Tag: Children and Families

Join the National Discussion on education

Public to have their say at live events online

Children, young people, parents, carers and teachers are being encouraged to take part in the National Discussion on Scottish education through a series of upcoming online public events.

The first session will take place on Tuesday 22 November, with further opportunities on Wednesday 23 November and Thursday 1 December.

Anyone who has an interest in Scottish education is being invited to register to take part.

Those who register will be able to speak directly to internationally renowned education experts Professor Alma Harris and Professor Carol Campbell, who are acting as independent facilitators for the National Discussion

Prof Harris said: “We have had a fantastic response to the National Discussion so far, with engagement across a range of sectors, including from children and young people, teachers and parents.

“We are determined to be as inclusive as possible and would encourage everyone with an interest in the future of Scottish education to take part in these online public events.”

Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The vision that is created following the National Discussion will set out what education in Scotland needs to look like not only in the near future, but 20 years from now.

“These online sessions are a great opportunity to get involved in the Discussion and to make your views heard.”

Around 3,500 responses have been received since the Discussion was launched on 21 September.

The feedback will play a vital part in shaping the future of education. This will include the reform programme that will see the creation of three new education bodies and a review of qualifications and assessment.

The National Discussion – Let’s Talk Scottish Education – which is being co-convened by COSLA, will run until 5 December.

Join the National Discussion at the Let’s Talk Scottish Education online sessions registration page

Listen Up: It’s Anti-Bullying Week!

Anti-bullying week is an annual event in Scotland and across the UK that aims to raise awareness of bullying of children and young people and highlights ways of preventing and responding to it.

The week is co-ordinated by respectme in Scotland and this year’s theme is: ‘Listen Up! (Respect our Rights)’.

Childline data

  • From April 2021 to March 2022, Childline delivered 374 counselling sessions to children and young people in Scotland about bullying.
  • 331 of these counselling sessions were about bullying in-person, a 39% increase compared to the year before when there was the national covid lockdown.
  • 43 counselling sessions were about online bullying.
  • Across the UK, the top three concerns where a child spoke to Childline about in-person bullying included: insults, taunts, name calling; bullying about difference and violence.
  • For counselling sessions on online bullying the top three concerns included: nasty comments, threats, and intimidation.

One 17-year-old girl from Scotland said: “I am being bullied by a girl in my class. She always says nasty things to me, such as calling me names, swearing at me, and telling me I should die. She also pushes me at school.

“Some of my teachers know about it and they are supportive with how I feel, but no-one ever talks to her about what she is doing and how she is treating me. That is what I want to happen. I experience panic attacks and have anxiety, which have been getting worse since the bullying.”

Shaun Friel, Childline Director said: “Bullying continues to remain a top issue that children turn to Childline about on a daily basis.

“Ever since we moved out of the national lockdown and children returned to school, we have continued to see a rise in the number of contacts to Childline about in-person bullying.

“Those who have called the service about this have spoken to our trained counsellors about experiencing name calling, being excluded and physical violence.

“Whilst many others have turned to the service about being bullied online. Some of those who have contacted our counsellors about this have said that they’ve been threatened online, had rumours spread about them on social media platforms and others have had been made fun of on online chatrooms.

“Regardless of how or where a child is bullied, we know it can have a detrimental impact if they don’t get the support they need. These children often sad, overwhelmed and lonely.

“This Anti Bullying Week at Childline, we want to remind all children and young people that if they are being bullied that this is not their fault and they can always reach out to Childline for immediate support.

“Our counsellors are here to help and can be contacted confidentially, day or night, online or on the phone.”

Advice for children

  1. Share how you are feeling with other young people. Childline’s online message board is a non-judgemental space where you can speak to other children who are in a similar situation to you about your experiences and feelings. This can help you feel less alone and will give you an online support network that you can turn to.
  2. Talk to an adult you trust about the bullying you are experiencing so you feel less alone and so that adult can support you. This could be a parent, teacher or you can speak to a Childline counsellor on 0800 1111 or online at childline.org.uk
  3. Take a break from your device if you are being bullied online and do something you enjoy such as sport, listening to music or art.
  4. Remember the bullying is not your fault.
  5. Report and block someone if they are sending you messages online that upset you.

