LIFT @ Millenium Centre and the Living Memory Association are two of three good causes across the East of Scotland to have received a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative.
LIFT @ Millenium Centre offers support to families from the most disadvantaged areas of Edinburgh and those that are vulnerable either socially or financially. They have received £5,000 from Scotmid to deliver ‘Family Teatime’ sessions, an opportunity for families to play and learn together in a supported environment.
The Living Memory Association has secured £5,000 to continue their work connecting and supporting those isolated or living with dementia. The charity is based in Ocean Terminal, where it offers exhibitions, including The Wee Museum of Memory, as well as recording podcasts and videos.
Jayme Nisbet, Community Base and Family Support Worker, LIFT@ Millennium, said:“We are so thankful to receive £5,000 Scotmid Community Connect funding, which will help us expand our Family Teatime program.
“This is something that is so needed for the local communities in North Edinburgh.”
Russell Clegg, Project Worker Living Memory Association, said:“The Living Memory Association is delighted to have received a £5,000 Community Connect funding award from Scotmid.
“This will allow us to develop new projects for older people in areas of reminiscence, celebrating lived experience and combatting the loneliness and isolation our users can often face.”
The final charity to have secured funding in the East of Scotland is The Children’s Clothing Bank Dunfermline, which provides pre-loved good quality and new clothes in a dignified manner for children aged 0-18 years in the local community.
The next round of funding has shortlisted three charities across the East, Wed and Mid Lothian. Leuchie House provides people living with neurological condition and their families with access to short respite breaks.
Play Therapy Base works with children aged 3 -14 who are experiencing emotional distress and provides a playroom that hosts 1-1 sessions with art therapists.
The Rosebery Centre supports older people living with dementia combat isolation with things like befriending, dance therapy and outings.
Winners will be announced in October.
Keen to support local good causes? Pop into your local Scotmid and pay £1 to become a member.
New menu is inspired by Edinburgh’s famous authors, their words and wisdom
One Square, The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa’s award-winning bar and brasserie, has unveiled a unique Afternoon Tea menu inspired by Edinburgh’s best storytellers and their famous tales.
Each dish will take guests on a journey of escapism through different chapters of history inspired by Edinburgh’s greatest stories, poetry and prose.
From Robert Burns to Irvine Welsh and many in between, the new afternoon tea menu draws inspiration from each storyteller’s depiction of our city and each dish represents a different chapter, fact or fiction, that will leave guests wanting to return time and time again.
One Square’s expert chefs have spent months researching both flavour and infamy to curate this one-of-a-kind menu.
The inventive menu consists of everything from Robert Burns’ Haggis Bon Bons with soured neeps chutney, to Irvine Welsh’s Lind & Lime Gin cured salmon, citrus brioche and smoked poppy seeds.
Edinburgh’s Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is represented on the new menu through a flavour-changing cucumber based sandwich with both hot and cooler taste profiles.
Other storytellers found on the sweet section of the menu are J.K Rowling and a wizard inspired Jelly Bean tart, Arthur Conan Doyle’s raspberry cranachan and an ode to Rob Roy with a dark chocolate sweet vermouth-laced sponge.
From £59 per person, guests can enjoy One Square’s afternoon tea from 12:30pm-5:00pm, Wednesday to Saturday. Vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options are available upon request.
Nick Durham, Director of Food and Beverage at The Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, explains:“Edinburgh – the world’s first UNESCO city of literature – is home to some of the greatest storytellers in the world, past and present.
“At One Square, we’re proud to have Scotland, and its stories, at the heart of everything we do. We wanted to create a menu that reflects and celebrates our deep-rooted culture and creativity. We’ve had a lot of fun designing our Afternoon Tea and believe the end result is unmatched and like no other.
“Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion or simply fancy a relaxed afternoon with friends, there really is something for everyone to enjoy.”
With many Scottish Higher students planning their next steps in life, those starting university in September can ‘tap the app’ to get National Insurance and tax information they need to complete their student finance applications, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has said.
Anyone applying for a student loan for the 2024/25 academic year is encouraged to start their application now and to get the essential details they need, including their National Insurance (NI) number, quickly and easily via the HMRC app.
HMRC data shows that in the 12 months to March 2024, more than 112,000 customers called the National Insurance Helpline asking for a lost or forgotten NI number of which nearly 50% were from customers aged between 16 and 20. It also shows May was the busiest month with more than 6,400 young people calling the helpline for their NI number, coinciding with students applying for their student loans.
HMRC is encouraging students to save time by downloading the free and easy to use HMRC app for instant access to the details they need.
Suzanne Newton, HMRC’s Director General for Change Delivery said:“Getting your NI number is simple with a tap of HMRC’s app and young people should take advantage of it.
“Download the HMRC app today straight from your phone’s app store to get all the info you need quickly and easily.”
As well as their NI number, students applying for finance will also need:
a working email address
a bank account in their own name
a valid UK passport
course details
Students can also apply for finance to help with cost of living expenses. How much they receive is dependent on household income – as well as where they live while they study. Parents or the partner of students will also need to have their NI number to hand. Visit GOV.UK for more information.
Any details missing from an application could cause a delay and may mean a delay in receiving any loan payments in time for the start of the students’ course so it’s important to keep essential details to hand.
Bill Watkin, Chief Executive of the Sixth Form Colleges Association said:“Downloading details from the HMRC app will speed up the process of applying for a student loan.
“Preparing for higher education can be a time-consuming process for sixth form students so we are pleased this will help to reduce the administrative burden on young people.”
Searching for NI information is one of the most popular searches on the HMRC app with almost 900,000 views in the last year and more than 430,000 National Insurance card downloads to customers’ digital wallets. It is available and easy to access whenever they need it.
HEALTH experts are highlighting the importance of looking after your hearing and vision to help reduce the risk of developing dementia.
Due to the similarity of their symptoms, hearing loss can, on occasions, be mistaken for early signs of dementia, particularly when someone is struggling to communicate.
However, leading research also reveals that untreated hearing loss is one of the biggest risk factors when it comes to developing dementia, and that risk increases further if you have a visual impairment too.
That is why this Dementia Action Week (May 13-19), Specsavers Home Visits team in Edinburgh is highlighting the importance of regular hearing and eye tests. The home visits team in Edinburgh provides at-home eye tests and hearing tests to people who are unable to leave their home unaccompanied due to a physical or mental illness, or disability.
Lynne Phillips, audiology partner for the Specsavers Homes Visits team in South and East Scotland, says: ‘Leading research has shown that hearing loss can cause cognitive decline which can lead to dementia[1] – with people with moderate to severe hearing loss up to five times more likely to develop the condition[2].
“For those who also have a visual impairment as well as hearing loss, studies show they are nearly twice as likely to develop dementia than those without[3], as the decline in senses could increase social isolation and place strain on the parts of the brain which are required for good cognitive function[4].
‘This is why regular sight and hearing tests are so important in helping to reduce the risk. The earlier any problems are identified, the sooner protective measures like hearing aids can be introduced.’
Specsavers also provides comprehensive training to ensure that colleagues are equipped and confident to support any customers who may have dementia.
As part of the initiative, run by the Alzheimer’s Society, colleagues who have completed the training are recognised as Dementia Friends, with a badge to wear on their uniforms to indicate their increased level of dementia awareness.
For more information about the Home Visits service visit:
A&Es in Scotland are under “constant strain” amid extended wait times and delays to patient discharge.
This is the response from The Royal College of Emergency Medicine (RCEM) as new Scottish National Party leader John Swinney lists the NHS as being among his “focus” points in power.
RCEM has called for the incoming First Minister, which is expected to be Mr Swinney as the only candidate, to address hospital discharge delays and extended A&E wait times.
The data, which covers March, shows slight improvement since February. However, it was the worst March since records began in 2011 for patients being seen within four hours of arriving at A&E.
In March, one in three people attending Scottish Emergency Departments waited four hours or more to be seen, one in eight waited eight hours or more, and one in 20 waited 12 hours or more.
There was a total of 58,646 days spent in hospital by people who were well enough to be discharged, but unable to leave due to inadequate social care.
Dr JP Loughrey, The Royal College of Emergency Medicine’s Vice President for Scotland said: “The constant strain on staff and patients is causing an immense amount of damage. They are stuck in the danger zone of a long-wait pressure gauge without enough support to relieve this alarming situation.
“Any modest improvements on February’s figures are not enough. Scotland’s new First Minister must commit to bringing about positive change by putting the nation’s healthcare at the top of their priorities.
“Delays to patients discharge from hospital is one key area to improve upon as this blocker mean Emergency Department doctors cannot admit patients, causing unacceptably long waits that are continually getting worse.
“Delays in ambulance handovers, hospital discharges and a lack of social care provisions continue to take a toll on hardworking staff who are at their limit.
Dr Loughrey added: “The College would like to congratulate John Swinney on his appointment as SNP leader. We look forward to working together to improve Emergency Care in Scotland.”
A graphic illustration of the data can be found here. The full data set can be found here.
John Swinney has been nominated as the seventh First Minister of Scotland, following a vote in the Scottish Parliament yesterday.
MSPs voted 64 to 57 to select Mr Swinney as First Minister from a total of four nominees. There were seven abstentions.
He will be officially sworn in at the Court of Session today (Wednesday), where he will take the Official Oath in front of the Lord President of the Court of Session and other senior judges.
First Minister-designate John Swinney said: “It is an extraordinary privilege and it is my honour to accept the office of First Minister, committing myself to do the best I can for Scotland.
“I will be unapologetic about bringing to this Parliament the measures we can take to eradicate child poverty and I look forward to seeking the support of others to achieve that aim. I recognise, that is how it is going to have to work. I am leading a minority Government. I will need to reach out to others to make things happen.
If we want to fund our schools and our hospitals, if we want to give our businesses a competitive edge, if we want to take climate action, if we want to eradicate child poverty, if we want to change people’s lives for the better, we have to work together to do so.
“I commit my Government to working to create that agreement across the Chamber. I hope there is the space and the willingness for that to happen in the interests of the people who sent us here.
“To the people of Scotland I would simply say this. I offer myself to be the First Minister for everyone in Scotland. I am here to serve you. I will give everything I have to build the best future for our country.”
Humzah Yousaf tenders resignation to King Charles
EARLIER yesterday Humza Yousaf, the youngest and first person of colour to hold the office of Scotland’s First Minister has formally stepped down. At his time of appointment, he was the first Muslim leader of any Western nation.
Following the First Minister’s election in March last year, he announced his intention to stand down last week, remaining in post until a new First Minister was appointed.
Mr Yousaf officially tendered his resignation in writing today to His Majesty King Charles III which has been accepted and the Scottish Parliament notified.
Humza Yousaf said: “Being the First Minister of the country I love, the country I am raising my family in, and the only country I will ever call home has been a phenomenal honour.
“As a young Muslim boy, born and raised in Scotland, I could never have dreamt that one day I would have the privilege of leading my country – people who looked like me, were not in positions of political influence, let alone leading governments when I was younger.
“I am proud to have delivered a council tax freeze for households in every local authority in Scotland, invested record amounts in our National Health Service, removed peak fares on our railways, and approved plans for Europe’s largest floating offshore windfarm. And through our actions, an estimated 100,000 children are expected to be kept out of poverty this year.
“From the backbenches of the Scottish Parliament, I will continue to champion the rights and the voices of those who are often not heard, be they at home or abroad.”
First Minister Humza Yousaf’s letter to His Majesty King Charles III:
Your Majesty,
With my humble duty, I write as anticipated in my letter to Your Majesty of 29 April to tender to Your Majesty my resignation from the office of First Minister. I propose that my resignation take effect from the start of Scottish parliamentary plenary business on Tuesday 7 May 2024.
Throughout my time as First Minister, I have been most grateful for your counsel and the kindness you have shown to both Nadia and I.
It has been my pleasure to serve Your Majesty and the people of Scotland since March 2023.
To celebrate Pride Month, The Real Mary King’s Close is once hosting a series of educational and thought-provoking ‘Pride History Tours’, designed to reveal the hidden histories of LGBTQIA+ community life in Edinburgh from as far back as 1546 until 1912.
The LGBTQIA+ community tend to be missing from the history books, and it can often be difficult to imagine the struggles they had to face throughout the centuries.
This one-hour guided tour, led by the renowned Scottish poet, Robert Fergusson, or Marie Maitland, allows guests the chance to journey beneath the iconic Royal Mile to learn about key moments in history, influential figures who paved the way for change, and those who tried to stand in their way.
Whilst wandering through the now-hidden streets, guests will discover real stories from real people. During the tour, Sophia Jex-Blake and Dr James Barry will also shed light on their successes as well as the struggles they faced as LGBTQIA+ identifying members of the community.
During Pride month, it’s important to look back as well as forward, to realise how much the discourse around sexuality has evolved over the years.
The vocabulary and terms used today to describe sexuality didn’t exist until around the mid-20th century. When talking of homosexuality from the 16th to 19th century, it was described in various terms such as “buggery” and “sodomy”.
If someone was seen to be disobeying the heteronormative codes of society, they would be brutally condemned, ostracised and even sentenced to death.
Participation in The Real Mary King’s Close Pride Tours will provide guests with a deeper understanding and nuanced insight of the history of the LGBTQIA+ community in Edinburgh and in Scotland.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “We’re so excited that our Pride Tours are back for Pride Month.
“Each year they grow with popularity with guests wanting to celebrate and learn about the diversity, resilience, and the importance of inclusivity throughout the centuries.
“The aim of the tours is to encourage acceptance and community through storytelling, and we hope we have encapsulated this in our specially curated tour.
“We can’t wait to welcome everyone, share our knowledge of the past, and help shape the future.”
Tours will be running throughout June, every Friday and Saturday at 16.00 and 17.30. Prices are £30 per adult / £24 per child.
For self-employed individuals in the UK, understanding and complying with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) regulations is crucial.
Managing your own tax affairs can be complex, and certain aspects of the rules are frequently overlooked, leading to errors that can be costly.
Adam Collins, CEO of Ignite SEO aims to highlight common mistakes made by self-employed individuals and offer guidance on how to avoid them:
Failing to Register for Self-Assessment on Time
One of the first steps you need to take as a newly self-employed individual is to register for Self-Assessment. This needs to be done by the 5th of October in your business’s second tax year. Missing this deadline can result in penalties, and you risk getting caught up in last-minute hassles to sort your taxes.
Misunderstanding Expense Deductions
Determining what expenses can be claimed is critical for the self-employed. While you are allowed to deduct legitimate business expenses to reduce your taxable income, not all expenses are allowable.
For instance, personal expenses must be strictly separated from business ones. Common missteps include improperly claiming home office expenses or the cost of commuting, which is not deductible unless it’s travel to a temporary workplace.
Poor Record Keeping
Accurate record-keeping is vital but often neglected by the self-employed. HMRC requires you to keep records of your income and expenses for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline of the relevant tax year. Failure to maintain proper records can lead to inaccurate tax returns and the potential for stressful and costly audits.
Ignoring National Insurance Contributions
Many self-employed people overlook the importance of National Insurance Contributions (NICs). There are two types you might need to pay: Class 2 if your profits are above a small earnings threshold, and Class 4 if your profits exceed a lower limit. Not understanding or forgetting these contributions can lead to unexpected bills and penalties.
Inadequate Planning for Tax Payments
Tax payments can be a significant financial burden if not planned for adequately. Self-employed individuals are required to pay their taxes through Self-Assessment by the 31st of January each year, and those with significant tax bills must also make payments on account, which are advance payments towards the next year’s tax bill, due in January and July. Failing to budget for these can lead to cash flow issues.
Overlooking VAT Registration
If your annual turnover exceeds the current VAT threshold of £90,000, you must register for VAT. Many self-employed individuals either register too late or fail to register at all, which can lead to penalties and a backdated tax bill. Even if you don’t exceed the threshold, voluntary registration might benefit you by allowing you to reclaim VAT on purchases.
Adam Collins, CEO of Ignite SEO says: “Being self-employed brings the freedom to manage your own business, but it also requires diligence in handling your tax affairs.
“By being aware of these common pitfalls and actively working to avoid them, you can ensure that you stay compliant with HMRC’s regulations and avoid unnecessary penalties.
“Regularly updating your knowledge and possibly consulting with a tax professional can also help manage the complexities associated with self-employment taxes.”
The 2024 Royal Highland Show is set to surprise and delight show-goers with ‘acres of epicness’
The Royal Highland Show, produced by Scotland’s agricultural charity, RHASS (Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland) is, promising an unforgettable event for all attendees in it’s 202nd year.
Highlighting what might be perceived as the more unexpected elements of the show, from mountain biking displays to the interactive and immersive Honey Marquee, show organisers have created a buzz around the 2024 event with the launch its new creative campaign – The Royal Highland Ohh!
Captivating audiences with the delightfully surprising array of attractions and activities on offer at the show, some of the elements featured in the campaign include:
For the foodies: Stuffed full of food and drink, the show offers boundless opportunities to sample Scotland’s finest produce including cookery demos with top chefs and a huge choice of food vendors serving everything from haggis neeps and tatties (The Haggis Box), freshly prepared fish and chips and lobster rolls (Alandas) to crisp hot churros (Jordan Events) and Greek gyros. A treasure trove of culinary delights, visitors can also explore Scotland’s Larder in association with The Scotsman which brings together hundreds of brands offering cheeses, fruits, oils, chocolates, spirits and more.
For families: A key attraction for families, the RHET Discovery Centre is the perfect entertaining and educational base for younger visitors to the show. With a full programme of drop-in and bookable activities, kids can try their hand at milking Mabel the (fiberglass) cow, learn how to cook with lamb, take part in guided sessions such as honey tasting, candle making and viewing bees, and so much more.
With a dedicated kid zone located in the Countryside Area, there is plenty of fun for all the family to enjoy including hands on skills training with Tree-ditions Woodland Crafts School, live Sealpin Gundogs demonstrations, Elite Falconry’s birds of prey flying demonstrations, and the opportunity to get involved with creating a large willow lantern with Wild Rose Escapes.
Tickets to the show for children age 15 and under are free of charge.
For the shopaholic: For the avid shoppers, a vast range of retail opportunities await spread across numerous shopping villages, offering clothing, shoes, crafts, gifts, pet supplies, art, toys and a range of premium shopping outlets which can be found at the Countryside Village. Event attendees also might be surprised to find the Renewable Village, offering a variety of sustainable products and services including wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, tidal, biomass companies and more.
This year the Home and Gift Hall has had a layout revamp and now includes the Scottish Handcrafts Championships.
For the thrill seekers: Delivering the action and drama, sparks will fly in the heat of Farriery competition, equine entrants will be saddled up for show jumping and the daredevil BMX riders will be showing off their flips and tricks. Over in the forestry arena, visitors will be on the edge of their seats as they are entertained by axe throwers, live chainsaw carving, and pole climbers.
For the traditionalists: The many traditional aspects of the show will continue to provide weekend-long entertainment. Watch as the country’s top shearers battle it out for the esteemed title of Scottish National Champion or head to the main ring to see the Heavy Horse Turnouts. The spectacle of the Sixes taking place on Sunday is another one not to be missed.
For music lovers: For those wearing their dancing shoes, the West Stage line-up is not to be missed. Performances to suit all music tastes from folk rock and swing to reggae and opera will take place in addition to daily ceilidh sessions.
Additionally, tickets are available to purchase for the Royal Highland Hoolie presented with Farmers Bash which is back with eight live folk and country music acts performing on the evenings of Friday 21 and Saturday 22 June, including headline acts Tide Lines and Derek Ryan.
David Tennant, head of show for RHASS said: “While tradition remains at the heart of the show, the event is far from conventional. Each year we build and grow on the last with an ever-increasing focus on sustainability while ensuring we continue to elevate the visitor experience.
“The show is renowned for its historic and traditional aspects, namely the livestock competitions and parades, however, over the years the show has developed so far beyond that, and we are excited to put a spotlight on some of the elements that visitors might not expect to find over the weekend.
“Last year, we were delighted to welcome 217,000 people to the Royal Highland Show and we look forward to building on the events success as we welcome even more visitors, both retuning patrons and newcomers, to the venue for 2024.”
The Royal Highland Show has revitalised the format of RHS TV for 2024, which will now be produced as a 1-hour daily programme featuring key event highlights, interviews, and stories. The programme will broadcast on Freeview channel and will also be available to watch on demand on the Royal Highland Show Website.
Having run successfully for over two centuries, The Royal Highland Show remains the biggest fundraising event for RHASS.
Supported by the Royal Bank of Scotland, the 2024 Royal Highland Show will take place across four days at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, from 20th – 23rd June, promising an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages.
For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit:
