Just a 10p donation can feed a hungry child with Mary’s Meals charity initiative, backed by Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod
School children in Scotland can be heroes for hungry children in some of the world’s poorest communities by donating their pocket money for porridge.
Mary’s Meals’ Pocket Money for Porridge campaign, run in partnership with Inner Wheel, is calling on teachers to set up a collection where pupils can each donate 10p to the charity. The charity’s low-cost approach means they can serve a school meal to a hungry child for just 10p.
Mary’s Meals feeds three million children with a nutritious meal every school day in 16 countries. The promise of a daily meal encourages children from the world’s poorest communities into the classroom where they will gain an education that could be their ladder out of poverty.
In some of the countries where Mary’s Meals works – Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe – the school meal served is a vitamin-enriched porridge, which helps children to learn and grow. Schools are being encouraged to run a Pocket Money for Porridge collection in conjunction with World Porridge Day on 10 October.
The initiative is being backed by social media sensation and bestselling cookbook author Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean Baker.
Coinneach, cookbook author, TV star and a judge in this year’s Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship, says: “It’s incredible that something as humble as my favourite breakfast – porridge oats, can do so much good.
“Filling a hungry child’s tummy and opening the door to learning, that’s the wonderful work of Mary’s Meals.
“I’d love for kids in classrooms in Scotland to support Mary’s Meals this World Porridge Day and throughout October by bringing 10p to class, which can stop a child going hungry.”
For Ivy, a pupil at Nansato Primary School in Malawi, her daily cup of porridge makes a real difference to her performance in school. She says: “Porridge gives me enough energy to learn better.
“After eating porridge, I actively take part in class and the porridge keeps me healthy. If there was no porridge at school, it could have been difficult for me to understand what the teachers teach due to hunger.”
Sally Davidson, Supporter Engagement Officer at Mary’s Meals, says: “Just 10p can change the world!We can serve a school meal to a hungry child for that tiny amount, and we want pupils here to help this October.
“World Porridge Day is coming up on October 10 and there’s never been a better time to make the power of porridge go even further!”
Teachers can download a Pocket Money for Porridge fundraising pack, packed full of ways their class can get involved, from:
Aura Print has found that over the past five years, Good Morning Britain has racked up nearly 92,000 Ofcom complaints, making it the most complained-about show in the UK.
Reality favourites like Love Island and outspoken presenters such as Julia Hartley-Brewer and Dan Wootton aren’t far behind, whilst royal-related shows such as Harry and Meghan’s Oprah appearance and the King’s Coronation sparked nearly 15,000 complaints in total.
Key findings:
Piers Morgan comments on Meghan Markle had the most complaints for a single broadcast: 57,973
Piers Morgan, Julia Hartley-Brewer and Dan Wootton are amongst the most complained about TV presenters in the UK
MAFS UK generated under 2,000 complaints, showing Love Island especially riles viewers
Royal coverage triggers complaints: King Charles Coronation (8,000 complaints) Oprah with Meghan & Harry (6,500)
Emmerdale takes the lead as the British soap with the most complains
ITV is the station with the most complaints with over 210,000, followed by TalkTV with over 20,000 and GBNews with over 17,000
So, whichTV shows are the most complained about of the past 5 years?
Good Morning Britain has racked up nearly 92,000 Ofcom complaints, making it the most complained-about show in the UK.
2021 and 2024 stand out as the years with the highest number of complaints. The single most complained-about episode was on 8 March 2021, with 57,973 complaints, coinciding with the infamous Piers Morgan episode discussing Meghan Markle’s mental health.
Aura Print’s research found that Good Morning Britain sees occasional explosive spikes linked to high-profile controversies, but day-to-day episodes generate around 50–300 complaints each.
Reality favourites likeLove Island follow with over 66,000 complaints, proving that when drama hits the screen, Brits love to dial in. Key moments such as explosive rows, Casa Amor, movie nights, and provocative content generate the bulk of complaints for this show.
In comparison, Married at First Sight UK has generated less than 2k complaints in its run, showing that Love Island especially riles up Brits.
