The Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh centre received a generous donation of £6384.44 from Pets At Home staff in Livingston. The money was raised for Scotland’s animal welfare charity through a variety of events held in store, including their Santa Paws event held in December. Continue reading Big ‘paws up’ for Pets at Home!
Michelle’s Surgery Cancelled
Michelle Thomson has cancelled her surgery tomorrow (Friday 10 February).
Children’s Clubs
There will be no children’s clubs on at the centre next week due to the school holidays.
Inclusive Zumba Classes
Our Monday morning Zumba classes for disabled persons continue to be very successful but it is felt that more people could take advantage of this fun activity.
Classes are on Monday (10 – 11am) and Friday (10.15 – 11am)
The best way to start a week and getting fit!
Childrens Taekwon Do (Ages 3+)
As with many of our activities the childrens Taekwon-do has surprised us with its popularity amongst the young people, so come along and join Scotlands fastest Family Taekwondo Club led by Master Divine.
IMP Meeting Reminder
Improving Muirhouse and Pennywell meeting next Wednesday 15th February 3.00-5.00pm.. All Welcome.
James McGinty
A new teacher recruitment campaign has been launched by Deputy First Minister John Swinney. The ‘Teaching Makes People’ campaign targets university undergraduates studying science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects as well as people currently working in STEM industries. Continue reading Swinney launches STEM teacher recruitment drive
UNISON, the union representing Edinburgh Council workers, will lobby the City of Edinburgh Council’s budget meeting this morning, calling on the Labour/SNP administration to expose ‘the human cost of yet more massive Government cuts.’ Continue reading Councillors urged: Stand Up for Local Services
Dear Editor
Cuts in funding for services affect people differently, most are appalled at the frequency and the damage it is doing to the local social fabric. But as always, it is those who are in need of services are denied them with all the consequences including further isolation within the community.
Pilton Equalities Project, an organisation in North Edinburgh, runs many services for local people, including :-
Five Day Care Clubs, Classes and Activities in Computer Training, Arts and Crafts, Classes in Literacy and Numeracy. Cooking, A Mental Health Issues Group Class
These activities are attended by approximately 200 people each week.
PEPs Minibuses pick up from and return people to their homes, all the buses are staffed with volunteer escorts. Up to 8o other volunteers help throughout the week with other activities.
Funding cuts from the Council or Scottish Parliament will hit the provision of these services and the very people who are in most need.
PEP makes every effort in appealing to various social and charitable organisations for grants to keep these vital services for local people going but it is not sustainable in the long run if funding cuts continue.
PEPs volunteers did 13,00 hours volunteering in 2016 for local people, adding greatly to the quality of life and indeed their health. As one of those volunteers, the reason for this letter is to raise public understanding of how serious are repeated cuts in funding for local services.
With the best will and efforts volunteers cannot operate on insufficient funding for their organisations.
A. Delahoy.
Silverknowes Gardens
The city council will sets it’s budget tomorrow. The meeting starts at 10am
Alison Johnstone MSP, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, has urged Scottish Ministers to focus on staffing after figures showed a further drop in the number of patients being seen within four hours of arriving at hospital emergency departments.
The Scottish Government target is that 95 per cent of patients are seen within four hours. Yesterday’s figures show that in December only 92.6 per cent were seen within that time, the latest month-on-month fall from a peak of 95.8 in July.
The Health Secretary says Scotland’s A&E departments are outperforming other areas of the UK.
Alison Johnstone, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “Rather than comparing our hospitals to those south of the border, the Health Secretary should be striving to deliver the kind of health service Scotland wants. The seasonal drop in performance at A&E shows that not enough planning and investment went into the system in advance, and responsibility lies squarely with the Health Secretary.
“Greater effort is needed in recruitment and retention of staff, not just in A&E but in our GP surgeries and in social care, so that we minimise the need to visit and stay in hospital where possible.”
The Scottish Parliament yesterday agreed that the UK Government’s European Union (Notification of Withdrawal) Bill should not proceed. MSPs voted by Scottish Parliament by 90 to 34 votes to condemn triggering of Article 50 with ‘no effective consultation’ of Holyrood. Continue reading Governments set on Brexit collision course
Three more people have been charged under the Misuse of Drugs Act as part of the ongoing Operation Eagle. They will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today charged with drugs and firearms offences. Continue reading Operation Eagle: three more face court today
Common Weal has launched a national campaign coalition to replace Private Public Partnerships (PPP) with a more sustainable Public Public Partnership. Continue reading Protect Our Future: coalition launches campaign to replace PPP
In the run up to the most romantic day of the year, NHS 24 is issuing a set of top ten tips on how to have a healthy heart. Continue reading Love your heart this Valentine’s Day!
