WWEELLLLBBEEIINNGG NNEEWWSSLLEETTTTEERR WELLBEING NEWSLETTER LATE JUNE 2026 Edinburgh College Wellbeing Team ContentsEnjoy the summer!Enjoy the summer!Enjoy the summer!For this last issue of the wellbeing newsletter of the year, the focus was on Pride. With a brief history of pride in Scotland and links to explore the topic further. A short list of a few free pride events follows. You will also find free or low cost activities to keep you busy over the summer! And this week Craig takes you around Milton for his Wild Walk. History of Pride in Scotland PAGE 1 Pride Events in and around Edinburgh PAGE 2 Staff Wellbeing Tips PAGE 3 Free activities or low cost activities over the summer PAGE 4 Craig’s Wild Walks PAGE 5 Support Contacts PAGES 6 AND 7
History of Pride in Scotland The first pride march in Scotland took place in Edinburgh on 17th June 1995. The march set off from Barony Street, organised by members of the Edinburgh University LGBT Society, and an estimated 3,000 people marched and protested until it reached The Meadows. The first pride march in Scotland took place in Edinburgh on 17th June 1995. The march set off from Barony Street, organised by members of the Edinburgh University LGBT Society, and an estimated 3,000 people marched and protested until it reached The Meadows. To go further: Timeline-LGBT.scot Oor Pride - a short history of Pride in Scotland (2021) History-LGBT.scot A Brief Timeline of LGBT+ History in Scotland-Historic Environment Scotland
Page 4 Wellbeing Newsletter Pride Events Pride Edinburgh Saturday 20th of June - March starts at 1pm Edinburgh Pride Queer Botanical Mark Making Thursday 18 June 2026 - Drop in between 11am - 2pm Queer Botanical Mark Making West Lothian Pride Saturday 25th July 2026 - March starts at 12pm West Lothian Pride
Page 3 Wellbeing Newsletter My name is: Anu My role is: Student Wellbeing Adviser What are you doing at the moment that has the biggest impact on your wellbeing? I am taking time in the evenings to walk to the beach and enjoy the longer days. It is a great way to wind down after a busy day and listening to the waves from the sea makes me so relaxed! What routines helps you let go of the pressures of the day? I like to watch an episode of one of my favourite tv shows to switch into the evening and let go of the pressures of the day. The Simpsons is one of my favourite choices! Which activities help you feel most grounded and present in the moment? I like to take some time out to just sit and look at the objects around me, noticing the details of them. This is especially grounding when I am out in nature and can pay attention to the small details like leaves blowing in the trees and animals scurrying around.
Free wellbeing and artistic activities offered, some are drop-ins and some need to be booked in advance Whale Arts Whale Arts 30 Westburn Grove, Edinburgh, EH14 2SA B Healthy Together 79 - 89 Broomhouse Crescent, Edinburgh, EH11 3RH B Healthy Together Meet new people, learn something new or simply have a chat over a cuppa. The weekly activities are a great way to meet new people 98 Wester Hailes Road Edinburgh, EH14 3HR Different free activities everyday, no need to book. The activities range from dancing, to self-care, men’s club and more Community Wellbeing Collective Community Wellbeing Collective website Drylaw Neighbourhood centre 67b Groathill Road North Edinburgh, EH4 2SA Free activities everyday, no need to book. From walking groups, drama classes to community larder and games club, etc. Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre website Free or low cost activities to do over the summer
Corstophine Community centre 5 Kirk Loan, Corstorphine Edinburgh EH12 7HD Low cost activities (£2) offered to residents from EH12 and EH4 residents, might need to email to book a place Corstorphine Community Centre website10 Wardieburn Road Edinburgh, EH5 1LY Granton community gardens Gardening club: every Wednesday 1-4pm Bakery: every Saturday 10am-1pm, pay what you can Granton community gardens websiteMelville Dr, Edinburgh EH9 1Edinburgh Climate Festival 531 Lanark Road Edinburgh, EH14 5DE HUB@531 Free activities most days, might need to email to reserve a space. Ranging from mahjong to yoga and knitting and more! HUB@531 6VT Edinburgh City 11-15 Vennel Edinburgh, EH1 2HU The Drop In is a service for 12 to 21 years old. They offer activities and a free hot meal. It is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday 5- 9pm 6VT Edinburgh City Youth CafeRound the Forth PassportRound the Forth! Edinburgh Climate Festival Round the Forth Passport Visit 9 heritages site over the summer, by following this guide. It contains car-free adventures to reduce environmental impact and keep active The festival is free for all to attend and offers a wide range of activities including live performances, stalls, and activities for both kids and adults. On the 27 of June from 12pm to 7pmth
Craig’s Wild Walks Page 5 Wellbeing Newsletter However, if you take the left before the orchard you'll be on Brunstane Road South. Head down here and you'll very quickly see a path through a gap in the wall on your left. This path is the Brunstane Burn Path and leads all the way to Newhailes House and Gardens, a huge country house set amongst 80 acres of parkland. There are lovely woods and parks to discover here, as well as a cafe and guided tours of the house itself which the National Trust have been patiently ridding of moths since 2019 apparently. Here you may find out about how the architect cleverly hid a secret passage in the house giving access to a hidden suite of private rooms on the first floor. I keep checking to see if my own house has a secret floor of hidden rooms, but alas, I still haven't found the entry. The distance from the Brunstane to Newhailes is under a mile and so it isn't too much further than a walk to the beach would be, and there is no uphill slog on the way back to college either! For those studying at Milton Road campus, you may be tempted to spend your free periods or lunch breaks wandering down to the Portobello promenade or heading over the road to Joppa Quarry Park. These are both great options for a walk but there is another route less travelled that might be worth investigating. Head south west from the campus as if heading toward the Brunstane train platform/The Range. Instead of crossing the road towards the railway bridge, look to your left and you'll see a mysterious gate. This leads to a lovely little orchard, a quiet option for a wee seat or a munch on a windfall apple.
Support Organisation Contact Details Breathing Space Call 0800 83 85 87 (Mon-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri 6pm until Mon 6am) Nightline Call 0131 557 4444 (8pm - 8am term time) Samaritans Call 116 123 (free) or 0330 094 5717 (local charges apply) NHS 24 111 Edinburgh Crisis Centre Call 0808 801 0414, text 07 974 429 075 (open 24/7) or email crisis@edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk or visit www.edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk Mental Health Assessment Service (MHAS) Referral by GP only- if unavailable/out of hours, phone 111 to ask about referral Acute Care and Support Team (ACAST) West Lothian Open 8.30am-midnight (365 days) St. John's Hospital, Howden Road West, EH54 6PP SHOUT Text SHOUT to 85258 or visit www.giveusashout.org HopeLine (under 35) Call 0300 102 2470 (24/7) or visit www.papyrus-uk.org Other mental health websites Mind to Mind Change Mental Health Every Mind Matters Crisis Text Line (US) Rape Crisis Scotland (support for everyone) Call 08088 01 03 02 or text 07537 410 027 (5pm-midnight, 7 days a week), email support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk or visit www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk Beira's Place (Edinburgh women's sexual assault support centre) Call 0131 526 3944, text 0754 669 7067 (9am-4pm), email support@beirasplace.org.uk or visit www.beirasplace.org.uk Turn to SARCS (NHS sexual assault response co-ordination service) Call 0800 148 88 88 (open 24/7) Support ContactsSupport ContactsSupport Contacts Page 6 Wellbeing Newsletter
Support Organisation Contact Details Scottish Women's Aid - Scotland's 24hr Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline Call 0800 027 1234, text 07 401 288 595 (open 24/7), email helpline@sdafmh.org.uk or visit www.sdafmh.org.uk Edinburgh Women's Aid Call 0131 315 8110, email info@edinburghwomensaid.co.uk or visit www.edinwomensaid.co.uk East & Midlothian Women's Aid Call 0131 561 5800 (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm) Aditi - Wellbeing support service for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Women Call 0131 603 4865 or email aditi@sacro.org.uk Lunar - support to women involved in selling or exchanging sex in Edinburgh Call 0131 624 7270 or email lunar@sacro.org.uk Shakti Women's Aid - Support for black and minority ethnic women and their children escaping domestic violence Call 0131 475 2399 (Mon,Wed, Thu,Fri: 9:30am to 4pm, Tue 1-4pm) or email: info@shaktiedinburgh.co.uk Respect Men's Advice line Call 0808 801 0327 (Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm) or webchat (Mon-Fri: 9am-10am) Abused Men in Scotland Helpline (AMIS) Call 03300 949 395 (Mon-Fri: 9am-4pm, Wed: 6pm-8pm) or email: support@amis.org.uk Survivors UK (Males and non-binary) Call 0808 801 0332 (Mon-Fri:10am-12pm), text 0786 003 1252 or webchat (Mon-Sun 12pm-8pm) FearFree (Male or LGBT+) Call 0131 624 7270 or email FearFreeInfo@sacro.org.uk LGBT+ Helpline Scotland Call 0800 464 7000 (Tue, Wed, Thu: 12pm-9pm Sun 1pm-6pm) or email: helpline@lgbthealth.org.uk The Signature Project - support for men in Edinburgh experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Call at 0131 608 6389 or email signature@changemh.org Domestic Abuse Visit www.mygov.scot/domestic-abuse Support ContactsSupport ContactsSupport Contacts Page 7 Wellbeing Newsletter
Thanks for reading,Thanks for reading, see you next time!see you next time! Thanks for reading, see you next time!