Category: North Edinburgh News

Safety first as Edinburgh remains at Level 2

Scotland ‘remains on the right track’

As the vaccination programme advances through age groups some restrictions are to be eased sooner in areas where case rates and prevalence of coronavirus (COVID-19) allow, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced yesterday.

The First Minister outlined the next steps to Parliament and confirmed that Glasgow will move to Level 2 from 00:01 on Saturday 5 June 2021. Edinburgh will remain at Level 2.

The following mainland local authority areas will also remain at Level 2, while the situation with the virus is monitored closely:

  • East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire
  • East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire, and South Ayrshire
  • North Lanarkshire and South Lanarkshire
  • Edinburgh and Midlothian
  • Stirling and Clackmannanshire
  • Dundee

At the same time, from 00:01 on Saturday 5 June 2021, these 15 mainland local authorities will move to Level 1:

  • Highland and Argyll & Bute
  • Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray
  • Angus and Perth & Kinross
  • Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire
  • Falkirk
  • Fife
  • West Lothian and East Lothian
  • The Scottish Borders
  • Dumfries & Galloway

All islands currently in Level 1 will move to Level 0 at the same time due to sustained low numbers of cases. Everyone is encouraged to get tested to help stop the spread of COVID-19 by finding cases that might be missed, as around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I appreciate that today’s decisions will feel like a mixed bag. That reflects the fact that we are in a transition phase. No part of the country is going backwards today.

“Before the vaccines, that would have been impossible on case numbers like this. But the vaccines are changing the game. And that means we can still be optimistic about our chances of much more normality over the summer and beyond.

“As always, all of us have a part to play in beating this virus back. So please, stick with it, and each other.”

For local authority areas in Level 2, we will be providing support to soft play and other closed sectors that had expected to open, or operate in a different way from 7 June. 

Full details will be provided by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance today.

Council Leaders have urged Edinburgh residents to stick to the guidance and come forward for vaccinations and community testing after yesterday’s announcement.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “I know people across the city continue to do a brilliant job to follow the guidance to help steer Edinburgh forward out of lockdown and I know people understand the need to stay in Level Two due to recent increases in transmissions.

“With cases rising in some parts of the city we’ve got to make sure we go at the right pace rather than risk stalling progress further. Even with this slight slowing down of our reopening, I’m very pleased that we’re still on the right track to get back to something like normality again and can still enjoy so much of our city that has reopened already. This is thanks to the hard work of people and businesses across our communities and, of course, the ongoing vaccination rollout.

“If you’re called forward for your jag, please make sure you take up the invitation, especially when it’s your second dose as that’s when immunity against the newly-named Delta variant increases significantly. Those aged 18 to 29 can now register for a vaccine appointment via NHS inform.  

“By each of us doing the right thing and helping to protect ourselves and our communities, we’ll see Edinburgh join other local authorities in the lower levels of restrictions much faster.”

Council Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Nobody wants to go backwards after the really difficult journey we’ve all been on to get to this point so while things are still in a delicate situation in terms of case rates versus vaccination figures, a careful and steady approach is crucial.

“If we can monitor where cases are emerging – including the roughly 33% that never develop symptoms – then we’ll have a much clearer idea of how well we’re limiting the spread of the virus. So as well as getting vaccinated when you’re called forward, it’s really important to continue to take regular tests, as there’s evidence you can still transmit the virus even if you’ve had the jag.

“You can order free lateral flow tests online or, if you don’t have any Covid symptoms, pop into one of our community test centres, which we’re setting up in areas where case numbers are stubbornly high.

“Please continue to follow the guidance when you’re out and about in the shops or meeting friends for something to eat or drink – businesses have worked incredibly hard to put measures in place to keep their staff and customers safe and we need to do our bit too when visiting them.”

Coronavirus (COVID-19) update: First Minister’s statement – 1 June 2021 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

Briggs calls for statement on homelessness strategy

Recently appointed Scottish Conservative Social Justice, Housing and Local Government Spokesperson, Miles Briggs, has today called for a statement in the Scottish Parliament on a post pandemic homelessness strategy, ahead of summer recess.

Today at Holyrood, Lothian MSP Miles Briggs brought to the attention of the First Minister concerns from constituents, that their emergency pandemic accommodation in guest houses and serviced apartments will be terminated as of this week.

Mr Briggs has called for an urgent statement to find out what contingency plans are in place for those who have no information on where they will go, with emergency accommodation being ended.

The First Minister agreed to look into the issue and where the Scottish Government could provide support.  

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “During the pandemic welcome steps were taken to provide accommodation for homeless individuals and families.

“We all need to work to make sure that we do not see a return to the homeless crisis and look to how we can work to end homelessness and rough sleeping.

“It is important that SNP Ministers have a plan for those who have been given accommodation throughout the pandemic, which will shortly no longer be available.”

Best Start Grant boost for parents

Low income parents are being encouraged to apply for the financial support they are eligible for. This year’s Best Start Grant School Age Payment opens today to families who get tax credits or certain other benefits and have a child who was born between 1 March 2016 and 28 February 2017. 

Even if the child is not starting school, eligible parents and carers should still apply before the closing date on 28 February 2022.

The payment is part of five family payments delivered by Social Security Scotland that also include: Best Start Foods, Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and Scottish Child Payment. 

Best Start Foods payments are set to increase to £4.50 per week on 1 August to support low income families to buy healthy food for children under the age of three.

To maximise the support available to families, income thresholds that apply to certain qualifying benefits are also set to increase. 

Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “The Scottish Government is working hard to tackle poverty and to create a fairer society, with the powers and resources that we have.

“As part of this, we are set to increase our Best Start Foods payments within the first 100 days of this new term of government, and we are determined to make sure families with young children get all the financial help that is available.

“We are providing support worth about £5,000 by the time a child turns six through our Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods and the Scottish Child Payment. People can apply for these payments on one simple, straightforward form – and I urge all those who are eligible to make sure they apply by visiting mygov.scot/beststart or calling 0800 182 2222.

“Access to financial support is important and we want people get the money they are entitled to. So please check if you’re eligible and, if so, make sure to apply – and let others know too, so that together we can help build a fairer society here in Scotland.”

Cole-Hamilton Seeks Walk-In Vaccine Centres for Constituency Hot Spots

Edinburgh Western MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton is seeking walk in coronavirus vaccination centres in the Lothians today, after an outbreak in his constituency which forced the temporary closure of a local primary school.

Last week, Mr Cole- Hamilton, raised concerns over the temporary closure of Davidsons Main Primary School within his constituency, after 12 out of the 19 classes were required to self-isolate. Health Secretary Humza Yousaf responded to Mr Cole-Hamilton with the assurance that an extra effort would be made to ensure appropriate testing measures would be in place to keep the virus under control.

Mr Cole-Hamilton believes that more immediate action must be taken, using an opportunity in the Holyrood chamber to ask if the Health Secretary would make drop-in vaccination clinics available for constituents over the age of 18 who have yet to have their first jag or face a long wait for their second in local hotspot areas across Edinburgh, as he had done in Glasgow over the weekend.

Unable to give a definitive answer, Mr Yousaf did promise to raise the merits of walk in centres during a meeting with NHS Lothian that will take place tomorrow.

Mr Cole-Hamilton said: “I am pleased that the Cabinet Secretary understands the value of walk in vaccination centres, and there are many examples of the appetite for them across the United Kingdom.

“If we have learned anything from this pandemic it is the tragedy of being slow to take action. If the city of Edinburgh is to avoid a situation like the one Glasgow has been facing for the last eight months, then walk in vaccination clinics must be set up as soon as possible.

“It is of the utmost importance that local outbreaks, just like the ones in Davidsons Mains and Silverknowes, are dealt with swiftly, to avoid further harm to our to both our health and economy.”

Henry Duncan Grants to provide £1m to support mental health and wellbeing

 Corra Foundation announces £1m Henry Duncan Grant funding for community-based mental health and wellbeing support

This year’s Henry Duncan Grants programme  opened on May 25 and the fund totalling £1m will have three strands:

  • Organisation Grants – open to charities with an annual income up to £500,000 and a core focus on supporting people of any age who experience mental ill health. A maximum of £8,000 per year granted up to five years.
  • Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Project Grants – open to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic led charities with annual income up to £500,000, delivering projects that support people of any age who experience mental ill health. A maximum £8,000 per year up to three years.
  • Micro grants – open to small charities and voluntary groups with an annual income up to £50,000, supporting communities experiencing disadvantage to improve mental health and wellbeing by reducing isolation and loneliness. This includes Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and rural communities. One-off grants of a maximum £1,000.

It is estimated that around one in three people in Scotland experience mental ill health in any year. The health, economic and social impacts of the coronavirus pandemic are likely to increase people’s need for mental health support.

The impacts aren’t spread equally across the population, with adults living in areas of poverty approximately twice as likely to have common mental health problems.

Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities have been among those most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. This is likely to affect people’s mental health, for example through fear and anxiety, experience of illness or loss of loved ones.

Corra also acknowledges the impact that racial injustice has on mental health and well-being. Research has shown that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities are disadvantaged when accessing mental health and well-being services, including the quality of care they receive. This is due to racism, structural and institutional inequalities, fear, stigma and discrimination.

For these reasons, Henry Duncan Grants 2021 includes a strand focused on Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.

These are project grants, rather than core, reflecting the fact that much of the work done to support mental health among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities is delivered by organisations that do not have mental health as their primary focus. Corra believes diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is fundamental to its ten-year strategy. As a result, the team are working proactively to reach, and be accessible to diverse communities.

Henry Duncan Grants opened on 25 May – please keep an eye on the Corra Foundation website, or follow Corra on Twitter @CorraScot or Facebook for more information.

15% of owner-managed businesses are still in survival mode

“11% reported that it is likely they will have to make redundancies in the next 3-6 months putting a potential 1.85 million jobs at risk across the UK”

Owner managed businesses coming out of the third lockdown are still struggling with the impact of Covid-19 and an uncertain economic outlook, according to the Association of Practising Accountants (APA):

  • 11% reported that it is likely they will have to make redundancies in the next 3-6 months putting a potential 1.85 million jobs at risk across the UK
  • 24% reported a negative or very negative impact on their business since the UK left the EU
  • 53% of respondents identified uncertain trading conditions as their biggest single challenge
  • 15% cited Brexit supply chain issues as their single biggest challenge

Nonetheless:

  • 84% of respondents reported that they were either confident or somewhat confident that they would be able to access the finance that they needed over the next 6 months with anecdotal evidence suggesting that the major banks were continuing to lend
  • Longer term 54% were more positive about their economic prospects outside the EU while 46% were less positive

The research among 435 owner managed businesses across the UK was carried out between April and May by the APA, a network of 17 leading business advisory firms who represent over 14,000 of these businesses.

Commenting on the findings APA Chairman Martin Muirhead said: “What is clear from our research is that a significant minority of owner managed businesses who have managed to pull through the last 12 months are still in survival mode with uncertain trading conditions being the biggest concern to a majority.

“Nonetheless there is also evidence to suggest that those businesses that have managed to weather the impact of Covid-19 are now more resilient and that existing and proposed Government support measures have generally been well received.

“Over the coming months it is vital that Government maintains a flexible and targeted approach to business support focusing resource on those sectors where there is the greatest need. Owner managed businesses form the backbone of the UK economy and need continued, targeted support as we emerge from this third lockdown.”

More libraries to reopen from Monday 7 June

Still no date for Muirhouse re-opening

The majority of Edinburgh’s libraries will be open this month as part of a phased plan for reopening essential services in the city.

In total 11 venues will offer a variety of services as they open up from next Monday (7th June).

A number of libraries – Central (including the Children’s Library), Drumbrae, Kirkliston, McDonald Road, Wester Hailes, Stockbridge and Gilmerton – are all currently open. Craigmillar and Fountainbridge are being used as short-term community asymptomatic testing centres but will thereafter return to use as libraries.

The timetable for the phased reopening of further libraries is:

Monday 7 June

  • Currie
  • Piershill
  • South Queensferry
  • Balgreen
  • Colinton

Monday 14 June

  • Morningside
  • Moredun
  • a mobile library at Ratho (contact/collect only)
  • Balerno will be open for contact/collect and bus pass applications support.

Thursday 17 June

  •  Blackhall

Thursday 24 June

  • Portobello

It is hoped that the city’s remaining libraries will reopen again as soon as possible after these dates.

