Category: North Edinburgh News

New partnership launched to break down barriers for young people with a learning disability

A new partnership between ENABLE Scotland, Edinburgh Napier University and global professional services firm, EY, has set out to create equality across those accessing higher education opportunities.

Whilst 45% of all Scotland’s school leavers go to university, only 8.6% of school leavers who have a learning disability go on to higher education. Now, ENABLE Scotland’s Breaking Barriers programme is working with young people who have a learning disability to ensure they have the support required to access university life, can undertake work experience opportunities with a leading global employer, and graduate with a university qualification from a world-class academic institution.

Breaking Barriers, a ground-breaking initiative established by ENABLE Scotland in 2018, has partnered with some of Scotland’s highest profile corporate employers and has named EY as its newest official partner alongside Edinburgh Napier University – expanding its reach across the East of Scotland.

A cohort of young people from the East of Scotland are already undertaking studies and will now start work placements at EY. Anna Taylor (17) and Jaymes Doyle (18) from Edinburgh are working towards obtaining an Accreditation in Applied Business Skills from Edinburgh Napier University.

On her experience with Breaking Barriers so far, Anna Taylor said: “It has been really refreshing to meet different people who have the same anxieties and barriers as I do and who understand how you feel.

“It is a very unique experience; I have the support I need but also get to pursue something that was previously outside of my comfort zone.

“I am looking forward to my work placement with EY to see how the topics we have covered with Edinburgh Napier apply in a real life work setting.”

James Doyle added: “Breaking barriers has benefited me a lot as I have learned how to be in a university environment and have found a new interest in banking and business. I feel like I have been helped with my confidence and social skills a lot.”

ENABLE Group CEO and co-founder of the Breaking Barriers programme, Theresa Shearer, spoke at the 2022 Harkin International Disability Employment Summit in Belfast yesterday, discussing the Breaking Barriers programme and the charity’s goal to ensure further education is made more accessible for those with a learning disability.

Theresa Shearer said: “I am delighted that we are building on the success of the Breaking Barriers programme and making it possible for even more students who have a learning disability to access the life-shaping experience of university that is a rite of passage for so many, yet it is currently available to so few disabled young people.

“Breaking Barriers demonstrates how the public, private and third sectors can work collaboratively to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in education and the workplace, and I am excited to welcome Edinburgh Napier University and EY as the programme’s newest partners, advancing our shared ambition of a truly inclusive society for all.”

Professor Nazira Karodia, Vice Principal of Learning and Teaching at Edinburgh Napier University said: “We are delighted to welcome our ENABLE students to The Business School, where our vision is to be the Business School for empowerment, enterprise and employability for all.

“Our ethos as a university is to be the home for difference makers and our position as the number one modern university in Scotland reflects our success in providing students with a positive learning experience, and our close industry links.

“Not everyone has an opportunity to change the world, but everyone can make a positive difference to the world around them: working with fantastic partners like ENABLE and EY is truly helping break barriers faced by young people with learning difficulties.”

Ally Scott, EY Scotland Managing Partner, said: “Breaking Barriers is an inspiring initiative that EY is delighted not just to support, but to work with to give these remarkable young people the skills for a successful and fulfilling career.

“This is a great example of Scotland’s strong ecosystem between education, industry and the civic community in action, and I look forward to celebrating their graduation with them in the summer.”

The Breaking Barriers programme originated in the West of Scotland and has entered its fifth consecutive year, delivered in a partnership between ENABLE Scotland, the University of Strathclyde Business School, ScottishPower and STV. 

Such is the success of the programme that many former graduates have gone on to shape their chosen career path and secure employment and additional training opportunities in fields such as filmmaking, para-medicine, cyber security, financial services, digital music, and fashion.

The expansion of the programme is supported by Edinburgh City Council through the Young Person Guarantee.

Find out more at: www.enable.org.uk/breaking-barriers

Best Start Grant School Age Payment applications now open

Families have been urged to check whether they are eligible and apply for the Best Start Grant School Age Payment as applications open for children old enough to start primary school

This one-off payment of £267.65 is to help at a key stage in a child’s life and can be used for anything from a new pair of shoes to books or arts and crafts materials.

