Aldi is rolling out new dedicated reduction zones in stores across Edinburgh, making it even easier for shoppers to find fresh food bargains.
These clearly marked areas will feature discounted bread, fresh produce, and other perishable items nearing their use-by date – helping customers to save even more money while reducing food waste.
The move is part of Aldi’s ongoing commitment to making high-quality food more affordable, while tackling unnecessary waste in its operations.
Items are discounted throughout the day, offering shoppers the chance to save on products that might otherwise go unsold.
Luke Emery, National Sustainability Director at Aldi UK, said:“Our customers already know they can rely on us to provide unbeatable value, but our new reduction areas will make it even easier to pick up a last-minute bargain.
“By creating dedicated reduction zones in store we’re helping point shoppers towards quality food at cheaper prices, all while cutting down on food waste.”
Aldi separately partners with community giving platform Neighbourly to donate surplus food from all its UK stores every day.
The supermarket also works with Too Good To Go to sell Surprise Bags that contain a range of Aldi products that are approaching their sell-by date.
UK Parliaments Join Forces to Support Menopause Awareness
Staff from three UK parliaments – Holyrood, Westminster, and the Senedd – are coming together during World Menopause Month in a united commitment to supporting colleagues through every stage of life.
The three UK parliaments are hosting Menopause Cafés, supported by the Perth-based charity of the same name, and are backing its Menopause Awareness Ribbon campaign to spark open conversations about menopause and break down the stigma surrounding it.
Since forming in 2017, Menopause Café has sparked a global movement of informal ‘cafés’ worldwide, where people of all ages and genders get together either at work or in the community to discuss menopause. Since the first ever café in Perth that same year, the charity has supported over 1,800 Menopause Cafés worldwide, from the UK and the USA to Chile, Zambia, Bahrain and Portugal, empowering more than 18,000 participants to get talking.
The event at Holyrood today (Thursday 9 October 2025) was for all parliamentarians and parliamentary staff and hosted by MSPs Carol Mochan (South Scotland) and Monica Lennon (Central Scotland), representatives of the Cross-Party Women’s Health Group.
Carol Mochan MSP said, “The Menopause Café was a genuinely heartening event that gave lots of people the platform to put across their views on this vital issue.
“To be doing so in conjunction with colleagues in Cardiff and London offers hope that we can make significant progress on this issue in terms of substantial policy.”
Meanwhile, a bilingual Menopause Café for both English and Welsh speakers was held at the Senedd event on Friday 3 October and the Westminster event, hosted by the Scotland Office at Whitehall, will be held later this month on Tuesday 28 October.
Anna Daniel, Head of Strategic Transformation at the Senedd Commission, is one of the Welsh Parliament’s workplace Menopause Champions.
She said, “On World Menopause Day, 18 October 2023, the Senedd Commission proudly launched its ‘Peri/Menopause: Wellbeing in the Workplace Toolkit’, becoming the first organisation in Wales to adopt the British Standard – Menstruation, Menstrual Health, and Menopause in the Workplace: Guide.
“This October, in celebration of Menopause Awareness Month, we hosted two Menopause Cafés – an open, welcoming space to talk, listen, and learn. It’s part of our ongoing commitment to building a workplace culture that emphasises comfort, wellbeing and inclusivity.
“By raising awareness and creating space for honest, supportive conversations, we aim to make the Senedd a place where everyone is empowered to thrive.”
Rachel Weiss, Founder of Menopause Café, added, “We are thrilled that these Parliaments are holding Menopause Cafes and embracing the Menopause Awareness Ribbon campaign this month.
“Their eagerness to support both their parliamentarians and their staff sends a signal far beyond the walls of government, both symbolically and practically.
“By openly acknowledging and supporting menopause awareness, our Parliaments can help drive conversation across every workplace, inspiring a UK-wide commitment to improving workplace culture.
“This united front also sets the tone for future legislation and higher standards as, by embracing menopause awareness internally, they’re better placed to shape inclusive policies externally.”
Order a box of Menopause Awareness ribbons or single ribbons from:
Scotland’s carers getting more financial support through Social Security Scotland
Around 118,000 unpaid carers who were receiving Carer’s Allowance have had their benefit awards safely and securely transferred to Social Security Scotland’s Carer Support Payment.
Carer Support Payment began rolling out across Scotland in November 2023 to replace Carer’s Allowance delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Since the formation of Social Security Scotland in 2018, the Scottish Government has delivered more financial support for unpaid carers in Scotland under a very different social security system, rooted in dignity, fairness and respect.
Carer’s Allowance Supplement provides up to £587 a year while Young Carer Grant offers over £390 each year to carers aged 16-18 years. These payments are only available in Scotland.
Carer Support Payment has also been extended to enable more carers in full time education to access the payment.
Further improvements to carer benefits in Scotland are planned within the next six months. This includes extension of Young Carer Grant to 19-year-olds and a new payment worth up to £520 a year for carers who are caring for more than one person.
Extending eligibility for financial support following the death of the cared-for person from 8 to 12 weeks is also amongst the plans.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are supporting over 126,000 unpaid carers in Scotland through devolved carer benefits, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to improving social security, under a kinder system that treats people with dignity and respect.
“It was always our intention that once carers’ benefits had successfully transferred to Carer Support Payment, we’d deliver even more changes to help make a difference to carers’ lives.
“Unpaid carers make a huge contribution within our communities and I’m proud to be able to improve the financial support available to them in Scotland.”
World Mental Health Day takes place every year on 10 October. It’s a reminder of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in good mental health.
This year’s theme is ‘access to services – mental health in catastrophes and emergencies’. The theme highlights the importance of people being able to protect their mental health in times of global instability.
Miller Homes Community Fund open for second round of 2025 applications Funding pot of £10,000 available to support community projects across Scotland
Miller Homes, Scotland’s leading homebuilder, is inviting local groups and causes near its West Craigs Manor and Edgelaw View developments in Edinburgh to apply for the second round of its Community Fund in 2025, offering those in need within its development areas a share of £10,000.
Applications are open and will close on Wednesday 15 October 2025.
Since launching in 2022, the Community Fund has made a meaningful difference to local communities across Scotland, awarding £344,000 in grants to 538 organisations. The initiative has helped a wide range of projects, from supporting foodbanks, sports teams, music groups and creative spaces.
So far in 2025 Community Fund has supported eight groups across Scotland with a share of £10,000, with groups including Linlithgow Community First Responders, Clackmannan Community FC 2017’s, Bonnyrigg Rose Community Foodball Club, and more.
David McGrath, Executive Managing Director for Miller Homes Scotland and North said: “At Miller Homes, we’re passionate about giving back to the communities where we build.
“Through Community Fund, we’ve been able to support many groups across Scotland, whether that’s by helping them launch new initiatives or by ensuring they can continue their valuable work in the local community.
“We look forward to seeing the creative and impactful ways local organisations plan to use this round of funding.”
Applicants will be asked to outline how they plan to use the funding to benefit their local community. Grants will range from a minimum of £250 to a maximum of £2,000. Applications will be reviewed in November, with funding awarded in December 2025.
For more information on the Community Fund or how to apply, visit:
Helping families through loss: supporting bereaved parents with compassion and care
Back in 2005, families who had lost a baby were often sent home from the hospital without anything to acknowledge or honour their baby’s life. Determined to change this, a group of caring midwives and bereaved parents began gifting a small amount of hand-packed Memory Boxes at Simpsons Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh.
What began as a small, heartfelt initiative has since grown into a national registered charity and vital support network, helping thousands of families across Scotland navigate the heartbreak of baby loss.
Honouring every baby, supporting every family
At the heart of Simba’s work is the Memory Box, a handcrafted collection of keepsakes carefully packed by volunteers and each designed for a specific gestational loss.
Each box is unique and includes items such as soft knitted blankets, matching teddies, inkless handprint kits and keepsake charms – many of which are lovingly made by Simba’s virtual craft group of nearly 8,000 volunteers.
The Memory Box is more than just a box; it is an essential tool to help parents to gather as many memories as they can of the precious time that they spend with their baby.
“Every family’s experience is different, and every box we send is unique,” says Vanessa Rhazali, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Simba Charity. “We pour so much care into each one, and take great pride in creating something truly personal. For many families, these boxes become treasured reminders of their baby’s existence and the brief but meaningful moments they shared.
“Helping parents make the most of that precious time – no matter how short – is at the core of everything we do.”
Simba have also supported families by refurbishing and maintaining bereavement rooms in hospitals so parents can spend private and peaceful time with their baby before they must say goodbye. The charity also offers families special places of remembrance at sites across Scotland. These services are complemented by online private support groups, helping families feel supported, connected and less alone in their grief, regardless of how much time has passed since their loss.
Making a real impact
Over the years, Simba’s Memory Boxes have reached thousands of families. But the charity’s impact goes far beyond numbers. At its core, Simba is about helping families honour their babies.
This is Jenny’s story. She received a Simba Memory Box at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital:
“Our baby boy William passed away before he was born, when I was 23 weeks pregnant. Going into hospital to deliver our baby, knowing that he was already gone, was the most difficult thing we’ve ever had to do and I was so worried about what to expect.
“It was made bearable by the compassion of the staff and also by receiving our Simba Memory Box. The memory box gave us something to focus on during those first couple of days – everything in it is so well thought out.
“There is a heartfelt letter from another parent that I read often. The midwives were able to take photographs and add them to our box in the most beautiful little envelope. My most treasured item is the knitted teddy-after William was born we placed one in his cot overnight and I slept with one.
“We swapped them in the morning and one went with William so that we always have a part of each other. I hope the volunteers that knit these teddies know how cherished they are. William was real and he was loved, and our memory box helps me cope with his loss every day.”
A local delivery partner that understands
In 2025, Simba partnered with APC Edinburgh and The APC Network to improve how their Memory Boxes are delivered to bereaved parents across Scotland.
The partnership came about as the charity sought a trusted logistics provider that could offer a more local, reliable and personalised service – one that truly aligned with their mission and values.
Since then, Simba has seen significant improvements in its delivery process, with more streamlined operations and a flexible, hands-on approach that reflects the care and sensitivity each of these deliveries requires.
“The customer service we receive is amazing,” says Jo Dunlop, Office Manager at Simba Charity. “The team at APC Edinburgh is always responsive, thoughtful and willing to help, which gives us real confidence that we’re in safe hands.
“They take the time to understand our mission and get every detail right, because they know these aren’t ordinary parcels. They’re a lifeline for families, and that level of care truly makes all the difference.”
Looking ahead
Simba remains deeply committed to its founding mission: to ensure that every baby is recognised and every family feels supported, no matter when or how their loss occurred. With the continued support from APC Edinburgh and The APC Network, the charity is well-equipped to keep that promise and extend its care to more families for years to come.
Ailsa Hamilton, Sales Manager at APC Edinburgh, commented: “We’re proud to play a small but meaningful role in the incredible work Simba does.
“These aren’t just deliveries; they’re moments of connection, memory and healing for families going through unimaginable heartbreak.
“It’s an honour to support that, and we are committed to standing alongside Simba as they continue to reach more families and provide comfort when it’s needed most.”
While nothing can take away the pain of losing a baby, being able to create memories, no matter how small, can help families hold onto love and begin to heal. It’s never too late to honour your baby, it’s never too late to ask for a Memory Box.
If you have experienced the loss of a baby, however long ago, you are welcome to request a Memory Box. Please reach out to us at memories@simbacharity.org.uk
THE city council is looking for your views on their plans to improve provision for walking, wheeling and cycling along Dundee Street and in the wider Fountainbridge area.
The proposed improvements include changes to footways, pedestrian crossings and public spaces along with upgrading the infrastructure along the existing cycle lanes.
The project will also provide an improved connection between the Telfer Subway and the Union Canal via Gibson Terrace, improving the connectivity of the surrounding network.
The consultation commenced on Monday 6 October 2025 and will run until Monday 12 January 2026.
You can give your views on the consultation website or come down to one of the drop-in events at Fountainbridge Library on 12 November and 19 November, from 1pm to 6:30pm.
Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “This is an important stage in our plans to make Fountainbridge a safer, more accessible, and pleasant place for everyone to move around and spend time in.
“Providing safer conditions for walking, wheeling, and cycling alongside improving connectivity are key principles of our City Mobility Plan. Keeping Edinburgh moving means looking effectively at our whole transport network and how we can improve it for the benefit of all.
