Tag: Children and Families

Cultivate calmness with Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club Edinburgh

Garden Centre hosts free mindfulness children’s workshop

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is nurturing the next generation of gardeners with its free Little Seedlings Club workshop this September in its Edinburgh store, inviting young gardeners to explore mindfulness in a fun and engaging way.

This monthly workshop is designed for children aged 4-10 and takes place on Sunday 1 September at 11am.  

Promising an enriching experience that blends the joys of gardening with the calming practices of mindfulness, this upcoming session in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store focuses on Mindfulness in the Garden. Children will get a chance to learn about the benefits of being present in the moment and connecting with nature.

Dobbies’ colleagues in the Edinburgh store will guide young attendees through mindfulness, explaining what it is and why it’s beneficial. The session will highlight how using the five senses can enhance the gardening experience, encouraging children to notice the vibrant colours, fragrant scents, and soothing sounds of their surroundings.

Kids will discover how mindfulness can be practiced in the garden, helping them relax and focus.

Whether it’s the feel of soil between their fingers or the sight of a blooming flower, these experiences can be incredibly grounding and stress-relieving.

The workshop in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will also provide practical tips for practising mindfulness at home, making it easy for families to incorporate these calming practices into their daily lives.

Dobbies’ Horti Expert, Emma Drain, is looking forward to welcoming children along to September’s Mindfulness in the Garden session.

She said: “The Little Seedlings Club in our Edinburgh store is a fantastic way for children to learn about the natural world and introducing kids to mindfulness through gardening can help them build a positive relationship with nature and their own emotions.”

For more details about the Little Seedlings Club and to book a spot, visit:

 www.dobbies.com/events.

Charity to host free Scottish Disability Sports Event for children living with muscle wasting conditions

Muscular Dystrophy UK and Scottish Disability Sport join forces to host a free Scottish sporting event on Saturday 24 August 2024.

The leading charity for more than 110,000 children and adults in the UK living with one of over 60 muscle wasting and weakening conditions is calling on people in Scotland to join the free session.

The event will give children aged under 18 living with muscle wasting and weakening conditions the opportunity to try different sporting activities, such as curling, powerchair football, boccia and swimming.

Children will be fully supported with adaptations, so they can enjoy playing sports, learning new skills, and meeting other children living with a muscle wasting and weakening condition.

There will be an opportunity for people to speak with Scottish Boccia, Powerchair Football Players and representative from Scottish Swimming on the day. Special thanks to Scottish Curling and SPFA for providing equipment.

Paralympian Stephen McGuire, 40, from Hamilton, Glasgow, lives with merosin-deficient congenital muscular dystrophy. From the age of 14 Stephen has used a power wheelchair and has been part of the GB squad for 20 years. He is due to compete in his fourth Paralympian games in Paris (28 Aug – 8 Sept) following his appearances at London, Rio and Tokyo.

He said: “It has always been a dream of mine to compete at the Paralympics, so to be able to compete at my fourth one is incredible. I love competing in sport – sport is my passion. I’ve been hooked ever since, as it’s given me a purpose.

“The sport is really inclusive, you can play Boccia from school level to regional or national level, so I would encourage everyone to give it a try.

“That’s why the Scottish Disability Sport Event is important to help children explore different sports to build up their confidence and abilities. I had the opportunity to speak and demonstrate at some of the events. It’s joyous to see the younger generation getting involved and potentially witness upcoming future Paralympians.”

Jacqueline Munro, Head of Regional Support, Outreach, and Information said: “We’re delighted to have partnered with Scottish Disability Sport once again to offer children aged under 18 the opportunity to try different sporting activities.

“It’s a great opportunity for families to meet others in the muscle wasting and weakening community in Scotland to engage in a fun filled day and find out how Muscular Dystrophy UK can offer support.”

Scottish Disability Sport is the Scottish governing and co-coordinating body of all sports for people of all ages and abilities with a physical, sensory or learning disability.

Joshua Thomson, Events Manager for Scottish Disability Sport said: “Scottish Disability Sport is delighted to be working in partnership with Muscular Dystrophy UK to provide a unique opportunity for children and young people living with muscle wasting conditions.  

“All of the sports are being delivered by coaches from Scottish Governing Bodies with expertise and knowledge in working with people with muscular dystrophy and similar conditions.”

The event will take place between 12.45pm– 4.30pm at Grangemouth Sports Complex, Abbots Road, Grangemouth, Falkirk, FK3 8JB. Accessible toilets and changing areas will be available including a Changing Places toilet.  

Find out more and register your interest musculardystrophyuk.org/Scottish-disability-sports-event

North Edinburgh Childcare: Nurturing Futures employment support

Now that the schools are back, are you looking for a job to fill the time but don’t know where to start?

Our Nurturing Futures programme has been designed to support parents in North Edinburgh looking to get back to work. Working with our Employability Officer, Lynne, you will build skills and confidence to get the job you really want.

As well as receiving support from Lynne with job searching, you may also take advantage of the free childcare support available to allow you to attend interviews or training or just free up time to focus on their job searching.

Contact Lynne at lynne.woodman@northedinburghchildcare.co.uk for more information. 

Back to school support from Edinburgh School Uniform Bank

⭐URGENT INFORMATION⭐

Are you a parent struggling with the cost of school uniform? There are a few ways you can get help:

Take what you need from one of our free-to-access uniform rails at various locations (see the first section at https://edinburghuniform.org/signposting/ )

Apply for the School Clothing Grant from the council https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolgrants They sometimes give the grant to families who don’t meet their standard criteria, if they’re on a low income, so it might be worth applying. There is also info about other grants on our signposting page https://edinburghuniform.org/signposting/

Ask your school if they can help when the staff go back a couple of days before the start of term. We support mini uniform banks at lots of schools and many schools also have sharing rails.

If you have a family support worker, a health visitor, a social worker, or another similar professional you can ask them to see if you’re eligible for one of our Clothing Crisis Packs – please ask them to read the info at https://edinburghuniform.org/refer/

Social security support as children prepare for back to school  

Parents and carers are being encouraged to check their eligibility for financial support as the summer holidays end and they prepare for their children going back to school.  

Extra costs, including new shoes, stationery and lunch boxes, can soon add up.   

The five family payments administered by Social Security Scotland can help pay for extra back to school expenses alongside everyday family costs like food, clothing and days out.  

This includes the Scottish Child Payment, a weekly payment of £26.70 for eligible families with children up to 16. The payment is unique to Scotland and is supporting over 329,000 children and young people. 

The three Best Start Grant payments and Best Start Foods, also part of social security support, are designed to help families at key stages in their children’s early years, including during pregnancy.  

There is no cap on the number of children in one family who can receive these payments.  

Up to the end of March 2024, over £829 million has been provided to families across Scotland through the five family payments.  

Speaking at Home-Start Dundee, a charity that helps families with young children, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “The most important priority for our government is eradicating child poverty, and we are committed to easing the pressure on families by getting vital money into their pockets at key stages in their child’s life.  

“Whether it is helping families to buy healthy foods during pregnancy and for their kids as they grow, pushchairs to help on the move, or new shoes and clothing for school, our payments are there when they need it most. 

“We’re already supporting thousands of families across Scotland through our five family payments, and wider Scottish Government support is also helping to protect them as much as we can from the impacts of the cost of living crisis. 
  
“Even if you are working you could still get these payments and I want to encourage everyone to check if they are eligible and access the money they are entitled to.” 

Estelle Coulthard, Family Support Coordinator at Home-Start Dundee, said: “We are a local charity providing support for families with young children across Dundee that face daily challenges in life. We’re there to provide support as they learn to cope, help improve their confidence and build better lives for their children.

“We are responsive to the individual needs of families, and this includes helping to make parents aware of the financial support they are entitled to and work with them to complete application forms for financial assistance. 

“We know parents who have struggled to purchase everyday items such as formula and healthy foods for their children but the support they have received through the five family payments meant they no longer have to worry about feeding their child.

“The first five years between birth and school are vital for a child’s development and the five family payments make a huge difference to the beginning of a little one’s life, supporting parents to have the funds to purchase the necessities they need. Without these payments, families would not survive the constant rise in the cost of living in Scotland.”

Discover Time Quest at New Lanark

Embark on a NEW Time-Travelling Adventure at New Lanark

This summer, prepare for a unique and thrilling experience at New Lanark with Time Quest, an interactive heritage trail that promises to bring history to life for families and visitors of all ages.

Running until the 1st of September 2024, guests will have the chance to unlock the secrets of the past to save the future, engaging in a series of captivating puzzles and uncovering hidden clues throughout the historic village.

The cost is £3 per person.

Registration for all events and exhibitions can be made through our booking site: 

https://newlanark.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Time Quest: Unlock the Past to Save the Future

“Time Quest” is an immersive journey through New Lanark’s rich history, blending the excitement of a treasure trail with the challenges of an escape room. Participants will step into the shoes of Professor Amelia Swyft, a time-traveling explorer who has been stranded in the past due to a malfunctioning time machine.

To help Professor Swyft return to the future, visitors must navigate through various locations in New Lanark, solving puzzles and collecting codes along the way.

An Unforgettable Family Experience

“Time Quest” is designed to be a memorable and educational adventure for the whole family. It offers a perfect blend of fun and learning, making history accessible and exciting for all ages. This unique experience not only brings the story of New Lanark to life but also provides an opportunity for families to create lasting memories together during the summer holidays.

Key Selling Points:

 An engaging activity for families to enjoy together.

 A mix of treasure trail and escape room elements for a truly immersive experience.

 A fun and interactive way to learn about New Lanark’s historical significance.

 An opportunity to help Professor Amelia Swyft reset her time machine and return to the future.

 Affordable family-friendly pricing at £3 per person.

 Runs throughout the summer, making it perfect for holiday plans.

Heritage Officer Lydia Housley said: “Time Quest is an innovative and exciting adventure that has something for everyone.

“Acting as Professor Amelia Swyft in the interactive trail, I was eager to guide our visitors through New Lanark’s rich heritage in a way that’s never been done before. This really is a one-of-a-kind experience!”

Join Us for a Summer of Exploration and Discovery

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event. Join us at New Lanark this summer for a day filled with exploration, discovery, and family fun. “Time Quest” runs from 5 July to 1 September 2024 and costs £15 for groups of up to 5 people. Make sure to embark on this unforgettable adventure and unlock the past to save the future.

Acknowledgments: This trail has been made possible by the kind support and funding of Visit Lanarkshire, and utilising the expert skillset of NL Productions in the design and execution of the trail.