Inverleith House is hosting an Open Weekend on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May from 10am to 5pm.
Events include talks by exhibition staff, performance, live music and special offers on limited edition exhibition catalogues and posters.
Events are free but booking is essential, so to reserve your place email
ihouse@rbge.ac.uk
‘Mum, I’m bored!’ Don’t despair – help is at hand!
With the school holidays well underway, parents are planning how to keep their youngsters ones entertained for the next fortnight.
The City of Edinburgh Council, which offers a wide variety of entertaining and educational activities for children and young people, has created a ‘best of’ list to help families stay occupied on a budget.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Culture & Sport Convener, said: “The Easter break is a chance for families to try something different and experience Edinburgh’s great selection of museums and school break activities. The challenge of balancing budgets and keeping the kids entertained is no easy task for any parent, and I encourage those of all ages and interests to take in the wealth of attractions in the city centre, many of which are free.”
The City Art Centre has been transformed into a science playground as the Edinburgh International Science Festival launches with a full programme of events, exhibitions and experiments until 19 April. Children can visit the Market Street centre for six floors of science lessons including classes on potion making and monster hunts . Day passes are £7 for adults, £9 for children over 7 and £6.50 for children aged six and under.
The Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile hosts a treasure trove of toys the whole family will love. Children can learn what it was like to grow up in other eras and gaze at a range of toys and games, while adults can enjoy a trip down memory lane. The latest exhibition to open at the Museum is a celebration of the classic children’s gift, the Annual. Entry is free.
Also on the Royal Mile is the Museum of Edinburgh. Housed in the beautifully restored 16th Century buildings on the Canongate, it is the city’s principle museum of local history where children can dress up in replica costumes from Georgian and Victorian times and follow an activity trail around the Museum to learn about Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns.
Adults and older children can enjoy the museum’s newest attraction, Historic Edinburgh From Above, an aerial photography exhibition exploring the dramatic changes to the Edinburgh skyline over the 20th Century. Entry is free with spotlight guided tours taking place at 1:00pm and 3:00pm on Thursdays and Saturdays.
The beautiful grounds of Lauriston Castle, laid out by William Henry Playfair in the 1840s, are worth a wander – especially on Saturday 19 April from 10:00am when the Castle staff host their annual Easter egg hunt. Entry is £7 per person. Afterwards, why not stay for afternoon tea and a game of croquet? Further details and other workshops are available from the website. Guided tours of the Castle take place every day at 2:00pm except Friday.
For when the weather makes a turn, the City’s 28 community libraries will be open for borrowing – and much more besides. Visit the libraries’ website for further details or contact your local library for details of special holiday events.
For active kids, Edinburgh Leisure has a range of dedicated holiday activities for ages 3-13 years running throughout the fortnight, from free tennis tasters at Leith Links to trampolining at Meadowbank. Until the 21 April, Edinburgh Leisure is also offering free swimming to all primary school children at Dalry, Gracemount and Ainslie Park Leisure Centres. This year marks the first time the free sessions will be open to any public swim session at participating pools. Visit the website for further details.
After taking in the city, where better to enjoy the breathtaking views of Edinburgh than by climbing to the top of the tallest tribute to a writer in the world, the Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens. Equally impressive is the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill.
At night, take the scenic route home passing through the spectacular Field of Light which will remain in St Andrew’s Square until 27 April. Entry is free.
There’s got to be something among that lot to keep the little dears happy?
More than one in a hundred Edinburgh families are affected by autism, and a range of events are being held across the city next Wednesday (2 April) to mark World Autism Awareness Day.
The Awareness Day follows the launch last week of Autism Edinburgh, a campaign to raise awareness about the symptoms of autism and how best to support individuals and families.
Among the events planned to raise awareness and understanding of autism are:
‘Surroundings’ art exhibition
Exhibition of work by trainees at the Gallery on the Corner.
2-30 April 2014, 34 Northumberland Street, EH3 6LS
Contact: 0131 557 8969, www.thegalleryonthecorner.org.uk
Scott v Zombies discussion with Alan Grant author and Scott Davidson
With dvd and auction of art work by Robin Smith. Preview artworks at www.art.linkedinburgh.bigcartel.com
2 April 2014, 6-7 pm, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place. Book in advance by phoning 0131 229 3555 or info@artlinkedinburgh.co.uk
Open information event
With complimentary therapy for carers, cake sales and cake decorating, craft workshop, quiz run by PASDA and Lothian Autistic Society.
2 April 2014, 4-7 pm, Conference Centre, Norton Park, 47 Albion Road. Contact: 0131 475 2416 or info@pasda.org.uk
Sponsored walk raising money for Autism Initiatives Scotland
2 April 2014, 7-9 pm
Contact for information – 0131 551 7260 or hos@aiscotland.org.uk
Upward Mobility celebrates World Autism Awareness Day
film/art work/live music and nibbles – open event
3 April 2014, 2-4 pm, Floor B1, St Margarets House, 151 London Road.
‘Swing into Spring’: Season opening of Hermitage Golf Course
Open to all. Crazy golf, disk golf display, “build your own birdfeeder” and more.
6 April 2014, 10am-4 pm, 11 Braid Hills Drive EH10 6GZ
Contact: 0131 5517260 or hos@aiscotland.org.uk
Autism Life in Colour exhibition
10 March – 2 April, Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place.Contact: 0131 529 5665 or stockbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
3 April-17 April, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road EH16 4DS
Contact: 0131 529 5597 or craigmillar.library@edinburgh.gov.uk
Find out more:
You can find out more about any or all of these events at a World Autism Awareness Day Information Point. They will be open from 10-3 pm on Wednesday 2 April at:
Edinburgh University – outside the main library, 30 George Square, EH8 9LJ
North Edinburgh council Office – 8 West Pilton Gardens, EH4 4DP
South Neighbourhood Centre – 40 Captains’ Road, EH17 8QF
Wester Hailes Healthy Living Centre, 30 Harvesters Way, Edinburgh EH14 3JF
Norton Park, 47 Albion Road EH7 5QY.
Coffee Cups
Watch out for coffee cups in cafes with messages about autism
Contact 0131 661 3834 or office@lothianautistic.org to find out more
A campaign to raise awareness about the symptoms of autism and how best to support individuals and families was launched in Edinburgh last week. Autism Edinburgh has been set up by the City of Edinburgh Council and partner organisations in a bid to support people in the capital who have the disorder.
The city council has also launched it’s autism plan, which highlights the importance of getting the right service at the right time for people with autism, and their carers. Anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of autism can take part in the specialised online training programme.
Autism is a lifelong developmental disorder which can affect people with or without a learning disability– sometimes known as Aspergers Syndrome. It affects both children and adults, and can have a profound effect on the way a person understands and interacts with the world around them.
Councillor Ricky Henderson, Health and Social Care Convener, (pictured above) said: “Autism affects people differently, some people are able to live successful and independent lives whilst others will need very specialist support.
“A wide range of services are already available in Edinburgh and the way in which we will keep delivering these in the future is described in the autism plan. The Autism Edinburgh campaign is a great example of working in partnership with other organisations, which will let us offer the very best in care and support.”
Autism Edinburgh is being delivered in partnership with Autism Initiatives, Upward Mobility, Parents of Autism Spectrum Disorder Adults (PASDA), Lothian Autistic Society, Edinburgh University, NHS Lothian, Intowork, Edinburgh and the Lothian’s Aspergers Society and the Action Group.
Visit www.edinburgh.gov.uk/autism for further information, or contact the Autism Advice Line on 01259 720 044.
Tods Murray Solicitors have announced their Charity of the Year for 2014 will be The Yard – the purpose-built indoor and outdoor adventure playground in Edinburgh for children and young people with disabilities.
The Yard was one of three charities shortlisted and was subsequently selected by a staff vote in both the Tods Murray Glasgow and Edinburgh offices.
The Yard was established in 1986 and is a unique and dynamic adventure play centre experienced every year by more than 1600 children and young people with disabilities. Located in Eyre Place Lane, doors open daily throughout the year to schools, families, disabled children and young people, their siblings and friends.
The Yard aims to provide care, support, fun and friendship in equal measure whilst encouraging families to let go and promote challenge, personal growth and supported independence for their children. The charity also featured on BBC’s DIY SOS show The Big Build which saw TV celebrity Nick Knowles and local tradespeople assist in revamping the centre.
Speaking after the announcement, Tods Murray Executive Partner and Head of Third Sector David Dunsire said: “We are very proud of our Charity of the Year programme which has assisted local charities for a number of years. This year staff really took to the Yard and its’ story so far. It is a relatively small charity and we look forward to contributing during 2014 through volunteering, fundraising and awareness raising.”
Celine Sinclair, Chief Executive of the Yard welcomed the partnership, adding: “We are absolutely delighted to have been chosen as Charity of the Year for Tods Murray. Demand for our services is at an all-time high and the support of Tods Murray through fundraising and volunteering will really help us meet this.”
North Edinburgh Timebank is hosting a Community Board Game Afternoon this Friday (21 March) from 3pm -4.30 pm North Edinburgh Arts (after the Treasure Hunt – see previous post)
We need a good selection of games for Friday afternoon. Do you have anything we could borrow just for Friday? We shall return any game loaned to us – with all pieces intact! Ludo, Cluedo, Kerplunk, cards, Happy Families – anything that can be played by adults and children – and doesn’t take 3 weeks to finish (no Monopoly or Risk, thanks!)
If you can help out, drop things in at NEA for Julie or phone/email me to collect.
Julie Smith
North Edinburgh Time Bank Broker
c/o North Edinburgh Arts
15a Pennywell Court
Edinburgh EH4 4TZ
Mob: 07807002591
www.edinburghtimebank.org.uk
There be treasure in Forth!
North Edinburgh community group Living in Harmony has been working with Forth Neighbourhood Partnership to produce a new print and online community map. That work is now complete and a fun family event is being held to launch the new resource.
The Hidden Gems Community Treasure Hunt takes place on Friday 21 March (1 – 3pm) when local families can use the new map to find venues around the area, answer clues and take part in fun activities in each participating venue. The thinking behind this is that once you’ve visited a place and met someone friendly it’s much easier to go back again!
Sounds like fun – all welcome!
See attached flyer for further info:
Flora Stevenson and Wardie are among Edinburgh primary schools earmarked for additional classrooms as the city council faces the ongoing challenge of rising school rolls …
Plans to deliver new classrooms to deal with the issue of rising rolls in the capital have been revealed by the City of Edinburgh Council.
The Primary School Estate Rising Rolls report lists seven schools where space pressures may arise for the start of the 2015/16 session – Clermiston, East Craigs, Flora Stevenson, Gilmerton, Pentland, Ratho and Wardie Primary Schools – and a number of possible solutions.
In addition three other schools south of the city centre – Brunstfield, James Gillespie’s and South Morningside – face similar issues. A separate report which considers their specific issues and the possible approaches in that area as a whole will also be discussed at the Education, Children and Families Committee on 4 March.
With primary school rolls projected to rise to a peak of nearly 31,000 pupils by 2019 – an increase of about 15% on the position at the start of the 2013/14 school year – the Council is actively tackling the issue. £15m has already been pledged to help build extra accommodation; Granton, Trinity and Wardie Primary Schools all received new classrooms at the start of this school year receiving positive feedback from parents, pupils and staff.
A total of 18 new classrooms will be built at four schools for the start of the next school year in August 2014 – Broughton, Victoria, St David’s and Craigour Park – with a further 6 additional classrooms being provided at Fox Covert, Stockbridge, Flora Stevenson, Bruntsfield and Gylemuir Primary Schools by adapting the existing buildings.
Councillor Paul Godzik, Education Convener, said: “This report highlights the schools where we believe there will be accommodation pressures and outlines how we can meet demand for places from catchment pupils in 2015/16. The increase in rolls comes at a time when budgets are under increasing pressure, and so the Council has a responsibility to plan ahead, and ensure we provide a solution that fits with our needs and our budget.
“Despite the difficult financial climate the Capital Coalition has doubled the budget available for rising rolls, pledging £15m to tackle the issue. This has already resulted in fantastic new accommodation being delivered at several schools across the city.
“The primary school roll projections are updated every year to identify those schools where future accommodation pressures might arise allowing us to plan in advance for any changes necessary to deal with increased pupil numbers. We will now consult with these schools to identify the best solution to address the pressures should they arise.”
