The Stroke Association has responded to Public Health Scotland’s Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme report 2021which was published this week.
John Watson, Director Scotland of the Stroke Association said: “Two things leapt out to me in reading “The Scottish Stroke Improvement Programme annual report 2021″ launched today.
“First of all I am struck by how well stroke care teams around Scotland have managed to maintain specialist care and treatment to patients, in the face of unprecedented challenges. Those teams deserve our thanks and respect.
“Of more concern was the reduction in the number of people coming into hospital with the signs of stroke. Although we are not fully sure why this is the case, it is presumed in this report that it has been due to a fear of hospital admission – likely due to hesitancy and fear of contracting COVID-19.
“This is a concern to us because stroke is a medical emergency and it’s essential to call 999 straight away if you suspect you or someone around you is having a stroke.
“We continue to urge the public to use the world-famous stroke acronym, “FAST”, to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of a stroke: Face, Arms, Speech and Time (to call an ambulance) – Act FAST.
“FAST remains an important message that both we and others continue to promote.
“The Scottish Government recognised pre-pandemic that stroke needed significant improvement and made welcome commitments towards that. We are pleased to see increasing awareness of the signs of a stroke is included, alongside commitments relating to improved hospital care. We look forward to seeing further progress on those commitments in the coming months.”
We’ve been working towards this momentous occasion for months now and it has been a herculean effort given the challenges we’ve faced putting on a festival that is both safe for our artists, staff and visitors and full of what we all need right now: joy.
We’re delighted to say that our FULL online programme has now gone live and you can leaf through it in your own time by clicking on the image to the right.
If you’re in East Lothian, our printed programme will drop with the next issue of the East Lothian Courier, out Thursday 8th July.
We’ve kept a few class acts up our sleeve until the big programme reveal and here are a few of them …
Mica Paris was an absolute sensation when she last performed at Fringe by the Sea in 2018 and she will be back this August after releasing Gospel, her first album in over a decade.
Fourteen year-old singer/songwriter from Bellshill, Connor Fyfe, is one to watch. His tour has completely sold out so get in quick! Connor will be supported by local indie band Bluetile.
The latest track from Edinburgh’s swim school ‘Anyway’ was featured in Spotify’s June New Music playlist. We’re expecting great things from this four piece whose debut EP will be landing next month.
Neu! Reekie! has been performing multi-arts extravaganzas around the world for over a decade and FBTS21 will see them joined on stage by a host of special guests including ex-Makar Liz Lochhead.
Maggie O’Farrell is the author of The Sunday Times no. 1 bestselling memoir I AM, I AM, I AM and eight novels including The Sunday Times bestseller HAMNET, ‘Immersive, at times shockingly intimate… ought to win prizes’ – Guardian. Maggie talks to Jennifer Crichton, editor and founder of The Flock.
It wouldn’t be Fringe by the Sea without a good dose of Phil and Aly! Together, they have established themselves as the epitome of excellence in the world of traditional music.
With their musical magic and quick-witted humour they will pull your emotional strings one moment and have you falling off the seat with laughter the next.
To be able to put on performances this year, we need more space than we usually would and so FBTS this year is spread out over the town in various open-air venues. How beautiful is this venue map, designed by our artist in residence, Eilidh Muldoon!
The North Berwick Trust Harbour Home is where you will be able to pick up tasty food and drink at our Streetfood Market and handcrafted wares at the Mactaggart & Mickel Makers’ Market. It’s also the place where a lot of the music will happen with the Lighthouse Live Stage hosting open mic talent daily from 12pm till late.
Up at the Lodge Grounds will stand the Belhaven Big Top and SSE Renewables Envirozone tent, the Glenkinchie Lowland Stage located at the library. Further afield, the newly-reopened Marine North Berwick Hotel will be putting on masterclasses on an array of subjects from crime-writing and brewing to baking and whisky.
The show simply wouldn’t go on without all our amazing supporters, from our sponsors to our volunteers and to everyone who buys a ticket and shows up.
So thank you one and all and we look forward to seeing you seaside next month!
The former Royal High School has been put on the open market by the City of Edinburgh Council for interested parties to submit development proposals in return for a long lease of the building.
The Council’s Finance and Resources Committee agreed in January in a private session that the historic and iconic building on Calton Hill would be remarketed, signifying the start of a new chapter for the site which lies at the heart of Edinburgh’s original World Heritage Site.
