GRAHAM has started construction on a new £59m low-carbon development in Edinburgh which combines student flats, build-to-rent and affordable homes.
The Burnet Point scheme in Abbey Lane is the first-ever mixed-use residential development of its kind by Unite Students, one of the UK’s largest student accommodation providers.
The pioneering development will use low-carbon concrete and timber composite, an environmentally friendly alternative to natural wood. Carbon lifecycle assessments show Burnet Point will be Unite Students’ lowest-carbon new-build project.
As well as 298 student bedrooms across cluster and studio flats, with communal spaces and accessible landscaped roof areas, Burnet Point will also provide 66 one-, two- and three-bedroom flats for rent, including 17 affordable units managed by Hillcrest Homes.
Tom Brewerton, Group Development Director at Unite Students, said:“This is the company’s first combined development of purpose-built student accommodation, build-to-rent and affordable housing.
“We look forward to contributing positively to the student and private rental market in Edinburgh to help address the supply-demand imbalance in the city. This development reflects Unite Students’ ongoing commitment to provide high-standard, affordable student accommodation in locations where demand is greatest.
“We are excited to build our lowest carbon new-build property to date in our portfolio. The development will also contribute to the regeneration of the local area, which has seen significant investment in recent years.
“We are working closely with the community and later this year will offer a dedicated space for use by a local charity which is aligned with our purpose of creating a Home for Success.”’
David Milton, Hillcrest Head of Development, added:“This is an exciting project, and a fantastic example of true tenure blind community of a variety of housing and tenure types.
“These low-carbon homes will also contribute greatly towards achieving lower emissions and energy bills for tenants.”
Gary Holmes, Regional Managing Director at GRAHAM Building North, said:“Burnet Point is a unique project which prioritises sustainable construction.
“The demand for student accommodation continues to grow and the build-to-rent market remains buoyant, giving us a strong pipeline of projects in the coming years.”
GRAHAM has extensive experience of major build-to-rent and student accommodation schemes including Solasta Riverside in Glasgow and is currently on site at Bonnington Road in Edinburgh.
Burnet Point is scheduled to be completed in September next year, ready for the 2025/26 academic term.
During UK National Coaching Week (29 April – 5 May), Edinburgh Leisure, the leading sport and leisure provider in Edinburgh is on the hunt for young people to gain valuable coaching qualifications and gain new skills for the job market.
The Coaching Academy 2024 is targeted at young people aged 16-24 years and fully funded through Edinburgh Leisure’s Sports Development and Active Communities. It will provide nationally recognised qualifications that enable successful learners to lead safe, purposeful, and enjoyable sport/physical activity within our programmes.
Gary Hocknull, Sports Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure explained: “The Coaching Academy will assist young people to learn new skills for the job market, using the capacity of sport coaching to help transform their lives, increase motivation, encourage learning and support their personal development.”
The course is limited to 16 candidates with learning focussed on studying for a sport leadership qualification and sports specific coaching course qualifications.
Candidates will gain the SCQF Sports Leaders Level 5 qualification starting Monday 1 – Friday, 5 July at Meadowbank Sports Centre delivered by Edinburgh Leisure staff.
The Sports Leaders sessions uses sport to deliver fun and engaging physical activities with other attendees. Candidates will plan, lead, and evaluate sports/physical activity sessions over several tutored hours and then demonstrate their leadership skills as part of an assessment.
In Week 2, Monday 8th – Thursday 11th July, candidates will include National Governing Body Coach Education qualifications in Badminton, Netball, Athletics and Football. All dates must be attended.
After the end of the course, participants will be signposted to volunteering opportunities within sports venues and holiday programme provision, where they will be immersed in all aspects of the sport and leisure coaching environment and potentially future employment opportunities within Edinburgh Leisure, with all course candidates offered the opportunity of interview.
Registration is now open and interested candidates should apply by using the online registration form by 31st May 2024 at 5 pm. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to the recruitment session on Friday, 14th June, with successful candidates confirmed bon Monday, 17th June 2024.
National Coaching Week (29 April – 5 May) celebrates the vital role coaches play in helping to inspire, support and develop athletes and runners of all abilities, age groups and backgrounds to fulfil their potential.
