Pick up your free garden tree this week at Inverleith Park!
We will be there from 12pm-3pm on Friday and 10am-2pm on Saturday giving away free trees for Edinburgh residents.
Just drop-in and get your free tree while stocks last!
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS TODAY
Across the UK, through the depths of winter and the Cost of Living Crisis, a movement has been born (writes DAVID BARCLAY).
It’s a quintessentially British kind of movement, powered by an army of volunteers, endless cups of tea and ordinary conversations. As millions of people in the sixth richest country in the world have found themselves unable to heat their own homes, thousands upon thousands of designated ‘Warm Welcome Spaces’ have emerged. And together they are changing the social landscape of our country.
The Warm Welcome campaign began last summer when senior faith leaders met with former prime minister Gordon Brown to discuss the growing Cost of Living Crisis and the increasingly dire outlook for low income households. In what was almost a throwaway comment, Gordon Brown mentioned that he’d heard of plans for ‘train station waiting room-style heated spaces’ for those unable to pay their energy bills. The room went quiet as the impact of that mental image sunk in. Every person left the meeting determined that something better had to be created.
Through conversations in the following days and weeks the concept of a ‘Warm Welcome Space’ emerged – somewhere that was free to enter, safe, warm and welcoming. Instead of being prescriptive beyond these basic elements, we decided to trust that local groups knew best what people in their community might need. We build a website, held an online launch event, and then watched in awe as first hundreds and then thousands of groups of every shape and size signed up and got involved – churches, mosques, gurdwaras, libraries, schools, community cafes and many many more.
For a significant number of these organisations, Warm Welcome has provided a brand and a banner under which to grow and expand their existing activities – extending hours, running new sessions, reaching new parts of the community.
For others it has been a catalyst to try something new – film nights, homework clubs, community meals. The collective impact of these Spaces has been enormous. One woman told the BBC that before she found her local Warm Welcome venue, the only way she could keep warm at home was by staying in bed all day.
Spaces are described by many who use them as a ‘lifeline’. But as well as providing a place of refuge for the cold and hungry, Warm Welcome Spaces have been hubs of community, helping people make connections and build friendships. In doing so they are creating the longer-term social support networks that can sustain people all-year round. They are also often providing the space for intergenerational contact and connection that is increasingly hard to find elsewhere.
For many of the Warm Welcome Spaces, the experience has been transformational for their own organisation too. Libraries have reinvented themselves as community hubs, attracting families and young people like never before and demonstrating beyond doubt their immense value to the social fabric of their place.
Many churches now have more people attending their Warm Welcome provision than coming along to their Sunday services, inspiring them to reimagine who they exist to serve and how.
The long-term prospects for Warm Welcome now are fascinating. As well as providing a unifying banner for Warm Spaces, the campaign has raised almost £300k to give out in £1000 microgrants targeted at Spaces in areas of highest deprivation. In doing this, it has created a unique vehicle for funders who want to invest in hyper-local leadership and resilience but at a significant scale.
The Government’s promise to develop a strategy for community spaces and relationships as part of its Levelling Up programme surely can’t fail to focus on what could be done with this now 7000-strong network which is supporting hundreds of thousands of people each week.
And imagine what a programme of work on energy efficiency for Warm Welcome buildings could do, creating huge environmental benefits on our national race to Net Zero whilst boosting the financial resilience of crucial local assets.
There are also the first signs of Warm Welcome providing a catalyst for systemic change. In Birmingham, Warm Welcome Spaces found a number of people were struggling with issues of damp and mould in their homes. So, they organised themselves to work with the Council, ensuring that all Spaces have access to a senior Council Director who can fast-track cases for a response.
This kind of organising for change is creating a blueprint for other Spaces to work together to listen to and act on the issues facing local people, ensuring that Warm Welcome can go beyond just a short-term practical response to our deep systemic challenges.
The campaign will change gears at the end of this winter, signposting those who want to carry on running activities to other sources of support. But with the Cost of Living Crisis not showing any signs of abating, preparations will begin immediately for a Warm Welcome campaign that is bigger and better next Winter, nurturing a movement which feels like it is just getting started.
