Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust, working alongside our partners in the Thrive Collective, is deeply disappointed by the recent decision of the Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board (EIJB) to end the Thrive contract for Physical Activities and Greenspaces from the end of November.
Through Thrive, we and our partners have worked in close collaboration with communities, health services, and local organisations to provide inclusive opportunities that improve physical and mental wellbeing.
We are proud of the collective impact that this work has had for people across Edinburgh, particularly those experiencing health inequalities.
This follows the earlier decision to withdraw grant funding for our Healthy Lifestyles work in South Edinburgh. Together, these cuts represent a significant reduction in support for programmes that enable communities across the city to access the health and wellbeing benefits of nature, physical activity, and local greenspaces.
The decision will have a real impact on the 1250 participants who rely on these programmes to support their physical health, mental wellbeing, and sense of social connection. Many of the people we work with face health inequalities and barriers to accessing mainstream services, and these activities have provided an essential lifeline.
Charlie Cumming, ELGT Chief Executive, confirmed the loss of this funding will directly affect our capacity to deliver dedicated programmes that improve health through engagement with local greenspaces.
It will also reduce the resources that are community-based, accessible, and effective alternatives to clinical treatment—helping people recover and build resilience outside of primary care settings.
Despite this setback, ELGT remain committed to championing greenspaces and active lives as vital to Edinburgh’s health and wellbeing.
We will continue to explore new ways of sustaining this essential work and will seek to secure funding that ensures these opportunities remain accessible to the communities who need them most.
We would like to sincerely thank all participants, volunteers, and partner organisations who have engaged with us.
Your commitment and enthusiasm highlight just how much this work matters and the difference it makes across the city.
SCOTLAND’S CAPITAL DECLARES URGENT NEED FOR OCEAN RECOVERY
In recognition of its coasts, canals, lochs and estuaries, Edinburgh has become the first Council in Scotland to adopt a ‘Motion for the Ocean’.
Launched by a group of ocean experts, the formal declaration commits local authorities to promote and prioritise ocean recovery during the United Nations’ Decade of the Ocean.
With waterways at the heart of Edinburgh’s environment, economy and community enjoyment, the pledge was taken by councillors on Thursday (28 August) following a motion from Councillor Conor Savage.
It will build on existing partnership working to consider improvements to water quality, sustainability and marine education – including the opportunity for all Edinburgh primary school pupils to experience the ocean first hand.
Following the decision, the Council Leader will write to the First Minister asking the Scottish Government to consider national protection of coastal communities, while officers will look at how ocean recovery can be achieved under the Council’s existing action plans and strategies, which include the Climate Ready Edinburgh Plan, Water Vision and Biodiversity Action Plan.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “As a coastal city, we all need to take care of the fantastic waterways that surround us.
“This includes the Water of Leith which runs the breadth of Edinburgh, and the popular and well visited Firth of Forth which is home to a huge diversity of marine species and is one of the best places in Scotland to see passing dolphins.
“It is important that we play our part in protecting the waterways in and around our city. This new commitment supports not only our net zero target and the fight against climate change but the United Nation’s vision to address issues facing the ocean, so we can continue to protect and preserve our rivers and coasts for future generations.”
Asian Art Awards – Award Ceremony at MOXY Fountainbridge
Members of the Scottish Indian community were prominent among the winners of the 2025 Asian Art Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe. The awards have been running since 2014 and exist to bring Asian artists together at the Fringe and reward the best of them.
90 shows participated in 2025, up significantly from 55 in 2024.
The highly acclaimed “Kanpur: 1857”, written and co-performed by Edinburgh-based Niall Moorjani and which showed at the Pleasance, won the award for Outstanding Production.
Set at the time of the Kanpur uprising in India, this new play “comically satirises contemporary conflicts around gender, colonial violence, and making art in times of crisis”. The award was collected by the production’s musician, Sodhi.
Shows by Sanjay Lago (Love me Like a Chai Tea Latte [wearing the colourful shirt]) and Dance Ihayami, with their show Dansa Rickshaw, also won awards for Highly Commended performances (i.e. Runners Up). Sanjay is Scottish Indian while Dance Ihayami is “Scotland’s Indian dance company”. Like Sodhi, Sanjay is from Glasgow (“Ibrox, don’t judge me” he says).
Hahaha-Hamlet from Hong Kong, which played at the Paradise Green venue on George IV Bridge, won the award for Outstanding Show.
The award reviewers simply loved this “captivating reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tale, blending original musical with dark humour [..and..] intertwining the struggles of contemporary Hongkongers with Hamlet’s timeless tale”.
Energetic, inventive and incredibly affecting with some reviewers moved to tears as the tales of Hamlet and Hong Kong coincided at the end. The whole cast were in attendance to receive the award [red and black t-shirts under their clothes] and they were delighted.
Mayuri Bhandari of the Anti “Yogi” took home the award for Outstanding Female while Jeremy Rafal won Outstanding Male for The Boy from Bantay “a heartwarming journey of growth and self-discovery”.
Mayuri was in attendance with her percussionist Neel Agrawal while Jeremy sent a video message to the audience. Both shows were hugely popular. At the Anti “Yogi” the audience were invited to “Join Mayuri Bhandari and Kali, the Goddess of Death every day as they navigate the absurdities of Western Yoga culture. Liberation, not Lululemon!”
The Outstanding Youth Performance was won by the show “Landscape of the Other Shore” from Shenzhen University which was also inspired by another European classic: Géricault’s painting and Georg Kaiser’s play The Raft of the Medusa.
The Asian Arts Special Award was shared between GENDAI TOKYO and Up-cycle Music by Creative Art of Korea. GENDAI TOKYO had a simply incredible laser show playing at WU Asia Pacific three times per night. Everyone who sees it simply loves it.
Up-cycle Music is a “response to climate change from a uniquely artistic perspective. They use waste to make music – cellos from abandoned equipment from rural areas, stringed instruments of thrown away plastic toys – and compose piano songs based on the characteristics of endangered animals, to ask vital questions about the climate crisis”.
Lyndsey Jackson from the Fringe presented the awards along with Richard Lewis and Chelsea Zhou of Asian Art Fund Scotland, the charity which runs the Asian Art Awards.
Winners – 2025 Asian Art Awards
Outstanding Show
Winner: Hahaha–Hamlet – Chai Wan Rabble (Hong Kong)
Highly Commended: 1Shoulder Pad: Galaxy Train, Japanese Musical Theatre (Japan)
Highly Commended: Practice of Zen – Theatre Ronin (Hong Kong)
Daniel Johnson visited local businesses in his constituency as part of Scotland Loves Local Week 2025, urging people to choose local
Labour’s Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Business and Fair Work Daniel Johnson MSP showed his support for the Scotland Loves Local campaign as he visited local businesses in his Edinburgh Southern constituency.
People make Places is the theme of activity across the country during the week, encouraging everyone to get behind those who make local businesses so special – helping to protect the jobs of friends, relatives and neighbours.
Speaking during his visit, Mr Johnson said: “As a former retailer, I know first-hand how much local independent businesses contribute to high street communities in Scotland.
“Morningside High Street, in the heart of Edinburgh Southern, is a fantastic example of this – a community minded high street with a varied and diverse array of shops and places to eat and drink.
“There is much to celebrate but our high streets also face challenges. That is why in 2021, I introduced the Protection of Workers (Scotland) Act which has been used thousands of times to protect shopworkers from violence, threats and abuse at work.
“Whilst the Act has been successful, much more needs to be done across the board to help our high streets thrive.”
He was joined on the visit by Chief Officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership Kimberley Guthrie and Scotland Loves Local Programme Coordinator Nicola Hutchinson.
Kimberley Guthriesaid: “Scotland Loves Local Week is a celebration of local excellence and celebrating the people who make places.
“It has been fantastic to see such a tremendous amount of support from across the political spectrum for this year’s celebrations, helping to showcase the great spirit of entrepreneurialism, innovation and community we have in Scotland.
The simple act of thinking local first has a profound effect and can have a transformational impact on local economies, laying the foundations to make our places stronger and more sustainable for the future”.
Scotland Loves Local Week is spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership (STP) as part of its drive for people to build stronger, more sustainable futures for their community by supporting the businesses in their area, potentially injecting millions of pounds more into regional economies.
It has calculated that almost £26.8m more could be driven directly into the city of Edinburgh economy if every person spent just £1-a-week more with local businesses.
Road users in Edinburgh are being asked to consider distance, blind spots and visibility as part of an initiative by road policing officers in the city.
Police Scotland is working with partners including Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Lothian Buses, Edinburgh City Council and David Philp Commercials, to encourage everyone to be more aware.
A number of vehicles were on Castle Street yesterday (Thursday, 28 August), demonstrating blind spots for cyclists and pedestrians.
PC Stewart Sinclair from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit in Edinburgh, said: “We are encouraging everyone to think about how visible and safe they are. Many of us are unaware how much or little a driver can see because of blind spots. This event will give awareness to more vulnerable road users how to keep themselves safe on the road network.
“Visibility is very important in terms of making our roads safer and I would like everyone, including pedestrians, to think about how they are seen, especially if a street is poorly lit after dark. Visibility is very different to that of a bus, car, lorry, motorbike or bike.
“I must emphasise the need for all road users to look out for each other and give each other space. Unfortunately, when a crash happens it is often a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist injured.
Willie Hamilton, Operations Director, Lothian Buses, said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Police Scotland and other key stakeholders to help raise awareness around cyclist visibility and potential blind spots on our roads.
“With a network of over 70 routes across Edinburgh and the Lothians, we invest heavily in our driver training programme which covers all aspects of road safety including awareness of cyclists, pedestrians and other road users.”
Scottish Fire & Rescue Service Crew Commander David Main, said: “The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service welcomes the opportunity to support this initiative and work with partners to improve the safety of all road users in the Edinburgh area.
“By working to improve awareness and encouraging everyone to think about safe distances, blind spots, visibility when on or around our roads we can make our roads safer for everyone”
Women and girls will have greater protection against hate crimes under plans being consulted upon by the Scottish Government.
Draft regulations have been laid in Parliament to add ‘sex’ as a characteristic to the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021.
If agreed, the regulations will make it a criminal offence to stir up hatred against women and girls, as well as men and boys, because of their sex, which is defined as biological sex. The regulations will also enable courts to treat crimes motivated by hatred of someone’s sex as aggravated offences, which are considered more serious.
This would mean women and girls have the same legal safeguards available under the Act to groups targeted by hate crime because of their age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity and variations in sex characteristics. Freedom of expression is built into the Act, which was passed by the Scottish Parliament in March 2021.
A consultation paper seeking views on the plans, which were announced in May, has been published. It will remain open until 10 October and responses will inform consideration of the final regulations to be laid in Parliament.
Justice Secretary Angela Constance said: “We must send a strong message to victims, perpetrators, communities and wider society that offences motivated by prejudice and hatred against women and girls will not be tolerated.
“Adding the characteristic of sex to the Hate Crime Act will ensure that women and girls have the same protections as victims who are targeted because of a specific characteristic, such as age, religion or disability.
“Men and boys will also be protected, however, we know that women and girls suffer significantly more from threats, abuse and harassment based on their sex, so they are likely to benefit most from these new legal protections.
“This will add to a range of general laws that can be used to prosecute aspects of misogynistic harassment and abuse.
“However, criminal law reform alone cannot eliminate abuse against women and girls, or the attitudes which perpetuate it; men must play an active role in identifying, challenging and changing the misogynistic and negative attitudes and behaviours that underpin the abuse of, and violence against, women and girls.”
Scottish Green Party members have elected Gillian Mackay and Ross Greer as their new Co-leaders, following a closely fought contest.
In her acceptance speech Gillian Mackay hailed the vital work that Scottish Green MSPs have done and promised to go further.
Gillian Mackay said: “From free bus travel for people under 22, increasing the roll out of free school meals, restoring Scotland’s natural environment, the introduction of Ssafe Access Zones, and the scrapping of peak rail fares, the Scottish Greens have already started improving the lives of millions – But we can and will go further.
“We need to be clear; the Scottish Greens have delivered real change, and we are the party for you. For many, the cost-of-living crisis is still taking its toll, but the focus from our governments and our media continues to distract from the real issues facing working-people.
“As a disabled woman and a new mum, I am getting to know some of the struggles that so many families are facing. That’s why I will champion a four-day week, better parental pay, and universal basic income. These are policies that will transform lives.”
In his speech, Ross Greer promised to bring back the hope that many have lost following years of cuts and chaos from Westminster. He said: “About a decade ago there was a real sense of hope in Scotland. People really believed that this could be that better, fairer, greener country. But that sense of hope has all but disappeared, and we should be honest about that.
“Whether it is through the re-election of Tory governments that we didn’t vote for or a Labour government that looks like another one of those Tory governments, Brexit or even Trump.
“The Scottish Green Party will bring back that hope. And we will bring it back through action. We will cut people’s bills and tackle the climate crisis. That’s why I have proposed ideas during this contest like universal free bus travel.
“We shouldn’t be afraid to make the super-rich pay for the transformation that we know our society needs. For example by ending the tax breaks that the aristocracy get for their shooting estates.
“Fixing Scotland’s problems means replacing a system that is rigged in favour of the super-rich with one that works for people and planet.”
Candidate
1st Preferences
Dominic Ashmole
7%
Gillian Mackay
34%
Lorna Slater
28%
Ross Greer
31%
Gillian MacKay was elected at Stage 1.
At stage 2 Dominic Ashmole was then excluded and votes transferred to the remaining candidates.
A free chickenpox vaccination will offered for first time to children across England on the NHS from January – Scotland expected to follow suit
Government to launch chickenpox vaccination programme in England from January 2026, which will protect around half a million children each year
Eligible children will receive the vaccine during routine GP appointments, which protects against measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox
The rollout will help raise the healthiest generation of children ever, while reducing sick days and time parents take off work
Thousands of children will be protected against chickenpox for the first time in England through a new vaccination programme that will keep kids in school and parents in work while also saving the NHS vital funds.
It’s expected that the vaccination programme will also be introduced in Scotland.
From January next year, GP practises will offer eligible children a combined vaccine for measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (MMRV) – the clinical term for chickenpox – as part of the routine infant vaccination schedule.
It will mean kids miss fewer days in nursery and school while parents won’t need to take time off work to care for them. Research shows that chickenpox in childhood results in an estimated £24 million in lost income and productivity every year in the UK. The rollout will also save the NHS £15 million a year in costs for treating the common condition.
The chickenpox vaccine has been safely used for decades and is already part of the routine vaccine schedules in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany.
Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said: “We’re giving parents the power to protect their children from chickenpox and its serious complications, while keeping them in nursery or the classroom where they belong and preventing parents from scrambling for childcare or having to miss work.
“This vaccine puts children’s health first and gives working families the support they deserve. As part of our Plan for Change, we want to give every child has the best possible start in life, and this rollout will help do exactly that.”
The vaccination programme forms part of the UK government’s wider ambition to raise the healthiest generation of children ever as part of the Plan for Change — boosting the nation’s health and ensuring the future sustainability of the NHS as we shift the focus of healthcare from sickness to prevention.
The vaccine will help reduce cases of chickenpox and protect children from serious complications that can cause hospitalisation, such as bacterial infections like strep A, brain and lung inflammation and stroke.
Dr Gayatri Amirthalingam, Deputy Director of Immunisation at the UK Health Security Agency said: “Most parents probably consider chickenpox to be a common and mild illness, but for some babies, young children and even adults, chickenpox can be very serious, leading to hospital admission and tragically, while rare, it can be fatal.
“It is excellent news, that from next January, we will be introducing a vaccine to protect against chickenpox into the NHS routine childhood vaccination programme – helping prevent what is for most a nasty illness and for those who develop severe symptoms, it could be a life saver.
“We now have extensive experience from a number of countries showing that the vaccine has a good safety record and is highly effective. The programme will have a really positive impact on the health of young children and also lead to fewer missed nursery and school days.”
