Dog-friendly grottos included in festive line-up in Edinburgh
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is welcoming families in Edinburgh to its unmissable, great-value Santa’s Grotto experience.
This year, kids are invited along to enjoy an immersive visit to the grotto where it will be love at frost sight with the elves taking visitors through a magical woodland, spotting reindeer, rabbits and forest creatures along the way. Children will become Santa’s little helpers, participating in various activities revealed during their visit.
After lending a helping hand, children will then get to meet Santa himself and receive a special gift. Families can also opt in to purchase a picture of their child with Santa, creating memories to last forever. Santa’s Grotto will be available in Edinburgh from 24 November.
Dobbies’ Quiet Grotto experience returns this year on 9 December to support children with special needs. Sound and visual elements are adapted to reduce anxiety and ensure every child has an opportunity to meet Santa and his elves.
If you’re looking to get the whole family involved, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will also offer a Santa Paws grotto experience where dog lovers can bring their pups to see Santa, with a special doggie gift and photo opportunity available. Child tickets can be added to make it a full family experience.
Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said: “Meeting Santa is an important part of Christmas and we’re looking to make this inclusive for all, with quiet and dog-friendly events available in our Edinburgh store.
“We can’t wait to bring the magic of Christmas to life for our customers!”
Advance booking for Dobbies’ Edinburgh Christmas events are recommended to avoid disappointment. All grotto prices have been held, with no price increases.
Customers have the opportunity to make a donation to Dobbies’ national charity partner, Teenage Cancer Trust, when booking online:
Key target to involve all 32 local authorities is met
Scottish children have stepped their way into the history books as the country is confirmed as the world’s first Daily Mile Nation.
Around 187,000 school children in all of Scotland’s local authority areas are getting active for at least fifteen minutes a day meeting the criteria agreed with the Daily Mile Foundation. More than half of primary schools are now signed up to the Daily Mile.
The initiative is proven to improve the wellbeing of children across the country, as part of wider efforts to improve overall health and reduce the pressure on the NHS over winter.
It was started by former Head Teacher Elaine Wyllie of St Ninian’s Primary in Stirling in 2012 and has grown every year – extending beyond schools into communities and workplaces and encouraging more people in Scotland to get on the move.
The Scottish Football Association is backing the initiative using its extensive network of community clubs to promote the role of physical activity in health and wellbeing.
Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “We want Scotland to become a nation where more people are more active, more often. The benefits of instilling these habits early are plain to see – children will see the joy of walking, running or wheeling which will boost their health in the long term, and reduce the strain on our NHS.
“I try to do a Daily Mile whenever I can and there is no doubt I always feel better for it.
“I consider this initiative to be one of Scotland’s best exports – building on our success, other home nations and countries around the world are now embracing The Daily Mile initiative. Scotland continues to lead the way on a global scale.”
Founder of The Daily Mile Elaine Wyllie MBE said: “From one school in Stirling to Scotland to becoming a Daily Mile Nation, I am incredibly proud of all the schools, teachers and children that have helped us achieve this milestone and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and our partners across Scotland.
“The Daily Mile was created by children which I truly believe is why it has been so successful and is now reaching nearly 4 million children around the world.”
Daily Mile UK Partnership Manager Fiona Paterson said: “In our joint strategy published in 2020, The Daily Mile Foundation and the Scottish Government set out the key targets which would signify that Scotland could be recognised as the world’s first Daily Mile nation.
“We are delighted to announce that these targets have been met and that the foundations have been laid for further work to continue to embed the INEOS backed Daily Mile across the country’.
Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said: “The Scottish FA recognises the unique reach of football and the importance that physical activity can play in the health and wellbeing of children and young people in this country, and we are thrilled to support this initiative as Scotland becomes the world’s first Daily Mile Nation.
“Opportunities to exercise on and off the pitch should be available to everyone and through our network of community football clubs and local partners, we are ready to play our part and use the power of football to inspire the country to become more active.”
Our Halloween Fest is drawing ever closer. We’ll be at Granton Community Gardeners on Monday the 31st from 3-6pm and boy oh boy do we have a treat (or trick) in store for you!!!
Pop down for a cup of seasonal soup, get your face painted, and join in with some of our spooky activities.
All are welcome, so get yourself down to Granton Community Garden and have the fright of your life!
Edinburgh Pentlands SNP MSP Gordon Macdonald, has welcomed the news that Scotland’s Baby Box – 41408 of which have already been delivered across NHS Lothian – is receiving a makeover for its fifth birthday.
The Scottish Government introduced the Baby Boxes scheme in 2017, entitling every newborn in Scotland to a box containing essential items intended to make sure that every child has the best possible start in life.
Based the latest figures for number of Baby Boxes given out by health boards, 235 622 boxes have been distributed to parents across Scotland since the start of the project.
MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, said: “I am delighted that Scotland’s much cherished Baby Box is being given a makeover in time for its fifth anniversary. Already, 41408 baby boxes have been delivered across NHS Lothian by the SNP in government since 2017.
