THURSDAY 9th OCTOBER 6 – 8pm at NORTON PARK
Calling all tenants! Join ETF and a member of CEC for our next Federation Meeting to discuss damp and mould in the home.
Thursday 9th of October
6pm – 8pm
Norton Park Conference Centre
Call 0131 475 2509 or email info@edinburghtenants.org.uk if you require transport
TUESDAYS 9.30 – 11.30am
Parents and Carers, please pop in and see us at The Citadel 9:30am – 11.30am every Tuesday for our Family Drop-In.
Get support and advice from family workers on multiple topics.
Specsavers at Shandwick Place in Edinburgh is celebrating it’s over two decade long commitment to promoting better eye health in the local community this National Eye Health Week (22nd – 28th September).
As a locally owned and run store, Specsavers Shandwick Place is dedicated to supporting the health and wellbeing of people in the area. The high street retailer is keen to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye checks this National Eye Health Week, which runs from 22nd – 28th September 2025.
With figures from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) revealing that one in five people will experience sight loss in their lifetime*, Specsavers Shandwick Place is urging locals to prioritise their eye health.
Store director, Aly Uka says: ‘Many people don’t realise that sight loss can often be prevented or treated if a condition is caught early.
“Regular eye tests are essential for everyone, even if you think your vision is fine. Eye tests are not just about glasses, they can detect serious conditions like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and even high blood pressure or risk of stroke.’
National Eye Health Week highlights how preventative care and early diagnosis are crucial in reducing unnecessary sight loss.
According to RNIB, 250 people in the UK begin to lose their sight every day, and this number is expected to rise as the population ages*.
Eye health can also be affected by screen fatigue, especially as more people spend time on devices. Specsavers recommends following the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to look at something 20 feet away to help reduce strain and preserve vision.
As a long-standing part of the Shandwick Place community, Specsavers is focused on highlighting that essential health services must be accessible and visible to everyone.
For more information on Specsavers Shandwick Place or to book an appointment, call the store on 0131 240 8860 or visit:
https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/shandwickplace.
Specsavers have several other stores in and around Edinburgh, including:
Leith-based charity Strange Town returns this October with their acclaimed play ‘HER’ a bold and urgent performance about consent, gender inequality, and the pressures young people face today.
Established in 2008 by Steve Small and Ruth Hollyman, Strange Town has spent 17 years creating life-changing arts experiences for young people across Edinburgh.
Long before the groundbreaking series Adolescence hit screens, Strange Town was already producing daring, original theatre in schools, giving pupils their first-ever experience of live performance while opening conversations about difficult topics such as knife crime, mental health, and social pressures.
HER, written by Jennifer Adam and directed by Steve Small, follows HIM and HER, childhood friends who have grown apart by the age of 17.
Loosely reconnecting at high school, they confront the challenges of teenage life, gender inequality, and the truth about consent. Through bold, honest storytelling, the play asks: how can you be the change you want to see in the world when it feels like the world is working against you?
‘This is such an important play — all parents, grandparents, and really anyone who wants to understand the challenges young people face today needs to see it, urgently. Our young people are navigating a world that many older people are completely unaware of and unprepared for.
‘Watching this performance helped me start conversations at home that I wouldn’t have known how to begin, and I am incredibly grateful for that.” — Audience Member
Open to audiences aged 14+, HER runs for two nights: Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd October at 7pm at the Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh EH1 2ED
Times: 7pm (approx. 50 minutes)
Tickets: £15/£12/£10 https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/event/her-autumn-25
Strange Town has been hit by the well publicised funding cuts imposed by the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB), leaving the future of its Touring Company — which brings bold, original theatre into schools across the city — under threat.
The charity depends on fundraising to sustain accessible arts opportunities for young people who might otherwise miss out.
Local people and businesses who want to help protect this vital work are encouraged to donate online or get in touch to explore other ways of support.
LEITH LEFT-WINGER NOMINATED FOR AWARD
40 local councillors from across England, Wales and Scotland have been shortlisted for the 2025 LGIU and CCLA Cllr Awards, the only national awards ceremony dedicated to celebrating the extraordinary work of councillors.
Only one – Katrina Faccenda – is a City of Edinburgh Councillor. Leith councillor Ms Faccenda is nominated in the Innovator of the Year category.
Now in their 16th year in England and 8th year in Scotland, the Cllr Awards highlight the vital contribution of councillors, often the unsung heroes of local democracy.
From championing residents’ interests to leading innovation in public services, councillors play a crucial role in shaping communities and improving lives, and they do so while giving up their time and energy for what is often a voluntary, unpaid role.
This year’s competition was extremely tight with more than 400 nominations received across five categories that celebrate the wide-ranging work of councillors: Community Champion, Leader of the Year, Young Councillor of the Year, Innovator of the Year and Lifetime Legend.
The full England & Wales shortlist is available here and Scotland shortlist can be found here.
Winners in England & Wales will be announced on Tuesday 18 November at the Guildhall in London while winners in Scotland will be revealed on Wednesday 5 November at the Glasgow City Chambers.
The Cllr Awards judging panels comprise senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. These are the only national awards to celebrate and showcase the work of individual councillors. This year’s awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners CCLA.
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) said: “Our annual Cllr awards demonstrate the best of local government. With more thn 400 nominations, competition was extremely tight with inspiring stories of councillors up and down the country going the extra mile to 2improve their local area.
“Councillors are at the heart of local democracy, working tirelessly to support their communities and drive change. These awards are about celebrating the often unseen but hugely important contribution councillors make every day.
“This year’s shortlist is a testament to the dedication, creativity and leadership shown by councillors across the country.
“Congratulations to all the councillors nominated and shortlisted and I look forward to announcing the winners in November.”
Lee Jagger, Local Government, Relationship Manager, CCLA said: “Every one of the councilors on the Cllr Awards shortlist this year has had a significant and positive impact on their communities and on the lives of their individual residents.
“That’s what the councillor role is all about – ordinary people trying to make the places that we live and work better.
“CCLA is very proud to have supported these Awards from the very beginning and to be part of this important celebration of the best of local government.”
WELLBEING IN LEITH GETS LEITHCHOOSES 2026 FUNDING BOOST
LeithChooses is delighted to announce that applications are now open for funding bids for community projects across the wider Leith area!
Organisations can apply for up to £5,000 for a project that ‘enhances well-being for Leithers’ and applications will be put to the public vote on 24th January 2026 at Leith Community Centre, Kirkgate at the much-loved LeithChooses Community Vote Day.
This year saw 11 new projects receive funding, following an exceptionally busy vote day, including a new children’s running group, summer holiday workshops for children and parents, tea dances for seniors, a playground mural and a multicultural celebration day.
LeithChooses Chair, Councillor Susan Rae, said “Many organisations from Leith have benefited from our participatory budget fund in the past, and we are excited to see what innovative projects Leith groups come up with this time, on the theme of ‘well-being in Leith’.
“LeithChooses is entering its 15th year and we never fail to be impressed by the enthusiasm and resilience of Leithers.”
“We are really excited to see what ideas come forward’ said Councillor Jack Caldwell, also on the Steering Group.
“From Newhaven to Broughton, Constitution Street to Hillside, LeithChooses has funded many groups and activities and this year should be no different.”
Sally Millar, Leith Links Community Council and Steering Group member, stressed the need to get applications in soon. “Participatory Budgeting allows communities to have a direct say in how community budgets are spent and to choose priorities for spending.
“The voting day is a great chance for organisations and the public to meet others who live, work, study or volunteer in the area. Get those applications in!”
The application window is open until 22nd October 2025. You can fill it in by visiting leithchooses.net/applications-for-leithchooses-2025-26-are-now-open.
Support is available for any organisation that wishes to take part, please get in touch via leithchooses.net/would-you-like-help-with-your-application.
LeithChooses was started in 2010 as “£eith Decides” and disperses Community Grant funding for Edinburgh Council Wards 12 and 13.
More information on LeithChooses, please contact susan.rae@edinburgh.gov.uk or visit leithchooses.net.
Something exciting is coming! Keep your eyes peeled for more information!
FILM HUB SCOTLAND are proud to support LOCAL RESISTANCE, a programme of local film screenings curated by – and for – communities in Wester Hailes, Muirhouse, Craigmillar and Leith.
WHALE Arts‘s touring programme will celebrate local stories of self-organising and solidarity across Craigmillar NowNorth Edinburgh ArtsThe CrannieDuncan Place LeithWHALE Arts. And just look at these beautiful posters 
Get tickets: whalearts.co.uk/local-cinema/
Read our interview with Local Resistance coordinator, Morvern Cunningham: http://filmhubscotland.com/…/the-local-cinema-network…/
SATURDAY 13 SEPTEMBER at 7pm
Join us at Grace Church Leith in welcoming Nashville-based singer-songwriter Stephanie Staples to Leith this Saturday 13th at 7pm!
Pay what you want,
Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/…/an-evening-at-grace-church…
A 22-year-old man who died in Leith on Tuesday (2 September, 2025) has been named as John McNab.
Around 2.10am, police received a report a man had been injured on Great Junction Street at Bonnington Road. Emergency services attended and John died at the scene.
Specialist officers are continuing to provide support to his family.
A 16-year-old male has been arrested and charged in connection with the death. He is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow – Thursday, 4 September, 2025.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait, of the Major Investigations Team, said: “I would like to extend my sympathies to John’s family and friends at this very difficult time.
“Enquiries are continuing to establish the full circumstances and anyone with information should contact the inquiry team through 101, quoting reference number 0239 of Tuesday, 2 September, 2025.
“Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
SIXTEEN YEAR OLD YOUTH ARRESTED
A 16-year-old male youth has been arrested in connection with the death of a 22-year-old man in Leith yesterday (Tuesday, 2 September, 2025).
Around 2.10am, police received a report a man had been injured on Great Junction Street at Bonnington Road, Edinburgh.
Emergency services attended, however the 22-year-old man died at the scene.
His next of kin are aware and are being supported by specialist officers. Formal identification has yet to take place.
Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Pleasance of the Major Investigations Team said: “Our thoughts remain with the man’s family and friends at this very difficult time.
“Officers remain in the area carrying out enquiries as our investigation continues, and we would urge anyone with concerns to speak to them.”
