Citywide Support
Youth Groups and Clubs
There are lots of youth groups and organisations in Edinburgh. Getting involved in activities with other young people through youth groups is a great way to socialise and do activities that support your wellbeing. You can look for activities and groups in Edinburgh by using the interactive map below.
When you click on the map it shows you the name of the organisations. If you want to find out more click again to see more information on the club and their website, Facebook or Twitter/X links.
Organisations – LAYC | Lothian Association of Youth Clubs
Nobody Left Behind (NOLB) - Employability
NOLB Stage 1 Service projects are aimed at those aged 15.5-19, but up to age 26 in some circumstances. Dedicated staff will work with you to agree a bespoke package of activity to encourage and support you in taking the next step towards a positive destination for example a college course, training or employment.
Alongside this, there is support for your family so they can understand how they can help you progress through the employability stages and sustain any moves into work, education or further training.
Supports are organised based on whare you live / the high school you attended.
- If you live near or attended Craigroyston Community, Queensferry or The Royal High Secondary Schools- contact Barnardos, rhianna.wright@barnardos.org.uk
- If you live near or attended Boroughmuir, James Gillespie's, St Thomas of Aquin's RC, Tynecastle, Gorgie Mills, Craigmount, Forresters or St Augustine's RC High Schools - contact Access to Industry, adelehill@accesstoindustry.co.uk
- If you live near or attended Broughton, Drummond Community, Leith Academy, Pilrig Park or Trinity Academy High schools - contact Citadel, Claire@citadelyouthcentre.org.uk
- If you live near or attended Castlebrae, Holy Rood RC or Portobello High Schools - contact Cyrenians, KirstyBremner@cyrenians.scot
- If you live near or attended Liberton, Gracemount or Kaimes High Schools - contact Wheatley Foundation, gavin.edmonds@wheatley-group.com
- If you live near or attended Balerno Community, Currie Community, Firrhill,, Wester Hailes or Woodlands High schools - contact Triage, alma.donaldson@triage.net
You can find out more about Nobody Left Behind Stage 1 service projects at Joined Up for Jobs
Apprenticeships, Training and Jobs
If you are a young person, the Edinburgh Guarantee can signpost you to services to help you move into apprenticeships, jobs and opportunities. Whether you are looking for a job, training or further education, there are organisations in Edinburgh to support you.
We are working with partners to support you to take your next step. We can help you build employability skills, access information to set up your own enterprise and find vacancies on our jobs board.
Find out more on Young people – Edinburgh Guarantee.
Young Parents
If you are a young parent go to our young parents webpage to find out more about supports you can access in Edinburgh.
ND:Well
If you identify as being neurodivergent and are under 24 Tailor Ed Foundation can match you with a one to one support worker who you can talk to about your feelings and what is going on in your life. This can help you to make sense of your feelings and support your wellbeing.
If your family also need help to understand what you are going through Barnardo’s can help them to meet other people and give them support.
Suitable for
- 5 to 24 years who are neurodiverse
- parents and siblings
Mindroom
Mindroom supports neurodivergent children, young people and their families. This includes if you have a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, Dyslexia or other neurodevelopmental conditions although no diagnosis is required to access the services.
The Children and Young People Service supports children and young people aged up to 25.
You can access 1:1 support to help you with any issues you are experiencing in a way that works for you. You will be matched with a worker who will spend time getting to know you, before making a plan together for what you would like help with. They will help you to have a say in decisions affecting your life and support you to improve confidence and well-being.
Family Advice Specialists can also provide advice, information and emotional support to your parents or carers over the phone or by email. This can include information about neurodevelopmental conditions, rights and entitlements and signposting to relevant services and supports.
For more information on Mindroom’s supports visit Mindroom’s Facebook page and Mindroom’s Twitter (X) page
You can contact them at directhelp@mindroom.org. or 0131 370 6730
Number 6 One Stop Shop
Number 6 is a service run by Autism Initiatives for autistic adults over 16 years who are diagnosed with autism and have no additional learning disability. The service supports young people and adults in Edinburgh, Lothians or the Scottish Borders. Number 6 provides free social opportunities and 1-1 advice and support on a range of issues.
Self-referrals or supported referrals can be made by contacting number6@aiscotland.org.uk
An initial appointment will be arranged via phone/video call or in person at Number 6, 24 Hill Street EH2 3JZ
For more information visit the Number 6 website.
The A-Teens group
This relaxed group is for young people with Autism aged 14 to 18 years. It is a space for you to meet and socialise with other people your age.
The group runs at Canongate Youth Centre. Visits can be arranged so you can see where it is and ask questions before you go.
To find out more please contact Sima Carrasco, Wellbeing Worker. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday between 9 am and 5 pm on 07799243565
Chill Youth Club run by The Speech Language Communication Company
This supportive and creative social club is for young people aged 16- 25 years who experience speech, language and communication barriers.
Sessions help boost self-confidence and build life skills. Sessions are weekly at Fetlor Youth Club and are free of charge.
Fetlor Youth Club
122 Crewe Road South
EH42NY
Contact Judith Woodward to find out more Families@s-l-co.uk or 07507 535 857
Time to Talk ‘A City-Wide Mental Wellbeing & Youth Work Collaborative’
Aims to support and improve young people’s mental health and wellbeing across the City of Edinburgh using youth work approaches. Services include:
- One-to-one support for young people (aged 12 – 25) to support your mental health & wellbeing across the city. Using youth work and counselling methods, as well as NHS Health Scotland recommended tools.
- We can also support your parents, carers and wider family with wellbeing and your family dynamics.
Youth workers will also be available in hospital emergency departments (The Royal Hospital for Children and Young People and the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh) to support family wellbeing when it’s needed most.
Supported by NHS Lothian, this service brings five youth and community organisations together from different geographical locations across the city for the 1st time to deliver innovative work. Organisations include The Junction, Granton Youth, Wester Hailes Youth Agency, Canongate, and 6VT Youth Café.
To find out about the organisations involved in the partnership click on the following websites: https://www.6vt.info/lets_talk
https://canongateyouth.org.uk/
Or contact The Junction directly by e-mail info@the-junction.org or phone 0131 553 0570.
Intercultural Youth
It is good to have different people in your life you can talk to. Sometimes it can be good to talk to someone who is not in your family or one of your friends.
Intercultural Youth Scotland's Mental Health Service offers culturally informed counselling and mentoring with a team of therapists who understand how racism affects mental health and have expertise around racial trauma. If you are aged between 12-25 and identify as a Black person or a Person of Colour, you or a trusted adult can self-refer by filling in our quick form here: https://forms.office.com/e/iFFkhscpNB.
Suitable for: Tailored compassionate support for young people living anywhere in Scotland, aged between 12 to 25, who identify as a Black Person or a Person of Colour, with an anti-racist approach to care.
Please reach out to nina@interculturalyouthscotland.org, if you want to chat about receiving support or if you need any help filling out our referral form.
Edinburgh Positive Wellbeing Service
If someone in your family has gone to prison it can be very hard to deal with all your thoughts and feelings. It can help to talk to someone who is not in your family who can listen to you and help you to understand what has happened and how you feel. You will have the choice of how you spend time together and what would be most helpful for you.
Contact edinburghpositivewellbeingservice@barnardos.org.uk.
Find out more about supports on website Edinburgh Positive Wellbeing Service | Barnardo's (barnardos.org.uk).
Sunflower Gardens
Sunflower Gardens supports children and young people aged five to 18 years who are affected by drug and/ or alcohol use within their family.
Sunflower Gardens is a safe and confidential space where you can explore your thoughts and feelings and learn positive coping strategies. The service can offer you counselling (including art and play therapy), 1-1 support and group activites.
You can refer yourself for Sunflower gardens support. For more information you can look at the Sunflower Gardens website or email sunflowergardenproject@crossreach.org.uk
Young People Substance Use Service (YPSUS)
YPSUS is a partnership of Edinburgh agencies who offer help and support to young people (up to the age of 21) who use substances including alcohol.
For more information visit the Young People Substance Use Service website or contact ypsus@edinburgh.gov.uk or 0131 529 6700
Richmond’s Hope
When someone close to us dies it is a really hard time and we will often need support to help us manage. Richmond's Hope offers children and young people aged 4 to 18 support when someone dies, support can be one to one or in groups. They can also give telephone support and advice to the adults who are supporting you at home and school.
If you think you would like support from Richmond Hope ask an adult at school or home to help you get in touch with them.
0131 661 6818
Talktime Scotland
TalkTimes Scotland offers free counselling and emotional support to young people aged 12-25 years with a physical disability living in Scotland. Sessions can be in person, online or over the phone.
For more information visit the Talktime Scotland website, and Facebook page.
To make an appointment contact talktimescotland@gmail.com or 07774 210104
Heritage and Inclusion Service
Action for Children offers one-to-one and group support for young people from the BAME (Black, Asian, and Ethnic Minority) population between the ages of 12 to 25.
They provide a space to share your experiences and access mental and emotional health support.
Activities about heritage, culture, and inclusion are offered, such as cinema, lunch, bowling and links made with the National Museum of Scotland, colleges, and The Duke of Edinburgh Award.
For more information or to find out how to get involved contact vince.mallia@actionforchildren.org.uk or 07977633005
Young Saheliya
The Young Saheliya Service provides support for young BME women and girls from the age of 12-25 years. Here at Saheliya we understand that it may be difficult for you to meet friends and may experience barriers to make the choices that you want. It is a a free, safe, private and confidential space to chat to someone about things that may be bothering you.
We offer a 12-25 year olds drop in, one to one and counselling support. Find out more about our supports
For more information contact info@saheliya.co.uk or 0131 556 9302
Still I Am- (SIA) Project - Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre (ERCC)
Free and confidential long-term emotional and counselling support to women, all members of the trans community and non-binary people, from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities aged 16 and over, who have had any form of unwanted sexual experience. You can make a self-referral or someone else can make a referral on your behalf.
For more information visit the Still I Am- (SIA) Project website or contact SIA@ercc.scot 07496 873 156
Move On
Move On supports young people aged 14 to 25 years old experiencing difficulties including low school attendance, welfare issues at home, lack of positive social networks, poor mental health or being bullied.
Visit the Move On the website for more information or to get in touch contact rebecca@moveon.org.uk
Positive Help Befriending Service
HIV and Hepatitis C are serious health issues. It can be really hard living with others who are coping with these illnesses.
If you are aged between 5-18 years and living with an adult who has HIV or Hepatitis C Positive Help Befriending give you support and time-out to do things you enjoy. The befrienders understand how difficult it is living with HIV or Hepatitis C and will help you to have fun activities to support your wellbeing.
For more information visit the Positive Help Befriending Service website, email admin@positivehelpedinburgh.co.uk or call 0131 225 4766
Volunteering in Sports and Activities
Active Schools’ mission is to get children and secondary pupils active more often. Being active improves the Health and Wellbeing of people of all ages.
Active schools help children access active opportunities that support them to have fun, get active and spend time with other children and young people.
You can volunteer with active schools and volunteering is a great opportunity to build your skills and get experience working with children and in sports activities.
Watch the film below to find out more about active schools and the benefits of volunteering with them.
