We’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported our 2025 Light Up a Life appeal. Thanks to the generous support of our community, the appeal raised over £110,000.
This incredible sum is already making a difference to people across Edinburgh and East Lothian, and will help us to expand our work to reach even more people in 2026. Thank you for your support!
Our Charity Shop reopens on Monday 19th January.
Come on down and grab a bargain, everything is half price!!
We’re excited to share a fantastic creative opportunity for local adults who would like to develop skills in jewellery making at North Edinburgh Arts.
We have a couple of places available for an extended jewellery programme with Flourish Jewellery Project, open to local adults living in Granton or Pilton.
Workshops will run weekly on Thursday mornings, 10.30am – 12.30pm, from February to August 2026.
As places are limited, participants must be able to commit to attending weekly to ensure they get the most out of this opportunity.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY:
Places are being offered to adults (aged 18+). The course is funded by City of Edinburgh Council Forth Ward so to be eligible to attend you must live in Granton or Pilton.
If you are interested in taking part but unsure if your address is eligible, please get in touch.
TO APPLY FOR A PLACE:
Email Lisa at hello@flourishjewelleryproject.com and include the following information:
– Your full name
– Your address and postcode
– Contact telephone number
– Tell us why you would like to attend the extended Jewellery programme?
A national review into the provision of Additional Support for Learning (ASL) will be led by former Chief Inspector of Education in Scotland Janie McManus.
Announcing the appointment to Parliament, Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said Ms McManus will lead an expert group to examine how to strengthen delivery, including provision in schools and how policy is translating into effective practice.
The review report will be completed within two months and be shared at a National Engagement Event on 12 March. This will be the first in a series of events, enabling teachers and practitioners to come together and showcase effective ASL practice from different local authorities across the country.
The Education Secretary said: “I am delighted that Janie McManus, our Professional Advisor for Education, is leading this work. She brings substantial experience in inclusive education and system improvement, and will lead a rigorous, evidence-informed review.
“Our ASL National Engagement Event will also provide an opportunity for stakeholders to come together, reflect on the findings, and to hear more about the short, actionable improvement agenda, which will inform the next phase of ASL policy design.
“This work will mean we are in a strong position to shape the next phase of ASL policy, ensuring future developments move swiftly from insight to implementation.
“Our commitment is unwavering to build an education system where school staff have the tools and confidence to meet diverse needs and where children and young people with additional support needs thrive – every day, in every classroom, in every community.”
Burns Night Supper – Monday 26th January 6 – 7.30pm
Join us at the centre for a free Burns Night celebration with good food, poetry, and a warm, friendly atmosphere.
A lovely evening to enjoy together and celebrate Scotland’s national poet.
Booking required – limited places available, please get in touch to secure your space.
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL EVENTS NEXT MONTH
On a dark winter’s night, what could be more uplifting than hearing from leading Scottish authors? We know… seeing them for FREE! 
Taking place in partnership with Edinburgh Libraries, our flagship communities project Paper Trails is kicking off the year in Muirhouse Library and North Edinburgh Arts for a special series of events this February.
Poetry, fantasy, crime, fiction… we’ve got it all covered with our top-tier line-up of speakers (if we do say so ourselves). And don’t miss the half term workshops for keeping little minds busy on the school break.
Tickets are free but booking is required. These events are going fast so find out dates and book in quick: ticketsource.co.uk/muirhouse-library
#EdinburghInternationalBookFestival
Paper Trails is made possible thanks to #NationalLottery players as well as Cruden Foundation and the Ettrick Charitable Trust.
Edinburgh College’s Sighthill Campus has welcomed the opening of a brand-new hub for childcare students.
The new immersive teaching space, which is designed to simulate all the sights, sounds and smells of a real-world nursery, will let prospective practitioners get some all-important hands-on experience, while also allowing for their classroom studies, helping prepare students to enter the workforce after they complete their courses.
As well as prospective practitioners, the space is used for professional development courses, with the College offering qualifications ranging from SCQF Level 4 through to SCQF Level 9.
The space, which came about as a result of increased demand for Childhood Practice courses, features lots of open space and outdoor inspired design touches, to improve focus and mental wellbeing. There are doors painted with forest scenes, alongside sky tiles on the ceiling.
There’s a kitchen which can be used to practice food hygiene, as well as make cups of tea, while dedicated quiet areas will allow students to sit down and take a break when needed. The different learning spaces let practitioners explore how play takes place in a nursery setting.
Doors open up into a garden to simulate free flow indoor/outdoor learning and teaching, lining up with current professional standards in the early learning and childcare sector.
Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with the spaciousness and amount of natural light pouring in seen as a big bonus, making it a warm, welcoming and interactive environment in which to learn.
Rooms will also be utilised for yoga classes and other events, with students from across the College able to book it out.
Jacqueline Vural, the Head of School for Childhood Practice, is excited to see the hub being put to use: “Developing this space at Sighthill Campus is ensuring that Edinburgh College is at the forefront of providing high quality learning and teaching in childhood practice, responding to demand from the public and private sectors for highly qualified staff.
“It’ll mean students can experience first-hand, immersive activities that replicate what it’s like to work in a childcare setting. It will give them confidence and motivation to go into their placements and gain the skills they need to move into employment after college.”
This year alone the College has received over 900 enrolments on Childhood Practice courses – this includes around 300 full-time students.
The space was officially opened on Thursday (15 January 2026) by Dr. Suzanne Zeedyk, a renowned developmental psychologist and Honorary Fellow at the University of Dundee.
Find out more about Childhood Practice courses on the Edinburgh College website.
More children across Scotland will have access to free after school activities as part of the government’s national mission to tackle poverty.
The Scottish Government’s Extra Time Programme, delivered in partnership with the Scottish Football Association, supports local football clubs and trusts to provide free before school, after school and holiday activity clubs to primary school children from low income families.
Last year up to 5,000 children across 28 local authority areas were able to attend regular services which provide childcare options for their parents.
The 2026-27 Scottish Budget is increasing investment to expand delivery and reach of after school services, building on the success of the Extra Time programme, in areas where it is required for families most in need.
First Minister John Swinney met pupils benefiting from after school activities provided by Hibernian Community Foundation as part of the programme.
First Minister John Swinney said: “We know that families greatly value the services provided through the Extra Time Programme, which extend the school day, helping parents enter and sustain employment.
“The clubs are also hugely popular with children, enabling them to take part in football and other activities, learn new skills and access healthy food – helping improve their physical and mental wellbeing.
“The Scottish Government has supported the successful delivery of the programme through grassroots football clubs and trusts across the country, working closely with schools and community organisations.
“This is an excellent example of how we are improving outcomes for families and delivering on my priorities for Scotland – tackling poverty and growing our economy.”
Following publication of a new systematic review and meta-analysis in The Lancet Obstetrics, Gynaecology, & Women’s Health which found no evidence that paracetamol use during pregnancy increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD or intellectual disability among children, the MHRA has reaffirmed that paracetamol continues to be the safest option for managing pain and fever during pregnancy.
Dr Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA, said: “Paracetamol remains safe to use during pregnancy. This large-scale analysis of the evidence found no link between taking paracetamol during pregnancy and autism, ADHD, or disability in children.
“Paracetamol has been used for many years and is the recommended first choice for treating pain or fever during pregnancy. When taken as directed, it is safe and effective.
“As with all medicines, pregnant women should speak to their doctor, pharmacist or midwife if they have any questions, and follow the guidance provided with the medicine.”
Paracetamol is recommended as the first-choice painkiller for pregnant women, used at the lowest dose and for the shortest duration.
If pain does not resolve, then patients are advised to seek advice from their healthcare professional.
See NHS Guidance – Pregnancy, breastfeeding and fertility while taking paracetamol for adults
January often arrives with a wave of “new year, new you” messages – promises of miracle diets, detoxes, and overnight transformations. But what if, instead of leaning into strict restrictions, we embrace small steps and consistency? Because let’s face it, slow and steady always wins the race (well, the marathon at least)!
In this months Healthy Tip Amie Leckie, Registered Nutritional Therapist and Health & Wellbeing Specialist at Heart Research UK offers up her top five ways to eat better this year, not just for January, but all the way through to December and beyond!
Optimal health doesn’t happen overnight, it’s a slow and steady journey that requires small, consistent changes. The five strategies below aren’t rocket science, and you won’t need a degree in nutrition to understand them – it’s simple, back-to-basics stuff that doesn’t require any special supplements or equipment. If you are struggling with your health and want 2026 to be the year you finally tackle it, start with these five simple things and be consistent – you’ll be surprised with the results you achieve.
And whatever your nutrition goals are this year, we’ve got you covered with five delicious Daily Meal Plans to help get you started on the right foot.
Cook From Scratch
Cooking more things at home is one of the best things you can do for overall health. When we cook at home, we have complete control over the ingredients used. This allows us to avoid unhealthy additives, preservatives, and unhealthy fats commonly found in processed foods.
In addition, foods prepared from fresh ingredients are usually richer in essential nutrients compared to highly processed foods. Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants found in whole foods are often lost or decreased during processing – by cooking from scratch, we ensure our bodies receive the full spectrum of nutrients necessary for optimal function.
If you currently eat a lot of processed foods such as ready meals, instant soups, frozen pizzas and flavoured yoghurts, start by committing to cook from scratch a few meals or days per week – slowly build up until processed foods form only a small part of your diet.
Batch Cook/Prep
One of the biggest barriers to consistently eating well is time, or lack of. When days or even weeks get busy, despite our best intentions, we often reach for quick, easy options and these usually aren’t the healthiest.
Amie Leckie, Health & Wellbeing Specialist says: “Setting aside a couple of hours each week to batch cook a few meals and organise snacks for the week ahead really can be a game changer.
“If you have carrot sticks and melon slices waiting for you in the fridge, it will be much easier to snack on those over crisps.”
Sunday afternoon is a good time, go shopping and get cooking – things like a batch of soup for lunches, hummus and veg sticks for snacks, boiled eggs for breakfast and a couple of batch cooked evening meals like curries or a veggie-packed lasagne are great options.
Even if you don’t want to cook the whole meal ahead of time, you can chop veggies, mix spices or marinate meats and fish – do whatever you can ahead of time to make the week run smoother.
Snack on Veggies
We all know that eating more vegetables is good for our overall health as well as our cardiovascular health, but without adding them into our days as snacks it can be hard to consume as much as we need.
All adults should be consuming at least 30g of fibre per day, but only about 4% of adults in the UK meet this recommendation. Upping your vegetable intake is a great way to add more fibre – raw veggies make great snacks that can be prepared in advance. Carrots, celery, cucumber, peppers, cherry tomatoes and sugar snap peas make great options.
If the thought of snacking on plain veggies isn’t for you, why not try some of our heart healthy dips to make those humble vegetables more appealing?
You can download our Dips Recipe Book here.
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is an essential part of nutrition and can either help or hinder your heart’s ability to work effectively. Studies have found that being adequately hydrated is associated with reduced long-term risks for heart diseases.
Did you know that over 66% of the UK population doesn’t drink enough water?
Amie says: “Every single cell in our body needs water to function optimally, its such a simple, yet often overlooked part of the health puzzle.
“If you are even moderately dehydrated it can impact your energy levels, cause brain fog and leaving feeling all-round rubbish.”
Most adults need to drink about 1.5-2 litres of fluids per day (milk and herbal teas count too!), you can download our 30-Day Hydration Tracker to help you keep track of this.
Meal Plan
Meal planning links in with batch cooking and prepping. Taking time each week to write down what meals you will eat each day will take away the decisions during the week making it less likely you’ll end up ordering a takeaway.
What’s more, you can plan your meals based on your goals – for example, if you are aiming to loose weight, plan high protein meals that will help keep you feeling fuller for longer, making it easier and more enjoyable for you to cut calories.
Amie suggests: “One of my favourite strategies is to meal plan very well once and never do it again. Make two or three weeks’ worth of meal plans, with accompanying shopping lists and then alternate the weeks.
“Three weeks is a long enough time that you’ll get in a variety of meals so you won’t be bored, and you can swap out the odd meal here and there when you find a new recipe you enjoy – spend some time doing it upfront and save the headaches every week!”
Heart Research UK Daily Meal Plans.
Each plan focuses on a key dietary principle that supports heart health, so you can choose what fits your goals and lifestyle.
Whether you want to boost your protein, add more fibre, eat more plants, or simply find healthier ways to celebrate, these plans are here to help you start the year strong.
Pick one that speaks to your goals or try a different one each week to explore new flavours and habits.
You might be surprised at how quickly “eating well” starts to feel like a joy, not a chore: download them now.
