Day: October 10, 2024

Aldi announces 2024 Christmas recruitment drive in Edinburgh and the Lothians

With a wide range of permanent store positions available, Aldi is seeking team members to help replenish stock, assist customers, and maintain its high standards of service during the festive period and beyond.  

Roles on offer in Edinburgh and the Lothians include Assistant Store Manager, Stock Assisant, Store Assistant and Store Cleaner. 

Starting pay for Store Assistants at Aldi remains the best in the industry at £12.40 per hour nationally, and £13.65 per hour inside the M25. Aldi continues to be the only UK supermarket to offer paid breaks, which is worth more than £900 a year for the average store colleague.  

These opportunities form part of Aldi’s continued growth plans to open a further 17 stores before the end of the year. This is in line with Aldi’s long-term commitment to expand its footprint to 1,500 stores in the UK to meet increased customer demand. 

 Kelly Stokes, Recruitment Director at Aldi UK, said: “Our mission is to make affordable, high-quality food accessible to everyone, and that is even more important at this time of year.  

“Our colleagues are essential to ensuring Aldi shoppers have a great experience in store, and we’re once again closing our stores on Boxing Day to give them a well-deserved break as a thank you for their dedication.” 

Those interested in applying for a role with Aldi this Christmas can visit www.aldirecruitment.co.uk for more information. 

Scottish Indian Arts Forum celebrates 30th anniversary with Dusherra

On Saturday 19th October, the Scottish Indian Arts Forum (SIAF) is planning an unforgettable celebration for its 30th anniversary as it holds its flagship event on top of Calton Hill – Dusherra.

Founded by SIAF in 1994, Dusherra is a family-friendly event and is free to attend. This year’s celebration will take place from 3pm on Saturday 19th October.

One of India’s largest and most celebrated festivals, Dusherra commemorates the epic 10-day battle between gods and demons, and the timeless struggle between good and evil. This iconic festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness, celebrated with electrifying music, dance and mouthwatering cuisine, and where ancient legends come alive with the dramatic burning of effigies symbolising the destruction of evil.

Twisted Tails perform at Dusherra 2019, photo by DB@Tasveeraen

This year, the family-friendly celebration reaches new heights as SIAF weaves together the best of Scottish and Indian music and dance, bringing two rich cultures together in a spectacular fusion of sights and sounds. Over 200 hundred performers will take to the stage for over three hours of non-stop entertainment as part of the celebrations. Highlights include performances from Edinburgh dance school Dance Beatz, tracks from Edinburgh Banghra Crew, and tribal belly dance from Twisted Tails. Plus even more entertainment from local group Unison Dollies, Glasgow’s Desi Bravehearts, Scotland’s premier Bollywood dance troupe BollyFeat.

Alongside the performance programme there will be a mouthwatering menu of Indian cuisine to enjoy; while children and adults alike will be able to try their own hand at Indian culture with a series of arts and craft activities and workshops.

The evening will culminate with the symbolic burning of effigies and a breathtaking fireworks display that will light up the Edinburgh skyline, creating an awe-inspiring finale.

The Scottish Indian Arts Forum, which celebrates 30 years of promoting Indian culture and heritage this year, invites everyone to join them in making 2024 the grandest Dusherra yet.

Mr. Nirav Mehta, Vice President of SIAF, said: “2024 marks the 30-year anniversary of Scottish Indian Arts Forum celebrating Indian culture in Edinburgh, of which Dusherra is our flagship event. It’s a massive milestone for us and the Indian diaspora in this beautiful city.

“Dusherra celebrates the universal message of victory of virtue over vice, and courage trumping oppression. For the Scottish Indian Arts Forum, which aims to provide a platform to celebrate the rich Indian Heritage via performing arts and music, Dusherra helps us to encourage community cohesion and active citizenship.

“We hope everyone will join us for our 30th anniversary celebration which will take place on 19th October from 3pm onwards, on the iconic Calton Hill in Edinburgh. The walk-in festival is free for all so that we can all witness the spectacle.”

Dusherra 2024 will take place from 3pm on Saturday 19th October on Calton Hill, Edinburgh. The fireworks display and symbolic burning of effigies will take place from 7.30pm.

The Scottish Indian Arts Forum hosts Dusherra with thanks to support from City of Edinburgh Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund. The festival receives further support from Baillie Gifford, Brighter Mortgages, and Towards AGI.

For further information about SIAF and Dusherra, visit siafscotland.co.uk or follow Scottish Indian Arts Forum on Facebook, facebook.com/ScottishIndianArtsForum.  

Latest Pension Credit take-up figures for Scotland ‘disappointing’ says Independent Age

Statistics published today by the DWP, reveal that just 65% of older people who are entitled to Pension Credit were receiving the payment between April 2022 and March 2023.

Independent Age estimate that in Scotland this means that up to 70,000 older households could be missing out on the Pension Credit they are entitled to, with a combined value of £140 million.

We know there has been an increase in applications since the UK Government announcement that the Winter Fuel Payment would be means tested, but it is unclear how many of these will result in successful claims.

Both Governments must work together to address the issue of low take-up of Pension Credit and the unacceptably high levels of poverty in later life. Independent Age is urging the UK Government to review and ensure overall adequacy of the social security system for older people, to prevent pensioner poverty.

Alongside calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a pensioner poverty strategy for Scotland – setting out the actions that can be taken  alongside with local authorities, to tackle poverty in Scotland.

Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age, said: “What is clear from the figures released today is that too many older people living on a low income are still missing out on Pension Credit in Scotland, and across the UK.

“There has been a disappointing lack of progress on Pension Credit take-up. We estimate that up to 70,000 older households could be missing out on Pension Credit between April 2022 and March 2023 worth a combined £140 million.

“Independent Age is urging the UK Government to maintain the Winter Fuel Payment in its current form until significant action can be taken to substantially increase Pension Credit take-up.

Previous strategies have not moved the dial, we can’t have more of the same. We need an innovative, evidence-based, long-term take-up strategy that maps out how older people living in, or on the edge of, poverty can access the financial support they are entitled to.

“It is too early to say what the impact of the recent increase in claims for Pension Credit will have on overall take-up rates. However, there is no room for complacency when an estimated 70,000 older households in Scotland are missing out on this much needed money and 150,000 live in poverty. In a socially just and compassionate society, we can and should do more.”

World Mental Health Day: Eight things you can do to boost your mental health … that won’t cost a penny

With one in six people in the UK experiencing conditions like anxiety and depression each week, a wellbeing expert has provided ideas to help people boost their mental health – which cost a penny.

Counsellor and author Lynn Crilly said: “With the days getting shorter and darker, winter can be a hard time for some people particularly as we’re less likely to get outside and socialise. This can lead to us feeling cooped up or lonely

“With little sign of an Indian Summer this year, September being four times wetter than usual and October looking bleak, there is a risk that we could see an increase in lower moods, anxiety and depression. 

“Coupled with the constant barrage of negative news and worries about everyday living costs, not to mention the increase in energy prices, it’s important to have a ‘mental health survival kit’ of ideas or activities to see you through the difficult days.”

With worries over money often a leading cause of poor mental health Lynn, who is an ambassador for the mental health charity SANE, and her followers have come up with suggestions if you struggle over the winter months:

  1. Start a monthly book club with friends, where you not only explore new books together but know you have a regular meet up every month to look forward to.
  2. Walking in and around nature. Whether alone or out with someone, this can be really energising and release those feel-good hormones. 
  3. Get Crafty! Whether it’s drawing, colouring or perhaps getting arty with some old clothes, whatever your level crafts can be fun and therapeutic.
  4. Teach yourself a new hobby using YouTube. Whether its knitting, crochet or  even the person who taught themselves tap dancing, the internet can be a great way to learn a new skill or hobby. And if it’s exercise, that will help boost your mood naturally.
  5. Cook healthy hearty meals from scratch that will fuel the body and mind in a positive way rather than eating lots of ready meals and junk food. It’s vital to eat well, and winter is a chance to learn, or improve your cooking skills and potentially save money through batch cooking and healthy ingredients.
  6. Whether in a class environment or in your own space at home, practising yoga and mindfulness can really make a difference to how you are feeling and clear your mind. There are loads of good resources on YouTube, including popular channels by @CatMeffan and @yogawithadriene 
  7. I love reading a good old fashioned book. A good book allows you to lose yourself within its pages. Charity shops have an array of books but the local library is often an under used resource. It’s also a good chance to get out and talk to other people and perhaps find a new local group. Community libraries are no longer the places of silent study.
  8. It’s good to know what’s going on in the world, but right now it feels like we’re constantly being bombarded by negative news. It can be hard sometimes to look past that, so maybe switch it of for a few days have a social media break and go back to life before technology which will hopefully allow you to recharge

If you’re still feeling down, Lynn recommends her top tip for all year round. “On the days I find myself struggling, I think about all the things that I do have, rather than what I don’t have.

“We can become consumed in what other people are doing, particularly in the unrealistic world of social media influencers, that we look past our own lives and the joy we can find there.

“As a counsellor, I don’t believe in suffering in silence. If you are worried, or perhaps worried for a friend, talk to someone who can offer professional help.”

Five Kingdoms takes glory in bottled beer competition

Five Kingdoms’ Dark Storm Stout (6.9%) has been awarded CAMRA’s prestigious Champion Bottled Beer of Britain award.

The annual competition recognises the best bottle-conditioned beers in the country, and this year the winner was announced at an event at The Bohemia in North Finchley, London. 

Five Kingdoms, a small brewing team based out of the Isle of Whithorn, Scotland, started in 2015 as a hobby and passion project between Alastair Scoular, owner of the local pub and restaurant The Steam Packet Inn, and head chef Brendon Dennett. 

Alastair said: “The brewery team were thrilled to have won this award for the whole of the UK. We are a tiny brewery from a remote corner of Scotland, so to win an award at this level is incredible, great recognition for years of hard work. 

“It is also fantastic publicity for our local CAMRA branch who have been incredibly supportive since we started brewing.”

Champion Bottled Beer of Britain judge Alex Lines said: “Judges commented on the enticing chocolate aroma, the notes of coffee, liquorice and chocolate on the palate and dry finish. The panel was also impressed by its drinkability despite its strength.” 

The well-deserved runners up were Lacons’ Audit, an 8% Barley Wine which scooped the Silver award, and Bronze award winner Milk Stout by Incredible Brewing Co in Bristol. 

CAMRA Awards Director Laura Emson said: “Huge congratulations to this year’s worthy winner of the Champion Bottled Beer of Britain award.

“It’s great to see some of the big names alongside some of the up-and-coming brewers, I hope beer drinkers will go and search out these brews to give them a try for themselves.” 

Full list of Champion Bottled Beer of Britain finalists: 

Gold: Five Kingdoms, Dark Storm Stout

Silver: Lacons, Audit

Bronze: Incredible Brewing Co, Milk Stout

Finalists: 

Lynn Brewery, Lynn Ferry Bitter (4%)

Merlin Brewery, Sir Galahad (4.3%)

Monty’s Brewery, Dark Secret (5.6%) 

World Mental Health Day: How bringing nature indoors can make a difference

The Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Plants

They’re are purifying

You might not think of pollution as a problem in your home, but nearly 4 million people worldwide die prematurely each year due to indoor air pollution, this is caused by factors like home heating and chemicals in household products. 

Jo, founder of Beards & Daisies and author of the houseplant guide ‘The Unkillables’, said: “Common household toxins include formaldehyde, ammonia, and carbon monoxide. Fortunately, some houseplants can remove these toxins, increase oxygen levels, and reduce airborne dust for healthier air”.

Some of these plants include ‘Kentia Palm’ and ‘Peace Lily’.

They boost your mood

The presence of plants can enhance the visual appeal of a space, making it more inviting and comforting. This can create a more positive environment, contributing to feelings of happiness and relaxation.

Research has shown that interacting with plants can lower blood pressure, reduce feelings of anxiety, and increase feelings of calmness and satisfaction. The simple act of being around greenery can have a soothing effect.



