EVOC (Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council) has published a new 5-year strategic plan, outlining the organisation’s vision to contribute to an equitable, sustainable and resilient Edinburgh, supported by a thriving third sector.
The new plan is structured around three priorities – advocacy, capacity building and collaboration – with all areas underpinned by data gathering and research that will be used to inform policy and decision-making.
Data and research will also be used to make on-the-ground decisions with and for third sector organisations in the city.
Bruce Crawford, EVOC’s CEO, commented: “I’ve been in post for 6 months now, and since day one, we’ve been working towards the publication of this new strategic plan.
“To help us achieve our vision, we’re focused on supporting organisations to make local community-driven change.
“We want to use our networks and forums, which sit at the heart of the dynamic between the third sector, public sector and private sector, to bring the voices of the sector together to develop policies that meet the needs of the communities we all serve.”
Established in 1868, EVOC has been committed to improving the lives of people and communities for more than 155 years.
Over that time, the organisation’s priorities and activities have adapted in line with the needs of the people in the city and the third sector, but this new plan has the same ethos at its heart.
Bruce Crawford continued: “Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with people from across the sector to help inform what’s gone into our strategic plan.
“In 2025, there have been a series of challenges that the sector has faced, including public sector funding cuts and increased running costs.
“We’re looking to create some stability by going back to basics – EVOC doing what is right for the sector. So, we’ll be covering a broad range of areas that come under our three priorities.”
EVOC’s strategic plan for 2025 to 2030 is available to read here and you can hear more from Bruce Crawford here.
Amazon launches the Regional Creatives Fund, offering multiple grants of up to £30,000 for charities in Edinburgh and around the UK which focus on upskilling people for careers in creative industries.
Grants are available for charities in Edinburgh which run programmes aimed at boosting skills and increasing access to creative industry careers in gaming, publishing, fashion, film, advertising, TV, and music.
The fund is open for applications today from single charitable organisations and consortiums in Edinburgh and across the UK. Applications close on 31st August 2025.
Amazon today launches the Regional Creatives Fund, offering grants of up to £30,000 to UK charities that develop creative industry career pathways.
The Regional Creatives Fund is open to organisations in Edinburgh and across the UK that help underserved communities access careers in publishing, music, gaming, film, TV, fashion, advertising, and more.
The aim of the Regional Creatives Fund, which aligns with the Government’s recently announced Creative Places Growth Fund, is to increase access to careers in the creative industries for people from underserved communities.
The fund is open for applications from single charitable organisations and consortiums based in the same region that are currently running impactful skills projects and are seeking additional funding to scale, sustain, or innovate their efforts.
Applications for up to £30,000 can be made by individual organisations that meet eligibility criteria, while consortium applications for up to £100,000 are also available. Regional Creatives Fund grants will give charities with existing creative upskilling programmes the flexibility to address their most pressing needs.
Applications are open for small to mid-size organisations who are registered charities in the UK[2]. Applicants must currently be running a programme that focuses on upskilling people from underserved communities for careers in creative industries.
Increasing access to creative industries
Creative Access, the UK’s leading inclusivity organisation in the creative industries, defines underserved communities as a population proven to be under-represented in the sector.
A study from The Sutton Trust, the UK’s leading social mobility charity, shows that many people, particularly those who identify as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, and people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, continue to face significant barriers to entering and progressing in the UK’s creative industries.
Research released by The Sutton Trust found that younger adults from working-class backgrounds are four times less likely to work in the creative industries compared to their middle-class peers. Data from Arts Council England shows only 9% of the creative workforce identifies as disabled, compared to 22% of the general working-age population.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that the fund will be used to expand or continue an existing, impactful programme. Examples of programmes that a Regional Creatives Fund grant can be used for include funding for placements in game development studios, music production training, and portfolio development for future advertising creatives.
Grants will be awarded by an independent judging panel. The panel includes senior leaders from Amazon, The National Theatre, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, Help Musicians, and Music Minds Matter.
Funding applications will be assessed across five key areas. Strong proposals will reflect the fund’s spirit with energy, optimism, and a clear creative purpose; deliver real impact through skills, access, and industry links; show a smart, achievable plan with confident delivery; centre inclusion by amplifying underrepresented voices; and build on existing programmes to grow what’s already working.
More information on the judging criteria is available here.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “I want every young person to have the opportunity to build a successful career within the creative industries, which is one of this country’s greatest assets.
“Whether it’s in film, TV, gaming, fashion or music, we have so much homegrown talent and I am delighted that the Regional Creatives Fund will help shine a spotlight on that right across the country helping people contribute to our national story.
“Alongside our Creative Industries Sector Plan this new fund will help to support growth in these fast-growing sectors by preparing the next generation of creatives to tell our national story on the world stage.”
Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Chair of the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee and RCF Board Member added: “The creative industries are one of the UK’s greatest success stories, but for too long access to careers in this sector have been limited by social and economic barriers.
“Amazon’s Regional Creatives Fund is exactly the kind of initiative we need – offering substantial grants and practical support to help level the playing field.
“By supporting local charities with both funding and industry expertise, this programme will help unlock creative talent across our communities and ensure the UK’s creative sectors truly reflect the diversity of our society.”
“Amazon has been a passionate supporter of creative industries in the UK for many years and the Regional Creatives Fund will supercharge that support in Edinburgh and across the country,” added Paul Firth, Director, Global Music Industry, Amazon Music.
“The aim of the Regional Creatives Fund is to help charities amplify the reach of existing programmes that support pathways to careers in the creative industries. We understand talent is everywhere, but access isn’t, and we’re working to change that. Through the Regional Creatives Fund, we want to help create a future where creativity belongs to everyone.”
Amazon has invested over £4.2 billion in the UK’s creative industries since 2010, with over 2,000 people permanently working across our Film and TV, music and audio, books and publishing, fashion, and gaming businesses, and supporting 16,000 additional jobs.
Amazon’s creative industries footprint extends across the entire UK: from acquiring the historic Bray Film Studios in Berkshire last year, which will house the production of the next season of Citadel; to the long-term contract with Shepperton Studios for exclusive use of new state-of-the-art production facilities at the Surrey studios where The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is currently filming; Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock in Wales; Harlan Coben’s Lazarus in Manchester; productions at First Stage Studios and Leigh Studios in Edinburgh; and multiple productions on location in and around London such as the live action movie Masters of the Universe.
The Amazon Literary Partnership has been awarding grants to inspiring non-profit literary organisations, writing centres and community engagement programmes groups since it was first launched in the UK six years ago.
While each has a different focus, all have a shared goal of uplifting and offering opportunities to aspiring writers at any stage of their creative journey, and empowering those from underrepresented communities to experience and contribute to the magic of storytelling through the written word.
Amazon Music is committed to expanding access to UK music talent through a series of targeted initiatives. Partnerships with organizations including the BRIT Trust, Amplify, and the Association for Independent Music support new creative professionals entering the industry.
The Step-Up Fund, a collaboration with the Featured Artists Coalition, will launch its fourth year in 2025. This fund provides financial support to emerging independent artists by offering development grants.
Since its inception, Step-Up has distributed £250,000 to more than 30 UK musicians, including both bands and solo artists across multiple genres. These grants enable artists to fund new recordings, touring costs, marketing campaigns, PR activities, video production, and content creation.
As part of its global strategy to shape a more inclusive audio-storytelling industry, Audible is partnering with multiple institutions in the UK to support creative development programmes, from funding scholarships and classes at the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA), to sponsoring the Barbican Young Poets Program and Women’s Prize for Fiction Discoveries Programme.
To find out more about the Regional Creatives Fund, visit:
New details on the Government’s welfare reforms will be published today ahead of Second Reading of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill on Tuesday.
Terms of reference for the first comprehensive review of the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment in a decade to be published today.
Comes alongside draft regulations for the new Right to Try Guarantee – enshrining protections in law for disabled people and people with health conditions who want to try work.
Reforms to deliver greater certainty, independence, and dignity for disabled people, while ensuring the system is fair, sustainable, and fit for the future as part of the Plan for Change.
New details on the government’s welfare reforms will be published today (Monday 30 June 2025) ahead of Second Reading of the Universal Credit (UC) and PIP Bill on Tuesday.
The terms of reference for the first ever comprehensive review of the PIP assessment in over a decade will be published today. The review – led by Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms – will ensure the system is fair, supportive and reflects the realities of modern life.
It will be co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, and MPs with the core objective of delivering better experiences and better outcomes for disabled people and people with health conditions.
The review aims to respond to the changing picture of population health over the last decade including the rising prevalence of long-term health conditions and disability in the working-age population.
Monthly PIP awards have more than doubled since the pandemic, rising from 13,000 to 34,000 – a rate of around 1,000 new claims per day, or the population of Leicester every year. Much of this increase is driven by mental health conditions with awards for anxiety and depression having tripled from 2,500 per month in 2019 to 8,200 in 2023.
To better help those with mental ill health, the government has recruited more than 6,700 extra mental health workers since July while rolling out more access to occupational health services and developing digital resources, so employers better support their staff’s mental wellbeing.
Many people have also reported poor experiences with the assessment process. The current system often fails to reflect the real-world impact of disability on daily life and is no longer fit for purpose – making reform urgent and essential.
Alongside the review, draft regulations for the new Right to Try Guarantee will be laid in Parliament. This will, for the first time, enshrine in law the right for people receiving health and disability benefits to try work without fear of reassessment. This includes disabled people and people with health conditions – such as those recovering from illness – who want to return to work now their health has improved.
This responds directly to concerns raised by disabled people and people with health conditions – 37% of whom say they want to work but are held back by fear of losing their benefits according to a DWP survey.
Fixing the broken welfare system this government inherited is central to breaking down barriers to opportunity and driving up living standards – delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.
The government says reforms will ensure disabled people have the support they need to live independently, with dignity, and will unlock opportunities to get into work without facing the prospect of losing the help they need.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “We must build a welfare system that provides security for those who cannot work and the right support for those who can. Too often, disabled people feel trapped – worried that if they try to work, they could lose the support they depend on.
“That is why we are taking action to remove those barriers, support disabled people to live with dignity and independence, and open routes into employment for those who want to pursue it.
“This is about delivering a fairer, more compassionate system as part of our Plan for Change which supports people to thrive, whatever their circumstances.”
The Government will also set out details today of the changes they intend to make to the Bill as part of the government’s welfare reforms.
The Government says it has has listened to MPs who support the principle of reform but are worried about the pace of change for those already supported by the social security system.
That’s why ministers have confirmed that as part of the Bill:
All existing PIP recipients will remain on the current system and the proposed changes to eligibility as part of the bill will only apply to new claims from November 2026.
200,000 individuals in the Severe Conditions Criteria group – individuals with the most severe, lifelong conditions who are unlikely to recover – will not be called for a UC reassessment.
All existing recipients of the UC health element and new customers with 12 months or less to live or who meet the Severe Conditions Criteria will see their standard allowance combined with their Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) rise at least in line with inflation every year from 2026/27 to 2029/30.
Nearly 4 million households will receive an income boost with the main rate of UC set to increase above inflation every year for the next four years – estimated to be worth £725 by 2029/30 for a single household aged 25 or over. This is around £250 higher than an inflation only increases.
The Bill will also rebalance UC rates by reducing the health element for new UC claims to the equivalent of £50 per week from April 2026, fixing a system which incentivises people to define themselves as incapable of work by paying health element recipients more than double the standard amount.
These reforms will be also underpinned by a significant investment in employment support. Funding will be brought forward to accelerate tailored employment, health and skills support to help disabled people and those with health conditions get into work as part of our Pathways to Work guarantee.
£300 million will be brought forward over the next three years, increasing total employment support by £2.2 billion over four years – upholding our commitment to spend £1 billion per year by the end of the decade.
This investment will accelerate the pace of new planned investment in employment support programmes, building on and learning from successes such as the Connect to Work programme, which already provides disabled people and people with health conditions with one-to-one support at the point when they feel ready to work.
And for people whose health challenges make it difficult to find or stay in work, our initiative in partnership with the NHS, WorkWell, will offer personalised support to help individuals manage their health while preparing for or returning to employment. This will build on progress already made to get 384,000 people into work since this government entered office and will come alongside fundamental reforms to patient support as part of the landmark 10 Year Health Plan.
Health professionals will be on hand to connect people with services like physiotherapy, mental health support, and more. They will also be supported by a dedicated employment adviser who understands their specific health needs and guide them every step of the way.
For too long, meaningful reform to our welfare system has been ducked and delayed – stunting productivity, slowing down growth and ultimately holding British people and our country back. The government is taking decisive action and the difficult decisions needed to restore trust and faith in the system, providing opportunities for those who can work, and security for those who cannot.
Further information
The UC and PIP Bill is scheduled for Second Reading in the House of Commons Parliament on Tuesday 1 July 2025.
The UC and PIP Bill legislates for:
A new additional eligibility requirement for the daily living component of PIP so that from November 2026 new claimants must score a minimum of 4 points must be scored on at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component.
Rebalancing of UC health and standard elementsincluding reducing the health top-up for new claims to £50 per week from April 2026.
Ensure that all existing recipients of the UC health element – and any new claimant meeting the Severe Conditions Criteria and/or that has their claims considered under the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) – will receive the higher UC health payment after April 2026.
Increasing the UC standard allowance above inflation for the next four years – worth an estimated £725 by 2029/30 for a single adult aged 25 or over.
Exemptions from reassessment for those with the most severe, lifelong conditions.
The Government has also confirmed that it will amend the Bill at Commons Committee stage to:
Provide protection for existing PIP claimants—ensuring they remain on the current system and are unaffected by new eligibility rules.
For all existing recipients of the UC health element – and any new claimant meeting the Severe Conditions Criteria and/or that has their claims considered under the Special Rules for End of Life (SREL) – the LCWRA rate for this group will now be uprated each year this Parliament to ensure their combined rate of the Universal Credit standard allowance and LCWRA is protected in real terms.
The Bill currently includes a 13-week transitional period for the PIP changes, but this will be superseded by long-term protections for existing claimants.
The Terms of reference for the PIP review, draft regulations for the Right to Try Guarantee, the draft amendment to the Bill which will enact the change to PIP, and analysis of poverty impacts will be published later today.
Latest data published last week shows almost one-in-four adults in England have common mental health conditions – and that adults with problem debt and those out of work are far more likely to experience mental health conditions.
To better help those with mental ill health, the government is boosting access to support, with more than 6,700 extra mental health workers since July, marking a significant milestone towards its goal of 8,500 by the end of this Parliament.
It has also started rolling out more access to occupational health services and developing digital resources so employers can better support their staff’s mental wellbeing as part of its drive to get people back to health and back to work.
More than 100 charities unite to say Scottish MPs must stand against social security cuts
More than 100 charities and civil society organisations have urged Scottish MPs to stand against social security cuts, uniting to tell Scottish MPs that it’s not too late to change course on controversial cuts.
They have written a joint letter to Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and copied it to all of Scotland’s MPs at Westminster.
They warned that will mean destitution and misery for many sick and disabled people, as well as others in their households – including children and unpaid carers
Peter Kelly, chief executive of The Poverty Alliance said: “People are desperate for the UK Government to deliver a just and compassionate society – but these proposals will deliver the opposite.
“If enacted, these cuts will mean more disabled people living in poverty, relying on foodbanks, and pushed into destitution. That’s not the change people voted for at the last general election.”
In the letter they say: “This is a question of about the kind of society we want to be. Scotland is a country that believes in justice and compassion and people want our governments to make decisions which align with those values.
“We urge Ministers to drop these proposals. We urge Scottish MPs to vote against these cuts, sending a strong, positive message to disabled people and carers in Scotland that this Government will build a country free from poverty, not one that forces people into deeper poverty and destitution.”
MPs are expected to get their first chance to vote on the cuts in the Commons on 1 July. The Government is facing defeat after dozens of Labour MPs signalled their opposition.
Fiona Collie of Carers Scotland said: “We need a government that will reduce the poverty that unpaid carers face. If these cuts go ahead, even more of them will be pushed into crisis – leaving people struggling to afford food, heating, and other essentials.
“We estimate that around 150,000 unpaid carers across the UK stands to lose carers’ benefits as a direct result of these changes. That’s completely wrong – and any MP who votes to inflict that kind of deliberate harm on people in their constituency will have to justify themselves to electors.”
Tressa Burke of the Glasgow Disability Alliance said: “It is shameful to try to balance the nation’s books on the backs of disabled people. We have around 6,000 members who have already suffered the worst impacts of the cost-of-living crisis, and more than a decade of austerity and social security cuts.
“These plans will cause untold harm to many disabled people and push them into destitution. It will undermine their human rights and leave them facing even greater inequality and discrimination. If MPs in Scotland support these heartless cuts, it will be a bleak day indeed. They will absolutely not get people into work, and will act as a reason to fall out of work too, where PIP has been topping up low-paid work.’
In a survey last year, 71% of Glasgow Disability Alliance members said they didn’t have enough money to manage the cost of their needs, 68% couldn’t afford utilities, and 58% couldn’t manage the costs of food and essential groceries.
A substantial number of Labour backbenchers remain resolute and refuse to back the watered-down Bill.
RACHAEL Maskell MP said: “I have spent my life standing up for sick and disabled people, professionally and personally, and while progress is welcome, to introduce a system which leaves sick and disabled people in the future in poverty, those with fluctuating conditions, in uncertainty, including those with MS or a cancer relapse, no security, is unacceptable.
“Taking someone’s independence, does not make them better, more able to work or keep people in work. It creates poverty, dependency and places more pressure on social care and the NHS.
“Most chilling, according to Refuge, 29% of domestic violence survivors are disabled people and are far less likely to flee their home if they lose this crucial support.
“Work by the Women’s Budget Group demonstrates that this policy is highly gendered, impacting women significantly.
“Disabled people have not battled all their lives to then pull the ladder up behind them.
“I cannot support the ableist perception of sick and disabled people, where they have been given no agency in these proposals.
“Instead I draw on the substantial evidence, the voices of those impacted and my conscience which determines that I cannot cross by on the other side and have no choice but to vote against the UC & PIP Bill.”
More than 75,000 people have signed Richard Burgon MPs petition on Change:
Oxfam Scotland and Tearfund have welcomed Scottish Government funding to deliver life-saving humanitarian aid in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) where millions of people face hunger, insecurity and the devastating impacts of violence and forced displacement.
Since January, more than three million people in the DRC have been forced to flee their homes as fighting by armed groups intensifies and humanitarian needs increase exponentially, triggering one of the world’s most urgent and complex crises.
The £250,000 provided through the Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) will be distributed to Oxfam Scotland and Tearfund, and through local partners, to support emergency relief efforts across eastern DRC – helping families pay for essentials such as food, fuel, shelter or hygiene items, as well as accessing urgent medical care, trauma services and safe transport.
External Affairs Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo is on a scale we can hardly imagine here in Scotland.Successive waves of violence are claiming the lives of civilians, including children, with millions forced to flee to temporary accommodation where conditions are deteriorating.
“The situation is being worsened by the scaling back of humanitarian assistance by other international donors.
“While our funding may only make a small impact in the face of such overwhelming need, we are determined to stand behind our values and Scotland’s long and proud history of responding to humanitarian crises around the world.”
Manenji Mangundu, Oxfam Scotland’s Country Director in the Democratic Republic of Congo, said: “Every day, our partners and colleagues are meeting mothers who’ve walked for miles with nothing but their children in their arms, desperately searching for safety.
“They’ve lost everything: their homes, their loved ones, their hope of a normal life. The scale of human suffering here is staggering.
“The recent cuts to humanitarian funding have been devastating. We’ve had to make impossible choices about who gets clean water, medicine, or even a place to sleep.
“That’s why support from the Scottish Government is so vital. With our local partner, it’s helping us reach people who would otherwise be left with nothing. But with millions still in desperate need, we urgently need other governments and donors to follow Scotland’s lead. Now is the time to step up, not step back.”
Poppy Anguandia, Tearfund’s Country Director for the DRC, said: “We are incredibly grateful for this vital funding, which arrives at a critical time for communities in North Kivu.
“The intensification of conflict has led to widespread displacement and immense suffering, with many returnees in Malehe finding their homes destroyed and livelihoods lost.
“This support will enable us to provide immediate, life-saving assistance where it’s needed most, directly addressing urgent needs for food and basic essentials for 925 conflict-affected households through multipurpose cash assistance, while also tackling the alarming rise in gender-based violence for 9,000 individuals through community awareness and support sessions.”
The Humanitarian Emergency Fund (HEF) is an annual £1 million fund provided by the Scottish Government to respond to overseas humanitarian emergencies.
Small Edinburgh charities struggling with rising costs and loss of income are being encouraged to apply to the council for emergency support.
Brought forward by councillors as part of an urgent package of support for the city’s third sector, the £275,000 funding pot aims to support local organisations working to prevent and tackle poverty across Edinburgh.
Small and medium-sized charities based in the city will be able to apply for Phase two of the council’s Third Sector Resilience Fund until applications close at 1pm on Friday 4 July. Grants of up to £10,000 will be made available to support charities between September and March.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said:“With funding becoming ever scarcer and more people struggling with the cost of living, we can see that many local charities are in a difficult position. We need to find a better way forward for this sector that brings so much good, and our latest funding package is part of the urgent support we’re putting in place.
“Many of the city’s small, local charities are helping those with the greatest need and I urge them to apply quickly.
“Meanwhile, we’ve asked the Edinburgh Partnership to conduct a review of how it supports and works with third sector organisations across the city, to ultimately to find long-term solutions for funding for the sector in future years.”
An information event for interested charities will be held by EVOC at 1pm on 24 June on how to apply for the fund.
An online consultation is also available to take part in, seeking ideas for making collaboration between Edinburgh’s public and third sectors simpler and more stable.
Applications are now open for Co-op’s Local Community Fund and local charities and community groups can apply for a share of the £5 Million fund.
Co-op is looking to support local community causes across the UK that enable people to access food; improve mental wellbeing; create opportunities for young people; promote community cohesion; or build sustainable futures.
Co-operation and people working together, can be a very powerful tool in making a positive difference in local communities. That’s why Co-op is seeking new local causes that provide opportunities and resources that help people to thrive.
Thanks to Co-op Members, the Local Community Fund has helped 39,000 causes across the UK since 2016.
David Luckin, Head of Community Partnerships, Funding and Impact, Co-op, said:“It’s always exciting to start the search for local causes to take part in a new round of funding.
“Our members have told us that they want Co-op to focus on the real issues affecting people’s lives, and act on the issues that matter most. We know that things are increasingly challenging for communities and through this funding we can make a difference locally and help people to thrive.’’
Applications are open until Sunday, 6 July – for more information, and to apply, visit coop.co.uk/causes
With its history dating back 180 years, Co-op is one of the world’s largest consumer-owned co-operatives. Its 6.5m members own the business and play an intrinsic part in its governance with a say in how the organisation is run.
In advance of the Spending Review, Child Poverty Action Group have joined with other organisations to urge the chancellor to make a firm commitment that the two-child limit and the benefit cap will be abolished as part of the Autumn Budget.
Civic, faith, trade unions and political leaders commit to action
Scotland’s democracy is at its best when our communities come together.
The values our Parliament was built upon – wisdom, compassion, justice and integrity – are under threat, but they are worth fighting for and that’s exactly what I’ll do. pic.twitter.com/a1BdUiadkI
Civic, faith, trade union and political leaders have committed to taking action to safeguard Scotland’s democracy and tackle people’s feeling of being unheard and disempowered.
At a gathering of representatives from across society, the First Minister described the pledge as demonstrating a ‘strength of unity’ which reflects the democratic values felt by communities across the country.
Today’s event saw more than 50 leaders meet in Glasgow to assess the robustness of Scotland’s democratic system. Across the day, there were focused discussions, moderated by civic leaders, on four key themes which are contributing to a breakdown in democratic trust, including:
combating inequality and discrimination
tackling disinformation and ensuring a trusted media environment
enhancing trust in politics and boosting the accountability of political leaders and democratic institutions
strengthening vigilance to electoral interference and encouraging more active democratic participation
Following discussions, participants considered a mission statement that seeks to provide a framework that can underpin specific actions and solutions to help tackle some of the issues identified.
The statement reads:
STRENGTHENING AND PROTECTING DEMOCRACY IN SCOTLAND
Today, we reaffirm our commitment to safeguard Scotland’s democracy.
We recognise many people in our country feel distant from politics or failed by society. They feel unheard and disempowered.
We recognise also that much of our public discourse has become polarised and soured.
Our starting point has been a recognition of that reality and, alongside this, a recognition also that the solutions, which will be manifold and complex, require a collective response.
