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Charity calls for special schools in Scotland to re-open

A leading charity and coalition of leading organisations has expressed its disappointment that special schools are not set to re-open and has urged the Scottish Government to reconsider its position. It has also urged that teachers and support staff at these schools be among the priority groups being vaccinated.

The call has been made by Kindred, an advocacy organisation supporting parents of children with complex needs. Its director, Sophie Pilgrim, has written to the Scottish Government’s deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education, John Swinney MSP, urging it to reopen special schools to full time-placements who want to return.

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition, an alliance of leading organisations that campaigns to improve services for vulnerable children and young people has also given its backing to the call.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland special schools have remained open, whereas in Scotland there is a patchy picture, with some local authorities keeping all special schools open while others are offering pupils a few days at school each week, or no provision at all.

In addition, some independent grant-aided special schools appear to have closed altogether and reverted to ‘on-line’ learning for their children, even though it is evident that many of the children cannot engage in this form of learning.

In her letter, Ms Pilgrim has expressed her concern that with this second lockdown, children’s physical and mental health is also degenerating as they are not able to access the therapy and support required.

It notes that parents single-handily cannot provide that treatment and therapy for the children, without the support of the schools, highlighting that attendance at a special school goes beyond a child not getting an education, it is the therapeutic support that those children are getting and the respite support for the parents. The charity has heard that some children are being very violent towards their parents or their siblings, behaviours which are very hard to unlearn

Parents of children with complex needs are also in many cases experiencing physical and mental breakdown, impacting on their long-term capacity to care for their children.

In Scotland there is a presumption of mainstreaming, meaning that only children with the most complex needs are given a place within specialist provision, which is delivered through a rigorous process of assessment. There is no doubt that all these children would be classed as vulnerable and these are children who cannot be left alone and unsupervised and some require 2:1 care.

The UK Government has stated: “Special schools should continue to welcome and encourage pupils to attend full-time where the parent/carer wishes for their child to be able to attend. Special post-16 settings should continue to welcome and encourage students to attend as per their usual timetable where the young person wishes to attend. ^[1]

On these grounds, special schools have been kept open in the other nations of the United Kingdom.

Sophie Pilgrim commented: “We are really disappointed that special schools are not set to reopen. As a charity we have been speaking to parents of children with complex needs and they tell us that their children’s physical and mental health is degenerating because they are simply unable to maintain therapy and support within the home environment.

“The weather is now too cold for many parents to take children out. Added to a loss of routine, this has created further stress and anxiety for these children, often leading to challenging behaviour not seen before. Many parents in turn are sleep deprived and often neglecting their own medical and care needs.

“Special schools have a vital role to play, providing respite from care for parents, as well as therapy, education and social engagement for our most vulnerable children. Without these reopening we will pay a heavy price as a society.

“We would urge that Scotland follows the lead shown by England, Wales and Northern Ireland and we re-open our special schools to full time placements for those who want to return.“

Kenny Graham from the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition also backed this call: “There is a current patchwork approach to opening special schools across Scotland and we fully add our support to this call by Kindred to ensure that these are fully reopened.

“Many of those we are supporting are finding the current situation incredibly challenging, with greatly increased social exclusion through being at home.

“The loss of routine has proven extremely difficult for many, impacting in many cased on both the children and their parents. It is vital for those who want to, that they have the opportunity to return to school and have full access to the care and support they feel they need.”

¹https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/news-opinion/news/changes-national-restrictions-and-temporary-school-closures

CASE STUDIES

Claudia Romero Espinosa, Edinburgh

Claudia’s son Christian is 11 years old and has complex needs, uses a wheelchair and is visually impaired. He also has respiratory problems, but the most difficult issue is his uncontrollable seizure activity. Christian is fed by tube, requires constant suction and needs an apnoea monitor during the night because sometimes he stops breathing.

Christian normally attends Oaklands School in Edinburgh but is now at home full-time.

Claudia has two other boys (aged 14 and 15) to look after and her husband is working at home.

Christian gets a day of respite at Calareidh, which is an NHS facility supports the needs of children with very complex needs.

Claudia however notes she is:

“Really struggling to do the physiotherapy, hydrotherapy and various sensory therapies that Christian needs and I feel that I am unable to fully meet his care needs. These were previously done at the school and with another lockdown, everything has stopped with a huge impact on Christian’s engagement and progress.”

Juggling Christian’s needs, medical, personal care, therapy and education with home-working and home-schooling his older brothers is also challenging because each one needs a dedicated space, so that means that Christian and Claudia have to be in only one room for most of the day. Christian would be developing better at school because the staff are trained to help in his development and Claudia is concerned that she can do a fraction of what they do at school.

Claudia believes all special schools should be open, with precautions in place, and offering children full provision during lockdown.

Kirsty Watt, Edinburgh

Eilidh Watt is 13 years old and has complex needs including learning disability and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Her mum, Kirsty Watt, is a single parent.

Eilidh is non-verbal, has balance and coordination problems and is tube-fed. She has intractable epilepsy and can experience as many as 10 seizures a day, with her oxygen needing to be monitored. Each night Kirsty stays up until 11.30pm or 12 to ensure that Eilidh’s tube-feeding has been completed.

Eilidh is usually up at least once in the night and sometimes on three occasions. Kirsty has to be up again at 7am to try get her ready for the school bus.

From being at Braidburn special school full time, which was a real godsend for the family, she is now at school in Edinburgh three days a week and has two night of respite care each week,

Kirsty notes that “Being at school is very important for those with special needs as they have a routine and home learning has left Eilidh incredibly unsettled and her behaviour can become quite unsettled.”

Maya James, Edinburgh

Maya’s son Dillan (above) is 10 years old and is at Prospect Bank School. He is now attending school only two days a week following the lockdown.

Maya has three children and says that she is able to explain to the other children about Coronavirus including her youngest who is 4 years old.

Dillan however has no understanding and with the loss of routine “his whole world has collapsed, he is very distressed and has become aggressive.”

Maya says the family is not coping and there is nowhere to take the children.

Aldi launches Iron Brew jelly babies as part of next top product search

Range also includes Vegan broccoli and cauliflower crisps perfect for Veganuary and naturally sweetened soda from iconic Scottish company, Bon Accord
All products available as Specialbuys while stocks last

Aldi has launched a range of delicious new products that have been developed and manufactured in Scotland following the supermarket’s search for the country’s Next Top Product.

Working in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, Aldi’s search to uncover exciting new products was relaunched early last year as part of the supermarket’s support of local suppliers and their commitment to increase the range of Scottish products sold in store.

Previous winners and now long-term suppliers of Aldi include Inverness-based Cobbs Bakery and Orkney’s Argo’s bakery. After winning the competition for their Orkney Caramel Shortbread, Argo’s Bakery went on to win Own Label Product of the Year at the 2017 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and Bakery Product of the Year at the 2018 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.

Fans of Scotland’s other national drink can pick up a pack of Iron Brew flavoured Jelly Babies (99p, 200g), developed by Greenock-based Golden Casket.

Health-conscious consumers trying Veganuary can pick up a packet of broccoli crisps (69p, 22g / £1.29, 78g) with Cheese or Sour Cream & Chive from Aldi’s new Fife-based supplier, Grower’s Garden. Available in snack size, or as a sharing bag, these are made using their own farm-fresh vegetables grown in the East of Scotland. These gluten-free and vegan-friendly crisps are broccoli like you have never had it before!

Or why not try Aldi’s new gluten-free and vegan-friendly Cauliflower Crisps in snackable or shareable bags (69p, 22g / £1.29, 80g). Created by Kilmarnock-based Nudie Snacks using wonky looking cauliflowers that would otherwise not be used, customers can choose from Cheese & Caramelised Onion or Katsu Curry flavour.

To wash everything down Aldi customers can now choose from a range of naturally sweetened soft drinks from iconic Scottish company, Bon Accord.

Founded in Arbroath in 1903, Bon Accord was a much-loved brand across Scotland until it closed its operations in 2000. After 16 years, the Great-Great-Granddaughter of one of its founders reimagined the brand and brought it back with a range of juices that have been naturally sweetened with coconut nectar and real fruit juice.

Choose from Cream Soda, Rhubarb Soda, Pink Grapefruit Soda, or Ginger Beer (£1.29, 275ml).

Also launched this week is a range of Scottish Savoury Biscuits baked to perfection by Turriff-based supplier, McKenzie Biscuits.

These light savoury biscuits are made from a unique and award-winning recipe developed by the McKenzie family at their bakery in North East Scotland, and customers can choose from two delicious flavours: Plain, or Rosemary. Or why not try their Oat & Honey Biscuits (99p, 150g), perfect with a cup of tea on a cold January afternoon.

For anyone with a sweet tooth there’s new Confectious Fudge flavoured with Strawberry and Lemonade Gin (£1.29, 150g) created by Aldi’s long-term supplier, Aldomak.

