Welcome to OM Music Sanctuary!

We are a small community project based in Edinburgh, where people experiencing isolation due to mental health or other challenges can come and get involved in making music. We aim to create a friendly, calm and safe environment for everyone who attends to sing, play, chat or just listen with a cup of tea!

Our studio is usually open to members from 12—4:30pm every weekday (our timetable and dates of any closures can be seen here). We also run regular events where everyone is welcome (whether they are a member or not).

Membership is open to people of any age struggling significantly who can provide a valid reference from (or who are referred by) a healthcare or support professional, and can abide by our basic Code of Conduct. We do not currently charge for membership, and members can access all of the activities outlined below (subject to availability).

If you are interested in becoming a member or if you would like to come and see what we do, please get in touch to arrange your visit or find out more.  

What Happens at OM?

Teaching

Our volunteers offer tuition in guitar, bass guitar, drums, singing, keyboard, violin, music theory and electronic music production for members with any level of experience, from beginner onwards. 
Our class formats vary based on the space and time available, and some operate a booking system — please see our timetable for details.

Songwriting Sessions

Bring your ideas for lyrics or music (or both!) to the group and see what music can emerge...

Open Jam Sessions

Bring your instrument (or borrow one of ours) and have a go at a piece you like, join in with the group, or just come and listen!

Recording sessions

Book a slot in our studio to record your own music with the help of our volunteers.

Events (open to all)

We run free events where our studio band plays some feel-good music and we have open mic slots for people who would like to play or sing (no booking required). Everyone is welcome to come and listen, and refreshments are available! These events are:

• The Coorie-In Café: every Wednesday, 1—3:30pm, at the Southside Community Centre (117 Nicolson St, EH8 9ER) — low-cost hot food and non-alcoholic drinks available
• The Electric Café: most* Saturday afternoons, 1—4pm, in Annan House (the building next to our studio, 10 Palmerston Place, EH12 5AA) — free tea, coffee and biscuits available.

*The Electric Café does not run on Saturdays (usually the 2nd Saturday of each month) when our friends run the Mad Jam (a mental health community open mic event, 6—9pm at Augustine United Church, EH1 1EL — see here for details). 

Where We Are

We are very grateful to Palmerston Place Church for providing us with a space for our studio in their building at 12 Palmerston Place, Edinburgh EH12 5AA. See the map below for details, or click here to see the location on Google Maps.

When you arrive, come up the steps to the set of red doors furthest to the left; our buzzer is just to the right of these doors. If you press this, a volunteer should come downstairs to let you in.

Public Transport Links

We are about 5 minutes' walk from Haymarket Station and tram stop. Many bus routes run along the A8 main road nearby: Lothian Buses services 3, 4, 12, 25, 26, 31, 33 & 44, and East Coast Buses services X6 & X7.

Accessibility

We regret that our studio is not wheelchair accessible as it is up a flight of stairs; however, we have another room on the ground floor which is fully accessible via the ramp to the left of the front steps. The venues for the Coorie-In and Electric Cafés are both wheelchair accessible. Please do let us know of any access or other needs we should be aware of to help plan your visit.