If you have CPR knowledge, sign up to become a lifesaver with the #GoodSAM app
Since October, over 1200 people across Scotland have registered to receive an alert when someone suffers #cardiacarrest. But we need more volunteers!
Find out more: https://savealife.scot/goodsam/
Hope in action – new tree planting at Lauriston Farm starting this Saturday.
Join us to help plant wild harvest windbreaks, #agroforestry rows and wet woodland areas.
Details and sign up sheet here: http://volunteersignup.org/FKLXC
Last week, cardiac arrest survivor John McCann, 62, whose life was saved by a first aid trained First Bus driver, shared his experiences with party leaders, ministers and MSPs at a parliamentary reception on behalf of St Andrew’s First Aid, Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity.
John, who lives in the West End of Glasgow, spoke of the great importance of first aid and emphasised the vital need to ensure more people are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to intervene in any emergency. He underlined how his life – and ability to tell his story at the event – was entirely down to the actions of one man.
The reception was attended by Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar, Minister for Public Health, Woman’s Health and Sport, Maree Todd and Collette Stevenson as sponsoring MSP, amongst others.
The event was held to mark the 140th anniversary of the charity and provided an opportunity for political and wider stakeholders to find out more about St Andrew’s First Aid’s mission to transform Scotland into a nation of live savers by providing vital first aid training to everyone.
The reception also included a speech from Molly Jansen, 17, a St Andrew’s First Aid volunteer. Molly spoke about the valuable experiences of being a volunteer and the importance of St. Andrew’s First Aid’s school projects such as the Ready for Life programme which teaches a certificated emergency and mental health first aid course to secondary school pupils.
Stuart Callison, Chief executive at St Andrew’s First Aid said: “We’re delighted that the vital work being completed at St. Andrew’s First Aid is being recognised and celebrated.
“We are very grateful to everyone who attended our event and helped us to celebrate these 140 years of providing essential first aid training and support to Scotland.
“As Scotland’s only dedicated first aid charity, we have a responsibility to train as many people in lifesaving skills and raise awareness of the important campaigns and initiatives we have in place to achieve this.”
Are you 14+ and looking to get into volunteering? Check out our flyers and get in touch with our Volunteer Development Worker Gillian!
We are also having a volunteer recruitment event on Thursday 29th September at 4pm – come along and find out more!
Welcome to your June Newsletter
First of all, we hope you enjoyed the Picnic in the Park on Sunday 19th June in collaboration with the Friends of Victoria Park and the Victoria Park Allotment Holders. There seemed to be hundreds of people there, all having a great time. We hope you caught up with some old friends and made some new ones.
Next in the calendar will be our second Annual General Meeting. This will be held on Saturday 2nd July and members will be receiving their own invitation to attend in person this year, now that Covid restrictions have been relaxed. There will be more details in the members’ invitations.
If you think you are already a member, but have not received the AGM invitation by email in the last few days, please do get in touch with us to check your membership status by emailing admin@heartofnewhaven.co.uk .
Just a reminder that receiving this newsletter does not necessarily mean that you are a member. You might just have signed up to receive the newsletter but not joined as a member.
Check out our website for membership conditions, which are purely geographical. If you live in our area of benefit (there’s a map on the website) then you can become a full member with voting rights.
If you live outside the area then you can still become an associate member but will not be able to vote at the AGM.
Joining is free. If you haven’t joined and wish to, then you can find the form under JOIN on the website.
The Trustees look forward to meeting members in person, many of them for the first time, and discussing our exciting plans for the future.
We would also like to use this newsletter to introduce you to a new member of our team. Bryan McCarthy joins us as our new Volunteer Coordinator.
One of our trustees, Christine McDerment has been on the other end of the volunteering email address up until now, but Bryan has stepped up and answered the call for some help.
Bryan is originally from Cork, Ireland, but moved to Edinburgh five years ago and has been living in Leith while working in criminal justice with Edinburgh City Council. “I have always enjoyed volunteering in my spare time and am excited to put my energy into coordinating the volunteering activities of Heart of Newhaven,” he says.
Now, a reminder: we are looking for volunteers to get involved in reminiscence training.
Sharing family stories is therapeutic and instructive, not to mention enjoyable. If you’re interested in helping to record people’s stories and memories, to then share with the community, then please get in touch. We have secured funding for this, so the training would be free for the participants.
Contact: judy.crabb@heartofnewhaven.co.uk
or Christine.mcderment@heartofnewhaven.co.uk
Remember to check the website regularly for blogs.
The month of May saw a visit to the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, with whom we hope to collaborate on exhibitions and events in the future. As well as their regular collection they also offer temporary exhibitions and the current one runs until 19th June.
You can find the blogs, including Culture & Heritage and View From The Chair, under BLOGS on the website.
The gala has been a feature of the historic mining village for over 85 years and organisers kept the tradition alive during lockdowns by crowning the Gala Queen in a private family ceremony at Duntarvie Castle.
The events take place from Sunday 19 to Saturday 25 June, with the highlight being on the final day featuring the crowning of the 2022 Gala Queen followed by a parade around Winchburgh with over 250 children, the community growers, Winchburgh Wombles, the football club, bands and many more.
The event has been supported by Winchburgh Developments Ltd. Penny Lochhead, Community Engagement Manager, said: “We are delighted to be the main supporters for this year’s Winchburgh Children’s Gala.
“It has been great to support and take part in the return of this event and it is exciting to have the community come together for a week of celebrations, as it continues to expand and grow.”
Yvonne Ledgerwood, Winchburgh Children’s Gala Volunteer Committee Member, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring back the Winchburgh Children’s Gala to the village.
“It has been fantastic to see the local community and businesses come together in preparation for the gala and we are looking forward to a week of celebrations to mark this occasion.
“We would like to thank Winchburgh Developments Ltd for their continued support and for helping us make this year’s gala a celebration to remember.”
Dear Editor,
I am delighted to be able to say a huge thank you to the hundreds of wonderful Stroke Association volunteers this Thank You Day 2022.
The annual Thank You Day, which takes place on Sunday 5 June, is extra special this year, as it coincides with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend where the nation will stop to celebrate 70 years of service by Her Majesty, the Queen.
To all our volunteers, you make a huge difference to thousands of stroke survivors and their families by sharing your stories, providing information and support through services and stroke groups, promoting stroke in local communities, fundraising, and campaigning for change.
I’m also delighted to pass on the best wishes of The Duke of Kent, who is also President of the Stroke Association:
“On this Thank You Day, it is an honour to be able to say a huge thank you to every one of the fantastic volunteers at the Stroke Association.
“This special weekend, as we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, it is fitting to also take time to recognise the service of the amazing volunteers who are supporting stroke survivors and their families every day as they rebuild their lives after stroke.
“We are inspired by your dedication, commitment and care towards others, particularly those volunteers who have been so badly affected by stroke themselves.
“My best wishes and thanks to you all.”
So it’s a huge thank you from me and everyone at the Stroke Association. Thank you for giving hope to thousands of stroke survivors and their carers and supporting them with their recoveries – You’re amazing!
Juliet Bouverie, OBE
Chief Executive of the Stroke Association
Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation is warning that time is running out to save some of Britain’s best-loved insects, with the latest Red List assessment of butterflies published today, revealing a 26% increase in the number of species threatened with extinction.
Using data gathered by volunteers through the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme and Butterflies for the New Millennium recording scheme, scientists from Butterfly Conservation have put together the new Red List, which assesses all the butterfly species that have bred regularly in Great Britain against the rigorous criteria of extinction risk set out by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The new Red List is published today in the journal Insect Conservation and Diversity.
Of the 62 species assessed, four are extinct in Britain (Black-veined White, Large Tortoiseshell, Large Copper, and Mazarine Blue) with 24 (41% of the remaining species) classed as threatened (8 Endangered, 16 Vulnerable) and a further five (9%) as Near Threatened.
Head of Science for Butterfly Conservation, Dr Richard Fox, says: “Shockingly, half of Britain’s remaining butterfly species are listed as threatened or Near Threatened on the new Red List.
“Even prior to this new assessment, British butterflies were among the most threatened in Europe, and now the number of threatened species in Britain has increased by five, an increase of more than one-quarter.
“While some species have become less threatened, and a few have even dropped off the Red List, the overall increase clearly demonstrates that the deterioration of the status of British butterflies continues apace.”
While land-use change remains the most important driver of decline, the impact of climate change on butterflies is also evident in the new Red List, with all four British butterflies with northerly distributions, adapted to cooler or damper climates, now listed as threatened (Large Heath, Scotch Argus, Northern Brown Argus) or Near Threatened (Mountain Ringlet).
Both the Large Heath and the Grayling have moved from Vulnerable to Endangered, and seven species have moved from Near Threatened to threatened, including the beautiful Swallowtail and Adonis Blue.
Two new species have been added for the first time, Scotch Argus, which is listed as Vulnerable, and Dark Green Fritillary, listed as Near Threatened.
It isn’t bad news for all butterfly species though, with some improvement in status for those that have been the focus of concentrated conservation effort, offering hope for other species.
The Large Blue, which became extinct in Great Britain in 1979 and has been the subject of an intensive, ongoing, and highly successful reintroduction programme, has moved from Critically Endangered to Near Threatened.
The High Brown Fritillary, also formerly listed as Critically Endangered, has moved to Endangered; likely to be the result of intense conservation work from Butterfly Conservation alongside other organisations.
The Duke of Burgundy and Pearl-bordered Fritillary, which have also benefitted from much targeted conservation effort, both moved from Endangered to Vulnerable.
Dr Richard Fox adds: “Where we are able to target conservation work, we have managed to bring species back from the brink, but with the extinction risk increasing for more species than are decreasing, more must be done to protect our butterflies from the effects of changing land management and climate change.
“Without action it is likely that species will be lost from Britain’s landscapes for good, but Butterfly Conservation is taking bold steps to improve key landscapes for butterflies and reduce the extinction risk of many threatened species.”
The production of the new Red List of British butterflies has been led by Butterfly Conservation with input and funding from Natural England.
The full scientific paper can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1111/icad.12582
NSPCC Scotland is bringing people in Edinburgh together this summer to have fun while helping to protect children from abuse and neglect.
Childhood Day, which is on June 10, is the NSPCC’s landmark charity day where families, friends and colleagues fundraise and take action to help keep children safe.
To help make this the best Childhood Day yet, the NSPCC is appealing for volunteers on the day in Edinburgh to help at the fundraising collections for the city centre and Edinburgh Craigleith Retail Park, from 10am until 6pm.
Caroline Renton, Supporter Fundraising Manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “Last year, the NSPCC Helpline made 897 referrals to agencies in Scotland about child abuse and neglect concerns – an average of two referrals a day.
“With the support of local people here in Edinburgh, we can take action against child abuse, and raise funds to ensure young people always have someone to turn to.
“We need volunteers to help at our Edinburgh collection, so please contact us if you’re able to give your time, energy and enthusiasm. It would be great if you could spare a couple of hours to help us. Together we can make all the difference for children.
“Or you may prefer to set up a fundraising event. Whether you’re organising a sponsored kickabout in the park, a board game, a musical get-together or an online gaming tournament, we want your help to get the UK playing and to raise money to help us keep children safe from abuse.”
To help with a collection, visit:
www.nspcc.org.uk/support-us/events-fundraising/childhood-day/volunteer/
If you want to do your own fundraising, then visit:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/childhoodday
for a fundraising pack.
ONE of the world’s oldest fire engines has been moved into its new home in Edinburgh’s new Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage.
Dating from 1806 the horse-drawn pump, originally stationed at Duns in the Scottish Borders, takes pride of place alongside four other classic fire appliances spanning more than 100 years of fire and rescue history.
The appliances were moved by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s fleet team, marking a major milestone in the museum’s construction ahead of a summer opening.
All five appliances played a pivotal role in the history of fire and rescue in Scotland and include a 1939 Dennis Limo, previously based at Musselburgh, a 1911 Halley which served with Leith Fire Brigade, an 1824 hand-drawn pump which was used in Edinburgh City and a 1901 Greenwich Gem, first used by the town of Kircaldy in Fife.
All have been lovingly restored and will feature alongside dozens of historic and modern exhibits and artefacts including uniforms and equipment at the museum’s new premises at McDonald Road Community Fire Station.
Kelly McMeekin, Museum Manager, said: “It has been a journey to get to where we are today.
“The appliance installations have made everything feel so real. We are close to opening our doors to the public and our very proud of the work of staff and the amazing volunteers.
“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has a rich and proud heritage which had a profound impact on the evolution of fire and rescue, not only in the UK, but around the world.”
Rounding out the exhibitions are ‘real stories about real people’, interactives and dress up for the entire family with a view to the working fire station’s drill yard.
There has been a museum in Edinburgh dedicated to firefighting in the Lothians since 1968 when it originally opened at McDonald Road Fire Station before moving to its previous location at the old Lauriston Fire Station before closing in 2016.
Dave Farries QFSM, Watch Commander, was a firefighter at McDonald Road and gave tours at the original museum in the 70s.
He commented: “I started working at McDonald Road Fire Station in 1969, as a Junior Fireman seconded to the Brigade Training School, a year after the Station first opened and remember visitors from around the world being given tours of the newly established Museum on the site.
“After years of hard work by our dedicated Volunteers and staff, it is great to see the gleaming appliances being installed and the new museum taking shape back in its original home at McDonald Road.
“We cannot wait to welcome members of the public, the community, firefighters and tourists to the new museum.”
If you would like to be involved the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage is currently recruiting Front of House and Gallery Guide volunteers. You can contact them by email at Heritage@firescotland.gov.uk
Find out more information about the museum’s development on social media Facebook – Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, Instagram – MuseumScotFire and Twitter – @MuseumScotFire
