Black and minority ethnic communities
Learning English
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Free classes running on Teams during term time for adults wishing to improve their English. For more information or to join a class contact
0800 085 7672.
Edinburgh College Community Based ESOL Classes
These classes are for adults where English is not their first language. Participants can learn language skills to live, work and study in the UK. Classes take place all around the city in community centres, libraries, community high schools and other community venues including Central Mosque. Classes are available part time during the day or in the evenings. Students on low income or receiving qualifying benefits may be eligible for a fee waiver. Classes are free for Asylum seekers. For more information email
agnieszka.waszak@edinburghcollege.ac.uk
0131 297 9657
https://www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/courses/explore-subject-areas/esol-community-based
Access to industry English classes
Classes to adults to learn English to improve employability skills. These classes run on Mondays and Tuesdays between 9.45am and 12pm at
Access to Industry College
156 Cowgate
EH11RP.
0131 260 9721
https://accesstoindustry.co.uk/courses/
Language programmes at Broomhouse Space Hub
This is for men and women in the South West community to support learning English. For further information and class times contact
Everyday English
Develop your English language skills with other women in a friendly and supportive group. This group is suitable for any woman who wants to improve their English and meet with others. It focuses on conversational English as well as some reading and writing. Tuesdays 9.30-10.30am. To find out more contact
jeandobbing@bethanychristiantrust.com
07823 415 762
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) free homework club
This homework club takes place at Goodtrees Neighbourhood Centre on Wednesdays between 4pm and 5pm. It is open to families in the South East Edinburgh with children from primary and secondary school. Children bring along their homework and reading for help. Parents are expected to stay and work with their child. To find out more about getting involved contact
0131 664 3793.
Support for BAME Children, Young People and Families
Early Years’ Service - Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB)
MCFB Early Years Service offers holistic individual and group support to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic infants and their families, from pregnancy to three years old, with an emphasis on infant mental health and parental well-being.
The following parent and infant groups are currently running, a referral to access the groups is required:
- Katakeet group: pregnancy to 1 year old at Duncan Place, Leith, EH6 8HW
- Strawberry group: 1 to 3 years old at Duncan Place, Leith, EH6 8HW
- Chinese Flower group: pregnancy to 3 years old at Valley Park Community Centre, EH17 8EU
For more information or to make a referral contact
0131 467 7052
https://m.facebook.com/mcultural1.
Muslim Women’s Association of Edinburgh Toddler group
This group takes place on Mondays between 10am and 12pm at
Exhibition Room
Edinburgh Central Mosque
EH8 9BT.
Everyone is welcome to attend from any faith or background. To register contact
07878 380 044.
Zoom Friendship group
This group is for parents with a child under five years and is run by Home link. This is a friendly group to meet new families. Parents learning English are very welcome. Contact
nadia.a@homelinkfamilysupport.org.
SCOREscotland (Strengthening Communities for Race Equality Scotland)
SCOREScotland offer children and youth clubs and family support for BME communities in South West Edinburgh. They provide weekly children's and youth clubs in Wester Hailes or online. They provide support for families with mental health, digital inclusion, racist hate and crime reporting. To refer contact
07504 826 683.
Passion4Fusion
Passion4Fusion aims to create support structures and safe spaces to meet the needs of the BME community in Edinburgh. Passion4Fusion offers health and wellbeing support for families (both children and adults), as well as creative arts, mental health and sports activities for young people. They also provide support on advocacy issues as requested. For more information to request support contact
Mosaic project - Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB)
The Mosaic project offers support to BAME teenagers in S1 to S6 who identify with stress and anxiety as an issue. For more information or to make a referral contact
0131 467 7052
or visit
https://m.facebook.com/mcultural1.
Support for BAME Families with a child with a disability
The Action group - BEMAS service
This service provides holistic advice and support for parents from BME communities with a disabled child. Phone
0131 475 2315
Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm and ask for a member of the Advice or BEMAS team or email
careradvice@actiongroup.org.uk.
Support for refugee or new families to Edinburgh
Salaam
This is a new project to support refugees and asylum seekers from Syria and other parts of the world. For more information visit
https://www.edinburghcitymission.org.uk/where-to-find-help/salaam-refugees-and-asylum-seekers/.
The Welcoming Association
The Welcoming Association is currently offering online and outdoor support to new Scots and refugee families in Edinburgh. They provide support to feel less isolated, find friendship, free English learning classes, employment guidance, one to one befriending; home energy, recycling and food growing advice. For more information visit
www.thewelcoming.org/timetable
or contact
0131 346 8577
Safe Haven project - Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB)
The Safe Haven project supports refugee families holistically through individual or group work.
For more information or to make a referral contact
0131 467 7052
or visit
https://m.facebook.com/mcultural1.
Wellbeing and individual support for BAME families
Edinburgh Smile
The Edinburgh Smile Project offers free virtual oral health workshops, one to one dental care sessions, an advocacy service to register with dental clinics and support during appointments to all minority ethnic people (adults and children).
For more information or to request support contact
0778876257
https://www.edinburghsmile.org/
Bright Choices project - Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB)
The Bright Choices project provides supports for women, men, children and families who are experiencing difficult relationships. They are accepting new referrals.
For more information or to make a referral contact
0131 467 7052
or visit
https://m.facebook.com/mcultural1
Aditi
Aditi supports the safety and wellbeing of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) women who have experienced or are currently experiencing domestic abuse or ‘honour’ based violence. They offer one to one advice and support from a women’s worker to counselling to complementary therapy. This is a women’s only group activity and is carried out online and face to face. Language support can be provided. For more information contact
0131 603 4865
or visit www.sacro.org.uk/aditi.
Equal Access - Health in Mind
Equal Access provide online support sessions for people from ethnic minority backgrounds who may face additional cultural and language barriers to accessing mental health support. The sessions take place weekly on Mondays from 11am to 12.30pm (women support group), fortnightly on Wednesdays between 12pm and 1.30pm (Urdu), fortnightly on Thursdays between 12pm and 1.30pm (men and women). One to one support may also be available. To register or for further information, please contact
rahila.khalid@health-in-mind.org.uk
07730 220 109.
Open Arms - ELREC
Open Arms provide free online courses and activities for women such as sewing, art and craft sessions, pain relief, English conversation, body maintenance exercise, face yoga. They also offer regular face-to-face socialising events of various themes at different venues across the city. For more information email Mitra at
or visit their Facebook
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100015925201459.
Sikh Sanjog
Sikh Sanjog provides one to one support to women and their families through phone, video calls and online groups, including help with accessing benefits and foodbank support etc. Contact
0131 553 4737
or visit
www.facebook.com/sikhsanjogedinburgh.
Saheliya
Saheliya offers learning session including English language, skills for work, Early Learning and Child Development, job advice sessions, sewing, computer skills, yoga, well-being and exercise. They provide weekly informal online drop-in sessions to help people with employment or to stay in touch. The language support provided is in Arabic, Urdu, Hindi and Bengali. Contact
0131 556 9302
Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm or visit
Monthly historical and cultural events run by LINKNet
Minority ethnic adults and families can attend and meet new people, visit new places and build a sense of belonging as well as learn about Scotland and it’s history and culture. For more information, please contact
07788 762 576
or visit
LINKNet Mentoring - No More Isolation, No More Tears
This befriending project is suitable for both ethnic minority men and women who live in Edinburgh and Lothians. It provides a variety of activities to address isolation and loneliness such as one to one befriending, community and educational events, cultural activities and English classes. Contact
07447 228 686
or visit
LINKNet Mentoring – Employment Support
This service helps minority ethnic communities with one to one volunteer support to pursue employment or education. Qualified, experienced and well-trained mentors help with job applications, develop CV’s, preparing for interviews, advice on job seeking and raising awareness of other social and cultural skills required to secure employment. Help is also available for those wanting to improve their educational qualifications. If you are looking for help please contact
Pilton Community Health project Chat Café
This group offers women from Black, Asian, and minoritised ethnic groups from all cultures and backgrounds a safe space to meet. Enjoy a relaxing time to learn English and conversation skills, learn about different languages and cultures, and take part in different activities. The group is open to women living in Muirhouse, Wester Drylaw, West Pilton, Granton, Royston and Wardieburn and meets on Mondays from11am to 12pm at
Royston Wardieburn Community 11 Piton Drive North EH5 1NFFor more information contact
07595 589 343.