The TUC is interested in the experiences of people with Long Covid in work, including people who have lost their jobs because of Long Covid.
Long Covid is the term used to describe COVID-19 symptoms that extending beyond the initial infection. Evidence on Long Covid points to symptoms of COVID-19 lasting for weeks, months and possibly years after the infection.
This survey asks questions to better understand how workers with Long Covid have been treated in the workplace.
Prior to the coronavirus outbreak, a significant portion of incidents Edinburgh CID dealt with occurred outdoors and in public spaces.
Typically, these would be reports of serious assault and other violent crime, robbery and sexual offences, often late into the evening. As you can imagine, alcohol and substance abuse often plays a pivotal role in many of these offences.
However, with licensed premises closed for large portions of the past year, and people advised to stay within their homes, there have been significantly lower numbers of such crimes taking place in the public sphere.
That is not to say that crimes of violence and sexual assault have stopped, it means however many may now be taking place behind closed doors and away from the gaze of others.
Our work becomes all the more important in these instances to protect vulnerable people from harm and bring offenders to justice and I would therefore appeal to all members of our communities to contact police immediately if you have concerns relating to potential criminal activity taking place within the home setting.
Alternatively make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 as there’s a key role our community can play here.Since lockdown restrictions began easing, we have already, sadly seen a return to some of the typical crimes that take place outdoors, particularly during warm weather.
My officers continue to investigate these incidents, which included various people being assaulted. This takes significant level of resourcing and staffing hours and the unacceptable behaviour of a small minority of troublemakers will not be tolerated. I would like to thank the public for the positive response regarding this incident to date.
The summer months also tend to see a rise in bogus workmen offences and in the past week we’ve had reports of men aged between 25 and 40, with Middlesbrough accents, calling at doors attempting to sell goods.
Our advice is to exercise caution where you have concern, refuse whatever goods or services individuals like this are offering, do not allow them entry to your home and ask them to leave before calling police and providing all relevant details of the suspects, including what kind of vehicle they were travelling in.
Check our website for tips and advice on doorstep crime – http://scotland.police.uk/…/doorstep-crime-and-bogus…/
Proactive disruption activity is a vital tactic we utilise to hamper the operations of crime groups and we regularly undertake enforcement activity aimed at seizing drugs, weapons and other illicit items.
Our efforts can only be successful, however, if we have the support of our communities and so if you have information about ongoing criminality in your area then please get in touch.
I want to finish off by raising awareness of an offence that is becoming more prevalent, not only in Edinburgh, but across the UK.
I am referring to county lines and cuckooing, where criminals from outside this region set up shop in order to commit illegal activities, particularly the sale of drugs in our communities.
On occasions, vulnerable people often living alone will be targeted through threats and intimidation and their properties will be used as a base of operation for criminals, which can often be pretty overt and noticeable to neighbours.
If you have any concerns at all that a person or group of people are committing crimes in your community, possibly within the home of a vulnerable person, then please report the matter to police immediately.
Detective Chief Inspector Graham Grant, Edinburgh CID.
On 4 February, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced that it was opening an investigation into Teletext Holidays after receiving hundreds of complaints.
These showed that people were not receiving refunds they were owed within 14 days, as required by law, for package holidays cancelled by the company due to pandemic restrictions.
The CMA wrote to Truly Holdings Ltd., the company that operates Teletext Holidays and also AlphaRooms.com, in March, setting out in detail its concerns and giving the company an opportunity to address them.
The CMA told the firm it could avoid any potential court action by signing formal commitments – known as ‘undertakings’ – to refund affected consumers and ensure compliance with the Package Travel Regulations going forward.
However, Teletext has not agreed to provide undertakings that are sufficient to address the CMA’s concerns.
The CMA has now informed Teletext Holidays that it is preparing to take court action and will launch proceedings if it does not repay the outstanding refunds, or commit to do so, without unnecessary delay.
Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: There must be no more delays to Teletext refunding customers for holidays they could not take because of the pandemic. It is unacceptable that many have already waited months for the refunds they are legally entitled to.
“We take very seriously the ongoing failure of Teletext Holidays to meet its obligations. The firm must now comply with the law and commit to refunding its customers. If it does not do so, we will not hesitate to pursue this case in court.”
Rory Boland, Which? Travel Editor, said: “We have received countless complaints from Teletext Holidays customers who have been battling for refunds for cancelled holidays for more than a year, so while the regulator’s action is welcome customers will be angry that they still don’t have money they are legally due.
