Tag: Children and Families

Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre: Junior Youth Group cancelled this afternoon

Due to road closures and early school closures in our area, Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre has had to cancel our P1-P2 Junior youth group today (Tuesday 13th September).

Apologies for any inconvenience caused and we look forward to seeing you all again next week.

Our other youth groups this week will continue as planned.

Get Spooky with Little Scare-lings at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Bring your little ones along to Little Scare-lings at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this Halloween, where they will become certified scarers and enjoy an afternoon of spine-chilling family-friendly activities.

Taking place in Edinburgh between 27 – 30 October, Little Scare-lings is a spooktacular way to get ready for the Halloween festivities, and kids up to age 10 are encouraged to come dressed in their most terrifying costume where their scare-factor will be put to the test.

Children will have the chance to perfect their scare tactics, showcase their monster strut in a group parade, and take part in making their very own monster plant pot to take home. Dobbies will award each child with their very own scare certificate at the end of the session. 

In addition to the activities, there’s the chance to enjoy some tasty treats, with fish fingers and tomato pasta on the menu, with gluten free and vegetarian options also available. Children will also receive a Halloween cupcake.

Adults can enjoy Dobbies’ ever-popular Afternoon Tea, with a selection of finger sandwiches, mini cakes and baked slices, plus freshly-made plain and fruit scones with jam and clotted cream. They will also have the option of a pot of tea or small coffee. For those looking for a sweet treat, there’s the option of a cake and drink ticket. 

Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager at Dobbies, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming families across Edinburgh to our Halloween event. Taking inspiration from our popular Little Seedlings programme, Little Scare-lings gives children the chance to join in some fantastically-spooky fun.”

Tickets for Little Scare-lings are available now at dobbies.com, and booking is encouraged to avoid disappointment. Activities are aimed at children aged 3 -10, but under 3 can participate with adult supervision. Children’s tickets are great value, priced at £8.99, and adults can join in on the fun from £6.99.

NSPCC: Talk PANTS next week!

NSPCC will host a virtual event next week to celebrate success of campaign to help keep children safe from sexual abuse

  • NSPCC will host a virtual event on Wednesday, September 14 to celebrate the positive impact and legacy of Talk PANTS! Campaign
  • Event will coincide with Pantosaurus’ birthday

Almost 300 carers and professionals in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland have been trained to communicate important messages to parents and children that will help prevent sexual abuse.

They have been trained as part of the Inter Islands Talk PANTS! campaign, which was launched almost a year ago by the NSPCC and the islands’ protection committees.

The NSPCC’s Talk PANTS! resources give parents, carers and professionals advice on how to have simple, age-appropriate conversations with children about sexual abuse. With the help of a colourful animated character, a friendly dinosaur called Pantosaurus, it helps children understand that their body belongs to them and to recognise when something is not okay, and how to tell someone if they are upset or worried.

As part of this campaign, the resources were translated into Scottish Gaelic and Pantosaurus toured the islands, visiting the HebCelt Festival in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, the Cunningsburgh Show in Shetland and the Orkney Agricultural Show. In Orkney, 200 children coloured in Pantosaurus’ pants on the show day alone, and NSPCC staff and volunteers distributed thousands of parents guides and talked to families about the Talk PANTS! resources.

During the past year, campaign activities and events have included soft play sessions in the Western Isles run by the Rape Crisis team and the colourful and entertaining Pantosaurus music video being shown at cinemas on Orkney and in Stornoway.

Over a thousand Pantosaurus and the Power of PANTS books have been delivered to local libraries, and health visitors have handed out the paperback version to families, childminders and teachers to encourage them to read the book to as many children as possible.

The NSPCC also recently created Talk PANTS! resources in partnership with the Makaton Charity, which use symbols and signs to help communicate the messages to people with communications difficulties.

These resources will enable parents and teachers of children with a range of educational needs to share the Talk PANTS! message so they can understand the PANTS rules. Talk PANTS! resources are also available in British Sign Language and can be downloaded for free on the NSPCC website.

Many members of the islands Protection Committees have been instrumental in the campaign’s success including Police Scotland, Rape Crisis, Early Learning and Childcare in Orkney and the army cadets in Shetland to name just a few.

To thank everyone involved and celebrate the campaign’s achievements to date and its legacy, the NSPCC is hosting a virtual event on Wednesday, September 14, with fellow members of its steering group and protection committees.

Guest speaker Rachel Wallace, NSPCC Local Campaigns manager for the Midlands, in England, will explain more about the Talk PANTS! Makaton resources and participants will be shown a selection of stunning photos from NSPCC Scotland’s tour of the islands on the day, which also falls on Pantosaurus’ birthday.  

Tam Baillie, Chair of Public Protection Committees in Orkney and Shetland and the Western Isles, said: “It has been great to see how each of the islands has embraced the PANTS campaign, working in partnership with the NSPCC. 

“The enthusiasm and inventiveness of different island approaches has brought a wide range of activities all targeted at getting simple messages across in a fun way to young children about the importance of keeping themselves safe. 

“The use of cartoons, dance and song has made it engaging with children, parents and professionals, and it has been an inspiration to be part of the joint efforts. We are all looking forward to celebrating the work done and hearing about how it will endure through ongoing legacy work.”    

Mubashar Khaliq, Local Campaigns Manager at the NSPCC, said: “Each year in Scotland, Police record more than 5,000 sexual offences committed against children. We started this campaign because it’s crucial that we do all we can to help prevent abuse from happening in the first place.

“Talk PANTS is about helping start difficult, but vital, conversations with children from a young age about sexual abuse and their right to be safe. We don’t talk about sex or use scary words but focus on keeping safe and rules that help children understand important messages, like their body belongs to them and they should tell an adult if they’re upset or worried.”

Gail Sayles, Local Campaigns Manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “It has been so wonderful to see our Talk PANTS messaging reaching people in some of the most remote parts of the UK. It was great to chat with families at the events who already knew about our campaign, either from school or their local nursery. Many of the children would sing the song at us and give Pantosaurus a high five!

“The Power of Pants book is already a firm bedtime favourite with many families, and parents told us they were so pleased to be given a copy. Everyone also valued the Gaelic resources and I felt so proud that we had been able to deliver on a need that was prized so highly. 

“This campaign has made a real difference and we hope that continues in the future too. It feels like we have lit a spark on the islands, for sure.”

Professionals and volunteers working with children and families who would like to attend this free event on Wednesday, September 14 from 3-5pm can book a place, visit: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/inter-island-pants-campaign-celebration-legacy-event-tickets-388530684737

To find out more about Talk PANTS and  access resources and tools to help keep children safe from abuse, visit www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/pants-underwear-rule/

To watch the Pantosaurus video visit: www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lL07JOGU5o

Anyone with concerns about the welfare of a child can call the NSPCC’s free and confidential helpline on 0808 800 5000 for advice.

Picture book ‘Slug in a Mug’ aims to raise funds and promote confidence

  • A slug-inspired picture book promoting confidence aims to raise money for free children’s activities held at creative hub Made in Stirling.
  • Scottish speechwriter Laura Westring began writing children’s stories inspired by her family’s use of play and storytelling during pandemic lockdowns. 
  • Westring’s first picture book, Slug in a Mug, produced by Whitefox publishing services, is illustrated by Perthshire greetings card illustrator Jon Bishop. 
  • Available to purchase online and in selected independent stores from October 2022. 

A children’s picture book promoting confidence, and inspired by cottage life in Stirlingshire, aims to raise money for children’s activities as the cost of living continues to rise for families.

Slug in a Mug, written by Scottish speechwriter Laura Westring and illustrated by greetings card creator Jon Bishop (The Grey Earl), is the tale of a slug whose taste for sweet treats leads him to unexpected places.

The “almost true” story was inspired by Westring’s move to an empty cottage in 2020. Having woken one morning to find a slug in her mug, Westring began inventing stories with her young son to relieve the stress and social isolation of pandemic lockdowns. 

Westring believes imagining and reciting stories can be a beneficial activity for the whole family and increase the confidence of young children as they learn to speak and empathise.

Through Creative Stirling, a social enterprise supporting local artists and makers, Laura contacted Perthshire-based illustrator Jon Bishop and both set out on an almost two-year, self-funded project to bring their slug to life. Collaborating with Gerald Richard, CEO of Scottish charity Super Power Agency, the book also includes an activity to help children with writing skills.

Illustrator Jon Bishop said of receiving the manuscript for Slug in a Mug in January 2021, “It was the first children’s story I wanted to illustrate from the first reading. From the subtly sick sense of humour to the message that it’s okay to be bold and think differently to those around you, everything told me this slug had legs.”

Laura Westring is keen to ensure that the cost of living doesn’t remove opportunities from diverse and under-resourced communities, and so both Westring and Bishop hope to support a variety of community workshops and children’s activities run by Creative Stirling through sales of the book.

Commenting on the book Laura Westring said, “Families with young children have gone through the lonely trial of providing care while working in pandemic conditions only to see the cost of living rise astronomically as they begin to tackle the longer-term emotional and developmental consequences of those difficult years.

“I hope people enjoy reading Slug in a Mug as much as we’ve enjoyed making it, so that we can fulfil our ambition to reach revenue and pay it forward.”

Education Convener: Digital access is ‘vital’ to aiding children’s learning

EDUCATION convener Councillor JOAN GRIFFITHS was joined by council leader Cammy Day on a visit to Craigroyston Community High School this week.

The policians met Head Teacher Shelley McLaren and S3 pupils who were receiving new tablet devices to aid their studies as part of the council’s Empowered Learning programme.

Every school pupil from P6 to S6 in the capital will receive their own digital device as part of an ambitious and inclusive education strategy, Edinburgh Learns for Life.

The 1:1 roll out, being carried out in partnership with the city council’s ICT services provider CGI, started last September thanks to a £17.6m boost to learning and teaching. In addition to the personal distribution additional iPads will be also be issued to P1 to P5 year groups on an agreed ratio.

Councillor Griffiths said: “I am hugely proud that our ambitious Empowered Learning programme will provide every school pupil from P6 to S6 in Scotland’s Capital with their own digital device.

“The 1:1 roll-out, being carried out in partnership with our ICT services provider CGI, started in schools across the city at the start of the year and is due to be completed in December.

“It will result in 41,000 iPads being given to pupils and teaching staff as we look to provide equality of access to digital devices and raise attainment. And it’s not just our P6 to S6 pupils who will benefit.

“In addition to their personal devices we’re providing iPads to P1 to P5 year groups on an agreed ratio and over a 1,000 across our early years settings. There will be devices for all teaching staff and we have 1,150 to cover rising rolls for the school year. So far 17,000 iPads have been delivered and the roll out completed in 76 schools.

“The next major phase of the roll out has now started with devices being distributed to our high schools. Yesterday during my visit to Craigroyston High School I saw first-hand the real impact of the scheme on pupils as they were given their own devices that will accompany them on their learning journey through school.

“The vital need for digital access to learning was never more starkly illustrated than during the pandemic when remote learning and teaching became the norm. Some pupils struggled as they didn’t have their own devices and this highlighted the importance of making sure all our pupils have the digital means to learn on a level playing field.

“The Empowered Learning programme, funded by a £17.6m investment by the Council, demonstrates this commitment and Edinburgh is pioneering the use of technology in education for teachers and pupils alike.

“But it’s not just about handing out new iPads. We have to make sure the infrastructure and training is there to support everyone. As part of the programme there will also be enhanced wi-fi coverage for all our schools and early years settings, improved collaboration and classroom management tools such as Apple Classroom. So far cabling and wireless access point installations have been completed at 106 settings.

“Also the benefits of the programme go far wider than just pupils and teaching staff having their own device. It leads to personalising learning, improving teacher feedback, preparing students for future working, collaborative on and off-line working and, crucially supporting all our efforts to raise attainment.

“I am also delighted that funding for 4 years of this programme has been agreed as part of the Council’s 2021-26 Revenue Budget Settlement.

“I firmly believe this project shows our commitment to providing our children and young people with every opportunity to succeed in their education and provide them with the skills required for their future career paths.”

Key elements of the Empowered Learning programme, which will see a phased roll out of all the devices completed by the end of 2022, include: 27,000 new iPads being issued to pupils/staff, refreshed iPads for up to 12,000 pupils/staff and expanding the wireless connectivity in schools by providing wireless access points and a comprehensive programme of professional learning for teachers.

                                                                                

Benefits for young people include:

  • Fair and equal access from P6 to S6, ensuring all pupils have personal access to digital learning with their teacher in school or at home
  • Effective digital workflow to increase engagement, improve teacher feedback and raise attainment
  • A range of innovative accessibility features to improve access to the curriculum for pupils with additional support needs
  • Pupils can work online simultaneously in a class or collaboratively outside the classroom
  • High quality digital applications for productivity and creativity, providing more ways to personalise and choose how they learn
  • Development of learning, thinking and digital literacy skills vital for success in today’s rapidly evolving, technological society

Granton Harvest Festival this Sunday

HARVEST FESTIVAL THIS SUNDAY (11th Sep) 3-6pm at the garden (10 Wardieburn Road).

LIVE MUSIC, STORYTELLING, APPLE JUICING, FREE PIZZA, WHEAT THRESHING, STRAW WEAVING, AND MORE…

This is part of Scotland-wide Dandelion festival.

There’s also an event on Saturday (10th) at Lauriston Farm: Edinburgh Agroecology Coop..

#anythinggrows

Eat Well for Oral Health programme at Pilton Community Health Project

We’re delighted to offer our Eat Well for Oral Health cooking, nutrition and oral health 8 week programme at @PiltonComHealth with LINKnet Mentoring.

These sessions will provide culturally appropriate nutritious food, recipes and support accessing an NHS Dentist

Children of Winchburgh ‘claim’ their new park and celebrate the opening of Auldcathie Playpark

The children of Winchburgh staked their ‘claim’ on their own designed playpark last Thursday. Over 500 children marked the official opening of the Auldcathie Playpark with a picnic and parade of flags featuring their reflections on Winchburgh.

Accompanied by local piper Rab Reid, 53 S1 pupils of the new Winchburgh Academy marched with flags, creating a colourful corridor to the playpark.

The ceremony was topped by John Hamilton, Chief Executive of Winchburgh Developments, handing the playpark over to the children who had designed it. The claim was made with a flag staked on top of the tallest slide mound.

Fiona Hyslop, MSP for Linlithgow Constituency, joined the celebrations by holding the ribbon as Winchburgh Primary pupil Elodie Harris flew down the fly fox. She commented, “The Auldcathie Playpark is such a great addition to the village and the development of Winchburgh.

“Designed by the children who came together to claim the park for the children of the village, their piped parade from Winchburgh Academy, with their personally designed flags, is a memory I will carry for a long time.

“The joy and happiness and energy of the hundreds of Winchburgh children exploring this very big space of their own brand-new play area and play apparatus was very evident. It was a pleasure to join them and speak to them as part of the ‘opening claiming ceremony’ on this very special day.

“Thank you to the developers, park designers and engineers for building this very special place which will form a new heart to this growing village.”

John Hamilton, Chief Executive, Winchburgh Developments Ltd, commented,“It is fantastic to have the first phase of the Auldcathie development finally complete and marked with such a joyous occasion for the children of Winchburgh.

“The children have now claimed the playpark they designed, and we look forward to providing the next phase with more space for them to enjoy.”

The Auldcathie Playpark has received an investment of £300,000 from Winchburgh Developments and was designed by the children of Winchburgh, pre-covid. It consists of over 100 metres of children’s play facilities, with a sandpit and sensory areas for toddlers and young children, and adventure play areas for teenagers.

The most requested equipment now featured in the playpark includes a witch’s hat climbing frame, a 50-metre fly fox and a large slide.

Ian Harvey, Headteacher Winchburgh Primary School, commented, “We were delighted to attend the official opening of Auldcathie Playpark. This was a real-life learning experience for our pupils to see their playpark opened.

“Many learners have been involved in the initial design ideas, model building and visits to the construction site. This is another milestone in the history of our developing community. It was fantastic to share this experience with pupils from across the schools in Winchburgh.”

Mia Hendry flag bearer from Winchburgh Academy commented, “It’s been amazing to have been part of designing our new playpark and now seeing it in real life, it’s even better than we thought it would be.

“Being part of the ceremony today was a great way to open the park!”

Colette Murray Headteacher Holy Family Primary School commented, “It is so exciting for our pupils to attend the opening of Auldcathie Playpark, now sitting adjacent to our newly opened Primary School. Our pupils loved being part of the design process.”

Children’s service providers warn of mental health emergency caused by cost-of-living crisis

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist children’s services, has warned of a child mental health emergency caused by the cost-of-living crisis, driven by increasing energy costs.

With inflation, energy costs and shopping bills now outstripping wage levels, this has replaced Covid and lockdown restrictions as the primary cause of poor mental health for children and young people

The coalition has called for an urgent co-ordinated response by both the Scottish and UK Governments to address the crisis and avoid a potential “lost generation” of children and young people with mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and self-harm. It has also called for greatly increased investment in mental health services.

Poverty is a major contributor to mental ill health, and children living in low-income households are three times more likely to suffer mental health problems than their more affluent peers. 1 So more young people will experience worse mental health as a result of the current cost-of-living crisis and as families fall behind with their bills, causing increased anxiety.

Even before the pandemic, cases of poor mental health were at unprecedented levels with services in crisis, and there are a growing number of vulnerable children who cannot access adequate support.

The pandemic and cost-of-living crisis have exacerbated this, with more children and young people driven into poverty, with the resulting impact on their mental health. This has led to unprecedented demand and backlogs, with services struggling to keep up.

Figures published by Public Health Scotland in June indicate that over the quarter covering January to March 2022, 9,672 children and young people were referred to CAMHS for treatment, a staggering 22.4 per cent increase in numbers from the same quarter of the previous year when the equivalent figure was 7,902.2 The cost-of-living crisis is set to further worsen this. At the end of March 2022, a staggering total of 1,322 children and young people had been waiting for over a year for treatment.3

A spokesperson for the SCSC commented: “Millions of our children and young are at breaking point, with stress and anxiety reaching alarming levels because of the effect of the cost-of-living crisis.

“Since the pandemic, referrals have increased and the cost-of-living crisis is only going to make it worse, creating a potential lost generation of vulnerable children and young people.

“If we don’t give young people the support they need, when they need it, the consequences can be catastrophic.

“By minimising the drivers of mental health problems – such as poverty – we can reduce the impact on services and we would urge the Scottish Government and UK Government to work together and address this.”