An updated programme of activities and groups for parents and carers has been produced in a handy booklet format.
Click on the link below to find out the full range of activities available across North Edinburgh and beyond:
Tag: Children and Families
Skate parks and car parking on Drylaw Telford agenda
The proposed priority parking scheme in Telford and an update on Drylaw skate park feature on next week’s Drylaw Telford Community Council meeting agenda.
The meeting will be held in Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre on Wednesday 25 February at 7pm. All welcome.
Science Festival programme launched
The Edinburgh International Science Festival today announced the programme for Spring 2015.
The Festival, which will bring together hundreds of events, activities and exhibitions to celebrate science, will take place over Saturday 19 March – Sunday 4 April taking in the Easter school break.
This year, the Festival aims to transform into ‘The Ideas Factory’ – a hub of information, ideas and innovation. Some of the events taking place include:
- Brainwaves – a series examining the mysteries of Brain, Mind & Consciousness
- Light & Enlightenment – UN International Year of Light 2015 illuminates Scotland’s greatest minds
- GastroFest – our mini-festival about the science of food and drink returns
- Energy & Environment – a series debating our global climate future featuring IPCC Chair Dr Rajendra Pachauri
- Numbers That Matter – probing big data and the stats behind our lives
- The Reading Experiment – a celebration of science writing in all its forms
- How the Light Gets In – an exhibition showcasing artists working with light
- Moral Philosopher Mary Midgley announced as recipient of the Edinburgh Medal 2015
- Nobel Prize winner Prof Peter Higgs heads a list of world-leading scientists and speakers
- Science Festival launches #SciPals half-price scheme for students supported by Siemens
The City of Edinburgh Council is a major funding partner of the Festival. Councillor Steve Cardownie, Festivals and Events Champion for the city, commented: “The Edinburgh International Science Festival is always a key highlight in the Spring calendar for both local Edinburgh residents and visitors to the city.
“Anyone visiting the Festival is in for a treat as this year’s programme is as jam-packed as ever. The Council’s City Art Centre will once again be transformed into a place of pioneering science and magic, and there will be a host of events and activities on offer for families.
“Every year the festival also features lectures from world-leading scientists and speakers, and a highlight for 2015 will be an insight from Professor Peter Higgs who was a recipient of the Edinburgh Award for his influence on the city.”
Full details of the 2015 programme can be found at sciencefestival.co.uk.
Tickets for all events can be booked online via the website or through the Box Office on 0844 557 2686.
More funding to help reduce reoffending
Justice Secretary Michael Matheson has announced a near £1 million funding package for three leading voluntary organisations working to reduce reoffending in Scotland.
The funding will allow Apex Scotland, SACRO and Families Outside to continue to deliver a range of specialist services in 2015/16 for offenders and their families, helping to stop the cycle of reoffending.
The work of the three organisations includes targeted action to address underlying issues which fuel crime, help with employment, rehabilitation and support to ensure family links are maintained so that the children of offenders do not go down the wrong path in life.
Families Outside estimate that 27,000 children lose a parent to imprisonment each year.
Last month, the Justice Secretary announced that plans for a new women’s prison at Inverclyde will not go ahead as he wants to pursue a bolder, more ambitious approach for Scotland.
Today, Mr Matheson confirmed that a series of local engagement events will take place across the country next month to allow all those with an interest to give their views on the future of female offending as part of an on-going consultation on delivering a more radical plan for Scotland.
Speaking following a meeting with the Families Outside charity who received a 15 per cent increase in funding, Mr Matheson said: “When it comes to the justice system, we must be smarter with the choices we make and be more sophisticated in the way in which we deal with offenders in Scotland.
“We need to do everything we can to break the cycle of reoffending and end the revolving door to our prisons which sees low level offenders going in and out of prisons time and time again. Scotland can do better and we can be bolder in our approach.
“We need to look at the wider picture of offending, ensuring for example, that links to the family and community can be maintained, whilst targeted work is undertaken to address the specific issue which is fuelling the crime such as alcohol, drugs or mental health issues.
“The three organisations we are helping with funding today are doing some fantastic work to break the cycle of offending through targeted intervention and I am pleased to announce this support for them,
“Whilst it is for the Courts to decide who receives a custodial sentence, I want to ensure we are providing the best possible support to offenders to help turn their lives around.”