“Teletext is one of many holiday providers that have attempted to shirk their legal responsibilities to refund customers for cancelled trips, highlighting the need for industry-wide reform.
“The government must ensure there are better protections for holidaymakers’ money, while the Civil Aviation Authority – which has been unable to take much meaningful action against airlines holding up the refund process by withholding money from holiday companies – must be given stronger powers.”
The announcement follows ‘significant action’ by the CMA in relation to holiday cancellations during the coronavirus pandemic.
The CMA has written to over 100 package holiday firms to remind them of their obligations to comply with consumer protection law, and has already secured refund commitments from LoveHolidays, Lastminute.com, Virgin Holidays, and TUI UK.
Further information on this case can be found on the COVID-19 cancellations: package holidays web page.
Capital Theatres is very pleased to announce its new project developed in partnership with Traverse Theatre which is aimed at people with a lived experience of dementia and older people experiencing isolation and sensory deprivation.
Delivered to care homes in and around Edinburgh as well as to individuals who are living in the community, the audio play was devised in lieu of the annual Capital Theatres’s Care Settings Theatre Tour which had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and it also follows on the success of Sundown Stories, a series of short, calming stories written by and for people living with dementia.
Set in iconic Edinburgh locations – from summertime in the Meadows after the war, to a Beatles gig in the ABC on Lothian Road, Christmastime on the Mound in the 80s and ending up in the Port O’Leith after the turn of the millennium, When The Sun Meets The Sky tracks Maggie through the decades as she discovers herself, her city and tries to get to the bottom of a mystery that’s eluded her since childhood.
From the Traverse Theatre, Jack Nurse, Artist in Residence (Creative Development) and Robbie Gordon, Creative Development Producer, led the creative aspect of developing the play, working very closely with Creative Contributors – people living with dementia, their family and friends, carers and ex-carers.
Creative Contributors were instrumental not only in developing the script for the play by sharing their personal stories but also informed casting, contributed artwork and had cameo roles in the play.
Dawn Irvine, Learning and Participation Co-ordinator (Dementia Friendly Projects) said: “Undoubtedly, the global pandemic has put an unimaginable strain on care homes and those living with dementia, their families, carers and friends.
“Due to the lockdown restrictions, we weren’t able to deliver our usual creative engagement programme so decided to produce something that can be enjoyed remotely and included craft activities and sensory resources to be enjoyed by residents and staff.
“We are very pleased to now be able to share the audio play with public: a quality, creative experience that is shaped by and for people living with dementia. We hope that through this project they will feel encouraged to share their own personal stories and ultimately, feel more empowered and connected to those around them which is more important now than ever before.”
Linda Crooks, Traverse Theatre Executive Producer said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Capital Theatres on this project that speaks powerfully to our commitment of finding creative and meaningful ways for our artists to engage with our audiences and our city with work that seeks to bring communities together during these isolating times.
“COVID-19 has had an undeniable impact on those living with dementia, their carers, family and friends. Created for and with people living with dementia in Edinburgh, we hope that When The Sun Meets The Sky will offer listeners those much needed moments of connection, while also sharing a beautiful story that’s very much rooted in our city.”
Kathryn Bailey Activities Coordinator at the Elms Nursing Home said: “The residents at the Elms have benefitted from the thoughtful collection of dementia-friendly activities produced by Dawn Irvine and the team at Capital Theatres.
“Covid restrictions presented challenges which they overcame with creative alternatives including audio-visual Tea Parties, Sundowning Stories and, most recently, a radio play.
“Residents have positively benefited from all activities and were delighted to be included by the writers of the radio play’s research and to proof-read the drafts of the play as they developed.
“These activities have prompted meaningful conversations, reminiscence and joy in the moment. One of our residents, Joyce Miller, inspired the development of climbing lamp post idea and has worked on a sketch of the scene by adding colour and pattern in a pointillism style.”
Capital Theatres has over 5 years of experience in working creatively with persons living with dementia, the creation of dementia friendly performances as well as trained staff who are knowledgeable about dementia inclusive practice and dementia enablement.
Traverse Theatre is Scotland’s leading new writing theatre and expert in theatre production – recently also in audio play and podcast production.
During the Research & Development phase of the project, Capital Theatres’ team carried out extensive consultations with care homes staff, people living with dementia and their loved ones with whom they have developed a relationship over the years through various projects. The feedback was extremely positive.
Interviewees were very keen on increasing the level of creative engagement in their everyday life – something that has substantially diminished over the past 12 months due to the lockdown restrictions.
They were highly supportive of a radio play as an opportunity for people to engage in either large or small groups or individually as well as support those with visual impairments to enjoy creative work not reliant on sight.
They also appreciated that radio play could be enjoyed with minimal need for care staff intervention and is a resource that can be used over and again.
The episodes of the audio play can be enjoyed individually or as part of a larger, connected story. Delivered in a relaxed, conversational manner with no loud noises or loud music, the audio play focuses on real stories and narration that is easy to follow, without hindrance of sub plots or many characters.
The audio play will be available to experience for free on the Capital Theatres’ YouTube channel and Traverse Theatre website from Tuesday, 4 May. In order to make it as accessible as possible, Capital Theatres’ team has produced a transcribed version, a large print version and will provide CDs and DVDs to those without Internet access.
The audio play will be distributed among Edinburgh and Lothians care homes and people living with dementia in their own homes. Capital Theatres and Traverse Theatre would like to encourage those who are interested in experiencing the project to get in touch by emailing dawn.irvine@capitaltheatres.com.
To further enhance the experience, Capital Theatres has produced a number of sensory packs which will be distributed to care homes and individuals alongside the play.
These packs will include items relating to the stories that can be touched or smelled like a small bottle containing an essence of a smell of freshly cut grass. The packs will also provide a list of conversation starters to encourage listeners to delve deeper into the themes explored in the play and share their own experiences. The team has also produced an easy guide to making your own sensory pack at home.
The cast of When the Sun Meets the Sky includes popular stage and tv actor Irene Allan, known for her roles in Taggart and Doctors – Maureen Beattie, Mason Clarke-Whale, a second year BA Acting student at RCS, River City and Taggart-regular Tam Dean Burn, playwright and actor Robbie Gordon, actor, musician and singer Rebekah Lumsden and Rehanna Macdonald, known for her work with Richard Burton Company and Stellar Quines, among others.
A free, digital, public event taking place on Thursday (6 May) will give those interested in learning more about the process of creating When The Sun Meets The Sky an exclusive access to the behind-the-scenes.
Featuring Dawn Irvine, Dementia Friendly Co-ordinator at Capital Theatres, from the Traverse Theatre, Robbie Gordon, Creative Development Producer and Artist in Residence, Jack Nurse as well as Ian Laurence, one of the Creative Contributors, this special digital event will be hosted on Capital Theatres’ website.
Tickets are available to book now under this link: Zoom Event: Adapted for Isolation – Capital Theatres
When The Sun Meets The Sky was funded by Creative Scotland Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund and D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust.
The UK has one of the best workers’ rights records in the world, according to Westminster. On International Workers’ Day, the UK Government reflects on some of the key steps it has taken to support workers since last year.
Looking to the future, they say they are bringing forward plans to crack down on workplace abuses through a powerful new enforcement body, while giving workers more freedom over where and when they work by putting an end to the use of exclusivity clauses for those on low pay.
A children’s charity aimed at helping disabled and disadvantaged children has been given a £1,000 cash boost by a Bathgate-based housebuilder as part of its year-long initiative to support local communities.
Radio Forth Cash for Kids, which supports children that have special needs, are disabled, have life limiting illnesses or have been abused or neglected, received £1,000 from Persimmon Homes East Scotland.
Cash for Kids is a grant giving charity that receives requests from individuals and children’s organisations within the broadcast area of Radio Forth. All money raised is distributed in Edinburgh the Lothians, Fife and east central Scotland.
Nationally Cash for Kids raised £19.2 million last year enabling support for 396,639 children.
The funding provides elements of specialist care and a variety of day-to-day necessities such as food, toiletries and data cards to help keep children connected for schooling.
Victoria Hendry at Radio Forth, said: “We are delighted that Persimmon Homes East Scotland has chosen to support us as we rely entirely on donations.
“The pandemic has devasted families across Scotland and we currently have 45 applications outstanding to help children with specialised wheelchairs, bereavement support, speech therapy so we are approaching businesses for help across our broadcast area.
“This donation will help us to continue to offer support and develop new services for young people. We are so grateful.”
The donation comes as part of Persimmon Homes’ Community Champions project which donates up to £1,000 to two local groups and charities in each of its 30 regions.
Neil Parry, managing director at Persimmon Homes East Scotland, said the community initiative is a way of supporting people across every city, town and village where the company works.
He said: “We want our Community Champions project to help as many people as possible and we felt the work that Radio Forth Cash for Kids is perfectly placed to achieve this, particularly under the current circumstances.
