October 2024 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Increasing funding for affordable housing

New bonds issued to support delivery of homes

A £22 million investment has been made into a scheme to increase investment in affordable homes and deliver more housing.

As part of Scotland’s Charitable Bond Programme, the Scottish Government has provided funding to issue two new bonds via finance intermediary Allia to housing providers Link and Cairn Housing Association to provide support for more than 150 new homes.

The programme, which has been running since 2014, provides loans to social landlords to construct new affordable homes, with the interest being reinvested by the Scottish Government into the affordable housing budget to support more homes for social rent.

This latest extension will see the total number of bonds issued increased to 40 and a total investment of more than £482 million.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “Tackling the housing emergency requires bold thinking and investment in Charitable Bonds is another tool we can use to increase investment in our affordable housing budget while also allowing social landlords to access vital funding to build new homes.

“This has been a successful model in the past but is reliant on Financial Transaction funding from the UK Government. This funding, which is vital in housebuilding, has been cut by 62% since 2022.

“While we are demonstrating what we can do with the devolved powers and levers we have, it is vital that the UK Government reverses that cut so we can increase investment in the affordable housebuilding sector.

“We have a strong track record in affordable housing with 133,000 homes delivered since 2007, 93,000 of which are for social rent. However, tackling the housing emergency requires joint working from the Scottish and UK Governments and local authorities.”

Peter Freer Director of Debt Capital Markets and Head of Allia C&C’s Scottish Office said: “These two bond issues demonstrate the ongoing success of the Charitable Bond programme.

“With the Scottish Government’s investment in the bonds, Allia has been able to provide Link with additional funding to support its significant development programme and make our first loan to Cairn Housing Association.

“Both organisations are providing much-needed new affordable homes, and we look forward to continuing our work with the Scottish Government to create more positive impact across Scotland.”

The charitable bonds programme was created in response to demand from housing associations for better access to appropriate finance. It provides unsecured loans for up to 15 years. Charitable bonds are an ethical investment product where the margin usually paid as interest to the bond holder, tax, or profit to shareholders, is released as grant funding.

Link – bond value of £16,006,385
Cairn Housing Association – bond value of £6,019,085

NHS Scotland: Diabetic Retinopathy

Around 1 in 50 people who have diabetic eye screening will be referred for investigation or treatment.

It’s important to go for regular screening if you’re diabetic, as it can help reduce or prevent sight loss.

Find out more at http://nhsinform.scot/des #DESScot

Fire-raising incident in Edinburgh: CCTV image released

POLICE have released an image of a male they believe may be able to assist their enquiries into a fire-raising incident which occurred at Earl Grey Street, Edinburgh on the evening of 19 September 2024 at around 8:45pm.

Officers believe that the male shown in the image may have information that could assist them and would ask him or any members of the public who recognise him to contact police.

Detective Constable Russell Muir said “I would urge the male pictured or anyone who has information relating to him to contact police”.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 3795 of 19 September 2024. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed anonymously.

Rio Brazilian Steakhouse partners with Edinburgh Trams to bring a taste of Brazil to the capital

Brazilian entertainment, spin-to-win prizes, and a year’s worth of premium steak up for grabs

Edinburgh residents and visitors alike can get ready to experience the flavours of Brazil right in the heart of the capital as Rio Brazilian Steakhouse launches an exciting pop-up in partnership with Edinburgh Trams.

On Friday 4 October, the St Andrews Square tram stop will transform into the ultimate party destination, as Rio takes over the platform.

The team will be offering spin-to-win prizes including free dinners for two, complimentary cocktails, and 50% off for diners who visit on the same day, ensuring the party doesn’t stop on the platform.

Commuters and tram goers can also enjoy live performances from samba dancers and vibrant Brazilian music, transporting them straight to the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

The fun continues as the restaurant is running an exciting city-wide competition for a chance to win the ultimate prize – the Rio Black Card. This exclusive card offers one lucky winner free dining at Rio Brazilian Steakhouse for a year.

To enter, participants are asked to snap a photo of the Rio-branded tram making its way through the city, share the image on social media using the hashtag #TramToRio and tag both @rioedinburgh and @edinburghtrams to be entered into the prize draw. The winner will be announced on 31^st October.

The popular steak restaurant located in the city’s iconic Assembly Rooms opened in the capital earlier this year, serving unlimited cuts of exquisite meats and a salad bar of authentic Brazilian food in a traditional Rodizio style.

Rodrigo Grassi Duarte, Co-founder and Managing Director of Rio Brazilian Steakhouse said: “Since opening our doors in February, the city of Edinburgh has given us such a warm and enthusiastic welcome, and we wanted to find a way to give back to this incredible community.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with Edinburgh Trams for this special pop-up event to bring the vibrant spirit of Brazil to the heart of the city with entertainment and the chance to win amazing prizes.

“This event is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to Edinburgh for embracing us and making Rio Brazilian Steakhouse a part of their dining experience.”

Joseph Rowntree Foundation: Poverty in Scotland 2024 launch event

MONDAY 7 OCTOBER 11am – 12.30pm

On 7 October, we’ll be launching our Poverty in Scotland 2024 report.

A key event in annual Challenge Poverty Week, this year’s report looks in detail at how the social security system is impacting on households in Scotland, as well as offering an overview of poverty rates in Scotland for different demographic groups.

Social security is an area where both the UK and Scottish Governments can have a huge positive impact on people’s lives. But how can policymakers in Holyrood and Westminster make the necessary changes to reduce the hardship faced in Scotland?

Find out at our launch event, available to join in person and online!

Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George St, Glasgow, G1 1RD

11am-12:30pm, 7 October

The Barlinnie Special Unit: new book marks 50 year milestone

New book edited by ENU criminology lecturer Kirstin Anderson examines the legacy of the BSU

The Barlinnie Special Unit (BSU), which polarised opinions for its therapeutic approach and shared decision making between prisoners and staff, is the subject of a comprehensive new book published today.

The small unit at the Glasgow prison opened in 1973 and operated for almost 22 years, allowing greater family contact and enabling prisoners to explore creative activities. Through the support of visiting artists, and the voices of the prisoners themselves, it challenged prevailing, disciplinarian prison culture.

The Barlinnie Special Unit: Art, Innovation and Punishment is edited by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) criminology lecturer Kirstin Anderson. It brings together recollections from those who experienced the BSU first-hand, including former prison officers and prisoners, artists who worked in the unit, the unit’s psychologist, and current scholars in criminology.

The text contains, for the first time, reflections from people involved in the unit across the entire period it operated through essays, interviews and photographs – and is set to ignite new questions and conversations around the legacy of the BSU.

Editor Kirstin Anderson said: “When the Barlinnie Special Unit opened in 1973, the small unit’s therapeutic approach led to a major polarisation of opinion and debate that still resonates.

“This book considers how lessons learned from the BSU impact our thinking on punishment and imprisonment in Scotland today.

“The publication is timely as plans move forward to replace HMP Barlinnie with HMP Glasgow.

“It’s not too late to consider the significance of the Barlinnie Special Unit in Scottish penal history and how it might encourage us to think more critically.”

Contributors to The Barlinnie Special Unit include former BSU prisoner Johnny Steele. He writes: “My life had been restored to me in instalments whereas in other parts of the system our lives were taken away from us in one go.

“For me, the BSU was the only port in the storm.”

While prison studies expert Professor Andrew Coyle highlights that, due to the lack of small units in the Scottish Prison System, “prisoners who cannot be held in general accommodation for whatever reason have been held for extended periods in what amounts to solitary confinement”, a practice criticised by the UK Supreme Court.

The Barlinnie Special Unit: Art, Innovation and Punishment is published by Waterside Press and available to buy from 1 October 2024.

More than 300 affordable homes come to Granton

Harbour Homes has worked in partnership with Cairn Housing Association to create 306 new affordable homes at Granton Harbour on Chestnut Street, Chestnut Wynd, Hesperus Crossway, Hesperus Terrace and West Harbour Road.

This includes 96 homes for social rent by Harbour Homes and 130 properties for mid market rent by Harbour Lettings. The remaining 80 properties are social rent homes provided by Cairn Housing Association.

A seven-bedroom independent living home and office space with an adjoining one-bedroom flat has also been opened by Dean and Cauvin Young People’s Trust to support people in the care system.

Dean and Cauvin provide accommodation for young people (from ages 15-21) as well as supporting their transition to living independently.

Following an event for new tenants to meet each other and find out more about what’s happening in the community, Heather Kiteley, Chief Executive of Harbour Homes, said: “Everyone at Harbour is very proud of the many years of hard work and dedication which has gone into creating these fantastic new homes.

“With brilliant communal gardens and courtyards, breath-taking views over the Firth of Forth and great public transport links to the city, I know our tenants will be happy in their new homes and will play a part in the new communities which are flourishing along Granton’s waterfront.

“It was a joy to work with Cairn and other partners to make this ambitious project a reality.”

Audrey Simpson, Cairn’s Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Harbour Homes and other key stakeholders to bring much-needed affordable housing to Granton.

“These new homes are a testament to what can be achieved when organisations work together with a shared vision. Thanks to Harbour Homes and to everyone involved for their dedication and hard work. We are confident that our new tenants will thrive in this vibrant community.”

Councillor Jane Meagher, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Edinburgh’s council housing stock was devastated by the Right to Buy policy meaning only 14% of homes in our city today are social housing, compared to a Scottish average of 23%.

“We desperately need to work on reversing this trend as we work with developers and social landlords to tackle our city’s Housing Emergency.

“At Granton Harbour, there has been an impressive effort to create over 300 new affordable homes in total, almost 60% of which will be for social rent. Hundreds of people are now moving into good quality and genuinely affordable housing as a result, which is well worth celebrating”

First Blind Yoga Classes Launched by Sight Scotland

Sight Scotland is proud to announce the launch of its first-ever yoga classes specifically designed for people living with vision impairment. These inclusive sessions offer blind and partially sighted individuals the opportunity to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of yoga in a safe, supportive environment.

Led by Community Activity Worker and experienced yoga instructor, Tamas Danyi-Nagy, who moved to Scotland from Hungary around nine years ago, the classes are carefully tailored to meet the unique needs of visually impaired participants.

Using clear verbal instructions and guided movements, the sessions focus on gentle exercises that promote relaxation, strength, and mobility.

Tamas, who lives in Mussleburgh, explains, “These are Scotland’s only yoga classes designed specifically for blind and partially sighted people.

“All exercises are done seated and adapted to suit those with vision impairments. The sessions are great for mental health and help ease the stress of living with sight loss. The classes are calming, social, and beneficial for mobility. Just because someone has vision impairment or mobility challenges doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy yoga.”

The classes include a range of movements, such as shoulder, arm, neck, back, and leg exercises, as well as eye exercises aimed at reducing tension and improving peripheral vision. Meditation and breathing techniques are also a key part of each session, helping participants relax and reduce stress.

Tamas, who is also a volunteer befriender for Sight Scotland, emphasises that yoga is for everyone, regardless of age or physical ability: “In the Western world, yoga is often portrayed as young athletes doing complex poses, but that’s only a small part of yoga.

“My classes focus on slow, controlled movements and mindfulness, which are accessible to all.

“The classes are specially designed for people who are blind or visually impaired, with clear instructions on how to move the body. We focus on slow, controlled movements while seated, helping to strengthen muscles and relieve tension, including around the eyes.

“Meditation and breathing exercises (pranayama) are a key part of the sessions, with mindfulness techniques that anyone can easily use in daily life. If you’d like to feel better in both body and mind, join us at Portobello Library every Friday from 12:00 to 13:00.”

Shona Black, from Musselburgh, attended her first blind yoga class recently, said: “I wasn’t sure how the blind yoga sessions would work, but I really enjoyed it. Tam is a great instructor, and the class was both relaxing and a good workout. It helps ease stress, and it’s a wonderful social experience.

Making yoga accessible for people with vision impairment is such a great idea, as often people with sight loss can be quite isolated and this can affect their mental health. I also take part in all-ability health walks in Musselburgh and Haddington, and an In-Tandem East Lothian group will be launching soon.

“All these activities are ideal for staying active, socialising, and supporting mental well-being.”

For more details, or to join a class, please contact Sight Scotland on 0800 024 8973 or email tamas.danyinagy@sightscotland.org.uk.

For more information, visit sightscotland.org.uk.

Newhaven mural celebrates restoration project

A visual legacy celebrating a project aimed at restoring seagrass and oysters to the Firth of Forth has been unveiled.

The mural in the grounds of the Heart of Newhaven Community Centre celebrates the innovative Restoration Forth initiative which aims to bring back seagrass meadows and European flat oysters to the waterway.

Edinburgh based mural artist and illustrator Natasha Russell was commissioned by the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh to bring to life the restoration activities across the Forth.

Local residents, alongside pupils from Victoria Primary School, attended workshops to explore what the themes and design of the artwork would be.

Artist Natasha Russell said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to work with the local community and Restoration Forth, RBGE and Heart of Newhaven in order to design this mural.

“Through creating the artwork we wanted to celebrate and help to spark interest in the return of oysters to the Firth of Forth and the ways that they can benefit local communities once again by enhancing water quality and supporting biodiversity. The mural also looks to capture the story of how the oysters in the Forth used to support fishing communities in Newhaven and highlights how our relationship with this species has changed over time.

“Through painting the mural at the Heart of Newhaven we hope to support the lively environment of this community space and to make an artwork that is accessible to the wide range of people who pass this wall.”

Workshop participant Beth Cockerline said: “It was so lovely to come together to discuss the mural , the local community and learn about the beauty and importance of the oysters.

“I’ve been telling everyone how cool and vital they are.”

Workshop participant Lucy Neville said: “I have loved the opportunity to be involved in the mural workshops. The Forth was once such a biodiverse estuary filled with life that supported us communities.

“Volunteering with Restoration Forth has given me the faith that it can be that way again. And the mural will be a daily reminder of our history, present and potential future, as a community that is part of the river and sea.”

Heart of Newhaven is a community hub for the Restoration Forth project, aiming to engage local people with efforts to restore and enhance the Firth of Forth.

