We’re THRILLED to announce a milestone in the Scran Academy journey – congratulations to Will Bain, our new CEO!
Since 2019, Will’s compassionate leadership as our first Catering Manager has elevated our operations, scaling up our Covid response and forming strong partnerships in Edinburgh. He has demonstrated dedication, strategic thinking, and a profound commitment to our mission.
Will’s appointment to CEO with his wealth of experience and passion marks an exciting new chapter for Scran Academy.
Join the team in congratulating Will on this remarkable achievement!
Edel Harris OBE, former chief executive of the charity Mencap, has been appointed to chair the Independent Review of Adult Disability Payment.
The Independent Review – a Programme For Government commitment – will consider people’s experiences of the Scottish benefit to ensure it continues to meet the needs of disabled people.
Adult Disability Payment is paid to disabled working age adults in recognition of the extra costs of being disabled or having a long-term health condition. It is currently supporting 137,490 disabled people in Scotland and has provided £461.8 million in payments since it was launched in August 2022.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Edel Harris brings a wealth of experience to this important position, both from her leading roles in third sector organisations and her personal experience as a family carer.
“A year on from the national launch of Adult Disability Payment, we are fulfilling our pledge to have an independent review to ensure it is meeting the needs of disabled people both now and in the future. Ms Harris will ensure the views of disabled people and groups that represent them are heard throughout the review.
“I am committed to continuing to improve the experience of people receiving this benefit – to ensure they are supported in line with the principles of dignity, fairness, and respect at the heart of our social security system.”
Adult Disability Payment was introduced in August 2022 as a replacement for the UK Government’s Personal Independence Payment. It is paid to disabled working age adults in recognition of the extra costs of being disabled or having a long-term health condition.
Edinburgh College is ready to welcome those considering starting a course in August 2024 to its four open days this January and February.
At the open days, prospective students will be able to find out about the various courses they can apply for, meet lecturers, explore the College’s facilities, as well as experience first-hand what it’s like to study at Edinburgh College.
Midlothian Campus will be open from 4.30pm-7pm on Tuesday 30 January, Granton Campus will be open from 10am-1pm on Saturday 3 February, Milton Road Campus will be open from 4.30pm -7pm on Tuesday 6 February, and Sighthill Campus will be open from 4.30pm-7pm on Thursday 8 February.
Prospective students, parents, guardians, business owners and those in employment are invited to attend the open days to not only find out about course options, but also find out more about applications, funding options and accommodation.
The College offers a wide range of subjects within Creative Industries, Construction and Engineering, Health, Wellbeing and Social Science, and Tourism, Hospitality and Business.
With beginner-level courses, pathways to university, short courses and continuous development courses, learners at any stage of their career or education journey will be able to find out about their possible next steps at these events.
Guided tours of campus facilities will also take place, with staff and representatives from Edinburgh College Students’ Association on hand to answer any questions.
Edinburgh College Principal, Audrey Cumberford, said: “We’re delighted to soon be welcoming prospective students onto our campuses.
“Open days are such an excellent opportunity to find out more about the fantastic range of courses we offer, as well as the different paths an Edinburgh College education can take you down.
“Plus, you get the crucial experience of finding out what life is like with us here in the capital. So, I really encourage anyone who’s thinking about studying with us to come along.”
The Old Town Hall in Leith should be considered for community use if Police Scotland vacate the building, according to Deidre Brock MP.
The station is one of those up for possible closure as part of Police Scotland’s estate review.
Built in 1828, the Category A listed building still contains the original Leith Burgh Council debating chamber.
The Edinburgh North & Leith MP said: “If Police Scotland decide that the old Leith Town Hall is no longer appropriate for modern policing, there should be a discussion about how it can be utilised for the community.
“It is a wonderful building that holds a unique place in Leith’s history, and I hope the Council will consider how it can best be used for the benefit of current and future generations of Leithers.”
As part of the continued drive to get more people active, the UK Government and the Scottish FA have kicked off the year by announcing 40 projects across Scotland are benefitting from a share of £6 million.
40 projects in Scotland receiving a share of £6 million this year towards new and upgraded pitches, goalposts and floodlights
Forms latest part of major UK Government investment in grassroots facilities worth over £400 million, which includes multisport pitches, tennis courts and swimming pools
Investment supports UK Government ambition to get 3.5 million more adults and children active by 2030
Exercising more is the most common New Year’s resolution*, and the UK Government is giving hundreds of thousands more people across the UK the ability to keep their resolution and get active by delivering high-quality grassroots sport facilities.
