Day: October 10, 2023

2024 UK travel trends: Scots most likely to choose pet-friendly destinations

Travel in 2024 is set for a year of evolution, with new research showing how people in the UK are reshaping the definition of the ‘modern traveller’ by prioritising experiences, changing booking behaviours and reframing wellness and relaxation. 

The research comes as Hilton releases its 2024 Trends Report – a global study unpacking how traveller behaviours and interests are changing. Supported by a UK travel map which pinpoints the regional differences of travellers and trends across the UK, from the rise of holiday streaming and solo travel to increasingly evolving booking habits. 

EXPERIENCE OVER EVERYTHING

Travellers are prioritising new experiences (85%), with many looking forward to exploring the unknown (81%), trying the local cuisine (64%) and learning about local customs and traditions (48%) when on holiday. 

And people are saving the pennies to make it happen, with more than half (52%) reducing spending in other areas to prioritise travel. Hilton’s global trends report found over half (56%) of people in Britain plan to spend more on travel in 2024 than in 2023. 

Some are going further to immerse themselves into local traditions, with 25% looking for locally sourced food while away. However, when it comes to staycations, Brits can’t get enough of the comfort classics with a ‘posh fish finger’ sandwich currently the top choice on Hilton’s UK bar menu1.

SOCIAL INFLUENCE

The increasing influence of social media is no surprise, and it’s even affecting holiday planning. In fact, a third of Gen Z travellers select their destination based on what’s trending on social media (34%), popular culture (36%) and live events or festivals (34%) driven by leading artists who have been performing this year. 

However, when it comes to enjoying their holiday, many are pulling the plug on technology, with three in ten taking a break from social media to disconnect from life back home (31%). 

EVOLVING BOOKING BEHAVIOURS

The new research revealed people in the UK are starting to plan ahead with a majority of travellers (55%) booking a holiday 3 – 6 months in advance, and 6% even booking their holidays for the whole year in January. 

GOING SOLO

People are craving some ‘me time’ with 16% of people having taken a solo trip in the last year. And this is increasing, with nearly a quarter (24%) considering a break on their own in the next three years, liking the independence (42%), flexibility (46%) and self-discovery (20%) that comes with it.

Northern Ireland leads the way, as a third (33%) are considering a solo trip in the next three years, the highest in the UK. It is also no surprise that 18 -24yrs olds are the most likely to consider solo travel, rising to 40%.

Solo travellers on Hilton.com are keen to relax while away, with searches for indoor pools by people travelling on their own doubling since last year. 

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO WELLNESS AND RELAXATION 

Hilton data shows many in the UK are seeking out wellness when planning breaks – with spa searches up 82% from last year. 

However, self-care isn’t all about spas and swimming, with a quarter of people (25%) using online streaming services in their hotel rooms to relax – amassing to an average of 14 hours of TV over a week-long stay. Londoners are most likely to use streaming services on holiday (38%), while on average, guest data use in Hilton hotels has increased by 23% since 2022.

Patricia Page-Champion, senior vice president & global commercial director at Hilton, said: “Our research highlights an increasing focus on experiences, the influence of social media and entertainment on choosing breaks, and the reframing of wellness and relaxation in travellers’ minds. 

“And underlying these evolving trends, one constant we continue to see is the importance of holidays to people in the UK, who say they plan to travel more in 2024 even if this means cutting back spending in other areas.

“With travel such a priority for so many, our focus is on delivering a genuinely great stay in the best locations around the world.” 

To read Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report, visit Stories.Hilton.com/2024trends. 

Return of the Elf Toddle Walk for children’s charity CHAS

One of Scotland’s largest shopping malls – The Centre, Livingston – has announced plans to run its ‘Elf Toddle Walk’ fundraising event again this year for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, (CHAS), on Sunday, 19th November at 9am, following the success of the inaugural event last year.

Over 150 little elves took part last year dressed top to toe in elf outfits, and adults too, and completed a one-mile lap around The Centre, Livingston, led by Santa’s elves, raising over £5000 for the charity, which provides the country’s only hospice services for children and young people with life-shortening conditions.

The charity has been providing full family support, including medical care and emotional support, for over 30 years and is committed to ensuring that no matter how short their time may be together, it is a time filled with happiness and fun.

To help get the toddlers on their way, there will be entertainment by acrobatic elves getting up to mischief and Christmas tunes by Go Radio’s afternoon presenter, Gina McKie and Floorfillerz presenter, Stevie Lennon, who will be joining in the fun, light warm up.

On completion of the walk, all children will receive a commemorative wooden keepsake medal and a Christmas treat.

Tickets for the event, which starts at 8.30am on Sunday, 19th November are £5 per child, with all proceeds going to CHAS. Tickets can be booked at:

www.thecentrelivingston.com.

Once registered, a Christmas goody bag with a personal walk number and elf hat can be collected from the Customer Service Desk at The Centre, Livingston between the 31st October and 18th November, with proof of ticket, to enable participants to take part on the day.

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “After the success of our first Elf Toddle Walk last year it made perfect sense to make this a firm fixture in the calendar every year.

“The atmosphere in the shopping centre at the event last year was fantastic – it really is such a great way for families to enjoy taking part in a fun-filled event together in the run up to Christmas whilst raising money for such a great charity at the same time.”

Zhenya Dove, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We at CHAS are absolutely delighted to join hands once again with The Centre, Livingston for the fundraising Elf Toddle Walk.

“It was a tremendous success last year, and we can’t wait to create even more wonderful memories this time around while also raising funds for the families we care for.

“Our goal is to make their time together, no matter how short, as joyful and memorable as possible, filled with love, laughter, and precious moments. We invite everyone to be a part of this heart-warming event.”

Mini Melodies coming to North Edinburgh

NORTH EDINBURGH BIG FOLK!!!!! We are so excited to announce that booking is now open for the first 4 sessions in our new North Edinburgh venue!

Beginning on 25th October and running on Wednesdays in the beautiful Pilton Youth and Children’s Project (PYCP) centre, we would love to see you and your wee folk there.

Sessions are FREE but please book a space so we can manage numbers at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/mini-melodies-nycos-67069471743

Only the child attending requires a ticket as accompanying adults are included in booking. If you can no longer make a session, please cancel the space on Eventbrite or send us a message so we can open the space to someone else.

British Psychological Society: Access to mental health and wellbeing support for NHS and social care staff has become a national lottery

Access to staff mental health and wellbeing services has become a postcode lottery for NHS and social care workers, after funding was cut for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs in March this year.

This World Mental Health Day, the British Psychological Society (BPS) is calling for all NHS and social care staff to have equal access to dedicated evidence-based mental health and wellbeing support at work, wherever they live in the country. 

With 17 hubs already closed or closing across England*, struggling staff in those areas are unable to access the dedicated support that’s still provided in localities that have retained a hub.

And, despite a limited injection of short term funding from NHS England to provide one hub per NHS region, which would offer a drastically reduced service for vast catchment areas, this arrangement is yet to be operational.

Some hubs report not having received this vital funding.

With less than six months of this financial year remaining, time is running out for staff who need to access help now. Yet, the need for dedicated mental health support for health and care staff could not be more stark.

The latest NHS statistics show anxiety, stress, depression, or other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness absence in May 2023, accounting for over 502,570 full time equivalent days lost and 26.4 per cent of all sickness absence.

Last year, more than 6 million full time equivalent days were lost in the NHS for mental health reasons. 

The BPS’s own research found mental health, stress, and work-related stress was behind nearly one-third(30 per cent or 500,021 FTE days)* of social care staff sickness absence in 114 councils in England last year.

With the NHS Workforce Plan placing responsibility for investment in staff mental health and wellbeing provision with integrated care systems from April 2024, local health and care leaders will make crucial decisions about their staff mental health and wellbeing services, including the hubs, in the next few months.

To date, just one integrated care board has confirmed continued long term funding for its dedicated staff mental health and wellbeing service, and 41 boards are yet to make a decision about the future of their provision from April 2024.

The BPS is urging health and care leaders to make funding for staff mental health and wellbeing support a key long-term priority in their budgets.

Dr Roman Raczka, BPS President-Elect and chair of the Division of Clinical Psychology, said: “NHS and social care staff have the right to be cared for by their employer, as they care for us.

“If and when they need help with their mental health, they have a right to parity of access to the same support services as their colleagues in a neighbouring area.

“The NHS and local authorities have a duty of care to their employees, and it simply isn’t good enough that where you live and work should have a bearing on the level of mental health support on offer if you’re struggling.”

This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.

New Lanark announces the ultimate Christmas experience for all the family

New Lanark World Heritage Site has announced the return of its magical Christmas Experience, launching November 24, 2023 and running until January 7, 2024, with booking now open.

The historic location will be transformed into a Scottish winter wonderland filled with an array of special events, attractions, activities and magic for families of all ages.

This year, a brand-new ice rink will be erected alongside the banks of the picturesque River Clyde, which runs through the attraction, so visitors can glide through the festive season while taking in the sights.

Santa Claus will be back in his enchanting Grotto, where every child will receive a special gift and get the chance to share their Christmas wishes.

Elsewhere there will be Santa’s elves, games in the grounds, as well as regular showings of movies in the New Lanark theatre showing a series of classic and feelgood films such as The Snowman.

The New Lanark indoor Christmas Market will also make a return where, in the countdown to Christmas, visitors can browse a range of treasures and treats for gifting from over local vendors. The market will be open every weekend from Saturday 25th November.

Opening from Friday, 24th November, New Lanark’s Christmas Experience will be open most days between 10am-5pm. Ticket prices start from £5. Car parking is available, and the site will also be offering free shuttle buses from Lanark train station.

This year, the attraction has launched the ‘Christmas Experience’ package, where visitors will get full access to the site including The Annie McLeod Christmas Ride, Robert Owen’s School, Robert Owen’s House, the Millworker Housing, and 360 degree view Garden Roof Terrace, as well as the ice rink and Santa’s Grotto. Tickets for under 16s are £19.00.

Andy Cuthbertson, Heritage and Engagement Manager, New Lanark added: “We are delighted to bring back our Christmas Experience to New Lanark, bigger and better than ever before with the exciting addition of a brand-new ice rink.

“Christmas at New Lanark presents the perfect opportunity for family and friends to come together and make cherished memories and create new traditions, over the festive season. We look forward to extending our warmest welcome to our visitors.”

New Lanark is one of six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Scotland. Located in the heart of Lanarkshire, under an hour from Glasgow and around 70 minutes from Edinburgh, it is a showcase of Scottish history and innovation, with archives and attractions which show the transformation of the mill village over centuries.

Today, it has been transformed to pay homage to its heritage alongside some of the finest walkways in the country.

Additional information:

  • Christmas Experience opening times – 10am – 5pm
  • Full experience tickets – Adult £14.00, Under 16s £19, under 2 £5.00
  • Ice Rink opening times Wednesday, Thursday 10am – 5 pm and Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 8pm from 24th November
  • Ice rink tickets – Adult £10.00, Child £8.00
  • The indoor Christmas Market will be open to the public every Saturday and Sunday from 25th November
  • Christmas Experience and Ice Rink close at 4pm on Christmas Eve
  • Ice Rink will be open from 12pm until 4pm on Boxing Day

For further information on New Lanark, visit:  https://www.newlanark.org 

More than half of all Childline counselling sessions focus on children struggling with mental health issues

  • Mental and emotional health and wellbeing is the top reason for children contacting the NSPCC service
  • Over the past year, more than 4.600 Childline counselling sessions were delivered on the issue to children in Scotland, with over 1,300 of these being related to stress and anxiety
  • This World Mental Health Day (October 10), Childline encourages children to speak out about any mental health concerns

More than half of all counselling sessions delivered by Childline in Scotland last year focused on young people struggling with mental health issues.

In 2022/23 the NSPCC service delivered at least 4,627 counselling sessions to children living in Scotland on mental and emotional health and wellbeing. Of these, 1,310 were specifically related to stress and anxiety. 

This World Mental Health Day (October 10), the charity is raising awareness of the mental and emotional health issues children and young people are facing, and to let them know they are never alone.

NSPCC Scotland says it is vital that children are able to access early intervention support, such as through school, which can prevent young people’s mental health problems from getting worse and potentially reaching crisis point.

The charity believes that a top priority for Scottish Government investment should be in better support for families during pregnancy and in the early years, which can lay the foundations for positive mental health and wellbeing in a person’s life. 

Childline continues to be a safe space for anyone under the age of 19 who is seeking help and support, with the option for them to speak to a counsellor either over the phone or online. Last year the service delivered more than 8,500 counselling sessions to children and young people in Scotland. 

The top five issues raised by children and young people when speaking to Childline about their emotional and mental wellbeing were:

  • Anxiety and stress – 1,310 counselling sessions
  • Low mood and unhappiness – 634 counselling sessions
  • Depression – 292 counselling sessions
  • Accessing support and services for mental health – 287 counselling sessions
  • Loneliness – 210 counselling sessions

A 15-year-old girl from Scotland told Childline*: “I’ve been struggling with even basic tasks lately because of anxiety. I get filled with panic, can’t function and then I get angry with myself, so it gets even worse.

“It’s really frustrating. I want to tell someone but I’m not sure if my problems are important to anyone.”

A 14-year-old boy from Scotland told Childline*: “School and my friends are really stressing me out. I want to focus in class but I can’t do it.

“I don’t want to tell my friends they’re making me feel stressed, I don’t want them to feel like I don’t want to hear their problems, but it is affecting me. Thanks for letting me offload to Childline.”

SUPPORT

It can be hard for parents to accept that their child may be struggling with mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety. However, it is crucial that young people feel supported, reassured and not judged by the adults in their lives.

World Mental Health Day has a focus on driving a positive change for everyone’s mental health. Adults can support young people’s wellbeing in a range of ways, including:

  • letting them know you’re there for them and are on their side
  • being patient and staying calm and approachable, even if their behaviour upsets you
  • recognising that their feelings are valid and letting them know it is okay for them to be open and honest about their emotions
  • thinking of healthy ways to cope together, like yoga, breathing exercises or mindfulness
  • encouraging them to talk to their GP, someone at their school or Childline. Especially if they’re finding it hard to talk at home.
  • taking care of yourself and getting support if you need to. Try not to blame yourself for what’s happening and stay hopeful for them.

Shaun Friel, director of Childline, said: “Young people may struggle with a range of mental health issues throughout their childhood and adolescence. This can be a time of turbulence, and so it’s important that children feel supported and uplifted.

“Ensuring that young people have a network of support, whether that’s in school, with their peers, at home or through organisations such as Childline, helps young people take the first step to tackling these struggles. Childline is here for any child that may be struggling with their mental and emotional wellbeing.”

All children can speak to a trained counsellor over the phone on 0800 1111, via email or on a 121 chat on the Childline website.

Children can also visit the website to find more advice on any concerns or questions they may have about mental health struggles.

Saving Pride Bridge: Sustrans support gives hope to campaigners

Efforts to save Leith’s much-loved Lindsay Road Bridge (also known as Pride Bridge) have moved a step closer thanks to a funding award through Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme.

The 1930’s bridge, originally built for vehicular traffic, was closed off to motor vehicles in 2008 and has since served as a key walking, wheeling, and cycling route over Hawthornvale Path. In 2021 community members painted the bridge in rainbow colours, leading to it being named locally as the ‘Rainbow’ or ‘Pride’ Bridge.

In December 2021 the bridge, which is at the end of its lifespan, was closed due to concerns around health and safety.

Council officers have since made a successful application for Transport Scotland funding through Sustrans for the design of a replacement bridge deck, with £232,700 awarded. A designer will now be appointed to progress the design, to be developed in consultation with stakeholders and the community.

This process is expected to last a year and, once it’s complete, officers intend to apply to Sustrans for 70% of the construction funding required to build the bridge.

The work will be delivered alongside the Leith Connections project which is making improvements to community spaces and providing better connections for anyone walking, wheeling or cycling through the streets of Leith.

The Leith Connections project was awarded funding through Places for Everyone, an active travel infrastructure programme backed by Transport Scotland and administered by Sustrans.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: I’m delighted that this funding award gives new hope for the future of Pride Bridge.

“This structure is a local landmark, a link to Leith’s industrial past and a reminder of the pandemic, but above all else for me it is a celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride. It also provides a safe and convenient walking and cycling route between North Fort Street and Newhaven area.

“Thanks to all those involved who have campaigned for its preservation.”

Kasper Schwartz from Sustrans said: “The Pride Bridge serves as a vital walking, wheeling, and cycling connection for the people of Newhaven.

“It not only provides a direct and accessible link to local shops, businesses, and public transport in the area, but also stands as a vibrant symbol of community resilience.

“We’re excited to be able to support the design and development of a new bridge deck, and in due course, see this important link reinstated.”

Róisín Thérèse from the Save the Pride Bridge campaign said: “We are delighted to hear that Sustrans has agreed to fund a full design with community consultation.

“We believe the Pride Bridge to be a very important piece of local history and heritage, an essential safe and accessible active travel route, and a much loved community space.

“We also believe that, especially in light of rising hate crime statistics, it is really important for us to show both our solidarity with the LGBTQ community and our commitment to their safety and inclusion.

“The Save The Pride Bridge group is looking forward to working closely with the council to find a suitable solution to restore this important local landmark.” 

Members of the Transport and Environment Committee will receive an update on the funding award on Thursday (12 October). Watch committee live via webcast from 10am.

Tonic Arts marks World Mental Health Day with Our Common Humanity at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Our Common Humanity by artist Juli Bolaños-Durman goes on permanent display at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital this week to mark World Mental Health Day today (Tuesday 10 October).

Our Common Humanity was commissioned by Tonic Arts, NHS Lothian Charity’s award-winning Arts in Health programme. It is one of over 60 major pieces of art and design commissioned by the charity for health care settings, across Edinburgh and Lothians, since the programme was first established in 2015.

These health care settings are often clinical environments, and Tonic Arts works with artists of all mediums, to create work that will soften these spaces and make them more welcoming and calming for visitors, staff and patients.

Our Common Humanity, which will be installed in the Reception Area of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital represents the community of the mental health hospital; tells a story and reflects a gathering of unique individuals; all with their own challenges and joyful quirks.

The piece will not only soften the environment around it, but it is hoped that it will also be a thought-provoking point of interest that will make people’s time in hospital better.

Juli Bolaños-Durman working on ‘Our Common Humanity’ , now on permanent display in the Royal Edinburgh Building reception area at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital – Photo Laura Meek

Our Common Humanity was developed from a series of art workshops run by Juli Bolaños-Durman and Tonic Arts’ partner organisation Artlink with psychiatric patients at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Here the patients’ need for connection in the everyday, and the importance of being held, supported, embraced and given a second chance were highlighted.

Juli Bolaños-Durman is an award-winning Costa Rican glass artist and designer based in Scotland. She is known for revitalising waste material by applying various heritage cold-working processes, and her practice is driven by her concern for sustainability and her desire to give both people and objects second chances through her work.

She was commissioned by Tonic Arts to create work for The Royal Edinburgh Hospital because her work is high quality and she places patient and staff involvement and representation at the very heart of the work.

Each element of Our Common Humanity is made from discarded glass which was collected and donated by The Royal Edinburgh Hospital community.

Using local heritage hand-cutting techniques, Juli has carefully deconstructed, embellished, and reused each piece in the making of this intricate work, breathing new life into these discarded objects. With the final display playfully lit to create magnificent shadows that bring the glass back to life.

Artist Juli Bolaños-Durman said: “I want the work to be testimony to our ever-changing journey: powered by trials and errors, vulnerability, and imperfection. Our daily interactions matter and each one of us has the power to make life better; with the support of the people around us and the community we foster.

“We are part of a great community that supports one another – no matter where we come from, no matter what we have been through, which is why engaging with psychiatric patients at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital to make this piece was such an important part of my process.”

Susan Grant, Manager of Tonic Arts said: “There is a wealth of evidence and research surrounding the benefits of arts in healthcare settings and how the arts makes people’s time in hospital better including; a reduction in the need for medication and length of stay, lessening anxiety and stress, and increasing patient and staff wellbeing.

“To have such a key piece installed in the reception at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital not only mirrors the quality of healthcare that you will receive in this building, but also provides a stunning focal point that speaks of our human need for connection and our willingness to give people a second chance.”

Our Common Humanity was commissioned by NHS Lothian Charity for The Royal Edinburgh Hospital. The work has been on temporary loan to the Scottish Parliament whilst The Royal Edinburgh Hospital underwent refurbishment.

It is now on permanent display in the Royal Edinburgh Building reception area at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

The lightboxes were designed by Scottish design studio GRAS Architects.

SHE Scotland: Let’s Celebrate!

STRATEGY LAUNCH and INTERNATIONAL DAY of the GIRL CELEBRATION

WEDNESDAY 11th OCTOBER from5.30 – 6.30pm

EDINBURGH COLLEGE GRANTON CAMPUS

SHE Scotland invite you to celebrate #dayofthegirl and the launch of our new strategy.

Sharing our aims and vision to support girls, young women and woman to be their own SHEroes.

#edinburghcommunity

#edinburghenterprise

#girlsempowerment

#dayofthegirl

Shelter Scotland take to Edinburgh’s streets to mark World Homeless Day

 Shelter Scotland staff and volunteers will take their campaign against the housing emergency to the streets of Edinburgh today to mark World Homeless Day. 

Campaigners will be out in force at the foot of Leith Walk issuing a Housing SOS. 

The charity will be highlighting the increasing number of people experiencing homelessness and asking the public to join in it in demanding urgent action to address the capital’s worsening housing emergency. 

At 12:00 activists in Edinburgh will be joining campaigners in Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow in a “minute of noise”, letting our politicians know loud and clear that they need to act now.  

World Homeless Day is marked each year on October 10th and unites activists working across the globe to end homelessness. 

The latest figures released by the Scottish Government showed a 25% increase in the number of people who became homeless in Edinburgh in 2022/23, while more than 2,700 children in the city are stuck in temporary accommodation. 

Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson, said: “Edinburgh’s housing emergency is getting worse; and across the country it is devastating lives so today we’re sending out a housing SOS. 

“A household becomes homeless every 16 minutes on average, while 45 kids each day lose their home in Scotland. 

“What’s so frustrating is that it doesn’t have to be like this, we know that by delivering social homes the government can end our housing emergency and give hope to the thousands of people across Scotland experiencing homelessness. 

“That’s why this World Homeless Day, we’re out on the streets of Edinburgh not only demanding urgent action from those in power but urging the public to join our fight as well. 

“At 12 o’clock we’ll join together to make a noise that politicians can’t ignore, to demand they make sure everyone in Edinburgh has somewhere to call home, and to remind them that none of us will be quiet until the job is done.”