The Royal Society of Biology and Field Studies Council are asking members of the public to log sightings of key spring indicator species in Signs of Spring citizen science survey.
Sightings of bumblebees, butterflies, bluebells, ladybirds, and dragonflies are being recorded across the UK.
The survey closes on 14 June.
Across the UK, members of the public are being encouraged to get outside and track their sightings of insects and flowers as part of the annual Signs of Spring survey run by Field Studies Council in partnership with the Royal Society of Biology.
Now in its third year, the results of the survey will help to log species emergence across the UK, particularly in light of the climate crisis.
Sightings of dragonflies, bumblebees, bluebells, ladybirds, and butterflies are in high demand.
Daniel Asaw, Biodiversity Training Programme Team Leader at Field Studies Council, said: “It’s been amazing to see this year’s records coming in for the Signs of Spring citizen science survey.
“We’ve already passed the 3,000 record mark, and there’s plenty of time for people across the UK to get involved and help us build an even clearer picture of how nature is responding to the seasons.
“As we move closer to summer, bumblebees are out in force alongside an array of ladybird species. Bumblebees have traditionally been the most commonly recorded insect in the survey, but this year, ladybirds could easily give them a run for their money.
“Every record counts, so we’re encouraging everyone to get outside, enjoy nature, and submit their sightings before the survey closes.”
We’re seeking your views on the proposed digitalisation of information that helps trace missing people living with dementia.
As part of the Herbert Protocol, families/carers can obtain, print and complete a pro-forma document from the Police Scotland website that is handed to investigating officers whenever someone with dementia goes missing.
The form records a range of useful information which will allow police to respond swiftly during the crucial first hour – rather than spend it gathering information.
At present, families and carers are responsible for owning, updating and providing this document to police.
Read more about the Herbert Protocol and get the link to our consultation survey here:
New TUC survey findings published today reveal 8 in 10 workers have experienced abuse at work in the past year
45% of surveyed workers have experienced threats of physical harm in the last 12 months
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak says “ministers must prioritise HSE funding to keep workers safe”
A new survey published by the TUC today (Friday) shows 8 in 10 surveyed workers have experienced some form of abuse at work in the last year. The findings, based on a survey of 5,004 workers, show that in the last 12 months:
1 in 5 (19.4%) have experienced physical assault
1 in 10 (9.9%) have experienced sexual harassment or sexual violence at work
8 in 10 (79.1%) have experienced verbal abuse such as shouting, insults or threats at work
4 in 10 (44.9%) have experienced threats of physical harm
The report is published as the TUC holds its Violence at Work conference today, established following concerns from unions about violence and abuse against public-facing workers.
More than 8 in 10 (84.1 %) of respondents said their roles are public facing.
The report finds:
11.8% work in education
38.9% work in transport
9.9% work in prisons or secure facilities
4.9% work in health and social care
14.9% work in central or local government
When asked how regularly they experience violence or abuse at work, more than half of workers (51.4%) said they experience violence or abuse weekly or more, while 17.1% said they experienced violence or abuse on a monthly basis.
When asked who is responsible for the violence and/or abuse workers have experienced:
45.9% said customers were the perpetrators
36.4% said passengers
15.2% said other members of the public
10.9% said pupils or students
9.2% said colleagues
8.5% said managers
When asked about the impact of the most severe incidents they have experienced, 48.7%% said they feared for their safety, 13.9% said they experienced physical injury, 8.9% required medical treatment, 26.2% required police involvement, 16.8% had to take time off work, while 32.8% experienced mental trauma.
More than half (51.9%) of those who did not report it said it was because violence is seen as “part of the job”, while 33.7% said they felt it would not be taken seriously.
Health and Safety Executive
The TUC says employers have a legal duty to keep staff safe at work and all employers must assess the health and safety risks in their workplaces.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) can prosecute employers who do not manage the risks of violence.
HSE inspectors play a vital role in keeping workplaces safe.
But the TUC says the HSE has been left “struggling to operate” due to the “devastating” impact of cuts under the Tory government.
The HSE – the country’s main workplace health and safety regulator – has seen its funding cut by more than 50% since 2010.
As a result, inspector numbers, inspections, and employer sanctions are at an all-time low – putting workers at risk.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “It doesn’t matter what you do for a living – violence at work is never ‘part of the job’.
“Nobody should go to work fearing for their safety, but that is the reality for thousands of our vital frontline workers.
“The Tories left the HSE in tatters and left the current government cleaning up their mess. But ministers must reinvest in the HSE, so we have more inspectors visiting workplaces and enforcing safety rules.
“My message to anyone worried about their safety and welfare at work is to join a union. We know that unionised workplaces are safer because union reps work with employers to reduce risks.”
The Child Poverty Action Group (UK) – CPAG are carrying out research to understand the impact of the two child policy on children and family life prior to abolition of the policy in April.
This is so they can conduct further comparative research later in the year on the impact of getting rid of the policy.
It would really help them if you can spare a few minutes to answer some questions about your experience of the two child limit.
They want to hear from parents who are not receiving tax credits or universal credit for a child born after April 6 2017.
The survey should take less than 5 minutes to complete.
No information will be used that could identify anyone involved.
We’re now in the consultation stage of our Community Asset Transfer, and this is your last chance to have your say before the survey closes this Sunday.
Every single response makes a real difference. The more people who take part, the stronger our case for securing the land our Centre sits on, and protecting it for the future of our community.
You can get involved by:
– Completing the online survey here: www.surveymonkey.com/r/drylaw – Filling in a paper copy at the Centre It only takes a few minutes, but your input helps us hugely.
Please take part and share this post to help us reach as many people as possible before Sunday!
Staff and residents at Strachan House on Craigcrook Road in Blackhall are celebrating receiving exceptional feedback in the home’s customer satisfaction survey. Everyone is as proud as can be after the home scored incredibly highly in all aspects of the survey.
Each year Barchester Healthcare, who own Strachan House, conduct a mammoth customer survey to collate feedback from their 13,800 residents and patients, and their loved ones. The survey is an opportunity to gather the opinions of the people living in Barchester’s homes and hospitals, along with those of their families and loved ones, in order to learn and improve.
Every single piece of feedback given in the survey is considered and acted upon. This year the survey received over 13,000 individual pieces of feedback, all of which are passed on to the relevant home.
An impressive 84% of the residents at Strachan House stated that they would recommend the home to a friend. In the six different areas of the survey covering people, care, environment, activities, dining and communication, the home consistently scored over 80%.
The home’s top score out of the six areas was for the calibre of its staff at 92%, followed by the home’s environment at 89%, and the quality of the care delivered at 88%. All team members are thrilled to have received such brilliant scores.
The report contained many glowing quotes from residents and their loved ones including: “From the start, we been nothing but impressed by the home and the way our dad is cared for” and “the carers’ positive outlook and energy never fails to amaze me. They are all wonderful!”
Staff are all over the moon with the comments they received which mean so much.
Frances Fisher, General Manager at Strachan House, said: “We are delighted that Strachan House received such excellent feedback from our residents and their loved ones.
“The team at Strachan House always strive to provide the best quality person-centred care for everyone who lives here continually going above and beyond to ensure all our residents lead the most fulfilling lives possible. They are all superstars and it is wonderful to see their dedication recognised.”
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential, nursing and dementia care, from respite breaks to long term stays.
A Coming Home Working Group has been set up to drive progress towards the Coming Home vision and mission for people with learning disabilities and complex needs and behaviours that challenge.
One of the workstreams is focusing on developing strategic approaches to skill up and strengthen community services (including integrated community teams, social care providers, school settings) and family carers to improve support for people with learning disabilities and complex support needs.
This is with a particular emphasis on preventing service breakdown and building resilience in community services for people with complex needs and behaviours that challenge. Specialist skills are required across agencies to achieve complex and sustainable return to local community settings for those in hospital or out of areas, and also to prevent support breakdown.
The group would like your views on the knowledge and specialist skills that are needed by those providing support, both direct care and as organisations and services. In addition, information about access to training in these areas is requested.
The short surveycloses on Thursday 30 October. This information will help develop recommendations in the next Coming Home action plan – so this is your chance to have your say!
There’s still time to take part in our survey about your experience with Social Security Scotland over the last year. The survey will close at 6pm on Wednesday 4 June. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
If you have already taken part please ignore this email and accept a huge thank you from us for your help.
The survey is open to everyone who works with our clients or works in partnership with Social Security Scotland.
We would like to hear from as many people as possible. Please feel free to share the survey with others who deal with Social Security Scotland or work with our clients.
Confidentiality
Taking part is voluntary and your responses will be confidential. No one will be able to identify you in any of the reported results. Only people working in the research team will be able to see your responses.
What do we do with the results?
Your views are very important to us. They help us to understand if we are delivering the commitments of Our Charter and what improvements we can make. After the survey closes, researchers will analyse the results and publish a research report. We also survey our clients and our colleagues and all of this contributes to the Charter Measurement Framework results that we publish annually.
Further questions?
If there’s more we can do to help you take part, please let us know. You can contact us by emailing research@socialsecurity.gov.scot or you can phone our research helpline for free on 0800 029 4974, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.
Survey data from People’s Postcode Lottery reveals Scottish attitudes to their connection with nature
While the British weather can be a bit of a lottery, this Spring Bank Holiday (May 26, 2025) is a great opportunity to spend much-needed moments reconnecting with parks, woodlands and open spaces.
This comes after a recent UK survey by People’s Postcode Lottery, where 45% of respondents in Scotland said they do not have enough time to enjoy the physical and mental health benefits of being in nature.
Laura Chow, Head of Charities at People’s Postcode Lottery, said: “The survey highlights that more people would like to spend time outside enjoying nature, so I hope this bank holiday provides an opportunity for many to embrace the great outdoors in their local park or woodland.
“The incredible plant species and wildlife in these areas offer a great way to reconnect with nature and enjoy its benefits.
“Players of People’s Postcode Lottery raised more than £40 million in 2024 for charities working to protect wildlife and the natural world.”
The UK-wide survey revealed attitudes, relationships and connections towards nature and the environment. Among these include attitudes towards lifestyle and environmental topics, including sustainability-focused practices.
Information from respondents living in Scottish postcodes found:
82% said they felt that spending time in nature was important to their overall wellbeing and mental health.
49% said they only feel fairly connected to the environment around them.
17% spend intentional time outdoors once a month or less.
82% of respondents said spending time in nature is important to their overall wellbeing and mental health, and 45% said a lack of time was a key part of not being able to spend more time outside.
17% of people surveyed said they intentionally spend time outdoors in parks, forests or other natural spaces every day, while 35% said they spend time outdoors several times a week.
A staggering 17% of people saying they spend intentional time outdoors only once a month or less.
Empowering people to get out more
People’s Postcode Lottery supports a huge range of environmental charities, including Woodland Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and Friends of the Earth. These organisations help protect and preserve nature so everyone can spend more time in green spaces, forests, parks and beaches across their own postcodes and beyond.
You can get involved too; use this bank holiday to immerse yourself in nature, by taking on some nature trails with your family, organising a beach clean with your friends, or swapping your gym session for a run through your local park.
All of these are great ways to reconnect with the environment and benefit from the abundance of parks and open spaces available in your area.
We’re extending the closing date of our survey about your experience with Social Security Scotland over the last year. The survey will now close on Friday 30 May. It takes around 10 to 15 minutes to complete.
If you have already taken part please ignore this email and accept a huge thank you from us for your help.
The survey is open to everyone who works with our clients or works in partnership with Social Security Scotland.
We would like to hear from as many people as possible. Please feel free to share the survey with others who deal with Social Security Scotland or work with our clients.
Confidentiality
Taking part is voluntary and your responses will be confidential. No one will be able to identify you in any of the reported results. Only people working in the research team will be able to see your responses.
What do we do with the results?
Your views are very important to us. They help us to understand if we are delivering the commitments of Our Charter and what improvements we can make. After the survey closes, researchers will analyse the results and publish a research report. We also survey our clients and our colleagues and all of this contributes to the Charter Measurement Framework results that we publish annually.
Further questions?
If there’s more we can do to help you take part, please let us know. You can contact us by emailing research@socialsecurity.gov.scot or you can phone our research helpline for free on 0800 029 4974, Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm.
Yours sincerely,
Charter Measurement and Client Panels Team, Social Security Scotland
