November 2024 – Page 18 – The NEN

Anti-Bullying Week: Insight and advice from Childline and the NSPCC Helpline

Anti-Bullying Week is an annual event in the UK that aims to raise awareness about the bullying of children and young people and highlights ways of preventing and responding to the issue. The week is organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and this year’s theme is ‘Choose Respect’.

The theme will encourage children and young people to start a national conversation about how to handle disagreements and differences of opinion without resorting to bullying. It aims to encourage people to support each other to champion kindness – highlighting that being kind is not a sign of weakness but a mark of strength.

Childline Data

Between April 2023 to March 2024 Childline delivered 7,931 counselling sessions where a child’s main concern was bullying
6,999 were about bullying in person
932 were about online bullying.

Quotes from children who contacted Childline about bullying

Quotes are based on real contacts to Childline but are not necessarily direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child involved:

A girl aged 13 told Childline: “My bully had been threatening to beat me up for weeks. The girl cornered me today and shoved my head into a wall. She did it so hard that it gave me a nosebleed. I’m scared it’s only going to get worse.”

A boy aged 11 told Childline: “A while ago we were just playing a game online and when I won my friend got really angry and told me to kill myself. Since then, at school that’s all he’ll say to me or something else horrible to bully me. It’s making school really lonely for me.”

A girl aged 18 told Childline: “Someone’s making loads of accounts online to message saying to self-harm. I block and report all of them, but they keep making more accounts. I wish I wasn’t so upset by it, but I was bullied when I was younger and this has brought it all back again.”

A girl aged 12 told Childline: “My friends have set up a group chat to talk about me. One of them sent me screenshots where they’re making fun of how I look and act. I just feel silly being played and don’t get why they want to upset me.”

Shaun Friel, Childline Director said: “Bullying can take on many different forms, and it can happen anywhere including in school, at home or online.

“With almost 8,000 Childline counselling sessions on the issue over the past year, we inevitably hear from young people on a daily basis who want to talk about bullying.

“It’s important that campaigns, such as Anti-Bullying Week exist, so we can continue the conversation of the effects this type of behaviour can have on children. It can make young people feel incredibly lonely, afraid and impact their mental wellbeing.

“Childline is always here for young people to turn to, no matter what the issue. Our trained counsellors will be here 24/7 over the phone and online.”

NSPCC Helpline data

Between April 2023 to March 2024 the NSPCC Helpline handled 805 child welfare contacts where the main concern was bullying
666 concerned bullying in person
139 concerned online bullying

Quotes from adults who contacted the NSPCC Helpline about bullying

Quotes are based on real contacts to the Helpline but are not necessarily direct quotes. All names and potentially identifying details have been changed to protect the identity of the child and adult involved.

A parent told the NSPCC Helpline: “Last month my son’s bullies beat him up badly. They made people film it, so there’s evidence for the school and police, but he’s been terrified to go back. He’s only 12, how can I get him back to school and feeling safe?”

A parent told the NSPCC Helpline: “We’d noticed our daughter had become withdrawn over the last few months and turns out she’s being bullied. School has done some detentions, but these children are calling her racist slurs, is there a way to get the school to address this seriously as racism?”

A parent told the NSPCC Helpline: “My daughter has told me she’s being bullied at school and having panic attacks from it all. My husband thinks we should encourage her to just push through it but I think she needs more support; what can we do?”

Martha Evans, Director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said: “With thousands of young people turning to Childline and the NSPCC Helpline for support on bullying which aligns so much with our own research, it’s clear we must take action.

“This Anti-Bullying Week, let’s come together, lead by example and commit to always choosing respect, creating safer spaces for every child.”

Advice for children

Share how you are feeling with other young people. Childline’s monitored online message boards are a safe non-judgmental space where you can speak to other children who are in a similar situation to you about your experiences and feelings. This can help you feel less alone and will give you an online support network that you can turn to.
Talk to an adult you trust about the bullying you are experiencing so you feel less alone and so that adult can support you. This could be a parent, teacher or you can speak to a Childline counsellor on 0800 1111 or online at childline.org.uk
Take a break from your device if you are being bullied online and do something you enjoy such as sport, listening to music or art.
Remember that bullying is not your fault.
Report and block someone if they are sending you messages online that upset you.

For Adults:

Signs to spot that your child may be being bullied online:

Not wanting to go to school or take part in normal activities.
Getting anxious or angry if you go near their device.
Feeling withdrawn, upset or angry at home.
Problems sleeping or eating.
Having angry outbursts that seem out of character.
Spending more or less time online than normal.

Signs to spot that your child may be being bullied in-person

Belongings are getting lost or damaged.
Physical injuries such as unexplained bruises.
Being afraid to go to school.
Not doing as well at school.
Being nervous, losing confidence, or becoming distressed and withdrawn.
Problems with eating or sleeping.
Bullying others.

What to do if you think your child is being bullied

Talk to your child and remind them to come to you with anything that might be making them feel anxious or sad. If your child speaks to you about an experience of bullying that they’ve had online or in person, try to remain calm and don’t overwhelm them with questions and reassure them that it will be ok, and that you’re always there for them.
Show them how to report or block a message that they’ve received from someone online that upsets or worries them.
Don’t take their device away if they’ve had a negative experience online. Although you may want to do this if they are upset, this may make them feel like whatever has happened is their fault. Instead, suggest they take some time away from the app they received the messages on and do another online activity they enjoy like playing a game.

Know where you can get further support.

Adults can call the NSPCC Helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000.

There is also further advice on the NSPCC website.

Enough Is Enough: Shop workers speak out about violence, threats and abuse

USDAW HIGHLIGHTS THE LINK WITH SHOP THEFT

Retail trade union Usdaw has launched shocking statistics from its annual survey during this year’s Respect for Shop Workers Week, which runs from 11-17 November.

Usdaw members are raising awareness of the union’s year-round Freedom From Fear Campaign and talking to the public to promote a message of ‘respect for shop workers’.

Interim results from over 4,000 retail staff responses show that in the last twelve months:

69% have experienced verbal abuse.
45% were threatened by a customer.
17% were assaulted.
70% of these incidents were triggered by shoplifting and two-thirds of those were linked to addiction.

Scottish voices from the frontline:

These are some of the comments Scottish shop workers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:

Central Scotland: “Punched in the shoulder and verbal abuse – being called names and sworn at.” – “Shouted at for tills not working.” – “Customer tried to grab my face.” – “Colleague got stabbed with screwdriver.” – I get deliberately misgendered.”

Glasgow: “Daily verbal abuse even when asking customers to scan their bags.” – “Held up at knife point.” – “Couple stole jars of coffee, asked for them back and they smashed a jar of coffee on my head” – “Punched on chin and chest.”

Highlands and Islands: “Threatened with a bottle after customer stole beer.” – “Aggression over being asked for ID, unwanted sexual attention.” – “Customer came behind cash desk and was in my face, telling me she’d be waiting on me.”

Lothian: “Racially abusive statements made to me and about me,” – “Grabbed by the scruff of my work jacket and shook me whilst yelling i had ruined their son’s Christmas because we were out of a specific chocolate” – “Being called a bitch.”

Mid-Scotland and Fife: “Men following to the car” – “Customers unhappy with self-service. Shouting at me or talking in a bad way.” – “Customers being volatile when you will not sell them age restricted items due to no ID.”

North East Scotland: “Theft and threatening behaviour towards myself or my colleagues is a daily occurrence. Worst I have experienced.” – “Referred to as a bloody shelf stacker.” – “Customers shouting at you pushing trollies into you.”

South Scotland: “Kick up the bum by customer.” – “Customers grabbing my waist, pulling my hair, grabbing my shoulder/arms/legs, telling me they stalk me, telling me to meet them after work, making sexual comments toward me.” –

West Scotland: “Called an f**kng moron because I was pulling a trolley on the shop floor.” – “Drunk football fans – alcohol purchase rejection – backed against wall poked in the eye – grabbed by others in the group preventing me from alerting security.”

Tony Doonan, Usdaw regional secretary for Scotland, says: “Shop workers deserve far more respect than they receive and these experiences from Scottish retail workers make very difficult reading.

“It is shocking that over two-thirds of our members working in retail are suffering abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence.

“Seven in ten of these incidents were triggered by theft from shops, which is clearly the result of a near doubling in police recorded shoplifting across Scotland since the pandemic. It has become increasingly common for retail stores to be targeted by organised crime gangs stealing to order in the midst of a retail crime epidemic.

