CHARITY EVENT: South Queensferry onSunday 30 August 2026
A group of 20 women are taking on a 12-hour continuous football match to raise money for St Columba’s Hospice Care. Two teams will play 7-a-side football from 8am until 8pm at South Queensferry Hub, with only three substitutes per team, so it’s going to be a real endurance challenge!
We’re hoping to raise at least £2,000 for St Columba’s Hospice Care, which provides vital care and support to people with life-limiting illnesses and their families across Edinburgh and the Lothians. St Columba’s have also very kindly provided our playing strips for the day.
We’re getting incredibly close to our target and would love to spread the word as widely as possible. (JustGiving)
KSQ Football Club have kindly donated the use of their facilities for the event, and we’d love to welcome anyone who wants to come along, support us and cheer the women through the 12 hours.
SASS4US (Support And Survival Skills for Unleashing self love) is a trauma support group facilitated through LIFT, bringing together women aged 20 to 50 from the Muirhouse and West Pilton communities.
The group provides a safe and supportive space where women can talk openly about life experiences, mental health, personal challenges, and goals for the future. Around eighteen women attend every week.
Through mutual support, encouragement, and understanding, members work together to build confidence, develop resilience, embrace positive change, and support one another in their personal journeys.
Recently, many group members shared their concerns about the negative atmosphere they feel has developed within the local community. Some residents have expressed feeling anxious or even afraid to visit local shops, and there is a growing sense that negative stories are overshadowing the many positive aspects of the area.
Wanting to make a difference, the women of SASS4US decided to take positive action. They created inspirational stones and uplifting quotations, which have been placed throughout the Muirhouse and West Pilton communities.
Their writings aim is to spread kindness, hope, and encouragement, while reminding people that even small acts of positivity can have a meaningful impact.
This project reflects the group’s commitment not only to supporting each other’s wellbeing but also to helping create a stronger, more connected, and more hopeful community for everyone.
The girls would like to be anonymous as they want to start making these each month and placing them around the community continuously.
WACL (Women in Advertising & Communications Leadership) brought together some of the UK’s and Scotland’s most influential female leaders last week as the WACL Festival of Talent arrived in Edinburgh for the first time.
The event comes at a pivotal moment for gender equality in business. The mean gender pay gap in Scotland rose to 10% in 2025, up from 8.3% in 2024 and 6.4% in 2023. Female owned businesses already contribute an estimated £8.8bn annually to the Scottish economy, yet the proportion of women led employer businesses has fallen from 23% in 2021 to just 16% today, according to Women’s Enterprise Scotland.
Research also shows female CEO representation across the UK has dropped sharply from 28% in 2022/23 to 19% in 2024, highlighting growing concern around the progression and retention of women in senior leadership roles.
Against this backdrop, the WACL Festival of Talent, taking place at The Hoxton, Edinburgh, brought together senior leaders, entrepreneurs and creatives for a one day leadership accelerator focused on helping women build confidence, resilience, influence and stronger professional networks in a rapidly changing business environment.
Part of WACL’s largest ever national programme marking the Festival’s 30th anniversary, events will take place simultaneously across London, Manchester, Edinburgh and online, with the ambition of engaging more than 650 women nationwide.
The expansion marks a formal commitment from WACL to grow its presence beyond London into Scotland and the North of England for the first time in its 102 year history, reflecting the organisation’s ambition to build stronger regional leadership networks and support female talent across the UK.
Speakers in Edinburgh included Claire Sadler, President of WACL and Chief Marketing Officer at the British Heart Foundation; Corinne Hutton, author and entrepreneur; Sheryl Findlay, international coach; Nishma Patel Robb, Founder and CEO of Glittersphere; Sharon Lloyd Barnes, Head of Commercial Operations at the Advertising Association; Sophie Devonshire, CEO of The Marketing Society; Stef Sword Williams, author; Gemma Atkinson, Chief People Officer; Zoe Howarth, Non Executive Director; Rania Robinson, Co Founder and Partner at Quiet Storm; Emma Isaac, former CMO of Virgin Money; Sam Baker, editor and broadcaster; Melissa Robertson, Non Executive Director; and Georgie Jones, poet.
The Edinburgh event also included speed mentoring sessions with WACL members and senior female leaders, alongside networking opportunities designed to help attendees build meaningful professional connections.
Juliet Simpson, Chair WACL Scotland said: “The reality is that progress for women in leadership is not guaranteed and in several areas we’re seeing signs of regression rather than acceleration.
“Our first WACL Scotland Festival of Talent reflects the changing nature of leadership today, less linear, more complex, and increasingly shaped by influence, relationships and values led decision making.
“It’s about equipping women with the relationships, confidence, language and practical tools that help power and influence compound over time to ultimately drive change.”
Claire Sadler, WACL President added: “Thirty years after the Festival of Talent first launched, the need for spaces that actively support women’s progression remains incredibly urgent.The data shows there is still significant work to do to achieve genuine equality in leadership, particularly at senior levels.
“We are delighted to be bringing the Festival to Edinburgh for the first time as part of WACL’s commitment to growing our influence and support networks beyond London into Scotland and are thrilled with the response we’ve had.
“The Festival exists to help women build confidence, skills and networks at every stage of their careers and to remind the industry that diverse leadership is better for business, innovation and economic growth.”
Edinburgh Castle became a shining tribute to Scotland’s female footballers on Saturday night, with striking images of players of all ages and stages projected onto the iconic landmark to mark ScottishPower signing up to support the women’s game for another three years.
From the Castle Esplanade, players, coaches and parents gathered at dusk as the historic fortress was illuminated with projected footage showcasing the journeys of young players developing into emerging professionals alongside existing stars and professional players, bringing to life what is increasingly possible through ScottishPower’s continued support.
The projection marks the extension of ScottishPower’s exclusive Principal Partnership with Scottish Women’s Football (SWF) and the Scottish Women’s Premier League (SWPL), first announced back in 2023 as the biggest single investment in Scottish women’s football.
The leading green energy company also confirmed it will continue to sponsor the Scottish Youth Challenge Cups at all three age groups, SWF’s National & Regional league cups and is again backing the fast-growing Scottish Women’s Highlands and Islands League and Cup.
Over the next three years, ScottishPower will continue to actively support both the SWF and the SWPL as they accelerate the growth of the women’s game, all the way from grassroots to elite up and down the country.
Keith Anderson, ScottishPower Chief Executive, said: “At ScottishPower, we’re committed to equality of opportunity, and over the past three years our partnership with Scottish Women’s Football and the Scottish Women’s Premier League has shown just how powerful the right support can be for girls and women across Scotland.
“We’re proud to back the elite end of the game, but just as importantly, to help strengthen the entire pathway – from grassroots and youth football right through to the highest level.
“Together, we’ve focused on making a real, practical impact, from providing kit and boots to girls across the country to supporting development in areas like the Highlands and Islands that can too often be overlooked.
“Renewing our support for another three years is a clear statement of our intent. We’re in this for the long term, committed to building momentum and helping women’s football in Scotland reach its full potential.”
Aileen Campbell, CEO at Scottish Women’s Football, added:“ScottishPower’s continued commitment is a hugely important vote of confidence in the women’s and girls’ game across the country.
“This partnership has already helped us strengthen the foundations of football in communities, supporting participation, improving the player pathway, and creating more opportunities for girls to stay in the sport and progress, whatever their starting point.
“The continuation of support for our National and Regional cups, the Youth Challenge Cups and the Highlands and Islands League and Cup is especially significant, because it reaches players and volunteers at every level. We’re proud of what has been achieved so far, and we’re excited to keep building real momentum over the next three years.”
Fiona McIntyre, Managing Director of Scottish Women’s Premier League, said: “This renewal is a powerful statement about the future of women’s football in Scotland.
“The SWPL has been on a clear journey of growth in standards, visibility and ambition, and having a long-term principal partner like ScottishPower enables our clubs and players to keep driving progress both on and off the pitch.
“Crucially, it also strengthens the connection between the top of the game and the grassroots and youth pathway, ensuring young players across Scotland can see a clear and achievable future in football.
“We’re immensely grateful for ScottishPower’s continued belief in what women’s football can become and the positive impact it can have on communities nationwide.”
ScottishPower is at the heart of communities across the country, whether it’s through the thousands of green jobs being created, the renewable power it generates or the secure, stable electricity it supplies –keeping the lights on from power to plug.
This landmark football partnership aligns with parent company, Iberdrola, which has been promoting equality through sport since 2016, through competitions and federations in Spain and Brazil.
Outside the UK, it supports more than 100 competitions, 32 of them as Iberdrola leagues, reaching an estimated 600,000 female athletes.
An Edinburgh MP has warned that long NHS waiting times are having a serious impact on women across the Lothians, as concerns grow about a two-tier healthcare system emerging in Scotland.
Private healthcare admissions in Scotland recently hit a record high, raising fresh concerns that patients are increasingly being pushed to pay for treatment due to long NHS wait times.
Tracy Gilbert MP says these delays are particularly affecting women, who are often left waiting the longest for treatment, including for gynaecological conditions and diagnostic tests.
Edinburgh North and Leith MP Tracy Gilbert said:“Across Edinburgh and the Lothians, too many women are being left waiting far too long for the care they need.
“For many women, these delays aren’t just frustrating; they mean months or even years living with pain, uncertainty or conditions that are affecting their daily lives.
“When people feel forced to consider paying privately just to be seen sooner, it raises serious concerns about a two-tier system emerging in our NHS.
“Women across Scotland deserve timely, high-quality care through our NHS, regardless of their ability to pay.”
Celebrate International Women’s Day with all women’s surf sessions and film screenings
This International Women’s Day, Scotland’s pioneering inland surf destination Lost Shore Surf Resort, is championing women in and out of the water with all-women surf lessons and sessions as well as two film screenings.
First up on Friday 6th March, Lost Shore is hosting a mini-film premiere and Q&A; ‘In Conversation with Amy Swims’. The evening starts with the premiere of Loch Ness Swim Challenge documentary film, before a Q&A session with the world record ultramarathon swimmer herself, Amy Ennion aka Amy Swims.
Tickets cost £15 with all profits going to Lost Shore’s affiliated charities; The Wave Project and Inclusive Surfing Scotland, that deliver surf therapy sessions for young people and adaptive surf sessions at Lost Shore, improving lives through surfing.
Then on Sunday 8th March, Lost Shore, recently named the world’s best surf park, is running dedicated all-women lessons for beginners and improvers, plus sessions on the Cruiser and Turns settings. Tickets are priced from £65 which also includes a hot buffet dinner at Lost Kitchen and an evening film screening focused on women in surfing.
Lee Wood, Lost Shore Surf Resort’s MD, said:“From the outset, we’ve wanted Lost Shore to feel welcoming to everyone.
“Creating dedicated space for women to surf together is part of that, whether it’s about feeling more relaxed trying something new or progressing without feeling self-conscious. Time and time again we see the experience is a joyful one!”
For more information and to book a visit or stay, head to www.lostshore.com.
Scotland’s first confidential helpline for victims and survivors of economic abuse has been launched by Financially Included, an organisation that supports women to recover from a controlling and often hidden form of gender-based violence.
As the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence campaign draws to a close, Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan visited East Renfrewshire to find out more about Financially Included’s Purple Phone Helpline, part of a new economic abuse pilot project supported by Scottish Government funding.
The helpline provides advice, emotional support and financial guidance to women experiencing economic abuse. She heard about the help they gave to one woman, Caroline*. After leaving an abusive relationship, the mother of four was supported by Financially Included to claim a range of benefits and payments she was entitled to, helping Caroline to work towards financial independence and a stable future for her family.
Housing Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “Financially Included’s pioneering Purple Phone Helpline will be an invaluable source of advice to women across Scotland who need help to escape or recover from economic abuse.
“Tackling violence against women and girls in all its forms is one of our key priorities, with investment of £21.6 million this year through the Delivering Equally Safe fund, to support specialist services like Financially Included, making a real difference to women’s lives.”
Councillor Katie Pragnell, Chair of East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board said: “We’re proud to lead the way in collaboration with other local organisations as part of the East Renfrewshire Violence against Women and Girls Partnership and we are committed to making sure no one faces abuse alone.
“This helpline is more than a phone number – it’s a lifeline. It means women and children trapped by financial control now have somewhere to turn.”
Amber Cully, Project Manager at Financially Included, said: “We are delighted to be entering into this partnership in East Renfrewshire to build on the vital work in tackling economic abuse and to strengthen specialist support for women affected across the area.
“Through this partnership, we will deliver training on recognising and responding to economic abuse, provide a second-tier advice service for frontline workers supporting victim-survivors.
“Using additional funding from the Scottish Government this year, we are expanding our work nationally, with East Renfrewshire the first area to commit to working with us in this way.
“Our vision is to grow this into a Scotland-wide network, ensuring a consistent, sustainable and trauma-informed response for victim-survivors across the country.”
The confidential and free Purple Phone Helpline number is 0343 841 0132. It is currently open Monday 16:30–19:30, Wednesday 10:00–13:00 and Thursday 13:30–16:30. Translators are available on request.
Financially Included is a pilot project led by Greater Easterhouse Money Advice Project in partnership with Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership.
The project focuses on improving the provision of money advice across gender-based violence sectors through training and toolkit resources.
Caroline’s story
Caroline* was referred to Financially Included by Glasgow Women’s Aid two years ago. A survivor of sustained physical, emotional and economic abuse, Caroline is a single mother of four children, two of whom have since been diagnosed with autism. When she first came to the service, Caroline was a full-time student, working part-time and managing multiple health conditions linked to years of trauma and injury.
Despite the abuse, Caroline remained financially tied to the perpetrator through a jointly owned home, shared benefits and mounting debt. She faced benefit complications, mortgage insecurity, damaged credit, and serious housing disrepair including damp and mould. Her situation was made even more complex by ongoing stalking, threats from her former partner, and significant barriers to accessing affordable legal support.
Financially Included provided intensive, trauma-informed support across benefits, housing, debt and energy advice and supported Caroline to secure disability benefits for herself and her son, challenged incorrect benefit decisions and assisted with a Criminal Injuries Compensation application.
They also provided emotional support to Caroline while she completed these processes, acknowledging the trauma involved in revisiting her experiences. She was also supported with council tax exemption, rising mortgage pressures, household debt directly linked to economic abuse, and energy advice to address unsafe living conditions.
While Caroline continues to face serious challenges around housing security and legal protections, she now feels more confident managing as a single parent and navigating complex systems. She continues to receive multi-agency support, including from Women’s Aid, schools, health services and her employer.
