Who we are
What we do
Why GCP is THE good place to be

What we do at GCP

The Grassmarket Community Project (GCP), based at the Grassmarket Centre, is a community of over 500 people, working together to support positive changes in one another’s lives. At GCP, we believe in a world where people reach their full potential, feel positive about themselves, valued and connected to others and the wider community.

OUR MISSION is to create an inclusive person-centred environment where people feel empowered to develop skills, build positive relationships and enjoy an ongoing sense of belonging.

Sustainability is important to us. The Grassmarket Community Project is committed to operating in a way which minimises its impact on the environment.

Grassmarket Community Project, Edinburgh

Find out more about how we do this, the impact we have, the awards we win and how it all began… 

How we do it

  1. we create an inclusive community for all individuals facing social exclusion by lack of opportunity, skills and aspiration, where they can achieve greater self-esteem, improved employment skills and a purpose in life.
  2. we create an inclusive community where individuals can, through membership and volunteering, contribute to the wellbeing of those facing social exclusion.
  3. we manage and sustain the building which provides the home for the Grassmarket Community Project, moving the project towards self-sufficiency through social enterprise.
  4. we maintain and sustain the Grassmarket Community Project as a partnership comprising Greyfriars Kirk, the Grassmarket Mission, statutory and voluntary agencies, local businesses and residents.

Our impact

View our latest Impact Report and Annual Report, just click to open as a PDF.

Please also help yourself to our archive of Annual Reports and Social Impact Reports from The Grassmarket Community Project.

GCP Social Impact Report 2023
GCP Financial Report 2022

The Grassmarket Community Project is THE good place to be and ALL are welcome

From the delivery of our Members Programme and our award-winning Social Enterprises, to our Open Door Meals, trail-blazing Volunteers Programme, Partnerships and our Community Events, it’s all go and all good, here at GCP.

Fund and Sponsor GCP Member Activities

Our Members Programme

GCP’s Members Programme is at the heart of what we do.

A dynamic range of free activities, classes and supported groups for our community members, the programme provides opportunities for social integration and education.

Individuals enhance their life skills, develop confidence, increase their resilience, self-reliance and independence.

Coffee Saints - Edinburgh

Our Social Enterprises

Social Enterprise is the core to our sustainability. Our enterprises include

Coffee Saints
Events and catering services
Wood workshop
Tartan shop.

These enterprises involve, support and develop the talents of our vulnerable members. Individuals develop valuable work-related skills, experience and ethics that lead to further opportunities such as volunteering, training or employment at the Project and elsewhere.

Duncan Tori and Faith - Door Open Meal

Open Door Meals

GCP continues the tradition long-established by our founding partners of free meals, with “Open Door Meals” for people who are homeless or vulnerably housed.

Other services include free vet clinics, hairdressing and benefit support.

Volunteer at The Grassmarket Community Project

Volunteering

We would not be able to provide our support and services to Edinburgh’s most vulnerable, without our fantastic volunteers. Volunteers make a positive contribution to our Members’ lives and ensure the continued success of our community.

HSBC Corporate Volunteering at the Grassmarket Centre - Grassmarket Community Project

Partnerships

Building long-term relationships with our funding and corporate partners is key to GCP’s continued success.

Burns-Night-at-GCP

Community Events

Our popular What’s On programme gives us the opportunity to welcome locals and visitors to the Grassmarket Centre. From lively music gigs and events to our award-winning Community Cinema screenings.

A little more about us..

GCP Theory of Change and Approach

The Grassmarket Community Project’s Theory of Change and approach….

GCP history

Our GCP history – find out more about the roots and history of The Grassmarket Community Project

Award-winning GCP

Along the way GCP wins awards for what we do… here are just some of them 

Fund and sponsor The Grassmarket Community Project, you’ll be in very good company

Thank you to our partners and funders for your essential and continued support.
Find out more about opportunities to support GCP >>

Robertson Trust
Nationwide Foundation
SCVO and The Grassmarket Community Project
Digital Lifelines and The Grassmarket Community Project
Edinburgh Airport
The Binks Trust
The National Lottery Community Fund - The Grassmarket Community Project
Evoc logo
Hub Community Foundation - Grassmarket Community Project