SUNDAY 21st JUNE at VICTORIA PARK 12.30 – 3.30PM
Pack your picnic baskets and join us this Sunday, 21st June in Victoria Park!
Trinity Community Croft and Drakkar’s Drift garden, located on the bowling greens, will be open to all. There will be live music, tours and activities throughout.
See you there!
Thousands of young people across the UK are set to learn about disability, inclusion and equality through a new Anti-Ableism Challenge Badge launched by Queen Margaret University (QMU) for Girlguiding UK members.
Co-created with disabled people, the badge introduces simple, engaging activities that help young members understand disability, challenge stereotypes and take practical steps to make their communities more inclusive. Designed for Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, Rangers and volunteers, the badge syllabus also builds awareness of disability history, rights and equity.
Developed by the Toy Box Diversity Lab at Queen Margaret University, the badge has already been successfully piloted in Girlguiding Scotland units in East Lothian. It will now be available as an optional activity alongside the core Girlguiding programme, offering flexible, low-cost or free ways for young people across the UK to explore inclusion and accessibility.
Dr Siân Jones, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Queen Margaret University and co-founder of the Toy Box Diversity Lab, said: “As a disabled person myself, this new badge represents a really positive step forward in the growing momentum around anti-ableism work with young people.
“Too often, disability is left out of early learning, but this badge helps change that by creating space for reflection, discussion and action.
“Disabled children and young people often encounter barriers that non-disabled people don’t notice, from inaccessible environments to assumptions about what they can and cannot do.
“Ableism can be subtle, but its impact is significant. By introducing conversations about disability, fairness and accessibility at an early age, we can help create more inclusive communities where disabled people are valued, respected and included. We hope this badge will give girls and leaders the confidence to recognise barriers, challenge them, and become advocates for positive change.”
Activities that can be completed to gain the Anti-Ableism Challenge Badge include adapting games to make them more inclusive, redesigning spaces to improve accessibility, learning the Braille alphabet, and exploring disabled role models and representation. Girlguiding UK leaders are supported with practical guidance, discussion prompts and information-based resources.
One of the Anti-Ableism Badge co-creators said: “It has been really affirming to me as a disabled person to be part of the development of these resources.
“I think it is really important to have these resources for young people to bring it to the forefront of their awareness at a young age. As a former Rainbow and Brownie, I would have appreciated this in my unit.”
Developed through QMU’s Toy Box Diversity Lab, the Anti-Ableism Challenge Badge builds on the Lab’s wider work addressing inequality, representation and social justice in educational and youth settings. The Lab works collaboratively with communities to ensure disabled people’s voices are at the heart of developing training, resources and inclusive practice.
Dr Clare Uytman, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at Queen Margaret University and co-founder of the Toy Box Diversity Lab, said: “At the Toy Box Diversity Lab, we aim to directly tackle representation and understanding of disability through play, imagination and discovery.
“The introduction of anti-ableism into Girlguiding’s suite of challenge badges is an example of how collaborative work can translate research into tools that support real change in educational and youth settings.”
More information about the Toy Box Diversity Lab can be found at:
https://qmutoyboxdiversitylab.com/anti-ableism-challenge-badge/
To sign up for the Anti-Ableism Challenge Badge, visit:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/GuideAndScoutChallengeBadges
On Europe Day, Saturday 9 May 2026, a free drop-in event for 16–35-year-olds will take place in Edinburgh, offering practical opportunities to study, work, travel, and volunteer across Europe.
The Connecting Europe Fair will be hosted at the French Institute on the Royal Mile from 10:00 to 16:30. Part of the wider Festival of Europe Scotland (7–17 May), this Fair is all about sharing exciting European connections that are accessible to as many people as possible.
Visitors will have the chance to meet with key organisations offering access to European opportunities, including the British Council, Erasmus Student Network, International Voluntary Service, the University of Edinburgh’s Languages for All programme, and the EU–UK Parliamentary Liaison Office.
The Fair will also feature exciting activities, such as:
Following the UK’s rejoining of Erasmus Plus, the Connecting Europe Fair offers a timely opportunity to explore education, volunteering, and travel across Europe once again. Whether you have five minutes or five hours to spare, pop by the Fair and in-person connect with experts who can help you unlock European experiences.
Organiser Niamh Donnellan explained: “The Fair aims to open doors and highlight accessible ways for young people in Scotland to engage with Europe, whether through study, volunteering, or cultural exchange.”
EVENT DETAILS
More Information: festivalofeuropescotland.org/connecting-europe-fair
Local school children have been busy monitoring the Wee Forest in West Pilton Park, assessing how the trees are helping to bring more wildlife, cleaner air and flood management for those very wet days.
Pupils have been helping to gather data as part of their studies.
Get in touch with emily@elgt.org.uk if you fancy having a go.
We had more help in West Pilton Park from our Craigmount High School Duke of Edinburgh volunteers, who helped cut back overgrown vegetation, litter picked and helped complete a bird survey. Thanks for your help.
There were some bears loose in the park as part of the Wellies in the Woods programme. We had fun reading the book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ and did lots of fun nature-based activities. Not to worry, the bears were friendly!
We’re very proud of this hard working group of young people from Granton Youth who are learning brick laying skills in order to build some new brick planters in West Pilton Park. This is part of the re-development of the park and will be one of the new design features.
To find out more about the planned improvements see here.
Ahead of this summer’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the British Council has joined forces with children’s charity Youth Sport Trust to produce a new classroom resource pack for schools.
Designed to support learning and activities for young people, the pack celebrates the return of the Commonwealth Games to Glasgow this summer from 23 July – 2 August and the work of the Commonwealth to improve the lives of its citizens.
The resource forms part of the Glasgow 2026 Schools Programme and is inspired by All In – the nationwide call to action for this year’s Games, inviting communities to celebrate the Games in their own ‘altogether brilliant’ way.
The pack was launched yesterday at St John Paul II School in Castlemilk, Glasgow, where teacher and former Glasgow 2014 ceremony cast member, Jacqueline Hart and her pupils were visited by gymnast Cameron Lynn who, following his appearance at Birmingham 2022, is aiming to represent his country again at Glasgow 2026; and Glasgow 2026’s official mascot Finnie, the sport-loving unicorn.
Featuring a series of interactive learning activities and materials, teachers can use the resource pack to raise awareness of the Commonwealth and its values and help young people feel connected to the Games, their local community, country and the wider Commonwealth.
Schools can find out more and download the pack here.
Pupils will be introduced to the Games’ values of Humanity, Destiny and Equality through sessions exploring connection, fairness and inclusion. This echoes the British Council’s work building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and other countries through arts and culture, education and English language.
Designed for pupils aged between 7 and 11, the activities in the pack are flexible and adaptable. Teachers can use them as starting points for individual lessons or to form part of a larger cross-curricular project with a partner school overseas.
The British Council is also inviting any schools wishing to participate with an overseas partner to use their PartnerFinder database free of charge, to search for like-minded schools around the world.
The classroom resource builds on the British Council’s Schools Connect programme, which supports young people in the UK and around the world to build the skills, knowledge and attitudes they need to respond to global challenges and develop international understanding.
Glasgow 2026 is set to be ‘the most inclusive, community-driven and connected Commonwealth Games yet’, with 3,000 athletes from 74 nations and territories set to compete in an 11-day programme of 10 sports and six Para sports across four iconic venues.
Beyond its credentials as a major historical sporting event, The Commonwealth Games is also a chance for people from around the world to come together, celebrate their cultures and learn from each other.
Claire de Braekeleer, Director, British Council Scotland, said: ‘The Commonwealth Games 2026 is not just a sporting event, it is a chance for people from around the world to come together, celebrate their cultures and learn from each other.
“This classroom resource pack will enable children and young people to connect internationally on critical themes, such as equality and fairness, and celebrate the Game’s focus on inclusion and sustainability.
“While we proudly shine a light on Glasgow and Scotland as this year’s hosts, the pack is available for all and we hope that teachers and pupils across the whole of the UK will benefit from the resources available.’
Emily Reynolds, Director, Youth Sport Trust, added: ‘The Youth Sport Trust are delighted to be working in partnership with the British Council and Glasgow 2026 to bring this engaging resource to schools and teachers.
“The Commonwealth Games offer a powerful opportunity to connect young people to Glasgow, the values that unite the Commonwealth, and the wide range of sports that make the Games so special.
“Multi-sport events like the Commonwealth Games can inspire children and young people of all backgrounds, helping them to discover new sports, develop curiosity, and build a lifelong relationship with physical activity.
“This resource is designed to support teachers to bring that inspiration into the classroom and empower young people to learn through sport.’
Phil Batty OBE, Chief Executive, Glasgow 2026, said: “‘The Glasgow 2026 Schools Programme is helping to bring the Games to life in classrooms across Glasgow and Scotland, ensuring that young people feel genuinely connected to what these Games represent. It’s vital that young people across the country see themselves reflected in Glasgow 2026, and this programme plays a key role in making that happen.
“Developed with the support of partners including the British Council and the Youth Sport Trust, the programme gives pupils the opportunity to explore the cultures that make up the Commonwealth, increase participation in sport and develop positive, healthy habits that can last a lifetime.
“The resources have been carefully designed to be inclusive and adaptable for all learners and educational settings, while reflecting the vision and values at the heart of these Games.
“With Glasgow 2026 set to deliver the largest-ever Para sport medal programme in Commonwealth Games history, it’s especially powerful to see that same ambition and commitment to inclusion championed through the Schools Programme.’
PICTURES: Craig Watson
We are excited to share with you all our fresh programme of events for 2026-27!
We look forward to welcoming you to this year’s programme full of community connection, wellbeing in the wild, and mindful moments. 
Pop-in to say hi and pick up a copy of the programme or you can view our programme in full here.
As always, if you’ve any questions or would like to find out more, get in touch with us
hello@pchp.org.uk
0131 551 1671
Our clubs are back this week, with an exciting new addition to our What’s New Wednesday!
We will be running a 4-week boxing programme in partnership with BLAST Boxing at Fetlor for P6+.
To sign up, please fill in the link below:
EDINBURGH and LOTHIANS GREENSPACE TRUST
Looking for some free fun this Easter holiday in your local park?
Head along to any or all of these workshops all about nature in West Pilton Park!
Forever Edinburgh has unveiled its 2026 Resident Days programme, building on the success of last year’s launch which saw over 1,000 EH postcode holders enjoy exclusive access to attractions, tours and experiences across the capital.
Following a strong response to the inaugural programme, Resident Days returns with an expanded calendar of themed moments throughout the year. Delivered in partnership with a wide range of Resident Rewards partners, the initiative continues to give back to the people who power Edinburgh’s visitor economy by offering exclusive deals for those who call the city home.
Resident Days will give Edinburgh residents exclusive rewards, including discounted access to a range of leisure, hospitality and cultural experiences across the city from almost 30 organisations. This is running alongside the Resident Rewards programme, which offers residents access to exclusive deals and discounts throughout the year.
The 2026 programme begins with World Heritage Day on Saturday 18 April, celebrating Edinburgh’s rich history and internationally recognised heritage.
Residents will be able to enjoy a range of exclusive offers including 2-for-1 tickets at The Royal Yacht Britannia, a discounted Three Bridges Cruise with Forth Boat Tours, 50 per cent off food at Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard and a special rate for a round of golf at Bruntsfield Links Golfing Society, encouraging locals to rediscover the stories, locations and experiences that have shaped Edinburgh’s heritage.
The themed days continue across the year, each shining a spotlight on different communities and interests:
Across the programme, residents can expect everything from discounted tours and trails to free exhibitions, exclusive entry to attractions, money off treatments, as well as food and drink deals.
Several participating businesses also boast strong accessibility credentials, with attractions such as Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, The Scotch Malt Whisky Society, Edinburgh Bus Tours and The Royal Yacht Britannia offering accessible facilities and experiences, supporting the programme’s ambition to make participation as inclusive as possible.
Councillor Jane Meagher, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Resident Days are an important way for us to recognise and thank the people who make Edinburgh what it is. Our residents support the local economy year-round, and this programme is about giving something meaningful back to them.
“By working in partnership with businesses across the city, we are able to offer accessible and affordable opportunities for people to explore attractions, try something new and spend quality time together. It is about ensuring that the benefits of our visitor economy are felt by the communities who live here.”
Casey Rust, Director of Marketing at The Royal Yacht Britannia said: “We are proud to support Resident Days and to support the programme for World Heritage Day. It is a brilliant opportunity to welcome local residents on board and celebrate the heritage experiences that make Edinburgh so special.
“Being part of Resident Days allows us to give something back to the local community while sharing the story of Britannia with people who live right here in the city. The response last year showed there is a real appetite for residents to rediscover their city, and we are excited to be part of that again.”
Full details of participating venues and how to claim rewards will be available on Forever Edinburgh’s dedicated Resident Day microsite:
www.edinburgh.org/residentrewards/residentrewarddays/
Local businesses interested in participating in upcoming Resident Days can contact the Forever Edinburgh team at visit@edinburgh.gov.uk
This project is funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Schools are out and we’ve got lots of fun children’s activities lined up for the next two weeks!
Note that we are closed on Friday and Monday for the public holidays, but are open on Saturday! Join us for a special Bookbug with your favourite cuddly toy. Slightly older kids will enjoy STEM Club and Board Games.
We’ll share more details of events next week.
2026 is the National Year of Reading – #GoAllIn
