Following the latest coronavirus guidelines announced on Monday, Granton Information Centre staff are working from home and our office on West Granton Road will remain closed for the foreseeable future – BUT PLEASE BE ASSURED THAT WE ARE STILL OPERATING!
You can contact us by email at info@gic.org.uk or by calling 0131 551 2459 or 0131 552 0458.
Any messages left on our answering machine will be dealt with as soon as possible – please ensure you clearly leave your full name and telephone number when leaving a message.
Let’s all play our part in keeping each other safe, stopping this terrible virus and getting life back to normal!
Drive-through clinics have been opened by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) in Edinburgh this weekend to make it as quick, safe and easy as possible for people to get their flu vaccine.
The clinics will continue to operate on weekends in October and November and each site can vaccinate up to 500 people a day.
As well as over 65s, pregnant people and those at risk due to existing health conditions, this year unpaid carers and those who lived with people who shielded during lockdown will be offered a free flu jab.
By developing flu drive throughs, everyone entitled to a free flu vaccine from a household can attend at the same time. For those who don’t have access to a car, a series of walk through clinics are being arranged and Edinburgh locations will be available on the NHS Inform website once confirmed.
Keeping the people of Edinburgh safe and healthy is a priority, so before the jab is administered, a nurse will ask some questions to make sure it is safe to administer the vaccine. The person receiving the jab doesn’t need to leave their car and will also be asked to wait 15 minutes before leaving the clinic to ensure there’s no reaction to the vaccine.
If you are eligible for a free flu vaccine, or for more information, go to www.nhsinform.scot/flu to find out where you can get your jab in Edinburgh. If you qualify for a free vaccine you’ll be given a time to attend a clinic after completing a short questionnaire.
Judith Proctor, Chief Officer for the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “As part of our mission to support a caring, healthier and safer Edinburgh, we’re committed to making it even easier to get a flu vaccine this year. The flu vaccine is an important health protection measure and we want to make sure that everyone who is eligible has access to the vaccine.
“To keep the people of Edinburgh safe, and to respect physical distancing measures, we have confirmed a range of Edinburgh venues to offer access to the flu vaccine, including a drive through service at sites across the city. This is the first time a drive through model has been used for vaccinations in Scotland, and could provide a blueprint for how to deliver vaccination programmes successfully in the future.
“Details of where people can go to receive a flu vaccine will be available on the NHS Inform website.”
Blackhall Medical Centre, Muirhouse Medical Group, Crewe Medical Centre and Davidson’s Mains Medical Centre patients will be directed to a walk-through facility at Pennywell All Care Centre or the drive-through at Scottish Gas HQ on Granton waterfront.
Police are appealing for information following a number of reports of a man acting suspiciously in the Wardieburn area over the past several days.
The man in question is described as being black, around 5ft 7, with short dark hair and a scruffy beard. He has been seen wearing a green waterproof jacket.
Inspector Claire Masterton said: “We have had several reports of this man approaching women in the street and behaving in a strange manner, as well as knocking on doors in the local area.
“In addition to those individuals who have reported concerns to Police Scotland, we are aware that there have been a number of posts on social media about this man’s activities.
“I would firstly like to reassure residents that we are investigating the matter thoroughly and there will be a police presence in the area. I’d also ask anyone with information to please contact police, quoting incident 2699 of 30 August.
Following our earlier appeal about a man acting suspiciously and approaching woman in the Wardieburn area over the past several days, we can confirm a 37-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today (Wednesday, 2 September, 2020).
Sergeant Aaron Chadha said: “We continue to carry out enquiries and would ask anyone with information to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 2699 of 30 August.”
North Edinburgh’s COVID-19 Food Share Consortium has produced a second newsletter.
The limited print run eight page publication will initially be distributed through the Group’s food distribution network and will also be available at local projects and offices.
For further information please email northedinnews@gmail.com
SHE new high school programme Mind, Body & Soul has launched.
SHE providing a blended learning approach with our educational partners.
Our groupwork programme supports young women (S1-S4) to manage stress and anxiety, develop techniques to improve confidence and self esteem and silence their inner critic.
Promoting self healing and improving skills to move forward and embrace life.
For more information please contact shescotland@outlook.com
What If…North Edinburgh? (WINE) is a programme run by First Port to support local people to develop social enterprises to create jobs and do something worthwhile in the community. Run by the manager, Julie Smith, it has assisted people over the last year to start up businesses doing sewing and tailoring, running markets and making crafts.
WINE offers workshops, training and discussions on various topics from ‘what is a social enterprise’ to managing your finances. It started a digital training course for local people just before lockdown, to include things like using social media, creating your own posters, how to sell online. That had to stop, but Julie is keen to offer training, this time online. She wants to know what would be useful for people.
“I got a really good tutor in from an organisation called Mhor Collective”, Julie explained. “They do a lot of work around what people want to learn, their motivation etc and don’t just have a set course they deliver. It’s tailored to people’s needs.
“Since lockdown, we’ve all seen how important having access to the internet it. But it’s hard if you can’t afford broadband or data – and if you have to share one tablet or phone between a whole family. I know a lot of people will have been doing home schooling too online, a very new thing for everybody!
“I’m doing a survey of people in north Edinburgh to find out what they’d like to learn to do, or do better using technology. We can then put on a course based on those needs. It’ll be great to build on the skills people already have and maybe identify some digital champions locally who can then go on to support others.”
The survey is straightforward and shouldn’t take too long.
“It’s important we get as many views from as many people as possible. If you need a paper copy of the survey, let me know. And pass it on to others!’’
