North Edinburgh Parents Action Group held their 3rd meeting with senior housing staff at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre at the end of last month.
The meeting was well attended by local people affected by housing issues but unfortunately there were fewer senior staff in attendance than previous meetings which the group felt was disappointing.
The meeting focused on a number of key issues which have been raised by local people including :
overcrowding and a shortage of larger houses in North Edinburgh,
poor standards of repairs,
issues with Edindex,
lack of support to tenants allocated PSL (Private Sector Leasing) properties, and
inaccurate information contained in progress reports on individual cases.
Local people presented each of these issues to the Director of Housing and his staff and pointed out that most of these issues had already been brought to their attention at the previous two meetings and in their publication ‘SOS – North Edinburgh’s Housing Emergency’ which was published last May.
It was also pointed out that since then the group have raised other issues which are affecting tenants who have been housed in temporary accommodation and nothing has been done to address these issues.
Commitment from Director of Housing
The Director of Housing acknowledged people’s frustrations and reassured the meeting that his team were working on these issues and were developing new ways of working which he hoped would improve the service.
Furthermore, he agreed to take the following action in response to the latest information people had shared about their experiences :
To meet with the Chief Executive of PSL to highlight all the complaints people have raised and to clarify how the system works
To invite a senior member of the new build team to the next meeting to provide information on the numbers of houses available for social rent, particularly larger properties and new properties which can be adapted.
To provide a written response to all the issues raised in the group’s report
To organise regular drop-in sessions locally to enable tenants to access housing staff who are able to provide support and information on a variety of housing-related issues.
Enough is Enough
Although the group welcomed these commitments, there was also a feeling of disappointment and frustration at the lack of progress in tackling the area’s housing problems.
People also felt disheartened that after all these meetings senior housing managers were unable to provide answers to things they should really know about.
Susan Rowand, chairperson of the parents group, said: “We were shocked at the fact that people in this position didn’t seem up to speed or familiar with their own systems.
“We need to have confidence that those at the top understand what is going wrong and have a plan to put it right.”
No more false promises
The meeting was also attended by representatives from Low Income Families Together (LIFT) who reported that they were dealing with the same issues in Muirhouse on a daily basis.
Pauline Bowie, Manager of LIFT said: “As well as changes to the system, there needs to be a commitment by Council Officers, local Councils and MSPs to ensure that the changes are enforced. We don’t want any more false promises.
“Many of the properties people are stuck in are uninhabitable and would never make it onto the Edindex housing bidding service. These properties are offered as PSL to reduce the numbers of people in temporary accommodation and to reduce the level of support required by the CEC housing support services. This needs to change now.”
COUNCILLORS MISSING BUT LIFT COMMUNITY MEETING GOES AHEAD
It is looking like NO councillors will attend but Peter, Brenda, Stacey and hopefully our chair will be on the panel to take and answer your questions the best they can, we will take a list of your questions and make sure they are sent to the relevant department within the council or to the councillors
We will have a petition to request the centre receives at least one years funding to help us to stay open.
We have been told that the budget is already set in stone but we are asking for any monies left from the 24/25 budget as we already know we wouldn’t be even a thought in the new 25/26 budget
We have been told this isn’t possible but two years ago funding was found for us so we don’t see why they can’t do this again
If you can come along to the meeting please do – and sign our petition!
A colourful exhibition, showcasing the artwork of creative 3–18-year-olds from across Scotland is due to open at the National gallery on 10 May.
Your Art World encourages young people across the nation to get creative, with the opportunity of having their work displayed in Scotland’s National gallery, which is home to iconic works such as The Monarch of the Glen and works by Scottish artists including William McTaggart and Phoebe Anna Traquair.
The young people are invited to be as imaginative as they liked and use any type of materials for their creations. From drawings, paintings, 3-D sculptures or video – there were no limitations on what they could make.
Plus, there is still time to submit works for display! All 3-18 year olds living in Scotland are invited to send their art for inclusion in the exhibition, all you need to do is photograph their work and upload it to the National Galleries of Scotland’s online gallery, then come along to the exhibition and see their creations featured proudly on digital screens at the National! Your Art World is a celebration of what happens when young people are encouraged to be wildly imaginative, so why not see what’s possible.
Discover physical installations created by community and school groups who have been working with the National Galleries of Scotland over the last few months. Groups involved include Redhall School in Edinburgh, Victoria Primary and Nursery in Falkirk, Oban High School and North Edinburgh’s LIFT Kids’ Club (Low Income Families Together).
The groups worked to create extraordinary displays ranging from drawings and embroideries engaging with social issues, to 3D sculptures, sensory works and vibrant abstract paintings.
Siobhan McConnachie, Head of Learning and Engagement, National Galleries of Scotland, said: ‘I’m so excited and proud to be showcasing the artwork of the talented young artists of Scotland.
“The response so far has been truly inspiring and we have been so impressed with everyone’s creativity. We can’t wait to see what else is still to come! Your Art World is incredibly important to us at the National Galleries of Scotland as it hands over the creative process to young people and celebrates their work.
“Art has its place in every school, home and young person’s life, whether that be encouraging people to think creatively, use it as an expressive outlet or simply for some fun. This project and exhibition truly celebrates that art really is for everyone.’
New entries will be accepted throughout the exhibition and added to the rolling display on the digital screens every month until the end of September. All submissions can be made online.
The exhibition is part of a wider Your Art World project, designed to inspire and engage young people in art. With online resources available for teachers and families, the project supports children in creative activities. By providing tools and guidance, Your Art World demystifies the creative process and invites everyone to explore and enjoy art.
Please see above a poster from our Parents who attended and delivered the deputation to the Councillors yesterday. We had some mums in the gallery who behaved extremely well but were disheartened by the sheer ignorance of over half the councillors who didn’t look up nor listen to many of the deputations being delivered.
They feel they have no choice but to ask for community support and a petition to ask for funding to keep their centre open not just for one year but for longer term funding for us and other community-owned community centres who are delivering some amazing work.
We have enough funding to the end of the year and depend on room hire and fundraising to keep us open.
Why do we have to every few years have to go cap in hand to the councillors we elected to ask for funding for vital resources based within our community?
We hope to have some councillors to sit on a panel and answer some questions but if they do not come we will have a panel of local people who will take questions and make sure these are sent to our local councillors and politicians.
Look forward to seeing you next week.
Thank you
The Parents from LIFT@ Muirhouse Millennium Centre
MORE than seventy community groups across Edinburgh are shaking off the winter blues with the exciting news of their share of the latest round of National Lottery funding, announced today(Thursday 6th February).
Among the local projects celebrating this morning are Fresh Start, Living Rent, Granton Parish Church, Project Esperanza, LifeCare, Granton Youth and LIFT at Muirhouse Millennium Centre – who receive not one but TWO Lottery grants!
The Muirhouse centre recently launched an online fundraising campaign so today’s news of lottery success is a welcome boost.
LIFT receives £62,553 to continue delivery of their community support offering within Muirhouse. Through support and advocacy LIFT aims to tackle child poverty, increase wellbeing for individuals and families, and allow them to move forward from poverty and crisis.
LIFT was awarded a further £23,187 to employ a staff member to work on and develop their ‘sharing shelf’. This is a space where members of the community can come, without a referral, to pick up some food essentials and acts as a link point to other services within the centre.
Hard-pressed community centres have done particularly well in this round of grants: as well as Muirhouse Millennium Centre there are big grants for Space at Broomhouse, Craigmillar’s Sandy’s Community Centre and Southside Community Centre.
This vital support will enable them to continue to bring together local people, deliver essential services, and provide much-needed support to their communities.
This latest round of funding from The National Lottery Community Fund is shared amongst 549 projects across Scotland. A full list of projects is attached.
Thanks to an award of £76,336, Craigmillar Literacy Trust will continue to deliver their programme of early and family literacy activities for families, parents and carers for the next two years.
Kara Whelan, Project Manager, Craigmillar Literacy Trust,said: “This funding will enable us to continue to deliver our literacy support programmes to families with babies and young children, specifically, early communication and family literacy through home visits and one-to-one support for individual families. ”
An award of £63,399 means that Living Rent will provide support and guidance around a range of housing issues affecting hundreds of people in Leith, Newhaven and Granton over the next three years.
Emma Saunder, National Organiser for Living Rent, said: “This will have a huge impact on our ability to continue to grow and empower our members.
“This award will support us to grow in the Leith area of Edinburgh, as well as building a thriving group in Granton. We can also continue our work, supporting members who are trapped in awful housing conditions through empowering them to know their rights and take action to receive compensation, repairs or stop evictions.
“The National Lottery funding is a continued source of strength and support for local communities helping us to support them to come together to ask for change.”
Lothian Centre for Inclusive Living (LCiL)will expand their ‘Financial Wellbeing’ service for disabled people living in Edinburgh and the Lothians after an award of £25,000.
FlorenceGarabedian, InterimCEO, LCiL, said: “From our work, we clearly see the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the lives of disabled people, their families and carers.
“This funding will help us provide a targeted response to the current financial climate, help many more people who are struggling with day-to-day costs and offer accessible advice and information around welfare benefits, income maximisation and financial security.”
Announcing the funding, Kate Still, Scotland Chair, The National Lottery Community Fundsaid: “At The National Lottery Community Fund we are so proud to be able to support local groups to make a real and lasting difference and help address the challenges their communities face.
“It’s all made possible by National Lottery players and we’re excited to see the outcomes of all of the funded projects across Edinburgh in the months ahead.”
The National Lottery Community Fund distributes funding on behalf of National Lottery players who raise more than £30 million each week for good causes throughout the UK.
Residents and staff at Strachan House in Edinburgh got together and collected food items, toiletries and treats for the local community charity L.I.F.T at Muirhouse Millennium Centre.
Staff and residents at Strachan House have given back to the local community today by donating these wonderful hampers to the local community charity L.I.F.T.
The local charity L.I.F.T supports the local community in a holistic way and ensures that children get the very best start to reach their full potential.
Frances Fisher, General Manager at Strachan House said: “We love to fundraise for charities throughout the year. We pick different causes to support that have been selected by staff, residents and friends of the home.
“Our staff and residents donated food items, treats and toiletries to the charity and our wonderful residents supported putting together the hamper!
“Everyone was overjoyed with the end product, and we hope that it brings comfort and joy to those who need it! Thank you to everyone who donated!”
Strachan House Care Home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides dementia, residential care, and respite care.
LIFT held our Award night at the Millennium Centre recently where presented 23 people with their award (writes PAULINE BOWIE (now MBE!)
LIFT had chosen people from the community who all had a story to tell of their journey through LIFT and overcoming their own demons and battles with mental health, addiction, domestic abuse and suicide.
One is a nurse at the Western General who gave up her free time to volunteer through the pandemic.
Its was a great night!
SOME OF THE LADIES WHO RECEIVED AN AWARD:
See below for link to the video we presented. Its also on the LIFT FB page:
Over 1,000 people from across the UK have received honours in HM The King’s Birthday Honours List 2024, published today by the Cabinet Office.
Among the recipients is Pauline Bowie, founder of LIFT (Low Income Families Together) based at Muirhouse Millennium Centre. Pauline receives an MBE.
Pauline said: “I found out on the day of the Community Festival at West Pilton Park and the day went by in a bit of a daze. I was a wee bit overwhelmed and I was quiet for once!”
A LIFT team member posted on Facebook: ‘On behalf of all the LIFT staff would would like to say a massive congratulations and well done to Pauline! Who truly deserves this, she has put her heart and soul into this community, endlessly supporting families.
Thank you for being you Pauline – LIFT wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for you we are all so proud of you! Never stop being you.
Love, Your Team.
The focus of the Honours List is individuals who have had an immeasurable impact on the lives of people across the country – such as by creating innovative solutions or driving real change in public life.
Many are active community champions, innovative social entrepreneurs, pioneering scientists, passionate health workers and dedicated volunteers.
Alan Bates, founder of Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, receives a Knighthood for services to justice. Tracey Emin receives an DBE for services to art, as does Imelda Staunton for services to drama and to charity.
The youngest recipient in the List is Shamza Butt, who is 20 years old and receives a BEM for her work as a Member of the National Citizens’ Service Trust Youth Voice Forum. Harold Jones is the oldest recipient, who at 100 years old receives a BEM for his fundraising for charities relating to Motor Neurone Disease and the community in Sutton Coldfield.
Innovators and change makers
Michael Palmer, Andrew Airey and Timothy Owen, who founded the 3 Dads Walking campaign after losing their young daughters to suicide, each receive an MBE for services to the prevention of young suicide. The three dads have walked all across the UK to raise awareness of suicide in young people and raise funds for charity Papyrus UK.
Eight people are recognised for their contributions to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year. Angus Heddle from the Orkney Islands receives an MBE for 73 years of voluntary service to the RNLI, and David Nicoll from Cornwall receives a BEM for his 43 years of service, having started volunteering at the age of 18.
Clodagh Dunlop from Northern Ireland receives an MBE for services to stroke survivors and the reform of stroke services. In 2015 Clodagh suffered from a brain stem stroke, leaving her with locked in syndrome. She has made an incredible recovery over recent years and has returned to work as a serving detective. She is a Stroke Association ambassador and has educated and inspired many stroke survivors in the UK and worldwide.
Patrick and Karen McCourt from Larne, County Antrim, both receive BEMs for services to foster care in Northern Ireland. Both over 70 years old, together they have fostered more than 331 children in the last 45 years.
Rebecca Redfern from Droitwich receives an MBE for her services to young people and to the community in Worcestershire. She was diagnosed aged 7 with Retinitis Pigmentosa, and at the age of 14 was discovered as a para swimmer by British Swimming. She has since won medals at the 2016 and 2021 Olympics as a GB paralympic swimmer and has visited hundreds of schools throughout Worcestershire speaking to children about overcoming obstacles to achieve success.
Deborah Pezzani from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire, receives a BEM for services to teenagers and young adults with cancer. In 2007, she set up Teens Unite to bring together young people aged 13-24 who are living with cancer. The charity hosts over 100 beneficiary activities and events annually, has almost 100 volunteers and has raised just over £1 million.
Sally Bourton receives a BEM for services to the community in Cornwall. She is the Postmistress for Trewoon and has been at the heart of her community for 24 years. She runs her Post Office alongside local fundraising activities and, during the pandemic, she was instrumental in rallying local volunteers who were willing to help the community. For the Coronation of HM King Charles, she organised for every child in the village to receive a mint coin with The King’s head on it.
Dean Jackson from Derbyshire receives an MBE for services to business and innovation through setting up his own wetsuit company, HUUB. This first came about in 2011 when Dean noticed a gap in the market after seeing little advancement in wetsuit design and performance. HUUB has since expanded its products into cycling gear as well, and is now worn by many of the world’s top athletes, including the Brownlee brothers.
Alison Baverstock from Kingston upon Thames receives an MBE for charitable services to families in the British Armed Forces community. She created the charity Reading Force in 2011, developing a scheme that supports parents in the military read with their children while on deployment or during training.
The scope of the scheme has since expanded across the whole of the UK as well as UK Armed Forces overseas. To date, over 250,000 people have requested reading scrapbooks or received reading books, improving children’s reading ability.
Swinney congratulates Scottish recipients
First Minister John Swinney has paid tribute to Scotland’s recipients in The King’s Birthday Honours list.
In recognition of exceptional contributions to public life and in keeping with the theme of ‘change makers and innovators’, this year’s awards celebrate individuals that have contributed to driving forward positive and innovative change and who use creativity and collaboration to develop new ideas which bring impact and value.
Professor Moira Whyte OBE, the Sir John Crofton Professor of Respiratory Medicine at the University of Edinburgh receives a Damehood for services to medical research.
Former Prime Minister, the Right Honourable Gordon Brown has been appointed to the Order of the Companions of Honour for public and charitable service in the UK and abroad.
Those being awarded a CBE include Professor John Irvine, a professor of Chemistry at St Andrews University for services to the green economy; Dr Ann Moulds, Trustee and Founder of Action Against Stalking, for services to victims of stalking and Professor Terence Smith, the Director of the Biomedical Sciences Research Complex at the University of St Andrews for services to disease research.
Among those receiving an OBE is sports broadcaster and former footballer Ally McCoist MBE for services to association football and broadcasting and Sandy Lyle MBE for services to golf. Literary agent Dr Jenny Brown is receives an OBE for services to literature and Jane Spiers, Chair of National Theatre of Scotland, for services to culture in Scotland. Dr Rabinder Buttar is recognised for services to innovation, entrepreneurship and leadership in business and to life sciences.
Those receiving MBEs include Doreen Graham, for services to animal welfare. Puneet Dwivedi for services to the community in Scotland, and Syed Nasir Jaffri, for services to integration in Glasgow, also receive MBEs. Maureen Ferrie receives an MBE for services to people living with a disability in Glasgow.
Harry Brodie, for services to wheelchair curling, and Joan Cameron, for services to the Samaritans, are among those honoured with a BEM.
Catriona Paton, Chief Superintendent, and Alistair Cameron, Special Police Constable, Police Scotland, will receive The King’s Police Medal.
The King’s Fire Service Medal will be awarded to Ross Haggart, Chief Officer, Gary Carroll, Crew Commander and Lorraine Taylor, Firefighter, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. Liam Coughlan, Head of Programmes & Enabling Technology Manager, Scottish Ambulance Service will receive The King’s Ambulance Service Medal.
The First Minister said: “Those receiving recognition in The King’s Birthday Honours have each made outstanding contributions to community and public life, through the arts, education and sport to business, charity, community life and science.I am very pleased to offer them my congratulations. Their dedication and commitment makes Scotland a better place for us all.
“The people who have been awarded The King’s Police, Fire or Ambulance Service Medals have shown exceptional dedication and resilience in serving our communities and keeping us safe. They deserve our sincere appreciation and thanks for the sterling work they do.”
Honours are announced twice annually, in June on the Monarch’s official birthday, and at New Year.
LIFT @ Millenium Centre and the Living Memory Association are two of three good causes across the East of Scotland to have received a share of a £25,000 funding pot, thanks to Scotmid’s Community Connect initiative.
LIFT @ Millenium Centre offers support to families from the most disadvantaged areas of Edinburgh and those that are vulnerable either socially or financially. They have received £5,000 from Scotmid to deliver ‘Family Teatime’ sessions, an opportunity for families to play and learn together in a supported environment.
The Living Memory Association has secured £5,000 to continue their work connecting and supporting those isolated or living with dementia. The charity is based in Ocean Terminal, where it offers exhibitions, including The Wee Museum of Memory, as well as recording podcasts and videos.
Jayme Nisbet, Community Base and Family Support Worker, LIFT@ Millennium, said:“We are so thankful to receive £5,000 Scotmid Community Connect funding, which will help us expand our Family Teatime program.
“This is something that is so needed for the local communities in North Edinburgh.”
Russell Clegg, Project Worker Living Memory Association, said:“The Living Memory Association is delighted to have received a £5,000 Community Connect funding award from Scotmid.
“This will allow us to develop new projects for older people in areas of reminiscence, celebrating lived experience and combatting the loneliness and isolation our users can often face.”
The final charity to have secured funding in the East of Scotland is The Children’s Clothing Bank Dunfermline, which provides pre-loved good quality and new clothes in a dignified manner for children aged 0-18 years in the local community.
The next round of funding has shortlisted three charities across the East, Wed and Mid Lothian. Leuchie House provides people living with neurological condition and their families with access to short respite breaks.
Play Therapy Base works with children aged 3 -14 who are experiencing emotional distress and provides a playroom that hosts 1-1 sessions with art therapists.
The Rosebery Centre supports older people living with dementia combat isolation with things like befriending, dance therapy and outings.
Winners will be announced in October.
Keen to support local good causes? Pop into your local Scotmid and pay £1 to become a member.
we are all so proud of you! Never stop being you.
