Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common virus that causes cold and flu symptoms in babies and children – and moderate levels have been detected in Scotland.
Most children will make a full recovery in 2 – 3 weeks if infected.
Even if the weather outside is telling us that winter is coming, we don’t want to forget how much fun we had last summer during those wonderful sunny days!
That’s why we are celebrating the time spent together with this fantastic newsletter.
Edinburgh School Uniform Bank has successfully secured £15,000 thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme.
Edinburgh School Uniform Bank, which distributes school uniform to families in Edinburgh who are facing financial hardship, was awarded the funding after being shortlisted by the convenience retailer as one of three good causes and charities in the East of Scotland to receive financial support from an £25,000 pot.
Other recipients of funding in the East include Canine Concern Scotland Trust, which provides therapy dogs for patients in hospital after a stroke or suffering traumatic brain injuries, and Scottish Huntington’s Association (see below).
Julia Grindley, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Edinburgh School Uniform Bank (above) said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a £15,000 Scotmid Community Connect Award.
“This award will allow us to provide school uniform and warm jackets to over 600 local children. This funding will make a huge difference to their confidence and their sense of belonging, as well as keeping them cosy through the winter.”
Since Scotmid’s Community Connect launched in 2017, more than £460,000 has been awarded to 42 good cause groups, enabling key projects to come to life in local areas.
Shirley MacGillivray, Head of Communities and Membership at Scotmid, said: “Community Connect is one of the main ways we can support those communities that we serve and we are delighted to provide Edinburgh School Uniform Bank with this funding, which will help them to continue providing vital services.
“Times remain challenging for many people; being able to help improve the lives of others across the country is one of the very reasons we exist.”
Scottish Huntington’s Association has successfully secured £5,000 thanks to Scotmid Co-operative’s Community Connect award scheme.
The Association, which provides 1-1 advice, peer group work sessions, youth mental health services for children with a parent living with Huntington’s Disease and have a 50% chance themselves of inheriting the condition, was awarded the funding after being shortlisted by the convenience retailer as one of three causes and charities in the East of Scotland to receive financial support from an £25,000 pot.
Gemma Powell, Senior Fundraiser from Scottish Huntington’s Association said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a £5,000 Scotmid Community Connect Award towards Scottish Huntington’s Association Youth Service.
“This funding will help us bring back our annual youth camp which is attended by young people growing up in families impacted by Huntington’s disease across Scotland.
“This camp offers young people the chance to make and catch up with friends, share experiences, learn more about Huntington’s disease and, for many, enjoy a break from caring responsibilities. We’re so grateful to Scotmid and their members.”
Mel Hughes, CEO of Canine Concern Scotland Trust said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive a £5,000 Scotmid Community Connect Award.
“This award will allow us to develop our Therapet® Visiting Service in the NHS Lothian area, starting with the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.
“This funding will make a huge difference to patients recovering from a stroke or neurological condition, who will benefit from a Therapet® visit which will aid their physical, mental and emotional recovery.”
Since Scotmid’s Community Connect launched in 2017, more than £460,000 has been awarded to 42 good cause groups, enabling key projects to come to life in local areas.
Families of more than 79,000 children are saving almost £5,000 per child annually, thanks to the Scottish Government’s expanded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) offer.
Since August, all three and four-year-olds and two-year-olds who need it most have been eligible for 1,140 hours of funded ELC.
Latest figures from the Improvement Service show that 90,890 children were accessing free ELC at the end of August 2021.
Of those, 97% (88,122) of children were accessing more than 600 hours and 87% (79,262) were accessing the full 1,140 hours offer.
All eligible families who applied were offered 1,140 hours.
Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said: “This week marks Challenge Poverty Week, and we know that childcare costs can place a real burden on families, so it is encouraging to see that thousands of families across the country are benefiting from our transformational expanded ELC offer.
“As well as saving families a significant amount of money, the 1,140 offer supports parents’ ability to work, train or study. We also know that high-quality Early Learning and Childcare helps to give children the best start in life, enriching their early years and giving them the confidence and skills they need to prepare them for school.”
COSLA Children and Young People’s Spokesperson Cllr Stephen McCabe said: “I warmly welcome the confirmation today that so many families are accessing the additional funded Early Learning and Childcare hours, which bring so many benefits to children, their parents and carers.
“The delivery of the expansion against the very challenging backdrop of the pandemic is a real testament to the hard work of councils and their partners.”
The Scottish Government has provided local authorities with £476 million over the last four years to refurbish, re-purpose and extend hundreds of existing nursery settings, as well as providing over 150 new facilities across Scotland.
Brand new Christmas themed lighting trail to dazzle Perth: 2 – 23 December
This year, for the first time ever, Perth Riverside will play host to Christmas Wonderland, a brand new Christmas-themed lighting trail, providing outdoor festive fun for the whole family.
Designed and produced by the team at 21CC Group, the glittering lighting trail set across Norie Miller Walk and Rodney Gardens, is a first-of-its-kind event that will light up the faces of kids big and small, surrounding them and the whole family in Christmas cheer. Festive fun for the whole family, not only will you take in some of the most spectacular seasonal sights, but you can also experience first-hand the magic of Perth.
From 2nd to 23rd December, guests are invited to experience this magical lighting trail as they wander on foot through a one-way, 1km winding pathway overlooking the picturesque Perth Riverside.
This is Norie Miller Walk and Rodney Gardens as never seen before! Fantastic lighting, festive effects and a sparkling atmosphere all transforming the parks into a wonderful Christmas evening out.
You will find singing trees, hear sleigh bells ringing amongst the snowflakes and many surprises, with candy canes and other delicious delights, all provided by local food vendors who have been invited along just for this special occasion.
It is Christmas Eve every night at Perth Christmas Wonderland!
Christmas Wonderland at Perth Riverside – we ho-ho-hope to see you soon!
Tickets start from £13 for adults and £8 for children under 16. Children under 3 can also attend for free. Family ticket bundles which allow access for 2 adults and 2 children and are available from £36.
On 18th December and thereafter, adult tickets are £14, child tickets are £9 and family tickets are £40.
The walk will take approximately one-hour and tickets will have allocated time slots for guests to arrive in. First entry is at 4pm and last entry is at 8:15pm. No re-entry once leaving the trail.Tickets must be booked online in advance.
Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group says: “We are incredibly excited to bring the first ever Christmas Wonderland to Perth this year. Following almost two years of uncertainty caused by the pandemic, we are excited to be bringing a COVID safe and festive experience to the citizens of Perth.
“The lighting trail really showcases Perth in all its beauty and with plenty of surprises, hiding elves and delicious treats to look forward to, we are sure that the Christmas Wonderland will get the entire family feeling festive in no time!”