Month: February 2024

The MacRobert Trust partners with Inclusive Farm

The MacRobert Trust partners with Inclusive Farm to give people with disabilities, additional needs or difference in Scotland new opportunities

A new partnership between The MacRobert Trust and Inclusive Farm will provide people with disabilities, additional needs or difference, a new route into agriculture.

Through the provision of land and buildings by The MacRobert Trust in Tarland, Aberdeenshire, a new farming enterprise entitled ‘Inclusive Farm Scotland at MacRobert’, will be designed by, and for, people with disabilities, additional needs or difference.

The new farm will be designed based on the model from the original Bedfordshire site and is in the process of transitioning to become a Community Interest Company.

Founded in January 2021, Inclusive Farm was set up by Mike Duxbury and Ness Shillito. Each week they welcome students with diverse needs onto their farm and give them the confidence and skills to pursue a worthwhile and fulfilling career in agriculture.

Mike, who was recently appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Inclusive Farm Scotland at MacRobert, lost his sight at the age six and is excited to bring these opportunities to people in Scotland.

“90% of blind people, and 78% of autistic people, are unemployed – but it doesn’t have to be like this.

“We’re seeing first-hand the impact of providing skills such as animal husbandry has had and we are excited to bring these same opportunities to Scotland.

“We are delighted to be partnering with The MacRobert Trust.  Together we will create unique learning environment which puts people with disabilities, additional needs or difference in the driving seat. Too often disabled people are told what they need, and we are determined that their voices and needs are met.”

Inclusive Farm Scotland at MacRobert is seeking like-minded organisations to support the farm’s development including sponsorship.

The MacRobert Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Rear Admiral Chris Hockley CBE, DL, says: “Inclusive Farm’s vision and mission aligns really well with the ethos of The MacRobert Trust and one of our main charitable themes to support agriculture and those organisations that seek to widen its appeal and foster a greater understanding of the breadth of opportunities that it can offer.

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to support this fantastic initiative and support Inclusive Farm’s vision that we know will make a real difference to the lives of people with disabilities, additional needs or difference across Scotland, and give them the skills they need to carve a path for themselves in agriculture.”

Director of Inclusive Farm Scotland at MacRobert, Dr Jenna Ross OBE said: “I am delighted to support this partnership with The MacRobert Trust to bring the Inclusive Farm model to Tarland, Aberdeenshire, land near where my family has farmed for generations.

“I’ve had the honour of supporting Mike and Ness since the inception of Inclusive Farm. Last year we initiated discussions on bringing the concept to Scotland following a fantastic event hosted by Women in Agriculture Scotland at the Royal Highland Show.

“This is a deeply personal ambition for me in that my younger brother Duncan, who was registered blind at birth, has struggled to find an accessible route into agriculture. This is an exciting opportunity to co-create a unique and empowering learning environment that is built by, and for, people with disabilities, additional needs or difference.

“On behalf of all the Inclusive Farm Scotland at MacRobert Directors and Trustees, I would also like to congratulate Mike on the appointment of Chief Executive Officer. There is no one more qualified or more passionate about our industry, to lead this game-changing organisation than Mike.”

If you are interested in learning more about Inclusive Farm Scotland at MacRobert then please contact: info@inclusivefarm.co.uk

MSP welcomes year-round support for Edinburgh students

Edinburgh Pentlands SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald has welcomed the news higher education students can now apply to spread their student financial support package over a 12-month period for the first time this coming academic year.

The year-long package of support will be available for eligible undergraduate students from August 2024. The change will ensure that payments of relevant student loans and bursaries can continue throughout the summer months. This follows a successful two-year programme, which saw care experienced students being given the option of 12-month support.

Care-Experienced students will continue to receive additional support for their living costs under the Summer Accommodation Grant from Summer 2024. Students eligible for the grant – which will replace the Care-Experienced Accommodation Grant – will be entitled to a payment of up to £1,330 to help ensure they do not fall into rent arrears over the summer.

These changes will coincide with the £2,400 increase to the annual support package, which sees the main undergraduate funding package rise up to £11,400.

