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Four in five (83%) adults living with sight loss were bullied as children

New research released by Guide Dogs today to mark Anti-Bullying Week (13^th – 17^th Nov) reveals that 72% of people with sight loss said they were bullied as children because of their vision impairment
52% felt isolated in social situations when growing up
The majority admitted that being bullied as a child impacted their self-esteem (93%), with 79% experiencing feelings of loneliness at points in their childhood
Four in five visually impaired adults (84%) said they would have welcomed having a buddy dog from Guide Dogs, with 78% saying it would have boosted their confidence
As the leading provider of services for children who are visually impaired in the UK, charity Guide Dogs is raising awareness of the impact sight loss can have on a child or young person

Four in five (83%) people living with sight loss in the UK were bullied as children – 21% more than people without a vision impairment* – and a shocking 72% said they believed they were bullied as a direct result of their vision impairment.

Many said their experiences led to feelings of low self-esteem (93%), anxiety (62%) and loneliness (52%) when they were young. Thankfully, three quarters (71%) of those with a vision impairment said they had grown in confidence as adults and now feel happier in social situations.

Each year, over 1,400 families are told that their child is losing their sight¹. This can be a challenging and isolating time.

Since 2012, Guide Dogs has run the buddy dogs service, matching children who are blind or partially sighted with dogs to help them develop their self-confidence, make friends and positively impact their wellbeing.

Buddy dogs are dogs that are deemed to be more suited to living with a young person and their family than working as guide dogs and the positive impact they have can be transformational.

Four in five (84%) adults with vision impairments say that they would have welcomed a buddy dog in their lives as a child, with four in five (83%) saying it would have helped them feel less isolated, 81% saying it would have boosted their self-esteem and over three quarters (78%) saying it would have increased their social confidence.

Adults living with sight loss say that the top three most valuable benefits of Guide Dogs’ buddy dogs service is that the dog provides companionship (66%), increases the owner’s confidence (52%), and helps young people live their lives more fully (49%).

Harvey has always had a vision impairment since he was little, but was only registered visually impaired five years ago. In 2022, Harvey was bullied and as a result he stopped going to school and took a year out of his education.

Since welcoming buddy dog Alfie in October 2022, Harvey’s life has turned around. He started a new college this year and is continuing to make positive steps towards regaining his confidence.

Harvey, aged 15 from Devon, tells us: “I wasn’t at school when we got Alfie. I didn’t have a routine and was sleeping a lot but when Alfie came, he gave me something to do. I wasn’t as lonely anymore.

“We take him out for walks in the forest and we’ve even taken him on holiday this year! He’s definitely helped since I left school, I don’t feel as lonely as he’s always there. I wouldn’t change it. I love his character and he has so much love for everyone.”

Harvey’s mum Adele adds: “When Alfie walks in the room, you see it in Harvey’s face, it lights up. He lost his way a bit after everything that happened at school but his Habilitation Specialist told us about buddy dogs.

“It was incredible to find out Guide Dogs provide so much more than just guide dogs. Having Alfie has been life changing for Harvey. It has rebuilt his confidence and allowed him to return to education.”

As the leading provider of services for children who are visually impaired in the UK, charity Guide Dogs is raising awareness of the impact sight loss can have on a child or young person this Anti-Bullying Week.

Mark Sanderson, Assistant Director of Children, Young People and Families at Guide Dogs, said: “It is vital that people with vision impairments are able to live full and happy lives. Sadly, our research shows that this is not always happening.

“With 92% visually impaired adults saying they struggled with childhood confidence, and over half (52%) having battled feelings of isolation, it’s clear there’s a real need for the wide range of services we have for children who are living with sight loss.

“Our buddy dogs have a truly transformative impact in helping children develop a sense of fun and trust, so we want everyone to know about the huge benefits they bring and encourage those who could benefit to sign up for a life-changing friendship.”

Funds donated to the Guide Dogs charity go towardshelping provide life-changing services for people with sight loss, including buddy dogs, to help support children with vision impairments.

Find out more about the life changing service that buddy dogs can provide and how your donation helps at www.guidedogs.org.uk

Edinburgh schoolboys present sustainable building plans at the Houses of Parliament

A group of students from Scotland’s leading independent day and boarding school for boys, Merchiston Castle School, spoke at the Houses of Parliament in October as part of the British International Education Association’s Youth STEM Forum.

Five of Merchiston’s students were selected to speak at the Forum after winning the prestigious Sustainable Building Design Award in the British International Education Association’s international STEM competition.

Competing with hundreds of other schools from across the globe, including Poland, Pakistan, Canada and Spain, the Edinburgh pupils’ extensive research, pragmatic approach and pioneering design saw Merchiston receive the prestigious STEM award.

Fuelled by predictions that much of Leith will succumb to flooding by 2030, the boys designed a versatile, flood-resistant yet energy-efficient building.

The comprehensive final report showcased a meticulously crafted solution that could be adapted to diverse global locales, demonstrating the groups’ creativity, foresight, and pragmatism in addressing the climate emergency.

Mrs Chapman, Merchiston’s MerchiSTEM coordinator, said of the win: “The British International Education Association STEM competition allows pupils to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems.

“This draws on and further develops a variety of skills our pupils already have, such as primary and secondary research, report writing, analysing information and visual presentation methods.

“Merchiston’s extracurricular STEM group, MerchiSTEM, embraced the challenge wholeheartedly, and we are incredibly proud of all they have achieved. Speaking at the Houses of Parliament about their design proposal was an incredible opportunity, and one I am sure the boys will not forget for some time!”

Fergus W, a member of Merchiston’s winning team, described the win as “incredibly rewarding”.

He added: “Speaking at the Houses of Parliament was a huge privilege, and we were very proud to be there – and grateful to our teachers for their support.

“As young people, we think it is very important for us to share our opinion on serious, current issues such as Climate Change as this will impact our future.

“We hope that we are listened to and considered in any future planning to do with sustainability so that we can contribute to planning and preparing for our future.”

Festive Wreath Workshop at Starbank Park

3rd DECEMBER from 10.30am – 12.00pm

It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas!!

This is our Christmas fundraiser for Starbank Park this year.

Limited places for our Festive Wreath workshop.

Change Waste Recycling to provide funding for Social Bite village as part of new partnership with Social Bite

The three-year partnership will include over £62k of funding, support and jobs for people experiencing homelessness in the UK

Change Waste Recycling, a leading waste and resource management company, has announced a three-year partnership with Social Bite, a charity dedicated to ending homelessness in Scotland and across the UK.

Under a new ownership structure, Change Waste Recycling has chosen a new charity partner. The decision to partner with Social Bite was made after careful consideration by its leadership team and 55 dedicated staff members. This choice was motivated by the recognition of several key synergies between the two organisations.

Change Waste Recycling, which provides award-winning recycling and waste management services, and Social Bite who provide homes, jobs, food, and support to empower people to transform their own lives, both share Scottish roots and have grown nationally, to drive change, challenge the status quo, and provide innovative, high-quality solutions for issues within environmental and social sectors.

The partnership will see Change Waste Recycling raise over £62k for Social Bite across three years, to help deliver some of Social Bite’s ambitious projects including the plan to build two new Social Bite Villages.

Since the partnership launched, Change Waste has also employed someone through Social Bite’s Jobs First programme which provides supported employment for people who have experienced homelessness.

Employees at the organisation are participating in Social Bite’s year-round campaign initiatives, including its annual Christmas campaign – Festival of Kindness – which aims to provide hot Christmas meals and gifts to people most in need over the winter months.

Further to financial and fundraising support, the organisations will be working together to provide training to Change Waste’s drivers, empowering employees on what to do in a situation where a driver suspects someone needs immediate aid and support. Change Waste Recycling will be branding the company’s fleet of vehicles, to raise national awareness of the partnership and its support of Social Bite’s mission to end homelessness.