They’re calming

Benefits of plants include lower blood pressure, heart rate and a reduction of that dreaded stress hormone, cortisol. Caring for plants is a calming process too which requires attention and patience, which can foster mindfulness. The act of watering, pruning, and nurturing plants can be meditative, helping to slow down the mind and reduce anxiety.

They make you more productive

Beat procrastination with a plant – yes, really! Adding colour and greenery to your desk space can increase your productivity and creativity by serving you with a source of inspiration. This is because plants are proven to enhance focus – impressively studies have shown that attentiveness is increased by 70% when they are present in a room.

They boost your immune system

Plants benefit your immune system in various ways: they improve air quality, reducing respiratory issues; release antimicrobial compounds that enhance immunity; lower stress levels, which strengthens immune function; and provide nutrient-rich foods like fruits and vegetables that support immune health.

They promote healing

They encourage healing. Studies have shown that plants can aid in the recovery of sick individuals. Research from Kansas State University suggests that plants serve as a “non-invasive, inexpensive, and effective complementary medicine for surgical patients.”

The findings revealed that when patients recovering from surgery have plants in view, they experience less anxiety and fatigue compared to those in rooms without plants.

Information: https://www.beardsanddaisies.co.uk/ 

Capital marks Challenge Poverty Week

The city council and partners from across the city are marking Challenge Poverty Week.

Running from Monday 7 to Sunday 13 October 2024, Challenge Poverty Week is a national campaign highlighting the challenges people living in poverty are facing and how we can work together to make Scotland a fairer and more equal place to live.

The Edinburgh Tenants Federation held a free event at Norton Park Conference Centre on Monday, featuring stalls, support and guest speakers discussing Edinburgh’s housing emergency.

On Wednesday, End Poverty Edinburgh, a group of people with lived experience of poverty, held their second citizen-led conference at the Grassmarket Community Project, supported by the Council.

This year’s event focused on collective action to combat community exclusion, focusing on child poverty, health and wellbeing,

The Council will publish the results of the city’s latest annual poverty report tomorrow (Friday 11 October).

This report will provide the fourth annual overview on progress made by the Council and partners in response to the calls to action made by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission to end poverty by 2030, and will be considered by members of the Policy and Sustainability Committee later this month (22 October).

Throughout the week, a series of blogs will be shared by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission shining a light on council support and services.

Edinburgh Leisure is also highlighting the help and support it can offer people experiencing barriers to an active lifestyle, including the option of a Get Active Card which provides affordable access to venues for people in receipt of certain benefits.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “In a thriving Capital city like Edinburgh it is shocking that thousands of people are suffering from low incomes, high living costs and even homelessness.

“That’s why we’ve made it a commitment of this Council to do all that we can with our partners to end poverty. Challenge Poverty Week is an opportunity for us to focus our efforts and make sure people know where to turn to for support.

“We’ve made good progress delivering against the targets set by the Edinburgh Poverty Commission four years ago and we’re looking forward to publishing the results of our annual report later this week.

“The funding and the support we’ve put in place is making a real difference to people’s lives, but the cost of living has risen. We face a housing emergency, and we need to prioritise this work now, more than ever.”

Peter Kelly of The Poverty Alliance said: “We’re very pleased that Edinburgh is marking this year’s Challenge Poverty Week.

“In a rich country like ours, poverty is an injustice that weakens us all as a society. But we can solve it. We can redesign our economy to make sure people have incomes that are adequate enough to live a life with freedom and dignity.”

More information about events taking place across Edinburgh can be found on Eventbrite. Information, advice and support for residents experiencing or at risk of poverty can be found on the Council’s cost of living webpages.

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank needs your outgrown coats

⭐We really need your outgrown coats!⭐

Clear out your cupboards and donate pre-loved coats to ESUB. We work with a number of community spaces around the city offering free to access rails of coats and warm clothing. The need is greater than ever.

We are looking for all child and adult sizes to keep up with demand from our community partners.

👉Information about our drop off points can be found here:

ESUB drop-off locations

Screen Education Edinburgh: Join our Through the Lens Adult Filmmaking Programme!

Our Through the Lens Programme is back and open to anyone aged 18+ (no upper age limit!) living in North Edinburgh, including Crewe, Drylaw, East Pilton, Leith, Newhaven, Muirhouse, Pennywell, Royston, Salvesen, Telford, Wardieburn, Waterfront, West Granton and West Pilton.

Learners on the course will get hands-on training in key filmmaking roles such as camera and sound, screenwriting, directing, producing, production design, and editing, also exploring film by watching and discussing films, before coming together as a crew to create a short film in your community!

The course also includes industry talks from professionals working in film and TV, social events including cinema trips, and progression advice and support.

Our Through the Lens programme is funded by Screen Scotland, The Robertson Trust, and City of Edinburgh Council, aiming to provide access to filmmaking in local communities, develop creative and transferable skills, empower individuals and communities, facilitate pathways to further opportunities, and promote diversity and representation.

No previous experience is necessary for this programme – just a passion for film. The course is free to take part, with snacks provided and bursaries available for those who require assistance with travel costs.

Sessions will take place every Tuesday, 6pm to 8pm at Screen Education Edinburgh, 30 Ferry Road Avenue, EH4 4BA on the following dates:

November: 12th , 19th , 26th

December: 3rd , 10th , 17th

January: 7th , 14th , 21st , 28th

February: 4th , 11th , 18th , 25th

Filming and editing days will be 10am to 6pm on the following dates:

  • Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th January
  • Saturday 1st February

Click HERE to apply for the course.

The deadline for applications is 5pm on Monday 4th November.

For enquiries, please email our Skills and Qualifications Officer Sean Young at Sean@screen-ed.org

Improved support for crime victims

New Victim Contact Team to be set up

Victims of crime will receive improved support, advice and information as part of planned reforms to the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS).

Under proposed changes to the scheme – which entitles victims or close relatives of victims to certain information about the person responsible for the crime – a new Victim Contact Team will be set up to give personalised support to victims, based on their individual needs.

Victims will automatically be referred to the team for a trauma-informed discussion about their options for registering for the VNS and for an explanation of their rights. The amount of information available to victims about the offender(s), which includes information about their release, will also be expanded.

The Scottish Government will introduce the reforms as part of its response to recommendations in the Independent Review of the Victim Notification Scheme, which heard directly from victims about their experiences of the justice system and the VNS. Recent experiences with how the VNS operated in relation to measures to manage the prison population have also informed the response to the Review.

The Scottish Government has agreed the majority of the Review’s recommendations, including the central proposal of creating a Victim Contact Team, with plans developed following discussions with justice and victim support organisations. Legislation to underpin the creation of the Contact Team will be progressed through the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, which is continuing its passage through Parliament.

Victims Minister Siobhian Brown said: “These reforms will put the needs of victims firmly at the heart of the Notification Scheme. By increasing the information available to victims, improving communication across justice agencies and making the system more accountable, we can ensure the scheme continues to be as effective and trusted as possible.

“We have already begun work to implement the Independent Review’s recommendations, including to create a Victim Contact Team to provide personalised support for victims. Each victim has different needs that deserve to be handled sensitively and victims will automatically be referred to the team, who will explain their rights and provide support.

“This is a priority for the Scottish Government and we will use the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill already progressing through Parliament to ensure the reforms are taken forward at pace.

“I am grateful to all those who shared their experiences during the Independent Review, particularly victims and their families. We will continue to listen to their voices as we continue strengthening support for them and progress these latest reforms to the Victim Notification Scheme.”

VNS Independent Review Chair Alastair MacDonald and Vice Chair Fiona Young said: “The agreement to establish a Victim Contact Team to help victims understand what information they may receive and to get that information in a way that helps them is welcome.

“It is hoped that implementation of other recommendations will also be prioritised.”

Ann Fehilly, of domestic abuse court advocacy service ASSIST, said: “ASSIST has long advocated for the Victim Notification Scheme to be victim-centred, trauma-informed and responsive to the needs of victims.

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s acceptance of almost all of the Review recommendations and look forward to working collaboratively with them to put into effect the plan.

“We are pleased that choice for victims is at the heart of the process, alongside a commitment to work with organisations which support victims to access the right information timeously. It is crucial that victims of domestic abuse are kept informed to ensure they are safe from further harm.”