Tag: Children and Families

What’s On at National Museums of Scotland

EXHIBITIONS & DISPLAYS

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine
Until 27 Apr 2025
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3
Free

Injecting Hope is a new, free exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland that presents the science behind the COVID-19 vaccine.

This exhibition brings together more than 80 objects that were acquired in real time during the peak of the pandemic by curators across the UK. Learn the science behind the creation of the vaccine and understand the logistics behind its global roll-out.

Find our more, nms.ac.uk/exhibitions/injecting-hope

Cold War Scotland
Until 4 Jan 2026
10:00 – 17:00
Special Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free

Scotland’s unique geography and topography provided a useful base for Allied military preparations and research during the Cold War, a 40-year nuclear stand-off between the USA and the Soviet Union following the end of the Second World War.

Cold War Scotland is an output of Materialising the Cold War, a collaborative research project between National Museums Scotland and the University of Stirling. The project explores how the Cold War heritage is represented and how museums can adapt to tell this story in future. The exhibition will explore both the visible and invisible legacies of the war in Scotland.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/ColdWarScotland

Theravada Buddhism
Until 9 Mar 2025
Gallery 3, Level 1
Free

A thought-provoking display charts the history and influence of the Theravāda Buddhist tradition across the world, including its role in Scotland today. The display includes a Buddha on loan from The Dhammapadipa Temple in Edinburgh. The Buddha was designed and made in Thailand in 2013, then later gifted to Temple where it is now used in their garden meditation room.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/theravadabuddhism

EVENTS

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Relaxed Morning
2 Feb & 2 Mar
10:00-12:00 (quiet space open until 12:30)
Free admission, drop-in

Join us for our monthly Relaxed Morning for anyone who would appreciate a calmer visit to the museum. This session is primarily for, but not limited to, families with autistic children; autistic young people and adults; adults living with dementia; adults and children with mental health problems and any other visitors with sensory needs or who may prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers. Friendly staff will be there to give you a warm welcome and support your visit, as you explore some areas of the museum without noisy interactives and videos to give a more relaxed environment.

Find out more, nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-morning

Sensory Sunday
2 Feb & 2 Mar
11:00-12:00 and 14:00-15:00
Free, book required

Exciting, hands-on sensory play sessions for children with additional support needs. Families with children with additional support needs and disabilities are invited to join our programme of sensory play sessions. Explore the museum’s collections, get creative and meet other families. Sensory Sunday sessions are relaxed, fun hands-on, and respond to the needs of the families participating. You are welcome to come and go at any point during a session.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/sensory-sunday

Magic Carpet Minis
Block 1 (5, 12, 19 Feb)
Block 2 (5, 12, 19 Mar)
10:30–11:15 or 14:00–14:45
£15.00 per child for block of 3
£13.50 per Member child for block of 3

Magic Carpet Minis introduces you and your little one to some of the wonderful galleries, objects and themes in the museum in a fun and gentle way. Taking place in different spaces around the museum, you will explore subjects such as the Natural World, Space, World Cultures and Scottish History through songs, stories, rhymes, actions, objects and sensory play.

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/magic-carpet-minis


Half Term: Collective Climate Action
8 – 15 Feb
10:30-15:30
Free, drop-in

This half term we will be home to an Agency for World Change climate action booth inspired by the Museum of Bern’s Planetopia project. Meet climate impact advocates, get creative, learn more about what the museum is doing for climate action and make your pledge of what small change you can make to live more ecologically.

Read more, nms.ac.uk/events/collective-climate-action

Museum Socials
21 Feb
10:30-12:00
Learning Centre Seminar Room, Level 4
Free, booking required

Museum Socials are designed for people living with dementia, their relatives, friends, carers, and supporters. Relaxed and informal, each session explores a different museum theme through various interactive activities, including curator talks, object handling and creative crafts. And tea, cake and a warm welcome are always provided.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/museum-socials

Curiosity Club: Ice Age
22 Feb
10:30-12:00
£10 (Members and Concessions £9)

Inspired by some of the museum’s most exciting collections, our Curiosity Clubs are a chance for kids to explore the museum without their adult helpers through games, activities, and gallery visits.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/curiosity-club

Relaxed Curiosity Club: Ice Age
22 Feb
14:30-15:30
£10 (£9 Members and Concessions)

Relaxed Curiosity Club sessions are particularly aimed at children with additional support needs, neurodivergent children or children with disabilities. Parents/carers (up to two per participating child) are invited to stay and either join in with the activities or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the foyer of the activity area.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-curiosity-club

Relaxed Magic Carpet
24 Feb
10:30-11:15 or 14:00-14:45
£ 3 per child

Join us for a relaxed Magic Carpet session as we explore the museum through interactive songs, rhymes, and sensory play. This is a monthly, relaxed version of our Magic Carpet event, for babies, toddlers and children aged 0-6 with additional support needs or for anyone who would prefer a calmer session and a slightly more relaxed pace. This is not a set age range for participants and we welcome all families who feel they may enjoy these sessions.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-magic-carpet

Morning Curator Tour: Injecting Hope
25 Feb
09:15-10:00
£12 Adults, £10 Members & Concessions

Join our exhibition curator for an exclusive early morning tour of our Injecting Hope exhibition which details the rapid research, development and delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine. Discover the science behind the creation of the vaccine, the logistics behind its global roll-out and will also share some of the uniquely Scottish experiences of the global pandemic.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/morning-curator-tour-injecting-hope

Magic Carpet Gaelic Week Special
26 Feb
10:30-11:15
Free, booking required

Come along to our Edinburgh Gaelic Week 2025 Magic Carpet special. This interactive session, suitable for under 5s and their accompanying adult, features songs, stories, rhymes, and play with no knowledge of Gaelic required.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/magic-carpet-gaelic-week-special

Creative Workshop: Sustainable Statement Jewellery
1 Mar
10:30-16:00
£50 Adults, £45 Members and Concession

Join sustainable jewellery designer Syrah Jay to design and create your own statement necklace. Taking inspiration from National Museums Scotland’s nationally significant collection of modern and contemporary jewellery, discover how accessories don’t need to be made from precious metals.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/creative-workshop-sustainable

Relaxed Access Evening: Injecting Hope
6 Mar
17:30-19:30
Free

Join us for a relaxed after-hours visit to Injecting Hope: The Race for a COVID-19 Vaccine. During this session, visitor numbers will be reduced, and sounds will be lowered to create a more relaxed experience.

This session is primarily for, but not limited to, neurodivergent visitors and those with sensory or additional support needs who would prefer a more relaxed experience, plus their families, friends and carers. 

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/relaxed-access-evening-injecting-hope

Banners, Ballads and Badges
8 Mar
13:00-15:30
£5, £3 (Members and Concessions)

Join an afternoon of talks and crafts as we discuss the vibrant anti-nuclear protests between the 1970s and 1990s and consider the unique role women played in Scotland’s peace movement.

There will be speakers from National Museums Scotland, the National Library of Scotland and the Gareloch Horticulturalists (Horties). Together they will discuss the significance of Scotland’s peace camps and vibrant anti-nuclear protests, which attracted women from all over the world.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/banners-ballads-and-badges

Creative Workshop: Hand Embroided Stories
9 Mar
11:00-16:30
£50 Adults, £45 Members and Concession

Join textile artist Louise Goult to create your own unique hand embroidered artwork. Taking inspiration from the treasure trove of creativity in our Fashion and Style gallery, you will learn the skills, stitches and techniques to make a unique hand embroidered artwork.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/hand-embroidered-stories

Audio Descriptive Tour: Injecting Hope
13 Mar
17:30-19:00
Free, booking required

Join our tour guide for an audio descriptive tour and a chance to look round the Injecting Hope exhibition after hours. This tour is aimed at blind, partially sighted and visually impaired visitors, and is most suitable for those aged 14+.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/audio-descriptive-tour-injecting-hope

Friday Friends
14 March
14:00 – 16:00
Free, pre-booking required
Our Friday Friends programme offers a welcoming space for visually impaired and D/deaf children and their families. The groups meet monthly and explore the themes of the museum through objects, music, art and activities.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/events/friday-friends

Morning Curator tour: Cold War Scotland
18 Mar
09:15-10:00
£12, £10 (Members & Concessions)

Join this tour of our current exhibition Cold War Scotland to better understand a time when the world stood on the brink of nuclear war.

ERKM4Y Polaris Demonstration at Holy Loch, 3rd Feb 1961

Dr Meredith Greiling, Principal Curator of Technology will delve deeper into stories explored within the exhibition, from the emergence of nuclear energy in Scotland to the vibrant anti-nuclear protests and political activism of the period.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/morning-curator-tour-cold-war

Injecting Hope BSL Tour
20 Mar
15:00-16:00
Free, booking required

Join BSL guide Trudi Collier for a guided tour of the Injecting Hope exhibition with a focus objects connected to the Deaf experience of the pandemic.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/injecting-hope-bsl-tour


National Museum of Rural Life
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily 

Tractor Tots 
Until Mar 2025
10:15 & 13:30
Various dates
£20 per child for block of 3, £15 per Member child for block of 3
Ticketed

Running in blocks of three Friday morning sessions, Tractor Tots offers a fun, focused experience for our younger visitors, introducing them to the museum and farm, and bringing it to life through interactive creative play. Each session will take place in a different location at the museum and working farm, and will feature handling objects from our learning boxes, singing, storytelling, rhymes, actions and sensory play to learn all about life in the countryside. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/events/tractor-tots

National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Open Weekends only, 10:00–16:00 

Half Term: Code Breakers
14-16 Feb
11:00-15:00
Free with museum admission

At the National Museum of Flight this half term, learn how secret Second World War codes were made and broken. Learn how secrets were hidden and shared during the Second World War with our family activities. Make your own code and learn how codes were broken. Then try your hand at Morse Code, semaphore and secret writing.

Book now, nms.ac.uk/events/half-term-code-breakers

Follow us on Facebook…facebook.com/NationalMuseumsScotland   

Follow us on Instagram…instagram.com/nationalmuseumsscotland/   

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789.

Parent Councils call for safer roads in Edinburgh

PARENTS in Edinburgh have called for urgent action after new figures emerged it could take 25 YEARS to clear a road safety backlog unless  budgets are increased.

Parent Councils from 53 primary and secondary  school from across the city have written to all their MSPs and Councillors  calling for an increase in road safety funding, which they say is needed to  keep children safe. 

The Freedom of Information (FoI) statistics were gathered after a child was  killed on their way to school in North Edinburgh last year. 

In the FoI response, parent council’s discovered that, as of June 2024, there  are 96 red flag sites on Edinburgh City Council’s speed reduction list.

Shockingly, despite this, only 19 roads have been improved in the last five  years. At this rate, it would take 25 years to act on all the Edinburgh roads  currently on the list. 

The Parent Councils have now written to Edinburgh and Lothian MSPs and  City of Edinburgh councillors demanding that budget makers prioritise  road safety around schools. 

In that letter, they point out that it’s only a matter of time before another  tragedy occurs. 

The parents say that an increased road safety budget is needed to tackle  the backlog and ensure that future changes are made within a year of a  site being identified for speed reduction measures.

Another FOI response showed that, in 2023/24, the road safety budget was  £1.5m which was just 1% of the total road and transport budget for that  year. 

Kim Pratt, vice chair of the Davidson’s Mains Primary School Parent  Council, said: “A 25 year backlog in speed reduction measures is condemning every child  in Edinburgh to navigating unsafe roads for the rest of their school days. 

“No child should be risking their life when traveling to school and it’s  unacceptable that safety recommendations are being ignored. 

“We do understand that the council is under financial pressure but getting  children to school safely must be a priority. 

“The call from parent councils from across Edinburgh shows that this is a  systemic problem. Politicians in Edinburgh have the power to protect our  children by increasing road safety funding and by making road safety  around schools a priority in all future road developments.” 

Lynsey Houston, chair of Craiglockhart Parent & Carer Council said: “I know that since Craiglockhart parents first raised concerns about road safety, some of the children have now graduated high school!  

“A potential timescale of 25yrs is ridiculous but highlights the desperate need for more resources. After all, when we ask for improvements, we are  asking for our council and government to prevent a tragic outcome.”

THE LETTER READS:

Monday, 3rd February 2025

To all Edinburgh and Lothian MSPs and City of Edinburgh
Councillors,

INCREASE THE CITY’S ROAD SAFETY BUDGET TO KEEP EDINBURGH
CHILDREN SAFE


We represent parents of children who attend schools across Edinburgh and we are calling on you, as our political representatives with control over the City of Edinburgh Council’s budget, to increase funding for road safety.

Our children are being harmed on their way to and from school. Last year, a child was killed on their way to school in Edinburgh and we believe, in the current situation, it is only a matter of time before this happens again.

A response to a Freedom Of Information request has shown that, as of June 2024, there are 96 sites on the Council’s speed reduction list and only 19 roads have been improved in the Last five years. At this rate, it will take 25 years to act on
all the roads currently on the list.

This is unacceptable to many parents, whose children will grow up and leave school before changes are acted on. Our children are navigating unsafe roads now.

Whilst we understand that the Council is under huge pressure around funding, we believe that road safety, particularly around schools, should be more of a priority than it currently is.

Another FOI response showed that, in 2023/24, the road safety budget was £1.5m which was just 1% of the total road and transport budget for that year. You must increase Edinburgh Council’s road safety funding to reduce the backlog in speed reduction improvements and make future changes in a reasonable and responsible time period. We believe that, once a site is identified for speed reduction
measures, improvements should be completed within a year and the Council should be funded appropriately.

All road budget spending should consider how safety around a school can be
built into improvements.

We look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully,


Kim Pratt, Davidsons Mains Parent Council
On behalf of the following Parent Councils of Edinburgh:

  1. Davidson’s Mains Primary School Parent Council
  2. Gilmerton Primary School Parent Council
  3. Craigour Park Primary School Parent Teacher Council
  4. Craiglockhart Parents & Carers Council
  5. Canaan Lane Primary School Parent Council
  6. Flora Stevenson Parent Council
  7. Cramond Primary School Parent Council
  8. James Gillespies Primary School Parent Council
  9. Nether Currie Primary School Parent Council
  10. James Gillespie’s High School Parent Council
  11. Royal High School Parent Council
  12. Preston Street Primary School
  13. Clermiston Primary Parent Council
  14. Trinity Primary Parent Council
  15. Duddingston Primary Parent Council
  16. Dalry Primary Parents and Carers Council
  17. Chomhairle Phàrant Bhun-Sgoil Taobh na Pàirce
  18. Bruntsfield Primary School Parent Council
  19. Longstone Primary School Parent Council
  20. Blackhall Primary School
  21. Forthview Primary School Parent Council
  22. Stockbridge Primary School Parent Council
  23. Pentland Primary School Parent Council
  24. Leith Walk Primary School Parent Council
  25. Granton Primary School Parent Council
  26. Castleview Primary School Council
  27. East Craigs Primary Parent School
  28. Craigentinny Primary School
  29. St Andrew’s Fox Covert RC Primary School
  30. Fox Covert Primary School
  31. Gylemuir Primary School Parent Council
  32. St Peter’s RC Primary School Parent Council
  33. Oxgangs Primary School Parent Council
  34. Roseburn Primary School Parent Partnership
  35. St Thomas of Aquins Parent Council
  36. Frogston Primary School Parent Council
  37. Royal High Primary School
  38. Bonaly Primary School
  39. Holyrood RC High School
  40. South Morningside Primary School Parent Council
  41. St. Catherine’s RC primary school
  42. Kirkliston Primary School Association
  43. Currie Community High School Parents in Partnership
  44. Sciennes Primary School Parent Council
  45. Wardie Family Forum for Wardie Primary School
  46. St Mary’s Primary School Parent Forum Council
  47. Broughton Primary School Parent Council
  48. Abbeyhill Primary School Parent Council
  49. Corstorphine Primary School
  50. Gilmerton Parents Council
  51. Portobello High School Parent Council
  52. Ferryhill Primary School Parent Council
  53. St Ninian’s Primary School Parents Council
letter-pdfDownload

Letter to MSPs and Councillors from parent councils, sent Monday 3rd February 2025

The Carnival at The Citadel

Join us on Friday the 14th for our 3rd Wellbeing Festival 🎪

Our Wellbeing Festivals are an open youth club for all ages – young and old (under 8s must be accompanied by an adult).

It gives our Young people a chance to share some fun activities and tools to look after our mental health and wellbeing.

Expect;

Carnival Games 🎪

Baking 🧁

Sensory Room 💭

Face Painting 🎨

Arts & Crafts 🌸

Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea 🎩… and much more!

Lots of prizes to be won on the day!

Please join us 12-3 for our Carnival of Self Love 💕

Sign up for tickets:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/citadel-youth-centre…

https://rb.gy/ihvggs

UK Poverty Report 2025: RoSPA highlights increased accident risk for lowest-income Britons

  • Out of four nations only Scotland will see child poverty rates fall by 2029 – JRF
  • Deprivation increases both the likelihood and severity of accidents – RoSPA
  • A joined-up approach is needed to address uneven level of accidents among deprived Britons

Following the release of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is urging the UK government to adopt comprehensive strategies to tackle child poverty and preventable accidents.

Released this week, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s UK Poverty 2025 Report reveals that without significant investment in social security, the UK government will not ease child poverty by the end of this Parliament. It also highlights that child poverty rates are significantly higher in England (30 per cent) and Wales (29 per cent) compared to Scotland (24 per cent) and Northern Ireland (23 per cent).

It emphasises the critical role of specific welfare policies, such as the Scottish Child Payment, in reducing poverty, with Scotland projected to see a decrease in child poverty rates by 2029. The report calls for targeted policy interventions to address these disparities and improve living standards across the UK.

The release follows the recent publication of RoSPA’s ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation’ campaign which showed that accidental deaths in the UK have reached an all-time high, with rates increasing by 42% over the last decade.

Accidents are now the second biggest killer of people under 40. In England alone, accident-related hospital admissions for serious injuries have risen by 48% in the past twenty years, hospitalising over 700,000 people annually.

The economic cost of preventable accidents is staggering, amounting to £12 billion every year due to lost working days and NHS medical care.

Dr. James Broun, Research Manager at RoSPA and author of ‘Safer Lives, Stronger Nation’, said: “Our major review of UK accident data has already uncovered the full scale and true cost of accidents for the very first time.

“We found that deprivation significantly increases both the likelihood and severity of accidents, compounding existing inequalities and creating a vicious cycle of disadvantage.

“This is why we are alarmed by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s findings and support their call for Government action to reduce child poverty, while we reiterate our own call for a national accident prevention strategy to help further reduce economic and health inequalities.”

UK Child Poverty Report 2025

The JRF’s latest UK Poverty shows that under current projections, only Scotland will see a reduction in child poverty rates by 2029, largely due to Scotland-specific welfare policies.

Key findings include:

  • Child poverty rates in Scotland are projected to fall, while rates in England and Wales remain high.
  • If the rest of the UK matched Scotland’s reduction in child poverty, 800,000 fewer children would be in poverty.
  • Specific welfare policies, such as the Scottish Child Payment, are crucial in reducing child poverty.

 Deprivation and accident risk

RoSPA notes that deprivation is often linked to an increased risk of accidents. Factors such as unsafe housing, proximity to busy roads, and hazardous work conditions contribute to this risk. Moreover, economic deprivation is associated with health inequalities, which can exacerbate the severity of injuries from accidents.

Key points include:

  • Deprivation increases both the likelihood and severity of accidents.
  • Health inequalities linked to economic deprivation can compound injury severity.
  • Accidents can further entrench material inequalities by disrupting education and employment, creating a vicious cycle of disadvantage.

A Call for a National Accident Prevention Strategy

RoSPA calls for a National Accident Prevention Strategy to address these issues comprehensively. Such a strategy would focus on improving housing safety, reducing road traffic risks, and ensuring safer working conditions, particularly for those in hazardous jobs.

The Need for Government Action

Both JRF and RoSPA stress the urgency of government intervention. A credible child poverty strategy must include policies that rebuild the social security system, while a national accident prevention strategy is essential to reduce preventable injuries and deaths.

By linking these strategies, the UK can create a more holistic approach to improving public health and social welfare, ensuring that both poverty and preventable accidents are addressed through comprehensive, targeted policies.

Natalie Don-Innes MSP visits Barnardo’s fostering session

BARNARDO’S OUTLINES NEW APPROACH TO FOSTERING TO GOVERNMENT MINISTER

Foster carers representing the country’s leading children’s charity today met with the Scottish Government’s Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise, Natalie Don-Innes MSP, to outline a pioneering new “extended family” model approach to foster care.

To tackle the ongoing crisis in fostering, Barnardo’s Scotland first unveiled the ‘Mockingbird model’ in 2021 in collaboration with The Fostering Network which is inspired by the support and relationships of an extended family. Today, the Minister met with several foster carers who undertake care for children using this exciting model.

Speaking about the Mockingbird model, Natalie Don-Innes MSP said: “All children should have the support, love and stability they need throughout their childhood, to enable them to have the opportunity to thrive.

“Foster carers have a vital role in this, by providing secure, stable and nurturing homes for children in their care. Foster care is key to delivering The Promise by 2030 and to supporting our collective efforts to tackle Child Poverty and I would like to thank foster carers for all that they do.

“I am grateful for the work Barnardo’s and the Fostering Network have put in to developing the innovative Mockingbird approach, which will enhance the support network available to children, and provide increased resilience for carers.”

Anne Whyte, Assistant Head of Fostering and Adoption at Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “The Mockingbird model helps children, young people and foster families build a strong, caring community. This involves creating a ‘hub home’ with an experienced carer acting as a ‘grandparent’, surrounded by nearby homes that form a ‘constellation’.

“The aim is for the caring community to mirror an extended family, so that children can develop relationships not only with their own carers, but also with other children and carers. Everyday childhood experiences are encouraged, such as sleepovers and playdates.

“The service builds a community around a child, helping to provide stability, and if a foster care arrangement is put under strain, a child can go and stay with the hub home or move into another home within the constellation.

“The young people have the opportunity to go on sleepovers, on a regular basis, to build relationships with other families and children – and this is not just when their main home is under strain.

“There is no doubt that the Mockingbird model is proving to be a huge success in Scotland. We are keen to expand this offering, but, to do that, we need more people to come forward to become foster carers.”

Barnardo’s Scotland has eight families in its 2021 constellation. There are eight foster children and one young person in continuing care. The carers can be couples or single carers and some are short break carers.

The charity’s latest constellation currently has six families with seven foster children and one young person in continuing care. Working with The Fostering Network, Barnardo’s first introduced the Mockingbird model to its service in Edinburgh.

Janet Davidson, a foster carer from Fife, said: “The Edinburgh Mockingbird is more than an extended family to me; it has developed into a group of understanding friends, who themselves are also living with the challenges that fostering presents to its carers and young people.

“The support and knowledge within our group is well beyond what I expected and there is always someone 24/7 available and willing to listen to me, or to give me advice.”

Jackie*, also from Fife, has been a foster carer for more than 25 years, and became a carer for Barnardo’s in Edinburgh in 2021. She is keen to highlight the many positives of the Mockingbird model: “The Mockingbird is an extended family that provides lots of different support, planned and emergency sleepovers and short breaks. It gives our young people peer support, social activities to meet, build friendships and just have fun.

“We are in it together, so we never feel alone. This is because it is modelled on a family setting so other carers become almost like aunties and uncles and the other young people are like cousins once the relationships have been built.

“The aim is to improve the stability of fostering homes and to strengthen relationships between carers, children, young people and siblings who could be nearby with other carers, and extend it to when the young person moves away from their present carer to a home of their own or into an adopted home. This provides them a strong family connection that a lot of fostered children do not have.”

A crisis in fostering in Scotland was identified last year when Barnardo’s pointed to research by The Fostering Network that revealed the number of foster families required stands at 500.

Speaking at the time, Martin Crewe, Director of Barnardo’s Scotland, said: “Fostering in Scotland is in crisis as the numbers of people registered to foster continues to fall year on year.

“A shortage of foster carers leaves hundreds of children without a safe and loving home, and that is something we are keen to address. But we strongly believe that any loving person can make a wonderful foster parent to a child who needs us the most.”

Barnardo’s Scotland is committed to keeping The Promise to care-experienced young people and to ensure every child in Scotland grows up safe, loved and respected. That is why the charity is calling on people to consider joining Barnardo’s Scotland as a foster carer. Barnardo’s has more than 80 years of experience of successfully matching children and young people with families, and there are many benefits to being a carer.

For more information on becoming a foster carer with Barnardo’s in Scotland, please visit www.barnardos.org.uk/foster, or call 0800 0277 280. The charity’s friendly and supportive staff are available from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.

In the past year, Barnardo’s provided essential support to more than 11,500 children, young people, parents and carers in Scotland through more than 150 specialised community-based services and partnerships across the country. The charity works to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life.

To donate, volunteer or fundraise, please visit:

www.barnardos.org.uk/get-involved/raise-money.

Maybury Primary School welcomes first pupils

THE First of its kind, Maybury Primary School has this week welcomed its first pupils – 25 excited P1 learners – into the brand-new school building. 

The group of children, who have been based at neighbouring East Craigs Primary School since August 2024 are the first intake at the new school which will offer capacity for up to three streams, including 630 primary pupils and 128 nursery pupils. The next group of children will join the new school in August 2025.

The school’s catchment area includes the new housing developments in Cammo and West Craigs.

Maybury Primary School is built to the Passivhaus standard, a highly energy-efficient construction method that regulates air temperature in classrooms, creating a more comfortable learning environment. This approach supports The City of Edinburgh Council’s 2030 net-zero target by significantly reducing the building’s energy consumption.

The new primary school is part of the Maybury Community Hub and is the first school in Edinburgh to share a campus with a medical practice. The hub will maximise the use of its buildings, allowing local residents to access services close to where they live in line with the 20-Minute Neighbourhood strategy.

Councillor Joan Griffiths, Education, Children and Families Convener said: “It is great to see that the new Maybury Primary School has welcomed its first group of learners into the building.

“The head teacher and her team have worked hard to ensure that the transition from East Craigs Primary School into the new school is smooth for the P1 children and I know that they are all excited to get settled into their new school environment.

“The new building has been constructed to be fit for the future and the ‘hub’ model means that the building can be used by the whole community, which is fantastic. The construction of Maybury Primary School is part of a broader initiative to meet the needs of new families who have moved into the area, alongside working to achieve the Council’s ambition to meet future demands and support community growth.”

Scottish Government: New approaches to eradicating child poverty

Wrap-around support delivering improved outcomes for families

Lessons learned from innovative work with families in Inverclyde are helping deliver new approaches to eradicating child poverty. 

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville will visit Home-Start Renfrewshire and Inverclyde in Greenock today (Wednesday 29th January) to see work funded under the Scottish Government’s Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund, which is helping to reshape services locally and elsewhere in Scotland. 

The Social Justice Secretary will meet staff at the project as well as parents who have benefited from the work which focuses on providing early intervention to support families, particularly those with children under five and those affected by poor mental health.  

Learning from the project is supporting Inverclyde’s Fairer Futures Partnership, which is supporting local services to test and improve how they deliver services to promote family wellbeing, maximise incomes and support people towards education and into sustained employment.   

Ms Somerville said: “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and a national mission.   

“I’m keen to hear more about how whole family, person-centred support is being developed in Inverclyde through the Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund and the Fairer Futures Partnership. 

“Through close partnership between Home-Start and Inverclyde Council, this project provides holistic support so that families can maximise their household incomes, and parents can improve their employment prospects through upskilling and volunteering. Putting this kind of vital support in place means that we don’t just help families in a  crisis but enable them to thrive in the longer term. 

“The Child Poverty Practice Accelerator Fund was set up to support local areas to test new ideas and innovate to improve local approaches to eradicating child poverty. I’m pleased to  have the opportunity to learn more about how this funding is informing Inverclyde’s overall approach to supporting families out of poverty.” 

Edinburgh School Uniform Bank: Water Bottles Needed

⭐We need your help!⭐

We are constantly expanding the items we give in our Crisis Packs. Extras like reusable water bottles are an essential part of the kit a young person is expected to have when attending school. Many schools are now no longer able to offer disposable cups for students in need of a drink.

Could you purchase a water bottle for us? We would love to be able to keep adding these to each Crisis Pack requested. One Mum recently reported that her son was drinking water for the very first time because he was so delighted with his special water bottle.

There are a few ways you can help:

⭐Buy a water bottle via our shopping partner Give Today. There are also smaller items that can be purchased. We will ensure every donation gets to a young person in need. Anything purchased will be sent directly to us. https://givetoday.co.uk/edinburghschooluniformbank/

⭐Donate funds and we will purchase water bottles and other items needed for our packs. Every contribution, no matter the size, is appreciated. Donate here: https://edinburghuniform.org/donate/

⭐You can of course buy a water bottle and drop it off at one of our drop off points. More information on those can be found here: https://edinburghuniform.org/donate-uniform/

Thank you!

The Real Mary King’s Close announces selection of special tours for February half term

This February half term, The Real Mary King’s Close invites visitors to step back in time and discover the intriguing stories of Edinburgh’s past with three captivating experiences. From the chilling tales of true crime to groundbreaking medical advancements, there’s something for history buffs and curious families alike.

Beneath the iconic Royal Mile lies a hidden world teeming with history, and the True Crimetour offers a glimpse into the city’s darker side. This adults-only experience delves into the Old Town’s grim tales of crime and punishment.

Visitors will explore the reign of James VI, the witch trials, and the shocking realities of addiction, eviction, and lawlessness in centuries past. Led by a dedicated “True Crimes” guide, the tour even reveals a fascinating connection between Mary King’s Close and the character who inspired The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.

Meanwhile, the Medical History tour takes guests on a journey through 17th-century medicine. Visitors can enjoy learning about the city’s last plague outbreak, the unusual diagnostic methods of local apothecaries like Dr Arnott, and Edinburgh’s legacy as a hub for medical innovation.

Guests will hear the inspiring stories of trailblazers like the Edinburgh Seven, who fought for women’s right to practice medicine, and Dr James Barry, the military surgeon who performed the British Empire’s first successful caesarean section.

For those seeking a hands-on adventure, Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation offers families a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in historical medicine. After a guided tour of the Close, participants will use all their senses, including taste, to diagnose ailments using 17th-century techniques. Guests will also create their own herbal remedy using authentic recipes.

Paul Nixon, General Manager of The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “We’re excited to welcome visitors this February to experience the real stories of our former residents and their remarkable contributions to history. Whether you’re uncovering the city’s criminal past, delving into medical breakthroughs, or stepping into the role of a 17th-century doctor, there’s something for everyone to discover.”

Recently crowned the UK’s best tourist attraction and ranked 11th best visitor attraction in Europe in the 2024 TripAdvisor® Travellers’ Choice® Awards – Best of the Best, The Real Mary King’s Close continues to captivate visitors with its unique blend of history, storytelling, and immersive experiences.