For Adults:

Signs to spot that your child may be being bullied online:

  • Not wanting to go to school or take part in normal activities.
  • Getting anxious or angry if you go near their device. Feeling withdrawn, upset or angry at home.
  • Problems sleeping or eating.
  • Having angry outbursts that seem out of character.
  • Spending more or less time online than normal.

Signs to spot that your child may be being bullied in-person

  • Belongings are getting lost or damaged.
  • Physical injuries such as unexplained bruises.
  • Being afraid to go to school.
  • Not doing as well at school.
  • Being nervous, losing confidence, or becoming distressed and withdrawn.
  • Problems with eating or sleeping.
  • Bullying others.

What to do if you think your child is being bullied

  1. Talk to your child and remind them to come to you with anything that might be making them feel anxious or sad.  If your child speaks to you about an experience of bullying that they’ve had online or in person, try to remain calm and don’t overwhelm them with questions and reassure them that it will be ok, and that you’re always there for them.
  2. Show them how to report or block a message that they’ve received from someone online that upsets or worries them.
  3. Don’t take their device away if they’ve had a negative experience online. Although you may want to do this if they are upset, this may make them feel like whatever has happened is their fault.  Instead, suggest they take some time away from the app they received the messages on and do another online activity they enjoy like playing a game. 
  4. Know where you can get further support. Adults can call the NSPCC helpline for advice on 0808 800 5000. There is also further advice on the NSPCC website.

Responding to news of a 400% increase in reported bullying at Edinburgh schools, Foysol Choudhury MSP said: “While it is great that young people are now confident enough to report bullying, it is also worrying to see a truer picture of the levels of bullying in our schools revealed.

“Bullying has been a major concern in many schools, and not enough is being done to tackle it.

“The fact that this new reporting system has highlighted 537 racist incidents is shocking, but not surprising. We were all aware that racism was an issue in schools and while it is good that this is now being reported and the data is finally being collected, it is incumbent upon schools to ensure that racist and other discriminatory bullying is rooted out.

“It is saddening to see young people targeted by such behaviour which often continues to affect people well into later life. Nobody should be made to feel belittled or discriminated against in our society, let alone at such a young age.

“I want the Learning Directorate to take action immediately and offer schools the support they need to tackle these issues as well as to help parents take more responsibility of how their children behave.

“The mental wellbeing of children and young people is key to their educational progress and everyone should feel safe in our schools.”

Teapot Trust secures a show garden at prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show 

Teapot Trust garden explores the transformative power of art therapy for children with chronic illnesses

A Scottish based charity is celebrating after securing a garden at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Teapot Trust is a charity at the forefront of transformative mental health support that provides art therapy to children, young people and their families living with chronic conditions. The show garden marks a rare Chelsea appearance for Scottish charities and designers and is made possible by a grant from Project Giving Back who provide funding for good causes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Following the event next May, Teapot Trust’s Elsewhere Garden will be permanently relocated to the Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow.

One in four children and young people in the UK live with the pain and stigma of chronic health conditions that cause anxiety and depression. Almost a third of those aged under 21 who take their own lives have a long-term chronic illness.

The charity’s art therapy gives children and young people a release from the burdens of chronic illness allowing them to take some control, to express and process their feelings about their diagnosis, their treatment regime, and the impact of their condition on daily life.

Sarah Randell, Chief Executive of Teapot Trust said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have a show garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show next year.

“The opportunities this will give Teapot Trust are hugely significant. It’s a platform from which we’ll share the impact of our work and draw more children and families in need to us so they can access our art therapy without barriers or cost.

“Semple Begg has done a fabulous job creating the Elsewhere Garden which perfectly illustrates the release that art therapy gives children, taking their minds to a place of escape.”

