Month: June 2026

Virgin Money rolls out domestic abuse safe spaces

  • Virgin Money to offer Safe Spaces across 42 of its branches to support those impacted by domestic abuse
  • Nationwide Group provides more Safe Spaces on the high-street than any other financial services organisation as it pledges to keep all branches open until at least 2030
  • Research shows alcohol-related domestic abuse reports rose by 47 per cent on the day of an England victory at a World Cup or European Championship
  • Nationwide backs Hestia’s #SupportIsATeamSport campaign and urges anyone experiencing abuse to reach out for support

Nationwide is rolling out domestic abuse Safe Spaces across 42 Virgin Money branches as part of a commitment to tackling physical and financial abuse. It will bring the total number across Nationwide’s branch network – the UK’s largest – to 475.

Safe Spaces are private, confidential areas in branches where anyone experiencing domestic abuse can access support, make calls to specialist charities, and find safety away from their abuser.

Hestia, the specialist domestic abuse charity that runs the safe space initiative nationally,  has confirmed Nationwide now leads the financial services sector in physical safe space provision, with 475 locations available across Nationwide and Virgin Money branches, and 82 of these in locations where Nationwide are the last branch in town.

The announcement comes as England prepares for its first FIFA World Cup 2026 game this evening against Croatia. Statistics show that during Euro 2024, police forces recorded 351 domestic abuse incidents classified as football-related – an 82 per cent increase on the 193 recorded during Euro 2021. 

Researchers at Warwick Business School separately found that alcohol-related domestic abuse reports rose by 47 per cent on the day of an England victory at a World Cup or European Championship – meaning a win offers no protection for survivors.

Support for people impacted by domestic abuse:

Throughout the World Cup, Nationwide is backing Hestia’s #SupportIsATeamSport campaign, which encourages people to recognise the signs of abuse and download Bright Sky – a free, confidential app offering practical advice and access to local and national support services. The app also helps users find their nearest Nationwide or Virgin Money Safe Space and provides guidance on how to support someone safely. Customers can also locate their nearest Nationwide Safe Space using Nationwide’s Branch Finder.

Alongside its expanded Safe Spaces network, Nationwide offers a comprehensive package of support for those experiencing abuse, including a partnership with leading domestic abuse charity Refuge, providing specialist advice and emergency support. People can also access Shout, a free 24/7 confidential mental health text service, available around the clock.

For those experiencing financial and economic abuse – one of the most controlling forms of domestic abuse – Nationwide has introduced a pioneering in-app payment reference blocking feature, enabling survivors to stop seeing abusers threatening or coercive messages through bank transfers.

Mandy Beech, Director of Retail Services at Nationwide, said: “We urge anyone experiencing abuse to reach out – our in-branch Safe Spaces are here to support you.

“We know that a bank or building society might not be the most obvious or conventional place to turn in a moment of crisis, but through our charity partners and the tools we have built, there are real, practical things we can do to help people get the support they need.

“Colleagues across more than 600 branches have participated in our domestic abuse awareness training, because no one should face this alone.”

Sue Harper, Deputy Director | Domestic Abuse & Sexual Violence Prevention at Hestia said: “Hestia’s Support is a Team Sport campaign shines a light on domestic abuse during men’s football tournaments.

“While football does not cause abuse, we know that existing abusive behaviour often intensifies on match days. Heightened emotions and increased alcohol consumption can escalate harm, leaving victim-survivors dreading match days and feeling unsafe in their own homes.

“This summer, we all have a role to play. We can help people feel less alone and ensure they get the support they need. That means being alert to the signs of abuse, downloading the Bright Sky app, and checking in on those who may be at risk- before, during and after games”.

Anyone concerned about themselves or someone they know can visit a Nationwide or Virgin Money branch Safe Space, text Shout – the free mental health text service – on 85258, contact Refuge at nationaldahelpline.org.uk, or call them on 0808 2000 247.

theSpaceUK unveils over 400 shows for Edinburgh Fringe 2026

From hidden gems to Fringe favourites, the full programme is now on sale

  • Over 400 shows on sale across six Edinburgh Fringe venues
  • New writing, returning favourites and international companies from around the world
  • A musical theatre line-up featuring suffragettes, superheroes, lifeguards and mafiosos
  • Political satire takes aim at everyone from Liz Truss to reality TV traitors
  • Award-winning circus, cabaret and physical theatre from some of the Fringe’s most exciting companies

theSpaceUK has unveiled its full programme for the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with more than 400 shows appearing across its six venues this August.

This year’s programme brings together returning Fringe favourites, first-time companies, ambitious new musicals, award-winning international productions and hundreds of hours of brand-new writing. From political satire and physical theatre to family shows, cabaret and comedy, the season offers audiences the chance to discover everything from future Fringe hits to unexpected hidden gems.

Alongside familiar theSpaceUK names, the 2026 programme welcomes artists from across North America, Europe and Australasia, with stories ranging from ancient mythology and Scottish history to influencer culture, reality television and the end of the world.

Theatre Highlights

If reality television has taught us anything, it’s that betrayal is much more entertaining when everyone is wearing velvet. A Traitors Pantomimetakes the nation’s favourite game of deception and gives it a healthy dose of panto nonsense, complete with Dame Claudia, suspicious faithfuls and traitors who wouldn’t know subtlety if it voted them out at the roundtable.

Politics remains fertile ground for Fringe comedy. The Last Days of Liz Truss? joins Britain’s shortest-serving Prime Minister on her final morning in Number 10, while January 6th The Musical asks perhaps the most important question of modern American politics: how do you celebrate your birthday when it’s become synonymous with an attempted insurrection?

Meanwhile, influencer culture comes under the microscope in atticwife, where a seemingly perfect tradwife lifestyle starts to look rather less aspirational once the attic door is locked.

There are darker journeys too. In The Hunger, two women cling to survival on an isolated Yorkshire farm as the outside world grows steadily more dangerous. At the other end of the emotional spectrum, The Cut of Her Jib delivers menopause, murder and marital breakdown with a large gin and absolutely no apologies.

Shakespeare also gets the full rock-star treatment in Rockbeth. Macbeth has always been ambitious, but this time he’s armed with the music of AC/DC, Black Sabbath and The Sex Pistols. What could possibly go wrong?

Musical Highlights

The musical programme this year is gloriously unhinged.

In Spraywatch: A Beautiful Rescue, a Californian lifeguard finds herself marooned in a struggling British seaside town where crabs, suspicious locals and civic pride collide in what promises to be one of the Fringe’s most joyfully ridiculous new musicals.

Elsewhere, Texas Annie: The Legend of the Moan Ranger follows a fugitive sex-toy salesperson across Texas after an unfortunate change in legislation. As Fringe premises go, it’s certainly memorable.

History takes a more serious turn in VOTE: The Musical, a stirring exploration of the suffragette movement and the women who refused to remain silent. Meanwhile, New Zealand company The Barden Party arrives with Heracles: Of Men and Beasts, a folk musical that finds fresh humanity within one of mythology’s greatest heroes.

Then there’s This Little Thing of Ours, proving once and for all that organised crime and show tunes make surprisingly comfortable bedfellows.

Comedy Highlights

Death, taxes and the Edinburgh Fringe. Two of those things are unavoidable, & taxes somehow manages to make all three funny. Jasper the Ghost has spent an eternity waiting for his big break as a stand-up comedian, and now he’s finally ready to take centre stage. What follows is part clown show, part existential crisis and part bucket-list adventure.

New York comic Tori Piskin turns her attention to the strange rituals of the ultra-wealthy in Poor Little Rich Girl. Raised among Manhattan’s elite, she approaches her own upbringing with the curiosity of an anthropologist and the ruthless honesty of a stand-up comedian. Think Gossip Girl with fewer filters and more self-awareness.

Fellow New Yorker Tori Morancay arrives with Le French c’est Freak, a fast-paced hour exploring cultural confusion, dating disasters and the peculiar experience of trying to build a life while stubbornly refusing to lose your accent.

Returning after previous Fringe success, Grant Sharkey’s cult musical comedy WEBBER! once again charts the rise of Andrew Lloyd Webber under the unlikely mentorship of Margaret Thatcher. Equal parts affectionate tribute and merciless satire, it remains one of the Fringe’s most gloriously cheeky musical comedies.

Meanwhile, American troupe Big Tobacco asks the question nobody was brave enough to ask: what if Pinocchio was completely and utterly broken? Big Tobacco’s Pinocchio takes the beloved children’s story, throws it out of the nearest window and rebuilds it as a relentless barrage of absurd comedy.

And if you need a reminder that clowning is alive and well at the Fringe, All Tied Up sees two office workers literally tied together by a rope and forced to cooperate. Simple premise. Endless chaos.


Dance, Physical Theatre and Circus Highlights

Some stories are best told without words. Award-winning company Flying Rabbit Circus brings Box [M] to Edinburgh following multiple Best of Fringe awards. Using acrobatics, movement and visual storytelling, the production explores gender identity, family and belonging through the relationship between siblings growing up in an Asian American immigrant household. Personal and specific, yet strikingly universal, it has earned acclaim wherever it has travelled.

Fringe favourites Suitcase Dance Theatre return with Allura, another beautifully crafted fusion of dance and theatre. Tap, jazz and contemporary movement combine in a dreamlike exploration of distraction, connection and the things we spend our lives searching for.

Elsewhere, I Made You a Mixtape transports audiences back to a 1990s dorm party where friendships are formed, tested and remembered through music rather than dialogue. Funny, awkward, nostalgic and occasionally chaotic, it captures the emotional rollercoaster of youth with remarkable honesty.


Music Highlights

Fresh from her induction into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, Anne Martin brings An Tinne to the Fringe. Inspired by the true story of a Highland family displaced during the Clearances, it connects Scotland, Australia and generations of family history through one remarkable object – a cooking pot chain carried across the world.

Celebrating fifteen years of touring and acclaimed Fringe appearances, Elsa McTaggart presents #SHORN, an intimate evening of original music, storytelling and reflection. Personal, honest and occasionally vulnerable, it marks both a milestone and a fresh chapter.

For those craving a little soul, Divas of Soul traces the evolution of one of music’s most enduring genres through iconic songs and the stories behind them. Elegant, heartfelt and packed with timeless classics, it’s a welcome opportunity to slow down amid the frenzy of the Fringe.

Then there is Elias Faingersh’s Solo from the Pit. Part concert, part stand-up comedy and part personal memoir, the internationally acclaimed trombonist reimagines famous operas while sharing stories from a remarkable life in music. Not many performers can claim awards from Reykjavik to Orlando, but Faingersh makes it look effortless.

Returning to the Fringe once again is Frankie Mack with Wired Differently – Scotland’s ADHD Showman. One evening might feature Sinatra. The next could include Elvis, Michael Bublé or one of Frankie’s own songs. The only certainty is that no two performances are likely to be the same.


Cabaret and Variety Highlights

Magic, music and mayhem collide throughout this year’s cabaret programme. Sean Alexander returns for a third consecutive Fringe with 1 Moment in Time, blending illusion, mind reading and audience stories into an experience that is as much about memory and personal milestones as it is about impossible feats.

Direct from Canada comes The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue, celebrating twenty years of body-positive burlesque with enough glitter, glamour and joyous silliness to power half of Edinburgh. Winners of the Burlesque Hall of Fame’s Best Large Group award, the Cheesecakes continue to prove that confidence is contagious.

For something completely different, Human Jukeboxturns the audience into contestants in an interactive musical game show. Expect theme nights, surprise challenges, questionable competitiveness and the very real possibility that complete strangers will become stars for the evening.

Meanwhile, BBC’s All Together Now finalists The Sundaes bring Diva Las Vegas back to the Fringe for a limited run. Combining powerhouse vocals, comedy and the music of some of the greatest divas of all time, it’s Vegas by way of Edinburgh – and considerably easier on the airfare.

And in Banjos and Juggling: A World Vaudeville Adventure, Brian Tomaszewski somehow manages to combine live music, storytelling, juggling and global musical traditions into a one-person variety show that sounds delightfully impossible until you see it happen.


Children’s Highlights

Award-winning author Gareth P Jones invites audiences to help transform his picture book into CinderGorilla: The Musical. Armed with a ukulele, piano, trumpet, loop pedal and a pair of puppets, he creates a musical adventure that is different every time.

Young princes, princesses and enthusiastic singers can join Jasmine Alice for Once Upon a Tune, a magical singalong celebration packed with beloved animated classics and enough sparkle to brighten even the rainiest Edinburgh morning.

And for children who prefer making up the story themselves, Improv Banana – Kids Comedy puts creativity centre stage. Led by the quick-witted Roy Allaway, young audience members are invited to jump into games, create scenes and discover that in improvisation there really is no such thing as a wrong answer.

Charles Pamment, Artistic Director of theSpaceUK, said: 
“In our 31st year of presenting work at the festival it is without doubt that our enthusiasm and passion to present the very best new writing platform hasn’t wavered. Indeed it is with renewed energy that we present not only the largest platform at the 2026 festival but also the most diverse programme bursting with original writing from every genre and presented by rich tapestry of global production houses. We can’t wait for you to enjoy and experience our 2026 programme. Welcome. “

Free sustainability clubs helping families save money this summe

Inspiring local youngsters to become the next generation of eco-champions

Utilita is thrilled to announce the launch of its Summer Sustainability Club, a free programme of fun, hands-on activities for children and families, taking place across all 12 high street Energy Hubs during the school holidays.

Designed to inspire the next generation of eco-champions, the Summer Sustainability Club blends creativity, education and play to help children understand sustainability in an engaging and accessible way.

The initiative builds on Utilita’s award-winning High 5 campaign, which encourages households to adopt simple, everyday behaviours to save energy, reduce waste and lower bills.

On Thursday, 16 July (2pm to 3:30pm) and Friday, 31 July (10am to 11:30am) children visiting the Utilita Energy Hub (at 41 Newkirkgate, Edinburgh, EH6 6AA) will be able to take part in a Build-a-Robot from Waste workshop.

Children will transform everyday rubbish into imaginative robot creations, learning how waste materials can be repurposed. Each participant will name their robot and explain how it can help their family and the planet.

Donna Hall, Partnerships Manager at Utilita, said: “We love to support our communities and regularly run child-friendly activities across holiday times. We strongly believe that children should have access to experiences that spark their imagination and creativity.

“Through our Summer Sustainability Club, we’re sharing what we’ve learned from our eco programme in a fun, interactive way to ignite children’s interest in sustainability and maybe even inspire them to consider green jobs of the future.”

A key part of the programme is the support and expertise provided by Utilita’s Energy Hub Eco Experts, who are on hand to guide families through each activity, offer practical advice and share simple ways to reduce energy use at home. These specialists play a vital role in helping communities build sustainable habits, ensuring that lessons learned during the workshops can be carried into everyday life.

The Summer Sustainability Club reinforces Utilita’s commitment to community engagement, education and environmental responsibility. By combining hands-on learning with real-world advice, the initiative aims to empower families to make small, meaningful changes that contribute to a more sustainable future.

All activities are free to attend and open to children of all ages. Families are encouraged to visit their local Energy Hub to get involved.

See more on Utilita Energy Hubs at https://utilita.co.uk/energy-hub.

Stockbridge Primary goes the extra mile for LifeCare

Pupils, families and local businesses come together to support older people and strengthen the local community

LifeCare Edinburgh is delighted to announce that Stockbridge Primary School has raised an incredible £1,016 through a wonderful whole-school fundraising effort, with every pupil getting involved to support the 85-year-old charity’s vital work tackling loneliness and isolation in the local community.

The fundraising event, organised by Stockbridge Primary Parent Council, saw pupils, families, neighbours and friends from the school community take part in mass workouts and a family-friendly guided walk in Stockbridge – along the pathways of the Water of Leith. Funds raised were shared between LifeCare Edinburgh and Stockbridge Primary Parent Council.  

The event also featured a hugely successful raffle, generously supported by dozens of local businesses and Take Hold Church who collectively donated funds and prizes.

LifeCare offers a range of services for local older people including registered day clubs, outreach support, meals on wheels, help at home and dedicated wellbeing support for unpaid carers.

From its thriving Community Hub and Café on Cheyne Street, LifeCare also delivers a year-round programme of free activities and events designed to reduce loneliness and isolation, strengthen community connections and bring people of all ages together.

Community support has never been more important. With a rapidly growing older population, LifeCare has seen demand for its services increase by 32% over the past year and now supports more than 1,140 local older people annually.

The charity is working hard to ensure older people can continue to thrive in their own homes, stay connected to their communities and avoid the loneliness and isolation that too often accompanies later life.

Claire Montgomery, Fundraising and Communications Manager at LifeCare Edinburgh, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Stockbridge Primary School, the Parent Council, the pupils, families and everyone who took part in making this such a wonderful community event.

“Raising £1,016 is a fantastic achievement and every pound will make a real difference to the lives of local older people and their unpaid carers.

“It is particularly special because this was a true community effort, bringing together generations of local people to support one another. We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the businesses who donated raffle prizes so generously.

“Their support demonstrates the incredible community spirit that exists here in Stockbridge. At LifeCare, we believe no one should feel alone or isolated, and this support will help us continue providing practical help, companionship and opportunities for people to stay connected within their communities.“

For more information about LifeCare Edinburgh’s services and activities, visit:  

www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk.

More Scottish school leavers in positive destinations

Joint highest level since records began

The proportion of young people going into education, training or work nine months after finishing school is the joint highest since records began. Additionally, the level of young people from deprived backgrounds going into positive destinations is the highest it has ever been.

The latest Summary Statistics for Follow-up Leaver Destinations for 2024-25, show 93.5% of young people were in positive destinations including training, education, and employment. This is up from 93.1% the previous year. Alongside 2021-22 figures, this represents the joint-highest level since consistent records began.

The proportion of young people from the most deprived backgrounds in a positive follow-up destination is as high as it has ever been. The gap between those leaving school from the most (20%) and least (20%) deprived areas in accessing a positive follow-up destination was 7.6 percentage points. This is narrower than both last year (8.3 percentage points) and the pre-Covid position in 2018-19 (8.4 percentage points).

The increase in school-leavers in reaching positive destinations over the latest year has been driven by a rise in the proportion in Higher Education (from 38.1% to 40.2%) and Further Education (from 21.9% to 22.1%).

Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “These figures illustrate that Scotland is amongst the best places for people to start their careers and pursue their life’s passion after finishing school.

“It’s fantastic to see record-high levels of young people going onto training, education, and employment when they leave school. This is testament to the hard work of those young people, teachers and staff that support them.

“Our commitment to free university tuition, generous student support and more apprenticeships means that young people, regardless of the path they choose, have a variety of great opportunities available to them.”

A spokesperson for the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition commented: “While it is encouraging to see that the proportion of young people entering education, training or employment nine months after leaving school is at its joint highest level since records began, it is disappointing to see a widening gap between school leavers with additional support needs and those without ASN.

“In academic year 2022/23, the gap between those with ASN and those without ASN entering a positive destination stood at 6.2 percentage points. This has increased to 6.6 percentage points in 2024/25, highlighting that too many young people with additional support needs continue to face barriers to achieving positive outcomes after leaving school.

“These figures demonstrate that, despite overall progress, further action is required to ensure that all young people have equal opportunities to move into education, training or employment. This includes ensuring that children and young people with ASN receive the support they need throughout their education and during the transition from school to adulthood.

“While the overall increase in positive destinations is welcome, these figures underline the need for renewed action to ensure that young people with ASN are not left behind. The Scottish Government and local authorities must work together to ensure that sufficient resources, specialist support and effective transition planning are in place so that every young person has an equal opportunity to achieve their potential.”

2024-25 School leaver follow-up destinations

Families to build memories with LEGO® Bricks at the National Museum of Flight this Father’s Day Weekend

Returning for its ninth year, the hugely popular Awesome Bricks event lands at East Lothian’s National Museum of Flight this Father’s Day weekend, 20-21 June.

Families and fans of all ages are invited to enjoy a brick-tastic weekend packed with creativity, hands-on fun, and aviation inspiration at the Museum, located on the historic wartime airfield at East Fortune, between Haddington and North Berwick.

Created in collaboration with LEGO® experts Warren and Teresa Elsmore, this year’s event promises even more building brilliance. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s inaugural journey in 1976. Visitors can help create a giant mosaic of Concorde underneath the iconic aircraft itself.

From hands-on build zones to unique LEGO® fan displays, Awesome Bricks is packed with interactive engineering experiences which will delight children, parents, and AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO®) alike. Visitors can compete in speed-building challenges and drive a LEGO® train around the tracks.

Steve McLean, General Manager, National Museum of Flight said: “We are delighted to see Awesome Bricks return to the National Museum of Flight for a weekend of invention, creativity and fun.

“As this year marks the 50th anniversary of Concorde’s historic first commercial flight, it is fitting that our big build is a mosaic of this aircraft. Combined with the chance to learn about flight and see the magnificent aircraft in our collections, this event offers a wonderful day out that the whole family can enjoy together.

Awesome Bricks 2026 highlights include:

  • Brick build zone: Let your creative talents run free with 70,000 LEGO® bricks.
  • Make a mosaic: Help us build our giant mosaic image of Concorde right next to the real aircraft!
  • AwesomeVille: Welcome to AwesomeVille! Build your dream house and add it to our growing awesome LEGO® town, including DUPLO® Little Awesomeville for under 5s.
  • LEGO® train layout: Choose your controller and drive a LEGO® train around the tracks.
  • LEGO® fan zones: See unique models and tiny worlds created by talented AFOLs (Adult Fans of LEGO®).
  • Speed Build Challenge: Race against friends, family or other visitors to see who is fastest in our LEGO® speed build challenge. Can you top the leaderboard?

Visitors can board Concorde, explore four historic wartime aircraft hangars packed with exciting displays telling stories of a century of aviation, and become aeronautical engineers in the family friendly Fantastic Flight gallery.

East Fortune’s wartime heritage is brought to life in the Museum’s Fortunes of War exhibition, and visitors can step back in time by exploring the recently restored Second World War blast and air raid shelters.

Awesome Bricks

Sat 20 – Sun 21 Jun (Father’s Day weekend)
10:00 – 17:00
National Museum of Flight
Tickets from £17, book in advance to save

Book tickets: nms.ac.uk/events/awesome-bricks 

‘No Regrets’ for centenarian Betty as she marks milestone birthday

A Harbour Homes sheltered housing tenant said she had “no regrets” as she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Betty Cowan marked her centenary surrounded by family and friends, with a week of visits, parties and celebrations. Fellow tenants and staff at Harbour Homes’ Hermitage Court sheltered housing development in Leith also joined in the festivities.

Born in Leith on 13 June 1926, Betty has remained close to her roots throughout her life. The second youngest of 10 children, her family moved to Restalrig in 1936.

During the Second World War, Betty was evacuated. She recalled: “I got the train at the bottom of Easter Road and we thought we were going miles away… it was Lasswade. We thought we were at the end of the world.”

Throughout her life, Betty has enjoyed socialising, going to clubs, dancing and the cinema.

Hard work has been a theme throughout Betty’s life. She started her working life when she was 14 at a rubber mill in Leith, before moving on to Gaudie’s Box Makers and Lamb’s. 

Betty worked in Crawford’s the bakers in 1963, when John F. Kennedy was assassinated. She worked until she was 78 and enjoyed holidays abroad until she was in her early nineties. 

Betty also worked in Marks and Spencer on Princes Street as a cleaner. She still has a 20% discount for the retailer and a pension.

She met her husband Jimmy at Gaudie’s when she was 22. Together they had four children: James, Michael, John and Janis. Sadly, John and James have since passed away. 

Betty has four grandchildren and one great-grandson, though the family suffered a further loss last year with the death of her granddaughter Nicola.

Despite the hardships her family has faced over the years, Betty remains positive.

Pic Neil Hanna 07702 246823

Betty said: “I’ve been very lucky. I’ve had a really good life, a good family, we’ve had our wee ups and downs, but everything is lovely now. I’ve got no regrets and I’ve never wanted for anything.”

Betty moved into Hermitage Court in 2009 and says it was one of the best decisions she has ever made, enjoying both the friendships and the wide range of social activities.

“I love being here — it’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” she added.

Having witnessed many changes in Leith and Edinburgh over the decades, Betty embraced a more recent development last year when she took a tram trip to St James Quarter, enjoying the view down Leith Walk.

Her secret to a long and happy life? Simple. “I believe in working hard. Looking after young children keeps you young — well, it’s obviously done that for me!”

Pic Neil Hanna 07702 246823

Maureen Combe, who leads the Sheltered Housing team at Harbour Homes, said: “Betty is a much-loved member of our Hermitage Court community, and it has been a privilege to celebrate her birthday with her.

“Reaching 100 years old is an incredible milestone. Betty’s warmth, resilience and positive outlook are an inspiration to everyone around her. The whole community has enjoyed being part of her special celebrations.”

Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026 to present World Premiere of NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab Short Films

  • The NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is supported by the Sean Connery Foundation and BBC Film
  • EIFF runs from 13 – 19 August 2026

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF), the National Film and Television School (NFTS) Scotland and The Sean Connery Foundation have announced that the six short films created as part of the second NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab will have their World Premieres as part of this year’s Film Festival.

The short films are Bubbles (Writer/Director: Jagoda Tlok); Shutterbug (Writer/Director: Fin Bain); My Little Blue Heart (Writer/Director: Iqbal Mohammed); PANG (Writer/Director: Lara Delmage); St Anthony (Writer/Director: Declan Dineen); Angel in the House (Writer/Director: Missy McNaught).

These six films will World Premiere at EIFF’s prestigious showcase event with an invite list of key industry figures from across Scotland, the UK and beyond.

This is the second consecutive year that NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab films have had their World Premiere at EIFF.

Made with the financial support and creative guidance of BBC Film, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is a transformative 12-month talent development programme which provides a unique opportunity for 22 aspiring filmmakers across five disciplines (writer/directors, producers, cinematographers and editors) to create their own unique short films.

To ensure the programme is as accessible to as many people as possible, each of the 22 places have been substantially subsidised, with 70% of fees underwritten by the Sean Connery Foundation.

Located in Leith, close to the expanding creative quarter under development by FirstStage Studios in partnership with Forth Ports and others, the participating filmmakers from across Scotland have embarked on a collaborative filmmaking journey which began in April 2025.

Six dynamic filmmaking teams were assembled, gaining access to a first-class training curriculum, made up of seminars, hands-on workshops and mentorship opportunities. Dedicated guidance from renowned NFTS Heads of Department and prominent industry executives, including BBC Film, also enriched and enhanced the development and post-production process.

Each filmmaking team received a £25,000 production budget, with free access to cutting-edge equipment and unrivalled training facilities provided by NFTS Scotland. The tailor-made programme has been designed to further amplify the expertise of each participant in their respective craft specialism, allowing them to refine their skills and push the boundaries of creativity.

The programme was also designed to be part-time, enabling participants to strike a balance between other paid work and professional engagements.

Aligned with the unwavering commitment of NFTS to promoting diversity within the industry, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is dedicated to providing a supportive and inclusive experience for disabled and neuro-divergent individuals, including those with conditions such as dyslexia, a cause close to the heart of The Sean Connery Foundation.

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be awarded an NFTS Diploma in Filmmaking.

Now, after an intensive 12 months, the NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab has culminated in the creation of six short films that serve as powerful industry ‘calling cards’, offering an invaluable launchpad for the 22 talented individuals to make their mark on the world of film.

The NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab is supported by a wide range of industry partners, trusts and foundations who have pledged their support to underpin the programme with additional funding, bursaries and scholarships.

BBC Film is the production partner with several other partners joining the Talent Lab including: The Dana and Albert Broccoli Foundation, FirstStage Studios, Blazing Griffin, DNA Films, Hartswood Films, Juniper Trust, LS Productions, the Rank Foundation, Synchronicity Films, Baillie Gifford and Progressive Broadcast Hire.

Paul Ridd, CEO and Festival Director of EIFF, has said: “We were once again highly impressed by the range, quality and ambition of these short films.

“We are delighted to World Premiere the work emerging from this exciting initiative, and we look forward to these new filmmaking voices from Scotland announcing themselves at Edinburgh in August.”

Jon Wardle, NFTS Director said: “It’s so rewarding to see the second slate of NFTS Sean Connery Talent Lab films premiere at EIFF.

“Having these six compelling films make their debut at Scotland’s leading film festival is a powerful reflection of the Lab’s ethos, the commitment of our partners, and above all, the extraordinary talent emerging from the filmmaking community across Scotland and beyond.”

Chris Young, Head of the Sean Connery Talent Lab commented: “It’s incredibly exciting to see a second slate of films from the Sean Connery Talent Lab premiere once again at EIFF.

The success of our debut films demonstrated not only the value of this programme but the strength and originality of emerging filmmaking talent in Scotland.

“These latest films continue that momentum, showcasing distinctive and ambitious storytelling.”

Alice Ojha, Commissioning Executive, BBC Film, said: “We’re delighted that the six films from the second year of the lab will receive their world premiere at EIFF; it’s brilliant to see the work of the Sean Connery Talent Lab’s participants being recognised by the festival in this way.

“The range and quality of the films speaks to the wealth of emerging film talent coming out of Scotland and beyond. BBC Film is proud to have been involved in supporting this slate of films and very excited for them to be enjoyed by audiences in Edinburgh this coming August!”

Stephane and Jason Connery, on behalf of the Sean Connery Foundation, said: “We are incredibly proud of what this second cohort of Sean Connery Talent Lab filmmakers has achieved.

“The creativity, ambition and dedication they have shown throughout the programme is reflected in this outstanding new slate of films.

“We are also deeply grateful to the many industry mentors and guest lecturers who have helped make the Talent Lab such a unique experience.

“Their generosity in sharing their knowledge, including contributors such as Andy Harries, creator and executive producer of The Crown, has played an invaluable role in supporting these emerging filmmakers as they take the next step in their careers.”

Edinburgh International Film Festival will run from 13-19 August 2026. Building on EIFF’s reinvigorated vision under new leadership from CEO and Festival Director Paul Ridd and Festival Producer Emma Boa, the Festival continues to accelerate the discovery of new film talent and engage with audiences, industry members and local, national and international media.

More information will be released on the shape of the 2026 Festival, venues and key strategic partners in the coming months.

EIFF 2026 is supported by Screen Scotland and the BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund.

The EIFF team continues to create a world-class showcase for independent film and filmmaking talent. The Festival is supported by a Board chaired by Andrew Macdonald of DNA Films, producer of the iconic Edinburgh-based film Trainspotting, including Vice Chair Amy Jackson, producer of BAFTA award-winning indie, Aftersun; Peter Rice, former Chairman of General Entertainment at Disney and President of 21st Century Fox; Teresa Moneo, producer and former Director of UK Film, Netflix; Isla Macgillivray, Partner at Saffrey; and gaming executive Romana Ramzan.

Website: https://www.edfilmfest.org/ 

Social handles: Facebook, Instagram, Letterboxd, LinkedIn, TikTok,  X (@edfilmfest)  

More Youth Hubs to help young people build skills and find jobs

Thousands of young people across Great Britain will benefit from access to expanded employment and wrap-around support services as the locations of almost 180 new Youth Hubs are confirmed

  • Thousands of young people across the country are set to receive employment, education or training support as almost 180 new Youth Hub locations are confirmed.
  • Areas including Inverclyde, St Albans and Cardiff will see new hubs open in local sports clubs, libraries and other venues at the heart of the community– bringing support out of the jobcentre to meet young people where they are.
  • Youth Hubs are central to the Government’s once-in-a-generation drive to tackle youth unemployment, backed by £2.5 billion investment.

Thousands of young people across Great Britain will benefit from access to expanded employment and wrap-around support services as the locations of almost 180 new Youth Hubs have been confirmed.

The rollout forms part of a national expansion of Youth Hubs to over 360 areas with the aim that a young person is no more than one hour away from a Youth Hub by public transport.

This will ensure that vital support, delivered in the community, is available to even more young people, making local support services accessible, no matter where they live.

From football clubs to colleges and libraries, the hubs bring together local mental health and housing support, skills and training opportunities as well as careers guidance and work opportunities with links to local employers with live job and apprenticeship opportunities.

Confirmation of the next wave of Youth Hubs came shortly after Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited a youth point – the Dutch equivalent of Youth Hubs – during a fact-finding trip to the Netherlands, which has one of the world’s lowest NEET rates.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “We want to make sure young people are getting real, personalised support, that’s not one size fits all. I’ve seen how it can change lives.

“Our Youth Hubs have over the past two years pioneered this approach – bringing job centre services together with mental health support, housing advice and more.

“I want to turbocharge this rollout so that every young person has this support within reach that can help them move into learning or earning.”

Yesterday the Work and Pensions Secretary visited the Tower Hamlets Youth Hub, located in the Feldy Community Centre, where he met young people who are currently receiving personalised guidance to allow them to move into employment and training. The Secretary of State heard from young people who have already been helped by the Hub, and how the range of support offered will be central to them moving forward.

Tanzeem Ahmed, Assistant Director of Employment and Training at Poplar HARCA, said: “We’re proud to launch the Tower Hamlets Youth Hub at the Feldy Centre in Poplar this June, supporting local young people to move into work, training or volunteering.

“This welcoming, community-based space brings together personalised support – from CV writing and job applications to accredited training and wellbeing advice – helping young people build confidence and skills.

“By working with partners like Jobcentre Plus, we’re removing barriers and creating clear, positive pathways into employment for local young people.”

Since opening in May 2026, The Tower Hamlets Youth Hub has established itself as an exemplary Youth Hub, working with local stakeholder and partners to ensure a joined-up approach, bringing together access to mental health, wellbeing, employment and skills support for local young people.

Over the next three years, the Government is expanding its network of Youth Hubs to over 360 local areas across Great Britain. This will connect every 16-to-24-year-old across the country and provide themreal opportunities in their local area, ensuring each person has access to high-quality, wide-ranging support to move towards learning or earning.

Our new Youth Hubs will meet young people where they are, in football stadiums and community venues across Britain, giving them access to housing support, mental health help and a clear pathway into work or training, exactly as Alan Milburn recommended.

Youth Hubs are a key part of the £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and come alongside changes to the Growth and Skills Levy which aim to refocus the skills system towards people at the start of their working life.

The government is also supporting businesses to hire young workers with a Youth Jobs Grant worth £3,000 for every 18- to 24-year-old hired who has been on Universal Credit for six months, while a £2,000 apprenticeship incentive is available for each new employee aged 16 to 24 taken on by a small business.

Ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn through the government’s Youth Guarantee and turning the tide on the nation’s high NEET rate is essential to driving the nation’s plan for growth.

The DWP will now work with local authorities and partner organisations to identify the best locations for the hubs.

Youth Hubs may open ahead of the roll out schedule detailed below subject to local readiness.

Hubs opened in Year One (since announcement in March 2026):

England

Wandsworth, Stockton-on-Tees, Bromley, Bracknell Forest, Guildford, Swindon, Crawley, Reigate and Banstead, Sefton, West Berkshire, Derby, Tower Hamlets, Thanet, Knowsley, Leicester.

Scotland

South Lanarkshire

Wales

Carmarthenshire (Llanelli), Rhondda Cynon Taf, Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly.

Hubs scheduled to open in Year Two :

England:

Norwich, East Suffolk, Cannock Chase, Greenwich, Ashford, North Northamptonshire, East Staffordshire, Thurrock, North East Derbyshire, Rother, North Devon, Harlow, Maidstone, Lincoln, Bedford, Torridge, Chorley, Milton Keynes, Arun, North Warwickshire, Cheshire West and Chester, Dartford, Breckland, Gedling, East Riding of Yorkshire, High Peak, North Norfolk, South Holland, South Ribble, Somerset, North Somerset, Stevenage, Havering, Slough, Fylde, Melton, West Northamptonshire, Castle Point, Teignbridge, Stafford, Lancaster, South Derbyshire, Canterbury, South Kesteven, Lewes, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cheshire East, Braintree, West Lancashire, Mid Devon, Colchester, North West Leicestershire, Redbridge, Hillingdon, Broxtowe, Bexley, Dacorum, Wychavon, Camden, Malvern Hills, South Staffordshire, Reading, Watford, North Yorkshire, Sutton, Southwark, Dorset, Rugby, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Tewkesbury, Merton, Kensington and Chelsea, Forest of Dean, Broxbourne.

Scotland

Angus, Inverclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Highland, East Lothian, Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross, Moray

Wales

Vale of Glamorgan, Flintshire, Cardiff, Powys, Monmouthshire, Gwynedd

Hubs Schedules for Year Three:

England

Lichfield, New Forest, Hinckley and Bosworth, Rushmoor, West Suffolk, Hertsmere, Central Bedfordshire, Staffordshire Moorlands, North Kesteven, Cheltenham, Adur, Rochford, Wiltshire, South Norfolk, Chelmsford, Eastleigh, Huntingdonshire, Test Valley, Bromsgrove, Tonbridge and Malling, North Hertfordshire, Wealden, Welwyn Hatfield, Tunbridge Wells, Cherwell, East Devon, Mid Suffolk, Oadby and Wigston, Fareham, Broadland, Sevenoaks, York, Maldon, Exeter, Derbyshire Dales, Charnwood, Blaby, Vale of White Horse, Stroud, West Devon, Babergh, South Gloucestershire, Harrow, Bath and North East Somerset, East Cambridgeshire, Stratford-upon-Avon, West Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Epsom and Ewell, South Hams, Epping Forest, Chichester, Warwick, Runnymede, Tandridge, Winchester, Brentwood, Harborough, Three Rivers, East Hampshire, St Albans, Cotswold, Horsham, Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire, Rushcliffe, East Hertfordshire, Mid Sussex, Ribble Valley, South Oxfordshire, Wokingham, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Uttlesford, Hart, Rutland, Waverley, City of London.

Scotland

Stirling, City of Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Na h-Eileanan an Iar.

Wales

Ceredigion.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society unveils first look of new Fringe Central

TODAY, 16 June 2026, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has unveiled the first look of the new permanent home for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe community, which will be known as Fringe Central.

Historically, Fringe Central was the name given to the Fringe’s annual temporary pop-up hub for artists, media and arts industry during August.

From August 2026 Fringe Central will be a permanent place for everyone who participates at the Edinburgh Fringe, as well as being a new base for the Fringe Society team.

Over the last 12 months, the former schoolhouse at 6 Infirmary Street, Edinburgh, has undergone a major refurbishment, with accessibility and sustainability at its core. New features include air source heat pumps, an accessible Changing Places toilet and a new lift, all while preserving the history and aesthetic of both the building and the surrounding area.

Throughout the refurbishment process the Fringe Society has engaged with nearby schools who will benefit from access to the new building and arranged performances and workshops with Royal Mile Primary School, Sciennes Primary School and James Gillespie’s High School as part of this process.

They have also worked with community groups including Canongate Youth (co-tenants in the building) and LGBT Youth Scotland, building on the strong relationships that have developed thanks to the Fringe Days Out project.

The Fringe Society is extremely grateful for the funding support from the UK Government via the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, The Foyle Foundation, SP Energy Networks Transmission Net Zero Fund, and Changing Places Toilets Scotland Fund.

The Fringe Society would also like to thank the City of Edinburgh Council for supporting this project with the signing of a 99-year lease for the building.

Tony Lankester, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said ‘Today is an exciting day for everyone at the Fringe Society, as we formally move into 6 Infirmary Street, which will be known from now as Fringe Central. 

“For nearly ten years we have had a desire to create a welcoming space for everyone involved with the Festival Fringe – from artists, producers and venues to Edinburgh’s residents and stakeholders across the city.

“We are extremely grateful to the UK Government, the City of Edinburgh Council and our wider funders and supporters for helping us realise this long-held ambition. 

“With just weeks now until the 2026 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, we can’t wait to open the doors to the thousands of participants coming to Edinburgh this August for the most important cultural event in the world.”

Arts Minister Ian Murray said: ‘The Fringe Society does fantastic work keeping the largest performing arts festival in the world thriving. It’s high time they have a permanent home, and I know this will support their great ambitions for the festival.

“I know from my summers working at the Edinburgh Fringe that it is all about bringing people together. This hub for the Society, the artists, producers and media is the perfect embodiment of that.

“I know everyone associated with the Fringe and the wider Edinburgh festivals will benefit hugely from the new hub.’

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge said: ‘It is wonderful to see the vision for Fringe Central realised in this first look.

“As a year-round city centre base, this fantastic facility will provide a welcoming space for everyone involved in the Fringe festival while also creating valuable opportunities and space for local cultural organisations.

“It will serve as a hub for the outstanding outreach work carried out throughout the city all year round.’

The Fringe Society is thankful to all the funders who have supported this project to date, and there is still more to accomplish.  As work continues on Fringe Central, the Fringe Society welcomes conversations with organisations and individuals who want to help build the home of the world’s most important cultural festival.

Fringe Central will be a permanent investment in artist support, creative freedom and the future of the performing arts – a space where careers begin, ideas flourish and thousands of artists each year can access the support they need to succeed.

Fringe Central will open to the media and arts industry from Wednesday 05 August, and to artists from Friday 07 August.