Category: Wester Hailes

Saving energy in Wester Hailes

Five hundred households, both private and council-owned, living in mixed tenure properties across the Wester Hailes area are to benefit from energy efficient upgrades and revitalised buildings.

This follows an extensive large-scale common repairs and maintenance works programme to renovate 66 low-rise blocks in the first year due to complete by summer this year (2022).

This is part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s ground-breaking three-year Mixed Tenure Improvement Service (MTIS) pilot which gave an update on progress to date for the blocks across Murrayburn, Drumbryden and Hailesland to the Finance and Resources Committee today (3 March).

The programme will now be rolled out across the city to help accelerate energy efficiency fabric maintenance and repairs in mixed tenure blocks to benefit more tenants. This is due to the success of the pilot to date in engaging with private owners – with scheme decisions to progress being made in 75% of minority council-owned blocks – and securing sizable energy efficiency grant support through the Scottish Government Energy Efficient Scotland, Area Based Scheme.

Councillors have also agreed to extend the Council’s Scheme of Assistance (SoA). This will, as part of the MTIS, offer enhanced debt repayment terms* to help all private owner occupiers meet their repairs and maintenance responsibilities and allow them to consider more options for funding their share of the cost of works within all Council-led capital improvement, mixed tenure property projects.

Works being carried out on behalf of all owners across the current MTIS pilot includes repairs and replacement of roofing, guttering, drying room facades, installation of external wall and attic insulation, together with the maintenance and decoration of communal stairwell spaces.

This MTIS pilot is aiming to carry this out in 181 mixed tenure blocks in Murrayburn, Hailesland and Dumbryden over a three-year period to the benefit of all residents and tenants, improving the aesthetics, energy efficiency, safety and security and the overall value of properties in the long term.

Cllr Kate Campbell, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “Bringing all our housing stock up to a good condition, making homes energy efficient, warm and affordable to heat is very important, both for tenants and for owners in these blocks.

“Council officers have worked hard to support private owners throughout this MTIS pilot. As a result, we’re helping owner occupiers meet their share of the energy efficiency improvement works by supporting them to access up to £15,500 each in Energy Efficient Scotland (EES) funding. Supporting private owner occupiers with enhanced re-payment terms will help too, and this is now being extended to others in a similar situation.

“The mixed tenure improvement service continues to be an incredibly successful as a pilot, and I’m so pleased that we are expanding this programme as it will play a crucial role in dealing with the legacy issues caused by right to buy. We can now invest in many more homes making much needed improvements to homes and blocks across the city.”

Cllr Mandy Watt, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Vice Convener, said: “We have a long way to go as part of this three-year programme to improve 181 blocks but this has been a great start.

“In this pilot’s first year we will have improved the standard of living and conditions of a huge number of people in Wester Hailes. The buildings that we’ve completed so far look fantastic and really lift the look and feel of these neighbourhoods.

“We hope once the programme has been completed across all of Murrayburn, Hailesland and Dumbryden, the communities will feel a real sense of pride in their homes which fit in so much better with the new build developments close by.

“We have strong ambitions as a Council and as a city to become a sustainable and net zero Capital by 2030. Housing is a huge factor in getting there and getting our existing housing stock better insulated and energy efficient will be key – which in turn will help to keep people warmer while helping to reduce energy bills.”

* extending the period for payment plans with the Council for owner occupiers to up to 15 years and a reduction in the interest rate from 6% to 4%.

Create Community Wealth project is recruiting two workers

Create Community Wealth is looking for two (2) Lead Creative people to join the project!

Create Community Wealth is an exciting long-term collaborative project that aims to develop micro-enterprises across the communities in Wester Hailes and Muirhouse.

Inspired by the grassroots movement of the Granby Four Streets in Liverpool and other Community Wealth Building initiatives around the world, this project aims to tackle social exclusion and improve wellbeing and local economic prospects through creativity.

Create Community Wealth is part of a wider national Culture Collective programme and is a partnership between WHALE Arts, North Edinburgh Arts , SCOREscotland and Passion4Fusion.
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Deadline for applications is Monday 11 October

Company Shop Edinburgh marks first birthday

Members have saved more than £3 million since opening

Company Shop Edinburgh, which is part of the UK’s leading redistribution organisation Company Shop Group, is celebrating its first birthday, having saved members over £3million collectively since it first opened its doors on Dumbryden Road one year ago.

The store has since redistributed an incredible 1,547 tonnes of surplus items, which is the equivalent of 570 Olympic swimming pools. This means that perfectly good surplus food and household products, purchased by Company Shop Group from the FMCG supply chain including from major retailers and manufacturers, have been prevented from needlessly going to waste.

To mark the occasion, Company Shop Edinburgh celebrated with members with cake and refreshments in-store, and a range of exclusive ‘1st birthday’ offers were made available to members on the day.

Shelves in the store are stocked with heavily discounted food and household products from big name brands such as Marks and Spencer, Nestlé, Iceland and Tesco. All the products sold are in date and perfectly good to eat or use, but are deemed ‘surplus’ and may have otherwise gone to waste due to incorrect or wonky labelling, seasonal packaging or overstock – amongst many other reasons.

As a result, products are on average 50% off the normal retail price, helping to stretch hard-working family budgets further.

The store operates on a membership basis and is open to those working in the NHS, emergency services, social care, FMCG supply chain, British Armed Forces, prison services and employees of charities.

To ensure that the discounted food and household products reach those most in need, the store is also open to those receiving means tested benefits. Anyone eligible for membership is encouraged to sign up for free online, and once registered, membership lasts a lifetime.

As well as providing low-cost food and products to those who need it the most, Company Shop Edinburgh has helped local businesses to do something positive with their surplus, in addition to bringing around 80 new jobs to the area.

Company Shop Edinburgh is part of a network of what is now 14 stores. The Group’s latest impact report revealed that over 80million surplus items were redistributed across stores over the course of 2020, saving 28,073 tonnes of surplus from going to waste.

Company Shop Edinburgh Store Manager, Jory Kinney, said: “We’re really proud to be celebrating the one-year anniversary of Company Shop Edinburgh, and particularly to reflect on the impact that the store has made on the local community over the course of the year.

“Company Shop Edinburgh would not be possible without the ongoing support of our members, the wider community and our industry partners, and we’re grateful to all of them for that.

“We look forward to continuing to build on the strong foundations in the years ahead, preventing surplus from going to waste and stretching the budgets of hard-working families.”

Have you seen Bervely?

*** UPDATE ***

*MISSING PERSON TRACED*

Police have confirmed that Bervely Chaleka has been traced safe and well. Her family have been notified.

PI Keith Forrester said “Thanks very much for all the shares and comments, they helped us to find Bervely.”

Police in Edinburgh are continuing to seek the public’s support to find Bervely Chaleka, who went mssing on Monday evening.

Bervely is 25 years old and is described as 5’ 7” in height with short black hair. When she was last seen she was wearing a white headscarf, navy jacket and light patterned trousers (see attached picture).

Inspector Keith Forrester from Wester Hailes Police Station said: “Thank you for sharing my previous post and for the feedback so far.

“Bervely is known to have travelled in to the city centre on Monday evening to visit shops on Princes Street and she was seen sitting at the tram stop at St Andrews Square between 7:30pm – 9:30pm before walking away northwards.

“If you have information about her whereabouts, or you have seen her on or since Monday night, please phone ‘101’ quoting incident number 491 of 21/09/2021.

“Bervely, if you see this message, please contact Police or your family to let us know you are safe. Thank you“

Police appeal following distressing incident in Wester Hailes

Officers are continuing enquiries and appealing for information in relation to an incident which occurred in the Dumbryden area last Friday (10th September).

Around 10pm a 55-year-old woman was alone and distressed when she approached a vehicle in the area asking for assistance. She thereafter ran from the vehicle and boarded a Lothian bus.

It is unknown why she was distressed or what took place.

Police Constable Nichola Reid of Leith Police Station said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and I am appealing for any witnesses to come forward, particularly the occupants of the vehicle at the time.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland through 101, quoting incident number 0290 of Saturday 11th September 2021.”

Have you seen Walter?

UPDATE: SUNDAY 5 SEPTEMBER

I am sad to report that Police have confirmed that a body discovered in a river behind houses in Harlaw Road in Balerno last night is that of Walter Anderson.

There are no supsicious circumstances and Walter’s family have been informed.

THE MISSING PERSON STORY …

Police are appealing for help to trace an elderly man reported missing in the city. Walter Anderson (84), was last seen in the Clovenstone Drive area around 11pm on Thursday (2 September 2021).

He has not been seen or heard from since and there is growing concern for his welfare.

Walter is described as 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, with brown hair which is partially balding and wears glasses. He is possibly wearing a short navy blue jacket.He is known to frequent the west side of Edinburgh.

Inspector Claire Masterton, of Edinburgh Drylaw Station, said: “Walter has Alzheimers so he may appear confused or lost. We are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare and are keen to find him as soon as possible.

“I would urge anyone who may have seen Walter to contact us as soon as possible.”Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 1204 of 3 September.

UPDATE

Officers are carrying out enquiries in the Currie area of Edinburgh following a sighting of Walter walking Westwards on Lanark Road West on CCTV images around 5am on Friday, 3 September, 2021.

UPDATE 2:

Following further enquiries, the most recent sighting of Walter Anderson is now of him walking on Bavelaw Road in the Balerno area of Edinburgh around 7am on Friday, 3 September.

He remains missing and enquiries are ongoing to trace him.Anyone with information can call 101, quoting incident 1204 of 3 September.

MSP urges city projects to apply for Scotland Loves Local funding

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, has urged projects across the capital to apply for the newly launched Scotland Loves Local Fund.

The scheme has been launched by the SNP Scottish Government to support local projects run by organisations like town centre partnerships, chambers of commerce or community and charity trusts. It will provide projects with match funding of between £5,000 and £25,000.

Eligible projects could include things like community shops, marketing and digital schemes, or enabling larger construction projects delivery.

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald said: “The Scotland Loves Local Fund has been launched by the SNP Scottish Government as a way to help our town centres recover from the devastating impact of the pandemic.

“There are a number of fantastic local community projects across Edinburgh Pentlands, and the wider city, which have the potential to stimulate growth and footfall into the different areas and this funding will allow them to continue to make our town centres a more vibrant place and stimulate the local economy.

“Not only is the funding important but when people shop locally and support local businesses it also boosts the economy here and ensure that money spent in the local area stays in the local area.

“I would urge local projects to apply for the Scotland Loves Local Fund and encourage people in Edinburgh to continue to support local business at every opportunity.”

New community testing stations open today

  • Blackhall Mosque, 1 House O’Hill Road, EH4 2AJ from Monday 9 August to Thursday 12 August and Saturday 14 August from 9.30am to 5.30pm, Sunday 15 August 9.30am to 5pm
  • Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, 30 Harvesters Way, EH14 3JF from Monday 9 August to Sunday 15 August,  9.30am to 5.30pm (5pm on Sunday)

VACCINATION BUS ARRIVES AT NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS TOMORROW

Big Noise in Wester Hailes!

Sistema Scotland has announced that a new Big Noise programme will begin in Wester Hailes, Edinburgh in spring 2022. The project will work in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council and with Clovenstone, Canal View and Sighthill Primary and Nursery Schools.

Big Noise Wester Hailes will work initially with all children in Primary 1 and 2. Over the course of its first year, the programme will expand to reach all nursery to Primary 3 age children, approximately 400 participants in total across the community.

Big Noise will grow year on year, retaining the involvement of the children as they age, and introducing the next generations of nursery and Primary 1 children. It will ultimately work with babies through to school-leavers in Wester Hailes, as well as offering opportunities to stay involved in the programme as adults. 

Big Noise is a high-quality music education and social change programme, where the symphony orchestra becomes a community which supports children and young people to gain vital life skills such as confidence, resilience, creativity and aspiration.

Through music and nurturing relationships, from infancy to adulthood, Big Noise supports participants’ wellbeing and helps them reach their full potential.

The programme also aims to strengthen the amazing communities where it is based; developing relationships with participants and their families based on mutual respect, trust and a commitment to work together and tackle inequalities for the long term.

While there are currently four Big Noise programmes, operating in Raploch (Stirling), Govanhill (Glasgow), Torry (Aberdeen) and Douglas (Dundee), this will be the first Big Noise programme to be based in Scotland’s capital city.

Independent evaluation of the Big Noise model by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has shown that taking part in Big Noise helps children to improve their concentration and language skills, enhance their problem solving and decision making, increase their self-esteem and develop strong friendships and support networks.

Benny Higgins, Chairman of Sistema Scotland, said: “Sistema Scotland believes that all children and young people have great skills, talents and potential. We also know that many of Scotland’s communities face long-standing inequalities and challenges that make it extremely difficult for children to achieve their hopes, ambitions and dreams.

“The impact of Covid-19 has greatly exacerbated these inequalities. Now more than ever, we must think and act creatively to ensure Scotland’s children are given the opportunities and support that they deserve.

“Our charity is committed to ensuring that more children and communities across Scotland are able to take part in Big Noise and I am delighted that Wester Hailes will be the home of the next Big Noise programme.”

Councillor Ian Perry, Education, Children and Families Convener for City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Sistema Scotland to Edinburgh.

“I very much look forward to seeing the Big Noise programme in action, working with and supporting children, young people and families within the Wester Hailes community.”

Nicole Killean OBE, Chief Executive of Sistema Scotland, said: “We are greatly looking forward to starting a new Big Noise programme in Wester Hailes which will work in partnership with children, young people, families, schools and the community for many years to come.

” We also hope to work alongside local charities and community groups to bring additional support and value to Wester Hailes.”

Sam Laidlaw, mother of three from Wester Hailes, said: “Big Noise coming to Wester Hailes is such a great opportunity. Taking part in Big Noise will help the children grow their confidence.

“I’m excited to see the joy in the children’s faces as they explore music and movement. They will also come away from the programme with the ability to play a musical instrument by the time they leave high school which is great.

“I think Big Noise will help bring the community together and bring people together from different areas of Wester Hailes. I think it will bring a sense of pride to the community.”

Nicola Benedetti CBE, internationally-renowned violinist and official Big Sister to the participants of Big Noise, said: “Sistema Scotland’s consistent dedication to quality and expansion is an inspiration to all of us and I am so excited that they are finally in Edinburgh with this new Big Noise programme at Wester Hailes.”

MSP encourages over-18s to register for vaccine via portal

Edinburgh Pentlands MSP, Gordon MacDonald, is urging everyone aged 18 and over, who has not received a first coronavirus (COVID-19)vaccination appointment or has missed their first dose for any reason, to sign up to the self registration portal from Monday (28 June 2021).  

The portal will be open from 8am on Monday 28 June until the initial vaccination programme ends in September. The online system, which was used successfully to encourage unpaid carers and 18-29 year olds to come forward, will be available to every adult in Scotland. Those who sign up will receive a text or email with details of their appointment which they can change if the time or location is unsuitable.

SNP MSP, Gordon MacDonald said: “The roll-out and high take up of the vaccine has been brilliant. I thank everyone who have worked so hard on to make it the success that it is and every single person who has went along to their appointment.

“This new portal will make sure that as many adults as possible in Scotland receive the vaccine as quickly as possible – no matter if you’ve just arrived in Scotland, are not registered with a GP or you don’t have an up-to-date home address.

“It’s clear from the evidence that vaccination is helping protect people from serious health harms and it is vaccine which offers us the best route out of this pandemic.

“I urge everyone to take the opportunity to protect themselves, their families and their community by getting the vaccine – and help us all get closer to normality as soon, and as safely, as possible.” 

Self-registration portal: www.nhsinform.scot/vaccineregistration

And a reminder about Surge Vaccination Clinics open this weekend: