communities – Page 3 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Fife church hopes for ‘Good News’ as voting opens for £6,000 prize

St Luke the Evangelist Church in St Andrews flies the flag for Scotland

Voting is now open to select the national winner in Ecclesiastical’s Good News church competition
Five regional winners received £1,500 each after submitting their Good News stories
A final overall winner will be selected following a public vote with the winner receiving £6,000 for their church

Voting has opened to decide the national winner of Ecclesiastical Insurance’s ‘Good News’ competition and give one church £6,000.

Good News launched last year to shine a light on the vital work Anglican Churches do by sharing their good news stories and showcasing all the ways that people in their local area have pulled together to make a difference.

Almost 200 entries were submitted from across the UK, covering stories about home delivery services for people self-isolating, community cafés and virtual events.

Five regional winners were chosen in November, receiving £1,500 towards their work. They now stand a chance of winning the grand prize of £6,000 – bringing their total winnings to £7,500.

*Picture by Clint Randall www.pixelprphotography.co.uk*

Scotland’s Regional Winner was St Luke the Evangelist, St Andrews, Dunkeld & Dunblane Diocese

The public now has the chance to vote for their favourite before a panel of Ecclesiastical Insurance and church representatives select an overall winner.

Helen Richards, church operations director at Ecclesiastical, said: “Despite the challenges that the pandemic has brought with it, churches have remained a beacon of hope to the communities they are based in.

“The response to the competition was fantastic and we received lots of incredible entries showing how churches pulled together with their local communities during what has been an incredibly difficult time for so many of us.

“The five regional winners really stood out to the judges and we’re now urging the public to show their support for their local church to be crowned as national winner.”

Voting for the national winner opened on Wednesday 5 January and closes on Monday 28 February.

To vote for your favourite church, simply go to:

www.ecclesiastical.com/churchcomp and cast your vote.

Edinburgh charities benefit from £204,000 national boost from Barratt Developments

The housebuilder donated to good causes which help children, people with life-limiting health conditions, and the elderly, as well as charities which offer mental health and employment support

Barratt Developments – which includes Barratt Homes, David Wilson Homes and Oregon Timber Frame Ltd – is celebrating a year of giving after its charitable efforts topped more than £204,000 in donations across Scotland.

Each year, the five-star housebuilder supports a wide range of organisations promoting equality, employability and care among many other causes, through various charity initiatives, including the Barratt Developments Scotland Community Fund, which donates £1,000 to a deserving local cause in each of its Scottish divisions every month.

Since January, Barratt Developments has handed out funding to organisations which provide care, support, and respite for those battling serious illness, disease, or lifelong health conditions, such as Maggie’s Edinburgh, Fight Against Cancer Edinburgh, The British Lung Foundation and Marie Curie.

Barratt’s donations have gone towards the provision of palliative care, providing support for people with health conditions and disabilities, and caring for those battling cancer.

Additionally, Barratt donated to children’s charities, such as CHAS and LGBT Youth Scotland, helping to fund vital services for vulnerable kids and families in need of assistance.

Organisations which support people into employment, such as WorkingRite in Edinburgh, benefitted from a funding boost from Barratt Developments this year, helping to transform the lives of people by giving them the tools they need to find and secure work.

Further donations went to hospices caring for the elderly, including St. Columba’s and St. Andrew’s Hospice, and Barratt also donated to mental health charities such as SAMH, whose lifeline services are of vital importance, particularly during the pandemic.

Douglas McLeod, Barratt Developments’ Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said: “As the country’s leading housebuilder, we are committed to creating a positive legacy and making a genuine contribution towards the communities in which we build our homes.

“We are extremely proud of this year’s achievement, as it’s become even more apparent how incredibly important it is to support those around us during these difficult times. Each of the charities we have supported carry out fantastic work and are a lifeline service for many people, and we are delighted to have been able to support organisations which are close to our hearts.

“We are looking forward to working with many more charities and raising even more funds as we go into 2022 and beyond. We would like to thank everyone who suggested the charities and supported our fundraising activity and wish everyone a happy and healthy Christmas and prosperous New Year.”

The full list of 2021’s beneficiaries is:

includes:

• FACE

• Goodtrees

• Empty Kitchens

• St Fillan’s Playgroup

• Support in Mind Scotland

• Fife Women’s Aid

• British Lung Foundation

• With Kids

• Marie Curie

• Maggies Edinburgh

• Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home

• Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

• The Prince’s Trust

• LifeCare Edinburgh

• St Columba’s Hospice Care

• WorkingRite

• Kindred

• VSA “Changing Lives Campaign”

• Bucksburn Community Council

• Street Sport (Denis Law Trust)

• Bettridge Centre (Newtonhill Community centre)

• Befriend a Child

• SurfAble

• Huntingtons Association

• Archie Foundation

• SCAA

• Aberdeen Foyer

• Beannachar

• New Start Highland

• The Haven Appeal

• Mental Health Aberdeen

• Lifesavers Scotland

• St Andrews Hospice

• Kilbryde Hospice

• The Scottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments

• Move on with Fareshare

• CHAS

• Glasgow Children’s Hospital Charity

• East Park School

• The Beatson Cancer Centre

• LGBT Youth Scotland

• The Dual Fitness Foundation

• Action for Children

• SAMH

• SCFC with Motor Impairment

• Move on Scotland

• Craig Halbert Centre

• SiMBA

Blooming Beautiful! Awards celebrate our climate and nature friendly neighbourhoods

18 Edinburgh community groups recognised for commitment to keeping Scotland beautiful

Today, 11 November, over 200 community groups from across Scotland have been recognised by environmental charity, Keep Scotland Beautiful, for their efforts to support and enhance their local communities, for the climate and for nature.

At a virtual 2021 Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood Seminar and celebration event, 18 It’s Your Neighbourhood entrants from Edinburgh were congratulated for their efforts with a certificate of achievement (see table below), with four also receiving a Certificate of Distinction for continuous improvement.

In addition, Friends of Starbank Park also won second place in the NatureScot It’s Your Neighbourhood Pollinator Friendly Awards.

Catherine Gee, Deputy CEO of Keep Scotland Beautiful said: “With the world’s biggest and most important climate change conference to date taking place in Glasgow this week, it is brilliant to be celebrating the work of these communities in Edinburgh who are taking action now.

“We know that across Scotland people are committed to improving and enhancing the places that they care about. And, through the It’s Your Neighbourhood entrants we hear of people doing their bit to understand their own greenhouse emissions and to support nature in the places they care about. These people are making a real difference and I would like to thank them for inspiring us every day.”

This year, three NatureScot It’s Your Neighbourhood Pollinator Friends Awards were presented at the seminar and Friends of Starbank Park, scooped second place, winning £150.

Jim Jeffrey, Pollinator Strategy Manager with NatureScot, who announced the award said: “Once again the Keep Scotland Beautiful Pollinator Friendly Award has attracted a host of interesting entries. The standard just gets better each year.

“Making space for nature, as we face up to the twin threat of climate change and biodiversity loss, has never been more important, and each of the community groups in this category have impressed with the range of actions they are taking.

“The winning projects were among a of number of great examples showing how working together we can help pollinators, whilst making our communities and green spaces more appealing, and fantastic places to spend time in.”

The annual seminar celebrated everything that the entrants, from 30 local authority areas, have achieved in their communities to combat climate change and support biodiversity.

Entrants have also worked to enhance their neighbourhoods, involve the community, and improve areas through gardening and horticulture while tackling litter and other environmental quality challenges.

Speakers included representatives from various entrants from across Scotland, sharing their inspiring stories and delegates also heard about the exciting opportunity to get involved with Scotland’s Climate Festival.

It’s Your Neighbourhood entrants were visited by one of 23 trained volunteer assessors who provide their support, expertise and guidance through the It’s Your Neighbourhood framework which is a part of the UK-wide RHS Britain in Bloom campaign.

RHS Community Development Manager Kay Clark said: “Community gardening groups are showing that, through their work, they can bring communities together, transform outdoor spaces and work in support of wildlife and the local environment.

“They are showing that gardening has a role to play in addressing the challenges that we collectively face and that is every reason to celebrate.”

If you would like to join the #OurBloom family, gain access to support and advice, and help us to keep Scotland beautiful, online registration for 2022 will open in mid-January on the Keep Scotland Beautiful website.

The Edinburgh entrants and their results can be found in the table below:

Group Name	Local authority area	IYN Certificate 2021	Level 2021	Certificate of Distinction 2021
Balerno Village Gardeners	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5	Y
Craigentinny Community Gardening Project	City of Edinburgh	Improving	2
Ferry Road Allotments	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5
Friends of Granton Castle Walled Garden	City of Edinburgh	Thriving	4	Y
Friends of Lauriston Castle Estate	City of Edinburgh	Advancing	3
Friends of Morningside Cemetery	City of Edinburgh	Thriving	4
Friends of Saughton Park	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5
Friends of Starbank Park (NatureScot IYN Pollinator Friendly Award – second place)	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5	Y
Heart of Newhaven	City of Edinburgh	Advancing	3
Inch View Care Home	City of Edinburgh	Thriving	4
Inspiring Hillside	City of Edinburgh	Advancing	3
Inverleith Allotments	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5
Kirkliston in Bloom	City of Edinburgh	Establishing	1
Lochend Community Growing Project	City of Edinburgh	Outstanding	5	Y
Northfield Community Growing Group	City of Edinburgh	Advancing	3
The Lions’ Gate	City of Edinburgh	Advancing	3
The Sorted Project	City of Edinburgh	Improving	2
Victoria After School Club	City of Edinburgh	Thriving	4

Climate Action Towns project: Empowering communities

Seven towns have been chosen to help tackle the impact of climate change and secure a just transition to net zero.

The Climate Action Towns programme will empower communities to come together and engage in collective climate action, taking account of the unique challenges and opportunities each town faces. That might include looking at what action can be taken on switching to more sustainable food or renewable energy.

Communities in the seven towns will be offered support to find ways of making changes at a local level that will help tackle the crisis, giving them a voice and engaging those that may not have previously engaged in climate action.

The programme will be delivered by design agency Architecture and Design Scotland, with funding of £146,000 from the Scottish Government.

The seven towns chosen are:

Alness, Highlands
Annan, Dumfries & Galloway
Blackburn, West Lothian
Campbeltown, Argyll & Bute
Holytown, North Lanarkshire
Invergordon, Highlands
Stevenston, North Ayrshire

The project will be driven by collaboration between local people and agencies, and their collective vision of what their Climate Action Town looks like. The outcome of the work with the towns will be used to outline learning for climate action on a town scale that can then be applied across Scotland and beyond.

The announcement came during the Scottish Government’s Just Transition themed weekend during COP26.

The start of the process to collaborate and co-design the Scottish Government’s refreshed Energy Strategy was outlined on Friday. It was also announced that Scotland’s first Just Transition Plan, to be published in spring 2022, will be focussed on the energy sector.

The Scottish Government will provide £100,000 to establish a Just Transition Alliance within the Under2 Coalition, a network of more than 200 devolved and local governments driving climate action across the world, so that members can access the resources, support and information necessary to deliver a just transition in cities and towns across the world.

Just Transition Minister Richard Lochhead said: “It is clear that we must decarbonise industry and society in order to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, but we must do so in a way that is fair for everyone and leaves no one behind.

“Scotland was at the forefront of the Industrial Revolution, so we see it as only right that Scotland is at the forefront of this green revolution.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make changes in a way that will be good for our people, our communities, our economy and our planet – we must seize it.

“Tackling the climate crisis requires all of us, at every level, to get involved. We can all make a difference. The Climate Action Towns project aims to support and empower communities to have a say on how their local areas should change as part of a fair and just transition to net zero.

“I look forward to seeing how the towns that are taking part rise to the challenge and find ways that will not only make a difference locally but to Scotland and indeed the world.”

Architecture and Design Scotland Chief Executive Jim MacDonald said: “The climate emergency demands urgent action from us all. For Scotland to adapt to the impacts of climate change, we are all going to need to work together to adapt the ways we live, work, play and move in our cities, towns and villages.

“Considering that half of Scotland’s population live in towns, it is vital towns are a key focus in the fight against climate change.”

Miners’ Strike Pardon Bill published

A ‘landmark’ new Bill to pardon former miners convicted of certain offences related to strike action in the 1980s has been published.

The Miners’ Strike (Pardons) (Scotland) Bill follows an independent review, led by John Scott QC, into the impact of policing on Scottish communities during the 1984-85 strike.

The review recommended the Scottish Government introduce legislation to pardon miners convicted for certain matters related to the strike, subject to establishing suitable criteria.

Following a consultation, that criteria has now been established and sets out that the pardon will be available to people convicted of certain offences – such as breach of the peace – and who were participating in strike action.

The Bill does not cast doubt on decisions made by courts at the time and does not quash convictions.

Justice Secretary Keith Brown said: “The miners’ strike was one of the most bitter and divisive industrial disputes in living memory.

“This new draft legislation will go some way to aid reconciliation – and to help heal wounds within Scotland’s mining communities.

“A collective pardon will restore dignity to those convicted, provide comfort to their families and, I hope, will bring closure to the sense of injustice members of mining communities may feel.

“I am determined to make swift progress on this matter, given the passage of time since 1984-85, which is why we have acted quickly to bring forward and publish this landmark new Bill.”

Scotland lights up in support of climate action ahead of COP26

Scottish Government campaign shines a light on positive action being taken across society

As Scotland prepares for the arrival of COP26, the UN Climate Change Conference, businesses, organisations and individuals from all across Scotland are coming together to shine a light on the climate action and nature conservation being taken in their local communities and call on others to join them in making the changes needed for the country to reach net zero by 2045.

The COP26 summit is the most urgent ever held and the best chance of securing global action to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees. The twin crises of climate change and nature loss are the greatest threats facing people and the planet and are already impacting communities throughout Scotland.

As all eyes will be on Scotland, a new national poll has revealed that many people across the country now recognise the need to play their part and that improving climate awareness and understanding the support available, remains vital for helping people to make changes.

The YouGov poll, commissioned by the Scottish Government, asked adults living in Scotland if they were planning to make future changes to their lifestyle to help tackle climate change.

Almost half (46%) of the Scottish public said they were already planning to make changes and the poll also highlighted that 20% said they were unsure on how to make changes. A third (34%) of adults surveyed said that they have no plans to make any future lifestyle changes.

The Scottish Government’s Let Do Net Zero campaign aims to provide the necessary information and support to help more people make the changes needed across all levels of society and showcases inspiring examples of businesses, enterprises, community groups and individuals leading the way.

Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson said, “Scotland was one of the first countries to declare a climate emergency, and as a nation we have already made great progress in tackling climate change. We have halved Scotland’s greenhouse gas emissions, and we are determined to reach net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.

“Ending our contribution to the climate emergency within a generation will require transformational change across all parts of the economy and society. This campaign seeks to shine a light on the positive action taking place right across the country to inspire greater action and the Scottish Government will play its part to support people in Scotland to make these changes.”

To demonstrate the role that individuals and communities can play in reaching net zero, a sustainable, glowing zero artwork will be touring Scotland’s cities and shining a light on projects across Scotland that are already bringing people together to create change and support their communities.

The glowing zero landed at its first stop with Edinburgh Castle as its backdrop and shone a light on the community tool-sharing hub, Edinburgh Tool Library. The Library supplies a service that allows members to borrow tools as and when they need them, without spending money on seldom-used tools that have a large carbon footprint.

Environmental Scientist and climate activist Laura Young (Less Waste Laura) is an advocate for encouraging people to adopt a more environmentally conscious lifestyle and will be taking part in the blue zone at COP26.

Joining the Edinburgh Tool Library in the glowing zero today, she said: “There is so much good work happening and momentum has really grown in recent years, and this is hugely encouraging. But everyone needs to keep playing their part to drive real change and help Scotland reach net zero.

“We are already used to doing some things that help combat climate change, such as food waste recycling, but there may be things that people have not even considered such as making sure their gardens help biodiversity or repairing and reusing their clothes and homewares rather than throwing them away. Every ounce of carbon that we save adds up to help get us to net zero.”

Chris Hellawell, founder & director at Edinburgh Tool Library, said, “COP26 represents our last chance as a planet to legislate on a scale that can minimise the harm we have already caused, and plan a way forward that allows people to prosper without increasing the burden we put on nature.

“This is why the work Edinburgh Tool Library does is so important. We already have many of the things we “need” in our community, we just don’t have access to them. Sharing libraries open up these resources to the whole community and give us all access to more items without an associated impact on the environment. The bonus is we also save money. We all share a planet, let’s start sharing what’s on it.”

To find information on how to take action, make changes and the support available visit, www.netzeronation.scot

The square outside Granton Station will be called … (drum roll) … Granton Station Square!

The area outside the former Granton Station, being built for local people and visitors to enjoy community events and recreation, is to be named … ehm, Granton Station Square!

The square, together with the restoration of the building has agreed funding of up to £4.75m, with part of this being provided through the Scottish Government Regeneration Capital Grant Fund support and town centre funding.

This restoration forms part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s wider £1.3bn regeneration project for Granton Waterfront.

The name was chosen following consultation with local residents and groups as well as the Council asking people for suggestions online.

Cammy Day, Council Depute Leader, said: “Thanks to everyone who took part in the consultation for the new name. It’s really important to us that local people are involved in every step of the process as we progress our £1.3bn regeneration of the area creating homes, jobs and new communities.

“The name is important as the refurbished Granton Station and new Square will be a focal point in the area for the community and visitors to enjoy for generations to come.”

Reminder: Community Learning & Development planning event

Thursday 19 August, 10am – 11.45am

As the current plan comes to an end, it’s time to explore opportunities, hopes and aspirations for the next 3 years.

Help make sure the community and voluntary sector has a voice in this process, by getting involved in this discussion.

You’re invited to have a say on Edinburgh’s Community Learning and Development Plan for 2021 – 2024.

About this event

You might ask yourself what is Community Learning & Development (CLD) and why is it important for my group or organisation to have a say in future planning?

The ambition for the Edinburgh CLD plan is to make a positive difference for the citizens and communities of the City and the organisations in the community / voluntary sector work with children, young people and adults to do just that.

That means it’s essential that our sector plays a part in strategic planning in areas like adult learning, youthwork, community centres, communities and citizens who are seldom heard and so much more.

THE EVENT

Paul McCloskey (CEC Lifelong Learning Strategic Manager – CLD and Libraries), Laurene Edgar (LAYC Director and Edinburgh Community Learning and Development Partnership Chair) will lead this event.

They’ll take you through the plan and the potential for this to be a key aspect of the development of citizens and communities in Edinburgh.

You will also have the chance to join in 2 of the following themed breakout groups:

Adult Learning
Community Centres
Youthwork
Seldom Heard Communities & Voices

EVENT LINK

Registration for this event closes TODAY – Wednesday 18 August at 6pm.

You will receive an email through Eventbrite by 9am on Thu 19 Aug that includes the Zoom link for this event.

If you don’t receive this email please get in touch, but we recommend checking your email junk folder: esther.currie@evoc.org.uk

Weathering the Storm: Poverty Alliance publishes Get Heard Scotland summary report

The Poverty Alliance have launched Weathering the Storm, a summary report from the Get Heard Scotland (GHS) programme in 2020/21.

GHS is a programme coordinated by the Poverty Alliance and funded by the Scottish Government as part of Every Child Every Chance, the Scottish Government’s Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.

GHS is designed to help people on low incomes get their voices heard on the policies and decisions that most impact their lives and their communities.

Get Heard Scotland gathers evidence on the experience of poverty, from people who are living on low incomes, as well as from organisations and groups working on the ground to help address poverty. Crucially, it focuses on the solutions needed to loosen the grip of poverty on people’s lives.

The report that has been published today covers GHS engagement in 2020/21, which focused primarily on the local authority areas of Inverclyde and Renfrewshire. Covering issues like mental health, employment, food insecurity, digital access, debt, and social security, it provides an overview of the experiences of people living on low incomes – as well as of organisations working with people on low incomes – during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Peter Kelly, Director, Poverty Alliance, said: “Over the last 18 months, the grip of poverty has tightened on the lives of people across Scotland. But it is important to remember that, even before the pandemic, over one million people in Scotland were living in that grip.

“We know that not just listening to – but acting on – the voices and experiences of people living in poverty is key to ending poverty in Scotland. So we are pleased to publish this report today, that focuses primarily on Inverclyde and Renfrewshire but which has relevance for every part of the country.

“In both local authorities, there has been a genuine desire to find more effective ways of meaningfully involving people with experience of poverty in shaping local anti-poverty policy. We hope that the work as part of Get Heard Scotland will have contributed towards making participatory policy making the norm in the future.”

The full report can be read here.

National Football Engagement Strategy report published

As Scottish football supporters return to stadiums across the country, Police Scotland has renewed its commitment to building relationships with football fans following the publication of its first supporters’ engagement survey.

Supporters were asked for their views on how officers engaged with them, the communities affected by football and the wider public about football policing – following a key recommendation made in the Independent Review of Football Policing in Scotland.

Almost 7,000 took part in the survey and the results have now been published.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Williams said: “We recognised that engagement and communication with football supporters is key and I am pleased so many people with an interest in football took part in the survey.

“Football plays an important role in Scottish life, for communities and individuals and can make a positive impact.

“We commissioned the survey as a way of getting views directly from supporters and local communities, as much to allow them to fully understand the role of officers at matches as gaining an understanding of what they expect from us.

“As a result, we have completely transformed the way we communicate with supporters and going forward will continue to involve them and our communities in shaping the way we police football matches.”

Supporters groups are now an integral part of Police Scotland’s planning of football matches – the Scottish Disabled Supporters Association, the Scottish Football Supporters Association and Supporters Direct Scotland now attend the Football and Events Working Group.

This forum meets regularly to discuss issues relating to policing of football and other events and includes representatives of British Transport Police, the SFA, the SPFL, Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, the Scottish Government and the Football Safety Officers’ Association Scotland.

A large majority of those who responded felt that football had a positive impact on their community. While the results of the survey show that football supporters do not always feel the need to engage with Police Scotland officers at matches, the enhanced engagement has been welcomed by Scottish football supporters groups.

Alan Russell of Supporters Direct said: “Police Scotland is a key partner to Scottish football in ensuring that the match day experience is safe and enjoyable for all supporters.

“It is vitally important that communications between everyone involved on are clear and constructive, and we welcome the publications of its Football Engagement Strategy.

“The Independent Review of Football Policing identified potential improvements in how Police Scotland interact with supporters, and we are pleased to have seen the early implementation of many of these recommendations.

“The survey results are revealing, and identify a number of issues that matter to supporters. Communication is the key to any good relationship, and we will listen to each other and work together to ensure that improvements continue to be made.”

Simon Barrow, co-founder and vice-chair of the Scottish Football Supporters Association, said: “This survey, and the process of which it is part, represents a significant step forward in communicating better with the whole football community over policing and security issues.

“We will study the results with interest, and look forward to further engagement, discussion and consultation in the coming months.”

Assistant Chief Constable Williams added: “It is extremely important that we continue to work with the clubs and match organisers to ensure everyone who goes to a football match anywhere in Scotland can enjoy it in a safe and secure environment.

“We will build on the work already undertaken and continue to develop effective working relationships with football supporters and our communities.”