May 2024 – Page 17 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Community Energy Generation Growth Fund: £1.5 million to support community projects

A fund to help community groups across Scotland set up renewable energy generation projects has opened for applications.

The £1.5 million Community Energy Generation Growth Fund will support local communities installing wind turbines and solar panels or developing other types of renewable energy generation, such as hydro, to meet local needs.

Community groups will also be able to earn money from their projects by, for example, allowing them to sell excess energy generated.

The fund forms part of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES), which, to date, has awarded more than £65 million in funding to over 900 renewable energy projects across the country.  

The pilot scheme runs until March 2025 and will inform longer-term support for community-owned energy generation projects through CARES.

Net Zero Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “Scotland is fast becoming a renewable energy powerhouse, with enormous benefits for our people, economy and environment.

“Scotland’s communities must be at the heart of this journey. I am determined to ensure they can lead and benefit from this era defining transition.

“This fund will support the creation of locally owned energy projects which can reduce energy costs, generate revenue and help drive Scotland’s transition to net zero.”

Chris Morris manager at fund administrator, Local Energy Scotland said: “We are excited to support this fund and we know that there are communities across Scotland who are developing renewable energy projects who can accelerate their projects with this funding.

“This fund can help communities to realise their ambitions and Local Energy Scotland can help identify the best opportunities and prioritise next steps.”

More information about Community Energy Generation Growth (CEGG) Fund and details on how to apply

CARES funding streams include:

Let’s Do Net Zero: Community Buildings Fund – which provides a rolling programme of support to communities, charities, and faith organisations to decarbonise their buildings and reduce energy bills.
Community Heat Development Programme – which works with community organisations and groups of householders to help develop ideas for locally generated, low and zero carbon heat projects.

Child Disability Payment: Helping children and young people be all they can be

When designing our disability benefits, Social Security Scotland collaborated with disabled people and their families to create a better and more compassionate system, putting dignity, fairness and respect at its heart.

Child Disability Payment was launched in November 2021. It helps families cover the extra costs of looking after a child or young person who is disabled, who has a long-term health condition or who is terminally ill. Importantly, it isn’t means tested.

Since its introduction, over 80,500 children and young people have received the payment, with more than £621 million being paid out.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, visited Carrongrange High School – Falkirk Council’s secondary school for pupils with severe and complex additional support needs – on 1 May.

The school’s motto is, ‘Carrongrange – Where you can be all you can be’.

We spoke to children and their families and learned what impact Child Disability Payment has on the lives of pupils who receive it and how it is helping them to live full and independent lives.

Dughall Boyne’s daughter, Rosselyn, has bilateral coloboma, a condition which prevented her eyes from developing properly. She receives Child Disability Payment.

According to Dughall: “Child Disability Payment has been very important for Rosselyn.

“Everything costs more when you have a disability. The payments have allowed us to find after-school activities for Rosselyn which have helped develop her independence. She likes horse-riding but riding lessons for the disabled cost a lot more, because you need three people around the horse.

“Rosselyn has now moved on to Adult Disability Payment and the transfer has been very smooth. We were told at regular intervals what was happening with things like setting up the named contact.

“There were no big forms to fill in and it was all online. We just had to tick the box saying that there had been no change in Rosselyn’s condition. Previously, with the DWP, there was a 13-page form to complete. It’s certainly helped to take a couple of hours off the process and it’s been well received by parents throughout the school.”

Catherine Sneddon’s son, Louis, also goes to Carrongrange. She echoed Dughall’s words about Social Security Scotland’s human rights approach to delivering disability benefits.

“Louis has been on Disability Living Allowance since he was diagnosed in 2013. Back then I didn’t know if he’d be able to claim and it was a constant battle with the DWP.

“It’s only recently that he’s transferred over to Child Disability Payment. It was much more plain sailing than I anticipated. I expected a fight and what I got was a questionnaire through the post. The level of care he gets has been the same for three years so I ticked the box saying, ‘He’s stable.’ And that was it.

“With the DWP I would have had to get a letter from his neurologist to prove he still needed Disability Living Allowance for children. For them your child is what they see on the form. They don’t know how hard it is to care for a child with a disability at home, at school and in the community.

“Social Security Scotland is so different.”

Janine Proudlock, Carrongrange’s headteacher, described exactly how Child Disability Payment helps pupils be all they can be: “For me the Scottish Child Disability Payment supports families to ensure they have the right resources, at the right to time to do the right work to allow the whole family to flourish.

“Whether it’s caring support or specialised resources to meet their child’s needs, this is an essential fund to improve the lives of young people and their families.”

People can find out more about Child Disability Payment and apply by visiting mygov.scot/childdisabilitypayment or by calling Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.

NHSGGC marks Mental Health Awareness Week with relaunch of MyApp: My Mental Health

Lauriston Agroecology Farm Open Day this Saturday

For our first Open Day of this year, we are delighted to be taking part in Agroforestry Open Weekend 2024, this Saturday 18th May. You can drop-in anytime between 10am-3:30pm, or come for the programmed activities (times below). Feel free to just turn up! No need to book.

Day programme

10:30am-11.30am

Agroforestry Tour (meet at green portacabin near the Toby Carvery farm entrance)

11:45am-12:30pm

Market Garden tour (meet at Market Garden portacabin)

12:30-2:30pm

Pollinator Picnic with @Art for Granton Gas Tower artist Natalie Taylor (drop-in to the Wildflower Hill by the wooden gazebo)

1:30- 2:30pm

Agroforestry tour (meet at green portacabin)

2:45-3:30pm

Market Garden tour (meet at Market Garden portacabin)

+ Our Community Orchard volunteers will be around to chat about fruit trees

+ Farm staff and volunteers will be at the green portacabin from 10am and throughout the day to welcome you, chat and signpost you to walks and other points of interest across the farm

+ Free refreshments

+ Wildflowers and Grass Roots Remedies Co-op stalls

More details about the day here:

Agroforestry Open Day

#AgroforestryOpenWeekend #Agroforestry #Agroecology #NorthEdinburgh #Edinburgh #UrbanFarm #FarmVisit #Pollinators #Biodiversity

Local Scottish Green MSP hails “life-changing” impact of Free Bus Travel for young people in Edinburgh

Lorna Slater, the local Scottish Green MSP for Lothian Region has hailed the transformative impact of free bus travel for everyone under 22 in Edinburgh.

New figures, published by the Scottish Government, show that over 85,314 young people in the capital city are already benefiting from the scheme, allowing them to travel anywhere in Scotland.

This groundbreaking initiative was secured through negotiations between the Scottish Greens and the Scottish Government. Scotland is the only country in the UK that offers free bus travel for all young people under 22.

Over 137 million free bus journeys have been taken across the country, allowing young people to travel for work or education, or simply to visit friends and family.

Ms Slater said: “The free bus travel scheme for under 22s has been transformative, and in some cases life-changing, for young people in Edinburgh.

“Allowing young people to access school, work or leisure for free is helping to support them and their families through a Tory cost-of-living crisis which has hit everyone in Scotland.

“The scheme has opened up huge opportunities for young people across our communities, creating exciting new chapters and helping them to explore the country and develop crucial skills for the future.

“Transport is Scotland’s largest source of carbon emissions. Encouraging people to use public transport rather than take the car is a huge boost for our environment and will reduce the number of cars on our roads.

“Over 85,000 young people in Edinburgh have already signed-up for their free pass, and I urge all those who have not yet registered to do so today at Freebus.scot.”

Support for football-focused mental wellbeing programme

Health Secretary announces additional £100,000 for the initiative

A programme which uses football to promote mental health and wellbeing has received additional funding from Scottish Government. The Changing Room – Extra Time initiative has been awarded £100,000 for a fourth year.

It builds on The Changing Room – a 12-week programme which takes place at football stadiums across Scotland and supports men to open up as they participate in walking football games, stadium tours, pitch-side walks and talks from a motivational speaker.

