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
The Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) extends its sincere thanks to its Board Members, staff, partners, and guests who attended the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 10 April 2026.
The meeting was chaired by Foysol Choudhury MBE (Former member of the Scottish Parliament), whose continued leadership, guidance, and vision remain instrumental to the organisation’s progress and impact.
The AGM commenced with a moving tribute to Professor Sir Geoff Palmer OBE, KT, recognising his extraordinary contributions and enduring legacy. As an honorary member and one of ELREC’s founding figures in the 1970s, Sir Geoff’s influence has been deeply woven into the organisation’s history. Attendees observed a minute’s silence in his memory.
The event featured a series of insightful presentations from guest speakers. David Clark of Police Scotland provided important updates on policing efforts and highlighted ongoing work to address hate crime. Researchers Lucien Staddon Foster and Sholen Macpherson presented findings from their collaborative research with ELREC, focusing on the experiences of Black and racially minoritised communities in Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Further details from these presentations are available below:
ELREC was also pleased to welcome Councillors Cammy Day, Katrina Faccenda, and Tim Pogson, providing an opportunity to share the organisation’s ongoing work and strengthen engagement with local leadership.
Over the past year, ELREC has delivered a wide range of projects and initiatives aimed at promoting equality and diversity. These include women’s wellbeing programmes, energy advice services, environmental projects, community workshops, creative initiatives, and cycling programmes, among others.
Despite facing capacity challenges, ELREC remains steadfast in its commitment to empowering communities, building skills, and breaking down barriers. Through continued collaboration and partnership, the organisation is dedicated to fostering inclusion and creating equal opportunities for all.
The AGM concluded with a vote of thanks from Chair Foysol Choudhury MBE and Company Secretary Rajnish Singh.
To read the full 2024–2025 Annual Report, please visit:
Ready to cook smarter, eat healthier, and save money?
Join our Funded Efficient & Healthy Cooking Course for Women and discover how simple changes in the kitchen can transform your health and reduce food bills.
We feel so honored to have been first community group to be lucky enough to visit the beautifully restored Palm Houses since their closure in 2021
This was the perfect opportunity to gain insight into the history of the building, the restoration process, and some amazing garden stories related to this space!
Huge thank you to the Palm Houses Engagement team at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for the invitation and creating such an informative and interactive tour!
We can’t wait to welcome the full opening of the Palm Houses and return again!
Interested in supporting local biodiversity whilst spending a great morning outdoors? Join us for our next tree planting event, where we will be planting together and learning all about the importance of supporting local nature in our communities.
We are part of a community organisation, and we are deeply concerned by the recent revelations involving former council leader Cammy Day. An apology is not sufficient given the seriousness of these matters.
From our experience working within communities, we understand how powerful individuals in public office can be, and how frightening it is when that power is misused. The admission that a false name was used to make a complaint raises serious ethical and safeguarding concerns.
Cammy Day should be asked directly how many people he has damaged by using fake names or false identities, and what safeguards are now in place to ensure that no one else is targeted next. These are questions of public interest, accountability, and community safety.
We believe his position is no longer tenable and are therefore calling on Cammy Day to resign from immediate effect. Apologies alone do not restore public trust.
We also call for a full and independent inquiry to establish whether this behaviour was an isolated incident or part of a wider pattern.
We believe that individuals who engage in this kind of behaviour cannot be trusted and should not hold positions of public office. The public deserves transparency, accountability, and safeguarding from those who hold or seek power.
This is a matter of public interest and must be treated with the seriousness it demands.
Elevate your professional practice with our Cultural Competence Training, designed for those working with migrants. Enhance communication, build trust, and deliver more personalised, person-centred care.
What you’ll learn:
Effective cross-cultural communication
Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions
Cultural awareness and safeguarding
Understanding migrant integration
Details:
21.10.2025 at ELREC, 14 Forth St., EH1 3LH
Duration: Full-Day (6 hours)
Pricing: £105 per person
Registration: email mrostami@elrec.org.uk
Don’t miss this chance to deepen your knowledge and make a real difference!
TUESDAY 19th AUGUST 5.30PM at LEITH LINKS ORCHARD – FREE
Learn the beautiful art of stone weaving with yarns and natural elements – for free!
We’ll meet at Leith Links for inspiration and to collect natural materials for your artwork, then walk to the Leith Community Centre to relax, get creative, and enjoy tea.
Each participant will receive a stone to weave, with optional natural elements—perfect as a gift or home décor. All materials are provided
Date: 19 Aug 2025 (Tuesday)
Time: 17:30-20:00
Meeting Point: Leith Links Orchard, Edinburgh, EH6 7HB
Language: English (Cantonese/Mandarin Interpretation available)
Hands-on sessions
Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre, Edinburgh
Fridays, March 27th – May 1st
9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
07935196482
