Citywide
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Growing not waiting - One Parent Family Scotland
One Parent Family Scotland provides a safe, welcoming play space for children aged under five with sensory activities and learning through play. Support and advice are offered to single mothers experiencing temporary accommodation within Edinburgh.
They run a monthly housing rights clinic in partnership with Shelter Scotland as well as financial support, parenting advice and guidance and any other wrap-around support that may be needed regarding issues that result from the experience of living in temporary accommodation. The group runs in two locations on
Wednesdays during term time from 10 am to 12 pm at
Tuesdays during term time from 10 am to 12 pm at
For more information contact
07827 246 856
or
07827 247 866
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 at
For more information visit the Scottish Storytelling Centre website or contact
reception@scottishstorytellingcentre.com
0131 556 9579
Stay and play
For parents and children aged nought to three years. Face-to-face groups will run in Moredun and Granton.
For more information visit the Homelink Family Support Website or contact
info@homelinkfamilysupport.org
0131 661 0890
Play plus toy library
Membership of the Toy Library costs £4 per year which allows parents to borrow four toys for up to four weeks and attend stay-and-play sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10.30 am to 12 pm during term time at
To register visit the Smart Play Network Website.
For more information email
Newington Community Toy Library
This toy library runs fortnightly on Wednesdays from 9.30 am to 11.30 am during term time for parents and children aged nought to five years. There is a £2 (£1.50 for members) charge, per session to cover snacks. Membership for the toy library is £10 per year.
For more information visit the Community Toy Library website, their Toy Library Facebook page or 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 Families Outside 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 Families Outside 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 page on the Families Outside website or contact
support@familiesoutside.org.uk
08002 540 088
Rainbow Families (LGBT health and wellbeing)
Rainbow Families events are for LGBTQ+ families with children, living in and travelling to Edinburgh. A chance to meet other LGBTQ+ families, connect and socialise in a family setting. Events are led by friendly staff and volunteers and include a range of engaging activities facilitated as part of LGBT Health and Wellbeing’s Edinburgh 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 LGBT Health and Wellbeing website
For events, follow the LGBT Health and Wellbeing on Eventbrite or the Rainbow Families Facebook page or contact
Children and young people at Edinburgh libraries
The Children and Young People at Edinburgh Libraries 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 Your Library 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 Peep Learning Together Facebook and Peep Learning Together Instagram pages.
Holyrood house
Explore the Palace's close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historical figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how today it is used by The King when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.
Tickets cost only £1 each if in receipt of Universal Credit or other qualifying benefits. There is a limit of up to six tickets per household.
For more information or to book visit the Royal Collection Trust website.