UNISON City of Edinburgh branch is calling on the council to cancel a ‘Schools and gender identity event’ to protect library staff and members of the trans community.
The event which its organisers say is “a group of concerned adults organised a public meeting in Portobello Community Centre to discuss the teaching of gender identity in schools” is due to be held at Portobello Library this evening (Tuesday 14 March) has already gathered national media attention and some community campaigners have also called for its cancellation.
UNISON City of Edinburgh branch has been in dialogue with the council to express safety-fears for library staff and local trans-individuals. UNISON argue that library staff are being placed at the centre of something that is going to impact their ability to provide a high quality public services to the local community, including the LGBT+ community.
UNISON City of Edinburgh branch is also concerned that the event indirectly endangers the wider safety of the UK trans community. Should the event be allowed to continue, the branch will peacefully protest with other community activist protesters and would ask other who feel the same to join them.
UNISON City of Edinburgh branch secretary, Tom Conolly said: “UNISON Edinburgh city branch represent library staff across the city and we do not want to see them placed at the centre of something which could impact on their ability to deliver high quality public services.
“We are concerned that this event has been granted permission to go ahead. UNISON Edinburgh city branch is clear in its commitment to trans and non-binary members. We recognise the importance of supporting trans members in our local communities.”
UNISON City of Edinburgh branch equalities officer, Elaine Wishart said: “UNISON supports trans rights and wants to be at the forefront of promoting an inclusive debate.
“You don’t have to be trans to fight for trans rights, you can be a trans ally. The national debate is very divisive and harms trans-people who need our compassion and support. UNISON have produced many campaign materials around combatting the gender critical narrative.
“Trans rights are human rights and making sure our trans members are able to go to work, and just be themselves in the wider community free of fear, harassment and bullying is paramount.”
School feeding charity is asking people to clock up miles this April to feed hungry children
Mary’s Meals is calling on people in Edinburgh to help feed hungry children in some of the world’s poorest countries by signing up to its new fundraising challenge, From Dalmally to Malawi.
The charity feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day in 18 countries including Malawi, Kenya and Syria. The promise of a nutritious meal encourages children into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for a brighter future.
This April, people can join its virtual challenge from Dalmally, the village in the Highlands of Scotland where Mary’s Meals was founded, to Malawi, where the charity served its first life-changing school meals in 2002.
Participants can take part in From Dalmally To Malawi in any way they choose from walking, running to swimming. The money raised by sponsorship from friends and family will help to feed desperately hungry children in school.
Those signing up to the challenge will receive a free Mary’s Meals T-shirt and will be invited to join an exclusive From Dalmally To Malawi online community where they’ll receive inspirational video messages and stories from Mary’s Meals.
Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “With Spring around the corner, April is the perfect time for setting a personal active challenge.
“Whatever miles you pledge, taking part in From Dalmally to Malawi allows you to follow the Mary’s Meals journey while helping us to reach the next hungry child. I hope as many people as possible join our challenge this April to show the true generosity of people in Edinburgh!”
By signing up to the challenge, people in Edinburgh will be helping children like Prisca from Malawi. Thanks to Mary’s Meals, she eats a mug of vitamin-enriched porridge every day that fills her empty stomach and gives her energy to learn.
Prisca says: “Mary’s Meals porridge helps me to excel in my studies and realise my dream of becoming a teacher. I do not feel hungry when in class and I listen attentively during lessons.”
To sign up to the From Dalmally to Malawi challenge, please visit:
The celebrity mum is supporting the international aid charity this Mother’s Day
Musician and celebrity mum Izzy Judd says she has been swept off her feet by international aid charity Mary’s Meals.
The mother-of-three – who is married to McFly star Harry – is encouraging families across the UK to support the charity by giving a Mother’s Day gift that will help to feed children living in the world’s poorest countries.
She says: “As a mother to Lola, Kit and Lockie, I know how important it is for children to be happy, healthy, and well-educated. And that’s what Mary’s Meals is all about. Its life-changing school meals attract little ones into the classroom, where they can learn their way to a better future.
“I have been swept off my feet by this incredible charity – and you should be too!”
Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals to children living in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a good meal attracts hungry children into the classroom, where they can gain an education that that can be their ladder out of poverty.
The charity feeds more than 2.4 million children every school day – and it says this simply wouldn’t be possible without the love and dedication of mothers all around the world.
Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, explains: “Here in the UK, we are lucky to be supported by amazing women, like Izzy, who fundraise and volunteer so that we can feed desperately hungry children.
“And in the countries where we work, it is most often mothers who volunteer to prepare, cook, and serve the food. They do this so that their children, and the children in their communities, can have the chance of a better life.”
To mark Mother’s Day [Sunday, 19 March], Mary’s Meals is offering a range of beautiful gift cards. Priced from just £19.15, each of these special cards will feed a hungry child with Mary’s Meals every day for a school year.
Izzy continues: “I will be dropping some hints to my children for a Mary’s Meals gift, and I will also be giving one of these lovely cards to my own mum, Gill.
“I think she will be thrilled to know that, together, we are ensuring that a child is in school, with a full belly, ready to learn.”
It costs just £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a full school year.
To find out more and to purchase a Mother’s Day gift card, please visit:
New Carers Trust survey reveals devastating double whammy of cost-of-living crisis and increasing intensity of caring responsibilities on children and young adults
“I’d love to have kid problems. Instead, I’m saving up to try and pay our rent and to see if I can squeeze in some food at the end of it.”
66% of young carers and young adult carers in Scotland told Carers Trust’s survey the cost-of-living crisis is always or usually hitting them and their family adversely
36% say they always or usually face additional costs because they are an unpaid carer
54% say the time they spend caring has increased in the past year
52% always or usually feel stressed because they are an unpaid carer.
A new Carers Trust survey released yesterday (9th March) shows the devastating double whammy of the cost-of-living crisis and the increasing intensity of caring responsibilities shouldered by children and young people providing unpaid care to family members.
The report, released a week ahead of Young Carers Action Day (15 March), an annual event led and organised by national charity Carers Trust, aims to raise awareness of the devastating impact on young people of fulfilling their caring role without sufficient support.
The UK-wide survey of 1,109 young carers (aged under 18) and young adult carers (aged 18-25), including 181 living in Scotland, showed alarming findings, with many young people contributing to or managing the family finances.
The survey found that 36% of respondents in Scotland said they always or usually face additional costs because they are a young carer or young adult carer and 66% said the cost-of-living crisis is always or usually affecting them and their family.
One young adult told the survey: “I’d love to have kid problems. Instead, I’m saving up to try and pay our rent and to see if I can squeeze in some food at the end of it.”
The survey also found a significant intensification of their caring role. More than half (59%) of those surveyed in Scotland report caring for between 20 and 49 hours, while also balancing their studies, work and lives outside of caring. However, as many stated in the survey, this does not reflect the extra time they spend worrying about the needs of the person they care for and the true figure may be much higher.
In total, 54% of young carer and young adult carer respondents in Scotland said the time they spend caring has increased in the last year and 36% said they now care for more people than they used to.
One young adult told the survey: “Caring never stops. Especially when it’s time to sleep, your brain constantly worries about how tomorrow will be, hospital appointments, money etc. It’s in overdrive.”
Time spent caring hits education and wellbeing
A higher proportion of those caring for more hours per week reported problems with money, not having time to socialise, feeling stressed and worried and not getting enough rest, sleep or time for themselves.
In terms of education, 49% of respondents in Scotland said that they never or do not often get help in school, college or university to balance caring and education work, with a third of overall respondents saying they usually or always struggle with that balance. They also report a lack of support from schools, with 32% of Scotland respondents saying there is ‘not often’ or ‘never’ someone at their school, college or university who understands about them being a carer.
For those who work, 50% ‘always’ or ‘usually’ struggle to balance caring with paid work in Scotland.
One young adult said: “There is a lot of pressure on me, to the detriment of my own health, wellbeing, success, happiness and future.”
The findings suggest these pressures are having a devastating effect on mental health. Many struggle with emotional wellbeing and feel stressed, overwhelmed or drained. The survey revealed that 52% of young carer and young adult carer respondents in Scotland ‘always’ or ‘usually’ feel stressed.
Illustrating the overwhelming nature of being a young carer, one said: “You don’t get to have bad days. If you have a bad day, the whole house can fall into disarray. It’s exhausting and traumatic.”
Young and young adult carers say the key things they need are support around: mental health, money and finances, education and a break from caring.
Among its recommendations, Carers Trust is calling for:
All schools, colleges and universities to appoint a Young Carers Champion with strategic responsibility and oversight for identifying and implementing appropriate support.
Improved access to financial support for young carers and young adult carers, including extending Carer’s Support Payment (currently Carer’s Allowance) eligibility to unpaid carers in full-time education.
Scottish Government to increase the level of funding for young carer and young adult carer support and ring-fence it.
Louise Morgan, Director of Carers Trust Scotland comments: “These shocking survey results show young people caring for their loved ones are being hit by a perfect storm of increasing intensity in their caring responsibilities and the spiralling cost of living.
“It cannot be right that children and young adult carers are having to take on the burden of dealing with stretched household finances and caring for ever longer hours, to the detriment of their education and wellbeing.
“These young people and the local organisations that support them need radical action from local and nation governments. Young people also tell us they urgently need support with mental health and access to breaks. It’s high time we gave them the help they so sorely need.”
This week marks Scottish Apprenticeship Week (6th-10th March), a fantastic opportunity to shine a light on the vital role apprenticeships play in supporting people, employers and the economy.
Modern Apprenticeships allow people from diverse backgrounds, no matter their background and abilities, to gain and develop skills for every business no matter its size or sector.
The rewards of getting young people who are disabled or care experienced into work are well worth it. They bring passion, skills, dedication and drive to the workplace.
Recruiting a Modern Apprentice enables employers to fill the skills gaps that exist within their current workforce, as apprentices begin to learn sector-specific skills from day one, developing specialist knowledge that will positively affect the bottom line.
However, as always, we can do more and support for businesses and other employers is key as it is they who clearly make the vital difference.
As we mark Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we would urge Scotland’s employers to look beyond the label and take on a Modern Apprentice who may have an additional need, taking advantage of the excellent skills offered by many of these young people.
The war in Ukraine started over a year ago in February 2022, causing 17.4 million individuals to seek refuge in neighbouring countries. Twinkl Educational Publishing continues to help Ukrainian children and has now teamed up with the Ukraine-based charity fund Voices of Children to provide FREE mental health and art therapy resources for families affected by the war and for anyone in need.
As highlighted in an article published in the European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry journal in March 2022: The effects of war on refugee children are vast, encompassing everything from immediate stress responses to a higher likelihood of developing mental health issues like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Additionally, being separated from parents and losing a sense of safety during war can have long-term negative impacts on a child’s development. These experiences stand in stark contrast to children’s fundamental needs and rights to grow up in a safe, secure, and predictable environment.
Psychologists from the Voices of Children Foundation explained how the preservation of mental health can be influenced by the people who surround us, showing that resilience is important, and it is resilience which enables an individual to maintain faith in their own strength to overcome difficulties.
Psychologists from the Voices of Children Foundation said: “One of the difficulties in the work of a psychologist or psychotherapist, which we now encounter quite often, is the misuse of the term “trauma”. The psyche of a person, in particular a small child, has a number of protective mechanisms that are activated in conditions of increased stress. The preservation of mental health is also influenced by the people who surround us, who support and care for us and help us cope with the most severe stress.”