Best Start Grant School Age Payment is available to families who get Universal Credit, tax credits or certain benefits with children born between 1 March 2017 and 28 February 2018.

Parents who have deferred their child’s entry to school from August 2022 to August 2023, or those who are home schooling, should still apply before 28 February 2023 or they will lose out on their payment. There is no cap on the number of children in a household who can get this payment.

Best Start Grant School Age Payment is one of the Scottish Government’s five family payments administered by Social Security Scotland.

The package includes Scottish Child Payment, three Best Start Grants, and Best Start Foods. From the end of this year, both the Best Start Grant School Age Payment and the Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment will be paid automatically to families who get Scottish Child Payment when their child is of eligible age.

Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “When a child is due to start school it comes with additional costs, and so I would encourage parents and carers to check if you are eligible and, if so, to apply for our Best Start Grant School Age Payment.

“This money can be used for whatever your child needs and is one of the Scottish Government’s five family benefits, which are only available in Scotland.

“We have built our new social security system to make it as straightforward as possible for people to access support. This is why people can apply online, by post or over the phone.

“You can also apply for all five family payments for all the children that you are responsible for, in a single straightforward form – and we put no cap on the number of children who can get these payments. We want every child in Scotland to have the best start in life and our social security system is here to help with that.”

Visit mygov.scot/beststart or call 0800 182 2222 to find out more or apply.

Serious crash in City Centre: Motorcyclist charged

Police have confirmed that a 33-year-old man has been charged following a serious road crash involving a motorbike and a pedestrian.

The incident took place on Queen Street, at the junction with Frederick Street, around 10.30am on Sunday (5 June, 2022).

The pedestrian, a 13-year-old girl, was taken to hospital for treatment. The man will be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and is expected to appear in court at a later date.

Anyone with further information on the incident should call police on 101, quoting incident 1334 of 5 June 2022.

Granton’s Fraser scoops silver at international Veteran Games

Former Scots Guard Fraser Rowand (CORR) said he was “completely shocked” to win the silver medal in the cross-fit event at the Veteran Games in Israel.

Fraser, 41, has returned to Edinburgh after the “inspiring” event last week which brought together wounded, injured and sick veterans from across the UK and Israel.

The former Lance Corporal from Granton took up exercise to help recover from post-traumatic stress disorder after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He struggled after leaving the Armed Forces in 2013 but started to turn his life around with help from Poppyscotland. He now works in Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh.

Fraser joined a team of 60 from across the UK and competed in the swimming and cross-fit events. He was also reunited with his former platoon commander, Leo Docherty, Minister for Defence People and Veterans, who supported the Games.

Fraser said that the competition had motivated him to continue training and pursue his dream of qualifying as a personal trainer.

He said: “I was completely shocked to win the silver medal. I just went in and hoped for the best. I managed to complete all the tasks and thought it went well.

“The whole experience was unreal. Everyone was so welcoming, and we were treated like VIPs every day. There was a wonderful atmosphere, especially with support from all the families.

“It was truly inspiring to meet other veterans and humbling to learn about their experiences. Everyone had different abilities – there were people in wheelchairs, those who were blind or had other disabilities. But there was a real sense of pride in what they were doing, and they all refused to give up.

“I felt that the swimming event on Tuesday went badly and that knocked my confidence a little. But then the next day I had a fresh start in the cross-fit. It really shows what you can achieve when you put your mind to it.

“Although it was a competition, there was a real sense of camaraderie, and we were in it together. We also met professors from both countries who were there to discuss the physical and mental health aspects. There was no divide between us, and we’d all sit down together to have dinner each night. I’ve made some great friends and we’ll stay in touch.

“It’s hard to explain the powerful impact that this event had. I think it’s going to take me a few weeks to come back down from it. But it has really motivated me to move forward and continue to work at becoming a personal trainer.

Fraser, a father-of-five, travelled to Israel with his wife Susan, as well as other competitors and their families. The families also enjoyed a range of cultural excursions around Tel Aviv and Jerusalem in between events.

He also laid a wreath at the Commonwealth War Graves in Jerusalem.

Charlie Pelling, manager of Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory,said: “Congratulations to Fraser on this fantastic achievement. His commitment and motivation are truly inspiring, and this is thoroughly well deserved.

“The Veterans Games are a wonderful event that recognises the power of sport and comradeship in supporting veterans’ mental and physical health. I hope that Fraser’s story will inspire other veterans who are facing similar challenges.”

The Veteran Games was organised by Beit Halochem UK, a national charity devoted to raising awareness and funds for Israel’s wounded veterans and victims of terror. The event recognises the fundamental role played by sport and family in supporting veterans’ recovery after physical and psychological challenges.

Participants competed in a wide range of sports, while also learning how their respective countries provide care for former servicemen and women who are wounded, sick and injured. The conference also saw internationally renowned academics and mental health experts from both countries meet to discuss veterans’ health, recovery, and welfare issues.

The Games are entirely funded by philanthropic donations, with Poppyscotland providing support with travel expenses for five Scottish competitors.

Advice on installing garden lights

What do I need to know in terms of electrics when fitting new lights in the garden?

Paul Collins, Head of Technical Services at NICEIC, answers:

“When fitting new lights in the garden, it is vital that all work completed is done in accordance with the latest Electrical Regulations (BS 7671) to guarantee maximum safety. As the lights are being fitted outside, there is the added risk of adverse weather – this increases the risk of injury from an electric shock when handling outdoor electrical equipment.

“Outdoor lighting is at the top of the list for garden installations, with 51% saying they planned to install lighting to their garden last year. Speak to your local NICEIC certified electrical contractor before any outdoor light fixtures are fitted as they can advise the safe and appropriate steps that need to be taken to ensure the work is carried out to the highest standard.

“Should you employ their services, they will also be able to take care of the appropriate notification to the local building control body (if required) and issue certification once the work is completed. 

“You can also speak to your local NICEIC certified contractor about carrying out an electrical inspection, especially if you have any concerns regarding the electrics in your garden.

“Following this inspection, you will receive an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) that will highlight damage, defects or dangerous conditions in your garden.

“You can search for an NICEIC certified contractor in your area by simply visiting niceic.com and typing in your postcode – but do make sure you get quotes from at least three different NICEIC certified contractors before agreeing to carry out any work.”

Healthy Heart Tip: Cooking from Scratch

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Cooking from Scratch

Cooking from scratch can be more nutritious, tastier, cheaper, and it doesn’t have to take long. Give it a go and enjoy the sense of achievement once you’ve cooked a delicious meal:

Keep It Simple!

If you are new to cooking from scratch, try to keep meals simple to start with. If time is an issue, prep your meals in advance. For example, you can measure out your ingredients the night before or practice batch cooking.

Utilise Your Freezer

The freezer can be an important extension to your store cupboard. Did you know you can freeze herbs, fruits and vegetables? These can be very convenient to grab when you need them, and can help you cut down on food waste!

Staple Ingredients

Always keep ingredients for a few staple meals in the pantry and freezer so that there is always a meal just 30 minutes away. This may include dried pasta, quinoa, rice, lentils, canned tomatoes, frozen veg, herbs, spices and olive oil.

We hope we have inspired you to give cooking from scratch a go!

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at  www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips./

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website:  https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/.

Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-cookbook/.

Paddington’s Palace tour – visit the Queen’s favourite bear this summer

This summer, join an immersive adventure in Paddington  – Marmalade Messiness – heading to Dalkeith Country Park, Scotland.  

Mrs Bird has brought Paddington , and his friend Pigeonton to Dalkeith Palace to show them where the best marmalade is made. Her old friend from school is the Palace Cook and has promised to give Mrs Bird a tour of the Palace kitchens. However, things have gone awry. Mrs Bird can’t seem to find Paddington in the Palace grounds and desperately needs your help to find him!  

On this unique adventure, you will explore Dalkeith Country Park locating pawprints, half-eaten marmalade sandwiches and other clues. You’ll meet characters from the famous stories, played by actors and puppeteers, all on a mission to help you locate Paddington.

