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
Full day of FREE themed activities to coincide with headline YA event at McEwan Hall
On Tuesday 13 August award-winning YA author and HEARTSTOPPER creator Alice Oseman appears in an EIBF event in conversation with author Lauren James
In tandem a full day of FREE themed events will take place at the Festivals new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute
From the chance to write a letter to your younger self, to posting your letter to Alice via the onsite postbox, making your own zine, and chilling out with some gorgeous dogs from Therapets®, there is something for all ages to enjoy
On Tuesday 13 August the Edinburgh International Book Festival will welcome award-winning author and HEARTSTOPPER creator Alice Oseman to the Festival with a whole day of FREE events and activities for audiences of all ages.
Alice Oseman says: ‘I always love visiting the Edinburgh International Book Festival and I couldn’t be happier to be teaming up with them and BKMRK for a whole bunch of extra special Heartstopper activity on site this year.
“There’s loads for fans and festival goers to get involved with, whether that’s coming along to the event itself or getting creative with the free zine making sessions, hugging a Therapets puppy, or joining in on the Heartstopper treasure hunt – I can’t wait to see you all there!’
Alice, who enjoys global success thanks to their graphic novel HEARTSTOPPER series (and subsequent Netflix show of the same name) will be in conversation with young adult author Lauren James at an event at McEwan Hall as part of the Festival’s Front List.
The pair will discuss the success of the series which tells the story of the ups and downs of first loves, friendships, coming out and mental health.
Aspiring illustrators, comic creators and all round creatives can relax in the dedicated Chill Out Zone on site at the Edinburgh Futures Institute throughout the day. Inside there will be drop-in zine making sessions courtesy of the Glasgow Zine Library.
For those needing a more mellow moment, Therapets® will also be joining us for the day in this brand new outdoor area. In keeping with the relaxed vibe of this space, the Therapets® are dogs with calm and gentle dispositions, who love being petted, and bring canine cuddles to site.
Throughout the day of Alice’s event, LGBT Youth Scotland will be onsite at EFI delivering self led activities in Venue C, and there will be Heartstopper leaves for visitors of all ages to write messages to their past selves.
If you would like to share your experience pre-or-post event you can catch a sound recorder roaming around site, and there will also be a podcast episode with Alice to listen back to after the day is over.(TBC) You will have the option to add your stories and letters to their (Un)seen, (Un)heard archive.
The Edinburgh International Book Festival is also delighted to be partnering with Young Scot, with the Young Scot Reward scheme offering 15 members an opportunity to win the chance to attend Alice Oseman in conversation with Lauren James with a friend, as well as an exclusive meet and greet with the author.
Fans of Alice’s will also have the opportunity to share their very own letters with Alice via an onsite postbox and will be able to record dedicated vox pops via a special sound recorder.
Before all of this, from Mon 29 July you can also snap a selfie with a series of illustrated posters at three city centre sites, to be in with a chance to win a signed complete HEARTSTOPPER Vol 1-5 set, and tickets to Alice’s event on 13 August.
Young Scot Chief Executive, Kirsten Urquhart, said: “We continuously aspire to provide unique opportunities for young people.
“It is therefore extremely exciting to have partnered with the Edinburgh International Book Festival to offer a chance for Young Scot Members to win tickets to see Alice Oseman, author of the global phenomenon Heartstopper, in conversation with Lauren James. If you’re not already a member you can sign up for free here. We hope the lucky winners have an incredible day!”
At a time when the cost of living crisis continues to impact families, the Book Festival is committed to providing free events and entertainment through its two week run to ensure that all young people in the capital, and indeed from further afield, can enjoy engaging with books and the power of words.
These events make up Future Tense, the first Edinburgh International Book Festival programme from Director Jenny Niven, and it will unfold for the first time at the Festival’s new home at Edinburgh Futures Institute.
Young people travelling to popular holiday destinations to work in bars and clubs have been given advice on the dangers of labour exploitation
Thousands of young people travelling to popular holiday destinations including Ibiza, Majorca and Menorca to work in bars and clubs have been given advice on the dangers of labour exploitation.
Border Force officers have been running Operation Karetu at 22 airports across the UK, targeting young people travelling to work in Mediterranean destinations who could be at risk of exploitation, criminality and illegal working.
The month long operation has so far seen officers engage with over 1,000 young Brits, providing them with leaflets and guidance on how to avoid the risks involved as unofficial public relations (PR) reps – work that involves touting people into clubs and bars.
Young holidaymakers who travel abroad every year to work in the hospitality industry risk being forced to work long hours for low wages. Risks include working illegally due to a lack of knowledge about EU employment regulations or being exploited by serious organised criminal gangs.
Operation Karetu was initially launched in 2018 amid concerns over the welfare of young British nationals being exposed to different types of exploitation particularly labour and sexual exploitation. The Operation has had significant success and since 2022 there have been zero cases of labour exploitation reported to the British Consular in the Balearics.
However, many cases of Labour exploitation go undetected, and Border Force continue to run Operation Karetu every year as an important preventative operation to protect young people.
Home Office Minister, Seema Malhotra said: “Travelling abroad for a summer in the sun is an exciting prospect for thousands of young people across the country, but it’s important they’re able to do that safely.
“Operation Karetu is just one example of Border Force’s work to protect the British public, ensuring young people are kept safe from unscrupulous employers.”
This year’s operation was specifically targeting the Balearic Islands, which includes popular tourist destinations such as Ibiza, Majorca, and Menorca.
The operation began on 17 June and is running until 19 July this year, and is carried out in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the modern slavery charity, Unseen, and British embassies abroad.
Border Force carries out Operation Karetu annually as part of its Prevent and Protect strategies, to end involvement in exploitation and strengthen safeguards by protecting individuals, organisations and systems.
Key advice from Border Force officers to people considering working abroad are:
Working while a tourist in the EU is illegal. If you are not an EU national or legally resident in the EU, you need a job offer, work permit and visa. More information is available on Travelling to the EU and Schengen area – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
Check you have a visa and a contract before starting your job.
Ask about accommodation and find out the rent/costs. Do this before accepting accommodation as part of a job offer.
Keep hold of your passport at all times. If it is taken, report it to police. You can contact the local British Consulate for help and advice. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
The Border Force operation is supported by modern slavery charity Unseen, who operate the Modern Slavery Helpline. Anyone feeling vulnerable about their work or finances can contact the Modern Slavery Helpline, in confidence, on 08000 121 700.
The operation is just one part of the work Border Force carries out to address modern slavery and trafficking. All front-line Border Force officers are trained to identify signs of modern slavery and make the necessary referrals.
This Clean Air Day, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) are supporting a day of learning where young people will be encouraged to lead change, tackle air pollution and protect the future of our environment through science.
Over 300 pupils were invited to a special event at the Glasgow Science Centre yesterday (Thursday, 20th June 2024) to celebrate the schools that have taken part in the “Our Amazing Air” Learning Lab programme run by the science centre in partnership with SEPA.
Young people visiting the centre on Clean Air Day enjoyed a range of themed activities including interactive exhibits and experiments, talks with experts from SEPA, University of Strathclyde and Nooku, and a brand new Our Amazing Air science show, which will run to the end of August as part of the centre’s public programme.
Launched in 2022, the Our Amazing Air programme is a STEM learning initiative aimed at P5 – P7 pupils that teaches young people about the importance of clean air, how the air environment functions, and the effects of air pollution on our health and the environment.
The programme includes training sessions and free lesson plans for teachers so they can support their learners to explore the air around us and investigate how it supports life through hands-on activities, group discussions and experiments. A total of 1200 pupils from 50 classes are taking part in the learning lab this term.
Dr Colin Gillespie, SEPA’s Air Modelling Unit Manager, said: “Good air quality is essential for a good quality of life, helping maintain our health and wellbeing and our climate and habitats. Everyone has a part to play in helping to improve air quality and tackle pollution – and education is a vital part of this.
“It’s fantastic to see so many young people engaging with issues surrounding air quality and inspiring to see them turn these learnings into positive actions that will make a real difference to communities and our environment.
“Clean Air Day gives everyone an important opportunity to consider how we can change or adapt our behaviour to improve the quality of our air and spread the positive message about the benefits of clean air.”
Tara Gibson, Senior Learning Coordinator at Glasgow Science Centre, said: “Our Clear Air Day activities have been made possible thanks to our partners ICLEI, University of Strathclyde and SEPA, resulting in us delivering a great programme of workshops and shows for hundreds of school pupils to take part in.
“The day’s events also allow us to showcase the wide range of engaging and accessible resources and experiences available to schools through our Learning Lab programmes.”
Tackling air pollution and raising awareness
While air quality in Scotland has significantly improved over the past three decades, air pollution still poses a significant risk to our environment and wellbeing.
Air pollution is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the biggest environmental threat to our health, with recent scientific evidence from the WHO supporting the development of more stringent guidelines for air pollutants due to the impacts on human health.
Children are particularly at risk due to their developing lungs, brains and immune systems, yet millions across the UK are still exposed to dangerously high levels of air pollution at home and at school, where traffic and idle vehicles at the school gates can be a real concern.
Coordinated by environmental charity Global Action Plan, Clean Air Day is a national air quality campaign that brings together communities, schools, businesses, local authorities and other organisations across the UK to address the issue and build awareness of the impact of air pollution.
Now in its eighth year, this year’s campaign is focused on promoting greener travel to reduce localised air pollution and ensure people have the option to travel in ways that are better for our health and the planet.
Clear Science for Clean Air
Alongside the Our Amazing Air event, SEPA’s air quality scientists also visited a school in North Lanarkshire this week to celebrate Clean Air Day with pupils and share the results from monitoring air quality around the school gates.
Working together with East Renfrewshire and North Lanarkshire local authorities, SEPA have issued sensors to eight primary schools over the past few months to monitor the air quality, investigate the data produced and support teachers and pupils with initiatives such as encouraging active travel on the school run.
SEPA staff returned to St Brendan’s Primary School in Motherwell on Wednesday, 19th June to present pupils with their findings, which revealed elevated levels of air pollution in the area, particularly at drop off and pick up times.
The information gathered will support the ongoing anti-idling campaign championed by pupils at both St Brendan’s and Muirhouse Primary Schools, with youngsters aiming to reduce the number of vehicles at the school gates to cut down on localised air pollution.
Dr Colin Gillespie added: “It is encouraging to see young children keen to see the data produced from the air pollution monitors outside their schools and proactively lead change in their local communities.
“Making this information transparent and available to all allows young people and their families to make decisions on their behaviours and day-to-day activities which can have a positive impact on air quality, the wider environment and their health.
“With a long history of supporting air quality around schools in Scotland, we really recognise the importance of clean air, especially on young lungs, and promoting the fact that we’ve all got a part to play in protecting and inspiring the next generation of citizen scientists.”
Run by leading creative engagement charity Impact Arts, the free Summer programme will take over space at Edinburgh’s City Arts Centre in July and August
Young participants will work with professional artists, musicians, filmmakers and actors before a celebratory showcase at the beginning of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
Edinburgh young people aged 14 – 24 are being invited to explore their creativity and boost their confidence this summer break, as creative engagement charity Impact Arts gets set to bring its successful CashBack Summer programme to the city once again.
CashBack to the Future offers a completely free 5-week summer programme, giving young people the chance to work with professional artists, musicians, filmmakers and actors on invigorating creative projects. Young participants will have the chance to learn new skills, improve their physical and mental health, make friends, build their confidence, and have fun.
Designed to help increase creative confidence, as well as offering the chance to gain SQA qualifications or a dynamic youth award, CashBack to the Future has been run in the city by Impact Arts for the last six years.
Over the years hundreds of young people across Scotland have been supported by the project, which is designed to benefit participants who find school tricky; struggle with mental health; are care experienced; or are new to Scotland. It is funded by the Scottish Government’s CashBack for Communities initiative, which backs projects helping disadvantaged young people.
CashBack Summerwill take place at The City Art Centre from 8 July – 7 August, running Mondays to Wednesdays.
It will culminate in a showcase on 07 August, during the first week of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, celebrating the participants’ work and their achievements for friends, family, and the public to attend.
At the same time as the Edinburgh groups, Impact Arts will also run parallel CashBack groups in both Glasgow and North Ayrshire over the same five weeks this Summer.
More information on the CashBack Summer programme can be found at:
This opportunity is for anyone aged 16-30 living in the City of Edinburgh experiencing poverty, dealing with unemployment, struggling with mental ill health, feeling socially isolated, or living in challenging circumstances and is keen to make some positive changes in their life.
Venture Scotland’s Journey Programme is a free, 12 week-long personal development programme based in the outdoors.
What to expect:
Regular activity days, like canoeing, gorge-walking, coasteering, hill walking, rock climbing, orienteering, and more.
Regular skills and wellbeing sessions*.
Residential trips to a remote bothy (simple cottage) in the Borders and to our Bothy in the beautiful Glen Etive.
The opportunity to challenge yourself and make positive changes in your life, all in a supportive and non-judgemental environment.
Gain skills such as confidence, communication, teamwork, and leadership.
If you are interested and would like to know more, please see our website for more details and for our referral form: https://venturescotland.org.uk/
You can also contact Louisa who is our Outreach and Support Worker via email at louisa.selwood@venturescotland.org.uk ; on Facebook Messenger Louisa Venture Scotland; or phone/text 07535 164 285.
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.
We have a programme starting on 24th June! 
Regular activity days, like canoeing, gorge-walking, coasteering, hill walking, rock climbing, orienteering, and more.
