Last week at The Welcoming, we celebrated the incredible volunteers who make our work possible, from English language support to friendship-building activities and strategic guidance. Volunteers’ Week 2025 allowed us to come together in gratitude and reflect on the enormous
We’re excited to announce the launch of a new Useful Resources section on our website – a dedicated space where New Scots and community members can easily access helpful, multilingual information about life in Edinburgh and Scotland. From understanding the
There was a special buzz in the air at The Welcoming Association in Edinburgh last week, as the organisation hosted a truly historic visit from Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Grandi’s visit – organised by the Scottish
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our latest short film, a heartfelt glimpse into the work of The Welcoming Association. Created in collaboration with Hugo Hemmati, a talented student filmmaker in Scotland, this film captures the essence of what
The Welcoming will be closed for the following public holidays and service breaks throughout 2025. Public Holidays On public holidays, there will be no activities or classes. The office will be closed and staff will not be contactable. Service Breaks During service
We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who attended The Welcoming Association’s 2024 Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Monday, 9th December, at Tynecastle Park. Your presence and participation were a testament to the strength of our community and
As winter approaches, we are working to support refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants in Edinburgh who may need extra help during this time. With our Community Fridge closing for three weeks over Christmas, we are putting together food hampers to
The Welcoming Association Autumn Newsletter is Here! In our Autumn 2024 newsletter, CEO Tesfu Gessesse reflects on the impact of global displacement, sharing insights into The Welcoming’s expanded support for nearly 4,000 New Scots in Edinburgh. Discover stories of resilience
The UK’s new e-Visa system will soon replace the Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) for many individuals.
While The Welcoming can’t assist directly with e-Visa applications, we want to provide some guidance and point you in the right direction for further support.
On October 1st, we had the privilege of gathering with an extraordinary group of people to celebrate something truly special—the dedication of our volunteers. These individuals have given their time, energy, and hearts to support New Scots in Edinburgh, making
