Active travel projects across the country to benefit from launch of a trio of funds

SCOTLAND’s national walking charity has launched three funds worth £7 million in a bid to encourage Edinburgh locals to choose active travel.

The new Smarter Choices, Smarter Places (SCSP) Active Nation Fund worth £1.5 million, the Ian Findlay Path Fund (£1.5 million) and the £5 million SCSP Open Fund have been announced by Paths for All this month.

Supported by Transport Scotland and backed by the government, the three funds hope to encourage Scots to drive less and to walk, wheel or cycle as part of their everyday short journeys to cut Scotland’s carbon emissions and improve air quality.

It is hoped the initiatives will help contribute to reversing the trend of inactive lifestyles by tackling health inequalities throughout the country.

Minister for Active Travel Patrick Harvie said: “I’m pleased to welcome the launch of three active travel funding opportunities delivered through Paths for All.

“This will help to support the growing ambitions of public, third and community-sector organisations to provide bigger and better active travel opportunities right across Scotland.

“As part of our record funding for active travel, this work directly supports our ambitions to build a more active nation – where more people can choose to walk, wheel and cycle for everyday journeys than ever before, and I look forward to seeing the success of new projects in action.”

The SCSP Active Nation Fund invites public, community and third-sector organisations to apply for up to £200,000 to support projects which encourage everyday travel behaviour change on a national or multi-regional level in Scotland.

To commemorate the legacy of the former Paths for All CEO, the Ian Findlay Path Fund supports projects designed to make improvements to local walkways and paths and to make them more accessible to all. Applicants can receive a grant of up to £100,000 for their project.

First launched in 2018, the SCSP Open Fund grants communities and public and third-sector organisations up to £100,000, and encourages people to change their everyday travel behaviours – such as using sustainable travel for longer journeys.

Kevin Lafferty, CEO of Paths for All, said: “These funds will increase the pace and scale of active travel delivery across the country as we collectively work together to encourage active travel for a happier, healthier and greener Scotland.

“If we all make small changes to our daily travel habits such as making walking, wheeling or cycling the natural choice for journeys to the local shop, school or pharmacy, for example, it will make a huge difference to our health and wellbeing.

“This new support will help deliver a step change in how we choose to travel in order to tackle the climate emergency and help reduce car kilometres and would only be possible with support from the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland. It means projects will be able to extend their reach and will be more effective in communicating important information and improving local assets.

“We would like to thank them for supporting the funds and look forward to seeing the amazing work that comes off the back of this.”

Applications for this round of funding opened on June 6.

To apply for the SCSP Active Nation Fund, please visit: 

https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/active-travel/smarter-choices-smarter-places-1/active-nation-fund

To apply for the SCSP Open Fund, please visit: 

https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/active-travel/smarter-choices-smarter-places-1/open-fund

To apply for the Ian Findlay Path Fund, please visit: 

https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/community-paths/cmp-grants/ian-findlay-path-fund

To read inspiring more examples of how funding has been used to further active travel in Scotland, please visit: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/active-travel/at-success-stories

UNTENABLE: Boyack calls for action on student homelessness in Capital

Rising concerns of Student Homelessness in Edinburgh were discussed at a Parliamentary Roundtable hosted by Sarah Boyack, Scottish Labour MSP for Lothian Region yesterday. 

Boyack welcomed MSPs, University and College Management Teams, and the City of Edinburgh Council to discuss what practical steps can be taken to end student homelessness. 

This followed a number of private meetings Sarah Boyack had held with Student Groups and Universities that highlighted rising homelessness in Edinburgh, with NUS Scotland reporting that 10% of students had experienced homelessness at some point. 

Boyack hopes that by bringing together Universities, Student Groups and MSPs, a long-term strategy to tackle student homelessness can be developed and implemented by a range of stakeholders.   

Commenting following the roundtable, Sarah Boyack said: “With over 100,000 students across our five higher and further education institutions, the scramble to find somewhere to live has become untenable. 

“Last summer we saw the very real consequences of this, with students forced into expensive temporary accommodation, sofa surfing or having to commute at great expense just to make their classes. 

