Tag: support

Childline ready to be there for thousands of children in need of help and support over the festive period

  • Last year, the NSPCC-service delivered almost 5,500 counselling sessions to children and young people across the UK over the 12 Days of Christmas, averaging more than 450 a day.
  • Recurring festive worries for young people include bereavement, family relationship issues and adults drinking too much.
  • Childline remains open for children and young people throughout December, including Christmas Day, for any questions, concerns or worries they may have.

The NSPCC’s Childline service is anticipating thousands of children and young people reaching out to them for help and support across the upcoming festive period, with counsellors available around the clock throughout the holidays.

Over the 12 Days of Christmas last year (24th December 2023 to 4th January 2024) Childline delivered almost 5,500 counselling sessions to children living across the UK, averaging out at more than 450 a day.

As throughout the rest of the year, problems with mental health and wellbeing is the main reason why children and young people contact Childline.

However, there are also recurring issues and worries arising that are more specific to the festive season including:

  • Young people reflecting on the prospect of Christmas without a loved one
  • Being worried about family conflict and adults consuming alcohol
  • Feeling pressure to eat more than normal/coping with an eating disorder
  • Concerns about family money worries
  • Feelings of guilt or jealousy about the presents they receive

One girl from Scotland aged 18 told Childline: “I’m feeling very on edge right now as all the family is home for Christmas. They’re all in a room laughing and drinking, but any time I try to say anything they just talk right over me, like I don’t exist.

“I’m now in my room alone, so I thought I’d come on here for a chat.”

Another girl from Scotland aged 15 told Childline: “I feel like a failure whenever I eat something cos my brain tells me that not eating is the only thing I’m good at – and in a way it’s true.

“I’m worried about Christmas tomorrow as there is obviously going to be lots of food and my parents don’t know that I’ve been struggling a lot with it. I don’t know what to do.”

Childline bases across the UK, including in London, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Cardiff, will be in operation throughout the Christmas period, filled with both full-time staff and volunteers.

Adeniyi Alade, Service Head of Childline and based at the Aberdeen base, said: “Childline will be there, as always, to help the thousands of children who contact us by phone and online over the festive period.

“We know Christmas can be a difficult time for some children and young people when they are spending more time at home.

“This time of year, can cause added stress to family life such as financial worries, arguments, and adults drinking a lot of alcohol.

“Whatever they may be worried about we’d like to reassure children and young people that our trained counsellors will be there to listen and support them on every day of the 12 Days of Christmas and into the New Year.”  

Adam Perry (36) from Glasgow has been a volunteer at the city’s Childline base since January this year.

He’s doing a shift on Christmas Eve for the first time and said: “Children have got all sorts of things going on in their lives, and often they are trying to cope with so much that’s happening to them.

“Someone needs to be there for them to listen, without judgement, and I feel privileged to be able to do that.

“At the end of every shift at Childline you feel like you’ve made a positive difference for at least one child, often more. To be honest there’s not much else I could do in an evening after work that would be as worthwhile.

“While I know it will be tough, I’m happy to volunteer this Christmas Eve. During the festive period, children have less support from their usual networks, such as school and friends, so I’m looking forward to being there to listen to them.”

This Christmas, a child will contact Childline every 45 seconds on average. Help the charity to make sure Childline is ready for every question this festive season by visiting the NSPCC website. Just £4 could help a counsellor answer a call this Christmas.    

The Childline service is here for children every day, even on Christmas Day.

Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or childline.org.uk 

EIJB Decision Day: Edinburgh’s Third Sector calls for clarity on future funding

It has been six weeks since the decision by the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB) to retain the Third Sector Grants Programme, worth £4.5 million, until the end of this financial year.

While a much-welcomed reversal of the initial proposal to pull the grant from 64 charities from January 2025, the forecasted cuts have left many of these registered charities in Edinburgh in doubt over their long-term future.

Edinburgh Community Health Forum strategic development manager Stephanie-Anne Harris, said: “Without the necessary funding, closures are inevitable. These community-led charities cannot afford to exist without long-term public funding, and the threat of this being removed is hanging over their heads, preventing future planning.

“Edinburgh Health Community Forum has heard from many member organisations that are expecting to have to start the process of shutting down in January due to the EIJB’s decision.”

One such organisation is the Murrayfield Dementia Project, which provides lunch clubs and day services for those who are elderly and frail or living with early-stage dementia.

The termination of the EIJB funding will remove this service from the 20 members who attend each week, with repercussions for their carers and families. It will also result in five members of staff being made redundant and eight voluntary opportunities being stopped.

Jenny Rowe, Project Coordinator at Murrayfield Dementia Project, said “The EIJB reprieve has only prolonged the inevitable. As a small, community organisation, we need to know whether future funding will be made available, and if not, we will be forced to close.

“The loss of vital services, such as Murrayfield Dementia Service will not only impact those who directly benefit from them. Without the support offered by Third Sector organisations, we will undoubtedly see an increased pressure on Scotland’s wider health and social care services, which are already at breaking point”.

This is exemplified in the case of Phonelink Edinburgh, a twice-daily check call service for the over 60s that offers social interaction, medication prompts, welfare and safety checks, and eating and drinking prompts.

Kellie Mercer, Manager of Phonelink Edinburgh, commented “Phonelink Edinburgh receives £89,000 in funding from the EIJB grant.

“Among other check-ins, we carry out 128 medication prompts twice daily, 7 days a week. The estimated cost for Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP) to do the same would be £256,960 – and that is without considering the other welfare and safety services Phonelink Edinburgh offers.”

A Therapy Assistant Practitioner from the  Western General Hospital gave a real life example of the importance of the Phonelink Service: “A patient was medically fit for discharge but needed medication prompts to allow this to happen.

“So Phonelink was contacted by email for a twice daily medication prompt. The email was received at 3.48pm,  the service set up at 4.30pm,  with the patient discharged that evening,  and the service started at 7.30pm.

With unprecedented budgetary challenges facing the EIJB, and the necessary shifting in strategic priorities, the cessation of the Third Sector Grants Programme may well be unavoidable.

If this is to be the case, Stephanie-Anne Harris argues for a planned transition with interim support made available:

“Sufficient time and planning must be given to avoid devastating consequences for Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens.

“This requires a collaborative approach, including Third Sector representatives, NHS Lothian and the City of Edinburgh Council to establish a clear timeline and secure alternative funding to prevent the immediate loss of vital services which currently benefit over 50,000 people across Edinburgh.

 “Without Edinburgh charities and Third Sector organisations, the fabric of the community collapses. It is imperative that together we carve out a sustainable future for the City’s Third Sector, one that delivers high-impact services, strengthens community resilience, reduces pressure on statutory services and achieves better outcomes for Edinburgh’s most vulnerable citizens.

“We urge Edinburgh City Council and the EIJB to step up, provide clarity, and commit to funding that ensures these vital organisations can continue their essential work beyond the end of March 2025. ”

Granton Information Centre delighted with feedback survey response

Thanks to everyone who has given us feedback so far by completing our survey!

GIC are passionate about providing the best possible service to our clients and we are delighted with the results and the many positive comments we’ve received since April:

Humanitarian aid provided for ‘hidden crises’ in Sudan

World’s biggest humanitarian catastrophe to receive vital assistance from Scotland

The Scottish Government will provide critical aid to one of the world’s most overlooked and devastating crises, pledging £375,000 to help alleviate suffering in conflict-torn Sudan.

First Minister John Swinney announced the funding, which will support vital humanitarian projects for some of the 30 million people affected by the conflict, famine, displacement and gender-based violence that have ravaged Sudan since April 2023.

Despite limited global media attention, the war in Sudan has claimed an estimated 150,000 lives and driven 11.5 million people from their homes—creating what the United Nations describes as one of the largest displacement crises in history.

The funding, delivered through Scotland’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF), will empower trusted charity partners Christian Aid, Tearfund and Islamic Relief to deliver life-saving assistance in Sudan, South Sudan and neighbouring Chad.

First Minister John Swinney said: “The situation in Sudan is harrowing, and this funding demonstrates Scotland’s commitment to standing with those in dire need. We are helping charity partners to provide urgent assistance to address the devastating impact of conflict, famine, and displacement.

“As a responsible global citizen, Scotland stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Sudan during this dark chapter in their country’s history. Our thoughts are with the millions struggling to survive and facing an uncertain future.”

Christian Aid will provide multipurpose cash assistance to improve food access for 5,270 Sudanese refugees and displaced individuals in the Wedweil settlement camp and surrounding host communities. The initiative will also work to prevent gender-based violence among 3,000 vulnerable individuals.

Tearfund will enhance food security and address basic needs for 1,500 households in Zabout Camp, Chad, while fostering peacebuilding, inclusion, and the empowerment of women in camps and host communities.

Islamic Relief will assist 2,400 newly displaced people from eastern Al-Jazira to Gedaref state, providing cash assistance and hygiene kits for women and girls, including 120 individuals with disabilities, to alleviate their suffering.

Val Brown, Head of Christian Aid Scotland said: “We’re grateful that the Scottish Government’s Humanitarian Emergency Fund is able to support our work in Aweil, South Sudan, where displacement camps continue to grow due to the constant stream of people fleeing violence in Sudan.

“This funding will allow our local partner to distribute cash grants – this means people, who’ve often arrived with only the clothes they’re wearing, can buy essentials like food or medicines. Importantly this provides a ray of hope during a bleak time. The project will also include activities to reduce gender-based violence, allowing women and girls to feel safer.” 

The Scottish Government’s commitment to support Sudan and its neighbouring countries spans an 18-month period; Oxfam, the British Red Cross and Christian Aid have all delivered vital projects through HEF funding to provide food, access to clean water and shelter to people affected by the conflict.

This funding forms part of Scotland’s International Development commitment, protected in the draft 2025-26 Scottish Budget.

The Humanitarian Emergency Fund provides aid in the aftermath of a crisis through a panel of eight leading humanitarian aid organisations in Scotland who advise and access the fund: Mercy Corps, Oxfam, British Red Cross, Islamic Relief, SCIAF, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Save the Children.

Broughton High School Parent Council needs YOU!

We need you! In fact – YOU need you!

Parent Council works best with lots of people involved. So why not spare a few hours a month to join in and help on the committee?

You can get more involved in your child’s school, find out more about what they’re up to and contribute to how the school works.

You can decide how much time you want to spend on it.

We would love people to do anything, but in particular these jobs – which can all be shared:

  • Vice chair(s)
  • Minute taker
  • Communications – website and social media
  • ASN
  • Parent reps from specialists – football / dance / music

So when you’re writing your New Year’s Resolutions, remember to add Parent Council!

Our first meeting of 2025 is online in January.

You can message us here or by email at intouch@broughtonhighpc.org

‘Game-changing’ funding for Scotland’s creative sector

Hundreds of individuals and organisations to benefit

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has said an additional £34 million in culture and arts spending next year will be “game-changing” for the sector. 

Wednesday’s draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 will see culture and arts spending increase by £34 million, with £20 million of this being channelled through Creative Scotland for its competitive multi-year funding programme for artists and cultural organisations. 

Speaking at the National Gallery of Scotland, Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said significant levels of public investment in the culture and arts sector would be coupled with an examination of the structures around culture funding to ensure as much money as possible goes directly to artists and organisations. 

He confirmed that the review of Creative Scotland’s remit and functions will begin early next year and will aim to publish its recommendations in summer 2025.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Scotland’s arts and culture are at the very soul of our nation. They speak to how we see the world, how we share ideas, and how our people can give expression to their hopes.

“Our draft budget could not be clearer in our steadfast support for Scotland’s arts and culture sector. We aim to provide an additional £34 million next year to bolster the sector. This is a game-changing increase.

“This will enable Creative Scotland to roll-out its multi-year funding programme – ensuring that the highest ever number of artists and organisations receive regular funding.

“We also plan to increase funding for Screen Scotland, give uplifts to our National Performing Companies, double our Festivals EXPO funding, provide above inflation increase to Sistema and the Youth Music Initiative, and restart the Culture Collective programme alongside with a range of other activity.

“This budget brings us half way to reaching our five-year commitment of a recurring £100 million increase for the sector in just two years. For 2026-27, subject to the normal budget processes, our aim is to deliver a further £20 million increase.”

The draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 was published on 4 December 2024. It commits an additional £34 million resource funding to arts and culture in Scotland.

Within this, a further £20 million will be provided to Creative Scotland for its multi-year funding programme in 2025-26. Funding will also increase by £4.5 million for Scotland’s National Collections and £1 million for the National Performing Companies. 

The draft Scottish Budget 2025-26 also commits to an increase of £4 million funding for Scottish Festivals, doubling the EXPO Festival Fund to expand its reach beyond festivals in Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as providing funding for the Festivals Partnership. There will also be an additional £2 million for Screen Scotland to support work to attract international investment and large-scale productions to Scotland.

The Culture Collective programme will be restarted with £4 million to benefit Scottish communities, community organisations, individual artists and freelancers.

In addition, £270,000 has been allocated to enable the creation of a single digital library interface which directs people to Scotland’s public libraries, allowing the public to access information, online content and a national e-resources lending area to ensure equitable access to information and reading material across Scotland.

There will also be £4 million allocated for a new Scottish Culture & Heritage Capacity Fund. This fund recognises the significant challenges faced by heritage and culture organisations across Scotland.

Social Security Bill passed

Legislation will protect people claiming benefits against inflation

Payments to people in receipt of benefits will be protected from inflation after the Scottish Parliament passed the Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill yesterday.

The new Act places a legal obligation on Scottish Ministers to annually increase all benefits delivered under the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 in line with inflation. This action will help to protect the real terms value of payments such as the Best Start Grants and winter heating payments as prices rise in the economy.

The legislation will also enhance the rights of Social Security Scotland clients in a number of ways:

  • A right to late re-determinations and appeals in exceptional circumstances
  • The right to withdraw a request for redetermination
  • The right to challenge a decision that someone is liable in a situation where an overpayment has been made

It  will also continue to enhance the design of the system, maximising choice for those who use it while delivering good value for money.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This legislation will protect people in receipt of benefits at a time when many are feeling additional pressures due to the cost of living crisis.

“It is part of our commitment to continually improve the Scottish social security system in ways which put the needs of those who require assistance first.

“The law will help make the social security system more efficient and effective, contributing to our mission to tackle poverty and protect people from harm.

“The measures it contains advance equality and non-discrimination and ensure the system is efficient and delivers value for money.”

The Social Security (Amendment) (Scotland) Bill

Developer boosts school library with a donation worth reading

PUPILS at a primary school north of Edinburgh will benefit from bookshelves filled with works by the biggest children’s authors, after a generous donation by developers.

Dalmeny Primary School has taken delivery of £750 worth of books from the nearby Craigiehall Meadows development, where 78 former army homes are undergoing a transformation.

To ensure the biggest possible benefit, pupils – some as young as four – helped to build the list of titles, which include works from David Walliams, Julia Donaldson and Enid Blyton.

Headteacher at Dalmeny Primary School, Gail Middlemiss said: “We’re always juggling tight budgets and so it is incredibly welcome to have been approached by the team at Craigiehall Meadows offering to support the school.

“Our pupils are over the moon, there’s something for everyone, from the little ones loving The Colour Monster to the older kids diving into the Wimpy Kid series.

“What made it extra special was that we had the opportunity to ask the pupils to choose the books themselves, so every title is something they really wanted. Seeing their excitement has been amazing—it’s a gift that will be treasured for a long time.”

Tzana Webster, Head of Estate Agency at Ralph Sayer, which manages the development, said: “I was fortunate enough to visit the school and was incredibly moved by the warm and enthusiastic response from both the children and staff after receiving the books.

“Their joy and excitement were absolutely contagious—it was a privilege to witness firsthand just how much this donation meant to them.

“The team and I are thrilled to know that these books have given the schools library a refresh and we hope it will enrich their learning and imagination for years to come.”

Nestled on the northwest edge of Edinburgh, Craigiehall Meadows brings new life to a community of homes, set amidst mature woodlands, rolling farmland, and serene nature trails.

The development, which has recently opened its first show homes, offers a rural feel while being just a short distance from prime neighbourhoods such as Barnton, Cramond and Cammo.

Surrounded by mature trees and adjacent to farmland, the development offers a peaceful, rural atmosphere while maintaining excellent connectivity to Edinburgh city centre, major motorways, and Edinburgh Airport.

Those interested in the development can register their interest here – https://www.craigiehall-meadows.co.uk/