The City of Edinburgh Council and VOCAL, Voice of Carers Across Lothian, have announced a new Carers Recovery Fund.
Recognising the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on unpaid carers, the City of Edinburgh Council has committed to an investment of £250,000 to support unpaid carers. VOCAL will serve as the lead partner, managing the delivery of the fund.
Prior to the pandemic, 65,084 people in Edinburgh had caring responsibilities, 13.7% of the population. For many their caring role increased massively and it is estimated that across Scotland nearly 400,000 additional citizens took on caring responsibilities.
Research released for Carers Week by the Carers Week charities found that 71% of unpaid carers in Scotland have not had any breaks from their caring role during the pandemic.
Of those who got a break, over a third (36%) used the time to complete practical tasks or housework, and almost a quarter (24%) to attend their own medical appointments.
Three quarters (77%) reported being exhausted as a result of caring during the pandemic.
More than a third (36%) said they feel unable to manage their unpaid caring role.
The Carers Recovery Fund is an important step towards further investment in carers as the largest providers of care in our communities. The Fund will be allocated as a one-off payment to individual carers, and can be used to support carer health and wellbeing, enable carers to take a short break and to improve the financial wellbeing of carers.
Cllr Joan Griffiths, Carers Champion for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m so pleased we’re investing £250k in this Carers Recovery Fund in recognition of the extra challenges and additional pressures they have faced during the pandemic.
“Many carers have been unable to get a break from their role and have suffered a loss of support networks so this one off investment recognises the dedicated, unheralded and unpaid work they do.
“This funding is really important in the current climate especially for young carers who have been badly affected by not being able to meet their friends through lost school time. Anything we can do to support them is welcome news and we look forward to working with VOCAL on this project.
“The Carers Recovery Fund is part of a wider £21m package boosting our work for core ambitions of the Council – tackling poverty and inequality, boosting sustainability and enhancing wellbeing for everyone here in Edinburgh.”
Sebastian Fischer, Chief Executive of VOCAL said: “We look forward to working with the City of Edinburgh Council to administer the new Carers Recovery Fund for unpaid carers across the city.
“As the Carers Week report has shown, many carers have not been able to access a break due to the pandemic. Now, more than ever, the health and social care system relies on unpaid carers.
“It is vital that their right to regular breaks is recognised. This investment is a statement of intent and will have a positive impact on the lives of individual carers across different caring roles.”
A new name will be appearing on Civil Service Strollers shirts this season as a result of a new local partnership.
Strollers club secretary Keith Stewart explained: “We are delighted to announce that this season we have entered an agreement with Pilton Community Health Project (PCHP).
“We are currently looking at the ways that we can work together to promote and deliver effective health and wellbeing practices.
“Here at the Strollers, the tough year that we have all had has opened our eyes to the view that if you are healthy, you are wealthy. So, this season, instead of seeking sponsorship in the current economic climate, we have decided to support PCHP by promoting them on our youth and Lowland League teams shirt fronts and around the pitch at our own expense.
“We look forward to building a strong relationship with PCHP.”
PCHP’s Dawn Anderson said: “Pilton Community Health Project are delighted to announce a new partnership with Civil Service Strollers FC. This opportunity to work alongside Civil Service Strollers will help even more local people take steps to better health and increase access to a wide range of wellbeing initiatives tailored for the Club’s members and their families.
“Together, we hope to increase the impact of our resources locally, sharing ways to cope with the multiple impacts of the pandemic on our community, and ultimately feel stronger through looking after ourselves and each other.
“We welcome this innovative approach by the Civil Service Strollers and look forward to working with their members and developing a strong community partnership.”
The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was signed yesterday, confirming millions of pounds of investment into the Scottish Borders.
Ministers of the UK and Scottish Governments and representatives of the five councils of the Borderlands Partnership signed the deal, which aims to drive inclusive growth and deliver significant and lasting benefits for individuals, businesses and communities, including the creation of up to 5,500 jobs.
For the Scottish Borders, investment will include:
· £19m for an ambitious project to create the world’s first Mountain Bike Innovation Centre, integrated adventure Bike Park and Trail Lab in Innerleithen (further details below)
· £11m Destination Tweed tourism project based around the River Tweed
· Funding to further develop the 7Stanes mountain biking network across the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway
· A share of £20m for town and community improvement projects through a Place Programme in the south of Scotland
· Funding for improved business infrastructure in Hawick and Coldstream
· Funds to support rural innovation and skills
· Projects to tackle gaps in digital and mobile infrastructure
· £10m to deliver the feasibility activity around extending the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Carlisle
· Funding to support the generation of low carbon energy
· Pilot projects covering woodland, upland and agricultural areas to trial new approaches to valuing and protecting our natural capital to capture the benefits of our environment in a sustainable way
Councillor Mark Rowley, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Economic Regeneration and Finance, said: “The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal has been worked on by the various partners for a number of years and this level of investment and joined up partnership working has never been more important than it is today, as we look towards our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This deal can transform the Scottish Borders, allowing multiple, large scale projects to be taken forward by the Council and a wide range of partners, delivering new jobs and sustainable growth which will help support the region for decades to come.
“Significant investment into our towns and communities, our tourism infrastructure and our environment means that this deal will see the benefits shared right across the whole of the Scottish Borders.”
Innerleithen Mountain Bike Innovation Centre/Tweed Valley Bike Park and Trail Lab
A key element of the Borderlands Growth Deal for the Scottish Borders is the development of a new mountain bike innovation centre in Innerleithen that will support Scottish, UK and international businesses to develop innovative products and services within mountain biking and across the cycling sector.
In addition, a Tweed Valley Bike Park and Trail Lab will be created in what is thought to be a global first in terms of combining tourism and innovation. An adventure bike park will deliver infrastructure to attract and sustainably manage visitors to the Scottish Borders.
Borderlands Growth Deal will invest £19million in the project, which is predicted to contribute £141m in Gross Value Added (GVA) and over 400 new jobs in the South of Scotland.
The project partnership includes South of Scotland Enterprise as project sponsors Scottish Borders Council, Edinburgh Napier University and Scottish Cycling, through Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS).
Ed Shoote of DMBinS, the Senior Project Manager of the Mountain Bike Project, said: “It is fantastic news that the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, including the Mountain Bike Project, is pushing ahead.
“The vision is for the south of Scotland to be recognised as the European leader in mountain biking and this is an important step forward.
“There is still a lot of work to do to realise this vision and we will continue to work with the project partners and the local community to deliver the best project for the region.”
Councillor Mark Rowley added: “This project is a fantastic example of how projects funded by the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal can deliver multiple benefits, in this case attracting new businesses and jobs to the area and also attracting tourists from across the UK, Europe and beyond, building on the already well-established reputation of the Tweed Valley as one of the world’s top mountain biking destinations.”
Professor Nick Antonopoulos, Vice Principal for Research and Innovation at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Today marks another important milestone for Edinburgh Napier and its partners in our journey towards making the South of Scotland the mountain bike capital of Europe.
“The Borderlands Growth Deal will build on the fantastic groundwork of the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, hosted by Edinburgh Napier University who have been supporting cycling innovation since 2012.
“This investment will take the work of Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland to the next level, helping to drive innovation and support product research and development, whilst working with local and international companies.
“Together, these projects will power commercial activity, attract inward investment and deliver positive outcomes in terms of public health and supporting carbon neutral products and processes.
“We are also hugely excited by the potential research opportunities for Edinburgh Napier colleagues across a range of academic disciplines, including exercise science, health and wellbeing, engineering, inclusion, product design, artificial intelligence, big data and tourism.”
South of Scotland Enterprise Chair, Russel Griggs OBE, added: “This is a transformational project which could really put the South of Scotland on the map as a global leader in the mountain biking industry.
“The potential wider economic and community benefits for the local area are significant in terms of inward investment and jobs, as well as bringing further UK and international tourism to the region.
“I am delighted the South of Scotland Enterprise will be working with various partners to realise this ambition.”
Scottish charity Venture Trust is partnering with global design and outdoor equipment company Arc’teryx to deliver improved mental, emotional and physical health for some of Scotland’s most vulnerable people through the power of the outdoors.
Arc’teryx’s Outer Peace initiative centers around the benefits of nature, and how being immersed in it can have measurable, long-lasting impacts on our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. The $CA1 million commitment will support partners working to remove barriers and protect nature, so everybody – including those traditionally excluded – can access and benefit from spending time in nature.
Venture Trust has been making the outdoors accessible to disadvantaged groups in Scotland for more than 35 years as part of the organisation’s proven programmes of personal development.
Their work in the outdoors and wild areas creates time and space away for development and learning. Individuals explore how different choices and behaviours can help meet their needs in a positive way. This aligns closely with Arc’teryx’ values and their belief in the transformative power of nature.
The global pandemic and lockdown restrictions have made us realise how important the outdoors and being out in the nature can be for mental, emotional, and physical health. Looking ahead to the end of the current lockdown in Scotland, Venture Trust is ready to support people to make positive changes through funding from the Outer Peace initiative.
With this investment Venture Trust will be able to support more people to improve mental health and wellbeing by connecting to and benefiting from Scotland’s natural environments. The organisation will work with 120 disadvantaged young people through Venture Trust’s new Outdoor Therapy counselling service. Additionally, over 300 young people and adults will benefit from enhanced outdoor work throughout core programmes nationally.
Venture Trust Clinical Manager Andy Hardie said the organisation was delighted to be partnering with Arc’teryx: “The Outer Peace campaign aligns closely with our ethos at Venture Trust – how meaningful connection with nature and time spent outdoors supports positive mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.
“Arc’teryx’ approach to partnership goes beyond just a donation. They have invested time in understanding what we do, what the impact of their support means, in sharing information and making useful connections, and in developing mutually beneficial solutions.”
Dan Walker, Social Impact Lead at Arc’teryx Equipment, said: “Arc’teryx was founded upon a desire to connect people with the outdoors. As advocates for the transformative power of nature we seek to collaborate with those who share our purpose.
“Venture Trust is an invaluable partner in this work. Applying a thoughtful and diligent approach, Venture Trust has been able to inspire many wonderful stories of personal growth through connection to nature. We’re proud to be considered a partner in their journey.”
A new partnership has paved the way to Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA) leasing a two-bedroom property to Steps to Hope, a charity which supports people experiencing homelessness and addiction. This will give Steps to Hope service users who, having achieved sobriety, are ready for a fresh start in a home of their own.
Two new tenants have already been identified by Steps to Hope, who having previously been homeless and had recent experience of addiction, have demonstrated that they are ready for this next step, alongside continuing with regular recovery meetings and contact with experienced support workers.
Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive of Port of Leith Housing Association, (above) said: “We are proud to be the first housing association to pilot providing accommodation support for Steps to Hope.
“Through the scheme, people who have clearly demonstrated that they are well on the path to full recovery will have the stability of a high-quality place to call home. Having a home is something many of us take for granted, and it’s fantastic to be able to work with Steps to Hope to give this security to their service users.”
Richard Roncero, Founder and Operations Manager of Steps to Hope, said: “We are absolutely delighted Port of Leith Housing Association have leased us this aftercare property. It will provide continued support to those who have engaged with Steps to Hope and achieved sobriety.
“This homely environment will give them the opportunity to continue to maintain their recovery whilst having somewhere safe and secure as a base. We aim to get those living in this property their own tenancy down the line which will complete the picture of homeless/addiction to housed/recovered.”
The UK’s largest independent road safety charity, IAM RoadSmart, has partnered with the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD), helping to remove potential barriers to becoming a safer rider.
IAM RoadSmart believes that adapting to different learning styles is key to making advanced driving and riding accessible to many, ultimately improving road safety on UK roads.
Commenting on the partnership, Dr Andy Arnott from the NABD, said: “Our aim is to ensure that people with disabilities can enjoy the freedom and independence of motorcycling. This partnership with IAM RoadSmart supports our aim.
“I have been a member and supporter of the NABD for the last decade and I was always conscious that many of the riders with disabilities I have worked with, have been keen to improve their skills but no one knew how to go about it.
“As an Advanced Rider as well, I spotted a natural opportunity for the two charities to collaborate, I look forward to helping to bring these two great organisations together.”
Richard Gladman, Head of Driving and Riding Standards at IAM RoadSmart, said: “It is important that road safety is all inclusive and that everyone has access to training to improve their skills on the road.
“I am extremely excited about this collaboration. The NABD is a great charity and we look forward to working with its members, giving them access to the support they would like and making even more people aware of what we offer to enhance rider skills and confidence.”
Earlier in the year, as part of its ongoing efforts to improve road safety for everyone, IAM RoadSmart also launched a guide to ensure all volunteer observers nationwide can adapt their driving and riding coaching to different neurodiversity needs and different learning styles, including: dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism and Asperger’s among others.
A partnership between police and NHS Lothian has been hugely successful in reducing the number of people going missing from healthcare facilities in the Capital.
Between 2014 and 2015 analysis was undertaken by Police Scotland into the time and resource devoted to tracing those who left the grounds of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Western General Hospital.
The average amount of policing hours spent looking for an individual, who goes missing from an acute health unit, is over three hours. This figure rises to 15 and a half hours for those who absconded who go missing from mental health care units.
The analysis by Edinburgh Division officers alongside NHS Lothian staff NHS Lothian staff was used to formulate a strategy in order to address this issue.
As a result, an joint initiative was launched to help dissuade people who were attending hospital from leaving without first notifying staff.
The campaign, which included leaflets and posters for display in prominent locations, outlined what happens when someone goes missing, the associated costs involved and what people could do to ensure that they did not inadvertently become a missing person.
Posters and leaflets were displayed and distributed within these facilities advising the public that if they go missing, then family members, friends and even work colleagues may be contacted to establish their whereabouts.
The literature also provided an overview as to the associated policing costs of a missing person inquiry.
In addition to raising public awareness, information sharing protocols were agreed with NHS Lothian, which enable enhanced risk assessment, allowing us to take a more informed approach when responding to a missing person case. to each case.
Since the launch of this campaign, the number of missing people from hospitals in Edinburgh reduced by 26% in 2019.
Work continues to reduce these numbers further to relieve the burden on frontline policing and spare families from the distress of a loved one going missing.
Chief Inspector Neil Wilson from Edinburgh Division said: “The reasons why a person goes missing are often complex and varied and the purpose of this initiative was as much to understand these issues, as it was deterring people from becoming a missing person.
“We, along with our partners, felt it prudent to inform the public about what actually happens once they are reported missing and what that means for their family, friends and colleagues, as well as the staffing hours incurred by police and NHS staff.
“The support this project has received from NHS Lothian has been outstanding and demonstrates a real commitment to joint working. and they have demonstrated a real commitment to mitigating against people going missing from their premises.
“It is great to see this initiative having such a positive impact, however neither agency will become complacent in our efforts, as we continue to work together to minimise the number of people who go missing from Edinburgh’s hospitals. “
Dr. Tracey Gillies, Medical Director, NHS Lothian said, “I would like to thank Chief Inspector Wilson and his team for their continued support, as together we respond to this important issue.”
Deliveroo and NSPCC have today announced a new partnership to help children who may be at risk of abuse or neglect in Scotland.
This is especially important during the pandemic as children may be more out of sight than usual. The NSPCC, in a report released last week, revealed how lockdown has increased the risk of child abuse.
The partnership will:
Provide hundreds of Deliveroo riders with free, vital training – It’s Your Call – delivered by the NSPCC to help them recognise children at risk of abuse and neglect
Raise awareness of the NSPCC Helpline with Deliveroo riders promoting the Helpline number on their delivery bags, so that any adult concerned about a child can call to speak to a trained professional
Deliver hundreds of free meals to NSPCC Helpline staff to say thank you for their hard work to keep children safe during COVID-19
During the crisis people who work within their community can play an important role in helping keep children safe and spotting possible signs of child abuse, neglect and domestic violence.
Deliveroo riders, with their role delivering to homes, are well-placed to spot any emerging safeguarding concerns.
Although the lockdown is easing and some children have returned to school, many children are still spending a lot of time at home and have limited contact with wider support networks.
A new NSPCC report, ‘Isolated and Struggling’, brings together evidence from academics, charities and frontline professionals, and identifies three ways in which lockdown has increased the risk of child abuse, such as a reduction in normal protective services.
In May, the NSPCC surveyed over 2,000 adults in Britain and found that over a quarter (26%) were not confident they would know where to seek help if they thought a child or young person was being abused or neglected.
To combat the issue the NSPCC have temporarily made their ‘It’s Your Call’ course free during the pandemic, as well as expanded and promoted the Helpline in response to the situation, which has now received more than 10,000 welfare contacts.
After receiving their training, Deliveroo Riders will be able to play their part in helping to keep children safe from abuse.
The riders will also promote the NSPCC Helpline number with a sticker on their delivery bags, so that any adult concerned about a child can call this number to speak to a trained professional for advice and support.
Peter Wanless, NSPCC Chief Executive, said: “It is essential that we all play our role in helping to keep children and young people safe.
“Riders and other workers visiting people’s home during the pandemic have the unique opportunity to see or hear things that others may not. Therefore, it is important that they feel confident in knowing what to do if they are concerned about a child. It’s fantastic of Deliveroo to take this positive step with us – together we believe everyone can play a part in keeping children safe.”
Will Shu, CEO Deliveroo, said: “We are so proud of the vital role Deliveroo riders are carrying out during the COVID-19 crisis. As key workers, riders are at the heart of local communities and will be able to play an important role to help keep children safe.”
To show their appreciation Deliveroo will be delivering hundreds of free meals to NSPCC Helpline frontline workers who have been working during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Abdelziz Abdou, Deliveroo rider (above), said: “I am really proud to ride for Deliveroo and have the opportunity to train with the NSPCC and play my part to spot any signs of danger.
“I will also be displaying the NSPCC Helpline number while out riding and hope that this will encourage people to call up and speak to a trained professional. This is a really important partnership and I am pleased to show my support for the NSPCC and all their hard work to keep children safe.”
Over the coming weeks and months, Deliveroo will be encouraging riders across the UK to complete the training and order stickers to support and raise awareness amongst their communities.
The NSPCC Helpline is available for advice and support on 0808 800 5000 or via help@nspcc.org.uk.
The NSPCC has made their safeguarding awareness course, It’s Your Call, temporarily free in response to the pandemic. All other NSPCC safeguarding online training has been discounted, to support people during this time.
North Edinburgh’s Covid-19 Foodshare Group has written to city councillors to update them on the work of the local coalition:
Elected member,
Since the setting up of North Edinburgh Covid-19 Foodshare Group we have kept elected members informed of the work the community organisations, volunteers and funders have been carrying out in these very challenging times.
Attached is a newsletter which, by the end of this week, will be delivered, by volunteers, to 14,000 households in North Edinburgh. Please circulate this to any individuals or groups who will find the information helpful.
Edinburgh College has signed a new partnership agreement with The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust aimed at enhancing students’ learning opportunities and further promoting Prestonpans Battlefield as a cultural heritage asset.
The three-year partnership, initiated as part of the 275th anniversary of the Battle of Prestonpans, will see the College’s Computing students taking on a project to create an engaging and interactive website for the The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust.
The students will use their skills to develop a site which takes visitors through the story of the iconic battle (the first significant engagement of the Jacobite rising of 1745) and which provides a new digital presence for the battlefield and its heritage online.
Students will also advise the Trust on how it can use social media and mobile applications to improve the experience of visitors interested in exploring more about the famous battle. The College will engage local high school pupils in the project to transfer knowledge and further expand the reach of the work.
The project aims to develop further opportunities for students from across the College’s other curriculum areas by using the battle and project as a theme for work, including students from Broadcast Media courses filming and documenting the project throughout.
As part of the partnership, The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust will provide a monetary donation to the College to help fund the project.
The agreement was signed by The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust Co-Chair Gordon Prestoungrange and Edinburgh College Vice Principal Michael Jeffrey at the College’s Milton Road Campus.
Michael Jeffrey said: “This partnership will bring great opportunities for our students to work on a live project, enabling them to hone their skills and develop an increased presence and improved user experience for The Battle of Prestonpans (1745) Heritage Trust.
“We look forward to developing the partnership further over the next three years to utilise the talents of our students and help to continue to tell the story of such a pivotal event in Scotland’s history.”
Gordon Prestoungrange said: “The Battle of Prestonpans was about a young leader overcoming great obstacles to succeed. Therefore, we are delighted to work with Edinburgh College to encourage and support their students who shall become our future leaders.”
