Category: North Edinburgh News

World Diabetes Day tomorrow: Does your employer take diabetes seriously?

Does your employer take diabetes seriously?

Education, flexibility, training and risk assessment are some ways that employers up and down the country can provide support to diabetic employees.

Health and safety experts at CE Safety have revealed actionable steps for employers to ensure that they have the correct workplace procedures to deal with a diabetic emergency.

It is World Diabetes Day on November 14th, prompting CE Safety to offer guidance about first aid and diabetes in the workplace. With 4.8 million people in the UK living with diabetes, employers should be clued up and support staff who have the disease.

This is especially important in the time of Covid-19, as research has revealed that people with diabetes are at greater risk of dying from the virus. People with diabetes should be taking steps to look after themselves to avoid complications, such as maintaining healthy blood sugar targets and staying fit and healthy.

It is a basic minimum standard to ensure workplaces are risk assessed and suitable for diabetics.

A spokesperson for CE Safety says: “Diabetes is a lifelong serious condition and involves having to control the blood glucose levels in the body to stop it getting too high, which can be dangerous. Among the different types of diabetes, type 1 and type 2 are the most common.

“Huge efforts to raise awareness about the chronic condition are being made around the globe, and not without reason. The statistics on people who already have the disease are stark enough, however, experts also believe there are more than 13 million people in the UK who are at risk or already have undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.

“The team at CE Safety deliver health and safety training in the workplace and feel passionate about ensuring every place of work has the correct procedures and policies to look after their staff.”

Here are practical steps for business owners to support employees with diabetes:

Open up the conversation

Allowing the conversation to open up, and having an honest chat around diabetes can help in a variety of ways. It can improve the mental health and wellbeing of the employee; remove any discrimination; employers can gain an understanding of how staff are coping, and provide a forum to outline initiatives and measures which everyone gains from.

Educate yourself on the disease

There are alarming numbers of people out there who don’t even understand the disease they’re living with, so it’s unlikely that employers without diabetes will fully understand it. There are many resources out there so a quick read will give you a lot of insight. For example, did you know that there’s a link between diabetes and depression?

Be flexible

Understanding what your staff with diabetes need, means you can then put measures in place to help them. Be accommodating for attending healthcare appointments for starters, but also support them around working hours, any modified equipment they need or simply show patience for when the disease becomes debilitating. It’s not easy to balance work with managing a disease.

Provide privacy

Staff with diabetes may need to take injections of insulin or check blood sugar levels throughout the working day. Give them a private and clean space to do this, which will provide peace of mind and inclusivity, and even reduce stress.

Revisit working practices

Do your terms allow for assessing a worker on an individual basis? For example, some employees may benefit from flexible working patterns or a higher level of sick leave. Diabetes can cause short and long term complications, so factor this into any relevant policies.

Train your staff in first aid

Your workforce should know what to do in an emergency situation, but do they know what to do in a diabetic emergency? Pass on the information you have gathered.

Do a diagnostic diabetes risk assessment

Get the overall picture of your workforce. Understand the full health picture of your staff, then you can take steps towards pinning down your approach, ensuring the workplace is prepared, safe and supportive to those who need it.

Look at your company culture

As well as supporting people who already have diabetes, there are many improvements employers can make to do their bit in eradicating the disease. We know there is plenty that can be done to avoid getting type 2 diabetes. Promote healthier choices in available food and drink, encourage work-life balance and exercise, and have policies around mental wellbeing.

Stop sitting down

A study in the journal Diabetologia discovered that people who sit still for long periods of time double the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, even if they exercise too.

The NHS says many adults in the UK sit for about nine hours a day, and that living a sedentary lifestyle is linked to obesity, type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer and early death.

Because many people spend hours sitting at a desk while at work, employers should be finding ways to reverse this problem. For example, encourage people to take the stairs, set reminders to stand, create standing workstations, go for a walk while speaking on the phone or regular coffee breaks.

For further information on diabetes and first aid, please see –

https://cesafety.co.uk/diabetes-and-first-aid-how-to-help-in-a-workplace-emergency/

Lush Snow Fairy coming to Fort Kinnaird

Each year, after a period of hibernation, Lush’s most popular Snow Fairy Christmas range emerges.

