TODAY: Solidarity Against Poverty

COST OF LIVING CRISIS – PUBLIC MEETING

SUNDAY 5 JULY at 4pm – ST AUGUSTINE UNITED CHURCH

Book Your Stall at the Volunteer Recruitment Fair 2026

Don’t Miss Out – Bookings Are NOW OPEN!

Be part of Edinburgh’s largest volunteer recruitment event and connect with over 1,000 people actively looking to volunteer.

The Volunteer Recruitment Fair is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your organisation, raise awareness of your work and meet enthusiastic potential volunteers face-to-face.

Organisations of all sizes — local and national — are invited to take part in this energetic and inspiring event, bringing together charities, community groups and volunteers from across the city and beyond.

Why Take Part?

  • Meet hundreds of motivated potential volunteers in one day
  • Promote your organisation and current opportunities
  • Build valuable community connections
  • Increase awareness of the impact of your work
  • Be part of a positive, high-profile citywide event

About the Fair
📅 Tuesday 1 September
🕙 10am – 5.30pm
📍 St Paul’s and St George’s Church, York Place
With free public entry, a welcoming café space and a lively atmosphere throughout the day, the fair continues to be one of the most rewarding volunteer engagement events in Edinburgh.

Secure Your Stall Today

Bookings are quick and easy via our online shop or the red button below.
All stallholder terms and conditions, along with helpful planning resources, are available on our website using the short URL voled.in/fair

⏰ Booking deadline: Friday 21 September
👉 For full event details and to secure your stall, visit edvolfair.org.uk

Venezuela Earthquake: Scottish firefighters support international response

Three Scottish Fire and Rescue Service firefighters deployed to Venezuela remain on the ground supporting ongoing search and rescue operations as part of the UK International Search and Rescue (UK ISAR) response.

Working alongside colleagues from fire and rescue services across the UK, Station Commander Gavin Brown, Crew Commander Ian Hodgson and Firefighter Brian Richards continue to provide specialist expertise in challenging conditions.

The team has worked tirelessly alongside emergency service personnel from a number of countries, combining their expertise, training and operational experience to deliver coordinated search and rescue operations in support of communities affected by the earthquakes.

The UK ISAR team was deployed through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) at the request of the Venezuelan government and includes firefighters and staff from 14 fire and rescue services across the UK. Their ability to collaborate effectively in challenging conditions has been instrumental in delivering assistance to those most in need.

Speaking from Venezuela, Station Commander Gavin Brown said: “There are personnel from a range of fire and rescue services across the UK, and the ability to work together in a close-knit environment and adapt to any scenario has been incredibly important.

“Drawing on the skills we use in our day-to-day roles has enabled us to work effectively as a team and get the job done.”

SFRS Group Commander Andy Buchan, the UK ISAR Team Manager in Scotland, said: “Our firefighters remain in Venezuela supporting ongoing search and rescue operations as part of the wider UK ISAR response.

“The commitment, professionalism and resilience shown by everyone involved has been outstanding.

“What our team are experiencing during this deployment is intense. The scale of the devastation they have encountered is unlike anything they would face in their day-to-day duties back home, and they are dealing with those challenging circumstances every day throughout their deployment.”

Andy continued: “We continue to assess and support our firefighters before, during and after deployment to ensure their needs and overall wellbeing are being met, and that they have access to the right support at every stage of the process.”

Brainwaves in the Bathroom

Travelodge launches innovative bathroom trial as the nation’s top ‘bright idea’ spots are revealed

  •  Striking while the shower is hot: Almost half (48%) of Brits say their best ideas flow when the water does
  • Majority of adults have up to four ideas every day – but 65% forget them before writing down
  • Top 10 most unexpected places of inspiration include the shower, while exercising and even while falling asleep 
  • Travelodge is trialling waterproof notepads in selected hotel bathrooms to help guests capture their lightbulb moments

New research has uncovered the nation’s best ‘bright idea’ spots, with nearly half of UK adults (48%) reporting that their best ideas come in the shower.

With creativity striking the majority up to four times per day, Brits say their lightbulb moments are also likely to come during more unexpected moments such as when they’re falling asleep (34%), during or after exercising (10%) and even while tending to the garden (15%).

But while creative inspiration (55%), personal decisions (54%) and problem-solving (53%) are among the thoughts most likely to come to mind whilst showering, 65% say they forget their idea before they’re able to write it down.

This is particularly relevant for Britain’s business travellers. In 2025, an estimated 5.1 million business trips took place*, with 60% stating that the ability to capture ideas as they occur would benefit their careers. 

To help guests strike whilst the shower is hot, Travelodge has created an innovative solution to maximise creativity, trialling waterproof notepads in the showers of selected hotel bathrooms across the UK.

Designed to capture those lightbulb moments, the waterproof notepads come as more than two-thirds (69%) believe that inspiration strikes in the unlikeliest of places, leaving many scrambling to hold on to their ideas. 

Revealing the extreme lengths Brits have gone to keep their ideas top of mind, almost one in five (18%) admit to having repeated a mantra until out of the shower. A further 16% have created a memorable image, whilst 7% have written on a foggy mirror or glass. 

The research, which explores people’s creativity, reveals that breakthroughs are most often made in the morning (24%) and late at night (22%). 

Dr Jo Hemmings, a Behavioural Psychologist, said: “We tend to think creativity happens when we’re concentrating, but often the opposite is true.

“The best ideas frequently emerge when we step away from our screens and allow our minds to wander. Whether it’s in the shower, walking, on a train or gardening, those moments of mental downtime give the brain permission to make unexpected connections, which is where creativity thrives.” 

The UK’s most unexpected places of inspiration:

  1. Shower (48%)
  2. On a walk (47%)
  3. When falling asleep (34%)
  4. In the car (28%)
  5. Cooking (21%)
  6. Gardening (15%)
  7. When dreaming (14%)
  8. When washing dishes (14%)
  9. On a train (11%)
  10. During or after exercise (10%)

On average, Brits travel for business four days a month, with four in ten (41%) agreeing they are more creative when away from home. The top three reasons for hitting the road for work include client meetings (22%), conferences or events (19%) and training (17%). 

While on the road, business travellers are often struck with creativity, with three in five (64%) saying changing environments helps spark their imagination, suggesting that time away from the usual desk set-up can inspire fresh thinking. 

A Travelodge spokesperson added: “Inspiration can strike at any moment and with Britain’s business community spending so much time on the road, our hotels are frequently the backdrop for those vital ‘lightbulb’ moments.

“We know how frustrating it is to lose a great idea before you can find a pen and paper, which is why we’re trialling new waterproof notepads. It is a simple and practical way to make sure our guests’ best ideas don’t go down the drain – so if you want to experience them for yourself, you better get a Travelodge.”  

The shower notepads will be trialled at hotels in key business locations on Wednesday 8th, July, including London City, Edinburgh Park, Bristol Abbey Wood, Newcastle Quayside and Chester Central Bridge Street. The notepads can be taken home too so guests can capture their creativity wherever they go.

To get a great deal, check out Travelodge Business – search, book, manage and pay for hotels all in one place, whether you’re at your desk or on the road. 

Letters: UPS concern

Dear editor,

I am writing as both a concerned member of the public and a loyal customer of UPS regarding what appears to be a significant and rapidly developing issue of UK workforce and one that deserves far more attention than it is currently receiving.

Reports and growing concerns from within the company suggests widespread restructuring across UK operations including depot closures and substantial job losses. It has been claimed that in some areas over 40% of the work force could be affected, with experienced, long serving staff being placed at risk of redundancy.

In addition, there are reports of drivers being offered relatively small one of payments reportedly in the region of 3000 to 5000 as part of redundancy ‘sweeteners’ after many years of service. For workers who have spent decades representing the company on the frontline, this has understandably caused anger, disappointment, and uncertainty.

What makes this situation particularly concerning is that these drivers are not just employees behind the scenes – they are the public face of UPS. They are the final point of contact with customers, the people who build trust in the brand every single day on Britain’s streets.

There is also growing unease that this restructuring signals a wider to shift away from secure employment towards self-employed or contractor-style arrangements, a trend that is increasingly affecting workers across the logistics sector. While companies will argue the need to modernise and remain competitive, the human cost of these decisions appears to be significant.

As a customer, I am genuinely shocked by what has been reported. These are professional, reliable drivers who have delivered a consistent service for years, and the way this transition is being handled raises serious questions about fairness, loyalty, and the long-term impact on service quality and brand reputation.

This is not a workplace issue- it is a public-facing change affecting thousands of workers, countless communities, and the standards we expect from major international companies operating in the UK. I believe this is a far bigger story than is currently being treated, and I hope you will consider bringing wider attention to it.

Yours sincerely,

Mo

Treasure Island at Lauriston Castle

Join us for Treasure Island, our next family theatre performance at Lauriston Castle, on Thursday 23 July.

Join plucky Jim Hawkins and his crew of salty old sea dogs on their search for buried treasure in Quantum Theatre’s exciting adaptation of the pirate adventure classic, Treasure Island.

