Spoilt for choice?
There are lots of fun events happening in North Edinburgh tomorrow – see previous posts about West Pilton Play Day, new open air exhibition space at North Edinburgh Arts, Granton gardeners community BBQ, afternoon tea at Holy Cross in D’Mains – and now there’s another to add …
The Salvation Amy’s Eagle Lodge on Ferry Road is holding a Fair from 2 – 4pm: all welcome!
Spoilt for choice – and then there’s the small matter of a wee Edinburgh derby on Sunday too …!
LAST CHANCE TO APPLY FOR THE CHILDCARE ACADAMY IN 2014!!!
Good Morning
We have a few spaces left on the Childcare Academy starting on 25 August.
I have attached a poster and standard information for display and distribution.
Thanks
Audrey O’Neill
Training Administrator
North Edinburgh Childcare
18b Ferry Road Avenue
Edinburgh
EH4 4BL
DDI: 0131 311 6931
Fax: 0131 315 4420
www.northedinburghchildcare.co.uk
August 2014 CA Publicity Poster 01.06.14
Got 10 minutes to help Edinburgh’s Third Sector plan our next 10 years? Find out more about Compact Voice & respond to our online survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CompactVoiceOne
Also:
Our Health, Our Care, Our Future
Friday 22 August, 9.30am – 12.00noon
NHS Lothian are currently consulting on their Draft Strategic Plan for 2014-2024. EVOC is delighted to host a thinkSpace event to look at the plan and its proposals
Visit http://www.evoc.org.uk/thinkspace for full information and to register for the event
‘I firmly believe this scheme will save many more lives’ – Matheson
Communities across Scotland will have access to potentially life-saving defibrillators as the machines are installed in independent NHS dental practices across the country.
The £600,000 programme will see defibrillators delivered by the end of the month. The locations of the defibrillators will be logged with the Scottish Ambulance Service control system, which will increase community access to defibrillators, reduce delays in treatment and increase the chances of survival for cardiac arrest victims.
More than 1500 Scots died after suffering a cardiac arrest outwith hospital last year.
To mark yesterday’s roll-out launch, Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson visited the Montgomery Street Dental Practice in Edinburgh, one of the first to receive a defibrillator.
Mr Matheson, who is himself trained in the use of defibrillators, said: “Every second counts when someone suffers a cardiac arrest and having access to a defibrillator can mean the difference between life and death.
“By the end of this roll-out, there will be more defibrillators in public spaces. With these machines mapped to the Scottish Ambulance Service control system, people can be directed to them more quickly if there is an incident, cutting the delay in treatment and increasing the victim’s chance of survival.
“As these machines are becoming easier to use it is only right that the public have more access to its life-saving potential and I firmly believe that this scheme will save many more lives.”
Alex Coakley, Principal Dentist at the Montgomery Street Practice, added: “This is a fantastic initiative by the Scottish Government. Having defibrillators available in convenient locations such as dental practices will mean that they can be taken to the scene of any incident as quickly as possible, and hopefully save lives.”
Pat Kilpatrick, director of the British Dental Association Scotland, said: “BDA Scotland is delighted that the Scottish Government has recognised the important contribution that the dental team can make in saving lives, and for making this possible by providing defibrillators for every dental practice in Scotland.”
Pilot programme helps young people get into home building
The first students of a new programme designed to help unemployed young people into careers in the home building industry celebrated their graduation yesterday.
Fourteen young people have been participating in the five week pilot Get into Home Building course at Edinburgh College, developing skills across a variety of trade disciplines (including carpentry, plastering, brickwork and painting and decorating) and gaining hands-on experience with some of Scotland’s leading home builders.
In addition to acquiring valuable site knowledge, the students also achieved CSCS site safety cards and received wider training to help improve communication, reliability, teamwork and CV/interview skills.
With all students having successfully completed the scheme, its positive impact is already being felt as seven have already secured jobs or full apprenticeships and others are still working with programme partners or considering their choices in light of their new found experience.
19 year old Aaron Orr is one of those with an apprenticeship lined up and said:
“I’ve really enjoyed the course and being given the chance to get a taster of so many different trades. It’s quite unique to get the opportunity to try out painting and decorating, carpentry, joinery, plastering and brickwork all in five weeks, and it’s been good to find out what I’m interested in and what I’m good at.
“I’ve now managed to get a painting and decorating apprenticeship with Miller Homes. It’s going to last for four years and I know it’ll be a brilliant opportunity. If it wasn’t for this course, and the hands-on work experience on site, I would never have gotten this opportunity.”
Among those on hand to congratulate the students was Housing & Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess who said:
“Housing is, and will remain, a priority for this Government which is why I am delighted to see the success of this pilot project and I congratulate everyone involved, especially the students on their graduation today.
“I hope they are now encouraged to go on and have a fulfilling career in the home building industry. Increasing skills provision is one of the ways that can help us build the homes Scotland needs. This initiative is an important step in that direction.”
Sandy Adam, Chair of trade body Homes for Scotland, which has been leading the scheme with The Prince’s Trust, said:
“Home building is a major employer with each home built estimated to directly support two jobs and every nine homes built one apprenticeship. However, skill shortages are proving a major barrier to the industry’s ability to increase production as the economy and housing market recover.
“Given the success of this pilot programme, it has the potential to be rolled out across the country and help attract the young people our industry requires to develop skills and deliver the many thousands of homes Scotland needs.”
Carpentry, decorating and plumbing programme manager at Edinburgh College, Keith Swann, said:
“The group’s progress over the last five weeks has been outstanding, with the quality of their work at a consistently high level. It has been a privilege to watch the students becoming more confident in their abilities and in themselves, and I know that each of them has a bright future ahead of them.
“Through unique partnerships like this with Homes for Scotland, the Prince’s Trust and the Construction Industry Training Board, we are giving young and unemployed people the chance to change their lives and take steps to get into employment. Our students are equipped with the skills and knowledge the industry needs, making them ready for the workplace and providing the industry with a committed long-term workforce.”
Allan Watt, Director of The Prince’s Trust Scotland, said:
“The Prince’s Trust and HSBC’s recent Skills Crunch report showed that nearly two thirds of Scottish businesses think a skills crisis will hit their organisations within the next three years. It revealed that employers across Scotland are struggling to fill vacancies despite there being thousands of unemployed young people who are desperate for work.
“Our partnership with Homes for Scotland and Edinburgh College is helping us to equip young people with the skills they need for a career in the home building industry. This prevents the bubbling skills crisis from boiling over while enabling young people to make the most of their talents and create a brighter future for themselves.”
Don’t forget – The Surveillance Gallery opens this Saturday!
There’s still time to support the Gaza Toy Appeal, but hurry – lorry will be picking up collections from the Muirhouse Community Shop on Thursday 28 August. Make those donations NOW!
As children return to school this week, NHS24 – Scotland’s national telehealth and telecare organisation – is reminding parents of the wealth of health advice and information available to help their families stay fit and healthy throughout the year …
NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “With children returning to school this week, what better time than for parents to think about their children’s health and preparing for the year ahead.
“NHS inform includes a section on common health questions associated with children’s health, with information on a wide variety of matters from diet and exercise to pain relief and blood types.
“There is also a section dedicated to answering those common questions you may have about vaccinations and you can also find out what to have in your first aid kit at home.
“It is a busy time of year for parents as they get ready for the new school year but I would advise them to take some time now to think about their children’s health. By taking simple steps, you can help prevent minor illnesses affecting your family.”
For further health advice and information go to www.nhsinform.co.uk
The popular health resource provides a wealth of advice and information on health issues relevant to young people as they embark on or continue their higher education years.
The Health A-Z is packed with information about common illness, treatments and health services, covering topics from acne to yellow fever. Users can also find out about local health services and information on how to register with a GP.
COMMUNITY VISIT: Wednesday 27 August
Granton Improvement Society are running a minibus jointly with the Pilton Community Health Project to Helix Park and the Kelpies on Wednesday 27 August.
Only £4 per person, pay on the bus.
The minibus is a 17 seater so first come first served; all requests for places to Barbara.Robertson@grantonimprovementsociety.org or call Willie Black on 07515686421. There will be a guided tour.
No children I’m afraid, but we will be back in good time to collect them from school.
Bring a picnic!
Meet at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre 9.30am
Or North Edinburgh Arts Centre 9.45am
back by 2.30pm.
Helix Park link: www.thehelix.co.uk
The rain’s gone, the winds have died down … it’s BBQ time!
Granton Community Gardeners would like to invite you to their
SUMMER BBQ
at the Community Garden, on corner of Boswall Parkway and Wardieburn Road
this Saturday (16 August) from 2 – 4pm
All welcome – FREE FOOD (until it runs out!)
The gardeners also host a cafe at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre on Mondays (4.30 – 5.30) and Tuesdays (2.30 – 5.30) – teas, coffees, good food and good company – and it’s all free (although donations always welcome!)
See grantoncommunitygardeners Facebook page for more info
