are receiving most support (av. £32,100), while those in the West Midlands receive the least (av. £19,800)
  • Affordability issues are universal but most Bank of Family support goes to urban home purchases (216,500), compared to 100,500 rural homes
  • According to the survey, just 39% of Bank of Family recipients will benefit from professional advice from a mortgage broker or financial adviser before accepting help this year

Housing affordability is worsening across all UK regions, forcing many aspiring homeowners to depend on financial gifting from relatives – the Bank of Family – to step onto the ladder, according to new data from Legal & General and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).

The report reveals that Bank of Family recipients may receive varying amounts of support depending on where they live. Surprisingly, levels of gifting don’t closely align to house price differences – according to the data, borrowers in the East of England are receiving the most support (av. £32,100), while those in the West Midlands receive the least (av. £19,800).

Huge gulf between the UK’s urban and rural markets

The data also indicates that the volume and individual size of Bank of Family gifting varies depending on whether the borrower lives in an urban or rural area. In 2023, the Bank of Family is expected to support the financing of 216,500 urban home purchases. Meanwhile, the number of rural homes bought with support from the Bank of Family will be less than half that total, at 100,500.

Homebuyers in towns and cities are not only more likely to lean on the Bank of Family to buy a home, but they often need to borrow more than those in rural areas. The Bank of Family is estimated to gift £5.7 billion towards urban home purchases in 2023, accounting for 70% of the value of Bank of Family support and more than two-thirds (67%) of the transactions it facilitates.

That equates to roughly £82bn worth of housing in 2023. The average gift or loan size for an urban home is also higher at £26,200, compared to £23,900 for a rural property. 

Bank of Family propping up purchases up and down the country, but with huge regional variations

Although house prices appear to be softening, homebuyers are still facing worsening affordability across the UK property market. The Bank of England base rate increased from 0.1% in December 2021 to 5.25% in August 2023, significantly increasing mortgage costs, with the average repayment for a semi-detached house rising by 61% across all UK regions from 2022 to 2023.

These wider affordability currents are reflected in Legal & General’s report, which investigates the amount of property transactions in each UK region that received funding by a loan or gift from the Bank of Family. Buyers in London are by far and away the most likely to receive financial aid from family members, perhaps unsurprising with the average house price standing at almost double the UK average (£534,000 compared to £286,005 in April 2023).

In fact, the survey suggests the Bank of Family supported two-thirds (67%) of recent homebuyers in the capital, more than double the proportion of the second-placed region (the North West at 36%).

Legal & General also recorded the average size of Bank of Family financial gifts across all UK regions.

London, the South East, the East of England and the South West see the greatest contributions from the Bank of Family. However, there is not always a direct correlation between regional house prices and the average size of a Bank of Family gift. The East of England leads the way across all UK regions for the highest average Bank of Family gift or loan at £32,100 despite its lower house prices, trumping even London gifting at £30,000.

Find out more about the regional variation in Bank of Family lending with Legal & General’s interactive map, here.

Kevin Roberts, Managing Director, Legal & General Mortgage Services, commented: “Up and down the country, the Bank of Family is making significant financial sacrifices to help family members onto the housing ladder.

“Support is concentrated in urban and southern areas, where house prices are the highest, but is prevalent across the UK. While a brilliant lifeline for those able to draw on it, many people will not have access to such generosity and this widespread support is indicative of deep, underlying affordability issues affecting the UK.”

Significant gender split in borrowers seeking professional financial advice

Despite the Bank of Family being set to support a record number of home purchases in 2023, Legal & General’s survey also found that many recipients are not seeking professional advice.

Aspiring buyers who draw upon family support largely do not speak to an adviser before accepting family help, with just 39% of borrowers seeking guidance from a mortgage broker or professional adviser during their Bank of Family transaction. More than a quarter (28%) did not seek any advice at all.

Gender also plays a crucial role in borrowers’ decisions to seek professional advice. At 46%, women are far more likely to speak to a professional adviser than men (30%). In comparison, men (42%) were much more likely to depend on advice from friends than women (29%). Overall, 35% of all respondents asked friends and acquaintances who had similar experiences for advice.

Kevin Roberts, Managing Director, Legal & General Mortgage Services commented: “The Bank of Family has not only become a major lender – the ninth largest in the UK if it were a formal entity – but also a significant source of financial advice, with less than 40% of financial aid recipients seeking professional guidance before their transactions.

“The gender dynamics at play are also fascinating. At 46%, women are far more likely to speak to a professional adviser than men at 30%. In comparison, men are much more likely to depend on advice from friends than women, at 42% compared to just over a quarter (29%). 

“In such a challenging economic climate, buyers must not overlook the insights that an adviser can bring to even the most complex of property transactions. Failing to do so could prove a very expensive mistake later down the line.”

Read the full report on the Legal & General website here. Find out more about how families can support each other when it comes to homeownership in the Legal & General Guide to Gifting here. 

Forth & Inverleith Voluntary Sector Forum meets tomorrow

Forth and Inverleith VSF on Sep 28, 2023 10:00 AM (Zoom link and agenda below)

Join Zoom Meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84343600722?pwd=V05yVHpPTnhLRGp0Wk1WTkhuMVhnUT09

Meeting ID: 843 4360 0722

Passcode: 801341

Agenda:

  1. Welcome and Introductions
  2. Estate Investment Programme Forth and Inverleith – George Norval (CEC)
  3. Introduction from Community Centre Lead at EVOC – Robert Scott
  4. Group updates (any new projects/services)
  5. AOB

EACC meets tomorrow

EACC Meeting

Thursday 28 Sep 2023: 18.50 for 19.00 on Microsoft Teams


 Item 1: Low Carbon Heating in Edinburgh; here, and now.

Bill Roger, Trinity Community Council, and Antoine Reguis from Edinburgh Napier University, members of the Clean Heat Edinburgh Forum (CHEF).

Low carbon energy and heat technologies are a central part of Scot Gov’s energy transition programme. This is change that is going to happen. Community councils need to be up-to-speed. 

Item 2: Open Floor

a] The Community Council Scheme Review; b] Locality Improvememt Plans; c] Struggling community councils; d] The big development programme for West Edinburgh; e] Energy-saving residential housing retrofits; f] The move towards a Scottish Forum of Community Councils; g] How to strengthen EACC; h] The upcoming 23 November AGM.

Got an opinion to share on anything there? Something else on your mind? 

Here’s the 28 Sep Teams link:

Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 392 751 403 775 
Passcode: TNiksf 

Download Teams | Join on the web

Learn more | Meeting options 

UPDATE:

I. Remember: The West Lothian Joint Forum of Community Councils (WLJFCC) is moving forward with its initiative to establish a Scottish Forum of Community Councils.

You’ll find the full background and a subscription-of-interest form on this link to the first Scottish Forum Newsletter: https://gem.godaddy.com/p/eb6537 

The Steering Group met on 20 September and has offered this report

Here is the pitch, directed by WLJFCC to every community council in the country:

“We would be grateful if you could discuss this at your next meeting and decide if your Community Council would like to be involved”.

II. Locality Improvement Plans (LIP) 2024-2029: CEC’s Helen spoke to EACC on 31 August about the new LIP programme. Tommy McLean from Corstorphine CC has had a long involvement on this area. In the attachment to this email, he offers his thoughts on how community councils can best respond to the invitation they have to participate in this programme. 

It’s about helping to improve the community in which we live. It’s not about having all the answers or about doing all the work. It’s about taking part. Please read what Tommy has to say.

III. EACC will meet again on Thursday 26 October. By way of Queensferry & District CC, Jane Iannarelli, CEC Senior Planning Officer, has asked to talk to us about the development of Local Place Plans in the context of the current 20 Minute Neighbourhood Strategy. 

To refresh the context, go to the EACC site Front Page and to the 16 August reference to the Planning Democracy Blog. There is a very interesting piece there on Local Place Plans. If your local community is seeing big development, big change, on its doorstep, then time perhaps for some place planning by locals. Could your community council do something here?


———————————————————————-
Ken Robertson, Secretary.
secretary@edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.ukcurrent 

Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (EACC) _______________________________________________

The EACC website homepage is:
Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (edinburghcommunitycouncils.org.uk)

LocalityImprovementPlanProgramme-TMcLean25Sep23Download

Only way is up as Port of Leith Distillery project completes

Whisky fans are invited to scale new heights as the UK’s first vertical distillery, Port of Leith, opens its tour bookings and reveals first-look images of the finished interior ahead of opening to the public on Wednesday October 11th.

More than a decade since the ‘pipe-dream’ idea was first conceived by wine merchant Ian Stirling and finance director Paddy Fletcher over a dram in Milroy’s whisky bar, London, the £12m nine-storey distillery is complete and ready to welcome visitors.  

Bookings are now live for Port of Leith’s tour and tasting experience, with tours running 12-8pm Wednesday to Friday, 11am-7pm on Saturdays and 12pm-5pm on Sundays.

Over the course of 90 minutes fans will be guided through the story of the distillery’s unlikely conception, fill their own miniature bottle of  new make spirit and taste their way through the distillery’s production process in its purpose built Quality Control Tasting Laboratory.

Reservations are now also available for the top floor mezzanine bar, also opening on October 11th, a one of a kind space boasting panoramic 360 views over the city, a floor to ceiling back whisky bar and a menu of small plates designed to showcase Scotland’s world class ingredients.


Ian Stirling, Co-Founder of Port of Leith Distillery said: “Building a distillery of our own has been an ambition of Paddy and mine for over 10 years so to see the project finally come to fruition is a surreal moment for us.

“We never set out to build a vertical distillery – the shape and size of the building is a product of the tiny site we were able to secure. We wedged our distillery tower into Edinburgh’s historic harbour to make our building as accessible as possible to people who, like us, love whisky.

“We’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to make the Port of Leith tour as special as we possibly can and look forward to welcoming fans across the globe to a whisky experience like no other.”  

Port of Leith is set to be the biggest tourist attraction to be built in Leith for decades, with a projected 25,000 visitors in its first year, increasing to 160,000 by 2025.

Paddy Fletcher, Co-Founder of The Port of Leith Distillery added: “Coming from Edinburgh, we were always confused as to why there were no single malt distilleries operating in the city.

“Being able to build something modern and different has been an enormous treat; hopefully it will encourage people to take a second look at Scotch whisky as there’s huge amounts of innovation and excitement going on within the industry.”

The distillery is creating up to 50 long term local jobs, with the capacity to produce one million bottles of whisky per year.

Priced at £26 per person, Port of Leith Distillery tours will be available from Wednesday 11th of October. They can be booked online here.

The Port of Leith Distillery Bar can be booked separately online here.

Peter Howson exhibition to close with artist-hosted film screening

An exclusive documentary screening alongside a Q&A session with artist Peter Howson will take place this Friday (September 29) to mark the closing of the exhibition ‘When the Apple Ripens‘.

Hosted at the City Art Centre, ‘When the Apple Ripens: Peter Howson at 65: A Retrospective’, traces the illustrious career of Peter Howson, from his early days to the present, featuring over 100 works over three galleries, painstakingly assembled from both public and private collections across the UK and Europe.

Directed by Charlie Paul, and produced by Lucy Paul, Prophecy is an evocative exploration of a single oil painting and the first major film to reveal the motive and techniques behind each stroke of paint as the artist creates.

Released in 2019, the 90-minute feature documentary transports the audience into the darkly comic, obsessive mind of Peter Howson, seeing directly through the artist’s eye. What begins as a blank canvas, emerges as Howson’s monumental oil painting, ‘Prophecy’.

Prophecy reveals what it takes to create a large oil painting, the techniques, the materials, the skills, the thinking behind creation, and the intentions and difficulties that push Howson to achieve this ambitious, masterful, and detailed 6ft x 8ft canvas.

The painting is currently on display at When the Apple Ripens.

Tickets for the screening can be purchased on the Museums and Galleries Edinburgh website.

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “This Friday’s screening and Q&A session represents the culmination of one of the most unique, harrowing, and powerful exhibitions we have ever hosted at the City Art Centre.

“Peter Howson has made an indelible impact on British and Scottish art, and we have been truly fortunate to be able to display his life’s work in the heart of Edinburgh.

“Prophecy provides a rich and unique perspective on the arduous and painstaking process of creating work of this calibre. I would encourage residents and visitors to book their tickets now to bot the documentary screening and wider exhibition and experience the full power and fury of Howson’s work”.

Victim Surcharge Fund opens

More help for victims as criminals pay towards costs

Organisations that support victims of crime will be able to bid for support from a fund financed by  penalties imposed on all offenders who receive a court fine.

Successful applicants will be able to use their share of the £350,000 Victim Surcharge Fund, which is now in its fourth year, to provide direct, practical help to victims. This includes repairing or replacing damaged items, providing replacement clothes for people escaping domestic abuse, or equipment that helps people impacted by crime feel safe.

Since its introduction in 2019, over £916,000 has been paid out to 11 organisations supporting victims and survivors of crime, including Victim Support Scotland, Angus Women’s Aid and the Manda Centre – which offers support to people affected by trauma, loss and personal crisis.

Minister for Victims and Community Safety Siobhian Brown said: “While there are less crimes and fewer victims than over a decade ago, the impact on victims, can be devastating.

“That is why we are investing in law enforcement, crime prevention, and reducing reoffending through a range of activity. And we have invested £93 million over the past five years to support victims and we are committed to putting victims at the heart of the justice system.

“It is right that convicted criminals pay for the harm they cause and the Victim Surcharge Fund has provided more than £916,000 to help support victims recover from their experience.

“I encourage victim support organisations to apply to the Fund so that victims and survivors can continue to access the support and help that they need.”

Victims’ organisations interested in applying to the Fund can request an application form by emailing VictimSurchargefund@gov.scot and should apply by the 27 October 2023 deadline.

Witness appeal following serious collision involving cyclist and pedestrian near Scottish Parliament

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious collision between a cyclist and a pedestrian which occurred on Horse Wynd yesterday morning (Tuesday, 26 September, 2023).

Emergency services responded to the incident around 10.40 am, and the 66-year-old female pedestrian was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where medical staff describe her condition as critical.

The 20-year-old male cyclist was also taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to be checked over and later discharged.

Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the collision and I am appealing for anyone who witnessed what happened to get in touch.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1037 of Tuesday, 27 September, 2023.”

Morrisons launches half price sale to help families get ahead for Christmas

– Customers can save up to 57% off select toys with savings of up to £60 –

– Barbie, Disney, Pokemon, Hot Wheels & Lego all included in giant toy sale –

– Toy sale available while stocks last –

Morrisons has today launched a huge toy sale across over 50 products with savings of up to £60, to help customers spread the cost over the Christmas period.  

Customers can bag a bargain on Squishmallows Stackers which are reduced to £12 from £20 – alongside up to 50% of must-have toys this year from Barbie, Pokemon, Hot Wheels & Lego .

Following the release of Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie earlier this year, it’s predicted that Barbie will be the top toy seller this festive period.

Morrisons shoppers can bag some Barbie bargains with 57% off the Dream Camper Playset, £60, down from £140 , 50% off the Barbie Best Friend Fairy £15, down from £30, and 30% off the Barbie Pet Supply Playset £25, down from £37.50

For mini musicians, customers can snap up the Academy of Music 54 key keyboard for just £20 reduced from £40, making a saving of 50% as well as nearly 30% off the Mi-Mic Mini Karaoke Speaker With Microphone, £17, down from £23

50% savings are available on other big brands including the Cocomelon Pram for £30 (normally £60), Hotwheels Rhinomite/Bone Shaker for £35 (normally £70) and Peppa Pig Wooden Playhouse for £52.50 (normally £105).

David Catton, Toy Buyer at Morrisons says: “We’re excited to offer our customers 50% off a range of must-have toys.

“With the festive season fast approaching, we hope this huge sale will help customers spread the cost of purchasing Christmas gifts this year.”

Morrisons toy sale is available now in 423 stores while stocks last. 

Drylaw Telford Community Council meets TOMORROW (yes, Thursday!)

After a discussion and taking a vote on what works best for our Community Councillors, we will now meet on the 4th Thursday of every month.

This will continue to be at the Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre at 7pm

Our next meeting is therefore 28th September – TOMORROW.

All welcome!

HAVE YOUR SAY ON LOCAL GREENSPACES 🌿☘️

We are delighted to announce that the consultation on our greenspace’s is now open.

Please follow this link to complete the online survey. ⬇️

bit.ly/3LfI2XL

This is an opportunity for you to have your say on what improvements you would like to see at the local parks and other open spaces in the area we all live in.

You can also pop into Drylaw Church ⛪️ or Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 and fill in the questionnaire and pop it in our return box

Draft Minutes of August’s meeting below

Minutes-23rd-August-2023-1Download