December 2025 – Page 16 – The NEN

Care Workers’ children struggling while parents work 60-hour weeks for below minimum wage

CHARITY SINGLE SHINES LIGHT ON CRISIS

Nine care workers from across the UK joined the Homecare’s Got Talent Choir to release a charity single recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios to raise urgent awareness of the shocking levels of financial hardship within the care sector.

Several famous faces have also shared their talents for the project having joined the Home Care’s Got Talent judging panel earlier this year: musician Kuill from The Voice, Married at First Sight’s Matt Jameson as well as The Fizz star Jay Aston. The track, a cover of Robbie Williams’ Angels, launched on Friday 28^th November and immediately hit Number 8 on the iTunes Download Chart.

But behind the music lies a far more serious issue.

According to The Care Workers’ Charity, food bank usage among care workers is five times the national average. Many carers are working 60 hours a week yet still cannot afford to heat their homes or provide Christmas presents for their children.

The charity warns that half a million UK care workers are in financially precarious situations, with some earning the equivalent of below minimum wage once unpaid travel time and personal costs are deducted.

This Christmas, while care workers are supporting the nation’s most vulnerable, many of their own children are going without basic essentials.

Dan Archer, Founder of Homecare’s Got Talent and CEO of Visiting Angels, explained, “It’s a nice story that care workers recorded at Abbey Road… but the reality is far from nice.

“If this were starving children, the country would be outraged. Well, it is starving children – the children of the people caring for everyone else. We made this single to raise money, yes, but also to force the nation to look again at how we treat the people we rely on most.

“When you listen to the lyrics, they speak to what carers do ‘and through it all, she offers me protection’. It’s high time our policy makers did more to protect this precious workforce.”

The caregivers travelled from as far away as Scotland and North Wales to take part in the recording, representing home care providers Caremark, Home Instead, Voyage Care, Visiting Angels, Mochridhe, Vitality Care and Calon Lan Community Care. With the support of the public, they believe they can surpass the original version’s chart success from 1997 and go all the way to No.1.

All profits raised by the single’s downloads will be donated to the Care Workers’ Charity. The charity is dedicated to supporting the social care workforce, those providing care and support to the million+ people drawing on social care.

The project’s message is simple: care workers deserve better and so do their families. Angels by the Homecare’s Got Talent Choir is available to download now:

https://linktr.ee/HomeCaresGotTalent

Former Edinburgh College Photography Student wins prestigious National Prize

A former Edinburgh College photography student has been recognised for his outstanding work after winning the Gold Award at the prestigious Association of Photographers Emerging Talent Awards 2025 – with a little bit of help from his granny.

23-year-old Jack Currie graduated from the College in November 2024 after completing the BA (Hons) course in Professional Photography, before moving on to a career as a freelance advertising photographer.

Jack’s work is often inspired by quirky concepts, and it was his picture, “Gangster Granny”, featuring his late grandmother Margaret, that saw him scoop the top prize at the AOP’s annual awards.

Part of a series of digitally altered photographs showing his gran engaging in a range of “dangerous activities”, the striking image, which has already gained considerable attention and has been covered in the likes of The Guardian and Digital Camera World, sees Margaret on a skateboard grinding down a rail.

Jack, who used Photoshop and body doubles to bring the concept to life, says the reality of winning the award is still setting in: “Winning the AOP Emerging Talent Award was something I once only dreamed of. From applying, to being shortlisted, to becoming a finalist, all the way to the awards night itself, I genuinely didn’t think I was going to win.

“I used my own granny for the photo, and she sadly passed away only the week before we won the award. She was thrilled to hear I was a finalist and had every confidence we would win. I guess she was right.”

Jack’s career has followed an impressive trajectory since his graduation, working with companies including Nike, Lidl, Timberland and Birkenstock. He now splits his time working between London and Edinburgh and recently did a photo-shoot with Piers Morgan for a front-page splash on the Telegraph Magazine.

He’s encouraging other budding photographers to consider studying at Edinburgh College, saying it’s the perfect place to learn the craft: “My experience was genuinely amazing. I applied for three places when looking into photography courses, and Edinburgh College by far had the best facilities.

“For me, it didn’t feel like studying; it felt like perfecting my craft, practising, getting critiqued and building my portfolio. With all the lecturers being ex photographers, their insight into how the industry works was huge. Hearing how they did it and seeing what they achieved was a massive motivation boost.

“While still studying, I worked with clients like Schuh, Size?, and Graham’s Dairy. In my second year I flew to New York to collect awards for work I had shot for college briefs.

“And just before I graduated, I signed with a London based agent who still represents me today. There is no way I would have taken the steps I did without the guidance of the lecturers. Their support and their critique shaped me into the photographer I am today.”

Jon Lee, Jack’s former lecturer and course leader for photography at Edinburgh College, isn’t surprised to see his old student picking up the prize: “I’d like to congratulate Jack on his recent award, it’s well-deserved recognition for someone we always knew would go on to experience great success.

“We wish him all the best for his future career, and I’m sure everyone at the College will be keeping a close eye on his work”.

Despite winning such a notable award, Jack has no plans to slow down anytime soon, and has dreams of seeing his work featured in Times Square and Piccadilly Circus. You can keep up to date with Jack on his website.

Charity shops urged to tighten security as shoplifting rises across Edinburgh

Scottish Government recorded crime data shows that shoplifting continues to rise in Edinburgh.

In 2024 and 2025, there were 8,007 reported shoplifting incidents across the city, representing a 129% increase over the past decade. According to the Charity Retail Association’s 2024 survey, the majority of respondents said shoplifting had risen in the past 12 months, underscoring the growing challenge for charitable organisations and their volunteers.

Ansvar Insurance, a specialist charity insurer, is urging vigilance and proactive risk management to help protect charity shops, their assets and their people.

Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, commented: “Charity shops play an essential role in our communities, raising vital funds and offering affordable goods to local people.

“Every item stolen from a charity shop represents funds that could have been used for essential services, whether that’s supporting vulnerable individuals, funding research or providing community programmes.

“Unlike larger commercial retailers, many smaller charity shops rely on volunteers and operate on slim margins, making them particularly vulnerable. Protecting their premises, stock and, most importantly, their people, is paramount to ensuring operational continuity.”

Ansvar has outlined five essential tips that charity shops and not-for-profit organisations are being encouraged to incorporate into their security protocols:

Secure cash handling: Minimise the amount of cash held on the premises. Make regular bank deposits, preferably with at least one other person and varying the time and route. Securely store the till float out of sight overnight, and never leave cash unattended.
Train staff and volunteers: Provide basic security awareness training to help recognise suspicious behaviour and respond appropriately without confrontation. Ensure volunteers understand they should never put themselves at risk by physically confronting suspected thieves.
Protect valuable donations: Keep higher-value items, such as jewellery or electronics, in locked display cases or behind the counter.
Have the right insurance protection: Ensure an insurance policy provides cover for theft, damage and business interruption. Specialist policies tailored for charities can help minimise financial losses and support the charity’s ability to recover quickly, allowing employees and volunteers to focus on continuing their work in the community.
Install security equipment: Consider installing visible deterrents such as CCTV cameras and mirrors to eliminate blind spots, and display clear signage to indicate security measures.

Adam Tier added: “Theft can be scary and disheartening for those who give their time to support good causes. By staying alert and putting sensible safeguards in place, charity shops can continue to provide safe, welcoming spaces that make a real difference across Edinburgh’s communities.”

Ansvar is part of the Benefact Group, a charity-owned, group of financial services companies that gives all available profits to charity and good causes.

The Benefact Group is the UK’s third-largest corporate donor, underscoring Ansvar’s dedication to supporting the wider charitable community.

[1] https://www.gov.scot/publications/recorded-crime-scotland-2024-25/

Edinburgh’s Christmas adds themed skating sessions

Glide along the ice beneath sparkling lights, surrounded by Edinburgh’s stunning Georgian architecture, on the city’s largest outdoor ice rink. From confident skaters to first timers, everyone is welcome to join the fun!

New special themed sessions have been introduced and run throughout the season, including Toddler Sessions for wee ones finding their feet, Relaxed Sessions for those who prefer a calmer atmosphere, and Late Skates with guest DJs on Fridays for adults looking to glide into the weekend.

Themed sessions:

Mon 15 – Thu 18 December: All sessions. Students 2-4-1 bookable at Box Office

Fri 19 Dec, 3-4pm: K-Pop Demon Hunters

Mon 22 Dec, 6-7pm: Swifties on Ice

Tue 23 Dec, 6-7pm: Pop Princesses

Mon 29 Dec, 4-8pm: Hottest Hits of 2025

Tue 30 Dec, 4-8pm: Birl on Ice – The Best of Scottish Trad

Wed 31 Dec, 1-3pm: Tots Tunes

Wed 31 Dec, 3-5pm: Hogmanay Through the Years

Fri 2 Jan, 6-8pm: 90s Boybands vs Girlbands

Sat 3 Jan, 6-8pm: 90s Trance

See here for more information on the sessions and to book.

Plans to cap excessive profits made by residential care providers lack clarity, says Holyrood committee

Plans to cap excessive profits made by residential care providers have not been fully thought through according to Holyrood’s Education, Children and Young People Committee.

The finding is one of many from a new report that calls for significant changes to the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill, which aims to improve the services and support provided to people in the children’s care system.

As part of the Promise, the Scottish Government committed to tackling excessive profit in residential care. Under the proposals, certain residential care providers would need to provide financial information about the operation of their services to help the Scottish Government understand the fees charged for placements and the final costs paid by local authorities.

The Committee understood the Government’s motivations for doing this but says the changes are underdeveloped. The Government failed to consult on the issue ahead of the Bill’s introduction and the Bill does not outline how the Government would define an excessive profit.

The Committee also raised its concerns about what impact this could have on a fragile market and whether this could lead to services closing or diversifying. More broadly, many key stakeholders felt they had not been fully engaged in the development of this Bill and told the Committee that the Bill’s provisions were the poorer for this.

The general principles of the Bill have been supported by the Committee, including proposals to extend aftercare and to offer life-long advocacy to care experienced children, young people and adults. However, the Committee is also clear that more information about how these would work practically will be required before the Bill becomes law.

The Committee recognises the importance of children and young people being able to challenge any potential breaches to their rights via the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024.

As currently drafted, the Bill does not allow this to happen, as sections 1 and 2, which relate to aftercare, and section 10, which relates to a register for foster carers, amend legislation that pre-dates the Scottish Parliament. The Committee therefore urges the Scottish Government to explore how it might remedy this, as the Bill progresses through Parliament.

The Committee also called for further consideration around proposed changes to the Children’s Hearing System, recommending the Government consider:

retaining three member panels when substantive decisions are being made
clarifying the roles of specialist members at Children’s Hearings, who may have particular expertise in child services or healthcare
revisiting plans for post-referral discussions, to ensure they are more closely aligned with the recommendations of the ‘Hearings for Children’ report.

Douglas Ross MSP, Convener of the Education, Children and Young People Committee, said: “Every Member of the Committee agrees with the Promise made to Scotland’s care experienced children and young people, and as a result we unanimously support the general principles of this Bill.

“However, we are disappointed by the lack of clarity around some of the crucial provisions in this long-awaited Bill and what stakeholders told us about the lack of consultation they experienced ahead of the Bill’s introduction. This includes issues with proposals to tackle excess profits in residential care, which had not been properly consulted on and do not seem to be well thought through.

“We are now calling for substantial amendments to be made before the Bill becomes law. This is an opportunity to bring about real and lasting change for the care community and it is vital that the Government gets this right.”

