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Edinburgh International Children’s Festival Programme Announced

FORTHVIEW PUPILS LAUNCH 2025 PROGRAMME

13 productions from 7 different countries
Two new Expo-funded commissions, Tongue Twister and The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl, to tour Scotland ahead of the Festival.

Today (Tuesday 25 March) the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival launched its 2025 programme of events. Running from 24 May to 1 June in venues across Edinburgh, the festival’s 35^thprogramme includes circus, dance, puppetry and theatre for young people, their schools and families thanks to continued support from Creative Scotland and the Scottish Government’s Festivals Expo Fund.

This is the final programme for Festival Director Noel Jordan who is leaving in October to return home to Australia after 10 years in post.

It kicks off with a fully accessible Free Family Day of pop-up performances and artists interventions by Scotland-based artists at the National Museum of Scotland and explores timely topics such as celebrating difference and the search for identity.

The festival aims to ensure that more children in Scotland can experience work that is deeply engaging, innovative and inspiring, regardless of their circumstances, access needs or location and this year’s highlights include:

Intimate sensory works for babies that will delight young audiences with their beautiful design and gentle interactions. These includes Great Big Tiny Worldan immersive show filled with sounds and scents taking place in a space filled up with hundreds of plants, or Beneath the Snow which creates a world of white tissue paper from which emerge beautiful creatures.
Shows for both children and adults, with family pleasers such as Grown Ups and Double You featuring adults behaving badly with hilarious consequence, while The Show for Young Men depicts a funny and moving performance about friendship between a man and a boy.
A regional focus on Flanders, with four stunning productions representing the vibrant and dynamic children’s theatre scene from this region.
Two new Expo-funded commissions by Scottish companies, Tongue Twister and The Unlikely Friendship of Feather Boy and Tentacle Girl, which will be touring Scotland in the lead-up to the Festival. Both focus on celebrating diverse cultures and accepting difference.

Festival Director Noel Jordan said: “I’m very excited to be launching the 35^thedition of the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival. 35 years have seen generations of children attend the Festival, with many now returning as parents to share cherishable and transformative experiences with their own children.

“This year’s programme features 13 productions from 7 countries, including two exciting Scottish commissions from both new and established artists. Woven through many of the performances is the simple joy of play – from children playing with gravity and rules making to adults’ hidden play and madcap exploration of what it means to be a grown up.

“Play is the cornerstone of childhood and this programme lets us freely imagine worlds and people beyond the immediacy of our own lives whilst connecting us with others.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Every child deserves the chance to experience the magic of live performance and I’m grateful to everyone who has made the Edinburgh International Children’s Festival such a success over the past three decades.

“To have brought smiles to thousands of young people’s faces over 35 years is a truly heartwarming legacy and this year’s programme promises to be no less enthralling. I’m particularly delighted to see it includes two Expo-funded commissions with a focus on celebrating cultural diversity.

“The Scottish Government’s Expo fund is designed to help showcase Scottish artists and our festivals to the world, and I’m very proud to continue that support with £110,000 for this year’s Edinburgh International Children’s Festival.”

Colin Bradie, Head of Creative Learning at Creative Scotland said: “The Edinburgh International Children’s Festival continues to inspire and engage young audiences with world-class theatre, dance, and storytelling.

“This year’s programme, with its rich international diversity and focus on celebrating difference, reflects the power of the arts to spark imagination and foster inclusivity.

“We are proud to support this vibrant festival and the many artists who bring it to life, ensuring that children across Scotland have access to transformative cultural experiences.”

Festival tickets go on sale today, at 12noon. For full programme and booking information, visit: www.imaginate.org.uk/festival.

Tickets can be booked online or by calling 0131 226 0019.

ChildrensFestival25_Programme Download

£2 billion new investment to support biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation

‘Hard working’ families in England to get safe and secure homes as Chancellor announces £2 billion injection of new grant funding to deliver up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes

Landmark announcement part of Plan for Change to deliver security for working people by growing the economy and building 1.5 million homes.
£2 billion of new funding will only support development on sites that will deliver in this Parliament, getting spades in the ground quickly to build homes in places such as Manchester and Liverpool.

Helping hard working families get safe and secure homes and kickstarting economic growth are driving the government’s agenda, as the Chancellor and Deputy Prime Minister today (Tuesday 25 March) announced up to 18,000 new social and affordable homes will be built with a £2 billion injection of investment to deliver the Prime Minister’s Plan for Change.

The announcement hails a significant milestone on the government’s promise to build 1.5 million new homes whilst driving economic growth by getting Britain building again. It follows the government’s plan to inspire the next generation of British engineers, brickies and chippies, by training 60,000 construction workers to tackle skills shortages and get more young people into jobs.

The £2 billion investment boost comes as a down payment from the Treasury ahead of more long term investment in social and affordable housing planned later this year, which will provide additional funding for 2026-27 and well as for future years. This forms part of the government’s plan for tackling the housing crisis that has held working families back from the stability and security that comes with a safe roof over your head.

Thousands of new affordable homes will start construction by March 2027 and will complete by the end of this Parliament. The government is encouraging providers to come forwards as soon as possible with projects and bids to ramp up the delivery of new housing supply, in turn making the dream of home ownership a reality for more people across the country.

Today’s investment will also unlock development and opportunity on sites that are ready and waiting for spades in the ground in places such as Manchester or Liverpool.

The Chancellor announced plans on a visit to an affordable housing site in Stoke-On-Trent with the Deputy Prime Minister, working hand in hand to deliver the biggest boost to affordable and social housing in a generation.

Deputy Prime Minister and Housing Secretary, Angela Rayner said: “Everyone deserves to have a safe and secure roof over their heads and a place to call their own, but the reality is that far too many people have been frozen out of home ownership or denied the chance to rent a home they can afford thanks to the housing crisis we’ve inherited.

“This investment will help us to build thousands more affordable homes to buy and rent and get working people and families into secure homes and onto the housing ladder. This is just the latest in delivering our Plan for Change mission to build 1.5 million homes, and the biggest increase in social and affordable housing in a generation.”

Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves said: “We are fixing the housing crisis in this country with the biggest boost in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation. Today’s announcement will help drive growth through our Plan for Change by delivering up to 18,000 new homes, as well as jobs and opportunities, getting more money into working people’s pockets.

“At the conclusion of the current Spending Review process on 11 June 2025, the government will announce further long-term investment into the sector in England, delivering the biggest boost to social and affordable housing in a generation.”

Kate Henderson, Chief Executive at the National Housing Federation, says: “This funding top-up is hugely welcome and demonstrates the government’s commitment to delivering genuinely affordable, social housing for families in need across the country. The additional £2 billion will prevent a cliff edge in delivery of new homes, ahead of the next funding programme being announced.

“Social housing is the only secure and affordable housing for families on low incomes, and the dire shortage has led to rocketing rates of poverty, overcrowding and homelessness.

“Investment in social housing is not only key to tackling the housing crisis, but is also excellent value for money, reducing government spending on benefits, health, and homelessness as well as boosting growth. Housing associations are ready to work with the government to deliver a generation of new social homes.

Charlie Nunn, CEO, Lloyds Banking Group said: “A safe and lasting home is the foundation for good lives and livelihoods, and we welcome this boost to building much-needed social and affordable homes.

“As the UK’s biggest commercial supporter of social housing, we’re working across the private, public and community sectors to help increase provision of good quality, genuinely affordable housing for those in need.”

David Thomas, CEO at Barratt Redrow said: “To increase construction activity and build the homes the UK desperately needs, we need support for demand across all tenures.

“As well as providing more much-needed affordable homes, this welcome investment will help unlock mixed-tenure developments and to create jobs and economic growth across the country.”

Stephen Teagle, Chair of The Housing Forum said: “This additional funding signals that the Government is listening to the sector and reaffirms its strong commitment to accelerating the delivery of much-needed affordable housing while driving economic growth.

“It represents an unprecedented intervention which, when paired with sustained, long-term investment, will be instrumental in meeting the growing demand for affordable homes.

“Now, it’s up to the industry to rise to the challenge — accelerating delivery, building momentum towards the government’s target of 1.5 million new homes, and ensuring we provide the housing this country urgently needs.”

Time To Divest!

PROTEST TONIGHT at 6pm HAYMARKET SQUARE

Join us at 6pm tonight for a demonstration outside the offices of the Lothian Pension Fund Committee at 9 Haymarket Square.

Let’s make the councillors who sit on the LPF feel the pressure for divestment that is building globally.

Appeal to trace woman reported missing in the Penicuik area

POLICE are appealing for the help of the public to trace a 29-year-old woman reported missing from the Penicuik area.

Toni McNelis was last seen around midnight on Friday, 14 March, in the Edinburgh Road area of the town.

She has been spoken to on the phone by officers, however there are still concerns and we need to trace her.

Toni is described as being around 5ft 4in tall, of slim build, with long blonde hair. It is not known what she was wearing.

She may have travelled to the Glasgow area and also has links to Edinburgh.

Inspector Carlyn Simpson, Dalkeith Police Station, said: “We are concerned for Toni’s welfare and are asking anyone who knows where she might be to come forward.

“Her family and friends are extremely worried and just want to know she is safe and well.

“I would also appeal directly to Toni – if you see this, please get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1545 of 20 March.

ECCAN: Heating North Edinburgh

ONLINE MEETING – MONDAY 31 MARCH 2 – 3.30pm

Calling all community activists in Newhaven / Trinity / Granton / West Pilton – can you share your ideas about how decisions should be made on heating system changes coming within 5-15 years?

– How to tackle fuel poverty? Stop energy leaking out of homes!

– After gas … what? Heat pumps or heat networks?

These are big technical options being discussed right now by the Scottish Government and the City Council.

– Do you want a say in the new arrangements the infrastructure needed?

– Share your views on what will happen when gas no longer heats homes / workplaces.

– Could a Local Place Plan / a Local Energy Plan help?

This online workshop is for community organisers and residents interested in the issues. It will inform future funding applications and support for community organisations looking to take control of their journey to a low carbon future.

Book you place: https://tinyurl.com/2vfp5kv8

Festival of Movement this Saturday

SATURDAY 29th MARCH in LINLITHGOW

Scotland’s first Festival of Movement will soon come to Linlithgow! We are delighted to now reveal the full programme for the day.

Join us across Linlithgow, from the West Lothian Cycle Route to The Cross, on Saturday 29 March for a free, fun-filled day of opportunities to get moving, from in-line skating to led cycles, as well as talks, discussions and creative workshops for all ages and abilities.

Discover the programme here: https://bit.ly/4iD9z3J

This one-day-only event is organised by Move For Good, Linlithgow Community Development Trust’s project for active and sustainable travel.

Follow @moveforgood_ on Instagram for all updates!

Festival-of-Movement-2025-Programme Download

Mental Health Foundation: Debt Awareness Week

For Debt Awareness Week, we’re highlighting how debt affects mental health – and the support that is available to help.

Throughout the cost-of-living-crisis many people have had to turn to lenders and may be struggling to keep up with their repayments. The mental health toll can be really challenging, with increased feelings of anxiety keeping you up at night or making it harder to enjoy your relationships. It can make existing mental health problems like depression worse and all together, feel overwhelming.

The mental health effects of debt can make navigating it an even more isolating and lonely experience. It’s important to remember that you are not alone, and that there is support available to you.

Want to know more? Join us for our Reddit ‘Ask Me Anything’ 26-28 March r/ukpersonalfinance. We’ll be joined by StepChange to answer all your questions on mental health and debt.

GRANTON INFORMATION CENTRE: FEEDBACK SURVEY

There is only one week remaining to compete our 24/25 client feedback survey. If you have used our service since April 2024, and haven’t already done so, please take a couple of minutes to complete our questionnaire:

https://surveymonkey.com/r/PMNGTBR

Thank you!

Eco hosts Powering Futures students as nationwide skills programme hits the road

A diverse manufacturing business which is leading the way in sustainable industrialised construction to meet the UK’s housing needs hosted more than 60 secondary school students who presented their ideas on how to tackle society’s key challenges.

Eco Group, led by founder and MD Eddie Black, specialises in Contract Manufacturing, Organic Brand Manufacturing, and Services to Manufacturing in a range of industries across the UK from its base in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway.

Eco’s VASO Build Solutions, construction panels made from mostly recycled glass, is one of a range of world-first decarbonisation technologies and carbon mitigation strategies developed by the pioneering business.

On Monday (March 17), Eddie and Eco Group Opportunity Strategist Gary Robertson, and Eco colleagues, hosted S5 students from Annan Academy as part of the forward-thinking Powering Futures programme involving 1,300 pupils in 86 schools across Scotland.

Powering Futures, which is supported by 47 Scottish businesses and organisations, “prepares the workforce of the future for the jobs of the future”, educating the workforce of the future in over 100 Scottish secondary schools, and training the workforce of the future in large employers across the country.

The SCQF level 6 accredited programme equips learners with critical meta-skills that employers are looking for while gaining an understanding of sustainability knowledge.

The event at Eco on Monday kicked off a programme throughout Scotland over the next two weeks where students will be making their final presentations to businesses in boardrooms, from the Borders to Inverness, to mark the culmination of their 30-week challenge.

Eddie Black, one of the judges at Monday’s event, said: “Investing our time, energy and expertise in the next generation is something I have been passionate about ever since the day we set up our business more than 15 years ago.

“With the way Eco has grown and diversified, we were delighted to host the Annan Academy students at our headquarters and hopefully give them a taste of what a sustainable business environment looks and feels like.

“It was fabulous to see and listen to their challenge presentations. It was a privilege to be in the room with group of young people with such inquiring minds.

“We were genuinely blown away by the thinking and research they had done to come up with their solutions to some of society’s major challenges.

“All the students showed impressive problem-solving skills. We know all too well how much adaptability, collaboration and resilience they will have had to show to get to this presentation stage – we have even named one of our businesses Resilience because we know what an important quality that is in today’s fast-changing society. Congratulations to all the students – you were amazing.

“Big thanks must also go to all the teachers and staff at Annan Academy for giving our young people the support and opportunity to take part, and to the team at Powering Futures for making these experiences happen which will stand the students in such good stead today for embarking on the careers of tomorrow.”

Participants in the Powering Futures Schools Programme engage in hands-on learning as they collaborate to find a solution to real-life sustainability challenges that have been set for this 2024-2025 academic year.

Industry partners are embedded in the delivery of the curriculum programme, which is designed to systematically create a pipeline of talent to businesses involved in delivering the transition to net zero.

Annan Academy is one of only four schools nationally to have enrolled an entire year group in the SCQF level 6 programme, the same level of Higher or modern and foundation apprenticeships.

Annan Academy Headteacher Ewan Murray said: “By integrating the Powering Futures Challenge into the whole year group instead of as an optional course, we ensured that all our students could benefit from learning these essential meta-skills, including teamwork, problem-solving, and organisation.”

Powering Futures Co-Founder David Reid said: “The teams demonstrated the new skills that they have developed over the past 30 weeks around team building, collaboration, problem solving and now presentation skills, all attributes that they need for a great career and a job in the future.

“So much so that Eco, our hosts, have already identified two or three individuals that they would like to speak more to about vacancies that they have, because they were so impressed.

“By fostering essential meta-skills that are highly valued by employers, the Powering Futures Schools Programme not only prepares students for their careers but also empowers them to navigate all aspects of life beyond education.

“They have helped the studentsgain the experience and confidence needed to navigate an evolving job market and contribute meaningfully to their industries.

“As a result, the students are not just preparing for the future – they are actively shaping it.

“Thank you also to all the team at Annan Academy for their support. We’re excited to continue collaborating with the academy to guide young people toward a brighter, more prosperous future.”

Think tank warns: without urgent investment, Scotland will miss child poverty target in 2030

New analysis from the Institute for Public Policy Research Scotland (IPPR Scotland) warns that without urgent investment, more than 210,000 Scottish children – 22 per cent – will be trapped in poverty by 2030. That’s enough children to fill Murrayfield Stadium more than three times over, and more than twice the legal target of fewer than one in ten children in poverty by 2030.

The first minister has described eradicating child poverty as “the single most important objective” of the Scottish government and the Scottish Child Payment is helping lift children out of poverty.

If delivered within the promised timescale, the commitment to mitigate the 2-child limit will also have a positive impact on child poverty. Without these policies the think tank says Scotland’s current rate of child poverty would be even higher at 27 per cent.

However, amid mounting pressures on public finances and the imminent release of data showing if Scotland has met or missed its interim child poverty targets, new analysis by researchers at IPPR Scotland shows that a “business as usual” approach to social security would leave 22 per cent of Scotland’s children in poverty by 2030 – locking them out of the conditions they need to thrive.

The outlook looks worse in the rest of the UK, where without a change of course 32 per cent of children could be in poverty at the end of the decade. Among the many harms that result from growing up in poverty, the growing attainment gap in Scotland is particularly troubling, as children from deprived areas are less likely to obtain national qualifications than their peers from affluent areas.

Today’s research highlights that raising children requires resources in the form of time, energy and extra living space – yet the economy is not designed to ensure families have what they need.

Parents must often reduce work hours to care for and nurture their children, while adequate living space increases their housing costs. During their analysis, researchers considered a ‘better than best case employment scenario’ in which no parent is paid less than the real living wage, unemployment among parents is halved, and 40,000 economically inactive parents – a full quarter of the total – are supported into work.

This would require a massive expansion of Scottish government funded employment services, helping parents into sustained work at five times the current pace. Even if this were to be delivered, the child poverty target would still be missed, with 60 per cent more children in poverty than required by legislation.

The researchers say the inescapable conclusion of their analysis is that achieving the 2030 target is possible but only with additional spending. The most direct and targeted route for this spending would be to increase social security payments to families in or at risk of poverty.

IPPR Scotland modelled an uplift to the Scottish Child Payment as a way of achieving the target. They found that doubling the real terms value of the payment would add around £500 million to the social security budget in 2030, and would lift 40,000 more children out of poverty, cutting the child poverty rate by an additional 4 percentage points.

Researchers are clear that child poverty is not inevitable. They point to decisions that can be made to increase spending (in addition to the Scottish Child Payment and planned removal of the two-child limit) that could be taken by either from Scottish government or the UK government, the latter of which is currently developing its own child poverty strategy.

Dave Hawkey, senior research fellow at IPPR Scotland, said: “Scotland is at a crossroads and must decide whether it is willing to take the necessary steps to eradicate child poverty – there is surely only one option.

“The social security system is an important safety net to catch families when hard times hit, but this is not its only role. Even when adults are working, many families need financial support to make ends meet. Child benefit and universal credit have a vital role to play, plugging a gap that the labour market cannot and ensuring that children have what they need to grow up healthy and secure.

“The Scottish government is in the early stages of developing its next child poverty delivery plan to cover the period up to 2030. It needs to set out the actions the Scottish government will take to reduce child poverty and the impact they will have.

“The evidence is clear: to meet Scotland’s legal child poverty target, Scotland must commit additional fiscal resource to our shared priority of giving every child in Scotland a good start in life”.

Charter award for NHS Lothian’s Bereavement Service

The NHS Lothian Bereavement Service has been awarded the prestigious Bereavement Charter for Scotland (Workforces).

The service works to improve the experience and support available for patients, families and staff after a bereavement by being a single point of contact for any bereavement related issues.

They are here to compliment the support routinely given by hospital staff, which can be anything from what happens next, enquiries about the policy, providing training or looking to see what emotional support is available.

This accreditation is a testament to our organisation’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality, human rights-based bereavement care and support. It highlights the team’s dedication to fostering a compassionate and understanding community for those navigating the challenging journey of grief.

The recognition comes in light of the exceptional person-centred care, education, and support that the NHS Lothian Bereavement Service consistently delivers. Effective, equitable, and compassionate bereavement care has always been at the heart of their service provision, and the Charter Mark is a well-deserved acknowledgment of these efforts.

One of the key initiatives that contributed to this achievement was the team’s focus on better support for NHS Lothian staff who have experienced bereavement.

This comprehensive project included conducting a staff survey, collaborating closely with Line Managers, and developing valuable resources and training programs. These efforts will help to ensure that staff members receive the support they need when they return to work and beyond after experiencing the loss of a loved one.

The Charter accreditation holds significant meaning for the team, reflecting their dedication and hard work. Looking ahead, the NHS Lothian Bereavement Service is now focused on the next steps: supporting other teams, wards, and departments within NHS Lothian to work towards achieving the Charter Mark.

This initiative aims to empower the wider workforce to practice excellent bereavement care across Lothian, further enhancing the organisation’s commitment to compassionate care.

Congratulations to NHS Lothian Bereavement Service on this outstanding achievement. Their dedication to providing high-quality bereavement care and support is truly inspiring and sets a benchmark for others to follow.