I AM THE 12TH WOMAN – new equality campaign ahead of Women’s Euro’s

One passion, one tournament and one subtle name change to a familiar football phrase that is being substituted by Heineken®

  • Ellie Taylor, Harry Redknapp, Karen Carney, Jermaine Jenas, and AJ Odudu show fans of all genders how they can show their passion and be the ‘12th Woman’ for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
  • The unlikely group star in a new campaign from Heineken® that urges all fans of football to declare themselves the ‘12th Woman’ – starting with this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 tournament.
  • Heineken is releasing an official ‘12th Woman’ tournament t-shirt – as worn by its celebrity squad – for public sale. Fans can wear the t-shirts to show their support at home, in pubs and at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 matches.
  • All profits from the 12th Woman t-shirts will be donated to Women in Football, an NFP that supports the women’s game.
  • The 12th Woman is part of a wider campaign entitled ‘Passion Knows No Gender – Cheers To All Fans’ where Heineken® is challenging bias and promoting equality in football, on and off the pitch, across all male and female UEFA competitions.  

You’d look twice if you saw them enter a pub together for the big match, so what do Ellie Taylor, Harry Redknapp, AJ Odudu, Karen Carney and Jermaine Jenas all have in common? They’re passionate fans of football and for this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 they are all showing their support for the beautiful game by becoming the ‘12th Woman’.

This eclectic all-star squad was enlisted by Heineken®, Official Partner of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, to be ambassadors for its new ‘12th Woman’ campaign. Throughout the tournament, Heineken is rallying fans of all genders to get behind their national teams by displaying a twist on the term usually associated with collective, passionate fan support: the 12th man.

The ‘12th Woman’ is part of an ongoing campaign by Heineken® which shines a light on bias and challenges stereotypes in football culture.

Stephanie Dexter of Heineken® commented, “For so long football culture and fandom has been influenced by the men’s game. So, while the women’s game has grown massively, a legacy of terms such as ‘man on’ and the ‘the 12th man’ continue to dominate.

“Meanwhile the ‘12th woman’ is relatively unheard of. We want this campaign to help close the gender phrase gap in football language, but also invite a conversation about the entrenched bias and inequality that persists across football culture.”

The ensemble of Taylor, Redknapp, Carney, Jenas, and Odudu officially issue Heineken’s invitation in a new film wherein they all declare themselves to be ‘12th Women’. In the video they bring attention to the decades-long gender imbalance in football language and encourage other fans to join the 12th Woman movement in time for the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.

The film shows Harry at the wheel of a van as he rounds up the celebrity fans to watch a tournament match at Wembley. Along the way the famous five question the unconscious bias in football terminology before exiting the van, walking down Wembley Way and proudly revealing their t-shirts – all emblazoned with the slogan ‘I Am The 12th Woman’.

But said Tees aren’t being reserved for the all-star cast – the good news for fans is that they’re being made available for public sale on Amazon for a price of £12.00 here with all profits donated to the NFP Women in Football.

Throughout the tournament supporters are encouraged to wear them in a show of allegiance, wherever they may be watching the action.

Karen Carney, who played 144 times for England said: “There are 11 women on the pitch who are giving everything to win for their country.

“Knowing that fans are cheering them on in the stands, at homes and in pubs across the country makes a difference and that’s why being a 12th Woman and saying it aloud really matters. Football fans’ approach to this tournament could be a major stepping-stone to real change in terms of how we all talk about football.”

Harry Redknapp said: “When I was playing professionally it really was a man’s game – women were banned from playing football in 1921 and the Women’s Football Association wasn’t even established until 1969.

“Thankfully times have changed, and in a big way, and I’m really proud to be a 12th woman and to wear the T-shirt for all to see. Some people could be confused by the term the ‘12th Woman’, they might have to stop and think. But that’s the whole point, that’s what Heineken is trying to do with this campaign.”

Yvonne Harrison, CEO at Women in Football said: “We’ve been really impressed by Heineken’s commitment to addressing gender inequality in football.

“That’s what Women in Football is all about too, so it’s fantastic to team up with them on the 12th Woman campaign.Every action that supports our work and amplifies our message helps to level the playing field and make football a fairer and better place.”

With two-thirds of women in football having experienced gender discrimination*, Heineken® is on a mission to evolve its sponsorships in the sport by addressing harmful stereotypes which are perpetuated by an outdated footballing phrasebook.

It’s time to tackle gender inequality in the beautiful game by interrogating the unconscious bias in the songs we sing, match reports we write and even the encouragement we give.

Stephanie Dexter concluded: “In its aim to be the most inclusive football sponsor, Heineken® is inviting supporters to confront the bias and promote equality.