Josh Littlejohn MBE, co-founder and Executive Director of Social Bite, expressed his gratitude for the partnership, saying: “We’re incredibly thankful to the Change Waste Recycling team for their decision to partner with Social Bite.

“We’ve seen how powerful partnerships like these can be for providing real lasting change and we couldn’t be prouder to partner with a company that shares similar values and believes in a brighter future. The partnership will play a huge role in the support we provide to people experiencing homelessness “

Forbes Connor, CEO at Change Waste Recycling, echoed this excitement, stating: “We’ve admired the inspirational and transformative work Social Bite does for a long time now, so to have the opportunity to support them over the next three years is something we’re very proud of.

“Social Bite has such a positive impact on the lives of so many people, and I’m thrilled that the team and I will be able to support this important cause.”

For more information about Social Bite and how to get involved, please visit:

https://www.social-bite.co.uk/ .

For more information about Change Waste Recycling, please visit:

https://changewasterecycling.co.uk/ .

Corstorphine Community Centre Christmas Raffle

CHRISTMAS FAIR – SATURDAY 2nd DECEMBER 10am – 3pm

Roll up, Roll up get your fantastic Christmas raffle tickets now !

Top Prize £200 Cash- just before Christmas

Available to purchase from the CCC charity shop Mon- Fri 10am – 3pm

Don’t miss out on these magnificent prizes!

WORLD KINDNESS DAY: Five reasons kindness can boost your health and wellbeing

“Kindness costs nothing … yet is the most priceless gift one can give.”

A leading campaigner on mental health has urged Brits to be kind as it can help others and boost you own wellbeing.

And Lynn Crilly, who is also a mental health counsellor, says the “kindness of strangers” can often be the perfect tonic for someone experiencing a life crisis.

Speaking on World Kindess Day – which is celebrated today (November 13) Lynn said: “We often talk of the “kindness of strangers’ ‘ – and there’s no doubt that, sometimes, the very best support can arrive from a place you least expect it.

“Three years ago, at the start of lockdown, many people were inspired to reach out to each other with kindness. They were motivated to do the right thing by supporting and uplifting one another in the face of adversity,

“However, as the pandemic continued, it began to grind people down. They became tired, and less tolerant of each other.

“Then, as the world began to emerge from the pandemic, it soon became clear the devastating effect it had had on people’s mental health.

Addressing the issues many people currently face in their lives, Lynn continued: “People have been living in a state of uncertainty ever since, with the economy, climate, war and the high interest rates, all compounding many of mental health issues people may have today.

“That’s why I hope lots of people show kindness today and in the future.”

Lynn became a counsellor after one of her daughter’s, Samantha, fell into the trap of Anorexia Nervosa and OCD, at the age of 13. She explored every avenue and source of help, but they were not right. Lynn felt she had no option but to educate herself and learn as much as she could about eating disorders and mental illness.

Here Lynn shares five reasons why it can make a difference both to you, and the person sitting by your side:

It encourages us to reset the idea of ‘KINDNESS’.

Kindness is much more than ‘a nice thing to do’ It plays a vital role in our overall well-being. Research has shown that kindness has a positive effect on both our mental and physical health – whether we are showing kindness, receiving kindness, or just watching kindness. How wonderful is that?

It can help us to feel happier:

When we experience kindness, a hormone called dopamine is released in our brain which uplifts our mood. It is often referred to as ‘Helper’s High’.

Kindness improves relationships:

We tend to gravitate towards people that show us kindness. This is mainly because kindness reduces the emotional distance between each other and helps us to feel more bonded.

Kindness is good for the heart:

When we show kindness to one another it makes us feel all warm inside. Acts of kindness are often accompanied by a feeling of emotional warmth, which in turn

produces the hormone oxytocin in the body. Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide, which expands the blood vessels, reduces blood pressure, and protects the heart.

Kindness slows ageing:

Kindness has been proven to slow the ageing process. Research shows that oxytocin can reduce levels of free radicals and inflammation (two main culprits of ageing) in our cardiovascular system. This also slows ageing at the source.

And finally, kindness is contagious:

When a stone is dropped into water it creates waves, acts of kindness of the same ripple effect. When we are kind, it inspires others to be kind, studies show that it creates a ripple effect.

That spreads outwards, to friends, their friends, and their friends – that is a great three degrees of separation. So, when a person is kind to another it could positively affect up to 125 people. How cool is that?

The busy, complicated technology fuelled world we live in today desperately needs more kindness, which will not only give all the above benefits but also restore faith in human nature and give people hope.

So, we should also remember we should not need a special day to show one another kindness. We should aim to make it part of our everyday life. Remember kindness costs nothing – yet is the most priceless gift of all.

Five city projects shortlisted for public service awards

Edinburgh is a five-time nominee for this year’s Scottish Public Service Awards. Now in their tenth year, the awards are run by Holyrood Communications in partnership with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament to help celebrate the contribution of public servants.

Capital-based nominees include Edinburgh’s Warm Scots Welcome, a community and voluntary sector partnership which has helped welcome more than 11,000 Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion early last year.

The initiative, which was organised in collaboration between the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) and Volunteer Edinburgh (VE), is in the running for the Voluntary Sector Partnership Award.

Also nominated is the Edinburgh Ukrainian Welcome Hub, a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council and the Royal Bank of Scotland which has supported Ukrainians arriving in Scotland by providing property and facilities management, opening bank accounts, raising aid, distributing donations, volunteering, running events, giving specialist expertise, and offering women and girls tech training and employment. The project is in the running for the Commercial Partnerships Award.

The City of Edinburgh Council-led Granton Waterfront Regeneration has also been shortlisted for this year’s Sustainability Award.

Led by the council, the plan involves working with partners to deliver a new and sustainable 20 minute neighbourhood community for Edinburgh. The regeneration is already underway and once complete, will feature around 3,500 new net zero carbon homes and business start- up space.

This is all within what will become Europe’s largest coastal park – with new and enhanced green spaces and opportunities for the creative arts, culture, and leisure, connected to the rest of the city by sustainable transport routes.

Welcoming the news Council Leader Cammy Day said: “We’ve been putting a huge amount of work and ambition into creating a better, greener, fairer future for residents so recognition like this – for how the Council and city partners are trailblazing in many areas of Scottish public service – is very welcome.

“For instance, the huge amount of change we’re seeing in Granton is creating an exciting and sustainable place to live, work, travel and have fun. It is fantastic to see it shortlisted for a sustainability award.

“It is also positive to see our efforts with partners to help those from Ukraine being recognised. These projects have allowed people to not only move to Scotland but put down roots. Our work with NatWest to help those fleeing war into work and study is one of three employability projects supported by the council to be nominated for an award.

“We face big decisions about how we address our housing and climate emergencies, and one of our biggest priorities is make sure those in our communities feel supported and welcome. All of these projects are successfully working towards that aim. I’d like to wish everyone involved in the very best of luck.”

Other council supported nominees include the Whole Family Equality Project, supported by the Capital City Partnership, which supports families from diverse ethnic backgrounds in Edinburgh to reach financial resilience, improved health and wellbeing, and positive participation in school life.

Delivered by Children 1st and CHAI and funded by the City of Edinburgh Council, Scottish Government and Robertson Trust, the project empowers people to take leading roles in decision made about the project’s design and delivery and is nominated for the Championing Diversity and Inclusion Award.

The Integrated Regional Employability and Skills Programme (IRES) as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal programme, is also in the running for the Project and Programme Management Award.

The programme seeks to evolve regional labour market policy and practice to drive inclusive growth, promising to deliver deliver an additional 14,700 skill improvements across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region and help 5,300 people into employment.

