FRIDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 3 – 5pm
This Friday. A really great and important talk, especially for parents and grandparents.
Completely free, 3-5pm. See you there!
LifeCare Talk: Paediatric First Aid
Tag: Children and Families
Knots: A Community Walk
GRANTON:HUB – SATURDAY 26th SEPTEMBER 1.45 – 3pm
We are pleased to invite you to ‘Knots, a community walk for all the family’ on Saturday 26th September, 1:45pm-3.00pm. It is part of the Granton:hub / Madelvic House Doors Open Day.
We will walk, play, do an art activity, and learn about nature too. This event relates to our neighbour, United Wire, and one of our other historical and contemporary industries, fishing. You will learn some basic knotting practices (appropriate for children and adults), making a joint artwork, and also something to take home with you to help you remember the walk and what you have seen.
Starting and ending at the Granton Hub / Madelvic House.
Places are limited for participants’ safety and enjoyment. Suitable for those with wheels / sticks. Dogs on leads are welcome.
Tamsin Grainger is a Paths for All walk leader. In 2024/5, she was the Granton Archive Community Development Worker, and she is an experienced pedestrian.
This event is free to attend but booking is required via Eventbrite.
FetLor Clubs back this week
Our Clubs start back TODAY!
Signs up are still live with an additional link in our stories!
Sky’s the limit as CHAS children take flight with Loganair
Children with life-shortening conditions from across Scotland and their families enjoyed a day to remember at Glasgow Airport on Saturday, taking to the skies for a spectacular scenic flight over Scotland’s west coast, courtesy of the UK’s leading regional airline, Loganair, and its charity partner, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS).
Six families received VIP treatment onboard one of Loganair’s ATR 72-600s, which flew under flight number LM1996, marking the year CHAS’s children’s hospice, Rachel House, opened its doors.
Before take-off, families enjoyed a morning of fun in Glasgow Airport’s Campsie Lounge, with character meet-and-greets, singalongs and soft play. Even Police Scotland joined in the fun, making a beeline for the ball pit.
There was plenty of magic on board too. With support from Glasgow-based Wish Upon a Star Kingdom, Princess Merida and Spider-Gwen joined the families for the round trip across the Highlands and Islands to the delight of the young flyers, before the aircraft returned home to Glasgow Airport.
After the aerial adventure over Scotland’s west coast, the flight was then welcomed back in style with a water cannon salute from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service
Among the excited flyers was four-year-old Isla Johnstone from Glasgow. Isla lives with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and she and her family have been supported by Robin House and CHAS at Home service for the past year.
Isla’s mum, Georgeta, said: “This flight was so special for us as Isla hasn’t been on a plane since she was a baby and she was always asking me when she can fly again, but because of her condition, it just hasn’t been possible until now.
“Isla was so excited flying over all the islands and loved every single minute of this wonderful experience. We are incredibly thankful to Loganair and CHAS for making Isla’s dream come true.”
Isla said: “My favourite thing about the flight was being up in the air and flying! I also loved meeting Merida and Spider-Gwen.”
Luke Farajallah, chief executive officer at Loganair, said: “This flight has become one of the moments we look forward to most each year.
“Connecting Scotland’s communities is at the heart of what we do every day, but there is something especially meaningful about using our aircraft to create happy memories for children and families who are facing incredibly difficult circumstances.
“CHAS is there for families when they need support most, and the generosity of the businesses and people across Glasgow Airport is what makes days like this possible. Five years into our partnership, our commitment to CHAS has never been stronger.
“We’re incredibly proud to play our part, and we’ll continue to find new ways to raise vital funds, support the charity and, most importantly, help families make memories together.”
The flight marked the fifth year of the partnership between Loganair and CHAS, supported by AGS, ground handling team Menzies, ABM, Wish Upon a Star Kingdom and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
In 2024, Loganair added a voluntary £2 donation option to online bookings, raising further funds for CHAS, and the airline also supports CHAS at Home, the charity’s outreach service that flies nurses to families in remote island communities. The service made 1476 visits in the last year. Since 2021, Loganair has raised over £100,000 for CHAS, supporting its work with families across Scotland.
Aimee Russell, senior partnership executive at CHAS said: “For many families supported by CHAS, it is often difficult to fly or use other forms of transport because of their child’s complex needs. Our important partnership with Loganair means we can bring smiles to children and help create special memories for families to always treasure.
“Experiences like this mean so much to the families we support, and we would like to say a huge thank you to Loganair and their partner organisations for making this incredible flight possible once again.”
Loganair operates more than 70 routes across the UK and Europe, proudly serving communities across Scotland and further afield for over 60 years with initiatives including its GreenSkies Community Fund, which has seen Loganair donate over £120,000 to sustainable projects since its inception in 2021.