An action-packed show for all the family!

Book: https://cultureedinburgh.com/…/treasure-island-with…

Dry weather conditions continue in the east of the country*

Abstractors are being urged to plan ahead as the risk of water scarcity across the east of Scotland remains.  

The latest weekly water scarcity report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows Findhorn has reached Moderate Scarcity with the Dee (Aberdeen) raised to Alert level.  

This takes the number of areas in Moderate Scarcity to two; Findhorn and Tyne (Lothian) and the number of Alert levels to eight; Deveron, Ythan, Don (Aberdeenshire), Dee (Aberdeen), Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond and Tweed catchments.  

SEPA publishes weekly water scarcity reports throughout the summer to provide abstractors with up-to-date information on conditions across the country. Reporting is designed to provide advance notice of developing conditions to support sustainable water use and help users plan ahead.  

  • Early Warning means conditions are becoming drier. No action is required at this stage, but abstractors are encouraged to prepare and review water use.  
  • Alert means river water levels are falling and SEPA advises voluntary reductions in non-essential water use by abstractors. 
  • Moderate Scarcity means environmental impact is clear. Action from abstractors is expected to protect rivers and the species that rely on them. 

Despite the recent unsettled weather, the eastern coastal areas are experiencing more long-term dry conditions, following on from a dry spring, with wetter conditions experienced in the west. 

As river flows are low to very low across eastern areas for this time of year with ground conditions particularly in the east and northeast becoming very dry, we will be contacting local abstractors regarding the situation giving them as much notice as possible to prepare ahead. 

SEPA continues to monitor conditions closely through its national water scarcity reporting. 

SEPA’s drought risk assessment tool provides up-to-date local information on river flows and potential water scarcity risk to help abstractors monitor conditions and support planning ahead.  

Eilidh Johnston, Senior Leader in Compliance, said: “With warm and dry weather continuing in the east of the country, we are now starting to see the impacts of water scarcity with additional areas moving to Moderate Scarcity and Alert level.  

“Several eastern catchments are experiencing drier than normal conditions and river flows are low to very low for this time of year there. As a result, there remains a risk of water scarcity developing into summer, particularly across the east, if summer rainfall is lower than normal.    

“SEPA’s water scarcity reporting provides abstractors and other water users with advance notice of changing conditions so they can review water use, check equipment is operating effectively and plan ahead if needed.  

“We would encourage abstractors to make use of SEPA’s drought risk assessment tools and guidance to help understand local conditions, increase their resilience to the impacts of prolonged dry conditions and support sustainable water use during dry periods.”  

Further information on water scarcity levels, guidance and weekly reports is available on SEPA’s website.

Holyrood Palace invite for inspirational young charity ambassador 

A Young Ambassador with the charity Action for Children spent an afternoon in the presence of the King and Queen at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh this week.

Jack Nisbett, 20, from Haddington, East Lothian, attended a Royal Garden Party on Tuesday in recognition of his outstanding voluntary work.

Jack sits on Action for Children’s Young Ambassadors Board made up of volunteers aged between 14-25 from around the UK. 

The board gets involved in the charity’s work, and campaigns to influence decision-making to ensure it reflects the views of young people.

Jack has ADHD and autism and has been supported by an Action for Children housing support service for just under two years.

Action for Children representatives are nominated to attend Royal Garden Parties each year through its Patron the Princess of Wales.

Reflecting on the experience, Jack said: “I absolutely loved it. It was a brilliant day and I enjoyed every minute. I also got the chance to meet First Minister John Swinney.”

“I chose to become a Young Ambassador to help young people without a voice. I want to help make a change in the lives of other young people who go through similar situations to mine and make the world better for young people across the UK.”

Jack and Robert Inglis, Locality Services Manager at Action for Children, mingled with hundreds of guests at the garden party, which was also attended by the Duke of Edinburgh and the Princess Royal.

Robert has worked at Action for Children since 2003 and supported almost 500 young people experiencing homelessness during that time. 

Robert said: “Jack is an incredible young man who uses his personality and kindness to always try and improve the lives of others.

“He has so much to offer as a Young Ambassador, and recently travelled to Glasgow with young people from other voluntary organisations to write a letter to the Scottish Government outlining key priorities for young people that politicians should be addressing.”

Jack is one of around 30,000 children, young people and families supported each year by Action for Children in Scotland, through 90 services across 30 Scottish local authorities.

Action for Children, formerly known as National Children’s Homes (NCH), opened its first Scottish service in 1955 in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire. Since then, it has expanded to offer residential homes, disability support, youth justice, and family support services across the country.