HRH Prince William, Duke of Cambridge Visits Grassmarket Community Project

We were delighted to host a visit from The Royal Family Duke of Cambridge, Prince William visited us Sunday 23rd May. Upon Meeting two of our founders and trustees Rev Dr Richard Frazer and Jo Elliott, along with Andy and Enid from Greyfriars Kirk HRH visited our Herb Garden in Greyfriars Kirkyard. Their he met with Calum one of our community herb gardening Members and then into the wood workshop wherein he met Hub South East Scotland Ltd Hub Foundation pre-apprentices Andrea and Stephen and our workshop Manager Jon [he even part built some nursery furniture for The City of Edinburgh Council !] Before then speaking to our Social Enterprise Director Catherine and volunteer Cafe Supervisor Janie before finally spending time in discussion with Members: Andy, Hazel (staff), Patricia, John, Leena, Donna and Jonny our CEO.
Our huge thanks to everyone involved in making this such a successful visit but especially to our Members who shared their stories openly and honestly and how much the project means to them. Prince William heard about how COVID19 had exasperated people’s mental health issues, social isolation and shattered young people’s hopes for employment and their education. They told him about the importance of GCP and our partners in building and sustaining a supportive community and utilising social enterprise to train and employ people furthest from the labour market. They spoke about how we were hope to inspire consumers, other employers and our politicians to listen to the voices of the most adversely affected by this pandemic and support social enterprise.