Supermum Lisa’s special delivery

Lisa raises funds for Edinburgh’s Sick Kids

Lisa Quarrell, a mum-of-two, visited the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) in Edinburgh this week to hand over a state-of-the-art piece of equipment to help reduce children’s fear of needles.

Lisa, who’s from East Kilbride, is a familiar face at the hospital after her brave son Cole was admitted to the Paediatric Neurology ward at just two years old to receive treatment for epilepsy. Now three, Cole was just three months old when he first started taking seizures.

Cole was admitted to the RHSC in Edinburgh to undergo a lesionectomy on his left temporal lobe. During this time, little Cole had bloods taken twice a day, every day. On top of epilepsy treatment and examinations, these examinations proved to be extremely stressful for baby Cole, mum Lisa and dad David.

Lisa said: “It was very difficult to find Cole’s veins as they would collapse a lot of the time. The trauma of this made Cole extremely needle phobic. Twice a day, we would have to hold him in place for up to 20 minutes, until we could find a vein and get the blood sample that the nurses required.

“It was heart-breaking for me to watch Cole experience this level of fear over the needles and I was desperate to do something to help the nurses and other patients have an easier time when it came to this essential treatment. When the Ward 7 nurses told me about the AccuVein device it seemed like the perfect solution and I knew I wanted to fundraise for this great piece of kit.”

The state-of-the-art AccuVein device, worth more than £3,500, shines a special light over a child’s body to reveal the veins located underneath the skin. This technique allows nurses to carry out any needle-based procedures more quickly and accurately than ever before, vastly improving what is a traumatic experience for so many children.

The Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF), which exists to transform the experiences of children visiting hospital, has also invested almost £5,000 to fund this vein illumination device and other innovative equipment to help reduce children’s anxiety around needles across the hospital.

Lisa continued: “It’s amazing the difference one small instrument can make to a child’s experience in hospital and I’m so happy to see the first AccuVein device I fundraised for go to good use in Ward 7. I’m hoping to fund a further four devices in the next few months so that more children than ever before can benefit.”

Roslyn Neely, Chief Executive of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “At the SKFF we believe that nothing should get in the way of being a child, this includes small procedures like injections, blood samples and cannulation which can be extremely stressful for young children.

“We’re extremely grateful to Lisa and her entire family for their help in bringing this equipment to the ward floors – we’re already seeing the positive impact it is having for patients, families and the nursing staff across the hospital.”

Coorie Doon at North Edinburgh Arts

‘You could be my masterpiece’ – lyric from ‘Sam’s Song’

North Edinburgh Arts played host to a very special gathering earlier this week. Local women from Circle Scotland’s Haven Project – all of whom are pregnant or have recently become mums – have been working with professional musicians over the last eight weeks to produce songs for their children.

There can be few things in life more intimate than singing songs to and with your wee one, and if you wrote that song yourself: well … how wonderful is that! Tuesday was the first opportunity to hear the finished creations and what an inspiring occasion it was.

From June to August Enterprise Music Scotland’s Coorie Doon project engaged the young women to help establish a positive connection between mother and child. A composer, lyricist and musicians worked with participants – all of whom attend either The Haven’s Pregnancy Cafe or Bump to Buggy Group – to compose a song for their child which they themselves could sing to them.

Lead artist for the Coorie Doon project was composer, musician and music educator Rachel Drury, a talented freelance musician and researcher working predominantly in the field of music education and psychology.

Rachel was an inspired choice to lead the project -she is the creator and composer of Baby O and Sensory O, two internationally acclaimed operas for infants aged between 6 and 36 months. Rachel is also a lecturer at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and has given a variety of research lectures across the UK.

Over the course of the project Rachel worked with the participants in both group and individual settings to produce a bespoke piece of music, each one of which is based on the womens’ own experiences.

When the women were happy with their songs they spent a day in North Edinburgh Arts studios to record their tracks, and yesterday’s final session was an opportunity to join with friends and family to celebrate the achievements of the participants and to hear their uniquely personal songs in a live concert setting. And those songs were very special.

