Join Garvald

At Garvald you build skills, become part of a community, and create beautiful things.

A smiling man is working on a large pastel drawing of yellow flowers that can be seen in a vase in the background.
Two men are sitting in a staffroom with coffee. One is laughing as they talk to a woman standing with them.
A man looks up from work in a garden. He is standing next to a high hedge and is being handed a sifter by someone in a red hoody.
Two woman are standing in a mutli-coloured spotlight wearing similar plain costumes and looking through a line of streamers
A women wearing glasses sits in a workshop. She is concentrating as she works on a piece of wood.

When you join us at Garvald:

Surrounded by metal bowls, a man in a red Garvald top and hair protector smiles as he works chops vegetables. Another man in similar outfit is looking over at him.

  • We run lots of creative opportunities to help you discover and express your own creativity.

    You will find:

    • Access to lots of different workshops

    • Opportunities for personal development and growth

    • Learning at your own pace

A man leans over to help a woman with a clay tool. She is smiling. They are both wearing masks. There are lots of clay pieces on the shelves behind them.

  • We support people with additional and complex needs. We see everyone as unique, and work with you to realise your hopes and aspirations, and to celebrate your achievements and contributions.

    You can expect:

    • First-class non-residential care in a warm, welcoming community

    • Reliable, long-term support

    • The chance to develop long-lasting relationships

A woman in a pink top holds up a pink crafted butterfly on a stick.

  • Our facilities are calm and creative spaces, where you can make friends, develop skills and try out new things in a safe environment.

    We provide:

    • Five locations in and around Edinburgh

    • Space to build confidence and explore creativity

    • A sense of community and belonging

Member Testimonials

  • “I like everything 100%, all the 12 years I’ve been here. I’ve done so much I can’t count it all.”

    Nico

  • “I like it all but particularly the singing. I love the different festivals when we all get together and celebrate. I haven't been anywhere like this. This place is unique.”

    Kirsteen

  • “It's great. I like the Glass Studio and Painting. I like seeing everybody and doing the work.”

    David

  • “There is no time pressure on members so they can develop their skills at their own pace and in an organic way.”

    Marzena

  • We like seeing our friends, yes we do. We laugh a lot. We do felting, drawing, painting, and music. We can show our work to other people. We come together and celebrate different festivals all year. Without Garvald we would be bored, we would be stuck, stuck up a tree.

    Kwok & David

  • Garvald is good fun; I make people laugh. I like making soups and puddings in the kitchen. I write stories, make books and talk about Down's Syndrome and Autism in puppetry. I train staff sometimes.* I teach staff sign-along.

    Hannah
    *at Communication Training sessions

 How to Join

  1. Complete an application form for Edinburgh or Mayfield House

  2. Visit our services

  3. Take part in a new member’s meeting

  4. Decide if you want to join us

  5. Start your placement once funding is approved

  6. Review and plan

email: admissions@garvaldedinburgh.org.uk