How the Scottish Parliament ensures Human Rights are respected in Scotland is to be the subject of a new Holyrood committee inquiry. The Equalities and Human Rights Committee has launched a call for views and hopes to hear from as many people in Scotland as possible. In particular, it is seeking to hear from human rights experts as well as those with lived experience of fighting for their rights. Continue reading Have your say on Human Rights
Volunteer-led Eric Liddell Centre footcare service Caring Soles is to hold a volunteer training and information day on Thursday 1st February from 10am to 3pm at The Ripple Project Hub on Restalrig Road South. There are a few free spaces left on this day which gives an ideal opportunity to find out more about good personal footcare and how to volunteer with this popular footcare service.
Lisa Jennings
Caring Soles’ Personal Footcare Service Co-Ordinator
Eric Liddell Centre, 15 Morningside Rd, Edinburgh, EH10 4DP
A new independent scrutiny body that will hold Scotland’s social security system to account is to be created by the Scottish Government. Continue reading New independent body will hold Scotland’s social security system to account
Grants totaling £1.6 million is to fund innovative services aimed at tackling homelessness and improving housing, particularly for the most vulnerable. Seventeen projects successfully applied for the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme (HVGS) 2018/19, which supports third sector organisations to deliver housing related projects and services.
The latest round of funding will fund projects which include support for people at risk of homelessness, enabling independent living for older people, disabled people and veterans, and providing support and advice services for refugees.
Among the successful projects is Rock Trust, receiving £47,000 to support A Way Home Scotland, a national coalition to end youth homelessness
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart said: “Tackling and preventing homelessness and improving housing is of utmost importance as we work to make sure everyone in Scotland has a safe and warm place to call home.
“The third sector plays a vital role in supporting many of Scotland’s most vulnerable people, who can be faced with anxiety over their housing situation and the possible threat of homelessness. These projects will offer invaluable advice and support to help tackle those issues.
“We are clear in our commitment to tackling and ending homelessness and recognise that this requires more than just the provision of housing as every individual has their own unique needs and challenges. That’s why I’m delighted to announce this funding, which will help provide support for so many across Scotland.”
Rock Trust Chief Executive Katie Polson said: “We are delighted to receive an award through the Scottish Governments Housing Voluntary Grant scheme. This will enable us to drive forward the work of the A Way Home Scotland coalition which aims to end youth homelessness in Scotland.
“The coalition will support organisations across Scotland to develop systems and practices in their local area to ensure that young people are able to avoid, resolve and move on from homelessness using youth specific methods. The post which is funded will ensure that young people are leading the solutions and are able to share and develop them in each local area.”
Seventeen organisations will receive funding for 2018/2019. Grants are awarded to support existing services provided by third sector organisations to deliver housing related projects and services.
Further information on the Housing Voluntary Grant Scheme is available here online.
Organisations to be offered funding in 2018/19:
| Organisation | Proposed funding | Project summary |
| Age Scotland | £ 94,000 | Provide information and advice to older people |
| Housing Support Enabling Unit (HSEU) | £116,000 | Assist providers of housing support to have a voice in policy making |
| Legal Services Agency | £ 43,944 | Preventing Homelessness Project extends the model of developing, testing and disseminating legal remedies |
| Move On Ltd | £ 25,000 | Assisting young people at threat of homelessness through peer support & education |
| Housing Options Scotland | £257,431 | Independent advice, information and support services on housing options, to disabled people, veterans and older people |
| Glasgow Centre of Inclusive Living | £ 49,000 | National resource for disabled people who are looking for a suitable home in either the private or social rented sector. |
| Positive Action in Housing | £ 53,000 | Housing advice and support service for BME people and refugees |
| PATH Scotland | £ 85,750 | Training and Education Programme for BME and refugee communities plus after care support to trainees. |
| Say Women | £ 60,420 | Offers safe, supported accommodation and related services for young women who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse, rape or sexual assault and who are homeless or threatened with homelessness |
| Scottish Churches Housing Action | £ 59,000 | Supports a range of services and activities including training for volunteers involved in local starter pack’s projects and befriending networks |
| Scottish Refugee Council | £132,000 | Overcoming barriers facing refugees looking to secure their first tenancy, to improve the housing experience for refugees in Scotland |
| Scottish Women’s Aid | £ 72,345 | Tackling and preventing homelessness for women who are victims of domestic abuse |
| Homeless Action Scotland | £168,000 | Facilitates national homelessness networks |
| Shelter Scotland | £183,000 | To provide access to specialist legal expertise and representation on housing issues across Scotland |
| Scottish Homelessness Involvement Empowerment Network (SHIEN) | £ 50,000 | Ensures that service users across Scotland have as many opportunities as possible to influence the policies, practices and perceptions that affect them |
| Tenant Information Service (TIS) / Tenant Participation (TPAS) Advisory Service
(joint application) |
£ 99,700 | Develop tailored support to four new Regional Networks to advance their skills and influence national housing policy |
| Rock Trust | £ 47,000 | Supports A Way Home Scotland, a national coalition to end youth homelessne |
Edinburgh Leisure is looking to recruit individuals with a passion for coaching to help support the growth of their successful gymnastics programme at various venues throughout Edinburgh Leisure. Continue reading A springboard to success with Edinburgh Leisure
Longevity of motorists driving ability put to the test
Those who don’t drive regularly exhibit more dangerous driving
Two thirds (41%) of Edinburgh motorists know someone who they think needs to retake their test
When it comes to driving, motorists must ‘use it or lose it’, new research has revealed. A recent opinion poll of Edinburgh drivers found that two thirds (60%) know someone who they think needs to retake their driving test, with nearly a third (28%) thinking that we should all have to retake our tests every decade. Continue reading Two thirds of Edinburgh drivers know someone who should resit their driving test
Continue reading Councillors to discuss ‘pedestrian-friendly’ Picardy Place plans
SNP MSP Ben Macpherson is calling on people across Edinburgh to contribute to the Scottish Government’s new consultation looking at the causes of social isolation and loneliness and how they can be addressed. Continue reading Tackling the scourge of loneliness
Police in Edinburgh are reminding fans to behave responsibly at the upcoming Hearts vs Hibs derby. The clubs meet in Gorgie for a fourth round Scottish Cup tie on Sunday with a 2.05pm kick-off. Continue reading Best behaviour: advice to fans ahead of derby clash
