NHS 24 is here for you if you need help over the #bankholidayweekend. 
There’s lots of helpful links in our comments to help you get the right care in the right place. including:
When to call 111
symptom checkers – online health advice on common illnesses
Mental health support
Scotland’s Service Directory – Details of health and wellbeing services in Scotland.
Pharmacy First Scotland and accessing medicines
Spring health tips
Workplace expert Acas has offered some recommendations to help employers manage workplace challenges due to hot weather.
Acas Chief Executive Niall Mackenzie said: ““The warmer weather will be welcomed by many, but for some staff getting into work, or those working in warmer environments, it can be uncomfortable.
“Some workers with certain health conditions or disabilities may be adversely affected by the heat. The hotter weather can also impact public transport, which can hinder workers travelling to work.
“Acas has some top tips for employers to help ensure their businesses remain productive during the heatwave while keeping staff happy too.”
By law, employers have a ‘duty of care’ to make sure working temperatures are reasonable for their staff. This includes at the workplace and working from home.
Acas’s recommendations for hot weather working include:
Workplace temperatures should be reasonable
There is no legal maximum working temperature. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) advice is that the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings must be reasonable.
The HSE offers advice on how to carry out a thermal comfort risk assessment if staff are unhappy with the temperature: http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/index.htm
Keeping cool at work
Switch on any fans or air conditioners to keep workplaces comfortable and use blinds or curtains to block out sunlight. Staff working outside should wear appropriate clothes and use sunscreen to protect from sunburn.
Stay hydrated
Employers must provide staff with suitable drinking water in the workplace. Workers should drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration and not wait until they are thirsty. Employers could allow extra breaks for staff to get cold drinks.
Dress code
Employers are not under any obligation to relax their uniform or dress code requirements during hot weather but where possible it may be advisable to for employers to relax the rules for wearing ties or suits.
Getting into work
If public transport gets adversely affected by the hot weather, this could affect staff attendance and their ability to get into work on time.
Staff should check timetables in advance, and employers should be flexible. https://www.acas.org.uk/disruption-getting-to-work
Vulnerable workers
Workers with health conditions or disabilities may be affected more by hot weather.
Employers should assess for any risks and discuss what they need to reduce or remove that risk. This might include providing fans, portable air-cooling units or more frequent or longer breaks.
Employers must make reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities. https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments
For further advice, please see:
https://www.acas.org.uk/extreme-temperatures-in-the-workplace
An Inverness pupil has seen her award-winning design come to life after officially unveiling the finished garden at Scotmid’s Head Office in Newbridge, Edinburgh.
Eleven-year-old Shona Smith captured judges’ attention with her imaginative bee-friendly design in Scotmid’s nationwide competition celebrating teamwork, community and nature as part of the International Year of Co-operatives 2025.
Now, months later, she travelled from the Highlands to Edinburgh with her family to see the completed garden for the very first time.
Working closely from Shona’s original sketch, Scotmid colleagues carefully recreated her vision, keeping the final layout and planting as true to her design as possible.
The project brought together community groups and local suppliers from across Scotland. Herb planters were handcrafted by the Forth Bridges Men’s Shed to create an edible garden, while picnic benches were upcycled by members of Shettleston Growing Project in Glasgow. Logs used in the garden came from a recently felled sycamore tree in Angus.
As part of the original school project, pupils learned about suitable plants and trees for the environment before carefully selecting the varieties included within the design. All plants and trees used in the finished garden were sourced locally.
The finished garden features bee-friendly planting, edible herbs and shared seating areas designed to encourage people to stop, spend time together and enjoy nature.
Shona said: “It feels amazing to see my drawing turned into a real garden. When I designed it, I wanted it to be a happy place for people and somewhere that would help bees too.
“I still can’t quite believe it has actually been built, and that people are going to be able to enjoy it every day.”
Eddie Thorn, President at Scotmid, said: “Seeing Shona’s drawing transformed into a real garden has been incredibly special.
“Her idea perfectly captured community spirit and care for the environment, and we’re proud that her design now has a permanent home at Scotmid.
“This project brought together colleagues, community groups and local suppliers to create something that will be enjoyed for years to come.”
The garden will remain at Scotmid Head Office as a lasting symbol of creativity, community spirit, and co-operative values.
