Meet Helene our CEO - Grassmarket Community Project

Meet our CEO, Helene van der Ploeg

This month we invite you to celebrate the women of GCP! Every day we are inspired by all the women who really help make Grassmarket Community Project THE good place to be, including our members, volunteers, partners and colleagues.

This also gives you a great opportunity to get to know our CEO Helene van der Ploeg, who took on the role in summer 2023 and has achieved a huge amount since.

We asked Helene to share her GCP story so far…

‘I am humbled to be at the helm of GCP, supported by such an incredibly hard-working staff team, energised volunteers and committed Trustees.

Every single day I see the difference we are helping our members make in their lives, and it means so much to me and everyone else.’

Life before GCP

Helene comes from a commercial background, working in publishing and advertising including voice-over work and running her own catering businesses. In 2002, she moved to Edinburgh and was lucky to work at some of the most famous venues in the City; Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo and the Hub, the home of the Edinburgh International Festival. Then everything changed!

‘I got a 6 month contract to work for Space at Broomhouse Hub in South West Edinburgh. They are a charity, very similar to GCP, and I had a brilliant time staying for 9 years.

‘I realised then that my heart belongs in the charity and social enterprise sectors. This is where you truly are living the values that are so important to the people you support. Profit that is generated goes back into supporting that community rather than lining the pockets of others, and each day your work is meaningful and worthwhile.’

In 2018, Helene joined the Board of Trustees for GCP as a support to Catherine Jones, our Social Enterprise Director. Helene was so inspired by the work happening here at GCP, it felt natural to take the next step to become CEO in May 2023.

And now, life with GCP

‘Now I’m in my happy place! GCP is a very special place where everyone is a member of the same family, the GCP family. We all have our pressures, our challenges, and being here at GCP we all support one another.

‘Whether it be members, staff, volunteers, we see every individual as a person, not a problem. Many of our members come to us with no sense of what is next in life, what they want to do, what they can do.

‘Seeing people engage with activities, grow in confidence and make friends, and find their happy place is what sets GCP apart. It is so heart-warming to attend meetings and see how much our members support each other, sharing their stories and helping everyone to understand that life can be good!’

The essential work of GCP

For Helene and all the GCP team, the harsh reality of daily life for many people living in Edinburgh puts everything we do in context. Helene explains,

‘Research shows that there are more than 85,000 people in Edinburgh living in poverty. This is an affluent city, but this poverty is hidden.

‘Here at GCP, we see evidence of it every day and it is what drives us to support our community of more than 600 people.’

Our 2024 Social Impact Report, for example, shows you the significant difference we enable our members to make in their lives, against an increasingly challenging backdrop.

It gives you an overview of ALL that we do, with great photos and stats to demonstrate our positive impact.

DOWNLOAD GCP's 2024 SOCIAL IMPACT REPORT

Helene continues,

‘GCP really does transform lives.

‘We see the difference we make to the lives of so many and, for me, is a huge driver to continually look at how we can always support the changing needs of our community.

‘We have only a small staff team here but it is testament to their commitment and drive that they share with me, that the long working days are worthwhile when we see what we are achieving.’

Every day is different

Variety is the spice of life for Helene, our GCP community and those who support us,

‘Every day brings its own highlights; whether it be members proudly displaying the artworks they have created, or coming back from Dancebase tired but wreathed in smiles. Our fabulous volunteers working tirelessly across all activities, and beavering away producing the beautiful Greyfriars Tartan items we sell online and in our shops, through to the annual spectacular of the Summer Showcase.

‘Then there are our many partners who support our programme of activities with tours through the old town (Mercat Tours), workshops at the galleries (Museums & Galleries of Scotland), John Lewis and Partners, and the formation of the GCP band with the help of Calum of Edinburgh University. This is only a tiny number of the partnerships that we have and honestly, it means we can offer so much to our community that is so valued by us all.

‘We are indebted to the funders and donors who have been so generous in their support of our work. They recognise the huge value we bring to individuals, alongside considerable savings to the public purse as we employ such effective preventative methods to keep so many out of the social health care system.’

Helene with Don Young, Convenor of the High Constables of Edinburgh

Championing Social Enterprise

As the funding landscape becomes more competitive, and we recognise that people have less money in their pockets to support our charity, the role GCP’s Social Enterprises play in our future is increasingly vital.

Helene is a true champion of social enterprise, especially the GCP Social Enterprises!

‘I am so proud of our social enterprise operations – the two Coffee Saints Cafes, Events and Hospitality at Grassmarket Centre, our Tartan Shop, and of course, our first social enterprise, the Wood Workshop. These are vital to sustaining our charity.’

Helene continues,

‘We operate with the highest standards of customer service, delicious food, great vibes, beautifully crafted wood and tartan items, and competitive pricing.

‘These are all the things you would expect from any quality establishment. The difference is that the money we make from every purchase made in our social enterprises, goes back to supporting our social purpose.

‘Next time you come in for a tasty lunch, just remember you are supporting some of the most vulnerable in our city, whilst enjoying a great meal with your friends!’

So what does 2025 bring for Helene and the team?

‘More of the same please!!’

Sadly, the numbers of those living in poverty, struggling with homelessness, and coping with complex mental and physical challenges, are growing. Helene wants to see GCP continue to be a vibrant, dynamic, supportive and flexible space,

‘We want to be able to guide our members to new and positive beginnings.

‘I look forward to seeing our Coffee Saints Cafes flourish, whilst our events and hospitality business sees a full calendar of bookings throughout the year.

‘Over spring and summer, we will be joining the parade at Tartan Day Scotland in May, proudly exhibiting the Greyfriars Tartan, and launching our Skiff at the end of April. We will again have our Summer Showcase and welcoming back the Festival Fringe Society in August.

‘There are so many more celebrations to come, from the launch of our book of poetry, to events recognising the brilliant work of our volunteers and staff team.

‘For me, leading GCP, is all about you – our staff, volunteers, Board, partners, supporters, funders and donors. You all make us what we are……THE Good Place to be!’

Help us do more

Please help us to keep providing support and opportunities to vulnerable people. There are various ways you can support our community. You can donate, fund or sponsor, support our social enterprises and volunteer.

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