Tag: Health and wellbeing

Letter to Editor: Supporting veterans’ mental health

Dear Editor,

January can be a particularly challenging time for mental health. The combination of shorter days, colder weather, financial pressures after Christmas, and a sense of anti-climax following the festive period can affect many of us. For members of the veteran community, these challenges can be even more pronounced.

Many veterans face ongoing issues linked to their service, including anxiety, depression, loneliness and difficulty adjusting to civilian life. During the winter months, feelings of isolation can intensify, especially for those living alone or with limited support networks.

At the RAF Benevolent Fund, we see first-hand how vital timely, accessible support can be. We offer a confidential Listening and Counselling Service, providing serving personnel, veterans and their families with a safe space to talk through challenges and access professional support. We are also preparing to launch an online wellbeing portal, which will give easy access to trusted mental health resources and self-help tools.

Loneliness is another major concern at this time of year. To help combat this, we run Telephone Friendship Groups and facilitate local veteran meet-ups across the country, helping people reconnect, share experiences and feel less alone during the darker months. In addition, our financial support can help relieve some of the pressures associated with higher energy bills and living costs over winter, which are often a significant source of stress.

No one in the RAF Family should feel they have to face these challenges alone. Support is available, and reaching out can be the first step towards making a positive change.

For more information, please visit rafbf.org or call 0300 102 1919.

Yours sincerely,

Dave Pinner

Head of Contact and Casework, RAF Benevolent Fund

Supercharging our immune system could tackle cancer

Researchers find new way to “reenergise” immune cells

SUPERCHARGING immune cells could provide an effective way to tackle cancer, according to new research by scientists in Scotland.

The team at the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute in Glasgow studied how the immune system works and why it becomes “exhausted” by cancer.

T cells, which are the immune system’s front line against disease, eventually become overcome by cancer allowing it to grow.

Their research, published in Cell Reports, has identified a potential way to “boost” T cells, a key defence against cancer.

Lead researcher Professor Victoria Cowling, of the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute and University of Glasgow, said: “T cells need to rapidly multiply and produce proteins to fight off infections. That requires a huge amount of energy.

“We’ve discovered that a little-known enzyme, called CMTR1, helps switch on the energy supply by changing how certain genes work.

“If we can find ways to boost this process, we could improve how the immune system responds to cancer which could be a game-changer in how we treat the disease.”

CMTR1 plays a vital role in energising T cells, acting as a switch to help the immune cells ramp up their energy production.

The team found that CMTR1 tweaks the instructions inside cells — known as RNA — so that the right versions of energy-related proteins are made.

These proteins help shape the mitochondria, which are like tiny batteries inside cells. With the right shape, mitochondria can produce more energy, helping T cells stay strong and active.

Without CMTR1, the mitochondria break apart and don’t work properly, leaving T cells weak and unable to fight off infections effectively. With CMTR1 present, T cells have more energy allowing them to proliferate and fight infection.

Next steps would be to identify new or existing treatments which increase CMTR1 to give exhausted T cells the power to tackle cancer cells.

Cancer Research UK Director of Research, Dr Catherine Elliott, said: “Scientific breakthroughs like this have the potential to transform how we see and, crucially, how we treat cancer.

“Our immune system is a key area of cancer research and scrutinising how it works can help create real-world impact for those affected by cancer.”

In Scotland, around 34,800* people are diagnosed with cancer each year, with around 16,400** people dying from the disease annually, so finding new ways to tackle the disease is vital.

The study was funded by Cancer Research UK, the European Research Council, the Medical Research Council, and the Wellcome Trust.

NHS 24: When should you call 111?

📞 Wondering when to call 111? Here’s what you need to know:

For minor illnesses like colds or sore throats, your local pharmacy is the best place for advice and treatment. Call 111 when you need urgent health advice but it’s not an emergency.

Know your options and get the right care, at the right time.

https://nhs24.info/when-to-phone-111

New Youth Group at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre

New youth group starting at Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre next Wednesday (14th January) between 4pm – 5pm.

This is open to any young people aged 8 – 12 who are struggling with socialising or confidence, whether that be due to learning disabilities, mental health or other factors.

If you are interested please contact Roz on 07483420441 / roz.leahy@enable.org.uk

This new service is being run by Enable Communities

@enable youth

@Roz enable

Resident Doctors’ strike action averted in Scotland

Unions consider revised pay and contract reform offer

Resident Doctors have called off proposed strike action across Scotland after the British Medical Association (BMA) Scottish Resident Doctors Committee agreed to ballot members on an offer of 4.25% in 2025-26 and 3.75% in 2026-27.

The committee is recommending that their members accept the two-year pay deal offered by the Scottish Government – that matches one already accepted by nurses and other healthcare staff – alongside a separate package of contractual reform.

The combined offer will see an 8.16% cumulative pay uplift over two years and an additional investment in contractual reform over the same period.

The total investment in the offer for both pay and contract reform over the two-year period will be £133 million. The BMA will now consult their members on the deal with planned industrial action on 13 January no longer going ahead. 

Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “It is great news that we have reached an agreement that has allowed next week’s industrial action to be halted.

“This avoids the cancelled operations and disruption to patient care that no one, including resident doctors, wanted to see. Days of intensive and constructive talks have got us here and I thank the BMA, and my team, for getting us to this point.

“The combined offer will see the same pay deal which nurses and NHS support staff agreed. It also includes additional investment in contractual reform over the same period, providing a total investment of £133 million over this time. 

“It further underlines our commitment to the 2023 pay and contract reform agreement. I hope Resident Doctors will now vote to accept.” 

Easy Read Consultation: Have your say about access to NHS 24 services

Do you have a sensory or speech impairment? Please share your views and experiences of accessing NHS 24 services to help improve them.

The consultation closes on Friday 30 January 2026.

Take part in the survey: https://tinyurl.com/yfs9n39d

Easy Read version: https://tinyurl.com/au4vdp2z

We are proud that our team has produced this Easy Read version, helping more people have their voices heard. 🌟

#Accessibility

#EasyRead

#Inclusion

#NHS24

#DisabilityEquality

#MakeYourVoiceHeard

St Columba’s Hospice Care announces opening of Manor House Therapies

We’re proud to announce the official opening of Manor House Therapies, a new social enterprise providing high-quality, holistic wellbeing treatments while directly supporting hospice services across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Housed in a beautiful B-listed villa in Trinity with stunning views across the Firth of Forth, Manor House Therapies offers clients a unique and serene setting for a range of accessible services that support mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

Treatments include massage therapies, reflexology, and facials, and a dedicated counselling service. Every therapy purchased contributes to sustaining essential hospice care for patients, families and the wider community.

The new venture also plans to collaborate with organisations such as Edinburgh College and Complementary Therapy School (CTS) to provide training and work experience opportunities for young people and those retraining in the therapies industry, helping them develop skills and progress in their careers.

As an independent business, Manor House Therapies offers the public a professional, welcoming environment where wellbeing and social purpose go hand in hand.

Jackie Stone, CEO of St Columba’s Hospice Care, said: “Manor House Therapies demonstrates the innovative approaches we are taking to support our community.

“At a time when funding across the hospice sector is increasingly challenging, we see initiatives like this as an important way to help sustain the delivery of compassionate, specialist care for people across Edinburgh and the Lothians into the future.”

Manor House Therapies is now open for bookings. For more information, visit manorhousetherapies.org.uk or contact enquiries@manorhousetherapies.org.uk.

First Minister visits Cyrenians In Reach Service at NHS Lothian

NHS Lothian was pleased to welcome the First Minister to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh recently to visit the Cyrenians In Reach Service at NHS Lothian.

The service supports patients in hospital experiencing homelessness to complete treatment and secure suitable housing. The visit came as the Scottish Government announced an additional £40,000 for the In Reach service across NHS Lothian’s three hospitals.

The First Minister, John Swinney, said: “The Cyrenians In Reach Hospital service is absolutely vital for Edinburgh, supporting the most vulnerable patients at risk of homelessness and ensuring they have a home to go to once their treatment is completed.

“Meeting staff and former patients today has given me a key insight into how the service works and the vital role it plays. The further £40,000 from the Scottish Government will ensure it can be expanded to accommodate even more patients, most of whom are also experiencing poor mental health.

“Improving public services is a key priority for the Scottish Government and services such as this play an essential role in supporting our hospitals, local authorities and third partners to reduce rates of homelessness.”

Caroline Hiscox, Chief Executive for NHS Lothian, said: “Working with the Cyrenians Hospital In-Reach service helps us ensure patients experiencing homelessness can leave hospital safely, recover well and reduce preventable readmissions.

“We look forward to supporting this important partnership to expand.”

Chief Executive of Cyrenians Ewan Aitken said: “Homelessness majorly affects people’s health. Studies show that those who have experienced homelessness are three times as likely to be admitted to hospital, and for three times as long.

“Cyrenians Hospital InReach team have been tackling this huge public health issue for nearly five years now – reducing readmissions by three thirds.

“Thanks to this additional funding, we’ll be able to help even more people get the direct support they need, when they need it, find suitable accommodation, and stop the revolving door of hospital and homelessness.”