Community transport training opportunities
with Pilton Equalities Project
Accredited (PATS) Passenger Assistant Training
Friday 12 February 9.30 -2.30 at the PEP Centre
MIDAS training
Accredited Minibus Training – limited places still available for Monday 8 February
For further info contact: theopepequalities@hotmail.co.uk
There’s been a noticeable rise in dumping and flytipping since changes to refuse and waste disposal arrangements were introduced in the city and North Edinburgh has suffered as badly as most. NEN reader Colin Hutchison has sent these images taken in Granton. Continue reading Mingin’ Medway!
Voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations will have the ability to improve their performance and sustainability, thanks to two new online tools supported by the Big Lottery Fund. Continue reading New Lottery support to strengthen voluntary sector
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY
Wednesday 27 January
Don’t stand by is the theme for Holocaust Memorial Day 2016.
The Holocaust and subsequent genocides took place because the local populations allowed insidious persecution to take root. Whilst some actively supported or facilitated state policies of persecution, the vast majority stood by silently – at best, afraid to speak out; at worst, indifferent. Bystanders enabled the Holocaust, Nazi Persecution and subsequent genocides.
Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel has written powerfully about the impact of bystanders:
“I swore never to be silent whenever and wherever human beings endure suffering and humiliation. We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
You can find out more about 2016’s theme in HMD’s theme vision.
Opera company launches search for performing pooches
The Bohemians Lyric Opera Company has launched a competition to find two dogs to star alongside its cast of the Legally Blonde the musical in March in Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre. Continue reading Pup Idol! Desperately seeking Bruiser and Rufus
Inverleith small grant fund
Did you know that any local constituted group, with a bank account needing at least two signatures, can apply for the Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership’s Community Grants Fund for projects that benefit the local community and help progress one of our local community plan priorities?
We have a balance of £6,272 to allocate this financial year, so please download the application form and guidance and get your completed form to me asap!
Elaine Lennon, Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership
Crerar Hotels Trust has donated £3,000 to St Columba’s Hospice to fund a specialist bed at the charity’s inpatient unit in Edinburgh. The support was celebrated during a special cheque presentation from Sarah Firth, on behalf of Crerar Hotels Trust to St Columba’s Hospice. Continue reading Hotel donation will support specialist bed at local Hospice
EDINBURGH Social Enterprise Network (ESEN) decided to sprinkle some social enterprise sparkle with its Live the Good Stuff campaign yesterday – ESEN’s mascot Doogie Goodstuff supervised a mega doodle colouring-in session at Whale Arts to help tackle the Blue Monday blues!
Mondays in January are a time in the calendar seen as difficult for people to find that extra sparkle, so a number of Edinburgh’s social enterprises are gearing up to focus on health and wellbeing activities to re-invigorate this seasonal lull – as Christmas cheer is over, time and money may be tight and motivation low.
Live the Good Stuff is a campaign to promote Edinburgh’s many health and wellbeing social enterprises, one of which is MHScot Workplace Wellbeing which focuses on stress prevention and early mental health intervention in the workplace.
Commenting on the return to work and routine after a long festive break, Catherine Eadie, workplace Wellbeing consultant, said: “There are many combined factors that make those January Mondays a difficult prospect – everything from health issues, work and financial stress, childcare and caring concerns whilst fitting in some time to keep fit.
“Finding some tranquil time in the mix is very often the last thing to think about and applies to everyone whether they are working or not.”
Catherine added: “It takes time to work out the best plan of action but an easy step is to find a pastime that is simple to set up and a welcome distraction which can make all the difference whether it is walking, bird-watching, reading or creative colouring.
Linsay Chalmers, network coordinator at Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network, added: “We have a growing number of social enterprises in Edinburgh supporting people in the city to improve their physical and mental wellbeing, from pregnancy care through to stress management and healthy eating.”
There are over 200 social enterprises trading in Edinburgh, from cafes and retail, to creative industries and leisure – generating income and reinvesting their profits into the community for social or environmental benefits.
Edinburgh Western MSP Colin Keir has welcomed the ‘fantastic news’ that The City of Edinburgh Council will receive a share of £230 million from the Scottish Government to rebuild Queensferry High School. Continue reading Keir welcomes funding for High School rebuild
‘Local tax to fund local services should be a vital part of local democracy’ – Alex McLuckie, GMB Scotland
John Swinney is wrong to make light of the impact of ‘draconian’ cuts to budgets for Scotland’s councils, says a leading trade union. Continue reading GMB: Revenue must be raised to blunt impact of ‘draconian’ cuts
