Tag: NEN

Getting help for people at risk from harm

It’s vitally important during these unprecedented times that people know where to turn to if they feel someone is vulnerable in their communities.

We should all be following government guidance to stay at home to limit the spread of Coronavirus – however, being at home can increase tensions and affect mental health, meaning some people in our communities are more vulnerable now.

Children and adults can be at risk of harm, and some people will be experiencing financial difficulties or struggling with addiction – but help is available.

If you think a child or adult is at risk of harm, you should report your concerns so that professionals from social work, police, NHS and the voluntary sector can help.

The Council has already put in place measures to support people staying at home like support from our educational psychologists for families who may be struggling with home learning and wellbeing.

Depute Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Now more than ever in these challenging times we should all be reaching out to anyone we think may be suffering and requires support. Many people may be unaware that there’s a wide range of networks in the city for those in need.

“We’ve all heard of many amazing tales of kindness and selfless acts in Edinburgh during this pandemic. It’s so important we raise awareness among our communities of the help that is out there. So, our appeal is … please if you have concerns about someone then contact the appropriate organisation to get them support – you can make a real difference just by making that vital phone call.

“As a Council we work really closely with partner organisations like the NHS, police and voluntary sector to support the most vulnerable in our society.

“A great example is our All of Us campaign with the NSPCC which encourages people to get in touch if they’re finding it hard to look after children, a family needs some extra help or someone they know could do with more support.

“It’s vital people know who to turn to if they have concerns – don’t hesitate to make your voice heard and change people’s lives for the better.”

If you’re concerned about your own safety or someone you know like a relative, friend or neighbour then you should contact Social Care Direct on socialcaredirect@edinburgh.gov.uk or call 0131 200 2324.

  • If you’re concerned for the immediate safety of a child or adult, phone the police on 999.
  • If an adult or child needs medical attention with or without COVID-19 symptoms, phone NHS on 111 or if it’s an emergency 999.

There are various forms of support such as Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage helpline on 0800 027 1234,  Edinburgh Women’s Aid on 0131 315 8110 and our All of Us campaign, with NSPCC Scotland.

‘Police officers and staff have also been spat at or coughed on’

Between 24 March and 18 April, there have been over 100 crimes committed in Scotland, where police officers and staff are recorded as victims.

Police Scotland has underlined that coronavirus-related attacks and threats aimed at police officers and staff will not be tolerated, after more than 100 such incidents were recorded.

Officers and staff are visible in communities 24 hours a day as the service encourages people to stick with physical distancing requirements to protect the NHS and save lives.

They are engaging with the public, explaining the physical distancing requirements, encouraging people to comply with the law, and using enforcement only where necessary.

Chief Constable Iain Livingstone has thanked Scotland’s communities for the high levels of co-operation shown during this challenging period.

However, there have been occasions where frontline policing teams and personnel from the custody suites have been subjected to abusive behaviour including threats of deliberate transmission.

In some instances, officers and staff have also been spat at or coughed on.

Between 24 March, 2020 and 18 April, 2020, there have been over 100 crimes committed in Scotland, where police officers and staff are recorded as victims.

Deputy Chief Constable Fiona Taylor said: “Police officers and staff are playing a vital role as we all make the changes and sacrifices needed to protect the NHS and save lives.

“I’d like to thank the vast majority of our communities for their co-operation and support as we all contribute to the national effort to curtail the spread of coronavirus.

“Those doing the right thing will agree these sorts of attacks on our officers and staff are outrageous and disgraceful.

“Abuse and assault is not simply part of the job for police officers and staff and will not be tolerated.

“The Chief Constable has made it clear that this completely unacceptable. The Lord Advocate has also confirmed that offenders will be dealt with robustly by Scotland’s prosecution service.

“Threatening a member of Police Scotland personnel, or any other emergency service worker, while they are carrying out their duties to keep the public safe will result in immediate arrest.

“On the occasions where such incidents have occurred we have seen a very supportive approach from Sheriffs across the country and in some instances, offenders have been remanded in custody.”

 

Coronavirus: Funding boost for North Edinburgh’s Foodshare Group

North Edinburgh’s Covid-19 Foodshare Group is among the groups to share in the Scottish Government’s £10 million Supporting Communities Fund.

The funding from the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities Fund will go directly to more than 250 community ‘anchor’ groups, supporting families on lower incomes and older people access lifeline services to cope with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The community groups operate as ‘anchors’, bringing together charities, volunteers, social enterprises and the public sector to co-ordinate the local response and channel support where it is needed. This includes making hot meals, organising grocery and prescription deliveries and providing wellbeing support.

North Edinburgh Arts is a lead organisation in North Edinburgh’s Covid-19 Foodshare Group, which saw a range of local community organisations join together in March to support vulnerable people across Drylaw, Muirhouse, Pilton, Granton and Royston Wardieburn. The group will receive £96,370.

Since the group was established thousands of hot meals, packed lunches, sandwiches and essential supply packs have been distributed across the area in an operation which is now being  introduced in other areas across the city.

The North Edinburgh group has been calling for resources to meet demand for some weeks and this morning’s announcement will enable the group to maintain and expand the vital service they provide.

North Edinburgh Arts chairperson Lesley Hinds said: “I am delighted with the award of funding from the Scottish Government’s Supporting Communities for Covid-19 work in North Edinburgh.

“Over the last several weeks community groups have come together, to deliver over 13,000 food packages weekly, culture packages and supporting vulnerable residents in North Edinburgh. As Chair of North Edinburgh Arts I am proud of the staff and volunteers who have played an important role in the work, as part of North Edinburgh Covid-19 Foodshare Group.”

While the North Edinburgh Arts-led application was the biggest of those allocated in the capital, there were successful applications by Edinburgh anchor organisations all across the city.

Cyrenians (£71,596), Edinburgh City Youth Cafe (£82,713), Edinburgh Community Food (£25,800), Edinburgh Community Health Forum (£56,693), Edinburgh Old Town Development Trust (£27,720) and Out of the Blue (£49,157) all receive funding to tackle the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “We know that community groups working in the heart of our communities and neighbourhoods have a wealth of experience in responding to challenges.

“We have seen this through many examples of the incredible response to COVID-19 in the past weeks that have made such a huge difference to so many people. This inspiring work that is already underway in our neighbourhoods is proving essential to our nation’s resilience.

“This funding will be a valuable lifeline for the range of innovative support available for people in our communities, and we are working fast to get that support to where it is needed most.”

The Supporting Communities Fund was announced on 18 March 2020 as part of a £350 million package to help those most affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Up to £10 million is being made available as an initial sum available to support community anchor organisations, and a further allocation of £10 million has been approved to support the second phase of the fund.

List of the community groups that will receive funding.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapp’s statement on coronavirus: 9 May 2020

Announcing a £2 billion package to support active travel to help the country emerge from coronavirus crisis – but this felt like a warm up act before Boris takes centre stage tonight …

Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s Downing Street press conference.

I’m pleased to be joined today by Professor Jonathan Van-Tam.

Latest data

Let me start by updating you on the latest information from the COBR data file.

I can report that through the government’s monitoring and testing programme, as of today …

  • 1, 728,443 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in the UK, including 96, 878 tests yesterday
  • 215,260 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 3,896 cases since yesterday
  • 11,809 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus in the UK, down from 12,284 yesterday

And tragically, of those hospitalised with the virus, 31,587 have now died. That’s an increase of 346 fatalities since yesterday.

These deaths are devastating for the families and friends of victims, who are in our thoughts and prayers are with all of them every day.

But they also strengthen our resolve to fight this pandemic with all the resources we can muster in the weeks ahead …

Planning for restart/opportunity for lasting change

Tomorrow, the Prime Minister will set out a roadmap for the next phase in our strategy to tackle coronavirus.

In support of this, I am setting out today an ambitious programme to help prepare our transport network for the critical role it will play as we emerge from this crisis.

Importantly, it is true to say that moving beyond COVID will be a gradual process… not a single-leap to freedom.

When we do emerge, the world will seem quite different, at least for a while.

The need to maintain social distancing means that our public transport system cannot go back to where it left off.

Here is a very stark fact …

Even with public transport reverting to full service – once you take into account the 2 metre social distancing rule – there would only be effective capacity for one in ten passengers on many parts of the network.

Just a tenth of the old capacity.

So, getting Britain moving again, while not overcrowding our transport network, is going to require many of us to think carefully about how and when we travel.

Everyone involved

We have accomplished so much over the past 7 weeks of lockdown.

The whole country has been responsible for reducing the COVID reproduction or ‘R’ rate…

Millions of households across the UK have changed their behaviour for the greater good.

Getting Britain moving again, whilst not overcrowding our transport network, represents another enormous logistical challenge.

Yet this is a problem which presents a health opportunity too…. an opportunity to make lasting changes that could not only make us fitter, but also better-off – both mentally and physically – in the long run.

Active travel

During the crisis, millions of people have discovered the benefits of active travel.

By cycling or walking, we’ve been able to enjoy this remarkably warm spring whilst sticking to the guidelines.

In some places, there’s been a 70% rise in the number of people on bikes whether it’s for exercise, or necessary journeys, such as stocking up on food.

So, while it’s still crucial that we stay at home, when the country does get back to work, we need those people to carry on cycling and walking, and to be joined by many more.

Otherwise, with public transport capacity severely restricted, more cars could be drawn to the road and our towns and cities could become gridlocked.

We also know that in this new world, pedestrians will need more space.

So today (9 May 2020) I am announcing a £2 billion package to put cycling and walking at the heart of our transport policy.

To set out how we will deliver this, I will bring forward a national cycling plan for publication in early June, in line with the statutory Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy to help double cycling and increase walking by 2025.

The first stage, worth £250 million, is a series of swift, emergency interventions to make cycling and walking safer.

Pop-up bike lanes. Wider pavements. Cycle and bus-only streets. All examples of what people will start to see more of.

Accompanying the new money, we are today publishing fast-tracked statutory guidance, effective immediately, requiring councils in England to cater for significantly-increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians, and making it easier for them to create safer streets.

For employees who want to start cycling to their place of work, but who don’t have a bike right now, the popular Cycle to Work Scheme already allows employees to save between 25% and 39% on the cost of a new bike or an electric bike.

There has been a huge increase in people using the scheme, and we will work with employers to increase uptake further.

And for those who may have an old bike in the shed, and want to get it back into a roadworthy condition, there will be a voucher scheme for bike repairs and maintenance.

Plans are also being developed to boost bike fixing facilities.

What’s more, over the next few months, we will set out further measures to make a ‘once in a generation’ change to the way people travel in Britain.

These will include tough new standards for cycling infrastructure;

  • a new national cycling champion to inspire us
  • much closer links with the NHS, with GPs prescribing cycling to help us get fitter
  • legal changes to protect vulnerable road users
  • at least one “zero-emission city,” with its centre restricted to bikes and electric vehicles
  • and the creation of a long-term cycling programme and budget, just like we have for our roads

There’s clear evidence, including from the Prime Minister’s time as mayor of London, that making streets safe for walking and cycling is good for retailers, business and the economy.

Green travel / E-scooters / E-vehicles

And in making these changes, our national recovery can also become a green recovery.

One of the few positive benefits about the crisis is drastically better air quality and the health benefits that that brings.

More than 20,000 extra deaths a year in the UK are attributed to nitrogen dioxide emissions, which are highest in areas with most road traffic.

We want to try to preserve this as much as possible.

So today I’m also fast-tracking trials of e-scooters, bringing this programme, already underway, forward from next year, to next month….

And extending those trials from four local authorities to every region in the country that wants them….

… in a bid to get e-scooter rental schemes up-and-running in our cities as fast as possible….

Helping reduce car use on shorter journeys, and taking some pressure off buses, at this vital time.

These trials will help us assess their safety and benefits, together with their impact on public spaces.

The car industry has of course been very badly hit during this crisis, but April’s new sales figures showed – for the first time – that the two biggest selling models were both electric vehicles.

So, to help keep this quiet, clean car revolution going, I can also announce today, £10 million of additional support for car-charging points on our streets.

The car will remain the mainstay for many families and, as well as backing electric infrastructure, we’re going to accelerate the filling of pot-holes that plague so many road users.

Data

And just as new technology is changing the vehicles we use, so new digital technologies will help us make more informed transport choices in our battle against Covid.

At a time when transport demand could quickly overwhelm capacity if users have no access to real-time travel information…

… It is crucial that we take advantage of the UK’s digital tech expertise.

With the right mobile apps, people can find out which parts of the transport network are overcrowded. And avoid them!

They can choose alternative travel options, to help maintain safe social distancing…

… or they can get information to help stagger their journeys – and lift the burden on public transport at peak times.

This week I chaired a roundtable with key players like Google, Microsoft, and British firm, Citymapper, to develop both data and apps to help the public view crowding across the transport network, in real-time.

Overall package

This £2 billion announcement represents the most significant package of cycling, walking and green travel by any British government.

Clearly, it will never be possible to cycle, walk or e-scooter everywhere. Cars will remain an absolutely vital form of transport for many….

And so in the coming days…

as we look to the future…

… there will be further announcements about the huge investment we’re making in road and rail networks – taking advantage of their low usership during this COVID crisis.

Closing remarks

Finally, as we begin the process of preparing public transport to get Britain moving again, no-one should underestimate the sheer scale of the challenge ahead.

Even with every train, bus and tram fully restored to service – this will not be enough.

Social distancing measures mean that everyone who travels will need to contribute to meeting this capacity challenge.

Changing our behaviour is the single biggest thing that’s beaten back this virus.

The welcome fall we’ve seen in deaths is not only the achievement of our doctors and nurses and careworkers – but of everyone in the country for following the stay at home guidance.

To re-iterate, nothing I have said today changes these basic rules.

But as we contemplate the future, we will have to carry on making changes, particularly after we leave our homes.

Preventing overcrowding – which could lead to a second spike and more deaths – will be the responsibility of each and every one of us.

So please, only travel when you need to.

Be considerate to others, and help us prioritise essential workers.

And let’s all play our part in Britain moving safely again when that time comes.

We don’t have too long to wait until the Prime Minister’s much-anticipated ‘road map’ to coronavirus recovery is revealed.

He addresses the nation at 7pm this evening with a new – much-criticised – ‘Stay Alert’ message.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon may just give us an idea of what his announcement contains when she gives her own media briefing this afternoon – an opportunity to get her retaliation in first!

In the meantime, though, the message HAS NOT CHANGED – STAY HOME!

Singalong gives nurses time to feel ‘normal’

A senior nurse at Glasgow Royal has treated her staff to an afternoon singalong to thank them for their dedication while she battled Covid-19.

Lead nurse Trisha Myers, from Moodiesburn, was ill and off work for three weeks with the virus and was ‘blown away’ by the efforts of her 260 staff during that time.

“I have been nursing for almost 40 years, I have not known such an emotionally draining time to be a nurse and it can take its toll,” said Trisha.

“I was off for three weeks with the virus and was stunned when I returned to see how well they were all doing. When I ask nurses and other staff how they are doing I just hear ‘we’re getting on with it’ and that in itself is remarkable.”

Trisha wanted to show her gratitude and went about organising a one hour singalong, complete with snacks and drinks in the old surgical block of the Royal – while adhering to the all-important rules of social distancing.

Trisha received support from a number of volunteers and was hugely supported by Louise Colquhoun, Volunteer coordinator who led the singalong.

“The nice thing about where it was held is that it’s a large atrium, going up five floors, so even those who couldn’t come down and join us, could enjoy the music and atmosphere from their balcony. I just wanted them to take 20 or 30 minutes, out of PPE, to feel ‘normal’ again,” said Trisha.

One member of staff to benefit from the experience was Health Care Support Worker Carole Smith. She said: “The celebration was a huge success, a great benefit, let staff have some enjoyment in this difficult time.

“It definitely cheered the staff up and made us feel lucky to have their health and well-being. A definite success, and a good time had by all.”

John Stuart, Chief Nurse added: “What an excellent gesture from Trisha which was welcomed by those who were able to attend. I only managed to get along for some of the songs but it was clear that the singalong proved to be a release valve for many of our staff. Maybe more will now join the GRI Choir now!”

Armed robbery at Goldenacre store

Police are appealing for information after an armed robbery at a store in the Warriston area. The incident happened at a premises on Montagu Terrace around 7.40am this morning.

A man entered the store and presented a knife, he threatened staff to open the till and made off with a sum of cash.

The man is described as being white, aged in his early 20s, of slim build, around 6ft to 6ft 2in tall. He had a black face covering and was wearing a black hooded top with the hood up, black trousers and black gloves.

Detective Sergeant Dougal Begg, of Corstorphine CID, said: “Thankfully nobody was injured in the incident but this was a frightening experience for the member of staff.

“Enquires are ongoing to identify the man responsible, including reviewing CCTV from the area.

“Anyone who believes they may have information which could help identify the man or who was in the area at the time of the robbery is urged to contact police as soon as they can.”

Anyone with information call 101, quoting incident 0924 of 9 May, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Amazon team supports Edinburgh Streetwork

Streetwork, a local charity that provides support for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, has received more than £500 from the team at the Amazon Development Centre Scotland in Edinburgh. 

For 25 years, the charity has helped to make positive things happen for people in Edinburgh facing extremely difficult circumstances. Streetwork provides expert, compassionate and flexible support and works to link people into the services they need. The charity’s mission is enabling a life off the streets, showing dignity and respect to everyone.

In 2019, Streetwork became part of Simon Community Scotland – delivering a range of services across Glasgow, Edinburgh and across Central Scotland. The charity’s approach is to maintain contact with people in diverse circumstances, so that the charity can help people address the underlying reasons for homelessness and get them the support they need.

Before the lockdown, the team hosted an International Food Day event to raise money for the local charity, where 18 chef volunteers cooked up 24 different dishes, representing 8 different cuisines.

David Freeman, General Manager at Amazon Development Centre Scotland said: “What a wonderful way to celebrate, while also giving back to our community.

“I’m delighted the team can help support Streetwork who do fantastic work for the local community.”

Rankin Barr, Service Leader, Streetwork added: “We are very grateful for this donation from the Amazon team and for their support of our mission to help ensure everyone has a safe place to live.

“Donations like this that help us make a lasting impact for those struggling in our community. We would like to say a huge thank you for supporting Streetwork.”

Amazon Development Centre Scotland is responsible for innovations used around the world by the company, including machine learning to power Amazon’s smart features like personalised recommendations and intelligent advertising.

The charity welcomed the donation as part of the “Amazon in the Community” programme, which supports communities in and around where it operates in the UK.

UK Government tries to quell lockdown lift expectations

Environment Secretary George Eustace spoke at the daily government press conference on 8 May 2020 to give the latest update on the response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good afternoon, and welcome to today’s Downing Street Press Conference. I’m pleased to be joined today by Steve Powis the medical director of NHS England.

Before we give an update on the latest figures on the Coronavirus and also our work to help support the vulnerable get access to food.

Today is of course the 75th anniversary of VE day and although many of the lockdown measures and the social distancing measures that are in place mean that many of the planned events have been unable to take place as originally envisaged, today is an important day to pause and remember and 75 years ago people poured into the streets of our scarred cities to celebrate the end of that most difficult conflict.

Our soldiers fought around the world, there were countless acts of bravery, 450,000 British people sadly lost their lives and it was a moment when our whole country pulled together.

As Defra secretary I would like to take this opportunity to record the efforts of those who also contributed in a non-military way, in particular our farmers who stepped up to ensure the nation was fed and the many women who responded to the call to join the Women’s Land Army.

In a moment I am going to give an update on our work to support the vulnerable get access to food, but firstly let me give you an update on the latest data from the COBR coronavirus data file.

I can report through the governments ongoing monitoring and testing programme as of today:

  • 1,631,561 tests for coronavirus have now been carried out in the UK, including 97,029 tests carried out yesterday;
  • 211,364 people have tested positive, that’s an increase of 4,649 cases since yesterday;
  • 11,788 people are currently in hospital with coronavirus, down from 12,688 the previous day.

And sadly, of those tested positive for coronavirus, across all settings, 31,241 have now died. That’s an increase of 626 fatalities since yesterday. This new figure includes deaths in all settings not just in hospitals.

We express our deepest condolences to the families and friends of these victims.

Turning now to our work to help the vulnerable get access to food, firstly for the so called shielded cohort. That’s those who are clinically vulnerable.

Over a million food parcels have now been delivered to these households and in addition, all those in the shielded cohort have been added to a list giving them priority access to supermarket delivery slots. So far around 400,000 people have been offered priority delivery slots by supermarkets and around 1 million orders have been placed ensuring that people can shop normally and purchase the goods that they want to buy.

There is of course a wider vulnerable group, those who perhaps have disabilities or who are elderly and perhaps don’t have neighbours or relatives close by to help them. Or indeed those with other conditions that don’t put them in the clinically shielded group but nevertheless make them vulnerable and we have been working with local authorities, and some of the leading charities such as Age UK to put together a package of support to help these people get access to food.

And many local authorities and charities have also been accessing the Good Samaritan app as part of the NHS responder volunteer programme and so far 79,000 shopping runs have been carried out by volunteers engaged in that programme.

In addition we are continuing to work with supermarkets to make available additional priority slots for those in this group. But we also recognise that the economic impacts of coronavirus means that vulnerability is not about physical access to food, for some there is also financial vulnerability, so today we are announcing a new £16 million fund to support frontline food charities.

The fund will be used by Fareshare and WRAP to continue and support and increase the food redistribution work that they already do and will significantly expand their sourcing capacity. They will be delivering food to around 5,000 frontline charities and these include refuges, homeless shelters and rehabilitation centres.

Finally I am conscious that there is a great deal of speculation about what the Prime Minster might say on Sunday when he outlines the roadmap for the future and how we will evolve the current restrictions.

The Prime Minister will outline any changes to the guidance on Sunday but in the meantime in spite of the sunny bank holiday it is vitally important that we continue to abide by the current restrictions, stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

Concluding the press conference the Environment Secretary said:

I would also as I have done before like to conclude by recording my thanks to all those working in the food industry; from supermarkets and food manufacturers right through to farmers, there has really been quite an extraordinary effort over the last couple of months to ensure that we keep food on our supermarket shelves.

Thank you all very much.

Edinburgh Police: Stick with the guidance and stay at home

Chief Superintendent Sean Scott has asked everyone in Edinburgh to stick with the guidance to stay at home as part of the collective effort to slow the spread of #Coronavirus.

He said: “Across Edinburgh, we have seen people playing their part, engaging with our officers and complying with the guidance in place to protect the NHS and save lives.

“The restrictions in place have not changed and we need everyone to continue engaging and co-operating with us.

“We are still here for you. If you need to report a crime or you have concerns about someone who may be at risk of harm, please let us know. We will help.”

The latest information on interventions by Police Scotland, including a divisional breakdown, is available here ➡️ http://ow.ly/2NjG50zAU32

#StayHomeSaveLives 🏠