Extra Time aims to give people the chance to speak in more depth about their mental wellbeing and explore areas which are giving them particular challenges or concerns.

The programme is delivered by SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) in partnership with the SPFL Trust and associated community trusts at Aberdeen (AFC Community Trust), Rangers (Rangers Charity Foundation), Heart of Midlothian (Big Hearts) and Hibernian (Hibernian Community Foundation) football clubs.

Health Secretary Neil Gray, who visited the initiative at Pittodrie, home of Aberdeen FC as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, said: “We know that it’s never been more important to look after our physical and mental wellbeing. It is pleasing to see this initiative go into its fourth year and to hear that is really is making a difference to people’s lives.

“We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about how we are feeling and this project has really helped people open up about their mental health.”

Billy Watson, Chief Executive at SAMH said: “The Changing Room – Extra Time project changes lives. It builds confidence, helps get relationships on the right track and it has even saved lives.

“Football and mental health are a great match. What this project shows is that football fans are not just comfortable talking about their mental health, they’re really keen to do so – as long as it’s in the right place.

“The Changing Room – Extra Time is the right place and we’re really grateful that the Scottish Government has agreed to continue to fund it.”

Kyle Hewitt, 37, from Dyce attended Changing Room Extra Time at Aberdeen FC and said: “I grew up aware of mental health and its potential impacts on people and those around them because of my own experience.

“But sometimes I didn’t feel like I had the ability to face the world. I had low moments as a parent and a husband, I wasn’t always nice to be around and I could be hyper-critical of myself.

“Then I embarked on a journey through Extra Time with like-minded men and amazing facilitators from SAMH. I realised I had been deflecting, avoiding and bottling things up. I was able to give myself credit for what I was doing.

“I also became more resilient and better at creating positive habits and finding ways to change my outlook and mind-set. I have thrived as a result.”

Aberdeen Community Trust Chief Executive, Liz Bowie said: “We are delighted to deliver the Changing Room Extra Time programme at Aberdeen FC Community Trust, working in partnership with SAMH and the SPFL Trust.

“We have learned so much through the support of SAMH, which has ensured that our staff are appropriately trained and mentored to provide excellent support to the men who participate in this initiative.

“We have seen amazing results and crucially have watched strong, supportive networks build amongst the participants which extend well beyond the term of the course itself. Football is a force for good and is so powerful in encouraging men to talk and open up to each other in support of their mental wellbeing.”

Committee warns of “intolerable” situation for children and young people with additional support needs

A Scottish Parliament Committee has reported its alarm at the gap between the ambitions and implementation of a policy that aspires for children and young people with additional support needs (ASN) to be taught in mainstream education.

Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People Committee unanimously agreed that the policy behind mainstreaming is the best route forward, however its inquiry found that the Scottish Government and local authorities are failing to implement it properly.

Speaking as the report was published, Sue Webber MSP, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee, said: “The situation faced by children and young people with additional support needs is intolerable.

“During our inquiry, we were extremely concerned to hear about negative experiences of additional support for learning provision, the educating of children and young people in mainstream schools and the detrimental impact this has had on some pupils, their parents and carers, and teachers and support staff.

“Things must change. The Scottish Government and local authorities have been repeatedly warned about the consequences of failing to improve support for children with additional support needs. With a rising number of children reporting with additional support needs, a third of pupils in some areas, the Government and local authorities must not ignore the concerns and recommendations made in this report.”

During the inquiry, children and young people told the Committee that it can be hard to understand when someone does not give them the support they need and that a lack of support staff to cope with the number of pupils who need support can leave them feeling frustrated.

The Committee was particularly concerned by evidence that highlighted challenges of getting children the support they required.

In evidence to the Committee, the National Autistic Society said: “We see continually that autistic children and young people are forced to “fail” in mainstream settings before any other option or support is offered.

“Families have to fight the system to get that support, with many being forced into legal action and having to engage a solicitor before a solution is found.”

Other concerns raised in the Committee’s report look at the problems with a move towards open-plan schools, which could prove extremely overwhelming for children with autism and the number of neurodivergent children who are masking at school.

To improve the situation, the Committee makes several recommendations including reviewing placing requests, undertaking research on the prevalence and impact of masking, and urgently addressing gaps in specialist provision.

Responding to the report, a spokesperson for the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition commented: “The report by the Parliamentary committee on a lack of support to children and young people with additional support needs (ASN) is not a surprise to any of those involved in the sector.

“We have consistently warned of a potential ‘lost generation’ of those in this group, now amounting to more than 259,000 children.

“The number of those with ASN, such as autism, dyslexia and mental health problems, amounts to more than a third of pupils, a doubling in numbers over the past decade, including an increase in those with complex needs.

“As a coalition of organisations that support vulnerable children and young people, we have however for many years shared the concerns of the committee over a lack of resourcing to support an escalating number of pupils with ASN, including a lack of specialist teachers and support staff.

“There has, for example, been a cut in ASN spending per pupil of just under £2,000 over the last decade, and the number of specialist ASN teachers has fallen by just under 400.

“Under the new First Minister, we need a ‘national crusade’ to address of the needs of more than a third of our children and young people, providing the necessary resources to address their needs.

“While we support the principle of mainstreaming, that all children and young are taught in mainstream classes unless exceptional circumstances apply, it is difficult to see how this can work effectively when those with ASN are in many cases not receiving the necessary care and support.

“This situation is putting an incredible level of pressure on teachers and other staff, with an impact also in terms of surging levels of school violence and poor behaviour we are witnessing.

“The committee noted this gap between policy ambition and implementation, which is leading to mainstream education being ‘intolerable’ for many children and young people with ASN.

“There are also many of those in mainstream education, whose complexity of needs would be far better served in a special school setting, delivering what is best for their educational and social requirements.

“The Scottish Government, local authorities, health and other agencies need to work in collaboration with the private and third sectors to provide the necessary resourcing and support to address the needs of children and young people with ASN.“

A Scottish Castle, magical unicorns, and young heroes: Merchiston hosts best-selling author

FANTASTICAL BOOK LAUNCH AT MERCHISTON CASTLE SCHOOL

Merchiston Castle School, Scotland’s leading independent school for boys, hosted best-selling author AF Steadman for a private book launch and signing on 1 May.

Author of the award-winning Skandar series, Ms Steadman held the exclusive event at the Edinburgh school to celebrate the launch of the third instalment of the collection, Skandar and The Chaos Trials.

Merchiston was one of just three venues to host the author during a fleeting visit to Edinburgh, before she proceeded with the remainder of her UK tour.

Extending the invitation to several local schools including St. George’s School for Girls, Cargilfield Prep School, and Longstone Primary School, Merchiston welcomed over 250 children into its impressive Memorial Hall.

During the event, the author read an excerpt from the highly anticipated third novel, bringing to life her fantastical world of adventure, fierce friendships, rivalries, and heroic deeds for the audience of school children. A question-and-answer session ensued, followed by a book signing to conclude the event.

Jonathan Anderson, Headmaster of Merchiston, said: “It was a privilege to host Annabel Steadman and fellow Edinburgh schools for this incredible special occasion.

“Words have the power to connect and transport us to other worlds, and with her incredible, fantastical descriptions of ferocious unicorns and heroes – Steadman’s books most certainly do that!

“This book reading and Q&A offered pupils the chance to engage with literature in an exciting and inspiring way, and to celebrate the pure joy of reading.”

Author Annabel Steadman commented on the book launch: “It was such a joy to return to Merchiston. The reading culture is truly phenomenal – encouraged by the school’s wonderful librarian Rachel.

“And as an author it was such an amazing opportunity to meet young readers from Merchiston as well as lots of pupils from schools in the nearby area who were invited along to mySkandar talk in the beautiful hall. Thank you!”

Right There charity to pull out of Edinburgh housing programme

Council refuses to pass on uplift in Housing Benefit to charity housing provider as Scottish Government declares a housing emergency

Right There, a charity which helps prevent homelessness, has been forced to end its contract with City of Edinburgh Council, to provide critical housing in three locations for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The charity, which was formerly called Ypeople, says this is its ‘absolute worst case scenario’, and ‘a last resort’ but after months of trying to negotiate with the Council, housing bosses are refusing to pass on its uplift in housing benefit to increase the Housing Management Payment.

The Housing Management Payment has remained unchanged since 2019 despite the cost of living skyrocketing in that time. Over the last five years, the local authority has received increased housing benefit which it refuses to pass on to providers to help deal with increased costs of running an assisted housing programme.

The housing facilities facing closure are one in Broomhouse and two residential units in Pilton. Their closure comes after the local authority failed to engage with the charity on contractual terms over recent weeks.

It will build pressure on the Council’s administration after a housing emergency was declared in the capital in November of last year, now even more so with the Scottish Government expected to announce a national housing emergency later today.

Janet Haugh, CEO of Right There said: “We are devastated that we are having to pull the plug on this service, this is our absolute worst case scenario, especially when Scotland is at the brink of a national housing crisis.

“We have done everything in our power to resolve this with the Council but sadly as a charity we simply cannot absorb a projected £2.5 million deficit over the next five years and continue running this service.”

Housing Benefit levels have increased across Scotland to reflect the increased cost of living, utilities and general inflationary increases. Despite that, the Council expects Right There to subsidise the cost of an essential service despite being in receipt of additional payments to which the residents are entitled.

The project run by Right There provides accommodation support for 44 of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable people, who live with the consequences of family breakdowns, homelessness, poverty, addiction, and many other challenges. In addition, the jobs of 19 support workers are now at risk.

Janet Haugh added: “We have exhausted all avenues with the Council and bringing the contract to a conclusion by triggering the three months’ notice period is our last resort.

“Our priority now is to work with the Council to hand over the running of the programme to either the local authority or another provider to ensure as much continuity and as little distress as possible for the 44 residents affected, and the support workers whose jobs are at risk.”

Brock calls for speedy action for the victims of the infected blood scandal

Deidre Brock MP has called for compensation for the victims of the infected blood scandal to be put in place without further delay.

The Edinburgh North and Leith MP formally handed in a petition to the UK Parliament on behalf of her constituents, prior to the final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry being published on Monday May 20^th.

The petition calls on the UK Government to implement the findings of the second interim report published in April 2023, which has already provided recommendations about compensation.

The inquiry Chair Sir Brian Langstaff made clear at the time that the compensation scheme should be set up straight away, to avoid adding to the decades-long delays people had already suffered, yet over a year later there is still no clarity and no timeframe has been set for payments.

The petition was led in Edinburgh North and Leith by Deidre Brock’s constituent Justine Gordon-Smith who, together with her sister Rachel lost their father, Mr Randolph Peter Gordon-Smith, to the contaminated blood scandal in deeply traumatic circumstances. They have been tirelessly campaigning ever since.

Ms Brock said: “I am handing in this petition on behalf of everyone in Edinburgh North and Leith who is working so hard for justice – people who received infected blood, their carers and the families of those who have been lost in the worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.

‘The moral case for compensation has long been accepted by government, so what are we waiting for? More delays merely worsen people’s suffering.

‘It’s a tragic truth that people who were infected are dying while the government dithers over the justice they and their families deserve.

‘The interim report was clear that they should go ahead with compensation immediately and that was published over a year ago.

“When will they lay out a clear – and short – timeframe for victims to get the compensation they’ve been waiting decades to receive? Or is the UK Government planning to kick this into the long grass again until they are kicked out of office?

‘I commend the efforts of my constituent Justine who has been tireless in her fight for equitable treatment for all those affected. I stand squarely with her, her sister and everyone who has suffered as a consequence of this scandal. They have already struggled enough and this battle for compensation is one they should not have to keep fighting.

‘I urge the government to finally do the right thing and deliver justice to the victims of the infected blood scandal.”