Obese people outnumber smokers two to one
New figures from Cancer Research UK show that people who are obese now outnumber people who smoke two to one in the UK, and excess weight causes more cases of certain cancers than smoking, as the charity urges Government action to tackle obesity. Continue reading Government must act to tackle obesity, says cancer charity
Continue reading Civil Service Strollers offers free season tickets to local Primary School kids
#OpenStreets is back again this Sunday.
A number of streets in the Old Town will be closed to traffic, creating a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. Lots of activities will take place throughout the day – find out more at http://bit.ly/2LrFwzs
What impact will new laws have on political participation? This is the question that Holyrood’s Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee is asking as it launches a call for views on the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Bill.
The Bill extends candidacy rights for Scottish Parliament and local government elections for foreign nationals, as well as setting out a number of changes to the electoral franchise in Scotland.
These changes include provisions extending the electoral franchise to include all those with a legal right to live in Scotland and extending the right to vote to some prisoners.
Now the Committee is asking what effect this will have on political participation in Scotland.
Committee Convener, Bill Kidd MSP said: “Although the Bill before us is small, its ambition is clear. By extending the right of who can stand in Scottish Parliament and Local Government elections, it is aiming to increase diversity and of course political participation.
“But we want to hear about how this would work in practice and whether this change really will have an impact on who gets involved in politics.”
More information about the Committee’s call for views can be found here.
Deadline for responses is 6 September.
International work will feature as part of documentary by Bleedin’ Saor collective
A creative collective from Edinburgh Napier that aims to raise awareness of period poverty has taken its campaign to East Africa as part of a once in a lifetime trip to Uganda. Continue reading Students visit Uganda as part of campaign to raise awareness of period poverty
Monday 8th July at North Edinburgh Arts 11am – 3pm
FESTIVAL FUN DAY
with Edinburgh Art Festival and Licketyspit Theatre Company
We’re celebrating the start of our summer programme, and we hope you can join us for a day of street performers, garden and arts activities for all ages and a family-friendly BBQ!
What you can expect:
lots of fun
creative workshops
street performances
garden activities
pizza making
some lovely food
family-friendly atmosphere
a taste of what’s on offer at NEA this summer (8 July – 8 August)
Cost and booking: This event is free but please pick up your ticket from the NEA reception in advance to avoid disappointment on the day.
For more details, please email admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
or call 0131 315 2151
No matter what the weather has in store, it’s going to be a summer to remember for community groups across Scotland as National Lottery Award for All Scotland today announces a bumper package of grants worth £1.1 million. Continue reading Communities all set for summer with £1 million funding boost
US BUSINESSMAN TAKES CONTROL OF HIBERNIAN
The Board of Hibernian today announced that the majority shareholding in the Club has passed from HFC Holdings Limited – owned by Sir Tom Farmer and Rod Petrie – to Bydand Sports LLC, a new company set up for that purpose by US businessman Ronald Gordon. Continue reading End of an Era: All Change at Easter Road
Adoption UK today publishes The Adoption Barometer revealing that adopted children in Scotland are more than twice as likely not to be in employment, education or training (NEET) as their peers; 31% of them have had contact with the criminal justice system and 41% have needed help from mental health services.
Three quarters of adopted children have suffered significant violence, abuse or neglect in their birth families, with a lasting impact that extends into early childhood and affects life chances, placing huge emotional and often financial strain on adoptive families. There are at least 55,000 adoptive families in the UK.
The Adoption Barometer reveals that while advances have been made in recruitment and preparation of adopters, government policies are still not addressing the heart of the challenges faced by adoptive families, and especially families with older children.
Adoption UK surveyed around 3,500 families across the UK, [Scotland: 330], asking them to reflect on their experiences during 2018. The charity also assessed national policy relating to adoptive families at various stages of their adoption journey.
The report reveals that 85% of families in Scotland would encourage others to adopt, despite 62% facing a continual struggle for support.
Fiona Aitken, Director of Adoption UK in Scotland, said: “There is a clear message here from Scottish adoptive families that they are optimistic about the outcomes of their children, despite the lack of consistent adoption support offered across Scotland.
“We know there are areas where families receive the help they are asking for, and we are striving to ensure that more families can access these. Adoption is not always a straightforward happy ending for children – we need to acknowledge that many children will require help to thrive within their families because of their early experiences.”
All four nations score ‘poor’ in at least one area of policy, with every nation having further to go to meet the policy needs of adoptive families. Scotland scores reflect poorly across the board due to lack of national consistency, in particular in relation to adoption support.
Policy relating to finding families for children scores best across the board. Policy relating to the education of adopted children scores worst. Adopters’ experiences in Wales scored best, and were at similar levels in the other three nations.
Other key themes to emerge from The Adoption Barometer include: high levels of child-to-parent violence, ill-planned and badly-supported contact arrangements with birth families; high rates of health problems including Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) and mental ill health; and large numbers of families resorting to home education because the formal school system is letting their children down.
Adoption UK is calling for a radical new deal for adoptive families, which provides the support they need to help re-write their children’s futures. This includes detailed therapeutic assessments for every child before they arrive in their new family, with accompanying fully-costed support plans, to be maintained and reviewed into early adulthood. In Scotland AUK is recommending ring-fenced adoption support.
Children’s Minister Maree Todd said: “We welcome the finding that 85% of families in Scotland who have gone through the adoption process would encourage others to do the same.
“We know that adoption is making a positive difference, but we also know that there is more to do. The Independent Care Review will be key in deciding the next steps in looking at the legislation, practices, culture and ethos of the system for care experienced children.
“I am grateful to Adoption UK Scotland for highlighting these important issues and look forward to working together to ensure that all our adopted young people have the opportunity to fulfil their full potential.”
You may have seen a story published last week that said we that we were closing; that story has been deleted. Continue reading Leith Depot: fighting ‘tooth and nail’
