Rare JK Rowling jewelled novel cover among handcrafted items on display as part of Hamilton & Inches’ celebrations for 155yr anniversary
Hamilton & Inches has unveiled its new Celebrating our Craft exhibition, which celebrates handcrafted works from its 155-year history.
The exclusive exhibition, which is running until 5th September and located in the beautifully reimagined showroom in Edinburgh, showcases some of the most intricate and luxurious creations from generations of artisans, with the earliest piece dating back to 1885.
Amongst the collection of handcrafted items is a rare, jewelled cover of JK Rowling’s handwritten The Tales of Beedle the Bard. Trophies celebrating The Scottish Open, the Royal Highland Show and Scottish Women’s Football are also included in the exhibition, alongside a further 70 items generously loaned by businesses and clients alike.
Victoria Houghton, Hamilton & Inches CEO, said: “The Celebrating our Craft showcase provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate one hundred and fifty-five years in business.
“We have provided access to never-before-seen, beautifully intricate creations by our extremely talented team of artisans from throughout the years. This craftsmanship is central to our operations and showcasing their incredible work is a fitting way to celebrate this momentous milestone”.
Home to an expert team of silversmiths and jewellers, Hamilton & Inches has created items for a wide array of clients including Archerfield, Diageo and more. Bespoke commissions continue to be created in the workshops with experts utilising traditional skills and crafts to create beautiful, iconic items that will be remembered and celebrated forever.
Hamilton & Inches is committed to ensuring craftsmanship is relevant to contemporary life, especially at a time when sustainability is of such importance.
The Celebrating our Craft showcase shines a light on the impact and reach of Hamilton & Inches and how important it is for the craft to continue throughout Scotland.
Why Meadowlark Yoga wants to see your Downward Dog in person
Founder Karen Kirkness on the top five benefits of returning to classes post-pandemic
We have all leaned into our online communities over the last 18 months and there’s no doubt that virtual wellness is here to stay.
Working out in the comfort of your own home, the decreased worry of being amongst others and the ability to fit classes in as and when, have us all questioning why we would go back to in-person movement. However, evidence suggests getting our mats out and stepping back into the studio could be just what we need to boost both our mental and physical health.
Here Meadowlark Yoga owner and teacher, Karen Kirkness, offers five reasons why as a community we need to consider reconnecting over a Downward Dog:
Satisfaction vs Somatic closeness
Jumping into zoom yoga classes is one way we have all stayed fit and sane, and for many of us, the online format continues to deliver a feeling of satisfaction. However, the online space is bereft of the sensory stimulation that you get walking into your community yoga studio. In-person, your olfactory sense is presented with a note of myrrh followed by the sight of a friendly face at reception and a continuous stream of somatic inputs that combine to form a visceral imprint on your consciousness.
This sensory experience reinforces our choices by creating and strengthening deeply rooted psychosomatic memories that help us navigate future behaviour and strengthen our health and wellness choices. This richly physical phenomenon promotes the euphoric feeling of closeness to other humans that can only happen through proximity to like-minded others who are similarly dissolved in the same sensory circumstances forming connected memories. A connection we have sorely missed.
Convenience vs Connectedness
There is no easier way to smash through a yoga practice than to roll out of bed and onto your mat in your PJs. When you have to actually get dressed and present yourself to a room of humans, you’re coming together with those people in a shared social contract. There is an unspoken acknowledgement: ‘Hey, well done class, we all got here despite the many obstacles facing each and every one of us.’ In the moment we all decide to be here, now, even though it was hard and required some sacrifice, there is a kind of next-level connectedness.
Accountability vs Actual joy
Showing up to a studio class is about the authentic feeling of wanting to be there, doing the yoga that you love, surrounded by people who feel the same way.
Accountability is an underlying motivator, but you’re going to that class in-studio not because you care about your name being seen on the participants list. You’re there because the sheer joy of being physically present and experiencing it in real life adds to your overall workout; the joy lives in tandem with a sense of accountability that is magnified by the in-person experience.
