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Edinburgh Community Climate Fund is now open for applications

THE Edinburgh Community Climate Fund (ECCF) has officially opened to applications from local groups across the city.

The initiative is designed to support the delivery of the Council’s climate change targets together with providing learning to inform the wider approach to participatory budgeting (PB). Participatory budgeting is a way for citizens to have a direct say on how money is spent. In Edinburgh, PB has been used as an approach to distribute funding since 2010.

The Edinburgh PB Framework was approved in 2021 which included a commitment to a number of PB initiatives including the ECCF.

The ECCF provides £100,000 of one-off funding which is available for local groups to undertake projects which align with the objectives of the Edinburgh Climate Strategy and goal of becoming a net-zero city by 2030. 

Groups can apply for up to £20,000 worth of funding, providing that the activities can be delivered within 12 months, do not replicate or replace a Council service, and are in line with at least one of the project’s aims.

Applications are open until midnight on 12 February. The final projects will then be shortlisted and put to a public vote. We hope to announce the results of the ECCF in mid-March.

To apply please visit the Your Voice webpage where you can download an application form.

Completed forms should be emailed to: communityplanning@edinburgh.gov.uk

For more information, please visit our Participatory Budgeting and the ECCF webpage.

There will be an in-person Application Support Drop-In at the City Chambers on 23 January between 10.00am-12 noon and 1.00pm-3.00pm.  

There will also be two online information sessions on 24 January between 6.30pm-7.30pm and 26 January from 10.00am -11.00am.

For further information or to book a place at these sessions please email: 

communityplanning@edinburgh.gov.uk

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “The Edinburgh Community Climate Fund is a brilliant opportunity for local groups across our fantastic capital city to make their voices heard on how this money should be spent, as we deliver on our key priorities.

“We have a bold and ambitious plan to become a net-zero city by 2030, alongside our wider Climate Strategy. Our citizens and communities should rightly be at the heart of this process. I am confident that in the ECCF projects, Edinburgh and her citizens will once again show the creativity, innovation, and care that we have so often seen over the years.

“I would also like to thank all the organisations and individuals who have contributed to the development of the ECCF.”

Criteria for the ECCF are set out below:

  • Creating opportunities for community leadership and learning on climate change.
  • Reducing greenhouse gas emissions within communities and contributing to the net-zero agenda for Edinburgh.
  • Generating sustainable projects for the benefit of local people to build resilience or adapt to climate change within communities. 
  • Building relationships between neighbourhoods of different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds to work together on just, equitable and accessible climate and resilience activities contributing to the city’s net zero agenda, also ensuring that activities work towards reducing or removing barriers for disabled people in the transition to net-zero.

Edinburgh group will support and encourage performers with sight loss

A unique group to help blind and partially sighted people find work in the performing arts has been launched in Edinburgh.

Visually Impaired Creators Scotland (VICS) will inspire established and aspiring artists with sight loss through sharing ideas, collaborative performances, workshops and supportive monthly meetings.

It’s founder Kirin Saeed, a trained professional actor who lives in Leith, was partially sighted until the age of eleven when she then lost most of her remaining vision. “I can just about make out a bit of light and dark now,” she says.

Kirin, herself, was inspired by Extant, a theatre company for people with sight loss that she worked with for six years in London.

“I don’t think there are really any major barriers to actors and performers with a visual impairment apart from the ones that other people create,” she says. “I don’t think memorising a script is a barrier. I don’t think getting around the stage is a barrier. The biggest one is just getting opportunities to perform, trying to infiltrate the industry.

“But how do you communicate the message to theatrical agents, the musical companies? How do you push the message out that people with a vision impairment can still have talent? That’s what our group wants to try and open up. To create a network where we can support each other and promote the work we do when we can get it.”

VICS will run a series of exciting and fun taster-workshops in February open to all visually impaired people aged 18 and over to improve performance-skills and develop new ones.

The workshops will take place at Crannie Community Centre, 9 Cranston Street, Edinburgh on February 18th and 25th and Match 11th from 11am to 3pm. Transport expenses and lunch will be provided.

“Places are limited so first come, first serve,” emphasises Kirin. “You are the performers of the future and we would be delighted to meet you! Come along to try out exercises that explore sound, movement, music and your own experiences in a safe and warm environment.”

For further information, email information.vics@gmail.com or visit https://www.visuallyimpairedcreatorsscotland.co.uk/contact-us.

