Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Calls for house builders to join initiative to expedite the delivery of 11,000 affordable, net-zero-ready homes

In response to the growing demand for affordable, net-zero-ready housing in the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal (ESESCRD), the partners behind the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator (EHD) programme are putting out a call to house builders to engage with the programme and expedite the delivery of planned housing projects. 

The EHD pipeline initiative aims to expedite the construction of 11,000 homes within the next five years that have been identified as part of a larger pipeline of 25,000 homes spanning the six local authority areas in the ESESCRD area.

House builders who engage will implement the EHD typologies for affordable net-zero-ready homes which have been developed, tested, and optimised throughout the programme’s three pilot projects.

The EHD model is centred around collaborative procurement, whole life costing, development pipeline, and increased standardisation of housing types.

Now, the focus of EHD is on leveraging the lessons learned through the pilot projects to streamline the delivery of high-quality, affordable net-zero-ready homes in the region. This open call by the South East Regional Delivery Alliance is for industry and public sector house builders to actively participate in the expedited delivery of 11,000 net zero homes.

House builders engaging with the South East Regional Delivery Alliance’s open call will benefit from access to EHD’s resources and expertise to support the adoption of the EHD delivery model through collaborative procurement by bundling sites, standardising products and embracing offsite manufacturing. By doing so, house builders will be able to drive economies of scale, realise whole life cost savings and support the Scottish Government’s net-zero targets for affordable homes.

Figure 1: Regional Delivery Alliance Model and Outcomes

House builders who are interested in finding out more about how to engage and benefit from EHD are encouraged to contact Sinclair Young, EHD Programme Manager – Development & Regeneration at The City of Edinburgh Council through the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator website: https://edinburgh-home-demonstrator.org/contact

The Scottish Futures Trust construction forecast tool is also available to provide a comprehensive understanding of the construction pipeline across the whole of Scotland.

Marjory Mackie, Housing Strategy and Development Manager at West Lothian Council, said: “Along with the other local authorities in the Regional Delivery Alliance, we are excited to invite home builders to engage with the Edinburgh Home Demonstrator programme.

“By embracing the EHD typologies and leveraging the collaborative approach, builders will not only contribute to meeting the growing demand for housing but also reap the many economic and design benefits. 

“If we can accelerate the delivery of high-quality, affordable, net-zero-ready homes, we can make a significant impact on the affordable housing landscape in the City Region Deal area, while lowering emissions.” 

Alex Goodfellow, CEO at Donaldson Offsite, said: “The EHD programme is an excellent example of industry working in partnership with government bodies and with the support of academia.

“The high-quality research and development work has helped to produce a commercially viable contribution to the current housing challenges we face, while the suite of low carbon home designs created using offsite timber systems demonstrate the collective capability of the Scottish design, manufacturing and development community. ”

For more information, visit: https://edinburgh-home-demonstrator.org/

Care home residents seek pen pals to support language learning

Care home residents have put out a call for their foreign care home counterparts to get involved with an engaging new pen pal scheme. 

This cross-cultural endeavour aims to promote language learning and build meaningful friendships among seniors in both communities. 

The call comes after residents at Renaissance Care Group homes engaged in foreign language lessons with Glasgow based charity, Lingo Flamingo.  

Residents are now eager to expand their horizons and delve into the language learned through correspondence with pen pals from a care facility across the globe. 

The initiative not only provides an enriching language learning experience but also creates an opportunity for residents to share stories, experiences, and foster lasting connections across borders. 

Two residents of Renaissance Care’s Glencairn Care Home in Edinburgh, Tom Caskie, 83, and Charles Menzies, 86, started German lessons three months ago, building on a lifelong love of languages. 

Tom, 83, a retired civil engineer from Islay, first developed his love of languages after emigrating to Canada to pursue a career in civil engineering. He became fluent in French and picked up a good understanding of Italian and Spanish as he travelled the world, living in a variety of exotic locations, including East Pakistan, Tanzania and Nigeria. 

Tom said: “I’ve always been fascinated by different languages and cultures. I chose to learn German this time around as this was completely new challenge to me. The lessons have been incredibly interesting, including German geography, culture and music throughout. I find the culture fascinating and listening to more German music in my free time.  

“If I could give young people one piece of advice, it is to try and pick up a new language. It opens you up to a different world – there’s a whole new treasure chest of music, films and books out there to enjoy.” 

Joining Tom on his language learning mission is 86-year-old Charles Menzies. For Charles, the Lingo Flamingo sessions are a refresher on the German language, which he originally picked up while working in Germany as a teacher.  

A true language aficionado, Charles is also fluent in French and Russian, along with having a strong understanding of Spanish and Polish. 

Charles said: “The German lessons have made me feel nostalgic for my time in Germany as a young man. I loved living there and made so many happy memories. I very nearly never left!  

“It’s great to be using the language again. I look forward to our weekly lessons. They get your brain engaged and challenge you to think outside the box. That’s important to staying sharp.  

“My interest in languages has been a true asset throughout the years. I’ve been able to experience so much, like living in a foreign country independently, because of them. You never know where life is going to take you – a second language can open so many doors for you.” 

Activities like Lingo Flamingo are central to Renaissance Care’s wellbeing strategy. Residents are encouraged and supported to take part in events that are tailored to their specific needs and interests, benefitting both their physical and mental health. 

Jozi Stables, care home manager at Glencairn said: “Charlie and Tom are proof that it is never too late to learn a new skill. 

“At Glencairn, we pride ourselves on catering to residents’ actual interests and hobbies. It’s all about creating meaningful activities that residents can fully engage with and feel fulfilled by. We try and facilitate any activity that our residents would be interested with – even if that is creating new friends across borders. No ask is too big or small for us.” 

Glencairn is a bespoke private residential home offering residents accommodation akin to that found in a small boutique-style hotel. It is located in the prestigious Grange area of Edinburgh and just a short walk to the popular Meadows.  

Glencairn Care Home is part of the Renaissance Care Group, it currently operates 17 homes located across Scotland and currently provides care provision for 760 residents and employs around 1,150 staff.  

Pen pal slots will be subject to availability across the 17 Renaissance Care owned homes. For more information, please contact renaissance@bigpartnership.co.uk. 

Get involved in Spring Clean Scotland

15 MARCH – 28 APRIL

The theme of this years #SpringCleanScotland is Nature, Communities, Health & Wellbeing and Marine Litter. 🌍

You can help us #KeepScotlandBeautiful by organising or joining a litter pick or by completeing a litter survey. 🚮

Find out more here 👉https://www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/springclean

cus-info-packDownload

Letter: Children’s Mental Health Week

Dear Editor

This week marks Children’s Mental Health Week (5th-11th February), shining a spotlight on the importance of children and young people’s mental health.

The rise in such problems over recent years has previously been labelled as a mental health energy and one of the greatest public health challenges of our times.  These problems are even more worrying when they concern the mental fitness of our younger generations, and how we are preparing them to face the growing challenges of entering adulthood.

Against this backdrop, our mental health services are however facing overwhelming and unprecedented pressures, which existed even before the pandemic and are becoming further exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis.

Too many of our young people are waiting too long for treatment and the rapidly escalating number of those seeking support, faced with inadequate services, could potentially lead to a lost generation of vulnerable children and young people who are missing out on the support they vitally need.

Against the perfect storm of a mental health crisis combined with the long shadow of lockdown and the rising cost of living, we must not lose sight of the challenges that our children and young people are facing, renewing our efforts in a national crusade to ensure that they receive adequate mental health support.

Yours faithfully

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition:

Kenny Graham, Falkland House School

Lynn Bell, LOVE Learning

Stephen McGhee, Spark of Genius

Niall Kelly, Young Foundations

42 Charlotte Square

Edinburgh EH2 4HQ

Tel: 0131 603 8996

Scottish Government consultation: Have you say on Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill

The Scottish Government’s consultation on a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence Bill is open until 21 April 2024.

The proposals aim to better protect, respect and champion the rights of autistic and neurodivergent people, and those with learning disabilities.

Have your say ➡️http://consult.gov.scot/…/learning-disabilities-autism…

Duncan Place Community Choir

LOVE SINGING?

Duncan Place Community Choir in Leith are welcoming new members! Come and give-it-a-go at our trial session tomorrow – Tuesday 6th February – 7pm til 8:45pm. £5 per person.

If you enjoy the trial session, we’re inviting folks (who can come along regularly) to join our upcoming eight-week block (£40) which runs Tuesday 20th February until Tuesday 9th April.

To book a space on the trial session, or for more information, get in touch via email on events@duncanplace.org or by calling 0131 3644350.

Experts discuss ways to improve brain tumour diagnosis in Scotland

A Glasgow-based company which is developing a diagnostic tool to detect brain tumours is one of the organisations taking part in roundtable discussions today – 5 February – to review the brain tumour diagnosis pathway in Scotland. 

GPs, NHS representatives, researchers, representatives from the Chief Scientist’s Office, the Scottish Steering Committee and The Brain Tumour Charity – representing the patient voice – are also taking part in the meeting at The Royal College of Physicians in Edinburgh.  

More than 1,000 people in Scotland are diagnosed with a brain or central nervous system tumour each year1 so there is an urgent need to prioritise better care. In addition, The Charity’s Improving Brain Tumour Care surveys show one in three people visit their GP more than five times before they are diagnosed.  

Now Dxcover Limited is working alongside researchers at the University of Edinburgh to develop a blood test and AI algorithms that could enable earlier diagnosis in primary care settings by analysing blood samples to look for signs of a brain tumour. Early research suggests that this technology could offer a promising diagnostic tool, although more testing is required.

Dxcover
Dxcover1

Cameron Miller, Director of Policy and Strategy at The Brain Tumour Charity said: “This roundtable is a stepping stone to ensure that the right conversations are taking place while these diagnostic tools are being developed.

“When they are ready for patients, we want to ensure that they can access them as quickly as possible. It is also key to ensuring policymakers truly understand the barriers to brain tumour diagnosis and the need to improve current diagnostic pathways.” 

Brain tumours can be hard to diagnose due to their non-specific symptoms, including headaches, vomiting and visual disturbances. An early diagnostic test to help identify which people with these symptoms are most likely to have a brain tumour would help prioritise demand on imaging facilities such as MRI and CT scans.  

Dxcover is currently running a performance evaluation study across seven sites in the UK and Europe, to understand the effectiveness and viability of their technology.  

Prof. Matthew J. Baker, CEO of Dxcover said: “Dxcover has patients at the heart of its thinking. This roundtable is key to changing the picture for brain tumour patients and one which we are excited to be a part of.  

“We have recently launched our EMBRACE study – a pan-Europe 2,200 patient performance evaluation of the Dxcover® brain cancer liquid biopsy which will enable CE marking and provide a much-needed tool for patients.” 

Dr Paul Brennan, Reader and Honorary Consultant Neurosurgeon at the University of Edinburgh said: “During several clinical studies involving patients in Scotland we have demonstrated that the Dxcover test is an efficient and effective strategy for brain tumour detection. 

“The next step is to find the best route to implement this test into routine care and this roundtable brings together the stakeholders needed to achieve that.” 

To find out more about The Brain Tumour Charity’s work with policymakers and healthcare professionals, visit thebraintumourcharity.org 

Campaign to silence tinnitus for good during Tinnitus Week

“I haven’t heard silence for 8 years” – Jamie Laing  

TV personality, podcaster and entrepreneur, Jamie Laing, has been living with tinnitus since 2016. For Tinnitus Week (5-11 February) Jamie has joined forces with RNID, the charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, to share his story and help RNID raise funds for research to silence tinnitus for good. 

Jamie talks about the moment he first experienced the condition, describing it as a sudden and overwhelming sensation. Eight years on, he details the impact of tinnitus on his daily life, highlighting its disruptive nature and the difficulty of finding relief from the persistent ringing in his ears. 

Jamie shares his story here 

Tinnitus is the name for hearing noises that are not caused by an outside source. It’s common – around 1 in 7 adults have tinnitus all the time or regularly. The condition sounds different for different people.

Many people describe their tinnitus as a ringing sound, but tinnitus can also be heard as other sounds, such as buzzing, whooshing, clicking, humming, and hissing, to name a few, or even be a combination of sounds.  

Jamie Laing said: “I haven’t heard silence for 8 years. The very first time I ever heard tinnitus, I woke up one morning and I got out of bed, and I could hear this ringing noise.

“And I was looking around, thinking where the hell is this noise coming from? Then it suddenly dawned on me that it was inside my own head. For anyone who’s ever experienced tinnitus that is a really scary moment.  

“I would spend a lot of time in nightclubs, but I never wore anything to protect my ears. I should have done and everyone should be protecting their ears. My tinnitus sounds like a dog whistle, with a whooshing noise surrounding it as well.  

“So it takes me a lot to cry and I was shooting a television show called Hunted, and in it my tinnitus was so bad. People were asking me questions and I couldn’t hear what they were saying because the ringing was so overbearing. It was so loud, and I was like, this is the moment. This is the moment where tinnitus is going to take over.  

“The amazing thing is RNID is doing some incredible work, and through this amazing campaign they are raising money which will go directly towards tinnitus research to silence tinnitus for good.” 

Franki Oliver, Audiology Manager at RNID, said: “Tinnitus is in fact much more common than many people realise. Around 1 in 7 adults have tinnitus; that’s over 7 million adults in the UK!

“There is support out there with a range of professional tinnitus management options as well as self-management techniques available that can be helpful. 

“Thank you to Jamie Laing for sharing his story and raising awareness of tinnitus and how RNID can support people living with the condition.” 

Download your free tinnitus guide at rnid.org.uk/tinnitus  

Tinnitus Facts: 

·        Tinnitus is in fact more common than many people realise. Around 1 in 7 adults have tinnitus. That’s over 7 million adults in the UK. 

·        Tinnitus sounds different for different people. Many people describe their tinnitus as a ringing sound, but some people hear other sounds such as buzzing, whooshing, clicking, hissing, or even a combination of sounds. 

·        Tinnitus is known to be more common in people with hearing loss. However, people without hearing loss can also have tinnitus.   

