The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 3628 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Support the Cash for Kids sleepover

Set your alarm clock: PYCP Friday 31 July!

Tonight hundreds of local children living in poverty will be going to sleep on the floor without even a mattress, or squeezing in with siblings and parents. £100 would buy them each a bed.

You can help! Come and take part in Forth 1’s Cash for Kids ‘Sleepover’ event on Friday 31 July at Pilton Youth & Children’s Project in West Pilton.All you have to do is raise £100 in sponsorship and stay overnight to experience the challenges these children go through on a nightly basis.

Among those who have registered to take part are TRIM’s Robert Pearson and Karma Lennon, who are now looking for sponsors.

Robert Pearson said: “I am in a privileged position were I can help others in our community, over the years I have been involved in TRIM I have visited families who had no beds at all and Mum, dad and the children were sleeping on sheets in one bedroom to keep warm. Thanks to the support of our community I was able to get them beds, sheets and duvets.

“It’s a hard thing to ask for help from people, But residents have grown to trust TRIM and I am confident that people will turn to us for help.Taking part in this sleep over is my way of helping a great appeal, and it’s fantastic to think that our own community will benefit.”

Karma added: “It is sad that in this day and age there are still kids in our area who don’t have the basics they need like a bed. Not getting a good nights sleep can cause numerous problems for kids and affect their lives now and in the future.

“If all it takes is sleeping on a hard surface for one night to help even just one child then I am more than happy to do that. Please sponsor Robert and I – even if it’s just £1.”

To sponsor Robert and Karma, visit
http://muirhouseresidents.co.uk/trim-chairman-and-secretary-to-raise-funds-for-forth-one-bed-appeal/

Or why not get involved yourself? You can download a fundraising pack containing sponsorship forms here!

To register, or for more information, go to: http://www.forth1.com/charity/bed/sleepover/

Step out and discover Drylaw’s hidden gems

Discovering the Orient in Drylaw!

An Evening Walk discovering Drylaw’s hidden gems!

Thursday 30 July

Meet at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, 7pm

Come and join Pilton Community Health Project’s experienced, award-winning volunteer guides who will lead the short walk in Drylaw, part of a programme of walks across North Edinburgh.

For more information call 551 1671 or email admin@pchp.org.uk

Olympic torch shines at Sick Kids

‘The Olympic torch signifies strength, bravery and persistence – something which the patients of Edinburgh’s children’s hospital have bags of’ – Rachel McKenzie, Sick Kids Friends Foundation.

Ultra-marathon cyclist Katie Ford visited the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh recently to see the impact the Olympic torch she donated to the children’s hospital is having on patients of the Paediatric Neurology ward. Former Olympic torch-bearer Katie also presented a cheque for its new display case.

The iconic beacon, which featured in the London 2012 Olympic Games’ torch relay, has now been installed at the top of the hospital’s Ward 7 corridor to inspire young patients to try and walk the length of the pathway following major surgery.

Katie, who experienced up to three Grand-Mal epileptic seizures a week and up to15 Petit-Mal seizures a day spent five years in and out of the Sick Kids hospital as a youngster.

Fifteen years ago, the inspirational 29-year-old underwent life-changing surgery using equipment funded by the Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF). The video telemetry equipment was used to investigate Katie’s seizures and has allowed her to go on and participate in a number of gruelling charity cycles including Race Across America – an impressive 3,000 mile cycle trail with a 9 day time limit.

Glasgow born Katie said: “It’s fantastic to return to the hospital that gave me so much support in overcoming my epilepsy. The Sick Kids Friends Foundations’ funding meant I could go through the work up testing that allowed me to be selected for neurosurgery that changed my life, and will always have a special place in my heart for that reason.

“It’s so humbling to see the Olympic torch I carried during the 2012 relay take pride of place at Ward 7. I have been privileged enough to meet so many kids with epilepsy here whose dignity and strength is incredible and even helped me carrying on riding during the toughest part of the Race Across America.

“Without the staff and patients of Ward 7 and the hospital, I would never have had the honour of carrying the Olympic flame, or even been able to ride a bike safely. Because of this, I feel the torch belongs here and not with me. It’s an incredible thing and I just hope it continues to inspire the brave, young patients of ward 7 to get back on their feet as soon as they can, because they’ve already inspired me to do more with my own life.”

Rachel McKenzie, head of fundraising at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, added: “We feel very lucky to have such a treasured possession among the wards at the RHSC and are extremely grateful to Katie for this priceless gift. The Olympic torch signifies strength, bravery and persistence – something which the patients of Edinburgh’s children’s hospital have bags of.

“At the Foundation we’re working hard to ensure children are less scared during their time in hospital and have a positive experience – the Olympic torch is a fantastic asset which lights up ward 7 for our young patients. I have no doubt it will go on to inspire some future athletes and Olympians who, like Katie, will overcome the biggest of challenges.”

Pictured: Karen Duguid, Senior Charge Nurse from West Lothian, Katie Ford who donated the torch and Margaret McEwan, Play Specialist from East Lothian with the Olympic torch on Ward 7 at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

Western General: Must do better

Follow-up inspection finds there’s still room for improvement at Western General

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate (HEI) has published its report following an unannounced follow-up inspection visit to the Western General Hospital on Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 May – and further improvement is required before the local hospital can be given a clean bill of health.

HEI, part of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, was set up to help reduce healthcare associated infection risk to patients through a rigorous inspection framework.

The HEI inspection team examined NHS Lothian’s self-assessment information and then inspected the hospital to validate this information, meet patients and staff, and visit wards and departments to assess how clean the hospital was and if it was meeting national standards.

This follow-up report should be read along with the previous report produced last November, as May’s inspection follows up on the requirements made at that inspection. (See NEN blog post 26 January ‘Simply Unacceptable’).

Inspectors found that the NHS board has met six of the requirements made at the previous inspection in November last year, and partially met two other requirements.

This latest inspection resulted in no new requirements or recommendations.

Jacqui Macrae, HEI’s Head of Quality of Care, said: “Our inspectors found that NHS Lothian has met six of the eight requirements we made in our previous inspection. Progress has been made in addressing the remaining two requirements but these have only been partially met.

“As a result, NHS Lothian must take further action to maintain a clean environment in the acute receiving admissions unit. It must also ensure that a consistent system is in place to check all mattresses across all wards and departments.

These requirements will be carried forward to the next inspection and we expect NHS Lothian to address these areas as a matter of priority.”

The full HEI inspection report can be found at: http://www.healthcareimprovementscotland.org/our_work/inspecting_and_regulating_care/nhs_hospitals_and_services/nhs_lothian/western_general_hospital.aspx

Theatre opportunity for young people at North Edinburgh Arts

Red and the Wolf: An exciting theatre opportunity for North Edinburgh’s young people – and it’s free

Red and the Wolf by Liminal Dance is an immersive theatre performance working with a locally-based community cast of young people aged 8-16 years, in partnership with North Edinburgh Arts.

Explore movement, dance and storytelling
Perform with professional artists
Create your own unique performance
Open to all, no experience necessary
@ North Edinburgh Arts
Places are FREE

Rehearsals on:

Thursday 30 July
Saturday 1August
Monday 3 August
Tuesday 4 August
Wednesday 5 August

Rehearsal times: 10-5pm (except Saturday, 10-1pm)

Performance on Wednesday 5 August, 7pm

To book places and tickets: 0131 315 2151 / admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk

North Edinburgh Arts
15a Pennywell Court
EH4 4TZ

www.liminaldanceuk.com
facebook.com/redandthewolf2015

A sporting summer at Spartans

Youth Work Provision at Spartans Community Football Academy over the summer holidays:

Street Football In A Safe Place (SFiSP):

Monday to Friday throughout the holidays from 1 – 5pm

Ages: 7-18

Cost – FREE

Location – The Spartans Community Football Academy, 94 Pilton Drive EH5 2HF, next to Ainslie Park Leisure Centre.

Details – SFiSP offers the opportunity for young people to come and play (for free) in a safe, fun and friendly environment. Our Youth Work Team are on the pitch throughout the afternoon to join in the fun and also to make all participants feel safe.

Our 3G requires that everyone on the pitch must wear football boots while playing, but not to worry if you don’t have any as we have a boot bank for those who don’t have boots but would still like to play -and everyone is welcome to borrow a pair!

FooTEA: Days

Friday Nights

Ages: 7 to 11yrs (5pm to 7:30pm), 12 to 15yrs (6pm to 8:15pm)

Cost – FREE

Location – The Spartans Community Football Academy, 94 Pilton Drive EH5 2HF, next to Ainslie Park Leisure Centre (although on occasion we do hold this elsewhere but parents/guardians will be given plenty of notice)

Details – FooTEA is one of the main youth provisions we run here at the SCFA. FooTEA runs from 5pm to 8:15pm every Friday night here at the Academy. The young people who attend spend the first hour playing football, and then afterwards we have a hot meal together, before they are allowed to take part in various activities such as Baking, Xbox, Pool, Table Tennis, Arts and Crafts, etc.

Coaching: Bend it like Beesley (BILB)

Monday to Friday 10am to 12pm throughout the school holidays

Ages: 3yrs to 12yrs (split into three groups:3 -4, 5-8 and 9 -12)

Cost – £40 for the whole week or £8 per day.

Location – The Spartans Community Football Academy, 94 Pilton Drive EH5 2HF, next to Ainslie Park Leisure Centre

Details – ‘Bend It Like Beesley’ is our fun packed holiday programme aimed at 3-12 year olds, named after Spartans First Team star and SCFA Development Officer, Jack Beesley.

The emphasis is on developing young children’s football skills, whilst providing a thoroughly enjoyable week – all under the watchful eye of our highly-qualified Academy coaches.

For more info visit http://scfacoaching.com/bend-it-like-beesley-2/

Jamie Tomkinson,

Youth and Community Worker, The Spartans Community Football Academy

Twitter: Spartans_CFA

Telephone: 0131-552-7854

W: www.spartanscfa.com

Remembering a gentle giant

Edinburgh Northern organise charity fundraising tournament in honour of big ‘Loggy’

Following the tragic death of Richard Logg in a car crash on Christmas-Eve 2014, his team mates at Edinburgh Northern Rugby Football Club (@ENRFC) have come together to raise funds in his honour and to keep the memory of a ‘gentle giant’ alive (writes JACOB COURT).

The Club has already run several successful fund raising events for local charities, all chosen by his young family. Widowed & Young (WAY) and Richmond’s Hope, as well as national charity Home Start, have been at the heart of fundraising efforts thus far.

The next event to be hosted looks to celebrate the things that will always remind us of Loggy; a crunching rugby style, a love of spending time with family and friends – and a spirited enthusiasm for mischief and laughs!

Centred round a rugby tournament to celebrate ‘Loggy’ through the sport he loved, the Club are putting on a day of events, aimed at participants of all ages. Rugby, raffles, auctions as well as a BBQ, refreshments, live music and activities for children will all be laid on in order to foster as much as is possible of the spirit that draws people to small, community rugby clubs like Northern.

Donations are welcome but a good attendance would be much preferred with the setting of his home pitch in Inverleith Park being the venue for a three way tournament between his Club, Edinburgh Northern, a ‘Northern Legends’ team and a guest appearance from charity favourites, The Pigbarians.

Edinburgh Northern RFC would like to take this opportunity to welcome anyone with a passion for fun and a love of laughs to join us in Inverleith Park, East Fettes Avenue from 1pm on Saturday 25 July for a day of rugby, family games, barbequed meats and an evening of music.

Double exposure at Holyrood

Photography in sharp focus at the Scottish Parliament

World-leading photojournalism takes centre stage at the Scottish Parliament this summer as two inspirational exhibitions are unveiled today.

The World Press Photo (WPP) Exhibition 2015 is an international contest for photojournalists and features 130 moving and thought provoking images taken during the course of 2014. Once again the Scottish Parliament is the only Parliament in the world to host the exhibition.

Michael Peto: Politics in Focus includes photographs by Michael Peto – the celebrated Hungarian-born photographer who witnessed some of the most historic moments of the 1950s and 1960s. The exhibition includes a number of unseen photographs of some of the world’s most iconic figures. People who have shaped and changed the way we see the world including Nelson Mandela, Winston Churchill, Indira Ghandi and Jennie Lee.

Both exhibitions are free to visit and will be on display in the Scottish Parliament’s Main Hall and Burns Room (Committee Room 1) until Saturday 22 August.

The Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP said: “The photographs in these two exhibitions show photojournalism at its finest. The images may be split by decades but what they have in common is their quality and thought provoking nature. They capture moments of time and make us look at who we are and what we do in a different way.

“I am proud that the Scottish Parliament is once again home to remarkable photography exhibitions that offer the people of Scotland the chance to see these images in their Parliament.”

Award-winning actor Brian Cox, Rector at the University of Dundee and Patron of the Peto collection, added: “From humble beginnings Michael Peto grew into an incredible artist and photographer. With an intense interest in the variations of human form he had a talent for capturing his subjects in their natural environment.

“This collection is an extraordinary gift he has left us, so please learn, appreciate, enjoy.”

Sharing Granton’s secret garden?

‘Save our Secret Garden’ community campaign reaches climax on July 29th!

You may have heard of Granton Castle Walled Garden, but still not know where it is: that it is kept locked up and no-one can enter, or that it is still at risk from a luxury housing development (writes Kirsty Sutherland)!

At the end of this month the Friends Group campaign to safeguard and restore the walled garden will reach a crucial point.

On 29 July the council planners will make a final decision on the 2004 Waterfront Edinburgh Limited application; ‘minded to grant’ for demolition of parts of the walled garden to make way for 17 townhouses.

Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden hope they decide to refuse the 2004 application, instead allowing a chance of the listed garden’s restoration for community use.

Hundreds of local people have made their views known through petitions, representations and deputations to the city council, community councils and other organisations over the last year.

Historic Scotland visited the walled garden this spring and after reviewing the research compiled, concluded that it merits B-listing. Much older than previously thought, infact the oldest undeveloped walled garden in Edinburgh!

So what will happen if the council decide in favour of the historic garden being protected and restored at the end of this month?

Raising funds for a future community buyout was discussed at our last two Friends Group meetings.
Community Empowerment (Scotland) Bill news is good for community groups like ours, interested in taking on the responsibility for a bit of our historic environment on the waterfront.

– Community Shares? – One idea to let local people own a bit of the walled garden and take part in planning and decisions on its future.

One share = one vote

Would you want to help save the garden if we could buy it?

Buy a share in the garden at £10 per share?

Get in touch or come along to a Friends Group Meeting if you want to hear more, ask questions or get involved.

grantoncastlegardengroup@gmail.com

Next meeting on ‘Ideas for the Garden’ in mid-August, date tbc.

Friends of Granton Castle Garden | ‘Forgotten’ Walled Garden

Eid Mubarak

First Minister sends Eid Mubarak greetings

Throughout 2015, as we celebrate our year of Food and Drink in Scotland, we are reminded again of the power of sharing food. Sharing a meal can strengthen our relationships with each other, it can give us an insight into a new culture, connect us to new people or help us to heal our divisions.

This Eid al-Fitr, Muslim communities across Scotland will join together to celebrate the end of Ramadan’s month of fasting. Many of the celebrations and feasts will be shared and enjoyed by Muslims and non-Muslims alike. We can be proud of our diversity and our unity reflected in these shared festivities.

In Scotland we know that we have vibrant and dynamic Muslim communities who play a valuable role in our society and strengthen our interfaith relations.

So to Scotland’s Muslim communities, I thank you for your on-going work within your communities and I wish you all a very enjoyable Eid.

Eid Mubarak.

The First Minister’s Eid Mubarak video message