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20 million UK adults have ‘no idea’ about end of life care

  • 50 per cent have given no thought to planning if a terminal diagnosis was received –
  • The Rough Guide to the End of Life created and released as urgent free guide to end of life care –
  • Leading end of life charity Marie Curie highlights it supports people with any illness they are likely to die from, not only advanced cancer–

New polling has revealed that around 20 million / over a third (38 per cent) adults agree they do not know what end of life support and services are currently available in the UK, with half admitting they have given little thought to planning ahead if they were to receive a terminal diagnosis.

In response, Marie Curie, the UK’s leading end of life charity with a 75-year history, has partnered with Rough Guides to create the first ever UK ‘guidebook’ to end of life. The Rough Guide to the End of Life aims to help people navigate the end of life with advice and information from Marie Curie.

The charity aims to double the number of people it provides direct expert end of life care to by 2028 and highlight its services not only support those with advanced cancer, but any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer’s (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, and Parkinson’s.  

Despite end of life being inevitable for all, 40 per cent say they would not know how to access the information or services required to best support the needs of someone nearing their end of life.

While two thirds (64 per cent) state they would expect the NHS to refer them to all available resources if they were given a terminal diagnosis, however every five minutes someone dies in the UK without the care they need according to Marie Curie.

There is further confusion around where people can receive end of life care with 43 per cent of people surveyed not knowing care can be received from home. In fact, Marie Curie provides end of life care to people in their own homes. 

Available as a free downloadable guide at www.mariecurie.org.uk/withyou, The Rough Guide to the End of Life intends to help with ‘planning ahead’, offering tips on making a Will and sharing your preferences for your funeral to what to do with your social media and online accounts.

It also provides supportive guidance on how to cope with feelings if you or a loved one are at the end of life stage, alongside guidance on bereavement and grief.

The free guide also features relevant resources and organisations like Marie Curie who can provide support, and where and how to access end of life care when it is needed. 

Maria Novell Chief Innovation, Income and Engagement Officer at Marie Curie says: “It’s heart-breaking when we hear that someone didn’t know Marie Curie could help them or their loved one with the end of life.

“Wherever you are and whatever the illness, Marie Curie is with you to the end and the leading end of life charity. The Rough Guide to the End of Life is a physical demonstration of the support and guidance we provide for many people and families.

“We hope it becomes an invaluable family resource that shows people who are affected by any terminal illness that we’re there for them.

“By being better prepared and knowing how to access the right care and support services, whether for you or a loved one, will help improve a person’s chance of having a good end of life experience.” 

Kate Drynan, Senior Editor at Rough Guides says: “Our guides have supported millions of travellers over the decades, but we could not think of a more important journey than helping people to navigate their final chapter of life.

“We are proud to have partnered with Marie Curie on this important campaign and hope the first The Rough Guide to the End of Life gives support to many.”

To download the first The Rough Guide to the End of Life for free, visit the Marie Curie website www.mariecurie.org.uk/withyou

For more information about Marie Curie please visit: mariecurie.org.uk.  

The-Rough-Guide-to-the-End-of-LifeDownload

Artist Trevor Jones donates £114,000 to cancer charity Maggie’s

Donation is the highest single donation from an art event recorded in Edinburgh by Maggie’s in their 27 years of service

Cancer support charity, Maggie’s has confirmed that Scottish artist Trevor Jones has just awarded them the highest single donation from an art event recorded in the Edinburgh centre’s 27 years-history.  

The $140,000 donation (£114,000) was raised at a charity exhibition and auction at an annual Web3 Castle Party near Paris, in tribute to digital artist and architect Philippe Fatoux, aka Alotta Money, which was organised by innovative artist and NFT pioneer Trevor Jones. 

Maggie’s Edinburgh Fundraising Manager, Samantha Lea said:  said: “This is a phenomenal donation, which has only been made possible by the support and enthusiasm of the NFT art community.

“As a charity we rely almost entirely on voluntary donations and on behalf of the entire team at Maggie’s Edinburgh I would like to say a huge thank you to Trevor, his team and the artists who donated their time, skills and incredible work to this unique charity auction.  

“The money raised will help us to reach around 4,000 people with cancer, as well as family and friends, from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Borders – helping them to access vital support at a time when they need it more than ever. We are so very grateful.” 

The auction held at Château de Vallery near Paris, between September 3 and 5 saw the work of 30 exceptionally talented artists selected from over 400 applications. 

