QMU graduate Dominique Haig
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Having just celebrated her graduation from Queen Margaret University (QMU) last week, Dominique Haig is already making an impact through research that is helping to inform policy and practice around menstrual health and period poverty in Scotland.
Dominique, from Edinburgh, received her MSc in Sexual and Reproductive Health after completing a dissertation that examined institutional barriers to the uptake of reusable period products following the introduction of the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Act 2021. Her findings were subsequently developed into policy briefs for educational settings and policymakers and published in the journal ‘Women’s Reproductive Health’.
During her studies at QMU’s Institute for Global Health and Development (IGHD), Dominique developed a strong interest in menstrual health and equity. Her research focused on improving awareness, accessibility and choice around reusable period products, recognising the importance of menstrual autonomy and ensuring that everyone who menstruates can access products and support that meet their needs.
Reflecting on her time at QMU, Dominique said: “Studying at the Institute for Global Health and Development at QMU was an incredibly rewarding experience. I was constantly inspired by my lecturers and fellow students, and I valued the opportunity to explore areas of global health that genuinely interested me, with a particular focus on menstrual health.
“The research-informed and experience-based teaching provided a strong foundation for my future work. IGHD created a real sense of community and truly embodied the idea of a global department, bringing together diverse perspectives and experiences.
“The support I received from across the university throughout my studies, and beyond completing my degree, has been invaluable. I learned so much during my time at QMU, and I am incredibly grateful that it was the place where I began my professional journey.”
Dominique’s dissertation explored how institutions are implementing Scotland’s world-leading legislation on free period product provision and identified factors that can affect awareness and uptake of reusable products. By translating her findings into practical policy recommendations, she hopes to support organisations in offering greater choice and improving access to sustainable menstrual health options.
Alongside her menstrual health work, Dominique is currently completing a placement with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), contributing to a thematic group focused on substance use in emergency settings – an important but under-researched area of global health.
Looking ahead, Dominique hopes to continue working across research, advocacy and policy, bringing together her interests in menstrual health, equity and global health to improve health experiences and outcomes for people in diverse contexts.
Maria Bertone, Reader in the Institute for Global Health and Development at QMU, said: “Dominique’s work demonstrates the power of research to address real-world challenges and contribute to meaningful policy discussions. Her commitment to improving menstrual health equity and her ability to translate academic research into practical recommendations exemplify the values of the Institute for Global Health and Development.
“We are delighted to see her research reaching audiences beyond the university and wish her every success as she continues her career in global health, research and advocacy.”
Dominique and her classmates were in good company at the QMU graduation ceremony on 6th July. They celebrated their success alongside human rights activist Fatou Baldeh MBE, who was awarded an honorary degree in recognition of her campaigning work to protect women and girls from violence and discrimination, and to eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM). Fatou is also a graduate of QMU’s Institute for Global Health and Development.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justices and Housing Shirley-Ann Somerville during her visit to pantry Food Facts Friends in Penicuik today
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary has praised Food Facts Friends in Penicuik for supporting more than 10,000 people a year, saying similar community hubs should be encouraged across Scotland.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Housing Shirley-Ann Somerville visited the Penicuik pantry and community hub today, praising their vital work in tackling food insecurity and Midlothian Council’s continued support to community organisations in the county.
During her visit, the MSP toured the facility and met representatives from local community groups and organisations such as VOCAL and Midlothian Community Action, where discussions were focused on how the Scottish Government can provide further support.
Accompanied by Midlothian Council Leader Kelly Parry and Food Facts Friends CEO Mark Wells, the Cabinet Secretary praised the pantry for their community support which has seen over 10,000 people served within their food pantry.
Food Facts Friend is a community hub and food pantry on Penicuik’s high street that provides affordable meals and essential services which has become a lifeline for many Midlothian residents. Keeping community support at the heart of everything they do, alongside the food pantry the hub also provides food packages alongside other forms of community support such as youth groups and a subsidised cafe/diner.
Speaking to the Midlothian View during her visit, Cabinet Secretary Shirley-Ann Somerville explained:
“The thing that’s so important is that you have got a community hub that’s come together where people are clearly getting support, whether it’s through the pantry or the other services that are here like the Citizens Advice Bureau.”
Praising the council for their support, she added: “It’s fantastic to see that Midlothian Council has been supporting this project and are here today to once again solidify and demonstrate their support to the pantry and to the rest of the work that goes on here.”
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justices and Housing Shirley-Ann Somerville, Food Facts Friends CEO Mark Wells and Midlothian Council Leader Kelly Parry
Support is provided by the council to pantries across Midlothian, including Food Facts Friends, in the form of funding and overall support. Alongside this, the council works with Scottish Government partners to allocate funding for specific areas of assistance such as meal initiatives.
Midlothian Council Leader Kelly Parry explained:
“Organisations like this are absolutely crucial and a lifeline for a lot of people in Midlothian. We are very lucky to have dedicated organisations like this and a huge team of volunteers who make centres like this work. You can see just people who are here today or any day, the amount of families from all different backgrounds. It’s really the way that it’s evolved that has been crucial to removing the stigma that stops people accessing support.”
The pantry has around 40 volunteers and paid staff, with a large team supporting the over 10,000 people who pass through the doors each year.
Shirley-Ann Somerville commented on the government support for community organisation such as the pantry in Penicuik, highlighting that in direct funding and in direct financial help is the step she is most pleased with:
“One of the ways I am really really pleased that we have been able to help is to actually support Midlothian Council and the council’s work then goes on to support places like the pantry and other work that goes on in the council area because the council and the community groups know what the community most needs.”
Explaining that Food Facts Friends leads as a strong example to the type of organisations that can be run in other areas across Scotland, she added:
“What’s important for me is to be able to see what happens here and then try and encourage that type of work to maybe happen elsewhere in Scotland so it’s a great example to what other towns and cities could be looking at.”
During the visit, representatives from VOCAL, Citizens Advice Bureau, Children’s First, Criminal Justice Services and Midlothian Community Action were in attendance, with the Secretary taking time to speak to all the groups.
The Cabinet Secretary ringing Penicuik's ceremonial Town Crier bell used during major local festivals
All of the groups work with Food Facts Friends with the pantry hosting the groups once a week to give advice to residents who use the pantry.
Talking on the importance of these individual organisations, the Cabinet Secretary continued:
“You can see the difference it makes to people. It’s about food insecurity and the cost of food, but it’s also about bringing other services together. When people come somewhere they trust, they’re more likely to access help in whatever way they need.”
Pantry CEO Mark Wells described the visit as “a big achievement” for the organisation, saying he hopes it will help build stronger links with the Scottish Government and secure longer-term funding.
He explained: “The government could get better on not just giving short-term funding but providing long-term funding.
“I would like the Cabinet Secretary to take away the atmosphere and the conversations she had from today’s visit, and to maybe look at trying to go back to the First Minister and to say that poverty is still out there and to aim to make it better.”
Six were forced shut after the former Debenhams building, under renovation works to become a hotel, caught fire on July 8
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Joe Sullivan
Nearly £16k in non-domestic rates from shops forced to close during last week’s fire on Princes Street have not been collected.
Six were forced shut after the former Debenhams building, under renovation works to become a hotel, caught fire on July 8.
The council has confirmed it is waiving rates for the shops, and as a consequence the Scottish Government will lose £2,000 per day in rates, according to assessor’s data.
The council collects non-domestic rates on behalf of the Scottish Government, which then redistributes them to local authorities.
Some £1,438 per day of the losses come from the Boots on Princes Street near the Debenhams building, which has a value of 525,000.
The other five businesses, including a tailor, two shoe stores, a Timpsons branch and a vape shop, all on Rose Street, make up the remainder of the £1,986-a-day losses.
The fire began early on the morning of Thursday, July 9, and drew an immense response, with ten appliances present at the height of the blaze.
Crews finally left on Friday morning, after more than 29 hours on site.
The stretch of Princes Street adjacent to the building was re-opened for a short time, but the council announced earlier this week that it would be shut into August.
At the time, council leader Jane Meagher said she was ‘disappointed’ about the fire, but public safety had to be a priority.
The closure has had a significant impact on residents, with buses diverted and trams turning short in the West End.
Its impact is expected to be amplified as thousands of visitors are set to come to the city during the summer festivals.
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