Edinburgh’s Christmas is back with a bang as St James Quarter announces the arrival of Bar Hütte’s festive experience that is set to take shape from Monday 8th November, offering a unique take on ‘Alpine Après Ski’.
Proving popular in other cities across the UK, the pop-up concept provides private holiday style chalets for shoppers to get cosy with friends and indulge in festive speciality cocktails, whilst taking part in Christmas karaoke.
Located at St James Square, customers can also enjoy live music sessions whilst sipping on a hot gin or spiced mulled wine and tucking into mince pies until Sunday 2nd January.
Inspired by previous trips to Courchevel, Zermatt and Tignes, Bar Hütte have created the look and atmosphere of traditional Alpine ski resorts. Furnished with a warm, festive décor, the super-snug ski hüttes are the perfect place to accommodate wintertime get-togethers, a post-Christmas shopping ‘pick-me-up’ or date nights with a difference.
Each private, bookable hütte includes a karaoke set-up so you and the blast out Mariah, Wham or Kylie to your hearts content.
Nick Peel, Managing Director at St James Quarter, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Bar Hütte to St James Quarter as part of our Christmas offering. With it being our first Christmas, we’re excited to join our customers in getting into the festive spirit and what better than mulled wine and karaoke to help us do that.
“These Alpine Après Ski’ inspired huts are the perfect way to create our very own winter wonderland here at The Quarter and we can’t wait for everyone to enjoy them.”
To experience a ‘Cosy Karaoke Hütte’ for up to eight people for 1 hour 45 minutes, each hut requires a non-refundable booking fee of £60. This includes Christmas karaoke as well as a complimentary welcome ‘Bombardino’ – a warm drink made up of hot rum and eggnog topped with whipped cream & cinnamon.
Bar Hütte also has a VIP area that can cater for up to 20 people for two hours for £150. This includes hire of the space, Christmas karaoke, a welcome glass of prosecco and a Bombardino for all guests on arrival.
Residential developer HUB and Bridges Fund Management, a sustainable and impact investor, have acquired a ‘significant’ 2.6-acre site on Leith’s Baltic Street.
The site has an existing planning permission for a student residential development, secured by vendors Sundial Properties and local architects Michael Laird Associates.
HUB intends to reconfigure the proposal to deliver a residential-led scheme, comprising of Build to Rent apartments with a variety of mixed commercial uses at ground floor level.
HUB will work with the Council and local stakeholders to build upon the existing consent, maintaining the established design narrative, whilst enhancing the proposals to deliver a residential scheme that maximises the site’s potential.
This is the ninth deal on which HUB and Bridges have partnered and builds on their successful track record of delivering well-designed, community-focused residential schemes.
The deal is HUB and Bridges’ second acquisition in Edinburgh, following their recent purchase of the 1.5-acre Beaverhall site in Canonmills, where they are currently developing plans for a mixed-use scheme incorporating build-to-rent homes and affordable, contemporary studio space for the area’s local artistic community.
The deal also continues HUB’s expansion into key cities across the UK, with schemes already underway in Leeds and Digbeth, Birmingham.
Building on HUB and Bridges’ strategy of delivering homes in well-connected locations, the site is ideally located adjacent to Edinburgh’s new Tramline extension, due to open in late 2022.
The new route will connect the port in the east, through the city and to the airport in the west, meaning that residents at HUB’s scheme will have easy access to the heart of Edinburgh and beyond, whilst enjoying the lifestyle offering of the city’s most vibrant neighbourhood.
Just five minutes’ walk from the waterfront, the site offers easy access to numerous independent shops, bars and restaurants, as well as music and arts venues.
Robert Sloss, CEO and co-founder of HUB, said: “As a resident of Edinburgh, I am particularly happy that HUB is further investing in our capital city.
“Leith is full of creativity and innovation, and exemplifies exactly what HUB is looking for in terms of ‘lifestyle’ locations. We look forward to bringing our proven experience in delivering beautifully designed, mixed-use schemes to this fantastic site, building upon the existing proposal to deliver a great new place to live.
