Come and share your experiences of accessing healthcare as a woman in Scotland!
Discussion topics will include: periods, pregnancy, maternity and motherhood, menopause, mental health, patient experience and more.
This free reminiscence group is open to 60+ and all participants will receive a £15 gift card for their contributions.
Join us on Thursday 18th April at 11am for reminiscence and refreshments at the Wee Hub Lounge (first floor of Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre), right beside The Wee Hub brought to you by The Living Memory Association.
More than £9 million is being made available over the next three years to give people who access social care more choice and control over decisions relating to their care.
This funding builds on an additional £2 billion investment in social care and integration, as part of the Scottish Budget for 2024-25, and delivers on the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase spending by 25% over this Parliament – two years ahead of the original target.
The funding for the national ‘Support in the Right Direction’ programme will enable organisations to deliver independent support and advocacy to help people live independently and participate in all aspects of life.
The grants are part of the Scottish Government’s Self-Directed Support Improvement Plan which empowers people to make informed choices about the support they need.
Social Care Minister Maree Todd said: “Through this funding, people and carers will be supported to have more choice and involvement in how their social care is delivered.
“We want everyone accessing social care to feel confident participating in every stage of their social care journey and be equal partners in their care and support decisions, so that they can live a full and independent life.
“The ambition is to have the right independent support available at the right time and place to meet the specific needs of each individual.”
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living Chief Executive Gaby Nolan said: “We are delighted to be awarded the Scottish Government funding.
“By offering peer support, as well as individualised casework, this funding will enable us over the next three years, to raise more awareness of Self-Directed Support to disabled people and carers, improve access and support people at all stages of their social care journey.
“This fund is also supporting us to work with carers from Black and Minority Ethnic communities increasing awareness and access and offering accessible, person-led support.”
Inspiring Scotland Chief Executive Celia Tennant said: “We are pleased to be working with the Scottish Government on Support in the Right Direction. This vital funding commitment will help bring stability to organisations over the next three years and strengthen the network across Scotland of providers of independent advice and advocacy with self-directed support.
“We know that locally based organisations are vital in enabling people and their carers to understand and navigate the social care systems in their areas.
“Each of these organisations bring expertise in social care, self-directed support and a good knowledge of local resources meaning they are best placed to work with people at every stage of their journey.”
MPs to vote on legislation to create first smoke-free generation, protecting young people turning 15 this year or younger from harms of smoking
MPs will vote today (16th April 2024) on world-leading legislation to protect future generations across the UK from the harmful effects of smoking.
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would make it an offence to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009 – children aged 15 or younger today. Smoking itself would not be criminalised and anyone who can legally buy tobacco today will never be prevented from doing so in the future by the legislation.
If passed, the Bill will progress to the next stage, bringing the UK closer to creating the first smoke-free generation.
Responsible for around 80,000 deaths annually, smoking is the UK’s single biggest preventable killer and costs the NHS and economy an estimated £17 billion a year—far more than the £10 billion annual revenue from tobacco taxation.
It is also highly addictive – 4 in 5 smokers start before the age of 20 and remain addicted for the rest of their lives despite most smokers having tried to quit.
The legislation will cover all tobacco products, recognising that tobacco kills two-thirds of long-term users. In England alone, almost every minute someone with a smoking-related condition is admitted to hospital.
The Bill will help deliver the Prime Minister’s commitment of creating a smokefree generation which could prevent over 470,000 cases of heart disease, stroke, lung cancer and other deadly diseases by the turn of the century.
Alongside action to prevent creating future smokers, the government has already announced significant additional funding for stop smoking services over the next five years, effectively doubling the money available for local initiatives that can help existing smokers to quit. The government is also rolling out an innovative financial incentives scheme to help all pregnant smokers to quit.
Health and Social Care Secretary, Victoria Atkins, said: “Too many people know someone whose life has been tragically cut short or irreversibly changed because of smoking, which despite significant progress remains the UK’s biggest preventable killer.
“The truth is that there is no safe level of tobacco consumption. It is uniquely harmful and that is why we are taking this important action today to protect the next generation.
“This Bill will save thousands of lives, ease the strain on our NHS, and improve the UK’s productivity.”
The Tobacco and Vapes Bill would also give the government new powers to tackle youth vaping by restricting flavours and regulating the way that vapes are sold and packaged to make them less appealing to children.
While vaping can play a useful role in helping adult smokers to quit, non-smokers and children should never vape. The long-term health impacts of vaping are unknown and the nicotine contained within them can be highly addictive.
