Join Heriot-Watt on Thursday 25 April for their latest industry event.

Recent figures from Skills Development Scotland highlight that 46% of organisations are suffering from a data skills shortage. This event will aim to demystify Data Science apprenticeships, highlighting how Graduate Apprentices are making a positive impact and how employers can bridge the skills gap.

• Power up your business – Employers – understand how to harness the power of your data to enhance business performance. Data Science Graduate Apprenticeships are an ideal way to develop key data skills tailored to the needs of your business – either through upskilling existing employees or attracting new talent.
• Accelerate your career – Individuals – discover how a Data Science Graduate Apprenticeship could kickstart your career. Whether you’re in an existing data role or are looking to change your career direction, this event will demonstrate how our programme can develop your data skills.

SIGN UP TODAY!

This is a great opportunity to hear first-hand from an expert panel of Graduate Apprentices and workplace mentors on how Data Science Graduate Apprenticeships are boosting businesses.

Time: 9am to 10am, 25 April

Location: Heriot-Watt University GRID building

Sign up here > https://buytickets.at/heriotwattuniversity2/1200750/r/edi

Turner & Townsend has been appointed by global security and aerospace company, BAE Systems, as the New Engineering Contract (NEC) Project Manager to support the delivery of Ship Build Hall in Glasgow, Scotland.

With the construction of the facility already underway and practical completion expected in Spring 2025, the new Ship Build Hall is set to become a landmark building in Glasgow, where the latest Type 26 anti-submarine warfare frigates are being constructed for the Royal Navy.

The hall is a key element of BAE Systems’ modernisation and digitalisation of its shipbuilding facilities at Govan and Scotstoun. Alongside a range of infrastructure and automation improvements, the company is introducing digital technology such as tablets and kiosk screens on the shop floor to streamline processes.

Once complete, the 170-metre long and 80-metre-wide structure will provide the space and services for BAE Systems to build two frigates, side-by-side, and will help enable efficient and safe shipbuilding for decades to come with future work unaffected by adverse weather.

The NEC will see the consultancy firm’s Scotland-based infrastructure team provide cost control and project management services for the construction of the new Ship Build Hall.

Steven Jackson, Director of Infrastructure, Scotland said: “BAE Systems’ investment in the long-term future of its Govan and Scotstoun facilities will transform and enhance shipbuilding in Glasgow. Our UK-wide expertise in the defence sector and in the delivery of major projects will play a key role in the development of this new facility.”

Dales Marine Services Ltd (Dales Marine) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kaylea Adam-Owen as Chief Finance Officer (CFO) and Paul O’Brien as Operations Director, with both serving on the Company’s Board as Executive Directors. 

Dales Marine Services Ltd is a leading provider of specialist solutions for dry dock and steelwork, maintenance, ship repair, mobilization, ship lay-up, and vessel decommissioning services from five major Scottish ports. 

The Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Paterson, said:

“I am delighted to welcome Kaylea Adam-Owen and Paul O’Brien to Dales Marine. Their industry knowledge, coupled with strategic leadership, will be a strong addition to Dales Board of Directors and the executive team at a time of continued growth.” 

Commenting on their appointment, Kaylea Adam-Owen said: 

“I am excited to be joining Dales as CFO at a pivotal time for the business as it continues to see significant growth and deliver exceptional services across the sector.  With highly skilled and professional employees, long standing client relationships, and industry leading capabilities, the company is well placed to build on its success to date.  I am looking forward to working with the Board and wider Management Team to deliver collective success for our employees, customers, and sector.”

Commenting on their appointment, Paul O’Brien, said:

“I am thrilled to have joined the team at Dales Marine as Operations Director, which is a fantastic opportunity and brings me back to the marine industry that I am passionate about. I look forward to leading our Operations Team and driving positive change, whilst maintaining the foundations of Dales Marine’s culture that is instrumental to our success. Now is the right time to build on the strong foundations already in place to ensure operations continually deliver for our clients, and to deliver the business growth strategy we are committed to.”

… explore the Universe, under the sea and colour changing carrots!

This Easter holiday and during the Edinburgh Science Festival (30 March – 14 April), join Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh for an inspired programme of spectacular planetarium shows (including Pink Floyd – The Dark Side of the Moon), eye-catching photography exhibitions and the promise of oodles of fun at a host of special indoor and outdoor science-based activity sessions for all the family.

Confound your senses at the fascinating free ‘Senses Working Overtime’ event, during which experts from the James Hutton Institute will reveal the science of colour changing carrots and why plants can (temporarily) remove your sense of taste!

North Sea 3D is your chance to dive into the world of marine science, using virtual reality to discover what lies beneath a North Sea wind farm and even trying your hand at controlling an underwater robot. At the ‘Carbon Capturers’ session, meet scientists from the University of Edinburgh who are working on real solutions to tackle global issues like carbon emissions and freshwater shortages.

Of course, it’s also Easter and time for young and old alike to delve into an eggciting egg hunt (30^th March – 15 April / admission ticket + £3). Travel through time, exploring Dynamic Earth’s rainforest, polar and ocean themed galleries to collect 9 clues as you find out all about coral, dinosaur, catshark and penguin eggs.  Solve the puzzle and be rewarded with a tasty Easter treat!

These are just some of the exciting events that await in Dynamic Earth, the UK’s leading Earth Science engagement charity and the only science centre (and planetarium) in the UK dedicated to the story of planet earth.

Mark Bishop, CEO of Dynamic Earth, commented: “As a major programming partner of the city-wide Edinburgh Science Festival, Dynamic Earth is delivering our biggest programme yet with a laser-like focus on the wonders of science.

“From taking visitors on a journey into deep space in our planetarium, to the chance to get hands-on with an underwater robot, our packed programme of spectacular planetarium films, hands-on activities, mini-exhibitions and meet the expert sessions promises to fascinate and entertain.

It all promises to be great fun and the whole team at Dynamic Earth is really looking forward to welcoming visitors from near and far through our doors this Easter.”

https://www.edinburghscience.co.uk/whats-on/

www.dynamicearth.org.uk

The Royal Research Ship (RRS) operated by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS), is working with Clarus Networks Group to connect their advanced research vessel to high-speed internet for the first time. 

RRS Sir David Attenborough is designed to carry out crucial scientific research in some of the most extreme environments on Earth. The vessel is currently at King Edward Point Research Station, operated by BAS, on the island of South Georgia, 860 miles south-east of the Falkland Islands.

The extreme remoteness of the region means that traditional communication infrastructure is virtually non-existent, leaving the RRS Sir David Attenborough isolated for extended periods. These remote Antarctic waters are known for their harsh environmental conditions, with extreme cold, hail, sleet, heavy rain, and gale-force winds posing constant threats to equipment and data communication.

Despite being one of the most advanced polar research vessels, in remote locations the crew aboard the RRS Sir David Attenborough previously used a two-way satellite ground station with a dish, called VSAT, which was first used at sea in the 1980s. Clarus Networks Group specialises in connecting the world’s most remote places and installed state-of-the-art low Earth orbit satellite technology, Starlink Maritime, to deliver high-speed internet to the vessel. 

Using Starlink Maritime, the Sir David Attenborough crew can now seamlessly transfer bandwidth-intensive data, enhancing the overall communication capabilities of the vessel by supporting real-time collaboration and data sharing among researchers. The increased bandwidth has also improved crew welfare, providing a more robust and stable connection for communication with loved ones, accessing support systems, and enhancing the overall quality of life for the crew.

Dean Evans, Head of Communications Engineering, British Antarctic Survey, said:

“Connecting people at our bases and on the ship to the rest of the world has never been easier – Starlink has transformed communication for everyone at BAS. Having a consistently fast and reliable connection has opened avenues that were not possible before with older satellite technology, and working in remote, isolated areas is now so much easier and safer for everyone.

Faster speeds now possible with Starlink enables scientists to collect and deliver data more effectively and makes it easier for those in Antarctica to reliably stay in contact with friends and family.

This technology makes managing our remote sites easier and more convenient, from at-a-glance updates to in-depth data mining and metrics.”

As the consequences of climate change become increasingly visible, and with historically low winter sea ice levels, the work of BAS has never been more critical. The organisation is climate modelling and maintaining long-term datasets, which are vital in understanding and addressing the challenges posed by the rapidly changing polar regions.

Clarus’ solution includes Starlink Flat High Performance Antennas, which are specifically designed to withstand extreme conditions and provide a constant stable connection. Starlink Maritime offers download speeds of up to 220 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 40 Mbps at sea, ensuring efficient data transfer for research purposes. With a latency of 20-99ms, researchers can conduct real-time communication and data transmission without delays.

Chris Schonhut, Maritime and Energy Director of The Clarus Networks Group, shared his thoughts on the collaboration with British Antarctic Survey: 

“Our partnership with BAS in equipping the RRS Sir David Attenborough demonstrates the power of low Earth orbit satellites. This impressive vessel will now be enabled by connectivity, instead of restricted, allowing real-time data transmission, communication, and collaboration, ensuring that BAS scientists can work efficiently. 

Clarus is immensely proud to support BAS’s vital research in some of the world’s harshest environments.”

Using connectivity powered by Clarus, BAS is also set to test innovative technologies like the Windracers ULTRA Remotely Piloted Airborne System (RPAS) at Rothera Research Station, showcasing their commitment to pioneering solutions for polar data collection.

Clarus also offers a bandwidth management and crew welfare connectivity platform for the maritime industry. This platform leverages LEO satellite broadband and liberates operations from the limitations of traditional VSAT. The system also allows for the bonding of multiple networks, such as Starlink and OneWeb, or integrating 4G technology, enhancing IT operation performance at sea.

The Herbert Protocol is a vital tool designed to help families and carers of any missing person with dementia. It coined its named after George Herbert, a Normandy landings war veteran with dementia. He went missing and tragically passed away in 2011 whilst looking for his childhood home. The protocol involves compiling essential information about the individual, such as recent photographs, medical history, places they frequent, and contact details of family and friends, all in one secure document. This information can then be quickly accessed by the authorities to aid in the search and safe return of the missing person.

Implementing the Herbert Protocol involves proactive preparation. You should start by gathering all necessary information about your loved one with dementia and creating a comprehensive document. Include recent photographs showing different angles and clothing, as well as detailed descriptions of their appearance, any identifying features, and the medications they are taking. It is crucial to update this information regularly to ensure its accuracy. Share this document with local authorities, care providers, neighbours, and friends, so they are aware of the protocol and can assist in case of an emergency.

In addition to creating the Herbert Protocol document, it is essential to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of your loved one with dementia going missing. This can include ensuring that their living environment is secure, utilising tracking devices or technology if appropriate, and establishing a routine check-in system with neighbours or carers. Educate family members and carers on how to respond effectively if the individual goes missing, emphasising the importance of acting quickly and contacting the police immediately. By implementing the Herbert Protocol and taking proactive steps to prevent incidents, you can help keep your loved one with dementia safe and ensure their safety and well-being.

What To Do When a Loved one With Dementia Goes Missing

When a loved one with dementia goes missing, it can be a terrifying experience. Here’s what you can do when you know a missing person with dementia:

Stay Calm

It’s natural to feel overwhelmed, but staying calm is key. Take a moment to collect yourself before taking action.

Contact The Police About the Missing Person with Dementia

Time is of the essence. Notify the local police immediately by calling ‘999’ and provide them with all the essential details about your missing loved one.

Share Information

If you have filled out a Herbert Protocol form, share it with the authorities. This information can significantly aid in the search efforts.

Inform Your Community About the Missing Person with Dementia

Reach out to your community, share recent photos, and ask for their help in locating your loved one. The more eyes looking out, the better the chances of a safe return.

Stay Positive

It’s a challenging time, but staying hopeful and positive can make a world of difference. Believe in the power of a united effort to bring your loved one back home.

By proactively engaging with the Herbert Protocol and taking the necessary steps to prepare for emergencies, you can enhance the safety and well-being of your loved one with dementia. In times of crisis, knowledge and preparation can be your greatest strength. It is important to stay informed, stay connected, and stay vigilant in safeguarding those you care for. You can find out more about this by visiting the Police Scotland site.

How MyLife Edinburgh Can Help

At MyLife Edinburgh, we value the dedication and compassion of our carers in providing exceptional care to those in need. Dementia can make an individual lose their sense of control and functional performance. They also lose a sense of independence, which is difficult for both the individual with dementia and their loved ones. At MyLife Edinburgh, we understand the sensitive nature of this disease and ensure all of our staff are provided with dementia training. This equips them with the skills to communicate effectively and the knowledge to understand how they are feeling, offering a sense of comfortability and security to the individual. Click here to see how we can best support you or your loved one living with dementia.

Visitors to Edinburgh’s Bonnie & Wild are in for a sweet treat during the Easter holidays as the popular Food Hall hosts an exclusive pop-up with renowned local bakery Kilted Donut.

The donut deal is the latest in a series of pop-ups, takeovers and activations at Bonnie & Wild as the Edinburgh venue uses its position within the St James Quarter to champion “small Scottish food businesses and local talent”.

The pop-up is the “perfect topping”, say Edinburgh favourites Kilted Donuts, who have recently expanded their kitchen and now prepare to open a new site in Edinburgh’s affluent Morningside area.

Renowned for the US-style donuts with a Scottish twist, Kilted Donuts will be rolling out Cranachan-inspired donuts and other tasty treats during the two-week Easter pop-up at Bonnie & Wild, starting Tuesday April 2nd.

Lena Wollan, co-founder of Kilted Donuts, said: “We’re so excited to be coming into Bonnie & Wild for the Easter holidays and bringing our donuts to a new audience within the St James Quarter. We’re sure they’ll love our range of freshly made donuts such as Cranachan, Biscoff and Cinnamon Swirl. This exclusive deal with B&W is the perfect topping to the past few months which has seen us expand our kitchen and prepare to open a new shop in Edinburgh’s southside.”

Ryan Barrie, Managing Director of Bonnie & Wild, said: “Kilted Donuts are another fresh and exciting food business who’ve built up a strong and deserved reputation through their hard work, passion and beautiful products. They’ve established a loyal, local following and I’m sure they’ll do fantastic within Bonnie & Wild as they perfectly complement our existing family-friendly offer. We’re so happy to have them in for the holidays.

“All of us at Bonie & Wild are passionate about supporting small Scottish businesses and local talent, and having the ability to host these pop-ups means we can give small producers the opportunity to reach big audiences within the St James Quarter.”

The Kilted Donut move is just the latest in a programme of pop-ups and activations at Bonnie & Wild, which has previously hosted events with Raasay, The Botanist and Bowmore distilleries, as well as the Instagram and TikTok famous Chulo’s Stuffed Cookies. Next month, Bonnie & Wild is hosting an exclusive Sri Lankan New Year fine-dining event with Kochchi, winners of the Scottish Street Food Awards.

New research, published today identifies ways more children and young people in Scotland can experience the mental health and wellbeing benefits of live music.

The Live Music and Mental Health project, delivered by Children in Scotland, Scottish Ensemble and the University of Stirling between May and October 2023, explored the barriers to children and young people engaging with live music and supported them to co-create solutions to enable better access to support their mental health and wellbeing. The findings from the project have been published in a new report today.

In a series of in-person workshops, referred to as Innovation Labs, in Inverness, Stirling and East Glasgow, over 90 attendees, including children and young people, youth workers, music professionals and mental health practitioners came together to experience a range of live music performances and activities. The groups engaged in more traditional audience experiences as well as interactive performances exploring mindfulness and physical space.

The project heard about the key barriers to engaging with live music experiences which included cost, transport, safety, and additional support needs.

The findings present new ideas for future live music interventions that could support children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Participants identified a range of different factors to improve access which included:

• Free or heavily subsidised tickets
• Youth-led programming or co-ordination of festivals and venues
• Festivals for children and young people offering a range of music styles
• Festivals and gigs for children and young people in their local areas
• Free and/or specialist transport to and from venues
• Safe and quiet spaces for young people at music events
• Live streaming of live music events
• Events that involved big names and emerging musicians
• Family-friendly music activities during the day
• Live music events that included opportunities for young people to get involved in music-making
• Apps to support young people to connect with venues and live music events
• Involvement of businesses from the local community.

The innovative project method, which followed an intergenerational, co-design approach, also provided important learning on how to overcome some of the challenges of this type of project work to ensure that all children and young people, regardless of their age, are treated as equal partners and feel empowered to share their views.

Musicians, music providers and venues are encouraged to use the findings from the report to support the planning or hosting of live music events. Children in Scotland, University of Stirling and Scottish Ensemble will now explore funding opportunities to turn some of the exciting project ideas contained in the report into reality.

Read full Live Music and Mental Health report here.

David Mackay, Children in Scotland’s Head of Policy, Projects and Participation, said:

“Children and young people are experts in their own lives, and they have great ideas about how to improve their communities and the opportunities that are available to them. We know that there are rising rates of poor mental health and wellbeing among children and young people and it’s vital that they are involved in designing solutions to this problem.

“The Live Music and Mental Health Project provided an important platform for children and young people to share what’s important to them and work together with professionals to develop new approaches to supporting mental health and wellbeing. The report and findings will be of interest to anyone working on co-design projects with children and young people, and are particularly relevant for the arts and culture and mental health professionals.”

Stuart Burns, Scottish Ensemble’s Head of Artistic Planning, said:

“Collaboration is at the heart of what we do at Scottish Ensemble. The Live Music and Mental Health Project gave us an important opportunity to engage closely with children and young people as collaborators, so we as an arts organisation can better understand the interests and needs of young audiences.

“Live music is an interactive experience. Through the Innovation Labs we saw first hand the impact of live music on children and young people. The workshop format enabled the performers to actively engage with their audience, hearing in real time the impact of different approaches to performance on young people’s feelings and emotions.

“The project has helped us deepen our understanding of the important connection between audience and performer, and the barriers that audiences, in particular young audiences, face when accessing live music. We will use the findings of this report to investigate how best we can start to remove barriers children and young people face in accessing our work, and explore new ways of co-producing work with young people in the future.”

Dr Lynne Gilmour, University of Stirling, said:

“The Innovation Labs brought together lots of different people from diverse backgrounds, roles and age groups, and allowed young people to work with practitioners to come up with some brilliant ideas.

“We know that live music can be beneficial to children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing and now have some great co-produced ideas of how to deliver live music in a format that is more accessible and acceptable, not only to children and young people themselves, but also to those delivering events.

“It can be challenging for some adults and professionals to give equal power to the voices of young people and this project embraced some really creative methods to facilitate intergenerational co-production.”

Children in Scotland, Scottish Ensemble and the University of Stirling have produced a short animation that captures one young participant’s experience of taking part in the Live Music and Mental Health workshops, and some of our key learnings. Watch now: https://youtu.be/9rHz5E0jktw?si=7p0ENSZkl_Fy7-Yg

Passionate food professionals now have the chance to develop a new set of skills with the latest short course from Queen Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh – an institution known for its rich history in food studies.

The new course, ‘Developing a Food Sensory Analysis Panel’ will help those working in the food industry develop a trained sensory analysis capacity at the company they are working for, or even implement analysis of their own products.

This type of research has been used for decades, with the purpose of accepting or rejecting new products, making it a beneficial skill for anyone working in the sector.

Participants can expect to gain the knowledge and practical understanding required to set up their own trained consumer panel; create a questionnaire; develop their own tests to detect and quantify specific product attributes such as texture and flavour; evaluate the performance of the panel; and analyse the results obtained.

This flexible course has been designed to fit into people’s busy lifestyles. Running from April to July, it combines online workshops and practical work, which will be carried out within the work environment.

‘Developing a Food Sensory Analysis Panel’ will be delivered by two of QMU’s specialist tutors with experience in both academia and industry, Dr Julien Lonchamp and Dr Anil de Sequeira.

Dr Anil de Sequiera, Senior Lecturer in Food Science and Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) Food Science and Innovation at QMU, said: “These unique short courses provide participants with the perfect platform to branch out and re-skill – something that will always be looked upon favourably on your CV.

“We have been teaching food related science courses for over twenty years and have strong relationships with industry experts in the sector, making QMU an ideal place for anyone thinking about advancing their understanding of food, and invigorating their enthusiasm for learning.”

Each year, QMU offers a range of these interesting short courses aimed at people wanting to learn something new or who are perhaps considering returning to higher education but want to dip their toe in the water before fully embracing a postgraduate degree.

Most of QMU’s courses are designed to be studied in a flexible way, helping you manage your work, family or caring commitments, while still investing in yourself and developing crucial skills for the future.

To find out more about ‘Developing a Food Sensory Analysis Panel,’ please visit: www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/short-courses/short-courses/developing-a-food-sensory-analysis-panel

For more information on QMU’s full set of short course options, please visit: www.qmu.ac.uk/study-here/short-courses