“We are building on a number of new sites in and around Edinburgh and are very pleased to support this extremely worthy cause that does so much to help children in the community.”
Persimmon Homes East Scotland is currently developing a range of new two, three and four-bedroom homes at The Willows at The Wisp, Kings Cove and Lang Loan in Edinburgh along with Burgh Gate in Musselburgh.
For more information visit www.persimmonhomes.com
Morrisons is bringing back its popular Tommy Tea Afternoon Tea box to help customers celebrate VE day on the 8th May and support Royal British Legion Industries with an afternoon tea party to mark the occasion.
The term Tommy has been used for many years to refer to a British Soldier, with German and French troops often calling the name out over the trenches during World War I, to speak with a British Soldier.
The boxes support the Royal British Legion Industries’ VE Day campaign with £1 from every Tommy Tea Afternoon Tea food box bought going to the charity to provide support to the UK’s most vulnerable veterans into safe homes and vital employment opportunities and offer the support they need to get back on their feet.
Containing all you need to make the most of the good weather and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea at home, the box features products from Morrisons The Best range including All Butter Sultana Scones, Strawberry Conserve and Sparkling Sicilian Lemonade. Each box will also contain a leaflet with information about the charity and how customers can get involved to fundraise and support.
The box is available online from 29th April – 10th May and priced at £20, with customers able to add a bottle of prosecco for £25 or a bottle of champagne for £37.
Joseph Clark-Bland, Charity and Community Specialist at Morrisons, said: “We’re proud to continue to show our support for veterans and the RBLI’s Tommy’s Tea Campaign.
“The Tommy Tea Afternoon food box is packed full of products for customers to host their own celebrations and enjoy an afternoon tea at home, to mark VE Day.”
The launch of the Tommy Tea Box falls in line with the start of RBLI’s Tommy’s Race to Victory – a national event which sees a team of military veterans and serving personnel run and cycle more than 800 miles over 9 days throughout the UK, stopping off at major cities and military locations in the run up to VE Day.
Lisa Farmer, Director of Strategic Development at RBLI, said: “Morrisons continued commitment to supporting military veterans through RBLI’s wide range of services is nothing short of phenomenal.
“This year, RBLI is going above and beyond to celebrate VE Day whilst also raising crucial funds for the country’s most vulnerable veterans during the pandemic – and we simply cannot thank Morrisons enough for once again coming to the fore to help our military veterans in their time of need.”
A typical box contains:
For more information or to purchase the Morrisons Tommy Afternoon Tea Box visit https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/boxes/all-boxes
A culture project for young carers is launching after Museums & Galleries Edinburgh, with Edinburgh Young Carers, was selected as a key partner by the British Museum for their Where we are programme.
Where we are… is a new national programme for young people aged 16-24 that co-designs and co-delivers meaningful local arts and cultural projects around the UK.
In Edinburgh staff from Museums and Galleries Edinburgh and Edinburgh Young Carers will work with up to 10 young carers from across the Capital.
Through this project, young carers in the community who may face adversity and challenges as a result of their caring responsibilities, will have the opportunity to have fun and forge networks and bring their experience and skills to the project, developing these further.
Councillor Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “Working with Edinburgh Young Carers, our Museums & Galleries Edinburgh service is delighted to have been selected as one of British Museums key partners on the Where we are programme.
“Our Museums service have done a lot of work with young carers and other vulnerable groups and there has never been a better time for this kind of engagement.
“In Edinburgh we are keen to ensure that cultural opportunities are available to everyone that lives here, and we can’t wait to see what the young people produce.”
Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener, said: “One of our priorities as a local authority is to ensure wellbeing and equalities are enhanced for everyone who lives here.
“This project will contribute to that aim by providing young people with a cultural opportunity that will help them to develop skills, build confidence and provide a positive focus after what has been a very difficult year. We’re very excited to see what they produce.
Ria Sloan, Outreach and Access Manager, said: “Museums and Galleries Edinburgh place people at the heart of what we do; we work to provide opportunities for people to access, explore and contribute to Edinburgh’s cultural life.
“I’m thrilled to be able to give local young people the opportunity to be part of a nationwide project led by the British Museum and I’m really looking forward to learning more about how we can support their interests and needs.”
Lee MacKenzie, 16-25s Development Worker at Young Carers said: “We are thrilled to have been selected to take part in the project.
“This last year has been particularly challenging for our young adult carers in terms of wellbeing, education and employment. By being part of this project, we hope to remove some of the barriers the pandemic has created for our carers as well supporting them to explore some of the incredible culture their city has to offer.
