Cyrenians, NHS Lothians LEAP, and Edinburgh Alcohol and Drug Partnership have been successful in a recent Corra Foundation grant bid to develop and implement a Women’s Recovery House in Edinburgh.
The House, for patients moving on from residential recovery in the LEAP program, offers women who do not have a safe home to return to the opportunity to continue their recovery supported by their peers.
The first of its kind in Edinburgh, the house creates a level playing field for women, who until this point have had limited options available upon completing the 12 week LEAP programme.
Amy Hutton, Director of Services at Cyrenians said, “This is a fantastic step forward in supporting the recovery community, particularly women who have been underserved in this area for quite some time.
‘We know, from experience, that highly traumatised women don’t fare well in standard service delivery environments, so to be able to offer a bespoke, safe home, truly is groundbreaking.
‘Men in Edinburgh completing the LEAP programme have benefited from a similar model for many years, so this new Women’s House really levels the playing field and helps us continue providing peer support to women who otherwise would be isolated in their recovery.”
This new funding not only allows the partnership to provide accommodation beyond the LEAP programme, but will also support the development of a Wellbeing Coordinator, providing assistance to patients throughout the LEAP programme and during their stay at the Recovery House.
Viki Fox, LEAP Manager for Cyrenians added: “The number of women attending our LEAP programme has been increasing year on year. To have this move on option available for those who would otherwise be discharged into an unsafe home, or indeed, homelessness, is a fantastic step forward to improving their quality of life and ability to stay in recovery.
‘By providing additional support through our wellbeing coordinator we will be able to offer practical and emotional support that will help build self-esteem and independence.
‘Recovery is only the first step – learning to live again beyond addiction takes time, and without support can feel overwhelming and thankless. The support from Corra Foundation allows us to address this need directly, and ultimately will provide women in Edinburgh the chance to rebuild their lives on their own terms.”
This July, Scottish Opera Young Company is presenting the world premiere of RED, a darkly comedic piecedrawn from fairy tales by The Brothers Grimm, at the Company’s Production Studios in Glasgow.
An interwoven story of the four stages of women’s lives that often feature in folk tales, RED is by award-winning composer Karen MacIver, with a libretto by Scottish Opera’s Director of Outreach and Education, Jane Davidson MBE.
The conductor is Young Company’s Artistic Director Chris Gray, with Flora Emily Thomson (Maud & Down in the Valley 2023 and As The Seasons Turn 2022) returning to direct the 14 young performers aged between 17 to 21. Set and costume designs are by Finlay McLay.
RED is inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Snow White and Hansel & Gretel, and features aspects of the ages of unnamed female figures — girl, maiden, mother, crone — that often appear in these famous stories. The 70-minute opera examinesthe circular, metamorphic nature of these tales as well as experiences shared by generations of women across time through magical realism.
Karen MacIver (above) andJane Davidsonsaid: ‘RED is an exploration of the some of the key defining characteristics of the female protagonist in stories – bringing the tradition from its beginnings in folk tales and right up to contemporary interpretations.
‘Women are judged by a different set of values, and many still face the unenviable choices of relationships (family) versus personal aspiration. In more recent times, the medium of stage and film – and of music composed for these– has gained dominance in terms of how we experience storytelling.
‘Stephen Sondheim and Bernard Herrmann are masters in the art of musically driven plots. Their works have greatly influenced the score, not only in the musical choices made, but also as a guiding light for compelling storytelling in terms of the landscape of sound.
‘Literary influences include Margaret Atwood, whose beautifully concise, darkly humorous style, with twists and turns at the most unexpected of moments, we have tried to capture in the libretto.
‘Working within the parameters of four short acts drove the need for a musical score that describes the plot every bit as much as the words. Interspersed throughout are strands of magical realism, lending an everyday quality to the more outrageous aspects of the story arc that we are confident most of the audience will recognise.
‘So, throw in some chatty crockery, firefighters with a nice line in barbershop singing, some 1980s shoulder padded glamour, a wolf that needs therapy and you might just get a sense of what to expect.’
Director Flora Emily Thomson said: ‘I’m so excited to be working with the Young Company again to bring to life RED.
“Karen MacIver and Jane Davidson’s intricate and charged piece is brimming with possibilities, compelling us to consider the relationship between women, power and patriarchy across a lifetime, and the shifts and sacrifices needed to navigate these.
“As we follow our protagonist through her ages, our ensemble uses dynamic and sensory movement to build her worlds and destroy them, constantly moving the goal posts and manipulating the parameters of her world.
“Taking place on a striking and stark, angular set, prepare to experience some of society’s oldest tales in a thoroughly modern way.’
Scottish Opera Young Company offers young singers a unique and practical introduction to the world of opera and the chance to develop their talent through a year-long programme, working with a range of music professionals.
For many of the singers, it is the first step towards building a career in the arts, and gives them the opportunity to perform music written especially for young voices.
Tickets for RED, which is supported by Scottish Opera’s Education Angels and The Rose Fund, are available to buy now from www.scottishopera.org.uk/shows/red
Did you know that we have a secret weapon right under our nose? One that can help us calm our nervous system; helping us to feel grounded, centered and connected to ourselves.
And what is this secret weapon I hear you ask…? Well, it’s the simple act of breathing mindfully.
Join me, Jules. on Monday mornings here at PCHP and together we’ll explore different breath practices that help not only improve our quality of breath but also help us relax and re-charge ready for the week ahead.
10-10.30am – Breathwork, seated warm-up and guided meditation
10.45-11.30am – Yoga Practice
*** Women Only ***
Want to know more? Get in touch with us via email: hello@pchp.org.uk
There are around 400,000 women in Scotland who are of menopausal age.Too many of them will feel like they are alone.
For some it’s still a taboo subject which can lead to a lack of discussion and understanding. Every area of their life impacted and, often, left with crippling social isolation.
Menopause Goals is a pilot programme that aims to harness the power of football to help – thanks to a collaborative effort from the Scottish FA, St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation, University of Glasgow, and menopause expert Maria Anderson.
The initial 12-week course – held at St Mirren Park – saw 25 local women, who each had to address a number of issues brought on by the menopause, report improvements with symptoms, a greater sense of empowerment and, overall, better mental health.
The plan is to roll the programme out across Scotland so it can be delivered by other football clubs and charity groups – and it’s coming to Spartans here in North Edinburgh this month (see poster).
Corrie Campbell (Scottish FA, Football Social Responsibility Officer)explained: “So far, the power of football has tackled a lot of issues, but menopause is one of the few remaining taboo subjects that impacts so many people.
“A lot of people are still embarrassed to talk about it, whether it’s in the workplace or within their own family and friendship groups.
“I think there’s a real opportunity for football clubs around Scotland to make a difference.
“We came together to form Menopause Goals because there’s a need for education and knowledge for women in Scotland and we’re really excited about it.
“The tagline is ‘celebrating the second half’ and we want to help provide the tools, knowledge and confidence so people know their life isn’t over when they’re perimenopausal or postmenopausal.
“The University of Glasgow’s research department conducted an evaluation of the project using various methodologies.
“The pilot spanned 12 weeks and involved 25 participants experiencing symptoms at different menopausal stages.
“The Menopause Goals leadership team – including Gayle Brannigan, Chief Executive of St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation, and our menopause expert, Maria Anderson – organised weekly in-person sessions, complemented by online resource sharing.
“The pilot aimed to enhance participants’ knowledge about menopause and their personal journeys, helping them comprehend the impact on their well-being, relationships, and professional lives.
“The research outcomes will pave the way for a resource that enables the implementation of similar programs in football clubs throughout Scotland. This resource will also contribute to government objectives, given that menopause is a focal point in the Women’s Health Plan.
“Looking ahead, the objective is to leverage football’s influence. This innovative resource aims to educate and empower volunteers and staff within football across Scotland, providing them with tools and knowledge to support women gradually.
“The goal is to enable women to comprehend the complexities of menopause, fostering logical thinking about their body’s needs. By applying their learning in manageable steps, women can reduce symptoms, boost confidence to communicate with health professionals, and articulate their needs effectively.”
A comprehensive investigation by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has found that thousands of women may have been affected by DWP’s failure to adequately inform them that the State Pension age had changed.
The 1995 Pensions Act and subsequent legislation raised the State Pension age for women born on or after 6 April 1950. The Parliamentary and Health Servive Ombudsman investigated complaints that, since 1995, DWP has failed to provide accurate, adequate and timely information about areas of State Pension reform.
PHSO published stage one of their investigation in July 2021. It found failings in the way DWP communicated changes to women’s State Pension age.
This final report combines stages two and three of the investigation. It both considers the injustice resulting from the maladministration we identified during stage one and also sets out our thinking about remedy.
To date, DWP has not acknowledged its failings nor put things right for those women affected. DWP has also failed to offer any apology or explanation for its failings and has indicated it will not compensate women affected by its failure.
DWP’s handling of the changes meant some women lost opportunities to make informed decisions about their finances. It diminished their sense of personal autonomy and financial control.
PHSO Chief Executive Rebecca Hilsenrath, said: “The UK’s national Ombudsman has made a finding of failings by DWP in this case and has ruled that the women affected are owed compensation. DWP has clearly indicated that it will refuse to comply. This is unacceptable. The Department must do the right thing and it must be held to account for failure to do so.
“Complainants should not have to wait and see whether DWP will take action to rectify its failings. Given the significant concerns we have that it will fail to act on our findings and given the need to make things right for the affected women as soon as possible, we have proactively asked Parliament to intervene and hold the Department to account.
“Parliament now needs to act swiftly, and make sure a compensation scheme is established. We think this will provide women with the quickest route to remedy.”
The investigation has been complex and involved analysing thousands of pages of evidence. On a number of occasions, parties were allowed additional time to consider and comment on our views.
PHSO also agreed last year to look again at part of their stage two findings following a legal challenge. All of this resulted to delays in the final report.
The report has been laid before Parliament, with a request that it looks at PHSO’s findings and intervenes to agree a remedy for the women affected.
While Parliament will make its own decisions about rectifying the injustice, PHSO have shared what they consider to be an appropriate remedy.
In addition to paying compensation, PHSO have made it clear that DWP should acknowledge its failings and apologise for the impact it has had on complainants and others similarly affected.
The Ombudsman has received a series of complaints relating to how well DWP has communicated a variety of State Pension reforms. Concerns about communication of changes to the State Pension age constitute only one such area of complaint.
The Department has also declined to act on other issues that have been consistently highlighted in complaints. A report from the Ombudsman later in the year will set these out.
It’s understood that over three million women are affected. So far, neither Conservative nor Labour politicians have committed to paying compensation,
Women to save up to £2 on period pants as government scraps VAT today
Retailers, including M&S, Primark and Tesco, have committed to pass on the savings, worth 16%
Move follows scrapping of tampon tax in 2021, removing VAT from sanitary products, following the UK’s decision to leave the EU
From today [1 January 2024] women will save up to £2 on period pants on average – up to 16% – as the government scraps VAT on the underwear.
The pledge to scrap the tax was made by the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt at the Autumn Statement 2023 and follows the end of the tampon tax in January 2021.
Around 80 MPs, charities and retailers called on the government to scrap the VAT in August 2023.
With Marks & Spencer spearheading the campaign, other retailers including Primark and Tesco have committed to pass the tax cut straight to the consumer.
Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Nigel Huddleston, said: “This is a victory for women across the UK and for the campaigners who’ve helped raise awareness of the growing importance of period pants.
“It’s only right that women and girls can find more affordable options for what has become an essential and environmentally friendly product.”
Since reforming the ‘tampon tax’, the market for period underwear has expanded and they are now a mainstream choice for many women. The scrapping of the current VAT will ensure that period underwear is treated the same as traditional period products.
Having left the European Union, the UK is no longer legally bound by EU laws which saw sanitary products subject to five different rates of VAT between 1973 and 2021.
The move comes after the ‘Say Pants to the Tax’ campaign, led by retailers such as Marks & Spencer, women’s groups and environmentalists, called to scrap the tax.
Victoria McKenzie-Gould, Corporate Affairs Director at Marks & Spencer, said: “Paying tax on period pants was a bum deal for women everywhere so we’re thrilled that the Treasury has done the right thing by axing the tax and levelling the playing field on period products for good.
“Nearly 25% of women cite cost as a barrier to using period pants so we know the new legislation that comes into effect from today will make a big difference to women’s budgets across the UK.
“A big thank you to WUKA, the tens of thousands of individuals, politicians, brand and retailers, who threw their weight behind our campaign – Say Pants to the Tax – and of course a big thank you to the Chancellor and HM Treasury team who made the change we were campaigning for a reality.”
Women with sensory issues who find conventional period products difficult to use will also benefit from period pants becoming more affordable.
The savings for women are subject to the VAT cut being passed on, with the army of retailers behind the campaign pledging themselves to play their part to pass on the 20% VAT cut.
Laura Coryton, tampon tax campaigner and founder of social enterprise Sex Ed Matters, said: “Ending the tax on period underwear will make a huge difference, particularly given skyrocketing levels of period poverty across the UK. It will also help to tackle the stigma associated with periods, which stops at least 10% of girls going to school every month.
“Now, it is important for retailers to pass savings on to consumers, not only in relation to period underwear, but all period products.”
A new public campaign titled #RespectHerSpace was launched yesterday (November 20) at the City Chambers.
This approach was produced by the City of Edinburgh Council alongside partners, Police Scotland, NHS Lothian, the University of Edinburgh, and Edinburgh Napier University. It was also supported by the Women’s Safety in Public Places Community Improvement Partnership and the Equally Safe Edinburgh Committee.
The launch follows two Women’s Safety in Public Places consultations held between June 2022 and March 2023. The analysis of consultation responses found between 73.9% and 80.5% of women reported having experienced harassment, abuse, or violence while in a public space in Edinburgh.
Following extensive discussions with key campaign stakeholders, the ‘her’ pronoun was chosen for the campaign title to represent all women and girls.
It comes as evidence suggests that women and girls experience disproportionate levels of harassment in public places compared with men. This restricts their ability to freely participate in school, work, and public life due to concerns for personal safety, directly impacting their health and wellbeing.
The consultations detailed key recommendations to tackle this inequity, including a campaign targeted at men to address their behaviours and attitudes towards women in public places.
The campaign will not target criminality, but instead encourage men to make small changes to their behaviour to make people, especially women and girls, feel safer in Edinburgh.
Small changes, such as crossing the road instead of walking directly behind someone or making a phone call, are intended to reassure women and girls who may otherwise feel unsafe while in a public place. The campaign will be positive and will not alienate or blame men, rather it’ll encourage men to reflect on their behaviour.
The #RespectHerSpace campaign runs from 20 November 2023 for at least three weeks and will be seen across television, digital, and outdoor advertising.
Depute Council Leader, Councillor Mandy Watt said:“It’s so important that everyone feels safe whilst out and about in Edinburgh. Women and girls are often excluded from full and meaningful inclusion in public spaces due to worries about their safety, but men can be fundamental in changing this.
“We are asking men to make small but significant changes to their behaviour to make sure women and girls feel safe when accessing our public spaces.
“I’d encourage people to engage with this campaign and use it as an opportunity to have these important conversations with male family members, friends, and colleagues.
“We’re committed to making Edinburgh as safe, secure, and inclusive city as possible. Alongside our wider work, this campaign represents an important step in this process.”
DCI Adam Brown of Edinburgh’s Public Protection unit welcomed the campaign: “Improving the wellbeing of our communities is a key purpose of policing and I fully support this campaign, which demonstrates that small and considerate changes in our behaviour can make a difference in promoting feelings of safety and helping everybody to enjoy use of our public spaces equally.
Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian, said:“NHS Lothian welcomes the #RespectHerSpace campaign. Research clearly demonstrates the issues faced by women and girls who report negative experiences whilst in a public space. These experiences can cause anxiety and distress, which contributes to poorer health and wellbeing.
“Increasing awareness of these issues, and of the small changes that can make a big difference, is a powerful tool towards enabling women and girls to feel safer when they are in public spaces across our city.
“Everyone has a right to feel safe and we would encourage people to engage with this campaign and take action to support women and girls to achieve that right.”
Carolann Begbie, Director of People & Services at Edinburgh Napier University said:“We strive to make Edinburgh Napier a safe place for everyone, and this campaign underlines that effort.
“Sadly, harassment and gender-based violence are problems which affect all aspects of society. We want to ensure that it’s not a part of university life.
“#RespectHerSpace demonstrates that small changes can have a significant impact on helping our city become a more inclusive place to study, work and live.”
Measures to support women experiencing difficult menopause or menstrual health symptoms in the workplace are being introduced by NHS Scotland across their workforce.
As one of the medium term actions in the Women’s Health Plan, the policy reflects recommendations from a study of NHS employees by Professor Kathleen Riach, supported by the Scottish Government.
The new policy aims to create an environment where women feel confident in raising health issues so solutions can be put in place.
Minister for Women’s Health Jenni Minto said: “It’s important to foster a culture of awareness and compassionate management in the workplace so women feel confident and comfortable in raising issues around their menopause or menstrual health.
“NHS Scotland’s policy will recommend a number of measures that will make work life easier such as flexible breaks and working arrangements.
“This is a positive example of an employer taking proactive steps to reduce barriers to women’s health in the workplace and we hope it promotes equivalent efforts across the public, private and third sectors.”
Professor Kathleen Riach said: “NHS Scotland’s new Menopause and Menstrual Health Workplace Policy marks a vital step in ensuring all employees are valued, supported, and recognised as an integral part of the country’s workforce, no matter their age or stage of their reproductive lives.
“Healthier women mean a healthier economy. By identifying and scaling some of the best practice currently existing across the NHS Scotland workforce, as well as introducing new evidence-based practises, this policy will ensure the menstrual status of women is no barrier to jobs and careers in healthcare.”
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