The NEN – North Edinburgh News – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

Deputy First Minister launches rollout of £50 million to prevent homelessness

First 100 days commitments continue to be met

Halfway through the first 100 days of the Scottish Government formed in May, the rollout of an expanded 10-year £50 million Homelessness Prevention Fund is underway.

£1 million is being made available for a second year to enable social landlords and third sector organisations to support tenants to stay in their homes.

The Scottish Federation of Housing Associations and Homeless Network Scotland are administering phase two of the Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund. This will provide a range of support to households in Glasgow, including assistance with rent arrears, repairs and furniture costs alongside initiatives to prevent people becoming homeless.

The fund is in addition to the £9 million invested to mitigate the impact of the UK Government’s decision to freeze Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates in 2026-27. It forms part of the commitment to spend £50 million on homelessness prevention activity over the next decade.

Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth will visit Sanctuary Housing Association’s offices and development in Toryglen, Glasgow.

Ms Gilruth said: “Preventing homelessness is not just the right thing to do – it is the most effective way to end it for good.

“For too long, the system has been geared towards responding to crisis rather than stopping it happen.

“So in our first 100 days in government, we are rolling out funding which will help to change that.

“This fund will help build up capacity of communities and public services to act earlier, supporting people before situations become critical and embedding prevention across organisations that interact with those at risk.

“Homelessness is devastating, but we know that most of it is preventable. That is why sustained, long-term investment in prevention is central to everything we are doing.”

Director of External Affairs at the Scottish Federation of Housing Associations Paul Bradley said: “The Upstream Homelessness Prevention Fund has had a transformative impact in preventing homelessness for hundreds of people across Scotland, so we wholly welcome its extension.

“This funding is further proof that prevention works, and that housing associations, working alongside government and partners, can reach tenants long before a crisis.

“The greatest way to tackle homelessness is to prevent it in the first place.

“Prevention funding running alongside a strong supply of safe, warm and affordable homes gives Scotland the best chance of a true step-change so no one has to face losing their home.” 

Homeless Network Scotland Chief Executive Maggie Brunjes said: “Preventing homelessness starts where people live.

“This second round of the Upstream Prevention Fund is a vital investment in Glasgow. Housing associations are ideally placed to prevent homelessness through their strong community roots and close partnerships with local charities.

“Homelessness charities play a key strategic role too, bringing deep knowledge of the issues people face and how to tackle them early.

“Working with SFHA and local partners, we will build on the success of the first round to help more households stay in their homes and make prevention and joined-up support a real priority across the city.”

Registration open for Community Flow yoga class at Pilton Community Health Project

Registration is now open for PCHP’s Community Flow Yoga Class which will start back on Thursday the 20th of August 1pm – 2pm.

These afternoon classes are open to all women, no experience needed.

Spaces are limited due to room size, please email me ASAP if you’re able to commit to coming along on a regular basis.

Maximum per class is 4

#AllWomenWelcome

Please contact; julesryan@pchp.org.uk or pop along to PCHP and have a chat.

CAS: Basic bank accounts essential in tackling financial exlusion

The Financial Conduct Authority has announced it has conducted secret analysis, using evidence supplied by Citizens Advice Scotland.

Being without a bank account is the ultimate form of financial exclusion.

We’ve been working to raise awareness of the barriers banks create for so many people across Scotland and why more needs to be done.

Now, nine major banks have committed to improving their service in this area.

Read about our work on this here:

https://www.cas.org.uk/…/basic-bank-accounts-need-be…

Scottish post-punk icon Malcolm Ross collects honorary doctorate from Edinburgh Napier University

He was a member of Josef K, Orange Juice and Aztec Camera

Post-punk guitarist and singer-songwriter Malcolm Ross has been honoured by Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) for his remarkable career in music.

Malcolm shot to fame in the 1970s and 80s as a member of Josef K, Orange Juice and Aztec Camera, bands which came to define the new wave sound of independent Scottish label Postcard Records.

His music career saw him perform and record alongside numerous artists, while also releasing three solo albums.

Beyond his early years in the industry, Malcolm went on to work across music, film, theatre, sound installation and interdisciplinary arts practice. His film work included a role musical consultant on the Beatles biopic Backbeat and he contributed original music to the soundtrack for the Jonny Depp film Chocolat.

Born in Malawi and raised in Edinburgh, Malcolm was formally made a Doctor of the University during an ENU graduation ceremony at the city’s Usher Hall.

Reflecting on his honorary graduation, Malcolm Ross said: “It’s special. I’m getting near the end of my career I suppose, and it’s lovely and flattering to receive some recognition from an institution I’ve always admired.

“I didn’t really expect to be offered something like this. I was surprised, but pleasantly surprised.

“Because I grew up in Edinburgh, Napier was always in my awareness, even when I was still at school. So it has brought back memories.

And his advice for ENU’s new cohort of music graduates? “Make music you’d like to listen to, always. Make music you’d like to listen to.”

Presenting Malcolm with his doctorate, Zack Moir, Professor of Music at ENU’s School of Arts and Creative Industries, said: “Malcolm’s career reminds us that our professional lives rarely follow a singular path.

“They are shaped by collaboration, adaptability, and a willingness to remain open to new ideas and opportunities.

“At a time when our turbulent world increasingly needs more creativity, imagination and human connection, Malcolm Ross stands as an example of what it means to sustain a lifelong commitment to creative practice.

“His contribution extends beyond the wonderful music that first brought him recognition. It can be found in the collaborations he has fostered, the projects he has helped realise, and the opportunities he has created for others to participate in and benefit from the arts.”

ENU’s summer graduation ceremonies were held at the Usher Hall between 8-10 July.

Lovell helps South Queensferry pupils ride into the summer holidays

Housing specialist, Lovell, currently building a mixed-tenure development in partnership with Sanctuary Scotland and Sigma Capital at The Crossings in South Queensferry, upgraded the cycle path at Echline Primary School to give pupils a safer space to build confidence on two wheels for the summer holidays.

The work was completed in time for the end of term, giving children a dedicated space to learn to ride and forms part of the ongoing commitment by Lovell to deliver social value in communities where it builds.

Over the course of six days Lovell staff members, along with partnering supply chain, cleared overgrown areas, resurfaced and repainted the cycling track so pupils could practise safer riding in a realistic layout. The team also refurbished the school’s sensory garden and pond area with new plants and small trees.

Together, Lovell and their partners provided around £2,000 of materials for the cycle path and garden.

Tony Rankin, Regional Managing Director at Lovell in Scotland, said: “At Lovell we’re proud to be delivering much-needed housing in South Queensferry and committed to helping to create a thriving, sustainable community.

“Our team were glad to give their time and skills to upgrade the cycle path at Echline Primary School and we hope pupils feel more confident getting out on their bikes safely this summer.”

Sarah Macauley, Senior Project Manager, Sanctuary Scotland, said: “Great housing is about far more than the homes themselves. It’s about strengthening communities and making sure people feel the benefit for years to come.

“That is exactly why Sanctuary Scotland is proud to partner with Lovell, who share our commitment to building communities. The work to improve the cycle path and garden at Echline Primary School is a perfect example, giving local children a better and safer place to learn.”

Laura Marshall, Sustainability Lead and Eco-Schools Co-ordinator at Echline Primary School, said: “At Echline we want every child to feel safe and secure so they can grow in confidence.

“We are very grateful to Lovell for donating their time and skills to upgrade our cycle path to give our pupils a brilliant space to practise and become more independent on their bikes.”

The Crossings will deliver 398 homes, including 100 for social rent in partnership with Sanctuary Scotland, 185 homes for private rent through Sigma Simple Life, 113 private homes for sale by Lovell Homes and 14 commercial units. The development will also support more than 300 local jobs.

For more information, visit www.lovell.co.uk

Alan Cummings’ A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin returns this summer

Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin to return with exciting series of fascinating lunchtime outdoor talks presented in collaboration with The Royal Society of Edinburgh.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre, in partnership with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, is set to stage A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin, their popular series of fascinating talks featuring leading Scottish experts from science and the arts.

This year’s talks will open on Tuesday 21 July, in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s picturesque outdoor Amphitheatre, with Prof Penny Fielding FRSE who makes a welcome return to Pitlochry to host a talk about the history of the spy novel in Scotland. From Scottish literary greats like Walter Scott and John Buchan to contemporary authors, hear how writers have woven surveillance, secret intelligence and carefully crafted misdirection into their stories.

Later that week on Friday 24 July, Prof Jennifer Smith FBA FRSE will be exploring the history and diversity of the Scots language. Hear how this living, evolving language is being used in everyday speech, in the creative industries, in writing, and what it might look like in the future as we move further into an increasingly AI-dependent world.

In August there will be two further talks in the amphitheatre. On Friday 21 August theastrophysicist Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans, a member of the Young Academy of Scotland, will take her audience on a journey through the Universe and the remarkable space objects within it.

Together, they will explore questions like: Was there ever life on Mars? Why is Pluto no longer a planet? And what are the oldest objects in the Universe?

The following week on Friday 28 Augustthe author Kenneth Steven will be presenting a talk on his book Atoms of Delight which comprises ten essays inspired by the natural world.

Kenneth’s book describes pilgrimages in Scottish nature: climbing to high lochs to encounter black and red throated divers; discovering hidden river pools in summer for swimming; walking to St Columba’s Bay at the south end of Iona to find serpentine pebbles.

The idea of A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin came from Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Alan Cumming HonFRSE, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and was inspired by the widely celebrated A Play, A Pie and A Pint.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh recognises, supports, and mobilises expertise from across academia, business, and public service for the benefit of Scotland and the wider world.

All tickets for A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin will include a beer and a bap (vegetarian / vegan options and non-alcoholic options available).

A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin is part of Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as Artistic Director in this the Theatre’s 75th anniversary year.

Pitlochry Festival Theatre Artistic Director Alan Cumming HonFRSE said: “I’m so excited for the return of A Beer, Bap and a Boffin, our open-air lunch time lecture series. And what a line-up we have!

“To paraphrase Buzz Lightyear, we go to Scotland and beyond! We explore our language, the subterfuge in our literary heritage, the hidden wonders of our beautiful landscape, before blasting off into space – and all done from the safety of our garden’s amphitheatre!

“What better way to spend an hour this summer?”

RSE 1 SA : RSE – data/science/ethics workshop – Edinburgh All images © Stewart Attwood Photography 2023. All other rights are reserved. Use in any other context is expressly prohibited without prior permission. No Syndication Permitted except for PA (Press Association)

RSE’s Vice-President, Public Engagement, Professor Martin Hendry FRSE, said: “It’s brilliant to see A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin return for a second year.

“It’s a testament to the success of its first year in 2025 and we’re delighted to be able to work with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, through our Honorary Fellow Alan Cumming, making the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s knowledge useful for public good.

“A refreshing drink, a bite to eat and a blether with an expert in their field in a superb setting, what more could you ask for this summer?”

For tickets and further information visit online at pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com or call the Box Office on 01796 484626.

Fringe Ticket giveaway for North Edinburgh Arts members

SUMMER TICKET GIVE-AWAY FOR NEA ORDINARY MEMBERS

We have six pairs of Fringe Days Out vouchers (worth £30) up for grabs for NEA Ordinary Members.

These can be used to book tickets to any shows that are part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026. All NEA Ordinary Members will be entered into a draw, with six lucky winners picked at random.

Not a Member yet? Sign up by end of the day Monday 20 July and have your name added to the prize draw to be in with a chance of winning:

https://northedinburgharts.co.uk/get…/become-a-member/

Names will be drawn and winners contacted on Tuesday 21 July, with announcement on our social media.

The Besties are back this August

The Besties awards celebrating the best across Edinburgh’s August Festivals are now in their third year. The Award is a partnership between Radge Media, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland.

The Besties 2026 design by Camillo Feuchter

The Skinny and Fest, Capital Theatres and Premier Scotland are delighted to announce that The Besties are back!

Reflecting the broad and diverse coverage both magazines produce every summer and celebrating the breadth of Edinburgh’s Festivals,

The Besties span all the festival activity taking place in the city over the month of August, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Winners of The Besties are chosen each week by the editorial teams of The Skinny and Fest, drawing on their cross-festival expertise to celebrate the best work happening anywhere in the festivals.

2026 winners will be announced at weekly ceremonies taking place at Festival Theatre in Edinburgh on 15, 22 and 29 August.

The Besties awards, designed by artist Camillo Feuchter a graduate of Interior & Environmental Design at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in Dundee, use recyclable plastics gathered by the partners and leftover wood sourced locally.

Call for review of bowel cancer screening age

With bowel cancer cases rising among under 50’s in Scotland, extending bowel cancer screening could save more lives.

Public Health Minister @MareeToddMSP has asked the UK National Screening Committee to consider reviewing the recommended age for bowel cancer screening.