Courageous student gets her degree and the job of her dreams
A former prison officer and bank worker whose eyes were opened to the possibilities of a career in nursing by her own serious illness has graduated from Edinburgh Napier University.
Ellie Lamb was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer five years ago while working at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian.
Following surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she struggled to keep up with the demands of the prison job, and decided to retrain as a nurse – partly motivated by the quality of care she had herself received in hospital.
Ellie completed a distance learning Higher in human biology to add to her earlier HND in psychology and criminology, and, armed with these qualifications, she was accepted at Edinburgh Napier in 2017. However, her path to a Bachelor of Nursing degree in adult nursing, which she successfully completed this week, has been far from plain sailing.
Last year she was re-diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, leading to more chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but she refused to abandon her summer placement with a West Lothian district nursing team.
Mother-of-three Ellie, 49, of Armadale, said: “Apart from the time off to have my treatment I never missed a day, and I also developed a love for wound management. By the end of my placement I was given a run of my own, attending patients with minor injuries.
“I often thought about giving up – it was hard, with the treatment, my placement, and my family and study commitments. I was exhausted and in so much pain but my love of nursing and my desire to carry on and get my degree drove me on.”
This year’s Covid-19 pandemic brought fresh concerns. As a shielded patient, Ellie had to seek special permission to complete a ‘low-risk’ community hospital placement to remain on target to graduate.
Now she has been rewarded for her outstanding courage and perseverance with both a degree and a permanent job as a staff nurse at Tippethill House Hospital in Armadale.
Ellie said: “I chose to be a nurse, and that was a commitment to care for people who needed it regardless of the risk to myself.
“My new job at Tippethill offers everything I enjoy – care of the elderly, wound management and also end-of-life care which I am really enthusiastic about.
“I’m not sure what the future holds for me. I will fight and work for as long as I can, doing a job I love. It’s just a shame that it took my own illness to open my eyes to nursing. I wish I had done it years ago.”
Emma Trotter, Edinburgh Napier’s field lead in adult nursing, said: “I have personally and professionally been moved and inspired over the last three years by Ellie Lamb, not only as a brilliant student nurse but as a role model for the nursing profession.
“Ellie’s determination, enthusiasm, energy and hard work to achieve her goal to be a trained nurse while facing her own health concerns were all an example of her passion to make a difference to the lives of the people she cares for.
“Her story has touched all our hearts within the BN programme, both staff and students, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish her the very best for her future career as a staff nurse.”
As bicycle use spikes during local lockdowns, drivers need to be aware of the 1.5 metre rule which encourages motorists to make room and protect cyclists.
During the first 30 days of lockdown in March, the Department for Transport (DfT) found that cycling fatalities were more than double the number compared to the same periods from 2015-18 – even though the level of vehicle traffic had dropped to 36% of its pre-lockdown level.
Of the 15 cyclists in the UK that lost their lives from 23 March – 22 April all but two incidents did not involve a motor vehicle.
Various road safety initiatives have launched to raise awareness of the Highway Code’s Rule 163 that there should ‘plenty of room’ when overtaking – often recommend as 1.5 metre distance or roughly the width of a car. It also states that drivers should overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so.
Motorists who flout the rule face a careless driving charge from the police, which can result in three penalty points on their licence and a £100 fine, or in some cases, a more serious criminal conviction. Undercover policemen on bicycles have used helmet-mounted cameras to help apprehend offenders
Research commissioned by Cycling Scotland found that 34 per cent of the population don’t always leave a 1.5 metre gap from cyclists, while almost 64 per cent were unaware of the three-point penalty on their licence if they are caught driving too close
Motorists should also bear in mind that insurance premiums generally increase by around 5% for the first three points on a licence, shooting up to as much as 25% for six points – premium loading can continue to apply until the points come off the licence after five years
The latest figures from DfT show cycling use jumped 10% during the week beginning 12th October compared to a week earlier.
Greg Wilson, founder of Quotezone.co.uk – which launched one of the UK’s first price comparison services for bicycle insurance – says: “We’ve seen an increase in traffic to our bicycle insurance comparison website since lockdown began – with people keen for socially distanced transport and exercise.
“I would also expect an upcoming spike in December anuary with many putting bikes at the top of their Christmas list this year.
“This increase signals potential dangers – while there may be fewer cars on the road, the reduced congestion levels could encourage some motorists to increase their speed. With so many people taking up cycling during lockdown a greater number of cyclists on the road may be relatively inexperienced, so making sure drivers make room with the 1.5 metre rule has never been so important
“We work hard to get drivers the best policy at the best price, and even when a driver has received penalty points we still have panel members that can offer them competitive quotes. However, the best plan is to ensure you don’t get those endorsements in the first place, which is why we recommend that drivers take their time, keep their distance and use the 1.5 metre rule when it comes to cyclists – that way we can ensure we all stay safe on the road.”
Quotezone.co.uk is one of the UK’s largest insurance comparison websites – comparing a wide range of competitive quotes across both car and bicycle insurance – helping over three million users.
Families struggling to provide food for their children are being urged to find out if they are entitled to receive free school meal payments if they do not already receive them.
Funding from the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government means that free school meal payments for thousands of eligible families will continue over the Christmas holidays and both the February and Easter breaks next year.
In addition backdated payments were made yesterday (Monday 26 October) to support eligible families for the October break period, where the city council already hold their payment details.
The Council is also issuing letters to parents/carers who have been identified as being entitled to free school meals but we do not have payments details for them – these families do not need to contact the Council.
The payments are paid to P1 to S6 children who receive a School Clothing Grant.
Now the Council is urging families who may be missing out on the vital payments to check online to see if they are eligible. Those who already receive free school meals do not need to contact the Council.
The funding announcement comes after the Edinburgh Poverty Commission published their final report last month which highlighted that almost 15% of Edinburgh’s population lives in poverty, including one in five children.
The payment for free school meals reinforces the Council’s commitment to providing much needed support to families through such projects as the Discover! programme which aims to reduce food and financial insecurity during the school holidays and supported over 200 families last week.
Families took part in a number of online cooking, music and art sessions in addition to receiving a Discover! box containing fresh foods, art supplies, active schools kits and information on advice services as well as support with devices at home if they had no digital access.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “This provides important support for families across the city and almost 6,500 young people have already benefited from free school meal payments covering the October break.
“This Council and Scottish Government funding means that we’re helping families most in need over the winter months. These are extremely challenging times for everyone but no family should have to worry about how they’re going to put food on plates during the holidays or at any other time.”
Depute leader Cammy Day said: “As the city’s Poverty Champion I’m fully aware of the enormous struggles many people are experiencing so this vital funding means no families need to go hungry in Scotland’s Capital over the winter months.
“The Edinburgh Poverty Commission report highlighted that one in five children are living in poverty so we want to make sure that everyone who’s entitled to receive this financial lifeline can do so.
This is especially important as many families’ circumstances may have changed over the recent months with furlough and redundancies.
“Please check our online application form which outlines who is eligible for funding and apply before the end of November so we can process the payments as swiftly as possible.”
The application form for families eligible for free school meal payments is available on the Council website.
77% increase as more people on low incomes seek support
The amount paid out in crisis grants to people in need increased by more than three quarters in the early stages of lockdown, latest figures show.
The Scottish Welfare Fund awarded £5.2 million in crisis grants between April and June 2020, up 77 per cent on the same period last year.
The number of crisis grants rose by 63 per cent over the quarter, peaking in April when twice as many were awarded than in April 2019.
The most common reason given by applicants, covering 45 per cent of cases, was that they had exhausted their usual income and benefits.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “These latest figures demonstrate that we were right to ensure our Scottish Welfare Fund was increased – just one of many actions taken to ensure there is additional financial support to people coping with the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).
“The leading reason people apply for emergency help is that their benefits or other income has been spent.
“While the Scottish Government works to improve provision for children and families facing poverty, we continue to have to spend money to protect the most vulnerable in our communities from UK benefit cuts.
“We are introducing the Scottish Child Payment to tackle child poverty head on, opening for applications next month, with the first payments to start from February 2021. Together with the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, this will provide over £5,200 of financial support for families by the time their first child turns six – and more than £4,900 for second and subsequent children.”
Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics: Update to 30 June 2020 can be found here.
Proposal of Application Notice lodged for residential units to replace Hotel option
Plans have been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for the New Town Quarter development. Proposals include a mix of new homes, offices and public amenities on the 5.9-acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site, at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.
We have received a huge amount of interest in our proposals – including more than 4,000 visitors to our website from Edinburgh, Scotland and across the world. This has become one of the largest consultations ever carried out for a city centre development and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to it by passing on their views and comments, all of which has helped shape our final application.
It is hoped that the application will be discussed at committee by the City of Edinburgh Council in December 2020.
For more information on the New Town Quarter, please click HERE
Ediston and Orion Capital Managers have lodged a new Proposal of Application for the New Town Quarter, one of the largest city centre developments to come forward in Edinburgh for a generation.
Plans were originally submitted to the city council at the end of July for offices, new homes and a hotel on the 5.9 acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site on Dundas Street in the heart of the New Town.
Now, updated proposals have been brought forward to provide around 79 new residential units to replace the hotel ‘as a response to changes in the economic climate caused by the coronavirus outbreak’.
The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) means there will now be additional public consultation for the new application – this was launched on 8th October.
Welcoming the proposals, Ross McNulty, Development Director at Ediston, said: “This is the largest brownfield site to come forward in the city centre for many years and we have worked closely with the community and local organisations to create a high quality and vibrant new mixed-use neighbourhood.
“Understandably, there is now a need to review the development mix considering the huge impact that Covid-19 has had on the Scottish and global economies.
“While we remain positive that our overall proposals are robust, the reduced activity in the hospitality sector has driven a need to consider an alternative option for the hotel element of the development.”
Ross McNulty continued: “We have already carried out one of the most extensive consultations on a development in Edinburgh, and we would like to thank all the residents and groups that have provided feedback.
“Our proposals will provide a major economic boost to the local area and to the city centre and whilst our review has shown the proposals to be robust despite the impact on the Covid-19 crisis, it has highlighted the need to consider an alternative use to the hotel.
“Edinburgh’s economy is one of the strongest and most resilient in the UK and we are encouraged that New Town Quarter remains on track.”
The PAN is to be lodged imminently with the Council and the public consultation will also be publicised and commence shortly.
The change in approach will require a separate planning application involving another public consultation programme, most likely to be held online. The overall development has already been subject to three separate consultations, the most recent of which took place online in April.
Latest research shows the New Town Quarter is poised to bring significant economic benefit to the local area, and the wider in the city centre.
The operational phase of the development the community and local organisations to create a high quality and would create more than 700 full-time jobs whilst generating an annual GVA (Gross Added Value) economic uplift of £34.4 million to the local and regional economy.
The construction phase alone would create a further £27.7 million at a regional level, creating a further 60 full time jobs. Many of the area’s local bars, restaurants, cafes, barbers, hairdressers, and shops are also set to benefit from the huge amount of business and activity that development is set to generate during construction and beyond.
For more information visit: www.newtownnorth.co.uk
Dusherra is the flagship event of SIAF. It has been celebrated for the past 25 years and is one of the most sought-after events for the ethnic community during the calendar year. The burning of the effigies, the fireworks are synonym to Dusherra. It attracts a huge crowd – both BAME population and the local community.
Considering that large public gatherings are not permitted keeping in mind the current prevailing COVID19 situations, SIAF organised Digital Dusherra 2020 completely Digital/Online using various audio/visual modes using our social media platforms.
Schedule
A well-coordinated and sequenced program hosted online, on 24th and 25th October
Running sequence of around 1.5 hours, compered by at least couple of hosts
Pre-recorded performances broadcasted to live audience
Speeches and messages from dignitaries shown online (either pre-recorded or live) including Consul General of India, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Governor of Prisons, HMP Edinburgh, CEO of BEMIS and Member of Parliament.
Professional performances by artists from India/UK (options being finalised)
School engagement via arts and crafts on the theme of Dusherra
e.g. making 10 headed Raavan in arts and craft sessions
Pre-recorded RamLeela as finale
Previous years videos played in between change of programs
Last Year’s Fireworks video will played to culminate the session
Simultaneous broadcast on other social media platforms like FB, YouTube and Instagram
Summary
SIAF – Dusherra, over 25 years has built a presence for itself in Edinburgh city and it is synonymous with celebration of the Indian heritage.
All efforts must be made to sustain its legacy and keep the flame glowing, even in such testing times. The SIAF board is committed to deliver a credible programme, with support from Edinburgh Council.
Abhijit Chakraborty, President of SIAF said: “It has been a disappointing year for all of us around the world with this pandemic still prevailing. So many of our loved ones have lost their lives and situation is still very concerning.
“We are one of the well-established ethnic minority charity organisations in Scotland trying to upheld our culture and identity for the past 25 years. We are Pan India, ours is a multi-religious organisation covering the length and breadth of India.
“We have tried our best during these difficult times by organising and taking part in couple of charity events, organised few digital events and now Digital Dusherra.
“We are lucky to have the support of the community here in Edinburgh along with the support of Edinburgh Council and the local government. We are very grateful.
“I hope that things return to normal very quickly and I wish everyone good luck and best wishes during this festive period”
Share your views on proposals to reduce inequalities
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on new proposals to offer free bus travel for young people resident in Scotland aged under 19.
Over a third of people already benefit from free bus travel in Scotland. The proposed extension of free bus travel to approximately 770,000 young people will deliver on the budget agreement, as reaffirmed in the recent Programme for Government.
At the same time the proposals help realise the vision proposed through the National Transport Strategy – contributing to a transport system with reduced inequalities and one that advances equality of opportunity.
All young carers will now benefit from the wider proposed extension to the National Concessionary Travel Scheme. As such, the Scottish Government does not intend to legislate for a specific extension to recipients of the Young Carer Grant.
Legislation will also be put forward to offer free travel to companions of disabled children under the age of five as part of the extension to those aged under 19.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:“With approximately 770,000 young people anticipated to benefit – these are hugely exciting proposals for the future of our bus sector and for inspiring future generations to engage with sustainable transport.
“Free bus travel will help young people under the age of 19 to access education, employment and leisure – particularly those from lower income families. What we are proposing will help our young people as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst supporting the vision outlined in our National Transport Strategy for a fairer and more sustainable transport system – reducing inequalities, tackling poverty and promoting opportunity.
“I’m confident that it will support the independence of young people and encourage a greater, long term shift to more sustainable travel – largely by embedding the use of public transport in people’s behaviour from an early age.
“To respond to the climate emergency, we need a shift away from private vehicle use towards more sustainable public transport. I’m confident this step could also help encourage modal shift in how young people get around – improving air quality in our towns and cities by reducing the number of car journeys made either by them or their family, friends, or carers.”
Savings to be made for Scottish drivers as insurance premiums drop
Scottish motorists can now expect to pay £616 for their car insurance, as prices for new policies drop by £26 (4%) in 12 months
More than three quarters (77%) of UK drivers who received their car insurance renewal in the past three months saw their price increase by £44, on average, according to research.
Expert report reveals how consumers are being affected by the loyalty penalty, which has cost consumers £1.2bn, according to investigations by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Competitions and Market Authority (CMA).
Drivers in the Central Scotland benefitted from the biggest savings, as car insurance prices dropped by £30 (4%) in the region in last 12 months.
Motorists in Central Scotland forking out most for car insurance, with the average premium costing £649
Drivers in Scotland are being urged to shop around as the price of buying a new car insurance policy has dropped by £26, on average – but insurers have been ramping up the cost of renewals, new research finds.
The average price of a new car insurance policy for drivers across Scotland is now £616, on average. That’s a decrease of 3% – or £20 – in the last three months, and of 4% (£26) in the last 12 months – meaning those who shopped around would’ve benefitted from this saving.
That’s according to the latest car insurance price index by Confused.com (Q3 2020), powered by Willis Towers Watson. Based on more than six million quotes per quarter, it’s the most comprehensive new business price index in the UK.
For some Scottish drivers, the savings are even greater than this. Motorists in Central Scotland in particular will have seen their car insurance price drop by £30 (4%) on average, when shopping around.
This brings the average cost in the region to £649, making it the most expensive of the four Scottish regions.
Similarly, prices in the Scottish Highlands and Islands fell by £29 (5%) year-on-year, meaning drivers in the region are now paying £594 for their car insurance, on average. It’s a similar picture for the other Scottish regions, with prices in the Scottish Borders decreasing by £27 (5%), and £14 (2%) in the East and North East.
Drivers in these regions can now expect to pay £554 and £583 for their car insurance, respectively, on average.
However, further research by Confused.com found that loyal customers aren’t seeing these savings, but instead are being penalised for their loyalty. In a Confused.com survey of 2,000 UK motorists(1), more than three quarters (77%) of those who received their car insurance renewal in the past three months (July – September 2020) saw their price increase by £44, on average.
The data comes as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) released its proposal to put a stop to renewal price hikes, or otherwise known as the ‘loyalty penalty’(2). According to the investigation, initiated by Citizens Advice and the Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA), this has cost consumers £1.2bn(2) when opting to automatically renew their insurance or service, as providers apply price increases after their initial term.
But now, the FCA has proposed measures which means insurers must offer renewing customers the same price as if they were a new customer. Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, warns that the new measures being proposed does not mean drivers will never get a more expensive price for their car insurance.
The proposed ruling, which is expected to come into force from July 2021, simply prohibits insurers from calculating a price based on whether the customer is a new customer or a renewal customer. But an insurer could still review the way prices are calculated at any time, which means prices for some customers could still increase year-on-year.
According to Ms O’Shea, the only way for customers to truly know if they’re getting the best price available to them is to shop around, as there’s likely to be an insurer offering a better deal. To further incentivise drivers to seek out a better deal, Confused.com is giving them the chance to save even more by guaranteeing to beat their car insurance renewal price or give them the difference plus £20(4).
Worryingly, nearly one in four (23%) UK drivers will always automatically renew with their current insurance or utility provider without checking if they can get a better price, according to Confused.com’s research.
In fact, nearly two in five (38%) know they could be getting a better deal elsewhere. And it’s these habits that have caused people to fall victim to the loyalty penalty and overpay for insurance products or other services for many years.
To explore the issue in more detail, Confused.com has created an expert report into consumer loyalty, which looks at how people are loyal to their providers, and how much this has potentially cost them.
While most drivers in Scotland have saved money on their car insurance this past quarter, some will seen some very significant savings. In particular, the cost of car insurance in the Hebrides fell by £80 (12%) since last year, while Shetland motorists are seeing the biggest quarterly price drops, worth £98 (15%), on average.
Drivers in these areas are now paying £582 and £560 for their car insurance, respectively, on average. In Central Scotland, drivers in Motherwell saw the biggest decrease in prices, and are now paying £52 (8%) less year-on-year, with the average premium costing £649. Kirkaldy in the East and North East of Scotland has seen annual decreases of £28 (5%) with the average price of car insurance in the area now £557.
Despite recent price drops, some drivers in Scotland are paying more for their car insurance than others – particularly male motorists. While quarterly savings are fairly matched between the genders, female drivers appear to be benefitting more year-on-year.
In particular, women in Central Scotland can save £33 (5%), while men in the region are only able to save £27 (4%), on average – taking the gap between the sexes to £62, with females paying £615 and males £677, on average.
It’s a similar story in the Highlands and Islands, where women can make savings of £30 (5%) since 12 months ago, paying £553, whereas men are only saving £28 (4%), paying £625 on average, bringing the gap to £72.
While in the East and North East, women are looking at savings of £17 (3%), whereas men can save £13 (2%) since the previous year – making the gap £61, with women paying £548 and men paying £609, on average.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s younger drivers who are faced with the steepest car insurance costs, despite price drops in the region. In particular, male drivers aged 17-20 in all four regions are paying the most. In Central Scotland, motorists of this age can now expect to pay an eye-watering £2,022 for their car insurance, on average, despite premium costs dropping by £103 (5%) since three months ago. In comparison, younger female drivers in the same area now pay £1,475, on average.
These price drops are reflected across the rest of the UK, where motorists can now expect to pay £765 for their car insurance, as prices for new policies drop by £18 (2%) in 12 months, on average.
And shopping around in the next few months could result in great savings for drivers. At the end of 2019 (Q4), the average price of car insurance accelerated from £783 to £815 (£32, 4%) in the space of three months – one of the steepest quarterly price increases in more than two years.
This means drivers who bought their car insurance between October and December last year were paying some of the highest prices seen in two years. But, even if prices remained flat between now and the end of the year, buying a new policy in the next three months could result in a saving of £50, on average.
This is the second consecutive quarter where car insurance prices have fallen year-on-year, which coincides with the start of the UK lockdown in late-March.
Since then, circumstances have changed for millions of drivers across the UK, with nearly half (48%) claiming to have used their car less since the lockdown began.
And according to Confused.com data, the average annual mileage travelled has dropped by 4% between those who bought their car in the past three months, compared to the beginning of the year. This equates to millions fewer miles being driven per year. And it is this drop in traffic levels, and consequently risks of accidents, which is perhaps one reason for why the cost of car insurance has dropped over the last six months.
Lockdown also saw a huge surge in the number of people applying for a SORN, and new car sales plummeted, meaning insurers had to compete and adjust their pricing in order to attract the small number of drivers who were looking for insurance during this period.
However, while the UK is facing further lockdown restrictions, some sense of normality has resumed for some drivers, as people return to work and start to drive their car more often, and new car sales have also started to pick up gradually. It’s likely that car insurance costs will return to the upwards trend we saw before the coronavirus pandemic, but at what pace remains to be seen.
While the cost of car insurance is cheaper now for most drivers, it’s clear not everyone is off the hook, which proves the importance of shopping around to find the best deal.
Louise O’Shea, CEO at Confused.com, says: “The FCA announcing measures to stop insurers pricing renewing customers unfairly was bound to come as good news to drivers.
“For too long, people have been penalised for staying loyal, and that shouldn’t be the case. However, it’s so important to understand that this doesn’t mean they’re getting the best price available to them in the market.”
The Government must use the coronavirus pandemic as a catalyst to fix the ‘broken’ children and young people’s mental health system so it works for each individual child.
This is the message from Barnardo’s, which says the lessons learned during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis must not be forgotten when it is, eventually, a distant memory.
It comes as young people who are supported by the UK’s leading children’s charity say they have had mixed experiences about the ways services have adapted during the pandemic.
This has included by embracing alternative therapies and the use of digital technology such as video calls to provide ongoing support to children.
Using technology has worked well for some children because they have more control over when and where they get support.
But others have found it difficult due to digital poverty, where they do not have a smartphone or internet access, which has put them at a considerable disadvantage.
Some have found it difficult to fully interact with professionals online, when they have been used to in-person, one-to-one support.
Barnardo’s says the Government has some good mental health policies, like the 0 to 25 promise in the NHS 10 year plan which will end the ‘cliff edge’ at 18, but it argues progress hasn’t been anywhere near fast enough and says young people simply cannot afford to wait.
It says the Government needs to learn lessons from the pandemic and must ensure that all the different ways a child can access support at the moment – whether that’s one-to-one support in person, through apps and video calls, alternative therapies, or a combination of all of these – are still available once the Covid-19 crisis is over.
Support needs to be tailored to the needs of the individual, rather than being a one-size fits all approach.
And it needs to ensure there is long term, sustainable funding for children’s mental health to rebuild the system from the ground up with children and young people at the heart.
One of the young people supported by Barnardo’s, and who has worked with the charity to ensure the views of her peers are heard, is Tia, from Plymouth.
Tia said: “It’s vital that the Government listens to young people about our experiences of mental health services during the pandemic and involves us when looking at how they should operate in the post-Covid world.
“There cannot be a one size fits all solution. What is right for one child will not be right for another. While some have embraced alternative therapies and getting support online, others have struggled to access services.
“It’s important for us to have a say in helping shape services so they work for each individual.”
Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said:“Even before the pandemic the system was failing too many children and young people with mental health needs. Instead of going back to a broken system, we need a radically new approach.
“We need to identify and support children earlier, before they reach crisis point. We need to end the ‘cliff edge’ at 18, where help often drops off. And we need to make sure every child and young person can access the type of help that works for them – whether that’s digital, support in the community, alternative therapies, or traditional cognitive behaviour therapy.
“This generation is facing a unique set of challenges, and improving their mental health and wellbeing is a vital step towards the positive future they deserve.”
Mental health is at the heart of Barnardo’s work across all of its more than a thousand services across the UK.
It also supports more than 40,000 children, young people, parents and carers through its commissioned UK-wide mental health services – including 28,700 children through its school-based programmes aimed at improving emotional health and wellbeing.
This mental health work is partly funded thanks to the generosity of the players of the People’s Postcode Lottery, who have raised over £4million for Barnardo’s so far.
Scottish craft distillery, Old Curiosity, has launched a new limited-edition Christmas Gin ahead of the festive period, perfectly capturing the essence of the season by blending classic aromatic spices, and naturally coloured with botanicals to create a fitting rosy red colour.
The Secret Garden Christmas Gin (50cl, 39% ABV) is distilled with botanicals grown in the distillery’s Secret Herb Garden on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom are distilled to create a distinctly festive flavour, while hollyhock petals give the liquid a natural festive red colouring.
The Secret Garden Christmas Gin comes in three sizes to suit a range of gift ideas. Starting from a perfect stocking filler size of 5cl (£5.95), 20cl (14.95) to 50cl (£35.95), ideal for a gin lover’s present. The range also includes a festive gift set of a 20cl bottle of Christmas Gin paired with the distillery’s renowned Wild Gin (20cl, 40% ABV), priced at £29.95.
To create the perfect festive serve
Fill a Tall glass with ice
Add 50ml Christmas Gin
Top up with low sugar tonic
Garnish with Orange
Once the tonic is poured into the glass, the bright red Christmas Gin turns to a striking fluorescent pink.
Hamish Martin, Director at the Old Curiosity Distillery, commented: “We really wanted to explore a new range of festive flavours using traditional seasonal ingredients to make our Christmas Gin.
“We drew influence from medieval Christmas feasts by distilling the gin with cinnamon and aromatic cardamom, while the ginger gives the spirit an extra kick for warmth!
“We’ve proud to say that our Christmas Gin contains no preservatives, sugars, colourings or flavourings, only truly natural ingredients from our very own Secret Herb Garden in Midlothian. We hope gin lovers enjoy our festive tipple this Christmas.”
The botanicals used in the Christmas Gin carefully grown at The Secret Herb Garden on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The Secret Garden is an award-winning herb nursery with over 600 naturally grown and tended varieties of herbs and flowers which are picked, dried and distilled by hand to deliver the pure essence of nature.
It is most renowned for the highly acclaimed and multi award-winning collection of premium, 100% natural, Secret Garden Gins which are stocked by some of the UK’s most prestigious retailers and now exported to 11 countries around the globe. The distillery also produces ranges of teas, soaps and hand sanitisers.
