Tag: Children and Families
‘Help me to help Nepal’
MY Adventure director’s anxious wait for news of Nepali friends
Hello everyone,
As some of you may know, until recently I have been living with an amazing community in Nepal (writes James Howell). This community has just suffered the most horrific natural disaster they have ever experienced. Last week’s earthquake has claimed over 7000 lives in Nepal: I do not know how many of my friends are among that number. I have had seen three photographs of the village I lived in and it is barely recognisable.
You may not be able to help everyone effected, but you can help me help people I know.
I spent two years living in a ridge top village named Ghyampesal which lies in the Gorkha district in the foothills of the Himalaya, the epicentre of the earthquake. Our first aid truck bound for Ghyampesal left Kathmandu on Sunday (2 May) – and I can personally guarantee it will reach those it is intended for.
We intend to send as many trucks as we can but that is only possible with your help. If you cannot give any money don’t worry, pass this message onto someone who can. Please go to this website for the details. Every penny helps.
Thank you everyone for reading this: I attach a photo of my friend Didi (sister) (above) and Thakur’s family (top). We don’t know if they are OK but with your help we maybe able to find out.
Many thanks,
James
James Howell, Director MY Adventure
M: 07716 888 788 T: 0131 332 7132
Myadventure.org.uk
Children the focus of Road Safety Week
Scottish Road Safety Week 4 – 10 May
Scottish Road Safety Week runs from 4 to 10 May, with a particular focus on keeping children safe on Scotland’s roads.
Along with regional and local events, Scottish Road Safety Week will also provide practical advice for parents, carers and schools on keeping children safer. In particular, the week will cover child pedestrians, cyclists, and safety in the back of the car.
Go to www.dontriskit.info for more information
Teach your children about Road Safety
There’s nothing more important than your children being safe and road safety is everyone’s responsibility. That’s why the Scottish Government and its partners across Scotland including local authorities, the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, Police Scotland and many other organisations are all pulling together for the Scottish Road Safety Week (SRSW).
The SRSW runs from 4 – 10 May, aiming to raise awareness of road safety across the country but it will specifically focus on keeping children safe, while they are walking, cycling or in the car.
The number of people killed and injured on Scotland’s roads has fallen significantly in recent years. However, sadly latest figures show there were 1,062 child casualties reported. Of those 143 were seriously injured and nine died. That is nine too many.
On this website you’ll find top tips on how your children can stay safe on the roads. And if you teach them about road safety now, it will stay with them for the rest of their life.
Start making your children safer.
Gruffalo enjoys a Big Lunch in Stockbridge!
Edinburgh City Libraries and The Big Lunch organised a special Gruffalo-themed storytime event for parents and children in Stockbridge Library yesterday. The event was launched by Councillor Richard Lewis, City of Edinburgh’s Convener for Culture and Sport.
Toddlers were treated to a Gruffalo themed Big Lunch and Bookbug session. Bookbug sessions are regular free events for babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their families to enjoy together and meet others in the local area. The children joined in with a reading of the popular story and then enjoyed some songs, rhymes and party treats.
The Big Lunch – the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours – is funded by The Big Lottery Fund and partnered by Halifax and ASDA. Now in its seventh year, the simple idea from the Eden Project aims to provide neighbours with an opportunity to get to know one another better. The Big Lunch takes place on the first Sunday in June each year – this year it’s 7 June.
The Gruffalo is The Big Lunch’s animated ambassador this year and The Big Lunch in Scotland has partnered with the Scottish Book Trust and Bookbug to help encourage more Scottish communities to take part.
Councillor Richard Lewis said: “We wanted to tie in with The Big Lunch this year as there is a shared community ethos between the campaign and the work we do in our libraries. Libraries are a community hub and an important local resource. We know that Bookbug sessions are popular with young families acoss the city. This is especially important as being a new parent can be an isolating time and having additional support within the community can really help.”
“Initiatives like The Big Lunch are encouraging people to break the ice with their neighbours in a fun and easy way. We’ve loved supporting the campaign and hope to hear of lots of lunching going on in Edinburgh this June on Big Lunch day!”
Edinburgh neighbours are being encouraged to host Big Lunch events to help build community spirit and connect with those they live beside.
Anyone who is interested in getting involved can get started by requesting a free Big Lunch pack from www.thebiglunch.com. Packs contain invitations and posters to adapt for your community, Gruffalo stickers as well as seeds, recipes and activity ideas.
All pack materials are undated so communities can have a Big Lunch when best suits them if they can’t join in on Sunday 7 June. For more information, please contact Emma at The Big Lunch in Scotland on emma.smith@thebiglunch.com or 0141 559 5066.
Mums know best – two awards for A-Star Sports!
A-Star Sports doubles up in MITK Awards
Over the last two months, local network Mums in the Know has been hosting its awards across the UK. After receiving over 3,000 nominations and 15,000 votes, the network of readers has decided on its favourite local activities for children – and A-Star Sports has won two awards: Best After School Activity Class and Best Class for 2 – 4 Year Olds.
Local organisation TRIM won the MITK Local Star category and Dads Rock was also commended.
The awards have highlighted the talents of Brian Droudge, owner of two A-Star Sports franchises, through a number of parents’ nominations showcased via the Mums in the Know website, which included being a finalist in a third category – MITK Local Star.
Brian said: “It’s so rewarding to have our coaching highlighted in such a positive way and means a great deal that people have taken the time to vote and given such amazing feedback, too. All of us in the Edinburgh team are passionate about what we do and we take a lot of pride in making physical activity and sport as fun, accessible and enjoyable as it can be.”
Having left school at 16, Brian spent the next 15 years working for large life assurance companies. He also played semi-professional football from the age of 18, as well as managed and coached at various clubs. He has now been coaching physical activity and sports to primary aged children for over ten years and has a great pride in seeing their skills and love of sports grow and develop. He explains: “For me, influencing children’s development on a weekly basis gives me a great buzz, job satisfaction and a very positive feeling about the work I do.”
Brian runs A-Star Sports in Edinburgh South & East, Midlothian and East Lothian as well as Edinburgh North, West and surrounding areas, and employs assistant coaches as part of his multi-sports specialist team.
Following the recent merger of A-Star Sports with leading children’s physical activity provider Sports Xtra, Brian and his team will shortly be introducing an additional range of local activities and ‘Xperiences’ for primary aged children.
Award-winning businesses receive a free article in the winners’ section of the MITK website, social media mentions, window stickers, logo and additional advertising offers.
Over 3000 nominations were received and 15,000 votes cast in this year’s Mums in the Know North Edinburgh Awards. The winners were:
Best Soft Play: Clambers at Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh
with a special mention to Tumbles, Edinburgh Leisure and Tiki Tots who were also nominated.
Best Class for 0 -2 Year Olds: Monkey Music, Comely Bank Murrayfield and Corstorphine
And a special mention to Music with Jackie and Tinies with Daisy Foundation Edinburgh East who were also nominated.
Best Class for 2 – 4 Year Olds: A-Star Sports Edinburgh North, West and Surrounding Areas
And a special mention to Shuffle Dance Edinburgh and Sparkle Arts who were also nominated.
Best After School Activity Class: A-Star Sports Edinburgh North, West and Surrounding Areas
And a special mention to best Step It Up Dance and Zoo Arts Extra who were also nominated.
Best Place to Eat for Families: Pizza Express Stockbridge
And a special mention to Tony Macaroni, Omni Centre and Vittoria Group who were also nominated.
MITK Local Star: Tenants and Residents in Muirhouse (TRIM) ‘this group really go the extra mile to help the residents and local community’.
And a special mention to Brian Droudge, A-Star Sports Edinburgh North, West and Surrounding Areas and to Dads Rock who were also nominated.
Congratulations to you all!
CHILDREN 1ST the real winners in Dragons’ Glen finale
‘Can Do’ attitude produces results for children’s charity
The winner of the CHILDREN 1ST corporate charity challenge Dragons’ Glen will be announced on Wednesday (29 April) during a special ceremony at Edinburgh Castle to be attended by Roseanna Cunningham MSP.
Now in its third year, Dragons’ Glen has seen ten teams from all over Scotland use their business skills to launch products and turn an initial investment of £500 into £5000 plus. All profits then go to CHILDREN 1ST, Scotland’s leading children’s charity.
During the challenge, the teams were mentored by leading Scottish business experts including Jo Bucci (Managing Director, People’s Postcode Lottery); Carolyn Jameson, Director, General Counsel for Skyscanner and Ken Lewandowski, formerly Local Chairman of Clydesdale Bank Financial Solutions Centres.
Teams and projects in the Edinburgh section up for this year’s award include:
- BCF Technology Team B, who focused on fashion, selling designer T-shirts which used ethically-sourced materials.
- Larbert High School’s main project was science experiment kits, complete with lesson plans, for primary schools to bring science to life for younger children.
Rosanna Cunningham, Cabinet Secretary for Fair Work, Skills and Training, said: “Dragons’ Glen is a valuable exercise that has helped those involved learn some fantastic skills, aiding their careers for a long time to come. This is very much in line with our ‘Scotland CAN DO’ approach and I can’t wait to see what ideas they have come up with.”
Alison Todd, Chief Executive of CHILDREN 1ST, said: “From board games to hand warmers the teams have really used their imagination and come up with some great ideas and products. Dragons’ Glen is not just about team-building, learning new skills and having words of wisdom from top business gurus – this is about companies showing the difference they can make to vulnerable children and their families in local communities across Scotland. Thanks to everyone who took part.’’
Jo Bucci, Managing Director of People’s Postcode Lottery and one of this year’s Dragons, said: “It’s been a wonderful experience being involved and it has been so rewarding to see all the teams progress and develop into young entrepreneurs.”
Dragons’ Glen will be recruiting teams for this year’s challenge which will start in August. To sign up or for more details email corporate@children1st.org.uk or call 0131 319 1111.
Postive parenting at Royston Wardieburn
TRIPLE P
Positive Parenting Programme
- Are you the parent of a 3, 4, or 5 year old?
- Do they hit, fight or argue a lot?
- Do they find it difficult to make friends?
Short courses are starting locally, offering support and help with behaviour goals for you and your child. Free crèches are provided.
Want to find out more?
Come along to a welcome morning on
Tuesday 28 April
anytime between 9.30-11am
Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
11 Pilton Drive North
Free filled rolls and refreshments, and crèche!
For more information call Sarah on 552 5700
email sarah.neal@ea.edin.sch.uk
– or just turn up!
Everyone Together at North Edinburgh Arts
Colleagues,
I attach the flyer for the Everyone Together course that is due to start next Wednesday (29 April). I’d be grateful if you could draw it to the attention of any staff who are or might be involved in implementing Self Directed Support with children and families.
The course is designed so that staff and families can learn together about how self directed support can be used to build on family strengths and ensure that they are fully included in deciding the kinds of services and provisions that could make a difference for them.
The course is highly interactive and participative and has been developed with people who use services as well as those who deliver.
If staff are interested but unable to make the dates, I’d be grateful if they could register an interest so that we can look at running this in a different way.
There will be an exhibition in the Community Shop in Pennywell Road over the next few days giving more information about self directed support.
Everyone Together flyer final draft
Christine Mackay
Manager – Total Craigroyston
Telephone 529 7054
Muirhouse Fun Day set for Saturday 2 May
Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
Saturday 2 May 11am – 3m
Edinburgh College Events Management students are planning, organising and staging a community fun day at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre on Saturday 2 May.
Activities confirmed include bouncy castle, face painting, a treasure hunt, arts and carfs, raffle, cake and candy, photo booth, barbecue and carnival games!
Granton Campus student Jessica Beattie said: “We want to hold a Community Fun Day for people of all ages – we feel that by doing so we will manage to raise more money for the centre and it will be a chance to really bring the community together to celebrate in a fun, exciting way!”
All profits raised on the day will be donated to Muirhouse Millennium Centre, so go along – support the students, support your local community centre and have loads of fun too!
Sports quiz support for Sick Kids
‘during these worrying times the Drop-In Centre is a haven’ – Michelle (mum)
The Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) is calling on sports fans to pit their knowledge against rival teams at this year’s Ultimate Sports Quiz to help the charity raise funds for the Drop in Centre at the children’s hospital.
The Foundation is looking for supporters to enter teams of five or ten to battle it out at The Ghillie Dhu on Thursday 23 April, after last year’s event raised £10,700 for the hospital’s Wayfinding signpost system.
This year the charity aims to raise £18,500 for the SKFF Drop in Centre, which provides a non-clinical atmosphere where patients, siblings, families and friends can spend time together away from the hospital.
Last year the centre welcomed more than 650 patients and 1,700 parents, including the Harnwell family of Rosyth in Fife. Mum Michelle visits the Drop in Centre regularly when accompanying her 7-year-old daughter Olivia and 9-year-old son Ben (pictured top) to appointments at the RHSC.
Michelle said: “Olivia has cerebral palsy and as a result visits the Sick Kids regularly for crucial orthopaedic appointments. My son Ben also has acute lymphoblastic leukaemia so we visit the hospital every month so he can receive life-saving chemotherapy treatment and blood and platelet transfusions.
“During these worrying times the Drop in Centre is a haven – it’s somewhere you can go for a relaxing, reliable chat located within the hospital grounds. The team are second to none and their professional, empathetic and approachable nature always puts me at ease.
“As well as having the opportunity to meet with other parents who are going through a similar experience, the centre provides complementary therapy which helps keep you sane after spending hours in the hospital ward worrying about your little one.”
The SKFF’s Drop in Centre was the first of its kind in the UK when it opened its doors in 2006 and the funds raised from the Ultimate Sports Quiz will help to meet the £135,000 the charity invests in the centre each year.
SKFF supporters and sports buffs attending this year’s quiz will be treated to a drink and tasty supper before having the opportunity to get their hands on priceless sporting items at the event auction.
The quiz itself will be hosted by Scottish sport pundit Scott Wilson and quizmaster Johnny Craig.
Rachel McKenzie, head of voluntary fundraising at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “We’re very excited to welcome quiz teams from across Edinburgh to join long-time SKFF supporter Scott Wilson at the eighth annual Ultimate Sports Quiz.
“I know Scott will have no problem putting attendees’ sporting knowledge under the spotlight on what is sure to be a great night of fun and fundraising. There’s still time to secure your place and help us continue to fund a fantastic facility which benefits thousands of families each year, including the Harnwells.”
The SKFF’s Ultimate Sports Quiz takes place from 7pm on Thursday, 23 April at The Ghillie Dhu, 2 Rutland Street.
Tickets are priced at £45 per person, £225 for a team of five or £450 for a team of ten and can be purchased from Linda Cameron on 0131 668 4949 or linda.cameron@luht.scot.nhs.uk.