PROP Stress Centre is now Living Well North Edinburgh

“We can do it better together!”

We are delighted to announce the launch of Living Well North Edinburgh, which is the result of a merger between the Pilton based PROP Stress Centre and the Clermiston based Threshold Mental Health Project. Both organisations are user-led mental health organisations with shared values and aims. Most importantly, the belief that:

The people who use our services are seen as themselves rather than the state of their mental health.

The content and delivery of our work is all led by and responsive to our Members needs.
Our services are community based.

The new organisation is called Living Well North Edinburgh.

Consultation with our members shows that we’re on the right track as they say:

We make people feel included
We listen to people
PROP is there when you need it – we all need someone there
The different methods we use help people get over the barriers they face
We reduce the stigma of mental health

Councillor Paul Edie, Health Leader, City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I am delighted that both organisations are coming together to provide the people of North Edinburgh with even greater support, whilst protecting existing services already in place. This is a great example of a local neighbourhood service that is working to help people feel valued and included, giving them back some control over their lives. It is increasingly important to work within communities to help people manage and maintain a positive and healthy wellbeing.”

Living Well was officially launched last month by Linda Irvine, Strategic Programme Manager, Mental Health and Wellbeing, NHS Lothian, and Ian Waitt, Manager, North Mental Health Services, the City of Edinburgh Council. Linda says “We’ve worked closely with both these projects over a number of years and I have no doubt our positive work together will continue. The work carried out by community-based organisations is invaluable in helping to build mentally healthy communities across Lothian.”

Living Well North Edinburgh, (LWNE), is a user-led community mental health service open to people aged 18 and over, who have mental health concerns and live in North Edinburgh.

At Living Well, we specialise in providing group support activities designed to build confidence, unlock people’s creativity, help people learn new ways of dealing with stress and combat the stigma of mental health difficulties. Services are open to people with mental health concerns who live inNorth Edinburgh, an area affected by social exclusion, high unemployment, low educational attainment and poor health and wellbeing. 140+ people benefit from our services each year. This has recognised benefits for their family, friends and their local community.

The merger will protect both existing services and provide members with access to a wider range of activities in Pilton and in Clermiston.

When we asked our members what they valued about both organisations they said:

“A lifesaver for me” – “and for me too” and “me too” “and me too…..”

All the members especially value mutual help, sharing experiences and supporting each other in solving problems.

Our new name was chosen for us byShulah Allan, MBE, former Director of EVOC and of Edinburgh Association for Mental Health, from suggestions made by our members.

Services will continue to be provided in our Pilton Centre, 4 days a week and in the local community centre 2 afternoons a week in Clermiston.

Living Well North Edinburgh is funded by the City ofEdinburgh Council, NHS Lothian, the Miss Agnes H Hunter’s Trust, the Lloyds TSB Foundation forScotland, the Nancie Massey Charitable Trust and the Scotmid Foundation.

For more information contact:

Penny Richardson, Manager, Living Well North Edinburgh

Monday – Thursday – 9 am to 4pm 0131 343 6375

Direct email pennyrichardson@livingwellnorthedinburgh.org.uk

Living Well North Edinburgh, 5 West Pilton Park, Edinburgh EH4 4EL 0131 343 6375

All the latest news from CORE

Since the last publication of NEN, CORE has been undertaking much work within the Black and Ethnic Minority (BME) community, and promoting the integration of all races within North Edinburgh.

Invaluable BME Employability work continues to support local people to gain access to education, employment, volunteering and training opportunities in adults and young people. The organisation of recruitment workshops for the new Primark store in the City Centre was well received by CORE clients, and these were well attended.

CORE’s youth work also carries on with a basketball group running for 10-18 years olds on a Thursday between 7pm-9pm (in partnership with Pilton Youth and Children’s Project) and a Health and Wellbeing group for 10-14 year olds taking place at Fet Lor Youth Centre on Wednesdays from 4.30pm-6pm.

In addition to these, CORE is about to start an exciting new music-making group on Saturday 10^th December called ‘Soundkidz’ which will run in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts and Edinburgh Mela. The group is mainly targeted at minority ethnic children in Primary 2 – Senior 1 (split into two age groups) and will run at North Edinburgh Arts Centre on Saturday afternoons from 2.30pm-4.30pm. The group will focus on music-making and discovering different types of music.

All of the groups aim to provide an environment where children and young people can have fun and accept others without judgment or discrimination. Through observation of the group and liaising with staff, the group is going very well and the feedback has been positive. By mixing young people we have broken down stereotypes and various barriers which would normally stop these young people mixing with other ethnicities.

In addition to the ongoing work, CORE has been busy planning and delivering an exciting project funded by Historic Scotland, which aims to ensure that local black and minority ethnic (BME) people are participating and experiencing the different aspects of the Scottish historic environment. As part of this project CORE organised outings to Craigmillar Castle, Stirling Castle (pictured below) and Edinburgh castle in the Autumn which were all fully booked! These events went very well, with the following feedback from one participant: “We really enjoyed our day, learned a lot and also met with other communities. We would definitely visit another historic site again and enjoy learning about the rich Scottish history.”

As a follow up to these outings, CORE and Historic Scotland ran a seminar and training session on Friday 25^th November to educate the community in the importance of visiting and protecting Scottish historical places and focus on Scottish historic buildings – what and where they are and their functions. This was followed by their November World Café event.

The World Cafe continues to run on the last Friday of every month (except December) with the most recent event in October celebrating Black History Month with an excellent turn out of over 60 people (pictured below). On the menu were flavours from Sudan, Mozambique, Iran and Italy which were enjoyed by all, with comments from customers including “Lovely place, nice food and friendly people” and “I had ‘seconds’! Delicious. Thanks”. This was topped off by the presence of the University of Edinburgh’s Drumming Society who demonstrated their fantastic musical abilities on the African drums throughout the evening, and even had the kids joining in!

The World Cafe aims to bring a diverse mix of local residents together to enjoy each others company in a social environment, while learning and embracing a variety of foods and cultures. November marked the World Cafe’s 3^rd Anniversary, and with good attendance at the events, it seems that it is successful in it’s goals.

Unfortunately we also have to deal with a number of issues impacting on the lives of minority ethnic Communities. We have dealt with a number of racial and anti-social behaviour cases in the North of Edinburgh. One particular family has been suffering racial harassment from the youth’s in the area. This has resulted in the father having to reduce his working hours as the rest of the family are scared to go out. The youngest child and mother now refuse to go out alone anywhere. Mother commented “Before all of this happened we were very happy in the area”.

The family were given the option of moving to temporary accommodation but because they had invested so much money in their home they did not want to start again elsewhere. Father called the police several times before any action was taken against the youths who were causing distress to all of the family. However the support provided subsequently by the police was great and we are pleased to say the situation has improved but it has left the family feeling vulnerable.

For further information on any of CORE’s activities or for advice and support, call 0131 467 7990 or email admin@coregb.org.uk. Alternatively, you can stay up to date with current events by checking our website at www.coregb.org.uk or ‘like us’ on facebook.

Norman's made of stern stuff!

DSCF4704 — Norman (and dogs!) braves the elements!

Storm force winds, hail and driving rain were not enough to deter some hardy souls from braving the elements today. Granton Parish Church minister Norman Smith was spotted walking his dogs along the Promenade at lunchtime.

“I’m from the Western Isles originally”, he explained. “This weather is just like a normal weekend back home for me!”

DSCF4715 — And a pair of hardy joggers too ...

Norman’s made of stern stuff!

“I’m from the Western Isles originally”, he explained. “This weather is just like a normal weekend back home for me!”

Weather Report – Update 2.30pm

High winds

Current update 8th December:

Police advice to avoid non-essential travel from 2pm today

Cockburn Street is officially closed to the public due to masonry falls

Council Venues and Facilities

Both the Scott and Nelson monuments are closed
Princes St East and West Gardens is closed
Edinburgh City Libraries Mobile Service is suspended
All Libraries closed
All Museums and Galleries are closed

Public Meetings:

Planning Consultation at Ocean Terminal this evening is cancelled

Schools:

All Edinburgh schools are now closed because of the high winds forecast and the expected disruption to travel
School transport has been arranged to collect children at 12pm
Children and Family Centres and Nurseries are closing at 12pm
All community use of schools from noon onwards today will be cancelled including the Adult Education Programme

Refuse Collections:

There will be no communal container collections today. This is to reduce the risk of containers being blown out of place.
Kerbside collections arerunning as normal.
Please take in your wheelie bins where possible

Edinburgh’s Christmas:

Edinburgh’s Christmas in East Princes Street Gardens is closed. People are advised to keep an eye on the website at www.edinburghschristmas.com or to follow them on Twitter @Edxmas. If anyone has Ice Rink bookings for today (either group or online), they should call 01698 338716 for advice

When there are high winds the Council’s main actions will be:

Clearing fallen trees and other debris from roads, pavements and Council properties.
Reinstating road works barriers.
Identifying trees on Council owned property that may be unsafe, or have debris within them such as branches, and making these safe.
Responding to reports of dangerous buildings or other structures and taking action to protect public safety.

This work will be carried out by various sections in the Council, including the neighbourhood roads teams, forestry service and property conservation staff.

It may be necessary for the Council to close roads, parks or other spaces to carry out work or to prevent the risk of harm.

Our advice to the public during high winds is to:

Take care when walking, driving or parking, especially near large trees.
Report any dangerous buildings or other structures, or obstructions on roads or footpaths, by calling 0131 200 2000.
If concerned, seek professional advice about fallen trees or branches on your own property.
Follow @edintravelon Twitter, local transport providers and local media for the latest travel information.

City of Edinburgh Council

Concern for Waterfront Avenue scaffold

Police were today called to assist in making the area around the scaffolding on Waterfront Avenue safe after the sever gales have caused paneling to become dislodged and some have fallen.

A police spokesperson said “We were called by the contractor when they noticed some planks were unsafe. We are making the area secure whilst the contractor makes the scaffolding secure”

The contractors are currently erecting more scaffolding to make it more secure.

Severe Weather Warning

Decision taken due to expected travel disruption

All Edinburgh schools will shut at noon today because of the high winds forecast and the expected severe disruption to travel and transport. School transport has been arranged to collect children at noon.

Children and Family Centres/Nurseries/Community Centres are also closing at noon.

All community use of schools from noon onwards today will be cancelled including the Adult Education Programme.

The Scottish Government has issued advice to all local authorities on this which you can see in its news release from this morning: severe weather update.

The Council has some general advice for the public and information on its own responsibilities on the high winds page.

City of Edinburgh Council

More news from North Edinburgh Childcare

Out of School Clubs

Children in North Edinburgh Childcare’s Out of School Clubs have been busy as usual. Over recent weeks they have had the chance to enjoy a wide range of physical activity workshops including judo, football and dance classes. The children are now starting to get excited about Christmas. They are decorating their clubs in preparation of the festive season and looking forward to the holiday club which will be open throughout the school holidays excluding public holidays.

North Edinburgh Childcare

'tis the season for giving …

… away free daffodil bulbs at Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust’s Innertube Christmas fun day this weekend!

On Sunday 11th December 2011, local environmental charity the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) will be getting active and improving biodiversity as well as delivering craft workshops and fun activities for families. This will take place on Edinburgh’s network of off-road cycling and walking paths as part of the Innertube project being delivered this year by the Bike Station and ELGT, funded by the People’s Postcode Trust ‘Dream Fund’.

The Innertube Christmas Fun Day is a free community event packed full of activities including Christmas crafts, bulb planting, making bird feeders, Dr Bike, storytelling and festive refreshments!

The event will take place at the Hawthornvale entrance to the Innertube cycle path network in Newhaven on Sunday from 11am – 2pm.

ELGT needs volunteers and families to come along to this free community drop in event to plant daffodil bulbs, listen to storytelling and make Christmas crafts with natural woodland materials. Volunteers will be rewarded with hot chocolate, mince pies and some free daffodil bulbs to take home and plant, either in the garden or in pots. There will also be the opportunity to have bikes checked by Dr Bike and make a bird feeder to take home and keep the birds fed this winter.

ELGT Community Projects Officer Esperanza Martin said: “Communities along the Innertube have been very active this year, carrying out environmental improvement activities such as conservation work, litter, vegetation and path clearance work as well as fun guided activities like bird, bat and heritage walks and storytelling. This community fun day is going to provide something for everyone and also the opportunity to celebrate the hard work that has been carried out in 2011!”

ELGT carries out practical environmental projects, such as the creation of community parks, gardens, woodlands, allotments and other greenspaces and works with communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians, getting people active and enjoying all kinds of greenspaces around the capital.

Quality local greenspaces are fantastic, free resources for play, education, exercise and enjoyment and can have a positive impact on health and wellbeing, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

To keep updated as this exciting & innovative greenspace project develops, sign up for email updates at www.elgt.org.uk or follow us on Twitter @greenspacetrust @innertubemap

You can follow the Innertube project and add your own stories by visiting the interactive project website innertubemap.com

ELGT

’tis the season for giving …