The Edinburgh Association of Community Councils (EACC)meets TONIGHT via Zoom at 7pm. (The screen facility will open at 18.50.)
The Agenda:
1. Andrew Field; Head of Community Empowerment and Engagement, City of Edinburgh Council:
– Community partnership planning; some thoughts on the way ahead.
2. David White; Primary Care Strategic Lead, Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership:
– The Winter Programme vaccine roll-out;
– Developments in GP service provision in the city.
3. Kenny Wright, Chair, Drum Brae CC:
– The Cost-of-Living Crisis: Community initiatives.
4. Steve Kerr, EACC Chair.
– Preview of the EACC AGM on 24 November;
– Nominations to the EACC Members Board.
The meeting is open to members of the public as observers, but participation in the first instance sits with the EACC representatives of Edinburgh Community Councils.
(The meeting may be recorded. Please note that by joining the meeting you are giving your consent in that regard.)
CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COLLECTION 28 September 2022 – 2025 Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One), 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh, EH4 3DR 0131 624 6200 Admission free #ScotModernConversations
New discoveries await in major refresh at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
A major exhibition of rarely seen artworks from ScotlandÕs national collection brings an abundance of new discoveries for visitors to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One).
The exhibition, titled Conversations with the Collection, takes over almost the whole of the top floor of the gallery.
Pic caption: Rachel Ashenden of the NGS
Pic Neil Hanna
A major exhibition of rarely seen artworks from Scotland’s national collection brings an abundance of new discoveries for visitors to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One).
The exhibition, titled Conversations with the Collection, takes over almost the whole of the top floor of the gallery. Curators have been busy delving into the riches of the nation’s collection of the modern and contemporary art to bring to light rarely displayed yet fascinating artworks and stories.
They have been inspired to find bold juxtapositions and visual similarities between artworks, styles and movements to offer a fresh take on how works of art can be presented and share the stories they tell. These can be enjoyed by all for free from 28 September 2022 with the art on the walls refreshed throughout the exhibition’s run.
Talking points have been encouraged and explored by covering a wide mix of techniques, processes and approaches, demonstrated across sculpture, painting, photography and more
. Iconic works by famous artists such as Anish Kapoor, Sarah Lucas, Jackson Pollock, Tracey Emin and Cindy Sherman are on display alongside those by brilliant but lesser-known figures including Carole Gibbons and Catherine Yarrow.
• A stunning ‘Madonna’ lithograph by Edvard Munch, on long loan from a private collection. • From ARTIST ROOMS, striking photographic portraits by Robert Mapplethorpe of Arnold Schwarzenegger in his underwear and a topless shot of punk rock musician Smutty Smith. • A vibrant still life by celebrated Scottish artist Anne Redpath. • A series of colour woodcuts of vivid flower prints by the much-loved British artist Mabel Royds. • Saturn by Helen Frankenthaler, the only major Abstract Expressionist painting by a female artist in the collection, on display for the first time in ten years.
Curated by Emma Gillespie, Leila Riszko and Stephanie Straine, Conversations with the Collection shares accessible and alternative perspectives on art of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, without using jargon or art-historical terminology. With more than 100 fascinating artworks waiting to be discovered, the curators hope that this approach will offer visitors a new way of seeing and understanding modern and contemporary art through key ideas and issues of our times.
Conversations with the Collection presents artworks in unexpected arrangements; for example, a gouache made by the Indian artist Jamini Roy in 1930s Kolkata will be placed alongside a lithograph by Edvard Munch printed in 1890s Berlin and a pastel drawing made by Carole Gibbons in 1960s Glasgow, to encourage discussion about shared affinities between artists from different time periods and geographical locations.
Each room explores a unique theme or topic, taking on issues such as sexuality, gender roles, and racial stereotypes; the evolution of the traditionally feminine domestic sphere in the modern and contemporary art world, and creative approaches to working sustainably as reframed by the climate emergency.
Senior Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Stephanie Straine, said: “Conversations with the Collection brings together Scottish and international modern and contemporary art in celebration of the ideas and inspirations that drive artists to make work.
“With open-ended creativity at the heart of this big exhibition, we hope our visitors will feel inspired to rediscover their collection.”
A wedding proposal, a 90th birthday and a Golden wedding anniversary were just some of the happy occasions being celebrated at the top of the Forth Bridge at weekend, during an exclusive charity fundraising experience.
The sell-out ‘Your View’ event, which gave visitors the chance to stand atop the iconic Forth Bridge and enjoy uninterrupted views of the Edinburgh and Fife coastline, took place between Friday 23 and Sunday 25 September, raising funds for Barnardo’s Scotland.
Around 750 visitors were welcomed to the experience throughout the weekend, with more than 40 volunteers from Network Rail, Balfour Beatty, The Briggers and Barnardo’s Scotland working to run the event behind the scenes.
Members of the public had the history of the bridge brought to life by The Briggers heritage group, before ascending over 360ft to the top of the Forth Bridge platform on the north cantilever to take in the panoramic views.
One couple who certainly enjoyed the view, were Meghan Crawford, 38, and her partner Paul Ward, 44, from West Lothian.
Meghan had treated Paul to tickets for the event on the Sunday evening, but Paul surprised her by proposing at the top!
Meghan said:“We had our first date in south Queensferry, and I thought the Forth Bridge visit would be a nice trip to do together. When we got to the top, Paul handed his phone to a volunteer and asked them to take some photos of us admiring the view, and when I turned around, he was on one knee!
“There was a professional photographer who did some great photos for us and as we came back down and out of the lift, the volunteers all did a guard of honour and were clapping and cheering. It was absolutely lovely, and we can’t thank all the people from Barnardo’s, Network Rail, Balfour Beatty and the rest of the crew enough, as they made everything so special for us.”
To continue the celebrations that evening, Paul had the champagne waiting on ice and had booked a special dinner and stay at a hotel in south Queensferry, where their room had, of course, a perfect view of the bridge.
This is the fourth year that Network Rail, Balfour Beatty, The Briggers and Barnardo’s Scotland have joined forces to run the Your View event, and Meghan and Paul’s wedding proposal is the fourth to take place during this time.
Final totals raised from the Your View event are still being calculated, but the weekend’s activities are believed to have raised in excess of £50k for Barnardo’s Scotland, with three previous events run since 2017 already raising more than £223,000 to support the charity’s work.
Martin Crewe, Director for Barnardo’s Scotland said: “We simply could not be more grateful to Network Rail, Balfour Beatty and The Briggers for all their support in making this event happen, and for the many volunteers from these organisations, Barnardo’s and others, working tirelessly behind the scenes all weekend to keep everything running.
“They helped to create such a memorable experience for members of the public, including for Meghan and Paul, and we wish this couple every happiness for the future.
“We would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone that purchased tickets to come and take part in this event – we have received some great feedback and hope that a fantastic time was had by all.
“The valuable funds raised will go towards Barnardo’s hardship fund, which will be providing direct support to struggling families across Scotland this winter to help with food and energy bills.”
Stewart Lothian, Network Rail’s structures asset manager for Scotland, said: “As custodians of this iconic structure, we were delighted once again to work with Barnardo’s and Balfour Beatty to open up the Forth Bridge to the public and raise such a fantastic sum for the charity, supporting the charity’s drive to raise funds for vulnerable children, young people and families across the local communities.
“I’d like to thank all those colleagues from Network Rail and Balfour Beatty who volunteered their time to make the event happen.”
Colin Hardie, Regional Construction Superintendent for Balfour Beatty’s Regional Scotland business, said:“We are delighted to have worked with Network Rail on this year’s volunteering event at Forth Bridge, which saw a staggering 750 people reach the peak of the impressive structure across the weekend, raising important funds for Barnardo’s.
“I’d like to send my thanks to Barnardo’s, Network Rail and all those involved for making the event such a success.”
The Forth Rail Bridge took eight years to build and was finished in 1890. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2015.
A video of a previous Your View event can be found at:
Campaigners have welcomed a report from an independent body that reveals air pollution in Scotland isn’t being dealt with.
Friends of the Earth Scotland say the report, from Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) – the body that scrutinises environmental law – shows that air pollution problems go far beyond the biggest cities and that councils and the Scottish Government are failing to address it.
This morning (Thursday 29 September) the report was presented in the Scottish Parliament, and the Scottish Government will now respond to the report’s findings.
The recommended measures from ESS will require local authorities to prepare plans for improving air quality in local areas with specific actions and dates.
Scotland has breached air pollution legal limits for many years, particularly for nitrogen dioxide, a pollutant from diesel vehicle exhausts.
Gavin Thomson, transport campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “We have known for decades the devastating health impacts caused by pollution from Scotland’s roads.
“Traffic fumes cause heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory problems like asthma. There’s also mounting evidence on the risks to cognitive function from the air we breathe, including links with dementia.
“We have seen very little action to address the huge damage to public health caused by air pollution. The four Low Emission Zones in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee and Aberdeen will be completed in 2024, a full 14 years after Scotland first breached legal limits for diesel pollution.
“There are huge gaps in policy and governance that this report from ESS has identified. The report explains that dangerous air pollution problems persist in areas outside our biggest cities. Suburban towns such as Blantyre and Johnstone are highlighted as having recently breached legal limits, so Low Emission Zones in our biggest cities cant solve the problem.
“We need action from the Government and councils to limit car use, bring buses back into public ownership to restore lost routes, and make it much easier and safer to walk and cycle.”
· Vulnerable customers also more likely to be pushed into higher cost borrowing
· One in four vulnerable customers now struggling to keep up on payments
Soaring energy, food and fuel prices have forced 1.2 million UK adults (2%) to turn to unscrupulous loan sharks in the last 12 months, new research from the Vulnerability Registration Service has revealed.
Released during National Stop Loan Sharks Week, the research also revealed that this picture is twice as bad for the most vulnerable in society, with 630,000 vulnerable people (4%) having used loan sharks in the last year.
Victims are unable to settle the growing amount of money they owe, while loan sharks use intimidation, threats and violence against them and their families.
Vulnerable people have also increasingly been pushed into higher cost borrowing with 12% of vulnerable people taking out higher cost borrowing in the last 12 months, compared to 6% of the general population. As a result, 27% of vulnerable people admitted that they were in financial distress and struggling to keep on top of payments.
Helen Lord, CEO of the Vulnerability Registration Service,said: “Vulnerable people are trying to keep their heads above water and trying to access any finance that is available to them. But it appears that the only option opening up to them is higher cost finance, which they can’t really afford.
“When these avenues are exhausted, and they are being chased for payment, they panic and can see loan sharks as their only way out, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt and extreme misery.
“The research highlights how crucial it is for legal credit lenders and providers to do much more to identify their vulnerable customers, so they can adjust their approach, offer more affordable options and ultimately ensure their treatment of them is fair and appropriate to their circumstances.
Placing pressure on people who have already have debts that are spiralling out of control is pushing them into the hands of illegal money lenders who will make their lives a living hell.”
Tony Quigley, Head of the England Illegal Money Lending Team, said:“Loan sharks are predatory, exploitive and dangerous. They lure victims in with false promises and a seemingly safe place to turn for help but once you are in, these unscrupulous lenders trap you into a cycle of debt and make it as hard as possible for you to escape.
“We’re committed to ending this kind of exploitation once and for all by making sure loan sharks are taken off the streets. Now more than ever we need to expose these criminals for what they are and protect those most at risk of financial harm.
“If you are struggling to make ends meet, don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. There are many agencies out there that can provide support and help get your finances back on track.
“Loan sharks should always be avoided as they will make your situation much worse and cause significant damage to your physical and mental health. If you need help dealing with loan sharks, our helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0300 555 2222”
The Vulnerability Registration Service and the England Illegal Money Lending Team formed a unique and powerful partnership last year to enable service providers (i.e. banks, utilities, mobile phone companies, local authorities, councils…etc.) to play a vital and active role in protecting those customers who have fallen victim to loan sharks from further harm.
For anyone affected by loan sharks, confidential advice and support is available from the Illegal Money Lending Team. Call the Stop Loan Sharks 24 Hour Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or visit the website for more information at www.stoploansharks.co.uk
National Stop Loan Sharks Week runs from the 26 September to the 2 October and aims to highlight the help available to those that have been targeted by loan sharks, as well as raise awareness of this hidden crime in communities.
For more information on the Vulnerability Registration Service, visit:
The Scottish Government has launched a new website to help with the cost of living crisis.
The website has a range of information on support available for households facing rising energy, housing and other costs.
Developed by the Scottish Government as a ‘one stop shop’ to help those struggling with the cost of living crisis, the website includes information on help available for households to meet rising energy, housing and other costs.
It also provides details on accessing Scottish and UK social security payments, including online benefit calculators, as well as wider health and wellbeing information.
A Programme for Government 2022-23 commitment, it will be supported by a nationwide media campaign to raise awareness of the website and signpost people impacted by rising costs to the help available.
The website was launched by Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison during a visit to debt help service in Tollcross, run by charity Christians Against Poverty.
Shona Robison said: “I know that people are struggling with the cost of living crisis right now and may not know where to turn for help. Our cost of living website is a trustworthy online resource with information on the wide range of vital support available.
“No one should feel alone in this crisis and this website, along with our campaign, aims to encourage people to find out if they are eligible for the extensive support available to access the advice they need. We want everyone to get all the financial support and help that is available so I would encourage people to apply for the payments they are entitled to – it might be just the lifeline that is needed right now.
“We have allocated almost £3 billion in this financial year to contribute towards mitigating the increased cost of living crisis and the new website highlights the wide range of support at hand. Our package spans a range of support, for energy bills, childcare, health and travel, as well as social security payments that are not available anywhere else in the UK. The website is an important signpost towards them all.
“The cost of living crisis is impacting every household in the UK and the Scottish Government will continue to do everything within its powers and finite budget to ensure people are supported as far as possible.”
Scotland National Director for Christians Against Poverty, Emma Jackson, said: “We are deeply concerned about the impact of rising costs on low income households. Even before rising costs, over a third (36%) of CAP clients had to borrow to meet essential living costs and we know the consequences of problem debt can be devastating for people.
“The new cost of living website from the Scottish Government is a welcome step in helping people to find and access all the vital support that is available to them, including steps to maximise income. People need to know help is available. Now, more than ever, we need to take every action possible to support households who are being hit the hardest by the cost of living crisis.”
Claire (not her real name) is a single parent from Edinburgh who experienced problem debt after her son was born prematurely. She spent a lot of time at the hospital and his health and wellbeing was her primary focus. Due to the stress of this situation she wasn’t able to manage bills or work to earn money and debts began to mount.
Claire’s debt had a significant impact on her mental health. She lived in fear of debt collectors coming to the door and hid the letters in a drawer as she didn’t know how she would be able to pay them. She felt ashamed and embarrassed and for a long time she didn’t know where to turn.
Problem debt had such an impact on Claire’s mental health that she tried to take her own life twice. Claire heard about Christians Against Poverty through her local foodbank and once she met her debt coach she felt like a weight had been lifted and she was able to laugh again. She felt like CAP was her safe place and her befriender became like a mother to her.
Claire was able to go debt free in December 2021, however, she is still struggling on a low income. She already has to travel quite far to shop around and find the cheapest items. She is worried about how she will be able to keep going with rising costs.
She explained: “It’s unbelievable what things cost at the moment, it’s all gone up so much – food, electric, clothes for my son. It all costs so much and right now, I just don’t know how I am going to afford it all. I’ve worked hard to get back on track with my finances, but there isn’t enough to pay for all of these essential things that I need for my son. I don’t want to be in debt again.”
To mark the event, the British Youth International College (BYITC) is offering free access to itsonline abacus tool and games-based lessons
This week, the British Youth International College (BYITC) is offering a free introduction to Abacus Maths.
The Glasgow-based education platform is celebrating the opportunity to raise the profile of Abacus training during the annual Maths Week Scotland, which aims to encourage positive Maths learning with a dedicated programme of events for families and schools.
From 26th September – 2nd October, kids can discover a fun and practical way to improve their maths ability with a free live BYITC Supermaths Abacus Maths class and free two-week access to game-based Abacus lessons to test their skills.
Founder of the BYITC Dr Rashmi Mantri is looking forward to sharing the benefits of this effective arithmetic technique. She said: “Abacus Maths may seem to be more complex, but it actually speeds up the capacity of children to perform heavy calculations.
“We believe this method is the absolute best way to learn Maths, based on scientific research that validates the methodology. Kids who learn Maths using the Abacus method performed better in many areas of life.”
Using the Abacus method, children are taught how to calculate arithmetic sums by visualising an Abacus tool and use their fingers to manipulate imaginary beads. This not only allows them to do rapid mental calculations, but also stimulates cognitive development, improves memory and problem-solving skills, and builds confidence in the classroom and beyond.
Dr Rashmi was inspired to share the learning benefits of Abacus Maths after noticing gaps in her son’s mathematical ability. When then nine-year-old Dhruv was struggling with simple arithmetic, Dr Mantri turned to a humble device she had used in her own childhood to help him.
She said: “It struck me that his inability to compute a simple sum reflected the actual situation of maths skills in a great many children. I decided to change the way he looked at numbers.
“After learning maths using the Abacus method, Dhruv could do mathematical calculations even faster than a calculator.”
