Walled water feature recommended as Mortonhall memorial

‘I hope this area will bring comfort to those affected and their extended families in the future. It will be a special and lasting memorial for all the little babies.’ – Nicola Welsh, SANDS Lothian

A walled circular water feature garden is being recommended as the memorial for Mortonhall Crematorium.

The preferred design is detailed in the Mortonhall Memorial Options report going to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Transport and Environment Committee next week (Tuesday 2 June).

It is described as ‘an enclosed circular space providing parents with a private and peaceful place for personal contemplation’. It will include beech hedges, birch trees, a stone ball water feature, rocks, pathway, plenty of seating and be located off the existing memorial walkway within easy reach of the main chapel.

The Mortonhall Multi-Agency Working Group worked closely with independent garden landscape designers to develop a range of four initial design options. Affected parents were consulted earlier in the year through an online survey and a series of consultation events hosted by SANDS Lothian, SiMBA, and the Council.

The feedback resulted in the walled circular water garden coming out as the favoured option. Work will start on the memorial next month and it is expected to be completed by November 2015.

In line with parents’ wishes an alternative memorial is being proposed as some families had strong views that they did not wish to return to Mortonhall. The preferred location for the second memorial is Princes Street Gardens.

Chief Executive, Sue Bruce, said: “I am pleased that we now have a design identified for the memorial at Mortonhall. This was a difficult process for everyone involved but it was important to hear the views of all affected parents and reflect their wishes.

“The walled water feature garden will provide a tranquil area for reflection. I’d like to acknowledge my appreciation of the feedback from parents in choosing such a fitting memorial.”

Nicola Welsh, Chief Executive of SANDS Lothian, said: “Since taking over running the charity in January, I have attended all the Mortonhall Working Party Meetings and have been very impressed with the level of care and attention given to try and get the memorials right. The Council and other group members have been keen to involve parents and their online surveys have given everyone a voice and hopefully a majority vote on the designs.

“There have been many debates and conversations regarding the designs and how best to meet the needs of those affected. We are aware that we can’t get it right for everyone but I think the design for Mortonhall looks lovely and the designer has been keen to take everyone’s ideas into account. I hope this area will bring comfort to those affected and their extended families in the future. It will be a special and lasting memorial for all the little babies.”

Problem gambling workshop

Leith-based yuth charity Fast Foward are running a free, interactive workshop on youth gambling on Thursday 25 June, from 1.30 -5.0 pm. For more information and details on how to sign up click on the poster below.

Julie LEAPs forward to enjoy life again

LEAP treats 450th patient

LEAP, the pioneering drug and alcohol detox and rehabilitation service, is celebrating after treating its 450th patient.

Edinburgh woman Julie Bleasdale, 40, marked 12 weeks sober on 14 May after successfully completing the Lothian and Edinburgh Abstinence Programme, (known as LEAP).

Formerly based in Stockbridge, the ground-breaking programme offers clinical, medical and therapeutic help to those who want to get clean from its base at the Astley Ainslie Hospital.

Julie, a mother of six who was referred to the programme when her addiction impacted badly on her mental health, said: “I had no idea that addiction was a disease or that I was suffering from a condition.

“I’d drink at least a bottle of wine every night and I would try to stop but couldn’t stay stopped. Then the drinking would escalate and I’d blame it on stress, or work or being a single parent.

“I never felt I was a good enough mum, I had terribly low self-esteem and I would hide the way I was feeling from everyone. I would be run-ragged taking the kids on trips and days out, trying to be a perfect mum. Then I would binge drink and feel immense shame and guilt, pushing my self-esteem lower and lower, and turning to alcohol again.

“When I was drunk I was like a toddler – any sense of danger would disappear. I’d climb over balconies and disappear with strangers.”

Earlier this year, things came to a head when Julie’s friends were forced to contact police after her behaviour became more worrying.

“I ended up having a mental health breakdown”, Julie remembers. “A full day would feel like a few minutes and I couldn’t account for where I’d been or what I’d been doing. I would be talking gibberish and not making any sense. My friends became increasingly concerned and one night, they phoned the police, who took me to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.”

Doctors at the hospital, which provides psychiatric and mental health services, advised Julie that it was likely she was suffering from the effects of addiction.

Julie, who is now keen to carve out a career in addiction services, said it came as a shock: “I always thought I had mental health issues. It’s been a revelation to come to LEAP and learn all about addiction as a disease.”

Around 20 patients at different stages of recovery take part in the three month LEAP programme at one time. As well as providing medical care and therapy, patients are encouraged to support each other and are also assisted with housing, education and training.

Julie officially graduated from the programme at a special ceremony surrounded by friends and loved ones.

Dr. David McCartney, clinical lead of LEAP, NHS Lothian said: “Today is a really special day for Julie and her family as it marks a key point in her recovery. LEAP is a challenging and intensive programme aimed at those with the motivation to become substance-free.

“It’s not an easy route but we believe part of our success is down to our partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and the charity Transition, and also due to the after-care programme we offer which involves peer-support groups and counselling over two years.”

Domestic Violence: let’s talk

WHAT CAN WE DO TO TACKLE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Stop Domestic Violence meeting

Local youth projects share criminals’ cash!

‘Investing in our young people is always money well spent’ – Justice Secretary Michael Matheson MSP

Muirhouse Youth Development Group (MYDG), Granton Youth Centre and The Yard (above) are among the youth projects to receive cash from the latest round of Cashback grants announced today.

In this funding round YouthLink Scotland has awarded £41,156 of CashBack funding to 17 organisations within the youth work sector in Edinburgh to deliver a whole range of projects for local young people.

The CashBack for Communities Youth Work Fund is administrated and delivered by the National Agency for Youth Work, YouthLink Scotland on behalf of Scottish Government.

Among those organisations to receive funding is The Big Project in the city’s Broomhouse area, they benefited to the tune of £4,406 to provide youth clubs twice a week for local youngsters.

Edinburgh City 6VT project have also been given a grant of £2,125 to carry on their work with local young people. Fiona Home, Development Co-ordinator for 6VT, said the support from CashBack over the years had been vital to their work with young people across the capital, especially since the project has recently had to find new premises.

“This June we move to our new location in the Grassmarket, currently we are operating out a church hall nearby. Without this support we would undoubtedly have lost contact with many of our young people, leaving them with nowhere to go and back to hanging out on the streets,” she said.

Broomhouse Young Carers were awarded £1,996 for a summer programme. The organisation offers respite to young carers aged 7-18 by way of weekly support groups, holiday programmes and residentials.

Kids in the Street, who offer street sports and coaching, have been given £2.100 for their youth activity programme. Susan Law, Administrator with KITS said: “The CashBack grant makes a huge difference to the range of sessions we can provide including girls football, street based sessions and our junior football academy.”

Restalrig’s Ripple Project received £3,105 to provide a dedicated girls-only provision to local young people at a vulnerable stage in their lives, providing them with a safe place to explore and address the issues and pressures that impact on young women. With the support and guidance of specialist youth workers, the girls also access a range of educational and leisure opportunities.

Liz Ferguson, who leads the project, said the funding helps to level the playing field for local young people. She said: ““These experiences through CashBack funding, go a long way in helping us develop confident and aspirational young women in a community of significant disadvantage.”

Commenting on the latest round of CashBack for Communities Youth Work Fund awards, Justice Secretary, Michael Matheson said: “Investing in our young people is always money well spent and I am delighted that the Scottish Government’s Cashback for Communities programme is providing this valuable funding for worthy projects across Edinburgh.

“This government is committed to ensuring all young people reach their full potential. The vast majority of them are a credit to society but we want to prevent the small minority getting involved in crime or antisocial behaviour in the first place.”

Chief Executive of YouthLink Scotland, Jim Sweeney added: “Crime is a real blight on our neighbourhoods and it is right that money from the proceeds of crime goes back to the very heart of our communities, our young people. We know that youth work really does change the lives of young people, not only in Edinburgh but in every part of Scotland.”

List of Awards – City of Edinburgh (£41,156)

The BIG Project £4,406
The Broomhouse Centre £1,996
St Teresa’s Youth Club £1,800
Granton Youth Centre £3,000
Beyond Gender Youth Project £1,608
The Yard Adventure Centre £2,912
Edinburgh City Youth Cafe (6VT Youth Cafe) £2,125
Pilmeny Development Project £2,783
Canongate Youth £1,404
Kids in the Street ( KITS) £2,100
Muirhouse Youth Development Group £1,525
Wester Hailes Youth Agency £1,750
Craigentinny-Lochend Social Centre £2,880
The Ripple Project £3,105
Jack Kane Community Centre £1,938
Citadel Youth Centre £4,674
Ferrywell Youth Project £1,150

Making it Work: New sessions at Muirhouse

Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre to offer new sessions for mums and children

Making It Work’s Pauline Bowie is running an information drop-in for a few weeks before the activities begin. These will run in the Cafe area on Tuesdays from 1.00 pm – 4.00 pm. and on Thursdays from 10.00 am – 1.00 pm.

So just pop along if you are interested in attending the Mothers & Toddlers sessions or if you are a single parent with a youngster under five years old.

To find more information access our Website at www.muirhousecommunitycentre.co.uk

James McGinty

Counselling at Royston Wardieburn

Dads Rock has introduced a new service for local people at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre (see below):

Young Peoples’ wellbeing: support session at The Junction

‘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.

http://chanceforchange.org.uk

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.

Go Safe Road Safe