Category: North Edinburgh News

Sneak peek at upcoming haul of Girlguiding badges

Girlguiding, the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls, has today shared a first glimpse of its new and exciting haul of badges launching next summer. 72 new badges will be available for girls aged 4 – 18 to complete– including a revamped and modern version of the 2018 discontinued ‘Hostess’ badge.

Last year, Girlguiding underwent a huge brand transformation and by adding even more interest badges, the organisation continues its commitment to evolve as the lives and needs of girls change.

The development of new and the evolution of old badges was a response to girls’ requests to add more given the popularity of the first wave of badges released in 2018, with a phenomenal 1,336,656 completed across all four Girlguiding sections since then1.

The old favourite Brownie ‘Hostess’ badge has been given a fresh twist and transformed into the new ‘Celebrations’ badge.

The former badge, first popularised in the 1960s, could once be awarded for playing ‘hostess’ by inviting a friend round and making them a cup of tea, before activities to earn the badge were expanded in 2009 to include party planning so that girls could learn event planning skills.

With the new ‘Celebrations’ badge, Brownies will not only learn valuable event planning skills, they will also explore how people from around the world celebrate special occasions before planning their own.

Girlguiding is consulting with members, and to date has heard from over 20,000 girls, volunteers, and parents about what they wanted to see added to the range of interest badges. Until 30 November 2024, anyone, including members of the public, can still submit their ideas which will be used to finalise the designs and activities that make up the badges.

Alongside the new ‘Celebration’ badge for Brownies (age 7-10), a ‘Bee rescuer’ badge will also be launched for Rainbows (age 4-7) challenging girls to get to know this special insect with activities from investigating bugs and bees, to making a bee rescue kit.

A ‘Thrift’ badge will be added for Guides (age 10-14), encouraging girls to channel their inner eco-warrior and learn how to customise, repurpose, and recycle. Both badges were inspired by girls’ passion for living sustainably and learning to help the natural world. 84% of girls told Girlguiding that it’s important to them to do something about climate change1.

Also launching will be a ‘Nostalgia’ badge for Rangers (aged 14-18). This new badge will not only see girls reflect on their past, but it will also provide an opportunity to talk to someone older than them and hear stories from someone at a different stage of life.

Girlguiding hope this badge will help to tackle intergenerational loneliness with over half (59%) of girls and young women aged 7-21 reported feelings of loneliness in Girlguiding’s latest Girls’ Attitudes Survey and 3 in 4 of them think that younger and older people spending time together is a good way to tackle loneliness2.

Rangers will also benefit from learning valuable relationship building skills and gain a greater understanding of different perspectives.

Sofia, 6, a Rainbow who is passionate about the environment said:“I’ve loved learning about beekeeping at my local beekeepers’ association and am really happy that Girlguiding is making a badge so more girls can get involved in rescuing and protecting bees.

“We need to help protect bees because our environment needs them!”

Sally Kettle, Deputy Chief Guide at Girlguiding said: “I’m so excited about the new interest badges and it’s been inspiring to see the flood of ideas coming from the girls, and leaders too! I have to admit it really got my own creative juices going and I submitted an idea for a sporty badge.

“It’s so important that it’s the girls themselves that have put their ideas forward, because it really reflects their changing interests and shows us what skills they value and perhaps need a little bit of help to obtain.

“It’s such an exciting time in Girlguiding and I really can’t wait to see the new range launch next year. I have no doubt social media feeds will be buzzing with stories of girls earning their new badges!”

Among the most frequently completed interest badges in the programme from the first release in 2018 have been ‘Drawing’ for Rainbows, ‘Aviation’ for Brownies, ‘Mixology’ for Guides, and ‘Self-care’ for Rangers.

The popularity of all kinds of badges highlights the diversity of interests and aspirations among Girlguiding members.

Girlguiding’s programme provides young girls and women with the opportunity to learn invaluable skills in the welcoming fun and supportive environment Girlguiding provides. All girls in Girlguiding are encouraged, and empowered to know they can do anything and become future leaders and change-makers in their communities.

For more information about how to get involved with Girlguiding, the UK’s largest youth organisation dedicated completely to girls, visit www.girlguiding.org.uk.

Scotland’s Migration Service expanded

Advice and support for migrants and employers

Scotland’s Migration Service, which provides information and advice for people, employers and investors, has been expanded to offer support to a wider range of individuals.

The service will support newcomers to settle in Scotland, help more people and employers to navigate the immigration system, and attract more working-age people to Scotland – helping address skills shortages and curb population decline.

Equalities Minister Kaukab Stewart launched the expanded service on a visit to iGii, a technology business in Stirling that benefitted from advice from the first phase of Scotland’s Migration Service on hiring skilled workers from abroad.

Ms Stewart said: “Population decline is one of the biggest challenges for Scotland’s future, with all population growth projected to come from migration. Expanding Scotland’s Migration Service will help ensure that communities, public services and businesses can access the people and workforces they need to thrive into the future.

“Supporting migration also has significant potential to boost our economy. For example, attracting 1,000 higher rate taxpayers each year for five years could add £98 million to the Scottish Budget.

“Since launching its first phase earlier this year, Scotland’s Migration Service has provided free advice appointments to more than 150 individuals, employers and investors, and service website pages have been viewed by more than 14 thousand users.”

iGii CEO Jean-Christophe Granier said: “Access to world-class talent is essential for a scaling business like ours, which relies on highly skilled experts in technical scientific fields, often sourced from Scotland’s university network.

“We’re growing quickly, so anything that eases our path to hiring quality talent locally and internationally is helpful.

“We expect the new service to make hiring the talent we need to continue to grow easier and more transparent for both employers and employees.”

To deliver Scotland’s Migration Service, the Scottish Government has partnered with the immigration law firm Seraphus and with Citizens Advice Scotland.  

Christopher Desira, Director at Seraphus said: “As a partner of Scotland’s Migration Service, we’ve seen firsthand how the partial launch has already provided essential support to employers and investors, simplifying the recruitment of international workers”.

“With the full launch, the expanded resources and webinars will enable even more effective access to crucial information, strengthening Scotland’s ability to attract and retain skilled professionals.”

Citizens Advice Scotland CEO Derek Mitchell said: “Since April, our advisers have supported almost 3,300 clients with immigration advice, a 20% increase on the same time last year. By working with Scotland’s Migration Service, we can provide better support for our network and make a meaningful impact to people’s lives.

“Whether you’re an overseas student navigating an extended stay or have recently moved to Scotland, our network of advisers are ready to help people thrive and settle into their new home.”

Background 

More information on Scotland’s Migration Service is available online. 

Cineworld Edinburgh Celebrates 25 Years

·         CINEWORLD EDINBURGH MARKS ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY THIS NOVEMBER, ALONGSIDE CELEBRATIONS OF NEW BLOCKBUSTER WICKED

·         A DAY OF CELEBRATIONS WILL BE HELD AT FOUNTAIN PARK CINEMA ON SATURDAY 23RD NOVEMBER

·         MOVIEGOERS CAN ALSO WATCH A RANGE OF CLASSIC BLOCKBUSTERS FOR £5* A TICKET

Cineworld, the UK’s leading cinema chain, will host an exciting day of celebrations on Saturday 23rd November at Fountain Park Cinema in Edinburgh to mark the cinema’s milestone 25th birthday. It comes as highly-anticipated blockbuster, Wicked, arrives in cinemas that same weekend and Cineworld will go all out to celebrate. 

Fans can catch the dazzling spectacle, featuring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande and adapted from the hit musical, in IMAX, 4DX and ScreenX at Cineworld Edinburgh. Cinema-goers will have the chance to win Wickedmerchandise throughout the day including sweatshirts, notebooks, tumblers and t-shirts so they too can dance through life!  

For those who book to see Wickedin 4DX or ScreenX during opening week, they’ll receive one free regular ICEE to match the iconic Wicked colours: Elphaba’s Emerald Green (Sour Apple) or Glinda’s Perfect Pink (Strawberry). While stocks last, guests will be able to purchase Cineworld-exclusive Wickedpopcorn buckets, cups and toppers as well as a Witch-hat drink container to enjoy their treats in style – the items are sure to be popular! 

As Cineworld Edinburgh prepares for the arrival of Wicked, they’ll be looking back at past blockbusters and an incredible 25 year’s worth of highlights including: 

  • Launching Cineworld’s first IMAX screen in 2011
  • Supporting EIFF as a major partner for 18 years
  • Hosting the Toy Story 3 premiere in 2012 with Sir Sean Connery in attendance
  • Launching our popular 4DX screen in 2017
  • Hosting the T2 World Premier in 2017 and completing our multi-million pound refurbishment in 2019 which included Scotland’s first Screen X!

Cineworld Edinburgh will also be celebrating the milestone birthday with a selection of popular films from 1999 available to book for the following week such as The Mummy, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, James Bond: The World Is Not Enough and Sixth Sense – all available for £5* per ticket.

Jamie Wiles, General Manager at Cineworld Edinburgh, said: “We are delighted to have reached this milestone, especially in such a competitive market place, and are really happy to be able to celebrate with our valued partners, customers and employees.

“The past 25 years have been a hugely successful time for us; During this time, we have operated as Virgin Cinemas, UGC Cinemas and Cineworld Cinemas with our loyal customer base watching us grow and invest in the customer experience.

“We’re delighted to have become a part of the local community and have had the pleasure of striving to be the best place to watch a movie for our Edinburgh customers.”  

Terms & Conditions

*95p online booking fee applies.

Wicked ICEE Promotion Terms & Conditions available HERE.

EQUAL PAY DAY 2024: Time to close the gender pay gap

TUC: Employment Rights Bill is “vital” for women’s pay and equality

TODAY (20 November) is Equal Pay Day 2024. That is two days earlier than last year when it fell on 22nd November. This means that, despite years of slow progress to close the UK’s mean Gender Pay Gap, it has definitively widened for the first time since 2013.

Equal Pay Day is a national campaign led by the Fawcett Society in the UK. It marks the day in the year when, based on the gender pay gap, women overall in the UK stop being paid compared to men.

The gender pay gap is the difference between the average pay of men and women within a particular group or population. Fawcett uses the mean, full-time, hourly gender pay gap for the UK to calculate the gender pay gap for Equal Pay Day which this year is 11.3%, up from 10.4% last year.

Jemima Olchawski, Chief Executive of the Fawcett Society, said: “It’s incredibly alarming to see the mean gender pay gap widen in 2024 and shows that without concerted effort most women won’t see equal pay in our working lifetime. 

 “Today’s data confirms that the Gender Pay Gap increases with age as women take on more and more unpaid care work for children and older people.

Tomorrow, at her first Budget, our first female Chancellor in history can right this wrong by investing to finally address the motherhood penalty and set the UK on a path to close the Gender Pay Gap for good. 

 “The draft Employment Rights Bill and commitments to close the gap are important steps but today’s data clearly shows more must urgently be done. Our government must commit to a cross-government strategy to shrink the gender pay gap by 2030 – women cannot wait any longer.” 

Commenting on the Fawcett Society’s Equal Pay Day today (Wednesday), the day of the year women effectively stop getting paid because of the gender pay gap, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Our economy isn’t working for women. At current rates of progress, it will still take 16 years to close the gender pay gap.   

“This is why Labour’s Employment Rights Bill is so vital for women’s pay and equality. 

“The Bill will require large employers to set out clear action plans on how they will close their gender pay gaps, rather than just report what they are. 

“And we know women still take on the lion share of caring responsibilities – a key driver of the gender pay gap – so fixing care is critical to raising their pay. 

“The Employment Rights Bill will also introduce a fair pay agreement in social care, to stop the race to the bottom on pay and conditions. This will help recruit and retain staff.”   

The TUC says many of the other policies in the Employment Rights Bill – which begins its committee stage on Monday (25 November) – will help close the gender pay gap, including: 

  • Strengthening flexible working rights by introducing a day one right to work flexibly unless an employer can properly justify why this is not possible. 
  • Banning exploitative zero-hours contracts to help end the scourge of insecure work, which is particularly widespread in sectors like social care.  
  • Giving all employees day one rights on the job by scrapping qualifying time for basic rights, such as unfair dismissal, sick pay, and parental leave.  
  • Extending redundancy and unfair dismissal protections for pregnant women and new parents. 

Read Fawcett’s explainer on the Gender Pay Gap here: 

thegenderpaygapexplainer_29.10.24.pdf

equalpayday2024_timetoclosethegapDownload

More than 1.42 MILLION emergency food parcels distributed in past six months

Food banks in our community gave out just over 1,428,000 emergency food parcels across the UK between April and September this year, charity Trussell Trust reports today.

This includes 508,000 parcels provided for children facing hunger across the UK.

The majority of food parcels were distributed to families with children, with 63% of the total number of parcels going to households with children aged 0–16, the charity reports. More than 277,000 people visited a food bank in the Trussell community for the first time between April and September.  

The total number of parcels provided across the UK is 67,000 fewer when compared to the same period last year, representing a 4% decrease. Trussell says there are a number of possible reasons for this recent small dip, such as the gradual slowdown in the extortionate price hikes we experienced on food and bills in recent years, and an end to the Local Housing Allowance freeze in April, bringing support for private renters back in line with local rents. 

However, Trussell says it’s difficult to say if there has been an actual drop in hunger and hardship. The need for emergency food is still persistently high, and the number of parcels provided is 69% greater than the same period in 2019. 

In fact, some UK regions saw a marginal increase in the number of food parcels provided. East of England and London saw increases of 1% and 4% respectively in the numbers of parcels provided.  

Trussell says while food banks are a last resort for people who’ve been left isolated, facing hunger, and without enough money to live on, many are at breaking point due to years of growing numbers of people forced through their doors. 

Winter is often the busiest time for food banks and Trussell is calling on the public to continue to play their part and support their local food banks to meet this urgent need, by volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in the UK. 

Food banks offer hope, dignity and relief to people facing hardship. Many need vital funds to provide services beyond distributing emergency food, such as advice and support that unlocks money someone should be getting and services aimed at helping people out of financial hardship.    

Trussell says the evidence is clear that hunger in the UK isn’t a food problem, it’s an income problem. People are being forced to turn to food banks because incomes from work, and social security payments, do not cover the cost of the essentials, such as food, bills, and toiletries.

That’s why Trussell has also joined forces with hundreds of communities, food banks and charities including the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, in calling on the UK government to take urgent action now.  

Today, food banks across the UK have joined together to rally for change and are giving out a newspaper, the Hardship Times, in Westminster. The newspaper is made up of messages of hardship and hope, collected from hundreds of food banks across the UK.   

The charity says there is hope and it knows we can end hunger, if positive action is taken. The UK government must act swiftly to follow up announcements in the recent Budget, with a clear plan to meet its manifesto commitment to end the need for emergency food and ensure that we do not see even more people facing hunger and hardship on its watch.  

This plan should include investment in our social security system, at the very least introducing a protected minimum floor in Universal Credit to limit the amount of reductions that could be applied to a household’s Universal Credit. This would ensure, for the first time, that there would be a real safety net below which no one could fall.

The charity says this would be a low cost but concrete step towards ensuring our social security system protects people from facing hunger and hardship.  

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of Trussell, said: “The sheer numbers of people still facing hunger and hardship across the UK is heartbreaking. This cannot go on and we refuse to stand by while so many of us are pushed to the brink, left without enough money to live on.  

“Our food banks are a lifeline, offering a warm welcome and space to be heard. They need everyone to play their part to move us towards ending the need for emergency food in the UK.

“You can help make sure food banks can continue to provide warm, compassionate, practical support and advice this winter by volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in the UK. 

“Meanwhile, alongside our community of food banks campaigning today in Westminster, we will continue to call for change.

“The UK Government was elected with a manifesto pledge to end the need for emergency food and the time to act is now. There have been promising steps, but we need a clearer plan with more decisive action to invest in our social security system, if we are to end hunger once and for all.” 

Number of emergency food parcels distributed by food banks in the Trussell community: 1 April – 30 September 2019, 2023, and 2024:      

        1 April – 30 September 2019 1 April – 30 September 2023 1 April– 30 September 2024 
For adults For children   Total   For adults For children Total   For adults For children Total   
UK 534,786 309,203 843,989 952,394 542,915 1,495,309 920,960 507,721 1,428,681 
England 411,598 243,697 655,295 785,489 451,713 1,237,202 764,077 424,758 1,188,835 
Scotland 75,361 36,891 112,252 87,485 42,136 129,621 82,424 39,967 122,391 
Wales 37,262 21,199 58,461 56,496 32,209 88,705 53,878 28,907 82,785 
Northern Ireland 10,565 7,416 17,981 22,924 16,857 39,781

GRAHAM’s Christmas Crane

GRAHAM has enhanced Edinburgh’s skyline with some festivity as the contractor progresses with the transformation of the historic Grade-A listed Jenners building on Princes Street.

Draped in colourful lights, the crane has become a striking feature of the city’s celebrations, towering over the city’s magical Christmas Market in the Princes Street Gardens.

For more information about the ongoing transformation of the Jenners Building, please visit: 

https://www.graham.co.uk/about-us/news/construction-work-begins-jenners

Capital’s Christmas tree lit up

Edinburgh’s iconic Christmas tree on the Mound was officially lit last night (Monday 18 November) in a special ceremony led by Lord Provost Robert Aldridge.

He was joined by representatives from Edinburgh Candlemakers, the Norwegian Embassy and the Norwegian Honorary Consulate General, marking the start of the city’s festive celebrations.

The event saw Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, Counsellor Dr. Øystein Lund and Honorary Consul General Professor Julian Jones from the Norwegian Honorary Consulate General, come together to switch on the lights of the stunning 18-metre-tall tree. This cherished annual tradition celebrates the strong ties between Scotland and Norway, honouring the Scottish people’s unwavering support for Norway during World War II.

Gifted by Vestland (formerly Hordaland), the tree stands as a symbol of Norway’s gratitude for Scotland’s assistance during its darkest days. The tradition of gifting the tree began in 1947, and although it has been sourced from Scotland since 2008, it remains a meaningful token of friendship and solidarity between the two nations.

Edinburgh’s Christmas officially opened on Friday 15 November, and following last night’s Mound light night a number of community light switch on events will be taking place across the city.

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “Edinburgh’s famous Christmas tree is a fixture on the Mound every winter and the switch on of the lights not only signals the start for the festive season it is an important reminder of our close ties with Norway and of the strength and universal values of friendship, solidarity and compassion.

“I hope Edinburgh residents and visitors alike will enjoy the opportunity to view this beautiful Christmas Tree in the heart of our city. My heartfelt thanks go to the people of Vestland for their continued generosity and friendship over so many years, as well as to our partners Field and Lawn for their support and Bernard Hunter for their kind donation of crane services.

“As Edinburgh’s Christmas gets underway, the tree’s sparkling lights bring a festive glow to the city centre and with more community light switch-on events planned across the city, Edinburgh is embracing the Christmas spirit, uniting residents and visitors alike in a celebration of joy, hope, and goodwill.”

Honorary Consul General of the Norwegian Consulate General in Edinburgh, Prof. Julian Jones said: “The Christmas Tree symbolises all that is best about what Norway and Scotland, and what Vestland and Edinburgh, have in common.

“Every year Vestland gives a Christmas tree as a gift to Edinburgh, as a ‘thank you’ for the help received from Scotland during the Second World War.

“Norway and Scotland are neighbours, and we have a common history going all the way back to the Viking times.

“There are strong ties between Edinburgh and Vestland, and our culture and our heritage bring us together in our Christmas festivities, with a splendid concert in St Giles cathedral following the lighting of the Tree, with Scottish and Norwegian musicians.

“The Christmas Tree celebrates all that we have done together in past, and all that we will do together in the future.”

It’s World Toilet Day!

Do you have a leaky loo? Check now to save money and protect the environment

To celebrate World Toilet Day (19 November), WaterSafe and Waterwise are sharing a new, short video showing how to check for leaking toilets:

Up to 1 in 20 toilets leak, with some losing up to 400 litres of water a day – the same amount a three-person household uses daily.

This waste impacts household water bills and contributes to unnecessary carbon emissions from treating and delivering water.

The video, released by WaterSafe, the national register of approved plumbers, provides a straightforward method to check for leaks:

  • Place a square of toilet paper at the back of the toilet bowl
  • Leave it overnight
  • If it’s wet or torn by morning, the toilet is leaking and needs fixing.

Residents are urged to contact a WaterSafe-approved plumber to repair any leaks.

Julie Spinks, Director of WaterSafe, emphasises the importance of addressing this issue: “Leaky toilets are a hidden problem in many homes, but they can be easily fixed.

“By taking simple steps to check for leaks, homeowners can save money and help protect our precious water resources. We’re excited to share this video and encourage everyone to act.”

Chloe McFarland, Campaigns Manager at Waterwise said: “At Waterwise, we’re passionate about the small actions that can have a big impact when it comes to saving water.

“A leaky toilet can go unnoticed, but it is so easy to check for – and easy to fix! Catching leaks early can help you avoid unexpected costs and reduce water waste.”

Watch the video on WaterSafe’s YouTube channel or visit www.watersafe.org.uk to find out more or find a local approved plumber.

WaterSafe is a free online search facility funded by the water industry to help customers find competent and qualified plumbers, water supply pipe installers and other water services specialists in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

Waterwise is a leading authority on water efficiency in the UK.

Knives recovered in separate Edinburgh incidents on Sunday

On Sunday 17th November 2024 police officers from Team 2 response Wester Hailes attended two separate incidents which resulted in the recovery of knives from people on public streets in Fountainbridge and Stenhouse.

An adult male and an adult female were arrested with one appearing from custody and one appearing at Edinburgh sheriff court on a later date.

No persons were injured, and no member of the public was at risk during these incidents.

#KeepingPeopleSafe

#TakingKnivesOffTheStreets

Hit the Ground Running with Edinburgh Leisure’s Winter Pass

Channel your inner winter Olympian and race ahead of the New Year fitness rush with Edinburgh Leisure’s new Winter Pass initiative. Designed for both seasoned athletes and beginners alike, this limited-time offer brings the thrill of winter sports energy to your fitness journey.

“Just like preparing for the slopes, there’s no better time to build your fitness foundation than before the peak season,” says Ally Strachan, Fitness Development Manager Edinburgh Leisure.

“Our Winter Pass is your lift ticket to wellness, offering an incredible variety of facilities and activities at an exceptional value.”

The Winter Pass provides a dynamic two-week membership experience for just £25, available from 18th November to 18th December. Pass holders gain unlimited access to:

  • 17 state-of-the-art gyms
  • Athletic training facilities
  • Evolve at Meadowbank
  • 12 swimming pools for endurance training
  • Saunas, steam rooms, and the historic Turkish Baths at Portobello
  • Over 750+ weekly fitness classes to rival any training camp
  • Six golf courses for those preferring a different pace

Similar to a season pass at a ski resort, the Winter Pass can be renewed for an additional two weeks, allowing fitness enthusiasts to maintain momentum through the festive period. This flexibility accommodates both high-intensity training schedules and more relaxed approaches to wellness.

Health experts emphasise that maintaining physical activity during the pre-holiday season is crucial for:

  • Boosting immunity during the winter months
  • Managing seasonal stress
  • Supporting mental wellbeing
  • Building stamina for winter sports activities

Edinburgh Leisure’s facilities, conveniently located throughout the city, feature state-of-the-art fitness equipment and expert staff ready to support every fitness journey – from first-time gym-goers to seasoned athletes.

“Consider this your early Christmas present to yourself,” adds Ally Strachan. “When others are just starting their New Year’s resolutions, you’ll already be in peak condition.”

Edinburgh Leisure is a charity dedicated to creating opportunities for everyone to lead more active, healthy lives. With state-of-the-art facilities across Edinburgh, they’re committed to making fitness accessible and enjoyable for all.

For more information, visit: https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/winter-pass