Dhruv’s Abacus Maths learning has been so successful that he has even made television appearances to demonstrate his arithmetic skills, and is still involved in creating content and resources for the BYTIC. In fact, the 16-year-old helped develop the games-based Abacus classes that are on offer during Maths Week Scotland.
Originally founded as a local after-school programme in 2015, the BYITC has grown to welcome thousands of students from across the world through online classes, and is now the largest Abacus Maths classes provider in UK.
Since enrolling their son Neev (P6) in a BYITC Abacus Maths course, Ojas and Ashmi Lukhi have noticed a vast improvement in his mathematic ability. They said: “Abacus has helped Neev build his power of visualisation and boost his concentration levels.
“He is able to do calculations much faster and with confidence, and he can apply it to his day-to-day activities.”
Meanwhile, Ananyaa has been taking part in Abacus lessons for just six months. Her parents said: “The impact of it is beyond just her performance in Maths. It has given her a very holistic approach to other things as well.
“It has made her more focused, disciplined and time conscious. She has developed an interest in her work – and has won accolades for her effort.”
The Glasgow-based education platform has also developed the world’s first Abacus Maths e-learning application. Suitable for both desktop and mobile use, the app features a virtual Abacus tool as well as videos, practice questions, classwork and homework so pupils and parents can track their progress.
The success of the Abacus Maths courses speaks not only to the positive benefits of this unique learning method, but also to the BYITC team’s passion for youth education.
Dr Mantri said: “There is nothing better than providing education to someone. We are on a mission to develop new age skills in children and make them more fulfilled human beings.
“We want to make British Youth International College the most trusted brand in the education sector. A brand parents recognise, know they can trust, and give their children a future in our hands.”
Cramond Residence showcase facilities at first Open Day since pandemic
A CARE HOME to the north of the capital is hosting an open day for members of the public to visit for the first time in three years.
Visitors will be welcomed to Cramond Residence on 29 October between 9 am and 1 pm for a unique viewing of the five-star ensuite bedrooms and to find out more about the care services and range of activities on offer.
As well as showcasing the home itself, the open day will provide the opportunity to meet the home’s dedicated team of care and lifestyle staff while also indulging in homemade nibbles.
“These events are great as there is first-hand information available and visitors have the opportunity to ask questions and gain reassurance as well as visit a show room, so that they know exactly what they will be getting.
“If you’re interested in downsizing or finding suitable care needs for your loved one, come along and check out the facilities we have to offer – they really need to be seen to be fully appreciated.”
Cramond Residence is a purpose-built care home created at a cost of £8m and opened in October 2018. It combines luxury, five-star accommodation with outstanding clinical standards – with places available from £1,950 per week and capacity for up to 74 residents.
Spread across three floors, Cramond Residence adopts a small-group living philosophy. That means groups of eight rooms form distinct “houses”, where residents are encouraged to eat and socialise together. This is believed to have played a major role in infection control during the Coronavirus pandemic.
The home also provides a range of activities specially designed to give those living with dementia a richer and more satisfying life, with specialist facilities and trained staff on hand to provide support & relief.
Major progress made with 933 UK Civil Service jobs moved out of London to Scotland
UK government has committed to relocate 1500 jobs to Scotland by 2025
Cabinet Office second HQ to more than double department’s Glasgow presence by 2025
Almost 1,000 London-based Civil Service jobs have moved to Scotland since March 2020, the Cabinet Office announced yesterday.
The latest figures have been announced as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Nadhim Zahawi, visited the department’s new second HQ at Atlantic Square, Glasgow ahead of chairing the inaugural Islands Forum in Orkney on Wednesday.
The relocation programme, known as Places for Growth, is moving 22,000 Civil Service jobs out of London by 2030. Already 933 jobs have been relocated from the capital to Scotland since the start of the scheme, with a further 600 high-quality jobs to be permanently based in Scotland by 2025.
The Cabinet Office will more than double its current numbers of Glasgow employees to around 750 by 2025.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Nadhim Zahawi said: “We want to drive growth right across the United Kingdom and moving Civil Service jobs out of London is crucial to delivering this. I am delighted to say that the Cabinet Office is leading the way with this work by ensuring we have key decision makers based in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“It is imperative that we continue to build on this momentum and expand opportunities for people outside of London, giving them the chance to build successful careers right across the UK and bring diversity of thought and experience right to the very top of government.”
The number of Senior UK Civil Servants now based in Glasgow has grown by 1,400 per cent under the scheme, with 30 senior officials now permanently located in the city. The government plans to have at least 50 per cent of UK-based Senior Civil Servants located outside of London by 2030.
