Life in the fast lane with Edinburgh Leisure

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Appealing to those who want to use swimming as part of their fitness programme, Edinburgh Leisure is piloting ‘Lane Fit,’ which is their new lane only swimming sessions. It is being rolled out at six Edinburgh Leisure sites initially from 1 July, providing more lane swimming opportunities every week across the city.

At the ‘Lane Fit’ sessions, the pool is exclusively programmed for lane swimming  offering slow, medium and fast lanes, making them suitable for all fitness levels and swimming abilities. To enhance the experience, each session will provide floats and pool buoys for swimmers to use and Edinburgh Leisure will be providing guidance on how to use lanes effectively, including lane etiquette.

Shelagh Jackson, Aquatics Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “Our customers have told us they’d like more opportunities for lane swimming, whatever their level of fitness and swimming ability. Lane Fit provides this and we’re delighted to offer this pilot in so many of our venues across the city.”

Swimming is an excellent whole body workout and an all-round wonder sport, whatever your age or ability. It improves muscle, tone, strength and improves flexibility. Taking part regularly can reduce your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and stroke. The support of the water makes it low impact on joints, and done regularly it will improve flexibility and strength.

Edinburgh Leisure offers a swim membership for £33 per month, which gives unlimited swimming across all Edinburgh Leisure pools and access to all of our aquatic fitness classes. Joint, student and 65+ memberships are also available.

For more information:www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/memberships 

Customers are encouraged to download the free Edinburgh Leisure app to reserve their place or book online for the new Lane Fit sessions in July to be entered into a prize draw to win a Speedo giveaway.

24 hour paediatric services to stay at St John’s?

Two site option recommended 

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An expert review has concluded that inpatient children’s services should be retained on two sites in Lothian – St John’s Hospital (SJH) and the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC). Continue reading 24 hour paediatric services to stay at St John’s?

Coming to a green space near you: Power of Food Festival!

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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://poweroffoodfestival.wordpress.com/visitors/festival-programme-2016/

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://www.sustrans.org.uk/events/power-food-festival-led-rides-edinburgh

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://poweroffoodfestival.wordpress.com/become-a-member/

Power of Food Festival programme:

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Funding for community health projects

£900k for schemes that support local communities

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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

Continue reading Funding for community health projects