LifeCare and Lannan celebrate sweet success and a growing partnership following sold-out event

LifeCare Edinburgh’s Sweet Partnership Afternoon Tea with Lannan proved a resounding success, raising nearly £3,000 to support LifeCare’s lifeline community services for older people across the city.

Hosted in LifeCare’s welcoming Hub on Cheyne Street, the sold-out event treated guests to a truly memorable afternoon of exquisite Lannan cakes, community connection, and live piano music – all in aid of LifeCare’s mission to deliver care, connection, and companionship to older people across Edinburgh.

Following the success of this first collaboration, LifeCare and Lannan are delighted to announce that their Sweet Partnership will continue, with two Afternoon Teas planned for 2026.

To make the festive season even sweeter, Lannan will also be donating their beautifully made traditional trifles for LifeCare’s Community Christmas Lunches – a delicious gesture that’s sure to spread joy across Edinburgh this December.

Darcie Maher of Lannan, said: “It’s been such a pleasure to partner with LifeCare. This was our first event of its kind, and we couldn’t have chosen a better partner.

“We’ve had the privilege of seeing and hearing about the incredible work they do firsthand, and we’re so pleased to have been able to contribute. We look forward to building on this success and continuing to make a difference, one slice at a time!”

Claire Montgomery, LifeCare’s Fundraising Manager, added: “We’re over the moon with the success of this first Sweet Partnership Afternoon Tea with Lannan.

“The generosity of everyone involved – from our guests and volunteers to the wonderful team at Lannan – has helped raise essential funds and awareness for our work. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back next year for not one, but two, tasty events – and book now for those Christmas trifles!”

Tickets for LifeCare’s upcoming Community Christmas Lunches on the 9th, 10th, 18th and 19th of December are now available – but spaces are limited, so book early while you still can!

£18 pp including a donation towards spreading Christmas Cheer. 

Call 0131 343 0940, email enquiries@lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk or visit the LifeCare hub on Cheyne Street to book.

COSLA calls for urgent action to address Scotland’s crisis in social care

Councils Leaders have issued a stark warning about the growing crisis in social care, urging the need for social care funding to be a clear and focused national priority.

Following a meeting of Council Leaders, COSLA’s Health and Social Care Spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly said: ‘Social care underpins everything we value most within our communities – from dignity in later life, supporting people in their unpaid caring roles, to enabling people to live independently and participate fully in society.

“Local Government has consistently prioritised social care, protecting budgets where possible and working tirelessly to maintain services despite severe and well-evidenced financial pressures.

“But Local Government cannot do this alone. Demand is increasing, costs are rising, and the workforce is under immense strain. Without fair and sustainable funding, we risk the viability of services that people rely on every single day.

“Local Government is doing everything possible to sustain vital care and support services, but without urgent investment from Scottish Government to enable us to commission and deliver more care, the system is at breaking point. That is why as part of COSLA’s manifesto we are calling on the next Scottish Government to invest £750m into social care services.

“We urge a national focus on addressing the workforce and financial crisis social care is experiencing, to ensure those who need support are not left without the help they need to live fulfilling lives.”

COSLA, Scottish Government, care providers, and system leaders had been meeting in the first half of 2025 as part of the jointly convened Financial Viability Response Group to address risks and impacts of funding challenges across the health and social care sector.

Cllr Kelly continued: ‘It is crucial that we reconvene the social care Financial Viability Response Group immediately.  

“We urge the Scottish Government to engage with us and our valued partners in the third and independent sector through the work of the Group to address the financial and workforce crisis in social care.”

COSLA’s 2026 Manifesto calls for sustainable finance for local services, including calling for an additional investment of £750m for social care: 

COSLA-Manifesto-2026v2 (1)Download

https://www.cosla.gov.uk/manifesto

Audit Scotland recently published a briefing on Local Government budgets for 25/26, which reported a projected revenue budget gap in 26/27 for 31 councils of £528m.

Improving health through prevention

Funding digital type 2 diabetes programmes

A new Scottish Government programme is expected to prevent up to 4,000 people from developing type 2 diabetes.

The £4.8 million investment will offer education and virtual, app-based, individual consultations with nutritionists, dietitians and health coaches via the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) initiative to fast track proven healthcare innovations.

By focusing on prevention, this will reduce future health complications for patients, improve quality of life and ease long-term pressures on the NHS.

Health professionals in primary or secondary care will refer suitable patients soon after diagnosis of pre-diabetes or history of gestational diabetes – increasing equity of access to NHS services across Scotland – and self-referral will also be available.

Meeting frontline staff and patients at Pennywell All Care Centre in Edinburgh, Public Health Minister Jenni Minto said: “We want to improve access to treatment in the community, enhance preventative services and maximise the opportunities of digital innovation through our Service Renewal and Population Health Frameworks. This will deliver a sustainable and high quality health and social care system for the future.

“This digital programme reduces the need to travel to in-person appointments and helps patients make sustainable changes to their diet and lifestyle and prevent progress towards type 2 diabetes. It enables rural and urban communities to easily access services which can have a life-changing impact.

“It is a prime example of transformative innovation that benefits frontline staff and patients alike and supports our health and care service to meet the challenges it faces.”

The three-year programme will enable up to 15,000 people at risk of type 2 diabetes to access nine months of digital diet and lifestyle change advice through ANIA – with up to 4,000 of those expected to avoid the condition.

Director of Innovation and Transformation at NHS Lothian Jenny Long said: “Over the past five years, NHS Lothian’s dietetic service has successfully delivered both the diabetes remission and award-winning prevention programmes, supported by permanent Scottish Government funding.

!Their success has led to further investment in digital innovation via the Accelerated National Innovation Adoption (ANIA) pathway.

“New digital services will improve patient access and outcomes across the region, enabling direct referrals from primary care and reducing waiting times.”

The ANIA Pathway, funded by the Chief Scientist Office and led by the Centre for Sustainable Delivery, is designed to fast-track proven innovations into frontline healthcare across Scotland. By identifying, assessing, and implementing new health technologies with strong evidence and impact, ANIA ensures patients across Scotland benefit from the latest advances in care.

Head of Innovation at the Centre for Sustainable Delivery Jason White said: “This programme represents a major step forward in the delivery of preventative healthcare across Scotland.

“It will empower people with pre-diabetes via easily accessible technology to make meaningful lifestyle changes that will significantly reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

“The Centre for Sustainable Delivery is proud to support this initiative through the ANIA programme. It’s a scalable, evidence-based solution that will support people to improve their own health and wellbeing over nine months.

“It will improve patient outcomes and reduce demand on NHS services through reducing the growth of type 2 diabetes across Scotland.”

There are 310,000 people living with type 2 diabetes in Scotland, representing more than 5% of the population. In 2023, more than 25,000 new cases were diagnosed and the number is predicted to reach 420,000 by 2044.

Type 2 diabetes | NHS inform

Poppy seller raises thousands on two-day rail marathon to Edinburgh marking ten years of fundraising

Poppy seller Denis Scaife, a well-known face on the East Coast Main Line, has completed his biggest fundraising challenge to date as he celebrates ten years of the ‘Poppy Express’ with the open access operators Lumo and Hull Trains.

74-year-old Denis, alongside his wife Barbara, took on a poppy selling marathon which saw them fundraising onboard Hull Trains and Lumo services from Retford to London King’s Cross, followed by Newcastle and Edinburgh and then all the way back again in the space of just two days.

Lumo and Hull Trains organised a special treat for Denis and his wife upon their arrival in Scotland, with an exclusive invitation for them to attend a Scottish Poppy Appeal reception at Holyrood. There they heard about Poppyscotland’s vital work with the Armed Forces, as well as meeting fellow fundraisers.

Denis started the ‘Poppy Express’ ten years ago with just him and his wife. It has now grown into an institution with 15 volunteers travelling along the East Coast Main Line to raise money every year. 2024’s efforts raised more than £15,000, with hopes 2025 will exceed that amount as £11,000 has already been achieved.

Richard Todd, National Poppy Appeal Manager – Scotland, said: “It was lovely to welcome Denis and Barbara firstly at Edinburgh Waverley Station as the arrived off their train and later at our Edinburgh reception event and to get the chance to thank them both personally for their volunteer fundraising over the years.