Cabinet Office roles previously based in London but which are now in Scotland include directors in the Counter Fraud Function, Consulting Hub and Debt Management teams.
This signals the end of the era where staff who wanted to climb the ladder to senior level needed to move to London or nearby, or made the long commute from further afield. Staff are now able to lead teams delivering exceptional public services while based anywhere in the UK.
Naomi Hunter, who was born in Edinburgh but moved to London to join the Treasury in 2013, is now a Senior Civil Servant based in the Cabinet Office’s Glasgow HQ. After joining the UK Civil Service, she spent the next seven years living in London and travelling back to Scotland regularly to see family and friends.
Ms Hunter, who leads the strategy team for recovering public sector debt, said: “When I first joined the UK civil service, I moved to London because it was the only option if I was going to progress in my career.
“The opening of the Cabinet Office HQ in Glasgow has meant I’ve been able to move back to Scotland and still do what I’m passionate about. I’m so pleased for people in Scotland that they no longer need to move south to start their careers or get good, expert jobs in their field.”
The expansion has meant graduates are remaining in Scotland, preventing a ‘brain drain’ as young people travel south to further their careers.
Ceilidh MacDonald, aged 27 and originally from Inverness, was her family’s first university graduate. After initially ruling out a job at a central government department due to the requirement to live and work in London, she learned of the Cabinet Office’s expansion in Glasgow and took a role in the Grants team.
Ms MacDonald said: “I thought the only way to have a career was to move to London but when Covid hit, I realised that was the last place I wanted to be.
“I’m now not only gaining more experience than I ever thought possible in Scotland, but we’re working in the community to get the word out that there’s fantastic opportunities on your doorstep.”
Other cities have also benefited from the expansion with hundreds of roles moved to Edinburgh and East Kilbride in departments including the FCDO, Ministry of Justice and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
It is expected that these jobs will provide a significant boost for local business and enterprise, with government research having shown that workers put around 50% of their salaries back into the local economy.
Hundreds of vulnerable people will benefit from free Chromebooks, donated by Tesco Bank to local charities across Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle.
Around 400 refurbished Chromebooks will be given to charities which support vulnerable groups including refugees, low-income households and school pupils. Recipients include Tesco Bank’s recently announced charity partner, The Trussell Trust.
One of the other charities to benefit from the donated equipment is Dnipro Kids in Edinburgh , a charity which is supporting children who have arrived in the UK from an orphanage in Dnipro, Ukraine.
40 Chromebooks have been donated to give the children the opportunity to get back on track with schoolwork, and for them and their orphanage mothers to learn English and keep in touch with friends back home.
Earlier this year Tesco Bank announced The Trussell Trust as one of two new charity partners. The Trussell Trust, which is campaigning for change to end the need for food banks in the UK, has accepted a donation of 20 Chromebooks. These will support the Trussell Trust’s work to build relationships with people experiencing financial hardship.
Lynne Rennie-Smith, Director of Colleague Experience at Tesco Bank, said; “Tesco Bank has a proud record of supporting the communities in which we operate.
“I’m delighted we’re donating these Chromebooks to local charities who tell us they will help vulnerable groups to build confidence, learn new skills, and stay connected.”
Jade Lewsey, Corporate Partnerships Manager, at Trussell Trust, said; “The Trussell Trust Participation team builds relationships with people experiencing financial hardship, and works with them as partners in our movement to end the need for food banks. Our work includes people from lots of different backgrounds, ages and locations.
“Some members use mobile phones to attend meetings and read business materials, as they don’t have access to, or cannot afford other tech. The Chromebooks donated by Tesco Bank will help create a better experience and reduce connectivity barriers for our partners and support their work across a number of different Trussell Trust programmes.”
Other organisations to receive donations include Glasgow Ukrainian Hub, Shawlands Academy in Glasgow and Spring Gardens Primary in Newcastle. Each of the charities to receive a donation of Chromebooks was suggested by Tesco Bank colleagues. Additional charities will be selected shortly.
As well as supporting local charities including partner charities Maggie’s and the Trussell Trust, Tesco Bank is proud to utilise its ATM network to support a number of national causes including the NSPCC, The British Heart Foundation and the Disasters Emergency Committee.
Tesco Bank has offered customers the opportunity to make charitable donations of up to £300 through its ATMs since 2012, raising over £750,000 for good causes.
