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.”
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.
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Inquiry into the Cameron House fire showed clearly how hidden risks in older buildings, like concealed voids and outdated fire protection, can have devastating consequences.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.”
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 –
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 livelyoff-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.
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.
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.
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.
Prime Minister moves to end subscription traps, with new “easy to exit” rules brought forward to help consumers cancel easily and prevent them losing more money
He is also taking action to tackle misleading discounts and rip off prices that fleece customers
This is just the start of a series of ‘everyday fixes’ that will be announced to ease the cost of living and give families room to breathe
The Prime Minister has announced that he will be rolling out a series of ‘everyday fixes’ to help people with the cost of living.
Pretend prices and deceptive deals will be a thing of the past under the Prime Minister’s plans to ban retailers from making misleading claims to customers about discounts.
Shoppers have increasingly complained about outlets artificially inflating prices to give a false sense of value, such as increasing them only to then immediately advertise ‘discounts’ to make savings look larger than they really are.
This includes discounted prices being the same as they were before the discount, intended to trick consumers into thinking they are getting good value whilst saving them nothing and creating an uneven playing field for honest competitors.
The Prime Minister also wants to see an end to subscription traps, where people find it hard to cancel their subscriptions and contracts are automatically renewed at a higher cost. New rules will now come into force in January 2027, in time for when customers often start new subscriptions for the year ahead.
These proposals were previously announced by Burnham’s predecessor Sir Keir Starmer, who promised to introduce new rules in Spring 2027.
Saving an average of £14 a month for every unwanted subscription, the changes will mean businesses will need to provide clearer up-front information, regular reminders and a much easier exit to contracts. A new 14-day cooling-off period will also let consumers cancel after a trial or long-term contract renews.
With households still watching every pound, it’s right to act to restore fairness. There are around 155 million active subscriptions in the UK, with consumers spending an estimated £1.6 billion a year on ones they don’t actually want, a direct hit to family budgets.
For the many businesses who already give customers plenty of notice before subscriptions renew and make contacts easy to leave, very little is changing. They will benefit from clearer rules and a more level playing field, without being undercut by competitors who have more complicated processes that rip off consumers.
Certain charitable memberships for cultural and heritage organisations will be excluded from the new subscription rules given the unique role they have in preserving and opening up access to the nation’s history, landscapes, and cultural collections.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “I know people are sick and tired of rip-off discounts and subscription traps. Westminster has got used to telling people that everyday hassles like this are just part of life.
I don’t think that’s right, especially when the cost of living continues to weigh heavily on so many people’s lives. I’m determined to pull every single lever we can to provide people with some room to breathe on the cost of living.
“We’re putting an end to phoney bargains. If something is advertised as half price, it should actually be half price. We’re also making it as easy to leave a subscription as it is to join.
“These are just two of the everyday fixes we’re going to be rolling out – today is just the start. We want to put more money in people’s pockets and give people hope that politics really can work for them and their everyday lives.”
The Prime Minister is ‘determined to use every chance he gets’ to restore fairness and take pressure off people. This is the start of a series of practical, everyday fixes that will put more money in people’s pockets, give them greater peace of mind, and make life a little easier.
This follows his week-one action to cap bus fares and make energy bills more affordable for millions of households.
A consultation will launch this autumn to assess whether tactics such as fake “was” prices, invented discounts and misleading recommended retail prices (RRPs) should be added to the list of practices banned under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act (DMCCA).
Under current laws, it can be difficult for enforcers to take on these cases. Adding these tactics to this list would mean they will automatically be considered unfair, making it easier to crack down while making rules simpler for businesses to follow.
Business, Innovation, Science and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “There’s nothing worse than realising you’ve been fleeced by a dodgy deal, or seen money leaving your account because of a subscription you didn’t want to renew or couldn’t easily cancel.
“This Government is on the side of families working hard to make ends meet, while making sure the rules are clear for businesses and easy to follow.”
