A further education alumnus is blazing a trail in theatre photography with an exhibition of his work at the Creative Exchange in Leith. Continue reading From Stage to Still: exhibition now open at Creative Exchange
Active Kids time again
It’s that time of year again when Sainsburys Blackhall are launching our active kids vouchers (writes Gail Wilson).
This year we launched our Active Kids campaign at the Scottish parliament. Our store manager George Paton, Customer Service Manager Louisa Higgins and I had the great pleasure of meeting paralympic champion Ellie Simmonds, along with a group of children from Blackhall Primary school.
The children had a great time and showed that being active can be fun as they all bounced around on space hoppers they were given!
Make sure you collect your vouchers in store now as you shop!
It’s good to talk … and listen
Monday was National Breathing Space Day and it also marked the launch of Scotland’s Year of Listening.
The annual awareness day, which urges people in Scotland to take some ‘breathing space’ to look after their mental wellbeing, encourages us to take time to listen.
The Year of Listening is an initiative promoted by Breathing Space and Living Life mental health telephone services to highlight that listening, and being listened to, is good for your mental health.
Tony McLaren, Breathing Space National Coordinator, said: “We like to think we are good listeners but often find ourselves not truly listening. Talking through your problems is great but it can only help if you feel like you are being heard and perhaps understood.
“Relationships and friendships, where we feel listened to, can have a huge positive impact on our sense of wellbeing. This Year of Listening is a reminder for us all to try to be better listeners. Whether you are a friend, parent, sibling, colleague, spouse, neighbour or carer, take time to listen.”
Breathing Space is a free telephone service where advisors offer listening and advice to anyone feeling low, depressed or anxious. The service is open evenings and weekends on 0800 83 85 87.
The Year of Listening launch is being promoted by a number of national organisations and supported by Jamie Hepburn MSP, Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health.
Mr Hepburn said: “Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is crucial. An important part of this is listening empathetically to friends, family or colleagues. Listening carefully and providing support in response can help people to feel a stronger sense of connection, helping to support confidence and wellbeing.
“The Breathing Space telephone advice line and the NHS Living Life service provide an invaluable service for people experiencing low mood, depression and anxiety. It can make such a difference to know that there’s someone there who is willing to listen and offer an empathetic ear. I’d like to thank the Breathing Space and NHS Living life teams for the tremendous work they do to support positive mental health and wellbeing.”
Forth Neighbourhood Partnership meets today
Forth Neighbourhood Partnership Public Meeting
Wednesday 3 February at 2pm
West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
Come along and hear about:
West Pilton Park improvement plans
The Neighbourhood Environment Programme Fund (NEPs)
Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden group
All welcome
For further information contact Jim Pattison:
telephone 529 5082 or email jim.pattison@edinburgh.gov.uk
Train with North Edinburgh Childcare
We still have places available for our Childcare Academy Information Sessions on:
Monday 8th February @ 10am
Wednesday 17th February @ 1.30pm
If you would like to book a place to come along and hear more about the Academy, ask any questions and take away an application pack, please do not hesitate to contact me on the number below or Barbara Webster on 0131 311 6926.
Audrey O’Neill
Training Administrator
North Edinburgh Childcare
18b Ferry Road Avenue
Edinburgh, EH4 4BL
City veterans receive France’s highest honour
Five World War Two veterans, including Edinburgh Award winner Tom Gilzean, have received France’s highest honour for bravery in a special ceremony in Edinburgh. Continue reading City veterans receive France’s highest honour
Community ‘the key’ to tackling crime
Chief Constable praises local residents who ‘make a difference’
Recently-appointed Chief Constable Phil Gormley said community is they key to tackling crime during a visit to Leith with Justice Secretary Michael Mathieson last week. The visit coincided with news that reported crime in the North Edinburgh area has dropped by almost a quarter, with over 1700 fewer crimes reported in the last nine months. Continue reading Community ‘the key’ to tackling crime
Education, education, education …
Improving excellence and equity in Scottish education for all is at the heart of the Education Bill, says Scottish Government
The Scottish Government’s Education (Scotland) Bill, which is due to be debated in Parliament today, contains provisions placing a duty on local authorities and Ministers to prioritise activity aimed at closing the attainment gap.
The bill also legislates for the introduction of the National Improvement Framework, recently launched by the First Minister, to support efforts in raising attainment through improving information available to ensure pupils get the right support they need.
Other provisions targeted on enhancing children’s rights, Gaelic education, teacher registration and the creation of a Chief Education Officer post in councils are also included.
Speaking ahead of the Stage 3 debate on the Bill, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance said: “The Scottish Government is working with local authorities, parents and others to ensure our education system delivers both excellence and equity for every child. All of the measures of this Bill have a role to play in helping to achieve that aspiration.
“We have already taken a series of steps that show how seriously we are taking this, such as the launch of the £100 million Scotland Attainment Challenge, and I am pleased to see our Bill reach its final stage in Parliament.
“Our National Improvement Framework will build on a strong record of achievement, with the aim of ensuring we have the right information about children’s progress right across Scotland. The Framework will look at a range of existing and new evidence which will tell us how we are progressing and where support is required for improvement purposes. Parents will have access to more information about their children’s education and progress than ever before, on what they are doing well and where they might need extra help.
“One source of data will be a new standardised assessment, focusing on reading, writing and numeracy. We have no interest in a return to high stakes testing. This new system will help to reduce the burden of assessment, building on best practice and replacing the wide variety of approaches taken by local authorities with a new streamlined, consistent approach. Crucially, the assessments will inform teacher judgment, not replace it.”
Education looks set to be the key battleground in the forthcoming Holyrood elections. Scottish Labour leader Kezia Dugdale will promise to protect the education budget in real terms over the next five years if Labour is in government after the May election.
Brock concern over ‘Roosh V’ gathering
“Mr Valizadeh’s views on rape are dangerously idiotic” – Deirdre Brock MP
Edinburgh North & Leith MP Dierdre Brock has written to police expressing concerns over the visit of controversial ‘pick up artist’ Roosh V. Continue reading Brock concern over ‘Roosh V’ gathering
February Plant of the Month: Snowball (Viburnum)
Even when it’s not snowing, Viburnum brings snowballs to the garden – and if it does freeze, this garden plant stays green and brings an early spring-like invigoration into a garden lover’s garden!
Snowball is a diverse family of shrubs. There are species that remain green in winter, and semi-evergreen varieties and species that shed all their leaves. As compensation, they do grow sprays of white and pink flowers on the bare branches between November and March. Those flowers have a fabulous fragrance and are very frost-resistant: a spectacular combination.
Generally speaking, the later the shrub blooms, the larger the flowers will become. Snowball also either has a second flowering in the autumn or will produce lovely red, blue or black berries at that time of year. With foliage that also changes colour beautifully in autumn, this garden bloomer has something special to offer in every season.
More information about Snowball and other garden plants can be found at Thejoyofplants.co.uk.
You can find out about all our other plant-related categories on Flowercouncil.co.uk.