Mammalian basics
Pandemic notwithstanding, as mammals we need eye contact, shared biorhythms, hugs, vocal subtlety, pheromonal interaction, and many other aspects of nonverbal communication that the online format can never accommodate.
Our fascial instruments need to vibrate in proximity with other humans as a matter of physical and spiritual health. Our neuroendocrine system is very sensitive to loneliness and in biological terms, our zoom-based lives have left us biochemically and vibrationally isolated. Being in-studio offers our bodies a higher vibration.
Being in-studio amongst people is a pro-mammalian experience, offering unquantifiable benefits that play on every level of our biologic instrument as individuals and as a community. With most of us double-vaccinated, ventilation and hygiene measures permanently levelled-up, and capacities down by 25%, we are now at a point where the benefits of communal interaction now outweigh the individual and collective risk of getting together in enclosed spaces.
Performance Enhancement
A final major reason for getting back in the studio is to get gently but firmly pushed, to feel the burn of training in that zone of opportunity where our bodies learn how to be stronger. Under the guidance of a teacher with others working on the same project is where most of us would rather practice and train. In-studio, the teacher can focus on seeing and feeling the students in the room, respond to the nuances of physical proximity, not having to spend valuable time and attention on the tech aspects.
Getting the best out of ourselves is never an easy project! By definition, we have to nudge ourselves and become uncomfortable to transform and progress, a process that is much more achievable in person.
So, whether you need to connect, feel the vibrations or get in touch with your mammalian instincts, Meadowlark Yoga is here to guide you through your next practice with open arms and a sun salutation!
Barratt East Scotland, which includes both Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes, has fundraised £16,000 for their new charity partner, St Columba’s Hospice Care.
Taking on the seven hills challenge to reach the top of Calton Hill, Castle Rock, Corstorphine Hill, Craiglockhart Hill, Braid Hill, Blackford Hill, and Arthur’s Seat, 19 Barratt East employees completed the capital city hike in under seven hours as part of their fundraising efforts.
St Columba’s Hospice Care is an independent charity that has been providing vital hospice and end of life care to people with incurable illness and their families for over 40 years. Throughout the pandemic, the Hospice Team has continued to offer their services to those who need it most across Edinburgh and the Lothians – be that at home, in care settings or at the Hospice itself.
The donation from the Barratt East Scotland team will help to ensure the hospice can continue to offer its support to people in local communities across the capital. As well as nursing and medical care, the Hospice offers patients and their families whatever social, practical, emotional and spiritual support they may need, from physiotherapy and counselling, to immersive art and music therapy.
Alison Condie, Managing Director at Barratt East Scotland, said: “St Columba’s Hospice Care carries out incredible work supporting patients and their families. We’re pleased to be able to help with our donation and hope it allows them to continue to provide these crucial and important services.”
Speaking of the donation Amanda Southey, Corporate Development Manager for St Columba’s Hospice Care added:“We’d like to say a huge thank you to the employees of Barratt East Scotland for their incredible efforts.
“Challenges like ‘7 Hills’ raise vital funds for the Hospice and help us to deliver high-quality, specialist care and support to those that need it most across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
“After what has been a very challenging year for us, we’re delighted to have the support of such an enthusiastic team and can’t wait to see how our new partnership develops over the coming year!”
As part of its community benefits programme, the five-star housebuilder works with a wide range of local causes, and has continued to step up its efforts through the Barratt and David Wilson Community Fund.
Now in its third year, the Community Fund pledges to donate £1,000 each month to a charity or organisation in the east of Scotland. Charities are nominated by and voted for by employees of Barratt Homes and the focus for the fund continues to be on organisations that improve the quality of life for those living in the area.
On Saturday 25 September, Scottish charity People Know How and Polwarth Parish Church will be officially launching their new canal boat, All Aboard.
After People Know How and Polwarth Parish Church announced their partnership in 2019, they ran a pilot project including consultations, events and activities on a chartered canal boat, including projects and events for young people and the community.
The pilot demonstrated the importance of their aims to provide a space for wellbeing and community cohesion and the response they received from participants was overwhelmingly positive.
In February of this year, the two partners finalised the purchase of their own custom-built canal boat, and in June that boat was craned into the Union Canal. Since then, they have been getting it ready for its official launch.
Anna Philbrick, All Aboard Coordinator, said: “It’s been an exciting process preparing our new boat to officially launch on the canal – from installing the bright yellow canopy and lift, to training up our team of volunteers, to ensuring our boat is safe and accessible for all.
“The launch comes at a pivotal time in the canal community’s recovery from the pandemic, and we’re really looking forward to start hosting sessions and projects as well as new volunteers interested in this unique opportunity. We can’t wait to welcome everyone on board!”
The launch event invites you on board the new boat and offers many opportunities to get involved with All Aboard. The project is currently looking for crew and helmsman volunteers to support the running of the boat, taking young people, families and adults on trips on the canal.
There are also opportunities to provide support on the boat through art, music, meditation or any other ideas you might have!
Come down to the All Aboard canal boat at 36-38 Polwarth Terrace between 2pm and 4pm on Saturday 25 September and join us for the launch of All Aboard!
Lead by Cynthia Cheung and Marion Geoffray, the workshop/outdoor activities involve multisensory creative play for the aged 2-5 to explore different festival traditions and stories.
In the workshop, we explore the children’s reaction and interest in the objects, the smell and the sound related to the festival. Meantime, the facilitators explore new ideas and skill involve the children’s behaviour and experiment with the artistic practice to develop the work-in-progress performance.
The workshop will also help Niroshini Thambar, the music designer, to explore insight and ideas to create a new interpretation soundtrack for the performance.
Housebreaking in Edinburgh has continued to fall, despite COVID no longer significantly affecting reported crime.
Police Scotland has released its Q1 Management of Information data for the period of 1 April to 30 June, 2021, which shows that the total number of housebreaking incidents, including attempted break-ins has reduced from 504 to 343.
Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “While restrictions relating to the pandemic continue to have an impact on the policing needs of our communities, the effect is different compared to the same period last year, when the first lockdown had only recently been introduced and the most stringent measures were in place.”
Last year we saw fewer houses being broken into as criminals looked targeted businesses and outbuildings instead. These crimes are now reducing whilst at the same time housebreakings to peoples’ homes have decreased by over 60% over the last 5 years.
Housebreaking remains a key priority for the division and all incidents are investigated by the Capital’s dedicated Housebreaking Team.
Nationally, overall reported crime has risen from last year, when the country first entered lockdown. This trend is mirrored in Edinburgh, where 187 additional crimes were recorded in comparison to the first quarter of 2020/21.
Across Scotland violent crime has also risen, but this is not reflected within Edinburgh, which has seen an overall fall in violent offences from 206 to 193.
This includes zero murders, compared to one last year, nine fewer serious assaults and 16 fewer incidents of robbery and assault with intent rob. This number also includes threats and extortion which account for over 15% of those offences.
The majority of these are attempts to extort money through online scams. These are often perpetrated overseas and establishing the nature and origin of the offending can be challenging. Tackling this kind of offending is recognised within the force strategic plan as cyber enabled crime increases the need for specialist skills and strengthened ties with other law enforcement agencies across the globe.
The division is also bucking the trend in terms of a rise in fatal road collisions, with one fewer of these tragic incidents being reported. Whilst there has been an increase in serious and slight injury collisions as we have moved out of lockdown these remain far below the injuries recorded before the pandemic and we are committed to driving them down further.
Edinburgh is consistent with the rest of the country in relation to an increase in sexual crime, with the division also experiencing a rise in overall sexual offences. The increases in sexual crime are lower than the national average and reflect a significant proportion of historical offences which are identified through officers building trust and confidence in victims and encouraging them to come forward with previously unreported crimes.
