Join us! Everyone's welcome

Become a Member

Everyone is welcome at GCP

At GCP, we believe in a world where people reach their full potential, feel positive, valued and connected to others and the wider community.

Whether you are dealing with difficult issues yourself and would like some support and friendship, or you’re looking for somewhere to get involved, a wide variety of groups and activities are available.

We ask everyone to complete a membership form, so we can support any particular needs. Every new member is invited to a Welcome Meeting, where we show you around the Centre and explain how things work.

You can register online (below). Or simply pick up a form at the Grassmarket Centre, 86 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, EH1 2QA.

Members Programme

Fund and Sponsor GCP Member Activities

GCP’s Members Programme is at the heart of what we do. Choose from a dynamic range of free activities, classes and supported groups.

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Our Young Members

GCP Young Members

Aged between 16-30 years? Become a Young Member. There’s lots of opportunities, plus you can join in with GCP’s Members Programme.

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Volunteer with us

Duncan Tori and Faith - Door Open Meal

From 2 hours a month, the volunteer commitment varies depending on the role. All volunteers receive ongoing support and access to free training.

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Sponsor GCP Members

HSBC Corporate Partnerships at the Grassmarket Centre - Grassmarket Community Project

Directly support our Members. We make sure your relationship with us is the best fit for you and your organisation. You will be in very good company!

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– Members Stories –

Below we share some of our members stories. In some cases names and gender may have been changed. These stories help show the range of people we support and how we do so. Importantly, they also help illustrate the way people’s individual contribution is valued.

Members Stories Elizabeth

Members Stories – Elizabeth

Elizabeth has found strength and peace in our GCP community, where she feels she can be herself.

Members Stories Lee Ann

Members Stories – Lee Ann

‘I can join in anything here…’ Lee Ann is one of our many inspiring Members, she has been coming to GCP for over two years

Members Stories GCP 2

Members Stories – Ruth

Ruth describes how she had found life such a struggle but now feels safe and supported at GCP

Members Stories GCP 3

Members Stories – Davie

Davie says coming to GCP saved his life, ‘I think that, if I had continued the way I was going, the drink would have killed me.’

Members Stories GCP

Members Stories – Evelyn

Evelyn has described GCP services, volunteers and staff as a lifeline. We thank her for sharing her story to help others.

David's GCP story

David’s GCP Story

David has been a member since 2023, ‘I was surprised at the various activities and the breadth of people who use the service.’

GCP pre-apprentice Stephen

Meet Stephen a GCP pre-apprentice

Meet Stephen, he is a great ambassador for GCP’s Pre-apprenticeship Programme. To help inspire others he shares his experience

Volunteer spotlights - Meet Frank

Frank’s GCP story

Meet Frank, inspirational artist, member AND volunteer at The Grassmarket Community Project. We are so lucky to have him with us!

Creativity - Lee's Story

Creativity – Lee’s Story

One question and a desire to help others sparked Lee’s creativity at The Grassmarket Community Project

– Our Members Programme –

GCP Members take part in the many free in-person and on-line activities and workshops, covering a wide range of interests. Here’s a taste…

Singing out loud - The Grassmarket Community Project

Choir is back. Sing it!

The GCP Choir has always been hugely popular, so we’re delighted to announce it’s back!

Numeracy at Grassmarket Community Project

Numeracy Group

Getting to grips with numbers! Numeracy improves life outcomes, such as employment and even our physical health…

Community Music at GCP - Kenny

Community Music Group

Our Community Music Group is a new addition to GCP’s Members Programme. Run by University of Edinburgh music students, it’s attracting great interest!

Poetry Group at GCP with Janis Mackay

Poetry Group

This term GCP is delighted to launch our new Poetry Group for our Members, led by award-winning author and poet, Janis Mackay

Creative Writing Group at GCP

Creative Writing Group

Painting pictures with words, Creative Writing is a very popular Members group, it is a relaxed and safe place to explore and express

Reading and writing group at GCP

Reading and Writing Group

GCP’s popular Reading and Writing Group builds the confidence of Members who wish to improve their literacy levels.

Online Coffee Breaks with Tommy

Online Coffee Breaks

Wherever our Members are, they can take a coffee break with Tommy online! Another popular highlight of our Members Online Programme.

Open Book Group at The Grassmarket Community Centre

Open Book Reading Group

GCP’s Open Book Group is very popular with our Members. Our own story-catcher Caroline went along to see why…

Dancing-with-Dance-Base 3

Dancing with Dance Base

YES, DANCE WORKSHOPS here at GCP!! An exciting NEW partnership with Dance Base. We’re dancing with joy, literally!

The Guitar Group at The Grassmarket Community Project

Our Guitar Group

In our Guitar Group ‘We let the music rule!’ You only need three chords to join in the jamming session.

Art Group at GCP

Our Art Group

A picture paints a thousand words… Members come along to our Art Group to relax and let their creative spirit run free

Wild Swimming with GCP

Wild Swimming

Our wild swimmers take the plunge once more, as we welcome cold water lover Emma, the group’s new leader. Brrrrrr!

Long walks with The Grassmarket Community Project

Long Walks

The many benefits of long walks are well understood (and greatly enjoyed) by the GCP’s Walking Group. Find out more…

IT Crowd at GCP

The IT Group

Join the IT Group at GCP. Held twice a week, these groups are VERY popular with our Members.

Meadows Walking Group - The Grassmarket Community

Meadows Walking Group

Our Meadows Walking Group enjoy their weekly time together. Join them for all four seasons and more in beautiful Edinburgh

Discover more about our ever-popular Make and Mend classes.

Make and Mend

Discover more about our ever-popular Make and Mend classes.

Privacy and Information Policy

We respect the privacy of our members, volunteers and wider network of supporters. We only collect information we consider necessary to help us achieve our charitable purposes and ensure the success of our social enterprises that support these. You can read our privacy and information policy here.

We sensitively and respectfully collate and fully anonymise all information obtained from the components of our Evaluation Framework

A BIG THANK YOU

The Grassmarket Community Project’s Members Programme relies on the generosity of our customers, funders and donors. Our key funders for this area of our work are Nationwide Community Grants, The Robertson Trust and EVOC/Scottish Government Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund. We thank them for their essential continued support.

Nationwide Building Society Community Grants

The Robertson Trust