“We are sensitive to the legacy of the historic gasworks and are excited to rejuvenate it into a modern living quarter for Leith.”
Simon Ringer, Head of Property Funds at Bridges Fund Management, said: “We are delighted to complete this second investment in Edinburgh, a city where there is strong demand for more high-quality, sustainable lower-cost homes.
“Leith is a really exciting area, and we want to create a development that complements this site’s rich heritage and benefits the local community.”
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Suicidal Crisis Support Action Group will drive implementation of the Time, Space and Compassion approach
A new group will be set up to make sure that everyone at risk of suicide can access the right support when then need it, following recommendations made by the National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG).
The Suicidal Crisis Support Action Group will drive implementation of the Time, Space and Compassion approach, a new way to improve help for people who are suicidal.
Nigel Henderson, former Chief Executive of Penumbra and member of the NSPLG, has been appointed as National Lead for Suicidal Crisis Support to lead this work.
Wellbeing Minister Kevin Stewart (above) said: “I welcome the report from the NSPLG and the recommendations it makes on improving responses to people in suicidal crisis. We will consider the recommendations in full.
“To deliver the scale of change set out in their recommendations, a dedicated Suicidal Crisis Support Action Group will be established to take forward and oversee the implementation of this work.
“The appointment of Nigel recognises his career in developing compassionate support for vulnerable people, including those at risk of suicide. The group will be accountable to ministers and continue to work in close partnership with NSPLG.
“We know there are some excellent examples of suicidal crisis support services across Scotland already, and we have an opportunity to learn from those to make sure this type of support is available right across Scotland.
“Every day, people in our communities, and those working in statutory and third sector services, are responding compassionately to people in crisis. However, there is more we can do. This report offers a real opportunity to transform how we engage and support our most vulnerable people at times of suicidal crisis.”
Nigel Henderson said: “I am very pleased to have been asked to lead on implementing this work.
“Having been a member of the NSPLG and directly involved in this work, I believe that developing the Time, Space, Compassion approach has the potential to make a positive difference to how we respond to people experiencing suicidal crisis.
“There is much to do, and I look forward to working with people, communities and organisations to take forward the recommendations.”
Scotland’s National Suicide Prevention Leadership Group (NSPLG) has welcomed the Scottish Government’s acceptance of recommendations for improvements to the response provided to people in suicidal crisis.
Established by the Scottish Government, the NSPLG brings together people with lived experience of suicide alongside academic, third sector, and statutory partners to support the delivery of Scotland’s Suicide Prevention Action Plan: Every Life Matters.
These key NSPLG recommendations have been accepted in full by the Scottish Government and will be published on their website today (Wednesday 13 October ).
The NSPLG report uses evidence on the effectiveness of differing models of crisis support to make recommendations to service providers and share best practice.
It deliberately does not recommend a particular model of crisis support. Instead, it sets out an approach which sees suicidal crisis response as a human reaction, not a service model, and sets out the principles of Time, Space and Compassion as the basis of improvement in support for those in crisis.
The recommended approach is at the core of the NSPLG’s vision in supporting delivery of Every Life Matters, ensuring the right support is available for people when they are actively contemplating suicide at a time of crisis.
Time allows a person to discuss their feelings, and Space recognises the need to provide an accessible, quiet, comfortable, pleasant place for a person to talk and/or a virtual space to access support by phone, text or online.
In addition, research shows that Compassion in response to a person in crisis encourages them to disclose details which, in turn, can lead to more effective support being offered and lay the foundations for self-compassion, reducing the need for support from frontline services in the future.
Embedding the principles of Time, Space and Compassion into responses to suicidal crisis in Scotland will require concerted action across national and local government, and services across sectors, communities and citizens.