“Our survey demonstrates that theft from shops is not a victimless crime, with incidents regularly being a major flashpoint for violence and abuse against shop workers. Having to deal with repeated and persistent theft and even looting can cause issues beyond the incident itself like anxiety, fear and in some cases physical harm to retail workers.

“Our members are reporting that they are often faced with hardened career criminals in their stores and much of the abuse they suffer is from those who are stealing to sell goods on, often to fund an addiction.

“Violence and abuse is not an acceptable part of the job and much more needs to be done to protect shop workers. We were delighted to have won the campaign for a protection of workers law in the Scottish Parliament, but that is the beginning not the end.

“We have to ensure that the legislation is central to tackle a growing wave of retail crime and Usdaw looks forward to working with Police Scotland to make that happen.

“This week, Usdaw activists will be campaigning in their workplaces and communities calling on the shopping public to ‘respect shop workers’ and ‘keep your cool’, particularly in the run-up to Christmas when the number of incidents increases as shops get busy and customers become frustrated.

“This is a hugely important issue for our members, and they are saying loud and clear that enough is enough.”

PCHP: Embrace Nature and Connection This Winter

As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, it’s more important than ever to prioritize our well-being. Spending time in nature and with loved ones can be a powerful antidote to the winter blues.

Here’s why:

Boosts Mood and Reduces Stress: Nature has a calming effect on our minds. A walk in the park or a hike in the woods can lower stress levels and improve mood.

Enhances Physical Health: Fresh air and physical activity are great for our bodies. Even a short outdoor stroll can boost your immune system and keep you active.

Strengthens Relationships: Spending quality time with friends and family fosters deeper connections and provides emotional support. Whether it’s a cozy indoor gathering or an outdoor adventure, these moments are invaluable.

Combats Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Exposure to natural light, even on cloudy days, can help alleviate symptoms of SAD. Pairing this with social interactions can further enhance your mental health.

Encourages Mindfulness: Nature encourages us to slow down and be present.

This mindfulness can help us appreciate the beauty around us and find joy in the little things.

So, bundle up, step outside, and make time for the people who matter. Let’s make this winter a season of connection and wellbeing!

PCHP’s Community Wellbeing Programme has lots to offer you this #Winter, why not pop in and take a look at our sessions or speak to one of the team.

Through Line exhibition at the City Art Centre

This winter the City Art Centre presents Through Line, a one floor group show, featuring work by nine artists.

Spanning an array of artistic mediums including ceramics, drawing, jewellery, painting, printmaking, poetry and textiles, the ‘through line’, or common visual thread, of this exhibition is the use and exploration of line in the artists’ diverse practices.

There are hand-drawn and painted lines, lines woven as threads and modelled in wire, and lines that are poetic. They take both geometric and organic forms. Some are bold, expressive lines, which excite and convey movement, others are more delicate and elicit a sense of calm.

There are lines that extend beyond flatness, projecting into our space. There are also implied lines, which we see in our mind’s eye or tell a narrative story. In some artworks line and background are fused, giving significance to the space in between.

A line can separate but also connect; it creates divisions and boundaries, but also generates space. For centuries, the line has been a critical tool for artists, and it remains one of the principal elements of abstraction. Flow I and Flow II by Michael Walton are abstract oil paintings, dealing with pure form.

These works are influenced by the ideas of the Bauhaus, Marcel Duchamp and Jorge Luis Borges. In each composition, green and blue lines have become entangled within a circular shape.

David Connearn’s practice is primarily based in procedural, non-figurative drawing, and deals with themes of experience and temporality. In the two ink studies, Coming Going (I) and Coming Going (II), Connearn has drawn a single line at the top of each page, which has then been retraced repeatedly underneath. Each line sets the new path for the following one, resulting in converging and diverging forms.

Meanwhile, Charles Poulsen’s expressive drawings are made in layers of pencil, wax and gouache on paper, in a square grid-like format. The drawings are abstract, contemplative works without narrative or direct observation, through which he communicates often intuitive ideas about the universe. Poulsen thinks of his drawing as akin to organic geometry.

Encouraged by botanical forms, Lara Scobie’s work also has an organic quality, the lines in her ceramics refuse an exact uniformity. Her pieces relay the spontaneous process of hand-to-paper drawing; responding to how the materials react with the marks. Fascinated by the relationship between form and surface, she allows them both to inform each other as her ceramics develop.

Over her 25-year career, Frances Priest has followed a line through ceramics and drawing, exploring spatial relationships, mark making, languages of ornament, and colour. Priest’s ceramic Cobalt/White Mesh explores her interest in the liminal point between two and three dimensions, while its surface patterns create movement across curved planes of clay.

The physical process of working in metal, such as drawing it by hand into fine lengths of wire, is hugely inspiring for Andrew Lamb. An ingot of gold becomes a thread of wire, a line that offers infinite creative possibilities. Lamb also references visual illusion and optical principles in his jewellery, to echo the perfection found in nature, tempered by the shifting patterns of how we see and perceive the world.

Rhona Taylor’s work is concerned with light and colour; line, pattern and repetition; as well as time, place, mapping and the navigation of space. Her site-specific mixed media installation, Against the Dying of the Light, responds to and physically interacts with the City Art Centre’s gallery space.

Also created specifically for the show, Susan Mowatt’s artwork, Tangle, which draws inspiration from a treasured keepsake and consists of a 33 metre, multicoloured woven line, presented in a tangle on a black wall. Mowatt’s recent works repurpose older ones, with the process of making becoming the most meaningful aspect.

Lastly, Ian Hamilton Finlay’s print suite, The Blue and Brown Poems, focuses on the look and sound of words. The words in the twelve poems have been removed from a standard verse structure and arranged into striking shapes, in which typography and font colours take on equal significance to literal meanings.

Through Line will be accompanied by an illustrated exhibition catalogue with a thoughtful essay by writer Greg Thomas. Alongside the exhibition, the City Art Centre will also offer an extensive events programme for all to enjoy.

City Art Centre Curator, Maeve Toal said: ‘”Through Line’ is the last in a series of four group exhibitions at the City Art Centre spotlighting contemporary art and craft practice in Scotland.

“It showcases artworks from our collection alongside works by artists who are not currently represented. Its focus is the beauty and versatility of the line – from the simplicity of a single stroke to intricate linear patterns – and the impact it can have on our visual experiences.”

Councillor Val Walker, Edinburgh’s Culture and Communities Convener, said: “I am delighted that ‘Through Line’ will be presented at the City Art Centre this winter, showcasing the works of nine exciting artists and an array of artistic mediums including ceramics, drawing, jewellery, painting, printmaking, poetry and textiles.

“There is also a fantastic events programme running alongside the exhibition where some of the artists will take visitors on exclusive tours or give talks on their practice.

“I encourage everyone to take the opportunity to visit our City Art Centre and explore and reflect on the variety of artwork created by the nine impressive artists whose work is being showcased in this exhibition.”

Paddington Bear and Hugh Bonneville surprise young patients

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde was delighted to welcome Hugh Bonneville and Paddington Bear to the Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow this week.

The BAFTA-nominated actor was welcomed in a delightful reception by excited young patients and their families, who were treated to a special screening of Paddington in Peru in the MediCinema at the hospital.

Bonneville, who plays the character Mr. Brown in the beloved family film series, made a surprise visit to the in-hospital cinema in Glasgow run by MediCinema, a charity which improves the wellbeing and quality of life of NHS patients and their families through the power of the shared cinema experience and the magic of film.

The actor handed out soft Paddington bear toys to young patients at the MediCinema, speaking to them and their families before introducing the special screening.

Lucas, a young patient at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children said: “I enjoyed everything about tonight, it was amazing. I’m so happy I got to see a premiere and ask questions to one of the actual people in it.

“This has been my favourite movie experience – Paddington is my new number one.”

The highly anticipated third film follows in the paw prints of two hugely successful cinematic outings of the charming and lovable bear, bringing Paddington’s story back to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears.

With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up to the mountain peaks of Peru.

Guests at the MediCinema screening on Wednesday were amongst the first in the UK to watch the brand-new Paddington cinematic adventure, ahead of its nationwide release on Friday 8^th November.

Mandy Meechan, Chief Nurse at the Royal Hospital for children said: “The children and parents were absolutely delighted to meet Hugh and Paddington.

“We aim to deliver person-centred care and visits like these enable us to create special moments that make a difference.

“A huge thank you from all of us to Hugh, Paddington, Medicinema, and Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity for making this possible.”

Paul Giggal, MediCinema Chief Operating Officer said: “It’s been a true joy to have Hugh and Paddington make this surprise visit to the MediCinema for patients and their families in Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children.

