Just nine days until the NEN Walkathon!
All of these artists have had hits with the word ‘walk’ or ‘walking’ in the title. Can you name the songs?
New workspaces for creative businesses opens formally in Leith tonight
Creative Exchange Leith provides 80 workspaces for individuals, groups or businesses, and aims to create a new hub for creative talent in the city.
Based in the former Corn Exchange building, a local landmark located close to some of Edinburgh’s leading creative agencies, the hub has been renovated to Grade A standard with an award-winning design.
All members can access a wide range of facilities and support including super-fast broadband, space for meetings, networking and exhibitions. Plus there are business support services ranging from start-up advice through to mentoring and help securing investment.
Councillor Frank Ross, Economy Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “What Creative Exchange offers is flexible and affordable workspace combined with the support that both new starts and existing businesses need. This is another major milestone in our strategy for jobs and I’m delighted that the Council has been able to work with others to make this happen – not just those who have funded it directly but many other private and public organisations that have given their very welcome backing.”
Iain Munro, Director of Creative Development at Creative Scotland, said: “Edinburgh needs affordable flexible creative spaces, with super-fast broadband, to support emerging and established creative entrepreneurs. This development is a welcome new opportunity to create a vibrant hub for networking, collaboration and showcasing of the Creative Industries in the capital city.”
Mandy Exley, Principal of Edinburgh College, said: “Edinburgh College is committed to excellence and innovation and the Creative Exchange provides an exciting opportunity for new and emerging talent to develop their businesses in a supported environment. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the City of Edinburgh and partners to support new business start-ups which contribute to the economic development of the region.”
Francois Roshdy, user experience Director, Border Crossing Media, said: “Facilities like this are absolutely vital to start ups and small businesses, allowing us to concentrate on developing new services and products without the worry or hassle of trying to find somewhere affordable to work. It’s also an ideal set-up for collaboration, and that’s so important to what we do.”
Costs range from just £80 a month for a weekend member, through to £320 a month for a ‘super member’ with full access. Users can also opt for a day rate. Rent, rates, heating and lighting are all included.
Funding for the project has come from the City of Edinburgh Council, Creative Scotland and Edinburgh College.
Edinburgh College has also agreed to fund around six students every year to take entrepreneurial residency at Creative Exchange Leith, receiving guidance and mentoring to start a new business.
The Creative Exchange’s first tenants moved in on 10 June 2013 and five businesses are now operating from there including Iglu Studio, Border Crossing Media, Voluntary Arts Scotland, SME Professional and Designers on the Run.
Potential tenants and others interested in Creative Exchange Leith can get more information and follow its progress via:
· Website http://www.creativeexchangeleith.com/
· Twitter @CExchange
· Facebook Creative Exchange Leith
· Google+
· Linked In
Pilton Community Health Project is a fast-changing organisation which has been working with local people to overcome health inequalities in north Edinburgh for more nearly 30 years.
We are currently recruiting motivated and dedicated people to join our Board of Directors. We value people’s life experience as well as their qualifications and are looking to achieve a good balance on our Board. Its an exciting time for us, we are revisiting our vision and if you were to join us, you would have a real opportunity to shape the direction of our work for the next 30 years!
We are particularly keen to recruit people who live locally and want to make a difference to people’s health in the area.
If you are interested call Project Manager, Jen Richards on 0131 551 1671 to find out more about what it would involve. Have a look at our website and facebook page to find out more about what we do and what goes on in the area.
www.facebook.com/PiltonCommunityHealthProject
Anita Aggarwal
Senior Development Worker (Health Inequalities)
Pilton Community Health Project
73 Boswall Parkway
Edinburgh, EH5 2PW
DEMO DENOUNCES “SANCTIONS TARGETS” AT LEITH JOB CENTRE
Claimants and anti cuts campaigners are set to demonstrate at Leith Job Centre today (Thursday 11th July) in a protest against “sanctions targets” set by a Job Centre manager.
“A new manager at Leith Jobcentre has told staff that 30% of claimants are not meeting the conditions for receiving benefits – the clear implication is that these claimants should be anctioned, that is have their benefits stopped. In reality this is a return to the supposedly outlawed practice of setting sanctions targets, and is totally unfair and unjust,” said Ethel MacDonald of Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty.
The demonstration is part of the Boycott Workfare Week of Action against the government’s controversial “work-for-your-benefits” schemes and is in opposition to the whole government austerity programme.
“People are really suffering because of sanctions. Right now we are opposing sanctions imposed on a disabled claimant who is having to live on £26.05p per week because he was too ill to go to an
appointment with the Ingeus workfare provider. What’s more, most claimants who are sanctioned have their money stopped completely, for from one month to three years.”
The protestors state that they will challenge sanctions, and issue a call to direct action. “You have the right to challenge sanctions. Ask for the decision to be reviewed and appeal against it. If need be, we can alert our Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty solidarity network to have a peaceful demo INSIDE the Job Centre.”
The demonstrators point to a government press release stating that they have set up “hit squads” in all Job Centres to presurise claimants returning from workfare providers. “The government have
openly declared war on the unemployed”, say ECAP. “We know that in Leith Job Centre they have set up such a “hit squad” and some officials are misinforming claimants that they have to allow the DWP to monitor their online job search. This is a lie and we urge claimants to stand up for their right to protect their privacy.”
Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty have also been leafleting the Leith Job Centre workers, appealing for workers to join claimants in opposing cuts, sanctions and workfare. “Some Job Centre workers are themselves facing unemployment, as now they only get temporary contracts, and could easily find themselves on the other side of the counter,” explained ECAP’s Ethel MacDonald.
“If we are not to be condemned to years of austerity we need to take a stand,” she went on. “Enough is enough! Why should the vast majority suffer because of the greed of a minority of speculators, bankers and super-rich, and the chaotic nature of their profit-driven system? It’s time for action to assert that people’s needs must be the priority, not money. We can’t rely on any of the political parties, we must organise at the grass-roots, through people power.”
The protest takes place from 10am till 12 noon today at the Commercial Street Job Centre, Leith.
Edinburgh Coalition Against Poverty (ECAP)
Queen of the privatisers Margaret Thatcher thought the better of doing it, then New Labour’s Peter Mandelson tried but failed to do it but now it seems that it’s going to be third time unlucky as the coalition government moves to sell off the Royal Mail … a national asset that belongs to all of us:
Business Secretary Vince Cable told MPs yesterday: “Now the time has come for government to step back from Royal Mail, allow its management to focus wholeheartedly on growing the business and planning for the future. It’s now time for employees to hold a stake in the company and share in its success. This government will give Royal Mail the real commercial freedom it’s needed for a long time.”
Around 150,000 staff will be offered free shares when Royal Mail – one of the world’s oldest postal services – is sold off. It’s expected that the company will be worth snywhere between £2.5 – 4 billion when it is floated on the stock market later this year
Mr Cable said privatisation was necessary to ensure that universal service, which currently guarantees delivery to all parts of the country six days a week, can continue. Th government also says that the sale will give Royal Mail the access to private capital it needs to grow and remain competitive.
Royal Mail is currently refocusing it’s business priorities, targetting parcel delivery to cash in on the rapid growth of internet shopping as the number of posted letters falls due to the explosion of email. This change of emphasis saw Royal Mail more than double its profits last year after years of losses.
Ed Davey, minister for postal affairs, said the proposals ‘safeguard the future of both Royal Mail and the Post Office – two cornerstones of British life’, but there are many who are question whether the sell-off is either desirable or necessary – and industrial action looks likely.
Billy Hayes, general secretary of the Communication Workers Union, said: “The fact of the matter is the British public don’t want to see the Royal Mail privatised. Vince Cable is flogging this company to the very people he denounced at the Liberal party conference – the spivs, the speculators and those who just want to make a fast buck.” He went on: “Royal Mail is thriving in public ownership, increasing its profits, providing good quality services and decent jobs. We want it to remain that way. Privatisation would be a throwback to the tired old politics of the 1980s.”
Dave Ward, CWU’s deputy general secretary, said he expected members to be balloted before the end of September. “We will be balloting for strike action, we’ve already adopted that policy. I expect that policy to be ratified by the conference of the union at the end of July. That’s about our members’ terms and conditions, I want to make that clear. It’s about what we fear will happen with Royal Mail as a private operator – what we want is a legal binding agreement that protects their terms and conditions, their contracts of employment, their pensions, for the foreseeable future.
“I don’t think our members will be bought off by the free share issue,” he added. “I believe our members are too long in the tooth not to know the dangers of privatisation.”
Speaking after the announcement North and Leith Labour MP Mark Lazarowicz said: The Government has nationalised Royal Mail’s liabilities in the form of the pension fund in which there was a large shortfall and is now intent on privatising the profits. It argues that it is necessary to subject Royal Mail to commercial discipline and give it access to private sector capital but Royal Mail’s overall operating profits more than doubled over the last year from £152m in 2011-12 to £403m in 2013-13!
“A privatised Royal Mail might continue to operate the universal service provision of delivering 6 days a week to anywhere in the UK for the same price but for how long if its commercial rivals don’t have to? As with the East Coast Main Line, ideology seems to have won out over common sense – it will be private investors who benefit from its commercial success not the taxpayer or customers.”
Support is hotting up – just like the weather!
People across Scotland are to be helped on to the housing ladder with a £62 million funding boost announced today by Housing Minister Margaret Burgess.
The funding for the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme will be available over the next two years for eligible buyers on low to moderate incomes who are looking to buy their first home. This increases the overall investment in the scheme over the next two years to £90 million.
Eligible buyers will be able to purchase a home by paying a majority share in it, while the Scottish Government provides the remaining amount which is secured under a security on the home.
The announcement comes after plans were unveiled last week to end the Right to Buy. A decision which will safeguard social housing stock for future generations – protecting up to 15,000 social houses from sale over the next decade.
Speaking during a visit to a home in Cruden Estates’ Golspie Street development in Govan where the homeowner benefited from support from the Open Market Shared Equity Scheme, Mrs Burgess said: “People in Scotland who should rightly be able to afford a mortgage are still facing real challenges buying a home. This overall investment of £90 million over two years demonstrates our commitment to do all we can to help credit worthy buyers to buy their first home.
“Over the past four years this scheme has helped over 2,700 people on low to moderate incomes buy a home. And it has reduced pressure on the social rented sector through freeing up properties and reducing demand expressed through housing waiting lists.
“Last week we announced the end of Right to Buy – a decision that will help to protect social housing for future generations to enjoy. This Government remains absolutely committed to helping people buy a home and our shared equity schemes are helping – and will continue to help – thousands of people get a foot on the property ladder.”
Link Group Chief Executive, Craig Sanderson said: “Having been involved in the administration of the OMSE scheme since its inception, we have considerable experience of the most positive effect this programme is having on the lives of so many who could otherwise have not been able to secure affordable home ownership. I therefore welcome and applaud this additional funding support from the Scottish Government.”
Managing director of Cruden Estates, John Gallacher, said: “Schemes like OMSE are beneficial for buyers and housebuilders alike. At Cruden Homes we’ve made a point of advising potential buyers who are concerned about affording a mortgage that there are options open to them through such Scottish Government schemes. This has allowed us to continue to build and sell homes for the First Time Buyer market as well as established buyers.”
It’s only ten days until the NEN Walkathon.
Have you registered yet?
Scotland’s leading First Aid Charity, St Andrew’s First Aid, is calling for nominations for the Scottish First Aid Awards 2013. The charity is appealing for people to recognise their First Aid Hero and come forward with their real-life stories of how a First Aider has helped them and/or how it has made a difference to their lives.
The Scottish First Aid Awards have been created to champion First Aid in Scotland and recognise those individuals and businesses that are leading the way in its provision. The charity is encouraging entries from as many people as possible and the awards are open to all, regardless of whether or not training has been provided with St Andrew’s First Aid or another provider. Nominations are welcomed from individuals, businesses, public sector organisations, shops, schools and many more. Entry to any of the award categories is free and nominations will remain open until Friday 30 August 2013.
Commenting on the Scottish First Aid Awards, previous winner Emma Nicholson who won Youth First Aider of the Year 2012 (pictured below) said: “The awards are an incredibly important event in St Andrew’s First Aid’s calendar and part of Scottish First Aid Week. They are a fantastic way to reward people for delivering excellent First Aid and also provide encouragement to all First Aiders. I can’t stress enough the difference that First Aid delivered with confidence can make in an emergency and believe that by highlighting examples of this we can stress the importance of learning vital First Aid skills.”
St Andrew’s First Aid, which teaches life-saving techniques to over 20,000 people each year and aids the public at thousands of events across the country, wants to hear how First Aid can save lives and make the difference in an emergency situation. This is the opportunity to nominate a Scottish First Aid Hero; anyone who, in your opinion, has delivered excellent First Aid in Scotland.
Officers from Police Scotland are reinforcing a drugs warning following the death of an 18 year-old woman in Alexandria in the early hours of Tuesday morning (9 July).
An investigation is underway and our enquiries have so far revealed that the woman, along with three friends, had taken what they thought were ecstasy tablets. The tablets were described as green with a Rolex crown logo stamped on them. This is clearly a cause for concern.
Three men, aged 18, 21 and 25 have been admitted to the Royal Alexandra Hospital. The 18 year-old and 21 year old have since been discharged, however the 25 year old man remains within the hospital.
Superintendent Grahame Clarke said: “Our priority is to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities. Public warnings have been issued recently in relation to the dangers of taking ecstasy, or indeed tablets being passed off as ecstasy. They are illegal and could contain a cocktail of toxic ingredients. We have yet to establish if this particular pill is to blame for the death of this young woman, but the fact that she and her friends took pills described as green and with a Rolex stamp on it causes us real concern.
“The exact contents of the pills are unknown but they could contain dangerous chemicals and users need to be aware of the dangers and understand the devastating effect they can have. Drugs are dangerous and illegal. I would strongly advise people to avoid any such pills or drugs and report any information to police.”
At this time of year there are numerous music festivals, including T in the Park which runs from Friday this week. We would urge people to enjoy the festivals and keep themselves safe. Possession of controlled drugs and supplying anyone else with drugs is illegal. Festivals organisers adopt a zero tolerance approach to illegal drugs and work alongside the police to tackle this criminal activity.
There will be drugs amnesty bins at the entrance to the campsites at T in the Park, where illegal substances can be disposed of without risk of exclusion or prosecution. Once inside the festival venue, drugs will not be tolerated and anyone caught dealing or carrying drugs will be arrested. Police Scotland’s specialist drugs dogs will also be operating at T in the Park.
Police Scotland is continuing work with its NHS partners in connection with this investigation.
Glasgow Royal Infirmary Senior Specialty Doctor in Emergency Medicine, Dr Richard Stevenson said: “We are deeply concerned about the number of drug related deaths. Symptoms to look for include a high temperature, aggression and muscle pains as well as an extreme exaggerated expected effect of the drug such as hallucinations and excitability which would be very alarming and unpleasant to the person experiencing them.
“These symptoms are treatable if help is sought early I would urge anyone who begins to feel unwell or feels a more intense high than usual after taking any drug which they think is ecstasy or not to seek immediate medical help.”
If anyone has any information about the sale or supply of such tablets, please contact police on the non emergency number, 101, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where you can give information anonymously.