Assembly Festival has announced a further 90 plus shows for its 2024 programme, bringing its Fringe season to 222 shows to be presented from Wednesday 31 July to Monday 26 August.
Performances will take place on 28 stages around eight venues across Edinburgh city centre.
Assembly’s popular festival hubs will return at Assembly Rooms and Assembly George Square Gardens and Studios, headline acts return to Assembly Hall, plus performances at Assembly Checkpoint and the festival’s year-round home of Assembly Roxy.
Bridging the gap between Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, Assembly Festival will have a new stage at Assembly @ Virgin Hotel, alongside last year’s partnership with Scotland’s Centre for Dance featuring two stages in the Grassmarket venue Assembly @ Dance Base.
Paradisium, Recirquel Cirque Danse
Internationally renowned Recirquel Cirque Danse, the company behind Fringe-hits IMA (2023) and My Land (2018), returns with a new show directed by Bence Vági; Paradisium, where the body is the medium and movement is the common language.
A bevy of international circus comes from Colombia with Circolombia: Corazón, a fun-fuelled circus concert with a beating Latin heart; Canadian acrobats Agathe and Adrien redefine gender roles in N.Ormes; and from Australia comes the return of hit grown up circus by Highwire, Rouge, a circus for grown-ups, and three contemporary Australian circus artists hope to re-discover the connection we once had with the earth in Na Djinang circus’ Of the Land on Which We Meet as part of the House of Oz programme.
Rising star of Australian dance, choreographer-director Lewis Major brings two new dance shows to Assembly @ Dance Base as part of the House of Oz programme; a unique collaboration with the legendary Russell Maliphant OBE in Lewis Major: Triptych, and an intimate one-on-one performance between one audience member and one dancer for an encounter never to be repeated in Lewis Major: Lien.
Dance Base’s in-house companies Lothian Youth Dance Company and PRIME come together in Timeless, featuring dancers aged 14 to 80+ in one life-affirming showcase; a double-bill performance by two Hong Kong artists in It’s not my body chapter 3.5 / This Is; and READY weaves around a series of Beethoven piano sonatas purposely selected for each performance.
Fringe Fragments is a new platform showcasing dance talent from around the world produced by Dance Base; Fault Lines pulls at the tension in our relationship with nature; READY is a solo piece celebrating over half a century of dance practice; and Impasse presents an attempt to understand the politics of the Black body in a contemporary western society.
Through dance, drums and electronic music a duo embarks on a journey of chaos, calm and collaborative climax in CRAWLER; blending dance, mime, and aerial acrobatics, The Weight of Shadow depicts mental health deterioration; Man & Board is an unlikely pairing of a dancer’s moving body with a ritualised wooden board; and Transhumanist is a popping male duet to an electronic soundscape.
Award winning choreographer Mathieu Geffré presents What songs may do…, shining a light on our deep-rooted connection to memory through music; Scotland based seminal choreographer Alan Greig looks at the ageing body and plays with gender, identity and LGBTQ+ icons in Within Reach; and desires and fears collide in two explosive but intimate physical poems by Charles Pas and Courtney May Robertson in Victory Boogie Woogie / the pleasure of stepping off a horse when it’s moving at full speed.
Beats on Pointe, Masters of Choreography
The whole family can enjoy non-stop five-star entertainment as Beats on Pointe returns to Assembly Festival, where ballet meets modern street dance in Australia’s hottest commercial dance theatre production.
The street meets the elite in 360 Allstars, a supercharged urban circus; and as seen as part of the Tokyo Olympic Opening Ceremony, GABEZ bring their international award-winning physical comedy, LIVE MANGA.
For younger families, the world-famous unicycle acrobatics show Cartoooon!! takes audiences on a magical journey to the big top; when Doctor Tuneless threatens the planet, only Granny Norbag can save the day – can she complete her quest in time for tonight’s Emmerdale? And the riotous, gratuitous and possibly hazardous, kids’ comedy duo The Listies return to the Fringe as part of the House of Oz programme, taking on the torturous subject of bedtime in The Listies ROFL.
Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer winner 2023 Urooj Ashfaq returns for a limited run of her award-wining show, Urooj Ashfaq: Oh No! Plus, a mix of stories and observations in a new work in progress Urooj Ashfaq: It’s Funny To Me (Work in Progress). Hoping to follow in her footsteps with their Edinburgh debuts are Kate Dolan: A Different Kind of Unhinged, exploring the bizarre expectations put on women; the camp and chaotic world of Alex Hines: Putting On A Show; Alexandra Hudson explores her experiences as disabled woman in Making Lemonade; a glittering hour of fastidiously-curated spontaneity from Will Owen: Like, Nobody’s Watching; the world’s youngest, smallest, most normal comedian, Sarah Roberts: Silkworm; and a darkly funny comedy set within the world of two co-dependent sisters and their cow in The Sisters Fig.
2023 Edinburgh Comedy Awards Best Newcomer, Urooj Ashfaq
Britain’s Got Talent star Nurse Georgie Carroll: Sista Flo 2.0 returns to Assembly Festival after a sell-out debut season; Australia’s favourite comedy duo return with their banger show The Umbilical Brothers: The Distraction; Superstore star Chris Grace brings his homage the greatest living Asian actor in Chris Grace as Scarlett Johansson; and returning to Assembly Festival for its third year, Liars & Clowns: A Late Night Comedy Show is a jam session for comedians showcasing the best alternative comedy from around the festival.
The masters of improv Spark Creative return with their two smash hit shows, Baby Wants Candy and Shamilton! The Improvised Hip-Hop Musical; a magical adventure awaits in Spontaneous Potter: The Unofficial Improvised Parody; and the ground-breaking fusion of improv comedy and live jazz of Giant Steps comes to the Fringe after sell-out London shows.
Dancefloor Conversion Therapy presents the history of dance floors and joyful regret as part of the House of Oz programme; BAFTA-nominated comedian Rachel Parris brings a dazzling new hour of stand-up and songs in Rachel Parris: Poise; and for one night only NZ Taskmaster star Paul Williams Plays the Hits in a special late-night gig, featuring the best of Surf Music and his brand-new album.
The rise of the clowns continues as Trygve Wakenshaw disciple Tom Greaves: FUDGEY, an award-winning comedy about privilege; solo Edinburgh debutante, Aussie Yozi is adamant about the rules in Yozi: No Babies In The Sauna as part of the House of Oz programme; there’s ‘very funny stand-up’ from I am Claire Parry (very funny stand-up); and you become the orchestra led by the virtuosic Boorish Trumpson.
There’s more interactive fun as pictionary meets pub quiz in the adult gameshow Laser Kiwi’s Sketch Game; comedians Sweeney Preston and Ethan Cavanagh guide you through tasting five wines, using at least five jokes in In Pour Taste: A Comedy Wine Tasting Experience; and a healing ceremony unlike any you’ve ever experienced with Namaste Bae: Blessings & Kombucha.
Comedy meets cabaret in actress, comedian and content-creator Dylan Mulvaney’s Fringe debut, Dylan Mulvaney: F*G HAG; the obscenely intelligent, rib-crackingly funny Reuben Kaye returns to the Fringe with The Kaye Hole Hosted by Reuben Kaye and the UK debut of Reuben Kaye: Live and Intimidating; and the legendary Ghost-Whisperer returns in Séayoncé: She Must Be Hung!
More LGBTQ+ stories are told as Ricky Sim brings back his stand-up/storytelling show An Asian Queer Story: Coming Out to Dead People; and Andrew White is Young, Gay and a Third Thing in a hilarious hour of new material tackling identity, authenticity, and Musical Theatre themed weddings.
The cult cabaret, idiots… GAY idiots makes its Edinburgh debut with vaudevillian variety ranging from weird to very weird; fresh from their acclaimed Australian Tour MESSY FRIENDS explore the world of enchanting glamour; vocalist Victoria Mature pays homage to one of the most popular leading men of Hollywood’s Golden Age in Victor’s Victoria; and Australia’s reigning Queen of comedy cabaret makes her way to Assembly Festival as part of the House of Oz programme in The Unburdening of Dolly Diamond.
Camille O’Sullivan: Loveletter
The celebrated “Queen of the Fringe” (BBC) returns to Edinburgh for her 20th Festival. Camille O’Sullivan: Loveletter pays tribute to those loved and missed, a heartfelt show celebrating Shane McGowan, Sinead O’Connor, Leonard Cohen, and David Bowie.
The multi-award-winning live music sensation makes its Edinburgh debut with a celebration of Aussie hit-makers in Down Under: The Songs That Shaped Australia as part of the House of Oz programme; witness mind-blowing sounds and vocal agility with The Beatbox Collective: What’s Your Sound?; and dance through the decades as the Fringe‘s newest Saturday night entertainment takes over Assembly @ Virgin Hotel with DecaDance Silent Disco.
Get your boogie shoes ready for the official KC & the Sunshine Band musical, Who Do Ya Love?; or take a magic carpet ride into an enchanted castle of adult fantasies and fairytale follies as The Hairy Godmothers present Dizney in Drag: Once Upon a Parody and Villains: A Dizney in Drag Parody.
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland bring two musicals to Assembly Festival for the Fringe, Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music and the pop-infused score and gore of Fountain of You; and history’s most mysterious ruler is uncovered in House of Cleopatra, an immersive musical with an original high-octane pop score.
Music is the catalyst for a trip down memory lane in The Imitator, the journey of one man’s dream of becoming an artist; and award-winning theatre maker Liam Hurley teams up with songwriter Jo Mango to present A Giant on the Bridge, unflinching gig theatre as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase 2024.
There’s more Scottish theatre with an a-typical love story in Love Beyond, also presented as part of the Made in Scotland Showcase 2024; and The Old Queen’s Head in which only one Queen can prevail. Plus, a score of plays from across the world.
Finland’s most decorated touring theatre company, Red Nose Company return to Assembly Festival with their acclaimed Don Quixote; Japanese comedian Akira Ishida teams up with actors to present a non-verbal comedy show with traditional Japanese sword fighting in CHALLENGE; from the USA 3 Chickens Confront Existence at the Edinburgh Fringe; and as part of the House of Oz season, two actors present three short plays in Summer of Harold, a trio of comedies about clinging on and letting go.
In new writing, award-winning artist Michaela Burger explores the legacy of a high-class sex worked in a brand-new one-woman show, The State of Grace as part of the House of Oz programme; new play DEADHEADS looks at the complexity and joy of loving someone while also allowing them to grow and change; a new queer love story in Conversations We Never Had, As People We’ll Never Be; an ode to young Belfast student life in Float; anda soul-searching, delightfully human roller-coaster ride through music and the Artist formerly known as Prince in K. Lorrel Manning’s Lost…Found.
Lost…Found, The Barrow Group
A traveller is rescued from the surging seas to the devout fishing village in physical theatre piece Plenty of Fish in the Sea as part of the House of Oz programme; ‘The Thick of It’ meets NHS A&E in In The Sick of It, a satirical state of the nation dissection; a one-man reimagining of Hamlet, told entirely from the perspective of the Dane in Sam Blythe: Method in my Madness (A one-man Hamlet); and Olivier winning Guy Masterson directs Clara Francesca in Making Marx, a look at the formidable woman behind Karl Marx.
Assembly Festival begins its season with the opening of Assembly George Square Gardens on Friday 12 July for the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, closely followed by the tenth anniversary of the Edinburgh Food Festival, Friday 19 – Sunday 28 July.
Assembly Festival’s Fringe season will begin on Wednesday 31 July and run through to Monday 26 August.
For tickets and further information about this year’s programme, and to sign up to receive news from Assembly Festival, visit www.assemblyfestival.com.
A joint community venture by Pilmeny Development Project and FENIKS has received a major funding boost from Harbour Homes via the National Lottery’s Community Fund. This will allow its weekly Multi-Cultural Cook Along to continue until at least March 2025.
Harbour Homes’ social enterprise subsidiary, Harbour Connections, offered £14,225 funding to Pilmeny Development Project as part of its local placemaking work.
Mary O’Connell who runs the project said: “It’s an amazing group of people.
“To see how they all come together while cooking, playing bingo and getting competitive during Play Your Cards Right after the meal is brilliant.”
One attendee, aged 83, has been attending the events for several months now. He said: “Just look around the table, I’m English, there are Scots, Canadians, Polish and Irish here and we all get on really well.”
The funding will also help provide transport allowing group members to attend the cook-alongs at the Pilmeny Development Project Youth Centre.
In addition to the Multi-Cultural Community Meals, the funding will go towards supporting Older People’s Meals and Pilmeny Development Project Youth Centre community food provisions for their youth clubs.
