Month: March 2024

Edinburgh politicians pledge to protect fishing

Major exhibition inspires over three days at Scottish Parliament

MORE THAN 50 MSPs including three party leaders have put their names to a pledge that commits them to protect and support Scotland’s vital fishing industry and coastal communities.

Among the signatories to the pledge include MSP for Edinburgh Eastern, Ash Regan, over half of all backbench MSPs, Anas Sarwar, Edinburgh Western’s Alex Cole-Hamilton and Douglas Ross, Scottish party leaders of Labour, Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives respectively, as well as senior figures from the SNP and Alba.

The backing comes as the sector is represented by a moving exhibition featuring portraits and accounts of those working in and around fishing, including vessel owners, skippers, deckhands, scientists and analysts.

“Pride in the Seas” is an exhibition and campaign run by the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation (SFF) in partnership with renowned photographer Ian Georgeson and was held in the Garden Lobby at Holyrood between 19 and 21 March.

Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands said: “The spirit and vitality of our fishing industry and coastal communities is something of which we should all be rightly proud, and which is powerfully captured by this exhibition. 

“The Scottish fishing industry is world renowned and remains at the forefront of sustainable fishing practices. It helps support many jobs around the country and is embedded in our culture.

“The Scottish Government shares the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation’s vision of a fishing industry that endures and thrives.

“Through robust evidence and marine planning we will continue to work with all sectors to manage the increased competition for our shared marine space, supporting commitments to net zero, protection of the marine environment, energy security, food security, and thriving communities.”

The pledge signed by politicians called on enhanced support of Scotland’s fishing communities, fishing’s role in food security, the importance of protection against loss of access to key fishing grounds and ensuring that policies recognise and support fishing’s role in producing low carbon, healthy and nutritious food.

Elspeth Macdonald, Chief Executive with the SFF, said: “It has been heartening to see so many MSPs and their teams engage very positively with us over the last few days.

“Given Scotland’s geography, many have coastal fishing communities within their constituencies and know first hand of the pressures that they – and the industry as a whole – has been under in recent years. It was great also to have MSPs from more urban and inland parts of Scotland recognise the importance of our sector, and to give us their support.

“Fishing has a vital role in food security and the country’s net zero aspirations – and the provision of sustainably sourced and low-carbon protein has never been more vital.

“This exhibition taps into the inherent pride and responsibility that those working in fishing feel and whilst there will always be things we can improve on, it is characterised by responsible, innovative businesses seeking to improve conditions for the next generation.”

Following its debut, the exhibition will be available for tour across towns, schools, museums and other public facilities around the country. 

Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023 the Scottish Fishermen’s Federation was established to represent a sustainable, prosperous fishing industry in Scotland.

It was borne in response to the need for greater political engagement when the UK joined the EU and in adapting to the first oil exploration which saw the proliferation of other activities in the historic fishing grounds of the North Sea. 

Fighting for the interests of 450 fishing vessels in Scotland’s fleet, the federation is made up of eight Associations which represent the sector from small creel boats to large pelagic and white fish trawlers.

The Pledge:

I pledge to support Scotland’s fishing communities by:

  • Supporting fishermen at sea and their colleagues ashore as a vital part of Scotland’s food story
  • Being a champion of the healthy, nutritious and sustainable food they produce
  • Being proud of this low carbon, climate-smart food sector
  • Supporting the call for strong, focused science to increase understanding
  • Backing the sector to get a fair deal in our crowded seas
  • Agreeing that food security is as important as energy security
  • Working with fishermen and fishing communities to ensure that they don’t just survive but will thrive in the decades to come.

I have Pride in our Seas, and all those who feed us from them.

Pride in the Seas case studies:

  • Trevor Spouse, Skipper in Eyemouth 
  • Mark Anderson, Skipper, and son Nicol, Deckhand, in Shetland 
  • Colin Stephen, Skipper in Peterhead
  • Mark Robertson, part-owner, and sons Paul and Adam, Skippers, in Fraserburgh
  • Willie John McLean, Skipper in Mallaig 
  • Erin Mackenzie, Deckhand in Mallaig
  • Dr Steve Mackinson, Chief Scientist, Scottish Pelagic Fishermen’s Association
  • Dr Paul Macdonald, Senior Fisheries Analyst, Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation
  • Elena Balestri, Senior Fisheries Policy and Science Manager, Scottish Fishermen’s Federation

The full exhibition and case studies are now available to view on the SFF website: https://www.sff.co.uk/news/category/pride-in-the-seas

Police Scotland’s latest canine recruits – Digital Evidence Detection Dogs

The latest additions to Police Scotland’s canine search capability – Digital Evidence Detection Dogs – are currently being trained before they are deployed operationally.

The dogs will assist officers investigating a crime where a digital device, such as a smartphone, tablet and laptop, may have been used and is believed to have been hidden.

The trainee dogs – Zen, a rescue Springer Spaniel, Xena, a Springer Spaniel/Labrador cross, Max a Sprocker, gifted by the previous owners who wanted him to have an active home, Pip, a Malinois/Australian Shepherd Cross, gifted by a member of the public and Willow, a Labrador – and their three specialist handlers are a national resource.

When their specialist training is complete they will be able to detect hidden devices and hardware which existing searches may not be able to identify.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1772272340295897436

Assistant Chief Constable Andy Freeburn said: “It is now extremely common for a digital device to be used in criminal activity, which is then concealed by the perpetrator to hide incriminating evidence.

“People and businesses are spending more and more time online and criminals will use any means available to them to exploit vulnerabilities and any method at their disposal. Digital devices are becoming smaller in size and those involved in criminal activity are becoming more adept at hiding them.

“Searches by humans can be limited and the dogs will provide an additional capability which make finding hidden devices easier.

“Police Scotland is committed to keeping everyone safe and this addition to our search capabilities will ensure there is no hiding place for criminals, even in the digital world.”

“The training of the dogs takes between six and eight weeks and when complete they will be an invaluable resource to assist our officers and staff search for evidence.”

The Digital Evidence Detection Dogs search capability is an additional resource and complementary to Police Scotland’s existing canine resources including those dogs that can currently search for drugs, explosives, cash, firearms, human remains and blood.

In December 2023, Benjamin Young from Dunoon was convicted of serious sexual offences against children.

For the first time in Scotland, a Digital Evidence Detection Dog, deployed from another force, assisted during the investigation by carrying out searches which located several SIM cards.

Last week Young was sentenced to 12 years in prison and had an Order of Lifelong Restriction imposed.

Edinburgh Leisure swim coach making waves as he heads to Paralympian trials

Scott Quin, a swim teacher with Edinburgh Leisure will be heading to The British Swimming Championships at the London Aquatics Centre in early April, hoping to qualify for a place in the Paris 2024 Paralympics (28th August – 8 September 2024).

Born with Crouzon Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, the ex-Warrender Baths-based swimmer has been swimming professionally for the last 12 years, funded by sportscotland and Scottish Swimming.  Scott has shown himself to be one of the strongest S14 swimmers in the country, having won medals at Paralympic, World and European level.

Scott Quin said: “At the age of 34 years, I’m now considered something of a veteran and realistically this will probably be my last opportunity to try for a place in the Paralympics.

“Having made my Paralympic debut at Rio 2016, marking it with a silver medal in the SB14 100m Breaststroke, it would be great to finish my competitive swimming career with one more chance to bring a medal home.

“For now, I’m busy with intense training and lots of swimming at the Royal Commonwealth and Edinburgh University pools, six to seven times a week combined with gym-based training at the Uni’s Pleasance gym and at the Commie, as well as working at my day job as a swim coach at Edinburgh Leisure’s Leith Victoria Swim Centre.”

Now considered a ‘veteran athlete’, and with his competitive swim career coming to an end and funding from British Swimming stopping, Quin explored opportunities outside of competitive swimming. 

Edinburgh Leisure offered him the chance to join their Swim Teacher Training Programme last summer for his next career pathway, where he could progress from being a full-time athlete and move into the ‘real working world’ but where he could still combine a career which involved swimming. 

The Swim Teacher Training programme, a structured 13-week training programme, ticked a lot of boxes for Scott – as not only does he receive training but also a salary, and on completion of the programme, was offered a job.

Scott said: “Life, as you can imagine, is particularly busy just now but I’m really excited about heading to London in April for the British Swimming Championships. I’m keeping everything crossed that I make the grade to join the team representing my country.”

The British Swimming Championships are returning to the London Aquatics Centre in 2024 and for the first time, the swimming and para-swimming events will fully combine in one competition as athletes look to book their place at Paris 2024.

The 2024 championships will take place at the venue at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 2-7 April with the event playing a key role in the selection of the British Olympic and Paralympic swimming teams for the Games in July.

Olympic and Paralympic swimming event schedules will run concurrently in the same programme across six days of heats and finals sessions. The para-swimming events will be run with multi-classification competitions.

It’s the first time since 2015 that the national championships will be held at the Aquatics Centre although it staged the British Swimming Selection Trials ahead of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Judy Murray to get tails wagging at Musselburgh’s Corgi Derby

TV star and mother of tennis greats will be VIP at Musselburgh Racecourse

JUDY MURRAY OBE will start the third annual Corgi Derby – the popular “four-legged sprint with a difference” that kicks off The Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Raceday at Musselburgh Racecourse.

Taking place after 2023’s hotly contested race, the event will see the return of reigning champion Rodney, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi who saw off 13 other competitors, including a distant relative of one of the late Queen’s beloved pets.

First launched as part of the racecourse’s Jubilee celebrations, the event was moved to the annual Easter Saturday Raceday as a nod to the event’s royal connections, which include the £100,000 Queen’s Cup race named after Elizabeth II.

It has subsequently become hugely successful, attracting global media coverage and attention – and will once again hopefully be televised on ITV Racing.  

Judy Murray, said: “It’s going to be a tough job to match the excitement of last year’s photo finish, but I know the dogs and their owners have been putting in the hard work behind the scenes, so I have very high hopes. 

“The racecourse team have thought of everything to make this day a perfect Easter outing, whether you’re going for the family-friendly entertainment, the fun, food, friends and fizz, the top-quality racing or – like me – a combination of all of those.

“It’s one of my favourite days of the year!”

Following the Corgi Derby at 12pm, a Mini Queen’s Cup will feature local audiences of all ages from Musselburgh before an action-packed schedule of racing, including the Scottish Sprint Cup – regarded as Scotland’s fastest race.

The Queen’s Cup will see riders bid for a share of a £100,000 prize pot, with high-calibre racing from 1:50 through to 5:20.

There is an abundance of activities too available for everyone looking for an Easter get-together with a difference, including action-packed mini-events and activities for the whole family. 

Aisling Johnston, Head of Marketing and Business Development with Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “We couldn’t have predicted how popular the Corgi Derby would become, they have such a great character.

“It’s the perfect way to kick off Easter Saturday, which is one of our biggest annual events, even gaining the royal seal of approval along the way. There really is something for everyone.”

Racegoers will be met with an abundance of quality food and drink offerings, from a hand-picked selection of Scotland’s best street food stalls to formal drinks and dining packages.

With an after-racing party the event promises to be one of the biggest social gatherings on the Easter social calendar.

The Virgin Bet Easter Saturday Raceday on 30th March 2024 will open doors at 11:30 am, and the first race is off at 1:50 pm (subject to change). Book your tickets before midnight on the 29th of March and save £5.00 per person with under 17s going free when accompanied by an adult, T&Cs apply.

For more information and to book tickets now for Easter Saturday, visit: 

https://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/view-fixture/easter-saturday-30-03-2024#tickets-header

Jenny Gilruth: Commitment to the right to free education

Enhanced opportunities for people of all ages

Independence would allow Scotland to further improve its education system, including a proposal to enshrine the government’s policy on free tuition in Scotland’s permanent constitution, according to a new paper published by the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth.

‘Education and Lifelong Learning in an Independent Scotland’, the latest paper in the Building a New Scotland series, sets out the Scottish Government’s policy proposals for education following independence.

Independence would allow future Scottish Governments to:

  • propose that the government’s policy on free university tuition becomes part of an independent Scotland’s permanent constitution, subject to the deliberations of a future Constitutional Convention
  • use all the powers of an independent nation to fully tackle child poverty, helping to ensure every child in Scotland has the opportunity to reach their full potential
  • incorporate – in full – the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law, further enhancing children’s rights
  • consider enhancements to the length and level of paid maternity leave and extending the current statutory two week leave and pay provision for partners as well as providing additional weeks of shared parental leave taken at the end of the 52 week maternity period
  • rejoin EU exchange programmes that benefit students such as Erasmus+ as part of the EU and foster good global connections by promoting international research exchange

Ms Gilruth said: “Our education system shows why making decisions in Scotland, for Scotland, is better for people who live here. 

“Since 1999 we have been able to take choices to improve opportunities for our young people – including abolishing tuition fees, expanding free school meals and investing in transformational early learning and childcare.

“But the outcomes for our children and young people continue to be harmed by decisions taken by the UK Government – particularly in terms of social security cuts, which are impacting children and families the most.

“Independence puts the full powers to tackle child poverty in Scotland’s hands, and would allow us to build on our existing policies. Modelling published last month estimates that Scottish Government policies will keep 100,000 children out of relative poverty in 2024-25.

“As we have already set out, we would enshrine economic, social and cultural rights – including the right to education – in the interim constitution, effective from day one of independence.

“The Scottish Government would propose that our policy on free university tuition is enshrined in the permanent constitution of an independent Scotland, subject to the deliberations of the Constitutional Convention.

“Independence would put significant economic and legislative levers in Scotland’s hands and give future Scottish Governments a range of opportunities to do things differently on a range of key issues, like children’s rights, tackling child poverty, reserved childcare support schemes and parental leave.

“This paper sets out just some of the opportunities open to future independent Scottish Governments to build a successful and thriving Scotland.

“It shows the potential that can be unlocked for our children, young people and families – the best start in life in a fair and prosperous independent nation.”

Building a New Scotland: Education and lifelong learning in an independent Scotland

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade

Lothian list MSP Foysol Choudhury yesterday – the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade – reaffirmed his commitment to campaigning for Scotland to address the legacies of slavery and colonialism in its past.

Mr Choudhury attended a Remembrance Ceremony in Edinburgh’s St. Andrew Square Gardens, where the Melville Monument stands to Henry Dundas. A replacement plaque, which explains Dundas’ role in slavery and recognises those who suffered enslavement as a consequence, has recently been installed on the Monument after the original was taken in September 2023.

Also in attendance were the Councillor Robert Aldridge, the Rt.Hon. Lord Provost, Councillor Cammy Day, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, Irene Mosota and Professor Sir Geoff Palmer.

Mr Choudhury says the Remembrance Ceremony and its link to the recent replacement of the plaque was a reminder of the importance of the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

MSP Choudhury said: “Today, we remember those who were the victims of slavery, including the more than half a million Africans whose enslavement was a consequence of Henry Dundas’ actions in deferring the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade.

“This day should be a reminder of the horrors of the past and a resolution to never let this past repeat.

“Sadly, we are clearly still facing people who are trying to silence history and who removed the original Melville Monument plaque which exposes Dundas’ actions and remembers victims of slavery.

“In removing the plaque, a site of education and remembrance was removed-we must be resolute in maintaining these education sites to address historical prejudices and educate the public on parts of Scottish history which have caused decades of hate, racism and discrimination.

“I am glad that the replacement plaque was in place for today’s poignant and important Remembrance Ceremony, as a mark that we must take strides forward in our fight to address Scotland’s historical role in slavery and colonialism and build trust from the communities who this past has affected.”

Mr Choudhury also noted his support for Councillor Cammy Day’s comments that “we will not allow the actions of a minority to derail the important ongoing work to address the legacies of slavery and colonialism in our city”.

MSP Choudhury said he would continue to work on highlighting the importance of education to address historical injustices such as slavery and colonialism perpetrated by Scotland and the effects of this, such as racism, which still exists in modern-day Scotland.

Mr Choudhury concluded: “I hope that this important work continues to build a more equitable, just future for Edinburgh and Scotland which addresses past wrongs and their modern-day consequences.”

Sir Geoff Palmer, the Honorary President of Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), of which Mr Choudhury is the Chair, played a significant role in the installation and the replacement of the Plaque which is dedicated to the slaves who were enslaved by Henry Dundas’ gradual abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade.  

Sir Geoff commented at the event: “Today you’re witnessing a wonderful act of democracy, a wonderful act of equality and fairness because our Government decided an individual had no right to remove a memorial plaque for people who suffered the most profitable evil the world has known.”

Sir Geoff concluded by quoting Robert Burns, saying that enslavers are “Hands that took but never gave. And we had today, hands that gave and did not take.”

Opportunity to view proposals for former Saica site at Maybury

ONE THOUSAND HOMES AND HOTEL PROPOSED FOR WEST EDINBURGH SITE

The public are to be given the chance to view and comment on exciting proposals for a sustainable residential-led development at Maybury Quarter Edinburgh, site of the former Saica packaging facility in West Edinburgh.

Promoted by regeneration specialists, Summix Capital, Maybury Quarter Edinburgh provides an ideal opportunity to regenerate this former industrial location on Turnhouse Road, which covers 15.5-acre (6.3 hectares).

The flagship low carbon neighbourhood aims to deliver a mix of uses, including housing, hotel, commercial and retail uses. This brownfield site is allocated in the Council’s Proposed City Plan 2030 for residential-focused redevelopment.

The first public consultation event outlining the proposals will be TOMORROW – Wednesday 27th March 2024 – at Delta Hotels by Marriott, 111 Glasgow Rd, Edinburgh EH12 8NF between 2pm and 7pm. 

A second event will be held on 22nd May 2024 at the same venue and time, presenting updated proposals which will include appropriate feedback and comments from the first event and other stakeholder engagement.

Further information will be made available at www.maybury-quarter.co.uk, which will host consultation materials on the day of the event.

The proposals for Maybury Quarter will ‘aim to deliver a balanced mix of uses that promote health, wellbeing and sustainable lifestyles which are designed to encourage a strong sense of place and community’.

It will aim to deliver:

  • 1000 homes
  • Hotel – 120-150 rooms
  • Retail/potential local centre – 30,000 sq. ft. overall
  • Extensive green spaces will be created, with high-quality public realm and access arrangements

The housing proposed will include tenure blind affordable housing, addressing the city’s well-publicised housing emergency, and including the provision of accessible family homes and Build to Rent (BTR) accommodation. BTR sees homes built specifically for rent, rather than sale.

It is anticipated than an application for detailed planning permission to City of Edinburgh Council will be submitted towards the end of 2024.

Stuart Black, Development Director for Summix Capital, commented: “We are delighted to give the community the chance to view and feedback on our proposals for Maybury Quarter Edinburgh, which provides a unique opportunity to redevelop one of the last major pieces of brownfield land in the city into a brand-new, sustainable mixed-use community. 

“The site’s regeneration has the potential to provide much-needed homes, employment and investment, helping to address the current housing emergency, and taking advantage of and strengthening already excellent public transport links by train, tram, bus and cycle.

“Maybury Quarter must be one of the most exciting and best-connected development sites in Scotland.”

Spain-based paper and cardboard company Saica has relocated to a purpose-built facility at Deans Road in Livingston.  It is active in nine other European countries.

About Summix Capital

Summix Capital is a regeneration company specialising in development projects across the UK and Ireland.  Working with its partners, it has successfully delivered thousands of homes in the UK and Ireland since its foundation in 2006.

It works closely with sector specialists across the property space, unlocking challenging sites and helping speed up what can often be a long development process from conception to delivery. Its aspiration is to ensure that housing, student accommodation and mixed-use schemes are delivered where they are most needed.

The company’s vision for regeneration involves taking on sites with vacant possession to dormant, dilapidated structures and developing a viable plan for their redevelopment and repurposing.  At a time when the demand for housing far outstrips supply, a steady flow of land is essential.

In 2017, the Summix Capital Partners I LP fund was launched to further enhance its ability to deliver larger and more complex projects. 

Further information about Summix is available at: https://summix.com/

RAF airdrops over 10 tonnes of food supplies to civilians in Gaza

The Royal Air Force airdropped over 10 tonnes of food supplies into Gaza for the first time yesterday (Monday 25 March 2024), as part of international efforts to provide life-saving assistance to civilians. 

The aid consists of water, rice, cooking oil, flour, tinned goods and baby formula.

The Defence Secretary authorised the airdrop following an assessed reduction in threat to the military mission and risk to civilians.

An RAF A400M flew from Amman, Jordan to airdrop this aid along the northern coastline of Gaza, as part of the Jordanian-led international aid mission. UK personnel worked closely with the Royal Jordanian Air Force to plan and conduct this mission. 

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The UK has already tripled our aid budget to Gaza, but we want to go further in order to reduce human suffering. Today’s airdrop has provided a further way to deliver humanitarian support and I thank the RAF personnel involved in this essential mission, as well as our Jordanian partners for their leadership.

“The hell that was unleashed by the October 7th Hamas attack has led to wide-scale innocent loss of life. The UK’s goal is to use every route possible to deliver life-saving aid, whether that is by road, air or new routes via the sea. 

“We also continue to call on Israel to provide port access and open more land crossings in order to increase incoming aid deliveries to Gaza.”

The A400M is a highly capable tactical and strategic airlift platform and today’s airdrop was its first ever mission delivering humanitarian aid by parachute. Both RAF and British Army personnel participated in the mission. The drop zones were surveyed before and during the airdrop to ensure aid was delivered directly to civilians. 

This airdrop is part of ongoing UK efforts to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza and follows recent land deliveries of 2,000 tonnes of UK food aid to feed more than 275,000 people and thousands of UK-funded blankets, tents and other relief items, as well as the establishment of a full UK-funded field hospital in Gaza run by British charity UK-Med.

The UK remains committed to ensuring aid reaches those who need it most, as Palestinians continue to face a devastating and growing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The UK has previously supported international airdrops, providing around 600 parachutes at the request of Jordan and Bahrain and supplying critical aid for a Jordanian airdrop to Tal Al-Hawa Hospital in northern Gaza.

Between October and November 2023, the RAF also delivered aid and humanitarian supplies to Egypt for distribution by the Egyptian Red Crescent and UNRWA. 

The UK continues to work with allies, including Cyprus, the United States, European Union and United Arab Emirates, to open a direct maritime corridor to Gaza.

UK defence planning teams are deployed in the United States and Cyprus to support this international effort and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is prepositioning aid in Cyprus.

The UK Hydrographic Office has also shared analysis of the Gazan shore with US planners to help establish a temporary aid pier. In January, the UK worked with Cypriot partners to pre-screen 87 tonnes of aid that was delivered by Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Lyme Bay to the Egyptian Red Cross for the people of Gaza.

The UK is also focused on ensuring more aid can enter Gaza by land, working closely with Jordan who have been instrumental in facilitating the UK’s humanitarian response. Last week, more than 2,000 tonnes of food aid was distributed by the World Food Programme on the ground. This adds to the 150 tonnes of UK-funded relief items, including blankets and tents, which arrived earlier this month, distributed by UNICEF.

Alongside the latest deliveries of aid, the UK has announced a further £10 million in aid funding for the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs), bringing the total spend to over £100 million this financial year. This funding will support UN agencies on the ground to deliver lifesaving aid and will also provide core relief items, such as tents, for the most vulnerable.

£30 million more funding to support mental health services

Further community support for adults, children and young people

Two funds to support projects aimed at improving mental health and wellbeing in adults, children and young people have been awarded a further £30 million.

The Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund for Adults, and the Children and Young People’s Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Supports, have been awarded £15 million each for 2024-25.

Launched in 2021, the fund for adults has supported grass roots community groups to deliver programmes for adults which build resilience and tackle social isolation, loneliness and mental health inequalities. Projects focused on connecting people and providing peer support were delivered through activities such as sport, outdoor activities and the arts.

Funding for the children and young people’s support began in 2020 to help with the mental health impact of the pandemic and its restrictions.

The new funding means more than £65 million has been made available to local authorities since then to deliver community-based mental health and wellbeing support for five to 24 year-olds and their families.

Support delivered includes mentoring, art-based therapies, digital services, whole-family support, counselling and sport or physical activities.

First Minister Humza Yousaf, who today visited Edinburgh Community Performing Arts Re-connect project for older people, said: “On becoming First Minister I reiterated my personal commitment to supporting those living with mental health challenges.

“We know how important it is for our society to have access to mental health and wellbeing support. That is why my government is committed to ensuring we fund vital services in our health service and in community settings to ensure we try, as much as possible, to provide a national network of community support for adults, children and young people.

“This further £30 million will fund community based projects which are focused on prevention and early intervention, and this is a significant step forward in supporting people’s mental health and wellbeing by making sure they can easily access the help they need, when and where they need it.

“Since 2020 the Scottish Government has invested over £100 million in community-based mental health support. An independent evaluation published last year shows that projects for adults have lowered social isolation thereby alleviating some of the negative mental and physical health impacts from the pandemic, as well as providing support and self-help for individuals with ill mental health issues.

“More than 300 children and young people’s supports and services are in now in place across the country, and evaluation published by the Scottish Youth Parliament found that nearly three-quarters of young people agreed or strongly agreed that they received support when they needed it.”

Fundraiser and Project Manager at Edinburgh Community Performing Arts Emma Stewart-Jones said: “We are delighted to have funding from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund.

“The difference that these community arts projects can have on individual’s health, sociability and well-being can be profound.”

‘Circle of good’ making a difference for Leith-based community bank

2023 has been a year of exceptional growth for Castle Community Bank headquartered in Leith. At the AGM it was reported that total membership has grown to over 46,000 at September 2023.

Chief Executive Adrian Sargent said: “I’m proud of our team, and the growth that we have achieved this year. We remain focussed on our social purpose of supporting communities, whilst helping our members to maximise their savings and manage debt as effectively as possible.

At the same time, our overall current Trustpilot rating of 4.8/5 shows we are getting the day-to-day experience right for our membership.”

Castle Community Bank aims to achieve sustainability through scale and is on track to do so with total assets now equal to £283m, making them one of the largest credit unions in the UK. Deposits have grown to £247m in 2023 and the loan book has increased to £225m in 2023.

Castle Community Bank Chair, Stephen Pearson said: “I like to think of our operating model as a ‘circle of good’.

“Savers like our top quartile interest rates and easy online joining process. Many of them also like the fact that we make their money go further by funding our affordable loan products, enabling people who struggle to access loans from mainstream banks to borrow what they need at affordable rates.

“In turn, prudent, commercial success enables us to grow our community programmes in Edinburgh and beyond: including providing debt advice support, sustainable food bank funding and ethical investment for charities and churches.

“Castle Community Bank is leading the way in expanding the credit union movement in the UK, delivering strong and sustainable growth, underpinned by sound risk management.”

The Scottish credit union was established in 2015 following the merger of two long established credit unions: Castle and North Edinburgh (above), along with the members of the Water of Leith Credit Union Study Group.

The study group was set up with the aim of establishing a Credit Union in Leith.

The difference between credit unions or mutuals and high street banks is they are owned and run by members, instead of shareholders, creating a shared financial community across the UK, which is accessible to everyone.