Commenting on the announcement Mr Macdonald said: “Coping financially as a student in Edinburgh can be extremely difficult but the changes announced to the way students can receive their funding will make a huge difference across the summer months.

“This is another example of the actions being taken by the Scottish Government to support students through the cost of living crisis. Scotland already has the lowest student debt levels in the UK, thanks to the commitment to free tuition and enhanced student support.

“We have a record number of students from Scotland’s most deprived areas applying to study at university and these changes to the student support package will contribute further in breaking down barriers and ensuring that access to our world-class institutions is not denied to anyone, whatever their background.”

Over 100 Edinburgh Fringe shows on sale at theSpaceUK

theSpaceUK announce over 100 shows go on sale at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024

It’s time to bring a little cheer into your life as theSpaceUK announces the first shows on sale for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

With over 100 shows going on sale, here’s a quick peak at some you should definitely book early for: 

Theatre

Double Fringe First winners, Xhloe and Natasha are back with the absurd brilliance of A Letter to Lyndon B Johnson or God: Whoever Reads This First. After picking up consecutive Fringe Firsts in the last two years, the talented NYC based duo are back with their brand new two-hander that explores the complexities of the idealised American childhood and the lingering impact it leaves behind.

Explore the revolutionary reimagining of Shelley’s Frankenstein in Cruel Britannia: After Frankenstein by Kristen Smyth and Ben Anderson, which offers a daring transgender perspective set in the tumultuous landscape of Maggie Thatcher’s Britain. There’s queer, political coming-of-age fantasy in The Sun King by Peedie Productions, which tells the story of a boy’s adolescence in conversations with the king of a magical realm.

The mysterious world of Charles Dickens: The Hanged Man’s Bride by Blue Orange Arts is a tale of suspense and intrigue, questioning what is real and what is not. Step into the tumultuous world of social media in Addict from Motovoho Productions, when a seemingly innocuous tweet goes viral, the relentless online trolls attack in this brand-new tale of revenge and self-discovery.

Death Becomes Us by Hannah Whittingham is a brand new drama that faces death head-on with confessions, music and an explanation as to why no decent death jokes exist. One Sugar, Stirred to the Left by Karekare Production is a heart-warming new musical play, where nurse Bronwyn finds herself commissioned to write an album by one of her dying patients.

Based on true events of one woman’s odyssey to escape Syria’s brutal war with her baby Hagar: War Mother by Amena Shehab is apoignant journey. Winning is more than eternity in The Gospel of Joan (Crawford) by teatrito where five women united in Hell face a high-stakes poker match dealt by the illustrious Joan Crawford, vying for a spot in Heaven. 

Music & Musicals

here’s crimes, rhymes, and good times in the thrilling world of The Detective’s Demise by Grownup Playhouse. In this new murder-mystery comedy musical, a detective meets his demise at his own birthday party and trainee sleuth Molly Evans is keen to crack the case.  There’s a wild ride through the trials and triumphs of growing up in Essex in Trust Me, I’m from Essex. Buckle up as Lindsay Lucas-Bartlett takes you on a wild ride through what it was like growing up in Essex, being bullied at school, and everything in between. Five down the rabbit hole in the family-friendly adventure Alice in Wonderland by Nardone’s Academy of Performing Arts a brand-new musical adaptation of the timeless classic that’s packed with zany adventures, curious characters, and whimsical wonders.

Discover the remarkable life story of Helen Carte in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Improbable New Musical: …and Helen by The Coily Dart Theatre Company that features music from every Gilbert & Sullivan production and shines a spotlight on Carte’s contributions to the success of these famous operettas. Frankie Mack – The Vegas Showman stars the electrifying Frankie Mack. Experience a powerhouse fusion of charm, energy, flair, smoothness, and wit as Mack channels the spirits of Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Robbie Williams, Michael Bublé, and Freddie Starr. 

Night Owl Shows return with a packed programme of old favourites and brand-new shows in their inimitable style depicting the lives of some of the most influential singer songwriters of the 20th Century. Returning fan favourites feature 007 Voices of Bond, California Dreams, Back to Black: The Music of Amy Winehouse, The Blondie Story, The Billy Joel Story, The Look of Dusty and The Fleetwood Mac Story. Whilst new for 2024 are 21: The Music of Adele with the awe-inspiring Ella McCready, The Elton John Story, and The Story of Sting and The Police fromAngus Munro whilst Hannah Richards premieres the newest addition to the award-winning Night Owl line-up in The Kate Bush Story.

Comedy


Join Private Eye’s MD Phil Hammond and DrClare Gerada in Fifty Minutes to Save the NHS as they devise a revolutionary health manifesto with your help. Blending the silly with the serious, this subversive take on the challenges facing the NHS is supporting the charity, Doctors in Distress. Prepare to have your perceptions of pleasure dissected and examined in The Ins and Outs of Pleasure by Phil Hammond. Using a blend of science and storytelling, Phil Hammond helps audiences in safe and sustainable pleasuring practices.

In the whimsical world of AL! The Weird Tribute (and How Daniel Radcliffe Got Mixed Up in This Nonsense) by Steve Goodie, “Weird Al” Yankovic and Daniel “Harry Potter” Radcliffe join forces at the Fringe (sort of)! Packed full of laughter, surprises, and perhaps a touch of magic.

This fabulous new comedy from viral sensation Tom Hearn in Tom Hearn Live: How Fabulous is That?! whichfeatures an array of original characters alongside musical performances and guest appearances. Laugh until your sides ache with Antics Joke Show: Sketch and Improv Comedy by Up the Antics with their mix of sketches, improvising and non-stop laughter. 

And finally, don’t miss Ajahnis Charley: Thots and Prayers as the feisty twink navigates the challenges of Gay Heaven. Witness the HOMO, or suffer the FOMO.

Plenty of shows to pour over and ponder for the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Emergency appeal launched to help children on the brink of starvation

International school feeding charity Mary’s Meals is asking for urgent support in response to the spiralling hunger crisis in Ethiopia’s Tigray region 

Mary’s Meals has launched an emergency appeal to deliver urgent food aid to children in Ethiopia who are on the brink of starvation. 

The current situation in Ethiopia is dire. A combination of drought, displacement, and brutal conflict has left huge areas of the country in crisis. Having lived through the atrocities of the Tigray War, millions of Ethiopians are facing emergency levels of food insecurity and hunger. 

The most recent assessment of food security needs from the Government of Ethiopia projected that 15.8 million people in the East African country will face hunger and need food assistance in 2024. This includes more than four million internally displaced people and 7.2 million experiencing high levels of food insecurity and needing emergency help1. 

International school feeding charity Mary’s Meals has been working in Ethiopia since 2017 and feeds 24,320 children every school day. With its local partner, it provides daily school meals to marginalised and disadvantaged children in the impoverished Tigray region in the north-east of the country, close to the Eritrean border. 

The Tigray region is one of the worst affected by the hunger crisis. According to the BBC, 200,000 children in Tigray have left school in the last three months alone2, with many of them working, begging or scavenging for food to survive. 

During the civil war, Mary’s Meals provided community feeding programmes to 30,000 people while schools were closed and families were displaced. 

Following the ceasefire agreement in November 2022 and the re-opening of schools, Mary’s Meals has now fully reinstated its school feeding programme across Tigray. This is bringing hungry children back into education and providing a lifeline to them and their families living in extreme poverty in these challenging days.  

But with an estimated 7.6 million children in Ethiopia out of school because of the conflict and climate shocks3, it is critical that the programme is extended to attract more children into the classroom where they will be given energy to learn and the hope of a brighter future. 

Now, there is an urgent dual priority – ensuring that children in Tigray have food and boosting their chances of engaging with education again. 

Matt Barlow, Executive Director of Mary’s Meals, says: “The stories we are hearing from our partner in Ethiopia are simply devastating. 

“The two-year civil war has caused widespread destruction and left physical and mental scars on people all over Tigray, including children – many of whom have missed years of schooling and who are now starving. The war has undone years of progress in Tigray’s education system and we know the impact of children missing years of learning is huge. 

“With your support, we can bring these hungry children back to the classroom and give them a nutritious meal which will allow them to focus on their lessons and give them an education. Ultimately this will help to lift them, their families and communities out of the extreme poverty they are living in”. 

