davepickering – Page 3302 – The NEN

NEN annual general meeting

‘Local folk know and trust the NEN’

Despite the alternative attraction of a Scotland v England international football match live on TV fourteen people attended North Edinburgh News’ annual general meeting at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on Tuesday evening.

Chairman Martin Hinds reported on what has been an ‘interesting and challenging’ year for the project and the meeting went on to discuss NEN’s role in Contact in the Capital, the city council’s community communication pilot project.

The pilot project ends next March, and there was further discussion on what happens to NEN at the end of Contact in the Capital. The NEN Board reaffirmed a reluctance to introduce a cover price for the community newspaper and treasurer Eddie Thorn said that plans to relaunch NEN as a social enterprise, first discussed last year, had been put on hold due to ongoing funding uncertainty and the volume of paperwork that a change to the company status would entail – the NEN’s board of directors are all volunteers who live in the community.

NEN board member Willie Black said recent events in North Edinburgh had shown that the community newspaper remains as important as ever. “Our community has faced serious challenges over recent months and one thing that has been very clear is that there is a desperate need for communication. Local folk want to know what’s happening and they know and trust the NEN”.

Willie Black, who is also secretary of West Pilton West Granton Community Council, went on: “Our role is to support the community and serve it well – we must keep a free community newspaper as long as we have poverty in this area, and we’ve got to campaign to make sure that happens.

“As for funding, support from community projects is important but the big players in this area’s regeneration should also be playing their part and supporting NEN. I know from many meetings I’ve attended that NEN is necessary, so I’m optimistic that we won’t see the end of the NEN in three months time – but we must keep up the pressure, step up the campaign and argue NEN’s case.”

Minutes of the meeting are attached (below)

Minutes NEN AGM mtg. 18th November 2014

Do they know they're carers?

Angela Dias joined North West Carers Centre in the summer. She talks about how the project supports local carers – and how NWCC could help YOU:

North West Carers Centre (NWCC) has been part of the furniture in the local area for nearly 20 years, and you might know us. You might be a Carer who has used our services, or you might be one of the many people who don’t know that they are Carers!

So what is a Carer? A Carer is anyone who cares, without pay, for a family member, neighbour or friend who cannot cope without this support. The person you support may have a disability or be ill, have age related conditions such as dementia, or mental health needs, or be addicted to alcohol or drugs.

There are many reasons people need this support, and Caring is not restricted to helping someone with tasks like bathing and going to the toilet – Carers could be giving emotional support, supporting someone to deal with letters and bills, helping with medication, shopping – the list is extensive.

Carers come from all walks of life, backgrounds and can be any age. NWCC supports Carers from the age of 5, and our oldest Carers are in their 90s!

We offer different kinds of support, from support groups for different ages (including Children who care for others), respite care, and can help you find services you need – if you need help in your caring role which we can’t provide, we usually know someone who can!

Carers also want to have fun, so we organise outings and activities, which some people like to come to with the person they support, others alone.

If you’re a Carer who would like to know more, or have some support, or maybe you’d be interested in volunteering for us, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you!

Angela Dias, Manager, North West Carers Centre

Picture: Young Carers at this summer’s Scottish Young Carers Festival

For further information visit:

www.northwestcarers.org.uk or telephone 315 3150

Local Health Project looking for leaders

We are looking for

VOLUNTEERS WITH ATTITUDE …

THE RIGHT ATTITUDE !

Are you the kind of person that sees a problem and wants to fix it?

Is your glass always half full? Do you have a skill that you can share with others or would you like to develop new skills?

If you can answer yes to any of these questions then read on…

Pilton Community Health Project is currently looking for Physical Activity LEADERS!

Would you like to lead a group of your own? Would you like to GET MORE INVOLVED in your community? Do you think you have what it takes to encourage others to get moving? If so, then we may have the perfect opportunity for you!

We have been encouraging and supporting local people to start up their own activities. So far we have a Bollywood dancing group and a weekly Walk/Jog Group. We would also welcome IDEAS and SUGGESTIONS for BRAND NEW ACTIVITIES.

Our walk/jog group is expanding fast and there is room for people to get involved in this activity. Here’s what some of our existing volunteers have to say about being an activity leader:

‘Becoming a walk/jog leader has given me something to focus on when not working and chance to contribute to society. It has also given me structure to my day so I have something to do.’

Phil (walk/jog leader)

‘I’ve been dancing Bollywood my whole life and I’ve always dreamt about teaching others to dance too. Volunteering as a dance leader with PCHP has given me the chance to share my love of Bollywood. Leading my own session each week has made me believe I have the skills to be a good teacher. I have met lots of new people from my community, people of all ages and backgrounds. I am proud to live in North Edinburgh.’

Savita Purran

Volunteering can be a highly beneficial and rewarding experience. It can increase confidence and self-esteem. It can also open the door to training and employment and there are great social benefits too!

Over the last year, our fabulous team of physical activity volunteers has grown from strength to strength. In fact, some of them are even award winning!

Pilton Community Health Project’s walking volunteers have just won the ‘Paths for All volunteer group of the year award’. The award recognised their dedication and team spirit that has been key to the success and expansion of the walking programme.

The ‘walking with us’ volunteers are passionate about walking and how being active can address health inequalities. Without volunteers, the project wouldn’t be able to offer an increasingly wide range of opportunities for local people. Together they effectively manage the walking groups and help others ‘take steps’ toward improving their health and wellbeing.

“I don’t volunteer to get awards, but I felt honoured that we were given our award in the Parliament – it felt that our work was really acknowledged even at the highest level,” said volunteer Liz.

If you are interested in finding out more about physical activity volunteer opportunities on offer you can:

telephone 0131 551 1671

email liannepipskyj@pchp.org

or claresymonds@pchp.org.uk

or visit www.pchp.org.uk for more information

Anonymous donation funds Creative Laboratories building

‘Stunning’ new cultural hub opens in Newhaven

Creative Labs are GO! Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop proudly unveiled the new Creative Laboratories building on Thursday – an architecturally stunning facility specifically designed for sculptors.

Situated on old railway sidings in Newhaven, North Edinburgh Creative Laboratories will create a cultural hub, dedicated to the research and production of contemporary visual art.

Designed by Sutherland Hussey Architects as an inspiring environment where artists can make and present work, the new facility is equipped with viewing and meeting spaces designed to bring audiences closer to the art being made.

It features a 22.5m high triangular tower – a new addition to the city’s iconic skyline – and the development of the site has resulted in a significant area of land being re-gifted to the public by ESW as an extension of the adjacent cycle pathway where wildflower meadows have been planted.

The building has been fully funded by the Arts Funding Prize for Edinburgh administered by Foundation Scotland by means of a £3 million anonymous donation.

Irene Kernan, director of Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop (ESW) said: “This is an amazing opportunity for Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop which will enable us to fulfil our ambitions to create a world class sculpture centre in the city.

“We are very fortunate to have an internationally renowned architectural practise on our doorstop in Sutherland Hussey Architects. The Arts Funding Prize represents a major investment in future generations of artists and will be a major resource for our local community in Newhaven as well as the city as a whole.”

Bob Benson, Foundation Scotland Trustee and Chair of the Judging Panel added: “The donors have let us know they could not have been more pleased with the outcome of the Arts Prize competition. On their behalf, Foundation Scotland is delighted to have funded this building, which we expect to achieve social and community benefits, not just artistic ones.

“Being open to the community and integrated into its neighbourhood, it will be a space for artists to work in and also a place for the public to engage in the visual arts.”

A single storey pavilion surrounds an outdoor courtyard linking a series of internal and external environments for events and the production and exhibition of work. Incorporating sculpture bays, project spaces, and a bronze foundry the new facilities will complement those already in use at Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop’s Bill Scott Sculpture Centre (also designed by Sutherland Hussey) which opened in July 2012.

To mark the beginning of ESW’s new international programme, Swedish artist Johanna Billing will begin her project How Do You Do? this month and a mini-retrospective of her acclaimed film work will be exhibited in January.

How Do You Do? attempts to capture the collective knowledge, expertise and erudition of Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop’s community by soliciting contributions from members and artists who have been involved with the organisation. Johanna will compile a book that will be part manual, part portrait of the organisation reflecting the scope of contemporary sculpture and the ambiguity of its borders. It aims to survey the ideas, skills and interests of ESW’s members and simultaneously the activity and concerns of a generation of contemporary artists.

On exhibition in the covered sculpture bays, a specialist stone-working space, are Jessica Harrison’s series of carved Kilkenny Limestone sculptures 00:09:34. These sculptures are scaled up from hand-sized clay maquettes made by participants and draw the viewer onto and into the surface of the forms to engage in a mimetic relationship with the hand that produced them. Each stone is titled according to the time spent handling the clay in making the original maquette, the collective title of which increases as the series grows.

A print commission by Miranda Blennerhassett and Bronze edition by Kate Ive will also launch with the opening of the new building; sales from the editions will continue to support the programme at ESW:

Miranda Blennerhassett’s specially commissioned print edition ESW explores the relationship between art and architecture by using the architect’s drawings for Creative Laboratories as their starting point. Informed by her research into Brian Dillon’s discussion of the theory of the ruin, the edition of 25 screen-prints will focus on “the fleeting moment that exists between a building having been built and the moment that the doors open and it begins to function and take on its own life beyond any control of the designer”.

Kate Ive has chosen to make a small artwork Dressed which relates to the construction of the Creative Laboratories by working with a large, life-size steel nail. Sculpting the nail by hand to inlay a delicate lace pattern (referencing Grinling Gibbons’ Cravat) the artist transforms a functional mundane object into something precious. Ive’s specially-commissioned artist’s edition has been cast by the artist in bronze onsite in ESW’s new facilities.

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop has commissioned a multi-disciplinary collaboration between designer Catherine Aitken and sculptor David Murphy to design furniture for use throughout the new buildings. At the heart of the Edward Marshall Trust commission was the notion that the designs would both be conceived and realised on site at ESW, involving staff and studio holders and helping to promote the range of facilities on offer.

At the heart of the new facility, the tower is a statement of ESW’s progressive, interdisciplinary ambition.

It will act both as a visual and cultural beacon attracting visitors to the complex. The triangular tower will house a newly-commissioned sound installation by Tommy Perman, Professor Simon Kirby and Rob St. John which will launch in the New Year: Concrete Antenna sonically explores the past, present and (potential) future of the Workshop’s site via sound gathered from audio archives and specially made field recordings. The installation subtly responds to the movements of visitors, creating a unique experience for every listener. It will extend by gathering new audio throughout the months it is on site.

Creative Laboratories will enable sculptors to make ambitiously-scaled pieces while public facilities – including a cafe situated to overlook the production of sculpture – will encourage greater interaction between artists and their local and international publics.

#StrongerNorth – the movie!

Click on the link below to see a short film about last weekend’s West Pilton cleanup:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYQPlJ4y9oQ (Preview)

And for more information about the #StrongerNorth initiative, follow:

https://www.facebook.com/edinburghcouncil?ref=hl

https://twitter.com/Edinburgh_CC

Lottery cash to support victims of honour abuse

A unique project supporting victims of honour abuse within Edinburgh’s black and minority ethnic communities is to receive £786,814 from the Big Lottery Fund, it was announced today.

Over four years, the Bright Choices project, will support 130 families across Edinburgh affected by honour abuse – which are violent crimes thought justified to protect or restore the ‘honour’ of a family.

Developed in consultation with Police Scotland, the project is a new partnership between Sacro, Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council and Multi-Cultural Family Base.

In a recent survey of 300 Edinburgh residents, carried out by Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council, 63% of people stated that honour abuse was a part of their family’s belief system while 52% said that “honour” would prevent them reporting a crime to the police.

In Edinburgh and the Lothians, a sharp rise in honour abuse has been identified both by the Police and by local voluntary organisations. Lothian & Borders Police dealt with 41 such incidents in 2012, compared with 31 in the previous two years, although only seven of these resulted in charges being made, an indication of the difficulties and sensitivities involved in investigating such cases. Reported incidents, however, are widely accepted as being only a fraction of the actual levels of abuse occurring within communities.

Through this partnership project, each organisation will play its only distinct role in raising awareness of the impact of honour abuse within communities, as well as providing counselling and mediation for families and therapeutic play for children.

Sacro’s Ian McDonough said: “We will use restorative and mediation approaches to dealing with individual cases which have not resulted in formal action such as criminal prosecution but present indications that honour abuse is an actual or potential issue. Restorative approaches focus on repairing harm done to individuals and relationships by assisting people who have caused harm to acknowledge this and make amends and assisting those harmed to have reparation made to them.”

Steve Gowenlock from Multi-Cultural Family Base, said: ‘We will offer one-to-one support using a counselling skills approach with the aim of helping an individual to make informed choices about their options. Family and group work for children, young people or adults will be offered aimed at improving family communication and functioning while play based approaches will be used with children.”

Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council’s Ekta Marwaha added: “Our role within this project will be to provide community engagement and an extensive outreach strategy. As an organisation our focus will be to raise awareness, provide initial advice, liaise with and provide training for professionals, community groups and organisations on the impact of ‘honour abuse’ and highlight the best methodologies for intervention.”

Announcing today’s award, Big Lottery Fund Scotland Chair Maureen McGinn, said: “This project represents a new approach to helping black and minority ethnic families affected by honour abuse. At the Big Lottery Fund we are keen to support such an intervention which brings together the skills, experience and knowledge of a range of partner organisations. Working in partnership, they’ll engage with, and support families at as early a stage possible whilst raising awareness and tackling this complex subject matter head on.”

SACRO is just one of 11 groups receiving funding, totalling £6,599,118, from the Big Lottery Fund’s Investing in Communities fund. Vulnerable older people, young carers and people facing barriers to work are amongst thousands of Scots to benefit from the latest Big Lottery Fund awards.

The other groups receiving funding today are:

Albyn Housing Society Limited £857,950

This project will provide financial advice to 2,500 tenants living in rural areas. It will work in partnership with Lochalsh and Skye Housing Association, Lochaber Housing Association, Cairn Housing Association and Pentland Housing Association.

Cothrom Limited £503,635

This project will grow and diversify the organisation ‘ReStore’ training service and social enterprise on South Uist. ReStore delivers training and personal development through local community recycling and reuse activities.

CSV £343,682

This project will support vulnerable and isolated elderly people living in the Forth Valley helping them maintain their independence in their home. Volunteers will provide a handyman service, a health and safety DIY house check, befriending and support in attending social events.

DEAP Limited £548,494

This project will provide practical and emotional support to care experienced young people, aged between 15 and 25, living in Dundee. It will offer a range of activities aimed at helping them to live independently while improving their chances of gaining employment or continuing in education.

DEAP Limited £457,874

This project delivered in Arbroath, Brechin, Montrose and Forfar will address barriers to effective job seeking and entering employment. The project will provide support to improve job seeking skills including training for online job seeking, taster placements and job brokering.

The Ecology Centre £920,849

This group will be able to relocate their existing centre to a new sustainable building. Once complete the centre will continue to provide much needed education space, meeting rooms and office space for local organisations.

ENABLE Scotland £309,939

This project will support children who are yet to receive a diagnosis for their condition, or who have recently been diagnosed. The project will also support families to adjust and develop ways of coping and come to terms with a diagnosis.

Fife Young Carers £531,721

This project will support young carers to cope with the demands of their school work and their caring role. It will also help them to make positive choices about their futures when they leave school.

The Machan Trust £481,127

This project will provide breakfast clubs and an after school/weekend play and sports activity programmes for children aged five to nine. Families will also benefit from healthy eating workshops.

North Glasgow Housing Association Ltd £857,033

This project, run in partnership with Greater Easterhouse Money Advice Project, will improve financial skills, develop knowledge of key financial products, and provide participants with a personal financial plan. Group sessions will focus on topics such as welfare reform, budgeting, and affordable credit.

