Month: June 2024

Human Rights Don’t Expire: Hourglass Calls for urgent action on Abuse of Older People and Age Discrimination

On the eighteenth World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) Hourglass, the only UK-wide charity supporting older victim-survivors is calling for older people’s human rights to be given parity. 

WEAAD, a day recognised by the United Nations General Assembly to raise awareness about the abuse and neglect of older people, is this year themed on human rights, emphasising that these rights should be upheld for all individuals, regardless of age. Hourglass, with its unique 24/7 helpline and community response service, is leading the call for parity. 

Deputy CEO and Policy Director, Veronica Gray, explains: “The United Nations’ 1948 Declaration of Human Rights, Article 1, states that All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.

“They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Nowhere in this declaration, nor in its 29 other articles, does it say that human rights expire after a person reaches a certain age.

“However, the UK’s Equality Act 2010 explicitly makes age discrimination illegal in England, Wales, and Scotland, unless there is a justified reason. However, in Northern Ireland, older people still lack legal protection against age discrimination when accessing goods, facilities, and services. Despite these legal frameworks, the rights of older people are often not upheld.”

The charity feels the COVID-19 pandemic starkly further highlighted these issues. They point to evidence that older people were discharged from hospitals into care homes without being tested for coronavirus, leading to rapid virus spread in environments lacking PPE. There is also evidence that “Do Not Resuscitate” notices were issued without the consent of the individuals or their families. 

Hourglass points to the October 2020, Amnesty International report “As if expendable: The UK government’s failure to protect older people in care homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.” This accused the UK government of directly violating the human rights of older care home residents, including their rights to life, health, and non-discrimination.

Veronica Gray continues: “Unfortunately, the violation of older people’s human rights extends beyond the pandemic. During the legislative process for the Domestic Abuse Act, the abuse of older people was notably absent from discussions.

“The government’s stance that generic abuse services suffice for older victims ignored significant barriers older people face when accessing these services.”

The charity has initiated its own manifesto and campaign to highlight the issue further. For WEAAD 2024, Hourglass has launched OATH – Older Age, Tomorrow’s Hope – urging people to commit to creating a Safer Ageing Society by 2050.

The pledge calls for support from both the public and political leaders in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

You can take the OATH here: https://www.wearehourglass.org/take-oath.

In an attempt to address these issues, Hourglass has launched its own manifesto, calling on Westminster, the Welsh Senedd, Holyrood, and Stormont to adopt key policies that lay the foundation for a safer ageing society.

The manifesto can be viewed here: https://www.wearehourglass.org/hourglass-manifesto-2024.

The manifesto – entitled ‘A Safer Ageing Society by 2050’ illustrates some of the key issues facing older victim-survivors and the urgent need for parity.

The narrative explains: Research by Hourglass in 2020 found that over 2.6 million older people were affected by abuse and neglect, yet specialised services for older victims are scarce and often have long waiting lists.

Ageist attitudes remain a significant barrier. For example, economic abuse by family members taking an older person’s inheritance early is not widely recognised as abuse.

Veronica Gray, concludes: “As our population ages, it is imperative that we ensure human rights do not erode with age. The right to life, health, and non-discrimination must be upheld for older individuals.

“We must strive for a society where people can grow old free from abuse and neglect, with their human rights intact. The journey to a Safer Ageing Society by 2050 starts today, and it requires immediate action and commitment from all of us.”

Hourglass, which has been working to support older-victims of abuse and neglect since 1994, has a unique 24/7 helpline, instant messenger and Knowledge Bank service. These services are already under threat due to delayed decision-making on future funding mechanisms. 

The charity was recently in the headlines for working to develop and script the story of Yolande Trueman, in BBCs EastEnders. This, along with many other factors has seen the charity’s calls hit over 700 a week and with a likely 50,000 contacts per year.  

The charity is urging those keen to support the charity to donate by visiting www.wearehourglass.org.uk/donate or Text SAFER to 70460 to donate £10.

Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS. If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAFERNOINFO to 70460.

Prime Minister attends major peace summit on Ukraine

The Prime Minister travelled to Switzerland yesterday to reiterate the UK’s support for Ukraine, as the first leader level peace summit focused on the future of the country got underway.

More than 50 heads of state and governments attended the summit near Lucerne, making it the largest world leader gathering solely focused on Ukraine since the invasion began.

Speaking at the summit last night, the Prime Minister said: “Those who aid Russia by providing the weapons of war, or components for those weapons should look at this summit today. They should look at Bucha, Mariupol, Kharkiv, and they should reflect on the choice they have made.

“They are placing themselves on the side of the aggressor – and on the wrong side of history. Putin has no interest in a genuine peace. He has launched a sustained diplomatic campaign against this summit ordering countries to stay away, spinning a phoney narrative about his willingness to negotiate.

“We should ask Russia why they feel so threatened by a summit discussing the basic principles of territorial integrity, food security and nuclear safety.”

The Prime Minister went on: “From a position of strength, we must work with President Zelenskyy to set out the principles for a just and lasting peace, based on international law and the UN Charter.

“That is the path to a permanent cessation of hostilities. It will show Ukraine that we’ll stand by them when they are ready for negotiations.

“And it will show Putin’s allies in North Korea, Iran and elsewhere that we will protect the right of all nations to determine their own future.”

While at the summit, the Prime Minister met President Zelenskyy to reiterate the UK’s support for Ukraine, including ensuring any future peace deal is sustainable, and crucially, on Ukraine’s terms.

The summit follows the meeting of the G7 in Italy this week, where the UK, alongside G7 partners, announced 50 new sanctions designations and specifications to degrade Putin’s war machine, and committed to providing £242m in bilateral assistance to Ukraine, to support immediate humanitarian, energy and stabilisation needs.

The UK also agreed with the G7 to provide a new loan for Ukraine worth $50bn, which will be repaid by the extraordinary revenues that come from the frozen assets of Russia’s central bank, both in Europe and around the world.

National Security Advisor Sir Tim Barrow is also attending the two-day Swiss summit.

Stories of inspiring young women sought

The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its ninth annual 30 Under 30 list.

The list was established in 2016 to address the lack of diverse representation on other 30 Under 30 lists. It seeks to celebrate young women, girls and non-binary people in Scotland who are making change in their lives, communities or in society. Each year since its launch, the list has showcased some of Scotland’s most inspiring young artists, activists, carers, volunteers and trail-blazers from across the country.

Nominations can be submitted until Monday 1st July at youngwomenscot.org/30-under-30, where more information can also be found. Self-nominations are also welcomed, and The Young Women’s Movement is hoping to see stories from a wide range of age groups, parts of Scotland and areas of life.

Jenni Snell, CEO of The Young Women’s Movement, said: ‘In a climate of increased misogynistic rhetoric and challenging times for young women, our annual 30 Under 30 campaign is a much needed chance to celebrate and recognise the positive impact that young women, girls and non-binary people are having across Scotland.

“Young women are at the heart of everything we do at The Young Women’s Movement, and it is a privilege to once again hear and celebrate the incredible impact that they have in their communities and in society through this project.’

His Majesty King Charles III confirmed as patron of breast cancer charity Walk the Walk

Cancer charity Walk the Walk is delighted to announce that His Majesty King Charles III has been confirmed as the charity’s patron.

As the former Prince of Wales, His Majesty first agreed to become Walk the Walk’s patron in 2004. The announcement that the King is to continue his patronage was made to celebrate the first anniversary of his coronation.

His own views on integrated and holistic cancer care, ethical and environmental issues and the belief that everyone has their own potential for good health and well-being, are well known and fully align with the charity. Since His Majesty became a supporter of Walk the Walk, he has fully endorsed its ethos and values.

Walk the Walk Founder and Chief Executive Nina Barough said: “I am thrilled that His Majesty King Charles III has agreed to continue as Walk the Walk’s patron – it is absolutely wonderful to have his royal seal of approval!

“Back in 2004, the King’s views on holistic and integrated cancer care were still not mainstream but were very much in line with our own.

“His opinions gave incredibly high profile backing to what Walk the Walk was attempting to achieve at the time – we continue to be very grateful for his support, which has helped our charity make such a difference to so many people over the years”.   

Walk the Walk is also passionate about encouraging women and men to become fitter and healthier and to take control of their own well-being.  

The charity is best-known as the organiser of its flagship events the iconic MoonWalk fundraising events in London, Scotland and Iceland, which see thousands of women and men take on a midnight marathon wearing the charities statement decorated bras, to raise awareness and money for the prevention, research and the emotional and physical care of those living with cancer. 

‘Poundland Perks’ rewards app launches in all 62 Scotland stores

It’s ‘app-y hour’ all day long at Poundland as shoppers at its 62 stores in Scotland are given access to the ‘Poundland Perks’ app for the first time.

Poundland Perks is Poundland’s pilot rewards app that has been on trial in 43 stores on the Isle of Wight and in Northern Ireland and now is available across Scotland.

To bring the functionality to Scottish shoppers, Poundland has invested £13m in the roll-out of state-of-the-art tills that enable customers to use the app on the phone when purchasing their favourite items.

The app can be used by customers to earn, save and play.

Customers can earn points for every purchase in the store, use those points to get reward vouchers that save them even more, and also play on the app to earn prizes through ‘spin to wins-day’.

To celebrate the launch, Poundland’s mascot, Poundhound, ambled over to Glasgow’s Argyle Street store to give the app his paw print of approval — all while donning a stylish custom kilt and flanked by a rousing bagpiper.

With ‘Poundland Perks’, Scotland shoppers can now get their hands on offers that deliver up even better value – up to 25 per cent – off favourites such as Haribo Starmix, Pringles and Irn Bru, items that the discounter already sells at market-leading prices. 

Also included in the rewards scheme at launch are offers for Huggies Wipes, Colgate Triple Action, Zoflora and Bakers Sizzlers Dog Treats Bacon.

The same offers are available on Poundland Perks in existing pilot stores in Northern Ireland and on the Isle of Wight.

Poundland’s Director of Digital, Tom Hill, and Head of Digital Loyalty and Engagement, Emma Collins, stopped by the Argyle Street store to mingle with customers who were downloading the app for the first time.

Poundland Perks Launch

Tom said: “Poundland Perks allows us to offer shoppers the chance to save, earn and play through their smartphone, making shopping with us even more fun.

“We’re creating an app that’s convenient and easy for people to use in store, with reward vouchers that help customers save even more.

“We know from our experience in Northern Ireland just how popular Poundland Perks has been and it’s been brilliant to see the reaction here today in Glasgow.”

To download the Poundland app, search in the Google or Apple play stores for Poundland Perks.

Gordon Macdonald MSP: Get informed on landline switchover

BT ROADSHOW EVENT – 10 JULY from 10am – 3pm NICHOLSON SQUARE

Local SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald is encouraging Edinburgh residents to get informed about the forthcoming changes to landlines across the country.

The existing analogue technology which has supported phone and broadband services for decades is being retired and switched off with the works already underway.

Landline phone calls have traditionally been delivered over a network known as the public switched telephone network (PSTN). This network is old, and becoming harder and more expensive to maintain, so it needs to be replaced.

BT has taken the decision to retire its PSTN by December 2025 and this means other providers that use BT’s network must follow the same timescale. Other companies with their own networks such as Virgin Media plan to follow a similar timescale.

Mr Macdonald recently met with representatives from BT to discuss the changes and how this will affect households.

BT advised they are taking an information roadshow on tour across the country with an event in Edinburgh on 10 July at 25 Nicolson Square between 10 and 3pm where anyone can drop by to find out more about the switch.

Commenting Gordon Macdonald said: “Many people may not even be aware of the plans to switch all telephone lines over to digital, some may have limited knowledge but still have unanswered questions on what it means for them and their telephone service.

“BT’s roadshow event will go some way in addressing any concerns or queries residents have and I would encourage people to drop by on the 10 July to speak to the team from BT about what steps they need to take and how they can be supported in the switchover.”

General Election hustings looks to put mental health top of the agenda

Three mental health charities will host a General Election hustings event in Edinburgh for a lively discussion on mental health policies with the five main Scottish political parties.

Change Mental Health, Penumbra Mental Health and Health in Mind have all joined forces to organise the hustings event, taking place at the Augustine United Church in Edinburgh on Tuesday 18th June.

Despite mental health being devolved to the Scottish Parliament, all three charities are emphasising that political parties must prioritise and improve mental health.

Nick Ward, CEO of Change Mental Health, said: “We are in the middle of a mental health crisis. Mental health services aren’t getting the funding they need and people aren’t getting the support that they need, when they need it most.

“It’s time for politicians to tell us what they are going to do about this. We need the mental health of our communities to be at the top of the agenda for this election and we need to make sure that the voices of people affected by mental health are heard so that we can build a future where no one faces mental illness alone.”

Mike Burns, Chief Executive of Penumbra Mental Health, said: ““Each of the main political parties will have a chance to outline how they will challenge the inequalities which impact our mental health.

“People in the audience will rightly be looking to candidates for a commitment to creating a society that supports good mental health for everyone.”

Wendy Bates, Chief Executive of Health in Mind, said: ““Over recent years, our mental health has been affected by events locally, nationally, across the UK and globally.

“People accessing our services tell us that they continue to feel the impacts of the Covid pandemic, conflict across the world, the cost of living crisis and the climate crisis. With over one in four of us now dealing with mental health issues, and support services stretched increasingly thin, we need mental health to be at the top of the agenda for our next government.  

“Although health is a devolved matter in Scotland, decisions made in Westminster will have knock-on effects for us here.

“We are delighted to be hosting this hustings together with Change Mental Health and Penumbra Mental Health to open up this vital conversation ahead of next month’s election, hear more about candidates’ commitments, and create space for them to share how they plan to improve our nation’s mental health – which will impact us all both directly and indirectly.”

A recent survey from Change Mental Health’s sister charity, Rethink Mental Illness, found that 4 in 10 people say mental health will be important in shaping their decision on which party to vote for at the General Election on 4th July 2024.

