Tag: Health and wellbeing

A helping hand for families

Support with extra costs over the school holidays

Families across Scotland are being encouraged to check what financial and community support they may be entitled to as expenses rise over the summer break. 

When schools close, many families face increased financial pressure on household budgets, including the cost of food, childcare, clothing and activities. Ongoing cost of living challenges can also make this time of year particularly difficult.

Social Security Scotland provides a range of payments to help families with everyday costs. These include Best Start Foods, a prepaid card worth up to £44.80 per child every four weeks to help buy healthy food, and Scottish Child Payment, worth over £112 every four weeks for each eligible child. 

Families who receive free school meals may also receive support to access food during school holidays through their local authority. This is alongside a nationwide summer of sport, with free and low cost activities – including football, rugby, padel, swimming, cycling and athletics – to be hosted by schools, clubs, sporting bodies and local authorities. 

Community organisations are also on hand to help. Home-Start, located across Scotland, provides practical and emotional support to parents, helping them build confidence, reduce isolation and create positive experiences for their children during the holidays and throughout the year.   

Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The Scottish Government is committed to eliminating child poverty and offers the best cost of living support package in the UK. Our social security support for families could be worth around £26,000 by the time a child turns 16.  

“We’re also providing £21 million to local authorities to help support families on low incomes during the school holidays, so that children can continue to eat well, stay active and enjoy their summer.

“I encourage every family to check what they could be entitled to. There is support out there – not just over the summer, but all year round.” 

Eliza Waye, Home-Start Strategic Lead for Scotland said: “We know that the holidays can be long for families, with additional childcare expenses, food costs and keeping the children entertained.  For many families, opportunities for big holidays or even day trips can feel out of reach.   

“At Home-Start we provide one to one and group support, providing a nurturing environment and opportunities for families to have fun and create happy memories that last a lifetime.  Together with support like Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Foods, this can transform the summer months for families.” 

Hiba, a parent of three children from Knightwood, Glasgow, added: “The support from the Scottish Child Payment and Home-Start helps us afford more summer activities for our children.  

“It gives them opportunities to have fun, make friends, and feel more connected to their community.  This support makes the summer holidays a much happier time for our family.” 

Families can find out more about Social Security Scotland support alongside wider help available by visiting www.costofliving.campaign.gov.scot 

Six tips to kickstart the day as a third of people in Edinburgh are completely inactive in the morning

Kickstarting your day with simple morning rituals can help you feel energised and focused. Yet new data from Kellogg’s revealed that almost a third of people in Edinburgh (31%) are completely inactive in the morning.

Improving health is the biggest motivation for moving more, with more than a quarter (28%) saying it’s their main driver*.

Breakfast still plays a functional role for over half (53%) of those in Edinburgh, who eat it to fuel themselves for the day*. Although this isn’t the only factor to help beat the afternoon slump, as staying energised rarely comes down to a quick fix.

Lejla Damon, Senior Brand Manager from Kellogg’s, shares six tips to help Glaswegians improve their morning routine and embrace the day ahead:

Rave-olution

Waking up with a song and a dance can really boost those dopamine levels, leaving you feeling on top of the world. Seeing some friendly faces and listening to great tunes, paired with a balanced breakfast, is a recipe for success. Research* shows that dance sparks feel good vibes of joy (29%), energy (36%), freedom (25%) and even a touch of nostalgia (15%) for individuals in Edinburgh. Morning raves are really having a moment – especially with the over-50s – and are a fantastic way to wake up. Six in ten indiiduals in Edinburgh (60%) admitted they’d be keen to try new activities, so look out for events in your local area – you won’t regret it!

Light Movement

Starting your day with some light movement and exercise is one of life’s simplest mood boosters – and you don’t have to break the bank to do it. Sure, a gym or Pilates class can help you feel energised from the outset, but don’t underestimate the benefits of a brisk walk and exposure to natural sunlight. Almost a third of people in Edinburgh (31%) admit they are completely inactive in the morning, with nearly half (45%) opting for a walk over other types of physical activity, take advantage of those brighter mornings with a stroll around your local area. It’s a great way to get your steps in and help to focus your mind for the day ahead.

Never Hit Snooze

By mid-morning, almost four in ten individuals in Edinburgh (37%) feel ‘fine’ but admit they could feel better. Hitting snooze in the morning can be extremely tempting – we’ve all been there. But it’s known to throw off your body clock, which can sometimes lead to grogginess that lasts well into the morning. Try placing your phone or alarm clock on the other side of the room so you’re forced to spring out of bed to silence it. This breaks the three-second habit of hitting snooze and creates a gap so you can consciously choose to stay awake. Natural sunlight is also a fantastic alarm clock, so keep the blinds slightly open to boost alertness in the mornings. And, of course, don’t underestimate the night before. Put yourself on a digital curfew 30 minutes before you go to sleep, allowing the brain to switch off. 

Routine is Key

Morning routines are necessary because they can provide structure and a clear mind for the rest of the day, helping to reduce stress first thing. Having small habits provides an early sense of achievement before you take on the day. If you don’t have the time to get out for a walk or workout, take 15 minutes to do some sort of movement at home, at your own pace. A few jumping jacks or light stretching will do the trick – or a quick dance! And if you have a garden, get outside and embrace the natural sunlight. It’s known to be a great mood booster.

Morning Fuel

Breakfast is an important start to the day, with more than half of those in Edinburgh (53%) saying they eat it to fuel themselves for the day. It is widely recognised by global nutrition organisations that those who eat breakfast cereal on a regular basis tend to have better overall nutrition intakes and diet quality compared to those who don’t1.

Many cereals are fortified with vitamins and minerals, providing sources of important micronutrients such as iron, folic acid and vitamin D1, and in most cases provide a source of fibre or are high in fibre – something which most UK adults continue to fall short of in their daily diets2. So, why not start your morning with a high fibre breakfast cereal, such as Kellogg’s Special K Original, which is fortified with a range of vitamins to help support energy** when consumed as part of a varied and balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Positive Mindset

Positive thinking first thing in the morning can lead to a positive attitude and a brighter mood for the rest of the day, helping you tackle whatever life throws at you. A good morning routine is not just about what you do, but how it makes you feel. It’s about creating small, positive habits that add up to a big difference in your overall wellbeing.

Walk4Hope brings support and connection to Scots living with secondary breast cancer

People across central Scotland living with secondary breast cancer will come together in Falkirk this summer for a gentle, supportive walk designed to boost their physical and emotional wellbeing.

Make 2nds Count works across the UK to support those affected by secondary, or metastatic, breast cancer – a condition that can be treated but not cured.

The charity focuses on improving access to tailored support and funding research to extend and improve quality of life. Each year, it directly supports around 2,000 patients and reaches thousands more through education and advocacy.

The event, called Walk4Hope, will bring patients, families and friends together at Falkirk’s Helix Park for a relaxed walk around an accessible 5K route designed with participants’ needs in mind.

Walk4Hope encourages movement while offering a chance to connect with others facing similar challenges. By creating a welcoming environment outdoors, the event aims to lift mood, increase energy and foster a sense of community among those taking part.

The event has been made possible thanks in part to a £493 grant from the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, which will cover the cost of hiring the park for the day and pay for the presence of adequate first aid facilities.

Lianne Bryce, Lead Regional Fundraising Manager for Make 2nds Count, said: “The kind donation from Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust will allow us to deliver our Walk4Hope event in Scotland, bringing together our patient community, friends and family for a gentle 5K walk in the beautiful Helix Park in Falkirk.

“This 5K stroll offers significant benefits, serving as an accessible, low-impact movement to promote physical well-being, boost mood and increase energy levels. Furthermore, the event creates a supportive community setting that enhances emotional well-being, providing participants with a valuable sense of connection, empathy and companionship.”

Gerry Facenna, founder of Allied Vehicles and Trustee of the Allied Vehicles Charitable Trust, said: “Cancer affects every family in Scotland, and is a cause very close to my own heart.

“Make 2nds Count is doing important work to support people facing incredibly difficult circumstances. We are pleased to help bring Walk4Hope to Scotland, giving people the chance to come together and support one another.”

Walk4Hope is expected to bring a strong sense of togetherness to all involved, offering connection and support to those who need it most.

First Minister launches £36.9m fund to reduce drug and alcohol deaths

Three-year investment to support prevention, treatment and recovery across Scotland

First Minister John Swinney will today call for a new collective approach to reduce deaths and harms from drugs and alcohol, as he addresses a summit on drugs deaths in Edinburgh.

It comes as a new Alcohol and Drugs Fund, which will provide £36.9 million to frontline services and organisations working with people affected by alcohol and drugs, is launched. 

The summit, organised by Public Health Scotland, will bring together health board chief executives, local authority leaders, justice representatives and third-sector partners alongside people with experience of drug and alcohol use, including representatives from family organisations and recovery groups.

Speaking ahead of the event, the First Minister said: “This new fund will provide more than £36 million over the next three years, supporting prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery.

“It will reach organisations of all sizes – from grassroots groups to larger partnerships – with particular emphasis on improving support for children, young people, and families. I have heard from the third sector about the need for stability and longer-term support – this multi-year funding recognises that.

“We have increased residential rehab capacity, with funded placements now close to our 1,000 target, set new treatment standards, opened The Thistle – the UK’s first safer drug consumption facility – and improved surveillance of the most potent and dangerous drugs entering circulation.

“But it is clear we now require a different collective approach and we need to go further. I am determined we make the change and new ways of working needed – and I am focused on confronting the need for reform of how our public services deliver.

“I am clear there should be a ‘no wrong door’ approach. If someone needs help, our system should be easy and quick to navigate – wrapping around the person rather than making people fit into the system.”

The fund is open to third-sector organisations and public bodies working directly with people who use alcohol and drugs, people in recovery, and their children and families.

It supports delivery of the Alcohol and Drugs Strategic Plan 2026–35, a joint Scottish Government and COSLA initiative backed by more than £160 million in 2026–27, which sets out a 10-year approach to reducing deaths and harms caused by alcohol and drugs.

Corra Foundation Chief Executive Carolyn Sawers said: “It is a privilege for Corra to deliver this fund on behalf of the Scottish Government. High-quality support for people affected by drugs and alcohol is vital to collective efforts to reducing harms, realising rights and supporting recovery.

“Corra looks forward to working closely alongside people with lived and living experience of drugs and alcohol as we deliver this fund.”

Preventing Harm, Promoting Recovery: Scotland’s Alcohol & Drugs Strategic Plan 2026 – 2035

MyCare.scot available on app store

Next step in programme to deliver UK’s most comprehensive health and care app

The MyCare.scot app can now be downloaded onto smartphones, giving people across Scotland direct access to their health information on their phone. 

The first version of the free app will allow people to view their medications and allergies, check their vaccination history and use the national service finder to find local health and wellbeing services. 

It follows the successful roll-out of a web-based service that began in NHS Lanarkshire in December 2025 and began roll-out nationally in April. The app will continue to develop through to 2030, to enable users to check appointments, provide information about themselves and receive digital letters through MyCare.scot. When fully delivered, it will provide the most comprehensive health and care app in the UK, integrating health and social care services into one space.

The long-term delivery of MyCare.scot will also support the Government’s ambitions to deliver a new NHS national booking system within this Parliamentary term.

Speaking on a visit to meet staff and patients using MyCare.scot in Lanarkshire, Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “The availability of MyCare.scot on the app store is an important milestone in this government’s programme to give people a single, secure digital access point to their personal health information.  

“I am clear that our NHS in Scotland will never be for sale. That is why the app has been developed within the public sector, protecting the privacy of patient medical records and ensuring best value for the taxpayer. 

“Over time, MyCare.scot will make it easier to manage appointments, reduce the need for patients to retell their story, order prescriptions, and gain access to the information they need to help them stay well and supported. It will also be integrated with Scotland’s social care and social work system.” 

Karen Reid, Chief Executive of Public Services Delivery Scotland said: “MyCare.scot is about beginning to make it simpler for people in Scotland to access their own health and social care information, in a way that is secure and easy to use. The new mobile app is an important step forward, helping people find what they need quickly, to inform their care.

“Public Services Delivery Scotland is leading this work to bring information together in one place and create a more joined-up, consistent experience. We will continue to improve MyCare.scot based on what people tell us they need.”

COSLA Health and Social Care spokesperson Councillor Paul Kelly said: “The launch of the MyCare.scot mobile app is a significant step forward in our shared ambition with the Scottish Government to improve outcomes across health, social work and social care. Crucially, this is just the beginning.

“Work is already ongoing to expand MyCare.scot into social work and social care, advancing our vision of truly integrated, person-centred services. This will give people across Scotland greater choice and control over their care, helping to build a more sustainable system fit for the digital age.” 

MyCare.scot rollout plan 

Men’s Health Week

MEN’S HEALTH MATTERS

Men’s mental health matters. 💜

This week is Men’s Health Week and it is all about encouraging men to take steps to look after both their physical and mental health, as well as breaking the stigma around asking for help. 🧠

For more support for men check out the organisations signposted or visit our website: mentalhealth.org.uk💻

#MensHealthWeek

#MensMentalHealth

#MentalHealthAwareness

#SupportMen

#BreakTheStigma

Local charity celebrates carers and highlights vital support available across the city

This Carers Week (9–15 June), Edinburgh charity LifeCare is celebrating the extraordinary contribution of unpaid carers and encouraging more people to access the help available to them.

Every day, thousands of unpaid carers across Edinburgh provide practical, emotional and personal care to family members, friends, neighbours and loved ones. Many do not recognise themselves as carers, yet they play a vital role in helping people remain independent, connected and well within their communities.

LifeCare has been supporting local people for 85 years and, since launching its dedicated carers wellbeing programme in 2022, has welcomed hundreds of unpaid carers through free wellbeing activities, social opportunities and peer support. The charity also provides more than 19,200 hours of respite each year, helping carers take a break from their responsibilities, focus on their own wellbeing and recharge.

As pressure on health and social care services continues, unpaid carers are increasingly carrying greater responsibility for those they care for. LifeCare sees first-hand the impact this can have on carers’ physical health, mental wellbeing and social connections.

Through free activities including exercise, yoga, meditation, creative arts, massage, hairdressing and social gatherings, carers are given the opportunity to do something for themselves while connecting with others who understand the realities of caring.

Recent feedback highlights the difference these activities make. Ninety per cent of carers said the programme gives them something positive to look forward to, 86% said it allows them to do something for themselves, and 81% reported meeting others in similar situations, helping reduce isolation and build lasting friendships.

One unpaid carer said:

“It would not have been possible for me to care without these classes. I have made friends, learned new skills and taken care of myself when I didn’t feel like it.”

Another added:

“Without LifeCare and the classes I would be completely isolated. Most of my friendships have arisen through LifeCare carers classes.”

LifeCare would like to thank the Short Breaks Fund, administered by Shared Care Scotland, whose generous funding has helped make these free health and wellbeing activities possible for local unpaid carers.

To hear directly from a local carer and learn more about the growing importance of unpaid carers, watch LifeCare’s special Carers Week video on social media and discover why these activities have become a lifeline for so many people.

Find Out More

If you regularly help a family member, friend or neighbour because of age, illness, disability, frailty or a long-term condition, you may be an unpaid carer.

To find out more about LifeCare’s free activities and support for unpaid carers, call 0131 343 0940, visit our website or pop into the LifeCare Hub on Cheyne Street, Stockbridge.

Independent review to improve maternity care

Christine McCourt announced as chair

Maternal and child health expert Professor Christine McCourt is to lead a review into improving maternity services across Scotland.

Health Secretary Angela Constance announced the appointment in an update to Parliament.

Professor McCourt will examine how maternity services can better meet women’s needs across the country, including how care is provided in rural and island areas. This will include specific review of services in Caithness, Elgin and Wigtownshire.

The review will also address the higher maternal mortality rates of Black and Asian women, informed directly by the voices of Black and Asian women.

Professor McCourt will review how NHS boards engage meaningfully with their communities on decisions they make about maternity services.

The full scope and terms of reference will be published by the Chair and is expected to focus on the views and experiences of women, their families and staff.

Ms Constance said: “Every woman in Scotland deserves safe, compassionate and high-quality maternity care, regardless of where she lives.

“I am pleased Professor McCourt will lead our review. She will consult with clinical experts and engage with families and patient groups, including those in rural and island areas such as Caithness, Elgin and Wigtownshire.

“This independent review fulfils a commitment we made for our first 100 days in government. It will build on improvements already being made in the NHS, including the maternity standards launched earlier this year. It will be carried out at pace and completed within nine months.

“I am clear this review will deliver real and tangible change for women and their families.”

Professor McCourt said: “Positive maternity experiences and outcomes are vital for our health and wellbeing.

“I look forward to listening and learning from families and communities across Scotland, as well as from those who provide dedicated care in our NHS.

“This will help draw out lessons for maternity and neonatal services and contribute to ensuring the best possible care for all.”

Delivering GP walk-in services

Five more centres to open in first 100 days of new government

A new GP walk-in service will open in the centre of Aberdeen later this month, Health Secretary Angela Constance has announced.

Based within Aberdeen Health Village on Frederick Street, the new clinic will open on 23 June for any member of the public to attend, with no appointment necessary.

The service will be open on a phased basis initially, run by GPs, Advanced Nurse Practitioners and nurses, offering same day care and treatment for minor illnesses.

The Aberdeen city centre site will be the seventh GP walk-in service across Scotland to open since the start of the year, and the first of the five centres the Scottish Government has committed to open in its first 100 days.

Walk-in centres have opened in Edinburgh, Dundee, Western Isles, Stranraer, Lerwick and Hawick in just over four months and speaking on a visit to the site of the Aberdeen GP walk-in service, Health Secretary Angela Constance said: “The new walk-in centre in the heart of Aberdeen city centre will be an asset to local health services in the area and plans are progressing at pace to welcome patients from the 23rd June. 

“We know that accessing GP services on the day, when you need urgent care, can be a source of frustration. That’s why we have opened GP-led walk-in services across the country to support with on the day care to address the ‘8am rush’ and relieve pressure on GP surgeries – freeing up capacity to focus on complex and long-term care.

“We value the key role and expertise that GPs have to play in people’s care. We are underpinning that by increasing investment in general practice by £531 million over three years to significantly boost recruitment from this year, helping to deliver the capacity needed to improve services for patients.”

Emma King, Primary Care Lead for Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership, said: “We are pleased to welcome the Cabinet Secretary to the Aberdeen GP walk-in centre as we make the final preparations for opening to the public later this month.

2We are looking forward to getting to work and testing this new approach to improving access to same-day care.”

16 GP walk-in services were planned initially, backed by £36 million of investment. Five of these, including the one in Aberdeen, are due to open within the first 100 days of this government.

A process to identify 14 more sites, to a total of 30, is currently underway.

Initial 16 planned GP walk-in sites

Phase One

  • Wester Hailes, Edinburgh – NHS Lothian
  • Lochee GP Practice, Dundee – NHS Tayside
  • Benbecula – NHS Western Isles
  • Stranraer – NHS Dumfries and Galloway
  • Lerwick – NHS Shetland
  • Hawick – NHS Borders
  • Invergordon – NHS Highland
  • Dunoon – NHS Highland
  • Aberdeen – NHS Grampian
  • Cardonald, Glasgow – NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
  • Moray – NHS Grampian
  • Aberdeenshire – NHS Grampian
  • Sauchie, Alloa – NHS Forth Valley

Phase Two

  • East Ayrshire, NHS Ayrshire and Arran
  • Clydesdale, NHS Lanarkshire
  • Central Fife, NHS Fife

Locations for an additional 14 additional GP walk-in sites, taking the total number of planned services to 30, will be announced within the first 100 days of the new Scottish Government.

Healing Arts week events to celebrate the health benefits of the arts

Delegates from across the world will unite in Scotland from 15 – 19 June for a weeklong celebration of the role of arts in improving health and wellbeing.

The second iteration of Healing Arts Scotland will include flagship days in Shetland, Lewis & Harris, Dumfries & Galloway, Glasgow and a National Conference in Edinburgh, alongside creative health community activities across the country.

Tickets are on sale now, find your nearest event and book here.

Building on the success of 2024, which included 376 events across Scotland and influenced national policy, Healing Arts Scotland 2026 will include an international conference, artist commissions, exhibitions, concerts, workshops, and an artist-led communications campaign promoting the arts as a ‘health behavior’, much like exercise, sleep and good nutrition.

Speakers and delegates from across the globe including Singapore, Japan, USA, Spain, Denmark, Norway, and Ukraine will gather to share their research and findings of the lasting health benefits the arts, with a focus on three key themes:

1.     Arts, Health and Environment: the role of the arts to support community engagement with nature and address the health impacts of climate change.

2.     Innovation in Arts & Health: Arts-based health interventions created using innovation and technology to improve lives and build communities

3.     Arts & Health Across the Life Stages: National programs featuring intergenerational activities, prevention & youth led initiatives

This national event coincides with the 2026 release of Professor Daisy Fancourt’s best-selling book Art Cure: The Science of How the Arts Transforms our Health; the publication in May of a landmark report from University College London linking engagement in arts with a slower pace of ageing; and the pre-launch of a UK Arts & Health: The Time is Now policy brief by the Jameel Arts & Health Lab and National Centre for Creative Health.

Speakers at the event will include Assistant Vice President of NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine Program, Larissa Trinder; inaugural People’s Artist of New York City, Yazmany Arboleda; Chief Officer, Public Health Scotland, Manira Ahmed; Director of Research initiatives for the Center for Arts in Medicine at the University of Florida, Dr. Jill Sonke; Edinburgh International Festival Director, Nicola Benedetti; Jameel Arts & Health Lab Co-Directors, Dr. Nils Fietje (WHO Europe), Dr.  Nisha Sajnani (NYU Steinhardt) and Stephen Stapleton (CULTRUNNERS); and Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer, Prof. Sir Gregor Smith, whose annual Realistic Medicine Conference will close the week with a focus on the impact of arts in healthcare settings.

Performers from Oi Musica, Karaback, Samba Y Bamba, Scottish Ballet, TRYST and the Youth Pipe Band gather outside the Scottish Parliament for a public performance to mark the start of Healing Arts Scotland, a country-wide celebration of arts and health.

Nicola Benedetti, who was recently appointed the first Global Ambassador for Healing Arts, commented: “Through my work with the Edinburgh International Festival, I see every day the profound role that artistic experiences can play in bringing people together, opening space for reflection and fostering a sense of belonging.

“To contribute to this global “Healing Arts” conversation is a responsibility we all share, to ensure that creativity in all its forms, is recognised as an essential part of a healthier, more connected society.” 

Healing Arts Scotland is part of the Jameel Arts & Health Lab’s global Healing Arts campaign, in collaboration with the World Health Organization, and spearheaded by a coalition of organizations bridging culture, healthcare, education and policy, including Scottish Government, Public Health Scotland, Creative Scotland, National Galleries Scotland, Scottish Ballet, Arts Culture Health & Wellbeing Scotland, International Teaching Artists Collaborative (ITAC) and NHS Scotland. Core funding has been provided by Creative Scotland and the Jameel Arts & Health Lab, with in-kind support from partners across Scotland.

Dr. Nils Fietje from WHO Regional Office for Europe commented: “It is wonderful to see colleagues from across the Scottish Government and the health and culture sectors uniting to bring the healing power of the arts to wider communities than ever before.

“Scotland is a vibrant place for arts and health that is constantly inspiring new initiatives across the world.”