To conclude they mentioned that studies linked to mass disasters showed that post-traumatic stress disorder is one of the most severe forms of stress reaction, and it develops in 25-30% of people who have been in emergency situations.
Twinkl’s partnership with Voices of Children wants to contribute to the delivery of trauma-informed care by providing a selection ofmental health and art therapy resources that have been reviewed and recommended by the Foundation’s psychologists.
These mental health materials are now easily accessible for FREE and grouped in bundles to help parents, carers and mental health professionals support Toddlers and young learners, children aged 7-11, and Teenagersexpress and manage their emotions, develop coping strategies, and reduce anxiety.
Besides storytelling, art therapy activities such as the ones included in this pack are part of the methodology used by the Foundation’s psychologists in their Art Therapy Programme which focuses on understanding children’s emotions and supporting their wellbeing while also helping parents deal with child anxiety.
All resources are available from 24th February 2023 onwards in both Ukrainian and English, to aid speakers of both languages in accessing them. Some materials curated in partnership with Voices of Children are also published in German, French and Polish, and all resource packs created from this collaboration can be found in the Voices of Children page at Twinkl’s platform.
Apart from the Dual Language materials, these resources are also available in Ukrainian only and can be accessed for FREE by Ukrainian families and educators anywhere in the world!
Find out more about the resources created in collaboration with Voices of Children by visiting Twinkl’s Blog.
Cllr Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, officially opened the new Granton Early Learning and Childcare building with Head Teacher Lorraine Cusack and Senior Early Years Officer Lesley Watt yesterday.
Five new settings based on primary school sites – Craigentinny, Granton, Nether Currie, St John Vianney and St Mark’s – have opened up in the Capital in the past few months providing places for an additional 500 children.
Cllr Griffiths said: “This is an exciting time for early learning and childcare in Edinburgh with five new settings opening recently providing places for over 500 children.
“As a Council we will do everything we can to ensure our children get the best possible start in life on their journey to becoming successful learners and confident individuals.”
Proposals for a replacement Liberton High School have taken a major step forward after the planning application for the new school was approved yesterday (Wednesday 1 March 2023).
The plans for the school, which will have capacity for 1,200 pupils, were approved by Councillors on the Development Management Sub-Committee.
Construction is due to begin in May this year with the new school planned to open in 2025.
The three-storey building will consist of a variety of inspirational and inclusive spaces for learning. Classrooms, studios, workshops and science labs will connect and work with shared collaborative areas and breakout spaces, providing learners with more personalisation and choice over their learning environment.
Sports facilities include a floodlit multi use games area, basketball court and athletics facilities. The current tennis and beach volleyball courts and mountain bike trail will be retained as will the sports block.
A new fitness suite and dance studio will be provided to complement the existing sports facilities. There will also be outdoor learning spaces and a grassed amphitheatre.
A key part of the new school will be the community campus features as it will include non-educational facilities such as a café, library and flexible workspaces.
The school will be constructed to Passivhaus standards designed to meet the city-wide aspirations for our schools to be as energy efficient as possible in response to the Climate Emergency and Edinburgh’s 2030 Net Zero target.
Councillor Joan Griffiths, Convener of the Education, Children and Families Committee at the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The new school campuses we’re planning are innovatively and sustainably designed so they are inspirational places for learning for the next generation of young people creating a vibrant and thriving learning environment.
“The Liberton Community Campus is a really exciting project which provides an amazing opportunity to create, as part of an inclusive net zero-carbon city, a community lifelong learning and sports hub to replace the existing school.
“This means public services can be co-located with links to active travel networks, green infrastructure and public transport networks. This Community Hub vision for the building to be ‘more than a school’ aligns with our 20 Minute Neighbourhood Strategy – to localise and co-locate services, making them more accessible for communities and to improve the experiences and outcomes for everyone.
“This is all part of the Council’s plan to support the wellbeing of everyone and end poverty and isolation in Edinburgh.
