TWO young people from Scotland have been awarded Rotary Young Citizens Awards for 2024 for their outstanding commitments to their communities:
Ian Duncan (13, Edinburgh), a prominent ‘frame runner’ with Cerebral Palsy, was awarded for climbing the equivalent height of Ben Nevis in steps to raise money for the local Riding for Disabled centre in Muirfield.
Rhys McCole (23, Inverclyde), currently the world’s only para-disabled competitive boxer, was awarded for his commitment to charity endeavours and volunteer work whilst facing numerous health challenges. These include setting up his own boxing programme with local schools, and supporting organisations Inch by Inch, Fighting for Autism and Enable Scotland.
A 13-year-old boy from Edinburgh has been designated a ‘Sporting Hero’ after winning a prestigious Rotary Young Citizen Award.
Ian Duncan was named a ‘Rotary Young Citizen Sporting Hero’ after climbing the equivalent height of Ben Nevis in steps to raise money for the local Riding for Disabled (RDA) centre in Muirfield.
Ian lives with Cerebral Palsy, which impacts his mobility, coordination and balance. Since the age of three, Ian has benefited from Hippotherapy at RDA Muirfield, a physical, occupational and speech therapy which utilises the natural gait and movement of a horse to provide motor and sensory input.
Ian is a prominent ‘Frame Runner’, which is a form of adaptive running which uses a ‘trike’ to support the athlete’s body, giving them the sensation of free movement. Ian proved a natural at frame running, and has proven committed to training in all weathers – even making the 30-mile round trip to his training site near Edinburgh, twice a week.
The training sessions have given Ian confidence, freedom and friendship, and he has played a pivotal role in growing the club to a team of six. In addition to helping support the club’s growth, Ian also took part in a medical study based at Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh (the university collaborated with the East Lothian club to develop the squad).
The study, funded by Action Medical Research, looked at the impact of frame running on the health and wellbeing of individuals with walking difficulties.
Ian’s natural talent for dressage has seen him take part in a number of UK-wide events, resulting in him finishing third in the virtual National Championships, riding the mechanical horse Oreo – a first for the competition.
To support his local RDA centre, Ian challenged himself to climb the 8,810 steps that represent Scotland’s highest mountain – Ben Nevis. In doing so, Ian raised a fantastic £1,755, ensuring more young people can benefit from Hippotherapy.
Ian received his award on Saturday 20th April from two former winners, Bella Field and Katriona Goodsell, at the Rotary Young Citizen Awards ceremony in Alcester, Warwickshire, home of Rotary GB&I.
Ian was nominated for his Rotary Young Citizen Award by the Rotary Club of Braids.
Rotarian Pauline Skinner said: “It is fantastic to hear that Ian has won the Rotary Young Citizen Sporting Hero award. Through his work with his athletics club he has raised the profile of frame running in Edinburgh.
“His fundraising for RDA has enabled others to share the benefits of horse riding. He has shown that anything is possible.”
Ian was chosen as a 2024 winner alongside eight other young people. Now in its 17th Anniversary year, the Rotary Young Citizen Awards was launched in 2007 to celebrate the amazing achievements of young people across Great Britain and Ireland, many of whom have assumed important responsibilities at a very young age. Nominations are put forward by Rotary Clubs.
Rhys McCole, a 23-year old from Gourock, Inverclyde, has been awarded a Rotary Young Citizen Peacemaker Award 2024 for his dedication to community service and leadership.
The award recognises Rhys’s commitment to charitable endeavours and volunteer work, despite facing numerous health challenges, including holes in his heart, Mears Irlen syndrome, Auditory processing disorder, dyslexia, Autism and Asthma.
Currently the only “para-disabled” boxer in the world that competes in mainstream boxing, Rhys has also launched his own boxing programme for young people. Through this, he has worked in conjunction with local schools to encourage health, fitness, and social inclusion, and promote important messages such as anti-bullying and anti-substance abuse.
The impact of Rhys’s work is recognised in the local community, with schools reporting the physical and mental health benefits of his boxing programme, as well as reduced violence and improved attendance among students.
Rhys has represented Inverclyde as an ambassador for the Year of Young People 2018, as well as a presenter for Inch by Inch, a campaign aimed at reducing obesity amongst the population of Scotland. He has also dedicated himself to supporting organisations such as Fighting for Autism and Enable Scotland.
Rhys, who received his award on Saturday 20th April, was nominated for the award by the Rotary Club of Gourock.
Rotarian Norman Pettigrew, commented: “Rhys’s dedication to supporting young people in his community is truly inspiring.
“Despite the challenges he faces, he serves as a role model for both resilience and compassion, and his work exemplifies his passion for making a difference in the lives of others.”
Find out more about the inspirational Rotary Young Citizen Award Winners 2024 at www.rotarygbi.org.
Scotland’s largest health and social care unions protested outside the Scottish Parliament on Thursday to demand the return of the ‘missing millions’ cut from the Scottish Government’s Budget for social care workers.
Information from the Scottish Trades Union Congress’ ‘Missing Millions’ campaign has shown that £38 million of ringfenced funding for maternity, paternity and sick pay for social care workers in Scotland was secretly cut from the latest Scottish Government budget.
Workers from Scotland’s three biggest social care unions, UNISON, GMB and UNITE will protest outside the Scottish Parliament to demand the return of the cash with workers accusing the Scottish Government of “betraying” social care workers.
The ‘Missing Millions’ campaign was launched last week during STUC Congress. A Freedom of Information request has shown that the £38 million cut was pulled directly from the Scottish Government’s Fair Work in Social Care terms and conditions workstream in September 2023.
Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “Cutting the budget to improve the terms, pay and conditions of Scotland’s social care workers is, quite frankly, unforgiveable.
“This was a sleekit move from the Scottish Government with no transparency, no accountability and worse, no promise of restoring the funding.
“These were the front-line workers that cared for those most in need during the pandemic. Some even paid with their lives protecting the vulnerable and our communities from the virus.
“For the Scottish Government to cut the dedicated funding that would, in part, seek to implement Fair Work within the sector, with improved sick pay and conditions, is nothing short of betraying the workforce.
“We call on all those who stand alongside our social care workers to join us outside Parliament.
“We’re sending a clear message to all politicians, especially the Scottish Government, that social care workers are demanding a return of the missing millions and a quick U-turn to this ill-judged budget cut.”
An invasive species expert has warned that Scotland is facing a huge year for the proliferation of highly caustic Giant Hogweed after identifying the emergence of the plant much earlier in the year than might be expected.
Keith Gallacher, director of Complete Weed Control, one of Scotland’s leading weed control, ground maintenance and tree management specialists, spotted young shoots of the rapidly-spreading and dangerous plant emerging from winter dormancy in March.
He warned that this is unusually early for the enormous Heracleum Mantegazzianum, which can grow up to six metres high and whose sap can cause severe burns with lasting effects such as scarring and chronic dermatitis.
He said that the early showing of Giant Hogweed could have been precipitated by mild and wet spring weather – March had 27% more rainfall than normal in the UK – and that it could lead to greater infestations of the plant, which can spread tens of thousands of seeds after it flowers in June and July.
Mr Gallacher said: “Our teams saw the much-earlier-than-expected appearance of the young Giant Hogweed during routine inspections in East Lothian, near Musselburgh. With such an early start, and with the rate of growth of which the plants are capable, it is likely that 2024 will be a bumper year for this rapacious invader.
“Like many invasive species, such as Japanese Knotweed and Himalayan Balsam, it was brought to the UK as an architectural oddity, but now it has escaped and, without any natural enemies, it grows into dense colonies, especially along watercourses.
“It is part of the Apiaceae family, which includes carrots, parsnip, cumin, coriander and parsley, but its dense foliage prevents light reaching the soil underneath, killing off native plants and leading to rapid soil erosion.”
Complete Weed Control, which now covers the greater part of Scotland from its recently-acquired base in Larkhall, will treat the plants but has warned that eliminating Giant Hogweed requires a concerted and sustained effort by all landowners in an affected area.
He said: “If you leave it too late, the plants get larger and become more difficult to spray, and require more herbicide. But if you do it too early and you get the torrential rains like we’ve had these last few weeks, the herbicide won’t have much effect.”
Complete Weed Control has continued to gain prestigious contracts from clients across Scotland and has posted a record £2.75 million in sales last year, up from £2 million the previous year.
Growth has been boosted by new client acquisition as well as its tree services division, which now contributes equally with the longer-established weed suppressant and grass cutting services it supplies to mostly public sector organisations.
UK Government Work Scheme delivers almost 100,000 placements
Almost 100,000 workplace training places have been delivered in the past year for jobseekers, smashing the Government’s 80,000 annual target, new data has revealed.
Record number of workplace training places have been delivered this year helping boost jobseeker skills and the economy
Significant milestone hit as Prime Minister sets out welfare reforms to jumpstart UK labour market
DWP working directly with businesses to hire work-ready Brits and reduce dependence on foreign labour
Comes in week that NICs cuts worth £900 hit pay packets ensuring work pays
Part of the Westminster Government’s plan to help people back to work and grow the economy, Sector-based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs) help benefit claimants move off welfare and into work by providing tailored training and work experience before a guaranteed job interview.
Businesses who are actively hiring help craft these six-weeks on-the-job programmes, so that participants gain the right experience and skills for their roles.
The latest figures published this week show that in the last year 98,710 places were delivered – the highest annual figure yet. It brings the total number of SWAP starts to 283,930 – in sectors ranging from coding to hospitality, construction, health and social care.
It comes in the week that the Government’s NICs cuts worth £900 to the average worker hits pay packets as part of the plan to cut taxes, grow the economy and build a brighter future for hard-working families.
Backed by industry giants such as UKHospitality, the British Chamber of Commerce and Business in the Community, alongside household brands like Amazon, JD Sports and Lidl, jobseekers leave SWAPs work ready as they apply for live job roles.
The milestone follows the UK Government’s ‘bold new vision’ for welfare, with the Prime Minister outlining reforms to tackle inactivity as we give more Brits the skills and support to get back into work as we bring down migration levels.
Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, Mel Stride MP said: “Our Jobcentres are a proven route to changing lives through work and the learning and upskilling opportunities they provide are second to none.
“As part of our plan to build our new welfare settlement for Britain and grow the economy, this major milestone helps people get on with the skills they need to secure a great job, a higher wage, and a brighter future for their family.
After the Prime Minister announced the accelerated rollout of Universal Credit last week, together with increases to the Administrative Earnings Threshold (AET), even more claimants will benefit from the dedicated employment support offered through our Jobcentres.
This includes all the programmes under the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) £2.5bn Back to Work Plan, which is set to help over a million people, including those with long-term health conditions to break down barriers to work.
Keith, 47, from St Austell was looking to change careers after he finished a previous role. He said: “I was very interested in getting into Mental Health Care, but I had no qualifications or experience in the area. My Work Coach Tom was really supportive and told me how I could get experience in the sector through a SWAP with the NHS.
“The SWAP opened my eyes to the type of roles available within the NHS and gave me the confidence I needed to kickstart my new career. I’m now working as a Developmental Mental Health Assistant and cannot believe I’ve reached my dream of working in Mental Health so quickly with the help of SWAPs.”
Whether it’s someone’s first job or a career change, jobseekers of any age and experience can access invaluable work experience through SWAPs for a role actively being recruited for.
Andrew Bush, CPO of Greene King, said: “We were really pleased to be part of the sector-based work academy in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and other hospitality employers.
“Through collaboration, we were able to create a programme that gave candidates a greater insight into our exciting industry, providing opportunities for many to achieve a fulfilling career in hospitality.”
The UK Government is taking the long-term decisions to ensure the resilience of the UK’s labour market, building a strong economy where hard work is rewarded and where everyone has a brighter future.
Alexandra Hall-Chen, Principal Advisor for Employment and Skills with the Institute of Directors said: “At a time when many businesses are struggling to recruit the skills they need, SWAPs provide a valuable means by which employers can tap into a wider pool of candidates.
“By providing jobseekers with support and training targeted at key sectors, SWAPs are a key tool in tackling both skills shortages and barriers to employment.”
Community groups in the Capital can now apply for up to £5,000 worth of funding as part of the Edinburgh 900 programme.
Edinburgh 900 is a celebration of the nine centuries of history and traditions in Scotland’s capital city since the founding of the royal burgh by King David I around 1124.
As part of the wider programme, £100,000 has been allocated to the Edinburgh 900 Community Fund to allow our residents to celebrate their city’s rich heritage and inspiring present. Community fund applications need to be led by an Edinburgh-based community group and focussed on activities or events held within their local area. Each application can be to a maximum of £5,000.
There is also a separate civic fund of £100,000 focussed on city-wide events with applications led by an Edinburgh-based cultural or heritage organisation. Each application can be to a maximum of £15,000.
For both the civic and community fund applications must demonstrate a commitment to the Edinburgh 900 programme aims and themes. The full criteria and guidance for applications are available on our website.
The deadline for applications to the civic fund is 20 May 2024. For the community fund the deadline is 27 May 2024.
The Edinburgh 900 Implementation Programme Board will review all applications and determine funding allocations for both funds. We will let you know the outcome of your application within four weeks of the application deadline.
If you are already planning events for 2024 or 2025 and would like to be part of our Edinburgh 900 programme, you can apply through our separate application process to use the Edinburgh 900 logo and be advertised on the programme website and marketing activity.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “I’m delighted that both the Edinburgh 900 community and civic funds are now open for applications.
“I’m clear that our communities should play an integral part in these celebrations and I’m really excited to see the proposals as they come through in the next few weeks. I have no doubt that our residents will rise to the occasion and show the very best aspects of our city.
“On the civic side this is an opportunity for our cultural and heritage organisations to exhibit Edinburgh and it’s illustrious past like never before.
“Edinburgh 900 represents almost a millennium of our shared history. The full programme will examine how Edinburgh came to be over the centuries, from commerce to conflict and from faith to finance, there are an incredibly rich and varied set of themes.
“The programme will also celebrate Edinburgh in the present day and look ahead to our future ambitions and aspirations. These two funds represent a great opportunity to showcase these stories to our city and the wider world.”
A report published this week by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Disabled People concludes that the UK Government has made “no significant progress” in addressing the grave and systematic violations of Deaf and Disabled people’s rights that it highlighted more than SEVEN YEARS AGO ago.
Instead, the report notes areas of further regression and numerous issues of “deep concern”.
The report states that:
“The Committee finds that the State party has failed to take all appropriate measures to address grave and systematic violations of the human rights of persons with disabilities and has failed to eliminate the root causes of inequality and discrimination.”
The report is the outcome of a follow up to the Committee’s unprecedented special inquiry which in 2016 found evidence of grave and systematic violations of Deaf and Disabled People’s rights due to welfare reform and austerity measures.
The inquiry focused on three specific areas: equal chances to live and participate in the community; right to good work; and, adequate social protections and standard of living.
Responding to this week’s UNCRPD report, which finds the current government has “failed to take all appropriate measures to address grave and systematic violations of the human rights” of disabled people, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Being disabled should not mean you are consigned to a poor standard of living.
“But this report from the UN paints a damning picture of life in the UK for disabled people after 14 years of Tory rule. Ministers must act on this report and eliminate the root causes of inequality.
“It is not right that millions of disabled workers are stuck in low-paid jobs and in-work poverty. And many do not get the accessibility and flexibility they need at work.
“That’s why we’re backing Labour’s New Deal for Working People, which would introduce disability pay gap reporting, introduce a day one right to flexible working, and ban zero-hours contracts, which disproportionately impact disabled workers.”
Svetlana Kotova, Director of Campaigns and Justice, Inclusion London, said:“This report is a damning verdict on the government’s track record in upholding our human rights.
“Since the 2016 finding of ‘grave and systematic’ rights violations, the UN committee has not only seen no progress, they also documented evidence of retrogression. Moreover, the Committee finds that UK welfare policy is based on a pervasive and hostile framework and rhetoric that devalues Disabled people and undermines our human rights.
“It is shocking that our country that positions itself as a world leader is yet again found to breach our rights on a systematic level. It is also shocking that the government has failed to listen to the UN in the past and has actively dismissed the previous recommendations.
“This report comes at a time when the government has strengthened its rhetoric of hostility towards Disabled people, announcing another set of reforms that will unleash another layer of misery and will lead to greater violations of our rights.
“The UN committee has recognised that we are barely surviving, not living a full life, and we are subject to arbitrary decision making from unqualified staff within complex and punitive benefit systems that see us as ‘undeserving’.
“We welcome the report and urge the government and the opposition to take it seriously and develop policies on welfare reform, employment and independent living that comply with the UK’s obligations under the UNCRDP.
“The report shows that the current system is not fit for purpose and the government cannot carry on punishing Disabled people. We urge the government and the opposition to commit to genuine cooperation and co-production with Disabled people and our organisations, as per recommendation (a), so that we can design a system that works.”
Louise Holden, Senior Policy Officer for Disabled People and Crime at Inclusion London, said:“We welcome the recommendation for parity and clarity in UK hate crime legislation in the UNCRDP report. Inclusion London has been campaigning for parity and clarity in UK hate crime legislation since 2016.
“Currently, UK law treats Disabled people differently. This makes it harder to prosecute offenders if they have targeted someone due to their perceived disability.
“The Law Commission has previously submitted two reports recommending that all protected characteristics should be treated as aggravated offences, in line with Race and Religion.
“As Disabled people, we are often targeted because we are perceived as ‘less than’ or ‘an easy target’. We need hate crime legislation updated in line with others so we can expect the same level of protection.”
Andy Greene from the National Steering Group of Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC), who triggered the special inquiry said:“The process of evidence gathering, taking witness testimony and objective scrutiny of policy and its impact, is one that’s very difficult to ridicule or dismiss.
“The facts speak for themselves. As such, the inquiry vindicates the experiences of Deaf and Disabled people whose voices are too often ignored.”
John Kelly, musician and campaigner who also sits on the DPAC National Steering Group said the report is: “… damning on the lack of this government listening to our real lived experiences as Disabled people and doing anything to support what we really need which is to live and contribute in our community as equal citizens along with our peers.”
Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations (DDPOs) across the UK, who took part in reporting to the Committee, along with DPAC, through the UK DDPO Coalition, have welcomed the report.
Dermot Devlin, spokesperson for DPAC Northern Ireland said: “DPAC NI thank the UN Committee for their work and due diligence on our behalf and call on the Westminster Government to properly implement the recommendations of the 2016 inquiry and the current report.
“The absence of Government in Northern Ireland has failed Disabled people here. With the Executive now restored, bringing forward a Disability Strategy that addresses the Committee’s recommendations must be an absolute priority.”
The report documents how the UK government requested postponement of the session at which they were due to give evidence to the Committee in August.
Their request for postponement was just six days before the deadline for written evidence submissions to the inquiry was due and after many cash-strapped DDPOs had already booked their flights and accommodation to attend and give evidence.
The result was that the Committee, which is made up of Deaf ad Disabled members from around the world, had to split the oral evidence section of the inquiry into two separate sessions.
Rhian Davies, CEO for Disability Wales, said:“The UK Government’s approach to this review has been utterly disrespectful and matches the contempt shown to Disabled people for over a decade.
“We deserve better and we demand better.”
Ellen Clifford, UK Coalition Co-ordinator, said: “The government’s attitude towards the UN special inquiry is evidence that their treatment of Deaf and Disabled people is wilful and calculated. This is reflected in the damning findings of the report.
“The limitations of the inquiry process are that there are just too many deliberate rights violations to include in one report.
“However, the report validates the experiences of Deaf and Disabled people across the UK and is a much-needed counter to government rhetoric claiming they are “protecting the most vulnerable” when they are doing the exact opposite.”
The report highlights numerous areas of government policy that are not only failing Deaf and Disabled people, but that are causing serious rights violations.
Among the many areas where the Committee is “deeply concerned” are:
the social care recruitment crisis follow EU withdrawal; the inadequacies of social care support provision to cover anything more than “bare subsistence”;
incarceration of Disabled people “in secure psychiatric facilities due to a lack of community-based support”;
“disabled people who are housebound due to inadequate support to access the community”;
“abuse, mistreatment and the increasing use of restraints, restrictive practices and… unexpected deaths in the mental health care system”.
Dorothy Gould, founder of Liberation, a grass-roots organisation led by people with personal experience of mental distress/trauma, said:“It is an utter disgrace that many of us are forced into institutions, continue to be locked up against our will in places such as psychiatric hospitals and continue to be forcibly treated and abused, in complete breach of human rights which other citizens hold.”
The Committee’s recognition of the increasing barriers to employment have been welcomed by Deaf and Disabled trade unionists.
Natalie Amber, Co-chair, Deaf and Disabled Members Committee, Equity Trade Union, said:“Ill-thought through cuts, particularly as a result of welfare reform, are making it impossible to work in the creative industries unless you have independent wealth. This is directly and negatively impacting who we see on our stages and screens.”
The report acknowledges the devastating impact of previous welfare “reform” measures.
The report states that: “The Committee is appalled by reports of “benefit deaths” referring to fatalities among disabled people in the State party, subsequent to their engagement with the process for determining eligibility for benefits…
“Testimonies have also been received regarding the minimal, unsuitable, and/or abusive responses to individuals’ mental health emergencies that are frequently precipitated by the benefits assessment procedure.”
It recommends that the UK government: “Take comprehensive measures to ensure that persons with disabilities are adequately supported through social security payments, benefits and allowances,… ascertain the additional costs of living with disabilities and adjusting benefit amounts accordingly to reflect these costs”
Alison Turner, daughter-in-law of Errol Graham, who starved to death after his benefits were stopped, said:“I am pleased that the report highlighted the need for proper review and monitoring of the deaths of benefit claimants… It shows that this government has learned nothing and cares not for its direct actions to cause harm.”
“There is a pervasive framework and rhetoric that devalues disabled people and undermines their human dignity. Reforms within social welfare benefits are premised on a notion that disabled people are undeserving and wilfully avoiding employment (“skiving off”) and defrauding the system. This has resulted in hate speech and hostility towards disabled people.”
Kamran Mallick, CEO of Disability Rights UK, said:“Under this Government, the UK has lost its status as a nation that leads in disability rights to one that is actively attacking Disabled people.
“In just the last week we have seen an onslaught of new policy proposals and legislation which will not only harm us but also lead to avoidable deaths…
“At a time when we’re all struggling to make ends meet and cannot access the healthcare and support that we need, the Government are scapegoating Disabled people for a failing economy.
“We are not at fault for simply existing. The Government are at fault for their complete disregard for international treaties and contempt for Disabled people’s rights.”
John McArdle, spokesperson for the Black Triangle campaign in Scotland, said:“To proceed with the plans announced by Conservative Prine Minister Sunak last Friday will definitely lead to a surge in deaths by suicide and other avoidable harm which falls short of death but is nonetheless catastrophic.
“The U.K. has abrogated the Convention on the Rights of Disabled People by its treatment of Deaf and Disabled people in the UK.”
Disabled President of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), Natasha Hirst, made a call to all journalists to reflect the evidence as reflected in the report rather than unquestioningly repeating inaccurate and harmful government rhetoric:“There has never been a more important time for journalists and the wider media industry to tackle harmful negative rhetoric against disabled people.
“I call on journalists to take time to understand the concerns raised by the UN Committee and scrutinise why the Government is so keen to dismiss their failure to uphold disabled people’s human rights.
“Deaf and Disabled People’s Organisations have thoroughly evidenced the harm caused by policy changes and cuts to services and yet the UK Government is intent on pushing this even further.
“Disabled people’s voices need to be heard and not drowned out and demonised by people who have never experienced the sharp end of the social security system.
“As journalists, we should report ethically to hold power to account, and not be complicit in the scapegoating of disabled people.”
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: How to Increase Your Physical Activity Levels
Physical activity plays a massive role in the prevention of heart diseases, but around 40% of the UK still do not meet the physical activity guidelines. Being physically active does not mean that you need to go to the gym or go running, it can simply be carrying your shopping bags or doing some gardening.
Your heart is the hardest working muscle in your body, and working it out regularly has significant health benefits, especially for your heart. Did you know that being physically inactive means that you are at a 24% higher risk of developing coronary heart disease?
Here are some tips to help you add more physical activity to your life:
Increase activity in daily life
You may find it best to start by making some small changes to your daily life that will increase your physical activity levels and help you to form healthy habits.
A few examples of what you can do include taking the stairs instead of the lift or escalators, walking instead of driving somewhere or parking your car further away than you need to, and standing when possible, such as on the bus or train.
Get involved
Physical activity comes in all different shapes and sizes, it can range from walking to gardening or even running a marathon. This means there is always something out there for you, it is finding out what you enjoy and getting involved.
It’s important that you get involved safely, at the right ability for you and not to jump the gun. This way you’ll avoid injuries and get your body used to new movements. Find activities that you enjoy doing and be creative with them. Realistically, if you don’t enjoy it, you’re not going to do it.
You don’t have to do all of your exercise in one day, spread it out over the week and make it a part of your everyday life. Gradually work your way up to 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity per day, this will help you to meet the recommendations of at least 150 minutes per week.
Take breaks when you need them and stay hydrated. If you don’t feel good one day, then rest for a day or two before getting involved again.
Get into a routine
By making physical activity part of your routine, you won’t realise that you’re doing it and it’ll become an automatic behaviour. Every bit of activity you do matters, and the more that you do, the more you and your heart benefit.
Tracking your progress could help to motivate you to reach your goals and stick to your routine. This could be the number of steps you’ve done, the number of minutes you’ve been active or reaching your daily target.
Support each other
You might find it more encouraging to join a sports club or team. This way you can make new friends and support each other to meet your goals.
Do activities with your family and friends. You could go for a walk or bike ride together and motivate each other to do this regularly.
Queens Manor care home on Queensferry Road was full of animal mischief when 8 year old beagle Lucy came to visit this week.
Residents at Queens Manor were pleasantly surprised to see their new furry friend roaming around their garden and the home.
Coral Wiltshire, Deputy General Manager said: “Our residents have really enjoyed their visitor today.We are such an animal friendly home and we knew that having Lucy in to say hello would be a bit of fun for all our residents, especially as some find it difficult being away from their own family pets.
“We have found that having animals in the home gives residents something to look forward to, encourages them to engage in activities and sparks conversation which can lead to unlocking memories and emotions.
“We are always looking for new activities for the residents and today we have seen the enjoyment and the therapeutic influence animals can have on people.”
Anyone who has a dog or cat will not be surprised that pets are great for company and encouraging engagement and reminiscing too.
Resident Caroline Taylor was very excited by seeing Lucy: “I have always loved dogs and really enjoy spending time with them.
“They give so much love and ask for nothing in return.”
Queens Manor is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Queens Manor provides Dementia Care, residential care and respite care.
Grassroots Remedies offer our consultations on a sliding scale to make them more financially accessible, with a reduced price option for ‘Good Neighbours’ – local residents of Granton, Pilton, Muirhouse & Drylaw – and a ‘General Rate’ for anyone outside this area.
Appointments are offered in person at our clinic in the Granton Hub – and phone or Zoom appointments can be available on request.
The clinic is run by Ally Hurcikova, a professional Medical Herbalist registered with the American Herbalists Guild & the National Institute of Medical Herbalists.
All treatments have a Good Neighbour Rate for people living in Granton, Pilton, Muirhouse & Drylaw (typically EH4 1, EH4 2, EH5 1 and EH5 2 postcodes), and a general rate for those coming from outside this area.
On Sunday 5th May from 12 – 4pm at Granton harbour, the Royal Forth Yacht Club is hosting Discover Sailing: when yacht clubs such as the Royal Forth Yacht Club open up their clubhouse and harbour to the wider public for an experience of sailing.
RFYC members lend their boats, sailing expertise and time, and local organisations take a table to share their causes with the wider community too.
They are planning the usual variety of boats for people to try, organising the BBQ and hospitality.
They are grateful that the Community Action Team of the local Scottish Fire and Rescue Service will be joining them this year, alongside their usual friends such as St Andrews First Aid, MCSUK, BDMLR, and Scottish Coastal Clean Up.
If you have any questions at all about Discover Sailing, please contact:
