Two thirds of workers said their mental health has been harmed by the coronavirus crisis, a massive new survey by GMB has found.
In the poll of 13,500 public and private sector workers – thought to be the biggest of its kind during the pandemic – 66 per cent of respondents said that their work during the outbreak has had a serious negative impact on their mental health.
Other findings from the survey, released on World Mental Health Day, include:
61 per cent of workers say their job is causing them stress or is otherwise impacting on their mental health.
Fear of taking the coronavirus home was the frequently cited cause of stress at work (by 36 per cent of respondents), followed by workers’ fear for their own safety (by 30 per cent).
Front-line workers report being 70 per cent more anxious on average than official estimates for the whole population before the pandemic struck.
Workers in retail, schools, outsourced services, and care report experiencing the highest levels of anxiety.
GMB is campaigning for a ‘Mental Health at Work Act ‘specifying the approach and methods expected of all employers in managing mental health in the workplace.
If successful, the legislation would require absences due to poor mental health to be reported to the Health and Safety Executive on the same basis as physical injuries.
Nell Andrew, GMB National Equality and Inclusion Officer, said:“Shockingly, almost one in five adults have experienced some form of depression during the pandemic – almost doubling from before the crisis.
“These stark results show it’s not just workers’ physical health that’s being impacted by covid – but their mental health and well-being is too. And that’s a massive problem for everyone.
“Much more needs to be done to prevent poor mental health in the workplace, during the pandemic and beyond.
“We urgently need full mental health risk assessments to become the norm, because protecting workers’ mental health is just as vital as protecting physical health.
“As we face a second wave and widespread redundancies, we desperately need to protect at-risk industries and fully fund the public services that defend the mental health and wellbeing of the heroic workers who have keep the economy and society together.”
Hearts & Minds, award-winning charity and home of the Clowndoctors, is pleased to announce an exciting and fun new programme for special educational needs schools across Scotland.
Clowning Around is an art and play programme specifically designed for children with special educational support needs. Using the art of therapeutic clowning professionally trained artists engage children in play, music, dance, song, puppetry, games and storytelling. The Clowndoctors use improvisational skills and expertise in non-verbal communication and play to create tailored programmes to suit individual needs.
• Clowndoctor on Call: bespoke live interactive sessions delivered virtually by the Clowndoctors to individuals or a small group. • Clowndoctor Personalised Videos: Videos created for individuals or small groups. Tailored to suit the needs and interests of the children/young people.
• Clowndoctor in the Classroom: live visits in the classroom with the Clowndoctors. These will return when restrictions allow. • Laughing Around: Laughter Yoga workshop for staff. This fun practical workshop is designed to relieve stress, lighten the mood, and form positive connections.
Clowndoctor on Call virtual visits were developed in response to COVID 19 as face to face visits in the classroom had to stop and Hearts & Minds were determined to keep the connection with pupils & bring moments of joy and laughter into the classroom.
The virtual visits have begun at Fairview School, Perth where they have been a huge success with staff and pupils.
Leigh Verdot, Head Teacher of Fairview School said: “We are thrilled to still get our weekly fix with the Clowndoctors. It is great to see the smiles and enjoyment from our pupils when they are engaging with the Clowndoctors on the ipads!
“Things are so different with COVID restrictions, so our weekly visits are one of the best parts of the week now. All our staff are learning from the Clowndoctors too. We couldn’t ask for a better start to the week!”
Rebecca Simpson, CEO of Hearts & Minds commented: “I am delighted to finally launch at our new school programme- Clowning Around. With 21 years’ experience of delivering our Clowndoctor programme it is exciting to be developing this work for schools across Scotland.
“The feedback we have received already has been overwhelmingly positive regarding the impact on the children. The programme is full of fun, laughter and creativity and will bring smiles to classrooms.”
The programme is open to all schools in Scotland who have pupils with complex learning needs and the programme can be tailored to suit the individual or a class. The team at Hearts & Minds will liaise with staff to provide a bespoke series of sessions.
Jennifer Young, alongside Make 2nds Count, is gifting 10,000 skincare products from her Beauty Despite Cancer range in support of UK cancer patients and small charities from the local area and beyond throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October.
Over the past few weeks, the organisation has been asking people to nominate their favourite small charities, hospices and cancer support groups, through which they will give away the natural products.
