As Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May 2025) begins Scotland’s children’s charity is urging parents and carers across Edinburgh to call their support line if they are worried about their child’s mental health.
A recent survey commissioned by the charity showed a staggering 92% of children and young people aged 11-25 in Scotland were worried about mental health. The same survey showed less than one in four children believed childhood is better now than when their parents were young.
Last year more than two thirds of the people who contacted Children First’s national support line were worried about a child’s emotional wellbeing.
From mental health, money worries and online harm, to struggles at school, the charity’s support line offers emotional, practical and financial support to any family in Scotland.
Last year Children First’s support line gave expert, confidential advice to more than 2,500 families and supported over 9,400 people in 2024.
Simon McGowan, Assistant Director at Children First, said: “Every day our support line team are helping more and more families who are desperately worried about their child’s mental health.
“No family should struggle alone. Whatever your concern about your child, we are here to help. Our friendly team can provide expert support and advice that can make all the difference.
“Call us on the Children First support line on 08000 28 22 33 or start a webchat at childrenfirst.org.uk.”
One mum who called Children First’s support line in a desperate plea for help and worried sick about the mental health of her daughter, Orla*, said: “I honestly don’t know what I’d do without the Children First support line.”
Orla was only 14 when she tried to end her life. Support from Jess*, a recovery worker at Children First, has resulted in Orla feeling less anxious and more positive about the future.
If you live in Scotland call the Children First support line on 08000 28 22 33 free, visit www.childrenfirst.org.uk for advice and support, or start a webchat.
Exercise isn’t just about hitting the gym or going for a run, it is any movement that gets your muscles working and burns energy. No matter your age, fitness level or ability, there is something for everyone. Lauren Hewitt, Registered Associate Nutritionist at Heart Research UK, breaks down the benefits of physical activity and simple ways to get started.
Many people believe physical activity is a scheduled “workout,” but it can take various forms. Walking to the shops, gardening, dancing around the kitchen, or carrying heavy shopping bags all count.
The key is finding what works best for you, so regular movement becomes part of your routine.
How much physical activity should you aim to do?
If you’re an adult, the World Health Organisation recommends that you carry out at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity physical activity per week. Muscle-strengthening activities are also advised for two or more days a week to reduce time spent sedentary.
Lauren Hewitt, Registered Associate Nutritionist at Heart Research UK, says: “Moderate-intensity physical activity can be described as any activity that increases your breathing rate, makes you feel warmer and raises your heart rate.
“You can measure this during any physical activity by seeing if you can talk comfortably, but shouldn’t be able to sing. This could include brisk walking, cycling or mowing the lawn.
“Vigorous-intensity physical activity is when you’re breathing hard and fast, but won’t be able to say more than a few words without gasping for breath. This includes exercise such as running, team sports or aerobics.”
Your heart is the hardest-working muscle in your body, beating over three billion times over your lifetime. By meeting or exceeding these recommendations, you’re helping keep your heart beating longer.
How does physical activity benefit your heart?
Like the rest of the muscles in your body, your heart needs to be worked out to stay healthy. Physical inactivity leads to a 24% higher risk of coronary heart disease.
Lauren explains: “Regular physical activity can strengthen your heart and reduce your blood pressure. As your heart becomes stronger, it pumps blood more efficiently, needing less effort to circulate it throughout your body. This can help lower your blood pressure and reduce strain on your arteries.
“Regular physical activity can also improve blood sugar control and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes – a major cardiovascular risk factor. When you’re active, your body becomes more sensitive to insulin, allowing your muscles to use blood sugar more effectively for energy.
“When you are physically active, your cholesterol will begin to alter. Your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels may lower and your HDL (good) cholesterol levels may increase. You will burn fat and build muscle, which will help keep your heart healthy. Ultimately, physical activity is essential for a healthy heart.”
What about the benefits for the rest of your body?
Regular physical activity will help build cardiovascular endurance and muscular strength, improving flexibility and balance. Any activity that increases heart rate and blood flow will release endorphins, raising your energy levels and mood. Moderate-intensity activities such as brisk walking, jogging or tennis have been found to release the most endorphins.
Increasing your physical exertion levels will improve sleep quality and duration. Physical activity can also improve anxiety and depression by reducing the amount of stress hormones in your body, acting as a stress reliever. All aspects of your health are connected – these added benefits directly support your heart.
How can you add physical activity to your life?
Start with small daily changes to boost your activity and build healthy habits. This could be taking the stairs, walking instead of driving or standing on public transport. Over time, these simple and small actions become part of your everyday life.
