Volunteer with us
Volunteer with us
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 by:
- supporting our Members’ activities and workshops
- tasks in the Grassmarket Centre kitchen, furniture workshop or serving Members’ lunches
- helping Members sign up for activities at our reception
- helping out at our Open Door Meals on Wednesdays 5pm – 6.30pm.
- leading activities in the capacity of Facilitator Volunteer or Peer Mentor (see below).
From two hours a month, the volunteer commitment varies depending on the role. All our volunteers receive ongoing support and have access to free training throughout the year. We also offer great Corporate Volunteering opportunities too! See our Volunteer Stories and latest opportunities, below. For more information or to discuss your ideas, please contact kevin@grassmarket.org
– Volunteer Opportunities –
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Tartan Shop Assistant Required
Join our wonderful Tartan Social Enterprise Team, in our wee Tartan Shop on Candlemaker Row.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Receptionist Required
Receptionist required – can you help? Help ensure a friendly face and warm welcome to our Members and general public, here at GCP
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: IT Support Required
Volunteer with our IT groups, assisting people with their computing skills.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Art Assistants Required
Volunteer with our Friday Art groups, an opportunity to create, learn new skills and have fun.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Health and Wellbeing Tutor
We’re looking for a motivated and experienced tutor of Mental Health and Wellbeing to join our community project
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Make and Mend Assistants Required
Volunteer with our Tuesday Make and Mend groups, an opportunity to create, learn new skills and have some fun
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Read and Write volunteers
Become a Read and Write volunteer and help empower a learner to reach their full potential
A Volunteer Perspective
One of our new volunteers shares her perspective on joining the team
– Volunteer Stories –
Meet JH Campbell, our good friend James
J.H. Campbell is a novelist, writer of short stories. James is also a much-loved volunteer here at GCP.
Let’s talk about Kevin – Our Volunteer Coordinator
Meet Kevin, our Volunteer Coordinator. He started here as a volunteer, fell in love with the place, and hasn’t looked back since!
Volunteer Stories: Meet Frank
Meet Frank, inspirational artist, member AND volunteer at The Grassmarket Community Project. We are so lucky to have him with us!
Volunteer Stories: Meet Sophie
Sophie began volunteering with us, after seeing an advert to help support our Friday Art and Craft group. We’re SO glad she did!
Strike it lucky – A Volunteer Night Out
It was a fun evening when 15 GCP volunteers and 5 staff went 10-pin bowling recently. In fact the evening was considered ‘a roaring success’
Volunteer Stories: Meet Liz
Meet Liz, our award-winning volunteer. We asked her more about her life and why she loves volunteering with GCP…
Volunteer Stories: Meet Anne
Anne volunteers with The Grassmarket Community Project choir. She’s brilliant and we really appreciate her support.
Volunteer Stories: Meet Mustapha
Meet Mustapha, he volunteers with the Woodwork Group at The Grassmarket Community Project and he loves it! Find out why…
Joining our community
We ask all potential volunteers to become a Member of our community first by completing the registration form. Please see our Volunteering at Grassmarket Info Sheet for more information on how to volunteer with us.
Facilitator Volunteers usually lead activities due to their particular skills in a certain area. We ask Facilitators to commit to agreed weekly hours for a minimum three months wherever possible.
Peer Mentors carry out a similar role, having developed their skills and talents through membership of the community, and use their own experience to support fellow members on their journey.
Both Facilitator Volunteers and Peer Mentors receive additional “Leading Activities” training and are required to provide two personal references and complete a form to join the “Protection for Vulnerable Groups” (PVG) Scheme (which is free).
For more information or to discuss what you may be able to bring, please contact kevin@grassmarket.org
A BIG THANK YOU
The Grassmarket Community Project relies on the time and commitment of our volunteers. The Volunteer Programme is possible thanks to the generosity of our customers, funders and donors. Our main funder for this area of our work is The Big Lottery Changing Lives programme and we thank them for their essential continued support.
For wider opportunities, including those in the Greyfriars family, see here