Thanks to funding from the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Leisure were able to bring back a summer of fun safely to their venues across this city and supported 126 children and families living on low incomes to get active and enjoy their summer.

 

The Scottish Government released funding to local authorities across Scotland to help address the negative impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on the health and wellbeing of children and young people in Scotland. The priority for this funding was to provide opportunities that allowed children and young people to socialise and reconnect with peers, get active and most importantly have fun, during the summer.

 

Edinburgh Leisure offered parents or guardians, living on a low income and wanted their child to have the opportunity to take part in fun, engaging and exciting sports this summer to apply for funded places.

 

Spaces were available on Edinburgh Leisure’s swimming, gymnastics, dance, and tennis programmes, with no cost to the family applying. The coaching programmes took place in a variety of venues across the city, at various dates, with some one-day sessions and some full-week activity programmes.

 

Edinburgh Leisure also offered 320 spaces for families to attend their AquaDash Extreme and Clip n Climb sessions.

 

Families who were eligible for the programme included children who receive school uniform and meal grants, care experienced children, young carers, children whose families are in receipt of Universal Credit and children supported by a child’s plan.

 

Tommy George, Community Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “For many families, finances are really tight and getting involved in activities during the holidays can be prohibitive due to cost.

 

“Thanks to funding from the City of Edinburgh Council, however, we were able to support families living on low incomes to ‘Get Into Summer’ by getting active, learn key skills, build confidence and esteem, as well as having fun, in a safe environment.”

 

Edinburgh Leisure also provided a free football programme for young people from S1 to S6 to take part in and a weekly free ‘Sport on the Beach’ session at Portobello for primary school-aged children.

 

In short the answer is NO.

In England and Wales, regulations which are due to come into force on 1 April 2018 will potentially affect the ability to let out properties and the market value (and marketability) of those properties. The regulations will prevent private Landlords from letting either residential or commercial properties with an Energy Performance Asset Rating (EPAR) lower than E (unless they can point to a specific exemption).

The equivalent regulations for buildings in Scotland do not impose a minimum EPC rating requirement but other measures apply that are already in force for commercial properties.

Landlords, investors, developers and lenders should take note of the differences and not assume energy efficiency policies are the same throughout the UK.

tabletable2table3table4

*Non Domestic EPC Register for England and Wales
*EPC Register for Scotland

Registers can be searched using the property’s postcode so the easiest way to determine whether or not a valid EPC exists for your property is to check online: Non Domestic EPC Register for England and Wales or EPC Register for Scotland.

If you have any queries regarding energy efficiency requirements for properties, please get in touch with your usual contact in the Property team at Blackadders.

On what is claimed to be the most difficult day of the year, the ScotRail Alliance and the Samaritans are asking people to get together on ‘Brew Monday’ for a cuppa and help save a life.

Volunteers from the Samaritans will be handing out teabags and chatting with customers at Glasgow Central, Edinburgh Waverley and Inverness stations today (Monday) to raise awareness of how a simple conversation can be lifesaving.  A question can be enough to interrupt suicidal thoughts, and even start someone on the road to recovery.

It comes as the ScotRail Alliance announced that 300 of its staff have received suicide prevention training. Samaritans, working with the ScotRail Alliance, British Transport Police, and train companies all across Britain, created the ‘Small Talk Saves Lives’ campaign last year to give travellers the confidence to act if they notice someone who may be at risk of suicide on or around the rail network.

It draws on lessons learned from successful interventions made by rail staff and British Transport Police officers, including 300 ScotRail Alliance colleagues, who have received Samaritans training. It’s thanks to initiatives like this, that for each life lost on the railway, six are saved.

Anyone who spots someone in distress is asked to keep the following in mind:

  • Remember that suicidal thoughts, while intense, can be temporary
  • Speaking to someone who is suicidal can’t make things worse
  • It’s important to act. If you’re not comfortable getting involved yourself: tell a member of staff or a police officer. If you can’t, dial 999.