Ruth Girvan, Chair of Trustees of Teapot Trust said: “My daughter suffers daily physical and mental pain from an invisible chronic condition. The support we had from Teapot Trust to access art therapy helped Neve find ways to understand her condition, her treatment and has enabled her to navigate a world where she faces barriers and stigma often on a daily basis. 

“Winning a show garden at RHS Chelsea gives Teapot Trust the opportunity to spread awareness, giving more children and young people like Neve access to transformative art therapy. I can’t wait to experience Teapot Trust’s Elsewhere Garden and see how Neve’s experiences have been creatively imagined.”

Susan Begg of Semple Begg said: “Teapot Trust Elsewhere Garden represents a child’s imagination as it blossoms in response to the freedom gifted by art therapy.

“Through this escape into art, children find coping strategies to deal with life.”

Nicola Semple of Semple Begg added: “For inspiration we looked to Willy Wonka’s factory, to Oz and Wonderland. Where colour is vivid and exuberant, shape and form are exaggerated. And, where the inner world of a child’s anxiety is expressed as an outer wonderland.”

An illustration of the garden created by children’s illustrator, Sandra Dieckmann can be downloaded here. 

Following Chelsea, the garden will be relocated to a permanent home at Royal Hospital for Children in Glasgow which serves areas of social need, where chronic illness in children is 2.5 times more prevalent. An inclusive safe space to help overcome barriers to accessing healthcare, it will be used for outdoor art therapy and all patients and visitors will be welcome.

Commenting on the relocation Prof Tom Steele, Director of Estates and Facilities for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: “We are delighted to be receiving this unique garden space which I am sure will have an instant benefit for our patients, families and staff.

“NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde manages a diverse portfolio of land across central Scotland that has the potential to improve the wellbeing of surrounding communities by enhancing the environment and creating green spaces which improve mental and physical health. Increasing evidence links access and use of green space to a multitude of healthcare benefits.

“Recognising the health and social benefits of high-quality green space leads to better outcomes, not only for patients, but for staff and the wider community and is a priority for NHSGGC. Our experience throughout the pandemic has shown us that access to high quality external space is essential for wellbeing.”

Get into the festive spirit at Christmas at the Botanics

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh opened its gates to ‘Christmas at the Botanics’ this evening, Thursday 17 November, with an awe-inspiring trail of new installations.  

The Garden, full of Christmas cheer, is inviting the people of Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond to embrace the festive season and to support the trail. A visit to the magical, botanical illuminated trail is a way of helping to fund the Garden’s important plant conservation work. 

Director of Enterprise and Communication at the Garden, Kari Coghill said: “Christmas at the Botanics has increased in popularity each year and has become one of the city’s most popular festive traditions. Its opening is a milestone moment in the capital’s festive calendar that kicks off the holiday season feeling for so many people.  

“Bringing new installations to the trail is exciting and we are also bringing back much-loved favourites this year too, such as the light projection on the front of Inverleith House and the ‘Christmas Cathedral’, a tunnel of sparkling lights which has provided so many fantastic Christmas images for visitors in recent years. 

“Visitors to the light trail contribute directly to our wider work because our profits from ticket sales support the Garden’s plant research and conservation efforts in Scotland and around the world.” 

New Installations: 

·               Lilies by Jigantics, 12 one-metre high LED illuminated lilies floating on the Botanics Pond. 

·               Aurora by Ithaca, recreating the famed visual tones of the stunning Aurora Borealis. 

·               Christmas Gifts by Woody Fox, 14 giant wicker sculptures of Christmas presents. 

·               Feathers by Pyrite Creative, a display of UV feathers up to two metres in length which appear to float in the trees. 

·               Floraison by French artistic collective Pitaya features 240-red-lit flowers. 

·               Edison Trees includes 60 reproductions of the filament bulbs made popular by London’s historic Edison Electric Light Company at the turn of the century. 

This year’s trail is more twinkly than ever but has been created with sustainability in mind. The installations are low in energy usage, over 90% of the trail is LED, and are lit by the Garden’s main power supply to remove the need for generators.

Continuous lighting of trails and paths has been avoided and audience area lighting is only used where it is necessary for public safety.    

Kari Coghill added: “Part of the joy of the trail is that it is a chance to be in the Botanics after dark and to experience the Garden from a whole new perspective.

Our trail designers have been appointed on the strength of their experience of working in environmentally sensitive ways in heritage and landscape settings. This year’s trail is the best yet.” 

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a world-leading scientific organisation, a globally important resource, and a charity funded by the Scottish Government and by visitor income. Visitors to the trail contribute to the Garden’s wider work which addresses biodiversity loss and the impact of the climate crisis. 

Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.  

Jonathan Marks, Director at Raymond Gubbay, the division of Sony Music which is promoting the event, said: “It is always exciting to open Christmas at the Botanics. 

“The trail attracted over 90,000 visitors during its five-week run last year and we hope that this year’s trail will inspire even more people to come and enjoy the trail, a festive tradition for so many.  Everyone involved in the production has worked hard to provide a special experience for all who attend as they explore installations old and new.”  

Tickets for this year’s show are available to buy. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.

Visitors are encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment.  The trail runs for 37 nights on selected evenings from 17 November to 30 December 2022.  

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram. 

Curiosity Collective announces new Executive Director

Learning and wellbeing charity has supported over 15,000 young people

Curiosity Collective has announced the appointment of Chloe Goodall as the charity’s new Executive Director. Chloe started with the charity over five years ago and led the development of the organisation’s ‘Wonderbox’ which has reached over 8,000 under-supported children and young people since the start of the pandemic. 

Originally established in 2013 as ‘Children’s University Scotland’, the charity rebranded as ‘Curiosity Collective’ last year to increase its appeal to all ages.  With a vision to ensure all children in Scotland are given the freedom to explore and enjoy learning outwith school, Curiosity Collective creates and distributes free and accessible resources designed to improve children’s skills, confidence and wellbeing. The charity has reached over 15,000 under-supported children across Scotland to date.

Chloe Goodall, Executive Director of Curiosity Collective said “I am proud and honoured to step up and lead the organisation. 

“By 2030, it’s thought that as many as one in three children will be growing up in poverty; a situation made worse by the impact of COVID-19 and the bleak reality of the current cost-of-living crisis. As a result, young people are missing out on opportunities to learn and have fun that boost their confidence and help to build skills for life.

“Curiosity Collective gives children the freedom to explore a world of learning beyond the classroom. We provide immediate support and long-term solutions for under-supported children who are shut out due to poverty and hardship, including urban and rural communities. We have ambitious targets and I look forward to making them happen with our committed partners.”

Mary De La Peña, Chair of Curiosity Collective said “We are absolutely thrilled that Chloe has agreed to lead the organisation as our new Executive Director. 

“Since starting with Curiosity Collective in 2016, Chloe has impressed us all with her passion and determination in helping under-supported children across Scotland. 

“Our programmes and activities have never been needed more.  As children and families struggle to cope with the extreme loss of learning through the pandemic and growing mental health concerns amongst young people, we need to work harder than ever to reach those who need us most with the best possible support. 

“We are confident that Chloe will continue our great successes, leading the organisation from strength to strength in our ambitions to support over 150,000 children by 2030.”

Curiosity Collective created the “Wonderbox” resource at the start of the pandemic to provide vital resources to inspire and enable under-supported children to learn and keep mentally well through the height of the restrictions. 

The resource has been hugely successful and is now an integral part of the charity’s long-term offering. Over 8,000 children have benefitted from the “Wonderbox” to date and 95% of survey respondents say it helped them to feel less isolated and stressed.  

The charity works with partners and stakeholders operating on a national level such as One Parent Families Scotland, the Fostering Network and Women’s Aid to distribute the resource effectively.

On a local level the charity collaborates with food banks and regional support groups.  Curiosity Collective has been working alongside Edinburgh Young Carers since earlier this year and together the partnership has supported over 100 young people with the distribution of Curiosity Collective’s Wonderbox resource. 

Leaders at Curiosity Collective visited EYC’s Under-12s project with one of the projects key funders, Cash for Kids, to announce the new appointment and meet some of the young people involved.

Gary Shaw, Youth Development Worker at Edinburgh Young Carers, said: “Through our partnership with Curiosity Collective we have been enabled to enhance the vital support we provide to the hundreds of children, young people and families that we reach across the city. 

“Being a young carer can be extremely challenging and often activities and days out as a family can be very limited – if at all.  We help to address this by hosting sibling support groups giving these families time and space to be together. 

“We were delighted that the Curiosity Collective team were able to come along to our most recent sibling coffee morning and introduce their Wonderbox to new families.

“The brilliant resource is already making a huge impact; the activities within are invaluable in supporting families to have fun and learn together at home giving young carers something of their own to cherish and the opportunity to engage in memory making and connection with their family members at home, at any time.”

As a registered charity Curiosity Collective relies on the generosity of its funders, such as Cash for Kids, The Robertson Trust, Wheatley Group, ScottishPower and the Scottish Children’s Lottery, to enable the organisation to deliver its vital activities.

Becca Stenhouse, Fundraising Executive at Cash for Kids said: “We were delighted to fund Curiosity Collective, earlier this year in order to support them in developing accessible programmes, tools and resources that can change under-supported children’s lives for the better across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk.”

HMRC: More than 24,900 families in Scotland saved on childcare costs in September

More than 24,900 families in Scotland benefitted from UK Government funding towards childcare costs in September 2022, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed.

Overall, HMRC paid out £44.4 million in Tax-Free Childcare top up payments to more than 401,300 families across the UK in September.

Compared to September 2021, the latest Tax-Free Childcare statistics show the number of families in Scotland who are using Tax-Free Childcare has increased by 6,415. But thousands of families are still missing out on the top-up which could save them up to £2,000 a year per child towards the cost of their childcare.

Tax-Free Childcare provides working families, earning up to £100,000 a year, with financial help towards childcare. For every £8 paid into a Tax-Free Childcare online account, families will automatically receive an additional £2 from the UK Government. This means they can receive up to £500 every three months (£2,000 a year), or £1,000 (£4,000 a year) if their child is disabled.

The top up payments can be used to pay for any approved childcare for children aged 11 or under, or up to 17 if the child has a disability whether your child goes to nursery, a child minder, has term-time wraparound care or goes to a holiday club.

Families can check their eligibility and see the options for childcare support at Childcare Choices.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “We know childcare can be expensive so using Tax-Free Childcare can make a huge difference to household finances. To find out more, search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’ on GOV.UK.”

Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if they:

·         have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they may get up to £4,000 a year until they are 17

·         earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average

·         each earn no more than £100,000 per annum

·         do not receive tax credits, Universal Credit or childcare vouchers

A full list of the eligibility criteria is available on GOV.UK.

Opening an online Tax-Free Childcare account is straightforward and can take around 20 minutes to sign up.

Accounts can be opened at any time, money can be deposited and used straight away or when it’s needed. Unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time. Go to GOV.UK to register to get started.

The UK Government has launched an awareness raising advertising campaign to ensure families get the childcare support they are entitled to. Visit Childcare Choices to learn about the options and find out the best childcare offer for families.

The government is offering help for households. Check GOV.UK to find out what cost of living support, including help with childcare costs, families could be eligible for.

Circle launches Sponsor the Difference winter campaign

Circle has launched their ‘Sponsor the Difference’ campaign to help families cope with the effects of the cost-of-living crisis and stay warm, fed, clothed and safe this winter.

Circle is a Scottish charity working at the heart of disadvantaged communities across central Scotland. These communities are impacted by persistent poverty, social injustice, and health inequalities, problems that have only been worsened as a result of the crisis. 

Families will be experiencing difficulties and hardship as the costs of energy, food, fuel, and the basic essentials of day-to-day living continue to increase. Circle have already seen an increase in accessing additional support for heating and food and this is only going to worsen over the winter months.

“It’s been a real pressure with rising prices. I reckon my food bill has gone up by a third. I’d like to batch cook and freeze things but that increases my electricity bill. It’s tight providing food for the family, I try to buy sensibly, using all the yellow labels but the prices mean there’s no scope for any unexpected bills like when the washing machine broke. I worry about the winter and how we’ll cope.”- Parent

The families Circle support desperately need material aid – food, clothing, and money for energy bills. They also need whole family support, that will give them the guidance, skills, and resources to cope with the emotional and psychological effects of the cost-of-living crisis.

Therefore, the charity has launched their winter campaign – Sponsor the Difference – to ask for donations to help children and families in desperate need cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

Families supported by Circle’s work were heavily involved in the creation of the campaign by providing examples of how they’ve been affected by the crisis and participating in case studies to share their experiences to raise awareness of the challenges they face and reminding others that they aren’t alone.

This is part of Circle’s participation strategy, to give children and families they work with the confidence and opportunity to have their voices heard and be listened to.

All donations will go towards purchasing energy cards, food vouchers and warm winter clothes for families to help them make it through one of the harshest winters they have ever faced.

The charity highlighted the issues facing many of their families across Challenge Poverty Week and are using the Winter Campaign to continue to spread awareness of the detrimental impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on families across Scotland. 

Circle CEO, Mark Kennedy said “While Challenge Poverty Week did help to highlight the effects that poverty has on too many families across Scotland, we remain very conscious of the need to keep helping the families that do not have the means to afford the basic necessities of life.

“At Circle, we will remain focused on helping families to eat, keep warm, and ensure that children have what they need to attend school through one of the harshest winters they have ever faced.”

A £10 donation could cover the rise in gas and electricity bills for a family for one week, and they have many more examples of how a little from you could go a long way for a family.

Sponsor the Difference now by visiting:  

https://circle.scot/support-us/winter-campaign/

Scottish Child Payment increased

Extension opens benefit to more than 400,000 children

The Scottish Child Payment has today been increased to £25 and been extended to include eligible children up to age 16.

First launched in February 2021 at £10 per week per child for children under the age of six, the Scottish Child Payment – unique to Scotland – provides direct financial support to eligible families and carers.

Around 104,000 children already getting the payment will automatically see the payment increase to £25 per week – which represents a 150% increase within eight months. This is also the rate for all those now eligible up to age 16.

Following today’s extension, it is forecast that a further 300,000 children across the country will be eligible.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has encouraged all eligible families to apply on a visit to Golfhill Primary and Whitehill Secondary schools at their shared campus in Dennistoun, Glasgow.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “This is an important day for many families across Scotland as we make significant extra financial support available to tackle child poverty. The Scottish Child Payment is unique to Scotland and is the most ambitious child poverty reduction measure in the UK.

“At a time when the cost of living crisis is causing significant hardship for many families, this increased payment of £1300 per eligible child is even more vital, and the age extension means that it is now available to many more children.

“We want to make sure that everyone gets the help available to them. Parents or carers who are on universal credit or other benefits and who have children under 16 should check through Social Security Scotland if they are eligible.”

John Dickie, Director of Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, said: “The roll-out of the Scottish Child Payment to over fives and the increase in its value to £25 a week marks a hugely welcome day for struggling families across Scotland and a real step on the road toward ending child poverty.

“This is a significant and uniquely Scottish boost to family incomes at a time when it is needed more than ever. It’s now vital that we all spread the word as widely as possible and ensure that all eligible families apply and every child that is entitled benefits.”

Scottish Child Payment is part of a wider package of five family payments including: Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment, Best Start Grant School Age Payment and Best Start Foods.