Tag: Children and Families

Santa’s flying visit marks the start of the Conifox Christmas Experience

The spectacular sight of a flying visit from Santa marked the start of Conifox Adventure Park’s magical festive extravaganza. 

Leaving Rudolph and the other reindeer to rest, he hitched a lift and was helicoptered into the park, at Kirkliston near Edinburgh, by helpers Adventure001 Experiences, specialists in Edinburgh sightseeing trips. 

Santa’s arrival kicked off this year’s popular Conifox Christmas Experience which is now even better than ever as Conifox has partnered with events specialists 21CC Productions which is also providing amazing lighting and effects. 

From now until Christmas Eve, families can enjoy a carnival of festive fun, immerse themselves in the world of Santa Claus and all their favourite festive characters, enjoy a Christmas Funfair, in partnership with Taylor’s of Edinburgh Funfair, and an outdoor Christmas Market supporting local Scottish traders. There will also be various food vendors and a bar available for evening refreshments.   

Among many attractions, they can visit is Whoville – look out for the Grinch! – the Magic Forest, Mrs Claus’ Kitchen, the Elf Disco Village and Reindeer Flying School, Santa’s Sweet Shop and the Naughty or Nice Scanner. 

Santa will also be back in his sitting room to welcome every child who will receive a Golden Christmas Coin to exchange in the Toy Workshop for a gift of their choice. Then as darkness falls the winter wonderland lights up with 21CC’s amazing effects.

James Gammell, Managing Director of Conifox Adventure Park, says: “With the arrival of Santa the countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun and we’d like to thank Adventure001 Experiences for whisking him in to get the celebrations started. 

“This year, we’ll also be supporting local charity Kids Love Clothes with their Christmas Toy Appeal and to show our support, we will be donating two hundred toys as well as using our Activity Centre as a drop-off point for any new toy donations.  

“With your support, we can reach families who are struggling to look forward to Christmas this year so please support by dropping off a new toy whilst you are here.” 

The Conifox Christmas Experience runs on selected dates until December 24, with entrance times at 15-minute intervals. Admission to the indoor Activity Centre and Adventure Park is not included with the tickets purchased for Christmas Experience Days or Nights, but they can be booked online. 

To book tickets and for full terms and conditions, please visit: 

www.conifox.co.uk/whats-on 

For more information about Conifox Adventure Park please visit: 

www.conifox.co.uk/ 

Volunteering opportunities with Edinburgh North East Scouts

Sign up for the online information evening on Tuesday 29th November at 7.30pm here:

 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edinburgh-north-east-scouts-information-event-tickets-445103174577   

We know everyone is busy, so this event is taking place online to fit in around family, work and life. It’ll only take 1 hour and will be informative. 

Did you know Edinburgh North East Scouts has almost 100 young people on a waiting list to join? And they need new helpers to support their 14 Scout Groups in Portobello, Craigentinny, Craigmillar, Duddingston, Calton, Joppa, Stockbridge, Pilrig, Broughton, Trinity, Leith, Newhaven, Wardie and Willowbrae.   

Sign up for this event to find out about the exciting things the Scout Groups get up to and flexible volunteering opportunities. 

Demand by young people to join Scouts in the Edinburgh North East area is good with youth waiting lists growing. However, they need new adult volunteers to reduce the waiting list and enable more local young people to benefit from Scouting.  

Edinburgh North East Scouts is looking to the local community and organisations to help change the lives of local young people. They are appealing for help to reduce the youth waiting list and support 100 more young people to benefit from Scouts.  

Scouts is only possible thanks to superstar volunteers – ordinary people, like you, making an extraordinary difference in young people’s lives. They are looking for new adult volunteers to assist their existing leader and executive team. So please consider what you can do and if you know anyone who may be willing to get involved and ask them to come along to the event too. It is possible that they may consider a job share if that was of interest to you? 

Scouting has a reputation for helping young people to develop resilience, a positive character, respect for others, good community skills, as well as physical and mental fitness. Can you help inspire the doers and give it a goers of the future! 

FACTS MATTER:

FACT 1: There are 14 Scout Groups in the Edinburgh North East area and they all want to provide more Scouting to more local young children. 

FACT 2: You don’t need to have any specific skills or be Bear Grylls to lend a hand.  

FACT 3: They have a collective youth waiting list of almost 100. 
FACT 4: If you volunteer as a Leader to get involved now then they can look at how your child could get automatic entry into their preferred Scout Group. 
FACT 5: You don’t have to have previous Scouting experience to get involved.  

As a District, they want to offer your child and other local children across the Edinburgh North East area the chance to participate in all the fun experiences and adventures they do in Scouting week to week such as: camping, fire-lighting, climbing and abseiling, and yes, learning how to tie and use knots (these will come in handy in later life!)

Are you passionate about seeing local young people succeed? Are you a team player with a positive, can-do attitude? Do you enjoy fun activities? Do you want to do more in your community? Are you more of a ‘behind the scenes’ person? Do you have a skill or hobby you can share? Then this event is right up your street.  Scouts has the opportunities – you just show up, get stuck in and make memories for life!  

We all have the power to help young people to realise their potential.  You don’t need to have been a Scout when you were younger. You don’t even need to know how to put up a tent. 

Their door is open to people of all ages, genders, races and backgrounds, and they’re only able to change lives because people like you lend a hand. 

There’s lots of ways you can get more involved with Scouts as a parent, carer or family member. From helping out occasionally on a family rota or as part of their Executive Committee to stepping up as a leader, their volunteering activities are as varied as you. 

The good news is you shape what you do and the time you have to give. Scouts happens when a lot of us give a little …and no, you don’t have to be a Scout or outdoors expert to volunteer. 

Most of their volunteers work directly with young people aged 6-18 through their Beaver, Cub and Explorer groups – helping young people gain skills for life through fun activities. 

District Commissioner, Rob Whitelaw, said, “This isn’t a job application, and you certainly don’t have to be an adventurer like Bear Grylls to get involved with Scouting and in fact not many of our volunteers are! 

“Do you have first aid knowledge? Are you good with numbers? Handy in the kitchen? Or are you a DIY whizz? We all have useful skills, and you can volunteer and help in many ways. Are you ready to inspire a generation of young people to experience fun, friendship and real adventure?

“The opportunities to volunteer with us are flexible. Think of something you’d like to do, and chances are it’s just what we require. Whatever your skills, experience and interests, we can find a role for you!” 

Contact/sign up:

Sign up for the online information evening on Tuesday 29th November at 7.30pm here:

 https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edinburgh-north-east-scouts-information-event-tickets-445103174577

Ferryhill kids clothing appeal

FERRYHILL School are looking for any children’s clothes you may have that you would happily donate to school. Particularly socks/tights or trousers/joggers.

We are encouraging all our pupils to be outside for breaks and lunches but are finding that if children are wet from the rain, we have run out of clothes for them to change in to.

Please hand any donations to the school office.

Coming up at Ferryhill:

Ferryhill Christmas fair is different this year:

Adult raffle tickets will now be sold every morning Between 8:30am to 9.00am look out for a parent council member in the playground (with the quality street tin) starts Monday the 21st November until Friday, 2nd of December.

Prizes Include: various bottles of alcohol, Family Day tickets, Child care vouchers, list goes on … watch Facebook page for more updates

Join the National Discussion on education

Public to have their say at live events online

Children, young people, parents, carers and teachers are being encouraged to take part in the National Discussion on Scottish education through a series of upcoming online public events.

The first session will take place on Tuesday 22 November, with further opportunities on Wednesday 23 November and Thursday 1 December.

Anyone who has an interest in Scottish education is being invited to register to take part.

Those who register will be able to speak directly to internationally renowned education experts Professor Alma Harris and Professor Carol Campbell, who are acting as independent facilitators for the National Discussion

Prof Harris said: “We have had a fantastic response to the National Discussion so far, with engagement across a range of sectors, including from children and young people, teachers and parents.

“We are determined to be as inclusive as possible and would encourage everyone with an interest in the future of Scottish education to take part in these online public events.”

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The vision that is created following the National Discussion will set out what education in Scotland needs to look like not only in the near future, but 20 years from now.

“These online sessions are a great opportunity to get involved in the Discussion and to make your views heard.”

Around 3,500 responses have been received since the Discussion was launched on 21 September.

The feedback will play a vital part in shaping the future of education. This will include the reform programme that will see the creation of three new education bodies and a review of qualifications and assessment.

The National Discussion – Let’s Talk Scottish Education – which is being co-convened by COSLA, will run until 5 December.

