ST MARY’s EPISCOPAL CATHEDRAL – PALMERSTON PLACE
All are very welcome to our service for World AIDS Day, on Monday 1st December.
Whatever your faith or background, join us to remember those who have passed away, and those who are still living with this condition.
The Vittoria Group has revealed the first two beneficiaries of its new Vittoria Giving Back programme, launched last month in honour of the group’s 55th anniversary, to support local organisations making a difference across Edinburgh.
The inaugural recipients Teens+ and Prospect Bank School were selected from the first round of applications, with each receiving donations worth up to £1,000. Rather than providing cash, the Vittoria Group chose to fund specific items requested by each organisation, ensuring the support would deliver long-term, practical impact.
Teens+, a transitional education service, based beside Vittoria on the Walk on McDonald Road, supports young adults with complex learning difficulties across its four centres in Edinburgh and East Lothian, helping learners gain confidence and prepare for life beyond school.
As technology becomes central to everyday independence, whether communicating online, completing coursework, making bookings or working toward qualifications, Teens+ highlighted the growing need for accessible IT equipment. The group will receive a specialist laptop to help students build essential digital skills and engage safely in an increasingly online world.
The second recipient is Prospect Bank School in Leith, which supports primary-aged children with complex, long-term additional support needs, including intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The school focuses on helping pupils communicate, manage sensory input, and participate in meaningful learning experiences. Funding from Vittoria Giving Back will enable the purchase of a SENSIS Cube – a piece of sensory play equipment designed for spinning, swinging and climbing, offering pupils calming or stimulating activities tailored to their needs.
The Vittoria Group is encouraging local schools, charities, youth groups and community organisations to apply for the next round of support.
Applications can be submitted via givingback@vittoriagroup.co.uk.
“Alongside schools, youth work improves the wellbeing, readiness to learn and educational outcomes of children and young people.” PEF National Guidance, Scottish Government
Next week, YouthLink Scotland’s #EducationNeedsYouthWork campaign will spotlight the role of youth work in:
Please join the campaign by posting examples and evidence from your local practice that demonstrate the impact that youth work can have in building skills, improving young people’s experiences and outcomes in education.
Use the #EducationNeedsYouthWork hashtag and tag YouthLink Scotland and we will share more widely across our social media channels.
Thank you!
SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBOUR CENTRE
We are holding our annual general meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 2nd December at 3.30 – 4.30pm.
Please do come along to hear about exciting plans for the future of our lovely centre, and to make your views known.
We are very interested in your vision for the future and the directions we can take.
All members welcome.
There’s been some good news to round off this special 30th anniversary year for Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre.
The Centre has just been awarded over £3500 from Inverleith Neighbourhood Partnership’s Community Grants Fund to pilot a 6 month Monday Café offering free breakfasts, training opportunities, and monthly community lunches to reduce food poverty, build social connections and strengthen community use of the centre.
Happy New Year!
Thank you so much! We are so humbled and grateful to everyone who has got involved in our 2025 campaign to send Christmas cards to the isolated older people in our community.
If you haven’t yet but still want to make a difference, sign up today and pop your card in the post to us by Thursday 4th December or drop off in person to Heart of Newhaven by Monday 8th December.
You will receive an individual profile of a local older person in our community, and all you need to do is write them a Christmas card to transform their Christmas
… And if you’ve sent a card, scroll down to find a super easy way to support Vintage Vibes without it costing you a penny!
We have profiles for older people across every part of Edinburgh…
From DAVID who loves computer games, to SHEILA who dances around the living room to Glastonbury, from ROBIN the film buff to FAY the foodie.
These Christmas cards make a huge difference to people who are often or always alone, and often feel invisible during the festive period.
The messages don’t need to be long, a simple Christmas joke and a kind word will do, it’s the act of letting someone know they matter that makes all the difference.
And it’s great to get the kids involved in too!
Check out these amazing cards from the Beavers, Scouts & Young Leaders at 21st Craigalmond Scouts in South Queensferry!
*Although there is a suggested donation to help us tackle isolation all year-round, anyone can also get involved without donating by using the code NODONATE.
Already sent a card? Here’s a super easy (and free!) way to tackle local loneliness…
Will you be shopping online this Christmas?
We’re heading towards that magical but expensive time of year again – but there is a super easy way to do a little bit of good with every purchase.
With any online shopping you need to do as we head towards Black Friday and Christmas, you could raise vital funds for Vintage Vibes with just one click.
Vintage Vibes have just registered with EasyFundraising, which means that when anyone shops with 8,000+ online stores (including supermarkets), Vintage Vibes can receive a small free donation, courtesy of who you shop with – without it costing you anything. 
SIMPLE – EASY – IMPACTFUL
It’s super simple, you just sign up (at no cost to you) and then download the ‘donation reminder’ and it will pop up when you’re on an eligible website. All you do is click ‘click to get donation’ and the business will give a little donation to Vintage Vibes. Yay!
It’s predicted that more than £3m will be raised this way for charities across the UK during the coming months and we’d love to be able to increase our reach in Edinburgh in 2026, so every penny raised helps us support more local isolated older people
Find out more about EasyFundraising
As a tiny local charity, ever single share helps!
Be the reason someone smiles this Christmas – and help us spread the word about our work however you can.
You can find links to all our social media channels below, filled with posts and videos that can be shared with friends, family and colleagues! 
Thank you so much – we are forever grateful.
Georgia, Andrew, Alison, Cara and Emma
VINTAGE VIBES xxx
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT MUST HAND OVER STURGEON INFORMATION
Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton has issued a decision which requires the Scottish Government to disclose some of the written evidence supplied to James Hamilton as part of his investigation into whether former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had breached the Ministerial Code.
The Commissioner’s decision – Decision 279/2025 – is the latest in a series of rulings where his office has considered this matter.
Previously, the Scottish Government had claimed that it didn’t hold the requested information but, in December 2023, the Court of Session agreed with the Commissioner that the information was in fact held, and that the Scottish Government should therefore issue a response.
The decision comes after the requester appealed the Scottish Government’s subsequent response to the Commissioner, on the basis that much of the information was exempted from disclosure.
In his decision, the Commissioner finds that, while some information was appropriately withheld, other information should be disclosed to the requester.
In particular, the Commissioner finds that the Scottish Government had incorrectly applied the exemption which protects information where disclosure would harm the effective conduct of public affairs to all the withheld information, finding that disclosure would not substantially harm the Scottish Government’s ability to carry out future investigations of this type.
The Commissioner also meticulously reviewed the redactions applied by Scottish Government to information which was withheld to avoid breaching court orders. Following this, he instructed the release of further material.
Similarly, The Commissioner found that, while some information had been appropriately withheld because it related to confidential legal communications, other information where this exemption had been applied should be disclosed.
In some cases, this was because it did not meet the standard required for the exemption to apply while, in others, he found that, while the exemption could be appropriately applied, the public interest nevertheless favoured the disclosure of the information. Under freedom of information (FOI) law, many exemptions must be set aside if the disclosure of the information is in the public interest.
The Commissioner also identified significant procedural concerns in the Scottish Government’s handling of this case.
He found, for example, that the Scottish Government had failed to provide all of the information falling within the scope of an Information Notice served on the authority in March 2024 to enable the Commissioner to investigate the case.
Under FOI law the Commissioner can issue legally enforceable Information Notices to secure the provision of information needed to investigate FOI appeals.
During his investigation, the Commissioner subsequently found that there was additional material falling within the scope of the Information Notice which had not, initially, been supplied to his office.
While the Commissioner’s decision finds that this failure to fully comply with the Information Notice was a matter of significant concern, he also accepts that the omission was a genuine oversight, as opposed to an attempt to deliberately obstruct his investigation. As a result, he took the decision in this case not to refer this failure to the Court of Session.
The Commissioner’s decision also raises concerns with the Scottish Government’s interpretation of the request, the changing of its position during his investigation, and its failure to make a full and appropriate case for the application of exemptions to all of the information it proposed to withhold.
Commenting on this case, Scottish Information Commissioner David Hamilton said: “This was a very complex case, and that complexity was compounded by the way in which elements of this case were handled by the Scottish Government.
“When a public body seeks to withhold information under FOI law, it is the responsibility of that body to appropriately make their case to me. It is not for my staff to identify sensitive information on behalf of an organisation, or to make the case for an exemption on its behalf. Authorities must, therefore, ensure that its case is fully and appropriately stated in its entirety.
“It is also particularly disappointing that, had it not been for the diligence of my staff and their forensic analysis of this case, many of the failures that arose may have gone undetected.
“While there is no evidence of impropriety, this nevertheless reflects poorly on the Scottish Government handling of this case, and I trust it will take urgent action to prevent such occurrences happening again.”
The Commissioner’s decision requires the Scottish Government to disclose some information which had been wrongly withheld, and issue a revised response in relation to a small amount of other information, by 12 January 2026.
Westminster’s Treasury Committee has launched a new inquiry into the UK Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy.
MPs will examine whether the Government understands the true scale of the challenge of addressing financial exclusion, as well as what steps must be taken to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
It will also consider the effectiveness of current measures, such as banking hubs, and explore whether further interventions may be needed to improve financial inclusion in the future.
