Children and Families – Page 35 – The NEN

Social housing residents benefit from £140K funding

Targeted funding to tackle poverty and improve lives for residents and families across Scotland

TOTAL funding equating to £140,000 has played a vital role in improving the lives of hundreds of Wheatley Homes tenants thanks to a leading community benefit fund.

Enabling many to secure vital household essentials, the money has provided much needed digital equipment, reading books for children, furniture and white goods for homes in various parts of Scotland.

Awarded over a period of eight years by the Scottish Procurement Alliance (SPA) through its Community Benefit Fund (CBF), these funds have also enabled Wheatley Foundation, part of Wheatley Group, to roll out key initiatives supporting families and individuals in need.

This includes access to essential items such as furniture and white goods, as well as refurbished digital equipment donated by Wheatley employees.

The wide-reaching fund draws from various sources, including £80,000 from SPA’s Community Benefit Fund and a £60,000 contribution from the LHC Procurement Group to improve the living conditions for vulnerable households across Wheatley over a period of two years.

Foundation Manager Laura Crumlish, Councillor Abdul Bostani, student Wazhma Shafaq and Group Director of Communities Laura Pluck are pictured as Afghan medical students are provided with iPads as part of a partnership project at 1455 Maryhill Road, on September 11, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ross MacDonald / SNS Group)

Laura Crumlish, Foundation Manager at Wheatley Foundation, said: “Funding for Home Comforts will allow us to provide a lifeline for people who are struggling to access basic home essentials – items many of us take for granted.

“The funding is supporting programmes which continue to change lives for the better and give people in Wheatley communities an opportunity to reach their full potential.”

The Home Comforts project provides upcycled furniture and white goods, all cleaned, refurbished, and offered free of charge to Wheatley tenants. Wheatley Homes East has partnered with Four Square, a local Edinburgh charity, to deliver the initiative.

Four Square supports people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness by offering accommodation, advice, and training opportunities. The charity also runs the Edinburgh Furniture Initiative, which plays a key role in the project.

Through this partnership, customers are offered a unique, retail-style experience where they can choose refurbished furniture and homeware that suits their personal taste and needs. Changing Lives, an employability programme provides training and support to vulnerable and unemployed tenants.

Another is Environmental Roots, a four-week pre-employability programme designed to help young people build confidence and prepare for future opportunities, including the Wheatley Environmental Apprenticeship.

A further project is, StreetWyze, an initiative for young people to raise awareness of the dangers of knife crime and gang violence.

The 12-week programmes delivered throughout the year focused on themes including social media, territorialism and provided alternative activities to risk taking behaviours.

Laura added: “This tailored approach will ensure that people in different communities can benefit in ways that are right for them – whether that’s choosing their own furniture or receiving a ready-made pack when moving into a new home.”

The initiative goes beyond furniture, with the Community Benefit Fund also supporting a range of programmes that deliver lasting impact across Wheatley communities.

This includes Wheatley Foundation’s partnership with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library – a monthly book gifting scheme, which provides free books to children under five.

It helps to spark a love of reading and support early learning in homes across Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dumfries and Galloway.

In addition, the fund is also supporting Wheatley’s Techshare programme, which refurbishes and upcycles used laptops and iPads.

These devices are distributed to individuals and families, along with access to software and digital skills training, to help bridge the digital divide and boost employability opportunities.

Lesley Peaty, Regional Director at the Scottish Procurement Alliance, said: “This is a fantastic example of how social value is at the heart of procurement. We’re committed to ensuring that every pound we invest benefits people in real and lasting ways.

“Our work with Wheatley Group highlights how collaboration and thoughtful investment can directly uplift families and strengthen communities.”

The Scottish Procurement Alliance’s Community Benefit Fund is a cornerstone of its wider mission to channel procurement savings into meaningful projects, supporting housing providers and regenerating communities across Scotland.

To learn more about SPA, please visit: https://www.scottishprocurement.scot/

To learn more about the Wheatley Foundation, please visit: https://www.wheatley-group.com/better-lives

MPs to investigate children’s TV and video content

A new inquiry will explore the provision of children’s TV and video content in the UK and what can be done to ensure future generations continue to have access to high-quality British-made programming.

Research from Ofcom shows a structural shift in the viewing habits of young people, with television viewing by children dropping and YouTube now the most used app or site by children of all ages, with 88% of 3 to 17-year-olds using it last year.

The changing ways in which audience consume TV and video, has made it more challenging for public service broadcasters to make original TV content for children and for it to be found. This has a knock-on effect for those in our creative industries who want to make quality UK TV and video for children.

