Five things you need to know today
- International Women’s Day
- Union fears stress on Registrars Service
- Community Food Programme
- New Sports magazine
- Enter our competition here!
The First Minister will announce that women who have suffered violence or abuse at the hands of a partner will benefit from an investment of £190,000 to help them back into work.
The funding will allow Scottish Women’s Aid (SWA), in partnership with local domestic abuse services, to work directly with women to give them the opportunity to get back into the job market and ensure they receive vital support and guidance.
Evidence shows that women who have been financially dependent on a partner and have suffered domestic abuse may struggle to rebuild their lives. It is essential to address their economic inequality to reduce and ultimately eradicate domestic abuse.
Ahead of her speech at the SWA annual conference, which is taking place today on International Women’s day, the First Minister said:
“Women face a range of barriers that may prevent them moving into employment but none more so than if they are struggling to rebuild their lives after suffering abuse at their hands of their partner. That’s why the Scottish Government is dedicating this additional funding to help women access fair employment opportunities and develop themselves both professionally and personally.
“Nobody should live in fear at home or within their wider community. We need to do more to help rebuild the lives of these survivors. This funding will ensure women who may previously have lost confidence or who have relied on their partner’s income now have a chance to become more financially independent.
“The Scottish Government has committed more than £17 million funding this year to tackle the scourge of domestic abuse across Scotland and this additional money will have a significant impact to help improve the lives of survivors. There’s no place for domestic violence in Scotland and I am committed to do all I can to eradicate it for good.”
Dr. Marsha Scott, Chief Executive of Scottish Women’s Aid, said:
“Scottish Women’s Aid is absolutely delighted to receive funding for ‘Building Equality: Employability and Domestic Abuse.’ ‘Equally Safe,’ Scotland’s strategy to end domestic abuse and other forms of violence against women and girls, sets out Scotland’s stall on the issue of women’s poverty–of time, of opportunity, of money, and of power.
“For the first time, we are seeing serious efforts to move beyond crisis intervention to real prevention by addressing the drivers of women’s inequality.
“In collaboration with Close the Gap and Engender, we will tackle occupational segregation by supporting women into good jobs that lift women and their children out of poverty. It’s a win-win for women and children and for Scotland.”
Emma Ritch, executive director of Engender a charity that promotes equality for men and women, said:
“Women’s economic inequality is a cause and consequence of violence against women.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Scottish Women’s Aid and Close the Gap on this groundbreaking project to support women who have experienced domestic abuse into sustainable employment. It has the potential to change women’s lives, and transform employability service delivery in Scotland.”
A UNISON report Registering our Concern, which is launched today says that Scottish Registrars are struggling to meet the new demands on the service.
UNISON carried out a survey of registrars in Scotland to investigate how they are coping with new demands and cuts on their service. The survey shows a workforce concerned that budget and jobs cuts are seriously impacting on their ability to deliver a sensitive and accurate service.
Registrars provide services to families who have a new child, marriage, citizenship and bereavement. These services must be sensitive and accurate. Registrars are dealing with new immigration and citizenship changes; changes to death certification, a new Tell Us Once service; and equal marriage and civil partnerships legislation and take up. The service is a gateway to a range of benefits like child benefit, tax credits and other services and in some cases your immigration status.
Eight out of ten registrars say they are experiencing budget cuts. Over half say their service has been subject to ‘severe cuts’. They report that people can wait hours to register a death of a loved one, that registrars are finding it stressful carrying out marriage ceremonies as they often do not have time to prepare.
Registrars pride themselves on accuracy but now worry about making mistakes. They report increased workloads and that they are under pressure to deliver a high quality service with increasing demands and fewer resources. Many say they once loved their jobs but are now looking to find other work. The pressure is too much.
Dave Watson, head of UNISON public affairs said, ‘Registrars provide a vital public service. They are hugely supportive of the recent legislation on equal marriage and new Tell Us Once service. They want to provide a professional, inclusive public service. However they tell us that dealing with these extra demands at the same time as severe cuts is tooo stressful. Many who loved their jobs are wanting out.
In some situations one person is now doing the job three even four members of staff used to do. And the administrative burden has incerase. They tell us that, in just a few years, workforce morale has dropped considerably.
Tesco and FareShare are calling out to charities and community groups across Edinburgh to register for an exciting new service which will mean that unsold food is turned into meals for vulnerable people across the city.
As part of its ongoing pledge to cut food waste, Tesco’s Community Food Connection programme with FareShare FoodCloud will recruit and support charities and community groups, linking them to Tesco stores with innovative technology that allows store teams to alert beneficiaries to surplus food items available at the end of each day.
To launch Community Food Connection with FareShare FoodCloud in Edinburgh Tesco held an exclusive cookery demonstration at the Vine Trust barge in Leith on Monday 7 March. Hosted by a professional chef, the free event demonstrated how charities can make best use of surplus food from Tesco, offering recipe inspiration and tips on how to make the most of various ingredients.
Tesco’s seven stores in Edinburgh are among the first in the country to roll out the service, following a pilot in 14 stores whenTesco donated over 22 tonnes of food to more than 50 charities, the equivalent weight to over 50,000 meals.
For more information and to register for FareShare FoodCloud please visit www.fareshare.org.uk/fareshare-foodcloud
A brand new magazine celebrating all the great things about sport and leisure within Edinburgh and The Lothians, has successfully launched its first issue.
Podium, is a free, quarterly magazine delivering a mix of sporting news, interviews, active lifestyle content, and engaging features highlighting the drama and passion of professional and amateur sport, with the men and women who make their names both on and off the field of play. Podium will also cover the business of sport and the latest cutting edge sports equipment, accessories and products.
Podium Editor Neill Mabbott has been delighted with the response to the magazine and said; “There is no other publication within Edinburgh and the Lothians focussing solely on sport and leisure, and we have been truly overwhelmed by the positive response Podium has received since we first floated the idea of a sports and leisure title. From governing bodies and associations, through to sporting clubs, athletes, fitness enthusiasts, sports businesses and event organisers, all have said how much they would love to read a title dedicated to our regions sporting and leisure activities.
“Each and every day across our region, thousands of people of all ages participate within an abundance of varied sporting and leisure activities – running, football, squash, diving, gym classes, swimming and cycling to list but a few. Many are playing professionally, more are developing their skills at grassroots level, and even more enjoy visiting their local gym or taking part in a class or leisure activity of some kind.
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