Support for families

Family activities citywide

A family of two adults and two children smiling at the camera.

One Parent Families Scotland- Stay and Play Growing Not Waiting Project (GNWP)

As part of the Growing Not Waiting Project (GNWP) these play sessions will support single mothers with children under 5 living in temporary accommodation, in a refuge or B&B provision within Edinburgh. Parents can enjoy a safe, fun space for their children while meeting other mums and receiving tailored support and information. All parents are welcome to attend from any area of the city. Transport and interpretation can be supported.

The project will run on Tuesday mornings 10 am to 12 pm at the

Diadem Buildings
Gorgie Dalry Stenhouse Church
190-192 Gorgie Road
Edinburgh
EH11 2NX

To make a referral please contact

Jenifer.hamilton@opfs.org.uk

07909 112 036

For more information visit the Facebook page. 

Easy Sundays

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is running monthly sessions on stories, music, community and friendship. A warm welcome awaits with a variety of activities for all the family to enjoy. Sessions are free for all ages and will run from 12 pm to 3 pm on Sundays on Sunday 9th April, Sunday 7th May, Sunday 11th June and Sunday 9th July at 

Scottish Storytelling Centre
43-45 High Street
EH1 1SR

For more information visit the website or contact

reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com 

0131 556 9579.

Stay and Play

For parents and children 0-3 years. Face-to-face groups will run in Moredun, Craigroyston, Forthview, Sighthill, Niddrie Mill, Pirniehall and Clovenstone. Sessions will be required to be pre-booked and all safety guidelines will be adhered to.

For more information visit the website or contact

info@homelinkfamilysupport.org 

0131 661 0890

Play Plus Toy Library and Stay and Play 

Membership of the Toy Library costs £4 per year which allows parents to borrow four toys for 30 days and attend stay-and-play sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am to 10.45am and 11am to 11.45am during term time at

Inch House Community Centre
225 Gilmerton Road
EH16 5UF
 
To register visit the website

For more information contact

playplus@smartplaynetwork.org.

Newington Community Toy Library

This toy library runs on Wednesdays from 9.30 am to 11.30 am during term time for parents and children 0-5 years. There is a £2 charge.

41 South Clerk Street
Edinburgh
EH8 9NZ

For more information contact

newingtoncommunitytoylibrary@gmail.com  

0131 664 8660

Families Outside group work and peer support 

Families Outside runs online and in-person groups and activities to support children, young people and adults affected by a family member's imprisonment. Sessions encourage families to come together and learn from one another’s lived experiences.

To find out about groups and activities near you visit the website or email

groupwork@familiesoutside.org.uk.

Families outside publish Activity Packs with lots of fun activities that children and families can do together at home or during visits, more information is on the website

Families Outside Family induction webinars

The family induction webinar series provides families affected by imprisonment helpful information at different stages of the justice process. The webinars Keeping Connected, Supporting Children and Young People and Coming Home can be accessed from the Families Outside event webpage or contact

support@familiesoutside.org.uk

0800 254 0088.

Rainbow Families (LGBT Health and Wellbeing)

Rainbow Families events are for LGBTQ+ families living in and travelling to Edinburgh and Glasgow looking to meet other parents, share experiences and socialise in a family setting. The friendly and relaxed group tries to ensure LGBTQ+ family members feel safe, validated and respected and hopefully experience the joy and connection of finding a community. Events run as part of the LGBT Health and Wellbeing Community Programme. The organisation welcomes the entire diversity of the community including non-binary, pansexual, queer, intersex, asexual people, bi+ and all identities under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.

For more information visit the website, Facebook page or contact

jules@lgbthealth.org.uk 

Children and Young People at Edinburgh Libraries

This Facebook page has lots of fun family activities running each week. 

Library online memberships

If you are not already a member, you can join your local library for free and access magazines and newspapers online, download ebooks, audiobooks and learning resources at the website

Peep Learning Together programme 

Peep Learning Together supports parents and carers of nought to five-year-olds to make the most of everyday learning opportunities - talking, listening, playing, singing, and sharing books and stories. Peep sessions are delivered in development stages for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers and offer ideas and activities to value and build on what parents already do. Peep sessions are delivered in Early Years centres and school nurseries during term time.

To find out more please ask at your local early years centre or school nursery. For more information visit Facebook and Instagram pages.