Community Energy Generation Growth Fund opens

£8 million for community renewable projects

Communities across Scotland seeking to set up renewable energy generation projects can bid for support from an £8 million Scottish government fund which has reopened for applications.

The Community Energy Generation Growth Fund supports local communities to install wind turbines and solar panels or develop other types of renewable energy generation, such as hydro, to meet local needs.

Successful applicants will also be able to earn money from their projects by, for example, allowing them to sell excess energy generated.

The expanded Scottish Government fund, which includes £4 million from Great British Energy, is part of the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) and builds on last year’s support.

Since its inception, CARES has advised over 1,300 organisations and provided over £67 million in funding to communities throughout Scotland, supporting over 990 projects.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes is set to announce the reopening of the fund at the All Energy Scotland conference in Glasgow this morning (Wednesday).

Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms Forbes said: “Scotland is fast becoming a global renewable energy powerhouse, and it is vital that communities share in the benefits from this transition.

“This funding, for stand-alone generation projects, responds to the needs of local groups – has the potential to lever in significant funds for communities. It will also play a key role in our delivery of a just transition – supporting a greener, fairer future for Scots.

“It is also welcome that Great British Energy recognise the valuable role that communities play in our green transition and have provided support for the fund – helping to significantly increase the amount of support available to communities – and providing a catalyst for growth within the community energy sector.

“We will continue to work with our partners to grow the community energy sector to ensure that the delivery of renewable energy comes with benefits for people in Scotland, as well as supporting progress towards net zero.”

Chris Morris from Local Energy Scotland said: “We’re pleased to be building on the success of last year’s Community Energy Generation Growth Fund pilot to support more Scottish communities looking to take the next steps in their renewable energy projects and play an active part in the nation’s transition to net zero.

“Scottish communities demonstrated an appetite to develop new projects during the pilot phase and ideas taken forward include partnering with local authorities to install solar panels on schools, getting approvals for new solar farms and building wind turbines.

We’re looking forward to supporting communities and helping even more of these inspiring projects be realised. For Scottish communities interested, the Local Energy Scotland team is here to help with information and case studies.”

More information on how to apply

AND from WESTMINSTER ….

Great British Energy funding boost for Scottish communities

£4m Great British Energy funding scheme to target clean energy projects in Scottish communities

Community-owned energy projects in Scotland to get access to funding from Great British Energy
new investment will help communities install clean power projects to cut bills and provide energy security
joint fund with the Scottish Government will give communities a stake in their local energy supply

Communities across Scotland can today apply for new funding from a £4 million Great British Energy scheme.

The funding targets local clean energy projects – from community-led onshore wind, to solar on rooftops and hydropower in rivers – generating profits which could be reinvested into community projects or take money off people’s bills.

Great British Energy, the government’s publicly-owned clean power company, is giving communities a stake in generating their own energy so people can reinvest profits where it really matters.

Great British Energy’s £4 million funding is part of the £8 million Community Energy Generation Growth Fund, with the remaining funding coming from the Scottish Government.

Minister for Energy Michael Shanks said: “This is our clean energy superpower mission in action – putting communities in the driving seat of energy generation and making sure people profit.

“Great British Energy wants to kickstart a community energy revolution, empowering our towns and villages to become mini energy producers and reinvest profits back into the local community.”

Social media platforms failing to protect girls from harm at every stage

New NSPCC research has found that even the most popular social media platforms are failing girls at every stage, making them vulnerable to grooming, abuse, and harassment.
This comes as polling by the children’s charity also shows that a strong majority of adults across GB and in Scotland (86%) believe tech companies are not doing enough to protect girls from harm on social media.
Parents of girls aged 4-17 across GB highlighted contact from strangers (41%), online grooming (40%), bullying from other children (37%), and sexual abuse or harassment (36%) as their top four concerns when it came to their daughter’s experiences online.

The NSPCC is calling on tech companies to rethink how social media platforms are designed and prioritise creating age-appropriate experiences for young girls online.

Social media platforms, messaging apps and gaming platforms are failing to protect girls at every stage, according to new research from the NSPCC.

