Category: North Edinburgh News

Promotion bolsters dementia care at Cramond Residence 

New Head of Lifestyle to strengthen residents’ experiences at care home 

ONE of Scotland’s leading care facilities has announced the appointment of a new specialist that will further improve its high-quality dementia services.  

Elaine Vallance has been promoted to Head of Lifestyle at Cramond Residence, bringing more than six years of expert care knowledge to the home’s lifestyle team.  

Elaine, who joined Cramond Residence 15 months ago, will organise a wide range of activities designed to bring meaningful socialisation to residents – a major factor in treating dementia patients.  

She said: “I’m passionate about delivering the best possible quality of care to our residents during their golden years. 

“I love spending time with our residents, and I am lucky to now head up an incredible team who always give their best to ensure that the standard of care we deliver is second to none. 

“When you come away from an activity that residents have enjoyed and you see a smile on their faces, it’s hugely rewarding and motivating. I’m really excited and thankful to be given this opportunity and I am looking forward to working with the team to bring forward more fantastic activities for our residents.” 

Cramond Residence strives to ensure that those living with dementia live a fulfilled life. The home offers a dedicated dementia floor, specially designed for those living with the condition to allow them to live a richer and more satisfying life with specialist facilities and trained staff on hand to provide support and relief. 

Dementia training sits at the top of the care home’s agenda with 90% of their staff being provided with vital dementia training.  

Elaine added: “We have already had a series of fantastic events for residents such as a trip on the trams to Newhaven, as well as a sports day which was popular with the residents.  

“In the future I have plans to create a sensory room for our residents living with dementia, this will provide a stimulating environment with huge mental benefits. 

“I will continue channelling all my energies and passion into delivering what Cramond Residence is all about, delivering top quality care to those who stay with us.” 

Client Liaison Manager, Christian Daraio said: “Elaine has a wonderfully kind and nurturing personality which the residents love.  

“We are incredible lucky to have her on our team and I am really looking forward to seeing what fantastic opportunities she no doubt has in store for our residents in the future.” 

Cramond residence is a purpose-built care home which opened in October 2018. It combines luxury, five-star accommodation with outstanding clinical standards. 

Spread across three floors, Cramond Residence adopts a small group living philosophy. That means groups of eight rooms form distinct “houses”, where residents are encouraged to eat and socialise together.  

To find out more information on Cramond Residence, visit:

 https://cramondresidence.co.uk/ 

Stephen O’Donnell calls on football fans to get active to feed hungry children with Mary’s Meals

The Scotland and Motherwell defender is asking people to set an active goal for the start of the new football season and raise funds for international school feeding charity Mary’s Meals

Footballer Stephen O’Donnell, who has been capped by the Scotland national team 26 times, is calling on football fans to help feed hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries by signing up to Mary’s Meals’ active fundraising challenge, Move For Meals.

Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day in 18 countries including Ethiopia, Haiti and Zimbabwe. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for a brighter future.

By taking part in the charity’s Move For Meals challenge, supporters can turn their moves into meals and make a life-changing difference to hungry children across the world.

From walking and running, to swimming and playing football – participants can take part in Move For Meals in any way they choose.

Stephen, who has played an important role in Motherwell’s strong start to the Scottish Premiership campaign, said: “As a footballer, I have a real passion for helping people have fun while they keep fit. That’s why I’m very excited to support Mary’s Meals’ active challenge, Move For Meals.

“By simply putting on your boots, grabbing a football and having a five-a-side kickabout with your mates, you can ask your friends and family for sponsorship to help feed children in some of the world’s poorest communities.”

Marie Doyle, director of supporter engagement and income at Mary’s Meals, said: “We’re really thankful to Stephen for supporting our active fundraising challenge and sharing our goal of reaching the next hungry child.

“By taking part in Move For Meals, you can show off your football skills while making a life-changing difference to hungry children across the world.”

Move For Meals will help children like Sebastian from Malawi, who dreams of becoming a professional footballer. Thanks to Mary’s Meals, he eats a mug of vitamin-enriched porridge that gives him energy to learn and play and allows him to have hope for the future.

Sebastian said: “I like the Mary’s Meals porridge as it provides me with the vital energy I need throughout the school day.

“For some of us who like playing sports after class, it becomes easier for us to enjoy the sports as we do not have to worry about going home to eat before participating in the games.”

It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for an entire school year.

Signing up for Move For Meals couldn’t be easier. Find out more, including about accessing a free Mary’s Meals T-shirt at: marysmeals.org.uk/move-for-meals

Proximity to schools can increase a home’s value by as much as 14.28% in Scotland

As we all know, living in the right postcode can be key to securing a place for your children at your dream school.

