We are seeking a few new volunteers to help with our new ‘Digital Inclusion Project’
If you think you have the skills to help others with mobile phones and tablet computers and apps for communication, information and leisure please email corstorphinehubdevelopment@gmail.com for a role description and application form.
Thank you!
Police are appealing for information after a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted in the Corstorphine area.
The incident happened at around 6.40pm on Saturday (7 November). She was walking from the direction of the Tesco Extra store at Corstorphine and turned onto Broomhall Road at a convenience store and hair salon.
She was aware of a man following her along Broomhall Road. As she approached the junction of Broomhall Road and Broomhall Loan, she was approached from behind by the man, who asked her for the time.
He then assaulted her before running off along Broomhall Road towards Meadow Place Road.
He is described as white, around 30 to 40-years-old with short black hair and fair eyebrows. He was wearing a black mask and a black padded jacket.
Detective Sergeant Mark Seymour said: “We are appealing to anyone who was in the area both before and after this incident who may have seen this man or know who he is. In particular we are asking anyone with dash-cam footage or private CCTV that may have picked up anything suspicious to get in touch.
“Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1676 of Sunday, 8 November, 2020, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Additional support will be made available to Scots recovering from cancer and those who have survived sexual abuse thanks to £3.3 million of National Lottery funding announced today.
The Beatson Cancer Charity and Edinburgh Rape Crisis are amongst 141 Scottish groups receiving awards from The National Lottery Community Fund. Thanks to National Lottery players, the funding will help to create a network of support around those who need it most during the COVID-19 crisis and beyond.
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre will be able to extend the specialist support it offers thanks to an award of £350,000.
Its three-year project, ‘Trauma and Counselling Support for Survivors of Sexual Violence,’ will support adult survivors of sexual violence across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian. In particular, the funding will enable the Centre to further develop its ‘Still I Am’ (SIA) project for survivors from Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities aged 16 and over, who have had any form of unwanted sexual experience.
Over the next three years, The Centre will be able to reach out to many more people like Queen*. Welcoming the funding, she said: “I am very happy and excited that the SIA project got further funding because it has changed my life.
“I do not know what I would have done without this service and without counselling. I feel that SIA has changed not only mine but also my children’s lives because I can be there for them too. I am very grateful, and I would like to thank The National Lottery Community Fund for their decision because that means the SIA service will help more women like me in the future. Thank you so much.”
Caroline Burrell, Centre Director, Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this award from the National Lottery Community Fund. It recognises not only the vital work we have done over many years supporting survivors of sexual violence, but also the very pressing need to continue to provide our life-changing services.
“Sexual violence, which includes rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, devastates lives, and without effective support its impacts can be lifelong.
“Over the next three years our trauma-informed work will support hundreds of survivors to build a life beyond sexual violence and abuse. In particular this funding will enable us to further develop our SIA project for survivors of sexual violence from Black and minority ethnic (BME) communities aged 16 and over, who have had any form of unwanted sexual experience.”
This group will deliver specialist trauma-informed support to survivors of sexual violence in Edinburgh, East Lothian and Midlothian. Survivors of rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse will receive emotional support, group support and advocacy support helping them to move on from trauma, and to build their confidence and resilience.
Two more local ‘winners’ in this round of grants are LifeCare and carers organisation VOCAL, who receive £80,000 and £41,000 respectively.
LifeCare, the older people’s support organisation based in Stockbridge, will use their funding to continue its project matching people over 60 (known as the VIPs) with volunteers, aged from 17-92, to facilitate one to one friendships between the VIPs, volunteers and the larger community they create when coming together as part of the wider Vintage Vibes VIP/Volunteer community.
VOCAL, based on Leith Walk, will use the funding to continue development of their short breaks service for carers which provides respite to people with caring responsibilities. VOCAL will also review their short breaks offer in light of the COVID-19 impact, extend the range of short breaks opportunities for carers and develop a social enterprise business proposal for carer holiday accommodation.
Edinburgh-based organisations Corstorphine Dynamo FC, ELREC, Friends of Saughton Park, Governors of Dean Orphanage and Cauvin’s Trust, Grassmarket Community Project, Leith Civic Trust, Pregnancy & Parents Centre, Prestonfield & District Neighbourhood Workers Project, Thistle Health and Wellbeing and YWCA Scotland received support ranging from £5000 right up to Thistle’s £120,000.
Elsewhere in Scotland, breast cancer survivor Susan McGoldrick, 56, welcomed an award of £269,800 to Beatson Cancer Charity for a three-year programme of therapeutic support.
This programme will help hundreds of people across the West of Scotland who are recovering from cancer to better deal with anxiety and any fears of recurrence they may have following completion of or changes to their treatment.
Susan, from Lenzie, completed the pilot programme last month following a cancer diagnosis in 2019. She said: “This National Lottery funding will make a huge difference to many people like me. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I joined and with the programme only being six weeks long and virtual due to COVID-19 restrictions, I wasn’t sure what I would achieve.
“But I have to say it has been a revelation and I feel like a brand, new woman. I have learned so much and feel transformed and it has even inspired me to make recent radical changes in my life. I would like to encourage many more patients to attend if they can.”
The six-week programme of therapeutic groupwork will help people to develop their own coping strategies and will work with them as they develop their own personal plans to engage more with day to day life, their families and the wider community.
Martin Cawley, CEO of Beatson Cancer Charity, said: “We are delighted at the award of this very important grant. The medical treatment process for cancer is difficult enough for people to cope with, but when you add the psychological impact on top, it is especially challenging.
“Even when people have successfully been through their treatment programmes there is always an underlying worry about cancer recurrence. This project supports people to develop their own coping skills, this in turn strengthens their resilience and recovery even further.
“This grant will help greatly as part of the cancer journey and allow many more patients to become involved over next three years. Everyone at Beatson Cancer Charity is absolutely thrilled. Thank you to The National Lottery players without whom this grant would not be possible.”
Announcing today’s funding totalling £3,332,722, The National Lottery Community Fund’s Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “Projects across the country continue to make an amazing contribution the nation-wide response combatting the impact of COVID-19 on communities across Scotland.
“Today’s funding will help thousands more people like Susan and Queen, whose inspiring testimonies highlight how important it is to have a tailored package of support when you are going through the most challenging of circumstances.
“The comfort of knowing someone who understands your journey is at the end of the phone or forms part of a group network of support cannot be under-estimated. This is vital work which we are delighted to support, and all made possible thanks to National Lottery players.”
The National Lottery Community Fund is currently focusing its National Lottery funding in Scotland on those projects which are supporting organisations and communities to respond to the challenge of COVID-19.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk
*Name has been changed to ensure anonymity
Proposals for a Low Traffic Neighbourhood in East Craigs will be considered by Transport and Environment Committee this morning (Thursday 1 October).
The temporary measures are being proposed as part of our Spaces for People programme and, following concerns raised by the local community, will be brought to committee for a final decision by councillors.
In response to feedback from residents, the design of the scheme has been amended to ensure that every area in the Low Traffic Neighbourhood can access (entry and/or exit) two of the major distributor roads, Drum Brae, Glasgow Road or Maybury Road.
The council says that by making these amendments, it will alleviate the requirement for right turns across Drum Brae South and Glasgow Road, which have been key concerns of residents. However, it will also ensure that routes used by vehicles to avoid the A8 corridor are closed, particularly during Craigmount High School’s opening and closing times. In addition, it will take traffic away from the West Edinburgh Link north-south cycle route.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convenor, said: Low Traffic Neighbourhoods allow residents to move around their own areas safely and with more space. They encourage physical activity and reduce through traffic.
“We know through feedback we have received that local people want to see measures improved for walking, wheeling and cycling and this is an opportunity to make this a reality on a temporary basis.
“However, we recognise that a number of people have been opposed to the measures we are looking to implement, so we felt it was right to refer this matter to the Transport and Environment Committee for proper scrutiny by elected members.
“We have listened carefully to local concerns and are proposing a number of changes to address the issues raised by the community. This will make vehicle access easier for local residents while moving ahead with some elements that will bring positive changes for residents. There is also a clear commitment to continue monitoring its effect and to modify it where necessary.
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convenor, said: “We know that Low Traffic Neighbourhoods reduce emissions and calm traffic due to the number of successful schemes that have already been implemented across the UK.
“Nevertheless, there is local opposition to this scheme and it should be discussed and agreed by the Transport and Environment Committee before we take steps to implement. We will continue to engage with residents and stakeholders regarding this matter and ensure that their voices are heard as we move forward.”
The report will also consider other potential Low Traffic Neighbourhoods across the city, including the Meadows, Leith and the South Corstorphine area.
The East Craigs Low Traffic Neighbourhood involves temporary measures and is not a permanent scheme. Once implemented we will continue to monitor its success and engage with local residents. If a view is taken to make the scheme permanent full consultation with residents would take place.
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are used in a number of cities to reduce the impact of through motor traffic. They create people-friendly spaces which encourage physical activity and active travel choices while maintaining local access. Our consultation on the West Edinburgh Link (WEL) project showed support for proposals to improve conditions for active travel. We also received a number of suggestions via our Commonplace online tool on how the area could be made safer for residents.
Read the full report, Spaces for People – East Craigs Low Traffic Neighbourhood, online. Watch Transport Committee live via webcast from 10am on Thursday, 1 October.
The amended measures for the East Craigs scheme include –
Self-contained, separately ventilated salons offer a more controlled approach, ensuring an uplift in post-pandemic treatments
According to the National Health and Beauty Federation, the beauty industry has suffered approximately £1.75b in losses since the beginning of the pandemic*.
With government guidelines being relaxed and reintroduced daily, businesses are at a loss to know which services to offer and how to host clients safely. However, the Salon Studios business model offers the perfect solution to post-pandemic pampering for COVID anxious and higher risk categories, as well as those who simply wish to have more control: by reducing their exposure to the masses whilst completely personalising the experience.
A reinvention of the traditional salon ownership, Salon Studios offers self-contained, separately ventilated, move-in ready salons, for self-employed salon professionals who would like to provide a one-to-one service for clients.
This standard has allowed salonpreneurs to get back to work quicker and easier, without the massive overheads, and feel safe in their salon as they operate a one-salon-one-client model. Short leases and low weekly fees have meant an influx of interested parties contacting Salon Studios founder, Roz Colthart, so much so the first location in Corstorphine, Edinburgh, is filled and there is a significant waiting list.
Roz Colthart explained: “When the pandemic hit, we at Salon Studios, like everywhere else, were worried about how this would impact the industry. However, the demand we have witnessed has been completely unprecedented.
“Not only have we had enquiries for new locations from over 20 cities across the country, but we have had so many more enquiries in Edinburgh that we have started looking for another two venues within Edinburgh and Glasgow.
“As a businessperson – and someone who has worked incredibly hard to get this concept off the ground – it is hard for me to turn salonpreneurs away because we currently don’t have the space. But location is key and so until I find the right places to build our next Salon Studios location, those on the waitlist will be offered help via our Salonpreneur website and with tips and tricks from our active social media.”
Continuing to build on the success of not only the Salon Studio physical location, but also the growth of the ‘salonpreneur’ community, Roz Colthart is developing an app that will support people in the business. The app will be used in conjunction with the website which unites self-employed salon professionals, inviting them to share insight amongst each other whilst utilizing tools provided by Salon Studios.
Current salonpreneur and Salon Studios tenant, Tammy, comments on why this all works: “It is the most amazing concept I’ve ever come across and don’t know why anyone hasn’t thought of it before!
“It is so modern, bright and airy. The individually vented rooms are absolutely perfect for the safety guidelines that we have to adhere to during these strange times. I love every part of it, and what makes it even better is the amazing owner Roz! She has been so amazing from the get go! Anything I’ve needed help with, she has been there, and I appreciate every little piece of help I’ve received.”
2021 is set to be a big year with the ongoing growth of the salonpreneur community, as well as search for locations two and three. On top of this Ms Colthart is now set to offer franchising opportunities from her third-year trading, which is almost unheard of, let alone in the midst of a pandemic.
“The way our units are set up promotes luxury, wellbeing and most of all, safety; that is something we can no longer take for granted and has been the driving force in our exponential growth.”
Based in Corstorphine, each salon studio includes water and electricity costs, a PPL music licence, health and safety assessment, fire management program, rubbish collection, high-speed wifi, public area cleaning, CCTV security and 24-hour access as standard.
For more information visit www.salonstudios.co.uk
UPDATE: Police Scotland have confirmed that Leslie Adam, 60, who had been reported missing from Edinburgh, has been traced SAFE AND WELL.
Thank you to everyone who shared our appeals and assisted in our enquiries.
Police are appealing for information to help trace a woman reported missing from Corstoprhine.
Leslie Adam, (60) was last seen at her home address in the Bughtlin area around 2am on Sunday, 16 August. She is believed to have left around 9am on the same date on foot and has not been seen or heard from since. There is growing concern for her welfare.
She is described as being 5ft 5ins tall and of a heavy build. Leslie is thought to have recently cut her white hair which is described as being a very short, shaved cut. At the time she went missing she is believed to have been wearing a dark bomber style jacket.
Inspector Keith Forrester from Corstorphine police station said: “Along with her family, we are becoming increasingly concerned for Leslie’s welfare and are keen to locate her as soon as possible.
“It is very out of character for Leslie to not keep in contact with her family, she left on foot but has limited mobility so we believe she may have used a bus or taxi to travel.
“I would urge anyone who may have seen her to contact us as soon as possible. Similarly, if Leslie is reading this, let us know you are safe and well.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident 1543 of Sunday, 16 August 2020.
Communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians have received a share of £1 million of grants to help town centres recover from the consequences of the coronavirus crisis.
The money nationally has come from The Towns and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Resilience and Recovery Fund, financed by the Scottish Government and administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership.
Among the organisations to receive support is City of Edinburgh Council which has received £40,000 towards a digital marketing campaign and other promotional material to support a campaign encouraging people to shop local.
Details of all the projects supported in the region are available here.
The fund has supported a raft of schemes to help town centres in their fightback from the Covid-19 pandemic, including helping pay for PPE supplies as well as funding local marketing campaigns urging people to support businesses in their community, highlighting that they are open for business.
Phil Prentice, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “Businesses in our town centres are showing remarkable resilience and innovation in how they are responding to the consequences of Covid-19 to best serve their customers and communities.
“From rapidly accelerating their online offerings to moving quickly to ensure that safeguards are in place to ensure that staff can work safely and customers shop responsibly, their work is playing an important part in the nation’s recovery from the pandemic. The impact they are having should not be underestimated.
“We are delighted to have been able to support projects in Edinburgh, East Lothian and West Lothian and pleased that the work will touch on so many towns as we encourage everyone to think local first – and safety first – to support the businesses and the people behind them who really are at the heart of the areas in which they live.
“Whether it be buying your groceries or enjoying a meal out, the support you give is critical as we work hard to secure a sustainable and successful future for Scotland’s town centres.”
Nationally 73 projects are being supported – 24 in full and 49 in part – covering 188 individual towns. Money has been granted to organisations including local authorities and community business groups.
Scotland’s Communities Secretary, Aileen Campbell MSP, said: “Living more of our lives locally – shopping, eating and enjoying activities in the areas we live – has never been more important.
“It has a huge role to play in supporting Scotland’s economic and social recovery from COVID-19. This fund is enabling great work to support and promote local businesses in more than 180 towns by highlighting the diverse and vibrant selection of products and services on offer
“Taking simple steps like choosing to visit a nearby shop or café, or buying goods or services from a business in your own community helps support local jobs. These actions help local economies to thrive, bring communities together and, crucially, help us to continue to suppress the virus by limiting unnecessary travel.”
The Towns and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Resilience and Recovery Fund totals £2 million. While half of this has been used towards the current wave of grants, £700,000 will provide support to business improvement districts when current BIDs Resilience funding expires.
The remainder of the money includes support for the Scotland Loves Local campaign, a major multimedia promotion championing the message for shoppers to think local first.
Best wishes to all teachers and young people heading back to school this week!
We wonder if you are able to share the following with young people S1 – S6 about Corstorphine Community Centre’s Parklife Project, Thursdays 6 – 8 through August.
Corstorphine Community Centre has resumed youth work and from next week the venue will be different: they are moving to Gyle Park, where the Youth Work team will be on Thursday evenings throughout July and August from 6 – 8pm.
This has been posted this as a recurrent event on CCC’s Facebook Page – you might find it and share it from there.
Please show your support by adding a comment or a ‘like’ at:
Police are continuing enquiries and appealing for information following several bogus caller incidents in North West Edinburgh in the last few days:
1. Around 3.45 pm on Tuesday, 30 June, two men called at an elderly woman’s home in Easter Drylaw Drive. The woman paid a three figure sum for landscaping work to be carried out however the men left in a car and did not return. .
2. Around 11.30 am on Wednesday, 1 July, two men called at a house in Cramond Park stating they were there to carry out work. It was established it wasn’t prearranged work and they were asked to leave. They were driving a white van.
3. Around 1.15 pm on Thursday, 2 July, a man called at an address in Craigs Avenue offering to carry out gardening and landscaping work. The man wanted to carry out the work immediately for cash and left when the occupier refused.
Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg at Corstorphine CID said: “This type of crime is despicable and is often targeted at the elderly and vulnerable in our communities. At this time we are trying to establish whether any of these incidents are linked.
“I urge members of the public to be on guard if someone turns up unexpectedly at their home offering to carry out work, especially work that they don’t believe is required.
“Ask for identification and/or a business card so that you can make the necessary checks for verification, don’t be afraid to say no and don’t be embarrassed as genuine callers expect you to be careful.
“If you’re not sure, don’t answer the door and report the incident to police.”
Anyone who has any information relating to the above incidents or anyone who has concerns or feels that they have been a victim of a bogus crime or scam caller should contact police via telephone number 101.
