Edinburgh Leisure is kicking off the new year by giving primary-aged children the chance to discover a new passion – without the commitment.
Their popular ‘Next Big Thing’ Coaching Tasters are here, offering £3 taster sessions from 26 January – 1 February, plus an exclusive half-price February coaching offer when you sign up on the day.
The campaign aims to spark curiosity and encourage kids to try something new, from swimming and gymnastics to tennis and more. All sessions are delivered by expert instructors in a fun, friendly environment.
“Sports coaching isn’t just about learning a skill – it’s about building confidence, making friends, and staying active,” said Angela McCowan, Sports Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure.
“Our tasters give families the chance to explore what works for their child before committing to a full programme.”
With only 59% of school-aged children meeting recommended daily activity levels, Edinburgh Leisure is urging parents to help their children find their next big passion through sport.
Why Join?
Fun, friendly coaching for all abilities
Expert instructors to guide every step
A great way to stay active, make friends, and build confidence
Flexible options across the city
Book Now:Explore available sessions and sign up at:
Make this January the start of something big – because diving, swimming, gymnastics, basketball, athletics, badminton, tennis or football could be your child’s Next Big Thing.
New youth group starting at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre next Wednesday (14th January) between 4pm – 5pm.
This is open to any young people aged 8 – 12 who are struggling with socialising or confidence, whether that be due to learning disabilities, mental health or other factors.
As Scotland faces a sharp drop in temperatures, national children’s charity, Children First, is encouraging families in Edinburgh who are struggling with the cost of living and keeping warm this January to reach out for help.
The charity warns that they are hearing every day from parents and carers that are struggling to make ends meet and provide basic essentials for their children.
Children First’s support line offers practical, emotional and financial help to families across Scotland 365 days a year.
The team saw the number of callers rise by close to 50 percent towards the end of 2025.They can help with benefit checks, budgeting advice, and accessing emergency support to ensure families stay warm and well this winter.
Simon McGowan, Assistant Director at Children First, said: “We want every parent and carer in Scotland to know they are not alone if they are worried about paying bills or keeping their children warm.
“Our friendly support line team is here to listen and provide expert advice to ensure families get the support they need. We understand how hard it can be trying to make ends meet and the pressure families are under.”
In 2024, Children First’s support line helped families secure close to £2.5 million in financial gains and deal with half a million pounds in debts to make them more manageable.
Kinship carer Tony* who is bringing up his two-year old granddaughter Cara* and had been struggling to make ends meet, got help with his finances from Children First’s support line.
He said: “It was only when Children First support line got involved that things started to get better. I feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders, it’s such a relief.”
As colder weather conditions remain, Water Safety Scotland (WSS) is issuing a warning about the dangers that frozen-over bodies of water present.
WSS aims to prevent fatalities and accidents and to alert the public that most ice-related incidents are preventable with the correct knowledge and behaviour.
Carlene McAvoy, from Water Safety Scotland, said: “We encourage everyone to enjoy the outdoors and the benefits it brings, but it’s important to do so safely and with awareness. One key risk we want to highlight is the danger posed by frozen bodies of water.
“While ice can appear solid and inviting, there’s no way to know if it can support your weight or how deep the water is beneath. For this reason, we’re urging people to stay well clear of frozen water, keep children away, and ensure dogs are kept on leads.”
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Kenny Barbour, Scottish Fire and Rescue’s Head of Prevention said: “We don’t want your winter walk to end in tragedy so please avoid going near frozen water when you are out with loved ones and pets.
“Falling through ice could be fatal. While ice can look and feel solid, it can suddenly crack and cause a person or dog to fall through, potentially becoming trapped under the ice.
“Pets should be kept on leads and owners should avoid throwing objects onto the ice for them to retrieve.
“If anyone does get into difficulty on the ice, do not attempt to rescue them. Dial 999 and ask for the fire and rescue service, then wait for help to arrive.”
This is the key advice from Water Safety Scotland:
Most importantly, stay off the ice. Never be tempted to venture onto ice – you have no way of knowing how thick it is and how cold and deep the water beneath is. The water beneath could also be fast-flowing. Don’t ever risk it.
Keep a safe distance from the edge. Fallen leaves or snow could obscure the water’s true boundary.
Stick to well-lit areas – the reduction in daylight in the winter adds to risks around water
Check for safety signage. This can help inform you of hazards in that area you may not be aware of.
Always supervise children. Just a moment’s distraction could have serious consequences for a curious child.
Keep dogs on leads. Otherwise, they could end up on the ice and in danger. Also don’t throw sticks and balls for dogs near ice. If your dog falls through the ice, don’t go in for your dog – encourage the dog to swim over to you or use a branch or pole to pull them out without venturing onto the ice.
If you fall through the ice:
Float on your back with your arms and legs extended until you can control your breathing
Stay calm and call for help if possible
Look for something to hold onto to help yourself out the water
If you encounter someone who has fallen through ice:
Call 999 and request the assistance of the emergency services
Remain calm and give clear, accurate information about the situation and location
Do not attempt to go out onto the ice yourself
To support communities to share and display this advice in their local areas, WSS have developed ice safety resources such as posters, a leaflet and social media assets which are available from the WSS website to download and use.
These are free of charge and available to everyone. The resources can be accessed here.
GRANTON YOUTH at ROYSTON WARDIEBURN COMMUNITY CENTRE
Our Youth Clubs return next week and we’ve adjusted the timings on Mondays EVER so slightly to allow our team more time to make sure we are delivering the best groups possible!
We’re looking forward to welcoming the 330+ young people we have worked with so far this term and of course, yourself if you are interested in joining us!
Please see our posters for details on the youth clubs you can attend!
As always, our full provision, info on our team, and up to date news are all listed at www.grantonyouth.com and you can follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and X for regular updates!
(PLEASE NOTE Pitt Groups are not back until 27th January and we will announce this in a separate post)
Children will be protected from exposure to junk food ads under new regulations, in a bid to tackle childhood obesity
UK Government delivers on pledge to restrict junk food advertising and help parents raise healthiest generation of children ever
New regulations will remove up to 7.2 billion calories from UK children’s diets each year as part of drive to reduce childhood obesity
Children will be protected from excessive exposure to unhealthy food adverts on television and online.
Kids will be protected from exposure to junk food advertising on TV and online as new regulations come into force to help tackle childhood obesity.From today, adverts for less healthy food and drinks will be banned on television before 9pm, and online at all times.
This decisive and world-leading action by this government is expected to remove up to 7.2 billion calories from children’s diets each year, reduce the number of children living with obesity by 20,000 and deliver around £2 billion in health benefits over time.
Evidence shows advertising influences what and when children eat, shaping preferences from a young age and increasing the risk of obesity and related illnesses. The ban targets the media children and young people use most at the times they use it.
At the start of primary school, 22.1% of children in England are living with overweight or obesity and this rises to 35.8% by the time they leave.
Tooth decay is the leading cause of hospital admissions for young children (typically ages 5-9) in the UK.
Minister for Health, Ashley Dalton said: “We promised to do everything we can to give every child the best and healthiest start in life.
“By restricting adverts for junk food before 9pm and banning paid adverts online, we can remove excessive exposure to unhealthy foods – making the healthy choice the easy choice for parents and children.
“We’re moving the dial from having the NHS treat sickness, to preventing it so people can lead healthier lives and so it can be there for us when we need it.”
The UK government has worked closely with health campaigners and industry leaders to find the right balance which combines our commitment to raising healthy kids and economic growth. It’s in everyone’s interest that parents and children can make healthy choices and we thank food and drink companies for getting behind these restrictions voluntary since October ahead of them taking legal effect today.
Previous interventions, such as the Soft Drinks Industry Levy resulted in businesses reformulating to make products healthier, and the measures coming into effect today have already had a similar impact, driving the development and promotion of healthier options.
This change is part of a range of measures the government is taking to lift children out of poverty and help give them the best start in life.
To tackle obesity and improve diets, Westminster has introduced the Healthy Food Standard to make the average shopping basket of goods healthier, and we’re giving local authorities the power to stop fast food shops setting up outside schools.
Katharine Jenner, Executive Director, Obesity Health Alliance, said: “It’s been one battle after another, but we are finally going to see children being protected from the worst offending junk food adverts.
“This is a welcome and long-awaited step towards better protecting children from unhealthy food and drink advertising that can harm their health and wellbeing. These new restrictions will help reduce children’s exposure to the most problematic adverts and mark real progress towards a healthier food environment.
“For the government to achieve its ambition of raising the healthiest generation ever, this is an important policy as part of a broader approach to preventing obesity-related ill health. Continuing to strengthen the rules over time will help ensure these protections remain effective.”
Colette Marshall, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said: “With type 2 diabetes on the rise in young people, the need to improve children’s health in the UK has never been greater. Obesity is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and the condition can lead to more severe consequences in young people – leaving them at risk of serious complications like kidney failure and heart disease.
“The long-awaited move to restrict junk food advertising – along with other measures such as mandatory healthy food sales reporting for businesses and the extension of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy – can help protect the health of our children, creating a future where conditions like type 2 diabetes can be prevented in young people.”
The Soft Drink Industry Levy will be extended to cover more products, including sugary milk-based drinks – and the government is helping to further improve kids’ diets by banning the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children under 16.
In December, the Prime Minister announced parents could save up to £500 a year on baby formula thanks to new government measures aimed at reducing household costs and easing the cost of living for hard-working families.
This government has also introduced supervised toothbrushing for three to five-year-olds to protect those in the most deprived communities from tooth decay.
The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill, meanwhile, will break the cycle of addiction and stop the next generation getting hooked on nicotine. It will also halt the advertising and sponsorship of vapes, limiting their packaging, flavours and displays which lure young people in.
These measures combined with the junk food ban mark the 10 Year Health Plan’s shift towards prevention and significant progress towards the government’s our pledge of raising the healthiest generation of children ever.
Farid (17), Bite Back Activist, said: “Today is a milestone moment – one that young people across the UK have been campaigning for over many years. We welcome the government taking action to put children’s health front and centre, to protect young people from the predatory and manipulative marketing of unhealthy food by junk food giants.
“These new rules are an important first step that begins to rip down the wallpaper of junk food advertising that surrounds young people on TV and online every day. We’re proud to see this change finally happen. But this cannot be the end. Young people are energised to keep pushing, working hard to make 2026 the year we fully transform the environments children grow up in.”
Malcolm Clark, Senior Policy Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “The world around us heavily influences what we eat and drink, which is why Cancer Research UK has long campaigned for restrictions on advertising unhealthy foods to children.
“Measures announced today – if properly enforced – are a crucial step towards creating an environment that protects children and empowers healthy lifestyle changes.
“Obesity and overweight causes at least 13 different types of cancer, and children living with obesity are much more likely to live with obesity as adults too. The UK Government must build on this landmark legislation with further bold action to make a healthy diet more accessible and reduce people’s risk of cancer in the future.”
Cllr Dr Wendy Taylor MBE, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Health and Wellbeing Committee, said: “This is a positive step towards creating healthier environments for children and tackling childhood obesity.
“Childhood obesity remains one of the most significant public health challenges we face, driving health inequalities and placing a significant cost burden on the NHS and wider society. These measures are an important part of a whole systems approach, alongside local action to improve access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity.
“We are pleased to see that these measures complement other public health initiatives, such as the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, which together signal a strong commitment to prevention and improving health outcomes.”
Alice Wiseman MBE, Vice President of the Association of Directors of Public Health, said: “The vast majority of deaths in this country are caused by preventable illnesses and disease, including many cancers, respiratory, heart and liver disease. These illnesses are often linked to the consumption of harmful products like unhealthy food and drink, but this is not the result of personal choice.
“The reality is that what we eat and drink is heavily influenced by cheap prices and clever marketing campaigns backed by multi-million pound budgets. We simply don’t have the freedom to choose.
“There is no quick fix, but we know from our experience of tackling tobacco harm, that one of the key ways to reduce illness and death caused by harmful products is to introduce tighter restrictions on advertising those products.
“There is of course further to go, but today’s legislation is a significant and welcome step forward in protecting people from industry influence and reducing the number of people living with – and dying from – preventable illness and disease.”
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist care and education for vulnerable children and young people, is calling for urgent action from the Scottish Government and local authorities following a dramatic reduction in the number of legally binding co-ordinated support plans (CSPs) for children and young people with complex or multiple additional support needs (ASN).
Recent data from the Scottish Government show that the number of pupils with ASN, such as autism, dyslexia and mental health problems, has surged to 299,445 in 2025 – representing 43 per cent of Scotland’s pupil population – up from 153,143 (22.5 per cent of pupils) in 2015.1.
Against this backdrop, there has been a staggering 63 per cent drop in the number of pupils receiving CSPs over the same period. 2
In 2015, there were 3,128 pupils with a CSP, but by 2025, this figure had plummeted to just 1,165, representing only 0.4% of those identified with ASN and just 0.2% of the overall pupil population.
So-called co-ordinated support plans (CSPs), prepared by local authorities, are the only education plans that are legal documents. These provide guarantees of entitlement to additional resources and legal redress, placing statutory duties on local authorities to review and ensure that the provisions are met.
The fall comes despite a Scottish Government promise that there would be no reduction in the proportion of pupils receiving them since their introduction through the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.
A concern raised by the SCSC is that local authorities are reluctant to issue CSPs because they are seen as cumbersome and time-consuming, resource-intensive, and subject to enhanced scrutiny.
This is all set against the backdrop of under-investment in services, with many local authorities now reluctant to provide legally enforceable support due to cuts in health, education, and social work provision.
If the needs of the child or young person are not believed to have been met, non-statutory alternatives are often offered in their place, with families or carers not being offered the option of a CSP.
The SCSC has called for a number of actions from the Scottish Government and local authorities, including:
● Expanding access to CSPs, ensuring all eligible pupils receive a legally binding plan.
● Reviewing and removing barriers preventing the effective use of CSPs.
● Improving collaboration between local authorities, health, education, and social work services to ensure statutory duties are being met.
● Investing in resources and training to raise awareness and understanding of CSPs among families, carers, and professionals, including targeted training for local authority and school staff
A spokesperson for the SCSC said: “We are calling for urgent action from the Scottish Government and local authorities following figures highlighting a dramatic decline in the use of CSPs, which are designed to support those with the most complex needs.
“This is despite a Scottish Government assurance that they would not fall, and against the backdrop of a dramatic increase in the numbers of those with ASN, including those with more complex needs.
“This gap between the growing number of children with ASN and the declining number of CSPs is simply not justifiable. The threshold for receiving a CSP is already challenging to meet, and local authorities are using vague terminology to deny children the support they need.
“By not providing this legally enforceable provision, many of these vulnerable individuals are being failed and not getting the support they are entitled to, meaning that they are not achieving their full potential.
“This is of particular significance given the devastating impact of Covid-19 and the cost-of-living crisis. The Scottish Government, local authorities and other agencies need to collaborate to ensure that those requiring a CSP receive it, with the necessary resourcing in place to support this.
“With those with ASN drawn disproportionately from poorer neighbourhoods, if we are to close the educational attainment gap genuinely, they must get the care and support they need, when they need it.”
