Donate to the crowdfunding page and receive a Christmas gift bundle!
Offering unique tours to thousands of customers across the country, Invisible Cities trains people who have previously experienced homelessness, to become walking tour guides of their own city – Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, and York.
Following a year of country-wide lockdowns and a huge dip in the tourist industry, the social enterprise has announced a crowdfunding page where individuals can donate to Invisible Cities and its cause.
A social enterprise that doesn’t believe in labels or stereotypes, Invisible Cities’ mission is to show that everyone has great potential. Training focuses on confidence building, public speaking, and customer service, which not only offers the prospect of a better future, but also the skills to undertake these innovative walking tours. Each Invisible Cities recruit partners with a professional tour guide to build bespoke tours, practicing their routes and gaining further knowledge of their beloved city.
Zakia Moulaoui Guery, Founder & CEO of Invisible Cities CIC comments: “The safety of our guides and guests will always be a top priority for us. Due to the devastating effect of the global pandemic, we have had to pause all activities and tours, whilst of course continuing to support our guides, trainees and volunteers.
“Having all experienced homelessness, trauma, substance addiction, poverty, a history of poor mental health or learning difficulties, it is key that although the tourist industry may have all but stopped for now, our support of them, has not.”
Invisible Cities relies on the income from the walking tours to support its guides and trainees, so the national lockdown has seen a huge decrease in available resource.
The Crowdfunder offers the chance to donate to your chosen location, ensuring that the team in that city, benefits. Donations each coincide with a gift bundle that will arrive in time for Christmas, starting at just £5 and going to £30 or more.
Those who give £5 will receive a thank you video message from one of the guides in your chosen city, whilst top donations of £25 or more will receive a bundle of goodies including hand-written postcards, poetry, books and items from the local area. There is also a ‘Kids Bundle’ for £12 or more, for the little ones.
According to Shelter, an estimated 320,000 people are homeless in the UK. This equates to one in every 201 people living in the UK and was an increase of four per cent on the previous year’s number.
Shelter says its figures, which include rough sleepers and people in temporary accommodation, are likely to be an underestimate of the problem as they do not capture people who experience “hidden” homelessness, such as sofa-surfers, and others living insecurely in sheds or cars, for example.
Crowdfunder is making community and charity crowdfunding projects completely free during the coronavirus crisis.
Invisible Cities have put together a Crowdfunder to allow the same level of support to their guides and the wider community to continue. A donation for Invisible Cities this Christmas means security and comfort for these individuals.
Scotland’s youth work sector could miss out on more than £1 million of annual European funding due to Brexit.
That’s the amount of support currently received every year by the sector from the Erasmus+ international exchange programme, Scotland’s participation in which is now in jeopardy with less than a month to go until the end of the transition period.
The Scottish Government has sought repeated assurance that the UK Government will prioritise continued association to the programme, and, if the UK Government fails in its negotiations to secure access, that any replacement scheme will provide funding on a par with the amounts historically secured under Erasmus+ and that all those who currently benefit from the programme will be supported.
Further and Higher Education Minister Richard Lochhead has highlighted the urgency of a decision between Devolved Administration counterparts and Michelle Donelan, UK Minister of State for Universities.
Mr Lochhead said: “Scotland’s vibrant youth work sector supports children and young people’s well-being and helps close the attainment gap. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen the sector rise to the challenge of providing services remotely, supporting some of our most vulnerable young people.
“If, as we expect, EU funding for youth work projects and youth exchanges are no longer available to the Scottish sector, the contribution of youth work to enhancing young people’s capacity for social and cultural connectedness and for understanding and accepting difference could be clearly impacted.
“I was fortunate enough to see the benefits of Erasmus+ first hand earlier this year, when I visited the Royston Youth Action project in the north of Glasgow.
“The impact of participating in international exchanges with young people from Estonia, Finland and Austria had been life-changing for them. Some of the young people had never had a passport, let alone the opportunity to travel abroad before. The Erasmus exchange experience has resulted in a lasting partnership between the participants which endures to this day.
“Research shows those in Scotland with fewer opportunities participating in Erasmus+ report a significantly higher effect when compared with young people who face fewer barriers. And those who study or train abroad are twice as likely to find employment quickly. Losing out to Erasmus+ would be a significant blow to many, and not just financially.”
