We Are Friends 🧡 This August, we’re celebrating 10 years of The Welcoming Friendship Project, from Befriending and Scotland for Newcomers to Conversation Café, outings and activities. One member told us: “You have changed my life.”

Last week our member Tiffany led a beautiful Mindfulness in Nature session 🌿 The group walked in silence, noticing sounds, scents, textures, and colours, before gathering for warm tea and a mindful drinking practice as part of a programme focused on mental wellbeing within our community. 🧡

Families had a lovely time at our recent Water of Leith session with Gillian from Water of Leith Conservation Trust 🌿 We explored nature, discovered tiny river creatures, created a nature mandala and even stepped into the river. Next session: Tuesday 4 August. Details coming soon in WhatsApp 🧡

Today marks 75 years of the Refugee Convention. Here in Edinburgh, the right to seek safety still matters. People fleeing danger deserve dignity, protection and welcome. Read our article: https://www.thewelcoming.org/edinburgh-refugee-convention-75-years/

Sunny July Saturday well spent 🌉☀️ Our Scotland for Newcomers group walked across the iconic Forth Road Bridge. The group is open to everyone, with inclusive Saturday meet-ups around Edinburgh and beyond. Huge thanks to Colin and our brilliant volunteers for making these trips happen 🧡

Our Summer Newsletter is here 🌞 In this edition, we’re starting to share more impact stats and stories of change from The Welcoming, alongside updates from our community and a message from Tesfu. Read it here: https://www.thewelcoming.org/read-our-summer-newsletter/

Read Our Summer Newsletter - The Welcoming

Read our Summer Newsletter for impact stats, stories of change, service updates and a message from our CEO, Tesfu Gessesse.

thewelcoming.org

We were one of 219 charities who signed this letter to the incoming PM 🧡

Together With Refugees@refugeestogether.bsky.social · 2w ago

Hey Andy 👋🏽 A different future is possible. For too long refugees have been unfairly blamed for wider social and economic challenges. Read the letter and get involved - togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/press-releas...

Last month, The Money Charity delivered four Financial Wellbeing workshops for our members 💷 Topics included UK banking, budgeting, credit, borrowing and keeping money safe. We had 39 attendances across the sessions. Huge thanks to The Money Charity and Jess for facilitating 💛

Bridges to Success is back 💼 Our 8-week employability course for New Scots parents starts on Tuesday 18 August at Inch House. We cover - job searching, applications, cover letters, interviews and employment rights. More info: https://www.thewelcoming.org/services/employment-support-edinburgh/

Last week our colleague Asia introduced Birds of War at Filmhouse Edinburgh 🎬 Afterwards, one of our Syrian members said it made them happy to see stories like theirs, their family’s and thousands of others represented on screen. Huge thanks to Filmhouse Edinburgh and Dogwoof for inviting us!🧡

We recently welcomed Darwen Asylum Refugee Enterprise to The Welcoming for a valuable exchange of ideas and experience. With one of our Holistic Caseworkers involved, we shared learning on supporting refugees and people seeking asylum. More about DARE: https://www.daredarwen.org.uk/

Recently, our members joined Day of Access, Plant Listening and The University of Edinburgh for activities exploring plants, nature, land and belonging 🌿 Our Friendship Group Coordinator, Gosia, wrote: “...we all returned with smiles, clearer minds, and hearts a little closer to nature.” 🧡

A huge congratulations to the latest Bridges to Success graduates at Duncan Place 🎓🧡 Over eight weeks, parents built skills in job searching, applications, interviews and workplace rights. Thanks to Sandra, Laura, Capital City Partnership, The City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Gov💛

🎬 Birds of War comes to Filmhouse Edinburgh on Wednesday 8 July at 8:30pm, introduced by our colleague Asia Hart-Eason. A powerful story of love, war and displacement, with English subtitles. 🎟️ £3 tickets for refugees and people seeking asylum: https://www.filmhouse.org.uk/movie/birds-of-war/

Proud. Brave. Seeking safety. Refugees created this banner with Waverley Care, then carried it at Edinburgh Pride. After suspected anti-Muslim attacks across our city, its message mattered even more. We stand together against hate and for everyone’s safety and dignity. 🏳️‍🌈

Advocacy is how good intentions become real influence. This week, we delivered the second of two workshops for Edinburgh’s third sector, exploring the advocacy cycle, power mapping and using evidence effectively. Thanks to Augustine United Church for hosting us.

We stand with Muslim communities across Edinburgh and Scotland following the reported anti-Muslim attacks on 19 June. There is no place for racism, faith-based hatred or violence in our city. We must reject misinformation, challenge prejudice and build stronger communities together.

A powerful evening of stories and connection at Community Connections for #RefugeeWeek. Huge thanks to our panellists, poet Yuliia, everyone who attended, Ps & Gs Church, and our brilliant colleagues for bringing it all together. Read our Mythbusters resource: https://ow.ly/PAwU50ZcfnU

This #RefugeeWeek, we’re launching our Mythbusters campaign. At a time when fear and division are being used to explain complex problems, we need #Courage to challenge harmful myths about refugees, asylum seekers and migration. Download and share: ow.ly/FN2A50ZbOgt

This #RefugeeWeek, we’re thinking about #Courage in everyday steps - learning new skills, asking questions and getting involved locally. Recently, 19 people joined our employability workshop with Pianodrome to learn about volunteering in piano upcycling, restoration and events 🎹🧡

This #RefugeeWeek, we stand #WithRefugees 🧡 At The Welcoming Association, we’re marking this year’s theme of #Courage by bringing people together through Community Connections - creating space for stories, conversation and welcome across Edinburgh.

A huge thank you to Conpulsion for raising an incredible £5,000 for The Welcoming through their 2026 charity auction 🧡 Community fundraising helps us support New Scots in Edinburgh with English, employability, advice, friendship and belonging. Donate: https://ow.ly/VS2w50Z8IxO

Our Scotland for Newcomers Saturday group recently visited Arthur’s Seat with support from our amazing volunteers 🧡 Outings like this help New Scots explore Edinburgh, practise English and feel more connected. We’re recruiting Volunteer Befrienders: https://ow.ly/OMYW50Z8HPT

We’re recruiting Volunteer Befrienders in Edinburgh 🧡 Support New Scots through 1:1 chats, local activities and informal English practice. 1-3 hours per week. Full training provided. Apply: https://www.thewelcoming.org/get-involved-the-welcoming-edinburgh/volunteer/

This #VolunteersWeek, we’re celebrating STAR | Student Action for Refugees at The University of Edinburgh, nominated for the Inspiring Volunteer Awards Team Award 🧡 Since Sept 2024, STAR students have supported Conversation Café, events and activities - bringing energy, solidarity and welcome.

For #VolunteersWeek, we’re celebrating our Inspiring Volunteer Awards nominees 🧡 Belle, Carol, Mary and our Scotland for Newcomers volunteer team all show what welcome looks like in action - kindness, language support, friendship, city walks, practical help and community. Thank you!

Volunteers are part of the community infrastructure that makes welcome possible 🧡 At The Welcoming: 30 Friendship volunteers 8 reception volunteers 26 ESOL teachers + 3 covers 7 Board members 6 Community Fridge volunteers Thank you for helping build a more connected Edinburgh.

This #VolunteersWeek, we're saying thank you to all the volunteers who make The Welcoming possible 🧡 From ESOL teachers and befrienders to reception, Community Fridge and Board volunteers - your time, skills and kindness help build a more connected and welcoming Edinburgh.

Our Friendship Group is full of talented people 🌍🧡 Amin is cycling 100 miles for Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, while Said recently impressed everyone with his tailoring skills during a group session. Community grows through sharing skills, passions and experiences.

This month, learners in our ESOL classes received certificates for attending 25+ English classes since January 🎓 Free, welcoming English classes help people build confidence, connection and independence as they rebuild their lives in Edinburgh 🧡