Those being treated for, living with or recovering from cancer will know finding the right skincare can be an additional source of anxiety during an already trying time. Finding products that can help to calm the side effects that some cancer treatments may have on the skin can be difficult, especially given the increased skin sensitivity chemotherapy and radiotherapy can cause.
Recent Challenges
Recent Macmillan research found that 91% of cancer patients suffer a loss of income, causing stress and mental health issues. With the current pandemic also affecting the job market across the region, this can be an even more distressing prospect to those going through treatment.
The ‘Ten Thousand Gifts’ project not only supports those most affected by cancer poverty by providing them with skincare which is of significant benefit during treatment, but also spreads joy in the form of receiving gifts which lifts mood and increases emotional health and wellbeing.
Additionally, many charities’ fundraising efforts have been affected by the restrictions enlisted to prevent spread of the coronavirus. ‘Ten Thousand Gifts’ will not only provide those who deserve it with luxury products but will raise awareness for charitable causes across the region.
The Company
Jennifer realised her passion for working with cancer patients when her local NHS hospital invited her to meet those going through treatment. Since then, Jennifer has created more than 300 specialist products to calm the effects of cancer treatment on the skin, available through BeautyDespiteCancer.com. The Midlands-based company is now known for its pioneering development of new products that are gentle and luxurious.
The Giveaway
Products included in the giveaway are the Defiant Beauty Nail Oil (4g) and the Defiant Beauty Healing Hand Balm (15g). The Defiant Beauty Nail Oil is a gentle, moisturising oil designed to care for brittle nails caused by the effects of cancer treatment. Meanwhile, the Defiant Beauty Healing Hand Balm is a gentle multi-tasking balm that acts as a hand mask, nail moisturiser and a hand cream to soothe and restore the skin.
Jennifer said: “Everything we do at Jennifer Young and Beauty Despite Cancer, is about supporting individuals each day of their cancer experience. Reducing skin irritation and soreness, creating nurturing rituals from everyday routines and giving a sense of restoration are invaluable when you’re experiencing something as challenging as cancer and cancer treatment.
” Knowing that options are available and that you are not alone, can make a huge difference to how someone feels. Local and national independent charities, hospices and support organisations are incredibly important in delivering that message of care and community, which is why we aim to provide sustainable support to them as well in the work that we do.
“It is important to us that the charities we help are those that reflect the experiences of our customers, and this month is an opportunity to celebrate that connected support network between products, charities and clients.”
Francesca Arbury, Charity Service Manager for Something To Look Forward To, says: “It’s amazing for people to receive things that will boost their emotional health, make them look and feel better but also because we know as a charity how badly people have been affected by the pandemic, and especially the cancer community.
“With delays and cancellations, screenings, treatments and surgery, a lot of strain has been put on people, they are scared and are feeling low. More than that finances may be tough and life’s little luxuries that some people may see it as, may no longer be affordable now. So ‘Ten Thousand Gifts’ is going to be so popular!”
Projects which support people with neurological conditions are to benefit from the latest round of funding announced as part of a five-year action plan.
The investment of £492,535 is focussed on initiatives where partnership working is key. Many of the 17 funded activities see NHS Boards, Health and Social Care Partnerships and Third Sector organisations joining forces to achieve better outcomes for people living with neurological conditions.
Funding recipients include Pain Association Scotland who will develop online courses to support the wellbeing of unpaid carers and the MS Society who will deliver online and telephone sessions to support the physical and emotional wellbeing of people living with MS in response to the pandemic.
‘Neurological care and support: framework for action – 2020 to 2025’ aims to ensure people get access to personalised care and support regardless of their condition or where in Scotland they live.
Public Health Minister Joe FitzPatrick said: “Around one million people in Scotland live with a neurological condition ranging from common conditions such as migraines to life-limiting illnesses such as Motor Neurone Disease.
“We recognise the scale, variety and context of neurological conditions and how distressing they can be for the person with the condition and their family and the framework for action aims to support those responsible for providing care and support to people affected.
“This latest round of funding will ensure this vital work not only continues but is strengthened despite the challenges faced during the pandemic.”
PSPA provides information and support to people affected by Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) and Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD).
CEO Andrew Symons said: “Neurological Care and Support Framework Funding will allow us to map provision for PSP and CBD in Scotland, simultaneously highlighting the information and support that we can offer from PSPA.
“This will contribute to the aim of earlier diagnosis of these rare conditions and reduce the time spent by people in the wrong part of the system with the result they can benefit from the provisions of the Framework as soon as their disease is recognised.”
Families’ needs are escalating while support services are diminishing, new research reveals
Children’s charities call on Scottish Government to invest in family support without delay
Years of austerity have had a harrowing impact on vulnerable families in Scotland with some now facing destitution, reveals NSPCC Scotland and Barnardo’s Scotland research published today.
The report, Challenges from the Frontline – Revisited, highlights the devastating impact of the rollout of welfare reform on children and their families and the effects of local government funding cuts on the support available to them.
The research, a snapshot of life before Covid-19, describes rising need in the face of lessening resource, with some families struggling to obtain adequate food, secure housing and basic necessities. Despite long-standing commitment by the Scottish Government to early intervention and parenting support, the research found that too many families were coming to services already at crisis point.
Service managers told researchers that welfare reform had financially punished a whole section of the population.
One said: “…because so many of our families are on universal credit, that does not allow them to have a standard of living that meets the needs of those adults and children within the household. It simply does not.”
Another said: “It’s the poverty and disadvantage that we see now. It was always there, but it’s certainly exacerbated by the welfare reform over the past few years. The rise of foodbanks here is massive. Families use them on a regular basis and you can see that, families who come to us and are really struggling.”
NSPCC Scotland and Barnardo’s Scotland are now calling on the Scottish Government to press ahead, as a matter of urgency, with the Independent Care Review’s vision of making intensive family support available to all who need it.
The review’s Promise report sets out a blueprint of how this should be done.
The children’s charities also say the Scottish Government must articulate a clear vision for family income in Scotland, and set out how – within the current levers available – it will ensure that all families have enough money to live with dignity.
Today’s report compares findings from research carried out with family support services in Scotland in 2013 and 2019. It concludes that in the intervening period severe hardship has affected parents’ mental health and family relationships, so that those now being referred have more complex difficulties and greater needs.
This is amid a landscape of local authorities and other public bodies continuing to face financial challenges. The research found evidence of family support services closing or being offered on a far more limited basis than had been the case in 2013.
Matt Forde, NSPCC Scotland head of service, said: “Our research reveals that families were facing destitution, isolation and mental health struggles before the Covid-19 pandemic began.
“We found that against a backdrop of years of austerity there was escalating need for help from families who were struggling with more complex problems, being met with less support than before.
“We know that adverse and traumatic experiences in childhood can have a profound impact on a person’s life.
“And it is crucial this unacceptable situation, now compounded by the Covid-19 crisis, is addressed with a matter of urgency.”
Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “Supporting vulnerable families mitigates social inequality and improves children’s life opportunities.
“The Coronavirus crisis provides a huge opportunity to make meaningful, sustainable, transformative change. We need to harness the desire to do things differently, to reach out to families with a strengthened social safety net to prevent longer term difficulties developing in young people’s lives.
“The Independent Care Review’s Promise has given us a blueprint for family support and we must deliver on this without delay.”
– 72% of people responding to a survey about their experiences of the Scottish Government and COSLA’s 10 year Strategy for Autism reported that they did not have enough support to meet their needs –
The findings are published in today’s ‘The Accountability Gap’, a report from the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Autism’s review of the Scottish Government and COSLA’s 10-year Strategy for Autism.
Supported by charities National Autistic Society Scotland and Scottish Autism, who provide Joint-Secretariat to the CPG, a survey carried out as part of the review also found that:
72% of respondents said they did not have enough support to meet their needs
78% of respondents said that it was not easy accessing support locally
50% felt that autism awareness among the general public had not improved
69% said that with more support they would feel less isolated
36% said they received no support within 12 months of receiving a diagnosis.
The CPG on Autism is Co-Convened by Annie Wells MSP and Alexander Burnett MSP, and has a large membership that comprises of MSPs, autistic people, families, organisations and professionals from across Scotland. The group meets regularly looking at issues faced by autistic people and families.
In 2011, the Scottish Government together with COSLA published a 10-year Scottish Strategy for Autism that set out priorities and aimed to deliver strategic action for autistic people and their families in Scotland.
The CPG on Autism undertook its review from May 2019 to January 2020 and heard first-hand the difficulties faced by autistic people and their families in Scotland. It found widespread recognition that the Government’s strategy set out a welcome vision and was well-intentioned however the majority of people who participated said there had been limited impact for many people in a number of areas including autism diagnosis and post-diagnostic support, as well as support in education, care and employment.
It also highlighted how a lack of accountability at local level, is leaving autistic people and families fighting, often with little success, to get the support they need.
The review makes 10 recommendations that aim to help improve the lives of autistic people that the Scottish Government and COSLA should consider when the Strategy comes to the end of its lifespan in 2021. These include:
Solving the accountability gap by establishing a new Commissioner role, whose remit includes ensuing that autistic people and families get the support they need.
Developing a new Scottish Strategy for Autism that is co-created between autistic people, families, charities, COSLA and the Government, is appropriately funded and delivers real sustainable change.
Co-Convener of the Cross-Party Group on Autism, Alexander Burnett MSP, said:“The majority view of the hundreds of people who have been involved in our review is that the ambition and aspiration set out in the Scottish Government’s strategy has not been realised in practice and that many autistic people and their families lack the appropriate levels of support in order to thrive in our society.
“We found that there are concerns surrounding a lack of training for professionals, as well as a lack of pre and post diagnosis support across a number of areas 2including social care, education, transition into adulthood, housing and employment.
“In the context of the pandemic we believe the report’s recommendations are more important than ever for Scottish Government, COSLA and partners to consider when planning for what comes next when the strategy is due to come to an end next year.
“Over the years, we have seen numerous reports and reviews on autism, however there seems to be little evidence to suggest any real change is being delivered at a local level.
“This is a system that is repeatedly failing to meet the rights and needs of autistic people. We must therefore focus on systemic sustainable change to enable better access to education, health, social and community services for autistic people and their families.”
Kirsteen, a mother from Aberdeen said:“I have an autistic son called Toby who is now a young adult. When Toby was younger he received support from the school, college and the local authority but virtually stopped overnight when he became 16.
“Toby needs a lot of support and without it we struggled to cope as a family. Ultimately, we reached crisis point and things escalated even to the extent the police got involved as he became very frustrated and lashed out.
“Toby is now living in his own flat which initially I had to pay for as the local authority did not provide anything that met his needs. They had offered a place in a hostel for people with drug issues which is completely inappropriate.
“I’m now selling my place so I can move closer to Toby as I desperately want to make sure he is supported. I do this because my son and daughters mean the world to me but it’s hugely stressful to hold down a full-time career in nursing and provide support for someone with such complex needs.
“I don’t feel things have got better over the last few years and I don’t think they will change unless Scotland implements legislation – committees and reviews on autism make no difference.”
Nick Ward, Director of National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “Today’s ‘Accountability Gap’ report from the Cross-Party Group paints a stark picture of the struggles that Scotland’s 56,000 autistic people and their families face in order to get the services they are entitled to – a struggle which sadly they often lose leaving them frustrated, distraught and often in crisis.
“The Government must now look to build on the 10-year strategy by building accountability into the system so people get the services and support they so desperately need.”
Charlene Tait, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Scottish Autism, said: “We recognise the Scottish Government’s commitment through its 10-year strategy to set out a landscape where autistic people and their families have access to the services and support they need.
“However, there is an evident ‘accountability gap’ between service provision and what is available. The reality is that many autistic people and their families often have to fight to get the vital services and support to which they are entitled.
“Over the years, we have seen numerous reports and reviews on autism, however there seems to be little evidence to suggest any real change is being delivered at a local level. This is a system that is repeatedly failing to meet the rights and needs of autistic people.
“We must therefore focus on systemic sustainable change to enable better access to education, health, social and community services for autistic people and their families.”
– Number rises to 92 per cent for people aged 20-29 –
– Highest level of medication for mental health dispensed in June –
The UK’s biggest online pharmacy has revealed a 61 per cent rise in the number of NHS prescriptions it has dispensed for medication intended to treat mental health conditions since lockdown began. This number is produced when comparing repeat prescriptions dispensed from March to July 2020 with the same period last year.
The data comes as Pharmacy2U reveals the latest trends in its dispensing data, focusing on prescriptions for mental health conditions.
It also reveals that the highest level of items dispensed came three months into lockdown, with week commencing 1st June seeing over 185,000 medicines delivered to people’s homes as lockdown measures began to ease.
There was a 92 per cent increase in mental health medication dispensed to 20-29 year-olds between March – July this year compared with 2019, followed by a 70 per cent increase to those aged 70-79.
In its role as a national provider of vital NHS services, Pharmacy2U monitors trends and works with the NHS and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the interests of improving NHS provision, reducing medicines waste, and supporting the appropriate prescribing and dispensing of medications across the country.
Since the beginning of March, the South West saw the highest percentage increase (90 per cent) for items intended for mental health issues compared with last year, followed by the South East (67 per cent increase) and the East of England (59 per cent increase). Greater London saw orders up 54 per cent on the same period in 2019.
Data from Pharmacy2U revealed that it has dispensed over 4.6 million items of medication and saved over 2 Million trips outside for potentially vulnerable people since March, helping hundreds of thousands of people get vital medicines and helping to ease the strain on the NHS and frontline services.
Phil Day, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U comments: “The last few months have been unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in our lifetime, and it has been particularly challenging and worrying for the most vulnerable who still need access to their repeat medicines to manage ongoing conditions.
“With the prescribing of mental health medications under the microscope at a national level, our responsibility to patients and the NHS is at the heart of all we do. All medication we dispense is requested by the patient and approved by the patients’ GP, who we work with closely to identify any over or under prescribing.
“This helps our patients keep the right amount of medication for their needs, and improves their adherence to their courses of treatment, whilst also preventing over-prescribing and the associated increased costs to the NHS.
“Our state-of-the-art dispensing facility uses the latest technology and industry leading clinical accuracy measures, to help hundreds of thousands of people in need get their medicines safely and, in some part, ease the strain on our partners and friends in the NHS and frontline services.”
World Mental Health Day, a programme of the World Federation for Mental Health, was observed for the first time on 10 October 1992.
The world is experiencing the unprecedented impact of the current global health emergency due to COVID-19 that has also impacted on the mental health of millions of people. We know that the levels of anxiety, fear, isolation, social distancing and restrictions, uncertainty and emotional distress experienced have become widespread as the world struggles to bring the virus under control and to find solutions.
The current worldwide pandemic arose against an already dire mental health landscape that saw mental health conditions on the rise across the globe. About 450 million people live with mental disorders that are among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide (WHO’s World Health Report, 2001).
One person in every four will be affected by a mental disorder at some stage of their lives while mental, neurological and substance use disorders exact a high toll on health outcomes, accounting for 13% of the total global burden of disease (WHO, 2012).
The World Health Organization (2018) states that every 40 seconds someone dies by suicide. Annually, this represents over 800 000 people that die by suicide, which is more than people dying by war and homicide put together.
For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide every year. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to
29-year-olds while 79% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting and devastating effects on the people left behind.
This bleak picture necessitates that we ensure that mental health is prioritised now more than ever before.
The World Economic Forum (2018) noted that mental health disorders are on the rise in every country in the world and could cost the global economy up to $16 trillion between 2010 and 2030 if a collective failure to respond is not addressed.
We are faced with an international mental health crisis and have been forewarned over the past two decades of this imminent catastrophe. This has been compounded by the need for psychosocial support and mental health interventions during this time.
Thus, the drive for universal health coverage (UHC), articulated as a key target in the sustainable development goal for good health and wellbeing, is motivated by the desire for health equity across the globe (United Nations. Sustainable development goals: 17 goals to transform our world. New York: United Nations; 2015).
Universal health coverage means that all people have access to the quality mental health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.
We believe this is possible and it starts with strong primary health care that adopts a whole-of-society approach to health and wellbeing that is centred on the needs and preferences of individuals, families and communities. To make health for all a reality, governments need to invest in mental health.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization stated: “The world is accepting the concept of universal health coverage. Mental health must be an integral part of UHC. Nobody should be denied access to mental health care because she or he is poor or lives in a remote place.”
This statement necessitates that under the current global health emergency no-one should be denied mental health care. Psychosocial support and mental health national plans need to address the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on citizens.
It is therefore of great significance and importance that the theme for World Mental Health Day 2020 will be:
Mental Health for All Greater Investment – Greater Access
Mental health is a human right – it’s time that mental health is available for all. Quality, accessible primary health care is the foundation for universal health coverage and is urgently required as the world grapples with the current health emergency.
We therefore need to make mental health a reality for all – for everyone, everywhere.
I believe this call to action will be strengthened through our alliances, collaborations and partnerships to ensure that investment in mental health is prioritised, particularly during this time within the content of COVID-19.
It is also a time in which we can capitalise on the resilience displayed by individuals and communities who relaunched, regenerated and rediscovered themselves and their communities to be responsive during a time of crisis, as well as a time of great reflection and finding creative solutions and interventions to facilitate a mental health response in an emergency context despite social distancing or “lockdown”.
We invite you to join our call to action in highlighting the need for greater investment in mental health particularly during this global health emergency and thereafter. World Mental Health Day isn’t simply a one-day event.
We need to start now and continue our call to ensure that no-one is left behind. A great opportunity is provided to focus on the call for greater investment in mental health for all as we lead up to 10 October.
Together we are stronger and together we can make a big difference all over the world.
World Mental Health Day aims to raise awareness in the global community about the critical mental health agendas – with a unifying voice through collaboration with various partners – to take action and to create lasting change through the messages we promote.
We are all in this together and together we can bring about mental health for all.
Night shelters will be replaced with rapid rehousing ‘welcome centres’ for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough this winter, in updated plans for tackling homelessness.
The centres will provide emergency accommodation for people who have no other options, encouraging them to move on to other services. People using the centres will be offered targeted support, including for wellbeing, health and social care issues, legal rights, employment and welfare.
Announced yesterday in an updated action plan for tackling homelessness, the centres are part of plans to phase out night shelters entirely by expanding rapid rehousing approaches such as Housing First that provide settled accommodation as quickly as possible.
The Ending Homelessness Together updated plan also contains actions that will:
minimise the risk of evictions
strengthen protections for people experiencing domestic abuse
give people with lived experience of homelessness or rough sleeping a greater say in the development of policy
explore alternative routes to reducing migrant homelessness.
Housing Minister Kevin Stewart, who co-chairs the Homelessness Prevention and Strategy Group, said: “Our vision is of a Scotland with no need for night shelters – where everyone has a home that meets their needs.
“Since our plan for tackling homelessness was first published in 2018 we have delivered on many of the urgent issues facing homeless people. The Scottish Government’s swift response to coronavirus (COVID-19) has led to a dramatic reduction in the numbers of people sleeping rough and we must not let the problem return.
“This updated action plan renews our commitment to ending homelessness and rough sleeping once and for all, particularly by expanding services such as Housing First that provide longer-term accommodation and give homeless people the time and space to establish new lives for themselves.
“We are also placing even greater emphasis on preventing homelessness in the first place, and our new rapid rehousing welcome centres and are a first step to ending the use of night shelters altogether.
“I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this updated plan.”
Cllr Elena Whitham, CoSLA’s Community Wellbeing Spokesperson and the strategy group’s other co-chair, said: “The pandemic has reminded us all of the importance of having a safe and comfortable home that meets our needs. However, we know that the impacts of the crisis have not been felt equally.
“People facing poverty, inequality and other social harms have felt the impact far more greatly. Local Government has shared the ambition to end homelessness and our resolve to do this is now stronger than ever.
“The updated action plan sets out an inclusive and human rights-based approach focused on preventing homelessness, responding quickly, working together with our partners across sectors, taking a person-centred approach which is tailored to reflect individual needs and circumstances.
“I am grateful to the partners who have contributed to this plan, in particular to those with lived experience of homelessness. We must not allow the deepening of inequalities in our response and recovery to the pandemic, and ending homelessness is vital in preventing this.”
Crisis chief executive Jon Sparkes, chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group, said: “The ambition shown by the Scottish Government in publishing a revised Action Plan is brilliant to see.
“It builds on unprecedented action throughout the pandemic to protect people experiencing homelessness, and shows renewed ambition – including a commitment to move away from night shelters. The outbreak has shown that we can tackle homelessness and end rough sleeping when the will is there.
“As the economic impact of the outbreak continues to be felt, it is more important than ever to prevent people from losing their homes in the first place, and ensuring that if they do, they are helped to find somewhere safe and settled straight away. These actions must be a priority to ensure that Scotland continues towards ending homelessness for good.”
October 9-15th is a very important week in the work of Held In Our Hearts.This is Baby Loss Awareness Week #BLAW and every day the charity will be sharing stories/ videos and podcasts of families and their own experience of loss.
From the workplace to home the families will share about how they have been supported by the charity and how you can get involved. The event will end on 15th at 7pm with a wave of light that will be shared by many.
You can get involved by sharing as much as you can.
14 babies a day die in the UK and as a charity we want to make sure that all families get support. Charities have been adversely affected by the pandemic but we want to make sure that no one sits in silence.
