In Scotland between October and March we do not get enough of the right kind of sunlight for our bodies to make Vitamin D.
People who are more likely to be deficient in Vitamin D are recommended to take a daily supplement all year round.
Those more at risk include:
infants and children under 5 years old
pregnant and breastfeeding women
people with low sun exposure, for example those who cover their skin for cultural reasons, are housebound, confined indoors for long periods or live in an institution
people from minority ethnic groups with dark skin such as those of African, African-Caribbean and south Asian origin, who require more sun exposure to make as much vitamin D
More information from Food Standards Scotland can be found here:
37 organisations have joined us in our call for Scotland’s political parties to show their commitment to keeping the promise to children, young people, families, and care experienced adults.
With clear focus, brave decision-making, and sustained cross-party support in Parliament over the next five years, Scotland can keep the promise.
Thank you to all the partners and collaborators that have joined us so far.
If your organisation would like to sign the open letter, it is not too late and every voice counts.
As January routines begin to settle and New Year motivation turns into lasting habits, Edinburgh Leisure is reminding Edinburgh residents that it’s not too late to get started, with a £0 Joining Fee offer available until 31st January 2026.
The limited-time promotion removes the upfront cost of joining and applies to a wide range of adult memberships, including Fitness, Gym, Fitness Class, Swim, Climb, Golf, Evolve and Young Adult memberships, helping more people take the first step or return to regular physical activity.
A New Year’s Offer Designed for Real Life
Rather than focusing on short-lived resolutions, Edinburgh Leisure’s January campaign encourages a more balanced approach to wellbeing, centred on small, sustainable habits that fit into everyday life.
With no joining fee and no contract, new members can explore activities at their own pace, supported by welcoming venues and expert teams across the city.
At the centre of the campaign is Edinburgh Leisure’s Full Fitness membership, which offers broad access to gyms, swimming pools and fitness classes across multiple venues – all included under one flexible monthly price.
More Choice Across the City
For those looking for variety, Edinburgh Leisure’s wider membership range provides access to climbing facilities, golf courses, specialist fitness spaces and swimming venues, allowing customers to choose the membership that best suits their interests and goals.
The Full Fitness membership now also includes access to Evolve Meadowbank, Edinburgh Leisure’s flagship hybrid gym and training space, adding even greater flexibility and choice for members looking to train in different ways.
Throughout January, members and new joiners are benefiting from a packed programme of activity, including January gym challenges, expanded Les Mills class timetables and Free Friend Week (19-25 January) – reinforcing the role of motivation, community and enjoyment in staying active.
Local Fitness, Close to Home
With a strong local focus, the campaign continues to highlight key venues such as Royal Commonwealth Pool, Edinburgh International Climbing Arena Ratho and many more, supporting communities where demand for accessible, affordable fitness remains high. Whether returning after a break or trying something new, Edinburgh Leisure offers inclusive spaces for all ages, abilities and experience levels.
Join Before January Ends
With only weeks remaining to take advantage of the £0 Joining Fee offer, Edinburgh Leisure is encouraging anyone still considering joining to act before the end of January and carry their New Year momentum into the months ahead.Offer valid until 31st January 2026.
Changes to improve, simplify and clarify the legislative framework for the children’s care system to benefit children in care, their families and the workforce that support them will be considered by an independent, expert-led review.
The review, to be led by Professor Kenneth Norrie, a leading authority on family law in Scotland, is expected to conclude within 12 months. He will work in partnership with the Centre for Excellence for Children’s Care and Protection (CELCIS) which works to improve policy and practice in supporting families.
The review will build on initial exploratory work carried out by The Promise Scotland and will gather evidence on whether the existing legislative framework should be revised, and advise on how doing so could deliver practical and tangible benefits for children, families and the workforce.
Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, announced the review as part of the Scottish Government’s response to the Stage 1 Committee report on the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill.
Ms Don-Innes said: “Our aim is for children and young people to receive the compassionate and considerate care they need throughout their care journey, so that they grow up loved, safe and respected.
“Individuals and organisations have told me how challenging it is both to access the right support at the right time and to interpret the law around the care journey.
“This independent review will consider any opportunities to simplify the legislative landscape, to maximise practical benefits for children, their families and the professionals that support them.
I am pleased that Professor Norrie has agreed to lead this work, which will sit alongside broader proposals within the Children (Care, Care Experience and Services Planning) (Scotland) Bill.
“The Bill will help us take forward our commitment to Keep the Promise, by providing a legal right to advocacy, expanding aftercare support, and supporting smoother transitions between children’s and adult services – which people with care experience have told us they need, and I urge members across the Chamber to back the Bill’s general principles at Stage 1 this week.”
Many people want to give back to their communities, but sometimes finding the time to volunteer can be a real challenge.
It’s not always easy to commit to a traditional volunteering shift, at a specific time or on a regular basis. Balancing giving back with work, family, and other responsibilities can be difficult.
That’s why, thanks to support from players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Royal Voluntary Service has launched GoVo, a free platform created to make it easier for people to discover volunteering opportunities in their local area, or remote, suited to their interests, availability, and the causes they care about.
Alongside the more traditional and regular volunteering roles people may already be familiar with, GoVo also offers flexible, one-off, remote, and more unexpected opportunities, with location dependent roles. These include dog walking for people with a terminal illness, DJing at discos for people living with dementia, knitting baby clothes for families in need, and providing exam support for young people with visual impairments.
Time can be priceless, and volunteering your time can be even more so – not just for the causes and people it supports, but for you as a volunteer too.
Volunteering can have a powerful impact on your own wellbeing, improving mental health, building confidence, developing new skills, and creating a sense of purpose and connection with others in your community.
So, to anyone who would like to give volunteering a go – even if you feel short on time – I would encourage you to explore what’s available at GoVo.org, or to visit your local volunteer centre. There’s so much out there, and you may be surprised by just how easy it is to make a difference.
Thank you,
Dave Stott,
Director of Volunteering at Royal Voluntary Service
Hillcrest Futures’ Lauriston in Leith service has opened a free clothing boutique for women in supported accommodation, made possible by a strong response from the local community.
Staff at the service shared a request for donations on the I Love Leith Facebook group, asking if people could help set up a small clothing store for women moving into Lauriston in Leith with very few belongings. The response was overwhelming. More than 100 people replied and over 30 separate donations were received, including clothes in a wide range of sizes, accessories and clothing rails.
Unused cupboard space at the service has now been transformed into a well-stocked clothing store, which the women have named The Scorpio Boutique.
The boutique is based on a model that has already proven successful elsewhere in the city. Hillcrest Futures has long operated the Clothesline Project, a fashion boutique within its Bruntsfield House homeless accommodation service, which offers anyone in Edinburgh experiencing or at risk of homelessness access to free, good-quality clothing in a welcoming, retail-style environment.
Yvonne Donaldson, Service Manager at Lauriston in Leith, said: “We often see women arrive with very little after experiencing homelessness. We wanted to create something that was practical, but also positive and dignified.
“The response from the Leith community was incredible. People donated far more than we expected, and it has made a real difference to the women who live here.”
The Scorpio Boutique allows women to browse freely and choose items when they need them, with no limits on visits. Staff say the space has become both a useful resource and an enjoyable activity.
Yvonne added: “It is lovely to see the change in confidence when the women visit the boutique. They enjoy choosing things for themselves and often come back to show everyone what they have picked.”
The name The Scorpio Boutique was chosen by the women themselves, who put forward suggestions and voted, with Scorpio winning as many of the voters share that star sign.
One woman using the service said: “I was made homeless after my mum passed away and I lost my home and everything in it. I was left with nothing. Having the Scorpio Boutique means I can have things that belong to me again. It is not just essentials – being able to get accessories is also really important to me.”
The generosity of the local community also extends beyond clothing donations and into everyday practical support.
Recently, a staff member at Lauriston in Leith approached The Gull’s Grocery, an independent grocer in Leith, to ask whether they would consider donating any leftover fresh produce. The shop kindly agreed and is now providing a weekly supply of fresh fruit and vegetables to the women supported by the service.
These donations make a real difference, allowing residents to cook nourishing meals and enabling fresh pots of soup and other communal dishes to be prepared and shared together.
John Booth, Director of Futures, said: “This is a great example of what can happen when a community comes together.
“From clothing donations for The Scorpio Boutique to weekly fresh food from a local independent grocer, these acts of generosity help create welcoming and dignified spaces for women who have been through very difficult experiences.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has contributed.”
Lauriston in Leith is a supported accommodation service in Edinburgh for women experiencing homelessness.
Hillcrest Futures would like to thank the Leith community, and local businesses such as The Gull’s Grocery, for their kindness and ongoing support.
Drop-in Gardening starts again on Thursday 15 January, and Tuesday 20 January 1pm-3pm …
If you’re looking for a way to learn about growing food …
or to share the knowledge you have…
or for community…
or for some fresh air and gentle exercise…
or to feel like you’re making a difference…
or for a reason to get out the house – try coming along!
Newcomers and beginners always welcome. Please try to arrive 10 minutes before the start time on your first day (12:50pm) – after that, it’s drop-in anytime during the opening hours.
You can get involved with growing fruit and veg in the shared plot, wildlife habitat enhancements, and taking care of the wildflower mound and Community Orchard.
Just come along on a Tuesday or Thursday afternoon and you’ll be welcomed in.
We’ve got outdoor work kit you can borrow, plus gloves, and we supply all the tools. Just bring yourself.
Landmark contribution marks the Tattoo’s largest ever investment in arts and cultural organisations
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has announced the largest charitable donation in its history, awarding a monumental £1.5 million to good causes following the success of its 2025 Show, The Heroes Who Made Us.
The record-breaking total will support 15 military and arts charities, significantly increasing funding across the Tattoo’s full charity portfolio and ensuring vital support reaches organisations working with communities and individuals most in need.
Between 2016 and 2019, the Tattoo donated £1 million annually to charitable causes, before contributions were impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Setting an ambitious goal to return to and surpass this figure by 2025, the organisation has now exceeded expectations, marking a major milestone in its 75-year history.
The announcement follows an additional £157,000 donation to St Columba’s Hospice, generated through a 2025 initiative that saw 75p from every ticket sale donated to the Edinburgh hospice.
The charity milestone comes as the organisation looks ahead to its 2026 Show, A Call To Gather, with creative ambitions continuing to evolve under the Tattoo’s Creative Director, Alan Lane (above).
The Show is inspired by tradition rooted in Scottish identity, which saw the gathering of the clans become a gathering of nations, allies, friends, and kindred spirits, all with a shared purpose. The call has gone out to attend the must-see Tattoo performance in the summer of 2026.
Bill Morris LVO, Board Chairman of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “This extraordinary £1.5 million donation represents the very heart of what the Tattoo stands for which is using our global platform to make a meaningful difference.
“The success of the 2025 Show has allowed us not only to honour our past, but to invest in causes that will have a lasting impact on lives across the UK and beyond.
“We are immensely proud of what has been achieved and grateful to everyone who played a part in reaching this milestone.”
Jason Barrett, Chief Executive of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, said: “2025 was a monumental year for the Tattoo, and it’s incredibly special to see that success translated into tangible support for so many charitable causes.
“We are of course proud to continue our long-standing support for our military colleagues, but this year also marks our largest ever donation to the arts. At a time when arts organisations are under increasing pressure, this contribution recognises the powerful connection between the arts, performance and the military – a connection that the Tattoo embodies so successfully.
“This achievement belongs to our performers, our teams, and the audiences who joined us night after night and sets an exciting foundation as we enter 2026.”
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo returns for their 2026 Show, A Call to Gather, from 7 – 29 August and tickets can be purchased at:
