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Salaam

Salaam is a ministry to New Scots, welcoming and supporting asylum seekers, refugees and other newcomers from around the world as they make a new home in Edinburgh.

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Since its formation in 2020, Salaam has worked in partnership with the local church, to create vibrant and engaging communities where people have experienced a sense of belonging and connection, regardless of when they arrived in Edinburgh. These have included English Conversation Cafés, the Peaced Together Craft courses and a Befriending Programme. Recently-arrived individuals and families have received a Christmas gift from the church in Edinburgh through the New Scots Christmas Appeal and many people have been supported as they build their new lives here.

“Peace be upon you” is a common greeting in many Arabic-speaking and Muslim countries. The greeting is derived from the root word “Salaam”: the equivalent Hebrew word in the Bible is “Shalom.” The words mean peace, safety, security, completion and wholeness: the informal greeting conveys heartfelt warmth and welcome.

Our prayer for our New Scot friends and neighbours is that they find safety, peace, and the wholeness that comes from their heavenly Father through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

Read on to find out more about Salaam’s current befriending programme…

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Befriending Programme

Our Salaam Befriending Programme welcomes New Scots by providing 1-to-1 connections with local Christian befrienders, on a volunteer basis. Each connection looks different depending on the situation of the New Scot, but all are centred on offering a supportive friendship as well as practical language assistance if required. The friendships are supported by the Salaam Befriending Coordinator for a year but many friendships continue long after the year has ended.

Salaam volunteer befrienders gain insights into the lives of New Scots and appreciate their resilience, humour and warmth. If you are part of a church in Edinburgh and would like to befriend a newcomer, please contact Fiona.

Update, October 2025: Salaam Befriending is not able to register or process any new referrals for New Scots at this time.

Over and over again, the Bible commands us to love and care for all, in particular the widow, the orphan, and the immigrant. Salaam’s activities have helped churches fulfil their calling of holy hospitality towards our refugee and asylum-seeking friends, and to share God’s love through all our words and deeds.
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“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself…”

Leviticus 19:33-34

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Apply Now

Applications for this position are now closed.

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An Open Hand Referral Application
This form may be used by support workers and other professionals to apply for gifts for families in Edinburgh from An Open Hand (we cannot accept self-referrals).

Our aim is to help the families that need it most. We would be grateful if you could ensure that families fall into an area of need listed below before applying. We won’t be able to accept applications out with the below criteria.

Criteria for application:

  • Families (both parents/carers) who are facing severe hardship because of job loss or benefit delays/interruptions and have no other means (e.g. savings) of helping their child celebrate their birthday
  • Families who have no recourse to public funds
  • Families facing unexpected bills/costs/debt repayments around the time of their child’s birthday which prevent them from buying their child a present.

We are keen to help as many families as we can through this project, whilst still ensuring that each individual child feels treasured and receives a gift they will delight in. We will evaluate the funding for each gift on a case by case basis according to the financial needs of the family, the age of the child and the funding available. A general rule of thumb is that we anticipate most gifts along with the family bag to be in the region of up to £45.

Please ensure this application is submitted at least two weeks before the first child’s birthday to ensure there is sufficient time to deliver to the family.

Applicant's Details

Parent/Carer's Details

Address
Address

Children's Details

To add more children's details, please click the Add button. To remove details, please click the Remove button.
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Details of Application

Please give details of why you are applying for this family and what impact a present from An Open Hand may make.

N.B. - The more information you can give, the greater the chance your application will be accepted

An Open Hand Disclaimer

All the gifts given to parents/carers from An Open Hand are new, and in new working order.

Once the gifts are given to the parent/carer, it is their responsibility to check the item is suitable and safe for their child, in good condition and used according to the manufacturer’s advice.

An Open Hand will keep all details of this application protected in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

An Open Hand is not a business or trader and has no ongoing responsibility for the gifts, once given, and takes no responsibility for loss, damage or injury sustained from the gifts or their use.

  • I confirm I have read the above disclaimer to this child’s parent/carer and they understand and agree to it.
  • I also confirm the parent/carer knows An Open Hand will be in contact directly with them, prior to the birthday, to discuss the gift and arrange a suitable time for delivery or collection.
  • I confirm that the parent/carer knows An Open Hand will be in contact directly with them, after the birthday, to receive feedback about the gift delivery, as well as our wider service.

Disclaimer and GDPR

Disclaimer
GDPR Compliance
Once we receive your application, we aim to be in touch with you within 5 working days to let you know if your application is successful.

Many thanks for your application!

Edinburgh City Mission Gap Year


Gap Year

Section 1 - Personal Details

Address
Are you involved in any activity that might limit your availability to work or your working hours?
Have you any convictions (other than spent convictions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974?)
Do you need a work permit to take up employment in the U.K.?

Section 2 - Education

Starting with the most recent, please list any education, qualifications and / or training.
In the format MM/YYYY.
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Section 3 - Work History

Please list your recent work history. We want to know about your work experience, paid and unpaid. Please include your current/previous employment, voluntary work, community activities and time spent caring for dependents. Starting with your current employment, please state name and address of employer(s) and/or voluntary agencies and describe main tasks, responsibilities and achievements.
In the format MM/YYYY.
Hours/week*
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Section 4 - The Gap Year Role

Please answer the following questions.

Section 5 - References

Referee 1 (Professional e.g. teacher / tutor / pastor)
Referee 2 (Other leader e.g. Church group leader)
Additional Information
Can we approach your referees before an offer is made?
Is your church supportive of your application to Edinburgh City Mission (ie would they be willing to take an active interest in our work and pray for you in your role?)

Section 6 - Declaration

I declare that the information given in this form is complete and accurate. I understand these details will be held in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. I undertake to notify the company immediately of any changes to the above details. You agree that Edinburgh City Mission may use the details provided to contact you for purposes of the job application and nothing more.
Do you agree to the above Terms?

Monthly Prayer Newsletter (click to expand)

Volunteer Now

Volunteer Application

Section 1 - Personal Details

Please note: you must currently live in or near to Edinburgh if you wish to volunteer with Edinburgh City Mission.
Address
Do you speak any languages other than English?

Section 2 - Role

In what part of the work of Edinburgh City Mission would you be interested in volunteering? (Pick up to 3)
Do you have a Full UK Driving Licence?
Have you had any accidents, regardless of fault in the last 5 years?
NB - This will help us check your details with the DVLA and reduce the number of questions we need to ask you later.
Please tick your available days.

Section 3 - Belief

For some of our volunteer roles we require the volunteer to have an active Christian faith. Please tick which of the following applies to you.
Do you currently attend a church?

Section 4 - References

We will take up references once we’ve agreed a suitable volunteering role. Please provide us with the details of someone who has known you in a professional capacity for more than a year. For example, someone you have volunteered for, an employer or a teacher.
Additional Information

Section 6 - Declaration

I declare that the information given in this form is complete and accurate. I understand that any false information or deliberate omissions will disqualify me from employment or may render me liable to summary dismissal. I understand these details will be held in compliance with the Data Protection Act 1998. I undertake to notify the company immediately of any changes to the above details. You agree that Edinburgh City Mission may use the details provided to contact you for purposes of the job application and nothing more.
Do you agree to the above Terms?

Monthly Prayer Newsletter (Optional - click here)

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