Don’t get caught up in anti-social behaviour on Bonfire Night!
Police Officers have the grounds to take action should people be involved in such conduct, as detailed in these posters.
Please attend organised events only and always keep safe.
WEDNESDAY 2nd NOVEMBER from 10am – 12pm
at ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE
GET together with local people to talk about the cost of living crisis, the impact it is having on people’s lives – and what can be done.
Meeting hosted by RWCC Management Committee and Lifelong Learning
AquaDash Adventure at Ainslie Park – BOOK NOW
Our new water-based assault course offers family fun for all and is a great way to get everyone together for an active and adventurous day!
AquaDash Adventure is coming to Ainslie Park from 12th November
A new annual publication with estimated take-up rates of Scottish social security benefits has been published for the first time.
The report will help track progress against the Scottish Government’s Benefit Take-up Strategy which is a requirement of the 2018 Social Security (Scotland) Act.
The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a transparent social security system and reporting annually on progress will support that aim. This first publication covers estimates from introduction of the benefits up to the end of March in the 2021-2022 financial year and will sit alongside existing performance reporting on Social Security Scotland.
Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “We are committed to making sure everyone gets the financial support they are entitled to and our benefit take-up strategy outlines how we are doing this.
“We actively work to encourage take-up of Scottish social security benefits by promoting our 12 benefits, collaborating with various organisations and removing barriers to access.
“This new publication of estimated take-up rates provides us with valuable insights, and will help us to identify where we can do more. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures we are making progress in breaking down the barriers to access, and in reducing stigma that may have previously led to people not accessing the benefits they are entitled to.
“For example, we have been working with supermarket retailers to promote Best Start Foods, we have shared over 42,000 leaflets about our five family payments and Child Disability Payment in NHS Scotland’s baby boxes, and we have included information on Scottish social security benefits in welcome packs supporting refugees.
“Our efforts to maximise incomes and support benefit take-up are even more important during the current cost of living crisis. Our new cost of living website is a trusted ‘one stop shop’ for advice and information about financial support available in Scotland, including all our Scottish benefits.
“I would encourage everyone to use and share this website, to make sure people are accessing the financial support they are entitled to.”
Over £11 million of National Lottery funding will help to keep vital local facilities and services running across Scotland, as 299 community projects today (Tuesday 1 November) share in share in grants from The National Lottery Community Fund.
The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, means that many community and voluntary sector groups will be able to continue their support to individuals, families and communities who have been disproportionately affected by increased cost-of-living pressures.
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is one of the recipients announced today. Drylaw Community Association, the voluntary organisation that oversees the centre, has been awarded £94,000.
The windfall is welcome news for the cash-strapped organisation, which earlier this year was facing closure due to a funding crisis.
This grant will fund a variety of community activities within Drylaw which community members can engage with. This project will support 1650 community members and provide 150 volunteering opportunities for the local community over two years.
Granton Youth, currently based at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, has been awarded nearly £128,000. The group will use the funding to work with 60 young parents and parents of teenagers within the North West of Edinburgh.
This project will also provide fifteen volunteer opportunities through the work of the
project. A range of support will be provided to parents and families which will consist of one to one support, group work sessions/workshops, counselling and family mediation.
Another youth organisation celebrating today is The Junction, who receive almost £150,000.
The Leith group will use the funding to provide a counselling service for young people aged 12 to 21 years, reaching 250 young people, supported by 30 volunteers.
There’s welcome news for North Edinburgh’s older people, too. LifeCare has been awarded over £180,000.
The Stockbridge-based organisation celebrated it’s 80th birthday last year and will continue providing support to isolated older people within Edinburgh by matching people over 60 years (known as VIPs) to volunteers with shared interests, creating friendships and improving wellbeing.
Group activities at LifeCare include a choir group ‘ Vocal Vibes, a Film Group, a Sewing Bee, and Bingo.
Over three years the project will support 420 older people and 450 volunteers.
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL) was established in 1991 to help disabled people to live independently and take control of their lives.
For over 30 years the organisation has provided independent advice, advocacy and support to disabled people and an award of £131,306 means this service will continue for another three years.
Callum Odgen, Disability Information Services Co-ordinator, LCiL, said:” This funding will allow us to build on our successful services and do more to support disabled people, people with long-term conditions and older people to live independently, access essential services and maximise their income through comprehensive advice and support.
“With the cost-of-living crisis adding to the existing social and financial impact of COVID-19 felt by people across Scotland, this award will help ensure that we continue to be at the forefront of providing support to those who need it in Edinburgh and the Lothians.”
Other big winners are The Welcoming Association (£140,000), Grassmarket Community Project (£80,000) and ACE IT (£198,000), while other local projects to receive small grants include Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden, who receive £9999, Citadel Arts Group (£6600) and bereavement charity Held in our Hearts, who receive £4126.
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “This latest round of funding is one of the ways we are directing our National Lottery funding to support people and communities facing difficult circumstances.
“Our message to community groups across Scotland is that we are here for you and our role, as a funder, is to continue to listen and to be flexible and responsive to the challenges and pressures you are facing.
“It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that we are able to help give charities and community groups throughout Scotland greater certainty during this critical time.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk
Stagecoach has confirmed its ongoing commitment to the armed forces by extending its new policy of free travel for veterans and military personnel to include cadets who wish to attend remembrance services. Free travel will be valid on its bus and tram services right across the UK on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
The commitment to free travel, which is now in its second year, comes on the back of the launch of Stagecoach’s employee led Veteran’s Network. The network was launched last year to allow Stagecoach colleagues to come together as one voice to make change, raise awareness, help influence business decisions and introduce new ways of working to make the company even stronger.
As a cause that is close to the hearts of its employees and customers, Stagecoach has been a long-time supporter of the Poppy Appeal, and in addition to free travel on 11th and 13th November, Stagecoach will be operating a number of Poppy Buses across its network. Poppies will also be displayed on the front of buses across the country with some destination blinds showing the messaging “We will remember them”.
Employees across Stagecoach will also respect the two minutes silence and where safe to do so, drivers may pull over to honour this.
Stagecoach has also been a member of the Armed Force Covenant since March 2015, recognising the value of serving personnel, regular and reservists, veterans and military families to both the country and businesses across the country.
With Remembrance services planned at memorials across UK, it is hoped that people wishing to pay their respects will take up the offer to travel for free to the service of their choice.
This commitment from Stagecoach allows for the business to unite and to offer free travel to all military, ex-military and cadet customers and it will continue each year on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday as well as Armed Forces Weekend.
Simon Tramalloni, Operations Manager in Preston & Chorley is co-lead for the Stagecoach Veterans Network. He previously served in the Armed Forces serving in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Africa and the Middle East.
He said: “After the idea came about last year, I am so proud that we are now able to offer this to military cadets and celebrate a second year of offering free travel to military and ex-military personnel.
“Stagecoach has a strong commitment to supporting the armed forces and our veterans, and we have thousands of ex forces personnel working across our business.
“The Veterans Network is allowing us to build on the work that Stagecoach has led over many years to identify how else we can support those veterans already working for us and those that may want to come and join the company.
“Remembrance Day and the Poppy Appeal are causes close to the hearts of many of our employees and customers and we are very pleased to be making this commitment that will hopefully help people to attend memorials across the UK.”
A savvy shopper has revealed how she dishes up tasty home cooked meals from scratch from just 62p a portion.
Mum of two Laura Light cooks up family favourites including carbonara, chicken chow mein and slow cooker peach chicken for pennies, with enough leftovers for her husband to enjoy at work the next day.
Laura, from Southampton, has been shopping frugally for years, after bringing her weekly spend down from £215 a week to just £40 after she had her second daughter eight years ago.
Now she shops at discount retailers, relies on own brand products and uses meat in great value hampers from online food retailer MuscleFood.com to keep her costs down.
Laura meal plans each week, always shops with a list and checks her cupboards, fridge and freezer to make sure she’s using everything with no waste.
Among her favourite family meals using meat from MuscleFood.com is carbonara at just 62p per portion, slow cooker peach chicken coming in at 67p each, Chinese beef stir fry at 99p per portion and maple and honey pork loin traybake for a pound each.
Laura also rustles up tasty sausage rolls for packed lunches which cost her just 22p each to cook.
Laura who runs the blog Savings4SavvyMums said: “When we first seriously looked at our finances eight years ago, I was shocked at just how much we were spending. We went from two salaries to one so we had to make some serious savings.
“I found that making small changes was the best way for us to cut costs. Small things like my husband taking leftovers for lunch saved £3 a day, switching to the budget own brand lines saved us a fortune and buying in bulk to keep costs down.
“Now, with food prices going up all the time, my strict budgeting and everything I’ve learnt over the last eight years is really helping us keep costs down.
“Buying our meat in bulk from MuscleFood certainly helps. I’ve always bought chicken in bulk and the quality from the online retailer means I use less meat than if I was buying frozen, essentials chicken from the supermarket.
“For example, I use two chicken breasts for the four of us in my chicken chow mein. That provides enough for all of us for dinner in the evening with leftovers for the next day. I’m making that for 77p a portion so it’s a really cheap, healthy meal.
“My children love chicken nuggets and chips, just like all kids, so rather than buying them frozen, I’m making them from scratch and saving money.”
Laura continued: “Cooking from scratch really can save you cash and it doesn’t have to be as time consuming as people may think.
“When I recently made beef lasagne I compared making my own sauce to buying the cheapest, own brand sauces from the supermarkets. Mine worked out at 15p cheaper. Those 15p’s soon add up.
“Cooking and eating on a budget is now more important than ever so I’ve put a few tips together to help people wanting to save a few pounds on their weekly shop.”
Here are Laura’s top tips for budget cooking:
To find out more about the ingredients Laura uses, please see here:
Chatterbooks will be resuming on the 1st November after a short break and is looking for new members!
If your 8-12 year old loves to read, talk about books and do some fun crafts and activities with a bookish theme than please join us!
Register through Eventbrite or by contacting the library directly.
With the cost of living rising ever higher, many of us are scrutinising our spending and cutting back. Frivolous non-essentials are the first things to be struck off the shopping list, and there is a genuine fear this could mean many families will be forced to sacrifice their Christmas in order to make ends meet.
