Heart Research UK campaign seeks to educate people on the risk of heart attacks over the winter period
Reports have found that the risk of heart attack rises approximately 15% over Christmas time. To highlight the dramatic effect the festive season can have on heart health, national heart charity Heart Research UK has created a special Christmas awareness campaign that aims to inform the public and raise vital funds that will benefit life-saving research.
Research from the UK and Sweden has shown that Christmas can put a huge strain on our hearts, with approximately a 15% increase in heart attack risk at Christmas time. Seasonal changes and the rise in contagious illnesses including influenza can contribute to a person’s increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease and it’s especially dangerous for the elderly and those with certain underlying health conditions.
Reports show that deaths due to cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease increase during the winter months with heart attacks (myocardial infarction) being more prevalent.
In 2019/20 in the UK, there were 6,661 excess winter deaths due to cardiovascular disease which included 2,820 deaths due to coronary heart disease. In addition to this, research from Sweden found that the risk of heart attack increased by 15% during the Christmas and New Year period.
It is therefore easy to see why Santa Claus finds himself the subject of Heart Research UK’s latest campaign. With his stressful job, poor diet, irregular exercise and fondness for mince pies and sherry, Santa fits this profile of someone who needs to be aware of their heart health over the Christmas period.
Introducing ‘A Healthy Heart Christmas’– a new campaign from Heart Research UK designed to raise awareness of the risk of heart disease during the winter months.
The campaign highlights the increase in risk of heart attack over the winter months and highlights the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption and stress whilst providing a number of handy resources via their website to help everybody enjoy a heart healthy and stress-free Christmas.
To accompany the campaign, Heart Research UK has partnered with thortful, the UK’s largest online card marketplace, to create a set of hand-drawn, limited-edition Christmas cards showing traditional festive scenes. Proceeds from sales of the cards will go towards funding Heart Research UK’s lifesaving research.
“We are extremely grateful to all the thortful customers for their generous contributions. The donations from the Christmas card sales will help us raise much-needed funds for our pioneering medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease. We are so thankful for their support. Together we can take on heart disease.” says Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive at Heart Research UK.
Finally, as part of a radio spot promoting the campaign, BAFTA-winning actor and Line of Duty star Mark Bonnar has lent his distinctive voice to a special retelling of the iconic Christmas poem ‘A Visit from St Nicholas’, leading with the famous ‘Twas the night before Christmas’ verse before encouraging people to visit Heart Research UK’s website and donate.
Anyone who wants to donate towards their life-saving research or learn more, can visit the Heart Research UK website (https://heartresearch.org.uk/), where they can access a range of useful tips and guidance on how to take care of their heart and make little changes to their lifestyle and diet over the holidays.
Ednilson Ceita (pictured above), now 29, was convicted by a jury on Friday 29 October of two offences under the Road Traffic Act following the crash which happened shortly after midnight on Friday, 25 May, 2018 on Maybury Road.
He has also been disqualified from driving for nine years.
Ceita was driving a BMW X5, without a valid license or insurance, which collided with a Peugeot 206 being driven by 29-year-old Jonathan Smith.
As a result of the crash, Jonathan, known as Jonny, sadly died at the scene.
A criminal investigation was launched which saw detectives from Edinburgh’s Criminal Investigations Department working alongside Road Policing Officers to understand what happened.
As a result, Ceita was arrested and charged in connection with the crash in August 2019.
Detective Chief Inspector Graham Grant said: “There were a number of complexities to this investigation but officers remained determined and committed to establish what caused this crash and cost Jonny his life.
“Ednilson Ceita failed to admit that his actions resulted in this catastrophic event. We found that he was driving at excessive speed, ultimately swerving into oncoming traffic, which led to his BMW colliding with the Peugeot being driven by Mr Smith and another vehicle.
“Jonny’s family have had to wait over three years for justice. They have been dignified and resolute throughout and I hope that today’s verdict offers them some form of comfort.
“I’d like to thank my investigation team, our colleagues in the Road Policing Unit and other elements of the organisation who contributed to the outcome, but most importantly to Jonny’s family, friends, and the wider community which he was an integral part of, for their support during our investigation.”
Jonny’s family reacted to the sentence through theThe Justice for Jonny campaign page on Facebook: “So we had our day in court today for the sentencing, was an apprehensive morning we all weren’t sure how to feel but we went, sat and watched the sentencing, he was given 6 years and a 9 year driving ban.
“In all honesty we were thinking less so I suppose it’s something, realistically it makes no difference nothing changes although if anything takes a dangerous driver off the road and might just save a life.
“He also decided to tell the court what an ordeal this had been for him and his family … remorse at its finest.
“It’s been a long 3 and a half years, so many twists and turns, so many ups and down’s but throughout it all the support we have received is just unbelievable looking back it has really helped us knowing we have had people behind us.
“As a family as a whole we would just like to thank every single person for all their nice words and support whether it was comments, messages or calls … we even had cards through the door at the start it really has been outstanding.
“So from the bottom of all our hearts, we appreciate it and thank you and we will always remember how nice and supportive everyone has been it means so much!”
Powerful film released by INTIMINA sees children give a voice to people that waited eight years or more for an endometriosis diagnosis
One in 10 women have endometriosis, but it takes an average of eight years to get a diagnosis.
Groundbreaking new film ‘The Wait’ sees eight-year-old children use their age to symbolise the eight-year delay and to tell the stories of British women who had the disease, yet felt like they were not being heard.
The film includes the story of Aisha Belsaria who suffered in pain for 15 years before she was correctly diagnosed.
Campaign created by INTIMINA to empower and inform people experiencing similar painful symptoms, who also feel unheard or ignored.
One in 10 women worldwide have endometriosis1, yet despite the seriousness of this disease, it takes an average of eight years just to get a diagnosis2. That’s eight long years of enduring terrible pain and the feeling of not being heard.
Today, to give a voice to those suffering from the condition, intimate wellness brand INTIMINA has released a powerful film that features eight-year-old children whose age symbolises the damning eight-year wait statistic – with each of the youngsters having been alive for as long as it takes to be diagnosed with endometriosis*.
Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
What’s more, with this devastating disease commonly starting in adolescence (and sometimes before) any of the eight-year-olds in the film – and across the world – could develop endometriosis in the near future and face the eight year delay themselves if nothing is done to shorten the time to a diagnosis.
In the film, the children speak the actual words of real adult women who spent years of their lives waiting and fighting for an endometriosis diagnosis. While the average wait for a diagnosis is eight years, several of the women that shared their stories experienced delays of much longer.
In one instance, it took a shocking 30 years for a woman to finally be told she had endometriosis.
Selected cases from UK-based women that faced ‘the wait’ and whose accounts are spoken by eight-year-old children in the film:
Katie Beales (waited nine years) “Waiting years for a diagnosis made me question my own sanity. At points, I started to believe that it was all in my head. I had so much ambition and this condition took so much away from me. The pain was so bad I couldn’t leave my bed, I would vomit and I couldn’t eat. I became a shell of myself. Endometriosis is lonely. It changed my identity.”
Nadine Lewis (waited 12 years): It took me five years to get my stage four diagnosis and a further seven years to be diagnosed with thoracic endometriosis. I often feel trapped inside my body which is constantly under attack. I have had countless A&E admissions, investigations and surgeries and been medically gaslighted. I had three diagnostic laparoscopies with no endometriosis removed. Endometriosis has affected my mental health, fertility, bowel and respiratory health. No one should have to go through this. It should not take this long to be taken seriously.”
Aisha Balesaria (waited 15 years): At 15 I had started experiencing dreadful pain during menstruation – pain which grew worse as the years went on. It was tremendously difficult waking up in pain and going to bed in pain and doing the same thing all over again the next day. The pain was so intense, it left me confined to my bed. At some points I felt I couldn’t carry on living with the excruciating pain. The pain I was experiencing was dismissed as ‘bad periods’. I felt completely helpless and hopeless. It was extremely challenging waiting for someone to believe me and over time my symptoms worsened. It would be many years later before I’d receive the correct diagnosis. I felt there was little empathy towards my suffering during the years I tried to get help, and my symptoms were downplayed nearly all of the time.”
INTIMINA created ‘The Wait’ film as part of its ongoing Seen + Heard period positivity campaign.
Seen + Heard aims to increase the visibility of menstrual wellbeing across the world, normalise conversations about menstrual health, tackle stigma and bias and raise awareness of conditions like endometriosis – which see millions of people suffering in pain while their voices go unheard.
The Wait follows ‘Period’: a collaboration in 2020 between INTIMINA and Pantone that saw the creation of a shade of red emblematic of a healthy menstrual flow.
Marcella Zanchi, Spokesperson for INTIMINA, commented: “We hope this film, in which the age of the eight-year-olds symbolises the eight-year wait for a diagnosis, can create much-needed conversations about endometriosis and inspire change. Because it is unacceptable that people have to wait eight years just to get help. And it’s important to remember that is only an average: some people wait many more years, even decades of their lives in pain.
Ms Zanchi continued: “Endometriosis isn’t a rare disease – it affects one in every 10 women. That’s hundreds of millions of people across the world potentially suffering for years. The fact the eight-year statistic hasn’t changed in over a decade is further proof, if it were needed, that we must end the wait for those with endometriosis.
“As a global society we have to be more aware of endometriosis, more sympathetic towards those that have it, to speak up and do everything in our collective power to close the gender health gap and to break the taboos and biases that are not just attached to endometriosis, but to menstrual wellbeing in general.”
A UK All Party Parliamentary Group Endometriosis inquiry into the disease surveyed over 10,000 people with endometriosis and found that over half (58%) visited their GP more than 10 times after presenting symptoms, but still no diagnosis was made3.
Further commenting on reasons behind the eight-year wait, INTIMINA UK Expert Gynaecologist Dr Shree Datta said: “Healthcare professionals may assume painful periods are normal, if they are unclear on its severity and whether pain relief is required.
“What’s more, it can be especially difficult examining young teenagers for endometriosis as the findings are not specific and the disease presents differently from person-to-person.
“As such it may take longer to refer people to the correct specialist for further investigation and treatment. From a patient perspective it can also be uncomfortable taking that first step and speaking to a doctor about issues such as pain during sex – or challenging to describe the symptoms they have.”
Shree continued: “The reasons behind the delay are wide-ranging, but nevertheless every possible action needs to be taken to drive down the wait time for people suffering with endometriosis, and education and awareness is vital to make a commitment to ensure this happens.”
To help people experiencing symptoms of endometriosis get the help they need sooner, Dr Shree Datta shares her advice. More information and resources can be found here:
It can be difficult to describe all of your symptoms and diagnose endometriosis as the symptoms vary, so keep a pain and symptom diary before you see your GP. Specifically, note down when you experience symptoms in relation to your periods, whether they are getting worse and how they affect your daily activities.
A referral to a Gynaecologist may also help explore your symptoms further – by requesting an ultrasound, for example. With this information, discussing the risks and benefits of medication and an operation may help you to decide what’s right to you.
It may be worth trying to treat your symptoms initially with simple measures such as heat, gentle exercise, pain relief or hormonal medication, before considering more invasive options such as surgery.
Common symptoms which suggest endometriosis include cyclical pelvic pain, pain on intercourse or pain leading up to and during your periods. You may also experience a change in bowel habits, tiredness and difficulty conceiving, so seek medical advice early.
Think about your diet – there is some evidence which suggests that drinking lots of alcohol and eating lots of red meat can increase some of the symptoms of endometriosis, such as painful periods. Fish oil supplements and Vitamin B12 can help endometriosis associated pain. A healthy balanced lifestyle with regular sleep patterns may also influence your symptoms.
If you’re thinking about getting pregnant and you are known to have endometriosis, consult a Gynaecologist early. Start taking pregnancy supplements three months before you wish to conceive and make sure you have sex regularly when trying to conceive. Most people have no problems conceiving, but it’s worth seeking expert help early.
For those looking to find out more about endometriosis or get support, please visit:
Almost 100,000 people in Scotland have reported that they’re suffering with long Covid but it has taken until today (Tuesday 9 November) for the Scottish Parliament to debate this important issue.
I led this debate in Parliament yesterday because no matter how much campaigners and MSPs raise the issue, the SNP Health Secretary is just not listening.
It is shameful that it has taken an opposition party debate for the plight of long Covid sufferers to be heard in Parliament.
The SNP/Green Government’s action plan on long Covid is totally unfit for the scale of this challenge. Many Scots would be better off moving to England where there are well-established clinics and a care pathway.
We need to do much more to help long Covid sufferers. That is why I am calling on the SNP/Green Government to:
Have specialist long Covid clinics in every health board
Train more long Covid community nurses to offer in-home support
Give everyone who needs it access to physiotherapy and rehab treatment
Make sure long Covid sufferers are not penalised financially because they are absent from work for longer periods
You can join me in calling for action from the Scottish Government by signing up to my plan for long Covid here:
A 29-year-old man has been found guilty of causing the death of Jonny Smith by dangerous driving.
Edinburgh’s High Court heard that Ednilson De Ceita was speeding and drove on to the wrong side of the A902 Maybury Road on 25 May 2018. De Ceita’s BMW X5 collided with a Peugeot 206 being driven by 29 year old Jonny Smith, whose car caught fire. Mr Smith died at the scene.
Property firm manager De Ceita was also found guilty of not having a valid driving license or insurance. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced next month.
In a statement on their Justice For Jonny Facebook page last night, Jonny’s family said: “Just a little message to everybody as a family we have been at court all this week, it has been a long week filled with long tiring days.
“Today, earlier on Ednilson Ceita was found guilty on 2 charges, the first being causing death by dangerous driving, the second being death by dangerous driving with no license or insurance and has been remanded until next month for sentencing.
“In all honesty we don’t really get any satisfaction from any of this, it doesn’t bring Jonny back but what it does do is give us that little bit of justice for him and also potentially saving someone else without this idiot on the road.
“We would just like to say a massive thank you for everybody’s kind words and support throughout all this, it truly does mean a lot to us and we forever appreciate it!”
Programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination calls on the public to ‘See Us’ and build on progress
Scots are being encouraged to join forces and build on improved public perceptions of mental health as part of a new nationwide campaign.
A survey of over 2000 Scots, including 1000 who have experienced mental health problems, found that more than half (58 per cent) say that their own perceptions of people with mental health problems have improved in the last 10 years.
The research, from See Me, Scotland’s programme to end mental health stigma and discrimination, also found 63 per cent think that perceptions of mental health had improved since the start of the pandemic.
The findings have been published today (20 October), at the launch of a new campaign – See Us – asking Scotland to keep the momentum going.
See Us encourages people from all walks of life – whether they have experience of a mental health problem or not – to join the movement to end stigma, by getting involved in events, activities and speaking up to challenge outdated stereotypes.
While attitudes have improved, See Me says big changes are still needed in people’s behaviours. The same research, which was carried out by Censuswide, found that more than two-thirds of people (71 per cent) with mental health problems surveyed have still experienced stigma or discrimination – most commonly from someone they know, including friends, people online, immediate family and work colleagues.
Stigma and discrimination often prevent people from asking for help when they need it most – and can be the difference between life and death.
See Me volunteer Osama Nadeem, from Paisley, has struggled with his mental health since primary school as a result of racist bullying.
The 22-year-old says that stigma was one of the biggest barriers he faced when it came to asking for help – but that acts of kindness, and showing support, can make a huge difference for those who are struggling.
He said: “When I was in primary seven, I remember standing in the corner of the playground, and I started to cry as it all just got to me. Two girls who were in my year came over to me, and asked what was wrong. I didn’t want to say, but they wouldn’t leave me until I told them. Them coming to me helped – and that memory sticks with me.
“No one needs to be an expert to talk about mental health. If you’re struggling, just talking about it – talking about stigma, talking about how you’re feeling – can help a lot. That’s why this campaign is so important.”
Fellow volunteer Jenn Barnes, 34, from Glasgow, joined the call for support. Jenn, who has struggled with her own mental health since her teenage years, lost her brother to suicide in 2017, and has spent the time since campaigning and raising awareness of the impact of mental health stigma and the power of speaking up.
Jenn said: “While there is more awareness of mental health now, stigma still exists – and I think a lot of people don’t even realise it. It’s really important that we get as many people as possible to back the campaign to end mental health stigma and discrimination. You can’t do it on your own. It’s like mental health in itself – you need someone there to help you. If everybody comes together, it will make things a lot easier.”
To help the people of Scotland get involved and tackle mental health stigma and discrimination, See Me has launched a new home for the social movement on their website at seemescotland.org/SeeUs, where you can access resources to help you make change.
See Me director Wendy Halliday said: “For too long tackling mental health stigma has been seen as the responsibility of those who have experienced it.
“It’s time to move past Seeing Me, the person struggling, and for everyone to stand up and say: ‘See Us, we’re making a difference together.’
“Wherever you want to make a change, and however you want to do it, there is something for you in this movement.”
Join in the conversation on social media using #SeeMeSeeUs and help others to find out about the movement.
Those eligible for cervical screening are being urged to go for a smear test when invited as part of a nationwide campaign.
With two people dying from cervical cancer in the UK every day, the Scottish Government campaign encourages people not to ignore their invite – even if they expect everything is fine.
Cervical cancer is largely preventable and screening is the best way to protect against the disease, yet one in three women in Scotland still don’t go for the five-minute smear test that can stop cervical cancer before it starts.
The campaign also provides tips and reassurance around the appointment to help people overcome barriers to attending, such as embarrassment or worry.
Minister for Public Health Maree Todd said: “A five-minute smear test could save your life. Even if you expect everything is fine, it’s important not to ignore your invite, as the test can help stop cervical cancer before it starts.
“The test screens for human papillomavirus (HPV), the main cause of cervical cancer, and helps ensure cell changes are identified and treated earlier.
“This campaign has been developed to encourage more eligible people to attend and ultimately save more lives. It’s understandable some may feel anxious about the smear test itself, but information and advice are available to help make your appointment easier.”
Laura McAdam, 36, from Ayrshire, was diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2016, at the age of 31.
Two years earlier, the result of Laura’s regular smear test had come back showing cell changes. In order to be monitored more closely, Laura attended check-up appointments every six months and when the results kept showing cell changes, she underwent a colposcopy – a procedure used to look at the cervix – in November 2016.
During the procedure Laura’s doctor took a biopsy and a week later, Laura was given her cervical cancer diagnosis.
In January 2017, Laura underwent a hysterectomy. As the affected area was bigger than what the consultant had expected, she was scheduled in for a five-week course of precautionary chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment.
However, a tear in Laura’s bladder was detected shortly before the course was meant to start and her doctors decided to cancel the treatment. Following a bladder operation, Laura attends scans every six months to closely monitor her recovery.
Having been diagnosed as a result of screening, Laura is fully aware of the importance of early detection and what a huge difference it can make.
Laura said: “I was diagnosed early thanks to attending a regular smear test and I’m so grateful that my cell changes were picked up early enough – it saved my life. I had no symptoms whatsoever before that, so I know first-hand how important it is to attend screenings, even if nothing seems wrong.
“I had a few niggly back pains as a result of the bladder operation, but other than that I feel absolutely fine now.
“All the hospital staff have been fantastic throughout all this and I can’t thank them enough for their care.”
For further information, visit getcheckedearly.org
The Poverty Alliance have launched our new campaigning tool to allow you to easily email your constituency and regional MSPs urging them to push for the doubling of the Scottish Child Payment now. Children growing up in the grip of poverty can’t wait.
Our e-action comes after over 120 anti-poverty organisations, children’s charities, community groups, think tanks, trade unions, faith leaders – including the Moderator of the Church of Scotland – and academics wrote to the First Minister urging her to “do the right thing” by using the upcoming Programme for Government to commit to doubling the Scottish Child Payment in this year’s budget, the £10 per week per child benefit for low income families.
The letter – coordinated by members of the End Child Poverty coalition in Scotland – states that doubling the payment now would “signal that ending child poverty will be a defining priority for this Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament.”
‘Do the right thing and double the Scottish Child Payment now’ civil society coalition tells First Minister
A coalition of over 100 anti-poverty organisations, children’s charities, community groups, think tanks, trade unions, faith leaders – including the Moderator of the Church of Scotland – and academics have today written to the First Minister urging her to “do the right thing” by using the upcoming Programme for Government to commit to doubling the Scottish Child Payment in this year’s budget, the £10 per week per child benefit for low income families.
The letter – coordinated by members of the End Child Poverty coalition in Scotland – states that doubling the payment now would “signal that ending child poverty will be a defining priority for this Scottish Government and Scottish Parliament.” It has been sent after the Scottish Government – despite all of Scotland’s five main political parties committing to the move at May’s Holyrood elections – have so far failed to set a timescale for the doubling of the payment, stating only that it will take place by the end of the parliamentary term in 2026. The campaigners say the increase is needed now to help families recover from the pandemic and to meet the government’s own statutory 2023/24 interim child poverty targets.
The coalition has issued the plea at a time of growing concern over the numbers of people across the country – particularly women, disabled people and Black and minority ethnic people – being pulled into hardship and with analysis showing that, on current trends, the Scottish Government will fail to meet its child poverty reduction targets.
The letter issues the stark warning that if Scottish ministers fail to double the payment now then “more and more children will be pulled into poverty and the opportunity to meet the interim child poverty targets will be missed.”
Polly Jones (Head of Scotland, Trussell Trust), said:“Food bank use has rocketed by 63% over the last five years because people can’t afford the basics. Over the last year, families have struggled more than most. We have the powers and we have the cross-party consensus to double the Scottish Child Payment now. If Scottish ministers are serious about making ending child poverty a ‘national mission’ then we must not delay.”
Eilidh Dickson (Policy and Parliamentary Manager, Engender) said:“Child poverty and women’s poverty are inextricably linked. Women continue to provide the majority of care for children, are more likely to work in underpaid and undervalued roles, and to work part time or rely on precarious contracts. Women are also twice as likely as men to rely on social security for all or part of their income, even when aspects, for example the two-child limit, mean it fails to meet their needs.
Doubling the Scottish Child Payment is an urgently needed response to supporting children and their caregivers. The Scottish Government must implement this now as part of its mission to eradicate child poverty, while also looking to the gender pay gap action plan and other reforms to social security. The pandemic only adds further urgency to this call as inequality and poverty deepen.”
Professor John McKendrick (Co-Director, Scottish Poverty and Inequality Research Unit, Glasgow Caledonian University) said:“Poverty in Scotland can be solved, and we should not accept it. The Scottish Child Payment is a bold and progressive development that has the potential to lift many children out of poverty. But, with a rising tide of child poverty threatening to overwhelm, communities across Scotland, this potential needs to be realised now. If we are serious about tackling child poverty, doubling the payment now is the right thing for the Scottish Government to do.”
Larry Flanagan (General Secretary, EIS) said:“The EIS unequivocally supports the call for the Scottish Government to act decisively against child poverty and double the Child Payment now rather than delaying when there is urgent need. Levels of poverty experienced by families in Scotland continue to be unacceptably high, worsened by the economic ravages of the pandemic.
The real risk that poverty poses to the educational outcomes and life chances of large numbers of children is one that Scotland as a country simply should not be taking as we look to emergence from the pandemic and education recovery.”
The letter – along with the full list of signatories – can be read here:
Scottish shopworkers speak out about violence, threats and abuse
Retail trade union Usdaw has welcomed a new law to protect Scottish shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse coming into force today, 24 August 2021. The union is urging shopworkers to report incidents to ensure the legislation is able to have an effect on ever increasing incidents.
The ground-breaking legislation was supported by MSPs after Usdaw’s long-running campaign led to the Protection of Workers (Retail and Age-restricted Goods and Services) (Scotland) Bill, which was successfully steered through the Scottish Parliament by Daniel Johnson MSP (Labour, Edinburgh Southern).
Usdaw has launched a Freedom from Fear summer campaign week from 22-29 August, with shocking statistics from their annual survey. Preliminary results from nearly 2,000 retail staff across the UK show that in the last twelve months:
92% have experienced verbal abuse,
70% were threatened by a customer,
14% were assaulted.
One in five victims have never reported an incident to their employer, including 5% who had been assaulted.
Scottish voices from the frontline
These are some of the comments Scottish shopworkers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
Central Scotland: “Abusive because they are having to wait in a queue or at self-scan to get alcohol or security tags taken off.”- “Have been threatened by violence once I finish work, will wait on me outside and kick my head in.”
Glasgow: “Had a bottle held over my head for my till. Been called a rat and been warned to watch myself walking home at night.” – “Customer tried to punch me, had threats of physical violence and called several demeaning names by customers.”
Highlands and Islands: “Social distancing and mask wearing have resulted in confrontations that have got particularly aggressive.”- “I have had someone throw their shopping at me when I have asked to stay 2m away.”
Lothian: “Lack of respect for requesting social distancing.” – “Multiple times I’ve had stuff thrown at me and once was kicked into a machine.” – “People insulting me or raising their voices when asked to follow basic covid regulations.”
Mid-Scotland and Fife: “We have been verbally abused regarding the safe system in place with regards to reopening our cafe.” – “Mainly shoplifters, threatening behaviour and verbal abuse.”
North East Scotland: “Mainly verbal aggressive abuse from customers. Rudeness, insults and shouting.” – “Customers argue when you explain the licensing regulations.”
South Scotland: “Sworn at, spat at, kicked at, punched at, eggs thrown at me.”- “Customer would not social distance, I got an absolute mouthful, said he knew better as he was a doctor.”
West Scotland: “Staff being grabbed by customers, threatened with knives, racially abused and received degrading comments calling us stupid little girls, worthless, and idiots.” – “Customers really think they can say whatever they want to us.”
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says:“It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from Scottish shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive.
“Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by shopworkers and demonstrate why the Scottish Parliament was right to pass a ‘protection of shopworkers’ law.
“It has been a terrible year for our members, with over 90% of shopworkers suffering abuse, more than two-thirds threatened and one in seven assaulted. We are saying loud and clear that enough is enough, abuse should never be part of the job.
“We continue to campaign for the UK Government to follow MSPs’ lead by extending similar protections to retail staff in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Retail staff across the UK have a crucial role in our communities and that role must be valued and respected, they deserve the protection of the law.”
Tracy Gilbert, Usdaw’s Scottish Regional Secretary, says:“We welcome this ground-breaking legislation to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse coming into force today. We again thank Daniel Johnson MSP and all MSPs for listening to the pleas of our members and giving them the legislative support they so desperately need.
“For this new legislation to have a real impact, we need to make sure staff report incidents of violence, threats or abuse to their manager. We are aware that some retail workers may feel it won’t make a difference, but my message to shopworkers is absolutely clear: report it to sort it.
“We are working with the Scottish Government, police and retailers to promote the new law. We want criminals to understand that assaulting and abusing shopworkers is unacceptable and will land them with a stiffer sentence. Our hope is that this new legislation will result in retail staff getting the respect they deserve.”
People struggling to secure or retain permanent employment can access free support delivered by trained advisers.
The national employment service Fair Start Scotland provides personalised and tailored support to those who have struggled to find and stay in work due to their personal circumstances. This may include caring commitments, health conditions or disabilities or other challenges caused by long-term unemployment.
A new marketing campaign has launched to ensure more people can access advice and support, including those who may be finding it more difficult to secure and retain employment as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Employment and Fair Work Minister Richard Lochhead said: “We know that for some people finding work can be a difficult process. The Scottish Government’s Fair Start Scotland service provides people with practical support and advice which is tailored to the needs of the individual.
“Centred around dignity and respect, the service is there to help those who are having difficulty finding employment.
“The pandemic has created greater uncertainty in the labour market and that is why we want to reassure people across the country that expert support and assistance is there for them. Since launching in 2018 more than 32,500 have accessed advice and support from this service and now we want to reach even more people who could benefit.”
Rachel Walker, aged 26 from Carluke, was referred to Fair Start Scotland in March 2021. The advice and support she received helped her secure an administrative role with Capability Scotland.
Ms Walker said: “The support I received through Fair Start Scotland has been first class. My key worker helped build my confidence and encouraged me to take the right steps back into employment.
“As someone who is blind I had limited pathways into work, however, Scott always kept me upbeat, and I have recently secured a role with Capability Scotland. I am over the moon and I would recommend the service to anyone looking to move back into work.”