As funds allow, Mary’s Meals’ partner is ready and waiting to extend its feeding programme to more schools, in areas of great need across the region. They will work together to reach as many more children as possible with daily meals in school over the coming weeks and months. 

Matt continues: “The situation is urgent. But there is something you can do. You can help to bring these desperate children back from the brink of starvation. 

“Throughout the UK, I have witnessed people respond with incredible acts of kindness in moments of crisis and when all hope may seem lost.

“Now, we need your support. Please donate what you can today – even the smallest donation can help to save a life.” 

To find out more about the Mary’s Meals Crisis in Ethiopia appeal, please visit www.marysmeals.org.uk/campaigns/crisis-in-ethiopia 

Edinburgh charity Smart Works boosted by Amazon donation

A women’s charity in Edinburgh has received a £2,000 donation from the Amazon Development Centre Scotland team in the city.

Smart Works Scotland provides unemployed women with clothing for interviews, coaching and confidence training to have a better opportunity of securing employment. Opening its doors in 2014, the charity has supported thousands of women into employment.

Stacy Lundquist, Software Development Engineer at Amazon Development Centre Scotland, nominated the charity for support because of its positive impact over the last decade. She said: “I nominated Smart Works for support due to the impactful work that they do.

“Not only does the charity operate in communities across Scotland, but it effectively and actively combats many issues that UN Women has frequently highlighted, such as women’s economic empowerment.

“The staff and volunteers at Smart Works ensure that no unemployed woman is left in the dark about the next steps to a career.”

Rachel Shields, from Smart Works Scotland, added: “Thank you to Stacy and the team at Amazon Development Centre Scotland for their support and recognition of our hard work. 71% of our clients go on to get a job within one month of their time with us and, with donations like this, we can continue to help unemployed women reach their full potential.”

The donation forms part of Amazon’s Volunteer Cash Donation Programme, where Amazon employees nominate causes where they volunteer their time, to receive a cash donation.  In collaboration with hundreds of community organisations around the world, Amazon employees are encouraged to volunteer and support causes they’re passionate about.

Community cash donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates.

In 2022, Amazon co-founded the Multibank initiative with former Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families experinecing poverty. The first Multibank, ‘The Big Hoose’, opened in Lochgelly, Fife providing surplus essentials like nappies, toilet rolls, toothpaste and school uniforms, donated by businesses like Amazon and others, directly to those in need.

The initiative has gone on to donate more than 2 million goods to over 200,000 families across Scotland and Greater Manchester.

Amazon also helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good, including more than seven million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in partnership with Magic Breakfast.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief to help people tackle poverty and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose.

Last year, together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon raised over £2.7 million to fund projects that support people struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and tackle issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, and food insecurity across the UK, and around the world.

Amazon has supported more than 500,000 students across the UK with free computer science and STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer.

Learn more about the ways Amazon supports its communities at www.aboutamazon.co.uk/impact/community

Unions, lawyers and rights groups slam UK Government’s decision to reintroduce tribunal fees

Nearly 50 organisations including the TUC, Citizens Advice, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Fawcett Society, Maternity Action, Women’s Budget Group and Liberty call on government to reconsider its plans

Unions, legal networks and rights organisations have today (Monday) slammed the government’s decision to reintroduce employment tribunal fees. 

In a joint statement penned by 48 organisations and campaigners including the TUC, Citizens Advice, Maternity Action, Women’s Budget Group, Liberty, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Fawcett Society, Mother Pukka, the groups call on the government to urgently reconsider its plans. 

In 2017, after Unison brought a legal challenge, the Supreme Court quashed the previous tribunal fees regime because it “effectively prevents access to justice and is therefore unlawful.”  

The joint statement says the decision will put yet another hurdle in front of those seeking justice, highlighting the existing barriers working people face including: 

  • Lack of awareness of key employment rights and the process for bringing a claim.  
  • Strict time limits on filing claims.  
  • An under-resourced employment tribunal system leading to significant delays in cases being heard.  
  • An under-funded labour market enforcement system that doesn’t have enough inspectors to proactively enforce employment rights. 

