Students are being encouraged to get protected against infectious diseases such as meningitis, measles and HPV (human papilloma virus) as they return to campus.
As schools, colleges and universities return after the festive break and students begin to mix closely, it is a time when we can see increased spread of infectious diseases.
Being vaccinated offers the best protection and we would encourage those eligible to get their most up to date jags to protect both themselves and their peers.
Dr Iain Kennedy, of NHS GGC Public Health, said: “Student health is vitally important and that is why we are encouraging everyone to ensure they have their vaccinations up to date.
“Diseases can spread easily and quickly through schools, colleges and universities and being vaccinated ensures the best possible protection.
“If you are unsure of your vaccination status, please get in contact with your local GP practice who should be able to advise you on this.
“All our routine immunisation programmes are available on the NHS.
“For more information about getting your vaccines, please speak to your GP or log on to NHS Inform where you can read further information on vaccinations.”
Today marks the 40th anniversary of the mandatory seatbelt law which was spearheaded by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA)
Research shows that a quarter of people in vehicles who died in road accidents in 2021 were not wearing a seatbelt
The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 threatens vital lifesaving legislation and looks to sunset them before December 31 this year.
On the fortieth anniversary of mandatory seatbelt usage, a leading accident prevention charity has issued a rally cry to Government to save seatbelt laws from being lost or watered down as part of the the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022.
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), that spearheaded the campaign for mandatory seatbelt use over forty years ago, warns that thousands of lives are at risk if the Bill goes ahead.
The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 will see thousands of laws sunset by the end of this year, including lifesaving seatbelt legislation. Although seatbelt usage features in the Road Safety Act, the Bill is set to make critical information on who, where and when people should wear seatbelts unclear.
Statistics show that almost a quarter of people in a vehicle killed in a road collision in 2021 were not wearing a seatbelt. While the number of people killed on Britain’s roads has plateaued, the proportion of car occupants killed while not wearing a seatbelt has spiked sharply, reaching the highest level since records began.
Seatbelts made the news last month when Rishi Sunak was caught on video travelling in a moving vehicle while not wearing a seatbelt and was subsequently issued a fixed penalty notice.
Nathan Davies, Head of Policy at RoSPA, said: “Wearing a seatbelt is not just ‘common sense’. Making seatbelts a legal requirement changed behaviour, and drove up usage by 55 per cent almost immediately.
“But recent Department for Transport data shows us that compliance is the lowest it has ever been since the law was introduced, and that means that people still need laws which reinforce the importance for them and the other occupants of vehicles. By removing seatbelt laws, we expect usage to fall, and fatalities will then inevitably increase.
“Throwing vital seatbelt laws in the air at a time they are most needed will set the stage for thousands of the public being killed and injured on the road, leaving behind loved ones, friends and family. We must not throw away the progress made over last 40 years of mandatory seatbelt usage and urge the Government to tackle these vital laws with the time, respect and attention they deserve.”
The Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill 2022 will have a second reading in the Lords on the 6 February.
Supporting your local sharing and repairing projects is an amazing way to change the way you consume, make less waste, and support your local community – but what exactly IS sharing and repairing? Where are your local projects, and what does it mean to get involved ??
Join Circular Communities Scotland’s Share and Repair Network this week to learn more about sharing and repairing and see if YOU are #ShareRepairAware!
Do you want to live more sustainably? Change the way you consume? Fight climate change? Save money in the cost-of-living crisis?
Sharing and repairing are amazing ways to do all the above, as well as support charities and social enterprises that give back to your local community, but it can be confusing to know where to go, what to do, or how to get involved.
Our #ShareRepairAware campaign is here to help.
Sounds good! How can I get involved?
Feeling brave? Take our online quiz to see if your knowledge about sharing and repairing is up to scratch! (If you share your results on socials, don’t forget to @ us, and use the #ShareRepairAware hashtag!)
Not sure about sharing and repairing? Read our campaign article (yes this one!) to learn more or visit our sharing and repairing webpage.
Like and share our posts on TWITTER, FACEBOOK and LINKEDIN to spread the word and help others be #ShareRepairAware!
Using cutting edge ‘choose your own adventure’ technology
BGT star Kevin Quantum builds on success of in person workshops to reach thousands of children
Edinburgh International Magic Festival is proud to announce the launch of Virtual Magic School [VMS] a cutting-edge and free-to-use, digital learning resource for primary school children in Scotland and the UK.
