The groups below can support you to improve your confidence getting online and using your device.
Access to Industry
Category: Skills Support
Audience: This support is only available as part of a wider service.
Access Data run by Access to Industry supports individuals in gaining or improving knowledge and skills related to the worlds of IT and data, preparing them for the demands of the contemporary job market. Tailored to individual needs, the project is suitable both for those with no previous experience in data, as well as those who already possess some knowledge and skills.
Access Data is first and foremost an employability service and aims to help people overcome any challenges they might be facing, to move into employment. It offers:
- one-to-one tailored caseworker support on every step of the way towards employment
- a range of SQA-accredited IT / data courses
- support into and during other suitable courses and training opportunities
- support into volunteering opportunities, including in-house employability skills training.
Clients across all Access to Industry employability services can join the in-house IT course and work towards SQA ICT Core Skills SCQF 3-5 qualifications.
ACE IT
Category: Skills support
Audience: Older people
ACE IT is a charity which helps older people learn digital skills and get online with confidence. You can receive support if you are over 50 years old and looking to use digital devices. You can receive one to one coaching at locations across Edinburgh.
0131 667 2053
Care and Repair
Category: Support with devices
Audience: Older people and disabled people
Care and Repair offer a Volunteer Handyperson Service providing one-off IT fixes such as setting up a printer/iPhone/video doorbell. There is also a fully qualified electrician for small electrical jobs such as:
- replacing damaged sockets, light, and immersion switches
- replacing fluorescent, ceiling and security lights, bathroom or kitchen fans, and shower pull cord switches
- replacing cooker hoods/installing and disconnecting cookers
- installing locking switches for safety purposes
- installing consumer units
- installing interlinked fire alarms
There is occasionally funding available to assist people who receive Pension Credit Guarantee or support group ESA.
0131 337 1111
Community Centres
Category: Skills support / Computers for your use
Audience: Open to all
Digital devices are provided on site at some community centres in Edinburgh and are available for those engaging in Lifelong Learning. Community centre locations can be found in the full directory.
An ‘Introduction to Digital Office’ course is sometimes run for Edinburgh residents provided by WEA online facilitated through the council’s Lifelong Learning team.
There is also an open digital drop in at Clovenstone Community Centre on a Friday morning (see more information under the Wester Hailes directory listing).
Cyrenians
Category: Skills support
Audience: This support is only available as part of a wider service.
A digital skills programme is an option offered to Cyrenian's Foundations to Employment clients who are already being supported. It is not a standalone service. Digital sessions are one to one, focused on identified needs and working at the pace of the individual. If the person is seeking employment, there is a focus on creating a CV, navigating job search websites and online job applications.
Clients are encouraged to engage digitally with their GP service, Job Centre Plus and job search websites. Clients gain skills and confidence to make digital connections through the one-to-one tailored support.
0131 475 2354
Edinburgh Libraries
Category: Computers for your use
Audience: Open to all
Edinburgh Libraries currently provide 115 public access computers across Edinburgh Libraries that are due going to be upgraded from 2026 onwards. Libraries also provide skills support through the Get Online programme.
Edinburgh Remakery
Category: Devices for clients to keep
Audience: Open to all
The Edinburgh Remakery is an environmental social enterprise based in Leith with a mission to put an end to waste. They refurbish donated laptops, desktops, and other devices, giving them a new lease on life. Twenty percent of refurbished devices are donated to individuals and families in need.
The Remakery runs a Repair Café that runs on Fridays from 11am – 1pm at 13A Newkirkgate Shopping Centre.
07708 477 136
hello@edinburghremakery.org.uk
Hearts Foundation
Category: Skills support
Audience: Children
Hearts FC digital education courses for young people, including some holiday programmes.
Hibs Community Foundation
Category: Skills support / Support with devices / Data
Audience: Open to all
A digital drop-in is run from Hibs Community Foundation at Easter Road (North Stand) on a Wednesday between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Digital advice and support is available as well as SIM cards for people struggling to connect. The drop-in is run in partnership with the Simon Community and is followed by a community lunch which attendees are welcome to stay for.
LEAD Scotland
Category: Skills support
Audience: Disabled people
LEAD Scotland support disabled people to learn how to stay safe and secure online in a range of ways. They run courses online and sometimes in-person with a local learning project.
Courses include organisational training, training for the general public, and an online learning platform and all available for free to anyone in Edinburgh.
0131 228 9441
Milan Senior Welfare Organisation
Category: Skills support
Audience: Older people / Unpaid carers / South Asian communities
Milan Senior Welfare Organisation is a registered charitable organisation providing services in Edinburgh and Lothian for older people and unpaid carers from South Asian communities. They are dedicated to meeting social, cultural, recreational, language, and care needs and deliver some digital inclusion support.
0131 475 2307
National Databank
Category: Data
Audience: Open to all
National Databank provides free mobile SIM cards for people who can’t access the internet. Partners Virgin Media O2, Vodafone and Three regularly donate mobile data SIM cards.
Members of the National Digital Inclusion Network (a network of organisations helping people use or access the internet locally) can apply for data packages anytime. SIM cards are distributed via community hubs across the UK who activate and gift the free mobile data to people experiencing data poverty or living on a low income in their community.
There are around 30 hubs in Edinburgh that distribute SIM cards from the National Databank.
hello@goodthingsfoundation.org
Networking Key Services
Category: Skills support
Audience: Ethnic minority groups
Networking Key Services (NKS) deliver holistic support for those from South-Asian communities. One of the projects that NKS delivers specifically supports individuals with digital learning.
0131 221 1915
Old Town Crannie
Categroy: Skills support / Support with devices
Audience: Open to all
The Crannie is a community hub for residents of the Old Town. Located in Cranston Street off the Canongate, the Crannie is a busy place with many activities, gatherings, events and meetings. For help with your digital devices, you can book in to see knowledgeable volunteers who can help you with how to navigate your phone, tablet or laptop. Digital Support slots are available on Thursdays between 12pm – 2pm. To book a slot, please contact the Crannie team.
0131 557 2244
Scottish Seniors Computer Clubs
Category: Skills support / Support with devices
Audience: Older people
Scottish Seniors Computer Clubs is a federation run by volunteers to assist over 50's with their devices. Scottish Seniors Computer Clubs meet in various branches within Edinburgh, East Lothian, West Lothian & Falkirk.
0131 529 5616
Simon Community
Category: Skills support / Data
Audience: Homeless people
The Simon Community runs a digital drop-in on Fridays between 1.30pm and 4pm at the Streetwork Hub. This is primarily aimed at those experiencing homelessness and is limited to 15 people for each drop-in - first come first served.
0808 178 2323
Skills Development Scotland
Category: Skills Support
Audience: Open to all
Skills Development Scotland have a Digital Learning Initiative designed to help Scots boost their digital skills. It brings together training offered by AWS, Cisco, IBM, Microsoft and Salesforce to help people improve their digital skills. Free, accessible online courses cover subjects including
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- cyber security
- software development
- data science.
This initiative is also designed to help employers to manage the skills needed in their workplaces, helping to boost productivity with the latest digital skills. Anyone can access the full range of courses available.
Space at the Broomhouse Hub
Category: Skills support / Support with devices / Computers for your use
Audience: Open to all
Get a helping hand with all things digital at the weekly drop-in group provided by SpaceScot. Whether sorting email, downloading mobile apps or accessing social media, just pop into the cafe for assistance.
No booking required. Laptops are available for use or you can bring your own device.
Classes are currently held on Wednesdays between 2pm and 4pm.
0759 3554 708
Tap Into IT
Category: Skills support
Audience: Older people
Tap into IT is a social enterprise providing a service to support older people in Edinburgh with IT. They enable people to do the things they need to do online and with their digital technology. This can be one to one at home or with a group, funded either by the individuals themselves or partner organisations.
07762 982 509
Wester Hailes digital skills support
Category: Skills support / Computers for your use
Audience: Open to all
Digital skills support for adults is offered across the below sessions in Wester Hailes. You can attend a drop-in session which offers support with all things digital. There is no need to book, pop along whenever you want and stay as long as you feel able. There is no set curriculum so you can raise the topics you are interested in learning or need support with, and our Digital team will lend a hand. Equipment is provided or feel free to bring your own device.
- Mondays between 1pm and 3pm at WHALE Arts.
- Tuesdays between 1pm and 3pm at The Health Agency.
- Fridays between 10am and 12 noon at Clovenstone Community Centre.
0131 458 3267
Vintage Vibes
Category: Skills support
Audience: Older people
Vintage Vibes is an award-winning charity tackling isolation and loneliness in Edinburgh. It started in 2015 as a fresh new way to combat isolation and loneliness among over 60s (called VIPs) in Edinburgh.
Vintage Vibes creates long lasting one-to-one friendships offering support, companionship and the opportunity for lonely VIPs to be more socially connected and active in their local community. The project also provides digital support to VIPs to keep them connected.
0131 343 0955