Any proposals need to ensure a sustainable long term future for the Royal High School, be of the highest architectural quality and take into account the conclusions drawn by the Scottish Ministers following the public inquiry.
Councillor Rob Munn, Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, said:“This an important step forward for the future of this iconic site and means we can identify the best value option for the city and our residents in the future.
“We know there are a number of interested parties and having it back on the market allows them to submit any development proposals.”
Councillor Joan Griffiths, Vice Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, added: “There was unanimous agreement earlier in the year to remarket the old Royal High School and I look forward to seeing the options presented to us at a future committee which could occupy this very important building, so prominent in our World Heritage site.“
I am writing to ask your readers to seek out and celebrate the epilepsy heroes in your community.
Epilepsy affects over 55,000 across Scotland, some of them helped by truly inspirational people. Those who think nothing of going out of their way to lend a hand or even save a life, when someone really needs it. This year, national charity Epilepsy Action wants to thank them and honour their efforts publicly with a Helping Hands 2021 award.
This past year has been such an unsettling time, especially for those living with invisible conditions like epilepsy. Pandemic or not, so many people and families have struggled behind closed doors.
Community heroes have often been a lifeline, stepping up in a crisis. It could be a teacher who has been a legend in lockdown. A total stranger who rallied during a seizure. Or a local group who took on an epic fundraiser for epilepsy.
Whoever they are, we want to hear all about them!
Last year, my daughter 8-year-old Sienna picked up an award for the care she gives to her sister, who has severe epilepsy and complex needs. Sienna does so much each day and this thankless job goes unnoticed by the outside world.
She is a remarkable little girl, who doesn’t even know the difference she makes to her sister’s life. I wanted to tell her – and everyone else – how proud we are of her.
This summer, Epilepsy Action would love for your readers to be inspired by amazing people like Sienna, and to nominate more Helping Hands heroes. To do this, visit epilepsy.org.uk/ awards before the 15th of August. We can’t wait to hear about your heroes, to celebrate and thank them on behalf of people with epilepsy everywhere.
Children and young people are getting geared up for a summer of fun as an exciting programme of activities is being delivered by over 100 Council services and partner organisations across the Capital.
The Get into Summer initiative is part of a nationwide scheme funded by the Scottish Government to create a variety of opportunities for children and their families to play, socialise and re-connect over the summer.
The activities will build on the regular summer programmes put on by the City of Edinburgh Council and partners and are taking place in communities across the city. They will help children and young people to get healthy, creative and most importantly, re-connect with each other after a disrupted school year caused by the pandemic.
A key focus of the programme will be activities targeted to those families from low income households who may otherwise struggle to access such experiences during the holidays. The overall programme has a focus on opportunities for youth and children’s work, very young children and their families, with opportunities for sport, outdoor, art and cultural activities.
Some of the partner organisations putting on events and providing support include: 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, Disability Services, Intercultural Youth Scotland, Edinburgh Young Carers, Lochend Football Academy, National Galleries of Scotland, Play2Learn Sports Coaching and Shakti Women’s Aid.
Fet Lor Summer Programme
Councillor Ian Perry, Convener for Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We know how much our children and young people have had their year disrupted by the pandemic and our ‘Get into Summer’ programme aims to bring as many of them together as possible to play and socialise over the holidays.
“There really is something for everyone with activities ranging from sports coaching to museum trips and music workshops with many additional activities on top of what we usually offer during the summer. We want to do all we can to support our children, young people, their families and carers so they can enjoy the summer.
“This programme is a great way to do that. Thanks must go to the different Council teams and partner organisations across the city who have pulled together to put on such a great programme of activities.”
MYDG Summer Programme
Councillor Alison Dickie, Vice Convener for Education, Children and Families at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We have listened to our young people who have told us about the impact of lockdown on their mental health and wellbeing as a result of the pandemic so these activities are a first step to help them re-connect with their friends and interests over the summer.
“They and their families are showing great resilience but no one should underestimate the huge impact the pandemic is having with many of the activities and support usually open to them not yet available. This must change.
“Many families on low income struggle during the summer holidays so this targeted offer is a positive step forward and will boost opportunities for those who have faced the greatest challenges in the past 15 months. This programme has children’s rights and needs at its heart.”
