Boost It, a new programme from the Social Entrepreneurs Fund has opened for applications. Delivered by social enterprise agency Firstport and funded by the Scottish Government, Boost It will support social enterprises in Scotland to strengthen their businesses so they can successfully sustain trading. Continue reading New fund offers innovative finance to environmental social enterprises
Working-class households are being denied a fair share of the national wealth they create, according to TUC analysis of new official data published last week. Continue reading Wealth gap grows as the rich speed ahead
The lessons being learned by Scotland’s student teachers will be put to the test as part of a new inquiry by Holyrood’s Education and Skills Committee.
The inquiry will explore whether teachers leave initial teacher education sufficiently ready and confident for the challenges they will face in Scotland’s classrooms. Continue reading Scotland’s student teachers: learning the lessons
A new online ‘matchmaking platform’ for community energy called PowerPaired launched last week with over 100 assets on offer to community energy groups. Continue reading Community energy matchmaking platform launches in bid to tackle climate crisis
With Christmas just around the corner, the Edinburgh’s Christmas magic is heading out and shining a special light on the capital’s community spirit with Community Christmas, opening on 11 December! Continue reading Share your festive spirit in the brand-new Community Christmas
Edinburgh’s Returning Officer has urged residents to have their say on 12 December, with just days to go until Thursday’s UK Parliamentary Election.
In the Capital, 362, 956 people are currently registered to vote following the registration deadline on 26 November, with around 20,000 residents registering since the notice of election on 8 November. Continue reading Voters urged to have their say as General Election approaches
Articulation agreement signed between the Northern Ireland Film & Television School and Edinburgh Napier University
A new link-up between South Eastern Regional College’s Northern Ireland Film & Television School (NIFTS) and Edinburgh Napier University is set to give the next generation of TV and film talent the chance to continue their studies in Scotland. Continue reading New link-up gives Northern Irish media students chance to continue studies in Edinburgh
New regulations will improve equality for people living with disabilities by giving them the right to make communal areas around their home more accessible.
Disabled people will be given the right to remove barriers to access by creating ramps, widening paths and installing hand rails in common areas, with the support of a majority of neighbours.
Under current legislation, a disabled person is unable to make minor accessibility changes to shared areas unless all owners give their consent.
The new regulations will also empower disabled people to challenge others from unreasonably withholding consent to make basic adaptations.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “A home with the right support in the right place enables disabled people to live safely and independently, offering a sense of security and improving physical and mental wellbeing.
“This new legislation will widen equality for people living with a disability in Scotland by giving them the right to improve accessibility in shared areas at their home and challenge others from unreasonably withholding consent.
“A first in the UK, this will help achieve a fairer Scotland where disabled people have more equality and the choice, dignity and freedom to access suitable housing and live independently.”
Moira Bayne of charity Housing Options Scotland said: “Many Housing Options Scotland clients will be delighted by the introduction of this new legislation. The removal of the requirement to have the consent of all sharing owners will make a huge difference to the lives of disabled people.”
Sara Hawkins of Leith-based Projekt 42 was crowned the most inspirational and successful female founder of a social enterprise at this year’s NatWest everywoman awards.
The entrepreneur behind the not-for-profit gym and wellness centre on Leith Walk, took home the Gaia Award at the glittering ceremony in London earlier this week (3 Dec), for creating a sustainable business model with a strong community benefit.
The 34-year-old set up Projekt 42 in 2017 following personal experience.
She said: “To win such an accolade is just incredible. I was a finalist alongside 20 other inspirational women from across the country in the running to win a NatWest everywoman Award and I’m over the moon to have brought the Gaia award back to Edinburgh.”
Six years ago Sara was diagnosed with PTSD, unable to work and on long mental health waiting lists. Determined to improve her health, Sara self-funded a combination of fitness, counselling and life coaching sessions.
Having seen the difference it made, she was determined to help others and set up Projekt42, having sold her home and donated the money to buy equipment.
With fitness classes ranging from yoga, pilates and boxing, a key component of its offering is its holistic approach to wellness. It now has the largest team of counsellors and psychotherapists in the city outside the NHS.
Sara added: “Projekt42 is a unique offering. It was the first wellness centre to combine fitness, yoga and mental health services.
“We recognise that many people out there need counselling support right now, but are stuck on waiting lists in the health system.
“With over 300 different classes each month to suit all ages and abilities, to our wellness services which include counselling and life coaching, we’re committed to helping everyone. After all, mental health isn’t something that some people have – we all have it in various degrees.
“I am looking forward to scaling Projekt42 and plan to open additional sites across the UK.”
Maxine Benson MBE, Co-Founder at everywoman commented: “Women in the UK do not lack ability or ambition, yet only one in three British entrepreneurs are female – a gender gap equivalent to 1.1 million missing businesses.
“Women are consistently less likely than men to believe they have the necessary skills to be successful entrepreneurs, which is why showcasing the success stories of winners is so critical. They demonstrate passion, determination and dedication often in the face of adversity.
“We congratulate this year’s winners and applaud their incredible achievements.”
The European Movement in Scotland, the country’s leading pro-EU campaigning organisation, has urged voters to back election candidates who support remaining in the EU and with the best chance of winning when they go to the polls in Thursday’s General Election. Continue reading Scotland’s largest pro-EU campaign organisation urges voters to back best-placed Remainers in General Election
