Re-Act, in partnership with Syrian Futures, Media Education and the Edinburgh Electoral Registration Office, have created an instructional video to help Syrian refugees get on the electoral register.

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This video was created after the New Scot community we work with reported that they found it incredibly hard to complete the necessary paperwork to exercise their right to vote during the 2021 elections. 

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You can view the video on YouTube here. 

A weekly playgroup for New Scot children in Edinburgh. The group welcomes 30-40 children each Saturday to enjoy various music, sports, arts and crafts activities. The group gives the children the opportunity to develop social skills, learn new practical skills and facilitate their integration into their new community. We also run teen workshops around skills such as animation, podcasting and photography. 

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We're always happy to hear from people who want to offer new skills to the group, lead workshops or stage performances. To get involved please contact volunteers@re-act.scot.

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This project is run through support by The Robertson Trust. ​

Our teen workshops supported by the Essentia administered by Foundation Scotland.

Since 2015 we have given Welcome Packs to newly-arrived refugee children aged 0-18 years, initially from Syria but more recently from Afghanistan, Ukraine, Sudan and other countries. To date we've distributed over 1000 packs.

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The backpacks can be used as school bags and contain stationery, water bottles and snack or lunch boxes, hats, scarves and gloves, underwear, pyjamas, soft toys, books, games and a Welcome to Edinburgh booklet in English and their first language. We also provide New Baby Welcome Packs and Starting School Packs.

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This program is run through support by Safe Deposit Scotland, Scottish Lottery Children's Fund & the University of Edinburgh Community Grand Fund

A major part of our work is organising the collection and distribution of emergency aid items collected throughout Scotland to refugees at home and abroad. Since 2015, we have distributed over 1,500 tonnes of Scottish donations to refugee camps throughout Europe and the Middle East. We have also assisted numerous New Scot families with settling into their new homes with donated goods. 

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We're always happy for more helping hands when sorting through and packing the items received! If you're interested in joining the Donation Day volunteer team, please contact volunteers@re-act.scot. 

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This program is run with support by the Hilden Foundation.

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The Happiness Group is a weekly social meeting for the older members of Edinburgh's refugee community. Each week, the motivated 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.

 

It was launched in early 2020 on the suggestion of the participants themselves, aged 50-75, who play a central role in organising the group's activities.

The Home Work Club Project provides 1 to 1 after-school tutoring for Primary School students. 
 

In partnership with the University of Edinburgh, experienced tutors volunteer to prepare one-to-one classes tailored to the needs of each student and delivered virtually. With this structured and focussed approach to learning, students can gain the language skills necessary to better integrate in their Scottish communities, and improve their prospects of further education and employability. 

If you'd like to join the Home Work tuition team, please contact volunteers@re-act.scot to discuss.

 

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+).

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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.

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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.

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The project is run under the guidance of Liz McArthur 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.