The Bill also puts forward changes to children services planning, which aim to enhance collaborative working and join up planning across adult and children’s services. The Committee found that the rationale for these proposals was unconvincing and called for further explanation so that benefits, and any unintended consequences, of these changes are clearer.

Lifetime Achievement Award for Edinburgh housing charity champion

The convenor of Edinburgh Tenants Federation (ETF), a local housing charity, has been awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the organisation at their latest AGM.

The recipient of the award, Betty Stone (formerly Betty Stevenson) became convenor of the charity in 2005 and has been a volunteer and activist for the organisation for over 30 years.

Edinburgh Tenants Federation is a tenant-led charity that supports tenants across Edinburgh to understand their housing rights, have their voices heard, and influence decisions about housing and related services locally, city-wide, and nationally.

In a letter acknowledging the award, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Jane Meagher said: “I have known Betty for a very long time, and I have never met anyone who has shown such care, commitment and dedication to her work.

“She has long fought for better housing conditions for people in Edinburgh and tenants across the city have known no stauncher champion of their rights than Betty. This award is most well deserved and I’m sure will be welcomed by the many, many people that Betty has helped over the years.”

Betty was presented the award by Vice-Convenor Paul Vaughan at the organisation’s AGM.

The evening saw Betty renominated to the organisation’s Executive Committee as Convenor for a further term of three years.

Following receipt of the award, Betty said: “I am honoured to receive this Lifetime Achievement Award from Edinburgh Tenants Federation, especially this year as we celebrate our 35th anniversary.

“I have worked as volunteer campaigning for better housing services in Edinburgh for the past 30 years. I have witnessed a lot of change in the housing landscape, yet, reflecting on my journey, I can see similarities between now and the 90s, and how in many cases we are still working to ensure social housing in Edinburgh is safe and accessible.”

Betty encouraged people to get involved in the local community and join the Federation, saying: “It’s the collective voice of the people that gets the job done. Those interested in setting up a residents’ and tenants’ group, or even just learning more about housing in Edinburgh should reach out to become a part of our network.”

Founded in 1990 from a merger of tenant networks to collaborate over similar housing issues, ETF has been at the forefront of the housing debate in Edinburgh campaigning for better tenants’ rights in areas such as stock transfer, rent increases and tenant living conditions.

Today, its volunteers work closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to help inform tenant participation strategy across the city.

Join the Federation – it’s free!

Joining Edinburgh Tenants Federation is simple. Membership is completely free of charge and open to any tenants’ or residents’ organisations in Edinburgh – regardless of who your landlord is.

Equally, if you live in an area without a tenants’ group, you can still join as an individual associate member, and organisations that share our aims and values can also become associate members.

To find out more about membership, contact the Federation office by email at info@edinburghtenants.org.uk or call 0131 475 2509.

Appeal for witnesses following sexual assaults in Stockbridge area

POLICE are appealing for information following three sexual assaults in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh last Friday (12 December).

Around 5.20pm on Fettes Row, a woman was approached from behind by a man who sexually assaulted her and made sexual comments.

Around 5.30pm on Inverleith Row, a woman was walking her dog when a man approached her from behind and sexually assaulted her. He then walked down Inverleith Row towards Dundas Street.

A short time later, a woman was walking past Stockbridge church on Saxe Coburg Street when a man approached her, sexually assaulted her and exposed himself.

Officers believe the same man to have been involved in these incidents. He is described as being of Asian appearance, aged between 25 and mid-30s, of slim build, around 5ft 8in, with light facial hair.

He was wearing a khaki or brown coloured coat and carried a backpack.

Detective Inspector Dougal Begg said: “I understand incidents like these cause concern in the local community, but we are carrying out extensive enquiries and doing everything we can to trace the man responsible.

“I would ask anyone who was in those areas on Friday evening and who may have witnessed something to get in touch. If you remember seeing a man matching the description, contact us.”

