Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Dignity: report reveals thoughts on a Scotland without poverty

‘If there wasn’t poverty, every community would be proud, there would be no stigma associated with living in particular places. People would feel able to participate in their community; they wouldn’t be scared of going out and getting involved.’
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Over twelve months The Joseph Rowntree Foundation supported the Poverty Alliance to carry out a range of activities that would help ensure that the voices and experiences of those living on low incomes in Scotland were included as part of JRF’s UK Anti-Poverty Strategies research programme.
Over the course of this piece of work, the question of what a Scotland without poverty means was put to the participants in a series of activities. These activities – including community engagement meetings, establishing a community panel and organising the Scottish Assembly for Tackling Poverty – were then supplemented with further interviews with people living on low incomes late last year.
This short report (click on link below) highlights the particpants’ views on what a Scotland without of poverty would mean to them. The report sought to identify what some of the main challenges are, and how these may be addressed over the short and longer term.  
The JRF Anti-Poverty Strategy for the UK will be published later this year.

Leith Festival set to kickstart summer

Sunny Leith’s all set for nine days of festival fun

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Nine days of fun, entertainment, exhibitions and performance kicks off in Leith tomorrow with the Gala Day and pageant from midday.

There’s been a festival in Leith for over a hundred years and this year’s programme is as bold and ambitious as it’s ever been with a range of events and activities to suit all tastes.

Dave Carson, Chair of Leith Festival, said: “Leith is one of the largest community festivals in Scotland, with a regular attendance of between 11, 000 – 15,000 local people and families participating on Gala Day, and many more besides during the following week of activites in our comunity.

“Leith Festival celebrates and reflects the cultural diversity amd richness we have in Leith, acting as a facilitator to celebrate our community assets and seeking to promote a sense of community, neighbourliness and connectedness with each other.”

To see the full Leith Festival programme visit

www.leithfestival.com

 

MSP ‘delight’ at record month for Edinburgh Airport

Keir hails soaraway success

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The news that over one million passengers used Edinburgh Airport in May has been warmly welcomed by Edinburgh Western Constituency MSP Colin Keir.

Mr Keir, who is also Convener of the Scottish Parliament Cross Party Group on Aviation, said: “This is tremendous news once again from our city airport. It is vital to the economic growth of the city as well as the related jobs that come with having such a successful business. Obviously the new direct routes have given more choice and better deals for those travellers who use the airport which is great for tourism and great for business generally”.

“I’m pleased the airport management have accepted there have been problems with the security hall and that they are working towards a solution. If the airport wish to maintain a world class service with direct routes, the passenger experience has to maintain the same standard”.

Can you #MakeThingsLast ?

Drive to encourage Scots to repair, re-use and recycle

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Scotland’s Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has challenged members of the public to #MakeThingsLast with the launch of a social media engagement campaign to promote repairing, reusing and remanufacturing as part of a wider circular economy drive.

Following on from the success of the 5p single-use carrier bag charge, the Cabinet Secretary wants to know what the public believe could be the next big thing to help reduce waste and #MakeThingsLast.

Launching the campaign in Edinburgh today, Mr Lochhead said: “I wonder how many people realise that by simply hiring a kilt or a dress to attend a wedding, they are already helping to keep valuable materials circulating around our economy.

“A circular economy is where we keep products in use for as long as possible; and reused, refurbished or taken apart to make new products at the end of their initial life.

“How often do you buy new clothes for a special event that only get worn once? How many DIYers buy expensive power tools for a single task then leave them to gather dust in the garden shed? How many parents resort to buying brand new toys when something gets broken rather than repairing it?

“That’s why we’re here today – to ask people to take up our #MakeThingsLast challenge and think of ways in which they can contribute towards a more circular economy for Scotland.

“There are so many innovations to help us make better use of our resources, save money and support local jobs. For example in Edinburgh there is a tool library where you can rent out a power tool for work around the house, and then return it when you’ve finished. In Glasgow there’s a studio that offers 3-D printing, which could be the future when it comes to repairing broken toys or household items.”

Action to create a more circular economy starts with product design, which influences how products are manufactured and used – as well as how long they last and scope for repair, reuse and recycling. Combining these approaches helps to keep products in use for longer – making better use of the material, labour, energy and capital that went into their production.

Mr Lochhead added: “Scotland is already recognised internationally as a leader in the movement towards becoming a circular economy. Our Scottish Institute for Remanufacture, is the first of its kind in Europe and one of only four in the world alongside New York, Singapore and Beijing. And we are exploring the opportunities for a deposit return system in Scotland. But the new ideas will come from the public and from our entrepreneurs.”

“Creating a more circular economy is good for the environment, good for the economy and like our action on climate change, a moral imperative – it will create jobs in our communities, improve our quality of life, and just makes good sense.”

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland said: “The #MakeThingsLast campaign is about engaging everyone in Scotland in finding a solution to a common problem we all share – how do we end our throwaway culture and make the most of what we already have?

