SATURDAY 27 SEPTEMBER 3 – 6pm
It’s nearly time for our Harvest Festival! Saturday 27th September at the garden. All welcome, for this free family friendly event! From 3pm.
Harvest Feast, performances from talented locals, creative activities and more!
If you’d like to contribute a musical (or other) performance, or help out on the day, please contact tom@grantoncommunitygardeners.org
Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age said: “The latest statistics for 2024/25 show that, unacceptably, the number of people aged over 65 who submitted an application for homelessness in Scotland has risen to 1,195.
“This number has increased 34% over the five years since 2021/22, when 890 older people submitted an application for homelessness. Tragically, 55 of these older people have experienced rough sleeping in the past three months.
“Older people across Scotland tell us that they have significant housing issues, including unaffordable rent, low awareness of their rights as renters, and difficulty finding appropriate housing. Today’s figures are evidence that the housing system is not delivering for older people on low incomes.
“That’s why we’re calling on the Scottish Government to improve the situation for renters of all ages, including those in later life.
The current Housing Bill working its way through the Scottish Parliament will improve homelessness prevention and recent announcements on social housing are welcome. However, it’s clear we need further action to support older people, including making sure that Discretionary Housing Payments can be accessed to make up the rent shortfall faced by many low-income older renters.
“We also want to see the UK Government commit to uprating Local Housing Allowance every year, so older people, and all renters on a low income, aren’t forced to give up essentials in order to pay their rent.”
Supporting documents – Homelessness in Scotland: 2024-25 – gov.scot
GRAHAM has completed the first stage of a £10 million retrofit of Brunstane Primary School in Edinburgh, marking a major step in transforming the building into one of the city’s most sustainable education facilities.
Appointed by City of Edinburgh Council, GRAHAM is delivering the multi-phase project while the school remains operational. The works, which began in October 2024, will enable the building to be carbon neutral in operation, aligning with the Council’s ambition to reach net zero by 2030.
The first phase handed over includes 11 newly refurbished classrooms, a modernised library and the completion of a new energy centre. This allows the school to run on air source heat pumps instead of gas, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.
James House, Construction Director at GRAHAM Building, said: “This milestone reflects the expertise of our team in delivering complex retrofit projects in live environments.
“The handover provides Brunstane Primary School with fully modernised classrooms and an upgraded library, alongside a new energy centre that enables the school to operate using air source heat pumps.
“These facilities have been delivered while the school remains fully operational, with the programme designed to minimise disruption to teaching and learning. The next phases will continue to improve the school’s facilities and infrastructure in line with the planned schedule.”
The next phase, due to start after the October break, will see the delivery of a new gym hall, kitchen, staff areas and toilets.
The final stage, scheduled for early 2026, will complete the remaining staff facilities, reception, offices and classrooms for Primary 1 and 2 pupils, with external works progressing alongside each phase.
Once complete, the project will provide a three-storey tower with 12 classrooms and a single-storey block with eight classrooms, administration offices, amenity space and an infant block. Improvements include new cladding, replacement windows, upgraded accessibility with new ramps and photovoltaic panels to generate renewable electricity.
Deborah Lee, principal teacher at Brunstane Primary School, said: “The new classrooms are a positive step forward, bringing P3-P7 learners back under one roof where they can truly make the new classrooms their own, creating a sense of pride and shared respect for the space.”
The Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival 2025 programme is now live!
Taking place across Scotland from 20 October to 9 November, this year’s festival explores the theme Comfort & Disturb.
Join us for events spanning film, theatre, music, visual art, writing, workshops and more. Events have been curated by the festival team, local communities, artists and activists, creating a wide-ranging and ambitious programme that will offer comfort to people while also disturbing the status quo.
Discover the full programme and book tickets at www.mhfestival.com/events
Tickets are selling fast for our Tea Dance on Saturday 27th September.
Come along for a fun afternoon, get your dancing shoes on, have a chat, enjoy a light afternoon and dance to the sounds DJ Colin!!
WEDNESDAY 24th SEPTEMBER 6 – 7.30pm
We’re thrilled to welcome author Kent Hung on Wednesday 24th September for a special evening celebrating the release of his third novel, “Stary Stary Night”.
This story concludes his moving trilogy that began with “Letting Go” and “Entitled”—three novels that explore compassion, peace, and the journey of finding closure with the past in order to move forward in life.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Kent Hung about his writing, the themes behind the trilogy, and what it means to truly heal.
Minister for Mental Wellbeing Tom Arthur says a fall in the number of probable suicides last year makes him more determined to continue expanding and improving prevention work.
Official statistics from National Records of Scotland show the number of probable suicides in 2024 was 704 – a decrease of 11% compared to 2023 and the lowest number since 2017.
Visiting The Neuk mental health crisis centre in Perth, Mr Arthur said: “These figures remind us of how vital it is to support those who are struggling with their mental health.
“Every person lost to suicide is someone’s loved one and when someone takes their own life, the impact on everyone around them is devastating. My sympathy is with all those affected by the loss of a family member or friend through suicide.
“The decline in the number of probable suicides is encouraging, but we will not be complacent. Our aim is for anyone, regardless of age, who has thoughts of taking their own life, or is affected by suicide, to get the help they need.
“Together with COSLA and our partners, Suicide Prevention Scotland, we are driving forward our 10-year Suicide Prevention Strategy to deliver on our ambition to reduce suicide deaths in Scotland.
“At its heart is tackling the underlying factors and inequalities which cause suicide and supporting people most at risk including those living in poverty, middle aged men and those in rural areas.
“We increased our investment in suicide prevention to £2.8 million for the current financial year, meeting our commitment to double the suicide prevention budget in the current parliamentary term.
“We are committed to building a Scotland where everyone feels valued, supported, and connected. We will continue to listen, learn, and act – guided by evidence and compassion.”
Councillor Paul Kelly, COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, said: “Behind these statistics are individuals, families and communities deeply impacted by suicide.
“Local Government and our partners have a vital role in improving mental health and wellbeing across Scotland. We’re committed to enhancing our ongoing suicide prevention efforts to create conditions where no one feels they must take their own life.
“COSLA will continue working with the Scottish Government to deliver our joint ‘Creating Hope Together’ strategy. This includes tackling inequality across all public services – from schools and workplaces to community services.”
Wendy Given, Chief Operational Officer at The Neuk, said: “At The Neuk, we see the ripple effects of suicide every day and we are here to provide a safe, compassionate space where people in crisis are listened to, supported, and shown compassion.
“Services like ours must remain visible, valued, and sustainable, so that hope and connection are always within reach.”
The Neuk’s lead wellbeing mentor Louise McQueen said: “Working at The Neuk is more than a job, it’s being part of a community where every conversation can change a life.
“I’ve seen people walk through our doors at their lowest point and leave with hope. Being able to listen, connect, and support someone in that moment of crisis is a privilege, and it reminds me every day why this place matters.”
Anyone affected by these issues can access support from the following services:
Community Alert: Vehicle Break-Ins in Clermiston & Corstorphine
Police are urging residents in the Clerwood Gardens and Caroline Terrace areas to check their vehicles for any missing belongings. Several vehicle break-ins were reported in the early hours of Monday, 15th September 2025.
If you discover your vehicle has been broken into or find missing items, please:
– Contact 101 and quote incident number 0239 of 15/09/2025
– Provide details of missing items to help match property with owners
To reduce the risk of vehicle crime, always:
– Lock your vehicle doors
– Remove valuables or keep them out of sight
– Park in well-lit or secure areas where possible
Let’s stay vigilant and work together to keep our community safe! 
More children and young people in Scotland than ever before are being educated in schools in good or satisfactory condition, following sustained investment from the Scottish Government in partnership with local authorities.
The latest statistics show the proportion of pupils learning in schools in good or satisfactory condition has increased to 92.5%, up from 92% since 2024.
Since 2019, 14 new schools have opened to pupils as part of the Scottish Government’s £2 billion Learning Estate Investment Programme (LEIP). In 2024-25 alone, 17 school builds or substantial refurbishment projects were completed – 15 primary schools and two secondary schools.
Commenting, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “All pupils deserve to learn in modern schools that give them the best possible opportunity to maximise their learning.
“These statistics show our ongoing and significant investment in the school estate continues to deliver. The proportion of schools reported as being in “good” or “satisfactory” condition has increased to 92.0% (91.7% in 2024), compared to 62.7% in 2007, when this Government first came to office.
“Through the £2bn LEIP investment, a further three school projects are expected to be completed this year, and we will continue working with COSLA, councils and the Scottish Futures Trust to maximise future improvements in the school estate.”
Currie Community High School, which is one of Scotland’s first Passivhaus secondary schools, is receiving LEIP funding and opened last month.
Headteacher Jenny Hutchison said: ““We have had the most incredible month in our new school. Our new building offers significant benefits for students, staff and community users by providing a modern, flexible, and sustainable learning environment that moves beyond traditional classroom settings.
“The open plan learning plazas and break out spaces support a wider range of teaching and learning approaches and in using them is enhancing the wellbeing of everyone. Young people are helping us make decisions about how best to use these spaces which is fantastic.
“As one of Scotland’s first Passivhaus secondary schools, the design incorporates natural daylight, creating an inspiring and healthy atmosphere. We love the level of visibility in the building where learning can be observed from many angles.
“Our campus is also designed to be a vibrant community hub. The integration of community facilities really continue strengthen our connection with the local area, offering valuable resources to residents whilst also enriching the school environment.
“Our students in particular are enjoying the state-of-the-art sports facilities, outdoor teaching terrace and the debating chamber. This really is the school of dreams with endless possibilities!”
COSLA’s Children and Young People Spokesperson Cllr Tony Buchanan said: “Local Government is investing £1bn through the Learning Estate Improvement Programme (LEIP) alone, this is in addition to the ongoing further investment throughout the estate.
“We are pleased to see that the school estate continues to improve and also contribute to the transition towards net zero. The environment in which children and young people learn is an important contributor to their attainment and school experience, and can be a vital community asset.”
Stephen Long, Senior Associate Director for Learning Estate at the Scottish Futures Trust said: “Scottish Futures Trust and Scottish Government are working in collaboration with Local Authorities through the LEIP initiative to improve learning environments on 47 projects across Scotland.
“Following the successful opening of 5 projects for the new term in August, there are now 14 LEIP schools in operation with a further 16 in construction and 17 in design.
“These new and refurbished facilities will provide inclusive, healthy, comfortable indoor and outdoor places for learners, teachers and communities, while also minimising energy consumption and emissions.”
