WEDNESDAY 4 NOVEMBER from 5.30 – 7pm at THE JUNCTION
Places still available for today’s Reminiscence Cafe, a safe space for young people, aged 12 – 21, to remember people and pets who have died.
Homemade soup, supportive chat and plenty of arts and crafts.
Into Film, the UK’s leading charity for film, TV, and games in education, has released new research that found that school trips to the cinema provide a powerful cultural enrichment opportunity that supports young people’s educational, personal and social development.
Into Film runs a renowned culturally valuable annual initiative, the Into Film Festival, which provides primary, secondary and SEND schools and colleges across the whole of the UK the chance to book free class visits to their local cinema.
The Into Film Festival runs in cinemas in every corner of the UK, from the Orkney Islands to Truro and everywhere in between. Events are often paired with additional live events and discussions alongside the film, with producers, directors and other professionals who work in the screen industry.
Every year, over half a million 5-19-year-olds and their educators share the joy of cinema through the Into Film Festival, which is taking place this year between 6-27 November. Over 100 different films will be shown in over 600 cinemas and community spaces. It is the UK’s largest free film festival for children and young people and is highly valued by schools wishing to provide quality cultural opportunities for pupils.
The study, funded by Cinema First, gathered insights on their cinema experiences from 3,044 children and young people aged 7–18 across the November 2025 Into Film Festival and the 2026 Spring Cinema Programme. The research which was conducted as a pilot in 2025/26 will continue in 2026/27 to further understand the impact of school cinema trips for young people, including their cinema habits, motivations and barriers, and to identify practical opportunities for the cinema sector for the future.
The findings emphasise the critical role cinemas play in providing equitable access to cultural enrichment:
Cultural Access: For 10% of attendees, the festival was their first ever cinema trip. Furthermore, 19% of respondents identified school as their primary decision-maker for film outings, making educators a key provider of theatrical exposure for nearly 1 in 5 children and young people. At present, one in five primary and secondary pupils receive no enrichment activities in an average week, rising to one in four for pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.[1] School trips to the cinema offer individual and collective cultural experiences that extend far beyond a standard school outing.
Building Community, Belonging and Wellbeing: Amid growing concerns around youth isolation, cinema offers a powerful space for connection. 70% of respondents reported that being at the cinema made them feel part of something bigger, citing that the communal setting fostered feelings of safety, community, and belonging. Cinemas can offer a unique space for social connection and shared experiences amongst their peers.
Positive, Responsible Screen Time: Contrasting mainstream concerns about screen use, the research highlights that screen use—when time-limited, overseen by trusted adults, and embedded in an in-person social setting—supports critical reflection, literacy, and academic confidence.
Drivers of Attendance: Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family proved to be the single strongest influence on film choice. While 74% described cinema visits as exciting special events, cost and winter seasonal factors heavily dictated personal leisure choices, with 11% choosing cinema as their top holiday activity.
Educational Impact & Focus:
Designing cinema experiences that combine the appeal of the big-screen experience with community and educational partnerships, can strengthen local relationships and help nurture the next generation of cinemagoers.
Fiona Evans, CEO, Into Film and former teacher, said: “The Into Film Festival is unique in delivering access to culture for UK schools on such an incredible scale. Going to the cinema is a magical experience, full of opportunities for learning, empathy and inspiration.”
The annual Into Film Festival educator bookings and programme are now live:
The #iWill Festival of Social Action is the #iWill Movement’s annual flagship campaign – three days of youth-led events, place-based celebration and national social action, taking place every November.
Formerly known as #iWill Week, the festival brings together young people, organisations and communities across the UK to celebrate the power of youth social action.
Wednesday is young people’s day. As #iWill Ambassadors come together and celebrate, we’re inviting everyone to reflect on why young people organising, building connections, finding their place, and creating change together, is more important than ever.
Organisations and partners day. An online working session for the people and organisations who believe in young people’s power to lead change – and want to go further in embedding that belief in their work. Expect honest conversation, practical thinking, and the chance to connect with others on the same journey.
Everyone’s day. A national social action call-out – for individuals, schools, youth groups, communities and organisations across the UK. On Friday 20th November, young people across the UK are taking action on something they care about — big or small, planned or spontaneous — photographing it, filming it, writing about it, and sharing it using #iWillFest.
If you work with or alongside schools, youth groups or community organisations, this is your moment.
Our free Act Day pack gives facilitators everything they need to run a session with young people on the day – a session plan, social action ideas, and ready-made social media templates so their voices travel further than the room.
Tinderbox Collective today launches SONAS: Sounds of New Artists Scotland, announcing a bold new nationwide festival designed to open up more stages, spark new connections and celebrate Scotland’s next wave of emerging musicians.
Running 19–28 February 2027, SONAS will bring gigs, workshops and artist‑led events to communities across Scotland – from major cities to island halls, coastal towns, village venues, record stores, youth centres and unexpected spaces.
The festival is built with partners across the country and aims to create meaningful opportunities for musicians and bands aged 14–25, whether they’re playing their first gig or already building momentum in their careers.
SONAS is issuing a major callout to artists, bands, venues, promoters, youth music organisations and anyone passionate about Scotland’s new music to get involved.
Claire Docherty, Senior Producer at Tinderbox Collective, said: “SONAS is about opening up the map, shining a spotlight on local venues and organisations, connecting communities and celebrating the incredible amount of talent that Scotland’s next generation has to offer.”
SONAS invites young musicians aged 14–25 to apply to play at events in their own area, with applications shared directly with participating venues and promoters. Young people can also organise their own SONAS event, from headline shows to unplugged sets, school gigs, youth centre performances or collaborations with local venues. The festival encourages events of all sizes and styles, as long as they platform and celebrate young and emerging artists.
Scotland’s music community is already rallying behind SONAS, with participating venues and organisations confirmed across the country. Iconic spaces such as Caird Hall (Dundee) The Jazz Bar and Queens Hall in Edinburgh are already involved, alongside a growing network of partners in every region; including Jazz Scotland, Macarts (Galashiels) An Seaomar (Inverness) and An Lanntair (Stornoway), as well as venues in Aberdeen, Dumfries, East Lothian, Fife, the Borders, the Western Isles and Caithness.
SONAS is also working closely with Hen Hoose; the pioneering women and non-binary-led songwriting collective who recently announced Scotland’s first safety certification scheme for the music industry, and Bit Collective; a huge driver in progressive and intersectional structural change in the Scottish folk and traditional music community.
Venues, promoters and music organisations from all across Scotland are being encouraged to get involved.
“We want SONAS to be a national celebration powered by everyone who gets involved,” said Claire Docherty. “Every artist who applies, every promoter who takes a chance on a new act, every organisation that spreads the word – they’re all part of building something new for Scotland’s music scene.”
Alongside the callout, SONAS is announcing its first series of free online artist‑development workshops and open mics, curated in partnership with the Music Education Partnership Group and Graeme Smilie – musician, educator and researcher at the University of Glasgow and Royal Conservatoire of Scotland.
Workshops are designed to support young musicians at every stage of their careers, and online open mics offer a place for young people to share their music with other musicians across the country.
The full programme will be announced in the coming months.
SONAS is the latest project from Tinderbox Collective, an organisation known for bringing young people, music, arts and technology together through projects rooted in creativity, collaboration and community. SONAS continues this mission by creating new routes into live music and making emerging talent easier to discover.
The festival is open to artists, venues, promoters, youth organisations, photographers, filmmakers, designers, educators, community spaces and anyone who wants to help new talent get heard.
Claire said: “Whether you’re playing your first gig or you’re a touring band, whether you’re a rapper, trad musician, jazz artist or indie punk band – there’s a place for you in the SONAS programme.
“Scotland’s next generation has an incredible breadth of musical talent as well as the many organisations who work tirelessly to foster this talent.
“We want to create a festival that celebrates all of it, inviting Scotland’s whole music community to help us do it”
Applications to play, event registration forms and workshop information are available at www.sonascotland.org
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Three youngsters and two Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) emergency responders have been recognised at this year’s Brave@Heart Awards.
The awards celebrate acts of courage by members of the public, blue-light services and voluntary rescue organisations across Scotland.
Christopher Chopping, 10, Joshua Miller, five (above) , Jordan Kerr, 15, and SAS staff Harriet Barr and Ailsa McAleer received their awards at a ceremony at Bute House on Tuesday, 6 October, attended by the First Minister and SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson.
Christopher, from Penicuik, saved his father Lee’s life by calling 999 after he suffered a medical emergency caused by an underlying heart condition. Lee said his son’s quick thinking ensured help arrived in time.
Joshua, from Ayr, called 999 when his mum suffered an asthma attack, calmly providing the family’s address and updates on her condition to the call handler. His mum said his actions prevented the situation from becoming far more serious.
Jordan, an Army Cadet of Drumchapel, used CPR skills learned through the cadet programme to help save the life of a young boy who collapsed at a train station.
The 15-year-old restored the boy’s pulse before the ambulance arrived and has since launched a campaign to install a public defibrillator at the station.
Harriet, a Technician, and Ailsa, a Paramedic, from Fort William Station, rescued an elderly woman from an icy stream while off duty.
Despite challenging conditions, they pulled her to safety, called for help and supported the responding crew throughout the incident.
SAS Chief Executive Michael Dickson said: “The actions of all our Brave@Heart recipients are truly commendable.
“Whether performing CPR on a member of the public, calling 999 for a parent, or retrieving a walker from a river, their quick thinking and selfless actions undoubtedly prevented far more serious outcomes.
“Each recipient has demonstrated exceptional courage and is thoroughly deserving of this accolade.”
Professionals from across Edinburgh and Lothians children’s services sector are being invited to gather this November to champion better collaboration and explore how to improve outcomes for young people facing adversity, as national children’s charity Kibble brings its annual conference back to Glasgow.
The event will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow on 3 November. It will provide a space for the nation’s professionals working across social care, education, health, justice and the wider children’s services sector to share insight, challenge current thinking and explore practical approaches to supporting young people.
This year’s conference will be chaired by Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland, Nicola Killean, with keynote addresses from author Steven Russell, care-experienced lawyer Ryan McCuaig, Rob Holland, National Director (Scotland and Wales) and UK Strategic Lead for Volunteering at the National Autistic Society, and Dr Clare Allely, Professor of Forensic Psychology at the University of Salford.
Opening the keynote programme, London-based Steven Russell will draw on more than two decades of experience advocating for children and young people, alongside his own experience of growing up in care.
Steven, Director of The Dual Perspective and author of Drip by Drip, Day by Day: Finding Purpose Through the Pain, will explore the importance of relationships, connection and belonging in helping young people navigate adversity.
His keynote will examine how everyday interactions can have a lasting impact on a young person’s life, and how professionals can create the conditions for trust, safety and positive change.
Ryan McCuaig will bring his own lived experience to the conference, sharing his journey from Easterhouse in Glasgow to a successful legal career after overcoming personal, financial and social challenges. A former Chair of Who Cares? Scotland, Ryan is a dual qualified construction lawyer, social mobility speaker, and university lecturer and tutor with a particular interest in social mobility and improving access and retention of working-class talent in the professions.
Ryan left school without any Highers before going on to graduate with a first-class law degree, qualifying as a solicitor in Scotland, England and Wales. His keynote will explore the importance of resilience and opportunity, while challenging perceptions of what is possible for those who experience adversity early in life.
Rob Holland, National Director (Scotland and Wales) and UK Strategic Lead for Volunteering for the National Autistic Society, will join the speakers to bring a national perspective on autism, drawing on his experience leading the charity’s influencing work to improve support and inclusion across Scotland.
He will explore the changing public discourse, attitudes and the challenges of misinformation, as well as the need for greater collaboration between organisations and professionals to ensure autistic children and young people receive the right support.
His contribution will also build on Kibble’s own work in this area, following its achievement of National Autistic Society accreditation. The accreditation recognised Kibble’s commitment to embedding exemplary autism practice across its services and supporting staff to better understand and respond to the needs of autistic children and young people.
Professor Clare Allely will bring specialist expertise from the child and youth justice sector, exploring the experiences of young people who come into contact with justice systems and the importance of taking a trauma-informed, developmental and collaborative approach to supporting them.
Her keynote will consider how professionals across social care, education, health and justice can work together to better understand the circumstances and needs of young people, helping to ensure that adversity, vulnerability or harmful behaviour does not define their future.
Mark Macmillan, Chief Executive at Kibble, said: “Our annual conference is about bringing the wider sector together to share learning, challenge existing thinking and consider what more we can do collectively for children and young people facing adversity.
“We are particularly pleased to welcome Nicola back for a third year, while also extending a grateful thanks to our keynote speakers, all of whom provide different and valuable perspectives.
“By bringing together people from across care, education, health, justice and other specialist services, we can move beyond working in silos and focus on what really matters – improving outcomes and creating better futures for young people.”
Alongside the keynote sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to take part in a programme of workshops and discussions designed to explore the conference theme, Mental Health in Mind, in more practical detail.
Bringing together professionals from across children’s services, the sessions will provide opportunities to share learning, examine different approaches and consider how greater collaboration between specialisms can translate into better support and outcomes for young people.
Nicola Killean, Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland and Chair of the Kibble Annual Conference, said: “Children and young people who experience adversity are often supported by multiple services and systems throughout their lives. That’s why individual organisations and specialist services must look beyond themselves and work together more effectively for children.
“This conference provides an important opportunity to listen, learn and challenge, while keeping children’s rights, experiences and voices at the heart of the conversation.
“I look forward to welcoming colleagues from across Scotland and beyond for a day of discussion, reflection and practical ideas that can help drive meaningful change for children and young people.”
Kibble Annual Conference 2026 will take place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Glasgow, on 3 November 2026.
Tickets and further information are available via the Kibble Annual Conference – Kibble: Specialist services & support for young people facing adversity
Throughout September, communities across Edinburgh have taken part in activities designed to help people understand the risks associated with carrying knives and explore how to prevent violence.
The 27-foot Knife Angel sculpture, created by artist Alfie Bradley and the British Ironworks Centre from 100,000 confiscated knives and blades, has provided a powerful focal point for conversations about the devastating impact of violence and knife crime.
As part of the programme, 500 pupils were funded to attend Code at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The gritty theatre production explores county lines gangs and violence through rap, parkour and BMX stunts.
The performance prompted important discussions among pupils, teachers and peers about the realities and consequences of violence.
Pupils from 13 high schools also attended Balisong, an educational play about knife crime produced by Strange Town. With support from Forth Ports, the production has toured high schools across Edinburgh, reaching thousands of pupils.
Young people have also played a key role in a creative project which saw 92 pieces of pupils’ artwork selected to form a mosaic on a Lothian bus. The artwork focuses on keeping safe and being kind, providing a positive message that was seen by people across the city.
Police Scotland school engagement officers have worked with schools and young people throughout September as part of ongoing efforts to prevent violence before it starts.
The Local Policing crime prevention team took part in community workshops, while officers have been providing local retailers with advice and guidance around the responsible sale of knives.
The Council held a closing ceremony on Friday to mark the end of the Knife Angel’s time in Edinburgh. The event brought the community together to reflect on the month’s activities and consider how partners can build on this work to continue reducing violence and knife crime across the city.
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “The Knife Angel has provided a powerful opportunity to bring people together and have important conversations about knife crime, violence and how we can make our communities safer.
“I would like to thank everyone who has contributed to the Knife Angel programme, particularly our schools, young people, community organisations, Police Scotland and our other partners. The creativity and commitment shown throughout the month has helped keep these important conversations going.
“Although the Knife Angel is now leaving Edinburgh, the work does not stop here. The partnerships, conversations and lessons from the past month give us a strong foundation to continue working together to prevent violence and keep our communities safe.”
Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal said: “Edinburgh Division has been proud to have supported the Knife Angel residency alongside Places For People, City of Edinburgh Council and over 100 partners to raise awareness of the devastating consequences of violence crime and the support available to those affected by crimes of this nature.
“There is no place for violence in our society and our officers work daily with our communities and partners to respond to incidents of violence when they arise and support a range of diversionary activities aimed at deterring at risk groups from getting involved in violence.
“During the month of the Knife Angel residency we have helped keep people safe by patrolling the transport network, providing local retailers with advice on the responsible sale of knives, delivering inputs to schools on the dangers of weapon carrying, and, crucially, listening to those impacted by violence across our communities, including children and young people, about their experience of violence. This is all in addition to enforcement activity targeting perpetrators of violence.
“The Knife Angel has provided a platform for discussion reaching millions, united partners to roll out education programs, community engagement events, practitioner events and the sharing of accounts from those impacted by violence. However, the work does not end when the Angel goes, we remain committed to tackling violence in communities.
“If you are a young person who knows information about violent crime, including weapon possession, you can report it 100 percent anonymously via Fearless, the youth service of independent charity Crimestoppers, at fearless.org.
“If you are an adult, you can report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or directly to Police Scotland by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency. Together we can keep Edinburgh a safe place to work, live and visit.”
The Council will continue to work with partners, schools, and communities to support violence prevention and build on the work inspired by the Knife Angel’s visit.
And for Lisa Petrie, the remarkable wee mum who lost her son John McNab in a stabbing last September, the campaign goes on. The Angel may have moved on, but Lisa’s determination to ensure her terrible loss is Not In Vain remains as strong as ever.
More information about the Knife Angel’s time in Edinburgh and the Book of Remembrance is available on the Council’s website.
Applications to stand as a candidate in the next Scottish Youth Parliament elections are still open. If you know a young person who’s looking to expand their network, explore their interests and build their confidence, encourage them to apply.
Becoming an MSYP gives young people the opportunity to represent their peers, develop new skills and get involved in the issues that matter to them.
You can find further information on our website here:
