Such a change could involve a transfer of legal responsibility from local authorities to NHS Boards. The First Minister has indicated the Scottish Government’s intention to also replace the current 14 territorial NHS Boards with two strategic health boards.
Social care and social work services in Scotland are currently operated through local Health & Social Care Partnerships, which bring local authorities and NHS Boards together to ensure integration in the planning and delivery of community health & social care services.
The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government proposals have been considered by Council Leaders at recent meetings on the 11th and 25th of September, where Councillors have expressed serious concerns regarding the impact of the social care plans.
Commenting today (2nd October 2026), COSLA’s Health & Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly said:“Individuals are shaped by the people, the buildings, the services and society around them.
“At its heart, social work and social care support are about seeing a whole person and supporting them to live a full life in the community. Social care and social work play an essential role in supporting people to retain their independence, often in their own home, and to help people live well.
“A proposal to incorporate social care into a large health infrastructure could risk medicalising disability, care and support, instead of building on progress towards independent living.
“Social care and social work must be seen as an equal partner to the NHS, not subsumed within it.”
An inspirational mother who has campaigned for tighter security around knife sales following the death of her son has been recognised for her tireless work at Harbour Homes’ north Edinburgh Community Awards.
Lisa Petrie was named Community Champion at Harbour’s annual north Edinburgh Community Awards, held on Wednesday 30 September.
Tenants and local community members nominated neighbours, volunteers and community groups they felt deserved a big thank you. The categories were Good Neighbour, Community Champion, Community Group and Special Recognition.
Lisa began campaigning for tighter restrictions on the sale of knives following the death of her 22-year-old son, John McNab, in Leith in September 2025. She is campaigning for all knives to be placed in locked cabinets to crack down on shoplifting and ensure knife sales are carefully monitored.
Her campaigning work caught the attention of the media and people across north Edinburgh, who nominated her for the Community Champion Award.
She has also been distributing bleed kits across Edinburgh. Her work was recently recognised in the Scottish Parliament, where First Minister John Swinney committed to making the kits available at community hubs across Scotland.
On receiving her award, Lisa said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I didn’t expect it. I’m overwhelmed. “I started this to raise awareness and to save someone else from going through that, kids and adults. So I’m absolutely blown away by this.”
Lisa is now hoping to get into schools across Edinburgh to tell her story.
She said: “I think kids relate more to a realistic story than something from a textbook, so if I need to go around every school in Edinburgh to tell my story and John’s story, then I will.
“We’re looking at changing the law and we’ll keep pushing for bleed kits.”
In the Good Neighbour category, winner Joan Robertson, described by her neighbours as a “lifesaver in many ways”, was recognised for her kindness. Joan often goes above and beyond to look after her neighbours by taking in parcels, looking after pets and keeping contact details in case anything happens.
She was also nominated for Community Champion for her work in the wider Leith community, including at the Leith Polisbox.
On winning Good Neighbour, Joan said: “I’m absolutely gobsmacked.
“You just get on and do it. Do as you would be done by.”
The Community Group award was shared by the Girls Wellbeing Groups run by YMCA Edinburgh and the Pilmeny Development Project.
Girls attend the group for many reasons, including anxiety, stress, low confidence and friendship difficulties. The groups provide a safe space to develop confidence, friendships, self-care and life skills.
On receiving the award, Dawn Munro from YMCA Edinburgh, who runs the groups, said: “I think the girls will all be really chuffed with it.
“It’s really important to empower young girls with life skills. Our group is all about improving physical, emotional, mental and social wellbeing. The world isn’t in a great place for young girls and women. But because our group starts at age eight, we can then transition the girls throughout the key stages of life.”
Nicola Hutchinson, from the Pilmeny Development Project, said: “We’ve worked hard to get the group to where it is and it’s nice to have some recognition in the community because it’s been going for over five years.”
Dawn and Nicola were joined by Robyn, who started out as an attendee at the Girls Wellbeing Group and now works with the group as a young volunteer.
The last award of the evening went to a group of Harbour tenants called the Leith Legends. The group set off on a 3,070-mile journey from Easter Road Stadium in January this year. Their challenge was to ‘March to the Match’ virtually by walking the distance from Edinburgh to Boston at locations around the city.
They finished in time for Scotland’s first World Cup game, then walked enough steps to get home again.
Heather Kiteley, chief executive of Harbour Homes, said: “The north Edinburgh Community Awards were a chance to bring people together for an evening of food, music, bingo and celebration.
“It was inspiring to see the incredible connections across the Leith and north Edinburgh communities and the strength of community spirit in the room.
“Every nominee and winner should be proud of the difference they make, and I am immensely grateful for the positive impact they have on the lives of our tenants and the wider community.”
A five-month campaign to bring more residents and visitors Leith and Newhaven, from the top of Leith Walk through Leith, The Shore and onwards to Newhaven, in response to the disruption to travel caused by the Princes St fire launched yesterday (1 October), developed by Forever Edinburgh, in collaboration with local businesses.
More by the Shore [edinburgh.org/morebytheshore] will feature three activations which aim to build awareness, inspiration and demand among residents and visitors for the wide range of unique local businesses and experiences in Newhaven and Leith from the top of the walk down to The Shore and everywhere in between.
A new illustration of the area has been created for the campaign by local artist Kate George, who is based at local arts centre Out of the Blue.
The three activations are More by the Shore Specials (1st October to 8th November), More by the Shore Sparkles (14th November-3rd January) and More by the Shore Savings (4th January-28 February).
Throughout the programme, residents and visitors can enjoy a range of offers, deals, exclusives, ‘double your money’ voucher opportunities in partnership with itison and a new iconic hero festive event to be announced in the coming weeks.
The first stage of the campaign, More by the Shore Specials, has been curated by Forever Edinburgh to showcase the unique dishes, drinks, products and experiences which are only available on Leith Walk and in Leith, The Shore and Newhaven.
Some have been created for the campaign and others already on their menus and shelves, alongside discounts, two-for-one deals and added-value offers.
Businesses taking part in the campaign include Leith Makers, The Royal Yacht Britannia and Fingal Hotel, Victoria Bar, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Loud & Clear, Pekoe Tea, Portal Leith, Griffen Fitness and Qupi Café.
More by the Shore then moves into two further stages, covering the festive season, one of the busiest trading periods of the year, and January and February, traditionally the quietest.
Both these stages will include a partnership with itison which sees Forever Edinburgh delivering a programme of 40,000 sponsored vouchers for use at participating businesses in the area.
Anyone spending £5 on a voucher will have their money doubled to receive a £10, and in the new year, Residents with an EH postcode can enjoy an enhanced voucher offering, spending £7.50 for a £15 voucher in return, with the cost of savings covered by the campaign.
More by the Shore Sparkles will include buy £5, get £10 back vouchers for both residents and visitors. Alongside this, there will be festive content, a new hero winter lighting event and local events to encourage footfall down Leith Walk, to the Shore and onto Newhaven.
More by the Shore Savings in the New Year will extend the voucher scheme, but exclusively for EH postcode holders in partnership with itison and Forever Edinburgh’s existing Resident Rewards scheme. It will also feature After 5, a content series which promotes the area’s evening offer, from winter menus and late openings to live music, screenings and creative workshops.
Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams and JCDecaux are key partners in the campaign, with More by the Shore promoted across the city through bus and tram advertising and outdoor digital displays, alongside a full media campaign and new video and photography of the areas which will be shared for free with local businesses for use in their own marketing.
The initiative follows the fire on Princes Street on 9 July, which stopped trams running to Leith and Newhaven until 29 August. During and after this period footfall in Leith Walk, Leith and Newhaven fell significantly. More by the Shore will support businesses affected by the travel disruption and sets out to change the perception that the area is difficult to get to.
The activity aims to create immediate benefits by encouraging visits and spend during the autumn and winter period, while leaving a lasting legacy through increased awareness of Leith and Newhaven, stronger connections between audiences and the area, and campaign assets that can continue to support businesses beyond the campaign period.
Both bus and tram services provide convenient connections to the area from across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Trams operate from the city centre to Newhaven every 7 minutes, with the journey from Princes Street to The Shore taking around 17 minutes, and the journey from Princes Street to Newhaven taking approximately 27 minutes.
In addition to tram services, the bus network provides direct connections to the area from across the city, including local neighbourhoods such as Portobello and Granton.
Anna Lagerqvist Christopherson, owner of the Victoria Bar on Leith Walk, said: “When the trams stopped, our trade dropped by around 10% almost overnight. The convenience of the trams makes visiting Leith and Newhaven easy and the area is very much worth visiting.
“The trams are back and there’s a lot happening here this autumn and winter, with Cocktail week in October, Victoria’s 20th Anniversary Month in November and some Scandinavian Hygge in December and January. Now’s the time to come and see us.”
Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I am delighted to see the campaign launching, promoting the fantastic shops, restaurants, bars and other businesses in Leith, the Shore and Newhaven.
“I know that businesses in these areas were severely affected by the disruption following the Princes Street fire, at a time of year that they usually rely on for an increase in sales.
“It is only right that we do all we can to help these businesses get back on their feet – which is why a large portion of the Scottish Government funding package has been set aside to support this.
“The campaign aims to encourage more people to visit and spend money in these wonderful areas of the city. From exclusive products, offers and discounts and special events, there’s something for everyone.
“We’ve worked with, and listened to, local businesses to bring the campaign to life, which I’m pleased to say will run all the way to the end of February.”
Gaynor Marshall, Communications Director at Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams, said: “Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams are proud to support this campaign, encouraging residents and visitors to discover everything that Leith, The Shore and Newhaven have to offer.
“These vibrant destinations are home to a unique mix of attractions and independent local businesses, making them some of Edinburgh’s most exciting places to explore.
“Whether travelling by bus or tram, visitors can enjoy a convenient, seamless and sustainable journey, connecting them directly to the heart of the area. Through this partnership, we hope to inspire more people to leave the car at home, explore more of the city, and enjoy all that these thriving communities have to offer.”
More by the Shore is funded through the £5 million announced by the Scottish Government in August to support recovery from the Princes Street fire, administered by the City of Edinburgh Council.
More by the Shore is free for businesses to join. Around 30 have signed up so far from 50-plus expressions of interest and outreach by the Forever Edinburgh team.
There is still time for businesses to get involved – businesses interested in taking part in any or all activations can find out more and sign up at:
Renowned local charity celebrates 85 years at the heart of local communities – with demand for its services growing by more than 30% across the last 12-months
LifeCare Edinburgh, the local older people’s care charity, is proudly celebrating its 85th anniversary this year. Established in 1941, LifeCare has spent more than eight decades at the heart of Edinburgh communities, supporting older people and unpaid carers for longer than the NHS has existed.
But while 85 years is a remarkable milestone, the charity says its work is more important than ever as we all face the challenges that an ageing population will bring, with more people living with dementia and multiple health conditions, living alone, living further away from relatives and increasingly living on a low income.
On top of this, growing numbers of unpaid carers, often older themselves, are increasingly shouldering the responsibility of caring for loved ones – and this can take its toll on their own health and wellbeing.
A long history of support at the heart of Edinburgh
LifeCare was originally established as the Edinburgh Old People’s Welfare Council by three pioneering local women: Miss Lowe, a chartered accountant; Miss Whigham, a lawyer; and Dr Baxendine, Physician Superintendent of Queensberry House Hospital. Their aim was simple but ambitious – to give older members of the community a “fuller share in community life”.
That idea has remained at the heart of LifeCare ever since. The charity has continually changed and adapted alongside the communities it serves. In 1961, it opened Lamb’s House as an older people’s day centre, providing everything from lunches and social activities to bathing, laundry and physiotherapy.
Its Cheyne Street centre, still home to the charity today, was opened by the Queen Mother in 1975. Many local people will recognise the building by its former name, Stockbridge House. The organisation became LifeCare in 2005, but its purpose remained the same: helping older people live well, stay connected and remain part of their communities.
Continually growing demand
The challenges facing local older people are growing at an alarming rate. Edinburgh, like communities across Scotland, has an ageing population, while increasing numbers of people are living with dementia and multiple health and care needs.
At the same time, unpaid carers are shouldering more and more responsibility for looking after loved ones. Caring can be rewarding, but it can also be physically and emotionally exhausting, leaving people isolated, worried about money and struggling to find time for their own health and wellbeing.
LifeCare provides support that addresses all of these areas, helping older people stay safe and independent at home, access to fresh and nutritious food, maintaining friendships and social connections, and keeping physically and mentally active.
Its support for unpaid carers provides a vital opportunity to take a breath, connect with others and look after their own wellbeing too.
Last year, LifeCare supported 1,140 older people and unpaid carers – a 32% increase on the previous year – while its Community Hub welcomed more than 48,000 visits. More than 75% of LifeCare’s clients live alone with the charity’s services often providing the only in-person contact.
Today, LifeCare provides two registered Day Clubs and Outreach, Help at Home, Meals on Wheels, wellbeing support for unpaid carers and a growing programme of free community activities. I
ts Community Hub and Café on Cheyne Street has become a much-loved local meeting place, where people can enjoy a coffee or lunch, meet others and take part in activities including Chatty Café, craft afternoons, board games, talks, repair workshops, IT support and seasonal events.
Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare, said: “Reaching 85 years is an extraordinary milestone, but for us it is not simply about looking back.
“It is about everything we have learned from the older people, carers and communities we have supported and how we continue to adapt to what they need today and what they will need in the future.
“LifeCare has survived and thrived for 85 years because we listen. The challenges facing older people can feel enormous, but we are here to make the difference. We understand the importance of connection, dignity, kindness and trusted relationships.
“We are incredibly proud that thousands of people across Edinburgh continue to turn to LifeCare for support. One person recently described us as ‘my happy place’ and another as their “Lifeline” – and after 85 years, that is exactly the kind of difference we want to keep making.
“We’d like to take the opportunity to thank all of the people involved with LifeCare across the last 85 years – all of our dedicated and professional staff, our committed volunteers, our generous funders, everyone who has sat on our board or taken part in a fundraising challenge.
“LifeCare is all about people and we simply wouldn’t be the organisation we are today without each and every person who has supported our work. As we look ahead to the next 85 years, we look forward to welcoming new faces who are keen to support us and help us meet the growing need for our work.”
LifeCare is celebrating its 85th anniversary at a time when demand for its services is growing – but the fundraising climate is becoming increasingly difficult. The charity relies on funders, supporters and the generosity of local people to keep its services running. Without that support, LifeCare cannot continue to meet the growing need in the same way.
This year, the charity has launched Friends for Life(Care), inviting local people to become part of its next chapter and help ensure LifeCare can continue supporting older people and unpaid carers for years to come. Full details are available on the charity’s website, social media or people can speak to someone at the Community Hub.
Supporting LifeCare can also be as simple as choosing to have a coffee and cake, lunch or hiring an accessible room for your next event. Every visit, donation and show of support helps LifeCare continue to be there for local people today and tomorrow.
After 85 years at the heart of Edinburgh communities, LifeCare is looking ahead – and wants to make sure it can be here for everyone when they need it.
Final planting of endangered lion plant marks momentous completion of half decade renovation
TODAY (Friday 2 October 2026), the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is reopening its historic Palm Houses to visitors. This completes a landmark point in the most ambitious restoration project in the Garden’s 356-year history, ensuring the protection of a unique and globally important plant collection.
Amongst the top four botanic gardens in the world, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and its iconic Palm Houses have long been at the forefront of global science and conservation horticulture, working to save species at risk of extinction since the 19th century.
However, by 2021, substantial restoration was required to safeguard the buildings’ ironwork, stone and glass, along with the priceless plants housed within.
As part of the extensive restoration work, all 5,750 panes of glass were replaced, 600 m² of ironwork was fully restored or updated, and 500 m² of sandstone repairs were completed with replacement stones weighing up to a quarter of a tonne.
Featuring the tallest traditional stone-built Palm House in the world, on reopening the Palm Houses will be home to almost 600 of the more tender plant specimens in Scotland’s National Botanic Living Collection, spanning 13,500 species from 152 countries.
Stories of the plants will be shared through an engaging new visitor experience which will include innovative multimedia and multisensory digital tours.
The opening was marked by the planting of the endangered lion plant (Valdivia gayana) from Chile. The Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action, Gillian Martin MSP, joined Professor Julia Knights, Regius Keeper of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, to mark this important moment as the final specimen was planted in the restored Palm Houses.
Experts from the Garden are playing a leading role in the propagation and cultivation of this species to ensure its future survival, following collection of seeds from a cave in Chile in collaboration with local partners.
Known as planta del león in its native Chile, there are estimated to be fewer than five natural populations in the wild, with the specimens growing at the Botanics thought to be the only ones in cultivation.
The renovated Palm Houses are a vital refuge for a number of rare and endangered species of plants from across the globe. Examples include the Three Kings vine (Tecomanthe speciosa) from New Zealand, one of the rarest plants in the world, and the Catkin yew (Amentotaxus argotaenia), a critically endangered conifer.
The protection of these plants reflects the wider work of the Garden to preserve critical biodiversity for generations to come.
Professor Julia Knights, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said:“This is a truly historic moment for the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh as we welcome visitors to explore our magnificent Palm Houses once again. Over the last five years they have been painstakingly restored to protect our incredible Living Collection for future generations.
“Visitors now have the opportunity to see this unique collection of some of the world’s most fascinating plants, some endangered in the wild, underneath the breathtaking glass-domes of the Palm Houses.
“The reopening of the Palm Houses is a major milestone in the 356-year history of the Garden. As the guardians of one of the world’s most biodiverse Living Collections of plants on Earth, we are working at pace to tackle the impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change, and to save species from extinction in partnership with institutions and scientists from across the globe.
“The next phase of this vital work will transform our Research Glasshouses to protect 3,000 more priceless plants, some of which are now extinct in the wild, and all of which are key in driving forward our globally leading work in scientific discovery, conservation, and horticultural innovation.”
This work was supported by investment from the Scottish Government and a significant fundraising campaign, with over £10.6m raised from major donors including The National Lottery Heritage Fund alongside generous donations from supporters, members and the public.
Gillian Martin MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Rural Affairs at the Scottish Government commented: “For generations the iconic Palm Houses at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh have inspired visitors from Scotland and around the world. The restoration of these heritage glasshouses helps to safeguard the globally important plant collections here for the future, ensuring vital work in conservation, education and scientific discovery can continue.
“At a time when the impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change are being felt around the world, the work undertaken at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to save species from extinction is critical. The reopening of the Palm Houses is a powerful reminder of the value of investing in our natural and cultural heritage, and I congratulate everyone involved in this extraordinary restoration project.”
For more information and to book tickets please go to the RBGE website at rbge.org.uk/palm-houses. With high interest, RBGE recommends pre-booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
Members and Patrons of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh go free.
Neurodivergent people can thrive in the workplace when they are given tailored employment support an independent report has found
Independent report finds neurodivergent people can flourish in work when given the right support based on their needs rather than a diagnosis.
Connect to Work and Pathways to Work Advisers are already helping neurodivergent people build fulfilling careers, with hundreds moving into work already.
The response sits alongside the government’s wider drive to support disabled people and people with health conditions into work, backed by £3.5 billion of funding by the end of the decade.
Published today, the Expert Academic Panel on Neurodiversity’s Report and Recommendations sets out how best to support neurodivergent employees to succeed at work.
It notes that greater employment participation has the potential to lessen the burden on the health and welfare systems and boost economic growth.
The report calls for:
Support that responds to individual strengths and challenges, based on need rather than diagnosis
Strengthening of existing disability employment policy; and awareness of best practice
Further research to address gaps in the evidence base;
Practical, evidence-based strategies to help neurodivergent employees succeed
Wider adoption of Universal Design principles so workplaces are built with everyone in mind from the outset. Neurodivergent people bring valuable skills and perspectives to the workplace, the report notes and that removing barriers to communication, and environment allow people to do their best work.
The UK Government is already putting this into practice through Connect to Work, part of the wider £3.5 billion disability employment investment.
Its specialist pathway for neurodivergent and learning-disabled people builds support around each person’s individual strengths and needs, helping them find roles where they can excel.
Connect to Work is available across England and Wales and will help thousands of neurodivergent and learning-disabled people build careers by the end of the decade. By the end of June, 1,000 people on the specialist Connect to Work pathway for neurodivergent and learning-disabled people had moved into work, with 470 of those young people.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “When we get the right support in place, neurodivergent people thrive at work.
“That’s good for them, good for business and good for the economy. Everyone deserves a fair chance to succeed.
“Connect to Work is already proving this approach works, and we’ll keep building on it so more neurodivergent people get the tailored support they need to build fulfilling careers.”
Neurodiversity Panel Chair Professor Amanda Kirby said: “Neurodivergent people have enormous talent to offer the economy, yet too often that talent goes untapped because support hasn’t matched their needs.
“Our report shows that when neurodivergent people get the support they need, everybody benefits: employees find roles where they can excel, businesses gain from different skills and perspectives, and the wider economy grows stronger as more people contribute.”
In 2024/25, only 34 percent of all disabled people with autism were in work, in comparison to 55 percent of disabled people overall.
This stark gap resulted in the launch of The Expert Academic Panel on Neurodiversity in January 2025 to advise the Government on how to help more neurodivergent people build successful careers.
The panel also recommended that, where possible,workplace systems and environments are built for everyone from the outset, rather than relying on adjustments being made for individuals reactively.
In response, the Government has launched a sixteen-week policy discovery exercise to look at where these Universal Design principles could be applied to workplaces in future.
Much of this work to fulfil the recommendations is in train already, including:
Reforms to our Disability Confident Scheme, including removing the option for employers at the entry level to renew at this level to encourage employers to progress up the scheme;
Nearly 500 additional staff to be recruited to clear inherited backlog in the Access to Work scheme and help people get the support they need quicker;
The national expansion of WorkWell backed by £259m, helping up to 250,000 people with health conditions to stay in or return to work;
The deployment of 1,000 Pathways to Work advisers who’ve already helped over 100,000 people the previous Government wrote off;
£60 million Pathways to Work Innovation Fund, encouraging businesses and charities to transform how disabled people and those with health conditions are supported into work.
Alongside this, the government has invested in a £2.5 billion youth employment support package, which will create nearly 500,000 jobs and training opportunities to help young people into work.
THURSDAY 22 OCTOBER 5.45pm from DRYLAW NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
Join a women-led night ride through North Edinburgh starting at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre and exploring local highlights before finishing with a hot drink at West Pilton Park.
Garden Centre encourages local schools and nurseries in Edinburgh to apply for a free fresh Christmas tree
Dobbies Garden Centres is helping bring festive cheer to communities across the UK this Christmas, through its annual Community Christmas Tree campaign. In partnership with Needlefresh, Dobbies Edinburgh store will donate five trees to schools and nurseries, helping create magical seasonal displays for the local community.
The campaign launches from 1 October as the garden centre officially celebrates the launch of its Christmas 2026 collection landing in the Edinburgh store and Dobbies is encouraging local schools and nurseries to apply now for the chance to receive one Nordmann Fir cut Christmas tree.
Local schools and nurseries within 20 miles of Dobbies’ Edinburgh store can apply for a free Christmas tree and entries close at 5pm on Thursday 5 November 2026.
Dobbies’ Plant Buyer Nigel Lawton said: “We’re proud to continue our Community Christmas Tree campaign and support schools and nurseries across the country as they prepare for the festive season.
“A real Christmas tree can become a focal point for celebrations, encouraging children to come together and take part in festive activities. We look forward to seeing how this year’s recipients make the most of their trees and the positive impact they have on their communities.
“Our Nordmann Fir trees are a fantastic choice for schools and nurseries. Their soft, dark green needles make them easy to decorate, while their excellent needle retention means they can continue to look fresh and vibrant throughout the festive season when cared for properly.”
Dobbies Christmas trees from Needlefresh are sustainably grown in environmentally managed fields across Scotland, where a small growing team plant, prune, and harvest each tree by hand. This method helps protect the surrounding environment, wildlife and plants.
Kenneth Mitchell from Needlefresh said: “We are delighted to continue our support for Dobbies Community Christmas Trees for 2026. It’s a great initiative that gives schools and nurseries the opportunity to bring a real Christmas tree into their festive celebrations.
“We’re proud to work alongside Dobbies to help make the festive season feel extra special for local communities throughout the UK, while also showcasing the quality and care that goes into growing every tree.”
As part of the festive celebrations, successful applicants will be invited to collect their tree at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store Charity Christmas Shopping Night on Thursday 26 November.
The event gives customers the opportunity to enjoy an evening of Christmas inspiration, seasonal entertainment and shopping, while raising funds for Dobbies National Charity Partner, Alzheimer’s Research UK.
Dobbies Community Christmas Tree successful applicants will be informed by mid-November and can collect their Christmas tree from their local store at Charity Christmas Shopping Night on 26 November.
To mark the arrival of Christmas at Dobbies’ Edinburgh, the store will stay open until 7pm for Christmas Preview Evening on Thursday 15 October, giving customers extra time to explore the new collections, take advantage of special in-store offers and kick-start their Christmas shopping.
These include discounts on selected Christmas trees, string lights and baubles, as well as deals across the pet department.
Edinburgh Leisure has reopened the refurbished leisure facilities at Wester Hailes High School today, Thursday 1 October, giving people in the surrounding area increased local access to sport, leisure and wellbeing.
Delivered by the City of Edinburgh Council as part of its wider investment in the community campus, the refurbishment has improved a valued local facility and expanded access through a seven-day programme of gym, swimming and fitness activities.
The needs of local residents have been at the heart of the redevelopment, with improvements focused on activity spaces, inclusivity and the overall customer experience.
The swimming pool offers lane swimming, diving and family sessions, with daytime access now also available to the fitness suite and new general-purpose studio.
The fitness suite includes 30 cardio and resistance workout stations in a bright, open environment, while the studio hosts an expanded programme of classes, including Kettlecise, Pilates and Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities activities, and is also available for group hire.
The venue is also more accessible and inclusive, with improvements including modern changing accommodation, step-free access throughout, a Changing Places facility and a state-of-the-art pool pod to support easier entry to the water.
The refurbishment forms part of the wider City of Edinburgh Council project to deliver a new Passivhaus-standard secondary school adjacent to the existing site, which is due to open later this year.
David McGlade, Head of Operations (Schools) at Edinburgh Leisure, said:“We’re delighted to welcome the community to a modern, accessible leisure facility in the heart of Wester Hailes. The investment has created brighter activity spaces, upgraded changing accommodation and a wider range of opportunities for people to be active close to home.
“Alongside our gym, swimming and fitness offer, we’re particularly excited to expand our Active Communities programme, helping people of all ages overcome barriers to being active and supporting healthier, more active lives.
“We hope these improvements will help even more local people enjoy being active and build on the facilitiy’s place at the heart of the community.”
Cllr James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener, said:“It is fantastic to see the opening of this new facility that will provide more opportunities for the local community to be active and try new sports.
“This state-of-the-art leisure centre is not just for the school, but for the whole community to use and enjoy. It is open seven days a week, with a modern gym, swimming pool and range of sport classes, Wester Hailes High School will make keeping active and developing new skills easier than ever.”
The free event, held in Edinburgh, was for people affected by cancer, including those undergoing active treatment or recovery, as well as their carers, families and friends.
The event featured a range of stalls providing nutritional support, legal advice and wellbeing services for visitors.
The team at Tesco Corstorphine Extra in Edinburgh has donated £100 to Scottish cancer charity Cancer Card, helping support a free health and wellbeing event for people affected by cancer, as well as their carers, families and friends.
The donation from the store was used by the Edinburgh-based charity to provide refreshments, including snacks, teas and coffees, at its Health & Wellbeing Event held at the James Watt Building at Heriot-Watt University on 23 August.
The event provided attendees, many of whom are undergoing active treatment or are in recovery, with access to valuable resources including guest speakers, practical advice and opportunities to connect directly with cancer charities and support services.
Visitors were able to browse a range of stalls offering support relevant to their individual needs, including nutritional guidance from The Rehab Dietitian, legal advice from Balfour + Manson, and hair loss support from Aderans Trend Co Wigs.
Cancer Card also welcomed a number of charities and support organisations, including Bowel Cancer UK, Macmillan and House of Hope, helping attendees access a wide range of information and advice.
The event also included several optional breakout sessions for attendees, including Look Good Feel Better, chair Pilates from Sano Yoga, Styling and Wellbeing from Pam Millan, and stories of strength shared by guest speakers.
Ian Pirrie, Chair of Cancer Card, said: “We bring together a wide range of support services to help those affected by cancer understand what support is available to them. We were delighted to collaborate with other fantastic cancer charities and support services to help make this event happen.
“A massive thank you to all the cancer support teams who attended and to Tesco for their generous donation.”
Deborah Brown, Community Champion at Tesco Corstorphine Extra, said: “Our team is hugely passionate about playing any part we can to support the fantastic charities found within our local community.
“Cancer affects so many people and their families, so we hope this donation helped Cancer Card deliver a valuable event for patients and their loved ones across Edinburgh.”
Claire De Silva, Head of Community at Tesco, said: “Our stores work hard throughout the year to support their local communities through donations, so it is fantastic that the Edinburgh Corstorphine Tesco team has been able to support Cancer Card with its Health & Wellbeing Event.”
