People across Edinburgh are improving their health, building confidence and finding connection, according to Edinburgh Leisure’s new 2025–26 Impact Report.
The findings support the charity’s 2030 mission to transform the city’s health and wellbeing by reducing barriers, developing new ways to deliver activity, and working with people and communities to help more residents be active.
The report highlights why access to sport and physical activity matters at every stage of life, from children learning to swim, to older adults rebuilding strength, and people facing barriers finding safe and welcoming ways to move.
It shows how Edinburgh Leisure combines scale with targeted support; welcoming millions of visits while focusing additional help on people who face the greatest barriers to being active.
In 2025–26, Edinburgh Leisure welcomed 5.976 million customer visits, reached an all-time high of 38,383 active members and supported 15,764 people to overcome barriers to physical activity. Together, these figures show the charity’s reach across the city and the targeted support it provides to help more people be active.
Key highlights include:
9,846 people on low incomes accessed subsidised or free activity, helping reduce financial barriers to participation
9,415 health and exercise referrals came from health, social care and charity partners
979 people supported to improve their mental health through Healthy Active Minds
644 care-experienced children and young people were supported
7,673 children learned to swim
13.7% reduction in carbon emissions, supporting the charity’s work to reduce its environmental impact
556 local sports clubs were welcomed across the estate
Jen Holland, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Leisure, said:“Behind every number is a person: someone learning a new skill, feeling stronger, meeting familiar faces, or taking a step towards better health.”
“The challenge now is to build on this progress, so more people across Edinburgh can access the support, spaces and opportunities they need to be active. As a charity, our role is to reduce barriers and work with communities and partners to make physical activity part of everyday life for more people.”
The report also shows that Edinburgh Leisure has strengthened its financial position, moving close to an underlying break-even position and reducing its reliance on additional Council support. This creates a more sustainable foundation for the charity’s long-term work.
Jen Holland added: “Being financially stronger helps us keep doing what matters most: opening up more opportunities for people across Edinburgh to be active.
“As a charity, every step towards sustainability means we can better support our communities now and plan with confidence for the future.”
The full Edinburgh Leisure Impact Report 2025–26 is available to read at:
As part of our ongoing work around the Knife Angel, South West officers have been carrying out targeted enforcement activity:
– We executed an MDA warrant which resulted in positive findings for cocaine and cannabis. The occupiers were linked to crimes of violence, including stabbings;
– One individual was arrested on a warrant in relation to a violent crime;
– We traced a missing person, who, when located and searched, was found in possession of a large kitchen knife and heroin. He was arrested and conveyed to custody;
– Proactive patrols led to the arrest of an individual following a theft by shoplifting in the city centre, with further action taken in relation to knife carrying;
– Our Oxgangs CPT officers and SW LIT team were involved in a foot chase with a nominal riding a Sur-Ron bike. They apprehended and identified the rider, with further enquiries ongoing following the arrest.
This incredible work demonstrates our continued commitment to identifying those involved in violence, drug supply and weapon carrying, and taking positive action to protect our communities.
WESTMINSTER’s Joint Committee on Human Rights has called for a new AI Bill to address the scale and seriousness of threats posed to human rights by artificial intelligence systems.
In a report published today, the Committee sets out a range of human rights risks that the existing regulatory and legal framework are ill-equipped to prevent or respond to. It calls for a new regime of safeguards that can address the complexity of AI supply chains and speed at which new systems develop.
Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Alex Sobel MP said: “AI is heralded as an unprecedented era of technological development with the potential to transform our lives for better or for worse.
“It is moving with such speed and complexity that its impact is hard to accurately predict. What is clear is that at present we are unprepared to deal with its consequences however potentially dire they may be.
“Nowhere in the world, including the UK, has a current legislative and regulatory approach to AI that is fit for purpose. New legislation is needed to establish a comprehensive set of protections that deal with the entire AI supply chain and its lifecycle. A single AI regulator should be established to set policy, monitor performance and with the teeth to ensure enforcement.
“We also recognise that AI has the potential to provide great benefits to society, including improving how human rights are protected. That is why it will be important to ensure that regulation is proportionate and targets the areas of AI development and usage that pose the greatest risks.
“Fundamentally, this is about making sure that you, as an individual, know when AI is being used in the decisions that affect you. We also want to make sure that if something does go wrong then avenues of redress will be available. We need these protections in now, it cannot wait until fear human rights risks become reality.”
Existing laws and regulation
UK laws that could apply to AI do so primarily at the point of deployment, leaving the responsibility on its users rather than its designers. Regulators lack the power to test and evaluate AI systems before they are released or to prevent their release if they are considered to pose unacceptable risks. Model developers engage with the AI Security Institute on a voluntary basis and it has no statutory power.
The current legal framework that applies to AI is fragmented and difficult to navigate. It relies on harm-specific and sector-specific legislation leaving gaps in protection which fails to address preventable human rights risks.