To ensure compliance with the new rules, trading standards officers will be given new powers to issue on-the-spot fines (fixed penalty notices) to retailers unlawfully selling tobacco or vapes to children. All the money raised would be used to fund further enforcement action.
The Bill follows the government’s previously stated commitment to ban the sale and supply of disposable vapes under existing environmental legislation, which have been a key factor behind the rise in youth vaping. The ban is planned to take effect from April 2025.
Public Health Minister, Andrea Leadsom, said: “Smoking is the number one preventable cause of disability, ill health and death in this country. Once it becomes a habit, its addictive nature means that it is extremely difficult to stop.
“Because the case against these harmful products is so strong, it’s not surprising that the majority of the British public—including those who smoke and those who sell tobacco—support plans to protect the next generation from the misery of smoking.
“Our plan will save lives, ease the strain on our NHS, and ensure a brighter future for our children.”
Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for England said: “Smoking kills and causes harm at all stages of life from stillbirths, asthma in children, stroke, cancer to heart attacks and dementia.
“This Bill, if passed, will have a substantial impact – preventing disease, disability and premature deaths long into the future.”
Deborah Arnott, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health, said: “The Tobacco and Vapes Bill being voted on today is radical but, hard as it is now to believe, so were the smokefree laws when they were put before parliament. Parliamentarians can be reassured that the public they represent back the Bill.
“New research just published by ASH shows that the majority of tobacco retailers and the public, including smokers, support the legislation and the smokefree generation ambition it is designed to deliver. This historic legislation will consign smoking to the “ash heap of history.”
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive at the British Heart Foundation said: “Smoking continues to devastate the nation’s health, taking 15,000 UK lives every single year due to cardiovascular disease alone.
“Raising the age of sale for tobacco each year will be a game changer, meaning that future generations are protected from serious disease and death caused by smoking.
“Decisive action is needed to end this ongoing public health tragedy – we urge every MP to vote for this landmark legislation at the Bill’s Second Reading.”
Professor Steve Turner, Royal College for Paediatrics and Child Health President, said: “Without a doubt the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Bill will save lives.
“By stopping children and young people from becoming addicted to nicotine and tobacco we decrease their chances of developing preventable diseases later in life, and will protect children from the harms of nicotine addiction.
“As paediatricians, we strongly urge MPs to use the important responsibility they have and support this Bill to protect children’s and our nation’s current and future health.”
Dr Ian Walker, Executive Director of Policy at Cancer Research UK, said: “Today’s vote is a critical step towards the UK becoming a world leader in tobacco control. By voting in favour of the age of sale legislation, MPs will be putting us on the right side of history, and helping to create the first ever smokefree generation.
“Smoking is still the leading cause of cancer in the UK. Now is the time to take action, end cancers caused by smoking and save lives.”
The latest results from the annual UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS), led by wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC), show that 2023 was a mixed picture for butterflies, with some species soaring while others continued worrying declines.
Half the 58 species had a better than average year while the other half were below average at monitored sites. Species that flourished included Chequered Skipper, Brimstone, and Large Blue, which all recorded their best year since the UKBMS began in 1976.
Another species recording its best-ever year was the Red Admiral, a migratory species that has begun to overwinter in the UK as the climate has warmed, making it a common visitor across all habitats, including gardens. Its numbers have increased by 318% at monitored sites since 1976.
At the other end of the scale were the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and garden favourite the Small Tortoiseshell, recording their lowest numbers in the 48 years of monitoring, declining by 71% and 82%, respectively since 1976.
Small Tortoiseshell had its worst year on record in England, second worst in Wales and joint fifth worst in Scotland in 2023, but did really well in Northern Ireland, logging its second best year.
The Large Blue, which was reintroduced to the UK after becoming extinct in the 1970s, recorded its best year yet, showing the conservation work with this species is really working.
Other species that had a remarkable year include Brown Argus, Marbled White, Comma, Black Hairstreak, and Holly Blue, which all ranked in their top three best years since 1976. On the other hand, Cryptic Wood White, Grizzled Skipper, Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Grayling and Scotch Argus faced significant difficulties.
The Green-veined White and Ringlet both had a poor year, perhaps suffering ongoing effects from the drought the previous summer.
The UKBMS, which began in 1976, is one of the world’s longest-running insect monitoring schemes.
Dr Richard Fox, Head of Science at Butterfly Conservation, said: “Butterfly numbers fluctuate naturally from year to year, largely due to the weather, but the long-term trends of UK butterflies are mainly driven by human activity, including habitat damage and destruction, pesticide use, pollution and climate change.
“By monitoring long-term butterfly trends we can learn about the impact of climate change and other factors on our native wildlife.”
Dr Marc Botham, Butterfly Ecologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, added: “Butterflies are an indicator species, meaning they can tell us about the health of the wider environment, which makes the UKBMS data invaluable in assessing the health of our countryside and natural world in general.
” The mixed results this year emphasise the need for continued monitoring and conservation efforts to protect these important species and their habitats.”
Dr James Heywood, Breeding Bird Survey National Organiser at the British Trust for Ornithology, whose volunteers contribute to the UKBMS, commented: “In 2023, thousands of skilled volunteers monitored a record-breaking 3,316 sites across the UK, gathering valuable data that will help to inform conservation decisions for the future.
“We are incredibly grateful to each and every one of those people who carry out the monitoring and help us to maintain this highly valuable study.”
Chris Tuckett, Chief Officer for Strategy and Impact at JNCC, said: “The evidence produced through environmental monitoring, such as the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme demonstrates the vital role these schemes play in helping us understand the effects of pressures on the natural environment and, equally importantly, how efforts to address these pressures through nature conservation and recovery can be effective in reversing decline.
“JNCC has supported these schemes, which involve thousands of dedicated volunteers, for over 30 years, and remains committed to continuing to support them in the future.”
The UKBMS now records data on over 3,000 sites per year and the resulting dataset is a crucial resource for understanding changes in insect populations and has provided significant insights into almost all aspects of butterfly ecology.
As the UK faces the ongoing challenges posed by climate change and other environmental pressures, the work of the UKBMS and organisations like Butterfly Conservation, the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, the British Trust for Ornithology and JNCC remains essential in monitoring and protecting precious butterfly populations and the habitats they depend on.
Avant Homes Scotland has acquired a 9.25-acre site in Tranent to deliver a £31m, 92 new home development.
Called Thistle Meadows and located off Winton Court in the town, the development will comprise a mix of three-, four- and five-bedroom family homes.
It will feature 10 of Avant Homes’ practically designed, energy-efficient house types including semi-detached and detached homes. Prices for the individual properties will be released once planning is granted.
Thistle Meadows will form part of the Windygoul South Masterplan. This includes the expansion of the Windygoul primary and secondary school campus, as well as improvements and upgrades to the local allotment areas, footpath networks, sports pitches and transport network.
Subject to planning, work will start at Thistle Meadows in May this year and it is anticipated the first homes will be released for sale in June. A show home is scheduled to open in November and the first residents are scheduled to move into their new homes in early 2025.
Avant Homes Scotland managing director, Jim Wilkinson, said: “Our Thistle Meadows site acquisition represents an exciting opportunity for us to expand our development footprint into Tranent.
“As a housebuilder, we want to build quality new homes for everyone and this site is an ideal location for us to deliver our range of practically designed, energy-efficient homes in a place people want to live.
“We look forward to East Lothian Council considering our plans to deliver a new and thriving community within the town.”
Avant Homes Scotland is part of the Avant Homes Group, whose house types are ideal for the private, rented, and affordable sectors. The company operates across Scotland, the north of England and Midlands from eight regional operating businesses.
At present, Avant Homes Group employs more than 600 people. The housebuilder’s ambition is to develop its multi-tenure business further across its existing regions and beyond, creating communities as well as providing employment opportunities.
Avant Homes Group is also committed to its environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibilities in line with its vision to construct and sell “quality homes, for everyone”.
The housebuilder’s ESG strategy recognises its obligations to all stakeholders to deliver a sustainable future. Avant Homes’ house types are significantly more energy efficient compared to existing housing stock and appeal to a wide range of customers with different affordability requirements.
Each of Avant Homes’ developments provides a safe place for employees and sub-contractors to work as well supporting its supply chain. The housebuilder creates communities in places where people want to live.
Avant Homes is committed to securing sustainable growth through private for sale, PRS and additional affordable housing.
This better serves customers and communities, particularly where the cost of living has increased and affordability is stretched.
Avant Homes has invested in the internal expertise to develop and deliver strategic relationships with PRS investors as well as affordable housing providers.
The Group recently announced the sale of 306 new homes across eight developments to a leading private rented housing provider, Sigma Capital Group, for over £59.5m.
Four of the developments are in north east England, two in Yorkshire with the balance in the East Midlands. This significant PRS transaction demonstrates the company’s ability to deliver a significant volume of quality new homes to a major PRS investor.
For the year ended 30 June 2023, the Avant Homes Group delivered 1,766 completions.
As the biggest provider of sport and fitness in the city, Edinburgh Leisure has launched their latest membership offer. The new membership offers more flexibility and value than ever before.
Edinburgh Leisure has unlocked fitness, swim, gym, and fitness class memberships giving customers access to all venues across the city, including 12 pools, 17 gyms and over 750 fitness classes each week. There will be a limited time no joining fee offer from 15 April – 31 May 2024.
Jill Davidson, Head of Marketing, Communications and Sales explains “We are committed to providing the best membership options that will support the health and wellbeing of Edinburgh.
“We’ve changed our offering to allow more people to be active through sport and fitness and allow our venues to thrive in their communities.”
The updated memberships include a lower price for Full Fitness and access to all venues for Gym, Swim and Fitness Class Members. Customers can now do the activities they love where they want, and when they want; choosing to train at any gym and attend a host of new fitness classes with any of their instructors.
In addition, site only memberships continue to be available at selected School and Fitness venues. Community School Memberships include: Queensferry High School, Trinity Academy Sports Campus, Wester Hailes High School. And Community Fitness Memberships include Dalry Swim Centre, Kirkliston Leisure Centre, and Jack Kane Sports Centre.
Climb and Golf Memberships can be bought separately or as bolt-ons to any existing membership to give customers more access than ever before.
To welcome the changes to membership, Edinburgh Leisure is offering a limited time ‘no joining fee’ from 15 April – 31 May 2024, available online or in venue.
Edinburgh Leisure boasts 1 world class climbing centre, 6 golf courses, 3 soft play centres, 8 saunas and 4 steam rooms, 12 swimming pools, 17 state of the art gyms, and 750 fitness classes per week across 25 venues.
Memberships have been tailored to offer customers flexibility wherever you’re at, in life or in the city!
You are invited to visit a community exhibition and consultation at granton:hub, hosted in partnership with Edinburgh College of Art. This exhibition is part of an international research project that focuses on ‘heritage on the edge’.
It will contribute to a better understanding of how cultural heritage is valued beyond the touristed city centers of Europe, by its local people.
The exhibition addresses a number of questions, including ‘What is heritage in Granton?’ and ‘What are the most important stories that can tell different generations about Granton’s past, present and future?’ The exhibition will be an opportunity for further discussions with the wider community in Granton. All the materials will be the basis of a traveling exhibition to be hosted in community centres, schools and churches in May 2024.
We particularly welcome families to come and view our display boards and consultation materials. Kids activities will be in place, to keep the little ones occupied.
The extraordinary stories of two Queen Margaret University graduates who entered higher education from a non-traditional route are being highlighted in a new national campaign by Universities Scotland.
‘40 Faces’ aims to champion the diversity and success of widening access programmes from universities across Scotland, telling the stories of students and graduates from underrepresented backgrounds.
Karen Rennie and William Torrie, former students at Queen Margaret University (QMU), are just two of the inspirational stories showcased in the campaign.
Karen Rennie joined QMU from a low participation school programme, Lothians Equal Access Programme for Schools (LEAPS). She said: “I knew that I wanted to be in a role where I could care for people and support others to live a life that was meaningful to them.
“I decided that if I was going to university, I would try to get the best degree course possible, which is why I chose Queen Margaret University to do the BSc (Hons) in Nursing.
“I knew from day one of my course that I’d made the right decision. Not only did I love the practical side of nursing, but I also developed a passion for nurse education, theory and research.
“The lecturing team encouraged me to strive for every opportunity to excel in my career – supporting me to attend conferences, write articles for publication and believe in myself. My career developed quickly because the lecturing team took time to support my individual needs and career ambitions. I will be eternally grateful for the personalised support that Queen Margaret University offered me.”
40 Faces launches with only six years left for Scotland to reach the fair access 2030 targets, originally set by the Commission for Fair Access in 2016 and supported by the Scottish Government and by universities themselves.
Universities have made major strides towards ensuring 20% of Scottish-domiciled entrants are from the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods, as well as hitting interim milestones in 2021 and introducing the most progressive admissions policies in the UK, in support of this goal.
When asked what more needs to be done to reach Scotland’s 2030 target to equalise access to university, Karen said: “More career and life skills input in schools. I was fortunate to have a fantastic mentor in my life (my dad!) who put a lot of time and effort into my career ambitions and decisions. I was always encouraged to pick the right course (both life and academia) for me and only me!”
Since graduating from QMU with a BSc (Hons) Psychology degree, William Torrie is now on an accelerated career path as Vice President of Legal Engagement at Barclays, which he attributes to the skills and confidence he developed while studying at the East Lothian university.
He said: “I had a false start elsewhere; dropping out and returning to education a year later – this time at QMU. I had another disastrous first year, but with support from the faculty under strict conditions, I was able to continue to second year.