Chief Superintendent Sean Scott, Divisional Commander for Edinburgh, said: “Last year’s unprecedented circumstances saw the crime picture for both Edinburgh and Scotland being skewed.
“DCC Taylor has confirmed that we are seeing a continued rise in 999 calls as we keep moving towards a sense of normality and I echo her support for the officers and staff working in our C3 facilities.
“I am also grateful to my own officers and staff who continue to serve the city with distinction and professionalism in very trying times.
“My officers and I know that the public will recognise that last year was extraordinary. We met those challenges and delivered excellent results. This year as we return to some welcome normality it is pleasing to see that recorded crime remains below the 5 year average.
“We will continue to effectively target our time and resources to address emerging trends in this post pandemic year.”
A letter has been sent to all MPs regarding the Afghanistan evacuation and next steps:
Dear Colleagues,
The developments in Afghanistan over the last few weeks have been extremely difficult to witness. We know many of you, like thousands of people around the country, have been closely involved in working to make Afghanistan a better place over the last two decades and have a deep connection with the country and its people.
Yesterday’s callous attacks on innocent people outside Kabul airport brought into stark relief the fragility of the situation in Afghanistan. It was also a terrible reminder of the challenges we face both in getting people to safety now and supporting the country in the long-term.
Our thoughts are with the families of all those who lost their lives, including several US service personnel and many Afghan civilians.
As you know, in line with US military deadlines and our operational objectives, the UK evacuation effort at Kabul airport, Operation Pitting, is concluding. We wanted to update you on the end of our current process and what follows next, including the return of nearly 1,000 HMG personnel over the coming days.
We have worked at unprecedented pace to facilitate the largest and most complex evacuation in living memory. The Armed Forces, MoD, FCDO and Home Office staff have worked incredibly hard in very difficult circumstances to bring out over 13,000 people over the last two weeks.
This number includes British nationals and their dependants, Afghans who worked for the UK government and military and their dependants, and other Afghans who are at particularly high risk. We have also supported our allies and partners to help their nationals to safety wherever possible.
This has only been possible thanks to the extraordinary efforts of UK troops and government officials on the ground, who put themselves in harm’s way and worked around the clock to evacuate as many people as possible.
We are grateful to you for all your efforts to direct those in need of support towards assistance. Our consular teams have been able to reach many in need thanks to your help.
A whole government effort will support and integrate our Afghan friends into UK society through this traumatic period.
What follows next – safe passage
We have always cautioned that the nature of the security situation in Afghanistan and our responsibility to keep our people safe meant that we would not be able to evacuate everyone we wanted to. We know that every single one of you will have been contacted about heart-breaking stories of those left behind in unimaginable circumstances.
That is why once we have finished the immediate evacuation our efforts will turn to doing all we can to help any remaining British nationals and Afghans who have supported us and who we were not able to evacuate over the last fortnight.
We continue to offer support to all those in that situation or who have left Afghanistan and are now in a third country. Please continue to direct anyone who gets in contact with you to the FCDO consular or MoD Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy (ARAP) helplines. Our ARAP scheme is not time limited.
We are clear that the Taliban must ensure safe passage for these people out of Afghanistan and any engagement with them will emphasise this first and foremost.
The Home Office is working quickly across government and with international partners to establish the details of the new Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme (ACRS). This scheme will provide protection for Afghan citizens identified as most at risk, such as women and girls. The government has committed to take around 5,000 refugees in the first year and 20,000 over the coming years.
This is one of the most comprehensive resettlement schemes the UK has ever established. We know how important it is to get the most vulnerable people to safety quickly. That is why during this period of acute crisis, while we had the ability to bring people out on military aircraft, we made the decision to evacuate as many of these people as possible.
Where we have managed to evacuate people to the UK who are not covered by ARAP or otherwise entitled to remain in the UK, they will fall under the new Afghan Citizens’ Resettlement Scheme. Those that were called forward by FCDO, but who we are sadly unable to evacuate before ceasing operations in Afghanistan, will also be guaranteed a place under ACRS.
Now that we are moving into a new phase for resettlement, we are looking at options to ensure that ACRS provides a safe route for those who are most vulnerable and at risk. Much will depend on the ability of individuals to receive safe passage from Afghanistan, and it is vital that the scheme dovetails with similar efforts being taken by our international partners. We will also work alongside Local Authorities to identify accommodation for those that arrive.
Our future commitment to the Afghan people
While the current phase of our engagement in Afghanistan is coming to an end, our commitment to the country will endure.
We are supporting the Afghan people in the long-term through a renewed humanitarian effort and by ensuring the Taliban are held accountable for the pledges they have made to respect human rights.
The UK has already doubled the amount of humanitarian aid to the region, committing up to £286 million with immediate effect, and we will continue to urge international partners to match our commitment.
Across government, ministers and officials are engaged in intensive international diplomacy, including at the UN Security Council and bilaterally. As President of the G7, the Prime Minister chaired an urgent meeting of G7 leaders on 24 August to discuss Afghanistan.
At this time, it is more important than ever that we stand united with our allies. The G7 agreed to produce a roadmap for engagement with the Taliban and agree standards they must be held to, including protecting women’s rights and ensuring humanitarian access. All agreed on the need for unity of message and purpose amongst the international community, and the UK will continue to lead this effort.
Let us reassure you that we will continue to use every lever at our disposal to secure the safe passage of those who wish to leave Afghanistan and to hold the Taliban to account. We will also do all we can to support the people who remain, including through our increased commitment of humanitarian assistance.
‘So please – get vaccinated, get tested, and tighten up again on following the rules and guidelines’ – First Minister Nicola Sturgeon
Statement given by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Friday 27 August 2021:
Good afternoon. I’m joined today by Jason Leitch, the National Clinical Director. He and I will take questions shortly.
However before that, I’ll give a further update on where we are with Covid, starting with today’s statistics.
We are reporting another sharp rise in cases today. 6,835 positive cases were reported yesterday – that is by the far the highest number in a single day so far. It represents 14.2% of all tests carried out.
479 people are in hospital with Covid – 53 more than yesterday. And 47 people are in intensive care, which is the same as yesterday.
However, for some context, I should also say there was a record number of tests carried out yesterday. That doesn’t entirely explain and account for the rise, but it does give some important context.
Sadly, a further 4 deaths have been reported in the past 24 hours, which means that the total number of deaths registered, under our daily definition, is now 8,103.
As always, my condolences go to everyone who has lost someone as a result of the virus.
As of this morning, 4,095,463 people have received a first dose of the vaccine.
And 3,629,482 people have received a second dose.
The vast majority of people over the age of 40 – 95% of them – have now had two doses of the vaccine.
70% of 30 to 39 year olds have also had both doses. For 18 to 29 years, 74% have had first doses and 46% have had second doses and are ongoing in this age group.
And 44% of 16 and 17 year olds have now had their first jag.
Those rates of vaccination are positive and continue to give us optimism for the remainder of our path through this pandemic.
If we are fully vaccinated, we are somewhat less likely to get Covid – although, as I said on Tuesday, around a third of new cases at the moment are of people who have been vaccinated.
However, even more importantly, we know that being fully vaccinated makes us significantly less likely to fall seriously ill from Covid.
That is why the high number of new cases that we are seeing has not so far led to the same number of hospitalisations that we saw in previous waves of the pandemic.
That said, the case numbers that we are seeing at the moment are still a cause for concern.
In the last 7 days, we have reported more new cases than at any previous time in the pandemic. Case numbers have roughly doubled in that time.
It’s important to point out case numbers are rising across the UK just now – but after a period of slower increases in Scotland, the rise here is particularly sharp at the moment.
That is possibly – at least in part – a reflection of the fact that our schools return earlier, with the increased interactions that come with that.
And although vaccination has significantly weakened the link between a high volume of new cases, and serious harm to people’s health, it has not broken that link.
Even if a much smaller proportion of people who get Covid now need to go to hospital, basic arithmetic tells us that a small percentage of a very large number is still a big number.
Indeed, in recent days we have seen an increase in the number of people in hospital. To provide some context, last Friday, 312 people were in hospital with Covid – today’s figure is 479.
And of course people who do not go to hospital can still suffer serious illness – including through long Covid.
The potential health impact on individuals is a concern in itself.
It will also put our health service under further pressure – at a time when many staff have been working flat out for 18 months, and when we are trying to catch up with a backlog of other procedures.
At the start of the pandemic, “protect the NHS” was one of our key messages – it is still something that all of us need to bear in mind at this stage.
All of this is why, on Tuesday, I described our current position as fragile.
There is no doubt that the vaccines have allowed us to take a far less restrictive approach to dealing with the virus, than we did at earlier stages of the pandemic.
And we know that the measures which have been in place for much of the last 17 months have in themselves caused serious harm. They have disrupted schools, hurt the economy and affected wellbeing.
That is why – even although, if we are at all responsible, we can’t and shouldn’t rule anything out in the face of a pandemic, none of us want to go backwards to even limited restrictions.
But we cannot ignore the current surge in cases either. My job in times like these is not to be popular – it is to take any decisions, no matter how difficult, that are necessary to keep us safe.
In particular, we are currently watching closely to see whether – and to what extent – we might start to see a significant increase in serious illness and people being hospitalized.
I will continue to keep you updated in the days ahead. Though I want to be clear that some of the speculation you might be reading in the media just now is not accurate – for example, we are not currently considering a circuit breaker lockdown.
For the moment, though, I do need to stress the vital importance of everyone playing their part in limiting the spread of the virus. The more we all do this, the more chance we have of avoiding the need to re-impose any formal restrictions.
So we are asking businesses to ensure that they continue encouraging employees and customers to comply fully with Covid mitigations. That includes wearing face coverings in indoor public spaces where required.
Businesses should also, at present, continue to work with staff to support home working where at all possible.
It is of course vital for businesses – as it is for everyone – that we slow the spread of the virus, and avoid the need for further restrictions, and I am grateful to all of the businesses across the country who are doing so much to help achieve this.
In addition, of course, all of us as individuals have a really important part to play. All of us have some control here over transmission.
And there are three steps in particular that we must all take, to help to keep the pandemic under control. So I will close by emphasizing those once again and remind people how important it is that we all abide by these mitigations.
First, if you are eligible and haven’t yet done so, please get vaccinated. This remains the single most important thing we can all do to keep each other safe.
There are drop-in vaccination centres in every mainland health board area – and you can find out details of where they are, on the NHS inform website, or by following local health boards on social media.
So if you haven’t been vaccinated yet – or if you had your first dose 8 or more weeks ago, and haven’t had a second dose – you can turn up at your nearest centre and get the jag.
And if you have any doubts about vaccination, go along to a centre anyway – the staff and volunteers there will be able to answer your questions, and talk to you about the process.
Second, please test yourself regularly. If you do that, then if you have the virus but don’t have symptoms – you have a chance of finding that out before you go out to work or to socialise. Testing yourself therefore makes it less likely that you will inadvertently pass the virus to others.
You can order free lateral flow tests through the NHS inform website. The tests will then be sent to you in the post, or you can collect them from local pharmacies or test sites.
If you test positive through one of these lateral flow devices – or if you have symptoms of the virus – make sure that you self-isolate, and book a PCR test. Self-isolation remains a really important way in which we can all slow the spread of the virus.
And thirdly and finally, please follow the rules and public health guidance which are still in place.
That’s important for all of us. Even basic steps – wearing face coverings on public transport, and opening a window if you have someone in your house to make sure there is good ventilation – can still make a big difference.
So please remember it is still a requirement to wear face coverings in certain indoor public places, such as shops, public transport and when entering and moving about in hospitality settings. That’s a simple but important way in which we can protect each other.
And more generally, it is important in these current circumstances, we think about how often we’re socializing and with how many others, what risks we are running when we go out and about, and the basic steps that reduce those risks.
Meet outdoors as much as possible.
If you are indoors, avoid crowded places. And open the windows – the better ventilated a room is, the safer it is.
Even though it’s not the law any more, keep a safe distance from people in other households if you can – especially indoors.
Continue to minimise physical contact where possible – like handshaking, for example.
And wash your hands and surfaces regularly and thoroughly.
If we all comply with all of these measures, we will help limit the spread of Covid.
We will make ourselves and our loved ones safer.
And we can maintain the progress that we have made, and to keep on living more freely.
So please – get vaccinated, get tested, and tighten up again on following the rules and guidelines.
As we recover from the pandemic, how do we build a world of work that gives everyone the dignity and fairness we deserve?
Every trade unionist is invited to join us online for three days of discovery and debate at Congress 2021.
What to expect
Between Sunday 12 September and Tuesday 14 September, union members across the UK are meeting online to discuss how we build stronger unions and mobilise for a new deal for workers.
We’ll have debates on investing in a green economy, with good unionised jobs. We’ll discuss tackling racism, highlighting the work of the TUC’s Anti-Racism Task Force. And we’ll campaign for an overdue pay rise for our key workers and an end to the scandal of fire and rehire.
We’ll hear from Keir Starmer, leader of the opposition, and TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady, as well as union leaders, activists and key workers. A full online fringe events programme offers everyone a deeper chance to engage on issues they care about.
Join us
Congress is open to everyone. We have a growing union movement, based on our work keeping members safe and protecting their rights and livelihoods throughout the crisis.
This is our moment to demand real change for working people.
Free and informative event available online for a limited time
The first ever online version of The Big Event saw 3,200 disabled people, carers and their friends and families tune in to learn about worry-free motoring with the Motability Scheme. The online event, which took place on 6-7 August 2021, was free to join and welcomed everyone from the comfort of their own homes.
For anyone who missed the live days, The Big Event content is still available online until 30 September 2021, simply visit: thebigevent.motability.co.uk.
The online event included a packed agenda of expert Speaker Sessions, providing helpful information and answering questions live on air. Hosted by Scheme customer and transport and travel consultant Helen Dolphin, these sessions proved extremely popular with over 5,500 views.
Topics discussed included electric vehicles, adaptations, Blue Badge fraud, challenges in the UK car market, WAVs, powered wheelchairs and scooters and the launch of the 2021 Euan’s Guide Access Survey. These informative and fun Speaker Sessions are available to watch on demand and can be found in the virtual Auditorium at The Big Event online.
The event also showcased the UK’s largest online display of vehicles available on the Motability Scheme. Visitors were able to interact with exhibitors including Scheme partners such as Kwik Fit, RSA and RAC, as well as manufacturers who displayed popular makes and models available to lease through the Scheme.
This included 27 car manufacturers, 24 Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles and adaptation suppliers and 12 powered wheelchair and scooter manufacturers. Visitors were able to browse plenty of useful documents and videos, as well as connect with exhibitors through live chat. All this valuable information (apart from the live chat function) is still available to explore until the event officially closes at the end of September.
Louise Vranic, The Big Event organiser, Motability Operations Ltd, said:“It was great that so many visitors found The Big Event online useful and informative, and we were so pleased by the amount of content and support provided by exhibitors and Scheme partners.
“We knew it would be hard to replace our physical events, where visitors can explore vehicles first-hand and test drive them, but we hope this online event has helped to bridge the gap, as well as attracting visitors who have previously been unable to attend our physical events.
“We are looking forward to 2022, where we will be back with a mixture of physical and online events, so we can continue to bring our One Big Day programme to as many people as possible.”
