Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Local charities shortlisted to receive share of £25,000 Scotmid funding

LIFT @ Millenium Centre and the Living Memory Association are two of three good causes across the East of Scotland to have been shortlisted to receive a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative.

The funding will be announced next April, following a vote by Scotmid members.

LIFT @ Millenium Centre offers support to families living in the most deprived areas of Edinburgh or those that are socially or financially vulnerable. The funding from Scotmid will be used to deliver ‘Family Teatime’ sessions, which will provide families an opportunity to eat, play and learn together in a safe and welcoming environment.

The Living Memory Association brings together people that are socially isolated or living with dementia. From their base in Ocean Terminal, the charity offers exhibitions, including The Wee Museum of Memory, as well as recording podcasts and videos. The funding from Scotmid will be used to employ a part-time sessional worker and cover materials needed for their workshops.

Pauline Nicol-Bowie, CEO/Founder of LIFT, said: “We are incredibly thankful to be part of Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative, which will help us expand our ‘Family Teatime’ programme.

“This is a vital part of local communities in North Edinburgh and we look forward to being able to expand our services to support more people.”

Heather Robertson, Service Co-ordinator at Living Memory Association, said: “The Living Memory Association is delighted to be shortlisted for Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative.

“The funding will allow us to develop new projects for older people to celebrate lived experience and combat the loneliness and isolation the community can often face.”

The other charity shortlisted in the East of Scotland is Children’s Clothing Bank Dunfermline, which provides pre-loved good quality and new clothes in a dignified manner for children aged 0-18 years in the local community.

Keen to support local good causes? Pop into your local Scotmid and pay £1 to become a member.

Tens of thousands of young Scots ‘swipe’ to learn more about keeping safe from violence

Fearless – the youth service of Crimestoppers – have reported a huge increase in young people engaging with their recent youth violence and weapon possession campaign.

In just a three-week period, over 33,000 young people in Scotland swiped from Fearless’ latest Snapchat campaign to the charity’s website at Fearless.org Once there, young people were able to learn more about the common myths around weapon carrying, the Law and listen to podcasts from people with lived experience of serious violence.

Dozens of intel reports were submitted 100% anonymously to the charity about people carrying weapons and responsible for other serious crimes.

The campaign was launched in September at Eastbank Academy, Glasgow.

The highly successful Snapchat campaign content was designed entirely by a small group of young people from elsewhere in the city who volunteer with the charity.

Lyndsay McDade, National Youth Projects Coordinator at Crimestoppers Scotland, said: “I’m delighted by the results our youth violence campaign. It shows the sheer scale of young people’s willingness to engage; recognising that the issue of violence and weapon possession needs to improve and wanting to play their part in making their community safer.

“Young people have so much talent to offer. When we focus on a tiny fraction of young people making unsafe choices, it can be easy to forget that the vast majority want to be, and indeed are, part of the solution.

“Fearless provides a very clear call to action for young people. We make it easy to speak up about crime by providing a way to do so 100% anonymously through our website Fearless.org or by calling us on 0800 555 111.

“That means you don’t need to worry about the stigma sometimes associated with reporting, the potential retaliation and so on. We can’t track your IP address or any contact details so nobody will know the information came from you but you will make lives safer.

“I am immensely proud of the service we offer at Fearless.org and how we empower young people in Scotland to feel confident speaking up about crime.”

One young person who was involved in the design of the Snapchat content said: “I know people who are in gangs and have knives and stuff and I know someone my age who was stabbed recently.

“Something needs to be done and I cannae get rid of like the gangs or anything but helping with this was fine. I’m really happy there was a good response.”

Chief Superintendent Derek Frew from Police Scotland’s Partnerships, Preventions and Community Wellbeing Division said: “Carrying or using a knife can have a devastating impact on our communities.

“We remain committed to reducing the number of knife-related offences occurring within Scotland and working with partners to educate young people about the risks and consequences associated with such crimes.

“The Fearless campaign allows young people to anonymously report any concerns they have about someone carrying a knife, which, in turn, allows police to investigate and potentially prevent a violent crime involving a bladed weapon.

“We have been extremely encouraged by the engagement from young people throughout Scotland as part of the campaign and are grateful to those who have come forward and provided Fearless with information, for us to follow up on.”

Save a life! The Restart a Heart campaign aims to save more lives

The Restart a Heart campaign starts today (Mon 16 October), a  lifesaving initiative aiming to help save more lives across Scotland by teaching people vital resuscitation skills which can be used if someone goes into cardiac arrest. 

Around 3,200 people in Scotland have an Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) every year with people in deprived areas twice as likely to have one. 

Survival rates for OHCA have doubled in Scotland in the past eight years due to initiatives such as Restart a Heart and the public are being encouraged to sign up so we can improve further.  

Steven Short, the Scottish Ambulance Service’s OHCA Programme Lead, said: “Every second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest. Early CPR and the use of a defibrillator is essential to increasing the chances of survival. 

“With most cardiac arrests happening at home, knowing CPR and being confident to act could save a loved one’s life. The chances of survival reduces by around 10% for every minute without CPR, so it’s essential that as many people as possible sign up to learn these lifesaving skills. You never know when you might need them.”  

One member of the public who has benefitted is John Hooper, of Milngavie. John, a dad-of one and grandfather of three, was recently reunited with ambulance crew Sophie Barrett and Kayleigh MacDonald, both of Leverndale Ambulance Station, who saved his life after he collapsed while out running outside Clober Golf Club on Craigton Road, Milngavie, on May 18, 2023. 

John said: “Thanks to a neighbour and several bystanders, I was given CPR immediately and a defibrillator was brought out from the golf club. Ambulance service personnel then arrived and continued to give me lifesaving treatment before taking me to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital. 

“Were it not for the efforts of everyone involved I would not be here today. I am so grateful to your staff. Having performed CPR several times myself when I was an operational fire officer, I never thought it would need to be performed on me.

“My family and me sincerely thank everyone involved and hope they know how much it means to us. I am still here to be with them. I’ll be forever grateful.” 

John is pictured with Sophie, on the left, and Kayleigh

Find out more and get ‘CPR ready’ by visiting www.savealife.scot 

£750,000 to support relief projects in Libya and Gaza

International Development Minister Christina McKelvie has pledged new funding from the Scottish Government to support projects providing access to clean water, food and shelter in Gaza and Libya.

Ms McKelvie has confirmed the Scottish Government will provide £500,000 towards the United Nations Relief and Works Agency’s (UNRWA) flash appeal in response to the ongoing escalation in the Gaza Strip.

The UNRWA’s appeal is urgently seeking funds to respond to the immediate food, health, shelter and protection needs of up to 250,000 people seeking safety in UNRWA shelters in Gaza and another 250,000 Palestine refugees within the community.

A further £250,000 will also be allocated through the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) to support relief efforts in Libya, following deadly flooding in September. More than 4,000 are reported to have died in the flooding and this number is expected to increase with around 10,000 people still missing.    

Ms McKelvie said: “Our thoughts are with all the innocent people caught in the middle of escalating conflict in Israel and Gaza. The Scottish Government reiterates the call from the First Minister and the UN Secretary-General for a humanitarian corridor to be established so that urgent assistance can be given to those civilians who are trapped, helpless and cannot leave.

“Many thousands of people in Libya are also still dealing with the impact of major flooding following dam collapses in the aftermath of Storm Daniel and our thoughts are also with them and their families, as work to provide essential aid, such as food, clean water and shelter, continues in those areas worst affected.”

UNRWA Director of External Relations and Communications Tamara Alrifai said: “This generous contribution is an incredibly humane gesture towards tens of thousands of people who are in utter distress in the Gaza Strip.

UNRWA is very grateful for the show of support by Scotland and will use every penny to help alleviate the suffering of civilian women, children and men in Gaza.”

First Minister calls for Gaza humanitarian corridor

GC Live to back local charity Cash for Kids’ Mission Christmas Campaign

25p per every full-price ticket sold for Wondrous Woods and Starry Nights will be donated to Cash for Kids to support local children across Scotland’s central belt this Christmas. 

GC Live, a new major events organiser has announced that they will be donating 25p from every full-price ticket sold for their two largest seasonal events to Cash for Kids Mission Christmas. 

Now the largest gift appeal in the UK, Mission Christmas helps ensure every child wakes up to a visit from Santa as presents are delivered to hundreds of thousands of children who would otherwise go without. 

Geoff Crow, Director of GC Live said, “We are delighted to support Cash for Kids with their Mission Christmas campaign.

“With an expected audience of over 60,000 visitors across both events, we are looking forward to being able to donate a sizable sum to the charity which will help support those kids who need presents the most at Christmas time.” 

Wondrous Woods, at Gosford House near Edinburgh and Starry Nights at Dean Castle near Kilmarnock, will be delivered by technical and event management partners, 21CC Group and will offer magical illuminated experiences for families across Scotland.  

Cash for Kids East Lothian’s Charity Manager, Vic Hendry said: ‘We are so grateful for the support we are receiving through the Wondrous Woods and Starry Nights illuminated trail experiences.

“The money that’s donated through the ticket sales will buy presents that will bring joy to many local children, allowing them to experience the magic of Christmas, as every child should.” 

Cash for Kids Senior Corporate Fundraiser for the West of Scotland, Rebecca Campbell, added: “We are delighted to have been selected as the chosen charity for the Starry Nights event at Dean Castle.

“The funds donated to Cash for Kids will help us make Christmas special for local children who would otherwise miss out on this magical time of year.”  

The spectacular illuminated adventure that is Wondrous Woods runs over Friday, Saturday and Sunday sessions from October 27 to November 19, including a special run during the last week, where sessions are extended to run from Thursday to Sunday. 

Kirsty McGill, Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, who are supporting Wondrous Woods this year as an official sponsor, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this event and in turn the Cash for Kids charity. It’s incredibly important to us to support the local community and the work we do is a lot more than just building high-quality homes.   

“Being able to work with local businesses, charities and organisations that surround our developments means a great deal to us and it’s great to be part of the first Wondrous Woods in East Lothian.  We are excited to be involved and we hope the event brings lots of fun and joy to those who visit as well as presents to children who need them most this Christmas.” 

Tickets are available to buy online at https://www.wondrouswoods.com/ticket-information from £12 per child and £19 for an adult. Tickets for Starry Nights at Dean Castle will be available for purchase soon.  

Tickets start from £9 for children 4 to 15 years old plus booking fee and from £14 for adults plus booking fee. Children under 3 go free. Grotto tickets can be added to your basket from just £9 per child. For further information and to purchase tickets, visit https://www.christmasatdeancastle.com 

Homeowners in Edinburgh: Get in touch with Home Energy Scotland

Help to make your home warmer for less

The Scottish Government is calling on homeowners to get in touch with Home Energy Scotland to find out if they are eligible for funding to help make their homes warmer for less.

Up to £10,000 worth of home improvements may be available to homeowners who are currently in receipt of income-related financial support.

The Warmer Homes Scotland programme, which is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered by Warmworks, has relaunched and is offering funding and support to households struggling to stay warm and keep on top of energy bills.

The funding provided is delivered as energy efficiency home improvements such as wall and loft insulation, draught-proofing and climate friendly heating. For those who are eligible the energy efficient home improvements could help lower energy bills and also make your home warmer and cosier for free.  

During the 2022 / 23 Warmer Homes Scotland programme, which came to an end in March of this year, almost 5,500 homes benefited from the funding across Scotland and specifically in Edinburgh, 394 households benefited.

Homeowners can access the programme by contacting Home Energy Scotland, with the selected improvements dependent on a survey of the home being carried out to ensure the proposed changes are tailored to the home’s needs.

Harry Mayers, the head of Home Energy Scotland, said: “We all know winter can be tough in Scotland, but homeowners have the opportunity to act to help reduce their energy bills and make their homes warmer.

“We’re encouraging homeowners to get in touch with the Home Energy Scotland team for free, impartial advice to check their eligibility for grants and see what energy efficiency changes can be made in their home.

“The improvements really can make a difference, completely changing the energy efficiency of a home. The results and benefits so many households have experienced shows that getting in touch with Home Energy Scotland is a positive move.”

Getting in touch with Home Energy Scotland can leave lasting benefits that not only positively impact the household but help to tackle climate change too. In Scotland, heating is one of the two biggest contributors to individual emissions. Making changes to the way we heat our homes could make a huge difference to climate change and in helping Scotland to reach Net Zero by 2045.

For more information, contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or use the self-assessment tool on the website and one of the advisors will be in touch: 

www.homeenergyscotland.org/warmer-home

Pumpkin-ify your home this Halloween with Dobbies

Garden Centre to host Pumpkin Patch experience

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is launching its first of a kind Pumpkin Patch experience for families in the run up to Halloween (24-31 October). This is a pumpkin-tastic opportunity to pop along to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and pick the perfect pumpkin to carve at home this Halloween.

Rustic bales of hay and vibrant autumnal pumpkins make for a memorable visit to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, where families can get the pick of the patch. Here children can take a pumpkin home, carve it up using Dobbies’ guide and create their own personalised pumpkin for welcoming trick-or-treaters.

Sarah Murray, who created this year’s experience, loves Halloween and can’t wait to welcome customers along to the Pumpkin Patch. She said: “We’re really excited about this year’s Halloween offering in Edinburgh as this is the first time we’ve created a Pumpkin Patch. We warmly welcome everyone to come along and enjoy the experience.”

Pumpkins at the patch have all been grown in the UK and are priced at £2.50. No booking is required for this experience, and pumpkin availability is subject to a first come, first serve basis. There will also be an opportunity for families to use Dobbies’ Instagram frame to take a selfie of themselves at the patch and share on socials, for a chance to win a £50 gift card.

If you do come along to Dobbies and pick up a pumpkin this Halloween, Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, shares his top recycling tips to help the environment.

He said: “Pumpkin flesh will make a welcome snack for wildlife and we recommend cutting the pumpkin into pieces before placing it in the garden.

“The seeds are another fantastic source of food for birds and small animals. Collect the seeds, leave them to dry out and place them on a flat surface in your garden to be enjoyed.

“If you’re feeling adventurous and would like to grow your own pumpkin next year, save seeds from this year’s pumpkin and try to grow it next April. 

“If composting is your thing, pumpkins work a treat as they break down easily and quickly. Just be sure to remove any seeds first to prevent unexpected pumpkin plants growing in your compost.”