Design HOPES and Grassmarket Events Service

Design HOPES and Grassmarket Events Service
Social good with shared good vibes!

Earlier this year, we had the pleasure of welcoming the Design HOPES team to the Grassmarket Centre. They chose our Grassmarket Events Service for their gathering of prestigious partner organisations. We asked Dr. Jennifer Rao-Williams, Design Fellow with Design HOPES, to tell us more about their event and the reasons behind their choice to host it with us.

Supporting a green and just transition for NHS Scotland

Design HOPES is part of the flagship funding strand of the £25M Arts & Humanities Research Council Future Observatory: Design the Green Transition programme. It is a collaborative project led by the University of Strathclyde and University of Dundee (DJCAD), with Heriot-Watt University, Abertay University, and the University of Edinburgh, NHS Scotland, industry partners, and public sector stakeholders.

More than just a venue

When it came to bringing together the key partners for such an essential project, it was important to choose the right place. The Design HOPES team were looking for more than just a venue. We asked Dr. Jennifer, what were the team looking for when it came to hiring an event space?

When selecting an event space, the Design HOPES team were looking for more than just a place to meet. Jennifer shared that location, accessibility, and cost were key factors in their decision-making process. With five universities from across Scotland, they had already met in Perth, Dundee, and Glasgow, and wanted to find a venue that was centrally located in Edinburgh. They also wanted a space that aligned with their values around skill development and social impact – values that resonate with the ethos of the Grassmarket Community Project (GCP).

‘We really wanted to find a venue that had a social good focus and we really liked that the Grassmarket Community Project was more than just a venue, but a community who supported skill building and inclusivity for all. We felt this aligned with our project values around skill development and general all round good vibes as a team.’

Extremely responsive

Jennifer praised the responsiveness of the GCP Events Team, particularly Alex, the Events & Hospitality Manager. From early inquiries to the event itself, Alex and team ensured every detail was handled with care.

‘Alex was extremely responsive to ALL our inquiries. We had scoped out other spaces in central Edinburgh, but Grassmarket Event Service really helped to ensure our two-day schedule could be all managed on site – this included an early set up of the space and also an evening meal.

‘We were given lots of guidance on what to expect on the day by the Events Service Team. It was also really nice to have the opportunity to meet other GCP team members.

‘We held our registration and welcome in GCP’s Coffee Saints café, so we could welcome people and direct them to the room. Throughout we were supported by Alex – nothing seemed to be too much trouble.

‘When we set up the space, we asked Alex to help with the layout and projection of the presentation. Everything ran smoothly. The Events Team also helped us pack up quickly in the evening, so that we could make the final train – not before enjoying a lovely evening meal by candlelight, however!

Another standout feature for the Design Hopes team was the opportunity to use various spaces within the Grassmarket Centre.

‘The Coffee Saints café offered a great backdrop for one-on-one conversations. Similarly, our communication and marketing team were able to capture some video footage of colleagues in some interesting parts of the Grassmarket Centre, thanks to the GCP team who were great at pointing out interesting places to film.’

A wonderfully multi-functional space, with warmth and character

Jennifer appreciated the friendly and very proactive approach of the Grassmarket Events Team,

‘As someone who typically does not get involved in the operations side of the project, I was really glad to have Alex’s support and flexibility in managing the space. All his time online and on the phone in the weeks leading up to the event made it all run to plan.

Will you be using the Grassmarket Events Service again?

‘We would love to use the Grassmarket space again soon. I think many of our colleagues from the 5 different universities are glad to have seen GCP for themselves, so they too can champion the Grassmarket Centre as a venue of choice given its great location and service.’

Grassmarket Community Project is such a wonderfully multi-functional space with warmth and character – we hope to be back! 

Grassmarket Events Service was a natural fit for Design HOPES, bringing together a commitment to social good, collaboration, and a space that fosters connection. The partnership demonstrates that the right venue can elevate an event, aligning perfectly with its values and creating a lasting impact.