Miles Briggs MSP recently met representatives from the Marie Curie Hospice in Edinburgh to hear about the care offered locally to people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones. Continue reading Briggs: “Marie Curie is an incredible charity”
With the weather getting ever colder, many people will be cranking up the central heating. And while this is a comfort for us humans to keep us cosy in winter, heating can sometimes be a bit much for dogs. Continue reading Dog feeling ‘ruff’? Could be the central heating …
The Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC) successfully delivered its major digital transformation programme in 2018/2019. This included several new and upgraded systems alongside new IT equipment during 2019, at the same time as a 35% increase in applications to the Register as the 2020 date for mandatory registration of support workers in care at home and housing support services approaches.
These are just two of the highlights from the 2018/19 Annual Report and Accounts published yesterday.
Continue reading Scottish Social Services Council – Annual Report published
Construction work has halted on the Trams to Newhaven project until 7am on Monday 6 January. Continue reading Tram works halt for holidays
Millions of older and disabled people across the UK stand to benefit from more time to cross at traffic lights, thanks to new government guidance. Continue reading Time to Cross: Pedestrians given the gift of time this Christmas
Plans to develop a free debt advice system have been published by the Scottish Government. Continue reading Scottish Government sets out national vision for debt advice
Usdaw survey finds 98% call for shops to close
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has launched a petition on the Scottish Parliament website that calls on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to launch a consultation on implementing legislation already in place to ban most large shops from opening on New Year’s Day.
Sign the petition at: www.parliament.scot/GettingInvolved/Petitions/newyearsday
The Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading Act (Scotland) Act 2007 prohibits trading in most large shops on Christmas Day and gave powers to the Scottish Government to stop the opening of those shops on New Year’s Day as well, which has never been enacted.
An extensive Usdaw survey of over 1,000 Scottish retail staff, found that:
The full survey results can be viewed at: www.usdaw.org.uk/NYDSurvey
Stewart Forrest, Usdaw’s Scottish Divisional Officer, said: “Usdaw’s survey clearly demonstrates the strength of feeling among our members, so we are calling on them, along with all shopworkers and the public, to support this petition for a decent break at New Year after the busy Christmas period.
“Retail staff work incredibly hard all year round, but it is particularly busy and stressful throughout December. So they deserve to be able to spend time with family and friends, only 4% of Scottish retail workers are happy to work on New Year’s Day.”
Paddy Lillis, Usdaw General Secretary, said: “Hogmanay and New Year is a special holiday in Scotland, but this is not reflected in the experience of many retail workers.
“Under the Christmas Day and New Year’s Day Trading (Scotland) Act 2007, Scottish Ministers may, by statutory instrument, ban large shops from opening on New Year’s Day, subject to consultation.
“On behalf of Scotland’s retail workers, we are urging the Scottish Government to open that consultation and for MSPs to listen to shopworkers concerns about their work/life balance.”
What shopworkers say:
You’re tired from working and don’t really relax or enjoy the limited time you get with them. Then you start all over again working New Year’s Day too!!!
If, like myself, you have to work Boxing Day and New Year’s Day – it should be paid at least time and half.
As a store manager I have had to work Christmas and New Year. A lot of hard work goes into the weeks leading up. By Christmas Day you are exhausted and then back to work on Boxing Day. This year I also have to work New Year’s Eve, New Years Day and on the second.
I am not happy working till 1930 on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. By 4pm our store was fairly empty.
Finishing times on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay are creeping up later, which has a severe impact on family life for retail workers.
RADIO FORTH breakfast presenters Boogie and Arlene have announced that an amazing £1.2Million has been raised to help disadvantaged children in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk this Christmas season. Continue reading Radio Forth’s Mission Christmas raises £1.2 million
Waverley Mall, Edinburgh and The Youth Radio Network are set to host the final Waverley Sessions of 2019 this weekend – Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd December 2019.
The popular monthly music event, which is a collaboration between the busy city centre shopping centre and youth music organisation, The Youth Radio Network, has been gaining traction over the last 12 months.
This weekend will see a selection of some of the best acts they have seen throughout the year, taking to the stage across the weekend. The event will run from 11am – 4pm on Saturday and 12pm-4pm on Sunday.
Acts taking to the stage this weekend include 14-year-old Lewis Capaldi fan Evie McDonald from Grangemouth and 21-year-old pop and country singer Liv Dawn from Loch Lomond. Others include Leigh Tiley, Euan Russell, Nicole Carlin, Blair Gilmore and Rebecca Swallow.
Customers are promised a weekend packed with toe-tapping tunes, some festive specials and a fabulously Christmassy atmosphere throughout the Waverley Mall food court as the musicians get them in the mood for Christmas.
Keiran Harvey and the team of volunteers from The Youth Radio Network will be hosting the weekend’s entertainment and while there is no age limit, with the support of the team from The Youth Radio Network, young artists in particular are offered the opportunity gain public performance experience and increase their sense of self confidence.
The Youth Radio Network’s vision is to empower, teach and entertain young people, aged 13 to 25 years, through the power of music and digital technology, opening doors to the broadcast industries, and to become more employable helping them to get the best start in life.
Their role includes teaching young people the ropes of the broadcast industry and helping to prepare them for employment through CV preparation, mock interviews and confidence building.
Through their work with Waverley Mall they are empowering young people – giving them opportunities, skills and equipment as well as hands on experience in a real life setting for a future in the music / broadcast industry.
By providing a platform to perform, Waverley Mall is building on this opportunity with the chance to build personal confidence in performing in public.
Jacquelyn Stewart, General Manager, Waverley Mall says: “We’re looking forward to singing out 2019 in style with the final edition of The Waverley Sessions this year.
“It will be great to see so many familiar faces taking to the stage across the weekend to get everyone in the Christmas spirit.”
Keiran Harvey, CEO, The Youth Radio Network says: “It has been incredible to work with Waverley Mall on The Waverley Sessions this year.
“We’ve uncovered such a huge variety of artists this year, who have done nothing but surprise us with their talent, enthusiasm and energy throughout their stint on our stage.”
A TEAM of IT experts are facing festive torture – after kitting out their offices with dozens of interactive Christmas decorations which are controlled by members of the public.
Staff with Consider IT now have to endure relentless flashing lights and endlessly looping jingles, with a different member of the public taking control of the decorations every 60 seconds! Continue reading Nightmare before Christmas at Consider IT!
