Parents heading on road trips with their kids during summer holidays are being urged to take extra precautions on the road to help keep everyone safe and avoid fines.
Motoring experts from Quotezone.co.uk are reminding parents of common driving issues when travelling with children.
Photo credit: Pexels.com
As families prepare for summer holidays, the team at Quotezone have compiled a safety checklist to help parents setting off on road trips
Some of the most common safety issues involve not using the car seat correctly and not fitting it securely.
It’s important to make sure to use an appropriate car seat or seat belt for the child’s age, height, and weight, while also ensuring it is properly installed and compatible with the vehicle – parents could be hit with a fine of up to £500 and points on their licence if the requirements aren’t up to scratch.
Before heading on a road trip it’s also crucial to make the call on whether or not drivers are too tired – driving in a tired state can hamper drivers’ abilities to concentrate, react and navigate the roads.
If too tired, drivers need to seek out alternative transport, invite other drivers or delay the trip.
Other common issues include leaving loose items in the car, multitasking behind the wheel and forgetting to turn on the child lock.
Quotezone.co.uk car and travel insurance expert Catherine Boyd said: “The summer holidays can be a particularly stressful time for parents, heading off on holidays, juggling childcare and trying to keep children entertained with various road trips.
“Our list of safety tips will hopefully act as a helpful reminder of key checks that need done within the car before setting off on the next adventure.
“Children can also grow a lot over the holidays so it’s important to double check the safety measures in the car are still appropriate for the child’s age, weight and height – cleaning and refitting them regularly to make sure they are working properly.
“Quite a dangerous example, which maybe isn’t as commonly known, is the effect of keeping loose items in the body of the car itself. During a sudden manoeuvre or incident on the road, these items can become projectiles, injuring passengers, so keeping bottles of water or electronic devices stored safely in specific holders will help reduce the risk of issues.”
Here are Quotezone.co.uk’s top safety tips when driving with children:
Car seat double check
The Highway Code states that children need to be in car seats until they reach the age of 12 or are at least 135 centimetres tall. For babies younger than 15 months, it’s essential to place them in a rear-facing car seat, as this is the safest position for them. It’s important to carefully follow the manufacturer’s manual for installation or seek professional assistance, and carry out regular checks to make sure the seat is not loose.
Driving when tired
Fatigue significantly slows reaction times and impairs judgement, which makes it very dangerous to get behind the wheel if you haven’t had enough rest. It’s a difficult but important decision to make if you’re too tired to drive – opting instead for public transport or inviting other drivers on the trip.
Loose items
Whether it’s toys, water bottles, tablets or phones, loose items should be secured in the car to prevent serious injuries in the event of a sudden stop or collision – loose items can increase their weight by up to forty times at just 30mph. Make sure to store loose items in specialist holders or use the boot or glovebox compartments, place phones in a mount and use drink holders for any beverages.
Phones
It’s illegal to hold and use a phone while driving, if you need to make calls you need the appropriate hands-free equipment. If not needed it’s sensible to store your phone in the boot to avoid temptation.
Child locks
It is important to always activate the child lock when driving with children in the car, children love to press buttons and might accidentally open the car door while the vehicle is moving, it also gives the driver time to open the door when it is safe to do so, avoiding issues when parking on busy roads or car parks. Failing to activate the child lock can be considered careless driving and may lead to fines and points on your driver’s licence.
Multitasking
Children’s behaviour in the car can sometimes be demanding, it’s important to try and remain calm and wait for a safe spot to pull over and address the children’s needs or any issues.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker writes about enjoying Edinburgh’s green spaces this summer:
With the warm weather upon us (for now at least!), offering a glimpse of the summer ahead, I feel incredibly fortunate to live in a city like Edinburgh – not least given how much green space we have to enjoy.
With 144 parks and green spaces across the city – making up an incredible 49 per cent of Edinburgh’s total area – it’s easy to see why we’re considered the UK’s greenest city.
Of course, we already knew the positive impact our parks on people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing by providing space for exercise, relaxation, social contact with friends and family, and opportunities for children and young people to play – but the Covid pandemic truly highlighted this.
With 38 of our parks recognised by the Green Flag Award scheme, which highlights the quality of our parks and the efforts of those who maintain them (more than the rest of Scotland put together), it’s a case of quantity and quality. And with more trees per resident than any other UK city (712,000 trees vs. 526,000 people), we’re well on our way to becoming a Million Tree City by 2030.
But there’s always more we can do and, through our Edinburgh’s Thriving Green spaces 2050 strategy, we’re committed to safeguarding, preserving, and improving these areas so that people can continue to enjoy them, and communities feel involved in their upkeep. And through our ongoing partnership with Fields in Trust, we’re working hard to ensure our residents are within a ten-minute walk from a protected green space.
However, while people rightly recognise the value of local parks that are convenient to them, they can become places to be avoided or underused if they feel unsafe or if the facilities are of poor quality.
That’s why, when setting the annual council budget in February, we approved an additional £3.5m investment in our infrastructure and facilities.
This includes close to £1.5m on projects to repair and improve paths, walls and bridges across the city, £800,000 committed to permanent toilets in Leith Links, Meadows, and Inverleith park (with further investment in installing temporary facilities across the city until the end of October), ongoing in play parks, with over £200,000 set aside for the new play area and equipment at West Princes Street Gardens, and a further £200,000 allocated to the introduction of a number of park lighting projects.
Hopefully, this highlights our ongoing commitment to preserving and improving our city’s for now and future generations.
If you’re out and about and enjoying these spaces, can I please ask that you to:
Bin your litter: If a bin is full, please take your litter home.
Don’t get caught short: Check where public toilets are located.
Pick up after your dog: We love seeing furry friends enjoying our parks, but remember, the city is a shared space.
Extinguish and bin your BBQ: When enjoying a BBQ, please do not put it directly on the grass, and always fully extinguish BBQs before disposing of them (some parks have BBQ-only bins).
Respect our parks and other users: Our parks are for everyone, young and old.
Please help us to ensure our parks and green spaces thrive and remain clean and welcoming for all this summer.
With summer in full swing, there’s ample opportunity to get out and about this season. Being able to get out and explore is important for our physical, mental and emotional health. While this is true for people of all ages, it can be critically important for over 60s.
But getting out and about doesn’t need to break the bank. Many companies and UK institutions provide amazing concessions for older people. From museums and castles to historic homes and gardens, there are loads of discounts to take advantage of – and that can include travel too.
As a result, the team at New Care Homes has compiled an updated list of some of the best concessions to take advantage of this season.
The list covers a wide array of amazing discounts including travel, food and drink, national heritage sites, cinemas and more.
Great Outdoors
The National Trust of Scotland
The National Trust of Scotland owns and manages around 130 properties and 180,000 acres across the country which includes castles, ancient small dwellings, historic sites, gardens, coastline, mountains and countryside.
Historic Environment Scotland is a public body that plays a crucial role in preserving Scottish natural heritage. It functions in the same way as English Heritage does for England and Cadw for Wales, allowing millions of visitors the chance to experience Scotland’s national landmarks like Stirling, Edinburgh and Urquhart Castles and other heritage attractions across Scotland.
Tickets for HES landmarks have an admission price which can vary from location to location. However, there are concession discounts for over 65s. Ticket prices can be checked and booked online. There’s also a concession for annual membership starting at £42.00. Members will also be able to claim half-price entry to English Heritage and Cadw sites in their first year.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is the UK’s leading gardening charity. They provide a Senior Life Membership package for members over 60. Members will receive:
Unlimited entry to RHS Gardens
Free access to more than 200 RHS Partner Gardens
Privileged entry and discounted tickets to RHS Shows (including the Chelsea Flower Show)
Booking access
Monthly magazine
Gardening advice from experts
Special events
Membership packs also include a handbook, pin badge and engraved RHS Life Member secateurs.
A full list of information on the RHS locations in Scotland can be found here.
Cinema
Odeon
Odeon is a popular cinema chain which shows everything from the latest blockbusters to absolute classics- so there’s always something for everyone. As well as films, most Odeon cinemas will also have an onsite coffee and ice cream shop where you can enjoy a treat before your screening.