Second to Piers Morgan, Julia Hartley-Brewer is one of the most complained-about presenters, racking up 18,500 complaints, more than double the 9,207 complaints against GB News’ Dan Wootton.
Some shows have sent viewers dialing like never before, particularly when the royals are involved. Coverage of King Charles III’s coronation in May 2023 triggered more than 8,000 complaints, while Oprah with Meghan and Harry received almost 6.5k complaints.
Even fan-favourite entertainment shows aren’t safe. I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! andBig Brother collectively pulled in over 10,000 complaints, with moments like bug-eating trials and live evictions sending viewers into a frenzy.
The most complained about episodes of TV in the past 5 years
Programme
Service
Air Date
Number of complaints (2021-2025)
Good Morning Britain
ITV
8 + 9 March 2021
57,973
Love Island
ITV2
6 August 2021
24763
Julia Hartley-Brewer
TalkTV
3 January 2024
15536
Dan Wootton Tonight
GB News
26 September 2023
8846
Good Morning Britain
ITV1
5 August 2024
8419
Good Morning Britain
ITV1
5 August 2024
8201
Celebrities: What’s Happened to Your Face?
Channel 5
22 April 2021
7082
Oprah with Meghan and Harry
ITV
8 March 2021
4,398
Love Island
ITV2
28 July 2021
4330
King Charles III: The Coronation
ITV1
6 May 2023
4165
King Charles III: The Coronation
ITV1
6 May 2023
4087
Leading the charge is Good Morning Britain, whose 8 March 2021 broadcast racked up a staggering 57,973 complaints, the most for any single episode in recent history.
Ofcom has since reminded broadcasters to provide timely warnings or signposting for sensitive content, especially around topics such as mental health and suicide. Their statement included:
“Mr Morgan’s comments were potentially harmful and offensive to viewers, and we recognise the strong public reaction to them. But we also took full account of freedom of expression. Under our rules, broadcasters can include controversial opinions as part of legitimate debate in the public interest, and the strong challenge to Mr Morgan from other contributors provided important context for viewers.”
Love Island’s 6 August 2021 episode received 24,763 complaints after contestant Faye Winters outburst at her interest Teddy Soares. The outburst sparked widespread viewer complaints around whether the show did enough to step in.
The most complained about TV episode of 2024 was Julia Hartley-Brewer’s TalkTV show on 3 January 2024 provoked 15,536 complaints,
Dan Wootton Tonight racked up 8,846 complaints when Laurence Fox made derogatory remarks about Ava Evans following her appearance on the BBC’s Politics Live, calling her “pathetic and embarrassing” and questioning her appeal to men.
People across Edinburgh and the east are being encouraged to sign up for a fundraising walk that pays tribute to people with dementia.
Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk 2025 takes place on Sunday, 26 October and will raise vital funds to support dementia care, research and improvements in brain health.
Communities across the area are being invited to join the event in Lauriston Castle Gardens on Cramond Road South, where they can walk in memory of loved ones affected by the illness.
The Edinburgh event is the last of four memory walks taking place across Scotland throughout 2025.
Events have also taken place in Dundee, Aberdeen and Glasgow. Tickets cost just £10 for adults and children can be registered for free. It’s quick and easy to set up a sponsorship page, which can be shared with family, friends and colleagues.
Every penny raised will help people with dementia and their carers, as well as supporting better brain health for everyone in Scotland.
Scotland’s Memory Walk is also about celebrating the lives of people with dementia and walking to remember them.
Among those taking part is Karen Witherspoon from Cleikiminfield, Edinburgh.She will be walking in memory of her mum Margaret Walker who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and passed away in 2024 aged 82.
Karen, 61, a university administration manager, will be joined on the walk by husband John, daughters Lauren, 37, and Amy, 32, and son-in-law Patrick.
She said: “My mum Margaret was such a loving person who was devoted to her family. She was always there for me and my sister Nicola, and when I had my daughters she spent almost every day with them.
“She loved bingo, reading and music, and kept fit by going for walks with my dad William and her best pal Pat.
“She was the best mum.
“We started noticing signs that things weren’t quite right and then in 2021 she was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. It seemed to progress fast, but we did our best to make the most of the time we had with her.
“Alzheimer Scotland have been a great source of advice and support for us, and before mum passed she joined us on our first memory walk to raise money for them – walking around Arthur’s Seat.
“It felt good to be able to give back and this year we’ll be taking part in the memory walk again. Whatever we raise, I hope it helps support the work Alzheimer Scotland are doing so that other families like ours can get the help and support they need.
“It’s a shame mum isn’t here to join in, but we’ll be doing it in her memory. I hope she’s looking down and is proud of us.”
Lauren Heap, Centre Manager for Alzheimer Scotland’s Edinburgh and West Lothian’s Brain Health and Dementia Resource Centre, said: “Alzheimer Scotland is proud to support people living with dementia and their families and carers, from our centres here in Edinburgh.
“We are delighted to host this Memory Walk in Edinburgh. It is such a special event and it will be wonderful to walk alongside our supporters again in the local community.
“Scotland’s Memory Walk has always had a wonderful ability to bring people together. Every pound raised helps Alzheimer Scotland continue to develop and deliver vital dementia support. We can’t wait to see Lauriston Castle Gardens filled with a sea of purple t-shirts.”
To find out more and to sign up for Scotland’s Memory Walk, visit:
Picutred: Neil Thompson, RHASS Director and Rev Dr Scott Rennie
RHASS and Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral come together to celebrate the extraordinary efforts of Scotland’s farmers in a Harvest Thanksgiving service
A John Deere tractor and a seed drill took centre stage outside of Edinburgh’s St Giles’ Cathedral yesterday (5th October) as the exceptional efforts and hard work of Scotland’s farming community were recognised in a Harvest Thanksgiving service in partnership with RHASS (the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland).
Conducted by Rev Dr Scott Rennie, the service celebrated the tireless efforts of Scotland’s farming community, while acknowledging the ever-changing weather conditions farmers across the country have faced ahead of this year’s harvest.
Displays of seasonal vegetables, including broccoli, pumpkins, potatoes, parsnips and carrots were donated by RHASS Directors for the service from farms across the country to shine a light on the array of local produce grown in Scotland.
RHET (the Royal Highland Education Trust) also supported the Harvest Thanksgiving celebrations by creating a display inside the cathedral.
Their exhibit drew on educational resources used in schools to highlight what’s in season, Scottish crops, images of harvesting through the ages, examples of school growing projects, and a seasonal calendar.
This provided visitors with a chance to reflect on Scotland’s food harvest and the work of farmers, while showcasing RHET’s role in connecting young people with food and farming.
The produce on display during the service has since been donated to Edinburgh charities, Empty Kitchens Full Hearts, the Grassmarket Community Project and the Salvation Army Hostel, to be made into meals for those in the city who are in need.
RHASS Chairman, James Logan, said: “At RHASS, we’re proud to stand side by side Scotland’s rural community all year round and the harvest season provides us with an opportunity to take stock and show our incredible gratitude towards those farmers working day and night to help feed our nation.
“This year has brought more unpredictable weather and following a dry spring harvest experiences can vary widely for each farmer. Everyone involved in farming and rural life plays a vital role in producing our food, and they all deserve recognition and thanks. Sunday’s service provided a wonderful opportunity to celebrate these efforts, and we are grateful to all who joined us and shared produce in support of local causes.”
Speaking on the Harvest Thanksgiving service, Katrina Barclay, Executive Officer at RHET, commented: “As an education charity, it’s an honour for RHET to be asked by the team at St Giles to be part of this celebration of harvest and to share some of the learning information we create for teachers all about food and farming in Scotland.”
Catherine Jones, Social Enterprise Director, said: “We are truly thankful for this incredible donation of fresh vegetables again this year.
“Every week, we support more than 230 vulnerable adults who often struggle to access healthy and nutritious meals. Food poverty continues to be a serious issue across our communities, and contributions like this make a real difference to those most affected.
“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to St Giles’ Cathedral for their ongoing support, and to RHASS and the dedicated farmers whose hard work has made this gift possible.”
Rev Dr Scott Rennie, Minister of St Giles’ Cathedral, said: “In this time when we are more than ever aware of our need of local food production and the vital role that Scottish farmers in bringing the food we need to our tables, we are delighted to partner with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.
“There is a particular poignancy to celebrating the Harvest in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, a city filled with tables set for visitors and residents alike. We are reminded of where our food comes from, and the labour in its production. For all this, and more, we give thanks to God.
“Bringing farming equipment to the Royal Mile is one way to remind us of all of our dependence on those who work hard to produce our food.”
For further information about the work of RHASS, visit: rhass.org.uk
A team of food researchers who developed an innovative new replacement for palm fat in the bakery industry has received a welcome funding boost from the Scottish Government.
The move will see the team progress commercial opportunities with new industry partners to provide healthy sustainable solutions for the food industry, and a reduced reliance on the use of palm fat in the bakery industry.
The researchers at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh developed Palm-Alt, a new ingredient which replaces palm shortening, margarine and butter in a variety of bakery applications. Palm-Alt is considerably lower in saturated fat and carbon emissions when compared with palm, butter or margarine.
Palm shortening is widely used in a vast amount of baked goods such as biscuits, cakes and pastries, but palm cultivation is linked with tropical rainforest destruction.
The University’s new replacement ingredient could offer significant solutions for the food industry allowing manufacturers to satisfy increasing consumer demand for tasty, lower fat, healthier food products, whilst reducing destruction of the world’s rainforests.
Due to its composition, high yield and low production costs, the global food industry has become dependent on palm shortening, resulting in its over-cultivation. Its high saturated fat content, which allows it to remain solid at room temperature, has proven crucial to the industrial bakery sector.
The new ingredient, which is a clean label blend of rapeseed oil, fibres and proteins, can be produced locally and at a global scale. During its initial trial period, the University’s research team demonstrated that when Palm-Alt was used as a replacement in baked goods, products such as cakes, biscuits and bread maintained their texture, flavour and colour.
When news about its initial success and its health and sustainable credentials went viral in 2023, there was a huge surge of interest from food manufacturers across the globe, all keen to know more about this exciting new replacement product and its potential to positively impact the food industry.
More recently, the QMU team have moved testing out of the University’s labs, with successful trialling of Palm-Alt in industrial manufacturing settings, and with excellent results when tested as an ingredient in partners’ own products. The research team are currently in commercialisation and licensing discussions of PalmAlt with a number of interested UK food manufacturers.
A new funding boost of £239k from the Scottish Government is now allowing the team to progress the development of an extended range of Palm-Alt to enable further applications. This work is set to include new collaborations with food industry partners ranging from ingredient producers to finished food product manufacturers from across the food industry.
The innovative new palm substitute has been developed by Dr Julien Lonchamp, Reader in Food Science, and Catriona Liddle, Head of the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation at QMU.
Catriona explained: “We set out to develop a new ingredient that would not only be better for the environment but also healthier than palm fat and current alternatives.
“Our trials at the University and now in industry settings have demonstrated that Palm-Alt works successfully as a replacement for palm-based shortening in baked goods.
“With up to 25% less fat and 89% less saturated fat, it is healthier, and as it can be produced locally, it could significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the impact of food miles and deforestation of global rainforests associated with palm production.”
Catriona continued: “After seven years of research and development it is exciting to see the level of interest and enthusiasm from the food industry and our current partners. We are delighted that the Scottish Government is recognising the commercial potential of Palm-Alt as an effective replacement ingredient which offers significant health and sustainability benefits.”
Dr Julien Lonchamp confirmed: “Today, the focus on nutrition and on identifying and developing more sustainable food and food sources has never been higher.
“This Proof of Concept funding from the Scottish Government will allow us to continue our work in commercialising Palm-Alt, seeking out new applications and solutions for the food industry in, for example, the use of Palm-Alt in pastry and confectionery products.
“It will help bridge the gap between groundbreaking research and commercial applications, which is essential in helping bring Palm-Alt to the global marketplace.”
The research team are currently being supported by Edinburgh Innovations, the commercialisation service at the University of Edinburgh, who are managing the patent and commercial development of Palm-Alt, including engaging in license discussions with a number of interested UK food manufacturers.
Queen Margaret University has been carrying out commercial trials at Opportunity North East (ONE) SeedPod, Scotland’s dedicated food and drink innovation hub in Aberdeen.
Gary McDonald, Senior Market Development Manager at ONE, said: “Delighted to see this project come to fruition at ONE SeedPod.
“The team at the Scottish Centre for Food Development and Innovation have been such a joy to work with on what is such an innovative project for the industry.”
Jali Collective is proud to reveal the full programme for the first ever Jali Film Weekender, taking place at Filmhouse, Edinburgh from 30 October – 2 November 2025, with tickets now on sale.
Following the earlier announcement of the festival’s opening and closing films and its Extended Realities exhibition, the complete line-up now brings together a dynamic mix of award-winning features, Scottish and UK premieres, discussions, workshops and short films under the festival’s inaugural theme, Dreams and Apparitions.
Spanning more than a dozen countries across Africa, the diaspora and beyond, the programme presents stories that move between the intimate and the cosmic, the past and the future. With premieres direct from major festivals including Berlin, Sundance and Locarno, and films representing their countries at the Academy Awards, Jali Film Weekender positions Edinburgh as a new gathering place for Black, African and diasporic cinema.
PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS
In addition to opening film Memory of Princess Mumbi and closing film Promised Sky, among the headline feature film titles is the Scottish Premiere of Imran Hamdulay’s The Heart is a Muscle, fresh from its award-winning premiere at Berlinale in February and selection as South Africa’s official Oscar submission.
Other highlights include a special preview of Sofia Alaoui’s Sundance prize-winning sci-fi thriller Animalia, ahead of its highly anticipated UK and Ireland theatrical release later in the year and the Scottish Premiere of Denise Fernandes’ award-winning Hanami, which offers a dreamlike coming-of-age story set on the volcanic islands of Cape Verde.
Acknowledging the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, Jali Film Weekender will also present the Scottish Premiere of Berlinale stand-out Khartoum, in partnership with Scottish Documentary Institute, which offers a moving portrait of life amidst revolution and war. The screening will be followed by an in-conversation with Talal Afifi, producer and founder of Sudan Film Factory.
“We are honoured to be partners of the Jali Film Weekender as it launches in Edinburgh’s cultural landscape,”says Flore Cosquer, Director of Scottish Documentary Institute.
She continues: “The festival’s dedication to building authentic community connections through exceptional cinema resonates deeply with our own values, reflecting our shared belief that communities across Scotland deserve access to storytelling that speaks to the richness of our collective experiences.
“The Jali Collective has poured their passion into this project and created something truly special: a layered, magical programme that goes beyond traditional screenings to foster meaningful conversations.
“This is cinema as community-building at its finest. We are proud to be part of its first chapter, and to get the opportunity to bring to Edinburgh audiences the genre-defying, bold and poetic documentary Khartoum.”
Another documentary work featured in the programme is the Scottish Premiere of Celia Boussebaa‘s Amakki, presented in partnership with maona art, a lyrical meditation on womanhood and motherhood in Ethiopia. The festival also proudly honours cinematic legacy of the late Souleymane Cissé who passed away earlier this year, with a screening of his seminal work Yeelen, now restored in 2K by Les Films Cissé, the production company of Souleymane Cissé.
Finally, the festival’s short film programme spans multiple continents, with new works from across Africa, the Caribbean, North America and Europe, demonstrating the depth and range of diasporic storytelling today.
The programme includes the European premiere of Jard Lerebours’ LESPRI, the UK premiere of Justice Rutikara’s Ibuka, Justice, and Scottish premieres of Yasmine Djedje-Fisher-Azoume’s Dédé (Ancestor), Barbara Minishi’s Inheritance, Samuel Suffren’s Blue Heart (Coeur Bleu), Tomisin Adepeju’s Journey Mercies and many more.
TALKS, WORKSHOPS & GATHERINGS
The Weekender is as much about conversation and participation as it is about film. A central highlight is a public discussion on how to centre Black, African and diaspora audiences in Scotland. Rooted in Jali Collective values of representation and co-creation, the session will bring together creative practitioners, programmers, and community organisers to explore challenges and best practices in making Scotland’s cultural landscape more inclusive, and to share approaches such as community-centred outreach, intentional partnerships and co-programming.
Workshops and interactive experiences also offer audiences ways to connect beyond the cinema screen. The festival will host hands-on creative activities and the previously announced Extended Realities (XR) Exhibition, which will runevery day of the festival and is free to attend.
This includes ARGO, an augmented reality experience designed with children in mind, offering fun and engaging activities for younger audiences, alongside Enkang’ Ang’, an immersive VR journey into Maasai heritage.
Together, these elements ensure that the Weekender is a space for gathering, dialogue and play, welcoming audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
“From films and extended realities to conversations and workshops, our first programme brings together stories that are as urgent as they are visionary” say Jali Collective membersTomiwa Folorunso, Isabel Moura Mendes and Carmen Thompson.
“We are proud to have curated an intentional programme which we hope will resonate with both Edinburgh’s Black, African and diaspora communities as well as the city’s wider filmgoing community. We cannot wait to share it with our audiences!”.
All events will take place at Filmhouse, Edinburgh, which reopened earlier this year as a renewed hub for independent and international cinema.
Jali Film Weekender 2025 is supported by Screen Scotland and Film Hub Scotland (part of the BFI’s Film Audience Network, awarding funding on behalf of Screen Scotland and the BFI National Lottery), alongside the British Council and The Africa Centre, programme partners Scottish Documentary Institute, maona art, and additional support from Jack Arts, Premiere Scotland.
Jali Film Weekender 2025 artwork and branding by 080 Studio, based in Lagos, Nigeria.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) launches consultation to guide how Scotland’s historic places, objects and archives are cared for and used
Public input will influence long-term decisions on managing Scotland’s heritage, and supporting communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) is inviting people across Edinburgh and the Lothians to help shape the future of some of the nation’s most important historic places and collections through a new public consultation.
HES looks after more than 300 historic sites and over 50,000 related objects and archival records, including sites such as Edinburgh and Craigmillar Castles and Linlithgow Palace on behalf of the people of Scotland.
The responses will help inform HES’s Properties and Collections Strategy: Towards Sustainable Stewardship, a long-term plan for how historic places, objects and archives are cared for, used and managed for generations to come.
By sharing their views, people will help HES understand how these historic places and collections matter to communities across Edinburgh and the Lothians, and ensure they’re cared for in ways that benefit future generations.
HES’s new strategy comes at a time when Scotland’s historic environment is facing significant challenges, including climate change and rising costs, to a shortage of traditional skills needed to maintain heritage sites.
At the same time, new technologies are opening up exciting ways to connect with wider audiences through digital access and interpretation.
These places have clear potential to do even more for the communities they serve. Visitor expectations are also evolving, with growing interest in sustainable tourism and more inclusive storytelling.
The consultation gives the public a chance to influence how HES responds to current challenges, makes informed decisions about the care of its historic sites and collections, and ensures those decisions reflect the needs of local communities now and in the future.
Participants will be asked for their views on HES’s proposed strategy, including its long-term vision and where the organisation should focus its efforts across its sites and collections.
Dr David Mitchell, Director of Cultural Assets at HES said: “Scotland’s historic environment requires a shared stewardship approach and the Properties in Care and the Collections associated with them represent some of the best Scotland has to offer as part of that asset base.
“We manage these cultural heritage assets on behalf of Scottish Ministers and therefore the people of Scotland through a long state care tradition.
“We have both challenges and opportunities before us and this strategy seeks to set these out and how we will deal with them going forward.
“What we choose to do will have long lasting consequences so it’s important that all views are taken into account. We know how much these places mean to local communities, to the people of Scotland and those who visit us from overseas.
“They are truly sustainable assets for subsequent generations if we get our approach right – balancing benefits without placing the assets themselves at risk.
“That’s why we’re asking everyone to share their views. These places and objects are an integral part of Scotland’s identity and sense of place – they contribute to our economy and environment, enhance our health and wellbeing and together we have to ensure we get the right balance on what we do and how we do it.
“We’re asking everyone with an interest to take part and help shape the future stewardship approach.”
With Challenge Poverty Week (Monday 6th – Sunday 12th October 2025) taking place this week, Edinburgh Leisure, a registered charity and the city’s largest provider of sports and leisure facilities, is highlighting its commitment to supporting people affected by poverty and inequality to lead active, healthy lives.
Phil Trodden, Health Development Officer at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Poverty and poor health are closely linked. Despite Edinburgh being one of the wealthiest cities in the UK, Edinburgh faces one of the greatest levels of inequality.
“Nearly 82,000 people here are living in poverty, according to the Edinburgh Poverty Commission. Life expectancy can differ by as much as 14 years between the city’s most and least affluent areas.
“We know that people living in deprived communities are far less likely to be physically active, which can have a huge impact on their health and wellbeing.”
Bridging the Gap with the Get Active Card
Edinburgh Leisure’s £10 Get Active Card is designed to break down barriers to physical activity for adults experiencing poverty. The card offers off-peak access to gyms, swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, and group fitness classes across the city – helping people enjoy the life-changing benefits of being active, regardless of their circumstances.
Lorraine’s Story: A Life Transformed
One person who has benefitted from the Get Active Card is Lorraine, who lives with multiple sclerosis and had to stop working due to her health.
After a challenging period of illness, Lorraine was initially unsure about returning to exercise. However, with the encouragement of Edinburgh Leisure’s supportive staff and fellow participants, she soon found herself enjoying regular sessions and gaining confidence in the gym – something she never thought possible.
When funding ended for the programme, she was referred to, Lorraine discovered the Get Active Card. “It’s unbelievable value,” she says.
“Without it, I wouldn’t be able to maintain regular physical activity, especially in a gym setting.” Lorraine has seen improvements in her strength, motivation, and overall quality of life, and has even inspired others to get active.
Real Impact, Real Stories
“Other cardholders have described the Get Active Card as ‘lifechanging,’ ‘a lifesaver’ and ‘so valuable’.
“For many, it’s the only way to access affordable exercise, improve their health, and find respite from daily challenges,” Phil Trodden explains.
How to Apply
Anyone in receipt of the following benefits may be eligible for a Get Active Card:
Universal Credit
Income Support
Job Seekers Allowance
Guaranteed Pension Credit
Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
There are no joining fees or monthly subscriptions- just pay when you can. The Get Active Card costs £10 per month and gives access to Edinburgh Leisure’s gyms, swimming pools and fitness and gym classes, 7 days a week, up until 4pm each day.
The Get Active Care is not available online or via Direct Debit. To sign up, visit any Edinburgh Leisure venue and speak to a Welcome Host, or find out more at:
Projects aimed at tackling child poverty across the country will receive increased, multi-year funding thanks to a boost from the Scottish Government.
Successful applicants to the third round of the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund, now worth more than £1.8 million, will receive grants of up to £100,000 over two years to improve local services.
The Scottish Government has already invested over £1.4 million to support 21 projects across Scotland over the first two rounds of the fund, having launched in 2023.
Previous grants have been used to improve the use of data to identify families who need support, to improve access to financial advice services, and to support parents to engage with employability services.
The fund sits alongside other innovative measures, such as the Five Family Payments, including the Scottish Child Payment, which are helping to reduce child poverty in Scotland.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty, supporting families and giving children the best start in life are the driving principles of this government.
“That’s why, alongside a range of measures, we have reopened this fund to help local authorities and health boards to go further, aiding the collective effort to confine child poverty to history.
“Work through the fund has previously helped maximise income and to tackle household debt, which is vital to easing the strains felt by households as the cost of living rises, and I look forward to receiving many innovative proposals.
“Our collective measures mean that Scotland remains the only part of the UK where child poverty levels are falling.
“We should recognise that progress, but we must not forget that one child living in poverty is one too many. We are laser-focussed on addressing the challenges faced by households across the country, and this fund is another step towards eradicating child poverty.”
Transformation Project Manager at North Ayrshire Council Tracy Simpson said: “The fund supported the council on our journey towards implementing a North Ayrshire Single Shared Assessment model.
“Being involved in the fund’s project network provided an opportunity to share learning and experiences across local authorities and ideas from others helped shape work that could be replicated at North Ayrshire.
“Expanding our network and having access to key contacts has helped us to raise awareness at a government level about the key challenges faced around data reuse to maximise customer entitlements and target unmet need across the public sector. The support provided from the Scottish Government was exceptional.”
The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund strengthens the collaborative efforts to tackle child poverty between the Scottish Government and local partners. Elsewhere, through the Fairer Futures Partnerships (FFPs), the Scottish Government is working with local authorities to test and improve services to better help families living in poverty.
Last month, the First Minister announced an extension to the FFP programme with support now available in 16 regions.
This included expanding to Dumfries & Galloway, Edinburgh, South Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian, meeting a Programme for Government commitment to work to identify further adopters in addition to three new partnerships in Fife, North Lanarkshire and Shetland this year.
Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s driving mission.
As Challenge Poverty Week begins, First Minister @johnswinney highlighted action we're taking to benefit families and how we can go further to help more people access the support they need. pic.twitter.com/eRJJrnMBSG
The proportion of Scottish children living in absolute poverty has reached its lowest level in 30 years and the latest figures (for 2023-24) show that the rates of both relative and absolute child poverty in Scotland were 9 percentage points lower than the UK average.
SAMHUINN FIRE FESTIVAL 2025: FACE THE DARK, FIND COMMUNITY
Copyright Daniel Boyce for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. www.beltane.org / www.facebook.com/beltanefiresociety
On Friday 31st October 2025, Edinburgh’s historic Calton Hill will once again blaze with fire, myth, and performance as the Samhuinn Fire Festival marks the turning of the seasons, brought to you by Beltane Fire Society.
Reimagining ancient Celtic traditions through immersive, contemporary performance, Samhuinn tells the story of the struggle between Summer and Winter, light and dark.
Drummers, acrobats, dancers, and a host of otherworldly characters will transform the city’s skyline with fire, music, and ritual.
At the heart of the festival stands the Cailleach – the divine Crone – who guides us through this time of transition.
Copyright Daniel Boyce for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. www.beltane.org / www.facebook.com/beltanefiresociety
She asks: ‘Have you lived with care and courage? Have you supported your community and thought with nuance?’
With Her deer by her side, and with the Summer and Winter Courts locked in their eternal battle, the audience will be invited to step into the dark with courage and connection.
This year, Samhuinn centres on radical connection: the strength we find in each other, the wisdom of perspective, and the courage to face our shadows.
The festival is both a spectacle and a reflection, a chance to gather as a community and embrace the coming of winter together.
Copyright Sébastien Lemaire for Beltane Fire Society. All Rights Reserved. www.beltane.org / www.facebook.com/beltanefiresociety
Chair of Beltane Fire Society, Jenny Bloom, says: “”As the dark Scottish Winter approaches, hundreds of volunteers and thousands of witnesses will join together on Samhuinn night to welcome Winter, to honour the Summer’s passing, and make something magical on Calton Hill. Come and join us!”
EVENT INFORMATION
Tickets
Adults from £9.50 in advance Under 18s £7 in advance Booking fees an additional cost. Tickets are only available from our authorised box office supplier, Citizen Ticket, and are not available for resale or transfer on any secondary market.
Do not attempt to buy tickets for sale on other platforms – they will not be genuine.
Location: Calton Hill
Times Gates open: 6:30pm Event ends: 11pm.
Samhuinn brings together a host of volunteer performers with fire-play, drumming, and wild costumes to Calton Hill, marking the transition of Summer into Winter. Audiences will witness a host of characters representing Summer and Winter.
The characters will coalesce around a stage where the mysterious figure of the Cailleach, a Celtic representation of the goddess, or Divine Hag, will usher in the colder months.
The Beltane Fire Society is a registered Scottish charity run by volunteers and a staple of Edinburgh’s cultural scene, dedicated to keeping the ancient Celtic calendar alive and sharing skills of street theatre, costume-making, folklore, music and immersive performance.
Its Summer counterpart, Samhuinn takes place at Calton Hill on the last day of October each year. The festival celebrates one of the four Celtic quarter day festivals and marks the end of Winter and the beginning of Summer.