Chief Inspector Ran MacDonald, Local Area Commander, said: “I want to reassure that there will be an increased visible police presence in the local area as officers carry out enquiries. Anyone with any concerns should approach officers without hesitation, as they are there to help.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting incident 2889 of 12 December.

Pupils perform at Haymarket station as grand finale to Royal Scottish National Orchestra residency

The performance was the culmination of a three-month residency with RSNO’s world-class musicians who worked alongside the school’s Instrumental Music Service to inspire young brass musicians.

Twenty pupils from the Council’s Instrumental Music Service (IMS) Senior Brass Ensemble, made up of young people from across Edinburgh secondary schools, put on a festive performance with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) Brass Quintet at Haymarket train station, on Friday 12 December.

The performance was the culmination of a three-month residency which involved RSNO’s world-class musicians working alongside the school’s IMS teaching team to coach, encourage and develop skills in young brass instrumentalists from secondary schools across the city.

Over the course of the residency, the young people worked alongside members of the RSNO to rehearse for two performances – the first was at the Usher Hall on 3 December 2025 where the brass ensemble performed Tielman Susato’s Renaissance Dances. The second at Haymarket station, brought the residency to a close, while entertaining the general public with a selection of Christmas carols and festive tunes.

Musicians in the IMS Senior Brass Ensemble, and those who took part in the residency, included pupils from Drummond High School, Tynecastle High School, Trinity Academy, Boroughmuir High School, Balerno High School, James Gillespie’s High School, Leith Academy, Queensferry High School, St Augustine’s RC High School, Broughton High School, Firrhill High School and Craigmount High School.

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convenor said: We are committed to not only making music tuition accessible to a large number of learners in our schools, but also in nurturing and developing musical talent.

“Our residency with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra is a great example of how we are doing this, bringing together world class musicians to join our instrumental music service team to inspire our talented young brass players.

“It is thanks to our team of dedicated instrumental teachers that children and young people have opportunities like this to perform and showcase their talents in such public forums.

“I am sure that that the skills they have learned and the experiences they have had will stay with them for years to come, paving the way for future success. A sincere well done and thank you to all involved, including our Instrumental Music Service Team, teachers, families, the RSNO – and of course to our talented young musicians.”

Andrew Stevenson, RSNO Director of Engagement, said: “I am so pleased that we’re able to work so closely with the Council’s Instrumental Music Service. The IMS provide such invaluable teaching and support to young people across Scotland and it’s a real privilege to help bolster them in any way we can.

“Rounding out our residency with this free, public performance is a fantastic way to show off how brilliant these young people are and how important music education is, something we feel very passionately about at the RSNO.

“I’d also like to extend a big thanks to ScotRail, our principal travel partner, for their continued support.”

Carter, an S1 pupil at Balerno High School who took part in the Royal Scottish National Orchestra residency, said: “I found the RSNO Brass side by side project inspirational and AMAZING, thank you for letting me be part of this wonderful experience.

Abodus Student Living celebrates a landmark year

Multi-award-winning student accommodation sets the benchmark for student living with 98% occupancy rate across its UK portfolio

Abodus Student Living has been named Student Housing Operator of the Year 2025 at The Class Foundation’s PBSA Awards in Lisbon, recognised for delivering an elevated student living experience that goes beyond traditional expectations. The business also secured a clear win in the public vote, demonstrating its strong reputation among residents and industry peers.

The award is one of four major accolades Abodus has achieved this year, cementing its position as a multi-award-winning, best-in-class operator.

In addition to its Lisbon win, Abodus received Investor in Students’ highest accreditation of Gold Operator, was named Most Inclusive Student Accommodation Provider at Property Week’s Student Accommodation Awards, and was Highly Commended in the UK’s Best Operator under 5,000 beds category.

Across its portfolio, residences have also recorded student NPS scores above 70, placing Abodus Student Living well within global top-tier benchmarks for customer experience.

This success reflects the strength of Abodus’ fully independent, end-to-end operating model. The wider Abodus platform spans development, investment and asset management, working alongside its PBSA operating arm, , to deliver a seamless and high-performing service for students, partners and investors.

Two significant new developments launched this year. Martha Street Apartments launched in central Glasgow, offering high-quality accommodation for both domestic and international students as well as co-living residents.

In Newcastle, the opening of Union Square strengthened Abodus Student Living’s position in one of the UK’s most competitive student markets. The company also expanded its senior team, welcoming Brianne Lee as Commercial Manager to help support the next stage of its growth.

Abodus Student Living’s social and environmental efforts has also gained momentum with the launch of its Sustainability Committee.

Over the past year, students and teams donated 374 bags of pre-loved items, raising an estimated £7,854 for the British Heart Foundation, bringing total donations since 2024 to £35,910. Through its work with Ecologi, Abodus Student Living has planted 530 trees to support reforestation and climate action.

Commenting on the award win and the company’s progress, CEO Joss Muirie said: “Winning Student Housing Operator of the Year is a huge endorsement of our team’s continued performance, innovation and commitment to putting students first.

“We’ve delivered another exceptional year, from launching new assets to strengthening our leadership team and achieving 98% occupancy across the portfolio.

“Our recent investment in technology, AI integration and our rebrand means we are exceptionally well positioned for the next stage of our growth journey. With further UK acquisitions in the pipeline, 2026 is shaping up to be another transformative year for the business.”

Looking ahead, Abodus Student Living plans to build on this year’s achievements as it enters 2026. A strengthened leadership team, a growing portfolio and continued investment in technology and customer experience as well as sustainability positions the business well for its next phase of expansion in the UK.

The Student Housing Operator of the Year award serves as a powerful endorsement as Abodus Student Living moves confidently into a new chapter of growth and innovation.

COSLA calls for £16bn budget boost

COSLA is urging the Scottish Government to provide a £16 billion boost in revenue in the Scottish Budget, to secure fair and sustainable funding for Scotland’s councils.

A demand for a £844 million general capital settlement has also been requested, plus a restoration of the Affordable Housing Supply Programme to £955 million, to maintain, repair, expand and secure the future of Council estates.

COSLA has today launched a lobbying campaign urging the Scottish Government to use the upcoming Scottish Budget to provide councils with the fair, sustainable and multi-year funding needed to protect essential local services.

The campaign – ‘Strong Councils, Strong Communities’ – highlights growing pressures facing local government and the very real consequences of continued underfunding for communities across Scotland. The financial pressures in social care and housing are two key areas COSLA are asking the Scottish Government to specifically address in their upcoming budget.

COSLA warns that without urgent action in January’s Budget, councils will be unable to maintain essential services such as social care, education, housing support, roads, and community safety.

COSLA Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Ricky Bell, said: “Scotland’s councils deliver the services that people rely on every single day — from caring for older and vulnerable people to keeping schools open, streets safe and communities thriving. Councils are facing greater demand than ever and are required to do more with significantly less. This is unsustainable.

“The upcoming Scottish Budget is a pivotal moment. The Scottish Government must deliver a settlement that matches the scale of the challenge. Without fair funding, communities will see services reduced and inequalities deepen, and we will struggle to meet national targets in key areas such as child poverty, housing, and net zero”

This year, councils continue to face rising inflation, increasing demand for services, and the continued impact of workforce pressures across social care and education. COSLA’s analysis shows that even maintaining current services requires substantial additional investment. As a fair and sustainable overall financial settlement COSLA’s key asks from the campaign include:

An immediate £750m investment in social care.
Flexibility for councils to make local decisions that respond to community needs.
Recognition of local government as an equal partner in delivering national priorities and tackling inequalities.

COSLA President, Councillor Shona Morrison, added: “Councils work tirelessly to deliver for Scotland’s communities, however, continued pressure on resources makes this increasingly challenging.

“This is about safeguarding what matters most, support for the most vulnerable, opportunities for young people, support for families, and safe, thriving communities. We hope the Budget will reflect the vital role Local Government plays in Scotland’s public services.”