WEDNESDAY 28 MAY from 10am – 12 noon at ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE
Housing information drop in this Wednesday at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre from 10am-12noon 
Staff/advisors are coming from:
City of Edinburgh Council Housing
RIGHT THERE
Grab a cuppa and get some advice!
WEDNESDAY 28th MAY from 10am – 12pm
It certainly feels like BBQ weather! If you do decide to have a Spring BBQ, make sure you stay safe!
Follow food safety advice to help avoid food poisoning:
Most of mainland Scotland’s east coast has now moved to Moderate Scarcity, according to the latest Water Situation Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
River catchments across the Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Dee (Aberdeen), Esk, Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond, Tyne (Lothian), Tweed and Esk (Dumfriesshire) are now at Moderate.
There has been no recovery elsewhere and most of the rest of Scotland is now at Alert, with only the Inner and Outer Hebrides remaining at Early Warning.
This follows on from a drier than normal autumn and winter with some areas of the east now having 11 months of below average rainfall. With no significant rainfall currently forecast, it is likely that river and ground conditions will remain very dry over the next week.
All businesses with licences to take water from the environment have a responsibility to use water economically.
Record-breaking dryness
Groundwater levels in Fife and Angus were at their lowest April averages on record, with Newton of Falkland recording the lowest level for April in 28 years. Soil moisture deficits are continuing to increase, and soils are becoming drier than would be expected for the time of year.
In the River Dee in Aberdeenshire records going back 97 years show flows are at their second lowest this early in the year, only 1938 was drier. Typically, the lowest river flows in the Dee occur in July, August or September.
Some parts of Fife have now gone nearly four weeks without measurable rainfall. Across the east river flows are well below normal for this time of year and without significant rain conditions are unlikely to recover soon.
Water scarcity levels
Advice to abstractors
SEPA have been contacting abstractors directly to understand more about their water use and provide targeted advice. These conversations are showing that many have already put measures in place to use water more efficiently. As well as direct contact with individuals, all those with a licence in an area at Alert or Moderate Scarcity are receiving messages to remind them of their responsibilities.
Active consultation is ongoing with organisations across Scotland, including NFU Scotland, Fisheries Management Scotland, Golf Scotland, Scotch Whisky Association and Scottish Water to help share important information and ensure that advice and support is available.
If your business abstracts water from the environment, here’s what you need to do:
At Alert:
At Moderate Scarcity:
Claire Tunaley, Senior Hydrologist – Water Resources Unit, SEPA said: “We’re seeing the kind of conditions we normally associate with late summer in some places – and it’s only May.
“Groundwater and river levels across the east are already hitting record lows. In Fife and Aberdeenshire, we’re seeing some of the driest conditions in living memory for this time of year. With parts of Scotland now at 11 months of below average rainfall it will take above-average rainfall over an extended period to recover to normal levels, especially for groundwater levels.
“Our message is clear: if you abstract water from our environment – whether you work in agriculture, energy, industry, distilling, food and drink or the leisure sector – you must take action now to help protect your operations and help safeguard Scotland’s rivers and wildlife in the weeks ahead.”
Everyone can use water more efficiently
Scottish Water is calling on people to use water as efficiently as possible in homes and gardens and help the utility protect resources and maintain normal supplies across the country.
The public water supply is resilient, and Scottish Water is continuously monitoring the levels of storage throughout the country to maintain supplies, but there has been an increase in water use by customers in the past weeks. The amount of water the company put into the network across Scotland has had to be increased from mid-April by 150 million litres per day.
Scottish Water is urging people to help save water by:
Natasha Baillie, Supervisor at Leith’s Utilita Energy Hub, and her dedicated team are looking forward to welcoming financial support experts from Hope 4U to the hub’s Community Room on Saturday, 17 May.
The Utilita Energy Experts are joining forces with Hope 4U to help hub visitors check if they are on the best energy tariff, with hints and top tips on how to significantly lower energy bills.
Advice will also be available for those who are eligible for the Attendance Allowance – a disability benefit for people aged 65 or over, who have a long-term illness or disability and need frequent help with personal care or need regular supervision.
Looking forward to the weekend’s takeover day, Natasha said: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Hope 4U team in support of the vital work they do to improve financial sustainability and to offer advice to those who may not be able to afford their bills, or who may be struggling to put food on the table or keep a roof over their head.
“Depending on your situation, you may also qualify to apply for Warm Home Discount or be eligible to apply for grants from other organisations.
“We’re all too aware that the rising costs of living and reduced public funding have made food and fuel poverty worse. That’s why we are proud to collaborate with Hope 4U to provide the local community with the tools they need to help alleviate the hardship caused by rising costs.
“No matter what you need, our friendly team in Leith are on hand to help with your energy queries, whether you want to learn about smart meters, get energy efficiency advice, or just want a chat in a welcoming environment.
“Plus, you can top-up your energy in store with PayPoint and Payzone. It doesn’t matter if you’re a Utilita customer or not – our top-ups include many other energy suppliers too.”
The hub’s Community Room provides local groups and charities with a free and safe space for them to hold meetings or community events, with complimentary WiFi and refreshments available.
The Utilita Leith Energy Hub is open from Monday to Saturday at 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA and anyone interested in using the hub’s dedicated community space free-of-charge can book a session by emailing edinburgh@utilita.co.uk.
See more on Utilita Energy Hubs at https://utilita.co.uk/energy-hub.
WaterSafe, the national register of approved plumbers, is issuing guidance to householders on safe hosepipe use, as dry weather continues.
Hosepipes can harbour harmful bacteria, such as Legionella, which has the potential to flow back into buildings and contaminate the drinking water supply.
WaterSafe advises everyone to make sure their tap has a double-check valve installed to help keep drinking water safe.
Julie Spinks, Director at WaterSafe, said: “Hosepipes, if left submerged in dirty water or connected to an outside tap without adequate protection, can act as a channel for contamination.
“Homeowners should understand the risk of backflow and take the necessary steps to prevent it.”
The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations are designed to protect drinking water quality and mandate that all outside taps are fitted with a working double-check valve. This essential component acts as a non-return mechanism, preventing any water from flowing back into the mains supply.
WaterSafe advises homeowners to undertake the following measures:
With water resources under increasing strain, especially during hot weather, WaterSafe would always encourage householders to avoid using a hosepipe, if possible, as it can use up to 1,000 litres of water an hour – equivalent to more than 12 baths!
“The humble watering can is a much more water efficient way to look after your plants, fill your paddling pool or wash your car,” adds Julie Spinks.
For more information on protecting drinking water quality and to find a WaterSafe-approved plumber, please visit www.watersafe.org.uk.
Thousands of children and young people have received support from Childline for anger issues over the past year.
New data shows that the NSPCC-service delivered close to 3,000 counselling sessions to children and young people across the UK about the issue, online and over the phone, which is a 6 per cent increase on the previous 12 months.
The rise in contacts on the topic has made anger issues a top ten mental health concern for all genders contacting the service. This data gives insight into a generation increasingly struggling to manage and regulate their emotions in the face of a range of pressures at home, school, online and in the community.
This Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12 to 18), Childline is offering advice in dealing with these emotions in a healthy way.
One 13-year-old girl from Scotland told Childline: “I get so mad and annoyed about little things. It takes all my energy to control and hide it. I try shutting myself in my room when I feel it happening, but then mum thinks it’s her fault. Is there anything else I can try?”
Counselling sessions delivered by Childline reveal several recurring themes when children are discussing anger.
Some are aggressively criticising themselves, while some often experience frustration with parents and peers following disagreements. Others are struggling to regulate their emotions during challenging situations.
One boy from Scotland, aged 15, confided to Childline: “Games usually help me relax but lately I’m getting really frustrated with them. It makes me feel so stupid, being this angry about a game or wound up over laggy internet.”
Adeniyi Alade, Childline service head, based in the Aberdeen Childline centre, said: “At Childline, we hear from children every day about the emotional challenges and difficult situations they are facing. Sometimes they tell us they feel stressed and angry, and they need our support to help process their feelings in a constructive way.
“Young people face so many different pressures in today’s world – from family disagreements at home, to arguments with friends or classmates at school and online. As a result, they can struggle to manage and deal with difficult emotions.
“This Mental Health Awareness Week, we are here to let children know there are so many healthy ways to express their feelings and our counsellors are here to provide a safe and confidential space to help them to learn vital skills for their mental wellbeing.”
As well as encouraging children to contact Childline, the service has been working with children’s mental health charity, Place2Be, to release advice to both young people and parents on how to manage anger issues and look after their mental wellbeing.
Tips for Children on Looking After Their Mental Health:
1. Talk to someone you trust: Whether it’s a parent, teacher, friend or Childline (0800 1111), sharing how you feel can help.
2. Find healthy outlets for emotions: Try physical activities, creative expression, journaling, or relaxation techniques.
3. Take care of your body: Regular sleep, healthy food, and exercise all support good mental health.
4. Practice mindfulness: Take time each day to focus on your breathing and notice how you’re feeling.
5. Create a feel-good toolkit: Identify activities, people, and places that help you feel calm and happy when you’re struggling.
Tips for Parents on Supporting Children’s Mental Health:
1. Create regular check-in times: Establish consistent opportunities for conversations about feelings, perhaps during dinner, car rides, or before bedtime.
2. Use open-ended questions: Ask “How are you feeling today?” rather than questions that can be answered with just “yes” or “no.”
3. Model healthy emotional expression: Show children how you manage your own emotions in a constructive way.
4. Look for changes in behaviour: Notice shifts in sleeping patterns, appetite, social withdrawal, or increased irritability which may signal emotional struggles.
5. Normalise seeking help: Talk positively about therapy, counselling, and support services.
Dr Rebecca Kirkbride, Clinical Director at Place2Be, said: “At Place2Be, we know that learning to express and process emotions healthily during childhood builds resilience and establishes positive coping mechanisms that serve young people throughout their lives.
“The rise in children seeking support for issues related to anger, as highlighted by Childline’s data, demonstrates the importance of early intervention and teaching children healthy ways to process emotions.
“By creating safe spaces where young people feel heard and validated, we can help them develop the emotional vocabulary and self-regulation skills needed to navigate complex feelings, without expressing feelings through angry or aggressive behaviour – which may have implications for themselves or others around them.”
Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk.
Any adults concerned about a child’s safety or wellbeing can contact the NSPCC helpline at help@nspcc.org.uk or by calling 0808 800 5000.
“We’re offering a special deal on landscaping: only available today”
“I notice that your roof needs urgent repairs”
“We’re working with the council/government to offer free loft surveys”
Although it’s not summer yet, the weather has been heating up and hay fever can still be triggered by the increase of pollen.
If you’re looking for some helpful tips of how to manage your hay fever go to:
Scots with disabilities and health conditions are being urged to check if they’re eligible for financial support worth up to £5,740 a year. The advice comes from the UK’s largest community of unpaid carers ahead of the benefit being made available across Scotland next week.
Pension Age Disability Payment – a benefit aimed at helping disabled people above retirement age cover care costs – is replacing Attendance Allowance in Scotland, with applications opening nationwide tomorrow – Tuesday 22nd April.
Pension Age Disability Payment rates also increased this month, but Scots are at risk of missing out.
Whilst those already claiming Attendance Allowance will automatically be transferred to the new support, an estimated 1 million people are missing out on the outgoing benefit. This puts Scots amongst this group at risk of losing out on Pension Age Disability Payment, too.
The care experts at Mobilise aim to raise awareness of the disability benefit and the difference it could make for Scots missing out, if they check they are eligible and apply.
What is the Pension Age Disability Payment?
Almost half (45%) of people above retirement age in the UK have some form of disability. Pension Age Disability Payment aims to help these individuals cover the cost of care.
The monthly payment is split into two rates, depending on the level of care which is required. Both rates increased on 7th April:
Who is eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment?
To be eligible for Pension Age Disability Payments, you must meet certain criteria, including:
If you live in a care home and your care is funded by the local authority, you are unlikely to be eligible. However, if your care is privately funded, you may still apply.
How to apply for Pension Age Disability Payment
From 22nd April, anyone who believes they are eligible for Pension Age Disability Payment can apply – either online using myaccount or via the post. Postal applications can be started by calling Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. There is a separate fast-track application process for those who are terminally ill.
If you already receive Attendance Allowance you do not need to apply as you will automatically be moved to Pension Age Disability Payments.
There are two parts to the application form. You will need certain information to hand to complete each part and must submit these within 2 weeks and 8 weeks respectively, or contact Social Security Scotland if you need more time.
Details about the information required is available here. A loved one or carer can also help you complete the application form.
What support is available for carers?
It’s not just people that need care who are eligible for support. If you look after a loved one, you could also be entitled to help from the Government.
Carer Support Payment is the main benefit available to carers living in Scotland, and comes in the form of monthly payments. As with Pension Age Disability Payments, the rate increased this month. From April, Carer Support Payments are rising from £81.90 to £83.30 a week – £4331.60 a year, in total.
To be eligible for Carer Support Payment, you must meet a number of requirements. You can check if you’re eligible using Mobilise’s free claim checker tool. If you’re entitled to Carer Support Payment, you can apply online, by phone, by post, or in-person. See the Scottish Government’s website for full details.
For more guidance on the financial support available to people with care needs and unpaid carers, care experts are on hand to help via the Mobilise website.
