Irish President receives Honorary Fellowship from Scotland’s National Academy

The President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, has been made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the highest honour it can bestow.

Her Fellowship was conferred during a visit to the RSE as part of her week-long series of engagements across Scotland. She becomes the third Irish President to receive this honour from the RSE and joins her predecessors Professor Mary Robinson HonFRSE and Professor Mary McAleese HonFRSE.

President Connolly said: “It is a privilege to receive this Honorary Fellowship from the Royal Society of Edinburgh and to have the opportunity of meeting with some of those working in such a wide range of disciplines for the public good.

RSE, Irish President Catherine Connolly

“I particularly welcome the work that is being undertaken between researchers in Ireland and Scotland which will help inform public policy in both countries.”

Galway-born President Connolly was elected as the 10th Irish President in 2025, serving as the third woman to do so. She was for many years an elected councillor and held senior offices such as the Mayor of Galway and Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy Chairperson of Dail Eireann), before being elected as President.

Ms Connolly has a master’s in clinical psychology and a law degree – practising in both fields before entering politics in 1999. She has a long history of commitment to social justice issues and community wellbeing.

The citation for President Connolly highlights her commitment to cultural and linguistic heritage in her politics – which was a large feature of her electoral campaign in 2025. She pledged to use her Presidency as a voice for peace, bringing her longstanding commitment to dialogue, inclusion and public service.

Professor Jo Shaw, General Secretary of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, said: “It is a true honour to welcome President Connolly into the RSE’s Fellowship.

“Throughout her career she has consistently demonstrated her passion and drive for helping others, from being a barrister and psychologist to her public service.

“An Honorary Fellowship is our Society’s highest honour that we can bestow, so on behalf of our entire Fellowship and staff I am deeply proud that President Connolly has accepted.”

President Connolly joins the ranks of the RSE Fellowship which numbers around 1800, who are elected in recognition of their commitment to public service, excellence in scientific endeavour or the world of business or the arts.

Honorary Fellowships recognise individuals of truly exceptional distinction who are internationally renowned and widely known outside their specialism. Other notable Honorary Fellows include broadcaster Sir David Attenborough, Olympian Baroness Katherine Grainger, musician Dr Annie Lennox, and physicist Professor Peter Higgs.

The Royal Society of Edinburgh has a long history of working with Ireland through the Royal Irish Academy (RIA), supporting researchers in both countries through its Ireland-Scotland Bilateral Network Grants. This partnership has supported research into domestic violence and the impact of COVID-19 on children and young adults.

Following President Connolly’s formal acceptance of her Honorary Fellowship, Professor Jemina Napier and Lucy Clark presented their research into domestic abuse of deaf women – one of the research projects that was a direct result of the Ireland-Scotland Bilateral Partnership. A roundtable discussion about deepening links and renewing the partnership then followed.

The partnership began in 2021, with the RIA and the RSE committing a maximum of £12,500 each to support two research projects. From 2026 this figure has increased to £15,000 each.

A total of 10 research projects have been supported between 2021 and last year, with five being administered by the RIA and five by the RSE. The projects that were funded covered a range of themes, including oceanography, rural, coastal or island communities, and diasporas.

Over the past five years, 40 applications were received from higher education institutions in Ireland and Scotland, with £122,000 being disbursed for projects in total.

As a result of the partnership continuing, research projects in 2026 will cover the theme of culture, language and sport.

The bilateral agreement is accomplished with the support of the Scottish Government Office in Ireland and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

PICTURES: Ian Georgeson

Supporting Stronger Communities

Increased funding for community projects in Programme for Government

Grassroots projects will be able to bid for a share of £500,000 to help build stronger communities this year as part of plans set out in the Programme for Government.

The Community Cohesion Fund, launched last year to help local community initiatives to address shared challenges such as social isolation, the cost-of-living crisis, inclusion, employment and housing, will be increased from £300,000 to £500,000 in 2026-27.

On a visit to the Big Hearts Community Trust in Edinburgh, Equalities Minister Simita Kumar said: “The Programme for Government places a renewed focus on community cohesion, setting out practical actions to strengthen our collective response to shared challenges and build more resilient communities.

“Building on the success of last year’s launch in supporting the excellent work of local organisations like Big Hearts, we are increasing the Community Cohesion Fund to £500,000 this year. This will mean we can help even more grassroots initiatives that bring communities together, tackle division and promote inclusion.

“We will also establish a Ministerial Taskforce on Community Cohesion to identify priority areas for action and address emerging issues affecting communities.”

Craig Wilson, Chief Executive, Big Hearts Community Trust said: “The universal language of football allows us to bring together people from a wide range of backgrounds, and offer them opportunities to build positive connections in their local community. 

“We were pleased to receive support from the Scottish Government and the STV Appeal Community Cohesion Fund to strengthen accessibility and inclusion across our support services here in Edinburgh.

“This funding enables our charity to host more football-based activities as a neutral entry point of engagement for isolated adults and young people, and extend the support to their families. We are committed to make their local football ground a trusted and friendly space where they are welcomed, feel listened to and supported.”

The Fund sits alongside substantial funding which supports wider initiatives on areas such as advancing anti-racism, interfaith dialogue, integration, tackling social isolation and loneliness – helping to build connected, inclusive and resilient communities by fostering trust, belonging and support for people and communities across Scotland

Full details of the 2026-27 Fund including routes to apply will be published shortly.

Edinburgh Leisure achieves Gold BOG STANDARD accreditation to support men living with incontinence

  • A third of men quit the gym after prostate cancer treatment – the initiative will support them back into good physical and mental health
  • Leisure Trust becomes first group to roll out bins across every site

Edinburgh Leisure has achieved the Gold BOG STANDARD accreditation by introducing dedicated male incontinence bins and product dispensers across its venues.

It is the first leisure trust in Scotland to roll out male sanitary bins and products across all its sites. Its commitment also means it provides more sanitary bins than any other organisation in the area, helping men affected by prostate cancer treatment and urinary incontinence.

Developed by phs and Prostate Cancer UK through the Dispose with Dignity initiative, the BOG STANDARD encourages organisations to provide appropriate facilities for men living with urinary incontinence.

One in eight men will get prostate cancer, and your risk doubles to one in four if you’re Black, but it can be curable if found early. As many as 60% of men who have a radical prostatectomy [surgical removal of the whole prostate and the prostate cancer cells inside it] may experience urinary incontinence1. But suitable disposal facilities in public male toilets remain limited.

Almost a third of men (29%) said they stopped going to the gym because of their incontinence and lack of sanitary bins. Almost two thirds of men (59%) have said missing out on everyday moments like this has negatively affected their mental health.2

Edinburgh Leisure welcomes more than 6 million customer visits each year across venues throughout the city. The new facilities will help ensure that men living with incontinence can use Edinburgh Leisure venues with greater confidence.

Edinburgh Leisure has installed 292 dedicated incontinence bins and 292 product dispensers across 26 venues, helping men dispose of incontinence products discreetly and hygienically. This means Edinburgh Leisure is providing more bins for its customers than any other organisation in the area.

By supporting men and implementing these measures, Edinburgh Leisure has signed up to The BOG STANDARD- the minimum standards Prostate Cancer UK and hygiene services provider phs Group is asking organisations to implement to cater for men with incontinence.

Gold BOG STANDARD accreditation recognises organisations that provide dedicated disposal bins and incontinence disposal bags and commit to raising awareness of prostate cancer and urinary incontinence.

Perrotine Orr, director of operations at Edinburgh Leisure, said: “Everyone should feel confident and welcome when using our venues. For men living with incontinence, access to the right facilities can make an important difference to whether they feel able to take part in everyday activities.

“By introducing dedicated disposal bags and bins, we hope more men will feel comfortable getting active or continuing to be active. We are proud to achieve Gold BOG STANDARD accreditation and to support greater awareness of prostate cancer and urinary incontinence.”

The BOG STANDARD Charter was developed by the Dispose with Dignity initiative, which aims to give men the confidence to go about their daily lives, free from the anxiety of having nowhere to change and dispose of their incontinence pads in public toilets. phs is the only hygiene provider that offers bins designed specifically for male incontinence products, which have been developed with Prostate Cancer UK supporters.

Matthew Brabin, CEO of phs said: “At a time when men need to be supported by businesses and workplaces, perhaps after receiving prostate cancer treatment, too many men are too anxious to leave the house, because the right facilities aren’t there for them.

“Whether it’s going to work, a conference, to their local sports club or even to the local for a pint, when there are no sanitary bins, men with incontinence are staying at home, when they should be with us. This is what our Dispose with Dignity initiative is trying to change, and we’re so pleased to see Edinburgh Leisure join the fight by signing up to The BOG STANDARD Charter.”

phs is the UK, Ireland and Spain’s leading hygiene services provider, and has been working with Prostate Cancer UK, the leading men’s health charity since 2023, to campaign for better facilities for men with incontinence as a part of their Dispose with Dignity initiative.

Prostate Cancer UK is the largest public funder of prostate cancer research in the UK, and has invested over £130 million into research that has made diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer safer and more accurate than ever before.

The charity has also helped tens of thousands of men campaign for change, sharing their stories to influence policymakers, and advocating to fight health inequalities, raise lifesaving awareness, and improve access to treatments and support that improve men’s lives and create a brighter future for men living with and after the most common cancer in the UK; prostate cancer.

Nick Ridgman, head of support services at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Many men need sanitary bins so they can dispose of their used pads discreetly and hygienically – but often these bins are nowhere to be found in men’s loos. It’s causing men stress and shame and keeping them from going to work and doing the things they love. 

“Edinburgh Leisure is now more welcoming and accessible for every customer and we hope other organisations will follow. We wholeheartedly support the Dispose with Dignity initiative and hope to see the UK Government supporting our call to change HSE guidance. This is the only way we can ensure men will have access to a male sanitary bin if they’re using toilets in public spaces. 

“Prostate Cancer UK is here for every man who’s navigating prostate cancer. If you need any support or information, you can talk to our Specialist Nurses on 0800 074 8383 or via our website.”

For more information about The BOG STANDARD please visit:

phs.co.uk/maleincontinence

Excellent! Scran Academy is Finalist in Qualification Scotland Centre of the Year awards

Edinburgh-based charity Scran Academy has been named a finalist for Centre of the Year at the Qualifications Scotland Excellence Awards 2026.

The charity, which provides vocational education for young people, has been recognised just two years after becoming a Qualification Scotland-approved centre.

The nomination marks a significant milestone for Scran Academy, which was founded in response to the number of young people struggling to engage with mainstream education.

Scran Academy works with young people to provide an education that fits their individual needs and aspirations. Through practical and vocational learning, the charity supports young people to gain qualifications, develop skills, confidence and build pathways towards employment and further opportunities.

Becoming a Qualification Scotland-approved centre two years ago was an important step in developing this work and expanding the qualifications Scran Academy can offer.

For young people the impact can be significant. Jacob, Scran graduate, said: “Scran offered me a place where I didn’t just feel like a number and it was a better alternative to sitting in a classroom doing nothing.

“I like Scran because it’s different to school in the way that it teaches us good qualities that the school system doesn’t.

“Qualifications at Scran were so much better in the sense that it was more hands-on and engaging than schoolwork. All the cooking qualifications helped me to get my job in a kitchen. I’m planning on working full time when I leave school and Scran qualifications are the reason I have the job in the first place.”

For Scran Academy, being named a finalist is recognition not only of the organisation’s work, but of the young people at the heart of it.

Will Bain, CEO says “To be shortlisted for Qualifications Scotland Centre of the Year is huge for us. It’s both a recognition of our track record and an acknowledgement that our relationship-based approach works.

“Young people are equal contributors at Scran – they help to decide what and how they learn, and are given a stake in running our catering social enterprise.

“It’s this rights-based, real-life approach that drives our success and has made this shortlisting happen.”

The Qualifications Scotland Excellence Awards 2026 recognise achievements across Scotland’s education, training and skills sector, with finalists selected across a range of categories.

For Scran Academy, being shortlisted for Centre of the Year comes just two years after becoming an approved centre and represents an important moment in the charity’s journey.

Scran Academy is now looking forward to celebrating alongside the other finalists at the Qualifications Scotland Excellence Awards 2026.

Leith charity has days left to stop the loss of iconic building

CAMPAIGN TO SAVE LEITH ST ANDREW’S

A Leith charity has just a few days left to try and keep an iconic local church building in community hands. Leith St. Andrew’s parish church is due to be sold off by the Church of Scotland and if sold to a private buyer, the local groups using the building will be forced to leave, with the wider community losing access to the building completely.

Leith St. Andrew’s Trust (LSAT) is a registered charity founded by concerned nearby residents; it is aiming to buy the building on behalf of the community so that it can continue to serve the people of Leith.

Volunteers have worked over the last two years to undertake feasibility studies, develop a viable business plan, and submit funding applications to secure the money needed to purchase the building. 

The Scottish Land Fund (SLF) is currently considering whether or not to grant the funding that the trust needs to buy the church, with a final decision due at the start of October.

Despite hundreds of survey responses showing strong community support for the plans developed by LSAT, the charity has been told that the number of local residents actually signed up as members is likely too low for SLF to award the money needed. 

In response, LSAT has launched a new membership drive, with door knocking, street stalls and a social media campaign, which has seen membership grow from just 47 local residents at the start of the recruitment drive to over 350 members in just 10 days. 

The charity’s eligible membership area only contains around 4000 residents in order to comply with government and funding guidance on community ownership, so membership levels have now reached almost 10% of the entire eligible population. 

Leith St. Andrew’s Trust has an ambitious target of recruiting another 450 members before the funding decision is made, but the deadline for updating the Scottish Land Fund on progress is 24th September so the charity has only a few days left. 

Nina Ballantyne, Leith St. Andrew’s Trust board member said: “We need as many eligible residents as possible to join Leith St. Andrew’s Trust as members to help show the Scottish Land Fund that this will be a genuinely community owned and managed building.

“Membership costs just £1 for a whole year. We’ve made great progress already but want to keep pushing in the time left, as without the Scottish Land Fund grant, the journey to community ownership is a lot more difficult, if not impossible.

“For 145 years the building has been at the heart of the community, and with more members, it can be a place that brings generations of Leithers together for many years to come.”

For more information on the campaign and how to support its efforts, please visit www.leithstandrewstrust.org or search for ‘Leith St. Andrew’s Trust” on Facebook or Instagram.

Audit Scotland: Transparency needed on ScotWind funds

The Scottish Government needs to be more transparent about how it will use £755 million raised by a high risk and reward offshore wind leasing round, says the Audit Commisson in a new report published today.

In 2020, Crown Estate Scotland (CES) launched ScotWind. The leasing round offered buyers capped prices for the option to develop the seabed – rather than maximising immediate returns through an open auction. The rationale for the decision was to increase the chance of securing long-term lease payments. The CES Board scrutinised the approach and it was agreed by the Scottish Government. However, no single business case for the ScotWind leasing round was produced.

In 2021, a rapid review of ScotWind was instigated when a rest-of-UK leasing round generated record revenue through an uncapped, open pricing approach. CES drew on external advice and increased the seabed development fee cap from £10,000 to £100,000, although a much higher cap was considered and rejected.

The rapid review also put new penalties in place to encourage developers to deliver on their supply chain commitments, but these need to be further strengthened for future leasing rounds.

The £755 million initially raised has been banked by Crown Estate Scotland over 12-month terms on behalf of the Scottish Government. This gives ministers maximum access to the funds and allows them to be used to balance the budget. However, it has limited Crown Estate Scotland’s investment options and financial returns.

Ministers have drawn down £96 million of ScotWind funds to date. But it is not clear how the money has been used to support the transition to net zero.

Nor is it clear how the Scottish Government intends to use remaining ScotWind funds over the course of the Parliament. That extends to the need for transparency around the purpose and operation of a new ScotWind Wealth Fund as ministers’ plans develop.

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “Crown Estate Scotland and the Scottish Government took a high risk and reward approach to the ScotWind leasing round. Whether that decision represents value for money will be determined in the coming years.

“If developers sign long-term leases before their option periods end, then annual payments will continue to benefit Scotland for the next 60 years.

“However, if they give up their options the capped option pricing model will result in limited wider economic benefits and substantially reduced public revenues.

“What is now important is that the Scottish Government is much more transparent about their plans for how the ScotWind funds will be used across this parliamentary term and beyond.”

nr_260917_scotwindDownload

North Edinburgh Arts: The First Women

FILM SCREENING and FOOD SHARING EVENT

We’re excited about the upcoming cinema event on Thursday 8 October celebrating community football, with a particular focus on women’s football.

We’ll be screening The First Women, a beautiful documentary following the Brazilian national women’s team, a film full of inspiring characters, friendship, and community spirit.

The First Women uncovers the untold stories of the pioneering women who formed Brazil’s first national women’s soccer team. Although women were legally barred from playing soccer until 1979, these trailblazers broke barriers and represented Brazil internationally throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Yet, despite their achievements, they received little public recognition or reward.

Thursday 8 October

Doors open & food sharing from 5.30pm (soup & bread served)

Screening starts: 6pm

Tickets: £2 (NEA Members); £4 (General Admission)

🎟Book your place at: https://northedinburgharts.co.uk/…/the-first-women…/

👉We’d love to hear from you if you’d like to take part in a panel discussion, or if you have photos, memories, or memorabilia to share about women and girls’ football in North Edinburgh. Email alice.betts@northedinbrugharts.co.uk

This screening is part of The Spanish Film Club series, organised by IberoDocs in collaboration with Edinburgh Council and was made possible with the support of Pragda, SPAIN arts & culture, and the Secretary of State for Culture of Spain.

‘People’s Power’ projects to give more control over local energy

Communities across the country will be able to build and control their own clean energy supply

  • Great British Energy rolls out first wave of biggest public community energy investment in UK history, backing local places to cut bills and take climate action
  • Local authorities and community energy groups can now access funding to build their own clean power projects
  • Communities to be offered an ownership stake in renewable energy projects, ensuring proceeds of clean power flow back into local areas

Communities across the country will be able to build and control their own clean energy supply that will help to cut bills, grow local wealth and tackle the climate crisis – with the rollout of People’s Power projects across the UK.

Local authorities and community energy groups across the UK will now be able to progress plans for their own clean power projects – from solar panels on local buildings to village-owned wind farms and hydro schemes in nearby rivers.

This will help to put money back in the pockets of communities and allow them to join in UK-wide climate action, following the record temperatures reached this summer due to climate change.

Great British Energy is today (Thursday 17 September) launching £30 million funding to kick start a community power revolution – the first downpayment on up to £1 billion, announced earlier this year, with the aim to support over 1,000 local and community-led clean energy projects across the UK.

These will be owned by community energy groups or local authorities, meaning local areas can reap the full benefits – from reduced bills for local services to ensuring profits from the clean power generated flow back into towns and villages, rather than just to energy companies.

After the heatwaves and extreme weather events seen this year, this funding will give communities a route to helping tackle climate change – empowering them to move away from fossil fuels with their own clean energy supply that will help cut emissions and protect their local area.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said: “I know many people are worried about climate change and feel like they’ve got no control over where their energy comes from, or how they can actually make a difference.

“Today we’re changing that by giving people power. Whether it’s solar panels on a local library or a community-owned wind farm, we’re letting people decide what clean energy projects they want and making sure they feel the benefits of the clean energy transition in their pockets too.”

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “All of us felt deep concern for our climate during the record-breaking temperatures we experienced this summer.

“Ahead of New York Climate week, we are putting power in the hands of people and places, so more communities can take action.

“Everyone deserves a stake in our energy future and through these local power projects, communities can reap the full benefits of clean energy – reducing emissions, cutting bills and reinvesting profits to benefit local areas, instead of big energy companies.”

CEO of Great British Energy Dan McGrail said: “These grants will give community organisations and local authorities the practical support they need to get clean energy projects off the ground – lowering bills, supporting jobs and putting the benefits from energy into local hands.”

Alongside funding specific local power projects, the government will also set out further details this Autumn on plans for community energy groups to be offered an ownership stake in renewable energy projects.

This aims to create partnerships between communities and developers that will see proceeds of clean power flow back into local areas. It will bring Britain in line with countries like Germany and Denmark, where this type of ownership set up is already widely used – allowing communities to benefit directly from local clean power.

It comes as a host of Great British Energy schemes come online, helping local services save on energy bills in towns and cities across England.

Over 150 renewable projects have now switched-on for public buildings in England’s Mayoral Combined Authorities, with more to follow – which together could see up to £50 million in total energy bill savings reinvested in local services.

New Scots Gathering puts stories at the heart of change

North Edinburgh event brings the refugee and migration sector together to explore how narrative can influence policy, public attitudes and belonging

Over 80 organisations, practitioners and community leaders from across Edinburgh and central Scotland came together at North Edinburgh Arts on Wednesday 16 September for EVOC’s 2026 ‘New Scots Gathering: Stories That Shape Change’ event.

The fully booked event explored how storytelling and narrative can influence systems and decision-making, challenge harmful narratives about migration, strengthen public understanding and support New Scots to shape the policies and services that affect their lives.

The morning plenary considered how stories can be used as a tool to influence policy and decision maker on the issues that matter to the lives of New Scots.

This was followed by four workshops giving practical case studies from across Scotland and the opportunity for participants to learn and share together.

The afternoon was led by creative voices, exploring how the sector can tell stories that are impactful and that shape public attitudes.

The Gathering was opened by Simita Kumar MSP, Minister for Equalities and International Development; Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council; and John Hawryluk, EVOC’s Service Lead.

Minister for Equalities and International Development Simita Kumar MSP said “Public services, third sector organisations and community groups play a really important role in Scotland’s warm welcome and ongoing work to support refugees and people seeking asylum.

“I am grateful for all their efforts and contributions – here in Edinburgh and further afield. This has been a hugely valuable event, underlining the importance of collaboration to the success of the New Scots approach in continuing to support refugees, people seeking asylum and communities across Scotland now and in the future.”

Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council said “I’m proud that Edinburgh remains a diverse and welcoming city. We are, after all, a city of migrants.

“Many of us are migrants or have migrants in our families. Many have lived here for generations and some of the city’s best loved institutions are thanks to those who have chosen to build their lives here.

“We all benefit from this, and our city and its culture are all the better for it – something we’re aiming to promote through our ‘Edinburgh is Our Home’ campaign.

“Unfortunately, however, with a rise in racist language, political rhetoric and hate crimes, we know that some in our communities are understandably feeling uneasy or unsafe.

“That’s why it’s more important than ever for us to come together and challenge this harmful messaging and I’m very grateful to EVOC for organising this gathering of New Scots. It was so moving and insightful to hear their stories and perspectives first hand and I’m determined to do everything I can to make sure Edinburgh remains a place where people from across the world want to call home.”

John Hawryluk, EVOC’s Service Lead commented “The stories told about migration can shape public attitudes, services and policy.

“This third edition of the Gathering created space for organisations working alongside and with New Scots to connect policy discussion with creative practice, share what they are learning and consider how we can communicate with greater purpose and care.

“Bringing people together from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and other parts of Scotland showed the value of collaboration. We want to build on these conversations and support approaches that strengthen participation, challenge harmful narratives and help create communities where everyone can belong.”

Recorded sessions from the Gathering will be shared through EVOC’s digital channels after the event. Anyone interested in the next stages of this work can sign up to EVOC’s newsletter for updates.

Job Fair at Millennium Centre

WEDNESDAY 23 SEPTEMBER from 10am – 1pm

Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network

@esenscot

Join Capital City Partnership for the Muirhouse Community Job Fair!

Find a new job & training opportunities with a variety of employers and get help with CV’s, applications, interviews & more

Wednesday 23 September 10am – 1pm at Muirhouse Millenium Centre

https://helix.hanlonsonline.co.uk/Web%20Forms/Public/ClientRegistrationWizard.aspx?ID=189