Edinburgh Park’s mass vaccination centre will welcome its final patients this weekend as the site prepares for closure on Sunday.
The mass vaccination centre, based within the Royal Bank of Scotland’s former Younger Building, will close this weekend, having seen thousands of patients come through its doors.
Over the last four months, since the site opened on Monday 1 March, the vaccination team has administered 82,595 doses of the lifesaving vaccine.
NHS Lothian is now in the process of moving to a more flexible delivery model and will utilise more mobile and surge vaccination clinics. This will allow the board to target people who are still to receive their jab by making it as easy as possible to be vaccinated.
The decommissioning of the site will begin on Monday (12 July). Those in the west Edinburgh area wishing to visit a drop-in clinic at a mass vaccination centre can do so at the Royal Highland Showground.
Airport buses have been temporarily diverted to allow passengers to be dropped off directly outside Lowland Hall.
The Edinburgh Park site will still welcome both appointments and drop-ins until closure.
Pat Wynne, Nurse Director of Primary and Community Care, NHS Lothian, said: “The site at RBS has played a key role in the vaccination programme so far and we are really thankful to our team who made it work so well. I would also say thank you to Royal Bank of Scotland for cooperation throughout the site’s operation.
“Anyone wishing to be vaccinated from Monday can do so visiting one of our four mass vaccination drop-in clinics across the region, which are continuing to operate.
“This weekend (10 and 11 July), we will be running our mobile vaccination clinics with the Scottish Ambulance Service at The Centre, Livingston (Sat), and Fort Kinnaird Shopping Centre (Sun).
“These are open to everyone over the age of 18 for first vaccination, and for those who are due their second vaccination having waited eight weeks.”
Life After Lockdown: New music encourages young adults to get their lives back on track
· Shaheeda Sinckler commissioned to pen a new track for Royal Bank of Scotland’s ‘Every Dream Needs Plan’ campaign
· Campaign will encourage under-35s to set up a financial plan to achieve future dreams
· New track explores the milestones lost to lockdown but fosters optimism about post-pandemic life
Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) winner, Shaheeda Sinckler has released an exclusive new track in collaboration with Royal Bank of Scotland.
Labelled “Put Your Hands Up”, the 3-minute song, recorded at Glasgow’s Power Control Studio last month, was written and performed by rapper and DJ Shaheeda, aka Nova Scotia the Truth, over a beat by Sam Brodie, as part of Royal Bank’s ‘Every Dream Needs a Plan’ campaign.
The campaign is encouraging under 35s in Scotland to set up a financial plan to support their future dreams, following the impact of Covid-19 on their livelihoods and personal lives.
Research from the bank reveals that more than half (56%) of 18–34-year-olds in Scotland put a ‘life moment’ such as a wedding, graduation or first home purchase on hold during the last 12 months. A further fifth (22%) of all 18-34-year-olds also reported feeling anxious about money troubles in a post-Covid world.
Inspired by Shaheeda’s personal experience of the pandemic, lyrically and in her authentic style, the new track shines a light on some of the financial challenges felt by many but urges listeners to recognise the importance of setting a plan to help.
The young artist was forced to postpone live gigs, go on furlough, accept her SAY award in isolation and delay returning to live in Glasgow, instead opting to remain staying with her parents because of the pandemic.
The video is available to stream now via Shaheeda’s YouTube channel here.
Video credits are as follows: Creative director and videographer, Tj Sedisa; Fashion stylist, Jack Shanks; Make up artist MV Brown and Hair stylist, Emma Diamond
The 25-year-old artist, who grew up in Scotland’s creative scene, is known for her experiments with solo and collaborative works, creating tracks with a distinctive, independent sound.
Her repertoire boasts features on NME, BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat, Clash Magazine, Mixmag, The Guardian, BBC Radio Scotland, Red Bull Music, The Basement x Nike BSMNT AIR MAX 90 campaign and Time Out London amongst others.
As lockdown lifts and Scots begin to press play on their lives once more, Royal Bank has committed to improving the nation’s financial capabilities by offering every person a free Financial Health Check, to reduce money anxieties and help them achieve their goals.
Shaheeda Sinckler, said: “The past twelve months have given us all time to reflect. Put Your Hands Up was a chance for me to share something relatable and grounded in my own experiences and offer a positive look to the future now we’re hopefully coming out the other side.
“I managed to get on top of my finances during the lockdown, but I know not everyone will be feeling the same and that’s why it’s so important we talk more about money and equip ourselves with the tools to plan for the future.”
Malcolm Buchanan, Chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “As the economic recovery from the pandemic continues to build momentum, it’s clear that younger generations are keen to get back out into the world and continue working towards achieving their aspirations, which may now be bigger or more ambitious than before.
“It’s testament to the resilience and positivity of young people in Scotland that they have not been deterred from pursuing their goals.
“We want to play our part by providing them with the tools they need to manage their money, plan for the future and make their dreams a reality.”
Royal Bank is making financial management easier by providing the following:
· Financial Health Check – A free 20-minute conversation with a senior advisor who provides guidance to make banking simpler, and tips for everyday spending or achieving future goals.
· Royal Bank of Scotland Mobile App – Customers using Royal Bank of Scotland’s award-winning app will now be able to easily see where their money is going with the new ‘spending’ tab which will show them how much they’re spending each month, helping them stay in control of their money.
· Young people look set to prioritise shared life experiences post-pandemic
· Royal Bank of Scotland working with award-winning rapper, Nova Scotia the Truth, to encourage more young adults to set a financial plan to help them achieve future goals
As the country takes its first steps towards re-opening next week, research from Royal Bank of Scotland has revealed what 18–34-year-olds in Scotland are looking forward to most once restrictions allow it, indicating young Scots will prioritise shared life experiences over materialistic goals.
The top 12 list in full:
1. Spending time with friends and family (85%)
2. Going on holiday (74%)
3. Date nights (50%)
4. Attending a live gig (48%)
5. Going to/ taking part in a sports match (28%)
6. A return to education (22%)
7. Getting back to the workplace (21%)
8. Buying a house (20%)
9. Graduating (14%)
10. Taking driving lessons (14%)
11. Going travelling (14%)
12. Getting married (10%)
After an extended period in lockdown, social interactions, unsurprisingly, come out top with 85% of young people surveyed wanting to catch up with their loved ones and half of 18-34-year-olds looking forward to date nights (50%).
However, young people also look set to prioritise their longer-term career goals with one in five (22%) looking forward to returning to education and 21% excited to get back to their place of work.
This could correspond with recent data released by the Office for National Statistics (March 23rd 2021) which showed that young people have been disproportionately impacted by job losses in the past year with under-25s making up two-thirds of the 693,000 total redundancies recorded since the start of the pandemic.
Similarly, in line with the surging demand for houses seen over the past year, buying a house ranks 8th on the list with a further one in five (20%) of young people looking forward to taking their first or further steps on the property ladder once the effects of the pandemic allow them to do so.
Closing out the list, milestones such as graduating (15%) and getting married (10%), which have been impacted hugely be postponements throughout 2020, are still exciting prospects for young people, as well as expanding their horizons through taking driving lessons (14%) and travelling the world (14%).
The survey was undertaken by Royal Bank to gather insights into how the pandemic has impacted young people in Scotland, what it has meant for their money and how they are planning for the future. It found that more than a fifth (22%) of 18-34-year-olds surveyed said they feel anxious about money troubles in a post-Covid world compared with less than one in ten (9%) of those aged 55+.
Royal Bank has now committed to improving the nation’s financial capabilities by offering every person a free Financial Health Check, to reduce money anxieties and help them achieve their goals.
To promote the service, the bank is working with Scottish Album of the Year rap artist, Nova Scotia the Truth, who has been encouraging her fans and online followers to consider setting a plan to manage their money post-pandemic.
Malcolm Buchanan, Chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “Through our conversations with our younger customers, we understand the financial, emotional and psychological impacts of the pandemic have been immense. The resilience shown by so many Scots across all age groups in adapting to such touch conditions has been truly inspiring.
“We recognise that every dream needs a plan, whether that’s buying a first home or saving for a holiday, and we’re committed to supporting customers achieving their own unique financial goals. As economic conditions improve, we aim to play our part in helping to give everyone the skills and expertise they need to build for a brighter future”.
Royal Bank is making financial management easier by providing the following:
· Financial Health Check – A free 20-minute conversation with a senior advisor who provides guidance to make banking simpler, and tips for everyday spending or achieving future goals. This could include setting savings targets, advice on tracking monthly spending and creating budgets. Customers can choose to chat in a branch or over the phone. personal.rbs.co.uk/personal/financial-health-check.html
· Royal Bank of Scotland app – Customers using Royal Bank of Scotland’s award-winning app will now be able to easily see where their money is going with the new ‘spending’ tab which will show them how much they’re spending each month, helping them stay in control of their money.
· MoneySense – MoneySense provides parents and teachers with the tools to give young people the confidence to use money responsibly on their own. MoneySense is fully digital and downloadable, it can be delivered by teachers in schools. It’s the longest-running bank-led financial education programme for young people in the UK.
New survey finds young people are some of the most anxious when thinking about their financial security and futures, as country begins to emerge from lockdown
Rapper Nova Scotia The Truth – who spent award win on Zoom rather than at annual celebration – fronts new campaign to encourage people to think about what they want from their future
Bank calls on the public to consider their financial situation as research shows more than half have parked a key ‘life moment’ during lockdown
New research from Royal Bank of Scotland has found that more than half (56%) of 18–34-year-olds in Scotland put a ‘life moment’ (e.g. wedding, graduation, buying their first home) on hold during the last 12 months.
Of those with life moments planned, almost a third (31%) said ‘financial insecurity’ caused by the pandemic had affected these plans, with one in ten (10%) citing a loss of employment and 8% affected by their lack of financial knowledge.
More than a fifth (22%) of all 18-34-year-olds said they feel anxious about money troubles in a post-Covid world compared with less than one in ten (9%) of those aged 55+.
As the country takes the first steps towards re-opening, Royal Bank has committed to improving the nation’s financial capabilities by offering every person a free Financial Health Check, to reduce money anxieties and help them achieve their goals.
To encourage signups for the service and urge young people to think about their future, the bank has enlisted the support of rapper and DJ, Shaheeda Sinckler aka Nova Scotia The Truth, who was crowned Scottish Album of the Year winner 2020.
The 25-year-old rap artist, who lives in Edinburgh but had plans to buy a new home in Glasgow, has seen her life put on pause with live gigs postponed, missed family moments and adjusting to a virtual existence with college, career planning and even collecting her SAY Award from behind the screen, rather than on-stage at Edinburgh’s Summerhall.
Shaheeda has been commissioned by the bank to write and produce an exclusive new track about the implications of 2020 and making future dreams happen – it’s due for release later this year.
Despite the increased financial anxieties among young people, almost 2/5ths (39%) do believe the pandemic has made them better at financial planning and when asked about the things they are looking forward to once restrictions allow it, key sources of excitement for 18-34-year-olds in Scotland include:
· Going on holiday (74%)
· Date nights (50%)
· Attending a live gig (48%)
· A return to education (22%)
· Buying a house (20%)
Shaheeda Sinckler, Nova Scotia The Truth, said: “At the start of 2020, I planned to move back to Glasgow and focus on gigging but because of the pandemic, I’ve had to stay at home with my family. It’s not been the easiest year but I’m lucky I’ve been able to focus on creative projects and do my college work virtually, I know not everyone has been so fortunate.
“The pandemic has given us time to reflect on our lives and the way we structure them and for me, that involved streamlining my finances to make sure I’m setting myself up well for when life goes back to normal. If you’ve got a plan in place now and the right support, you can achieve your goals quicker.”
Malcolm Buchanan, Chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The impact of the pandemic on people’s plans – and their financial situation – has been immense.
“Directly or indirectly, everyone has been touched by it. Through our conversations with our younger customers and colleagues, a group who are normally working towards their future plans and goals, it is clear that many dreams and life moments have been paused. This is understandable given the climate.
“Shaheeda’s story has shown that it has impacted everyone, whether in the public eye or not.
“It has been challenging and there is a long way to go but we’ve seen that some people have reappraised what they want from life, whether it is a new life goal or even plans to set up their own business in the future.
“Regardless of how long it takes for people to get back on their feet, we want to help give everyone the support and skills they need to help them make their dreams a reality and help them plan for the future.”
Royal Bank is making financial management easier by providing the following:
· Financial Health Check – A free 20-minute conversation with a senior advisor who provides guidance to make banking simpler, and tips for everyday spending or achieving future goals. This could include setting savings targets, advice on tracking monthly spending and creating budgets. Customers can choose to chat in a branch or over the phone. personal.rbs.co.uk/personal/financial-health-check.html
· Royal Bank of Scotland app – Customers using Royal Bank of Scotland’s award-winning app will now be able to easily see where their money is going with the new ‘spending’ tab which will show them how much they’re spending each month, helping them stay in control of their money.
· MoneySense – MoneySense provides parents and teachers with the tools to give young people the confidence to use money responsibly on their own. MoneySense is fully digital and downloadable, it can be delivered by teachers in schools. It’s the longest-running bank-led financial education programme for young people in the UK.
A new survey from Royal Bank of Scotland has found that a third (33%) of people in Scotland don’t feel financially secure or believe they have enough money to live comfortably and afford essential payments (e.g. groceries, utility bills, mortgage and rent payments) in the current Covid-19 climate.
Despite this, three in ten (29%) Scots surveyed admitted that they would be uncomfortable speaking to friends and family about their current financial status and three in ten (30%) said they have previously lied to make themselves seem more financially secure than they are.
Almost two-thirds (63%) of Scots surveyed also acknowledged that they would feel embarrassed to ask family or friends to borrow money, however, more worryingly, three in ten (29%) said they often and always feel depressed when they think about their current financial situation.
The research comes as Royal Bank of Scotland launches its new Financial Flex campaign that will encourage Scots – especially younger generations – to start talking more openly and honestly about their finances to combat growing worries around money. Through a Royal Bank Financial Health Check, anyone, whether a customer or not, can get free advice on how to manage their money better.
Psychotherapist Kelly Hearn, an accredited UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) member, reviewed the findings. She said: “Financial anxiety is high and increasing in this pandemic, particularly among young adults.
“Money worries can lead to enormous shame and so are difficult to discuss. They cut straight to issues of self-worth and feelings of ‘not enough.’ Often people suffer in silence which only compounds the issue. A vicious cycle emerges where financial stress causes mental stress which affects physical health as well, particularly when coping mechanisms like binge drinking or eating are enacted.
“Financial anxieties affect most of us and yet are rarely discussed. It is time to address the taboo subject of money more openly as financial wellbeing is an important pillar of mental and physical health.”
The free financial health check service is available from Royal Bank. It is a review with a highly trained senior personal banker and is currently offered by video.
During the appointment, the senior banker will consider all areas of finances to help customers make the best decisions about what they feel is right for them. The review can also be completed by telephone if required.
· Royal Bank of Scotland’s Winter Sparkle festive campaign aims to bring cheer to 10,000 people and families this Christmas
· Bank’s charity partner BaxterStorey is distributing 100,000 meals to the country’s most vulnerable as part of the drive
· Businesses and organisations including The Scottish Book Trust, Tesco and Amazon back the drive
· Social Bite, Cyrenians, The Felix Project and Edinburgh Food Project help take the programme to Scotland’s neediest communities
Royal Bank of Scotland has partnered with hospitality provider BaxterStorey and security company G4S, to distribute more than 10,000 shoeboxes full of toys, books, games, food and items of clothing for vulnerable people and families across Scotland, as part of the bank’s Winter Sparkle initiative.
The shoeboxes – which have been packed in a socially distant setting at the bank’s Gogarburn HQ in Edinburgh – are being given to charity partners Social Bite, Cyrenians, The Felix Project and Edinburgh Food Project, to distribute amongst thousands of individuals and families they support across the country.
Catering company BaxterStorey will also prepare and deliver an additional 100,000 cooked meals for vulnerable families in Scotland, thanks to generous donations of fresh produce from a number of the Royal Bank’s agricultural customers.
Other supporters of the project include the Scottish Book Trust, Tesco and Business in the Community, while employees and customers of the bank have been able to purchase items via a bespoke Amazon wish list.
The shoebox initiative is the latest project from the team behind the foodbank distribution centre at Gogarburn. It was set up in March by bank employee, Sheena Hales, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, to offer charities a space to store large food deliveries. In October, Sheena was awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of her efforts.
Since opening, the foodbank centre has distributed around 6,000 meals per week, taken in huge donations including 220,000 items of new clothing, and welcomed truckloads of potatoes and carrots – all to be issued by charities to those in need.
Along with donations of food and clothing, the foodbank has also helped furnish a homeless shelter in Glasgow and through a partnership with the Scottish Book Trust, has provided families with learning packs, storybooks and even tablets and Wi-Fi access to support with remote learning.
Sheena Hales, Programme Capability Manager at Royal Bank of Scotland and Manager of the Gogarburn distribution centre, said:“Christmas can always be a challenging time but the events and added pressures of 2020 have undoubtedly created extra stress and anxiety for many families.
“The foodbank has been committed to supporting those in need since the onset of the pandemic and while the food parcels will be essential, it’s also our hope that the little extra treats in the boxes will put a few smiles on faces this festive season.
“Crucially, this has been a team effort and none of it would be possible without the hard work and dedication of our volunteers or the generosity of our staff, customers and strategic partners who have worked tirelessly to make the foodbank what it is”
Caroline Bacigalupo, Operations Manager at BaxterStorey, said: “We are delighted to have been working with local community councils and local charities, supplying a variety of sweet treats and hearty meals.
“This Christmas, we plan to fill over 10,000 boxes for Christmas gifts and food packages to help those in need across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
“With the ongoing support of our team at BaxterStorey, G4S and of course Royal Bank of Scotland, we will be out delivering the packages in the run-up to Christmas.”
Malcolm Buchanan, Chair, Scotland Board, Royal Bank of Scotland said: “The work that our foodbank team has delivered throughout 2020 has been truly admirable and the results achieved reflect the unwavering commitment of our staff, customers and partners, who have all gone above and beyond to support those in their local communities.
“Under Sheena’s leadership, the team have been working behind the scenes to coordinate, manage and store huge deliveries and have all been busy packing up the shoeboxes ready for distribution. Our charity partners will then take the wheel, allocating the boxes to the incredibly deserving individuals and families within their support networks.”
· 83% of Scots agree that they have a greater appreciation for the staff working in local businesses as a result of the pandemic
· However, despite this stated support, less than one in five, (18%) expect to ‘support local’ and do most of their Christmas spending with local independent stores
· Additionally, more than a third (37%) have cancelled plans to spend money eating or drinking at local, independent businesses since the outbreak of Covid-19
· Gift giving takes on a deeper significance as more than a third (38%) report that they have sent gifts as a way of staying in touch with family and friends during Covid-19
Over four-fifths (83%*) of Scots have a greater appreciation for staff working in local businesses as a result of the pandemic.
The latest data from Tyl in partnership with YouGov revealed that with many UK small businesses forced to firstly shut up shop and then to adapt to new ways of working in response to Covid-19 restrictions, public appreciation for those working in local independent retailers, restaurants and other SMEs has soared.
However, despite the increased appreciation of small businesses on their doorstep, less than one in five (18%) report that they intend to spend most of their Christmas budget with local, independent businesses. Additionally, more than a third (37%) admit to having cancelled plans to spend money eating or drinking at local, independents because of Covid-19.
In response to social distancing measures, gift giving has taken on a deeper significance during the festive season with more than a third (38%) of survey respondents reporting that they had sent gifts to friends and family as a way of staying connected to their loved ones throughout the pandemic.
Mike Elliff, CEO, Tyl said:“This research clearly demonstrates that now, more than ever, people across Scotland have an appreciation for those working in their local cafes, pubs and shops.
“The weeks and months in the run up to Christmas are traditionally filled with parties, meals out and last-minute shopping trips. Although this year’s festive season might look different, we’re calling on everybody who can support their local independent stores to make sure their purchase behaviour reflects their good intentions.
“Covid-19 has had a substantial impact on small businesses – many of whom have been forced to close or operate with reduced hours. Through contactless and telephony payments and the facilitation of eCommerce transactions, Tyl, along with the wider payment industry, has a clear role to play in helping the country’s high street and hospitality sector to recover and rebuild for the future.”
The survey examined predicted consumer spending behaviour in the run up to Christmas.
Unwrapping support for small businesses
As the festive season approaches, the data predicted where consumers will spend this Christmas, revealing that only 18% expect to buy the majority of their Christmas gifts from local independent stores.
With social distancing reducing capacity in shops, and pubs and restaurants no longer able to accept payments at the bar, Tyl offers customers the freedom to process transactions throughout the entire venue, reducing wait times and ultimately increasing revenue. Tyl also offers next day settlement, ensuring that money reaches the merchant the next business day.
Rise of eCommerce
As a result of the UK high street operating under lockdown restrictions, eCommerce is anticipated to play a central role in gift-giving this Christmas, with more than a quarter (26%) intending to do most of their shopping with online only business and more than two fifths (44%) anticipating that at least 70% of their Christmas purchases will be made online.
Only 3% of respondents estimate that they will do all their Christmas shopping in traditional bricks and mortar retailers, indicating that local independent stores will have to adapt to online demands in order to maximise festive returns.
Support for all payment methods
Whilst the consumer and business trend towards contactless and card payments continues, Royal Bank continues to support its personal and business customers with cash requirements, as supporters of UK Finance’s Access to Cash Initiative. The bank has become the first in the UK to offer fee-free secure cash home delivery to vulnerable customers, as well as keeping over 95% of the branch network open throughout the pandemic, and backing ATM operator LINK’s 12-month pledge to maintain free-to-use ATMs.
Tyl is a new, innovative payments service designed in partnership with UK SMEs to make it easier for small business customers across the country to receive payments in-store, online and over the phone and manage cash flow during COVID-19 and beyond.
Tyl provides next-day settlement for users, ensuring money is in their bank account the next business day, which has been a crucial factor in assisting businesses with cash flow during the coronavirus pandemic.
As part of our commitment to help businesses and communities thrive, Tyl has partnered with Pennies, the UK’s leading charity working to protect and grow micro-donations. The partnership grants a proportion of profit to charities, meaning that Tyl customers can benefit their local communities by choosing us as your payment partner.
A free event dedicated to Scottish family businesses, hosted by Royal Bank of Scotland, has kicked off this week, exploring how a strong and resilient business can be built in the current climate.
With a mix of live panel discussions, interactive breakout sessions and a variety of supporting thought leadership materials and podcasts being shared virtually, the Scottish Family Business Week: Strength and Resilience in an Ever Changing World is set to welcome over 250 businesses.
Together with Institute of Family Business (IFB) and KPMG, Royal Bank of Scotland moved the annual conference online, giving local family firms the opportunity to explore together fresh insights, strategies, and solutions to current business questions.
With speakers including Arnold Clark Automobiles’ Adam Clark (above), and Iain Anderson of GAP Group, the event will cover key themes, such as: next generation and succession; diversity and female leadership; purpose and culture; innovation and entrepreneurship, and more.
The conference, which runs until 30th October, is free to attend and will allow family businesses to connect with peers to share experiences and knowledge through a series of daily online events.
Charlie Serafini, Relationship Director at Royal Bank of Scotland said: “This year, we have worked closely with many families to understand their needs and, where required, provide financial support to help them trade through these exceptional times.
“Whilst the pandemic has thrown many curveballs, we have found family businesses to be more resilient, adaptable, and agile. With an acute awareness of the role they play as employers within local communities, many have pivoted and diversified to create new revenue streams as a result of the pandemic.
“With family businesses representing 85% of privately owned Scottish companies, we feel it’s essential for these businesses to come together to connect, listen, learn and discuss the issues which matter to them most, to ensure a strong recovery.”
The Royal Bank of Scotland “has listened and engaged with customers, communities and elected representatives from all parties” and will now keep ten branches open – at least until the end of the year.Continue reading Stay of execution for bank branches
Hollywood A-lister Gerard Butler is the latest celebrity to call on fellow Scots to sign up for the Royal Bank of Scotland Kiltwalk. The Paisley-born star is joined by Ross King, LA Correspondent for ITV, who was recognised in the New Year honours list with an MBE for services in Broadcasting, the Arts and Charity.Continue reading Gerard Butler backs the Kiltwalk