MagicFest’s original in-person workshops have been a hugely successful part of The International Magic Festival for 13 years, teaching over 2000 children magic tricks. The workshop format has now been upgraded using technology currently only seen in high budget productions by companies such as Netflix etc.
The course consists of 8 curricula-linked lessons and is packed full of illusions and tricks. Children get to make choices through the lesson selecting buttons on the screen and can unearth hidden secrets and magic tricks by correctly completing each lesson!
Key advantages include:
The course is tied up to the curricula North and south of the border thanks to the collaboration with primary school teachers in Scotland and England
The course focuses on numeracy, literacy and science as well as presentation skills, confidence and resilience.
The use of cutting edge ‘choose your own adventure’ technology hugely increases engagement and learning.
The resource has been funded by Scottish and UK funding bodies as well as Trusts and Private companies so that It could be free to use for all schools.
Britain’s Got Talent star and Festival organiser Kevin Quantum said: “I’m so excited to become the Magic Teacher for 1000s of children up and down the country teaching them not only tricks, but the real secrets behind the tricks, often found in science and maths, as well as the confidence and presentational skills needed to go and perform them to friends and family.
“Dumbledore eat your heart out! I think even he, with his powers, would have struggled to teach so many children simultaneously.”
Although VMS has just launched, the idea for the project was developed two years ago. During lockdown Kevin and his daughter Olivia started a YouTube channel teaching magic and science. The channel was so popular that it was commissioned by the BBC and has now evolved again to become an interactive digital learning adventure.
Svetlana McMahon MagicFest director said “We’re delighted to be fusing cutting edge technology, only seen so far on Netflix productions, like Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror, with our experience delivering magic workshops to children around the country.
“This is a huge step towards our goal of promoting magic as an artform and helps many thousands of children get a grasp on numeracy and literacy using the inbuilt curiosity and excitement of a magic lesson!”
In person Magic School has seen lessons here in Edinburgh during the festival, at schools in areas of deprivation around Scotland and as far afield as the Globe Theatre in London. This digital incarnation could now reach children all over the world.
The project has been supported by The Space, Baillie Gifford and Kiran’s Trust.
Fiona Morris Creative Director and Chief Executive of The Space said: “Virtual Magic School is a fantastic project that combines magic and tricks with branching narrative technology to create a really engaging teaching resource.
“We are sure that it will be an invaluable tool both inside and outside of the classroom where children learn through a medium that are increasingly accustomed to”.
Johnny Martin, Director of Kiran’s Trust said:“We have been pleased to have supported MagicFest’s Magic Schools, Workshops and Magic School on the Road. We are delighted to be part of that next generation of Magic education.
“We believe the VMS environment allows innovative ideas to flourish and helps in conceiving and executing various problem-solving approaches. It creates a room for creativity, perspectives, opportunities and ideas!”
A Scottish Government Reporter has granted planning permission for a planning application by S1 Developments for an ‘exciting new student residential development’ at Edinburgh’s former Tynecastle High School site.
In addition to 468 bedspaces, the original school hall will be repurposed as a central amenity hub, sitting within a collegiate-style courtyard space and providing high quality shared facilities for student residents.
Landscaping proposals increase green space across the site by more than 40 per cent, helping to increase biodiversity within the local area.
The development has been designed to be highly sustainable with zero parking, 100 per cent cycle parking, the employment of low carbon technologies and no use of fossil fuels.
In his report, the Reporter noted that the “development of the site for mainstream housing would be constrained by the presence of the listed buildings”, making student development a more viable option.
In addition, he identified the site which is dominated by the football ground and North British Distillery, as being more suitable for students “who would only spend part of their year in residence” and then only for the length of their University or college courses.
The Reporter also noted the proximity of universities and colleges to the site and that the student population in the local area, including the proposed development would be approximately 24% and therefore not lead to an overly concentrated student population in the area.
He notes that this figure is well below the 50% given to demonstrated excessive concentration of students and in his view would not lead to an “imbalanced community”.
Developers S1 Developments say this high-quality student development will regenerate a site that has lain vacant for over a decade and fallen into a state of disrepair.
The careful restoration of the original Category B-listed school building, designed by John Alexander Carfrae, forms an integral part of the proposals. The development will far exceed amenity standards for similar student developments and has sustainability at its heart.
Council guidance points to the benefits of purpose-built student accommodation in freeing up traditional housing stock for families with children and it has been estimated that a development such as this could release up to 180 properties back into the housing market. Local businesses will also benefit through increased spending from student residents.
Charity People Know How will act as preferred operators for community facilities on the site. This which already works with Tynecastle High School, will operate a community facility within the building.
People Know How will operate a community facility, with the option for other local community groups to use space. The charity supports children, young people and their families in Edinburgh transition from primary to high school; helps individuals access the digital world and assists communities to shape their areas through community consultation and empowerment.
A large number of students volunteer to work with the charity, and this enables a positive relationship with students in the building to be established. Not only does this support the charity in its work, but also benefits the volunteers and engages them in the local area.
Dan Teague, Director at S1 Developments, said: “We’re delighted to have received planning permission for this exciting development.
“The original school building has fallen into a sorry state since it ceased being a school over a decade ago. Whilst the redevelopment is challenging, our proposed use brings with it an opportunity to save and renovate the original school building and continue its educational use, benefitting the local community.
“The Reporter also noted that this was a site more suitable for student housing than mainstream housing due to the constraints of the football stadium and North British Distillery.
“We look forward to working constructively with the community in delivering this development.”
COMMUNITY ANCHOR AWARDS TO EIGHT EDINBURGH PROJECTS
Community led groups across Scotland are today sharing in over £1.5 million of National Lottery funding to distribute to individuals most vulnerable to the cost-of-living pressures.
The latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to 73 groups means that well targeted support from food or fuel provision and access to warm clothing or electric blankets can be distributed immediately in response to the challenges that people are currently facing on a day-to-day basis.
Eight Edinburgh projects received grants. There’s £28,600 for Edinburgh Commmunity Food, who will work to support their community who have been particularly affected by the cost- of- living crisis.
Bridgend Farmhouse will support their local community by running warm spaces sessions, setting up a crisis fund and piloting some affordable eating sessions in schools – they receive £19,580.
Edinburgh Community Health Forum applied for Community Anchor funding on behalf of its eight member organisations so that they can support people and families most affected by the cost-of-living crisis.
They receive £26,491 which will be used to provide support including food and food vouchers, community meals, cooking sessions, access to warm spaces and warm clothing.
Restalrig’s The Ripple Project was awarded £25,232.
This group will support people most in need due the cost-of-living crisis by providing food, heating, warm clothing and blankets, laundry, cheaper cooking options and transport.
There’s funding, too, for Old Town Development Trust, Home-Start Edinburgh, Lister Housing Co-operative and Prospect Community Housing.
Elsewhere in Scotland, an award of £23,500, Annexe Communities will provide emergency provisions to local people and households in Partick.
As well as distributing food vouchers, clothing vouchers and energy top ups the group will be able to run a soup social and provide soup packs with all the relevant ingredients needed for people to make their favourite soups at home.
The money means that the Annexe can continue this work which began during the COVID-19 pandemic helping many more people like 41-year-old Kelly Young from Partick. Kelly is mother to four children and was referred to the Annexe when she lost her job in December 2021.
Struggling to keep up with rent payments and put food on the table, Kelly lost two stone in six weeks because she wanted to make sure that her children ate first.
Over the last year Annexe Communities have been there for Kelly providing advice, food parcels and fuel vouchers. Kelly said: “I now have a job as a cleaner and am working hard to support my family as best I can. I have always been a believer in being able to help yourself but when you are in such a deep hole it’s impossible.
“It took a lot for me to swallow my pride and admit that I needed help for me and my family but the truth of it is that I am out working and I still can’t manage. Pay day becomes pay away day and I am constantly living on my overdraft – it’s a never-ending cycle.
“That’s why places like the Annexe are so important right now, they keep contact with me and it’s good to know that people are there for me and that it’s a safe place for me to come and not sit in my house stressed and isolated.”
Jane Cowie, Development Worker, Annexe Communities, said: “This funding means we can support struggling local families and people over the next few months so they can eat and are able to heat their homes.
“We have joined forces with other local organisations and are using our collective knowledge to work together and to reach and to help as many people in need. The money means we get the relevant support to people who need it now.”
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “This latest round of funding is just one of the ways our National Lottery funding is being distributed to organisations who will directly support people and communities facing very difficult circumstances.
“Local charities and community groups are fully aware what’s going on right now in their local areas and are therefore best placed to deliver this support quickly so there’s no delay with providing people with the help they so desperately need.
“It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that they can continue this vital work.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management research shows self-employment is changing
More than 600,000 self-employed people think they will miss the January 31st deadline for completing self-assessment tax returns and paying any money owed, new research* from Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management shows.
Data** from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) shows that a week before the deadline (January 24th), around 3.4 million had still to file returns for the 2021/22 tax year and it is expecting 12 million returns in total compared with 10.8 million for the 2020/21 tax year.
Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management’s research found young men aged 18-34 are most likely to believe they will miss the deadline, with 13% of them fearing they won’t respond in time.
The study highlights how the rising number of self-assessment returns reflects changes in the way people are employed. It found half (50%) of working adults say they are a PAYE employee with no additional income while, more than a quarter (28%) are retired, meaning that nearly a third (29%) – 9.4 million people –are self-employed in some capacity. Many will have PAYE jobs and self-employment income on the side, while some will be entirely self-employed.
Men (25%) are more likely than women (16%) to have an income stream from self-employment, while younger adults aged between 18 and 34 are much more likely to be self-employed at 40%, compared with older age groups. Just 20% of those aged 35 to 54 are self-employed to some extent, and only 10% of those aged 55-plus have additional self-employed income.
The West Midlands is the UK’s ‘capital of the side hustle’, with 21% of workers saying they are PAYE with additional self-employed income compared to 10% for the UK as a whole.
Overall, the West Midlands has the highest number of people who make money through self-employment, with 33% of adults needing to fill in a self-assessment tax return, ahead of London (32%) and the South West (28%).
The rise of the side hustle is partly down to the cost-of-living crisis, but is also being driven by people deciding to follow their passion alongside their PAYE employment.
More than a third (35%) said they became self-employed to do something they are passionate about, while around a quarter (24%) did it to supplement the income they receive from their main job, due to the pandemic and cost-of-living crisis. Job satisfaction is more important to younger people, with 24% of those 18-34 saying they became self-employed because they were not enjoying their job, dropping to 21% for 35–54 and just 10% for the over 55s.
Mark Collins, Head of Tax at Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management said: “While tax doesn’t have to be taxing, as the old HMRC adverts say, filling in self-assessment forms becomes a little more complicated when people have a range of income streams from different sources.
“There is plenty of help available from HMRC however there is the possibility of a £100 fine for being late with further penalties kicking in after three months. This highlights the importance of seeking advice, being organised and keeping a close eye on your tax records, including business income and outgoings, throughout the year.”
The latest chapter in a unique programmable art project by NFT leading artist, Scottish-based Trevor Jones is due to drop tomorrow. (January 31, 2023)
Already a pioneer of NFTs in the art world, he initially painted Ethereum Boy, a play on Picasso’s Paul Dressed as Harlequin the image, as part of an exploration of crypto cubism in tribute to Picasso’s creative genius.
Trevor then partnered with crypto artist Alotta Money and digital artist, producer and DJ Don Diablo to create the precedent-setting ETHEREAL Collection for a programmable Async Art project. This was the first drop to be included in a ten-part series with the concept that the painting changes daily in response to uncontrollable outside variables such as Ethereum price fluctuations, gas fees and even the birthday of Vitalik Buterin, founder of the Ethereum network whose baby face features in the painting.
The experiment, with the programmable accessories layer, follows Vitalik as he experiences life’s highs and lows with each new chapter released as an NFT every six months over five years, meaning each animation consists of approximately 182 days of changes.
Tomorrow sees the launch of the fourth chapter of the initiative, featuring guest musical artist, world-renowned DJ Sasha.
And, to mark the partnership and Vitalik’s birthday, EthBoy will today take over the prestigious space in the windows at luxury store Flannels, 167 Oxford St, London, for this unique collaboration between art and music to be enjoyed from this famous location for a one-day exclusive.
DJ Sashacomments:“ Trevor was one of the first artists that I noticed and was inspired by when I first became aware of NFTs.
“After dipping my toe into the space with the LUZoSCURA and most recently the TEN drop, the chance to collaborate with Trevor came up – and of course, I jumped at it. I love the story that ETH Boy tells – continually documenting the events happening in this brave new digital art world. I wanted the audio accompanying the piece to capture the highs, lows and bittersweet turbulence of ETH Boy’s last 6 months. “
The artwork is a 1/1 and collectors of previous Chapters featured in the series will also receive ownership revenue, with portions of the profits allocated to all purchasers, thus symbolizing future stakes in the work of not only Trevor Jones himself, but all collectors involved.
The owner of the EthBoy NFT will receive a signed, limited-edition print of the original oil painting.
Trevor Jones, best known for his iconic Bitcoin Angel, based on his painting of Bernini’s baroque marble sculpture The Ecstasy of St Teresa, says: “In such a fast-paced and volatile space, having the opportunity to take the lead in an innovative, long term project with the late, great Alotta along with many of the biggest name musical artists exploring web3 is an honour and a privilege.
“Many in the web3 community think in terms of months rather than years and therefore this half-decade-long collaborative project will undoubtedly become a historic work of art and a grail for the 10 collectors/partners involved.”
Mark Dale, founder of W1 Curates says: “Our digital exhibition space is a one-of-a-kind public art platform dedicated to bridging the gap between digital art and the traditional art world.
“Located in the prime location of Oxford Street, London, our site offers brand new state-of-the-art floor-to-ceiling digital screens, providing a unique interactive experience for the viewer. It’s an honour to bring this unique art and music collaboration to Life. This project is all about connecting people through music and art, and we want to share it with as many people as possible”.
A fine art graduate and traditional painter, Trevor has worked at the intersection of art and technology for more than a decade and experimented with QR code paintings and augmented reality (AR). When he invested in Bitcoin in 2017 it inspired a new creative direction, leading to his crypto-themed AR paintings and his passion for NFTs in art.
His Art Angels podcast, on which he features various internationally based digital artists, has also been responsible for hugely boosting the earnings of those he has chosen to promote.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Healthy Hearty Soups
Soups are great for lunch or dinner, or even as a snack between meals in a mug. When planned properly, soups can be a healthy, balanced meal and be a great way to increase your intake of vegetables. They’re usually a low cost per portion, great to make in bulk and convenient to warm up in a hurry or take out and about in a flask.
We’ve outlined some tips for building a balanced, nutrient-dense soup below:
Base
A great soup starts with a tasty base. Sautéed onions, celery and garlic make a wonderful starter for most soups.
Next select your stock, homemade is best and the most cost effective as you can make it from leftover meat bones and vegetables. Shop-bought stock cubes can be high in added salt and sugar so if you are using these make sure you choose a low-salt and low-sugar variety or leave it out altogether.
You can use herbs and spices to add depth of flavour.
Carbohydrates
White potatoes, sweet potatoes, wholewheat noodles/pasta, and brown rice are all great options for adding to soup.
They provide a healthy source of carbohydrates to give you the energy you need to fuel your body.
Vegetables
All vegetables work well in soups, try choosing ones you wouldn’t usually eat to increase the variety in your diet.
Butternut squash, parsnips, carrots, cauliflower and broccoli are great options.
Protein
Protein is often forgotten in soups, but it is an important nutrient for growth and repair in the body. It also helps us feel fuller for longer which can help us maintain a healthy weight.
Healthy sources of protein include chicken, turkey, fish and low-fat cheeses. Plant based options such as different varieties of lentils and beans are healthful options, and these are a cheap option for bulking up soups.
For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at:
Hostelling Scotland, the not for profit, self-funded charity, who operate a network of nearly 60 exceptional quality assured youth and affiliate hostels throughout Scotland, and facilitate a number of youth and community initiatives, is on the lookout for new members to join its Board of Trustees.
The organisation is very keen to receive applications from as wide a range of talented people as possible irrespective of their religion or belief, gender, age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation, ethnic origin, political belief, relationship status or caring responsibilities.
With the challenging economic climate Hostelling Scotland would love to hear from applicants with skills and experience in managing operational change, charity/corporate governance, law, risk management, and youth travel and hospitality.
Margo Paterson, CEO of Hostelling Scotland, said: “Hostelling Scotland is open to all. We are committed to inclusion and diversity and we want our Board of Trustees to be representative of the wide range of talented people we have in the communities we serve throughout Scotland.
“We value greatly the benefits of having different points of view and experiences on our Board. We particularly welcome applications from first time Trustees and highly motivated individuals across all age groups and backgrounds, with a wide range of skills and experiences, and the capacity and commitment to grow into the role.”
“If you are looking for a new and exciting adventure and keen to do something great. If you believe you have the enthusiasm and drive to help shape the future of hostelling in Scotland, we would love to hear from you.”
