Families of children with disabilities and additional support needs are being encouraged to apply for the Council’s Holiday Hub provision, with the window now open for applications until 3 June 2026.
The Council has offered Holiday Hubs to eligible school age children and young people for over two decades – offering vital school holiday provision for those who cannot access any other form of mainstream activities during the holidays due to the nature or complexity of their disability or support needs.
Running Monday – Thursday from 9am to 3pm during the October, February, Easter and Summer holidays across ten weeks in total throughout the academic year, each holiday hub is run by an activity provider who is contracted by the Council to deliver the provision.
This year, adaptations and updates to Holiday Hub eligibility criteria have been made to reflect extensive collaboration that has taken place with families through the Holiday Hubs parent/carer steering group.
This is to ensure provision is allocated as fairly and transparently as possible to children and young people who need it the most.
Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said: “We have offered vital school holiday support to Edinburgh families for over 20 years, and I know from speaking to parents/carers just how much they need, value and rely on this provision during school holidays.
“Offering this support goes hand in hand with our ambition to make sure that every child and young person in Edinburgh has the opportunity to thrive and realise their full potential. Holiday Hubs offer a space where children and young people with a disability or an additional support need can have fun, take part in activities and make friends in a setting that meets their needs.
“I want to thank those families who are part of our Holiday Hubs parent and carer steering group. The input they have shared ensures that our investment in this important service meets the needs of those it is designed to help.”
We are pleased to announce our community walk for all the family on Friday afternoons, 2.30-3.45pm, monthly, starting on 22nd May (fourth Friday of the month).
We will walk, play, do an art activity related to local history, and learn about nature too.
Starting and ending at the Granton Hub / Madelvic House.
All welcome. Please wear sensible shoes and warm clothes / sun hat plus suncream if appropriate, and bring water and snacks for yourselves.
Tamsin Grainger is Paths for All trained, and has a DBS certificate. All children under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult or an older sibling.
We’re so excited for Bookbug Week 2026 which starts on Monday!
Celebrate Bookbug’s Big Quest at Drumbrae Library all next week and have an adventure with your little one.
We have our usual 3 Bookbug sessions to enjoy, on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10.30am.
Whilst you’re in the library why not take part in Bookbug’s scavenger hunt, colour in a mini Bookbug and look at Bookbug’s Big Quest wall to see what adventures Bookbug has been on during the week!
We also have a fun, interactive Story Walk around Clermiston Park! Collect your map at the front desk, enjoy the walk, find the pages of the story, then return to the library to collect your certificate!
Alarming new figures reveal that last year Childline delivered over 2,400 counselling sessions to children and young people across the UK about online child sexual abuse and exploitation – an annual increase of 36%.
Overall, the service delivered over 4,300 counselling sessions to children and young people across the UK with concerns about online harms.
NSPCC urges the Government to go further than a ban and take three key actions when their online safety consultation concludes to force tech companies to keep children safe.
The charity has also launched a new campaign Shift Ctrlwhich highlights how online harm disrupts the everyday lives of young people.
Children’s charity the NSPCC are raising the alarm as Childline counselling sessions across the UK about online child sexual abuse and exploitation jumped by more than a third in the last year.
New data from the NSPCC-run service reveals that between April 2025 and March 2026 Childline delivered 2,444 counselling sessions across the UK about online child sexual abuse and exploitation, marking a 36% annual increase.
These figures feed into and reflect a wider problem, with 4,321 counselling sessions taking place about all online harms, including online child sexual abuse, cyberbullying and concerns about young people’s digital behaviour – a 30% increase compared on the year before.
The NSPCC is highlighting these findings as further evidence of how tech companies are failing to protect children across their sites, arguing that without swift action the risks young people face online will get even worse.
Speaking to the service, children described encountering inappropriate and harmful content, falling for online scams, being bullied online and facing privacy concerns on big tech platforms.
They also shared reflections on their social media behaviour and sought advice on managing their screen time and online habits.
Of the 2,444 contacts about online child sexual abuse, young people spoke about being scared that images of them would be shared, about being financially extorted, and the impact this form of abuse could have on their futures. Many asked for support on how to speak to an adult about this.
One 14-year-old girl who contacted Childline said: “I met a guy online and he managed to get photos of me in my underwear. I didn’t send them to him, so I don’t know how he got them.
“He threatened to put my photos on adult websites if I don’t send him more photos. I’m so scared. I’ve reported him online and I’m wondering if I should go to the police too.”
At the same, the children’s charity has launched its Shift Ctrl campaign which highlights how online harm disrupts the everyday lives of young people. It calls on the public to join the charity in demanding urgent action from Government and tech companies to create a safer online world for children.
A video[SM1] promoting the campaign will appear on various on‑demand TV services, in cinemas (including before The Mandalorian and Grogu), across online video and social media platforms and on billboards across the UK.
As the Government consults on children’s access to social media, the charity is setting out three key actions that they must take to hold tech companies to account and keep children safe:
Make sure teens get genuinely age‑appropriate experiences – platforms must be safe before children can use them.
Stop platforms using addictive design tricks that leave young people feeling out of control.
Use the full force of the law to block illegal and harmful content e.g. nude images at the source across online services, including on devices and AI.
Chris Sherwood, CEO at the NSPCC, said:“For far too long, tech companies have prioritised profit over the wellbeing of children, playing fast and loose with their safety. Enough is enough.
“Behind each of these Childline counselling sessions is a child in distress, using an online world with features that are designed to put them at risk.
“It is crucial that the Government uses their consultation on children’s access to the online world as a springboard to finally hold platforms to account for this harm and to force them to make these spaces safe for young users. This includes ensuring tech companies take action in blocking nude images of children from being taken and shared in real time.
“I urge everyone who cares about creating a safer online world for children to take part in the public consultation before it closes. Together, we can put an end to this harm and give children the safety they need and deserve and parents demand.”
Kerry Smith, Chief Executive of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said: “Everywhere we look online, children are being sexually exploited. Girls are facing increasingly normalised sexual violence, while boys are being singled out by criminals who capitalise on feelings of shame and fear to extort money from them.
“Our analysts are discovering record amounts of child sexual abuse imagery online. Stopping this downward spiral and working to create an internet where everyone can flourish needs to be the priority. Safety by design needs to be a guiding principle – and new products and platforms must be built to make sure there is nowhere where criminals can target and exploit children.
“This must apply to all parts of the internet, even those which are end to end encrypted. Currently, it is just too easy for criminals to target and exploit children and young people. Everybody must play their part in making sure children can learn, play, and socialise online in safety.”
You can submit your response to the Government’s consultation here.
AND THE SUN IS SHINING ON WEST PILTON PARK ONCE AGAIN!!
North Edinburgh Community Festival is back TODAY – Saturday 16 May, taking over West Pilton Park for a full day of music, food, activities, sports, arts and crafts and proper community spirit.
Expect live performances, family fun, local groups showcasing what they do best, and plenty of free things to get stuck into. It’s a celebration made by the community, for the community, and everyone’s invited to come along, get involved and make the park buzz.
The festival parade will set off from North Edinburgh Arts at 1030am and wind its way to West Pilton Park arriving for 12noon. It’ll be led in vibrant style by local groups, organisations, schools and performers – a wonderful colourful collaboration with Edinburgh Carnival.
Expect colour, music and a proper burst of energy as the community walks, dances and drums its way into the heart of the festival.
Sign up, and join in the fun at one of the two FREE family-friendly Scottish Ceilidh workshops which are part of the afternoon activities taking place at this year’s Festival of Europe Scotland’s European Communities Day.
Particularly aimed at families with children aged 3-9 years, new Scots and Old Scots can discover and enjoy for the first or 100th time the dances and tap along to the music.
Lead by Caroline from Ceilidhkids each workshop is aimed at families with children aged 3 – 9 years. It’s family dancing, not children’s dancing so children should be accompanied by an adult willing to join in. One adult can dance with two children.
The dance steps are simplified and non-scary. As it is a shoes off dance floor there is a chance for everyone to show off their favourite socks!
But there will be first come spaces saved for those who turn up on the day! Please note: a ticket is required for every person attending (both adults and children), so be sure to book a place for each member of your group.
We hope you can join us!
This Ceilidh Workshop is part of European Communities Day, 16 May, Out of the Blue Drill Hall. It is made possible thanks to #NationalLottery players
This week (4-10 May) marks Deaf Awareness Week, which aims to raise awareness of deafness while celebrating the UK’s deaf community.
This year, the National Deaf Children’s Society is highlighting the early signs of deafness in children and reassuring families that support is available from the very start.
Deafness isn’t always obvious. Many children have mild or one‑sided hearing loss, meaning signs can be easy to miss. A child might not respond when called, struggle in noisy places, seem tired or withdrawn, or miss parts of conversations.
Spotting these signs early can be life‑changing. With the right support, deaf children can develop strong communication skills and grow up confident and proud of who they are. Sometimes, simply knowing what to look for makes all the difference.
If you’re worried about your child’s hearing, it’s important not to dismiss concerns. The National Deaf Children’s Society supports families of children with all levels of hearing loss, offering free information and advice.
World-renowned inland surf resort Lost Shore is expanding its youth offering ahead of the summer holidays, with the launch of a new after-school club alongside the popular return of its Kid’s Surf Camps.
The move comes as more families look for active, structured activities for children, both during term time and across the long summer break.
Running from June through to early August, the week-long surf camps give children aged 7 to 16 the chance to build confidence in the water while developing core skills in a safe, fun and supportive environment.
Each course runs from Monday to Friday combining on-land coaching with time in the wave pool to help young surfers progress quickly from their first attempts through to riding waves with control and confidence.
The new after-school Kid’s Club offers a more regular way for children to take part. Delivered in four-week blocks on Mondays and Fridays, the sessions are designed to fit around the school week, allowing participants to build skills gradually while surfing alongside others at a similar level.
All sessions are led by qualified instructors accredited by the International Surfing Association, and are suitable for both beginner and intermediate surfers. Those new to the sport will learn the fundamentals, including paddling and standing up, while more experienced surfers can start refining their technique, and develop greater control on the waves.
Unlike the open sea, Lost Shore’s consistent conditions allow surfers to develop their skills in a safe and controlled environment, without the unpredictability of the coast. Each 90-minute session includes all equipment, with camps priced from £200 per child.
For families travelling from further afield, the camps can also form part of a short break. On-site accommodation includes waterfront pods and hilltop lodges for up to 8 people, with dogs-friendly options available, providing families a relaxing base just minutes from the waves.
Lee Wood, Lost Shore Surf Resort’s Managing Director, said: “We’re seeing strong interest from families looking for activities that keep children active, engaged and build confidence over the holidays.
“Surfing offers something different – it challenges young people, helps them develop resilience and gives them a real sense of achievement as they progress. With both the camps and after-school club, we’re creating more opportunities for kids to get into the water regularly and develop those skills over time.”
Located just outside Edinburgh, Lost Shore Surf Resort is home to Europe’s largest wave pool and offers year-round surfing for all abilities, alongside accommodation, food and wellness experiences.
Monday 20th – Friday 24th July
10am – 4pm
£200 | Subsidised places available