World-renowned artists Pak, Hackatao, Jose Delbo, Pascal Boyart among others featured in the exhibition and an exceptionally generous donation by collector Moderats of a highly sought-after XCOPY work was also included in the auction. 

A staggering 18,745 views of the artwork was recorded by hosting platform and sponsors, MakersPlace. 

Trevor Jones commented: “We have been blown away by the incredible response to this monumental event.

“Web3 artists, collectors and builders from across the globe came together to celebrate art, innovation, and especially friendship in the name of my good friend Philippe. ‘Alotta’ was held in great esteem by all, and we have been deeply moved by the generosity of people marking his legacy.  

“I’d like to personally thank the artists for their exceptional generosity and incredible work. I’d also like to thank MakersPlace for their role as sponsors and for supporting the exhibition as well as the numerous other Castle Party sponsors, and of course, I’d like to express my huge gratitude to all the bidders and auction winners.  

“The funds raised will make a huge difference and will go to support services for those affected by a cancer diagnosis – patients and their families. This is certainly a wonderful way to remember such a beloved artist, also taken by this disease.” 

Results this year greatly surpassed last year’s incredibly generous donations of £17,000 which was also collected for Maggie’s Edinburgh – when the inaugural Castle Party attracted guests from all over the world to Scotland’s Stirling Castle. 

For more information on Trevor Jones’ work, visit: https://www.trevorjonesart.com/ 

Local businesses come together to tackle loneliness in the city

VINTAGE VIBES BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

Award-winning Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes is marking eight years of tackling the loneliness crisis in the city by having a party for lonely and isolated older people (their VIPs) and delivering cupcakes to those who are housebound and unable to attend Vintage Vibes’ birthday celebrations at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo.

Teaming up with Cuckoo’s Bakery and EZ Bike Tours, they delivered a birthday treat and a chat to older people who were unable to attend due to health or mobility issues to ensure nobody was left out of the celebrations.

Vintage Vibes brings people together through friendship matches, groups, and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the over the 60s across Edinburgh.

Since its creation in 2015, the charity partnership has now helped over 1000 older people in the city to establish one-to-one friendships based on mutually shared interests from baking, gaming and, like Aly and Betty, beach walks and milkshakes.

Events, and groups are also available from sewing to cinema, and singing to bring people together for fun and friendship.

Gemma Wright, Communications and Fundraising Lead at Vintage Vibes, said: “We are so grateful to Cuckoo’s Bakery, EZ Bike Tours and Edinburgh Zoo for helping to make our 8th birthday celebrations so amazing.

“We delivered cupcakes to the homes of our wonderful VIPs that were sadly, unable to join us for our birthday party. We exist to bring fun and friendship to older people who are feeling lonely and isolated through our network of amazing friendship volunteers and the support of local businesses and funding partnerships.

“We would like to thank all involved for your ongoing support and helping us to ensure everyone was included.”

Having successfully delivered over 20,000 hours of volunteering, Vintage Vibes’ 2023 annual survey showed that 95% of their VIPs felt that being involved in the project left them feeling happier and gave them a better quality of life.

Vintage Vibes is now seeking amazing new Edinburgh-based volunteers to expand the project and offer support to even more older people across the city.

Thomas Partridge, Director of Cuckoo’s Bakery said: “We first helped Vintage Vibes back in 2017 when we supported their heart-warming Christmas Card Campaign. We are delighted to be able to make a difference again and provide celebration cupcakes to those older people who were unable to attend the party.

“The team at our new bakery on Grindlay Street waved them off on their mission to tackle isolation in the city and we hope everyone enjoyed the fun!”

Euan at EZ Bike Tours said: “We’re delighted to support Vintage Vibes in making their birthday celebrations extra special and to play our part in helping to tackle loneliness in older people across Edinburgh.”

For more information on becoming a Vintage Vibes volunteer, please contact Vintage Vibes by emailing hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or visit vintagevibes.org.uk.

“Putting” their rivalry aside, Hibs and Hearts legends sign up for inaugural Auld Reekie Cup

All “fore” a good cause – Don’t miss your chance to play in Edinburgh’s exclusive charity golf tournament

It’s a rivalry that has kept football fans on the edge of their stadium seats for almost 150 years – that between Edinburgh’s Hibernian F.C and Heart of Midlothian F.C.

And now that competition is set to hit the golf course as footballing legends from Hibs and Hearts prepare to tee off in an exclusive charity golf tournament. What’s more, local supporters are being offered a unique opportunity to play alongside these football icons as entries into the inaugural Auld Reekie Cup teams officially open to the public.

Taking place on Thursday 26th October at the historic Royal Burgess Golfing Society, the Auld Reekie Cup is set to be a memorable golf day with a difference, featuring friendly competition and banter, with great prizes and bragging rights up for grabs. 

Switching the pitch for the fairway will be fitba stars Scott Brown, Mixu Paatelainen, Steven Whittaker, Derek Riordan, Gordon Hunter, Steven Tweed, Ally McLeod, John Blackley and John Brownlie playing for Hibernian, and Jim Brown, Scott Crabbe, Eammon Bannon and Graeme Shaw playing for Hearts. More big names will be confirmed in the coming days.

And it’s all in aid of a great cause. Thanks to the Hanlon Stevenson Foundation and the Big Hearts Community Trust, all money raised will be used to support projects promoting young people’s mental health.

Speaking ahead of the event, Hanlon Stevenson Foundation Ambassador Paul Demarco said; “Uniting old rivals for a common cause, this charity golf day will bring Hibs and Hearts together on the green to tee up support for young people’s mental health.

“Hanlon Stevenson Foundation are delighted to be working with Big Hearts Community Trust, proving that when it comes to making a positive difference, our shared purpose is stronger than any rivalry.”

Big Hearts Community Trust Chief Executive Craig Wilson added; “We are thrilled to have been asked to be part of this exciting new event alongside The Hanlon Stevenson Foundation which will allow us to support even more young people across Edinburgh.

“We already do a host of work in this area and know the challenges that exist. We hope to have a full team of golfers joining us and our playing legends on what will be a great day at such a historic venue, all for a great cause.”

The Auld Reekie Cup will take place at The Royal Burgess Golfing Society on Thursday 26th October.

Entries into both teams are now open. Teams of 3 plus a playing legend are priced at £900 +VAT. To purchase a ticket for the Hibernian team please email graeme@hanlonstevensonfoundation.co.uk

To purchase a ticket for the Hearts team please email kirsty.coutts@bighearts.org.uk.

Edinburgh’s First Female Police Driver Returns for Tour of Her Old Beat

A trailblazing woman, who was Edinburgh’s first ever female police driver, was welcomed back to her old beat on Friday (29 September), 70-years on from beginning her career.

Mary d’Arcy Kincaid, 91, broke gender barriers when she applied to become a trained police driver in 1956, having seen an advert encouraging officers to apply.

The advert had been intended to attract male applicants, but as no gender had been stated, Mary applied and following discussion with the Chief Inspector, she was accepted onto the course.

Mary would then go on to be one of four women from Scotland to take up a 12-month secondment opportunity in Cyprus in 1957 where she would help with the recruitment and training of female Cypriot officers, work within the control room and assist with the searching of women stopped at roadblocks. During this time she was promoted to Sergeant.

Upon her return to Edinburgh in 1958, she went back to working in the Southside before joining CID in 1960. In 1961, she was one of two women and four men selected to form the city’s Crime Team.

After leaving policing, Mary would later serve as a Magistrate in Westminster and now lives in Gloucestershire with her husband of 53 years.

Speaking of her time in uniform, Mary said: “I was so excited when I sat my entrance exams and passed, and so began my City of Edinburgh Police journey.  When the memo circulated inviting applications for police drivers, I thought, why not – after all, they had not specified male or female Constables, so took my chance. 

“I loved driving, and knew I could do it well, as part of my role.  Despite some reluctance from some colleagues, I couldn’t believe it when I was invited to go for my driver training.

“I passed with flying colours, and so my driving as a Police Constable began.  This really meant that I no longer needed a male Police Constable to drive me to a job, take a bus, or walk – I could drive one of the many CID vehicles.”

Senior officers, including Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond, were in attendance at St Leonards Police Station to greet Mary and her family before taking her on a tour of her former beat.

Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond paid tribute to the former officer for leading change for women in policing.

ACC Bond said: “Welcoming Mary and listening to her experiences and perspective was a real pleasure.

“Much has changed to improve the representation of women in all ranks and roles in policing over the course of the last few decades thanks to inspirational figures like Mary, quite literally, driving progress.

“Police Scotland is absolutely determined to continue to build on the progress led by trailblazers like Mary, to address sexism and discrimination in policing and across society and improve experiences for our officers and staff and the people who we serve,”

Heart of Newhaven: October News

WELCOME TO YOUR OCTOBER NEWSLETTER

AGM

Thank you to everyone who came along to our second AGM. You are the community and you have a say in what is happening at the Heart. Judy Crabb as Chair opened the proceedings, welcomed everyone, thanked all staff, volunteers, trustees and volunteer consultants and gave a short presentation on the highlights of the last 12 months.

Images on the website for those who were unable to attend.

Andrew Waldie presented the accounts and explained that he was now stepping down. Judy thanked him for the very significant contributions he has made to the work and progress of HoNC. He will be missed but it is time for him to move on elsewhere.

As per the constitution Member Trustees appointed by the Board – since the last AGM, Sarah Harvey and Lynne Porteous, stepped down. They put themselves forward again and were elected.

Co-opted trustees, Christine McDerment, Lindsay Millar and Richard Thomas stood down, offered themselves to rejoin and were duly elected.

At the Board meeting that followed the AGM, the following office bearers were elected: Judy Crabb as Chair and Richard Thomas as Secretary. You can find a complete list of all board members on the website.

Those attending were able to inspect the new Community Teaching Kitchen which has been installed and appeared to be very impressed. Mwamba have already used it for their Conversation Cafe, Newhaven Friendship Group had a demonstration of air fryers there and Cyrenians are to use the facility when they begin to operate a Lunch Club at The Heart from November.

Doors Open Days

Visitors on Doors Open weekend (23rd and 24thSeptember) were impressed with the changes and progress that have been made in the Heart. Around 4-500 people came through the doors and enjoyed tours of the site and chatting with trustees. Lots of people had a chance to see the beautiful Ink on Mesh Studio and to see all the works being created there.

Many spent quite some time in the Victorian Schoolroom and the adjoining Heritage Suite, now available for visits, enjoying looking through old photograph albums and appreciating the various collections on display.  

Others met our resident Ukrainian group, the Edinburgh Spiders to find out all about their project to support those on the front line.

The weekend also saw the last days of the 100 Species exhibition in the Atrium and Anchor Building. While a display of photographs of the many contributions were on display in the Atrium, larger objects and more photos were on show in the Anchor Building, including a full-size reimagining of a Newhaven Fishwife by Karen Bates incorporating two creels which had been kindly donated to the Heart’s heritage collection.

Head of Marine Conservation Scotland, Calum Duncan, described the sensation on entering the display as a “ wonderful, inspiring exhibition like Neptune’s grotto when I walked in”.

Funding

The Heart would like to thank recent funders for their contributions. We have been granted £10k from the Pilgrim Trust and £25k from Historic Environment Scotland as contributions to the costs of emergency repairs to the Heart – basically much needed repairs to the roof and windows.

We are currently out to tender and hope the work can start before the end of the year.

A big thank you also to the trustees of the Leith Community Fund who have agreed a grant of £5k towards the Heart of Newhaven Dementia  Meeting Centre.

Duke of Edinburgh participants

We are pleased to welcome a growing number of local youngsters taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, who are now volunteering at the Heart.

They will be attending on Saturday mornings to welcome visitors and conduct tours of the site while honing their various skills by helping in crafting sessions with even more visiting youngsters.

An appeal for crafters who would like to come on Saturday mornings to teach young or old, including our Duke of Edinburgh award volunteers: we’d welcome more crafters who know how to knit, crochet, card-make as well as share any other similar skill.

Do come and share your creative enjoyment. We’d like to encourage adults attending any classes such as Zumba to bring their children and we shall keep them entertained and busy with any crafts we can offer.  

Contact norma.johnston@heartofnewhaven.co.uk if you would like to participate.

Coming Up Soon

Autumn Family Ceilidh. Saturday October 28th, 2pm.

Our first one proved very popular with everyone, so there’s another coming up soon. Contact admin@heartofnewhaven.co.uk if you would like to buy tickets and if you have any unwanted gifts you could donate as raffle prizes.

Call 0131 380 3504 for tickets.

Sharing the past

Our reminiscence volunteers have confirmed their dates for the next few months, so do make a note of them if you would like to come along and chat or share any memories  :

All sessions will be on a Thursday at 10.30-11.30 am.

19th October

23rd November

21December

18th January

22nd February

STOP PRESS:

Make a Noticing Journal – a book binding & writing workshop for adults

10am – 1pm,Saturday 18 November

Mindfulness journaling has many benefits, including reducing stress, improving mental clarity, and increasing self-awareness – intrigued? This could be the workshop for you!

Join local Bookbinder Cass Barron and Writer/Artist Julie Galante to make your own ‘noticing journal’ and explore a mindful approach to journalling.

Please contact Cass asap at bookbindingwithcass@gmail.com to reserve your place – – places will be issued on a first come, first served basis as we are limited to a class of 12.

