The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 601 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Care home residents take a trip down memory lane

Valuable memory enhancing skills combat frustration for Edinburgh residents

WORKSHOPS to assist residents with memory skills have been introduced as the latest feature at a care home in Edinburgh.

With memory retention and recall being one of the leading causes of distress for the elderly, Cramond Residence has started offering memory sessions to help relieve these frustrations especially for residents with impaired cognitive function, those living with dementia and recurring memory decline.

To encourage engagement, the home’s lifestyle team keep group sizes small and use a variety of techniques incorporating visual elements such as playing cards, dominoes, flipcharts and photographs.

Lifestyle coordinator at Cramond Residence, Garylee Rushforth, said: “It was a natural next step for Cramond Residence to start providing these beneficial sessions to the residents.

“An impaired ability to recall information and events can lead to severe confusion, disorientation and a dissociation from a person’s own sense of self which is why we felt that it was so important that we fully engage with cognitive activities that can help to strengthen memory processes.

“In these sessions, we teach residents how to actively recall information in the short-term. Flashcards are used to display information and then the coordinators work with residents to teach them verbalised, visual and auditory recall skills related to this information.

“Processing the information given in a variety of mediums provides residents with multiple avenues to recall short term information easier. Carrying these out regularly will expand the memory bank and reduce time needed during the recall process.”

Cramond Residence’s team of lifestyle coordinators have created an exciting and varied programme of activities and workshops, all with the aim of providing its residents with a sense of independence and fun, as well a valuable life skills.

Garylee continued: “The memory sessions have been a great hit and we have received some fantastic feedback from residents so far and it’s a delight to help residents on this journey and see their individual progress.

“We engage with residents that attend outside of the sessions and test their memory skills on the go and have witnessed a greater ability to recall conversations and instructions in other workshops too which is brilliant to see.”

Cramond Residence, launched in 2018, has provided small-group living for up to 74 residents in nine luxuriously-appointed accommodation with the highest quality of care.

The highly-trained team organises exciting activities and excursions for their residents and offer specialised and individually tailored care in respite, recuperation and dementia care provision.

The medication and care provided is based on a detailed personal care plan, which is continually assessed and revised by health care professionals and other experts to ensure that the best possible care is being delivered.

The luxury home will continue to channel its efforts into improving the quality of life for its residents by introducing more innovative workshops and ideas.

To find out more about Cramond Residence, call 0131 341 4037 or visit:

https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

Police seek man following Murrayburn Place assault

Police Scotland has released an image of a man they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to an assault in Edinburgh.

The incident happened at around 11.30pm on Tuesday, 18 October, 2022, at Murrayburn Place.

The man (pictured below) is described as 16 to 18-years-old, around 6ft, and was wearing a grey-coloured top, jogging bottoms, sunglasses and black gloves.

One man aged 22 has been charged in connection with the incident.

Detective Sergeant Todd Rutherford said: “I would urge the man or anyone who knows who he is to get in touch with us.

“Anyone with any information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3811 of Tuesday, 18 October, 2022, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

UPDATE

A 17-year-old male youth has been arrested and charged in connection with an assault in Edinburgh on Tuesday, 18 October, 2022.

The incident happened on Murrayburn Place around 11.30pm.

He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, 3 November, 2022.

A 22-year-old man was also charged in connection with the incident. He appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 24 October, 2022.

Musselburgh Racecourse kicks off jumps season with new race in honour of the late Duke of Edinburgh

A new race commemorating the HRH Prince Philip will be launched tomorrow (Wednesday 2 Nov) at the opening meeting of Musselburgh Racecourse’s jumps season.

The East Lothian course received Royal approval to mark the late Duke of Edinburgh’s visits to the course by staging the Prince Philip Perpetual Challenge Cup, a £25,000 stayers’ chase over three and a half miles.

Highlights of Musselburgh’s 11-fixture National Hunt season include the traditional New Year’s Day meeting, the bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials weekend in early February, and the Go North festival in late March.

With advance ticket sales for New Year’s Day doing well, racecourse general manager Bill Farnsworth revealed the track capacity has been increased to 7,000, which if it sells out would be a modern day record attendance at a Musselburgh jumps meeting.

He said: “We were heading for a sell-out last New Year’s Day but due to the pre-Christmas Covid spike the meeting had to be held behind-closed doors. That was obviously very disappointing, but we hope to build on this to kick off 2023 in great style, and with a full house at Musselburgh there is no better place to be on the first of January.”

On top of an excellent race card, race goers will have the added bonus of witnessing the running of the world’s oldest amateur athletics race as the famous New Year Sprint returns to Musselburgh after a short break.

The bet365 Scottish Cheltenham Trials over the weekend of 4-5 February will boast prize money of more than £250,000 with the Scottish County Hurdle and Edinburgh National races on the Saturday carrying prize money of £40,000 and £50,000, respectively.

The feature race on the Sunday is the Scottish Triumph Hurdle Trial which has increased prize money from £25,000 to £40,000. Bill Farnsworth added: “This is Musselburgh’s only Class 1 race and with the support of the British Horseracing Authority, which recognised our Triumph Hurdle as a key prep race for the Cheltenham showpiece in March, we are delighted to have been able to increase the prize fund.”

The Go North Race Day on Friday 24 March closes Musselburgh’s jumps season and is part of a weekend festival of racing which includes Kelso and Carlisle racecourses. Go North celebrates the horses and trainers who have competed on the Northern circuit throughout the winter months and features seven £30,000 finals over the three tracks.

Bill Farnsworth added: “We had a great crowd at last year’s Go North finale and hope to repeat that in 2023 but we have a lot of racing to get through before that. The course is in fantastic condition and we can’t wait to get started and to welcome people back for an exciting jumps season.”

To find out more information, full fixture details, and to book tickets, visit:

www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Hospice urges local community to Light Up A Life to remember loved ones this winter

St Columba’s Hospice Care has launched its 45th annual Light Up A Life appeal, which offers people across Edinburgh and the Lothians the opportunity to come together to remember and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have died.

This year’s appeal is backed by Mary Moriarty who, prior to her death on 3 October 2022 was support by the Hospice’s community team.

Mary shared her story in support of Light Up A Life and said: “The one thing I knew was I wanted to be cared for at home, that was the main thing for me and they’ve helped me do that.”

Over the past year, the Hospice has made almost 5000 home visits to patients across Edinburgh and the Lothians and appeals like Light Up A Life raise the funds needed to make this possible.

Jackie Stone, CEO, St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “Light Up A Life is always a really special time of year when we can pay tribute to and remember loved ones. Every year, our community comes together to share memories and celebrate the lives of those we love who have died.

“It’s always a very poignant service and we are looking forward to welcoming people from across the city both in person and virtually. Every penny raised through the appeal helps us continue to provide specialist care for patients and families in the local community.”

This year’s campaign runs from October until 2 January and is open to everyone, not just those who have been supported by the Hospice, offering the whole community time and space to remember someone special.

Dedications can be made online throughout the festive season and the Hospice will be lighting up its Trees of Remembrance at a special service on Monday 5 December in Charlotte Square Gardens at 6.30pm and in St Mary’s Pleasance Garden, Haddington at 6.30pm on Thursday 8 December.

Entry is free and everyone is welcome to attend the services and can also make a dedication if they would like to.

Dedications can be made online at http://www.stcolumbashospice.org.uk/donate or by calling 0131 551 1381.

Mary’s full story can be read on the Hospice website here.

Community safety: Dispersal Zones in place for fireworks weekend

Don’t get caught up in anti-social behaviour on Bonfire Night!

Police Officers have the grounds to take action should people be involved in such conduct, as detailed in these posters.

Please attend organised events only and always keep safe.

#OpCrackle

#KeepingPeopleSafe

AquaDash Adventure is coming to Ainslie Park!

AquaDash Adventure at Ainslie Park – BOOK NOW

Our new water-based assault course offers family fun for all and is a great way to get everyone together for an active and adventurous day!

AquaDash Adventure is coming to Ainslie Park from 12th November

https://edinburghleisure.co.uk/aquadash?Venue=EL00-1001

A transparent approach to benefit take-up progress in Scotland

New annual publication provides estimates of benefit take-up rates

A new annual publication with estimated take-up rates of Scottish social security benefits has been published for the first time.

The report will help track progress against the Scottish Government’s Benefit Take-up Strategy which is a requirement of the 2018 Social Security (Scotland) Act.

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering a transparent social security system and reporting annually on progress will support that aim. This first publication covers estimates from introduction of the benefits up to the end of March in the 2021-2022 financial year and will sit alongside existing performance reporting on Social Security Scotland.

Minister for Social Security Ben Macpherson said: “We are committed to making sure everyone gets the financial support they are entitled to and our benefit take-up strategy outlines how we are doing this.

“We actively work to encourage take-up of Scottish social security benefits by promoting our 12 benefits, collaborating with various organisations and removing barriers to access.

“This new publication of estimated take-up rates provides us with valuable insights, and will help us to identify where we can do more. Our commitment to continuous improvement ensures we are making progress in breaking down the barriers to access, and in reducing stigma that may have previously led to people not accessing the benefits they are entitled to.

“For example, we have been working with supermarket retailers to promote Best Start Foods, we have shared over 42,000 leaflets about our five family payments and Child Disability Payment in NHS Scotland’s baby boxes, and we have included information on Scottish social security benefits in welcome packs supporting refugees.

“Our efforts to maximise incomes and support benefit take-up are even more important during the current cost of living crisis. Our new cost of living website is a trusted ‘one stop shop’ for advice and information about financial support available in Scotland, including all our Scottish benefits.

“I would encourage everyone to use and share this website, to make sure people are accessing the financial support they are entitled to.”

take-up-rates-scottish-benefits-october-2022 Download

View and download Take-Up Rates of Scottish Benefits: October 2022.

Local projects hit the Lottery jackpot

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Granton Youth and LifeCare are among today’s big winners

Over £11 million of National Lottery funding will help to keep vital local facilities and services running across Scotland, as 299 community projects today (Tuesday 1 November) share in share in grants from The National Lottery Community Fund.

The funding, made possible by National Lottery players, means that many community and voluntary sector groups will be able to continue their support to individuals, families and communities who have been disproportionately affected by increased cost-of-living pressures.

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre is one of the recipients announced today. Drylaw Community Association, the voluntary organisation that oversees the centre, has been awarded £94,000.

The windfall is welcome news for the cash-strapped organisation, which earlier this year was facing closure due to a funding crisis.

This grant will fund a variety of community activities within Drylaw which community members can engage with. This project will support 1650 community members and provide 150 volunteering opportunities for the local community over two years.

Granton Youth, currently based at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, has been awarded nearly £128,000. The group will use the funding to work with 60 young parents and parents of teenagers within the North West of Edinburgh.

This project will also provide fifteen volunteer opportunities through the work of the
project. A range of support will be provided to parents and families which will consist of one to one support, group work sessions/workshops, counselling and family mediation.

Another youth organisation celebrating today is The Junction, who receive almost £150,000.

The Leith group will use the funding to provide a counselling service for young people aged 12 to 21 years, reaching 250 young people, supported by 30 volunteers.

There’s welcome news for North Edinburgh’s older people, too. LifeCare has been awarded over £180,000.

The Stockbridge-based organisation celebrated it’s 80th birthday last year and will continue providing support to isolated older people within Edinburgh by matching people over 60 years (known as VIPs) to volunteers with shared interests, creating friendships and improving wellbeing.

Group activities at LifeCare include a choir group ‘ Vocal Vibes, a Film Group, a Sewing Bee, and Bingo.

Over three years the project will support 420 older people and 450 volunteers.

Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL) was established in 1991 to help disabled people to live independently and take control of their lives.

For over 30 years the organisation has provided independent advice, advocacy and support to disabled people and an award of £131,306 means this service will continue for another three years.

Callum Odgen, Disability Information Services Co-ordinator, LCiL, said:” This funding will allow us to build on our successful services and do more to support disabled people, people with long-term conditions and older people to live independently, access essential services and maximise their income through comprehensive advice and support.

“With the cost-of-living crisis adding to the existing social and financial impact of COVID-19 felt by people across Scotland, this award will help ensure that we continue to be at the forefront of providing support to those who need it in Edinburgh and the Lothians.”

Other big winners are The Welcoming Association (£140,000), Grassmarket Community Project (£80,000) and ACE IT (£198,000), while other local projects to receive small grants include Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden, who receive £9999, Citadel Arts Group (£6600) and bereavement charity Held in our Hearts, who receive £4126.

Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fund said: “This latest round of funding is one of the ways we are directing our National Lottery funding to support people and communities facing difficult circumstances.

“Our message to community groups across Scotland is that we are here for you and our role, as a funder, is to continue to listen and to be flexible and responsive to the challenges and pressures you are facing.

“It’s all thanks to National Lottery players that we are able to help give charities and community groups throughout Scotland greater certainty during this critical time.”

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. 

To find out more visit www.TNLCommunityFund.org.uk

lottery-november-2022 Download

Stagecoach extends UK-wide free travel for veterans and military personnel to include cadets on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday

Free travel for military and ex-military personnel available again on 11th and 13th November
The operator has now extended the offer to include cadets wearing uniform
Available on all Stagecoach bus and tram services across the country
Transport operator proud member of Armed Forces Covenant

Stagecoach has confirmed its ongoing commitment to the armed forces by extending its new policy of free travel for veterans and military personnel to include cadets who wish to attend remembrance services. Free travel will be valid on its bus and tram services right across the UK on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

The commitment to free travel, which is now in its second year, comes on the back of the launch of Stagecoach’s employee led Veteran’s Network. The network was launched last year to allow Stagecoach colleagues to come together as one voice to make change, raise awareness, help influence business decisions and introduce new ways of working to make the company even stronger.

As a cause that is close to the hearts of its employees and customers, Stagecoach has been a long-time supporter of the Poppy Appeal, and in addition to free travel on 11th and 13th November, Stagecoach will be operating a number of Poppy Buses across its network. Poppies will also be displayed on the front of buses across the country with some destination blinds showing the messaging “We will remember them”.

Employees across Stagecoach will also respect the two minutes silence and where safe to do so, drivers may pull over to honour this.

Stagecoach has also been a member of the Armed Force Covenant since March 2015, recognising the value of serving personnel, regular and reservists, veterans and military families to both the country and businesses across the country.

With Remembrance services planned at memorials across UK, it is hoped that people wishing to pay their respects will take up the offer to travel for free to the service of their choice.

This commitment from Stagecoach allows for the business to unite and to offer free travel to all military, ex-military and cadet customers and it will continue each year on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday  as well as Armed Forces Weekend.

Simon Tramalloni, Operations Manager in Preston & Chorley is co-lead for the Stagecoach Veterans Network. He previously served in the Armed Forces serving in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Africa and the Middle East.

He said: “After the idea came about last year, I am so proud that we are now able to offer this to military cadets and celebrate a second year of offering free travel to military and ex-military personnel.

“Stagecoach has a strong commitment to supporting the armed forces and our veterans, and we have thousands of ex forces personnel working across our business.

“The Veterans Network is allowing us to build on the work that Stagecoach has led over many years to identify how else we can support those veterans already working for us and those that may want to come and join the company.

“Remembrance Day and the Poppy Appeal are causes close to the hearts of many of our employees and customers and we are very pleased to be making this commitment that will hopefully help people to attend memorials across the UK.”