However, one local Community Interest Company is working hard to ensure those in need can still experience and enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Tuesday 1st November will see The Leith Collective launch its Christmas tree and festive food exchange across its three Scottish stores.
Locals are being urged to search their homes for any unwanted Christmas trees and decorations that may be languishing in cupboards and attics. Non-perishable store cupboard essentials and festive treats are also being accepted. All items will be available for anyone to collect at Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre completely free of charge, no questions asked.
The Christmas initiative comes just a month after the launch of The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange which has received an overwhelming response so far, with over 1,000 coats donated and collected by locals.
The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, explains why she is keen to build on the momentum of the winter coat exchange and go further to help those who are struggling;
“For many people, 2022 has been a real financial struggle, and buying a Christmas tree and festive food will prove to be too much of a stretch this year. These things aren’t ‘essentials’, and it’s highly likely that for them Christmas will be yet another casualty of the cost of living crisis.
“But I believe everyone deserves to have a nice Christmas, and what better way to spread festive cheer than by donating to others and lifting their spirits when they need it most.”
Christmas trees and non-perishable festive food can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird, and The Clydeside Collective at St Enoch Centre during opening hours.
It is hoped that by hosting the Christmas tree and festive food exchange in these accessible locations that those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to receive a much-needed helping hand.
Carving pumpkins can be a fun activity if done safely. Below are some tips detailing how to safely carve a pumpkin, what to do if you injure yourself whilst carving, as well as safer alternatives for younger children:
The scariest day of the year can become all the more menacing if injuries and allergic reactions strike. With this in mind, education experts at Skillstg.co.uk have outlined preventative measures and solutions to five potential Halloween dangers.
If you accidentally cut yourself, apply direct pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. Rinse the wound under running tap water for 5 minutes. Soak a gauze pad or cloth in water, or use an alcohol-free wipe to dab the wound. It is best to avoid using antiseptic cream at this point as it may damage the skin. Gently pat the area dry with a cloth; don’t use cotton wool, as the material can become trapped in the wound. Apply a sterile dressing, such as a plaster or bandage, and continue to apply pressure if the injury is still bleeding.
A safer alternative for younger children may be to glue googly eyes and various foam shapes to the pumpkin’s surface. This allows your children to get creative without the fear of injury.
Sometimes, a colourful pair of spooky contact lenses can make your costume really stand out. However, there are some serious risks associated with wearing them. Below are some health and safety tips for those who might want to wear lenses this year:
If you are struggling to remove your lenses, with your non-dominant hand, hold open the lower and upper eyelid of your eye and use your index finger and thumb to pinch the contact lens gently. Pinch either side of the contact lens and pull it away from your eye, being careful not to pinch your eye directly.
It can be tempting to purchase cheap makeup or face paint to create bright and colourful looks for Halloween. However, these cheaper products can lead to itching, rashes, breakouts, and irritation. Below are ways to avoid adverse makeup issues:
Remove all makeup immediately if you have an allergic reaction or irritation to your Halloween makeup. If there is slight itching or irritation, you should feel better once the makeup has been washed off. If irritant contact dermatitis is present, patches of itchy and scaly skin or blistering rashes, this can be treated with over-the-counter creams containing steroids.
Sweets and chocolate are a big part of Halloween. For known food allergy sufferers, it is imperative to be vigilant when consuming sweets you haven’t purchased or made yourself. Below is a list of safety tips:
If you see that someone has an allergic reaction, it may be the case to provide the person with an antihistamine if a mild reaction is evident. However, if the person appears to be having trouble breathing, their airway is swelling, and they need immediate medical attention. If the person has an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) on their person and cannot administer it themselves, follow these steps:
A 2018 study by Churchill Insurance revealed that the risk of children being involved in a traffic collision on the 31st of October increased by 75%. As the evenings become dark and spooky, so do costumes and clothes this Halloween. It is essential to make sure that you, and your children, can be seen clearly when trick-or-treating to prevent car accidents. Drivers should also ensure they are vigilant on the 31st of October in case visibility is reduced by dark-clothed people crossing the roads. Below are some tips on how to make a costume more visible to motorists:
If you see someone get hit by a car, immediately call 999 and ask for an ambulance. If the affected person is conscious and appears not to be in great pain, advise them to keep still.
Keep them warm until the paramedics arrive. If a more severe collision has occurred and the casualty has become unconscious but still breathing, roll them carefully into the recovery position with assistance from others, and wait for paramedics to arrive.
A spokesperson from Skillstg.co.uk commented: “Halloween hazards have become a reality for many over the years, but they can be prevented by taking the proper precautions.
“Health and safety risks associated with decorations, costumes and treats are all preventable by being extra careful and vigilant, especially when protecting children.
“With the excitement of dressing up and collecting free sweets, children often forget to watch out for dangers when out trick-or-treating. Parents of young children should accompany them and dress them in costumes that will appear bright and visible to motorists.”
Skills Training Group are the UK’s leading first aid training, electrical and heating courses for adults, contractors & companies alike.