“Without the faculty’s patience and understanding, I wouldn’t have developed the tools I needed to succeed in my education and take charge of my future.”
The success of students like Karen and William is testament to the extraordinary role universities can play for those who face significant barriers to accessing higher education.
The stories behind each of the ‘40 Faces’ serves as a reminder of the importance of this agenda and a rallying call to all stakeholders involved to refocus on working together for its achievement.
Claire McPherson, Director of Universities Scotland said: “Our universities are committed to widening access, however they cannot achieve this alone. With our 40 Faces campaign, Universities Scotland want to galvanise the sector and Scottish Government towards the 2030 widening access target.
“Universities offer students opportunities to achieve their dreams of securing higher education and the skills and career opportunities that follow, while also strengthening their self-belief, building confidence and offering a life-changing experience which cannot be found elsewhere.”
Join Edinburgh’s Street Musicians And Make Yourself Heard!
European Movement in Scotland (EMiS) is asking members of the public to add their voice to the call for action at our Busk against Brexit event tomorrow – Tuesday 16th April.
We have a host of musicians lined up to entertain crowds on the Royal Mile, and outside Edinburgh City Chambers and the Scottish Parliament, on the 16th of April between 1pm and 4pm.
EMiS volunteers will be on hand to promote the ‘Face the Music’ campaign, which has already been supported by the iconic Proclaimers.
Later in the evening, Michelle Thomson MSP, in her capacity as the Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Music, will chair a roundtable event that brings politicians and music industry professionals together, to discuss the challenges facing the sector because of Brexit.
Ms Thompson said: “There can be no denying the impact Brexit has had on our cultural sector, and in particular on our world-class musicians.
“Any musical group who wishes to perform in Europe are now subjected to greatly increased cost and bureaucracy – some can absorb this additional red tape but most cannot and have stopped touring in the way they did previously.”
We are delighted to confirm our panel for the day:
The Scottish Government urged the UK Government soon after leaving the EU to negotiate visa-free access to the EU market for touring artists.
For example, the then Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop wrote to the UK Culture secretary asking the UK Government to work with the EU to explore where easements are possible. Nothing has changed. Touring artists are suffering because of new barriers since Brexit.
In urging the public to come along, enjoy the music and make themselves heard EMiS Chairperson David Clark said: “Music is a universal language that transcends borders, connecting people across Europe and beyond.
“The campaign is crucial as musicians now face too many barriers due to Brexit, threatening the exchange of artistic expression that defines our shared European identity.”
Home buyers who missed out on new homes at a unique and award winning village development in East Lothian will be pleased to hear that a further 102 new properties are now underway by Cruden Homes at Longniddry Village.
This exceptional new development carefully blends traditional village design, with all the benefits of modern and flexible living.
East Lothian regularly tops the polls as one of best places to live in the UK. This family-friendly development, nestled in the close-knit village of Longniddry, offers fantastic tranquil scenery, just 30 minutes from Edinburgh’s popular city centre, and a short drive from some of Scotland’s most popular coastal towns and villages.
Homeowners also have access to superb amenities, with an abundance of golden beaches, a local primary school, a sports centre and golf clubs located nearby.
Longniddry Village won the prized ‘Development of the Year’ title at the industry-leading Herald Property Awards in late 2023.
The highly sustainable development has been praised as ‘one of the best examples of new housing ever seen’, pairing period features and original architecture with the flexibility, function and style demanded for modern living.
The overarching vision and approach for Longniddry Village was developed in partnership with landowner Wemyss and March Estates with master developer, Socially Conscious Capital.
Cruden’s second phase of 102 new homes for sale will cater for a range of homeowners, including first time buyers, growing families and downsizers.
Together with one- and two-bedroom flats, there will be a range of spacious two, three, four and five-bedroom homes with house types including bungalows, terraced, semi-detached and detached homes.
Hazel Davies, Sales and Marketing Director of Cruden Homes, said: “East Lothian is an extremely sought-after area to live and Longniddry Village is the hidden gem in its crown.
When home buyers quickly flocked to buy the first phase of new homes here, many missed out, so we are delighted to announce a further 102 homes for sale.
“Longniddry ticks all the boxes for today’s homebuyer with its stunning coastal location, village setting and easy access to the Capital. Longniddry Village is now firmly at the heart of the Longniddry community and we’re delighted to support the area’s growing population with more of these exceptional new properties.”
Prices for the first release of properties will be announced at the Phase 2 sales launch at the end of April, however prospective buyers are encouraged to register their interest now to receive an invitation to an exclusive preview event ahead of the public launch.
Heritage on the Edge: this Saturday 20th April!
