davepickering

Researcher partners with leading disability charity after PhD thesis shows poetry can help describe medical condition

“In poems I tried to understand what was happening to my body and to communicate that lived experience to others”

Researcher partners with leading disability charity after PhD thesis shows poetry can help describe medical condition

A researcher who found that poetry can help explain a complex medical condition that affects thousands of people in Scotland has teamed up with a national charity to enable more people to benefit from her findings.

Dr Georgi Gill, from Fife, spent six years exploring how writing poems could help people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) understand their condition better themselves, and more easily explain it to others.

Now Georgi, who has MS herself, chose National Poetry Day (Thursday 2 October) to discuss the potential implications of her research as well as announce two new initiatives she’s launching, one in collaboration with MS Society Scotland, to bring the benefits of poetry to more people impacted by neurological conditions.

Georgi, who lives near Kirkcaldy and was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS in 2003 at the age of 28, said: “When I first turned my pen to poetry, it felt like the only writing option remaining to me.

!My vague ambitions of being a novelist had fallen by the wayside as had my full-time career in school teaching and penchant for night clubbing in high heels; all casualties of the dizziness, brain fog and physical fatigue that have frequently interrupted my life since I was diagnosed with MS.

“I remember looking at brain scans in my neurologist’s office, scans that I couldn’t understand or interpret. To me, the white patches of inflammation and scarring were moth holes in my brain. Ideas, lesson plans, mental shopping lists, the witty comment I was about to make frequently slipped through these holes and were lost. Eventually I acknowledged, with some burning resentment, that I wasn’t going to be writing the next great novel any time soon.

“Poems, on the other hand, could be very short. They didn’t need to tell a complicated story with multiple characters. From my previous encounters in literature classes, poems didn’t even have to make sense!”

Georgi “grudgingly” signed up for a poetry writing class and within weeks she was hooked. Before long she had completed a Master of Arts in Poetry Writing and released her first poetry collection, ‘Limbo’ (Blue Diode, 2021).

She continued: “Poetry offered a distraction from some of the realities and limitations of my life. Yet it wasn’t just an escape – I was also tentatively using poems as a way to explore my feelings and frustrations about the ways that MS had derailed my life plans.

!In poems, I tried to understand what was happening to my body and to communicate that lived experience to others. I started to wonder whether writing poems about their lives with MS could offer similar benefits to others with the condition.”

More than 17,000 people in Scotland live with MS. That’s about one in every 300 people, which is one of the highest rates of MS in the world. Yet research carried out on behalf of the MS Society earlier this year suggests just a fraction of adults in Scotland can demonstrate a thorough understanding of the condition*.

Georgi’s poetry was the starting point for her PhD research at the University of Edinburgh and, in the middle of the 2020 UK Covid lockdown, she found herself hosting a series of online workshops for people living with MS. Participants were encouraged to use verse as a tool for exploring their shared condition and explaining it to others. They benefited from social interactions within the groups and some experienced enhanced self-esteem from taking part in the shared creative activities.

“We shared our lives with one another and the aspects that made us feel uncomfortable or isolated from other people,” Georgi continued. “There was a lot of laughter as we recognised our own experiences in others’ poetry and also, on occasion, a few tears.

“These workshops and the resulting poems created opportunities for people with MS to be heard and understood and, importantly, to build creative communities together. Participants also reported positive outcomes from sharing these poems with a small number of their family, friends and carers. For some participants, an old hobby was revitalised, while for others a valuable new creative practice was found.”

Having seen and experienced the benefits of poetry writing, and keen to share those positives with others, Georgi is launching the following initiatives:

· In October, Georgi will publish ‘poeMS: an anthology by people living with multiple sclerosis’. Available as a free e-book through the University of Edinburgh, the anthology brings together poems written by participants in her original study, providing unique insights into their lives with MS. A limited number of print editions will be given to neurologists and charities working to support people with MS.

· The ‘Poems on my mind’ project will then bring her poetry workshops to new audiences and people with a range of neurological conditions including MS, Parkinson’s and motor neuron disease. Initially, Georgi will train staff and volunteers from MS Society Scotland to establish and deliver the workshops. Members of the MS community throughout Scotland will then be given the opportunity to explore and communicate their health experiences through poems.

Georgi will undertake both pieces of work though the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities (IASH), based at the University of Edinburgh where she completed her PhD in Health in Social Science in 2025.

IASH Director, Professor Lesley McAra, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting this fascinating and timely project.

“Poetry helps us look at the world in new ways, and Georgi’s work in the community promises to bring those vital insights to a wide audience.”

Georgi believes that in addition to helping participants understand their own MS, and explain their condition to those close to them, her workshops could also be beneficial in helping medical and other professionals better understand an individual’s symptoms.

Looking ahead to the two upcoming projects, she added: “I’m excited: excited to share the original participants’ poems, which brought illumination and inspiration to readers and writers alike in the first project.

“Excited also to read the new poems that will be written by people joining MS Society Scotland’s ‘Poems on my mind’ groups. My own life with MS continues to shift and change, but poetry is a welcome constant.”

MS damages the protective coating around nerves in the brain and spinal cord, and can impact how people move, think and feel. The MS Society is the UK’s leading charity for people affected by MS, offering support, funding research, and campaigning to improve the lives of everyone impacted by the condition.

Jo Anderson, Director for Scotland at the MS Society, said: “We’re excited to be working with Georgi on the ‘Poems on my mind’project. Georgi’s research shows there are many ways poetry can benefit the MS community, and we’re pleased to be part of the team bringing those benefits to even more people.

“MS symptoms are different for everyone, and many are invisible. As well as supporting people to explore their own MS, the poetry workshops could lead to friends, relatives, carers, and professionals also gaining a greater understanding of the condition and how it impacts those around them.”

In March, the MS Society revealed the results of a survey conducted, in partnership with Opinium Research, to find out how well people understood MS. Of the 500 adults surveyed in Scotland, although more than 90% had heard of MS, only 12% of those were able to correctly identify whether a series of statements they were shown about the condition were true or false.

When MS Society Scotland revealed the survey results, it stressed that if a person with MS is surrounded by family, friends, or colleagues who don’t fully understand the impact it can have, it makes living with an already difficult condition even harder.

The charity pledged to continue working to increase people’s understanding of MS; the poetry project being undertaken in partnership with Georgi will contribute towards this commitment.

· A link to download the free e-book, ‘poeMS: an anthology by people living with multiple sclerosis’, will be posted on MS Society Scotland on Facebook, @mssocietyscot on X, and @iashedinburgh.bsky.social on Bluesky as soon as it’s live.

· Read Dr Georgi Gill’s PhD thesis, ‘poeMS: an exploration of poetry as a way to communicate lived experiences of multiple sclerosis’, here:

https://era.ed.ac.uk/handle/1842/42995

· Find out more about Georgi’s research and her upcoming projects at:

https://www.iash.ed.ac.uk/profile/dr-georgi-gill

BBC’s Dr Punam Krishan announced as Patron of Scottish breast cancer charity The House of Hope

Resident doctor on BBC’s Morning Live, Dr Punam Krishan, has been announced as the first official patron of the Scottish breast cancer charity, The House of Hope, Scotland’s first dedicated wellbeing and support centre for those impacted by breast cancer.

Dr Punam, who dazzled on Strictly Come Dancing last year, made a special visit to Edinburgh on Thursday 2 October to help officially open The House of Hope during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The Glasgow-based GP made a name for herself presenting Laid Bare for BBC Scotland, as well as making regular appearances on BBC’s Morning Live and BBC Radio Scotland.

The charity was founded by Lisa Fleming – who was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in 2017 and given just six months to live at that time – along with husband Euan. The House of Hope will provide a supportive space for people impacted by breast cancer, as well as access to holistic therapies and wellbeing services away from the sterile hospital or clinical setting to compliment medical treatments.

Founder of The House of Hope, Lisa Fleming, said: “It is incredible to have Dr Punam on board – her advocacy for women’s health and patient-first approach to healthcare is exactly what The House of Hope is all about and we can’t wait to officially launch in October with Dr Punam as our patron.

“The NHS does not have the operational resources or funding to provide additional holistic care and support for breast cancer patients in and around Edinburgh. The House of Hope will help to fill this void, providing the much-needed community space and compassionate support we know is so vital for patients and their families.”

In her role as patron for The House of Hope, Dr Punam will support the charity through the provision of online advice and attending nominated fundraising events aligning with her own dedication to raising awareness of women’s health concerns through her work with the BBC and her own social channels.

Dr Punam, Patron of The House of Hope, said: “Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis is a difficult experience, so having a dedicated place like The House of Hope to come to is such a great resource and an important step in the healing process. I’m proud to be appointed a Patron of such a life-changing charity.”

Dr Punam is also a published author, with her third children’s book released earlier this year (August 2025). The Superhero’s First Aid Manual is a fun and colourful book packed with life-saving knowledge for children, who are often the first people at an emergency.

The House of Hope charity was inspired by London’s first-ever specialised breast cancer centre, Future Dreams House, which offers support through a range of services for women affected by breast cancer, including counselling, yoga, massage, nutrition advice, and peer support groups.

https://houseofhope.org.uk

SCVO: Value of charity donations down by 30% in five years

SCVO analysis shows individual giving fell in real-terms by more than £240 million in 2023

The value of charity donations is down by almost a third in the past five years, new research from SCVO finds.

The voluntary sector body’s new report, Individual Giving in Scotland: donations, legacies and fundraising, shows income from individual giving made up 15% of the Scottish charity sector’s income in 2023, down from around 20% in 2018 and previous years.

Individual giving from the general public was worth an estimated £1.2bn to Scottish charities in 2023.

But the value of donations has fallen by 30% in real terms since 2018, while fewer individuals are donating to charity – although many who do donate are giving larger amounts.

Most income streams from the general public were hit hard by Covid, and while many of these income streams have now bounced back, they have generally not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.

Data from the Spring 2025 Scottish Third Sector Tracker suggests that a rising number of voluntary organisations saw positive growth in both donations and fundraising income, suggesting some reasons for cautious optimism despite the challenging financial environment.

The voluntary sector body said the falling value of donations underlines the importance of the Scottish Government’s move towards Fair Funding.

SCVO head of policy, Kirsten Hogg, said: “Individual giving is an important part of the complex patchwork of funding sources that Scotland’s voluntary organisations rely on, and these findings are really concerning – especially when combined with what we know about cuts in public sector funding and the increasing costs and demands that voluntary organisations are facing.

“The cost of living crisis has hit individual giving hard, impacting on people’s ability to put their hands in their pockets – including for legacies, donations, fundraising and trading. Over the same period, we saw a reduction in the number of people volunteering their time, and together these paint a worrying picture about the extent to which people are able to support charities and community groups.

“While we remain hopeful that we may see a slight upturn in both donations and volunteering numbers, the resource difficulties that voluntary organisations are facing mean that many will continue to encounter challenges on a scale we’ve not seen before.

“Scotland’s voluntary sector is a fundamental part of Scottish society, and demand for support is rising. Vital support continues to be delivered to every community in Scotland, and we must do everything we can to protect organisations from the pressures they are facing.”

Claire Stanley, director of policy and communications at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, said: “Charities across Scotland are working harder than ever to support the communities and individuals who need them.

“SCVO’s research highlights the difficult reality facing the sector right now, and we are hearing from our members that demand for services is increasing yearly – yet they are working with fewer resources while trying to deliver more.

“And while it is encouraging to see many supporters giving generously, we know the cost-of-living crisis has hit people hard in recent years, and the overall drop in donations presents a significant challenge. That is why fair and reliable funding for charities is so important, to ensure that communities across Scotland can continue to count on the support they need, now and in the future.”

Challenging poverty with ‘family friendly policies’

FM commits to putting more money in Scots’ pockets and urges UK Government to act

Challenge Poverty Week – The Poverty Alliance

First Minister John Swinney has said the Scottish Government is committed to putting “more money in people’s pockets” through policies that alleviate financial pressures on families as Challenge Poverty Week begins.

The First Minister said the Scottish Government’s cost of living guarantee, which includes free bus travel for 2.3 million people, more than £6,000 in early learning and childcare support for each eligible child, free prescriptions and other measures, is delivering real savings for families across the country.

The guarantee sits alongside wider support, such as the Five Family Payments, including the Scottish Child Payment, which are reducing poverty.

The proportion of Scottish children living in absolute poverty has reached its lowest level in 30 years and the latest figures (for 2023-24) show that the rates of both relative and absolute child poverty in Scotland were 9 percentage points lower than the UK average.

Scottish Government policies are estimated to keep 70,000 children out of relative poverty in 2025-26. This impact is projected to grow over time to reach 100,000 children by 2028-29 – in part owing to plans to mitigate the UK Government’s two-child limit, which should keep 20,000 children out of poverty next year.

Mr Swinney said: “Tackling child poverty is this government’s defining mission and our determination is backed up by a commitment to put more money in people’s pockets and deliver real savings to support families.

“There are fewer children in poverty in Scotland than the rest of the UK because we have made bold policy choices backed by an unwavering resolve.

“The Scottish Child Payment was benefitting around 322,000 children and their families as of the end of June. Our free school meals programme is providing nutritious meals to more than 230,000 primary school pupils. We have cut costs for commuters by scrapping peak rail fares. Some 2.3 million people travel free on buses. And we’re mitigating the two-child limit early next year.

“The UK Government, if it is serious about tackling poverty, must match our ambition and, at the very least, fully scrap the two-child limit so that a generation of children don’t have their opportunities limited by inaction.

“But scrapping the two-child limit should also be done alongside the removal of the benefit cap. It is unconscionable to me that the UK Government could fail to address this – it must scrap both punitive policies.

“If it does, and it matches the Scottish Child Payment and introduces an Essentials Guarantee, our modelling estimates that the UK Government could reduce relative child poverty in Scotland by 100,000 children next year.

“We have made a difference through bold, game-changing policies. The blueprint is there. It is time for the UK Government to act.”

Challenge Poverty Week – The Poverty Alliance

The cost-of-living guarantee:

Lower income tax than in England for the majority of workers
Continuation of free prescriptions and free eye appointments
Free bus travel for 2.3 million people 
Scottish undergraduate students will continue to pay no tuition fees
Funded childcare hours, which would otherwise cost families more than £6,000 a year per eligible child.
Free school meals, which save the average family who take up the offer £450 per child per year, will be expanded, and more breakfast clubs introduced.
Delivering Pension Age Winter Heating Payments for eligible Scottish pensioners in 2025-26
Scrapping peak rail fares

The Five Family Payments include:

The Scottish Child Payment, which is a weekly payment of £27.15 for each eligible child under 16 years of age.
The Best Start Grant includes three payments designed to support families at different stages, including during pregnancy and when a child starts school, including:
the Pregnancy and Baby Payment, which is a payment of £767.50 on the birth of the first child and £383.75 on the birth of any subsequent children
the Early Learning Payment, which is a payment of £319.80 per child for children between 2 and 3.5 years old to support child development
the School Age Payment, which is a payment of £319.80 per child to help with the costs of preparing for school
Best Start Foods, which is a prepaid card to buy healthy foods for eligible pregnant women and families with children under the age of three, with a minimum payment of £5.40 a week.

The Child Poverty Action Group estimates that the two-child limit on benefits is pulling 109 more children into poverty every day.

Latest figures on child poverty rates in Scotland compared to rest of UK

Child poverty summary showing the proportion of Scottish children living in absolute poverty has reached its lowest level in 30 years

Households with children in the poorest 10% of households are also estimated to be £2,600 a year better off in 2025-26.

Fort Kinnaird to welcome new line-up of popular brands in time for Christmas

Fort Kinnaird has announced a major transformation that will bring a host of much-loved retailers to the centre, with some set to open in time for Christmas.

The centre’s Eastern Terrace is getting a fresh new look, with premium beauty brand Rituals and popular card and gifting retailer Clintons confirmed to be joining the line-up – with a third high-profile brand set to be announced shortly.

A number of much-loved stores already based at the centre will also be getting a design refresh. Specsavers has already reopened in its newly refurbished space, with a revamped Costa Coffee set to launch inside Next in the coming months, providing the opportunity to take a pause while shopping with family or friends.

It’s all part of a wider refurbishment of the centre which will deliver more than 20,000 sq ft of upgraded space – allowing even more great stores for shoppers to explore.

Liam Smith, centre direct at Fort Kinnaird, said: “This marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Fort Kinnaird. We’re continuing to invest in the centre to bring even more of the brands our visitors love, alongside giving some of our most popular retailers a fantastic new look.

“Whether you’re coming to the centre for everyday essentials or planning a full day out, these changes are all about creating the best possible experience – with more choice, more style, and more reasons to visit time and time again. We can’t wait for shoppers to enjoy what’s coming next.”

This announcement follows a successful year at Fort Kinnaird, during which the park unveiled nine new retailers, totaling 36,200 sq ft, with an additional 37,000 sq ft currently under offer.

Recent additions include European fashion powerhouse Mango, global sportswear leader Adidas, and family-focused crafts and stationery brand The Works. The line-up will also soon be joined by popular chicken chain Popeyes, which was recently announced.

A phased reopening of the redeveloped Eastern Terrace will commence in October 2025 with the works due to fully complete in Spring 2026.

Conveniently located off the A1, Fort Kinnaird offers 2,600 free car parking spaces, Shopmobility and over 70 shops and restaurants, ensuring an enjoyable and varied shopping experience for all visitors.

Poll reveals majority of cohabiting couples in Scotland unaware of inheritance risks without a Will

A new survey conducted by Will Aid, the national Will-writing campaign, has revealed an alarming gap in the public’s understanding about inheritance laws affecting cohabiting couples.

The survey found that 68% of cohabitees in Scotland were unaware of the rules of intestacy and what happens to their estate if they die without a Will.

The statistics from Scotland paint an identical picture to the rest of the country, with 68% of UK cohabitees also unaware of the risks without a Will.

This lack of awareness could have devastating consequences for many Scottish families, as cohabiting couples—regardless of how long they have lived together or whether they have children—are not automatically entitled to inherit from one another if one partner dies without leaving a Will.

Key findings from the poll include:

25% mistakenly believe their estate would automatically pass to their partner
24% admitted they were unsure what would happen
15% said they had never even thought about the issue
7% thought their estate would go to close friends

The Rules of Intestacy dictate how a person’s estate is distributed when they die without a Will.

These rules prioritise spouses, civil partners, and blood relatives, often leaving cohabiting partners with no legal right to inherit anything. This could leave surviving partners facing significant financial hardship, particularly in cases where they are dependent on the deceased’s income or home.

Peter de Vena Franks, Will Aid Campaign Director, said: “Many people assume that after living together for a period of time, they automatically become common law husband and wife, but this is not the case. The concept of ‘common law marriage’ ceased to exist a very long time ago.

“If you are cohabiting as a couple, the law does not recognise you as common law spouses, even if you have children together and have lived together for many years.

“Therefore, if you do not have a Will, the Rules of Intestacy will apply, and your partner will be completely disregarded.”

The annual Will Aid campaign sees solicitors across the UK volunteering their time to write Wills throughout November, so it is an ideal time for people who are cohabiting to get their wishes professionally drafted in a legal document, which will help to protect their loved ones in the future.

De Vena Franks added: “Will Aid is the perfect opportunity for unmarried and cohabiting partners to get a professionally written Will in place.

“Without a Will, surviving partners may not be automatically entitled to inherit, leaving them in a vulnerable position – and it’s particularly worrying that so many people aren’t aware of this, and don’t fully understand the Rules of Intestacy.

“By participating in Will Aid, couples can ensure their wishes are clearly documented, giving both partners peace of mind that their loved one will be provided for in the event of their death.”

Will Aid is a partnership between the legal profession and eight of the UK’s best-loved charities.

The initiative, which has been running for more than 35 years, sees participating solicitors waive their fee for writing basic Wills every November.

Instead, they invite clients to make a voluntary upfront donation to Will Aid – the suggested amounts are £120 for a single basic Will and £200 for a pair of basic ‘mirror’ Wills.

Appointments are available now, and you can sign up by visiting www.willaid.org.uk

Will Aid is encouraging people to use its upcoming campaign month to write or update their Wills with a participating solicitor, while also supporting UK charities including Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid, NSPCC, SCIAF (Scotland), Trócaire (Northern Ireland) and – new for this year, Shelter and Crisis.

For more information on Will Aid and how to get involved visit www.willaid.org.uk

Botanics Halloween Trail

11 – 19 OCTOBER from 10am – 4pm

Boo! The Botanics Halloween Trail is back this autumn.

Follow clues around the Garden, uncover frightfully fun plant facts along the way, and enjoy a fang-tastic treat at the end. Perfect for families with little monsters aged 3+.

No booking required, pick up your trail booklet (£3) from the East or West Gate and get started!

In partnership with Taylors Snacks.

University of Edinburgh: Community Grants Scheme OPEN!

COMMUNITY GRANTS APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN

Are you part of a local group in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Borders or Fife? Our Community Grants Scheme is available to help bring your ideas to life. Applications are open until Friday 31 October.

View details on how to apply and sign up for our information session: https://edin.ac/489uqJU

Since the scheme began in 2017, we’ve awarded over £822,000 across 330 projects, supporting 252 local organisations to create change that matters to them.

Here’s what that looks like in action:

• Archaeology Scotland brought together 130 local residents for The Big Dig Dalkeith community archaeology project at Newbattle Abbey.

• Leith Sea Cadets replaced old training equipment, boosting confidence and belonging among young people.

• Craigsfarm Community Development Project supported 54 adults with mental health challenges through creative art sessions.

These grants are part of how we deliver on our new Community Plan 2025–30, launching soon. A plan shaped by your voices and built on shared goals for thriving, equal, connected communities.

Edinburgh Local

Campaign shows Cerebral Palsy is not for the weak

WORLD CEREBRAL PALSY DAY – MONDAY 6th OCTOBER 2025

Launching for World Cerebral Palsy Day, ‘More Than Palsy’ – created by DUDE Milan in collaboration with award-winning Scottish poet Jack Hunter – highlights the fighting spirit of people living with cerebral palsy.

It is thought that between 17-50 million people globally live with cerebral palsy, and it remains an underrepresented and neglected disability. 1 in 400 births in Scotland result in a diagnosis of cerebral palsy. To raise global awareness of the condition and drive donations, Italian charity Fight the Stroke, in partnership with Cerebral Palsy Scotland, has launched the campaign More Than Palsy.

Launched in advance of World Cerebral Palsy Day on 6 October, More Than Palsy was created by DUDE Milan in collaboration with Scottish actor, playwright and cerebral palsy advocate Jack Hunter, who is living with cerebral palsy himself.

Inspired by Hunter’s slam poem –“You’ve Got to be Ballsy to have Cerebral Palsy” – the campaign paints an authentic picture of the challenges faced by the cerebral palsy community through their own stories: a stark reminder that life with cerebral palsy is not for the weak – it takes strength to be a disabled person in a non-disabled world.

Watch the 30s clip here: More Than Palsy – SHORT ENG no sub

Watch the full film here: More Than Palsy – LONG SUB ENG

At the heart of the campaign is a two-minute documentary-style film which powerfully conveys the small yet incessant challenges that make up the daily life of a person with cerebral palsy – from the physical frustration at tying one’s shoelaces or trying to use a tampon, to the mental hardship of being bullied.

Raw, powerful and bold, the film aims to both inspire people who have been living with cerebral palsy for years, as well inform future new parents about the existence of this condition and the support that cerebral palsy organisations can offer.

Cerebral Palsy Scotland are the only dedicated cerebral palsy charity in Scotland. Their specialist physiotherapy, speech and language, and psychological therapy services make an incredible difference to the lives of the people they work with.

Gyle Winter Wonderland

OPPORTUNITIES FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

This year, Gyle Shopping Centre is pulling out all the stops for the biggest and brightest Christmas experience yet!

Think sparkling ice rink, a traditional festive market, and a bar brimming with hot chocolate, mulled wine, and all your seasonal favourites – plus a visit to Santa’s magical grotto

We’re on the lookout for:

Craft makers & gifting stalls

Carol singers

Santa’s elves & ice rink attendants

If you’d love to be part of the festive magic, get in touch today. Let’s make this Christmas one to remember!

Email santa@gylechristmas.co.uk to enquire.