Christmas is a time for connecting with loved ones and enjoying plenty of festivities, gatherings and conversation. However, for those with undiagnosed hearing loss, this time of year sometimes feels like a struggle and can be isolating.
Over the festive period, you may have noticed yourself or a loved one struggling to hear. Perhaps you were turning the TV up louder than others prefer, struggling to follow conversations at Christmas gatherings or frequently asking people to repeat what they said. You or a loved one may have found it harder to hear on the phone, felt like others were mumbling, or your partner may have felt you weren’t listening.
As we enjoy the quieter days between Christmas and New Years celebrations, if any of these habits feel familiar, it could be time to check your hearing.
Thankfully, it’s very simple to look for signs of hearing loss in yourself or loved ones and to do something about it.
Our free 3-minute online hearing check at rnid.org.uk/check can be the first step on your journey to find out if you should see someone about your hearing and get our advice on what to do next.
Kickstart your new year in the right way and keep everyone part of the conversation!
The festive season is an exciting and busy time, but it can also be a challenging time for some people living with dementia and the people who love and care for them. Music can help. It can ease distress, spark conversation and create moments of joy and a unique shared experience for everyone listening.
There are many ways to help people enjoy music together. Why not:
Create a playlist for youself or someone you know
Donate to our work. Just £10 supports five people with a free resource pack
Buy from our shop. We have the perfect gifts for any music lover and all proceeds help people living with dementia
Christmas is often portrayed as a season of wall-to-wall joy and celebration. But for those of us who have lost loved ones, this season can sometimes feel heavy and complicated.
Our CEO Mark reflects on his own journey with grief at this time of year and offers tips for those who may be struggling during the holidays.
If the winter gloom is getting you down, Heriot-Watt has two events guaranteed to raise your spirits with some festive cheer.
Our ever-popular Christmas Carol Celebration is taking place at the Edinburgh campus on Friday, December 12th. Come to the James Watt Centre at 5.30pm for an unforgettable evening of seasonal music and readings.
Members of the University Choir will be accompanied by the University Orchestra. Complimentary mince pies and mulled wine (alternatives available) will be provided before the concert starts at 6.30pm.
Matthew Brown, Heriot-Watt’s Director of Music, has promised a memorable evening: “The Christmas Carol Celebration is a highlight of our year, bringing together the community to share in the joy and beauty of the season through music. We can’t wait to welcome you.”
Tickets are free and early booking is strongly recommended to avoid disappointment. Please secure your place through Eventbrite – and mark your calendar!
If you can’t make the Christmas Carol Celebration, why not come to ‘A Christmas Carol’ on Wednesday December 10th at 7.30pm?
In the beautiful setting of St Cuthbert’s Church, Edinburgh, the Heriot-Watt Chamber Choir will entertain you with words and music based on the Charles Dickens classic.
Further details and tickets for ‘A Christmas Carol’ are available through
New research has revealed one in two people (56 per cent) living in Edinburgh have experienced feelings of loneliness at Christmas, with almost one in five (18 per cent) saying they expect to feel lonelier this year than they did last Christmas.
The research, conducted by Fort Kinnaird in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation, also found that more than half (53 per cent) of people in Edinburgh said they wouldn’t know where to turn for help when struggling with loneliness or isolation.
Worryingly, almost half (49 per cent) also said they don’t feel comfortable confiding in someone they trust about how they feel – a tendency that increases with age.
In response, Fort Kinnaird has teamed up with Edinburgh-based charities Cyrenians and Edinburgh Young Carers to help raise awareness of the support they can provide for vulnerable groups experiencing feelings of loneliness, including people who are homeless and young carers.
Cyrenians works to tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness, including social isolation, by offering prevention, early-intervention and supported-housing services.
Meanwhile, Edinburgh Young Carers provides respite and support to young people who care for somebody at home. They aim to improve the lives and wellbeing of young carers by raising awareness, offering emotional and practical support and by giving each young person the opportunity to take a break from their caring role which can be very isolating.
Fort Kinnaird will be donating advertising space to both of the local charities, helping to signpost the vital support for those who need it most, while also encouraging donations. Adverts promoting the charities will feature across its digital screens, on posters and bathroom mirror vinyls, as well as on social media and the centre’s website during the festive period.
Later this month, the centre will also bring back its popular Letters of Hope initiative for the second year, where shoppers are encouraged to share messages of support that will once again be distributed by Cyrenians to vulnerable members of the community, helping to combat social isolation over the festive period.
Shoppers will also be able to make a voluntary donation to Cyrenians through a donation point located next to the ‘Letters of Hope’ Mailbox.
To support young people experiencing loneliness, the centre will also be hosting digital workshops run by animation and film makers D Fie Foe, in partnership with Edinburgh Young Carers. The workshops will aim to provide young people with useful skills in digital filmmaking, whilst using creativity as a platform to connect and collaborate with others.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“The festive period is a truly special time for us at Fort Kinnaird, bringing people from across the community together to enjoy our Christmas markets and festive activities, but sadly we know that it can be a lonelier time for some.
“Having worked closely with Cyrenians over the past year, we’re acutely aware of the impact that social isolation and loneliness can have and wanted to build on our partnership to increase our support for those in need this Christmas.
“We’re proud to be partnering Cyrenians and Edinburgh Young Carers to raise awareness of the local support available, whilst creating opportunities for meaningful moments of connection this Christmas.
“We look forward to seeing the messages of festive joy shared by our visitors through Letters of Hope, whilst raising valuable donations for Cyrenians.”
Alexa Knight, Director of Policy and Influence for the Mental Health Foundation, said: “We can all feel lonely at times, but when loneliness lasts for a long period, it can have a profound impact on our mental health.
“At Christmas, this can feel even harder because the portrayal of the season as full of joy and togetherness can deepen feelings of isolation if we are lonely.
“Working with Fort Kinnaird allows us to shine a light on an issue that is often hidden, encourage open conversations, and connect people with the support and understanding they need this Christmas and beyond.
“It’s important to note that loneliness isn’t something individuals should have to fix alone; we all have a role to play. Taking time to check in with people around us, offering a listening ear, or creating spaces where others feel welcome can make a real difference.”
The research also revealed that whilst loneliness is often associated with older generations, younger people are increasingly struggling too, with more than a third (34 per cent) of 18–24-year-olds anticipating greater feelings of loneliness this year.
Social media also emerged as a key influence, with almost a quarter (24 per cent) of people saying that online platforms make them feel more alone at Christmas, whilst financial pressures (43 per cent), being physically distant from family and friends (29 per cent) and the recent loss of a loved one (27 per cent) and were the key reasons behind feelings of disconnection.
Margaret Murphy, Chief Executive at Edinburgh Young Carers,said:“Edinburgh Young Carers are delighted to be working with Fort Kinnaird on this campaign in the run up to the festive period.
“Young carers take on incredible responsibilities for their loved ones throughout the year, and Christmas can often be an isolating and difficult time.
We hope this campaign will highlight the support that young car”ers and young adult carers have a right to access – including a break from caring and a chance to have fun and spend time with friends.”
Throughout the festive period, Fort Kinnaird will also be transformed into a festive wonderland filled with seasonal street food, artisan gifts, fairground rides and spectacular circus shows for all to enjoy.
Dobbies Edinburgh is preparing for a blooming festive season as its annual delivery of poinsettias lands in store.
This year, it’s the traditional red variety taking centre stage as Dobbies anticipates a surge in demand for this classic Christmas plant driven by the growing trend of nostalgic festive styling.
In addition to the popular red variety, white and pink poinsettias will also be available at Dobbies Edinburgh store for those looking to switch up their Christmas colour palette.
Speaking about poinsettias, Dobbies’ Senior Plant Buyer, Claire Bishop, says: “Poinsettias have been a Christmas favourite for generations, bringing colour and warmth to homes during the festive season, so we’re excited to welcome them to our Edinburgh store to kick off the celebrations.
“Our customers loved the pink and white varieties last year, so we’ve brought these back for 2025, along with the ever-popular red – which we’re expecting to be the standout choice this Christmas for creating a show-stopping centrepiece as more people embrace a traditional festive look.
“Whether used for decorating or gifting, poinsettias, also known as Euphorbia pulcherrima, remain a simple but effective way to grow festive cheer and will instantly bring that classic Christmas feel to any room.”
Claire’s top tips for keeping your poinsettia looking its best
Choose a bright spot
Finding the right place for your poinsettia is key. Poinsettias like a lot of light so you should place them in a bright spot where they’ll get as much indirect sunlight as possible per day. However, you should avoid direct sunlight as this could scorch the plant. The red parts of the flower are known as bracts which have tiny yellow flowers at the centre, known as cyathia. Being a tropical plant, poinsettias also like warmth so you should keep them away from windows and other draughty spots as this could cause the plant’s bracts to drop.
Watering your plant
You should only water your poinsettia when the soil feels dry to the touch. This will vary on the temperature of your home, so your plant could require watering every few days, or once a week depending on its surroundings and they don’t like waterlogged soil.
Feed your poinsettia
Your poinsettia will benefit from monthly feedings to keep it thriving long into the new year. Consider using a liquid plant food to fertilise your poinsettia. For more advice, and to explore Dobbies’ full range of houseplants and decorations for Christmas 2025, visit www.dobbies.com
Side hustlers selling festive items need to tell HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) online if earnings exceed £1,000 a year
HMRC’s Help for Hustles campaign supports people earning extra income during festive season to understand tax obligations
Online checker tool can clarify if and when side hustlers need to report their additional income
People making money from Christmas crafts, seasonal market stalls, or selling festive items are being urged to check if they need to tell HMRC about their earnings.
As the festive season approaches, HMRC’s Help for Hustles campaign is reminding anyone earning extra income from activities like making Christmas decorations, upcycling furniture for seasonal sales, or running market stalls, that they will need to tell HMRC if they earn more than £1,000.
The campaign’s guidance explains the important distinction between simply decluttering homes by selling unwanted personal belongings – which doesn’t usually require reporting to HMRC – and trading activities like making items to sell for profit, which may be taxable.
Anyone who earned more than £1,000 from side hustles in the 2024 to 2025 tax year will need to register for Self Assessment as a sole trader, file their return and pay any tax due by 31 January 2026.
This £1,000 threshold applies to all trading activities combined – so someone earning £600 from craft sales and £500 from content creation would need to register as their total exceeds £1,000.
Kevin Hubbard, HMRC’s Director of Individuals & Small Business Compliance, said:“Whether you’re making handmade Christmas decorations, selling upcycled furniture, or running a seasonal market stall, it’s important to understand when your festive side hustle becomes taxable trading.
“Nobody wants an unexpected tax bill, so anyone earning more than £1,000 from their side hustle should tell HMRC. Our Help for Hustles campaign provides clear, straightforward guidance to help people get their tax right.”
Graham Wilson OBE, National Association of British Markets’ Deputy Chief Executive, said:“Markets are an important part of Christmas celebrations and every year, town centres around the country witness thousands of traders enriching the festive atmosphere.
“As the national organisation for market operators, we want to encourage all traders, particularly those who are trading for the first time, to be clear about their obligations for tax arising from their earnings and we welcome the guidance and support provided by HMRC on this important issue.”
People can use a free online checker on GOV.UK to find out if they need to tell HMRC about additional income. Guidance is also available on the Help for hustles campaign page, explaining the different types of side hustles, including selling items, providing services and creating content.
Are you a band with an eclectic collection of funky Xmas tunes?
Are you part of a choir or singing group who’s renditions of Christmas carols and pop hits leaves audiences dabbing at their eyes?
Are you a guitar-toting independent artist who is just dying to put their own twist on Christmas classics?
We want YOUUUU for our Christmas celebrations at The Pitt (Pittmas?) We will be having various musical performances and opportunities to play across the festive season, starting from late November.
We are in particular looking for groups and choirs from across North Edinburgh, but if you are from a bit further afield, please get in touch anyway!
For the first time, Jupiter Artland is open throughout the Winter season. Christmas at Jupiter brings together art, landscape and festive tradition across nine consecutive days from 6 – 14 December 2025, transforming the park into a Festive Village alive with light, sound and winter magic, alongside a programme of outstanding contemporary visual art.
A truly unique and creative alternative for all ages to enjoy all the festive favourite activities within Jupiter’s iconic landscape, Christmas at Jupiter offers an alternative to festive fanfare, where the traditions of Christmas are blended with contemporary and creative flair.
This year, Jupiter Artland will be transformed into a Festive Village that will be open daily alongside the annual programme of bespoke activities, including Santa’s Grotto, the ELF workshop in MAKE Studio, Christmas Film screenings and S’mores Village, where you can enjoy hot chocolate and gooey marshmallows around a fire pit.
Cafe Party will be open daily, and will offer a festive themed Afternoon Tea including Cava and a gift from the Festive Shop, available to pre-book.
In addition, at the weekend the experience will include the popular Christmas Fair – the new Glasshouse space and Lower Steadings will be the perfect place to discover thoughtful gifts, meet independent makers and soak in the festive atmosphere.
Across Jupiter Artland, you are invited to explore a range of experiences including a Live Nativity Scene, speciality wreath making, christmas tree cutting and choir singing on the terrace.
Nicky Wilson, Director, Jupiter Artland, said: “We are delighted to be open through Winter for the first time, and to also extend Christmas at Jupiter to a nine-day event across the Artland for visitors to enjoy the festive atmosphere while discovering outstanding contemporary art.
“Join us to dine with friends at Cafe Party, bring your family to enjoy festive treats and creative activities or experience new artworks by Tai Shani, Georg Wilson and Florence Peake – there is something for everyone this season.” –
Meanwhile, organisers invite you to explore Jupiter Artland’s exhibitions programme through which three renowned artists draw upon the earth, folklore, mythology, love and both the human and nature around us.
The programme includes The Earth Exhales by Georg Wilson, marking her first UK institution presentation (above); Florence Peake’s newly commissioned To Love and to Cherish, a new floor painting in the Glasshouse developed from a performance in August 2025 and The Spell or The Dream by Tai Shani, a remarkable multi-faceted work inviting audiences to collectively dream of new horizons.
The Spell or The Dream (2025) was commissioned by and developed in residence at Somerset House Studios. The commission was made possible with Art Fund support.
Across the landscape, you will also discover many other well known works including by Tracey Emin, Anya Gallacio, Phyllida Barlow, Ian Hamilton Finlay and more.
Could you give the gift of music this Christmas?
Create a playlist for youself or someone you know
Donate to our work. Just £10 supports five people with a free resource pack
Buy from our shop. We have the perfect gifts for any music lover and all proceeds help people living with dementia