Odeon cinemas provide special screenings for patrons over 60 through their Odeon Silver events. These screenings tend to happen during quieter periods so you can avoid the rush, and they even provide tea, coffee, and biscuits with your ticket.
Silver Cinema Screening prices can cost as little as £4, but this will vary depending on where you are. Check online with your local Odeon to see the Silver Cinema schedule and ticket pricing. Tickets can also be bought on the day but might cost slightly more.
Cineworld
Cineworld cinemas show a wide range of films, including live and recorded events from National Theatre and Royal Opera House – and even international events.
Cineworld provides a senior citizen discount across its film screenings. The price of tickets can vary depending on the location and film type, but all ticket prices can be found online. Tickets can be booked online (with an additional 70p charging fee) or bought inside the venue before the show time.
Vue offers film fans who are 60+ discounts on ticket prices across all film screenings. Prices can vary depending on the cinema’s location and the type of film (2D, IMAX etc) but they can be quite cheap during off-peak show times (Monday-Thursday before 5 pm).
They also operate screenings for over 60s called the Senior Club. Tickets are discounted, and you’ll also receive a cup of tea/coffee and a biscuit when you go in.
Museums and Galleries
National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, Scotland and features exhibits and collections on Scottish antiquities, culture and history.
Entry is free for everyone, so there is no senior concession available. However, Individual memberships are available for repeat visitors which provide a host of benefits including:
Unlimited free entry to world-class exhibitions
Invitations to exclusive Member Previews for selected exhibitions
Invitations to exclusive events and experiences throughout the year
Behind-the-scenes news and in-depth articles in the members-only magazine Explorer
20% discount in our cafes
10% discount in our museum shops and online
10% off entry to Edinburgh Castle for the National War Museum
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle stands on Castle Rock in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. As one of the most important strongholds in Scotland and one of the oldest strongholds in Europe, Edinburgh Castle is an important part of Scottish history.
Concession tickets for seniors (65+) are available. Online concession prices are £15.50, while on-the-day ticket prices are £17.60. Pre-booking tickets can save a bit of money and will also guarantee entry in the event of a busy day.
Anyone who already has a Historic Environment Scotland membership will have free entry to Edinburgh Castle as well as a wealth of other perks.
Aberdeen Art Gallery (Archives and Museums)
The Aberdeen Art Gallery is home to one of the finest collections in the UK. For over 130 the gallery has acquired the best and most interesting contemporary artworks.
Spanning over 700 years, the collection includes works by important Scottish artists, designers and makers such as Henry Raeburn, Joan Eardley, Samuel Peploe, Rachel McLean, Bill Gibb and James Cromar Watt, as well as nationally and internationally acclaimed artists from all walks of life.
The gallery is free and is considered an exceptionally accessible venue for visitors from all walks of life. It’s also part of the Aberdeen Archives, Gallery & Museums (AAGM) group which includes a wealth of other venues worth visiting if you’re visiting the city.
More information on The Gallery and other venues can be found here.
Glasgow Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA)
GoMA is located in the heart of Glasgow city centre. It is a world-class art museum and a great place for people to gather, share ideas and enjoy art from around the world.
GoMA has four galleries, a well-stocked library and a gallery shop selling ranges inspired by installations and exhibitions. The gallery is currently running an exhibit from the elusive and internationally renowned graffiti artist Banksy entitled: Banksy: Cut and Run for July and August 2023.
Concession tickets are available for £10, and a membership scheme is available for repeat visitors starting at £28 which provides a whole host of benefits. If you ever find yourself in Glasgow this wonderful institution is well worth a visit
Sports
Scottish Football Association
Love to watch the footie? Well here’s some great news Following a campaign by Age Scotland and the Mail on Sunday back in 2019, the Scottish Football Association re-introduced discounts for football fans over the age of 65. Senior tickets will cost from just £15 depending on the match category, and will be available throughout Hampden Park – the home of the national teams.
The Scottish Supporters Club also operates a senior membership discount scheme, however, memberships have already sold out for the 2023/2024 season. But don’t fret – you’ll still be able to get access to general admission tickets when they’re released for specific matches.