“Having worked together with the Museums and Galleries Edinburgh team on successful projects in the past, it’s great to be able to work in partnership again on something new.”
Further information:
Dear Editor
Despite the recent easing of national COVID-19 lockdown restrictions, many parents of neonatal babies in Scotland continue to face significant challenges in being with their premature or sick baby.
Before the pandemic parents typically had unrestricted access to their baby 24 hours a day, with neonatal units encouraging full participation in care giving. But in the past 12 months, parental access at many units has been restricted, with parents often unable to attend the unit together, and some having limits imposed on the length of time they can be with their baby.
Restrictions vary from unit–to–unit and the picture across Scotland is extremely varied, with some units continuing to facilitate full parental presence and involvement in their baby’s care. Policies have also changed over time, depending on national COVID-19 restrictions and local infection rates.
As part of this year’s Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, taking place throughout May, Bliss is raising awareness of our new research which shows the devastating impact of these restrictions. Parents whose babies required neonatal care during the COVID-19 pandemic have told us how they struggled to access mental health support and experienced high levels of isolation.
In a Bliss survey of over 500 UK parents of neonatal babies born in the past 12 months, 92% of parents said they felt isolated and 69% said their mental health has become worse following their neonatal experience.
Parents with a neonatal experience are already at a high risk of experiencing mental health difficulties, and many parents feel they have not been able to get support for their mental health and wellbeing while their baby is in neonatal care.
Parents are the most important people in their baby’s lives and unit access restrictions have had a substantial impact on families. The implications on family bonding and mental health will be felt long into the future.
That’s why Bliss is calling on the NHS to introduce a National Roadmap for a return to usual 24/7 parent access on neonatal units as a matter of urgency, and to work with NHS Trusts in Scotland and beyond to implement it consistently across the country.
Our smallest and sickest babies need their parents at their side to give them the best chance of survival and quality of life.
Caroline Lee-Davey,
Chief Executive of Bliss Scotland
An Edinburgh Napier graphic design student has raised hundreds of pounds for mental health charities after developing a series of prints in honour of a late, close friend.
Student Rachel Cartledge, 19, from Edinburgh, developed a series of four prints in memory of her close friend Jack Dore, who sadly took his own life in December 2020.
Rachel met Jack through working together in Edinburgh. He was also an Edinburgh Napier student, studying International Tourism Management. He was due to graduate this year.
Her prints – which were developed as part of University coursework that aimed to get students to create something they were passionate about – featured a range of her own illustrations alongside uplifting quotes such as “You matter”, and “Everyone grows at different rates”.
The theme of the prints was to advocate good mental health alongside brightening people’s day.
Once the designs were finalised, Rachel sold the prints through her online Etsy shop and Instagram channel. Within the first 30 minutes, she had raised more than £100. Two print runs later, Rachel had raised a total of £704.28.
The funds raised were split between CALM – a charity that campaigns against living miserably – and a JustGiving fund set-up by Jack’s family to help people affected by depression and other mental health issues. As things stand, the fund is nearly at £20,000.
For Rachel, being able to do use her creative skills to help give people something to remember Jack by was a key driver of the entire project.
She said: “Last year, one of my good friends and work colleagues, Jack sadly took his own life. His family had set-up a JustGiving page in honour of him to raise awareness and get more people mental health support. I wanted to create something to help them in their goal.
“Jack’s death made me so upset and it is obviously something very personal to me. My idea was to create a series of mental health prints that I could sell online to raise money for the fund. I also liked the idea because whoever buys a print would get a little piece of Jack with them so his memory never fades.
“When my shop went live, I was so shocked at the response. In less than 30 minutes I had raised more than £100 for Jack and hundreds of people were sharing and commenting on my Instagram post.
“Overall, I sold more than 300 prints. I even had to restock which is something I never thought would happen. I went into this with a passion for making a difference for Jack and designing prints to make people’s day a little brighter.
“It just shows that when you put your mind to something and work really hard, anything is possible.”
Gemma Skelding, Associate Lecturer in Graphic Design at Edinburgh Napier, said: “I set the students the Passion Project to give them the opportunity to explore a brief that is inspired by a deeper meaning, a mission, a desire for a better way and ideally, has a real-world result.
“Rachel’s project delivered this in abundance, and I applaud her strength and drive to create such a wonderful tribute for her friend.”
If you would like to donate to Jack’s fund, you can do so by visiting:
