Edinburgh-based advocate for the homeless Mel Young (above)has been recognised by the Lord Provost after earning an award from the United States Sports Academy. Mel, founder of the Homeless World Cup and the Scottish Big Issue, follows in the footsteps of sporting giants Cristiano Ronaldo, Tiger Woods, Andre Agassi and Michael Jordan to be named winner of the Academy’s prestigious 2016 Jackie Robinson Humanitarian Award. Continue reading Mel Young recognised for his ‘concern for mankind’
The Friday Craft Club has been cancelled on a temporary basis to allow the Youth Annexe to be used by Johanna in her work with our Scottish Climate Fund Challenge Project (writes JAMES McGINTY).
Alison Johnstone MSP, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today urged Scottish Ministers to act on the recommendations of a major report which concludes that 400 Scottish child deaths each year are potentially avoidable. The State of Child Health report by the Royal College of Paediatrics & Child Health says the Scottish Government should adopt a ‘child health in all policies’ approach to decision making.
The report urges support for families through financial inclusion services, like Glasgow’s Healthier Wealthier Children scheme which Green MSPs have persuaded Scottish Ministers to roll out across the country. It calls for all schools to deliver comprehensive sex and relationships education and also calls for 20 mph speed limits in built up areas to create safe places for children to walk, cycle and play.
Alison Johnstone, Health spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP for Lothian, said: “The link between poverty and poor health is well established and this shocking report shows we need a transformation in how Government approaches the issue. Four hundred preventable child deaths each year must prompt serious action.
“Green MSPs have been pushing for an anti-poverty budget from Scottish Ministers, and we’ve already secured a guarantee that Glasgow’s Healthier Wealthier Children project, which boosts incomes for vulnerable families, will be rolled out across Scotland. We need to see other interventions such as an allowance for young carers, promotion of the Living Wage to stop in-work poverty, and a more humane approach to social security.
“We also need to see a shift in spending to make it easy to be active every day. The lack of funding for walking and cycling while motorways and air travel are set to benefit, and the deep cuts planned to sports agencies and council services, show that Scottish Ministers haven’t grasped how serious the situation is.”
The full report is available at:
www.rcpch.ac.uk/state-of-
Recommendations for UK, Scottish and Welsh Governments and decision makers
Nearly one in five children in the UK is living in poverty and inequality is blighting their lives, with those from the most deprived backgrounds experiencing much worse health compared with the most affluent. Despite some improvements in the health of UK children over the last decades, there is clear disparity with Europe, and major cause for concern.
The UK ranks 15 out of 19 Western European countries on infant (under one year of age) mortality and has one of the highest rates for children and young people in Western Europe.
There is a strong association between deprivation and mortality, for example infant mortality is more than twice as high in the lowest compared with the highest socio-economic groups.
The prevalence of smoking during pregnancy in the UK is higher than in many European countries (for example 5% in Lithuania and Sweden, compared with 19% in Scotland, 16% in Wales and 15% in Northern Ireland).
Smoking in pregnancy increases the likelihood of death, disability, and disease (for example stillbirth, cot death and the risk of respiratory disease across the life-course).
There is marked variation in smoking in pregnancy across the UK with a strong association with deprivation; for example in Scotland over a quarter (25.9%) of women in the most deprived areas acknowledged smoking following the birth of their baby, compared with 3.3% in the least deprived areas.
Breastfeeding in England and Scotland has shown minimal improvement since data recording commenced in 1975, with no improvement over the last five years, and remains lower than many other comparable high-income countries.
At 6 months, only 34% of babies in the UK are wholly or partially breastfed, compared to 71% in Norway
Breastfeeding has substantial health benefits for mothers and babies.
Across the UK, 46% of mothers in the most deprived areas breastfed compared with 65% in the most affluent areas.
Across England, Scotland and Wales more than one in five children in the first year of primary school are overweight or obese.
There has been minimal improvement in the prevalence of child overweight and obesity over the past decade.
Obesity leads to substantially increased risk of serious life-long health problems, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
In 2015/2016, 40% of children in England’s most deprived areas were overweight or obese, compared to 27% in the most affluent areas.
The percentage of 15-year-old children smoking regularly is 6% in England and 8% in Wales and Scotland.
Smoking continues to be the greatest single cause of avoidable mortality in the UK.
Starting to smoke during adolescence increases the likelihood of being a life-long smoker.
The prevalence of child smoking is much higher amongst children from the most deprived areas; for example in Scotland’s most deprived areas, at least 1 in 10 young people are regular smokers.
In 2013/2014, 13% of 15-year-olds surveyed in Wales, 11% in England and 13.5% in Scotland reported drinking alcohol at least once a week.
Alcohol abuse continues to be a problem across the social spectrum.
SOCH recommendations – Scotland
State of Child Health – full report
The benefit cap will push struggling families into deeper poverty, says City of Edinburgh Councillor LEWIS RITCHIE: Continue reading ‘Just about managing’ no longer
New local signposting service for older people
Brexit: rights, risks and responsibilities – What’s at stake for human rights in Scotland?
In conjunction with the Scottish Human Rights Commission, The Foundation is organising a meeting to raise awareness of the importance of human rights and social protections as the UK takes steps to leave the EU, and the opportunities to strengthen the protection and implementation of rights in Scotland. You are invited to attend and the details are:
Wednesday 22nd February 2017 in Glasgow City Centre – venue TBC
Registration and refreshments 4.15 onwards, with meeting starting at 5pm and concluding, with a Q & A, at 7.30pm.
Registered delegates will receive a briefing paper 10 days prior to the event.
Registration is FREE just go to the Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brexit-rights-risks-and-responsibilities-whats-at-stake-for-human-rights-in-scotland-tickets-31392554977.
The Foundation gratefully acknowledge the support given by the Scottish Human Rights Commission in the organisation of the seminar
Bob Thomson (Convener)
Changeworks has partnered with the University of Edinburgh to deliver IDEAL, a cutting edge research project exploring how smart technology can help save energy in the home. They are looking for Edinburgh households (EH1-EH17) with gas combi boiler heating to participate.
The benefits include:
· Gaining insight into your home energy use
· Receiving a free android tablet used to display energy use information
· Receiving tailored advice from University of Edinburgh experts
· Hopefully saving money on gas and electricity bills
For more information visit changeworks.org.uk/projects/ideal
To get involved email your name, address, and contact details to IDEAL@changeworks.org.uk, or call 0131 539 8610.
A new £45,000 fund to support Edinburgh-based artists is now open for applications. The City of Edinburgh Council’s Culture Project Fund will focus on support for the performing arts this year. Continue reading City’s new Culture Fund is open for applications
Following the success of their deaf friendly swim lessons last year, Edinburgh Leisure is having their first ‘Deaf Friendly Swimming Open Day’ this Saturday (28 January) from 1.30-3.30pm with a view to attracting new participants and offering classes for pre-schoolers, where the parent/carer is present in the water with them and older children with a hearing impairment.
The Open Day, funded by Deaf Action, a local authority for deaf young people, will be held at Portobello Swim Centre. Free 30 minute sessions will be available, led by specialised swim coaches, who have been trained in adapting activities for deaf children and adults.
Booking is essential and requests should be sent to laurafallen@edinburghleisure.co.uk
People with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are being invited to take part in a study to better understand the diseases. Researchers want to shed light on the everyday factors that may influence flare-ups and probe how changes in diet and lifestyle might help sufferers. Continue reading Crohn’s and colitis study to investigate factors that worsen disease
