New Edinburgh podcast Keeping Edinburgh launches today to boost social connections across Scotland’s capital

This month sees the launch of the brand-new podcast with a difference – exclusively aimed at citizens across Scotland’s Capital, it will focus on “what’s on” and wellbeing.

Gus HarrowerCommissioned by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, and presented by Edinburgh-born singer songwriter Gus Harrower, the pilot series of Keeping Edinburgh podcast will spotlight the wellbeing opportunities Edinburgh has to offer and help to support people throughout the year. Our first Keeping Edinburgh episode explores various ways and means to keep people connected – from city-wide volunteering to connecting with those who are house-bound to singalongs  at the City’s Festival Theatre.

The series aims to highlight just some of the thousands of opportunities across the capital to support people’s wellbeing and launches at the start of the winter period – a time that sees increased pressure on health and social care services with research showing that those experiencing loneliness are more likely to visit their GP or A&E during this time.

Dr Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick, Strategic Programme Manager at the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said “Loneliness is an issue we all have to try and tackle. Part of that comes from increasing our awareness of the breadth and range of opportunities out there and offering people the opportunity chance to connect with one another and have more good days.”

She continued “We want to help people to find out more about the groups and activities available in Edinburgh. This podcast allows them to hear first-hand from those who are benefitting from these wonderful programmes.”

The initial six-episode pilot series was commissioned by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, collaborating with partners across NHS Scotland, and the third sector, to deliver the podcast.

Each half hour episode provides an immersive audio journey into some of the many free-to-explore spaces across Edinburgh that help individuals and communities to have more good days. The first two episodes are now available to download on Apple and Spotify. and feature experiences from a number of established Edinburgh organisations including Capital Theatres, Edinburgh Leisure, and Volunteer Edinburgh.

Presenter Gus Harrower works with major charities and organisations to improve people’s wellbeing through music. He is also a singer songwriter, keyboardist to Callum Beattie, and established community and touring musician.

Vice chair of the Edinburgh Integration Joint Board, Councillor Tim Pogson, said “Knowledge is power – or in this case empowerment. We hope that this approach to grow collective knowledge across Edinburgh and its communities, will be a powerful thing over time as more people discover what’s out there, and by doing so, can each play a part in helping others in their community – friends, family, neighbours – discover it too.”

The podcast launces with an initial two episodes, Keeping People Connected and Keeping People Active – new episodes of the initial six-episode series will be released monthly and will cover art, physical activities, community gardens, volunteering, and more.

New episodes of the Keeping Edinburgh podcast will be launched monthly and are available to download on Apple and Spotify.