davepickering

Spartans net share of social enterprise funding

The Spartans are among 67 enterprising third sector organisations to be awarded a share of £2.3 million social enterprise funding, Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed today.

Spartans will receive almost £16,000 from the Enterprise Ready Fund and eight other city-based charities and voluntary organisations will also be supported.

The £6 million Enterprise Ready Fund, which opened to applications last September, builds on a number of current initiatives the Scottish Government has in place to continue to support a sustainable, capable and enterprising third sector.

The Finance Secretary’s announcement comes ahead of a trip to Oslo where he will plans to highlight the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting the third sector at a conference on Social Entrepreneurship. It’s estimated that there are now between 3,000 – 4,000 social enterprises across Scotland and that that number is growing.

The Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Employment and Sustainable Growth said: “I would like to congratulate the 67 organisations which have been successful in securing grants from the Enterprise Ready Fund, ensuring the impact of these investments will be felt across Scotland.

“We believe that an enterprising third sector is a vital partner in our economy, in civic society and in the creation of a fairer and more inclusive Scotland. That is why we have invested heavily to help the sector develop.

“We have had a great response to the fund so far and I am keen to remind new, emerging and established third sector organisations that they have until 16 June to apply for funding. I hope that by investing in the third sector and enhancing its self-sufficiency we can look forward to a future where these organisations play a full role in public sector reform.

“Speaking at the Ferd conference provides an opportunity to share the experience of building a strong social enterprise sector, with our friends in Norway. Scotland has an excellent reputation for our work with the third sector. It is regarded as the best place in the world to start a social enterprise and there is increasing international interest in what some are calling the ‘Scottish Model’.”

The Enterprise Ready Fund will help organisations to develop, become more efficient and self-sustaining, or diversify into new markets. Priority is being given to activities that contribute towards the Scottish Government’s Prevention and Welfare Reform agendas. The fund is being delivered by a consortium of third sector organisations led by Foundation Scotland in partnership with Community Enterprise in Scotland (CEiS), Developing Strathclyde Ltd (DSL) and the Social Value Lab.

Foundation Scotland’s Chief Executive Giles Ruck said: “We are delighted with the wide variety of applications we have received so far, which showcase the innovative ways organisations plan to use their awards to make a real difference to the people and communities they serve. We hope this initial announcement will encourage new or developing third sector organisations to apply to the Enterprise Ready Fund before it closes on 16 June.”

Other Edinburgh-based organisations to receive Enterprise Ready funding include Children in Scotland (£24,840), Comas (£37,833), Grassmarket Community Project (£69,963), Greetings from Leith Ltd (£14,287), Nourish (Scotland) (£50,000), Power of Youth (£21,000), Spartans (£15,804), The Melting Pot (£25,000) and Transform Scotland (£49,544).

Further information and full details of the Enterprise Ready Fund can be found at:http://www.foundationscotland.org.uk/grants-and-funding-for-organisations/what-grants-are-available/enterprise-ready-fund.aspx

Pilton race attack: four in court

Four youths have been arrested and charged following a racist attack in West Pilton on Tuesday. A 17-year old, two 16-year-olds and a 15-year-old will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today in connection with the incident which took place in West Pilton Terrace.

Inspector David Happs said: “In addition to these arrests, we are continuing with our investigation to trace others believed to be involved. Anyone with information that can assist with these enquiries is asked to come forward immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Witnesses sought to Pilton assault

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault on a man on Crewe Road North last week.

The incident happened on Sunday 2 February between 2.30 – 2.50pm. The 23 year old victim, who is Polish, boarded a number 19 Lothian bus on Queensferry Street and got off at the stop after the Crewe Toll roundabout on Crewe Road Gardens leading to West Pilton Place. It was here that he was assaulted by the suspect, who is believed to have also been on the bus and got off at the same stop.

The victim was wearing a black anorak and black jogging bottoms and the suspect was wearing a light grey top and light blue jeans.

Detective Sergeant Lynsey Thomson from Police Scotland said: “This was an unprovoked attack which left the victim with a broken jaw. Following new information, we believe that passengers onboard the no. 19 and who left the bus at the same time may have witnessed this assault. Anyone with information that may assist with out inquiries is asked to contact police immediately.”

Police are appealing to anyone with information that can assist their inquiries to contact Police Scotland on 101, or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.

YES campaign comes to Craigroyston

Yes Edinburgh North & Leith and Yes Edinburgh West are hosting a community event to present the case for a ‘Yes’ vote in the forthcoming referendum at Craigroyston Community High School tomorrow (Thursday) evening at 7.30pm.

Confirmed speakers are Fiona Hyslop MSP, Robin McAlpine (Reid Foundation), Michelle Thomson (Women4Independence) and SSP national co-spokesperson Colin Fox, and the event – which includes a question and answer and discussion session – will be chaired by former Lothian Region Council leader (and former Pilton Partnership manager) John Mulvey.

All welcome, doors open 7.15pm.

While the Craigroyston event will focus on the case for a YES vote on 18 September, the Better Together campaign advances the argument for a different future for Scotland. To find out more about the case for staying together and information about local events and activities, visit the Better Together Edinburgh Facebook page or go to www.bettertogether.net

TRIM AGM tonight

Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse (TRIM) will be holding their first annual general meeting tonight in Muirhouse Millennium Centre.

It’s an opportunity to find out a bit more about the award-winning community group – what they’ve done, what they’re doing now and what they plan to do in the year ahead.

The meeting starts a 7pm – all welcome, and there’s tea, coffee and biscuits too!

Tierney time again in Drylaw Telford

Evelyn Crawford (above, right) was the popular choice in 2006

Do you know someone who gave up their time to help the Drylaw Telford community last year? A local volunteer who went that extra mile to support a neighbour, or a community group that’s worked to improve the local environment or enhance the quality of life in the neighbourhood? If so, Drylaw Telford Community Council wants to hear from you!

The local community council is now seeking nominations for the Thomas Tierney Award for Good Citizenship.

Tam Tierney was a committed community activist from Wester Drylaw who was involved in many of the positive things that happening in the Greater Pilton area during the Eighties and Nineties.

He was a stalwart of Pilton Sporting Club, chaired Craigroyston Community Centre for many years, was an active and enthusiastic member of Drylaw Telford Community Council. Tam was also part of the steering group – and subsequently a member of the first management committee – of Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre which opened in 1995.

When Tam passed away in 1999, Drylaw Telford Community Council decided to mark Tam’s contribution to community life – not only to celebrate his achievements but also to try to encourage others to become more active within their community.

Every year since 2000, the community council has chosen a new recipient of the Award. They are all very different, and each was nominated for a wide variety of reasons. The one thing they have in common, however – indeed the one thing they must have in common – is that they freely contribute their time to do something that makes the Drylaw Telford neighbourhood a better place to live.

Former recipients have done that in many ways – helping out as a volunteer with local projects, doing their neighbours’ shopping, supporting local groups by serving on management committees … and some have done all of these things and more!

Drylaw Telford Community Council chairman Alex Dale – who was recipient of the 2012 award – said: “The Thomas Tierney Award is an important date on our community council calendar and is usually the best attended meeting of the year.We have slightly changed the criteria for the Award this year and we hope this will encourage more people to make nominations”.

If you think you know someone who may fit the bill, visit the community council’s website at www.drylawtelfordcc.co.uk

email Secretary@drylawtelfordcc.co.uk

or contact Jackie Brown at Rainbow Daycare Centre in Drylaw Church for a nomination form.

Florence Atkinson: a very popular winner

Police seek witnesses to Pilton racist attack

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses after two men were subjected to a racist attack in West Pilton Terrace last night (Monday).

Two 18-year-old men, of Arabian and Pakistani ethnicity, were walking home at around 9pm when they reached the junction with West Granton Road. A group of male youths began to shout racial abuse at the pair before throwing rocks and stones at them.

The suspects then chased both victims into their home address before continuing to throw objects at the house, breaking a front window.

Officers are following a positive line of enquiry to identify a number of those believed to be involved in this attack but are urging anyone who can assist with their investigation to come forward.

Inspector David Happs said: “As a result of being struck by rocks, one of the victims suffered an injury to his arm. In addition the property both men share was also damaged and we are undertaking a thorough enquiry to bring those responsible to justice.

“This incident is being treated as racially motivated and we are keen to hear from anyone who was in the West Pilton Terrace area on Monday evening and witnessed the disturbance or who saw anything suspicious.

“In addition, anyone with any further information relevant to this investigation is also asked to contact police immediately.

“Police Scotland is committed to tackling hate crime in all its forms and the local community can rest assured we are devoting appropriate resources to this investigation and offering all the necessary support to both victims.”

Those with information can contact

Police Scotland on 101

or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Letter: Basic needs

Dear Editor

To express thoughts in words is sometimes difficult; hopefully the following is clear enough.

There are many needs common to everyone in the UK: amongst them are the NHS, gas and electricity, water, transport, schools and employment, they are basic needs. In Scotland only the NHS, schools and water can be classed as universal services; even these are faced with attempts to privatize them.

Gas and electricity supplies are absolutely basic for life, yet these industries are in private hands, operating for private profit. There is no way individuals or groups of individuals should control such basic needs.

Most people have to use public transport; buses, railways and trams to get to and from work – again, a basic necessity that should not be run for private profit.

Loss of employment is devastating for individuals and families, long-term unemployment leads to depression and loss of dignity.

A creator of unemployment is the withdrawal of investment by groups of individuals – and banks – moving their money from one place to another, home or abroad, to maximise profit. Again, this is not right and must be changed.

The services outlined above need to be in public hands, a view on which I believe most people would agree. There are so many areas of life common to all on which a unity of thought and action can make them universal services.

Pitting one section of the population’s interests against another must be resisted at all times.

A. Delahoy

Silverknowes Gardens

Award for Forth lifesaver Robyn

A local teenager who helped save the lives of two yachtsmen has been presented with a prestigious lifesaving award. Edinburgh Academy pupil Robyn Dougall, 15, is a volunteer rescue boat driver on the Forth and she was presented with her award at a gala dinner on Saturday (1 February).

As part of her duties with the Royal Forth Yacht Club at Granton, Robyn helped rescue a man who had been swept into the sea last summer and also assisted in rescuing another sailor who had fallen overboard in the sea near Leith.

During other rescue missions also helped save five yachts which were in danger in the Forth waters so Robyn’s Young Volunteer of the Year award from the Royal Yachting Association Scotland is richly deserved!

The first rescue she was involved with came after she spotted a man who had fallen overboard during a yachting festival on the Forth last summer.

She said: “We were helping out with the yacht races in force seven winds and we got a radio call to say a guy had got swept overboard. I found the boat, pointed it out and we got to him. He probably only had few minutes because he wasn’t wearing a life jacket.”

Robyn’s father Ken, who started teaching Robyn when she was aged eight, said he was “very proud” of his daughter’s achievements.

NHS Lothian restates commitment to Royal Victoria Hospital

Scotland rugby star Gavin Hastings hosted the Farewell to Victoria event back in 2012

It was closed and earmarked for sell-off but after a rethink it seems that the Royal Victoria Hospital will be providing services for a while yet …

NHS Lothian confirmed its commitment to retaining the Royal Victoria Hospital for the medium to long-term earlier this year. Wards in the hospital are currently being used to provide additional winter capacity and plans are now being developed to use the facility to provide flexibility in the number of beds available for older peoples’ services.

Between £0.5 and £0.75 million has been invested to improve the accommodation and infrastructure within the hospital to ensure it meets the needs of patients and staff and complies with infection control and health and safety standards.

Following board approval, detailed plans will be developed to transfer appropriate services from other sites such as the Astley Ainslie Hospital and Corstorphine Hospital to the newly refurbished and upgraded wards in the Royal Victoria Hospital.

Patients, families and staff will be fully engaged in this process and support will be provided to ensure the transfer of patients is as smooth as possible.

Melanie Johnson, Director of Unscheduled Care, said: “The significant investment in improving the facilities at the Royal Victoria Hospital has been made easier by the fact the Hospital has not been fully operational. We are now looking at how we can make the best used of the Royal Victoria Hospital once the demand for additional winter beds reduces.

“Moving some services from the Astley Ainslie Hospital and Corstorphine Hospital will allow us to continue to provide safe, high quality care for patients in a more modern healthcare environment. We will be working with patients and their families as well as our staff to develop these plans over the coming months.”

Two wards were re-opened in the Royal Victoria Hospital in November 2012 to provided additional capacity, and since two more wards have been upgraded with another two currently being refurbished. This will provide around 120 beds in total with a mix of single rooms and four or six bedded bays.

The growing population in Lothian – in particular the number of people living into their 80s and 90s with complex long-term conditions – has required NHS Lothian to review previous decisions on which sites to develop or dispose of.

NHS Lothian’s long-term plan is to concentrate on developing four key hospital sites and the proximity of the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) to the Western General Hospital has also played a part in the decision to investigate services moving to the RVH. The RVH will be incorporated into the master planning of the Western General Hospital site.