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Healthy Heart Tip: Still time to start fresh

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

Healthy Heart Tip: Still time to start fresh

We often wait until the new year to reassess our health status and make a start on our wellness goals, but this year isn’t over yet. There is still time to make positive improvements to our health and wellbeing before 2023 arrives.

Why not take some time to reflect on your health goals for this year (or make some if you didn’t earlier in the year) and put steps in place to end the year with new habits.

To help you along, here are some ideas you could focus on:

Increase your intake of plants

We all know we should be aiming to consume five portions of fruits and vegetables a day, but lots of us don’t manage this consistently. A diet full of fresh produce is also rich in fibre which can lower our risk of heart disease and stroke.

To help make sure you tick the 5-a-day box, aim to consume one portion at breakfast (fruit works well here), and then two portions with lunch and your evening meal. You could jot down a checklist and stick it to your fridge to remind you.

Check your hydration levels

Staying hydrated is important for keeping your heart and circulatory system healthy. Symptoms of dehydration include headaches, tiredness, irritability and difficulty concentrating. Make sure you are drinking six to eight cups or glasses of water a day or choose herbal teas or sugar-free squash if you don’t like plain water.

Adequate hydration is a cornerstone of health, so make a commitment now to be aware of it and put steps in place to reach your fluid intake goals – such as filling up a water bottle twice a day.

Prioritise sleep

Poor sleep can negatively impact our heart health, along with many other areas of our physical and mental wellbeing.

Prioritising your seven to nine hours shut eye every day is one of the best things you can do to support your overall health.

To support a healthy night’s rest try turning off screens in the hour before bedtime, limit your caffeine consumption after midday and spend lots of time outdoors during daylight hours.

See our previous Healthy Tip on Sleep for some more help. 

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/.

Music School: Open Day tomorrow

The City of Edinburgh Music School is a national centre of excellence for musicians of any school age (4 – 18).

It is funded by the Scottish Government and does not charge any fees. The Music School is housed within two neighbouring state comprehensive schools – Flora Stevenson Primary and Broughton High School in the Comely Bank area of Edinburgh.

Entry is by audition and students have to be above average ability on an instrument/voice for their age, to be considered.

All instruments and differing styles of music are treated equally.

To find out more visit us at Broughton High School TOMORROW – on Saturday 05th November 2022.

Staff, students and some of their parents will be on hand to show you around, answer questions and demonstrate how this unique form of education works.

No need to book – just drop in any time between 11.00 am and 2pm.

Call for communities in Scotland to apply for Environmental Grants 

The Action Earth campaign, run by national charity Volunteering Matters, has just made Winter grants available to support communities with outdoor environmental volunteering. 

Projects can apply now to the campaign for activities such as tree and hedge planting, bird & bat box building and siting and habitat creation and improvements. Activities should conclude by the end of January 2023. The campaign is funded by NatureScot. 

Nature is in crisis and we face a climate emergency. Last year, 157 successful projects completed, showing great resilience and adaptability in the face of very difficult circumstances. This year our focus is on helping restore and protect environments to deliver a ‘nature-rich’ future for all.

Volunteering Matters Action Earth offers easy-to-access grants of up to £250 for environmental activities across Scotland.

We have limited numbers of nature awards for Winter for any group of volunteers carrying out practical environmental improvements or wildlife habitat creation in their local green spaces. Previous projects have included meadow and pond creation, woodland and wetland renovations and creating and improving community gardens. 

We are also keen to support projects working with people with disabilities, defined health issues or barriers to involvement.  From last year’s 157 projects to benefit from Action Earth grant funding, over 4,406 volunteers were involved in improving biodiversity in their community – 1,329 of them having defined health and social issues.  

The campaign is also keen to hear from projects whose work benefits disadvantaged communities especially in urban areas or in places with reduced local amenity.  50% of volunteers in 2021 were from areas in the lowest 20% of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. 

 NatureScot Chief Executive Francesca Osowska said: “Nature can be a powerful tool in bringing communities together and rallying them into action, whether it’s to protect local greenspaces or create new opportunities for enriched biodiversity.  

“In doing so, community groups have the chance, through the Action Earth campaign, to be involved in activities which help tackle the climate emergency, while enjoying the benefits of companionship, wellbeing and purpose.  We are looking forward to welcoming lots of exciting project ideas this year.”

For those looking for inspiration for their projects, the Volunteering Matters Action Earth website has instructions on how to build bird boxes, bat boxes, frog hibernacula, hedgehog boxes and bee/insect homes.

NatureScot also has a host of tips to help nature through its Make Space for Nature campaign.

More information is available and applications can be made NOW at the Volunteering Matters Action Earth website:

https://volunteeringmatters.org.uk/project/action-earth

Britain’s EV-friendly horror movie road trip

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It’s Halloween tomorrow and car buyer Goodbye Car has researched and created an EV-friendly horror movie road trip, for those looking to be spooked!

