‘It has made the world of difference’
Kate Cameron is a teacher at Milngavie Nursery – part of Glasgow’s Milngavie Primary School – which received £12,000 to turn a patch of waste ground into an orchard.
“There was a forgotten and neglected patch of overgrown land at the back of the nursery, and my colleagues and I had long wanted to turn it into something that would benefit the children,” explains Kate.
“The Tesco grant has enabled us to transform the area into a community orchard with apple, pear and plum trees.
“Our aim was to create a biodiverse environment for the infants at the nursery. We planted a lot of bushes and honey plants, and it’s now a play area plus a bee, bird and butterfly haven. “During the pandemic, the orchard has really come into its own – we use it as an outdoor learning space for everything from poetry to the life cycle of the apple. We’re out there in all weathers! “The space is popular with the entire school as well as the nursery, and it’s starting to be used by the wider community too. “The Tesco grant also paid for a polytunnel, which has been used for lots of activities during the past year because it’s so wellventilated, and it also allowed us to experiment with planting. We place a lot of emphasis on watching how things grow. “We’re so grateful to Tesco and all those customers who helped raise money and voted for our charity – it’s made the world of difference!”
Rape victims will be able to attend an Ayrshire hospital for medical forensic examinations when a new specialist unit opens this year.
It is the first time the service will be offered in Ayrshire as people normally have to go to Glasgow.
The facility at Prestwick’s Biggart Hospital, which will cost more than £250,000, will be available for people who have been sexually assaulted in the past seven days.
A team from Glasgow will travel to the town to carry out the forensic examination at the centre, based in the Drummond Ward area, which could open as early as April.
All after care will be provided by
Ayrshire staff.
A health boss outlined the plan at a board meeting on Monday.
Nurse director Hazel Borland told the NHS Ayrshire & Arran board: “This is an incredibly positive story.”
Welcoming the move, board chair Lesley Bowie said: “Excellent progress, delighted to see it.”
People who have suffered a sexual assault can get an examination even if they don’t intend to report an attack to the police.
It is hoped having an Ayrshire-based forensic unit, which will be named the Willows, for the first time will encourage more people to come forward - as they won’t have to travel as far.
The Scottish Government poured £250,000 into funding the unit at the Biggart and the health board has also
contributing up to £50,000.
Ayrshire residents will continue to receive forensic medical examinations and healthcare services at the Archway facility in Glasgow until it opens.
The changes are part of compliance with Healthcare Improvement Scotland’s national standards.
Child forensic examinations following abuse take place in the paediatric ward at University Hospital Crosshouse.
A new paediatric forensic area is due to be constructed this year in the hospital.
A new law for victims of sexual offences was passed in the Scottish Parliament on December 10.
The bill places a statutory duty on NHS Boards to provide forensic medical services and health care support for rape and sexual assault victims including those who don’t want to go to the police.
The legislation is called the Forensic Medical Services Bill.
A healthboard spokeswoman said: “NHS Ayrshire & Arran is part of the West of Scotland regional service for
the delivery of healthcare and forensic medical examination services for those who have experienced rape or sexual assault. This is further to passing of the Forensic Medical Services (Victims of Sexual Offences) (Scotland) Bill in December 2020 and enactment of the Bill in April 2021.
“Local services will be delivered from our bespoke facility at the Willows in Prestwick. Planning for this is underway, ahead of an opening date which will be confirmed for later this year.”