“They have gone above and beyond for the Armed Forces community, covering thousands of miles and raising thousands of pounds. Already they look to be on course to smash their target this year, which is absolutely amazing.

“On behalf of Poppyscotland, a huge thank you again to Denis and Barbara.”

Denis is a former Non-Commissioned Officer (sapper) with the Corps of Royal Engineers and his passion for the cause is clear. Reflecting on the challenge, he said: “Hull Trains have stood by me and the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal right from the start and it’s always a privilege to sell poppies to the friendly and generous customers onboard.

“Our poppy marathon, this time teaming up with Lumo as well, has been a really special way to mark ten years of fundraising.

“Having the chance to attend the Scottish Poppy Appeal reception was a unique opportunity and a special moment for myself and Barbara.

“I’d like to thank both Lumo and Hull Trains for their amazing support and here’s to many more years to come!”

Stuart Jones, Managing Director of First Rail Open Access, said: “As open access operators, we’re proud to be deeply rooted in the communities we serve.

“Denis’s dedication to the Poppy Appeal embodies the very best of community spirit and we are honoured to support him in such a meaningful cause.

“I’d like to wish Denis a huge congratulations for completing ten years of fundraising and, in particular, this impressive challenge!”

At 531 miles from Retford to Edinburgh via London King’s Cross, Denis’s total journey covers more than 1,000 miles and was fuelled by unlimited refreshments and snacks onboard the Lumo and Hull Trains services operating as the Poppy Express. It also coincides with London Poppy Day 2025 on the 30th October.

Holyrood’s Finance Committee ‘in the dark’ over Scottish Government plans

Holyrood’s Finance Committee has urged the Scottish Government to begin long-term fiscal planning now to address Scotland’s future financial challenges.

The committee’s report on Responding to Long-Term Fiscal Pressures is published today, in advance of the government’s Budget being announced in January 2026.

The committee says it is “in the dark” over the detail of government’s plans and is urging the Scottish Government to use the Scottish Spending Review, also in January, to bring clarity to its priorities and how substantial savings will be made.

Finance and Public Administration Committee convener Kenneth Gibson said: “We agree with the Scottish Fiscal Commission (SFC) that the spending review provides an opportunity for the Scottish Government to set out how it will address Scotland’s long-term fiscal sustainability challenges.

“We seek further details of how the government is directing spending toward its priorities and what areas are being deprioritised.

“We’d also like to know how Ministers plan to meet their ambitions for public sector workforce reductions and efficiencies worth £1billion over the next five years. Evidence and trends suggest these targets will be incredibly challenging to meet.”

Mr Gibson added: “We asked the Scottish Government to provide a full response to the SFC’s Fiscal Sustainability Report on demographics in March 2023, but are still waiting. We, therefore, remain in the dark on the Scottish Government’s longer-term financial plans.”

While the committee welcomed recent improvements in the level of information provided in the Scottish Government’s Medium Term Financial Strategy on the ‘challenges ahead’, it questioned why a separate document was needed by the government to explain how it is responding to medium-term pressures.

Mr Gibson said: “We do not share the Government’s view that the two documents ‘set out a credible plan’ to deliver its priorities.

“Ministers must put greater emphasis on longer-term financial planning now, in order to mitigate the potentially significant impact of future trends within Scotland’s economy and population.”

The report asked the government to maximise opportunities for better aligning skills with the needs of Scotland’s economy, including supporting fit-for-future funding models for colleges and universities, and careers advice. And, how it is supporting organisations to retain and attract older workers and those with disabilities to increase labour market participation and grow the tax base.

The committee requested further details of how the Scottish Government is creating the right conditions for businesses in Scotland to grow, take a long-term view, invest in capital and leadership, and change attitudes to risk – all of which the committee heard are key barriers to productivity growth.

The committee also wants more information on how high-value businesses, such as in the FinTech sector, are being supported to ‘scale up’ including into unicorns.

Lastly, on social security spending Mr Gibson said: ““Our committee is not convinced that the Scottish Government has set out sufficient evidence to support its argument that the future social security budget is sustainable.

“We are disappointed the government’s Medium Term Financial Strategy did not include the information we requested on the fiscal sustainability of social security spending.

“Nor did the government say how it is assessing the effectiveness of, and outcomes from, its approach to benefits delivery in Scotland – or how this impacts upon other parts of the Budget.

“We’ve therefore asked the government again to carry out this work and report back without further delay.”

Read the Report on Responding to Long-Term Fiscal Pressures

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service: Here to keep you safe

Any attack on a firefighter is totally unacceptable and can significantly impact our ability to keep communities safe.

No one should go to work and be assaulted.

Respect those who keep us safe and help us to be there for our communities this Bonfire Night.

Strengthening Scotland’s relationships with Wales

Rhun ap lorwerth MS welcomed to Bute House

First Minister John Swinney met Rhun ap lorwerth MS, the leader of Plaid Cymru, at Bute House to discuss how relations with Wales can be strengthened.

Speaking after the meeting, the First Minister described Wales as one of Scotland’s ‘closest partners’ and said the two nations can be a uniting force in creating a fairer, more progressive society which seeks to tackle inequality and advance economic opportunities.

The First Minister said: “I am committed to forging a constructive relationship with nations across the UK and collaborating on issues of mutual interest.

“Wales is one of Scotland’s closest partners and I was pleased to welcome Rhun ap lorwerth to Scotland to discuss how we can work together to build a better future.

“Wales and Scotland have an enduring bond, with both countries having faced similar issues at different periods in our history. In a rapidly changing society, we must stand ready to work together again to overcome the challenges we both face – such as tackling child poverty.

“I have pledged my government’s commitment to working with the people of Wales to ensure our two nations can be a uniting force in building a fairer, more progressive society – a society that prioritises tackling inequality by creating the economic conditions to help communities thrive.”

Health Information Integrity Strategy

Focus on using trusted and accurate sources

People should use trustworthy sources of information to make the best possible decisions about health, Health Secretary Neil Gray has said.

In response to the growing volume of false information, and a recommendation from the pandemic advisory group, the Standing Committee on Pandemic Preparedness, the Scottish Government has launched a Scottish Health Information Integrity Strategy.

Mr Gray said it would help the NHS counter false and misleading health information by giving healthcare professionals the tools to enable people to make the best possible choices about their own health.

He said: “There is lot of health information at our fingertips, but often it is not in line with the science and evidence produced by international experts. Some of it is misleading, inaccurate, and sometimes just plain false. This strategy will help the Scottish Government and our health partners respond to the growing threat from such poor-quality information.

“For all of us, understanding our health and options is vital, as the wrong information can lead us to make the wrong choices that can harm us or our loved ones. The Scottish Health Information Integrity Strategy will guide our response to these challenges and help retain public trust in the NHS.

“For any health questions, in the first instance, people should go to Scotland’s national health information service NHS Inform, which provides evidence-based and accurate health information.”

University of Edinburgh Chair in Public Health, and Scottish Government Chief Social Policy Adviser Professor Linda Bauld said: “People are seeking information about their health in new ways, and often from platforms which are not accurate.

“This strategy marks the beginning of the Scottish healthcare system’s response. It describes potential first steps to help NHS Scotland and others build and maintain trust and find the best ways of providing people with information.”

The strategy makes a number of recommendations on developing leadership and co-ordination, and rapidly responding and building resilience to false health information. These include:

  • providing dedicated resources
  • participating in UK and international networks
  • supporting staff to have evidence-based conversations with patients
  • supporting embedding media, digital and health literacy into the Curriculum for Excellence
  • engaging with community partners and third-sector organisations on public health messaging.

Scottish Health Information Strategy

CrimeStoppers: Stay safe during bonfire season

Did you know it’s illegal to set off or throw fireworks in a public space, like your street or the local park?

If you know someone putting themselves or others at risk by letting off fireworks or deliberately starting fires, you can speak to us or Crimestoppers.

Anything you share with them stays 100% anonymous. Always.

Click to learn more: https://orlo.uk/mNdU2