JOIN the AtkinsRealis team tomorrow (Friday 26 September) from 2pm to see the Concept Designs for improving flooding issues on Easter Drylaw Avenue and Easter Drylaw Drive.
The organisers say:
‘Currently, during high rainfall, this junction and surrounding homes experience flooding.
‘The objective of this project is to respond to the existing drainage challenges in the area by incorporating nature-based solutions.
‘Through the strategic use of planting, green spaces and Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS), the project will help to manage rainwater naturally by capturing surface water in an attenuation feature (Eh? – Ed).
‘This will helpslow water down from entering the sewage system, reducing pressure and lowering the risk of flooding on streets, footpaths, homes and gardens.
‘To ensure the project delivers a green community space suited to local aspirations, we would love to hear what you would like to see incorporated in this project.’
We’ll be on the corner of Easter Drylaw Avenue and Easter Drylaw Drive (foot of Easter Drylaw Bank) from 2pm.
Not going to be at home tomorrow? You can still get in touch with your thoughts or any questions at flood.management@edinburgh.gov.uk
As the world marks World Falls Day on 22nd September, Edinburgh Leisure is shining a spotlight on its Balanced Life programme – a specialist initiative helping adults reduce their risk of falling and maintain independence.
Falls are one of the leading causes of injury and hospital admissions among older adults. They place a significant burden on the NHS and social care, but many are preventable. It is estimated that falls cost the NHS more than £2.3 billion annually. In 2023, over 15,000 people attended A&E in relations to a fall, 10,000 of which were people over 50 years old. (Lothian Falls Prevention and Management Framework).
Working in collaboration with the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership (EHSCP), Balanced Life is integrated into Edinburgh’s new Falls Prevention and Management Pathway and is already making a difference across Edinburgh.
As well as Balanced Life, working in partnership with EHCP has enabled Edinburgh Leisure to grow their provision from 33 to 73 classes per week creating capacity to support 2,632 adults this year to improve their balance, strength, and confidence – key factors in preventing falls.
Balanced Life is an evidence-based two-tiered falls prevention programme designed for adults who have had or are at risk of having a fall. Offering a range of tailored classes which build strength, balance and mobility, this programme supports people to maintain their independence and enhance their quality of life through targeted exercises delivered by specially qualified instructors.
Level 1 – Active Balance is a weekly class focusing on functional exercises that promote balance, confidence and daily movement
Level 1 – Grounded Balance is a weekly class which teaches participants how to get down to and up from the floor safely using backward training principles to reduce ‘long lies’ following a fall
Level 1 – Dynamic Balance is a weekly circuit-based class which focuses on strength and functional fitness
Level 2 – Balance Plus is designed for people with a higher falls risk of having a fall. People referred to Balance Plus are asked to attend 3 classes per week to build their strength, mobility and balance confidence
Claire Craig, Health and Wellbeing Manager at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Falls are widely recognised as a significant and costly, yet largely preventable, source of harm within the health and social care system.
“We are excited to be working with Health & Social Care to expand our successful Steady Steps programme, launching a new two-tiered programme to reduce falls and frailty in the city.
“This collaboration is focused on reducing avoidable harm caused by falls and delivering meaningful, city-wide benefits for the people of Edinburgh, improving lives and helping ease pressure on the NHS.”
Hannah Cairns, Chief Allied Health Professional at the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said: “We have enjoyed working closely with Edinburgh Leisure on the falls prevention pathway.
“They bring a wealth of experience in the role of physical activity in health and wellbeing, and have a proven track record of delivering groups and services that have a positive impact on people’s lives.
“We are proud to support the development of Balance Life, a key contributor to the integration of physical activity within the newly developed falls prevention and management pathway.
“This collaboration is focused on reducing avoidable harm caused by falls and delivering meaningful, city-wide benefits for the people of Edinburgh.”
By supporting people to stay active and steady on their feet, Balanced Life is helping to reduce avoidable falls and the associated healthcare costs.
Balanced Life is referral-only, ensuring those most at risk are supported. Health and social care professionals can refer eligible individuals.
Edinburgh Leisure remains committed to promoting healthy ageing and tackling health inequalities through inclusive physical activity programmes.
Royal Air Force Typhoon patrolled the skies over Poland as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry mission
Royal Air Force Typhoons have flown their first NATO air defence sortie over Poland as part of NATO’s Eastern Sentry, strengthening the Alliance’s defences on its eastern flank following a reckless Russian drone incursion.
Two British fighter jets took off from RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on Friday night, supported by an RAF Voyager aircraft, to patrol Polish skies and deter and defend against aerial threats from Russia, including drones. They returned safely to the UK early Saturday morning.
This first operational mission follows the reckless and dangerous incursion by Russian drones into Polish sovereign airspace – the most significant violation of NATO airspace by President Putin to date since his illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine – and further breaches of NATO airspace by Russian jets and a drone over the past week.
On Monday, the Defence Secretary visited RAF Brize Norton, home of the Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft, to announce the UK’s contribution. He met with some of the RAF personnel who are among more than 400 personnel set to directly support these missions.
The UK operation comes as the UK marks the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain this weekend, with the UK and Poland sharing a poignant history. Just as during the Battle of Britain, when Polish pilots came to the aid of the UK forming one of the largest and most successful foreign contingents in the RAF, the UK is now standing side by side with the UK’s Polish allies in the face of Russian aggression.
The UK commitment follows last week’s North Atlantic Council meeting where Allies expressed full solidarity with Poland after it requested consultations under Article 4 of the Washington Treaty.
Defence Secretary, John Healey MP, said: “RAF Typhoons have now flown their first air defence mission over Poland, sending a clear signal: NATO airspace will be defended.
“I’m proud of the outstanding British pilots and air crew who took part in this successful operation to defend our Allies from reckless Russian aggression.
“This weekend, as we honour the heroism of the Battle of Britain generation, it is especially poignant that RAF pilots and crew are once again standing shoulder to shoulder with Poland in defence of our shared security – making us secure at home and strong abroad.”
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth, said: “Our partnership with NATO has never been stronger. This sortie marks the RAF’s first operational mission on Eastern Sentry, reinforcing the UK’s steadfast commitment to NATO and its allies.
“RAF Typhoons, supported by Voyager air-air refuelling aircraft, joined allies along the eastern flank to bolster NATO’s defence and deterrence.
“We remain agile, integrated, and ready to project airpower at range.”
This new era of threat – exemplified by Russia’s intensifying airspace violations – requires a new era for Defence, and the government is delivering the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War, to 2.6% of GDP by April 2027. The UK’s national security , the foundation of the government’s Plan for Change, starts with an unwavering commitment to NATO and Euro-Atlantic security.
The UK’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable. British Armed Forces continue to play a leading role in the Alliance, from the Army’s continuing presence in Estonia as part of NATO’s Forward Land Forces, to the RAF’s enduring air policing missions in Europe.
Over the past 18 months, the RAF has deployed Typhoons to both Poland and Romania to protect NATO airspace.
Typhoons are equipped with advanced sensors and infrared-guided ASRAAM missiles (Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missiles), making them ideally suited to detecting, monitoring and intercepting potential aerial threats.
We’re thrilled to announce that Earth In Common is growing!
Earth In Common is expanding beyond Leith and will be setting up two new urban crofts in the Trinity and Costorphine neighbourhoods!
Get involved in these exciting new projects by helping out at our very first volunteer days at our new sites. We will be at St Margaret’s Park on 23rd Sep and Victoria Park on 24th Sep so come along to lend a hand and meet the team!
Swipe through for more details and get in touch with us if you have any queries!
Police have released images of a man they believe may be able to assist with their investigation into a serious assault in Edinburgh that took place on Clerk Street around 10.45pm on Tuesday, 12 August 2025.
The man in the image is described as white, around 30 to 40 years old and of slim build. He was wearing a white t-shirt with a collar and carrying a black Fox Racing rucksack on his back.
Detective Sergeant Mark Richmond said: “We would encourage this man, anyone who may recognise him, or anyone with information about this incident to get in touch.”
Anyone who can assist is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 4130 of 12 August 2025. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be given anonymously.
More people impacted by drugs have received support after the Scottish Government funded 225 community-based projects across the country.
The National Drugs Mission Funds distributed almost £13 million in grants in 2024-25 through the Corra Foundation. In 2024-25, there were more than 51,000 interactions with support services, an increase from 33,613 the previous year thanks to sustained funding.
The multi-year funding helps people in crisis and provides continued support throughout their recovery, including access to medication assisted treatment and residential rehabilitation.
Drugs Policy Minister Maree Todd said: “These funds are enabling vital, community-led work that supports people affected by drug harm with care, compassion, and dignity.
“The projects are focused on a wide range of areas, including recovery, mental health, reducing stigma and supporting young people.
