NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS at WEST PILTON NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE
The NEA Youth Arts Collective meets up weekly to do creative tasks (think Taskmaster!), play games, hang out, eat tasty snacks and chat about children and young people’s rights.
This term, the YAC are working with artists to select and develop a new performance to be showcased at the 2025 Edinburgh Children’s Festival family day and the North Edinburgh Community Festival.
New members welcome, so come along and bring a friend, too!
When: Every Thursday, 5.30pm – 7pm
Drop in any time from 4.30pm for toasties and hang out before the group starts at 5.30pm
POP24 and Dynamic Earth offer schools a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn from environmental scientists, space experts, and conservationists
Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh’s Science Centre and Planetarium, is thrilled to announce its participation in Protecting Our Planet Day 2024 (POP24), a landmark educational event aimed at inspiring climate action among young people.
POP24 is organised by the UK Space Education Office (ESERO-UK) at STEM Learning and in collaboration with the European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency, POP24 is set to take place on Tuesday, 12 November 2024.
POP24 will immerse students in a full day of interactive sessions led by top experts in Earth and Space sciences, with an audience of approximately 150,000 people. Schools and the general public alike are invited to book individual sessions or participate in the entire day, offering everyone a unique opportunity to engage with climate change experts and explore innovative solutions to global environmental challenges.
Throughout the day, the event will feature live sessions hosted from Dynamic Earth by Suzie Imber and Dallas Campbell, who will guide viewers through each activity and highlight insights from guest experts.
Anyone interested in joining can sign up for most of the day’s events through the POP24 website. Participation is open to everyone, not just teachers or students, making this an inclusive event for all who care about protecting our planet.
One of the day’s first sessions, Pop into the Ocean (9:10-9:50 am), will be presented by Chris George, Head of Learning and Engagement at Dynamic Earth.
This session will take place in the Discover the Deep gallery and feature Alycia Smith from the National Oceanography Centre, known for her groundbreaking work on “dark oxygen” with the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).
Alycia Smith, who previously contributed to Dynamic Earth’s Growing Roots exhibition, will delve into her deep-sea research while joined by Emily Yates from Project Seagrass, who will highlight the critical role of seagrass ecosystems around the UK.
This session promises an in-depth look into how ocean life and conservation efforts help protect our planet, connecting participants with both marine research and the seagrass nurseries that sustain vital biodiversity.
Later in the day, Protecting Biodiversity (11:25 am-12:10 pm), presented by former Dynamic Earth Scientific Director Dr. Hermione Cockburn, will focus on the importance of biodiversity in sustaining our ecosystems.
The session opens with a recorded message from naturalist Chris Packham, who will introduce the concept of biodiversity and underscore its significance. Following this, the session will feature conservation efforts from the Knepp Wildland Foundation, Saving Wildcats, Trees for Life, and the National Wildflower Centre.
Each organisation will share insights into their work and unique approaches to biodiversity preservation, making this session an inspiring look at the practical measures that can help protect natural habitats.
The day will conclude with STEM Clubs Hour (3:30-4:30 pm), an after-school science club hosted by Chris George and Dynamic Earth’s Planetarium Manager, Dr. Alastair Bruce.
This engaging session will explore Earth observation through the use of satellites, explaining how this technology monitors environmental changes and supports global conservation efforts.
Dr. Bruce will introduce participants to the basics of satellite launches and their applications, using planetarium footage to explain the process.
From tracking wildlife and weather patterns to monitoring natural hazards, this session highlights how space science plays a vital role in advancing climate and environmental research. A range of interactive activities and videos will complement this session, making it an educational and hands-on way to close out the day.
Dynamic Earth’s Head of Learning and Engagement, Chris George, said: “We’re excited to be part of POP24 and to support students across the UK in exploring climate science and the role we all play in protecting our planet.
“POP24 offers a unique learning experience by bringing real-world science into classrooms, sparking curiosity, and empowering young people to think critically about our environment.”
For more information on how to register, please visit https://bit.ly/47waVJh and join the conversation using #POP24.
Youth unemployment rate hits 13.3%, up 1.4 percentage points on the quarter
Vacancies have fallen for the last 26 months (down 42,000 on the quarter)
While LFS data suggests employment is rising, HMRC data suggests that payrolled employees are falling
Real wages finally return to 2008 level, but there is much lost ground still to make up
Responding to today’s labour market data, which show ongoing weakness in the labour market including rising youth unemployment, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Working people are still facing major problems left behind by the Conservatives.
“Vacancies have been falling for more than two years. Millions of workers are in insecure jobs and without proper employment rights. And young people’s futures are on the line as youth unemployment rises.
“Most employers support the new government’s plans to make work pay and strengthen workers’ rights. It’s time to move on from the low-pay, low-rights approach that has failed so many people so badly.”
MaPS calls on young people to pay into their pension, even if they’re only able to contribute a small amount.
1 in 3 18-25-year-olds who are currently working have never contributed to a pension.
“We want young people to make sure they’re well informed and get into healthy saving habits early on in their careers” says MaPS.
MoneyHelper can support young people to learn about their pensions.
In a survey of 2,000 UK 18-25-year-olds, MaPS found that 1 in 3 (29%) who are currently working have never contributed to a workplace or private pension.
Additionally, only just over half (54%) are currently contributing to a pension.
Among savers (87%), ‘milestone planning’ was the top reported savings priority for young people, with half of 18–25-year-olds (51%) saying they are saving to buy a property, get married, or similar life events.
Leaving planning for retirement in 6th place, with just over 1 in 8 (13%) reporting that they are saving for this.
MaPS highlights research from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) which shows that contributing to your pension age 35 instead of 25 could result in a £500k pension pot instead of £800k, a detrimental loss of over £300k for a retirement pot.
Jackie Spencer, Head of Money and Pensions Policy at the Money and Pensions Service says:“We understand that not everyone can regularly contribute high amounts to their pension.
“It’s encouraging that our recent data shows that 71% of young people in full-time employment are contributing to a pension. This likely demonstrates the positive effect of the workplace automatic enrolment, and we’d encourage young people starting new jobs to contribute to their workplace pension.
“It’s important that young people starting out in their careers know that even a small contribution each month can make a difference to their retirement pot, and something is better than nothing.
“For those currently self-employed or not in full-time employment, try to put money aside where you can for retirement and consider a personal pension. When young people do reach the stage of full-time employment, we’d encourage taking advantage of auto-enrolment into your pension if you can.”
MaPS understands that not everyone is able to pay into a pension, particularly if they are saving money for other reasons, but it’s important to be well informed when making financial decisions.
When you are part of a workplace pension scheme, you may be eligible for employer contributions and some of the money that would have gone to the government as tax goes towards your pension instead.
MaPS’ MoneyHelper website has plenty of free and impartial guides to offer support, including our pension calculator and a webchat tool where young people can access pension guidance.
The platform, which provides a safe place to find advice, local support, tips, and tools to help maintain positive wellbeing, was launched at Bonaly Primary School this week (Wednesday 21 August).
The online space features a series of short films where children and young people from Edinburgh schools discuss why it’s important to talk about feelings and share their tips for emotional wellbeing.
There is also advice on apps, information on local supports and signposting to other websites that provide other sources of helpful advice and resources which include helplines and chat-based support.
It follows research which shows that understanding our emotions and learning coping mechanisms can help prevent more serious health problems later in life.
Education, Children and Families Convener Joan Griffiths said: “The wellbeing of our children and young people is at the heart of everything we do, and we understand they’ll face challenges which might cause them to struggle with their feelings and emotions.
“The launch of this new online platform marks a positive step forward in providing them with the tools and resources they need to take care of their mental health and wellbeing.
“Whether they’re seeking advice, finding support or want to connect with others, the platform is designed to be a go-to digital space. I’m confident it will make a real difference to the lives of Edinburgh’s children and young people.”
Gillian Barclay, Depute Principal Psychologist, said: “It’s normal to feel anxious, angry, sad, or frustrated some of the time, but recognising that we are struggling with feelings or emotions is really important. The new platform aims to support children, young people, and the adults around them to maintain positive wellbeing.
“I hope children, young people and their families in Edinburgh will find it helpful. We’ll continue adding information, support and resources and welcome feedback, particularly from young people and families, to help us do this.”
Hey North Edinburgh youth! Ready for an epic day out?
Together with Imaginate UK, we’ve planned an exciting day exploring the Edinburgh Festivals on Saturday 24 August, from 10.30am – 5.30pm. Expect interesting arts exhibitions, amazing live performances, and loads of fun.
This free event is for local young people aged 11-13 living in the loca area of Muirhouse, Pilton, Granton, and Drylaw. Food and travel will be provided.
This event will be also be an informal opportunity to learn more about NEA Youth Arts Collective, a new creative group for 11-13 year olds living in North Edinburgh. Part of Imaginate and North Edinburgh Arts project, Creative Encounters, which puts children at the heart of decision making
When: Every Thursday, 5.30pm – 7pm
Where: West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre
Who: Local young people (ages 11 -13) living in areas of Muirhouse, Pilton, Telford and Drylaw
Cost: Free but registration required:
Advance booking required so book your spot soon: 
Got a question?
This is a free event open to all, where you can get a free burger and a can.