To sprinkle some much needed candy floss cheer and bring bubblegum sweetness to the high street and online, Lush has announced that this year they will be launching 9 Snow Fairy scented products and 5 gifting options for the 15th anniversary of Snow Fairy. 

On Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, the Lush Spa Edinburgh team will welcome the Snow Fairy wagon pop-up at Fort Kinnaird (close to Caffe Nero) to provide some extra shopping space and bring some magic to the high street.

The wagon will be card payment only. This allows for minimal contact between staff and customers for the safest possible shopping experience.

Lush Spa Edinburgh will share more updates on Social Media.

‘Leith Gives’ campaign appeals for help to ease pressure of pandemic over winter months

New campaign ‘Leith Gives’ appeals for help to ease pressure of pandemic over winter months 

Seventeen North Edinburgh charities, alongside community organisations, local schools, rugby clubs and others brought together by the Leith Trust, have joined forces in a bid to support people most likely to be hit hardest by coronavirus and associated restrictions this winter as a new collaboration, Leith Gives.  

With food banks at risk of being overwhelmed and people likely to feel more isolated during winter months, Leith Gives is hopeful that, with successful fundraising, they will be able to do everything possible to support vulnerable people in December and January. 

John Evans, Leith Gives, (above) said: “Leith Gives is seeking support to raise funds for vulnerable households facing a challenging lockdown amid the second wave of the COVID pandemic. This will allow us to provide tailored food hampers and other household essentials to vulnerable individuals and families in the run up to Christmas and again in late January. 

“We also plan to provide gifts and other items people may need to celebrate Christmas, Diwali, Hanukah and other festivals, and to offer practical help to get people online and connect with loved ones or support groups. 

“People in Leith and north Edinburgh are well known for looking out for the most vulnerable members of our communities and I’m confident that with their support and the collective knowledge and expertise of all the members of Leith Gives, we can spread some hope during what is likely to be a testing winter.

“We believe this approach to be impactful and innovative in its collaboration and every penny raised goes to help the people we support.’’ 

To make a donation, please go to: https://justgiving.com/campaign/LeithGives 

Leith Gives collaborating partners:

All Together Edinburgh 

Citadel Youth Centre

Cyrenians

Dangerous Studio

Doctor Bell’s Family Centre

Edinburgh Academy

Edinburgh Community Food

Edinburgh Remakery

Fettes College

Forth Ports (Port of Leith)

Hibs Community Foundation

Home Start Leith and north Edinburgh

Leith Academy

Leith Rotary

Leith Trust

Milan (Senior Welfare Organisation) 

Multi Cultural Family Base

Out of the Blue Print

People Know How

Pilmeny Development Project

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA)

South Leith Parish Church

The Leith Agency

The Ripple Project

Trinity Academy

Trinity Primary School

YMCA 

Volunteers:
BATs Community Rugby Club
Clockwork Removals
Leith Rugby Club
Trinity Rugby Club 

Special taskforce arrests 39 for online child sexual abuse offences

A new taskforce set up to tackle online child sexual abuse has already made 39 arrests in its first four-weeks of operation from 1st September.

Of the 39, 37 resulted in the recovery of material relating to online child sexual abuse and exploitation. 

All of those arrested were men ranging in age from 15 to 76 years old.

Dozens of children were identified as being at risk or potentially at risk and have now been protected.

Internet grooming and online child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a priority for Police Scotland.

Assistant Chief Constable Judi Heaton, Lead for Major Crime, Public Protection and Local Crime, said: “Recorded crimes for online offending have risen substantially in line with our determined and recent proactive work to uncover this hidden criminality.

“Online offenders may think they are anonymous, and they may not comprehend the terrible, devastating and lifelong impact their actions have on children. But there is no excuse for their actions.  Online images of child abuse and exploitation are not virtual, they show the very real abuse of a real child. 

“We are determined to improve our response, invest in resources and latest technologies, to track down predators and abusers, and to make sure they face the full consequences of their actions.

“Tackling online CSA requires a cross partnership effort not only through enforcement but also on deterrence by means of offender programmes. And we are also working with the National Police Chiefs Council on ways we can prevent this criminality on a larger scale.”

From next week Police Scotland will run the next phase of its online child sexual abuse campaign #GetHelpOrGetCaught, which signposts offenders or potential offenders to Stop It Now!Scotland for help to stop or prevent offending.

A total of 1,036 online child sexual abuse crimes were recorded between April and September, according to Police Scotland’s 2010-21 Quarter 2 Performance Report, an increase of 18.4% on the previous year and 35.8% above the five year mean.

Local groups receive awards for Keeping Scotland Beautiful

The efforts of 14 Edinburgh groups have been acknowledged by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful at an online seminar yesterday.

North Edinburgh is well represented among these green-fingered groups, with awards for Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Fresh Start Growers, Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden, Friends of Lauriston Castle Estate, Friends of Starbank Park and North Edinburgh Arts Gardening Group.

The other capital groups to receive awards are Balerno Village Gardeners, Craigentinny Community Gardening Project, Craigentinny Primary Parent Council, Friends of Morningside Cemetery, Friends of Saughton Park, Inch View Care Home, Inspiring Hillside and Northfield Community Growing Group.

Annually Keep Scotland Beautiful runs two community environmental improvement programmes in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society; the competitive Beautiful Scotland campaign and the It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative.

In total 197 groups, those who would in previous years have been out creating and maintaining community gardens or allotments, looking after habitats for wildlife and adopting streets, have been issued with Certificates of Recognition for the work volunteers and supporters did manage to carry out to brighten up and pull their neighbourhoods together during this year’s health pandemic.

A full list of the 14 groups from Edinburgh can be found in the attached table (below).

Edinburgh-groupsDownload

Faced with the challenges of 2020, there has never been a more important time to recognise and celebrate the achievements of communities and individuals across Edinburgh. 

Throughout lockdown and the following months, groups have worked tirelessly to improve their communities through horticulture, environmental responsibility and working in partnership for the benefit of residents, visitors and our natural environment. 

Despite circumstances this year, 47 new entrants were welcomed to the network, and although judging and mentoring visits were not able to take place due to restrictions across Scotland, groups were still supported with online seminars, networking events, question and answer sessions and a weekly e-newsletter.

Barry Fisher, CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said, “We know that lockdown resulted in many people reconnecting with green and blue spaces local to them.  Yet, it has also been a particularly challenging year for the communities who strive every year to protect and enhance the places they live and work in. 

“We have been amazed by the desire of communities, volunteers and local authorities to stay connected, motivated and inspired by each other, all with a steadfast determination to do things to make a difference, even if this had to be done differently this year.  

“I’d like to thank all the groups in Edinburgh for the efforts they have made to keep Scotland beautiful this year.”

Although many of the groups had to stop or curtail their planned activities for the year, we have been blown away by what they have managed to achieve – whether that be setting up a food bank, encouraging and supporting others to grow their own, creating virtual garden tours, connecting their members through online catch ups and keeping their neighbourhoods bright and cheerful. 

Andrea Van Sittart, RHS Head of Community Outreach said: “It’s truly inspiring that so many Scottish communities continued to support others in need this year.

“From a phone box larder in Muthill to planter kits for others in Inverkip, the groups have shown incredible creativity and ingenuity responding to the needs of their diverse communities through this challenging time. Congratulations to all groups on their amazing efforts.”

If you’d like to join the network in 2021, check out the website for inspiration and details on how to get involved:

www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/BeautifulScotland or www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/IYN

People with learning disabilities had ‘six times higher’ death rate from COVID-19

England death rate up to 6 times higher from coronavirus during the first wave of the pandemic than the general population, Public Health England study finds.

The report, Deaths of people identified as having learning disabilities with COVID-19 in England in the Spring of 2020 examined data from The English Learning Disabilities Mortality Review (LeDeR) and NHS England’s COVID-19 Patient Notification System (CPNS) which records deaths in hospital settings.

It found 451 per 100,000 people registered as having a learning disability died with COVID-19 between 21 March and 5 June, a death rate 4.1 times higher than the general population after adjusting for other factors such as age and sex.

But as not all deaths in people with learning difficulties are registered on these databases, researchers estimated the real rate may have been as high as 692 per 100,000, 6.3 times higher.

Deaths were also spread much more widely across the age spectrum among people with learning disabilities, with far greater mortality rates in younger adults, compared to the general population. The death rate for people aged 18 to 34 with learning disabilities was 30 times higher than the rate in the same age group without disabilities, researchers found.

Among people with learning disabilities, the rate of COVID-19 deaths for adults in residential care was higher than the rates of COVID-19 deaths of adults with learning disabilities generally. This difference is likely in part to reflect the greater age and disability in people in residential care.

People with learning disabilities are more likely to have other physical health problems such as obesity and diabetes, and certain kinds of learning disability, such as Down’s syndrome, can make people more vulnerable to respiratory infections, which can increase their risk of dying from COVID-19.

Professor John Newton, Director of Health Improvement at Public Health England, said: It is deeply troubling that one of the most vulnerable groups in our society suffered so much during the first wave of the pandemic. We must do everything possible to prevent this happening again.

“There are now regular tests in care homes to make sure cases of coronavirus can be quickly identified and isolated, even if people do not recognise the symptoms themselves.

“But with cases developing across the country, it is essential to practice rigorous infection control if you are in contact with someone with a learning disability, whether or not they live in a care home.

“Wash your hands, wear a mask and keep a safe distance. The fewer people you meet, the more you’ll stop the spread.”

A learning disability is a significantly reduced ability to understand new or complex information and learn new skills and a reduced ability to cope independently which started before adulthood, with a lasting effect on development.

That means that people with learning disabilities often may find it harder to manage basic everyday skills, and rely upon support for many tasks, including communicating, managing money or looking after themselves.

People with learning disabilities are likely to have had difficulty recognising symptoms of COVID-19, or following government advice about getting tested, self-isolation, social distancing and infection prevention and control, the report says. It may also be more difficult for people caring for them to recognise the onset of symptoms if these cannot be communicated.

Helen Whately, Minister of State for Social Care, said: “Every death from COVID-19 has been a tragedy, and my deepest sympathies go out to everyone who has lost loved ones during the pandemic. I know how difficult this pandemic has been for people with a learning disability and those who care for them.

“A third of those with learning disabilities who sadly died were living in residential care. There is now regular testing of staff and residents in care homes, and testing has also been rolled out to supported living settings in high risk areas.

“We’re also offering free PPE, and the Joint committee on vaccines and immunisation has proposed those living and working in care homes should be top of the list for vaccination.

“This report adds to our knowledge of COVID-19 and how those with learning disabilities are affected by this cruel disease. I am asking SAGE to review the findings and give advice on what more we can do to keep people safe.”

Helping students home at end of term

Plans announced to support students to return safely

Thousands of students in Scotland will be tested for coronavirus (COVID-19) under plans to allow those wishing to return home at the end of term, to do so safely.

In a statement to Parliament, Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead outlined the measures being taken by colleges and universities to support the safe return of up to 80,000 students ahead of the winter break.

The plans include a widespread COVID-19 testing scheme, which is expected to be rolled out by the start of December.

Enabling easy access to testing for students with COVID-19 symptoms has already proved to be effective in controlling outbreaks. Now Scottish students will be included in a UK-wide initiative to test some asymptomatic students prior to the end of term. 

The Government is working in partnership with institutions and the UK Government’s testing programme on the logistics of offering both lateral flow testing – a new rapid test currently being used in Liverpool, which can deliver a COVID result in about 15-20 minutes – and if needed a more sensitive PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test, which may take up to a day or longer to produce a result.

The other measures outlined by Mr Lochhead include:

  • All students will receive early, clear advice on staying safe. Those who chose to stay in student accommodation over the holiday period will also be well supported
  • There will be staggered and early departure from campuses, with universities being asked to make any necessary adjustments to scheduling, to ensure in-person teaching and assessment ends early enough to allow students time to get home at the end of term
  • Any student who wants to return home for the end of term, is being asked to voluntarily reduce their social mixing for two weeks before going home. This means going out only for essential reasons and exercise
  • All college and university students travelling home will be given advice on how to do so safely, which includes following public health advice on the use of public transport

Mr Lochhead said: “Covid 19 is a challenge for all of us, our students included. We have all worked hard to support students in gaining an education this term, and like everyone else we have learnt and adapted as we have progressed.

“Our challenge is to look after the wellbeing of our students by enabling them to return home, while at the same time keeping them, their loves ones, and communities safe.

“Testing will play a role – but only a limited role. My message to students is, ‘thank you for all your efforts, and please keep doing all you can to keep yourself and others safe’.

“I have no doubt the majority of students will want to act responsibly, and will follow the measures that will be set out.”

Read the Minister’s full Parliamentary statement 

Further information and guidance will shortly be published on the Scottish Government website.

Latest figures show fall in violent crime in Edinburgh

Police Scotland has today issued its Qtr 2 Management Information data for the period of 1st April to 30th September 2020.

These figures show that the number of serious assaults fell from 181 to 128, while there were also 40 fewer robberies and assault with intent to rob, compared with the same time last year.

A proactive approach to tackling weapons offences within the Capital has seen a rise in the number of these crimes recorded.

In total, 13 more offences for carrying an offensive weapon were recorded, however, the number of crimes for handling a knife fell from 95 to 77.

Overall, offences involving offensive or bladed weapons rose from 387 to 411 and more crimes were detected, up from 323 to 339 year-on-year.

Similar to the rest of the country, fraud has increased within Edinburgh. In total, 837 fraud offences were recorded during the six-month period, compared with 700 in the same timeframe the previous year.

There have also been increases in the number of crimes for taking and distributing indecent images of children, as well as the threatening to, or disclosure of intimate images.

A further 16 crimes for indecent images of children were recorded, while five more crimes for threatening to or disclosing of intimate images were also recorded.

Continued and targeted monitoring of Edinburgh’s road network has seen drink and drug driving offences increase, with 251 offences in the first six months of 2020/21, compared with 190 the year before.

There have been two occasions where there has been a fatality during a road collisions, which is the same as last year. However, serious and slight injury collisions have both fallen within the Capital.

Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “Following the last quarter data, we are beginning to see crime levels return to normal levels. However, we remain committed to keeping our communities safe and bringing offenders to justice.

“While I am pleased to see the benefits of our proactive approach towards weapons, and of course, the fall in violent offences, it is always disheartening to see a rise in drink driving offences. It is never acceptable to get behind the wheel if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs and we will continue to target motorists who do so.

“Rises in online crimes are consistent across the country and continue to bring new challenges to policing.

“However, as DCC Fiona Taylor set out today, our cyber strategy provides clear direction as to how we aim to tackle the threat, risk and harm of digitally-enabled crime.”

Distillers support Edinburgh groups tackling alcohol misuse

The Scotch Whisky Action Fund (SWAF) has announced its support of three organisations based in Edinburgh working to tackle the effects of alcohol misuse and promote responsible drinking.

The fund was established in 2013 by the Scotch Whisky Association and has made over 50 awards to innovative projects across Scotland working to reduce alcohol-related harm. The aim is to inspire innovation and develop small, grassroots projects that can develop into larger scale initiatives. The Fund is managed by Foundation Scotland and awards are decided by an independent panel.

The projects granted funding in this year’s awards aim to ensure that the effects of alcohol misuse can continue to be addressed in a supportive setting, and recognising that this support is all the more important because of the pressures on everyone’s lives caused by COVID-19. 

The projects have adapted how they deliver support during the current restrictions, so they can operate in COVID-secure ways, including embracing virtual platforms.

Rowan Alba, a homeless charity based in Leith, also provides support on tackling alcohol misuse in the community.

The SWAF funding will build upon their pilot work providing training for Edinburgh pub staff on recognising and engaging with older people in the community living in extreme isolation and at high risk of alcohol related harm.

Helen Carlin, CEO of Rowan Alba, said: “The SWAF funding will help to strengthen the work that Rowan Alba is doing in the local community to address the harm that alcohol can have, particularly when combined with social isolation.

“Leith has an amazing community spirit; everyone looks out for each other. This funding will help us to build on these relationships and meaningful conversations that can make a real difference in ensuring that someone gets the help that they need. We would like to encourage pubs and bars throughout the city to contact us if they would like to be involved in the training being provided.”

Fast Forward is based in Edinburgh and supports young people to make informed choices around risk-taking behaviours, including knife crime, substance misuse, gambling and gaming and alcohol related harm.

The SWAF funding will contribute towards the ‘Own It!’ project, created by Fast Forward’s Arts-Based Project Director Kai Peacock, which uses a virtual platform designed to empower young people about making positive decisions around the use of alcohol. The project will be tested on groups of young people across 10 areas of Scotland, starting in West Lothian.

Allie Cherry-Byrnes, Chief Executive of Fast Forward: “The skill and enthusiasm of the Fast Forward team have helped us create the Own It! project, that will help support young people to explore the impact of risk-taking behaviours, particularly alcohol related harm.

“We’re delighted to be working with the Scotch Whisky Action Fund to continue the development of the project, ensuring that it can be used by as many groups as possible via its digital format. If any youth-based organisations in Scotland would like to be involved in the project as it develops, we would urge them to contact us to discuss it further.”

Edinburgh Young Carers (EYC) is Scotland’s largest independent young carers’ service, providing respite and support to young people aged 5-25 who care for or are affected by someone else at home – usually a parent or sibling.

Edinburgh Young Carers is receiving funding from the Scotch Whisky Action Fund for the second time, towards a dedicated project aimed at tackling the impact of COVID-19 on its service users. The SWAF funding will be used to support the work of the organisation’s Health and Wellbeing service, helping to give young carers quality time to take a break, talk about what is affecting them, and the opportunity to learn coping techniques.

Margaret Murphy, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Young Carers, said: “We are grateful to have been awarded funding from the Scotch Whisky Action Fund again, and for the Award Panel’s understanding in the wake of COVID-19 which allowed us to adapt our plans and project delivery.

“The SWAF funding will help to give our young carers strength and resilience to deal with the ongoing situation, which for many has had a serious impact on their home life, their sense of isolation, and their access to respite time. We also look forward to sharing the learnings from this project with other organisations in Scotland’s caring sector.”

Karen Betts, Chief Executive of the Scotch Whisky Association said: “The Scotch Whisky industry is committed to tackling alcohol misuse and supporting the organisations receiving awards this year is very important to us. 

“It’s particularly important at a time when COVID-19 is putting enormous pressure on individuals, families and communities across Scotland.  These projects represent part of the industry’s broader commitment to tackling alcohol misuse.”

Change law to guarantee all publicans a decent living, Scottish Government urged

The Scottish Parliament’s Economy, Energy and Fair Work Committee has published its report into legislation proposed by Labour MSP Neil Bibby to govern the relationship between tied pub tenants and pub-owning businesses. 

The Tied Pubs (Scotland) Bill is being backed by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale, which is calling on the Scottish Government and all parties in the Scottish Parliament to vote for the legislation when it is debated later this month. 

Licensees in Scotland are currently exempt from regulations that are in place across the rest of Great Britain which stop large pub companies from taking more than is fair or sustainable from pub profits by forcing licensees to buy their beer from them rather than on the open market. 

Responding to the publication of the Scottish Parliament Committee’s report, CAMRA Chairman Nik Antona said: “CAMRA is calling on Business Minister Jamie Hepburn and the Scottish Government to do the right thing and give their backing to the Tied Pubs Bill when it is debated later this month.

“This Bill will create, in law, a powerful pubs code to guarantee tied pub tenants are treated fairly and can earn a decent living. 

“Scottish Government support for this legislation would be very warmly welcomed by both consumers and the licenced trade as a positive move to help pubs, publicans and pub-goers, after weeks and months of harsh restrictions which are devastating the industry. 

“Just a few weeks ago Heineken’s pub arm, Star Pubs and Bars, were fined £2 million by England and Wales’ Pubs Code Adjudicator for serious and repeated breaches of the pubs code. But despite being headquartered in Edinburgh, their Scottish tenants don’t have similar protections to stop pub companies taking more than is fair or sustainable from tied licensees’ profits or make it harder to sell a range of locally-brewed products in their pubs. 

“The Scottish Government must now take this opportunity to change the law so that tied pub tenants here have the same protections as those south of the border.”