Day: June 3, 2024

Volunteer Week: Edinburgh Leisure celebrates its unsung heroes

As the nation celebrates National Volunteer Week (Monday, 3rd – Sunday, 9th June), Edinburgh Leisure will be holding a thank you on Thursday, 6th June at Meadowbank Sports Centre for their unsung heroes and their unwavering commitment and all they do to help create a more active and healthier city.

National Volunteer Week recognises and celebrates the contributions volunteers make across the UK and inspires more people to make a difference.

Stephen Hughes, Volunteer Manager at Edinburgh Leisure explains: “Our volunteers play a vital role in making a difference to people’s lives, providing the help and support people need to be active.

“In the last few years, our volunteers have grown from 120 in 2022-2023 to 140 in 2023-2024. We’ve also expanded the volunteering roles from five to nine and include buddy swimming, walk leaders and Instructor Assistants.”

Teresa, 66, one of Edinburgh Leisure’s volunteers explains why she got involved and her journey from participant to volunteer. She grew up in Edinburgh’s Craigmillar area and has always enjoyed staying active.

She used the old Meadowbank Sports Centre (“going back a few years”) for aerobics classes, badminton, and training for the West Highland Way with her sister-in-law.

Teresa was previously a participant in Edinburgh Leisure’s Steady Steps programme, which is a physical activity referral programme for anyone who has had a fall or is at risk of having a fall. After falling and breaking her wrist, she completed half her sessions in person and the rest online when COVID-19 hit.

Here she tells us about her journey from participant to volunteer:

“I worked with Scottish Gas for 36 years and as part of my job I supported community initiatives. We had days where we could volunteer, and I used them to support the Royal Blind School. That was when I first became interested in volunteering.

When I finished my Steady Steps classes, my instructor Mari asked me if I would like to become a volunteer. I investigated it and was surprised to find out that Edinburgh Leisure has so many different volunteer roles. I decided to volunteer with Steady Steps and another Active Communities class, Get Active, which encourages inactive people to become and stay active.

“Not only does volunteering help me keep physically fit but it’s also good for my mental wellbeing.  I love the community and camaraderie in classes, getting to know people and learning new things.

“I like that the participants find me approachable and when they call me by my name it shows they remember me, and I feel valued.

“The education sessions and the volunteer training days about dementia and visual impairment I’ve taken part in have broadened my knowledge. I get as much out of volunteering as the participants do.

“I would encourage others who are considering volunteering to give it a go as it’s so rewarding. Recently, after my class had finished, a few of us were having a laugh while getting packed up.

“It was only when we got to the front door of Meadowbank that one of the participants realised she had left her Zimmer frame in the studio. For me this is a good example of how physical activity can improve health, even in older people, and give them confidence to get out and do more”.

No matter which role you undertake as a volunteer at Edinburgh Leisure, training and support is provided. To find out more and get involved, visit: 

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/work-with-us/become-a-volunteer or contact stephenhughes@edinburghleisure.co.uk

Barratt supports Corstorphine pupils during Walk to School Week

To mark national Walk to School Week, Barratt Developments East Scotland encouraged participation at Corstorphine Primary School by donating a selection of high-vis items to pupils in P1 and P2.

The school held its annual Hands Up survey to find out how pupils normally travelled to school – encouraging those who use vehicles to try walking for the week.

Barratt Developments East Scotland is currently developing Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes sites at West Craigs in north-west Edinburgh.

The Walk to School Week initiative further demonstrates the housebuilder’s commitment to supporting schools in the local community.

Choudhury: “Organisations should implement anti-racism strategies”

Lothians MSP Foysol Choudhury MSP has sponsored an ‘Anti-Racism in the Third and Voluntary Sector’ drop-in session at the Scottish Parliament, imploring organisations to integrate their own anti-racist strategies.

North Edinburgh Arts, with support from Passion4Fusion and Project Esperanza, presented their work to other third sector and voluntary organisations on delivering North Edinburgh Arts’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan. 

North Edinburgh Arts have focused their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work across 2023/2024 on race and have worked with two black led organisations, Passion4Fusion and Project Esperanza, in the development of their Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Plan.

As part of this work, North Edinburgh Arts have developed an anti-racist statement:

“North Edinburgh Arts condemns all forms of racism and discrimination, including anti-Blackness, and will not tolerate racist language, hate speech, or abusive behaviours on our premises or online spaces.”

They have also developed an anti-racism plan which includes steps such as staff training. Learning about the work North Edinburgh Arts have done with Passion4Fusion and Project Esperanza, MSP Choudhury says, was a fantastic example of what more organisations should be doing to tackle racism.

Mr Choudhury said: “”The third sector plays an important role in shaping a more diverse, tolerant and equal society.

“Watching the presentation from North Edinburgh Arts, Passion4Fusion and Project Esperanza showed us what can be achieved in the third sector, to ensure that our organisations are not only non-racist, but break down racist barriers to ensure they are truly anti-racist.

“We had very insightful discussions at the session about how other third sector and voluntary organisations can implement anti-racism, learning from the work which has been done by these three fantastic organisations.

“The clear call from this event was that anti-racism is something that we should all take it upon ourselves to implement-we must work together, not leave anti-racist work solely to black-led or ethnic minority organisations.

“We must condemn all forms of racism and discrimination and continue working to ensure our spaces and services reflect, welcome and celebrate our diverse communities.”

Kate Wimpress, Director of North Edinburgh Arts, said following the event: “Working with Passion4Fusion and Project Esperanza on our anti-racist statement and plan has been a wholly positive and enlightening process.

“Many thanks to them for their generosity and support. NEA better understands the corrosive nature of racism and the part we must all play to shape a more diverse, tolerant, and respectful society.”

Helene Rodger, Project Director of Passion4Fusion, said following the event: “Anti-racism practices aim to level the playing field and ensure equal access to opportunities across all sectors, regardless of race or ethnicity . 

“This is key to achieving the vision of a Scotland where “wealth and power are more equally spread.”

Victoria Nyanga-Ndiaye, CEO of Project Esperanza, said following the event: “At Project Esperanza; we have been listening to the voices of families from Black and Multi Ethnic Communities about their experiences, concerns and frustrations with racism in schools and health and social care services; as well as about how complaints are handled.

“We are amplifying those voices through the work that we do to challenge racist systems and work practices, as well as to challenge the gatekeeping that happens within systems, which ultimately harm Black and Brown communities.

“We do this in order to shape a truly welcoming, fairer and safer Scotland that is culturally literate and migrant friendly and it is important that third sector organisations unite in anti-racism efforts in Scotland, because we work frontline and centre daily with the communities affected by all forms of racism”.

Scottish Building Society CEO Paul Denton recognised with Lifetime Achievement Award

SCOTTISH BUILDING SOCIETY CEO Paul Denton has been recognised for his services to the banking and mortgage sector with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The prestigious accolade was presented at a ceremony at the Scottish Mortgage Summit & Awards 2024, held at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh last week, which celebrated mortgage lenders and products across the country.

Paul first entered into the industry when he joined the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Forfar Branch following school in July 1988. From there he excelled in numerous roles, holding positions as Area Manager for West Fife and then Regional Manager for Aberdeen.

He then became Head of Sales for RBS and NatWest, before supporting the Coop Bank in 2013 following the financial crash.

In 2019 Paul joined Scottish Building Society, a mutual organisation run by and for its members, where he has led the organisation to almost double its balance sheet while delivering a personal approach to service at the same time.

Paul has also held roles across the wider industry, representing building societies and Scotland on the UK Finance Mortgage Board and the FCA Small Business Practitioner Panel, as well as being a Member of the Bank of England’s Scotland agency panel.

Paul Denton, CEO at Scottish Building Society, said: “I am incredibly proud to receive this recognition and it is truly humbling to take home the Lifetime Achievement Award. I’d like to thank everyone I have worked with over the years and those who have supported me throughout my career.

