Feeling inspired by the World Cup? Or just fed up that the kids get all the fun?
Brand new for summer 2026
Our coaches are running informal tournaments for the grown ups in July and August. Everyone welcome (as long as you’re over 18) no matter your ability.
More details in the flyer 
The Youth Arts Open Fund is now open for applications!
Artists, youth organisations and community groups across Scotland are invited to apply to the fund, which supports youth-led arts projects for children and young people who face barriers to accessing creative opportunities.
Freelance artists can apply for up to £10k, and organisations can apply for up to £20k.
Deadline 21 July
Find out more at the link in the comments
Administered by YouthLink Scotland, funded by The Scottish Government through Creative Scotland
The RAC expects the number of private parking tickets issued to drivers in the year to the end of March will hit a new record of 17m when government figures are published next month.
So far, car park management companies have sent out more than 13m parking charging notices in just three months, an average of 4.3m tickets a quarter. This would mean the 2024-25 record total of 14.4m is likely to be surpassed by as much as 3m this year.
Interestingly, new RAC research* has found half of drivers don’t realise there are major differences between public parking fines and private parking charge notices as they are named so similarly – and look virtually identical when stuck to a vehicle’s windscreen.
While 44% said they thought there were differences between a Penalty Charge Notice issued by a council for a parking violation and a Parking Charge Notice sent out by a private car park management company for an alleged infringement, 50% were confused as both are regularly referred to as PCNs. Of these, nearly four-in-10 (37%) were not sure of the differences and 13% didn’t think there were any differences. A further 5% hadn’t heard of either.
Of the 44% who stated they thought there were differences between the two types of PCNs, three-quarters (76%) correctly understood a Penalty Charge Notice is issued by councils and a Parking Charge Notice is issued by private car park operators. But 15% wrongly believed it was the other way round – that a Penalty Charge Notice is issued by private car park operators and a Parking Charge Notice is issued by councils. Eight per cent said they didn’t know what the difference was.
Despite both often being referred to by the same ‘PCN’ acronym and looking almost identical when fixed to a driver’s windscreen, Penalty Charge Notices are very different to Parking Charge Notices. A Penalty Charge Notice is issued to drivers by local councils and Transport for London after committing an offence by parking on public land. It’s a fine drivers have to pay and is backed by law. Drivers can appeal to the independently run Traffic Penalty Tribunal (England and Wales) or London Tribunals for contraventions committed in London boroughs.
In stark contrast, a Parking Charge Notice is issued to drivers by private parking companies when they believe drivers have breached the terms and conditions of parking on private land. In reality, it’s not a fine, but an invoice for an alleged breach of contract. Drivers can appeal to either of the appeals bodies set up by the two private parking trade associations – Parking on Private Land Appeals (POPLA) or the Independent Appeals Service (IAS).
Nine-in-10 (91%) of drivers surveyed by the RAC felt the term ‘Parking Charge Notice’ is confusing as it shares the same ‘PCN’ acronym.
With a view to making the difference between ‘PCNs’ clearer, the RAC asked drivers confused by the acronym what a Parking Charge Notice issued by private parking operators should be renamed as. Three-in-10 (31%) felt it should be called a ‘Private Parking Charge’ (a PPC); 19% a Private Car Park Charge (a PCPC); 19% a Charge for Private Parking (a CPP); 14% an Invoice for Private Parking (an IPP); and 16% weren’t sure.
RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “Drivers are clearly confused by the PCN acronym which is concerning as they are very different in terms of consequences.
“A PCN sent by the council is a fine and must be paid, whereas a Parking Charge Notice, issued by a private car park operator, is an invoice for alleged breach of contract.
“The fact both can be put on drivers’ windscreens in identical bright yellow colour doesn’t help, either. We suspect they’re deliberately designed to look very similar to a council penalty charge notice.
“While the two private parking trade associations have set their industry PCNs at £100, they are regularly discounted by at least 40% for payment within 14 days. Fines issued by councils vary but are generally lower outside London and are all discounted by 50% for early payment.
“Another very important difference occurs after the 28-day appeal window has closed, when an unpaid private Parking Charge Notice is often increased by £70 to £170 with a letter from a debt collection company.
“The RAC is firmly against this practice as it’s totally disproportionate to the alleged parking contravention. This is perhaps one reason why 36% of drivers surveyed for our annual Report on Motoring had concerns about the conduct of private parking companies when pursuing people for parking infringements.**
“As there’s so much confusion between the two PCN acronyms, drivers are very supportive of changing the name of private Parking Charge Notices to clear this up and help others understand the important legal difference.”
Recent RAC analysis of government data found that in the year to the end of September 2025 a record 15.9m parking tickets were handed out by private businesses, up 17% on the same period the year before.***
While the RAC accepts that part of the rise may be due to more car parks being privately managed, the figures show 48,000 tickets per day were issued between June and September last year, which it feels is ominously high considering most people don’t set out to get a private parking notice.
Simon Williams added: “This record figure says to us that something must be going badly awry, which is why the outcome of the Government’s latest Private Parking Code of Practice consultation can’t come soon enough.
“Drivers need to know they’re being treated fairly whenever they use a private car park.”
Pension scams are among one of the most damaging forms of financial fraud. Fraudsters trick savers into transferring their pension pots into bogus schemes, often leaving victims with no way to recover their losses.
The new proposals would mean that where there is no clear link between a saver and the SSAS scheme they are transferring into, a new warning flag would be triggered, enabling the transfer to be stopped.
The consultation also seeks views on cutting red tape that has been slowing down legitimate transfers, making the process simpler for savers who are not at risk of pension fraud.
Torsten Bell MP, Minister for Pensions, said: “Pension scams can rip away not just people’s savings, but the retirement they are looking forward to. This Government is determined to stay one step ahead of criminals who seek to exploit savers.
“Too often we see fraudsters trying to trick workers into transferring their savings into bogus pensions. We are stepping in to automatically block transfers where the warning signs are flashing red.”
The consultation is the first step in a wider government programme to tackle pension fraud working with government departments and industry stakeholders, including the Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG). Further measures, including potential new legislation, are being developed this year.
Gaucho Rasmussen, Executive Director of Enforcement & Executive General Counsel at The Pensions Regulator (TPR), on behalf of the Pension Scams Action Group (PSAG), said: Fraud wrecks lives – and tackling it demands strong, coordinated action.
“Through the Pension Scams Action Group, which TPR leads, we are working closely with the DWP, law enforcement, the pensions industry and other partners to identify emerging threats and stop fraudsters in their tracks.
“The targeted safeguard proposed is an important step forward in protecting savers. We urge trustees and administrators to have their say.”
The consultation is available at Protecting Pension Savers – Proposals to Amend the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Conditions for Transfers) Regulations 2021 – GOV.UK
Millions of people are missing out on support for essential bills, such as water, energy and broadband, as debt to water and energy companies climbs over £7 billion1 – this is according to a report by the National Audit Office (NAO) published today (10 June).
The report examined how Ofcom, Ofwat and Ofgem support consumers in vulnerable circumstances and whether people can access the help they need from providers of essential services.
The watchdog found there has been a marked increase in household energy debt, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with energy debt more than double what it was in 2021, rising by 118%.2
Since the NAO’s last report on this topic in 2019, regulators have strengthened protections, introducing new rules on how companies treat customers and taking enforcement action – for example changing company licences to improve customer service and issuing multi-million-pound fines to providers where service and performance fall short of expectations. Now, NAO finds the regulators must now make changes to keep pace with consumer needs.
Consumers still struggle to contact their providers and are not always aware of support available to help manage their bills – such as social tariffs and repayment plans.
The NAO found only a third of eligible broadband customers and 39% of water customers who are struggling to pay their bills are aware of social tariffs, meaning people on low incomes and in vulnerable circumstances could be missing out on support to help manage debt. Energy customers on repayment plans owe around £1,000 less than those without one in place.
Ofwat and Ofgem have overseen an uptake in registration for company priority services registers (PSR)3, although consumer awareness remains low. The PSR does not extend to the broadband sector, which has separate requirements. Ofcom does not routinely monitor take up or awareness of support.
The NAO found regulators are not aligning their performance measurements with actual consumer experiences and outcomes.
The NAO recommends regulators:
Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: “Regulators have made progress to support consumers, but they’re not keeping up with the pressure now facing millions of households.
“With debt rising sharply, it’s more important than ever to make regulation work so that people know what support is available and can contact essential providers when they need to.”
READ THE REPORT: Regulating water, energy and broadband to protect consumers in vulnerable circumstances
First Minister John Swinney has confirmed a package of up to £1 million will be provided to Clackmannanshire Council to support residents affected by ground movement in the Coalsnaughton area.
The money will ensure the local authority can cover expenses it has incurred as a result of its emergency response, including temporary housing, welfare and staffing costs.
First Minister John Swinney said: “I was grateful to hear from the residents of Coalsnaughton last week about the situation they have been placed in and understand the considerable stress this is causing.
“As residents will be out of their homes for at least eight weeks while the Mining Remediation Authority (MRA) carries out its investigations, this £1 million package will allow Clackmannanshire Council to provide support for them during this time.
“Ministers will continue to ensure the UK Government is pressing the MRA to expedite its investigations as quickly as possible to prevent further disruption to people’s lives.
“The Scottish Government is working closely with Clackmannanshire Council to support residents.”
The World Cup is in the Americas this summer, and despite being played across the pond, football fever has already taken hold of many Britons.
New research by Royal Voluntary Service found over 24 million British adults plan to tune into a World Cup game this summer, and almost one in 10 (8%) say they would like to get more involved with football beyond simply watching the tournament.
Like any good case of football fever, there are side effects – particularly for Gen Z and Millennials. Over 1 million 18-34s plan to sacrifice their sleep and stay up all night to watch World Cup games. However, dreams of the trophy also seem to be inspiring the younger generations, as over one in five (21%) would consider volunteering their time to support football in the community.
For the first time, fans now have the opportunity take their love of the game beyond the sofa by connecting with football volunteering roles through through GoVo.
With almost 6 million British adults saying they would consider volunteering in some capacity to support football, people are clearly looking for ways to support, not just spectate.
GoVo is a new digital volunteering platform, offering opportunities with grassroots football teams across the country for footie fans to get a kick out of.
Long after the league season ends and fantasy teams collapse into ruins, while the international stars take centre stage at the World Cup, volunteers will still be out marking pitches, coaching kids, organising training and quietly keeping local football alive.
From coaching positions and inclusive football sessions to groundskeeping and community club support, volunteering opportunities are available for supporters who want to stay involved in the beautiful game long after the final whistle.
Phil Wood, Chair of Operations at Epsom and Ewell Colts FC, a grassroots football club said: “People see the players on a weekend morning – but what is often not seen are the army of volunteers doing everything from seeding pitches, organising venues and arranging all the fixtures on a weekly basis.
“There are so many roles that keep a club running – without volunteers, grassroots football simply wouldn’t exist.”
Volunteering opportunities on GoVo for football fans to tackle include:
· Offering an assist and supporting players at inclusive football sessions
· Becoming a grassroots gaffer as a volunteer Head Coach with a local team
· Getting stuck in helping local clubs run training sessions
· Step in like a super sub and support ad-hoc community football events and tournaments
· Becoming a backroom hero prepping pitches and keeping clubs match ready
· Practicing punditry and creating social media content, matchday updates and digital coverage for teams and foundations.
Dave Stott, Director of Volunteering at Royal Voluntary Servive and Everton season ticket holder, said: “Most football fans have spent years shouting at managers from the sofa convinced they could do a better job – but grassroots football is where people can actually get involved and make a difference.
“Whether it’s helping at a local session, supporting a club behind the scenes or encouraging the next generation of players, volunteering is a way for fans to share their love of football in a completely different way.”
Made possible thanks to the support of players of Postcode Lottery, GoVo connects people with bite-sized volunteering opportunities that fit easily into everyday life. Many of the football volunteering roles are flexible, so England and Scotland fans can find time between World Cup matches to squeeze in helping out.
Meanwhile, Wales fans have a slightly easier schedule to manage.
Those inspired to get involved can browse football or sport-related volunteering opportunities in their area at GoVo.org.
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is highlighting the vital role it plays in supporting pets and their people across the city, as Keith, a hairy lurcher who arrived at the Home in need of urgent care, prepares to find his forever home.
The charity, which has been part of Edinburgh for more than 140 years, provides expert care for dogs and cats in need while offering advice, support and reassurance to pet owners across local communities.
Keith was brought to police by a member of the public before arriving at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. He was emaciated, had open wounds across his body and needed medicated treatment for his paws after standing in foul conditions.
Despite everything he’s been through, Keith is now ready to find his forever home. His true personality has started to shine thanks to the expert care and patience of the team at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home.
Once he feels comfortable, Keith is cuddly and affectionate, often laying his head in a lap, and has shown his playful side as he continues to grow in confidence.
As Edinburgh’s Home for pets and the people who love them, the charity provides far more than a safe place to stay. From helping animals recover from neglect, injury or difficult circumstances, to supporting pet owners with advice and guidance, the Home plays a vital role in the lives of people and animals across the city.
Between January and April 2026 alone, the Home received 5,725 calls from members of the public, averaging more than 1,400 calls a month and over 300 every week.
The Home also averages 105 veterinary visits every month, helping dogs and cats access the care they need before they are reunited with their owners or matched with new families.
Amelia Morgan, CEO at Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home, said: “Keith’s story is a powerful reminder of why Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home is here. He arrived needing care, patience and expert support, and our team has been there for him every step of the way.
“This is what it means to be Edinburgh’s Home. We are here for dogs and cats in need, but we are also here for the people who love and care for them, whether they need advice, reassurance or practical support.”
The work that happens behind the scenes is also significant. The charity’s Animal Welfare Team clocks up around 122,625 steps every day while caring for animals on site, roughly the equivalent of walking more than two marathons.
Amelia added: “Every walk, vet visit, clean bed and kind interaction helps animals feel safe, loved and ready for their next chapter.
“Keith has been through a great deal, but he is affectionate, playful and ready to find the right home. Like every animal in our care, he deserves the chance to move forward and enjoy the life ahead of him.”
Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home continues to support pets and their people across the city through expert care, rehoming, reunification and community services.
As dozens of brightly decorated taxis made their way through the Capital’s streets in the annual Edinburgh Taxi Outing yesterday, the Lord Provost and Council Leader reflect on another unforgettable day:
City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “I am absolutely delighted that the annual Edinburgh Taxi Outing has gone ahead as planned.
“Once again, our cabbies have raised the bar with their fantastic taxi decorations and my thanks to them, and all those who volunteer to make this such a special day for Edinburgh children.
“It was such a wonderful sight to see the parade of taxis making its way through our streets – they were clearly enjoying soaking all of the bystanders with water balloons and pistols! As ever, it was fun, hilarious, uplifting and wet! I am sure lasting memories have been made for everyone involved.
“This very special event has been a firm fixture in Edinburgh’s calendar since the 40s. It means so much to many people and seeing the smiles, excitement and community spirit on display reinforced just how special it is.
“Personally, I have fond memories of the event over many years and attending with my own daughter. We will do everything we can to ensure this cherished tradition continues for many years to come.”
City of Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge added: “The annual Taxi Outing Parade is one of my personal highlights of the year – even if I do get soaked! It is a real pleasure to take part in the parade and present rosettes to the best decorated taxi and best fancy-dress costume.
“I’m sure all those children and drivers taking part had a fantastic day, but it’s also a brilliant sight for the many spectators who line the streets to cheer it on.
“The recent outpouring of support has shown just how much this wonderful event means to people, and I’m sure it will continue long into the future.”
Strachan House care home resident Betty Hardie had always wanted to learn how to pull a pint, so staff at the home made her wish come true. The amazing staff at the Scottish Engineer were more than happy to welcome Betty and teach her everything she needed to know to get the perfect pour!
Betty is at Strachan House on a respite stay and couldn’t believe that we had made her wish come true. Staff at the home were delighted to be a part of making Betty’s dream come true, as they knew how much it meant to her.
Staff first found out about Betty’s dream after having a chat with her on her admission, ever since then, they have been dedicated to helping Betty achieve it. Christine, a fellow resident and Betty’s friend was also there to offer moral support and enjoy a beautiful pub lunch.
In response to this wonderful surprise, Betty, said: “It was such a wonderful day, I can’t believe that the home were able to make this happen!”
Fran Fisher General Manager at the home, said: “We believe that every moment is worth cherishing.
“We want everyone we care for to know how important they are to us here even if their stay is short It is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team here in making our residents’ dreams come true and we couldn’t have done it without Lisa, Connor and the amazing team at the Scottish Engineer; we will be forever grateful”.
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.
