Tag: support

The Leith Collective tackles hidden poverty with ‘no questions asked’ coat exchange

Locals urged to donate as cost of living soars

It has been a relatively mild winter so far, but those familiar with Edinburgh weather know that could all change in a heartbeat. Sadly for many locals, a cold spell could prove to be their breaking point.

With fuel bills soaring and the cost of essentials massively increasing, many city residents are feeling the pressure of the rapidly rising cost of living. And so, The Leith Collective has introduced a ‘no questions asked’ coat exchange to give a helping hand to those who might need it.

Situated outside The Leith Collective shop at Ocean Terminal, rails of good quality coats are available for collection now – at no cost and with no questions asked.

And locals are being urged to donate. Coats of any size can be dropped off at The Leith Collective at Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal where they will be quarantined for 72 hours, in-line with covid safety guidance. They will then be displayed outside the store for anyone to collect.

The idea behind the coat exchange is two-fold, as The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson explains: ‘The nation is currently facing a poverty crisis, with the cost of living rising faster than ever, and job insecurity resulting from the pandemic still affecting many.

“Edinburgh is not immune to this and we’re witnessing the damaging effects here in Leith and beyond. Coupled with the climate crisis, we felt we had to take action and try to help. And so the coat exchange was born. Not only is it a sustainable solution that keeps quality clothes out of landfill and in use, it also provides a valuable opportunity to kit out families in genuine need.”

The coat exchange is the latest in a series of initiatives launched by The Leith Collective to simultaneously support locals and promote a circular economy, following their hugely successful Christmas tree exchange in December 2021. 

As a Community Interest Company, all profits from the shop go towards supporting the community and promoting sustainability through the arts.

The Leith Collective actively supports individuals with mental health or support needs to grow in confidence and gain experience in the workplace, and offers business mentorship to any members of the Collective.

It is hoped that by hosting the coat exchange in an accessible location such as Ocean Terminal, those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to receive a helping hand.

Donations to the coat exchange can be dropped off at The Leith Collective during opening hours, Monday – Saturday 11am – 6pm, and Sunday 11am – 5pm. Coats should be clean and in good condition.

Islamic Relief UK and Blackhall Mosque team up to help vulnerable families in Edinburgh

Islamic Relief UK partnered with Blackhall Mosque yesterday to distribute 500 essential food packs to vulnerable people in Edinburgh including the homeless, asylum seekers, refugees and women who have suffered domestic abuse.

Scotland has seen a stark rise in families needing financial assistance and help with food. According to the poverty and inequality commission, one in four children in Scotland (24%) and one in five working-age people (19%) are living in poverty.

Many people have been hit hard by the pandemic, including, low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees who were already struggling to feed themselves and many prioritising eating or heating as they struggle to pay their bills.

The food packs contained 30 items including, rice, pasta and beans.

With poverty levels in the UK increasing, Islamic Relief UK is also distributing food parcels across the country with different partners.

Imam Sohail Ashqaue, Blackhall Mosque, said: “We begin by thanking Allah SWT (God) for giving us all the opportunity to serve his creation. Indeed this is a blessing as we work with Islamic Relief UK to deliver 500 food packs to families who have been struggling to feed themselves this winter.

“We would like to thank all the volunteers who will help make this happen and we look forward to continuing this great partnership with Islamic relief UK to ensure the most vulnerable in our community receive the support they require.

“We are glad to be helping those in Edinburgh as part of a wider distribution by Islamic Relief UK and partners that are taking place across the UK.

“With rising utility bills and many businesses not recovering from the pandemic, many people are facing huge insecurity towards their future.

“The hardship that many families and individuals are dealing with right now is unimaginable, and this distribution will go a long way to help alleviate that.”

Nadeem Baqir, Regional Community Fundraising Manager, Islamic Relief UK said: “We are proud to be working with Blackhall Mosque to reach out to some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland. The Mosque plays an important role in the community and has been a lifeline for many people.

“With the high cost of living and the pandemic, we have seen families struggle to pay for just the essentials such as food and warmth and many have had to resort to food banks.

“This winter, the work of Blackhall Mosque will make a huge difference to many families and we thank them for their amazing efforts to help those in need.”

Granton Goes Greener: Evening sewing classes start next month

We have some great news for all of you, who are busy during the day, but would still like to learn some basic sewing skills or repair your clothes🧵🧶✂️🧷

We have now added another FREE, EVENING SEWING CLASS (ADULTS ONLY), which same as our Monday class will be a drop-in, taking place in the East Hall of Granton Parish Church between 6 and 8 pm on EVERY FIRST THURSDAY OF THE MONTH.

The class will be run by our regular sewing tutor – Monika from Remode Collective.

We would also like to say a huge THANK YOU to Swinton Paterson Trust https://www.swintonpatersontrust.org.uk/ for their financial support of the class🙏🙏

Islamic Relief UK and Blackhall Mosque team up to support Edinburgh’s vulnerable families

Islamic Relief UK and Blackhall Mosque team up to help some of the most vulnerable families in Edinburgh.

Tomorrow, Sunday 23 January, Islamic Relief UK will partner with Blackhall Mosque to distribute 500 essential food packs to vulnerable people in Edinburgh including the homeless, asylum seekers, refugees and women who have suffered domestic abuse.

Scotland has seen a stark rise in families needing financial assistance and help with food. According to the poverty and inequality commission, one in four children in Scotland (24%) and one in five working-age people (19%) are living in poverty.

Many people have been hit hard by the pandemic, including, low-income families, those suffering from domestic abuse, the homeless, asylum seekers and refugees who were already struggling to feed themselves and many prioritising eating or heating as they struggle to pay their bills.

The food packs – will contain 30 items including, rice, pasta and beans.

With poverty levels in the UK increasing, Islamic Relief UK is also distributing food parcels across the country with different partners.

Imam Sohail Ashqaue, Blackhall Mosque, said: “We begin by thanking Allah SWT (God) for giving us all the opportunity to serve his creation. Indeed this is a blessing as we work with Islamic Relief UK to deliver 500 food packs to families who have been struggling to feed themselves this winter.

“We would like to thank all the volunteers who will help make this happen and we look forward to continuing this great partnership with Islamic relief UK to ensure the most vulnerable in our community receive the support they require.

“We are glad to be helping those in Edinburgh as part of a wider distribution by Islamic Relief UK and partners that are taking place across the UK.

“With rising utility bills and many businesses not recovering from the pandemic, many people are facing huge insecurity towards their future.

“The hardship that many families and individuals are dealing with right now is unimaginable, and this distribution will go a long way to help alleviate that.”

Nadeem Baqir, Regional Community Fundraising Manager, Islamic Relief UK said: “We are proud to be working with Blackhall Mosque to reach out to some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland. The Mosque plays an important role in the community and has been a lifeline for many people.

“With the high cost of living and the pandemic, we have seen families struggle to pay for just the essentials such as food and warmth and many have had to resort to food banks.

“This winter, the work of Blackhall Mosque will make a huge difference to many families and we thank them for their amazing efforts to help those in need.”

Earth in Common needs your help!

Do you have a few hours to spare each weekday from tomorrow – Monday 17th January?

Earth in Common (formerly Leith Crops in Pots) are in need of some help shifting bits & bobs/decluttering/organising ahead of our big renovation.

Tea & coffee will be provided!

Wrap up warm & come chat with our team from 10am.

More help for unpaid carers

Funding for wellbeing support and services

A £4million funding package will help provide support to unpaid carers, in recognition of the enormous role they play in looking after loved ones, and the added pressure many have faced during the pandemic.

Over the next few weeks, the additional winter funding will allow organisations working with unpaid carers to expand the services they provide to all groups of adult and young carers, including those looking after disabled children and young people and those caring for a friend or relative with dementia.

To help reach as wide a range of carers as possible, the funds will be shared between organisations who are already working with different groups of carers:

  • £3million for local carer centres across Scotland to expand their vital support for adult and young carers
  • £200,000 to expand the Young Carers Package delivered by Young Scot to provide additional break opportunities, support and activities for young carers
  • £377,000 to expand Family Fund support with breaks for parents and families looking after disabled children and young people
  • £590,000 to expand wellbeing support and services for unpaid carers looking after a family member with Dementia, including grants for short breaks

Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart said: “Unpaid carers play a vital role in society and I know the pandemic has placed many additional pressures on Scotland’s carers.

“The Scottish Government has always been committed to improving carers’ rights and providing them with the support and extra help they deserve. 

“The local services and third sector organisations that have been supporting carers during the pandemic have been exceptional. I am pleased to be able to announce this additional funding to allow them to continue their essential work.

“This support for carers comes on top of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, the first payment made by Social Security Scotland, which increased Carer’s Allowance for eligible Scottish carers by around 13% compared to carers in the rest of the UK.

“In addition to this uplift to Carer’s Allowance, we made extra Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments in June 2020 and in December 2021 to support eligible carers.”

National debt charity urges those who are struggling to seek help

As the cost of living increases and energy prices set to soar, debt charity encourages those who are unable to pay bills to seek support

As we start this new year, many people across Scotland are struggling with the increased cost of living impacting all areas of life. The cost of a food shop has increased alongside significantly higher fuel and energy costs. The upcoming removal of the energy price cap is set to see prices soar.

Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Scotland is deeply concerned that many low income families will see their debts rocket as they struggle to afford the basics. CAP surveyed around 900 clients across the UK during the pandemic and over a third (37%) said they regularly had to go without meals. Over half (56%) had borrowed money to pay for food, clothing and other essential living costs.

TIME TO SEEK FREE DEBT HELP

CAP Scotland is encouraging more people to seek help with problem debt now and not to wait until things get worse. Their message is clear, it is never too early or too late to get debt help.

CAP Scotland’s National Director, Emma Jackson, explains why this is so vital: “Over the past year we’ve seen the devastating impact of the cost of living increase hitting low income families hard. Before getting debt help, many of our clients were having to prioritise which bills to pay.

“No one should have to make the impossible choice between whether to heat their home or feed their children but sadly too many people in Scotland are having to do this right now.

“Too often shame and stigma keep people trapped in problem debt, 50% of CAP clients wait for over a year to get debt help. We are urging everyone who is struggling with problem debt not to wait until things hit crisis point.

“CAP Scotland provides free, professional and community based debt help. Our Debt Coaches can meet you in the comfort of your own home and stay with you every step of the way until you become debt free.

“Many other trusted debt help charities are also offering vital support with free debt help. The most important thing isn’t which charity someone chooses to call, it’s just making the call for help as soon as possible.”

Local charity Granton Information Centre is one of the organisations that are here to help.

Email info@gic.org.uk or telephone 0131 551 2459 or 0131 552 0458 to make an appointment or enquire about our outreaches.

Scottish Government support with winter pressures

Help for low income households this festive period

Projects that support low income households will benefit from a funding boost through the Scottish Government’s Winter Support Fund.

Sixteen charities will receive a share of over £6 million to provide support to low income families with direct assistance for living costs, as well as initiatives such as debt advice and parenting helplines.

The cash is part of a £41 million Winter Support Fund announced by the Social Justice Secretary in October which also includes £10 million to help people struggling to pay fuel bills and £25 million awarded to local authorities to respond to financial insecurity and support wellbeing based on local needs.

The Winter Support Fund aims to help people on low incomes, children and people at risk of homelessness against a backdrop of rising living and fuel costs.

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison said: “We know many families are struggling financially just now with the rising cost of living and the impact of the pandemic.

“The recent sharp increase in Covid-19 cases, linked to the omicron variant, has only added to the challenge but we’re determined to ease some of the strain by providing direct support to people who need it most.

“Our trusted charity partners and volunteers have played a crucial role throughout the pandemic and we appreciate and value the services they provide.

“We hope these funds will help those most in need over Christmas, which we appreciate can be a difficult time for many.”

The STV Children’s Appeal will receive £1,200,000 to support children in need through its network of grassroots and community organisations.

Chair Paul Reynolds said: “The winter period is often one of the most difficult times of the year for families affected by poverty in Scotland, so this support package comes at the most crucial of times.

“Through collaboration with hundreds of charities and projects, we support the most vulnerable children and young people across the country, and we’ll help to make sure that these funds provide the food, clothing, shelter and heating needed by so many families throughout this challenging season.”

Aberlour Children’s Charity will receive £250,000 for its Urgent Assistance Fund.

Chief Executive SallyAnn Kelly said: “This support comes at a time when families and their children are facing the second tough winter in a row. It will make a real difference to so many families, who have found themselves pushed into poverty and who are struggling to keep their head above water.

“Applications for our fund have doubled in recent months and the top reason for families seeking help is to feed their children. It’s vitally important that this funding is distributed to families quickly and reaches those children who need the very basics.”

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison first announced the £41 million Winter Support Fund on 29 October 2021.

A digital funding mapping tool has been developed to display the funding allocated across the three strands of the Winter Support Fund.

Allocation of Funds:

OrganisationAmount
Aberlour£250,000
Action for Children£450,000
Barnardo’s£345,000
Bethany Christian Trust£264,000
Cash for Kids£1,250,000
Children First£300,000
Citizens Advice Scotland£140,000
Churches Action for the Homeless£500
Corra£750,000
Family Fund£300,000
Families Outside£52,500
Govan Community Project£33,000
One Parent Families Scotland£275,000
STV Appeal£1,200,000
Transform Community Development£1,000
Who Cares? Scotland£401,000

Scottish health boards to receive additional military support

Requests for military assistance at three health boards in Scotland have been approved. NHS Ayrshire & Arran, NHS Grampian and NHS Lanarkshire will receive the support from service personnel to help manage growing pressures as a result of Omicron.

They will begin inductions at the boards in January after the MACA (Military Assistance for Civilian Authorities) support was approved by the Scottish Government.

Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “The emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is adding to the winter pressures usually faced by the NHS which is why boards, like their counterparts across the UK,  have requested military support to complement our existing resources. 

“I’m  grateful to military personnel for their efforts at this time, along with all frontline staff in our NHS for the vital  role they play in help keeping us safe.

“At this time it is also particularly important that we continue to take all precautions to prevent transmission. So test regularly for the virus, limit socialising in the run up to Christmas, wear face marks where required and open windows to improve ventilation.”

The following MACA requests have been approved by the Scottish Government: 

  • NHS Ayrshire &Arran – 20 service personnel for for 6 weeks.
  • NHS Grampian – 38 x service personnel for 4 weeks.     
  • Lanarkshire – 32 x service personnel for 4 weeks.

Military personnel will start inductions on January 7th.

£21 million for culture and events

Additional funds for organisations and freelancers

A £21 million support package to support cultural and events organisations and freelancers experiencing cancellations due to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant has been announced.

This is to help manage the significant impact of the new guidelines around social distancing and the limitations on the number of people who can attend events.

The £21 million is from the £100 million package announced by the Scottish Government last week to compensate businesses affected by events cancellations and includes an additional £1 million from existing events sector funds.

The funds will be allocated as follows:

  • £10.2 million for cultural organisations and venues to be administered by Creative Scotland
  • £2.8 million towards the wider events supply chain to be administered by EventScotland.
  • £8 million for the Cancellation Fund for Creative Freelancers to be administered by Creative Scotland.

Creative freelancers can apply for between £500 and £2,000 from the cancellation fund which opens at 2pm on Thursday, 6 January 2022.

Details on who is eligible for the fund and how to apply will be available on Creative Scotland’s website this afternoon.

More information and guidelines on the other funds administered by Creative Scotland and EventScotland will be published in early January.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Culture and events continue to be among the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 as the emergence of a new variant is once again causing disruption and uncertainty.

“The steps we’re asking the public to take to minimise the spread of the virus are having a severe financial impact on the sector at a time when they were just beginning to recover from previous waves of the coronavirus.

“In the past few weeks, both myself and Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth have been speaking to freelancers and representatives from culture and events organisations to ensure they get immediate support to meet their needs.

“This £21 million in additional funding is vital to support culture and events organisations and protect the livelihoods of the people who work in the sector.”

Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “This additional emergency funding for Scotland’s culture sector is very welcome.   

“This afternoon, we’ll publish guidance about the first tranche for creative freelancers who’re experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the loss of income because of cancellations and deferrals caused by the pandemic. 

“Applications will open on Thursday 6 January, and will be followed by further details of how and when to apply for the emergency support for organisations. 

“The Covid-19 rollercoaster seems never ending but we will work hard with the sector to pull together again and overcome the challenges that this new wave of the pandemic presents to ensure we are able to gather in cultural spaces to enjoy Scotland’s rich, diverse and world-renowned art and creativity, and to celebrate all that they bring to our lives, in so many different ways.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events said: “The additional £2.8m in emergency funding for Scotland’s events sector is welcome news as it deals with the latest challenges presented by the Omicron variant.

“EventScotland will work with the Scottish Government and the Event Industry Advisory Group (EIAG) to determine the best way of distributing the funding to ensure we get support to those in need, and will share further details on this in the new year. We will also work with them to look at future funding programmes to ensure the industry can return and rebuild when the time is right.”