Tag: Scottish Government

Local provenance top of the menu this Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight

Almost 90% of Scots want to buy more local food and drink

Edinburgh Residents can celebrate this weekend at The Scottish Rum Festival

Scotland Food & Drink has officially launched its annual celebration of Scottish produce with a packed events calendar that aims to encourage the whole nation to ‘Discover what’s on your doorstep’ this September.

Edinburgh residents can celebrate the annual celebration this weekend at The Scottish Rum Festival. The Festival, for rum lovers and newbies alike, will introduce audiences to the nation’s finest rum distilleries and blenders through a variety of unique brand experiences, tasting sessions and masterclasses on key topics within the industry.

Masterclass panelists include Sir Geoff Palmer, Professor Emeritus and Chancellor of Heriot-Watt University and industry legend Billy Walker. 

The latest data from the Knowledge Bank revealed that 89% of shoppers would like to buy more food and drink produced in Scotland when shopping for food to eat at home. Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight is an annual opportunity for individuals and businesses to champion all that Scotland’s larder has to offer.

The Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight campaign, which is now in its 14th year, takes place from Saturday the 2nd to Saturday 16th of September and celebrates the producers, manufacturers, retailers, foodservice, hospitality, Regional Food Groups and Food Tourism Ambassadors that work to get quality Scottish produce on our shelves and tables throughout the year.

Industry leaders toasted the start of Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight at an exclusive event at Lind & Lime, a proud product of The Port of Leith Distillery in Edinburgh.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands Mairi Gougeon said: “It is no secret that Scotland produces some of the finest quality food and drink in the world.

“Our food and drink offering has always been and continues to be of the highest quality.  Consumers at home and increasingly around the globe know that every element of the production process is handled with the utmost care and expertise and with a determination to provide incredible produce from all the regions of Scotland. 

“Food & Drink Fortnight is an excellent opportunity to celebrate all that Scotland has to offer and I hope that it encourages more and more people to discover what is available right here on their own doorstep.”

Over the next two weeks, Scotland Food & Drink is working closely with its Regional Food Groups and Regional Food Ambassadors to promote a line-up of regional events, as well as spotlighting produce from across Scotland that is stocked everywhere from shops, restaurants, cafes and bars to delis and markets.

Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “Scottish food and drink is world-renowned. The country is home to some of the best quality produce in the market with innovative and determined individuals working hard to make our sector such a success story.

“The Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight offers the whole industry the opportunity to shine a spotlight on some of the nation’s best producers, and celebrate the achievements  of our home-grown brands.

“I’d encourage everyone to use the Fortnight as an opportunity to explore the fantastic producers on their own doorsteps.”

Anybody can get involved in Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight by joining the celebrations on social media using hashtags #ScotFoodFort23 and #DiscoverWhatsOnYourDoorstep.

To get involved and check out the events happening in your area, please visit: https://foodanddrink.scot/events-and-membership/scottish-food-drink-fortnight/

Programme for Government to be unveiled on Tuesday

Plans to reduce poverty, deliver economic growth, tackle climate change and provide high quality public services will be central to First Minister Humza Yousaf’s first Programme for Government, which will be published this week.

In a statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday, First Minister Humza Yousaf will outline how his government will make key anti-poverty and pro-growth investments to help deliver three national missions – equality, opportunity and community – that collectively will help build a better, greener and more prosperous Scotland.

The 2023-24 Programme for Government will detail how the Scottish Government will build upon key partnerships – including the Verity House agreement with local authorities and the New Deal for Business – to deliver a wellbeing economy that boosts economic growth to provide high-quality public services, and has well-paid and fair jobs at its heart.

Speaking ahead of delivering his first Programme for Government, First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “It is the honour of my life to serve Scotland as First Minister. I am determined to make Scotland a country where people, communities and businesses can reach their full potential, creating a better future for everyone.

“This is my first Programme for Government, and in the days ahead I will outline the ambitious plans my government has for the people of Scotland – plans which are focused on reducing poverty, delivering growth, helping to tackle climate change and providing high quality public services.

“These are the areas that matter most to people, communities and businesses across the country. We are in a cost of living crisis that is impacting the most vulnerable in our society the most – communities which have been suffering at the hands of UK Government cuts for too long.

“The government I lead will continue to focus on protecting our public services and improving the support we provide to help build a stronger economy and a fairer society. That ambition is the only way we can deliver real, positive change for people right across the country.”

The 2023-24 Programme for Government will be published alongside the First Minister’s statement to the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 5 September.

This Programme for Government will build on the prospectus paper, ‘New Leadership – A Fresh Start’. This was published in April, shortly after the First Minister was appointed, and set out his three national missions: equality, opportunity and community.

EIS-FELA: Time running out to avert escalation of college lecturers dispute

The EIS has called on the Scottish Government and College Employers Scotland to take definitive action to ensure that college lecturers receive a fair and fully funded pay award.

College Employers Scotland have made clear to negotiators from the EIS-Further Education Lecturers Association (EIS-FELA) that their current offer would be funded through significant job losses across the publicly funded further education sector.

EIS-FELA members have been engaged in industrial action short of strike (ASOS), in the form of a resulting boycott and work to contract, since May 2023 and should have received their pay award one year ago.

Without an acceptable and fully funded offer, the EIS-FELA membership will escalate their industrial action campaign to include national and rolling strike action, alongside targeted strike action in the constituencies of key Scottish Government ministers, including the First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education.

As politicians from the Scottish Government and all other parties at Holyrood return from the summer recess, EIS-FELA intends to take the campaign for a fully funded and fair pay award directly to parliament, with a rally planned outside the Scottish Parliament to coincide with the first FMQs of the new session.

College Employers Scotland have also this week refused a request made by the EIS to extend the current industrial action mandate. In the absence of such agreement from College Employers Scotland, the EIS has continued with the implementation of a national re-ballot for both action short of strike and strike action that has opened today (Thursday 31st August 2023).

Commenting, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley, said, “Time is running out, on both the Scottish Government and College Employers Scotland, to avert the escalation of the crisis in Scotland’s colleges. No group of workers, least of all those in public sector institutions, should be told by their employers that they must sacrifice jobs to finance an already unacceptable pay offer.

“College Employers Scotland have yet to offer evidence that they have made clear to the Scottish Government that any acceptable pay award must be fully funded.

“The Scottish Government too must end its intransigence and avert this crisis by ensuring that no pay offer to hard working college lecturers is financed by job losses. EIS-FELA members are prepared to take substantial strike action, on top of action short of strike, in pursuit of a fully funded and fair pay award. They do so with the full backing of the EIS behind them.”

EIS-FELA President, Anne-Marie Harley, said, “College lecturers should have received a fair pay award a year ago and have been forced into the unacceptable situation of escalating their industrial action to a wide-ranging programme of strike action, including targeted strike action in the constituencies of Scottish Government ministers.

“We do so alongside a re-ballot of our members to ensure that we can continue this fight for fair pay for as long as it takes. EIS-FELA will never trade jobs for pay and both College Employers Scotland and the Scottish Government must act swiftly to avert strike action through providing a fully funded a fair pay award for college lecturers that does not result in job losses.”

A full programme of strike action is provided below:

  • Thursday 7th September: National strike Day.

Rolling Action Week One:

  • Monday 11th September: New College Lanarkshire and Orkney College.
  • Tuesday 12th September: Glasgow Clyde College and Sabhal Mor Ostaig.
  • Wednesday 13th September: Forth Valley College and UHI Moray.
  • Thursday 14th September: Glasgow Kelvin College and NESCoL.
  • Friday 15th September: Fife College and UHI North, West and Hebrides.

Rolling Action Week Two:

  • Monday 18th September: West College Scotland and Newbattle Abbey College.
  • Tuesday 19th September: UHI Argyle and Ayrshire College.
  • Wednesday 20th September: South Lanarkshire College and Shetland College.
  • Thursday 21st September: Dumfries & Galloway College and Dundee & Angus College.
  • Friday 22nd September: UHI Perth and Edinburgh College.

Rolling Action Week Three:

  • Monday 25th September: UHI Inverness and West Lothian College.
  • Tuesday 26th September: City of Glasgow College and Borders College.
  • Targeted Action: 2nd, 3rd and 4th October:
  • Glasgow Clyde College: First Minister’s constituency.
  • Fife College: Cabinet Secretary for Education’s constituency.
  • Dundee & Angus College: Deputy First Minister’s and Minister for FE’s constituency.

‘Slip Up’: Clarification as council underlines commitment to short-term lets legislation

Council leader ‘sorry’ for misleading comments

With one month to go until Scotland’s short term lets licence deadline, the Council has reaffirmed its commitment to the scheme and the 1 October start date.

The need for clarity over Edinburgh’s commitment to the scheme followed comments made by council leader Cammy Day where he appeared to support calls for an extension to the deadline.

At the Council meeting on 31 August, councillors agreed the following emergency motion:

Emergency Motion – Short Term Lets

Notes the deadline of 1 October 2023 for existing landlords to apply for a license for a short term let (STL).

Notes the unanimous decision of all members of the Regulatory Committee on 6 February 2023 to “regret” the Scottish Government’s decision to delay the start date for STL licensing for existing landlords from 1 April to 1 October 2023.

Believes that a proper system of licensing is important to help address the significant issues within the short-term rental market which is why there was such strong cross-party agreement for a robust system of regulation.

Therefore, regrets the comments made by the Council Leader on BBC Radio Scotland on 23 August 2023, which might have led operators to assume or believe that the Council Leader, and by extension the Council, was open to a further extension to the 1 October 2023 start date when no such position has been taken, either by the Regulatory Committee or full Council.

Believes these comments, despite further clarifications, were damaging to the ongoing hard work of officers to encourage landlords to meet the 1 October 2023 start date by suggesting a dilution of this Council’s commitment to the proper and fair regulation of the short term let market in Edinburgh.

Therefore, Council:

  • Reaffirms its existing commitment to the licensing of short term lets, expresses its opposition to any further extension to the start date for licensing of existing short term let landlords and requests that this position be communicated strongly through the Council’s communications channels.
  • Agrees that the Council Leader will write to Scottish Ministers to convey that opposition and further welcomes recent comments from the First Minister and the Economy Minister that there will be no further extension to the 1 October start date.
    Calls on all existing STL operators to ensure they submit a licensing application ahead of the 1 October 2023 start date.
  • Agrees the outstanding briefing, outlining the state of readiness of the Council to process applications by 1 October 2023, will be circulated to Councillors before the Finance and Resources Committee meeting of 21 September 2023 to align with budget considerations.
  • In addition, a draft copy of the STL Enforcement report due to be presented to the 2 October Regulatory Committee should be circulated on a confidential basis to all councillors also before 21 September Finance & Resources Committee meeting.

Moved by: Councillor Neil Ross
Seconded by: Councillor Susan Rae

Visit the Scottish Government’s website for further information on the scheme. 

New funding to support innovation in public libraries

Libraries across Scotland can apply to the Public Library Improvement Fund to help finance creative projects and sustainable services.

Projects that could be supported under the £450,000 Scottish Government fund include tackling the cost of living crisis, bridging the digital divide, tackling the attainment gap for children and young people, or addressing sustainable development goals.

The Scottish Library and Information Council, administrators of the fund, will make awards in line with the aims and ambitions of its current strategy.

Culture Minister Christina McKelvie said: “Libraries provide much more than just access to reading material, resources and information. They play a crucial role in empowering our communities, including offering access to IT, supporting children in their early years and running programmes for older people.

“The funding awards will enable libraries to expand and improve on the services they provide with many of the projects helping to reduce inequalities, tackle social isolation and address mental health problems. Our libraries are demonstrating tremendous strength and resilience and as community hubs they have a key role to play in Scotland’s economic, social and cultural life.”

Pamela Tulloch, chief executive of the Scottish Library and Information Council, said: “Focusing on the themes of People, Place and Partnership, the Public Library Improvement Fund allows us to support those leading the way in mapping out a positive and inspiring future for our public libraries.