John Murray, Placemaking Manager at Harbour Homes said: “There’s a genuine warmth and togetherness about the group which speaks volumes about the work being done here.
“It’s a privilege for Harbour Homes to be in a position to help support projects like this.”
LOCAL PARENTS LAUNCH DAMNING REPORT ON HOUSING CRISIS
North Edinburgh Parents Action Group has launched an exhibition and publication highlighting the horrific housing conditions local people are being forced to live in.
The group also screened a new film about the lived experience of a local woman’s heart-breaking attempts to secure a decent home for her children.
North Edinburgh Parents Group hope that the event held at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre yesterday will draw attention to the significant impact that poor housing is having on local families’ physical and mental health and will send a clear message to politicians at all levels of government that urgent action is required to tackle North Edinburgh’s housing crisis.
Guests were welcomed by Royston Wardieburn Community Centre chairperson Billy Fitzpatrick and the event was launched by Forth SNP councillor Stuart Dobbin, who has been taking a particular interest and holding surgeries on the issue:
“Living in a home safe from Damp and Mould should be a basic right that all Council and Private tenants should enjoy.
“This important event was made all the more powerful and moving by hearing the testimony of women who, with their families, have to live with Damp and Mould and the exhibition showing pictures from inside their homes.
“Dampness creates a risk to our physical health and our mental health. It impacts on the future life chances of our children. And if not addressed, it places additional burdens on our doctors and the wider NHS services.
“This is the issue that I am most passionate about addressing as a Councillor. By my estimate about one quarter of all Council dampness cases in Edinburgh are in North Edinburgh.
“I have been raising cases and campaigning within the Council for faster action to be taken to eradicate damp from tenants homes, and as a result, the Council has now set up a dedicated, skilled team to do just that. Early days and a lot to do.
“I want to hear from residents who have damp and mould, or are having difficulty getting the problems addressed.
“I will be at Pilton Community Health Project tomorrow morning (Friday) from 09.15-11.00 if anyone needs to discuss this or any other matter that I can help with. Or you can email me – cllr.stuart.dobbin@edinburgh.gov.uk”
Few who attended the event could fail to have been moved by the heart-rending stories of local woman struggling to be heard. The women, for many of whom English is not their first language, bravely shared their dreadful experiences to a packed room.
As one said after the event: “Speaking to a big crowd made me very nervous and I wasn’t sure that I would be able to do it.
“But we all did do it – we had to do it. We want people to hear how we are living.”
A spokesperson for the group said: “We understand that there are no simple solutions or easy fixes to Edinburgh’s current housing emergency.
“However, Edinburgh is one of the richest cities in the country and it is time that all levels of government – Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Government and the UK government – come together and prioritise spending on improving housing conditions in this city.
“We are serious about our demands and we are prepared to do whatever it takes to secure a decent place to live. We hope that we do not have to resort to a class action which is the route that over 50 tenants from various local authorities have taken in order to secure a warm, safe home.
“However, nothing is off the table. Enough is enough!”
Sara, who spoke at the event, said: “We welcomed the opportunity to tell our stories and have our voices heard.
“We’re fed up of nobody listening to us and being blamed for causing the problem. It’s not our fault. It’s well documented that people have been having problems with dampness and mould down here for decades and its time that something was done about it for once and for all”.
Susan, another member of the group, added: “We are really disappointed that the ‘high heid yins’ didn’t come to our event to hear our stories and see for themselves the conditions that people are having to put up with.
“We will be making sure that they all get a copy of our report and we will be expecting to hear from them soon about how they are going to respond to our demands. They need to understand that we’re not going away.”
Dr Olivia Swann, Clinical Lecturer in Paediatric Infectious Disease at Edinburgh University, also spoke at the event.
Thanking the women for their moving testimonies, Olivia’s presentation explained how homes are much more than just physical structures and made clear that “strong scientific evidence has shown that poor housing can affect someone’s physical and mental health throughout their life”.
Sara says this is an extremely worrying fact for those of us with young children who have been living in mouldy homes for most of their young lives.
Dawn Anderson, Director of Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP), who attended the event along with members of her Board, including former Leith MP/MSP and Holyrood Health Secretary Malcolm Chisholm, said: “We are very concerned about the problems the parents group has raised.
“PCHP has been supporting people to get help for some time. One parent has been working with Media Education on a new film featuring the nine year battle of Anita, a local women, desperately trying to escape her damp house”.
Dawn explained how it was fitting that the parents action group had called their exhibition ‘Home Sweet Home’: “It’s 40 years since PCHP was established in North Edinburgh and dampness and ill-health was one of the first issues the campaigners worked on. Meetings with local parents led to a womens’ group forming.
“They produced a slide show called “Home Sweet Home” and presented it to health professionals in the area. This resulted in The Scottish Executive backing a research project conducted by the University of Edinburgh who established a direct link between dampness and ill-health all those years ago.
“There have been countless studies on this issue over the years which have drawn the same conclusions. Sadly, we can see from Anita’s film and from the parents stories and photographs, little has changed and family’s in the area are still faced with health threatening living conditions.”
The Group is already planning a follow-up event to build on the momentum created by yesterday’s launch.
HOME
A poem by members of North Edinburgh Parents Action Group
Over £500m in Child Disability Payment paid to families
Parents of disabled children are being urged to make sure they’re not missing out on vital financial support from the Scottish Government.
Child Disability Payment is money to help families cover the extra costs of looking after a child or young person who is disabled, has a long-term health condition or is terminally ill.
Since being introduced in 2021, over 78,000 children and young people have received the payment, with more than £500 million being paid out in total.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville met parents and children at Carrongrange High School in Grangemouth to hear about their experiences of applying for and receiving the benefit and to urge other parents to apply.
Child Disability Payment, paid by Social Security Scotland, has replaced Disability Living Allowance for Children from the Department for Work and Pensions.
The devolved benefit, designed in partnership with parents of disabled children and charities, was designed to be as straightforward and stress free as possible.
Light touch reviews were introduced for children whose condition has not changed since the original application was made. This means children with lifelong disabilities do not need to face ongoing lengthy reviews to continue getting financial support.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Children and young people with a disability, long-term health condition or terminal illness often have additional needs and the costs for families can add up.
“Far too many families found the previous DWP scheme complicated and stigmatising. We were determined to change that and hearing from parents shows that we have.
“The Scottish Government’s social security systems is built on encouraging people to apply, supporting them in the process and getting the decision right first time.”
“I’m pleased Child Disability Payment is there to support families who need extra help and I urge anyone whose child is eligible to apply.
“It’s money they’re entitled to and could help make life a bit easier.”
Catherine Sneddon, 37, Grangemouth, whose son receives Child Disability Payment said:“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 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.
Janine Proudlock, Headteacher at Carrongrange High School in Grangemouth said:“For me the 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 essential money to improve the lives of the young people and their family.”
This May we celebrate Deaf Awareness Week (6-12 May).
Did you know that nine out of ten deaf children are born to hearing parents? A great many parents tell us they knew very little or even nothing at all about deafness before they had a deaf child.
So it’s hardly surprising that many such parents find themselves feeling confused, unprepared and worried about what the future might hold.
The National Deaf Children’s Society is here to help you give your deaf child the very best start in life. With the right support, there’s absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t grow up confident, happy and fulfilled.
We’re here for you. We can provide support for all of you who are new to the journey, through our extensive resources – from our Helpline, 0808 800 8880, and our wealth of expertise, right through to the friendship and reassurance of our fantastic community.
Ansvar, an insurer specialising in the charity, not-for-profit, and faith sectors, is calling for charities and donors in Edinburgh to manage the risks associated with cashless giving.
The advice comes in response to findings from the Charities Aid Foundation, which highlighted significant shifts in donation trends, particularly towards online and cashless methods.
According to the Foundation’s 2024 annual UK Giving Report [1], British citizens contributed an estimated £13.9 billion to charitable causes in 2023, with an estimated 60% of Edinburgh residents having donated during the year. [2] This total represents an increase from £12.7 billion in 2022.
The typical donation remained at £20, demonstrating the continued generosity of the public. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the landscape of charitable giving, with a marked decline in cash donations.
In 2019, 51% of donations were made in cash compared to 2021 when it dropped to 29%. In 2022, four in ten people who donated did so via direct debit. [3]
Martyn Fletcher, Deputy Managing Director at Ansvar, emphasised the importance of adapting to changing donation habits while managing associated risks.
Martyn said: “The shift towards cashless giving presents both opportunities and challenges for charities and donors alike. While it provides greater convenience and accessibility for donors, it does mean new challenges for charities in protecting against emerging risks.
“As cashless giving becomes increasingly prevalent, it is vital for charities to prioritise cybersecurity, implementing stringent protocols to safeguard data and donations.”
In light of these developments, Ansvar recommends implementing robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard donor information and financial transactions.
This includes regularly updating security protocols, investing in secure payment gateways, ensuring organisations have relevant insurance protection, and providing staff with cybersecurity training.
Additionally, Ansvar advises donors to exercise vigilance when contributing to charitable causes online, emphasising the importance of verifying the legitimacy of donation platforms and ensuring the confidentiality of personal and financial information.
While acknowledging the inherent risks, Ansvar underscores the numerous benefits of cashless giving, including the ability to make and receive instant donations and the expansion of fundraising channels. With options ranging from handheld card readers to QR codes and text-to-donate services, cashless giving offers convenience and flexibility for both charities and donors.
Martyn Fletcher added: “As the trend towards cashless giving continues to grow, it’s vital for charities and donors to work together to mitigate risks and maximise the impact of charitable contributions.”
Charities and donors are encouraged to follow Ansvar’s guidance to ensure the safe and effective management of cashless donations.
MEDICAL RESEARCH SCOTLAND ENGAGES ALMOST 1,400 PUPILS FROM 47 SCHOOLS THROUGH INSPIRING VIRTUAL LEARNING EVENTS
Medical Research Scotland, Scotland’s largest independent medical research charity, has ignited young people’s passion for science, education and careers with the return of its Medical Research Scotland Academy, linking secondary school pupils with industry experts.
For 2024, the Medical Research Scotland Academy reached 1,400 pupils from 47 secondary schools spanning from Aberdeen, across the Central Belt to the Scottish Borders. This free to access program successfully engaged S4, S5 and S6 pupils with a keen interest in STEM subjects. The innovative academy was delivered virtually allowing sessions to be utilised within the usual teaching schedules.
Throughout the online academy, pupils from schools across Scotland participated eagerly in live-streamed interactive lessons every Friday morning for the month of March. These sessions – directly broadcasted to science classrooms – allowed students to learn from the comfort of their familiar learning environments.
Led by scientists, industry leaders, and PhD students, whose research is funded by Medical Research Scotland, students were treated to a series of inspiring and insightful presentations.
This year, the academy introduced “Live from the Lab”, a new route which allowed pupils to look inside loa PhD researcher’s working environment and the interesting research they too could be conducting post-secondary school.
Kilgraston School in Perth is one of the many schools that have seen the benefits of these online sessions.
Through the weekly series, pupils had the unique opportunity to delve into topics including: How medical research can change the world, The power of data in research, Making medicines and The future in medical research.
These sessions were presented by esteemed scientists from leading Scottish universities including the Universities of Aberdeen, St Andrews, Edinburgh and Strathclyde as well as organisations including Generation Scotland and Edinburgh Clinical Research Facility.
Gerry Young, Director of Science at Kilgraston School, said: “It has been great to see the return of the Medical Research Scotland Academy for 2024.
“The online webinars have had a huge impact on our pupils that have shown a keen interested in STEM related subjects and a medical path post-secondary school.
“Throughout this virtual academy, our students have gained a priceless understanding of medical research by interacting with top experts in the field, enhancing their understanding of scientific principles.
“Experiencing real-world medical research has sparked a passion for science in our students. We appreciate this invaluable opportunity, which has empowered them to pursue careers in the medical research field.”
Professor Heather Wallace, Chair of Medical Research Scotland, said: “As Chair of Medical Research Scotland, I’m proud of Scotland’s legacy in producing top-tier research scientists helping to drive global health breakthroughs.
“The 2024 Medical Research Scotland Academy continues our mission, fostering connections between aspiring medical professionals and esteemed academics. Witnessing the enthusiasm among students from schools across the country reaffirms the academy’s value.”
Medical Research Scotland is dedicated to advancing health in Scotland and beyond through the support of cutting-edge research aimed at enhancing the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases.
To join us in our mission, please visit our website at:
The next major phase for the replacement Liberton High School has been marked by a special groundbreaking event on the site yesterday (Tuesday 30 April).
Head Teacher Alison Humphreys was joined by current high school pupils and primary school pupils who will be educated at the new school. They were joined by Education Convener Cllr Joan Griffiths, Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills at the Scottish Government, and Hector MacAulay, from contractors Balfour Beatty as Managing Director of their regional business in Scotland.
The construction of the school is due to be completed by early 2026 and has been funded from the Scottish Government’s Learning Estate Investment Programme and the City of Edinburgh Council.
Once pupils and staff have moved into the new building, the second phase will be the demolition of the old school which is due to be completed within a year.
The plans for the school, which will have capacity for 1,200 pupils, will consist of a variety of inspirational and inclusive spaces for learning. Classrooms, studios, workshops and science labs will connect and work with shared collaborative areas and breakout spaces, providing learners with more personalisation and choice over their learning environment.
Sports facilities include a floodlit multi use games area, basketball court and athletics facilities. The current tennis and beach volleyball courts and mountain bike trail will be retained as will the sports block.
A new fitness suite and dance studio will be provided to complement the existing sports facilities. There will also be outdoor learning spaces and a grassed amphitheatre.
A key part of the new school will be the community campus features as it will include non-educational facilities such as a café, library and flexible workspaces.
The school will also be constructed to Passivhaus standards designed to meet the city-wide aspirations for our schools to be as energy efficient as possible in response to the climate emergency and net zero targets.
The building has been designed to be energy efficient and will utilise high-performance windows and doors, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery to reduce carbon emissions, improve indoor air quality and decrease heating bills.
Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It was great to join pupils at the groundbreaking event for the replacement Liberton High School yesterday.
“Our new school campuses are innovatively and sustainably designed so they are inspirational places for learning for the next generation of young people creating a vibrant and thriving learning environment.
“The Liberton Community Campus is a really exciting project which provides an amazing opportunity to create a community lifelong learning and sports hub to replace the existing school. This means public services can be co-located with links to active travel networks, green infrastructure and public transport networks.
“Our Community Hub vision for the building to be ‘more than a school’ aligns with our 20 Minute Neighbourhood Strategy – to localise and co-locate services, making them more accessible for communities and to improve the experiences and outcomes for everyone.
“This is all part of the Council’s plan to support the wellbeing of everyone and end poverty and isolation in Edinburgh.”
Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills, said: “The Liberton Community Campus is another example of the Scottish Government working together with local authorities to provide learning environments which are both modern and state-of-the art.
“The Scottish Government will invest over £21 million in the Campus and I am grateful to the Council for providing me with the opportunity to get a glimpse of how our support will be of significant benefit to pupils and their families in the local area.
“Right across the country, we are continuing to invest in Scotland’s schools through the £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme. Thanks to direct investment from the Scottish Government, the quality of our school estate has improved from 61% of schools in good or satisfactory condition in 2007, to 90.7% in 2023.
“We will continue to work with local authorities, who own school buildings, to drive improvements across the school estate.”
“Many of our future pupils are currently at these primary schools, so it was very important to us that they played a part in the special event yesterday to celebrate the work on the site.”
Alison Humphreys, Headteacher at Liberton High School, said: The Liberton High School community, and our wider learning community including Craigour Park, Gilmerton, Liberton and Prestonfield Primary Schools, are very excited about the creation of our new Liberton Community Campus.
“Many of our future pupils are currently at these primary schools, so it was very important to us that they played a part in the special event yesterday to celebrate the work on the site.
“In addition to a new secondary school with state-of-the-art facilities for learning, the building will also include a community library, community cafe, partner agency spaces and community fitness facilities.
“This is something that we are really looking forward to as it will bring so many opportunities for the wider public to use the space as a hub for accessing supports, learning, and fitness, and for socialising too.”
Hector MacAulay MBE, Managing Director of Balfour Beatty’s regional business in Scotland, said: “It was an honour to join with colleagues and pupils from Liberton High School today to mark this important occasion.
“As we embark on the next phase of the project with construction now underway, we remain committed to delivering a modern, safe and sustainable learning estate that will enhance and support communities and improve the lives of families in the local area.”
