Young people – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Tinderbox Collective unveils SONAS: A new nationwide festival opening stages for Scotland’s next wave of artists

SONAS: Sounds of New Artists Scotland runs 19-28 February 2027 in venues across Scotland.
Created by Tinderbox Collective, the festival celebrates emerging artists and bands aged 14-25.
A wider programme of gigs, showcases, workshops and creative events to be revealed in the coming months.
The festival is hosting a major callout for artists, bands, venues, promoters and youth music organisations across Scotland to get involved.

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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Help Space in Broomhouse reach pool table target

We are 73% of the way to our £300 target. Can you push us across the finish line?

Please donate today & help @SpaceBroomhouse continue making Fridays @ The Hub something to look forward to for young people across Broomhouse.

Young heroes and SAS staff recognised at national Brave@Heart Awards

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.”

Kibble calls on Edinburgh’s professionals to join conversation on Scotland’s young people

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

Knife Angel leaves Leith – but Not In Vain campaign goes on

Month-long programme to tackle knife crime makes it’s mark

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.

Deadline looms for Scottish Youth Parliament applications

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:

https://syp.org.uk/elections-2026/

1000 new youth workers to help reduce the risk of unemployment

Young people in England will be able to access specialised support in their community, as the government makes largest investment into youth services in a generation

Young people will be able to access specialised support in their community, as the government makes largest investment into youth services in a generation.
In addition, a £450 million programme will also help build and improve youth facilities and fund enriching activities in England’s most underserved areas.

Young people across England are set to benefit from specialised support outside of home and school, as the government launches a major drive to support the training and employment of 1000 new youth workers.

It comes as the government makes the largest investment into youth services in a generation following a drop of local authority spending of 73% between 2010 and 2023, which led to the loss of vital youth worker roles and youth services across England.

The 1000 new youth workers announced today is the first step in rebuilding the youth workforce. The first workers are set to be in position by spring 2027, as part of the government’s plan to support young people ahead of the social media ban for under 16s coming into force.

The youth workers will work with young people aged 11 plus, within community spaces and through outreach to ensure the most vulnerable young people have access to support, including those at highest risk of becoming NEET (not in education, employment or training).

The specialist youth workers will collaborate with multi-agency teams across education and training, health and crime prevention to support young people to engage in a range of activities including sport, arts, mentoring and wider youth services.

This initiative will provide a significant step towards meeting the Government’s ambition for 500,000 more young people to have access to a trusted adult by 2035.

The number of youth facilities is also set to increase thanks to a £450 million programme. The new ‘Youth Matters’ Fund will open for applications soon and will help build, improve and expand spaces for young people to connect, while funding more youth work and enriching in-person activities, such as sports, music and volunteering, ahead of the upcoming social media ban.

Yesterday’s announcement is the latest part of the government’s National Youth Strategy, Youth Matters, launched by Lisa Nandy in December 2025 and co-produced with 14,000 young people through a landmark ‘State of the Nation’ survey.

The survey highlighted that many young people have been left without access to safe, supportive environments or a community to belong to, while reliance on online interaction has grown in the absence of face-to-face opportunities.

In response the National Youth Strategy set out how young people will benefit from over £500 million of government investment, with an ambitious delivery plan to rebuild youth services over the next decade.

The move is designed to hand power back to local communities, and allow young people to design services around the skills and opportunities they need to shape their futures.

Youth Recruitment and Support event at FetLor Youth Club

WEDNESDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 10am – 2pm

Recruitment opportunity for young people aged 16-24 at FetLor Youth Club next Wednesday, the 30th of September, in partnership with DWP.

If you would like to participate, please click and complete the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.com/…/18-24-year-old-youth…

Still time to be a MSYP!

There’s still time to stand as a candidate in the next SYP elections!

Being an MSYP gives young people the opportunity to represent their peers, campaign on the issues they care about and develop skills and confidence along the way.

If you know any young person aged 14–25 who lives in Scotland, this could be their chance to get involved.

Find out more: https://syp.org.uk/elections-2026/