“I’ve been privileged to work alongside many dedicated professionals who share a commitment to helping people achieve their financial dreams, and this award is a testament to them also.

“I’d like to congratulate all of the winners and shortlisted entries at the Scottish Mortgage Summit & Awards who all contribute massively to creating a resilient mortgage sector in Scotland, and I am looking forward to supporting the industry further as we move forward.”

Dalry assault: Do you know this man?

POLICE have issued an image of a man they believe may have information that can assist with an investigation into an assault outside a premises on Dalry Road.

The incident took place shortly after 12.30pm on Saturday, 11 May, 2024.

The man is described as being black, 6ft 2, stocky build, with a short afro and black beard. He was wearing a black hat, black shiny jacket, black cargo trousers and black trainers. He was seen riding an electric bike.

Constable Pete Shannon, of Wester Hailes Police Station, said: “We are eager to talk to the man in this image, as we believe he may be able to assist our enquiries into this incident, and we urge anyone who may recognise him to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1590 of 11 May, 2024, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Scottish beaches recognised for environmental excellence

More than 50 beaches have been recognised for their environmental excellence with a Scotland’s Beach Award.

The award, now in its 32nd year, celebrates the achievements of well-managed beaches across the country, ensuring visitors and local residents can choose where they want to visit with the knowledge that the beach is being looked after for both the people who enjoy it and the environment.

A total of 51 beaches have received an award this year.

Scotland’s beaches are lynchpins of communities across the country, with stunning beauty spots ranging from rural to urban areas providing an attraction for people from across the country and beyond to come and enjoy.

Fife once again has the most award winners, with 13 beaches receiving an award. Furthermore Dornoch Beach, located in the Highlands, celebrates its 30th consecutive year of award wins.

Jamie Ormiston, KSB’s Training and Accreditation Coordinator, said: “We’re delighted to announce the winners of Scotland’s Beach Awards 2024.

“This award is the benchmark for quality, celebrating clean, well-managed and sustainable beaches. Our award-winning beaches demonstrate excellent beach management and I’d like to thank all those who do so much to protect, maintain and enhance our beaches, protecting the sand and sea for us all to enjoy.

“Scotland’s beaches are for everyone to enjoy and we hope that people do  so responsibly and keep them beautiful for us all.

“Every year we are delighted at the standard of Scotland’s Beach Award winners across the country, especially as beach managers and local communities are battling increased erosion and more regular devasting winter storms, often with limited resources.

“Not only are they able to keep our beaches open and accessible, they are also maintaining facilities to a high standard and supporting local people and visitors to take action for the environment. It really is inspiring to witness.”

Jeremy Harris, CEO at Fife Coast and Countryside Trust, said: “Once again Fife has the most award-winning beaches in Scotland. This is testament to our dedicated team who deliver the high standards that locals and visitors have come to expect.

“It’s a privilege to work with partners such as Keep Scotland Beautiful, Fife Council and the RNLI to ensure the Fringe of Gold tops the beach charts. And I’m delighted that Leven Beach is once again included, where we expect to welcome many more visitors now that the Levenmouth Rail Link has gone live.”

In order to achieve Scotland’s Beach Award, a range of criteria must be met, including beach safety, access and facilities, and cleanliness.

Focusing on local environmental quality, the award is designed to complement the work undertaken by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on bathing water quality. The full criteria can be accessed here.

Summer Fair at Pennywell Kirk (The Old Kirk & Muirhouse)

CHANGE OF NAME BUT THE FAIR’s THE SAME!

What had been ‘The Old Kirk and Muirhouse church’ has united with Cramond Kirk to form ‘Edinburgh Northwest Kirk’ [ENK], of which the former TO&M building will be renamed ‘Pennywell Kirk’ over time.

The change in name however does not affect the Summer Fair, just gives us more ‘stuff’ and more volunteers!

Still 30p for adults, accompanied children enter for free.

