You’re invited to the Festival Launch this Saturday 28 March, 12–2pm at the West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre!!
The young people in our Festival Futures programme have been hard at work organising the North Edinburgh Community Festival launch.
On the day, they’ll be running and managing a mini‑festival packed with community stalls, sports activities, a games hub, live music and great food.
We’d love to see you there. Free entry, and everyone is welcome!
Her Majesty The Queen launched the National Year of Reading in Scotland yesterday alongside iconic Scottish authors, beloved comic characters, 150 local primary school children, and supporting publishers, businesses and charities at the National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh.
The initiative from the Department for Education and the National Literacy Trust, of which Her Majesty is Patron, seeks to address the steep decline in the nation’s reading enjoyment and launched in Scotland amid new research from the charity revealing startlingly low numbers of children and young people in the country who enjoy reading and read daily in their free time.
To help address this challenge, the campaign is asking the nation to ‘Go All In’ on their interests and passions and (re)discover how reading can unlock the things they already love – from music and sport to films, food and family time – in whatever way works for them.
Backing the campaign, award-winning Scottish authors Jackie Kay, Val McDermid and Sir Ian Rankin were unveiled as National Year of Reading ambassadors at yesterday’s event.
The trio also feature in the National Library of Scotland’s centenary ‘Dear Library’ exhibition, which Her Majesty explored on arrival.
Award-winning author Val McDermid said: “Reading is the greatest gift we can give our children. And ourselves.”
Government,business and charity partners including Education Scotland, DC Thomson, Scottish Book Trust and The Scottish Library and Information Council (SLiC) also showed their support for the campaign, joining a roundtable discussion, which Her Majesty visited, to agree the priorities and actions required across the year to spark of love of reading in Scotland’s early years settings, schools, communities and homes.
The National Literacy Trust’s latest research provides compelling evidence to underpin the urgent need for the initiative. Based on a survey of 7,739 children and young people aged 8 to 18 in Scotland, the report revealed that just 3 in 10 (30.3%) said they enjoyed reading in their free time in 2025, while only 1 in 6 (16.8%) said they read daily in their free time.
Vast numbers of children and young people in Scotland are therefore missing out on the vital benefits that reading can bring, including enhanced reading skills, wellbeing, empathy and confidence, as well as additional gains outlined in today’s report around supporting relaxation (61.4%), learning (54.0%) and creativity (48.0%).
Further insights from the research, which help to identify ways to tackle low levels of reading engagement amongst Scotland’s children and young people, underscore the principles of the National Year of Reading’s ‘Go All In’ campaign to encourage people of all ages to dive deeper into the things they already love through reading in all its forms – from print books to audiobooks, digital magazines to graphic novels, and more.
Indeed, children and young people in Scotland who don’t currently enjoy reading said that finding reading materials based on their passions, as well as visual media, would motivate them to read, such as books relevant to their interests and hobbies (37.4%), compelling book covers and titles (29.7%) and autonomy of choice in what materials they read (25.4%).
The research also found song lyrics, fiction, non-fiction and comics to be the most popular reading materials for Scotland’s children and young people. Comics could provide a particularly unique opportunity to engage boys, who continue to lag behind girls in their enjoyment of reading (23.5% vs 36.3%) and daily reading (13.5% vs 19.7%), as significantly more boys than girls read comics in print (32% vs 25%) and on screen (14.4% vs 10.4%).
Tapping into the power of comics to engage Scotland’s children and young people with reading and bringing the spirit of the National Year of Reading to life, today’s event saw Beano immerse 150 local school children in the magic of reading, writing and illustrating comics.
Using a bespoke three panel Beano comic strip featuring The Queen and Dennis the Menace as a story starter – a special print of which was later presented to Her Majesty by pupils – Beano’s Directors of Mischief (Mike Stirling) and Mayhem (Craig Graham) worked with local pupils from Granton Primary School and The Queen herself to create a mischievous National Year of Reading comic strip.
Her Majesty proceeded to join a group of pupils from Granton Primary School and Clovenstone Primary School to try their hand at illustrating Dennis the Menace’s pet dog, Gnasher, with comics artist and cartoonist Nigel Auchterlounie. Comics artist Laura Howell also helped children draw their own Minnie the Minx characters.
Her Majesty then attended a special reception with National Year of Reading partners, ambassadors and supporters before listening to speeches from David Hayman, Director of the National Year of Reading, Amina Shah, Chief Executive of the National Library of Scotland and National Year of Reading ambassador Val McDermid to celebrate the launch of the initiative in Scotland.
All 150 school children gathered to bid Her Majesty farewell, displaying their favourite things to read, from children’s books to comics and magazines, and waving National Year of Reading flags.
To continue their reading journeys at home, generous donations from DC Thomson, HarperCollins and Penguin Random House meant all 150 children were gifted a mix of brand new Beano comics, Beano books and extra children’s books to keep.
Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “The National Year of Reading provides us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK’s relationship with reading and change people’s life stories.
“With incredible ambassadors, events and partnerships at the fore, in addition to the invaluable support of the National Literacy Trust’s Patron, Her Majesty The Queen, the National Year of Reading can inspire every child, young person and adult to go all in on their passions, feed their curiosities and connect with others through reading – in 2026 and beyond.”
David Hayman, Director of the National Year of Reading, said: “Reading is one of the most powerful tools we have to learn, create and grow. But right now, too many people are switching off from it.
“The National Year of Reading’s ‘Go All In’ campaign will transform how the nation sees reading, reaching people where they are and getting them excited about rediscovering the power, joy and relevance it can bring to their lives.
“Today’s event captured the energy and optimism we need to put reading back at the heart of our culture. Reading in all its forms can unlock the things we already love, so whatever your passion: if you’re into it, read into it.”
Val McDermid, award-winning author and National Year of Reading ambassador, said: “Reading is a window on the world beyond our own. It shows us possibilities and gives us the tools to make them realities. Reading is the greatest gift we can give our children. And ourselves.”
Working together with a network of national, local and community partners, the National Literacy Trust will lead the delivery of the National Year of Reading in Scotland. The charity is committed to supporting communities across the UK where low literacy and poverty are having the greatest impact on people’s lives.
In Scotland, the charity works intensively in Dundee, where despite overall improvements in literacy achievement seen since 2017, the gap between pupils from the most and least deprived areas has remained relatively steady.
More broadly across the country, in response to research indicating that 1 in 4 (25%) primary schools in Scotland does not have a library, the charity and Penguin Books’ Libraries for Primaries campaign has transformed library spaces in 100 Scottish primary schools – including Granton Primary School and Clovenstone Primary School, whose pupils attended today’s event.
Health and social care services across Scotland are undergoing vital renewal and reform to ensure they remain high quality and person centred.
To support this, Scottish Government has commissioned Healthcare Improvement Scotland to develop the Scottish Approach to Change. The Scottish Approach to Change provides a clear pathway to support everyone to do change well.
On Friday 21 November, we hosted the launch of the Scottish Approach to Change in Edinburgh.
We had almost 100 people joining us in-person and online. We brought together senior leaders from across health and social care to explore how the Scottish Approach to Change can help drive meaningful change.
Caroline Lamb (Chief Executive of NHS Scotland and Director-General Health and Social Care) (above), Dr John Harden (National Clinical Lead for Quality and Safety), and Joanna Macdonald (National Chief Social Work Adviser and Chief Executive of the National Social Work Agency, Scottish Government) highlighted the strategic importance of the approach in supporting health and social care renewal.
Leaders from North Lanarkshire HSCP, Dumfries and Galloway NHS board and HSCP, and NHS Forth Valley showcased real life examples of how the approach is already helping them to deliver transformational change.
The Scottish Approach to Change is supported by a digital resource which was launched in September. It’s available to any health and social care organisation looking to implement change and improve their services.
It brings together a wide range of tools and methods to help people plan and deliver person centred change.
On 7 October, we’ll be launching our Poverty in Scotland 2024 report.
A key event in annual Challenge Poverty Week, this year’s report looks in detail at how the social security system is impacting on households in Scotland, as well as offering an overview of poverty rates in Scotland for different demographic groups.
Social security is an area where both the UK and Scottish Governments can have a huge positive impact on people’s lives. But how can policymakers in Holyrood and Westminster make the necessary changes to reduce the hardship faced in Scotland?
Find out at our launch event, available to join in person and online!
Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, 99 George St, Glasgow, G1 1RD
11am-12:30pm, 7 October
Register for the online event here: https://events.zoom.us/…/AhUFol9loHFxi88KPNsaHhzdzZvIiI…
A mental health charity’s research has revealed more than two thirds of Scottish respondents are not meeting their needs and could be at risk of stress, which can lead to mental health challenges.
The Mental Health Toolkit, the training arm of independent mental health charity Suffolk Mind, has identified 12 emotional and physical needs – including Achievement, Emotional Connection, Sleep, Movement, Security, Attention, Control and Community – we should aim to meet to stay well.
The charity’s validated Emotional Needs Survey reveals that out of 2,367 Scottish respondents, 66% felt they were not meeting their Emotional Needs.
The survey also found that 66% are not feeling rested after sleep, 61% do not feel part of a community and 51% do not feel secure.
Wendy Sheppard, Corporate Relationships Manager at The Mental Health Toolkit, said: “When needs aren’t being met, we feel stress, nature’s way of alerting us that something is wrong.
“Our research shows more and more people in Scotland feel they are not meeting their needs which, as a result, could cause stress and mental ill-health.
“Many of the survey respondents were employed, and we know that our workplace can either support mental health or be a barrier to wellbeing.”
The Mental Health Toolkit provides workplace training through a suite of practical mental health courses for staff, managers, and leadership teams.
Officially launching in Scotland in April through a free breakfast event, The Mental Health Toolkit offers practical skills to support mental wellbeing at work.
The event, at Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club in Kerknewton, near Edinburgh, takes place from 8.30am on Wednesday, April 3.
It will include networking with refreshments, an introduction to The Mental Health Toolkit and a Q&A session.
Wendy added: “Increasing knowledge and awareness of mental health and how to support colleagues is essential within any business or organisation.
“The Mental Health Toolkit gives people powerful tools to help recognise and meet their physical and emotional needs, as well as support those around them.
“We are excited to be officially launching our workplace wellbeing courses to businesses in Scotland, following success in our home county, Suffolk, and across the UK.”
For more information on The Mental Health Toolkit and to book your free place at the event, contact the team.
The TUC Race Relations Committee is proud to present this year’s Roots Culture and Identity Exhibition.
A launch event will be taking place at the TUC Black Workers Conference on Friday (19 March) at 6 pm. Due to the pandemic, the exhibition is hosted online.
The exhibition aims to provide an opportunity for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BME) artists with a focus on young people, who are marginalised, face discrimination in the arts and culture sector, disproportionately impacted by austerity and now the coronavirus pandemic.
This year, the exhibition focuses on the events impacting black communities over the past year.
The artists reflect on living through the pandemic, the murder of George Floyd and the impact of systemic racism on BME communities.
The move to an online exhibition has allowed us to broaden our exhibits, and for the first time, we welcome international artists. View the exhibition.
Artists in this exhibition include:
On Friday 19th of March as part of the TUC Black Workers conference programme there will be an exhibition launch event and fringe meeting hosted by TUC Race Relations Committe and Artists’ Union England from 6pm to 7.30pm.
This will be chaired by Zita Holbourne and speakers include Theresa Easton, Organiser AUE, Antonietta Torsiello , artist and activist, AUE, Wilf Sullivan, TUC Race Relations Officer and some of the participating artists.
Friday 24th May
North Edinburgh Arts 9.30 – 12.00
Wednesday 18 July, 9.30 – 12.30
Physical activity can contribute massively to good physical and mental health for everyone, no matter their age or circumstances and physical activity is about so much more than playing sports or going to the gym.
No single organisation can be solely responsible for promoting physical activity and to enable us to develop opportunities effectively we need to adopt a broad based, community connected, partnership approach.
The launch event will take place at: Wed 18th July, 09:30am-12:30pm, North Edinburgh Arts Centre, 15A Pennywell Court EH4 4TZ, wE
Come along to find out what’s going on in your area to promote physical activity; tell people what you’re up to- put your service on the map; join the network and help make things happen
To book a place, please contact Ellie Eaton by email: eleanor.eaton@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or phone 0131 537 9351.
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