Category: North Edinburgh News

Success for Edinburgh College at CDN College Awards

Two awards for Edinburgh College at CDN Awards 2019

Edinburgh College scooped two honours at the sectors major awards ceremony last night – celebrating the talent of both its students and staff.

Dean Clark, a 32-year-old HND Retail Management student (above), was named Student of the Year at the College Development Network (CDN) College Awards for the positive impact he had on others while establishing the College’s first ever student-led shop, Bizarre Bazaar.

Dean, who is from Wester Hailes, project-managed a team of his fellow retail students as well as working alongside students and staff from the College’s Built Environment and Creative Industries faculties to create the new shop in a bid to gain first-hand experience of setting up and running a new small business.

In addition, Dean recruited volunteers from a programme aimed at supporting people seeking employment, a programme Dean previously went through himself. References have since been provided for the volunteers to help them in looking for future work.

The College’s second prize of the night was awarded to the Marketing team. The collected the Marketing and Communications category for their ‘Your Future Starts Now’ exam results campaign.

The team developed an integrated campaign aimed at increasing applications, application conversion and to improve customer service following Exam Results Day. The team’s activity led to a 258% increase in applications compared to the same three-day period the previous year.

In addition, recent BMus graduate Jack McKenzie was commended in the Student of the Year category after he saved the College’s orchestra from disbanding and led it to play shows across Scotland. The team behind the creation of Engineering’s HNC Mechanical Engineering (Enhance Distance Learning) was also commended in the Digital Learning category.

Student of the Year Dean Clark said: “I’m thrilled to have won this award. When we set out to create Bizarre-Bazaar, we really just wanted to get some real-life experience of retail, however, it grew to be an amazing project which brought different areas of the College together.

“To receive this recognition for this is brilliant and makes me feel very proud.”

Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “What a great achievement for the staff and students at Edinburgh College.

“Congratulations to Dean, our retail superstar who achieved so much during his time with at the College. His legacy is more than the retail space he worked hard to create, but also the impact he had on classmates and lecturers. Well done, Dean.

“Our Marketing team are also thoroughly deserving of their award. The team worked tirelessly on a terrific campaign to ensure school leavers and others receiving exam results could make the best possible decisions to help them pursue their chosen careers.

“Well done also to Jack McKenzie and our Engineering curriculum team who received commendations on the night.

“Everyone at Edinburgh College is very proud of you all, congratulations.”

Surprise award for Renaissance Care exec

Robert Kilgour has been recognised at a prestigious evening awards ceremony celebrating the best of the independent care home sector in Scotland.

88% of all care home support in Scotland is delivered by the independent sector, with these services caring for over 33,000 older individuals and employing nearly 46,000 people.

Robert Kilgour, the Executive Chairman of Renaissance Care has won the Special Recognition category at the Scottish Care Awards 2019.

This surprise award recognises an individual who has made a sustained contribution to the care home sector over many years, driving positive change in both care services and more widely across Scotland.

Robert received his unexpected award, which was sponsored by Quality Compliance Systems. at an Awards Ceremony on 15 November at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow. The Awards Ceremony were hosted by Michelle McManus, with nearly 700 people attending.

Rob Harper, Non-Executive Director of Renaissance Care, who put Robert forward for the award, said: “Robert’s involvement within the cares sector has spanned 30 years since founding Four Seasons Health Care in Scotland some 30 years ago, to the present-day organisation of Renaissance Care, which is recognised as a high-quality family business in Scotland.

“During this period, he has continued to develop services for older people and championed the need for high quality care at a reasonable cost.”

“Robert is a regular contributor to independent panels and newspaper articles. Whilst followed by journalists in view of his ability to summarise issues and opportunities within the care sector, he has used this to highlight and further the excellent work undertaken by the independent care sector.

“He has always displayed a positive approach to service provision in the care sector and has been well respected by all stakeholders.”

The care awards followed a full day conference for the care home sector with speakers including Professor George Crooks, CEO of the Digital Health and Care Institute and the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport, Ms Jeane Freeman MSP.

The Scottish Care National Care Home Conference & Exhibition, which is now in its 20th year and was sponsored by the Clydesdale & Yorkshire Bank, has incorporated an awards ceremony for the last 15 years.

The conference focus this year was on the essential role of care homes in supporting individuals within a demographic reality of an ageing population and more complex care needs.

It also highlighted their importance within communities and the criticality of care homes in delivering positive outcomes and relieving pressure on other health and care services including hospitals. The conference explored topics as diverse as the role of technology, design approaches to future care, LGBTI recognition, intergenerational support, dentistry and workforce.

The conference, exhibition and care awards are the largest of their kind for the care home sector in Scotland.

For more information visitwww.scottishcare.org

It’s not Christmas until … Santa’s elves arrive at Fort Kinnaird!

Santa’s elves have arrived at Fort Kinnaird ready to deliver mischief and merriment to shoppers throughout the festive season.

The elves will kick-off celebrations today at 1pm, where they’ll lead a fun and energetic ‘Elf n Fitness’ workout for local kids. It’s the perfect chance for children to get into festive fancy dress, or simply come along and join in the fun, for the 20-minute session in the plaza area between then playpark and TGI Fridays.  Continue reading It’s not Christmas until … Santa’s elves arrive at Fort Kinnaird!

Edinburgh and Lothians groups could win share of £2 million fund from The National Lottery to bring people together

A £2 million National Lottery fund has opened to celebrate The National Lottery’s 25th Birthday, with thousands of grants available to anyone with a great idea to bring their community together. 

Edinburgh and Lothian groups stand a chance of winning up to £1,000 from the £2million fund from the National Lottery, called #CelebrateNationalLottery25.

It is designed to help every community join in with The National Lottery’s 25-year birthday celebrations and is open to anyone across the UK with a great idea to make a difference in their local community. 

#CelebrateNationalLottery25 opens to applications from Saturday 23 November at 8am, until Friday 6 December. 

Whether it’s a wheelchair lift for a dial-a-ride minivan, a set of events at your local library or even a llama visit to a primary school, The National Lottery wants to hear your great ideas.  Go to www.CelebrateNationalLottery25.com for more information and how to apply.

A recent National Lottery survey of 2,000 UK adults revealed being part of a community makes people feel happier (84%), less lonely (81%) and mentally healthier (75%). It is hoped #CelebrateNationalLottery25 will boost community spirit and appeal to individuals who might not previously considered applying for National Lottery funding.

Neil Ritch, Director, Scotland, The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “For 25 years The National Lottery has been helping communities to thrive in every corner of the Scotland – from inner cities to rural villages, and everywhere in between.

That’s why the fund, #CelebrateNationalLottery25, is to say happy birthday and to empower anyone and everyone to make their idea for their community a reality.”

Academy Award winners Aardman have teamed up with The National Lottery to release a film to celebrate the fund.  It features great ideas of what people would do if they had £1,000 to use in their community from young people hosting a party to bring neighbours of all generations together to older people hiring a café to fill with memorabilia to help stimulate memories for those living with dementia.

#CelebrateNationalLottery25 is being funded and delivered by The National lottery Community Fund, the largest funder of community activity in the UK. The Fund marks the culmination of a major campaign by The National Lottery celebrating its impact over the past 25 years and thanking players for contributing £30 million to good causes every week.

A further £5.5 million will be released to grassroots community groups next year through The National Lottery Community Fund’s popular Awards For All scheme.

 

Carers to receive extra cash by Christmas

The majority of carers will receive their next payment of Carer’s Allowance Supplement on Friday 13 December.  

This supplement, paid twice a year by Social Security Scotland, to carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance in Scotland is in its second year.  Payments have already been made to over 91,000 carers throughout Scotland.

The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is two automatic payments totalling £452.40 this year. It was introduced by the Scottish Government because Carers Allowance was the lowest paid benefit by the UK Government. The additional payment means it is now above the level of Jobseekers Allowance. Continue reading Carers to receive extra cash by Christmas

Edinburgh College students show ‘X’ marks the spot

Edinburgh College students have joined the city council to encourage those studying in colleges and universities to make sure they’re registered to vote in the forthcoming UK Parliamentary General Election.

Students discuss registering to vote

With just three weeks until the country goes to the polls, Edinburgh College students have shared why they think it’s important for people of all ages and backgrounds to have their say.

According to the Electoral Commission, one in three young people risk missing out on their opportunity to vote – national research shows that only 66% of 18 to 19-year olds are registered correctly compared to 94% of over-65s.

Anyone wanting to vote in the General Election on 12 December must make sure they’re registered to vote by Tuesday, 26 November and can do so online by visiting www.gov.uk/registertovote.

People who think they may be registered but want to check should contact the Electoral Registration Office on 0131 344 2500. Those who can’t get to their local polling place on the day can also register for a postal or proxy vote.

Andrew Kerr, Returning Officer for Edinburgh, said: “With less than a week until voter registration closes it’s essential that anyone wishing to vote makes sure they are registered at the correct address so they can take part.

“We want everyone, whatever their age or background, to be able to participate in the democratic process. It’s great to see young people studying here in Edinburgh championing voter registration and I hope they inspire others to visit www.gov.uk/registertovote or to check with the Electoral Registration Officer to make sure their details are up to date.”

Edinburgh College Students’ Association president Carla Ford said: “It’s very important that as students we all register to vote. It’s our opportunity to have our say and vote for who we would like to run the country in the future. I would urge all eligible students, not just those at Edinburgh College, to make sure they get registered and play their part in shaping our country.”

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “I would encourage all of our students who are eligible to vote to make sure they are registered by next week’s deadline. It is vital that as members of the public we all play our part in the democratic process.”

Students who study away from home can register at both their term time and home address so they can choose which constituency they want to vote in, as long as they only vote once.

To vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December, voters must be aged 18 or over and either a British, Irish or qualifying Commonwealth citizen.

Voter registration closes at midnight on Tuesday 26 November.

Anyone already registered for the European Election on 23 May does not need to re-register. However, anyone who has changed address since then needs to re-register to be able to vote in the UK Parliamentary Elections on 12 December. Poll Cards are due to be issued to all registered electors from 22 November.

Applications for postal votes must be submitted by 5pm on Tuesday, 26 November and applications to vote by proxy must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 4 December.

Find out more about where, when and how to vote.

Edinburgh College students

Kevin Jenkins, 20 years old: “I think it’s incredibly important to vote in all elections because if you don’t then your say’s not heard. I think it’s also important that we encourage all of our friends and family to realise that they have to vote.”

Lauren Scott, 19 years old: “There are so many posts online that are encouraging it [registering to vote], you just need to follow the links and the instructions. It’s all simple questions so it’s not difficult to do, it’s straightforward and there’s no reason not to. If you don’t vote then you can’t complain about what’s happening – it’s the number one way to get your voice heard.”

Rachel Nicholson, 20 years old: “I think it’s really important to vote because there are so many changes being made or changes that need to be made right now. If we start to vote and make our voice heard then the topics that we think are important will get discussed more.”