Month: December 2023

Nicola Benedetti CBE receives the Edinburgh Award 2023

Nicola Benedetti CBE, was officially presented with the coveted Edinburgh Award by the Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge yesterday evening (December 5) at a civic reception at the City Chambers.

Since 2007, the Edinburgh Award has celebrated individuals who have made a truly unique contribution to the city and brought the Capital to national and international attention.

Alongside family, friends and invited guests, Benedetti received an engraved Loving Cup from the Lord Provost, an official award certificate, and a set of her handprints preserved in stone in the City Chambers quadrangle was unveiled. As part of the ceremony, a specially commissioned poem by Hannah Lavery, the Edinburgh Makar, was recited in Benedetti’s honour.

This year marked Benedetti’s first edition of the International Festival as Festival Director, which was a resounding success. Over 24 packed days, the Edinburgh International Festival saw performances from 2,500 remarkable and diverse artists representing 50 nations.

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, and Chair of the Edinburgh Award Panel, Robert Aldridge said: “I was delighted to present Nicola Benedetti with the Edinburgh Award yesterday evening.

“Nicola’s handprints are now immortalised in stone at the City Chambers quadrangle, and she deservedly follows in the footsteps of some of the finest individuals associated with our great city.

“From heading up one of the world’s most important cultural celebrations in the Edinburgh International Festival, to being a globally renowned musician in her own right, she has represented the Capital with pride, dedication, and skill. Nicola is also one of the youngest ever recipients of the Edinburgh Award which shows the measure and scale of her talent and achievements.

“I’d also highlight the fantastic work of the Benedetti Foundation, based in the city, which focusses on musical education, participation, and experiences. Since its establishment in 2019 it has reached over 50,000 participants of all ages from 103 countries,

“I’d like to congratulate Nicola on behalf of the city, and I’m sure she will continue to do great things in the future, both here in Edinburgh and beyond.”

Festival Director of the Edinburgh International Festival, and Recipient of the Edinburgh Award 2023, Nicola Benedetti CBE said: “Each gift in our life, such as the role of Festival Director or a recognition such as this award, serves as a propellor – and an opportunity for choice.

“Each gift holds the potential for responsibility to others, that you choose to serve and grasp, or not. Each gift is a reminder of our place in a lineage of contributors to bettering life for ourselves and for others; a reminder of the collective potential we have when we all consider – in our own unique way – our civic and moral duty.”

UNISON: Edinburgh schools facing urgent issues

UNION CALLS FOR ACTION FOLLOWING ALARMING WORKPLACE SURVEY

New survey data from UNISON’s recent research among Edinburgh City Council workers sheds light on the challenges faced by school support staff, echoing the findings of the Scottish government’s Behaviour in Scottish schools: research report 2023.

UNISON Edinburgh City Branch emphasises that the impact of pupils’ behavioural challenges is disproportionately falling on the shoulders of support staff, who are often the lowest paid and receive minimal training and support.

The violence at work survey, conducted among our members, saw the highest response rate from staff working in schools with 82% of respondents in that area. The Edinburgh Branch survey indicated a need for clearer reporting procedures and improved feedback mechanisms to ensure member concerns are addressed promptly and effectively.

The return aligns with the government’s findings, revealing that 86% of support staff encounter low-level disruptive behaviour daily. Additionally, 66% experience verbal abuse, and 59% face physical aggression on a regular basis. This supports what UNISON members have been telling us – the lowest-paid support staff, mainly women, are the frontline responders to challenging pupil behaviour.

Pauline Henderson, UNISON Edinburgh Convenor for education, stated: “No one should face violence and abusive behaviour at work, and if they do, they need proper support.

“Yet, in our schools in Edinburgh, it is the lowest-paid, mostly women support staff who deal with challenging and disruptive behaviour every day.”

“UNISON stresses that support staff are more likely than teachers to report the greatest negative impacts from serious disruptive behaviours”.

Tom Connolly, UNISON City of Edinburgh Branch Secretary, emphasised UNISON’s consistent advocacy on the issue: “UNISON has consistently raised violence and abuse of school support staff with employers and the government.

“Now that we have evidence backing up this growing problem, we need government funding and action to help schools deal with it.”

“More than half of the respondents (57.6%) feel their employer does not take violence at work complaints seriously. Addressing this perception is crucial for fostering a supportive and protective workplace culture.”

Key Points from UNISON Edinburgh City Survey:

Daily Challenges for Support Staff:

66% experience verbal abuse, and 59% encounter physical aggression regularly.

Comparisons with Government Report:

UNISON’s survey findings align with the Scottish government’s report, emphasising the universal nature of challenges faced by support staff.

Impact on Support Staff:

Support staff report the greatest negative impacts from serious disruptive behaviours, underlining the urgent need for comprehensive support and strategies.

Call for Edinburgh City Council Action:

Urgent action is needed to protect council staff. UNISON continues to advocate for enhanced reporting, substantial local authority investment, and comprehensive support for all council staff.

Call for Government Action:

UNISON Edinburgh City urges the Scottish government to recognise the inadequacy of current council funding and take substantial action to address the challenges outlined in both the survey and the government report.

ebrief-behaviour-in-schools-report-2023Download


Read the full UNISON Edinburgh City Branch survey report here

Smash hit! Almost 100,000 visitors see Grayson Perry exhibition

The National Galleries of Scotland has announced that its blockbuster exhibition, Grayson Perry: Smash Hits, was visited almost 100,000 times in its four-month run. Since opening on 15 July, 95,852 visits were booked to enjoy the celebration of Sir Grayson Perry’s 40-year career at the National (Royal Scottish Academy) before it closed on Sunday 12 November. 

On show exclusively in Edinburgh, Grayson Perry: Smash Hits explored the remarkable 40-year career of contemporary cultural icon, Sir Grayson Perry.

Visitors were able to enjoy over eighty works, including richly detailed tapestries, subversive pots and elaborate plates – some of which were on public display for the first time.

Developed in close collaboration with the artist, the exhibition renounced the tradition for chronological displays. Instead, Perry’s work was presented as a journey through themes including masculinity, sexuality, class, religion, politics and identity. 

Grayson Perry: Smash Hits was the National Galleries of Scotland’s most visited exhibition in over ten years, and the fourth most visited since the reopening of the refurbished exhibition galleries in the RSA building in 2003.

Surpassing all expectations, over 10,000 people were welcomed in the first two weeks alone. The final weekend, which offered extended opening hours to allow as many people as possible to experience the exhibition, with over 2,200 visitors each day.  

Home to Scotland’s superb art collection, the National Galleries of Scotland operates three galleries in Edinburgh.

At the National visitors can discover treasures from Botticelli to Titian, as well as the world’s largest collection of works by artists from Scotland. The Portrait gallery is packed with famous faces from history and contemporary portraits of pop culture icons, while Modern showcases the very best modern art.

As well as conserving and researching the national collection, the National Galleries of Scotland is committed to reaching the widest possible audience through an active programme, including partnerships across Scotland, the UK and abroad, as well as online.  

Visitors enjoyed sharing their experience of Grayson Perry: Smash Hits with feedback captured by National Galleries Scotland throughout the duration of the exhibition. Some notable takeaways included: 

“So accessible. I loved his commentaries. It is the only exhibition I have ever been to and laughed out loud.” 

“I have never been to an exhibition where almost all of the visitors were smiling and laughing.” 

“This was the best, most thought-provoking exhibition I’ve been to in years!” 

Sir Grayson Perry said:  “It was one of the most enjoyable and proud exhibiting experiences of my career. Many thanks to the brilliant team at the National Galleries of Scotland and the people of Scotland!” 

Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “Welcoming almost 100,000 visitors to Grayson Perry: Smash Hits is a significant and proud moment for the National Galleries of Scotland.

“It has been a privilege from the start to work with Sir Grayson Perry in bringing this phenomenal exhibition to the people of Scotland. The response from our visitors, through their verbal and written feedback, photos they’ve shared and online engagement, has been incredible to witness.

“My congratulations and thanks to Sir Grayson – it has been smashing!’ 

To find out more about upcoming exhibitions, displays and events at the National Galleries of Scotland, visit What’s on | National Galleries of Scotland. 

Dogs Trust delivers Christmas hope to people experiencing homelessness across Scotland 

The Christmas elves at Dogs Trust, the UK’s largest dog welfare charity, are busy getting ready to spread Christmas cheer across Scotland by delivering gifts to the canine companions of people experiencing homelessness.  

Every Christmas, through its Together Through Homelessness scheme, Dogs Trust brings festive cheer to the dogs of people experiencing homelessness by delivering canine hampers of collars, leads, coats, treats and toys to dogs and their owners.

Dogs Trust has been running the unique service for over 30 years and as well as Christmas gifts, provides free veterinary treatment to dogs whose owners are experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.  

 In recent months* Together Through Homelessness have seen an 82% rise in phone enquiries, as Crisis Homelessness Monitor 2023 shows that homelessness is on the rise in the UK. 

This year, Together Through Homelessness will deliver almost 2,000 Christmas parcels to dogs and their owners at over 215 homelessness services across the UK. Services in Scotland that benefited from the scheme include Scottish Veterans Residences, Simon Community, All4Paws, The Salvation Army, Big Issue and Right There. 

Richard Kerr of Streetwork at Simon Community Scotland, says: “The hampers from Dogs Trust benefit the people we are working with massively. It is a great idea and gives our clients and their dogs an experience that they might otherwise not have.

“The people we work with are generally very attached to their animals and create very strong bonds with their companions as in some cases they don’t have anyone in their lives that they can rely on for companionship. I know this support means a lot to our clients.” 

Megan Evans, Together Through Homelessness Team Leader at Dogs Trust, explains:  “Everyone knows that the bond between a dog and its owner is a strong one but for people experiencing homelessness, the bond is often unbreakable. Christmas can be an especially difficult and lonely time for people in housing crisis, but the company of a canine friend can often help to ease some of this loneliness.” 

“However, thanks to the generosity of Dogs Trust supporters, this year we’ll spread a little bit of Christmas cheer and help almost 2,000 dogs celebrate Christmas with their best friends. Not only that, but we will be able to continue to support them into the New Year and beyond so that more dogs can stay with their owners, regardless of their housing situation”. 

As well as distributing Christmas hampers and offering free veterinary treatments Together Through Homelessness supports homelessness services to accept clients with dogs and helps them put in place practical guidelines.  
 
To support Dogs Trust Together Through Homelessness and help dogs and their owners who are experiencing homelessness, visit www.dogstrust.org.uk/how-we-help/hope-project/donate 

Edinburgh’s Divino is triple winner at Scottish Italian Awards

This year’s Scottish Italian Awards saw one Edinburgh restaurant standing above the rest as Divino Enoteca became a triple winner, receiving accolades for ‘Scotland’s Best Wine Selection’, ‘Scotland’s Best Pasta Chef’, and ‘Scotland’s Best Chef’, alongside a ‘Highly Recommended’ commendation for Best Restaurant in the East. 

The 10th anniversary of the Scottish Italian Awards welcomed over 750 guests to the Double Tree in Glasgow on 26th November for an evening celebrating the best of the Italian hospitality community, who have all made an incredible impact on Scotland’s food scene. 

Divino flew the flag for Edinburgh well through the evening, as the sole winners from the capital city. The awards cap off a successful year for the restaurant, with milestones including visits from Prince Albert of Monaco and actor Gerard Butler, following a £100,000 renovation at the end of 2022. 

Tucked away on Merchant Street in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Divino is known for its high-quality food that provides a modern and creative take on Italian cuisine. Seasonal menus, with dishes ranging from fresh pastas with silky sauces to succulent braised meats. are imagined by Chef Andrea Calistro – honoured with awards for ‘Scotland’s Best Chef’ and ‘Best Pasta Chef’. 

The award for Best Wine Selection reflects Divino’s dedication to curating an impressive assortment of world wines, with regular wine tasting evenings and a unique ‘enomatic’ machine allowing guests to sample rare wines from the bottle. 

Vittoria Group’s other celebrated restaurants were also honoured in the awards, with Vittoria on the Bridge also ‘Highly Recommended’ for Best Restaurant East, and Bertie’s Proper Fish & Chips ‘Highly Recommended’ for the Best Fish and Chips Award.  

Co-owner Alberto Crolla was delighted with the awards recognition, saying:  “While we strive for excellence each day of the year, awards like this are a testament to the team’s dedication to providing an incredible experience for each customer that visits our restaurant.

“This hat-trick of award wins makes a wonderful ending to an exciting year at Divino that began with a freshly unveiled restaurant and saw a myriad of exciting events like regionally themed nights and celebrity guests that keep our team energised to keep up the remarkable work they’re doing.” 

The Crolla family have been at the forefront of Italian hospitality in the capital since Vittoria on the Walk first opened in Leith more than 50 years ago.

Now three generations of the family have expanded the Vittoria group across the city, each offering something unique while honouring the traditions of great Italian hospitality. 

For more information on Divino, visit https://divinoedinburgh.com

People in Edinburgh invited to share their views at Independent Living Fund Scotland co-production event

The Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland is inviting disabled people, disabled peoples’ organisations and other interested stakeholders in and around Edinburgh to share their views and help shape the re-opened fund by attending its first co-production event in Edinburgh.

The first event will take place on Tuesday 12 December at Murrayfield Stadium.

Established in 2015, ILF Scotland was set up to continue to provide funding and support to help disabled people in Scotland and Northern Ireland live independently following the closure of the UK ILF. The ILF has not been open to new applications since 2010, but in September 2023, the First Minister announced in his Programme for Government that ILF will re-open on a phased basis in 2024/25.

Now, event attendees will have the chance to take part in an open discussion so that their feedback and views can help shape the development of policies for the re-opened ILF.

The event is the first to run in a series of co-production events taking place both in-person and online over the coming weeks.

The Scottish Government and ILF Scotland have established a co-production working group to help them develop the policies for a re-opened ILF. This group consists of disabled people, representatives from Disabled People’s Organisations (DPOs) and other key stakeholders.

This Group will make recommendations on re-opening to the Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport and will take all feedback from the events on board as part of this.

Peter Scott, CEO at Independent Living Fund Scotland said: “It’s extremely important we hear from as many disabled people and our key stakeholders as possible. 

“All views and feedback are welcome as this will help inform the policy development of the re-opened ILF and help define how we best support more of Scotland’s most disabled citizens.” 

To sign up for the first event on Tuesday 12 December (11am – 3pm) at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, visit: ILF Scotland Events | Eventbrite

Donald Smith receives the Hamish Henderson Award for Lifetime Service to Traditional Arts

TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland) is delighted to announce that former CEO Donald Smith has been awarded the Hamish Henderson Lifetime Achievement Award for services to Traditional Music and the Arts at this year’s MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards. 

The award celebrates those who have made a significant contribution to the traditional arts industry and whose services the industry can’t do without. Since 2003 it has been awarded to a vast array of talent within the Scottish traditional music industry (not necessarily musicians) including Hamish Henderson, Ian Green, Fiona Ritchie, Robbie Shepherd MBE and now, 20 years on, to Donald Smith. 

Donald Smith is a founding member of the Scottish Storytelling Forum, Edinburgh’s Guid Crack Club, Director of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival and former Chief Executive of TRACS (Traditional Arts and Culture Scotland). He is a natural storyteller and has been an active student of Scots and Irish storytelling for over thirty years, travelling widely in Scotland and overseas as a workshop leader, lecturer and mentor to developing storytellers.

He was a pupil at Stirling High School and a student at the University of Edinburgh in the seventies, which was where he first encountered traditional storytelling as a defined artform and joined the School of Scottish Studies.

From there his passion for storytelling and the arts grew, and in 1989 he set up the Scottish International Storytelling Festival one of Scotland’s flagship events and a significant part of Edinburgh’s annual cultural calendar.

Award winner Donald Smith said: “I am amazed and delighted to receive the Hamish Henderson Award, but also in awe of his achievements. Hamish Henderson burst the dam of nay-saying and repression in Scottish life.

“He’s a life force who lets everyone into the flow. Thank you to everyone I’ve worked with at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and through TRACS. There are no solo runs in this culture game.

“And hearty thanks to everyone behind the MG ALBA Scots Trad Music Awards for reminding us that we’re putting our steps in the footprint of giants.”

TRACS which sponsored this year’s Community Project of the Year award, won by Fèis Rois Ceilidh Trail for their ongoing support of young musicians in the trad scene,was founded in 2011 to advocate for the traditional arts.

It is a co-operative network that champions traditional music, song, storytelling, dance, crafts, customs and local languages. It also celebrates the local distinctiveness of Scotland’s places: our intangible cultural heritage and is a collective voice for the Traditional Music Forum, the Scottish Storytelling Forum, and the Traditional Dance Forum of Scotland.

Neil Hanna www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk 07702 246823

Steve Byrne, Director of TRACS said: “Congratulations to Fèis Rois for the fantastic community work that they do with the Ceilidh Trail, which has given so many opportunities for young musicians not just in Ross-shire but across Scotland over the past decade.

“The paid development opportunities they offer are a truly innovative model of how to support emerging traditional artists at a key stage in their creative lives. All the nominees this year highlight that community projects are the beating heart of the traditional arts, and we at TRACS congratulate them all on continuing to help traditional arts flourish in local areas across the country.”

Simon Thoumire, organiser of the MG ALBA Scots Trad Awards said: “I would like to  extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to making the 2023 ‘Na Trads’ such a resounding success.

“From the passionate audience members and all of our incredibly talented performers to everyone who voted and our generous sponsors and supporters, we truly couldn’t hold these awards without you. Congratulations to all the deserving award winners; your dedication and artistry continue to elevate and inspire the scene as a whole.

“Our 21st year has felt like a coming of age and it’s been wonderful to celebrate this milestone with those across Scotland and beyond who share our love of Scottish traditional music and its profound cultural impact.

“The enduring appeal of our music is heartening to see, and I’m deeply grateful to be part of this vibrant community, celebrating the rich tapestry of our musical heritage while embracing new waves of creativity.”

Coalition calls for budget for mental health as new figures highlight child challenge

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education to vulnerable children and young people, is calling on the Scottish Government to deliver a budget for mental health on 19th December.

The call comes as the latest waiting time figures from Public Health Scotland, published yesterday, indicate that 147 children and young people had been waiting over a year for treatment from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in the quarter ending September 2023.1 

The figures also show that a total of 5,344 children and young people were still stuck on waiting lists to start treatment at the end of that quarter.

Just 75.6 per cent of patients with mental health problems were seen within 18 weeks from referral to treatment at CAMHS. This falls short of the Scottish Government’s waiting time target of 90 per cent being seen within 18 weeks.

This comes against the background of an increasing level of violent incidents in the classroom, a result in part due to the current mental health emergency, exacerbated by the Covid lockdown and cost-of-living crisis.

A report out from the Scottish Government last week found that more than a third of staff had been at the receiving end of verbal abuse in the preceding seven days, and a poll from the largest teaching union, the EIS, revealed that 63.2 per cent of respondents said there are daily incidents of violence or aggression from pupils aimed at teachers.

However, it should be noted that despite this challenging situation, only 0.66 per cent of the total NHS budget was spent on CAMHS in the 2021/22 financial year.2 Indeed, only 8.78 per cent of total NHS budget was spent on mental health services, a decrease of 0.34% in the past decade (from 9.12 per cent in 2011/12).

The SCSC is calling the Scottish Government to up its game in the budget and make the treatment of mental health issues a key national priority, prioritising spending and avoiding a potential lost generation of children and young people with mental health problems.

Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, cases of poor mental health in children and young people were at unprecedented levels, with under-resourced services struggling to keep pace with growing demand, leaving an increasing number of vulnerable individuals unable to access support. Children and young people are still battling with the long shadow of lockdown, and the rising cost of living is adding to the pressure.

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “The latest figures highlighting that more than 5,300 children and young people are still waiting for treatment from mental health services, with 147 waiting over a year, is extremely alarming.

“We are facing a mental health emergency and many of our children and young people are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels as they battle with the long shadow of lockdown and the rising cost of living.

“This is also having a major impact on classroom behaviour, impacting the young people concerned, their fellow pupils and staff.

“Each one of these statistics is an individual, and we would urge the Scottish Government to up its game and make the adequate resourcing of mental health services for our children and young people an absolute priority in the forthcoming budget.”

Police seek witnesses to Slateford Road incident

Road policing officers are appealing for information after a pedestrian was injured in a crash in Edinburgh. The incident happened on Slateford Road at the junction with Moat Street, around 5.15pm on Sunday, 26 November.

A 64-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a vehicle and sustained injuries to his head and legs.

The driver of the red vehicle involved initially stopped to assist the man and later left the scene prior to emergency services attending.

Constable Adam Brearley said: “Enquiries remain ongoing into the circumstances of the crash and officers are appealing for witnesses and the driver of the red vehicle to come forward.

“We’re looking to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw what happened or saw the vehicles before or during the crash.

“Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 2447 of Sunday, 26 November, 2023.”

National Grief Awareness Week: Nine steps you can take to get through the darkest days

BEING open about your feelings and allowing yourself time to recover are the key to overcoming grief, a leading expert has said. 

This week marks National Grief Awareness Week with events planned across the UK to raise awareness of an often under-discussed issue.

In an additional bid to help, counsellor and author Lynn Crilly, who supports a lot of people through these dark moments, has today shared nine tips on how to best deal with grief when it strikes.

It comes as her daughter Samanta, the author of Hope Through Poetry, releases a new poem in a further attempt to spread awareness. 

Lynn said: “Grief impacts us all. But it impacts us all in different ways. When I lost my Aunty ten years ago, I felt a pain I had never experienced before, I guess you could call it a broken heart or heartache.

“It took me many months if not years to accept her not being around, but as they say with time I have created a new normal, the bad days became fewer, and while I miss her terribly I have found myself again. 

“Sometimes I felt guilty for smiling or laughing, but I know she would have wanted that for me which has helped with the bereavement process and to move on. So too has keeping her memory alive and remembering special days and anniversaries with the happy memories I have.

“There are things you can do to help get you through.”

Sharing her next practical steps, Lynn said:

  1. Allow yourself to feel emotion: If you feel emotional or sad, let these feelings out, do not be afraid to cry, as crying can help to release emotions. If you feel angry or resentful…. that’s ok, let the anger out in a safe way such as hitting a punch bag or cushion … try not to bottle it up which can be easier said than done, especially if you are supporting others as well as trying to deal with your own grief.
  2. Talk about the Person: Don’t be afraid to talk about the person who has died. Whilst they may not be here physically, they are still very much present in your mind and with others too. It is important to keep their memory alive, with stories, memories and just talking about them. This can be painful to start with but by not doing so can leave you feeling isolated and alone with your grief.
  3. Take Care of Yourself: Taking care of yourself as much as possible is so important to how you deal with your loss. Try to eat good food regularly, getting some fresh air and gentle exercise along with sleep (or if trouble sleeping rest) can all help with this.
  4. Talk about your feelings: Talk to someone that you trust about your feelings, such as a family member, close friend or partner. If you do not feel able to confide in anyone there are also helplines with dedicated people at the other end ready to listen.
  5. Avoid ‘short term’ fixes: Sometimes to block out the pain and how you are feeling, people can turn to alcohol and drugs to make them feel better or numb the feelings, while these may help temporarily, they are not the long-term answer and can cause further issues of their own.
  6. Keep a Routine: It is easy to feel lost and not wanting to do anything when you are grieving, but by keeping a routine and doing normal everyday things it can help to distract you even if for a short while.
  7. Stay in touch with people: I know myself it is so easy to withdraw from the world and not speak to anyone, but making the effort with the right people that understand where you are can help you to stay connected and get through each day.
  8. Time: The saying goes ‘Time is the greatest healer’ and I have to agree with this. Losing someone close to you is incredibly hard, and life is not the same especially if you lived with them, so it is essential not to expect too much from yourself too quickly, allow yourself whatever time and space you need and please don’t feel guilty about it is essential to the healing process. 
  9. Remember those special dates and occasions: Everyone will have their own memories unique to the person they have lost, but if you can don’t lose those special dates and thoughts, whether is going to a favourite place, bench or even sitting with a cup of tea somewhere, by doing this with help to keep their memory alive.

BREAKOUT: POEM BY SAMANTHA CRILLY:

With Angels you fly

I gaze up at the birds as they pass on by

touching the rims of heaven beyond the sky

Shoulder to shoulder with angels you fly

I know now I can smile without having to justify

Being ok without you, because I know you would want me to,

Still laugh every day and flourish in every way,

I had always held the burden of your absence in my mind

Something you would have so wanted me to leave behind

 Even though it pains me to do so, I know I have to let go

  keeping all the wonderful memories of us together

 Gifts I now know will stay with me forever