davepickering

Crumbs! PCHP cake will put North Edinburgh on the map!

Pilton Community Health Project will be producing a cake to highlight the best of North Edinburgh as part of this month’s Edinburgh’s Cake Fest – and they could use your help!

PCHP’s Community Development Manager Anita Aggarwal explained: “We are delighted to have been asked to contribute a cake to Cake Fest – they are building a map of Edinburgh made in cake!

“A master cake decorator (a member of the Sugarcraft Guild) will be with us on Thursday 18 June from 9.30am – 1pm to help us decorate our cake, which will be our building and a community garden – hopefully decorated with symbols and figures that represent the best of the area.

“Drop in anytime between 9.30 and 1 to contribute to the cake which will be displayed at the Botanics. Let us know if you need a creche.”

“You can see all the entire map of Edinburgh made from cake at the Botanic Gardens on Sunday 21 June – its all free and the cake will be shared around from 5pm.”

And what exactly is Cake Fest Edinburgh? Well, it’s part of The Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015 events and, simply put, it’s a free day of cake, entertainment and Scotland’s best food and drink!

Sunday 21 June 2015 is Midsummer’s Day, and on Inverleith House lawn in the Botanic Gardens, Cake Fest Edinburgh will build a giant edible map of the city including over 50 magnificent landmark buildings in cake! Join us to witness this marvel, explore the gardens and sample delicious local produce.

There’s street food and a producer’s market from 10am and throughout the afternoon there will be workshops for the kids and free entertainment all day and evening long. From midday, the cake map will be assembled – careful, now! – and by 5pm the cake map will be complete …

Once the cake map is complete it will be left for all to admire whilst each baking team casts its vote for the Bakers Choice cake. Shortly after 5pm the winner will be announced by a very special guest – and bakers will then be invited onto the map to cut up their cakes to share with onlookers, all for free!

This event is for all the family and free to attend. For further information visit http://edinburgh.cakefest.org.uk/

Police seek four following Trinity attack

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault on two people on Laverockbank Road. Four people, one of whom is a woman, are being sought following the attack.

The incident happened at around 1am on Sunday 31 May, when the two victims and four suspects left a business premises separately.

The first suspect assaulted the 34-year-old male victim, and the 28-year-old female victim was assaulted when she tried to intervene. The other suspects then joined the attack and the female victim was knocked unconscious.

Both victims sustained facial injuries, which were subsequently found to be more serious than first thought. Police attended at the time of the incident, and officers have conducted various enquiries in an effort to trace the suspects.

The first suspect is described as a white man in his 30s, 5ft 10inches tall with a medium build. He had a shaved head and a heart tattoo with a keyhole on his right forearm.

The second suspect is described a white man in his 30s, 5ft 11inches tall with a heavy build. He had short dark hair and was wearing a dark jacket.

The third suspect was a white man in his 40s, 5ft 10inches tall with a slim build. He was wearing a light-coloured shirt.

The fourth suspect is described as a white woman, 5ft 6inches tall, with a medium build. She had long dark hair and was wearing a black jacket.

Detective Sergeant Clark Martin said: “This was a seemingly unprovoked and brutal attack and we are eager to trace anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or has any information which can help with our enquiries.

“We’re also eager to speak to a taxi driver seen in the area at the time of the assault, who may be able to help with our investigations.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Don’t stop believin’!

Congratulations to Craigroyston Primary School choir

Craigroyston Primary School children flew the flag for North Edinburgh at The Assembly Rooms in George Street when they took part in the inaugural Edinburgh Glee Challenge last week.

The Frisson Foundation charity’s vision is to get every primary school child in Scotland singing, and back in 2013 they held their first GLEE event in Fife. Glee has been a real phenomenon and the event proved a huge success. Since then the idea has continued to grow in popularity and last week’s competition was the first event to be staged in the capital.

Craigroyston’s young singers warmed up for the event at the opening of the school’s popular art exhibition at North Edinburgh Arts – where they performed brilliantly without a backing track!

Joining Craigroyston at the event were Bun-Sgoil Taobh Na Pairce, Carrick Knowe Primary School, Clovenstone Primary School and Clermiston Primary School, and after some excellent performances Clermiston were crowned champions.

Congratulations to Clermiston, but well done too to Craigroyston and all the other participants. No doubt they’ll be joined by a few more next year – don’t stop believin’!