One participant was Caroline, who’s ‘Calvin’s Song’ made reference to AC/DC sleeping suits! Her baby is due next month – Caroline knows he’s a boy – and when young Calvin comes into the world he’s going to have his very own little hard rock soundtrack!

Caroline, who’s from West Pilton, said: “It really was a brilliant to be involved in this. None of us had ever done anything like this before, it was completely new experience for everyone. I hope Calvin will like his song – I think he will!”

Coorie Doon was delivered in collaboration with North Edinburgh Arts and Circle Scotland’s Haven Project .

Edinburgh gets playful!

Children set to invade Grassmarket for fun and games

The Grassmarket will be transformed into a giant children’s playground tomorrow (Wednesday) to promote play in the city.

The enclosed street in the Old Town will be transformed between 12.30pm and 4.30pm for Edinburgh’s Playday where there will be lots of family-friendly activities on offer including junk drumming, a mud kitchen, parachute games, magic potions, a giant sand pit, water play, and a cardboard city.

This will be the 15th year that the event has been held and every year gets bigger and more fun! Thousands of people, both young and old, have come along to join in activities on offer.

Playday is the national day for play, which is being celebrated next week. On Playday thousands of children and their families get out to play at hundreds of community events across the UK.

As well as a celebration of children’s right to play, Playday is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives. It’s all about learning for life and showing that play is fun not just for the child but for adults as well.

Councillor Keith Robson, Play Champion for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Play is a massively important part of a child’s development and makes a tremendous contribution to happy and healthy childhoods. Children need freedom to play so they can practice skills, explore the world around them and develop understanding in their own way and in their own time. Real play comes from children’s need to express themselves, to explore, learn about and make sense of their world.

“Playing with your child is one of the most wonderful things about being a parent. It’s a vital part of the way babies and children grown and learn. The time you have fun together brings you closer, makes your child feel loved and secure, helps them develops elf-esteem and social skills.

“Our very popular Playday in the Grassmarket provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate play and promote its many benefits as well as visiting one of the most picturesque areas of the city. I would recommend everyone comes along for what promises to be a fun-filled afternoon of play!”

Playday is part of the successful City of Edinburgh Council Play Strategy which states:

“Edinburgh aims to be a play friendly city where all children and young people can enjoy their childhood. They will have access to play opportunities in a range of different settings which offer variety, adventure and challenge. They will be able to play freely and safely and make choices about where, how and when they play.”

Other ongoing projects to promote play include the formation of the Edinburgh Play Forum – ‘Playful Edinburgh’, which is a partnership of voluntary groups and other organisations supporting play across the city. The forum were successful in gaining Inspiring Scotland Go2Play funding for Play Ranger projects which will run outdoor play sessions in eight sites across the city. The Edinburgh Play Ranger projects are organised by Smart Play Network, Canongate Youth Project, North Edinburgh Arts and Edinburgh Leisure. EPF members Dads Rock and The Yard will be adding to the exciting activities on offer at Playday.

Access to Edinburgh’s Playday is free but children should be accompanied by an adult.

For more information contact cf.play@edinburgh.gov.uk

The event has been organised by the City of Edinburgh Council, the Edinburgh Play Forum and many volunteers.

Thursday is Fun Day at Granton Youth Centre

Granton Youth Centre’s the place to be this Thursday as GYC are holding a fun day at West Granton Road from noon until 3pm.

Come along and join in games, bouncy castle, storytelling, face painting and a BBQ. Entry is free – all welcome!

For more info contact Granton Youth Centre on 467 5854

Free family trip to Scottish National Gallery

Making Faces:
Free Art Activities Trip

Thursday 6 August
10am – 12noon
4-12 years and families

The Scottish National Gallery (SNG) will be hosting free art activities for children and families (aged 4-12years). Inspired by the summer exhibitions at the National Galleries, the theme for the programme is ‘heads and faces’. The free SNG visit will include a guided tour of the exhibition ‘Bailey’s Stardust’ and an exclusive visit to Making Faces.