The right of an individual to seek effective remedy against decisions made against them is endangered by the use of AI. Insufficient transparency concerning how AI systems are used in decision making and a lack of effective mechanisms to challenge those decisions threatens the rights of people in the UK.
The risks of AI harms are particularly acute for already minoritised communities, including Black and Minority Ethnic people. As well, the right to privacy is under serious threat.
To address the global nature of AI harms, governments need to collaborate to identify risks and promote consistent standards. The UK should continue to play a leading role in international AI summits and seek to be party to international declarations and agreements on AI safety.
New AI Bill
A new Bill should take a risk-based approach to addressing AI harms. Low risk AI systems should be subject to fewer and less demanding legal requirements. Legislation should not place unjustified burdens on businesses, to enable UK companies to innovate and take advantage of the benefits AI can offer.
The AI Bill should establish a regulatory regime that classifies different risk levels and mandate more demanding obligations for higher risk AI systems and models. Obligations should be placed on all stages of the AI lifecycle, ensuring those responsible in the supply chain for designing, amending and utilising AI systems are aware of their obligations and they are effectively addressed.
Some uses of AI should be prohibited outright because they are incompatible with human rights. Potential areas for action include subliminal techniques, and inappropriate use of profiling or biometric data.
There should be a public consultation over the detail of what is prohibited. Other AI systems posing a high risk of causing human rights harms should require prior approval.
Legislation should place requirements on actors at all stages of the supply chain to undertake due diligence necessary to prevent an unacceptable risk to human rights when designing, developing or deploying AI systems. The requirements should be graded based on their role in the supply chain and the gravity of the risk posed.
Mandatory transparency requirements should be in force across the AI lifecycle. AI systems that can have significant impacts on individuals, groups and communities should include an obligation to state when AI systems are being used and how.
Data protection law provides specific safeguards for when automated decision making is used. The needs to be greater clarity in the law to ensure these safeguards operate effectively in practice. UK GDPR rules should be strengthened to ensure there are robust protections against the mis-use of automated decision making.
The mere presence of a ‘human in the loop’ is not sufficient to constitute meaningful human involvement or intervention.
Urgent action is needed to close gaps in the regulatory framework which is currently fragmented and difficult to navigate. A single, independent AI oversight body should be established on a statutory basis.
The body would act as the central point of contact for raising concerns about the use of AI and carry out oversight and monitoring of AI harms and risks. It should have strong powers to hold AI providers to account including setting codes of practice, transparency requirements and the power to sanction wrongdoing.
Brian Cox, legend of the stage and screen, returns to The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh on Sunday 8 November 2026 for an evening of conversation and stories, looking back on his remarkable life and career so far.
As one of the founding members of The Royal Lyceum Theatre Company in 1965, Brian Cox performed in the company’s first production, The Servant o’ Twa Maisters. Since then, he’s returned to The Lyceum stage in notable productions of The Master Builder (1993), Uncle Varick (2004), and most recently in Waiting for Godot (2015) where he marked the celebration of 50 years of the Company.
In an extraordinary career, spanning more than six decades, Brian’s journey has taken him from his early years in Scottish theatre to acclaimed roles on stage and screen around the world – including his unforgettable performance as Logan Roy in Succession. His feature directorial debut Glenrothan serves as a love letter to Scotland.
In this one-off event, audiences will have the rare chance to spend an evening in the company of one of Scotland’s most celebrated actors, with a chance to submit their questions for Brian to answer.
Money raised will go towards supporting the theatre in continuing to provide stand-out productions for Edinburgh audiences year-round and creating vital employment opportunities for creatives across Scotland.
James Brining, Artistic Director at The Lyceum, said:“Having Brian back on The Lyceum stage is a real treat, not only because he’s one of Scotland’s most celebrated actors, but because he’s played such a significant part in our history.
Brian’s career is a testament to the power of Scottish theatre in nurturing exceptional talent and to the importance of giving audiences the opportunity to experience the work of Scottish artists through every stage of their creative journey.”
A limited number of VIP seats are available, which include an invitation to a pre-show reception. Starting at 6pm, the reception will include a welcome drink and a meet and greet with Brian.
An Evening with Brian Cox is at The Lyceum on Sunday 8 November 2026.
Let’s come together on October 7th to celebrate the power of reading and the vital role libraries play in our lives!
From novels and comics to recipes and poems, every kind of reading matters. This is your chance to pause, pick up something you love, and join a nationwide moment dedicated to the joy of reading – and the positive impact it has on our wellbeing, learning, and everyday life.
Libraries across Scotland are ready to welcome you on your reading journey. By taking part, you’ll be joining thousands of others – schools, libraries, workplaces, community groups, families, and individuals – helping to build a Scotland where reading is valued, shared, and enjoyed by all.
Ready to inspire others? Make your pledge and share what you’re reading! Let’s show the world that Scotland is a nation of readers.
Designer Charles Jeffrey brings Westfield Days: The Sound of Style to Edinburgh
Rock band swim school headlined a night of live performance, DJ sets and Scottish design at Westfield St James Quarter on Thursday night (10 September), as the centre officially became Westfield St James Quarter with the opening of ten days of cultural programming curated by Scottish designer Charles Jeffrey.
The evening was one of three UK events held on the same night for Westfield Days: The Sound of Style, presented in partnership with the British Fashion Council, with sister events at Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City.
In Edinburgh, guests were treated to a headline set from swim school, a performance from drag act Jonbers, a DJ set from Jungle Hussi with guests piped down to the stage by trans piper, Malin Lewis.
Westfield Days centres around Charles Jeffrey’s Listening Room, an immersive installation built from his own archive and soundscapes, and his PUNK FLEA MARKET, a limited-time shop of archival pieces, accessories and exclusive products. Guests got a first look at both ahead of the wider ten-day programme, which runs at Westfield St James Quarter until 20th September.
Born in Scotland, Jeffrey is internationally recognised for blending design, performance, music and culture into a distinctive creative vision.
Returning home for the takeover, he said: “I’m looking forward to celebrating the people, places and cultural influences that inspire my work, on home turf here in Scotland.
“This is ten days of everything that’s shaped me – the music, the people, the chaotic creativity of it all – and I want Edinburgh to feel like it’s part of that story, not just watching it happen.”
Alice Johnson, singer with swim school said:“Headlining the opening night of Westfield St James Quarter was brilliant, and playing alongside everything Charles Jeffrey’s put together for Westfield Days: The Sound of Style made the night feel like something genuinely different for the city.
“Westfield St James Quarter feels buzzing – and we’re proud to have been a part of the launch.”
Anne Ledgerwood, Estate Director at Westfield St James Quarter, said:“This is what the new chapter for Westfield St James Quarter looks like – bold and built around real creative talent.
“Becoming Westfield St James Quarter is an exciting evolution for this destination, and we wanted the launch to feel like that. Ten days of music, fashion and ideas from Charles Jeffrey, one of Scotland’s most exciting creative voices, is exactly the statement we hoped to make.”
Highlights of the Westfield St James Quarter launch included:
An exclusive Listening Room and soundscapes built from Scottish designer Charles Jeffrey
The opening of Jeffrey’s PUNK FLEA MARKET, a limited-time shop of archival pieces, accessories and exclusive products
A headline performance from rock band swim school, alongside drag performer Jonbers, DJ Jungle Hussi and piper Malin Lewis
Guests to Westfield St James Quarter can experience a full programme of talks, workshops and live performances continuing at each centre as part of the wider Fashion Britain initiative.
Highlights include:
Fri 11 Sept, 5.30-6.15pm: Charles Jeffrey LOVERBOY x V&A Dundee: Scottish Fashion in Conversation. Charles Jeffrey and V&A Dundee’s Kirsty Hassard discuss Scottish fashion history, introduced by the British Fashion Council’s Laura Weir.
Sun 13 Sept, 10-11.30am: Fashion Photography Workshop: Creating the Narrative with Claudius Ricketts. A hands-on session on building a fashion image from concept to shoot, with real models. Ages 16+.
Sun 13 Sept, 12-1pm: Love Your Body Dance Workshop with Ivan Blackstock. An energetic Hip Hop-rooted movement session from the choreographer behind Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl. Ages 16+.
Wed 16 Sept, 2-2.30pm: Talk: Tarot, Fashion & Identity with Jade Mordente. Jade Mordente explores tarot and fashion as parallel tools for self-expression.
Full programme of activity is available to view here.
The Council’s Transport and Environment Committee may have voted to prioritise the Sothern section this week, but the debate about the Northern tram route – should it ever happen – continues:
LIB-DEM Inverleith Councillor Hol Osler said on social media: ‘On Thursday at the Transport and Environment Committee there was a report to consider the next steps on the Granton to Bio Quarter leg of the tram.
‘The Liberal Democrat’s put an amendment in to remove the Roseburn Path from being used for the Northern Leg and consideration given to other proposals.
‘Unfortunately Labour/SNP/Greens voted to keep the Roseburn Path in.
‘Presently there is no funding and priority is being given to progress the southern part of the route.
‘I am very disappointed that Labour/SNP/Greens, having been given another chance to remove the Roseburn Path and consider other options, have again voted to keep it in. This is despite the SNP having committed that they would not support Roseburn as an option.’
With November being men’s mental health awareness month we wanted to make a powerful statement in addressing it and what better way.
Frank Bruno MBE is a former WBC world heavyweight champion who has faced many challenges in boxing and with mental health and we are delighted he is going to share some of these stories with us on the night.
The evening will consist with doors opening at 6 with some welcoming refreshments (non alcoholic), a photo with Frank and then listening to Franks journey. With the evening coming to an end around 8.15.
Tickets are on sale now for all BLAST members or affiliations.
On general sale from September 18th.
Please note, tickets are limited to only 100. This is a very small and intimate event.
Please contact the FB page with any enquiries or to secure your space.