The finalists will be announced on Wednesday 6 December.

The Book Week Scotland adventure begins in Edinburgh

One Scot will find a voucher for a year’s worth of books in one of this year’s free Book Week Scotland books

Book Week Scotland begins today, Monday 13 November, with this year’s theme of ‘adventure’.

Book Week Scotland is a national annual celebration of books and reading, with events taking place in libraries and community venues across the country, delivered by Scottish Book Trust – the national charity changing lives with reading and writing.

People picking up a copy of this year’s free Book Week Scotland book, Adventure, may be lucky enough to find one of seven special silver tickets, celebrating Scottish Book Trust’s 25^th anniversary, tucked inside the pages.

The silver tickets are redeemable for book tokens, with six worth £100 and one valid for a year’s worth of books (to a value of £500). The tickets have been sent across Scotland, so readers far and wide are in with a chance of discovering one.

The book has been published by Scottish Book Trust, featuring true stories from people across Scotland, including four from local Edinburgh writers Hazel Knox, Joanne Deegan Kerr, Jo Higgs and Nicole Carter.

Adventure also features exclusive contributions from Len Pennie, Sumayya Usmani, current Scots Scriever Shane Strachan, Mae Diansangu, and Gaelic writers Alistair Paul and Seonaidh Charity. 70,000 copies of the book will be given out for free during Book Week Scotland through libraries and community spaces, and it is also available to order online alongside audio and ebook formats.

Highlights from Book Week Scotland 2023 include:

· Writing Historical Fiction: Forgotten Voices at Typewronger Books – Monday 13 November, 7.30–8.30pm (free ticketed event)

· Sara Sheridan: The Fair Botanists at Juniper Green Bowling Club – Tuesday 14 November, 6.30–7.30pm (free ticketed event)

· The Pleasures of Reading with Val McDermid at Portobello Bookshop – Thursday 16 November, 7–8pm (free ticketed event and online livestream)

· Football Journeys with a Bearded Genius: Nooruddean Choudry in conversation with Daniel Gray from Nutmeg Magazine at St John’s Scottish Episcopal Church – Saturday 18 November, 7–8.30pm (free ticketed event)

· An exclusive story by Ambrose Parry, told in daily email instalments

· The reading map of Scotland, where people can share what they’re reading during the week

Further details on the above, and more, can be found at bookweekscotland.com.

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘Book Week Scotland is one of the highlights of Scotland’s literary calendars, with events for all ages and interests taking place across the nation.

“Despite the fact that Book Week Scotland is now operating on a shoestring budget due to repeated funding cuts, working with and through our fantastic partners across the country we have been able, even so, to offer an exciting and accessible programme of events at a local and national level.

“We could not do this without the support of the Scottish Library and Information Council, library services and the many other community partners we collaborate with. And this is vital, because developing a love of reading is a lifelong adventure which brings much pleasure and many benefits to the individual and the communities they live in.’

Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of the Scottish Library & Information Council said: ‘Book Week Scotland is an important opportunity to bring communities together to celebrate the power of reading which is why SLIC is proud to be a partner.

“With a brilliant programme of events lined up in libraries across the country, there’s something for everyone. We hope people will take this opportunity to rediscover all that local libraries have to offer.’

Head of Literature & Publishing at Creative Scotland, Alan Bett, said: ‘Book Week Scotland is a highlight in Scotland’s literary and cultural calendar which continues to provide joy by connecting the reading public with Scotland’s authors and their books.

“Featuring some of the biggest names in our literary scene, this year’s programme showcases homegrown talent and provides the space to empower writers and readers alike, across the country and within their own communities.’

Green Careers Week: Why encouraging the next generation of ‘green workers’ holds the key to meeting our net zero targets

ENCOURAGING more young people to embark on a green career is vital for the UK to meet its 2050 net zero targets, a leading recycling association says.

As part of a new campaign to mark Green Careers Week, the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) also outlined five reasons why a career in the sector can prove to be life changing.

The BMRA says a myriad of opportunities exist for those looking to enter the sector and that it doesn’t matter whether the person is a school leaver with minimal qualifications or a graduate with a BA, MA or even a PhD.

Outlining why Green Careers Week is so important, James Kelly, CEO, BMRA says: “Metals recycling is a vital component if the UK is to meet its climate goals by 2050.

“By 2050, many of those working in the sector now will be long retired whereas those at school today will be well into their careers. Like all industries, metals recycling has felt the reduction in talent pool which is why it is even more important to encourage young people into the industry.”

Mr Kelly added that even if people don’t have the relevant qualifications, many will have skills that can be transferred into the industry: “Metals recycling companies have traditionally been family-run businesses, but as the industry grows, ownership models have been changing and more people are coming into the industry with skills obtained in other sectors.

“We also don’t want people to be put off if they don’t have qualifications. The BMRA was a key part of the team that created the Metals Recycling General Operative level 2 apprenticeship. This approach is a simple solution to plugging that talent pool gap for employers and offers young people a structured route into a green career”.

His comments come in the wake of a recent survey commissioned by British Gas for National Apprenticeship Week. It said that three quarters of respondents are seeking careers that have a positive environmental impact.

According to the survey, on average, respondents have been considering a career which makes a difference from as early as 10 years old.

One person who has seen the positive impact of a green career is Elliot Ashton, a Weighbridge Operator at Kuusakoski Recycling. Elliot, 25, who came to metals recycling from another industry, said: “Don’t underestimate the possibilities or potential for personal development that are available through a green career.

“What may seem like a minor position can quickly evolve and build up to be a full-blown career with the possibility to achieve a multitude of licenses, qualifications, and training.”

The Metals Recycling General Operative apprenticeship develops an apprentice’s knowledge and appreciation of a wide range of processes, site administration, risk assessment as well as legislation relating to metals recycling. T

hey will attain the skills to operate industry-specific and generic plant and equipment, such as a forklift truck, shear and cable strippers. Safety will form a key element of their role and they can select one of five specialist routes in which to train.

The BMRA has also offered five reasons why you may want to consider a Green Career:

Help sustain the planet. Metals are 100% recyclable and avoid sending a permanent material to landfill. It prevents natural habitat from being mined, and it saves energy, reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 80%.
A career for life. The metals recycling industry does not stand still. It is busy, vibrant, and hands-on. If you have passion and motivation, the pathway for you knows no bounds. With a multitude of entry-level options available to you, you will gain more experience and knowledge that can open up other roles within the sector.
A job for everyone. Whether you are degree educated, or left school with minimal or no qualifications, there is a green job for you. Within metals ecycling, there is a sector-specific apprenticeship which can train on the ground operatives, even assisting them with passing their GCSEs if required. If you have a STEM degree, the metals recycling industry will need scientists and engineers. The options are vast.
Metals recycling touches all parts of society. Energy, construction, automotive, food and beverage, households. There will be very few things that you use, or touch, which do not contain metal that can be recycled. Even the phone you might be reading these words on. The metals recycling industry is worth £7 billion to the UK economy, so not insignificant at all!
Variety in your day to day. Particularly if you work on a smaller site, you may get to do a bit of everything, from weighbridge, to using the forklift, to material handler operating. You will also meet a variety of people, ensuring that no two days are the same.

Oysters return to Firth of Forth

We’re so delighted to share that after a 100 year absence, native oysters have now returned to the Firth of Forth!

Restoration Forth is a major marine restoration programme working with communities to restore seagrass habitats and return 30,000 native oysters to the Firth of Forth

Caitlin Godfrey, Marine Conservation Society’s Shellfish Engagement Officer said: “It’s so exciting that the first native oysters are now in their new home.

“Alongside seagrass meadows, they will play a crucial role in bringing the estuary back to life.”

Read more about this exciting development over on our blog