Day: December 26, 2024

Lothians and Fife charities benefit from share of £378,000 national boost from leading housebuilder

Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes are celebrating a year of giving after their charitable efforts topped more than £378,000 in donations across Scotland.  

Each year, the five-star housebuilder supports a wide range of organisations promoting health, employability and care among many other causes. This is done through various charity initiatives, including Barratt’s Community Fund, which donates £1,500 to a deserving local cause in each of its Scottish divisions every month.  

Over the last 12 months, Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland has provided financial support to a diverse mix of charities throughout the Lothians and Fife – coming at a vital time when many families, individuals and organisations have been affected by rising costs. In total, £82,500 has been donated to good causes in the region.   

At the start of the year, the East of Scotland division named Cash for Kids its main charity partner for 2024/2025 and has since raised a whopping £63,000 for the organisation through donations and various fundraising activities.

The charity aims to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and young people living locally who are affected by poverty, illness, neglect or have additional needs. The cause also works with grass-roots organisations that aim to make a difference to young lives, directly supporting families who often have nowhere else to go. 

In Fife, Fife Gingerbread – a Glenrothes-based charity that provides accessible, approachable and non-judgemental support, advice and information to lone parents – was awarded £1,500 by the housebuilder, as well as nine members of staff volunteering their time over two days at the charity’s allotment project.  

Meanwhile, Broxburn-based River Kids received a donation of £1,500 to help support disadvantaged children living in and around the West Lothian community. 

Andrew Morrison, Managing Director at Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “We’re proud to support causes that are carrying out essential work in communities throughout Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife. We’re always looking to use our scale for good where and when we can, and our teams have been on hand throughout the year to support this through a mix of volunteering and fundraising, in addition to Community Fund donations. 

“There is so much vital work being done throughout the country, and we hope that we can continue to help make a difference in local communities in 2025.” 

The full list of 2024’s beneficiaries includes:   

  • Cash for Kids 
  • Families First 
  • Fife Gingerbread 
  • River Kids 
  • Care & Repair Edinburgh 
  • House of Hope 
  • Cyrenians  
  • Friends of Craigtoun 
  • Acredale Home 
  • Children 1st 
  • LGBT Youth Scotland 
  • FetLor Youth Group 
  • Capital Carers 
  • Midlothian Foodbank 

For more information on Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes in the East of Scotland, visit https://www.barratthomes.co.uk/new-homes/scotland-east/ 

Waterfront: Let there be light

‘Gas Holder 1’ lights up the sky as new park opens

The iconic gasholder – now named ‘Gas Holder 1’ – is a beacon of light in north Edinburgh as it is being illuminated permanently after dark.  

Refurbishment is now complete on the structure using funding from the UK Government. Permanent lighting on the frame means it can be seen brightly in the twilight hours and the frame will be lit in festive colours for the rest of December.  

The park within the frame, created using funding from the Scottish Government, opened at the weekend (21 December) for its first visitors.  

The newly built 1.2 hectare park has six different zones including three play areas with a wide range of play equipment. For those out to explore the new outdoor space there is an inner ring walk going round the outer edges of the frame with a range of places to sit and relax. An informative outdoor exhibition has also been created which showcases the history of Granton gasworks as well as the restoration process which has just taken place.  

Large Hollywood style lettering denoting ‘Gas Holder 1’ can be seen at the entrance, making for a great photo opportunity.  In Spring 2025, there will be a celebration to officially open the park when the ‘art zone’ will become home to the winner of the community led art piece, and we will provide more details on the winning artist for that in the New Year. 

Depute Leader, the City of Edinburgh Council, Mandy Watt, said: “Gas Holder 1 and the new park sit right at the heart of our £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront.

“I’m really excited we’ve reached this milestone before the year ends and look forward to the official opening of the park next year. It’s now open so I’d encourage local people to go and check out this fantastic new green space for the area as well as ‘Gas Holder 1’, which will light up the sky for everyone to enjoy in time for the festive season.

Investment Minister Tom Arthur said: “This project demonstrates the benefits of regenerating derelict sites into places people can visit and enjoy. The new park will offer a vibrant and accessible space for the local community which will attract more visitors into Granton to support local spend.  

“To help communities prosper we have allocated an extra £62.15 million towards regeneration in next year’s draft Budget. This will benefit people throughout Scotland by supporting projects including the revitalisation of green spaces, town centres and derelict sites.”

Graham Brown, Senior Contracts Manager at McLaughlin & Harvey, added: “We’re delighted to have completed this unique restoration project and handed it over to our client, The City of Edinburgh Council.

“In deconstructing the old bell, refurbishing the listed steel structure, and repainting the frame, we have solved complex engineering challenges by using our vast civil engineering experience and successfully collaborating with our client and supply chain partners.

“We are looking forward to joining the official opening celebrations next year.”

Citadel’s McScrooge brings festive joy

Citadel’s tour of McScrooge by Alan Mountford directed by Mark Kydd came to an end with a performance at Blossom Tree Nursery.

We took the mini-panto into a community centre, a school, two dementia clubs, Leith Dockers Club, two care homes, and the Dementia Arts Festival!

Thanks to People’s Post Code Lottery and Garfield Weston Foundation, Ashley Barlow, Jim Bryce, Mark Kydd and Roddy Simpson brought lots of festive joy to audiences aged from two to 102!

Winter plans in place in NHS Lothian

Robust plans are in place across NHS Lothian this winter to help patients receive the right health care in the right place.

The health board, which is already experiencing significant pressures, has geared up for the busiest time of the year.

The numbers of people who need healthcare surges every winter for a variety of illnesses and conditions, including winter bugs, such as flu, COVID, other respiratory illnesses and Norovirus.

NHS Lothian is working closely with the four health and social care partnership in the region – East Lothian, Midlothian, Edinburgh and West Lothian – to focus in on more community-based initiatives to reduce the need for hospital attendance and admission in the first place.

The move also means that more patients will be able to receive the care they need closer to home and if they do have to be admitted to an acute hospital, the length of their stay in hospital should be shorter.

In turn, the renewed focus on community programmes will help free up more hospital beds for patients who are acutely unwell.

Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian, said: “The pressures facing hospital and community teams, GPs and pharmacies regularly surge beyond levels of activity that some years ago would normally have been associated with winter.

“That level of demand will only increase as winter progresses, so we have worked with partnerships to bolster their capacity in the community to ensure that more hospital beds are available for those that need them most.

“Health care is there for everyone who needs it this winter and we want to make sure patients can receive their advice, care or treatment in the right place at the right time.”

Health and Social Care Partnerships (HSCPS) across Lothian are enhancing their “discharge to assess” programmes which helps support people to leave hospital as soon as it is safe and appropriate.

Single points of contact (SPoC) services are also being boosted. These systems are aimed at people who are at imminent risk of hospital care but can be safely managed in the community. They support GPs and other professionals to rapidly coordinate services.

Other streamlined assessment processes have also been put in place to expedite hospital discharges and help community teams to proactively identify people ready for discharge with their support.

People across Lothian are being reminded to seek care in the right place this winter – and that in many cases they may get help sooner and closer to home, without attending an A&E department.

The NHS Inform App is the first stop for self-care and advice, while local pharmacies, GP, or Minor Injuries Unit can provide expert care and treatment, usually closer to home. If patients are unsure where to get help or if they need urgent health care at night or at the weekends, they should call 111 day or night.

In Lothian, patients may be signposted on to other services if they turn up to hospital A&E when they don’t need to be there.

Keep your festive spirits high with a trip to Christmas at the Botanics

As New Year approaches, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh encourages visitors to make the most of the festive season by taking a trip to this year’s magical Christmas at the Botanics.

Running over 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 December, the trail offers a ‘Twixmas’ treat for family and friends looking to fill the festive gap between Christmas and New Year.

Transforming the Garden with new installations and spectacular illuminations, the trail has been designed and assembled to complement the Botanics’ existing landscape, with nearly 95% of the lights on the trail being LED.

With the return of Christmas classics, this is the last chance for visitors to snap a picture in the iconic Christmas Cathedral or catch a glimpse of Santa before he sets off for the North Pole to prepare for next year’s festivities.

The magical after-dark event is not only an unmissable winter activity for families and friends but also allows visitors to support the Garden’s wider work to address biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.

Ticket sales help fund the Botanics’ international plant research, conservation work and education programmes, strengthening their commitment to building a positive future for plants, people and the planet.

Raoul Curtis-Machin, Director of Horticulture and Visitor Experience at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “The days between Christmas and New Year can often feel like a tricky gap to fill for families looking to keep the kids entertained during the holidays.

“Christmas at the Botanics offers the perfect way to make the most of this time with a chance to see the Garden illuminated like never before and support the important conservation work we do.

“Every ticket sold helps us address global challenges like biodiversity loss and climate change, making it a meaningful and memorable way to end the year.”

As many manage the costs of the holidays, the event offers a low-priced off-peak ticket as well as reduced-pricing family tickets, making this the most affordable, accessible and inclusive trail yet.

Tickets for this year’s show are still on sale with visitors encouraged to book in advance to guarantee their preferred timeslot. For further ticket information, pricing, and timings, please click here.

Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter RG Live, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

For more details visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.

Swinney pledges solidarity with Syrians in Scotland

First Minister calls for ‘peaceful political solution’

First Minister John Swinney has pledged solidarity with Syrians in Scotland following the collapse of the al-Assad regime.

In an open letter, the First Minister acknowledged the hope that many Syrians are feeling in addition to the concern and anxiety felt by others about the next steps for the Middle Eastern nation.

The First Minister also highlighted the heightened anxiety felt about the decision by the UK Government to pause the processing of asylum applications from Syrians.

Mr Swinney has also called for further assurances for people applying for asylum, stating ‘people applying for asylum should not be kept in limbo for any longer than necessary.’

First Minister John Swinney said: “I join the international community in calling for a peaceful and inclusive political solution that puts the Syrian people first and upholds the rights of all Syrians.

“I am proud that all of Scotland’s local authorities have welcomed refugees who had to flee Syria into their communities with over 3,300 refugees arriving under UK Government resettlement schemes since 2014. There are also many Syrians living in Scotland who have been through the UK asylum system, while some still await a decision from the UK Government. I hope that all Syrians living in Scotland feel safe and know that they are valued members of our communities.

“The contribution that Syrians have made in Scotland has been invaluable and our communities have been enriched by the skills you have brought as you have integrated into daily life, working and raising your families here.

“I stand with the Syrian communities in Scotland in support of their rights, their integration and in supporting their homeland through this hopeful transition.”

The letter follows a meeting with representatives of the Syrian community in Scotland on Monday 16th December at Bute House.

Open Letter to Syrians in Scotland

Dear Friends,

Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on 8 December, I know that Syrians in Scotland and around the world have been coming to terms with what these changes will mean for them, their families and the future of their homeland. Hope sits alongside cautious optimism for the future however many people will naturally also be feeling concern and anxiety.

As the situation evolves, I join the international community in calling for a peaceful and inclusive political solution that puts the Syrian people first and upholds the rights of all Syrians.

I am proud that all of Scotland’s local authorities have welcomed refugees who had to flee Syria into their communities with over 3,300 refugees arriving under UK Government resettlement schemes since 2014. There are also Syrians living in Scotland who have been through the UK asylum system, as well as those awaiting a decision from the UK Government. I hope that all Syrians living in Scotland feel safe and know that they are valued members of our communities.

The contribution that Syrians have made in Scotland has been invaluable and our communities have been enriched by the skills you have brought as you have integrated into daily life, working and raising your families here.

On 16 December, I was pleased to meet with a group of Syrian community organisers in Scotland who are hopeful that a democratic Government can now be formed but also raised their concerns with me about the future.

They highlighted anxiety about the decision of the UK Government to pause the processing of asylum applications from Syrians. While I understand the need for review, given the evolving situation, I am clear that people seeking asylum should not be kept in limbo for any longer than necessary and must be given support to integrate into communities.

As asylum and immigration are reserved to the UK Government, I have written this week to the Home Secretary to flag these issues in response to the request from the Syrian community representatives that I met.

I extend the same commitment I gave the group to all Syrians in Scotland: We will do everything in our power to ensure that you are welcome and integrated into Scotland for as long as it is your home. You bring so much to the cultural, economic, and social fabric of Scotland and we value you in our communities.

For over 10 years now, our approach to supporting refugees and people seeking asylum has been guided by our New Scots refugee integration strategy. We are working with our lead partners, COSLA and Scottish Refugee Council, as well as wider partners to deliver the strategy and support integration for all refugees, people seeking asylum, displaced people and communities.

I stand with the Syrian communities in Scotland in support of their rights, their integration and in supporting their homeland through this hopeful transition.

JOHN SWINNEY