“We even saw common rooms being turned into emergency dormitory rooms, housing eight or nine people because students had no other options.  

“At the meeting we heard that rents in Private Built Student Accommodation are now between £300 and £450 a week. With the cost of living crisis and rising financial pressures, it’s becoming harder for Scottish students from disadvantaged backgrounds to attend University or College. 

“There has been a systematic failing, with the model of expensive Purpose Built Student Accommodation being chosen at the expense of affordable accommodation. 

“Our meeting was constructive and we agreed to work together to find practical solutions that bring an end to Student Homelessness and rocketing rents for good.” 

The NUS report on homelessness can be accessed here: 

Cost of Survival: Report – NUS Scotland (nus-scotland.org.uk) 

Recruitment campaign to boost childminding workforce in Edinburgh City extended

A campaign to recruit new childminders in targeted urban and rural areas to help establish more childminding places for families has been extended, providing more time for people living in Edinburgh City to tap into funding and support available to get started in a new career.

Led by the Scottish Childminding Association, and funded by Scottish Government and participating local authorities including Edinburgh City Council, the ‘Scottish Childminding Partnership’ aims to increase the number of childminding businesses in areas where there are currently not enough childminders to meet the level of demand from families seeking local, high-quality, nurturing and flexible childcare.

A fantastic package of fully funded support and training available to successful applicants, providing everything needed to establish a new childminding business.

The campaign has seen almost 60 new childminders complete or apply for registration with the Care Inspectorate to establish new childminding businesses throughout Scotland but more are needed throughout target areas, including Edinburgh City, to help address the need for more high-quality childcare for families.

Skye Jolly has started her own childminding business in Moray after accessing support and funding available through the recruitment campaign and is delighted with her new career.

“When I first decided to become a childminder I didn’t have a clue where to start so I did some research online and quickly found this new childminder recruitment campaign.

“I think this is a brilliant way for anyone thinking about becoming a childminder to get started because you’re very supported every step of the way. I’m so glad I decided to take the leap, I really love my new career!”

No previous childcare experience is required to become a childminder but applicants do need to be passionate about working with children. It’s an extremely rewarding career option – contributing to children’s development, learning and wellbeing and providing a valuable childcare service within the local community.

Often, people who are looking to get back into work, or who want to switch career into professional childminding, do so to enable them to combine caring for their own children whilst running their own business from home and earning an income.

Those who apply and are accepted on to the pilot will be supported every step of the way by a dedicated member of the SCMA team, from induction training and support through the registration process to establishing their new business.

On completion of registration, new childminders have access to a start-up grant so that they can be reimbursed for some of the initial costs associated with setting up their new business from home*. They will also receive a unique package of childminding-specific training courses.

Graeme McAlister, Chief Executive, Scottish Childminding Association, said: “Whether in rural areas, towns or cities, this form of high-quality childcare is a vital asset to families and the recruitment of more childminders is another important step towards addressing the urgent demand for high-quality childcare from parents and carers.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for people who may be considering getting back into work, or looking for a change of career which supports a better work / life balance, to access a wealth of support in setting up their own sustainable childminding business and to begin a new, rewarding career working with children.”

More information and how to get started by visiting :

www.childminding.org/childminder-recruitment

  • *£750 minimum business start-up. The value of start-up grant may vary across local authority areas
  • SCMA is a national charity and is the only organisation dedicated to supporting all aspects of childminding in Scotland. We provide a wide range of support and professional services including training and events as well as delivering local services for childminders, children and families.
  • More childminders are needed across the whole of Scotland. This unique pilot is helping to address the specific and urgent need for childcare in particularly remote and rural areas as well as specific urban areas.
  • Childminding settings provide low child-adult ratios. This means a childminder can provide tailored one-to-one care for each child.  Evidence has shown this form of childcare can enhance a child’s early learning, confidence and their social development and is particularly helpful in supporting children with additional support needs, or for children who may struggle in a larger childcare setting such as nursery. 