“With updated clothing designs, the refreshed baby box also now includes a baby toothbrush to promote oral health from the very beginning of a baby’s life.
“The arrival of a new baby is a wonderful moment for every family across the city but, as every new parent no doubt appreciates, the costs of welcoming a new addition to the family are significant – particularly when household budgets are under increasing pressure with the cost-of-living crisis.
“Regardless of the circumstances of new mums and dads, receiving a baby box as a celebration of their new arrivals – and the essential items needed for the first six months of their child’s life – really is a welcome gift.
“And the addition of a toothbrush in the baby box for the first time will hopefully encourage good dental health from the beginning and all the way through life.
“The baby box is one of many transformative actions the SNP is taking to make a real difference to children and families on low incomes – like the game changing Scottish Child payment, which will soon be £25 per week per child.
“While the SNP government continues to deliver bold policies in government for a fairer Scotland, with the limited powers at its disposal, it is only with the full powers of independence that we can properly build a better future that works for everyone.”
Childline counselling sessions about child sexual abuse and exploitation have increased 19% in the past year in Scotland
Charity launches campaign ‘The Full Story’ this week to connect more young people at risk of, or experiencing sexual exploitation with Childline
Short films using real Childline cases and posters have been unveiled
Childline has seen counselling sessions with children in Scotland about child sexual abuse and exploitation increase by almost a fifth in the past year.
New analysis by the NSPCC of Childline data reveals that 251 counselling sessions were delivered on this topic in 2020/21, and this increased to 299 sessions in 2021/22, an increase of 19 per cent.
The charity is revealing this data as its Childline service launches ‘The Full Story’ campaign in a bid to encourage more children and teenagers at risk of, or suffering sexual exploitation to use Childline for immediate, confidential help.
Over the last year, Childline has heard from thousands of young people across the UK about sexual exploitation with some being manipulated into performing sexual activities after being given money, drugs or love and affection.
Whilst others have been sexually exploited after being trafficked from their home after being threatened with violence or the promise of a better life elsewhere.
Across the UK the number of Childline counselling sessions on sexual exploitation and abuse has increased from 5,962 to 6,230 this year (April 2021 – March 2022).
One 15-year-old in Scotland told Childline: “My mum doesn’t care about me. She drinks a lot and there isn’t food in the house. I’ve started getting close to someone who looks after me when my mum doesn’t. I stay at her house sometimes. I used to sleep downstairs but now I sleep with her. We’ve done stuff together and had sex.”
A 14-year-old in Scotland told Childline: “I’ve met a man in his 40s who is really nice. I met him online and then we met in person. He sold me weed and has gone to the shops for me to get alcohol and cigarettes. We hooked up one night and have started seeing each other a lot.”
The campaign has created a series of short films showing five different scenarios of sexual exploitation, taken from real Childline calls.
In one of the films, 15-year-old Leah* is standing outside a party with her boyfriend. Over the next few seconds, she is plied with alcohol by her older boyfriend, who later says she owes him and tells her to have sex with his friends.
As well as helping children and young people gain an understanding of what sexual exploitation is and what a healthy relationship looks like, Childline is focussed on getting more young people to connect with them so they can offer immediate help and confidential support.
This week, the service has unveiled posters at bus stops, motorway service stations, cinemas, colleges, Pupil Referral Units, youth centres, youth hostels, children’s homes, GP’s, and sexual health clinics.
Although more children are reaching out for support on this issue, Childline’s counsellors know from what they hear from children and young people there are many barriers and reasons which prevent some children from speaking out and getting help.
For some children, they may be being exploited by a family member or someone in a position of authority, other cases it may be a girlfriend or boyfriend. The grooming methods used can be subtle, so often they don’t recognise anything is wrong or that they’re in danger.
Whilst others might blame themselves for what they are experiencing, some are being blackmailed or threatened by their abuser causing them to remain silent due to fear.
The campaign name, The Full Story, alludes to mixed and often conflicting feelings a child who is being sexually exploited may experience.
Adeniyi Alade, Service Head of Childline Scotland, said: “Sexual exploitation is a complex crime and often when children describe what is happening in their relationship, they don’t realise they are being groomed and abused.
“Our counsellors have heard from children who have said they didn’t realise what they experienced in a relationship or friendship was wrong until they were much older, and some said at the time they thought their abuser was someone they could trust.
“Others said they thought they were to blame for what had happened and were scared about what would happen if they did speak out.
“This is why this campaign is so important as it’s essential that all children and young people have an awareness of this issue and know that no matter what the circumstances are, that sexual exploitation is never a child’s fault and there are people like Childline who can help.”
The charity’s Chief Executive Officer believes everyone has a role to play in protecting children from sexual exploitation.
Childline offers confidential, non-judgemental support to children and young people – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Young people can talk to the Childline counsellors online in 1-2-1 chat from an account they set up on the Childline website at www.childline.org.uk. This account can also be used to send the counsellors email and it’s always free to call 0800 1111 with no phone credit required.
The Childline website offers lots of information, advice, self-help and peer support on -pre-moderated message boards.
Childline is a safe place, where children and young people can share as much or as little as they want to – they don’t even have to tell Childline their name.
Childline’s support helps young people feel more in control and provides them with options to use Childline in a way that works best for them and to speak to a trained counsellor in a way that feels most comfortable.
The NSPCC Helpline often hears from parents and teachers concerned about children being sexually exploited. Generally, when that child has a significant change in their emotional wellbeing, unexplained absences from school, college or work and an unexplained acquisition of money, clothes, mobile phones.
If you are concerned about a child contact 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk
Children’s Hearings Scotland (CHS) has released their annual Impact Report for 2021 – 2022. In this Impact Report, we highlight some of the major achievements from the year and how we have delivered on our duty as a Corporate Parent.
Key elements of this year’s Impact Report include:
– Partnering with the Scottish Children’s Reporter Administration, Scottish Government and The Promise Scotland to form the Hearings System Working Group, which delivered its Issues List in March,
– Celebrating 50 years of Hearings in April 2021,
– Launching our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy,
– Launching the CHS Promise Programme, which is a cross-organisational project that includes all the work we are doing locally and nationally to improve the hearings experience for children, young people and families,
– Adapting to various significant changes to the laws around children’s hearings, including the Children (Scotland) Act 2020 which ensures brothers, sisters, people with brother/sister-like relationships are given new rights in hearings,
And most importantly, despite the ongoing challenges brought by the pandemic, the provision of over 21,000 hearings which took place to support and protect nearly 11,000 children in Scotland.
National Convener and CEO, Elliot Jackson, said: “The CHS Impact Report shows the work and reflection of the dedication and contribution of our Panel Member and Area Support Team volunteers and CHS National Team staff.
“As we progress with our vision for the future of the Children’s Hearings System it has been a privilege to look back and see what we have achieved over the last 12 months and look forward to seeing how we shape the next phase especially our focus on improving the hearings system through the Hearings System Working Group”.
Over the course of this year, we worked with our volunteers and partner organisations to listen to and help support and protect nearly 11,000 children.
As we go forward, and look towards how we can further improve the Hearings System, we are committed to putting the voice of children and young people at the centre of everything we do, and to working together to make Scotland truly the best place to grow up in.
Lawyer Vanessa Lloyd Platt said ‘the system is failing grandparents up and down the country’
MORE than two million people are being prevented from seeing their grandchildren, a new survey reveals.
It found a million have been completely locked out of their lives and 250,000 nans and grandads have never been allowed to see their children’s offspring.
And at least 150,000 have been warned by police to stop attempting to contact their grandkids.
Family lawyer Vanessa Lloyd Platt, whose firm Lloyd Platt & Co commissioned the survey by Savanta which spoke to 1,000 grandparents, said: “The survey bore out our concerns about the rights of grandchildren to have grandparents in their life.
“The system is failing grandparents up and down the country. It is a scandal.”
The survey also revealed the youngest grandparent in the UK is 32-years-old.
Savanta also found it is either the grandparents’ son’s wife or partner stopping access, with 40% responding with that reason.
And a personal disagreement was the main cause, 32%, behind being locked out.
Campaigners are now demanding a law change and say it could have avoided such tragic deaths as Arthur Labingo-Hughes and Star Hobson who were killed by their parents.
They want an amendment to the Children’s Act 1989 to enshrine in law the child’s right to have a relationship with their grandparents.
One of them, Jasvinder Sanghera, told GB News: “Grandparents are significant in the lives of children, including those at risk. It is clear grandparents raised alarm bells in both cases and I have to ask the question: would it have made a difference if grandparents were given significant status in The Children Act?
“Arthur and Star were let down by the system. And these survey results prove our worst fears.
“Desperate grandparents up and down the country and being refused access to their grandchildren.
“I have an 86-year-old law-abiding grandmother come to me who has been reported to the police for sending presents to their grandchildren. She was interviewed in a police station and told to accept a caution for her behaviour.
“People are getting police knocking at their door after being reported for harassment just for sending a birthday card.
“It is ruining lives and something needs to be done to help these good people.”
Arthur died aged six during the pandemic in 2020 at the hands of his evil father and his girlfriend.
His grandparents had reported fears of abuse to social services but were told by authorities there was no safeguarding issues.
Star was killed aged one by her mother’s girlfriend in the same year.
Suspected abuse was repeatedly reported to social services by her grandparents but cases were closed.
Campaigners calling for the law change say if adults are given “significant people” rights then they have more power to act as a guardian for their grandchildren.
They also blasted the Ministry of Justice over lack of action after then Minister Lucy Frazer QC said in 2018 she would consider a change in the law to establish a “presumption” that grandparents can see their grandchildren after parents split up.
