The Welcoming Association, Author at The Welcoming

The Welcoming Volunteers Awarded Again at Inspiring Volunteer Awards

We are delighted to announce that our ESOL Teachers Team and one of our befriending volunteers have won awards through the Inspiring Volunteer Awards 2022.

The Welcoming at Refugee Festival Scotland 2022

Print test, Alternative Tracks. May 2022

We are delighted to be part of Refugee Festival Scotland’s programme this year! You can view artwork created by our members at the Alternative Tracks event facilitated by Distanced Assemblage, at Edinburgh Printmakers. New Scots are also invited to our cross-cultural storytelling event to celebrate World Refugee Week 2022 together.

Our Health and Wellbeing Programme is back!

The Welcoming’s health and wellbeing activities for New Scots will restart this month. Our programme supports New Scots (asylum seekers, refugees and migrants) in Edinburgh to look after their physical and mental health, and feel empowered to make personal wellbeing choices.

Why do people flee their country?

Our Director Tesfu Gessesse was asked to write for The Concept Journal about The Welcoming’s work, his personal background, and the issues faced by refugees around the world. In his article, Tesfu reflects on the UN Security Council’s involvement (or lack of) in the current wars in Yemen, Myanmar, Ethiopia and Ukraine.

Celebrating 7 years of Welcoming a Greener Future

After a wonderful seven years, our Welcoming a Greener Future project came to an end on Thursday 31 March 2022. Since 2015 we have: Saved 701.5 tonnes Co2, held over 300 climate change activities, and engaged with over 2,000 people.

Ukraine Appeal – Letter from our Director

We are preparing to welcome and open our services to the new arriving Ukrainians. However, our experience shows that new arrivals need many things when they come to a foreign city, e.g. books for their children, clothing, etc., which puts additional financial pressure on our organisation. Therefore, we are asking you to lend your usual kindness and donate whatever you can through our LocalGiving.

Update: Welcoming a Greener Future project

After an incredible seven years, our Welcoming a Greener Future project will be coming to a close on March 31 2022. The project has been funded by the Scottish Government Climate Challenge Fund since it began in 2015. Now, we

Conflict in Ukraine – Take Action

We call on the UK government to offer safe and legal routes to Ukrainians fleeing the conflict, as well as all others who seek sanctuary in the UK.

Building Solidarity with LGBTQIA+ and Refugee Communities

We held our first LGBT History Month Scotland event on Tuesday 22nd February 2022, in partnership with Micro Rainbow. We want to continue this important dialogue and encourage our supporteres to take the next step in supporting these communities.

2021 at The Welcoming: A Year in Review

We look back on 2021 at The Welcoming as a year of challenge, but also as a year of opportunity – to show what we can achieve as a community. We have faced challenges to refugee and migrant rights at home and internationally, adapted our services throughout the pandemic, took climate action for our planet, and developed our approach to equality and diversity.

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