“This report highlights the progress and impact of these projects and the types of support provided directly to people, their families and communities impacted by drugs. I have been especially struck by the creativity, resilience and partnership shown by organisations delivering support which is rooted locally, with more than 51,000 interactions this past year.
“I’m proud to continue the work of those who came before me, and to be part of a mission that is turning hope into action. My sincere thanks go to Corra, and to every person and project involved – these efforts are saving lives and helping to build a Scotland where recovery is real and support is always within reach.”
Corra Foundation Chief Executive Carolyn Sawers said:“Corra is honoured to work in partnership with organisations that are making a meaningful difference to the lives of people affected by drug use in Scotland.
“This report recognises the vital work of these projects, the committed efforts to reduce drug harm and the challenges encountered in addressing the issue.
“It makes clear the importance of access to multi-year funding to provide security for organisations to sustain their work.”
Take One Action has launched its 2025 film festivals in Edinburgh, with the theme of Real Utopias, using cinema as a way to gather together to explore and imagine local and global solutions to some of the pressing issues of our time.
Festival dates are 17-21 September in Edinburgh, with most screenings taking place at the freshly re-opened Filmhouse.
Our opening night event and a radical documentary workshop will be hosted by Grassmarket Community Project today and Friday.
The Edinburgh festival will feature films from Mexico to Kenya via the US, UK and Philippines and will explore ideas from community responses to climate change to trans identity and thriving, workers’ rights and speculative futures where prisons no longer exist.
We’re excited to present the Scottish premieres of creative documentaries Power Station, How To Build A Library and NIÑXS, as well as exploring unions and community organising through Amazon documentary Union and housing justice in Scotland through archive film Red Skirts on Clydeside in collaboration with local branches of Living Rent (full details on these films in Editor’s Notes below).
For the first time we have included a grassroots co-programming strand across our festivals – working with groups in different cities to hand over the reins of programming and support screenings that reflect their priorities and interests.
In Edinburgh, for our opening night event, we are screening Black Butterflies and The Miracle on George Green tonight in collaboration with Empowering Multicultural Communities Alliance, and there will also be a discussion on how to get into filmmaking for change, featuring local filmmakers Laura Carreira, Razan Madhoon and Maria Paz Gonzalez. This event has already sold out but there are still some tickets available for most of the others.
Take One Action director Rachel Hamada says: “We can’t wait to kick off our 2025 Take One Action film festivals here in Edinburgh today, and we are delighted to open with a collaboration with local migrant-led women’s group Empowering Multicultural Communities Alliance.
“That screening is already sold out, showing the demand for cultural events that are community-driven. But you can still join us for some of our other screenings – the selection of films and events we have for you embody this year’s theme of Real Utopias – both messy and beautiful. All of our screenings and workshops should hopefully leave you with a spring in your step and ideas for what to do next.”
Curator Xuanlin Tham says: “At Take One Action, we know people regularly come to us for a sense of connection and active hope, which is a responsibility we take seriously. In ever-darker and more violent, despairing times all over the world, it’s utterly crucial for us to root into a sense of imagination and possibility – to harness our collective power, understand our intertwined and collective struggles, and begin to build the world we deserve right on our doorstep.”
You can see the full programme, dates and booking details on our website here. After Edinburgh the festival will take place on 25-28 September in Glasgow, with films and workshops at GMAC; 10-12 October in Inverness at Eden Court; and 7-9 November in Dundee at the DCA and Dundee Libraries’ Steps Theatre.
Take One Action are pleased to keep building on their access provision year on year. Commitments include:
– All films presented with descriptive subtitles
– Live BSL/English interpretation at a selection of events
– Live captions at a selection of events
– Tickets available on a pay-what-you-can basis across all venues – Audience access fund for travel and childcare
– Detailed content notes and access notes available for each film
Take One Action’s 2025 film festivals have been made possible by an array of funders and supporters, including The National Lottery through Screen Scotland’s Film Festival and Screening Programme Fund, Film Hub Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council’s Local Events Open Fund, the Regenerative Futures Fund and the Royal Society of Edinburgh, as well as our generous crowdfund supporters and community members.
We are also grateful for the support of The National Lottery’s Awards for All Scotland for supporting our community-led local action and advocacy work.
Glasgow’s biggest ever city-wide event to celebrate people in recovery will be held on Glasgow Green on Saturday, 20 September from 12-5pm.
The free event – People Make Recovery – will bring together individuals, community members, families and services from across the city who are working hard to help break the stigma surrounding addiction and promote Glasgow as an inclusive city where people are free to recover without judgement.
It’s organised by the Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP), Freed Up and other key partners to celebrate the achievements as a city with an event that raises the profile of recovery in Glasgow.
People Make Recovery will be on from 12pm – 5pm at Glasgow Green with a host of activities and events for all the family.
Cllr Allan Casey, City Convener for Homelessness and Addiction Services, said: “We want to show that people can and do recover from addiction – we have around 1000 residents in the city who attend recovery groups every week.
They do remarkable work. People in recovery are often stigmatised. Our recovery communities each have a full programme of activity supported by teams of volunteers at different stages of recovery.
We hope this event will encourage people affected by addiction to come along to Glasgow Green and see for themselves that support is available and people do recover.”
Glasgow’s Recovery Communities provide peer led, aftercare support to people seeking recovery from alcohol and/or drug issues. Since their beginnings in 2014, recovery communities have grown considerably through the efforts of volunteers in recovery and are now established, commissioned services with charitable status and very significant partners in the ADP.
September is Recovery Month and serves as a vital platform to raise awareness about alcohol and substance use recovery, celebrate the achievements of individuals in recovery, and promote services and community groups supporting people in recovery.
Services across the city host events and celebrations to acknowledge the contributions made by their volunteers, the hard work of their staff and the achievement of those on their recovery journey.
Pat Togher, Chief Officer for Health and Social Care Partnership said: “This event is about showcasing the great work of our recovery volunteers and the lived experience of those who continue to make improvements in their lives despite the challenges they are faced with.
“This event focuses on moving forward positively but equally recognises the scale of complexity involved – the positive work going on in and around communities, the work of the volunteers and staff in recovery and to let people know support is available. People do recover and we should recognise and embrace this.”
Activities on the day include:
Talking Library: Individuals sharing inspirational personal recovery stories, providing hope and encouragement to others.
Resource Fair: ADP partner organisations offering information about treatment programs, peer support groups, employability, recovery events.
Main stage: live music, drama, poetry readings, spoken word, highlighting the role of creativity in recovery.
Holistic Therapies: Massage, Reiki, Sound bowls
Family Activities: Face Painting, Outdoor games, Soft Play
The event will be alcohol and drug free with snacks and soft drinks being provided by national charity, Rapid Relief Team.
The Recovery movement in Glasgow is supported by numerous partners and services, including the community Recovery Hubs, the residential crisis and stabilisation services, the residential rehab services, counselling services and fellowship groups. There are 35 organisations represented on the ADP Recovery subgroup. Key partners include Freed Up, With You, Crossreach, SISCO, Turning Point Scotland and Glasgow’s Recovery Communities.
More information about Glasgow’s Recovery Community’s can be found via links below:
Greens will protect families in Edinburgh with introduction of rent controls
Lorna Slater, the Scottish Green MSP for Lothian, has urged all parties to back the introduction of rent controls and stronger protections for tenants when parliament votes on the Housing Bill next week.
Scottish Government statistics show that between 2010 and 2024 average rents for a newly-let 2 bedroom flat in Edinburgh reached £1358, an increase of 104%.
This Bill is only happening because of the Scottish Greens, who introduced it to ensure that rent controls and new rights for renters were at the heart of the legislation.
Lorna Slater said: “The introduction of rent controls will be a big step forward for people in Edinburgh, and will finally help to end the imbalance of power between them and their landlords.
“The rental market is broken, and fundamental change is needed. Rents in the capital city have skyrocketed while wages have stagnated. Rogue landlords have been able to get away with ripping off renters for far too long.
“Greens introduced this bill to protect renters. No-one should be forced to shell out so much of their pay on rent, while landlords rack up cash. I am proud of the work that we have done to put renters’ rights at the heart of this legislation.
“All renters and families deserve financial stability, and should not have to worry about losing the roof over their heads. Homes are for living in and not for profiteering. We need to make unaffordable rent hikes become a thing of the past.”
We’re thrilled to announce that Earth In Common is growing! 
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Get involved in these exciting new projects by helping out at our very first volunteer days at our new sites. We will be at St Margaret’s Park on 23rd Sep and Victoria Park on 24th Sep so come along to lend a hand and meet the team!
Swipe through for more details and get in touch with us if you have any queries!
Look forward to seeing you there!
There will be no community lunch today (19 September) or 26 September
