All about the Grassmarket Community Project

Who we are. What we do. Why GCP is the good place to be.

Everyone has something to offer in our community

The Grassmarket Community Project is a welcoming community in the heart of Edinburgh, where people come together to build relationships, discover their strengths and create positive change in their lives and in the wider community.

Our Members come to GCP with different experiences, interests, challenges and goals. Some may be dealing with social isolation, poor mental health, homelessness, poverty, learning difficulties or other barriers to opportunity. Others are looking for friendship, somewhere to belong, new experiences, skills or a chance to contribute.

Wherever someone starts, we believe that people should be valued for what they can offer, not defined by the challenges they face.

Through our Members Programme, Open Door Services, learning and employability opportunities, volunteering, community activities and social enterprises, we provide opportunities for people to connect, learn, create, contribute and grow.

Our mission is to create an inclusive, person-centred environment where people feel empowered to develop skills, build positive relationships and enjoy an ongoing sense of belonging.

Our vision is that the people we engage with will shine, using their skills and passions to help make our community a positive, resilient, vibrant, connected and inclusive place.

How we do it

A place to be

GCP takes an innovative, strengths-based approach to creating community, providing opportunity and support to people facing multiple barriers.

We start by getting to know each person; their experiences, strengths, interests and goals. From there, Members can choose the activities, support and opportunities that are right for them. Every Member’s pathway is unique.

Our approach is person-centred, strengths-based, trauma-skilled and community-led.

Heart – We build connection through welcoming spaces, trusted relationships, shared experiences and recognition of people’s lived experience.

Hands – We provide practical support and opportunities to develop skills through creative activities, core skills, volunteering, work experience and work-based learning.

Head – We encourage reflection, shared learning and new ideas, drawing on the knowledge within our community and working with partners who share our values.

Together, these create a community where people can feel safe, build confidence, develop skills and take positive steps towards their own goals.

What happens at GCP?

There isn’t one way to be part of GCP

Our programme runs throughout the week, giving Members the flexibility to choose what they take part in based on their interests, needs and personal goals.

Members can access:

Connect
Community meals, social groups, walks, events, cinema, trips and opportunities to meet new people.

Create
Arts and crafts, music, writing, textiles, woodwork and other creative activities.

Learn
Literacy, numeracy, digital skills, accredited qualifications, training and new experiences.

Wellbeing
Health and wellbeing activities, individual support, practical and digital help, and access to counselling through our partnerships.

Volunteer & contribute
Opportunities to share skills, support other Members, volunteer within GCP and contribute to the wider community.

Work & develop your future
Work experience, pre-apprenticeships, employability support and pathways into education, volunteering and employment.

Alongside this anyone can access our Open Door evening, every Wednesday at 5pm for a 2-course communtiy meal, partner services and a free community picturehouse.

Creating opportunity through social enterprise

Our social enterprises are part of the community

Our social enterprises don’t sit separately from the work of GCP. They help us create sustainable income, skills and opportunities for our community.

Through hospitality, events and catering, furniture making and our volunteer-led tartan shop, people can develop skills, gain experience and contribute to something meaningful — while customers help support the wider work of GCP.

When you eat, drink, shop or celebrate with us, you’re helping create opportunities for our community.

Coffee Saints
Events and catering services
Wood workshop
Tartan shop.

Our impact

What difference does belonging make?

We know that lasting change looks different for every person.

For some Members, it might mean feeling less isolated and having people they can turn to. For others, it might mean developing confidence, gaining a qualification, volunteering, finding work or simply having a positive reason to get out of the house each week.

Our seven key outcomes are:

Improved mental health & wellbeing
Increased social networks
Improved confidence & independence
Increased resilience
Greater knowledge of rights & services
Increased participation & engagement
Increased economic opportunity

We measure our impact because every individual journey matters. Members choose personal goals aligned with these outcomes, and we track progress through welcome meetings, informal check-ins, feedback sessions, community meetings and our annual Members’ Check-in

“I can choose the outcomes that I want to achieve.”

View our latest Impact Report and Annual Report, just click to open as a PDF.

Please also help yourself to our archive of Annual Reports and Social Impact Reports from The Grassmarket Community Project.

Find out more….

Our Members Programme

GCP’s Members Programme is at the heart of what we do.

A dynamic range of free activities, classes and supported groups for our community members, the programme provides opportunities for social integration and education.

Individuals enhance their life skills, develop confidence, increase their resilience, self-reliance and independence.

Our Social Enterprises

Social Enterprise is the core to our sustainability. Our enterprises include

Coffee Saints
Events and catering services
Wood workshop
Tartan shop.

These enterprises involve, support and develop the talents of our vulnerable members. Individuals develop valuable work-related skills, experience and ethics that lead to further opportunities such as volunteering, training or employment at the Project and elsewhere.

Open Door Meals

GCP continues the tradition long-established by our founding partners of free meals, with “Open Door Meals” for people who are homeless or vulnerably housed.

Other services include free vet clinics, hairdressing and benefit support.

Volunteering

We would not be able to provide our support and services to Edinburgh’s most vulnerable, without our fantastic volunteers. Volunteers make a positive contribution to our Members’ lives and ensure the continued success of our community.

Partnerships

Building long-term relationships with our funding and corporate partners is key to GCP’s continued success.

Community Events

Our popular What’s On programme gives us the opportunity to welcome locals and visitors to the Grassmarket Centre. From lively music gigs and events to our award-winning Community Cinema.