I wanted to follow up with some additional information after our community pop up event on the 7th March.
I’d like to pass on our thanks to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh again for hosting us. It was a beautiful sunny day and it was a great spot to have our information stand.
We spoke with many members of the local community and some passing visitors. Thank you if you managed to make it along, it was really lovely to meet some members of the Community Council and the Friends of Inverleith Park in person as well as welcome partners from The City of Edinburgh Council. We received some valuable feedback and comments.
Keep updated
I’d like to highlight the Climate Ready Craigleith StoryMap for information on the current projects. This includes some of the images of the proposals on Arboretum Place we shared on Saturday in case you were unable to attend.
Children in Edinburgh are being given the chance to turn their artwork into a real cake masterpiece this Mother’s Day, thanks to a special competition running at any Edinburgh Cake Box store.
The challenge is simple – children can pick up a Mother’s Day competition sheet online or from any Edinburgh Cake Box store, draw a picture of their Mum in the space provided and return it to the store by tomorrow – 12 March 2026.
The winning child will see their drawing professionally printed onto a real Mother’s Day Party Platter Cake – transforming their artwork into a delicious centrepiece to be enjoyed at a family celebration.
As well as seeing their design brought to life, the winner will also receive a Mother’s Day party bundle to take home and enjoy with their family.
Collect a design sheet in-store at any Edinburgh or download from online here.
Draw a picture of your Mum in the space provided – the more heartfelt and creative, the better.
Return the completed sheet to any Cake Box store by 12 March 2026.
The competition is open to children of all ages and offers a creative and meaningful way for local families to celebrate Mother’s Day together.
As well as offering a chance to win, it encourages local families to get involved in the community and get creative during the summer holidays.
Sukh Chamdal, founder and chief executive officer (CEO) at Cake Box, said: “We love finding ways to make celebrations even more special for families. This Mother’s Day competition gives children the chance to create something truly personal for their Mum and, for one lucky winner, that drawing will become a real cake they can share together. We can’t wait to see the wonderful designs from children in Edinburgh.”
Cake Box is the UK’s leading retailer of handmade, fresh cream egg-free cakes. Its 290+ stores nationwide offer beautifully handcrafted celebration cakes and sweet treats for every occasion. Stores also offer quick and beautiful personalisation, for an extra special touch.
Visit www.cakebox.com to find your local store or click and collect in as little as one hour.
A Glasgow man is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of his “lifesaving” decision to stop smoking by helping people from his local community to follow in his path.
Jim Peddie, 59, from Easterhouse, said the free help he received from NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Quit Your Way service in 2016 was a major turning point for his health and finances, and he now feels duty bound to help others experience the benefits of a smoke-free life.
“There’s no doubt about it, Quit Your Way saved my life,” Jim said. “I started smoking when I was 14 and I’m now 59. I never thought I could quit but I was constantly thinking about how bad it was for me, then I’d get stressed about that, then have a fag to calm down.
“I tried going cold turkey, I tried acupuncture, I paid for a hypnotist, but nothing worked until I went to the group at Easterhouse Health Centre and met the team there.”
Jim’s quit journey started when he needed to save up enough money to send his son on a once-in-a-lifetime school trip to New York. He received 12 weeks of face-to-face behaviour change support and a prescription of free stop smoking medication Champix through Quit Your Way at his local health centre, saving around £70 a week and financing his son’s trip.
The same type of support is available across NHSGGC today, with Champix replacement Varenicline proving to be one of the most effective products in a wide range of supports available to help people quit.
Quit Your Way also offers help in one-to-one settings, through telephone support, the Smokefree app or through NHS pharmacies. Specialist supports are also in place to help people stop smoking in local prisons, mental health and maternity services.
After recently reuniting with the NHS staff who helped him a decade ago, Jim’s now a man on a mission, speaking to the new people attending the weekly group in Easterhouse about his journey.
“I’m here to pass on the support I got all those years ago,” Jim added.
“Stopping smoking will save your life. There are people who will support you and, as the name suggests, you can Quit Your Way. If you’ve ever thought about quitting, reach out for support.”
Trish Thomson is an NHS Quit Your Way practitioner at the Easterhouse group – which meets every Thursday 10 – 11am – and was there when Jim quit in 2016.
She said: “The most important thing for people to understand is that we are here to help them navigate their quit journey and with the support of the Quit Your Way specialist staff and other group members you are more likely to remain smoke-free.
“Jim’s a brilliant example of that. He came to us with a desire to stop after trying lots of different ways. We found what motivated him, gave him the right medication, and supported him until he was eventually smoke-free.”
Jim’s story comes as NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde encourages people to quit smoking as part of No Smoking Day TODAY – 11 March 2026.
The prevalence of smoking continues to decline in Scotland each year, but tobacco remains one of the main drivers of ill-health across Greater Glasgow and Clyde and disproportionately affects people living in deprived communities.
Amidst a slowing of quit rates nationally, NHSGGC has recently re-introduced the highly effective stop smoking medication Varenicline – previously known as Champix – as one of the many supports available to people who want to quit.
Local sellers, artisans and creatives are invited to join LifeCare’s annual Spring Fair on Sunday 12th April10.30am – 1.30pm at the fully accessible LifeCare Hub, 2 Cheyne Street, EH4 1JB.
For just £20 per table (with all proceeds going to the charity’s vital services) the fair is a great way to reach a new local group of customers. Visitors of all ages will be dropping by to browse, shop and soak up the springtime buzz with our delicious fresh baking and a nice cuppa!
“Events like this bring people together and help us all celebrate our community,” said Sarah Duckmanton, Events Coordinator at LifeCare. “Our hub is a safe, welcoming space for everyone, people of all ages and abilities can join in the fun.”
A new plan to reduce deaths and harms caused by alcohol and drugs has been published.
The joint Scottish Government and COSLA plan aims to improve collaboration between government and grassroots delivery with a locally-led, accountable system, guided by clear national direction and support.
Backed by more than £160 million in 2026-27, the plan builds on the Scottish Government’s five-year National Mission on Drugs which ends in April.
A key priority is to expand treatment standards to include alcohol and all drugs. It has a renewed focus on prevention, withspecific measuresto stop people from developing problem alcohol and drug use. It also maintains support for residential rehabilitation with a focus on improving pathways through detox, crisis care and stabilisation.
The plan is underpinned by a human-rights based approach. This ensures that people with first-hand experience help shape the design and delivery of services and receive person-centred support.
Speaking at the Haven residential rehabilitation service, which has received £600,000 for eight additional beds, Drugs and Alcohol Policy Minister Maree Todd said: “The last five years have seen record investment in alcohol and drugs services, with significant progress, but we want to do more. This plan marks the next phase in our response to tackling alcohol and drug harms.
“We are already widening access to treatment, residential rehabilitation and life-saving naloxone, and Glasgow hosts the UK’s first Safer Drug Consumption Facility. As we respond to new challenges – including an increasingly toxic drugs supply – this plan refocuses our efforts in a more co-ordinated and sustainable way.
“As a joint Scottish Government and COSLA initiative, this plan will strengthen national and local partnership working so that people can receive the right help when and where they need it.”
The plan is aimed at preventing initial harm and supporting long-term recovery and wellbeing and focuses on four interconnected areas:
· prevention and early intervention
· harm reduction
· treatment and care
· the wider circle of support.
Priorities include strengthening local delivery, supporting the voluntary sector and workforce and improving data, research and evidence.
COSLA Health and Social Care spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly said: “Far too many individuals and families continue to be affected by drugs and alcohol harms. We need to do everything we can to support people, which requires us to work across spheres of government.
“Bringing local and national government together for the first time in this way represents a step change in how we plan and deliver support for people affected by drugs and alcohol.
“Local government works closely with our communities, across a range of preventative services, and has strong local knowledge of the challenges our communities face.
“No single service can respond to the ongoing challenge of drugs and alcohol harms. It is only by working in partnership, investing sustainably in vital supports and through the co-ordinated efforts of the whole system, that we prevent issues before they arise and support people to sustain recovery.”
The Haven Chief Executive Gary Lister said: “Through its holistic, recovery-focused programme, The Haven supports individuals to rebuild their lives, restore family relationships and move towards long-term recovery.
“The Scottish Government’s support for the current expansion of the facility — including eight additional residential beds and enhanced living spaces — will help ensure more people can access the safe, structured support they need to begin that journey.”
Paul Waterson, SAIP Chair said: “The Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership is committed to promoting responsible consumption and tackling harmful drinking. The data show that progress is being made in tackling harmful consumption, but more needs to be done.
“Scotland has had in place for many years a wide-ranging whole population approach. What is needed to make further progress is greater focus and more action to deliver targeted interventions such as community alcohol partnerships, and a greater use of assertive outreach.
“We welcome the commitment to engagement with business and industry on the alcohol harm prevention plan to be published later in 2026.”
We’re pleased to share that funding has been secured for a Youth Work Preventing Violence Fund, supporting 10 local youth work organisations to deliver early intervention projects!
Find out more about No Knives Better Lives’ approach:
We’re pleased to share some positive news. Funding has been secured for a Youth Work Preventing Violence Fund, which will support local partner organisations to strengthen early intervention work with young people.
Through this fund, 10 youth work organisations will be supported to deliver violence prevention initiatives using youth work approaches. These projects will focus on reaching young people early, building relationships, and providing support before issues escalate into harm.
Youth work has long been recognised as a key protective factor in young people’s lives. At its core are trusted relationships with prosocial adults, safe spaces, and opportunities for young people to build confidence, skills, and positive identities. These elements are central to preventing violence.
By offering consistent support, positive role models, and constructive alternatives, youth workers help young people navigate challenges and make safer choices.
Crucially, this approach is not about reinventing the wheel. The youth work sector already knows what works. Early intervention, relationship-based practice, and community-led youth work have proven time and again to be effective in reducing risk and strengthening protective factors around young people.
Alongside delivery, the programme will also focus on building the evidence base. We will gather learning and develop case studies that demonstrate the real impact youth work can have in preventing violence. While it’s encouraging to see increasing recognition of youth work nationally, it is vital that this recognition is backed by strong evidence that can help secure further investment and resources for the sector.
We’re excited to work with partners on this initiative and will share updates as the programme develops.
650,000 Scots are being urged to quit tobacco this No Smoking Day (Wednesday 11 March 2026)to boost their health, wellbeing and personal finances.
The call is coming from health charity ASH Scotland, Public Health Scotland and the Scottish Government as part of the 2026 national ‘Quit and Win’ No Smoking Day campaign.
The campaign is highlighting that an average smoker who gives up tobacco could save ?3,332 after a year, reduce feelings of anxiety, decrease the risk of coronary heart disease and, within 10 years, cut the risk of lung cancer by half.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “There is an average of 172 preventable smoking-attributable deaths in Scotland every week, with people in our poorest communities among those most affected.
“Free expert advice offered by NHS Scotland’s Quit Your Way services, however, can improves the chances of quit smoking success by three to four times. We encourage everyone who wants to live tobacco-free to mark No Smoking Day by reaching for Quit Your Way’s specialist support which is the best thing to do to improve health, wellbeing and personal finances.”
Jenni Minto MSP, Public Health Minister, said: “If you are a smoker, please let this No Smoking Day be the start of your journey to a tobacco-free future. I know that quitting is hard but, in Scotland, there is free support available through the NHS stop smoking service Quit Your Way.
“The website offers expert advice and you will be directed to local services where you can access a range of free support, medications and products.”
— Public Health Scotland (@P_H_S_Official) March 11, 2026
Dr Garth Reid, Consultant in Public Health at Public Health Scotland, said: “Smoking is one of the biggest causes of ill health and premature death in Scotland. Giving up smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, and the benefits start to happen quickly ?– even for people who have smoked for a long time.
“Whether you’re ready to stop, or just beginning to think about it, the NHS Scotland stop smoking service, Quit Your Way, and your local pharmacy are here to help you stop smoking and stay stopped in a way that is right for you.”
Anyone who has the goal of giving up smoking is advised to contact QuitYourWay.scot or call the free helpline on 0800 848484.
“One of the biggest reforms to Parliament and UK democracy in a generation” – really?
Hereditary peers will no longer have the right to sit and vote in the House of Lords in one of the biggest reforms to Parliament in a generation.
Fulfilling a key manifesto pledge of the current Government, the Hereditary Peers Bill will ensure that places in the Lords are not reserved for people born into certain families.
The passage of the Bill completes a process started a quarter of a century ago to remove the hereditary principle from the House of Lords and bring the UK into line with other 21st century democracies.
The Hereditary Peers Bill has passed in the House of Lords in one of the biggest reforms to Parliament and UK democracy in a generation’.
The Bill, which was passed on Tuesday evening, fulfills one of the Government’s key manifesto pledges and marks the completion of work started over 25 years ago to remove the right for hereditary peers to sit and vote in the House of Lords.
The Government believes that no one should be able to vote on legislation solely on the basis of their inheritance, so reform of this outdated and undemocratic principle has been long overdue.
Leader of the House of Lords, Baroness Smith said: “The Lords plays a vital role within our bicameral Parliament, but nobody should sit in the House by virtue of an inherited title. That is why the government committed to removing the remaining hereditary peerages, completing the reforms that were started over a quarter of a century ago.
“Getting this bill through is a major first step towards reform of the Lords, with further changes to follow – including on members’ retirement and participation requirements.”
Minister for the Cabinet Office, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said: “Hereditary peerages are an archaic and undemocratic principle. I am proud that we have fulfilled a key manifesto pledge of this government.
“Our Parliament should always be a place where talents are recognised and merit counts. It should never be a gallery of old boys’ networks, nor a place where titles, many of which were handed out centuries ago, hold power over the will of the people.”
In making this change, the Government is committed to ensuring that the House can continue to function effectively. The Government has therefore agreed to offer additional life peerages to the Official Opposition and Crossbenchers. As always, it will be for the Opposition to decide which individuals they wish to nominate for peerages.
The Bill is the first step in wider reform to the House of Lords which, besides Lesotho’s Senate, is the only legislative body that still contains a hereditary element. The Government believes that there should not be places in the second chamber of Parliament reserved for those who were born into certain families.
Currently, 92 excepted hereditary peers, which include a range of Dukes, Viscounts, and Earls, can vote on legislation in the Lords. While over 600 hereditary peers were removed from the Lords in the House of Lords Act 1999, 92 were retained as an interim measure.
The Bill will come into effect at the end of this session of Parliament, after which no peer will be a member of the House of Lords on the basis of their hereditary peerage.
Fund cleared historic debt in over 70,000 cases across Scotland
More than 70,000 instances of support were provided to families to clear historic school meal debt as a result of nearly £2.9 million investment, a new report shows.
The School Meal Debt Fund, launched in May 2024, was distributed to the 30 councils that applied for assistance to clear debt accrued by families up to 31 March 2024.
The fund was established in response to cost-of-living pressures and the stigma that school meal debt can place on children.
The School Meal Debt Fund Report, published today, also sets out councils’ strategies for addressing meal debt, such as flexible payment options, simplified free school meal applications and extended free meal provision.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “No child should feel the burden of school meal debt, and no family should face unnecessary stress over the cost of their child’s lunch.
“This report highlights the compassionate and innovative approaches being taken by councils to support families – from streamlining free school meal applications to offering flexible payment options and working directly with families facing hardship.
“School meal debt is still an issue. While councils are proactively identifying and supporting those who need help the most, they must ensure that all families never reach the point of debt in the first place. We will continue to work with councils to ensure that more can be done to address this.
“Over 230,000 pupils are currently benefitting from free school meals, a crucial element in our commitment to eradicate child poverty. This saves families who take up the offer every school day around £450 per child, per year.
“Our 2026-27 Budget expands free school meal provision to reach an additional 5,500 pupils, continuing our mission to give every child the best possible start in life.”
Majority are for families with children, reports Trussell
Families with children continue to be among hardest hit, receiving 56% of parcels despite representing only 38% of the overall population
Severe hardship among older people is rising sharply, with parcels provided to people aged 65+ more than doubling (106%) since 2019
Scottish stars including Brian Cox, Sanjeev Kohli, Julie Graham, Mark Bonnar and Gregor Fisher join call for political parties to commit to ending need for food banks ahead of Holyrood elections
Trussell warns that people are feeling “overlooked and left behind” as the strain eases for some, while ongoing, day-to-day hardship continues to weigh heavily on other families
New figures released today by Trussell reveal that almost 220,000 emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hunger and hardship across Scotland in 2025, as hunger continues to grip communities.
Trussell’s community of food banks in Scotland are providing the equivalent of 600 food parcels a day – or one parcel every 2 and a half minutes.
Trussell reported a 13% drop in the total parcel numbers provided in Scotland compared to the previous year of 2024, largely due to easing inflation – reflecting a slowdown in the rising cost of essentials – alongside fewer people losing their jobs. While this means some people have been able to get back on their feet, the charity warns too many are feeling “overlooked and left behind” as incomes from social security and wages continue to fail to cover the high costs of essentials like food, utility bills, and toiletries.
Parents are among the people shouldering the heaviest burden, as families with children received more than half (56%) of all parcels in 2025, despite making up just 38% of Scotland’s population. Trussell is also reporting an alarming rise in hardship among older people in Scotland. Between 2019 and 2025 the number of parcels provided for people aged 65 and over more than doubled (106% increase).
Food banks are describing the persistent hardship they witness as “appalling”, with people sitting in the dark to save electricity, parents skipping meals to feed their children, and people in such impossible situations that they open food parcels to eat before leaving the food bank.
At the same time, levels of need continue to outpace donations. Many food banks say they are at breaking point and are having to purchase significant amounts of food just to keep shelves stocked.
The charity says such appalling levels of hunger and hardship should serve as a wake-up call for the upcoming election. In Scotland, there are high levels of public concern about hunger and hardship with 94% of people saying it’s a problem. (Trussell Public Attitudes Survey 2025)
This Holyrood election, the charity is calling on all political parties and candidates to commit to a plan to end the need for food banks in Scotland for good.
A host of Scottish celebrities have also joined Trussell’s call.
Brian Cox, actor and Succession star, said:“No one should have to turn to a food bank to get by. But shockingly, almost 220,000 emergency food parcels were distributed across Scotland last year – with so many of these provided for children.
“I know from my own experience that poverty has a lasting impact that never leaves you. It has a stubborn grip. Food banks are a lifeline, but they shouldn’t have to exist in a just and compassionate society.
“That’s why I’m calling on all political parties in the Holyrood elections to commit to ending the need for food banks in Scotland for good. Because hunger is not inevitable.”
Sanjeev Kohli, Still Game star and comedian, said:“Finport & Craiglang might be fictional, but in very real communities the length & breadth of our country, too many people are struggling to afford the essentials and will have no choice but to turn to their local food bank for support.
“Parents are being forced to ration nappies and people are opening food parcels to eat as soon as they leave the food bank. I don’t want to live in a country which stands by as people are forced to the brink like this.
“I stand with Trussell in putting pressure on all political parties in the Holyrood elections to commit to ending the need for food banks for good.”
Julie Graham, Shetland actor, said:“It’s not right that anyone should be facing hunger in Scotland today.
It’s especially alarming how many children are experiencing this, struggling to get through a day at school on an empty stomach.
“That’s why I’m standing with Trussell and calling on all political parties in the Holyrood elections to commit to ending the need for food banks, so no one has to go through this.”
Mark Bonnar, actor and Celebrity Traitors star, said: “It’s shocking that so many people are still facing hunger and hardship in Scotland today.
“This shouldn’t be the case in 2026. Food banks are a lifeline, but they shouldn’t be necessary. I am standing with Trussell to call on all political parties to commit to ending the need for food banks in Scotland for good.”
Gregor Fisher, actor and Rab C Nesbitt star, said: “The number of people having to turn to food banks across Scotland in order to survive is unacceptable.
“With almost 220,000 emergency food parcels being distributed to people across the country, and so many of these provided for children, it’s clear that the time for action is now.
“It’s a disgrace that so many families are struggling to get by. That’s why I’m standing with Trussell to call for all political parties in the Holyrood elections to prioritise solutions that will end hunger, and commit to a future without food banks.”
Cara Hilton, senior policy and public affairs manager at Trussell Scotland, said:“Today’s figures show that too many people across Scotland are still being pushed to the brink. Hunger continues to hold a harsh grip on communities, leaving many people feeling overlooked and left behind.
“This is heartbreaking. No one should be forced to turn to a food bank because they can’t afford the essentials we all need, like food, bills and toiletries. But right now, too many people are being forced to skip meals so their children can eat, or survive on cups of tea because they don’t have any food left in the cupboards.
“This Holyrood election, we need to see the political will to act on the unacceptably high levels of hunger and hardship. We must build a Scotland where everyone can afford the essentials, where every child has a decent start in life, and where charitable food provision is consigned to history.
“We urge all political parties and candidates to commit to a plan to end the need for food banks in Scotland for good. We won’t stop until everyone has enough to afford the essentials and we can end the need for food banks for good.”
Pam, 59, a former police officer from Kirkintilloch, said: “Having worked as a police officer until I had to quit due to ill-health, I never thought I’d need to use a food bank. I had to get a hip replacement due to arthritis, and then my house was repossessed as I just couldn’t afford to keep going.
“I visited the food bank in some of my darkest days, and the support of the food bank helped me not only get the food I needed but the right support too. They gave me the help I needed to cope with my illness and that’s why after using the food bank, I volunteered there to help give back.
“Despite being able to get back on my feet a little, I later suffered an aneurysm in my brain which left me having to learn to walk again, and the damage that caused means I sometimes struggle with the sheer level of administration that comes with claiming Universal Credit.
“I am now at risk of having to use it again because the health element of my benefits is being reviewed.”
Trussell says food banks need everyone to play their part to move us towards ending the need for emergency food in the UK.
The public can help make sure food banks can continue to provide warm, compassionate, practical support and advice in the year ahead by donating food or funds to Trussell or your local food bank to help end hunger in the UK.
You can find out how many emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship in your local area on the Trussell website: campaign.trussell.org.uk/parcels-by-postcode
