Holyrood’s Social Security Committee visited Wester Hailes Education Centre yesterday as they continued their inquiry into benefit uptake. The Committee met with various organisations and individuals to try to uncover why a huge number of benefits remain unclaimed. Continue reading Benefits take-up: Holyrood comes to Wester Hailes
Older residents in Edinburgh are being encouraged to trade in their old slippers for a brand new pair, free of charge.
As part of a community initiative in Leith, a ‘Big Slipper’ social day is taking place this Monday (18 November) at Easter Road stadium. Continue reading Ditch yer auld baffies at Big Slipper Event!
Interested in a job in Childcare? The Childcare Academy could be for you!
THE CHILDCARE ACADEMY IS AN EMPLOYABILITY FUND STAGE 3 PROGRAMME WHICH WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO:
Why not come along to our Childcare Academy information session?
This will last approx. 1 hour and will give you the opportunity to find out what is involved in our Academy programme, ask any questions and take away an application pack.
Our next Childcare Academy starts on MONDAY 2nd March 2020
If you would like to find out more, please contact Audrey O’Neill (our Communications & Compliance Officer) on 0131 311 6931 or email audrey.oneill@northedinburghchildcare.co.uk
Edinburgh based care provider strives to ensure levels of assistance across the city remain consistent over the festive period
One of Edinburgh’s leading care and support providers, Social Care Alba have confirmed that they have already put provisions in place for their employees this winter to ensure that levels of assistance across the city remain consistent for those in need, over the festive period. Continue reading Social Care Alba to go the extra mile for employees this winter
Third Tuesday of every month
LifeCare in Stockbridge is pleased to announce that another new group will be starting this month.
The History Strollers group will meet in Cafe Life, Cheyne Street (Stockbridge) on the third Thursday of every month at 1.30pm. The group will take a 1 hour stroll in and around Stockbridge and further afield with a dash of history for extra measure.
Learn something new about the area, take some fresh air and meet new people … come along on Thursday 21st November 2019. Places are limited so please call 0131 343 0940 to book your place!
Congratulations to the LIFT (Low Income Families Together) team based at Muirhouse Millennium Centre who picked up an award at the annual Forth Awards in the Usher Hall yesterday. LIFT’s Paula Bowie won the Cash for Kids category.
LIFT’s Paula Bowie said: “Absolutely over the moon after yesterday. Winning a Forth award has given me the acknowledgement I needed to say: job done.
“LIFT is what was needed, all mine, my amazing staff, sessional workers Kirsty Day Maryann Paice Fallon hard work has paid off. We couldn’t do it without our volunteers Sonia McCraw Jadee C Wilsonn Lynette Hughes Nicola Spence Ashley Bambrick Jade Buchan.”
The great and the good from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife were celebrated yesterday at the annual Forth Awards, alongside music industry legends and Fringe favourites.
Ten awards were handed out – six for community winners and four for entertainment – as nominated and voted for by Radio Forth listeners.
The Community Awards were set up to recognise those unsung heroes who never normally get credit for the great things they do, and this year six incredibly worthy winners took home awards.
Sean Carr collected the Community Venture Award sponsored by Gyle Shopping Centre for Urban Nature Retreat who have created a unique, safe environment for disadvantaged children with disabilities to enjoy the therapeutic benefits that animals and nature can provide.
Irene Squires-Guild was crowned Local Hero, collecting the award sponsored by The Edinburgh Evening News after dedicating her life to helping others, following the death of her son. A volunteer with the Red Cross, Irene assisted with relief for the Grenfell tragedy and regularly fundraises for those in need, offers support to refugee families, amongst many other selfless endeavors.
The Best Restaurant award with Caledonian Heating and Plumbing was presented to Italian La Rusticana, while Sarah Keenan from Carnegie Primary in Dunfermline was named top of the class, winning the Best Teacher Award, sponsored by Fuse.
Charity Volunteer of the Year sponsored by Heritage Portfolio went to Neil Rankin from Street Assist, founded to help the citizens and emergency services within the City of Edinburgh. Finally, the Cash for Kids Award with Westwoods Health Club was collected by Paula Bowie, founder of L.I.F.T – Low Income Families Together – a new project which works with these families to reduce barriers restricting families from moving forward in life.
The final four awards celebrated entertainment with special appearances and performances from award winners. Janey Godley collected The Forth Fringe Award sponsored by OMNI Edinburgh, awarded after her Festival run and for her hilarious take on the news with her now infamous ‘dub’ videos.
The Forth Scottish Best Artist Award with Victor Paris was claimed by Sophie Ellis Bextor who performed her hits ‘Groove Jet’, ‘Murder on the Dancefloor’ and ‘Take me Home’.
Marc Almond of Soft Cell was awarded The Forth Icon Award, sponsored by The Edinburgh Playhouse. Marc delighted the attendees with a fittingly iconic performance of both solo and Soft Cell singles. Commenting on his win, Marc said: “It’s a real honour to be awarded the Forth Icon Award. I love performing in Scotland and can’t wait to return next month for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay”.