The groups say that introducing fees will encourage exploitation of workers: 

“We believe this will deter many from lodging worthy claims and gives a green light to bad employers to exploit their workers. 

“Bad employers are being given the go-ahead to undercut good ones, safe in the knowledge they are less likely to face claims in the employment tribunal.  

“Employment rights are only real if they are enforced. Tribunal fees risk pricing many workers out of workplace justice.” 

They raise concerns about the impact on workers in the middle of a cost of living crisis: 

“Workers seeking recovery of wage theft, unpaid redundancy pay and compensation for unfair dismissal are to be asked to stump up extra money at an incredibly tough moment in their lives.  

“Fee exemption procedures are complex and difficult to understand for many, especially within the three months’ time limit for most claims. 

“Fees are also being levied at a time when rising inflation and subdued wages are putting pressure on family budgets. Access to justice must never be contingent on your ability to pay.” 

And they warn that those at the sharp end includes workers already at high risk of mistreatment 

“Tribunal fees risk pricing many workers out of workplace justice, especially workers at greater risk of employment law violations such as pregnant workers, disabled workers and migrant workers.” 

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “All working people should be able to enforce their rights. But introducing fees for tribunals puts yet another hurdle in the way of those seeking justice at their most vulnerable moment. 

“The Conservatives have already tried this and failed. Last time they introduced tribunal fees, claims dropped by two-thirds. And the Supreme Court threw fees out – saying they interfered with access to justice. 

“That should have been the nail in the coffin for these cynical plans, but ministers have decided to side with bad bosses over workers and resurrect employment tribunal fees. 

“Employment tribunal fees give employers a pass to exploit workers – whether it’s discrimination, unfair sackings or withheld wages. 

“Working people shouldn’t be picking up the bill for exploitative employers’ poor behaviour. It’s plain wrong. Ministers must halt their plans without delay.” 

Rosalind Bragg, Director at Maternity Action Group, said:  “For pregnant women and new mothers in the cost of living crisis, every penny counts.  Charging fees for employment tribunal claims puts the justice system out of reach for women at a time when they are most in need of protection. 

“If the Government is serious about stamping out maternity discrimination, they should be reducing barriers to justice not increasing them. Fees will reduce the deterrent effect of the employment tribunal, reassuring bad employers that they can get away with breaking the law. 

“We have laws in place to secure equal treatment of pregnant women and new mothers at work but these are ineffective without the robust operation of the employment tribunal. 

“Fees are a step backwards in the fight for gender equality.” 

The Joint Statement reads: 

As organisations that advocate for workers’ ability to enforce their rights, we strongly oppose the government’s plans to impose fees on people who file an employment tribunal claim. 

Following a landmark victory by trade union UNISON, the previous employment fees regime was ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court due to its restriction on access to justice and discriminatory impact. 

It appears the government is intent on repeating the mistakes of the past. 

We believe reintroducing tribunal fees would block many from lodging worthy claims and give a green light to bad employers to exploit their workers. 

There are already considerable barriers to those seeking justice at work: 

  • An under-resourced employment tribunal system leading to significant delays in cases being heard. 
  • An under-funded labour market enforcement system that doesn’t have enough inspectors to proactively enforce employment rights. 
  • Lack of awareness of key employment rights. 
  • A complicated process for bringing a claim. 
  • Difficulty in accessing legal support. 
  • Strict time limits on filing claims. 

Workers seeking recovery of wage theft, unpaid redundancy pay and compensation for unfair dismissal are to be asked to stump up extra money at an incredibly tough moment in their lives. Fee exemption procedures are complex and difficult to understand for many, especially within the three months’ time limit for most claims. 

Fees are also being levied at a time when rising inflation and subdued wages are putting pressure on family budgets. Access to justice must never be contingent on your ability to pay. 

Meanwhile bad employers are being given the go-ahead to undercut good ones, safe in the knowledge they are less likely to face claims in the employment tribunal. 

Employment rights are only real if they are enforced. Tribunal fees risk pricing many workers out of workplace justice, especially workers at greater risk of employment law violations such as pregnant workers, disabled workers and migrant workers. 