Corridor care: Royal College of Nursing declares ‘national emergency’ and demands political action

Nursing staff are regularly forced to provide care to patients in chairs and corridors, compromising patient safety and dignity. RCN IS asking members to call it out and join their fight to eradicate the practice.

An RCN report reveals more than 1 in 3 (37%) nursing staff working in typical hospital settings delivered care in inappropriate settings, such as corridors, on their last shift. Our survey of almost 11,000 frontline nursing staff across the UK shows the extent to which corridor care has been normalised.

Patients are regularly treated on chairs in corridors for extended periods of time, sometimes days. We say that these instances must now be determined as ‘Never Events’ in NHS services, in the same way that having the wrong limb operated on or a foreign object being left inside a patients’ body already are. 

We’re asking for mandatory national reporting of patients being cared for in corridors, to reveal the extent of hospital overcrowding, as part of a plan to eradicate the practice. We also need members to raise concerns when care in inappropriate settings takes place. 

In a new RCN report, Corridor Care: Unsafe, Undignified, Unacceptable, our survey findings and member testimonies show the full grave picture of corridor care across the UK.

Of those forced to deliver care in inappropriate settings, over half (53%) say it left them without access to life-saving equipment including oxygen and suction. More than two-thirds (67%) said the care they delivered in public compromised patient privacy and dignity.

Thousands of nursing staff report how corridor care has become the norm in almost every corner of a typical hospital setting. Heavy patient flow and lack of capacity sees nursing staff left with no space to place patients. What would have been an emergency measure is now routine.

The report says corridor care is “a symptom of a system in crisis”, with patient demand in all settings, from primary to community and social care, outstripping workforce supply. The result is patients left unable to access care near their homes and instead being forced to turn to hospitals. Poor population health and a lack of investment in prevention is exacerbating the problem, the report says.

Professor Nicola Ranger, Acting RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive, said: “This is a tragedy for our profession. Our once world-leading services are treating patients in car parks and store cupboards.

“The elderly are languishing on chairs for hours and patients are dying in corridors. The horror of this situation cannot be understated. It is a national emergency for patient safety and today we are raising the alarm. 

“Treating patients in corridors used to be an exceptional circumstance. Now it is a regular occurrence and a symptom of a system in crisis. 

“Patients shouldn’t have to end up at the doors of our emergency departments because they can’t get a GP appointment, a visit from a district nurse or a social care package. But that is the reality. Corridor care is a scourge in our hospitals, but we know the solution is to invest in our entire health and care system – and its nursing workforce.”

Don’t allow corridor care to become normalised, call it out. Find out more about how to raise a concern. 

Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams launch new integrated travel app

Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams are today (3 June 2024) delighted to announce the launch of a new fully integrated bus and tram app.

The new app allows customers to plan their journeys in advance with reliable timetable information and real-time departure boards for each stop across Edinburgh and the Lothians.  The platform was designed in partnership with technology company UrbanThings and Lothian’s in-house Commercial and Digital teams.

Users are able to plan all aspects of their journey in advance with newly developed integrated ticketing and planning features. Customers also have the option to purchase and gift tickets to friends and family for travel across the Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams networks.

Customers can travel around Edinburgh with the option to view real-time service updates on their chosen bus or tram stop, meaning users can plan and adapt to changes to the network while on the move.

Sarah Boyd, Managing Director for Lothian said: “With over 2 million customer journeys per week, we are pleased to introduce our new bus and tram app which will enhance the travel experience for residents and visitors to Edinburgh and the Lothians. 

Bringing together journey planning and ticketing in one place will support seamless, integrated travel across both our bus and tram network with advanced accessibility features providing a more inclusive service for all of our customers.

“The introduction of the new digital platform marks an exciting time for our business and we look forward to continuing to work with the team at UrbanThings to further develop and enhance our overall customer experience.”

Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams Managing Director, commented: “The launch of the new app marks another major step forward for the city’s integrated travel network, making it easier than ever for local residents and visitors alike to take full advantage of its excellent public transport options.

“Our multi-model tickets are already popular, and this new platform is set to encourage even more people to discover the benefits of both trams and buses.”

Cllr Scott Arthur, Transport Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s great news that Lothian and Edinburgh Trams will have this fully integrated bus and tram app for residents and visitors to the city. Promoting and encouraging use of public transport, along with active travel, is a key priority for the Council.

“Edinburgh Trams is exceeding all expectations and the 2 million weekly passengers carried by Lothian Buses clearly demonstrates the continued growth of public transport in Edinburgh. The development of this new app is a really positive step forward and shows the benefits that an integrated transport system can bring.”

Adam Toone, CEO at UrbanThings, says: “We are really delighted to introduce the new bus and tram app. Our primary goal remains to empower passengers with a seamless platform while promoting the use of shared transport.

“With features such as convenient smartcard registration, mobile ticketing, and live journey planning, we are confident that this app will significantly enhance the travel experience in Edinburgh.”

Customers can download the app from the App Store or Google Play Store by searching for ‘Lothian Buses/Edinburgh Trams.’

Edinburgh attraction gets Taylor Swift make-over to celebrate Eras Tour

THE DUNGEONS LAUNCHES £13 TICKETS TO CELEBRATE TAYLOR SWIFT’S EDINBURGH CONCERTS

  • Swifties can claim £13 tickets to celebrate the Eras Tour ‘shaking’ off in Scotland
  • The Edinburgh Dungeon ‘Jailer’ will be donning their best sequined outfit as they transform into “Jailer Swift” for the weekend, complete with Dungeon-inspired ‘fiendship’ bracelets to swap with guests

Is meeting Taylor Swift one of your Wildest Dreams? Whether you’ve missed out on The Eras Tour tickets or you’re about to shake it off with the pop princess herself, hold tight as Edinburgh Dungeon’s ‘Jailer Swift’ is donning their sequins to welcome Swifties to the City.

For one weekend only, Swifties can visit The Edinburgh Dungeon with Jailer Swift’s £13 tickets! The number 13 has been a firm favourite with the enchanted songstress with 13 being Taylor’s lucky number, her birthdate, her first album went gold in 13 weeks and she even celebrated turning 13 on Friday the 13th, a date that’s also a firm favourite in the depths of the dungeon!

In the words of Taylor herself: “Darling she’s a nightmare dressed like a daydream!”

The Edinburgh Dungeon is renowned for giving guests an immersive journey through Edinburgh’s darker eras (way further than 1989), so guests will need to brace themselves for the infamous tales inside. Taylor might’ve said “you wouldn’t last an hour in the asylum where they raised me” but are you brave enough to survive The Dungeons?

Forget The Tortured Poets Department… fans can experience the attraction’s spine-chilling Torture Chamber, as well as nine further immersive shows throughout the attraction. Plus, you’ll get the chance to be greeted by The Dungeon’s very own “Jailer Swift” and trade a selection of Dungeon-inspired ‘fiendship’ bracelets.

Visitors who want to enter their Edinburgh Dungeon era with £13 tickets can visit on 8th and 9th June. Tickets are available for a limited time only. So be sure to leave a Blank Space in your diary and book your visit in advance.

Lee Phillips, General Manager at The Edinburgh Dungeon, said: “Whether you missed out on Eras Tour tickets, or you’ll be seeing the real thing live in person, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to enter your Edinburgh Dungeon era and have the chance to greet our very own Jailer Swift – who will be welcoming visitors whilst donned in sparkles and Dungeon-inspired ‘fiendship’ bracelets.

“We knew you were trouble Taylor, but our Jailer is even worse!

“Jailor Swift’s £13 tickets are available for a limited time only, plus with fiendship bracelets that guests can swap there’s something for every Swiftie to love or loathe!”

For further information and to book a visit to The Edinburgh Dungeon, please visit the website here: 

https://www.thedungeons.com/edinburgh/whats-inside/events/jailor-swift/