Five things you need to know today
The new Boroughmuir High School is holding an Open Day tomorrow Saturday 24 March 2018 from 11.00 to 4.00pm. Anyone can go along and have a look at Edinburgh’s newest school.
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The Davidson’s Mains Christmas Lights Fundraising Group is holding a family fun run – the Chicken Run – on Sunday 25th March 2018 at 10.30am in Davidson’s Mains Park. All proceeds to the Davidson’s Mains Christmas Lights Fund.
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Yesterday at Holyrood MSP Jeremy Balfour highlighted that he is concerned about the lack of job opportunities for disabled people. He explained that there are only 42% of disabled people in employment, and it becomes worse if the person has a learning disability falling to anywhere between 7 and 25%.
He said : “I want to highlight the persistent lack of employment opportunities for people with a learning disability as part of Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week. I welcome Down’s Syndrome Scotland’s aim to encourage employers to see a person’s abilities rather than an inability.
“Young disabled people are often presented with few options on leaving school. Many are directed to day centres or courses at further education colleges. I have grave concerns that many colleges see disabled people as a cash cow, placing them on a conveyor belt of courses, with little regard for the individual’s long term prospects.”
Even with a college qualification many disabled people still find it hard to find a suitable job.
Jeremy explained : “I have met with a number of employers who tell me that there is still a fear amongst many employees to disclose that they have a disability. Employers tell me that disabled people are not applying for jobs whilst many disabled people tell me they have given up trying to find employment after repeated attempts to seek employment have proved unsuccessful.
“Disabilities are diverse, but this diversity is not an excuse to ignore disability in employment. Disability does not mean inability. Disabled people have much to offer.”
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A rare, early oil study by British artist Jenny Saville has been acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland and will be shown as part of a major new presentation devoted to the artist’s work, which opens at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art this weekend.
The newly acquired oil – the first work by Saville to be acquired by a UK public collection – was made in 1992 as a study for a larger painting entitled Branded that featured in the artist’s acclaimed Glasgow School of Art graduation exhibition. Study for Branded is characteristic of Saville’s early paintings of female nudes, which gained her international recognition.
The acquisition of such an important work has been made possible thanks to the Henry and Sula Walton Fund, bequeathed to benefit the modern and contemporary collection of the National Galleries of Scotland.
The painting will go on display as part of the exhibition called NOW which runs from 24 March – 16 September 2018 at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern One) 75 Belford Road, EH4 3DR
T 0131 624 6200 | Admission FREE
nationalgalleries.org #ModernNOW
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REMEMBER THE CLOCKS GO FORWARD THIS WEEKEND!
You are urged to take advantage of the extra hour of daylight next week to look after your health and mental wellbeing.
NHS 24 reminds people to take care of themselves so they can enjoy the longed for change in the weather, and the Easter weekend.
Dr Laura Ryan, NHS 24’s Medical Director, said: “It’s felt like a long winter so I’m sure we’re all looking forward to the clocks going forward this weekend. The spring clock change does mean we lose an hours sleep and while that won’t affect most of us, if you have trouble sleeping or have insomnia, it may cause some anxiety. There’s a lot of advice and useful information about insomnia at www.nhsinform.scot.
“Shaking off the winter isn’t always an easy thing to do but it’s important for people to make time to look after their mental wellbeing. I encourage people to take advantage of this extra hour of daylight to visit www.breathingspace.scot where they fill find lots of support to stop problems escalating with empathy, understanding and advice through active listening.”