Tag: NEN

Bright Red Sparks shortlist announced

The shortlist has been unveiled for the third Bright Red Sparks awards, which showcase innovative products and services developed by start-ups, spinouts, fledging companies and entrepreneurs.

The popular awards, an initiative of Edinburgh Napier’s Bright Red Triangle enterprise hub, will this year move online as a Facebook live event on the evening of Tuesday April 14.  

Trailblazing students, staff and alumni from across the University community will compete for more than £10,000 in prizes, with food, clothing, cleaning and media businesses among a wide range of projects hoping to impress the judges. 

The 19 shortlisted enterprises across six categories will be assessed for everything from the viability of their ideas and clarity of planning to thoroughness of research and potential for growth.  

Nick Fannin, Head of Bright Red Triangle, said: “The Bright Red Sparks Awards are a salute to all the enterprising students, staff and alumni from Edinburgh Napier University. We are in awe of the creativity, determination and energy of all of our University community to solve problems, to capture opportunities and to build businesses with purpose. 

 “Due to the current lockdown we have taken the decision to cancel the awards ceremony but we wanted to announce the shortlist in line with our original timeline as ultimately we want to be able to award the prize money at a time when businesses and self-employed people really need it. 

“It’s great to be able to reward hard work and we couldn’t have done it without the amazing support from our generous supporters and sponsors, Shepherd and Wedderburn, Morton Ward, Graphic Designer Pro, Santander Universities and the Moffat Charitable Trust.

“The package of support that our sponsors have offered will help our winners at a time when they really need it. We expect great things from all of those shortlisted, so watch out for their names in the future.” 

The 2020 shortlist was drawn up after scrutiny of the entrants’ online application forms, business models and video pitches. 

John Morrison, Senior Associate at law firm Shepherd and Wedderburn, said: “This year’s shortlist only highlights the continued quality of Bright Red Sparks entries, a showcase of the drive and innovative thinking that we need, now more than ever, to build successful businesses for the future.  Congratulations to the finalists for reaching this stage, and we wish you all the very best of luck.”  

Ewan Morton, Managing Director at creative agency Morton Ward, said: “‘It is inspiring to see such bold, brave and brilliant ideas coming from the Bright Red Sparks finalists.

“Not only do these entrepreneurial ideas represent sound business thinking but they also offer hope for the future by embracing digital technologies, the circular economy and environmental sustainability.” 

Bright Red Sparks Awards 2020 shortlist 

Bright Ideas (£2000 prize + in-kind support) 

CupClean cleaning product (Ross McFarland), 10T clothing brand (James Marshall), FoxBox tableware hire service (Linda Freimane)  

Going for Growth (£2000 prize + in-kind support) 

MaRobert’s food and sauces (Maggie Mazoleka), High Tide film and video production (Alex Porter-Smith, Eathan Currie), Monstrous Regiment Publishing indie press (Lauren Nickoemus, Ellen Desmond)  

Business for Good (£2000 prize) 

10T clothing brand (James Marshall), Fine Piece homeware from recycled materials (Kirsty McKain & Rebecca Subido), EQUIPLY supply chain equality (Wai Fong Lam)

Active Citizens (£1000 prize) 

Bloody Big Project period poverty awareness (Hannah Stevens, Brogan Henderson, Sam Calder), Towns of Today personalised guides (Rory Cotter, Morgan Tamplin), pRESPECT reducing child poverty (Viana Maya, Karsten Huttenhain)  

Enterprising Educators (£2000 prize) 

Enterprise Partnership Initiative student entrepreneurship (Dr King Omeihe), Entrepreneurial Leadership Programme developing entrepreneurial thinking (Dr Christopher Cramphorn, Dr Rosemary Alford), Built Environment Exchange sustainable construction (Prof Robert Hairstans, Dr Mila Duncheva, Andrew Livingstone, Carola Calcagno, Wojciech Plowas), Design for Professional Practice career development (Ruth Cochrane)  

Freelancer of the Year (£1000 prize + in-kind support) 

Loïc Bauméa web development, Bright Edge Media video storytelling (John Matheson), Charles Seed Media photographer and videographer  

The awards will be shown as a Facebook Live event at 7pm on Tuesday 14 April via the Facebook page @ BrightRTriangle here  

Sir Patrick Stewart & Miranda Hart – the dream lockdown buddies!

Who would you go into lockdown with? And who’s your nightmare house guest? The results are in!

As Britain goes through lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic, the people have named their favourite buddies with whom they’d like to go into isolation with.

The “Desert Island Discs of the Lockdown” carried out by bored home workers from Office Provider Offices.co.uk found that we prefer to be entertained while we’re in isolation, with actors and comedians topping the list.

The poll found that that Sir Patrick “Jean-Luc Picard” Stewart and comedy actress Miranda Hart are the top two people with whom we want to be cooped up with.

“This is a very stressful time for everybody, and the thought of staying home for three weeks doesn’t exactly appeal to many people,” says spokesperson Jonathan Ratcliffe. “So, we might as well make the best of it!”

Dream partners and nightmare cellmates

Offices.co.uk asked 1,100 staff and home workers which living male and female celebrity they’d most like to spend time in isolation with, and we received answers from across the worlds of stage, screen and politics.

“Not that many from politics, truth be told,” says Jonathan. “Can’t imagine why!”

We’ve also listed our favourite reasons why some of these celebs have been chosen.

Male Celebrities:

  • Sir Patrick Stewart (“He’s calm, he’s clever, and he makes a very fine cup of Earl Grey.”)
  • Joe Wicks (“I’m just in love with him that’s why.”)
  • Keanu Reeves (“Come on, I’m an adult single woman, I don’t need to explain”)
  • Jamie Oliver (“Somebody’s got to do the cooking, and it might as well be him”)
  • Michael McIntyre

Female Celebrities:

  • Miranda Hart (“Literally the funniest person on the planet. What’s not to love about Miranda?”)
  • Carol Vorderman (“The kids are off school, and somebody’s got to teach them maths”)
  • Scarlett Moffatt
  • Gemma Collins
  • Stacey Solomon (“Fun to be with and very, very organised. Yes please Stacey”)

We also asked for people they’d most like NOT to be cooped up with for three weeks, and the choices were pretty much a landslide:

  • Boris Johnson (“He’s got a country to run, and I don’t speak Latin”)
  • Brian Blessed (”Shusssssh!!!”)
  • Mrs Brown
  • Katie Hopkins (“Just no”)
  • Gordon Ramsay (“Somebody’s got to do the cooking, and there’s no way I’m letting him into my kitchen”)

“Honestly, can you imagine three weeks in a small flat with Brian Blessed?” asks Jonathan, “GORDON’S ALIVE would get very annoying after the first hour, we’d imagine”

“And the neighbours will be banging on the walls.”

Offices.co.uk recons that people are looking for somebody who is great company, with the added bonus of a skill they can bring to a locked-down household.

“Whether it’s entertaining the troops, helping with home schooling, or turning up the heat in the kitchen, people are looking for somebody who is ideal company,” says spokesperson Jonathan Ratcliffe.

That’s why people have gone for Sir Patrick Stewart, currently enjoying a spell in the public eye with his new series Star Trek: Picard.

“He seems affable company, well read, and a gentle soul. He’d be a terrific house guest.”

On the other hand, people really can’t be living with nightmare company.

“What you don’t want, it seems, is somebody who turns out to be more of a cell mate!”

Letters: Thanks,NEN

Dear Editor
May I say the social importance of NEN keeping in contact with the community is so helpful. With the isolation being felt by so many having a negative effect.
When this awful plague is over the community must come together and Public Services are an absolute priority for all Councils everywhere, fully funded and protected.
Tony
Tony Delahoy 
(by email)

Calling all Families to ‘Write to Unite’

Young Writers have launched Write to Unite, a creative writing campaign to help raise the nation’s spirits.

Life as we know it has been turned upside-down, and to help take our minds away from being stuck inside, children and adults of all ages are invited to help spread positivity by writing a poem, a story, or giving a thoughtful message to love ones or keyworkers.

First established in 1991, Young Writers works with schools and parents, encouraging young people to engage in creative writing. Morgan Walton, Director, says, “This is an extremely difficult time for everyone across the country. Writing can be a great way to express how you feel, and for children and adults alike it’s important to come together to express a positive message”.

Write to Unite is free to take part in, and the aim of the campaign is to bring people together regardless of background or age. This is the public’s chance to celebrate community spirit and appreciate the elderly, the vulnerable or those who are working behind the scenes every day to keep our world moving during this challenging period.

To take part in Write to Unite, all you have to do is get writing!

Poems, stories, letters – are all welcome. Visit www.writetounite.co.uk for a selection of free resources and templates to inspire creativity. View the trailer at: https://youtu.be/m_lenUHvJC4.

Participants are encouraged to share this great opportunity with friends and family on social media. Use the #writetounite hashtag, and nominate three friends to get involved.

This is a perfect time to get the whole family creating positive memories. Let’s work together to spread some joy and happiness. Let’s write to unite!

For further information please email: info@writetounite.co.uk
or visit www.writetounite.co.uk.

Smokers at greater risk of severe respiratory disease from COVID-19

Emerging evidence from China shows smokers with COVID-19 are 14 times more likely to develop severe respiratory disease.

If you smoke, you are not only putting yourself at greater risk of developing severe disease from the COVID-19 virus, but those around you exposed to second hand smoke, including children, are also put at increased risk.

Smoking tobacco is known to damage the lungs and airways causing a range of severe respiratory problems. The evidence clearly shows COVID-19 virus attacks the respiratory system, which explains why smokers are at greater risk. A small but highly impactful survey from China finds that smokers with COVID-19 are 14 times more likely to develop severe disease.

In addition, the repetitive hand to mouth movement provides an easy route of entry for the virus, putting smokers at greater risk of contracting COVID-19.

Professor John Newton, Director of Health Improvement at Public Health England said: “In light of this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a more important time to stop smoking. Not only for your own health but to protect those around you.

“It will also help alleviate the huge pressures on the NHS.

“It is never too late to quit, no matter your age.”

Once smokefree, there are very real health benefits with the body continuing to repair the longer you stay smokefree.

The more immediate benefits include:

  • after 48 hours carbon monoxide is eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris
  • after 72 hours breathing becomes easier as bronchial tubes begin to relax
  • after 2 to 12 weeks blood circulation improves, making physical activity like walking and running easier

To help reduce your risk of contracting the virus and developing severe disease from coronavirus, you can use the smokefree app to access advice and support on how you can best stop smoking. Search ‘Smokefree’.

Follow the Smokefree Action Coalition #quitforcovid campaign on Twitter.

CAMRA welcomes confirmation in law on pub deliveries and takeaways

The emergency Coronavirus (Scotland) Bill passed by the Scottish Parliament on Wednesday confirms that pubs can sell alcohol and food to take-away or for home delivery, where it is safe to do so. 

The legislation clarifies that pubs across the country can continue to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, as well as take-away or home delivery of food if this was previously provided on the premises.

Any pubs continuing to offer take-away or delivery services must adhere to the Scottish Government’s safe social distancing guidance, as well as complying with all other standard health and safety requirements.

This includes making sure that there is a distance of at least two metres between staff and any customers collecting items, and control of queues outside the premises consistent with social distancing advice.

CAMRA Director for Scotland Sarah Crawford said: “The fact that this emergency legislation puts it beyond doubt that pubs can sell alcohol for consumption off the premises, and offer food for takeaway or delivery where the pub previously offered food, will be welcome news for pubs who are still looking to offer services throughout the COVID-19 restriction. 

“This will need to be done safely and in line with strict social distancing measures, but it does mean that communities who want to continue to support their local can do so. This will be especially important in our rural communities, where the local pub may be the only accessible business in the area.

“CAMRA is continuing to call on the UK and Scottish Governments to make sure that pubs of all types and sizes receive the support they need to get through the coronavirus crisis, so they can keep paying staff and are able to re-open and thrive once this is over.”

I’ll drink to that …

Moggy Modules make home schooling pawsome

Cats Protection comes to the rescue of parents struggling to make home schooling fun, with the Moggy Modules; five pawsome new free learning tools to keep kids happy and engaged.

 Each of the online resource packs includes cat-themed worksheets, quizzes, creative writing exercises, feline facts, recipes and other fun learning activities linked to one of the five cat welfare needs; a place to live, behaviour, the right diet, good healthcare and space.

 The packs have been created by Cats Protection’s educational experts to help young learners discover more about our feline friends and their welfare needs, with age-appropriate learning tools for children aged five-seven and seven-11.

Moggy Modules are free to download: https://education.cats.org.uk/moggy-modules-for-learning-at-home/

On completing #TheMoggyModules, children can download and print a colour certificate to celebrate their knowledge of the five cat welfare needs.

 The Moggy Modules support Cats Protection’s call for animal welfare to be included as a mainstream topic in the National Curriculum to give children a basic understanding of how to respect and care for animals.

Shelley Brown, Cats Protection’s Education Team Manager, said: “Children learn best and stay focused longer if they enjoy what they are doing. Home schooling can be fun for families.

“Our Moggy Modules are designed to give parents a helping hand, while teaching children about better animal welfare and encouraging them to be better stewards of our environment for years to come.”

A social media campaign will encourage parents to share their stories, photos and videos on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the #TheMoggyModules hashtag.

 Cats Protection’s learning library has additional video resources: www.cats.org.uk/education

Easter childcare for key workers

Learning and childcare hubs for the children of key workers will remain open across Scotland over the Easter holidays.

The move will help support key workers in the NHS and other key sectors on the frontline of the response to coronavirus (COVID-19).

All of Scotland’s local authorities will keep learning and childcare hubs open in their areas to support children and young people. The number of hubs that are open, and the types of support they provide, will vary between each council area in response to local demand.

Education Secretary John Swinney said: “I am very grateful to colleagues in education and childcare who are working so hard to deliver this service.

“Clearly these are unprecedented times and this will be a very different Easter holiday period for teachers and pupils across the country. I would like to thank all of those who have volunteered to provide support over this time.

“Our key workers are on the frontline of the response to coronavirus and it’s only right that we do everything we possibly can to support them.

“By keeping learning and childcare hubs open in our local authorities, we can make sure children are safe and well looked-after while their parents are doing critical jobs helping our communities.”

Guidance on key workers

Key workers whose children already attend learning and childcare hubs will be contacted by their local authority to explain the arrangements over the spring break.

Local authority websites are being updated regularly with the latest information on the learning and childcare hubs and should be contacted directly for further information if necessary.

NET sends further £5million to front line charities

The National Emergencies Trust has announced a further £5m of funding will be distributed to front line charities today helping those most impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. This is possible thanks to the generosity of the UK public, major charitable trusts and corporate donations.

So far, around half of the £16m total pledged to the Coronavirus Appeal has been given out (£7.5m in total), following an initial allocation of almost £2.5m a week after the appeal launched. Further distributions will be made in the coming days, to continue to support the most vulnerable in society.

The money will be distributed through UK Community Foundations to 46 local community foundations across the country.

Major businesses and charitable trusts across the UK, as well as the British public, have generously donated to the appeal, including corporate donors such as BT, Tesco, HSBC, M&S and National Grid.

The appeal is responding to the needs of local communities across the UK and allocating money to community foundations based on local factors such as levels of deprivation and demographics in each region.

Local Distribution

A snapshot of some of the local groups already benefitting from the appeal include:

Horncastle Food Bank

Horncastle Food Bank in Lincolnshire which has seen a 300% increase in demand for food and hygiene parcels. The group has also stepped in to help combat child poverty, by providing food for those children no longer receiving free school meals and are now also distributing hot meals for vulnerable people currently in isolation.

ASD Helping Hands

ASD Helping Hands helps those caring for children and young adults with autism, supporting over 1,300 families in Norfolk. Since the outbreak, the organisation has launched a web and phone-based advice and listening service to continue to support the mental wellbeing of families during this stressful time.

Musical Memories

Social enterprise Musical Memories saw its 5th anniversary Big Sing concert for more than 150 older people in the community cancelled due to the outbreak. However, the social enterprise hasn’t been deterred and is now hosting live music online sessions every day for older people across rural Yorkshire to help fight loneliness and isolation. Funding will provide recording equipment to facilitate ever more creative and engaging remote concerts.

NET Coronavirus Appeal

The National Emergencies Trust’s Coronavirus Appeal was launched in partnership with the British Red Cross and with the support of the Duke of Cambridge.

Anyone can make a donation and further donations can be made by clicking the below button.

DONATE

 

This week celebrity supporters including Miranda Hart, Joe Lycett and Kate Thornton have shared video messages on their social media urging the public to get behind the appeal.

John Herriman, CEO of the National Emergencies Trust, said: “It is fantastic that good causes across the UK are already seeing the benefits of the public’s support and the overwhelming generosity of our corporate donors. It’s vital that we are able to offer support to these groups as soon as we can.

“Our work may have started but there is still much more to do. We’re asking the public to get behind the appeal and make contribution if possible, or to spread the word to help raise awareness.

“Everyone who donates can be confident their money is reaching those in need quickly and making an instant difference to the most vulnerable in our communities at this difficult time. We need to come together more than ever and I’m heartened the British public are rising to the challenge.”

Rosemary Macdonald, Interim CEO of UK Community Foundations, said: “Working closely with our network of 46 community foundations, we’re seeing unprecedented demand for support from those in need across our society.

“We’re working to make sure that donations reach communities quickly and in response to particular needs, so that we are properly supporting the most vulnerable as best we can.”

In Awe of our Carers

SCOTS are being urged to show their appreciation for the work of Scotland’s vast army of social care workers who are continuing to provide vital services to older and vulnerable people during the Coronavirus crisis.

Leading housing and care provider Blackwood is promoting a campaign to shine a light on the important front-line role care employees are playing – and to encourage businesses and individuals to look at ways they can show their gratitude.

Across Scotland, it is estimated that up to 150,000 staff work in the social care sector, providing care to people in care homes and retirement developments as well as care-at-home services.

Blackwood Chief Executive Fanchea Kelly said:  “Many older and vulnerable people could require hospital care without the help of our wonderful care staff. This vital support is happening in our communities in an almost invisible way during the COVID-19 crisis.

“In Blackwood we believe it is essential to recognise this important work publicly. We’d like to let care staff know that they are appreciated, keeping morale high at a time where many people are going way beyond their normal duties. If you can do anything to show your support, we’d love to hear from you.

“The first thing you can do is to join our campaign #ImInAwe so please tweet, retweet and share far and wide to get behind our carers and show how much they are valued.

“And I want to say thanks to members of Edinburgh Sports Club for volunteering to help drive our carers to their shifts as public transport services decrease.

“If you or your business can help in your own way, get in touch, we would love to hear from you to put a collective show of support across Scotland. But most importantly use ‘#ImInAwe‘ to show you care.”

Blackwood aims to help people live their life to the full, by providing services which support individuals to live independently. It specialises in technology and design innovation to support the role of its housing and care staff across Scotland.

For more information, please visit: https://www.blackwoodgroup.org.uk