Sue Davies MBE, Head of Consumer Rights Policy at Which?, said: Which? has repeatedly exposed businesses, including trusted household brands, ripping off customers with dodgy deals that aren’t what they seem – but regulators have often found it too difficult to take action.
“It’s great news that the government intends to tighten up the law and explicitly ban misleading pricing practices, while putting an end to subscription traps.
“The government must implement these rules swiftly to give consumers much-needed protection against sneaky pricing tactics and hold businesses to account with tough enforcement, including fines, if they fall short.”
Dame Clare Moriarty, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice, said: “For too long consumers have been tricked into paying for products or services they don’t use – or didn’t even want to begin with – costing millions of pounds each year. So we really welcome the government’s move to speed up action on subscription traps and look at banning other tactics firms use to catch consumers out.
“At Citizens Advice, we’ve sounded the alarm on this for years, because we know subscription traps and sneaky online practices that hit consumers’ pockets hard are a widespread problem. We previously found that over 13 million people (26% of UK adults) accidentally took out a subscription in a year.
“People shouldn’t have to waste their time and effort avoiding dubious online tactics and fixing unwanted purchases and sign-ups. Today’s announcement is an important move, but it can’t be the end of the story.
“We look forward to seeing the detail in the consultation on deceptive online pricing and how it will ensure consumers are protected and treated fairly.”
Helen Undy OBE, CEO of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute, said: “It can be hard for anyone to spot a misleading discount, but this is particularly difficult for people with mental health problems who can struggle with concentration, impulsivity and decision-making, which can make it harder to resist pressure selling tactics and compare prices to get a fair deal.
“This group is already at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis – people with mental health problems are three times as likely to currently be behind on some or all household bills – so it’s good news that the government is taking action to help tight budgets go further, and it’s important that it happens quickly.
“It’s also encouraging to see that the subscription trap protections will be brought forward. We know that the symptoms of mental health problems such as increased impulsivity and memory problems, can contribute to someone signing up without realising and forgetting about a subscription. We’ve long argued that it should be as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up – and as ever the proof will be in how companies put this into practice.
“Today’s announcement is good news – however, subscription traps and misleading discounts are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to unfair practices that make it harder to get a fair deal when you’re struggling with your mental health.
“We look forward to working with the government to see what further action can be taken in future.”
On Saturday 1st August staff, residents, relatives and members of the community came together at Queens Manor care home in Barnton for a fantastic afternoon of exciting performances as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Cares Fest.
Now in its fifth year, the Fringe Cares movement brings artists from the Edinburgh Festival into care homes so residents can enjoy accessible performances in the comfort of their own homes.
The show was attended by the Lord Provost, the Right Honourable Robert Aldridge and his Consort, Joe and Nancy Goldblatt, Rene Rigby from Scottish Care as well as 45 Queens Manor residents and their families. The hospitality team provided canapes and everyone was treated to a range of chilled summer drinks including cocktails from Robyn’s Bar.
First onto the stage was multi award winning Flow Artist, Lai Yee, a contemporary street performer from Hong Kong, who wowed the crowd with his acrobatics, incredible juggling skills and his expertise on the Cyr wheel.
Then talented and versatile vocalist, Anna Vanosi, took to the stage and had everyone singing and dancing along to some rousing Italian classic songs. Both performances delighted the audience and left them shouting for more.
General Manager, Margaret-Ann Davidson said: “The Fringe Cares Fest is one of the highlights of our year, it is such a fantastic initiative and this year was no exception.
“We all spent a wonderful afternoon enjoying first Lai Yee’s acrobatics and then Anna’s brilliant vocals and that is the beauty of the Fringe, there is so much variety and every year we all have the best time. We’re so grateful to the performers and the organisers for bring Fringe Cares to our residents and their families.”
Queens Manor care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Queens Manor provides residential and residential dementia care for 60 residents from respite breaks to long term stays.
Our new programme is live! 