Dot Horne, Director of 6VT Edinburgh City Youth Café, said: “Get into Summer is a much-needed support for children and young people. During this pandemic so many young people have been adversely affected, isolated and missed out on essential life skills they would have learnt as they progressed through “normal” experiences.
“We’ve seen an increasing number of young people coming forward who are lacking things like self-confidence, coping skills, feeling socially anxious , lonely or unhappy. At 6VT we are offering teenagers a dynamic and active programme of activities where they will be supported to improve their wellbeing, experience new activities and learn how to build respectful relationships with others.
“We are striving for a lot of fun and laughter with the overall impact of improving happiness. We encourage parents to support their children and young people to engage into Get into Summer activities.”
Scotland’s Test and Protect contact tracing staff are to prioritise phone calls to high risk cases to ensure the system delivers maximum benefit as Coronavirus (COVID-19) case numbers increase.
SMS text messages will now be used more extensively for low risk index cases, with direct telephone calls continuing to be used for the most high risk cases.
All individuals are being encouraged to complete the digital contact tracing form, allowing contact tracers to consider where a case is high risk and should receive a phone call. This approach will allow capacity to be focused on the cases most likely to lead to further transmission of the virus.
Additional measures to maximise overall capacity across health boards are being implemented, including supporting ongoing recruitment processes in local contact tracing teams to ensure they can continue to meet agreed staffing deployment requirements, alongside additional surge workforce capacity being brought online in the National Contact Tracing Centre over the coming days.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “At a time when we are facing a record high number of positive cases, our Test and Protect system has continued to operate well and, meeting our proxy measure, the World Health Organisation criteria of closing 80% of close contacts within 72 hours.
“But the third wave of cases means that the Test and Protect system is now contacting record numbers of people each day.
“The shift in approach we are taking will mean more text messages going out and people getting online to report contacts and find information.
“This is a sensible and practical approach which will allow us to focus our contacting tracing efforts on the most high risk cases and prevent further spread of the virus.
“Contact tracers will continue to phone many of those who have tested positive but there will be a focus on more complex, high risk cases. We continue to look holistically at the system to ensure its resilience, including supporting ongoing local recruitment and flexing additional workforce capacity within the National Contact Tracing Centre.
“It’s really important that people who are contacted by Test and Protect continue to self-isolate for 10 days.
“Our Test and Protect staff are doing fantastic work under significant pressure and we should all be thankful for their efforts throughout this pandemic.
“I would encourage anyone who has a smartphone to download the Protect Scotland App – if you test positive, you will receive a code that can be entered into the app, providing isolation notifications to people you have been in contact with.”
Daily case numbers reached a record 4,234 in Scotland this week, although the success of the vaccination roll-out has limited the number of people getting seriously ill and being admitted to hospital.
National Thank You Day, backed by Lorraine Kelly, Dame Katherine Grainger and Tom Kitchin, will give thanks to those who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic
Tartan Tea Parties, BBQs and picnics are set to take place across Scotland to celebrate local heroes
UK Government Communities Secretary thanks community heroes and encourages all to fill the airwaves with tributes to everyone who played their part
The UK Government is celebrating Thank You Day to shine a light on Scotland’s unsung heroes who have served local communities during the pandemic.
With backing from a host of Scottish celebrities including TV’s Lorraine Kelly, olympic rower Dame Katherine Grainger and Scotland’s youngest Michelin starred chef Tom Kitchin, the day is set to give thanks to those who have gone the extra mile to help their neighbours.
The campaign for Thank You Day was started by a small group of people from across the UK including Debbie Matthew, a stroke survivor from Perthshire, and May Parsons, the nurse who administered the UK’s first Covid jab.
Thanks to their efforts, people around the country will be gathering to show their gratitude by hosting Covid safe Tartan Tea Parties, BBQs, picnics, and certificate ceremonies in honour of those who have selflessly given their time to help those in need.
UK Government Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick is also calling on people to fill the UK’s airwaves with their thanks and tributes on local radio and social media.
Unsung heroes include people such as:
Faith leaders who embraced technology to ensure communities could celebrate religious festivals online and opened up places of worship as vaccination centres
The many volunteers who delivered food parcels and those who were always there at the other end of the phone or on the doorstep to smile, listen and talk so people did not feel alone
Volunteers and charities who worked to get rough sleepers off the streets and provided lifesaving support for those fleeing domestic abuse
Council staff, social workers and refuse collectors who kept vital services going during the most challenging times.
The Prime Minister will be joining the festivities with a ‘BB-Thank-Q’, hosting community leaders, NHS workers and representatives from the Royal Voluntary Service.
UK Government Communities Secretary Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said: This past year has been challenging for us all. But in the darkest of times, when people were most in need, the actions of our friends and neighbours to support our communities have shone the brightest.
“Across all faiths, ages, backgrounds and languages, our communities have shown off the best of this country.
“You are all our community heroes and on behalf of the UK Government I want to say thank you.”
UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “The past year has been incredibly challenging for all of us, but the kindness, generosity and community spirit shown across Scotland has been truly heartening.
“From every one of our key workers who kept services going in the most difficult of circumstances, to our voluntary groups who worked tirelessly to help those in need, the people that delivered food parcels to their neighbours, there are so many in Scotland that went above and beyond to support their communities.
“The UK Government is proud to be supporting Thank You Day to pay tribute to all those who deserve our sincere gratitude.”
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is holding a Tartan Tea party to mark the day with staff and families from the Scottish parliament.
She said: “It has been heartening to hear stories of people across Scotland who have gone to extraordinary lengths to provide support to friends, families and neighbours throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is important we pause to recognise their efforts.
“Thank You Day gives us the opportunity to express in person our gratitude to those who go out of their way to offer their time and help – and I am hugely grateful to all those who have done so already and continue to do so.
“By heeding the various rules and public health advice and enabling others to do the same, you are protecting the vulnerable and helping suppress the virus.”
Around 1.10am on Saturday, 3 July, 2021 officer were called to Granton Square, Edinburgh following a report of a disturbance.
Two men, aged 19 and 21, were found with serious injuries and taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary to be treated.
Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg, said: “These men received serious injuries and therefore it is imperative that we establish exactly how they came about them.
“We are currently carrying out enquiries into the matter, however would appeal for anyone with any information to come forward.
“Passing taxis or private hire vehicles that were in the area may also have dash-cam footage that could be vital in our enquiry. We would urge you to get in touch.”
Anyone with any information should contact Police via 101, quoting incident number 0261 of Saturday, 3 July, 2021. Alternatively you can contact CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where information can be given in confidence.
A SPORTS marketing agency which prides itself on its ethical approach will be giving its athletes an added incentive – the opportunity to help combat climate change.
The Athlete Media Group represents 18 sports men and women at the top of their game, who compete in everything from boxing to rowing to triathlon – World Cup winners, Team GB Olympic Gold medallists, world champions, world record holders and more.
And as part of its commitment to recognising and supporting a range of good causes, AMG has now partnered with JUST ONE Tree (sic), which works towards repairing the world’s damaged ecosystems.
The agency has put in place a sliding scale of financial rewards which will see them make a donation to JUST ONE Tree throughout 2021 and 2022 every time one of their athletes wins a competition or makes it to the podium.
All the money will then be used by JUST ONE Tree to plant trees around the globe along with mangrove and kelp in the oceans, which reflects the environments that AMG’s athletes perform in.
Sophie Coldwell, Team GB triathlete who works with AMG, believes this is an important initiative – so much so that she and some of her fellow athletes will be matching the agency’s pledge personally.
“I am proud to use my athlete platform and performances to help combat climate change in such a fun and creative way,” she said. “I love that I can do my bit for the planet through my passion for triathlon and can’t wait to get racing again.”
JUST ONE Tree is a non-profit initiative committed to removing CO2 from the atmosphere and reversing biodiversity loss through global reforestation and its CEO and Founder, Amanda Bronkhorst, praised AMG for its commitment.
“Athlete Media Group has pledged to embrace sustainability at every level and I’m delighted they’ve chosen JUST ONE Tree as their partner on that journey,” she said.
“Working with land- and water-based athletes really helps emphasise all the ways planting trees can help regenerate our planet and create a greener future for us all.”
Mark Middlemas, CEO and Founder of AMG, said this partnership typified the ethos at the agency. “This is what AMG is all about – doing good, pushing boundaries and having fun,” he said.
“It’s about athletes doing what they do best – competing, scoring and winning – and out of that we can help in some small way to help create a positive future for our planet.”
