Tag: Janey Godley

TEN-ACIOUS SPIRIT!

Stars mark STV Children’s Appeal’s 10th birthday by taking on variety of ten-themed challenges

  • Appeal announces 10XChallenge fundraiser – with Scots encouraged to take on their own challenge or event inspired by the number ‘10’
  • STV stars Sean Batty and Sophie Wallace joined by group of 10-year-olds to launch new fundraiser
  • STV marks a decade of its charity appeal, which has raised over £25 million and transformed the lives of thousands of children living in poverty

The STV Children’s Appeal is celebrating its 10th birthday this year and, to mark a decade of supporting young people affected by poverty in Scotland, an exciting new fundraiser – the 10XChallenge – has been launched today.

STV’s Sean Batty and Sophie Wallace were joined by a group of 10-year-olds for a joint birthday celebration and to announce the 10XChallenge, sponsored by Tunnock’s, which calls on the nation to take part in their own challenge or event inspired by the number ‘10’ over ten days (10-19 September).

Weatherman Sean has vowed to take on a 10K run as part of the new fundraiser, while STV News presenter Sophie will challenge herself to try out ten very different occupations.

The six children joining them today – l-r: Robbie Sawatzky, Jonah McGinnis, Maya Barcella, Sophia Barcella, Lily Stevenson and Sam Couper – are planning a variety of challenges, such as cycling ten laps of a local reservoir and reading ten books across the 10-day period.

World record-holding cyclist Mark Beaumont will run 10K accompanied by his eight-year-old daughter Harriet on her bike, whilst comedian Janey Godley will take part in a hilarious 10-day social media voiceover challenge.

The STV Children’s Appeal was launched in 2011 by STV and The Hunter Foundation to improve the lives of the one in four children who live in poverty in Scotland.

Through various fundraisers and an annual telethon hosted by long-time trustee Lorraine Kelly, the Appeal has since raised over £25 million, which has helped provide food and warm clothing, created opportunities for training and employability, and enabled social and emotional support across the country.

Sean Batty said: “Where have the last ten years gone? I’ve been involved with the STV Children’s Appeal right from the very start and I’m constantly humbled by the incredible stories of the lives it has helped turn around across the country.

“Child poverty is still a major issue in Scotland though, and the pandemic has only exacerbated it.

“I’m looking forward to slipping on my running shoes in September and joining the Appeal’s many generous supporters in doing our bit to change kids’ lives.”

Sophie Wallace said: “I was quite wee myself when the STV Children’s Appeal was first launched, and I’ve grown up watching the amazing work it does for children in communities throughout Scotland.

“The Appeal’s charity partners need our help now more than ever, and that’s why I’m super excited to be taking on my 10XChallenge and raising lots of cash for such an important cause. I hope you can join me!”

The STV Children’s Appeal’s 10XChallenge takes place between 10-19 September.

Visit stv.tv/appeal to sign up and download a 10XChallenge pack with tips and ideas for fundraising.

Pictures: Kirsty Anderson

Janey Godley fronts new litter prevention campaign

Capital backs Scotland is Stunning campaign

The city council is supporting the second phase of the award-wining Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way litter prevention campaign.

First launched last year to coincide with tourism re-opening in Scotland, the campaign by Zero Waste Scotland, in partnership with the Scottish Government and Keep Scotland Beautiful, aims to raise awareness of the harm done by littering, encouraging Scots to change their habits by taking their litter home or binning it. 

Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way aims to encourage people in Edinburgh who are eager to go out and enjoy Scotland’s natural beauty and wildlife to bin their litter or take it home with them.

Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Environment Convener, said: “We’re supporting this campaign as Edinburgh is a stunning city and we want to keep it that way.

“If you’re out enjoying our beautiful parks, beaches and other open spaces please respect the environment and other people who love the city as much as we do by picking up after your pooch and binning your litter or taking it home with you.

“It’s more important than ever that we all remember to do this over the summer months when our fantastic city can become very busy. We’re doing our bit by targeting at least ten ‘hot spot’ areas with campaign materials like bin stickers and social media messaging to encourage everyone to keep our much loved Capital city clean.”

The campaign, in which popular Scottish comedian Janey Godley lends her voice to radio and online adverts, reminds Scots out enjoying themselves to leave a green or rural space exactly the way you found it.

Janey Godley, said: “It’s no secret that I love Scotland and all the goings on, and I don’t understand why people would want to destroy our wee beauty spots with their rubbish.

“When I’m taking my wee sausage dog out for a walk or dragging my daughter on a day trip, I don’t want to be dodging coffee cups, plastic water bottles or sandwich packets.

“Take your rubbish home with you or bin it, ye’ve been tellt!”.

As Scotland takes another step back to normality, rural and green spaces and urban parks are expected to see a flurry of visitors in the coming months, raising concerns about littering. In fact, most people in Scotland are concerned about litter levels in their local area, with research carried out by Zero Waste Scotland indicating that a majority (89%) see it as a problem in their area. Recently, a third (34%) of the population have seen an increase in litter since the pandemic.

As well as being an eyesore, dropping litter is a criminal offence. Discarded waste can harm wildlife and be a danger for children.

This campaign also leads the way for behaviour change ahead of the expected ban on certain problematic single-use plastic products. As Scotland moves away from single-use items and increases recycling through the new Deposit Return Scheme for drinks cans and bottles, this will ultimately result in less litter, making a good case for systemic change.

https://youtu.be/mpIwSyFe0QY

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “As restrictions ease and many of us can once again return to our favourite Scottish beauty spots, we are asking everyone to take their litter home or bin it.

“Visitors to green and rural areas will be keen to make up for lost time and we don’t blame them. We’re joining forces with brilliant partners once again to remind everyone to respect our hills, lochs, parks, and woodlands. Now is the time to enjoy the great outdoors but please leave Scotland as stunning as it was when you found it.”

Michael Matheson, Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport, said: “We want everyone to have the chance to enjoy Scotland’s stunning outdoors this summer.

“Litter isn’t just an eye sore – it harms our wildlife, contributes to the climate crisis and impacts on our health and wellbeing. To make sure people can enjoy our parks, beaches and countryside after you leave, please put your rubbish in the bin, recycling it if you can.”

Barry Fisher, CEO, Keep Scotland Beautiful said: “We know from our work with communities across Scotland that most people want to do the right thing and take action to make all of Scotland stunning again. 

“Our evidence shows that we’re facing a looming litter emergency across Scotland, so we’re delighted to support this campaign.  We all can, and should, do more to tackle litter. And while some people need to change their behaviour, thousands of people have pledged to litter pick as part of our Summer Clean this month, helping them turn their anger into action.”

The Scotland is Stunning – Let’s Keep It That Way campaign will be rolled out across social media channels and outdoor advertising over the summer holidays. Partners, businesses, local authorities, and community groups are encouraged to download the free campaign toolkit, which includes digital tools and posters.

The campaign will involve close working with partners across different industries, from tourism to transport, building on the strong performance of the initial campaign in 2020, which achieved backing of over 100 organisations and positive feedback from those surveyed.

To support the campaign and encourage others to do the same, please download the campaign toolkit, or visit www.managingourwaste.scot/litter for further details.

Janey Godley: “Being mildly offensive helps get Corona message out there”

  • Janey Godley discusses positive effect of coronavirus daily briefing voiceovers in exclusive interview for the RSE (Royal Society of Edinburgh)
  • Interview with Kirsty Wark is first of two events focused on importance of effective public communication during coronavirus

Comedian Janey Godley has spoken about the positive impact of her viral social media videos in which she provides a voice-over to the First Minister’s daily coronavirus briefings, in an exclusive interview with Kirsty Wark FRSE for the RSE (Royal Society of Edinburgh), Scotland’s National Academy.

The comedic catchphrase of “Frank, get the door!” has become synonymous with the daily briefings, and while the videos have brought light relief to many, they have also served a much more important purpose of reinforcing the key messages of “stay at home” delivered to the public by the First Minister.

Godley said: “I basically imagined a wee woman called Jeanette at the bus stop, and how she would translate the daily briefings to her friend, wee Agnes.”

In the interview, Godley also highlighted that the comedy sketches are “not about the politician, and it’s not about the politics, it’s about getting the message about coronavirus out there, in an informed, relatable and mildly offensive way.”

The interview was organised as part of the RSE’s Post-Covid-19 Futures Commission’s Public Debate and Participation workstream, and is the first of two events with Janey Godley around the topic of communication during the pandemic.

Next Thursday (17 December) she will be joined by Professor Jason Leitch and Professor Mona Siddiqui OBE FRSE for a live panel event, “Voices of Covid” hosted by Professor Dame Anne Glover; in which they will discuss the importance of communication with the public during coronavirus, and take live questions from the viewers.

Dr. Rebekah Widdowfield, chief executive of the RSE said: “The importance of clear communication around a public issue like coronavirus cannot be overstated. While the Government’s daily briefing has been a steady, reliable way to provide updates to the public, the repetitive nature of the guidance can cause the impact to be somewhat dampened.

“This is where Janey Godley’s contribution has been its most effective – by adding comedy and relatability to the content, it has encouraged the public to reengage with the messaging.

“Supporting public dialogue and debate is a key objective of our Post-Covid-19 Futures Commission and the event hosted by RSE President Anne Glover next week with Janey, Jason Leitch and Mona Siddiqui will provide a deeper insight into the challenges of communication during a pandemic, and allow the public to put their questions to some of the key voices we’ve heard throughout the last nine months.”

“Kirsty and Janey In Conversation” will be premiered on the RSE’s Facebook Page at 7pm on Friday (11 December), and will also be available on the RSE’s YouTube channel.

“Voices of Covid Who Cuts Through & Why?”; with Janey Godley, Professor Jason Leitch and Mona Siddiqui OBE FRSE, hosted by RSE President, Professor Dame Anne Glover, will be  held on Thursday 17th of December at 2.30pm, you can sign up here