The hustings event on mental health will be an opportunity for people to have their voice heard on improving and prioritising mental health and wellbeing across the country.

Representatives will be available from the SNP, Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the Greens.

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank: We love pre-loved!

2 weeks until the end of term!

What do you do with all your preloved uniform? We would love it if you could donate any items to us. We will ensure they are sorted and back out in the community, reaching families who need help. ♻️

🚩Please note we cannot take branded/school logo items🚩

We have 4 brand new drop off points in Currie, Colinton, Fort Kinnaird and Ocean Terminal. Click the link below for a full list:

ESUB drop-off locations

More information on our free to access community rails can be found at the following link:

Signposting

⭐Thank you ⭐

Hear Us! Youth members ask Synod to keep in mind their hopes and fears as decisions are made

⭐️ Young people’s hopes and fears featured prominently at the Scottish Episcopal Church‘s General Synod on Thursday.

🌍 Phoebe Pryce, Edinburgh Diocese Youth and Children‘s 18-25 Rep, and Chair of the Scottish Episcopal Church – Provincial Youth Committee (PYC), was among several young people to address the Church’s key annual conference.

🌐 Leading the PYC segment, Phoebe championed the views of young people in the SEC nationwide around the need to protect women’s rights, the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis, nuclear disarmament, and global equality, justice and peace.

Phoebe Pryce, Chair of the PYC, told members: “We are not a group which tends to bring motions or debates to General Synod, but we do have ideas and opinions on things that you as General Synod make decisions about.

“We are still here to share our experiences and tell our stories, but we are also here today to share our thoughts and our opinions on some of the topics you are discussing later in the agenda.

“We hope that through being here today, you can gather from us where our views lie on these issues, and that you will bear them in mind as you go forward in the next few days.”

Ms Pryce then told the story of Lucy, a 12-18 representative from the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, ahead of Motion 14 on nuclear weapons.

Her opinion echoes the views of youth representatives that nuclear weapons are “highly dangerous and immoral, having the capacity to kill millions if they were ever used, potentially without solving underlying issues”.

Ms Pryce said: “Lucy’s question to you is this: ‘Why is there such investment in the building and maintenance of unethical and illegal weapons when that same money could be invested in other projects and make a real and positive difference to people’s lives?’

“Lucy voices the views of the whole PYC in encouraging you to take a decisive stance against nuclear weapons: we believe it would show that, as a community, the SEC is against the use of these incredibly destructive and immoral weapons.

“Whilst passing such a motion may not have an immediate effect upon our country’s nuclear programme, we think it’s important to show that we do not agree with the production, storage, and potential use of nuclear weapons in the UK, and across the world.

“Please consider this decision as one of human decency, morality and ethics, which reflect the Christian values of peace, compassion, and universal love that we strive to live by.”

Causey Development Trust hosts cycle in partnership with Woodland Wheels

Causey Development Trust (CDT) will welcome those from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds for a professionally led cycle this morning (Saturday 15 June).

Starting off at the Canal Basin in Fountainbridge at 10.30am and swinging by The Causey in Edinburgh’s southside en route for refreshments, this event is part of the charity’s ongoing Active Travel campaign.

Featuring foraging and plant identification en route, the ride will be carried out in partnership with Woodland Wheels, an organisation committed to bringing cycling and nature connection to those who may not otherwise get to engage with it. 

Sarah Drummond, Chair of the Causey Development Trust, said: “We are delighted to be working with Woodland Wheels, who do such important work within sometimes marginalised communities here in Scotland, to deliver this event.

“Cycling isn’t something that is available to everyone, and we want to enable everyone to feel safe and secure in sustainable travel – or just enjoying being on a bike! – both across the city and further afield.” 

Part of CDT’s ongoing Active Travel campaign, which supports those who might face barriers to cycling and other forms of active travel, the ride is free to participants thanks to Woodland Wheels’ funding from Scottish Forestry’s Engagement Programme, and helmets and bikes will be provided where needed. The cycle will be mainly off-road and suitable for inexperienced cyclists.

Anna Canning, ride leader and coordinator at Woodland Wheels said: “We are so excited to be working with The Causey to deliver this event, and hopefully more into the future!

“Cycling in a sociable group and spending time outside, in nature – especially in woodland – works wonders for mental health, alongside the physical health benefits, and we look forward to welcoming new faces this Saturday.”

Committed to transforming this soulless traffic island and traffic dominated street in The Southside, Edinburgh, into a place that prioritises pedestrians, active travel and the coming together of community, this is just one of a series of upcoming events to be hosted by Causey Development Trust throughout 2024. 

Causey Development Trust hopes that capital works at The Causey will begin in 2025.

For more information on the plans, created by local Landscape Architects Ironside Farrar, and how the Causey Development Trust reached this point, visit:  www.thecausey.org