Granton Library will be recommencing Bookbug sessions on Fridays 11am-11:30 from the 22nd April and fortnightly at 11am-11.30 from Tuesday 19th April.
Please get in touch either by Facebook message or via telephone (0131) 529 5630 to secure your spot.
DRYLAW PARISH CHURCH – Tuesday 19 April 1.30 – 3.30pm
Thinking of getting your child vaccinated over the school break? At your child’s vaccination appointment, you will have the opportunity to speak to the vaccinator and ask questions before giving final consent.
Please see an overview of the locations available to get your child vaccinated here:
TOUGH new internet laws to protect young people, uphold free speech and make sure there are no safe spaces for criminals online return to Parliament for their second reading this week.
MPs will debate the government’s groundbreaking Online Safety Bill which requires social media platforms, search engines and other apps and websites allowing people to post content to improve the way they protect their users.
Ofcom, the regulator, will have the power to fine companies failing to comply with the laws up to ten per cent of their annual global turnover, force them to improve their practices and block non-compliant sites. Crucially, the laws have strong measures to safeguard children from harmful content such as pornography and child sexual abuse.
Ahead of Tuesday’s debate, the government is launching the next phase of its Online Media Literacy Strategy. It aims to help vulnerable and ‘hard-to-reach’ people, such as those who are digitally excluded or from lower socio-economic backgrounds, navigate the internet safely and teach them to spot falsities online.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) will spend £2.5 million to advance the plan through the next year including on training, research and providing expert advice.
This includes a new Media Literacy Taskforce featuring experts from a range of disciplines and a boost to the Media Literacy Fund, which gives teachers and local service providers the skills they need to teach people to improve their critical thinking of what they see online.
Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “The time has come to properly protect people online and this week MPs will debate the most important legislation in the internet age.
“Our groundbreaking Online Safety Bill will make the UK the safest place to surf the web. It has been significantly strengthened following a lengthy period of engagement with people in politics, wider society and industry.
“We want to arm everyone with the skills to navigate the internet safely, so today we’re also announcing a funding boost and plans for experts to join forces with the government to help people spot dodgy information online.
Thinking critically online has never been more important. There was a rise in misinformation and disinformation on social media and other online platforms during the global pandemic and the Kremlin continues to use disinformation to target UK and international audiences to justify its actions in Ukraine.
Ofcom research shows adults are often overconfident in their ability to detect disinformation and only 32 per cent of children aged 12 to 17 know how to use online flagging or reporting functions.
Forty per cent of adult internet users do not have the skills to assess online content critically and children up to the age of 15 are particularly vulnerable.
A new Media Literacy Taskforce with 18 experts from a range of relevant organisations, including Meta, TikTok, Google, Twitter, Ofcom and the Telegraph as well as universities and charities, will work with the government as part of its strategy to tackle disinformation and help hard-to-reach and vulnerable groups in society think about what they see on the web, including improving their ability to protect their data and privacy.
The taskforce will look at new ways to identify and reach people most in need of education. This could include working through local authorities or coordinating support offered by local services to roll out training.
The Media Literacy Fund will expand a pilot ‘Train the Trainer’ programme which ran last year to give teachers, library workers and youth workers more skills to help boost people’s critical thinking skills.
New research will be commissioned to understand the root causes of poor media literacy and on the effectiveness of different methods which aim to build people’s resilience to misinformation and disinformation.
The fund will have a broader scope including a focus on improving media literacy provision for people who are particularly vulnerable online – such as children or people suffering with mental health issues.
Since it launched in July 2021, the Online Media Literacy Strategy has provided £256,000 in grant funding to five organisations to adapt media literacy resources for teachers working with disabled children, run a successful awareness campaign to promote Safer Internet Day and empower LGBTQ+ young people with tools to deal with online abuse.
Nick Poole, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) said: “Media literacy is the key to helping people lead healthier, happier and safer lives online, particularly the most vulnerable and hardest-to-reach in our society.
“As a member of the DCMS Media Literacy Taskforce, I welcome the breadth and ambition of this new Action Plan, which demonstrates the government’s commitment to this important agenda. As librarians and information professionals, we look forward to playing our part in bringing it to fruition.”
Will Gardner OBE, CEO of Childnet International and a Director of the UK Safer Internet Centre said: “Media literacy is a core part of Childnet’s work with children, young people, parents and carers, and we fully support the Media Literacy focus and work of the DCMS. This work has never been as important as it is now.
“There is a great deal of work being done in this space in the UK. The government is playing an important role in helping to identify where there are gaps and where focus or learning is needed, and then supporting responses to that.
“As part of the UK Safer Internet Centre, in February 2022 we worked closely with the DCMS in helping to promote the Safer Internet Day campaign to LGBTQ+ young people. We fully support the continued focus of the Action Plan, including ensuring that ‘hard-to-reach’ groups are supported as well as those who are particularly vulnerable online.”
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has recently detected higher than usual rates of liver inflammation (hepatitis) in children. Similar cases are being assessed in Scotland.
Public health doctors and scientists at the UK’s public health agencies are continuing to investigate 74 cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) in children since January 2022, where the usual viruses that cause infectious hepatitis (hepatitis A to E) have not been detected.
Of the confirmed cases, 49 are in England, 13 are in Scotland and the remainder are in Wales and Northern Ireland.
One of a number of potential causes under investigation is that a group of viruses called adenoviruses may be causing the illnesses. However, other possible causes are also being actively investigated, including coronavirus (COVID-19), other infections or environmental causes.
There is no link to the COVID-19 vaccine. None of the currently confirmed cases in the UK has been vaccinated.
Adenoviruses are a family of common viruses that usually cause a range of mild illnesses and most people recover without complications. They can cause a range of symptoms, including colds, vomiting and diarrhoea. While they don’t typically cause hepatitis, it is a known rare complication of the virus.
Adenoviruses are commonly passed from person to person and by touching contaminated surfaces, as well as through the respiratory route.
The most effective way to minimise the spread of adenoviruses is to practice good hand and respiratory hygiene and supervise thorough handwashing in younger children.
Dr Meera Chand, Director of Clinical and Emerging Infections at UKHSA, said: “We are working swiftly with the NHS and public health colleagues in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to investigate a wide range of possible factors which may be causing children to be admitted to hospital with liver inflammation known as hepatitis.
“One of the possible causes that we are investigating is that this is linked to adenovirus infection. However, we are thoroughly investigating other potential causes.
“Normal hygiene measures such as good handwashing – including supervising children – and respiratory hygiene, help to reduce the spread of many of the infections that we are investigating.
“We are also calling on parents and guardians, to be alert to the signs of hepatitis – including jaundice – and to contact a healthcare professional if they are concerned.”
UKHSA, working with partners, will continue to make the public aware of findings throughout the course of the investigation.
Hepatitis symptoms include:
Thousands of children from deprived areas will benefit from free outdoor play activities aimed at improving their health and wellbeing.
Last year, more than 5,500 youngsters took part in organised sessions through the Outdoor Community Play Fund. This year, funding has increased to £550,000 so more children, young people and their families can benefit.
The fund will also support four pilot projects providing outdoor play opportunities for children with additional support needs.
Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said: “All children have a right to play and there is strong evidence that playing outside can benefit children and young people’s health and wellbeing.
“We know that families from more deprived areas and those with children with additional support needs can sometimes find it difficult to access play opportunities. By increasing our investment in the Outdoor Community Play Fund in 2022-23, we will help more children to access quality outdoor play in their communities, to be active, meet friends and have fun.”
Celia Tennant, CEO of Inspiring Scotland, who administer the fund, said: “We believe it is essential for children and families to have continued opportunities to play outdoors – supporting their physical and mental health and wellbeing.
“As fund managers, we will use the expertise we’ve gained from over a decade of work in this area to help provide more and better opportunities for Scotland’s children and their families to play, learn and thrive.”
Investment in the Outdoor Community Play Fund has increased by £50,000 to £550,000. This funding will enable Inspiring Scotland to support up to 39 charities to provide outdoor play opportunities.
Resources are also available on the Parent Club website to support outdoor play for all families.
COSLA has ‘proudly published’ their annual report on local government’s work to #KeepThePromise.
Read all about it – below!
Charity Meningitis Now is inviting families from across Scotland with an experience of meningitis to join in the fun at its free Family Day at The Falkirk Wheel.
The day includes a 360-degree trip on the world’s only rotating boat lift, rising 35 metres to link the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal, and offering spectacular views across the Heart of Scotland.
As well as the opportunity to explore the centre’s activities those coming along can also join a private boat trip and take part in other family fun entertainment throughout the day. There will also be an opportunity to find out more about the support available from Meningitis Now for those fighting back from the disease.
The Falkirk Wheel Visitors Centre is fully accessible and any dietary needs will be catered for. Refreshments and lunch are provided.
The Family Day takes place on Saturday 7 May and families from across Scotland are invited.
Registration for the all-day event, aimed at children and young people up to age 18 who have been affected by meningitis and their family, is now open on the charity’s website at www.MeningitisNow.org.
Alison Yelland, Meningitis Now’s Community Support Officer in Scotland, said: “Our Family Days are a great way for those affected by this devastating disease to join together, share their experiences and most importantly, have fun.
“Whether a child in your family has had meningitis or you as a parent or carer have been affected, we would like to invite you to join us and other families to relax and talk with people who understand what the impact of this disease is like.”
Meningitis Now’s free Family Days, supported by Children in Need, are held in different locations up and down the UK to allow as many families as possible to attend.
They are designed to provide parents, guardians or grandparents with the opportunity to meet other local families who have been affected by meningitis and find out more about the support available to them through Meningitis Now.
Those attending can join in the activities with the children or spend time chatting informally with other parents and Meningitis Now staff.
“We know that the impact of meningitis reaches much further than the individual concerned,” Alison added. “It can have a huge effect on all those closest to them, especially family and friends.
“Meningitis changes lives and futures, which is why bringing together families with similar experiences of the disease is so important.
“Having a fun day with your family may seem a small thing, but when your family has lived through the trauma of meningitis together, it means so much.”
Places on the Family Day are limited and registration will be operated on a first come first served basis. Meningitis Now will operate a waiting list if the event is oversubscribed.
To find out more about the day and register visit the website.
Meningitis Now is working towards a future where no one in the UK loses their life to meningitis and everyone affected gets the support they need.
It does this by funding research into vaccines and prevention, raising awareness so people know what to look for and what action to take if they suspect meningitis and rebuilding futures by providing dedicated support to people living with the impact of the disease.
Visit the website at www.MeningitisNow.org to find out more and learn the signs and symptoms.
Visit Collective this Easter break to experience a range of creative workshops suitable for children of all ages – from workshops celebrating rainwater in partnership with Edinburgh Science Festival, to drop-in creative sessions exploring our PLAY programme, and a final weekend of activities inspired by our current exhibition H-E-L-L-O by artist Cauleen Smith.
Edinburgh Science Festival: Rain Harvest
9–10 April
11am—12.30pm & 2—3.30pm
£5 | Book in advance
Join in with the 2022 Edinburgh Science Festival and explore the beauty and vitality of rainwater in this hands-on, sensory workshop that blends art, science and play.
Collective PLAY: Drop-in Sessions
11–22 April
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am—4pm
Free | No booking needed
Throughout the Easter holidays, families are warmly invited to drop in to Collective and join us at our Play Shelter and Hillside spaces to take part in a range of art activities related to our year-round Collective Play programme.
Collective PLAY Weekend: Vibrations
23–24 April, 11am—4pm
Free | No booking needed
Join us for a final Easter holiday weekend of free outdoor play and creative activities for children and families, inspired by our current exhibition H-E-L-L-O by Cauleen Smith.
A limited number of quiet slots are available on 23 April for families and children with autism or sensory learning disabilities.
Public Heath Scotland (PHS) is investigating the cause of a small number of cases of hepatitis (liver inflammation) in young children across the central belt of Scotland.
We are aware of 11 cases of hepatitis requiring admission to hospital that have been identified in children aged between 1 and 5 years old in four NHS Health Board areas in Scotland (Lanarkshire, Tayside, GGC and Fife). Most cases have presented from March. The hepatitis viruses commonly associated with this condition have been excluded.
Each year around 7 or 8 cases of non A to E hepatitis (without other underlying diagnoses) are detected in children in Scotland. The number of cases in such a short period of time, combined with the geographical spread and severity of illness, in some cases, is unusual and requires further investigation.
As yet, there is no clear connection between the cases.
At present, there is no clear cause. All potential causes are being explored but infection is considered to be a more probable source this time.
Investigations are still in the early stages and work is ongoing with partners and other agencies across the UK to investigate these cases.
Dr Nicholas Phin, Director of Public Health for Public Health Scotland said: “If you have a child who is showing signs of jaundice, where the skin has a yellow tinge and is most easily seen in the whites of the eyes, then parents should contact their GP or other Health Care professional.
“We are continuing to investigate these cases and will provide further updates as and when they are available.”
