A selection of stories from communities and voluntary organisations across Scotland
Primary pupils discuss dying through songwriting
St Columba’s Hospice and Edinburgh-based charity Fischy Music have been working together on an innovative project to help hospice patients and children from Victoria Primary School explore issues around death and dying.
The children have been meeting with patients in the hospice to discuss the impact of life-limiting conditions, explore thoughts and feelings through the arts and to write songs that can be shared with the rest of the school, the hospice and the wider community. The project culminated in an exhibition outlining the creative process with a performance of the finished songs on Thursday (13 June).
Laura Thomson, head teacher at Victoria Primary, Newhaven, Edinburgh, said: “Many still consider death a taboo subject for children but it is vital that we talk to children about death. Most children will be affected by the death of someone in their family or family friends and they need to know what this means practically and how to deal with this emotionally too.”
Father and son team up for Childline
A father and son have teamed up at the NSPCC’s Childline service to help keep children safe from abuse and neglect.
Daniel Doherty, 27, has been working as a volunteer supervisor at Childline’s Glasgow base since January last year, joining his dad Andy, who works as a senior supervisor.
Andy joined Childline in 2010 because he wanted to help young people and, inspired by his father’s example, Daniel now also helps young people with problems including bullying, family issues, self-harm and abuse.
Sir Billy meets young fundraiser
Months of fundraising for Parkinson’s UK by Abby McConnell (eight) from Cathcart last year caught the eye of Sir Billy Connolly and he invited Abby and her family along for a chat when he opened his recent art exhibition at Castle Fine Art in Glasgow.
With no family connection to Parkinson’s, Abby had been inspired by a school project about Billy to raise funds for the charity.
And now the whole family has got the bug and is supporting the charity. Big brother David (14) recently completed the 23-mile Glasgow Kiltwalk along with mum, Karen and dad, Ian.
Wee brother Christopher’s (four) been in on the act too – collecting ‘pennies for Parkinson’s’ and joining the rest of his family at the five-mile
Walk for Parkinson’s at Chatelherault Country Park.
Remember a loved one this Father’s Day
Barnardo’s is giving people the opportunity to make a dedication in memory of their loved ones this Father’s Day.
The Barnardo’s Father’s Day campaign allows people to remember all father figures who have passed away by uploading a written tribute and photo onto a special dedication page and making a donation to the children’s charity in their memory.