Cllr Godzik added: “Whether or not it is traditional extensions, new build accommodation or adapting existing space, we are committed to providing the very best educational environment for our pupils and are determined to listen to parental views and work with school communities as we move forward.
“In the longer term finding a sustainable solution to the problem of rising rolls is really important. We have to ensure there is space available for our catchment pupils. That’s why we will be laying out proposals to deal with the issue south of the city centre in the Brunstfield, James Gillespie’s and South Morningside area, and why we are working very closely with planning colleagues to look at the wider impact of housing developments included in the Local Development Plan.”
A further report will be considered at the May committee with a proposed solution for each school.
Children and Young People Bill is passed
Children’s Minister Aileen Campbell has welcomed Parliament’s backing for new laws to provide greater support for children and families, saying the reforms will ‘help Scotland become ‘the best place in the world to grow up’. The Bill was not passed without opposition, however – critics have expressed concern over a lack of clarity and say that the proposals have not been fully costed.
The Children and Young People Bill will deliver more funded, flexible early learning and childcare of at least 600 hours a year for three- and four-year-olds and the most vulnerable two year olds – delivering a saving of around £700 per child per family per year – from August.
Other provisions in the Bill will see:
• From April 2015, teenagers in residential, foster or kinship care who turn 16 gaining new rights to remain ‘looked-after’ up to the age of 21, as well as extended entitlement to aftercare up to their 26th birthday.
• New duties placed on Ministers and the wider public sector to promote children’s rights, as well increased powers given to Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner.
• Kinship carers gaining enhanced legal entitlements to assistance.
• Scotland’s National Adoption Register placed in statute, improving prospects for finding homes for vulnerable young children.
• Counselling and other support provided for vulnerable children and their families.
• Improved provision of advice and help when needed for children and families from early years to adulthood, including providing a ‘named person’ for each child – usually their health visitor or head/senior teacher – available as a single point of contact.
• Every primary 1 to 3 child gaining the option of a free school lunch from next January.
• Strengthened legislation on school closures, including new requirements and improved transparency for closure proposals, particularly in rural communities.
Ministers have set out their longer-term ambition to transform childcare provision and ensure every child from one to school age is entitled to 1,140 hours each year, if Scotland gains full control of its finances following a vote for independence in September. This can help boost economic activity and support around 35,000 additional early years jobs.
Ms Campbell added: “As I have always said, this Bill is a starting point for a significant expansion of high quality, flexible early learning and childcare. It sets the foundations for our longer-term aim to transform childcare provision using the full powers and resources of independence – enabling us to support more parents wanting to move into work by re-investing higher revenues from improved economic activity back into expanded childcare provision.
“Our approach is a phased, sustainable one, where we are focusing first on those families who are most in need and who will benefit most from an expansion of funded hours. Not only will this improve the life chances of children, it will also provide opportunities for parents and families to benefit from support into training or sustainable employment.
“In Scotland’s Future we have set out phased plans to achieve 1,140 hours per year for all children aged between 1 and 5, starting with an increase to half of all 2 year olds. The expansion set out in the Bill is a significant step towards realising that vision.”
Commenting on the Bill’s wider measures, Ms Campbell added: “This landmark Bill is testament to the ambition, hard work and dedication of many young people, their families and countless others who have backed them in their calls for improved recognition and support from public and other services as they move towards adulthood.
“The legislation is the culmination of extensive consultation and discussion with a wide variety of individuals and groups all with the best interests of Scotland’s children at heart. The measures will support children and families right across the country and will help secure a widely-held ambition for Scotland to be the best place in the world for children to grow up.”
The legislation has been widely welcomed across the country. Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, Martin Crewe, said: “Children in care are one of the most vulnerable groups of people in Scotland and this Bill represents the biggest shake-up of the support we give them for nearly twenty years. It will help transform the lives of looked-after children for the better, ensuring that we begin to get it right for every care leaver in Scotland.”
There are some dissenting voices, however. Opposition MSPs raised concern that they were being asked to pass the bill without knowing the full cost of implementing the proposals, while other groups have talked about a ‘Big Brother’ state and argue that the universal ‘named person’ approach will result in a reduced services for those that need them most.
Not so, argues Chief Executive of Children in Scotland, Jackie Brock, who said: “We appreciate and understand the concerns that have been raised by some groups regarding the Scottish Government plans for a named person, outlined as part of the Children and Young People Bill, but believe that some of the opposition to this element of the Bill is a result of a misunderstanding of what the named person will actually involve.
“The role of a primary point of contact available to all children and families, is a step towards ending silo thinking and is merely the formalization of practice that already exists across the country. It is not about creating “a snoopers charter” but instead will provide a safety net for those who need one, improving information sharing around vulnerable and potentially vulnerable children.”
Save the Children has received over £177,000 from the STV Appeal 2013 to deliver its Families and Schools Together (FAST) programme across Scotland.
Families and Schools Together (FAST) is an award-winning, family focused programme that brings together parents, children, teachers and the wider community to make sure children get the support they need to fulfil their potential at school and in life.
The eight week programme, aimed at parents, carers and children aged three to eight, has been proven to help children achieve more in schools and improve family relationships and links between home, school and the local community.
The programme is entirely voluntary and open to all families, with typical activities including singing, family games, imaginative play, and sitting down together to eat a family meal. It provides a fun and relaxed space for families to experience a mixture of play and learning activities, hands on coaching and support for parents and carers.
FAST was originally developed in the US by Professor Lynn McDonald and runs in partnership with Middlesex University throughout the whole of the UK. Funds from the STV Appeal will allow Save the Children to run FAST in 20 schools and six local authorities across Scotland, potentially reaching over 800 children.
The STV Appeal was set up in 2011 by STV and The Hunter Foundation and in 2013 the Wood Family Trust pledged its support to the Appeal. Now in its third year, the STV Appeal has raised a total of £5.8million which has been invested in 163 big and small community projects across all 32 local authority areas in Scotland, helping over 18,000 children. Every penny raised stays in Scotland and goes directly towards helping the children who need it most.
One in five children across Scotland live in poverty – and for some communities that figure is even worse. In parts of the country every second family is living in poverty meaning that in every community there will be a family struggling to feed its kids, a family struggling to clothe them in the winter, a family struggling just to make ends meet. The STV Appeal works in communities all over Scotland helping those young people and giving them the same opportunity that other children take for granted. Working at a local level, the STV Appeal has helped projects in every local authority.
Neil Mathers, Save the Children’s Head of Scotland, said: “FAST has been phenomenally successful in Scotland and the feedback we get from schools and parents is always so positive. More families than ever are keen to be involved this year and with the help of STV Appeal, we will be able to make this happen.
“It’s clear from visiting each FAST programme how much children enjoy the activities and time spent with their families and that this has a positive impact on how they view school.”
Rob Woodward, STV CEO and trustee of the STV Appeal, said: “The third year of the STV Appeal has been our most successful yet. With the help of our generous supporters and fantastic fundraising efforts taking place right across Scotland we have now raised over £5.8m. The money donated to the STV Appeal stays right here in Scotland and will help make a real difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people on our doorstep.”
Sir Tom Hunter, trustee of the STV Appeal, said: “The STV Appeal is for Scotland by Scotland’s people who truly have stepped up to support our work in trying to beat the horror that is child poverty here in Scotland. This is a long haul but at the end of the day we can and we will eradicate the impacts poverty has on Scotland’s young people. Every single penny we raise goes directly to tackling the issue of child poverty across all of Scotland something I’m really proud of.”
Sir Ian Wood, trustee of the STV Appeal, said: “This is the Wood Family Trust’s first year of involvement with the STV Appeal to help tackle the issue of child poverty in Scotland. We are delighted to be part of the fundraising endeavours of so many, which have enabled the distribution of such significant financial support to local projects in our own communities. We are optimistic that with the generous total raised by supporters of the STV Appeal, combined with the on-going hard work and dedication seen in communities across Scotland, the lives of children and young people affected by poverty in Scotland can, and will, be changed for the better.”
FAST has already proved to be a great success in North Edinburgh – see the ‘FAST work at Craigroyston’ NEN blog post in March 2012. The STV Appeal grant will now enable FAST to be delivered in new areas in Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife, Glasgow, West Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire.
Fancy a career in childcare? There are still some places left on the North Edinburgh Childcare Academy course starting later this month …
