Services | Linknet

Our services

For further inquiries regarding any of our services, please email linknet2@linknetmentoring.com or phone 0131 261 4463.

Advice drop-in

We hold a weekly drop-in service (every Tuesday from 10am to 4pm)
for people to come in without an appointment to seek short-term support for job applications, CV writing, interview techniques, job searches, writing cover letters and other official letters, seeking information on housing, benefits, domestic abuse, mental health, help in basic computer skills and setting up email accounts, basic knowledge on social media, and so on.

The service is very popular among those who do not seek long term mentoring but one-off help.

One-to-one mentoring

We provide one-to-one mentoring to support the education, employment, and personal development of minority ethnic people living in Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Each mentee is matched with a qualified, trained, and experienced volunteer mentor who offers support:

For up to six months
2–3 hours per week

Mentoring helps participants to:

Gain or progress into employment
Access further or higher education
Improve English language skills
Build self-confidence and self-esteem
Learn about available services
Expand personal and professional networks

The service is open to anyone aged 18 or over from minority ethnic communities.

To get involved, please download and fill in the application form and ethnic monitoring form attached below and email them back to us, via linknet2@linknetmentoring.com

Application Form

Mentoring Form

Case study: Hasnae

"In my first visit to LINKnet’s office I felt like walking in to a friend’s house. David was very welcoming offering me a cup of tea as the weather was so cold outside! I started meeting my mentor regularly in a coffee shop. First few meet ups were to discuss my plans and also to get my CV done. Once I decided my career choice, my mentor was extremely supportive and helpful in directing me to achieve my goals. In as little as three months I was able to secure a position as a Trainee Early Years Practitioner with the Edinburgh City Council where I am training while working full time for the next two years.''

ESOL Classes

We offer ESOL group English classes twice a week at two levels:

Beginner to Intermediate
Intermediate to Advanced

Each level includes:

Two 1.5 hour sessions per week
Four months of tuition per course

Learners progress to the next level once they complete the course and join the following round. We run two rounds of 4-month courses each year.

Classes focus on developing practical English skills, including:

Speaking, Listening, and Writing.

These skills support employability, further education, and everyday life in the UK.

*Current Class has already started. Please email linknet2@linknetmentoring.com or denboba.natie@linknetmentoring.com
directly for inquiries.

Case study: Marina

When I arrived to Linknet I was surprised by the simplicity of how the teacher explains English grammar. Till that moment I was so confused in it, but there I saw the connections between the grammatical parts. Also, the examples given by the teacher during the classes were from daily life, so I could implement them in my daily activities in Edinburgh. I liked as well that the teacher doesn’t act differently when someone made a mistake and I think this encourage people to improve their English. The teacher was very patient to explain me when I have doubts in some grammatical rules. The material provided during the classes contained very useful information. At the same time, arriving from a long and exhausting day in front of the computer, I received from Linknet a lot of energy, positivity, moments of laugh, that I missed so much in this cold environment. In my opinion, the quality of these English classes is better than a university course. I am very satisfied with the information I received at Linknet."

Voluntary work placements

LINKnet offers volunteer work placements to job seekers who do not have UK work experience. Placements are available within LINKnet and through partnerships with private and voluntary sector organisations, helping individuals gain practical experience and improve employability.

Types of Volunteer Roles

You can volunteer with LINKnet in 2 main roles:

Volunteer Mentor
Provide short-term, one-to-one support to help another person progress in their career or access further or higher education.

Office Volunteer
Support LINKnet’s work through administration, outreach, development, fundraising, or mentoring and befriending activities.

No more Isolation,
No more Tears (NINT)

The No more Isolation, No more Tears (NINT) project has three components: befriending, events and English language.

1. Befriending

The befriending program is a key component of the NINT initiative offered by Linknet Mentoring, which is designed to help ethnic minority individuals overcome feelings of isolation, improve their language skills, and integrate into Scottish society. This program connects individuals from ethnic minority communities with volunteers who share similar interests and can offer guidance and support.

Through the befriending program, individuals can establish meaningful relationships and access valuable resources that can help them navigate their new environment. This program is open to adult individuals of different backgrounds and is tailored to meet the unique needs and interests of each participant.

Volunteer Befrienders in the program are always supported by our development officer, to provide effective support and guidance to befriendees. They are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for individuals from ethnic minority communities and are passionate about helping them succeed.

The befriending program represents one aspect of the larger NINT initiative, which is committed to creating a more inclusive and welcoming society for all. Whether you are an individual looking for support or a volunteer looking to make a difference, the NINT initiative is here to help.

Case study: Mustafa

Mustafa is an 18-year-old refugee from Syria who has experienced the horrors of war first-hand. He arrived in Scotland with his family and has been struggling to adjust to his new home ever since.

Through NINT's befriending program, Mustafa has not only gained a mentor but also a friend who he can rely on for support and guidance. He feels more confident day by day in his language skills. Mustafa now has a sense of belonging and purpose, thanks to the NINT befriending program, which is still helping him overcoming his learning difficulty and build a brighter future for himself in Scotland.

2. Events

As part of NINT project we are committed to supporting ethnic minority groups in our community. We believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities and access to resources, and we work hard to create events and programmes that promote inclusivity and diversity. We are proud to have organised a variety of successful events that celebrate and showcase the rich cultural diversity of our community.

Feedback on Women's Merchandise Fair, February 2023

Atika: ''Lovely and well-planned event, it was amazing to see this blend of cultures all in one place and it was also a great social opportunity to get to know each other.''

Nabiha: ''The event and concept of it are great. For me, it was the first time and place where I could see different countries and cultures come together under one roof in Edinburgh. Would love to have more similar concepts in the future. We need more events like this in Edinburgh."

3. English language skills

See Language Centre.

Training centre

LINKnet currently offers the following: Care work training, Mentor training, Employability skills training, Outreach work training, and Office administration training.
If you would like to know more about this, please reach out to admin@linknetmentoring.com

Listen to our podcast

Listen to our previous podcast partnered with Edinburgh Community Food, for our 'Eat Well for Oral Health' project during National Smile Month. This project aim to help people make healthier food choices that boost both their overall health and their oral health, which is particularly important now, with the tough economic climate and limited access to NHS dental care. By teaching people to cook and enjoy nutritious meals together, we're helping to create a Scotland with brighter smiles.