Drylaw Telford Community Council is to meet online via Zoom tomorrow evening.
CC members have been notified of login instructions and members of the public wishing to participate should contact DTCC secretary Pam Higgins via email at pamhigginsdtcc@gmail.com
Pam said: ” It was lovely to get back together as a group in August and I look forward to seeing as many people as possible in the coming months. I believe this way of meeting will be our new normal for the foreseeable future.”
The report from Weekend 5 of the Assembly has now been published, and you can see all the outputs including the livestream recordings on our Weekend 5 page.
Convener Kate Wimpress has also published a blog where she reflects on the last weekend.
We look forward to meeting again online on 3 and 4 October, and hope you can join us by watching the livestream on our homepage.
Best wishes,
Citizens’ Assembly Secretariat
The First Minister’s National Advisory Council on Women and Girls (NACWG) is calling on Edinburgh residents to join the #GenerationEqual movement and have their say in its latest discussion surrounding body image.
Increased societal pressures relating to ‘body image standards’ and the rise in use of social media has had a considerable impact on body image for many women and girls of all ages.
Discrimination, developing distorted perceptions and dealing with low self-esteem, often with associated mental health consequences, are just some of the issues stemming from body image. The Advisory Council would like to hear views on body image from people of all genders and those who don’t identify to help inform its findings and shape its recommendations to the First Minister.
The NACWG was formed to drive equality for women and girls in every community across Scotland by raising the issue of gender inequality. Focusing on a new Spotlight theme on a bi-monthly basis, the Advisory Council aims to bring people together and create discussion on many issues still faced by women and girls in Scotland today. The NACWG is putting a Spotlight on body image until the end of October to explore the daily challenges and pressures of body image.
Louise Macdonald OBE, Co-Chair of the NACWG, said: “In today’s society women and girls still face huge pressures to look a certain way as they compare their appearance to others on social media, magazines and in advertisements. Poor self-confidence can be extremely damaging, and can lead to many women and girls struggling with their self-worth and place in society.
“The Advisory Council is inviting groups, organisations and networks in Edinburgh, to share their experiences, opinions and ideas around the body image Spotlight. Every bit of feedback will help advise the First Minister and drive action in creating long-lasting change for women and girls in Scotland.”
To participate in this national conversation groups, organisations and networks are encouraged to form a virtual Wee Circle to discuss these issues and share ideas on how it can be tackled.
Feedback from these Wee Circle discussions, as well as individual feedback, can be submitted online at onescotland.org/NACWG.
Alternatively, thoughts can be shared on social media using the hashtag #GenerationEqual.
AND IT’S NOT ZOOM!
The Scottish Community Development Centre has been commissioned by Sustrans to research how and why communities engage (or don’t engage) with active travel projects
SCDC wants to hear from all types and sizes of community and voluntary organisations across the country.
Wherever you are on your active travel journey your experience matters: from those who have never even considered an active travel project to those that are thinking and planning on to those who have successfully completed one.
It doesn’t matter the focus of your organisation – Sustrans would like to know how they can work with all sections of our communities to deliver the benefits of active travel to everyone.
Complete the short (ten-minute maximum) survey by clicking on the link below. Closes Friday 28th August at midnight:
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/communities_and_active_travel
The Scottish Womens Convention (SWC) are thrilled to announce our first ever Online Conference, which will focus on social care and the impact on women across Scotland.
This will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 23rd September, between 3pm and 5pm. Spaces will be limited, so we recommend registering soon!
Register here for free – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/women-and-social-care-in-scotland-tickets-117005623971
This event will see a number of attendees and speakers come together to discuss some of the most pressing current issues. We want to cover everything from experiences before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, to what we need to do in future to make social care work for everyone in Scotland.
This event will complement the SWC’s ongoing work regarding Women and Social Care in Scotland. A summary report of our initial findings can be accessed here – https://bit.ly/314dJwy A huge thank you to all who have contributed to this work so far.
We look forward to welcoming you to our Conference. Any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us through this email, or across our social media channels @swcwomen.
Take care!
Team SWC
Scottish Women’s Convention
2nd Floor, The Albany Centre
44 Ashley Street, Glasgow G3 6DS
Tel: 0141 339 4797
Email: info@scottishwomensconvention.org
Follow us @SWCWomen on Twitter, Instagram or find us on Facebook
Website: www.scottishwomensconvention.org
The Citizens Assembly will resume online following a break due to COVID disruption. We will reconvene on 5 September and will report to the Scottish Government and Parliament by the end of the year.
The Assembly’s remit will be unchanged.
You may recall that before the pause, members had made substantial progress in developing a shared vision for the future of Scotland, and had considered key challenges to building a sustainable country.
Members also examined Scotland’s finances and taxation, and discussed how decisions are taken for and about Scotland.
The Assembly will now complete its work across these areas, while also considering the impact of COVID-19.
The interim report, The Journey So Far, was published yesterday alongside a comprehensive set of articles and videos summarising the work.
All information can be found at www.CitizensAssembly.scot and we will continue to update our Facebook, TwitterInstagram and YouTube channel social media channels.
Best wishes,
Citizens’ Assembly Secretariat
Picture: Chris Watt
Edinburgh campaigners are concerned about the way the Council is operating during the Covid crisis. So far there has been no action to set up accessible virtual meetings of the Council – and Edinburgh East Save Our Services argues that people want an immediate return to a more transparent decision-making process.
“Since mid-March the city council has changed its way of operating,” said Lorna Frost of Edinburgh East Save our Services. “Other organisations have already formulated guidelines for meetings and it is timely for our Council to rethink the way it proceeds during the Covid crisis.
“Our community group wanted to take these issues up with the Council but our attempt to ‘talk about it’ has been rebuffed. In addition, our councillors, who are our elected representatives, have been told any issues they raise with a council officer must be virus-related, but we think the current crises across our city – in care homes, schools, Lothian Buses and regarding poverty and mental health – are all virus-related.
“It is crucial that the Council re-engages fully with the people of Edinburgh, their elected representatives, and voluntary groups immediately.
“Community councils should also be reactivated in a secure way. We need to work together to tackle the severe issues of poverty and inequality arising from the Covid-crisis.”
Edinburgh East Save Our Services emailed council leader Adam McVey on Wednesday:
Dear Convener McVey
We would appreciate clarification on governance concerns, particularly on the following matter.
We have read the minutes of the April EDC LAP meeting and our understanding of: ‘To note that the Chief Executive would report to the first meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee in May 2020 on potential options for holding meetings of Full Council‘ is that accessible/transparent meetings of the Council and its committees may or may not go ahead depending on the report of the Chief Executive tomorrow.
Our opinion is that it is very important that the affairs of the city are conducted in an open way, particularly in this time of crisis, and we want to let the Council know this.From our reading of the minutes it seems this decision has not already been taken, but that it will be taken tomorrow, and that is why we wanted to influence this decision.
You are responsible for and entrusted with the wellbeing of the people of Edinburgh and we are disappointed with your response and also the lack of any additional explanation.
It seems very difficult for residents to interact with their local authority in a meaningful way, if at all.
Regards
Lorna Frost (for Edinburgh East Save our Services)
The campaigners also sent the following questions by email:
EESOS submission to EDC PSC 14/5/20
Edinburgh East Save our Services submits the following questions to the meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Thursday 14th May 2020 at 10am.
The questions relate to the Council’s Interim Political Management Arrangements for 2020 (item 4 Minute of the LAP 23/4/20)
Why have no measures been taken to set up accessible virtual meetings of the Council and its committees since mid-March ?
How long does the Council intend to continue proceeding in this way? ( The Scottish government has already formulated guidelines for meetings.)
Why have restrictions (namely that any issues should be virus- related) been put on our councillors (our elected representatives) raising issues with a council officer?
What exactly are the criteria which define virus-related?
Aren’t the current crises across Edinburgh, in care homes, schools, Lothian Buses, poverty, and mental health virus-related?
Lorna said: “In reply we were told that the council refused to accept our submission. Convener Mcvey says it does not meet the requirements of a deputation as it relates to a decision that was taken in April.
“This is an astonishing response since the decision was not taken through the council’s normal democratic processes.”
A new ‘Scotland Cares’ campaign has been launched to encourage people to volunteer during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
While the most important ask for the public remains to stay at home and follow the essential public health guidance, people who are healthy and not at risk can volunteer to provide practical or emotional help to those most in need.
A similar campaign launched in England last week has seen more than 750,000 volunteers sign up.
Those wanting to volunteer to support their communities have three options which are signposted from the Ready Scotland website:
• returning NHS workers will be directed to existing voluntary arrangements in NHS Scotland
• people wishing to offer their support to our public services, including the NHS and local authorities, will be directed to a site co-ordinated by the British Red Cross
• those looking for opportunities with other charities or community groups in their area will be directed to Volunteer Scotland for information
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “We know there are a huge number of people who are already volunteering and many more with a desire to help their communities, public services and voluntary organisations. And for that we are incredibly grateful.
“This site means that those who are able to can contribute in a way which makes a real difference. It helps people to help each other, as we all get through this together.”
Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Government is working closely with local government and a range of partners to co-ordinate the volunteering effort across Scotland.
“By providing this national portal we will be able to connect people to where their contribution is most needed in their local community, ensuring everyone can play their part in helping Scotland come through this pandemic.
“For some, that may involve roles responding to specific needs in health and social care. For others, it may be that we draw on their skills, enthusiasm and energy in the weeks and months to come.
“It is important to remember that the most helpful thing many of us can continue to do to help the NHS is to stay at home and follow all COVID-19 guidance.”
Volunteers who want to support their communities should visit www.ReadyScotland.org to find out how they can help.
The website is being constantly updated and provides advice on volunteering safely and the organisations to register an interest with such as Volunteer Scotland and the Red Cross.
Businesses who can offer support should email covid19response@gov.scot
In line with Scotland’s current stay at home rules the public can only volunteer to carry out tasks which involve leaving their home, once a day, if you are not required to be isolating and are not in any risk categories.
A similar campaign launched in England last week has seen more than 750,000 volunteers sign up.
Please check the latest advice at www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus
