OneFamily customers across Edinburgh have less than one week left to nominate a local community project for a OneFamily Foundation Community Award – giving them the chance to win up to £25,000. Continue reading Nominate now for OneFamily community awards
Scotland continues to be a destination for people applying to study at university, Minister for Employability and Training, Jamie Hepburn said today. Continue reading Scotland welcomes students from overseas
The Scottish SPCA is saying thank-you to volunteer, Marilyn Cole, who has been giving up her time to help Scotland’s abused, abandoned and injured animals for six years. Continue reading Scottish SPCA thanks faithful volunteer Marilyn
A ‘life-affirming and innovative’ film comes to Edinburgh
“Breathtakingly beautiful” – The Guardian – “Viewing should be compulsory” – The Mail
Summer in the Forest is the surprise success story of the summer’s documentary releases and this week makes its debut at Edinburgh’s Cameo Picturehouse.
This is a contemplative indie film that stands apart in our frenetic times. Its stars, who have intellectual disabilities, know something we don’t. Something that will change our lives.
Summer in the Forest focuses on the lives of Philippe, Michel, Andre and Patrick – once labelled idiots and locked away in violent asylums – and the philosopher Jean Vanier, whose life and work has transformed their lives, and his. Together they created L’Arche, a commune at the edge of a beautiful forest near Paris, and a quiet revolution was born.
Director Randall Wright says: “In a confusing power crazed world here is a place that makes surprising sense. To paraphrase Jean Vanier, it may not be a utopia but it certainly offers hope to us all.”
Now in 30 cinemas, most of which are extending their runs, Summer in the Forest has attracted universal praise and tens of thousands of supporters, running for four straight weeks at a major West End cinema.
Reviewers have commended its “unparalleled calibre”, “poetic appreciation of humanity”, and its “joyously uplifting” tone, with a “the power to change lives”.
Producer Richard Wilson adds: “This is a life-affirming film that offers an alternative to our confrontational on-line world and the relentless pursuit of power and wealth. We hope the film gives people a connection with our common humanity.”
Randall’s follow-up to his critically acclaimed and award-winning film Hockney showcases compelling story-telling at its best. It offers us a beautifully-paced and magical glimpse of a reality where there is friendship, hope and wisdom to be found; if we just take the time to slow down and listen.
Summer in the Forest screens at the Picturehouse on Thurs 13th July 2.10pm & 6.00pm, Fri 14th July 4.10pm, Sat 15th July 4.10pm, Sun 16th July 4.10pm, Mon 17th July 4.10pm, Weds 19th July 4.10pm, and Thurs 20th July 4.10pm.
See https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/Cameo_Picturehouse/film/summer-in-the-forest for further details. Box office 0871 902 5723.
This Saturday at Pilton Central Association office, Ferry Road Drive
Dear Editor,
After years of relentless hostility to the Labour Party and in particular to Jeremy Corbyn, under rules for the election campaign equal coverage had to be given. Up to that point the Tories thought they had successfully destroyed both and the election would be a walkover.
When the Labour Party policies were able to be presented clearly to the people with
their intention to end the continuing disastrous Tory cuts in social services and
the value of wages the people listened and liked it. They also understood the only way to do this was to vote, and they did in their hundreds and hundreds of
thousands .just a whisker away from defeating the Tories and all they stand for
all they have done to us, and intend to do.
The anti Labour/ Jeremy Corbyn has already started again, hoping people will again
fall for it: we just have to remember what the Tories have done to us over 7 years.
A. Delahoy,
Silverknowes Gardens, Edinburgh
Scottish NHS Boards commit nearly £8 billion to tackle mental health services over decade
Latest figures have revealed that NHS Lothian spending on mental health services has totalled over £1 billion since 2007. Local MSP Ben Macpherson says the figures show the SNP’s commitment to supporting those with mental health issues since the party came to power a decade ago. Continue reading NHS Lothian mental health spending tops £1 billion since 2007
A group of local women and their supporters will lobby councillors as they arrive to attend the first meeting of the new city council this morning. Some of the group face becoming homeless as a result of benefits cuts and the women will urge councillors to take action to stop children being forced from their homes.
Many of the women and their families live in MSP Ben Macpherson’s Northern and Leith consituency, and the MSP’s office has taken up their case.
Ben Macpherson said: “As of April this year, the Tories have reduced their punitive Benefit Cap and the effects are, distressingly, already being sharply felt in our communities. This regressive UK Government policy is hitting vulnerable groups across our communities, causing hardship and poverty. I have been working hard to help all of those I represent who are suffering as a result of Tory UK Government welfare reform, and recently, in particular, those affected by the Tory Benefit Cap.
“With an election coming up, the Tories should be judged on their dismal record of shamefully and repeatedly punishing those less fortunate.
“As well as harmful Tory cuts, one of the biggest challenges we are facing as a result of UK Government welfare reform is a lack of clarity – and as a result people aren’t benefiting from the financial support to which they are entitled. This is causing stress and anxiety, and shockingly for some it is resulting in homelessness. This distress and injustice is both wrong and unnecessary and the Tories need to realise the anguish and grief that their policies are causing.
“As we all try to deal with the negative consequences of Tory welfare reform, there must also be a focus on ensuring that people are aware of the benefit changes currently taking place, how the changes will affect them and what financial support they are entitled to. I am glad that Edinburgh City Council have already responded to my request to assist those affected in North Edinburgh; and that, as part of this, the Council are planning to hold advice surgeries to provide clarity and support for local people, in order to try to avoid further instances of homelessness.
“Yet again though, in Scotland we are having to try to “mitigate” senseless Tory cuts. Across Scotland, the Scottish Government is spending £10.9m, up from £4.8m, to help mitigate against the Benefit Cap through LHA rates. And this week, I will be leading a debate in the Scottish Parliament about the cuts to housing support for 18 to 21 year-olds – a Tory policy which is a clear attack on young people in our country, and yet another example of the fact that the Tories are quite prepared to damage the prospects of younger and future generations. These cuts that the Tories have pushed through are putting more and more pressure on local services and support systems, as well as senselessly harming those affected.
“Mitigating all of the cuts coming from the UK Government would cost Scotland £2 billion. Scotland cannot be expected to pay twice because the Tories don’t have the decency, empathy or wisdom to provide an adequate social security safety net. We cannot give carte blanche to the Tories to keep making their senseless cuts. The Tories are the party who are responsible for proposing and implementing these futile policies and they must be the ones who are held accountable for the damage they are causing.”
He went on: “Since being elected, a number of my constituents with children have been housed in B&Bs as a result of having to declare themselves homeless. This cannot go on. I fully recognise, as does the Council, that this type of accommodation is both unacceptable and unsuitable for families, and I am glad that Edinburgh Council have said that they are taking active steps to eliminate such use of B&Bs in the near future.”
With suitable housing in short supply, it’s difficult to see how the council will tackle this crisis – and the introduction of Universal Credit will make the situation even more critical.
The council meeting starts at 10am.