One of Scotland’s major recipients of Erasmus+ support has been YouthLink Scotland, the national agency for youth work.
YouthLink CEO Tim Frew said: “It is disappointing to see no money for youth work has been allocated to the UK Spending Review, in terms of any potential domestic alternative to the Erasmus+ programme. We hope this is not a signal from the UK Government that these opportunities for some of our most disadvantaged young people are to end.
“Erasmus+ has provided significant transformative and life-changing opportunities for young people, many of whom are furthest away from mainstream opportunities. Whether it’s employability programmes, work on gender-based violence or environmental sustainability, the opportunity to visit, work with and learn from our European counterparts cannot be underestimated.
“We would like to see the Prime Minister make a commitment to the continuation of Erasmus+, a programme that already involves non-EU members, including Iceland and Norway. If youth work participation in either Erasmus+ or any domestic alternative, is no longer open to us, these opportunities will be lost for young people for generations to come.”
The Erasmus+ programme facilitates the mobility of individuals across Europe, be that for learning, teaching, or working, by financing individual exchanges from higher education, adult education, vocational education and training, youth work, schools and sport.
Scotland attracts proportionally more Erasmus+ participants from across Europe – and sends more in the other direction – than any other country in the UK.
Between 2014 and 2018 Scottish institutions and organisations secured more than 90 million euros in Erasmus+ funding with more than 80 youth work projects benefitting from around £4.4 million. With the sector estimated to deliver at least £7 in value for every £1 it costs in public cash, its value to the economy has been estimated to be worth nearly £34 million since 2014.
Recently the European Commission confirmed a 60% increase to the programme’s budget, which is now sitting at over 23 billion euros.
Scottish Government funding for youth work is being increased more than 30% this year to recognise the vital role the sector will play in making up any ground lost in learning during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A newly created £3 million Youth Work Education Recovery Fund – administered by YouthLink Scotland – is being targeted at those communities and young people who need the most support, bringing Government spending in the youth work sector this year to at least £12.5 million.
Recent findings show three-quarters of Scottish students who take part in Erasmus+ receive a first- or upper second-class degree, compared with 60% of those who did not study or train abroad.
Students who did an Erasmus placement are 50% less likely to experience long-term unemployment, and participants in vocational education and training have a higher employment rate (81% vs 68%) three years after the end of their stay abroad.
Commissioned by YouthLink Scotland, Hall Aitken (2016) estimated the social return on investment in youth work contributes between £656 million and £2 billion to the Scottish economy every year and shows a return of £7 for every £1 of public cash.
A Scottish housebuilder is transforming a former Edinburgh industrial site into 77 new homes, thanks to a £5.8million funding package from Bank of Scotland.
MNM Developments has started construction on The Tayworks, a new £12m development located in the city’s popular Leith area, on West Bowling Green Street.
The new development consists of 77 one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, with 14 of these already reserved. Housing association, Places for People, has also acquired 14 of the 77 properties to market as affordable housing.
The housebuilder is headed up by sibling trio, Marc, Nathan, and Michaela Teague. In addition to The Tayworks, the family-run firm recently completed The Market development in Bonnyrigg and has sites underway at Willowbrae Road in Edinburgh, and Castlemains in Dirleton.
Over the past five years the firm has built over 100 properties across Edinburgh and the Lothians and has developed a reputation in providing a quality build at affordable prices.
Despite the Covid-19 pandemic halting construction of The Tayworks for four months, the firm has managed to adapt its original build plan and is now only five weeks away from its original completion date. It will welcome its first homeowners from October 2021.
Bank of Scotland provided the business with a £5.8million development loan, supporting the firm in the build of the site. The development itself also created around 50 jobs for local sub-contractors.
Marc Teague, managing director at MNM Developments, said:“We were just breaking ground at The Tayworks site when Covid-19 hit. Despite the pause in operations, construction is now back underway, and the response so far has been brilliant.
“Leith is an increasingly popular area to live and work, and there’s been a great deal of redevelopment in this area in the last decade. It was also named one of the coolest places to live recently by Time Out so we’re confident these properties will sell quickly.
“As a family business, we’ve had a long-standing relationship with Bank of Scotland. The financial support and guidance the bank has provided has been invaluable in bringing The Tayworks to the market, and we look forward to welcoming the new homeowners next year.”
Douglas Spowart, relationship director at Bank of Scotland, said:“The past eight months have been extremely difficult, including for firms in the construction sector. So it’s heartening to see some firms turning these challenges into new opportunities.
“Property prices in Leith are up 5% on last year such is the demand to relocate to this vibrant area of Edinburgh. This is why it’s encouraging to see firms like MNM Developments capitalise on these positive market trends in order to grow, despite this year’s challenges.
“At Bank of Scotland, we’re working by the side of businesses across all sectors to help support them on the road to recovery.”
RESIDENTS at a care home have been treated to an exclusive digital concert by one of Scotland’s most exciting jazz stars, Georgia Cécile.
Georgia, with her boyfriend and jazz pianist Fraser Urquhart, pre-recorded a 30 minute performance of her favourite songs specifically for customers of Blackwood’s Broom Court care home in Stirling.
The 31-year-old, who was named best vocalist at the Scottish Jazz Awards last year, was eager to get involved with the project when she heard about it through the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival.
Georgia said: “It’s been a crazy year for musicians and performers across the world. I really miss performing live so I was thrilled when the opportunity came up to perform virtually for a new audience at Broom Court.
“Together, Fraser and I pulled together a set list of some of our favourite tunes and we self-recorded the event from our home. The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and Blackwood were amazing in working out all of the IT requirements to make sure residents at Broom Court could enjoy the concert.”
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival worked with Georgia and Blackwood to record, create and stream the concert direct to Broom Court care home, which accommodates and cares for residents with a wide range of disabilities.
Agnese Daverio, programme and production manager with the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, said: “Organising digital concerts has made us realise how many people might not be able to access concerts and live music – whether we’re in a pandemic or not.
“It’s really important for us to reach out further and share this music with people who can’t get to venues, because they should be able to enjoy and get involved with jazz.
“We’re always looking to challenge any preconception that enjoying jazz might not be accessible, for whatever reason – whether that’s financial, physical, or even geographical limitations.
“Bringing jazz directly to the residents at Blackwood is really important and part of the overall work we’re trying to do – bringing jazz to audiences who might not have the chance to enjoy it live. We’re looking forward to organising future concerts with Blackwood.”
Broom Court is one of Blackwood’s three care homes, which are designed to provide integrated accommodation and care for customers with a range of physical disabilities. 24 hour care is also offered for customers with more complex disabilities who have higher support needs.
Flora Hay, Care Services Manager at Broom Court, said: “The jazz concert was fantastic and thoroughly enjoyed by our residents. Due to social distancing we had a small number of residents attend the concert, which was shown on a brand-new smart TV we had installed for the occasion.
“Our residents absolutely adored listening to Georgia and Fraser perform – one of our residents in particular was overjoyed and said she loved it. She has quite complex needs and really enjoys music, so it was a really lovely event to organise.”
Blackwood aims to help people live their life to the full, by providing services which support individuals in exercising their right to have choice and control over their lives in a home which is suitable and adaptable to their needs.
As Blackwood works in 29 of Scotland’s 32 local authorities, it is more widely dispersed than most other care or housing providers and has embraced the challenges of taking housing and care into innovative areas at a time when funding is increasingly limited.
Some of Britain’s biggest energy companies are keeping customers waiting on the phone for longer than 20 minutes, while one firm in Which?’s latest snapshot investigation had callers holding for more than 40 minutes on average.
In a mystery shop investigation, the consumer champion made 384 calls to 32 energy providers to reveal how long it took for customer service teams to answer. Which? called each provider 12 times at different times of the day and days of the week.
Many call centres have faced challenges as they adapted to new ways of working due to the pandemic. However, at the time of the Which? investigation in September and October, it was clear that while some were coping well, others were struggling to provide an acceptable level of customer service.
Boost Energy, a pay-as-you-go supplier owned by Ovo Energy, was the slowest to answer calls. On average customers were left waiting for 40 minutes and 58 seconds before their calls were answered. That’s longer than the entire first half of a rugby match.
One caller was left waiting for two hours, 39 minutes before their call was answered – the longest single call waiting time. In the time taken to answer this call, a disgruntled customer could have driven from Plymouth to the Bristol headquarters Boost shares with its parent company Ovo to make their complaint in person.
On four other occasions, Boost took more than an hour to answer phone calls to its customer service team.
British Gas was the second slowest provider to answer calls in Which?’s snapshot investigation. It took 23 minutes and 32 seconds on average to pick up calls – longer than a typical episode of Coronation Street (minus the ad breaks).
This was closely followed by Orbit Energy, a small energy company, that left customers waiting for 23 minutes and 15 seconds on average.
Around a third of energy firms kept customers waiting for more than 10 minutes on average before their calls were answered – including three other large energy companies. On average, Npower took 21 minutes and 46 seconds to answer calls, while Eon only picked up calls after 19 minutes and 40 seconds. EDF Energy customers were left waiting 13 minutes and 26 seconds on average before their calls were answered.
So Energy was the fastest company last year answering calls in 38 seconds, on average. However, the challenger brand struggled to maintain its top spot and slipped to the slowest 10 this year after it left callers waiting for 16 minutes and 52 seconds on average.
Together Energy, which recently acquired the domestic customer base of Bristol Energy, was the fastest energy provider to pick up calls, with customers left waiting for just 51 seconds on average.
Octopus Energy, which has rapidly grown its customer base since launching in 2016, was the fastest of the energy firms with the largest market share and only left customers waiting for two minutes and four seconds on average.
Of the 10 energy companies with the largest market share, Scottish Power was the second best and on average answered calls in two minutes and 28 seconds. This is a massive improvement compared to last year when the Glasgow-based energy firm was the worst provider for answering calls and left customers waiting for 21 minutes and 24 seconds, on average.
Which? also contacted the 18 energy suppliers that offered a live chat function for customers and found Shell Energy was the worst when it came to responding – it took 33 minutes and 39 seconds on average to respond to queries on live chat.
Outfox the Market was the fastest energy company on live chat and only left customers that contacted them through this channel waiting for 10 seconds on average.
Many people have seen their circumstances change due to the pandemic and may need support from their energy company to pay bills.
This makes it more important than ever that companies answer calls and respond to customer queries quickly, and strive to offer customers who may be struggling a good level of customer service – so Which? is urging energy providers to redouble their efforts in this area.
Consumers who are concerned that they are not getting a good deal or level of customer service on their gas or electricity should look at the results of Which?’s annual satisfaction survey and consider using Which? Switch to move to a cheaper and better provider.
Natalie Hitchins, Head of Home Products and Services at Which?, said:“We know the pandemic has made things difficult for call centres, but it is unacceptable that some firms are still wasting customers’ time with such long waits, especially at a time when consumers may need additional support from their provider.
“Customer service is an important factor when choosing an energy provider. Those who face lengthy waits just to speak with a customer service adviser should consider moving to a provider that can offer better service – customers could also save hundreds of pounds a year by switching.”
Consumers looking for a better deal can compare deals with Which? Switch, a transparent and impartial way to compare energy tariffs and find the best gas and electricity provider for your needs.
Responses from energy firms
A Boost spokesperson said: “With our waiting times during the last quarter averaging 8 minutes, we’re disappointed not to meet our usual high standards for our customers. During this period, we had a higher number of customers contacting us to ask for support.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve and have planned for additional resources over winter. We also offer a call-back service that allows customers to receive a call from one of our team, rather than have to wait. To support those who can’t pay their energy bills because of the effects of Coronavirus we also launched a Hardship Scheme.”
British Gas said it faced challenges with staff at overseas call centres working home, such as broadband and connectivity issues, and power cuts.
It said it is recruiting more staff and supplying home workers with new tech.
An E.ON spokesperson said: “Over recent months, we’ve worked really hard to make sure our customers get a good level of service as we’ve adapted to a new way of working in the wake of the pandemic.
“We’ve moved the vast majority of our office based call centres to remote working in a very short space of time. Our own data shows that our average call wait times are significantly lower than the figures stated here, and we’ve worked hard over recent months to ensure customers are aware of our other contact methods – including our app, online self-serve, social media channels and information on our website eonenergy.com.
“We apologise to any customer who has experienced a long wait time and continue to work to ensure all customer queries are handled as swiftly and effectively as possible.”
Npower said: “We experienced an increase in calls in September compared to the previous month due to a slight delay in correspondence going out to our customers. This had a cumulative effect on call waiting times towards the end of the month.
“Our own data shows an average wait of around seven minutes and although over half of all calls were answered within 60 seconds the week Which? have stated, it is unfortunate that they had a longer wait than average.
Orbit Energy said it was improving their response times daily and have just moved to a 7 day a week operation, open at weekends to support customers
So Energy said at the time of the investigation it was training new staff remotely and taking on customers. It said waiting times are improving.
The Give Them Time Campaign has welcomed yesterday’s start of a parliamentary process which will automatically provide an additional year of nursery funding for all children legally deferring their Primary One start.
At present only January and February born children are entitled to this whereas mid-August* (*those who turn five after the school commencement date in any year) to 31st Dec born children – who share the same legal right to defer – do not have this automatic entitlement and it’s at the discretion of their local authority to grant it or not.
Since 2018 the Campaign has been lobbying the Scottish Government to provide an automatic entitlement to a further year of nursery funding for ALL children legally deferring their school start.
Our supporters are mainly parents, early years’ and primary teachers and its research has demonstrated wide variations across council areas as to whether parents were likely to secure this funding for their child or not and the process for being considered for it. While more councils than ever have funded 100% of requests this year, the infographics below highlight the ongoing postcode lottery.
However, this is now set to change as today the Minister for Children and Young People, Maree Todd, started the parliamentary process at Holyrood to change the law to enable all children whose parents choose to take up their legal right to defer them to have automatic access to a further year of funded nursery from 2023.
Campaigners have warmly welcomed this move but they are disappointed a full national rollout will not be effective immediately. Details of a pilot scheme have not been finalised yet but campaigners are keen to see this run in as many council areas as possible and particularly in areas which have had poorer approval rates in recent years as can be seen on the Evidence page of the campaign website.
Campaign spokesperson Diane Delaney said: “Our research has evidenced that the postcode lottery of allocation of discretionary deferral funding is causing confusion, stress, distress and ultimately forcing some parents to send their child to school despite feeling concerned about their wellbeing and ability to cope.
“We are elated that the legislation will be brought in to fund all deferrals, however, we need immediate and full implementation in every local authority at the same time.
“There will be dire consequences for children and families having to wait until 2023 to guarantee full access to funding. Parents’ worries are exacerbated as a result of the multiple impacts of Covid-19 and the huge loss of nursery time for these children earlier this year.
“We welcome the offer of the Scottish Government to continue to work with parents as they move forward in progressing the implementation of this legislation. The Scottish Government has committed to embed children’s rights into Scottish Law, therefore in advance of this we require the new legislation to be implemented fairly and as soon as possible to help all parents, but especially those parents who cannot afford to defer their child if their council refuses funding.
“We want to live in a country where we can be proud that the needs of our children come first and to do this, any legislation impacting on children must not be determined by where they live or their parents income.”
Parents described some of their experiences in a survey conducted by the campaign in Oct 2020. Here are some of their comments:
QUESTION 4: What is your experience of the nursery staff’s understanding of the legal right to defer any child who has not reached the age of five by the school commencement date in Scotland?
“Nursery staff knew about it but said as he had no multi agency specialist support input I would not get funding.”
“They knew but seem to try to put you off the idea, make comments like “they’ll be fine” etc”
“I was told it was unusual for a November born to differ and had to contact the council myself.”
“The nursery staff were as much in the dark as parents.”
QUESTION 5: What is your experience of the information provided by your local authority on deferral rights? Please give as much detail as possible.
“Awful. Varying degrees of knowledge. People telling us we “weren’t allowed” etc.”
“My experience all the way through the deferral process was that I was having to ‘fight’ the system to enable my son to be deferred. It seems to be quite a hostile system where the parent’s view is secondary to that of the nursery even though my son was only at nursery for two days per week.”
“I think it is incredibly upsetting as a parent that you have to justify why you feel your child would benefit from an extra year in nursery. For many parent it is an agonising decision that they second guess all the time. You also feel a bit like you are betraying your child as in order to do what you feel will be best for them you have to list all the ‘negative’ aspects of their development and personality. It’s a very upsetting experience.”