Website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk
Twitter: @BIGScotland #biglf
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BigLotteryFundScotland

Auld Reekie's Magnificent Seven target World Cup glory

Lianne 'Crazylegs' Parry in action — Lianne ‘Crazylegs’ Parry in action

Edinburgh’s very own roller derby team, the Auld Reekie Roller Girls, are sending some of their finest skaters to compete for Team Scotland in the sport’s World Cup in Texas next month. The Scotland squad will be captained by local lass Lianne ‘Crazylegs’ Parry.

Skaters from leagues all over Scotland tried out earlier in the year to compete on ‘Team Scotland’, but only the best 20 skaters have been chosen to travel to Dallas, Texas, in a few weeks’ time.

Team Scotland’s final line-up includes players from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen, but Auld Reekie has contributed the lions’ share – an impressive seven capital players have made the squad.

Roller derby is one of the fastest-growing sports in the world, and has seen an explosion in popularity over recent years. It involves teams competing on an oval track in a series of “jams” – two-minute periods that see teams of five players racing to score points. During each jam, one player on each team is designated as the “jammer” who scores a point for every member of the opposing team she passes.

The tournament takes place in Dallas from 4 – 7 December, where teams from 29 countries will battle it out for the trophy. Scotland was one of only 13 teams to compete in the first ever roller derby World Cup held in 2011, so this year’s tournament shows just how much the sport’s popularity has increased.

Team Scotland is captained by the Auld Reekie Roller Girls’ own Lianne Parry, who has been skating for over five years. Lianne, who’s from Cramond, said: “I think we’re all just really proud to be representing Scotland. I really believe in this team, a lot of the skaters inspire me with their attitude; there is a lot of talent and oodles of passion – Scottish roller derby looks seriously good for the future.”

Go, Team Scotland!

Team Scotland are fundraising by selling specially designed merchandise, designed by the team’s own Admiral Attackbar.

You can also help Team Scotland get to Dallas by donating via this link: http://gogetfunding.com/project/get-team-scotland-to-dallas

talking about regeneration

Muirhouse residents invited to take part in regeneration focus group

Ashley McDonald is a final year Geography student at the University of Edinburgh. As part of her final year study, she is undertaking research on the regeneration taking place in Muirhouse and she’d like to hear from YOU!

If you live in Muirhouse or Pennywell and you’d be interested in taking part in a small focus group to discuss your opinions on the regeneration and the area’s future, email Ashley for further details at: amcdonald1168@gmail.com

Ashley has booked Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre next Tuesday -(25th November) from 6.30pm – 8.30pm.

Keir welcomes New York flights

Flights from Auld Reekie to Big Apple next summer

Colin Keir, the MSP whose Edinburgh Western constituency covers Edinburgh Airport, has welcomed the news that American Airlines will be launching daily flights between Edinburgh and New York’s JFK Airport.

Mr Keir said: “This is great news for Edinburgh Airport and more widely for Scotland. I congratulate the management of Edinburgh Airport for securing this direct service to one of the world’s leading financial centres. One of the benefits of direct flights is that the Air Passenger Duty (APD) is less for travellers who don’t have to fly to another UK hub airport such as Heathrow or Gatwick. It will be a huge boost for business and tourism and I am sure this will prove a very successful destination.”

The new service will launch next summer and run between May and September.

Winter Wellness Event in Muirhouse

Tenants and Residents In Muirhouse (TRIM) is absolutely delighted to once again work in partnership with Energy Scotland

Many residents will recall Dagmara from Energy Scotland in the community shop a few months back, giving out free advice and arranging home visits etc. For the past few months we have been in talks about bringing the advice sessions back and we want them BIGGER!

So why not pop in to North Edinburgh Arts for free advice on all things home related: how to keep your home warm the cheapest way, what are the best deals out there, can you get support for your fuel, is out of date food really that bad for you? And it is hoped that Fire Scotland will also be in attendance!

Wednesday 10 December
10am – 2pm
FREE Refreshments provided

TRIM Poster

Robert Pearson, TRIM