DRS debacle continues

Joanne Matheson, Acharacle.

If you are drowning and someone throws you a lifeline you would grab it with both hands.

Not so for Lorna Slater, who declared that the UK government is showing “utter disregard” for devolution by suggesting Scotland could pilot a UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) scheme.

UK ministers are expected to say glass should be excluded as is planned for the rest of the UK and is a common exclusion in other countries.

Ms Slater was furious and said that if glass was removed it would mean 600 million bottles would be excluded and “undermine our efforts to protect our environment and reduce climate emissions”.

Wait a minute Lorna, all 32 local authorities in Scotland already have excellent recycling facilities, including glass bottles, different types of tins and plastic bottles. Does she not realise

Chris Adams, from Ford, sent us this photograph he took of the Waverley arriving back at the North Pi icons lined up behind. He told us: ‘We were sailing just off the entrance to Oban Bay when Waverley st evening cruise, and then we picked up a mooring at Heather Island in Kerrera Sound for the night, giv 10pm.“If you have a photograph you would like to share with us, please email a jpeg (1MB) to editor

that people are employed to do this and her DRS dogma could see mass unemployment? I am sure the unions might be interested. It is Lorna Slater who should be recycled.

and vital part of Scotland’s emergency response network, we reflect on the magnificent support SCAA has enjoyed from the Scottish public.

The cost of maintaining a charity like SCAA is considerable but you, the Scottish public, have been there for us every step of the way. In our first decade you have donated around £50 million, enabling us to save thousands of lives, impact on thousands more and bring help and hope to our more remote and rural communities. The SCAA board of trustees took

er after Sunday’s evening cruise - with a few Oban eamed out at 6.30pm for its Loch Linnhe / Lismore ng us a perfect position for this arrival shot at obantimes.co.uk

a measured risk launching our first aircraft in 2013, but the charity was, initially, supported by some prominent funders leading to incredible public support.

Now public giving is helping to support our life-saving service as demand and costs continue to increase, with more than £7 million required in our 10th anniversary year.

We are humbled and heartened by a generous public who we hope will help fly us into the future and ensure SCAA is there for those

Our goal is to create and cultivate nurturing and positive relationships for young people. We train and support adult volunteers to act as befrienders for children and young people aged 6-18 who need a little extra social and/or emotional support for various reasons.

All young people need secure positive relationships to develop their self-esteem and social skills. We help young people by carefully matching them with a suitable adult Befriender.

Volunteer Befrienders can take the young person to explore different places and activities and can also enjoy quality time with them at home.

We work closely with partner agencies and families to ensure that children and young people in Argyll and Bute have all the support they need to thrive.

All our work is built around our core values of Compassion, Acceptance, Respect and Empathy.

What does community mean to you? For us, it’s everything. New Connections is a place where the whole community are welcome to drop in- once a day or once in a while. You can join one of our craft groups, seek support, chat about books or play scrabble! We have the Vintage Café run by The Montrose Centre on Wednesdays and Fridays, and warm spaces to come and chinwag with a cuppa the rest of the week - you can find all our groups and café times on our timetable.

We also host exciting events; the next is a ‘Swap Don’t Shop’ Market on the 1st July- save your purse strings (and the planet) by donating your unwanted Summer Items in the weeks before then come along to pick up what you need on the day. School Uniforms, Garden Toys and Summer Clothes…it’s all welcome. This will be followed by a fabulous Craft Market on August 12th featuring some of the best handmade crafts Lochaber has to offer!

And if getting thrifty is your thing, we have even more for you- Starting soon are our ‘Beat Your Budget’ sessions- easy, FREE and interactive sessions to get a better handle on your household budget with a qualified tutor who’ll be helping you make your budget work for you. It doesn’t have to be scary…or boring, come along and find out more.

New Connections is open Monday to Friday 9-5 and on Saturday’s for special events… Check our social media for more information.

Located in the beautiful village of Benderloch by Oban, in the west coast of Scotland, Etive House Care Home provides small group living accommodation. The home, which has fantastic local links, provides exemplary standards of residential, dementia and respite care in purpose-designed accommodation.

Etive House Care Home want their residents to feel relaxed and at home. So, as well as an inviting family ambiance, they have a dedicated team of staff who ensure exceptional standards of care and hospitality are always the order of the day.

Offering 61 single rooms and one double room, suitable for couples. Each room is spacious and comfortable, with the option of TV and Alexa. Residents are encouraged to personalise their space with furniture, framed pictures and ornaments to ensure they truly feel at home.

While staying there you will enjoy charming surroundings from the moment you walk through the door and nature is never far away. As the front of our home is overlooked by the impressive Beinn Lora Hill, striking eagles and majestic deer can often be spotted.

Etive House Care Home’s aim is to welcome everybody at Etive House, both family and friends. They wish to make the transition into their home as stress-free as possible, and hope that their residents find their time enjoyable and happy.

Carr Gomm is a leading Scottish social care and community development charity. We support more than 3,000 people every day to live their best possible life.

If you are good at seeing people as unique individuals with their own skills, choices and aspirations, we have a variety of full-time, parttime or relief opportunities for you to join our teams in Campbeltown and Mid Argyll.

As a support practitioner, you would support people to live safely and well in their own homes. We support people with all aspects of daily living which includes support with medication, personal care, meal preparation and household tasks. With full training and support

Thursday the June 8th Coffee Morning

Friday the 9th June Coffee afternoon

Monday the 5th June The Drop-in

Lochgilphead Dochas Carers Centre Tuesday 6th June The Art group Wednesday 7th June The Carers Lunch Thursday 8th June The drop-in

The Parkinson group

to achieve an SVQ 3 provided, you don’t need to have formal care experience to apply.

Carr Gomm recognises the importance of work/life balance and offer flexible shift patterns.

In addition, we offer competitive salaries from £21,704 - £23,007 (pro rata) 35 days annual leave (pro rata), additional mileage of 45p per mile and more.

If you are looking for a rewarding career in social care, apply online at our website www. carrgomm.org. Join the Carr Gomm team and make a real difference to people in your community every day.