Because supporting the community should taste this good!
Local charity, LifeCare Edinburgh is thrilled to announce a brand-new Sweet Partnership Afternoon Tea in collaboration with one of the city’s most celebrated bakeries, Lannan.
Taking place on Monday 20th October at 3:30pm this special event offers guests the rare opportunity to savour Lannan’s exquisite cakes and pastries in comfort – all while supporting LifeCare’s vital community services for older people across Edinburgh.
Sarah van Putten, Chief Executive of LifeCare Edinburgh, said: “This event is a chance to enjoy Lannan’s truly special famous treats without the wait – and, even more importantly, to know that every slice and every sip is helping to support older people in our community.
“LifeCare has been providing care, connection, and companionship across Edinburgh for over 80 years. Partnerships like this allow us to continue that work, reach more people, and remind our city that community care is something we can all be part of.”
Darcie Maher of Lannan said “We’ve always been humbled by the incredible support and loyalty from our customers in our local community. Partnering with LifeCare Edinburgh felt like the perfect way to give something back.
We’re excited to bring our bakes to this special Afternoon Tea, knowing that together, we’re not only creating a delicious experience but also raising vital funds to support some of the city’s most vulnerable people. Cake really can bring people together, and this time it’s for an important cause.”
Spaces are limited for this special fundraising event, and early booking is strongly advised. Tickets go on sale on Sunday (28th September), priced at £50 per person.
Guests are invited to bring their own drinks (BYO), and every penny raised will support LifeCare’s vital services — from delivering freshly prepared meals, to offering companionship, classes, and care for older people across Edinburgh.
Thousands more young people are to receive life-changing support into work or training – with football clubs across England signing up to help the Westminster Government in their mission to ensure every 18-to-21-year-old has the chance to earn or learn
Every Premier League Football Club Charity now in talks with DWP to support the Youth Guarantee – helping more young people get into work or training.
Youth Hub scheme to double to over 200 locations, giving more young people access to employment, skills and wellbeing support at football clubs, libraries and community centres closer to home.
EFL in the Community, the charitable arm of the English Football League (EFL), and Rugby Football League confirm new partnerships, harnessing the power of sport to champion young people and break down barriers to opportunities as part of the Plan for Change.
Thousands more young people are to receive life-changing support into work or training – with football clubs across England signing up to help the Westminster Government in their mission to ensure every 18-to-21-year-old has the chance to earn or learn.
The Government’s highly successful Youth Hubs – which are hosted by sports clubs and other community venues in England, Scotland and Wales – will almost double in number thanks to £25 million investment announced today.
The funding was announced as it was revealed that every Premier League club charity in England is now discussing with Government how they can help get young people earning or learning, while the EFL in the Community and Rugby Football League have also been confirmed as new partners, supporting the same aim.
This means even more young people across the country are being helped by their local teams, as well as the Government’s other Youth Guarantee partners.
To mark the expansion of the programme and our partnership with the Premier League, Secretary of State Pat McFadden will visit Selhurst Park, home to the Palace for Life Youth Hub and Crystal Palace football club, where he will meet staff and young people benefitting from the service to see first-hand the impact it is having in the community.
Youth Hubs offer personalised, wraparound employment, skills and wellbeing support to young people in the areas of highest need. Thanks to this latest investment they will almost double to over 200 places across England, Scotland and Wales in the next three years.
The Hubs bring support, such as CV and wellbeing advice, directly to young people – taking place in settings right at the heart of the community like sports clubs, libraries and community centres.
With nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training, this expansion is helping to inspire a renewed sense of purpose and ambition in young people as well as breaking down barriers to opportunity as part of the Plan for Change.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden, said: “The number of young people not in education, employment or training is unacceptably high, and this government will not stand by while so many are robbed of their potential and our country of its future.
“Through our £25 million expansion of Youth Hubs and partnerships with the Premier League and other key organisations, we’re creating real opportunities for the next generation, ensuring support is targeted to those most in need.
“This investment will support our mission to give every young person the skills and confidence they need to thrive, as we break down barriers to opportunity under our Plan for Change.”
Run in partnership with Jobcentres, Youth Hubs bring Youth Work Coaches together with local partners including charities, councils and employers to provide everything from CV advice to skills training to careers guidance and wellbeing support.
In future, they will also provide access to mental health services, housing and homelessness support.
Erin is one of many young people who have flourished thanks to the government-funded support offered by her local Youth Hub.
Unemployed for two years and struggling with motivation, she visited the Palace for Life Youth Hub. After joining the hospitality programme where she gained valuable experience and confidence, she completed a work placement and was offered a permanent job, marking the start of an exciting new chapter.
The Secretary of State will host a roundtable at Selhurst Park with existing Youth Guarantee partners including the Premier League and Channel 4, as well as new partners such as the EFL in the Community and Rugby Football League.
Clare Sumner, chief policy and social impact officer at the Premier League said: “The Premier League is proud to support the expansion of Youth Hubs so young people, whatever their background, can access the opportunities, support and inspiration they deserve.
“Between 2022 and 2025, the Premier League has invested £1.6 billion into wider football and communities, helping support people of all ages who need it most, and create more chances for young people to learn and grow.
“By working in partnership with Government on the Youth Guarantee, we can build on this foundation and ensure Youth Hubs offer even more opportunities to help young people thrive.
“Together we are showing how football is more than a game, reaching those who need support most, helping them fulfil their potential and strengthening communities nationwide.”
"My first priority coming into the Department is to do more to get young people into work"
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden outlined on @timesradio how giving young people the opportunity and skills to get into good, productive work is his early area of focus at the DWP pic.twitter.com/0Kf1jW7uKN
The announcement is the latest example of the UK Government’s work to tackle the rising number of young people not in education, employment, or training.
In August, an additional £45 million was invested to extend funding for eight Youth Guarantee trailblazers across England whilst an extra £100 million will help to train up 40,000 young construction workers as the Government continues to break down barriers to opportunity under the Plan for Change.
It marks another step in the plan to Get Britain Working and raise living standards by modernising Jobcentres, boosting the National Living Wage, and creating more secure jobs through the Employment Rights Bill.
Employees at Absolute Escapes, an award-winning tour operator based in Edinburgh, walked 1,156,671 steps this July while taking on the Step Up for Wild Places challenge.
Step Up for Wild Places is a UK wide challenge created by wild places charity the John Muir Trust, aimed at organisations keen to keep their workplace active while at the same time supporting the environment.
Participants are able to choose between four of the UK’s most iconic peaks — Ben Nevis, Schiehallion, Blà Bheinn, or Helvellyn — and collectively ‘climb’ its height in steps during the working day over one or more weeks, all while raising funds for the conservation of Britain’s wild places.
20 members of Absolute Escapes took on the challenge between Monday 7 to Friday 11 July, climbing the equivalent of Ben Nevis 38 times and raising £100.
Their funds raised will go directly towards the Trust’s vital conservation work at Ben Nevis, including peatland restoration, native tree planting, removal of invasive species and path repairs.
Beyond raising funds for wild places, the initiative also promoted wellbeing, with co-founder Andy Gabe sharing that the team reported improved mood, better concentration and lower levels of stress during the week they took on Step Up for Wild Places.
One member of Absolute Escapes told us: “We really enjoyed the competitive aspect of the challenge in the office and it absolutely got us to walk about more, even after that week.
“Our next team social involved going up Arthur’s Seat, which was definitely inspired by the challenge.”
Another participant added: “Taking part in Step Up really encouraged me to get out at lunchtime, and it made a noticeable difference to my mood and energy levels.
“It was motivating to see everyone getting involved and keeping active together.”
Ailsa Colquhoun, Corporate Partnerships Manager at the Trust, said: “We were thrilled to hear about the positive impact our Step Up for Wild Places challenge had on the wellbeing of the Absolute Escapes team and their connection to nature.
“It’s inspiring to see how a workplace challenge like Step Up can make a real difference for both wellbeing in the workplace and the conservation of the UK’s wild places.
“We’d like to thank Absolute Escapes, as well as all the other organisations who have taken part in the challenge so far, supporting our vital work on wild mountain landscapes.”
Support to help businesses harness artificial intelligence
A new programme helping Scottish companies seize the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) has been launched.
Supported by nearly £1 million of Scottish Government funding, it will offer small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) a range of support – including tailored consultancy services and grants – to introduce or expand the use of AI in order to develop new products and services, grow market share and attract new investment.
The programme will be delivered by enterprise agencies – Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise – together with The Data Lab, Scotland’s innovation centre for data and artificial intelligence and the Scottish AI Alliance.
It is the first initiative to be delivered as part of AI Scotland, a transformation programme designed to support the adoption of AI. Businesses can find out more about support available on the Find Business Support website.
To launch the programme, Business Minister Richard Lochhead visited the Edinburgh Trams depot at Gogarburn in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Trams has been working with Edinburgh-based technology consultants Integrated Human Factors to develop a wearable fatigue monitoring device.
The Minister said: “Artificial intelligence is a hugely powerful, rapidly-evolving tool that can support and drive our economy. It can enable businesses to work smarter, to innovate and empower and support its workforces. The project being developed by Integrated Human Factors and Edinburgh Trams is a great example of this.
“This national programme will help ensure SMEs across the country have the right support and guidance in place to explore and develop how the adoption of AI could support expansion, competitiveness and open new markets. I’d urge all businesses to find out more about the support and guidance now available to them.
“The programme also marks an important first step in establishing AI Scotland, a true partnership bringing together expertise from across the public and private sectors to help ensure our economy, and indeed our society, is well placed to harness AI as a tool for economic growth and a force for good across society.”
Managing Director of Productivity & Business Growth at Scottish Enterprise Rhona Allison said: “The potential for AI to drive efficiency and productivity gains and increase companies’ competitiveness is immense. Yet research shows that three quarters of Scottish SMEs aren’t using any AI technologies and don’t have plans to adopt AI in the short term.
“We understand that businesses might be finding it difficult knowing where to start on AI adoption. That’s why the delivery partners have drawn on their experience to develop this ambitious Scotland-wide programme.
“It highlights the transformative potential of AI, considers the challenges of adoption, and makes practical support available to companies looking to embed AI in their operations.”
Today is the start of Scotland’s first National Innovation Week!
We are celebrating Scotland’s proud legacy of innovation. Throughout the week we will showcase new technologies and industries of the future.
During Scotland’s Recycling Week, charity Crimestoppers and Network Rail Scotland uncover the hidden crimes and harms underneath waste dumping
The charity Crimestoppers Scotland has today launched a new campaign in partnership with Network Rail Scotland to highlight the impact criminal gangs are causing by dumping large-scale waste in communities.
According to figures published by Zero Waste Scotland, there are over 60,000 incidents of fly tipping reported each year in Scotland, costing over £8.9 million of public money to clear up.
Waste crime takes many different forms, including large-scale dumping, illegal waste sites, illegal burning of waste, mis-description of waste to avoid fees and landfill taxes, and illegal export of waste. It’s usually carried out by gangs and individuals who operate bogus waste services, accepting payment for disposal without having the necessary permits for transportation or storage.
Their ’waste disposal business’ can be used as a cover for other serious illegal activities, such as money laundering and modern-day slavery.
Criminals attack rural environments in a variety of ways, from significant scale illegal dumping to heritage crime. It has a detrimental impact on surrounding wildlife, livestock and communities.
Some examples of waste dumping in Scotland include:
Large scale hazardous waste posing risks to staff and the public was dumped adjacent to Glasgow’s Queen Street Railway line, causing disruption and costing thousands to clear up.
Household items such as fridges, washing machines, baths and toilets, as well as doors, windows, furniture, building rubble and bin bags, were strewn across ground beneath the M8 in the Blochairn area of Glasgow
In Port Glasgow, Renfrewshire, a derelict farm was filled with an estimated 10,000 tyres. One barn at the site in Devol that is overflowing with tyres lies within a few metres of a housing estate. Tyres are classified as hazardous waste because of the polluting emissions they give off and their potential to catch fire.
Angela Parker, National Manager for charity Crimestoppers, said:“For this campaign with Network Rail Scotland, we spoke to communities affected by large scale waste dumping.
“Many people said looking at waste piles of rubbish made them feel unsafe and impacted their mental health. They were also unaware of the serious crimes waste crime dumping covers up.
“Scotland is classed as 97% rural, with rural communities in particular relying on it for business, farming and tourism.
“Waste dumping covers hidden crimes and has hidden consequences for communities, including negative effects on property values, increased crime rates and mental health issues in areas where waste dumping is prevalent.
“Often the criminals behind it are hard to identify as they typically pose as legitimate businesses. Illegally dumping waste is a lucrative business for criminal organisations, and warehouses or derelict sites are a prime target to mask this activity.
“Serious and organised waste crime is on the rise, and often on an industrial scale. We want communities and the waste industry to speak up 100% anonymously to our charity if they know or suspect who is dumping large scale waste in Scotland.”
Tell us what you know, by calling 0800 555 111 or using our online form. You’ll stay 100% anonymous. Always.
Neil Cook, Route Crime Manager for Network Rail Scotland, said:“Fly-tipping is always an eyesore and a hazard, but it’s especially concerning when it happens near a railway.
“Dumped rubbish can fuel lineside fires, act as climbing aids for those trying to breach secure boundaries and often attract children and youths to play in dangerous areas – putting themselves, passengers, and rail staff at serious risk.
“That’s why we’re working closely with partners to prevent fly-tipping and catch those responsible. By tackling this issue together, we’re helping to protect our communities and ensure the railway remains safe and reliable for everyone.”
Some of the signs to look out for:
Large scale dumping of waste (such as a tipper truck dumping over 20 tonnes of waste).
Illegal waste sites.
Misdescription of waste, to avoid fees and landfill taxes.
Illegal export of waste.
Serious and intentional waste permit breaches.
Illegal burning of waste.
To pass on information about Illegal large scale waste dumping completely anonymously, visit the Crimestoppers website (Crimestoppers-uk.org).
You can fill in a safe and secure form or you can call the 24/7 UK-based Contact Centre on 0800 555 111. Young people can also report crime via the charity’s youth service website Fearless.org.
Please note: With Crimestoppers-uk.org and Fearless.org, computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted them.
For telephone calls to Crimestoppers via 0800 555 111, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and calls have never been traced.
A 49-year-old man has been arrested and charged during a pro-active operation targeting those involved in human trafficking in Edinburgh.
A four-figure sum of cash was also seized during the search of a property in the Marchmont area and enquiries are ongoing.
Detective Superintendent Stevie Bertram said: “Today’s activity is part of an ongoing operation aimed at tackling those who exploit vulnerable members of our communities for their own personal gain.
“Human trafficking is despicable and our commitment to identifying those involved and bringing them to court is unwavering.
“I would urge anyone who has any knowledge about where it is happening or who may be involved to get in touch with Police Scotland on 101 or information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
ON National Fitness Day 2025 (Wednesday, 24th September), Edinburgh Leisure is celebrating the power of physical activity with an inspiring message from one of its most energetic instructors – 88-year-old Helen Flannigan.
This year’s theme, “Powered By You!”, encourages people of all ages and abilities to discover what motivates them to move more. Organised by ukactive, the nationwide campaign highlights the physical and mental health benefits of staying active.
Helen Flannigan, who was awarded the Lifestyle Achievement Award by the International Fitness Showcase in March 2025, an annual fitness convention in Blackpool, teaches four weekly Fit Steps and Zumba classes at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre, and her sessions are anything but gentle.
Known for her fast-paced routines, Helen leaves her dancers sweating and smiling – proving that age is no barrier to fitness.
She’s even signed up for training as an instructor for Work It Out, a musical theatre-inspired workout developed by Flick Hannah, which Edinburgh Leisure offers and is proving very popular, with classes often having waitlists.
Helen Flannigan said: “National Fitness Day is a great reminder that movement is for everyone. The theme ‘Powered By You!’ is about finding what makes you feel good and being part of something bigger.
“Even small changes can make a big difference to your health and wellbeing.”
Alex Smith, Fitness Class Manager at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Helen is a true inspiration. Her energy, commitment, and inclusive approach make her classes a highlight of the week for many of our members.”
Celebrating Impact
Edinburgh Leisure has recently launched its second Impact Report, showcasing achievements from 2024–2025 – a year marked by record-breaking participation, community innovation, and strategic resilience.
Jen Holland, CEO of Edinburgh Leisure, said: “As a charity, every penny spent with us is reinvested into the local community. With our customers’ support and through our Active Communities programmes, we’ve been able to:
Support 8,826 people experiencing poverty to be active
Assist 604 refugees through our Relocated People Access Programme
Help 634 care-experienced children and young people engage in activities
Enable 2,466 low-income residents to access services via the £10 Get Active Card”
Malcolm Reid, newly appointed Chair of Edinburgh Leisure, added: “Physical activity is a proven ‘miracle cure’ for health and wellbeing, yet less than half of Edinburgh’s population meets the recommended 2.5 hours of weekly activity.
“Our mission – to inspire individuals, families, and communities to move more – is more urgent than ever. This report shows how we’re making that happen, together.”
“As a charity with a social conscience, our purpose goes beyond profit. It’s about people – supporting healthier lives, creating safe and welcoming spaces, connecting communities, and working towards net zero.
“Our services are designed to be inclusive and accessible, helping everyone achieve their personal best at every stage of life. We invite citizens, partners, and supporters to be part of the journey – whether as participants, volunteers, donors or advocates.”
Get Involved on National Fitness Day
To mark National Fitness Day, Edinburgh Leisure is inviting members to take part in inclusive gym challenges across all venues. There are no winners based on strength or speed – participation alone makes you a winner.
Members are also encouraged to complete “Powered By You” cards, sharing what physical activity helps them achieve in everyday life. These stories will be featured on Edinburgh Leisure’s social media channels.
Throughout September, Edinburgh Leisure is offering a £0 joining fee on all memberships – including Full Fitness and single-activity options (gym, swim, or fitness classes) – making it easier than ever to get started.
First Minister leads summit with front-line practitioners
First Minister John Swinney has described his priority of eradicating child poverty in Scotland as “a truly national mission” and our “moral imperative” ahead of an event in Glasgow.
Addressing over 500 delegates from across the public and third sectors, the First Minister also announced that more families across Scotland are set to benefit from investment in innovative projects that join up local services, making it easier for people to access the support they need.
Through the Fairer Futures Partnerships (FFP), the Scottish Government is collaborating with local councils to test and improve services to better help families living in poverty. These partnerships bring together a range of services, across childcare, education, health and social care, housing, employment and beyond, to provide whole family support.
Building on the success in three pathfinder areas, and eight existing FFPs, the Scottish Government is now expanding these partnerships into five new areas – Dumfries & Galloway, Edinburgh, South Ayrshire, West Dunbartonshire and West Lothian.
Speaking ahead of the event, the First Minister said: “When I became First Minister, I said that I will pursue priorities that will make Scotland the best our country can be, and the most important priority that I have pursued in Government has been that of eradicating child poverty.
“The cornerstone of our approach is investment in more dignified and generous social security support, through game-changing measures like the Scottish Child Payment, and ending the UK Government’s two-child limit.
“However, there are still far too many children growing up hungry, or cold, and unable to reach their full potential. In a country as wealthy as Scotland, that is unacceptable.
“It is my firm believe that nothing that is wrong with Scotland can’t be fixed by what is right in Scotland, and whole family support – which is about redesigning the system, both for the people who deliver vital services and for the people who rely on them – is key to that.
“And it is already happening, right now, in areas across Scotland, where local authorities and their partners are already testing new and innovative ways of working together – reshaping and redesigning services in close partnership with local communities. But we need to see this in all areas of Scotland.
“Through the Fairer Futures Partnerships, backed by £4 million investment this year, we are working hand-in-hand with local authorities, communities, and the third sector to deliver real, lasting change. And we are now rolling this out into even more areas of Scotland, allowing us to test and scale up what works, ensuring every child in Scotland can thrive.
“I want to shine a light on the good work that is happening, encourage knowledge-sharing, hear directly from people about what is working well and how the Government can support them to make whole family support a reality in all areas of the country.
“It is our truly national mission to ensure that no child in Scotland grows up in poverty. It is everybody’s business, and our moral imperative – because there is no greater long-term investment we can make in our future and our success as a nation.”
The five newly-announced Fairer Futures Partnerships (FFPs) build on the work of: the Social Innovation Partnership since 2016; the three original partnership projects in Dundee, Glasgow and Clackmannanshire; the five FFPs in Aberdeen City, East Ayrshire, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire and Perth & Kinross announced in the 2024-25 Programme for Government; and the further three in Fife, North Lanarkshire and Shetland announced in the 2025-26 Programme for Government.
Alongside this, Scottish Government is making up to £1.12 million “Adopt and Adapt” funding available to local authorities not currently engaged in Fairer Futures Partnerships. This funding is provided to support councils’ efforts to access and engage with the learning and evaluation programme, and to embed relevant learning in their local work on child poverty.
The Capital’s finest pubs, bars and hospitality stars were celebrated last night (Monday, 22 September 2025) at the Edinburgh Bartenders’ Ball, where the winners of the 2025 Edinburgh Bar Awards were revealed in front of a packed house of 300 at The Biscuit Factory.
The awards, voted on by the public and Edinburgh’s bar community, recognised the very best of the Capital’s world-class drinks scene, across 11 categories from cocktail creativity to pub culture, rising talent, and the people making it all happen behind the stick.
Top cocktail bar, Panda & Sons, were the night’s big winner, scooping Best Bar sponsored by Schweppes and Best Bar Team sponsored by Monkey Shoulder.
Leith-based Nauticus took home Best Pub, while Uno Mas was crowned Best Late Night Venue. Neighbourhood favourite, Old Pal, picked up the top prize in the Best Restaurant Bar category, with team member Freya Kemp named Rising Star.
The Legend Award, recognising outstanding contribution to Scotland’s hospitality scene, was presented to Siân Buchan by Backs! Hospitality.
Speaking about the winners, David Smillie, co-founder of Backs! Hospitality and organiser of the Edinburgh Bar Awards and Bartenders’ Ball, said: “Last night was incredible, congratulations to all our winners, finalists and everyone who came out to celebrate the Capital’s licensed trade.
“From iconic venues to rising stars, the winners represent the best of the best, the people and places that make this scene truly world-class.”
The second Edinburgh Bartenders’ Ball brought together over 300 of the city’s hospitality community for a night of complimentary drinks, food, and entertainment, celebrating a city that continues to set the standard for hospitality on the global stage.
2025 Edinburgh Bar Awards Winners
Best Bar (sponsored by Schweppes)
Winner – Panda & Sons Highly Commended – Hey Palu
Best Pub Winner – Nauticus Highly Commended – The Mother Superior
Best Restaurant Bar (sponsored by Liberty Wines) Winner – Old Pal Highly Commended – Little Capo
Best Bar Team (sponsored by Monkey Shoulder) Winner – Panda & Sons Highly Commended – The Cocktail Geeks
Best Late Night Venue (sponsored by Red Bull) Winner – Uno Mas Highly Commended – Nightcap
Unsung Hero (sponsored by Jubel) Winner – Cam Chittleborough Highly Commended – Sam Baxendale
Rising Star (sponsored by Bacardi) Winner – Freya Kemp – Old Pal Highly Commended – Emily Weston – The Cocktail Geeks
Best Shake (sponsored by Royal Mile Trade) Winner – Logan Pope Highly Commended – Saul Lavelle