The Culture, Media and Sport Committee inquiry will therefore examine how to ensure those making original high-quality content can continue and how it can be made easier to find it online.

It will also explore issues relating to parental control of online content, the potential positive and negative effects of how children watch TV and video content on their health and development, and wider issues relating to the sector’s contribution to the economy and its importance to the UK’s cultural identity.

Chair of the CMS Committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, said: “Children’s viewing habits have come a long way, but whether they watch through a smart TV or a tablet, there is still demand for good quality TV and video for children.

“We all want young people to have access to a range of programming, so in addition to cartoons, they also see drama and factual programmes. We want them to be able to be educated and inspired, as well as entertained.

“Changes to the media landscape, particularly the shift in viewing to YouTube, pose huge challenges for the future of children’s programming and the continued production of original content by our public service broadcasters.

“We want to know what prominence means for programmes made for children in the future world of smart TVs, streaming, video sharing platforms and endless choice.

“We have a proud history of high-quality children’s television in the UK. Our inquiry will be showcasing the contribution the sector makes to both our culture and economy and how we can best ensure that content designed for children in all its forms continues to both educate and entertain.”

Terms of reference

The Committee is inviting written submissions in response to the following questions:

Children’s TV and video content in the UK

Who is commissioning and making original, high-quality, TV and video content for children and young audiences in the UK?
1. How can they be best supported to continue to make more?
How does the range of content and genres for children vary between that provided by public service media, subscription channels, and both short- and long-form video sharing platforms?
1. Which audiences, by age or other characteristic, are currently being underserved?
2. How can we increase the amount of news and factual programming made for children on TV and online?

Finding children’s TV and video content online

How can it be made easier to find original, high-quality, TV and video content for children online?
- How can the attribution of public service children’s content on video sharing platforms be improved?
How effective are the tools available for parents to control what children are watching on public service media, subscription channels, video sharing platforms?

Health and child development

What evidence is there that the TV and video content that children watch, and how they watch it, can contribute:
- Positively to their health, learning and development?
- Negatively to their health, learning and development?

Wider benefits of children’s TV

How does children’s TV made in the UK contribute to:
- The UK’s culture and identity?
- Our cultural and economic exports?

Social Security Scotland: Support for familes over summer

Our five family payments can help families on low incomes get through the school holidays.

The payments also provide year-round support and at key stages in a child’s life.

Long school holidays can be tough for families with the increased costs for food, clothes and activities. Our five family payments can help families on low incomes get through the school holidays.

The payments also provide year-round support and at key stages in a child’s life and include:

Scottish Child Payment helps towards the costs of supporting families. It’s a weekly payment of £27.15 for every child under 16 years in a household, paid every four weeks.

Scottish Child Payment is not limited to two children. It is available to eligible families with children ages 0 – 16 regardless of how many children there are in the home.

Best Start Foods is a payment of up to £43.20 every four weeks. It helps eligible pregnant women, parents, families and carers with children under the age of 3 to buy healthy foods for their families. People can apply for Best Start Foods as soon as they know they’re pregnant.

The money is provided on a pre-paid card which is topped up every 4 weeks. The card works like a bank card and can be used in local shops and supermarkets that accept card payments.

Early Learning Payment provides £319.80 to help with the costs of early learning, and is paid when a child is aged between 2 and 3 and a half years old. To get this payment your child does not need to go to nursery.

Early Learning Payment is available for multiple children and the money can be used for anything including toys, clothes and trips to new places.

At the end of the holidays, many families will have children starting school for the first time or reaching school age. School Age Payment helps with the costs of starting school and is worth £319.80 per eligible child.

Parents or carers can apply for the current School Age Payment if a child they look after was born between 1 March 2020 and 28 February 2021.

A child does not have to take up a place at school to get School Age Payment, but people still need to apply in the year that a child is first old enough to start school, if:

you’re deferring when your child starts school
your child is not going to school

http://bit.ly/SupportForFamiliesOverSummer

Scottish pupils show rising reading comprehension, new data reveals

The 2025 What Kids Are Reading report includes insights from over 40,000 pupils in Scotland, and reveals children using structured reading programmes read 20.7 books a year, compared to just three books for UK adults
Children’s favourite books are harder—and they’re reading them better
From Wimpy Kid to Rashford: the books and authors inspiring a new generation of readers

The 2025 What Kids Are Reading report, published today by leading edtech provider Renaissance, includes data from over 40,000 pupils in Scotland and reveals how children’s reading habits are evolving across the UK and Ireland.

Drawing on data from over 1.2 million pupils, the report shows that five years on from the disruption of lockdown, young readers are engaging with more challenging books—and understanding them better.

Although the number of books read has declined slightly year-on-year, pupils still read on average 20.7 books a year—far more than the median UK adult, who reads just three.

In schools using Accelerated Reader, a structured programme that supports reading practice and comprehension, quiz scores have improved since last year. Primary pupils are now achieving 80% accuracy on reading quizzes (up from 77% last year), while secondary pupils have reached 72% (up from 69%).

Pupils are also scoring highest on their favourite books, many of which are more challenging than their most-read titles. In Year 5, for example, favourite books had a reading level nearly two years above the average for that age group, with quiz accuracy reaching 94%.

These patterns suggest that when pupils are given the freedom to choose books they love, they rise to the challenge—and understand them deeply.

Additional insights from the National Literacy Trust’s Annual Literacy Survey, included in the report, show that while overall reading enjoyment has declined to 35%, its lowest level since 2005, Accelerated Reader users buck the trend.

Among pupils eligible for Free School Meals (FSM), 37% of those using Accelerated Reader say they enjoy reading, compared to 32% of their peers.

A similar pattern appears among boys, with 31% of Accelerated Reader participants reporting enjoyment, versus 27% of non-participants—suggesting structured support may be helping to close the enjoyment gap.

This What Kids Are Reading report also shows how children’s reading habits are changing. Jeff Kinney remains the most-read author across UK schools, with Diary of a Wimpy Kid still topping the charts.

But newer voices are gaining ground. Titles by Marcus Rashford, Maria Isabel Sánchez Vegara and Matt Oldfieldare now among the most-read books in schools.

Books such as The Breakfast Club Adventures, Little People, BIG DREAMS, and Black Men in Science mean more pupils are seeing their experiences reflected in the stories they read—supporting not only literacy development but also helping pupils see themselves in the stories they read—fostering confidence, connection, and a lifelong love of reading.

Crispin Chatterton, Director of Education at Renaissance, said: “This year’s What Kids Are Reading report highlights the real progress schools are making in helping children read with greater understanding.

“It’s especially encouraging to see disadvantaged pupils reporting higher enjoyment of reading in school—showing how targeted support can help more children build confidence and enjoyment in reading.

“At Renaissance, we’re proud to work alongside schools to create inclusive, engaging reading experiences that help all pupils succeed.”

Professor Keith Topping, author of the report, commented: “This year’s findings are encouraging. The narrowing of the enjoyment gap, particularly among disadvantaged pupils, suggests that structured reading time and access to tools like Accelerated Reader are making a real difference.

“When pupils enjoy reading, they read more — and when they read more, they achieve more.”

Access the What Kids Are Reading 2025 report here: www.whatkidsarereading.co.uk

Table 44: Favourite Books within Primary Schools

Rank	Book(Position last year in brackets if in list)	Author	Number of Times Voted For
1	The Extremely Embarrassing Life of Lottie Brooks (4)	Katie Kirby	7271
2	Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (7)	J.K. Rowling	5965
3	Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (1)	J.K. Rowling	4247
4	The Catastrophic Friendship Fails of Lottie Brooks (6)	Katie Kirby	4075
5	The Completely Chaotic Christmas of Lottie Brooks	Katie Kirby	3840
6	Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire	J.K. Rowling	3289
7	Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	J.K. Rowling	2361
8	Catching Fire	Suzanne Collins	2061
9	Skandar and the Phantom Rider	A.F. Steadman	1823
10	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (2)	J.K. Rowling	1494

Table 45: Favourite Books within Secondary Schools

Rank	Book(Position last year in brackets if in list)	Author	Number ofTimes Voted For
1	A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder (2)	Holly Jackson	7718
2	Good Girl, Bad Blood (4)	Holly Jackson	4676
3	As Good as Dead (8)	Holly Jackson	3451
4=	Five Survive	Holly Jackson	2002
4=	Unravel Me	Tahereh Mafi	1346
6	Skandar and the Phantom Rider	A.F. Steadman	922
7

Shameless Youths celebrate success of campaign for healthy relationships

Young people who have been leading a campaign to remove shame from conversations about relationships and online safety have celebrated their achievements with an event at Clydebank Town Hall.

The Shameless Youths campaign, involving 17 young people supported by NSPCC Scotland, in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Youth Council and West Dunbartonshire Council, launched last November.

It was set up to support parents and carers, professionals and young people to have realistic, judgement free and informed conversations about healthy relationships, on and offline.

During the past six months the group of young people from West Dunbartonshire Youth Council have spread their message of healthy relationships, including what consent online looks like, through their web pages, video content, social media, posters and leaflets.

They have reached at least 470 professionals, 104 parents and carers, 365 young people, and had 2,334 views of their video.

The group, who named their campaign ‘Shameless Youths’, also worked with Glasgow artist Maya Rose Edwards to help create sculptures and other artworks that were displayed at Clydebank Town Hall earlier this year.

At the event, on June 26, Shameless Youths took to the stage to explain their goals and motivation for getting involved and what they have enjoyed most and gained from the experience.

Ilse Sanchez Posso, Lead Officer with Violence Against Women and Girls, and West Dunbartonshire Provost, Karen Murray Conaghan, also spoke about why the campaign matters to West Dunbartonshire.

Euan MacLaren, NSPCC Campaigns Officer in Scotland, said: “The young people of Shameless Youths have been amazing to work with. They have engaged with a challenging topic head-on with courage, determination and a passion for change.

“They have inspired parents, carers and professionals across West Dunbartonshire and beyond to have positive, supportive conversations with the young people in their lives, and helped young people understand what healthy relationships look like.

“It’s been an honour to work with the West Dunbartonshire Youth Council. I can’t wait to see what’s next for them.”

Rhianna (16), a member of the Shameless Youths group, said: “There’s been lots of fun moments working on this campaign, including making the video. It has really strengthened our bonds.

“Working with Maya was also incredible; they were brilliant at engaging us and allowing our voices to be heard. It’s been lovely to see how many people we’ve reached with the campaign; it’s really inspiring.”

Councillor Clare Steel, Convener of Educational Services, said: “While many children are confident online, technology is constantly evolving, and it is important for groups like this to raise awareness to the benefit and the dangers of being online.

“Shameless Youths is sending a powerful reminder of the ongoing challenges to create an online world where children and young people feel safe, included and empowered and I thank them for raising awareness of this important subject.”

West Dunbartonshire Provost, Karen Murray Conaghan, said: “Keeping young people safe online is essential and the Shameless Youths should be very proud of everything they’ve achieved to advocate for others.

“It’s brilliant that they have been willing to step up and give voice to what’s important to them.

“They have done a great job of working together collaboratively to spread some very important messages including letting other young people know that if things do go wrong help is available.”

Resources for parents, carers, professionals and young people will continue to be available on the Shameless Youths website. The campaign also has plans to reach more young people and adults over the next year.

If you are worried about the welfare of a young person, contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email: help@nspcc.org.uk. 

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 19^th birthday.

The Shameless Youths campaign was led by a group of 17 young people aged 15 to 20. They named it ‘Shameless Youths’ because they want to be supported, not shamed or judged for their choices, even when something went wrong or mistakes happened.

Free travel trail event for kids at The Centre, Livingston

This summer, The Centre, Livingston is inviting families to take part in a free ‘Around the World’ travel trail and learn fun facts about 30 countries, through a variety of different puzzles and games at six stations located around the shopping centre, for five weeks from Monday, 7th July until Sunday, 10th August from 11-4pm.

Visitors can pick up a free ‘Around the World’ passport at the ‘check-in’ desk, situated next to New Look, and get it stamped at every station, which will change every week, with Kenya, Brazil and Australia included in the first week.

Passports which have been stamped can be entered into competitions to be in with a chance of winning a variety of prizes from retailers, which includes a family travel voucher worth £4,000 from TUI, £3,000 from Hays Travel and £1,500 from Barrhead Travel. Other prizes include a £100 Voucher from Aerial Adventures, a suitcase from Ryman and four, £25 Gift Vouchers from Primark.

Beach themed activities and games and storytelling sessions will also take place at the ‘check-in’ desk every day and a variety of different travel and holiday-themed arts and crafts, which includes making animal wind chimes and an Egyptian wooden bookmark.

Tess Sundberg, Marketing Manager at The Centre, Livingston said: “We are really looking forward to hosting our globe-trotting, ‘Around the World’ travel trail free activities at The Centre, Livingston this summer.

“The five-week event will provide a great opportunity for families to take some time out over the holidays and learn some fun facts about 30 countries by participating in lots of puzzles and games in the trail, located around the shopping centre, and also join in the daily travel-themed arts and crafts activities.”

For more information check out The Centre, Livingston social channels, @shopthecentre, and the website, www.thecentrelivingston.com, for competition Terms & Conditions.

Great value summer holiday activities at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

FREE Little Seedlings Holiday Club
Kids Eat for £1
Soft play, bookings start from £2 for members and £2.50 for non-members
Great deals on outdoor toys

This summer, gather the whole family and head to Dobbies’ Edinburgh store for a day of fun-filled activities that will keep costs down.

Little Seedlings Holiday Club is back by popular demand to entertain children over the school break with a sensory workshop, and families can enjoy low prices on the soft play experience and Kids Eat for £1.

Families can also get 20% off all outdoor toys and play equipment on top of existing promotions for a limited time at the Edinburgh store, giving the kids plenty to keep busy with right through summer. From hippo sandpits, flower pools and toddler swings, to slides, activity towers and trampolines, there is something for all ages. Deals include

Plum 10ft fun springsafe trampoline, now £95.99 (was £149.99)
Set of 2 flower pool, now £7.99 (was £19.99)
Hedstrom folding toddler swing, now £35.99 (was £54.99)
Hedstrom wavy pool, now £71.99 (was £99.99)

Little Seedlings Holiday Club

Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Holiday Club returns to the Edinburgh store this summer with an exciting workshop, Summer Scents. This session takes place on various days across July and August, and is perfect for children aged 4-10 years old.

Attendees will become scent explorers and learn all about the sweet smells of summer in gardens, homes and parks. Children will discover how and why flowers have scents, the happy herbs with the most fragrance, and the long history of perfume making, before getting the chance to mix their own petal perfume to take home.

It’s a hands-on workshop that celebrates beautiful summer scents and is perfect for keeping the little ones busy over the school holidays.

Dates vary, visit www.dobbies.com/events for more information.

Kids Eat for £1

Dobbies offers Kids Eat For £1, allowing children under the age of 16 to enjoy their food for less with every traditional adult breakfast and main course meal at lunch. Children can pick from the kids’ breakfasts, lunch menu or pick ‘n’ mix meal, including a drink.

Restaurants are open Monday-Sunday from 9am, location times may vary and customers are advised to visit dobbies.com to check the restaurant opening hours for the Edinburgh store.

Soft play

Families are invited to come and join in the fun at Dobbies’ Little Seedlings soft play at the Edinburgh store, where children of all ages, from babies and toddlers to young kids, can let off some steam and play in a safe environment.

The soft play area is in Dobbies’ restaurant, where families can enjoy tasty meals and snacks, plus kids eat for £1 with every adult main meal.

Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment, but there may be walk-in spaces available on the day, prices and age ranges vary for each store, starting at £2 for members and at £2.50 for non-members.

For more information on the Little Seedlings Holiday Club at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store and activities for families this summer, visit www.dobbies.com/events.

Nicola Benedetti brings the Edinburgh International Festival to NHS hospital with live performance

Edinburgh International Festival Director and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti performed for staff, patients, families and volunteers at the Royal Hospital for Children & Young People Edinburgh on Thursday
The International Festival’s NHS Festival Sessions, in partnership with NHSd Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts, bring Festival artists into hospitals year-round, creating moments of musical connections that recognise the powerful impact music can have on wellbeing
As part of a wider vision to remove barriers to cultural discovery, the International Festival’s range of affordability initiatives include over 1,000 donated tickets for NHS staff, charity workers and low-income benefit recipients, and £10 Affordable tickets for every event in the programme

2025 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME RUNS FROM 1–24 AUGUST 2025

eif.co.uk / @edintfest

Edinburgh International Festival Director and Scottish violinist Nicola Benedetti performed alongside guitarist Plínio Fernandes as part of a series of NHS Festival Sessions, a heartfelt partnership between the International Festival and NHS Lothian Charity: Tonic Arts bringing transformative live performances directly to patients, families, staff and volunteers across healthcare settings.

Now in its second year, the NHS Festival Sessions take place regularly year-round, bringing an exciting array of International Festival artists into NHS Lothian spaces to create curated moments of musical and emotional connection.

Previous artists include the Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Bamberger Symphoniker and the Philharmonia Orchestra, visiting sites such as the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Royal Edinburgh Hospital and St John’s Hospital, Livingston.

Ms Benedetti’s performance is part of her wider Festival vision: to ensure that the joy of life-altering live performance is accessible to the broadest possible audience.

This year, the International Festival continues to break down barriers to cultural participation with a range of affordability initiatives. These include:

£10 Affordable tickets for every event in the programme, available for anyone who needs them by quoting the promo code ‘INVITED’.
Over 1,000 donated tickets for NHS staff, charity workers, and low-income benefit recipients in partnership with Tickets for Good.
Over 2,500 free tickets for Scotland’s young musicians aged 8–18 through the Young Musician’s Pass.
Half-price tickets for under 18s and D/deaf, disabled & neurodivergent people for all Festival performances.

Festival Director Nicola Benedetti said: “I believe in removing barriers to cultural discovery. Everyone is invited to the International Festival – that’s why half of our tickets will be sold for £30 or less, and by extending our performances into community and healthcare settings, we’re reaching people where they are, and bringing a taste of the Festival to those who may be unable to attend.”

Len McCaffer, Tonic Arts Manager at NHS Lothian Charity, said: “Our partnership with the Edinburgh International Festival through the NHS Festival Sessions is a fantastic way to bring the transformative power of music directly into our hospitals.

“These year-round performances are a hugely anticipated part of our participatory arts calendar, making live performances accessible for those who would otherwise be unable to attend.

“It is such a privilege to work together to bring world-class artists and musicians like Nicola Benedetti to perform directly to our patients, staff, and volunteers. Witnessing the joy and emotional connection these live sessions create, really demonstrates the importance and positive impact of the arts on wellbeing.”

This summer’s International Festival will also see flagship projects that bring groups into the heart of August’s performances, developing long-term connections with Edinburgh’s communities to find enrich local life and reflect the ideas, ambitions and creative interests of different groups within the International Festival’s year-round work.

This year’s activities focus on three key areas identified with staff and residents: Dementia Friendly activities, Skills and Training Development, and tackling Social Isolation. Throughout the year—and during August’s Festival— the range of creative, community-led projects includes a six-week artist-led course for New Scots that culminates in a co-designed August festival event featuring musicians from the Aga Khan music programme.

A multi-year Community Connections Hub partnership with Space @ Broomhouse Hub includes collaboration with citizens from across the neighbourhood connecting with Festival artists. The residents respond creatively to music by the London Symphony Orchestra, inspired by the 2025 Festival theme The Truth We Seek and their work will be shared with the community at Space @ Broomhouse Hub.

In partnership with the Wellbeing onto Work (WOW) project, an eight-week course has also been delivered for 10 young people. The course focuses on building confidence and communication skills within Festival environments, with graduates offered supported, paid work experience during the Festival.

For the first time, the International Festival will also present a Dementia Friendly Concert in collaboration with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra—a relaxed, welcoming performance designed for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

For more information on the range of tickets for performances across music, dance, theatre and opera at the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival, visit:

https://www.eif.co.uk/affordability.

Pilton Community Health Project: Six Weeks of Summer

Our Six Weeks of Summer starts on Monday!

A little something for everyone!

From guided relaxation to cooking, knitting, chatting or even try yoga for the first time! Some DROP IN, some you need to BOOK – get in touch on 0131 551 1671 or email us hello@pchp.org.uk

Holyrood committee launches call for views on mental health budget

The Scottish Parliament’s Health, Social Care and Sport Committee is seeking views on the Scottish Government’s mental health spending for 2026-27, as part of its pre-budget scrutiny.

The Committee is considering the effectiveness of current spending and whether investment is aligned with the right priorities.

In 2023-24, mental health services received £1.5 billion in funding—equivalent to 9% of total NHS expenditure. The Committee is now seeking views on whether this level of investment is appropriate, how spending decisions are made, and the extent to which preventative approaches are being supported.

The Committee is particularly interested in:

The adequacy and transparency of current mental health spending;
Evidence of preventative investment in mental health;
Whether national priorities—such as CAMHS, suicide prevention, and community-based support— are the right priorities for mental health investment and to what extent these priorities are reflected in mental health service delivery.

The Committee’s scrutiny takes place ahead of the publication of the Scottish Budget, expected later this year, and aims to inform Scottish Government’s spending decisions while they are still in development.

Speaking as the call for views was launched, Clare Haughey MSP, Convener of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee, said: “It’s vital people dealing with mental health issues are able to access appropriate and effective care, support and treatment.

“That’s why we are scrutinising the funding for these services and ensuring any money spent is going to the right places to help people get the support they need.

“Through this call for views, we want to hear from individuals, professionals and organisations about what’s working, what’s not, and where investment should be focused for the greatest benefit.

“Your insights will help us hold the Government to account and ensure that mental health services are properly resourced and effectively delivered.”

The call for views closes on 15 August 2025.

Read the questions and submit your views on Citizen Space