Daddy of all Burgers: Morrisons launches giant burger in cafes for Father’s Week

– The Big Daddy Burger costs just £5 for More Card holders –

– Available for a limited time only from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th –

Meat your heart out! Morrisons has announced the launch of its latest meaty feast for Father’s Week – The Big Daddy Burger. 

The Big Daddy Burger will be available in Morrisons Cafés in the week leading up to Dads’ special day and costs £7.99 or just £5 for More Card customers – from Monday 12th to Sunday 18th June.   

As well as 100% British beef, the two Big Daddy Burger patties are layered with a double serving of cheese and bacon, a hash brown, burger sauce, lettuce, tomatoes and onion rings. The burger is served with a side of chips and portion of coleslaw making it the perfect way to treat the father figures in your life . 

The tasty treat is sure to make Dads across the UK feel full of love (and food) on their big day and those looking for a vegetarian option fear not as Morrisons has created The Big Daddy Veggie Burger too.

Served with chips and coleslaw, The Big Daddy Veggie Burger consists of three meat free patties, double cheese, a hashbrown, burger sauce, tomatoes, lettuce and onion rings for £7.99 or £5 for More Card Customers.

To make the celebration even better value, families can enjoy the Kids Eat Free offer including all-time favourites like Bangers and Mash and Fish and Chips, when purchasing The Big Daddy Burger or any meal costing £4.49 and over. 

Chris Strong, Morrisons Café Buying Manager, says: “We’re working hard to serve our customers great-value, tasty meals whether it’s a midweek lunch or a special occasion such as Father’s Day. 

“We’re confident that The Big Daddy Burger and The Big Daddy Veggie Burger will be a firm favourite with customers so we’re adding them to the menu for the whole week and More Card customers can grab it for just £5 while kids can eat for free when an adult meal is purchased.”

Both burgers are available to order for home delivery, through JustEat and Deliveroo* and are subject to availability.

For a limited time only, The Big Daddy Burger and The Big Daddy Veggie Burger is available in all Morrisons cafés nationwide.

To find your local café, visit: https://my.morrisons.com/storefinder/.

Launch of new guardianship service for children seeking asylum

There will be more support for unaccompanied asylum seeking and trafficked children arriving in Scotland, thanks to a new statutory guardianship service.

The Scottish Government has provided £1 million for the Guardianship Scotland service in 2022-23, and a further £1 million annually for the next two years initially.  

The service will support children who have arrived in Scotland alone and help guide them through the asylum process.

Aberlour Children’s Charity and the Scottish Refugee Council have been awarded the contract to the run the service. Professionals employed by the service, known as Guardians, will:

  • accompany children and young people when they claim asylum and support them with expert advice
  • empower children and young people in the decision making process
  • listen to the experiences of affected children and young people and explain what is happening to them

Launching the service, Minister for Children and Young People Natalie Don said: “It is a privilege to help launch this new guardianship service, which is another example of how Scotland is offering a welcoming environment to people arriving in our country.

“Arriving alone can have a devastating and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people – so it is vitally important for them to be given access to the care and support they need to help them adjust to their new life here.

“I look forward to working with the Scottish Refugee Council and Aberlour to ensure that we are getting it right for all of the young people in need of our support.”

Catriona MacSween, Head of Guardianship Scotland, said: “It is wonderful that we can continue to deliver the excellent service. It is testament to the commitment and fantastic work of our guardians who work closely with local authorities and many other organisations to support unaccompanied children and young people.

“Asylum seeking children and victims of trafficking arrive in Scotland alone, confused and scared, having been through unimaginable trauma. We are so pleased that our work has been recognised and we can continue to help them.”

SallyAnn Kelly OBE, Chief Executive of Aberlour Children’s Charity, said: “We are thrilled to have been awarded the contract to run Guardianship Scotland.

“Aberlour has worked alongside the Scottish Government, Home Office and local authorities to ensure every unaccompanied asylum seeking child who is a victim of trafficking or potential victim of trafficking has the support of a guardian over the past 12 years. Recently, we have seen a significant rise in the numbers of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and there is an even greater need for the service.

“We are delighted to build on this successful partnership with the Scottish Refugee Council and provide support to more unaccompanied children.”

Sabir Zazai OBE, Chief Executive of Scottish Refugee Council said: “We are delighted to be delivering Guardianship Scotland with Aberlour and look forward to continuing our work together to develop this essential service.

“The young people we work with have been through things no child should have to endure. Many have survived human trafficking or fled countries torn apart by war, arriving in Scotland traumatised and alone with no friends or family to take care of them.  

“We are committed to ensuring that every unaccompanied child in Scotland gets a dedicated guardian to support them, speak up for them and be by their side as they rebuild their lives.”

Deadline for voluntary National Insurance contributions extended to April 2025

Taxpayers now have until 5 April 2025 to fill gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 that may increase their State Pension – an extension of nearly two years – the UK Government has announced.

Extending the voluntary National Insurance contributions deadline until 2025 means that people have more time to properly consider whether paying voluntary contributions is right for them and ensures no-one need miss out on the possibility of boosting their State Pension entitlements.

The original deadline was extended to 31 July 2023 earlier this year, and tens of thousands of people have taken advantage to pay voluntary contributions to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) since then. The revised deadline is expected to enable tens of thousands more to do the same.

Victoria Atkins, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: “People who have worked hard all their lives deserve to receive their State Pension entitlement, and filling gaps in National Insurance records can make a real difference.

“With the deadline extended, there is no immediate rush for people to complete gaps in their record and they will have more time to spread the cost.”

Laura Trott, Minister for Pensions, Department for Work and Pensions, said: “I am pleased to see so many people taking steps to review their State Pension, which is why we have extended the deadline for customers to add extra years to their National Insurance record.

“This extension means thousands more people will have time to check their entitlement, and in many cases, increase the amount they receive when they retire.”

The extension means that taxpayers have a longer period to enable them to afford to fill any gaps if they choose to do so. All relevant voluntary National Insurance contributions payments will be accepted at the rates applicable in 2022 to 2023 until 5 April 2025.

Individuals who are planning for their retirement could benefit from the opportunity to complete gaps in their National Insurance record. Other people who may benefit include those who may have been:

·         employed but with low earnings

·         unemployed and not claiming benefits

·         self-employed who did not pay contributions because of small profits

·         living or working outside of the UK

Paying voluntary contributions does not always increase your State Pension. Before starting the process, eligible individuals with gaps in their National Insurance record from April 2006 onwards should check whether they would benefit from filling those gaps.

They can find out how to check their National Insurance record, obtain a State Pension forecast, decide if making a voluntary National Insurance contribution is worthwhile for them and their pension, and how to make a payment on GOV.UK.

Taxpayers can check their National Insurance record through their Personal Tax Account.

Loneliness Awareness Week 2023: HEROES WANTED!

LOCAL CHARITY TACKLING LONELINESS ONE FRIENDSHIP AT A TIME

Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes is marking Loneliness Awareness Week (12-18th June) by encouraging Edinburgh locals to join them to become volunteer heroes, offering companionship to older people (VIPs) with like-minded interests, to tackle the loneliness crisis in the city.

The award-winning charitable partnership brings people together through friendship matches, groups, and events to tackle social isolation and loneliness in the over the 60s across Edinburgh – which has been named as the loneliest city in the UK for older people.

A statistic only exacerbated by the impact of the pandemic, with a 2022 Age UK study showing that 1 in 3 older people felt more anxious than before covid and less motivated to do the things they enjoy.

Now in its 8th year, Vintage Vibes has helped over 900 older people in the city to establish one-to-one friendships based on mutually shared interests from baking to music, and even, like VIP David and volunteer Emily, gaming. Events, and groups are also available from sewing to cinema, and singing to bring people together for fun and friendship.

Vintage Vibes volunteer, Alyssa Kuranowicz said: “I’ve had so much fun since becoming a volunteer with Vintage Vibes.

“I was introduced to a lovely lady called Betty based on our shared love of coffee and connecting with people. On top of our weekly coffee shop visits, Betty and I have also enjoyed going for milkshakes, attending concerts, going for beach walks, and attending events hosted by Vintage Vibes.

“Our connection has made a real difference to Betty’s well-being and quality of life and has also given me a great new friend and a lot of shared good times”.

Having successfully delivered over 20,000 hours of volunteering, Vintage Vibes’ 2023 annual survey showed that 75% of their VIPs felt that being involved in the project had improved their mental health and 95% reported feeling happier and having a better quality of life. 

Vintage Vibes is now seeking amazing new Edinburgh-based volunteers to expand the project and offer support to even more older people across the city.

Georgia Artus, Development Manager at Vintage Vibes said: “We’re delighted with the impact Vintage Vibes is making to the lives of older people and due to increasing demand, we’re seeking to expand our team of amazing volunteers.

“We’re looking for adults of all ages who can spare at least one hour each week, for a minimum of six months, to help an older person in need of friendship.

“During the pandemic, we all faced the kind of isolation many older people in the city suffer daily. Sadly, for a great many, that isolation will continue without our wonderful community of Vintage Vibes volunteers.”

For more information on becoming a Vintage Vibes volunteer, please contact Vintage Vibes please email hello@vintagevibes.org.uk or visit vintagevibes.org.uk.

New £1.5m Scottish Ambulance Service training facility opens at Newbridge

A new £1.5 million Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) special operations training and logistics facility was opened in Newbridge, Edinburgh yesterday (June 12).

Cabinet Secretary for NHS Recovery, Health and Social Care Michael Matheson  visited the base to see the expansion and learn about what type of training will be carried out at the facility, which is the first of its kind in the UK.

He spoke with Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive Pauline Howie, SAS Chair Tom Steele, incoming CEO Michael Dickson and General Manager of the National Risk and Resilience Department (NRRD) John Burnham, along with other staff from NRRD.

As part of SAS’s Civil Contingencies Response Programme, the training facility – which is an expansion to the ambulance service’s existing NRRD east base – will be used as a centralised training location and a dedicated equipment logistics hub.

The facility will be used for a range of training exercises, including how to respond to major incidents, and also Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents.

It also includes a 360, fully interactive, immersive training suite which can be used to simulate a range of incidents in different environments including emergency departments, night clubs, industrial sites.

The suite enables not only the practice of clinical skills but subjects staff to a variety of stimuli including lighting and sound effects which may impact on performance.

SAS Chief Executive Pauline Howie said: “We are delighted to open this new training facility today and I’d like to thank all the staff involved. It has been an incredible effort and our NRRD department is a vital part of the Scottish Ambulance Service.

“This training facility will be invaluable for our staff who respond to both large and challenging incidents.  This can include treating and conveying patents from challenging inaccessible and confined location including water, chemical accidents and incidents involving a large number of people.

“This facility will help us prepare to respond to these large-scale and complex incidents safely and provide the best care to our patients.”

Health Secretary Michael Matheson said: “This facility will be a valuable asset in allowing staff to train in a realistic but safe environment.

“Giving them the chance to experience different scenarios which could be out of the usual confines of their daily routine is so important as it will give them the confidence, resilience and knowledge of how to respond.

“Our ambulance staff run to help those in times of need and it is right that we give them the tools to allow them to do that and this training facility will do that.”

Portobello Beach Safety Markers

The City of Edinburgh Council installed location markers at Portobello Beach as part of a beach safety partnership with the Edinburgh Police Division and Maritime and Coastguard Agency in April 2021.

Numbered signs 1-6 have been attached to existing beach defence groynes and yellow circular signs to the sea wall. The emergency services can use these numbered markers to plot your location in an emergency.

Marker 1 – Pipe Lane

Marker 2 – Bath Street

Marker 3 – Bellfield Street

Marker 4 – John Street

Marker 5 – Bedford Terrace

Marker 6 – End of the promenade at Joppa Road

The signage has been used numerous times over the last few years, including search & rescue incidents.

Feedback from emergency responders and partner agencies has been very positive: “The numbered signs worked well, giving a direct place to attend, which in my view, saved vital minutes in our attendance.”

Please stay safe on our coastline. Further information on water safety can be found with our RNLI partners at https://ow.ly/txu250OLkfM

In a coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

#RespectTheWater