EV-friendly horror movie road trip

Location and film: 

  1. Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland – The Wicker Man
  2. Tantallon Castle, Lothian, Scotland – Under The Skin
  3. South Bay Beach, Scarborough, England – St Maud
  4. Westminster Bridge, London, England – 28 Days Later
  5. All Saints Church, Fulham, England – The Omen
  6. Crickadarn Village, Wales – American Werewolf in London 

Total length: 743 miles
Estimated time taken: 14 hours 52 minutes
EV Charge Stops: 6

Recommended EV charging stops

 Miles BetweenCharge RemainingAddress
Stop 1142 miles29%Grantshouse Village Mansefield, TD11 3RN
Stop 2118 miles22%Lidl, North Ormesby, TS3 8AL
Stop 3112 miles24%Hatfields Pub & Restaurant, DN7 6JH
Stop 4115 miles23%Harvester Grange Park, NN4 5EZ
Stop 5112 miles25%M4 Services Reading (West), RG30 3UQ
Stop 6111 miles25%Morrisons Abergavenny, NP7 5TR
Destination26 miles67%Builth Wells LD2 3PJ

GoodBye Car’s comprehensive guide covers film locations for the likes of Harry Potter, James Bond and many more. They also cover the scenes that were filmed there, how many miles your trip will be, and where you can charge your EV along the way.

You can view the full guide and research via GoodBye Car’s blog.

Original research: https://www.goodbyecar.uk/blog/uk-movie-road-trips 

Familes can meet Santa at Dobbies

Dog-friendly grottos included in festive line-up in Edinburgh

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is welcoming families in Edinburgh to its unmissable, great-value Santa’s Grotto experience.

This year, kids are invited along to enjoy an immersive visit to the grotto where it will be love at frost sight with the elves taking visitors through a magical woodland, spotting reindeer, rabbits and forest creatures along the way. Children will become Santa’s little helpers, participating in various activities revealed during their visit. 

After lending a helping hand, children will then get to meet Santa himself and receive a special gift. Families can also opt in to purchase a picture of their child with Santa, creating memories to last forever. Santa’s Grotto will be available in Edinburgh from 24 November. 

Dobbies’ Quiet Grotto experience returns this year on 9 December to support children with special needs. Sound and visual elements are adapted to reduce anxiety and ensure every child has an opportunity to meet Santa and his elves.

If you’re looking to get the whole family involved, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will also offer a Santa Paws grotto experience where dog lovers can bring their pups to see Santa, with a special doggie gift and photo opportunity available. Child tickets can be added to make it a full family experience.

Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said: “Meeting Santa is an important part of Christmas and we’re looking to make this inclusive for all, with quiet and dog-friendly events available in our Edinburgh store.

“We can’t wait to bring the magic of Christmas to life for our customers!”

Advance booking for Dobbies’ Edinburgh Christmas events are recommended to avoid disappointment. All grotto prices have been held, with no price increases.

Customers have the opportunity to make a donation to Dobbies’ national charity partner, Teenage Cancer Trust, when booking online: 

https://www.dobbies.com/events

  • Santa’s Grotto starts on 24 November, prices from £11.99 per child
  • Santa’s Quiet Grotto is on 9 December, prices from £11.99 per child
  • Santa Paws starts on 3 December, priced at £6.99 per dog

Dobbies offers Book with Confidence. For more info: https://www.dobbies.com/book-with-confidence

Community Chest: regeneration specialist offers £3000 grant for Pennywell initiatives

A new fund, known as the ‘Creative Community Chest’ has launched which will support micro projects in Pennywell, Edinburgh and is established in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts and the OneCity Trust. 

The initiative which has been established as part of the Pennywell Living development has been created by regeneration experts Urban Union with the City of Edinburgh Council. Scottish charities and community groups located in the North Edinburgh Arts membership area are being asked to apply for one of 10 grants of £300, that can be used to deliver creative and engaging content for the local community.  

The governance, monitoring and oversight of grant distribution will be undertaken by the office of the OneCity Trust.  The mission of the OneCity Trust is to fight inequality and exclusion in the City of Edinburgh.  

Neil McKay, Managing Director, Urban Union, said: “At Urban Union we specialise in delivering new homes equipped for modern community living, but investing in these communities is just as important.  

“We know that by working with residents, charities, and local groups we can help to create welcoming places to live and make a real difference to people’s lives.”  

Kate Wimpress, Director, North Edinburgh Arts, said: “North Edinburgh Arts has worked with Urban Union for almost a decade, delivering creativity in the community and enhancing the local area.

“With support from the OneCity Trust, these fantastic individual projects allow us to build community engagement, we look forward to seeing these creative ideas come to fruition.” 

Urban Union has developed 134 new homes and apartments as part of Phase 3 works at Pennywell Living and has been working in conjunction with the City of Edinburgh Council since 2014 to regenerate Pennywell, creating a vibrant residential area.  

Councillor Jane Meagher, Edinburgh’s Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Our regeneration of North Edinburgh is a major project for the people of Pennywell and Muirhouse and a great success story.

“It’s all about working together to improve lives, tackle poverty and inequality in the area and create beautiful new homes and community spaces residents can be proud of.  

“It is great news, then, that our contractors are making this pot of money available through the OneCity Trust to local projects and charities which also promote social inclusion. The whole project provides a perfect example of community empowerment, showing how great value can be added to an area when involving those who know it best.” 

The application form to apply for a £300 grant is available to download here. 

Please complete the application form and send to elaine@onecitytrust.com along with the associated documentation noted on page 2 of the application form. If you have any questions, please contact Elaine McCafferty – OneCity Trust at elaine.mccafferty@onecitytrust.com or telephone (0131) 469 3856 

Spire Healthcare renews healthcare partnership with Scottish Rugby

Spire Healthcare is delighted to announce our continued partnership with Scottish Rugby.

The partnership began in 2008 and has been extended until 2025. As the official healthcare partner for the Scotland Men, Scotland Women, Scotland U20s, Edinburgh Rugby, FOSROC Super6 & FOSROC Academies, Spire Healthcare – through our Edinburgh Hospitals – will continue to provide the country’s top rugby players with outpatient consultations, imaging, and surgical treatments.

Spire Healthcare continues to undertake a multi-million pound investment programme at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals. The development across Spire Murrayfield and Shawfair Park Hospitals is creating additional theatre, outpatient and imaging capacity, which will help meet the increasing demand for healthcare services in Central Scotland.

Scottish Rugby’s Chief Medical Officer and Scotland Team Doctor James Robson MBE said, “We are delighted to continue working with Spire Healthcare. The level of care that our players receive from Spire is always fantastic and with the recent investment that has gone into the Hospitals, it ensures that our players are always receiving first-class treatment.

“Player welfare is a top priority at Scottish Rugby and I am looking forward to continuing to work with the team at Spire Healthcare.”

Acting Hospital Hub Director of Spire Edinburgh Hospitals, Alison Green, added: “Renewing this partnership with Scottish Rugby allows us to provide exceptionally high standards of care to Scotland’s elite rugby players.

“This is yet again a huge privilege for us and demonstrates the confidence shown in our facilities, the experience of our colleagues and reputation for delivering excellent healthcare.

“Through the recent upgrades at Spire Murrayfield and Shawfair Park Hospitals, our exceptional surgeons and wider healthcare teams are ready to help players manage their injuries and return to form as quickly as possible.”

Special Bookbug event at Drumbrae Library Hub this Saturday

We have a super Bookbug surprise happening this Saturday!

Author Emma-Louise Beeson will come read us her new book “Goldie Locks & the bears at No. 3” a wonderful revisit of the original fairy tale.

The story will be part of our regular Bookbug session, so come along to it this Saturday at 10.30, you can book either via Facebook Messenger or by giving us a call at 0131 529 5244.

See yous then!

MSP welcomes refreshed Baby Box to support Edinburgh families facing rising costs

41408 BABY BOXES ALREADY DELIVERED IN NHS LOTHIAN

Edinburgh Pentlands SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald, has welcomed the news that Scotland’s Baby Box – 41408 of which have already been delivered across NHS Lothian – is receiving a makeover for its fifth birthday.

The Scottish Government introduced the Baby Boxes scheme in 2017, entitling every newborn in Scotland to a box containing essential items intended to make sure that every child has the best possible start in life.

Based the latest figures for number of Baby Boxes given out by health boards, 235 622 boxes have been distributed to parents across Scotland since the start of the project.

MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, said: “I am delighted that Scotland’s much cherished Baby Box is being given a makeover in time for its fifth anniversary. Already, 41408 baby boxes have been delivered across NHS Lothian by the SNP in government since 2017.

“With updated clothing designs, the refreshed baby box also now includes a baby toothbrush to promote oral health from the very beginning of a baby’s life.

“The arrival of a new baby is a wonderful moment for every family across the city but, as every new parent no doubt appreciates, the costs of welcoming a new addition to the family are significant – particularly when household budgets are under increasing pressure with the cost-of-living crisis.

“Regardless of the circumstances of new mums and dads, receiving a baby box as a celebration of their new arrivals – and the essential items needed for the first six months of their child’s life – really is a welcome gift.

“And the addition of a toothbrush in the baby box for the first time will hopefully encourage good dental health from the beginning and all the way through life.

“The baby box is one of many transformative actions the SNP is taking to make a real difference to children and families on low incomes – like the game changing Scottish Child payment, which will soon be £25 per week per child.

“While the SNP government continues to deliver bold policies in government for a fairer Scotland, with the limited powers at its disposal, it is only with the full powers of independence that we can properly build a better future that works for everyone.”