Festival of Politics: Caring Scotland?

Join us for a free event exploring the testimony of Scotland’s Care Experienced community on 17 August.

The Promise sets out that by 2030 every child in Scotland will grow up loved, safe and respected to realise their full potential. Yet, over half of Scotland’s looked-after children live in the most deprived areas, are more likely to have additional support needs, lower school attendance and higher rates of exclusion.

How far has Scotland come in fulfilling The Promise?

The panel also features award-winning actor, producer and author Scott Kyle (best known for his role in Outlander).

Book your tickets here: https://ow.ly/PTu250ZwBQ1

National Theatre of Scotland

Royal Conservatoire of Scotland

National Leadership Network – YPCE

The Promise Scotland

Alzheimer Scotland’s Edinburgh Memory Walk to raise funds for dementia

SUNDAY 6 SEPTEMBER at LAURISTON CASTLE GARDENS

A fundraising walk that pays tribute to people with dementia is returning to Edinburgh. People across the Lothians are being encouraged to book their place for Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk 2026 on Sunday, 6 September.

Those joining the event in Lauriston Castle Gardens on Cramond Road South can walk in memory of loved ones affected by the illness while also raising vital funds to support dementia care, research and improvements in brain health.

The Edinburgh event is the first of a series of memory walks taking place across Scotland in 2026.

Those looking to take part can sign up at memorywalk.alzscot.org.

Walks will also be taking place in Glasgow, Aberdeen, Perth, Irvine, Inverness and Kirkcaldy. Tickets cost just £10 for adults and children can be registered for free. It’s quick and easy to set up a sponsorship page, which can be shared with family, friends and colleagues.

Every penny raised will help people with dementia and their carers, as well as supporting better brain health for everyone in Scotland.

Scotland’s Memory Walk is also about celebrating the lives of people with dementia and walking to remember them.

Among those taking part is Debbie Magee, 48, a contracts manager from Broxburn. She will be walking in memory of her mum Rosie who passed away in January aged 82, six years after being diagnosed with vascular dementia.

Debbie will be joined by her sister Annie and 15-year-old daughter Jess, and supported on the day by her other sisters Caroline and Jane.

Debbie said: “My mum Rosie was quite a woman. She was the heart and soul of our family and was dedicated to looking after us all.

“Losing mum to dementia was really tough for the whole family, and it inspired me to sign up to Alzheimer Scotland’s Memory Walk in Edinburgh.

“I wanted to do something positive that would help keep mum’s memory alive and also raise funds for such a great cause. I’m really looking forward to the day. Our team name is Rosie’s Forget Me Nots. Those were mum’s favourite flowers, which feels extra poignant in light of her diagnosis.

“Dementia affects every person differently and it’s important for me to raise awareness of that, and of the huge impact it has on the wider family.

“Alzheimer Scotland do amazing work and I hope the money we raise can help them support other families like mine who are affected by dementia.”

Lauren Heap, Alzheimer Scotland’s Day Services Manager for Edinburgh and the Lothians, said: “Alzheimer Scotland is proud to support people living with dementia, their families and carers right from our centres in Edinburgh.

“We are delighted to host this Memory Walk in Edinburgh. It is such a special event and it will be wonderful to walk alongside our supporters again in the local community.

“Alzheimer Scotland relies heavily on fundraised money – now more than ever – and every penny helps us continue to develop and deliver vital dementia support. We can’t wait to see Lauriston Castle Gardens filled with a sea of purple t-shirts.”

To find out more and to sign up for Scotland’s Memory Walk, visit: 

memorywalk.alzscot.org 

NHS Lothian prepares for Festival crowds

Teams across NHS Lothian are preparing for the annual influx of visitors during Edinburgh’s world-famous Festivals.

The city’s population doubles to around a million throughout August as people from across the world enjoy the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and more.

NHS Lothian has a number of arrangements in place to make sure visitors can access healthcare if they need it, while continuing to provide routine and planned care for local residents.

Visitors are being urged to take the same route as locals and call 111 if they have an urgent injury or illness.

Experienced NHS 24 advisors will direct them to the most appropriate service to make sure they get the right care in the right place. NHS 24 also has an interpretation service for those whose first language is not English.

Depending on a patient’s circumstances, they may be given an appointment for a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU), be asked to attend a local pharmacy, or be given an appointment at a GP Practice which provides care and treatment for visitors who are not registered with a GP in the city.

Michelle Carr, Chief Officer of Acute Services, NHS Lothian, said: “We want everyone visiting Edinburgh during the Festivals to enjoy their time here, but if they become unwell or suffer an urgent injury, the best thing to do is call NHS 24 on 111. They should not turn up at a hospital.

“It’s important to stress that there is no walk-in service for visitors, but by calling 111 they will be able to access necessary healthcare 24/7.

“They will also be seen sooner than walking into a busy hospital A&E department that will prioritise patients and work in order of clinical urgency.

“The message is the same for visitors and local residents alike. If you need urgent healthcare, call 111. In a life-threatening emergency, always call 999.”

Leading environmental charities call on public to fight alongside nature against climate change

  • UK environmental charities on the frontline of the climate crisis come together to encourage Brits to join nature’s fight against climate change
  • Nearly 7.5 million Brits say the environment and conservation is the cause most likely to inspire them to volunteer, with over 12 million naming volunteering to support animals, as record-breaking heat, wildfires and extreme weather bring the climate crisis closer to home

Leading environmental charities, alongside Royal Voluntary Service and digital volunteering platform GoVo, are calling on the public to join nature’s fight for survival as record-breaking temperatures, wildfires and extreme weather bring the impacts of climate change closer to home.

Research from Royal Voluntary Service reveals that almost 7.5 million adults identify environment and conservation as the cause they would be most likely to volunteer for, while more than 12.3 million adults say supporting animals would most inspire them to give their time. 

Yet despite the appetite, charities are still urgently looking for more support with more than 750 environment, conservation, and animal welfare roles on GoVo still in need of volunteers.

The findings come as leading environmental and conservation charities, including The Conservation Volunteers, Keep Britain Tidy, Marine Conservation Society and  Chester Zoo, unite alongside Royal Voluntary Service and GoVo to urge more people to turn concern into action and support nature’s survival against climate change.

Together, the group of charities are calling on people across Britain to get involved with local projects that restore habitats, protect wildlife and strengthen the natural environments on which people and animals depend. 

The call from the charities coincides with ITV’s ground breaking new natural history series, Force of Nature, which follows wildlife fighting back against the escalating impacts of climate change. ITV and Royal Voluntary Service hope that the series will inspire people to take action to support climate resilience through volunteering.

Love Actually and The Walking Dead actor, and Force of Nature narrator, Andrew Lincoln, said: “I feel privileged to be a part of Force of Nature, it is an extraordinary tv series about the impact of the climate crisis on animal survival. 

“It’s three years in the making and highlights the astonishing ways animals are adapting to extreme weather and how the people working alongside are helping them to survive.

“It gives an important message of hope that every one of us can play a part in making a difference. Across the country charities on the frontline of environmental and animal conservation need help. By stepping forward to volunteer you can become part of the urgent effort to protect our natural world.”

The call follows one of Britain’s most extraordinary summers on record. England recorded its hottest June day ever at 37.7°C, while the month itself became the warmest on record. Temperatures above 35°C have now been recorded in May, June and July within the same year for the first time in weather history and the UK’s ten warmest years on record have all occurred since 2002.  

Major fires have once again scorched British countryside this summer, while England’s rivers last year experienced their second-lowest March to August flows since records began in 1961.

The kind of climate impacts that Brits once watched unfold elsewhere are becoming an increasingly familiar part of life in Britain.

Jo Morison, Volunteer Manager at Chester Zoo, said: “Climate change isn’t a distant threat to the species we work to save – it’s wildfires tearing through the Cairngorms, where Scottish wildcats are being released back into the wild, and moorland near Manchester, where we helped bring back a butterfly once lost from the region.

“Nature is resilient, but it needs help fighting back. That’s why volunteering matters more than ever.

“Chester Zoo is already working with nature volunteers across Cheshire through our Networks for Nature project, helping the county to reach its biodiversity targets. We very much encourage anyone interested in volunteering to search online for similar schemes near them, and get involved.”

Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, CEO of Keep Britain Tidy, said: “The job to take care of our environment is urgent, and it is everybody’s business to protect the places not only we – but wildlife and marine life – call home.

“I say to any person who thinks the challenge is insurmountable, or that their actions alone cannot make a dint in the problem, that together, person by person, day by day, we can make a huge difference to the environment on our doorstep.”

Catherine Johnstone CBE, CEO of Royal Voluntary Service, said“Throughout history, communities across Britain have come together in response to society’s most urgent challenges. Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our time, and volunteering gives people a practical way to be part of the solution.

“Whether it is protecting green spaces, supporting wildlife or helping communities become more resilient, every contribution matters. Small actions, multiplied by millions of people, can create lasting change that will impact our generations to come.”

Sandy Luk, CEO at the Marine Conservation Society, said:“Volunteering for the ocean is one of the most powerful ways you can make a difference to the climate crisis. Our ocean is our greatest ally in tackling climate change, but it is under increasing pressure from human activity.

“Whether you’re reporting seaweed types and jellyfish sightings to help scientists understand how our seas are changing, or collecting and recording litter to drive action on the causes of pollution, every contribution helps to protect the ocean we all depend on.”

There are hundreds of opportunities to volunteer and join the global effort by supporting frontline environment, conservation, and animal welfare charities on GoVo, made possible thanks to support from Postcode Lottery players.

GoVo connects people with bite-sized volunteering opportunities that fit easily into everyday life, including:

  • Getting hands-on to preserve and enhance local forests. 
  • Supporting and protecting local wildlife from helping sick or injured animals, to creating habitats.
  • Restoring wetlands and cleaning beaches and waterways. 
  • Monitoring and caring for bats, seals, butterflies, hedgehogs, bees and birds.
  • Joining a green gym combining practical outdoor activities with the benefits of exercise and nature.
  • Organising and supporting community events to engage and inspire more people. 
  • Digital and remote volunteering to raise awareness, advocate for charities and monitor wildlife.

Those inspired to join nature in the fight against climate change can find environmental, conservation, and animal-related volunteering opportunities in their area at GoVo.org.

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh to Host Hard Rock Rising, Global Music Competition for Emerging Artists

The grand prize: a Coke Studio recording session, $10,000, a Hard Rock Orlando performance and more

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is inviting Scotland’s emerging music talent to take centre stage as it hosts Hard Rock Rising, the global music competition launched by Hard Rock International and Coca-Cola.

Spanning 34 countries and 64 Hard Rock Cafes, the competition gives singer-songwriters, bands and DJs the opportunity to perform live, build a local following and compete for a career-launching global prize package.

For more than five decades, breakthrough artists and legends have taken the stage at Hard Rock Cafes. Coca‑Cola has built a global platform for musicians through Coke Studio L.A. Live. Now, the two brands are joining forces to help singer‑songwriters, bands and DJs launch their careers. 

Hard Rock Rising unfolds as a series of live performances at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh. Local fan votes advance artists round by round. The Coke Studio team then selects one grand prize winner who earns a recording session, $10,000, a performance at Hard Rock Orlando and more. 

Artist submissions are open now through August 18th, with four live competition rounds running 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd September. The global winner will be announced 5th October. 

Nick Chiverton, General Manager at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh has a long-standing reputation for championing live music and emerging talent, so we’re thrilled to bring Hard Rock Rising to the city.

“This competition is a fantastic opportunity for local singer-songwriters, bands and DJs to perform in front of live audiences, grow their fanbase and compete for an incredible global prize package, including a recording session at Coke Studio L.A. Live, a performance at Hard Rock Orlando and $10,000.

“We can’t wait to discover the next generation of Scottish talent and showcase them on the global stage.”

Multi‑platinum, GRAMMY‑ and Juno‑nominated executive producer Rob Rettberg leads the Coke Studio team. The Los Angeles facility houses a professional recording studio built for career‑launching sessions, giving the winning singer‑songwriter, band or DJ a genuine industry platform. 

“This partnership taps into Hard Rock’s unparalleled reach and iconic stages while leveraging Coke Studio’s production expertise to transform talented musicians into the next generation of recording artists,” said Rettberg 

The competition is amplified by a full Hard Rock Rising lineup, from a limited-time menu with cocktails made with Coca-Cola products for fans watching the live performances, to collectible merchandise available at Rock Shops® and shop.hardrock.com.  

Extending the competition’s celebration of music and self-expression beyond the stage, Hard Rock is partnering with Cult of Individuality, the streetwear brand renowned for its deep roots in music culture and strong connection to today’s artists and fans. Together, the brands will launch a limited-edition Hard Rock Rising tee and an exclusive co-branded apparel collection, bringing the spirit of emerging music talent into fashion.   

The Search Is On

Every performance is a chance for friends, family and new fans to champion local artists, helping emerging talent build a real following in their own hometowns. 

The competition kicks off in September. Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh will host up to nine acts across four live rounds, with singer‑songwriters, bands and DJs all welcome. In every round, the audience becomes the judge, voting in real time via a mobile app. Fans score each artist on Musicianship, Fan Support, Vocal Talent, Originality and Stage Presence. 

In the fourth and final round, Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh will crown a local winner with a cash prize. Every local champion then advances to the global round. There, the Coke Studio team reviews recorded performances from all 64 Cafe winners and names the grand prize winner on October 5th. 

 The selected artist will receive a career-launching package: 

  • World-class recording session at Coke Studio L.A. Live, including flights and accommodation 
  • Music distribution across all major streaming platforms 
  • Performance at Hard Rock Orlando  
  • Two-night stay at Hard Rock Hotel Orlando with passes to Universal Studios & Islands of Adventure 
  • $10,000 cash prize 
  • An exclusive assortment of Marshall amplifiers and accessories  

A Menu to Match the Moment

From August 17th to September 30th, Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh will serve a limited‑time menu for fans to enjoy while cheering on local artists.

Perfect for bringing a crew to cheer on fan-favourite bands, these shareable bites and vibrant cocktails are designed to bring the excitement of the evening and the victory celebrations that follow. 

  • Thai Peanut Brussels Sprouts: Crispy Brussels sprouts tossed in a ginger and soy gastrique, finished with crushed peanuts, toasted sesame and scallion  
  • BBQ Pulled Beef Sliders: Slow-braised pulled beef piled high on soft buns with tangy coleslaw, crispy onions, pickled Fresno peppers and house BBQ sauce 
  • Lemon & Lime Black Pepper Wings: Jumbo wings glazed in charred citrus, served with pickled onions and fresh cilantro  
  • Barbacoa Beef Queso: Braised barbacoa beef folded into creamy house queso, topped with pico de gallo, pickled jalapeños and scallions 
  • Cheesecake Dip: A decadent whipped cheesecake dip with a brown-butter graham crumble, served with cinnamon-sugar pretzel bites, seasonal fruit and whipped cream  

The menu also features a selection of exclusive cocktails and mocktails featuring Coca-Cola products, including: 

  • Last Call Guava-rita: A vibrant tequila and triple sec cocktail with dragon fruit syrup, shaken with fresh strawberries and blackberries, topped with Sprite 
  • Orange Cream Soda: A creamy, nostalgic mocktail made with Orange Fanta, vanilla syrup and cream 
  • Spiced Jack & Yuzu Soda: A citrus-forward whiskey cocktail made with Coca-Cola, yuzu purée and spiced brown sugar; also available spirit-free 

34 Countries, One Iconic Tee

Limited‑edition Hard Rock Rising merchandise arrives at select Rock Shops® and shop.hardrock.com on 17th August. The collection centers on a campaign tee with the Hard Rock logo on the front and all 34 participating country names on the back. It also includes exclusive apparel and a collectible pin. 

Make the most of Playday with Tax-Free Childcare

  • Working families urged to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare on Playday to help pay for holiday clubs, after-school clubs, nurseries and childminders
  • Latest statistics show families save almost £100 a month with Tax-Free Childcare
  • Number of families using Tax-Free Childcare for children aged 8 and above increased by 20%

Working families are being encouraged to check if they could cut the cost of childcare this Playday (5 August), as HM Revenue and Customs’ (HMRC) latest statistics show families using Tax-Free Childcare saved an average of almost £100 a month.

Playday, the national day for play, is a reminder for eligible parents to see if they could benefit from the scheme. Tax-Free Childcare can provide up to £2,000 per year per child (or £4,000 for a disabled child) helping manage childcare costs while balancing work and family life.

People can visit GOV.UK to check eligibility and sign-up for Tax-Free Childcare.

Once families have signed up, they can receive a £2 government top-up for every £8 they deposit into their account. Families can open an account for each of their children aged up to 11 and, if they have a disabled child, aged up to 16.

It can be used to pay for any approved childcare including nurseries, childminders, holiday clubs, breakfast clubs and after-school clubs. Almost 75,000 providers are now signed up to receive Tax-Free Childcare payments.

While the majority of families who use the scheme have younger children, recent statistics show the number of families using it to pay for childcare for children aged 8 and above increased by more than 20% compared to the previous year.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Tax-Free Childcare can help with your summer childcare plans and, looking to the term ahead, with whatever type of care you require for your child.

“If you haven’t signed up already, do it today so you don’t miss out. Go to GOV.UK and search ‘Tax-Free Childcare’.”

Families can receive up to £500 worth of top-up money, or £1,000 for a disabled child, every 3 months.

Once families have opened a Tax-Free Childcare account, they can deposit money and use it straight away or keep it in their account to use it whenever it’s needed. Unused money can be withdrawn at any time.   

Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if they:     

  • have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they can receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday   
  • the parent and their partner (if they have one) earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average  
  • each earn no more than £100,000 per annum   
  • do not receive Universal Credit or childcare vouchers    

Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside the government funded childcare hours, subject to eligibility. 

A psychologist’s top tips for parents this results day

With results for Nationals, Highers, Advanced Highers and Skills for Work Awards being issued on Tuesday 4 August, Dr Marguerita Magennis, psychologist, parenting consultant and psychology tutor at FindTutors, shares her advice for helping young people feel supported, whatever the outcome.
Manage your own expectations before the day:

Results day can be emotionally charged for parents as well as young people. It is important for parents to recognise their own hopes, fears and expectations before the day arrives.

Children are highly attuned to the emotions of those around them and can quickly absorb parental anxiety, often feeling responsible for managing not only their own emotions but those of their parents too. Remaining calm and keeping the focus on unconditional support helps create an environment where children feel valued regardless of the outcome.

Regulate your own reaction before you respond

The first few moments after results are opened may be remembered long after the grades themselves. Before speaking, parents should take a moment to regulate their own emotional response. Young people instinctively look to trusted adults to judge how serious a situation is. Calm body language, a relaxed posture and a reassuring presence help communicate emotional safety, allowing the child to begin processing their disappointment without feeling they have also disappointed those they love.

Do not rush to reassure or solve the problem

When children experience disappointment, they first need their emotions to be acknowledged rather than redirected.

Well-intentioned reassurance or rushing into practical solutions can unintentionally minimise what feels like a significant loss to them.

From a psychological perspective, emotional validation helps regulate the nervous system and enables clearer thinking. Once a child feels understood, they are usually far better placed to consider solutions and future options.

Give them space while keeping the door open

Children and young people process disappointment differently. Some need to talk immediately, while others require time to make sense of their emotions before they feel ready to engage.

Respecting that need for space demonstrates trust rather than indifference. Parents can remain emotionally available without placing pressure on their child to talk before they are ready, recognising that conversations often happen once emotions have had time to settle.

Choose your words carefully

Parents should focus on acknowledging their child’s feelings, reassuring them that their worth extends far beyond academic performance, and reinforcing that disappointing results do not define their future.

Equally important is avoiding comments that minimise emotions, assign blame or compare them with siblings, friends or classmates. While these responses are often intended to motivate or reassure, they can increase feelings of shame and reinforce the belief that love or approval is conditional on achievement.

Wait until emotions have settled before discussing next steps

Immediately after receiving disappointing news, emotions often override logical thinking. Parents should allow time for those initial feelings to settle before introducing discussions about appeals, alternative pathways or future plans.

A child is usually ready when they begin asking questions, expressing curiosity about their options or engaging more openly in conversation. Allowing emotional processing before practical planning encourages more thoughtful decision-making.

Avoid comparing your child with others

Comparison can be deeply damaging because it shifts the focus away from individual strengths and reinforces the idea that success is measured against someone else’s achievements.

Every young person develops at their own pace, with different abilities, challenges and aspirations.

Supporting children to value their own progress rather than competing with others helps build resilience, confidence and a healthier sense of self-worth.

Put social media celebrations into perspective

Social media can magnify disappointment by presenting a carefully curated version of success. Young people may mistakenly believe that everyone else has achieved the outcomes they hoped for, when in reality they are only seeing selected moments.

Parents can help by encouraging perspective, reminding children that social media rarely reflects the full picture and reinforcing that their own journey does not need to mirror anyone else’s to be meaningful or successful.

Celebrate commitment, not just grades

When rewards become closely linked to grades, children may begin to associate love, approval or self-worth with achievement rather than effort and personal growth.

This can contribute to perfectionism, fear of failure and increased anxiety around future performance.

Where possible, celebrations should recognise the commitment, perseverance and resilience shown throughout the examination process rather than being determined solely by the final outcome.

Remember that results do not define a young person

As a psychologist, I would encourage parents to remember that results D=day is not simply about grades, it is about identity, self-esteem and hope for the future.

The way parents respond can have a lasting influence on how a young person interprets both success and disappointment.

Examination results may shape the next step in their journey, but they do not define their potential, their character or their value. Feeling accepted and supported, regardless of the outcome, is one of the greatest protective factors for a young person’s emotional wellbeing.

About Dr Marguerita Magennis

Dr Marguerita Magennis is a psychologist, parenting consultant, early years specialist and psychology tutor at FindTutors with more than 25 years’ experience working with children, families and educators.

She works with schools, preschools and parents to support children’s learning, emotional development and wellbeing, with a particular focus on neurodivergence and early childhood development. Professional profile is here.

Decades-old worm treatment could help tackle rare childhood cancer

Glasgow woman who had cancer four times welcomes development

A drug commonly used to treat parasitic worm infections could offer a new way to tackle one of the most difficult childhood blood cancers to treat, research funded by Leukaemia UK has identified.

Dr Noelia Che and her colleagues at UCL GOS Institute of Child Health, investigated whether the drug mebendazole, could be repurposed and used in combination therapies to treat childhood acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

While survival rates for childhood leukaemia have improved dramatically in recent decades, AML remains one of the most challenging forms of the disease.

Established treatments such as chemotherapy and stem-cell transplants, while effective, are intensive and can often lead to relapse and serious long-term side effects for patients.

This was the case for Nichola Smith, whose diagnosis of AML at aged 12 led to decades of difficult treatment, relapse and serious life-long consequences. “I was constantly tired and run down,” recalled Nichola, now 44, from Glasgow.  

“Then one day after playfighting with my cousins I noticed an enormous hand-shaped bruise where one of them had grabbed me. Then the next day I collapsed and my mum took me to Yorkhill Children’s Hospital where, to my shock, I was diagnosed with leukaemia”.

Nichola underwent intensive chemotherapy. After relapsing a year later months later, she also required a stem cell transplant and more chemotherapy.

While her treatment was successful, the impact on Nichola has been life-long. In 2006, a routine mammogram revealed pre-cancerous cells in both her breasts, a recognised long-term effect of the leukaemia treatment she had received as a child. She underwent a double mastectomy and several major operations.

Then, in 2022, Nichola was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood cancer that can develop into AML.

“I was devastated,” she said. “I kept saying to myself, ‘Here we go again’ and ‘Why me?’ I couldn’t believe I was going to have to fight another blood cancer after everything I’d already been through.”

Her condition later progressed and she once again required chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a stem cell transplant.

Experiences like Nichola’s are driving researchers to find more targeted and less toxic ways of treating AML. Reducing the devastating long-term effects.

Dr Che, a recipient of the Leukaemia UK John Goldman Fellowship, is focusing her research on a protein called MYB, which AML cells rely on to survive and grow.

She and her colleagues found that mebendazole can reduce levels of MYB within leukaemia cells, depriving them of a key survival mechanism and causing them to die.

She hopes the approach could form part of a new generation of targeted therapies. Unlike chemotherapy, which attacks all rapidly dividing cells, targeted therapies attack cancer cells more precisely while reducing damage to healthy tissue.

Dr Che and her colleagues are now exploring further how mebendazole can be used with newer targeted therapies rather than chemotherapy, identifying a promising treatment strategy for children with AML. Potentially avoiding the increased toxicity associated with more intensive chemotherapy.

Dr Noelia Che said: “Our research is exploring whether mebendazole, a safe and well-established drug, could be used in a completely different way to target vulnerabilities within AML cells.

“We hope this work will contribute to gentler, more effective treatments, so that children survive without life altering complications.”

Simon Ridley, Director of Research and Advocacy, Leukaemia UK, said: “We’re proud to support innovative researchers such as Dr Che who are exploring bold new approaches to treatment.  

“It is important to note that this research is still in early stages, but it shows one of the many routes that researchers are working to fight leukaemia through new strategies, repurposed medications and innovative combinations. 

“Which, in the future, could reduce the long-term impact of treatment on patients and their families.”

Scottish Labour: ‘Unite and Renew’?

Marra comments ahead of nomination period opening

Commenting ahead of the nomination period opening in the Scottish Labour leadership contest, Michael Marra said: “I’m running in this contest to unite and renew the Scottish Labour party.

“Having spoken to and listened to colleagues across our movement it is clear we have to rediscover our sense of moral purpose. To offer hope again and to spell out what Scottish Labour is for, not simply who and what we are against. 

“That means drawing on the strength and talent of all of our movement. Scottish Labour has always been strongest when it has been rooted in the lives of working people.

“That means working alongside trade unions, businesses, civic Scotland and local communities—not talking at them but listening to them and building solutions together. That approach is how we unite and renew Scottish Labour.”

The leadership election was triggered when former leader Anas Sarwar decided to leave Holyrood to take a seat in the unelected House of Lords

TODAY: Scottish-inspired lunch at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

Join us today for a Scottish-inspired lunch featuring haggis shepherd’s pie, a twist on the classic dish, accompanied by a side of fresh greens.

To satisfy your sweet tooth, our white currant cake is a delightful treat. Made with currants picked from the garden, of course!

Enjoy your meal from 11:30am – 12:30pm, with the option to dine in or take away.

We look forward to seeing you there!