Philip Dunion, Director of Finance, Apex Scotland said: “Apex Scotland is delighted to receive this award from the Scottish Government. As a national charity this will enable us to continue to be at the forefront of policy development in relation to (ex)offenders and those at risk of offending, contributing to the aims of a fairer and safer Scotland.
“In particular we will be able to continue our drive to finding innovative solutions for our service users and to underpin our high quality service provision with a clear focus on evidence of benefit to both our service users and society as a whole.”
Tom Halpin, Chief Executive of Sacro said: “I welcome the Justice Secretary’s announcement of funding to voluntary organisations to help reduce reoffending. This funding from Scottish Government will change people’s lives for the better. It will enable Sacro to deliver direct services to vulnerable people across Scotland who are drawn into the justice system, often through issues associated with inequality and deprivation.
“Sacro’s partnership working is focussed on supporting positive change among those who find themselves in the justice system. It is by addressing the underlying issues that lead people into offending that we will achieve long-lasting and positive outcomes for individuals and their communities.”
Prof Nancy Loucks, Chief Executive of Families Outside, said: “Families Outside is very grateful for the award of funding from the Scottish Government. The impact of imprisonment on the children and families left behind is significant and enduring. It cuts across a wide range of issues including physical and mental health, housing, poverty, victimisation, substance misuse, child and adolescent learning and development, and crime prevention.
“We are pleased to be able to continue this work with the support of the Scottish Government, reaching vulnerable families who are often otherwise unidentified and unsupported.”
Contracts signed for new Sick Kids hospital
Construction of a major new healthcare facility is set to start after the financial contracts were agreed yesterday. The new £150 million building will see services from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service brought together in a modern and high-quality setting at Little France.
Construction works will start over the next few weeks and the new building, which will adjoin the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, is expected to open in autumn 2017.
The six storey building (including basement) will have a large atrium with a shop and café, a stunning skylight linking both hospital entrances, a helipad on the roof and a link building adjoining adult and paediatric emergency departments.
It will also bring with it an increase in single rooms with ensuite facilities and a range of new technology.
Health Secretary Shona Robison said: “This is a momentous date for this project and I’m personally very pleased that work will soon be about to begin on the new co-located Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Clinical Neurosciences.
“The new development brings paediatric care, specialist neonatal care, neurosciences and adult and children’s emergency departments all together in one place, making access to services much easier for patients and health professionals alike.
“The Scottish Government is investing over £2 billion in Scotland’s health infrastructure over the spending review period, with this development being one of many that demonstrate the Scottish Government’s commitment to continually improving health services. The investment in this development will ensure the hospital campus at Little France can continue to develop as a modern hub of research and medical practice.”
Susan Goldsmith, Finance Director, NHS Lothian said: “We are delighted to have reached this point and now look forward with anticipation to seeing the new facility taking shape over the coming years.
“This is an extremely exciting time in the proud history of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, along with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service and Department of Clinical Neurosciences, which will find a high-quality new home at Little France from 2017.
“The building designs have been heavily influenced by staff, patients and families and, in addition to offering a modern, light and spacious environment, will also enhance the clinical services we deliver.”
Mark Bradshaw, IHS Lothian and Macquarie Capital said: “We are excited that construction will soon start on The Royal Hospital for Sick Children and Department of Clinical Neurosciences. This state-of-the-art facility will allow the delivery of quality healthcare services to the people of the Lothian region and beyond for decades to come.
“It has been a pleasure to partner with the Lothian NHS Board and the Scottish Futures Trust to develop an innovative and competitive financing structure that will ensure value for money over the next 25 years.”
Peter Reekie, Scottish Futures Trust, deputy chief executive and director of investments said: “This is a fantastic deal for NHS Lothian and its partners, bringing investment into the Lothians and allowing construction to start on a great new building which will support many hundreds of jobs as it is built.”
Some key features of the new facility include:
- 233 beds and 10 theatres. 154 beds in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, 67 beds in the Department of Clinical Neurosciences and 12 beds in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service.
- 11 beds will be added to the critical care department within the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
- The specifically designed family hotel will mean that the experience for families whose child has to spend time in hospital is more homely.
- Conjoined children’s and adult Emergency Departments will mean that the most appropriate services are available to teenagers who currently do not always fit well into either service.
- Patients in the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service suffering from physical illness and mental health problems will benefit from the immediate availability of both specialities.
- The Department of Clinical Neurosciences will make neurology and neurosurgery available to all age groups on a single site, meaning potentially quicker treatment is available. One advantage will be that patients who present to the Emergency Department at Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and who subsequently turn out to need neurosurgery will no longer need to be transferred to the Western General Hospital.
- The most modern imaging equipment within the Department of Clinical Neurosciences along with its adjacency to the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic and the Clinical Research Imaging Centre will allow the Department of Clinical Neurosciences to further enhance its position as a leading clinical and academic neurosciences centre.
School holiday fun with Edinburgh Leisure
Don’t miss out on the February holiday fun – it’s not just for the kids! Everyone can have fun and keep active over the holidays!
For the wee ones there’s:
- pre-school swimming lessons at Gracemount and Drumbrae.
- fantastic soft play at Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Scrambles at EICA:Ratho and Tumbles at Portobello.
- our huge Rock Tots Playroom and Cafe specifically for the Under 5’s at EICA:Ratho.
- and remember, under 5’s can swim for free at any of our pools.
If they’re at primary schools there’s:
- sports galore including swimming, trampolining, diving, gymnastics (freestyle and general) and lots of climbing throughout the holiday.
- Paddington Play Sessions at EICA:Ratho – make your very own Paddington Bear at Honeypot and then play in Scrambles soft play for an hour, all for just £10.
- limited spaces left on some of our Activator Multi-Activity holiday camps.
- swimming for free for primary school children thanks to the City of Edinburgh Council funding during public swimming times at Edinburgh Leisure pools from 14th – 22nd February (inclusive).
And for the teens:
- our incredible 100ft high Aerial Assault is open again (for anyone over 1.45m tall) on 14th February – go on do something different this Valentines Day!
- our popular NRG Zone concentrated gym sessions are running at Gracemount and the Royal Commonwealth Pool.
- there’s lots of climbing and abseiling adventures at EICA:Ratho.
It’s not just about the kids – for the grown-ups:
- why not give the newly opened Aerial Assault a go at the weekends. Or try a climbing taster – either for yourself or for the whole family – at EICA:Ratho.
- all our usual classes, gyms and pools are open and on over the holidays.
Just remember that some of the pools may be running a slightly different timetable over the week – here’s an at-a-glance guide to pool swimming times for the week from 16th February .
Local libraries have lots to offer at holiday time
No need to be bored during the school holidays. There are loads of activities at your local library – and they’re all FREE!
Muirhouse Library
Gamesmasters’ Minecraft Monday 16th February 11.30-12.30pm and 2.00-3.00 pm
Music Production for kids Tuesday 17th February 10.30-12.30 Booking advisable
Mural Art Workshop with Zoo Arts Thursday 19th February 10.30 -12.30 am
Animal Snacks Friday 20th February 2-4.00pm
Jewellery making with the Saturday Art Club 21st February 2.00-4.00 pm.
Granton Library
X-box tournament Monday 16th February and Wednesday 18th February 2.00-4.00pm under 16s
Pancake Party Baby Café Tuesday 17th February for 0-4 years 11am
Pancake Party Tuesday 17th February 5-11 years 2.30-3.30pm
Freemachines Wednesday 18th February 13 to 18 years 5.00-7.00pm Digital art sessions for teenagers in partnership with the Youth Hive
Word Game Fiesta Thursday 19th February 5 to 11 years 2.30-3.30pm
Harry Potter Day Saturday 21st February 5 to 11 years 2.30-4.00pm
Blackhall Library
Seinn – Gaelic songs and rhymes for babies and children Thursday 19th February 10.30 to 11.30 am
The Worst Witch storytime Friday 20th February 5 to 11 years 2.00-3.00pm.
Stockbridge Library
Chinese New Year Lantern Craft Wednesday 18th February 3.30-4.30pm 5 to 11 years
Lego Madness! Super modelling and boredom busting games Friday 20th February 2.30-3.30pm 5 to 11 years
Mortonhall baby ashes: compensation scheme approved
The City of Edinburgh Council has approved proposals for a settlement scheme developed with the solicitors representing 129 parents who have raised legal claims in relation to past practices at Mortonhall Crematorium.
The scheme reached with Thompsons Solicitors, who are representing those parents, was put to councillors at a meeting of the City of Edinburgh Council yesterday. It provides for payments of £1,000 and £4,000 depending on circumstances, together with payment of legal expenses.
Sue Bruce, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The agreement reached today allows us to settle the claims from parents represented by Thompsons, and means they do not need to pursue their cases through the courts.
“The issues that have emerged in relation to practices at Mortonhall have understandably been distressing for affected families. I want to reiterate my apology on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council and give reassurance that we are taking forward all of the recommendations made by Dame Elish Angiolini in her report to ensure nothing like this ever happens again.
“We have been working closely with parent representatives on the Mortonhall Multi-Agency Working Group which is progressing well. Designs have now been produced for potential memorials which are available to view on the Council website.” (see below)
Mortonhall: Memorials
Designs for potential Mortonhall memorials have been revealed in a new report by the City of Edinburgh Council.
In line with parents’ wishes two memorials are being proposed, one at Mortonhall Crematorium and another at a location still to be identified in the city.
The draft designs are detailed in theMortonhall Action Plan: Update report which was discussed by city councillors yesterday.
The report also outlines the progress made by the Mortonhall Multi-Agency Working Group which was set up by the Council to take forward the recommendations set out in Dame Elish Angiolini’s Mortonhall Investigation Report.
That report was commissioned by City of Edinburgh Council to investigate practices involving infant cremations at Mortonhall Crematorium, and findings were published in April 2014. A further report by Lord Bonomy on behalf of the Scottish Government, was published in June 2014 and made national recommendations on these issues.
The multi-agency working group, chaired by Sue Bruce, Chief Executive of the City of Edinburgh Council, has met six times and made positive progress on all of the recommendations.
These include: immediate improvements in record keeping including adopting the nationally agreed definition of what constitutes ashes, consistent use of cremation trays and positive dialogue with affected parents around memorials.
The Council has been working with SANDS Lothian, SiMBA, MACC and affected parents since the summer of 2014 on suitable ideas for a memorial. Parents have been consulted over potential sites and a number of those affected selected Mortonhall as the preferred option.
However, the group also acknowledged that some families expressed strongly that that they did not wish to return to Mortonhall so it has been agreed an additional site would be identified elsewhere in the city.
The Mortonhall Multi-Agency Working Group has been working closely with independent garden landscape designers to develop a range of initial design options, on which parents are being asked to give their views. The designers have waived their initial consultation fees in support of this project.
Sue Bruce said: “I am personally very encouraged with the progress made by the working group in dealing with both Dame Elish and Lord Bonomy’s recommendations. I would like to pay tribute to the willingness of all the participants, especially the parent representatives, for all their efforts.
“I’d also like to acknowledge my appreciation of the ongoing contribution in various forms from all affected parents. This continuing dialogue will ensure that we continue to focus on their needs.
“We now have potential memorial designs and we are asking the parents to consider which ones they would like us to take forward. We want to make sure the designs reflect their wishes and I would ask families to let us know their thoughts.
“The families’ dedicated campaigning has made a major contribution to the Council’s action plan and the Infant Cremation Commission report by Lord Bonomy which will result in legislative change across Scotland.
“We will continue our work on the group to ensure that nothing like this can happen again and that the highest possible standards are adhered to at Mortonhall.”
Sara Fitzsimmons, Executive Charity Director of SiMBA, has been a member of the multi-agency group since it first met last year.
She said: “Sitting on the group has reassured me that parents’ views and considerations are first and foremost throughout all discussions. You can see the progress being made implementing Dame Elish’s recommendations, one of those being the memorials. It was the parents’ decision that there should be one at Mortonhall and a second one away from the grounds.
“A sub group was set up so the voices of parents who chose to be involved at this time could be heard and their suggestions have been included in the proposed garden designs. It’s really good to see this progressing and for the first memorial to be completed this year – a tangible place for parents and their families.”
The multi-agency group consists of representatives from the Scottish Government, NHS Lothian, SANDS Lothian, Sands UK, SiMBA, Mortonhall Ashes Action Committee, funeral directors, Edinburgh Crematorium Ltd and council officials.
The Mortonhall Investigation report was commissioned by Sue Bruce on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council in January 2013 after concerns were raised about practices at the crematorium. The remit was to establish the facts regarding practices relating to the cremation of babies at Mortonhall Crematorium and to learn lessons that will ensure best practice for the future.
Dame Elish interviewed bereaved families, current and former members of crematorium staff, representatives from funeral directors, staff from other crematoria, support groups and health professionals and took opinion from experts in the field of human anthropology, law and forensic accountancy. The report, with annexes, extends to over 600 pages in total.
#StrongerNorth update: Young people and our community
#Stronger North: working with our young people
Work with primary aged children
As part of a new role created by Total Craigroyston Team, it was agreed that a youth worker would work in four of the local primary schools to deliver a programme called ‘Respect in the Community.’
The aim was to help primary aged children understand the importance of safety in the community, publicise all the activities that are available after school and help them make good choices about what they do with their time after school.
The youngsters make a map of their community in the first session, showing where many of the positive activities take place. They look at what makes a safe community for everyone and think about they can keep themselves safe as well as looking out for others.
At a later stage they have the opportunity to identify where they feel safe themselves or not. We’ve found that many of our primary children are very well aware of and have experienced some of the issues that make them feel unsafe.
A big part of the programme is helping children develop the skills to make good decisions especially where they might feel tempted by friends to take part in behaviour that causes distress to others. In small groups they think about developing a community campaign about combating anti-social behaviour and then present their ideas to their classmates.
The programme has gone down very well with P5, P6 and P7’s in Pirniehall and St David’s, has just started in Craigroyston Primary and will be starting very soon in Forthview.
Reward Scheme
We’ve developed a loyalty card so that youngsters who are positive participants in youth clubs and sports clubs can gather points and receive a reward. It will run until Easter to see if it will be successful. So far Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and Craigroyston Community High School has offered free swims for individuals and families and each of the youth organisations involved has agreed to run a special reward night for those involved.
Teenagers
As well as all the youth clubs and sports opportunities that are available in the community , we have developed some out of hours sessions for teenagers – offering them the opportunity to get involved in activities later at night in an effort to combat the idea that there is nothing to do. If these sessions go well then more can be offered. These activities are taking place in Spartans and Pilton Youth and Children’s Project.
Face North (above) is a special project, working with some of the young people who are involved in anti-social behaviour and so far we have been able to involve these young people in working at Towford, the bothy owned by My Adventure. To help get the Bothy ready for use by local groups and organisations they have helped with basic maintenance, cleared ground, laid paths, chopped down and replanted trees and completed some minor repairs. They have also painted the kitchen area in Pilton Youth and Children’s Project and will soon be doing some environmental work on the cycle path.
The Mentors in Violence Prevention Programme is being implemented in local High Schools as well as in the local community. This gives older young people the training and skills to work with younger ones and help them think through how they would handle a wide range of tricky incidents giving young people and the community the confidence to speak up against and challenge issues such as bullying or other types of anti-Social behaviour.
Sessions for parents will be run towards the end of February – look out for dates or contact Community Learning and Development worker Sarah Neal if you are interested in attending. Her number is 552 5700.
Safer Internet seminar
Last chance to book – you do not have to be working online to make use of this session, or be an ‘expert’ in social media!
As in previous years, as part of Safer Internet Day 2015 we will be hosting a seminar especially for youth workers on Tuesday 10 February at Gilmerton Community Centre from 6– 8pm.
Booking is essential for this event as there are only limited spaces at the centre. The seminar is open to all youth workers across the City, Council or voluntary sector, paid staff or volunteers.
For the seminar, Liz Ely from Zero Tolerance will present their research on young people’s attitudes and then take us through some of the useful approaches that they have developed for youth workers in their ‘Under Pressure’ resource.
http://zerotolerance.org.uk/sites/all/files/Peer%20Research_1.pdf
http://zerotolerance.org.uk/UnderPressure
This promises to be an engaging seminar in an area of concern for many young people, parents and workers. To book your place, please email:
gavin.crosby@edinburgh.gov.uk
with your name, email address and organisation.
Places will be limited to one per centre in the first instance, any spare places will be offered up to others nearer the event.
Places may be available to non-youth work agencies (e.g. housing, social workers or teachers) but priority will be given to youth work staff.