Youth Arts: Emergency funding details announced

Details have been announced of the first two funds of a £3million Scottish Government emergency funding package designed to ensure creative opportunities for children and young people continue across Scotland in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of at least £1.2million in now available through the Access to Youth Arts Fund. Building on the successful Youth Music Initiative (YMI) Access to Music Making Fund, this is designed to support an increased range of music-making projects, as well as introducing projects delivering across wider art-form areas.

Fund guidelines including eligibility criteria and application forms can be accessed on the Creative Scotland website.

The roll out of the Youth Arts funds will continue on Thursday 24 September with the launch of a £700,000 Small Grants Scheme which will be open to organisations and local authorities and will provide funding directly to freelance artists to undertake artist led youth arts activities within communities. Full details will be announced on Thursday.

A further £50,000 is being assigned to the Time to Shine Nurturing Talent Fund which provides direct support to young people to develop and produce their own creative projects.

In addition, £1,050,000 is being allocated to support a number of targeted national and local area youth music and wider youth arts organisations with established track records and existing relationships with freelancers working with the fund’s priority groups to support the recovery and renewal of youth arts provision.

These organisations will be invited to apply for the Youth Arts Targeted Fund by Tuesday 13 October.

Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop said: “We are determined that our children and young people will not miss out on creative opportunities a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

“Art and music in particular have helped many people during lockdown, so the launch of these funds is very welcome. Our musicians, artists and other practitioners working in the youth arts sector are also highly skilled and often highly specialised, and this funding will provide jobs and opportunities within the sector.”

Iain Munro, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland said: “I’m pleased to be able to announce today the roll out of additional funding support for Youth Arts, a vital part of Scotland’s cultural sector and an important part of the emergency funding package announced a few weeks ago by the First Minister.

“It’s right that part of that overall emergency package supports artists, freelancers and organisations working with young people and that creative opportunities for young people continue despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The Youth Arts funds are the latest of five new emergency funds from Scottish Government through Creative Scotland, announced by the First Minister on Friday 28 August, as follows:

  • The £15million Culture Organisation and Venues Recovery Fund, which has opened for application today, Thursday 17 September, with a deadline of Thursday 24 September.
  • The £3.5million Independent Cinemas Recovery and Resilience Fund, which opened for applications on Monday 14 September with a deadline of Monday 5 October.
  • The £5million Creative Freelancer Hardship Fund for which we issued an open call for partner organisations to help us distribute this fund on Friday 11 September with a deadline of Friday 25 September. We aim to be able to distribute funds from October. The Screen element of these Hardship Funds will open for application on Tuesday 22 September.
  • The £5million Sustaining Creative Practice Fund includes £1.5million for the Culture Collective programme, mentioned in the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government, supporting organisations employing freelance artists to work in and with communities across Scotland. The remaining £3.5million has been added to Creative Scotland’s existing open fund which is open for applications from individuals now.

Previously announced, the £2.2million Grassroots Music Venue Sustainability Fund closed for applications on Thursday 3 September. The fund has received 97 applications and awards will be announced on Tuesday (22 September).

And the £5million open call element of the Performing Arts Venue Relief Fund closed for applications on Thursday 27 August. The fund received 42 applications and awards will be announced by Thursday (24 September).

Updates on all emergency funds are being published regularly on the Creative Scotland website and publicised through media and social media communications.

Council revises five-year plan for homelessness support

Edinburgh City Centre View

The City of Edinburgh Council plans to revise its Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan to further strengthen support for people facing homelessness.

Members of the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee considered updates to the strategy at a special meeting on Friday before submittting it to the Scottish Government for consideration.

This is the second version of the Council’s plan which acts as a local route map for preventing homelessness, reducing rough sleeping, transforming temporary accommodation and supporting families into settled homes as quickly as possible.

Additions to the plan include exploring ways of intervening earlier and actively engaging with people before they are at risk of homelessness.

These ideas include:

  • Developing a proposal for a Youth Housing Hub – a centrally located service where young people can access support, homeless assessments, advice and accommodation
  • A pilot for a new homelessness prevention scheme – involving a team working across Council services to identify trigger points that may put someone at risk of homelessness in the future
  • A prevention fund – which can be accessed quickly by frontline workers to draw down small amounts of money, empowering them to provide immediate support where they deem appropriate to prevent someone reaching crisis-point
  • Appointing a new partnership working officer – to identify opportunities for partners and frontline staff to recognise early on when there is a risk of homelessness
  • A pilot project to base specialist psychologists within homelessness hostels – embedding expert medical advice in the accommodation people are staying in to support with mental wellbeing and treatment.

Edinburgh is working to end rough sleeping and managed to move all families and pregnant women out of B&Bs during the early stages of the Covid-19 crisis. This involved the use of innovative accommodation options, including securing 590 additional bed spaces by turning to private sector leasing, hotels and short-term lets.

The updated Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan (RRTP) also proposes to build on the success of this joint Covid-19 response between the Council and third sector partners to create more and better accommodation options in the future.

Highlighted as important to progress include:

  • Increasing the amount of Rapid Access Accommodation available in Edinburgh – a service which is accessed directly from the street, does not have a curfew or a time limit for stays and which provides on-site support
  • Moving the city’s third sector run emergency care shelter into an alternative premises longer term, where social distancing can be practised more easily
  • Spot purchasing private properties and continuing to work with short-term let landlords to rent homes to the Council
  • Boosting the Council’s supply of temporary furnished flats
  • Supporting more people into home shares as part of a longer-term goal of ending the use of B&Bs.

Edinburgh has one of the lowest proportions of social housing in Scotland with only 15% of homes in social rent compared to a Scottish average of 23%, and the RRTP will also require an acceleration in the delivery of new homes.

The Council has one of the most ambitious house-building programmes in the UK to help meet this challenge and a record number of new homes are being built.

Councillor Kate Campbell, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “The RRTP is our annual plan for homelessness and our annual assessment of where we are. It’s an incredibly important document because it shows us, in very stark terms, the scale of the challenge that we face.

“But it is also an opportunity to focus on innovation and there are some incredibly exciting projects within it that show our steadfast intent to tackle homelessness at its root.

“We’ve got plans for more early intervention with a specialist, multi-skilled team which will intensively work with households at risk to prevent homelessness. Alongside this we are proposing investment in a youth homelessness hub and psychologists in hostels to give highly specialist support.

“We’re also asking for funding for ‘Seek, Keep and Treat’ so that we can recruit community recovery workers, with lived experience of homelessness and recovery, to support people with complex needs to move out of homelessness. And we’ve got plans to increase the number of temporary furnished flats and improve temporary accommodation.

“This is all in addition to extending and expanding some of the excellent practices we have developed in previous years.

“We know the challenges we face – only 15% social housing compared to a Scottish average of 24% alongside the most expensive private rents in Scotland. We have the largest Council house-building programme in the country which will address some of the housing need in Edinburgh. But we know we need to keep working to support people out of homelessness, and to prevent it in the first place.

“This plan will guide the decisions we make now and over the next five years as we support people through what is one of the most difficult and traumatic experiences. So we must set our sights high and never stop working to come up with new ideas and approaches to tackle one of the biggest challenges we face as a city.”

Councillor Mandy Watt, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Vice Convener, added: “The picture is improving but there is always more work to be done. For instance, we’ve committed to build 10,000 affordable homes by 2022 and we’ve introduced new ways of doing things like home shares, which allow like-minded individuals to live together until they find a home of their own.

“We’re also seeing fewer repeat presentations of homelessness, meaning our existing prevention services seem to be working but we are always looking for ways to improve them.

“That said, anybody who does become homeless should be found a suitable place to stay until they can move into a settled home. We know this will be financially challenging, so the Rapid Rehousing Transition Plan needs to be ambitious and outline options for new investment.

“The plan explores some innovative ideas, like a special hub to support and protect young people from becoming homeless; and a pilot project to quickly and effectively help anyone in crisis by basing psychologists in hostels. Projects like these will strengthen our existing work and join up our services.

New digital training module for colleges to improve support for over 12,000 student carers

Carers Trust Scotland and College Development Network (CDN) have joined forces to help improve support to over 12,000 student carers in Scotland, who are studying alongside providing unpaid care for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.

Supporting Student Carers at College is a new innovative free digital training module which has been developed by Carers Trust Scotland and CDN from funding received by The Scottish Funding Council. The module will help college practitioners to better understand the challenges faced by many student carers and provides guidance on how to improve support for these students at college.

Research by Carers Trust found that student carers are four times more likely to drop out of college and university than those who are not carers. Together, Carers Trust Scotland and CDN are calling on all college practitioners working in Scotland’s colleges to use this free resource. Engaging with the digital training module will help college staff to better identify, support and report on their student carers.

This new resource compliments existing work being undertaken by both organisations to raise awareness, improve identification and ensure adequate support is in place to give student carers a fair chance to be successful in their own education. Last year Carers Trust Scotland launched Going Further for Student Carers Recognition Award, a scheme to assist and encourage all 27 of Scotland’s colleges to develop their policies and practices to improve support for student carers, and award good practice.

While the number of student carer enrolments at college across Scotland has increased from 3,413 in 2013-14 to 11,965 in 2018-19, many student carers continue to be unidentified and unsupported, and continue to be a hidden group.

There are student carers in every college trying to successfully complete their course to the best of their ability just like their peers, but they often experience additional challenges because of their unpaid caring responsibilities and do not always receive the support they need to successfully complete college; therefore, stopping students with caring responsibilities from reaching their full potential, maintaining good health and wellbeing, and having equal access to the opportunities open to other students. 

Additionally, due to the impact of the current Coronavirus pandemic, we know that many student carers are taking on additional caring responsibilities, therefore increasing the need for support at college.

Student carers can greatly benefit from dedicated support from their college and the Supporting Student Carers at College digital training module should help improve outcomes for student carers to reach positive destinations after study.

Scott Lafferty, Development Manager for Carers Trust Scotland, said: “Carers Trust Scotland is delighted to have worked with College Development Network to launch Supporting Student Carers at College, a digital training module for college professionals.

“It aims to raise awareness to the challenges that many student carers face and offers guidance on how colleges in Scotland can provide improved support to the over 12,000 student carers in Scotland, so that they have a fair chance to be successful in their own education and achieve their true potential in all aspects of their lives.”

Andree Carruthers, Access and Inclusion Consultant for CDN, said: “The Supporting Carers module is the first of its kind in the UK. We know that there are over 12,000 declared student carers studying in our colleges, and that they are four times more likely to withdraw from their course.

“College offers carers a break from caring and new opportunities for the future, and we owe it to them to support them to make the most of their time at college. This new resource, developed in partnership with Carers Trust Scotland, offers colleges a flexible and engaging professional development tool.

“The module is brought to life by the voices of the carers that courageously and selflessly shared their experiences and the challenges of combining their caring duties and studying.”

Awareness week warns of ‘ticking time-bomb’ of preventable sight loss

Concerns are being raised that the coronavirus crisis may lead to a ‘ticking time-bomb’ of preventable sight loss if people neglect eye-treatment or regular check-ups.

A drive to emphasise the importance of maintaining eye-health and reassure the public it is safe to visit their local optometrist begins at the start of National Eye-Health Week today.

Eye examinations, which are NHS funded in Scotland, can not only detect early signs of sight problems, in time to arrest or reverse damage, but sometimes pick up the symptoms of other serious health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes to name just a few.

One woman visited an optometrist at an Emergency Eye Treatment Centre after experiencing blurred vision then sight loss in one eye, and was referred to hospital where she received potentially life-saving treatment for a brain aneurysm.

Another patient was referred to hospital after his optician investigated a shadow on his retina – he was found to have suffered a mini eye stroke, and by chance during his tests kidney cancer was also detected before it metastasised allowing him to be referred for vital treatment.

During National Eye-Health Week, Optometry Scotland and national sight loss charity RNIB Scotland are joining forces to boost the eye-health message.

David Quigley, chair of Optometry Scotland, said: “Community Optometrists and Opticians practices remain the first port of call for any eye problems and we want to reassure the public that a range of enhanced hygiene measures, including NHS-approved PPE, are in place across practices, enabling patients to seek effective care in a safe environment.

“If you have any concerns whatsoever about your eye health, or you’re due a routine eye examination, don’t delay in contacting your local optician.  We are open and ready to help.  It’s important not to turn up without an appointment so please make sure you call in advance.”

RNIB Scotland has produced a series of photographs of iconic Scottish landmarks distorted by the effects of common sight loss conditions.

“We want to illustrate the potential consequences of not maintaining good eye-health,” said its director James Adams. “Some people have expressed concern over attending optometrist or eye clinic appointments, or are worried about using public transport to get there. We’ve even heard some people say they don’t want to ‘bother’ optometrists during this crisis period.

“Every survey shows that sight is the sense people fear losing most. And yet we can be surprisingly complacent about our eyes. During National Eye Health Week, we want to remind everyone to take care one of the most precious things we have – our sight.”

During the awareness week optometrists will take part in question and answer sessions on RNIB’s Connect radio station, while Stuart McMillan MSP, chair of the Scottish Parliament’s cross party group on visual impairment, will table a parliamentary motion highlighting the message.

* PHOTOGRAPHS show Edinburgh Castle as seen by someone with age-related macular degeneration, and the Scottish Parliament as seen by someone with glaucoma.

Scots encouraged to continue recycling to help the environment

RECYCLE WEEK 2020

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham is reminding everyone of the importance of recycling to Scotland’s green recovery.

Green economic growth after coronavirus (COVID-19) is at the heart of the recently announced Programme for Government with £70 million being earmarked to improve waste and recycling infrastructure as part of it.

This  major investment is one of a number of initiatives planned to help increase recycling and build a circular economy.

These include Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme which is expected to capture 90% of single-use aluminium and steel cans, glass and plastic bottles, and the introduction of legislation to increase the minimum price of carrier bags from 5p to 10p.

Ms Cunningham said: “Long-term initiatives to tackle our throwaway culture and encourage a circular economy – helping people to reduce, reuse and recycle – are vital to our green recovery and ensuring we end Scotland’s contribution to climate change completely.

“It is heartening to see that carbon emissions from Scotland’s waste has reached a record low – an achievement only possible by everyone doing their bit. By recycling more, we can reduce this even further and with 80% of our carbon footprint coming from products and materials we use, there is more we can do.

“I would encourage people and communities to get involved with this year’s Recycle Week. By working together, we can all do our bit to improve the environment, help fight climate change and enable Scotland to meet its net zero target by 2045.”

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Recycling as much as we can will reduce our carbon footprint and the materials we consume. We can do more by thinking differently, whether this is by re-evaluating how we work and live our day-to-day lives or by implementing new procedures to capture as much as we can from going to waste.

“We all need to play our part to tackle the climate crisis and make greater use of what we already have.”

Have you seen Sofia?

FOUND – Police Scotland have confirmed that Sofia Aslam (15), who had been reported missing from the Howdenhall area of Edinburgh has been traced safe and well. The public are thanked for their assistance.

MISSING FEMALE – SOFIA ASLAM

Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace a missing Edinburgh teenager. Sofia, also known as Bushra, was last seen in the Howdenhall Road area around 6pm last Thursday (17th September 2020).

The 15 year old has not been seen since and there are growing concerns for her welfare.

Sofia is described as being a Pakistani female, slim build, 5ft tall with long dark hair.

Last seen wearing purple crop top, black jeans and white adidas trainers.

Sofia has links to the Scottish Borders area.

Bucking the beauty trend

Self-contained, separately ventilated salons offer a more controlled approach, ensuring an uplift in post-pandemic treatments

According to the National Health and Beauty Federation, the beauty industry has suffered approximately £1.75b in losses since the beginning of the pandemic*.

With government guidelines being relaxed and reintroduced daily, businesses are at a loss to know which services to offer and how to host clients safely.  However, the Salon Studios business model offers the perfect solution to post-pandemic pampering for COVID anxious and higher risk categories, as well as those who simply wish to have more control: by reducing their exposure to the masses whilst completely personalising the experience. 

A reinvention of the traditional salon ownership, Salon Studios offers self-contained, separately ventilated, move-in ready salons, for self-employed salon professionals who would like to provide a one-to-one service for clients.

This standard has allowed salonpreneurs to get back to work quicker and easier, without the massive overheads, and feel safe in their salon as they operate a one-salon-one-client model. Short leases and low weekly fees have meant an influx of interested parties contacting Salon Studios founder, Roz Colthart, so much so the first location in Corstorphine, Edinburgh, is filled and there is a significant waiting list.

Roz Colthart explained: “When the pandemic hit, we at Salon Studios, like everywhere else, were worried about how this would impact the industry.  However, the demand we have witnessed has been completely unprecedented.

“Not only have we had enquiries for new locations from over 20 cities across the country, but we have had so many more enquiries in Edinburgh  that we have started looking for another two venues within Edinburgh and Glasgow.

“As a businessperson – and someone who has worked incredibly hard to get this concept off the ground – it is hard for me to turn salonpreneurs away because we currently don’t have the space. But location is key and so until I find the right places to build our next Salon Studios location, those on the waitlist will be offered help via our Salonpreneur website and with tips and tricks from our active social media.”

Continuing to build on the success of not only the Salon Studio physical location, but also the growth of the ‘salonpreneur’ community, Roz Colthart is developing an app that will support people in the business. The app will be used in conjunction with the website which unites self-employed salon professionals, inviting them to share insight amongst each other whilst utilizing tools provided by Salon Studios.

Current salonpreneur and Salon Studios tenant, Tammy, comments on why this all works: “It is the most amazing concept I’ve ever come across and don’t know why anyone hasn’t thought of it before!

“It is so modern, bright and airy. The individually vented rooms are absolutely perfect for the safety guidelines that we have to adhere to during these strange times. I love every part of it, and what makes it even better is the amazing owner Roz! She has been so amazing from the get go! Anything I’ve needed help with, she has been there, and I appreciate every little piece of help I’ve received.”

2021 is set to be a big year with the ongoing growth of the salonpreneur community, as well as search for locations two and three. On top of this Ms Colthart is now set to offer franchising opportunities from her third-year trading, which is almost unheard of, let alone in the midst of a pandemic.

“The way our units are set up promotes luxury, wellbeing and most of all, safety; that is something we can no longer take for granted and has been the driving force in our exponential growth.”

Based in Corstorphine, each salon studio  includes  water and electricity costs, a PPL music licence, health and safety assessment, fire management program, rubbish collection, high-speed wifi, public area cleaning, CCTV security and 24-hour access as standard.

For more information visit www.salonstudios.co.uk

Ending Scotland’s throwaway culture

Experts advise on replacing single-use items

A new report sets out how we must focus on reducing our dependence on single-use items and highlights the impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has had on people’s behaviour, with new single-use items becoming part of everyday life.

It proposes five principles that can be used to consider how single-use items like cups, cutlery and sauce sachets can be reduced or replaced with alternatives to help combat waste and support Scotland’s journey to net zero.

It’s the second report to be published by a panel of experts tasked by the Scottish Government with advising how we can reduce our reliance on single-use items. Their first report, on disposable beverage cups, recommended a charge should be introduced.

The panel’s second suite of advice is intended to provide long-term support to decision making on reducing or removing single-use items from circulation, focusing attention on current problem items but also offering the framework of principles to help assess action when new single-use items become prevalent. 

Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “We were making substantial progress against single-use plastics before the Coronavirus pandemic and await evidence about the extent to which it has changed public attitudes and consumption of plastics and other single-use items.

“What is clear is that we must learn from our experience of lockdown – how we work, how we travel, how we live – and apply this to our approach to becoming a net-zero society.

“As this report points out, a thriving circular economy will play a critical role in ending Scotland’s contribution to climate change, and we must all – government, businesses, industry and individuals – be a part of driving this.

“I welcome this report, which will support our continuing journey to net zero and am grateful to the panel for the considered and expert advice they have provided .”

Chair of the Expert Panel on Environmental Charges and Other Measures Dame Sue Bruce said: “I hope that the Five Principles for Tackling Single-use Items will be useful to policy makers and organisations who want to use this opportunity to develop greener ways of working as they prepare for the “new normal” by considering how they can reduce dependence on single-use items and to focus on being part of the green recovery.

“There has never been a better time to take steps to reduce environmental harm arising from our everyday habits. This must continue to be a priority for us all if we are to achieve the goal of being a net-zero society by 2045.”

The report Ending the Throwaway Culture: Five Principles for Tackling Single-use Items is available on the Scottish Government website.

The five principles recommended by the Expert Panel to help policy design on single-use items are:

  1. Essential Functions: Is the single-use item essential?
  2. Evidence: What is known about the problem?
  3. Equality: In solving the issue can we ensure equality?
  4. Engagement: Who can tell us more about the issue?
  5. Entire System: How is single-use reinforced by current practices, habits and infrastructure?

Six tips to deal with weeds

Taking time when it comes to watering, making a chemical-free weed killer and mulching are some of the ways experts have suggested to keep on top of pesky weeds.

Gardening experts from GardeningExpress.co.uk have revealed six tips on how to stop, and prevent, weeds growing in a garden. 

It’s important to ensure that the whole plant is removed when picking weeds, but pay particular attention to the roots as these hardy plants will soon grow back if only the top parts are removed.

Considering weed-suppressing materials may also be an idea if placing gravel, paving or decking onto a weed-prone area.

A spokesperson for GardeningExpress.co.uk said: “Weeding can be a real pain. It can often seem like as soon as you’ve picked a weed there are ten more starting to grow in its place. 

“They can make an outdoor space look unkempt so it’s important to keep on top of them where possible.

“By following these tips you should be able to train and remove the weeds from your garden, reducing the amount of labour needed.”

These are GardeningExpress.co.uk’s tips for weeding:

1. Watering

Just like flowers, weeds also need water to be able to grow. If you’re watering your plants make sure you try and avoid the areas where weeds are, as this will encourage them to grow. Do this by using a watering can with a smaller spout and by just watering the roots of the flowers, instead of the leaves.

2. Hand pulling

Picking out weeds by hand or with a hand fork will work for annual or ephemeral weeds that only last up to a year. Perennial weeds die over winter and re-grow each spring meaning they are very deep-rooted. Just removing the tops will not affect these weeds.

3. Roots

If you are struggling with perennial weeds, grab a spade and try to remove all of the weed, most importantly its roots. If not, the deep roots will ensure the weed keeps growing even after you’ve removed the top. Depending on the length of the roots it may disturb the soil and other flower roots around it. 

4. Materials

If you have a particularly bad weed problem, using a weed-suppressant fabric may be a good idea. These groundcover fabrics should be laid over soil which has recently been cleared of weeds to stop re-growth or new weeds establishing. Materials can include plastic sheeting, woven materials and spun materials, each coming with their own advantages and disadvantages.  

5. Mulching

Placing a thick mulch on flowerbeds will help make it more difficult for the weeds to grow through. The mulch needs to be deep for it to be effective – around 10-15cm should help starve the weeds of sunlight and water. 

6. Non-chemical weed killer

You can create your own weed killer which doesn’t use chemicals from mixing vinegar, water and soap. Spray it onto the weeds in the garden. For some weeds one spritzing should be enough to kill them, but others may need spraying a few more times until it works. 

Near Me: Support for video appointments

Digital consultations helping people get the right care in the right place

Patients and clinicians have welcomed the expansion of virtual medical and mental health appointments following the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, according to a survey.

The Near Me video system, originally designed to serve rural communities, was scaled up from March to ensure patient and staff safety during the pandemic.

Of 5,400 responses to the survey, 87 per cent of the public backed video consultations while 94 per cent of clinicians favoured a digital first approach.

It comes weeks after the 2020 Programme for Government included a commitment to make Near Me a default option for all healthcare consultations.

While face to face appointments will always be an option, video consultations will give patients greater choice, reduce the need for unnecessary travel and ensure the right care, in the right place.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “During this first phase of the pandemic people followed our guidance closely, using their local pharmacy, GP practice, local minor injuries unit or calling NHS 24 when they needed medical and mental health advice and help. While the NHS has remained open during the pandemic, we need people to continue to access the right care in the right place.

“I am pleased patients and clinicians recognise the benefits of the Near Me service which offers people more choice over how they access health and care services and more flexibility in their day to day lives. As we look ahead to winter we will better support people to ensure they have the information they need to get the right care, closer to home.”

The results of the Near Me public engagement can be accessed online.