A number of libraries (Leith, Newington, Oxgangs and the library in Gate 55 at Wester Hailes) are temporarily being used as community covid-19 testing centres until at least late Autumn.Other libraries may be needed as short-term asymptomatic testing centres over the coming weeks and months.

To browse and borrow books, use a public computer, apply for a National Entitlement Card (bus pass) or collect hearing aid batteries visits will need to be booked online or by phoning the library direct.

There’s no need to reserve a slot if you’re return your books or picking up Hey Girls sanitary products. Social distancing measures are in place including face coverings being mandatory.

Culture and Communities Convener Cllr Donald Wilson said: “It’s great to see more libraries opening their doors across the city as they are invaluable resources for local communities. Our phased plan means we have been able to reopen them in a measured and cautious way to ensure everyone’s safety.

“Our plans will see a further 11 venues open for a variety of services. Although a number of other libraries are currently covid-19 testing centres I want to assure everyone that they will revert to fully functioning libraries.

“I want to thank all the hard work and efforts from our library and cleaning teams who continue to work tirelessly to get our libraries open and ensure they are safe to use.”

Culture and Communities Vice Convener Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “I’m delighted that we’re going to see more libraries open next week as we welcome our people back into their local spaces. They are much-loved hubs which bring our communities together and are essential for supporting the wellbeing of our citizens.

“We really appreciate everyone’s support and patience over recent months as we put in place our phased plans and thanks must go to the fantastic work of all the Council staff who have made this possible.

“The measured approach demonstrates our commitment and recognition of the importance of public libraries in this, the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.”

Survey on role of volunteering and the third sector response to Covid-19

The Scottish Government would like to better understand the impact of Covid-19 on the voluntary sector and volunteering. If you are an organisation which has engaged volunteers in the last two years, they would really like to hear your views.

The survey will provide invaluable and up-to-date insights on both the challenges and opportunities facing volunteering and will help to guide the recovery process in 2021 and beyond.

The findings will be published and widely disseminated for the benefit of all volunteer involving organisations. 

The survey closes TODAY – take the survey here

From shooting stars to shooting for the stars

After a high-flying career as a press photographer – which saw her hanging out of helicopters and climbing church bell towers to get the perfect image – Horticulture student Julie Bull is now very much grounded in her gardening business.

As a photographer with the Bournemouth Echo, Birmingham Post and Mail, and laterally the Edinburgh Evening News, she spent 30 years photographing all walks of life, from street children in Guatemala and Oxfam’s aid work during the genocide in Rwanda to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Hogmanay concerts and fireworks.

Following on from this career, she worked as a Police Scotland call handler receiving 101 and 999 calls. 

“I have always enjoyed gardening,” said Julie, 50, from Midlothian.  “I would watch the contract gardener through the bombproof windows at Police Scotland and on a good day could just about inhale the smell of the freshly cut grass. That’s when I decided to take the plunge and become a full-time Horticulture student and purchased my first secondhand lawnmower from Gumtree.”

After completing an SVQ Level 2 course in Amenity Horticulture, she progressed on to the NC Horticulture course at SRUC’s Oatridge campus in West Lothian.

While it’s a far cry from the days of photographing Nelson Mandela, royalty, and being blessed by the Dalai Lama, the four years since she set up her gardening/ companion gardening business Flower Power have flown by. 

This sees her providing a personalised gardening service for people, either as a lone gardener or as a companion garden working alongside clients at their pace.

After finishing her course, she plans to continue to expand her practical gardening knowledge before contemplating returning for the HNC course in the autumn.

“I volunteer with Cyrenians at Midlothian Community Hospital Garden and buddy up with ‘green prescribers’ who are referred by their GP or support worker,” she said.

“Being able to share space and time in the community garden with folk is a precious thing – especially after Covid-19 and all the lockdowns.  This complements the Trellis Therapeutic Gardening courses I’m completing alongside my SRUC studies.”

In the future, she would love to have enough knowledge and confidence to become a Community Garden Co-ordinator working alongside volunteers or even a First Gardener with the National Trust for Scotland.

“As I say to my 21-year-old son Alfie, a goal without a plan is just wishful thinking,” she said. “We can all shoot for the stars, can’t we?”

For more information about studying at SRUC, visit: www.sruc.ac.uk/courses