·        Tinnitus can be caused by loud noise exposure, but this is not the only cause. Tinnitus can be caused by certain ear conditions and other medical conditions. and other medical conditions. Sometimes there is no clear cause. 

Jet2 sale and free child places launched for last-minute February half-term getaways

Enjoy a last-minute getaway this February half-term with Jet2holidays

  • Jet away with Jet2holidays this February half-term for a memorable break with all the family
  • Winter sale from UK’s largest operator means families can snap up a last-minute deal to Antalya, Paphos or Lanzarote
  • More Free Child Place holidays available too across school holidays – on top of millions already available means families can get away for even less

Families seeking a fun-packed February half-term getaway, should look no further than Jet2holidays, as the UK’s largest tour operator has launched a fantastic sale and added hundreds of thousands of Free Child Place holidays across the 2024 school holidays – on top of millions already available.

Whether you want to bask in the warming winter rays of Lanzarote or enjoy a family trip filled with exciting activities in Antalya or Paphos this February half-term, Jet2holidays is offering families the chance to do just that for even less, with a host of last-minute breaks available to the most sought-after family friendly destinations.

With the recent addition of hundreds of thousands of Free Child Place holidays across the 2024 school holidays, on top of the millions that are already available, plus this sale, families seeking to escape the chilly UK weather for cosier climates across Europe and the Mediterranean, can do so for even less and create lasting memories with all the family in the sunshine.

Package holiday options with Jet2holidays offer ease for families, combining accommodation, VIP customer service, in-resort Customer Helpers and return transfers, as well as flights with Jet2.com and a 22kg baggage allowance in one ATOL protected holiday.

With February half-term fast approaching and up to £240 off for families of four, plus Free Child Place Holidays, there’s never been a better time to treat the family to a last-minute getaway with Jet2holidays.

Antalya – Turkey

Antalya’s stunning natural landscape and ancient ruins make the perfect playground for families to explore throughout the pleasant Winter season.

Head down to Turkey’s finest beaches to marvel at the stunning coastline views. With an abundance of culture and cuisine to unpack, Antalya is ideal for families seeking both a relaxing and adventurous holiday.

Sample packages:

Jet2holidays – Turkey, Antalya Area, Lara Beach, 3 star Grand Park Lara, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from Birmingham on 10th February 2024.

Price: £519 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Turkey, Antalya Area, Lara Beach, 4+ star Aska Lara Resort and Spa, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from Manchester on 11th February 2024.

Price: £599 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Turkey, Antalya Area, Side, 4 star Side Royal Palace Hotel and Spa, 7 nights all-inclusive plus departing from London Stansted on 10th February 2024.

Price: £669 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Paphos – Cyprus

The whole family can kick back and relax in the laid-back resort of Paphos, located on the sunny south-west coast of Cyprus. Inviting tavernas line up along the picturesque harbour to offer a taste of authentic Mediterranean cuisine. With a choice of beaches, shopping malls, UNESCO-listed historical sites and a zoo, there are exciting activities to suit every itinerary.

Sample packages:

Jet2holidays – Cyprus, Paphos Resort, 3+ star Mayfair Gardens, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from East Midlands on 11th February 2024.

Price: £439 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Cyprus, Paphos Resort, 5 star Olympic Lagoon Resort Paphos, 7 nights all-inclusive plus departing from London Stansted on 10th February 2024.

Price: £769 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Cyprus, Cyprus Paphos Airport, Paphos Resort, 4 star Mayfair Hotel, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from Manchester on 11th February 2024.

Price: £469 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Lanzarote

Sunshine-seeking families will adore the impressively warm winter weather in Lanzarote, making the Spanish island the ideal destination to escape to in February. Offering delightful beaches and awe-inspiring mountain views, Lanzarote presents incredible opportunities to create memories under the sun. With an array of vibrant resorts to choose from, you’ll be longing to return time after time.

Sample packages:

Jet2holidays – Canary Islands, Lanzarote, Costa Teguise, 3 star Bluebay Lanzarote, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from Glasgow on 11th February 2024.

Price: £689 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Canary Islands, Lanzarote, Playa Blanca, 4 star Elba Lanzarote Royal Village Resort, 7 nights half-board departing from Bristol on 11th February 2024.

Price: £839 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

Jet2holidays – Canary Islands, Lanzarote, Costa Teguise, 4 star Los Zocos Lanzarote, 7 nights all-inclusive departing from Leeds Bradford on 11th February 2024.

Price: £899 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.               

Jet2holidays – Canary Islands, Lanzarote, Playa Blanca, 4 star Livvo Hotels Mirador Papagayo, 7 nights half-board departing from Birmingham on 11th February 2024.

Price: £629 per person based on 2 adults and 2 children (aged 3 & 4) sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance and return transfers.

For further information, please visit www.jet2holidays.com

All prices and availability correct at the time of issue.