Heading down to the beach, loch or river with your pals?
Look after yourself and your mates in the water to make sun-filled memories.
Learn about Cold water shock following the link in the first comment.
Stay Safe in the Water
New Acas survey reveals widespread gaps in workplace mediation skills
One third of Britain’s workplaces do not have staff with the necessary mediation skills to resolve a workplace conflict, according to a new survey.
The Acas survey, carried out by YouGov, found that 33% of workers thought that their organisation did not have people with the necessary mediation skills to resolve a workplace conflict, with the figure rising to 40% for SMEs.
Mediation is a way of mending relationships when there is a disagreement at work, and looks at how people can work together. It is held by an impartial mediator who does not take sides, and is a less formal, flexible and voluntary way of resolving disagreements.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 has introduced significant changes to workers’ rights, and provides an opportunity for employers and workers to work together to help organisations thrive and improve working lives.
Acas is encouraging employers and workers to work together to raise standards of workplace relations and help prevent and manage potential disputes.
Kevin Rowan, Acas Director of Dispute Resolution, said: “Mediation can be great way of preventing and managing disputes informally without the need for potentially expensive formal action.
“It is not about judging who is wrong or who is right; it is about bringing people in a disagreement together to agree on a way of working together.
“Mediation is a valuable skill, but our survey shows that too few workers are confident their organisation has the skills to use it in a disagreement. We encourage employers to make sure their managers have the confidence and skill to mediate successfully.”
Mediation can be used to resolve disagreements around relationships at work. It might be used to resolve personality clashes or relationship breakdowns, or bullying and harassment. It is not generally used to resolve things like pay disputes or issues related to dismissal or serious misconduct.
It is a voluntary and confidential process, and the mediator will agree with everyone what information can be shared. If you do not reach an agreement, anything that’s said is kept confidential.
Mediation can help avoid stress, manage disagreements and avoid formal procedures like an employment tribunal. The outcome is decided by everyone involved and can be flexible.
The UK Mediation Conference, on 30th June 2026 in London, aims to equip managers with the key conflict resolution skills, including
- Managing difficult conversations
- Preventing escalation
- Handling sensitive disputes inclusively and effectively.
Acas National
Next Week: Holiday activities at Stockbridge Library!
GET SET FR SUMMER FUN!
Over 1,000 micro-charities support Edinburgh’s communities
New analysis of Scottish Charity Regulator data by Ansvar Insurance has highlighted the important contribution made by Edinburgh’s micro-charities, with 1,317 grassroots organisations supporting a wide range of causes across the region.
The figures show that 45 new micro-charities – organisations with an annual income of less than £25,000 – were registered during 2025, adding to an established network of local organisations delivering support to communities.
Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, a specialist insurer for the charity and not‑for‑profit sector, commented: “The latest figures show that community spirit remains strong across Edinburgh, with more people taking action to support causes that matter to them and their local area.
“Micro-charities may be small in terms of income, but their contribution to society is often far greater than their size suggests. Across the area, these organisations support a wide range of causes and play an important role in local communities.”
Despite limited income, micro-charities often face many of the same challenges as larger organisations. These responsibilities often fall to a small team, who must balance day-to-day service delivery with the regulatory demands of running a charity.
Building awareness of these challenges can ensure micro-charities are better placed to continue delivering vital services.
According to Ansvar, three key areas are:
- Governance and trustee responsibilities – ensuring trustees understand their legal duties and that appropriate policies and procedures are in place.
- Cyber security and data protection – protecting the personal information of donors, volunteers and beneficiaries from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
- Operational resilience – preparing for unexpected events that could affect the charity’s ability to deliver services, and ensuring appropriate insurance and contingency plans are in place to minimise disruption.
Adam Tier added: “Many of these organisations are run by dedicated volunteers who are passionate about making a difference.
“By building strong foundations early on, micro-charities can put themselves in the best position to continue supporting their communities for years to come.”
Ansvar conducted the analysis to highlight the important contribution made by grassroots charities and to recognise the people who dedicate their time and resources to supporting local causes.
Community Barber at North Edinburgh Arts
WEDNESDAY 1 JULY from 1 – 3pm
We’ve got a professional barber popping into North Edinburgh Arts on Wednesday 1 July, 1-3pm, offering free short hair cuts for local residents living in North Edinburgh.
Spaces are limited, so booking is a must. Give the Link Up team a ring on 07493 876 130 to book your spot before the chairs fill up.
Open Letter: Libraries could be Scotland’s best defence against democratic decline
Scotland’s recent election tells us something important about the national mood (writes ALISON NOLAN).
The return of an SNP-led administration under John Swinney, the rise of the Greens, the fragmentation of traditional party loyalties, the emergence of Reform UK at Holyrood, and low voter turnout together point to a political landscape that is more divided, volatile and uncertain than at any point since devolution began.
At the same time, COSLA’s recent white paper on strengthening local democracy argues that Scotland must rebuild democratic participation and place power closer to communities. These are not separate conversations. The central question facing Scotland’s new administration is not simply how to govern, but how to rebuild trust, participation and civic confidence in an age of fragmentation.
That is where libraries matter.
For too long, libraries have been framed narrowly: as cultural amenities, repositories of books, or discretionary local services under financial pressure. Those roles remain important, but they no longer capture the full significance of libraries in modern Scotland. Libraries are democratic infrastructure.
In communities across Scotland, libraries remain among the very few public spaces that are free, trusted, accessible and open to everyone. You do not need money to enter. You do not need an appointment, a referral or permission. At a time when many civic spaces have disappeared from public life, libraries remain embedded in communities across the country.
The election exposed a growing sense of democratic disconnection. Turnout fell in many parts of the country. Political loyalties are becoming more fluid and polarised, while public debate is increasingly shaped by social media algorithms, misinformation and distrust. At the same time, Scotland’s new government faces enormous pressures, from public service reform and child poverty to digital exclusion and growing demands for more local decision-making.
Libraries can help Scotland respond to all of these challenges. Democracy is strongest when decisions are made closest to communities but local democracy requires more than changes to governance structures. It also requires trusted local spaces where people can access information, build confidence, participate in discussions and connect with one another. Libraries already provide that infrastructure.
Every day, libraries help people access digital public services, apply for jobs, develop literacy skills, connect with their communities and navigate increasingly complex information environments. They host community groups, youth activities and public events, while increasingly helping people understand online information, artificial intelligence and the digital systems shaping modern life.
In practice, libraries already do the work of democratic participation. We simply do not always describe it that way.
Imagine if libraries were recognised formally as civic participation hubs in every community: places where citizens’ assemblies, local consultations and participatory budgeting discussions could happen; where young people could develop media literacy and critical digital skills; and where communities could engage with regeneration, climate transition and public service reform.
Much of this is already happening quietly across Scotland’s library network. The challenge now is whether national policy catches up with that reality.
If Scotland is serious about prevention, community empowerment and democratic renewal, libraries cannot continue to sit at the margins of policy discussions. They should be recognised as part of Scotland’s democratic and social infrastructure, alongside schools, health services and community organisations.
Democracy depends on more than elections and institutions. It depends on trust, participation, shared spaces and equal access to information. Libraries provide all four. In the Scotland emerging from this election, that may make them more important than ever.
Alison Nolan
Chief executive, Scottish Library & Information Council (SLIC)
Stay Safe in the sun this Summer
Lots of us enjoy the heat, but it can make us unwell.
This summer, find out how to take care of yourself and others during hot weather.
Older Scots risk being trapped in poverty, warns charity
- Annual financial wellbeing index shows little to no progress for pensioners in poverty across Scotland.
- Numbers of older people on a low income cutting back on food and energy remain worryingly high.
- Independent Age calls for political action to prevent a generation left in poverty.
Independent Age’s second annual index into older people’s financial wellbeing in Scotland shows little progress on key indicators of pensioner poverty.
The ‘Older People’s Economic Wellbeing Index: Scotland 2026’, commissioned by the national older people’s financial hardship charity and conducted by the Diffley Partnership is a nationally representative poll of 1,800 people aged 66 and over. The research is repeated annually to track trends over time, and this is the second year that the research has been conducted.
The 2026 Index shows that one in five older people in Scotland have a household income of less than £15,000 a year. Of this group:
- more than 1 in 2 have skipped meals.
- 8 in 10 have cut back on heating.
- almost half have housing costs that are, or are becoming, unaffordable.
UK and Scottish Government statistics show that 130,000, or one in eight, older people in Scotland are currently living in poverty.
Morgan Vine, Director of Policy and Influencing at Independent Age said: “Action on pensioner poverty is at risk of stalling, with a generation of older people left trapped in poverty and making dangerous cutbacks as a result.
“Our latest Index shows that, in many areas, little progress has been made in the last year, including older people still feeling unrepresented by politicians, being weighed down by mounting costs, and not feeling their incomes and the financial support available is enough.
“With an ageing population it is vital that politicians across the political spectrum recognise the need for dedicated and sustained action to ensure older people living on a low income can live a decent and dignified life.
“This is a golden opportunity for the new Scottish Government to act now, to change the picture and create a much more positive reality for all of us as we age.”
Independent Age is calling for the introduction of a Pensioner Poverty Strategy to coordinate efforts to drive down poverty among pensioners.
The Index looks at five research areas: income and financial wellbeing, costs and cutbacks, housing, quality of life and political representation.
Income and financial wellbeing
Just one in 20 (6%) of all older people were confident that the State Pension would be enough to cover basic living expenses in the future.
Awareness of most social security payments has remained mostly static since 2025. Of all the people on a low income of under £15,000 a year, 1 in 5 are not aware of Pension Credit (19%), and the number is the similar for Housing Benefit (20%). One in eight are not aware of Council Tax Reduction (14%).
Only around half (54%) of older people agreed that they were confident they were receiving all the financial support they were entitled to, and less than half (45%) agreed they were confident they know how to apply for the financial benefits they were entitled to.
Costs and cutbacks
Eight in ten (77%) older people on a low income said that they have cut back on heating, and more than a third say they cannot afford to keep their home warm. More than half have skipped meals.
Significant proportions of older people across all incomes are also worried about energy usage. 21% cannot afford to keep their home warm enough, 26% are not content with the energy efficiency of their home, 29% say their current energy bills are not affordable and 13% are not confident they can meet the cost of their energy over the next 12 months.
Housing
More than 1 in 4 older people are living in a home that is becoming, or is, unaffordable to them. The housing affordability picture is considerably worse for older people on a low income than the general older population, with almost half (48%) saying their housing costs are, or are becoming, unaffordable.
Political representation
Most older people in Scotland do not feel well represented by political bodies and representatives. This generally has remained unchanged since the 2025 Index, where feelings of lack of political representation were high. One significant decline in feeling has been towards the UK Government. These have eroded particularly strongly – this research wave shows a five-percentage-point increase in the proportion who say the UK Government do not represent them (‘not very’ or ‘not at all’).
Recommendations
Independent Age recommends:
- All political parties commit to working cross-party to address pensioner poverty.
- The Programme for Government commits to introducing:
- a national Pensioner Poverty Strategy.
- a Warm Homes Programme for older people, to reduce energy bills through improving energy efficiency.
- The Scottish Government’s Benefit Uptake Strategy refresh takes a holistic approach to maximising the income of older people by taking action to improve take-up of devolved and reserved entitlements.
- Improving the social security system and support available to older people in Scotland.
- The Scottish Government guarantee the right to a secure and affordable home, by improving access to, and increasing funding for, Discretionary Housing Payments and building the affordable social homes older people need.
- An Older People’s Commissioner for Scotland is created.
- The UK Government ensures reserved social security payments are set at an adequate rate.
Great British Summer Savings: Tax cut on kids’ meals and days out goes live
- Every family across the UK will pay less tax on meals and days out as new VAT cut helps families enjoy trips to the seaside and making memories with loved ones.
- “I cannot think of a simpler and more accessible way to bring some affordable treats into family life this summer” – more businesses back the scheme and commit to passing on savings to customers including Butlin’s, Burger King, Wetherspoons and Picturehouse.
ALL FAMILIES can enjoy children’s meals in restaurants and days out for less from today as the Great British Summer Savings tax cut goes live today.
With every family set to benefit, the scheme will see VAT cut from 20% to 5% on eligible activities across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This tax cut will help families enjoy weekend treats, days out, and day trips that make the most of the summer.
Meanwhile, the scheme will support businesses by generating additional summer footfall. Businesses up and down the country have confirmed their involvement in Great British Summer Savings, including some of Britain’s most prominent attractions and eateries.
Picturehouse, Everyman Cinemas, Vue, Butlin’s, Wetherspoons, Shepherd Neame pubs, McDonald’s, KFC, and Burger King are among the businesses that have made the commitment to pass on these savings to customers since the Chancellor held a roundtable with major leisure and hospitality companies last week.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “The cost of living isn’t just about paying the bills, it’s about being able to afford the moments that matter with your family.
“Whether it’s a trip to the cinema, a day out together or family meal, too many parents have had to hold back because of pressure on household budgets – that’s why we’re slashing VAT on family days out this summer.”
Haven Holidays is also participating and expects to give up to £5 million back to families across their 39 parks during the scheme. Families will benefit whether they have already booked their holiday or book in the coming weeks.
In addition to passing on the reduction in VAT on their kids’ menus, Haven holidaymakers who purchase the Play Pass as part of their booking will receive a £7.50 voucher for each child. These vouchers can be redeemed against any of the many activities available on its parks.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, said: “I know the cost of living is a number one concern for families, and it can be even harder over the summer holidays when kids want to do things and money is tight. So we’re making it that bit easier for families to make memories together and enjoy the little treats – while giving a boost to businesses across the UK.
“This comes on top of support we’ve already put in place including freezing fuel duty, taking off £117 off energy bills, and freezing prescriptions and rail fares.
“We are able do this because we have the right economic plan, resulting in the UK having the fastest growing economy in the G7.”
Prices will be slashed for:
- Children’s menu meals served in restaurants for consumption on the premises
- Children’s and family tickets for cinemas, theatres, concerts, shows and exhibitions
- Admission tickets, for both children and adults, to a range of attractions, including amusement parks, fairs, museums, zoos, soft play centres, circuses, adventure parks, nature reserves, wildlife parks and observation attractions.
Lyn Goleby, Founder and Chair of Picturehouse, said: “I cannot think of a simpler and more accessible way to bring some affordable treats into family life this summer.
“We’re looking forward to a summer of family cinema that is super charged in every way except price.”
Simon Palethorpe, CEO of Haven, said: “Summer is a time for making memories, and that’s why we’re giving back up to £5 million to our guests and owners as part of the Government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative.
“We know household budgets remain under pressure, and we want to help our holidaymakers enjoy more of what matters – whether that’s a hole-in-one on the Crazy Golf, a leap of faith off The Jump tower or another shot to hit the bullseye in the Archery.”
A Butlin’s spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to support the Great British Summer Savings initiative by passing on the temporary VAT reduction where eligible.
“Families visiting our resorts will enjoy savings on Day Visits and children’s meals across a range of our dining venues during the campaign period.”
Granton & District CC: June meeting cancelled
NEXT MEETING CANCELLED
Our next meeting, which was scheduled for Monday 29 June, has been cancelled due to a number of Community Councillors being away on holiday.
July is usually a meeting-free month, so we will be back after the summer break in August.
So our next meeting will be on Monday 31 August, 6.30pm at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre.
Local residents are welcome to join us in person or online, or submit their questions by email.