More than 1,500 young mothers have graduated from a pioneering programme that provides them with support and regular home visits from a specially trained nurse. Continue reading More help for young mums
Category: Uncategorized
Charity welcomes youth mental health commitment
Barnardo’s Scotland has welcomed a commitment by First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, to carry out a review of the referral and assessment process for children and young people to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. Continue reading Charity welcomes youth mental health commitment
Letters: Save our local services
Dear Editor
Cuts in funding for services affect people differently; most are appalled at the frequency and the damage it is doing to the local social fabric. But, as always, it is those who most in need of services are denied them, with all the consequences including further isolation within the community.
Pilton Equalities Project (PEP), an organisation based in North Edinburgh, runs many services for local people including:
- Five day care clubs
- Classes and activities in computer training, arts and crafts and literacy and numeracy
- Cooking
- A mental health issues group
These activities are attended by approximately 200 people each week.
PEP minibuses pick up from and return people to their homes; all the buses are staffed with volunteer escorts. Up to 80 other volunteers help throughout the week with other activities.
Funding cuts from the city council or Scottish Government will hit the provision of these services and the very people who are most in need.
PEP makes every effort in appealing to various social and charitable organisations for grants and support to keep these vital services going, but it is not sustainable in the long run if funding cuts continue.
PEP’s volunteers carried out 13,000 hours volunteering for local people in 2016, adding greatly to the quality of life and indeed their health.
As one of those volunteers, the reason for this letter is to raise public understanding of how serious are repeated cuts in funding for local services. With the best will and efforts, volunteers cannot operate on insufficient funding for their organisation.
A. Delahoy
Silverknowes Gardens
Vote for North Edinburgh Grows!
Vote for us to receive up to £5000 funding for our youth work in the garden!
Edinburgh College: strike suspended
A third day of strike action by lecturers at Edinburgh College, due to take place on Tuesday, has been suspended to allow talks to take place at Acas. Continue reading Edinburgh College: strike suspended
Caring for carers
Hundreds of families have benefited from a pilot that is increasing the number of short breaks for full-time unpaid carers, Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop has revealed. Continue reading Caring for carers
Help ELREC raise funds for refugees in Scotland
Dear friends,
Help us to raise funds for Refugees in Scotland.
Millions of people throughout the world have been forced to flee their homes being witness to conflict, persecution and an abuse of their human rights. These people have fled their homeland often arriving in other countries before finally arriving to Scotland in whatever way they can. They had to wait for their applications to be approved. They often have access to poor accommodation, are isolated and can’t find work and are in real risk of destitution or extreme poverty.
ELREC is organising a charity cycle ride, to raise funds for Refugees in Scotland. If you would like to help refugees, you can donate by clicking on this link: https://www.gofundme.com/ELRECcyclesforrefugees
Our goal is to raise £2,000. Please donate what you can whether you are able to cycle with us or not. No donation is too small.
Please join our charity cycle ride, and request your sponsorship sheet (contact details below).
When: Sunday 26th of March from 11pm to 1pm
Where: Meeting at 11am at Bangholm Outdoor Centre: 4RJ, 23 Craighall Gardens, Edinburgh EH6 4RJ and starting at 11:30 We will cycle to Lauriston Castle aiming to reach at 1pm. Tea and coffee will be available upon arrival.
Please wear appropriate clothing, bring your own bicycle, water and snacks. If you don’t have a bike, let us know: we have a limited number to lend out.
Please let us know if you will be joining the ride or if you will be at the starting point to give your support. Many people have already indicated their intention to join the ride.
ALL THE FUNDS RAISED ARE DIRECTLY DONATED to Refugee Survival Trust (http://www.rst.org.uk/). The Refugee Survival Trust is a charity that provides grants to asylum claimants and refugees living in Scotland to either alleviate poverty and destitution, or help refugees and asylum claimants to overcome obstacles in accessing educational and employment opportunities. These grants are given as a short-term measure whilst efforts to tackle the cause of destitution are made.
How will your money help?
The money will go towards providing financial support to refugees and asylum seekers in Scotland to allow them to buy food and other essentials, when no other support is available. They can also provide bus passes to asylum seekers in order to help them make essential trips such as attending important appointments and collecting parcels from foodbanks.
Thank you in advance for all of your generous donations to help Refugees in Scotland.
For further information, please contact Jean-Matthieu : JGaunand@elrec.org.uk or Sarah: fundraising_volunteer@rst.org.uk or phone 0131 556 0441.
Foysol Choudhury MBE
Chair, Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council
Winning baby box design revealed
The winning design for the national roll-out of Scotland’s Baby Box is a forest fairy tale scene complete with Highland cows, squirrels and the Loch Ness Monster. It will feature on boxes to be given to every new-born from this Summer until March 2019. Continue reading Winning baby box design revealed
Local MSP celebrates Apprenticeship Week at North Edinburgh Childcare
To mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, SNP MSP, Ben Macpherson, stopped by North Edinburgh Childcare to speak with their modern apprentices and celebrate the benefits modern apprenticeships bring to organisations and the local economy. Continue reading Local MSP celebrates Apprenticeship Week at North Edinburgh Childcare
Two charged following taxi driver attack
‘These crimes are committed by a small minority intent on ruining a great community spirit.’
Police Scotland have confirmed that a 17-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy have been charged in connection with the racially aggravated assault and robbery of a taxi driver in North Edinburgh. Continue reading Two charged following taxi driver attack