From Ayrshire to Aberdeenshire, 40 projects are to receive funding that will go towards facilities such as changing rooms and pavilions, state of the art 3G artificial grass pitches and brand new floodlights. Work is already underway on 30 of these projects, with the remaining 10 to commence shortly.
The projects being announced today will benefit from £6 million from the UK Government in 2023/24, with £5.4 million also already allocated from next year’s overall budget.
Since 2021, the UK Government has already delivered 40 projects across Scotland through £4 million of funding, with at least 50 per cent of investment to be spent in the most deprived and inactive local authorities.
UK Government Sports Minister Stuart Andrew said: “Sport and physical activity is vital to our mental health and wellbeing, and each year thousands of people make a New Year’s resolution to exercise more.
“We know that one of the major barriers in getting active is access to high-quality sports facilities, which is why we are delivering 40 new projects in Scotland.
“The UK Government and Scottish FA have already delivered another 40 projects backed by £4 million to give local communities the high quality facilities they need.”
To mark the announcement, UK Government Minister for Scotland and Exports Malcolm Offord visited Glasgow Girls and Women FC at their base in Springboig in the East End of Glasgow.
Formed in 2008, the club has gone from just 13 under-13s girls, to six youth sides from under-eights to under-18s and a senior women’s team who play in the 2nd league of the Scottish Women’s Premier League.
The club is receiving £620,000 from this latest round of UK Government funding to support their new state of the art 3G artificial grass pitch.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord said: “It was amazing to see the work done by the coaches, the SFA and the charity trustees at Glasgow Girls and Women FC. We are so proud to support facilities like these.
“The achievements of Scotland’s men’s and women’s football teams are in no small part down to the dedication of those at grassroots level. Providing high-quality facilities the length and breadth of Scotland that are accessible to all is vital.
“These 40 projects will nurture the talent of the future, encouraging everyone in the community to have fun, be active and embrace all the benefits that brings for physical and mental health.”
Scottish FA President Mike Mulraney said: “One of the priorities for the Scottish FA is ensuring that local communities across the nation have access to facilities, so it is wonderful to see the UK Government’s commitment to investing in our national game through the Scottish FA’s Grassroots Pitch & Facilities Fund.
“This investment will provide opportunities for a number of fantastic community clubs across the country such as Glasgow Girls and Women FC and will play an important role in further developing the vitally important role that these clubs offer within their local areas.
“It is vitally important for the nation that we continue to make our national game accessible to all and we are extremely grateful to the UK Government for helping us to do so through this investment.
This funding in Scotland will deliver 20 artificial grass pitch projects, four grass pitch projects and nine changing facility projects, as well as floodlights and goalposts. Some of these projects have been awarded funding over a two year period.
Some of the facilities in Scotland to benefit from this year’s round of investment include:
Lochend Football Academy in Edinburgh has received £28,000 for an upgrade to changing pavilion.
Glasgow Girls FC in Scotland has received over £620,000 for a brand new artificial grass pitch.
East Kilbride United has also received £400,000 for a brand new artificial grass pitch.
Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Football Trust has received £510,000 for a new changing pavilion.
Newtongrange Star Football and Social Club in Dalkeith has received over £25,000 for solar panels.
Glasgow City Council has received £45,000 for new floodlights at Knightswood Secondary School.
A full list of the facilities to benefit in Scotland was published (live 27/01) today.
Since 2021, the UK Government has delivered new facilities or improvements at almost 2,400 sites across the UK, aiming to get 120,000 more people active, through its £325 million programme. This investment is supporting grassroots clubs up and down the country, including women’s and girls teams.
The UK Government’s multi-sport grassroots facilities programme is investing in areas that are most in need of new or renovated facilities. Through the programme more high quality facilities are being made available for people to play football, rugby and other grassroots sports.
The UK Government recently published its new sport strategy to get 2.5 million more adults and one million more young people meeting the Chief Medical Officer’s guidance of 150 minutes per week for adults, and 60 minutes per day for young people by 2030.
West Pilton Park is undergoing an exciting, new development after receiving a significant amount of charitable funding.
The Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council would like to share with you the latest design proposals, to raise awareness of the development and build enthusiasm for the new park plan.
The aim is to make West Pilton Park the beautiful, bustling centre of a thriving neighbourhood community.
The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: “Holocaust Memorial Day is an important reminder for us all of the millions of people who were murdered or were impacted by the Holocaust.
“We can also use this as an opportunity to remember all victims of genocide around the world. This remains a key chapter in our collective global history that we must learn from and together work towards a more tolerant and peaceful future.
“This year’s theme, ‘the Fragility of Freedom’ highlights how we can never become complacent about erosions of freedoms and the dark path that this leads down.
“This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the genocide against the Tutsi people in Rwanda, this had been preceded by years of tension, violence and curtailing of freedoms.
