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Bank of Scotland Foundation backs Scottish charities for the long term with Empower grants programme

Bank of Scotland Foundation, an independent charity funded solely by Lloyds Banking Group, has awarded £4.25 million to seventeen Scottish charities through Empower – its multi-year, unrestricted funding programme – at a time when communities across Scotland are facing sustained and growing pressures.

In response to the ongoing cost of living crisis and the increasing strain on frontline services, the Foundation has taken the deliberate decision to strengthen and extend Empower, upgrading the programme from three to five years and increasing funding from £150,000 to £250,000 per charity.

This shift is designed to give grassroots charities not just funding, but certainty, stability and breathing space – enabling them to focus on people, not survival.

Each of the seventeen charities will receive £50,000 per year for five years in unrestricted funding, allowing them to plan with confidence, retain staff and respond quickly as needs evolve.

This represents the single largest grants programme investment in the history of the Foundation and reflects a long-term commitment to charities supporting people living in vulnerable circumstances, at a time when demand for help continues to rise while resources are under increasing pressure.

By prioritising long-term, flexible funding, the Foundation is backing charities to do what they do best – reach people earlier, provide consistent support, and build stronger, more resilient communities across Scotland.

Donald MacKechnie, Chair of Bank of Scotland Foundation, commented, “Empower reflects our belief that lasting change happens when charities are trusted and given the stability to plan for the long term.

“Through our conversations with charities, we know that unrestricted funding is transformative – it allows charities to cover essential costs, retain skilled staff and respond quickly when circumstances change.

“At a time of real uncertainty for many communities, we are proud to be offering five years of support through Empower, and we look forward to seeing the positive, life-changing impact these grants will have over the years ahead.”

The seventeen charities each awarded an Empower grant of £250,000 over the next five years are:

CHARITY	CONSTITUENCY
CENTRAL SCOTLAND
Talk Now	East Kilbride
Home-Start Falkirk Ltd	Falkirk West
GLASGOW
The Saturday Cafe Clubs	Glasgow Cathcart
Starter Packs Glasgow	Glasgow Pollok
HIGHLANDS & ISLANDS
Cowal Elderly Befrienders SCIO	Argyll and Bute
LOTHIANS
Steps to Hope SCIO	Almond Valley
Richmond’s Hope	Edinburgh Eastern
Pilton Youth and Children’s Project	Edinburgh Northern and Leith
LIFT@ Muirhouse Millennium Centre	Edinburgh Western
Queensferry Churches’ Care in the Community	Edinburgh Western
Changes East Lothian	Midlothian North and Musselburgh
MID SCOTLAND AND FIFE
Denny and Dunipace Citizens Advice Bureau	Stirling
NORTH EAST SCOTLAND
Grampian Women’s Aid	Aberdeen Donside
Angus Citizens Advice Bureau (SCIO)	Angus South
SOUTH SCOTLAND
Home-Start East Lothian	East Lothian
Roxburgh and Berwickshire Citizens Advice Bureau	Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire
Eildon West Youth Hub	Midlothian South, Tweeddale & Lauderdale

Japan Sakura at Lauriston Castle

As #Edinburgh‘s beautiful cherry trees burst into bloom, join us at Lauriston Castle this coming Saturday and Sunday for our varied and exciting programme of Japan #Sakura events!

Click on the link for a full and varied programme:

https://cultureedinburgh.com/…/japan-sakura-at..

A new school term with new challenges and opportunities

Education, Children and Families Convenor, Cllr James Dalgleish reflects on the start of both SQA exams and the Summer term for schools:

This week saw a return to the school routine after the Easter break for learners, teachers and school staff across the city. With the weather promising the start of Spring I know that, mirroring the shift in seasons, for many young people this time of year marks a transition from school to what comes next.

The annual SQA National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher exams started this week, running until 1 June. For many learners, particularly those taking SQA Awards and Skills for Work vocational subjects, assessments have already taken place throughout the academic year.

I have been pleased to see the shift from academic achievement as the sole means to measure attainment in recent years. We are focused on improving outcomes for all learners and this includes acknowledging that each of our young people are unique individuals with their own talents, skills, ambitions and aspirations.

For many young people, a timetable of academic subjects followed by formal exams works well but others are better suited to dynamic, hands-on learning – some find that a mix of the two suits them best.

Our award winning and innovative pathways work aims to increase the number of learners in positive destinations after school. We offer unique and tailored routes for all young people – whether university, college, an apprenticeship or the world of work is what’s next.

We work with a range of partners including Edinburgh College and local roofing and construction businesses to deliver National 5 qualifications. Alongside this, we offer courses in business skills, creative and digital media, food and drink, financial services among others – and starting in August, barbering.

It is positive that through our innovative partnership approach, the attainment of school leavers in the national benchmarks have improved across most measures in recent years. The number of vocational National Progression Awards achieved by City of Edinburgh school leavers increased from 1433 in 2023 to 2365 in 2025 – and in 2026, this is expected to rise again.

We are committed to offering the highest quality education that meets the needs of all our learners, narrowing the gap between the most and least disadvantaged young people and breaking the cycle of intergenerational disadvantage.

There is no ‘right’ route for a young person but there is the right support, guidance and opportunity to find a future path that fits.

So, as we all enjoy the sunshine and look ahead to Spring, Summer and beyond – let’s celebrate the start of a new school term and the potential it brings.

Good luck to all young people sitting exams over the next few months. I wish each of you all the best as you look ahead to life beyond school.

This article first appeared in the Edinburgh Evening News

Wildfire Warning

VERY HIGH WILDFIRE RISK

Wildfire warning for Central and Eastern Scotland

There is a very high risk of wildfire in these areas until Sunday, 26 April.

Wildfires have the potential to destroy property, landscapes and wildlife. All it takes is one spark to spread, causing a large amount of damage.

Remember, there’s no such thing as a ‘harmless’ fire.

Share this wildfire warning to help spread the word.

#NoHarmlessFires

Tomorrow: Cherry Blossom Picnic at Starbank Park

We are very excited about our Cherry Blossom Picnic this Sunday 26th April from 2 – 4pm. The blossom is incredible at the moment.

The Edinburgh Brass Band will be playing.

Our volunteers will be serving tea, coffee and cakes Children’s activities, Japanese writing, plant sale and many more stalls!

Please remember to bring your picnic blanket and picnic.

Donations of home baking labelled welcome. See you all on Sunday!

Police Scotland: National Stalking Awareness Week

Hundreds of people report being victims of stalking each year in Scotland

Police Scotland recorded 744 stalking offences between 1 April to 31 December 2025, up from 686 in the same period the year before, with detection rates of 78.13% and 80.88%, respectively. Almost half of these crimes were related to domestic offending.

National Stalking Awareness Week runs between 20 and 26 April and Police Scotland is joining forces with partner Action Against Stalking to highlight the impact of stalking and harassment and call out the importance of supporting victims.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Sergeant, lead for domestic abuse, stalking and harassment, Police Scotland, said: “The impact of stalking and harassment on victims cannot be underestimated.

“As well as causing fear and alarm, it impacts on how they live their lives, how safe they feel, how they act and how they react. Police Scotland will continue to collaborate with partner agencies to protect and support victims of stalking and actively pursue perpetrators to prevent further harm.

“Every stalking situation is unique, but most stalkers demonstrate FOUR distinct types of behaviours: fixated, obsessive, unwanted and repeated.

“Victims can be subjected to unwanted calls, texts, or messages. It can include hacking into devices and installing tracking apps, taking control of someone’s social media profile, or sharing or threatening to share photos, videos, or personal information.

“If you or anyone you know is a victim of stalking, then please contact the police. We will listen.

“Information people share with us is vital in helping us put together that jigsaw of incidents and behaviours that taken together allows us to evidence stalking.

“Action Against Stalking advises keeping a log of incidents, and this can be extremely helpful for our investigations.

“We will assess the risk, put in place a safety plan and work with partners to ensure support is available.

“National Stalking Awareness Week is a reminder to us all of the impact of stalking and harassment and the importance of partnership in tackling this insidious abuse.”

Hayley Tennant, Action Against Stalking CEO said: “Stalking can have a devastating and long lasting impact on victims, affecting their sense of safety, wellbeing, and everyday freedom. It is not a series of minor incidents but a pattern of behaviour that can escalate and cause serious harm.

“National Stalking Awareness Week is an opportunity to remind victims that they are not alone, that support is available, and that early reporting and documenting incidents can be crucial in helping them regain control and stay safe. We always encourage individuals who are experiencing stalking to contact and report to Police Scotland.”

“If you or anyone you know is a victim of stalking and harassment then please contact Police Scotland on 101, or 999 in an emergency. People can also report online, or via a third party like Action Against Stalking.”

Brunstane Primary School refurbishment complete

Significant refurbishment and retrofit work at Brunstane Primary School is now complete and the school building has been handed over in time for the start of the new school term.

GRAHAM were appointed to deliver a multi-phase transformation project to retrofit the school building. The improvement works adopted a ‘fabric first’ approach – a sustainable building design strategy that maximises the performance of materials and components aiming to reduce energy demand and carbon impact.

Following the works, the school building has achieved the highest EPC rating of A, acknowledging the energy efficiency of the building.

The building works, which started in October 2024, include a three-storey tower and a single-storey block incorporating 14 classrooms and pupil support spaces, as well as a gym hall, kitchen and staff areas.

Supporting the Council to meet its sustainability commitments, a new energy centre was built on site including an air source heat pump which serves an updated heating system and replaces the existing gas boilers. Photovoltaic panels were installed on the roof along with new insulated cladding on both external walls and roof, with improvements to windows.

This investment in sustainable measures reduces the environmental impact of the building and offers a healthier and more comfortable learning environment for pupils and staff.

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said: “We want all our schools and early years settings to offer the best possible learning environment for our children and young people.

“Central to this is ongoing investment in our school buildings to ensure that they meet the needs of our learners, offer a comfortable learning and teaching setting and support our net-zero goals.

“It is fantastic to see that the refurbishment works at Brunstane Primary School are complete, just in time for pupils and staff returning after the Easter break.

“The improvements to the building will make a huge difference to how the school building is used by teachers and pupils in the here and now, and for many future generations of young learners in Brunstane.”

Chris MacLeod, regional managing director at GRAHAM Building, said: “The handover of Brunstane Primary School marks the successful completion of a complex retrofit project delivered within a live school environment.

“Pupils and staff can now benefit from a modern, energy-efficient space that supports both learning and wellbeing, while considered sustainability elements will significantly reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

“Throughout the programme, our focus has been on minimising disruption and working collaboratively with the school to ensure a smooth delivery.”

Man convicted of assault in Edinburgh in December 2023

A man has been convicted of an assault in Meadowbank in December 2023 which left a man permanently disfigured.

At Edinburgh High Court today (Friday, 24 April, 2026) Alijo Danso, aged 22, pleaded guilty to assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and danger to life.

Around 10.20pm on 3 December, 2023, emergency services were called to a report of the assault of a man at a property on Whyte Place, Edinburgh.

Danso was subsequently arrested and charged in connection and is due to be sentenced at Glasgow High Court on Wednesday, 3 June, 2026.

Detective Constable Chris Docherty said: “This was a violent incident that resulted in a man being taken to hospital.

“Danso will now face the consequences of his actions.

“I’d like to thank the public for their support and patience as we dealt with this incident.”

Dame Mary Berry supports garden fundraiser

Gather friends and family for a garden get-together

Gardens are good for us and socializing in them even more so!

This year the National Garden Scheme is inviting people across the UK to bring together friends, family, neighbours and colleagues for a Great British Garden Party – a joyful community fundraiser supporting vital nursing and health charities.

Championed by Dame Mary Berry, the much‑loved Queen of Cakes, the Great British Garden Party celebrates the simple pleasure of sharing time together while raising money for charities that play a crucial role in so many lives, including Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Carers Trust, The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing and Parkinson’s UK.

At its heart, the initiative celebrates community and the joy of sharing time with others. From your own garden to public parks and workplace green spaces – or even kitchen tables and front gates – everyone is encouraged to host a get‑together in their own way, creating memorable moments and making a meaningful difference.

Speaking about the Great British Garden Party, Dame Mary Berry said: “I am delighted to invite everyone to gather friends, family and colleagues for a Great British Garden Party.

“Whether you have a large garden, a small outdoor space or no garden at all, what matters is coming together. These gatherings are about reconnecting, celebrating friendship and community, and supporting nursing and health charities that many of us, our families and friends depend on in times of need.”

The beauty of the Great British Garden Party lies in its simplicity and flexibility. Past hosts have thrown open their garden gates and invited neighbours for afternoon tea, often making new friends along the way. Others have gathered loved ones to mark a special occasion, suggesting a donation in place of gifts.

From barbecues and family bake‑offs to picnics in the park, book swaps in the office or plant and produce stalls by the front gate, every event is different – and all are welcomed. The choice is entirely up to the host, making it easy for everyone to get involved.

Dr Richard Claxton, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, said: “The Great British Garden Party is such a great idea. It’s perfect for that situation where an informal gathering is taking place anyway – a birthday party, a silver wedding celebration, or even just having friends over for a barbecue, and this can be turned in a modest way into a fundraiser.

“It also allows people to share their garden space with friends and family, without going as far as a public ticketed opening, allowing both small, intimate or large, sociable gatherings to raise valuable funds for our Beneficiary Charities – all in the special sanctuaries of our own gardens.”

The official Great British Garden Party campaign week takes place from Monday 13 July to Sunday 19 July, but supporters are welcome to host their event at any time that suits them, throughout the year.

Taking part couldn’t be easier. Hosts can sign up via the National Garden Scheme website, invite their guests, and receive guidance and support from the National Garden Scheme events team.

For more information or to register your Great British Garden Party, visit:

www.ngs.org.uk/gardenparty.

Jane’s simple breast check gave her more time with the people she loves

If Jane McNiven (63), a GP Practice Manager from Alexandria, hadn’t checked her breasts in front of a mirror at home, she may never have known she had breast cancer and might have missed out on a year filled with precious family moments, and many more still to come.

Just over a year ago, Jane was lying in bed when she noticed something didn’t feel quite right when she lay on her side. It felt like a small lump, but when she stood up, it disappeared. Trusting her instincts, Jane decided to check her breasts properly in the mirror.

Standing face on and placing her hands around her neck, she could clearly see that something looked different in her right breast.

“It would have been completely undetectable if I hadn’t checked in front of the mirror,” said Jane. “I am so glad I did, because otherwise I would have just carried on as normal, completely unaware that anything was wrong.”

Jane contacted her GP and was quickly referred to the Breast Clinic at the Royal Alexandra Hospital for scans and a biopsy.

“It all happened very quickly. I was told I would need surgery followed by chemotherapy. It was a huge rollercoaster of emotions, but I felt grateful that I had found the lump early and that treatment could start straight away.”

Following surgery, Jane felt well enough to continue working between treatments.

“I was very fortunate to feel relatively well physically, but cancer also brings a mental and emotional load. I decided to focus on looking after my health and getting on with life as much as I could.”

Jane and her family are passionate dog lovers and, just before her diagnosis, she had taken on two new puppies bringing her total to four Scottish Highland Terriers (Scotties): Edward, Ebony, Tromie and Dugald.

“My family and the dogs kept me going. I walked them every day, which really helped keep my fitness levels up. I then decided to start walking to raise money for cancer charities.”

Jane’s granddaughters, Daphne (11) and Evie (9), also wanted to help. They organised a school fundraiser through the charity event Scotties in the City, raising money for Maggie’s, the cancer support charity. Earlier this year, the girls attended Crufts, where they were awarded the Young Person’s Award in recognition of their fundraising efforts.

“Going to Crufts is really special for our family, and seeing the girls recognised for their fundraising was one of my proudest moments,” said Jane.

“It’s something I might never have experienced if I hadn’t checked my breasts, been diagnosed early and received treatment.”

Now recovering and looking to the future, Jane is determined to share her message with others.

“I urge everyone to check their breasts regularly. Look, feel, and know what’s normal for you. Even if you attend regular screening or have recently been given an all-clear, changes can still happen in between.

“Checking my breasts, especially looking in the mirror, saved my life. Please make it something you do for yourself.”

Rosemary Stevens, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said: “Jane’s story is a reminder of why being breast aware is so important. Breast screening can save lives, but it is also vital that people know how their breasts normally look and feel and check for changes in between screening appointments.

“Also, this is important for women who may not yet have reached the routine screening age of 50.

“Checking your breasts doesn’t need to take long and there’s no right or wrong way to do it. NHS Inform advises looking at your breasts in the mirror with your arms by your sides and then raised, and feeling all areas of the breast, up to the collarbone and into the armpit, using both light and firmer pressure. What matters most is getting to know what’s normal for you.

“If you notice any change, whether it’s a lump, a change in shape, skin texture, nipple position or discharge, please contact your GP practice without delay. Finding cancer early often means treatment is more straightforward and outcomes are better.”

Changes in breasts to be aware of are:

a lump or bump, or an area of thickened tissue on one or both breasts
a change in the size or shape of one or both breasts
a lump or swelling in either armpit
skin on either breast that looks like orange peel
crusting on or around either nipple
a leaking nipple, that may or may not include blood
dimples on your breast, or skin that’s become drawn in
a nipple that’s become turned in

For more information on checking your breasts visit:

https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/screening/breast-screening

For more information on NHSGGC cancer screening visit:

https://www.nhsggc.scot/your-health/public-health/public-health-screening/adult-screening-programmes/