Judy Crabb, Chair of Heart of Newhaven said: “It is a great privilege for us to be the location for a beautiful mural that represents such an important part of the heritage of this area. We can’t wait to share it with everyone that visits the Heart for years to come.”

The oyster beds around the Firth of Forth were some of the most famous in Scotland over the 17th and 18th centuries. Oysters were significant for jobs, the economy and diet in the local Newhaven and Leith areas.

The ‘Newhaven Fishwives’ would sell oysters around Edinburgh and were a prominent part of the community. Some records show that nearly 30 million oysters were fished from the Firth of Forth annually. Unfortunately, overfishing and industrial development led to the local extinction of oysters in the area.

We now understand a lot more about the benefits of oysters within an ecosystem. Where there are oyster reefs, you can also find juvenile fish, crabs, sea snails, sponges and more! By reintroducing European flat oysters to the Firth of Forth, we’re creating a sanctuary for a vast array of marine life. Recent research suggests that by restoring healthy oyster beds, biodiversity could potentially double over a 10-year period.

Restoration Forth was recently announced as a finalist at the Nature of Scotland Awards.

The aim of Restoration Forth, a partnership with communities and organisations, is to restore 4 hectares of seagrass meadows and European flat oyster beds in the Firth of Forth. Partners delivering Restoration Forth include WWF, Edinburgh Shoreline, Fife Coast & Countryside Trust, Heriot Watt University, Marine Conservation Society, Project Seagrass, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Scottish Seabird Centre, The Ecology Centre, and The Heart of Newhaven Community.

This three-year programme has been made possible by funding from Aviva, the Moondance Foundation, the ScottishPower Foundation, and Sky; this project is also supported by the Scottish Government’s Nature Restoration Fund, facilitated by the Scottish Marine Environmental Enhancement Fund, and managed by NatureScot.

PICTURE: ANDREW PERRY

Victoria Primary School Head Teacher Rhian Chapman cuts the ribbon with some of the pupils that were involved in the mural design workshops

LifeCare launches urgent appeal to help older people get through ‘very difficult winter ahead’

Edinburgh charity anticipates 30% growth in demand for free support

This winter will be much harder for many local older people. Cuts to winter fuel benefits alongside continued high prices will force more older people in Edinburgh to make difficult choices.

Local charity LifeCare delivers vital services and activities which makes an immediate difference to the lives of those that need it most – but urgently needs support to help meet increasing demand.

LifeCare Edinburgh has over 80 years’ experience offering the vital care and support older people need all year round, and supports over 900 individuals a year. The charity reported unprecedented levels of enquiries for support through the pandemic and continues to experience rising demand for their free and subsidised services through the cost of living crisis, with enquiries up over 67% from those living on a low income.

The charity responded to these growing local needs by extending its vital programme of free support.

This includes free ‘meals on wheels’ delivering hot, freshly-cooked two-course meals to the homes of local older people, free ‘help at home’ services helping with cleaning, shopping and prescription collections – even more important during the icy cold months, free wellbeing activities and hot drinks for the growing numbers of struggling unpaid carers and a growing programme of free community engagement activities for local people.

They also run their free Saturday Social warm space providing hot food, activities and companionship from their Cheyne Street community hub every week.

However, the charity is struggling to sustain these services through this period of high need. The organisation’s own costs are increasing with food, fuel and staff costs all rising significantly plus the charity has been impacted by the recent Local Authority budget cuts with further reductions anticipated next year.

The charity is calling on local people and businesses to get involved and give a donation to help deliver support to those that need it most this winter.

Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare said “Local older people right here in Edinburgh face a very difficult winter ahead. With the 10% increase on energy costs, continued high food prices and a reduction in benefits, it will be devastating for many.

“Last year we delivered over 5,000 free meals to those living on a low income. This year we anticipate needing to grow the service by a further 30% to help meet growing demand for this important service as more local older people struggle.

We urgently need the support from local people and local businesses, to enable LifeCare to deliver services such as this which make a real difference to those struggling most.

“Thanks to our services, older people keep well in their homes, they have a warm place to visit, hot nutritious food to eat, have company to look forward to and are able to get out and about to activities safely.

“Over 75% of the people we support live alone, rising to over 85% of our Meals on Wheels clients. And as many of our clients can’t leave their homes unaided, they would go for a very long time without any contact without our support.

“The frustration is that we know we can deliver the care that people want and need, but we are facing increased costs too. We are asking local people and businesses to consider giving a one-off or regular gift through our Winter Warmer appeal.

“Donations can be made on our website or alternatively people can come along to our community café on Cheyne Street to pledge their support. Even choosing to have your coffee or lunch from our café will help us to deliver the care local older people need to ensure they continue to thrive at home.”

All money raised through Winter Warmer will go directly towards supporting older people in the city. For more information about LifeCare’s services visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/ or call 0131 343 0940 to chat with the friendly team.