You can also call VICS on 07770614747 and they’ll call you back to chat.

And before then you can enjoy a ‘Cabaret In The Dark’ by VICS, with songs, comedy and activities, all in complete darkness!  The one-hour entertainment is taking place on Friday, February 10th, at 4 Duncan Place, Edinburgh EH6 8HW. 

Tickets can be booked here – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cabaret-in-the-dark-tickets-50440892968

Motorists warned over stopping distances in the wet


Drivers have been warned that stopping distances will be at least double during the wettest months of the year posing a serious threat to all road users.

Motoring experts at LeaseCar.uk have urged motorists to follow six simple steps when driving in wet conditions to reduce the risk of accidents from occurring.

October to January are typically the wettest months in the UK and motorists should be aware that the highway code advises drivers to drive according to the road conditions as tyres will have less traction in wet conditions.

Image credit: Pexels

Drivers can more easily feel the lack of grip in the ice and snow of winter but in the wettest autumn months modern car tyres will grip the road effectively in the wet until they lose grip under hard braking often taking drivers by surprise.

Stopping distances are worked out by adding the thinking distance and the braking distance, which can vary depending on the road conditions and the condition of the car.

At 60mph total stopping distance is around 75 metres but in the wet this doubles to 150m – approximately the height of the Blackpool Tower.

Checking parts of the vehicle such as the condition of the brakes and tyres can help reduce stopping distances while managing the space to the car in front will make sure drivers have room to stop safely in the wet.

A spokesperson from LeaseCar.uk said: “It’s important for drivers to be aware that stopping distances will at least double in the wet.

“As we enter the wettest months in the UK it’s vital that motorists manage their speed and distance to the car in front to prevent any serious accidents.

“Motorists only need to visualise the height of the Blackpool Tower to better understand the distance they will need to safely stop their vehicle during the wettest months.

“Drivers should regularly check the condition of their vehicle paying particular attention to the brakes and depth of tyre tread as stopping distances will increase significantly in the wet if either are in poor condition.”

Here are the six simple measures drivers should take to reduce the risk of having an accident in the wet as recommended by LeaseCar.uk:

  1. Monitor tyre tread

Not only do stopping distances double in the wet, but threadbare tyres will grip the road even less meaning even greater distances before drivers can safely stop their vehicles. Tyre tread can easily harden in cold weather which can lead to further loss of control.

  1. Regularly check brake condition

If you’re noticing a delay in the car slowing after pressing the brake pedal there’s a high chance that the car has worn brake pads or the brakes have developed a fault. In the wet it’s crucial that the brakes work as they should otherwise already large stopping distances increase further.

  1. Manage the distance to the car in front

 
One good guide to follow is the two-second rule in the dry which involves picking a stationary object by the side of the road and counting the seconds between the car in front passing the object and you passing it. In the dry two seconds is the minimum time recommended. In the wet this increases to four seconds. If you are within four seconds in the wet, then give yourself more space to brake safely.

  1. Cautious driving

Wet conditions means less grip on the road. Driving at slower speeds and braking in a controlled way will help keep the car balanced in the wet and you in control. It’s also best to not press too hard on the accelerator to prevent the likelihood of the car skidding and the wheels from spinning on the wet tarmac.

  1. Check headlights are working

One of the most important checks to make is ensuring the headlights are in full working order. During the darker months having faulty lights can make it more difficult to calculate a safe stopping distance to the car in front.

  1. Take regular breaks

With the weather getting darker earlier during the autumnal months driving requires greater levels of concentration and can be more draining. It’s important to regularly rest at services to keep energised while driving as tiredness can increase the chances of an accident due to delayed reaction times.

Journeys to net zero that don’t cost the earth

Share your net zero transport pledge for a chance to win £2,500 towards an electric bike, cargo bike or adapted cycle

The cost-of-living crisis and climate change are both urgent problems.

In Scotland, the average household spends 14% on transport costs and transport accounts for 36% of all greenhouse gas emissions, with over a third of these emissions coming from cars. Changing transport choices can help our bank balances whilst helping Scotland reach our target of net zero by 2045.

During winter, it’s important to focus on our wellbeing, including physical and mental health. Saving on transport could free up some money for essentials, and travelling more actively – by walking, wheeling or cycling – can help tackle the season’s effect on our mood and health.

This time of year is a great time to take stock, plan ahead and think about starting new positive habits. Here are some solutions and support to help you on your net zero journey to save money and the planet.

