Would you like to help shape how Scotland’s institutions are held accountable for racism?
ELREC is the Edinburgh hub for the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS). We believe that people with direct, lived experience of racism in Scotland are the true experts, and their knowledge belongs at the centre of our scrutiny work.
Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS)
The Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland (AROS) is a community-rooted anti-racism organisation set up to scrutinise and hold public bodies in Scotland accountable for tackling systemic racism and advancing racial equity through evidence-based change. It’s hosted by the University of Strathclyde in partnership with the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER), and funded by the Scottish Government.
It’s anticipated AROS will eventually become fully independent, and it will be guided by an independent Board.
Join Our Experts by Experience Panel (EEP)
The EEP gives those most impacted by racism a formal, structured role in shaping how AROS holds institutions to account. This isn’t consultation on the side it’s community voice shaping accountability, not just informing it.
EEP members will also play a vital part in the co-design of AROS’s Digital Interactive Library, by ensuring that anti-racist research, resources and data are accessible for everyone in Scotland.
Why join?
· Your lived experience is expert knowledge, and it matters.
· You’ll hold a role within AROS’s governance.
· You’ll help shape real, systemic change, not just offer input.
· Your expenses will be covered and your time is paid.
· You’ll benefit from development opportunities.
Who can apply?
There’s only one requirement: a genuine interest in creating a difference and supporting systemic change through lived experience. That’s it. If that’s you, we want to hear from you.
How to apply
To apply, please complete the form linked below by this Wednesday
Botanis chior perform a song written by Karine Powart (white top, glasses) to mark the reopening of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Palm Houses,
Connecting the community to the power of nature was the theme at a special event at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, as around 800 guests gathered for a Community Celebration at the newly restored Palm Houses, prior to their public reopening.
The event was the joyous finale of the Garden’s 2026 Creative Programme for communities. Supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the scheme brought together community groups from across Edinburgh to explore ways of connecting with nature – empowering individuals to develop their own relationship with the natural world.
The five groups involved this year – Pilton Community Health Project, Headway East Lothian, Score Scotland Women’s Group, ELREC New Scots Group and ELREC Polish Group – took part in a series of 21 creative sessions at the Garden between March and August.
Working alongside artists, musicians and specialists from the Botanics, participants explored the connections between communities across Edinburgh and the Palm Houses, helping to inspire and engage individuals new to the Garden in the beauty and creativity on offer right on their doorstep.
As well as exhibiting textile banners, ceramic vessels and a Palm House tea blend created by the community groups throughout the project, the event also welcomed award-winning musician and songwriter Karine Polwart, whose new composition, Māmāku, was inspired by the black tree fern (Sphaeropteris medullaris) native to New Zealand now growing at the centre of the Palm Houses.
Exploring themes of repair, renewal, healing and resilience, the new composition was performed for the occasion by the Botanics Choir, made up of both members of staff and people from the local community.
Chiormaster Amy Leach (dark blue dress) Karine Polwart and NLHF Diane Gray (light blue dress)
Professor Julia Knights, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh said: “The Palm Houses have always been places of wonder, discovery and connection. Now, with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, this project has brought new people, stories, creativity and perspectives into these historic spaces. We are delighted to celebrate that work together.
“At the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, our role goes far beyond science and horticulture. As well as being a global institution tackling biodiversity loss and climate change, we also deliver education and engagement programmes to inspire and engage learners.
“We work with over 120 community groups and welcome visitors from across the world; our Gardens are a place where everyone can come together, share experiences and be inspired.”
The National Lottery Heritage Fund awarded £4.8 million to help save the Palm Houses, helping to support both the renovation of the historic buildings and community engagement work that is already bringing new audiences into the Palm Houses.
Caroline Clark, The National Lottery Heritage Fund Director for Scotland, said: “Thanks to National Lottery players, we have helped support the restoration of these magnificent 19th century Palm Houses, securing the future of the precious plant collection housed within them.
“This has been an extraordinary heritage project, but it’s also brought together people from communities across Edinburgh and beyond. It has given them the opportunity to share new experiences, develop their creative skills and helped shape how this special place will be understood and enjoyed for generations to come.”
The Palm Houses will reopen to the public on Friday 2 October 2026 following a major restoration project which has seen all 5,750 panes of glass replaced, 600m² of ironwork fully restored or replaced and 500m² of sandstone repairs carried out, alongside the return of nearly 600 precious plant specimens to their historic home.
Autumn season is getting closer, and it means start of our cosy indoor activities where you can relax, meet new people and get creative!
We are excited to invite you for the first of our Winter Creative Writing workshops organised together with Open Book and lead by local writer Amy Moreno who will be using existing stories and poems to help you develop your own writing skills in a relaxed and informal setting. In these sessions we will hear a selection of different stories and poems, and will also have an opportunity to try our strengths in creative writing focusing on nature related topics.
You’ll have the opportunity to share and hear what others have written in a supportive and encouraging space.
Date: 8th September (Tuesday) 2026 Time: 11am-1pm Location: ELREC, 14 Forth St, Edinburgh EH1 3LH Language: English
The NHS is one of Britain’s greatest achievements (writes FOYSOL CHOUDHURY MBE). Every day, it cares for millions of people regardless of who they are, where they come from or what they believe. It is built on the principles of compassion, dignity and equality.
Yet new research has once again exposed an uncomfortable truth. Too many NHS staff continue to experience unacceptable levels of racism and discrimination.
That should concern every one of us.
The NHS depends on the dedication and professionalism of staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. They are our doctors, nurses, consultants, pharmacists, porters, receptionists, cleaners, ambulance crews and carers. They work around the clock, often under immense pressure, caring for patients with compassion and professionalism.
Quite simply, without them, our NHS would not function.
Yet many continue to face racist abuse from patients, discrimination from colleagues and barriers to career progression. No one should ever have to endure abuse because of the colour of their skin, their ethnicity, their faith or their background while simply doing the job they were trained to do.
The recent findings reported by Sky News should serve as a wake-up call. Racism in our public services is not just unacceptable. It damages lives, harms staff wellbeing, affects recruitment and retention, and ultimately impacts the quality of care patients receive. When talented professionals feel isolated, undervalued or forced to leave because they are not treated fairly, we all lose.
This is an issue I have dedicated much of my public life to addressing.
As a former Member of the Scottish Parliament, I consistently used my platform to challenge racism, promote equality and press for stronger action against discrimination. I spoke in parliamentary debates on race equality, hate crime and community cohesion, worked with ministers and colleagues across political parties, and supported organisations committed to building a fairer Scotland.
Alongside my parliamentary work, I have been proud to work with the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC), an organisation that has spent decades supporting people who experience discrimination, promoting good relations between communities and helping employers and public bodies become more inclusive. Through ELREC, I have worked with schools, local authorities, Police Scotland, NHS organisations, universities, charities, faith groups and community organisations to tackle racism, challenge prejudice and promote equality.
Throughout my career, I have firmly believed that combating racism requires more than statements of support. It requires action, leadership and a willingness to stand alongside those who experience discrimination. Equality should never be viewed as an aspiration. It should be a reality that every person experiences in their daily life.
While Scotland has made significant progress, recent years have also seen a worrying rise in racism and hate incidents across the UK. We have witnessed increasing hate speech online, abuse directed at public figures, hostility towards migrants and refugees, and discrimination affecting people simply because of their race, religion or ethnicity. These attitudes do not remain online. They spill into our workplaces, schools, hospitals and communities.
The NHS should be a place where every member of staff feels safe, respected and valued. Healthcare workers should never have to choose between protecting their dignity and providing care for others.
Creating truly inclusive workplaces requires more than policies sitting on shelves. It demands strong leadership, effective reporting systems, proper support for victims, accountability when racism occurs and ongoing education that challenges prejudice and unconscious bias. Every employer has a responsibility to create an environment where discrimination is challenged immediately and where diversity is recognised as one of the organisation’s greatest strengths.
Our diversity is one of the greatest strengths of modern Britain.
People from different cultures, languages, faiths and backgrounds enrich every aspect of our society. They bring skills, ideas and experiences that strengthen our economy, improve our public services and enrich our communities. Diversity should never be viewed as a problem to manage. It should be celebrated as one of our greatest national assets.
Tackling racism cannot be left solely to governments, employers or public bodies. Every one of us has a responsibility to speak out when we witness discrimination, support those who experience it and refuse to remain silent. Real change happens not only through legislation but also through everyday acts of courage, kindness and respect.
A fair NHS benefits every patient.
Fair workplaces create stronger public services.
Inclusive communities build a stronger Scotland and a stronger United Kingdom.
Racism has no place in our NHS.
It has no place in our workplaces.
It has no place in our politics.
And it has no place in our society.
If we truly believe in fairness, dignity and equality, then we must move beyond simply condemning racism whenever headlines appear. We must commit ourselves to eliminating it wherever it exists.
That is the kind of Scotland and the kind of United Kingdom that we should all strive to build. It is a future where everyone, regardless of their race, ethnicity or faith, can contribute, succeed and feel that they truly belong.
Following the escalation of anti-immigration protests in Glasgow’s city centre on Saturday, a food delivery driver was attacked by a group of protesters and subjected to racist insults and threats.
Chief superintendent Emma Croft stated that “The level of disorder, violence and intimidation we saw in Glasgow on Saturday was nothing short of disgraceful.”
We cannot agree more. The aggression directed at people within our communities, that leave people worried for their own and their family’s safety and prevent them from going after their work and their daily lives is despicable, inexcusable, and deeply concerning.
In a society that grows and thrives on diversity, there is no space for spreading fear, hate, and violence.
We stand for an inclusive, open, and safe Scotland for all and we stand with the people affected by the racism displayed at the protests in Glasgow.
If you experienced or witnessed harassment of any sort, please know that you can report this to authorities and can seek support.
On the Friday of last week, five people were injured in a series of racist and Islamophobic attacks across Edinburgh.
We, at ELREC, value and work toward an equal, inclusive and just community free from prejudice and discrimination and we stand with all of those who were affected by the events of last weekend and who are worried for their safety.
We stand, decidedly and absolutely, against all forms of discrimination, all violence and all attempts to rob Scotland of its diversity and the people of Scotland of their safety.
We are sharing the following statement in response to the reported anti-Muslim attacks in Edinburgh on Friday, 19 June.
**Statement from The Welcoming Association**
The Welcoming Association is deeply concerned by the reported anti-Muslim attacks that took place in Edinburgh on Friday, 19 June.
Our thoughts are with those who were injured, their families, and everyone affected by these distressing incidents. We recognise that events of this nature can have a profound impact not only on those directly involved but also on wider communities who may feel frightened, vulnerable, or targeted.
Leith, Sighthill, Telford Road, and the other affected areas are home to many of our members, volunteers, staff, neighbours, and friends. Edinburgh’s strength lies in its diversity, and everyone should be able to live, work, worship, and move around the city safely and with dignity.
While the circumstances of these incidents remain a matter for the relevant authorities, we are clear that there is no place for racism, anti-Muslim hatred, discrimination, or violence in our communities.
At times of tension and uncertainty, it is important that we reject misinformation, challenge prejudice, and avoid narratives that seek to divide people. Strong communities are built through trust, mutual respect, understanding, and meaningful relationships between people from different backgrounds.
As an organisation that supports refugees, migrants, and other New Scots, we see every day the positive contribution that diversity brings to Edinburgh. We remain committed to promoting inclusion, strengthening community cohesion, and creating spaces where people can come together, learn from one another, and build a shared sense of belonging.
We stand in solidarity with Muslim communities across Edinburgh and Scotland, and with everyone working to promote equality, dignity, and respect for all.
There is no place for hatred or violence in our city.
We encourage our partners, supporters and wider network to stand with Muslim communities, challenge misinformation and help build an Edinburgh where everyone can live safely and with dignity.
ELREC are working on a school volunteering scheme together with the City of Edinburgh to increase diversity in the Education workforce. Volunteers will join a placement school and will receive guidance and support from their mentor in order to get the most out of the experience.
So, if you want become a parent helper, see how schools work and build out your CV to apply for education jobs, apply for this opportunity here:
We are excited to share details about our new meal preparation course, funded by #LeithChooses
The “Efficient & Healthy Cooking” programme is designed primarily for, but not exclusively limited to, migrant and Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) residents in Leith.
This programme aims to support individuals facing financial and societal barriers to accessing healthy food by offering an educational and practical course covering the following topics:
1. Efficiency and sustainability in meal preparation for families
2. Maintaining health and nutrition without compromise
3. Sourcing ingredients efficiently without breaking the bank or damaging the environment
4. Shopping for food with efficiency and sustainability in mind
5. Practicing efficient and sustainable recipes and cooking methods
6. Learning about food waste elimination and managing leftovers
Led by a qualified nutritionist, this programme provides an excellent opportunity to gain practical knowledge about food, including financial, nutritional, and cooking skills.
Additionally, we aim to combat loneliness and isolation by bringing people together to learn and share meals!
Calling volunteers! Help us spread the word of the festival by joining us for our big leafletting event
Whether you are already volunteering with the festival or if you want to just come along and help out for the day – everyone is welcome!
We will start with a quick brief together, then separate into smaller groups to cover different areas across the city and finish with a social picnic at the Edinburgh Meadows. Get to know new people and help us share the festival with more of our local community!
*Posters are printed sustainably by Out of the Blueprint in Edinburgh
