Tag: Health and wellbeing

Alcohol and Drug Partnership waiting times must improve, says Briggs

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has raised concerns with SNP Ministers about waiting times for Alcohol and Drug Partnerships in Lothian, following latest ISD figures for the quarter ending 31st March 2019. Continue reading Alcohol and Drug Partnership waiting times must improve, says Briggs

Community Alcohol Partnership launched in North Edinburgh

North Edinburgh has a new Community Alcohol Partnership (CAP) based at Drylaw covering the Forth and Inverleith wards. The CAP was launched at Spartans Community Football Academy yesterday, and over the coming weeks more community groups and youth organisations will have the opportunity to help develop and contribute to a local Action Plan. Continue reading Community Alcohol Partnership launched in North Edinburgh

The Practice of Kindness: new Carnegie Trust UK report

The Carnegie UK Trust is delighted to share with you its new report, The Practice of Kindness: Learning from the Kindness Innovation Network and North Ayrshire, which explores the practical implementation of kindness in both communities and organisations. Continue reading The Practice of Kindness: new Carnegie Trust UK report

#KidsCantWait: First Minister urged to speed up child poverty benefit

More than 70 leaders and organisations from across Scottish society have joined together to call on the First Minister to speed up the introduction of a new income supplement to tackle child poverty. Continue reading #KidsCantWait: First Minister urged to speed up child poverty benefit

New benefit for teenage carers to launch in autumn

Young carers in Scotland aged 16 to 18 could benefit from a new £300 social security payment.

The Young Carer Grant is the first of its kind in the UK. It will be available to 16, 17 and 18 year olds who help care for someone in receipt of a certain type of disability benefit. The payment will be introduced this autumn.

Following feedback from young carers, eligiblity is being widened to include all 18-year-olds, not just those in education.

In a further another extension of the policy, young carers will now also be able to combine the hours they spend caring for more than one eligible person in order to reach the 16 hours a week requirement.

Young carers will also be able to take respite weeks without this impacting upon their application.

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are using our new social security powers to recognise the extraordinary contribution young carers make to the lives of those they care for.

“This is the first time young carers aged 16 to 18 will be given a cash benefit to spend as they choose. We will be making these payments at what could be a pivotal stage in their lives – when they may be finishing school, looking for employment or starting further education or training.

“Young carers make an invaluable contribution to society but many have difficulty participating in the normal activities their peers can enjoy. The Young Carer Grant will help ensure they are treated with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve.”

The Scottish Government is investing £600,000 to support nearly 2000 young carers in 2019/20.

The Young Carer Grant will open for applications in autumn this year and applications can be made online, over the phone or by post.

 

Edinburgh kids take part in biggest ever water safety lesson

THOUSANDS of young swimmers in Edinburgh are to get a lesson covering self-rescue and life-saving skills in the largest coordinated water safety lesson ever seen in Scotland. Continue reading Edinburgh kids take part in biggest ever water safety lesson

Edinburgh Leisure launches new mental health film

Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s biggest physical activity and sports provider, has launched a new film, focusing on the benefits of getting active to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Continue reading Edinburgh Leisure launches new mental health film