Uncategorized – Page 241 – The NEN

So long, summer – hello, Halloween! News from Trinity

TCC resumed its meetings on 14 September – Summer is officially over! But as (admittedly meagre) compensation, here’s the September newsletter!

And remember, we would really like to have your feedback on what’s good around Trinity, what’s not so good and what could be better. How else can we represent your views? Look forward to hearing from you!

Bill Rodger, Trinity Community Council

Trinity CC September Bulletin

TRINITY COMMUNITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER UPDATE

Twenty five people came along to TCC’s first meeting after the summer break. Here are the main points …

Police Report

No representative available but a written report was received:

Enquiries are in hand concerning recent housebreaking reports including incidents in Larkfield Gardens.
Several people have been charged with break-ins in Forth. Some are in custody whilst others are on bail curfews.
Three addresses in north Edinburgh searched for stolen property to try to identify perpetrators and return property.
Overall domestic housebreakings in Forth are down 2% over the same period in 2014 (which was lower than 2013).
Detection rates are also increasing with more culprits being taken to court.
Additional Police resource has been deployed City-wide.

We can do a lot ourselves using security measures such as alarms, locks, lighting etc. Crime prevention advice or a personal visit with more specialist advice can be arranged through the local Forth Community Policing Team.

Waterfront Developments

Cllr Hinds provided a map showing the ownership pattern for the development area following our concerns about piecemeal development and potential impact on Trinity residents. We will be discussing this with Granton CC. The Second Regeneration Conference has been scheduled for 2.30pm on 30 September at Royston/Wardieburn Community Centre. All are welcome to attend.

Traffic Issues

Feedback about East Trinity Rd suggests that the improved Lower Granton/Trinity Rd junction has improved matters and that no further measures are needed meantime. The knock-on impact to the west end of Lower Granton Rd will continue to be monitored with the 20mph limit expected to be very helpful in the first instance. An application for a pedestrian crossing on Craighall Rd has been assessed and turned down and we are seeking further information on the reasons for that.
CEC officials have advised that nothing is scheduled to review the North Edinburgh Transport Strategy. Cllr Hinds has undertaken to review that position with them in light of previous assurances.

South East Scotland City Region Plan (SESPLAN) Major Issues Report (MIR)

This is the VERY IMPORTANT first stage of a new 20 year strategic plan for 1.5m people living in Edinburgh, Lothians, Borders and southern Fife. It is a consultation document and open for comment until 30 September. You can make your thoughts known at

http://sesplan-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/mir/mir

Alternatively pass them on through TCC as we will be making a representation. Or do both!

Other Planning Matters

Application to trade vehicles from 144 Newhaven Rd resubmitted. We have repeated our previous objections and trust that CEC will maintain the firm stance it took last time.
No further movement regarding 127 Trinity Rd or Sainsbury.

Reduction in Local Banking Services

Following RBS Goldenacre closing its doors on 13 August, Bank of Scotland has now advised a reduction in its opening hours. This is disappointing news for local customers and businesses.

Your Parks Need YOU!Keep Scotland Beautiful has awarded a Green Flag to Starbank Park recognising the magnificent efforts of the Friends and CEC staff in restoring the park to its place as a jewel in Trinity’s crown. So now both Trinity’s parks have a Green Flag. Celebrate by coming along to see for yourself. Party on Halloween! (see above)

And on the Glorious Twelfth, Victoria Park’s renewed basketball and tennis courts were formally opened by Cllrs Lesley Hinds and Richard Lewis together with Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport. Our parks are really going from strength to strength!

To get the best use of the courts, discussions are in hand about booking but we must ensure these and other amenities stay high grade. We are therefore looking for people to join a Friends of Victoria Park group.

Email tcc-comms@outlook.com if that’s you!

Other Improvement Matters with CEC

Bins installed at Trinity Academy Vennel. Surface improvements under discussion.
 Enforcement of yellow lines at Boswall Rd to be pursued.
 Ownership of Lower Granton Rd foreshore being clarified.
 Denham Green lighting to be investigated.

Clean, Green, Safe & Engaged?