For more information on the charity – www.frissonfoundation.org.uk

Digital Information Day for MHA tenants

Muirhouse Housing Association tenants have an opportunity to brush up their technology skills at event at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre tomorrow (writes James McGinty):

Come and find out more about using phones,tablets and computers with the M.H.A. Team at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre (Lounge/Cafe area) on Tuesday (9 June) from 11am – 1pm.

This is an event for M.H.A.Tenants only.

An expert from the field of computers will be there joining the Team and if you attend your name will be entered to a lucky dip to win a tablet!

See St David’s ‘Joseph’ at North Edinburgh Arts this week

Cop shop!

PC Helen Lyon will be at Muirhouse Community Shop tomorrow (Tuesday) from 11am -12 noon taking your concerns and queries. If you have the chance please feel free to pop in and speak to her tomorrow. ‪#‎StrongerNorth‬

City communities meet up for a Big Lunch

‘You never know what might happen in your community after a chat over a few sandwiches and some cake!’ – Michelle McManus

Edinburgh neighbours joined in with the millions of people all over the UK who have been getting to know their neighbours better as part of The Big Lunch yesterday. The UK’s annual one-day get-together for neighbours, an initiative led by the Eden Project and made possible by the Big Lottery Fund, has taken place in villages, towns and cities across the country.

Big Lunch activities in Edinburgh included a fiesta-themed Big Lunch in Trinity, neighbours’ street parties in Newhaven and Willowbrae and an event organized by Halifax Princes Street branch at Gorgie City Farm attended by the Lord Provost.

Communities were getting together across Scotland, including at street parties in Glasgow, Angus and West Lothian, picnics in the park in Dumfries, Fife and Perthshire and even a Big Lunch beach party on the Isle of Skye!

The Big Lunch, which is supported by Halifax and Asda, is the perfect recipe for having fun with neighbours, feeding community spirit and helping to build stronger neighbourhoods. People are the key ingredient, with those taking part creating friendlier communities in which they start to share more, from conversation and ideas to skills and resources.

Elaine, who helped put the fiesta Big Lunch together in Trinity today, said: “We’ve had a fantastic day and a great turnout! We first decided to give The Big Lunch a go in 2009 when we realised we didn’t know everyone in our stair of 8 flats – we’ve now held one every year since! We ended up meeting people who had lived in the street for over 40 years but who I had never even seen before as they rarely come out. It has been a real icebreaker for us, bringing our community closer together, breaking down barriers and providing a chance to socialise.”

Lara, who got her neighbours together in Willowbrae yesterday, explained: “It seems to be a common theme that neighbours have fewer opportunities to meet. In Willowbrae, we’ve seen the closure of the baker, post office, pub and chemist. Some of us lead such busy lives that unless we make an effort, chances are we won’t see or speak to our neighbours. The Big Lunch felt like the perfect excuse to bring everyone together. The real benefits we’ve felt since our first Big Lunch include a greater sense of community and in building trust. Once you’ve chatted to someone over cake (or chocolate dipped strawberries, or green smoothie, or home made pakora!) then what you’ve actually done without noticing it is broken down some imaginary barriers!”

Sir Tim Smit KBE, Co-Founder of the Eden Project and The Big Lunch, said: “The Big Lunch is always special as millions of people all over the UK take time out of their busy lives to talk, laugh and eat with their neighbours. It is based on a simple concept: if we spend a Sunday afternoon with our neighbours in June, we’ll build friendships and stronger communities that will last for years. It’s about making our streets happier, safer and less lonely places and it’s fantastic to see so many people taking part this year.”

Michelle McManus, who has supported The Big Lunch in Scotland for the past three years, added: “I really believe in the benefits of being part of a strong community like the one I grew up in the East End of Glasgow. Even today, I cherish the great relationships I am lucky to have with my own neighbours.

“Knowing who you live beside makes you feel safe and connected to your community. Events like The Big Lunch provide an excuse to chap your neighbour’s door and ask if they’d like to get together. You never know what might happen in your community after a chat over a few sandwiches and some cake!”

Pictures by Phil Wilkinson

AND THAT BIG LUNCH COULD GET EVEN BIGGER …

The project that last year encouraged over 400,000 Scottish people to share lunch with their neighbours has been awarded Scottish Government funding to help more communities be involved in this year’s events.