We urge the government to reconsider its plans. 

Signatories: 

Trades Union Congress 

Focus on Labour Exploitation (FLEX) 

Maternity Action 

Pregnant Then Screwed  

Young Women’s Trust (Clairee Reindorp, CEO) 

Liberty 

Mother Pukka, Anna Whitehouse 

Inclusion London 

BARAC UK  

Citizens Advice 

Anti Trafficking and Labour Exploitation Unit (ATLEU) 

The William Gomes Podcast  

After Exploitation 

Latin American Women’s Rights Service (LAWRS) for Refugees 

Migrant Voice 

Kalayaan 

Work Rights Centre 

Southeast and East Asian Centre (SEEAC) 

Kanlungan Filipino Consortium 

Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA)  

Community Policy Forum 

Right to Remain 

Advice Services Alliance 

Anti-Slavery International 

Migrants’ Rights Network 

Disability Rights UK 

Legal Action Group 

Protect 

Fawcett Society 

Your Employment Settlement Service 

Just Fair 

Labour Behind the Label 

Legal Aid Practitioners Group 

Highfields Centre  

War on Want 

The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI) 

Anti-Trafficking Monitoring Group (ATMG) 

Equally Ours 

Snowdrop Project 

Haldane Society of Socialist Lawyers  

Roma Support Group 

No Sweat 

Free Representation Unit 

Hope for Justice 

Greater Manchester Law Centre 

Joseph Rowntree Foundation 

Rights of Women 

Volunteering Drop-In at PCHP

WEDNESDAY 28th FEBRUARY from 9.30am – 12.00pm

Curious about volunteering?

Pop along to PCHP for a hot drink & a chat with Natalie Wednesday 28 February 9:30am-12 noon.

Informal drop-in sessions let you know how to volunteer in your community, make new friends, enhance your skills, or develop new ones!

@PiltonComHealth EH5

The National Galleries of Scotland celebrates the return of Antonio Canova’s The Three Graces

The National Galleries of Scotland celebrates the return of Antonio Canova’s The Three Graces to the National in Edinburgh, for the first time in eleven years.

Jointly owned with the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, this extraordinary marble sculpture usually rotates between the two locations every seven years however was delayed due to the opening of the new Scottish galleries at the National.

Regarded internationally as an exquisite example of neoclassical European sculpture, this is an exciting opportunity for visitors to see the work in the heart of Edinburgh for free.

The sculpture represents Euphrosyne, Aglaia and Thalia, the three daughters of Zeus and Eurynome according to Greek mythology.

The three graces are associated with Aphrodite (Venus) and embody qualities such as shared friendship or chastity, beauty and love.

Be Your Own Boss in 2024

Business Gateway West Lothian has announced plans for a free ‘start up’ event on Thursday, 29th February at West Lothian College from 5-7pm to help budding entrepreneurs turn their business idea into a successful new venture.  

The ‘Simplifying the Business Start Up Process’ event will be hosted by Business Gateway West Lothian trainers and advisers and cover everything from strategic business planning and building a strong brand to sustainable practices and financial support.

There will also be a panel discussion with local business owners Sarah-Jane Watson, founder of Watson Estate Agency in Armadale and Claudia Willunat founder of e-commerce business, Claudia’s K9 Coats for pets, who both launched their businesses in October last year.  Also attending will be Lewis Gold, founder of Geeza Pizza pop up street food truck based at Houston Industrial Estate, which he started in December last year.

The speakers will be sharing their journeys so far and tips to help other founders bring their business ideas to life and take part in an audience Q&A session.  There will also be opportunities for all attendees to network at the event.

Linzi Winton from Business Gateway West Lothian said: “We are really looking forward to our ‘Simplifying the Business Start Up Process’ event for budding entrepreneurs who would benefit from a helping hand to get them started and gain insight into simplifying the process of being a new business owner.

“At Business Gateway West Lothian our aim is to help make things easier for anyone in business, particularly at the beginning when it can feel slightly daunting and people don’t know where to access impartial and confidential support.