“It’s important that you get involved in physical activity safely and at the right ability for you,” Lauren says. “Gradually build up your activity and work your way up to 30 to 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
“Don’t try to do all your exercise in one day, make sure you spread it out over the week. This will help you to avoid injuries, get your body used to new movements and be on your way to meeting the physical activity guidelines.
“Before and after any exercise, make sure you perform a warm-up or cool-down with gentle stretches or walking to prevent injury. Take breaks when you feel fatigued and keep hydrated during your activity, this will help you stay active throughout the week without making you feel unwell.
“If you don’t feel good one day, then take a rest day where needed before starting again.”
Motivation is key to setting goals and tracking progress. This will help you increase your physical activity and stick to a routine. You could monitor the number of steps you do each day or how long you’ve been active.
Remember, any increases in your physical activity levels mean that you’re improving your heart health. Download our Meals and Movement Journal here to track your daily physical activity.
Physical activity is a powerful way to protect your heart with small daily changes, it can make a big difference. To make it easy, download our ‘Design Your Own Home Workout’ and start moving toward a healthier heart today.
We’re heading to Cammo Estate for a peaceful walk through woods and open parkland.
We’ll meet at the DNC at 10am and take the bus number 47 to the entrance, or you can meet us there at the Cammo gates on the main road pedestrian entrance for 10:45am (What3words composers.salads.serves)
We’ll stop for a picnic – please bring a rucksack and water bottle.
Easy level walk
All welcome – come enjoy the fresh air and good company!
On Wednesday, May 14, 10 – 11:30am, Mindroom, a leading Edinburgh based charity that champions all forms of neurodiversityand works to improve the quality of life for neurodivergent people by removing barriers, increasing opportunities and shaping a more accessible world, will launch ‘Thriving Workplaces: A Practical Guide to Neuroinclusion’ with a free-to-attend online event .
The guide – developed through a collaborative partnership with Neuroinclusion at Work partners and the Prince Couple’s Foundation in Sweden – brings together real voices to offer meaningful insights into creating more inclusive workplaces.
Registrations to the online event now open: Wednesday, May 14, 10 – 11:30am
Mindroom, a leading charity that champions all forms of neurodiversity and works to improve the quality of life for neurodivergent people by removing barriers, increasing opportunities and shaping a more accessible world, will launch ‘Thriving Workplaces: A Practical Guide to Neuroinclusion’ with a free-to-attend online event on Wednesday, May 14, from 10 to 11.30am.
The launch, which will be hosted by Mindroom’s CEO, Alan Thornburrow, will include:
An introduction to the guide’s purpose, principles, and practical applications
A panel discussion featuring employees with lived experience of neurodivergence in the workplace
With research showing that diverse perspectives lead to better problem solving, stronger teams and improved performance, the guide – developed in collaboration with a series of Neuroinclusion at Work partners and with active participation from the Prince Couple’s Foundation in Sweden – is rooted in lived experience and brings together perspectives from neurodivergent individuals, parents, carers and employers to support organisations on their journey towards creating more inclusive workplaces.
Alan Thornburrow comments: “By embracing neuroinclusion, organisations can create better working environments, where new talent is recognised, employees prosper and an inclusive business culture shines through, thus positively affecting growth and innovation in the workplace.
“We are very proud of the work we conducted in collaboration with our partners, and very grateful for everyone’s time. ‘Thriving Workplaces’ is not a set of instructions.
“This is a starting point; a resource grounded in experience and created by listening to neurodivergent individuals and collecting their thoughts on taking meaningful and lasting steps towards inclusion.
“We are very much looking forward to hosting the event and welcoming as many participants as possible to join on the journey to a more accessible world and a more inclusive working environment.”
The guide – structured around core principles of building an inclusive culture (with concrete everyday actions), support and psychological safety (where people feel free to speak openly without fear of judgement) and leadership and accountability (setting the tone with empathy) – aims to support on a practical level, including real-life insights and tools to either get started, or continue on the journey to inspire real change for the better.
“We are pleased with this collaboration and appreciate the concrete guide it has resulted in – especially since it has been developed together with neurodivergent individuals themselves”,says Helene Öberg, Secretary General of the Prince Couple’s Foundation, which is a partner in the project.
“We believe this will be a functional and important tool for employers to see and harness everyone’s full potential, something that truly aligns with our work for dyslexia and everyone’s right to be themselves.
“Being able to complement our portfolio, which focuses on tools for children, with tools that ensure that people with dyslexia/neurodivergent individuals have the best conditions throughout their whole lives feels very valuable, and we look forward to seeing the guide used in workplaces worldwide.”
Whether beginning on this journey or building on existing actions and effort, the guide provides a flexible starting point, including practical and adaptable ideas to help start meaningful conversations in the workplace and take action in a way that works for each specific organisation.
A free downloadable link to this resource will be available after the event.
For more information and to join the launch of ‘Thriving Workplaces: A Practical Guide to Neuroinclusion’, please book your place here:
A deaf activist from Scotland has shared a moving video message to her younger self as part of the National Deaf Children’s Society’s Deaf Awareness Week (5-11 May) campaign.
Ciara McCarthy, aged 20, was born with a virus called Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common virus that’s usually harmless but sometimes causes problems in babies and people with a weakened immune system.
Ciara was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at nine months old, is autistic and has profound hearing loss with bilateral cochlear implants.
Ciara, who has led keynote address’ at the SNP and Labour Conferences, highlighting the importance of deaf awareness, tells her younger self: “You can be proud of who you are. Accommodating your disability isn’t embarrassing; it’s empowering. If you need help, ask. You are not alone. You never were.”
In her heartfelt message, Ciara starts by saying: “You’ve started embracing being deaf and disabled. You even have a purple wheelchair (our favourite colour). and you sign every single day without thinking, and it’s not embarrassing or scary.”
Ciara, from Lennoxtown, near Glasgow, continues: “I know that you’re struggling to make friends and feel lonely right now. But I promise, that won’t last.
“You’ll meet some incredible people through activism, some online, and some in real life, and they’ll be there for your most significant achievements.
“You’ll find your community, and they’ll make you feel seen.
“And remember how you always wanted people to understand disability? Well, that’s your job now. You’ve met politicians, spoken to celebrities, and shared your story to help people.
“But I won’t lie – it’s not always easy. You’ll lose friends. You’ll trust the wrong people. You’ll face barriers every single day.
Ciara adds: “But you’re not fighting for yourself anymore. You’re fighting for disabled students across Scotland and the UK.”
Ciara’s inspiring message is just one in a series of powerful videos from deaf people to their younger selves which are currently being shared by the National Deaf Children’s Society on social media to celebrate deaf identity, resilience, and community, during Deaf Awareness Week.
One of the video messages is from the BAFTA winning actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who recently starred in hit BBC1 drama Reunion. Rose reassures her younger self: “Don’t worry too much”, recalling how she was nervous ahead of her first job interview to work in a supermarket.
Rose, who was born deaf, tells her younger self: “You were worried and concerned and you told mum that you didn’t know if you would get the job because you are deaf.
“Forget that – you will get the job! When you get the job, you will realise your confidence will grow. You will learn that being deaf is actually your advantage. It will give you so many opportunities.”
Rose, who also recently fronted BBC documentary Old Hands New Tricks, in which she teaches BSL to residents at a retirement home, adds: “Just learn how to make the most of those opportunities. Before you know it, you will have an amazing time. Just believe in yourself.”
Arran Masterman, from the National Deaf Children’s Society said: “We want deaf children and their families to be inspired by these stories and messages of empowerment. We’re encouraging deaf children to embrace their deaf identity and see their uniqueness as a strength.
“It’s also about raising awareness of deaf experiences. Whether it’s overcoming barriers, finding confidence, or embracing sign language, every story is a celebration of deaf pride and resilience, for deaf children, young people and the wider deaf community.
“The National Deaf Children’s Society wants deaf children and young people to keep believing in themselves, keep aiming high, and achieving whatever they want to do.”
The National Deaf Children’s Society supports the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and young people.
For anyone needing advice, support or information about deafness, please call our free Helpline on 0808 800 8880 or visit our website, www.ndcs.org.uk
The National Deaf Children’s Society is here for you whenever you need help or support – if you’ve just found out your child has a hearing loss, you need support with making decisions as your child grows up or you work with deaf children.
There are free deaf awareness resources on the National Deaf Children’s Society website with deaf awareness videos for children, a deaf awareness quiz and much more.
Responding to the First Minister’s comments on Liam McArthur MSP’s Assisted Dying for Terminally Ill Adults (Scotland) Bill, Ally Thomson, Director of Dignity in Dying Scotland said: “I am disappointed that the First Minister will not be voting to progress Liam McArthur’s Bill.
“I know, and appreciate that he took the time to speak with dying people who are desperate for this choice, and to families who had watched someone suffer a painful death. I believe him when he says it was not an easy decision to reach.
“The sad truth is that if MSPs were to vote against extending safe and compassionate choice to dying Scots many more terminally ill people will suffer and the harm created by the blanket ban on assisted dying will persist.
