Members Stories – Ruth

Ruth’s Story

Ruth came to GCP when she lost her first job in admin due to stress, anxiety and mental health problems whilst employed. In that job, she felt out of her depth and struggled with the lack of support. She lasted only 2 months in the job and felt like she had failed. She felt worse than before she had started working.

Ruth already knew about GCP, having previously volunteered here as part of her recovery, following her admission to hospital for alcohol related incidences and suicidal thoughts. Her CPN referred her to GCP as she was young, vulnerable, felt very isolated and was continually expressing thoughts of being a failure. Her mental health had deteriorated.

Ruth came back to GCP as a pre-apprentice and her confidence increase massively over just a couple of months. She takes up every opportunity she can and goes the extra mile. Sometimes she volunteers to answers the phone and direct visitors to the workshop. She is almost unrecognisable from when she first arrived!

Ruth went on to volunteer to be part of a panel speaking at an international conference. She represented and spoke about GCP, our social enterprises and her life experiences to. She answered questions in front of 60 people over two workshops. She detailed her vulnerability and journey so far, describing the immense gratitude she felt towards GCP and for the Apprenticeship funding and support of the BBFF. She described how she had found life such a struggle and now felt safe and supported at GCP.

From strength to strength

Ruth continues to go from strength to strength, enjoying admin and supporting our Finance Administrator with tasks such as filing and completing checks. She has also accessed the opportunity to volunteer by befriending a young person in our GCP community. Following some further training, she will soon be supporting them too.

Ruth has been on an incredible journey and the support she has received from the GCP and BBFF could not have come at a more critical time for her. This has provided her, in her own words with:

‘A family, a group of people that support me and help me. The woodwork instructors have taught me so much already and I am feeling so much more confident.’

Connection at GCP

Loneliness and Social Isolation are the main reasons people give for coming to GCP. They may have no family or friends. They may not have had a positive interaction with anyone for some time. 

There are many complex reasons leading to an individual feeling isolated from society. BUT Social Poverty is usually the first and most immediate struggle that we can start to help people address.

Whatever the circumstances, people are welcome at the Grassmarket Community Project. 

Everything we do here at GCP is about connection.

First and foremost, we eat, hang out and learn together in a safe, warm, welcoming and non-judgmental environment.  

Our weekly Members Programme provides a whole host of opportunities to learn, create and develop skills and confidence within a group. Members, volunteers and staff team are learning and growing together.

It is often when people are side by side engaged in an activity that the most valuable conversations take place.  

Members find that they can start to share their stories, quite freely and openly. They are also happy to talk to others about how GCP is helping them find their own path through their challenges to discover their untapped potential. 

For our Members, GCP is hugely positive and often essential. We are the antidote to social isolation, because we are the good place to be. 

How to support GCP’s Social Purpose

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.

Donate >>   
Fund and Sponsor >>

Support our Social Enterprises

Wood Workshop >>
Tartan Shop >>
Event Hire Service >>
Visit Coffee Saints >>

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