Award-winning (see previous post!) Stepping Stones North Edinburgh are holding their annual general meeting in
Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre
on Thursday 25 September at 12.30pm.
For further information telephone 551 1632 or email:
info@steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk
North Edinburgh projects have been highly praised at the 2014 Children & Families Achievement Awards, with local organisations Stepping Stones, Forthview Primary and Circle Scotland among the prize winners.
Winner of the Working Effectively with Others category was the PrePare Fathers’ Group, comprising PrePare, Stepping Stones, South West Children and Families Team and Circle PrePare
Fathers were consulted on what additional support they would like and group work was identified. The aim is to increase paternal involvement in their child’s plan. A collaboration was established between Circle, Stepping Stones, PrePare and SW C&F Team. Together a group work programme was established within the framework and goals set out by the Early Years Collaboration.
Fathers learned about child development and the impact of parental substance use; attachment and resilience; stress and containment and gained a clearer understanding of where they can access support.
Morag Wilson, depute manger at Stepping Stones, said: “A massive congratulations to our Parenting Outreach worker, Anna Chrystal, who alongside her colleagues from PrePare, Circle Scotland and South West Children and Families team won the 2014 Children and Families Achievement Award in partnership working. The judge commented that ‘this innovative project is making a real difference to fathers, and their families.’ They have now been encouraged to put themselves forward for the Pride in our People awards 2014.”
Read all about it: Forthview to the Fore!
West Pilton’s Forthview Primary School won the Improving Literacy Outcomes category for their ‘West Pilton Reads: Developing a Community Reading Culture’ initiative.
The Forthview submission read: ‘Research shows that we only get better at reading by reading, and that we will only read if we want to read. After looking at this research and considering best practice, we investigated ways in which we could create a reading culture around Forthview Primary.
‘The teaching of reading has been unchanged for decades, with no significant improvement in achievement, especially in areas of disadvantage. We decided that it was time for a radical change of approach to fostering the enjoyment of reading.’
Judges were clearly impressed with the Forthview approach, and commented: ‘This innovative project provides help for the whole household, not just for children. An educational support for whole families, it benefits everyone.’
The Director’s Award for Outstanding Achievment went to the Active Schools Team and the Speak Up Speak Out campaign picked up the Convener’s Award.
Children and Families Director Gillian Tee said: “This is our 15th annual achievement awards and, yet again, I have been impressed by the high standard of applications. This year we have had an exceptionally high number of nominations reflecting the huge amount of work that is going on across a wide variety of services. The professionalism and commitment shown in providing the highest level of service for every child and family across Edinburgh was clearly evident.”
A full list of winners and nominees can be found below:
Partnership approach to support children affected by substance misuse
Happy, healthy children from Cowgate Under 5’s Centre in Edinburgh today helped launch a campaign to raise awareness of the misery caused when adults misuse alcohol or drugs.
Speak Up Speak Out has been launched by the City of Edinburgh Council, NHS Lothian and Police Scotland to offer help, support and advice to youngsters whose lives are being affected by addiction.
The latest strand of the awareness campaign was unveiled to coincide with national Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Awareness Day.
Scottish Government figures for 2013 reveal that:
Examples of people who have raised concerns about these issues include: “I’m worried about the family next door, the adults drink and take drugs and the kids seem to look after themselves,” and “my mum forgets about me when she drinks.”
As well as offering support to children who have problems at home, Speak Up Speak Out is aimed at pregnant women, advising them to avoid drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Parents and carers can also get advice about talking to children, while teenagers who are either worried about being pressured to take drugs, or are worried about friends, can also seek help.
Councillor Paul Godzik, Children and Families Convener, said: “The children we see here in this nursery today are happy and healthy, but others don’t enjoy as good a start in their lives.
“The aim of this campaign is to reduce the impact of alcohol and drug use on youngsters, see fewer young people using drugs, and also choosing to start drinking alcohol later in life. We also want to make sure that those in need, whether they are the adult or the child, get appropriate support for their problems.
“We will continue to work closely with NHS Lothian and Police Scotland on Speak Up Speak Out to ensure that children have the best start in life and are protected from harm.”
Sarah Ballard-Smith, Nurse Director, NHS Lothian, said: “We need to ensure that all children whose families are affected by alcohol and substance misuse are protected and are given the support and help they need.
“We provide a range of services to make sure that children get the best possible start in life and that adults are able to access the support and help they require.
“This campaign is vitally important for the next generation and aims to raise awareness and the importance of seeking help. By speaking up and speaking out, it will help ensure thatunborn babies, children and young people are kept safe and healthy.”
Police Scotland Divisional Commander, Chief Superintendent Mark Williams said: “Drugs and alcohol are, sadly, a blight on many families and communities, and by working together through ‘Speak Up Speak Out’ we can identify those children and young people who are affected and offer them targeted help and support.
“Police Scotland recently began a campaign to tackle New Psychoactive Substances, sometimes known as Legal Highs, which will see local community officers visiting schools, youth groups and community events to help raise awareness and educate young people on their dangers, alongside enforcement action with partners at premises found to be selling these unregulated and potentially lethal substances.”
Speak Up Speak Out was launched last August by the Council, NHS Lothian and Police Scotland to encourage those who are affected by abuse to come forward and find out about the wide range of support that is available to them. Today’s launch was the fifth so far in a series of topics.
One of the key messages is that anyone can suffer from abuse, regardless of their age, gender or the colour of their skin. It can happen anywhere and be caused by friends, relatives, colleagues or strangers. By encouraging people to be open about their concerns and talk to care professionals, it is hoped that more adults and children can be protected from harm.
Contact details:
The Usher Hall continues centenary year celebrations this Saturday (13 September) with a Family Edwardian Day …
Edinburgh’s concert venue, The Usher Hall, is inviting families to step back in time and discover what life would have been like in the Hall when it first opened its doors in 1914. An action-packed day for all the family is planned with an array of activities including story-telling, traditional games, arts and crafts from this bygone era.
In the company of costumed characters representing Edwardian society, families will be taken on an engaging journey through the Usher Hall hearing stories from its past and exploring areas not normally open to the public. Standing on the famous stage where many stars have performed is sure to be a highlight of this event.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Culture and Sport Convener, said: “The Family Edwardian Day will be a unique opportunity to explore behind the scenes at the Usher Hall and find out what it was like to visit 100 years ago.
“The Usher Hall has been hosting concerts ever since it was gifted to the city by local whisky distiller, Andrew Usher, back in 1914. While its A-listed walls have welcomed some of the world’s best musicians over the years, many people do not know that the hall was once equipped to act as an air raid shelter during the Second World War.
“The Usher Hall has been at the heart of Edinburgh throughout recent history, and if you look closely, you will see many familiar figures from Scotland’s past depicted in the decoration of the hall including Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The open day will give people the chance to hear about these secrets.”
The event is suitable for primary school children and children must be accompanied by an adult on the tour. Booking is essential and tours take place at 10.30am, 12noon, 1.30pm, 3pm and last approximately 60 minutes. Tours provided by Mercat Tours Ltd.
Tickets cost £10 or £30 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 children).
For further details on tickets contact the box office on 0131 228 1155 or visit
The Jordan Houston Trust, a charity established in 2012 to support children suffering from cancer and their families, is holding a fundraising family fun day event at Spartans on Sunday.
Jordan, who died aged eleven from a rare type of brain tumour, was a football fanatic so it’s fitting that the highlight of the family fun day is a match between the Jordan Houston Trust Select and the mighty Hibs (kick off 4pm)!
For further information on the charity visit www.jordanhoustontrust.org
One, two, free fun with Edinburgh Leisure!
Edinburgh Leisure is hosting free under 5’s Open Days at three venues this Sunday (7 September).
Experts agree the best way to help kids enjoy healthy, active lives is to start as you mean to go on, and Edinburgh Leisure has lots of activities that wee ones, and their parents, can enjoy starting from 4 months through to 5 years old.
Come and try out classes specifically designed for pre-school children. And look out for lots more fun around the different centres too, including face painting, bouncy castle and adult health checks!
The three Centres?You’ll find fun aplenty at Craiglockhart Leisure and Tennis Centre (9.15 – 12.15), the Royal Commonwealth Pool (midday – 3.30pm) and Gracemount Leisure Centre (1 – 3.30pm).
For more information visit: www.edinburghleisure.co.uk
Dads Rock’s annual fundraiser is on Saturday 20 September from 7.30pm until midnight at Bainfield Bowling Club.
The fundraiser helps to keep Dads Rock’s free weekly music clubs going – locally, you’ll find dads and their kids rocking out at The Prentice Centre on Wednesday and Saturday mornings – so your support would be appreciated.
This year’s bash promises to be the best yet – there’s live music from The Dads Rockers Band and from kids/students of Dads Rock Academy, as well as a disco. Tickets are £5 and can be bought from David or Thomas.
And there’s the return of The Daddy of all Raffles! Tickets are £1 and again can be bought from David or Thomas, see below for the prizes…
For further information visit the Dads Rock Facebook page.
ROCK ON!
285,000 working couples eligible for shared parental leave
Couples finding out now that they are expecting a child will be among the first parents eligible to take advantage of new shared parental leave rights.
The new rules, which apply to couples whose babies are due from next April, will allow parents to choose whether they want to share the mother’s maternity leave. Shared parental leave can be taken at the same time so a couple would be able to be at home together for up to half a year following the birth of their child.
There are expected to be around 285,000 working couples that will be eligible to share the leave from April 2015. The changes in how maternity leave can be used will kick start a culture change in workplaces where fathers feel more confident to talk to their employers about taking time off for childcare.
Employment Relations Minister Jo Swinson said: “Any couples receiving the happy news that they are due to have a baby from 5 April onwards can now start planning ahead safe in the knowledge that they have the option to choose to share the care of their child and time off work in the way that suits them best.
“Introducing shared parental leave is a significant step towards changing workplace culture, making it just as normal for fathers to take on childcare responsibilities as mothers.
“From April next year mums and adopters will have real choice about when they return to work, dads will have more time to bond with their children and employers will benefit from lower staff turnover and having a workforce that is more flexible and motivated.”
Acas Chair Brendan Barber said: “Many employers recognise that they can retain talented staff by offering a flexible approach to work and a healthy work life balance can help business success and growth.
“Shared parental leave will enable working parents to share maternity or adoption leave to allow both parents greater involvement with their child’s first year whilst employers have the potential to remain productive by agreeing new arrangements that works for their organisations.
“As workplace experts, we have published a new free online guide on shared parental leave to help employers understand how the new changes will affect them. We are also working on detailed guidance to help employees and employers manage SPL requests fairly.”
The government is introducing shared parental leave and pay for employed parents which will make the current system for maternity and paternity leave much more flexible. Families currently have very limited choices about how they can share leave and pay and often struggle to balance competing demands at work and at home.
Under the new system a pregnant woman will continue to have access to 52 weeks of maternity leave and 39 weeks of pay as she does currently. From April 5 2015, for the first time ever, working families will have the opportunity to share the leave much more equally and flexibly.
Eligible couples can take shared parental leave when the mother opts to end her maternity leave and pay (or maternity allowance) early. The remainder of her statutory leave and pay may be shared between the mother and her partner as shared parental leave and pay.
Case study:
Hannah is a Senior Project Manager in the e-learning industry and her husband Chris works for the Civil Service. When their son Euan was born they decided to split their leave entitlement. Hannah returned to work on a 4.5 day week when Euan was 8 months old at which point Chris took 7 weeks of additional maternity support leave to look after Euan. Both Hannah and Chris feel that sharing leave has been a very positive experience for themselves and their son.
Hannah said that knowing Euan was at home with Chris was very reassuring when she returned to work: “Chris and I felt that this would be one of the few opportunities we would get to spend an extended period of time with Euan before he started school. Going back to work it was nice for me to know that Euan was with Chris rather than going straight into childcare and when I returned to work we were able to meet up for lunches as a family which was great. Sharing leave is something we’ll definitely do again.”
Chris said that having father and baby time together during the period of leave he took was very special: “During the 7 weeks I had with Euan we were able to take part in a range of activities like swimming, music and baby sensory sessions. It was brilliant to have that father and baby time together. It’s something very special and I felt that both Euan and I gained a lot from it. I’d really recommend it to any other dads-to-be.”
A public vote will decide the winner of each category – you can vote for FetLor Youth Club by texting HERO 9 to 87654 or by entering on the STV website http://shows.stv.tv/real-heroes/voting/
I’m writing to tell you about a programme at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery for after-school clubs and family groups called The Twilight Zone.
Get the gallery to yourselves after-hours or come at the weekends and enjoy fun, interactive tours or creative workshops. Visits are free of charge to community groups.
Read all about it here:
www.nationalgalleries.org/TwilightZone
Meg Faragher
Families and Communities Learning Co-ordinator
National Galleries of Scotland
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
1 Queen Street, Edinburgh EH2 1JD
Tel: 0131 624 6428
M: 07814751087
mfaragher@nationalgalleries.org
