Sport Could Be Their New Big Thing

Edinburgh Leisure Launches Citywide Coaching Campaign to Kickstart the New School Term

With just 59% of school-aged children meeting the recommended daily levels of physical activity, the start of the new school term is the perfect time to get kids moving. Edinburgh Leisure is encouraging families to help their children discover their next big passion through sport by signing up for one of its fun and engaging coaching courses.

With a spotlight on three exciting sports – Diving, Climbing, and Tennis – the campaign encourages children aged P1 and up to try something new, build skills, and have fun in a supportive, expert-led environment.

Whether they’re scaling new heights, making a splash, or smashing their first serve, there’s something for everyone.

Angela McCowan, Sports Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “We want to encourage parents to give their children a new exciting hobby to look forward to this term and sport could be their next big thing. As the leading provider of sports and leisure facilities, we have a wide range of coaching opportunities available across our venues for all abilities.

“Sports coaching offers so much more than just learning the game or skill – it helps children build confidence, develop strong listening and communication skills, and stay active in line with recommended exercise levels. It’s about nurturing life skills through movement, teamwork, and fun – giving every child the chance to grow both on and off the court, pitch, or pool.”

It is recommended that children and young people aged 5-18 years should aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity daily, with some of this activity being bone and muscle strengthening.

Preschoolers, aged 3-5 years, should be active throughout the day, with at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity. 

In Scotland, it is estimated that approximately 69-71% of children aged 5-15 meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, including school-based activities. When excluding school-based activities, this figure drops to about 59%. There’s a notable age-related decline, with younger children (5-7 years old) being more active (around 80%) than older teens (13-15 years old) (around 60%). 

Why Join?

  • Fun and friendly coaching for all abilities
  • Expert instructors to guide every step
  • A great way to stay active, make friends, and build confidence
  • Flexible options across the city

Parents and guardians are encouraged to visit:

 https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/coaching-activities/ 

to explore available sessions and sign up.

Let this term be the start of something big – because Diving, Climbing, or Tennis could be their next big thing!

HMRC: Make everyday a playday with Tax-Free Childcare

  • This Playday (6 August), working families are encouraged to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare to save on their childcare bills.
  • Working families can save up to £2,000 annually when paying for childcare in 75,000 childcare settings across the UK.
  • Supporting the government’s mission to grow the economy and deliver on the Plan for Change by putting more money in the pockets of working people.

To mark Playday 2025 (6 August), HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is encouraging working families to save money by signing up to Tax-Free Childcare and using one of the thousands of facilities accepting it as payment.

Tax-Free Childcare means working families can save up to £2,000 annually for each child up to the age of 11, and £4,000 for a disabled child up to the age of 16, when they’re paying for their childcare.

There are now 75,000 childcare settings accepting Tax-Free Childcare as payment including nurseries, registered childminders, holiday activity clubs and, for when school starts back in September, before and after school clubs.

Playday is an annual celebration of children’s right to play, highlighting the importance of play in their health, wellbeing and development. 

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Whether your child is interested in football, climbing, crafting or dance, there’s a huge variety of childcare settings accepting Tax-Free Childcare.

“Children can learn something new and have fun with their friends while their parents save on their childcare bills. Visit GOV.UK to sign up today.”

Families yet to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare can do it now to pay for their summer activities or start paying into it ready for breakfast and after-school clubs when the new term starts. 

Once families have opened a Tax-Free Childcare account, they can deposit money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to use it whenever it’s needed. Any unused payments can be withdrawn at any time.   

For every £8 deposited in a Tax-Free Childcare account, the government tops it up by £2, which means parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months towards their childcare costs.

Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if they:   

  • have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday   
  • the parent and their partner (if they have one) earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average   
  • each earn no more than £100,000 per annum   
  • do not receive Universal Credit or childcare vouchers    

   

Visit GOV.UK to check eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare.

Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside the free childcare hours, subject to eligibility. 