“Doing nothing is the worst thing Parliament can do here. With people going to Switzerland, stopping eating and drinking and taking matters into their own hands its clear that assisted dying is happening in Scotland right now – but in unsafe, unregulated and unkind ways.
“I value the First Ministers comments that his vote is on a personal basis, and he does not seek to influence others decision on this.
“I am optimistic that Tuesday’s vote will bring a breakthrough for terminally ill Scots who are desperate for more choice. The mood of the Parliament seems to have caught up with the views of the vast majority of Scottish people – that it is time for a more compassionate and safe law.”
This Dementia Awareness Week, the Edinburgh-based care charity will host an expert-led evening event and a business breakfast to inspire local residents and businesses to become more dementia-friendly.
As part of Dementia Awareness Week this May, The Eric Liddell Community is taking a proactive step in supporting individuals living with dementia and their carers.
The charity will host two engaging events: a dementia-focused evening on Thursday, 22nd May (6.30pm–8.30pm) and a business breakfast on Wednesday, 4th June (8am–9am). Both events will be held at The Eric Liddell Community in Edinburgh.
The Thursday evening event will welcome guest speaker Jan Beattie, one of Scotland’s foremost voices in dementia care and policy.
A trained social worker with over 30 years of experience in regeneration, community development, and workforce transformation, Jan most recently served as Professional Advisor in Dementia to the Scottish Government.
In this role, she helped shape and deliver Everyone’s Story, Scotland’s national dementia strategy and its first two-year delivery plan.
Jan brings a wealth of knowledge and deep empathy to the subject. She commented:“It’s a genuine privilege to support The Eric Liddell Community during Dementia Awareness Week.Their person-centred, compassionate approach represents the very best of dementia care.
“Everything they do is grounded in strong values, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to the people of Edinburgh. That’s what makes their work so impactful, and why I’m proud to stand alongside them in their mission to make our city more inclusive and supportive for those living with dementia.”
On Wednesday, 4th June, the charity will host a Dementia Friendly Community Business Breakfast from 8am–9am.
Local businesses are invited to join for tea, coffee, and pastries while learning practical tips on becoming more dementia-informed. The event will also include a chance to hear about the support services offered by the charity and to connect with like-minded professionals committed to inclusivity.
John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, commented:“Creating a dementia-friendly Edinburgh doesn’t just start in hospitals and care homes – it begins in cafés, shops, offices, and neighbourhoods.
“At The Eric Liddell Community, we believe that by raising awareness and equipping people with the right tools, we can transform everyday environments into inclusive, supportive spaces.
“These events are a chance for all of us – whether you’re a business owner, neighbour, friend, or family member – to play a part in making Edinburgh a more understanding and compassionate place for those living with dementia.”
Caroline Heenan, Day Care Manager at The Eric Liddell Community, added:“Every day we see the difference a welcoming environment can make.Whether it’s a familiar face, a friendly voice, or a safe and engaging space, these small things are vital.
“Events like this help us share what we’ve learned and bring more people into our mission of making Edinburgh more Dementia-Friendly.”
The month of May will also see the launch of The Eric Liddell community’s Spring Appeal, which this year will focus on the vital work undertaken by unpaid carers, and will highlight the positive impact The Eric Liddell Community’s Befriending Project has had on the health and wellbeing of those people caring for individuals living with dementia.
UK Government announces £1.8 million investment to transform NHS care for veterans, serving personnel and their families
New training for NHS workers to improve healthcare support for veterans.
Programme will improve access and outcomes for veterans, serving personnel and their families.
Regional trainers will work with GP practices and mental health services to embed expertise where it is needed most
Armed forces veterans and their families will benefit from improved and targeted healthcare, the government has announced as the nation marks the 80th anniversary of VE Day.
A new training programme will ensure NHS staff across the country are supported to meet the unique health needs of veterans, serving personnel and their families.
The new programme will see NHS staff across England receiving dedicated training to help them identify and support patients with military backgrounds. GPs, doctors and NHS nurses will work with regional trainers to make sure they embed this support into their services.
Veterans can require specialised care for injuries sustained in combat, as well as mental health support for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
Many also struggle to navigate civilian healthcare systems and may not self-identify as veterans to NHS staff, putting them at risk of missing out on the additional services and bespoke services that are already available.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we’re honouring our Armed Forces not just with words, but with action.
“Too many veterans face a system that doesn’t fully understand their needs – that changes today.
“This new training programme will help NHS staff across England give our veterans the personalised care they deserve. Through our Plan for Change the NHS will deliver for those who have delivered for Britain.”
As of April 2025, every NHS Trust in the country became officially ‘Veteran Aware’, a status which means they have been recognised for demonstrating their understanding of military healthcare needs. The three-year training programme will build on this success and will be rolled out from October 2025 across England.
The programme, backed by £1.8 million, will support NHS bodies to demonstrate their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, which ensures those who serve or have served, and their families, are treated fairly and not disadvantaged because of their military service.
The training will support healthcare providers to improve identification of Armed Forces personnel, deliver more personalised care, and ultimately improve health outcomes for veterans and their families.
Kate Davies CBE, National Director for Armed Forces Health, NHS England said: “On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, we honour the extraordinary legacy of our Armed Forces— and reaffirm the NHS’s commitment to those who’ve served.
“As part of the Armed Forces Covenant, we’re launching our most comprehensive training programme yet to meet the unique healthcare needs of veterans.
“Developed with frontline experts in veterans’ health and those with lived experience, this national initiative ensures those who’ve served receive the high-quality, specialised care they deserve.”
Carol Betteridge OBE, Deputy Services Director at Help for Heroes said: “We’re pleased to see this important step forward in supporting veterans’ healthcare.
“Help for Heroes has already been delivering similar training through our Veteran Champion programme in NHS settings, and we look forward to working with NHS England to share our experience and help improve care for veterans and their families.”
The announcement follows a £50 million boost in funding to ensure veterans across the UK will have easier access to essential care and support under a new UK-wide veteran support system, called VALOUR.
Through the Plan for Change, the government has delivered an extra 3 million appointments since July to cut waiting lists and provided the biggest boost to GP funding in years – an extra £889 million, and on Tuesday 6 May, the government announced a further major cash injection of over £102 million to upgrade and modernize GP practices.
The government is also bringing back the family doctor, recruiting an additional 1,500 GPs since October, and cutting red tape so GPs spend more time caring for patients.
It’s Maternal Mental Health Week, a time to raise awareness of the importance of mental health during and after pregnancy.
We know that around 1 in 5 women experience mental health problems during pregnancy or within the first year after giving birth, yet nearly half of these cases go undiagnosed or untreated.
These figures highlight the need for greater awareness and access to support for all mothers.
The theme this year is ‘Your voice, your strength’. It’s a reminder of the importance of listening to, and learning from, the experiences of mothers.
Through our programmes, we work with mothers to create safe, inclusive spaces where they can talk openly about what they’re going through and access the support they need.
We’re working to make sure every mother has the opportunity to thrive during this important time in their lives.
The festival has teamed up with R2 and Lauriston Farm to bring you food demonstrations and free HOT tatties n toppings and Leek & Tattie Soup.
Many organisations in North Edinburgh have planted potatoes at Lauriston Farm over the last month or two. These tatties wont be ready for our festival but we have been extremely lucky to have received a very kind donation of tatties from Potato House/Skea Organics and Denhead Farm.
At the festival we will have 5-6 food demonstrations from cooks in our local community showcasing diverse cultural recipes using the humble potato as the main ingredient.
MasterChef Sarah Rankin Cooks, will be putting our cooks through their paces pre festival so that they are ready to take on the day at the festival.
Scran Academy will be providing hot baked potatoes from Denhead Farm with toppings courtesy of Asda and Empty Kitchens Full Hearts SCIO will be handing out free Leek and Potato soup using the potatoes from The Potato House.
Potato House is the baby potato of Skea Organics, and grew out of a need to service smaller orders for gardeners, allotment growers, market gardeners and independent gardening and hardware stores.
They also supply eating potatoes to shops, box schemes and restaurants as well as to the general public. The Potato House website is dedicated to the gardeners and small passionate growers who are looking for high-quality seed potatoes with unique taste and specific characteristics.
So many thanks to Potato House, Denhead Farm, Sarah Rankin for the potatoes.
Recipes from the cooks will also be available to view on The Love of Potatoes website too. The Love Potatoes website is dedicated to chefs and passionate home cooks looking for fantastic potato recipes using high-quality potatoes.
Post festival, the cooks will host lunch clubs showcasing their recipes again in the lead up to the Harvest Festival at Lauriston Farm in September.
On the day, we are looking to hand out over 1500 tattie dishes!
We’ll meet at the DNC at 10am and take the bus number 47 to the entrance, or you can meet us there at the Cammo gates on the main road pedestrian entrance for 10:45am (What3words composers.salads.serves)
We’ll stop for a picnic – please bring a rucksack and water bottle.
Easy level walk