This report from Forth Neighbourhood Partnership compared us against the rest of Edinburgh. Measures cover North: i.e. Forth + Inverleith unless stated. The good, the bad (+ some ugly!):

Street Cleanliness (Trinity): Well above target. Some litter on Granton Road.
Refuse Collection Complaints: Roughly double target (in common with rest of Edinburgh)
Park Quality: 100% achieved across all North¡¦s 5 parks!
Safety: Anti-social behaviour orders are low for the size of our population but a disturbing number go unresolved and we suffer a lot of repeat ASB¡¦s.
Satisfying Place to Live (Forth): Third worst in Edinburgh.
Community Engagement (Forth): Best ward in Edinburgh.

Come along and give your thoughts to our next meeting on

Monday 12 October at 7 pm

in Wardie Parish Church, Primrose Bank Road.

We need to know what you think!

Did you find this bulletin useful or informative? If so, why not show it to a neighbour? Anyone in Trinity can subscribe to the bulletin simply by emailing tcc-comms@outlook.com Or drop us a line and tell us what you think could be better.

First Eleven: legacy cash to get communities active

Eleven projects that encourage some of Scotland’s least active people to become more active have been awarded grants as part of the legacy of the Commonwealth Games. Edinburgh Leisure is among the recipients and the organisation will use it’s share to support older people living in poorer areas to get more active.

The projects, spread throughout Scotland, work with groups who are most at risk of inactivity, and use physical activity to improve health, wellbeing and social cohesion.

The Legacy 2014 Physical Activity Fund is funded by the Scottish Government and managed by Spirit of 2012. Spirit was a partner of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, and was chosen by the Scottish Government to create a sustainable physical activity programme to support the objectives of getting the least active people in Scotland more active.

Physical activity improves physical fitness and mental wellbeing, and can help to empower disabled people, connect generations, bring communities together and reduce isolation.

The eleven project, who each received grants up to £70,000, are as follows:

• Dumfries & Galloway Council: training programme for staff and volunteers to help older and/or vulnerable adults get active in all the area’s care homes as well as day care settings.
• North Ayrshire Leisure: supporting people with mental health issues to become more active through condition specific classes such as yoga and tai chi
• NHS Highland: using dance and walking to increase activity levels among the least active in the Highlands, including young people, women, older people, disabled people and those with long-term conditions
• Midlothian Council: bringing together two projects that use intergenerational volunteering to promote wellbeing; younger people coming into care homes to help older people become more active.
• Fife Sports and Leisure Trust: walking and GP referral programme for people with mental health issues and those with dementia
• Leisure & Culture Dundee: bringing ante natal women and their families in Dundee together through swimming to be active, have fun and improve their wellbeing and resilience
• Stirling Council: offering an extended buggy walks programme for parents, as well as, strength and balance classes and jogging for older people. The focus of all these activities is the most disadvantaged communities
• Cairngorms National Park: This project offers health walks in Highlands, Aberdeenshire and Moray, and targets people with long term conditions, women and older people
• Changes Community Health Project: walking, cycling and other healthy recreational activities will benefit people with mental health conditions
• Drumchapel Sport: the new funding will extend their existing highly respected programme of sport used to unite the community and improve wellbeing, working with children and young people, women and girls
• Edinburgh Leisure: support people over the age of 45 living in areas of multiple deprivation to become more active.

Jamie Hepburn, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, said: “I’d like to congratulate all of these projects on their successful applications to the Legacy 2014 Physical Activity Fund. They are all working to promote physical activity in their communities, concentrating on some of the groups that are most at risk of inactivity, and giving them the confidence to change their lifestyles.

“This fund is one of the ways we are securing the legacy of the Commonwealth Games, encouraging people to live more active lives. Physical inactivity leads to 2,500 premature deaths in Scotland every year. It’s linked to a host of health problems including diabetes, heart disease, dementia and depression. If we can encourage people to make even small changes to their lives we can make a big difference to Scotland’s health.”

Dugald Mackie, Chairman of Spirit of 2012 said: “Our aim is see personal and community wellbeing increase and to see a positive change in the perception of disability. I’m delighted that we’ll be supporting so many projects that work with disabled people (including those suffering from mental ill health). In the current climate it’s vital that public investment delivers results, and so we are committed to collaborating closely with the Scottish Government and the 11 local partners to discover what works and what we could do better.”

Debbie Lye, Chief Executive of Spirit said: “Our ultimate ambition is to use the learning from this pioneering Scottish initiative to inform the way we and others tackle the UK wide imperative of increasing levels of physical activity.

“Spirit will host a conference in January 2017 where all partners will bring together research and findings from the projects. This will be a key step in making Scottish physical opportunities more effective, engaging and efficient.”