NSPLG chair Rose Fitzpatrick CBE QPM, said: “We believe that this approach, rooted in Time, Space and Compassion, can be implemented across all sectors and communities, transforming the experiences of those in crisis and at immediate risk of suicide.
“It is important to highlight that this report is not critical of existing crisis support. Based on the experiences of those who have been in suicidal crisis and those around them, it recommends a radically different cultural landscape, and requires a different sort of resourcing to enable this approach to be implemented consistently.
“People with lived experience of the impacts of suicide and those providing services tell us these recommendations have the potential to improve the experiences of those who seek help at a time of suicidal crisis, and ultimately to save lives.”
Member of NSPLG Lived Experience Panel, Shumela Ahmed (39) from Bridge of Allan near Stirling, is the managing director at Resilience Learning Partnership. She has family and friends who have experienced poor mental health and made suicide attempts.
Shumela has also experienced suicidal thoughts herself.
She said: “I believe Time, Space and Compassion is the right approach because it’s trauma informed and it understands that it takes time to build up trust and connect with a person when they are in a suicidal crisis.
“Every interaction is an opportunity for intervention. When a person is at risk of suicide they need a compassionate response from someone who will spend time with them and offer a safe space for them to talk.
“A really kind, compassionate, empathetic human conversation is often what is actually needed rather than following some big, important framework.
“I look forward to these recommendations being implemented in workforces so that staff have the tools and the resources to take this approach.”
The NSPLG recommendations are intended to be a starting point for work in this area and they focus, in the first instance, on the practical support and evidence required to make this culture shift collaboratively, and on ensuring the availability of existing crisis services as we emerge from the pandemic.
Hope after a stroke: Nearly a quarter of stroke survivors lost their job after their stroke with some even losing their home or partner – but having ‘hope’ is critical to recovery
23% of stroke survivors in Scotland say having a stroke cost them their job, with almostone in five saying it impacted their relationship and 5% even lost their home
Across the UK, over half of younger stroke survivors under the age of 50 say they have never emotionally recovered from their stoke
Whilst 15% felt their first signs of hope after a month since having a stroke –a quarter did not feel any hope in over a year.
The Stroke Association calls for those who can to donate to give more survivors hope after a stroke
The practical, emotional and physical impact of having a stroke has been laid bare by a new survey of over 3,500 stroke survivors across the UK (220 respondents from Scotland), released today.
The research, conducted by the Stroke Association ahead of World Stroke Day (29 October), is part of a renewed call for vital funds to help the charity give more survivors hope after their stroke and help them to rebuild their lives.
The impact on survivors in Scotland
The research reveals that 23% of those in Scotland who survived a stroke say it directly led to them losing their job whilst 5% say it led to them losing their home.
Furthermore, almost one in five (19%) say it had a negative impact on their relationship. It is not only relationships with partners that are affected – over one in ten (12%) say they lost friends as a result of having a stroke.
Younger survivors more severely impacted
Looking at stroke survivors across the UK, the research reveals that the emotional impact of a stroke can impact younger survivors more severely. Amongst those under the age of 50, six in ten (60%) say that they’ve never emotionally recovered from the impact of their stroke. This compares to 44% for those over the age of 50.
This is despite a similar number of younger stroke survivors under the age of 50 (52%) and over the age of 50 (50%) saying they have not physically recovered from their stroke.
The importance of hope
The research shows the importance and transformative power of feeling hope after having a stroke. Over three quarters of those surveyed in Scotland (77%) say that hope played an important or critical part in their recovery.
But for many, it was not a quick process. Whilst 15% say they began to feel hope after a month since their stroke, a quarter (25%) say it took more than a year to experience what they felt was the first sign of hope. Meanwhile one in ten (11%) say they have never felt hopeful since they had their stroke – demonstrating how strokes can impact survivors differently.
The Stroke Association helps people to find the hope they need to rebuild their lives through specialist services, including a Helpline, peer support service, support groups and Support Coordinators.