The outlook for Britain may be bleak in many ways, but Warm Welcome shows that we still have plenty to be hopeful about. When faced with crisis and despair, the community response to the Cost of Living Crisis has been nothing short of heroic. Now it’s up to the rest of society to follow where local people are leading.
David Barclay is a Partner at Good Faith Partnership, which exists to connect leaders from faith, politics, business and charity on issues of common concern.
He has previously worked as community organiser at the Centre for Theology and Community on the Just Money campaign and founded the Buxton Leadership Programme. He was also previously President of the Oxford Student’s Union.
Energy regulator Ofgem has announced its quarterly update to the energy price cap for the period 1 April – 30 June 2023.
From 1 April the energy price cap will be set at an annual level of £3,280 for a dual fuel household paying by direct debit based on typical consumption, a reduction of almost £1,000 from the current level, of £4,279 which reflects recent falls in wholesale energy prices.
The £3,280 figure indicates how much consumers on their energy suppliers’ basic tariff would pay if the government’s Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) were not in place.
From 1 April, the government has set the EPG at £3,000 for the typical bill – meaning that consumers will not pay the full level of the energy price cap.
This reduction in the price cap level reflects a significant reduction in the cost of buying and providing energy for customers. If it continues, it will mean that by the summer, prices paid by consumers will drop for the first time since the global gas crisis took hold more than 18 months ago.
The energy price cap was introduced by the government and has been in place since January 2019, and Ofgem is required to regularly review the level at which it is set. It ensures that an energy supplier can recoup its efficient costs while making sure customers do not pay a higher amount for their energy than they should. The price cap, as set out in law, does this by setting a maximum that suppliers can charge per unit of energy.
Ofgem CEO Jonathan Brearley said: “Although wholesale prices have fallen, the price cap has not yet fallen below the planned level of the Energy Price Guarantee. This means, that on current policy, bills will rise again in April. I know that, for many households this news will be deeply concerning.
“However, today’s announcement reflects the fundamental shift in the cost of wholesale energy for the first time since the gas crisis began, and while it won’t make an immediate difference to consumers, it’s a sign that some of the immense pressure we’ve seen in the energy markets over the last 18 months may be starting to ease. If the reduction in wholesale prices we’re currently seeing continues, the signs are positive that the price cap will fall again in the summer, potentially bringing bills significantly lower.
“However, prices are unlikely to fall back to the level we saw before the energy crisis. Even with the extensive package of government support that is currently in place, this is a very tough time for many households across Britain.
“Where people are struggling, we urge them to contact their supplier to make sure they are getting all the help and support they are entitled to. We also think that, with bills continuing to be so high, there is a case for examining with urgency the feasibility of a social tariff for customers in the most vulnerable situations.
Ofgem has robust rules in place to help people in vulnerable situations, and suppliers are obliged to offer payment plans and direct customers to available support.
Bill-payers will continue to receive additional support via the EPG until the end of March 2024, as confirmed by the Chancellor on Thursday 17 November 2022. The level of this support is set by Government.
There is no immediate action for consumers to take as a result of today’s announcement.
Ofgem continues to protect consumers through its ongoing robust regulation of the market, taking enforcement action where necessary and providing support to those who need it the most.
The next quarterly price cap update will be on 26 May 2023.
Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary, stated: “The energy price cap might have fallen today but the callous decisions of the UK Government means most people will be facing higher energy bills from April 1st. Thousands of people are being pushed into poverty and face choosing between a hot meal or a warm home.
“There is no justification for continuing to ask people across the UK to pay the price for energy companies billions of profit. We need to take back control of our energy system, tax these companies properly, and end the outrageous injustice of rising energy bills.”
New data published today by Childline reveals that the service is contacted 15 times a day on average by children across the UK who are struggling with loneliness – often a catalyst for mental health problems.
Between April 2021 and March 2022, the counselling service run by the NSPCC delivered 5,564 counselling sessions with children across the UK on this issue.
