The gardening season has officially begun at St Columba’s. After a winter pause, our Compassionate Gardeners gathered for the first time this year — and they’re ready to get going.
These generous volunteers offer time, care, and plenty of TLC to the gardens of our community patients who need a little extra help. It’s practical support, yes — but it’s also about kindness, dignity, and helping outdoor spaces feel cared for again.
Gloves are on, tools are out, spirits are high… and the weeds have been warned.
Thank you to our Compassionate Gardeners for all you do — quietly making a difference, one garden at a time.
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.”
Scottish Hospices are facing a severe funding crisis, with an estimated £16million shortfall across the country.
Many are preparing to cut essential services. We are determined not to let that happen here, but we can’t do it alone.
Your donation to our Light up a Life appeal goes directly towards essential care for local families, it keeps a nurse at a bedside, it helps bring comfort to a family at Christmas and it protects the care our community depends on. Help us keep this vital support shining.
We’re excited to be bringing more marvellous live music to the Hospice this Friday, with Penny Jackson visiting to play classical piano in the Iona Cafe!
The performance is free, and there’s no need to book. Just come in, grab a cuppa and enjoy!