Scotland Food & Drink Chief Executive James Withers commented: “It’s great to see these fantastic new products from some exceptional Scottish companies launching in Aldi today.

“Last year was incredibly tough for the food and drink industry and 2021 will continue to be challenging, so I’d encourage everyone to look out for these outstanding new products when they next visit their local Aldi and help support these incredible suppliers.”

Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “We’re committed to supporting independent Scottish suppliers and bringing their quality products to our stores.

“It was a privilege to judge Aldi’s Next Top Product search last year and I’m excited that our customers in Scotland can now try these delicious new products, knowing that they are backing Scottish suppliers when they shop at Aldi.”

Aldi’s ‘Next Top Products’ are now available from all 96 Scottish stores while stocks last. You can find your nearest Aldi store here.

Witness appeal following deliberate fire at The Venchie

Police are appealing for information following a wilful fire at the Venchie Children and Young People’s Project in Craigmillar on Friday (15 January).

Between 8.30pm and 9pm, a wheelie bin was placed against a shipping container at the premises on Niddrie Mains Terrace and set alight. The container subsequently caught light and the contents within were destroyed.

The items included clothes, food and playground equipment and were estimated to be worth almost £10,000.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fire. Nobody was injured during the incident.

Police are treating the fire as wilful and are appealing for information after three teenagers were seen in the area close to the time the fire occurred.

They are described as:

1) White, male, around 15/16 years old, slim build with short light brown hair. He was wearing a dark puffer jacket with hood, light coloured trousers and trainers.

2) White, female, around 15/16 years old, medium build with long blonde hair. She was wearing a dark body warmer over a light coloured jumper, light coloured trousers and shoes. She was also carrying a dark handbag.

3) White, female, around 15/16 years old, slim build with long blonde hair. She was wearing a dark jacket with light coloured trousers and shoes.

Constable Gareth Deering, of Craigmillar Police Station, said: “This completely reckless act has resulted in key equipment provided for children and young people in the community being destroyed.

“I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw any suspicious activity, or three teenagers matching this description, to come forward. Information can be provided to police on 101, quoting reference number 3382 of 15 January, or to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you prefer to remain anonymous.”

Young Women Lead at Holyrood

A project which aims to boost women’s involvement in politics have their work recognised this week in the Scottish Parliament.

Deputy Presiding Officer Linda Fabiani MSP led a debate in Parliament on Thursday welcoming the publication of the 2019-20 Young Women Lead Report.

The report investigates the obstacles facing BAME women transitioning from school to the workplace. A subject chosen due to a lack of Scotland-specific data on the issue. It looks at employment opportunities for women from ethnic minorities considering recruitment, retention and development policies and practices.

The Young Women Lead Committee is a leadership programme for young women aged 30 and under who live in Scotland and is delivered in partnership with the Scottish Parliament and YWCA Scotland – The Young Women’s Movement.

Deputy Presiding Officer Linda Fabiani MSP said: “I am delighted to lead the debate today which will give us all an opportunity to better understand the barriers faced by young BAME women across the country.

“Throughout the last year, I have been continually impressed by the young women involved in this project. They have put together a vital piece of work despite the immense challenges presented by a global pandemic.

“The recommendations of this timely report should be taken on board to help create a fairer and better Scotland for all.”

The Young Women Lead programme was launched in 2017 and was created from a need to address the lack of representation of young women in politics. In 2019-20 the programme was revised with the intention to increase young BAME women’s political participation and to hear their voices and experiences.

The programme was created from a need to address the underrepresentation of young women in politics. Working with the Scottish Parliament, The Young Women’s Movement (YWCA Scotland) has designed the programme for 30 participants from a range of diverse communities to come together in the Parliament to run their own committee inquiry, focusing on a topic of their choice.

You can read the full report here.

Lidl by Lidl: German discounter is cheapest supermarket of 2020

Lidl has narrowly beaten Aldi to be named the cheapest supermarket of 2020, according to Which? analysis.

The consumer champion tracked the price of 45 popular branded and own-label products such as Hovis bread, Knorr stock cubes and free-range eggs in eight major supermarkets for at least 100 days between January and December 2020.

In a year when saving money became more important than ever for many households, Which? calculated the average price of each item over the year and the total average cost of all 45 items in the trolley. Lidl was the cheapest, with the basket costing £42.67 on average.

Aldi, where the same basket of items cost £43.01 on average, was the second cheapest – with just 34p separating the German rivals

In recent years, Aldi and Lidl have significantly grown their market share in the UK, but this is the first time they have been included in Which?’s annual study, which now includes own-label items as well as branded ones.

Asda was the third-cheapest supermarket with the same basket of items costing £48.71 on average, however this is still over £5 more than Aldi and Lidl.

Waitrose was the most expensive supermarket in 2020. The average cost of the 45 items on Which?’s shopping list was £68.69, around 60 per cent (£26.02) more than a similar shop at Lidl.

Which? found there were stark price differences between popular own-label products at Waitrose and Lidl. For example, Waitrose’s own-label cooked and peeled cold water prawns would set customers back £4.60 on average, however the equivalent at Lidl only cost £1.99.

Waitrose’s own-label six pack of very large free-range eggs would cost customers £2.47 on average, whereas a similar product is almost half the price – £1.27 – at Lidl.

Ocado was the second most expensive supermarket of 2020 (£66.83), while Sainsbury’s was the third-priciest retailer (£56.38). Asda (£48.71), Morrisons (£53.61) and Tesco (£53.30), as well as the discounters, all came in cheaper.

The pandemic caused a huge upheaval for supermarkets in 2020, as they had to adapt quickly to supply issues caused by panic buying, staff absences in stores and further up the supply chain, and expanding online delivery services.

Neither Aldi nor Lidl offer a full delivery service and would have struggled to compete with supermarkets who ramped up their delivery service at the start of the pandemic, however Aldi offered food parcels for home delivery to help vulnerable people get essential goods.

Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, said: ““Many households have been under financial pressure due to the pandemic, so getting value for money on their weekly shop has become more important than ever.

“Our analysis shows that customers do not have pay over the odds for their groceries.

“Customers looking to save money this new year and cut down on the cost of their weekly shop should consider shopping around for the best prices.”

Supermarket	Average cost of trolley (45 items)
Lidl	£42.67
Aldi	£43.01
Asda	£48.71
Tesco	£53.30
Morrisons	£53.61
Sainsbury’s	£56.38
Ocado	£66.83
Waitrose	£68.69

Which? also conducts a monthly price analysis for all the major supermarkets. In 2020 Aldi was the cheapest supermarket for six out of the eight months it was included in the price analysis, whereas Lidl was the cheapest supermarket twice.

However, Lidl narrowly beat Aldi to be crowned cheapest supermarket of the year as the methodologies differed. For the monthly price analysis, Which? tracks the price of a range of products, which vary each month, and uses an average to find the cheapest supermarket for the month.

To determine the cheapest supermarket of the year, Which? tracked a selection of 45 items available for at least 100 days in 2020 and added the individual averages.

Covid placing real strain on council budgets,says COSLA

Communities across Scotland will face unavoidable and damaging consequences if Local Government does not receive a fair funding settlement in this year’s Budget, COSLA has warned.

COSLA said that the trend of recent settlements for Local Government needs to change because on top of existing pressures, the COVID pandemic has placed unprecedented strain on the finances of Scotland’s Councils this year.

The organisation has produced a comprehensive 14-page briefing document, ‘Respect Our Communities: Protect Our Funding’, which covers three areas:

the costs of COVID-19 to Local Government and the need for these to be met,
flexibility on how the budget allocated to Councils is spent and
an increased budget allocation to address the reduction in funding to Councils over recent settlements.

Speaking as she launched the document yesterday, COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Gail Macgregor, said: “This year, across every community in Scotland, Local Government’s essential role has been magnified and once again we have delivered for our communities.

“Nobody in Scotland has been unaffected by this pandemic and the financial impacts of COVID-19 are severe. Individuals, families and businesses have all felt the effects and continue to look to Councils for support every day.

“Sustaining this lifeline support is placing extreme pressure on already strained budgets and without fair funding for Local Government this year, the consequences for the most vulnerable in our communities would be unacceptable.

“That is why we need fair funding for 2021/22 that respects our communities. Without this, there will be further cuts to services, reductions in spending locally, increases in the inequalities exposed by the pandemic and a much slower recovery.”

Echoing these concerns, COSLA President, Councillor Alison Evison, said: “Local Government’s role on behalf of our communities cannot be underestimated anymore. The COVID pandemic has shown exactly how much the public rely on us as leaders and as providers of vital services.

“The reality is that in recent budgets, the Scottish Government has chosen not to provide enough funding for the essential services that communities rely on day in day out.

“On top of this, this year we have had to contend with COVID-19 which has seen the inequality in our society grow.

“Our ability to recover from this and continue to deliver for Scotland’s communities depends on a change of emphasis from Scottish Government that provides fair funding for Council services.

“If we are to truly recover from this pandemic then Local Authorities must receive a fair settlement.”

Download the full document, ‘Respect Our Communities: Protect Our Funding’
(PDF, 579.11 KB)

An update from Sainsbury’s Chief Executive Simon Roberts

I have spent a lot of time in our stores over the past few days and I need to ask for your help with two key issues to keep you and all my colleagues safe.

When shopping in our stores, you must wear a mask or visor unless you have a medical exemption. And you should also shop on your own. Thank you for your support.

Security guards will support our colleagues at the front of store and will challenge customers who are not wearing masks or who are shopping in groups. I know you’ll understand and support what we are trying to do.

We have also significantly reduced the number of customers allowed in our stores at any one time to ensure social distancing is maintained at all times.

Together, these steps will go a long way to keep everyone safe, whether you are shopping or working with us.

Please wear a mask or visor and please shop alone in our stores. Thank you for helping us to keep everyone safe.

Best wishes

Simon

Carrier bag charge to double

The minimum price of a single use carrier bag is set to increase from 5p to 10p. The Scottish Parliament will be asked to approve the increase from the 1 April.

The carrier bag charge was first introduced in Scotland in October 2014. Prior to the charge, 800 million single use carrier bags were issued annually in Scotland.

By 2015 this fell by 80% with the Marine Conservation Society noting in 2016 that the number of plastic carrier bags being found on Scotland’s beaches dropped by 40% two years in a row with a further drop of 42% recorded between 2018 and 2019.

Additional measures to reduce single use plastic consumption include the banning of the sale of plastic stemmed cotton buds, with further steps to ban a number of single use items recently being consulted on.

Environment and Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “Thanks to the people of Scotland, the introduction of the charge has been successful in reducing the amount of single-use carrier bags in circulation. It has also made us think about the small steps we can all take to help the environment.

“While the 5p bag charge was suitable when it was first introduced, it is important that pricing is updated to ensure that the charge continues to be a factor in making people think twice about using a single-use carrier bag.

“The Scottish Government is committed to building back a greener society so by further reducing our reliance on single use items, we are taking positive steps to limit our impact on the climate and the environment.”

Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful Barry Fisher said: “Fewer single use carrier bags is great news for our environment. Since 2014 the single use carrier bag charge has significantly helped reduce the number of bags being given out by retailers – saving thousands of tonnes of single use plastic realising a significant net carbon saving and reducing the chances of these items becoming littered.

“However, there is still an opportunity to challenge individual behaviours and improve consumer awareness which the doubling of the charge will help do.

“We’ve been fortunate to develop positive partnerships with a range of well-known high street retailers, and a number of small individual store owners, who understand their responsibilities in helping to tackle Scotland’s environmental issues.

“The donations of their customer’s bag charge money have supported us to combat climate change, tackle litter and waste, and protect and enhance the places we care about.”

News from Heart of Newhaven

January 2021 Newsletter

Happy New Year! – Szczesliwego Nowego Roku – Feliz Ano Novo – Un An Nou Fericit -Bonne année – Glückliches Neues Jahr – Eutychismenos o Kainourgios Chronos – Feliz año nuevo -Shuvo noboborsho – Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu – Bliadhna Mhath Ur!

We hope you brought the new Year in in style, including playing our very own version of Auld Lang Syne and by making suitable resolutions.

Saying goodbye to 2020, let’s look forward with positivity and enthusiasm for what is to come, for this is the year we do it.
This is the year we move in to Victoria Primary School and make it the hub the growing Newhaven community wants and needs. How are we going to do this and how can you help?

Things to look out for:

FEBRUARY

The launch of our Crowdfunding campaign:

Help us kickstart our Heart – Help us create a centre for you!

The first phase will identify the immediate essential work required to bring the building into use and our appointed architect will be working with the community to design age-friendly spaces to meet the needs of all users.

If you can give even a small amount to ensure our plans for the community go smoothly, then please do so and encourage all your friends and neighbours to do the same. Whether it’s contributing towards the necessary lawyers’ fees or for the installation of a lift to the first floor, everything will be put to good use. You’ll be able to read all about it in the next newsletter.

SPRING

The launch of our ‘gardening and greening project’ still to be named – watch this space project, a brand new community project run by our ever-expanding group of volunteers. Several of our volunteers who ticked “gardening” in the volunteer choices, have been busy working on this and we look forward to being able to introduce it to everyone very soon.

Then there’s our very first AGM as a SCIO. Members will be able to have a real say in what happens next. Watch out for an announcement about the date and time and method.

JUNE

The next round of the Scottish Land Fund grants. Our application will be among the many to be decided once the new Scottish Parliament to be elected in May gives the go-ahead for the fund to get going again. We’ve already had very positive vibes from the SLF so we have great hopes that our application will meet with success.

That’s just the first half of the year. Imagine what the second half has in store!

Our New Year’s Resolution was to take HoNC from strength to strength and for that, as usual, we need your help.

We want to know what you thought of the community initiatives we ran before Christmas. Did you participate in Newhaven Neighbours (still running, by the way), Newhaven Sings or Newhaven Lights Up ?

We want to know if we’re getting it right or, if not, what we could have done better.

Please can you feed back here

Let us know how we can improve.

Finally, remember to keep watching the website.

There’s always something new, including the View from the Chair, our Chairman’s blog.

Cat missing for 12 years rewarded with fur-ever home

A cat who hit the headlines after turning up 12 years after she disappeared has found a new home where she can live out her days in peace and quiet.

Georgie was discovered to have been living in the grounds of a Loch Lomond campsite where she had gone missing years earlier when her owners from Rochdale took her with them on a family camping holiday.

She vanished during the trip and despite efforts to trace her, Georgie’s owners had to make the 250-mile trip home without her in the hope that her microchip would eventually help reunite them – not realising this would take 12 years.

Despite Georgie becoming a much-loved fixture around the campsite, being fed by campers and staff at the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park site in Rowardennen, she was still living the tough life of a stray, enduring the harsh winters out in the open.

When the campsite was forced to close during the first Scottish lockdown, meaning there would be no-one on site to keep their eye on her, staff called in Cats Protection for help. The charity’s Glasgow Adoption Centre, in line with protocol, scanned for a microchip, and traced her original owner.

Owner Amy Davies was surprised and overjoyed to learn Georgie had been found after so many years, but a change in her personal circumstances unfortunately meant she was unable to have Georgie back, so made the difficult decision to allow her to be adopted.

Georgie remained at the adoption centre for four months while dedicated staff gave her time and space to recuperate. At the age of 16, she had a list of health problems including thyroid and dental issues which needed treatment, as well as arthritis.

Meanwhile, cat lover Margaret Petrie, a secondary school teacher who lives minutes from Cats Protection’s Glasgow Adoption Centre, was looking for a new cat companion, having lost her previous pet, Cheddar, to illness.

Margaret said: “It’s always good to have a wee cat. I hadn’t heard about Georgie’s story when I was looking at the centre’s website, but I was looking to home a cat that other people might not want. I was heartbroken when I heard what a tough life she’d had.

“Years ago, my old cat Poppy escaped on a trip to the vets and I never gave up searching for her, putting up flyers and leaflets through doors. She turned up after six weeks of living in the wild, including through fireworks night, and I was so happy.”

Georgie came to live with Margaret before Christmas and has settled in well to her new home, spending much of her time in her favourite spot on a memory foam mattress by the radiator. She continues to be on regular medication for arthritis and her healthy appetite has seen her put on weight.

She also shares the home with giant rabbit, Rupert, and an occasional visitor into the house, Ruby, Margaret’s pet hen.

“Georgie’s very affectionate, friendly and loving and will come in and in say hello when I’m sitting in the lounge, before returning to her bed. She could go out if she wanted but she isn’t very mobile and prefers to stay indoors after such a long time spent living outdoors.

“Georgie pays no attention to the rabbit, who is bigger than her, or the hen!”

Glasgow Adoption Centre manager Andy Currie said: “We are delighted Georgie has found a home where she will be able to live a quiet, stress-free life after so many years living the life of a stray. We wish them all the best for the future.

“We also want to remind people of the importance of microchipping, and keeping registration details updated, so that if your cat should unfortunately go missing there is a much better chance of being reunited.”

Microchipping is a simple procedure which involves placing a chip the size of a grain of rice beneath a cat’s skin. It contains an owner’s contact details and can be easily updated by a vet. It is a safe and permanent way to identify a cat and the best way to ensure lost cats are returned to their loving families.

For more details about Cats Protection’s campaigning to make microchipping compulsory visit www.cats.org.uk/microchippingpetition