We have a shared responsibility to map a way forward for Scotland, which is why we are committed to working together to ensure that our democratic structures evolve to meet our democratic ideals and are both trusted and robust.
There are certain fundamental principles and values that are already part of our understanding of Scottish democracy, rooted in the creation of the Scottish Parliament, that we believe should shape and guide our work.
These are:
Participation and openness
The sharing of power
Accountability
Equal opportunity
We stand together on these principles and values, recognising that they offer both a foundation on which to build and markers to guide this next stage of our nation’s democratic journey.
I pledge my support.
“By reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding democracy in Scotland, we have demonstrated a strength of unity which will guide us in our actions.”
Speaking after the event, First Minister John Swinney said: “Our discussion was incredibly powerful and equally inspiring.
“I am grateful to the many representatives from across Scottish society who shared their honest reflections on the challenges we face, alongside their absolute determination to work together to ensure we stand up for the values and principles we hold so dear.
“Today’s event is a pivotal moment for Scotland as we demonstrate our shared commitment to democracy but to make that a reality, we must now work at pace to ensure targeted action delivers results.
“By coming together, we have started that process, with all participants committed to developing actions that can address some of the root causes of the challenges facing our country. I pledge my government’s absolute support for that work, to ensure we leave no stone unturned in identifying solutions and empowering the disempowered who so often feel left behind.
“We can only protect the rights of each citizen, if we protect, strengthen and renew our democratic values. By reaffirming our commitment to safeguarding democracy in Scotland, we have demonstrated a strength of unity which will guide us in our actions.”
Following the gathering, political and civic leaders taking part in the press conference pledged their support for the statement. They are:
Anas Sarwar MSP – Leader, Scottish Labour
Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP – Leader, Scottish Liberal Democrats
Patrick Harvie MSP – Co-Convenor, Scottish Green Party
Lorna Slater MSP – Co-Convenor, Scottish Green Party Leader
Ash Regan MSP – Alba parliamentary leader
Roz Foyer – General Secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress
Sara Thiam – Chief Executive of Prosper
All delegates attending the gathering have been invited to take the statement to their organisation to seek agreement for pledging their support. Work will now be developed in partnership with participants to ensure actions are agreed and taken forward.
Charities due to lose funding from the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board (EIJB) will be able to apply for emergency support from the City of Edinburgh Council.
A one-off Third Sector Resilience Fund will launch tomorrow (Friday 28 March) and will remain open for two weeks. It will only be open to organisations in Edinburgh directly impacted by the closure of the EIJB’s third sector grants programme and applications must be made by 12 noon on Friday 11 April.
This package of support will include a funded programme worth £1m to allow third sector advice providers to continue to offer income maximisation, debt, and welfare advice services previously funded by the EIJB grants programme.
Applications will be reviewed and reported to a special meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Monday 12 May, with the intention of releasing funds in June.
Further work is progressing to review the relationship between the public sector and third sector in Edinburgh, to improve funding certainty in future years.
Council Leader, Jane Meagher, said: “Many of these local charities are at the forefront of helping those in our city with the greatest need. We’ve urgently been working to provide a lifeline to those affected by the closure of the previous grants programme, and I’m really pleased that we’ve found a way forward.
“This fund should provide enough money to potentially support all 64 affected organisations for up to nine months. It must be said that this is a one-off emergency fund – we need to act quickly, and I urge applications to be made as soon as possible.
“Alongside this we must develop a stronger way of supporting the third sector in our city. We recognise that the EIJB, like the Council, is under significant financial pressure and there needs to be longer-term change.
“Tackling poverty and inequality is one of the biggest challenges we’ve set ourselves as a city and this will be a really important piece of work – for us, for our partners and for the whole third sector.”
Benjamin Napier, CEO of Citizens Advice Edinburgh, is a member of the third sector reference group which the Council has set up as it reviews the funding relationship the city has with charities.
Benjamin said: “We welcome this investment in the third sector and hope it will go some way to providing resilience, while we continue our work with colleagues across the Council to find a longer-term solution.
“We recognise the pressures on public funding and thank the Council for their efforts in securing this funding. The third sector in Edinburgh plays a vital and very cost-effective role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.
“We look forward to strengthening the relationship between the Council and the third sector. By working together in this way, we can create real and lasting change for our citizens.”
The City of Edinburgh Council Third Sector Resilience Fund is a short term, one off, draw down resource using reserves agreed for use during 2025/26.
The fund aims to:
Provide financial support in 2025/26 for Edinburgh based third sector organisations significantly impacted by the closure of the EIJB Grants Programme
Ensure that the closure of the EIJB Grants Programme does not affect, disrupt, or delay the delivery of other grant funded or commissioned projects and services in the city during 2025/26.
Towards these aims:
The funding is for the period 1 July 2025 to 31 March 2026, whilst the wider review of the Council’s approach to supporting the third sector in Edinburgh is undertaken during 2025/26
Is intended to ensure the viability and survival of the third sector organisations whilst a new sustainable long-term approach, aligned with the Council’s Business Plan priorities, is developed for implementation from 2026/27 onwards
Not intended to provide costs associated with closure of an organisation because of the loss of EIJB grant funding, and
Not intended to be used for delivery of any specific projects or services that would be the direct function of the EIJB(noting that this fund will provide resilience until such time as the EIJB’s Strategic Plan is published and any future procurement processes are confirmed and made available to the 3rd sector).
Addressing Men’s Mental Health and Rising Suicide Rates
As we come into the peak of spring, we as a community must come together to battle suicide and the disparate impact of mental health challenges on men that lingers beneath the surface of our society (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MSP).
Mental health remains one of the biggest challenges facing public health in Edinburgh. Despite breaking away from the jaws of the isolating pandemic, suicide is becoming a sadly ever-present part of our lives. With over 792 probable suicides registered by the National Records of Scotland in 2023, an increase of 4% from previous years, the people of Edinburgh are ready for change.
Recent observations by NHS Lothian and local community groups in Edinburgh, such as the Health and Social Care Partnership, point to an alarming trend; men are disproportionately affected by the ongoing mental health crisis that is contributing to rising suicide rates.
Although mental health disorders are less prevalent in men compared to women, the impact on men is typically more severe. Men with mental health conditions are less likely to seek help, leading to greater risks. They face a significantly higher rate of suicide, with men being three times more likely to die by suicide than women.
Societal norms and traditional gender roles contribute to why men are often less inclined to talk about or seek help for their mental health issues. While it is widely recognised that gender stereotypes about women can have harmful effects, it is equally crucial to acknowledge that these stereotypes and societal pressures can also negatively impact men.
Alongside national and local organisations such as Andy’s Man Club and Lothians Speak Their Name, Lothian is working to focus efforts on addressing the challenges surrounding suicide and men’s mental health.
For instance, the local community group Lothians Speak Their Name is creating a mixed-media quilt in memory of people that have died by suicide. Here, we see Lothians residents raising awareness behind the struggles of mental health and remembering those that have sadly lost their lives to suicide.
We also see other groups like Andy’s Man Club, whose mission it is to prevent other families from going through the heartache and grief caused by suicide by encouraging men to speak openly about their issues through Monday night talking groups. And with the Great Scottish Run taking place this October, there is plenty of time to support this great initiative.
Other organisations in Edinburgh, such as iThrive, Change Mental Health, and Samaritans Scotland are also striving towards facilitating change in the Lothian region concerning men’s mental health. Furthered by the non-stop work of health care providers in NHS Lothian, we are determined to bring men together to share their stories.
While these initiatives are essential in order to tackle the challenges posed by suicide and mental health challenges, it is crucial that we follow in the footsteps of those seeking change. We must keep raising awareness of suicide in our region, emphasising more kindness and open conversation.
In Scotland, men should not feel anxious when it comes to discussing mental health issues, yet many still do. This shows we have not fully addressed the problem. This situation mirrors the past, when men were reluctant to talk about prostate health until it was too late, but attitudes have changed. We have been part of that shift and are proud of it. Now, we need to drive similar change for mental health.
We must ask, why do men struggle to open up? The answer lies in the burden of traditional masculinity, just as it did with prostate health. Our goal is a Scotland where men feel comfortable seeking help for any health concern.
We must remember that suicide and mental health can impact anyone, at any time throughout the year. As a community and for our loved ones, let’s begin to transform the agenda that mental health is not unmanly; it is a prevalent virus that can affect us all.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental health issues at any time, remember that support is available – you do not have to face it alone.
