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)
Interested in cycling and bike maintenance? Come meet us and find out what ELREC Cycling Club has in store for you!
The free session will cover tips to keep your bike in top condition with demonstrations on puncture repair, brake and cable adjustments. It is informal, social, hands on, and above all fun!
Date and time:
Friday, July 25 · 10:30am – 12:30pm GMT+1. Doors at 10:20am
Location: Drylaw Neighbourhood Centre
67B Groathill Road North Edinburgh EH4 2SA
About this event:
Event lasts 2 hours
Ages 16+
Free venue parking
Language: English
Target: New Scots (people of any nationality who have immigrated or moved to Scotland), with a basic understanding of English
Remarks:
Light refreshments will be provided
The event will be held in a sheltered area
Please do let us know if you have any access requirements prior to the event
We expect all participants to be friendly and kind, and to show respect for individual differences, including race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religion, age, nationality, and identity
Disclaimer: Personal data collected will be used for this event or contact purpose solely
For enquiries, please email our Community Link Officer at cadence@elrec.org.uk.
Inspiring climate action through this year’s Edinburgh Climate Festival
As we take in the fearful effects of the worsening climate crisis and the uncertainty that takes hold of the many challenges we are facing around our planet today, looking ahead to a hopeful future can be a very daunting task.
For this, we find great importance & delight in announcing the return of this year’s Edinburgh Climate Festival, a free festival that aims to celebrate & inspirate climate action in our local communities. A day that brings together numerous climate related organisations, projects and individuals, all looking to help positively raise awareness & work towards creating a brighter future!
The festival will be taking place at the Edinburgh Meadows, Melville Dr EH9 1ND, on Saturday 28th June 2025, from 12 to 7pm.
During the day, attendees can find a variety of free lively performances, workshops, art installations & themed talks, as well as a bouncy castle and activities that welcome everyone of all ages.
The festival will also be welcoming stallholders that cover topics related to circular economy, mitigation, adaptation, climate education, transport, activism, conservation and more.
As a special feature to the ninth edition of the festival, this year the team have introduced an additional theme: Root & Rise.
The theme represents a call to root in ourselves by grounding in who we are, reconnecting with nature, and prioritising our well-being. The festival defends that just as strong roots support a thriving tree, a deep connection to ourselves and the earth can allow us to rise with strength and purpose.
By truly rooting in nature, we find the power to rise – to embrace new sustainable habits, take meaningful action, and stand together in the fight for climate justice and systemic change. This message is present throughout the event, through visuals and tailored activities encompassing this ethos.
As an additional attempt to become more sustainable as an event itself, this year the festival is also trialling a few new schemes in hopes to achieve better waste reduction & improve its practices overall.
A few to highlight, is their additional single use packaging fee that will be implemented by all food vendors as well as a free raffle that aims to encourage attendees to bring their own containers, rewarding their commitment by offering a chance to win one of three prizes (which are valued at £60, £50 and £40).
Franciele Sobierai, the ECF Event Coordinator said: “The climate crisis can be daunting, leaving us feeling powerless.However, when we unite, work together, and support one another, we can accomplish far more.
“This is the message the Edinburgh Climate Festival aims to spread — encouraging community-driven climate action and solidarity to tackle the climate emergency.”
The attractions and activities will include various artwork, free yoga, somatic movement, paper-making, dancing, climate stories, musical performances from Airdan Band, Fossilheads, Samba Sene, an energetic Ceilidh & much more!
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and celebrate our collective efforts towards a sustainable future! You can find the full programme here
Confirm your presence on the event here, with the option to give a donation here.
Volunteering: If you like to get involved in the delivery of the event, the ECF team is looking for individuals passionate about climate and community action to help on the day.
The Edinburgh Climate Festival is brought to you by Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council (ELREC) & Networking Key Services (NKS), through the Communities’ Reduce Reuse & Recycle (C3R) Project.
The festival is funded by The National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund and is supported by The University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier University.
Want to learn how you can reuse & repair fabric to mend your clothing or to make entirely new creations?Our C3R sewing club is back, this time joined by our lovely new sewing facilitator, Karen Giroud!
You can come along regularly every Wednesday, to learn new sewing skills – this week we will be creating small bags using our sewing machines!
We will be introducing this technique at a beginner level, which you can then develop in future sessions! Come along, meet new people & let’s enjoy this relaxing session together!
Next session: Wednesday, 18th June from 2.00 – 4.00 pm
With a heavy heart, we share the sad news of the passing of our dear honorary patron and ELREC’s longest serving member, Professor Sir Geoff Palmer, OBE KT.
A man of immense wisdom, dignity, and unwavering integrity, Sir Geoff’s life was a powerful testament to resilience, courage and a commitment to justice.
His contributions to science, education, and the ongoing fight for racial equality have left an indelible mark on the world.
Beyond his remarkable achievements, Sir Geoff will be remembered for his humility, kindness, and the way he inspired generations to think critically and act compassionately. His voice was one of clarity in challenging times, and his legacy will continue to guide and uplift us.
Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. May he rest in peace, and may we honor his memory by continuing the work he so passionately championed.
Gone, but will never be forgotten
ELREC (Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council)
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said: “I was deeply saddened to learn of Sir Geoff Palmer’s passing. A tireless advocate for equality and a pioneering academic, Sir Geoff was a true inspiration and will leave a lasting impression on Edinburgh.
“In 2022 I was honoured to present Sir Geoff with the Edinburgh Award in recognition of his academic achievements and his passionate defence of human rights and justice in the city and beyond.
His handprints remain immortalised alongside those of other Edinburgh Award recipients and will give passers-by pause to reflect on the huge impact he had here.
“In chairing the Edinburgh Slavery and Colonialism Legacy Review Sir Geoff made a vital contribution to recognising and profiling the Capital’s links with Slavery and Colonialism in the public realm.
“I know Sir Geoff’s legacy in academia and activism will live on for years to come, inspiring future generations. He will be dearly missed – my thoughts are with his friends, family and all those who knew him.”
Introducing our first workshop for New Scots in Edinburgh
Join our free Sustainable Cooking Workshop to meet new people, practise your English, and take part in something meaningful!
Together we will explore the rich tradition of Ukrainian Borsch, a flavourful sour soup made with meat stock, fresh vegetables, and aromatic seasonings, cherished across Eastern Europe and Northern Asia.
Come be a part of a powerful experience that unites community, culture, and cause.
Date: 14 June 2025 (Saturday)
Time: 12:45 – 14:45
Venue: Heart of Newhaven Community Centre
Address: 4-6 Main Street, Newhaven, Edinburgh, EH6 4HY
Language: English and Ukrainian
Open to: New Scots aged 18 or over who have a basic understanding of English
Our C3R sewing club is back, this time joined by our lovely new sewing facilitator, Karen Giroud! 