“We’ve created this campaign and, with the support of our ambassadors, we hope that the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 is the first step in changing the way we think and speak about sport. We can see a future where football is just called football, no matter who is on the pitch or in the stands.”

Heineken®’s first move in correcting the gender bias in football was to address inaccurate statistics present across the internet that are often the source of the prejudice.

‘Fresher Football’ is a webpage in partnership with GOAL that provides correct responses to the most popular questions asked online about the UEFA Champions League. It includes key data and statistics on the women’s game, which are often overlooked.

The aim of Fresher Football is to encourage search engines and fan sites to recognise, amend and update their current information to give accurate answers, regardless of gender.

Jermaine Jenas, BBC presenter and former England footballer said: “The profile of the women’s game has risen massively over the past 10 to 15 years and players such as Lucy Bronze and Karen Carney have rightfully taken their places alongside some of the greats of the men’s game.

“But the culture and language attached to the women’s game still lags behind. Women’s football has inherited male-oriented terminology – phrases like ‘man on’, and, of course the ‘12th man’.

“I’m extremely proud to be part of a campaign that celebrates the women’s game and the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, but also one that addresses issues of gender inequality around our national sport.”  

Presenter AJ Odudu, said: “The brilliant thing is that anyone can be a 12th Woman.

“I can’t wait for the tournament to start and I can’t wait to put on my 12th Woman Tee, head to the pub and enjoy what should be a true festival of football.”

TV comedian and writer, Ellie Taylor said: “It’s not every day you get recruited by the national treasure that is Harry Redknapp to join a cohort of fabulously talented people all committed to re-engineering an outdated football phrase – and celebrating the women’s game.

“Harry had me at hello to be honest. In all seriousness, I love watching big tournament football and I’m thrilled to be a 12th Woman. It might not be a thing, yet. But it will be”.

Letter: Fuel price hike shows it’s time to turf out the Tories

Dear Editor

People of our area alongside many communities have had a very tough time under this disgraceful Tory led government.

It has been no accident but deliberate policy.

The manipulation of the fuel prices causing absolute confusion.

But not for the fuel suppliers, No!! In particular the shareholders of the fuel suppliers who are making hundreds of millions of pounds in profit at the same time.

In contrast the Tories are ‘promising’ another 10% rise in the cost of living this year!

The lesson is there for us: it’s time the people slung out the Tories like they did in Honiton recently.

Tony Delahoy

(by email)

Team at Western and Barnetts Mazda complete their first-ever charity walk

  • Western and Barnetts Mazda employees tackle 14.5 mile walk to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.
  • First-ever charity walk took over four hours to complete and has raised over £13,500 so far.
  • Local customers can visit the Scottish dealerships located in Edinburgh and Dundee.

Team members from Western and Barnetts Mazda completed a charity walk on Sunday 12 June to raise vital funds for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Exemplifying Mazda’s ‘challenger spirit’, employees from Western and Barnetts Mazda tackled their first-ever 14.5 mile walk in just over four hours and saw the team travel from one of our Group dealerships in Fife, through historic areas of Dunfermline, across the Forth Road Bridge and finish with a celebratory BBQ picnic at the Western Mazda dealership near Edinburgh.

Helen Burns, Marketing Manager at Western and Barnetts Mazda, said: “We are incredibly proud of our entire team for completing the walk and raising such vital funds for Macmillan. A short while ago, we collectively chose a charity to raise a serious amount of money for and Macmillan Cancer Support is a fantastic choice that is close to so many people’s hearts as cancer is something that sadly affects too many of us and our families.”

Adding, “We set ourselves an impressive target of raising £15,000 for Macmillan which we’re so incredibly close to achieving. By raising over £13,500 already, we’re proud that this money could pay for a Macmillan nurse for over two months which would help people living with cancer and their families receive essential medical, practical and emotional support. We’re grateful for every single donation so far, kind comments and messages of support, from our colleagues, friends and family and business partners.” 

Established as a Mazda dealership since 2010, Western and Barnetts Mazda are part of the Eastern Western Motor Group, founded in 1927, which is one of Scotland’s largest privately-owned dealer groups.

To donate or for more information on Western and Barnetts Mazda’s Macmillan walk, visit the Just Giving page here. Alternatively, call Western Mazda on 0131 313 0500 or visit the Luxury Car Village dealership near Edinburgh. You can contact Barnetts Mazda on 01382 665 506 or visit the dealership on Riverside Drive, Dundee.

Drum Property Group starts construction at Stead’s Place

Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Management to Forward Fund First Phase of 110 Build-to-Rent Apartments

Drum Property Group’s ambitious vision for the long-awaited redevelopment of a key site on Leith Walk, Edinburgh, is now to be realised with on-site construction starting in July 2022. 

Drum’s proposals for Stead’s Place, near the foot of Leith Walk, were approved by the City of Edinburgh Council in 2021 heralding a major regeneration of the 2.9-acre site and bringing much-needed investment to this important part of the city. 

The Stead’s Place site has been earmarked for development by the Council since 2008 and consisted largely of an aged industrial estate and office space, together with a two-storey red sandstone building facing directly on to Leith Walk. 

With refurbishment of the red sandstone building nearing completion, Drum has cleared the Stead’s Place site to the rear and, in the first phase of construction, will build 110 high-quality build-to-rent apartments for Edmond de Rothschild Real Estate Investment Management (REIM), who have agreed to forward-fund the development.

The apartments will be completed by spring 2024. The Stead’s Place apartments represent the second Scottish investment for the firm, having forward funded a build-to-rent development of 114 apartments in Finnieston, at Drum’s G3 Square development in December 2021. 

Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director of Drum said: “The start of construction of the new apartments represents another significant step forward in the long-awaited regeneration of the Stead’s Place site. 

“Once completed, the apartments will be a huge boost to the area and to local businesses, bringing life and access to what has been an inhospitable site, and delivering much-needed homes for local people.” 

The Edmond de Rothschild Residential Investment Fund UK, which invests in the private rented sector (PRS) on behalf of European institutional investors, was launched in August 2018 and to date has raised equity commitments of £320m. 

Charlie Miller, co-head of residential in the UK and director of residential transactions at Edmond de Rothschild REIM, said: “Stead’s Place is an excellent opportunity to establish the fund’s first development in Edinburgh and second in Scotland. 

“We will provide high-quality rental accommodation at affordable levels in line with the strategy for the fund. Edinburgh is the sixth most competitive financial centre in Europe, second in the UK behind London and has six universities, a diverse economy and a thriving tourist market – all contributing to exceptionally strong demand for homes to rent”. 

The final phase of construction at Stead’s Place will start at the end of the year, and will comprise of 38 affordable homes, owned and operated by registered social landlord, Hillcrest Homes, completing the attractive landscaped residential scheme linking Leith Walk to Pilrig Park and beyond.  

David Milton, Development Manager at Hillcrest Homes said, “Stead’s Place provides the opportunity to deliver 23 new social-rented homes and 15 mid-rented homes, all of which will be allocated to those in housing need.  

“The Social Rented homes will deliver a good mix of one, two and three bed apartments and we are particularly pleased to be delivering family sized homes in this location.

“There is a continuing unmet demand for affordable homes across Edinburgh and this development will help meet this demand and provide high quality, energy efficient new homes to those who need them the most.” 

The start of construction is the culmination of five years of research, planning and local community engagement by Drum since the company first purchased the site in 2017.  For more information about Drum Property Group’s redevelopment of the Stead’s Place site, visit www.steads-place.com

Get set for Gadgeteers: join the Summer Reading Challenge 2002

Get ready for Gadgeteers, arriving online and in your local library this summer.

Science is all around you! What do you love doing? Are you a brilliant baker? Or a mega music fan? Are you the tech wizard amongst your friends? Join the Gadgeteers for the Summer Reading Challenge to discover the amazing science and innovation behind the world around you, including some of your favourite things!

Curious? Perfect! Your imagination can unlock endless possibilities… We’re teaming up with Science Museum Group for a very special science-themed Challenge that will inspire you to use your imagination and creativity!

Gadgeteers will feature amazing books, awesome rewards, and plenty of ideas for cool experiments and activities to discover the science all around you. The Challenge will be brought to life by top children’s writer and illustrator Julian Beresford.

Are you excited to join the #Gadgeteers this summer? Keep an eye on our blog for all the latest Summer Reading Challenge news!

Land reform consultation launched

Consultation on new legislation launched  

‘Transformative changes’ are being proposed to the way Scotland’s land is used and managed in order to ensure greater benefit to communities and the environment.

The Scottish Government is seeking views on ambitious proposals for its new Land Reform Bill, which will be introduced by the end of 2023.

The Bill aims to address long-standing concerns about the highly concentrated pattern of land ownership in rural areas of Scotland.

Proposed measures include:

  • The introduction of a public interest test for transfers of large-scale landholdings
  • A requirement on owners of large-scale holdings to give prior notice to community bodies of their intention to sell
  • A requirement on those seeking land-based subsidies to have the land registered in the Land Register, to ensure transparency around who benefits from public funding

In addition, the consultation asks questions about how to ensure communities benefit from future investment in Scotland’s natural capital, and that there is greater transparency around land and asset ownership.

Environment and Land Reform Minister Mairi McAllan visited The Ecology Centre in Kinghorn, Fife, to formally launch the consultation.

The centre is a community-led charity that has been supported with grant funding from the Scottish Land Fund.

Ms McAllan said: “Land reform is a pervasive issue in Scotland. We have a strong record of progressive and innovative land reform – but this journey is not complete. We must continue to develop and implement land reform that addresses historical inequalities and at the same time, we must rise to changing social, environmental and economic issues in contemporary Scotland.

“I recognise, and am fully committed to tackling, the adverse effects of scale and concentration of landownership – and empowering communities in the process.

“I am also clear that while investment in Scotland’s natural capital is vital to tackle the climate and nature emergencies, we must ensure that our people and communities are not disadvantaged and indeed can benefit.

“Finally, we must continue to improve transparency of ownership of land in Scotland. That’s why this summer we will be consulting on a wide range of transformative proposals – including our aim to ensure that the public interest is considered on transfers of particularly large-scale landholdings.

“The new Bill will be a significant step forward in ensuring our land is owned diversely and is used in the public interest and to the benefit of the people of Scotland.

“This is the next step on Scotland’s land reform journey as we continue the work to pass more power to people and local communities, encourage and support responsible and diverse landownership and ensure communities have a say in how land in is used.”

Chair of Community Land Scotland Ailsa Raeburn said: “Community Land Scotland warmly welcome the launch of the Consultation on the forthcoming Land Reform Bill.  It is becoming ever clearer that who owns and controls land, is incredibly important in building a fairer greener Scotland.

“We very much hope the new Bill encompasses a range of measures that effectively tackles the endemic issues of scale and concentration of land ownership and the adverse effects this has on local communities.  The Bill is a great opportunity to ensure Scotland’s land is owned and used fairly and that as many people as possible can benefit from it.”

Chair of the Scottish Land Commission Andrew Thin said: “The ways land is owned and used is central to tackling the climate emergency, contributing to a successful economy and supporting communities.

“It is great to see the Government launch the consultation of the upcoming Land Reform Bill which includes a range of potential measures to ensure that the benefit of land is shared by all.

“The Scottish Land Commission has been working over the last five years to provide a robust evidence base for our recommendations on making land work better in the public interest, highlighting the opportunity land reform can bring to Scotland and its people.

“I would encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and help to shape the next step in Scotland’s land reform journey.”

Link to consultation

New package of support to help over 50s jobseekers back into work

The UK Government has announced millions of pounds of new measures to tackle unemployment amongst the over 50s on benefits.

  • New measures set to help quarter of all jobseekers get back into work
  • Multi-million package will increase jobcentre support for over 50s including those thinking about retirement
  • Long term unemployed will be referred to the multi-billion-pound Restart Scheme which is already supporting a quarter of a million back into work

The new support follows ministers meeting their target to get half a million people into work in under six months, as part of the Way to Work jobs push launched in January.

Keeping up the momentum, £22 million will be invested in new measures to tackle unemployment amongst the over 50s on benefits, as a stable income is the best route for people to support themselves through challenging times.

Jobseekers over the age of 50 will have more one-to-one support at jobcentres to help them get into, and progress in work, boosting their earnings ahead of retirement.

This increased support will be boosted by 37 50PLUS Champions covering every district across England, Wales and Scotland who will work with local employers to help them realise how their recruitment could benefit from the talent of older workers.

Mid-life MOTs will also be available in jobcentres, targeting those thinking about retirement and engaging them to take stock of their skills and finances, and consider taking jobs that could boost their incomes based on their skills experience.

Minister for Employment, Mims Davies MP said: “Older workers are a huge asset to this country, and there are currently more than 400,000 over 50s in roles than before the pandemic.

“We’re increasing funding and support at every step of their journey up the career ladder, to ensure everyone gets the support they need to get into work, progress and use their experience to boost their earnings and plan for a better future.

“Helping people find the security of a stable income, through a job they can take pride in, is also one of the best ways for people to support their families during these challenging times.”

Carole Easton, Chief Executive at the Centre for Ageing Better, said: “Seeing DWP continue to recognise the importance of a bespoke approach to older workers is really welcome.

“We know that older workers face unique challenges, such as ageism in the workplace and a possible gap in skills compared to some of their younger counterparts, so we will gladly support any tailored action that begins chip away at these significant roadblocks standing in the way of older people accessing fulfilling work.”

Research shows that people over 50 are more likely to have caring responsibilities, with 12% of men and 16% of women aged 55-64 providing informal care and increased support from Work Coaches will help them navigate these barriers.

With the economy back on its feet, and the demand for experienced staff, the advice will help older workers make the right choice for them. And for those who have been out of work for nine months, the government’s Restart Scheme will provide a year of intensive support to get them back on the career ladder.

One year since its launch, the Restart Scheme is already seeing the first jobseekers take up work and leave the scheme and is currently supporting a quarter of a million people get the skills they need to re-enter the workforce.

This is part of the government’s renewed focus on growing the economy and helping people find work and boost their earnings.

Scottish Government’s National Care Service plans will not work: COSLA

The Scottish Government’s plans for a National Care Service as they currently stand will not work for service users or communities, COSLA said yesterday.

COSLA also warned that, as the Bill stands, it would have a significant impact on councils’ ability to deliver not only social care services but other critical councils services that our communities rely on.

In a meeting of Council Leaders yesterday there was unanimous and cross-party concern that the National Care Service (Scotland) Bill as published will see decisions around locally delivered social care services moved from communities to Scottish Government Ministers in Edinburgh.

The powers set out in the Bill would potentially lead to the transfer of 75,000 local government employees from local authorities to care boards.

It was the strong view of Leaders that local authority services, staff and resources should remain the responsibility of locally elected members, a view that has been echoed by all the main Local Government trade unions.

COSLA Leaders also fear that the transfer of public protection duties from local authorities risks losing local expertise and knowledge, with implications for safety within our communities.

COSLA, which represents every council in Scotland, has also cautioned that the Scottish Government’s National Care Service Bill will create significant uncertainty and further division for the Local Government workforce, at a time when there are already significant recruitment and retention challenges.

Councillor Paul Kelly COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson said: ““All Council Leaders were in agreement that as it stands, the National Care Service Bill with the power to transfer local authority functions, staff, property and liabilities to a National Care Service, poses a serious risk to councils’ ability to deliver a wide range of services for communities including non-social work and care services.

Leaders were very clear that this approach would result in destabilising the Local Government workforce and potentially impacting on the sustainability of some councils to carry out their functions and responsibilities.

COSLA is committed to the change, improvement and investment needed in our social care system and will continue to work with the Scottish Government and partners to better the experiences of both those using and delivering social care services now and in the near future and not wait until a National Care Service is in place.

COSLA will seek further engagement with the Scottish Government in an attempt to ensure that there is no disruption to local services by ensuring that local authority staff remain in local authorities.”

Lifelong support for Thalidomide survivors in Scotland

Thalidomide survivors will now receive lifetime funding from the Scottish Government.

The measure extends the previous 2013 agreement which granted survivors £14.2 million over ten years to help meet their health and living costs.

There are currently 50 known survivors of the drug in Scotland, most of whom are now in their 60s, and grants will be allocated on a needs-basis, as assessed by the Thalidomide Trust.

Thalidomide was prescribed to expectant mothers between 1958 and 1961 to relieve morning sickness and insomnia  but was withdrawn after thousands of babies were born worldwide with disabilities, including limb damage, sensory impairment and internal damage.

Mr Yousaf said: “This funding is used to give thalidomide survivors as much assistance as they need to maintain their independence. It has been a vital support in helping people adapt their homes and manage their pain.

“I hope this lifelong commitment to continue this support will reassure recipients and help them deal with any challenges they face.”

Jean, 61, was born with damage to all four of her limbs as a result of thalidomide. She said: “This is such great news. The Health Grant from the Scottish Government has really helped me over the years – my kitchen, for example, is now completely accessible from my wheelchair and I have been able to build a little gym in the garden which has helped me so much in terms of my physical strength, fitness and my mental health.

“Due to thalidomide, I live with chronic pain and if I don’t move around my body would stiffen and seize up. The grant also allows me to pay for a personal trainer who understands my disabilities and can keep me fit and flexible, without causing further damage. 

“Knowing this funding is going to continue indefinitely has given me, and many other Thalidomiders living in Scotland, such peace of mind.”

Deborah Jack, Executive Director of the Thalidomide Trust added: “This is fantastic and very welcome news. Sadly, as our beneficiaries age they are experiencing multiple health problems, in addition to their original thalidomide damage, and the costs of meeting their complex needs are significant. Many of them have been really anxious about the prospect of this much-needed funding coming to an end.

“We are really pleased that the Scottish government has recognised this by committing to lifetime financial support and also agreeing to review the level of funding regularly to ensure it is meeting their changing needs.”