Communities benefit from Covid-19 recovery fund

Support for vital schemes to support local businesses while ensuring shoppers and staff stay safe

Communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians have received a share of £1 million of grants to help town centres recover from the consequences of the coronavirus crisis.

The money nationally has come from The Towns and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Resilience and Recovery Fund, financed by the Scottish Government and administered by Scotland’s Towns Partnership.

Among the organisations to receive support is City of Edinburgh Council which has received £40,000 towards a digital marketing campaign and other promotional material to support a campaign encouraging people to shop local.

Details of all the projects supported in the region are available here.

The fund has supported a raft of schemes to help town centres in their fightback from the Covid-19 pandemic, including helping pay for PPE supplies as well as funding local marketing campaigns urging people to support businesses in their community, highlighting that they are open for business.

Phil Prentice, Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “Businesses in our town centres are showing remarkable resilience and innovation in how they are responding to the consequences of Covid-19 to best serve their customers and communities.

“From rapidly accelerating their online offerings to moving quickly to ensure that safeguards are in place to ensure that staff can work safely and customers shop responsibly, their work is playing an important part in the nation’s recovery from the pandemic. The impact they are having should not be underestimated.

“We are delighted to have been able to support projects in Edinburgh, East Lothian and West Lothian and pleased that the work will touch on so many towns as we encourage everyone to think local first – and safety first – to support the businesses and the people behind them who really are at the heart of the areas in which they live.

“Whether it be buying your groceries or enjoying a meal out, the support you give is critical as we work hard to secure a sustainable and successful future for Scotland’s town centres.”

Nationally 73 projects are being supported – 24 in full and 49 in part – covering 188 individual towns. Money has been granted to organisations including local authorities and community business groups.

Scotland’s Communities Secretary, Aileen Campbell MSP, said: “Living more of our lives locally – shopping, eating and enjoying activities in the areas we live – has never been more important.

“It has a huge role to play in supporting Scotland’s economic and social recovery from COVID-19. This fund is enabling great work to support and promote local businesses in more than 180 towns by highlighting the diverse and vibrant selection of products and services on offer

“Taking simple steps like choosing to visit a nearby shop or café, or buying goods or services from a business in your own community helps support local jobs. These actions help local economies to thrive, bring communities together and, crucially, help us to continue to suppress the virus by limiting unnecessary travel.”

The Towns and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) Resilience and Recovery Fund totals £2 million. While half of this has been used towards the current wave of grants, £700,000 will provide support to business improvement districts when current BIDs Resilience funding expires.

The remainder of the money includes support for the Scotland Loves Local campaign, a major multimedia promotion championing the message for shoppers to think local first.

Citizens Assembly to reconvene next month

The Citizens Assembly will resume online following a break due to COVID disruption. We will reconvene on 5 September and will report to the Scottish Government and Parliament by the end of the year.

The Assembly’s remit will be unchanged.

You may recall that before the pause, members had made substantial progress in developing a shared vision for the future of Scotland, and had considered key challenges to building a sustainable country.

Members also examined Scotland’s finances and taxation, and discussed how decisions are taken for and about Scotland.

The Assembly will now complete its work across these areas, while also considering the impact of COVID-19.


The interim report, The Journey So Far, was published yesterday alongside a comprehensive set of articles and videos summarising the work.

 All information can be found at www.CitizensAssembly.scot and we will continue to update our Facebook, TwitterInstagram and YouTube channel social media channels.

Best wishes, 

Citizens’ Assembly Secretariat

Picture: Chris Watt

Green light for Gilmore Place student accommodation

A planning application by S1 Developments for the St Joseph’s Nursing Home site at Gilmore Place has been granted unanimously – subject to conditions – by the city council’s Development Management Sub-Committee yesterday.

The committee voted in favour of a 230-bed student scheme, over 29 cluster flats, on the former Little Sisters of the Poor nursing home site. This C-listed main building includes a chapel.

The proposed project will see communal facilities installed in the retained and refurbished chapel, while existing east and west outbuildings and extensions will be demolished and replaced with new three storey accommodation around a retained landscaped courtyard. These buildings will be of high-quality stone and zinc and this will be a predominantly car free development with provision for 230 cycle parking spaces.

The proposal ensures an effective new use for a unique listed building and its grounds whilst causing the least possible harm.

The potential to deliver the site for another care home was not considered suitable for modern requirements, and upgrades to meet Care Commission standards were prohibitively expensive. Delivering housing was severely constrained by a number of factors including access constraints and the layout of the site.

The introduction of new build elements in order to deliver a viable proposal will only deliver  a 4 per cent increase in the current building footprint, while the delivery of a high-quality courtyard will see a 12 per cent increase in the green space.