“I’d encourage everyone to give their views and help shape these ambitious proposals.”
Nine emergency service workers and five members of the public have been presented with Brave@Heart awards by First Minister John Swinney.
Among those commended for acts of courage and bravery was an off duty firefighter who rescued two sailors on a boat which had crashed into rocks near St Andrews. Two police officers were recognised for calmly and decisively taking action against a man with a suspected firearm in West Lothian.
Another winner included a woman who saved two people from burning cars following a collision in the Scottish Borders, saving both their lives. Two children aged 11 and 9 in Aberdeen saved the life of their mother after she suffered a cardiac arrest – they called 999 and put their mum into the recovery position while following the advice of the emergency services call handler and seeking help from their neighbours.
During a ceremony at the First Minister’s official residence, Bute House in Edinburgh last night, John Swinney also presented five Brave@Heart award winners with St Andrew’s Awards in recognition of their exceptional bravery including Police Constable Aaron McCall & Police Sergeant Paul Griffiths, Nathan Foster, Damon Creevey and Ian Skinner.
Since 2010, the Brave@Heart Awards have recognised acts of bravery by staff of the blue-light services, voluntary sector rescue organisations and members of the public. The recipients each year are chosen by an independent validation panel.
First Minister John Swinney said: “One of my greatest privileges as First Minister is celebrating the remarkable people who make their communities and our society better. The Brave@Heart awards do just that as we honour extraordinary individuals who have changed lives, saved lives, and left a lasting impact on others.
“Everyone who has received an award has, in a moment that truly mattered, stepped forward with bravery and conviction. That is clear from the powerful stories shared by the validation panel, and even more so from hearing these experiences firsthand.
“With these awards, we shine a light on their courage, so that their stories can continue to inspire others. They remind us that bravery can come from anywhere, in any circumstance and that bravery can make all the difference.”
Brave@Heart Validation Panel Chair David Garbutt said: “As Chair of the First Minister’s Awards Validation Panel, I’ve been deeply honoured to hear the nominations from our emergency services about so many inspiring acts of courage and selflessness undertaken by citizens in Scotland, with ordinary people going far beyond the norm to help others.
“It’s been a truly humbling experience and a great privilege to be part of this process.”
SCOTTISH AMBULANCE SERVICE HAILS BRAVE@HEART AWARDEES
Two brave siblings who saved their mum’s life and three Scottish Ambulance Service staff have been recognised at this year’s Brave@Heart awards.
The awards celebrate acts of bravery in exceptional circumstances by blue-light services, voluntary rescue organisations and members of the public.
Youngsters Oliver Liddle and Arianna Liddle, along with SAS staff Ian Skinner, Colene Buchan and Jill Summers, all collected certificates on Tuesday (October 7) at a ceremony at Bute House, attended by the First Minister.
Oliver, 12, and Arianna, 11, of Aberdeen, provided immediate care to their mum after she had a cardiac arrest last year.
Arianna called 999 after finding Donna, who suffered a cardiac arrest, unresponsive on the floor while Oliver put her into the recovery position. After speaking to the call handler, several ambulance staff were dispatched with help arriving within six minutes.
Their award nomination said: “Without the prompt and brave action of Oliver and Arianna, Donna may not have been alive today. It was a stressful time, but Donna has made an amazing recovery.”
Iain Skinner, Advanced Paramedic based at Killin Ambulance Station, attended to a challenging incident involving a patient last year.
He was nominated by a fellow member of staff who said: “Through his quick thinking, physical intervention and bravery, Iain ensured the safety of all present and successfully managed the situation.”
Paramedics Jill Summers and Colene Buchan, both based at Fraserburgh, attended to a challenging situation involving a multi-agency response where they bravely descended an extremely high and unstable cliff to attend to a patient.
Their award nomination said: “They are a credit to the Scottish Ambulance Service and most importantly were brave, skilled and effective under extreme pressure.”
SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson said: “The actions of all the Brave@Heart recipients are truly commendable, and they have each showed extraordinary bravery.
“They are all wonderful ambassadors for the Scottish Ambulance Service. I’d like also to commend the actions of Oliver and Arianna. Their quick-thinking saved their mum’s life.”
• Three community centres in Scotland have been listed with a “protest price” of £500 million each to highlight their true value, and call for urgent investment to stop closures
• Over a third rely on shared community spaces for their mental health and wellbeing
• Ahead of World Mental Health Day (10th October), a new campaign from Crown Paints and Mind spotlights the role of shared spaces on the nation’s wellbeing
In the lead up to World Mental Health Day (10th October), Crown Paints has listed three community centres with a £500 million price tag on these overlooked mental health lifelines.
These properties, complete with online estate agent listings, include shared spaces for the community in Granton:hub, located in North Edinburgh, Boomerang Community Centre in Dundee and Craigrothie Village Hall in Fife.
It comes as a nationwide survey revealed that over a third (37%) of Scots say these spaces help them escape loneliness, while 34% say having access to community spaces has a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing.
The campaign spotlights buildings in regions among the hardest hit by local authority cuts, drawing attention to the real value of the Scotland’s shared spaces. The warning is clear. Unless the UK unlocks the funding needed for shared spaces at pace, libraries, youth clubs and community halls will disappear, and with them, the beating heart of our communities.
In a bid to get policymakers to recognise the value of shared spaces, the campaign, launched in partnership with mental health charity, Mind, saw listings of the five community centres across the UK hijack property websites, feature in classified ads and even popping up in an estate agent’s window for sale.
The study also found that nine in ten Scots (91%) say vibrant community spaces are important, with 35% expressing concerns for future generations if these places disappear altogether.
Amanda Bolton, a spokesperson for the campaign at Crown Paints said: “When we talk about mental health, we often overlook the walls that quietly hold us up.
“These are the spaces where real life happens. The toddler groups, the art classes, and those evening drama clubs.
“Places that offer comfort, connection and community. By listing them as Britain’s Most Valuable Buildings, we’re shining a light on the everyday spaces that hold our communities – and wellbeing – together.”
Andrew Berrie, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Mind, added: “Community spaces are important for our mental wellbeing. They provide accessible, welcoming places to connect with others and help reduce loneliness, which can have a negative impact on mental health.
“Crown’s research shows the public feel their loss deeply, with many worried about the impact on future generations. Protecting these spaces must be part of the national conversation on mental health.”
As part of the campaign, Crown Paints has launched an online hub with fundraising tips for community centres. This forms part of Crown’s wider Project Possible commitment to supporting communities through the power of paint, with the ambition of donating 50,000 litres of paint or more to support community projects nationwide.
Amanda continued: “From creating more joyful paces through the power of colour, to supporting community regeneration with uplifting murals and paint projects, we’re helping communities to grow and thrive.
“This campaign builds on our Project Possible commitments, showing how we can play a meaningful part in the places that matter most.”
CASE STUDY LISTINGS – SCOTLAND’S MOST VALUABLE BUILDINGS
Boomerang Community Centre, Dundee listed for £500m at https://fliq.co.uk/offers/boomerang-community centre-dundee
This 8,305 sq ft hub has been the beating heart of Stobswell since 1987. Its true value lies in the hot meals shared around its tables, the youth clubs that give young people a safe place to grow, and the support groups that carry people through grief and loneliness.
From toddlers learning to bake to a 98-year-old still teaching tea dances, Boomerang shows how belonging is built – through food, friendship and generations coming together under one roof.
Granton:hub, Edinburgh listed for £500m at https://www.gumtree.com/p/property-for-sale/grantonhub edinburgh/1504285170
Housed in historic Madelvic House, this volunteer-run hub is where culture, memory and community converge. From affordable artist studios to yoga classes and local history archives, it offers opportunities for learning, creativity and connection.
Its true value lies not in its rooms, but in the spirit it preserves and the belonging it creates.
Craigrothie Village Hall, Fife listed for £500m at https://www.gumtree.com/p/property-for-sale/craigrothie village-hall-fife/1504284690
A modest four-room hall, but priceless to the people it serves. For half a century, Craigrothie has been the stage for weddings, ceilidhs, clubs and community suppers. Its walls hold the history of a village, its kitchen fuels friendship over food, and its true value lies in the role it plays as the heartbeat of rural life.