Join the National Discussion at the Let’s Talk Scottish Education online sessions registration page

Listen Up: It’s Anti-Bullying Week!

Anti-bullying week is an annual event in Scotland and across the UK that aims to raise awareness of bullying of children and young people and highlights ways of preventing and responding to it.

The week is co-ordinated by respectme in Scotland and this year’s theme is: ‘Listen Up! (Respect our Rights)’.

Childline data

  • From April 2021 to March 2022, Childline delivered 374 counselling sessions to children and young people in Scotland about bullying.
  • 331 of these counselling sessions were about bullying in-person, a 39% increase compared to the year before when there was the national covid lockdown.
  • 43 counselling sessions were about online bullying.
  • Across the UK, the top three concerns where a child spoke to Childline about in-person bullying included: insults, taunts, name calling; bullying about difference and violence.
  • For counselling sessions on online bullying the top three concerns included: nasty comments, threats, and intimidation.

One 17-year-old girl from Scotland said: “I am being bullied by a girl in my class. She always says nasty things to me, such as calling me names, swearing at me, and telling me I should die. She also pushes me at school.

“Some of my teachers know about it and they are supportive with how I feel, but no-one ever talks to her about what she is doing and how she is treating me. That is what I want to happen. I experience panic attacks and have anxiety, which have been getting worse since the bullying.”

Shaun Friel, Childline Director said: “Bullying continues to remain a top issue that children turn to Childline about on a daily basis.

“Ever since we moved out of the national lockdown and children returned to school, we have continued to see a rise in the number of contacts to Childline about in-person bullying.

“Those who have called the service about this have spoken to our trained counsellors about experiencing name calling, being excluded and physical violence.

“Whilst many others have turned to the service about being bullied online. Some of those who have contacted our counsellors about this have said that they’ve been threatened online, had rumours spread about them on social media platforms and others have had been made fun of on online chatrooms.

“Regardless of how or where a child is bullied, we know it can have a detrimental impact if they don’t get the support they need. These children often sad, overwhelmed and lonely.

“This Anti Bullying Week at Childline, we want to remind all children and young people that if they are being bullied that this is not their fault and they can always reach out to Childline for immediate support.

“Our counsellors are here to help and can be contacted confidentially, day or night, online or on the phone.”

Advice for children

  1. Share how you are feeling with other young people. Childline’s online message board is a non-judgemental space where you can speak to other children who are in a similar situation to you about your experiences and feelings. This can help you feel less alone and will give you an online support network that you can turn to.
  2. Talk to an adult you trust about the bullying you are experiencing so you feel less alone and so that adult can support you. This could be a parent, teacher or you can speak to a Childline counsellor on 0800 1111 or online at childline.org.uk
  3. Take a break from your device if you are being bullied online and do something you enjoy such as sport, listening to music or art.
  4. Remember the bullying is not your fault.
  5. Report and block someone if they are sending you messages online that upset you.

For Adults:

Signs to spot that your child may be being bullied online:

  • Not wanting to go to school or take part in normal activities.
  • Getting anxious or angry if you go near their device. Feeling withdrawn, upset or angry at home.
  • Problems sleeping or eating.
  • Having angry outbursts that seem out of character.
  • Spending more or less time online than normal.

Signs to spot that your child may be being bullied in-person

  • Belongings are getting lost or damaged.
  • Physical injuries such as unexplained bruises.
  • Being afraid to go to school.
  • Not doing as well at school.
  • Being nervous, losing confidence, or becoming distressed and withdrawn.
  • Problems with eating or sleeping.
  • Bullying others.

What to do if you think your child is being bullied

  1. Talk to your child and remind them to come to you with anything that might be making them feel anxious or sad.  If your child speaks to you about an experience of bullying that they’ve had online or in person, try to remain calm and don’t overwhelm them with questions and reassure them that it will be ok, and that you’re always there for them.
  2. Show them how to report or block a message that they’ve received from someone online that upsets or worries them.
  3. Don’t take their device away if they’ve had a negative experience online. Although you may want to do this if they are upset, this may make them feel like whatever has happened is their fault.  Instead, suggest they take some time away from the app they received the messages on and do another online activity they enjoy like playing a game. 
  4. Know where you can get further support. Adults can call the NSPCC helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. There is also further advice on the NSPCC website.

Responding to news of a 400% increase in reported bullying at Edinburgh schools, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “While it is great that young people are now confident enough to report bullying, it is also worrying to see a truer picture of the levels of bullying in our schools revealed.

“Bullying has been a major concern in many schools, and not enough is being done to tackle it.

“The fact that this new reporting system has highlighted 537 racist incidents is shocking, but not surprising. We were all aware that racism was an issue in schools and while it is good that this is now being reported and the data is finally being collected, it is incumbent upon schools to ensure that racist and other discriminatory bullying is rooted out.

“It is saddening to see young people targeted by such behaviour which often continues to affect people well into later life. Nobody should be made to feel belittled or discriminated against in our society, let alone at such a young age.

“I want the Learning Directorate to take action immediately and offer schools the support they need to tackle these issues as well as to help parents take more responsibility of how their children behave.

“The mental wellbeing of children and young people is key to their educational progress and everyone should feel safe in our schools.”

Teapot Trust secures a show garden at prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show 

Teapot Trust garden explores the transformative power of art therapy for children with chronic illnesses

A Scottish based charity is celebrating after securing a garden at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Teapot Trust is a charity at the forefront of transformative mental health support that provides art therapy to children, young people and their families living with chronic conditions. The show garden marks a rare Chelsea appearance for Scottish charities and designers and is made possible by a grant from Project Giving Back who provide funding for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Following the event next May, Teapot Trust’s Elsewhere Garden will be permanently relocated to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

One in four children and young people in the UK live with the pain and stigma of chronic health conditions that cause anxiety and depression. Almost a third of those aged under 21 who take their own lives have a long-term chronic illness.

The charity’s art therapy gives children and young people a release from the burdens of chronic illness allowing them to take some control, to express and process their feelings about their diagnosis, their treatment regime, and the impact of their condition on daily life.

Sarah Randell, Chief Executive of Teapot Trust said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have a show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show next year.

“The opportunities this will give Teapot Trust are hugely significant. It’s a platform from which we’ll share the impact of our work and draw more children and families in need to us so they can access our art therapy without barriers or cost.

“Semple Begg has done a fabulous job creating the Elsewhere Garden which perfectly illustrates the release that art therapy gives children, taking their minds to a place of escape.”

Ruth Girvan, Chair of Trustees of Teapot Trust said: “My daughter suffers daily physical and mental pain from an invisible chronic condition. The support we had from Teapot Trust to access art therapy helped Neve find ways to understand her condition, her treatment and has enabled her to navigate a world where she faces barriers and stigma often on a daily basis. 

“Winning a show garden at RHS Chelsea gives Teapot Trust the opportunity to spread awareness, giving more children and young people like Neve access to transformative art therapy. I can’t wait to experience Teapot Trust’s Elsewhere Garden and see how Neve’s experiences have been creatively imagined.”

Susan Begg of Semple Begg said: “Teapot Trust Elsewhere Garden represents a child’s imagination as it blossoms in response to the freedom gifted by art therapy.

“Through this escape into art, children find coping strategies to deal with life.”

Nicola Semple of Semple Begg added: “For inspiration we looked to Willy Wonka’s factory, to Oz and Wonderland. Where colour is vivid and exuberant, shape and form are exaggerated. And, where the inner world of a child’s anxiety is expressed as an outer wonderland.”

An illustration of the garden created by children’s illustrator, Sandra Dieckmann can be downloaded here. 

Following Chelsea, the garden will be relocated to a permanent home at Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow which serves areas of social need, where chronic illness in children is 2.5 times more prevalent. An inclusive safe space to help overcome barriers to accessing healthcare, it will be used for outdoor art therapy and all patients and visitors will be welcome.

Commenting on the relocation Prof Tom Steele, Director of Estates and Facilities for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “We are delighted to be receiving this unique garden space which I am sure will have an instant benefit for our patients, families and staff.

“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde manages a diverse portfolio of land across central Scotland that has the potential to improve the wellbeing of surrounding communities by enhancing the environment and creating green spaces which improve mental and physical health. Increasing evidence links access and use of green space to a multitude of healthcare benefits.

“Recognising the health and social benefits of high-quality green space leads to better outcomes, not only for patients, but for staff and the wider community and is a priority for NHSGGC. Our experience throughout the pandemic has shown us that access to high quality external space is essential for wellbeing.”