It’s OCD Awareness Week!
Misunderstandings and assumptions about OCD can result in the condition being overlooked or dismissed.
How we speak about OCD matters.
Learn more this #OCDAwarenessWeek and help challenge assumptions and stigma:
A partnership between NHS 24, Police Scotland, and the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) ensures anyone who needs urgent mental health support will be directed to the most appropriate service for their needs.
Termed the ‘Mental Health Pathway,’ the collaboration between the three services means that people phoning 999 with non-emergency mental health concerns are now referred to NHS 24’s Mental Health Hub.
This is staffed by Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners and Mental Health Nurses who are highly trained to help patients in mental distress. The Mental Health Hub is designed to support people who need urgent mental health support, where emergency intervention is not required.
The Hub can also be accessed by phoning 111. As well as helping people with their immediate care needs, specialist staff can also refer people to local services. They’ll then get further assessment and treatment if needed. Although most people can be helped immediately and supported with self-care techniques.
Dr Ron Cook is NHS 24’s Medical Director. He details the aims of the Mental Health Pathway and why it became essential for NHS 24, Police Scotland, and Scottish Ambulance Service to work together to provide more effective urgent mental health support for patients: “It is imperative that anyone in mental health crisis or distress can quickly and easily connect with professionals who are experts in that field. Within office hours, patients seeking help with their mental health should contact their own GP.
“However, during the out of hours period, such as evenings and weekends, it is common for patients to be unsure of where to access mental health support. Many will often reach out for help by dialling 999, which may not be the most appropriate care route for them.
“The Mental Health Pathway was set up to streamline the process for anyone needing urgent assistance with their mental health, and aims to make all callers feel supported, understood, and cared for.
“This project has led to a better experience for individuals experiencing mental illness or distress, but also has the added impact of reducing the deployment of frontline services in non-emergencies and easing the demand on emergency services.”
The Mental Health Pathway was developed as a response to actions from the Scottish Government’s Mental Health Strategy 2017-2027, which aims to improve mental health services and outcomes for people in Scotland by providing a comprehensive and integrated approach to mental health.
NHS 24, Police Scotland, and SAS’ partnership went live operationally in 2020, and since then, the project has undergone various evaluation phases and gradual roll-out to thoroughly test processes to ensure patient safety.
2024 has marked a significant milestone for the Mental Health Pathway as over 91% of Police Scotland staff are now trained in the transfer process, with work ongoing to train 100% of applicable staff, secure the pathway as business as usual, and ensure all Police Scotland and SAS staff have awareness of and confidence in transferring mental health callers appropriately.
Anna is a Senior Charge Nurse in NHS 24’s Mental Health Hub, she explains the benefits to patients: “It is great that patients now come directly through to us if they need urgent assistance with their mental health, as it means that they are not waiting for lengthy periods at A&E which may not be the most suitable place for their needs at that time.
“It is so important that we are providing safe and effective care for all patients, and the development of the Mental Health Pathway means that people are getting the help they need at the right time by right person.”
The collaboration between NHS 24, Police Scotland, and SAS not only has a positive impact on patients. The Mental Health Pathway has also meant that police and ambulance staff are no longer deployed unnecessarily to calls regarding mental health unless there is an immediate threat to life.
This change has meant that staff from these services now have more time to perform their core roles.
Notably, Police Scotland data has recorded that 17,413 officer hours were saved over a ten-month period and 99% of their staff confirmed they felt confident making referrals and using the Mental Health Pathway following their training.
Chief Superintendent Matt Paden leads Police Scotland’s Mental Health Taskforce, he said: “Our work around policing’s response to mental health seeks to reset the parameters of policing’s contribution to a system wide response to ensure people get the compassion, help, and support they need and deserve from those best able to provide it.
“Our colleagues in the Mental Health Taskforce and C3 Division have worked closely with partners in NHS 24 and Scottish Ambulance Service to deliver the Mental Health Pathway over a period of years.
“Their important work demonstrates the benefits of referring those in mental health crisis to services best able to meet their needs. This can provide better outcomes for individuals and communities, better value to the public and enable officers to tackle threat, harm and risk and prevent crime.
“Further development and evaluation will continue, but I am grateful to all of those involved in the successful implementation and delivery of the Mental Health Pathway.”
Catherine Totten, Head of Service for Mental Health and Dementia at the Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) said: “SAS supports people in mental health crisis and distress 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, and we are committed to improving the outcomes and experience for these service users.
“The Mental Health Pathway allows us to directly transfer non-emergency callers to mental health trained clinicians in the NHS 24 mental health hub, ensuring those in crisis receive the right care at the right time.”
Statistics published today by the DWP, reveal that just 65% of older people who are entitled to Pension Credit were receiving the payment between April 2022 and March 2023.
Independent Age estimate that in Scotland this means that up to 70,000 older households could be missing out on the Pension Credit they are entitled to, with a combined value of £140 million.
We know there has been an increase in applications since the UK Government announcement that the Winter Fuel Payment would be means tested, but it is unclear how many of these will result in successful claims.
Both Governments must work together to address the issue of low take-up of Pension Credit and the unacceptably high levels of poverty in later life. Independent Age is urging the UK Government to review and ensure overall adequacy of the social security system for older people, to prevent pensioner poverty.
Alongside calling on the Scottish Government to introduce a pensioner poverty strategy for Scotland – setting out the actions that can be taken alongside with local authorities, to tackle poverty in Scotland.
Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age, said: “What is clear from the figures released today is that too many older people living on a low income are still missing out on Pension Credit in Scotland, and across the UK.
“There has been a disappointing lack of progress on Pension Credit take-up. We estimate that up to 70,000 older households could be missing out on Pension Credit between April 2022 and March 2023 worth a combined £140 million.
“Independent Age is urging the UK Government to maintain the Winter Fuel Payment in its current form until significant action can be taken to substantially increase Pension Credit take-up.
Previous strategies have not moved the dial, we can’t have more of the same. We need an innovative, evidence-based, long-term take-up strategy that maps out how older people living in, or on the edge of, poverty can access the financial support they are entitled to.
“It is too early to say what the impact of the recent increase in claims for Pension Credit will have on overall take-up rates. However, there is no room for complacency when an estimated 70,000 older households in Scotland are missing out on this much needed money and 150,000 live in poverty. In a socially just and compassionate society, we can and should do more.”
Victims of crime will receive improved support, advice and information as part of planned reforms to the Victim Notification Scheme (VNS).
Under proposed changes to the scheme – which entitles victims or close relatives of victims to certain information about the person responsible for the crime – a new Victim Contact Team will be set up to give personalised support to victims, based on their individual needs.
Victims will automatically be referred to the team for a trauma-informed discussion about their options for registering for the VNS and for an explanation of their rights. The amount of information available to victims about the offender(s), which includes information about their release, will also be expanded.
The Scottish Government will introduce the reforms as part of its response to recommendations in the Independent Review of the Victim Notification Scheme, which heard directly from victims about their experiences of the justice system and the VNS. Recent experiences with how the VNS operated in relation to measures to manage the prison population have also informed the response to the Review.
The Scottish Government has agreed the majority of the Review’s recommendations, including the central proposal of creating a Victim Contact Team, with plans developed following discussions with justice and victim support organisations. Legislation to underpin the creation of the Contact Team will be progressed through the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill, which is continuing its passage through Parliament.
Victims Minister Siobhian Brown said: “These reforms will put the needs of victims firmly at the heart of the Notification Scheme. By increasing the information available to victims, improving communication across justice agencies and making the system more accountable, we can ensure the scheme continues to be as effective and trusted as possible.
“We have already begun work to implement the Independent Review’s recommendations, including to create a Victim Contact Team to provide personalised support for victims. Each victim has different needs that deserve to be handled sensitively and victims will automatically be referred to the team, who will explain their rights and provide support.
“This is a priority for the Scottish Government and we will use the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform (Scotland) Bill already progressing through Parliament to ensure the reforms are taken forward at pace.
“I am grateful to all those who shared their experiences during the Independent Review, particularly victims and their families. We will continue to listen to their voices as we continue strengthening support for them and progress these latest reforms to the Victim Notification Scheme.”
VNS Independent Review Chair Alastair MacDonald and Vice Chair Fiona Young said: “The agreement to establish a Victim Contact Team to help victims understand what information they may receive and to get that information in a way that helps them is welcome.
“It is hoped that implementation of other recommendations will also be prioritised.”
Ann Fehilly, of domestic abuse court advocacy service ASSIST, said: “ASSIST has long advocated for the Victim Notification Scheme to be victim-centred, trauma-informed and responsive to the needs of victims.
“We welcome the Scottish Government’s acceptance of almost all of the Review recommendations and look forward to working collaboratively with them to put into effect the plan.
“We are pleased that choice for victims is at the heart of the process, alongside a commitment to work with organisations which support victims to access the right information timeously. It is crucial that victims of domestic abuse are kept informed to ensure they are safe from further harm.”
Over 130 organisations, including NGOs, social justice charities, think tanks and economists, have come together to urge First Minister John Swinney to give the government’s backing to Sarah Boyack MSP’s Member’s Bill.
In a letter organised by WEAll Scotland, they tell Mr Swinney that “this is a key opportunity for the Scottish Parliament to work together to pass world leading legislation that delivers for the people of Scotland”.
Ms Boyack’s Member’s Bill aims to create better outcomes for future generations by placing new definitions of sustainable development and wellbeing into legislation.
It also seeks to establish a Wellbeing and Sustainable Development Commissioner to end short-term thinking in policy decisions.
The bill received cross party support but has not yet been formally endorsed by the SNP.
In the SNP’s 2021 manifesto they committed to bringing forward a Wellbeing and Sustainability Bill, however only put a consultation forward after Ms Boyack published her bill.
In the open letter, signatories highlighted the benefits of this bill and urged Mr Swinney to support Sarah Boyack in bringing it into law
Commenting on the support, Ms Boyack said: “It is great to have such a wide range of support from stakeholders across sectors, for my bill.
“There is clearly a deep recognition of the benefits that this bill can bring Scotland.
“This gives us in Scotland the opportunity to be a real leader in this field.
“I hope the First Minister listens to these stakeholders and supports my bill to ensure that we can finally embed wellbeing into the heart of Scotland’s politics.”
WEAll Director Aileen McCleod added: “In a just and compassionate Scotland, everyone should have the opportunity to live a good and dignified life.
“We know that people are struggling as we face multiple crises for people and planet. It doesn’t have to be this way.
“Right now, the Scottish Government is not utilising the full extent of their devolved powers. The recent Programme for Government was a missed opportunity to deliver lasting change.”
Sarah Davidson, Chief Executive of Carnegie UK also commented: “New wellbeing legislation could help Scotland make headway with the biggest challenges of our time by forcing more long-term thinking.
“The Scottish Parliament should get behind Sarah Boyack’s Bill because the only way we’re going to tackle issues like climate change or child poverty is through thoughtful action, co-ordinated across government and the wider public sector.”
In partnership with environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, who has awarded a grant of £25K to the Council, a Chewing Gum Task Force is cleaning up gum and reducing gum littering on the Capital.
Cllr Stephen Jenkinson Environment Convener said: This grant is very welcome as gum takes about five years to break down and is costly to remove.
“Our task force is starting in busy areas and in the next couple of weeks we are concentrating on removing discarded gum on Leith Street. It’s important that we get the message out that it is not OK to drop gum in our beautiful city and we’re putting up effective signage to try to prevent littering in the future.
“I’d like to ask all of our residents and visitors to support this campaign and please bin your gum.”
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Keep Britain Tidy’s chief executive, said: “Chewing gum litter is highly visible on our high streets and is both difficult and expensive to clean up, so the support for councils provided by the Chewing Gum Task Force and the gum manufacturers is very welcome.
“However, once the gum has been cleaned up, it is vital to remind the public that when it comes to litter, whether it’s gum or anything else, there is only one place it should be – in the bin – and that is why the behaviour change element of the task force’s work is so important.”
The council is one of 54 across the country that has successfully applied to the Chewing Gum Task Force, now in its third year, for funds to clean gum off pavements and prevent it from being littered again.
Established by Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and run by environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, the Chewing Gum Task Force Grant Scheme is open to councils across the UK who wish to clean up gum in their local areas and invest in long-term behaviour change to prevent gum from being dropped in the first place.
Estimates suggest the annual clean-up cost of chewing gum for councils in the UK is around £7 million. In its second year the task force awarded 55 councils a total of £1.56 million, helping clean an estimated 440,000 m2 of pavement – an area equivalent to the Vatican City.
By combining targeted street cleaning with specially designed signage to encourage people to bin their gum, participating councils achieved reductions in gum littering of up to 60% in the first two months.
A LEADING Scottish provider of housing and care services for older people has helped its tenants save more than £1.8 million.
Through the work of its dedicated Income Advice Officers, Bield Housing and Care has achieved remarkable results, providing crucial support to vulnerable tenants navigating complex benefits systems and pension claims.
First established at the end of 2022, the Income Advice team has achieved significant results over the past 18 months, saving tenants a total of £1,847,740.
Led by experienced advisors, Rebecca Summers and Scott Alexander, the team work with tenants and support staff to offer expert guidance on various financial matters, including pension awareness and claims, Housing Benefit applications, Universal Credit support and grant applications.
Rebecca highlighted a recent significant case: “We assisted a gentleman on Universal Credit who was initially told his benefits would only cover rent.
“After extensive work with the DWP, we secured a £12,500 back payment for him, covering essential costs like service charges and communal heating costs.”
The organisation has noticed a shift towards online services by local councils, which has created challenges for many older individuals, however it has helped process 1,034 referrals since March 2023.
Rebecca continues: “Having application processes exclusively online can be challenging for elderly people particularly if they are dealing with these processes and benefits for the first time.
“We work to offer support and guide tenants through the process, ensuring they receive their maximum entitlement, as well as educating our development staff.”
By raising pension awareness and providing comprehensive financial advice, Bield continues its mission to improve the lives of older people across Scotland, one tenant at a time.
Tracey Howatt, Director of Customer Experience at Bield said: “At Bield, our mission is to help older people in Scotland live independent and fulfilled lives.
“The remarkable achievement of our Income Advice Officers, saving our tenants over £1.8 million, perfectly embodies this commitment. By providing expert guidance on complex financial matters, we’re not just helping with immediate financial needs, but also empowering our tenants to maintain their independence and quality of life.
“We’re constantly innovating and improving our services to meet the evolving needs of older people across Scotland and we’re proud of the tangible difference our dedicated team is making in the lives of our tenants.”
The Income Advice Officers offer guidance on charity applications, grant applications (including Community Care Grants and Discretionary Housing Payments) and facilitate access to food banks throughout Scotland, as well as identifying further benefits tenants may be eligible for.
These additional benefits, ranging from £5 to £182 per week, empower tenants to address their individual needs and improve their quality of life.
Founded in 1971, Bield has grown from a single housing development to become a leading housing charity in Scotland.
Today, it provides support for over 5,000 tenants across more than 170 developments, focusing on enhancing the quality of life for older people through innovative care and housing solutions.
For more about Bield visit https://www.bield.co.uk/ or follow them on Facebook @bieldhousingandcare and Twitter @BieldScotland
This winter will be much harder for many local older people. Cuts to winter fuel benefits alongside continued high prices will force more older people in Edinburgh to make difficult choices.
Local charity LifeCare delivers vital services and activities which makes an immediate difference to the lives of those that need it most – but urgently needs support to help meet increasing demand.
LifeCare Edinburgh has over 80 years’ experience offering the vital care and support older people need all year round, and supports over 900 individuals a year. The charity reported unprecedented levels of enquiries for support through the pandemic and continues to experience rising demand for their free and subsidised services through the cost of living crisis, with enquiries up over 67% from those living on a low income.
The charity responded to these growing local needs by extending its vital programme of free support.
This includes free ‘meals on wheels’ delivering hot, freshly-cooked two-course meals to the homes of local older people, free ‘help at home’ services helping with cleaning, shopping and prescription collections – even more important during the icy cold months, free wellbeing activities and hot drinks for the growing numbers of struggling unpaid carers and a growing programme of free community engagement activities for local people.
They also run their free Saturday Social warm space providing hot food, activities and companionship from their Cheyne Street community hub every week.
However, the charity is struggling to sustain these services through this period of high need. The organisation’s own costs are increasing with food, fuel and staff costs all rising significantly plus the charity has been impacted by the recent Local Authority budget cuts with further reductions anticipated next year.
The charity is calling on local people and businesses to get involved and give a donation to help deliver support to those that need it most this winter.
Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare said “Local older people right here in Edinburgh face a very difficult winter ahead. With the 10% increase on energy costs, continued high food prices and a reduction in benefits, it will be devastating for many.
“Last year we delivered over 5,000 free meals to those living on a low income. This year we anticipate needing to grow the service by a further 30% to help meet growing demand for this important service as more local older people struggle.
We urgently need the support from local people and local businesses, to enable LifeCare to deliver services such as this which make a real difference to those struggling most.
“Thanks to our services, older people keep well in their homes, they have a warm place to visit, hot nutritious food to eat, have company to look forward to and are able to get out and about to activities safely.
“Over 75% of the people we support live alone, rising to over 85% of our Meals on Wheels clients. And as many of our clients can’t leave their homes unaided, they would go for a very long time without any contact without our support.
“The frustration is that we know we can deliver the care that people want and need, but we are facing increased costs too. We are asking local people and businesses to consider giving a one-off or regular gift through our Winter Warmer appeal.
“Donations can be made on our website or alternatively people can come along to our community café on Cheyne Street to pledge their support. Even choosing to have your coffee or lunch from our café will help us to deliver the care local older people need to ensure they continue to thrive at home.”
All money raised through Winter Warmer will go directly towards supporting older people in the city. For more information about LifeCare’s services visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/ or call 0131 343 0940 to chat with the friendly team.
16 Kiltwalk Heroes, from Scotland to as far as Munich, took on the Mighty Stride on September 15th, marching 21 miles around Edinburgh to raise an incredible £10,500 for this new Scottish-founded international development charity, that changes lives through football, starting in Kalingalinga, Zambia.
Much of these funds were immediately spent by Africa On The Ball (AOTB) putting on a much needed First Aid course for the community, which ran last Friday.
The money will also enable a third solar powered drinking water station to be built for the 3 local schools and orphanage that AOTB supports, which is vital as Zambia suffers its worst drought to date. The rest will provide more coaches & ten academic and skills Scholarships for young people at the Lusaka Youth Resource Centre.
AOTB transforms communities across Africa by embracing the power of football to build a foundation for life-long success. They collaboratively inspire, empower and support communities in Zambia and throughout Africa, using the passion for football as a catalyst to improve education, healthcare, inclusivity and enterprise, creating sustainable brighter futures.
The charity began in 2013 after a Stirling University student Andrew Jenkin met an orphaned Zambian, Kelvin Chasauka who went on to play pro football in Norway, realised what football gave to him, and decided to come back to his community in Lusaka and help change lives positively through the power of football.
Together they set up a community football club that is so much more than a pitch with grassroots outreach development projects in education, health, equality and enterprise.
The players become local leaders helping to develop their community by working and learning together as a team to transform their lives.
So Africa On the Ball was founded in Scotland alongside a community football club in Glasgow (Glasgow On The Ball, with 4 teams playing in Sunday Leagues and open to all, #glasgowontheball) to share their passion for the game as well as help raise funds and awareness for the works of Africa On The Ball.
Eight GOTB players walked the Kiltwalk.
The AOTB club in Kalingalinga has over 15 teams of boys & girls, men & women, over 300 members supporting 4 schools, funded 57 scholarships, built 2 solar panelled water kiosks & staged many tournaments where vital health education messages are delivered alongside a competitive show.
NHS Lothian’s Lifelines Scotland project, a dedicated service to promote resilience and wellbeing for emergency responders, has today (25 September) expanded its reach. The service will now also be available to all Scottish Prison Service staff, recognising the challenges and particular stresses that these individuals face through their work.
The Lifelines Scotland project was established in 2016 by NHS Lothian’s specialist trauma service, the Rivers Centre, to provide support to voluntary emergency responders.
In 2020, the project was extended to Scotland’s blue light services and has been working with ambulance, fire and police to embed an understanding of responder resilience and wellbeing at the heart of these organisations.
Gill Moreton, Lifelines Scotland, Project Lead explained: “The NHS Lothian Rivers Centre team has a wealth of experience working with blue light colleagues and we are delighted that we can use this knowledge and expertise to help support other sectors where similarly challenging working environments are experienced.”
In doing their jobs, prison staff face uncertainty, risk, and challenge on a daily basis. Tensions can build in an instant, and it is their professionalism and dedication which is often the tempering factor. It is therefore vital that resources such as Lifelines are available, to help them care for their mental health.
Gill added: “Prison staff can face a range of challenges because of the environment they work in. Their roles can be physically, emotionally and psychologically demanding.
“Ensuring these individuals have the tools available to support their own wellbeing, as well as information should they become unwell is vital to boosting resilience amongst this workforce. I am delighted that Lifelines Scotland will now be available for Scottish Prison Service staff.”
Prison staff are welcomed to the project on national Hidden Heroes Day; an awareness day launched by the Butler Trust to recognise and thank prison, probation, and other Justice sector staff who deliver a critical public service.
The dedicated resource will provide additional support for all prison staff, who work in complex and demanding environments. They are responsible for the care of a largely vulnerable population, who are known to have high rates of trauma and mental ill-health.
Lifelines Scotland is unique in providing a single point of access for all of Scotland’s emergency responders, whether they’re employed, volunteer or have retired, and for their family, friends and other supporters. This access will now be expanded to all staff working within the Scottish Prison Service, with dedicated content available to them.
“Our staff go above and beyond every day, supporting and caring for some of the most vulnerable people in society, and doing their bit in keeping Scotland’s communities safe.
“We recognise the importance of providing wellbeing services appropriate to their specific needs. This resource will provide a valuable tool for supporting their self-care, resilience, and recovery, while also signposting to other wellbeing services that are available to them.”
The Lifelines Scotland project works upstream, taking a preventative, early intervention approach. It provides valuable information to ensure that people have access to support if they become unwell, but its principal focus is on helping people to stay well in the first place.
The Lifelines website is based on the Lifelines 10 Essentials, which recognise that emergency service staff, volunteers and prison service staff are at risk of psychological injury because of their roles, but that injury isn’t inevitable and that there are lots of things that can help to keep people well.
Angela Constance, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs, Scottish Government said, “The everyday stresses and strains of a job can have an impact on staff.
“Lifelines is exactly that – a lifeline providing resources and tools to help people manage their mental health and resilience when it comes to the physical, emotional and psychological demands of their job.
“I welcome this initiative being made available to all staff in the Scottish Prison Service. It is vital that we keep the people safe, who are keeping our communities safe.”
The Lifelines Scotland website can be accessed at https://www.lifelines.scot/