Big Lunch Scotland will receive almost £50,000 to give communities the chance to apply for a grant that could go towards food, insurance, outdoor games or furniture to host their own get-together.

From now until September, communities who may have faced barriers to taking part in the past will be able to apply for grants of up to £150.

The Big Lunch is the Eden Project’s annual UK-wide event aimed at building community spirit and getting neighbours talking. While events kick off on June 7, communities are encouraged to run events throughout the summer.

In addition, the Scottish Government funding will also offer grants of up to £500 to help support participants of the Big Lunch Extra Programme develop ideas in their community such as cookery classes, babysitting services or community cinemas.

Minister for Community Empowerment Marco Biagi met with Edinburgh and Midlothian Big Lunch organisers and their neighbours to officially open the new funding schemes on Friday.

He said: “Around 400,000 Scottish people – including me – took part in The Big Lunch last year, and I hope the Scottish Government’s funding boost of nearly £50,000 will make it possible for even more people to take part over the summer.

“We’re often guilty of not making enough time to get to know the people who live next door to us, never mind the ones who live down the street. The Big Lunch is a simple way to reconnect with our neighbours and is having a powerful impact on communities.

“From the people I’ve met who have attended Big Lunches in the past it’s clear to see the benefits of this annual event. People feel more involved their community, they have a stronger sense of community spirit and they feel less isolated.

“The Scottish Government recognises the importance of empowering communities and giving them the confidence to shape their own futures. These grants will remove financial barriers and will make sure everyone has an opportunity to be involved in The Big Lunch.”

Feedback from the 2014 Big Lunch found that 97 per cent of people who took part would recommend the event to their friends, and 84 per cent said it made them feel better about their neighbourhood.

Emily Watts, Campaign Manager for The Big Lunch in Scotland, said: “We always say that you don’t need much money to hold a Big lunch when everyone brings something to the table and that is still true – but there are times when a small amount of help can mean the difference between your community getting involved and not.

“To be eligible you need to be able to tell us how you would use the grant to enable your community or street to take part, and what barriers it would help to overcome. For existing Big Lunch participants, you must be able to tell us how you will engage a new section of the community with the grant.”

More information and application forms can be found at: http://www.thebiglunch.com/partners/scotland-seed-fund.php

Dementia Awareness week creates a splash!

Edinburgh’s biggest ever Dementia Awareness week was brought back to earth with a bump with a charity abseil down the Forth Bridge yesterday. It was a dramatic end to a week organised to encourage people to talk about dementia in a bid to dispel myths and to help those who are affected.

A wide range of awareness-raising events were held at a range of venues all across the city last week. These included: Currie Rugby Club at Balerno Gala Day, St James Centre, Drumbrae Hub, Royal Infirmary Hospital, Queensferry Library, Morningside Library, Barnton Pharmacy, Liberton Hospital, Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre’s Living Memories Shop Unit, Cameron Toll Shopping Centre Currie Library CommunityRoom, The Mill at St Joseph’s Balerno and Portobello Farmers Market.

On Monday there was a Café and meeting place with information and advice for people with dementia and their carers from dementia advisors at Cramond Kirk Hall and Barnton & Cramond Dementia Friendly community forum held an information meeting on Tuesday.

Social media was also used to raise awareness. A blog, Let’s talk about Dementia (#AHPDementia), hosted different themes each day, with an opportunity for visitors to post questions to a range of experts including occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and dieticians.

Dementia Week event organisers were also asked to use #dementia6littlethings on Twitter, and by liking and sharing messages posted on Facebook by the Council.

Reflecting on a busy week, a spoksesperson for Alzheimers Scotland said: “Phew! Seven days of celebration, awareness raising, conversation, fundraising and support. Thanks so much to everyone who has been a part of Dementia Awareness Week!

“Your stories, you kindness and enthusiasm have made for a fantastic week. Your passion has helped make Scotland a better place for people with dementia, their families and carers.”

So all in all it was a very successful week, but the work doesn’t stop there. The number of people who have the illness is set to double over the next 20 years, and there’s an ongoing drive to make Edinburgh a dementia friendly city by a partnership of the city of Edinburgh Council, Alzheimer Scotland and NHS Lothian.

The group launched the “6 little things” campaign in February, which tells people how to cure the stigma of dementia by knowing six simple facts.

Speaking before the lauch of dementia awareness week, Councillor Ricky Henderson, Health, Social Care and Housing Convener, said: “The awareness week is the ideal opportunity for us all to get involved in conversations about the illness. While it’s great that we’re living longer, this is leading to increasing numbers of people experiencing dementia. Let’s get conversations going with loved ones about dementia and together we can beat the stigma and also support those who have it.”

The conversations have started – now let’s keep talking!

Sports stars come out to support Foster Care Fortnight

Superstars from the world of sport have thrown their support behind foster carers this Foster Care Fortnight (1 – 14 June) and called for people to come forward to see if they have the skills needed to foster.

Scotland’s Minister for Children and Young People, Fiona McLeod has also written to all foster carers, thanking them for the huge difference they make to the lives of vulnerable children.

Gabby Logan, television presenter and journalist, is a long-time supporter of the Fostering Network’s Foster Care Fortnight campaign, and she said: “Foster carers are incredible people who dedicate their lives to vulnerable children, but throughout the country there are still many teenagers, disabled children and sibling groups who need a loving home. I am always proud to support The Fostering Network’s Foster Care Fortnight campaign, because I am always proud to support foster carers and the work that they do for our society.

“If you think you have the skills to make a difference to the life of a child and help to ensure that they are on a positive path in life, contact your local fostering service this Foster Care Fortnight.”

Golfer Darren Clarke (above) , and Olympic gold medallists Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent, are some of the other sporting heroes to back this year’s campaign. You can check out their placard pictures, and those of all the other celebrities who have backed the campaign, on the website.

James Foyle, Foster Care Fortnight coordinator, said: “We’re thrilled that these world renowned people from the world of sport have taken the time to recognise the valuable contribution of foster carers to society.

“The support comes on the day that 600 hardy fundraisers will take to the streets and fields of Blaenau Gwent, Gloucestershire, Llanelli, London, Neath Port Talbot, Magherafelt, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Richmond, Yorkshire and Swansea in aid of The Fostering Network. This year’s Foster Walks have received an unprecedented amount of people coming out to support The Fostering Network, and each entrant deserves a gold medal themselves!”

The Fostering Network brings together everyone who is involved in the lives of fostered children and young people to lead, inspire, motivate and support them to make foster care better. To support our work visit www.fostering.net/donate or to donate £10 text FOST37 £10 to 70070.

Also in support of the Fostering Network’s Foster Care Fortnight awareness raising campaign, the Minister for Children and Young People, Fiona McLeod has written to all foster carers in Scotland, thanking them for the huge difference they make to the lives of vulnerable children:

Dear Foster Carer

The Minister for Children and Young People, Aileen Campbell wrote to foster carers on 19 May 2014 expressing her gratitude for the dedication and commitment you make on a daily basis to caring for the needs of some of our most vulnerable children and young people.

In my position as Acting Minister for Children and Young People, I would very much like to reinforce that message to you all. I would also like to take this opportunity, especially at the start of the Foster Care Fortnight awareness raising campaign, to update you on recent policy improvements that will positively impact on you in your role as foster carers and also on the lives of the children you care for

FOSTER CARE REVIEW

Some of you may already be aware that a national review of foster care took place during 2013 and you can read the final report and the Scottish Government response to that review and each of the recommendations which was published on 23 January 2014.

Between August 2014 and March 2015 we have been taking forward a programme of work aimed at seeing the majority of the recommendations implemented into practice and I am pleased to report that some substantial pieces of work have now been concluded. You can read our latest progress update which also provides you with some links that you may find of interest.

CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE (SCOTLAND) ACT 2014

You may already be aware that the new Act, from 1 April 2015, allows 16 year olds, to remain with their foster carers up to the age of 21 should they request it, and when they are ready to leave their continuing care placement, they will also be entitled to aftercare support up to the age of 26, to offer a more gradual transition to independent living. This is much more in line with the experiences of their non-looked after peers. These benefits were enthusiastically welcomed by the care sector and young people.

A number of consultation events are about to take place specifically targeting Foster Carers to allow them to discuss & clarify the guidance for Part 10 Aftercare & Part 11 Continuing Care. This will give them the opportunity to influence the final guidance and discuss any issues that it raises for them. The events will also help Foster Carers understand when they might consider a Continuing Care placement for a young person placed with them and what this means.

As you may appreciate, there has been a substantial amount of work carried out in recent months to develop guidance for the care sector on how these new provisions will work in practice. We have in recent months been undertaking a series of meetings and events aimed at providing service managers, practitioners and young people with the opportunity to provide us with their views on the draft Continuing Care and Aftercare guidance. In May we held events with a particular focus on foster care. We hope to be in a position to publish the guidance in the summer.

Our aims are to ensure that young people are not discharged from care before they feel ready, improve the planning and preparation that is required when they do decide to leave care and also provide young people with a better package of support after they move into their own living arrangements.

GUIDANCE ON DECISION MAKING FOR FOSTER CARERS

I would like to let you know about another piece of work being undertaken to support you in your role. The Scottish Government have commissioned Scottish Child Law Centre to develop guidance that will assist foster carers understand their legal position on everyday decisions they need to make about the children they care for. This will cover e.g. haircuts, medication, bank accounts, holidays as well as many other circumstances that arise on a daily basis. The guidance is expected to be finalised soon and we hope to publish this guidance in the summer. We will bring this to your attention at the time.

THE FOSTERING NETWORK

You may find it helpful to know that the Fostering Network provide advice and guidance to foster carers on a wide variety of issues relating to fostering and Fosterline Scotland is a confidential helpline that you can access Monday to- Friday between 10 am and 4 pm on 0141 204 1400 or via e-mail to fosterlinescotland@fostering.net should you require support on any issue.

I do hope this update is useful to you and again, thank you to you and your families for providing support for the children and young people you care for and helping them to achieve their full potential.

With my heartfelt thanks

FIONA MCLEOD

Getting in shape for marathon charity match

Craig Gowans team plans world record attempt at Spartans

The football season may now be over, but friends, family and teammates of the late Falkirk midfielder Craig Gowans have embarked on a gruelling training regime in preparation for their challenge: to break the Guinness World Record for the longest 11-a-side football match!

The mega-match, which will take place from 4 – 8 July at Ainslie Park, home of Spartans FC, will raise money for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation on behalf of the Craig Gowans Memorial Fund, a fund set up by Craig’s family and friends following his tragic death to ensure that his memory is used as a driving force for good.

Craig, a former pupil of Daniel Stewarts and Melville College, died during training when a 20ft long pole used for transportable nets came into contact with power lines. Craig, who was 17, had signed his professional contract with the club just two weeks before the accident.

Since the charity was formed in April 2007, it has raised over £80,000, supporting charities such as the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), the Sick Kids Friends Foundation and the Chesney Trust. The fund has also contributed towards building state-of-the-art educational facilities for children and young adults in places such as Malawi.

With each player running the equivalent of at least two marathons every twenty-four hours, the Guinness World Record attempt will be the most demanding challenge to date. The final few months of the training regime, and the attempt in July will be a real test of discipline and commitment for all players involved.

The two 18-man squads hope to raise over £37,000 (Craig’s professional number being 37 at Falkirk). The money raised will be used to fund enhancements to the new Sick Kids hospital at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh at Little France, specifically a state-of-the-art Snoezelen room in Craig’s name, a calming room with multi-sensory equipment to provide a relaxing and stimulating space for children with sensory impairments.

The Craig Gowans World Record already has the support of high profile football associations and charities such as the Scottish Football Association, Football Aid, The Sick Kids Friends Foundation and the Hibernian Football Community.

A number of celebrities will also take part in the event, including ex-Scotland boss and current FC Genk Manager, Alex McLeish.

The Craig Gowans Guinness World Record Committee is a group of Craig’s school friends, Jonny Wallace, Dario Alonzi, Chris O’Shea and Eoghan Molloy who are working hard to ensure that the event is as successful as it can be and raise as much awareness as possible. The group launched the event at their flagship dinner on 28 March at Stewarts Melville school. The committee have so far raised over £22,000 and are hoping to smash their target.

The teams are looking for more volunteers to get involved in the event, at all levels. Anyone who would like to get involved in the World Record attempt can get in touch through:

the website www.tcggwrm.org

Twitter www.twitter.com/TCGGWRM37

and on Facebook www.facebook.com/TCGGWRM

Donations can be made via JustGiving www.justgiving.com/teams/worldrecord

For more info contact Jonny Wallace at TCGGWRM37@gmail.com