The Marmalade Messiness immersive adventure takes audiences through the Dalkeith Country Parkgrounds and into the Palace kitchen exploring the treehouse and river along the way. An adventure for all ages!  

At the end of this 50-minute adventure, free arts and crafts-based activities and a café, serving both marmalade and non-marmalade-baseddelights, will await explorers in need of a tasty treat. 

Created by Histrionic Productions the team behind acclaimed immersive adventure ‘Autumn Treasure Hunt with Percy The Park Keeper’ At Chiswick House & Gardens and ‘The Peter RabbitTM Garden Adventure – a live immersive experience’ at Blenheim Palace this summer, Paddington Marmalade Messiness – the immersive adventure opens on July 13th 2022, playing throughout the summer school holidays and ends on Monday 4th September 2022.  

Created by Sean Holmes (Associate Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe, previously Artistic Director of the Lyric Hammersmith) and Jon Bauser (Designer 2012 Paralympic Games opening ceremony, associate artist Royal Shakespeare Company).

Directed by Bethany West (Shakespeare’s Globe, Royal Court London, Bristol Old Vic) with Puppetry by Jimmy Grimes (The Peter RabbitTM Garden Adventure, War Horse, The One Hundred and One Dalmatians). 

New gastropub The Fetching Fox opens on the outskirts of Edinburgh

A new gastropub with an authentic farm-to-fork philosophy has just opened on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The Fetching Fox, where the emphasis is on an appreciation of local and Scottish produce, is the latest venture launched by the Gammell family – owners of Conifox Adventure Park and the recently opened indoor Activity Centre in Kirkliston. 

With a rich family heritage in farming, the restaurant’s modern rustic interior and mouth-watering menus reflect their love of the land and ethos of championing Scotland’s finest seasonal harvest – from local West Lothian-raised beef to hand-dived Orkney scallops.  

Locally-produced ice cream also features along with an exuberant cocktail menu of classics and drinks with the Conifox twist – Tartan Apple anyone? 

The 100-cover gastropub is housed in the park’s newly refurbished former Stables Bistro, which has been lovingly restored to create a warm and relaxing atmosphere. The distinct décor builds on the natural character of the space which offers a relaxed, informal dining and bar area in a completely new ambience.

Beyond the inviting interior with its log-burning fires, The Fetching Fox also features an outdoor area, with gourmet barbecue in the Summer months, all set against the beautiful rural backdrop. 

The creative team in the kitchen is led by Grant Mercer, a veteran of Edinburgh eateries including The Raeburn and Kilted Lobster in Stockbridge. His menus include steaks, Blue Murder cheese sauce, scallops with curried and pickled cauliflower, chocolate French toast for brunch and cardamom rice pudding. 

The Fetching Fox will be open on Thursday-Sunday from 5pm offering a mix of small plates, main courses, including dishes from the grill, and desserts. Lunch time bookings will also be available shortly. 

James Gammell, Managing Director of Conifox Adventure Park, says: “This is a wonderful new project for us and is really a natural extension of the family’s entrepreneurial spirit and farming history. With our experience of hill farming and having had sheep and cattle in Conifox, we know exactly what it takes to get the very best out of our land.  

“In Scotland, we rear some of the best meat and produce in the world and that’s something we wanted to celebrate in our menus. We’re excited to share our vision with our customers and look forward to welcoming diners who have the same appreciation of great, seasonal, Scottish food and drink.” 

Local suppliers include Castle Game and local fish supplier, Welch Fishmongers, Edinburgh’s Pickering’s Gin, the Ferry Brewery, Days non-alcoholic beer, Forth Coffee Roasters and S. Luca of Musselburgh ice cream. The Fetching Fox can also accommodate private dining experiences for parties up to 30.  

To find out more about the Fetching Fox visit www.thefetchingfox.co.uk 

Leith Stories

Introducing Leith Stories, a project by Leith For Ever, with an aim to build a living, contemporary digital archive of people’s stories and memories of Leith online – a people’s history, accessible to all.

Join Leith for Ever at one of two workshops during Leith Festival, and share your memories of Leith as it has been in your lifetime, and as it is now.

We’re looking for volunteers to tell us their Leith story and help us create a contemporary audio archive of recorded experiences – the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful, that can be shared and built upon over time.

These collected stories will be recorded and shared as audio clips along with a photograph of you on our website or other digital media. We aim to make this archive something that anyone can add their story to over time so that it becomes a growing, accessible documentation of experiences of the people living, working or otherwise visiting or spending time in Leith.

How does it work? How do I participate?

To take part, first book your place on the workshop time and venue of your choice.

We ask our volunteers to think about, and bring along, an object or image that connects you to Leith that you can use as a prompt during the workshop. We will also provide a box of prompt objects if you aren’t able to bring one, so don’t worry if you can’t think of one! We would like to thank The Living Memory Association for the kind loan of their objects. You can find out more about their work by visiting www.livingmemory.org.uk

On the day, please arrive at the venue 10-15 minutes early so we can get you signed in, and consent forms filled out before we start.

Once everyone is signed in we will go through some warm-up exercises as a group and explain how the recording will work.

Then we will ask each participant to share the object they have brought, and chat about what memories or experiences these bring up in conversation. It will be very informal and friendly. During this conversation, we will record the different stories being shared which will become the final, edited, audio recordings for our memory archive.

Following the discussion, each participant will have their photograph taken with their object. This image will be shown on our website or other digital media, alongside the final edited audio clips, and you will be sent a printed copy following the workshops.

We will provide refreshments on the day.

Terms and conditions:

Please be aware that these sessions will be filmed and recorded. We will ask for your consent for this if you choose to participate. We do not plan to share the film at this point in time, only the audio, however please be aware that the film may be used in future (e.g. if we do a documentary of the project in future) or shown to our funders as part of a record of our activity.

We will also be taking a photograph of each participant at the end of the session – A copy of this will be sent to you as a thank you for taking the time to share your stories…

Your contact details and information provided on sign up and consent forms will not be shared publicly, however your name and any information you share that is recorded during the workshop as part of the story-sharing process may be included in the final edit.

What kind of memories / stories are we looking for?

Anything and Everything! This is about sharing the everyday lives of people connected to Leith. ordinary people doing ordinary things – reflecting on life as it was and is for real people.

Here are some examples:

‘I remember we used to drink in the Pond. they had a big fish tank at the back of the room and they would hold BBQ’s out the back sometimes. My friend who lived near there moved away though and we stopped going. It closed during lockdown and new people took over and renamed it The Bullfinch. I’ll need to pop by one day and check it out.’

‘When I moved to Leith in 2011 there was practically no signage on the cycle paths. I kept taking the wrong turn at five ways junction and ending up at Goldenacre, or Lyndsay Road instead of the Water of Leith. It’s much better signed now though, and the path has been upgraded too.’

‘When I was about 12-13 the Ferry Road path didn’t exist. I grew up near trinity, and we used to go down to this green marshy jungle and pretend it was Dagobah from Star Wars. That would have been in the late 80’s. Now I use it to get to work.’

‘I remember that cases (cardboard) of whisky used to be exported via Leith to far off countries no doubt. Stealing bottles would not be an option as open cartons was a tad obvious, so dockers used to drop the cases ‘accidentally’ and then hold a cup at the bottom corner and wait till the whisky worked its way through. The cartons were then sent on their way looking untouched.’

Accessibility

The venue should be fully accessible. If you require someone to accompany you to the workshop to support you or allow you to participate (e.g. a carer/support worker or a translator), you do not need to book a ticket for them. Please contact us to let us know you will have an extra person with you.

Under 16’s

We welcome under 16’s who wish to participate in the workshop, however you must be accompanied by someone over the age of 18. If they will be participating please book a ticket for them, if they will accompany you without participating, please let us know they will be attending with you.

This event has been supported by the Year of Stories 2022 Community Stories Fund. This fund is being delivered in partnership between VisitScotland and Museums Galleries Scotland with support from National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players.

Sessions will be held on :

Wednesday 15 June from 6 – 8.30pm at Leith Community Centre, Newkirkgate

Saturday 18 June from 2 – 4.30pm at Leith Dockers Club, Academy Street.

#LeithStories

#YS2022