The government’s decision to roll out the MMRV vaccine in January is based on expert scientific advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), following research showing the significant impact of severe cases of chickenpox on children’s health, hospital admissions and associated costs.
Private vaccinations for chickenpox at pharmacies and clinics currently cost around £150 for a full course of two doses. This rollout will mean the vaccination will be available free of charge on the NHS to eligible children.
Other countries where the MMRV vaccine is already offered — such as Germany, Canada, and the United States — have seen substantial decreases in chickenpox cases and related hospital admissions since introducing their vaccination programmes.
Amanda Doyle, National Director for Primary Care and Community Services at NHS England said: This is a hugely positive moment for families as the NHS gets ready to roll out a vaccine to protect children against chickenpox for the first time, adding to the arsenal of other routine jabs that safeguard against serious illness.
“We will work with vaccination teams and GP surgeries across the country to rollout the combined MMRV vaccine in the new year, helping to keep children healthy and prevent sickness from these highly contagious viruses.
“The MMRV vaccine rollout forms part of the government’s overall aim to ensure young people thrive, as part of the 10 Year Health Plan. This includes expanding access to vaccines, as well as free school meals, mental health support and dental care.”
This is the first time protection against another disease has been added to the routine childhood vaccination programme since the MenB vaccine in 2015.
Meanwhile, the Department for Education has recently announced plans to roll out Best Start Family Hubs in every local area, relieving pressure on parents and giving half a million more children the very best start in life.
The eligibility criteria for children will be set out in clinical guidance covering which age groups will get the MMRV vaccine and when, to ensure the most effective protection for children.
As with other childhood immunisations, parents will be contacted by their GP surgery to arrange an appointment if their child is eligible.
The Eric Liddell community day care service in Edinburgh recently held a scam awareness session for their clients living with dementia and their care partners.
They decided to organise this session due to some clients being duped by fraudsters going door-to-door and online. The session was organised by day care manager, Caroline Heenan and was run by PC Stuart Fraser from the Community Policing Team at St Leonards Police Station.
Peta Randall, day care officer, said: “It was very interesting and makes you think how prepared fraudsters are”.
Carmel Riley, admin assistant, added: “I feel more equipped to deal with the nuisance calls I get.”
Christine, 82, said: “My husband gave money to a gardener but he made a mess and never came back.”
Beverley, 73, added: “I was scammed online, but I now understand how it can happen”.
Caroline, day care manager, said: “For others who are thinking about holding a session, I’d say go for it!
“Police Scotland are more than happy to facilitate these sessions.”
BBC ALBA is set to feature Arnold Clark Premiership champions Corstorphine’s latest challenge in the defence of their title as they travel to play Watsonians tonight (Friday 29 August), with coverage starting at 7.30pm.
The coverage is part of BBC ALBA’s plans to show the top domestic rugby competitions in Scotland for free on TV, including both the men’s and women’s Arnold Clark Premiership finals and 12 league matches throughout the 2025/26 season.
These matches will be available live and on demand on BBC ALBA, via BBC iPlayer, on the BBC ALBA YouTube channel and on bbc.co.uk/rugbaidh, with the games available worldwide on a live and on-demand basis.
Corstorphine started the defence of their title earlier this month with a hard-fought 26-17 win away to Biggar. For Watsonian FC, they will be hoping home advantage will help them bounce back from an opening day 34-17 defeat to Stirling County.
The players of all Premiership clubs were given a free weekend last week so they could take the opportunity to travel and support Scotland’s national women’s side as they made a successful start to their Rugby World Cup campaign, beating Wales 38-8.
Fiona MacKenzie, BBC ALBA commissioning editor, said:“BBC ALBA will be showing the best of Scottish women’s rugby across the season, thanks to our renewed agreement with Scottish Rugby as the popularity of the sport continues to grow.
“Interest will, of course, also be heightened across Scotland thanks to the impressive start our national team made against Wales in the Women’s Rugby World Cup.”
Watch champions Corstorphine’s trip to Watsonians tonight live or on demand on BBC ALBA and BBC iPlayer:
