Tag: Children and Families

Wednesdays and Thursdays are WE DANCE DAYS!

Wednesdays and Thursdays are We Dance Days at North Edinburgh Arts Centre!

Last May, North Edinburgh Arts – working with Imaginate and Dancebase – was awarded 18 months funding from Creative Scotland to host a dancer in residence. Funded through the pARTners scheme, the residency focuses on the health and wellbeing benefots that dance can bring to children, young people and their families living in Forth.

North Edinburgh Arts dancer in residence Skye Reynolds is now running dance workshops with children to explore and experiment with many dance forms and styles. On Wednesdays five to eight year olds from 10 – 11.15am and on Thursdays it’s eight to twelve-year olds from 4 – 5.30pm – so let’s dance!

Primary care – Travel Safe Charter launched

A new resource to help improve road safety education has been launched in primary schools across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scottish Borders. The Travel Safe Charter is a unique approach to promoting safe road practises to young people, seeking a commitment from schools and other agencies to develop curricular activities and partnership working.

Scotland’s national Road Safety Framework aims to reduce road deaths by 50 per cent through 2020 and the Travel Safe Charter has been designed to promote these key visions to all Pl – P7 year groups within our schools. The Charter provides advice and guidance on a range of policies, practices and procedures while encouraging and rewarding individual efforts. It will fit within the existing Curriculum for Excellence framework.

Travel Safe will reinforce and consolidate current good practices, whilst highlighting partnership working, parental input and involvement from the local community. All schools will submit evidence demonstrating that they have achieved the goals set within the Travel Charter framework and will be acknowledged accordingly through the award of a Charter certificate. The schools adjudged to be meeting these criteria will be given Travel Safe accreditation, which will be reviewed after three years.

Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill showed his support and helped launch the campaign at Duddingston Primary School yesterday.

Police believe Travel Safe will be a very useful tool to ensure a more sustainable approach to road safety education in primary schools. Chief Inspector Jim Royan from Lothian and Borders Police Safer Communities said: “As part of the Edinburgh Road Safety Partnership’s commitment to education, the Travel Safe Charter has been introduced to assist primary schools developing road safety education as a more vital part of the curriculum. Too many lives are lost needlessly on our roads each year and the earlier we can educate young people on road safety issues the better.

” School is where children receive the vast majority of their education and it’s appropriate for schools to play a key role in promoting road safety to their pupils. However, they are not alone in this project and police and partner agencies will provide all the necessary support and guidance schools require when adapting their curricular programme. We are also keen to get parents more involved and would encourage anyone who would like to assist with road safety education to respond to local school appeals for volunteers.”

Duddingston Depute Head Teacher Sara Webster said: “We are very excited about being part of the new Travel Safe Charter. Road safety is a skill for life which we feel is part of our responsibility asking children to assess and manage risk to protect themselves in the 21st century.”

Stepping Stones annual general meeting

Stepping Stones (North Edinburgh) will be holding their AGM on Thursday 20 September at 12.30pm in Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, Pilton Drive North. All welcome.

Stepping Stones is one of North Edinburgh’s longest established and most succesful community-led organisations, and has worked with young parents (up to 25) and pregnant teenagers from across the Greater Pilton Area of Edinburgh since 1986.

Stepping Stones provides structured but flexible support to young parent families and pregnant teenagers, providing centres where parents can relax, enjoy themselves and their children. The varied group work programmes include leisure recreational and educational activities and is designed to offer a wide range of learning opportunities to the family.

Individual support is also available to complement the group work sessions. Individual support includes counselling, help with parenting, play therapy, relationship advice, career and training advice, housing and debt management, etc. A designated worker provides individual and group support to very young pregnant teenagers.

For further information about Stepping Stones (North Edinburgh) telephone 551 1632, email ststnorthed@hotmail.com or visit their website at www.steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk  Then again, you could find out all the latest Stepping Stones news by attending the AGM!

 

Total Craigroyston – update

Manager Christine Mackay gives an update on the Total Craigroyston initiative:

Consultation meeting at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

I hope you have all had a good summer in spite of the dreary weather.

Many thanks to all of you who contributed to our consultation events. In total, 215 local residents and front line staff, from 37 different teams and organisations were involved in nine events.

We had expected to be ready to share the outcome with you earlier in August but in the end, processing all the information we received took longer than we thought. However, we now have a draft ‘Road Map’, which will set the direction for the Total Craigroyston Initiative. The information and insights that we gathered have been grouped into themes and we have identified a range of short and long term actions that we would like to achieve over the life of the initiative.