Louise Copland, 36 from Glasgow, had her stroke six years ago. The effects of her stroke were dramatic. She couldn’t walk or talk.
She said: “At the time I was terrified, I had no idea what was going on, but I got the impression it was a big deal, which made me very anxious.
My family and the physiotherapists were marvellous. I’ll never forget standing up for the first time. It felt weird and I was dizzy, but it was exhilarating. I had to call my parents to give them this fantastic news and they immediately got in the car to go to the hospital and share my happiness and excitement. This was my first moment of hope that there might be light at the end of the tunnel.
I was due to get married two months later and was determined to walk down the aisle with Dad. I focused all my attention on being able to walk again. I did it. This was the biggest moment of hope I’ve had since my stroke and it gave me the impetus to carry on.
But Louise knows she probably won’t ever recover emotionally after her stroke.
“I wake up every morning with an arm and leg that don’t work like the way they did. I fear the challenges in forming new relationships – my confidence has been dashed and people do judge you for having a disability which is demeaning.
Louise continues to find moments of hope and lives her life to the full. She would have been lost without the support of friends and family. She now attends a stroke club where she gets to meet others in a similar situation to herself.
“The people I meet at the café are so welcoming. They understand the issues I’m dealing with, because they are dealing with them too. It’s important to find hope in others. It’s important to ask for help when you need it and it is out there. There is hope after stroke.”
Big and small moments of hope
The research found that it can be both big and small moments of hope that are important. When asked what gave them their first moment of hope after a stroke, nearly one in five, (19%) said it was being able to use their affected side for the first time and 11% said it was being able to speak again. However, one in ten (10%) said it was being able to complete a small every day task such as making a cup of tea.
Reevaluating what is important after a stroke
The impact of a stroke leads many to reevaluate what is important in life. Over half (54%) say having a stroke made them appreciate their life more, 43% say it made them appreciate their family more and 42% say it made them appreciate the importance of looking after their health.
John Watson, Associate Director Scotland at the Stroke Association said: “Every five minutes, someone in the UK will have a stroke and, in a flash, their life is changed.
“There are more than 128,000 stroke survivors living in Scotland and two thirds of people who survive a stroke find themselves living with a disability. The physical impact of a stroke is severe, but for many, the emotional aspects of coming to terms with having a stroke are just as significant.
“As the research makes clear, finding hope is a crucial part of the recovery process. Without it, recovery can seem impossible.
“At the Stroke Association, we support and help people to find this hope, and rebuild their lives. But with 1.3m people and rising in the UK now living with the effects of a stroke, our services have never been more stretched. We urgently require the support of the public to help us continue to support stroke survivors to rebuild their lives.”
The Stroke Association is asking those who can to donate today so that it can reach more stroke survivors and give them the specialist support they need to find hope and move forward with their recovery. Visit stroke.org.uk/hopeafterstroke
Junior players at Leith Rugby Club received an inspirational visit from Scotland Men’s International stars Grant Gilchrist and Tim Visser on Sunday as they were crowned Royal Bank RugbyForce winners for 2021.
Alongside the visit from Grant and Tim, the club has been awarded £1000 from the annual grassroots sustainability programme which provides vital funds as the nation’s players enjoy getting back to the action on the pitch.
Beating strong competition from over 130 entries, the Edinburgh club received its prize as part of their Royal Bank RugbyForce Weekend celebration.
The weekend typically see’s rugby clubs across Scotland host a range a pre-season events, such as volunteer DIY and Community Fun Days, raising awareness of the positive impact that Scotland’s grassroots clubs have within their local areas.
Royal Bank RugbyForce is a nationwide rugby programme launched by Royal Bank of Scotland in association with Scottish Rugby. Since launch, more than half a million pounds has been distributed, directly benefiting three-quarters of amateur rugby clubs in Scotland.
With the pandemic causing unprecedented financial pressures, this year’s funding will help amateur clubs across Scotland to improve facilities, attract new members and to develop sustainable futures.
New for this year, in partnership with Scottish Rugby, the programme has appointed 10 grassroots heroes aged 18-35, known as Young Ambassadors, onto club committees as part of a fresh focus on the future by broadening the diversity of rugby club boardrooms, providing them with an additional £500 grant from Royal Bank to deliver a project of their choosing.
In a drive to get more young people into club boardrooms and to improve diversity and representation in rugby, the Young Ambassador programme see’s grassroots heroes aged 18-35 from amateur clubs across the length and breadth of Scotland put forward ideas for projects that will help their club to create stronger connections with their local communities, build a legacy and make positive societal change.
Work has begun to install the first of 132 on-street electric vehicle charging points in the initial phase of a project to implement charging bays across Edinburgh.
Six new rapid charging bays and 30 new slow charging bays are being built at Ingliston Park and Ride, with 20 new charging bays to follow at Hermiston Park and Ride in December.
Councillor Lesley Macinnes, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “We’re all more aware than ever of the urgent need to address the way we travel, and how this impacts on the world around us, so it’s really encouraging that more and more people are making the switch to electric cars. We want to support that.
“I’m delighted that the installation of charging points across the city is now underway, marking the start of our ambitious, strategic programme. Soon, thousands of people across the city will be able to benefit from charging infrastructure right outside their homes on a daily basis.”
Councillor Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “Not only do electric vehicles help to lower our carbon footprint, but they limit air pollution, which is so important to our quality of life.
“This increase in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, along with the many changes we’re making to help people travel by foot, bike, wheel or public transport, is essential if we are to become a safe, healthy, net zero city by 2030.”
During the current works at Ingliston the bus lane through the park and ride has been closed for one week from Monday (11 October), with a diversion for buses in place.
In addition, the existing charging points will be unavailable until Friday, 22 October.
Alternative charging points can be found by visiting the ChargePlace Scotland webpage, with the nearest points at Hermiston Gait Park and Ride and Scottish Midland Co-operative Society in Newbridge.
The city council is currently looking at future locations for electric vehicle chargers using data from two Energy Savings Trust studies and have developed a scoring framework.
They are also exploring the utilisation of street lighting columns as charging points, avoiding issues of cabling trailing across footways while complementing the existing street scene in Edinburgh, especially in conservation and heritage areas.
The UK Government is currently accepting applications for the On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme which provides funding for 75% of the cost of installing electric vehicle chargers with the remaining 25% of the cost being provided by Energy Savings Trust Scotland.
Once future locations have been assessed a further report will be submitted to Transport and Environment Committee seeking permission to apply for the funding by February/March 2022. This will be used to roll out the next phase of electric vehicle chargers across Edinburgh.
Vital education needed for the forgotten cancer marked on 13th October each year
Woeful ignorance of secondary breast cancer requires more than just a single awareness day today (October 13) to educate the public about this forgotten form of the disease.
Charity Make 2nds Count which is leading a campaign to highlight secondary breast cancer, a disease currently killing 1000 women a month in the UK, says it needs to be a year-round initiative to prevent lives being destroyed.
Secondary breast cancer – also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer – is a cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. On average there are around 35,000 patients in the UK currently living with this form of cancer.
But a YouGov poll, commissioned by the charity to coincide with Secondary Breast Cancer Awareness Day, revealed just how uninformed the public is:
Almost two-fifths (38%) of the British population are ignorant about secondary breast cancer , and 21% are aware of secondary breast cancer yet know nothing of the disease’s common signs/symptoms
More than 40% of respondents don’t know the incidence of this form of the disease, whilst 11%are under the impression that it is rare.
44% of those polled think, wrongly, that young women – those aged 15-39 – have the best chance of survival and a third have no idea who lives longer after diagnosis.
Common symptoms can initially be attributed to other health conditions, such as arthritis, and a quarter of people surveyed believe that more than 25% of patients with a history of primary breast cancer have initially been treated for another condition before their secondary breast cancer diagnosis.
Emma Hall, Head of Fundraising and Engagement, Make 2nds Count, says much media coverage has focused on checking for primary breast cancer but not for secondary.
She explained: “So people are not being informed about the different signs and symptoms to look for. We need more education, support and research, and understanding that with secondary breast cancer you won’t be cured, you can only be treated.”
Make 2nds Count founder Lisa Fleming, 38, of Edinburgh, had no previous breast cancer diagnosis, warning signs or lump when she was told she had primary and secondary breast cancer. It had already spread to the majority of her bones and swiftly spread to her brain.
She says: “We desperately need people to be aware of this forgotten form of breast cancer. We need to change the narrative, raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of this disease and in turn save lives. And that needs to happen all year round, not just on an annual awareness day.
“Primary breast cancer is well documented. Secondary breast cancer is incurable. It’s like a relative that no one really wants to speak about but without education this disease will continue to destroy the lives of so many.”
Professor David Cameron, Professor of Oncology at Edinburgh University and a board member of Make 2nds Count says: “We have made remarkable progress in the education of signs and symptoms, treating and curing primary breast cancer.
“However, secondary breast is complex, no diagnosis is the same, and no patients’ journeys are the same. Although it can be treated, and we have made much progress in more and better treatments, it still has no cure.
“We need to make sure that information on secondary breast cancer is readily available and there is more dedicated research and accessible trials.”
HOUSE hunters are prioritising green areas and more space over traditional city centre dwellings in the latest market review by property experts, Rettie & Co.
According to Rettie & Co’s. Scottish Housing Market Summer Review, demand for East Lothian homes is on the rise, while homes brought to the market in the region last year fell by 28% against 2019 figures.
The property specialists believe the change in attitudes can be attributed to a greater acceptance of the hybrid working model.
With more companies offering the flexibility of working from home, potential buyers are opting for more value for money by seeking properties out with Edinburgh.
It comes after the firm’s latest 140 home development in Musselburgh, The Wireworks, in partnership with property developer Dundas Estates, has received 600 enquiries in just 3 months.
Marketing Account Manager at Rettie & Co., Ross Matheson, said: “We are seeing a greater number of potential buyers enquiring about homes out with the major cities across Scotland.
“This can be attributed to the changing attitudes to the working environment post-pandemic. With a greater acceptance of working from home, we are finding buyers are willing to live further from large cities in search of more spacious homes and greater green space.”
According to statistics from Rettie & Co. the average price of a house in Edinburgh stood at around £282,420 last year, while the average property price was close to £10,000 cheaper in East Lothian at around £272,268.
Ross, said: “Musselburgh is proving to be a very popular destination for potential buyers. We have recently had a spate of enquiries in and around the area.
“Being a commuter town just outside of Edinburgh, Musselburgh offers the best of both worlds; city convenience with an abundance of green space and amenities such as the River Esk, nearby beaches and the Musselburgh Racecourse, as well as the renowned Luca’s Ice Cream parlour.”
Head of Sales & Marketing at Dundas Estates, Craig Fairfoull, said: “It is important that we meet the demand for housing in what is becoming an ever-popular destination in the east of Scotland.
“With that in mind, we are investing heavily in the local community over the course of construction; we are delighted to be working alongside Rettie & Co.”
Dundas Estates, through a partnership with Tesco, East Lothian Council and NHS Lothian, acquired The Wireworks site after receiving planning permission to regenerate the former Brunton Wireworks site and neighbouring land in 2008.
The development will have the capacity to store 140 bicycles in internal and external bikes stores. Electric car charging facilities will be available throughout the development. Private gardens and balconies will also be available at various apartments.
The Livingston-based firm is committing, through Section 75 payments, to contribute up to £400,000 along with the other partners which will be invested into local schooling and infrastructure.
To learn more about Dundas Estates’ Wireworks development, call 0131 243 3858 or email: thewireworks@rettie.co.uk
