Women in the Lothians are being urged to go for their smear test when invited. During Cervical Screening Awareness Week, Cervical Screening Co-ordinator Sue Payne is encouraging women not to ignore their invite as a smear test can stop cervical cancer before it starts. Continue reading Don’t ignore your invite!
On Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June go explore Edinburgh with the FREE Power of Food Festival!
Discover hidden gems of Scotland’s beautiful capital and take part in a wide variety of activities in any of the 16 community gardens who will be opening up their gates to the public
The Festival is hosted by some of the numerous community gardens that grow food in Edinburgh. Community gardens are everywhere: from West to East and South to North, no part of Edinburgh lacks its own. They can be any size from 12 square meters to 4 acres. And they can take any form: a food-growing corner in a public park, reclaimed former waste land, the backyard of a library…
Visit community gardens and let the gardeners tell you their stories and entertain you with various workshops, music, children’s activities, and gardening tips. Many gardens will offer refreshments and some will offer food – both on a pay-as-you-feel basis.
More information about places, times, and activities here: https://
What about a guided cycle tour to visit more than one garden? Sustrans is organising two led rides on Saturday, info and registration here (places are going fast!): http://
The Festival is entirely free and volunteer-run. Donations will be welcome on the day, and if you wish to support us, why not become a member?https://
Power of Food Festival programme:
Improving Scotland’s health and social care will remain a top Government priority, Health Secretary Shona Robison will tell Holyrood today. Continue reading Improving health ‘a top priority’ for Scottish Government
Strict infection control measures have been reinforced across NHS Lothian amid concerns that the winter vomiting virus is still circulating. Continue reading Hospital visitors urged to help stop spread of Norovirus
Get your questions answered at Royston Wardieburn this morning
£900k for schemes that support local communities
Over £900,000 of grants have been awarded to voluntary organisations working to improve Scotland’s health.
Minister for Sport, Health Improvement and Mental Health, Jamie Hepburn, announced the awards during a visit to the Food Train in Dumfries, one of the successful bidders, on Friday.
The funding has been awarded as part of the Section 10 grants scheme. Including on-going grants, this year’s pot of £912,990 brings the current Scottish Government investment in this scheme to £2.7 million.
The Food Train, which received a grant for £42,890, delivers food to older people who are unable to go shopping. It started in Dumfries in 1995 and now helps more than 1,400 people a year across Dumfries and Galloway, West Lothian, Dundee, Glasgow, Renfrewshire, Stirling and North Ayrshire. This additional funding will help them to expand their services to help more older people in Scotland.
The full break down of grants is as follows:
Headway, various locations, £80,000
SAMH, Glasgow, £90,000
Scottish Huntington’s, Paisley, £73,000
PAMIS, Dundee, £100,000
People First (Scotland), Edinburgh, £79,568
Sandyford Thrive, Glasgow, £35,000
Stop it Now, Edinburgh, £90,000
Arthritis Care Scotland, Glasgow, £30,000
COSCA, Stirling, £70,000
SDEF, Alloa, £80,132
Contact the Elderly, Kilmacolm, £42,400
Food Train, Dumfries, £42,890
Alzheimer Scotland, Edinburgh, £100,000
Mr Hepburn said: “Through these grants the Scottish Government helps the third sector in its vital work in Scotland’s communities. These organisations are all working to improve health, reduce inequalities and build social inclusion. Many are run largely by dedicated volunteers, who give up their free time and expertise to help others.
“I’m delighted to be here in Dumfries to visit the Food Train, which has been doing excellent work for more than two decades, both here in the south west and now right across Scotland. Food Train is typical of the kind of organisation that want to help through this scheme. They help their members to live independently and to play a full and active role in society.”
Michelle McCrindle MBE, Chief Executive of the Food Train said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this funding support from the Scottish Government who continue to play a key role in the national expansion of our food access service to older people.”
PEOPLE FIRST is based on Easter Road – click on link below to find out more about the member-led organisation
https://youtu.be/eCBpNiwSMls
More than half preventable fire deaths involve smoking – giving up reduces the risk to everyone in a household
Smoking is the most common cause of fires where someone is killed – and Scotland’s firefighters are throwing their weight behind No Smoking Day today (9 March). Continue reading Scottish Fire & Rescue Service backs No Smoking Day
Hibees proclaim to walk 500 miles
Hibernian staff and players have joined forces with health website Living it Up to walk 500 miles … and they are challenging fans to walk 500 more! Continue reading Can Hibs fans walk 500 more?
With spring in the air, Edinburgh residents and organisations are being invited to get on their bikes this March for the Edinburgh Cycle Challenge. Continue reading Get on your bike in March!
