Scottish Olympians join Dannii Minogue and Sir Stephen Fry to front LGBTQ+ youth campaign

Belshill-born and now Glasgow-based badminton star Kirsty Gilmour, and Edinburgh-born now Stirling-based Olympic curler Bruce Mouat are among 30 LGBTQ+ celebrities and high-profile allies appearing in a new film for LGBTQ+ youth charity The Proud Trust, calling for greater support, safer spaces and understanding for LGBTQ+ young people.

The line-up also includes pop icon Dannii Minogue, national treasure Sir Stephen Fry and Olympic legend Dame Kelly Holmes.

The Proud Trust, one of the UK’s leading LGBTQ+ youth charities, has brought together two of Scotland’s biggest sporting names with stars from film, TV, music and sport for a major new celebrity film supporting LGBTQ+ young people.

Kirsty Gilmour, who was born in Bellshill and now lives in Glasgow, is one of Scotland’s most successful badminton players.

She has represented both Scotland and Great Britain, competed at three Olympic Games and became the first Scottish badminton player to win a European title, as well as winning Commonwealth Games silver in Glasgow in 2014.

Bruce has also won two Olympic silver medals with Team GB, at the 2022 Beijing and 2026 Winter Olympics. Kirsty and Bruce appear in The Proud Trust’s new #DeserveBetter campaign film alongside 28 other LGBTQ+ celebrities and high-profile allies.

The #DeserveBetter campaign launched earlier this summer to highlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people and call for greater understanding, safer spaces and better support. The new film brings all 30 names together behind one message, that every LGBTQ+ young person deserves to feel safe, accepted, heard and able to thrive.

The campaign comes at a time when LGBTQ+ young people continue to face significant challenges. Nearly half of LGBTQ+ pupils experience bullying because of who they are, almost six in ten have seriously considered suicide, and almost a quarter may never complete secondary school, twice the national average.

The Proud Trust supports thousands of LGBTQ+ young people through youth groups, one-to-one support, mentoring, family services, education programmes, professional training and its Rainbow Flag Award programme. Following the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers, referrals to the charity increased by 171%, underlining the growing demand for specialist LGBTQ+ support.

The film also features singer and presenter Dannii Minogue, actor and broadcaster Sir Stephen Fry, Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes, comedian Tom Allen, RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Danny Beard and Courtney Act, television favourite Denise Welch, Heartstopper actor Kizzy Edgell, radio presenter Adele Roberts, and author Matt Cain MBE.

Completing the line-up are comedian James Barr, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story actor Cyril Nri, Coronation Street favourites Charlie Condou and Alexandra Mardell, former Lioness Anita Asante, It’s A Sin actor Nathaniel J Hall, Brassic regular Neil Ashton, Smoggie Queens stars Elijah Young and Peter McPherson, Tip Toe actors Shakeel Kimotho and Gabriel Clark, West End performer Rob Madge, former England footballer Lianne Sanderson, England rugby stars Heather Fisher and Meg Jones MBE, British wheelchair tennis player Lucy Shuker BEM, and further RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Catrin Feelings and Elle Vosque.

Kirsty Gilmour said, “Everyone deserves the chance to grow up feeling safe, confident and accepted.

“The Proud Trust is providing life-changing support to LGBTQ+ young people across the UK, and I’m proud to help shine a light on that through #DeserveBetter.”

Bruce Mouat said, “Having a strong support network can make all the difference in life.

“The Proud Trust provides that for thousands of LGBTQ+ young people every year, and I’m proud to stand alongside #DeserveBetter and the incredible work the charity does.”

Rachel Williams, CEO of The Proud Trust, said, “Every young person deserves to feel safe, accepted and proud of who they are. At a time when LGBTQ+ lives are being debated more than ever, it’s vital that young people know they are valued, supported and never alone.

“We’re incredibly proud that Kirsty, Bruce and the other 28 LGBTQ+ people and allies taking part in the film have chosen to stand with us and support #DeserveBetter.

“Their voices send a powerful message that there is a whole community standing beside LGBTQ+ young people, championing their right to be themselves and thrive. #DeserveBetter is a call for all of us to do better, as if we come together we can build a future where every young person gets the support, acceptance and opportunities they deserve.”

For more information about The Proud Trust and the #DeserveBetter campaign visit www.TheProudTrust.org

Watch the campaign film on Instagram at @The_Proud_Trust

Improving lives across Scotland?

FM outlines progress made in first 100 days of government

Helping people with the cost of living, strengthening public services and growing the economy are the focus of policies delivered so far in the first 100 days of government, First Minister John Swinney has said.

Since appointing the Cabinet on 20th May, the Scottish Government’s action has included setting up the First Homes Fund to help first-time buyers with up to £10,000 support towards a deposit, investing in and expanding health and social care provision, and setting up initiatives to boost business.

Work is also underway on key commitments including expanding support for breakfast clubs, extending the £2 bus cap beyond the Highlands and Islands, the Welcome to School Bag which builds on the success of Scotland’s Baby Box and on mobile phones in schools.

First Minister John Swinney said: “From day one, this government has been focused on the issues that matter most to people across Scotland – helping people with the cost of living, making our public services like the NHS stronger, and supporting our economy to prosper. My government will deliver on its promises to the people of Scotland.

“In our first 100 days, we have taken decisive action to support these priorities. That includes investing £90 million to bring down NHS outpatient waiting lists, boosting the social care workforce and opening new GP walk-in services.

“Our First Homes Fund is helping first time buyers to get on the property ladder, and launching the £50 million Homelessness Prevention Fund will make sure fewer people reach the point of crisis.

“To support our economic growth, we have established the National Council for Economic Growth and set up a fund to support island business impacted by travel disruption.

“As we near the end of the first 100 days of this government, we will continue to deliver action that will help improve people’s lives – including launching the consultation on the food price cap and delivering more school breakfast clubs to help families with essential costs.

My Programme for Government will then set out how we build on the progress to go further in improving lives and delivering change to build a stronger,fairer Scotland.”

Mr Lego: Visual Impairment Doesn’t Have to Hold You Back

Stewart Lamb Cromar, from Edinburgh, has achieved a lifelong ambition after Lego turned one of his designs into an official set.

It is a goal he has been working towards for more than a decade, and one he feared might never become reality after a detached retina left him with a visual impairment in 2020.

Lego has always been an important part of Stewart’s life. During some of the most difficult periods following his sight loss, the hobby helped him stay focused, motivated and creative. Today, Stewart is sharing his story to raise awareness of visual impairment and encourage others to seek support when they need it.

Living With Sight Loss

Stewart experienced significant sight loss after suffering a detached retina in 2020, a complication linked to his Type 1 diabetes. What followed was a series of surgeries and ongoing challenges, leaving him with permanent sight loss in one eye.

He explains: “I would love to raise awareness for people with visual impairment. Sight loss is an invisible disability, which is why it’s so important to talk about it, raise awareness of available support, and remind people they are not alone.

“Losing my sight meant having to adapt to a completely new reality, and I found that incredibly difficult. There were some very dark days when I genuinely wasn’t sure how I was going to cope. As everything changed around me, I started desperately searching online for advice, support and someone who understood what I was going through.

“Before my sight loss, I had never heard of Sight Scotland. During lockdown, when things were at their toughest, I found myself searching for Scottish charities that could help.

As my situation became more serious, I realised I couldn’t face it on my own. Making that first call wasn’t easy, especially when you’re feeling vulnerable and overwhelmed, but looking back, it was one of the most important decisions I made.

“That’s the message I want to share with anyone going through something similar: support is there and it can make a real difference, so don’t be too proud or too scared to ask for help.

“I had great support from my family, but I really needed to hear another voice who was removed from my inner circle but who genuinely knew what I was going through. I was really scared and felt so alone. When I made the phone call to Sight Scotland’s helpline and someone called me back, it made such a difference. Suddenly I found reassurance that help was out there, that I wasn’t alone, and that, yes, it was going to be hard but that I could get through it.

“I was still depressed, but I was given reassurance when I needed it most. They talked me through what I was going through, all the feelings I was experiencing, and told me about the help and support available. There was so much kindness and understanding from the support line. Finding that kind of support when you are struggling isn’t always easy, but it can make an enormous difference.

“Having someone listen without judgement, acknowledge what I was going through and reassure me that my feelings were normal helped me more than I can put into words. Looking back, I honestly don’t know where I would be today if I hadn’t made that call.

“A huge turning point for me was accepting that I needed a white cane and being shown how to use it properly. I kept bumping into things and walking into people who thought I was being rude, which I found really embarrassing.

It was difficult because using a white cane felt like a public acknowledgment of my disability. But it has huge benefits. It helps people understand that I have sight loss, even though it isn’t immediately visible, and makes everyday life much easier to navigate. Coming to terms with using a white cane was a significant step in accepting my visual impairment and adapting to a new way of living.

The charity also does fantastic work campaigning for change, from making streets more accessible for people with sight loss to helping secure free rail travel for companions of blind and severely sight-impaired people. Seeing the real difference it makes is incredible.”

Flora the Highland Cow

Known by many friends as “Mr Lego”, Stewart has built hundreds of models over the years and says his passion for Lego became even stronger after losing his sight.

“I have always loved Lego, and I was so worried that I would no longer be able to do it with my visual impairment. But in reality, it has driven me on.

Lego is much more than a hobby for me – it keeps me moving forward. I’m always trying new things and pushing myself, and it is actually a really practical, tactile, activity for someone with sight loss.

“I build sensory models that people can touch and feel, and it has text-based instructions that can be read by screen readers. Through Lego, I’ve also met and helped other families affected by sight loss.

“At a recent exhibition, a young boy with a visual impairment kept returning to my display and, after speaking to his dad, I gave him some Braille Lego bricks. The boy could see that I was still creating all these models despite having a visual impairment myself, and it showed him that he could do it too.”

In 2026, Stewart achieved something he had been working towards since first submitting designs to Lego more than 10 years earlier.

His model, Highland Hike, featured a Highland cow called Flora and was inspired by childhood family holidays in the Scottish Highlands. The design was selected as a finalist in a Lego Ideas challenge before being put to a public vote. Stewart’s entry won, meaning Lego chose it to become an official Lego set.

“I never thought this would be possible, I had been trying for so long. It shows what can happen if you keep going. The goal of having one of my models released as an official Lego set has been a genuine dream for over a decade. After all the setbacks, surgeries and difficult times, to see Flora become a real Lego set is incredible.”

Stewart hopes his story will encourage others living with visual impairment to keep pursuing the things they love.

“No one chooses to be visually impaired. It is vital to make peace with it, try to be optimistic and be honest about the hard times because that is normal. Reach out for help because you will need it.

“If I can help or inspire one person through sharing my story, that would be fantastic. Visual impairment doesn’t have to stop you achieving your goals.”

For more information please visit sightscotland.org.uk

Louise Lockwood’s documentary Bel gets a cinema release

The producers of Louise Lockwood’s powerful theatrical debut Bel are delighted to announce the details for the film’s cinematic release.

Ahead of its world premiere as  Closing Film at this year’s Edinburgh International Film Festival on 19 August, Bel opens at the Filmhouse in Edinburgh on 4 September with dates to follow across the UK including post-show discussions featuring the film’s director, Louise Lockwood, Beldina’s sister, Leah McAleer and Producer Sarah Howitt. Tickets on sale via individual cinemas.

  • Filmhouse Edinburgh | 4th-11th* September | tickets here
  • Dundee Contemporary Arts | 18th, 20th, 21st and 23rd September
  • Macroberts Arts Centre, Stirling | 23rd September*
  • Eden Court, Inverness | 5th-7th September
  • Cromarty Community Cinema | 20th September
  • Sea Change Film Festival | 18th* and 20th* September on Isle of Seil & Isle of Tiree

*indicates post show discussion scheduled

More venues to be announced in due course.

The producers are also pleased to announce that Cargo Sales & Releasing, known for their work with independent, often cutting-edge titles, has been engaged as the international sales agent for Bel.

September 2017. Pics of Beldina Odenyo Onassis, aka Heir of The Cursed, at a gig at Camphill Gate tenement rooftop, in Shawlands, Glasgow.

David Piperni, Cargo Film & Releasing said: “Sometimes a film comes along that knocks your socks off. Beldina’s story is powerful on multiple levels and in director Louise Lockwood’s hands, her story will touch audiences around the world.”

Bel tells the story of Beldina Odenyo, the Kenyan-Scottish musician, singer and songwriter, who performed under the stage name, Heir of the Cursed as well as working across Scotland’s theatre and poetry communities. After her acclaimed performance at the Scottish Album of the Year Awards in 2021, Bel took her own life, leaving behind raw, intimate video diaries and a hard drive full of original songs of great beauty.

This stirring film documents the journey her sister and friends took to release her work posthumously, creating a heartfelt, insightful portrait of a complex, intelligent and profoundly talented young woman.

Bel is the first feature documentary for cinematic release from Louise Lockwood who has been making acclaimed multi-award-winning television documentaries for over 20 years.

Produced by award winning producer Sarah Howitt; executive producers John Archer and Nancy Bornat [Hopscotch Films] Mark Thomas [Screen Scotland] and associate producer – the award-winning Scottish poet, novelist, and playwright Jackie Kay.

Bel was commissioned for BBC Two, BBC Scotland and iPlayer by Clare Sillery, former Head of Commissioning, BBC Documentaries and BBC Commissioning Editors, David Harron and Emma Loach with Commissioning Executive Shona Thompson.

Bel is supported by Screen Scotland, BBC and National Theatre of Scotland.

When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

RoSPA supports Health Equals campaign

Your postcode shouldn’t determine your shelf life.

Right now, people in parts of the UK are living up to 18 years less than in others. That’s not because of bad luck or just individual choices, but because things like mouldy homes, toxic air, and the struggle to afford the basics are cutting lives short.

We are proud to support the Health Equals campaign, which is calling for a change in the law to tackle health inequalities.

Explore the campaign and find out how to get involved here:

👉https://bit.ly/4bGLDLR

Travelling Gallery coming to Drumbrae Library Hub on Monday

Reminder that on Monday we will joined by the travelling gallery with their exhibition called ‘User Interface: Coded Craft‘.

Travelling Gallery is a contemporary art gallery in a bus. Since 1978 it’s been bringing exhibitions to communities throughout Scotland.

The current exhibition is called ‘User Interface: Coded Craft’ which is a group exhibition featuring contemporary craft artists and makers whose work combines traditional handcraft skills with digital technology.

The artists use technology to expand what they can create and explore how craft can help develop more sustainable ways of living and making in the future.

Come along to view the exhibition!

#GoAllIn

#TheNationalYearOfReading

#travellinggallery

Aldi calls on families in Scotland to apply for it’s new Superfam Pass

Families in Scotland can now apply to get their hands on Aldi’s brand-new Superfam Pass, which offers one lucky household a full year of free groceries

Aldi is launching a Superfam Pass to give one lucky household a full year of free groceries.   

Britain’s biggest discounter is on the lookout for a household of devoted Aldi shoppers, offering them the chance to have a year’s shopping covered.   

The winning household will receive Aldi’s exclusive Superfam Pass, which offers £800 worth of free shopping every month across the year – totalling £9,600 – with the lucky winner able to shop everything from weekly essentials and fresh favourites to those iconic middle-aisle finds.   

The Superfam Pass holders will also receive a whole host of Specialbuys tailored to their household, from toys and activities to homeware and garden equipment worth £400 as part of the prize, helping to keep the whole household stocked up throughout the year.   

How to apply

Aldi is calling on households in Scotland to explain why they would make a brilliant first-ever Aldi Superfam. Whether you’re a busy household that plans every meal around the weekly Aldi shop or you’ve turned the middle aisle into a weekend tradition, Britain’s biggest discounter wants to hear your story.   

To enter, email ALDISuperfam@aldi.co.uk with your family or household members’ names, ages, location and why they deserve to be named Aldi’s Superfam.   

Rachel Geary, Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: “The weekly shop is a big part of the household budget, so imagine being able to take it off your list of expenses for an entire year.  

“That’s what we want to give one household with our first-ever Superfam Pass – £800 to spend at Aldi every month for 12 months, plus a few Specialbuy surprises along the way.

“At a time when households are looking for every opportunity to make their budgets stretch further, we hope taking care of the weekly shop will make a real difference to our winners.”  

The deadline for entries is Monday 21st September at 11:59pm and the winning household will be contacted by Monday 5th October 2026.

Terms and conditions apply.

For full T&Cs, visit: https://www.aldipresscentre.co.uk/aldi-terms-and-conditions-superfam-pass-competition/

Young Edinburgh changemakers celebrated for driving positive community impact

YMCA Edinburgh recognised at global summit for creating leadership opportunities for young people driving community change

Eleven-year-olds Edie Chaw and Tarek Hydara Estribio are being celebrated by YMCA Edinburgh after showcasing that you don’t have to be an adult to drive real change. Both are residents of Cables Wynd House in Leith and active members of youth-led advocacy groups supported by the charity, and they are leading the charge in helping develop their neighbourhood for the better.

Edie and Tarek are active participants in several of YMCA Edinburgh’s initiatives, including The Cables Wynd House Youth Residents Forum, a youth-led advocacy group where they held consultations with their peers and collaborated with adult residents and Making Rights Real to present a comprehensive housing report to the City of Edinburgh Council. As part of the initiative they were also consulted on public space improvements.

Edie and Tarek are also involved in The Next Generation Youth Forum, a programme focused on empowering the next generation of changemakers. They also work on local green space projects, sustainable food and composting workshops, and creative community awareness programs like climate-themed banner workshops as part of their involvement in the Climate Change Group.

The success of these youth-led initiatives by YMCA Edinburgh was recently recognised on the global stage.

At the 2026 YMCA World Council in Toronto, Mike Kerracher, Chief Executive Officer of YMCA Edinburgh, represented the organisation alongside international leaders and Felipe Paullier, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs.

Speaking on a panel, the event had 1,400 representatives from over 120 countries, Kerracher showcased how organisations can move beyond merely consulting young people to actively creating genuine opportunities for them to lead.

Now, YMCA Edinburgh is launching a renewed call to create these leadership opportunities locally and nationally, emphasising that youth are ready to drive real community change if given the chance.

Mike Kerracher, CEO of YMCA Edinburgh, said: “Edie and Tarek are fantastic examples of what happens when young people are empowered to take the lead.

“True community change happens when we stop making decisions for young people and start making decisions with them, when we give them a genuine seat at the table and invest in their ideas, they shine.”

Edie Chaw, 11, said: “Sometimes people think only grown-ups know how to fix things, but kids see the neighbourhood differently.

“When you don’t only ask adults, but also ask what kids want, and when everyone actually listens to each other we can come together and combine our ideas to create something everyone wants.”

Tarek Hydara Estribio, 11, added: “Being part of these projects helps me learn how to communicate, work as a team, and socialise with lots of different people.

“It’s given us a real chance to speak up because we just want to be heard, and it feels great to know we’re actually helping to make things better.”

This international recognition follows a highly successful year for YMCA Edinburgh, which supported over 250 individuals across its services. Mentorship remains a cornerstone of the organisation’s success.

Over the last year, 39 dedicated volunteer mentors provided vital one-to-one support to 59 young people. As a result, 98% of participants reported improved access to opportunities and 94% experienced enhanced wellbeing.

Alongside these programmes, the organisation successfully delivered seven weeks of free holiday activities, expanding sports, outdoor learning, and wellbeing support for local families.

YMCA Edinburgh is committed to creating even more opportunities for young people to lead, influence decisions, and shape the future of their communities.

Young people who want to make a difference are encouraged to get in touch to find out more about the Next Generation Youth Forum and other participation opportunities. The organisation is also keen to hear from adults interested in volunteering as mentors, collaborating with young people around meaningful climate action in the local community, or supporting its wider work. 

Whether through mentoring, partnership, fundraising, or simply encouraging a young person to get involved, everyone has a role to play in empowering the next generation. To find out more, email admin@ymcaedinburgh.com

Temporary Bluetongue Control Zone introduced in Scotland

Animal movement restricted in an area around Dumfries and Galloway

The Scottish Government is strengthening bluetongue disease controls after a case was detected near Lockerbie.

A Temporary Control Zone has been put in place in an area around Dumfries and Galloway as a precautionary measure while further investigations are conducted on the source and extent of the disease.

All movement of livestock such as cattle, sheep and other susceptible ruminants in or out of the zone can now only take place under licence. There will be also be increased surveillance and testing of animals nearby.

In addition, from tomorrow (Saturday 22 August), cattle, sheep and goats and other ruminants that are travelling from anywhere in Scotland to the Bluetongue Restricted Zone in place in the rest of the UK must return to Scotland on the same day to minimise the risk of the disease spreading. This replaces the current rule allowing up to four days away.  

From 10 September, all livestock susceptible to the disease that are being moved from a Bluetongue Restricted Zone in the rest of the UK into Scotland will need to be vaccinated, other than livestock returning to Scotland under the “same day” rule.

The Scottish Government continues to work closely with livestock industry representatives, including National Farmers Union Scotland, National Sheep Association, National Beef Association, the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers Scotland, and the Livestock Auctioneers Association, to ensure industry concerns are heard and reflected in the approach taken.

Minister for Agriculture, Marine and the Islands Jim Fairlie said: “The recent detection of bluetongue near Lockerbie, combined with the rapid rise in cases across the rest of the UK, means we must act now to strengthen our protections and minimise risk.

“This will allow essential time for further investigations and to allow vaccine uptake levels to increase sufficiently to provide greater protective immunity across susceptible livestock in Scotland.

“I recognise the significant impact this news will have on farmers and the wider industry in the area, and I do not underestimate the pressure this places on those affected. I am very grateful for their continued constructive engagement as we work together to introduce an effective control strategy while minimising restrictions on businesses as far as possible.

“We will ensure that control measures are proportionate. This is a dynamic situation while further investigations are carried out, and we will continue to monitor it closely, considering further control measures as necessary in partnership with industry.

“Vaccination remains our best long-term defence, and I would strongly encourage all farmers to discuss this with their vets and place vaccine orders now to ensure access to supplies.

“We continue to work with other UK nations, manufacturers and distributors to ensure timely access to vaccine, with more doses being brought in from continental Europe and additional supplies now in production.”

Bluetongue is a virus spread by insects, mainly Culicoides midges.

It is a disease of ruminant livestock and does not affect humans or food safety. Signs include nasal discharge, redness and swelling of the lips, nose and muzzle, lameness / reluctance to stand, milk drop (decreased production) and diarrhoea in cattle.

It is notifiable and suspicion of disease in animals should be reported to APHA Scotland.

City Council: Share your views in Call for Ideas consultation

Cllr Joan Griffiths Planning Convener appeals to those living and working in the Capital to help shape the city’s future development:

We’re at the very early stages of putting together our next local development plan City Plan 2040 to meet the needs of existing and new residents and the Capital’s growing population.

Our  ‘Call for Ideas’ consultation is asking those living and working in the city to help us set its direction and your local knowledge will help us focus on making changes where they are needed. If you’re passionate about how your community will look in the future and how you’d like it to evolve, please give us your views.

We’re looking for proposals on new buildings and how they are used, what facilities and services are needed and homes you think we need. Ideas about how we could reuse important buildings and land would be helpful too.

Also, where you think additional spaces for playing, sports or growing food would be helpful for communities and any improvements you think are required to help you get around.

Your idea can be about any area and can be any size covering a whole district, neighbourhood, a single plot of land or building. It would be good to know why you think it’s important and why it would a make a difference.

I’d encourage you to find out what others think by reaching out to local people in the area to find out what is most important to them. You could ask about the changes you are suggesting, what they think about your ideas, and you can point out planning policies you’d like to influence. You could do this through surveys and questionnaires, drop in events, exhibitions and by attending planned local events.

My vision is that you can help us create City Plan 2040 to strengthen communities and make sure that they look after the wellbeing of their residents.

We want to build attractive places where people can afford to buy or rent their homes, walk to shops, schools, green space and healthcare facilities, enjoy cultural, community and sporting activities and easily access sustainable transport to visit other parts of Edinburgh.

We’d love to hear from residents, young people, community councils and groups, businesses, social enterprises, the public and private sector, developers and landowners. The consultation is open until 30 September, and every idea will be considered.

We will be using the ideas to help us prepare the Proposed Plan including how we plan sites and areas. It could also help to shape what our planning policies might be and how the places that people value most can evolve.

We will be consulting on the Proposed Plan later in the process and we’ll let you know how you can get involved and give your views.