Edinburgh Tool Library: Donations Wanted

Have you got tools gathering dust or taking up space that could be used for other things? 🛠

We’re open for inventory donations and are happy to provide a new home to your unwanted but working and well looked after tools 🌟

Donating your unwanted or no longer needed tools to ETL allows us to give them a new lease of life. We are incredibly grateful for all tools we receive from donations, and the difference they allow us to make, whether that be in our community builds, repair projects and our ever-growing tool borrowing service. 🤝

Check out the list of tools we are currently looking for – our tools wishlist at:

https://edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk/donations

Know someone who may have unwanted tools to donate? Sharing this post goes a long way to helping us grow our tool library and is greatly appreciated! ↩️

Line-up Announced For Underbelly’s 7th Annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit

Ivo Graham, David O’Doherty, Michelle Wolf, Abandoman and More Announced For Underbelly’s 7th Annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit

  • Underbelly announces 7 acts for the Big Brain Tumour Benefit: Ivo Graham, David O’Doherty, Michelle Wolf, Abandoman, Celya AB, Emmanuel Sonubi and Garry Starr with more names still to be added to the line-up.
  • The only chance for Fringe audiences to see Abandoman in 2025.
  • Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit takes place on Wednesday 13 August, 7.20pm McEwan Hall, Underbelly Bristo Square.

Underbelly has announced a powerhouse line-up of comedy acts for the 7th annual Big Brain Tumour Benefit. A gem in crown Underbelly’s 25th Anniversary programme, the event will take place at 7:20pm in the McEwan Hall on Wednesday 13 August.

Starring in this year’s show is British comedy darling and Taskmaster alum Ivo Graham, Irish musical comedy genius David O’Doherty, Emmy nominated stand-up sensation Michelle Wolf, the Fringe favourite hip-hop improv Abandoman in his only Fringe appearance for 2025, French comedy star Celya AB, Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Show nominee Emmanuel Sonubi and Underbelly’s own gloriously chaotic (and nude) Garry Starr.

Underbelly is raising funds for The Brain Tumour Charity with all ticket income (after box office commissions and any other costs associated with the show) donated to The Brain Tumour Charity, the world’s leading brain tumour charity and largest dedicated funder of research into brain tumours globally. Once again, all of the amazing comedians are giving their time and their jokes for free.

The show was created by Underbelly in 2017 following the diagnosis of an aggressive and rare form of brain cancer called Ependymoma in Alfie Bartlam, the son of Underbelly’s co-founder Ed Bartlam. In the end of August in 2019, Alfie sadly died, aged 7.

Brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children and adults under 40. They shorten life expectancy by an average of 27 years, the most of any cancer. Despite this, brain tumour research is underfunded compared to many other cancers.

Ed Bartlam, Underbelly’s co-founder said: “It’s always such a special moment for us to announce the line-up to Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit, and even more so as part of our 25th Anniversary. I’m incredibly thankful to the utterly brilliant comedians and audiences for supporting this event that’s now in its 7th year.”

“We have so far raised over £700,000 for our Angel Child fund at the Brain Tumour Charity with all donations going to a specific research project to find new treatments for some of the most aggressive forms of paediatric brain tumours.

“This annual Fringe event is an integral part of a varied range of fundraising events, and an incredible opportunity for audiences to experience some of the best comedy available for the best cause. I look forward to seeing audiences there!”

Sally King, Corporate Partnerships Manager at The Brain Tumour Charity, said: “We are thrilled that the Big Brain Tumour Benefit comedy gig is returning this year, for its seventh show, and we are incredibly grateful for our amazing partners, Underbelly, for their ongoing support in raising crucial funds for research and awareness of the devastating impact of brain tumours.

“Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, The Brain Tumour Charity is committed to fighting brain tumours on all fronts.

“We can only work towards our goal of helping people with a brain tumour live longer and better lives with the support from people like Ed, Charlie and the truly incredible Underbelly team.”

Festival goers can purchase tickets for Underbelly’s Big Brain Tumour Benefit today at: underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/events/event/underbellys-big-brain-tumour-benefit-25

Number of people facing extreme waits in Scotland’s A&E ‘unacceptable and dangerous’

Unacceptable numbers of people are still being exposed to extreme long waits in Scotland’s Accident &Emergency departments, new analysis by the Royal College of Emergency Medicine shows.

The latest Emergency Department performance figures – released yesterday 4 August 2025 by Public Health Scotland – which cover June 2025 reveal that despite fewer people attending, performance is still worsening, and the number of patients waiting 12 hours increasing.

The data reveals for major EDs in Scotland in June 2025:

  • There were 119,383 attendances at major EDs, a 5% decrease from the previous month of May 2025.
  • 69.7% of patients were seen within four hours (78,857) which is a decrease of 1.1 percentage points on May 2025 but up 1.6 percentage points on June 2024.
  • Those experiencing long waits also increased with more than one in every 10 patients (10.8%) attending waiting more than eight hours.
  • And almost one in every 20 patients (4.35%) had to endure a stay of 12 hours or more before they were treated, admitted or discharged.

Responding to the latest data RCEM Vice President for Scotland Dr Fiona Hunter said: “These figures clearly evidence that the issues in our Emergency Departments are not caused by too many people attending.

“In June the number of people coming to our departments fell, but yet performance across every measure worsened when compared to the previous month.

“Most worrying is, that despite fewer attendances, thousands of our patients are still enduing extremely long waits. And we know that those who do are more likely to be the most unwell, often with multiple and complex needs. A fact that is unacceptable, and dangerous.

“The crisis in A&E is something our communities are deeply worried about. Politicians should respond to those concerns now and address these issues. Otherwise in a few short months we will be staring down the barrel of another awful winter where patient safety will again be put a risk.”

Graphic representations of today’s data, as well as the long-term trends, are available on the RCEM Website.

Pink Wednesday at Gilded Balloon

PINK WEDNESDAY RETURNS FOR GILDED BALLOON’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY WITH £5 TICKETS ALL DAY 

Discounted tickets via Gilded Balloon box offices and website

TODAY ONLY 

tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk 

It’s time to paint the town pink once more as Gilded Balloon celebrates their 40th anniversary with another year of their legendary Pink Wednesday – a 24 hour charity day with £5 tickets for some of the Fringe’s most in-demand shows!

Join Gilded Balloon’s staff and performers as they bring out their most fabulously pink outfits to fundraise for this year’s charity partner Waverley Care, all whilst enjoying discounted tickets for Fringe shows, fancy dress, competition prizes and more.

With over 200 shows across three venues, fans can snap up £5 tickets for comedy, theatre, family, cabaret and more, with a percentage of ticket sales donated directly to Waverley Care, Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity. 

Fringe fans can enjoy some great entertainment and give back to a good cause, as shows participating in £5 tickets include Baxter vs the Bookies starring Andy Linden, last year’s So You Think You’re Funny winner Alana Jackson with her debut show Last Orders, local Edinburgh comic Michael Welch, Jack Docherty as The Chief with The Chief: Still No Apologies, Kim Blythe, Late’n’Live, Sophia Wren and many more!

Make a night of it with fun interactive shows like John Robertson’s The Dark Room, modern mentalist and hypnotist show PENMAN: The Imaginator – You, karaoke extravaganza Sink or SING!, and IKEA WARS, which challenges two comedians to build Ikea furniture on stage in a battle of wits (and home improvement skills). 

For a full list of shows offering £5 tickets and to book, please visit:

tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk 

or stop by one of the Box Offices across venues: Patter House, The Museum or our brand new Appleton Tower!

Ts&Cs: £5 plus handling fees. Tickets to participating shows only, whilst stocks last. Tickets cannot be purchased in advance and must be booked on the day via Gilded Balloon’s box offices and website.

Traditionally nicknamed ‘Black Wednesday’ and known as a day of slower ticket sales across the Fringe, Gilded Balloon introduced Pink Wednesday in 2018 to encourage locals and Fringe fans to take a chance on a new show and enjoy discounted tickets, all whilst raising vital funds for charity.

Each £5 ticket sold will see a percentage donated to Waverley Care, as well as charity staff fundraising throughout the day with bucket collections, QR codes and information points. 

Waverley Care was founded in 1989 in response to the HIV epidemic in Edinburgh, the charity now focuses on ending new HIV transmission in Scotland by 2030, while continuing to support people and communities affected by HIV, hepatitis C and sexual health inequalities. 

Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon said, “We’re thrilled to offer £5 tickets all day for some of the biggest shows at the Fringe – from Late’n’Live  to Jack Docherty, as well as some of the best rising talent like Alana Jackson, Michael Welch and Sophia Wren.

“Pink Wednesday is the perfect day to get out and see some new shows at a discounted price, all whilst supporting our fantastic charity partner Waverley Care.

“It’s wonderful to see so many of our acts opt in to support Waverley Care and donate a percentage of their £5 ticket sales today to a charity who are doing vitally important work across Scotland.”

Grant Sugden, Chief Executive, Waverley Care said, “We’re thrilled to be Gilded Balloon’s charity partner once again for this year’s Pink Wednesday event.

“As Scotland’s leading HIV and Hepatitis C charity, we’re committed to making sure no one feels isolated. We provide safe, inclusive spaces where people can access care and community with dignity, free from stigma.

“Thanks to medical advances, people living with HIV can now live long, healthy lives. But stigma remains a significant barrier that continues to harm many.

“Fundraising events like Pink Wednesday are vital. They enable us to deliver life-changing services, expand access to testing and prevention, and tackle the misconceptions that still surround blood borne viruses.

“We’re incredibly grateful to everyone taking part and supporting our mission to improve lives across Scotland.”

Waverley Care is Scotland’s leading HIV and hepatitis C charity, and everything they do is guided by the experiences of the people they work with – this ranges from shaping the services they deliver through to how they influence national policy around sexual health and blood-borne viruses (BBVs).

Waverley Care’s vision is a Scotland where anyone living with or at risk of HIV can expect to be treated with acceptance, support and respect. 

Find out more information and support Waverley Care – www.waverleycare.org 

Tickets  via  www.tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk 

Scottish Government: Further investment to prevent homelessness

£4 million for pilot projects

A fund for pilot projects to help people to stay in their homes has been launched by Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan.

Managed by Advice Direct Scotland, the £4 million fund will support organisations to pilot new ‘ask and act’ measures. These duties, as part of the Housing (Scotland) Bill currently being considered by the Scottish Parliament, will require bodies such as health boards, the police and prison service to take reasonable steps to prevent homelessness.

This Programme for Government commitment builds on an existing Scottish Government investment of £1 million from the homelessness prevention fund.

During her visit to West Granton Housing Co-operative in North Edinburgh Ms McAllan found out more about their ‘Get Settled’ project which supports 400 households who are homeless, or facing homelessness, across Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and Fife.

Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “We are determined to end homelessness – and the best way to do this is to prevent homelessness in the first place. This investment in prevention pilots will help us test and scale up innovative approaches to help people stay in their homes.

“By taking action to prevent homelessness and reduce demand on the homelessness system, we can help ease the housing emergency.  

“Projects such as West Granton Housing Co-operative’s ‘Get Settled’ demonstrates how targeted support can transform lives by not only helping people to find a home but supporting them to settle into their communities.

“By working with housing associations, registered social landlords and other third sector partners we are building the foundations for legislation in the forthcoming Housing Bill to help prevent homelessness.”

Chief executive of Advice Direct Scotland Andrew Bartlett said: “Advice Direct Scotland is proud to be at the centre of such a landmark moment for homelessness prevention.

“The new ‘ask and act’ provisions shift the focus from crisis intervention towards proactive prevention which could save many people from enduring the trauma of homelessness.

“We look forward to working with organisations across sectors in Scotland to help people at risk of homelessness.”

Maeve McGoldrick, head of policy and communications for Crisis Scotland, said: “Far too many people in Scotland are being forced to experience the trauma and indignity of homelessness in circumstances where, with the right help, it could have been prevented.

“These new legal duties, requiring public services to ask people at risk of homelessness about their housing situation, then act to offer support if needed, will help change that.

“But these plans are a world-first, and for the changes to be effective it’s vital we test out how they will work in practice, before the new protections are rolled out across the country. By running a series of pilots on the new homelessness prevention duties we can make sure those working in health, justice, education and beyond are fully prepared to play a greater role in ending homelessness in Scotland.”

‘Ask and Act’ – advice.scot

The West Granton Housing Co-operative administers £260,000 in grant funding for Get Settled ARCHIE services via seven housing associations who are members of the Alliance of Registered Co-operatives and Housing Associations, Independent in Edinburgh (ARCHIE).

Family Fun at Easter Drylaw orchard tomorrow

Fancy a bit of family fun in the Drylaw secret orchard this Wednesday? Come along for a free outdoor activity session with Paul our gardener and Alia our youth worker.

There will be snacks, drinks, craft, gardening, and tree care going on in a relaxed and informal setting within the beautiful orchard on Easter Drylaw Avenue.

📆 Wednesday 6th August

⌚️ 10.30 meet at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

OR: 10.45 meet at East Orchard, between 6 and 8 Easter Drylaw Avenue.

🎨 Nature craft and gardening activities. Relaxed and friendly staff.

FREE! Please bring sunhats, water bottles and suncream- it’s going to be warm!

Menopause Goals at Spartans

Join us for the next block on Menopause Goals:

Come along and meet like-minded women who understand the challenges that all stages of menopause bring!

Contact Jenni for info 07831 721086, jenniferpullen@spartanscf.com

Register:

https://app.upshot.org.uk/signup/5f23b8a1/a680edb0155db8c3/

Explore your future at Edinburgh College’s Clearing drop-in session

THURSDAY 7th AUGUST at SIGHTHILL CAMPUS

To give prospective students the opportunity to speak to lecturers about their application and course options for the 2025/26 session, Edinburgh College is hosting an Exam Results Drop In event at its Sighthill Campus this Thursday (7th August).

From 10.30am to 2pm, prospective students will be able to speak to lecturers about their course options following the release of exam results, and will get the chance to secure a place on a course for the upcoming academic session.

Those who have changed their mind about their original course choice, or who have not yet made an application for college but would like to study this year are also encouraged to attend.

Edinburgh College offers courses across a wide range of subject areas within the Creative Industries, Construction and Engineering, Health, Wellbeing and Social Sciences, and Tourism, Hospitality and Business faculties. Courses are delivered in a variety of study modes, including full-time and part-time study, and cater to the diverse needs of today’s student.

As well as this, Student Services will be on hand at the event to provide advice on funding options and access to learning support for those who are seeking further information about their study options for the coming year.

The Edinburgh College course clearing phone line will also be open for applicants and prospective students to call from 9am to 4pm between Tuesday 5 and Friday 15 August to discuss their applications and courses ahead of the new term.

The course clearing line number is 0131 297 8300.

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “Clearing is a crucial time for applicants and prospective students who are still exploring their options for the next step in their educational journey.

“At Edinburgh College, our fantastic range of courses are not only delivered by expert teaching staff, but are also designed to provide students with the skills they need to either continue their learner journey or achieve their chosen career.

“I strongly encourage you to come along to our clearing event or reach out to our teams through our dedicated clearing line to find out how you can Experience Edinburgh College.”