If you would like to join the North Edinburgh Arts group travelling up to the National Galleries to enjoy the Making Faces activities please book your free space now. We will be going to the galleries by bus (fare not included) leaving and returning to NEA together.

Spaces are limited. To book your free place:

Call: 0131 315 2151
Email: admin@northedinburgharts.co.uk
In person at North Edinburgh Arts

Please note: The cost of transport is not included.

Olympic torch shines at Sick Kids

‘The Olympic torch signifies strength, bravery and persistence – something which the patients of Edinburgh’s children’s hospital have bags of’ – Rachel McKenzie, Sick Kids Friends Foundation.

Ultra-marathon cyclist Katie Ford visited the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh recently to see the impact the Olympic torch she donated to the children’s hospital is having on patients of the Paediatric Neurology ward. Former Olympic torch-bearer Katie also presented a cheque for its new display case.

The iconic beacon, which featured in the London 2012 Olympic Games’ torch relay, has now been installed at the top of the hospital’s Ward 7 corridor to inspire young patients to try and walk the length of the pathway following major surgery.

Katie, who experienced up to three Grand-Mal epileptic seizures a week and up to15 Petit-Mal seizures a day spent five years in and out of the Sick Kids hospital as a youngster.

Fifteen years ago, the inspirational 29-year-old underwent life-changing surgery using equipment funded by the Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF). The video telemetry equipment was used to investigate Katie’s seizures and has allowed her to go on and participate in a number of gruelling charity cycles including Race Across America – an impressive 3,000 mile cycle trail with a 9 day time limit.

Glasgow born Katie said: “It’s fantastic to return to the hospital that gave me so much support in overcoming my epilepsy. The Sick Kids Friends Foundations’ funding meant I could go through the work up testing that allowed me to be selected for neurosurgery that changed my life, and will always have a special place in my heart for that reason.

“It’s so humbling to see the Olympic torch I carried during the 2012 relay take pride of place at Ward 7. I have been privileged enough to meet so many kids with epilepsy here whose dignity and strength is incredible and even helped me carrying on riding during the toughest part of the Race Across America.

“Without the staff and patients of Ward 7 and the hospital, I would never have had the honour of carrying the Olympic flame, or even been able to ride a bike safely. Because of this, I feel the torch belongs here and not with me. It’s an incredible thing and I just hope it continues to inspire the brave, young patients of ward 7 to get back on their feet as soon as they can, because they’ve already inspired me to do more with my own life.”

Rachel McKenzie, head of fundraising at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, added: “We feel very lucky to have such a treasured possession among the wards at the RHSC and are extremely grateful to Katie for this priceless gift. The Olympic torch signifies strength, bravery and persistence – something which the patients of Edinburgh’s children’s hospital have bags of.

“At the Foundation we’re working hard to ensure children are less scared during their time in hospital and have a positive experience – the Olympic torch is a fantastic asset which lights up ward 7 for our young patients. I have no doubt it will go on to inspire some future athletes and Olympians who, like Katie, will overcome the biggest of challenges.”

Pictured: Karen Duguid, Senior Charge Nurse from West Lothian, Katie Ford who donated the torch and Margaret McEwan, Play Specialist from East Lothian with the Olympic torch on Ward 7 at Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh.

A sporting summer at Spartans

Youth Work Provision at Spartans Community Football Academy over the summer holidays:

Street Football In A Safe Place (SFiSP):

Monday to Friday throughout the holidays from 1 – 5pm

Ages: 7-18

Cost – FREE

Location – The Spartans Community Football Academy, 94 Pilton Drive EH5 2HF, next to Ainslie Park Leisure Centre.

Details – SFiSP offers the opportunity for young people to come and play (for free) in a safe, fun and friendly environment. Our Youth Work Team are on the pitch throughout the afternoon to join in the fun and also to make all participants feel safe.

Our 3G requires that everyone on the pitch must wear football boots while playing, but not to worry if you don’t have any as we have a boot bank for those who don’t have boots but would still like to play -and everyone is welcome to borrow a pair!

FooTEA: Days

Friday Nights

Ages: 7 to 11yrs (5pm to 7:30pm), 12 to 15yrs (6pm to 8:15pm)

Cost – FREE

Location – The Spartans Community Football Academy, 94 Pilton Drive EH5 2HF, next to Ainslie Park Leisure Centre (although on occasion we do hold this elsewhere but parents/guardians will be given plenty of notice)

Details – FooTEA is one of the main youth provisions we run here at the SCFA. FooTEA runs from 5pm to 8:15pm every Friday night here at the Academy. The young people who attend spend the first hour playing football, and then afterwards we have a hot meal together, before they are allowed to take part in various activities such as Baking, Xbox, Pool, Table Tennis, Arts and Crafts, etc.

Coaching: Bend it like Beesley (BILB)

Monday to Friday 10am to 12pm throughout the school holidays

Ages: 3yrs to 12yrs (split into three groups:3 -4, 5-8 and 9 -12)

Cost – £40 for the whole week or £8 per day.

Location – The Spartans Community Football Academy, 94 Pilton Drive EH5 2HF, next to Ainslie Park Leisure Centre

Details – ‘Bend It Like Beesley’ is our fun packed holiday programme aimed at 3-12 year olds, named after Spartans First Team star and SCFA Development Officer, Jack Beesley.

The emphasis is on developing young children’s football skills, whilst providing a thoroughly enjoyable week – all under the watchful eye of our highly-qualified Academy coaches.

For more info visit http://scfacoaching.com/bend-it-like-beesley-2/

Jamie Tomkinson,

Youth and Community Worker, The Spartans Community Football Academy

Twitter: Spartans_CFA

Telephone: 0131-552-7854

W: www.spartanscfa.com

20 July Fun at Easter Drylaw Park

Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust are hosting an afternoon of summer activities in Easter Drylaw Park on Monday 20th July ( 2 – 4pm), alongside the council’s summer programme of outdoor events.

You can try out and enjoy some biking with the Bangholm Outdoor Centre or some hula hooping with the Hula Honeys. At 2.30, a guided nature walk sets off to help you explore and discover who and what lives in the park, its hedges and trees (you’ll be amazed!)

There’s a parkour workshop to take part in or just watch. Or else join the treasure hunt for some prizes. And you can make your own skateboard design (materials provided).

This is all on top of all the other events in the park that day as part of ‘Fun in the Park’ with the CEC Community Learning Team – football, golf, juggling circus skills, slackline, bats and balls, frisbees and much more …

The event is being run by ELGT with support from the Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership – follow us on Twitter and Facebook

www.elgt.org.uk

Pregnancies and Parenthood in Young People

Link between deprivation and teenage pregnancies – Scottish government consultation launched

The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on its draft National Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People Strategy.

Teenage pregnancy rates in Scotland have continued to fall in 2013, to the lowest levels on record. Overall, the rates have declined since 2007 across under 16, under 18 and under 20 age groups.

The teenage pregnancy rate for under 20s has dropped from 57.7 per 1,000 population in 2007 to 37.7 per 1,000 population in 2013 – a decrease of around 35 per cent.

In mainland NHS Boards, NHS Grampian recorded the lowest rate in the under 20 age group while NHS Fife recorded the highest.

Despite this decrease in rates, there continues to be a strong link between deprivation and teenage pregnancy. In the under 20 age group, females living in the most deprived areas are nearly five times more likely to experience a pregnancy, and the rate of delivery is nearly 12 times higher than someone living in one of the least deprived areas.

The latest statistics are published as the Scottish Government launches a public consultation on its draft National Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People Strategy. The draft strategy – the first of its kind in Scotland – aims to tackle the cycle of deprivation associated with many cases of pregnancy in young people, and provide extra support for young parents. It will look at the wider issues that lead to pregnancy in young people, as well as sexual health and relationships and therefore aim to give more choices and opportunities to young people and further support to young parents.

The draft Strategy looks to ensure that all agencies, not just the NHS, recognise the need to provide support to young people and young families. One of the proposed commitments is for a National Lead to provide strategic leadership in this area. The National Lead will engage with local and national organisations; ensure the consideration of up to date evidence and policy; monitor and react to progress; and enable sharing of experience and best practice across Scotland.

Public Health Minister Maureen Watt said: “I am pleased to see the rate of teenage pregnancy has continued to reduce for the sixth year, which is very encouraging alongside recent reductions in terminations of pregnancy.

“Reducing levels of pregnancy in young people will help to increase the choices, opportunities and wellbeing available to them throughout their lives. We must look not just at sexual health and relationships but also wider issues. Teenage pregnancy rates have been decreasing under this government, but we are determined to further decrease those rates and to close the inequality gap.

“I am disappointed that significant differences remain between those from deprived populations compared to more affluent populations.

“Our new draft strategy seeks to build on the reductions that we have seen over the last few years. We have engaged with key stakeholders and young people throughout its development and we will continue to engage with them throughout this consultation process to ensure we give young people in Scotland get the best start into adulthood.”

“The draft strategy emphasises the need for a holistic approach to tackling pregnancy in young people by considering wider factors that are key for supporting young people more widely, such as education, attainment and training and employment.

“It is essential that we continue to put the young person at the centre to help them achieve their potential both as individuals and where appropriate, as parents.”

The consultation on the Pregnancy and Parenthood in Young People Strategy can be found here: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2015/07/3144

Sturgeon: UK Budget will hit Scotland’s poorest children

Scottish Government figures give ‘frightening indication’ of potential impact of expected tax credit cuts

Expected cuts to the value of tax credits by the Westminster Government in tomorrow’s budget will impact most on the poorest children in Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said this morning.

Figures due to be published tomorrow (Wednesday) by Scottish Government analysts show that, if the Chancellor cuts child tax credits back to 2003 levels in real terms as has been reported, the poorest 20 per cent of Scottish families with children will lose on average nearly 8 per cent of their income – a total impact of £425 million lost across the country – with 60% of Scottish children affected by the changes.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described the research as “a frightening indication” of the impact of the expected cuts and warned that the UK Government’s approach will “hit Scotland’s poorest children and families hard”.

The First Minister said: “The UK Government has already warned that tomorrow’s budget will continue their austerity approach, which we are clear is not just unfair but damaging to the economy – undermining attempts to stimulate growth.

“Tax credits form an important part of the tax and welfare system, designed particularly to support working families on low incomes.

“More than 500,000 children in Scotland benefit from tax credits. Two-thirds of the £2 billion expenditure on tax credits in 2013-14 went to low-income working families with children and only 5 per cent to households without children.

“If, as we expect, the UK Government targets tax credits for cuts in tomorrow’s budget, it will hit Scotland’s poorest children and families hard. It is a frightening indication of the potential impact of the expected cuts in tomorrow’s UK budget.”

The First Minister went on to describe the austerity approach as ‘economically counter-productive’:

“We want to support people to get into work and to stay in work and the tax credit system provides important practical help to families on low pay.

“These are people who are in jobs and often working very hard for relatively little pay. It is unfair that their children are the people made to pay for the mistakes of the austerity approach – not to mention economically counter-productive.

“When people are in work, they spend their wages in the local economy, leading to a virtuous circle. Cutting child tax credits back to 2003 levels, as we expect the UK Government to do tomorrow, will risk threatening Scotland’s economic recovery.

“The deficit needs to be reduced but this should be done in a more gradual manner with more resources allocated to a programme of additional investment in our economy, rather than risking a financial body-blow to hard-working parents and their children.”

Making Faces: Free Art Activities Trip

Thursday 6 August 10am – 12noon 4-12 years and families

Making Faces:
Free Art Activities Trip

Thursday 6 August
10am – 12noon
4-12 years and families