“Then seeing the film before it’s open to the public has been the icing on the cake – or the marmalade on the sandwich! Experiences like this can transform a young person’s experience of hospital and bring joy at the most difficult times. The children loved every minute tonight and it is something they’ll remember forever.”

Hugh Bonneville said: “It’s a real privilege for me to visit Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children and to introduce some young adventurers to Paddington’s latest escapade, Paddington In Peru at the wonderful MediCinema.”

M&S Edinburgh colleague celebrates 50 golden Christmases

Susan Jack, a shining star at Marks & Spencer’s Princes Street store in Edinburgh is celebrating a half-century of holiday magic this year.

Sales Advisor for Jaeger and Womenswear at Marks & Spencer Princes Street, Susan is celebrating her 50^th Christmas working for the high-street retailer and is particularly excited about this year’s range of sparkling dresses and skirts, perfect for any festive occasion.

Susan’s M&S career began just before Christmas in 1974 at the Princes Street store, just in time for the holiday rush in the ‘Ladies Fashions’ department.

With 50 years retail experience now under her belt, Susan has witnessed incredible innovations, from the evolution of tights to the affordability of cashmere and to the sparkle of the modern-day beauty counter, particularly at Christmas. She has always been fascinated by the changing trends in customer shopping habits.

From 1994 to 1999, Susan left the Princes Street store to join the opening team at the Gyle Shopping Centre. Remarked as one of Susan’s proudest moments, she thrived in training the new store team before returning to Princes Street as a Section Manager for Womenswear.

For Susan, the Christmas season is a magical time, she reflected: “Christmas is always special, particularly watching customers come in for their Christmas food shop. It brings so much joy to the store.”

She fondly looks back on the annual ‘turkey trot’, a term the team has coined for when Edinburgh shoppers collected their turkey and cranberry sauce!

The Turkey ordering service was soon introduced in 1982 to enhance convenience for customers.

As for Susan’s favourite turkey, she reveals: “The British Oakham Turkey Breast Joint is my favourite, we get it every year as it carves like a dream!”.

Susan has cherished celebrating Christmas with her colleagues over the years. From being amongst the first to sample the Christmas range as soon as it’s released, to attending January Christmas parties (a retail tradition), she has seen it all.

Reflecting on her five decades working for the retailer, Susan Jack, says: “More than anything over the years, M&S has given me confidence; I was very shy when I started, but my time at M&S has taught me how to be outgoing, reassuring me in my skills.

“I’d like to thank all my colleagues for creating such an enjoyable working environment and M&S for all the opportunities I’ve had over the last 50 years. The friendships I have made over the past five decades are truly irreplaceable and will last a lifetime.

“Watching their children grow up and become parents themselves is something I am forever grateful for.”

Store Manager Jon Cameron added; “I am immensely proud of the incredible dedication and achievements Susan has made over the past 50 years. Her unwavering commitment, exceptional service, and the positive impact she has on both our team and customers are truly inspiring.

“We are honoured to celebrate this remarkable milestone and look forward to many more years working alongside Susan.”

Worth Every Penny? MSPs expenses claims rise by more than 8%

MSPs’ EXPENSES INFORMATION FOR 2023/24 PUBLISHED ONLINE

Latest details of all MSPs’ parliamentary expenses have been published . Quarter 4’s expenses from the financial year 2023/24 are now available online via the Parliament’s searchable database facility.

A briefing paper setting out end year total expenditure figures has also been published (7th November).

The end year total for the financial year 2023/24 is £25,359,035. This represents an increase of £1,891,082 or 8.06% on the previous year’s corresponding figure of £23,467,953.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “As with every year, staff salaries comprise the largest single expense, with £20.60m covering staff employment in MSPs parliamentary and local offices – that’s 81.25% of the total cost.

“The remainder covers the cost of running those offices, travel, and support for party leaders who are not in government.”

“The 8.06% rise in expenses reflects that the Retail Price Index was running at more than 13% in January 2023, and Average Weekly Earnings was above 5%.”

Search function:

Details of all MSPs expenses claims can be viewed on the Parliament’s searchable database:

Scottish Parliament MSP Allowances Search

2023/24 briefing document:

A briefing document setting out expenditure details as a whole for 2023/24 can be found here:

Total costs for the financial year

MSP staff salary information

Staff costs for 2023/24 can be found here:

Staff cost provision: 2023-24

MSPs’ expenses scheme

More information on the Expenses’ Scheme is available here:

Search MSP expenses | Scottish Parliament Website

Expenses in Open Data format

Quarterly expenses information is also published in an open data format that is machine-readable and enables the user to manage raw information and re-present in different ways.

The data sets can be accessed via our API or as a single downloadable item which is around 60-70MB in size.

Quarters 1-3 for 2023/24 are already available. Note: Quarter 4 will be available in open data format from Monday 11 November.

Home page for Open Data

https://data.parliament.scot/#/home

Link to the Datasets we publish:

https://data.parliament.scot/#/dataset

News from Heart of Newhaven

Welcome to your November newsletter

Before reading about all the exciting things that are happening this month at The Heart, please take a few minutes to do our survey.

In August 2022 Heart of Newhaven Community secured the purchase of Victoria Primary School.

In January 2023 we opened the buildings, now known as The Heart, for community uses in support of our vision- an Intergenerational Community Hub where everyone is better connected, less socially isolated and more actively engaged with their community.

In our first year of operation we focused on the buildings and their spaces and this year we undertook essential repairs to the fabric of the building.

We’ve also begun to develop community projects including the Dementia Meeting Centre, an intergenerational heritage project, a community lunch with Cyrenians and our ‘open4 coffee’/knit and natter/ IT support with AceIt, Newhaven Friendship Group.

We now need to know, from you, how we are doing?
Are we meeting your needs?
What are we missing?

The Survey

Please do our survey and share as widely as possible
The closing date is November 30th
Thank you!

The Knitted Christmas Tree News

Firstly a massive thank you to everyone who donated green squares, beautiful decorations, knitted articles,the amazing tree trunk and the time you have given us to help raise money for easier access to The Heart for everyone.

We are almost there, the trunk is ready, the knitting is prepared and the Newhaven Fishwife has arrived. The next thing is to erect The Tallest Knitted Christmas Tree in the atrium of the Heart, ready for the Grand Opening on 30th November.

The official opening is at 11am. The craft fair will be open from 10am-4pm and there will be a raffle, tombola, children’s raffle and bottle stall. There will be the chance to choose the Fishwife’s name, guess the number of leaves on the tree and the number of decorations on the tree. Any contributions and donations to our stalls would be very well received.

On Sunday 1st December from 2.30-5.30 there will be a craft afternoon with the chance to make a Christmas Wreath, a Christmas Ornament and other crafts. Tickets for these activities will be on sale on the Saturday and Sunday.

On both days there will be refreshments including mulled wine.

Come along and see the Tallest Knitted Christmas, meet the creators, support a good cause and start the Christmas season at the Heart of Newhaven.

The Tree can be seen every day from 30th November until 22nd December. Call in to meet us and find out what the Heart can offer you.

Leith Creative Trail

The Leith Creative Trail running from 30th November – 8th December is an initiative designed to encourage people to explore their local creative community, art studios, organisations and services.

Follow the MAP and drop in on 19 different venues across North East Edinburgh including The Heart.

We’re open Saturday 30th Nov & Saturday 7th Dec 10am to 4pm with open studio visits, handmade artisan gifts and artwork for sale, craft demonstration, mulled wine, festive nibbles and cheer.

Meeting Centre Update October/November

Members of the Heart Dementia Meeting Centre have been enjoying our Wednesday morning meetings, working on creative projects with Tortoise in a Nutshell Theatre Company and continuing our intergenerational School Days sessions with students from Victoria Primary School. We celebrated Halloween with spooky bread making and enjoyed some home-made tattie scones.

Meeting Centre Manager Jan Brown also organised ‘Start from the Heart’ two dementia inclusive walks around Newhaven with local poet Ken Cockburn, piloting the idea of celebrating local heritage through poetry and song with a gentle health-walk. Feeback on these Monday afternoon walks was very positive, and we hope to start a series of monthly walks in the Spring.

Jan recently ran a Dementia Awareness session for volunteers at The Heart of Newhaven, if you or a family member is interested in becoming a member of the Heart Dementia Meeting Centre or volunteering with us, please contact:

jan.brown@heartofnewhaven.co.uk

Schooldays Project

The Heritage Lottery Funded, Schooldays Project is underway, featuring intergenerational workshops with local primary school students from Victoria, Trinity, Wardie, and Holy Cross.

The students are collaborating with groups that regularly meet in our building, including the Dementia Meeting Centre, the Knit and Natter Group, the Newhaven Friendship Group, as well as new groups such as Feniks.

We’re thrilled about the creative workshops happening and being led by resident and local artists and look forward to sharing these experiences with our groups in the coming months.

Stay tuned for regular updates in future newsletters!

simone.kenyon@heartofnewhaven.co.uk

Keep an eye on our social media and hope to see many of you in the Heart!

Private warning as former Health Secretary appointed to ‘help government fix health and care’

Alarm Bells: Alan Milburn joins the Department of Health and Social Care’s board to ‘support the government’s ambitious plans for reform’

Alan Milburn has been appointed Lead Non-Executive Member to the board of the Department of Health and Social Care.
Mr Milburn ‘brings experience at the highest levels to help transform the health and care system‘
This (Labour) government is determined to work with experts who can provide the best advice to help rebuild an NHS fit for the future

Alan Milburn has been appointed Lead Non-Executive Member to the board of the Department of Health and Social Care.

The former New Labour Health Secretary has a ‘proven track record of reducing waiting lists and improving satisfaction in the NHS’.

Milburn is also a strong advocate of private healthcare involvement in the NHS. Back in 2015, Milburn intervened in the British election campaign to criticise Labour’s health plans, which would limit private sector involvement in the NHS. Milburn was criticised for doing so while having a personal financial interest in the private health sector.

The current Labour government says the NHS is broken and it is the mission of this government to fix it and make the health service fit for the future. As part of this national mission, experts are being brought in to help develop policy, and NHS staff and patients have been invited to share their experience and ideas to change the NHS at Change.NHS.gov.uk.

Members of the department board provide independent advice and expertise to inform the department’s strategy, performance and governance and the Lead Non-Executive Member provides additional support to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in his role as Chair of the board.

The Labour government says that, as a former Secretary of State, Alan brings experience at the highest levels of helping transform the health and care system – but health trade unions will be very wary of Milburn’s appointment.

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “As Secretary of State, Alan made the reforms which helped deliver the shortest waiting times and highest patient satisfaction in the history of the NHS.

“This government has inherited a broken health service with some of the longest waiting times and lowest patient satisfaction in history. I am delighted to welcome Alan to the department board, where he will offer advice on turning the NHS around once again.

“His unique expertise and experience will be invaluable and he has an outstanding track record of delivering better care for patients.”

Lead Non-Executive Director Alan Milburn said: “I am delighted to be appointed to this role.

“Having spent three decades working in health policy, I have never seen the NHS in a worse state. Big reforms will be needed to make it fit for the future.

“I am confident this government has the right plans in place to transform the health service and the health of the nation. I’m looking forward to working with them to achieve that mission.”

Due to ‘the requirements of the role and the unique expertise and experience Alan Milburn brings’, he was appointed directly by the Secretary of State on following consultation with the Commissioner for Public Appointments, and in compliance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

The Department of Health and Social Care would like to thank Samantha Jones for all her work and support as non-executive director since February 2023.

TRANSFORMATION THROUGH PRIVATISATION?

Remembrance Day: School lights up red in memory of 177 former pupils who lost their lives in World Wars

A GLASGOW school has been illuminated in red in memory of those who lost their lives in the First and Second World Wars.

Kelvinside Academy, a War Memorial Trust school with one of the biggest Combined Cadet Forces (CCF) in the country, is one of several iconic locations across Scotland “Lighting Up Red” in support of Poppyscotland.

Some 177 Kelvinside Pupils lost their lives fighting for their country in WWI and WWII.

As has become tradition, the school has also paid tribute to the fallen with a poignant display featuring silhouettes of soldiers and poppies – designed and created by pupils – outside the A-Listed school building in the city’s West End. Handmade ornamental poppies, one for every former pupil whose life has been lost, have also been planted in the school grounds.

Daniel Wyatt, Rector of Kelvinside Academy, said: “The Kelvinside Academy community will never forget our former pupils who fought and died during WWI and WWII.

“Lighting up the school and creating this display is a lasting reminder to everybody of the sacrifice they, and everybody who fought in those conflicts, made. We will always remember them.”

The School’s formal Remembrance Service takes place at Kelvinside Hillhead Parish Church on Monday, November 11.

For further information on Kelvinside Academy, visit kelvinsideacademy.org.uk.