Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities

Wellbeing and individual support for families

LINKnet Mentoring - eat well for oral health services

Eat Well for Oral Health is a community-based oral health and nutrition awareness project delivered by LINKnet Mentoring and Edinburgh Community Food. They aim to deliver oral health practices and nutrition guidance in an accessible and fun way. For more information on how to access this service, when the groups are running or to register as a volunteer email 

volunteer3@linknetmentoring.com

Bright Choices project - Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB)

The Bright Choices project provides support for women, men, children and families who are experiencing difficult relationships. They are accepting new referrals.

For more information visit the Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB) Facebook page and Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB) website.

To make a referral contact 

0131 467 7052

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 counselling, complementary therapy, women’s only groups, one-to-one advice, advocacy and signposting. Advice is given on the telephone or in person on practical issues including health, safety and rights. Language support can be provided.  
   
For more information visit the Aditi website or contact  

aditi@sacro.org.uk  

0131 603 4865  

Health in Mind

Health in Mind provides practical and emotional support to all adults to help explore their mental health and wellbeing. They provide wellbeing courses and workshops, anxiety and depression peer support groups peer volunteering and mental health and wellbeing support for people from Ethnic Minority Communities in Edinburgh.

For more information about courses and workshops, visit the Health in Mind website or make an enquiry using the enquiry form or contact

hello@health-in-mind.org.uk

0131 225 8508

Open arms - ELREC

Open Arms provides free online courses and activities for women such as sewing, arts and crafts sessions, pain relief, English conversation, body maintenance exercises, and face yoga. They also offer regular face-to-face socializing events of various themes at different venues across the city.

For more information visit the ELREC Facebook page or email 

mrostami@elrec.org.uk 

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 education, career advice and counselling. 

For more information visit the Sikh Sanjog websiteSikh Sanjog Facebook page or contact

info@sikhsanjog.com 

0131 553 4737 

Saheliya

Saheliya offers learning sessions including counselling and support work to help with housing, finances, immigration, health care, abuse and hate crimes. The Education Centre provides training and courses to build skills and achieve qualifications. Courses include ESOL, IT, Child Care, Sewing etc. The language support provided is in Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, Chinese, Punjabi and Bengali.

Saheliya also offers groupwork training- Champions for Change enables girls and women to gain knowledge and skills to have their voices heard at conferences, and events, and experience one-to-one sessions with politicians and service providers. Champions for Well-being enables women to become sources of mental well-being advice in their families and communities and to actively challenge abusive cultural practices and other gender-based abuse.

For more information, visit the Saheliya website  or contact 

info@saheliya.co.uk  

0131 556 9302

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. 

For more information visit the LINKNet website or contact

volunteer1@linknetmentoring.com 

07447 228 686

Monthly multi-cultural cafe -SCOREscotland 

This monthly cafe brings together members of the Wester Hailes and South West Edinburgh community to socialise, meet new friends and enjoy delicious food. The cafe helps volunteers build confidence and learn new skills. For more information contact

Madhavi@scorescotland.org.uk 

07496 190 752 

Cycling programme - SCOREscotland 

A range of cycling activities are available to make cycling accessible to everyone in the Wester Hailes and South West community and encourage active travel and healthy living. Activities include cycle training for women, led rides for women, Dr Bike (free bike checks and repairs) and bike maintenance workshops. For more information contact

Madhavi@scorescotland.org.uk 

07496 190 752 

Mental health foundation project and women’s group - SCOREscotland 

A programme of activities developed to improve the mental and physical well-being of women in South West Edinburgh. Sessions include weekly women’s Latin dance fitness classes, a weekly social sewing group and a weekly walking group. The project also offers a range of activities that promote well-being such as trips and outings. For more information contact

Fatima@scorescotland.org.uk 

07496 191 197 

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 CVs, prepare for interviews, advise on job seeking and raise awareness of other social and cultural skills required to secure employment. Help is also available for those wanting to improve their educational qualifications. For more information email

linknet2@linknetmentoring.com

Pilton Community Health Project Chat Café

The Chat Café is a welcoming and inclusive space for women, participants are welcome to bring their children. For new and settled migrants, Chat Cafe is an informal opportunity to improve English conversation skills. There will be a range of free activities as well as coffee, tea, and snacks every week. The group is open to women living in Muirhouse, Wester Drylaw, West Pilton, Granton, Royston and Wardieburn and meets on Mondays from 10am to 11.30am at

Pilton Community Health Project
73 Boswall Parkway
EH5 2PL

For more information contact

hello@pchp.org.uk

0131 551 1671 

Women’s Collective

A social group for women run in four-week blocks at SPACE and Broomhouse Hub for BAME women offering peer support, fun activities and outings, the opportunity to learn new skills, improve the English language and more. The group runs on Tuesdays from 12.30pm to 2pm.

Space @ the Broomhouse Hub
79-89 Broomhouse Crescent
EH11 3RH

For more information contact

shona.thompson@spacescot.org

07955 277 604 

Ubuntu connections - Passion4Fusion 

Employability support for immigrants and parents with chronic health issues. Assistance with preparing for job interviews, family support, income maximisation support, aftercare support when you start your new job, opportunities that understand chronic illness, and onward referral to other support agencies. Bus fares can be provided if required. For more information email  

Justine.ehimen@passion4fusion.com 

Men's mental health- Passion4Fusion 

A safe culturally appropriate support group for African men in Edinburgh. Men can gain support from peers while enjoying sports, games and outdoor activities and exploring ways to improve their health and wellbeing. For more information email  

isaac.akhadelor@passion4fusion.com 

Huruma project-Passion4Fusion 

Passion4Fusion provides culturally sensitive support to Africans with underlying health issues and concerns such as mental health, Hepatitis B, HIV, poor sexual health, cancer and diabetes. Support can be given to help individuals access services and develop the tools necessary to manage their long-term health conditions. For more information email  

jonathan@passion4fusion.com 

MECOPP 

Support for Black and Minority Ethnic carers who reside within Edinburgh and the Lothians and provide care for an adult or adults aged 16 years and above. Multilingual advice and information (English, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, Arabic, Cantonese, Mandarin), advocacy and casework support, education and training opportunities, recreational, social and therapeutic activities, healthy living programmes. Support can also be provided to carers to access health and social work services, housing and accommodation and welfare benefits.

Maritime House
8 The Shore
EH6 6QN  

For more information visit the MECOPP website or contact

info@mecopp.org.uk

0131 467 2994

Minority Ethnic Health Inclusion Service (MEHIS)

The Minority Ethnic Health Inclusion Service is part of NHS Lothian and aims to improve the quality of and access to Primary Health Care services by the Black/Minority ethnic and refugee communities across Lothian. The service can provide free confidential advice and information. Link workers speak a variety of languages and can help individuals access health care services and provide advocacy where needed.  

Craigmillar Medical Group  
106 Niddrie Mains Road   
EH16 4DT  

For more information in the following languages contact  

  • Bangladeshi Linkworker: 0131 536 9543 / 07771 504 802
  • Chinese Linkworker: 0131 536 9547 / 07771 504 668 
  • Pakistani/Indian Linkworker: 0131 536 9542 / 07825 681 884 

For more information contact 

MEHIS@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk 

0131 536 9544