Whats News
Issue No 49 - Spring / Summer 2006
Send items for Scotnews to: editor@connections-magazine.co.uk
Cycling Budget Slashed
Heedless of public health and environmental issues, Scottish cycle project spending has passed its peak and is falling sharply. In 2 years spending will have fallen by 30%, this despite an increase in the overall transport budget. Cycling was already a miniscule 1%, but is set to plunge further.
Mulberry House - New developments in Complementary Healthcare
The 'Mulberry House Foundation Charity' has this year opened a 'Low income clinic' for those less privileged. They are offering a wide range of complementary therapies not normally received by those on benefits. More details from Patrick Harding 0131 2252012 or enquiries©mulberryhouse. co.uk
Therapies United - Helping People with Cancer
A new, free directory of complementary therapists has been launched to help people with cancer and their families find professional, qualified therapists. The directory Is called 'Therapies United' and is linked with Maggie's Centre for Cancer in Edinburgh.
Therapists in the directory have gone through a thorough registration process to confirm their credentials as a practising therapist. It could be described as a 'virtual clinic' where the therapists who have registered work from home in their own therapy rooms, do home visits or work for actual health clinics in Edinburgh. It was produced initially to help staff at Maggie's Centre in Edinburgh - to help them signpost anyone using the Maggie's centre to professional, complementary therapists who can help with their health, stress levels and improve their sense of well-being.
The project was initiated by Lorraine Urquhart, a professional therapist who has worked at Maggie's Centre in Edinburgh helping them to run their stress and relaxation sessions and noticed that there wasn't a comprehensive resource of complementary therapies available, though there was continual requests for advice on therapies.She says: "Maggie's Centres aim to help people with cancer to be as healthy in mind and body as possible and enable them to make their own contribution to their medical treatment and recovery. The Edinburgh centre has just under 4000 clients a year of which 90% ask for advice about complementary therapies. Maggie's are careful about recommendations they make regarding the well being of their clients therefore the new directory 'Therapies United' has a registration process that a therapist must complete before being accepted onto the directory."
Whilst the therapists on the directory also agree to give a reduced rate to anyone who has used the Maggie's Centre in Edinburgh, the directory is also open to others seeking the services of professional complementary therapists. If you wish to find, out further information or are looking to join the directory - please visit www.therapiesunited.com or email TU©ilovefgt.com.
Body & Soul Bookshop Closed
Scotland's longest running new age bookshop, Edinburgh's Body & Soul has ceased trading.Started in 1992 by Donald Busby, it pioneered hard to find alternative healing and therapy books and American imports at a time when they were difficult to obtain. The UK book market has changed significantly in that time, with the likes of Waterstones revolutionizing what used to be a very staid business and making US imports readily available. Body and Soul was sold 18 months ago, but a name change to Second Sight failed to arrest sales and it closed its doors in the Spring.
Issue No 48 - Spring / Summer 2006
Bodhi Eco-Village
The dream is to create an eco-village in rural Scotland on communally owned land, with minimum waste and carbon emissions through renewable energy systems and shared transport and local farming. There would be arts and crafts facilities and exhibition and performance spaces. The aim would be to attract people of all ages and backgrounds, with decision taken by consensus through a village council. A feasibility study has already been conducted. More details from www.bodhiecovillage.com
Domestic Wind Turbines
An Edinburgh company, Swift Turbines, has secured a contract with Scottish and Southern Energy worth £9.2m to produce wind turbines for domestic homes. Swift's roof-mounted turbines are able to provide up to 80% of a household's electricity. They are easy to install, require little maintenance and can be connected to the grid or used to heat water to reduce conventional energy consumption. www.renewabledevices.com
Glasgow Homoeopathic Hospital Saved from Closure
Greater Glasgow Health Board was threatening to close the in-patients wards at the Glasgow Homeopathic Hospital as part of a £58m savings drive. However as a result of a concerted campaign by patients the pioneering hospital has won a reprieve.
