Bridgerton and Emmerdale star Simon Lennon has become the 3,000th person to pledge their support to this year’s Walk for Autism campaign, which kicks off next week.
The Scouser will join participants from up and down the country to take part in the event, which is in its fifth year, with Autism Initiatives hoping it will be the biggest one yet, with more than £200,000 in sponsorship being raised so far.
Those involved will walk 10,000 steps per day for eight days from March 26 up until World Autism Acceptance Day on April 2 to raise funds that go towards providing vital support and community projects for autistic people and their loved ones.
Last year, the campaign collectively saw an impressive 194 million steps walked and raised more than £621,000, making it the most successful year to date.
Simon said: “I’m so happy to be involved in Walk for Autism again – it’s a really fantastic initiative that not only provides essential funds for projects but also promotes autism acceptance and understanding more widely.”
Walkers can sign up on the charity’s website and begin their fundraising straight away, with Walk for Autism providing helpful tips on some fun and varied ways to raise money.
Head of Enterprise at Autism Initiatives Jon Gordon said: “We are delighted to reach 3,000 signups for our fifth annual Walk for Autism campaign and would like to thank everyone – including Simon – for doing their bit.
“Every year continues to show us just how amazing people are and how willing they are to support others; despite how tough the last few years has been for everyone.
“Passing these milestones is really important, as the money that is raised funds innovative specialist autism projects across the UK and Ireland.”
Autism affects more than 700,000 people in the UK and Ireland each year. Walk for Autism is a campaign led by charity Autism Initiatives Group who have been working to improve the lives of autistic people and their families since 1972.
A wildfire warning has been issued by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service as the weather pattern over the next few days is dominated by high-pressure and strengthening winds.
The warning starts today, Sunday 20 March, and lasts until Wednesday 23 March.
• West and North-East Scotland EXTREME
• Rest of Scotland HIGH to VERY HIGH
At this time of year, in mid-March, there is a lot of dead grass and heather left over from last year which can dry very quickly. People who live, work or visit rural areas are being urged to exercise caution.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Bruce Farquharson, the SFRS Wildfire Lead, said: “Over the next few days in high risk areas, fires could burn and spread with very high intensity due to the weather conditions.
“We know how damaging wildfires can be to the environment, wildlife and nearby communities. “We are asking people to act responsibly when enjoying the outdoors and please think twice before using anything involving a naked flame.”
The Prime Minister and the Chancellor order new crackdown on cross-Whitehall waste to drive efficiency, effectiveness, and economy across government.
The drive will be spearheaded by a new Chancellor-chaired “Efficiency and Value for Money Committee” that will cut £5.5 billion worth of waste – with savings used to fund vital public services.
As part of the crackdown, the annual NHS efficiency target will be doubled to 2.2% and “quangos” will be expected to find at least £800m which will be pumped back into public services.
A CROSS-WHITEHALL efficiency crackdown to cut £5.5 billion of wasteful spending was announced by the Chancellor today (Sunday 20 March).
At the request of the Prime Minister, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak will spearhead a new drive on efficiency, effectiveness and economy in government spending to ensure departments are delivering the highest quality services at the best value.
The crackdown will be driven by a new Chancellor-chaired Efficiency and Value for Money Committee that will ensure the 5% efficiency target set at the 2021 Spending Review is met across Whitehall and scrutinise strategies to prevent fraud and error. The move will save a total of £5.5 billion with the money being pumped directly back into vital public services.
As part of the renewed drive, the Chancellor said the NHS efficiency commitment will double to 2.2% a year – freeing up £4.75 billion to fund NHS priority areas over the next three years
These savings will be made through a range of programmes including the digitisation of diagnostic and front-line services, which has been shown to reduce cost per admission by up to 13%, improving the efficiency of surgical hubs and developing digital tools to cut time spend by NHS staff on admin tasks.
Surgical hubs improve efficiency by separating emergency and elective care, so more patients can be seen in a given amount of time, improving value for money without impacting patient safety.
This increased efficiency target will ensure that the record funding settlement of £188.9 billion a year by 2024-25 for the Department for Health and Social Care is delivering the best possible value for money for the taxpayer, the money saved will be used to fund front line NHS priorities.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak said: “During these challenging times it’s vital that every single penny of taxpayers hard-earned cash is being spent well.
“The current level of waste across government is simply not acceptable – which is why we’re doubling down on wasteful spending and launching an efficiency drive to make £5.5 billion worth of savings.
“That money will then be pumped directly into the world class public services that the British people deserve “
The crackdown will also see a review of Government Arm’s Length Bodies or “Quangos” who will be expected to save at least £800m from their budgets.
The Arm’s Length Body Review will see savings come from better use of property, reduced reliance on consultants, increased digitisation and greater use of shared services, as well as the use of benchmarking to drive efficiencies.
The Treasury will also launch a new Innovation Challenge to crowdsource ideas from civil servants on how government can reduce waste and improve public services, with winners selected this Summer and best ideas becoming Government policy
This new Committee comes ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement on Wednesday (23rd March) where the Chancellor will update Parliament on his plan for the economy in response to the OBR’s latest economic forecasts.
“When are you opening?” we hear you ask. We can only repeat that the keys are on their way. We are still working towards a handover on 31st March, but legal processes can be lengthy as well as tiresome and frustrating and have to be gone through, whether we like it or not.
Even if the date does slip into April and the next financial year for some reason, we have been assured by the Scottish Land Fund that the allocated funds will be held for us and handed over as soon as the legal requirements are completed.
The Heart will spring to life soon.
Look out for the Heart of Newhaven Community banners which are now on the old school railings!
The City of Edinburgh Council has given us permission to display them on what is technically still its property, as its commitment to the handover process and hopefully the sight will reassure the whole community that plans for our collaborative, intergenerational community services and activities will start as soon as possible.
As we prepare to take over and operate the site, we are pleased to soon welcome three new trustees to the board. Mike Douglas, Emma Hendon and Layla Robinson have already been working hard with our current trustees and volunteers in our various working groups and have much to contribute. Between them, they bring years of experience in the world of business and finance, as well as the care sector and other charity work.
You can read more about them on the About Us page on the website soon.
Have you visited the Restoration Forth exhibition currently on at the Botanic Gardens until 24th April? The Heart is one of five chosen local community hubs supporting the project and our information board is right at the heart of the exhibition.
On view are many of the wonderful squares that people have created, including Ian Marshall’s vision of Newhaven made with liner pen and watercolours.
We look forward to curating our own exhibitions and science-based projects once we are installed in the Heart.
New survey identifies that young carers need a break
Carers Trust Scotland calls for more support for young carers after survey finds many feeling stressed, lonely and worried
More than one in five (22%) of young carers and young adult carers responding said they feel unable to take a break from caring and 31% don’t get enough rest or time for themselves.
More than half (54%) of young carers and young adult carers that responded said the amount of time they spend caring per week had increased in the past year
At least a third of respondents said their caring role resulted in them either ‘always’ or ‘usually’ feeling ‘worried’ (36%), ‘lonely’ (33%) or ‘stressed’ (42%)
47% of young carers and young adult carers responding to the survey said they ‘never’ or ‘not often’ got support from their school, college or university in balancing study with their caring role
Findings from a new Carers Trust survey reveal how an alarming lack of support, coupled with a dramatic rise in time spent caring, is leaving many young carers across Scotland feeling ‘lonely’, ‘exhausted’, ‘worried’, ‘burned out’ and ‘stressed’.
The findings were published to mark Young Carers Action Day, an annual event led and organised by Carers Trust to raise awareness of young carers and the challenges they face.
Carers Trust recommendations
Carers Trust Scotland is responding to the survey findings by calling for action to address isolation among young carers and young adult carers. Recommended action includes:
· More commissioned breaks and respite for young carers and young adult carers. Carers Trust Scotland are calling on Scottish Government to introduce a right to access the regular breaks they need to support positive wellbeing, reduce social isolation, and live a fulfilled life alongside caring.
· The Scottish Government to do more to monitor how local authorities are meeting statutory duties to identify and support young carers.
· Education providers, whether schools, colleges or universities, need to take a more integrated and collaborative approach to support. This includes working in partnership with the NHS, local authorities and local carer organisations.
Survey Findings
More than half (54%) of the young carers (aged 18 or under) and young adult carers (aged 16-25) responding to the survey had experienced an increase over the last year in the amount of time they spend supporting siblings and parents with care and support needs.
And one in five of those reporting an increase said they were caring for as much as 20 to 49 hours more per week.
Even before Coronavirus, pressures on the health and social care services meant increasing levels of caring responsibilities were falling too heavily on young carers’ shoulders.
The impact of this overwhelming burden of responsibility was made clear in many of the written responses to the survey.
One young carer said:“I’m more stressed and anxious and I just feel like I need a break”.
Another said: “It’s too much pressure and responsibility for something I didn’t choose.”
And a third young carer revealed: “It affected my friendships as they didn’t understand why they couldn’t come inside the house.”
Coronavirus exacerbates existing pressures on young carers
Those pressures have been greatly exacerbated by the pandemic. Many essential services for those being cared for by young carers were closed because of lockdown. That left young carers and young adult carers to take on even further caring responsibilities.
And while the pandemic is moving into a less acute phase, Covid continues to negatively impact the lives of young carers and young adult carers across the UK. As a result of the pandemic the survey that:
59% said they felt more stressed
52% said they felt less connected to others
46% said their education was suffering
44% said their mental health is worse
41% said they were concerned about their future prospects.
This sense of anxiety in a context of loneliness and isolation is revealed in just a few of the written responses:
‘I never got a break in almost 2 years, I worked hard to keep mum out of hospital as I was scared what would happen if she went in. I never get any thanks or praise for what I do …”
“Feels never ending, I’m getting angry all the time with the person I care for although they haven’t done anything because I feel so on edge unable to have a break or get away.”
“My mental health is awful, and I really struggle to take time for myself at home. The only time I have away from my family is at school but I don’t even like going to school because I get so nervous for everything and I’m always so exhausted.”
Responding to the survey findings, Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said: ‘These stark findings underline the plight of young carers. Too many are left unsupported, struggling to access the services they need with knock on effects to their education, mental health and well-being.
“We need more investment in social care generally and local care organisations specifically to relieve young carers of the overwhelming pressure so many are under.
“In addition, the NHS must ensure its mental health services prioritise young carer support. Otherwise young carers will continue to be left alone to cope with complex problems and responsibilities that would overwhelm most adults, let alone young people.”
Latest shipment left in flight on Friday morning with thousands of doses of medicines, including pain relief
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care affirms UK’s commitment to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine
More than two million items of medical supplies have been given to Ukraine by the UK to help the country cope with the medical emergency caused by the Russian invasion.
Items including vital medicines, wound packs, and intensive care equipment donated by NHS England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have been flown to the region on ten flights over the past three weeks, leaving from Stanstead and Heathrow Airports and RAF Brize Norton.
The latest flight left from London Heathrow yesterday morning (Friday 18th March) carrying thousands of doses of medicine, including painkillers, with another flight – the 11th so far – expected next week.
Following an urgent request from Ukraine a refrigerated truck left for the region on Friday night carrying insulin injections and drugs critical for surgery which will save tens of thousands of Ukrainian lives. This is expected to arrive in the region in the coming days.
The UK government has been working closely with Ukrainian officials to deliver targeted support to ensure medical items are reaching the people who need them most.
Some of the significant items sent to the Ukraine so far includes:
Nearly 3,000 adult resuscitators
Around 160,000 wound care packs
Over 300,000 sterile needles
Over 32,000 packs of bandages
1,600 pieces of equipment for ventilators
Over 54,000 cannulas
100,000 packs of medicines – around 800,000 doses – including antibiotics and painkillers
72,000 packs of gloves
28,000 FFP3 masks
Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid, said: “We’re leading the humanitarian effort to support Ukraine by providing targeted medical support to those in need. In less than three weeks the UK has donated more than two million medical items.
“Tens of thousands of sick or injured Ukrainians have now received treatment thanks to the donations made by NHS England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
“The UK will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Ukraine in the face of Russia’s appalling invasion.”
Today’s milestone of two million medical items donated to Ukraine forms part of the government’s wider humanitarian response to this emergency. Earlier this week the UK government flew 21 children with cancer to the UK, who are now receiving lifesaving treatment from the NHS.
Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, said: “The UK is providing £220 million in life saving humanitarian aid to Ukraine. In addition to medical supplies we are providing shelter and hygiene kits. The UK is also donating over 500 mobile generators to provide vital energy to Ukrainian hospitals and shelters.
“Our humanitarian advisors have been deployed to neighbouring countries to assess needs on the ground and we are supporting those affected by the deteriorating situation in Ukraine.”
On Thursday 17 March the government announced that Ukrainians fleeing their home country will be guaranteed free access to NHS healthcare, including hospital services, GP and nurse consultations, urgent care centres and injury units.
More than 6,100 visas have been granted through the Ukraine Family Scheme and, for those with valid Ukrainian passports, the government has removed the need to attend an in-person appointment to conduct biometric checks before travelling to the UK.
Since Monday 14 March, people in the UK have been able to register their interest to sponsor a named Ukrainian under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, with more than 150,000 people registering.
The government has provided £400 million in humanitarian and economic aid to Ukraine and neighbouring countries since the Russian invasion started, along with defensive anti-tank and anti-aircraft weaponry.
Message from First Minister to Ukrainians arriving in Scotland
A message of welcome from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon – available in Ukrainian and Russian, the two most widely spoken languages in Ukraine – is to be given to displaced Ukrainians arriving in Scotland.
The Scottish Government is working with a range of partners to offer practical help and assistance to Ukrainians, including with food, clothing, healthcare, language support and signposting to other services.
The full text in English and Ukrainian is below:
A welcome to Ukrainians arriving in Scotland, from First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
On behalf of the Scottish Government – and the people of Scotland – I warmly welcome you, and your family and friends, to Scotland.
I want you to know that you are now safe.
Please know that you will be treated with care, dignity and respect, for however long you stay.
We have been shocked by what has happened to the people of Ukraine. We want to help, and to provide you with the support and the services that you need.
As we open our doors to you, we also open our hearts. We offer not just a refuge, but a warm Scottish welcome and a nation of helping hands to you and your loved ones.
Welcome to Scotland, our home – and, for as long as you need, yours too.
Вітання від першого міністра Ніколи Стерджен для українців, які прибувають до Шотландії.
Від імені уряду Шотландії – та народу Шотландії – я щиро вітаю вас, вашу сім’ю та друзів у Шотландії. Я хочу запевнити вас, що тепер ви у безпеці.
Будь ласка, знайте, що до вас будуть ставитися з турботою, гідністю та повагою, незалежно від терміну вашого перебування.
Ми шоковані тим, що сталося з народом України. Ми хочемо допомогти і надати вам підтримку та послуги, які вам потрібні.
Відчиняючи для вас двері, ми також відкриваємо наші серця. Ми пропонуємо вам і вашим близьким не просто притулок, а теплий прийом і допомогу від усіх наших громадян.
Ласкаво просимо до Шотландії – нашого дому, і вашого також, на той термін, який вам потрібен.
With petrol prices hitting another record high, families and businesses are being hit in the pocket every time they fill the tank.
The RAC said today that it now costs £90 to fill a family car with petrol. The average price of a litre of petrol rose to 163.71p on Monday, and diesel also hit a fresh record of 173.68p.
The war in Ukraine triggered a surge in oil costs.