Small steps for immediate savings

The sustainable transport hierarchy ranks the travel modes by their sustainability impact, including environmental, social, and economic. It can be a good visual guide for choosing small, manageable goals.

For shorter journeys especially, it is useful to be thinking about active travel to get from A to B, carbon free. Whilst public and shared transport is often a more sustainable choice for longer journeys, the running costs of active travel can be free or very low cost compared to driving. For shared transport, you mostly only pay for the journeys you take, and all operating costs are included in your ticket. Citizens Advice Scotland has information on concessionary fares and free travel.

Here are eight simple commitment ideas that can help you to shift journeys up the sustainable transport hierarchy and closer to net zero for the benefit of your wallet, health and the planet.

1. Walk, cycle or wheel once a week this year

Starting with a regular, small commitment can help you build confidence and fitness to get ready to travel more actively in the spring – this isn’t just great for your physical health, it can also help reduce the risk of depression by 30%, manage stress and improve sleep.

2. Ditch the car for short trips to help us on the journey to net zero

Try to replace journeys with shared transport, combining them with active travel or using park and rides. Reducing your car use by a quarter could save up to £273 in fuel costs and 508kg in CO2e a year.

3. Get out and about with a daily walk

Paths for All have resources to support and motivate you to walk once a day this winter, including a 12 Week Walking Programme. There are over 800 accessible and social led health walks in every local authority across Scotland.

4. Join a group cycle or explore local options to build confidence

If you don’t quite feel confident enough to cycle on your own on the road, why not explore your local national cycle network off-road routes or Cycling Scotland’s Essential Cycling Skills Guide? A local group may also be able to provide training or led rides.

5. Research cycle options or try an electric bike for net zero journeys

If you’re not quite ready to make a change, use the winter to plan and research. Cycling UK found that after the initial purchase owning an average bike compared to an average car could save you £771 a year.

eBikes, (electric assisted pedal bikes), can help you tackle those longer or more challenging routes. Cargo cycles can help you carry a load such as heavy shopping or children. It can be a great cheaper alternative to a car for families. If you have specific mobility needs, read our guide to inclusive cycling and adapted cycles to explore cycle options and the support available. You may be able to access a cycle through a local group or public bike share.

If you already have a bike, you may be eligible for Cycling UK funding to get it road ready.

6. Sign up for a bus pass or rail card to use public transport in your area

Traveline Scotland is a great resource for exploring journey planning. It includes routes in your area, specialised services, fares and ticket options and accessible travel information.

If your closest public transport option is too far to walk, could you reach it by cycle or ebike? Check out Sustrans’ guide to combining cycling and rail travel.

7. Explore liftshares or car clubs as an option to reduce your costs and help Scotland achieve net zero

For immediate savings, you can explore the benefits of sharing your journeys, on average liftshare members save over £1,000 a year!

CoMoUK have great shared transport resources, including a map showing car club vehicles near you. Car club vehicles use 37% less CO2 than the average UK car and 60% of car club fleets are electric or hybrid.

8. Explore funding available to support your journey to net zero

Way to Work’s funding page lists support from Energy Saving Trust and partners. Their website can help you and your workplace plan your shift to cheaper and greener journeys.

How will you start your journey to net zero?

How will you start your net zero journey? Share your sustainable transport pledge for 2023 on social media. Use #NetZeroJourney23 and tag @HomeEnergyScotland on Facebook or @HomeEnergyScot on Twitter and Instagram, or comment to enter our competition to win £2,500 towards an electric bike, cargo or adapted cycle. Two runners-up will win a £100 gift voucher for the Sustrans online shop. 

To enter, tag us in your pledge around your journey to net zero. Tell us about something you’re already doing, planning to do or committed to trying!

The competition will run until midnight, 31 January. You can read further details and the campaign terms and conditions here.

Entries open to find Scotland’s top tech innovators in Edinburgh

Applications are now open for the thirteenth annual ScotlandIS Digital Technology Awards

Scotland’s tech cluster organisation is calling on people in Edinburgh to nominate the sector’s most innovative individuals in tech for the 2023 Digital Technology Awards.

Led by ScotlandIS, the awards celebrate the strength of the industry and talent Scotland has to offer from businesses of all sizes.

This year’s awards will focus on celebrating the vast achievements of the tech sector over the last year by rewarding individual and team commitments to causes that are prolific in today’s climate.

At the forefront of the application criteria are categories to recognise those creating technology solutions for good, organisations tackling climate change and those putting the wellbeing of their workforce at the core of the business.

The Unsung Hero Award also returns – an award which commemorates local community champions for their contributions to improving all things digital in their respective fields.

Karen Meechan, CEO of ScotlandIS, said: “The Digital Technology Awards deliver a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the very best in Scottish technology.  It is an evening our members look forward to all year round to recognise the extensive achievements and talent in our industry.

“I’m looking forward to spending the evening honouring the sector’s best minds, and I encourage everyone to nominate both individuals and businesses that deserve recognition for achievements and dedication to helping our industry continue to flourish.”

To nominate a business or individual for the Digital Technology Awards, please visit the website here. 

Applications close 5pm on Wednesday 22nd February 2023.


The categories this year are as follows:

  • Tech For Good
  • Service / Product Innovation
  • Data Trailblazer
  • Best Wellbeing at Work
  • Most Sustainable Workplace
  • Open Technology Contribution
  • Public Sector Innovation
  • Unsung Hero
  • Digital Tech Business of the year – Start-Up
  • Digital Tech Business of the year – Scale-Up
  • Digital Tech Business of the year – Enterprise


Some of last year’s winners include Fyne Labs, xDesign and Good-Loop.

The 2023 Digital Tech Awards will take place on Thursday 27th April at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.

PDSA: How can I keep my pet entertained indoors?

Here are five vet-approved ways to beat the boredom this winter

Dark nights, wet weather, and chilly temperatures are sure signs that winter is well and truly upon us. When the weather turns, you might find your pet is less inclined to brave the outdoors – so how can we keep them entertained and ensure they get enough exercise during the colder months?

Nina Downing, vet nurse at the UK’s largest veterinary charity PDSA, has shared her five top tips for keeping your four-legged friend moving.

Nina said: “When pets don’t stay active, they are at risk of piling on extra pounds that could endanger their overall health – not to mention boredom, which can put them in mischief’s way!

“Luckily, there are lots of fun ways to keep furry friends entertained this winter, even on a rainy day”:

Snuffle roll

“This is a tried and tested favourite for any playful puss or pooch and is very easy to set up. All you need is a small towel or blanket, your pet’s normal dry food and a treat or two. Lay the material on the floor and scatter the food over the top. Then, roll the mat up, making sure the treats don’t fall out of either end. Now your pet can snuffle and sniff out their food, keeping their brain and nose active!

Practice training and agility

What better time to brush up on your pup’s obedience training than when you’re stuck inside? Whilst indoors you can teach your pup some new tricks or practice ones you both enjoy, using food or treats as a reward is a great way to keep them engaged and let them know they’ve mastered a trick. Another fun way to get them excited and build their fitness is to set up an indoor obstacle course. Whether it’s using chairs and a blanket to create a tunnel, a small foot stool for the perfect hurdle, or pairs of shoes for them to weave in and out of, the possibilities are endless and can provide furry and human family members alike hours of fun. 

Hide and seek

A childhood classic, this game also helps to train your dog, as they become attuned to listening out, as well as sniffing around for you in order to find the location where you’re hiding. Ask your dog to sit and stay before moving around or leaving the room. At first, stand or crouch in more obvious places and call your pooch to come find you. Not only will they use their eyes, ears and nose to seek you out, they will also engage their brain and employ mental energy. As your dog becomes better at finding you, you can start to hide in more difficult places, like behind a door or curtain.

Toys, toys, and more toys

All pets have a preference for their favourite toy, whether that be a squeaky ball or teaser on a stick. Utilising items that encourage their natural instincts is a great way of keeping your pet entertained – just make sure you swap the toy every few days so they don’t get bored of it!

DIY

Homemade toys work just as well as those available in shops. You can create a teaser with strips of fabric from old clothes, blankets, or towels – simply tie them together at one end, leaving the rest to trail behind for your pet to chase. The same technique can be used to make a tug toy – just make sure to knot all the pieces together every few centimetres from end to end, as this will add strength and provide something that you and your pet can both grip.

Boxes are another favourite as they can be used in many ways, from making hidey holes through to creating tunnels. You could even cut out holes and connect several boxes together to create a maze for your pet to find their way through.

For more ideas on how to keep your pet entertained this winter, visit:

https://www.pdsa.org.uk/catexercise

Leith Academy: Kit for All

SPORTS CLOTHES WANTED

KitForAll – Leith PE are requesting donations of pre-loved sports kit for our KitForAll campaign.