“As part of the campaign, Zero Waste Scotland plans showcase some great examples from around the country, including 3D printing and tool sharing libraries, which have the potential to transform our society. We want you to share your views on these ideas, tell us your own, and get involved in the conversation. Keep up-to-date with the latest from this four-week campaign on Zero Waste Scotland’s Facebook page, or on Twitter using #MakeThingsLast.

“At the end of this campaign, your views could contribute to the development of a roadmap towards a circular economy in Scotland. This could see Scotland adopt more game changing policies and initiatives – like our recent adoption of a charge for single-use carrier bag. These changes will help shape our future society, ensuring it’s sustainable for generations to come.”

To find out more visit www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/MakeThingsLast

Super Sara – volunteer extraordinaire!

North Edinburgh Arts was even busier than usual this morning as friends and colleagues got together to congratulate one of their own. JULIE SMITH explains …

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Congratulations to Sara Martin on being awarded an Inspiring Volunteer by the City of Edinburgh Council and Volunteer Centre Edinburgh. She is a great example of the many inspiring women North Edinburgh has produced over the years.

She has been active in the area since she moved here 11 years ago. From first attending Buggy Brigades with her daughter, she was a founder member of North Edinburgh Women’s Group. From there she has gone on to give her time to lots of projects in the area: she runs a Rainbows group at Drylaw Church, is an archery instructor in the archery group and a stalwart of West Pilton Park Action Group.

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It is as a volunteer for North Edinburgh Timebank that she has truly made her mark. Throwing herself into the singing group – the Timebank Temptations – she has encouraged others to get involved and without her it’s doubtful if we’d ever end up singing the right notes in the right order!

She makes sure everyone is organised and up-to-date with what’s going on and isn’t slow to tell us off if we forget our folders or pencils! Equally, she is hugely encouraging to everyone else involved in all activities.

Without her, the Teddy Bears’ Picnic last month couldn’t have happened, and she is also a stalwart of the Knit and Natter group. It’s been a real privilege to work with her, and I know all her friends in the Timebank want to congratulate her. She has been there for lots of them at various points when they needed a chum – as they have been there to support her. She’s been active in North Edinburgh Fights Back and is a huge champion of the local community. She is a woman of strong opinions and a willingness to muck in wherever and whenever she can.

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North Edinburgh is full of people making a difference in innumerable ways to their communities. As carers and cleaners, cooks and comforters, campaigners and confidantes – everyone is needed and valued. I hope Sara will act as an inspiration to others to take that first step and get involved in something they feel passionate about!

If you would like to get involved in North Edinburgh Timebank, or find out more about the activities it organises, contact Julie Smith on 07958540438 or email north.timebank@volunteeredinburgh.org.uk

Family-friendly: funding for flexible working doubled

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Funding to promote flexible working has more than doubled, the Acting Minister for Children Fiona McLeod has announced.

The Family Friendly Working Scotland Partnership, a coalition of organisations which encourage and help businesses become family friendly workplaces, will receive £250,000 – up from £100,000 funding last year.

Ms McLeod visited Badenoch & Clark, winners of Best Small Employer at the Scottish Top Employers for Working Families Awards 2015, to meet employees who benefit from flexible work arrangements.

She said: “We know many parents and carers have to juggle work with family commitments and this can be challenging. This government is committed to promoting flexible working across both public and private sector employers. That is why we fund the Family Friendly Working Scotland Partnership and I’m pleased we have been able to more than double the funding this year.

“We want more organisations to embrace flexible working arrangements for parents and carers as it benefits both employers and employees. It can boost productivity and performance, improve morale and wellbeing, as well as enhancing staff retention and recruitment.

“Badenoch & Clark is an excellent example of a business accommodating its employees’ needs for flexible working patterns and as a result, retaining talented and loyal staff. It is also proof that it’s not just large employers who can do so. I hope to see more businesses across Scotland develop similar approaches to flexible working.”

Bonnie Clarke, Director of Badenoch & Clark, said: “At Badenoch & Clark, we are fully committed to a family friendly working environment and were delighted to be recognised for our progressive policies by winning one of the inaugural Scottish Top Employers for Working Families Awards.

“We believe that working environments that help employees find a good work-life balance are the most productive and high performing and it’s great to see that the Scottish Government also recognises this through its increased funding for the Family Friendly Working Scotland partnership.”

Nikki Slowey, Programme co-ordinator for the Family Friendly Working Scotland (FFWS) programme said: “We are delighted to receive continued funding for the FFWS programme. FFWS supports employers to embed family friendly working practices, which have proven benefits for employees, employers and wider society.

“The Scottish Top Employers for Working Families Awards recognise best practice in this field and we are delighted that Ms McLeod will have the opportunity to hear first-hand from one of our inaugural award winners about how creating a family friendly workplace has benefitted employees and has been good for business. We hope to work with as many Scottish employers as possible during the coming year to make a real difference to working families across Scotland.”