TUESDAYS 9.30 – 11.30am
Parents and Carers, please pop in and see us at The Citadel 9:30am – 11.30am every Tuesday for our Family Drop-In.
Get support and advice from family workers on multiple topics.
Family drop-in at The Citadel
Month: September 2025
Detecting colorectal cancer earlier
£1.5m INVESTMENT IN REDESIGNED AND ACCELERATED DIAGNOSTIC PATHWAY
A new way to diagnose colorectal cancer will help ensure patients get quicker treatment.
Scotland’s Colorectal Optimal Cancer Diagnostic Pathway has been designed by clinical experts at NHS Golden Jubilee’s Centre for Sustainable Delivery (CfSD).
Supported by £1.5 million on funding from the Scottish Government’s Detect Cancer Early (DCE) programme, it sets out a new model for NHS Scotland to follow.
Patients will be able to receive multiple tests at one time – where clinically appropriate – reducing visits to hospital, speeding up time to diagnosis and improving the quality and safety of care.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in Scotland, representing 11% of all cancer deaths.
Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Bowel cancer touches thousands of families in Scotland every year, and we know the difference early diagnosis can make – more treatment options, more time with loved ones, and better outcomes.
“That’s why I am so pleased to see the publication of Scotland’s Colorectal Optimal Cancer Diagnostic Pathway. By speeding up diagnosis and improving the way services are delivered, we can give patients and their families greater peace of mind, faster answers, and the very best chance of recovery.”
One patient who credits early diagnosis with saving his life is Nick Rimmer, 55, from Crieff.
Nick was diagnosed with stage one bowel cancer in 2019 following a routine NHS screening test which arrived just after his 50th birthday. Initially hesitant, he now says taking the test “saved my life and my future.”
Nick said: “I consider myself lucky because it was detected at a stage where I had absolutely no symptoms and no idea. Okay, I had to go through a major operation, but after that I didn’t require chemotherapy. I’ve been healthy for the last five years.
“If you’ve got any unusual, persistent symptoms, go to your GP practice. Please don’t delay. Even if you don’t have symptoms, when that test lands on your doormat – do it. The more people that do the test and find cancer earlier, the easier their life is going to be.”
Dr. Lisa Wilde, Director of Research and External Affairs at Bowel Cancer UK, said: “We’re delighted to see the launch of Scotland’s new optimal bowel cancer diagnostic pathway and toolkit.
“Bowel cancer is treatable and curable, especially if diagnosed early. The earlier patients are diagnosed with the disease, the greater their chance of survival.
“By supporting earlier diagnosis and reducing waiting times, this work has the potential to improve efficiency across the system and importantly deliver better outcomes for patients.”
Breakfast Walk with Chat Cafe
THIS MORNING at 10am from PILTON COMMUNITY HEALTH PROJECT
TODAY for #ChatCafe, we’ve got something a little different planned!
We’ll be joined by Min from @ramblersscotland so it seems only fitting that we take ourselves outdoors for a #Walk.
Meet Nathalie and Min 10am @ PCHP before setting out on foot for a lovely walk and breakfast picnic of #Pancakes and #Chai.
What a beautiful start to a #Monday. If you’re a #Woman and would like to join, please come along.
We hope to see you all!
Have you seen Aisika?
14 YEAR OLD GIRL MISSING FROM WESTER HAILES
POLICE are appealing for information which could help trace a missing 14-year-old girl from Edinburgh.
Aisika Arnautu who is from the Wester Hailes area of the city, was reported missing on Saturday, 27 September.
Enquiries so far have established that she has been in Aberdeen from around Friday, 19 September and subsequently travelled to Glasgow city centre on Saturday, 27 September.
She may have been travelling using public transport and enquiries are ongoing to establish her exact movements.
Aisika is described as being white, 5ft 4in tall with long brown hair. It isn’t known what she would be wearing but she is thought to wear large hoop style earrings.
Chief Inspector Ran Macdonald said: “We are concerned for Aisika’s welfare and would urge anyone who may have information to come forward.
“She is thought to have travelled extensively in the past few weeks across Scotland so I would urge anyone who thinks they may have seen her or spoken to her to get in touch.
“If you can help, you can call 101 quoting reference 3254 of 27 September, 2025.”
Seattle is the right place for Amazon’s Stuart
A trip to the world-famous Space Needle, lunch in Pike Place Market and a visit to the Museum of Pop Culture are just three of the experiences enjoyed by Stuart Penny from Dunfermline after he had a once in a lifetime trip to the US.
Stuart, who works at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, took part in the week-long trip with 17 Amazon colleagues from across the UK and Ireland as part of a programme called I Found the Right Place.
I Found the Right Place is open to Amazon employees in the UK and Ireland and asks the simple question – ‘what makes Amazon the right place for you?’. Employees are invited to talk about why they love working at Amazon and the best stories are selected by a judging panel, with the finalists taking delivery of a boarding pass for the trip of a lifetime.
More than 2,000 Amazon employees submitted their story as part of the campaign and Stuart was selected by the judges as one of 18 people who boarded the plane to Seattle.
Stuart and his colleagues had an action-packed week in Seattle, where they toured Amazon’s global headquarters, saw the latest Amazon technology during a fulfilment centre tour and enjoyed the sights and sounds of the city’s Pike Place Market, Space Needle, Museum of Pop Culture and more.
“After 35 years with my previous employer, I joined Amazon at 57 seeking a fresh start and it’s been the best decision I’ve made. Now as I turn 61, I’ve found purpose, pride, and community through training, safety roles, and a workplace that values everyone, no matter their background or age. I never want to retire – I’m having way too much fun!”
Stuart Penny is from Dunfermline and works at the Amazon fulfilment centre in the city. He works in the customer returns department, and as an instructor training new employees. After spending most of his childhood in Lusaka, Zambia, where his father worked building schools, he returned to the UK at the age of seven. He said:
“I came back to go to Strathallan, a boarding school in Perth. I owe a lot to the quality of teaching I received there. Now that I’m lucky enough to train people beginning their careers at Amazon, I take much inspiration from my schoolteachers that taught me how to be an eloquent and productive member of society.”
Before joining Amazon in 2020, Stuart worked for 35 years in sales at Andrew Thomson in Dunfermline. Due to the pandemic, the company closed, and Stuart was left without a job. He says:
“I just knew I needed to find a job. I was offered a six-month position by a different company, but I decided to take a risk and turn it down for a role at Amazon instead. People thought I wouldn’t like working here, but they couldn’t have been more wrong! I secured a permanent position after around eight months and decided then to become a trainer.”
Stuart’s career journey and love for his role at Amazon inspired the judges to give him a seat on the plane to Seattle. He explains:
“I can’t describe how much I love training. It’s like I have a fire inside me, and I want to take that and give it to each person I train. My role in sales gave me so many transferable skills that I can now use as a trainer, because I am essentially selling myself, selling the system and selling the process. It brings me a real buzz to see people I’ve trained able to get on with the job at hand – that means I’ve done my job properly.”
Stuart’s love for his job spurred him to submit his story to the I Found the Right Place judges. After a week in Seattle, he looks back on when he got the news he was going on the trip:
“I found out I was going to Seattle on Friday 13th, which I thought was funny. I couldn’t believe I had been chosen to go. When I finally got to tell everyone at work, they were so delighted for me. I was most excited to tell my 94-year-old mother. She was so proud of me and assured me my dad would be ever so proud, too.”
Stuart got to see and experience a lot when he was in Seattle, but what was his highlight of the trip?
“It’s been an honour and a privilege to meet my colleagues from around the UK who joined me on the trip, and everyone at Amazon in Seattle. Every last person on this trip has the spark and belief in ourselves, and a real belief in Amazon. We are all proof that there are so many opportunities with Amazon to learn and grow. I intend to stay with Amazon as a trainer for a very long time.”
Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline, added: “Stuart is a much-loved member of the team here at Amazon in Dunfermline and we were so pleased when we found out he was off to Seattle. We’re proud to have him represent our team on the trip and I hope he had a brilliant time. I Found the Right Place is one of the many programmes we run here at Amazon to show our appreciation for the colleagues that deliver smiles for our customers every day.”
Amazon employees receive competitive pay and comprehensive benefits. The minimum starting pay for frontline operations employees is between £13.50 and £14.50 p/h, depending on location. For those with 36 months service, this is £13.75 and £14.75p/h, depending on location. This equates to an annual starting salary of between £28,080 and £30,160, depending on location, for full-time frontline employees across the country.
Amazon has invested £550m in increased pay for operations employees across the UK since 2022, representing a 35% increase in the hourly rate in just two years. Additionally, from day one, all employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package including private medical insurance, life assurance, income protection, subsidized meals and an employee discount. Together, these benefits are worth more than £700 annually, and employees can take advantage of Amazon’s company pension plan.
Amazon employees can also take part in Amazon’s Career Choice programme, which covers up to 100% of tuition and fees for courses in high-demand fields, regardless of whether the participant proceeds to pursue a career at Amazon.
Amazon has been named as a ‘Top Employer UK 2025’ by the Top Employer Institute, for the second year in a row, one of the world’s most prestigious certifications in the field of human resources management. This award recognises Amazon’s commitment to the development and well-being of its employees. In addition to the UK accolade, Amazon has also been certified as one of the Top Employers in Europe for a third consecutive year.
In 2025, Amazon ranked in second place on LinkedIn’s Top Companies list — an annual list that identifies the most sought-after large companies to work for and grow your career in the UK. Using data from LinkedIn’s 900 million members, LinkedIn’s Top Companies list is designed to help professionals identify the best companies to grow their careers.
Looking After Your Eyes
National Eye Health Week | 22–28 September
Your eyes matter. Whether it’s a minor irritation or a serious condition, knowing where to turn for trusted advice is key.
NHS inform offers clear, reliable guidance on a wide range of eye conditions—from conjunctivitis and diabetic retinopathy to deafblindness and eye cancer.
If you or someone you know is waiting for treatment or support, RNIB Scotland ’s Waiting Well service is also available to provide advice.
Check out the links in our comments and explore symptoms, treatments, and when to seek help!
Author talk at Stockbridge Library
MONDAY 6th OCTOBER from 6 – 7.30pm
“The devil has trouble sleeping. Caretaking human souls has taken its toll and he is suffering from insomnia. Enter Peter, a human soul and former musician who the devil believes can write music to help him sleep.
‘Peter is under the watchful eye of Balthazar, a demon and the devil’s right-hand man. Their budding friendship will be tested as Balthazar tries to keep the devil’s weakness a secret and fight off an attempted coup.
‘Meanwhile, Peter attempts this seemingly impossible task while adjusting to his new life in hell, and reminiscing about his previous turbulent life.”
Join us for interesting conversation with Leith-based author Ben Docherty about his debut book “Lullabies for Satan”
Green Freeport boost for Highlands
£25 million UK Government investment in Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport unlocked
The Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport has reached a historic milestone in establishing the Highlands a major international hub for the offshore wind and renewable energy sector.
A memorandum of understanding creating a formal framework for co-operation and responsibilities was signed by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Highland Council and Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport on Thursday. Crucially, the signing unlocks £25 million of UK Government capital funding.
The Green Freeport will support skills growth in the Highlands. Over the next 25 years, it is poised to create more than 11,000 long-term jobs and a workforce equipped with future-ready skills. It will attract over £6.5b of investment to build a legacy for future generations.
Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “This is a pivotal moment in the UK Government’s mission to boost economic growth in all parts of the UK.
“The Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport will transform the economy of the Highlands, as well as playing a key role in our clean energy future.
“Supported by £25m of UK Government investment, and a range of UK Government tax incentives, this important collaboration between governments and local partners will deliver thousands of high-quality jobs and attract billions in investment.”
The signing took place at Aurora Energy Services’ recently opened £1.2m training facility in Inverness on Thursday.
The new centre will train more than 2,000 workers for the renewables sector every year and will become a valuable part of the supply chain needed to deliver the Freeport’s ambition.
Prestigious award presented to University of Edinburgh veterinary student at BVA Day
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has honoured the achievements and dedication of two veterinary professionals at its annual BVA Day.
The BVA Research Travel Scholarship (Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Scholarship Fund) was awarded to University of Edinburgh final year vet student Natalie Bubenheim and the BVA Council Impact Award (Bleby Cup) was presented to Dr Veselina Trufcheva-Edwards at the annual BVA members event, held at its London headquarters in Mansfield Street on Thursday (25 September).
The event included the association’s Annual General Meeting and the election of its new President and Junior Vice President.
Natalie Bubenheim – winner of the BVA Research Travel Scholarship (Harry Steele-Bodger Memorial Scholarship Fund)
This travel scholarship was established in 1953 to honour Mr Henry Steele-Bodger, President of the BVA 1939-41, in recognition of his great services to the veterinary profession and to agriculture, particularly during the Second World War.
The full award has been granted to Natalie Bubenheim, to assist her towards her contribution to the project ‘Analysis of Performance and Health Indicators in a Commercial Goat and Sheep Herd/Flock in Malawi’.
Natalie, a final year University of Edinburgh veterinary student, has a strong interest in wildlife and livestock health in low-income regions.
During her first degree, she spent six months studying in South Africa, an experience that inspired her pursuit of veterinary medicine and a commitment to improving animal health in Southern Africa.
She is also a committee member of the Edinburgh Farm Animal Veterinary Society, and a member of the Dick Vet Wildlife and Zoological Society.
Veterinary student Natalie Bubenheim said: “I’m incredibly grateful for the funding which has made this project possible. Without this support, I would not have been able to travel to Malawi to carry out the research on-site.
“The opportunity to collaborate directly with local students and staff, visit the farms, and understand the real-world conditions is essential to the success and impact of the project.
“This funding is not only enabling valuable research into herd health and productivity but also helping strengthen veterinary education and food security in the Lilongwe community.”
Dr Veselina Trufcheva-Edwards MRCVS – winner of BVA Council Impact Award (Bleby Cup)
The BVA Council Impact Award (Bleby Cup) is presented annually to the BVA Council member who has made an outstanding contribution at Council.
This year, the award goes to Veselina Trufcheva.Having qualified as a vet in 2006 from Trakia University in Bulgaria and with experience in both EU and UK practices, she has been working as a small animal vet in the UK for 13 years, most recently as a senior vet in a West London small animal practice.
She was first elected for BVA Council as the representative for London in February 2023 and has since contributed actively to debates, representing the views of West London vets within Council discussions.
Veselina has also hosted many visits for BVA’s team, to give them an invaluable insight into veterinary life, and always takes the time to acknowledge hard work from everyone at BVA HQ.
Small animal vet Veselina Trufcheva-Edwards said: “I am honoured and at the same time deeply moved to receive the John Bleby Cup.
“I am grateful to be part of an organisation that shapes the future for the veterinary profession and honoured to represent the diverse voices of our London region.
“Working with likeminded and passionate individuals, channelling all BVA tools to support others and representing members at council meetings to shape new policy, has been an empowering experience, both personally and professionally.”
Outgoing British Veterinary Association President Dr Elizabeth Mullineaux said: “It is such a pleasure to be able to highlight the achievements and dedication of exceptional members of the veterinary profession and these prestigious awards go to worthy winners.
“BVA trustees were really impressed with Natalie’s application and exciting choice of project – they especially liked the fact it combines building her skills, benefits to animal welfare and sharing her knowledge with local students. This is a really special project and we know Natalie has a bright future ahead of her.
“Veselina’s dedication to the BVA Council and her efforts to always represent the voices of those in her region demonstrate her passion and dedication.
“We have also always noticed how she always takes the time to thank people for their own hard work. In a challenging profession, the simple kindness of a few words of thanks goes a long way.”
Tomorrow: Chatterbooks reading club at Costorphine Library
Join us for fun book-related activities at Corstorphine Library tomorrow – Monday, 29th September – from 4 – 5pm.
