Are you over 50 and looking for a wee bit of help with your IT? LifeCare Edinburgh and ACE IT are here to help.
Come along to CafeLife, 2 Cheyne Street, 10am-12noon on Tuesday 29th April to chat with the experts.
We’ll be offering support and answering questions about how to use a device, access online content and how to stay safe online. And any other burning technical questions you might have!
All advice is free thanks to support from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Three Edinburgh-based community projects have been awarded a total of more than £14,000 in research funding by the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) and Williamson Trust to promote healthy living.
Lauriston Farm and local environmental artist Natalie Taylor will benefit from a share of the funding pot, along with Leith-based Earth in Common.
Lauriston Farm, run by a workers’ cooperative, is dedicated to sustainable food production, biodiversity, and community. They will use their award of £4550 to develop a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilisers using Aerated Compost Teas, a process of mixing compost with water and then introducing oxygen into the mixture.
Despite their potential, practical guidance for integrating compost teas into commercial market gardens and the potential benefits remains limited. The project is aiming to bridge that gap by refining recipes and protocols to make knowledge of Aerated Compost Teas production accessible and effective for both commercial growers and people at home.
Grower and Coop Director Jossie Ellis said: “This funding will enable us to advance our experiments using Aerated Compost Teas in the Market Garden, which will help to improve soil health, crop resilience, and sustainable food production.
“With this support, we hope to refine our methodologies, share findings with growers, and contribute to a more regenerative food system.”
Environmental artist Natalie Taylor has received £4500 for her Scran Fir Bees project to extend a series of existing public space artworks incorporating wildflowers to provide nectar-rich habitats and food sources for pollinators.
Her long-term vision is that these artworks, using large-scale text cut into the landscape, will join up to eventually form a bee corridor across the North of Edinburgh.
Natalie Taylor said: “I am so pleased to be able to work alongside local communities to design, develop and implement the new environmental artwork, sharing skills in meadow maintenance and strategic seeding to increase local biodiversity.
“Through fun, creative workshops, I will highlight the importance of our relationship with insect pollinators, which contribute vital services to roughly one-third of our food. I see this creative action for biodiversity as really important at the moment due to the ongoing crisis in pollinator populations, especially in urban environments such as Edinburgh where there are so many natural spaces where we can potentially help them.”
The Edinburgh projects are among 16 innovative community-led research projects across Scotland to receive funding from the RSE and the Williamson Trust.
A total of £73,625 has been given to a range of creative projects to foster healthy communities as part of the Healthy Planet, Healthy People awards.
Meanwhile, Earth in Common, based at Leith Community Croft, which includes a market garden, an orchard, and a community area shared by over 100 growers, has been awarded £5000.
The Croft is situated on Common Good land inspired by the Gaelic concept of dùthchas – the deep-rooted connection between people and the land.
They will use the funding to gather data on cultivated and wild plants and pollinators, which will help formulate strategies for biodiversity conservation and inform a guidance manual for urban green spaces across Scotland.
Evie Murray, CEO of Earth in Common, said: “This award will boost our mission to demonstrate that urban crofts, such as our model Leith Community Croft, can effectively address multiple societal and environmental issues. With its orchard, wild areas, market garden and unique system of group-shared food-growing plots, it has already been shown to foster great biodiversity.
“This will empower our ‘Crofters’ – local residents – to develop citizen-science skills to monitor and further increase biodiversity. This should benefit them as individuals and foster pride and engagement in land stewardship in densely populated Leith.
“We hope that the methodology we collectively develop will be widely shared and can have a significant positive impact on nature and people’s relationship with it across Scotland.”
This is the second year of the awards, generously funded by the Williamson Trust, a charitable organisation. The strength of the applications in the second round of the funding programme resulted in four additional projects being awarded financial support.
Professor David E Salt FRSE, Chair of the Williamson Trust, said: “This year, we again have an amazing diversity of projects, from dolphins, bees, seeds, orchards, woodlands and lochs to food banks, composting, urban crofts and coffee shops. We truly look to invest in hope and the power of ideas wherever they arise.
“The trustees at the Williamson Trust are excited to fund 16 great community-led projects from across Scotland.
“Applications to the Healthy Planet, Healthy People Community-led Research Awards continue to grow, demonstrating the strong desire of communities in Scotland to develop local solutions to the ongoing global challenges to our environment, our communities and our food.
“The Trust hopes that these locally focused projects can find solutions to the challenges the local communities face and that these solutions can also have wider application.”
RSE Vice President, Research, Professor Anne Anderson OBE FRSE, commented: “This marks the second round of RSE ‘Healthy Planet, Healthy People’: Community-led Research Awards, which were introduced to expand the Society’s range of awards and the type of research we support.
“The health of people and the environment are closely connected, and I hope that these awards will strengthen these innovative research groups and drive positive change in both areas. I look forward to following their progress and achievements over the coming year.”
Corstorphine Community Centre is set to receive funding support, thanks to Co-op Members, after being selected to benefit for the latest round of funding through Co-op’s Local Community Fund.
The Community Centre is one of a dozen Edinburgh groups set to benefit, with Co-op looking to support local projects that help create sustainable futures for ‘people’ and ‘planet’.
The Centre explained to Co-op that it would use funds to help it “develop a fun, educational and supportive service that helps young people and children to manage their way through the difficult times.”
Other Edinburgh groups set to benefit include: Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity; The 106A City of Edinburgh Rainbows and Brownies; the 185th A Brownies; Art in Healthcare; Branch Out Together (prev. Lothian Autistic Society); Caledonian Thebans RFC; Capella Charity; Empty Kitchens Full Hearts; Hays Pantry; Teapot Trust and, The Dove Centre.
The Local Community Fund has helped over 38,000 causes across the UK since 2016, sharing £116m. Funding is also boosted through the convenience retailer’s ‘Winners Share It All’ prize draw which offers the opportunity each month to win £5,000 for local causes and £500 for Co-op members.
Co-op members can view local causes and choose a community project close to their own heart via the Co-op membership app .
The benefits to community groups also extends beyond the funding support, with 95% of causes saying that they felt more connected with their community as a result of participating in Co-op’s Local Community Fund and, that participating in the scheme had helped to raise their profile locally.
David Luckin, Head of Community Partnerships, Funding and Impact, Co-op, said: “We’re delighted to support a new funding round of 2,500 local causes across the UK and are now encouraging our members to participate and choose a cause near them – after all, they own our business and get a say in how our profits are shared.
“We know that things can be increasingly tough for communities and this funding will helpdeliver projects that their community needs.”
Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives, with its history dating back 180 years. Its 6.2m members own the business and play an intrinsic part in its governance with a say in how the organisation is run. Co-op exists to create value for its membership and communities.
More information about the benefits of Co-op Membership is available by visiting:
More than a quarter (26%) of workers are worried that artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to job losses, according to a new survey.
Workplace expert Acas commissioned YouGov to ask employees in Britian what their biggest concerns about the use of AI were.
The poll also found that just under a fifth (17%) were worried about AI making errors, while 15% were concerned about a lack of regulation.
Acas Interim Chief Executive, Dan Ellis, said: ““Some employers may be looking to embrace new technologies as a way to cut costs, increase productivity or make workers’ jobs easier.
“There can be concerns from staff when new technologies are introduced at work and it’s clear from our study that their biggest worry is that AI will result in job losses.
“Bosses should have clear policies on the use of AI at work, remember that it is not a perfect technology and have open conversations with employees around its use.”
Some top tips for employers from Acas on the use of AI at work include:
· Employers should develop clear policies regarding the use of AI in the workplace and should consult employees and any representatives on its introduction. If there is an expectation that certain roles begin using AI, that could mean a change of terms and conditions.
· Employers investing in AI should highlight how it can improve employees’ roles and reassure staff that human involvement will still be needed.
· Organisations should remember that AI is not perfect, so outputs should be checked for accuracy, tone and bias. AI should be cited when used and staff may require training on how to get the best outputs.
· A company’s data privacy policies will apply for the use of AI, and it is wise to check with your IT team for approved platforms. Employees should be careful entering any information that is business sensitive or personal into public tools. Any information that you do enter could be made public or used by others, so check company policies on the use of AI in the workplace and be aware of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR).
Acas is holding a special conference next month with experts that will debate the introduction of AI in workplaces. For more information please visit here.
FREE WEEKLY SIX WEEK COURSE STARTS 15th MAY
Restless Natives: The Musical kicks off its long-awaited Scottish tour this weekend, with the first production pictures giving a look at the show that will thrill and delight audiences across Scotland this Spring.
Produced and directed by the same team who made the cult classic 1985 film, alongside co-producers Perth Theatre, Restless Natives: The Musical sees the iconic outlaw duo the Clown and the Wolfman ride again in a new stage musical. Recapturing the film’s winning humour and enduring heart, and featuring music inspired by the songs and spirit of Big Country, the show will delight devotees of the original film – and capture the hearts of a new generation.
Rebelling against their drab urban lives in 1980s Wester Hailes, intrepid underdogs Ronnie and Will become Highland Highwaymen, holding up buses and winning international renown while fleecing tourists with Scottish charm and panache. Tour guide Margot believes these Robin Hood heroes can restore national pride, but the police are closing in. Will this be the end of the story – or the beginning of a legend?
Leading the cast as Ronnie and Will, AKA The Clown and The Wolfman, are young stars Kyle Gardiner and Finlay McKillop, with Olivier-nominated Kirsty MacLaren co-starring as Margot. The multi-talented ensemble cast also includes Ross Baxter, Robin Campbell, Ailsa Davidson, Caroline Deyga, Stuart Edgar, Sarah Galbraith, Ava MacKinnon, Alan McHugh, and Harry Ward.
Restless Natives: The Musical premiered at Perth Theatre on Saturday 26 April where it runs until Saturday 10 May.
The show then hits the road for a tour to selected Scottish venues including Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling, His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen, Eden Court in Inverness, Leith Theatre in Edinburgh, and The King’s Theatre in Glasgow.
Full production info at www.restlessnativesthemusical.com
Edinburgh residents are being urged to check their cost-of-living support to claim everything they are entitled to.
With 80,000 people living in poverty in Edinburgh – including close to a quarter of all children – tackling inequality and preventing poverty remains one of the biggest challenges facing the capital.
As it’s revealed that households could be owed up to £80 million in unclaimed benefits in Edinburgh, the council has rolled out two new self-help tools to make it easier for people to check what they’re owed.
A DIY benefits calculator, Entitled To, and a one-stop-shop for other forms of financial support, Lightning Reach, have been made available online.
A campaign has been launched to highlight these tools, urging residents not to leave their household budgets to chance.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “It’s a worrying time for lots of people who are struggling with rising costs and we want to make sure that every household is claiming all the benefits they are entitled to. If you go online, you’ll find our DIY benefits calculator which makes it straightforward to check what you might be owed, so that you can then apply for support.
“Our efforts to tackle poverty in Edinburgh have put almost £24 million into the pockets of those who need it most, but around £80 million in benefits remains unclaimed. It’s my hope that this campaign will help to challenge the barriers – stigma, complexity and lack of awareness – that prevent people from accessing the support they should be getting.
“I urge everyone to check their cost-of-living support and to get in touch for more advice or support as needed.”
Linda’s story
Linda, 59, has been a full-time-carer for her brother since their mother passed away almost 10 years ago.
She said: “I worked from the age of 17 and in my late 20’s I bought my own home and a car. But in 2015, my mother suddenly became unwell. She spent six months in intensive care on a ventilator and then passed away.
“I very suddenly became a full time carer for my brother, who has additional support needs. I had to stop working and sell my house to go live with him and my life changed completely.
I went from ‘having it all’ – a job, a house, holidays and savings – to having next to nothing. The stigma associated with having to ask for help and being judged for having to rely on benefits has probably been the hardest part.
“I wish I had sought help earlier than I did. I wish I had set my pride and feelings of shame aside and realised that asking for help is not a bad thing. When life events happen that turn your world upside down, there is help available. The hardest part is knowing where to look to find that help – it can be very challenging – and accepting that there is no stigma in asking.”
Progress to End Poverty in Edinburgh
This July will mark the mid-point between the publication of the Edinburgh Poverty Commission’s final report and the city’s target to end poverty by 2030.
Linda (as above) is a member of End Poverty Edinburgh. Speaking about this experience, she said: “By being part of End Poverty Edinburgh, I have had the opportunity to attend and speak at various meetings and events to raise awareness of the issues which those living in poverty have to face.
“We work closely with the council and others to improve customer experiences when seeking advice and help.
“We try to promote the help that is available which a lot of people aren’t aware of. Being part of this group has given me back a feeling of self worth.”
So far, positive collaboration on a range of initiatives between the council and partners has led to:
• Increasing access to grants and welfare advice by 20% over the last year
• Helping residents to receive almost £24 million in previously unclaimed benefits
• Supporting 5,000 people into work or learning (a 19% increase on the previous year)
• Driving down bills for 900 homes thanks to new energy efficiency measures
• Securing savings worth £206k for tenants through Energy Advice Support (an average of £428 per household)
• Helping to prevent homelessness for 461 households
• Over 9,000 free school meal payments and nearly 8,400 clothing grant awards
• Supporting 95% of all pupils to reach positive destinations after school
• Encouraging payment of the living wage (up 80 in a year to 720 accredited employers)
• Agreeing Council contracts committed to paying the real Living Wage (96% of suppliers, up 14%)
• Introducing a new Regenerative Futures Fund, a third sector led programme bringing £15m of new investment.
Last week councillors agreed to redirect all available council-owned housing stock towards people experiencing homelessness.
New local authority lets will be suspended in all but a few cases as the city council tries to address an increasingly worsening homelessness crisis in the capital.
Edinburgh-based Ruma – home to the largest collection of rum across the whole of Scotland – is adapting to an ever-changing cocktail scene with a brand-new low-waste menu including non-alcoholic & non-rum options, launching an online shop, plus a host of new tasting experiences.
Ruma (Scots Gaelic for Rum) host to over 170 bottles of the spirit – more than any bar ever in Scotland – is celebrating one year in business.
The rum experts are adjusting positively to a rapidly-evolving cocktail scene with a brand-new cocktail menu including a host of non-rum and non-alcoholic options, as well as launching an online shop in time for summer 2025.
Ruma’s brand-new menu is split into five sections based on each drink’s flavour profile: Fresh, Fruity, Short, Smoke & Savoury, and Classics – the idea is to make it as easy as possible for guests to navigate, learn & discover new cocktails – alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic.
Reducing waste throughout, the menu strives to use each ingredient to its fullest. Ruma’s most popular drink, the Spiced Pear Mule – which uses a poached pear syrup from fresh pears – is utilised to the maximum.
Any wasted fruit from the Spiced Pear Mule is then blended with spent wine, to create a new drink – the Mrs Kenmore – which is carbonated alongside a gentian liqueur and Brugal 1888 Rum, to create a fresh, fizzy cocktail reminiscent of sparkling wine.
A new online bottle shop will launch at the beginning of May containing all 170 of the Ruma’s rums available for rum-lovers to enjoy 30ml sample bottles at home. Ruma is also launching a range of canned cocktails for the new menu, handing them out to local businesses and bars to create comradery among independent business owners.
Ruma now offers ‘Rum Experiences’ – bookable each week on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday. A tasting flight of three rums, with different categories available such as ‘Taste of the Caribbean’ or ‘Intro to Scottish Rum’.
The bar also hosts ‘Passport Sessions’, a world tour of rum tastings specialising in a different country each month and sampling six hard to find or rare bottlings, taking guests to the likes of Guyana, Haiti, Barbados, and Martinique.
Ruma Co-Owner, Jamie Shields, said: “We opened Ruma one year ago to welcome the largest collection of Rum to Scotland. The response from our loyal guests has been amazing. A thirst for knowledge and interest in where each rum comes from and tastes like is what our staff love talking about.
“In our first year we have seen a demand for cocktails and drinks of all types. At our heart we will always be a rum bar, but we also thought ‘why can’t we offer a range of other drinks too?’ Non-alcoholic options are now key in hospitality. Rather than relegating these to a section at the back of the menu, we believe that guests who are not drinking alcohol should have the same menu experience as those who are, as each has been crafted with as much care as the drinks with alcohol.
“We love championing local. That’s why we serve local beer from Campervan Brewery, and we also have a great wine list by the glass too. Ruma’s goal is to serve the widest range of rum in the country through unforgettable experiences, but also offer deliciously alternative drinks to ensure guests leave with a satisfied smile on their face, and always come back for more”.
Ruma is based at 39-41 Broughton Street in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town serving Scotland’s largest collection of rum.
The team at the Amazon fulfilment centre in Dunfermline hosted an Easter-themed family fun day for employees and their families.
Amazon employees, along with their friends and families, gathered at Pittencrief Park for an Easter themed afternoon featuring an egg hunt, themed activities and chocolate giveaways.
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “We all had such a great afternoon, and it was fantastic to see so many colleagues enjoying time with their friends and families to celebrate Easter.
“I’d like to thank our team and their families for coming along and making it a brilliant day.”
Natasha Blyth, who works at Amazon in Dunfermline, added: “It was great to bring my family along to the park and have a great time hunting for Easter eggs.
“We had a fun-filled time celebrating Easter – thank you, Amazon!”
Parkinson’s UK Get Active, Get Creative Scottish Parliament Event
Hibernian Community Foundation were kindly invited to the Scottish Government to support this event as part of our ongoing work with Parkinson’s UK in Scotland and Walking Football Scotland.
The event celebrated the power that physical activity and creativity has on people living with Parkinson’s. Our Football Development Officer Niamh Westwood and one of our Parkinson’s Walking Football volunteers Neil, were joined by Members of the Scottish Parliament, Trustee of Walking Football Scotland Matt Ramsay, several participants of our Walking Football Programme and other Parkinson’s partners to celebrate such a powerful event.
Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with almost 13,000 people affected in Scotland. Keeping active has many physical, mental, social and neurological benefits to someone living with Parkinson’s and we here at Hibernian Community Foundation are pleased to play a small part in that journey.
We welcome everyone living with Parkinson’s to our sessions. Our Parkinson’s Walking Football Programme runs every Wednesday at World of Football, 10 New Market Road, Edinburgh, EH14 1RJ from 11am-12pm with refreshments available after the session from 12-1pm.
For more information or to register for the session please email:
