As Edinburgh prepares to welcome visitors from across the globe for the start of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP has welcomed the return of the world’s largest arts festival and highlighted the pride it brings to the capital.
Every August, Edinburgh comes alive. Our streets are filled with music, theatre and comedy while local cafés, pubs and shops welcome thousands of extra customers and people come to experience the city at its very best. The Fringe is not only a major boost for the local economy but a celebration of the creativity, diversity and community spirit that make Edinburgh such a special place.
However, this year the Fringe begins after a difficult few weeks for the city. The fire on Princes Street is continuing to affect our public transport and ongoing discussion around policing in the city centre reminding us that Edinburgh also faces real challenges.
Commenting, Sanne Dijkstra-Downie MSP said: “The Fringe is one of the things that makes Edinburgh unlike anywhere else. There’s a real buzz about the city as performers arrive, venues open their doors and our streets fill with people looking to discover something new.
“It’s been a tough few weeks, though. The fire on Princes Street has been an ongoing issue for businesses and locals alike as transport continues to be disrupted. This is why I pushed the Scottish Government to provide emergency support.
“I’m really pleased we’ve now secured a £5 million recovery fund to help Edinburgh get back on its feet. That support matters, but so does making sure people feel safe when they’re out enjoying the city.
“The ongoing rise in petty crimes and anti-social behaviour have left residents concerned. These concerns need to be taken seriously because the Fringe should be something everyone can enjoy with confidence and in safety.
“The Fringe reminds us why so many people fall in love with Edinburgh.
“Let’s make sure we give visitors a warm welcome while continuing to back the businesses, workers and communities that make this city such a brilliant place to live all year round.”
We would like to say a massive thank you and farewell to Richie Adams, who has been our CEO for the last 5 and a half years! He has made a huge impact on FetLor through his leadership and ingenuity.
Richie joined FetLor at the height of the pandemic when we couldn’t even meet in person at the time due to the restrictions, but this didn’t stop him leaving a lasting impact at FetLor.
Please take a moment to read some kind words he would like to pass on:
Results Day is a major milestone for learners across Scotland, with thousands opening envelopes to find out what they have been awarded in their National Qualifications and Awards.
But on the day itself, and throughout the year, there are other achievements being celebrated too. Apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, college pathways and social enterprises are opening doors to rewarding careers and opportunities, offering routes that stand alongside and sometimes go far beyond a traditional academic path.
Take Ellie Sandison’s path in Shetland. After leaving university when full-time study alongside work didn’t suit her, Ellie found her direction through a front-desk role at Shetland Museum and Archives.
Ellie (PICTURED, top) went on to complete the Museum Galleries Technician Modern Apprenticeship, earning a Scottish Vocational Qualification (SVQ) in Museum and Galleries Practice while working full time, and now works as a Learning & Engagement Assistant at the museum, delivering sessions on Shetland’s heritage to schools and community groups.
“My career path was not exactly straightforward,” she says, “but all the skills I learned along the way brought me to where I am today, and I absolutely love what I do.”
“The pathway through apprenticeships is a brilliant route,” Kai says. “Not only have I been able to gain qualifications, knowledge and skills, but I was able to get real and meaningful experience from joining a team in a working environment.”
For Jacob, the difference was clear from the start: “Scran offered me a place where I didn’t just feel like a number,” he says. “All the cooking qualifications helped me to get my job in a kitchen and are the reason I have the job in the first place.”
Former pupil Elodie, now studying Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, says the course “got me more interested in the sector,” and has shaped her ambition to work in data privacy and human rights.
One of the winning team, Jovita, says the course “gave me huge confidence” as she prepares to begin studying English and Film at Edinburgh Napier University, with ambitions to become a producer.
Not every pathway runs smoothly, but that’s part of the journey too. In Glasgow, Demi Crawford is completing a Painting and Decorating apprenticeship through City Building Training College, having overcome a serious knee injury that required surgery and led to a lot of absence.
With a tailored timetable to help her catch up, she’s now heading into her fourth and final year, preparing to sit the skills test that will qualify her as a tradesperson. “No two days are the same,” she says, “which makes work more enjoyable.”
“These challenges were difficult,” he says, “but they also helped me grow stronger and more determined.” He now plans to continue supporting elderly service users.
Nick Page, Chief Executive Officer at Qualifications Scotland said: “Results Day is about celebrating every learner’s achievement, whatever path they’ve taken.
“These stories show the incredible range of routes available, from foundation apprenticeships and work-based learning to vocational qualifications delivered in schools, colleges and community initiatives.
“I’ve seen it first-hand myself when visiting centres across the country, and I’m continually impressed with the hard work of learners everywhere.
“Whether it’s a young person discovering a passion for cyber security, building a new career in social care later in life, or an apprentice overcoming setbacks to qualify, each of these journeys proves that success looks different for everyone.
“I want to congratulate every person who has worked incredibly hard to get to where they are, and for every learner in Scotland to know there is a path that’s right for them.”
New findings from neurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom) highlight 88% say caring responsibilities have limited their career progression, while more than half provide the equivalent of a full-time working week of unpaid care.
Leading neurodiversity charity Salvesen Mindroom Centre (Mindroom) has published a pioneering national survey examining the workplace experiences of parents and carers of neurodivergent children, revealing thousands are being forced to reduce hours, turn down career opportunities or leave work altogether because of gaps in health, education and family support.
Based on responses from over 250 parents and carers surveyed across Scotland and the UK in Autumn 2025, Holding It All Together: Workplace Experiences of Parents and Carers of Neurodivergent Children (supported by Baillie Gifford’s Neurodiversity Network) suggests the biggest barriers to employment are not caring responsibilities alone, but delays in diagnosis, fragmented services and inconsistent support.
The full findings will be unveiled at an online launch event on 4 August, where Mindroom will present the research for the first time, explore what it means for families, employers and policymakers, and outline the action needed to tackle the issues identified. Registration is now open.
The report paints a stark picture of parents trying to balance employment with caring responsibilities:
88% said caring responsibilities had limited their career progression
80% reported a negative impact on household income.
98% said the experience had negatively impacted their mental health.
55% provide 30 hours or more of unpaid care each week.
74% have changed their working patterns, and 58% have reduced their hours.
Despite this, 69% continue to balance professional or management roles and 44% work in hybrid roles.
Mindroom’s report’s central message is that the difficulties experienced by parents and carers are not caused by neurodivergent children themselves, but by systems that fail to provide timely and coordinated support. The report is launched alongside Mindroom’s 2025 Impact Report, which highlights rising demand across Scotland.
In 2025 alone, the charity supported 2,172 children, young people and families, received 1,801 new enquiries, and has seen demand increase by 309% since 2020. *
Aileen Shrimpton, Mindroom’s Director of Development, says:“Supporting parents and carers is not a niche issue.
“When support is delayed or inconsistent, families carry the consequences, and so do workplaces. This report provides a baseline for action.”
Gill Christie, Baillie Gifford, Chair of employee-led Neurodiversity Network, on behalf of the project team, continues: “Parents and carers of neurodivergent children are still holding work, family life and overstretched systems together, often invisibly.
The challenges described in this report arise not from them or their children, but from the fallout of systemic pressures outwith their control.”
Alan Thornburrow, CEO of Mindroom, concludes:“This research exposes an invisible workforce issue that has been hiding in plain sight.
“Parents and carers of neurodivergent children are not stepping back from work because they lack ambition or ability. They are doing so because they are carrying the consequences of delayed diagnoses, fragmented services and inadequate support systems.
“When skilled people reduce hours, turn down progression opportunities or leave employment altogether, families lose income, employers lose experienced staff, and the economy loses valuable talent. Supporting these families isn’t simply a welfare issue, it’s an economic one.”
To register for the official online launch event for Holding It All Together and discover the full extent of the findings, please visit: ‘Holding It All Together’ Launch**
The Foundation funds organisations tackling some of the biggest challenges facing veterans today, including mental health, housing, isolation, employment and family wellbeing
HRH The Princess Royal attended the Veterans’ Foundation’s tenth anniversary celebrations as the charity marked a decade of supporting veterans, serving personnel and their families through hundreds of organisations across the United Kingdom.
The Princess Royal met veterans, including Veterans’ Foundation ambassadors Simon Weston CBE and Mark Ormrod MBE, alongside representatives from funded charities during the celebrations at the Honourable Artillery Company in London on 2 July, hearing directly about the difference those organisations are making to the lives of veterans and their families.
The celebrations reflected a decade of partnership between supporters, charities and communities working together to improve the lives of veterans and their families, while also looking ahead to the Foundation’s next chapter through the Armed Forces Pledge.
Since its launch in 2016, the Veterans’ Foundation has awarded almost £40 million in grants to more than 500 charitable organisations and 1,100 projects, delivering life-changing support across housing, mental health, education, employment, wellbeing and community services for veterans, serving personnel and their families across the UK.
Chair of Trustees for the Veterans’ Foundation, Andrew Anderson, said: “The event was about recognising the extraordinary people who make this work possible – our supporters, our partners, the charities we fund and, above all, the veterans and families at the heart of everything we do.
“It was a tremendous honour to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal as we marked this milestone together. Her longstanding commitment to the Armed Forces community reflects the values that have guided the Foundation over the past decade. What we have achieved in ten years is remarkable, but our ambition for the future is even greater.”
Veterans’ Foundation Chief Executive Jane Gurney said: “Looking around the room during the evening, you could see the strength of the community that stands behind our veterans – from grassroots charities and volunteers to business leaders, ambassadors and lifelong supporters.
Over the past ten years, more than 288,000 people have helped us stand beside the Armed Forces community. Their loyalty, generosity and belief in what we do have made everything possible.
That support has enabled us to fund hundreds of charities and more than 1,100 projects across the UK, delivering life-changing help to veterans and their families. Our grants give organisations the confidence and capacity to grow, strengthen their services and reach more people in need.”
Veterans’ Foundation ambassador Simon Weston CBE said: “It was a privilege to be part of this celebration and to see so many people united by a shared commitment to those who have served our country.
“The Veterans’ Foundation has spent ten years backing extraordinary organisations that stand beside veterans and their families every single day. That support changes lives, strengthens communities and reminds people that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
The celebrations also looked ahead to the Foundation’s next chapter. During the evening, Chair Andrew Anderson announced an ambition to raise and distribute a further £160 million over the next decade, taking total lifetime funding to £200 million.
Guests supported fundraising activities throughout the evening, helping to ensure future investment in the charities and organisations delivering frontline support to veterans and their families.
As it enters its second decade, the Veterans’ Foundation is inviting people across the UK to sign the Armed Forces Pledge, adding their name and message of support for veterans, serving personnel and their families.
The anniversary programme also reflected on the Foundation’s journey to date, including footage of a commemorative projection onto the White Cliffs of Dover. Echoing a similar installation at the charity’s launch in 2016, the projection recognised service and sacrifice while highlighting the continuing challenges faced by the Armed Forces community.
I am writing in the hope that your newspaper can help raise awareness of the difficulties facing Fair Price Supermarket at Drylaw Shopping Centre, a business that has been at the heart of our community for decades.
For more than 50 years, Fair Price was run by Mohammad Shahid, a well-loved and highly respected member of the local community. Mohammad Shahid was far more than a shopkeeper. He was a friend to many, always ready with a warm welcome, a kind word, and a smile. Generations of local families knew him and valued the service, care, and sense of community he brought to Drylaw.
Sadly, My father passed away just over a year ago after a short illness while visiting family members in Pakistan. His death came as a great shock to those who knew him, and the loss is still being felt deeply throughout the area.
In fact, some customers are only now discovering the sad news. Many have spoken of how heartbreaking it is to walk into the shop and not see my father’s familiar smiling face behind the counter, greeting them as he had done for so many years. Some have even found it too emotional to return, such was the affection and respect they had for him.
Despite their grief, me and my family have worked tirelessly to keep the business running and preserve the legacy he built over half a century. They continue to serve the community with the same dedication and commitment that he showed every day of his working life.
Now, however, the business faces another challenge. The ongoing construction of zebra crossings within the shopping centre’s parking area has caused disruption and reduced accessibility for customers.
Many local people feel these works are unnecessary and fear they could have a damaging impact on the businesses that rely on convenient access and passing trade.
At a time when Fair Price is still adjusting to the loss of its founder, this additional disruption could not have come at a worse time.
I would like to appeal directly to the local community. If Mohammad Shahid ever served you, helped you, or brightened your day with his smile and kindness, please consider supporting the business he devoted his life to building.
Every visit and every purchase helps. It would be a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much to this community if local residents rallied around Fair Price and helped ensure that his legacy continues for future generations.
Fair Price has supported Drylaw for over 50 years. Now it is our turn to support Fair Price.
I hope your newspaper will help tell Mohammad’s story and encourage readers to stand behind this treasured local business during a difficult period.
We need your help to build a picture of Edinburgh’s third sector for a new report. Your feedback will help identify trends, the needs and the challenges facing groups and organisations across the city.
Charities across Edinburgh entered the new year facing a complex operating environment, as Scottish Charity Register data reveals more organisations were removed from the register last year than were newly established.
According to the register, 101 charities were registered in Edinburgh during 2025, while 122 were removed from the register.
Removal from the register can include mergers or charities completing their purpose, but the figures highlight the ongoing pressures within the voluntary sector as organisations adapt to rising costs, regulatory demands and changing funding patterns.
This local picture mirrors UK trends. The Status of UK Fundraising 2025 report found that 54% of UK charities saw their fundraising income remain static or fall over the past year, with a substantial majority attributing this to wider economic conditions. While income is not universally declining, many organisations are having to work harder to maintain stability.
Ansvar Insurance, a specialist insurer for charities and not‑for‑profit organisations, says the challenge is less about short-term survival and more about long-term sustainability.
Photo of a group of friends studying together at home
Adam Tier, Head of Underwriting at Ansvar, commented: “Edinburgh has always had an incredibly active charity sector, but these figures show just how challenging the current environment has become.
“Rising operational costs, a more competitive fundraising landscape and increased demand with an average of 27% of Edinburgh residents relying on charitable services mean organisations need to think differently about sustainability.”
To help local organisations strengthen their resilience, Ansvar is encouraging charities to explore less obvious strategies that can make a meaningful difference:
Build practical partnerships: Formal partnerships with organisations serving similar beneficiaries can reduce overheads through shared back-office functions, joint fundraising and collaborative grant bids, while strengthening funding applications.
Focus on long-term supporter relationships: Nurturing existing supporters through regular updates and consistent storytelling can help convert into monthly giving, providing greater stability than one-off donations.
Review insurance and risk exposure: A risk assessment can highlight duplicated cover or gaps in protection. As services evolve, charities should ensure their insurance reflects current activities to avoid unnecessary costs or unexpected exposures.
Despite the pressures, the registration of new charities in Edinburgh during 2025 demonstrates the commitment of local communities to addressing social need.
Adam Tier added: “Financial sustainability isn’t just about raising more money. Often, it’s about taking a fresh look at existing processes and asking the right questions.
“The organisations that thrive are those that plan ahead, understand their risks and adapt early, positioning themselves to weather these challenges and continue serving their communities for years to come.”
For Celia, Christmas isn’t about sparkle, it’s about survival
For those who provide round the clock care to loved ones, the festive season requires military level organisation around medication schedules, hospital appointments and the unpredictable demands of caring.
Carers Trust Scotland have heard from many unpaid carers that they started their festive season shopping and planning many months ago. This kind of early planning is common for many of Scotland’s 800,000 unpaid carers, who often have very little free time and disposable income. These individuals provide care worth £15.9 billion annually, yet their efforts often go unseen.
“I started buying gifts last Christmas,” says Celia, who cares for her son Paul. “I can’t just pop out when I want, so I plan ahead. When I see offers, I buy doubles and store them away.
“By December, I’m juggling food, drink and all the little extras that add up, it’s like paying double bills at this time of year.”
But festive cheer comes with added challenges. Rising energy costs have hit unpaid carers hard:
“Paul can’t regulate his body temperature, so the heating used to be on all the time,” Celia explains. “Now, with prices soaring, I’ve had to put it on a timer. This morning, Paul came up and said, ‘Mum, my hands are cold.’
“When I do put the heating on, he thanks me like I’ve given him an extra present. That’s heartbreaking.”
Research from Carers Trust Scotland highlights the pressures carers face, even during the holidays:
• 41% of unpaid carers on Carer Support Payment are struggling financially.
• 28% of unpaid carers living in a home with just one adult carer are in fuel poverty.
• Almost half (49%) of unpaid carers on Universal Credit and living alone are fuel poor.
• 74% worry about affording energy bills and 12% have used a food bank. • Only 30% say Carer Support Payment makes a meaningful difference.
Celia’s story reflects these realities. She’s not only managing the festive season on a tight budget but also fighting to restore her son’s care package after it was stopped without warning:
“Paul has a rare brain disease. He could die at any time. I’ve had to remortgage my house, and I’m thousands of pounds in debt just to keep his life as it was. If his routine changes, his anxiety could trigger another collapse.”
Despite these struggles, Celia remains determined to make the festive season special:
“Paul is an absolute joy. Every day he brings light and life to our home. He even makes his own Christmas cards, after six years of therapy just to hold a pencil.”
Carers Trust Scotland works with a network of local carer organisations to provide support, funding and advice to unpaid carers across the country. Reaching around 66,000 adult and young carers, the charity aims to ensure unpaid carers are recognised and have access to the resources they need to live fulfilled lives.
“Three out of five of us will become carers at some point in our lives,” says Becky Duff, Carers Trust Scotland Director. “This Christmas, we want people to understand the reality of caring and to celebrate the resilience and love that unpaid carers bring to their families every day.”
As Scotland approaches a new chapter in 2026, there’s an opportunity to ensure unpaid carers are better supported and recognised. Carers Trust Scotland will continue working closely with government and partners to shape policies that reflect the realities of caring.
A Little Help Goes a Long Way
Since April 2025, our small grants programme has provided nearly £130,000 in direct support to carers, funding essentials like heated blankets, tablets to reduce isolation, and respite breaks.
Every gift counts: £30 could keep a carer warm this winter, £100 could help an isolated carer stay connected.
Learn more about our work and how you can support unpaid carers at Fundraising for Carers in Scotland | Carers Trust Scotland
Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron writes about the challenges facing Edinburgh, and the work being done to tackle them:
In Edinburgh, our population continues to grow at speed and for some years now, housing demand has been significantly outstripping supply.
Since declaring a Housing Emergency nearly two years ago, this Council, together with housing providers and partners across the sector, has continued to grapple with this crisis within statutory and policy frameworks, including the new Housing Bill, and resources available.
Eighty thousand Edinburgh residents live in relative poverty, comprising one in five children, and 5,500 of our households are without settled housing, living in temporary accommodation.
To tackle this, the Council’s approach focuses on prevention, early intervention and mitigation.
Central to preventing homelessness is making sure everyone has access to a safe, warm place to stay; and investing in help and support for those at risk of losing their homes.
In 2024, we helped prevent homelessness for 2,622 households. This work ranges from our Early Intervention team, who reach out to all households who contact homelessness services, to specialist advice and support provided by our Private Rented Sector team.
Where we have been unable to prevent individuals and families from losing their homes, we are working hard to provide suitable alternative accommodation through our Housing Emergency Action Plan (HEAP).
Our long-term plans to reduce the need for temporary accommodation and improve the quality and quantity of our housing stock include our ambitious housebuilding programme, efforts to acquire new homes directly from providers, bringing empty homes back into use, and investing in the retrofitting of existing housing stock.
This World Homeless Day, as Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, I am acutely aware of the power of work we all still need to do and the resources we need from Government to deliver meaningful increases in our housing supply so that every person and family in Edinburgh can be living in a warm, safe, energy efficient home.