Scottish Rugby
More of a Rugby fan? Then you’re in luck! Scottish Rugby provides senior citizen concessions on matches. Concession pricing can differ from event to event but ticket prices are always released in advance so it’s well worth checking in advance for matches this summer. Visit the Scottish Rugby Online Ticket Centre for information on upcoming matches.
The Scotland Supporters Club also operates a membership scheme. For £45 you’ll receive benefits such as:
Invitation to a Scotland training session
Digital Membership Pack
Pre-sale access to all Scotland home game ticket sales, including the 2023/24 Scotland Season Pass 2023, the Summer Tests: 3-Match & 2-Match Packages and individual match tickets, 2024 Guinness Six Nations: Individual match tickets to Scotland’s home games against England and France and Scotland Women & Scotland U20 ticket sales
Highland Games
Highland games are a series of much-beloved events held in spring and summer in Scotland. Although games are often centred around Scottish heavy athletics, they also incorporate entertainment and exhibits such as music, dancing, poetry, literature and food and drink.
Events include the caber toss, stone put, Scottish hammer throw, weight throw, weight over the bar and the sheaf toss among others. Women also take part in the events, and competitors are known to wear a traditional kilt when taking part.
A full list of upcoming Highland Games events can be found here.
Spring/Summer Shopping
Boots
Beloved UK retailer Boots offer an Over 60s Rewards Card as part of their Advantage Card Scheme. This allows cardholders over 60 to earn 8 points for every £1 spent on brands such as Boots, No7, Soap & Glory, Botanics, Liz Earle, Champneys, YourGoodSkin and more. This can come in handy when it’s time to pick up some sun tan lotion and holiday bits for the season.
Over 60s can also access discounts from Boots Opticians when buying a pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses, and will receive 200 points with a free Hearing Health Check at Boots Hearingcare. All you need is an existing Advantage Card which you can sign up for free here.
Specsavers
Specsavers is one of the biggest opticians in the UK. The Specsavers over 60s discount provides 20% off a pair of glasses from their £69 range or above which includes frames, lenses and any extra car options. The offer also includes sunglasses so you can pick up a flash new pair to enjoy in the sun.
Food and Drink
Dobbies
Bright and bustling, Dobbies is a great day out for those who like to get out and about. The garden centre offers a Senior Citizens Lunch. Visitors can enjoy a delicious main course & a cake for just £11.95 Monday to Friday from 12-3 pm.
They also have a fantastic afternoon tea service and are dog friendly, making it a great choice for a visit this season. Find your nearest Dobbies garden centre online with their store locator.
Patisserie Valerie
Patisserie Valerie is well-known for creating wonderful baked treats that are perfect for a spot of afternoon tea.
Seniors over 60 are eligible for a 10% discount at all Patisserie Valerie stores as well as online orders. To be able to access the discount, simply visit the seniors discount section on the Patisserie Valerie website to enjoy money off a delicious assortment of cakes, biscuits, selection boxes and afternoon tea options.
Greene King
Greene King is one of the UK’s leading pub retailers and as part of their food and drink options, their locations offer a Senior Menu which provides manageable portions at reasonable prices. With over 3,100 locations nestled in areas across the country, it’s well worth visiting for an afternoon lunch or a quiet evening dinner. To find your nearest Greene King pub, visit their Pub Map on their official website.
Waitrose
Waitrose has brought back its incredibly popular ‘free coffee’ scheme for MyWaitrose cardholders. You don’t need to spend a certain amount to qualify for the ‘freebie’ – You just need to swipe or scan your myWaitrose card at the self-service drinks machine after checkout. It’s perfect if you’re popping in for a paper or a drink during a walk around town.
Cardholders will also get access to exclusive savings and members-only rewards which can come in handy if you’re planning a picnic or need a snack for a day out.
Travel
Senior Railcard
Over 60s qualify for a Senior Railcard which allows cardholders to get 1/3 off train travel on all franchised train operating companies in England, Scotland and Wales. A 1-year Railcard is just £30, but you can also buy a 3-year Senior Railcard for just £70 which is great if you plan to do a lot of travelling in 2023.
You’ll be able to enjoy discounts on Standard and First Class Anytime, Off-Peak and Advance tickets. And if you’re living in/visiting London, you can link it to an Oyster Card to get ⅓ Off-Peak travel around London too. Check out the Senior Railcard FAQs for more information.
National Express
If coach travel is more your thing, National Express have a Senior Coachcard offer that’s available for over 60s. Cardholders can save a 1/3 on standard and fully flexible fares to hundreds of locations across the UK.
A Senior Coachcard is only £12.50 a year (+ £2.50 postage), meaning the savings will start to outweigh the costs pretty quickly. For a list of all destinations covered by National Express, visit the website for more information.
Older Persons Bus Pass
Older people’s bus passes are available across the UK, although each country has rules and regulations.
In Scotland, you can apply for a National Entitlement Card (AKA a ‘saltire card’) once you turn 60. To qualify you must be over 60 and a resident in Scotland. You can apply online, or through your local post office and local council.
If your card was issued by the City of Edinburgh Council, you’ll also be able to use them on trams throughout the city.
City Sightseeing Bus Tours
Although NEC cards aren’t valid on City Sightseeing Bus Tours for free travel, concession tickets are available and can save older travellers £1 on their travel.
City Sightseeing buses are available in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, the Isle of Bute and more.
For more information on City Sightseeing tours and experiences check out the official website.
Families will have the chance to meet some of their favourite superheroes for free at Fort Kinnaird this summer.
With four pop-up sessions running between the end of July and beginning of August, visitors can meet a whole range of different superhero characters, from Spider-Man and Batman to Wonder Woman and the Hulk.
The first event is on Friday 28th July and will take place from 11am until 4pm outside the Odeon cinema. There is no need to book in advance, but it is advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“With a number of superhero films premiering in cinemas this summer, we’re excited to bring some of the nation’s favourite characters to the centre for families to meet and get that all-important selfie.
“We’re always looking for new and different activities for our visitors to enjoy and we’re looking forward to seeing families making the most of the summer fun during the school holidays.”
Visitors to Fort Kinnaird will also have the chance to win a £100 Smyths voucher. To enter, simply take a selfie at the superhero backdrop outside the Odeon cinema and share the picture on Instagram using #SuperSummerFK and tagging @fort_kinnaird.
Welcome Break and Twinkl Team Up to Beat Travel Boredom for UK Families
UK kids set to travel 2.6 billion miles in the car this summer[1]
Half of Scottish parents are averse to playing nursery rhymes for kids in the car
With it taking 28 minutes for the first kid in Scotland to ask, ‘are we there yet?’
Travelling with kids in tow can be stressful for parents. With the summer holidays almost here, Welcome Break has revealed the average child is set to travel 206 miles around the UK this summer.
Luckily for these children, Welcome Break has launched a partnership with Twinkl Educational Publishing to give out free activity packs to help with these long car journeys.
Welcome Break, one of the UK’s leading Motorway Service Area Operators, has recently conducted a survey revealing the top essential items for parents travelling with kids in the car.
According to Scottish respondents, snacks are a must-have, with eight out of ten parents (82 percent) agreeing. The optimal number of snacks for Scottish kids on a car journey is 3 nibbles. Other items rated highly include an iPad or tablet (70 percent) and activity or colouring books (31 percent).
When it comes to music preferences during road trips, Scottish parents stand their ground against nursery rhymes, with half of them (48 percent) saying ‘no’ to playing them in the car. Only a mere 11 percent allow nursery rhymes to keep their back passengers happy!
Additionally, almost a third of Scottish families (29 percent) admit to experiencing disagreements in the car over the playlist. However, according to Welcome Break, musical entertainment doesn’t always prevent moments of boredom for children. It takes just 28 minutes for the first kid to ask, ‘are we there yet?’ and only 45 minutes before a child in Scotland asks, ‘can we stop to use the bathroom?’
Fortunately, traditional car games are still enjoyed by parents and children. More than half of Scottish families (55 percent) play the classic ‘I spy’ on long car journeys, while one in ten (11 percent) engage in the ‘number plate game.’ Additionally, some shrewd parents (21 percent) use the ‘quiet game’ to ensure some moments of peace and silence.
As families plan their summer trips around the UK, Welcome Break’s survey reveals that half of Scottish parents (56 percent) consider a bag of toys and books as the top packing essential for UK holidays. For those who stop at Welcome Break pit stops, Twinkl has created activity mats that are sure to keep children entertained and engaged.
Gary Steele, Operations Director at Welcome Break,commented on the findings: “Welcome Break has everything you need if you’re travelling with children this summer.
“Whether it’s a toilet break, a snack stop or to pick up one of our Twinkl activity packs, we’re there to keep kids entertained on any journey! With 66 percent of Scots holidaying in Scotland this year, we’re there to act as that perfect pitstop whatever your plans are this summer!”
Twinkl’s activity mats, available at all Welcome Break sites, feature a variety of fun puzzles, activities, and games, carefully designed to be both entertaining and educational.
The tasks aim to engage children with their surroundings while on their travels. Twinkl also directs travelling families to a range of their free Twinkl Go! interactive games and Twinkl Originals AudioBook Playlists, ensuring they are well-equipped for their journeys over the summer.
Leon Smith, Chief Customer Officer at Twinkl, commented: “Twinkl is passionate about providing support to all types of educators, including parents. Our collaboration with Welcome Break is a testament to that mission.
“As a parent myself, I understand the challenges of keeping children engaged during long car journeys. That’s why we’ve thoughtfully designed activity mats packed with fun puzzles, activities, and games, all with an educational twist.
“We hope these will make travel more enjoyable for families by sparking curiosity and learning on the road.”
For more free activities, scan the QR code on the sheets to discover free audio books and games that can be played on iPads, tablets, iPhones and Androids. All the activities have been created by Twinkl’s team of experienced teachers and parents, to ensure they are inviting for children with an educational twist.
Wherever you’re at on the map or in life, the city’s biggest sports and leisure provider has lots of activities to keep the kids active and entertained this summer.
Edinburgh Leisure is offering a range of sports camps and fun activities for children and families to enjoy at different venues across the city. Whether your child is crazy about climbing, silly about soft play or they simply love to swim, Edinburgh Leisure has it covered.
Their summer activities programme covers swimming, diving, tennis, soft play, climbing, gymnastics and more geared towards ages 3 to 18 years. From week-long sports camps to just a fun way to spend an hour, there’s something for everyone.
Looking for a fun-packed week of sport, arts, games, and activities from a trusted provider? Each of their clubs has a sporting speciality, including multi-activity, multi-sports, aquatics, gymnastics, and racquets. Bookable by the day or the week, Edinburgh Leisure offers an early drop off and late pick up available at no extra cost.
Don’t need full day camps? Don’t worry! Edinburgh Leisure has week-long half-day holiday clubs running from 9am – 1pm.
Edinburgh Leisure’s Multisport Camps, at Gracemount Leisure Centre, is aimed at 8 years+, and puts the emphasis on the ‘multi’. Children can look forward to trying a range of sports, as well as trying out different arts, challenges, games, and educational activities.
Edinburgh Leisure’s Gymnastics Camp – Stage 2, is available at Tumbles at Portobello. This half-day gymnastics camp is for the more experienced little gymnast and will allow your budding ‘Beth Tweddle’ or ‘Max Whitlock’ to develop their skills on vault, beam, bars, and floor, as well as having fun on trampolines, a fast track, a tumble run and in foam pits.
If you’re looking for your child to perfect or learn a new skill, then their summer coaching offering is for them. There’s everything including climbing, gymnastics, Gym Nippers (perfect for pre-schoolers), swimming, diving, tennis and match play.
And it isn’t just the kids who get to have all the fun. This summer, Edinburgh Leisure is offering Adult Beginner and Improver swim lessons at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and Leith Victoria Swim Centre.
And for adults who want to dive into something more challenging, they’re offering hour-long bookable adult-dive sessions, suitable for divers currently attending the Edinburgh Leisure Adult Divers and Masters sessions. Divers will work with a qualified level 2 coach on a variety of skills and techniques on the poolside at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, and on the 1m, 3m and platforms.
Wherever you’re at on the map, Edinburgh Leisure has something fun and active for all the family to enjoy together including Aquadash, Badminton, Clip ‘n’ Climb, Soft Play, Family Swim Sessions, Taster Climbing sessions, Table Tennis and Tennis, across lots of our venues in Edinburgh.
You can even try your hand at Pickleball, the world’s fastest growing sport. New to Edinburgh Leisure, it’s a hybrid of ping pong, tennis, and badminton. Book on the Edinburgh Leisure app under social sports or online. Pickleball can be played at Ainslie Park Leisure Centre, the new Meadowbank Sports Centre, and Craiglockhart Tennis Centre.
As the biggest club in town, with50+ venues across the city, which includes 1 world-class climbing centre; 12 superb swimming pools, 32 tennis courts; and 141 sports pitches, Edinburgh Leisure has built a reputation as a trusted sports and leisure provider who will guarantee your kids an adventure of fun this summer.
Childline delivered more than 4,000 counselling sessions, including 273 in Scotland, to children and young people with worries around body image and eating disorders
40% of these counselling sessions take place during the summer – June to September
Childline reminds children the service is here to support them during holidays
Childline, the counselling service run by the NSPCC, reveals new data showing that 40% of all the counselling sessions they delivered last year on eating disorders and body image took place in the summer months (June to September).
Across the whole year – April 2022 to March 2023 – Childline delivered 4,179 counselling sessions to children struggling with these issues. 273 of these were in Scotland.
1656 (40%) of those counselling sessions based on these topics took place from June to September , the lead up to and the duration of the six-week summer break.
Eating disorders and body image issues were the 6th most common concern for children contacting Childline in 2022/23 in Scotland.
During this year’s summer holiday, Childline knows that many children might be struggling to cope with these issues and wants to remind them that their trained counsellors and online services are here to support them.
Childline insight
Common themes that came out of Childline counselling sessions on body image and eating disorders include:
Comparisons to friends, siblings, and people on social media
Guilt around eating particular “bad” foods or guilt about eating at all
Negative comments from family, friends, bullies, and partners about their weight and body often contributes to body image concerns
Weight worries linked to lockdown, gaining weight due to lockdown inactivity or stress
Not knowing how to manage weight or fitness without going to extremes
Cancelling plans due to body image issues
Childline knows that there are number of factors that make the summer holiday a particularly tricky time for children and young people struggling with their body image or their relationship with food.
For some, the prospect of wearing clothing which shows their body more can make them feel under pressure to look a certain way, that they need to lose weight or change their appearance.
For others, this pressure is also reinforced as many will be spending more time online during the summer months to keep in touch with their friends and to stay entertained. As a result, we know many children may be exposed to more content online that might make them feel negatively about the way they way look.
Additionally, children who struggle with eating disorders might find a change in their day-to-day routine and eating habits over the summer period difficult to cope with.
A girl in Scotland aged 16 who reached out to Childline said*: “How is Tiktok full of so many beautiful people and I look like this? I stare out at my face in the mirror and can only see what needs fixing. My lips, my nose, my eyes, my cheeks. Even my friends agree my nose is huge. Make up doesn’t do what surgery and fillers can do.”
A boy aged 13 told the service: “I feel so guilty every time I eat. I’ve been trying to be healthy and cut down on food, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. My older siblings are all so skinny, everyone says they’re so handsome and look like models, then there’s just me. It’s been upsetting me so much lately, thank you for letting me offload how I’m feeling.”
Support
Kieran Lyons, Service Head of Childline said: “Every year our trained counsellors speak to hundreds children in the run up to and during the summer holidays who are struggling with their body image or eating disorders.
“Summer can be a really a tough time for anyone who is already dealing with these issues, and it also can be a time which can make others who ordinarily felt happy with their body image begin to feel negatively.
“Regardless of your situation or your worries, Childline is here to ensure that no child is left to cope alone with any worry they have.
“If you are struggling with your body image or an eating disorder, we want you to know that Childline is here to help, and we can support you on what you can do and how to make things feel better.”
If there is a young person in your life struggling with their body image or an eating disorder here are some tips on how best to support them:
Remind them that how they look is part of who they are and that their personality, achievements and the way they behave is important too.
Images they may see on TV, in magazines, in social media or online are often altered and airbrushed so what they are seeing isn’t always real.
Remind them that everyone is different and not to compare themselves to anyone else. Accepting themselves is all about them noticing things they are happy and unhappy about and realise that is what makes them unique.
To help build their confidence encourage them to spend time focusing on a hobby they enjoy.
Also, it may help if they write down every morning a few things they like about themselves.
All children can speak to a trained counsellor over the phone on 0800 1111, via email or on a 121 chat on the Childline website.
Children can also visit the website to find more advice on any concerns or questions they may have on body image and eating disorders and they can also use the service’s monitored message boards to get support from their peers.
Keep the kids amused with free footballat Meadowbank
Looking for ways to keep the kids amused this summer, then look no further than some free summer football being offered by Edinburgh Leisure.
Suitable for young people aged 11+ years, the football sessions will run on the main pitch at Meadowbank Sports Centre from 1:30pm – 3:00pm every Tuesday and Thursday of the summer holidays.
Participants can come along, stay active and socialise while enjoying the outdoors. Sessions don’t need to be booked – kids can simply turn up and have fun.
Wherever you’re at on the map or in life, Edinburgh Leisure is here to help the people of Edinburgh enjoy a healthier, happier, and more active life.
In the heart of communities, they’re the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city. As a charitable trust they provide activities for everyone as they move through their lives.
Vets are advising anyone planning to travel abroad this summer with their pets or assistance dogs to book an appointment with their vet practice well in advance to allow plenty of time to complete all the required health checks and paperwork.
With school summer holidays here, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) is calling on owners to first carefully consider if it would be in their pets’ best interests to travel overseas with them.
For anyone choosing to holiday abroad with their pet, BVA has issued a handy checklist to remind owners about the checks their animal will need before travel. This includes trips from Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the European Union, as post-Brexit rules mean owners now have to get the more complex and time-consuming Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from a vet trained to issue them no more than ten days before travel.
British Veterinary Association Senior Vice President Justine Shotton said:“The countdown to summer break has begun. While we should all consider whether a holiday abroad is appropriate for our pets’ welfare or their carbon pawprint, if you are making plans that include travelling with your pet or assistance dog, now is the time to contact your local vet for information on pet travel requirements.
“Book an appointment as soon as possible to make sure your pet has all the necessary paperwork and is fully protected against diseases they may encounter in their travels.
“We’d like to remind owners that the post-Brexit requirements for travel to the EU are a significant change from the previous and much simpler ‘pet passport’ system, so they will take longer to complete and cost more. A pet travel consult at the vets can now take around an hour and even longer where there are multiple animals.
“Vet practices are already under a huge workload pressure. To help make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible for yourself, your pet and your vet, we would urge you to contact your vet as early as you can ahead of travel to make sure there’s a vet available for this certification work and enough time to complete the required health checks and paperwork.”
Prior to Brexit, as many as 250,000 cats and dogs from the UK were taken to the EU on holiday every year.
BVA has prepared a seven-point checklist for to help pet owners:
Timings: Contact your vet well in advance to ensure that you can get an appointment at least three weeks before your planned travel. Dogs, cats and ferrets need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) for each trip from Great Britain to an EU country or Northern Ireland. Unlike pet passports, AHCs are 9-12 pages long, which means a much more complex, time consuming and costly paperwork process. Some vaccinations, like rabies, are time-sensitive, so even a one-day delay could result in your papers being rejected at the border. As Northern Ireland remains part of the EU pet travel scheme, travellers from the country can use an EU pet passport as an alternative to an AHC. Contact your vet to update the pet passport.
Destination: Be clear about the countries you intend to travel to so that your vet can identify specific health risks your pet may be exposed to, such as ticks, sandflies, heartworm or tapeworm.
Rabies: Check that your pet’s rabies vaccination is up to date.
Microchip: Ensure your pet’s microchip is working and contact details are up to date.
Heat: Talk to your vet if going somewhere hot to discuss prevention of heatstroke and how to recognise symptoms in your dog.
Emergencies: Identify a local vet in the area where you will be holidaying in case of an emergency and to administer compulsory tapeworm treatment to dogs one to five days before arrival back into the UK.
Return: If your pet becomes ill after returning to the UK, it is very important to tell your vet that you have been abroad with your pet, even if it was some time ago.