What is obvious is that there is a real strength within the community and a desire to build on the good work that is already going on. Of course, some challenges were identified and we hope that we can make progress on these in order to achieve the kinds of changes that people would like to see.

We have organised a range of meetings to present the findings of the research back to people who were involved and other stakeholders.

The meetings will take place on the following dates:

Tuesday 4 September at 2pm in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre

Wednesday  5 September at 7pm in Craigroyston Community High School

Thursday 6 September at 10am in North Edinburgh Arts Centre.

Everyone is welcome but please book a place by contacting Julie Innes by telephone on 469 3162 or by email on julie.innes@edinburgh.gov.uk. Childcare can be arranged for those who need it. Please let Julie know when you book a place.

The draft Road Map will be available on Monday 20 August from the Total Craigroyston Blog at totalcraigroyston.wordpress.com and if you have any comments or observations please let us know.

As well as the meetings above, there will be a short presentation to the Forth Neighbourhood Partnership on Tuesday 21 Aug at 7pm, which is open to everyone.

Two Play Out days were organised by Total Craigroyston

Adult Education enrolment now open

CRAIGROYSTON a wide range of courses available

With the kids back to school today, what better time to think about going back to school yourself? The city council’s adult education programme offers a wide variety of courses geared to suit your circumstances – and, with venues that include Craigroyston High School and Edinburgh’s Telford College, often right on your own doorstep!

No less than 48 venues are offering courses over the next academic term, and the ever popular programme has some exotic new additions this year – how about some Bollywood dancing or Mexican Cooking to spice up your life?

With day, evening and weekend courses on offer across the city, there is a variety of subjects to choose from, including art, computing, languages, fitness, genealogy, crafts, yoga, belly dancing, wine appreciation, gardening or stress management.

Councillor Paul Godzik, Convener for Education, Children and Families said: “The amount of classes and subject matter on offer this year is absolutely fantastic, there truly is something to suit all tastes.  Some will see these classes as an opportunity to try something new or take on a hobby but they can also be a stepping stone on to further education or indeed into a new career.

“I would advise anyone who has some time to spare over the coming autumn and winter to look into what’s on offer and to secure your place sooner rather than later.”

Rajni Ravikunar, who is teaching a Bollywood Dancing class this year, says she is looking forward to classes starting   and is encouraging the public to have a go: “The classes are great fun and will give participants a chance to get fit too.  We’ll be bringing a taste of Bollywood glamour to Edinburgh, I’m really excited.”

There are a number of Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) at Higher and Unit levels being run by Stevenson College Edinburgh and Edinburgh’s Telford College. These can be taken as formal qualifications for work, college or university or simply for personal development or interest.

Courses start on 24 September except Highers which begin on 03 September. Enrolment is now open.

TELFORD offers Highers and SQA Units

 

Vicki says goodbye to Granton

Vicki Ridley is to leave Granton Youth Centre. Vicki, who has managed the youth centre since 2003, is taking up a new post with Canongate Youth Project.

Granton Youth Centre opened on West Granton Road in 2003 in a building shared with the Pilton Partnership. The new Centre did not have the most successful of starts, however, and it was only with the arrival of Vicki as new manager that the Centre started to live up to it’s potential.

Ten years on, under Vicki’s drive and leadership, Granton Youth Centre has gone from strength to strength: constantly building and developing to offer a comprehensive range of services in a programme that’s always been planned with, and centred around, the needs and requirements of the young people themselves.

Vicki said: “Ten years is a long time to be involved in any organisation, and it’s certainly the longest that I’ve been involved with an organisation.  Granton Youth Centre has been an amazing place to work, often challenging, but never a dull moment and occasionally loads of fun! I have lots of fond memories to take away with me, and I have met some truly amazing people whose courage and resilience, kindness and positivity have blown me away, and kept me, the service and everyone else at GYC going when things got tough.

“Although the choppy waters of local community politics don’t always help with plain sailing, some of the partnerships, networks and local organisations we have worked with have been really valuable.  I hope young people throughout Forth continue to benefit from a range and diversity of provision which meets their needs, and that all the organisations in the area have a sustainable and prosperous future.

“It’s great to see how GYC has become a viable and valued resource for young people where once there was none.  My favourite memories are largely concerning situations where young people do well – they receive certificates, awards, or make a small/medium/large breakthrough.  My least favourite memories will be collated and written up in small novella format for publication at a later date!

I look forward to working with friends and colleagues in my new role as Manager of Canongate Youth Project.”

When advertising for a replacement, Granton Youth Centre’s voluntary Board of Management said they were seeking ‘an exceptional candidate to lead our organisation and take our plans forward’. Interviews take place this month, but Vicki will indeed be a hard act to follow.

Olympic fever grips Craigroyston!

If tickets are hard to come by in London, Craigroyston Community High School’s Early Years Olympics were even more exclusive – by invitation only!

The great event took place today and the NEN was delighted to be there. Thanks to Lorraine Grant for the invitation, the Early Years volunteers for the organisation and attention to detail, the spectators (mums, dads and carers) for creating that unique Olympic atmosphere and most of all to the brilliant wee participants – maybe there’s a wee future Hoy or Ennis in the following pictures!

Let's hear it for the girls! Muirhouse Womens Group celebrates success

Let’s hear it for our local ladies who lunch!

Muirhouse Women’s Group haven’t exactly been lacking in causes since they set up almost three years ago. The enthusiastic band first came to the NEN’s attention when they composed and fired off a letter about poverty to the Prime Minister last year, and it seems they’re never stopped since! The group’s come a long way, and their dedication was rewarded recently when they received The Edinburgh Adult Education Award for Outstanding Achievement during Adult Learners Week.

Members of the group picked up their trophy at a celebration event at the City Chambers – and the icing on the cake was to follow  when new Lord Provost Donald Wilson, who had been so impressed by the group’s achievements, invited our local ladies to lunch!

Muirhouse Women’s Group – now North Edinburgh Women’s Group, as women from other parts of the area have joined – have been involved in so many campaigns and activities, both as a group and as individuals, that it’s hard to keep track of them all.

I met up with the women in North Edinburgh Arts Centre last month, and the women enthusiastically (and noisily!) catalogued their achievements:

  • Writing to the Prime Minister to highlight the plight of poorer people being exacerbated by welfare reforms
  • Researching, compiling and presenting a report on Poverty for last autumn’s Craigroyston Conference
  • Actively supporting the North Edinburgh Fights Back campaign, including addressing councillors as part of a delegation
  • Working with Muirhouse Library to help resolve local antisocial behaviour issues, then choosing new children’s books (pictured above) and helping to organise a successful Open Day.

There’s probably much, much more – but in my defence it was hard to hear everything that was being thrown at me and I can’t write that fast! The women are justifiably proud of all they’ve achieved, but are keen to continue what they’ve started. Cathy Ahmed said: “This is a really brilliant group to be part of. I can’t really describe how it’s changed things for me – I’ve got an awful lot more confidence and I’ve done things I would never have attempted before, and that’s the same for a lot of the other women as well. We all support each other and have a great laugh when we’re together – we’re different characters and different ages but there are a lot of things we agree on and we have a lot in common too. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like without the group – I think we’ve got lots more to do”.

Community Learning Development workers Sarah Low and Lynn McCabe have supported the group on their remarkable journey – although sometimes it been more like trying to rein them in!

Sarah said: “Members of the group have come so far over the past year, attracting new members, experiencing drama, gaining in confidence and most of all learning new skills – and during all this they’ve also managed to have fun: decorating banners, going on family trips and volunteering at the Muirhouse Play Out Event!  This is an amazing – and well deserved – achievement for the group.”

Willie Black, a member of the North Edinburgh Fights Back campaign, said: ‘Our community has a history of having bred strong women who fight for what they believe in. These women are made in that same mould – they won’t be brushed aside and they smell bullshit at a hundred yards! They’re a credit to North Edinburgh and we need more like them”.

Marco Biagi MSP presented the Adult Achievement Awards at the City Chambers. He said: “This is a great example of non-formal learning in the community and shows the benefits that come from life long learning. Congratulations to all of the groups who are celebrating their success this evening”.

The women received further recognition when a motion by Forth councillor Cammy Day congratulating the group was supported by the full council meeting on 28 June. The motion read: “Council congratulates the work of the North Edinburgh Women’s Group in their award for local community activity – outstanding achievement for adult learning (adult education awards).

Furthermore Council commends the highly successful community conference organised by North Edinburgh Fights Back and the Muirhouse Women’s Group specifically in regards to highlighting poverty, inequality and fuel poverty.

Council welcomes the anti-poverty charter, and agrees to work with these groups in addressing poverty and inequalities.”

For further information about North Edinburgh Womens Group activities call Sarah Low on 552 5700, or email her at sarah.low@edinburgh.gov.uk

Additional pictures by Lynn McCabe

Let’s hear it for the girls! Muirhouse Womens Group celebrates success

Let’s hear it for our local ladies who lunch!

Muirhouse Women’s Group haven’t exactly been lacking in causes since they set up almost three years ago. The enthusiastic band first came to the NEN’s attention when they composed and fired off a letter about poverty to the Prime Minister last year, and it seems they’re never stopped since! The group’s come a long way, and their dedication was rewarded recently when they received The Edinburgh Adult Education Award for Outstanding Achievement during Adult Learners Week.

Members of the group picked up their trophy at a celebration event at the City Chambers – and the icing on the cake was to follow  when new Lord Provost Donald Wilson, who had been so impressed by the group’s achievements, invited our local ladies to lunch!

Muirhouse Women’s Group – now North Edinburgh Women’s Group, as women from other parts of the area have joined – have been involved in so many campaigns and activities, both as a group and as individuals, that it’s hard to keep track of them all.

I met up with the women in North Edinburgh Arts Centre last month, and the women enthusiastically (and noisily!) catalogued their achievements:

  • Writing to the Prime Minister to highlight the plight of poorer people being exacerbated by welfare reforms
  • Researching, compiling and presenting a report on Poverty for last autumn’s Craigroyston Conference
  • Actively supporting the North Edinburgh Fights Back campaign, including addressing councillors as part of a delegation
  • Working with Muirhouse Library to help resolve local antisocial behaviour issues, then choosing new children’s books (pictured above) and helping to organise a successful Open Day.

There’s probably much, much more – but in my defence it was hard to hear everything that was being thrown at me and I can’t write that fast! The women are justifiably proud of all they’ve achieved, but are keen to continue what they’ve started. Cathy Ahmed said: “This is a really brilliant group to be part of. I can’t really describe how it’s changed things for me – I’ve got an awful lot more confidence and I’ve done things I would never have attempted before, and that’s the same for a lot of the other women as well. We all support each other and have a great laugh when we’re together – we’re different characters and different ages but there are a lot of things we agree on and we have a lot in common too. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like without the group – I think we’ve got lots more to do”.

Community Learning Development workers Sarah Low and Lynn McCabe have supported the group on their remarkable journey – although sometimes it been more like trying to rein them in!

Sarah said: “Members of the group have come so far over the past year, attracting new members, experiencing drama, gaining in confidence and most of all learning new skills – and during all this they’ve also managed to have fun: decorating banners, going on family trips and volunteering at the Muirhouse Play Out Event!  This is an amazing – and well deserved – achievement for the group.”

Willie Black, a member of the North Edinburgh Fights Back campaign, said: ‘Our community has a history of having bred strong women who fight for what they believe in. These women are made in that same mould – they won’t be brushed aside and they smell bullshit at a hundred yards! They’re a credit to North Edinburgh and we need more like them”.

Marco Biagi MSP presented the Adult Achievement Awards at the City Chambers. He said: “This is a great example of non-formal learning in the community and shows the benefits that come from life long learning. Congratulations to all of the groups who are celebrating their success this evening”.

The women received further recognition when a motion by Forth councillor Cammy Day congratulating the group was supported by the full council meeting on 28 June. The motion read: “Council congratulates the work of the North Edinburgh Women’s Group in their award for local community activity – outstanding achievement for adult learning (adult education awards).

Furthermore Council commends the highly successful community conference organised by North Edinburgh Fights Back and the Muirhouse Women’s Group specifically in regards to highlighting poverty, inequality and fuel poverty.

Council welcomes the anti-poverty charter, and agrees to work with these groups in addressing poverty and inequalities.”

For further information about North Edinburgh Womens Group activities call Sarah Low on 552 5700, or email her at sarah.low@edinburgh.gov.uk

Additional pictures by Lynn McCabe

Another PLAY OUT this Friday!

It’s fun – even when it’s raining! Last week’s Play Out in Muirhouse

Go on – play out in the street! Following last weekend’s inaugural Play Out in Muirhouse on Saturday, the Total Craigroyston team has organised another fun day this Friday – and this time it’s in West Pilton.

This Friday, from 11 – 3pm, part of Ferry Road Drive will be blocked off to traffic and will become a fun family playground!

Among the activities planned are water balloons, traditional street games, water slides and puppet theatre with Licketyspit.

Last weekend’s event was a great, make Friday’s even better. Go on – play out in the street!

For further information about Play Out contact Sarah Low on 552 5700, and to find out more about the Total Craigroyston initiative check out the blog at http://totalcraigroyston.wordpress.com