David Lister, ScotRail Alliance sustainability & safety assurance director, said:

“Winter days are long and dark, and that can affect people in lots of different ways. We’re asking people to keep an eye out for each other on the railway, and if they see someone who looks vulnerable, ask if they’re okay or speak to a member of staff.

“It only takes a moment, and it really can make the difference between life and death.

“At the ScotRail Alliance we take suicide prevention very seriously, which is why we have trained 300 of our people to support those experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Samaritans’ Executive Director for Scotland, James Jopling, said:

“Challenging feelings aren’t seasonal and pressures can pile up over time and become overwhelming. Samaritans’ Brew Monday gives you the chance to sit down with someone and talk to them, or listen to them over a cup of tea or coffee.

“Samaritans volunteers will be at stations across the country today, but you don’t need to be a Samaritan to reach out. Taking that time to listen just might save a life.”

Diabetes UK Swim 22 photo 2Diabetes UK is looking for people from all over Scotland to take on the swimming challenge of the year, Swim22, between 22 February and 22 May.

As a Swim22 challenger you’ll swim an incredible 22 miles – the equivalent of swimming the English Channel – in your local pool, while making a difference with each and every splash. You can take on the swim challenge alone or, better still, get your family, friends and colleagues involved. You can even split the distance between a team to make it easier for everyone.

Swimming is a fantastic way to stay fit and healthy, have fun and set yourself a challenge. Whether you’re an absolute beginner or a seasoned swimmer, our team will be on hand to offer swimming tips and fundraising advice.

When you sign up you’ll receive a Swim22 pack through the post. This includes swimming tips, how to get your fundraising started and, of course, your very own Swim22 swimming hat.   You will also receive an email giving you access to your very own Swim22 page, where you can track the distance covered, collect milestone swimming badges and share your progress with everyone.

Across Scotland over 280,000 people are living with diabetes. When diabetes is not well managed it is associated with serious complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputations. Every length you complete and every pound you raise will get us closer to our vision of a world where diabetes can do no harm.

To sign up, just visit www.diabetes.org.uk/swim22. There is no registration fee and no minimum sponsorship.

_DSC2960Queen Margaret University has become the first higher education partner to join industry trade body Food and Drink Federation Scotland (FDFS).

Host to the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation (SCFDI), QMU is a national leader in knowledge exchange linking food and health and the sustainability of the food chain, and in providing combined R&D and innovation space for the fast growing food sector.

The move represents a major step in realising the University’s ambitions as a centre of innovation and excellence in food development and will boost its work in improving crucial sector skills to ensure graduates are trained for the industry of the future. It also underlines QMU’s role in supporting the ambitions of the Food and Drink Industry Strategy Ambition 2030, which aims to grow the turnover of the industry to £30bn and identifies 3 pillars of growth – People and Skills, Supply Chain and Innovation.

In addition it will enhance the University’s ambition to support the UK and Scottish Governments’ policy priorities to address the challenges of tackling obesity and improving public health by working with industry to reformulate products and meet targets set for sugar and salt reduction.

Professor Tom Mercer, Director of the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation at QMU said: “Our membership of Food and Drink Federation Scotland sends a clear signal to our industry partners that higher education has a pivotal role to play in driving innovation and growth in food manufacturing and new product development.

“Our research and education programmes along with our existing lab facilities and plans for an innovation park adjacent to the campus will form a national hub for sector developments in manufacturing, new product development and sustainability. We have a prime location that provides businesses access to national and international networks and expertise provided through QMU and the wider university network.”
FDFS Chief Executive David Thomson said: “On behalf of Food and Drink Federation Scotland I am delighted that Queen Margaret University has joined us as our first higher education professional affiliate. As the voice of food and drink manufacturing, we know the huge importance of higher education in our industry, delivering innovation and skills for a sector which has a real ambition to grow. This partnership will enhance the reputation of the industry as a career destination of choice as well as further raising awareness of the excellent facilities at Queen Margaret University.”

