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‘A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN WIDER GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT’
Edinburgh College recently welcomed representatives from partner schools across Asia as it marked a significant step in the College’s growing partnership with PDVL (The Prince Foundation programme) and wider global engagement.
Representatives from partner schools in Japan and Thailand visited the College to meet with staff, tour facilities, and formalise partnerships through the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs), supporting student progression, credit recognition and wider academic collaboration.
In 2025, the College became a delivery partner for the PDVL programme, which provides a focused pre-university pathway, combining academic study with English language development and study skills to prepare students for progression to higher education. The College welcomed its first cohort in 2026, with students from China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Uzbekistan enrolling on the Business Pathway programme.
The launch of the PDVL programme marks the beginning of a new international partnership between the College and its partner schools, bringing together shared strengths and a common vision to deliver a globally relevant learning experience for the students involved. In addition, students benefit from established progression routes through PDVL’s articulation agreements with universities, supporting their onward academic journey.
Alongside programme delivery, the partnership has continued to develop through engagement with PDVL partner schools across Asia. In recent months, representatives from schools in Thailand and Japan also visited the College.
Scott Torrance, International Business Manager at Edinburgh College, said: “We are delighted to welcome our new students on the Prince Foundation programme and hope they are the trailblazers for a long relationship with PDVL.
“They arrive in Edinburgh at a great time of year as we move on from winter – we look forward to seeing our students blossom alongside the spring flowers!”
Angel Zhou, International Business Advisor at Edinburgh College, added: “This partnership reflects a shared long-term commitment to building sustainable international pathways, and we look forward to developing it further in the years ahead.”
David Low, Managing Director of PDVL Overseas Advisory Sdn Bhd, said: “From the very beginning, our partnership with Edinburgh College has been built on shared ambition and a genuine commitment to student success.
“The arrival of our first cohort is just the start – with Business and Science pathways on the horizon and a growing network of partner schools across Asia, the best is still ahead of us.”
Looking ahead, the partnership will continue to grow, with both Business and Science pathways planned from 2027, expanding opportunities for future cohorts.
Edinburgh College is one of the largest year-round providers of English Language courses in Scotland.
All College Based ESOL classes are accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.
Learn more https://ow.ly/JWFn50Q53RQ
EDINBURGH College is proud to mark the opening of a brand-new airport check-in facility at the Granton Campus.
The mock terminal, located on the Amber Learning Street on the first floor, will allow our students to get hands-on training in a realistic environment, with the space featuring several check-in desks, a luggage size checker, screens displaying departure times and warning signage similar to that found in a real airport.
The exciting milestone was the culmination of a shared vision, with departments from across Edinburgh College coming together to help create an environment which is both authentic and inspiring.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by staff involved with the project, with James Davies, Assistant Principal for the Centre for Care, Health and Wellbeing, doing the honours and officially opening the facility.
He says it’s a great addition to the College: “It was fantastic to cut the ribbon on the brand-new check-in facility at the Granton Campus, and I’d like to offer my sincere congratulations to everyone involved in the project, they should all be very proud of their efforts.
“Realistic working environments are pivotal in helping students develop skills for work, and combined with our aircraft fuselage, these new facilities will be vital in preparing students for their future careers in aviation.”
Edinburgh College is all set to welcome prospective new students considering starting a course in August 2026 to its annual Open Days event.
The event starts on the 3rd of February and runs until the 7th across all four of our campuses, offering an opportunity to meet our curriculum teams, learn more about the subjects that are available, tour our impressive facilities, as well as find out details about the application process and how funding works.
Open Days begins at the Midlothian Campus on Tuesday the 3rd of February, running from 4pm until 7pm, followed by Milton Road on the 4th of February from 4pm to 7pm, Sighthill on the 5th from 4pm to 7pm, and finally Granton on the 7th of February, between 10am and 1pm.
Members of staff will be on hand to answer any questions, and to help to guide you around our campuses.
There will be subject-specific sessions on offer for a limited number of subject areas, which can be booked online.
The event gives prospective students a unique opportunity to experience our campuses first-hand, and get an idea of what life at Edinburgh College can look like. There are a wide variety of subjects to consider, with our various Schools teaching everything from Construction to Cookery, and Acting & Performance to Accounting.
There are courses available that cater to students at any point in their education, including beginner-level courses, pathways to university, and continuous development courses. Learners at any stage of their career or journey in education will be able to learn what their future could hold at Edinburgh College by coming along to our Open Days.
Edinburgh College’s Principal, Audrey Cumberford, says it’s an exciting time for the College, and any prospective new students: “It’s always amazing being able to open our campuses every February to welcome so many people who are considering taking their next step at Edinburgh College.
“Our Open Days represent a perfect opportunity for anyone considering furthering their education to find out what’s on offer here at the College, to explore all of our facilities, and learn what support will be available to them.
“I can’t recommend enough coming along to our events if you’re curious about what Edinburgh College can do for you and your future.”
Attendees can drop in or book a place on subject-specific sessions.
For more information and to book a place at one of the open days, visit the Edinburgh College website.
A group of Edinburgh College students had the right Royal honour of helping cater and host a ship-naming ceremony attended by The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, in the Port of Leith this week.
Princess Anne took part in the ceremony at Forth Ports Cruise Terminal, breaking a bottle of whisky against the ship’s hull and formally naming the vessel POLE STAR.
The students worked alongside professional caterers in a variety of roles, with some cooking up a storm in the kitchens, others taking on front of house duties to make sure all the VIP guests were as comfortable as possible, and some preparing delicious baked goods and cakes to be enjoyed by all.
The event was put on by East Coast Catering Ltd, which is ran by Edinburgh College graduate Kieran Wight, with our students providing vital support. Their hard work was recognised by The Princess Royal herself, who stopped for a chat and learned from the group all about the skills they are being taught on their course.
Adam Robertson, a Level 1 Hospitality student, set out from his home in the Borders at 5am to make sure he was in Edinburgh in time to do his part in the kitchen. He said it was all worth the effort: “When we found out there was an opportunity to cook for such a prestigious guest, I was desperate to do it.
“I think if you want to go out and work in a professional kitchen, it’s so important to have this sort of experience behind you. The College has given us so many amazing opportunities in the short time I’ve been here, and it’s really helped build up my confidence.”
Jodie Dixon is studying HNC Events and she said it was an honour to take part: “I don’t think you can turn down an opportunity like this, to get involved in a literal royal event.
“There’s so much you can learn just by being here, and it’s really nice knowing you’re part of a group that’s all supporting each other too. The lecturers have been great, and have provided us with a lot of support, but they’re also great at letting us go and do our jobs, it makes you feel like you’re trusted.”
Stephanie Tanner, the Head of School for Cookery, Hospitality, Events, Travel and Tourism, said the experience will prove invaluable for the students: “It’s a proud day for everyone at the College, seeing them putting all of their training to use in the real world, and doing so incredibly well.
“Getting the chance to take part in events like this gives them such an advantage when it comes to finding work after graduation. Employers will be able to look at their CVs, and say ‘Wow, they’ve catered an event for a member of the Royal Family!”
Aisha Elshani, a Professional Cookery lecturer, said the students represented the College well: “They’ve all worked so hard, leading up to the event and on the day itself, and it’s really nice to see how well they are all doing.
“They’re all getting on with their jobs, and just conducting themselves really professionally. I think they all have bright futures ahead in the industry”.
Edinburgh College’s Sighthill Campus has welcomed the opening of a brand-new hub for childcare students.
The new immersive teaching space, which is designed to simulate all the sights, sounds and smells of a real-world nursery, will let prospective practitioners get some all-important hands-on experience, while also allowing for their classroom studies, helping prepare students to enter the workforce after they complete their courses.
As well as prospective practitioners, the space is used for professional development courses, with the College offering qualifications ranging from SCQF Level 4 through to SCQF Level 9.
The space, which came about as a result of increased demand for Childhood Practice courses, features lots of open space and outdoor inspired design touches, to improve focus and mental wellbeing. There are doors painted with forest scenes, alongside sky tiles on the ceiling.
There’s a kitchen which can be used to practice food hygiene, as well as make cups of tea, while dedicated quiet areas will allow students to sit down and take a break when needed. The different learning spaces let practitioners explore how play takes place in a nursery setting.
Doors open up into a garden to simulate free flow indoor/outdoor learning and teaching, lining up with current professional standards in the early learning and childcare sector.
Feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive, with the spaciousness and amount of natural light pouring in seen as a big bonus, making it a warm, welcoming and interactive environment in which to learn.
Rooms will also be utilised for yoga classes and other events, with students from across the College able to book it out.
Jacqueline Vural, the Head of School for Childhood Practice, is excited to see the hub being put to use: “Developing this space at Sighthill Campus is ensuring that Edinburgh College is at the forefront of providing high quality learning and teaching in childhood practice, responding to demand from the public and private sectors for highly qualified staff.
“It’ll mean students can experience first-hand, immersive activities that replicate what it’s like to work in a childcare setting. It will give them confidence and motivation to go into their placements and gain the skills they need to move into employment after college.”
This year alone the College has received over 900 enrolments on Childhood Practice courses – this includes around 300 full-time students.
The space was officially opened on Thursday (15 January 2026) by Dr. Suzanne Zeedyk, a renowned developmental psychologist and Honorary Fellow at the University of Dundee.
Find out more about Childhood Practice courses on the Edinburgh College website.
The 2026-27 Budget will support a stronger NHS, with a record £22.5 billion for health and social care, expand cost of living support and invest in Scotland’s infrastructure.
Published alongside the latest multi-year Scottish Spending Review, Infrastructure Strategy and Infrastructure Delivery Pipeline, the draft Budget invests almost £68 billion including direct support for families and household budgets.
The 2026-27 Budget includes:
Ms Robison said:“This Budget delivers for families across the country, for a stronger NHS, and for a more prosperous future.
“It will fund landmark policies to continue efforts to eradicate child poverty – investing in a brighter future for Scotland and the children growing up here.
“Almost £68 billion is being invested in 2026-27 and almost £200 billion through the Scottish Spending Review and Infrastructure Investment Pipeline, demonstrating the scale of our ambition for our nation.”
Other measures include:
REACTIONS:
Responding to today’s proposed Scottish Budget, Poverty Alliance Policy & Campaigns Manager Ruth Boyle said: “People in Scotland want a just and compassionate society – but too many feel the system is rigged against them.
“There was some good news today – but we can do much more to make sure that every child in Scotland gets the investment they need for a decent life and a better future.
“Ensuring that every child in primary school gets a healthy breakfast is an excellent investment, because no child should go to school hungry.
“Increasing the Scottish Child Payment to £40 for eligible households with a baby under 1 is welcome and will help families at a time when they face increased costs. However, this must be a first step towards boosting that payment to £40 for every eligible child in the country.
“That is the kind of fundamental investment the Government needs to make if they are serious about meeting the 2030 child poverty targets.
“With Scotland not on track to meet those legally binding targets, we need all political parties to set out their plans to invest in country where no child lives in poverty. Our children can’t wait any longer.
“We can make that kind of investment in Scotland – and there is support for it. In among the Budget documents is new polling from YouGov showing that 54% of people in Scotland believe that Government should redistribute income from the better-off to those who are less well off. Just 29% disagree.
“The Scottish Government must raise revenue to invest in our shared national priorities, like tackling child poverty and reducing the cost of living. It’s right that the Government has turned to those with the biggest assets to contribute more with a tax on private jets and increased council tax for the highest value homes.
“This has to be the start of long-promised, fundamental reform of council tax so that our local councils can provide the services that all of us need, and that are a vital lifeline for so many households in poverty.
“The Poverty Alliance will continue to call for the measures we need to provide a Minimum Income Guarantee that no-one will fall under – including increasing wages, investing in strong public services, and providing a social security system that gives everyone in Scotland a secure foundation to build a better future.
“Today’s budget has some positive steps towards that ambition – but we need to go further and faster if we are to build a Scotland free from poverty.”
Commenting on today’s draft Scottish Budget, Mary Glasgow, Chief Executive of Children First, Scotland’s national children’s charity, said: “It’s hugely positive to see child poverty being made a top priority in today’s budget.
“The significant funding boost to whole family support and extra resources for third sector organisations will provide a lifeline to families who need help most, right across Scotland.
“But we can’t afford to slow down. Scotland’s legal target to eradicate child poverty demands bold, accelerated action. Life is tougher than ever for many children and families and at Children First we witness this first-hand every day.
“That’s why we urgently need a National Front Door that offers a simple accessible way for families to get the help they need when they need it.”
Children First’s manifesto for the 2026 Holyrood elections calls on the next Scottish Government to deliver a comprehensive offer of whole family support to tackle child poverty and give every family the emotional, practical and financial support they need.
Read the manifesto here: 2026 Holyrood Election Manifesto | Children First
Trussell’s Cara Hilton said: ‘While we welcome the @scotgov‘s £40 SCP rate for babies under 1, we continue to call for an increase to £40 a week for all.
‘Our @TrussellUK data shows food parcels for families with children aged 12-16 in Scotland rose by 7% over the past 5 years. #ScotBudget‘.
Responding to the Scottish Budget and Scottish Spending Review, Anna Fowlie, Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) Chief Executive, said: “Too often and for too long, voluntary organisations that provide vital services to people and communities across Scotland are treated as the poor relation to mainstream public services.
“They have had to contend with budget cuts, short-term funding cycles, late payments, incoherent decision-making, poor communication, inadequate grant management, and more.
“Reform of the voluntary sector funding landscape is long overdue. The Scottish Spending Review is welcome, giving the Government the long-term outlook to make progress on its commitment to deliver improvements, including multi-year funding for Scotland’s voluntary organisations.
“Welcome too is the Scottish Government’s commitment to multi-year funding for sections of the voluntary sector—this shows, again, what is possible.
“Today we had hoped for more than a recommitment to the ‘first step’ announced last February—the Scottish Government’s ‘Fairer Funding’ pilot.
“We know the benefits of multi-year funding: better staffing, stability, and future planning for the services people and communities rely on. The Government’s own research confirms this.
“Multi-year funding alone, however, will not provide the sustainable funding environment the voluntary sector so desperately needs, funding that is flexible, sustainable, and accessible.
“We need to see real progress and recognition of SCVO’s Fair Funding asks beyond multi-year funding. Wider reforms are, unfortunately, now unlikely to be seen before the next parliamentary term.
“In the meantime it is essential that in the weeks following the Scottish Budget the Scottish Government support local authorities and voluntary organisations by meeting their commitments to timely notifications and payments.
“We look forward to further engagement on both Fair Funding and charity regulation in the next parliamentary term.”
Shelter Scotland Director, Alison Watson said: “Social housing delivery in Scotland remains too slow, too little and too late for the more than 10,000 children homeless tonight. Today’s budget doesn’t do enough to change these facts.
“Shona Robison’s budget was an opportunity for Ministers to put their money where their mouth is. On the face of it an additional £34 million for social housing, compared to the most recent budget, is a step in the right direction – but it is not enough.
“The extra money will only deliver 36,000 affordable homes by 2030 – more than 26,000 short of where they say they would need to be to deliver their promise of 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.
“The new Parliament will need a new approach and new money to deliver the social homes needed to reduce homelessness. Homes that the government promised, that academics say we need but for which there is still no credible plan to deliver.
“We must be honest about the real costs of failure. Failing to build the social homes we need means rising homelessness, rising child poverty, rising costs for councils, health boards and the taxpayer.”
Responding to the Scottish Government’s Budget, Debbie Horne, Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age said: “It is disappointing to see nothing new in this Budget to adequately respond to the growing number of older people in poverty.
“One in six pensioners now live in poverty across Scotland, a total of 160,000 older people, and we must see more action to support them.
“We want the Scottish Government to set out a clear, targeted strategy to bring down the alarming number of older people in poverty, increase access to the vital Discretionary Housing Payments that can help older renters meet shortfalls in rent, and increase the social security support available to those on a low income in later life.
“With pensioner poverty at its highest level in nearly 20 years, and likely to continue to rise as our population ages, it’s vital all political parties include measures to bring down the levels of poverty in later life in their manifestos’ ahead of May’s Holyrood elections. In a compassionate and wealthy society, we should all be able to live a financially secure, dignified later life.”
Responding to the Scottish Government’s Budget statement which slashed the 40% discount on business rates bills for pubs at the same time as a rates revaluation will lead to higher bills from 1 April, Stuart McMahon, Director of pubgoers group CAMRA Scotland said: “Pubgoers and publicans simply won’t stand for a Budget which will force more of our locals to go to the wall by landing them with bills they simply can’t afford.
“I fear that slashing the 40% discount on business rates bills for pubs to just 15% at the same time as these bills are increasing will be absolutely disastrous.
“Transitional reliefs may sound good but if this Budget still means higher business rates bills than pubs are paying now then this will be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for many hard-pressed licensees.
“Pubs need permanently lower business rates bills so that they can survive, thrive and play their part as vital community hubs.”
The Scottish Government’s budget announcement of further funding for the college sector, which includes a combined increase of £70 million in resource and capital funding, received a qualified welcome. Principal of Edinburgh College, Audrey Cumberford said: “While this is a welcome step in the right direction for college funding, there is still more that needs to be done.
“This increase will help to undo some of the damage done by years of real terms cuts, but more is needed if we are to ensure the future sustainability of our sector.
“There is now a clear consensus across the political spectrum for better funding for colleges.
“I would urge parties to continue to work together to make sure we unleash the true potential of our sector so we can continue to drive economic growth and improve the lives of Scots across the country.”
Responding to the Scottish government’s 2026-27 budget, announced today by Finance Secretary Shona Robison, RCEM Vice President for Scotland Dr Fiona Hunter said: “Scottish Emergency Departments are in the midst of a crisis born of political apathy towards tackling the difficult problems of social care capacity, delayed discharges and the overall issue of hospital flow.
“Today’s budget indicates once again that the Scottish government understands what the issues are. £2.3bn extra for social care, an uplift in frontline NHS spending, specific targeted action on delayed discharge and local engagement – these are all measures we warmly welcome from the government.
“As well as this, our members will be pleased to hear about improvements to training, retention and working conditions.
“However, we’ve been here before. Time after time the reality in our A&Es has got worse, not better, despite claims from the government that the NHS has been on ‘the path to recovery’ in recent years.
“We are seeing more and more patients waiting alone on trolleys in hospital corridors for hours on end, getting sicker and being put at risk of harm.
“This has happened because exit block has not been tackled, despite promises to the contrary from the government.
“The devil will be in the detail and I will reserve judgement for when myself, and the members I represent, see improvements in our Emergency Departments.
“We look forward to continued engagement with the government on how it seeks to tackle hospital flow, and await further information on how the Health Secretary will take today’s promises and turn them into action and, ultimately, improvements for our patients.”
Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU, said: “This Budget offers some short-term stability for councils, but it ducks the bigger questions about how local government is funded.
There is still no meaningful move towards multi-year settlements, which councils overwhelmingly say they need in order to plan sustainably. Our annual State of Local Government Finance in Scotland research, launched last week, reinforces this.
Incentivising a council tax freeze risks further undermining local fiscal autonomy, while adult social care remains the single biggest pressure on council finances without clear, dedicated funding.
Housing investment is welcome, but spreading it across the country without enabling local flexibility limits its capacity to tackle the areas of greatest need.
Overall, this is a Budget that manages immediate pressures but avoids the structural reform required to put local government finance on a sustainable footing.”
The Existing Homes Alliance (EHA) is a coalition of over 20 housing, environmental, fuel poverty, consumer and industry organisations calling for urgent action to transform Scotland’s existing housing stock.
Lori McElroy, Chair of the Existing Homes Alliance said: “While we welcome the ongoing support to help homeowners, landlords and tenants to make their homes warmer, healthier and more affordable to heat, this remains a drop in the ocean when we have over 800,000 households living in fuel poverty and 44% of Scotland’s homes falling below Energy Performance Certificate band C.
“Scotland has excellent fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes such as Warmer Homes Scotland, Area-based Schemes and the Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund, as well as generous grants through the Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan Scheme, but the gap between what is needed and what is currently being delivered is wide.
“This Budget, as it stands, is a missed opportunity to significantly scale up these programmes which would reduce fuel poverty, improve public health by tackling damp and mould, and prepare the workforce and supply chains needed to deliver our climate change targets – supporting thousands of jobs and economic opportunities across Scotland.”
Joanne Smith, Policy and Public Affairs Manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “For children to thrive, it’s vital that they have the best start in life, and so we are heartened by the Scottish Government’s commitment to increase the Child Payment for under ones. But we are disappointed that young families now will not reap those benefits, with it starting in more than a year’s time.
“We also welcome the Scottish Government’s renewed investment in the whole family support fund and its work to continue to deliver the Promise. But it is so important that in this it recognises the fundamental need for support for very young children, just like the Scottish Child Payment does, so that families get the help they need right from the start.”
Scotland’s Chief Constable Jo Farrell has responded to the Scottish Government’s tax and spending plans for 2026 to 2027.
Chief Constable Farrell said: “I recognise a £90m cash-terms uplift to revenue funding and an improved capital allocation for policing against a challenging public finance picture.
“I set out the funding requirements for policing in evidence during the Criminal Justice Committee’s pre-budget scrutiny work.
“Police Scotland will continue to engage with the Scottish Police Authority and the Scottish Government to understand the full implications of the budget and develop our planning for the year ahead.
“My focus continues to be on prioritising our frontline to deliver safer communities, less crime, and supported victims as part of our vision for policing.”
COSLA: Budget Reality
A former Edinburgh College photography student has been recognised for his outstanding work after winning the Gold Award at the prestigious Association of Photographers Emerging Talent Awards 2025 – with a little bit of help from his granny.
23-year-old Jack Currie graduated from the College in November 2024 after completing the BA (Hons) course in Professional Photography, before moving on to a career as a freelance advertising photographer.
Jack’s work is often inspired by quirky concepts, and it was his picture, “Gangster Granny”, featuring his late grandmother Margaret, that saw him scoop the top prize at the AOP’s annual awards.
Part of a series of digitally altered photographs showing his gran engaging in a range of “dangerous activities”, the striking image, which has already gained considerable attention and has been covered in the likes of The Guardian and Digital Camera World, sees Margaret on a skateboard grinding down a rail.
Jack, who used Photoshop and body doubles to bring the concept to life, says the reality of winning the award is still setting in: “Winning the AOP Emerging Talent Award was something I once only dreamed of. From applying, to being shortlisted, to becoming a finalist, all the way to the awards night itself, I genuinely didn’t think I was going to win.
“I used my own granny for the photo, and she sadly passed away only the week before we won the award. She was thrilled to hear I was a finalist and had every confidence we would win. I guess she was right.”
Jack’s career has followed an impressive trajectory since his graduation, working with companies including Nike, Lidl, Timberland and Birkenstock. He now splits his time working between London and Edinburgh and recently did a photo-shoot with Piers Morgan for a front-page splash on the Telegraph Magazine.
He’s encouraging other budding photographers to consider studying at Edinburgh College, saying it’s the perfect place to learn the craft: “My experience was genuinely amazing. I applied for three places when looking into photography courses, and Edinburgh College by far had the best facilities.
“For me, it didn’t feel like studying; it felt like perfecting my craft, practising, getting critiqued and building my portfolio. With all the lecturers being ex photographers, their insight into how the industry works was huge. Hearing how they did it and seeing what they achieved was a massive motivation boost.
“While still studying, I worked with clients like Schuh, Size?, and Graham’s Dairy. In my second year I flew to New York to collect awards for work I had shot for college briefs.
“And just before I graduated, I signed with a London based agent who still represents me today. There is no way I would have taken the steps I did without the guidance of the lecturers. Their support and their critique shaped me into the photographer I am today.”
Jon Lee, Jack’s former lecturer and course leader for photography at Edinburgh College, isn’t surprised to see his old student picking up the prize: “I’d like to congratulate Jack on his recent award, it’s well-deserved recognition for someone we always knew would go on to experience great success.
“We wish him all the best for his future career, and I’m sure everyone at the College will be keeping a close eye on his work”.
Despite winning such a notable award, Jack has no plans to slow down anytime soon, and has dreams of seeing his work featured in Times Square and Piccadilly Circus. You can keep up to date with Jack on his website.
STUDENTS at Edinburgh College have teamed up with Cancer Research UK on a design project to breathe life into second hand clothes.
Adaptive fashion is clothing designed to be on trend while including features that make dressing easier and more comfortable, including for people with disabilities.
Edinburgh College curriculum team manager, Kim Gunn, said: “We have seen some amazing transformations. “This project showcases exactly what can be done with imagination, creativity and flair.
“I’m proud of the students, of their focus on sustainability and their enthusiasm. It’s been great to collaborate with Cancer Research UK. So many families are touched by cancer so it’s a charity close to all our hearts.”
HND student Calder Ferguson, 35, designed a two-piece skirt and top by combining a dark windbreaker, a pair of blue leggings and a high-vis vest.
His focus was on creating an eye-catching outfit that would make dressing easier for someone with limited mobility. He was inspired by a student he met while on work placement in Brazil.
Calder said: “The client has low finger dexterity so magnet closures and an elasticated waistband were chosen to avoid fiddly fastenings.
“I’ve really enjoyed working on the project and it’s great to see the outfits on show in the shop. I lost my uncle to brain cancer and I know so many families are affected by the disease. It’s good to be able to give something back.”
Freyja Lavender, 19, from Portobello, created a maternity outfit by repurposing a trench coat, a pair of men’s trousers and summer hiking shoes.
Freyja said: “The outfit is designed to make the wearer feel confident, sleek and comfortable all the way through their journey with pregnancy and I hope they’d be able to wear it after the baby was born too.
“Sustainability is important. There are so many clothes already out there in the world. It’s much better for the environment to repurpose clothes rather than buying new clothes all the time. We have a responsibility to do everything we can to protect the environment.”
Mature student Sandra Cameron of Edinburgh made an adaptive garment, specially designed for people with dementia.
The outfit was in memory of her mum, Lily Bathgate who died from dementia in March 2025. It was created using a handbag, shoes, jacket and trousers.
Sandra said: “Dementia robs people of so much of their personality and dignity. “My mum was a vibrant lady who loved colour.
“The clothing items I was given were dark so the first thing I wanted to do was put colour back in by dyeing them. I used magnetic buttons to make the outfit as accessible as possible.”
In Scotland, around 34,800 people are diagnosed with cancer every year*.
Cancer Research UK has been at the heart of the progress that has already seen cancer survival in the UK double in the last 50 years.
Money raised in the charity’s shops helps scientists find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat the disease – to bring about a world where everybody lives longer, better lives, free from the fear of cancer.
Cancer Research UK shop manager, Suzy King, said: “We’re excited to showcase these designs in our Stockbridge shop.
“The students have shown creativity turning donated items in to something special.”
Last year Cancer Research UK spent more than £38m in Scotland on some of the UK’s leading scientific and clinical research.
For more information about Cancer Research UK’s shops, visit: www.cruk.org/shops or follow @CRUKShops on Instagram.
