We have been located within the Wester Hailes Baptist Church for the last 13 years. There has recently been a change in their leadership, and with that, their vision for the future of their church has been under development.
Unfortunately, it doesn’t include us.
We have now been given 12 months’ notice to quit the premises. This has understandably been a huge shock for us.
We are therefore urgently seeking new premises for our services which include our own day services but also transport and catering services to many organisations within Edinburgh. We currently provide day care, catering and transport services to around 400 people per week. The repercussions of this decision could be truly devastating to our whole community if we cannot secure alternative accommodation.
We would kindly ask everyone to help us in our search for new premises and share this post far and wide! We are grateful for any support you can give us. We know that our organisation is truly valued in our community and we will do our utmost to preserve services going forward.
This is a stressful time for the Dove Centre but we are resilient and committed to all our users and will not let this decision by the Wester Hailes Baptist Church defeat us.
It should be said that we are thankful for those in the church who have wholeheartedly supported us during the last few years. You have our eternal gratitude for standing with us against this decision.
Please contact us if you have any knowledge of possible accommodation.
Over 450 Blue Badges have been cancelled after findings show permits issued to deceased residents were still being used
459 unauthorised Blue Badges cancelled in Wirral Council, saving over £363,000 for the taxpayer.
Potentially fraudulent permits identified with a data matching tool through the Public Sector Fraud Authority’s National Fraud Initiative.
Nationally, the estimated value of Blue Badges cancelled was over £34 million across the past two years.
Over 450 Blue Badges have been cancelled after findings show permits issued to deceased residents were still being used. This joint operation between the Public Sector Fraud Authority and Wirral Council protects parking spaces for those who truly need them and has saved taxpayers over £363,000 between 2024-2025.
Blue Badges give disabled people access to parking where they need it most, with every fraudulent badge denying that access to someone in genuine need. In the last two years, the estimated value of Blue Badges cancelled across the country was over £34 million, as the government is now finding and stopping fraud faster than ever before.
The government’s National Fraud Initiative matched Wirral Council data against central government records held by the Department for Work and Pensions. By cross-referencing these matches to internal records, the investigation team generated a high-priority ‘hotlist’, leading to the cancellation of 459 badges potentially being used fraudulently, with a loss prevention value of over £363,000.
Traffic wardens in the Wirral will now conduct targeted patrols including roads near local schools, with powers to confiscate badges on the spot. Residents misusing badges following the death of the badge holder face formal warning letters and fines of up to £1,000.
Cabinet Office Minister Satvir Kaur said: “Blue Badges are a lifeline for disabled people, allowing them to go about their daily business safely and with dignity. Every time a badge is misused, it unfairly deprives someone in genuine need of a vital parking space right when they need it most.
By working closely with Wirral Council, we are ensuring those in need are properly supported and taxpayer money is protected.
Wirral Council leader and Chair of the Policy and Resources Committee, Cllr Paula Basnett, said:“The Blue Badge scheme is an important means of support for some of our most vulnerable residents, but sadly it seems it has become subject to an acceptable level of misuse across the country.
“Our response in Wirral has been to use all the tools at our disposal to conduct a proactive, intelligence-led operation, which is backed up with a stronger enforcement strategy. This includes giving traffic wardens the power to immediately cancel and remove illegally used badges and issue warning letters with the potential for fines up to £1,000.
“We have also been collaborating closely with our neighbouring Council in Liverpool to support the management of formal prosecutions. This demonstrates our joined-up approach to tackling fraud locally.”
This builds on work done by the government to fight fraud across the public sector, with £7.53 billion saved for the taxpayer over the past year due to our efforts to identify and dismantle fraud across both central and local government.
These measures are part of our long-term commitment to reduce the estimated £55 billion to £81 billion lost annually to fraud and error across government, as we create a more productive and agile state.
Supporting 45,000 patients to access same-day treatment
Thousands of patients in Glasgow will have easier access to urgent same day care as Scotland’s latest GP walk-in service opened its doors.
First Minister John Swinney visited the centre in Cardonald as it opened to patients today. The service will enable residents in Cardonald and the surrounding area to receive treatment without an appointment, Monday to Sunday, from 12:00 to 20:00.
Depending on clinical need, patients may be seen by a GP or Advanced Nurse Practitioner. The service will also be made available to those without fixed addresses or who are homeless to ensure no one misses out on access to care.
It is the ninth centre to open as part of the Scottish Government’s pilot GP walk-in programme, which has been designed to provide more choice for patients while helping to relieve pressure on wider NHS services.
The First Minister said: “I promised that my government would end the frustrating ‘8am rush’ for GP appointments – and we are delivering on that commitment.
“Patients across the country are already benefitting from this pilot, which enables access to urgent, same-day care at new GP-led walk-in services – with Glasgow the latest service to open its doors.
“Walk-in services will help us bridge between General Practice and Urgent care – offering patients with urgent health concerns another way to be seen and treated, on the day and closer to home. Existing GP services will continue to provide their patients with all general medical services.
“We are on track to open another at least another two additional walk-in centres and set out the next phase of expansion, within the first 100 days of this government. This year we will expand access to a further 14 locations, taking the total to 30 walk-in clinics across the country. That is a Scottish Government delivering for the people of Scotland.”
Jann Gardner, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGCC) Chief Executive, said: “The opening of the GP Walk-In Clinic in Cardonald marks an important step in improving access to care for local residents.
“NHSGGC is at the forefront of this new approach and we are committed to learning from the Walk-In Clinic as we continue to modernise healthcare.
“This forms part of a wider programme of work to improve how patients access services, including initiatives such as FNC+ and e-triage. We will continue to develop services that are responsive to the needs of our communities.”
Dinosaurs from an exciting exhibition at Newcastle’s award-winning Life Science Centre (Life) have visited Edinburgh to celebrate a new partnership between the attraction and rail operator Lumo.
Families travelling to Newcastle with Lumo can now claim 20% off entry to the hugely popular The Great Dinosaur Escape, which features the largest collection of moving dinosaurs in the north of England.
Visitors can see 25 dinosaurs, including towering four-metre-tall giants, mischievous hatchlings and flying prehistoric creatures. The spectacular collection of animatronic dinosaurs from Mexico are making their UK debut, creating a Jurassic adventure guaranteed to thrill dinosaur fans of all ages!
The discounted offer is available to customers travelling with Lumo to Newcastle from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Falkirk, Morpeth, Stevenage and London King’s Cross. Visitors simply need to show a valid Lumo ticket at Life and use the code LUMO20 to unlock the discount.
As schools are now breaking up for the summer, Newcastle is proving an increasingly popular destination for family days out, offering a mix of attractions, museums, parks, shopping and restaurants. The dinosaur collection is expected to be one of the city’s biggest family draws during the summer holiday period and is included in the entry ticket to Life.
Visitors can also enjoy full access to the science centre which has recently won Best Large Visitor Attraction in regional tourism awards and experience dinosaur-themed live shows, hands-on making activities and award-winning 360-degree immersive shows in the planetarium.
Paul Jackson, Head of Customer and Stakeholder Engagement at Lumo, said: “If you’re looking for a family day out that will keep children entertained this summer, Newcastle’s dinosaur exhibition is hard to beat. The dinosaurs are absolutely incredible and we’re delighted to help families save money on a fantastic attraction while also enjoying everything Newcastle has to offer.
“From giant dinosaurs to great food, shopping and family-friendly attractions, Newcastle is a brilliant destination for a summer break and Lumo makes getting there quick, comfortable and affordable.”
Linda Conlon, Life Chief Executive, said: “Dinosaurs have always been a firm favourite at Life and The Great Dinosaur Escape has already proved hugely popular with visitors.
“With the school holidays here, we’re looking forward to welcoming even more families travelling to Newcastle this summer.
“Visitors can also enjoy everything else in the centre while they are here from hands-on exhibits to live shows. So, whether you’re a dinosaur fanatic or just looking for a fun family day out, there’s something for everyone.”
The promotion comes as Lumo was recently named the UK’s best-value rail operator, while also ranking among the country’s top long-distance train companies for customer satisfaction.
This exclusive offer also coincides with the Governments Summer Saving scheme, which has slashed VAT for visitor attractions until 1 September. Life is passing this additional saving on to visitors.
The Great Dinosaur Escape runs throughout the summer holidays at Newcastle’s Life Science Centre. Families travelling with Lumo can find full details of the offer by visiting the operator’s website.
In addition to this fantastic offer, Lumo customers can also enjoy exclusive offers at Newcastle’s iconic Tyneside Cinema, including £5 children’s tickets on selected family screenings, half-price kids’ meals during the summer holidays, and 10% off adult cinema tickets.
Business and leisure travellers can also claim discounts on food, drink and cinema tickets for up to three days after arriving in the city.
The National Youth Choir of Scotland has launched a new youth British Sign Language (BSL) signing choir, believed to be the first of its kind in Scotland, at the Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament on 27 June 2026
The new NYCOS BSL Youth Choir performed alongside singers from NYCOS Edinburgh Choir in a specially created performance of Sarah Quartel’s The Beat of a Different Drum
The initiative forms part of NYCOS’s 30th anniversary programme, marking three decades of work to open up singing to all young people across Scotland
The National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS) has launched a new BSL Youth Choir in a landmark performance at the Opening Ceremony of the Scottish Parliament on Saturday 27 June 2026, introducing what is believed to be the first ensemble of its kind in Scotland.
The performance formed part of the Opening Ceremony of the new parliamentary session, a nationally significant civic event bringing together political leaders, invited guests and representatives from across Scottish society in the presence of His Majesty King Charles III – who is the Patron of the National Deaf Association.
The ceremony underlined the Scottish Parliament’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion, with BSL playing a central role in proceedings. The NYCOS Edinburgh Choir, conducted by Mark Evans, performed Sarah Quartel’s The Beat of a Different Drum, accompanied by guitar and bodhrán, while the newly formed NYCOS BSL Youth Choir delivered the work in British Sign Language.
The NYCOS BSL Youth Choir – formed of Scottish young people aged 14-18 who use BSL – was led by Paul Whittaker OBE, one of the UK’s leading figures in accessible music-making.
A profoundly deaf musician, inspirational speaker and performer, Whittaker has spent decades pioneering approaches that enable Deaf and hearing musicians to work together at the highest level.
His work has transformed perceptions of how music can be experienced and shared, particularly through the development of integrated signing choirs.
Paul Whittaker said: “It’s so exciting to see the formation of a new NYCOS BSL Youth Choir, and to have our first performance at the Opening of the Scottish Parliament is a huge privilege.
“Having worked with NYCOS for several years, I’m delighted that they want to set up this choir and promote inclusion and the beauty of sign language. I’m pretty certain this is the first such national BSL choir anywhere – hooray!”
The creation of the ensemble builds on NYCOS’s long-standing commitment to inclusion and participation, and reflects a broader ambition to remove barriers to singing for young people across Scotland.
As the organisation celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026, the launch of the NYCOS BSL Youth Choir marks one of a number of initiatives designed to broaden access and ensure that choir singing is open to all.
Christopher Bell, Founder and Artistic Director of NYCOS, said: “We were delighted to provide both a singing choir and the first ever BSL Youth Choir to perform at the opening of the Scottish Parliament.
“For over 30 years NYCOS has explored ways to include as many of Scotland’s young people as possible in singing activities. Our open access education work, our publications and our excellent Regional and National Choirs have made NYCOS one of the leading singing groups across Europe.
“A NYCOS BSL Youth Choir shows that once again we are a leading force in youth music.”
Families in Scotland urged to remember EU’s Entry/Exit system ahead of school holidays.
Advised to always check with travel operators on when to arrive at a port or airport.
As schools in Scotland break up for the holidays, families heading to Europe are being advised to remember the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) and check with travel operators.
EES replaces passport stamps, digitally recording each time a non-EU national enters or exits the Schengen area. This covers Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, as well as all EU countries except Cyprus and Ireland.
It works by verifying your biometrics and passport details at the border.
In most cases, EES border checks occur at passport control on arrival in your destination country (your entry) and when you leave (your exit).
However, if you are travelling from Eurostar – St Pancras, Le Shuttle – Eurotunnel at Folkestone or a ferry from the Port of Dover, entry checks take place before you leave the UK.
While EES checks should take a few minutes per person, queues may be longer at busy times – particularly during the peak summer months.
Travellers are therefore urged to follow advice from travel operators- including for your journey to your destination, onward connections, and when returning to the UK.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Alex Norris, said:“As the school summer holidays begin in Scotland, it’s important that those heading abroad remember the EU’s Entry/Exit checks.
“We encourage all families to follow travel operator guidance to know when to arrive at airports and ports and what to expect.
“While this is an EU scheme, we continue working closely with European partners and the travel industry on keeping journeys smooth.”
The first time you complete EES checks, you’ll need to register. Your passport and fingerprints will be scanned, and your picture will be taken.
Once registered with EES, you only need a passport scan and one form of biometrics (a photo or fingerprints scan) on entry and exit, speeding up journeys.
EES registration lasts three years or when your passport expires, whichever is soonest.
Travel Aware also provides up‑to‑date country‑specific advice, including entry requirements like EES. Travellers can sign up for email alerts for a country.
· EES digitally records compliance with EU rules allowing visa‑exempt stays of up to 90 days in every 180 days.
· There are some exemptions with EES. You will not need to complete EES checks if you hold a valid EU passport, or if you are legally resident in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland – including those covered by the Withdrawal Agreement – as long as you present the correct documents at the border.
· Full details of exemptions and further details on EES are available on the EU’s Travel to Europe website.
· Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprint scans; however, EU rules mean all children, including babies, require a photograph for a digital record.
· No EES checks are required for travel within the Schengen area (e.g. Spain to France), only when crossing the external borders.
· Travellers should allow for some additional time at the border when travelling to and from the EU, particularly when they have connections or onward journeys planned. It is always advised to check with your travel operator for the latest information.
· We also encourage travellers to continue to check the latest travel advice via Travel Aware and follow instructions from local authorities and border officials when travelling.
· For further information contact the Home Office Press Office on 0300 123 3535, or 07623 514 628 out of hours.
Today (29th June), homelessness charity Social Bite celebrated the re-opening of its Village at its new location on Granton Waterfront. This move serves as a clear proof-of-concept of the charity’s innovative model which encourages the implementation of modular housing and communities on unused, derelict land as an impactful and cost-effective solution to addressing the UK housing crisis.
The opening marks a re-location and expansion of the previous Edinburgh Social Bite Village, just five minutes away, to a local piece of land surrounded by greenery and a view of the Firth of Forth.
The opening is a landmark moment for the charity. Beyond providing new and refreshed quality homes for its residents, it underlines how uniquely agile, and adaptable, its Village Model concept truly is.
The Village will continue to be run in partnership with Cyrenians, and will benefit from six new pre-built houses, while the existing ten houses will receive a refresh.
The new Granton Waterfront location will become home to 15 people who have been affected by homelessness – whether that be in B&Bs, temporary accommodation, sofa surfing, living on the streets, or one of the many other ‘unseen’ forms of homelessness faced by so many.
The Village is a real-life example of a scalable and adaptable blueprint for making fast and impactful changes to people who are experiencing homelessness. By committing to investing in this concept with Social Bite, policy makers and councils can make great in-roads to improving the housing crisis in their areas and make effective change for the thousands of people who have found themselves struggling for safe and secure housing in the UK.
In the coming months, six new residents will join the welcoming, supportive community. They will each receive a key to their own fully equipped home, complete with a self-contained kitchenette, bathroom, and living space. The remaining ten houses, relocated from the previous Social Bite Village site, will be occupied by residents and volunteers transitioning from the original site.
Social Bite also recently opened Harriet Gardens in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council and The Salvation Army, and has had great success so far with support from the local community and councillors, and 15 residents moving into the beautiful site.
The beneficial impact on residents who live in The Village is evident. Before moving location, the previous Edinburgh Village saw around 100 people enjoying life at the Village, with many moving on to their own homes, gaining employment and thriving within their own networks.
One of those residents was Jayne. Jayne lived in the Granton Village for two years and has since moved out to her own flat. Since leaving, she has kept in good contact with the friends she made during her time there.
She said: “My time at the Edinburgh Village was amazing. I was staying in homeless hostels and B&Bs after my mum died and it was stressful moving each week. There were rules and curfews with no visitors allowed, so it was lonely. I was glad to get a referral to the Village and I moved in quickly.
“I recently left the Village to go to my own flat after two years of bidding for one. It’s been great and I got a cat the same day! The Village helped me in loads of ways – from one-on-ones with a key worker to learning to ride a bike.
“I built a friend group which knows me well and I can count on to support me. The community aspect of the Village is the thing I loved the most.”
Founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to open our brand-new Village site, in this stunning waterfront location. The Village model is about more than putting a roof over people’s heads – it’s about building a beautiful, supportive community that restores hope and dignity.
“Our new Granton Waterfront Village is a real flagship for this model, and I think it sets an example of how homelessness accommodation can be done differently. Thanks so much to all of the brilliant partners who helped bring the project to life. Looking ahead, we look forward to working with other councils to create Social Bite Village projects throughout the UK.”
Fellow homelessness charity, Cyrenians, will continue to manage the day-to-day running of the Village, providing on-site, wraparound support for all residents. Cyrenians operates a unique model of residential support where people who have either experienced or have been at risk of homelessness live alongside peer volunteers with support from an experienced professional staff team.
Kate Wallace, Chief Executive at Cyrenians, said: “Today marks a new chapter for Edinburgh’s Social Bite Village as we move to a brand new location, with new buildings and space to help even more people.
“Over the last eight years, Cyrenians has worked with Social Bite to provide support for the residents of the Village – a unique model that doesn’t just house people, but supports them to thrive.
“Taking over from Ewan Aitken as the new Chief Executive of Cyrenians, I am excited to continue our successful partnership, working together to create a world where supported housing like this is available to all those who need it.”
The build of the Granton Waterfront Village was carried out by construction partners including Advance and GSS Developments, whose generosity, expertise and commitment to the movement to end homelessness will ensure residents enjoy a top-quality Village site for years to come.
M&G generously supported the new community hub building through their Empty Spaces coalition with Habitat for Humanity.
Work on the community garden at the bottom of the site will begin with the help of residents once they have moved in. Social Bite is seeking funding to help make this possible. If you would like to donate please visit,Social-Bite.co.uk/donate.
If you are a council member considering a Social Bite Village for your local authority, please get in contact via Social Bite’s website.
National Bereaved Parents Day (3 July) helps us highlight financial support that could make a difference during such a difficult time.
We offer two payments which can help ease some of the money worries for bereaved parents.
Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment is available for eligible parents whose baby was stillborn or died within six months of birth. Parents can apply from the end of the 24th week of pregnancy up to six months after their baby’s birth date. If the baby was born before 24 weeks, parents can apply from the date their baby was born up to six months later.
Families eligible for free school meals may also receive support to access food during school holidays through their local authority.
Free and low-cost activities – including football, rugby, swimming, cycling and athletics are also available throughout Scotland.
The National Museum of Rural Life in East Kilbride will celebrate a quarter century with a day of special activities on Saturday 4 July.
To mark the milestone, 25 new and vintage tractors will parade the grounds of the Museum in a special anniversary tractor run. Visitors can also enjoy a programme of tours, demonstrations and hands-on crafts around the Museum, historic working farm and 1950s farmhouse.
In the farmyard, visitors can vote for best in show as the Clydesdale horses, sheep and cows are dressed for competition. They can also meet the Museum’s newest arrivals, Eigg and Muck, the eight-week-old Highland calves, alongside rare breed Tamworth pigs, hens and the Ayrshire dairy herd, which is milked every afternoon.
Behind the scenes tours will showcase the Museum’s galleries and stores, exploring the land, people and ways of working that have shaped Scotland’s rural history. On display is Scotland’s largest collection of tractors, combine harvesters and farming machinery.
Vicky McLean, General Manager at the National Museum of Rural Life said: “In July July 2001, the museum opened on 170 acres of farmland just outside Glasgow.
“Now, 25 years and nearly two million visits later, the site has become a truly beloved attraction, offering an escape from urban life and a way to connect to Scotland’s rural heritage.
“We hope visitors of all ages will join us to celebrate this exciting milestone!”
National Museum of Rural Life’s 25th Anniversary Day takes place from 10:00-17:00 on Saturday 4 July.
The event is free with museum admission and Annual Pass Entry and visitors can enjoy delicious food and drink options from the Shielings café or grab a tasty bite and drink from the Really Awesome Coffee food van and cool down with a treat from Thorntonhall Ice Cream – both located in the picnic field.
Over the last four decades, we’ve had the privilege of being part of so many families’ journeys. Some people joined us for a few weeks, others for much longer, but every family has helped shape who we are today.
As we celebrate this milestone, we’d love to hear from you.
Maybe there was a group that made you feel welcome, a member of staff who made a difference, a friendship that started here, or simply a happy memory you’d like to share.
If Stepping Stones has been part of your story, we’d love to hear about it in the comments or send us a message.
Thank you for being part of the last 40 years. Here’s to the next chapter.
