Month: October 2025

BBC’s Dr Punam Krishan announced as Patron of Scottish breast cancer charity The House of Hope

Resident doctor on BBC’s Morning Live, Dr Punam Krishan, has been announced as the first official patron of the Scottish breast cancer charity, The House of Hope, Scotland’s first dedicated wellbeing and support centre for those impacted by breast cancer.

Dr Punam, who dazzled on Strictly Come Dancing last year, made a special visit to Edinburgh on Thursday 2 October to help officially open The House of Hope during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Glasgow-based GP made a name for herself presenting Laid Bare for BBC Scotland, as well as making regular appearances on BBC’s Morning Live and BBC Radio Scotland. 

The charity was founded by Lisa Fleming – who was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017 and given just six months to live at that time – along with husband Euan. The House of Hope will provide a supportive space for people impacted by breast cancer, as well as access to holistic therapies and wellbeing services away from the sterile hospital or clinical setting to compliment medical treatments.


Founder of The House of Hope, Lisa Fleming, said: “It is incredible to have Dr Punam on board – her advocacy for women’s health and patient-first approach to healthcare is exactly what The House of Hope is all about and we can’t wait to officially launch in October with Dr Punam as our patron.

“The NHS does not have the operational resources or funding to provide additional holistic care and support for breast cancer patients in and around Edinburgh. The House of Hope will help to fill this void, providing the much-needed community space and compassionate support we know is so vital for patients and their families.” 

In her role as patron for The House of Hope, Dr Punam will support the charity through the provision of online advice and attending nominated fundraising events aligning with her own dedication to raising awareness of women’s health concerns through her work with the BBC and her own social channels. 

Dr Punam, Patron of The House of Hope, said: “Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is a difficult experience, so having a dedicated place like The House of Hope to come to is such a great resource and an important step in the healing process. I’m proud to be appointed a Patron of such a life-changing charity.”

Dr Punam is also a published author, with her third children’s book released earlier this year (August 2025). The Superhero’s First Aid Manual is a fun and colourful book packed with life-saving knowledge for children, who are often the first people at an emergency. 

The House of Hope charity was inspired by London’s first-ever specialised breast cancer centre, Future Dreams House, which offers support through a range of services for women affected by breast cancer, including counselling, yoga, massage, nutrition advice, and peer support groups.

https://houseofhope.org.uk

SCVO: Value of charity donations down by 30% in five years

SCVO analysis shows individual giving fell in real-terms by more than £240 million in 2023  

The value of charity donations is down by almost a third in the past five years, new research from SCVO finds.  

The voluntary sector body’s new report, Individual Giving in Scotland: donations, legacies and fundraising, shows income from individual giving made up 15% of the Scottish charity sector’s income in 2023, down from around 20% in 2018 and previous years. 

Individual giving from the general public was worth an estimated £1.2bn to Scottish charities in 2023. 

But the value of donations has fallen by 30% in real terms since 2018, while fewer individuals are donating to charity – although many who do donate are giving larger amounts. 

Most income streams from the general public were hit hard by Covid, and while many of these income streams have now bounced back, they have generally not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. 

Data from the Spring 2025 Scottish Third Sector Tracker suggests that a rising number of voluntary organisations saw positive growth in both donations and fundraising income, suggesting some reasons for cautious optimism despite the challenging financial environment. 

The voluntary sector body said the falling value of donations underlines the importance of the Scottish Government’s move towards Fair Funding.  

SCVO head of policy, Kirsten Hogg, said: “Individual giving is an important part of the complex patchwork of funding sources that Scotland’s voluntary organisations rely on, and these findings are really concerning – especially when combined with what we know about cuts in public sector funding and the increasing costs and demands that voluntary organisations are facing. 

“The cost of living crisis has hit individual giving hard, impacting on people’s ability to put their hands in their pockets – including for legacies, donations, fundraising and trading.  Over the same period, we saw a reduction in the number of people volunteering their time, and together these paint a worrying picture about the extent to which people are able to support charities and community groups.  

“While we remain hopeful that we may see a slight upturn in both donations and volunteering numbers, the resource difficulties that voluntary organisations are facing mean that many will continue to encounter challenges on a scale we’ve not seen before. 

“Scotland’s voluntary sector is a fundamental part of Scottish society, and demand for support is rising. Vital support continues to be delivered to every community in Scotland, and we must do everything we can to protect organisations from the pressures they are facing.” 

Claire Stanley, director of policy and communications at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, said: “Charities across Scotland are working harder than ever to support the communities and individuals who need them.

“SCVO’s research highlights the difficult reality facing the sector right now, and we are hearing from our members that demand for services is increasing yearly – yet they are working with fewer resources while trying to deliver more. 

“And while it is encouraging to see many supporters giving generously, we know the cost-of-living crisis has hit people hard in recent years, and the overall drop in donations presents a significant challenge. That is why fair and reliable funding for charities is so important, to ensure that communities across Scotland can continue to count on the support they need, now and in the future.” 

Challenging poverty with ‘family friendly policies’

FM commits to putting more money in Scots’ pockets and urges UK Government to act

Challenge Poverty Week – The Poverty Alliance 

First Minister John Swinney has said the Scottish Government is committed to putting “more money in people’s pockets” through policies that alleviate financial pressures on families as Challenge Poverty Week begins.

The First Minister said the Scottish Government’s cost of living guarantee, which includes free bus travel for 2.3 million people, more than £6,000 in early learning and childcare support for each eligible child, free prescriptions and other measures, is delivering real savings for families across the country.  

The guarantee sits alongside wider support, such as the Five Family Payments, including the Scottish Child Payment, which are reducing poverty. 

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.   

Scottish Government policies are estimated to keep 70,000 children out of relative poverty in 2025-26. This impact is projected to grow over time to reach 100,000 children by 2028-29 – in part owing to plans to mitigate the UK Government’s two-child limit, which should keep 20,000 children out of poverty next year.  

Mr Swinney said: “Tackling child poverty is this government’s defining mission and our determination is backed up by a commitment to put more money in people’s pockets and deliver real savings to support families.   

“There are fewer children in poverty in Scotland than the rest of the UK because we have made bold policy choices backed by an unwavering resolve. 

“The Scottish Child Payment was benefitting around 322,000 children and their families as of the end of June. Our free school meals programme is providing nutritious meals to more than 230,000 primary school pupils. We have cut costs for commuters by scrapping peak rail fares. Some 2.3 million people travel free on buses. And we’re mitigating the two-child limit early next year.  

“The UK Government, if it is serious about tackling poverty, must match our ambition and, at the very least, fully scrap the two-child limit so that a generation of children don’t have their opportunities limited by inaction. 

“But scrapping the two-child limit should also be done alongside the removal of the benefit cap. It is unconscionable to me that the UK Government could fail to address this – it must scrap both punitive policies.  

“If it does, and it matches the Scottish Child Payment and introduces an Essentials Guarantee, our modelling estimates that the UK Government could reduce relative child poverty in Scotland by 100,000 children next year.   

“We have made a difference through bold, game-changing policies. The blueprint is there. It is time for the UK Government to act.”

Challenge Poverty Week – The Poverty Alliance 

The cost-of-living guarantee: 

  • Lower income tax than in England for the majority of workers 
  • Continuation of free prescriptions and free eye appointments 
  • Free bus travel for 2.3 million people  
  • Scottish undergraduate students will continue to pay no tuition fees 
  • Funded childcare hours, which would otherwise cost families more than £6,000 a year per eligible child. 
  • Free school meals, which save the average family who take up the offer £450 per child per year, will be expanded, and more breakfast clubs introduced. 
  • Delivering Pension Age Winter Heating Payments for eligible Scottish pensioners in 2025-26
  • Scrapping peak rail fares 

The Five Family Payments include: 

  • The Scottish Child Payment, which is a weekly payment of £27.15 for each eligible child under 16 years of age. 
  • The Best Start Grant includes three payments designed to support families at different stages, including during pregnancy and when a child starts school, including: 
  • the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, which is a payment of £767.50 on the birth of the first child and £383.75 on the birth of any subsequent children 
  • the Early Learning Payment, which is a payment of £319.80 per child for children between 2 and 3.5 years old to support child development 
  • the School Age Payment, which is a payment of £319.80 per child to help with the costs of preparing for school 
  • Best Start Foods, which is a prepaid card to buy healthy foods for eligible pregnant women and families with children under the age of three, with a minimum payment of £5.40 a week. 

The Child Poverty Action Group estimates that the two-child limit on benefits is pulling 109 more children into poverty every day.

Latest figures on child poverty rates in Scotland compared to rest of UK

Child poverty summary showing the proportion of Scottish children living in absolute poverty has reached its lowest level in 30 years

Households with children in the poorest 10% of households are also estimated to be £2,600 a year better off in 2025-26. 

Fort Kinnaird to welcome new line-up of popular brands in time for Christmas

Fort Kinnaird has announced a major transformation that will bring a host of much-loved retailers to the centre, with some set to open in time for Christmas.

The centre’s Eastern Terrace is getting a fresh new look, with premium beauty brand Rituals and popular card and gifting retailer Clintons confirmed to be joining the line-up – with a third high-profile brand set to be announced shortly.

A number of much-loved stores already based at the centre will also be getting a design refresh. Specsavers has already reopened in its newly refurbished space, with a revamped Costa Coffee set to launch inside Next in the coming months, providing the opportunity to take a pause while shopping with family or friends.

It’s all part of a wider refurbishment of the centre which will deliver more than 20,000 sq ft of upgraded space – allowing even more great stores for shoppers to explore.

Liam Smith, centre direct at Fort Kinnaird, said: “This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Fort Kinnaird. We’re continuing to invest in the centre to bring even more of the brands our visitors love, alongside giving some of our most popular retailers a fantastic new look.

“Whether you’re coming to the centre for everyday essentials or planning a full day out, these changes are all about creating the best possible experience – with more choice, more style, and more reasons to visit time and time again. We can’t wait for shoppers to enjoy what’s coming next.”

This announcement follows a successful year at Fort Kinnaird, during which the park unveiled nine new retailers, totaling 36,200 sq ft, with an additional 37,000 sq ft currently under offer.

Recent additions include European fashion powerhouse Mango, global sportswear leader Adidas, and family-focused crafts and stationery brand The Works. The line-up will also soon be joined by popular chicken chain Popeyes, which was recently announced.

A phased reopening of the redeveloped Eastern Terrace will commence in October 2025 with the works due to fully complete in Spring 2026. 

Conveniently located off the A1, Fort Kinnaird offers 2,600 free car parking spaces, Shopmobility and over 70 shops and restaurants, ensuring an enjoyable and varied shopping experience for all visitors.

Poll reveals majority of cohabiting couples in Scotland unaware of inheritance risks without a Will

A new survey conducted by Will Aid, the national Will-writing campaign, has revealed an alarming gap in the public’s understanding about inheritance laws affecting cohabiting couples.

The survey found that 68% of cohabitees in Scotland were unaware of the rules of intestacy and what happens to their estate if they die without a Will.

The statistics from Scotland paint an identical picture to the rest of the country, with 68% of UK cohabitees also unaware of the risks without a Will.

This lack of awareness could have devastating consequences for many Scottish families, as cohabiting couples—regardless of how long they have lived together or whether they have children—are not automatically entitled to inherit from one another if one partner dies without leaving a Will.

Key findings from the poll include:

  • 25% mistakenly believe their estate would automatically pass to their partner
  • 24% admitted they were unsure what would happen
  • 15% said they had never even thought about the issue
  • 7% thought their estate would go to close friends

The Rules of Intestacy dictate how a person’s estate is distributed when they die without a Will.

These rules prioritise spouses, civil partners, and blood relatives, often leaving cohabiting partners with no legal right to inherit anything. This could leave surviving partners facing significant financial hardship, particularly in cases where they are dependent on the deceased’s income or home.

Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid Campaign Director, said: “Many people assume that after living together for a period of time, they automatically become common law husband and wife, but this is not the case. The concept of ‘common law marriage’ ceased to exist a very long time ago.

“If you are cohabiting as a couple, the law does not recognise you as common law spouses, even if you have children together and have lived together for many years.

“Therefore, if you do not have a Will, the Rules of Intestacy will apply, and your partner will be completely disregarded.”

The annual Will Aid campaign sees solicitors across the UK volunteering their time to write Wills throughout November, so it is an ideal time for people who are cohabiting to get their wishes professionally drafted in a legal document, which will help to protect their loved ones in the future.

De Vena Franks added: “Will Aid is the perfect opportunity for unmarried and cohabiting partners to get a professionally written Will in place.

“Without a Will, surviving partners may not be automatically entitled to inherit, leaving them in a vulnerable position – and it’s particularly worrying that so many people aren’t aware of this, and don’t fully understand the Rules of Intestacy.

“By participating in Will Aid, couples can ensure their wishes are clearly documented, giving both partners peace of mind that their loved one will be provided for in the event of their death.”

Will Aid is a partnership between the legal profession and eight of the UK’s best-loved charities.

The initiative, which has been running for more than 35 years, sees participating solicitors waive their fee for writing basic Wills every November.

Instead, they invite clients to make a voluntary upfront donation to Will Aid – the suggested amounts are £120 for a single basic Will and £200 for a pair of basic ‘mirror’ Wills.

Appointments are available now, and you can sign up by visiting www.willaid.org.uk

Will Aid is encouraging people to use its upcoming campaign month to write or update their Wills with a participating solicitor, while also supporting UK charities including Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, SCIAF (Scotland), Trócaire (Northern Ireland) and – new for this year, Shelter and Crisis.

For more information on Will Aid and how to get involved visit www.willaid.org.uk

Botanics Halloween Trail

11 – 19 OCTOBER from 10am – 4pm

🎃 Boo! The Botanics Halloween Trail is back this autumn.

Follow clues around the Garden, uncover frightfully fun plant facts along the way, and enjoy a fang-tastic treat at the end. Perfect for families with little monsters aged 3+.

No booking required, pick up your trail booklet (£3) from the East or West Gate and get started! 🐈‍⬛

In partnership with Taylors Snacks.

University of Edinburgh: Community Grants Scheme OPEN!

COMMUNITY GRANTS APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN 🎉💷

Are you part of a local group in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Borders or Fife? Our Community Grants Scheme is available to help bring your ideas to life. Applications are open until Friday 31 October.

View details on how to apply and sign up for our information session: https://edin.ac/489uqJU

Since the scheme began in 2017, we’ve awarded over £822,000 across 330 projects, supporting 252 local organisations to create change that matters to them.

Here’s what that looks like in action:

• Archaeology Scotland brought together 130 local residents for The Big Dig Dalkeith community archaeology project at Newbattle Abbey.

• Leith Sea Cadets replaced old training equipment, boosting confidence and belonging among young people.

• Craigsfarm Community Development Project supported 54 adults with mental health challenges through creative art sessions.

These grants are part of how we deliver on our new Community Plan 2025–30, launching soon. A plan shaped by your voices and built on shared goals for thriving, equal, connected communities.

Edinburgh Local

Campaign shows Cerebral Palsy is not for the weak 

WORLD CEREBRAL PALSY DAY – MONDAY 6th OCTOBER 2025

Launching for World Cerebral Palsy Day, ‘More Than Palsy’ – created by DUDE Milan in collaboration with award-winning Scottish poet Jack Hunter – highlights the fighting spirit of people living with cerebral palsy.

It is thought that between 17-50 million people globally live with cerebral palsy, and it remains an underrepresented and neglected disability. 1 in 400 births in Scotland result in a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. To raise global awareness of the condition and drive donations, Italian charity Fight the Stroke, in partnership with Cerebral Palsy Scotland, has launched the campaign More Than Palsy. 

Launched in advance of World Cerebral Palsy Day on 6 October, More Than Palsy was created by DUDE Milan in collaboration with Scottish actor, playwright and cerebral palsy advocate Jack Hunter, who is living with cerebral palsy himself.

Inspired by Hunter’s slam poem –“You’ve Got to be Ballsy to have Cerebral Palsy” – the campaign paints an authentic picture of the challenges faced by the cerebral palsy community through their own stories: a stark reminder that life with cerebral palsy is not for the weak – it takes strength to be a disabled person in a non-disabled world.  

Watch the 30s clip here: More Than Palsy – SHORT ENG no sub

Watch the full film here: More Than Palsy – LONG SUB ENG

At the heart of the campaign is a two-minute documentary-style film which powerfully conveys the small yet incessant challenges that make up the daily life of a person with cerebral palsy – from the physical frustration at tying one’s shoelaces or trying to use a tampon, to the mental hardship of being bullied.

Raw, powerful and bold, the film aims to both inspire people who have been living with cerebral palsy for years, as well inform future new parents about the existence of this condition and the support that cerebral palsy organisations can offer.

Cerebral Palsy Scotland are the only dedicated cerebral palsy charity in Scotland. Their specialist physiotherapy, speech and language, and psychological therapy services make an incredible difference to the lives of the people they work with.

Gyle Winter Wonderland

OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

This year, Gyle Shopping Centre is pulling out all the stops for the biggest and brightest Christmas experience yet! 🎄✨

Think sparkling ice rink, a traditional festive market, and a bar brimming with hot chocolate, mulled wine, and all your seasonal favourites – plus a visit to Santa’s magical grotto 🎅

We’re on the lookout for:

Craft makers & gifting stalls

Carol singers

Santa’s elves & ice rink attendants

If you’d love to be part of the festive magic, get in touch today. Let’s make this Christmas one to remember!

Email santa@gylechristmas.co.uk to enquire.

World Meningitis Day: Rise in cases concerning, says Meningitis Now

Meningitis Now is marking World Meningitis Day today (Sunday 5th October) with an urgent call for awareness and action, as new figures reveal a concerning rise in meningococcal disease (IMD) across England.

The latest statistics show there were 380 cases of IMD in 2024/25, compared to 341 in 2023/24 which is an 11% year-on-year increase.

The figures disclosed in the latest quarterly release from UKHSA also reveal that cases of MenB, the most common cause of bacterial meningitis in the UK, have also risen by 13%. There were 314 cases compared to 301 in the previous year.

Increases in MenB have been recorded in several age groups, including a 20% increase in cases among 15–19-year-olds (from 52 cases to 65), a 17% increase among babies under 1 year old (from 29 cases to 35), a 17% increase among 25 to 44-year-olds (from 38 cases to 46) and a 19% increase among 45–64-year-olds (from 34 cases to 42).

Dr Tom Nutt, Chief Executive of Meningitis Now, said, “These figures are worrying. Meningitis can affect anyone at any time, but these increases among teenagers, young adults, and babies – some of the most vulnerable groups – show just how vital it is to stay vigilant.

“Early recognition saves lives, but prevention through vaccines remains the most effective way to protect against this devastating disease.”

Meningitis Now is urging people to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of meningitis, and to check whether they and their loved ones are up to date with vaccinations, including the MenACWY jab.

Meningitis can be fatal within hours of infection. One in ten people who contract bacterial meningitis will die, leaving their families coping with the heartbreak of losing a loved one. Between 30% and 50% of those who survive bacterial meningitis will be left with long-term after-effects, including hearing loss, acquired brain injury, epilepsy, chronic pain, vision problems and amputations. 

Meningitis Now provides one-to-one support, grants, and a free nurse lead helpline to make sure no family faces the impact of meningitis alone.

Earlier this year Meningitis Now launched a campaign to tackle cases of MenB among young people. 

The charity says there are effective, life-saving vaccines against MenB, but they are not currently offered to teens, who are at increased risk of the disease. Meningitis Now’s campaign called “No Plan B for MenB” sets out the changes it would like to see, including:

•           The MenB vaccination to be given to all those at most risk of disease.

•           A MenB booster programme to protect adolescents from 2030.

•           Availability of the MenB vaccination on the high street at a fair price.

Dr Nutt added, “World Meningitis Day is a powerful reminder that we cannot be complacent. While there has been a drop in meningitis cases over the past decade, these new figures underline why our work, raising awareness, supporting families, and pushing for prevention is as important as ever.”

The charity and its supporters are joining forces with other organisations to raise awareness of the disease this Sunday 5th of October and is encouraging people to light a candle at 8.30pm, in memory of those who have been affected by meningitis, as part of a global initiative.

Meningitis Now is the UK’s leading meningitis charity, founded 39 years ago by families who had experienced the heartbreak of losing a loved one to the disease.

The charity is the only organisation in the UK dedicated to fighting meningitis on three fronts:

  • Awareness: Equipping the public with the knowledge to recognise meningitis quickly and ensuring more people are protected through vaccination campaigns.
  • Support: Providing practical, emotional, and financial support to individuals and families whose lives have been changed by meningitis, helping them rebuild their futures.
  • Research: Funding pioneering projects to understand the disease better, improve diagnosis and treatment, and ultimately move closer to a world free from meningitis.

For more information, visit www.meningitisnow.org.