Latest news with #SocialCare
Scotsman
03-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Age Scotland dementia event champions lived experience and inclusion
Age Scotland has marked a significant milestone in its dementia work with a national event in Stirling. Bringing together people living with dementia, unpaid carers, community organisations and professionals to help shape the future of support across Scotland. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The event introduced Age Scotland's refreshed dementia team and branding, and reinforced the charity's commitment to placing lived experience at the heart of all its work. Through meaningful conversations and interactive sessions, the event reflected the charity's focus on co-production, collaboration and building inclusive support that reflects the real needs of Scotland's diverse communities. To date, nearly £1 million in community grants has been distributed across the country, provided by Scottish Government funding. In addition, Age Scotland's dementia network now includes 147 dementia friendly communities, spanning all 32 local authority areas. This reflects the breadth and impact of local, grassroots efforts to make Scotland a more dementia-inclusive nation. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad With attendees traveling from across Scotland, the day highlighted the importance of reaching underrepresented groups and ensuring dementia support is accessible and inclusive, regardless of geography, background or identity. Attendees at event Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, joined the event and delivered a keynote speech, emphasising the role of grassroots leadership and lived experience in the national dementia strategy. Anna Clements, Head of Dementia at Age Scotland, said: 'This event was about connection, collaboration and celebration. It was truly inspiring to see such a passionate and diverse group of people, each bringing their own lived experience, come together with a shared determination to improve the lives of those living with dementia and unpaid carers. 'We're building on a strong foundation of community-led activity and advocacy, and this event marks a significant step forward in placing lived experience and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. I'm excited about what comes next and proud to be working alongside such engaged and committed people from communities across Scotland.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Attendees at Event Maree Todd, Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, said: 'It was a pleasure to attend this event and hear from people directly impacted by dementia, as well as those working to create more supportive and inclusive communities. 'The Scottish Government is committed to ensuring that people can live well with dementia, and events like this show just how important it is to centre lived experience in that mission. We welcome Age Scotland's leadership in this area and look forward to continuing our work together.' As part of its ongoing work, Age Scotland is inviting people living with dementia and unpaid carers to join its Dementia Lived Experience Forum. The forum brings together voices from across Scotland to influence policy, shape resources and improve services, ensuring lived experience continues to guide the charity's work. New members are welcome to apply at: www/
STV News
03-06-2025
- General
- STV News
Chief medical officer 'anxious' about US leaving World Health Organisation
Scotland's chief medical officer has said he is 'anxious' about the United States leaving the World Health Organisation (WHO). Gregor Smith and other officials discussed Scotland's pandemic preparedness in front of MSPs on Tuesday at a Health, Social Care, and Sport Committee meeting. While discussing the lessons that were learned from Covid-19, Smith admitted that the US's relationship with other countries is 'perhaps not as strong as it used to be'. 'I think the withdrawal of the US from the WHO does create a significant gap in our surveillance systems globally,' the chief medical officer said. 'Not just in the United States, but actually with the funding that comes with US membership of the WHO there is a risk that global systems are undermined rather than strengthened. 'So it's certainly an area I am anxious about.' US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from the WHO on the first day of his second term in office earlier this year, claiming it had mishandled the pandemic. During the committee meeting, Conservative MSP Dr Sandesh Gulhane asked about Scotland's relationship with America after US health secretary Robert F Kennedy Jnr said he believes debunked medical theories of vaccines being linked to autism. Smith admitted that it was 'fair to say' there was a period of time at the start of the year when the sharing of data between the US and Scotland was 'less than had been previously enjoyed'. The chief medical officer also warned that future pandemics are 'inevitable', and spoke about Scotland's preparedness for the future. 'We should think about [what happens] when it arises, not if it arises, because whether it be in the next year, five years, or 20 years, we'll continue to encounter pathogens with pandemic potential,' Smith told the committee. He said the health system now has stockpiles of 12 weeks' worth of PPE, while ICU capacity and contact increased capabilities can be surged if necessary. Smith also said public health officials are keeping an eye on a new strain of coronavirus, called NB1.8.1, which is now the dominant strain in China and has also been detected in the UK. Dr Jim McMenamin of Public Health Scotland noted new developments in the field of metagenomics is improving the rapid identification and understanding of viruses. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Small town home to famous singer that people struggle to pronounce
Witham in Essex is a prominent town in the county with a number of famous faces hailing from the area including singer Olly Murs and former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Essex - famed for its rich diversity - stands out as one of England's most eclectic counties, boasting an enchanting blend of bustling cityscapes, charming coastal towns, and idyllic rural retreats, all woven with a tapestry of historical significance. The county is strategically connected to London through robust infrastructure and the natural route provided by the River Thames, which has historically made it a magnet for invasions from Romans, Vikings and Anglo-Saxons. Such a storied heritage often leaves those not from Essex tongue-tied when trying to pronounce local place names. This even trips up public figures; many find themselves caught out when attempting local appellations, including Witham. Witham, where pop star Olly Murs hails from, is renowned in Essex but often mispronounced due to confusion over its 'th'. Rather than a soft 'th' like in 'bath', Witham sports a hard 't', rightly pronounced 'Witt-ham'. Even former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak once fumbled over the name during Prime Minister's Questions on May 22 last year. He stumbled responding to Sir John Whittingdale, MP for Maldon, who raised concerns his constituents had been waiting for a new hospital at St Peter's "for over 20 years". The plans indicated the possibility of the current facility closing without a replacement lined up, reports Essex Live. Sir Whittingdale said to the Prime Minister: "It leaves my constituents and those of Ms Priti Patel [MP for Witham] having to travel up to 30 miles for some treatments,". Mr Sunak responded: "I know that he [Sir Whittingdale] and the Right Honourable Friend for Witham met both the Minister of State for Health and Secondary Care and the Minister for Social Care recently to discuss this. "I understand the ICB have extended their consultation to be extended for three weeks to ensure that more consideration can be given and voices can be heard, but I will ensure that the relevant ministers keep my Right Hon Friend updated on the progress of this."
BBC News
13-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Council plea for more foster carers in Plymouth
Plymouth City Council is urgently appealing for more foster carers to take in children in said there were 534 children living in care Plymouth, but there were only 119 fostering households registered with the council, it Jemima Laing, cabinet member for Children's Social Care, said fostering was a "fantastic opportunity" and carers "could make a huge difference to a child's life"."If fostering is something you're at all interested in, I would really encourage you to reach out to our fantastic team to ask any questions or visit our website to find out more about what's involved," she said. To be considered, the council said applicants must be over the age of 21, have a spare room and be genuinely invested in supporting the wellbeing of children and young could also be entitled to financial allowances of between £350 and £779 per child, per week, depending on the child's age and individual payment includes a weekly allowance to cover the costs of caring for a child or young person as well as a reward foster carers are also eligible for a 50% council tax discount, or full exemption, said the council.
Reuters
12-05-2025
- Business
- Reuters
What are British PM Starmer's new policies to curb net migration?
LONDON, May 12 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday he would end the country's "failed experiment in open borders" with a sweeping set of reforms to significantly drive down net migration. Below is a summary of the main changes: Starmer said he would not set a target for the reduction in net migration, though his government has said in a policy document that the changes could reduce the number of people arriving by around 100,000 per year. A government official said the fall in the number of people could be larger, particularly if the government decides to take additional steps to reduce immigration. Immigrants to Britain will need to spend 10 years in the country, up from five years currently, before they get the automatic right to apply for an indefinite "leave to remain" or full citizenship. Individuals who can demonstrate their "contribution to the economy or society" will be allowed to apply sooner. The government will consult before deciding when the changes come into force and whether they will apply to immigrants already in Britain or only to new arrivals. The government said the overseas recruitment of care workers would end, a move that will add to pressure on a sector already grappling with chronic staff shortages. In the policy paper, the government said there would be a "transition period" until 2028 during which existing visas could be extended and overseas nationals in Britain could switch to a social care job. The government said in the policy document it would introduce a 32% increase in the so-called immigration skills charge, paid by employers when they take on someone from overseas via a skilled visa or similar route. The current cost of the immigration skills charge is 1,000 pounds ($1,318) per worker for a large company for the first year, and 364 pounds for worker for a small company. The government said the cost has not been increased since 2017, so the rise is in line with inflation. International students will still be able to work in Britain after they graduate but only for 18 months, down from two years currently. The government said it would explore introducing a levy on higher education providers' income from tuition fees from international students. While no final decision has been made, the policy paper modelled a 6% levy on tuition fees and said this could increase the cost of coming to studying in Britain if passed on. The government said there would be tougher English language requirements for visa routes. Adult dependents who come with arriving workers or students will need to show basic English skills to get visas. While Monday's statement focussed on reducing legal migration, the government said it would look to bring in new legislation to make it easier to remove some asylum seekers. The government said it would introduce legislation to limit asylum seekers' use of Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights - which protects the right to a family - so fewer cases are treated as "exceptional". The government said further reforms to the asylum system would be published later in the year. ($1 = 0.7588 pounds)