With prices so high, how do you ensure you get the most out of your tank of fuel? Greentech company SulNOx Group PLC has these top 10 tips:
Maintain your vehicle: Make sure your vehicle is regularly serviced, and regularly maintained between services. If an engine is not serviced regularly, it will use more fuel than one that is well-maintained.
Check your tyre pressure: It’s vital to make sure your tyres are inflated to the pressure shown in the car’s manual. Underinflated tyres can affect fuel economy – and so can overinflated tyres. Remember, your tyre pressure may need to be higher if you are carrying more passengers and/or a heavy load
Slow down: Excessive speed burns more fuel, as does harsh acceleration. Slow and steady wins the race!
Be smooth: In line with point 3, drive as smoothly as possible. Anticipate what’s going on ahead of you and try to slow down gradually by easing off the accelerator.
Easy on the A/C: Air conditioning burns more fuel, so don’t use it unless you need to.
Take it off: Lots of us have roof boxes and roof bars these days – and it’s often easier to leave them on. But the wind resistance caused by doing this means they use more fuel because of ‘drag’.
If you don’t use it, lose it: Lighter cars need less fuel, so don’t carry unnecessary items in the boot or the back seat.
Don’t fill up: The added weight of a full tank of fuel means burning more fuel. Next time, consider only filling half way. Don’t be tempted to run your tank down too much though. Always fill up before the red light comes on.
Get more bang for your buck: Revolutionary SulNOxEco™ Fuel Conditioners improve the combustion of light fuels including gasoline and diesel. In tests, they have proven to reduce fuel consumption by 8-10% and are certified to comply with fuel standards so any warranties remain intact. Adding SulNOx to your tank takes you further and reduces harmful emissions.
Plan ahead: Avoid rush hour black spots if you can. Use your SatNav to keep you on the right track and warn you of any potential hold-ups.
Richard Partington, garden paving expert from Simply Paving, offers his top tips on how to give your garden a well-deserved spring clean this month:
“As we move out of the winter months and start to enjoy those milder days and lighter evenings, getting outside and giving our gardens a spring clean is vitally important to help ensure they are refreshed, nurtured and a welcoming space both for us, and wildlife.
“There are some really simple tasks that you can carry out now that will make an immediate impact – from raking up leaves and debris to giving your patio slabs a clean – and a little bit of prep now will help ensure you can enjoy your outdoor space for longer.”
Clear up winter debris
There’s no escaping the fact that the first step in bringing your garden back to life is clearing out any remnants of winter.
It might feel like a big task initially but once you’ve done that first spring clean, you’ll not only feel a huge sense of accomplishment, but you’ll also find it much easier to stay on top of your garden over the coming months.
Head outside and start by picking up leaves that have collected around your flower beds, in pots and on paving slabs. You’ll be amazed by the transformation, and you’ll be protecting your plants from any harmful bacteria that might be lurking in the debris and muck below.
Get weeding and freshen up your compost
While we’ve been warm and cosy indoors, weeds have had free rein over the winter months and have most likely run wild, so now is the time to clear them out and prepare your soil for the spring.
Firstly, it’s important that you pull out any weeds at the root. Also, make sure you remove any winter mulch which protected your plants through the colder months.
Once all of that organic matter has been cleared away, you can add it straight to your composter, so it doesn’t go to waste. Remember to turn over your compost pile if it’s been laying dormant over the winter months, and you should find excellent mulch at the bottom which is ideal for spreading around your newly cleared flower beds.
Get planting
Now you’ve tidied, prepped and primed your borders, why not add some new blooms? Spring and summer gardens should be bright and colourful, so look at which flowers are suitable for springtime planting.
Rake over your soil to maintain airflow and ensure that when you start to plant new perennials, they will have the best growing matter possible, adding new topsoil as needed. You may also find that some of your existing plants could do with a little TLC so consider re-potting, moving them to a more protected area of the garden or trimming the stems to encourage new growth.
Clean your patio slabs
Whilst plants and lawns are affected by the dank and cold weather, so too is your patio. Often the place in the garden that sees the most footfall during the winter months, it’s important that any hard landscaping forms part of your garden spring cleaning routine.
As a bare minimum, give your paving slabs or block paving a once over with a stiff brush, and make sure to pick up and clean under any pots which can leave marks behind.
To help you get your patio looking its best, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide, which details three easy ways to get your paving gleaming again – and some handy hints to keep it in tip top condition all year round.
Show your lawn some love
Just like your garden slabs, you need to show your lawn some love too. Now is a good time to rake the grass and scarify the ground.
In doing so, you’ll remove any debris or old grass cuttings left over from last season and you’ll allow your lawn to breathe, preventing it from becoming waterlogged. You could also sprinkle new grass seed over your lawn to give your turf a helping hand.
Dust off your outdoor furniture
After all your spring cleaning and tidying, it’s time to start enjoying your newly revitalised garden just as soon as the weather allows, whether that’s dining alfresco or setting up an outdoor bar.
Bring out and uncover any garden furniture which may have been hidden away over the winter months, giving it a good clean with warm soapy water and a sponge to remove any cobwebs or dirt before placing on your garden paving.
Of course, if made of timber, start with a simple clean and then use the appropriate wood oil to seal it so it is protected from the elements.
Richard Partington – Garden Paving Expert at Simply Paving
Richard is one of the most experienced members of the Simply Paving team, having been with the company since 2006. He is responsible for simplifying the product choice on simplypaving.com and is dedicated to knowing the technical attributes of every product.
During his time at Simply Paving, Richard has picked up a wealth of knowledge about the laying and maintenance of patios and driveways.
A humanitarian mission launched within 24 hours of the conflict breaking out in Ukraine is delivering thousands of boxes of essential items and collecting refugees at the Ukraine/Poland border to bring them to safety in the Czech Republic, Poland and Switzerland.
Freedom Boxes was created by Stuart Watkins, who also owns a software company which has offices in Prague and Cambridge. When the conflict began, Stuart, his family, and his team set about to do something to deliver help and provide hope to those affected by the invasion. With Freedom Boxes, the team has created an immediate way to directly help those in need.
The team is made up of people from the UK and across the Central and Eastern European region, including Russia and Ukraine, who have pulled together to prepare, pack, and deliver Freedom Boxes.
The Freedom Boxes are delivered across the border directly to those in need – in bunkers and war zones – with the team’s drivers risking their lives on every trip.
Two of the four people working on the project in Ukraine are Stuart’s team members and they are helping deal with the coordination of getting people to the border and out of the areas under siege.
Stuart Watkins, founder of Freedom Boxes, said: “During war, it is always the vulnerable who suffer the most. We are dropping off truckloads of Freedom Boxes for distribution to those who need them and bringing Ukrainian refugees to safety.
“As a private company located in Prague and with colleagues in Ukraine, we had the ability to mobilise our assets, people, and connections very quickly to get up and running and begin helping. Larger organisations are less agile and take longer to mobilise, whereas Freedom Boxes provides a way for people to have a much more immediate and direct impact.
“In just two weeks since the war began, we have already delivered over 450 Freedom Boxes and transported over 70 refugees to safety. We will continue to do whatever we can to get essential items into Ukraine while getting as many people as we can out and away from danger.”
“As the humanitarian crisis worsens, bordering countries are filling up with refugees. They are having to travel further afar which can add days onto their journeys. The Freedom Buses are helping solve this problem.”
With their tech background, Stuart and his team have been able to quickly build solutions to utilise their assets for the greater good, with QR codes to help understand what people need and tracking devices to verify receipt of items.
Visit www.freedom-boxes.com to purchase a Freedom Bus ticket for someone fleeing Ukraine or choose from a range of Freedom Boxes tailormade for families, children, and the heroes who have taken up arms to defend their country.
Children who want to let families and children who are victims of war in Ukraine know they are thinking about them are uploading messages of hope at www.messagesofhope.uk – the messages will be delivered directly to Ukrainian families via Freedom Boxes.
Children everywhere are encouraged to upload their messages of hope.