For further information on the partnership between Loganair and CHAS, visit: https://www.chas.org.uk/
NSPCC calls for relationships education for every child in Scotland
- NSPCC’s Read, Write, Relationships campaign says children in Scotland are missing out on vital learning which could protect them from abuse
- MSP has lodged a parliamentary motion to call for all children and young people across Scotland to have guaranteed access to consistent and relevant Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) education.
The NSPCC, young people and partner organisations gathered outside Scottish Parliament on Thursday to urge the Government to act now to ensure every child receives the relationships education they need to stay safe.
This move was part of the charity’s ‘Read, Write, Relationships’ campaign, which it launched due to the patchy delivery of Relationship, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) education across Scotland.
This week Scottish Green Party MSP, Laura Moodie, lodged a parliamentary motion, with cross party support, calling on ministers to guarantee all children and young people in Scotland have access to high-quality healthy relationships education. And on Tuesday, First Minister John Swinney made a commitment in the Programme for Government to tackling violence against women and girls.
On Thursday, campaigners outside Holyrood held a giant school timetable with a glaring gap to highlight that this crucial learning was still not guaranteed for every child in Scotland.
The charity also delivered Back to School packs to MSPs explaining why action is urgently needed and outlining the campaign’s calls for change.
The NSPCC launched the campaign last December following extensive engagement with young people across Scotland through its local campaigns work with a variety of partners including Young Women Know and the Scottish Youth Parliament. [WA1]
Many young people told the charity that the RSHP education they received was inconsistent, outdated and failed to reflect the realities of growing up today.
Ruth (15) a member of the NSPCC Young People’s Board for Change, said: “All children and young people should have access to education about healthy relationships because, without it, they may enter abusive or unhealthy relationships and not realise that this behaviour is unacceptable or harmful.”
Carla Malseed, NSPCC Influencing Campaigns Manager, said: “Every child deserves the knowledge and skills to recognise healthy relationships, spot harmful behaviour and stay safe, both online and offline. Yet right now, whether a young person receives that education can depend on which school they attend.
“Young people have told us clearly that what they’re being taught is, too often, inconsistent, out of date and disconnected from the challenges they face today. That simply isn’t good enough.
“While ministers delay, children are missing out on learning that could help protect them from abuse and navigate relationships safely.
“Healthy relationships education should be treated with the same importance as reading and writing. We’d like to see the Scottish Government act now to make high-quality RSHP education a right for every child, regardless of where they live or go to school.”
A YouGov poll commissioned by the NSPCC found that over two-thirds (67 per cent) of adults in Scotland believe that RSHP education should be made compulsory, while one in four believe it does not currently help children understand online abuse.
Scotland is now the only nation in the UK where this crucial area of education is not underpinned by a legal requirement. Although RSHP sits within Curriculum for Excellence, schools have discretion over what is taught and when, resulting in significant variation in children’s experiences.
NSPCC Scotland wants to see a stronger recognition of children and young people’s right to this education in line with the UN Conventions of the Rights of the Child and is calling on the Scottish Government to legislate to make it a guaranteed entitlement.
The charity is also calling for the introduction of clear national practice-based guidance, dedicated funding, professional training, time and resources for teachers, and robust monitoring by Education Scotland to ensure consistent delivery across the country.
People can sign a petition to support Read, Write, Relationships, by visiting: NSPCC
Young people looking for support on any of the issues mentioned, can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or visit Childline.org.uk. Childline is available to all young people until their 19th birthday.
Adults who are concerned about a child or young person can contact the NSPCC Helpline by calling 0808 800 5000, or email: help@NSPCC.org.uk.
Letter: Families cannot wait any longer for LDAN Bill
Dear Editor,
Families cannot wait any longer for LDAN Bill
The Scottish Government’s failure to include a Learning Disabilities, Autism and Neurodivergence (LDAN) Bill in its Programme for Government is hugely disappointing.
A recent Scottish Parliament committee report highlighted the stark reality facing families, with children and adults frequently waiting years for ADHD and autism assessments. It called for urgent action to ensure clear and consistent pathways to support across Scotland.
Yet the Government has failed to introduce the legislation that could help deliver this. An LDAN Bill could tackle inequalities through national and local strategies and mandatory training for health, social care and education staff.
After years of discussion and consultation, warm words are no longer enough. Thousands of children, adults and families need action.
Service improvements are welcome, but without clear targets and timescales there is no guarantee they will deliver the lasting change that children, adults and families desperately need.
The Government itself acknowledges that legislation can drive accountability and change. It should therefore set clear, measurable timescales for improvement – and commit to introducing an LDAN Bill if these are not met.
Yours faithfully
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition:
Patrick Gannon, Falkland House School
Lynn Black, LOVE Care
Niall Kelly, Young Foundations
Tomorrow: Harvest Festival at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
What can you do in one visit to our Harvest Festival? Quite a lot, as it turns out!
Press apples – see our fresh apples turned into juice
Get your bike checked with Dr Bike, or have a go at making a bike-powered smoothie
Get your face painted or some gorgeous henna art
Pick up something delicious from the bake sale and have a go at the tombola
Take home something new for your garden from our plant sale
Listen to the drumming or join in and make some noise
Enjoy a free lunch from the Scran Van
And that’s just some of what’s happening!
Come along to our Harvest Festival on Saturday 5th September, 11am–2pm and spend as little or as long as you like enjoying the garden, activities, food and community.
Free to attend and everyone welcome.
Transforming childcare?
New support for families to be phased in from next year
Parents and carers will benefit from a new childcare offer aimed at bringing down the cost of living, tackling child poverty and boosting family incomes, First Minister John Swinney has said.
As part of the newly-published Programme for Government, the Scottish Government is transforming its childcare offer to ensure greater childcare support is available to families with children from nine months old through to the end of primary school.
Consultation on the new approach will take place next year, with delivery phased in over time. This will begin with a £44 million annual investment in breakfast clubs in primary schools across Scotland from August 2027, followed by the introduction of after-school and holiday childcare for primary school children from August 2029.
The First Minister also announced the first recipients of the new £15 million Childcare Support Fund, which is expected to help those organisations support an estimated 4,800 low-income families with the cost of childcare at times when they most need it.
Speaking ahead of a visit with Education Secretary Màiri McAllan to Fintry Mains Childcare and Community Hub in Dundee, one of the organisations benefiting from the funding, the First Minister said: “High-quality childcare plays an important role in helping children thrive, easing cost of living pressures and creating opportunities for parents and carers to work, train and study.
“Too many families still face barriers to accessing the childcare they need. By transforming the support available to families from nine months through to the end of primary school we will help more parents and carers into employment, boost household incomes and give children the best possible start in life.
“Alongside our long-term plans to transform childcare, the £15 million Childcare Support Fund announced today will provide practical support to families who need it most.
“This forms part of our wider Programme for Government, which is focused on making tangible improvements to people’s lives by creating jobs, raising living standards and growing Scotland’s economy to help eradicate child poverty.”
Susan McGhee, Chief Executive of Flexible Childcare Services Scotland which runs Fintry Mains Childcare, said: “Receiving a grant from the Scottish Government’s Childcare Support Fund will allow us to support even more families across Scotland.
“We already deliver flexible childcare to over 1,000 parents a year and, according to our research, those families are more than £2 million better off thanks to our book-by-the-hour model.
“We look forward to working alongside Midlothian Sure Start and Renfrewshire Out of School Network to ensure families can access affordable, flexible all-age childcare within their communities.”
Chloe Sinclair, whose three-year-old daughter Lola attends Fintry Mains Childcare, said: “I heard good things about Flexible Childcare Services Scotland from other parents.
“The flexibility has really helped me and my partner as we work shifts and need to know our three-year-old daughter Lola is cared for. Being able to book what we need is ideal for our jobs and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.”
First recipients of the Childcare Support Fund
Grant Value
Glasgow Council for the Voluntary Sector – Provides intensive, referral-based childcare support across Glasgow, helping priority families overcome childcare barriers so they can enter, sustain or progress in work, study and training.
£1,000,000
Flexible Childcare Services Scotland SCIO – Delivers flexible childcare across six local authority areas, supporting families in insecure or low-paid work to take up opportunities, increase hours and reduce employment barriers caused by childcare costs.
£878,367
Early Years Scotland – Acts as a national childcare broker, connecting low-income families to childcare that fills specific gaps in provision, including bridging periods, additional hours and support for children not covered by existing entitlements.
£1,000,000
The Scottish Centre for Children with Motor Impairments – known as Craighalbert – Provides specialist childcare for children with complex disabilities and additional support needs, enabling parents to work or study at points of transition while children receive tailored care and developmental support.
£615,326
Scottish Childminding Association – Funds flexible childminding placements with registered childminders, giving families personalised childcare and informal support that enables parents to seek work, remain employed or access training.
£302,948
The Indigo Childcare Group – Offers free childcare places, including a mobile crèche for parents attending employability programmes, with additional support for families experiencing crisis situations or caring for children with additional needs.
£412,045
Scottish Out Of School Care Network – Provides short-term financial support for school-age childcare, protecting families from losing childcare during periods of financial hardship and helping parents stay in work, study or training.
£1,000,000
Family and Community Development West Lothian – Combines flexible after-school and holiday childcare with support to help parents access employment and education.
£421,310
Inspiring Scotland – Provides rapid-response childcare funding through community networks, helping families manage emergencies, attend interviews and sustain income while longer-term childcare arrangements are put in place.
£300,064
Perceptive Action C.I.C – Offers breakfast, after-school and holiday childcare across the Borders and Midlothian, supporting families through key transition periods while helping them access longer-term childcare and financial support.
£263,070
The Lennox Partnership – Removes childcare costs as a barrier to employability programmes, enabling parents to participate in structured pathways into work, skills development and learning opportunities.
£947,250
Third Sector Hebrides – Improves access to childcare across the Western Isles by coordinating support through local childcare providers, helping families access provision that is often difficult to secure in island communities.
£277,500
St Roch’s Childcare Services – Provides flexible childcare alongside one-to-one family support, helping parents access employment, education and wider services while building confidence and family wellbeing.
£286,405
Care and Learning Alliance – Supports families in rural Highland and Island communities by helping them find and access childcare, while addressing additional challenges such as transport costs, limited provision and rural poverty.
£498,521
Total
£8,202,806
The Scottish Government’s Programme for Government is available to read online.
Specsavers backs grassroots football with £1,000 Cramond kit sponsorship
SPECSAVERS Glenrothes has helped a youth football team kick off the new season in style after sponsoring a new set of home shirts for the squad.
The locally owned and run Glenrothes store donated £1,000 to Cramond FC, with the sponsorship covering the cost of new home kits for the team’s 36 young players.
The team are now sporting their new shirts as they prepare for the season ahead, with the sponsorship helping ensure the whole squad is equipped with matching kit.
Cramond FC is a long-established community football club which provides opportunities for children and young people to take part in the sport in a positive and supportive environment.
David Platt, store director at Specsavers Glenrothes, says: ‘We’re delighted to be able to support Cramond FC and provide the team with their new home shirts.
‘Grassroots sport plays such an important role in helping young people build confidence, stay active and develop friendships, and we’re really pleased to know our sponsorship has helped all 36 boys start the season with a new kit.
‘Supporting local communities is something that’s important to us at Specsavers, and it’s fantastic to see the players wearing their new shirts and representing their club with pride.’
The sponsorship is part of Specsavers Glenrothes’ commitment to supporting community initiatives and helping young people access opportunities through sport.
To book an appointment at Specsavers Glenrothes for optical or audiology needs, speak to a member of the team on 01592 611044 or visit:
https://www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/glenrothes.
CRAMOND FUNDRAISER
The Cramond FC clubhouse, which is located in Davidson’s Mains Park, is in desperate need of a few repairs and a little refresh.
From toilets needing fixed/replaced, exterior harling and guttering needing work and a full repaint. Any help is appreciated.
See Cramond’s website for info
Swinney: “No child should start the school day hungry”
Investing in free breakfast clubs
Local authorities will share £15 million to expand and enhance breakfast club provision from today, First Minister John Swinney has announced.
The funding will help councils deliver free breakfast clubs for primary school pupils across Scotland from August 2027, giving children a healthy start to the school day and helping reduce costs for families.
The announcement follows the opening of new breakfast clubs in East Lothian, at East Linton and in Letham Mains, during the Government’s first 100 days in office, delivering on a commitment to expand access.
Ahead of a visit to a breakfast club in East Lothian the First Minister said: “No child should start the school day hungry.
“I have seen first-hand the real impact and benefits that the breakfast clubs provide to pupils, parents and teachers. They give children a healthy start to the day, helping to ensure they are ready to engage and learn in class.
“For parents and carers, breakfast clubs allow for an early drop off at school while easing the pressure on family budgets at a time when rising bills and living costs continue to bite.
“The Scottish Government is continuing to do all it can to eradicate child poverty and put more money in people’s pockets. Alongside measures such as free school meals, these free breakfast clubs will help ensure more children are supported to succeed at school, regardless of their background.”
COSLA Spokesperson for Children and Young People, Councillor Tony Buchanan, said: “Local authorities deliver a wide range of services for children and families and are best placed to understand and respond to the needs of their communities.
“This agreement provides an opportunity for local authorities to expand and enhance breakfast provision in a way which meets local need. I look forward to continuing to work together to support our children, young people, and families across Scotland.”
Further measures to eradicate child poverty will be set out by the First Minister in his Programme for Government tomorrow (Tuesday).