All In This Together

ALL IN THIS TOGETHER: THANK YOU TO GENEROUS CUSTOMERS & COLLEAGUES AT M&S STORES IN EDINBURGH FOR SUPPORTING NHS CHARITIES TOGETHER

  • M&S stores in Edinburgh will be taking part in the one-off Clap for Carers this Sunday to celebrate the 72nd birthday of the NHS*
  • Generous customers at the stores in Edinburgh have already raised over £42,000** for NHS Charities Together during this unprecedented time through a range of fundraising activity
  • A new in-store rainbow display will update customers on their fundraising total each week throughout the summer

This weekend, colleagues and customers at M&S stores in Edinburgh will be taking part in the one-off Clap for Carers to mark the 72nd birthday of the NHS, supported by the founder of the initiative and NHS England boss Sir Simon Stevens.

Ahead of the weekend, teams at stores in Edinburgh have installed a new display to share with customers just how generous the local community has been during this unprecedented time.

The in-store display (above) shows how much M&S customers at stores in Edinburgh have donated through a range of activity including shopping M&S’s Rainbow sale (where 10% of each purchase is donated to NHS Charities Together), buying the limited edition NHS Charities Together Bag for Life in the Edinburgh Foodhalls, purchasing M&S’s All in This Together T-shirts (pictured on Holly Willoughby and son below) and making one-off donations at the till points.

This fundraising total is already over £42,000. 

Customers can continue to get involved in lots of ways including selecting NHS Charities Together as their Sparks charity (M&S’s loyalty scheme) meaning M&S donates on their behalf every time they shop in any store or online.

M&S Edinburgh Princes Street Store Manager, Jenny Mcpartlin and her team will be updating the accumulator each Monday.

Jenny said: “The past few months have been challenging for all of us, but one thing that’s been amazing is seeing people rally together. We’re very proud that our community has already helped raise over £42,000 for a really important cause that will provide vital support to NHS staff, volunteers, and patients.

“Clothes shopping is different now and as customers are coming back and starting to shop with confidence it’s really lovely that the first thing they’ll see when they enter our stop is a display that shows the generosity and kindness of the local community.”

Ellie Orton, CEO, NHS Charities Together said, ““I can’t thank M&S customers enough, the money you have raised is making a huge difference for the NHS staff and volunteers who have been there for all of us during the Covid crisis.

“I’d urge all of you to come together with friends, family and neighbours for a moment of thanks on 5 July, so we can show appreciation for everyone who has been there for others over the last few challenging months.”

NSPCC calls on government to ‘Close the Loophole’

  • Currently sports coaches, faith leaders, and cadet leaders are legally allowed to have sex with 16 and 17-year olds in their care
  • Survivor bravely recalls experiences in a letter to the Lord Chancellor as review into the positions of trust law is due to be released
  • Thousands of people, MPs and national organisations have thrown their weight behind NSPCC’s Close the Loophole campaign

A woman who was manipulated into having sex with her swimming coach when she turned 16 has urged the UK Ministry of Justice to extend the law to protect teenagers from predatory behaviour by those in a position of trust. 

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Councillors to consider reopening public toilets

A proposal to reopen public toilets in ‘hot spot’ areas near busy parks and beaches has been published by the city council following a city-wide review.

Councillors on the Policy and Sustainability Committee will consider a report on Thursday ( 9 July) which outlines how some public toilets could be reopened safely following government guidance, having been closed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With lockdown restrictions being gradually relaxed in recent weeks and the weather improving, areas such as the Meadows and Portobello Beach have become increasingly popular. Unfortunately, this has also led to people relieving themselves outdoors and in the vicinity of people’s homes causing a significant health hazard.

Adam McVey, Council Leader, said: “The city is slowly starting to return to a ‘new normal’ and as more restrictions are gradually eased we know a lot of people are out enjoying our beautiful parks and beaches, and more recently returning to visit the many and varied quality shops and other businesses Edinburgh has to offer.

“We are reopening some toilets to ease the situation but I would ask that everyone is respectful they’re when out and about. Plan ahead and if you’re caught short, get home to use your own facilities if there are none open nearby.

“It’s only possible to reopen some public toilets in busy areas as we must make sure we’re following government guidance and putting in all of the necessary measures required such as additional deep cleaning and physical distancing to keep everyone safe. The cost of reopening can’t be underestimated but it’s important that we do all we can to support our communities and combat the negative anti-social behaviour some of our residents have experienced.”

Depute Leader, Cammy Day, said: “We know the situation is far from ideal, but we have limited resources and the priority here must be protecting public health.

“We’ll keep everyone updated as soon as it is possible to reopen all of our toilets safely. Until then we’ll be using signage, our website and social media to keep everyone up to date with health and safety measures we’re putting in place and which toilets are open when.”

Assuming the report is approved, and all health and safety measures are put in place, selected public toilets would reopen on Monday, 13 July.

This would be on  a temporary basis until 30 October from 11am to 6pm, seven days a week. A further review will be carried out in September and an update report will be considered by councillors in October. This report will outline details of customer numbers, costs incurred, and any updates on public health advice.

Public toilets to reopen 13 July – 30 October:

  • ·         Pipe Lane in Portobello
  • ·         Hope Park in the Meadows
  • ·         Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens
  • ·         the Courtyard at Saughton Park
  • ·         Bruntsfield Links
  • ·         Hawes Pier, South Queensferry
  • ·         Cramond