KitforAll is about offering sports kit to individuals and families who need it the most, for FREE.

With your donations, we hope to make sport and physical activity more accessible.

#PassItOn

Three more UK cities introduce clean air zones


More UK cities are set to introduce clean air zones this year, making motorists pay a charge if they wish to enter city centres.

Road safety experts at Road Angel are urging drivers to check for changes in their local areas and to get any necessary permits to prevent facing fines for driving through these zones.

Drivers in London already face charges if they wish to enter the capital’s low and ultra low emission zones (ULEZ). Five other UK cities have already introduced clean air zones with three more due to start in the coming weeks and months.

Currently, drivers in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol and Portsmouth all face potential charges based on the level of their emissions.

Tyneside is set to introduce its own Clean Air Zone on 30 January and Sheffield will follow suit on 27 February.

Greater Manchester is the third local authority set to introduce a clean air zone in 2023 although they have yet to agree on a date.

Cities are able to choose one of four possible clean air zones from Class A through to Class D which each class targeting different types of road vehicles. Failure to comply can result in a fine of up to £120.

Currently, only Birmingham and Bristol have introduced Class D Clean Air Zones – these are the most far reaching and require private car drivers to register and potentially pay charges depending on the level of their emissions.

Both Bath and Bradford have introduced Class C Clean Air Zones, these target vans, minibuses, coaches, taxis, HGVs, buses and private hire vehicles but not privately owned cars.

Portsmouth is currently the only city to have brought in Class B restrictions where charges apply to coaches, taxis, HGVs, buses and private hire vehicles but not cars, vans or minibuses.

It’s believed that Sheffield is planning on a Class C zone while Tyneside is planning to introduce Class B restrictions. Details for Manchester’s upcoming zone have not yet been finalised.

A spokesperson for Road Angel said: “We welcome changes to improve air quality in our cities but we don’t want these changes to take any drivers by surprise.

“Therefore we are urging drivers who may be visiting any of these cities to check the government’s website to find out if they are required to obtain a permit for a clean air zone.

“It’s also worth checking the vehicle’s logbook where information on the vehicle’s emission rate can be found to determine if charges can be applicable in clean air zones.

“If drivers don’t pay the fee applied to their area within six days of entering the clean air zone, they can face a standard penalty charge of £120.

“Going forward, we predict this will encourage drivers to turn to electric vehicles so they don’t have to face further charges for their vehicle’s emission rates.

“While Sheffield and Tyneside are currently the only areas planned to introduce charges in 2023, along with the possibility of Greater Manchester, it doesn’t stop the case for more cities across the UK to add their names to the list.”

Drivers venturing into these cities will soon have access to this information in-car via the Road Angel Pure

Edinburgh’s city centre Low Emission Zone (LEZ) was approved by Scottish Ministers on 19 May 2022 and was introduced on 31 May 2022. Enforcement will start on 1 June 2024, following a two-year grace period for all.

Board Games at ELREC

TUESDAY AFTERNOONS from 10th JANUARY

Did you make your New Year resolutions? How about dedicating more time to resting, relaxing and slowing down in our busy lives this year?

We are organising a free space to play board games in ELREC every Tuesday at 3:30-5:30pm from 10th January! Come alone or with friends to have fun and meet new people!

The board games afternoons will be a part of the Conscious Living Project that aims to promote wellbeing, mental health and raise environmental awareness ❤

We are gathering and buying board games to play but you are very welcome to come with your group and own board games to play as well! Feel free to share the post or let your friends or family know 🙂

If you know anyone who feels lonely and want to spend some time with other people, it would be a great opportunity!

There are limited spaces so you would need to register to take part:

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/board-games-afternoons…

Hope to see you!

Burns Community Ceilidh at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre

Music, dancing, poetry, food …sounds good doesn’t it! Join PCHP and partners as we celebrate #burnsnight community style !!!

You’ll be treated to a delicious meal and the music will be provided by the amazing Tinderbox Collective – what’s not to like!

Tickets will be on sale from Monday the 16th of January at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre reception desk and also from the Granton Garden Bakery window on Saturday the 21st of January so don’t miss your chance to have braw wee night out.

If you’d like to perform or volunteer at the event then please get in touch with; tom@grantoncommunitygardeners.org to arrange 🙂

Look forward to seeing you all there.

#community#burnsnight#alltogether#edinburghnorth