Families of children with disabilities and additional support needs are being encouraged to apply for the Council’s Holiday Hub provision, with the window now open for applications until 3 June 2026.
The Council has offered Holiday Hubs to eligible school age children and young people for over two decades – offering vital school holiday provision for those who cannot access any other form of mainstream activities during the holidays due to the nature or complexity of their disability or support needs.
Running Monday – Thursday from 9am to 3pm during the October, February, Easter and Summer holidays across ten weeks in total throughout the academic year, each holiday hub is run by an activity provider who is contracted by the Council to deliver the provision.
This year, adaptations and updates to Holiday Hub eligibility criteria have been made to reflect extensive collaboration that has taken place with families through the Holiday Hubs parent/carer steering group.
This is to ensure provision is allocated as fairly and transparently as possible to children and young people who need it the most.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said: “We have offered vital school holiday support to Edinburgh families for over 20 years, and I know from speaking to parents/carers just how much they need, value and rely on this provision during school holidays.
“Offering this support goes hand in hand with our ambition to make sure that every child and young person in Edinburgh has the opportunity to thrive and realise their full potential. Holiday Hubs offer a space where children and young people with a disability or an additional support need can have fun, take part in activities and make friends in a setting that meets their needs.
“I want to thank those families who are part of our Holiday Hubs parent and carer steering group. The input they have shared ensures that our investment in this important service meets the needs of those it is designed to help.”
A NEW partnership between leading beauty education provider The Academy Glasgow and One Spa at Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh is set to create a fresh pathway into the wellness industry, helping tackle therapist shortages while developing the next generation of spa professionals.
The initiative will see aspiring therapists undertake a structured scholarship-style training programme delivered by The Academy Glasgow, combining recognised qualifications with practical, hands-on experience within the live spa environment at One Spa.
Designed to support people entering the profession from a range of backgrounds, the programme blends classroom learning, practical assessments and workplace immersion to provide trainees with the skills, confidence and commercial understanding needed to build lasting careers in spa and wellness.
Fiona Young, Spa Director at One Spa, said: “This is about building careers, not filling vacancies. By combining high-quality education with genuine hands-on experience in a real spa environment, we’re creating a more modern pathway into the profession.
“Traditional three-year routes are not always realistic for everyone, but at the same time, one-day courses are not the answer either. Delivering treatments professionally requires far more than simply learning techniques, therapists need a proper understanding of anatomy and physiology, health and safety, client care and the guest experience.
“Partnering with The Academy Glasgow allows us to create a genuine pathway into the profession, giving people the highest standard of training alongside real-world experience from day one.”
Through the programme, trainees will work towards a globally recognised CIBTAC qualification in massage and facial therapy, delivered by The Academy Glasgow, while employed by Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh throughout the process.
Founded as one of Scotland’s leading specialist training providers in beauty and wellness education, The Academy Glasgow is known for delivering industry-recognised qualifications and preparing students for successful careers across the spa and aesthetics sectors.
The Academy’s practical-led teaching model ensures trainees graduate with both the technical expertise and professional standards expected by premium wellness employer like the Sheraton.
Jenny Storey, Director of The Academy said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome One Spa at Sheraton Grand Hotel as one of our new spa partners and incredibly grateful that such a prestigious spa has placed their trust in our Spa Therapist Traineeship programme.
Over the years, we have built multiple successful spa partnerships and have remained committed to delivering highly skilled, professional therapists who are truly prepared for the industry.
At the heart of everything we do is a genuine passion for raising standards within the spa and wellness sector. We care deeply about setting our learners up for long-term success, not only by developing their technical ability, but by inspiring confidence, professionalism, and a true passion for the industry.
By training our learners through globally recognised CIBTAC qualifications, we are able to give aspiring therapists the strongest possible foundation at the very beginning of their careers. We are excited to work alongside One Spa to help shape the next generation of exceptional spa professionals.”
Among the first to join the programme are Gaia and Poppie, two aspiring therapists entering the profession from very different backgrounds.
Originally from Milan, Gaia previously worked in marketing and has long held an interest in wellness, having grown up around alternative therapies through her mother’s work as an Ayurvedic therapist.
She said: “Wellness has always been something I’ve been passionate about, so having the chance to turn that into a career in such a supportive environment is incredibly exciting.
“It feels like the perfect opportunity to build something long term.”
Poppie, who has worked across a variety of hospitality roles, previously completed massage training through evening classes before deciding to pursue spa therapy professionally.
She said: “I always knew I enjoyed this kind of work, but I wanted the opportunity to explore it properly and develop real expertise.
“This gives me the chance to learn in a hands-on environment while building towards a genuine career.”
Alongside formal teaching at The Academy Glasgow, trainees will receive mentorship from senior One Spa therapists and gain exposure to every aspect of spa operations, including guest journeys, reception and behind-the-scenes service delivery.
This holistic training approach is designed to create well-rounded professionals equipped for long-term success within the sector.
Fiona added: “What sets this apart is the depth of experience. This is not simply a qualification — it’s a full introduction to the profession, delivered through expert education and immersive workplace learning.
“We want people to leave this programme feeling confident, capable and proud of the standards they’ve been trained to uphold.”
As demand for premium wellness experiences continues to grow, partnerships between education providers and employers are expected to play an increasingly important role in strengthening the future workforce of the spa industry.
Located in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa Edinburgh blends contemporary Scottish style with five-star hospitality, while One Spa remains one of Scotland’s leading luxury wellness destinations.
. Don’t miss out – Glasgow 2026 funding won’t last forever!
Communities across Scotland are being invited to go All In — but you’ll need to move fast!
Up to £10,000 is available through National Lottery Awards for All to support sport, arts and community activities inspired by the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2026.
. You can use the funding to bring people together, get more people active, support well-being, celebrate culture and diversity and create something lasting for your community.
Funding is open to new and existing projects – current grant holders can apply too!
There’s no deadline – but funding will close as soon as the money runs out.
Depending on your age, health conditions, or other factors, you could be eligible for a Covid Spring Booster Vaccine.
Our team will be at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, 11 Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh, EH5 1NF on the 26th May from 10am till 1pm and 1.40pm till 4pm.
For eligibility and details about other pop-up clinics, please click the link below or call the Vaccination Enquiries Helpline: 0300 790 6296.
Edinburgh City Paramedic, Jay Watt, is running in this weekend’s Edinburgh Marathon to raise money for SAMH, clad in a full suit of metal armour.
Jay has been running the Edinburgh Marathon every year since 2011 in a new costume to raise money for local and children’s charities. Previous years’ costumes have included Buzz Lightyear, aliens, and a bunny suit, raising money for The Yard and The Teenage Cancer Trust, amongst others.
Speaking about his latest challenge, Jay said: “In my job, I have encountered patients struggling with their mental health, so this year I wanted to raise awareness of the support SAMH give and raise money to help them continue their important work.
“This is my 20th marathon, and I’ve run in big mascot costumes before, but this year I wanted to break through the stigma of mental health and let people know it’s okay to have a chink in your armour.”
In addition to running the marathon, Jay has been putting the suit through its paces by skiing, boxing, kayaking, and more. He has had some help from a Scottish blacksmith, Kev Paxton, to ensure his suit can withstand each challenge.
Jay said: “Kev has helped me adjust the suit so I can do these activities in it and raise as much awareness as I can.
“By taking part in these sports and fitness activities, I am looking to encourage a positive vibe about mental health and encouraging people to reach out.”
Follow Jay’s journey and donate to his fundraiser here:
Half (49%) of young drivers have bought insurance through social media or messaging apps, new research reveals. With 4 in 10 (39%) unconfident in spotting the signs of a fake policy, thousands could be paying for cover that doesn’t exist.
The FCA is warning 17-to 25-year-old drivers about ‘ghost broking’ scams where criminals sell bogus insurance policies through social media and messaging platforms.
Ghost brokers pose as legitimate insurance sellers but offer cheap rates. The policies they sell are either entirely fake, are invalid because they falsify details to bring the price down, or are cancelled shortly after purchase. Victims are left unknowingly uninsured and at risk of prosecution, fines and even having their car seized.
Almost half of those polled (45%) said they generally trust products or services bought through social media. Young drivers may also be at greater risk due to cost of living pressures – with 1 in 7 (15%) saying they find it difficult to fit insurance into their monthly budget.
To avoid being taken for a ride, the FCA is urging young drivers to:
Be wary of offers that sound too good to be true.
Avoid deals only available through social media and messaging platforms. Genuine sellers should have a legitimate website, phone number and address.
Use the FCA Firm Checker to confirm the firm is authorised. Drivers should check the firm’s contact details match those listed on Firm Checker to make sure they are dealing with the genuine firm.
Graeme Reynolds, director of insurance at the FCA said:
‘Tight budgets make cheap offers tempting – and scammers take advantage of that. Don’t get ghosted by a policy that doesn’t exist. Check the FCA Firm Checker before you buy, because driving uninsured could cost you far more than any premium.’
The FCA is working with social media influencers to warn young drivers about the growing threat of ghost broking.
Ursula Jallow, Director at the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), said: “Ghost broking scams are causing significant harm, particularly to young drivers, who are often targeted by fraudsters.
“Victims can lose substantial sums and may have their vehicles seized for driving uninsured, impacting their ability to work and access education. Raising awareness of the warning signs is vital.
“We are working closely with the FCA, police and industry partners to support enforcement efforts and protect the public. Anyone with information about insurance fraud is encouraged to report it confidentially via our CheatLine.”
Over 50,000 illegal cigarettes have been seized in a multi-agency day of action in Glasgow.
Following concerns raised by the community, officers from the local problem-solving team at Cathcart Police Office were joined by partners from Trading Standards and the Home Office on Tuesday, 19 May, 2026.
Several shops in the Govanhill area were visited, and a total of 51,000 illegal cigarettes with a street value of around £47,000 were discovered, with the help of specialist search dogs Boo and Rosie from Trading Standards.
Fines were issued and enquiries are ongoing.
Sergeant Gary Phillips said: “We will continue to work closely with our partners to target areas of concern and stop the illegal sale of counterfeit goods.
“This day of action highlights our commitment to protecting the public, supporting lawful traders, and taking action against those involved in criminality.
“If you have information regarding those involved in the supply of illegal cigarettes and tobacco then contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Police Scotland has been urged to review staffing levels at one of the country’s busiest police custody centres.
His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary in Scotland (HMICS) and Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) carried out a joint inspection of the police custody centre at St Leonards Police Station, in Edinburgh.
Staff at the custody centre described it as ‘significantly understaffed’ and told inspectors that gaps in staffing levels meant the care provided to detainees was not to the standard they would like to see, or that detainees deserve.
Inspectors found that staffing pressures could compromise the completion of routine tasks including the provision of showers for detainees and time spent with them.
Local policing officers taking detainees to the custody centre said there were rarely enough custody staff available to run the three charge bars at the police station.
They said this commonly resulted in queues of arresting officers with their detainees and had a knock-on impact on operational policing as officers remained delayed at St Leonards rather than returning to frontline policing.
HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary in Scotland, Craig Naylor, said: “HMICS and HIS have now jointly inspected ten police custody centres across Scotland, and during this latest inspection we identified a number of issues that we have previously highlighted elsewhere – including issues around staffing levels.
“We recently made a recommendation to Police Scotland that they examine staffing levels and make arrangements to ensure that appropriate staff resource is in place to maintain safe and effective custody centre operations.
“While we have not repeated this recommendation, it has relevance for the St Leonards custody centre.
“Consideration should be given to reviewing the rationale for the existing staffing model to ensure it remains suitable and fit for purpose.”
Inspectors said the national custody staff model which is used by Police Scotland – with one sergeant and one staff member per ten detainees – did not meet the needs of such a busy custody centre.
St Leonards has 34 cells and serves as the main police custody centre for Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian.
Records show 7,157 people were held in custody at St Leonards police station during 2024-2025.[1]
Staff reported limited ability to take breaks.
They also highlighted challenges associated with sickness absence, delays in body armour provision that restricted the deployment of new members of the custody team, and with some staff being on restricted duties which meant they were unable to assist at the charge bar.
Limited management visibility was also raised by staff, with some expressing concern that Police Scotland was not responding effectively to pressures within the custody environment.
HMICS and HIS inspectors visited the St Leonards custody centre in September last year, as part of their review to assess the treatment of, and conditions for, any individuals being detained.
The joint review found child detainees who were brought to St Leonards custody centre were managed appropriately, with none placed in cells and the longest detention period under five hours.
Inspectors said this was a significant improvement from previous inspections.
However, the inspection found there were issues around the recording of information on the National Custody System, including details relating to wellbeing observations of detainees, their meals, healthcare interactions, care planning and legal rights.
Care plans and handovers were found to routinely lack case-specific details, while records frequently relied on ‘generic, copy-and-paste entries’ which diminished their value.
The inspection team said the physical condition of the custody cells at St Leonards was good, but they identified safety and operational concerns related to the recent addition of a new detainee holding room opposite the charge bar area.
The report said the narrow layout often resulted in congestion when accommodating multiple detainees and their escorting officers.
Inspectors stated: “Staff described incidents since the opening of this facility in which disorderly or incapacitated detainees obstructed exit routes, leading to unwanted physical contact and, on one occasion, a physical assault on a member of staff who was rendering assistance.”
Inspectors also found that while the recently upgraded charge bar facilities were bright and spacious, the layout resulted in limited confidentially during detainee processing, with conversations audible to others.
The joint custody report made 10 recommendations for improvement, including a number of healthcare-specific recommendations addressing infection prevention and control, training and the management of medicines.
The recommendations were directed at both Police Scotland and NHS Lothian who provides healthcare services in the custody centre.
[1] The number of arrested persons includes individuals who have appeared in custody on more than one occasion within the reporting period.
. Don’t miss out – Glasgow 2026 funding won’t last forever!
. You can use the funding to bring people together, get more people active, support well-being, celebrate culture and diversity and create something lasting for your community.
. Don’t wait — apply on our website now: 