The children’s charity commissioned PA Consulting to conduct a new report, Targeting of Girls Online, which identified a wide range of risks girls face across ten popular online platforms including grooming, harassment and abuse.

As part of the research, fake profiles of a teenage girl were created on these sites.

The report found that the detailed nature of the profiles made it too easy for adult strangers to pick out girls and send unsolicited messages to their accounts.

Findings also highlighted how many of the features and functionalities employed by tech companies subliminally encourage young girls to increase their online networks, online consumption, and online activity – often at the expense of their own safety.

In response the NSPCC is urging Ofcom to address the significant gaps in its Illegal Harms Codes which fail to take into account specific risks which would be mitigated by solutions found in the report.

This comes as new YouGov polling for the children’s charity of 3,593 adults from across Great Britain, including 326 adults from Scotland, found that most respondents in both GB (86%) and in Scotland (86%) believe tech companies are doing too little to protect girls under the age of 18 on their platforms.

The survey also polled parents with daughters (431 from across GB), who listed contact from strangers (41%), online grooming (40%), bullying from other children (37%), and sexual abuse or harassment (36%) as their top four concerns related to their child’s experience online.

Half of the parents surveyed (52%) expressed concern over their daughter’s online experiences.

The Targeting of Girls Online report analysed features and design choices of these platforms which expose girls to harm online – including abuse, harassment and exploitation from strangers.

Proposed solutions include:

all services conducting their own ‘abusability studies’ to identify risky features and functionalities, as well as testing any new feature before rolling it out. These tests must include a gendered analysis of likely risk
social media apps should integrate screenshot capabilities into a reporting function, along with automatically detecting identifiable information in bios.
social media apps should implement a “cooling off” period once a connection is made between users, resulting in increased restrictions on interactions.
increased measures to prevent non trusted adults from being able to video call young users.

In particular, Ofcom should develop best practice guidance for regulated services, which outlines how safety settings and other protections can be adapted based on children’s age.

The regulator should then work with service providers, especially those most popular with children, to implement this guidance.

Without these necessary safeguards, young users – in particular girls – remain highly vulnerable to unsafe online interactions.

The NSPCC has long heard from young girls about their negative experiences online through Childline which encouraged them to undertake this research.

One 15-year-old who contacted Childline said: “I’ve been sent lots of inappropriate images online recently, like pictures of naked people that I don’t want to see.

“At first, I thought they were coming from just one person, so I blocked them. But then I realised the stuff was coming from loads of random people I don’t know. I’m going to try disable ways people can add me, so hopefully I’ll stop getting this stuff.”*

Rani Govender, Policy Manager for Child Safety Online, said: “Parents are absolutely right to be concerned about the risks their daughters’ are being exposed to online, with this research making it crystal clear that tech companies are not doing nearly enough to create age-appropriate experiences for girls.

“We know both on and offline girls face disproportionate risks of harassment, sexual abuse, and exploitation. That’s why it’s so worrying that these platforms are fundamentally unsafe by design – employing features and dark patterns that are putting girls in potentially dangerous situations.

“There needs to be a complete overhaul of how these platforms are built. This requires tech companies and Ofcom to step up and address how poor design can lead to unsafe spaces for girls.

“At the same time Government must layout in their upcoming Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy steps to help prevent child sexual offences and tackle the design failures of social media companies that put girls in harm’s way.”

Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19^th birthday.

Adults who are concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, or email: help@NSPCC.org.uk

“This is a historic step towards greater choice and protection for dying Scots”

Scotland’s Assisted Dying Bill clears first hurdle in Holyrood vote

The Scottish parliament has voted in favour of Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults Bill. MSPs backed the Bill in a Holyrood vote last night. A majority of MSPs (70) supported the Bill, with 56 voting against.

This marks a significant shift in support since 2015, the last time a Bill on assisted dying came before the Parliament, and reflects the overwhelming public support for the introduction of the choice.

In-depth polling has shown that more than three-quarters of the Scottish public believe that the law should change, with majority support in every constituency in the country.

The Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill would make the choice of assisted dying legal for terminally ill, mentally competent adults, alongside excellent end-of-life care.

Last night’s vote brings safe and compassionate choice at the end of life closer than ever before for dying Scots, say jubilant campaigners.

Welcoming the result, Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland , said: “This is a watershed moment for compassion. MSPs have today taken a historic step towards greater choice and protection for dying people. The Scottish Parliament has listened to dying people and is reflecting their views.

“Many will be feeling overwhelming relief and gratitude that today our country has moved towards a safer and more compassionate law. So many people have stood up and spoken out about the harrowing suffering their loved ones endured as they died. While this is too late for them, it is now an enduring part of their legacy and testament to their courage in calling for change.

“Liam Mc Arthur MSP has been an incredible advocate for dignity and choice at the end of life. He has led this debate with respect, compassion and integrity, and will do so as the Bill progresses through the following stages.

“Significant though this moment is, in the months ahead we will join him in working with MSP colleagues on the amending stages to ensure that a new law is as robust as it can possibly be.

“Today, MSPs have voted for choice, safety and compassion. They have expressed the will of the majority of Scottish people and have made history. Now we must make the choice of assisted dying a reality.”

Create your scent of the summer at an exclusive candle making workshop

Be the first to shop the new summer range from Laura Thomas Co. at Edinburgh pop-up shop and workshop

Summer has finally arrived and however you choose to spend these longer, brighter days – whether you’ll be enjoying gentle strolls along the beach, dining al fresco with friends and family, or simply soaking up the sun rays – you can capture it all at an exclusive candle making workshop.

For one day only, Laura Thomas Co. is hosting a pop-up workshop in the heart of Edinburgh where fragrance fans can blend a selection of summer scents to create their own bespoke candle.

Guiding attendees through the basics of olfactory compositions will be Laura Thomas herself, founder of the award-winning lifestyle brand. Drawing on her years of experience pairing scents to create candles that stir the senses, Laura will reveal the secret to balancing top, heart and base notes.

Taking place at Moleta Munro on Saturday 17^th May, all attendees at this hands-on workshop will take away their own uniquely perfumed candle, created using natural scents, 100% pure soy wax, a textile grade cotton wick, and presented in a reusable glass jar. The 8.5oz candle will burn for 35 hours, so attendees can enjoy their scent of the summer long after the sun sets.

Attendees will also get an exclusive first look at the brand-new summer range from Laura Thomas Co. which includes a stylish summer beach towel, a bright and colourful clutch bag for those summer evenings, a pretty basket for picnics on the beach, and a citronella travel candle to keep bugs at bay.

Plus, there will be treats served throughout the workshop, including tea, coffee and snacks during the morning sessions, and fizz, mocktails and nibbles in the afternoon.

Speaking ahead of the workshop, Laura commented: “The start of summer is such a special time. The prospect of slowing down and enjoying endless days in the sun instantly lifts the soul, and I’m excited to help capture those feelings.

“I’ll be assisting all our candle makers in creating aromas that evoke memories of summertime in years gone by, and spark excitement for the sun-filled days that lie ahead. I can’t wait to see what deeply personal combinations they all come up with.”

A place at the Laura Thomas Co. pop-up candle making workshop costs £35.

Places are strictly limited and must be booked online in advance.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Saturday 17^th May
Time: Sessions start at 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm and 2:30pm
Duration: 30-45 minutes
Where: Moleta Munro, 43-46 London Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6LX
Cost: £35 per person

Booking: Places are strictly limited. Book online at www.laura-thomas.com/product/summer-launch-pop-up-candle-workshop

Short breaks, big memories

Turn the last May Bank Holiday weekend into unforgettable European city break with Jet2CityBreaks

Explore more than 30 city break destinations and enjoy a well-deserved holiday with Jet2CityBreaks
Discover Rome, Krakow, Barcelona, Prague and more from one of Jet2.com’s 13 UK airport bases

With only one bank holiday left for the next three months, Jet2CityBreaks is inspiring customers to make the most of the next long weekend and escape to inspiring cities across Europe.

From sun-soaked plazas to fairytale old towns, Europe’s cities are packed with charm, history, and endless adventures. With plenty to see, the cities of Rome, Krakow, Barcelona, and Prague are perfect short break destinations for a long weekend.

With friendly flight times, Jet2CityBreaks offers plenty of short break packages to suit all tastes and budgets.

