Tag: Children and Families

Hundreds of Scottish children contacted Childline about anxiety last year

Anxiety emerges as most common mental health concern for children reaching out to Childline  

  • Last year Childline delivered more than 500 counselling sessions to children and young people from Scotland with concerns about anxiety.  
  • Causes included abuse and trauma, bullying, global concerns and body image issues.
  • This World Mental Health Day (Friday, October 10), Childline is encouraging young people to reach out to the service for support.  

Anxiety has been revealed as the main mental health concern for children and young people when receiving help from Childline.  

Last year, the NSPCC service delivered 546 counselling sessions to children in Scotland related to anxiety, representing almost a quarter (22%) of all support given for mental health issues. 

Navigating problems at school, bullying and body image concerns were some of the reasons children and young people cited for experiencing anxiety. Childline also heard that ongoing social and political issues, such as the UK riots, climate change and world conflict, were also increasing feelings of worry and concern in young people.

One primary school aged girl in Scotland told Childline: “I’m so self-conscious of how I look, my personality, what people think about me. It makes me feel anxious. I know everyone is different, but I feel different in a bad way. Reading and drawing are my ways to escape.”  

Another girl in Scotland, aged 15, told Childline: “I’ve been struggling with even basic tasks lately because of anxiety. I get filled with panic, can’t function and then I get angry with myself, so it gets even worse. It’s really frustrating. I want to tell someone but I’m not sure if my problems are important to anyone” Girl, 15 

Childline is a free service available to any young person in the UK. Trained counsellors are available to support with any concerns, queries or questions and can be reached via phone or through their online chat.  

Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said: “Thousands of children are reaching out to us because they’re struggling with their mental health, in particular with anxiety. We know how overwhelming these feelings can be, often leaving young people feeling trapped and unsure of where to turn.

“From the pressures of school and bullying to concerns about their appearance and worries about global issues, like climate change and world conflict, children are telling us they’re carrying an enormous emotional burden.  

“This World Mental Health Day, we want every young person to know that it’s okay to not be okay, and that help is always available. Childline is here 24/7, providing a safe, confidential space where children can talk about their anxieties, no matter how big or small they may seem.” 

To mark World Mental Health Day, the children’s charity has released a series of tips to support both children and parents or carers. The Childline website also has a host of advice for young people.  

Advice for children who may be struggling with anxiety includes:  

  1. Practice Deep Breathing: When you feel anxious, try breathing in slowly through your nose for a count of five, then exhale slowly through your mouth for another count of five. Focusing on your breath can help calm your mind and reduce anxiety.  
  1. Engage in Physical Activity: Physical exercise can be a great way to improve your mood. Whether it’s going for a walk, dancing, or playing a sport, find an activity you enjoy which can help to manage anxious feelings.  
  1. Stay Present: Grounding techniques can help you stay focused on the present moment. For example, try to identify five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.   
  1. Challenge Negative Thoughts: Pay attention to negative thoughts that may be contributing to your anxiety. Try to reframe them by focusing on positive aspects or considering alternative perspectives  
  1. Reach Out for Support: Remember, you don’t have to face anxiety alone. Talking to a trusted adult, friend, or counsellor can provide you with support and guidance. Childline is available 24/7 to offer confidential assistance whenever you need it.  

Top tips for parents to support children who may be experiencing anxiety includes:  

  1. Communicate Openly: Encourage your child to talk about their feelings without judgment.   
  1. Understand the Causes: Work together to identify specific situations or thoughts that trigger your child’s anxiety. Understanding these triggers can help when developing effective coping strategies.  
  1. Promote Healthy Routines: Ensure your child maintains regular sleep patterns, balanced nutrition, and physical activity to provide a sense of stability when they may be feeling uncertain within themselves.   
  1. Model Positive Coping Mechanisms: Demonstrate healthy ways to manage stress, such as deep breathing, mindfulness, or physical exercise.   
  1. Seek Professional Support When Needed: If your child’s anxiety persists or worsens, consult with a healthcare professional or counsellor.   

Childline is available for young people via the phone on 0800 1111 and online through the 121 chat on the Childline website.   

The Space Dome arrives in Livingston to help raise funds for CHAS

The Centre, Livingston has unveiled plans for the arrival of its first-ever 8m Space Dome, from the 18-27th October, where visitors can enjoy a 360° planetarium film experience through the galaxy and take part in science-themed activities, including handling Campo Del Ceilo meteorites from Argentina that are 4.6 billion years old.

The Space Dome, complete with giant space props, including a 5ft inflatable rocket and moon, has been created by the astronomer, Zee Dinally, who has travelled the world with his pop-up planetariums to give people an insight into the solar system and night sky.

The full-dome film with surround sound, entitled ‘Journey to Infinity’, is narrated by the former Blue Peter producer and BBC presenter, Sue Beardsmore, and takes you on virtual journey through space to explore distant galaxies from infinity to beyond, and discover how we are connected to the cosmos.

The event, which will take place during the October school break, is designed to provide an immersive, educational and fun experience for shoppers, especially avid space, astronomy and geology enthusiasts, who can learn more about meteorites that reveal the ancient geometry of the solar system.

There will also be a Virtual Reality Zone with headsets and astronaut costumes for children to embark on their own virtual space trip and explore natural astronomical objects including stars, planets, the moon, asteroids, comets and galaxies. 

The Space Dome event, which will be located next to Waterstones and run daily from 10 – 4pm, also provides the opportunity to raise funds for Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, CHAS, which is the winter charity partner at The Centre, Livingston, for the third consecutive year.

All activities are free with donations optional for CHAS, which provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children with life-shortening conditions and support for families, including respites and counselling.

Zhenya Dove, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We are so excited to be part of this amazing Space Dome adventure at The Centre, Livingston. 

“It’s a great way for families to enjoy some time together and make precious memories, which is exactly what’s at the heart of everything we do at CHAS. 

“Every donation, no matter the size, helps us bring moments of joy to children with life-shortening conditions and their families.”

Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston said: “Our Space Dome event will give visitors the chance to enjoy a great day shopping, dining out and also have fun watching a captivating space-themed film in a planetarium, where you can soar through the solar system.

“We’ll also have astronaut costumes and VR headsets for children to experience their own personal voyages through the universe and other activities including the opportunity to handle real Campo Del Ceilo meteorites from Argentina, which are 4.6 billion years old.

“The event will also give us a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness and funds for CHAS, who we are delighted to be supporting again this year.”

For more details, check out The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com and social channels, @shopthecentre.

Drumbrae Library holiday activities

It’s the Edinburgh school half term break next week and we’ve got a full programme of events scheduled!

All events are free

Booking is only required for the author visit from Emily McKenzie on Thursday which can be accessed from tomorrow morning at 10am with the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/drumbrae-library-hub…

Letters: Home Alone

Dear Editor, 

During the October holidays, many families across Scotland will be weighing up childcare options and wondering whether their children are ready to be left home alone. 

There’s no legal minimum age for a child to stay at home or go out alone, and it’s common for parents to contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice. Every child is different, and between work and other responsibilities, it’s understandable that parents may need to consider this decision. 

It’s not always easy to know what’s best, but there are some important things to keep in mind. Very young children, especially those under three, should never be left alone – not even briefly while popping to the shops or leaving them in the car. For older children, we wouldn’t recommend leaving anyone under 12 at home alone, especially for long periods. 

What matters most is how your child feels. If they’re anxious or unsure, they shouldn’t be left by themselves – even if they’re older.

Feeling safe and confident is key, and they need to know what to do in an emergency. Talking things through can help you understand their concerns and decide if they’re ready. 

To support families, the NSPCC has created online checklists to help guide these decisions.  And for children who need someone to talk to, Childline is available 24/7.

They can speak to a trained counsellor for free by calling 0800 1111 or using the 1-2-1 chat at www.childline.org.uk. 

Yours sincerely, 

Carla Malseed 

NSPCC Scotland Local Campaigns Manager 

Drylaw Pumpkin Walk and HUNT!

MONDAY 13 OCTOBER from 10am – 12.30pm

🎃Hallowe’en pumpkin walk and hunt this Monday! All accompanied children welcome.

Free lunch at the centre after.

To book, get in touch or email natalie@drylawnc.org.uk

All accompanied children welcome.
Come on a hunt for pumpkins around the neighbourhood using a simple map.
Lunch back at the Centre.
Adults and children welcome.
All regulars also welcome. Easy. Flat.
PLEASE BOOK! natalie@drylawnc.org.uk

Free, Children and adults

PS – Reminder that Little Explorers and the Yoga classes are on holiday on Monday 13th!

34,200 families in Scotland avoid the Hallowe’en chills by using Tax-Free Childcare

  • More than 34,200 families in Scotland received an average of £100 towards their monthly childcare bills in June 2025
  • Working families encouraged to sign up to Tax-Free Childcare as UK Government top-ups totalled £57.7 million
  • Supporting the government’s mission to grow the economy and deliver on the Plan for Change

Working families are encouraged to sign up to Tax-Free Childcare ahead of the spooky school holidays to avoid tricky childcare bills as latest figures from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) show 34,255 families in Scotland got a savings treat in June.

Paying childcare bills through a Tax-Free Childcare account can save working families up to £2,000 per year for each of their children up to the age of 11 or £4,000 per year up to the age of 16 if the child is disabled.

HMRC is encouraging those yet to sign up for Tax-Free Childcare, to do it now to take advantage of savings on their half term childcare.

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Chief Customer Officer, said: “Hallowe’en doesn’t need to be a tricky time for childcare bills. Whether you’re working and have a child in a holiday club or taking time off and planning term-time care, paying your bills with Tax-Free Childcare can help. Go to GOV.UK to start saving today.”

Once a Tax-Free Childcare account is open, for every £8 parents deposit in their child’s account, the government tops it up by £2. Parents can receive up to £500 (or £1,000 if their child is disabled) every 3 months towards their childcare costs.

In June, the government paid a total of £57.7 million in top-ups to Tax-Free Childcare accounts which means each family received, on average, more than £100 to be used towards their childcare bills.

Parents can use Tax-Free Childcare to help pay toward any approved childcare for their child – so that’s nursery for younger children or, for older children who are in school, wraparound childcare, after-school and holiday clubs.

Once families have opened a Tax-Free Childcare account, they can deposit money and use it straight away or keep it in the account to use it whenever it’s needed. Any unused money in the account can be withdrawn at any time.   

Families could be eligible for Tax-Free Childcare if they:   

  • have a child or children aged 11 or under. They stop being eligible on 1 September after their 11th birthday. If their child has a disability, they receive up to £4,000 a year until 1 September after their 16th birthday   
  • the parent and their partner (if they have one) earn, or expect to earn, at least the National Minimum Wage or Living Wage for 16 hours a week, on average   
  • each earn no more than £100,000 per annum   
  • do not receive Universal Credit or childcare vouchers    

Visit GOV.UK to check eligibility and register for Tax-Free Childcare.

Tax-Free Childcare can be used alongside the free childcare hours, subject to eligibility. 

Local charity Simba Charity delivers comfort to bereaved families with support from delivery partner

Helping families through loss: supporting bereaved parents with compassion and care 

Back in 2005, families who had lost a baby were often sent home from the hospital without anything to acknowledge or honour their baby’s life. Determined to change this, a group of caring midwives and bereaved parents began gifting a small amount of hand-packed Memory Boxes at Simpsons Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh.

What began as a small, heartfelt initiative has since grown into a national registered charity and vital support network, helping thousands of families across Scotland navigate the heartbreak of baby loss.

Honouring every baby, supporting every family

At the heart of Simba’s work is the Memory Box, a handcrafted collection of keepsakes carefully packed by volunteers and each designed for a specific gestational loss.

Each box is unique and includes items such as soft knitted blankets, matching teddies, inkless handprint kits and keepsake charms – many of which are lovingly made by Simba’s virtual craft group of nearly 8,000 volunteers.

The Memory Box is more than just a box; it is an essential tool to help parents to gather as many memories as they can of the precious time that they spend with their baby.

“Every family’s experience is different, and every box we send is unique,” says Vanessa Rhazali, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Simba Charity. “We pour so much care into each one, and take great pride in creating something truly personal. For many families, these boxes become treasured reminders of their baby’s existence and the brief but meaningful moments they shared.

“Helping parents make the most of that precious time – no matter how short – is at the core of everything we do.”

Simba have also supported families by refurbishing and maintaining bereavement rooms in hospitals so parents can spend private and peaceful time with their baby before they must say goodbye. The charity also offers families special places of remembrance at sites across Scotland. These services are complemented by online private support groups, helping families feel supported, connected and less alone in their grief, regardless of how much time has passed since their loss.

Making a real impact

Over the years, Simba’s Memory Boxes have reached thousands of families. But the charity’s impact goes far beyond numbers. At its core, Simba is about helping families honour their babies. 

This is Jenny’s story. She received a Simba Memory Box at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital: 

“Our baby boy William passed away before he was born, when I was 23 weeks pregnant. Going into hospital to deliver our baby, knowing that he was already gone, was the most difficult thing we’ve ever had to do and I was so worried about what to expect.   

“It was made bearable by the compassion of the staff and also by receiving our Simba Memory Box. The memory box gave us something to focus on during those first couple of days – everything in it is so well thought out.

“There is a heartfelt letter from another parent that I read often. The midwives were able to take photographs and add them to our box in the most beautiful little envelope.  My most treasured item is the knitted teddy-after William was born we placed one in his cot overnight and I slept with one.

“We swapped them in the morning and one went with William so that we always have a part of each other. I hope the volunteers that knit these teddies know how cherished they are.  William was real and he was loved, and our memory box helps me cope with his loss every day.”  

A local delivery partner that understands

In 2025, Simba partnered with APC Edinburgh and The APC Network to improve how their Memory Boxes are delivered to bereaved parents across Scotland.

The partnership came about as the charity sought a trusted logistics provider that could offer a more local, reliable and personalised service – one that truly aligned with their mission and values.

Since then, Simba has seen significant improvements in its delivery process, with more streamlined operations and a flexible, hands-on approach that reflects the care and sensitivity each of these deliveries requires.

“The customer service we receive is amazing,” says Jo Dunlop, Office Manager at Simba Charity. “The team at APC Edinburgh is always responsive, thoughtful and willing to help, which gives us real confidence that we’re in safe hands.

“They take the time to understand our mission and get every detail right, because they know these aren’t ordinary parcels. They’re a lifeline for families, and that level of care truly makes all the difference.”

Looking ahead

Simba remains deeply committed to its founding mission: to ensure that every baby is recognised and every family feels supported, no matter when or how their loss occurred. With the continued support from APC Edinburgh and The APC Network, the charity is well-equipped to keep that promise and extend its care to more families for years to come.

Ailsa Hamilton, Sales Manager at APC Edinburgh, commented: “We’re proud to play a small but meaningful role in the incredible work Simba does.

“These aren’t just deliveries; they’re moments of connection, memory and healing for families going through unimaginable heartbreak.

“It’s an honour to support that, and we are committed to standing alongside Simba as they continue to reach more families and provide comfort when it’s needed most.”

Find out more about Simba here: https://www.Simbacharity.org.uk and APC Edinburgh  here: https://www.apcedinburgh.com/ 

While nothing can take away the pain of losing a baby, being able to create memories, no matter how small, can help families hold onto love and begin to heal. It’s never too late to honour your baby, it’s never too late to ask for a Memory Box.

If you have experienced the loss of a baby, however long ago, you are welcome to request a Memory Box. Please reach out to us at memories@simbacharity.org.uk 

This Saturday: Wildflower Planting in East Pilton Park

Wildflower Planting in East Pilton Park this Saturday 10.30-1 (11th October) with Granton Community Gardeners. Free, family friendly activity.

Join us to add wildflower seeds and spring bulbs to the long grass patches of East Pilton Park (around the new tree plantings).

As well as looking beautiful, we hope to improve the area for pollinators and also increase the number of invertebrates (insects and other wee bugs) for our local birds to eat.

We are particularly hoping to help increase the food supply for our nearby swift colony and this project goes hand in hand with plans we have to give the swifts more good local nesting sites by adding swift boxes to buildings.

Amazingly, the council’s ecologists have found that long grass areas can have as much as 90 times more life than short grass. Let’s add flowers to make them even better!

Please get in touch if you’re planning to come so we can bring a sensible number of tools: email katie@grantoncommunitygardeners.org

(Also dress for the weather, and bear in mind that the closest public toilets are in Ainsley Park Leisure Centre).

You can also check out more about our ‘Nature in Granton’ project via new page on our website:

https://www.grantoncommunitygardeners.org/nature-in-granton

Music programme boosts children’s wellbeing

More than 450,000 take part in initiative

Considering the past, present and future of Scotland’s flagship music making fund for children and young people.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson has welcomed a review highlighting the impact of music for young people of all backgrounds during Challenge Poverty Week.

The £9.78 million Scottish Government-funded Youth Music Initiative provides music-making opportunities for young people across Scotland, particularly those who would otherwise be unable to participate.

The review found the Creative Scotland-administered programme had expanded access and opportunities for children across Scotland with more than 453,000 children supported over the last year.

It also found that its newest strand, the Youth Arts Open Fund, delivered in participation with YouthLink, is already creating additional opportunities for young people facing barriers to participation. This includes ‘Starcatchers’, who opened their Baby Studio in an empty retail unit in Wester Hailes, providing free access to creative space for babies and young children.

The review makes a range of recommendations for the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland to consider. These focus on potential structural changes as well as seeking out opportunities to innovate and cement YMI’s position as an internationally-recognised model of best practice in youth arts and engagement.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “At its heart, the YMI is about providing young people of all backgrounds the opportunity to enjoy music.

“Participation in cultural and creative activities helps young people grow into confident citizens and plays an important role in fostering wellbeing and supporting attainment.

“The Scottish Government is proud to support the delivery of these benefits with £9.78 million funding in the last Budget. The review’s recommendations will be considered carefully alongside the independent Review of Creative Scotland.”

Morag Macdonald, YMI Manager at Creative Scotland said: “This report marks a pivotal moment to both reflect on the profound impact of the YMI on Scotland’s children and young people, and to celebrate how deeply it’s now embedded within the fabric of our national cultural offer.

“We welcome the report’s recommendations which provide a clear focus for the programme’s strategic development, and we remain ambitious about the future direction of the fund.”

Youth Music Scotland Review

ymi_scotlands-national-music-education-infrastructure_full-reportDownload

Bitesize Parenting Support at Drumbrae Library Hub

Drumbrae Library Hub are delighted to be hosting Bitesize Learning Sessions for Parents and Carers!

Parenting can be challenging at times. Bitesize Parenting Support are here to help! Sometimes we all need a bit of help and advice.

The Drumbrae sessions are:

Digital Wellbeing – How can I make sure my child has good health habits online?

Friday 21st November at 10:30am

Weaning – I want to help my child have a healthy diet!

Monday 19th January 2026 at 11am

Toilet Training – A parent and carer workshop

Friday 6th February 2026 at 10:00am

All events are free although require tickets which can be sourced on Eventbrite:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/drumbrae-library-hub-25178235