Edinburgh resident Vineet Lal has expressed his thanks to William Purves Funeral Directors for going above and beyond to organise his parents’ funerals held six years apart.
Vineet’s mother, Saroj Lal, passed away in 2020 during the Coronavirus pandemic. Despite the restrictions placed on funeral services, Vineet believes William Purves did everything possible to create a special and meaningful event.
This included commissioning a videographer to capture the day on film and organising the funeral procession to pass locations of personal significance, including the Edinburgh Hindu Mandir, on the journey from the family home to Mortonhall Crematorium.
The Edinburgh funeral director safely stored Saroj’s ashes throughout the pandemic, after which they were returned to the family for an immersion ceremony held at Edinburgh’s Ganga Ghat.
The ceremony held particular significance for the family; in the 1990s, Saroj championed the establishment of Ganga Ghat on the River Almond in Edinburgh, marking the first designated location in Scotland for Hindu and Sikh communities to perform Asthi Visarjan – the ritual scattering of a deceased loved one’s ashes into flowing water.
Vineet said of his mother’s funeral: “Despite the restrictions posed by the pandemic, William Purves delivered a memorable, personal funeral.
“The team suggested creative ways to celebrate Saroj’s life and personality throughout the ceremony and organised a videographer to film much of the day for future generations to look back on.
“Their support leading up to the event, on the day and long after went above and beyond what I could have expected of a funeral director.”
When his father, Amrit, died in 2026, Vineet turned to the independent funeral director once again. Having captured recordings and video clips of his father talking about his life in the intervening years, Vineet wanted to repurpose the material to present at the funeral, effectively allowing Amrit to tell his own story – and say his own goodbye.
William Purves Funeral Directors obliged the request, pulling the clips together into a presentation, stitching it with music and streaming it during the funeral. Recordings of Saroj were also incorporated, as were many of the couple’s accomplishments and cherished moments.
The clips were presented just a few feet away from Amrit who lay at rest in an open casket for Antim Darshan – a traditional practice for Eastern cultures. This meant all guests had the chance to pay their respects in their own way.
Vineet thanked the funeral director for their efforts: “A huge credit to everybody at William Purves for rising to the occasion, providing technical expertise and team support for both the home service and cremation, and guiding me through each step so that we could transform my vision into a reality.
“What started as an idea became, after much editing and rehearsing, a life-changing experience not just for me but for everyone who attended the funeral. We gave it our all and I cannot thank William Purves, and everyone else involved, enough for the work they put in to help achieve this dream.”
Andrew Purves, William Purves COO and Funeral Director, commented: “We were honoured that Vineet chose William Purves to organise the funerals of both his mother and father.
“Placing your faith in a funeral director is a deeply personal act of trust, and one which we do not take lightly. It was a privilege to help realise Vineet’s vision and celebrate the remarkable stories of both Saroj and Amrit.”
Vineet added: “My parents’ funerals have given me an important insight into the funeral industry, and the compassion, empathy and emotional intelligence of those who work within it.
I am hugely impressed by the way that they carry themselves, and I’m so grateful to the funeral directors, embalmers and wider team that cared for my parents.”
A 36-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a number of high-value housebreakings across Scotland.
The incidents happened at various addresses in the Edinburgh, Glasgow, Midlothian, West Lothian and East Renfrewshire.
The man was arrested in the Newcastle area and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 5 October, 2026.
A team of detectives are continuing to work with partners, including police services across the UK, investigating acquisitive crime as part of Operation Virion.
Detective Superintendent David MacGregor said: “Whenever a home is broken into, the impact on the householder, their families and the local community is significant. We are very aware that many of the items stolen have a significant sentimental value as well as financial value.
“Our enquiries remain ongoing into this series of housebreakings. We are determined to disrupt the activity of those involved and will do everything in our power to bring them to justice.”
Anyone with any information can contact Police Scotland via 101 or alternatively, make an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
73 brand new affordable homes are now complete at Murrayburn Gate and ready to hand over to new residents
Delivered in partnership with CCG Scotland Ltd these modern, energy-efficient homes have renewable heating, solar panels and landscaped communal spaces.
New residents are expected to move in over the next 2 – 3 weeks.
Edinburgh College’s Waterfront Nursery has become the first non-local authority early years setting in Scotland to secure a national certification for serving fresh, local and sustainable food.
The nursery, which is operated by the College, gained the Food for Life Served Here (FFLSH) Bronze certification, for serving food that’s good for health, the environment and the local economy. The nursery serves 34,000 meals each year.
Nursery Manager Catherine Buchanan and Chef Lukasz Szyszka received the FFLSH Bronze certificate from Food for Life Scotland’s Business Development Manager – Scotland Sue McVey during a celebration event at the nursery.
The Food for Life Scotland (FFLS) programme, led by Soil Association Scotland and funded by Scottish Government since 2009, provides a framework through which local authorities and public sector sites can ensure they are serving good food.
This is done by meeting a set of standards to achieve the FFLSH certification at Bronze, Silver or Gold level.
Since 2024, Food for Life Scotland’s remit has expanded to support caterers to achieve the certification in the wider public sector. Waterfront Nursery has become the 26th Scottish public sector site to do so. Through the process of gaining the certification, Waterfront Nursery has increased the amount of scratch cooked food on the menu.
As part of the Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification, Waterfront Nursery also ensures that a minimum of 75 percent of dishes are cooked from scratch using unprocessed ingredients. Meals are also free from undesirable trans fats, sweeteners and additives, and use free range eggs, higher welfare meat and ingredients from sustainable and ethical sources.
Waterfront uses produce from a wide range of sustainable providers, including the likes of Bonaly Farms for milk, Blacketyside Fruits for strawberries, and East Lothian Produce for cabbage, potatoes and parsnips.
Catherine Buchanan, the Manager of Waterfront Nursery, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have received this recognition from Food for Life Scotland, which highlights our dedication to providing our early learners with the absolute best quality of food possible.
“Ensuring our children are well-fed with fresh, local and sustainable food is just part of our approach, which always has our learners at its very heart. This award is the culmination of months of hard work from so many people at Waterfront, and we’d like to thank every single person involved in getting us to this stage.”
Sarah Gowanlock, Programme Manager, Food for Life Scotland, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Waterfront Nursery to the Food for Life Scotland programme and congratulate them on being the first non-local authority early years setting to achieve the Food for Life Served Here Bronze certification for their meals service.
“The early years are a crucial period for developing healthy diets. We’re delighted that children at the nursery will be eating more scratch cooked and sustainable food every day.
“The Food for Life Scotland team can offer support to public sector caterers across Scotland, to follow in the footsteps of Waterfront Nursery and our other public sector certification holders in Scotland.”
People across Scotland are being encouraged to prepare and be aware by understanding the information available to them as the latest seasonal outlook points to an increased likelihood of wetter and more unsettled conditions later this autumn and into early winter.
The current El Niño is now the strongest in the observational record and increases the chances of wetter and stormier conditions across north-west Europe, including the UK. But El Niño is only one influence on our weather and cannot tell us exactly when or where severe weather or flooding will happen.
That uncertainty makes it important to understand flood risk before severe weather arrives, know where to look for information and think about how flooding could affect the places that matter to you.
As Scotland’s flood warning authority, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is highlighting the practical steps people can take to prepare and be aware, alongside the network of monitoring, science and specialist expertise behind Scotland’s flood information.
Across Scotland, SEPA monitors water levels at 392 locations and operates more than 280 automated rain gauges. Many are small pieces of infrastructure people may pass without ever knowing what they are, but the information they collect helps specialists understand changing conditions and contributes to Scotland’s flood forecasting services.
Eleanore Cooper, SEPA’s Head of Environmental Forecasting, Warning and Informing, said: “Being prepared means knowing your flood risk and looking ahead. Being aware means understanding what information is available, what different flood messages mean and where to find the latest information when conditions change.
“Flooding doesn’t have to come through your own front door to affect you. That’s why we encourage people to think about the places that matter. It could disrupt the road you use to get to work, your workplace, local services you rely on or somewhere friends or family live.”
Prepare: know your risk and look ahead
When unsettled weather is approaching, the Scottish Flood Forecast provides a three-day outlook showing where flooding from rivers, surface water and the sea may occur and the potential impacts.
Produced by the Scottish Flood Forecasting Service, a partnership between SEPA and the Met Office, the forecast is updated every day.
Be aware: know what information is available
Different sources of flood information are designed to do different jobs.
Regional Flood Alerts provide early information when flooding is possible across a wider area and can cover flooding from rivers, the coast or surface water.
Local Flood Warnings provide more targeted information when flooding is expected in defined communities where SEPA has the monitoring and forecasting capability to provide them.
People can register with Floodline to receive Flood Alert and Warning messages for the areas that matter to them and get information sent directly to them. That can include where they live, work or regularly travel through, as well as areas where friends or family live.
Eleanore added: “No single source tells you everything about flood risk because they are designed to do different things.
“The Scottish Flood Forecast helps you look ahead to what is expected over the next few days. Flood Alerts give early information across a wider area, while local Flood Warnings provide more targeted information where that service is available.
Knowing what’s available and how those different sources work together means you are better prepared when conditions change.
“And Floodline isn’t just about your home address. You can keep an eye on the places that matter to you, whether that’s your workplace, somewhere you regularly travel through or where someone you care about lives.”
People should also continue to follow weather forecasts and warnings issued by the Met Office, particularly during periods of heavy or persistent rain.
The science behind the information
Behind Scotland’s flood information is a network of monitoring, forecasting and specialist expertise that most people never see.
At river gauging stations across the country, equipment continually monitors changing water levels. SEPA teams also make physical measurements to understand the relationship between the level of a river and the amount of water flowing through it.
Because rivers and channels change over time, equipment and measurements are regularly checked to make sure the information remains reliable.
That information is brought together with data from SEPA’s rain gauge network, weather forecasts, computer modelling and specialist judgement to help flood forecasters understand how conditions are developing.
Bruce Campbell, SEPA Hydrometry National Team Manager, said: “People can pass one of our gauging stations without ever knowing what it is or what it is doing. But sites like these across Scotland are essential so we can continually monitor what our rivers are doing.
“The equipment is one part of a much bigger system. Our teams maintain the monitoring network, take measurements and check the data, which is then used alongside rainfall information, weather forecasts, modelling and the expertise of our flood forecasting colleagues.
“All of that work happening behind the scenes helps us build the best possible picture of developing flood risk and provides useful information to communities and first responders across Scotland.”
The same forecasting expertise also supports Scotland’s emergency preparedness. The Scottish Flood Forecasting Service produces a daily Flood Guidance Statement for Category 1 and Category 2 responders, helping local authorities, emergency services and other organisations prepare for and respond to potential flooding.
People can view the Scottish Flood Forecast, current Flood Alerts and Warnings and register for Floodline through SEPA’s website at sepa.org.uk/flooding
8 in 10 workers say that flexible working is important in a job
Acas updates its Code of Practice on flexible working to reflect upcoming new changes to the law
A new survey from workplace expert, Acas, found that nearly 8 in 10 employees (78%) said that flexible working was important in a job.
The YouGov poll asked employees about the importance of flexible working in a job and only 20% said it was not important.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces new changes to the law that employers must follow if staff request flexible working.
If employers are considering rejecting a request, they will have to follow a new process to first consult with their employee. An employer can only then reject a request if it is reasonable to do so.
Acas has launched a consultation on updates to its existing Code of Practice on requests for flexible working to reflect these new law changes and encourage good practice.
Acas Chair, Baroness Maggie Jones, said: “Our poll reveals that flexible working continues to be a popular requirement for employees in a job. When it works well, it can benefit employers, staff and the wider economy.
“Acas’s updated Code will help employers and employees understand the new law, reach fair and effective decisions and prevent disputes. We are keen to get views on whether it is clear and practical.”
The upcoming law changes set out that an employer may only refuse a flexible working request if they feel it is reasonable to do so. Employers will also need to take specified steps to consult with their employee about a request, unless they accept it in full.
Minister for the Future of Work, Kate Dearden, said: “Flexible working isn’t just about where or when people work. For businesses it’s an important part of retaining talent and building a stronger workforce, and for workers the right flexibility can be the difference between staying in a job or leaving it.
“Next year, we’re helping more workers fit their job around everyday life, providing more protections that mean if flexible working suits them and their employer, they are free to do so without fear of a reasonable request being turned down.”
The revised Code explains how and when employers should consult employees and supports both sides to have constructive conversations about what may be possible. It helps employers reach reasonable decisions based on four principles:
reaching decisions based on evidence
adapting where possible to enable a request
working together to find solutions
acting transparently and consistently
These principles are relevant to organisations of every size and sector, although how they are applied will depend on the circumstances, including an employer’s size, resources and operational needs. The Code is intended to support a fair and reasonable approach, not to prescribe the same outcome in every workplace.
Timewise CEO, Clare McNeil, said: “Acas’s updated Code will be a valuable and necessary step in turning the Employment Rights Act into legislation that works in practice, not just in principle.
“Our work shows that even shift-based and site-based roles have more room for flexibility than employers often realise. The organisations that get ahead of this stand to gain the most through better retention, better wellbeing and thousands more people able to access and stay in work.”
The new changes to the law around statutory flexible working requests are expected to take effect in Autumn 2027.
The consultation on the new draft Code of Practice can be found at:
Such a change could involve a transfer of legal responsibility from local authorities to NHS Boards. The First Minister has indicated the Scottish Government’s intention to also replace the current 14 territorial NHS Boards with two strategic health boards.
Social care and social work services in Scotland are currently operated through local Health & Social Care Partnerships, which bring local authorities and NHS Boards together to ensure integration in the planning and delivery of community health & social care services.
The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government proposals have been considered by Council Leaders at recent meetings on the 11th and 25th of September, where Councillors have expressed serious concerns regarding the impact of the social care plans.
Commenting today (2nd October 2026), COSLA’s Health & Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly said:“Individuals are shaped by the people, the buildings, the services and society around them.
“At its heart, social work and social care support are about seeing a whole person and supporting them to live a full life in the community. Social care and social work play an essential role in supporting people to retain their independence, often in their own home, and to help people live well.
“A proposal to incorporate social care into a large health infrastructure could risk medicalising disability, care and support, instead of building on progress towards independent living.
“Social care and social work must be seen as an equal partner to the NHS, not subsumed within it.”
An inspirational mother who has campaigned for tighter security around knife sales following the death of her son has been recognised for her tireless work at Harbour Homes’ north Edinburgh Community Awards.
Lisa Petrie was named Community Champion at Harbour’s annual north Edinburgh Community Awards, held on Wednesday 30 September.
Tenants and local community members nominated neighbours, volunteers and community groups they felt deserved a big thank you. The categories were Good Neighbour, Community Champion, Community Group and Special Recognition.
Lisa began campaigning for tighter restrictions on the sale of knives following the death of her 22-year-old son, John McNab, in Leith in September 2025. She is campaigning for all knives to be placed in locked cabinets to crack down on shoplifting and ensure knife sales are carefully monitored.
Her campaigning work caught the attention of the media and people across north Edinburgh, who nominated her for the Community Champion Award.
She has also been distributing bleed kits across Edinburgh. Her work was recently recognised in the Scottish Parliament, where First Minister John Swinney committed to making the kits available at community hubs across Scotland.
On receiving her award, Lisa said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I didn’t expect it. I’m overwhelmed. “I started this to raise awareness and to save someone else from going through that, kids and adults. So I’m absolutely blown away by this.”
Lisa is now hoping to get into schools across Edinburgh to tell her story.
She said: “I think kids relate more to a realistic story than something from a textbook, so if I need to go around every school in Edinburgh to tell my story and John’s story, then I will.
“We’re looking at changing the law and we’ll keep pushing for bleed kits.”
In the Good Neighbour category, winner Joan Robertson, described by her neighbours as a “lifesaver in many ways”, was recognised for her kindness. Joan often goes above and beyond to look after her neighbours by taking in parcels, looking after pets and keeping contact details in case anything happens.
She was also nominated for Community Champion for her work in the wider Leith community, including at the Leith Polisbox.
On winning Good Neighbour, Joan said: “I’m absolutely gobsmacked.
“You just get on and do it. Do as you would be done by.”
The Community Group award was shared by the Girls Wellbeing Groups run by YMCA Edinburgh and the Pilmeny Development Project.
Girls attend the group for many reasons, including anxiety, stress, low confidence and friendship difficulties. The groups provide a safe space to develop confidence, friendships, self-care and life skills.
On receiving the award, Dawn Munro from YMCA Edinburgh, who runs the groups, said: “I think the girls will all be really chuffed with it.
“It’s really important to empower young girls with life skills. Our group is all about improving physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing. The world isn’t in a great place for young girls and women. But because our group starts at age eight, we can then transition the girls throughout the key stages of life.”
Nicola Hutchinson, from the Pilmeny Development Project, said: “We’ve worked hard to get the group to where it is and it’s nice to have some recognition in the community because it’s been going for over five years.”
Dawn and Nicola were joined by Robyn, who started out as an attendee at the Girls Wellbeing Group and now works with the group as a young volunteer.
The last award of the evening went to a group of Harbour tenants called the Leith Legends. The group set off on a 3,070-mile journey from Easter Road Stadium in January this year. Their challenge was to ‘March to the Match’ virtually by walking the distance from Edinburgh to Boston at locations around the city.
They finished in time for Scotland’s first World Cup game, then walked enough steps to get home again.
Heather Kiteley, chief executive of Harbour Homes, said: “The north Edinburgh Community Awards were a chance to bring people together for an evening of food, music, bingo and celebration.
“It was inspiring to see the incredible connections across the Leith and north Edinburgh communities and the strength of community spirit in the room.
“Every nominee and winner should be proud of the difference they make, and I am immensely grateful for the positive impact they have on the lives of our tenants and the wider community.”
A five-month campaign to bring more residents and visitors Leith and Newhaven, from the top of Leith Walk through Leith, The Shore and onwards to Newhaven, in response to the disruption to travel caused by the Princes St fire launched yesterday (1 October), developed by Forever Edinburgh, in collaboration with local businesses.
More by the Shore [edinburgh.org/morebytheshore] will feature three activations which aim to build awareness, inspiration and demand among residents and visitors for the wide range of unique local businesses and experiences in Newhaven and Leith from the top of the walk down to The Shore and everywhere in between.
A new illustration of the area has been created for the campaign by local artist Kate George, who is based at local arts centre Out of the Blue.
The three activations are More by the Shore Specials (1st October to 8th November), More by the Shore Sparkles (14th November-3rd January) and More by the Shore Savings (4th January-28 February).
Throughout the programme, residents and visitors can enjoy a range of offers, deals, exclusives, ‘double your money’ voucher opportunities in partnership with itison and a new iconic hero festive event to be announced in the coming weeks.
The first stage of the campaign, More by the Shore Specials, has been curated by Forever Edinburgh to showcase the unique dishes, drinks, products and experiences which are only available on Leith Walk and in Leith, The Shore and Newhaven.
Some have been created for the campaign and others already on their menus and shelves, alongside discounts, two-for-one deals and added-value offers.
Businesses taking part in the campaign include Leith Makers, The Royal Yacht Britannia and Fingal Hotel, Victoria Bar, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Loud & Clear, Pekoe Tea, Portal Leith, Griffen Fitness and Qupi Café.
More by the Shore then moves into two further stages, covering the festive season, one of the busiest trading periods of the year, and January and February, traditionally the quietest.
Both these stages will include a partnership with itison which sees Forever Edinburgh delivering a programme of 40,000 sponsored vouchers for use at participating businesses in the area.
Anyone spending £5 on a voucher will have their money doubled to receive a £10, and in the new year, Residents with an EH postcode can enjoy an enhanced voucher offering, spending £7.50 for a £15 voucher in return, with the cost of savings covered by the campaign.
More by the Shore Sparkles will include buy £5, get £10 back vouchers for both residents and visitors. Alongside this, there will be festive content, a new hero winter lighting event and local events to encourage footfall down Leith Walk, to the Shore and onto Newhaven.
More by the Shore Savings in the New Year will extend the voucher scheme, but exclusively for EH postcode holders in partnership with itison and Forever Edinburgh’s existing Resident Rewards scheme. It will also feature After 5, a content series which promotes the area’s evening offer, from winter menus and late openings to live music, screenings and creative workshops.
Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams and JCDecaux are key partners in the campaign, with More by the Shore promoted across the city through bus and tram advertising and outdoor digital displays, alongside a full media campaign and new video and photography of the areas which will be shared for free with local businesses for use in their own marketing.
The initiative follows the fire on Princes Street on 9 July, which stopped trams running to Leith and Newhaven until 29 August. During and after this period footfall in Leith Walk, Leith and Newhaven fell significantly. More by the Shore will support businesses affected by the travel disruption and sets out to change the perception that the area is difficult to get to.
The activity aims to create immediate benefits by encouraging visits and spend during the autumn and winter period, while leaving a lasting legacy through increased awareness of Leith and Newhaven, stronger connections between audiences and the area, and campaign assets that can continue to support businesses beyond the campaign period.
Both bus and tram services provide convenient connections to the area from across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Trams operate from the city centre to Newhaven every 7 minutes, with the journey from Princes Street to The Shore taking around 17 minutes, and the journey from Princes Street to Newhaven taking approximately 27 minutes.
In addition to tram services, the bus network provides direct connections to the area from across the city, including local neighbourhoods such as Portobello and Granton.
Anna Lagerqvist Christopherson, owner of the Victoria Bar on Leith Walk, said: “When the trams stopped, our trade dropped by around 10% almost overnight. The convenience of the trams makes visiting Leith and Newhaven easy and the area is very much worth visiting.
“The trams are back and there’s a lot happening here this autumn and winter, with Cocktail week in October, Victoria’s 20th Anniversary Month in November and some Scandinavian Hygge in December and January. Now’s the time to come and see us.”
Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I am delighted to see the campaign launching, promoting the fantastic shops, restaurants, bars and other businesses in Leith, the Shore and Newhaven.
“I know that businesses in these areas were severely affected by the disruption following the Princes Street fire, at a time of year that they usually rely on for an increase in sales.
“It is only right that we do all we can to help these businesses get back on their feet – which is why a large portion of the Scottish Government funding package has been set aside to support this.
“The campaign aims to encourage more people to visit and spend money in these wonderful areas of the city. From exclusive products, offers and discounts and special events, there’s something for everyone.
“We’ve worked with, and listened to, local businesses to bring the campaign to life, which I’m pleased to say will run all the way to the end of February.”
Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director at Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, said: “Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams are proud to support this campaign, encouraging residents and visitors to discover everything that Leith, The Shore and Newhaven have to offer.
“These vibrant destinations are home to a unique mix of attractions and independent local businesses, making them some of Edinburgh’s most exciting places to explore.
“Whether travelling by bus or tram, visitors can enjoy a convenient, seamless and sustainable journey, connecting them directly to the heart of the area. Through this partnership, we hope to inspire more people to leave the car at home, explore more of the city, and enjoy all that these thriving communities have to offer.”
More by the Shore is funded through the £5 million announced by the Scottish Government in August to support recovery from the Princes Street fire, administered by the City of Edinburgh Council.
More by the Shore is free for businesses to join. Around 30 have signed up so far from 50-plus expressions of interest and outreach by the Forever Edinburgh team.
There is still time for businesses to get involved – businesses interested in taking part in any or all activations can find out more and sign up at:
Renowned local charity celebrates 85 years at the heart of local communities – with demand for its services growing by more than 30% across the last 12-months
LifeCare Edinburgh, the local older people’s care charity, is proudly celebrating its 85th anniversary this year. Established in 1941, LifeCare has spent more than eight decades at the heart of Edinburgh communities, supporting older people and unpaid carers for longer than the NHS has existed.
But while 85 years is a remarkable milestone, the charity says its work is more important than ever as we all face the challenges that an ageing population will bring, with more people living with dementia and multiple health conditions, living alone, living further away from relatives and increasingly living on a low income.
On top of this, growing numbers of unpaid carers, often older themselves, are increasingly shouldering the responsibility of caring for loved ones – and this can take its toll on their own health and wellbeing.
A long history of support at the heart of Edinburgh
LifeCare was originally established as the Edinburgh Old People’s Welfare Council by three pioneering local women: Miss Lowe, a chartered accountant; Miss Whigham, a lawyer; and Dr Baxendine, Physician Superintendent of Queensberry House Hospital. Their aim was simple but ambitious – to give older members of the community a “fuller share in community life”.
That idea has remained at the heart of LifeCare ever since. The charity has continually changed and adapted alongside the communities it serves. In 1961, it opened Lamb’s House as an older people’s day centre, providing everything from lunches and social activities to bathing, laundry and physiotherapy.
Its Cheyne Street centre, still home to the charity today, was opened by the Queen Mother in 1975. Many local people will recognise the building by its former name, Stockbridge House. The organisation became LifeCare in 2005, but its purpose remained the same: helping older people live well, stay connected and remain part of their communities.
Continually growing demand
The challenges facing local older people are growing at an alarming rate. Edinburgh, like communities across Scotland, has an ageing population, while increasing numbers of people are living with dementia and multiple health and care needs.
At the same time, unpaid carers are shouldering more and more responsibility for looking after loved ones. Caring can be rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally exhausting, leaving people isolated, worried about money and struggling to find time for their own health and wellbeing.
LifeCare provides support that addresses all of these areas, helping older people stay safe and independent at home, access to fresh and nutritious food, maintaining friendships and social connections, and keeping physically and mentally active.
Its support for unpaid carers provides a vital opportunity to take a breath, connect with others and look after their own wellbeing too.
Last year, LifeCare supported 1,140 older people and unpaid carers – a 32% increase on the previous year – while its Community Hub welcomed more than 48,000 visits. More than 75% of LifeCare’s clients live alone with the charity’s services often providing the only in-person contact.
Today, LifeCare provides two registered Day Clubs and Outreach, Help at Home, Meals on Wheels, wellbeing support for unpaid carers and a growing programme of free community activities. I
ts Community Hub and Café on Cheyne Street has become a much-loved local meeting place, where people can enjoy a coffee or lunch, meet others and take part in activities including Chatty Café, craft afternoons, board games, talks, repair workshops, IT support and seasonal events.
Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare, said: “Reaching 85 years is an extraordinary milestone, but for us it is not simply about looking back.
“It is about everything we have learned from the older people, carers and communities we have supported and how we continue to adapt to what they need today and what they will need in the future.
“LifeCare has survived and thrived for 85 years because we listen. The challenges facing older people can feel enormous, but we are here to make the difference. We understand the importance of connection, dignity, kindness and trusted relationships.
“We are incredibly proud that thousands of people across Edinburgh continue to turn to LifeCare for support. One person recently described us as ‘my happy place’ and another as their “Lifeline” – and after 85 years, that is exactly the kind of difference we want to keep making.
“We’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of the people involved with LifeCare across the last 85 years – all of our dedicated and professional staff, our committed volunteers, our generous funders, everyone who has sat on our board or taken part in a fundraising challenge.
“LifeCare is all about people and we simply wouldn’t be the organisation we are today without each and every person who has supported our work. As we look ahead to the next 85 years, we look forward to welcoming new faces who are keen to support us and help us meet the growing need for our work.”
LifeCare is celebrating its 85th anniversary at a time when demand for its services is growing – but the fundraising climate is becoming increasingly difficult. The charity relies on funders, supporters and the generosity of local people to keep its services running. Without that support, LifeCare cannot continue to meet the growing need in the same way.
This year, the charity has launched Friends for Life(Care), inviting local people to become part of its next chapter and help ensure LifeCare can continue supporting older people and unpaid carers for years to come. Full details are available on the charity’s website, social media or people can speak to someone at the Community Hub.
Supporting LifeCare can also be as simple as choosing to have a coffee and cake, lunch or hiring an accessible room for your next event. Every visit, donation and show of support helps LifeCare continue to be there for local people today and tomorrow.
After 85 years at the heart of Edinburgh communities, LifeCare is looking ahead – and wants to make sure it can be here for everyone when they need it.