By choosing Jet2CityBreaks – a Which? Recommended Provider for City Breaks for the fourth year running – holidaymakers can enjoy award-winning getaways for even less, as the city break specialist is offering £100pp off all city breaks, plus an extra £60 per booking on all May and June getaways in the myJet2 sale.

With over 30 city break destinations to choose from, customers can enjoy VIP customer service, return flights (including a 22kg baggage allowance), and a choice of 2-5 star hotels all wrapped in one ATOL-protected bundle.

Rome

Best for: Ancient ruins and historic architecture

Italy’s capital city, Rome, is the kind of place that stays with you long after you’ve left. One minute you’re standing in front of the Colosseum, imagining gladiator battles, and the next, you’re tucking into a delicious carbonara in a tucked-away trattoria. From tossing a coin in the Trevi Fountain to sipping an Aperol Spritz in Piazza Navona, Rome is pure magic.

Jet2CityBreaks – Italy, Rome, 4 star H10 Roma Citta, 3 nights room-only departing from Birmingham on 23^rd May.

Price: £659 per person based on 2 sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance.

Krakow

Best for: Comfort food and cobbled streets

Krakow has all the medieval charm of a Polish fairytale, with a stunning castle, cobbled streets, and the largest market square in Europe. It’s also packed with cool, modern energy – think underground bars, buzzing cafés, and a celebrated foodie scene. Plus, history lovers can explore the city’s deep past, from the moving stories of Schindler’s Factory in the Kazimierz district to the incredible underground salt mines.

Jet2CityBreaks – Poland, Krakow, 4 star Xerion Hotel, 3 nights room-only departing from Manchester on 26^th May.

Price: £349 per person based on 2 sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance.

Barcelona

Best for: Sunshine and sangria

Barcelona has got it all – golden Spanish beaches, incredible food, and stunning architecture. Whether it’s admiring Gaudí’s Sagrada Família, getting lost in the Gothic Quarter, or stretching out on the sand with a cocktail in hand, this city has something for all.

Holidaymakers can treat their tastebuds to delicious tapas dishes, from patatas bravas and fresh seafood to churros dipped in thick hot chocolate. Top it all off with a sunset view from a rooftop for the perfect Spanish city break.

Jet2CityBreaks – Spain, Barcelona, 3 star Hotel Acta Voraport, 3 nights room-only, departing from Leeds Bradford on 23^rd May.

Price: £569 per person based on 2 sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance.

Prague

Best for: Grand castles and river cruises

Prague feels like stepping into a storybook, with its medieval bridges, grand castle, and its lantern-lit Charles Bridge. The city is a treat for the senses, from cruising down the Vltava River, discovering its history in the National Museum, or sampling a plate of goulash and dumplings.

Known for its buzzing nightlife and fun-loving vibe, many bars and beer halls are serving world-famous Czech beer. Despite the bustle, you’re sure to find hidden corners and secret surprises in this truly magical city.

Jet2CityBreaks – Czech Republic, Prague, 3 star Prague Centre Plaza, 3 nights bed & breakfast departing from Manchester on 23^rd May.

Price: £429 per person based on 2 sharing, includes a 22kg baggage allowance.

For further information, please visit: www.jet2citybreaks.com

****All deals supplied are the cheapest available rates for the holiday(s) or flight(s) specified and therefore availability may be limited at this price. Prices are correct as at 08/05/2025.

To ensure we are fulfilling our obligations under the Digital Markets, Competition & Consumers Act 2024, please ensure that you provide your end user and/or include in all marketing material, all holiday details supplied to you including a link to the Jet2.com (https://www.jet2.com/en/Terms) / Jet2holidays (https://www.jet2holidays.com/terms-and-conditions) T&Cs and details of the customers Key Rights (https://www.jet2holidays.com/travel-arrangement-rights), together with the statement that “prices are correct as at 08/05/2025 and are the cheapest available rates for the holiday /flight specified, therefore availability may be limited at this price.

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For further information visit: www.jet2holidays.com/city-breaks

Tough Mudder to take over Edinburgh: 7th June

Scots get ready – Tough Mudder is back, and it’s coming in harder, faster, and muddier than ever before.

On Saturday 7 June 2025, Hopetoun Estate in South Queensferry will play host to one of the grittiest, most adrenaline-pumping obstacle courses in the UK. Just 35 minutes from Edinburgh and 50 minutes from Glasgow, this brand-new location is the ultimate test of strength, endurance, and sheer willpower.

Nestled along the shores of the Firth of Forth, this 6,500-acre playground is unlike anything Tough Mudder Scotland has seen before. Think winding woodland trails, deep mud trenches, beachside terrain, and epic water obstacles that will push you to your absolute limits.

With breathtaking views across to the hills of Fife, don’t let the scenery fool you, this course is designed to break you down before building you back up.

The toughest choice you’ll make all year:

5K – 12+ Obstacles: A fast and furious dose of Tough Mudder action. Shorter? Yes. Easier? Absolutely not. This course packs a serious punch.

15K – 20+ Obstacles: The ultimate challenge for Mudders ready to go the distance. Expect lung-busting climbs, mud-soaked trenches, and brutal obstacles that will push every muscle to its max.

At Tough Mudder Scotland, you don’t just face the obstacles, you conquer them together. From scaling the slippery heights of Everest 2.0 to plunging into the ice-cold shock of Arctic Enema, every challenge is designed to test your Scottish grit.

You’ll haul teammates over the Block Ness Monster, brave the electrifying sprint of Electroshock Therapy, and power through relentless mud trenches – all with the support of fellow Mudders by your side.

This is more than just a race; it’s a brotherhood forged in mud, sweat, and sheer determination.

Located just 35 minutes from Edinburgh and 50 minutes from Glasgow, this one-day event unfolds against the stunning backdrop of Hopetoun Estate, where finishers will receive a commemorative medal, finisher’s t-shirt, and a well-earned sense of accomplishment after conquering the rugged, mud-soaked terrain like no other.

For more information, registration details, and updates, visit:

https://toughmudder.co.uk/events/scotland/

Parents of teens reminded to extend Child Benefit claim online

Parents of 16 to 19 year olds can go online to extend their Child Benefit claim to guarantee payments in September

Parents of 16 to 19 year olds reminded to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August to continue payments
Last year, 870,000 parents extended their Child Benefit with the majority confirming online
Parents extending via the HMRC app or the digital service guarantee their payments quickly and easily

Parents of 16 to 19 year olds will receive reminders from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) to extend their Child Benefit claim by 31 August if their child is staying in education or training or payments will automatically stop.

Child Benefit will automatically stop on 31 August on or after a child’s 16th birthday if it’s not extended.

Between May and July, letters will be sent to parents reminding them to go online to confirm if their teenager is staying in full time education or approved training after they finish their GCSEs to continue receiving their Child Benefit.

Parents can extend their claim quickly and easily via the HMRC app or online on GOV.UK. The letters also contain a handy QR code which takes parents straight to the digital service on GOV.UK.

Child Benefit is currently worth £26.05 per week – or £1,354.60 a year – for the eldest or only child and £17.25 per week – or £897 a year – for each additional child. More than 870,000 parents extended their Child Benefit claim for their teen last year with the majority confirming online or via the HMRC app in minutes.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “Child Benefit is an important boost to families. As soon as you know what your teenager is planning to do, extend your claim in minutes to guarantee your payments continue in September.

“Simply go to GOV.UK or the HMRC app to confirm today.”

Child Benefit can continue to be paid for young people who are studying full time in non-advanced education as well as unpaid approved training courses. Visit GOV.UK to check full eligibility.

If either the claimant or their partner has an individual income of between £60,000 and £80,000, the higher earner will be subject to the High Income Child Benefit Charge. For families who fall into this category, the online Child Benefit tax calculator provides an estimate of how much benefit they will receive, and what the charge may be.

From this summer, as part of the government’s Plan for Change, families will have the option to use a new digital service to pay the charge directly through their PAYE tax code instead of filing a Self Assessment tax return.

The new service will cut red tape for eligible employed parents who are liable to the High Income Child Benefit Charge but those who choose to pay the charge through their Self Assessment can continue to do so.

Families who have previously opted out of Child Benefit payments can opt back in and restart their payments quickly and easily online or via the HMRC app.

Teenagers turning 16 can take control of their Child Trust Fund savings account, which could be worth thousands of pounds, and can withdraw the money once they turn 18. Child Trust Funds were set up for every child born between 1 September 2002 and 2 January 2011.

If teenagers or their parents and guardians know who their Child Trust Fund provider is, they can contact them directly.

If they don’t know where their account is, they can use the free online tool on GOV.UK to find out who their Child Trust Fund provider is.

More information on Child Benefit for 16 to 19 year olds.

Philanthropists driving global change celebrated in Edinburgh

Five philanthropists and one nonprofit organisation whose vision and generosity are tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges were recognised at a private ceremony in Edinburgh last week.

The international family of Carnegie institutions gathered in Scotland – the birth country of founder, 19^th century philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie – to celebrate the achievements of the 2025 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy recipients:

Carol Colburn Grigor CBE, recognised for her commitment to supporting the arts and cultural life across the UK, Ireland, the United States, and Australia.
Joe Neubauer and Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer, honoured for their lifelong contributions to education, public safety, and the arts.
Barbara and Amos Hostetter, acknowledged for their leadership and lasting impact through the Barr Foundation, which has granted over $1.5 billion to climate, education, and the arts since 1997.

Comic Relief received the 2025 Carnegie Catalyst Award for its pioneering use of entertainment and collective action to raise more than £1.6billion to address poverty and inequality in the UK and internationally.

Co-founders Sir Lenny Henry and Richard Curtis CBE accepted the award and a $50,000 grant on the organisation’s behalf.

Accepting the award, Richard Curtis CBE said: “Both Lenny and I are deeply honoured to accept the Carnegie Catalyst Award on behalf of Comic Relief. When we began our journey back in 1985 our primary goal was to be exactly that – a catalyst for charitable efforts across the UK and beyond.

“We didn’t set out to be personally recognised, we intended to make change and encourage others to do the same. We’re proud that, over the last 40 years, funds raised by Comic Relief have supported some of the most vital services and organisations across the UK and internationally, and to be recognised as a philanthropic catalyst by the Carnegie institution is a major accolade for us.

“It means a lot to us to accept this award for our efforts in driving a culture of charitable change – for me the award is an acknowledgement of the kindness and generosity of every single person who has, in some way or another, been involved with Comic Relief over the years – and the value of every single pound that has been donated.”

The awards ceremony took place at the historic Signet Library in Edinburgh.

Gillian Taylor, CEO of Carnegie Dunfermline and Hero Fund Trust, one of the host organisations, said: “It has been an honour to welcome the Carnegie family of institutions and this year’s recipients back to Scotland for the first time in ten years.

“Today’s events truly highlighted the extent to which generosity and action can shape the future and we are proud as an institution to continue to drive change decades on from our founders’ efforts.”

Professor Dame Louise Richardson DBE, President of Carnegie Corporation of New York, added: “It has been an inspiration to gather in Andrew Carnegie’s native Scotland to celebrate this year’s medallists and Catalyst Award recipients.

“The honourees are exemplars of philanthropy that, in the words of Carnegie, help ‘bend the universal tree of humanity a little in the direction most favourable to the production of good fruit.’”

The 2025 ceremony was hosted collaboratively by the three UK-based Carnegie institutions: Carnegie Dunfermline Trust, Carnegie UK, and The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland.

It marks only the third time the awards have been presented in the UK since their inception in 2001.

Call for more foster carers

Helping children grow and thrive

A new national recruitment campaign to help find more foster carers has been launched by First Minister John Swinney.

The Scottish Government campaign, which was announced at John Lewis in Edinburgh to mark the start of Foster Care Fortnight, aims to support the recruitment of more Local Authority foster carers.

The Fostering Network estimates that Scotland needs at least 400 additional foster carers, and this campaign seeks to raise awareness of the benefits of fostering and encourage people across the country to consider if they could support a child or young person in the care system.

John Lewis – a key campaign partner – are a foster friendly employer providing extra support to employees who are foster carers, something the Scottish Government has recently introduced to its own staff.

The company also run a Care Experienced internship which supports hundreds of young people with care experience to get work experience.

The campaign will be running in May and June, with a new website and an advice line for anyone interested in finding out more.

As he met foster carers at the new campaign launch, the First Minister said: “Foster carers play a vital role supporting and providing safe and loving foster homes to children and young people. They are key to our ambition of delivering The Promise by 2030.

“Across Scotland, foster carers provide stability, care and connection to support children and young people to thrive.

“Our campaign importantly focuses on how the everyday ‘ordinary’ can be extraordinary for a child in foster care. Fostering can be transformational for a child or young person and by stepping forward, foster carers offer not just a home, but the relationships and support that help shape brighter futures.”

Anne Currie, Assistant Director for Scotland at The Fostering Network, said: “We welcome the launch of the Scottish Government’s national campaign to recruit foster carers, and we’re proud to back this initiative by providing additional support to our Fosterline service to specifically manage enquiries.

“We hope this leads to more people stepping forward to become foster carers in Scotland, and raises awareness of the vital role fostering plays.

“The need has never been more urgent – as over 350 foster carers leave each year, it’s critical that we take action now.”

Ceira Thom, Head of Learning, Inclusion and Belonging at the John Lewis Partnership, said: “At the John Lewis Partnership, we believe that every child deserves a safe, loving home where they can grow and flourish.

“As the UK’s largest Fostering Friendly employer, we’re proud to support this vital campaign and to help raise awareness of the life-changing role foster carers play in young people’s lives.”

Partnership secures the future of Leith Custom House

Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT) is delighted to announce a new community partnership with Leith Civic Trust aimed at securing the long-term future of Leith Custom House.

The collaboration promises to transform this landmark historic building into a vibrant civic space and Scotland’s first fully digital museum, creating a ‘town square for the twenty-first century’ that will celebrate Leith’s unique culture and heritage.

Maggie Wright, Chair, Scottish Historic Buildings Trust, said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with Leith Civic Trust to help us realise the long-held community desire for a museum for Leith.

“The ambition has always been for this museum to be managed by the community through a community-led charitable trust who would ensure that the museum responds to local needs and aspirations, Leith Civic Trust will help us realise this goal together.

“This project has been a long-time in development, but following the agreement last year with Edinburgh Museums & Galleries, we are delighted that the project now has real momentum”

Following from the strategic partnership with City of Edinburgh Council Museums & Galleries agreed last October, the new community partnership with Leith Civic Trust will ensure that this project is developed for, and by, the local community.

Leith Civic Trust will be adopted by SHBT as the future operator of the groundbreaking museum at the heart of this innovative restoration project.

This marks an exciting new chapter for Leith Civic Trust whose work for over two decades has championed the history and heritage of Leith.

SHBT will support Leith Civic Trust in growing its membership and recruiting new trustees, who will receive in-depth training to manage the digital museum once the restoration is complete.

Cron Mackay, President, Leith Civic Trust, said: “Since our foundation in 1968, Leith Civic Trust has been dedicated to preserving and championing the beauty, history and character of Leith. Leith has a wealth of distinctive stories to tell, and we are delighted that the new museum at Custom House will be a space where all Leithers, old and new, can see themselves represented.

“We look forward to welcoming new Members as we embark on this exciting journey together with SHBT and encourage anyone who may be interested in being involved to get in touch.”

Ben Macpherson, MSP for Leith, attended the event and said: “It is great to see this progress, and further collaboration, towards realising the potential of the Customs House as an even better space for the people of Leith to use and enjoy, and for visitors to come and check out too.

“The plans are exciting and the momentum is building, with more partners getting involved and new potential avenues for funding emerging.

“I pay tribute to everyone that’s been involved in the project – including those who saved the building for the community, and have been engaged for many years now – and I look forward to continuing to support the exciting vision that there is now for the Customs House, and believe that by working together we can all make this happen.”

Tracy Gilbert, Labour MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, said: “One of my very first visits as an MP was to Leith Custom House, and even then, I was amazed by the dedication of the team to securing Custom House as a community anchor.

“The launch of the partnership demonstrates a strong commitment to working with local businesses and residents. I congratulate the whole team on their success so far and look forward to working with them to deliver their ambitious vision.”