With the support of retailer Lidl GB – which has fundraised for Childline since 2020 – the charity has launched a campaign this week called ‘Day in the Lonely’ to let children struggling with loneliness know that these feelings do not need to last.
Amidst the long-lasting consequences of COVID-19 and the drastic increase in the cost of living, the charity is encouraging young people – with the support of their parents – to speak about their mental health issues early on, so it does not escalate to crisis point.
The charity’s concern comes as it finds a 71% increase in calls from under 11s seeking support for loneliness compared to 2017/2018 figures.
Recently, a Childline counsellor was told by a 10-year-old girl: “I am so lonely as I have no friends at school anymore. I often cry myself to sleep at night…so I called Childline. I have not told my parents how I am feeling because I don’t think they will take it seriously.”
A Childline counsellor was told by a 17-year-old girl from Scotland: “I have been feeling extremely lonely recently as I feel like all of my friends secretly hate me and don’t want me around no matter how many times they tell me they do like me. This has been something that is making me quite sad and I feel like I don’t have anyone to talk to, so I was just wondering if you have any advice for dealing with this?”
‘Day In the Lonely’
The ‘Day in the Lonely’ campaign includes three videos showing a day in the life of three young people and the different ways they experience loneliness, all of them based on real Childline calls.
One of the videos features Rob – who is feeling lonely and misunderstood despite having lots of people around him – being in a football team and regularly socialising.
Childline insight
Childline’s trained counsellors hear from lonely children who feel that way due to being left out of friendship groups and social media chats, whereas others say their loneliness stems from feeling negatively about themselves or feeling like their friends or family don’t understand them.
Young people told Childline that the national lockdown, due to the coronavirus pandemic, compounded feelings of loneliness
Counselling sessions on loneliness peaked during the pandemic in April 2020 to March 2021 when the service remained a frontline service supporting more than 6,000 young people who were grappling with this issue whilst spending an increased amount of time at home.
Since moving out of the pandemic, although the service has seen a slight drop in counselling sessions on this issue, the number of children needing support remains high.
Adeniyi Alade, Childline Service Head, based in Aberdeen, said: “Sadly a high number of children and young people contact us because they are experiencing loneliness. At Childline, we know that this can have a profound impact on a child’s mental wellbeing and mental health.
“Many children tell us they feel alone, low and depressed, and that’s why we are encouraging children to talk to a trusted adult such as a parent, teacher or Childline counsellor so they can get the help they need quickly.
“There are many reasons why young people might feel lonely, but these feelings don’t have to last forever and getting support early can help to prevent the situation from getting worse.”
Mark Newbold, Lidl GB Senior CSR Manager, said: “It’s heartbreaking to see young people struggle with loneliness, and that is why at Lidl we are proud to have funded the NSPCC’s ‘Day in the Lonely’ campaign.
“We are committed to raising funds that mean more youngsters in need of emotional support can get the help they require as fast as possible.”
Children and young people can contact Childline for free, confidential support and advice 24 hours a day online at www.childline.org.uk or on the phone on 0800 1111
This is a reminder for the Forth and Inverleith VSF:
Time: Feb 28, 2023 – 1:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87259379450?pwd=TVI0V2g1cjhZTjF0c04weldBMjk5UT09
Meeting ID: 872 5937 9450
Passcode: 543688
Agenda:
Kind regards,
Kate Barrett
Senior Development Officer – Community Planning
A new way forward for a prosperous, stable future for Northern Ireland has been set out, rewriting the Treaty to fix the practical problems for the people and businesses of Northern Ireland, protects Northern Ireland’s place within our Union, and restores the balance of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement in all its dimensions.
The Windsor Framework, agreed by the Prime Minister and European Commission President yesterday, replaces the old Northern Ireland Protocol, dealing with the issues it has created and providing a new legal and UK constitutional framework.
It delivers free-flowing trade in goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland by removing any sense of the border in the Irish Sea for goods staying within the UK. These goods will travel as normal through a new green lane without red tape or unnecessary checks, with the only checks remaining designed to prevent smuggling or crime.
It protects Northern Ireland’s place in our Union, replacing swathes of EU laws with UK laws and ensuring the people of Northern Ireland can benefit from the same tax policies, food and drink, medicines, and parcels as the rest of the UK.
It puts the people of Northern Ireland in charge with active democratic consent. The Agreement rewrites the Treaty text with a new Stormont Brake that means the UK can veto new EU goods laws if they are not supported by both communities in Northern Ireland, which goes far beyond previous agreements or discussions on the old Protocol.
At Monday’s press conference, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Today’s agreement is written in the language of laws and treaties. But really, it’s about much more than that.
“It’s about stability in Northern Ireland. It’s about real people and real businesses. It’s about showing that our Union, that has lasted for centuries, can and will endure.
“And it’s about breaking down the barriers between us. Setting aside the arguments that have for too long, divided us. And remembering the fellow feeling that defines us: This family of nations – this United Kingdom.”
The Windsor Framework delivers free-flowing movement of goods between Northern Ireland and Great Britain and removes any sense of a border in the Irish Sea within the UK:
The Windsor Framework protects Northern Ireland’s place in the Union:
The Windsor Framework safeguards sovereignty and fixes the democratic deficit by putting the people of Northern Ireland in charge:
The agreement concludes months of intensive discussions between the UK and EU to address real world issues and needs of the people of Northern Ireland.
Providing reassurance for the future, the UK and EU have agreed to work together to anticipate and deal with any other issues that may emerge and have made a joint declaration to resolve issues through dialogue, rather than formal dispute proceedings.
Alongside ‘The Windsor Framework: a new way forward’, the Government has published the full range of legal texts that underpin the Windsor Framework. These solutions put arrangements in Northern Ireland on an entirely new footing, with far-reaching changes to the old Protocol to provide lasting certainty and stability for citizens and businesses in Northern Ireland.
To give businesses and individuals time to prepare, the implementation of the agreement will be phased in, with some of the new arrangements for goods, agrifood, pets and plant movements introduced later this year and the remainder in 2024. In the meantime, the current temporary standstill arrangements will continue to apply.
The UK Government will no longer proceed with the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill, as the UK and EU have come to a negotiated agreement. Similarly, the agreement will mean the EU withdrawing all of the legal actions it has launched against the UK.
Good afternoon.
All our thoughts are with Detective Chief Inspector John Caldwell and his family after last week’s abhorrent shooting in Omagh.
A man of extraordinary courage, his first thought was to protect the children he had been coaching.
President Von der Leyen and I stand united with the people and leaders of all communities across Northern Ireland.
Those trying to drag us back to the past will never succeed.
This afternoon, I welcomed President Von der Leyen to Windsor to continue our discussions about the Northern Ireland Protocol.
I’m pleased to report that we have now made a decisive breakthrough.
Together, we have changed the original Protocol and are today announcing the new Windsor Framework.
Today’s agreement:
These negotiations have not always been easy, but I’d like to pay an enormous personal tribute to Ursula for her vision in recognising the possibility of a new way forward.
And to my colleagues the Foreign and Northern Ireland Secretaries for their steadfast leadership.
The United Kingdom and the European Union may have had our differences in the past, but we are allies, trading partners, and friends … something that we’ve seen clearly in the past year as we joined with others, to support Ukraine.
This is the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship.
For a quarter of a century the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement has endured because at its heart is respect for the aspirations and identities of all communities.
Today’s agreement is about preserving that delicate balance and charting a new way forward for the people of Northern Ireland.
I am standing here today because I believe that we have found ways to end the uncertainty and challenge for the people of Northern Ireland.
We have taken three big steps forward.
First, today’s agreement delivers the smooth flow of trade within the United Kingdom.
Goods destined for Northern Ireland will travel through a new Green Lane, with a separate Red Lane for goods at risk of moving onto the EU.
In the Green Lane, burdensome customs bureaucracy will be scrapped.
It means food retailers like supermarkets, restaurants and wholesalers will no longer need hundreds of certificates for every lorry.
And we will end the situation where food made to UK rules could not be sent to and sold in Northern Ireland.
This means that if food is available on the supermarket shelves in Great Britain … then it will be available on supermarket shelves in Northern Ireland.
And unlike the Protocol, today’s agreement means people sending parcels to friends and family or doing their shopping online, will have to complete no customs paperwork.
This means we have removed any sense of a border in the Irish Sea.
Second, we have protected Northern Ireland’s place in the Union.
We’ve amended the legal text of the Protocol to ensure we can make critical VAT and excise changes for the whole of the UK…
…for example on alcohol duty, meaning our reforms to cut the cost of a pint in the pub will now apply in Northern Ireland.
The same quintessentially British products like trees, plants, and seed potatoes – will again be available in Northern Ireland’s garden centres.
Onerous requirements on pet travel have been removed.
And today’s agreement also delivers a landmark settlement on medicines.
From now on, drugs approved for use by the UK’s medicines regulator… will be automatically available in every pharmacy and hospital in Northern Ireland.
Third, today’s agreement safeguards sovereignty for the people of Northern Ireland.
The only EU law that applies in Northern Ireland under the Framework … is the minimum necessary to avoid a hard border with Ireland and allow Northern Irish businesses to continue accessing the EU market.
But I know that many people in Northern Ireland are also worried about being subject to changes to EU goods laws.
To address that, today’s agreement introduces a new Stormont Brake.
Many had called for Stormont to have a say over these laws.
But the Stormont Brake goes further and means that Stormont can in fact stop them from applying in Northern Ireland.
This will establish a clear process through which the democratically elected Assembly can pull an emergency brake … for changes to EU goods rules that would have significant, and lasting effects on everyday lives. If the brake is pulled, the UK government will have a veto.
This gives the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland a powerful new safeguard, based on cross community consent.
I believe the Windsor Framework marks a turning point for the people of Northern Ireland.
It fixes the practical problems they face.
It preserves the balance of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.
Of course, parties will want to consider the agreement in detail, a process that will need time and care.
Today’s agreement is written in the language of laws and treaties.
But really, it’s about much more than that.
It’s about stability in Northern Ireland.
It’s about real people and real businesses.
It’s about showing that our Union, that has lasted for centuries, can and will endure.
And it’s about breaking down the barriers between us.
Setting aside the arguments that for too long, have divided us.
And remembering the fellow feeling that defines us: This family of nations – this United Kingdom.
The reasons for rejecting the most recent offer are available here.
The EIS recently announced an escalation of its action to include targeted strike action in schools within the constituencies of the First Minister, Deputy First Minster, Cabinet Secretary for Education, and COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Katie Hagmann.
As the Scottish Green Party is a party of the Scottish Government, part of its Education Spokesperson’s (Ross Greer) regional constituency has also been targeted – the part of Clydebank and Milngavie constituency that lies within the East Dunbartonshire Council area.
There will be two days of national strike action for all members on Tuesday 28th February and Wednesday 1 March and a further 20 days of rolling strike action between 13 March and 21 April 2023.
| Date | Local Associations |
| Tuesday 28th February | All Local Associations |
| Wednesday 1st March | All Local Associations |
| Date | Constituencies |
| 7th – 9th March | Glasgow Southside, Dunfermline, Perthshire North, the part of Clydebank and Milngavie constituency that lies within the East Dunbartonshire Council area and Mid Galloway & Wigtown West |
| Local Association | Strike Date – All Schools | Strike Date – Primary | Strike Date – Secondary |
| Aberdeen City | 27-Mar-23 | 24-Mar-23 | 28-Mar-23 |
| Aberdeenshire | 23-Mar-23 | 22-Mar-23 | 24-Mar-23 |
| Angus | 14-Mar-23 | 15-Mar-23 | 13-Mar-23 |
| Argyll and Bute | 20-Mar-23 | 17-Mar-23 | 21-Mar-23 |
| Clackmannanshire | 27-Mar-23 | 24-Mar-23 | 28-Mar-23 |
| Dumfries and Galloway | 30-Mar-23 | 29-Mar-23 | 31-Mar-23 |
| Dundee | 20-Mar-23 | 17-Mar-23 | 21-Mar-23 |
| East Ayrshire | 15-Mar-23 | 16-Mar-23 | 14-Mar-23 |
| East Dunbartonshire | 19-Apr-23 | 18-Apr-23 | 20-Apr-23 |
| East Lothian | 17-Mar-23 | 15-Mar-23 | 16-Mar-23 |
| East Renfrewshire | 30-Mar-23 | 29-Mar-23 | 31-Mar-23 |
| Edinburgh | 17-Mar-23 | 16-Mar-23 | 20-Mar-23 |
| Falkirk | 21-Mar-23 | 20-Mar-23 | 22-Mar-23 |
| Fife | 17-Apr-23 | 19-Apr-23 | 18-Apr-23 |
| Glasgow | 20-Apr-23 | 21-Apr-23 | 19-Apr-23 |
| Highland | 15-Mar-23 | 16-Mar-23 | 14-Mar-23 |
| Inverclyde | 19-Apr-23 | 18-Apr-23 | 20-Apr-23 |
| Midlothian | 28-Mar-23 | 27-Mar-23 | 29-Mar-23 |
| Moray | 18-Apr-23 | 17-Apr-23 | 19-Apr-23 |
| North Ayrshire | 16-Mar-23 | 15-Mar-23 | 17-Mar-23 |
| North Lanarkshire | 28-Mar-23 | 27-Mar-23 | 29-Mar-23 |
| Orkney | 22-Mar-23 | 21-Mar-23 | 23-Mar-23 |
| Perth and Kinross | 20-Apr-23 | 21-Apr-23 | 19-Apr-23 |
| Renfrewshire | 21-Mar-23 | 20-Mar-23 | 22-Mar-23 |
| Shetland | 24-Mar-23 | 23-Mar-23 | 27-Mar-23 |
| South Ayrshire | 17-Mar-23 | 20-Mar-23 | 16-Mar-23 |
| South Lanarkshire | 29-Mar-23 | 28-Mar-23 | 30-Mar-23 |
| Stirling | 23-Mar-23 | 22-Mar-23 | 24-Mar-23 |
| The Scottish Borders | 22-Mar-23 | 21-Mar-23 | 23-Mar-23 |
| West Dunbartonshire | 14-Mar-23 | 13-Mar-23 | 15-Mar-23 |
| West Lothian | 24-Mar-23 | 23-Mar-23 | 27-Mar-23 |
| Western Isles | 29-Mar-23 | 28-Mar-23 | 30-Mar-23 |
Families caring for young disabled adults at home are being offered help by a forward-thinking national charity to improve quality of life.
Faced with three times higher costs to bring up disabled children, the continuing cost-of-living crisis is placing families in financial jeopardy. It is therefore even harder to afford the things that improve their disabled young adult’s day-to-day living.
National charity Family Fund is now urging families with a disabled 18-24 year-old living at home to apply for wide-ranging grants through its Your Opportunity scheme.
Set up four years ago, to help young disabled adults lead more fulfilling lives and realise ambitions – the scheme offers grants to support the transition to adulthood and includes technology, training and leisure activities.
Your Opportunity has supported over 1,200 families across the UK in the last 12 months and immediate funds are now available to help many more.
Family Fund is the UK’s largest grant-making charity for families living on a low income, raising disabled and seriously ill children and young people. Last year, it provided over 170,919 grants and services worth over £37 million to families across the UK.
The charity’s latest research, based on polls with the families it supports, shows that over four out of five families (82%) say they cannot replace worn out furniture and nearly four out of five (78%) say they cannot afford to repair or replace major electrical goods such as cookers, fridges or washing machines.
For nearly half of families with disabled children and young people, paying for a beneficial activity or hobby for their disabled child is out of the question.
Cheryl Ward, Family Fund’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “We continue to see families with disabled or seriously ill children and young people increasingly struggling to afford the most basic household essentials like food and heating as costs rise and many face mounting debts.
“This means there is very little room for the extras which improve a young person’s quality of life- yet when a child reaches 18, they lose an average of 57% of the support and benefits they had before they reached adulthood.
“Raising a disabled or seriously ill child is three times more expensive than raising other children and this financial cliff-edge at 18 can be very tough for parents and carers of young adults. With the cost of living continuing to increase, we’re urging families to apply to us for grants as soon as possible, through our Your Opportunity scheme.”
Your Opportunity grants include:
The Your Opportunity scheme was initially set up in 2019 by Family Fund, with funding from Edward Gostling Foundation, Pears Foundation and funding raised by Family Fund.
Cheryl Ward added: “We are extremely grateful to The Edward Gostling Foundation and Pears Foundation for recognising the need to support our work in improving the lives of young people across the UK.”
Families are eligible to apply if the young person lives at home with their parent or main carer.
Families interested in making an application for a young person should go to:
Your Opportunity: Help for 18-24 year-olds | Family Fund
George, 22, has Down’s Syndrome and autism. He lives in Derbyshire with mum, Jemma, step-father Shaun and brother Charlie, 19, has breathing problems and requires an oxygen machine when asleep.
Jemma said: “The cost-of-living crisis has impacted our lives hugely. I worry about it a lot because when you have a child, like George, who requires the use of an oxygen machine overnight, your bills are horrendous.
“After George turned 18, a lot of the support finished but life didn’t get any easier. Our lives didn’t change, and we still need support.
“I’ve always been frugal with things but it’s getting to a point where I think I literally can’t cut back anymore. I shop in the cheaper supermarkets and buy the reduced items. I do everything that I can but it comes to a point where there’s nothing more that you can do. We don’t ever eat out or have takeaways.
“We’ve not been on holiday, or go on day trips. Also, because I’m a carer, I can’t even do more hours at work because I don’t have anyone else to look after George. Everything is going up but we don’t have any more money.
“The biggest worry for me is the cost of electricity and running George’s oxygen machine. I genuinely have no idea if I’m going to be able to run that at Christmas. If the cost goes up even more then I probably won’t be able to.
“Furthermore, the cost of fuel is huge. It’s got to the point where I only drive to work and back. I used to take George on drives to visit places, but we can’t afford to do that anymore.”
George enjoys singing and performing arts at his specialist college and his family are anxious to be able to support activities that further improve his quality of life at home.
Grants from the Your Opportunity scheme have helped the family purchase items – a swinging garden chair and a computer – which they could not otherwise have afforded.
Jemma added: “George absolutely loves the chair. He never used to sit outside before, but now he spends hours on it rocking, so when the weather is fine he is able to sit out and enjoy time in the garden.
“George also uses the computer for his specialised programmes that help his conditions through education and entertainment. He loves technology.”
Picture shows: George in his swinging garden chair
Officers are appealing for information following disorder on the morning of the Scottish League Cup final between Rangers and Celtic in Glasgow on Sunday, 26 February, 2023.
At around 8.50am a disturbance took place outside Hampden stadium involving supporters from both clubs with violence directed at each other and officers.
No arrests could be made at the time and an investigation is now under way into this specific incident.
Detective Inspector Darren Munogee, who is leading the investigation, said: “Prior to the match fans from both clubs were granted pre-arranged access, by the stadium operator, to set up displays – Celtic on Saturday, 25 February, and Rangers on the morning before the match on Sunday, 26 February.
“A proportionate stewarding and policing operation to support and facilitate this was in place.
“Supporters intent on disorder clashed outside the stadium on and around Somerville Drive with police intervention required to prevent escalation and disperse both sets of supporters.
“Officers acted swiftly in challenging circumstances to deal with what amounted to totally unacceptable behaviour. It was fortunate that no one was seriously injured.
“Police Scotland will be writing to the football authorities and clubs with an expectation that they will review the circumstances and take appropriate action moving forward, we are committed to working with them in this regard.
“We are determined to identify those responsible and bring them to justice. We are asking anyone with information that can assist with our enquiries to get in touch.”
Anyone who can help officers with their investigation is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0933 of Saturday, 26 February, 2023, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