“On behalf of the city of Edinburgh I extend our heartfelt sympathies to the victims of the Holocaust and all genocides, to the survivors who bravely shared their stories with the world, and those who are still impacted now.”
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for assistance in tracing Kevin Sweeney (33yrs) who has been reported missing from the Leith area of the City.
Kevin was last seen on 7th January 2024 in Pilrig Street, Edinburgh. His current whereabouts are unknown and we are becoming increasingly concerned for him.
Kevin is described as being male, white, 5ft 9 tall, average build with an auburn beard and short fair hair.
If you believe you have seen Kevin or have any information please contact 101 quoting incident no. 1669 of the 19/01/24.
In an effort to raise awareness of shopping pre-loved, this month will see the re-launch of Vet Your Clothes, a UK campaign whereby PDSA are calling on the local community to ‘vet their clothes’ – by having a purposeful clear out, donating items they no longer need to its charity outlets.
The campaign is backed by PDSA supporters, and animal lovers, Fearne Cotton and Sarah Jayne Dunn, who have taken on the challenge and vetted their clothes – both donating an item from their wardrobe they no longer need. They are hoping this will encourage many to join in, making some closet space before adding any more fresh finds!
The items up for grabs are a gorgeous, sparkly Olivia Rubin dress that had everyone talking when worn by Fearne, and almost immediately sold out. Now, there’s a unique opportunity to get your hands on this pre-loved by Fearne, highly desired, and no-longer available to purchase, total show-stopper dress.
There’s also a beautiful electric blue textured mini dress, resembling a heap of hydrangea flowers, worn by Sarah. This fabulous dress was from a Forever Unique collaboration with fashion and lifestyle influencer, Tara Maynard. As the collection has come to an end, it’s an opportunity to get your hands on a pre-loved by Sarah, unique, and again, no-longer available to purchase dress.
The items donated by the campaign ambassadors, Fearne and Sarah, will go up for sale in an online auction event, hosted on 4 February.
In the run up to the auction, PDSA is calling on the rest of the UK to also take on the challenge of ‘vetting their clothes’ for a great cause! PDSA has 116 charity shops throughout the UK, so plenty of locations to drop off any unwanted goodies.
Items sold in PDSA’s charity shops go a long way to support pets in need:
Just one item sold for £3 in a PDSA charity shop would pay for a small bottle of a local anaesthetic to provide essential pain relief to a much-loved pet during dental procedures and minor surgery.
An item sold for £5 would provide a poorly cat with anti-sickness to ease their symptoms.
And an item sold for £10 would pay for a heat pad that would help keep a pet warm and cosy following surgery.
PDSA’s Vet Your Clothes campaign runs through January and February 2024. Visit the Vet Your Clothes campaign page on PDSA’s website to find out more: www.pdsa.org.uk/vetyourclothes
Chief Superintendent Sean Scott will officially retire today (Friday, 26 January), bringing an end to an illustrious 33-year policing career, the last five of which have been served as Divisional Commander for the City of Edinburgh.
Sean began with Lothian and Borders Police in 1990 at the West End and would serve a large part of his career as a detective, both within CID and Public Protection.
When Police Scotland was formed he played a significant role in the development of the Specialist Crime Division, which includes the Major Investigation Team and Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Units.
Appointed as Divisional Commander for Edinburgh in 2019, Chief Superintendent Scott has overseen a number of major events within the Capital, including the annual International Festival and Fringe, festive policing operations and the Hogmanay Street Party.
In addition, he led on Edinburgh’s response to Operation Unicorn, the death of Her Late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and the subsequent repatriation of her body to London.
A/Chief Superintendent Emma Croft will take over as Divisional Commander for Edinburgh and begins her new role on Monday, 29 January.
Emma, who has 23 years policing service joins from Operational Support Division, where she most recently served as Silver Commander for the Capital’s Hogmanay Street Party.
Prior to her time in OSD, A/CS Croft worked within a number of uniformed roles in the city, having joined Lothian and Borders Police in 2000.
A/Chief Superintendent Croft said: “It is a real privilege for me to take over as Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, a city that I call home and have spent the bulk of my policing career working in.
“My predecessor, Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, did a terrific job of developing and enhancing the work we do with key partners to best serve the city and to ensure we provide the highest quality of policing to our communities, despite sustained challenges.
“My intention is to ensure we continue to meet the needs of the public and to work alongside all relevant agencies to deliver the most appropriate response whenever it is required.
“’l will shortly start meeting with many officers and staff from across Edinburgh Division and can’t wait to get their input and feedback on what we can do to keep Edinburgh one of the safest places in the UK to live, work and visit.”
