We’re saddened to share that our community garden—lovingly tended by local children and dedicated volunteers—has been taken, and many of the vegetables we’ve grown together are gone.
This garden is more than just plants; it’s a space for learning, connection, and giving back. We’re asking for your help to spread the word and protect this special place.
Please share this post with your friends and family.
If you see or hear anything, let us know.
Let’s work together to keep our garden safe and thriving.
During Carers Week 2025, The Eric Liddell Community spotlighted the invaluable role unpaid carers play in supporting loved ones living with dementia.
Through its dedicated Carers Programme and specialist Dementia Day Care Service, the Edinburgh-based charity is providing essential respite, meaningful connection, and personalised support for carers across the city.
Caring for a loved one with dementia can be emotionally demanding and socially isolating. According to Carers UK, eight in ten carers regularly experience feelings of loneliness or anxiety.
To help support unpaid carers across Edinburgh, The Eric Liddell Community delivers a range of inclusive, practical, and therapeutic services that aim to reduce isolation, improve wellbeing, and provide vital moments of rest and relief.
John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, said:“Carers Week was a chance for us to honour the incredible role unpaid carers play in supporting their loved ones living with dementia, while also reaffirming our commitment to supporting them.
“At The Eric Liddell Community, we’re proud to offer services that not only provide vital respite, but also help reduce isolation, and offer a supportive community with others in a similar position.
“Through our Carers Programme, Dementia Day Care Service, and initiatives like Liddell Lions and Eric’s Escapes, we aim to create to provide companionship and a break from the isolating realities many carers face.”
The Carers Programme is more than just a series of activities – it’s a lifeline, a place where unpaid carers can recharge, rediscover themselves, and build lasting connections.
Whether it’s the joy of music, the rhythm of dance, or the quiet creativity of the arts, every session offers a chance to step away from daily pressures and embrace moments of renewal. Carers can also develop digital skills, experience holistic therapies, and join social gatherings that remind them they are not alone.
The programme’s impact is best seen in the story of Mary and John, both in their late 80s and living with dementia. As their needs grew, their daughters sought support from The Eric Liddell Community.
What followed was nothing short of transformative.
John rekindled his passion for gardening, finding peace among flowers and fresh earth, while Mary, once hesitant, discovered confidence through music, proudly contributing to daily activities with a newfound spark.
“We feel so lucky we found you,” their daughter shared, capturing the deep gratitude felt by so many families touched by the programme.
With growing demand, The Eric Liddell Community remains committed to expanding its services—ensuring every unpaid carer in Edinburgh has access to a compassionate, uplifting community.
To learn more about the Carers Programme and other available services, visit:
Greenlight – ECCAN’s Seedgrant Funding Opens June 16th!
We are excited to announce that this year we will be sharing £115K for climate action projects delivered by community groups within the city of Edinburgh. We will also accept applications from individuals on behalf of informal groups.
Organisations and groups can apply for grants in the following categories:
Grants of up to £20,000 each (large grants for co-designed projects with partner working) – nominally two awards.
Grants of up to £10,000 each (large grants – can be co-designed) – nominally two awards.
Grants of up to £5,000 each (medium grants) – nominally 4 awards.
Grants up to a value of £1,000 each.
Small grants of up to £500. For individuals or informal groups the limit is £350.
You need to be an ECCAN member to apply (membership is free).
For more information, check our website on the day:
Carers urged to check for financial support during Carers Week
This Carers Week (9 – 15 June), unpaid carers across Scotland are being encouraged to find out if they are eligible for social security support – through Carer Support Payment, Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant
Carer’s Allowance Supplement – a payment only available north of the border – was the first benefit delivered by Social Security Scotland in 2018 to provide extra financial support for carers, recognising their important contribution.
Since the payment’s introduction, unpaid carers in Scotland will be up to £4,475 better off by the end of 2025.
She met with parent carers of adults with additional support needs and heard about the importance of peer support at @vocalmidlothian and the financial support from Social Security Scotland. pic.twitter.com/sipNwTU7vK
— Social Security Scotland (@SocSecScot) June 12, 2025
On a visit to Midlothian Carers Centre to meet with parent carers of adults with additional support needs, Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart, said: “Social security in Scotland isn’t about renaming benefits previously delivered by the UK Government.
“We are about delivering social security with dignity, fairness and respect, continually listening to what carers and support organisations have to say to help shape the changes we’re making.
“We introduced Carer’s Allowance Supplement and Young Carer Grant, which are only available in Scotland, and widened eligibility for Carer Support Payment to enable more carers in education to access it.
“We’re also committed to introducing new extra support for carers who care for more than one person. Changes to help improve the lives of carers in Scotland.
“Social security is something anyone may need at any point in their life. It’s a public service and I encourage all unpaid carers to find out if they are entitled to financial support and apply.”
Carla Bennett, Carer Services Manager at VOCAL Midlothian added: “Unpaid carers often face financial hardship, with many forced to give up paid work or reduce their hours to support those they care for.
“Caring for someone comes with additional costs too, such as transport, heating, equipment and food. These expenses, combined with reduced income, mean carers are more likely to experience poverty.
“Demand for VOCAL’s income maximisation service has doubled in the past year, showing that carers are feeling the strain. Accessing financial and social security support can ease this burden and make a significant difference to the lives of carers and those they care for.
“We would encourage carers to find out what they might be eligible for.”
Caring for someone living with dementia can be hard
Personal playlists however can give dementia carers, who are often relatives or friends respite, by helping to reduce symptoms including distress, anxiety, loss of communication and low mood.
Want to know how to make a playlist? Join our free webinar for family and friends this Thursday to learn how:
Children First has uncovered a staggering 85% of parents in Scotland feel they have nowhere to turn when bringing up children becomes tough. The charity is urging parents and carers to get in touch with their free support line and webchat service which provides emotional, practical and financial help for families.
Scotland’s national children’s charity, who recently declared a childhood emergency in Scotland, described the findings as ‘extremely troubling’.
Children First chief executive Mary Glasgow said, “The fact that almost nine out of ten parents in Scotland don’t know where to seek advice and support when bringing up children gets tough is extremely troubling.
“Every day our teams hear from parents and carers from across Scotland that raising their babies, children and teenagers is harder than ever. Many are at a loss, not knowing where to turn for support. Children do well when families do well, so this must change.
“We are urging parents who are struggling, feeling overwhelmed, have a feeling that something isn’t quite right or who just need to hear a friendly voice to get in touch with our support line on 08000 28 22 33 or start a webchat at childrenfirst.org.uk.
“All stages of growing up bring their own unique challenges. Whatever you are worried about we’re here for you. We know being a parent can be tough. Whether you’re concerned about baby milestones, toddler tantrums, social media, bullying, exam stress or mental health you are not alone. Children First is here for children and here for families.”
For over 140 years Children First have been trusted by thousands of parents and carers to help keep young people safe and well. Every year the charity puts millions of pounds back into the pockets of families by helping them claim the benefits and entitlements they are due.
Mary Glasgow continued: “With one in four children living in poverty in Scotland and around 100 referrals a day being made to child and adolescent mental health services, bringing up children is harder than ever.
“Our support line is a lifeline for families who desperately need advice. No child should suffer because the adults in their life don’t have anyone to turn to.”
Kinship carer Tony* who is bringing up his two-year old granddaughter Cara* and had been struggling to make ends meet, said: “It was only when Children First support line got involved that things started to get better. I feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders, it’s such a relief.”
Mum Lucy* shared that she “received fantastic support both online and via phone, regarding a concern for my son’s emotional wellbeing.”
Young person Ollie* said: “My Children First recovery worker saved my life quite a few times. Without her I would have been lost. She helped me believe I could get through it.”
The support line is also available for anyone who is concerned a child in their community may be at risk of experiencing abuse or neglect.
Ms Glasgow explained, “We all need to look out for children who can’t protect themselves and they need our help to stay safe. If you have concerns about a child’s wellbeing it can be difficult to know what to do.
“Please don’t leave it to chance. Our support line will listen and help you work through what’s best for the child.”
If a child is in immediate danger call the police on 999.
Families can call the Children First support line for free on 08000 28 22 33 or visit www.childrenfirst.org.uk to start a web chat from 9am – 9pm, Monday to Friday or 9am – 12 noon Saturday and Sunday.
From advice on mental health, money worries and online harm, to struggles at school, Children First’s support line gave expert help and advice to more than 2,500 families and supported over 9,400 people in 2024.
Last year, more than two thirds of families contacting the support line were worried about their child’s emotional wellbeing and half rang with concerns about family relationships.
15,000 people in disabled households in Scotland will be forced into severe hardship if the UK government goes ahead with cuts to social security, warns Trussell
New report reveals hundreds of thousands of people will be pushed into severe hardship if government goes ahead with ‘cruel’ cuts to disability payments
15,000 more people in disabled households will be at risk of needing to use a food bank
New analysis from anti-poverty charity Trussell has found that 15,000 people in disabled households across Scotland will be forced into severe hardship and at risk of needing a food bank in 2029/30, if the UK government goes ahead with planned cuts to social security.
The report – produced by economic and public policy experts WPI Economics for Trussell – models the projected impact of proposed changes to social security for disabled people on the number of people facing hunger and hardship in Scotland, a measure of deep poverty which captures people at risk of needing to use a food bank now or in the future.
This new analysis comes just weeks after it was revealed that almost 240,000 emergency food parcels were distributed by the Trussell community across Scotland during the past year. This is equivalent to one parcel every two minutes and a 101% increase compared to a decade ago.
Across the UK, it is projected that 440,000 people in disabled households will be forced into severe hardship. It also shows that the UK government’s planned increase to the basic rate of Universal Credit will move 95,000 people out of severe hardship – which Trussell says is clear evidence this welcome step cannot possibly make up for the sheer scale of the damage of cuts. The net impact of reforms will still be around 340,000 more people in disabled households facing hunger and hardship.
Trussell warns that UK government’s proposed £7 billion cuts to support for disabled people are likely to undermine its goal of increasing employment and will drive higher costs for public services.
Trussell and WPI Economics have shown that even before these cuts, the ongoing failure to tackle hunger and hardship leads to the Scottish government spending an additional £860m a year on public services alone, like the NHS, schools and children’s social care.
As MPs prepare to vote on legislation to introduce the cuts, Trussell is urging the UK government to think again and halt these damaging cuts to support for disabled people. They will be condemning hundreds of thousands of people to severe hardship and piling the pressure on food banks across the country, which are already stretched to breaking point.
As well as axing the proposed cuts, Trussell is calling on the UK government to bring forward the planned increase to the basic rate of Universal Credit so it comes into full effect from April 2026, rather than April 2029.
Cara Hilton, senior policy manager for Scotland at Trussell, said: “This UK government was elected on a promise of change, and with a commitment to end the need for food banks. If the government goes ahead with these ill-considered and cruel cuts to social security, this promise will not be kept – and instead, they will risk leaving behind a legacy of rising poverty and hunger.
“Tackling fiscal challenges should not be done at the expense of people already facing hunger and hardship. These cuts will force 440,000 people in disabled households into severe hardship and leave them at risk of needing a food bank. We urge the government not to continue down this damaging path.
“We support the plan to reform employment support and help more people into work, where their health allows this and accessible jobs are available, but these proposed cuts will utterly undermine this goal. Slashing support will damage people’s health and reduce their ability to engage in training and work.”
Craig Crosthwaite, manager at North Ayrshire Foodbank, said: “Most days we see people coming to the food bank who have a disability or are caring for someone with a disability in their household.
“Social security payments do not allow people to afford the essentials, and this is amplified when you are also dealing with the extra costs of managing a disability. Life simply costs more for disabled people. We fear that should these cuts be forced through Parliament, we will see many more people being forced to access our help.”
You can find out how many emergency food parcels were distributed in your area, and write to your MP to express your concerns at these cruel cuts, on the Trussell website: https://campaign.trussell.org.uk/parcels-by-postcode
The latest version of Ready, Steady, Baby! is now available.
Everyone who is pregnant and lives in Scotland will receive a free printed copy from their midwife (also available in other formats and languages). It’s also available on NHS inform.
Our charity recently released a new Index into the financial wellbeing of older Scots. Across the country, the results were stark, and closer to home they reveal the tough choices many in later life in the Lothian region are being forced to make.
Our data has shown that, shockingly, in the region, 22% of older people have skipped meals in the last year. Just 20% say that the State Pension is enough to cover basic living expenses.
The Scottish Government recently put forward its Programme for Government, and again, despite rising levels of pensioner poverty, there was no proposed plan to tackle this.
At Independent Age, we know urgent action is needed. A pensioner poverty strategy should include a Pension Credit awareness campaign, which is a vital source of support for older people on a low income that a significant number in the region – 18% – do not even know about.
The results of our Index show the unacceptable financial difficulties many older people in the Lothian are experiencing. This must change. Both the UK and Scottish Government must act.
Debbie Horne
Scotland Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Independent Age
Independent Age is a national charity supporting older people facing financial hardship. You can access advice on money, housing, health and care at independentage.org or through a free helpline on 0800 319 6789.
61% of parents and carers of children in Scotland aged 18 and under polled think they had safer childhoods compared to their own children, while 52% felt theirs was easier and 51% believed they had better experiences
This comes at the same time as new data demonstrates that 54% of parents in Scotland want their children to play more in person.
However, top barriers identified to in person play include concerns for children’s safety, the accessibility of going online, the weather, and the cost-of-living crisis.
The NSPCC calls on the public to play their part for children by getting involved in Childhood Day on the 6th of June.
The majority of parents and carers of children in Scotland aged 18 and under believe their own childhood was safer (61%), easier (52%) and full of better experiences (51%) than their own children’s.
A YouGov survey of 4,017 parents and carers – including 339 in Scotland – commissioned by the NSPCC to analyse children’s playing habits also found that 54% of participants want their children to play more in person.
Nearly a third of parents in Scotland (31%) believe the biggest barrier to their child playing more in person is concerns over their safety. Other barriers identified include:
The accessibility of going online (26%)
The cost-of-living crisis, such as preventing families from being able to afford clubs (20%)
Online games being more engaging (23%)
Lack of friends to play with (19%)
Weather (26%)
Overall, findings across the UK showed that 38% of parents believe their child plays online every day or multiple times a day. Once children reach their teens, this increases, with 53% of parents of 12–16-year-olds saying their children within that age group play online at least once a day.
In person play also decreases as a child ages. While 40% of total participants agreed that their children played in person once a day or more, for parents of 12–16-year-olds this decreases to just 27%, and 16% for those with 17–18-year-olds.
As the NSPCC prepares for its fourth annual Childhood Day on Friday (June 6th) it has issued calls for families to come together and celebrate the joys of childhood, while also encouraging people to play their part to help keep children safe.
People can get involved by donating to the NSPCC, including in Lidl stores – either at cash donation tins or in small amounts via card payment at the till, thanks to digital micro-donation system Pennies. They can also volunteer at a Childhood Day collection point or take on the NSPCC’s Childhood Day Mile.
All the funds raised will go towards helping the NSPCC deliver vital services, like Childline which supports children at risk.
Chris Sherwood, CEO of the NSPCC said: “It is human nature to want something better for your children, but our latest research suggests that parents today believe we are trending in the wrong direction in terms of childhood experiences.
“Lack of in-person play for children is a particular concern for parents, something we all have a responsibility to try and address. Children and young people playing more with their friends and family, both inside and outside, can only be a good thing for their physical and mental health and general sense of wellbeing.
“The NSPCC’s Childhood Day is all about bringing families, friends and communities together to celebrate childhood and give everyone a really fun and positive in-person experience, while at the same time seeking to raise vital funds for the charity.”
Lidl GB is sponsoring the NSPCC’s Childhood Day for a fourth year as retail sponsor. Lidl GB has been partnered with the NSPCC for 8 years, raising over £10 million for the charity in this time.
Lidl GB will be helping to raise awareness of Childhood Day, as well as holding its own events and activities with colleagues and customers across Great Britain to help raise vital funds.
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