“A key part of the grant criteria is ensuring that the impact of these projects is sustained beyond the one-year period of the funding. At a time when Scotland’s communities are experiencing economic and environmental challenges, leaving behind a valuable legacy of skills, experience, resources and partnerships that will benefit the community for years to come has never been more important.”

The Public Library Improvement Fund 2023-24 will open for applications on Wednesday 6 September.

Police Scotland completes national roll-out of Naloxone on International Overdose Awareness Day

The national roll-out of Naloxone to Police Scotland’s operational officers has been officially completed yesterday (Thursday, 31 August, 2023) on International Overdose Awareness Day.

The programme to issue overdose reversal kits to all constables, sergeants and inspectors began exactly a year ago, and around 12,500 officers are now trained and equipped with individual pouches to be worn as part of standard issue equipment.

Naloxone is an emergency first aid treatment to reverse a potentially life-threatening opioid/opiate-related drug overdose by countering the suppression of the respiratory system.

Police Scotland officers have now used Naloxone on at least 325 occasions and across all 13 geographical policing divisions.

Administrations have occurred when officers have come across people in crisis while on duty, been flagged down by members of the public, during warrant executions, while attending a siege situation and in Custody departments, as well as in concern for person calls when an individual was intending to complete suicide.

The Scottish Government’s Minister for Drugs and Alcohol Policy, Elena Whitham, today met Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie, who led the Naloxone programme, along with two officers who’ve administered Naloxone while on duty.  

ACC Ritchie said: “Police Scotland is committed to doing all we can to combat the insidious effects of drugs in our society, from both an enforcement perspective and also while taking a public health approach to preventing harm.

“Naloxone is part of that public health approach. We’ve had positive outcomes in the overwhelming majority of incidents, and I am in no doubt that by doing so, our officers have saved lives.

“I very much hope that by officers carrying it in a highly visible manner, it will encourage other people to learn about Naloxone, and consider carrying it themselves.

“We continue to work in partnership with members of the Serious and Organised Crime Taskforce and other partners at local, national and international level to stop drugs from reaching our communities on a daily basis.

“As a result, we have an extremely strong record in dismantling serious and organised crime gangs, and bringing to justice those responsible for preying on the most vulnerable members of society by pedalling death and misery.”

Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Elena Whitham said: “I want to thank Police Scotland for the incredible job they do every day to help keep people safe. The roll-out of Naloxone training has no doubt resulted in many lives being saved. 

“Naloxone is one of a wide range of measures being used to address the public health emergency of drugs deaths, but it plays an important role and allows those supplying the kits to connect people who use drugs and their families with appropriate local services. 

“Of course, we want to help people long before they get to the point of a life-threatening overdose.

“We are taking action now to save and improve lives with an evidence-based approach – implementing policies that we know work to reduce harm and deaths from drugs and focusing on getting people into support and treatment.

“We are investing a total of £250 million in our National Mission on drugs over the course of this Parliament and have already supported 300 grass-roots projects. We’ll continue to expand and improve access to residential rehabilitation and drive MAT Standards implementation where recent research found substantial progress had been made with more people getting treatment.”

PC Jenna Minshull works in Greater Glasgow division and has administered Naloxone twice since starting to carry it as part of the test of change.

PC Minshull said: “I was on foot patrol in Glasgow city centre with a colleague when a member of the public came towards us. They were really unsteady on their feet and slurring their words. They slumped to the ground and we were obviously concerned for their welfare so I called 999.

“The casualty’s breathing became shallow and when they became unresponsive we were advised to administer our Naloxone.

“I gave one dose of the intra-nasal spray, and after a few minutes I gave a second dose. The casualty’s condition improved and soon after the ambulance crew arrived and took over the patient’s care.

“My colleague left the patient with a card explaining they’d been given Naloxone by the police.

“I’m confident to use the Naloxone kits, particularly as they’re a spray and so easy to administer. It’s reassuring to know you can’t overdose on it or do anyone any harm by giving them it. I’d certainly far rather have it to hand to use if needs be than potentially see someone potentially die if I didn’t have it.”


Left to right: PC Jenna Minshull, Superintendent Pat Murphy, Minister for Drugs & Alcohol Policy Elena Whitham, Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie, PC Scott Lisett.

Council Leader Cammy Day spoke of the importance of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) at yesterday’s full council meeting.

IOAD takes place on 31 August each year to create better understanding of overdose, reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths, and create change that reduces the harms associated with drug use. Today we look at what an overdose means, how you can prevent it and where to find out more information and support.

This year’s theme is ‘Recognising those who go unseen’ honouring the people whose lives have been altered by overdose. They are the family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one, workers in healthcare and support services extending strength and compassion, or spontaneous first responders who selflessly assume the role of lifesaver.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “As we mark International Overdose Awareness Day today, I am conscious of the fact that for some of our residents this will be their first year living with the loss of a loved one through overdose. Each and every death we see is a tragedy and behind all of these are individual stories.

“Unfortunately, this has been a persistent issue for Scotland for a number of years with our national drug death rate continuing to be the highest in the UK and Europe. Too many people are dying prematurely across our country, with events like International Overdose Awareness Day we can raise awareness of the help and support available to those with substance issues.

“I am clear that the Council will closely support our partners to bring these figures down here in Edinburgh.”

Below is a list of services here in Edinburgh which specialise in dealing with issues around drugs and alcohol:

Just ONE MONTH before short-term lets licensing deadline

The Scottish Government has reminded short-term let operators in Scotland to apply for a licence before the 1 October deadline, highlighting that no application so far has been rejected.

Licensing has been introduced to ensure short-term lets in Scotland are safe and meet consistent quality standards, including having gas certificates and suitable electrical equipment.

Official statistics published today, dating up to 31 March this year, show that across 32 local authorities, no applications submitted for a short-term let licence have been refused.

Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “Quality short-term let accommodation is vital to Scotland’s tourism sector and wider economy. It aims to protect the reputation of responsible operators and ensure the sector is regulated in line with other accommodation such as hotels and caravan parks, giving guests assurance of consistent safety standards.

“There has been a lead time of almost two years to the October deadline. Official statistics published today cover only up to the end of March and we know many more hosts have applied in recent months.

“Operators can take confidence that local authorities are working pragmatically to support new licensees through the application process – and we can see from the information that no completed applications had been rejected in the period, or since.

“So, I would repeat calls to everyone within the industry to back the scheme and encourage short-term let operators to apply for a licence in good time and before the 1 October deadline.”

Maree McLeod, owner of The Gatehouse in Reay, near Thurso, said: “The licensing scheme will ensure guests know properties like ours are of the highest standard and are compliant with the latest safety regulations.

“I have spent a lot of time and money ensuring our business is of the highest quality. We try our best to do the best.  It is therefore pleasing that other short-term lets will be brought to that same level. By doing this, Scotland will become an international leader in this market.

“The process of applying for a short-term let with Highland Council was made easy and straightforward because of the really helpful team there. I would encourage every owner to go through the process of obtaining a licence.  It not only marks out the property as a leader in its class, it marks out the owners too.

“Our business has improved through this process.”

Short term let licences last for three years, the average cost of applying is set out below:

Home sharing application median fee range £250 – £390

Secondary let application median fee range £333 – £550

Median fee for a home share let with occupancy of 2 – £257

Median fee for a secondary let with occupancy of 4 – £405

Median fee for a secondary let with occupancy of 6 – £451

Median fee for a secondary let with occupancy of 10 – £518

An average 6 occupancy (often 3 bedroom) property, which required new safety certification, would pay £451 for a licence, which would last for three years, plus around £290 in safety certification and a £59 EPC certificate.

Next chapter for Reading Schools

More pupils to benefit from ‘transformative’ programme

The First Minister has encouraged every school in Scotland to join Reading Schools, a Scottish Government-funded programme that supports attainment and benefits pupils’ health and wellbeing.

So far, 371 schools have been awarded Reading Schools accreditation and 511 more have joined the programme – which independent evaluation has shown leads to more pupils reading for pleasure and can help to reduce the poverty-related attainment gap.

It is hoped that every school in Scotland will be a Reading School within three to five years.

In addition to Reading Schools, the First Minister will underline his personal commitment to promoting both literacy and numeracy by supporting the ‘Read Write Count with the First Minister’ programme, which will provide books and literacy materials to children when it opens in the autumn.

The First Minister and the Education Secretary heard about the benefits of Reading Schools during a visit to Claypotts Castle Primary School in Dundee.

First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “I am pleased that the hugely successful First Minister’s Reading Challenge has now evolved into a reading support programme that will benefit even more pupils, and involves the whole school community.

“We know that reading can support improved attainment across the curriculum and that embedding a reading culture in schools can open the door to a lifelong love of books.

“I look forward to working with the Scottish Book Trust and schools across the country on both Reading Schools and the refreshed Read Write Count with the First Minister set to launch in the autumn. These fantastic programmes will support children in improving both literacy and numeracy across Scotland.”

Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “Evaluation has shown the clear benefits of Reading Schools to pupils and school staff and I look forward to seeing the impact of this next phase in our work with the Scottish Book Trust.

“I would encourage every school in Scotland to join the programme so that pupils can enjoy all of the positive impacts that reading brings.”

Claypotts Castle Primary School head teacher Nicky Murray said: “The Reading Schools award has allowed us to focus our effort, energy and enthusiasm and protect time within our school improvement agenda to drive forward a culture of reading in our school.  

“We have already awarded over 250 certificates to children this year to celebrate their reading achievements and the feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive.

“The Reading Schools award has given us the opportunity to align our vision of a community and school improvement focus to extend the life and ethos of the school into every home in our local community.”

Marc Lambert , CEO of the Scottish Book Trust, which delivers the Reading Schools programme, said: “We look forward to supporting even more schools on their Reading Schools journey in the years ahead. 

“Reading Schools is already having a transformative effect in schools, both on young people and learning professionals, as well as the wider school community.

“We are delighted that the First Minister and Scottish Government continue to show their commitment to literacy and numeracy, benefitting pupils across all ages and stages of their education.”

Reading Schools

Participating schools

Ecosytem Fund: Kickstarting new community businesses

Community groups can bid for grants to develop entrepreneurial ideas

A fund to help inspire more entrepreneurs to start or scale up their businesses has been relaunched.

The Ecosystem Fund is being widened this year to include initiatives encouraging young people to consider entrepreneurship from an early age. Applications providing access to support services for under-represented groups including women or those from disadvantaged areas will also be considered.

Community groups, non-profit making organisations, industry bodies, colleges and universities are amongst organisations invited to bid for funding to help boost entrepreneurial activity across Scotland. Grants of up to £50,000 will be available.

Projects could include:

  • showcasing Scotland’s start-ups globally to attract talent, investment and strategic partners
  • networking events allowing founders, investors and partners to share expertise and foster connections
  • training, mentorship and identifying growth opportunities by providing funding for staff, equipment, meeting places or programmes for start ups
  • encouraging entrepreneurs who support fair work and environmental good practice to make a positive impact on communities
  • the promotion of learning and teaching in entrepreneurship
  • tackling barriers or discrimination preventing women and other social groups from accessing support

Wellbeing Economy Secretary Neil Gray said: “This expanded funding will build on Scotland’s international reputation as one of the best places in the UK to do business and help make an impact across the business community.

“Despite representing less than 1% of businesses, start-ups generate more than half the value of all small and medium-sized businesses. The fund will spark innovation while fulfilling our potential to nurture many more inventive new start-up companies and driving sustainable growth.

“We need to instil enthusiasm for business and entrepreneurship at all levels from an early age, which is why I encourage collaborative proposals from a wide range of sectors to enable connections and exchange of ideas. In so doing, we can help those who establish businesses to improve lives – such as advancing renewable energy technologies or creating apps that help tackle food waste.

