Projects for Adults
Afghan ladies group
This group takes place weekly in Oxgangs Library to provide a social space for Afghan women & children to meet. Sessions focus on issues such as health care, legal advice and life in Scotland. It is run by Re-Act volunteers and members of Edinburgh Council's Refugee & Migration team, and funded by Bank of Scotland.
Happiness group
The Happiness Group is a fortnightly social meeting for the older members of Edinburgh's refugee community.
Each week, the participants explore and learn about the city, ask for practical information, and interact with a wider community of friends, all of which helps with social integration and general wellbeing. The group was launched in 2020 at the request of participants aged 50-75, who play a central role in organising the group's activities.
This project is supported by the Edinburgh Council Community Grant Fund
Mental health
Re-Act is leading a project that focuses on enhancing the mental health and well-being of Syrian, Kurdish, and Afghan refugees. The initiative includes two community-based psychosocial support groups for Syrian and Kurdish refugees and one for the Afghan community, using a person-centred approach that integrates Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Problem Management Plus (PM+).
These sessions provide psychoeducation, reduce mental health stigma, and address key psychosocial challenges, while fostering a sense of community and resilience among participants. The support groups have focused on addressing the unique cultural and emotional needs of individuals and families adjusting to new environments after displacement.
This initiative would not have been possible without the trust and support of the Syrian, Kurdish, and Afghan communities, whose engagement and contributions have been central to its success. Re-Act’s work highlights the vital importance of culturally sensitive, community-driven approaches in supporting refugee mental health and building stronger, more inclusive communities.
The project is led by Liz McArthur, Maggie Cameron, and Sawsan Osso, in collaboration with Dr. Clara Calia, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology, Dr. Alice Gritti, Teaching Fellow in Psychology, Arabic-speaking counsellor Lama Bouchema, and several MSc Clinical Psychology students from the University of Edinburgh.
Funding comes from EVOC and The University of Edinburgh's Local Grant Fund.
Voting rights for Syrian refugees
In partnership with Syrian Futures, Media Education, and the Edinburgh Electoral Registration Office, Re-Act created a step-by-step video to guide Syrian refugees through the process of registering to vote.
The video was made in response to feedback from the New Scot community, who shared that completing the paperwork to vote during the 2021 elections was challenging.