QMU’s proposals for an Innovation Park is the major project included within the Edinburgh City Region Deal to benefit East Lothian. Proposals centre around creation of two distinct areas on the land adjacent to QMU’s campus. As well as the park, a commercial hub will provide retail and leisure facilities for students, staff and the surrounding local communities.

  • Business confidence in Scotland drops slightly from July but remains among lowest in UK
  • Investment intentions remain level for second year running
  • More businesses expect to cut jobs during the next six months than expect to create them
  • Economic uncertainty remains greatest risk to firms

Scottish businesses have reported the second lowest confidence rates in the country amid market uncertainty and concern over weak domestic demand, according to the latest Business in Britain report from Bank of Scotland.

Business confidence in Scotland – calculated as an average of respondents’ expected sales, orders and profits over the next six months – was down two points at 17 per cent compared with 19 per cent in July 2017, making it the second least confident region in the UK after Yorkshire and Humber.

However the net balance of firms looking to grow investment in the next six months remained stable at two per cent, the same level as in July 2017 while the share of firms anticipating stronger total exports remained positive at 17 per cent.

The twice yearly Business in Britain report, now in its 26th year, gathers the views of more than 1,500 UK companies, predominantly small to medium sized businesses, and tracks a range of performance and confidence measures, weighing up the percentage of firms that are positive in outlook against those that are negative.

Recruitment activity expected to slow

A net balance of seven per cent of businesses expect staff numbers to fall over the next six months, compared with a net balance of eight per cent that expected to hire more staff in July 2017.

The share of Scottish firms that continue to report difficulties hiring skilled labour has fallen by two points but remains relatively high at 43 per cent.

Meanwhile, the number of firms expecting to increase wages decreased by six points to 15 per cent, suggesting that companies are taking an increasingly cautious approach to pay.

Mixed picture across the UK

Business confidence in Scotland was the second lowest across the UK (17 per cent), with the highest being in the North East (38 per cent) and North West (31 per cent). The lowest was in Yorkshire and the Humber (15 per cent).

 

Confidence Index      
Region Jan 2018 (%) July 2017 (%) Change (July – Jan)
North East 38 33 +5pts
North West 31 26 +5pts
West Midlands 28 22 +6pts
London 25 20 +5pts
East Midlands 24 24
South East 24 28 -4pts
Wales 20 34 -14pts
South West 19 27 -8pts
East of England 18 22 -4pts
Scotland 17 19 -2pts
Yorkshire & Humber 15 23 -8pts

Jane Clark-Hutchison, Regional Director, Bank of Scotland said: “It’s disappointing to see Scottish businesses, towards the bottom of the confidence index but perhaps not unsurprising given the backdrop of economic uncertainty and concern over weak domestic demand.

“While confidence has dropped marginally from July, it’s still broadly in line with the sentiment felt this time last year. Encouragingly, Scottish firms remain stoic with their investment and export plans.

“Ultimately, uncertainty is at the front of Scottish business’ minds and we will need to see a shift to return to a position of growth. As Brexit negotiations continue to the next phase, we will hopefully see greater clarity which will help businesses  to plan carefully and be flexible to see through the next six months and beyond.”

Risks ahead

Economic uncertainty is now the single greatest risk to firms in Scotland in the next six months, cited by 27 per cent of firms in the region, up from 22 per cent in July.

The proportion of Scottish firms reporting weaker UK demand as their greatest risk increased to 18 per cent from 14 per cent.

Uncertainty around Brexit negotiations continue

The share of Scottish firms that are confident about business interests being protected or promoted in Brexit negotiations fell to 38 per cent from 49 per cent previously, and is now only marginally higher than the share of businesses expressing a lack of confidence, which increased to 35 per cent from 25 per cent.

When asked about the impact of a ‘no trade’ agreement with the EU on their business, overall, 14 per cent of Scottish firms said that ‘no deal’ would be positive and 46 per cent said that it would be negative.

Confidence begins to grow in sectors which rely on domestic demand

Nationally, business confidence was highest in manufacturing, while sectors more dependent on domestic demand, such as hospitality, leisure, and retail and wholesale also recorded gains.

The only sector that reported a significant fall was construction, in which confidence dropped from 31 per cent to 14 per cent.

Dominic Taddei	Mortgage Advice BureauMortgage Advice Bureau Network Partner Scotland has been recognised for its commitment to the Armed Forces, with a silver award presented by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) at a prestigious ceremony at Edinburgh Castle.

The award is given in recognition of employers who have provided exceptional support to the armed forces community, by going above their covenant pledges. As a forces-friendly company the award recognises their commitment to the value serving personnel; regulars and reservists and military families contribute to their country and bring to business.

Dominic Taddei of Mortgage Advice Bureau says: “It’s an honour to be presented with this award, just one year after joining the covenant. Supporting the armed forces has always been incredibly important to us and as a business, we have already seen the benefits. 2018 and beyond will see us bringing a growing number of veterans and their families to our team.”

Presenting the award to the team at Edinburgh Castle, Lieutenant General Richard Nugee, Chief of Defence People, said: “Congratulations to all this year’s Employer Recognition Scheme Silver Award winners who have turned their willingness to make a difference to our brave Armed Forces into effective programmes of support. Your commitment is highly valued and is at the heart of all that can be achieved in every part of the country through the Armed Forces Covenant.”
For further information, please contact Sophie Strang Sophie.Strang@mab.org.uk or 0800 652 4499.

Mortgage Advice Bureau: Mortgage Advice Bureau is a leading mortgage network as well as the UK’s most recognised intermediary consumer brand*, winning over 70 national awards for the quality of its advice and service during the last 5 years.
It has over 1,000 advisers offering expert mortgage advice on a local, regional and national level to UK consumers, both face to face and over the phone. Mortgage Advice Bureau handles over £12bn of loans annually, and was the first – and is currently the only – mortgage intermediary to have floated on the London Stock Exchange, having joined the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in November 2014.

*Based on Opinium Research, Summer 2017.

One of Scotland’s leading legal firms has been appointed on all six legal services lots by the Advanced Procurement for Universities and Colleges (APUC).

APUC works with all of Scotland’s education institutions on procurement activity to ensure value for money and a high quality service for education establishments in Scotland.

This is the second time Thorntons has secured a place on the APUC panel in all available lots.

The education law team at Thorntons which operates out of the firm’s offices in Dundee, Edinburgh and St Andrews came first in three of the six legal services lots and second place in the remaining three. It’s now only one of two firms to have secured a place on all six legal services panels.

The six legal service lots are Commercial Business, Property and Estates, People and HR Matters, Charity, International and finally One-stop-shop.

Lesley Larg, partner and head of the education law team at Thorntons, said: “We have enjoyed successful, mutually beneficial relationships within the education sector for many years. Indeed, Scotland’s universities, colleges and schools have been turning to us for legal guidance for over four decades.

“However, in order to stay one step ahead, we continue to invest in our specialist multi-disciplinary education team, allowing us to deliver relevant and cogent advice that considers the structural and financial constraints on institutions as well as the many potential opportunities that exist.

“To be appointed on all six legal services lots by APUC vindicates that approach. It is an incredible achievement and reaffirms our commitment to the sector while highlighting the trusted expertise of our team.

“The benefits of these appointments are twofold, allowing Thorntons to continue to deliver an excellent service to our existing education clients, but also giving the firm the opportunity to work with other institutions in areas where we have a proven track record.”

Thorntons, who were recently named Law Firm of the Year (Over 40 Fee Earners) at the Law Awards of Scotland, acts for more than 60% of universities in Scotland including University of St Andrews, Glasgow School of Art, Robert Gordon University, Glasgow Caledonian University, University of Stirling, University of Abertay and the University of Dundee.

On 22nd January the National Library of Scotland will be holding its first ever Business Slam (think Dragon’s Den meets poetry slam).

Following the format of our research and poetry slams, this rapid-fire knockout competition is for the business and enterprise community.

Contestants will have two minutes in round one to explain what their product or service is, and two minutes in round two to explain their use of the Library’s collections to help them in their business or product development.

The top three will have three minutes in the final to pitch their vision for how they would use the Library’s buildings or digital presence to launch their product.
Throughout the competition a panel of three judges will score “slammers” on the three criteria of what they say, how they say it, and audience response. Why not take a punt? Air and share your amazing idea, get some free feedback and publicity on the night, and develop your pitching skills.

If you would like to take part, all you have to do is email e.simpson@nls.uk by 5.00 pm on Monday 15th January and say that you would like to be a slammer. You don’t need to say what your pitch is or otherwise justify your right to slam – everyone is welcome.

paddington-1708630_1280We all need a feel good factor. I’d recommend that you go and see Paddington 2 for a good many lessons about mental health and resilience at work this winter. Plus it’s a hilarious movie that will have you laughing and crying (if you’re like me!).

However Christmas is not a cheery time for everyone. It’s a time where carers get stressed, as they see their relatives over Christmas and realise that their parents or grandparents are not doing as well as they said on the phone. It’s a time when NHS 24 get more calls than ever, half from family members, who now need to urgently sort out the care for their relatives.

It’s a time when your bank balance has run out of cash. One of the most stressful time for working parents.

It’s a time when these pressures show up at work. It could be the office Christmas party that revealed too much, or got you to reveal too much. Ugly sides of the workplace culture can come out, workplace bullying, LGBTi, age related intimidation. Those that are part of the ‘@metoo campaign may find the office party difficult. Whatever the reason for playground politics breaking out, this means that those who have been traumatised in their childhood can end wanting to hide under a rock for Christmas.

So here are a few good tips you can see in the Paddington 2 movie…(which are also in our Personal Resilience course)

1. Do a good deed. If you can’t do a good deed, then be a good deed, go and watch Paddington 2, take someone with you. These are the ways of looking after your mental wellbeing. You could become a befriending volunteer with www.Health-in-mind.org.uk

2. Have fun fundraising. Sing a carol with us, take on a marathon or abseil the Forth Rail Bridgeor. If you want to help have fun fundraising with us, contact lynne.stanford@health-in-mind.org.uk 0131 225 8508

3. Write a Journal. Letting out and being aware of what you are noticing and feeling.

4. Find a friend you can be with over Christmas period, by phone or in person. Also recommend to folk who are lonely the various helplines like Breathing Space 0800838587

5. Develop your workplace relationships. Paws for a moment and have a cup of coffee with a mince pie with a colleague. People in your workplace are a relief from the family/home anxiety, and you can be a relief for them from their family/ home anxiety. For some not being at work for two weeks can be tough.

6. Read a good book. Including about ‘being’ in the workplace. Such as ‘Work as a Spiritual Practice’, by Richard Lewis, this is hilarious with its Paddington type stories. Or something that will give you some thoughts for next year in how to develop your resilience at work, such as, ‘The Emotionally Intelligent Leader’ by Daniel Goleman.

7. Keep a Boundary between home and work. Switch off when not at work. Whatever the communication devices are, decide when and where you are actually at work and when you’re at home.

8. Don’t attempt to do other people’s work for them, it doesn’t work.
Be clear about what you can do in your role and responsibilities and what you cannot do because it is the responsibility of others. As you set your goals at work for 2018, think hard about what your role can do, and what it is not your role to do.

The more resilient at work you can be, the more secure you will feel in other parts of your life. Securing income and having a sense of what the economists call an ‘income maintenance system’ can enable you to relax and enjoy the relatives. Employment is the most significant protective factor for mental wellbeing.

Paddington never doubted that the Browns would be there for him…

If you would like to have any training courses about mental health and resilience, contact Duncan Wallace, Learning and Development Coordinator, Health in Mind, new member of Chamber of Commerce, E duncan.wallace@health-in-mind.org.uk