“The Ecosystem Fund is an important step, but we must make further progress expanding entrepreneurial access and opportunity – ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, has the chance to fulfil their potential.

“Together we can remove barriers and open up access and opportunity to budding entrepreneurs across Scotland. By uniting the business community around this goal, we can create a wellbeing economy which is fair, green and growing.”

Chief Entrepreneur Mark Logan recommended measures to support new businesses in his August 2020 Scottish Technology Ecosystem Review.

Mr Logan said: “Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem to raise a start-up.

“The Ecosystem Fund recognises and supports the vital enabling work of our ecosystem-building organisations. It will accelerate Scotland’s journey towards being an internationally recognised Start-up Nation.” 

www.scottish-enterprise.com/ecosystem-fund

People in Edinburgh urged to apply to Suicide Prevention Panel

SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) is inviting people from Edinburgh with lived experience of suicide to apply to take part in the Suicide Prevention Scotland Lived Experience Panel. 

The panel exists so that people with experience of suicide can help shape Scotland’s mission to prevent suicide. 

The Lived Experience Panel works alongside Suicide Prevention Scotland to influence and advise on its work to deliver the Scottish Government and COSLA’s suicide prevention strategy, Creating Hope Together.

Suicide Prevention Scotland is the community of people and organisations working together to deliver the strategy.  

The panel was initially formed in 2019 to support the delivery of the previous strategy.

It played a vital role in the development of guidance to support local authorities, learning & development resources, the launch of the United to Prevent Suicide campaign movement, pilot projects to support families bereaved by suicide, and shaping an approach to supporting people in suicidal crisis, Time Space Compassion.

This model has been so successful that it has been recognised by the World Health Organisation as a significant international example of participation of people with lived experience in suicide prevention work.

Those who have previously attempted suicide, experienced suicidal thoughts, or have lost a loved one to suicide are encouraged to apply to be on the panel.

The Scottish Government provides funding to SAMH to host the lived experience panel, providing support to the group’s members so that they can contribute fully and safely help influence suicide prevention strategy.

Seonaid Stallan, is a current member of the Lived Experience Panel. She lost her son Dylan to suicide; three weeks later her sister-in-law Vanessa took her own life.

She said: “After losing my son and sister-in-law to suicide, I knew there were things which needed to change to prevent this happening to others. 

“Being a member of the Lived Experience Panel has given me the opportunity to share my personal lived experience, insight and knowledge of suicide. 

My experience is valued, and I have been able to use my voice to help influence and shape a variety of actions and services in suicide prevention. 

“I am pleased to say that Scotland now has a pilot service which supports families bereaved by suicide, families like mine. This will save lives.”

Dan Farthing, Head of Suicide Prevention at SAMH said: “This is a unique opportunity for people in Edinburgh to play a significant part in Scotland’s mission to prevent suicide.

“SAMH is proud to have worked collaboratively to establish and develop the Lived Experience Panel and to continue to host it for Suicide Prevention Scotland.

“Working with panel members we’ve created a safe space for open conversation, and constructive challenge. Those who join the panel will be able to genuinely shape what Scotland’s approach to suicide prevention looks like in the future.

“Support and safeguarding are always at the forefront of everything we do, and so those who are interested in contributing this way should know that their wellbeing is our top priority.”

Haylis Smith, National Delivery, Suicide Prevention Scotland said: “Over the last four years the Lived Experience Panel has become a vital part of the three-way approach to the development of suicide prevention policy and practice alongside public health professionals and our academic advisors. 

“Members understandably want to do all they can to prevent suicide, but it is the quality of their contributions that have made such a difference. 

“The idea of a lived experience panel was very new when this one was set up, and some people were probably quite nervous about taking this approach. 

“However, we’ve seen so many meaningful contributions that have helped shape our approach, and in some cases bring about change that may not have happened. 

“We’d warmly encourage anyone who has experience of suicide in Edinburgh, who feels they are ready to contribute to this work to put themselves forward.” 

To find out more about the role and to apply, visit: https://www.samh.org.uk/about-mental-health/suicide/suicide-prevention-scotland-lived-experience-panel