Brainwaves in the Bathroom

Travelodge launches innovative bathroom trial as the nation’s top ‘bright idea’ spots are revealed

  •  Striking while the shower is hot: Almost half (48%) of Brits say their best ideas flow when the water does
  • Majority of adults have up to four ideas every day – but 65% forget them before writing down
  • Top 10 most unexpected places of inspiration include the shower, while exercising and even while falling asleep 
  • Travelodge is trialling waterproof notepads in selected hotel bathrooms to help guests capture their lightbulb moments

New research has uncovered the nation’s best ‘bright idea’ spots, with nearly half of UK adults (48%) reporting that their best ideas come in the shower.

With creativity striking the majority up to four times per day, Brits say their lightbulb moments are also likely to come during more unexpected moments such as when they’re falling asleep (34%), during or after exercising (10%) and even while tending to the garden (15%).

But while creative inspiration (55%), personal decisions (54%) and problem-solving (53%) are among the thoughts most likely to come to mind whilst showering, 65% say they forget their idea before they’re able to write it down.

This is particularly relevant for Britain’s business travellers. In 2025, an estimated 5.1 million business trips took place*, with 60% stating that the ability to capture ideas as they occur would benefit their careers. 

To help guests strike whilst the shower is hot, Travelodge has created an innovative solution to maximise creativity, trialling waterproof notepads in the showers of selected hotel bathrooms across the UK.

Designed to capture those lightbulb moments, the waterproof notepads come as more than two-thirds (69%) believe that inspiration strikes in the unlikeliest of places, leaving many scrambling to hold on to their ideas. 

Revealing the extreme lengths Brits have gone to keep their ideas top of mind, almost one in five (18%) admit to having repeated a mantra until out of the shower. A further 16% have created a memorable image, whilst 7% have written on a foggy mirror or glass. 

The research, which explores people’s creativity, reveals that breakthroughs are most often made in the morning (24%) and late at night (22%). 

Dr Jo Hemmings, a Behavioural Psychologist, said: “We tend to think creativity happens when we’re concentrating, but often the opposite is true.

“The best ideas frequently emerge when we step away from our screens and allow our minds to wander. Whether it’s in the shower, walking, on a train or gardening, those moments of mental downtime give the brain permission to make unexpected connections, which is where creativity thrives.” 

The UK’s most unexpected places of inspiration:

  1. Shower (48%)
  2. On a walk (47%)
  3. When falling asleep (34%)
  4. In the car (28%)
  5. Cooking (21%)
  6. Gardening (15%)
  7. When dreaming (14%)
  8. When washing dishes (14%)
  9. On a train (11%)
  10. During or after exercise (10%)

On average, Brits travel for business four days a month, with four in ten (41%) agreeing they are more creative when away from home. The top three reasons for hitting the road for work include client meetings (22%), conferences or events (19%) and training (17%). 

While on the road, business travellers are often struck with creativity, with three in five (64%) saying changing environments helps spark their imagination, suggesting that time away from the usual desk set-up can inspire fresh thinking. 

A Travelodge spokesperson added: “Inspiration can strike at any moment and with Britain’s business community spending so much time on the road, our hotels are frequently the backdrop for those vital ‘lightbulb’ moments.

“We know how frustrating it is to lose a great idea before you can find a pen and paper, which is why we’re trialling new waterproof notepads. It is a simple and practical way to make sure our guests’ best ideas don’t go down the drain – so if you want to experience them for yourself, you better get a Travelodge.”  

The shower notepads will be trialled at hotels in key business locations on Wednesday 8th, July, including London City, Edinburgh Park, Bristol Abbey Wood, Newcastle Quayside and Chester Central Bridge Street. The notepads can be taken home too so guests can capture their creativity wherever they go.

To get a great deal, check out Travelodge Business – search, book, manage and pay for hotels all in one place, whether you’re at your desk or on the road. 

Letters: UPS concern

Dear editor,

I am writing as both a concerned member of the public and a loyal customer of UPS regarding what appears to be a significant and rapidly developing issue of UK workforce and one that deserves far more attention than it is currently receiving.

Reports and growing concerns from within the company suggests widespread restructuring across UK operations including depot closures and substantial job losses. It has been claimed that in some areas over 40% of the work force could be affected, with experienced, long serving staff being placed at risk of redundancy.

In addition, there are reports of drivers being offered relatively small one of payments reportedly in the region of 3000 to 5000 as part of redundancy ‘sweeteners’ after many years of service. For workers who have spent decades representing the company on the frontline, this has understandably caused anger, disappointment, and uncertainty.

What makes this situation particularly concerning is that these drivers are not just employees behind the scenes – they are the public face of UPS. They are the final point of contact with customers, the people who build trust in the brand every single day on Britain’s streets.

There is also growing unease that this restructuring signals a wider to shift away from secure employment towards self-employed or contractor-style arrangements, a trend that is increasingly affecting workers across the logistics sector. While companies will argue the need to modernise and remain competitive, the human cost of these decisions appears to be significant.

As a customer, I am genuinely shocked by what has been reported. These are professional, reliable drivers who have delivered a consistent service for years, and the way this transition is being handled raises serious questions about fairness, loyalty, and the long-term impact on service quality and brand reputation.

This is not a workplace issue- it is a public-facing change affecting thousands of workers, countless communities, and the standards we expect from major international companies operating in the UK. I believe this is a far bigger story than is currently being treated, and I hope you will consider bringing wider attention to it.

Yours sincerely,

Mo

Treasure Island at Lauriston Castle

Join us for Treasure Island, our next family theatre performance at Lauriston Castle, on Thursday 23 July.

Join plucky Jim Hawkins and his crew of salty old sea dogs on their search for buried treasure in Quantum Theatre’s exciting adaptation of the pirate adventure classic, Treasure Island.

An action-packed show for all the family!

Book: https://cultureedinburgh.com/…/treasure-island-with…

Dry weather conditions continue in the east of the country*

Abstractors are being urged to plan ahead as the risk of water scarcity across the east of Scotland remains.  

The latest weekly water scarcity report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows Findhorn has reached Moderate Scarcity with the Dee (Aberdeen) raised to Alert level.  

This takes the number of areas in Moderate Scarcity to two; Findhorn and Tyne (Lothian) and the number of Alert levels to eight; Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Dee (Aberdeen), Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond and Tweed catchments.  

SEPA publishes weekly water scarcity reports throughout the summer to provide abstractors with up-to-date information on conditions across the country. Reporting is designed to provide advance notice of developing conditions to support sustainable water use and help users plan ahead.  

  • Early Warning means conditions are becoming drier. No action is required at this stage, but abstractors are encouraged to prepare and review water use.  
  • Alert means river water levels are falling and SEPA advises voluntary reductions in non-essential water use by abstractors. 
  • Moderate Scarcity means environmental impact is clear. Action from abstractors is expected to protect rivers and the species that rely on them. 

Despite the recent unsettled weather, the eastern coastal areas are experiencing more long-term dry conditions, following on from a dry spring, with wetter conditions experienced in the west. 

As river flows are low to very low across eastern areas for this time of year with ground conditions particularly in the east and northeast becoming very dry, we will be contacting local abstractors regarding the situation giving them as much notice as possible to prepare ahead. 

SEPA continues to monitor conditions closely through its national water scarcity reporting. 

SEPA’s drought risk assessment tool provides up-to-date local information on river flows and potential water scarcity risk to help abstractors monitor conditions and support planning ahead.  

Eilidh Johnston, Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “With warm and dry weather continuing in the east of the country, we are now starting to see the impacts of water scarcity with additional areas moving to Moderate Scarcity and Alert level.  

“Several eastern catchments are experiencing drier than normal conditions and river flows are low to very low for this time of year there. As a result, there remains a risk of water scarcity developing into summer, particularly across the east, if summer rainfall is lower than normal.    

“SEPA’s water scarcity reporting provides abstractors and other water users with advance notice of changing conditions so they can review water use, check equipment is operating effectively and plan ahead if needed.  

“We would encourage abstractors to make use of SEPA’s drought risk assessment tools and guidance to help understand local conditions, increase their resilience to the impacts of prolonged dry conditions and support sustainable water use during dry periods.”  

Further information on water scarcity levels, guidance and weekly reports is available on SEPA’s website.

Holyrood Palace invite for inspirational young charity ambassador 

A Young Ambassador with the charity Action for Children spent an afternoon in the presence of the King and Queen at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh this week.

Jack Nisbett, 20, from Haddington, East Lothian, attended a Royal Garden Party on Tuesday in recognition of his outstanding voluntary work.

Jack sits on Action for Children’s Young Ambassadors Board made up of volunteers aged between 14-25 from around the UK. 

The board gets involved in the charity’s work, and campaigns to influence decision-making to ensure it reflects the views of young people.

Jack has ADHD and autism and has been supported by an Action for Children housing support service for just under two years.

Action for Children representatives are nominated to attend Royal Garden Parties each year through its Patron the Princess of Wales.

Reflecting on the experience, Jack said: “I absolutely loved it. It was a brilliant day and I enjoyed every minute. I also got the chance to meet First Minister John Swinney.”

“I chose to become a Young Ambassador to help young people without a voice. I want to help make a change in the lives of other young people who go through similar situations to mine and make the world better for young people across the UK.”

Jack and Robert Inglis, Locality Services Manager at Action for Children, mingled with hundreds of guests at the garden party, which was also attended by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal.

Robert has worked at Action for Children since 2003 and supported almost 500 young people experiencing homelessness during that time. 

Robert said: “Jack is an incredible young man who uses his personality and kindness to always try and improve the lives of others.

“He has so much to offer as a Young Ambassador, and recently travelled to Glasgow with young people from other voluntary organisations to write a letter to the Scottish Government outlining key priorities for young people that politicians should be addressing.”

Jack is one of around 30,000 children, young people and families supported each year by Action for Children in Scotland, through 90 services across 30 Scottish local authorities.

Action for Children, formerly known as National Children’s Homes (NCH), opened its first Scottish service in 1955 in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire. Since then, it has expanded to offer residential homes, disability support, youth justice, and family support services across the country.  

Fostering Charity’s Urgent Call For Scottish Foster Carers

  • An acute shortage of foster carers in Scotland is pointing to a care emergency
  • Children as young as three years old are being placed in residential homes
  • TACT Fostering, the UK’s largest dedicated fostering charity, is calling on the government and all fostering providers to take urgent action

A recent statement issued by Scotland’s thirty-two Chief Social Work Officers has highlighted an acute shortage of available fostering homes in Scotland, with children as young as three being placed in residential homes.

Whilst a shortage of foster carers across the UK has been a long-standing issue, children under five years of age being placed in residential homes alongside much older young people is alarming. Local authority foster carers are historically approached first for very young children. Therefore children being housed in residential homes is less about a change of approach for local authorities, and more about a decrease in foster carers generally.

This should be triggering an urgent ‘call to action’ for the government and fostering providers to increase carer recruitment efforts.

Andy Elvin, TACT Fostering CEO and Chair of The Fairer Fostering Partnership, an umbrella group of charitable fostering providers, said: “With the recent statement issued by Scotland’s thirty-two Chief Social Work Officers with regards to the acute shortage of available fostering homes, it is clear that this is a care emergency. Children as young as three being placed in residential homes isn’t acceptable or in the best interests of children.

“Here at TACT Fostering, we’ve introduced a number of financial wellbeing initiatives to help make fostering viable for more people. We’ve also introduced our ‘making spaces’ program centred around increasing our carers’ spare bedroom capacity to provide additional care, particularly to help bring siblings together.

“However, we do need more action at a governmental level as a matter of urgency to bring more people to fostering across Scotland. We would happily work with our Scottish local authority colleagues and the Scottish government in a national foster carer recruitment effort.

“It is clear that we need to work together in concert to address this emergency. The new legislation requiring that all Independent Fostering Providers are charities is an excellent opportunity to promote fostering across Scotland.”

Whilst the initial response needs to be finding suitable foster homes for under fives that are being placed in residential environments, local authorities and independent fostering providers need to prioritise carer recruitment strategies.

Organisations should also be looking to nurture and upskill their current foster carers, where possible.

Moving forward, it does seem that there needs to be a general change in the way local authorities approach the foster carer/family finding process for under fives and, in fact, all young people. Most independent fostering providers prepare and nurture their foster carers to match the care need in each region, and usually this does not include very young children.

If all requests for care were to call on both in-house local authority and external agency carers simultaneously, with the ‘best match’ being the goal in every scenario, all fostering providers would be in a better position to respond to care emergencies such as this.

Ultimately it would help to create a wider pool of foster carers able to care for children of all ages and with differing needs.

Scottish Book Trust donates books and toys to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity

Scottish Book Trust has delivered books and toys to young patients at The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People. 

The national reading and writing charity donated twenty of their popular Squishy Bookbug Reading Cushions, which are normally sold through Scottish Book Trust’s online shop to raise funds for the charity. 

These squishy cushions will be given to young patients, allowing them to enjoy books and Bookbug sessions in comfort during their hospital stay.  

Scottish Book Trust also donated two boxes of brand-new books for children and young people to enjoy while at the hospital. These included engaging stories for primary school ages and flap books for early years. Books are so popular at the Hospital that donations always go quickly. 

The supplies were distributed with the help of Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, which supports the children who are admitted to the children’s hospital at Little France, and their families. 

With support from Scottish Book Trust, Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity has been running Bookbug Sessions in the Hospital Hub and on the wards to share stories, songs and rhymes with the children during their stay. These sessions are loved by children, young people and their families.  

In this National Year of Reading, it’s more important than ever to promote the power of reading to children, and to inspire them through a love of stories and songs. 

Catriona McIntyre, Arts and Wellbeing Manager at Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity said: ‘Scottish Book Trust supports families within the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in a huge variety of ways. 

“The books that are so kindly donated help moments of connection during challenging times, supports bedtime routines, aids imagination and curiosity. Books are such an important part of our Wellbeing Hub, highlighting that this is a space for fun and enjoyment, just for them. 

‘Bookbug is incredibly popular and ECHC is delighted to be able to host such a familiar event for families that would normally be going to in their local libraries and bring a little piece of normality.

“Our Bookbug sessions are facilitated by our lovely volunteer, Alison. Alison’s sessions have been such a hit in the hospital that she recently won a Volunteer Edinburgh Inspiring Volunteer Awards for her work volunteering in The Hub.’ 

Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said: ‘We were delighted to be able to donate our Bookbug reading cushions and books to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, and we are pleased to hear just how much enjoyment they will give children and young people who have been admitted to hospital. 

‘Book gifting is a vital part of our mission at Scottish Book Trust. We aim to help everyone in Scotland access books and all the benefits they bring through reading and writing. All proceeds from our shop help fund our charity to do more of its life-changing work.’ 

Holyrood: Have your say on Public Service Reform

With the Scottish Government aiming to deliver average savings of £0.5bn a year to public services over the next three years, Holyrood’s Public Service Reform Committee is seeking views on how achievable the proposed public sector reforms are.

The Committee has today launched a consultation asking how barriers to progress with reform can be overcome; how preventative approaches to spending can be promoted; and how the delivery of public services can be simplified.

As part of its pre-budget scrutiny work, the Committee will also consider whether there is sufficient clarity around how front-line roles, which are to be protected, are defined.

Speaking as the call for views launched, Committee Convener Bob Doris MSP, said: “A Spending Review demanding £1.5bn worth of public sector efficiencies, lays bare the need for us to understand the detail of how these savings are to be made and fundamentally, how they will shape public service delivery.

“Funds designated for prevention must also be put to good use and the simplification of services must lead to positive outcomes for both the provision of services and expenditure.

“We’d like to hear from those who lead, deliver, and rely on public services about what steps can be taken to remove barriers to more progress with reform, support preventative approaches, and ensure that efficiencies do not undermine frontline delivery.

“Our scrutiny will help shape the Scottish Budget before it is finalised, so contributions at this stage are especially valuable.”

The Committee is keen to hear from leaders in the public sector; community planning partnerships; trade unions; academics and think tanks; third sector representatives and staff who deliver services within or on behalf of the public sector.

The call for views closes on Friday 14 August 2026 after which the Committee plans to take oral evidence, before reporting to Parliament late October/early November this year.

Read the questions and submit your views on Citizen Space

QUESTIONS

  1. The Scottish Government aims to deliver on average £0.5 billion in savings through efficiencies per year for the next three years (2026-27 to 2028-29): 
    1. To what extent are these savings achievable, and how will they shape public service delivery? 
       
    2. What progress is being made towards achieving these efficiencies? 
       
    3. What are the barriers to achieving greater efficiency and how can these be addressed? 
  2. How should the Scottish Government best present the extent of any realised efficiencies in the annual budget publication, including providing clarity on whether these are expected to be recurring savings? 
     
  3. The Fiscal Sustainability Delivery Plan aims to achieve an average reduction of the public sector workforce of 0.5% per year over five years.
    1. To what extent is this target achievable and how will it shape public service delivery?  
    2. What progress is being made towards achieving this target?
  4. What actions can the Scottish Government take to ensure these workforce reductions are delivered in a managed way which best supports effective government and public service delivery?
     
  5. The PSR strategy states that it will protect frontline services. To what extent is there sufficient clarity about how frontline roles are defined and how efficiencies in back-office functions can be delivered in a way that minimises impact on the delivery of public services? 
     
  6. Beyond the financial benefits that the Public Sector Reform (PSR) Strategy aims to achieve, what are the key outcomes that reform should be aiming for? 
     
  7. The PSR Strategy includes 18 different workstreams which aim to remove barriers to reform.  One workstream focuses on “simplification”, recognising that “complexity of processes, structures and reporting requirements is a key barrier to effective and efficient service delivery”. “Prevention” is one of three pillars providing structure to the Strategy.
    1. What should the Scottish Government’s priorities be under its simplification workstream and what level of savings can be achieved through this approach? 
       
    2. What progress has been made to date with preventative budgeting?
       
    3. How should the forthcoming Budget support greater progress towards preventative budgeting across the devolved public sector? Please set out any barriers and how these can be addressed. 
    4. What changes to the Scottish Government’s approach to budget-setting are needed to effectively deliver public service reform? 
  8. The Scottish Government included an upfront Invest to Save Fund of around £30 million in the 2025-26 and 2026-27 Scottish Budgets for reform projects that will deliver ongoing savings and support the delivery of the PSR strategy.  
    1. To what extent is the Invest to Save Fund delivering projects that achieve ongoing savings?  
       
    2. How are successful outcomes from this Fund being shared more widely across the public sector? 

Edinburgh attractions back Great British Summer Savings

  • Families across the UK are benefiting from reduced VAT on ticket prices as part of the Great British Summer Savings.
  • Cinemas, soft plays and theme parks are among the attractions where the savings will be passed on.
  • Businesses will also benefit from increased footfall during the summer holidays.

Attractions across Edinburgh and the east of Scotland are embracing the UK Government’s Great British Summer Savings scheme – making family days out more affordable.

The initiative, which cut VAT from 20% to 5% on children’s tickets on a variety of attractions and days out, and on children’s menu meals in restaurants, is now in operation and will run until 1 September.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Kirsty McNeill said: “Now schools are out for the summer across the east of Scotland, we want families to make the most of their time together.

“That’s why this summer, the UK Government is cutting the cost of a family day out with the Great British Summer Savings VAT reduction – helping families across the UK make the most of the summer break.

“Businesses will also feel the benefits with increased visitor numbers and more people discovering the wonderful range of activities and attractions we have throughout Scotland and the whole of the UK.

“Too many parents feel they have to hold back on treats or days out together because of cost of living pressures so the UK Government is slashing the VAT on a range of kids’ activities so families can afford more time together.”

One Edinburgh attraction supporting the savings for families is Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, which has already refunded the price difference to 1200 pre-paid tickets.

Tony Millar, Camera Obscura and World of Illusion’s manager, said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Great British Summer Savings initiative and to pass the benefit directly on to visitors. The summer holidays are an important time for families to make memories together, but we know the cost of days out can add up. 

“By passing on the VAT reduction and reducing our ticket prices over the summer, we hope to make it easier for families, tourists and local visitors to enjoy a fun, memorable and great-value day out in the heart of Edinburgh.”

The VAT rate on eligible activities will be cut from 20% to 5% and applies across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The reduced rate will apply to:

  • Children’s menu meals served in restaurants for consumption on the premises;
  • Children’s and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions;
  • Admission tickets, for both children and adults, to a range of attractions, including: amusement parks, fairs, museums, zoos, soft play centres, circuses, adventure parks, nature reserves, wildlife parks and observation attractions.

This money-saving package supports families, while also supporting businesses through increased footfall. The government expects businesses to pass on VAT savings to customers.

Guidance for businesses in scope of the policy has been published by HMRC which outlines how businesses can operate the scheme.

For more information, see HM Treasury’s press release.