SATURDAY 24 OCTOBER from 10 – 12
Still time to register for our Fun Football Festival this weekend at The Oriam, Edinburgh. 10am to 12noon.
Beat the Goalie, Dart Football.
Register by sending an email to ben@autismfa.org.uk
We are very excited to be hosting this fabulous local history event on Monday 26 October!
This is a free event with no bookings required. Please note that spaces will be limited though so please arrive early.
Refreshments provided.
The birth of a new baby can put financial pressure on household budgets, but there’s a wide range of financial support available from the Scottish Government to ensure children have the best start in life.
Families receiving Universal Credit or certain benefits could be eligible to more than £2,600 in financial support during pregnancy and their child’s first year of life, helping with the costs of welcoming a new baby.
Expectant families can apply for the Best Start Foods pre-paid card as soon as they find out they are pregnant, helping ease the costs of buying healthy food.
Families can also apply for Pregnancy and Baby Payment from the 24th week of pregnancy. The one-off payment can be used to purchase anything families might need for having a baby, such as a pram, toys or baby clothes.
Scottish Child Payment is also available once the child is born to help with anything needed to help raise their new baby.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said: “Welcoming a new baby is a special and exciting time, and families should have the support they need as they prepare for the arrival of their child.
“This package of support, worth thousands of pounds for eligible households, provides extra help from pregnancy through to a baby’s first birthday and beyond. Backing families in those vital early months is central to our mission to eradicate child poverty, helping parents provide the opportunities every child deserves and giving them the best possible start in life.”
Danielle turned to her local Citizens Advice Bureau after struggling to meet essential costs while caring for her 7 month old baby alone. Financial pressures had become so severe that she was considering selling her home.
But with support from Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Foods helping to ease food shopping bills, Danielle said she and her baby had enough to eat and did not need to use a food bank.
Assistant Director for Policy and Research at Citizens Advice Scotland, Emma Jackson, commented: “Evidence from across the Citizens Advice network shows the important role that pregnancy and early years payments can play in helping families through periods of financial insecurity and change.
“Support such as Best Start Grant, Best Start Foods and Scottish Child Payment can help ease financial pressures, enabling families to afford the essentials and support children to get the best possible start in life.
“Local Citizens Advice Bureaux are there to provide free, confidential and expert advice that’s available online, over the phone or in-person to help people apply for the support they’re entitled to and make sure they don’t miss out on payments that can make a real difference to their family.”
Remembering those who lost their lives in a man-made disaster on this day in 1966.
Despite the evidence no person or organisation was held responsible and successive governments refused to act to right a wrong inflicted on a small Welsh mining community.
SHAMEFUL.
The Welsh Government said this morning: ‘At 9:15am today, Wales will fall silent to remember those who were taken from us in the Aberfan disaster.
’60 years may have passed, but we will never forget them’.
A message from James Dalgleish, convenor Education, Children and Families and Amanda Hatton, Corporate Director Children, Education and Justice Services was issued yesterday:
Schools in Edinburgh, as well as throughout the UK, were targeted yesterday (Monday) in a hoax threat.
We took immediate action to ensure the safety of our pupils, teachers and staff and followed the advice of Police Scotland as well as our own established safety policies.
The police conducted a thorough investigation into the claims and determined it was a hoax and there was no risk identified.
The safety of our school community is always our top priority. With Police assurance all Council nurseries, primaries and high schools reopened today, Tuesday 20 October.
This situation has caused alarm and misinformation to be spread amongst the school community. Understandably as a result attendance rates have been lower than average today.
We want to reassure parents, carers, pupils and staff that safety is a priority and there is no safety risk for pupils.
If you have any concerns, please speak to your child’s school. Staff can support pupils in their return to learning.
Free tickets to be distributed to communities across Edinburgh and Lothians
Edinburgh’s Winter Festival producers Unique Assembly have today announced software management company Halo as new title sponsor of both Edinburgh’s Christmas & Edinburgh’s Hogmanay events.
The partnership will see Halo visible throughout Edinburgh’s festive celebrations, lighting up the capital and presenting a brand-new Kick Off Concert to start next month’s festivities, plus the return of a free programme of events at the Ross Bandstand.
The inaugural free Edinburgh’s Christmas Kick Off Concert at the Ross Bandstand on 14 Nov marks the beginning of seven weeks of Edinburgh’s Christmas with Halo celebrations and will be headlined by the bagpipe supergroup Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
The concert, supported by new headline partner Halo, kickstarts the programme of free community focussed and family-friendly events at the Ross Bandstand, spanning five weekends across the Christmas season.
The Ross Bandstand Programme will also include Edinburgh’s Christmas supporting Edinburgh Diwali to deliver Diwali celebrations on Sun 15 Nov, Light Night on Sun 22 Nov, a weekend of St Andrew’s Day celebrations on Sat 28 & Sun 29 Nov complete with free outdoor ceilidh, and the Santa Fun Run and Santa Paws in aid of charity partner When You Wish Upon a Star on Sun 6 Dec, plus much more…
Edinburgh’s Winter Festival welcomes Halo as the event’s new headline partner, allowing Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay to join the line-up of Scottish events supported by Halo, including Scottish Rugby and the Scottish FA, as Halo commit to supporting large scale sporting and cultural events across Scotland.
On joining Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay, Halo said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay is one of the great winter celebrations in the world, and we’re proud to be part of it.
“Founded in the Highlands, Scotland has always been special for Halo, and through our sporting partnerships that connection is as strong as ever. We believe in supporting the moments that bring people together, and there are few bigger than Hogmanay in Edinburgh, welcoming locals and visitors from every corner of the globe. We can’t wait to see the city light up this winter.”
Also announced today, Edinburgh’s Christmas community tickets initiative is back after a hugely successful year in 2025. Giving out tickets to community groups across Edinburgh and the Lothians, the community initiative offers free tickets to attractions including the LNER Big Wheel, Family Ice Experience with Icelandair, Around the World Star Flyer and much more.
Applications for community tickets are open now, Tue 20 Oct and close Wed 04 Nov. The Community Tickets initiative is intended to give back to the communities that host Edinburgh’s Christmas, and supports tickets for free-to-attend community-funded outreach groups and charities in and around Edinburgh.
On the community tickets initiative, Unique Assembly said: “We’re delighted to announce the return of our Community Tickets initiative, this year supported by our new headline partner Halo.
“We’re thrilled to be able to give back to the communities that host us, and to give out festive treats to those who need it most!”
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “It’s fantastic to see another event being added to an already packed festive programme, giving people even more to look forward to as the festive season gets underway.
“With tickets being made available to local communities and charities, I’m delighted that more residents will be able to experience the magic and atmosphere of Edinburgh’s Christmas.
“It’s also a lovely way to recognise and thank the organisations that make such a positive difference to people’s lives throughout the year.
“I’d encourage community groups and charities to put forward an application and take advantage of this opportunity.”
The full Ross Bandstand programme can be found on edwinterfest.com with more events still to be announced.
Families are being invited on a unique Arctic Adventure to Santa’s Grotto this December, as Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth brings the magic of Christmas together with science, discovery and a mission to protect our planet.
Returning for the festive season, Santa’s Grotto: An Arctic Adventure will see children become Polar Protectors and join Dynamic Earth’s resident Elf on an important Christmas mission – to uncover where a mysterious lost penguin has come from and help get him safely home to Antarctica in time for Christmas Eve.
Taking place on selected dates from Saturday 5 to Wednesday 23 December, the immersive experience will take families on a guided adventure with festive storytelling and plenty of opportunities for young explorers to discover more about the Earth’s polar regions.
Rather than simply heading straight to Santa, families will begin in Santa’s Post Room, where they will be recruited as Polar Protectors before setting off to investigate clues and discover more about polar animals along the way.
The adventure finishes at the icy landscape of Santa’s Grotto, where families will meet Santa, reunite a new lost friend with his family, and have an opportunity to capture a festive family photograph.
Each child will also receive a special gift token to redeem in the Dynamic Earth gift shop following their adventure, allowing them to choose their own cuddly polar protector.
The experience builds on the success of Dynamic Earth’s previous festive offering, which saw strong visitor engagement and sold-out experiences, while introducing a new adventure-led format for 2026 with a greater focus on exploration and storytelling.
This year’s programme has also been created to ensure it’s accessible to all, with relaxed sessions designed for those who would benefit from a calmer adventure featuring smaller group numbers and fewer transitions between locations. A British Sign Language (BSL) session, with two BSL interpreters present throughout, will also take place on December 6th.
The festive fun goes beyond the grotto, with Dynamic Earth offering a wider programme of seasonal activities throughout December. Young scientists can take part in special winter-themed sessions of Dino’s, Dynamos and Dynamites Science Clubs, while families can settle in beneath the stars for festive Planetarium screenings including Frozen (sing-along), Home Alone, The Muppet Christmas Carol and Arthur Christmas.
For adults looking for a festive night out with a difference, Planetarium Lates will return for over-18s, combining the immersive surroundings of the Planetarium with screenings of Love Actually, Scrooged, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon and Stargazing Late & Live.
Together, the programme offers families, young science enthusiasts and adults the chance to experience Dynamic Earth in a different light this winter – bringing together festive atmosphere, imagination and entertainment with a distinctly scientific sense of curiosity.
Suzie Holligan, Director of Visitor Experience and Events, said: “Christmas is all about imagination, curiosity and a sense of adventure, so we wanted to create an experience that captures that magic while giving children the chance to discover something new.
“Santa’s Grotto: An Arctic Adventure is much more than a traditional grotto. Our young visitors become Polar Protectors and have an important mission to complete, learning about the Arctic and Antarctic and the incredible animals that call these environments home along the way.
“We’re really excited to welcome families back to Dynamic Earth this Christmas and give them a festive experience they’ll remember – with a little bit of science and discovery along the way.”
Santa’s Grotto: An Arctic Adventure runs on selected dates from 5 to 23 December at Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh. The experience lasts approximately 35 minutes and costs £25 per child, with up to three accompanying adults able to attend free of charge per booking. Admission to Dynamic Earth’s core galleries is not included.
Relaxed sessions will take place on 5, 6, 12 and 13 December, while BSL sessions will take place on 6 December at selected times.
For full dates, times, and to book tickets, visit the Dynamic Earth website: Christmas at Dynamic Earth | Dynamic Earth. Advance booking is recommended.
Last Dinosaur’s activities for October break at Blackhall library today:
2pm Dinosaur Paper Puppets – kids 4-10 years old
3.30pm Lego Club – Build your very own dinosaurs and their habitats – kids 5+ years old
Booking not needed, free event.
Children under the age 8 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
“What’s On” w/b 19th October at Blackhall library
On Monday we still have 2 Dinosoaur’s activities for children:
– 2pm Dino Paper Puppets craft workshop for kids 4-10 years old
– 3.30pm Lego Club – building Dinos and their habitats for kids 5+
Events are free, booking not needed, but children under the age 8 years old need to be accompanied by an adult.
An initiative supporting women and children to escape abusive relationships will see its funding doubled from £2 million to £4 million for the current year.
The Fund to Leave scheme has supported 1,519 women and 2,094 children to leave unsafe situations since its launch in February 2026 – an additional £2 million will be made available in 2026-27, taking total investment up to £4 million, to ensure that there is no cap on support and to help more women and children leave abusive relationships safely and rebuild their lives.
The initiative provides immediate financial support for essentials for women leaving an abusive partner – removing the financial barriers that can trap women in harmful relationships by giving them the means to act quickly and safely.
The Scottish Government has also pledged further support for survivors of domestic abuse to ensure they are not unfairly burdened by Council Tax debt resulting from an abusive relationship. The Scottish Government will consult on creating a statutory exception to joint and several liability rules to protect victims of domestic abuse. Further details will be announced in Parliament next month with a public consultation expected in 2027.
Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth said: “There is absolutely no place for domestic abuse in modern Scotland – it is one of the most harmful and pervasive forms of violence against women and girls.
“We are determined to break down financial barriers that will often stand in the way of leaving an abusive partner. Our Fund to Leave scheme provides immediate financial help for women so they can begin to safely rebuild their lives and protect their children from harm.
“Since its formation last year, the initiative has already helped more than 1,500 women rebuild their lives – I am pleased to provide further support for this initiative to remove the cap and help more women benefit from its significant impact.
“Nobody should have to face additional harm as a result of domestic abuse. We recognise that joint and several liability for council tax can create very difficult circumstances for those experiencing or who have experienced abuse.
“We will take forward work with local councils to ensure solutions are in place to protect victims of abuse from unfair council tax debt – I will provide further detail to Parliament on these measures next month.”