“Our trainers and advisers will be on hand at the event to answer any questions and offer advice on the processes from planning and marketing to financial projections and HR, and attendees will also be able to hear from our three new start-up guests on their experiences and learnings, and network with other businesses.”

Sarah-Jane Watson said: “Since launching my business in September 2023, it’s been quite the rollercoaster ride. The support I’ve received from Business Gateway West Lothian, starting from our initial conversation, has been invaluable in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship. 

“This includes assistance in accessing grant support and crafting a business plan that has effectively steered my business forward and been instrumental in keeping me on track.

“I’m eagerly anticipating the opportunity to share my journey at the upcoming event at West Lothian College. My goal is to motivate and inspire others to embark on their own entrepreneurial endeavours and get all the help they can, as the support I’ve received from Business Gateway West Lothian for almost four months has truly been a game-changer.”

“The event will be formally opened by Executive Councillor for Economy, Community Empowerment & Wealth Building, Kirsteen Sullivan.  

Councillor Sullivan said, “I know how important new start businesses are to the economy.  

“In West Lothian, the Council’s Business Gateway team helps over 300 new starts every year.  These businesses add more than £14.5 million to West Lothian’s economy.  

“I’d encourage anyone who has always dreamed of being their own boss to come along to the event on the 29th.  Now’s the time to make that business dream a reality.”

UK steps up health support for women and girls in Gaza

£4.25 million in UK aid will help ensure UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, can provide life-saving support to vulnerable women and girls

  • Foreign Secretary David Cameron announces £4.25m in aid to support sexual and reproductive healthcare in Gaza.
  • Support expected to help UN agency UNFPA reach more than 110,000 women with community midwives, menstrual hygiene kits and clean birth delivery kits.
  • Comes as women and girls in Gaza increasingly at risk of disease, pregnancy complications and gender-based violence.

The Foreign Secretary has announced new funding to tackle the sexual and reproductive healthcare crisis in Gaza. The £4.25 million in UK aid will help ensure UNFPA, the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, can provide life-saving support to vulnerable women and girls.

This support is expected to reach about 111,500 women, around 1 in 5 of the adult women in Gaza. It will support up to 100 community midwives, the distribution of around 20,000 menstrual hygiene management kits and 45,000 clean delivery kits.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron confirmed the additional funding in response to a UN flash appeal for the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

Women and girls are particularly at risk from disease, pregnancy complications and gender-based violence in Gaza currently, with 85% of people displaced and currently just 13 out of the 36 hospitals partially functional, with one specialist maternity hospital functioning.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said: “Women are bearing the brunt of the desperate humanitarian situation in Gaza today. Many thousands of women are currently pregnant and will be worrying about delivering their babies safely.

“This new UK funding will help make giving birth safer and improve the lives of mothers and their new-born babies. 

“We need to see an immediate pause in the fighting so we can secure the safe release of hostages, get more aid in, and allow organisations like UNFPA to do their vital work effectively.”

UNFPA Executive Director, Dr. Natalia Kanem, said: “In Gaza, the reality for women and girls is horrific – and getting worse each day. They have little to no access to essential health services and menstrual supplies, and many are forced to give birth in unsafe conditions that put their lives and those of their babies at risk.

“The support of the United Kingdom and other partners is vital to get lifesaving resources directly to women and girls in desperate need.”

UNFPA is providing life-saving reproductive health supplies for women and girls in Gaza. Since the most recent crisis began, UNFPA has provided nearly 74,000 adolescents and children with psychosocial support and financial support for over 2,000 vulnerable women at risk of gender- based violence to purchase essential menstrual and hygiene items.

There were an estimated 50,000 pregnant women in Gaza at the start of the crisis, with more than 180 births occurring each day and over 5,500 women expected to deliver in the next month.

The UK has trebled our aid commitment to the Occupied Palestinian Territories this financial year and we are doing everything we can to get more aid in and open more crossings, including calling for an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out.

Israel must take steps, working with other partners including the UN and Egypt, to significantly increase the flow of aid into Gaza including allowing prolonged humanitarian pauses, opening more routes into Gaza and restoring and sustaining water, fuel and electricity.