NHS Borders Bumps, Babies & Beyond

21/10/2026

🌱 A positive step for the health of our children and young people.

We’re pleased to see the new measures within the To***co and Vapes Act coming into force soon, helping to protect future generations from to***co and ni****ne harms.

💚 Every child has the right to the best possible health and a clean and safe environment. These changes support our ambition for children and young people to grow up healthier and breathe cleaner air.

🚭 If you, or a young person aged 12+, would like support to stop smoking or va**ng, visit the NHS Borders Wellbeing Service.

https://www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services/general-services/wellbeing-service/how-to-refer/

👇 See ASH Scotland’s post below for more information.

***coAndVapesAct

10/10/2026

💚🌍 World Mental Health Day | 10 October 2026

This year’s theme is “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change.”

For children and young people, being listened to matters. Their experiences and voices can help us better understand what affects their mental health and wellbeing, and what support they need.

World Mental Health Day is a chance for schools, youth groups, families and communities to start conversations, raise awareness and help reduce the stigma around mental health.

💬 Talking can be a good place to start. Take a look at the resources shared with this post for some helpful tips on opening up about mental health, including thinking about who you might talk to, how to start the conversation and how much you feel comfortable sharing.

💛 YoungMinds also has information and advice for young people, parents and carers, whether you want to understand how you’re feeling, find ways to feel better or support someone who is struggling.

👉 YoungMinds: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
🌍 World Mental Health Day: https://wmhdofficial.com/

Every young person deserves to feel heard and supported, and to know they are not alone. 💚

08/10/2026

🚨 Scottish Borders retailers: new to***co & va**ng laws are coming

Local retailers are being urged to get ready for a number of important changes to to***co, va**ng and ni****ne laws over the next few months.

📅 1 October 2026 – A new Va**ng Products Duty has come into force, charging £2.20 per 10ml of va**ng liquid, regardless of ni****ne strength. New requirements also apply to existing stock and va**ng duty stamps.

📅 1 January 2027 – A major change comes into effect: it will become illegal to sell to***co products to anyone born on or after 1 January 2009. Adults born before this date who can legally buy to***co will continue to be able to do so.

The changes form part of the UK Government’s To***co and Vapes Act, aimed at reducing young people’s access to to***co and ni****ne products and supporting the creation of a smoke-free generation.

👉 Scottish Borders Council Trading Standards is urging retailers to make sure staff, systems and age-verification procedures are ready for the changes.

📢 If you sell to***co, vapes or ni****ne products, now is the time to check that your business is prepared.

More here: https://www.scotborders.gov.uk/news/article/5034/scottish-borders-retailers-urged-to-prepare-for-major-to***co-and-va**ng-law-changes

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08/10/2026

07/10/2026

07/10/2026

WE MAKE THINGS

Alchemy Film & Arts are excited to launch 'Scene Setters', a play group for kids and their grown-ups to create and connect.

Unfolding across six weeks at our partner venue The Great Tapestry of Scotland, 'Scene Setters' invites you to an inclusive, hands-on environment where new worlds can be made from a range of materials, allowing parents and carers to connect with their wee ones and with each other.

🗓️ Thursdays, 22 October – 26 November
⏰ 10.30am – 12pm
🎟️ £5 a session per grown-up and accompanying child(ren), or £25 for all six sessions when block-booked

Places limited, booking essential: https://alchemyfilmandarts.org.uk/community_project/scene-setters/

'Scene Setters' is delivered as part of 'In a Land of Milk Snatchers', an Alchemy Film & Arts project funded by Culture Collective Scotland.

06/10/2026

🎬 Bring Your Own Baby is coming to Galashiels! 👶

Fancy a trip to the cinema with your little one?

Alchemy Film & Arts’ Bring Your Own Baby offers relaxed film screenings especially for grown-ups with babies up to 12 months old.

📍 Pavilion Cinema, Galashiels
📅 Every Wednesday, 21 October to 11 November
⏰ 11am
☕ And there’s a brew and biccy included!

The first four films are:
🎥 Practical Magic 2
🎥 Sense and Sensibility
🎥 The Summer Book
🎥 Super Nature

Find out more and book your place on the website
https://alchemyfilmandarts.org.uk/community_project/bring-your-own-baby/

05/10/2026

💚 Challenge Poverty Week 2026
📅 5-11 October

Everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. During Challenge Poverty Week, we're joining people across Scotland to raise awareness of poverty, challenge stigma and support action towards a fairer Scotland. Challenge Poverty Week highlights that poverty is not inevitable and that positive change is possible when we work together.

For children, young people and families, even small actions can make a difference:
💬 Talk about kindness, fairness and inclusion
🤝 Support local community initiatives
📢 Share messages that challenge poverty-related stigma
❤️ Help create communities where everyone feels valued and supported

Together, we can help build a Scotland where every child and family has the chance to flourish.

To find out more, visit: https://www.povertyalliance.org/cpw/

02/10/2026

Raising teens can be challenging 🤯

Anxiety, mood swings & isolation are common, but there are things you can do to help 💟

For tips & ideas to help support your teen, visit ➡️parentclub.scot/articles/teen-issues

01/10/2026

Help beat flu with a wee scoosh. The flu vaccine is the safest and easiest way to help protect your child. Given as a painless nasal spray, all it takes is a wee scoosh up the nose 👃
📮 If your child is aged 2-5 (not yet in school), look out for their flu vaccine letter in the post
💌 Or if they are in primary or secondary school, look out for their consent from school
Find out more about the flu vaccine at ➡️ nhsinform.scot/childflu
For more info on the different immunisations you child is offered in Scotland check out our website for a full list by age & stage ➡️parentclub.scot/articles/immunisations