I am from an ethnic minority background
There are a number of projects in Edinburgh that specifically offer support for people from an ethnic minority background. These projects are tailored to understand the specific barriers that you might face and help you to overcome them.
THE DATAKIRK
What we offer:
- Tailored career empowerment and acceleration programmes for women and young people.
- Education on UK culture
- STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education courses.
- SCQF-accredited data courses for skills building for children and adults.
- Internship opportunities and work experience with reputable firms
- Employment networking, welfare support and mentoring support
- Women’s employment support training programme to upskill women and contribute to Gender Gap closure.
When to go:
SCQF courses are self-taught online. How to register is detailed below.
For other services, please contact DataKirk for information on service delivery timings.
How to register/refer:
Courses enrolment can be done through the DataKirk website. For other services to self-refer through their contact form. This is available here: www.thedatakirk.org.uk/contact
Where to go:
For all services, please contact DataKirk for information on service delivery location.
Main office location:
9 Walkers Wynd, Edinburgh EH14 2TD.
Additional information:
Their website: www.thedatakirk.org.uk
LINKNET MENTORING
What we offer:
Mentoring support: 1-to-1 mentoring for education, employment and personal development. There is a drop-in service every day from 10 am - 4 pm that provides short-term support on employability and education (e.g., CV building, job application, interview, etc.). Booking for a session in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Volunteering experience: for job seekers who do not have U.K work experience will be invited to volunteer with LINKnet or with partner organisations to get work experience. They will be requested to work 2 – 3 days per week.
English classes: group English classes are offered at beginner-to-intermediate and intermediate-to-advanced levels. Classes focus on improving practical language skills for employability, further education, and life in the U.K.
When to go:
Please contact LinkNet mentoring for up-to-date information on service location:
email: linknet2@linknetmentoring.com, telephone: 0131 261 4463 or mobile: 07447228686
How to register/refer:
For the mentoring support, an application form is available here: www.linknetmentoring.com/_files/ugd/efbbbc_8bdad8c4ed514995b75a06362bf5474d.doc?Dn=revised_mentee_application_form_2016.doc
For free English classes, the registration form is available here: www.linknetmentoring.com/_files/ugd/efbbbc_c57d5323ab384dddbd19bc889f837deb.pdf
For job support, the registration form is available here: www.linknetmentoring.com/_files/ugd/efbbbc_25a1c263982a4b4790ec7cefe84f1509.pdf.
Where to go:
English classes are held in their main office at 31 Guthrie Street Edinburgh, EH11JG or online.
For other services, please contact LinkNet mentoring for up-to-date information on date and times. Email: linknet2@linknetmentoring.com, telephone: 0131 261 4463 or mobile: 07447228686
Main office location:
31 Guthrie Street Edinburgh, EH11JG.
Additional information:
LinkNet offers advice drop-in sessions weekly for short term employment and job application support. They are held on Wednesdays 10am-4pm at their main office. No appointment needed.
Their website: www.linknetmentoring.com
MULTICULTURAL FAMILY BASE
What we offer:
Social work student placements for those working on their certification. MCFB also hosts students in other placements, such as art therapy, dance, psychotherapy, etc. Alongside their primary field of study, students are encouraged to attend trainings, workshops, and conferences alongside staff in order to expand their skill base. More information can be found here: Students | MCFB - Multi Cultural Family Base.
Social work mentoring scheme for all BAME students including international students and asylum seekers, in both individual and group support. It is a confidential service that currently offers three 60-minute sessions. More information can be found here: BAME Mentoring Project | MCFB - Multi Cultural Family Base
For service users, MCFB supports employability and skills building. As an example, the Mums’ Group is pursuing training and certification in skills such as food safety & hygiene and textile arts. More information can be found here: MCFB Mums' Group (youtube.com)
The Young Ambassadors programme is designed to combine aspects of a junior board with skills training of the young people involved. Young people learn how to be anti-racist advocates first and foremost, and within this also learn transferable skills such as public speaking, storytelling, journalism, and more. They are encouraged to start thinking about career paths they might like to pursue.
When to go:
Student placements run at different times throughout the year. Reach out to MCFB learn more.
Mentoring sessions are by set appointment and can be held in person and online. The location and timings will be set after enrolment.
Employability programmes that support service users happen during groups or one-to-one casework. If you would like to refer yourself or others, email duty@mcfb.org.uk or call 0131 467 7052.
How to register/refer:
To inquire about student placements, please email hello@mcfb.org.uk. For social work mentoring: email at Nasra Nibi at nasraconsultancy@gmail.com or call her mobile at 07758512614
To make a referral into any of the programmes seen on the website, email duty@mcfb.org.uk or call 0131 467 7052.
MCFB welcomes partnerships with those who would support their employability work! Email hello@mcfb.org.uk to have a conversation.
Where to go:
Different services happen at different locations, including the MCFB office.
BAME Mentoring sessions are by set appointment and can be held in person and online. The location and timings will be set after enrolment.
Main office location:
50 Coburg st, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6HE.
Additional information:
MCFB offers multiple languages support.
Their website: www.mcfb.org.uk
PASSION4FUSION
What we offer:
The Ubuntu Connections – Tailored job readiness and support for immigrant parents with chronic health conditions.
- Preparing for job interviews
- Family Support
- Income maximisation support
- Aftercare support when you start your new job
- Opportunities that understand chronic illness
- Onward referral to other support agencies
- Bus fares if required
- Wellbeing support
When to go:
Please contact passion4fusion for information on service dates and times. Email: info@passion4fusion.com or telephone: 0131 210 0192
How to register/refer:
For the Ubuntu programme, please contact Justine at Justine.ehimen@passion4fusion.com
Where to go:
Please contact passion4fusion for information on service delivery location.
Main office location:
1 Waterfront Avenue, Edinburgh, EH5 1SG.
Additional information:
Their website: www.passion4fusion.com
PROJECT ESPERANZA
What we offer:
- Employability support - ready-to-work support, sessions on CV and cover letters and mentoring to explore business ideas and employability workshops
- College applications support
- Access to training (food hygiene, first aid, health and safety, driving theory, peer mentoring)
- Exploring business ideas and skills
- Volunteer development programme
- Support to apply for national insurance (NI) number
- Workplace skills and work experience
- ESOL and digital literacy classes for women
- Volunteer development programme for those seeking workplace skills with no experience working in the U.K. Participants will be volunteering at Project Esperanza. This is a 12-week programme that runs 2 day ways a week.
When to go:
For English classes, Wednesdays 10:30am -12pm
For the Employability Programme, location will be provided once you are enrolled.
For the Volunteering Programme, contact Project Esperanza directly.
How to register/refer:
For all services, complete and submit this form: Service Referral Form (google.com)
Where to go:
English classes are held at Pilton community health project,73 Boswell parkway, Edinburgh EH52PW.
Employment support is given at their main office through appointment and referral.
The Volunteering programme location is decided after enrolment into the programme.
Main office location:
1 Waterfront Ave, Granton, Edinburgh EH5 1SG
Additional information:
Their website: https://projectesperanza.org.uk
THE WELCOMING
What we offer:
Free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes including beginner, pre-intermediate, and intermediate levels.
CV and job application support, interview preparation, and skills development (training and education).
Get Ready for Opportunities and Work (GROW) programme. A free 6-week course for New Scot parents.
1-to-1 employment support appointments to identify specific needs.
When to go:
For ESOL classes, times differ. Please check their website here for up-to-date information.
The GROW programme runs for 2 hours, once a week, with various start dates. Check their website for dates.
1-to-1 employment support appointments are available from 10am - 4pm, Monday – Friday. Registration and appointment booking is required.
How to register/refer:
Registration for all courses and activities is required. The registration form can be found here: www.thewelcoming.org/registration-form
Employability support for under 30 year olds: applications for appointments can be made by filling out and submitting this form: applying for employment and training support (office.com)
Employability support for over 30-year-olds: applications for appointments can be made by filling out and submitting this form: applying for employment and training support (office.com)
For the GROW programme, please visit The Welcoming website to register for the west Edinburgh or north Edinburgh classes
Where to go:
Locations vary depending on the programme.
Main office location:
20/1 Westfield Avenue, Edinburgh, EH11 2TT*.
*Their offices are open to drop-in Monday - Friday, 9am - 2pm.
Additional information:
For general questions about ESOL classes, contact David Carpenter at david@thewelcoming.org.
Their website: www.thewelcoming.org
MORE OPTIONS
As well as the projects listed here, there are many others that can help you reach your goals.
View the Find a Service directory for full details of all the services that are available.
