More Youth Hubs for Scotland

18 more Youth Hubs for Scotland to help young people build skills and find jobs

·                     Thousands of young people across the country are set to receive employment, education or training support as almost 180 new Youth Hub locations are confirmed in Great Britain 

·                     Areas including Inverclyde, Aberdeenshire, Scottish borders and the Orkney Islands will see new hubs open in local sports clubs, libraries and other venues at the heart of the community – bringing support out of the jobcentre to meet young people where they are

·                     Youth Hubs are central to the UK Government’s once-in-a-generation drive to tackle youth unemployment, backed by £2.5 billion investment   

Thousands of young people across Great Britain will benefit from access to expanded employment and wrap-around support services as the locations of almost 180 new Youth Hubs – including 18 in Scotland – are confirmed this week [June 15.  

In total 28 areas of Scotland to be allocated a Youth Hub have now been confirmed (see notes to editors).

The rollout forms part of a national expansion of Youth Hubs to over 360 with the aim that a young person is no more than one hour away from a Youth Hub by public transport.  

This will ensure that vital support, delivered in the community, is available to even more young people, making local support services accessible, no matter where they live.  

From football clubs to colleges and libraries, the hubs bring together local mental health and housing support, skills and training opportunities as well as careers guidance and work opportunities with links to local employers with live job and apprenticeship opportunities.  

Confirmation of the next wave of Youth Hubs came shortly after Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited a youth point – the Dutch equivalent of Youth Hubs – during a fact-finding trip to the Netherlands, which has one of the world’s lowest NEET rates.  

UK Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, Pat McFadden said:  “We want to make sure young people are getting real, personalised support, that’s not one size fits all. I’ve seen how it can change lives. 

“Our Youth Hubs have over the past two years pioneered this approach – bringing job centre services together with mental health support, housing advice and more. 

“I want to turbocharge this rollout so that every young person has this support within reach that can help them move into learning or earning.” 

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “Extending the UK Government’s Youth Hubs initiative to another 18 areas across Scotland over the next 2 years, bringing the total to 28, will help ensure even more young people have access to everything from CV advice to mental health support so they can fulfil their potential. 

“Too many young Scots have been let down over recent years by a lack of opportunity. We are ensuring that up to 60,000 young people across Scotland have real pathways into work, whether that’s in our growing renewables sector, in construction trades that need skilled workers, or in hospitality.

“This is about backing Scotland’s young people with the support, training and guaranteed employment they need to build careers, not just find jobs.”

Yesterday the Work and Pensions Secretary visited a Youth Hub in England where he met young people who are currently receiving personalised guidance to allow them to move into employment and training.

“The Secretary of State heard from young people who have already been helped by the Hub, and how the range of support offered will be central to them moving forward. 

Since opening in May 2026, The Tower Hamlets Youth Hub has established itself as an exemplary Youth Hub, working with local stakeholder and partners to ensure a joined-up approach, bringing together access to mental health, wellbeing, employmnent and skills support for local young people. 

Over the next three years, the Government is expanding its network of Youth Hubs to over 360 local areas across Great Britain. This will connect every 16-24-year-old across the country with real opportunities in their local area, ensuring each person has access to high-quality, wide-ranging support to move towards learning or earning.

Our new Youth Hubs will meet young people where they are, in football stadiums and community venues across Britain, giving them access to housing support, mental health help and a clear pathway into work or training, exactly as Alan Milburn recommended.  

Youth Hubs are a key part of the £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and come alongside changes to the Growth and Skills Levy which aim to refocus the skills system towards people at the start of their working life.  

The government is also supporting businesses to hire young workers with a Youth Jobs Grant worth £3,000 for every 18- to 24-year-old hired who has been on Universal Credit for six months, while a £2,000 apprenticeship incentive is available for each new employee aged 16-24 taken on by a small business. 

Ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn through the government’s Youth Guarantee and turning the tide on the nation’s high NEET rate is essential to driving the nation’s plan for growth.  

Scotland – Year 2: Angus, Inverclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Highland, East Lothian, Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross, Moray. Total: 10 Youth Hubs.

Year 3: Stirling, City of Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Na h-Eileanan an Iar. Total: 8 Youth Hubs.

Scran Academy to receive £8,000 boost from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland Tough Mudder challenge

Housebuilder staff brave mud and obstacles to support young people into education and employment

Eleven members of staff from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland have raised £8,000 for Scran Academy, an Edinburgh catering social enterprise that supports school-aged young people facing poverty and trauma to engage in education and employment.  

The funds were raised through the team’s completion of the Tough Mudder obstacle course challenge, with parent company Barratt Redrow match funding the £4,000 raised on the day. 

The Tough Mudder team, drawn from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland and Oregon Timber Frame, a Selkirk-based timber manufacturer acquired by Barratt Redrow in 2022, took on the course, battling mud pits, physical obstacles and teamwork challenges across the course’s demanding terrain. 

Scran Academy is a youth-led catering social enterprise on a mission to help every young person, regardless of background or barrier, realise their full potential in learning, work and life. The organisation was selected as Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland’s charity partner of the year for 2026/27. 

Yvonne Barrie, Regional Finance Managerfor Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland said: “Taking on the Tough Mudder is never easy, but having colleagues alongside you makes all the difference.

“The team gave everything on the day and the spirit throughout was brilliant. Raising £8,000 for Scran Academy makes it all worthwhile.

“The work they do to support young people through food education is genuinely important, and we’re proud that our fundraising can play a part in that.” 

Through the match funding programme by the Barratt Redrow Foundation, every pound raised by the team on the day has been doubled, meaning Scran Academy will receive £8,000 to support its work helping young people across Edinburgh into education and employment. 

For further information about Barratt and David Wilson Homes visit:

 www.barratthomes.co.uk and www.dwh.co.uk. 

All welcome at Granton Archive Project drop-ins

TUESDAYS 2 – 4pm at MADELVIC HOUSE

What to find out more about the fscinating history of Granton?

Come along to Granton Hub on Tuesday afternoons to ask questions, be curious, and learn. You’ll receive a warm welcome and cup of tea!

Have you seen Christopher?

POLICE are seeking your assistance in trying to locate a 37-year-old man missing from the Leith area.

Christopher Tatton is just over 6ft tall, with a medium build. He has green eyes and short, fair-coloured hair. Concerns were raised for Christopher on Thursday, 11 June, 2026.

He was last seen on CCTV footage in a shop in the Longniddry area of East Lothian around 6.30am on Monday, 15, June 2026.

Enquiries have also established he visited the North Berwick area between 11 and 15 June, 2026.

Inspector Grant McCulloch said: “Despite our enquiries and the CCTV sighting, Christopher is still to be traced and our concern is growing. We just want to know he is safe and well.

“If anyone has seen Christopher or has any information on where he may be, please get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police via 101, quoting incident number 2150 of Thursday, 11 June, 2026

Watch Scotland play the World Cup at Vue Edinburgh

Fans can experience the drama, intensity and international flair of world-class football in full cinematic glory at Vue Edinburgh Omni and Ocean as Scotland battle it out through the group stages of the FIFA World Cup 2026. 

Following their opening Group C victory over Haiti, fans can watch Scotland continue their campaign as they take on Morocco at Boston Stadium in Massachusetts, USA at 11pm BST. 

Next, they’ll be facing Brazil at Miami Stadium in Florida at 11pm BST, as Scotland round off their Group C fixtures against one of world football’s biggest names. 

Ian Chester, General Manager at Vue Edinburgh, said: “Vue is the perfect place to experience the excitement of the FIFA World Cup 2026. For those of us staying in the UK to watch, what better way to watch these giants in football than on the big screen?  

“Our next level screen and sound technology are the closest thing possible to the thrill of the stadium, with stunning visuals and immersive surround sound that will make you feel like you’re right there in the action.” 

Vue’s Big Screen Sports line-up 

  • Fri 19 June – Scotland vs Morocco – 23:00 BST 
  • Wed 24 June – Scotland vs Brazil – 23:00 BST 

Tickets are available to book now at www.myvue.com. 

Virgin Money rolls out domestic abuse safe spaces

  • Virgin Money to offer Safe Spaces across 42 of its branches to support those impacted by domestic abuse
  • Nationwide Group provides more Safe Spaces on the high-street than any other financial services organisation as it pledges to keep all branches open until at least 2030
  • Research shows alcohol-related domestic abuse reports rose by 47 per cent on the day of an England victory at a World Cup or European Championship
  • Nationwide backs Hestia’s #SupportIsATeamSport campaign and urges anyone experiencing abuse to reach out for support

Nationwide is rolling out domestic abuse Safe Spaces across 42 Virgin Money branches as part of a commitment to tackling physical and financial abuse. It will bring the total number across Nationwide’s branch network – the UK’s largest – to 475.

Safe Spaces are private, confidential areas in branches where anyone experiencing domestic abuse can access support, make calls to specialist charities, and find safety away from their abuser.

Hestia, the specialist domestic abuse charity that runs the safe space initiative nationally,  has confirmed Nationwide now leads the financial services sector in physical safe space provision, with 475 locations available across Nationwide and Virgin Money branches, and 82 of these in locations where Nationwide are the last branch in town.

The announcement comes as England prepares for its first FIFA World Cup 2026 game this evening against Croatia. Statistics show that during Euro 2024, police forces recorded 351 domestic abuse incidents classified as football-related – an 82 per cent increase on the 193 recorded during Euro 2021. 

Researchers at Warwick Business School separately found that alcohol-related domestic abuse reports rose by 47 per cent on the day of an England victory at a World Cup or European Championship – meaning a win offers no protection for survivors.

Support for people impacted by domestic abuse:

Throughout the World Cup, Nationwide is backing Hestia’s #SupportIsATeamSport campaign, which encourages people to recognise the signs of abuse and download Bright Sky – a free, confidential app offering practical advice and access to local and national support services. The app also helps users find their nearest Nationwide or Virgin Money Safe Space and provides guidance on how to support someone safely. Customers can also locate their nearest Nationwide Safe Space using Nationwide’s Branch Finder.

Alongside its expanded Safe Spaces network, Nationwide offers a comprehensive package of support for those experiencing abuse, including a partnership with leading domestic abuse charity Refuge, providing specialist advice and emergency support. People can also access Shout, a free 24/7 confidential mental health text service, available around the clock.

For those experiencing financial and economic abuse – one of the most controlling forms of domestic abuse – Nationwide has introduced a pioneering in-app payment reference blocking feature, enabling survivors to stop seeing abusers threatening or coercive messages through bank transfers.

Mandy Beech, Director of Retail Services at Nationwide, said: “We urge anyone experiencing abuse to reach out – our in-branch Safe Spaces are here to support you.

“We know that a bank or building society might not be the most obvious or conventional place to turn in a moment of crisis, but through our charity partners and the tools we have built, there are real, practical things we can do to help people get the support they need.

“Colleagues across more than 600 branches have participated in our domestic abuse awareness training, because no one should face this alone.”

Sue Harper, Deputy Director | Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Prevention at Hestia said: “Hestia’s Support is a Team Sport campaign shines a light on domestic abuse during men’s football tournaments.

“While football does not cause abuse, we know that existing abusive behaviour often intensifies on match days. Heightened emotions and increased alcohol consumption can escalate harm, leaving victim-survivors dreading match days and feeling unsafe in their own homes.

“This summer, we all have a role to play. We can help people feel less alone and ensure they get the support they need. That means being alert to the signs of abuse, downloading the Bright Sky app, and checking in on those who may be at risk- before, during and after games”.

Anyone concerned about themselves or someone they know can visit a Nationwide or Virgin Money branch Safe Space, text Shout – the free mental health text service – on 85258, contact Refuge at nationaldahelpline.org.uk, or call them on 0808 2000 247.

theSpaceUK unveils over 400 shows for Edinburgh Fringe 2026

From hidden gems to Fringe favourites, the full programme is now on sale

  • Over 400 shows on sale across six Edinburgh Fringe venues
  • New writing, returning favourites and international companies from around the world
  • A musical theatre line-up featuring suffragettes, superheroes, lifeguards and mafiosos
  • Political satire takes aim at everyone from Liz Truss to reality TV traitors
  • Award-winning circus, cabaret and physical theatre from some of the Fringe’s most exciting companies

theSpaceUK has unveiled its full programme for the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with more than 400 shows appearing across its six venues this August.

This year’s programme brings together returning Fringe favourites, first-time companies, ambitious new musicals, award-winning international productions and hundreds of hours of brand-new writing. From political satire and physical theatre to family shows, cabaret and comedy, the season offers audiences the chance to discover everything from future Fringe hits to unexpected hidden gems.

Alongside familiar theSpaceUK names, the 2026 programme welcomes artists from across North America, Europe and Australasia, with stories ranging from ancient mythology and Scottish history to influencer culture, reality television and the end of the world.

Theatre Highlights

If reality television has taught us anything, it’s that betrayal is much more entertaining when everyone is wearing velvet. A Traitors Pantomimetakes the nation’s favourite game of deception and gives it a healthy dose of panto nonsense, complete with Dame Claudia, suspicious faithfuls and traitors who wouldn’t know subtlety if it voted them out at the roundtable.

Politics remains fertile ground for Fringe comedy. The Last Days of Liz Truss? joins Britain’s shortest-serving Prime Minister on her final morning in Number 10, while January 6th The Musical asks perhaps the most important question of modern American politics: how do you celebrate your birthday when it’s become synonymous with an attempted insurrection?

Meanwhile, influencer culture comes under the microscope in atticwife, where a seemingly perfect tradwife lifestyle starts to look rather less aspirational once the attic door is locked.

There are darker journeys too. In The Hunger, two women cling to survival on an isolated Yorkshire farm as the outside world grows steadily more dangerous. At the other end of the emotional spectrum, The Cut of Her Jib delivers menopause, murder and marital breakdown with a large gin and absolutely no apologies.

Shakespeare also gets the full rock-star treatment in Rockbeth. Macbeth has always been ambitious, but this time he’s armed with the music of AC/DC, Black Sabbath and The Sex Pistols. What could possibly go wrong?

Musical Highlights

The musical programme this year is gloriously unhinged.

In Spraywatch: A Beautiful Rescue, a Californian lifeguard finds herself marooned in a struggling British seaside town where crabs, suspicious locals and civic pride collide in what promises to be one of the Fringe’s most joyfully ridiculous new musicals.

Elsewhere, Texas Annie: The Legend of the Moan Ranger follows a fugitive sex-toy salesperson across Texas after an unfortunate change in legislation. As Fringe premises go, it’s certainly memorable.

History takes a more serious turn in VOTE: The Musical, a stirring exploration of the suffragette movement and the women who refused to remain silent. Meanwhile, New Zealand company The Barden Party arrives with Heracles: Of Men and Beasts, a folk musical that finds fresh humanity within one of mythology’s greatest heroes.

Then there’s This Little Thing of Ours, proving once and for all that organised crime and show tunes make surprisingly comfortable bedfellows.

Comedy Highlights

Death, taxes and the Edinburgh Fringe. Two of those things are unavoidable, & taxes somehow manages to make all three funny. Jasper the Ghost has spent an eternity waiting for his big break as a stand-up comedian, and now he’s finally ready to take centre stage. What follows is part clown show, part existential crisis and part bucket-list adventure.

New York comic Tori Piskin turns her attention to the strange rituals of the ultra-wealthy in Poor Little Rich Girl. Raised among Manhattan’s elite, she approaches her own upbringing with the curiosity of an anthropologist and the ruthless honesty of a stand-up comedian. Think Gossip Girl with fewer filters and more self-awareness.

Fellow New Yorker Tori Morancay arrives with Le French c’est Freak, a fast-paced hour exploring cultural confusion, dating disasters and the peculiar experience of trying to build a life while stubbornly refusing to lose your accent.

Returning after previous Fringe success, Grant Sharkey’s cult musical comedy WEBBER! once again charts the rise of Andrew Lloyd Webber under the unlikely mentorship of Margaret Thatcher. Equal parts affectionate tribute and merciless satire, it remains one of the Fringe’s most gloriously cheeky musical comedies.

Meanwhile, American troupe Big Tobacco asks the question nobody was brave enough to ask: what if Pinocchio was completely and utterly broken? Big Tobacco’s Pinocchio takes the beloved children’s story, throws it out of the nearest window and rebuilds it as a relentless barrage of absurd comedy.

And if you need a reminder that clowning is alive and well at the Fringe, All Tied Up sees two office workers literally tied together by a rope and forced to cooperate. Simple premise. Endless chaos.


Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus Highlights

Some stories are best told without words. Award-winning company Flying Rabbit Circus brings Box [M] to Edinburgh following multiple Best of Fringe awards. Using acrobatics, movement and visual storytelling, the production explores gender identity, family and belonging through the relationship between siblings growing up in an Asian American immigrant household. Personal and specific, yet strikingly universal, it has earned acclaim wherever it has travelled.

Fringe favourites Suitcase Dance Theatre return with Allura, another beautifully crafted fusion of dance and theatre. Tap, jazz and contemporary movement combine in a dreamlike exploration of distraction, connection and the things we spend our lives searching for.

Elsewhere, I Made You a Mixtape transports audiences back to a 1990s dorm party where friendships are formed, tested and remembered through music rather than dialogue. Funny, awkward, nostalgic and occasionally chaotic, it captures the emotional rollercoaster of youth with remarkable honesty.


Music Highlights

Fresh from her induction into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, Anne Martin brings An Tinne to the Fringe. Inspired by the true story of a Highland family displaced during the Clearances, it connects Scotland, Australia and generations of family history through one remarkable object – a cooking pot chain carried across the world.

Celebrating fifteen years of touring and acclaimed Fringe appearances, Elsa McTaggart presents #SHORN, an intimate evening of original music, storytelling and reflection. Personal, honest and occasionally vulnerable, it marks both a milestone and a fresh chapter.

For those craving a little soul, Divas of Soul traces the evolution of one of music’s most enduring genres through iconic songs and the stories behind them. Elegant, heartfelt and packed with timeless classics, it’s a welcome opportunity to slow down amid the frenzy of the Fringe.

Then there is Elias Faingersh’s Solo from the Pit. Part concert, part stand-up comedy and part personal memoir, the internationally acclaimed trombonist reimagines famous operas while sharing stories from a remarkable life in music. Not many performers can claim awards from Reykjavik to Orlando, but Faingersh makes it look effortless.

Returning to the Fringe once again is Frankie Mack with Wired Differently – Scotland’s ADHD Showman. One evening might feature Sinatra. The next could include Elvis, Michael Bublé or one of Frankie’s own songs. The only certainty is that no two performances are likely to be the same.


Cabaret and Variety Highlights

Magic, music and mayhem collide throughout this year’s cabaret programme. Sean Alexander returns for a third consecutive Fringe with 1 Moment in Time, blending illusion, mind reading and audience stories into an experience that is as much about memory and personal milestones as it is about impossible feats.

Direct from Canada comes The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue, celebrating twenty years of body-positive burlesque with enough glitter, glamour and joyous silliness to power half of Edinburgh. Winners of the Burlesque Hall of Fame’s Best Large Group award, the Cheesecakes continue to prove that confidence is contagious.

For something completely different, Human Jukeboxturns the audience into contestants in an interactive musical game show. Expect theme nights, surprise challenges, questionable competitiveness and the very real possibility that complete strangers will become stars for the evening.

Meanwhile, BBC’s All Together Now finalists The Sundaes bring Diva Las Vegas back to the Fringe for a limited run. Combining powerhouse vocals, comedy and the music of some of the greatest divas of all time, it’s Vegas by way of Edinburgh – and considerably easier on the airfare.

And in Banjos and Juggling: A World Vaudeville Adventure, Brian Tomaszewski somehow manages to combine live music, storytelling, juggling and global musical traditions into a one-person variety show that sounds delightfully impossible until you see it happen.


Children’s Highlights

Award-winning author Gareth P Jones invites audiences to help transform his picture book into CinderGorilla: The Musical. Armed with a ukulele, piano, trumpet, loop pedal and a pair of puppets, he creates a musical adventure that is different every time.

Young princes, princesses and enthusiastic singers can join Jasmine Alice for Once Upon a Tune, a magical singalong celebration packed with beloved animated classics and enough sparkle to brighten even the rainiest Edinburgh morning.

And for children who prefer making up the story themselves, Improv Banana – Kids Comedy puts creativity centre stage. Led by the quick-witted Roy Allaway, young audience members are invited to jump into games, create scenes and discover that in improvisation there really is no such thing as a wrong answer.

Charles Pamment, Artistic Director of theSpaceUK, said: 
“In our 31st year of presenting work at the festival it is without doubt that our enthusiasm and passion to present the very best new writing platform hasn’t wavered. Indeed it is with renewed energy that we present not only the largest platform at the 2026 festival but also the most diverse programme bursting with original writing from every genre and presented by rich tapestry of global production houses. We can’t wait for you to enjoy and experience our 2026 programme. Welcome. “

Free sustainability clubs helping families save money this summe

Inspiring local youngsters to become the next generation of eco-champions

Utilita is thrilled to announce the launch of its Summer Sustainability Club, a free programme of fun, hands-on activities for children and families, taking place across all 12 high street Energy Hubs during the school holidays.

Designed to inspire the next generation of eco-champions, the Summer Sustainability Club blends creativity, education and play to help children understand sustainability in an engaging and accessible way.

The initiative builds on Utilita’s award-winning High 5 campaign, which encourages households to adopt simple, everyday behaviours to save energy, reduce waste and lower bills.

On Thursday, 16 July (2pm to 3:30pm) and Friday, 31 July (10am to 11:30am) children visiting the Utilita Energy Hub (at 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA) will be able to take part in a Build-a-Robot from Waste workshop.

Children will transform everyday rubbish into imaginative robot creations, learning how waste materials can be repurposed. Each participant will name their robot and explain how it can help their family and the planet.

Donna Hall, Partnerships Manager at Utilita, said: “We love to support our communities and regularly run child-friendly activities across holiday times. We strongly believe that children should have access to experiences that spark their imagination and creativity.

“Through our Summer Sustainability Club, we’re sharing what we’ve learned from our eco programme in a fun, interactive way to ignite children’s interest in sustainability and maybe even inspire them to consider green jobs of the future.”

A key part of the programme is the support and expertise provided by Utilita’s Energy Hub Eco Experts, who are on hand to guide families through each activity, offer practical advice and share simple ways to reduce energy use at home. These specialists play a vital role in helping communities build sustainable habits, ensuring that lessons learned during the workshops can be carried into everyday life.

The Summer Sustainability Club reinforces Utilita’s commitment to community engagement, education and environmental responsibility. By combining hands-on learning with real-world advice, the initiative aims to empower families to make small, meaningful changes that contribute to a more sustainable future.

All activities are free to attend and open to children of all ages. Families are encouraged to visit their local Energy Hub to get involved.

See more on Utilita Energy Hubs at https://utilita.co.uk/energy-hub.

Stockbridge Primary goes the extra mile for LifeCare

Pupils, families and local businesses come together to support older people and strengthen the local community

LifeCare Edinburgh is delighted to announce that Stockbridge Primary School has raised an incredible £1,016 through a wonderful whole-school fundraising effort, with every pupil getting involved to support the 85-year-old charity’s vital work tackling loneliness and isolation in the local community.

The fundraising event, organised by Stockbridge Primary Parent Council, saw pupils, families, neighbours and friends from the school community take part in mass workouts and a family-friendly guided walk in Stockbridge – along the pathways of the Water of Leith. Funds raised were shared between LifeCare Edinburgh and Stockbridge Primary Parent Council.  

The event also featured a hugely successful raffle, generously supported by dozens of local businesses and Take Hold Church who collectively donated funds and prizes.

LifeCare offers a range of services for local older people including registered day clubs, outreach support, meals on wheels, help at home and dedicated wellbeing support for unpaid carers.

From its thriving Community Hub and Café on Cheyne Street, LifeCare also delivers a year-round programme of free activities and events designed to reduce loneliness and isolation, strengthen community connections and bring people of all ages together.

Community support has never been more important. With a rapidly growing older population, LifeCare has seen demand for its services increase by 32% over the past year and now supports more than 1,140 local older people annually.

The charity is working hard to ensure older people can continue to thrive in their own homes, stay connected to their communities and avoid the loneliness and isolation that too often accompanies later life.

Claire Montgomery, Fundraising and Communications Manager at LifeCare Edinburgh, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Stockbridge Primary School, the Parent Council, the pupils, families and everyone who took part in making this such a wonderful community event.

“Raising £1,016 is a fantastic achievement and every pound will make a real difference to the lives of local older people and their unpaid carers.

“It is particularly special because this was a true community effort, bringing together generations of local people to support one another. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the businesses who donated raffle prizes so generously.

“Their support demonstrates the incredible community spirit that exists here in Stockbridge. At LifeCare, we believe no one should feel alone or isolated, and this support will help us continue providing practical help, companionship and opportunities for people to stay connected within their communities.“

For more information about LifeCare Edinburgh’s services and activities, visit:  

www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk.

More Scottish school leavers in positive destinations

Joint highest level since records began

The proportion of young people going into education, training or work nine months after finishing school is the joint highest since records began. Additionally, the level of young people from deprived backgrounds going into positive destinations is the highest it has ever been.

The latest Summary Statistics for Follow-up Leaver Destinations for 2024-25, show 93.5% of young people were in positive destinations including training, education, and employment. This is up from 93.1% the previous year. Alongside 2021-22 figures, this represents the joint-highest level since consistent records began.

The proportion of young people from the most deprived backgrounds in a positive follow-up destination is as high as it has ever been. The gap between those leaving school from the most (20%) and least (20%) deprived areas in accessing a positive follow-up destination was 7.6 percentage points. This is narrower than both last year (8.3 percentage points) and the pre-Covid position in 2018-19 (8.4 percentage points).

The increase in school-leavers in reaching positive destinations over the latest year has been driven by a rise in the proportion in Higher Education (from 38.1% to 40.2%) and Further Education (from 21.9% to 22.1%).

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “These figures illustrate that Scotland is amongst the best places for people to start their careers and pursue their life’s passion after finishing school.

“It’s fantastic to see record-high levels of young people going onto training, education, and employment when they leave school. This is testament to the hard work of those young people, teachers and staff that support them.

“Our commitment to free university tuition, generous student support and more apprenticeships means that young people, regardless of the path they choose, have a variety of great opportunities available to them.”

2024-25 School leaver follow-up destinations