Our Kids Crafts and Games group for ages 3-12 starts it’s new block on the 25th of October!
Taking place every Friday 2-3pm for until the 29th November, with plenty of games and a weekly craft activity. Just £1 a week – to register, email Alison on community@ccchub.online.
The Edinburgh Dungeon, renowned for bringing scare-seeking guests the most terrifying tales from the past, has revealed how the attraction prepares for its busiest time of the year.
Lyndsay Hebert, Performance Manager at The Edinburgh Dungeon, has been perfecting the art of fear for over two decades. With 23 years of experience at the attraction, Halloween is her favourite time of year.
For her, it’s not just about costumes and decorations—it’s about blending history, creativity, and horror to deliver an unforgettable experience.
Lyndsay reveals that preparations for Halloween begin as early as January. Edinburgh, known as one of Europe’s most haunted cities, provides the perfect backdrop, with its ghost stories and local legends offering endless inspiration. Lyndsay takes pride in the city’s dark history, saying, “There’s always a new chilling tale to tell.
“The concept might evolve, but starting early ensures we deliver the best experience,” she explains. With over 50 performances on peak days and more than 1,000 over the Halloween season, the entire team works tirelessly to create a terrifying experience every time.
The actors are key to The Dungeon’s success, with quick costume and makeup changes happening throughout the day. Each performer begins with a base of scars, cuts, and bruises, adding more layers as they switch roles.
“The messier the hair, the better,” Lyndsay says. Hair and makeup touch-ups are ongoing to maintain authenticity, and it’s the actors’ relentless energy that brings The Dungeon to life.
“There’s nothing a Dungeon actor loves more than hearing the screams of the audience—you know you’ve done your job well!” Lyndsay enthuses.
Behind the scenes, the work is just as intense as what happens onstage. “There’s never a dull day in The Dungeon!” she exclaims. “The actors move quickly, switching costumes, makeup, and characters every hour.”
This year’s Halloween event, Halloween: The Monster of Glamis, runs from 12th October to 3rd November. Guests will explore the eerie passageways of Glamis Castle, where a monstrous presence awaits.
What starts as an innocent birthday celebration for the Laird’s youngest family member quickly turns into a nightmare as guests confront the terrifying Monster of Glamis and the chilling Room of Skulls, filled with ominous whispers from the past.
For those brave enough to enter, The Edinburgh Dungeon promises a Halloween experience like no other. With fresh stories, immersive settings, and a dedicated team ready to create the ultimate fright, visitors are in for a hauntingly good time!
Will you survive the Monster of Glamis and escape the Room of Skulls?
Pre-book now, or for more information, visit the Edinburgh Dungeon’s website:
https://www.thedungeons.com/edinburgh/whats-inside/events/monster-of-glamis/.
BRING your kids along to meet Pantosaurus and listen to his roarsome story!
Muirhouse Library, Friday 18 Oct, 10.30am
Stockbridge Library, Friday 25 Oct, 2.30pm
South Queensferry Library, Friday 1 Nov, 10.30am
Find out more about keeping children safe at http://edinburgh.gov.uk/talkpants
Dear Editor
As a coalition of organisations that support vulnerable children and young people, we are deeply concerned in relation to proposed budget cuts to City of Edinburgh Council’s inclusion services.
There has been a massive increase in the number of pupils in Scotland’s schools identified with additional support needs (ASN), such as autism, dyslexia and mental health problems. In Edinburgh, this has seen the number of pupils with ASN almost treble in number between 2013 and 2023.
It has been estimated that over 40 per cent of primary school and over half of secondary school pupils in the capital now have an ASN.
Unfortunately, the necessary resourcing required for this group has not increased. For example, the number of ASN teachers in Edinburgh’s schools has declined by four over the period 2013 to 2023, from 170 to 166, despite the massive increase in the number of pupils with ASN.
Any further axing in staff, who are already overstretched and under-resourced, in supporting these pupils will prove absolutely devastating.
This will impact not only them, but also fellow pupils who will face reduced teaching time given the need to support those with ASN, as well as putting even more pressure on teachers and support staff.
We would urge City of Edinburgh Council to reconsider its approach, as this sticking plaster solution of budget cuts will simply lead to reduced life chances for these individuals, with the resultant impact on society and the economy.
Yours faithfully
The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition:
Kenny Graham, Falkland House School
Lynn Bell, LOVE Learning
Stephen McGhee, Spark of Genius
Niall Kelly, Young Foundations
42 Charlotte Square
Edinburgh EH2 4HQ
Tel: 0131 603 8996
According to a new eye-opening survey from the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK)*, there is a worrying misconception among parents that a baby bath seat is a safety device.
The survey showed that almost three quarters of parents (72%) believe a baby bath seat is designed to keep a baby safe. This is not the case. Research published in RLSS UK’s Child Drowning Update (2019-2023) revealed that out of ten children under one that drowned in the bath, seven were using a baby bath seat.
Figures also revealed that 88% of parents have used a baby bath seat, and almost two-thirds (64%) of those with children under one currently do so. RLSS UK is therefore working to increase parents’ understanding of the purpose of baby bath seats to help promote safer bathtimes for all families.
Matt Croxall, Charity Director at RLSS UK, said: “We find it heartbreaking to learn that child drownings in the bath are continuing to take place – and it is concerning to learn that in many of these instances, there was a bath seat involved.
“Seeking to shed light on the major misconception that bath seats can be used as a safety device, we want to educate more families to be aware of the risks, so they are able to stay safe.
“Of ten infants that drowned in the bath in the last four years, seven were using a bath seat. Regardless of whether you are using a bath seat during bathtime, we always advise parents and carers to keep young children within arm’s reach in water. And if you do need to leave the bathroom at all, take the child with you. Whilst bath seats can provide support for your baby during bath time, bath seats are not a safety device.”
Splash Safety in Bath Seats forms part of RLSS UK’s brand-new campaign, Splash Safety at your Pad, which seeks to raise awareness among parents and carers of young children about the importance of water safety when at home, with a particular focus on bathtime.
Matt added: “In response to these tragic findings, we are pleased to introduce our educational Splash Safety at your Pad campaign, which aims to share important water safety messages with families across the UK and Ireland in a fun and engaging way.
“We hope this campaign has a positive impact on families with young ones and makes all the difference.”
Vital key safety advice when bathing your child:
*Consumer survey (September 2024), geographically representative sample of n=1,003 parents of children under five years from across the UK.
For more information around RLSS UK’s 2024 Child Drowning Update, please visit our website: www.rlss.org.uk/splash-safety
Edinburgh Multicultural Festival goes on tour! This fall we will be visiting libraries in the Edinburgh North neighbourhoods with our featured artists.
On Saturday, 19 October, Granton Library will be hosting ahalya Dance Academy who will bring a South Asian cultural dance performance and workshop for all ages.
Ahalya Dance Academy, an Edinburgh based dance school specialising in the ancient Indian art form of Bharatanatyam. Their vision is to bring the rich tradition of Bharatanatyam to diverse communities and provide a platform for aspiring dancers to learn and grow.
This event is free but ticketed, so make sure you register with us ahead of the event!
@top fans
Teen Boutique on this Saturday 11 am to 1pm this Saturday at PYCP.
Affordable clothes for PY families and friends.
Please share.
Team PY
Over half (55%) of all counselling sessions delivered to young people in Scotland by the NSPCC’s Childline service last year were about mental health and wellbeing.
Between April 2023 and March 2024, Childline delivered 4,485 counselling sessions to young people in Scotland about mental and emotional health and wellbeing, equating to approximately 12 sessions a day.
When discussing their mental health, some of the top concerns that were raised were anxiety, stress, low mood, depression and loneliness.
To mark World Mental Health Day (Thursday, October 10th), the NSPCC is highlighting these figures to show the scale of children struggling with their mental health and to remind them that Childline is a safe place where they can seek help and support.
An 11-year-old girl from Scotland who contacted Childline, said: “I feel so lonely at school, I only really have one friend. What’s harder though is I feel I can’t talk about how much it upsets me.
“My parents seem annoyed or judgemental when I try to talk about my feelings. Speaking to Childline feels like a weight has been lifted.”
It is important for children and young people get help with their mental health at an early stage – through schools or in the local community – rather than waiting until they reach crisis point.
That is why the charity is calling on the Scottish Government to ensure communities have the resources they need to be able to support children’s mental health wherever and whenever they need it. This will require investment in specialist care, counselling in schools and support in community settings.
Any child or young person who is struggling can also contact Childline up to the age of 19 and have a confidential conversation with a counsellor over the phone or online, at any time of the day.
Adeniyi Alade, service head of Childline, who is based at Aberdeen Childline, said: “Growing up can be tough at times and our counsellors talk to children and young people every day to support them with their mental health and wellbeing.
“This Mental Health Day we’d like to remind young people that our friendly counsellors are here for them all day, every day, to talk about whatever is worrying them.
“They don’t need to struggle alone. We can help, whether they are feeling anxious, lonely, or depressed.
“At the NSPCC and Childline we also believe that mental health support should be available in all communities across Scotland and are calling on the Scottish government to implement this to reach every pupil who needs help.”
The Childline website also provides support to young people on the advice pages or resources, such as Art Box, which is a space for children to write or draw about their feelings. Children can also use the service’s Calm Zone, an area of the website with lots of tools and mechanisms to help young people cope.
Drawing or writing can be a helpful way for children to process their emotions, as it can enable them to express themselves and make sense of their situation.
One primary school aged girl from Scotland who contacted Childline, said: “I’m so self-conscious of how I look, my personality, what people think about me.
“It makes me feel anxious. I know everyone is different, but I feel different in a bad way. Reading and drawing are my ways to escape.”
With this in mind, Lidl GB in partnership with Crayola is supporting the NSPCC in their mission to be there for every child needing support with their mental health by launching the Crayola Cosmic Creations and Fantastic Fantasy Activity Tube.
The activity tubes – of which £1 per item sold will be donated to Childline – are designed to give children a creative outlet for their emotions using colouring pencils, colouring rolls, foil art posters and stickers, all with vibrant designs.
Charlie Day, CSR Team Manager at Lidl GB, said: “Supporting young people’s mental health matters hugely to our colleagues and customers.
“That’s why at Lidl GB we’re committed to building on the over £9 million we’ve donated to the NSPCC since 2017, however we can.
“We’re delighted to sell activity tubes in Lidl GB stores that provide children with a calming activity and help them to express their feelings.
“Co-created by Crayola and Hunter Price International, the product will raise vital funds for Childline, and with the contact details on-pack, will help ensure young people have somewhere to turn when they’re ready to open up.”
Young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or via 1-2-1 chat on:
KEEP YOUR LITTLE ONES HAPPY THIS OCTOBER HALF TERM
Looking to keep your kids happy this half-term? Burger King® UK is here to help with a scarily good deal in the run up to Halloween, with the return of Kids Eat FREE!
From 11th-20th October, families across Scotland can enjoy a King Jr meal, featuring a Kids Hamburger or Chicken Nuggets, fries or apple slices and a drink of your choice, totally free when purchasing an adult meal*!
All you need to do is download the Burger King® UK app via Google Play here or the App Store here to claim the offer.
This October, Dynamic Earth invites families to swap fright for fascination and embark on a thrilling journey into the world of misunderstood creatures, eerie adventures, and science-led discovery.
With a spectacular programme of Halloween-themed activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy — from spine-tingling trails to spooky planetarium shows and hands-on exploration.
Running from Wednesday, 2nd October to Sunday, 3rd November, this unmissable line-up promises weeks of fun and learning for children and adults alike.
Highlights of the October Programme Include:
Admission ticket + £4
Get ready for an adventure with Blaize the Bat as you explore our exhibition and uncover hidden wonders of the natural world. From slithering serpents to creatures from the deep, you’ll be guided through Dynamic Earth by clues and puzzles, leading to a special prize — your very own Blaize the Bat beanie!
FREE drop-in activities
Our Science Communication team invites you to dive into a world of “eerie encounters” with misunderstood creatures and fascinating plants. From crafting your very own Venus flytrap puppet to uncovering prehistoric creatures in our dino-dig, these family-friendly activities will have everyone getting hands-on with nature’s creepiest and most captivating lifeforms.
Daily screenings
Embark on an out-of-this-world journey with two captivating shows in our 6K resolution Planetarium:
16 special evening shows (18+)
For adults, Dynamic Earth offers Planetarium Lates — an immersive experience with Halloween classics like The Shining and The Thing, plus Dark Side of the Moon shows. Sip on a themed cocktail such as Beetlejuice or Vampire Kiss, and settle in for a spooky, star-studded night out.
Ages 7-12
For younger adventurers, Dynamic Earth’s October Outdoor Club offers a two-day journey into Earth and environmental sciences. From exploring sustainability to learning about the fascinating creatures that inhabit our planet, this club promises endless excitement and discovery for curious young minds.
October Membership Offer:
This October, there’s more than just Halloween fun in store at Dynamic Earth! From Wednesday, 2nd October to Tuesday, 31st October, visitors can upgrade their Adult, Child, or Concession day ticket for just £5 and receive a 12-month membership at Dynamic Earth.
A Dynamic Earth Annual Membership Includes:
As a special bonus, those who take up this membership offer will be invited to an exclusive preview of our Winter What’s Up show and a screening of the festive favourite, The Muppet Christmas Carol.*
Visit Dynamic Earth and Transform Your Halloween!
With a blend of science, adventure, and spooky fun, Dynamic Earth’s October programme is the perfect way for families to celebrate Halloween. Whether you’re tracing the Trick or Treat Trail, marvelling at the mysteries of fungi, or spending an evening at Planetarium Lates, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy.
For tickets and more information, visit Dynamic Earth’s Halloween page.