This follows the Committee’s report on whether organisations should be forced to accept cash, which was published earlier this year.
In its report, the Committee concluded that a lack of action from the Government to tackle declining cash acceptance could lead to a two-tier society with the most vulnerable bearing the cost.
Chair of the Treasury Committee, Dame Meg Hillier, said: “The Government has set out its stall on improving financial inclusion in this country, so now the Committee will have a closer look at whether it’s likely to make a meaningful difference to people’s lives.
“Improving financial inclusion must not be a box-ticking exercise. Words must lead to action.
“The Treasury must have a strategic vision, supported by concrete, integrated plans with clear methods for measuring their impact, and they must work closely with the private sector on this. My Committee will work to ensure that happens.”
Benefact Group’s Movement for Good Awards is giving away £120,000 as part of its annual 12 Days of Giving Christmas campaign
For 12 days in the lead up to Christmas the specialist financial services group is giving £1,000 to ten charities each day – with 120 charities in total benefitting from a festive financial boost.
Nominations are now open, and residents in Edinburgh are being encouraged to nominate a cause they care about to give them a chance of receiving a share of the award money.
Draws will take place every weekday between 1st – 16th December and nominating is easy using the online form at www.movementforgood.com. Winners are drawn at random with every charity nominated in with a chance of winning a vital donation this Christmas.
Last year two Edinburgh-based charities received £1,000 in the draw. Central Leith After School Provision and Scottish Wildlife Trust were selected following nominations from kind-hearted members of the public.
Mark Hews, Group Chief Executive of Benefact Group, said: “We’re delighted to be giving away another £120,000 in valuable donations to causes around the country. We know that charities across the country are struggling, and for many the festive season is a critical time. We’re asking residents to take a few minutes of their time to nominate a cause they especially care about.
“Owned by a charity, Benefact Group gives all of its available profits go to good causes, and the more the Group grows, the more the Group can give. We know that £1,000 can make a huge difference to the incredible work that charities do and we’re looking forward to seeing how this financial boost will change lives for the better.”
Benefact Group has donated over £250million to charitable causes since 2014 and last year was recognised as the third biggest corporate giver in the UK1 over the last decade.
Movement for Good is funded by EIO plc, part of the Benefact Group.
CAMPAIGNERS have welcomed the news that the controversial two-child benefit cap limit is to be scrapped at last.
Poverty Alliance Chief Executive Peter Kelly said: “The Chancellor’s decision to fully scrap the unjust two-child limit is the right thing to do.
For eight years, this cruel policy has severed the link between what families across the country need and the support they are entitled to, pushing children into poverty and limiting their potential. Our children deserve better.
“Campaigners across Scotland have been unified in their demand to scrap the two-child limit and we are pleased that the UK Government has listened, sending a strong message that every child in this country matters.
“The end of this policy must be the starting point of reform which ensures that our social security system truly provides security.
“This decision also frees up money earmarked for the mitigation of the policy in the Scottish budget. Coupled with the additional £820 million allocated to the Scottish Government in this Budget, this will allow further investment in the action we know is needed to meet our child poverty targets, including increases to the Scottish Child Payment.
“Boosting the minimum wage will help low-paid workers who are struggling to cover basic costs. Many are already worried about heating bills.
“While steps to reduce energy costs are welcome, they fall short of a true social tariff that guarantees everyone has access to life’s essentials.
“Much needed investment in home energy efficiency must also be protected to improve homes and secure long-term saving for low-income households.
“The UK Government must raise revenue to invest in our shared national priorities, like tackling child poverty and increasing living standards. It’s right that the Chancellor has turned to those with the biggest assets to contribute more.
“This is a positive step towards building a fairer system of taxation, but we need to go much further, with a bold, renewed approach to tax that puts justice and compassion at its heart.”
The Gaelic and Scots languages have gained official status as people across Scotland celebrate St Andrew’s Day.
The designation forms part of a range of measures coming into effect today through the Scottish Languages Act 2025.
These include powers for ministers to commission research into the use of Gaelic and Scots and establish teaching standards for the languages.
Other measures of the Act include:
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: “St Andrew’s Day is a fitting time to celebrate Scotland’s identity by recognising Gaelic and Scots as official languages. This is a historic milestone which acknowledges the vital place these languages hold in Scotland’s culture and heritage.
“This has been made possible through the Scottish Languages Bill which received unanimous support from MSPs.
“To support the continued growth of both languages the Scottish Government has already allocated £35.7 million for Gaelic and Scots initiatives this year, ensuring that this milestone translates into meaningful change for communities across the country.”
The Scottish Languages Bill was introduced on St Andrew’s Day in 2023. The Bill was passed in June and received Royal Assent on 1 August 2025.