In an effort to ensure fair access, schools prioritise a number of factors for admissions but researchers have found that the British school system often relies more heavily on ‘distance from the school’, favouring those who live nearer. 

But did you know that distance from a school can affect the local housing market?

Online Money Advisor wanted to investigate this phenomenon and set out to see where there are price premiums for buying a property within 0.5 miles of a school, and also to identify the schools in Scotland with the most expensive catchment areas.

Key findings

  • Glenrothes is the Scottish town with the highest premium for living close to a school, with the average property price within 0.5 miles of a school 14.28% higher than those further away.
  • Cambusbarron Primary School in Stirling is the Scottish school with the most expensive catchment area, with the average property within 0.5 miles of the school costing a staggering £432,663.
  • Across Scotland as a whole, homes close to schools increased in price by just 1.73%.

https://www.onlinemoneyadvisor.co.uk/content/cost-of-homes-near-schools/#home  

Scottish towns and cities with the highest premiums for living close to a school

We also wanted to find the towns and cities of Scotland where proximity to schools triggered the biggest increase in house prices. To do this, we calculated the average price difference between homes within 0.5 miles of a school and homes more than 0.5 miles away. Here are our results.

RankTown/CityPrice Difference
1Glenrothes+14.28%
2Edinburgh+7.78%
3Greenock+7.64%
4Glasgow+5.88%
5Aberdeen+4.25%
6Paisley+4.06%
7Inverness+1.15%

-House prices are compared to the average price of properties within 0.5 miles with an above 1% price difference

The most expensive school catchment areas in Scotland

It’s no secret that the average house prices vary greatly across the UK. A variety of factors can influence the price of a property, but by exclusively looking at price premiums within school catchment areas we have identified the schools with the most expensive catchment areas in Scotland.

RankSchoolTown/CityAvg house price within 0.5mi
1Cambusbarron Primary SchoolStirling£432,663 
2East Craigs Primary SchoolEdinburgh£420,056 
3Craigmount High SchoolEdinburgh£405,580 
4Uddingston Grammar SchoolGlasgow£394,800 
5Dunnikier Primary SchoolKirkcaldy£353,295 
6Sunrise Christian SchoolGlasgow£348,204 
7St Catherine’s RC Primary SchoolEdinburgh£344,772 
8Bucksburn AcademyAberdeen£314,779 
9Wallacestone Primary SchoolFalkkirk£309,122 
10Livingston Village Primary SchoolLivingston£290,500 

Scotland less affected by school catchment area premiums compared to other British regions

The study was conducted across England, Wales and Scotland to see where in the country property prices fluctuated the most as a result of proximity to a school. In Wales, a 6.09% price increase for properties near schools was measured overall.

This contrasts to London where demand to live near a school is lesser, with average house prices only being 0.45% higher when located within 0.5 miles of schools. Scotland’s house prices only experience a 1.73% premium when situated 0.5 miles of a school, so is not as affected by the phenomenon as other UK regions.

-Due to insufficient sample sizes, Northern Ireland has not been included in the study.

Methodology

  • We examined the prices of 57,708 homes in 232 towns and cities across Great Britain, comparing their price differences separately for 2-, 3-, and 4-bedroom homes. 
  • The final ranking was based on the average price difference between homes within 0.5 miles of a school and homes more than 0.5 miles away 
  • In addition, we determined which schools in our towns and cities have the most valuable properties nearby by ranking their average prices within 0.5 miles. In this section of the analysis, only two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and four-bedroom homes were considered. Due to this, some wealthy areas with large homes and mansions nearby schools were excluded. 
  • Data from Zoopla was used and is accurate as of November 2022.

It is important to note that many factors can influence the price of a property. Our analysis is focused on the location of properties within a school catchment area to determine if there are price premiums for living nearby.

https://www.onlinemoneyadvisor.co.uk/content/cost-of-homes-near-schools/#home

Trio of female future tech leaders announced as keynotes for Scotland’s Leading Innovation Summit

Glasgow event in November helps businesses to navigate AI and emerging tech 

Global experts including DowJones emerging technology director and a top New York based virtual AI fashion expert will join Scottish businesses at Scotland’s annual CAN DO Innovation Summit, on 7th November. 

Now in its fourth year and in-person for the first time since the pandemic, the event at Glasgow’s Science Centre connects start-ups and small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) with leading innovators and academics to explore how new technologies, leadership and the right business cultures can tackle the challenges faced by Scottish industry and society.

More than 800 delegates and 40 speakers are expected to take part in the CAN DO Innovation Summit, which is funded by Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise and Innovate UK.

The Summit has fast-become a must attend for Scottish businesses from all sectors, with this year’s event providing valuable insights on innovating to build resilience in a tough economic climate and navigating an increasingly virtual and artificial intelligence (AI) enabled world.   

This year’s free to attend summit is spearheaded by female keynote speakers, with a focus on rapid advances towards a tech-driven, sustainable and virtual future. The three keynote speakers are:

  • Elena Corchero, Director of Emerging Tech at DowJones Live and Globally Recognised Tech Futurist (above).
  • Edafe Onerhime, Data Specialist and Global Financial Services Lead, Top Twenty Most Influential Women in Data 2023.
  • Opé M, Fashion Creative and Futurist and Top 3 Finalist New York AI Fashion Week 2023. 

Dr Susie Mitchell, Programme Director, Glasgow City of Science and Innovation (lead agency for the CAN DO Innovation Summit) said: “Scotland is already well regarded as a leader in innovation, but the pace of change has hugely accelerated.

“This summit will support start-ups and SMEs to make the most of AI and emerging technologies, key tools for businesses to thrive in a challenging economic climate.

“I’m also immensely proud to launch the summit with a line-up of local and global female experts, showcasing the talented women in tech and helping to inspire the next generation of diverse leaders.” 

Other speakers and panellists for the event include Nick Rosa, Industry Technology Innovation Lead from Accenture, and Nicola Anderson, CEO of FinTech Scotland. 

Delegates will hear from local and global experts who will share essential tech trends, insights and tools that allow businesses to keep up and stand out. The Summit will also include a raft of business leaders from Scotland’s growing innovation clusters – from health tech and advanced manufacturing to quantum and the digital creative industries. 

Keynote speaker Elena Corchero, Director of Emerging Tech at DowJones Live, said: “No matter your industry there is so much noise when you look at innovation and trends, and what can apply to your business.

“I’m excited to be part of this important event to talk about building a technology manifesto on ‘the why’ and how companies must embed well-being, immersiveness, sustainability and ethics to ensure tech and innovation adoption is challenge-based and purpose-driven.

“I’ll also share information on essential emerging (and merging) tech that businesses need to know about to stay ahead of the curve and embrace a better future.” 

The event will also include an immersive showcase, on Scotland’s largest IMAX screen, of Opé M’s stunning AI-enabled fashion collection ‘Emergence’, for which she received a top 3 award at the first AI Fashion Week in New York City. 

Tickets are now available for delegates to reserve free of charge on the CAN DO Innovation Summit Website, with the event taking place on 7 November 2023. 

www.candoinnovation.scot

Have you seen these stolen cars?

POLICE are appealing for information to trace two stolen vehicles from Dundee. They believe the vehicles may be in Edinburgh.

In the early hours of Thursday, 24 August, 2023, a silver Mercedes with registration plate R50 DTT was taken from outside a premises on Westerton Avenue, Broughty Ferry. A second vehicle, a black Volkswagen Golf with registration plate RO70 RVP, was also taken.

Officers believe these vehicles may be in Edinburgh and are appealing for anyone with information which may assist them to get in touch. A Police Scotland Spokesperson said: “We are appealing to anyone who has seen these vehicles to get in touch.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact 101 quoting incident 0570 of 24 August, 2023.”

Women’s sport to be boosted by new investment scheme

Women’s sport investment is set to be boosted by a new scheme launched by the Department for Business and Trade, the Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator.

In association with Deloitte’s Sports Business Group and supported by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, the new initiative will run for a year starting from autumn 2023.

It will bring UK-based women’s sports rightsholders – leagues, teams, competitions and events – who are seeking investment together with industry experts and sports investors.

The new programme will provide a series of sessions offering market insights, connections and networking events alongside comprehensive mentoring for rightsholders who are looking for investment.

Elite women’s sport competitions such as the FA Women’s Super League and Netball Super League are among those which could benefit.

Minister for Industry and Economic Security Nusrat Ghani said: “We want to make the UK the world’s top destination for women’s sport investment, and with this new scheme we can build on the Lionesses’ fantastic World Cup run to help attract investment in women’s sports’ next success stories.

“This is an open goal for women’s sports leagues, teams and competitions looking for backing and will give rightsholders the tools they need to secure investment and drive growth.”

The application process is open to rightsholders of any UK-based women’s sports leagues, teams, competitions or events aiming to attract investment and boost their growth.

It is also being made available at no cost to taxpayers, with all speakers and mentors providing their time and expertise on a pro bono basis and the scheme being delivered through DBT’s partnership with Deloitte, who are providing event space and facilitating several of the scheme sessions.

Investment in women’s sport is growing rapidly and the popularity of the Lionesses’ run to the final of the Women’s Football World Cup demonstrated the scale of the opportunity available, in an industry expected to be worth over £1 billion a year by 2030.

Lisa O’Keefe, Secretary General for the IWG on Women and Sport, said: “The Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator is a fantastic initiative for the UK and one which the IWG is very pleased to support.

“This year has been exciting for women’s sport around the globe, and we’ve seen some superb performances on the field of play and fanbase growth off it. The standard has risen, and the increased long-term investment has undoubtedly played a part in this.

The Accelerator pilot programme will help women’s sports teams and leagues capitalise on this opportunity and help push forward women’s sport.”

Rightsholders for UK-based professional women’s leagues, teams, competitions, and events seeking investment can apply to take part in the programme via the following link, by 8 September 2023: https://eu.eventscloud.com/website/12237/.

A fifth of Scottish parents have been reduced to tears by the school morning routine

  • Nearly a fifth of parents in Scotland have been reduced to tears whilst getting their children ready for school
  • Almost half don’t feel like good parents during the morning routine
  • Over a third of parents feel anxious about the morning routine
  • 42% regularly argue with their child when getting ready for school

New research reveals the strain the morning routine and school run are having on families in Scotland.

The study found that, on average, parents feel stressed at least two mornings a week, whilst 10% report feeling this way every day. 38% report that their children also get stressed during the morning routine.

Running late, getting children out of bed, and children being slow at getting ready are the three biggest contributors to stress, according to Scottish parents.

The research, which was carried out amongst UK parents by leading name label manufacturer, MyNametags.com, found that mothers in Scotland are more likely to be negatively impacted than fathers.

This could be because mums take responsibility for the majority of the morning tasks, according to the results of the survey. Mothers were responsible for making breakfast in 86% of the families researched, alongside packing their child’s lunch box (93%) and school bag (88%), ensuring they are in the correct school uniform (89%), and taking their child to school (68%).

As a result of the stress of the morning routine, nearly a fifth (19%) of parents in Scotland say they have been reduced to tears, nearly half often don’t feel like good parents, and more than a third (36%) feel anxious about it.

This is impacting the whole family, with 42% admitting they argue with their child during the morning routine and 34% saying their child has gone to school upset. This is causing nearly a third of parents (30%) to worry that the morning routine is damaging their relationship with their child.

Some Scottish parents are even considering taking extreme action to minimise the strain of the morning routine, with 19% admitting to being tempted to homeschool their child permanently to avoid it altogether.

Despite the pressure of getting children ready to leave the house in the morning, the research found that the journey itself is more positive. The majority (69%) of parents agree that the journey to school is an opportunity to spend quality time with their child and three quarters (76%) say their child enjoys the journey to school.

The results also suggest that the way families spend their morning has an impact on their experiences. Families who walk to school together are most likely to enjoy the journey, whilst those who eat breakfast together are 39% more likely to have a positive morning.

Lars B Andersen, Managing Director of MyNametags.com, comments: “At My Nametags, our work is centred around making parents’ lives easier, so we’re always interested to explore the pressures facing modern families. As a parent myself, I know first-hand how the school run can impact family dynamics, both positively and negatively.

“It’s saddening to see that so many families struggle with the pressure of the morning routine. However, our research shows that parents are not alone in feeling stressed or overwhelmed – I can definitely relate to that and so can many other parents across the country.

“It’s also heartening to see that the precious time parents get to spend with their children during the journey to school is generally a positive experience, offering an opportunity for families to reconnect after a hectic start to the day.

“I hope the research brings comfort to parents across the UK and reminds them that, whatever their morning routine, we’re all in it together.”

Find out more about the impact of the morning routine on family dynamics.

Healthy Heart Tip: Healthy Bank Holiday

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Healthy Bank Holiday

Breakfast

Always start the day with a good breakfast as this sets the tone for the day and encourages you to choose healthy options at other mealtimes.

Consuming a breakfast rich in protein will help keep you fuller for longer and a portion of wholegrain carbohydrate will give you the energy you need to power your morning.

Why not try scrambled egg and avocado on wholegrain toast or fresh fruit with low-fat yoghurt and low-sugar granola?

Choose healthier drinks

Consuming too much alcohol can have a negative impact on your heart, but the good news is there are so many healthier and delicious, alcohol-free drinks available nowadays.

A simple soda water with fresh lemon is delightful, or you could try a gut-loving kombucha or simply choose alcohol free versions of the alcoholic beverages you usually consume. These drinks generally contain fewer calories than normal soft drinks and alcoholic tipples and won’t leave you with a fuzzy head the following day.

Drop the guilt

Bank holidays are usually a time when families and friends meet up to enjoy some quality time together. Often this includes an abundance of less healthy food and drink options to tempt us.

Avoid over-indulging, by giving yourself permission to enjoy a moderate amount of food and drinks that are higher in sugar, salt, fat or alcohol, and enjoy it without feeling guilty.

If you are planning a BBQ this weekend, you might want to check out our Healthy Tip on BBQs. 

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for weekly healthy tips at:

www.heartresearch.org.uk/health-tips.

Organisers CICV celebrate another successful Green Home Festival

Clearer messaging is needed to help the public and ‘myth-bust’ the journey to net zero

Scotland’s second Green Home Festival has been hailed another resounding success – but its organisers have also insisted that government and industry must work closer together to deliver clearer guidance and “myth-bust” the misinformation around low-carbon living.

More than 500delegates signed up for the five-day renewables jamboree organised by the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV), enjoying a week of practical assistance and advice to help homeowners on Scotland’s journey to becoming a net zero nation.

The festival, held from 14-18 August as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, saw packed houses for 11 shows on a range of renewables topics, including preparing for a heat pump, taking a fabric first approach and converting churches into low-carbon social housing.

Co-organiser Gordon Nelson, Scotland Director of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “The Green Home Festival again served as a clear demonstration of the public’s growing demand and enthusiasm for sustainable technologies and it was extremely satisfying to see full houses for most of our events.

“It was particularly encouraging to see so many homeowners and community groups attending, engaging and asking questions, and good to see senior industry representatives sharing ideas to help spread the message that low-carbon living is possible if we want it.

“Such enthusiasm shows that there IS appetite for information on green living across the board from all quarters and it’s important we now keep up this dialogue and continue the momentum – we simply can’t afford to stand still.”

However, co-organiser Fiona Hodgson, CEO of plumbing and heating association SNIPEF, warned: “Discussions at the festival showed that there is still a significant degree of confusion and misinformation around the costs and benefits of low-carbon technologies, much of which hinders people from making informed decisions about sustainable living. 

“It’s therefore vital for the government and the construction and energy sectors to work collaboratively to create a more consistent and cohesive messaging strategy to counter and myth-bust this misinformation.

“By showcasing the benefits of sustainable living and explaining the significance of the low-carbon transition, we can help engage and inform the public, fostering a more sustainable future for all. It is time to leverage the momentum from the Green Home Festival to create lasting, impactful change – something we at the CICV intend to carry forward.”

The festival was launched on Monday 14 August by Minister for Housing Paul McLennan, who told guests: “Events such as the Green Home Festival can play a huge part in increasing understanding of the changes we need to see in our building stock and of zero emissions heating systems in Scotland.”

Scotland’s Home of the Year judge Anna Campbell-Jones also took centre stage on the opening day to discuss how to make kitchens more eco-friendly, with contributions from Scottish Water, SNIPEF and Scotland’s largest construction trade association, SELECT.

Other sessions which drew crowds to the Scottish HQ of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) in central Edinburgh included shows on garden rooms and offices, options for hybrid heating, community heat networks and powering the home of the future.

As well as CICV members, guest speakers included representatives from Built Environment – Smarter Transformation, Home Energy Scotland, Page\Park architects, the University of Edinburgh, Worcester Bosch and Edinburgh Napier University.

John McKinney, co-organiser of the Green Home Festival and Secretary of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, said: “In addition to offering the public practical advice, the festival reinforced the importance of seeking out the right industry professionals and accredited contractors who are members of relevant trade associations.

“We were keen to get across the message that competent, trusted tradesmen will deliver quality advice and projects – be it for a greener kitchen, a new heating system or a garden office – which was received well by delegates throughout the week.”

Organisers have now made many of the festival presentations available to download online, with the webinar free to watch again online as the CICV continues to gather feedback and draft plans for the 2024 event.

Alan Wilson, Managing Director of SELECT and Chair of the CICV, said: “The second Green Home Festival built on the firm foundations laid down last year to deliver a wider variety of shows to even bigger and more enthusiastic audiences.

“We are grateful to Mr McLennan and Anna Campbell-Jones for attending, showing their commitment and helping raise the profile of renewable technology and low-carbon living. We now hope to harness this enthusiasm and make the 2024 event even more of a success.”

The festival is the latest in a string of practical and constructive initiatives launched by the CICV since its creation at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Made up of 28 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies, it has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and maintaining close dialogue with government.