Girls reach for the stars with new space badge
Girlguiding, the UK Space Agency and the Royal Astronomical Society have teamed up to give girls and young women in the UK unique and exciting opportunities to engage with astronomy beyond the classroom. Continue reading Brownies to boldly go where no badge has gone before
Sports Club creates summer memories for young people
An award-winning West Lothian multi-sports club for young people has created a summer to remember for local children with additional support needs and their carers. Continue reading No Limits to fun!
The overall cost of a child over 18 years (including rent and childcare) is £150, 753 for a couple and £183,335 for a lone parent. But work doesn’t pay low-income families enough to meet a no-frills standard of living, new research from Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) shows. Continue reading Working families falling short of minimum living standard
New engagement plan to improve links between home and school
A young mum says she has been inspired to carry out her dream of becoming a paramedic after having her first child delivered at home by Scottish Ambulance Service emergency responders.
Ashleigh Carpenter, 19, was at her mum’s house in Bo’ness when Lily Scott was delivered.
Continue reading Home delivery mum inspired to become paramedic
Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) has become one of the latest organisations to have signed up to the Charted Institute of Housing’s (CIH) Make a Stand campaign. Continue reading Port of Leith Housing Association makes a stand against domestic abuse
A LOCAL taxi company has partnered up with a much-loved children’s charity to support bereaved families during the most challenging moments following the loss of a child. Continue reading Local Taxi Firm Provides Vital Support to Bereaved Families
There has been a drastic reduction in specialist breastfeeding support in Lothian since December 2017 which has considerably disadvantaged new mothers in Lothian, according to Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs. Continue reading Lothian mums call for better access to specialist breast feeding support
Young people at risk of becoming drawn into serious offending will receive more co-ordinated support and early intervention, the Justice Secretary has announced. Continue reading More support for young people at risk of crime
On the run up to Harry Potter’s birthday on the 31st of July the Royal Hospital for Sick Children was transformed into The Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It wasn’t magic that caused the metamorphosis, it was the amazing effort, talent and teamwork of the staff and children which made it all come together!
Each ward’s name changed to reflect their magical purpose with ‘Diagnostic Alley’, ‘Haemogoblyn’ and ‘Surgical Snape’ to name a few. Beautiful installations were created to match including huge floating Harry Potter glasses and dragons swooping down from the ceiling. There were always more details to be discovered and enjoyed such as opportunities to free Dobby by decorating a sock.
Throughout the week the Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity’s (ECHC) Arts Programme ran lots of exciting Harry Potter themed activities. Artists used projectors to create immersive environments for flying cars and children and families were invited to take part in classic Hogwarts classes such as Transfiguration class using 3D printing pens. Potter super-fans were also taken on a virtual Potter Trail and learned all the secrets behind the creation of the books.
ECHC also gave out awards to each ward to highlight the team’s talent. ‘Best Name’ went to ‘HuffnCough’, and the ward which split their space into Hogwarts and Diagon Alley won ‘Best Narrative’ by naming each bed space after a different magical shop.
Feedback from staff has been very positive ‘[The week] has been amazing at pulling everyone together and making the hospital look great’ and ‘It has created such a positive buzz around the hospital’.
Harry’s birthday was aptly celebrated with a Magic Show with ECHC’s resident magician, Tricky Ricky.
ECHC would like to thank the staff and children who worked so hard to make the hospital a truly magical place!
