Edinburgh Central MSP Angus Robertson and local Inverleith Councillor Vicky Nicolson have obtained agreement from Hanover Housing Association to fix the uneven cobbles—known as setts—of the ‘pend’ access road from the Sheltered Housing complex in Veitch’s Square in Stockbridge.
Residents, many of whom are older and use walking aids, complained about the uneven surface posing a tripping hazard.
After working through complex issues about land ownership with the Council and housing association, Angus Robertson, Vicky Nicolson and residents have managed to bring the years’ long campaign to an end – and resurfacing will begin on Monday 2nd October.
Angus Robertson MSP said: “While it seemed like this should have been an easy fix, there were a number of issues to navigate and legalities to sort before the re-surfacing could go ahead.
“I’m delighted that Hanover Housing Association has taken on this responsibility and that residents will be able to go out to the community and back to their homes more safely.’
Councillor Vicky Nicolson said: ‘For far too long people who require walking sticks and other mobility aids to get around have felt trapped and anxious about using the most convenient access to the local shops, doctors and other amenities.
“Both Angus and I are over the moon that with winter fast approaching life for the residents of Veitch’s Square will become a little bit easier.’
A letter from Hanover Housing Association has been sent to residents informing them of the impending works.
A campaign to help protect young children from sexual abuse is being launched in Edinburgh with an online event for professionals who work with children and families in the city.
The year-long campaign is being delivered by NSPCC Scotland, the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee and a wide range of partners across the city to spread the NSPCC’s Talk PANTS message.
Talk PANTS gives parents, carers and professionals advice on how to have simple, age-appropriate conversations with children to help keep them safe from sexual abuse.
With the help of a colourful animated dinosaur, called Pantosaurus, it helps children understand that their body belongs to them, that they have a right to say no and they should tell a safe adult they trust if anything makes them feel upset or worried.
Over the coming year, local PANTS champions will be trained to deliver the campaign messages and resources to other professionals and families through webinars and workshops, and awareness raising events will be held across Edinburgh for parents, carers and children.
The online launch, which will run from 2pm to 4pm on Thursday, October 5, will explore how we can better prevent and respond to child sexual abuse, using PANTS, and the next steps of the campaign. The online event is open to all professionals who work with children and families in Edinburgh, and it will take place on Microsoft Teams.
NSPCC Scotland’s Assistant Director Karen Head will introduce the event, and this will be followed with the personal story from a mum whose daughter was sexually abused.
There will also be speeches from Stuart Allardyce, Director of Lucy Faithfull Foundation / Stop It Now! Scotland, Laura Brown, Edinburgh Child Protection Lead Officer and NSPCC Scotland’s Local Campaigns Manager Carla Malseed.
Carla Malseed, Local Campaigns Manager at the NSPCC, said: “Each year in Scotland, Police record more than 5,000 sexual offences committed against children. It is crucial that we do all we can to help prevent abuse from happening in the first place.
“The Talk PANTS campaign is about helping start difficult, but vital, conversations with children from a young age about sexual abuse and their right to be safe.
“We don’t talk about sex or use scary words but focus on rules that help children understand important messages, like their body belongs to them and they should tell an adult if they’re upset or worried.”
NSPCC Scotland’s Assistant Director Karen Head, said:“We are delighted to be launching this campaign in Edinburgh to help prevent sexual abuse and keep children across the city safer.
“The Talk PANTS message and Pantosaurus animation makes it much easier for parents, carers and professionals to tackle this topic in a straightforward, fun and light-hearted way that children can understand and easily put into practice.”
Lillian Cringles, Chair of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee, said: “This campaign will help families and professionals have these important conversations with children about their bodies and help keep them safe.
“I urge as many professionals, parents and carers as possible to come along to our events in Edinburgh over the next few months.”
The first event for parents, carers and children aged 3-11, will be held at the McDonald Road Library on Tuesday, October 17 from 3 to 4.30pm.
Also, a PANTS coffee morning will be held at the new NSPCC Community Hub in Leith on Wednesday, November 1, from 10.30am until 11.30am.
Other events throughout the year will promote the campaign materials and resources for parents, which includes a British Sign Language PANTS video, a Talking PANTS with Makaton guide which is designed to be used to deliver the PANTS message to children with Additional Support Needs and a Pantosaurus film. There are also resources for teachers to use in primary schools.
Parents and professionals can also find out how to Talk PANTS here. The adult guides include ones for foster carers and parents with learning disabilities.
Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice.