And finally

Our culture & heritage lead, Christine, is keen to gather a few willing helpers around her who could assist in some projects which are being planned.

One would involve research in the Central Library, another requires someone with some computer skills.

There will be various opportunities.

Contact christine.mcderment@heartofnewhaven.co.uk if would like to get involved.

WHAT’S ON AT THE HEART

More than 11,500 disclosures given to people at risk of domestic abuse

More than 11,500 disclosures have been made to tell people their partner has an abusive past, since Police Scotland launched a scheme eight years ago to help tackle domestic abuse.

The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS) launched on 1st October 2015, has received over 20,000 requests for information.

Of the 20,005 requests, 11,599 disclosures (58 per cent) have been made to tell people their current partner has a violent or abusive past.

‘a thousand words’ commissioned by Scottish Womens Aid and Zero Tolerance. Copyright Laura Dodsworth

Detective Superintendent Gillian Faulds, Police Scotland’s Head of Domestic Abuse, said: “Abusers manipulate and control their victims.

“Abuse can be gradual and it can be very difficult for victims of domestic abuse to recognise their situation and to then take action to end their relationship.

“The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland helps someone at risk of abuse consider their circumstances and make an informed choice about the future of that relationship.”

The scheme operates two pathways, the right to ask and the power to tell.

Under the Right to Ask, people who think their partner may have an abusive past, or their family and friends have concerns, are able to submit an application. Where lawful, proportionate and necessary, a disclosure can be made to the person at risk.

Under the Power to Tell, professionals including the police and partner agencies can apply for a disclosure to be made where they have reason to believe a person could be at risk of domestic abuse.

Detective Superintendent Faulds added: “If you’re a family member, a friend, a work colleague or even a neighbour and you think that someone you know is potentially at risk of harm from their current partner then you can make an application.

“Those at risk from domestic abuse who are told about a partner’s abusive past can then choose the course of action they wish to take, whether to end the relationship or continue it. Officers will always signpost those at risk to support and advice offered by our partners.

“All it takes is one person to alert us and we can help end the threat and harm caused by domestic abuse.”

Submitting a DSDAS application can be done online on the Police Scotland website, by calling 101, speaking to an officer or attending at a police station. Applications are processed within 45 days or sooner.

Scottish sporting bodies support NSPCC’s ‘Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week’

·       New poll finds that more than one in four parents (28%) who attend their child’s sports club or activity said they have seen or experienced inappropriate behaviour

·       The week-long campaign kicks off today (Monday, October 2) to help parents recognise how negative behaviour at sporting events and activities can impact children

·       The campaign, backed in Scotland by JudoScotland, Glasgow Warriors, Children 1st and other organisations plus former professional footballer Paul Stewart, encourages parents and carers to understand their role in safeguarding children and to show them positive support

Scottish sports clubs and footballing star Paul Stewart are backing the NSPCC’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week campaign which this year calls on parents to show positive support for their children in their activities.

JudoScotland, rugby team Glasgow Warriors, Scottish charity Children 1st and former professional footballer Paul Stewart, who was abused while he was a youth player, are all supporting this year’s campaign.

Paul, a former Premiership and International footballer who played for Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, was sexually abused by a football coach as a child and now works to promote safety in sport, including advising the Scottish FA on safeguarding children in football.

Paul Stewart said: “The NSPCC’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week is an incredibly important campaign. Making sure that children are safe when they take part in sport is crucial.

“I’m proud to be helping raise awareness of the issue and empower parents and carers with the knowledge they need to spot the signs of abuse.

“Strong safeguarding policies in sport clubs and good parental awareness of them make it much harder for abusers to target children in these environments. That is why it is so important that parents and carers know how to access safeguarding information for their child’s club, and they can identify signs of abuse and have the confidence to speak out about any issues.

“We can all work together to help make sport a safer place for children and young people.”

More than one in four parents (28%) who attend their child’s sports club or activity said they have seen or experienced inappropriate behaviour, a new NSPCC survey has revealed.

This includes shouting insults, intimidating or threatening behaviour or fights between parents, guardians, carers or children.

The YouGov poll, commissioned by the NSPCC’s Child Protection in Sport Unit (CPSU) to mark the launch of the charity’s Keeping Children Safe in Sport Week, also found that 68% of these parents said they or their children or both had felt uncomfortable because of inappropriate behaviour, and almost one in five parents said no action had been taken to stop it.

The NSPCC has launched a new video (WATCH HERE) which explores how behaviour from the sidelines can affect young sportspeople.

Entitled My No.1 Fan, the short film features interviews with families talking about positive parental behaviour and support and how negative behaviour can impact children’s enjoyment of sport.

Luke Struthers, Lead Wellbeing Protection Officer from JudoScotland, said: “We are proud to be supporting NSPCC Scotland on this important campaign to help keep children safe in sport.

“Safeguarding in sport is crucial and this is a great opportunity to help raise awareness of the important role parents play in keeping their child safe and happy in sport.

“We hope Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week will help to empower parents and carers with the knowledge they need to get involved with safeguarding within sports clubs and raise any concerns they might have.”

Cameron MacAllister, Lead Communications and External Affairs Manager at Glasgow Warriors, said: “We are backing the NSPCC’s Keeping Your Child safe in Sport Week because as a parent I know how important it is to make sure your children’s experiences of sport is safe so they have a happy and memorable time.

 “As a club we are looking forward to our players visiting NSPCC’s Childline base in Glasgow in November with our Clan groups to hear more about the vital work they are doing for young people across the UK.”

Keeping Children Safe in Sport Week is being supported by sports clubs and sportspeople across the country at all levels, including Liverpool FC, Everton FC, Leeds United, Sunderland AFC, Birmingham City, Tranmere Rovers, Volleyball England, as well as football icon Alan Shearer and the youngest ever British Olympian, skateboarder Sky Brown.

Sky said: “Having my family with me is really important to me on my journey. My dad and my brother are always by my side and my mom always makes me feel at home when we are on the road and cooks the best food!

“I am thankful that they often travel with me for competition and training.”

The NSPCC recognises that children enjoy sport and activities the most when parents are engaged in what they do, whether it is postgame support and cheerleading or showing an interest in the rules of the game.

As well as this new film, the NSPCC’s CPSU hosts a wealth of resources and information for parents on the Parents’ Hub, including a free e-learning course for parents on keeping children safer in sport, videos, podcasts and factsheets.

Michelle North, head of CPSU, said: “We’re delighted to have so much support for this year’s Keeping Your Child Safe in Sport Week.

“We know that inappropriate behaviour has a negative impact on young people and affects their enjoyment of the sport or activity, which in positive and safe environments can bring a lot of fulfilment to their lives.

“It is important that sports organisations and activity providers not only work with their staff and volunteers but with parents too to ensure that children have the safest and most enjoyable experience in sport.”

The NSPCC and its CPSU want to bring together parents and sports clubs and bodies to help give them the confidence and knowledge about the role they can play in keeping their children safe in sports and activity settings.

Last weekend, the NSPCC supported the Football Association’s Play Safe campaign – a countrywide campaign to focus attention on the vital importance of safeguarding in our national game.

Sir Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC, added: “Being your child’s biggest supporter can help instil in them a lifelong love of sport, and help them build friendships and confidence. It can also help you learn about what makes their sports club safe and how to spot the signs that something might be wrong.

“Our Keeping Children Safe in Sport Week campaign highlights how important parents and carers are in a child’s sporting life. You can make a difference by being involved and supporting your child in their club or activity in a positive way and helping to spread the word about keeping children safe in sport.”

The NSPCC is encouraging parents to get involved and learn more about their local sports clubs and safeguarding and to be part of the team, on the CPSU parent hub via the official website.

This year’s campaign is calling on parents to:

·       recognise that negative behaviour, including at sporting events, can have an impact on their child and their enjoyment of their chosen sport or club.

·       understand their crucial safeguarding role in their child’s sport and help keep them safe from possible abuse.

·       get involved in their child’s sporting club or activity and show positive support. Sport is safest when everyone plays their role in keeping children safe, including parents.

To find out more about being your child’s biggest supporter and how to get involved with the campaign, visit thecpsu.org.uk/parents

Halloween events at Craigies Farm

Family-friendly farm village, Craigies Farm in South Queensferry, is welcoming the arrival of October by inviting some spooky visitors to its pumpkin fields!

The popular day-out destination will once again open its popular pick-your-own pumpkin patch on October 1st, and new for this year will also host two Halloween-themed events out in the fields too!

The ‘Spooky Days’ daytime event is perfect for families with younger children, while the nighttime ‘Haunted Tunnels‘ have slightly more scares suitable for older children and families.

Both events will feature a spooky cast of roaming characters, spine-tingling props, interactive games, storytellers and at night time, there will be fantastic illuminated light shows too!

Tickets for all events can be booked online here: https://craigies.co.uk/events-activities/