The site is in an accessible location and close to university facilities.

Provision of new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) will support the growth and development of the higher education sector in Edinburgh. In doing so it will increase the range and choice of accommodation offered to students.

The current ratio of approximately three students per one bed space in Edinburgh, demonstrates the demand for new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).

A spokesperson for S1 Developments, said: “I’m delighted with the decision taken today by councillors. As an Edinburgh-based family company, we are thrilled to see this exciting project given the green light and look forward to breathing new life into this former nursing home.

“Redevelopment will restore the existing care-home building into high quality student accommodation, allowing the retention of the central chapel in its existing form.

“We look forward to getting these proposals underway and to continue working with council officials and the local community to deliver them.”

Save up to £2,000 with Tax-Free Childcare in Scotland

As schools return in Scotland, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding working parents they could save up to £2,000 per child per year to pay towards after-school clubs and other childcare services.

Around 110,000 families in Scotland are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare, which can cut thousands of pounds off childcare bills.

All families have to do is pay into their Tax-Free Childcare account and for every £8 that they deposit, the UK Government immediately makes a top-up payment of an additional £2.

The scheme is open to working parents, including the self-employed, who earn between the minimum wage and £100,000 per year and have children aged 0-11 years old. Families with a disabled child, aged 0-17 years old, can receive up to £4,000 in government support each year.

Families in Scotland can choose from childcare providers that have signed up to Tax-Free Childcare, including nannies, nurseries, childminders or after-school clubs.

HMRC’s Deputy Chief Executive and Second Permanent Secretary, Angela MacDonald, said: “As more parents across the country return to work and kids head back to school following the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, there has never been a better time to sign up to Tax-Free Childcare.

“It takes just minutes to set up an account on our Childcare Choices website and soon you could be receiving up to £2,000 per child towards the cost of childcare each year.”

UK Government Minister for Scotland, Iain Stewart, said: “Tens of thousands of families in Scotland are eligible to access savings towards after-school clubs and other childcare services thanks to the UK Government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme.

“As more parents return to work and children to Scotland’s schools following the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, I urge people to make full use of the support. The scheme is part of a significant package of measures that the UK Government has in place to help families in Scotland.”

You can find out more and apply through the Childcare Choices website. It includes a Childcare Calculator that compares all the government’s childcare offers to check what works best for individual families.

Tax-Free Childcare is just one example of the support available to families in Scotland from the UK Government. More information on other schemes such as Help To Save and Marriage Allowance can be found on the Delivering for Scotland website.

How Tax-Free Childcare works:

  • Working parents can apply, through the childcare service, to open an online childcare account. The scheme is available for children under the age of 12, or under the age of 17 for children with disabilities.
  • If you or your partner have an ‘adjusted net income’ over £100,000 in the current tax year, you will not be eligible. This includes any bonuses you expect to get.
  • For every £8 that families pay in, the UK Government will make a top-up payment of an additional £2, up to a maximum of £2,000 per child per year (or £4,000 for disabled children). This top-up is added instantly and parents can then send payments directly to their childcare providers. The maximum government top-up is £500 per quarter for each child, or £1,000 if the child is disabled.
  • All registered childcare providers – whether nannies, nurseries, childminders or after-school clubs – can sign up online to receive parents’ payments through Tax-Free Childcare.
  • Parents need to sign back in every three months and confirm their details are up-to-date, to keep getting government top-ups.
  • Families who were already signed up to Tax-Free Childcare but have fallen below the minimum income requirement due to COVID-19 will continue to receive financial support until 31 October. Critical workers who may exceed the income threshold for the 2020-21 tax year due to working more to tackle the pandemic, will continue to receive support this tax year. More information.
  • You can check your eligibility for Tax-Free Childcare in relation to COVID-19.

Round the clock children’s services to return at St. John’s

Round the clock paediatric inpatient services in St John’s Hospital will resume this Autumn, NHS Lothian announced yesterday.

The service will be reinstated 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from October, to enhance the care already provided to children in West Lothian.

The details were agreed by NHS Lothian board members at their meeting yesterday (Wednesday August 12).

It means that inpatient paediatrics will be extended from functioning four nights a week, to seven days and nights by October 19.

Dr Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian, said the children’s ward was now in a position to fully re-open after a number of new staff were recruited to the team.

Dr Gillies said: “We are really pleased that we are able to fully reinstate children’s inpatient services 24/7 in St John’s Hospital. It is testament to the teams who have pulled together to make this happen.

“We have always said that we could only restore the full service when it was safe and sustainable to do so and that has been our priority throughout.

“Parents and children will not have to do anything differently and many may not even notice a difference. However it does mean that patients who require to remain in hospital over a weekend will be able to do so at St John’s, instead of routinely being transferred to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.”

Two permanent Consultants and one locum have been recruited to the team at St John’s, following successful rounds of recruitment in June. A small number of ward nurse vacancies are in the process of being filled, meaning that staffing in the unit will be further strengthened.

The availability of Advanced Paediatric Nurse Practitioners has also increased, giving added resilience to the staffing rota.

The Paediatric Programme Board (PPB), which was established to help develop and implement a strategy to deliver safe and sustainable services, was told at its most recent meeting that the unit had sufficient cover to provide a safe and sustainable rota for out of hours and weekend shifts.

It was also agreed that the programme board will now be dissolved because it has fulfilled its remit.

It comes just weeks after the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health published its most recent review into the service and praised NHS Lothian for its “considerable and impressive efforts” to restore the 24/7 service.

NHS Lothian invited the RCPCH to return and undertake a second follow up review of progress since their original Review and Report in 2016. The visit took place in February 2020 and the College’s Report was received at the end of May 2020.

Parents and families are not required to do anything differently as a result of the change and will still access care in the normal way, through NHS 24, their GP or the Emergency Department.

If children are very sick or require specialist intervention, they will continue to be admitted to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, in line with the normal protocols.

Free employment support with Next Step

The Office for National Statistics yesterday announced that employment in the UK fell by the largest amount in over a decade between April and June. 

The ONS stated that employment decreased in the UK by 220,000 on the quarter and this has been no more acutely felt than in Edinburgh, which has been one of the hardest hit cities in Western Europe.

At the start of lockdown, The City of Edinburgh Council asked employment service Next Step Edinburgh to respond and they are currently supporting hundreds of people who have lost work. Next Step Edinburgh has been providing employment support for people in and out of work since April 2019, but since March they have adapted their service as registrations from people affected by COVID 19 job losses has increased.  

Paul Forsyth is a self-employed taxi driver who was badly hit by the effects of lockdown:  “As I was a self-employed taxi driver, lockdown affected me really badly. 

“All of the work dried up and I was forced to turn to the government schemes for the self-employed, only to find out I was ineligible and one of many who have been excluded by the UK Government’s measures. 

“I was left with no income and was unable to work. Luckily Next Step Edinburgh provided me with vital support during this time and helped me apply for an Edinburgh Trust Grant, this gave me some breathing space. 

“Now lockdown has eased I am back driving but my adviser Ross has kept in touch throughout. I’m so glad this support was available.” 

Capital City Partnership has been working with key organisations to coordinate a response to the crisis. Their Deputy Chief Executive, Kate Kelman said: “We know that people and businesses are finding it really hard just now and the impact on jobs and the economy is likely to be far-reaching.

“Along with our Joined up for Jobs network of provision, Next Steps has literally ‘stepped up’ to support individuals who are facing redundancy and job insecurity. Their high-quality help and guidance will ensure that Edinburgh residents can progress quickly into fair, sustainable work.” 

Lesley Morrison who is a Service Manager for Community Renewal, the charity who deliver the Next Step Edinburgh service, explained: “We don’t believe in a one size fits all approach – everyone is different, and we listen to what each client’s needs and together we come up with a plan.

“Some people just need a job right away and we can link them with employers we have relationships with. For everyone else, we work with them, so they are ready for when the job market recovers; whether that be refreshing a stale CV, helping with applications or directing them to vocational training if they are considering a career change.

“Whatever is needed, we are here – and if we can’t support all their needs, we will link with specialist organisations who can help them whilst we continue to support their employment needs.”

The City of Edinburgh Council continues to fund Next Step Edinburgh to support people to secure and progress into employment. Additional funding was made available through City Region Deal has also allowed the development of a jobs website –  www.c19jobs.org – which directly assists those who have faced redundancy or job insecurity due to the current crisis. 

Councillor Cammy Day, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said:  “As the economic impact of the pandemic on Edinburgh unfolds, we’re doing all that we can to help people facing financial hardship. We know that this crisis is far from over and we stand ready to help our most at-risk residents.

“The Next Step Edinburgh employment programme is in place to support anybody facing redundancy or job insecurity in Edinburgh. I’m pleased we’re able to fund this service in order to support people back into careers as quickly as possible. 

“The project is part of a package of measures we’re working on right now to prevent long-term unemployment in the coming months and years, including an expanded Edinburgh Guarantee. Hailed by the Scottish Government as a really good example of the type of work cities can do to successfully tackle unemployment, our Edinburgh Guarantee has been supporting disadvantaged young people for years. 

 “We’re looking to expand this offer even more in light of Covid-19. We want to use it to help people of all ages who might face additional barriers to employment and we’re calling on employers to sign up and support us.” 

Lesley warns that the journey ahead won’t be straightforward, but stresses that nobody has to face it alone – there is support available: “Next Step Edinburgh’s advisers will do everything they can to support you. 

“We are working with employers recruiting right now but we understand those jobs may not be right for some. For those people we will collaborate so they will be front of the queue when the job market recovers.” 

Anyone looking for support can find the contact details on Next Step Edinburgh’s website – www.nexstepedinburgh.org  

Good causes impacted by COVID urged to apply for share of £4 million funding pot

Organisations have one week left to apply

Local charities and good causes impacted by COVID-19 are being urged to apply for up to £20,000 in funding.

Organisations can apply to Postcode Neighbourhood Trust for grants between £500 and £20,000 from now until Wednesday 19th August, when applications will close.

The funding boost is available thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Groups looking to increase their resilience, adapt or expand their services as a result of the pandemic should apply. Funding will support a variety of activities, including covering core costs.

Interested applicants should make use of the short funding guide and eligibility quiz to ensure they are eligible to be considered.

Laura Chow, head of charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “Over the past few months we’ve seen the important role grassroots good causes play in communities across Britain.

“There will be challenging times ahead so I’m delighted that players of People’s Postcode Lottery can support these organisations with this funding opportunity. Up to £4 million will be awarded in grants through Postcode Neighbourhood Trust, so I encourage small, local charities to make sure they get an application in by the 19th August.”

A minimum of 32% of each ticket goes directly to charities. Players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than £600 million for over 8,500 good causes across Britain and internationally since 2005.

Groups that may not be suitable for funding through Postcode Neighbourhood Trust can apply to one of three other trusts, also supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. People’s Postcode Trust, Postcode Local Trust and Postcode Community Trust all support different themes and more information can be found at the website for each:

www.postcodetrust.org.uk

www.postcodelocaltrust.org.uk

www.postcodecommunitytrust.org.uk

Funshine on Leith!

A comedy walking tour with a difference

20th – 30th August on sale now

Sell out event has just added new dates to their programme

The only live comedy event being held in Edinburgh this August


This is a truly unique comedy event coming out of Leith, created by Leith for Leithers. It is likely to be the only live comedy event happening in Edinburgh this August.

Invisible Cities, a social enterprise supporting people who have experienced homelessness, have joined forces with Leith Comedy Festival to create ‘Funshine on Leith’ – a comedy walking tour with a difference.

Leith Comedy Festival has added new dates to their programme following the immediate sell out of the initial batch of tickets, which were released last week.

The additional dates and times for bookable tours include:

·       Thursday 20th August 5pm

·       Saturday 22nd August 12 noon and 3pm 

·       Sunday 23rd August 12 noon and 3pm

·       Thursday 27th August 5pm

·       Saturday 29th August 12 noon and 3pm

·       Sunday 30th August 12 noon and 3pm

Paul has written the tour especially for Leith Comedy Festival and during this rich, colourful walking event, he takes his guests on a journey around Leith, sharing historical curiosities, personal anecdotes and juicy details that will make your jaw drop.

Zakia Moulaoui Guery, founder of Invisible Cities says: “Paul is one of our most experienced Edinburgh guides and his work is constantly praised by 5 star reviews online from our customers.

“He designed this tour specially for Leith Comedy Festival and it is nothing but different, thought provoking, fun and a bit outrageous! For Invisible Cities, it also marks our definitive return after so many months not being able to do tours, so we are all excited to see Paul in action!”

Award-winning tour guide, Paul, who has been with Invisible Cities for two years, said: “I am excited to showcase Leith in a different way and be part of Leith Comedy Festival. After several months of not being able to do our tours.

“It’s great seeing guests again who want to learn and have a good time with us!”

Rosalind Romer, Director of Leith Comedy Festival commented: “I took my one-year-old to Paul’s Trainspotting Tour (to his horror and the bafflement of onlookers) and loved his stories about the best and worst of Leith.

“I was thinking and laughing about the stories for days afterwards, so it’s really exciting for Leith Comedy Festival to be working with Paul and Invisible Cities to create this brand new tour, based on the funny side of Leith.

“We hope it will bring a little festival magic to Edinburgh in August. We are currently the only live comedy event happening in Edinburgh in August, and creating an event that’s live, funny and legal has been a challenge. But we’ve done it.”

The tour contains strong language and adult themes, including sex and drugs. For more information and to book tickets visit: https://www.leithcomedyfest.com