Finally, The Forth Contribution to Music Award with The Liquid Rooms was awarded to Scottish rockers Wet,Wet, Wet who have sold over 15 million singles and albums to date, and featured in the official UK charts for over a massive 500 weeks, with their albums certified platinum 20 times in the UK. The band, newly invigorated by the introduction of lead singer Kevin Simm thrilled attendees with their impressive back-catalogue.
The Forth Awards were hosted by Radio Forth favourites Boogie and Arlene and attendees were also treated to theatrical performances from The Lion King ahead of the show’s return to The Playhouse in December and The Steamie, ahead of their December run at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro.
Further musical entertainment came from Edinburgh girl Nina Nesbit and the now iconic dance music section of the awards saw Shena take to the mic with the classic ‘There’s nothing I won’t do’.
Richie Jeffrey, events and marketing manager at Radio Forth said: “The Forth Awards are a fantastic mix of celebration that spans local heroes plus the best music and entertainment.
“Everyone at Radio Forth is hugely proud to put on an event which is able to recognise the acts of selflessness of our local community winners whilst being able to provide top class entertainment from our industry winners and many more. Congratulations again to all of our incredibly deserving winners and nominees.”
Martin Perry, director of development at sponsor Edinburgh St James, said: “Every year the Forth Awards just seem to get better and better, which means our continued sponsorship of this great event is no real surprise.
“Our involvement with the Forth Awards throughout the lifecycle of this project feels especially poignant now we are less than a year away from opening our first phase, delivering a once-in-a-generation development that equals Edinburgh’s global reputation.
“But we knew from the start that, for Edinburgh St James to truly succeed, we needed to develop real partnerships across the city, and our relationship with Radio Forth continues to be one that we are very proud to have.”
Keep up with all the latest competitions, gossip, music and news on Forth 1 online, FM, DAB radio, via our app, on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat:
Forth1official (Snapchat)
FORTH AWARDS PICS: Greg Macvean
Foreign nationals resident in Scotland should be able to have a say in how the country is run. This the view of the majority of the Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee following its consideration of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill. Continue reading Votes for foreign residents and prisoners?
Edinburgh City Chambers played host to a very special event marking 30 years of the Edinburgh Interfaith Association (EIFA) this week (writes Puneet Dwivedi). Continue reading Edinburgh Interfaith Association celebrates thirty years
Childline’s annual report has revealed the service carried out on average 12 counselling sessions every day in 2018/19 with children who have been sexually exploited.
The NSPCC’s round-the-clock service delivered 4,500 counselling sessions – up 16 per cent from the previous year – to children and young people, the youngest aged nine, who were coerced or forced into sexual activity. More than 200 of these contacts were from children living in Scotland, which was a 28% increase from the previous year.
In more than a third of counselling sessions young people disclosed they were targeted online – usually through social media or video games – often by their peers or people known to them.
Most commonly children received help from Childline because they were forced to perform or watch sexual acts or had been persuaded into sending naked images or videos of themselves – some were threatened with the images being told they would be shared with friends and family.
In the total number of counselling sessions about sexual abuse (8,841) exploitation featured in more than half.
Young people told Childline their experience with sexual exploitation also included receiving affection or gifts in exchange for sexual activities.
To help address the problem the NSPCC is calling on the Scottish Government to provide proper training to teachers so they can deliver effective and relevant lessons about healthy relationships, consent and sex; and support young people to get help from a trusted adult.
One 15-year-old girl told a counsellor she was feeling suicidal after being sexually exploited by a gang of boys:
“I never thought I would ever be the sort of person who could be sexually exploited. One day I met up with some boys and they made me feel worth something. It started off small, complimenting me, stroking my hair. One day one of them started kissing me so I pushed him away and said no, but he wouldn’t stop.
“I ended up having sex with him because I was scared about what would happen if I said no. This pattern continued between the gang. I didn’t see a problem with it until school found out and told me what was happening was a crime.”
The Childline Annual Review also shows the biggest jump – up a quarter – in the amount of 16-18 year olds receiving counselling for sexual exploitation.
An 18-year-old girl revealed to Childline:
“When I was younger I kept going online to talk to people mainly because I felt so alone. Some older guys started chatting to me and I sent nude pictures and videos of myself to them. I got compliments and didn’t know how to say no.
“Most of them knew I was just 13 and some of them threatened to post the pictures online if I didn’t send more. I feel sick just thinking about it and feel so insecure about this all coming back to haunt me.”
Matt Forde, National Head of Service for NSPCC Scotland, said: “Sadly, we are hearing from young people every day who are being manipulated or blackmailed into carrying out sexual acts. For many this impacts on their mental health and leaves them feeling isolated from the people closest to them. Some turn to self-harm, alcohol or substance misuse as ways of coping with their experiences.
“Everyone must be prepared to confront this problem, from government right through to schools, parents, professionals, and us at Childline. Earlier this year, the Scottish Government made 16 recommendations after reviewing personal and social education in its schools.
“It needs to now ensure that when these recommendations are implemented, teachers are confident to deliver the improved messages. Childline needs to recruit more volunteers to make sure they can be there for every child who needs our help, at all times of day and night.”
