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Social Bite launch Festival of Kindness to support homeless and vulnerable people in Edinburgh

‘In a world where you can be anything, be kind’

  • Social Bite lights up major cities encouraging kindness this Christmas 
  • Charity aims to provide 300,000 gifts, meals, and essential items to homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas 
  • Stars including Martin Kemp, Emma and Matt Willis lend their support to the campaign 
  • Donate a ‘Christmas of Kindness’ online to provide a meal, gift, pack of essential items, and emergency accommodation for a homeless person for just £28 
  • Christmas trees with gift donation points installed in five cities, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, to emphasise that ‘in a world where you can be anything, be kind.’  

The cost of living crisis is affecting us all, but the impact is even more devastating for people who are homeless and vulnerable this Christmas. Backed by stars Martin Kemp, Emma and Matt Willis, Social Bite has launched its Festival of Kindness and is urging people in Edinburgh to spread some much-needed festive goodwill and kindness during these difficult times.  

Recent research has highlighted that: 

  • More than 1 in 5 people are living in poverty in the UK, according to Joseph Rowntree Foundation.[1] 
  • There was nearly 150 per cent increase in homeless deaths in the capital since 20172 
  • An estimated 1.3 million more people will be plunged into absolute poverty by 2023, including 500,000 children.[2] 
  • 6.8 million adults had smaller meals than usual or skipped meals because they couldn’t afford or get access to food.[3] 

Which is why the charity is asking people in Edinburgh to donate a ‘Christmas of Kindness’ for £28, which includes a meal, gift, pack of essential items, and emergency accommodation with support for people who are homeless.

Through the campaign, Social Bite has set a target of providing 300,000 meals, gifts, and essential winter items to those experiencing homelessness during this festive period. 

Working alongside local partners, Social Bite has installed 28ft tall Christmas trees in five cities in the UK – London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, with people living nearby encouraged to buy an extra gift and bring it to the Tree of Kindness, these gifts will be distributed to people who are homeless in time for Christmas. 

Christmas Trees have also been installed in four other cities in the UK – London, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Dundee, and the five Festival of Kindness locations are: 

  • St Andrew Square, Edinburgh 
  • Charing Cross Station, London 
  • Vinicombe Street, Glasgow 
  • Outside M&S at the Bon Accord centre, Aberdeen 
  • City Square, Dundee.

The charity has created a Wishlist of the items and gifts that homeless and vulnerable people need the most especially at this time of year – from a warm pair of gloves, a hot water bottle, to a torch, earphones, and toys for children living in temporary accommodation to open on Christmas morning.  

Emma Willis said: “The work Social Bite does is amazing, so Matt and I are both really proud to support the Festival of Kindness campaign. 

“The help the campaign provides for people experiencing homelessness across the country is transformative for so many and more important than ever during the current rises in the cost of living. 

“I’d encourage anyone who can, to donate a ‘Christmas of Kindness’ online, or get along to their nearest Tree of Kindness to donate a gift and show whatever support they can to this brilliant cause.” 

Social Bite co-founder and Executive Director, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said: “Your kindness is needed now more than ever. The economic challenges and inflation facing the country this year means that homeless people face a very bleak winter.

“Millions of people will be forced to choose between heating and eating and this Christmas, and tens of thousands of people all over the UK will spend the festive period on the streets – cold, hungry and lonely, without a family to go to.

“Tens of thousands of children will also find themselves in temporary emergency accommodation or without food on the table over the festive period.  

 “That’s why we are asking people living in Edinburgh to support our Festival of Kindness campaign by inviting them to be kind and buy or donate a little extra to help those who need it most – even the smallest of gifts will make a huge difference.” 

On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Social Bite will be opening its coffee shops in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Aberdeen to provide a warm Christmas dinner and some loving company for those who need it, as well as providing meals and gifts through a network of over 170 local charity partners across the UK.  

Josh added: “Our staff always give up their Christmas day every year to ensure that homeless and vulnerable people have delicious food to eat and some festive company.

“This year we will also be distributing food packs and hot meals to tens of thousands of people in food poverty through our network of charity partners all over the UK.” 

All gifts will be distributed by Social Bite’s dedicated team of ‘elves’ to those who need it most, just in time for Christmas.  

Denzil Skinner, Chair of Essential Edinburgh Business Improvement District, who are supporting Festival of Kindness in St Andrew Square Edinburgh said: “We would like to encourage all our locals to pop into the city centre, select a gift from the wish-list at one of our fantastic retailers and leave it at the tree of kindness in St Andrew Square Garden.

“This small act of kindness will make such a difference to some of our most vulnerable citizens. A little kindness goes a long way.” 

People who are unable to visit a Tree of Kindness can also buy a ‘virtual gift’ online via the Social Bite website which will enable the provision of food, gifts and essential items. Donations will also help fund emergency accommodation for people who are sleeping rough, as well as energy support during this cost-of-living crisis. 

In 2021, thanks to the generous support of the public, the Festival of Kindness campaign resulted in 276,545 Christmas meals, food packs, gifts, and essential items for people affected by homelessness and food poverty. 

All gifts donated at the trees should be new and unwrapped, and there is a helpful ‘how-to’ guide on the charity’s website. Donated items will be placed in weather-proof Perspex boxes and collected each evening for transportation to the local distribution centre nearby.  

To find out more or donate, please visit https://www.social-bite.co.uk/ 

National Museums Scotland listings: Join us for the festive season

Festive events 

Clyde’s Winter Trail  
National Museum of Rural Life, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR 
2 Dec 2022 – 8 Jan 2023  
10:00-17:00   
Clyde and his friends have been getting the National Museum of Rural Life ready for the festive season. Can you find all the miniature scenes around the museum?  

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Clyde’s-Winter-Trail  

Festive Weekend 
National Museum of Rural Life, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride G76 9HR 
3 & 4 Dec 2022 
10:30-12:30 & 13:30-15:30  
Learning Centre & Farmhouse  
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass. 

Celebrate the season with a weekend of festive family crafts at the museum. On Saturday, you can also join in rhymes, songs and games at the farmhouse. 

Find our more nms.ac.uk/Festive-Weekend 

Drawn Together at the Museum  
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF  
28 Dec – 30 Dec 2022  
Daily, 10:30 – 16:30  
Grand Gallery, Level 1  
Free drop-in  

Escape to the museum between Christmas and Hogmanay and enjoy sketching around our galleries. Your artwork will be added to our informal public gallery for everyone to enjoy.  

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Drawn-Together  

 
Exhibitions & Displays

National Museum of Scotland  
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF    
Open 10:00–17:00 daily   

Bernat Klein: Design in Colour        

5 Nov 2022 – 23 Apr 2023        
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3 

Free entry 

 Marking the centenary of his birth, Bernat Klein: Design in Colour will celebrate the work of the influential émigré textile designer. Visitors will be able to explore Klein’s creative process and varied career, from providing couture fabrics for fashion designers to his influence on modernist architecture and interior design in the UK and Scandinavia.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/BernatKlein      

OPENING SOON Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder  
9 Dec 2022 – 1 May 2023 

Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder features eight zones filled with immersive, hands-on experiences. Travel through the Time Vortex Corridor, discover Sonic Screwdrivers, teleportation technology and much more in a TARDIS Tech room, and get up close with some of the series’ weird and wonderful creatures in the Monster Vault. Join us for the Scottish premiere of this ground-breaking exhibition. It’s bigger on the inside! 

Book now nms.ac.uk/doctor-who  

Inspiring Walter Scott   
Until 8 Jan 2023   
Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1   
Free entry   
   
Following the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, experience his novels through objects that inspired him. In this small exhibition we show how Scott drew upon real historical objects for inspiration, placing objects alongside Scott’s words, and the stories in which they feature. While you view these fascinating objects, you can listen to an actor reading extracts from these tales.    
   
In association with Walter Scott 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Scotland’s Greatest Storyteller and supporting Year of Stories 2022.   

Find out more nms.ac.uk/walterscottexhibition   
   

Japanese Contemporary Design      
Until 5 Mar 2023       
Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1      
Free entry
   
From striking statement jewellery to prints and porcelain vases, this new free display considers how Japanese contemporary makers have combined innovative and traditional art, craft and design elements over the past five decades.   The star object is Hitomi Hosono’s A Large Pine Tree Pool, a sculptural porcelain bowl with complex hand-carving made and acquired in 2019.

Further highlights include Junko Mori’s intricate New Pinecone Silver Organism, and colourful body adornments by jeweller Suō Emiko’s adapted from metalworking and engraving techniques traditionally used in the making of Japanese sword fittings.      

Find out more nms.ac.uk/JapaneseContemporaryDesign        

   
Events 

National Museum of Scotland    
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF   
Open 10:00–17:00 daily   

MEMBERS ONLY In Conversation with the Director: Earth in Space  
1 Dec 2022 
18:00 –19:00  
Auditorium (enter via Lothian Street) 
Free for Members, booking required  

Join Director Dr Chris Breward, Senior Curator of Science Dr Tacye Philipson, and Senior Curator of Mineralogy Peter Davidson, as we discover how we’ve explored our place in the universe. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/earth-in-space  

Relaxed Morning  
4 Dec 2022  
10:00 – 12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30) 

Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with autistic children; autistic young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems; and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers. 

Find out more nms.ac.uk/relaxed-morning 

Friday Friends 
2 & 16 December  
14:00-16:00, selected Friday afternoons   
Free, pre-booking required  

Our Friday Friends programme offers a welcoming space for visually impaired and D/deaf children and their families. The groups meet monthly and explore the themes of the museum through objects, music, art and activities. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/friday-friends 

Magic Carpet Minis 
2023 dates available soon  
Various times and dates  
£15 per child for block of 3  

Magic Carpet Minis introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and gentle way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the Natural World, Space, World Cultures and Scottish History through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and sensory play. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/magic-carpet-minis     


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Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland   

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/   

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789.   

St Andrew’s Day open day at sight loss charity’s Edinburgh headquarters

National sight loss charity RNIB Scotland is celebrating St Andrew’s Day on Wednesday [November 30th] by holding an open day at its Edinburgh headquarters.

Visitors will have a chance to meet staff and learn more about the services, aids and equipment it offers to blind and partially sighted people.

As well as campaigning on issues affecting those with sight loss, the charity can help people maximise their independence with new technology such as accessible software for phones and computers, audio-books and talking clocks.

It also operates a community café open to the public for hot drinks and snacks, and runs various leisure and social groups.

The RNIB Scotland headquarters is located at 12-14 Hillside Crescent, Edinburgh, just off London Road.

If you or someone you know with sight loss would like to come along on St Andrew’s Day, please contact Daniel Meikle on 07821 810 955 or email:  

daniel.meikle@rnib.org.uk.

Walkers raise over £100k for charity in new Edinburgh endurance event

A new charity endurance walk over some of Scotland’s most beautiful peaks raised over £100,000 in its inaugural year.

The Pentland Peaks Challenge, sponsored by Artemis Investment Management, took place in the glorious Pentland Hills near Edinburgh in late September.

The 179 walkers, including 84 staff from Artemis, chose from three routes. These ranged in difficulty from a ‘Bronze Challenge’, at eight miles and covering three peaks, to a ‘Gold Challenge’ that covered 27 miles and required walkers to scale seven peaks. The participants were supported by 25 volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly.

All the funds raised went to two charities. SANE is a national mental health charity that raises awareness, fights to improve services and provides emotional support. Mary’s Meals, based in Scotland, operates globally to provide school meals to more than 2.2 million children daily, giving them the energy to learn.

Derek Stuart, Chair of the Artemis Charitable Foundation, said: “I am incredibly proud that over 200 people took part in this new event. To generate over £100,000 for two amazing charities is a real achievement.

“Each year, our staff raise money and Artemis gives a proportion of its profits to the Artemis Charitable Foundation. Established in 2007, it manages our charitable activities and involvement in the wider world. Our staff and the trustees choose which charities will benefit with a particular focus on ones where the Artemis contribution can make a significant impact.

“The foundation supports ‘core’ charities in the UK and internationally in the areas of health, poverty, education and the environment, and also makes donations to global disasters and emergencies when they occur. In 2021 the foundation donated over £900,000 and the total amount donated since 2007 is £12.8 million.”

The next Artemis Pentland Peaks Challenge is due to take place on Saturday 2nd September 2023.

For further information on how to take part or donate, please visit:

https://pentlandpeaks.com/

MSPs meet workers to discuss future of Royal Mail services

Union officials and postal workers from the Communications Workers Union were at Holyrood this week to give crucial updates to Members of the Scottish Parliament on the ongoing postal dispute.  

MSPs heard from the CWU about the Royal Mail’s plans to cut 10,000 jobs, dismantle pay and conditions and end the universal service obligation.  

Following the talks, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “I was pleased to meet the CWU reps this week to discuss the future of our local postal services.  

“It is vital that Royal Mail urgently make a fair offer to their loyal workforce to quickly bring an end to this dispute. I have written to Royal Mail on a number of occasions regarding the retention of jobs and better pay and conditions for our valued postal workers. I’ll continue to raise this for all those affected and I stand in solidarity with our postal workers.” 

Craig Anderson Scottish Secretary of the CWU said: “We were very pleased with the response from MSPs who came along to meet us. They expressed their support for our posties and the services they provide to communities right across Scotland.  

“We would encourage all MSPs to join our members on picket lines as we call for fair pay for our posties.” 

Santa’s flying visit marks the start of the Conifox Christmas Experience

The spectacular sight of a flying visit from Santa marked the start of Conifox Adventure Park’s magical festive extravaganza. 

Leaving Rudolph and the other reindeer to rest, he hitched a lift and was helicoptered into the park, at Kirkliston near Edinburgh, by helpers Adventure001 Experiences, specialists in Edinburgh sightseeing trips. 

Santa’s arrival kicked off this year’s popular Conifox Christmas Experience which is now even better than ever as Conifox has partnered with events specialists 21CC Productions which is also providing amazing lighting and effects. 

From now until Christmas Eve, families can enjoy a carnival of festive fun, immerse themselves in the world of Santa Claus and all their favourite festive characters, enjoy a Christmas Funfair, in partnership with Taylor’s of Edinburgh Funfair, and an outdoor Christmas Market supporting local Scottish traders. There will also be various food vendors and a bar available for evening refreshments.   

Among many attractions, they can visit is Whoville – look out for the Grinch! – the Magic Forest, Mrs Claus’ Kitchen, the Elf Disco Village and Reindeer Flying School, Santa’s Sweet Shop and the Naughty or Nice Scanner. 

Santa will also be back in his sitting room to welcome every child who will receive a Golden Christmas Coin to exchange in the Toy Workshop for a gift of their choice. Then as darkness falls the winter wonderland lights up with 21CC’s amazing effects.

James Gammell, Managing Director of Conifox Adventure Park, says: “With the arrival of Santa the countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun and we’d like to thank Adventure001 Experiences for whisking him in to get the celebrations started. 

“This year, we’ll also be supporting local charity Kids Love Clothes with their Christmas Toy Appeal and to show our support, we will be donating two hundred toys as well as using our Activity Centre as a drop-off point for any new toy donations.  

“With your support, we can reach families who are struggling to look forward to Christmas this year so please support by dropping off a new toy whilst you are here.” 

The Conifox Christmas Experience runs on selected dates until December 24, with entrance times at 15-minute intervals. Admission to the indoor Activity Centre and Adventure Park is not included with the tickets purchased for Christmas Experience Days or Nights, but they can be booked online. 

To book tickets and for full terms and conditions, please visit: 

www.conifox.co.uk/whats-on 

For more information about Conifox Adventure Park please visit: 

www.conifox.co.uk/ 

Gillespie Macandrew donates £40,000 to its charity partners

Scottish law firm Gillespie Macandrew has made a significant charitable donation of £40,000 to be shared between its two charity partners, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) and Alzheimer Scotland.

As part of its ESG programme, in each of the last 7 years Gillespie Macandrew has donated around 1% of the firm’s annual pre-tax profits to its partner charities.  In total this commitment has contributed over £210,000 to Scottish charitable causes. 

The firm’s charity partners are nominated and chosen by staff and supported through volunteering and other activities.  Last year Gillespie Macandrew began a three-year partnership with both ECHC and Alzheimer Scotland.

Robert Graham-Campbell, Chief Executive Officer at Gillespie Macandrew commented: “We are delighted to share the firm’s success with these two very important Scottish charities, particularly during a period of recessionary pressures for organisations and individuals.

Our practitioners deal with sensitive family matters every day and it is therefore very fitting that we support ECHC and Alzheimer Scotland who provide invaluable support to Scottish families.”

Victoria Buchanan, Deputy Director of Development at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, commented: “Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity is thrilled to receive this wonderful donation of £20,000! Being in hospital is tough for children but this donation will make things easier for them and their families.

“Through ECHC’s daily art activities, youth work and family programme on the wards, children can have fun and feel better supported to face whatever challenges lie ahead.

“We’d like to thank everyone at Gillespie Macandrew for their generous donation.”

Caroline Miller, Lead for Stakeholder Engagement at Alzheimer Scotland, commented: “We are so grateful to all of the people at Gillespie Macandrew for their continued support over the past year.

“People living with dementia and those who love them continue to be disproportionately affected by the legacy of the pandemic and the effects of the cost-of-living crisis so it’s vital that we continue to be there to make sure no one faces dementia alone.

“Gillespie Macandrew have made an incredible contribution during our partnership, raising over £40,000 which has all been used to support people living with dementia here in Scotland. Services supported include our network of Dementia Advisors who provide personal support, advice and advocacy and our Freephone 24 Hour helpline which is a lifeline for so many”.

Gillespie Macandrew has a long and proud history of supporting not for profit organisations and staff are given a paid day off each year to participate in charitable or corporate and social responsibility events.

The firm has offices in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth, advising clients on all areas of land and rural business, private client, commercial real estate, energy, tax and disputes, combining a personal approach with industry-leading expertise.

Winners of SkillBuild construction ‘skills Olympics’ announced

Skill Build Granton Campus Pic Peter Devlin

The winners of the SkillBuild National Finals 2022 have been announced, after nearly 80 construction trainees went head-to-head over three days.

SkillBuild, often dubbed the ‘skills Olympics’, is delivered by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) in partnership with WorldSkills UK and offers a chance for trainees to compete in a bid to be crowned winner of their chosen trade.

Following the Regional Qualifiers, which were held at various colleges across the UK earlier this year, the National Finals took place at Edinburgh College on 15 – 17 November. The event attracted roughly 1,000 school visitors from across Edinburgh and the Lothians, exhibiting the variety of skills and career opportunities available within the industry.

SkillBuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices, and as competitors progress through each stage, they are tested on their technical abilities, time management, character, and commitment.

The competition is viewed by many as an opportunity to develop confidence, self-esteem, and life skills, along with the potential for the highest-scoring eligible competitors to join ‘Squad UK’ and compete internationally.

Tim Balcon, CITB Chief Executive, said: “I’m delighted to have been able to attend yet another year of SkillBuild, my favourite day in the calendar. It’s fantastic to meet all the talented individuals and hear about their career aspirations.

“It’s so important that we support this next generation of talent coming through to industry, encouraging them to pursue their passions and reach their full potential.

“It’s initiatives like SkillBuild that really make a huge difference and I’d like to thank everyone involved in making this year’s competition possible. Many congratulations to all the winners and everyone who competed, you should all be incredibly proud of yourselves.”

Ben Blackledge, Deputy Chief Executive, WorldSkills UK said: “Congratulations to all the medal winners. It is a fantastic achievement, and we hope their success will inspire more people to consider an apprenticeship and technical training as a route to great career success.  

“Using insights gained from our competition-based programmes, we work with our partners to raise standards in training, helping to drive economic growth across the UK.”   

Audrey Cumberford, Edinburgh College Principal and CEO, said: “Congratulations to everyone involved in what has been a wonderful week, a truly inspirational platform of talent from across the UK.

“It has been a privilege for us to host the WorldSkills UK National Finals with SkillBuild and to welcome so many people from colleges and training providers across the UK.

“We have seen an incredibly high standard of skills performance from all competitors, which will be of inspiration to the many young people we had through our doors to spectate. We hope this has opened many eyes to careers in the Construction sector, and indeed to the benefits of competing in skills events such as these.

“Congratulations to all the winners and medallists, and our thanks to all who have made this a fantastic experience for our College.”

The winners from SkillBuild are:

CITB Skill Build Pic Peter Devlin

Bricklaying

Gold – Jago Gamblin

Silver – James T-Coleman

Bronze – Shaun Baker


Carpentry

Gold – Andrew Elam

Silver – Ben Price

Bronze – Robin Luscombe

Highly Commended – Eliot Duff

Highly Commended – Osian James


Foundation Skills: Woodworking

Gold – Sam Johnson

Silver – Oliver Sayers

Bronze – Dantina Gillett

Highly Commended – Adam Szewc

Highly Commended – Matthew McCarthy


Furniture and Cabinet Making

Gold – Isaac Bingham

Silver – Conor Ellis

Joint Bronze – Ciaran Baggot & Thomas Knowles


Joinery

Gold – Harry Scolding

Silver – Jack Corner

Bronze – Dion Evans


Painting and Decorating

Gold – Jade Oakes

Silver – Hattie Parnham

Bronze – Jacqui Hawthorne

Highly Commended – Joshua Thompson

Highly Commended – Paul Mason


Plastering

Gold – Jordan McQuillan

Silver – Thomas Devine

Bronze – Joshua Woosnam

Highly Commended – Kieran Rowarth


Plastering and Drywall Systems

Gold – Zara Dupont

Silver – Hugh Treanor

Bronze – Prince Senyah

Highly Commended – Ben Henry

Highly Commended – Ashley Carragher


Roof Slating and Tiling

CITB Skill Build Pic Peter Devlin

Gold – Jordan Maley

Silver – Jacob Blight

Bronze – Kyron Sharlotte

Highly Commended – Aeron Murray


Stonemasonry

Gold – Luke Maher

Silver – Douglas Stevens

Bronze – Marlene Lagnado

Highly Commended – James Lewis


Wall and Floor Tiling

Gold – Conor Nugent

Silver – Morgan Nutt

Bronze – Aaron Brady


CITB would like to thank all the fantastic sponsors of this year’s SkillBuild, which include Alford Awards, Albion Stone, BAL, British Gypsum, Institute of Carpenters, Crown Paints, Dickies, Nicholls & Clarke, NFRC, Schluter, SPAX, Stone Federation, TARMAC, The Tile Association, The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers and Weber.

If you or someone you know is interested in taking part in next year’s competition, visit Go Construct for more information.

Pictures: Pete Devlin

New laws to better protect victims from abuse of intimate images

Victims will be better protected from abusers who share intimate images without their consent, under a raft of changes to the law announced today (25 November 2022).

  • new offences to be created in crackdown on abusers who share intimate images without consent
  • changes will strengthen law and deliver on Prime Minister’s pledge to outlaw ‘downblousing’
  • comprehensive package of measures to modernise legislation following Law Commission review

Under a planned amendment to the Online Safety Bill, people who share so-called ‘deepfakes’ – explicit images or videos which have been manipulated to look like someone without their consent – will be among those to be specifically criminalised for the first time and face potential time behind bars.

The Westminster government will also bring forward a package of additional laws to tackle a range of abusive behaviour including the installation of equipment, such as hidden cameras, to take or record images of someone without their consent.

These will cover so-called ‘downblousing’ – where photos are taken down a woman’s top without consent – allowing police and prosecutors to pursue such cases more effectively.

This will deliver on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s pledge to criminalise the practice, in line with previous measures this government has taken to outlaw ‘upskirting’.

Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Justice, Dominic Raab, said: “We must do more to protect women and girls, from people who take or manipulate intimate photos in order to hound or humiliate them.

“Our changes will give police and prosecutors the powers they need to bring these cowards to justice and safeguard women and girls from such vile abuse.

Today’s announcement builds on the campaign of Dame Maria Miller MP, as well as recommendations from the Law Commission, to introduce reforms to the laws covering the abuse of images.

The amendment to the Online Safety Bill will broaden the scope of current intimate image offences, so that more perpetrators will face prosecution and potentially time in jail.

The Domestic Abuse Commissioner, Nicole Jacobs, said: “I welcome these moves by the government which aim to make victims and survivors safer online, on the streets and in their own homes.

“I am pleased to see this commitment in the Online Safety Bill, and hope to see it continue its progression through Parliament at the earliest opportunity.”

Around 1 in 14 adults in England and Wales have experienced a threat to share intimate images, with more than 28,000 reports of disclosing private sexual images without consent recorded by police between April 2015 and December 2021.

The package of reforms follows growing global concerns around the abuse of new technology, including the increased prevalence of deepfakes. These typically involve the use of editing software to make and share fake images or videos of a person without their consent, which are often pornographic in nature. A website that virtually strips women naked received 38 million hits in the first 8 months of 2021.

The government will take forward several of the Law Commission’s recommendations to ensure legislation keeps pace with technology and can effectively tackle emerging forms of abuse.

This includes:

  • Repealing and replacing current legislation with new offences to simplify the law and make it easier to prosecute cases. This includes a new base offence of sharing an intimate image without consent and 2 more serious offences based on intent to cause humiliation, alarm, or distress and for obtaining sexual gratification.
  • Creation of 2 specific offences for threatening to share and installing equipment to enable images to be taken.
  • Criminalising the non-consensual sharing of manufactured intimate images (more commonly known as deepfakes).

The move builds on government action in recent years to better protect victims and bring more offenders to justice, including making ‘upskirting’ and ‘breastfeeding voyeurism’ specific criminal offences, extending ‘revenge porn’ laws to capture threats to share such images, and using the Online Safety Bill to create an offence specifically targeting ‘cyberflashing’.

Ruth Davison, CEO of Refuge, said: “Refuge welcomes these reforms and is pleased to see progress in tackling abuse perpetrated via technology. As the only frontline service with a specialist tech abuse team, Refuge is uniquely placed to support survivors who experience this form of abuse.

“We campaigned successfully for threatening to share intimate images with intent to cause distress to be made a crime, via the Domestic Abuse Act, and these reforms will further ensure police and law enforcement agencies rightly investigate and prosecute these serious offences.

“Tech abuse can take many forms, and Refuge hopes that these changes will signal the start of a much broader conversation on the need for strengthening the response to online abuse and harm.”

DCMS Secretary of State Michelle Donelan said: “Through the Online Safety Bill, I am ensuring that tech firms will have to stop illegal content and protect children on their platforms, but we will also upgrade criminal law to prevent appalling offences like cyberflashing.

“With these latest additions to the Bill, our laws will go even further to shield women and children, who are disproportionately affected, from this horrendous abuse once and for all.

“The government will bring forward the wider package of changes as soon as parliamentary time allows and will announce further details in due course.”

Royal National Institute of Blind People: A letter from Santa

Dear Editor,

With the winter nights drawing in, there’s no doubt that Christmas is fast approaching. In the North Pole, Santa and his elves are busy getting ready to give every child a magical Christmas.

Santa is once again expecting to receive millions of letters from children around the world with endless lists of what they’d like to receive in their stockings when the big day arrives.

To ensure children living with a vision impairment in the UK get a reply from Santa, he has teamed up with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to make his letters available in accessible formats, including audio and large print.

This year, Santa’s friends at card company Hallmark have also helped him write replies in braille so every child with a vision impairment can read their letter independently.

Last year, the elves sent more than 1,400 letters from Santa to blind and partially sighted children across the UK, helping them experience the same magic of Christmas as sighted children.

If you know a child who has a vision impairment and who would love to receive a letter from Santa, please send their Christmas letter to: Santa Claus, RNIB, Northminster House, Northminster, Peterborough, PE1 1YN. 

Santa can receive letters through his email address. Email santa@rnib.org.uk by Tuesday 20 December for an email response with a large print attachment. 

Letters can also be requested through RNIB’s website at www.rnib.org.uk/santa. Postal letters and website requests need to be sent by Friday 2 December.

On behalf of Santa, his elves and all at RNIB, we wish you a Merry Christmas!

Michael Owen