“I felt that I was much more ‘in the know’ than nursery staff, and was ‘keeping them In the loop’ with regards to The Give Them Time Campaign and other movements aiming to uphold these rights. The 1 member of teaching staff in the nursery probably knew the child’s fundamental right to defer their school start, but they were not at all forthcoming with information, and I would never have been told this right, had I not already known it myself. There are many parents/ guardians who simply don’t know this right, and I feel that nurseries should make it their job to inform.”
QUESTION 6: What is your experience of the process of applying to your local authority for a further year of nursery funding for your child’s deferral year? Please give as much detail as possible.
“I found it very stressful. I had to attend meetings, research and write letters, get my local MSP involved. Just trying to do the right thing.”
“The process itself was one horrendously stressful and awfully frustrating bureaucratic experience!!!”
“Stressful as told from everyone that funding would not be approved. It wasn’t initially but on appeal all deferrals were funded due to covid. Very poor support for parental input-my opinion was completely disregarded and I didn’t feel listened to at all.”
“Very little support and guidance. Very much appears as if it’s bingo and based on how assessor are feeling in the day rather than robust criteria. Forcing people to appeal, which adds additional stress and pressure to an already convoluted process to then overturn the majority of appeals is inexcusable. Do the job right the first time and you will save everyone a huge amount of time, energy and resources.”
An Edinburgh dad is showcasing the city in an unusual manner – through photographs of his son’s toy cars.
From Wester Hailes to Calton Hill, the National Gallery of Modern Art to Murrayfield Stadium, Ross Burns has taken toy cars to them all.
Posting an image a day on Instagram under the name Scot.Wheels, Ross is keen to showcase both the details of the miniature cars but also the city he loves.
Ross said: “I’m working from home at the moment and it can be challenging to get out in the fresh air. So back in September I started going for a walk each day with a car from my son’s vast Hot Wheels collection. I quickly became obsessed and I’ve been doing it for more than 100 consecutive days now.”
Ross, 40, has also taken cars to the likes of Tynecastle Park, the Royal Infirmary, the Royal Botanic Garden, Saughton Park, and Edinburgh Napier University, where he works.
“I’m lucky to live in such a beautiful city. A lot of the photos are from the west of the city, where I live, but I love getting into town and photographing the cars against some of Edinburgh’s most famous sites. People like those ones too – a 1968 Copo Camaro next to the Scott Monument is currently my most popular post.
“It’s obviously been a weird year but this has given me a little creative outlet every day, away from the pressures of work and parenting. No matter where I go now, I always have a car in my pocket – even when we had various medical appointments recently after my four-year-old son Daniel broke his arm. I get some strange looks but I’m too old to be embarrassed!
“I aim to keep going and posting every day – I just have to hope my son’s grandparents continue to feed his and my habit by keeping up a regular supply of new vehicles. Christmas could be make or break!”
The first vaccinations against coronavirus (COVID-19) have been given in Scotland to those who will be carrying out the vaccination programme.
Initial supplies of the Pfizer vaccine have been arriving at NHS Boards across Scotland since the weekend and are being stored at the required Ultra Low Temperature ahead of the start of the vaccination programme.
Scotland’s Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nicola Steedman was at NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital to see the roll-out begin, with vaccinators being vaccinated first.
After that, the focus will be on vaccinating residents in care homes for older adults and their carers and other frontline healthcare workers. People over the age of 80 will then receive their injections, as supply allows. As those being vaccinated need two doses at least 21 days apart, 50 per cent of the vaccines will be kept back in to make sure we can give the second injection within the advised timeframe.
Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “This is obviously a very welcome milestone in our collective fight against the pandemic and I am very grateful to all those who have worked so hard to ensure Scotland is ready to deliver these first COVID-19 vaccinations.
“Science has given us hope and we are starting on a journey which will eventually allow us to return to the lives we want to lead.
“Following clinical advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) we will begin with those groups which have been prioritised to address 99 per cent of preventable deaths associated with COVID-19.
“These include elderly care home residents and staff, frontline health and social care workers and a number of other groups who are at risk of serious harm and death from this virus.
“We ask everyone to be patient as we work through these groups as quickly as vaccine supply allows and we urge you to go for the vaccine when it’s your turn.
“Meantime it remains very important that as we vaccinate, we all stick to the necessary restrictions and public health advice to keep suppressing the virus to as low a level as we can.
“A vaccination programme of this scale is a significant logistical challenge and requires a major nationwide effort. But it is one we undertake with optimism and determination to succeed.”
Deputy Chief Medical Officer Nicola Steedman (above) said: “I felt genuinely privileged to see this long hoped for and clinically crucial vaccination programme begin at NHS Lothian’s Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, and I would like to sincerely thank all those involved in the vast amount of work which has allowed us to reach this absolute milestone in our COVID-19 response.
“The arrival of these first COVID-19 vaccines is a huge turning point for us all, and will protect those most at risk from the serious effects of the virus, but we can’t relax yet. Even after the first people are vaccinated it will be important for now that everyone continues to follow the Scottish Government’s guidance for their area and above all to follow FACTS.
“These will continue to be the most important things we can do to protect ourselves and others from the virus, as we continue to roll out the vaccination to all of those who need it.”
Clinical Lead for the COVID Vaccination Hub at the Western General Hospital Pauline Bell said: “I am incredibly proud to be leading the team of vaccinators here at the Western General Hospital, for this unique and hugely important vaccination programme.
“An enormous amount of planning and preparation from across the organisation has been undertaken to get us to this point, so I am looking forward to finally welcoming staff into the clinic.
“As we prepare to administer the very first vaccinations, we reach a crucial juncture in the fight against COVID-19, the beginning of the journey towards a return to normality.”
Remember FACTS for a safer Scotland:
F – Face coverings
A – Avoid crowded places
C – Clean your hands regularly
T – Two metre distance
S – Self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms
Shopworkers’ trade union Usdaw has welcomed an announcement by discount retailer B&M that they will close their stores on New Year’s Day. The company said this is a ‘thank you’ for hard work and commitment during incredibly challenging year and to give staff a ‘well-deserved rest’.
This is particularly important in Scotland where Usdaw is campaigning for all stores to close on 1 January. The union’s New Year’s Day petition will be considered by the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee on Wednesday 16 December.
Dave Gill, Usdaw National Officer, said: “When the country faced a crisis unlike any in our lifetime, shopworkers stepped up and kept essential services running. They continued to work and faced increased levels of violence and abuse, as well as being worried about catching Covid-19.
“So we welcome B&M saying ‘thank you’ to their staff with the closure of stores on New Year’s Day. Key workers have done so much this year and we are asking retailers to give their staff the longest possible break over the festive season. We don’t think that is too much to ask for.”
The national winners of the annual Scottish FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards have been revealed, with the Gorgie Road restaurant in Edinburgh being crowned the winner of the 2020 Football Restaurant of the Year award.
The awards celebrate the efforts of grassroots football volunteers across Scotland who make a difference and go the extra mile to support their local communities.
Launched in March this year, the public response has been extremely strong, despite the challenging circumstances, with the Community Projects category receiving over 351% more votes this year compared to 2019. The awards feature a wide mix of categories which reflect the huge range of roles that volunteers play.
McDonald’s Gorgie Road, owned and operated by local franchisee Graham Angus (pictured above), joins a long list of inspirational grassroots football heroes who have been recognised by the awards programme.
Graham has been involved in the local grassroots community for a number of years, and the team at McDonald’s Gorgie Road support local football at Salvesen FC, as well as developing an innovative partnership by working with the club’s older players looking for a route back into employment.
Graham, who with his team will continue to support grassroots football in the Edinburgh area, added: “It’s an honour to be named Football Restaurant of the Year at the awards this year.
“I’m so proud of the efforts my team have put in to support grassroots football. Over the years our relationship with football teams have thrived. We’ve worked hard to form strong relationships with clubs like Salvesen FC, so we can help provide them with much-needed support to keep grassroots football prosper in the area.”
McDonald’s Fun Football ambassador Kenny Dalglish said: “It’s been a really difficult year for the whole country, but I’m very pleased that we’re able to recognise and celebrate the volunteers who go above and beyond to have a positive impact on their local communities.
“The tireless work of local heroes like Graham Angus and his team at Gorgie Road is what keeps the game going. Graham and his team should be extremely proud of his achievements and grassroots football in Scotland is in a much better place with them being a part of it.”
The Scottish FA & McDonald’s Grassroots Football Awards are part of McDonald’s ongoing Community Partnership with the Scottish FA.
To find out more about McDonald’s partnership visit:
