Month: July 2025

Additional funding for independent hospices in Scotland

Support for pay parity with NHS staff

The Scottish Government is to distribute £5 million of funding in 2025-26 to support independent hospices with pay parity for clinical staff with their NHS counterparts.

Hospices have now had their funding allocations confirmed and the investment, set out in the 2025-26 Budget, will ensure that frontline staff providing essential palliative and end-of-life care in independent hospices are fairly paid in line with NHS pay scales.

The funding aims to help hospices recruit and retain skilled healthcare professionals during a time of rising workforce pressures and increasing demand for palliative care services.

Health Secretary Neil Gray, said: “Independent hospices provide vital care and support to people and families across Scotland at the most difficult times in their lives. I am pleased we are able to support these organisations in supporting pay parity for their clinical staff.

“This funding recognises the skilled, compassionate care that hospice staff deliver every day, and helps ensure their pay reflects the immense value of their work.”

Chair of the Scottish Hospice Leadership Group Jacki Smart, said: “This is a welcome first step in recognising the needs of the hospice sector, which plays a key role in delivering specialist palliative care for Scotland.

“It is right for patients and staff that hospices can pay skilled professionals fairly and in line with NHS colleagues, and we need to keep pace on this.”

Independent hospices across Scotland are independent charitable organisations providing care tailored to local needs. Integration Joint Boards (IJBs) are responsible for the planning and commissioning of independent hospices to meet the needs of their local population.

Hospices work closely with a wide variety of health and social care services, including NHS Boards, to deliver high quality care and support.

The Scottish Government is committed to developing a new national framework to support more effective planning and commissioning between hospices and IJBs. This work will continue alongside discussions about long-term pay parity and funding arrangements.

Out of the Blue: What’s On in August

Programme reveal! 📢

From Print Expo 2525, celebrating 10 years of Out of the Blueprint, to other workshops and performances, there’s lots going on at the Drill Hall in August.

What do you fancy getting involved in? 👀

Just take a look at our website for the full programme.

https://outoftheblue.pulse.ly/o0h7qp8wur

Poster design: Out of the Blueprint

Active Inquiry

Edinburgh Flea Market

BALKANARAMA

Granton Nature Watch

LEARN ABOUT LOCAL NATURE WITH COMMUNITY GARDENERS

Can you help us learn about nature in Granton?

We have a new project to survey, map and learn about our local wildlife and how nature and people can live well together in Granton.

We’d love to see your nature photos and hear about the wildlife that you see!

We’re also looking for people who would be willing to do regular surveys on a walk, in a park or in your own garden.

No experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to learn.

Suitable for children too.

Get in touch with Katie on katie@grantoncommunitygardeners.org to find out more.

Heritage Portfolio and Mansfield Traquair Trust continue ongoing partnership amidst SCVO departure

The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), Mansfield Traquair Centre’s primary tenant for many years, has formally given notice and will be vacating the building.

The Mansfield Traquair Trust is now welcoming expressions of interest from organisations that would value and complement the unique cultural and architectural character of this iconic heritage site, home to the celebrated murals of Phoebe Anna Traquair, often called ‘Edinburgh’s Sistine Chapel.’

During this transition, event operations will continue as normal. The Trust has an existing partnership with Heritage Portfolio, the venue’s longstanding catering and events provider, which remains in place to support planned and future events. 

With a track record of delivering exceptional hospitality across landmark Scottish venues including the Signet Library, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery among others, Heritage Portfolio brings continuity, experience and reassurance during this period of change.

Dr. Duncan Thomson, Chair of the Mansfield Traquair Trust, said: “For those planning special occasions, we know how vital reliability and consistency are.

“Our longstanding relationship with Heritage Portfolio reflects a shared commitment to making Mansfield Traquair a distinctive and memorable setting for weddings, corporate events and celebrations.”

Sandy Robson, Executive Director of Heritage Portfolio said “We want to reassure all current and prospective clients that Mansfield Traquair is very much open for business and operating as normal.

“Working within the venue for over 20 years, our team knows what it takes to deliver unforgettable events with the exceptional service and attention to detail that Heritage Portfolio is known for, while respecting the building’s remarkable history and architecture.

“We look forward to working with the Trust through this transitional period and celebrating many more special moments with our guests.”

As we move forward, the Trust remains committed to ensuring Mansfield Traquair continues to thrive as a venue for celebration, culture, and community, supported by partnerships that reflect and uphold its unique character.

This commitment is further supported by the Friends of Mansfield Traquair Trust, a dedicated group of volunteers who help bring the building’s rich history to life.

The Friends provide trained guides for Open Days, lead private tours by arrangement. They also offer talks for local groups and societies, helping to share the story of Mansfield Traquair with wider audiences.

Heritage Portfolio, a division of Sodexo Live! is a leading provider of private and corporate hospitality for cultural destinations.

Producing outstanding catering and event services, it serves some of the most prestigious venues across Britain, delivering amazing experiences that go beyond the remarkable food it creates.

In Scotland partners include Musselburgh Racecourse, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, National Galleries Scotland, V&A Dundee and The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. 

Local volunteering event at North Edinburgh Arts

FRIDAY 1st AUGUST from 10am – 12 noon

Local Volunteer Recruitment Fair celebrating the diversity of volunteer opportunities in the North West area

Friday 1 August, 10am – 12noon

There will be a lovely diverse mix of volunteer-involving organisations coming along to share their volunteer roles and answer any questions about what volunteering with them is like.

Come along and find out more about local volunteering opportunities.

Note our address: NEA, MacMillan Hub, 12C MacMillan Square, EH4 4AB

New discovery could halt secondary breast cancer growth

Finding could prevent disease spreading

Scientists at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute have made a discovery which could help stop the spread of breast cancer – one of the leading causes of death from the disease.

The research, published in the journal Embo Reports, found there are key metabolic changes which occur in the body before the cancer spreads, offering a vital window to intervene.

Detecting these changes early could allow therapies to stop cancer cells being able to move around the body and grow tumours elsewhere. 

The study was conducted in the labs of Professor Jim Norman and Professor Karen Blyth at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and the University of Glasgow.

Study lead Dr Cassie Clarke, of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and University of Glasgow, said: “This study represents a major shift in how we think about preventing the spread of breast cancer.

“By targeting these metabolic changes as early as possible we could stop the cancer progressing and save lives.”

With around 56,800 people diagnosed with breast cancer in United Kingdom each year * and around 11,300 people sadly losing their lives to the disease each year, finding new ways to tackle it is vital.**

Thanks to research, breast cancer has become a far more treatable disease, but once it spreads to other areas within the body it becomes harder to control effectively.

Understanding how and why breast cancer spreads is key to preventing the disease becoming unmanageable with current therapies.

Cancer Research UK’s Director of Research, Dr Catherine Elliott, said: “Discoveries in cancer research have made huge strides in making breast cancer a far more treatable disease than ever before.

“However, metastasis – when cancer spreads – is a major factor in breast cancer becoming harder to treat especially if the cancer returns months or even many years later.

“This discovery gives us new hope for detecting and stopping metastasis early and ensuring people have many more years with their families and loved ones.”

This new study focused on how breast cancer changes the immune system so it can’t tackle cancer cells as they begin their spread.

The researchers found that cancer changes the metabolism (the way cells make and use energy) of specific immune cells, resulting in them releasing a prominent metabolite called uracil.

Uracil is a molecule key to essential processes in the body which was found to help distant organs build a “scaffold” to grow secondary tumours elsewhere in the body.

By blocking an enzyme called uridine phosphorylase-1 (UPP1), which produces uracil, the scientists were able to stop this scaffold forming in mice and restore the ability of the immune system to kill secondary cancer cells to prevent metastasis.

This opens the door to new potentially powerful new tools to tackle cancer – detecting uracil in the blood could help spot early signs of cancer spread then blocking UPP1 with drugs could stop the spread before it starts.

The research was funded by Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Trust, the Medical Research Council, Breast Cancer Now and Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Simon Vincent, chief scientific officer at Breast Cancer Now, said: “This is an exciting piece of joint research that expands our understanding of how secondary breast cancer develops.

“The researchers discovered that high levels of a protein called UPP1 may make some cancers, including breast cancer, more likely to spread to other parts of the body, where the disease becomes incurable.

“In mice, targeting the UPP1 protein before secondary breast cancer developed led to fewer secondary breast tumours and a boosted immune response in the lungs.

“Now we need more research to see if this new insight can be turned into new drugs that stop secondary breast cancer, and potentially other secondary cancers, in their tracks. With around 61,000 people living with secondary breast cancer in the UK, research like this is vital.”

The team are now further investigating exactly how UPP1 changes the behaviour of immune cells, exploring the role of immune cell metabolism in early breast cancer initiation, and testing the ability of drugs that block immune cell metabolism to prevent cancer occurring.

Starmer to meet Trump in Scotland for talks today

  • The Prime Minister will travel to Scotland today to meet the President for talks on his golf course in Turnberry
  • The leaders are expected to discuss progress on implementing the UK-US trade deal, hopes for a ceasefire in the Middle East and applying pressure on Putin to end the war in Ukraine
  • The leaders will travel on together for a further private engagement in Aberdeen

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet US President Donald Trump in Scotland today for wide-ranging talks.

The Prime Minister will travel to the President’s golf course in Turnberry, ahead of Trump’s landmark second State Visit to the UK in September.

Over the course of the visit, the leaders are expected to talk one-to-one about advancing implementation of the landmark Economic Prosperity Deal so that Brits and Americans can benefit from boosted trade links between their two countries.

The Prime Minister is also expected to welcome the President’s administration working with partners in Qatar and Egypt to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza.

He will discuss further with him what more can be done to secure the ceasefire urgently, bring an end to the unspeakable suffering and starvation in Gaza and free the hostages who have been held so cruelly for so long.

Securing peace in Ukraine will also be high on the agenda, with the Prime Minister and President set to talk about their shared desire to bring an end to the barbaric war. It is expected they will reflect on progress in their 50-day drive to arm Ukraine and force Putin to the negotiating table.

It’s quite possible that President Trump may change that agenda, of course.

After their meeting they will travel on together to a private engagement in Aberdeen.

The UK and the US have ‘one of the closest, most productive alliances the world has ever seen’, working together to cooperate on defence, intelligence, technology and trade.

The UK was the first country to agree a deal with the US that lowered tariffs on key sectors and has received one of the lowest reciprocal tariff rates in the world.

Businesses in the aerospace and autos sectors are already benefitting from the ‘strong relationship the UK has with the US’ and the deal agreed on 8 May.

The Government says it is ‘working at pace with the US to go further to deliver benefits to working people on both sides of the Atlantic and to give UK industry the security it needs, protect vital jobs, and put more money in people’s pockets through the Plan for Change’.

‘Temporary humanitarian pause’ in Gaza: Lammy statement

The Foreign Secretary has issued a statement following yesterday’s announcement of a temporary humanitarian pause by the IDF in Gaza:

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said : “The humanitarian suffering in Gaza has 2reached new depths.

“The Prime Minister has already announced plans to work with Jordan to get aid into Gaza and to evacuate children who need critical medical assistance to the UK for treatment.

“Today’s announcement of a temporary pause by the IDF to allow humanitarian corridors to open and aid drops to resume is essential but long overdue. Access to aid must therefore be urgently accelerated over the coming hours and days.

“This announcement alone cannot alleviate the needs of those desperately suffering in Gaza. We need a ceasefire that can end the war, for hostages to be released and aid to enter Gaza by land unhindered.

“Whilst airdrops will help to alleviate the worst of the suffering, land routes serve as the only viable and sustainable means of providing aid into Gaza.

“These measures must be fully implemented and further barriers on aid removed. The world is watching.

“The UK supports the efforts of Qatar, Egypt and the US as mediators and urges all parties to resume talks on a pathway for lasting peace and security.”

But in the meantime, the UK continues to arm Israel … WHY ???

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store unveils spellbinding lineup of autumn events

Activities for kids, adults, and dogs

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This October and November, Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to its trio of enchanting autumn events at the Edinburgh store, helping kick-start the season. There’s something for everyone, with events for dogs, kids and families, and a brand-new autumn planting and afternoon tea experience.

Pup-kin Patch

The Pup-kin Patch at Dobbies will be a fun outing for dogs where they can dig into treats, toys, and tail wagging fun. With activities from picking their own autumn themed toys, to enjoying a puppuccino from the restaurant, furry friends are bound to have a paw-esome outing. The event will also have a free digital photo opportunity for dogs to pose in front of an autumnal backdrop at the Edinburgh store, for a beautiful pet ‘paw-trait’.

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Tickets to the event will also include special offers in the pet department, one free hot drink and puppuccino with the purchase of any cake from the restaurant, and £5 off £25 spend in store. Dobbies’ Pup-kin Patch will be taking place on Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Friday 31 October, and Saturday 1 November, tickets are £12.50 per dog. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking. 

Little Scare-lings – Witches, Wizards and Wicked Treats 

This Halloween, children and families can get ready to take part in some scarily fun activities and afternoon tea at the Edinburgh store Little Scare-lings event. There will be three tiers of savoury sandwiches and sweet treats for the children and spook-tacular tea and cake offers or afternoon tea add ons for adults.

Little ones will get to take part in slime and magic potion making to embrace their inner witches and wizards, alongside other magical activities and games. Dobbies is encouraging attendees to dress up in their spookiest costume as a prize will be awarded during a costume contest. 

The Little Scare-lings – Witches, Wizards and Wicked Treats is taking place on Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Saturday 25, Sunday 26, Friday 31 October, and Saturday 1 November, tickets are £15 per children and from £7.50 for adults. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking.

Planting and Afternoon Tea – Autumn Harvest Terrarium Workshop

Guests can enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea and autumn themed planting experience this October at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store. Dobbies’ Green Team will show attendees how to make their own seasonal terrariums with mini autumn decorations to take home and care for, starting with a demonstration, followed by a Q&A session and the chance to get hands-on and give it a go.

The experience will be followed by a three-tiered Traditional Afternoon Tea in the restaurant, including sweet and savoury treats, and unlimited tea and coffee refills. 

The Planting and Afternoon Tea – Autumn Harvest Terrarium Workshop will take place on the 11, 17, and 18 of October. Tickets are £45, and prosecco or a Luxury Afternoon Tea is available as an optional upgrade at an additional cost. Dates vary for each store so please check the website when booking.

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is looking forward to welcoming customers, from families, dogs and planting enthusiasts, to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store this autumn. She said: “It’s fantastic to have such a variety of events on offer and there really is something for everyone to enjoy, with fun for all ages. 

“Tickets are selling fast for our planting and afternoon tea event, as it’s the perfect afternoon out for couples and friends who love to be creative. Our Little Scare-lings event is a firm favourite for families, with plenty of action-packed activities, and the Pup-kin Patch is back by popular demand, this year in more stores after it was such a hit last year. We can’t wait to celebrate autumn and Halloween with our customers this spooky season.”

Tickets to all autumn events at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store are now available to book at www.dobbies.com/events.

For more information on Dobbies’ events, visit www.dobbies.com/events

Book Artist Rachel Hazell to host Junk Journaling Workshop at Edinburgh International Book Festival

The Travelling Bookbinder invites participants to explore the Festival’s theme of Repair through mindful making and creative collage

Book artist Rachel Hazell, also known as The Travelling Bookbinder, will be taking part in the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2025 with an innovative junk journaling workshop.

The hands-on session will take place as part of the Festival’s programme, running from 9-24 August at the Edinburgh Futures Institute.

Perfectly aligned with this year’s overarching Book Festival theme of Repair, Rachel’s workshop invites participants to transform discarded ephemera into beautiful, meaningful books through the meditative art of junk journaling. 

“I’m thrilled to be part of this year’s Festival and to explore how broken, forgotten, or discarded materials can be given new life and purpose,” says Rachel. “It perfectly embodies the Festival’s mission to examine ‘the many things around us which feel broken, and how we might seek to fix them.‘”

“This workshop represents the essence of what repair means in creative practice,” explains Rachel, whose acclaimed book Bound: 15 Beautiful Bookbinding Projects has inspired bookmakers worldwide. 

“We’re taking fragments of the past – envelopes, festival flyers, travel tickets, magazines, brochures, old maps and maybe even an old book that has fallen apart and won’t be read again – and weaving them into new narratives.

“It’s about finding beauty in the discarded and creating something whole from the damaged or broken.”

About the Workshop

The immersive workshop offers participants the opportunity to engage in mindful making through collage, transforming everyday detritus into treasured keepsakes. While all necessary materials will be provided, attendees are encouraged to bring their own ‘found handwriting’ – personal ephemera that carries emotional resonance and hidden stories.

Drawing on her expertise in traditional bookbinding techniques combined with contemporary artistic sensibilities, Rachel will guide participants through the process of:

  • Selecting and preparing discarded materials for creative reuse
  • Understanding the emotional and narrative potential within forgotten fragments
  • Mastering fundamental junk journaling techniques
  • Creating personal books that serve as both artistic expression and meaningful record-keeping

About Rachel Hazell – The Travelling Bookbinder

Drawing her inspiration from remote landscapes, typography, shorelines, flea-markets and remarkable literary cities, book artist Rachel Hazell takes people on creative journeys, making books and unfolding stories. Home is the city of Edinburgh and the small Hebridean island of Iona. Through The Travelling Bookbinder, she conducts bookart workshops globally, from Venetian palazzos to Nantucket libraries.

As both teacher and author, Hazell has built an international reputation for her innovative approach to bookbinding that combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary storytelling.

Her work emphasizes the transformative power of handmade books and the deep connection between physical making and emotional healing.

Her published works include the critically acclaimed Bound: 15 Beautiful Bookbinding Projects, and she offers both in-person workshops in inspiring locations worldwide and comprehensive online courses through her digital platform.

Edinburgh International Book Festival 2025

Taking place from 9-24 August, Edinburgh International Book Festival are delighted to announce our 2025 programme, with close to 700 events featuring 641 writers from 35 countries, across 6 continents. Repair is the Book Festival’s core theme for 2025, seeking to explore the many things around us which feel broken, and how we might seek to fix them.

The theme resonates across multiple dimensions – from environmental restoration to emotional healing, from social justice to personal recovery. Rachel’s workshop exemplifies this approach by demonstrating how creative practice can serve as both personal therapy and cultural commentary.

Further opportunities 

Rachel also hosts workshops all over the world, from her homes in Edinburgh and Iona, to Paris, Bath and Venice.

You can find more information and booking details here: 

https://www.thetravellingbookbinder.com/product-category/workshops/ 

To try your hand at Rachel’s craft from the comfort of your own home you can find her hugely popular e-courses here:

 https://www.thetravellingbookbinder.com/product-category/e-courses/