We are delighted to announce the participants of Satellites Programme 2022 following our open call and selection process earlier this spring.
Satellites is Collective’s development programme for emergent creative practitioners based in Scotland and lies at the core of our mission and creative vision. We aim to support participants to better understand and navigate the sector; equipping them to sustain a creative practice and foster criticality through peer development and reflection.
This year’s practitioners were selected by artist Rabiya Choudhry, curator Sara Greavu, and writer and artist Jeda Pearl:
Thomas is a Glasgow-based artist and curator. His work often focuses on complex questions concerning gender, race, sexuality and class, and centres around the challenging of societal power structures. Recent projects include The School of Abolition; You’re Never Done, and the Glasgow Seed Library.
Kaya is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Perth. Kaya works with analogue photography, film, writing and sound to explore the rose-tinted memories of working-class upbringings – her own included. Kaya has worked with Creative Dundee on the Full Picture commissions and held the position of Socially Engaged Artist in Residence 2021 at Mount Stuart, Isle of Bute.
Matthew is a Glasgow-based artist who creates succulent and vibrantly coloured sculptures, drawings and paintings concerned with the ideologies of nature. He also explores the relationship between plastic and queerness. Recent exhibitions and events include Shocked Quartz, Ugly Duck, London (2022); First Outing, Abingdon Studios, Blackpool (2021), and Air Diving, 16 Nicholson Street, Glasgow (2021).
Rabindranath X Bhose is an artist and writer based in Glasgow. He graduated from the School of the Damned D.I.Y. MFA in 2019. His work centres around sacred transness, spiritual transformation, and (healing from) trauma. Recent projects include In Touch, Embassy Gallery (2021) and group show Platform: 2020, Edinburgh Art Festival (2020).
We are excited to support these practitioners over the coming months. Some of the new works produced will be presented as public events, exhibitions, publications and workshops: watch this space!
The first cohort of Ukrainian soldiers taking part in a major new UK-led military programme, which will train up to 10,000 Ukrainians over the coming months, have arrived in the UK.
The programme is part of the UK’s enduring commitment to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s unprovoked invasion, which so far amounts to more than £2.3 billion in military aid and includes more than 5,000 NLAW anti-tank weapons and M270 multiple launch rocket systems.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, who visited the training this week, said: “This ambitious new training programme is the next phase in the UK’s support to the Armed Forces of Ukraine in their fight against Russian aggression.
“Using the world-class expertise of the British Army we will help Ukraine to rebuild its forces and scale-up its resistance as they defend their country’s sovereignty and their right to choose their own future.”
Mr Wallace announced yesterday that he will NOT be a candidate in the election to become the next Prime Minister.
Around 1,050 UK service personnel are deploying to run the programme, which will take place at MOD sites across the North West, South West and South East of the UK. Each course will last several weeks and will be conducted by elements from 11 Security Force Assistance Brigade.
The training will give volunteer recruits with little to no military experience the skills to be effective in frontline combat. Based on the UK’s basic soldier training, the course covers weapons handling, battlefield first aid, fieldcraft, patrol tactics and the Law of Armed Conflict.
The Government has rapidly procured AK variant assault rifles for the training programme, meaning Ukrainian soldiers can train on the weapons they will be using on the front line. This effort was supported by the Welsh Guards, who tested more than 2,400 such rifles in 17 days to ensure they were ready for the Ukrainians to commence their training.
The UK has also gifted clothing and equipment to support Ukrainian soldiers in their training and deployment back to Ukraine. Each soldier will be issued with:
Personal protective equipment including helmets, body armour, eye protectors, ear protectors, pelvic protection, and individual first aid kits
Field uniforms and boots
Cold and wet weather clothing
Bergens, day sacks and webbing
Additional equipment required for field conditions including ponchos, sleeping bags, and entrenching tools.
The UK has a long history of supporting Ukrainian service personnel through Operation ORBITAL, which trained 22,000 Ukrainians between 2015 and 2022.
The new programme will build on this success and demonstrate the UK’s continued leadership in responding to Ukraine’s military requirements as the war evolves.
Circle’s annual DARED Challenge has come to an end for another year. After 5 years of DARED (Do A Run Every Day), Circle are delighted to have raised over £12,000 for their children and families.
The DARED Challenge – Do A Run Every Day – encourages participants to complete either a 1 mile or 5km run every day throughout the month of June and this year, Circle saw more than 140 participants sign up to take part.
Alongside the fundraising element, the aim of the challenge is to encourage as many people as possible to enjoy the physical and mental benefits of daily exercise, as well as spending time with away from the desk and work.
“It’s been such a busy month, and it could’ve been so easy to do no exercise at all because of that, but thanks to The DARED Challenge, I’ve been outside exercising every day, and I feel so much better for it!” – Participant
The choice of different distances enables both experienced and beginner runners to feel included and challenged.
Funds raised through the DARED Challenge will go directly to supporting Circle in its aim of improving the lives of children by strengthening families.
The charity works at the heart of deprived communities across central Scotland, supporting the most disadvantaged children and families to improve their lives, promote their healthy development and reach their potential.
Social inequality and poverty are the root cause of why families seek support from Circle including parental substance misuse, domestic abuse, imprisonment, poor physical and mental health as well as isolation.
Although the challenge has finished, the JustGiving page is still open if you’d like to donate to support our runners, and help us raise as much money as possible for Circle’s children and families:
For the first time Scotland will host the R&A’s three major championships alongside Scotland’s two opens – backed by more than £3 million annually to support golf events and market Scotland globally as the Home of Golf.
The Scottish Open, which teed off yesterday, has received £1.8 million in funding from the Scottish Government to support the event to grow and deliver a first-rate playing and spectating experience. The Genesis Scottish Open has attracted its strongest-ever field this year, with nine of the world’s top 10 players competing at the Renaissance Club in North Berwick.
Culture Minister Neil Gray highlighted the benefits of Scottish Government support for the sport as the landmark event, the first to be co-sanctioned by golf’s governing bodies on both sides of the Atlantic, got underway.
Mr Gray said: “Earlier this week, I was delighted to get the chance to say thanks in person to many of those who have contributed to Scotland’s spectacular summer of golf, including event organisers, governing bodies, sponsors, partners, local authorities, media and broadcasters.
“In the same year as we celebrate the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews it’s fitting that we underline Scotland’s status as the home of golf and a global leader in golf tourism by hosting an unprecedented series of tournaments which will showcase Scotland and our top courses to a worldwide audience.
“The Scottish Government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy. We have a long-standing track record of support and are proud to fund our annual national men’s and women’s Opens and work with our partners at VisitScotland to support a host of other events.
“Our commitment to all of these fantastic tournaments helps promote our priorities, including health and wellbeing and inclusivity and equality – and I’m delighted to see the Women’s Open at Muirfield for the first time.”
For the first time, the R&A’s three major championships – the Open, the AIG Women’s Open and the Senior Open – will take place in Scotland in the same year, alongside the Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open and the men’s Genesis Scottish Open. In another first, the Women’s Open will take place at Muirfield.
A record-breaking crowd of nearly 300,000 is expected at St Andrews for the 150th Open, with large numbers expected to attend the other events this month and next.
Vital funding to help transform family support services and reduce the number of children going into care has been announced by the Scottish Government. Local authorities will receive £32 million in Whole Family Wellbeing Funding for 2022-23, with a further £6 million available to support this work.
This will help build services that focus on prevention and early intervention, so families get the support they need to overcome challenges before they reach crisis point.
Arrangements for distributing the remaining £12 million of Whole Family Wellbeing Funding committed for 2022-23 are being finalised.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “It is essential that we provide the right kind of support to enable families to thrive so that, ultimately, fewer children and young people go into care.
“Whole Family Wellbeing Funding aims to transform the way support is delivered by ensuring families can access seamless support that meets their individual needs.
“The £50 million committed in 2022-23 will focus on building the capacity for further investment from 2023-24 onwards. This funding is a critical part of how we will keep the Promise by helping families access the support they need, where and when they need it.
“Our ambition is that from 2030, we will be investing at least 5% of all community-based health and social care spend in preventative whole family support measures.”
The Scottish Government has committed to investing £500 million in Whole Family Wellbeing Funding over the course of this Parliament.
Decisions on the use of the £32 million allocated to local authorities for 2022-23 will be made by Children’s Services Planning Partnerships.
The winner of Aldi’s Supermarket Sweep in Edinburgh has raised £1,256.02 for a local foodbank while picking up over £600 in Aldi favourites for herself.
Aldi’s popular Supermarket Sweep recently arrived in Edinburgh and lucky shopper Ame Robertson, who was chosen as the winner of an in-store competition, took part in the five-minute trolley dash for charity on Wednesday 22 June.
As well as taking home a trolley full of goodies, Ame successfully found the hidden inflatable in store, meaning Aldi Scotland doubled the total value of her haul and donated the lump sum to her nominated charity, Edinburgh City Mission.
Aldi Supermarket Sweep winner, Ame Robertson, said:“I was surprised to be drawn to take part in the sweep, as I’m not usually that lucky.
“The five minutes passed really quickly, but I am very pleased with what I was able to pick up and the amount that was donated to the food bank, especially in these challenging times.
“Thank you to Aldi again, I had the best time!”
Duncan Cuthill, CEO, Edinburgh City Mission, said:“We are very pleased to have been chosen as the recipient for money raise through the Supermarket Sweep at Aldi Hermiston Gait. The cost-of-living crisis is a daily reality for all of us, but it is having the biggest impact of lower income families.
“Our Foodbank+ network of seven foodbanks in and around Edinburgh has seen a big increase in the number of people who are in crisis and need short-term food support this year.
“We are grateful to our volunteers who provide a warm welcome and friendship in each Foodbank+ and to our many donors who enable us to provide food and other household essentials. Thank you once again to Aldi Hermiston Gait for the support.
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said:“We are proud that the Aldi Supermarket Sweep is a firm favourite across the country, and we are so pleased to bring it back this year.
“Congratulations to Ame who managed to raise an incredible £1,256.02 for Edinburgh City Mission and snap up a whole load of Aldi treats for herself.”
They’ve played for Her Majesty the Queen as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations – and now fans can hear the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland on a national tour.
Scotland’s best-known military band has launched a series of concerts, “Celebrating our Heroes” to raise funds for Poppyscotland this autumn.
Renowned for their performances at Holyrood Palace and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the talented musicians will be touring venues in Livingston, Hamilton, Perthshire, Angus, and the Scottish Borders.
This year’s repertoire will include folk music inspired from across Scotland, featuring a collaboration with Hawick folk musician and songwriter, Alan Brydon.
The events follow similar successful tours in 2018 and 2019. All proceeds will go to help Poppyscotland deliver its life-changing support for members of the Armed Forces community across Scotland.
The first one will take place at Hamilton Town House on Friday 2nd September, followed by dates at Howden Park Centre, Livingston, Montrose Academy, and Bankfoot Church Centre, Perthshire. The final, festive concert will be on December 15th at Hawick Town Hall.
Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising, said: “We’re delighted to welcome back the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland after a two-year break due to the pandemic, and are very grateful for their continuing support. This is a fantastic chance to hear the internationally acclaimed band at local venues around Scotland.
“The concerts promise to be unforgettable evenings, featuring folk music inspired from across Scotland, from the Borders to the Western Isles, and guaranteed to get your feet tapping! They are always very popular, so we’d encourage music lovers to buy their tickets early before they sell out.
“All funds raised will help us continue our vital work, supporting current and former servicemen and women and their families, which is now needed more than ever.”
The Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, based at Dreghorn Barracks, Edinburgh, is one of the 22 Regular Army bands, and is made up of musicians who are also serving soldiers. As well as supporting the Army and performing at ceremonial occasions across Scotland, they have also played around the world, traveling to Hong Kong, New Zealand, Switzerland and Canada in recent years.
Concert dates are:
Hamilton Town House – Friday 2nd September 2022
Howden Park Centre, Livingston – Friday 30th September 2022
Montrose Academy – Friday 21st October 2022
Bankfoot Church Centre, Perthshire – Friday 4th November 2022
Hawick Town Hall – Thursday 15th December 2022
Tickets cost £15 (£12 concessions) and are available via:
A growing number of families are accessing funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) across Scotland.The latest figures show that 121,101 children were in funded ELC places at the end of April 2022 – an increase of 9,527 since January 2022.
The entitlement to funded ELC increased to 1,140 hours in August last year, saving families up to £4,900 annually for each eligible child.
The ELC workforce also continues to increase, up 357 since January 2022, with 18,421 (FTE) staff now working in the sector. This marks a rise of 8,845 since 2016/17.
Children’s Minister Clare Haughey said: “It is clear funded ELC is making a real difference to families – particularly at a time when so many are struggling with the rising cost of living.
“Crucially, high quality ELC also helps to provide children with skills and confidence to carry into school education, and is a cornerstone for closing the poverty-related attainment gap.
“It’s also encouraging to see the workforce continue to grow and I’d like to thank everyone working in the sector for their continued hard work and dedication.”
Councillor Tony Buchanan, COSLA Children and Young People’s spokesperson said: “I’m pleased that today’s figures confirm that over 121,000 children are accessing additional funded early learning and childcare hours from Scotland’s Councils and their partners.
“The increased availability of funded early learning and childcare is allowing children more time to play and learn, and more opportunities for parents and carers to work, study or volunteer, as well as significant financial savings for families.
“I particularly welcome that there has been a 15% increase in the number of eligible two-year-olds accessing increased hours between April 2021 and April 2022, as we know this will provide support for children and families who will benefit most.”
Thousands of children from low-income families will benefit from free childcare, activities and healthy food as part of a £10 million summer programme.
Available to children and young people aged five to 14 years old who need it most, the funding has been allocated to local authorities to supplement existing holiday programmes or to develop new ones.
Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “School holidays can be expensive for families, especially when household bills are soaring. This funding means children and young people who really need it will be able to access coordinated childcare, activities and nutritious food over the summer.
“They will have opportunities to play, socialise and access a range of activities that broaden their experiences and supplement their learning.
“Support will be targeted at the six priority family types at greatest risk of poverty, including lone parent families and families with a disabled adult or child. We have a national mission to tackle child poverty and, along with £21.75 million in funding for alternative holiday food provision for families eligible for free school meals, this offer will provide much-needed support over the summer.”
COSLA Children and Young People’s Spokesperson Councillor Tony Buchanan said: “The rising cost of living is exacerbating the already stark and unacceptable reality of poverty in the lives of children, young people, families and communities.
“We are pleased that this additional funding will enable local authorities to build on their regular summer programmes to enhance opportunities and support for priority groups of children and young people.
“Councils and their local delivery partners will provide varied programmes, incorporating activities, childcare, and food provision, in line with local needs and guided by what children, young people, and families themselves say will make a difference.”
Thistle Foundation programme gets green light from the Scottish Government to provide rehabilitation support to people across Scotland living with long-term health conditions
Innovative programme aims to make a life-changing difference for people living with long-term health conditions including people impacted by COVID-19;
Two million people in Scotland are living with at least one long-term health condition including long-COVID;
Programme will see the Thistle Foundation providing support and learning to teams of health and social care professionals across Scotland;
Initial £250,000 funding from the Scottish Government awarded to Thistle Foundation.
A new national development programme aimed at reshaping rehabilitation services for people living with long-term health conditions including people impacted by COVID-19, has been given the green light by the Scottish Government today, Thursday 30 June.
This Scotland-wide programme is developed by the Scottish Government and Thistle Foundation, a leading Scottish health and wellbeing charity that supports people with long-term health conditions.
Healthcare Improvement Scotland estimates that around two million people in Scotland are living with at least one long-term health condition. This programme will support the, Once for Scotland Rehabilitation Approach which aims to: make rehabilitation more accessible to everyone who needs it, and enable the redesign of a wide range of community-based services.
Working in collaboration with organisations across NHS Scotland, Health and Social Care Partnerships and the third sector, Thistle Foundation will offer early adopters (services and teams) support to reshape rehabilitation services.
This will include early intervention, to ensure that more people get the rehabilitation and self-management support they need, sooner and closer to home.
Mark Hoolahan, CEO of Thistle Foundation said: “It’s fantastic to see this work receive funding from the Scottish Government. It allows us to extend some of the really successful support we have been offering health and social care professionals in and around Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife, to a broader range of teams and services across Scotland.
“At Thistle, people are at the heart of what we do. This programme is about more than supporting people with their physical health. It is about supporting people to be connected within their communities, to feel confident and resilient – it’s about thriving rather than just surviving.
“By situating rehabilitation within the person’s community, with support from friends, family and the community around them, people will feel more empowered to lead and manage their situation and remain as independent as possible.”
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We are pleased to be able to support this important work by the Thistle Foundation which fits with our Once for Scotland Rehabilitation Approach.
“Our approach focuses on enabling individuals to access person-centred rehabilitation based on their individual needs. In doing so we hope to make rehabilitation more accessible for all.”
In recent years, Thistle Foundation has been working with Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership, in all 12 GP practices across the area. The collaboration aims to support culture change, shifting the emphasis of health and social care services towards a focus on prevention, anticipatory care, recovery and support for self-management.
Dr Hilary Ansell from Newbattle Medical Practice, said: “My experience with Thistle over the last few years has allowed me to refer with confidence even my most vulnerable patients who have previously had difficulty engaging with NHS services.
“Thistle offer patient centred support, advice and lifestyle changes and their flexibility encourages patients to participate and feel valued. With Thistle, they will continue contact until the individual feels ready to engage – this stops the most disadvantaged from slipping through the net.
“Their practitioners offer holistic support and have broad ranging knowledge of local support agencies and services. They are equally comfortable in working with people with mental and physical long term conditions.
“The aim is always to encourage each individual to grow in confidence to manage their own condition and be the best version of themselves.”
This new, Scottish Government funded development programme will launch across Scotland by late summer, with Thistle Foundation working with NHS Boards, Health and Social Care Partnerships and Third Sector organisations to agree and plan their requirements.
