Christina Finlayson has collected her degree with little Ember
A new mum, who wanted to prove to her baby daughter that she could complete her studies, has celebrated collecting her nursing degree from Edinburgh Napier University.
Christina Finlayson was out on placement during her second year of studying for a BN in Adult Nursing when she discovered she was pregnant.
Fast forward to last Wednesday and the 33-year-old, from Rosewell, picked up her degree from the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, with one-year-old Ember watching on.
Reflecting on her journey, Christina said: “When you find out you’re pregnant, it’s amazing, but then there’s that next thought of ‘what am I going to do?’ I was like ‘that’s it, that’s the end of my career!’
“I told my personal development tutor, Emma Trotter, about the situation. She was really helpful and explained everything to me. I was quite surprised that there was so much support in place to help me through pregnancy.
“Looking back, it’s definitely an achievement, especially when I was going out to 12-hour shifts with a baby at home.
“It was really hard, but I’m proud and glad that I got through it, because I can say to Ember when she’s older: ‘look at what your mum did’!”
Christina began her studies in 2019, meaning she had to adjust to changes brought about by the pandemic, as well as the arrival of Ember.
Since completing her studies, Christina has started working with East Lothian’s Community Treatment and Care Service, providing a range of services to patients across the region.
Christina Finlayson BN Adult nursing SHSC. Had a baby during studies. 20 Months old Baby Ember in mums arms
And she has this advice to anyone who receives similar news while studying: “Don’t worry too much! I was always worrying, thinking what if, what if. But if you just take each day as it comes and do a little bit at a time, it’s possible.
“I found that when Ember was napping, I’d get some work done – or when she was at nursery and I wasn’t on placement. It was all just about finding that balance.”
Edinburgh Napier’s autumn graduation ceremonies were held between 24-26 October at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall. Once again the nearby Shakespeare’s pub, on Lothian Road, was renamed The Napier Graduate for the occasion.
The Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is seeking views on a new Bill which would establish ‘safe access zones’ around locations where abortion services are provided, what it calls ‘protected premises’.
If passed, the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) Scotland Bill, introduced by Gillian Mackay MSP, would make it an offence to behave in certain ways within a safe access zone.
Examples of behaviour that could be considered an offence include influencing a person’s decision to access services, preventing them from accessing those services, or causing harassment or distress while doing so.
The Bill also makes it an offence for someone within 200 metres of protected premises but not on public land (and so not within the safe access zone) to act in a way that might result in pressure or distress for someone within a safe access zone who is accessing abortion services.
Fines of up to £10,000 could be issued for those convicted of disrupting people within safe access zones attempting to access abortion services. However, in very serious cases, there would be no limit on the fine.
The Bill also creates provision for future protected premises to be created, and for the safe access zone radius surrounding a protected premises to be extended or reduced, if appropriate.
Speaking as the call for views was launched, Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said: “We recognise the strength of feeling about this Bill. As a Committee we always aim to consider any Bill or issue in a careful, balanced and thorough way.
“We are committed to ensuring we scrutinise this Bill in detail so that we can hear and consider all views.
“The Bill’s stated aim is to ensure that people can access abortion services without fear of, and free from, intimidation, harassment or public judgement.
“We want to hear views from individuals and organisations on whether they agree with the proposals within this Bill and if they would welcome the changes it would bring about.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is recruiting for the next generation of 999 call handlers at its Operations Control site in Edinburgh.
The role of Firefighter Control is the first point of contact for members of the public who dial 999 to report an emergency. It’s a vital role in keeping Scotland’s communities safe and ensuring that emergency incidents are dealt with effectively and efficiently.
Group Commander Marie Clare Coyle said: “Our Firefighter Control staff provide a vital service to Scotland’s communities. Our teams are trained to an extremely high standard to enable them to provide emergency help where required.
“It is a varied and hugely rewarding career, we deal with a range of calls from house fires and road traffic collisions, to major incidents and severe weather-related flooding, keeping people calm in times of distress and concentrating resources where they’re most required. “
SFRS is recruiting for Firefighter Control staff to be based at its city-centre site in the Scottish capital, which is located adjacent to Tollcross Community Fire Station.
Applicants for must be aged 18 or over, with the ability to work rotating shifts.
Successful applicants will join fellow Operations Control staff upon completion of a 14-week training period – learning how to co-ordinate emergency fire and rescue response and give potentially life-saving advice.
Group Commander Coyle, who has worked for the service for 24 years, added: “Our Edinburgh control room primarily provides a response to incidents in the East Service Delivery Area and, where required, can support our other control rooms in Johnstone and Dundee.
“We are looking for people who are motivated, have a willingness to learn, a strong team ethic and the ability to form relationships to take up these roles on Scotland’s unseen frontline.
“We are a team and we work collectively to respond to each, and every emergency call across Scotland.”
Minister says councils must have UK Government support
Migration and Refugees Minister Emma Roddick has urged the UK Government to provide financial support for local authorities as it presses ahead with plans to close asylum hotels.
In a letter to Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, Ms Roddick welcomed measures to end the inappropriate use of hotels to accommodate people seeking asylum along with UK Government measures to tackle the backlog in asylum decisions.
However, she said the move was placing further pressure on local services and called for increased funding to enable councils to meet the needs of refugees when they receive a positive asylum decision.
Ms Roddick said: “The Scottish Government has long been clear in our view that hotels are not appropriate accommodation for people seeking asylum.
“While I welcome your recognition that the asylum decision backlog must be tackled, I want to make clear that it is completely unacceptable and reckless for the UK Government to shift a significant burden onto local authorities without providing financial support.
“The UK Government must provide funding to local authorities and work constructively with them to ensure that people receiving a positive asylum decision are supported to move-on from asylum accommodation, without creating unmanageable pressure on housing and homelessness services over a short space of time.
“It is UK Government mismanagement of asylum decision making which has created the backlog and the consequences of that cannot be passed to local authorities without any support to manage them.
“I request urgent provision of funding to local authorities to support move-on associated with the backlog clearance.”
A new mission announced by the Prime Minister will accelerate the use of AI in life sciences to tackle the biggest health challenges of our generation
Missed opportunity, say civil society organisations
A new mission announced by the Prime Minister will accelerate the use of AI in life sciences to tackle the biggest health challenges of our generation.
In a speech on Thursday, the Prime Minister announced that a £100 million in new government investment will be targeted towards areas where rapid deployment of AI has the greatest potential to create transformational breakthroughs in treatments for previously incurable diseases.
The AI Life Sciences Accelerator Mission will capitalise on the UK’s unique strengths in secure health data and cutting-edge AI.
The Life Sciences Vision encompasses 8 critical healthcare missions that government, industry, the NHS, academia and medical research charities will work together on at speed to solve – from cancer treatment to tackling dementia.
The £100 million will help drive forward this work by exploring how AI could address these conditions, which have some of the highest mortality and morbidity.
For example, AI could further the development of novel precision treatments for dementia. This new government funding for AI will help us harness the UK’s world-class health data to quickly identify those at risk of dementia and related conditions, ensure that the right patients are taking part in the right trials at the right time to develop new treatments effectively, and give us better data on how well new therapies work.
By using the power of AI to support the growing pipeline of new dementia therapies, we will ensure the best and most promising treatments are selected to go forwards, and that patients receive the right treatments that work best for them.
AI driven technologies are showing remarkable promise in being able to diagnose, and potentially treat, mental ill health. For example, leading companies are already using conversational AI that supports people with mental health challenges and guides them through proactive prevention routines, escalating cases to human therapists when needed – all of which reduces the strain on NHS waiting lists.
This funding will help us to invest in parts of the UK where the clinical needs are greatest to test and trial new technologies within the next 18 months. Over the next 5 years, we will transform mental health research through developing world-class data infrastructure to improve the lives of those living with mental health conditions.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunaksaid: “AI can help us solve some of the greatest social challenges of our time. AI could help find novel dementia treatments or develop vaccines for cancer.
“That’s why today we’re investing a further £100 million to accelerate the use of AI on the most transformational breakthroughs in treatments for previously incurable diseases.”
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Michelle Donelansaid: “This £100 million Mission will bring the UK’s unique strengths in secure health data and cutting-edge AI to bear on some of the most pressing health challenges facing the society.
“Safe, responsible AI will change the game for what it’s possible to do in healthcare, closing the gap between the discovery and application of innovative new therapies, diagnostic tools, and ways of working that will give clinicians more time with their patients.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclaysaid: “Cutting-edge technology such as AI is the key to both improving patient care and supporting staff to do their jobs and we are seeing positive impacts across the NHS.
“This new accelerator fund will help us build on our efforts to harness the latest technology to unlock progress and drive economic growth.
“This is on top of the progress we have already made on AI deployment in the NHS, with AI tools now live in over 90% of stroke networks in England – halving the time for stroke victims to get the treatment in some cases, helping to cut waiting times.”
Building on the success of partnerships already using AI in areas like identifying eye diseases, industry, academia and clinicians will be brought together to drive forward novel AI research into earlier diagnosis and faster drug discovery.
The government will invite proposals bringing together academia, industry and clinicians to develop innovative solutions.
This funding will target opportunities to deploy AI in clinical settings and improve health outcomes across a range of conditions. It will also look to fund novel AI research which has the potential to create general purpose applications across a range of health challenges – freeing up clinicians to spend more time with their patients.
This supports work the government is already doing across key disease areas. Using AI to tackle dementia, for example, builds on our commitment to double dementia research funding by 2024, reaching a total of £160 million a year.
The Dame Barbara Windsor Dementia Mission is at the heart of this, enabling us to accelerate dementia research and give patients the access to the exciting new wave of medicines being developed.
Artificial Intelligence behind three times more daily tasks than we think
Most people believe they only use AI once a day when in fact it’s three times more
One in two of us (51%) feel nervous about the future of AI, with over a third concerned about privacy (36%) and that it will lead to mass unemployment (39%)
However, nearly half of people recognise its potential for manufacturing (46%), over a third see its role in improving healthcare (38%) and medical diagnosis (32%), and a quarter of people think it can help in tackling climate change (24%)
As the AI Safety Summit nears, over a third (36%) think the government needs to introduce more regulation as AI develops
The surge in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has left a third of us fearing the unknown, yet we have three times as many daily interactions with AI than most people realise, new research from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) reveals.
On average, the UK public recognises AI plays a role in something we do at least once a day – whether that be in curating a personalised playlist, mapping out the quickest route from A to B, or simply to help write an email.
However, hidden touch points can be found in search engines (69%), social media (66%), and streaming services (51%), which all discretely use AI, as well as tools such as Google translate (31%) and autocorrect and grammar checkers (29%).
Despite its everyday use, over half of us (51%) admit nervousness about a future with AI – with nearly a third of people feeling anxious about what it could do in the future (31%). Over a third are concerned about privacy (36%) and feeling it will lead to mass unemployment (39%).
Those surveyed who felt nervous, do so because of not knowing who controls AI (42%) and not being able to tell what is real or true with AI generated fakes (40%). They also expressed concerns that AI will become autonomous and out of control (38%). And that it will surpass human intelligence (31%).
But people do recognise and welcome the role it will play in revolutionising key sectors, such as manufacturing (46%) and healthcare (39%) and specifically medical diagnosis (32%), as well as tackling issues such as climate change (24%).
Dr. Gopichand Katragadda, IET President and a globally recognised AI authority, said: “Artificial Intelligence holds the potential to drive innovation and enhance productivity across diverse sectors like construction, energy, healthcare, and manufacturing. Yet, it is imperative that we continually evolve ethical frameworks surrounding Data and AI applications to ensure their safe and responsible development and utilisation.
“It is natural for individuals to have concerns about AI, particularly given its recent proliferation in technical discussions and media coverage. However, it’s important to recognise that AI has a longstanding presence and already forms the foundation of many daily activities, such as facial recognition on social media, navigation on maps, and personalised entertainment recommendations.”
As the UK AI Safety Summit nears (1-2 November) – which will see global leaders gather to discuss the risks associated with AI and how they can be mitigated through coordinated action – the research reveals 36% of Brits think the government need to do more to regulate and manage AI development, with 30% of those who feel nervous about AI, feeling that Government regulations cannot keep pace with AI’s evolution.
Those surveyed also shared their concerns on the lack of information around AI and lack of skills and confidence to use the technology, with over a quarter of people saying they wished there was more information about how it works and how to use it (29%).
Gopi added: “What we need to see now is the UK government establishing firm rules on which data can and cannot be used to train AI systems – and ensure this is unbiased.
“This is necessary to ensure AI is used safely and to help prevent incidents from occurring – and it is fundamental to maintaining public trust, which underpins the economic and social benefits AI can bring.”
The research for the IET was carried out online by Opinion Matters from 16 October – 18 October 2023 amongst a panel resulting in 2,008 nationally representative consumers responding from across the UK.
AI Summit dominated by Big Tech and a “missed opportunity” say civil society organisations
More than 100 UK and international organisations, experts and campaigners sign open letter to Rishi Sunak
Groups warn that the “communities and workers most affected by AI have been marginalised by the Summit.”
“Closed door event” is dominated by Big Tech and overly focused on speculative risks instead of AI threats “in the here and now”- PM told
Signatories to letter include leading human rights organisations, trade union bodies, tech orgs, leading academics and experts on AI
More than 100 civil society organisations from across the UK and world have branded the government’s AI Summit as “a missed opportunity”.
In an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak the groups warn that the “communities and workers most affected by AI have been marginalised by the Summit” while a select few corporations seek to shape the rules.
The letter has been coordinated by the TUC, Connected by Data and Open Rights Group and is released ahead of the official AI Summit at Bletchley Park on 1 and 2 November. Signatories to the letter include:
Major and international trade union confederations – such as the TUC, AFL-CIO, European Trade Union Confederation, UNI Global, International Trade Union Confederation representing tens of millions of workers worldwide
International and UK human rights orgs – such as Amnesty International, Liberty, Article 19, Privacy International, Access Now
Domestic and international civil society organisations – such as Connected by Data, Open Rights Group, 5 Rights, Consumers International.
Tech community voices – such as Mozilla, AI Now Institute and individuals associated to the AI Council, Alan Turing Institute & British Computing Society
Leading international academics, experts, members of the House of Lords
Highlighting the exclusion of civil society from the Summit, the letter says: “Your ‘Global Summit on AI Safety’ seeks to tackle the transformational risks and benefits of AI, acknowledging that AI “will fundamentally alter the way we live, work, and relate to one another.
“Yet the communities and workers most affected by AI have been marginalised by the Summit. The involvement of civil society organisations that bring a diversity of expertise and perspectives has been selective and limited.
“This is a missed opportunity.”
Highlighting the Summit’s lack of focus on immediate threats of AI and dominance of Big Tech, the letter says: “As it stands, the Summit is a closed door event, overly focused on speculation about the remote ‘existential risks’ of ‘frontier’ AI systems – systems built by the very same corporations who now seek to shape the rules.
“For many millions of people in the UK and across the world, the risks and harms of AI are not distant – they are felt in the here and now.
“This is about being fired from your job by algorithm, or unfairly profiled for a loan based on your identity or postcode.
“People are being subject to authoritarian biometric surveillance, or to discredited predictive policing.
“Small businesses and artists are being squeezed out, and innovation smothered as a handful of big tech companies capture even more power and influence.
“To make AI truly safe we must tackle these and many other issues of huge individual and societal significance. Successfully doing so will lay the foundations for managing future risks.”
Calling for a more inclusive approach to managing the risks of AI, the letter concludes: “For the Summit itself and the work that has to follow, a wide range of expertise and the voices of communities most exposed to AI harms must have a powerful say and equal seat at the table. The inclusion of these voices will ensure that the public and policy makers get the full picture.
“In this way we can work towards ensuring the future of AI is as safe and beneficial as possible for communities in the UK and across the world.”
Senior Campaigns and Policy Officer for Connected by Data Adam Cantwell-Corn said: “AI must be shaped in the interests of the wider public. This means ensuring that a range of expertise, perspectives and communities have an equal seat at the table. The Summit demonstrates a failure to do this.
“The open letter is a powerful, diverse and international challenge to the unacceptable domination of AI policy by narrow interests.
“Beyond the Summit, AI policy making needs a re-think – domestically and internationally – to steer these transformative technologies in a democratic and socially useful direction.”
TUC Assistant General Secretary Kate Bell said: “It is hugely disappointing that unions and wider civil society have been denied proper representation at this Summit.AI is already making life-changing decisions – like how we work, how we’re hired and who gets fired.
“But working people have yet to be given a seat at the table.
“This event was an opportunity to bring together a wide range of voices to discuss how we deal with immediate threats and make sure AI benefits all.
“It shouldn’t just be tech bros and politicians who get to shape the future of AI.”
Open Rights Group Policy Manager for Data Rights and Privacy Abby Burke said: “The government has bungled what could have been an opportunity for real global AI leadership due to the Summit’s limited scope and invitees.
“The agenda’s focus on future, apocalyptic risks belies the fact that government bodies and institutions in the UK are already deploying AI and automated decision-making in ways that are exposing citizens to error and bias on a massive scale.
“It’s extremely concerning that the government has excluded those who are experiencing harms and other critical expert and activist voices from its Summit, allowing businesses who create and profit from AI systems to set the UK’s agenda.”
Laura Bond offers luxury jewellery piercings, pieces, and bespoke ear styling service in ‘the UK’s prettiest piercing parlour’
The Edinburgh-born luxury jewellery brand, Laura Bond, has announced the launch of its eagerly anticipated piercing services. Having just received its piercing licence, the flagship store on Thistle Street is thrilled to complete the brand experience.
Previously known for its exquisite online offerings, Laura Bond delighted customers when it opened its doors to the luxury piercing boutique on Saturday 9th September 2023. Customers can now indulge in Laura’s unique ear styling service and in the UK’s prettiest piercing parlour.
The store currently accommodates 21 appointments a day, with plans to increase to 40 soon. Appointments can be pre-booked, but walk-ins are also heartily welcomed, ensuring flexibility for all patrons.
Since launching in 2020, Laura Bond’s responsibly sourced gold jewellery pieces have gained recognition from customers and celebrities alike, including the likes of Florence Pugh, Michelle Visage, and Nathalie Emmanuel, who graced the 2022 Oscars adorned in Laura Bond’s elegant creations.
Founder and Creative Director, Laura Bond, said:“We are thrilled to finally have our licence and be able to offer piercings at our beautiful boutique!
“It’s what we’re all about – allowing people to express themselves through our luxury jewellery pieces. Jewellery shouldn’t just be for special occasions but should be enjoyed every day and mark life moments, milestones, friendships, and so much more.
“My team of stylists and I are always on hand, and love nothing more than when a customer comes in to get their ears styled or get a piercing to mark a special moment.”
Laura Bond Jewellery has also just announced a new ‘first lobes’ package for children aged eight and up. Priced at £150, the package includes 2 x 14k gold pretty studs with comfortable heart-shaped flat backs designed for delicate young ears, the professional piercing service, and an aftercare pack. All of this is delivered in the UK’s most picturesque piercing parlour.
For more information, or to book your appointment, please visit Laura Bond Jewellery’s website at www.laurabond.co.uk.
Or for an immediate ear-stack upgrade or to chat to one of the helpful team members, do just pop in at 52 Thistle Street.
Fireworks are fun when enjoyed safely – that’s the message from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), as the nation prepares for bonfire night celebrations.
RoSPA says that attending an organised display is the safest option, but with some people unable to get out and about and some local councils cancelling firework displays, there could be an uptick in people celebrating at home. And with every bonfire night witnessing serious injury cases, RoSPA recommends anyone hosting a display at home to read its firework safety advice.
Anyone planning on celebrating Bonfire Night should know:
It is illegal to set off fireworks in public places, including streets and parks.
It is illegal to buy, attempt to buy, give or in any way make a firework available to someone under the age of 18.
It is illegal to set fireworks off before 6pm and after 11pm. This extends to midnight on 5th November and 1am on Hogmanay, Chinese New Year and Diwali.
It’s safer to celebrate at an organised event if there’s one in your area, but if you’re planning a private display at home, make sure you know how to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Keep a safe distance.
Follow the Firework Code and read instructions before use.
Not all fireworks are suitable for private use, it depends on the size of your garden – so do your research before purchasing.
RoSPA’s 10 Point Firework Code:
Plan your firework display to make it safe and enjoyable, and check the time you can legally set off fireworks
In England, Scotland and Wales only buy fireworks which carry UKCA or CE marks. In the case of Northern Ireland look for the UKNI symbol along with the UKCA or CE mark. Keep your fireworks in a closed box, and use them one at a time
Read and follow the instructions on each firework using a torch if necessary
Light the firework at arm’s length with a taper and stand well back
Keep naked flames, including cigarettes, away from fireworks
Never return to a firework once it has been lit
Don’t put fireworks in pockets and never throw them
Direct any rocket fireworks well away from spectators
Never use paraffin or petrol on a bonfire
Make sure that the fire is out and surroundings are made safe before leaving.
Phil Le Shirley, Public Safety Advisor at RoSPA,said: “Bonfire night can be a magical time for families and communities, and we believe the safest way to enjoy fireworks is by going to an organised display where there will be the appropriate safety protocols in place.
“However, we do recognise that not everyone can attend organised displays and may wish to have their own at home. We therefore advise those people to only purchase fireworks from licensed sellers, follow the manufacturers guidelines and dispose of them safely.
“It’s also important to remember that sparklers are classed as fireworks and therefore are illegal to be sold to anyone under the age of 18, and sparklers should not be given to children under the age of five.”
The programme is run in partnership between ENABLE, ENU and EY
Enable. students with their awards at the Edinburgh Napier University graduation ceremony .
Students from a pioneering programme to help support young people with learning disabilities into higher education and work have played a part in Edinburgh Napier University’s graduation celebrations for the first time.
Breaking Barriers is a partnership between the charity ENABLE, ENU, and professional services firm EY, offering participants the opportunity to gain an accredited qualification.
Run by The Business School at the University, it helps support young people with learning disabilities make the transition to university and higher education through a combination of supportive study and work placements.
The latest cohort collected their qualification during Edinburgh Napier’s autumn graduations, crossing the stage during a ceremony at this city’s Usher Hall with friends and family watching on.
Professor Andrea Nolan, Principal & Vice Chancellor of Edinburgh Napier University, said: “It’s really important for our Breaking Barriers students to be a part of our graduations where we celebrate achievements from across the University.
“For these young people, their achievements have been fantastic. I feel proud of them. I’ve met them all and listened to their stories and it brought a tear to my eye.
“Programmes like Breaking Barriers show people what’s possible. They provide opportunity. It really brings to life what we mean by an inclusive community. One of our values at Edinburgh Napier University is inclusion and so I hope that others will see the types of programmes that we offer, the success of the students that come and the opportunities that are open to them in the future.”
Programme leader Dr Malcolm McGregor, Lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University’s Business School, said: “We are all just chuffed to bits to have the opportunity to work with this cohort.
“They are all wonderful people and we feel we are doing something very important to support their growth and development not only in terms of academic capability but more importantly perhaps, giving them confidence to make decisions they weren’t able to take a year ago.
“I am proud as punch to be supported by a highly experienced and knowledgeable team of academic staff who are all totally committed to making sure the programme is a huge success.”
Breaking Barriers is taught at ENU by Mike Sanderson, Malcolm McGregor, Joan McLatchie, Andy Moffat and Kyle Andrews. It also formed part of The Business School’s successful bid to gain AACSB accreditation.
Seven students took part in the 2022-23 programme, where they learned skills in areas, including accounting and finance, marketing hospitality and customer service, and human resource management. All elements of the ‘Applied Business Skills’ module are taught on ENU’s Craiglockhart campus, with students then applying their knowledge in a work setting at EY.
The programme, which ENABLE began running in 2018 at the University of Strathclyde, has seen 90% of graduates go on to secure employment or further education and training opportunities in recent years.
Tickets are now available for Starlight Walk at Holyrood Park on Sunday 19 November, in aid of Sands, the UK’s leading pregnancy and baby loss charity.
Starlight Walk follows a 6km route through the beautiful Holyrood Park and is an opportunity for anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss, however recently or longer ago, to remember their much-loved babies by walking alongside other bereaved parents and families.
People taking part in the Starlight Walk have spoken about why they are doing this and what it means to them.
Bereaved mum, Rachel said: “We lost one of our twin girls, Nieve, at 26 weeks due to heart complications and it was the most difficult time of my life.
“Both our girls were delivered 5 weeks later. Nieve was born asleep first with a little helping hand from the amazing midwives and then her sister followed via an emergency c-section a few hours later. As we mourned for our girl, we also had her sister in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit fighting to survive.
“From the very first steps, Sands offered me a helping hand. They helped me find comfort through speaking to other parents and knowing they shared our pain. It was learning from them that helped me. I gained strength from other mums through their experience.
“I am walking to help ensure parents like me, can and do have an organisation such as Sands where they can get support, find comfort and even maybe a little hope just like I did.”
Bereaved sibling, Donna said: “For the last two years, I have taken part in this very special walk for my twin Rick, who died at 13 weeks’ gestation, and have thoroughly enjoyed it since it started in Edinburgh.
“It is a walk of camaraderie, reflection and a lot of love. It feels so good to belong to a group of like-minded people, passionate in raising money and awareness to prevent the pain we all feel, happening to others.
“I walk in memory of my twin brother but also for all ‘womb mates’ and their survivors. However, like many of us, I know so many people who have impacted by baby loss, so I walk for their loved ones too.”
Registration on the day opens at 3pm ready for the first wave of walkers to begin at 3.45pm. Walkers will meet at Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth building before heading down to Holyrood Park and walking around Arthur’s Seat.
Once at 150 metres elevation, the walkers will be able to take in the incredible views of Edinburgh City Centre, looking out towards Duddington Loch, before heading back under magical starlight with their lanterns and torches shining brightly.
Tickets are £17.00 for adults, £12.00 for children (under 16) and free for children under 3 and are now available to purchase online.
Everyone that registers will receive two paper lanterns to carry on the walk, a walking memory card to wear with pride, a Starlight Walkmedal once they have crossed the finish line, and a well-earned tea or coffee and cake in reception with an opportunity to add to our wall of remembrance.
Sands’ Events Fundraising Manager, Florence Moffat said:“For those that are unable to attend the event in Bristol on 11 November, there is also a virtual Starlight Walk at Home taking place which can be completed anywhere in the UK on 2 December, on your own or with a loved one.
Sign up for free and stroll through the countryside, march through the town or simply let your feet lead the way as you walk either 5km or 10km for Sands. Like starlight itself, the love for our babies is endless, and together we will walk through the darkness and find the light.”
Every day 13 babies die before, during or shortly after birth. Sands works to understand where and why babies die and why some women and babies are more at risk than others.
Sands is determined to save every life it can and ensure the right care and support is there for every bereaved family, whenever and wherever they need it.
A Wheelchair Basketball coach from West Lothian has been shortlisted for the Community Coach of the Year for Children and Young People by UK Coaching, in recognition of their outstanding work coaching young people with disabilities.
The UK Coaching Awards is a national celebration event, regarded as the most prestigious within the coaching community and created to celebrate the remarkable contributions coaches make – from delivering high quality and technical coaching, to supporting participants both physically and mentally.
Tina Gordon has been passionate about coaching wheelchair basketball for over 30 years having coached at junior through to the senior competitive levels.
For the past eight years she has shifted her focus to coaching young people with physical disabilities under the age of 14.
Seeing how participation in wheelchair basketball brings out their confidence and helps the players become more independent outside of the basketball court, Tina reflected on her experience as “giving her great joy”.
Tina said: “I feel very humbled and proud to be nominated for the ‘Community Coach of the Year. Hearing that the young players (and their parents) at Lothian Phoenix had nominated me certainly was a surprize and one I’m very grateful for – normally it’s me nominating them for awards!
“I love coaching young people and to see them having fun with their pals, achieving their aspirations & dreams through playing wheelchair basketball, really energises me and fills me with such joy.
“Seeing young people with disabilities having fun with their pals, developing their confidence, and achieving their dreams, gives me such a buzz, I just love it!
“The most important thing for me as a coach is seeing how sport, and wheelchair basketball in particular, can positively enhance young people’s lives. To see so many smiling faces each week at training, and the pride on family members faces fills me with such joy – I feel I have an extended family myself!”
With previous award winners including Sarina Wiegman, Jane Figueiredo, Judy Murray, and Ben Stokes’ coaching chain, the awards celebrate the best of the UK’s Coaching workforce, the unforgettable moments they deliver, and the profound impact at every level of sport and activity.
UK Coaching’s CEO Mark Gannon congratulated Tina on the nomination, and reflected on the huge variety of coaching talent announced: “We are delighted to announce our finalists for the 2023 UK Coaching Awards.
“Across the board we have seen so much talent, passion and commitment amongst our amazing coaching workforce, and this year’s finalists represent the best of our nation’s coaches who do so much to support people through sport and physical activity.
“All of our finalists should be extremely proud of what they have been able to achieve and fully deserve this recognition. We are very much looking forward to celebrating together at our UK Coaching Awards ceremony, bringing together the coaches that are going above and beyond to deliver outstanding experiences and make a real difference in their community.”
The awards will be held on 5 December at the Queens Hotel in Leeds.
Find out more about this year’s finalists and the awards by heading to:
