As Scotland’s capital, and home to the biggest arts festival in the world, Edinburgh is well established as a thriving city with hundreds of arts, culture, and special interest activities and events happening all year round.

Yet Edinburgh, like many other areas across Scotland, the UK and wider world, is working to tackle social isolation and loneliness.

In 2022, research by the UK’s campaign to end loneliness, found that nearly 50% of adults (around 26 million people) in the UK, reported feeling some degree of loneliness. In fact, loneliness and social isolation are now recognised as one of the biggest Public Health issues in the world, and long-term, can lead to poor physical and mental health outcomes.

It’s this context that has led to the birth of brand-new podcast Keeping Edinburgh, a ‘what’s on guide with a difference’, now launched exclusively for citizens across the capital. The podcast aims to turn the spotlight on just some of the hundreds of community activities and organisations across the city that are helping people have more good days.

Each 30 minute exploratory audio journey goes behind the scenes of some of the wellbeing boosting initiatives on the doorsteps of Edinburgh’s communities and hears from the people benefitting.

The Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, who are behind the initial series, believe the podcast offers something for everyone. Dr Linda Irvine Fitzpatrick from the Partnership says: ‘It’s for the curious. There’s so much out there on our doorsteps to discover. It’s also an audio journey of stories – real stories, real life, and real heart. There’s a lot of good happening out there, despite what we hear and see in the news every day. The power of community is really amazing, and those who listen to this, will hear just that. If it also helps grow knowledge about what is out there, and if that knowledge inspires folks to reach out and connect and also tell others, then that can only be a good thing.’

The first two episodes of Keeping Edinburgh Podcast are available to download now.