Category: Uncategorized

Additional funding for community-owned renewable energy

Helping community groups cut energy bills and reduce carbon emissions

Community groups that want to install renewable energy projects and decarbonise their buildings will be able to access additional Scottish Government support this year.

Funding available from the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) will increase to £15 million this year, meaning more groups will be able to develop their own renewable energy projects such as onshore wind and solar, and cut the energy bills for their buildings by installing heat pumps and solar panels.

CARES has already delivered more than £83 million to communities across Scotland, supporting more than 1,200 projects and 75 Megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity.

The increase was announced by First Minister John Swinney ahead of a visit to Scalpay Community Centre in the Western Isles, which received CARES funding previously to install a heat pump, solar pv and battery storage.

Mr Swinney said: “We are moving beyond the idea of communities as passive hosts of energy infrastructure. Our approach supports them to become active partners by helping them to invest in, own and benefit from the clean energy future.

“That is why we are increasing the funding available from CARES to £15 million each year. More than 1,000 groups have already benefitted, empowering them to generate their own clean energy through local solutions, not only cutting emissions but also reducing costs and creating resilient communities.

“I would encourage organisations who have not already applied to check what support they may be eligible for.”

Gordon Ness, Chair of Scalpay Community Association said: “CARES funding has been instrumental in helping Scalpay Community Association SCIO transform our Community Centre into a more energy-efficient, sustainable and welcoming facility for everyone in our community.

“The support has enabled us to reduce our environmental impact while creating a warm, accessible space that will benefit local people for many years to come.

“Continued investment in CARES gives communities like ours the confidence to develop ambitious local projects that strengthen resilience, reduce carbon emissions and help secure a sustainable future for Scotland’s islands.”

CARES provides advice and funding, via grants and loans, to communities looking to develop renewable energy, heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency projects. It is administered by Local Energy Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Scottish Government funding will be complemented by £2 million per year from The National Lottery Community Fund.

The Scottish Government wants communities to benefit from the opportunities presented by renewable technologies, and make the best use of the land and assets Scotland already has.

To deliver that, the Scottish Government will refresh guidance for public bodies to remind them of the ways they can help community groups to deliver renewable projects on public land and encourage them to make land and buildings available for such projects.

The Scottish Government is also assessing the potential for deploying solar technology in underused spaces, so that even more of Scotland’s land and infrastructure can contribute to our energy ambitions.

Community Dementia Day at The Craighall Centre

WEDNESDAY 26th AUGUST from 10am – 3.30pm

Anyone affected by dementia is welcome to attend a community dementia day on Wednesday, 26 August, 2026 at the Craighall Centre, 210 Ferry Rd, Edinburgh from 10am to 3.30pm.

There will be a range of healthcare professionals on hand to give advice and information, see our website for more info:

https://www.edinburghhsc.scot/dementia_day_2026/

People with dementia and their family or carers are welcome to attend the community dementia day event on Wednesday, 26 August, 2026.

Those with the condition, worried about their memory or waiting for a formal diagnosis, are welcome to attend at the Craighall Centre, 210 Ferry Rd, Edinburgh from 10am to 3.30pm.  

There will be a range of healthcare professionals on hand to give advice and information including Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Dieticians, Podiatrists and Music Therapists.

There will also be stalls from organisations, such as Alzheimer Scotland, VOCAL, Meeting Centres and Edinburgh Leisure.

The event will be held in the large hall in the Craighall Centre, at the opposite end of the building to the Memory Assessment and Treatment Service. It has a separate entrance which will be signposted.

  • There is limited parking at the centre, but free on-street parking is available nearby.
  • The number 14 and 21 buses stop outside the centre
  • Refreshments will be available
  • For more information phone Morna Russell on 0131 286 9620

ASH Scotland invites Edinburgh residents to take Nicotine Use and Mental Health survey to help inform new support resources

ASH Scotland is inviting people of all ages in Edinburgh to share their experiences of mental wellbeing and use of tobacco and nicotine products.

The health charity’s nicotine use and mental health survey is being launched at a time when the issue of nicotine addiction is causing an increase public health concern.

Anecdotal evidence shared with ASH Scotland’s Youth Conservations Hub suggests that many children and young people are using nicotine as a way of coping with anxiety, stress or low mood.

Responses to the survey, which is open until 1 February 2027, will help inform the charity about future resources that are needed to support people addicted to nicotine to reduce their intake to improve their mental wellbeing.

Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said “There continues to be a huge data gap in Scotland enabling us to see trends of nicotine use and how it impacts people’s mental health.

“By responding to ASH Scotland’s survey, Edinburgh residents can help us to better understand how mental health connects with nicotine use, and identify the types of information and support that can encourage people to make positive choices to protect their mental health.

“It is vital that people in Edinburgh can access robust, evidence-based information and support to empower them to make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing.”

To respond to the survey, visit www.ashscotland.org.uk/survey.

Granton Archive Project: Local History Drop-In Sessions at Madelvic House

GRANTON:HUB – TUESDAYS 2 – 4pm

Come along this summer to our community archive drop-in sessions, every Tuesday between 14:00-16:00 to learn more about our local history and its rich heritage.

More Information:

www.grantonhub.org

New guidance to ensure safe conversions of traditional buildings

Making historic buildings fit for the future

Landmark guidance designed to protect the future of almost half a million traditional buildings across Scotland has been published.

The Guide to Conversion of Traditional Buildings will help ensure traditional buildings are adapted safely for modern use – ensuring that they meet fire safety, accessibility and energy efficiency needs, while supporting the sustainable reuse of historic buildings.

It is the first guidance of its kind in almost two decades and is part of the response to lessons learned from the fatal Cameron House Hotel fire in 2017.

Public Finance Minister Hannah Mary Goodlad said: “The safety of everyone who lives in, works in or visits a traditional building must always come first.

“The Fatal Accident Inquiry into the Cameron House fire showed clearly how hidden risks in older buildings, like concealed voids and outdated fire protection, can have devastating consequences.

“This guidance is our direct response, ensuring that anyone converting a traditional building has the tools and understanding they need to protect lives.

“It also reflects our wider ambitions to support sustainable, low-carbon development by making the most of our existing building stock rather than defaulting to demolition and new build.

“I want to thank everyone who contributed their expertise to this guidance. By working together, government, industry and heritage specialists can ensure Scotland’s traditional buildings remain safe, sustainable and fit for the future.”

Colin Tennant, Interim Director of Cultural Assets at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Scotland’s traditional buildings are some of our most valuable national assets. They shape the character of our towns, cities and rural communities and embody centuries of craftsmanship, cultural heritage and local identity.

“Reusing and adapting these buildings is vital to protecting our historic environment, while also supporting economic prosperity and community wellbeing through regeneration.

“This guidance will help support the safe, sustainable and informed conversion of traditional buildings across Scotland. It is the product of a truly collaborative approach which reflects the collective expertise of professionals from across the building standards, fire safety, engineering and conservation sectors.

“By learning from past events, understanding the unique risks associated with historic construction, and applying proportionate and informed solutions, we can protect people, retain cultural significance and ensure that these remarkable buildings continue to serve future generations.” 

Guide to Conversion of Traditional Buildings – gov.scot

New programme at Dr Bell’s

📣Our new programme is live! 📣

If you live in the Leith Community, have at least one child under the age of 5 or an expectant parent then you can sign up to some of our fantastic groups.

To sign up for our groups please follow the link –

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/dr-bells-family-centre…

Jess Fuchs: Feral

Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two: 5th – 30th August: 6:55pm

Sydney-based stand-up comedian Jess Fuchs brings her bold, high-energy new show Feral to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, marking her highly anticipated first full festival run following an Australian tour.

Jess Fuchs left home to avoid her problems and returned even more broken. Not all those who wander are lost. Sure… but some who wander are walking slowly because they’ve shattered their coccyx on the Cliffs of Moher. Sometimes it takes literally breaking your ass on the Cliffs of Moher to realise you were fine all along…and it was the trying to change that was the problem. 

In Feral, Fuchs explores what happens when you meticulously plan, rehearse, and overthink your way through life… only for everything to unravel anyway. At its core, Feral is about pressure: where it comes from, how it builds, what it forces you to hide – and what happens when you can’t release it.

Tackling everything from body image, shame, and what it means to be ‘different’, to unsolicited advice, healthcare, and the myths of change and self-improvement, she dissects the contradictions of modern existence with wit, warmth, and unflinching honesty. 

After overidentifying with the Titanic, a boat scrutinised for her size, loaded with impossible expectations, and sunk in the middle of nowhere, Fuchs turns her attention to the pressures women face. Especially loud, big women. Get married. Have kids. Be skinny. Feral is about her complete inability, or rather refusal to do any of that, and choosing to return to a feral state instead. 

Feral is a show bursting at the seams with a lively off-the-cuff energy. It’s big, bold, high-energy storytelling – highly relatable, personal, but not trauma-dumpy – weaving anecdotes, observations and stories throughout a central narrative of a girls trip to Ireland gone wrong. 

With a fast-growing international profile and over 100,000 followers across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, Fuchs has built a loyal digital audience who connect with her sharply observed, effortlessly funny takes on everyday life. Translating that same magnetic energy to the stage, Feral sees her blend incisive stand-up with electric crowd work and deeply personal storytelling.

“When you’re a big, playful, extroverted woman, people feel comfortable telling you how you should be, rather than celebrating who you are,” says Jess. “This show is about pushing back, but also about human contradictions… being confident and vulnerable at the same time, even when people don’t want you to be.”

A Sydney-based stand-up comedian, writer, and actor, Fuchs is known for her razor-sharp crowd work and dynamic storytelling style. She has performed across Australia, Europe, the UK, and the United States, and is a regular host at The Comedy Store in Sydney, Comedy Republic in Melbourne, and Top Secret Comedy Club in London. She has opened for major international comedians including Fortune Feimster, Gianmarco Soresi, Morgan Jay, Craig Conant, and Rafi Bastos.

Her comedy centres women’s experiences, social behaviour, and the unspoken rules people are expected to follow, delivered with a playful irreverence and fearless perspective. In 2025, she independently released her debut stand-up special Thick & Thin on YouTube, further cementing her reputation as a rising global voice in comedy.

The Edinburgh Fringe run of Feral follows her biggest Australian festival circuit tour to date, with a show designed for audiences who enjoy intelligent, feminist, self-aware comedy that moves seamlessly between big laughs, audience interaction, and bold storytelling.

Instagram: @jessfuchs

What the press have said about Jess

“At her finest, she can unleash a flurry of withering, impudent gags worthy of Joan Rivers.” – Chortle

“Uproarious and raunchy show had the audience continuously laughing” –  Sydney Arts Guide

“…finding a new comic that hits every note is a rare treat” –   Theatre Thoughts

Listings Information

Show:            Jess Fuchs: Feral

Dates:            5th – 30th August (not 18th)

Time:            6:55pm

Venue:          Pleasance Courtyard – Bunker Two

Address:       60 Pleasance, Edinburgh, EH8 9TJ

Price:            £9 – £14

Box Office:     https://www.edfringe.com/ / https://www.pleasance.co.uk/ 

First phase of £10 million funding announced as FM visits Western Isles

Strengthening islands resilience

Financial support for island businesses affected by ferry disruption will be made available through the first phase of the £10m Islands Resilience Fund.

This will provide a further £3 million in 2026-27 to help mitigate the disproportionate impact faced by people and businesses living and operating in Scotland’s islands. It builds on the £4.4 million Islands Business Resilience Fund delivered in 2025-26. 

The funding announcement comes ahead of a three-day visit to the Western Isles from the First Minister, during which he will visit Barra, South Uist, Grimsay, Scalpay, Lewis and Harris. His engagements on the islands will cover key areas including housing, energy and community wellbeing.

First Minister John Swinney said: “Scotland’s islands are home to a wealth of talent, innovation and entrepreneurialism, but too often island businesses are held back by circumstances outside their control.

“The £10 million Islands Resilience Fund was one of our commitments for the first 100 days of government. This fund will support businesses to cope with challenging circumstances, helping them to thrive and ensuring that Scotland’s islands remain attractive places to set up businesses and livelihoods.

“Crucially, this phase of investment will ensure support can be put in place immediately while we establish the foundations for longer-term investment over the course of this Parliament.

“Over the next few days I will meet a wide range of organisations in the Western Isles, where I look forward to discussing more about how the Scottish Government can support island communities to build the resilience needed for a bright future.”

Rachel Hunter, Director of Enterprise and Community Support, Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) said: “The Islands Resilience Fund will ensure that support reaches more island communities and sectors experiencing the effects of ferry disruption.

“By opening eligibility, we can provide practical assistance to businesses and community organisations that have experiences additional costs and challenges beyond their control.

“Working on behalf of the Scottish Government, HIE’s focus will be on delivering the fund and ensuring support reaches those who need it most. Organisations that received support through previous rounds of the IBRF will be contacted directly by HIE, rather than needing to submit an application.

“This investment will help strengthen resilience across our island communities, supporting organisations to adapt, recover and continue contributing to vibrant and sustainable local economies.”

The First Minister will visit the Western Isles from 10 – 12 August.

Poverty Alliance: ‘a beautiful journey’

RIGHTS IN ACTION PROJECT: PARTICIPATORY ACTION RESEARCH

Our research team has great experience in working alongside community researchers – people with lived experience who get help and support to study the issues that matter most to them.

Find out what we’ve learned along the way!

https://www.povertyalliance.org/…/Right-in-action…

Right-in-action-learning-report-FINALDownload

Sat-nav or sat-nag?

Drivers’ love-hate relationship with sat-navs sees more than three quarters ignore directions to beat the ETA

The majority of drivers use a sat-nav, but just one third (35%) have a high degree of trust in their device and have taken matters into their own hands to reach their destination sooner

Sat-navs … most drivers use them, but the majority don’t fully trust them. So much so that many are constantly disregarding directions and following their gut instinct in a bid to beat the often-exasperating ETA.

And for eight-in-10 drivers (84%), the gamble paid off as they managed to get to their destination quicker than what their sat-nav predicted, according to research from the RAC.

The survey, which polled 1,601 drivers in the UK*, found that 91% use a sat-nav, with 8% steadfastly using one on every journey, 30% on most trips, and 53% using it occasionally. 

Popular sat-nav gripes included users complaining that their devices don’t always detect upcoming traffic jams (52%), as well as getting sent down small, narrow roads (44%).

Worryingly, one-in-10 (11%) sat-nav users got sent down a one-way street the wrong way, risking a head-on collision.

And one fifth (19%) almost got stuck after their sat-nav sent them down a dead end that was hard to reverse out of.

Despite the drawbacks, one-in-10 (12%) confessed to following the instructions on their sat-nav without question.

The majority, 89%, preferred to take sat-nav instructions with a pinch of salt, sometimes ignoring them to get to their destination.

Free phone apps, such as Google Maps, Waze or Apple Maps are the most popular form of sat-nav drivers use, with more than half (53%) choosing this form of technology to guide their journeys.

Another 35% use a sat-nav that is built into the car, while 9% use a separate sat-nav unit that they attach to the dashboard or windscreen, a popular choice among drivers aged 65 and over. 

RAC Breakdown spokesperson Harriet Hernando said: “Sat-navs are used by the majority of drivers, and can be a useful tool to help us get from A to B. But what this data shows is that people shouldn’t blindly follow the directions but continue to pay close attention to road signage and tap into any local knowledge they have of the area. 

“While it’s tempting to just jump in the car and punch in the postcode on your chosen sat-nav and follow along, it’s best to look at the journey more closely on the myRAC app route planner before setting off so you have a good idea of where you’re going and what routes you could take depending on the traffic. You can also use the Fuel Finder tool to refuel at the cheapest price.

“Worryingly, one-in-10 said their sat-navs sent them down a one-way road the wrong way, risking a head-on collision. With several fatalities attributed to sat-navs, it’s important to pay attention to road signage and ensure devices are fully updated with the latest changes to the road network.”

In November 2024 Google and Apple agreed to amend their audio prompts after a double fatal crash appeared to have been caused by incorrect directions from a sat-nav.

The driver drove the wrong way along the A5 near Milton Keynes after following audio directions from her sat-nav resulting in a head-on collision where both drivers tragically died.