Upmo is an Edinburgh-based charity dedicated to providing support and opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism in Edinburgh and the Lothians. For over 17 years, we have been striving to create an inclusive society where individuals with learning disabilities can not only thrive but also reach their full potential.

Our work is centred on helping our students to develop essential life skills, build confidence, and achieve their potential through a rich and varied curriculum of workshops, educational activities, and employability programmes.

We provide a tailored programme of supported learning opportunities for adults with learning disabilities and autism. Our workshops have been developed in collaboration with our students and cover a wide range of subjects within the following key areas: Creative Arts (including music, art and drama) Digital (including multimedia & VR); Health & Wellbeing (including life skills and Street Soccer), Outdoor Learning (including gardening) and Employability (including work experience, literacy and numeracy).

These programmes are essential, not only for the education and skills development of our students but also for increasing confidence, reducing feelings of isolation and fostering a sense of community. Our team deliver over 45 workshop sessions per week across five sites, covering more than 14 subject areas. We also offer regular events, trips, and social activities for our students throughout the year, including our student discos and annual Variety Showcase.

Our employability service provides employment training and work experience opportunities, including placements in our four social enterprise cafés in Edinburgh, Upmo Eat. Students learn skills essential to working in hospitality, including food preparation, customer service and café operations like money handling and placing orders.    

Our Upmo Retail programme also provides opportunities to gain skills for work. Students design, make and sell their own products, including plant pots, candles and t-shirts. We have a web store, run pop-up shops and regularly take part in community markets.