Tour Information:

  • True Crime Tours (adults only):
  • Medical History Tour:
  • Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation

For more information about The Real Mary King’s Close and bookings please visit:  www.realmarykingsclose.com

Over three quarters of people in Scotland want child safety checks on new generative AI products

  • Polling shows 77% of the public in Scotland would opt for child safety checks on new generative AI products, even if this causes delays in releasing products.
  • This comes as new NSPCC-commissioned research identifies seven key safety risks to children including sexual grooming and harassment, bullying, sextortion and the proliferation of harmful content.
  • NSPCC calls on Government to slow down artificial intelligence action plans until they have embedded a statutory duty of care for children.

New research commissioned by the NSPCC highlights the different ways that generative artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to groom, harass and manipulate children and young people.

This comes as polling shows that the UK public are concerned about the rollout of AI. Savanta surveyed 217 people from across Scotland and found that most of the public (86%) have some level of concern that “this type of technology may be unsafe for children”.

The majority of the public (77%) said they would prefer to have safety checks on new generative AI products, even if this caused delays in releasing products over a speedy roll-out without safety checks.

The new NSPCC paper shares key findings from research conducted by AWO, a legal and technology consultancy. The research Viewing Generative AI and children’s safety in the round identifies seven key safety risks associated with generative AI; sexual grooming, sexual harassment, bullying, financially motivated extortion, child sexual abuse & exploitation material, harmful content, and harmful ads & recommendations.

Generative AI is currently being used to generate sexual abuse images of children, enable perpetrators to more effectively commit sexual extortion, groom children and provide misinformation or harmful advice to young people.

From as early as 2019, the NSPCC have been receiving contacts from children via Childline about AI.

One boy aged 14 told the service*: “I’m so ashamed of what I’ve done, I didn’t mean for it to go this far. A girl I was talking to was asking for pictures and I didn’t want to share my true identity, so I sent a picture of my friend’s face on an AI body. Now she’s put that face on a naked body and is saying she’ll post it online if I don’t pay her £50. I don’t even have a way to send money online, I can’t tell my parents, I don’t know what to do.”

One girl, aged 12 asked Childline*: “Can I ask questions about ChatGPT? Like how accurate is it? I was having a conversation with it and asking questions, and it told me I might have anxiety or depression. It’s made me start thinking that I might?”

The NSPCC paper outlines a range of different solutions to address these concerns including stripping out child sexual abuse material from AI training data and doing robust risk assessments on models to ensure they are safe before they are rolled out

A member of the NSPCC Voice of Online Youth, a group of young people aged 13-17 from across the UK, said: “A lot of the problems with Generative AI could potentially be solved if the information [that] tech companies and inventors give [to] the Gen AI was filtered and known to be correct.”

The Government is currently considering new legislation to help regulate AI and there will be a global summit in Paris this February where policy makers, tech companies and third sector organisations, including the NSPCC and their Voice of Online Youth, will come together to discuss the benefits and risks of using AI.

The NSPCC is calling on the Government to adopt specific safeguards for children in its legislation. The charity says four urgent actions are needed by Government to ensure generative AI is safe for children:

  1. Adopt a Duty of Care for Children’s Safety

Gen AI companies must prioritise the safety, protection, and rights of children in the design and development of their products and services.

  1. Embed a Duty of Care in Legislation

It is imperative that the Government enacts legislation that places a statutory duty of care on Gen AI companies, ensuring that they are held accountable for the safety of children.

  1. Place Children at the Heart of Gen AI Decisions

The needs and experiences of children and young people must be central to the design, development, and deployment of Gen AI technologies.

  1. Develop the Research and Evidence Base on Gen AI and Child Safety

The Government, academia, and relevant regulatory bodies should invest in building capacity to study these risks and support the development of evidence-based policies.

Chris Sherwood, CEO at the NSPCC, said: “Generative AI is a double-edged sword. On the one hand it provides opportunities for innovation, creativity and productivity that young people can benefit from; on the other it is having a devastating and corrosive impact on their lives.

“We can’t continue with the status quo where tech platforms ‘move fast and break things’ instead of prioritising children’s safety. For too long, unregulated social media platforms have exposed children to appalling harms that could have been prevented. Now, the Government must learn from these mistakes, move quickly to put safeguards in place and regulate generative AI, before it spirals out of control and damages more young lives.

“The NSPCC and the majority of the public want tech companies to do the right thing for children and make sure the development of AI doesn’t race ahead of child safety. We have the blueprints needed to ensure this technology has children’s wellbeing at its heart, now both Government and tech companies must take the urgent action needed to make Generative AI safe for children and young people.”

You can read Viewing Generative AI and children’s safety in the round on the NSPCC website.