Creating a fairer Scotland: local opportunities to have your say!

Pilton Community Health Project to hold discussion events

Pilton Community Health Project is to hold two local sessions to give North Edinburgh residents the opportunity to discuss Scotland’s future – and things we can do to help shape that future.

The events are part of the Scottish Government’s live consultation on creating a fairer Scotland, and the two sessions have been planned to ensure that as many people as possible will be able to participate.

The first discussion will take place on Thursday 15 October from 7 – 9pm in Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre, while the second event will be held during the day – on Thursday 22 October from 10 – 11.30am at Pilton Community Health Project on Boswall Parkway.

PCHP Anita Aggarwal explained: “The Scottish Government want to know what we think would make Scotland Fairer and Healthier. Like many other organisations in the area we want to hear what you have to say so we can pass it on to them. To this end we are organising two discussion sessions.

“The first will take place at Muirhouse Community Centre on Thursday 15th October from 7 till 9 pm. There are free refreshments.

“The second takes place at Pilton Community Health Project on Thursday 22nd October from 10 – 11.30. There is a free creche but your MUST book a place in advance by calling me on 0131 551 1671 – that’s also the number to call if you want more information on the events.”

You will also find facebook events and info on PCHP’s website http://pchp.org.uk/news/2015/fairer-scotland

The Scottish Government is particularly keen that as many people as possible take part in the national discussion, as can be read below:

What are the issues that matter most to you?
What do you think needs to be done to create a fairer Scotland?
How can you and your community play a role in helping to shape our future?

Scotland is a great country to call home. But we can make it an even better place. Achieving this will require a strong competitive economy and a fairer, more equal society. The two go hand in hand.

Right now people across Scotland are working to that end. But we believe that together we can do even more to secure better opportunities for all of us and for future generations.

To get there, more of us need to join the conversation that is already happening about the kind of Scotland we want to see in the future. We hope this leaflet (see below), and the discussion that follows, will help to do that. It describes some of the successes and challenges in Scotland today and a few ideas about what a fairer Scotland could look like. We want you to share your ideas as well, to tell us what matters to you.

By the end of 2015 we want to have created opportunities for the widest possible range of voices to be heard. This will include a series of events in the autumn that brings together people from across the country to discuss what practical steps we need to take to create a fairer Scotland.

The Scottish Government will respond to these ideas, and the wider conversation, setting out what we will do to help create a better Scotland. We hope others will do the same.

So go on, it’s our Scotland: it’s time to have your say on our future!

fairer scotland leaflet

If you want more information about what the Scottish Government are doing look at these links:

fairer.scot

healthier.scot

More support for kinship carers

The Scottish Government will provide £10.1 million to councils to raise kinship care allowances to the same level foster care families receive, Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell confirmed yesterday. Carers organisations have warmly welcomed the annoucement.

The funding announcement follows the First Minister’s pledge last week to ensure that children looked after by relatives are entitled to the same support as those placed with foster care families. This meets a commitment to introduce parity of allowances for children in formal kinship care made in 2007.

This announcement goes further and extends support to those eligible children on the edge of care who are subject to a Section 11 order of the Children (Scotland) Act 1995 which from April 2016 will be known as a Kinship Care Order.

The Scottish Government also reiterated its commitment to working with partners towards a unified national allowance in the long term.

Minister for Children and Young People Aileen Campbell said:

“Vulnerable children in kinship care families deserve to be treated the same as other children who can’t live at home. Often the circumstances that lead to a relative taking a child or young person into their home are heart-breaking, confusing and complex for all involved. Having a family relationship provides stability and support, but it can be a significant upheaval and one which needs proper support.

“The additional investment of £10.1 million will improve the lives of around 5,200 children, delivering practical improvements for those who have had to struggle in the past as they strive to provide security and stability for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable children and young people. Today’s announcement is also recognition of the incredible commitment and dedication that all kinship carers make every day and we want to show our appreciation and gratitude.

“We will continue to work with local authorities, kinship carers, and other partners to let kinship care families know what they are now entitled to and how to access it.”

This announcement is the result of close working between the Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) to establish how best to fund councils to expand the support.

Anne Swartz, Chair of the Scottish Kinship Care Alliance, said:

“We are delighted that the Scottish Government has finally recognised the comparable needs of children in kinship and foster care, which kinship carers have campaigned tirelessly for. This will make a huge difference to the 5,200 children who will be entitled to further support.

“However, the Buttle UK comprehensive 2013 report ‘The Poor Relations’ claims there are at least 20,000 kinship carers in Scotland (or 1 in 71 children) and most of these placements are informal, and will therefore be left out. We must not let the majority of children in kinship care become more marginalised and vulnerable. We will continue to work with the Scottish Government and kinship carers across Scotland to get all kinship care families recognised and supported. ”

Councillor Stephanie Primrose, CoSLA Education, Children and Young People Spokesperson said:

“I’m pleased to see that we have reached an agreement with Scottish Government which will ensure that kinship carers who look after children on behalf of local authorities will receive the same amount of money as local foster carers.

“This agreement has been the fruit of over a year’s work with Scottish Government and local authorities. It means that a kinship carer will receive an allowance from the local authority which will equal the value of the allowance paid to local foster carers. We have also agreed as part of this deal that councils will now pay allowance to carers of eligible children that have secured parental rights through a court order.

“This agreement has been reached with the help of new money from Scottish Government, but also comes about because of a massive commitment from local government. With budgets under pressure at the local level, this was not an easy commitment for local government to make, but I feel that it exemplifies the support of local government for vulnerable children and shows what can be achieved by local and Scottish Government working together at the national level.”

Chris Oswald of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland said:

“The EHRC welcomes this announcement as we believe that there is no reason why looked after children who are living in kinship care should receive less financial support that those living in foster care. Our own research into the issue demonstrated that whilst many Local Authorities were making comparable payments, unfortunately the majority were not.

“At a time when there is pressure on public sector budgets we are pleased that the Government and CoSLA have responded positively to these concerns and worked to provide a package which recognises that the costs of childcare are the same whether the child is being fostered or is in kinship care arrangement.”

By-election success for SNP and Labour

Leith Walk will be represented by new SNP and Labour councillors following yesterday’s double by-election.

The councillors were elected using the Single Transferable Vote system – the first time this method has been used to elect two members.

SNP’s John Lewis Ritchie was elected at Stage One of the voting process, while Labour’s Marion Donaldson had to wait considerably longer to learn of her success … she was finally elected at Stage Ten.

The result strengthens the Labour – SNP Capital Coalition’s grip on power at the City Chambers.

The double by-election was brought about by the resignations of Deirdie Brock, who became an MP in May’s general election, and Green councillor Maggie Chapman, who is bidding to become an MSP in North East Scotland at next year’s Holyrood elections.

Returning Officer, Andrew Kerr, said: “I would like to welcome the two newest Councillors to the City of Edinburgh Council and look forward to working with them on matters affecting the Leith Walk Ward and the city as a whole.

“I also want to thank our elections team for all the work they have put into ensuring this by-election ran smoothly.”

The turnout was a disappointing 25.1%

For further details of the results and the Leith Walk By-Election, visit the Elections section of the Council website.

Refugee crisis: Britain will act ‘with our head and our heart’

Britain to welcome ‘thousands more’ Syrian refugees

Britain will provide sanctuary to ‘thousands more’ Syrian refugees in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis, Prime Minister David Cameron has announced.

He said the extra refugees would come from UN camps bordering Syria – not from people already in Europe – and he pledged to work with others to find long-term solutions to the crisis.

Speaking during talks with his Portuguese counterpart Pedro Passos Coelho in Lisbon, Mr Cameron said:

“Turning to migration, this is clearly the biggest challenge facing countries across Europe today. In the first 6 months of this year, more than 220,000 people were detected crossing the Mediterranean to Europe.

“And in July alone, over 100,000 people made this journey, three times higher than the number last year. These people come from different countries and different circumstances.

“We know that many are Syrians fleeing the conflict that has raged across their country, that has killed over 220,000 and has forced more than 11 million people to flee their homes. They now face two enemies at home – Assad and ISIL.

“Britain has a moral responsibility to help refugees as we have done throughout our history. We are already are providing sanctuary and we will continue to do so.

“As the second largest bilateral donor to the crisis, we have provided over £900 million in aid to help those affected in Syria and the region – we have funded shelter, food, water and vital medical supplies for millions of desperate refugees fleeing the conflict and helping them to survive in the countries around Syria, like Jordan and Lebanon.

“No European country has done more than Britain in this regard. Were it not for that massive aid, the numbers making the perilous journey to Europe today would be even higher.

“Now we have already accepted around 5,000 Syrians and have introduced a specific resettlement scheme, alongside those we already have, to help those Syrian refugees particularly at risk.

“As I said earlier this week, we will accept thousands more under these existing schemes and we keep them under review. And given the scale of the crisis and the suffering of the people, today I can announce that we will do more – providing resettlement for thousands more Syrian refugees.

“We will continue with our approach of taking them from the refugee camps. This provides them with a more direct and safe route to the UK, rather than risking the hazardous journey which has tragically cost so many lives.

“We will discuss how best to design these schemes and the numbers we will take with NGOs and our partners. We will set out more details next week.

“Alongside this, Britain will continue to work with partners to tackle the conflict in Syria, to provide support to the region, to go after the smuggling gangs exploiting these people and to save lives at sea. HMS Enterprise remains in the Mediterranean alongside the Border Force cutters and together with HMS Bulwark, they have now rescued more than 6,700 people.

“Britain will act with our head and our heart, providing refuge for those in need while working on long-term solutions to this crisis. As I said earlier in the week, that means bringing to an end to the conflicts that are driving so many to flee, including the bloodbath that has engulfed Syria.”

Exact numbers have yet to be discussed, but charities have been quick to welcome Mr Cameron’s announcement.

Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring said: “Offering to resettle 10,000 Syrian refugees would bring the UK in line with other European countries who have already shown leadership in offering a haven to vulnerable refugees.”

Stories with taste: Green Pencil writing competition launched

Tasty treats were on the menu at the launch of this year’s popular Green Pencil Award writing competition yesterday, when Carrick Knowe Primary School pupils were joined by leading children’s author Vivian French for a food-themed story workshop.

This year’s Green Pencil theme is ‘Food for thought: Scotland’s food and drink’. Entrants can write a poem or story about a favourite meal, or a memorable Scottish picnic, a drink they love or hate, or perhaps even invent a new Scottish food!

Or they could think about the journey of a vegetable from being planted as a seed to ending up as part of a delicious, nutritious meal.

Budding writers can get inspiration by visiting local libraries, which have lots of ideas and books to help, and also by asking in schools, which have resources available to support this award.

All entries can be made by following this link and should be no longer than one side of A4 – entries longer than that cannot be considered.

The closing date is Friday 9 October, with an awards ceremony at the Central Library in late November.

Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture and Sport Convener, said: “The Council has been running this competition for eight years and it grows in popularity each time. We have so many budding writers with fabulous imaginations in our schools, and reading the entries is always a joy for our library staff.

“Reading skills are such vital aspects to learning, but also a really fun way of doing so. Thanks so much to Vivian for bringing it to life so vividly for these lucky pupils. Good luck to everyone who enters.”

Ms French said: “I love the Green Pencil Award, because it encourages children to look at the world around them, and to think about things they might otherwise take for granted.

“It inspires curiosity, consideration, and critical judgement … essential ingredients for everyone – especially writers!”

Join MYDG for AGM … and get your bike checked too!

Muirhouse Youth Development Group

would like to invite you to our AGM

Thursday 24 September

3.30 – 5pm

My Adventure HQ

23b West Harbour Road, EH5 1PN

MYDG***MY Adventure***Muirhouse Link Up

Refreshments included

Please RSVP by Friday 11 September

(by email to Dean@mydg.org.uk)

Dear All,

I look forward to seeing everyone at the AGM at the MY Adventure HQ on 24 September. It will be great to share the groups successes over the last year and celebrate our young people together.

Address is: 23b West Harbour Road, Edinburgh, EH5 1PN.

If anyone would like to bring their bike to be given a free health check on the day please bring it along. We have a mechanics workshop here and some of the MY Academy team will be there to do it.

See you all soon,

James Howell, Director

Kerr welcomes New York direct flights

‘ a real diamond route’ – Colin Keir MSP

Colin Keir MSP for Edinburgh Western has welcomed the announcement by Delta Airlines/Virgin that their joint venture will launch a new Edinburgh to New York service from May 2016.

Mr Keir said: “All new routes from Edinburgh are welcome as they boost employment and tourism opportunities, something that is vital to the Edinburgh and wider Scottish economy.

“With direct flights to New York, Edinburgh will link with the most influential global financial centre. Add to this the tourism potential and it makes this a real diamond route.

“Well done to Edinburgh Airport CEO Gordon Dewar and his team for securing this route and to Delta and Virgin for identifying Edinburgh as a positive destination.”

Scotland’s Real Heroes shortlist announced

The Social Bite, Edinburgh Uni’s Best Buddies and veteran fundraising champion Tom Gilzean among those up for awards

Today, a shortlist of Scottish heroes has been unveiled ahead of the third series of RBS: Finding Scotland’s Real Heroes on STV to recognise people who have dedicated their time to local communities across Scotland.

A judging panel including John Boyle, chairman of Hamilton Portfolio Ltd and Motherwell FC, Managing Director of Branch and Private Banking in Scotland at Royal Bank of Scotland, Chris Wilson and Michael Shanks, member of the 77th Disabled Scout group which took home the RBS Young Real Hero of the Year award last year, gathered to narrow down the nominations received for this year’s show.

Elizabeth Partyka, fellow judge and deputy director of channels at STV said: “The series is a great opportunity to shine a light on people working tirelessly in communities to help improve the lives of others. We have seen an overwhelming response to this year’s call for nominations across Scotland and there are some truly inspiring stories to be told.

“The shortlist of nominees will be visited by our celebrity reporters throughout the show and it will be over to STV viewers to vote for the nominees they believe most deserving of an award.”

The series, presented by Carol Smillie and sponsored by Royal Bank of Scotland returns to STV later this year. This year’s shortlist includes deserving Scots from all across the country.

Categories including Community Project of the Year and Hero Animal of the Year will return again this year as well as two new additional award categories including Hero Mum or Dad and Fundraiser of the Year. The overall winners will be voted for by the public and will be announced at a glittering, star studded televised awards ceremony later in the year.

Chris Wilson, Managing Director of Branch and Private Banking in Scotland at Royal Bank of Scotlandsaid: “It is a real honour to be part of the judging panel again this year. It’s important to celebrate the people that make a real difference in our local communities – especially those who would otherwise go unrecognised – and I think that every person on the shortlist is a deserving winner. Everyone at The Royal Bank of Scotland is getting behind the series again this year and we are all looking forward to finding out more about the finalists when the series airs later this year.”

And the nominations are ….

RBS: FINDING SCOTLAND’S REAL HEROES SHORTLIST

Community Champion

Ashley McIIvenny (Include Me 2); Barrhead, Glasgow
John O’Byrne (The John O’Byrne Foundation); Bellahouston, Glasgow
Jessie Douglas (Richmond’s Hope); Niddrie, Edinburgh

Sporting Volunteer of the Year

Carol Jones (Kelvingrove Community Tennis Club); Kelvingrove, Glasgow
Gregor Gardner (Azami Falkirk Judo Club); Hallglen, Falkirk
Janice Millar (Kilmarnock Harriers); Darvel, Ayrshire

Hero Neighbour of the Year

John O’Hara; East Glasgow
Donna Fitzpatrick; Fullerton, Irvine
Margaret ‘Mum’ Miller; Springboig, Glasgow

Fundraiser of the Year

Liz Smillie; Prestwick
Tom Gilzean; Edinburgh
Linzi O’Neil; Fife

Community Project of the Year

Paragon Music; Glasgow
The Social Bite; Edinburgh
The Coming Home Centre; Glasgow

Hero Mum or Dad

Pappinder Singh, Leith
Susan Hunter, Penicuik
Vicky Walker, Nairn

Scotland’s Real Heroes Courage Award

Allison Barr, West Calder
Paul Surgeon, Kirkintilloch
Suzanne Davies, Stonehaven

Carer of the Year

Karen Anderson (Carers United); Evanton
David Forbes (Future Choices); Aberdeen
East Kilbride Dementia Carer’s Group; East Kilbride

Young Real Hero of the Year

Leah-Grace Kean; Baillieston, Glasgow
Lee Falconer; Maryhill, Glasgow
Best Buddies Edinburgh

Hero Animal of the Year

Damson the Dog (Canine Partners): Slateford, Edinburgh
Jewel the Pony (Ravelrig RDA): Ravelrig, Edinburgh
Spike the Dog (Hearing Dogs for Deaf People): Cupar, Fife

For more information, visit www.stv.tv/realheroes or get involved on Twitter #scotlandsrealheroes or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/scotrealheroes.