Month: June 2026

Vote for local school and community projects supporting children’s access to healthy food

People in Edinburgh can vote for local school and community projects supporting children’s access to healthy food

  • Tesco customers in Edinburgh can now vote for one of three local school and community projects to receive a grant of up to £1,500.
  • Corstorphine Village Playgroup, Liberton High School and What? Why? Children in Hospital are shortlisted, with funding set to support children and young people’s access to healthy food in the community.
  • Voting takes place in-store by dropping the blue token into the relevant box at checkout, and local schools/community groups can apply for future rounds.

A trio of Edinburgh schools and good causes are in the running for much-needed funds to help young people.

Corstorphine Village Playgroup, Liberton High School, and What? Why? Children in Hospital have been selected in the latest round of voting in Tesco’s Free Fruit & Veg grants programme with £500, £1,000 and £1,500 available – and customers can now vote for the one they want to support.

The programme is open to initiatives in Edinburgh that have a clear food focus for young people, including breakfast clubs, holiday food provision, access to healthy snacks for youth groups, community pantries, cookery and nutrition sessions, and food-growing projects that help children learn where food comes from.

The grants form part of Tesco’s wider Fruit & Veg for Schools ambition, giving schools and community groups funding for healthy food projects as the retailer works to help more than one million schoolchildren get fruit and vegetables through its school and community programmes, ran in partnership with community charity Groundwork.

Corstorphine Village Playgroup is keen to receive funding so that it can educate young children on healthy eating.

Also in line for funding is Liberton High School, which is looking to use the money it receives to host a breakfast club every morning for all young people, and deliver food parcels to pupils and their families.

Lastly, What? Why? Children in Hospital will use the grant it gets to help children and parents prepare for a hospital visit to the cardiology department, and answer some of their questions starting with What? and Why?

Claire de Silva, head of community at Tesco, said: “Every child deserves the chance to enjoy healthy food and build the foundations for a stronger future, so we want to support the brilliant schools and community groups in Edinburgh helping children and young people access nutritious food.

“Whether that’s a breakfast club, a pantry, cookery sessions or a project that helps children grow and try new foods, we’d encourage local organisations to apply for the grants – and we’d love shoppers to get involved when the customer vote comes to their local store.”

Customers can vote for the good cause they want to support by dropping the Tesco token they receive at the checkout into the relevant voting box as they leave the store. Each funding round features three local projects, with grants awarded based on the number of tokens received.

Schools and community groups in Edinburgh can apply for funding in future rounds via Tesco, as the retailer looks to support more local projects helping children and young people access healthy, nutritious food. In recent years, thousands of pounds have been donated to Edinburgh good causes.

For more information about the Tesco Free Fruit & Veg for Schools programme and find out how to apply for a grant , visit:: https://www.tescoplc.com/fruit-and-veg-grants

Edinburgh residents invited to shape the future of walking in the capital

Living Streets Edinburgh to host special speakers and community discussion on 11 June

Residents from across Edinburgh are being invited to attend Living Streets Edinburgh’s annual public meeting on Thursday 11 June, bringing together campaigners, community leaders and local people passionate about making the city safer, healthier and more accessible for walking.

The event will take place from 6pm to 7.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh (EH1 2JL), and is free and open to all.

Attendees will hear from two guest speakers who have made significant contributions to creating people-friendly places and improving public health:

  • Malcolm Fraser, architect, cyclist and pedestrian advocate, known for championing the renovation of existing buildings and promoting development that serves local communities.
  • Helga Rhein, former GP and trustee of B Healthy Together, who has campaigned extensively for healthier neighbourhoods and improved pavements in Broomhouse.

The meeting will also provide an opportunity for Edinburgh residents to share their experiences, identify walking-related problem hotspots across the city, and help shape Living Streets Edinburgh’s priorities for the coming year.

The organisation will celebrate a number of recent successes, including helping secure reduced waiting times at 24 standalone pedestrian crossings and supporting the pedestrianisation of the Lawnmarket in Edinburgh’s Old Town.

David Hunter, Convenor of Living Streets Edinburgh, said: “Walking is the most accessible form of transport and one of the simplest ways to improve our health and strengthen communities.

“We’re delighted to welcome Malcolm Fraser and Helga Rhein to this year’s meeting, and just as importantly, we want to hear directly from Edinburgh residents about their experiences and ideas.

“We’ve seen real progress over the past year, from shorter waiting times at pedestrian crossings to more space being given over to people rather than traffic. But there’s still much more to do.

“Whether you’re a regular campaigner, a local resident concerned about a particular street, or simply interested in making Edinburgh a better place to walk, I’d encourage you to come along and join the conversation.”

Living Streets Edinburgh is the local branch of the UK’s charity for everyday walking and works to improve conditions for pedestrians across the city.

Event details:

Living Streets Edinburgh Annual Public Meeting
Thursday 11 June
6.00pm – 7.30pm
Friends Meeting House
Victoria Terrace
Edinburgh EH1 2JL

Edinbuurgh Leisure: Seriously Social

From life-changing recoveries to community impact: Edinburgh Leisure showcases its role through Seriously Social campaign:

As part of the UK-wide #SeriouslySocial campaign this June, Edinburgh Leisure is showcasing how it puts people above profit every day, sharing real stories that show how community leisure transforms lives across Edinburgh.

Led by Community Leisure UK, the campaign runs from Monday 8 to Saturday 13 June and highlights the vital role charitable leisure trusts play in supporting healthier, more connected and inclusive communities across the UK.

Reflecting this shared purpose, Edinburgh Leisure will spotlight five key themes: health and wellbeing, the community, employment and skills, inclusion, and the environment. Each is brought to life through the experiences of the people and communities it supports.

Supporting a healthier, more resilient city

Edinburgh Leisure plays a key role in improving health and wellbeing across the city by reducing barriers to physical activity and creating inclusive opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.

As the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities in Edinburgh, it creates opportunities for people at every stage of life to be active, connect with others and build healthier habits within their communities.

Real stories behind the impact

The Seriously Social campaign shares a series of real-life stories that demonstrate this impact in action.

One example is Jennifer, a participant in Edinburgh Leisure’s community-based falls prevention programme, Balanced Life. After a broken back and serious illness left her relying on a walker, the programme helped her rebuild strength and confidence step by step, leading to a moment that she thought she might have lost: picking up her grandchildren from school.

At Gracemount Leisure Centre, Edinburgh Leisure’s swimming and multisport sessions for children with additional support needs have transformed weekends for Danny, Andor and their families. With consistent support and tailored activities, the sessions have built confidence and created space for both participation and respite.

These are just a few examples from across the week. The campaign brings together a wider range of stories, highlighting the many ways Edinburgh Leisure supports communities, from health and wellbeing, connection and confidence to careers and environmental action.

You can explore all stories and follow the campaign at 

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/seriously-social/

Leading with purpose

Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “What makes Edinburgh Leisure special is the impact we have on people’s everyday lives. These stories show that it’s not just about being active, it’s about rebuilding confidence, creating connections and opening up opportunities.

“Whether it’s someone regaining their independence, a young person taking their first steps into employment, or communities coming together to support each other, this is what putting people above profit really looks like using the power of sport and physical activity.

“Seriously Social is a great opportunity to highlight these moments and the impact Edinburgh Leisure makes across the city every single day.”

A sector driven by social purpose

Kirsty Cumming, CEO of Community Leisure UK, said: “Our members serve everyone in their communities regardless of age or ability.

“They are places where arts can power mental wellbeing, physical activity can create social connections and where health programmes meet community need. Seriously Social is a campaign that focuses on our sector’s greatest USP, our social heart.

“As social enterprises and charities, they put people above profit. Reinvesting money for the betterment of society. And that is why we developed Seriously Social, to celebrate the difference they make.”

Join the board of granton:hub

Trustees Wanted – Join the board of Granton hub

Granton Hub is a small and dynamic organisation based in North Edinburgh and dedicated to the arts, local heritage and the changing Granton community.

We have a vibrant local history group, which organises tours of the area, and a unique archive covering local heritage. We also have an arts group, which organises community art and heritage projects, weekly drawing and painting classes, and weekend arts-related exhibitions and activities. Granton:hub is a registered Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO).

We are located in the historic Madelvic House, which was built in 1898 as the head office of Scotland’s first purpose-built electric car factory. The building is now part of the Council’s Heritage and Place Programme and was recently awarded significant funding to improve accessibility and the interior and exterior fabric of the building. This will support its continued and growing use by the local community and our local arts and heritage projects.

We are all looking forward to exciting new developments in the area, particularly with the new National Galleries of Scotland cultural centre being built almost next door. We anticipate that Granton:hub will play a significant role at the interface between Scottish heritage and the local community.

To help us in this next phase of our community hub work, we are looking for experienced members of the public to join our Board.

We are particularly keen to recruit people who care about arts, heritage and community development; who want to contribute to a local organisation with growing impact; who can bring experience or interest in areas such as governance, fundraising, finance, communications or community engagement; and who reflect the diversity of the Granton community in all its forms.

You do not need prior trustee experience; commitment, sound judgement and a collaborative mindset matter most.

Board meetings are held once a month, usually on the last Friday of the month from 6–8pm. The Board is responsible for ensuring good governance of the charity and supporting our future plans and strategies.

To find out more about joining the Board, please contact chair@grantonhub.org.

Thank you.

Community Wealth Building in Scotland: Free Webinar

Community Councils don’t forget next week’s rescheduled webinar on the topic of Community Wealth Building. Still free places available!

Find out about Community Wealth Building in Scotland.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions, share best practice and ideas.

Hear from SKS Scotland on their work with the communities of Rannoch, and Dunkeld and Birnam in North Perthshire, which has focused on finding a solution to the inequality of access to care at home and other social care services experienced by these rural, remote communities.

Wednesday 10th June 6:00pm-7:30pm

Book your place using the link below:

https://tinyurl.com/s94dfcw8

We look forward to seeing you next week!

BUYING ALCOHOL FOR KIDS IS A CRIME!

Adults buying alcohol for children are contributing to street disorder and underage drinking problems.

A campaign will launch in the summer holidays to drive home the message that buying alcohol for minors could land you with a fine, a jail sentence or both.

The “It’ll Cost You” campaign will launch in communities across Scotland at the beginning of the school holidays and will be fronted by Police Scotland with support from local stores and supermarkets.

Police Scotland is working with retailers, large and small, and alcohol companies to drive home the stark message that buying alcohol for children, proxy purchase, is a criminal offence.

Evaluations of the previous campaigns have shown a steady increase in awareness about the implications of supplying alcohol to minors, but it remains a serious issue with detections being made by police across Scotland during the course of last year’s campaign.

The “It’ll Cost You!” campaign is a collaboration between Police Scotland, the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership and Community Alcohol Partnerships.

This year’s campaign will run from 29 June in communities across Scotland.

Chief Inspector Michelle Grant, Police Scotland, said: “This campaign showcases the benefits of key partners working together to inform the public of dangers associated with underage drinking, as well as the criminal consequences for supplying those under 18 with alcohol.

“Awareness of the criminality of proxy purchase has increased in recent years, since the campaign launched, with reports being made by both retailers and members of the public.”

Luke McGarty, Chair of the SAIP Campaigns Group and Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Scottish Grocers Federation, said: “Retailers are determined to stop underage drinking and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol.

“Our members are robust in ensuring that under 18s can’t buy alcohol from their stores, so our communities need to support these efforts and be aware of the consequences of proxy purchasing.  

“The “It’ll Cost You!” campaign fits perfectly with SGF’s position of promoting responsible community retailing. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the campaign again this year.”

Tam Cassidy, Community Alcohol Partnerships said, “As the school summer holidays approach, the campaign is a timely reminder to everyone about the consequences of buying alcohol for children and about the impact that underage drinking can have on our communities.  

“That’s why we will be working with Police Scotland and the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, to make sure we highlight the campaign in all the work we will be doing in local communities over the summer holidays and beyond.”

Schools across Scotland invited to enter Breakfast Club Awards

Applications have opened for nationwide breakfast club awards, giving schools across Scotland the chance to win £1,000 for their breakfast club and be recognised at a special ceremony at the Houses of Parliament.

The Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Awards celebrate breakfast clubs up and down the country, recognising best practice and innovation among the thousands of breakfast clubs that take place at schools across the UK.

Applications are now open and close at midnight on Friday 29th June 2026. Schools are invited to share the work of their breakfast club and the teachers, support staff, volunteers and pupils who help children start the school day fuelled and ready to learn.

Andrew Ridge, Social Impact Manager at Kellogg’s, said: “We’ve been supporting breakfast clubs for nearly 30 years, so we understand the important role they play for children and families across the UK.

“Every morning, schools are creating safe, welcoming spaces where children can enjoy breakfast, build friendships and start the day ready to learn. The positive impact these clubs have is made possible by the passion and commitment of the teachers, support staff and volunteers behind them.

“That is why, over the last fifteen years, Kellogg’s has been proud to celebrate the amazing work that goes into breakfast clubs across the country through our awards. We are looking forward to hearing from schools again this year and recognising the people and pupils who help make these clubs so special.”

This year, Kellogg’s will recognise winners across eight award categories, including six regional awards for Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, South England, Central England and North England.

New for 2026, the Breakfast Club Star Award will recognise an extraordinary pupil who consistently shows enthusiasm, kindness and commitment at their breakfast club, helping to create a positive, welcoming and supportive start to the day for others.

As part of the application process, schools will be asked to put forward a pupil they feel deserves to be named a Breakfast Club Star. The winning pupil will be named at the awards and invited to share their personal thoughts on what breakfast clubs mean to them.

Each category winner will receive a £1,000 cash grant to spend on their school breakfast club, helping them to enhance their provision, invest in new equipment, activities or resources, and continue creating a welcoming space for children at the start of the day.

The Kellogg’s Breakfast Club Awards typically receive more than 500 applications from schools across every corner of the UK, with entries highlighting the important role breakfast clubs play in supporting children’s wellbeing, attendance, learning and social development.

Winners will be revealed at a ceremony at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 18th November 2026, where schools will have the opportunity to share their stories in front of MPs and leading industry figures.

Kellogg’s has been supporting breakfast clubs for 28 years and since 1998, has donated more than £7 million to schools across the UK as part of its efforts to alleviate hunger and help provide children with the start they need to be fuelled and ready to learn.

Previous winners include Southbury Primary School in Enfield, which was named Kellogg’s Breakfast Club of the Year 2025, and Stranraer Academy in Scotland, which was recognised for the outstanding impact of its breakfast club on pupils and families.

Last year’s judging panel included Andrew Ranger, MP for Wrexham, Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, Professor Greta Defeyter OBE and Greggs CEO, Roisin Currie.

Schools can enter the awards at:

 Ihttps://kelloggconsumeraffairs.my.site.com/survey/survey/runtimeApp.app?invitationId=0KiVt00000GerM9&surveyName=uk_breakfast_club_awards_2026&UUID=b7f78ffb-8b96-4d43-99e0-731c214f9b54

Almost half of cigarettes smoked in the UK are illicit, says new report

New independent analysis by KPMG – commissioned by Philip Morris International – has revealed that almost half of cigarettes almost half of cigarettes consumed in the UK in 2025 were illicit. Of the total cigarette consumption in the UK, 13% of cigarettes are purchased abroad legally, whereas 32.3% are counterfeit or contraband. 

The findings show that illicit consumption rose by 1.5 billion cigarettes in 2025 (vs. 2024), making it the second-largest illegal market in Europe, behind France, for illicit cigarette consumption by volume.  

Two new trends have been identified by Philip Morris Limited as significant contributing factors to the boom in the UK’s illicit market over the past year: the rise of ‘front’ shops – retail outlets set up by organised criminal gangs (OCG), and the rise in factories manufacturing illegal cigarettes within the UK.  

Smuggled and fake brands are typically imported from Turkey, Poland and Belarus, plus free trade zones in the Middle East, as identified by Philip Morris International However, last year, the report noted how factories were moving ever westward on the continent, towards their key markets of France and the UK. 

In the past 12 months this has moved a step further, with a number of high-profile raids of large factories within the UK itself. Each year, these factories were producing hundreds of millions of cigarettes between them, designed to flood the UK market.  

The Europe-wide report estimates that more than 10 billion illicit were consumed in the UK in 2025, equating to more than £4.46 billion in lost tax revenue for vital public services. This money could fund over 95,000 new police officers. 

On the streets of the UK, there has been an explosion in the number of ‘front’ shops selling illicit cigarettes and vapes posing as low-grade grocers, vape shops, candy shops, barbers or mobile phone retailers. 

Reports4 show gangs running the stores are terrorising communities and also profiting from street drugs, human trafficking, cybercrime, fraud and money laundering. They have waged a war of intimidation against legitimate UK shopkeepers, threatening their livelihoods and, in some cases, even their personal safety.  

Philip Morris Limited, the UK affiliate of Philip Morris International, is calling on the government to take urgent action to tackle illicit tobacco and nicotine products, warning that the illegal market for cigarettes is growing exponentially, even as overall cigarette consumption continues to decline.  

Peter Nixon, Managing Director at Philip Morris Limited, said: “This should be a major wake-up call for the government; poorly resourced enforcement is depriving the UK of almost £4.5 billion a year. 

“The past few years have been a boon time for organised crime gangs who are selling illicit cigarettes and vapes with impunity, ruining our high streets and communities. 

Catherine Goger, Illicit Trade Prevention Manager at Philip Morris Limited, commented: “In our fight against these ‘front’ shops, we have expanded our undercover teams who gather evidence and intelligence in communities across the UK. 

“To drive illicit products off our high streets, the government needs to introduce a robust licencing scheme as soon as possible.” 

LifeCare’s free Summer BBQ

FRIDAY 12th JUNE from 12 – 4pm

Join us for a fantastic afternoon of free BBQ food, a bouncy castle, musical entertainment, delicious cakes kindly provided by Soderberg, and a wide range of activities for all ages. There will also be a fun raffle featuring prizes generously donated by Lannan Bakery and itison.

The event comes at a special time for LifeCare as the charity celebrates 85 years of supporting older people across Edinburgh through free and affordable, accessible community services.

Each year, the LifeCare Hub and CafeLife welcomes more than 48,000 visits and hosts over 80 classes and activities every week. It is a place where people come together to connect, share experiences, and thrive.

As LifeCare faces rising operating costs alongside growing demand for its services, donations are warmly welcomed to help secure the charity’s future. Local people are encouraged to join the Friends for Life(Care) programme.

Regular supporters help sustain LifeCare’s vital work while enjoying a range of benefits, including early access to selected events, a complimentary hot drink at CafeLife, an exclusive supporter badge, and the opportunity to have their name added to the Tree of Life(Care) in the hub.

Bring your friends, family, and neighbours along for an afternoon of summer fun and community spirit, while helping to support one of Edinburgh’s most cherished organisations.

LifeCare would like to thank the National Lottery Community Fund Scotland for supporting this free community events.  

Find out more at www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk