Grass Cuttings Grassmarket Community Project

This episode is all about partnership. We'd be nothing without partnership. We began life as a community due to the partnership between Grassmarket Mission and Greyfriars Kirk in 2010. Partnership in 2020 has never been more important. Its how we have survived the COVID pandemic, loss of income and mitigated against lockdowns. We celebrate in Episode 6 two of our most inspirational partners: Mercat Tours, a local family Business  with a huge heart, love of history and commitment to the City of Edinburgh and Invisible Cities, a social enterprise which challenges the stigma of homelessness, empowering people to tell their story, training people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city. Invisible Cities now operates in 5 UK cities. Both are award winning enterprises. Both led by incredible inspirational women leaders. Both have sustained a partnership with Grassmarket and share our values. 

In this episode we talk to Kevin and Sally Robinson who for the fourth year in a row walked the Kiltwalk for the Grassmarket Community project - despite kevin's own health issues bringing his fundraising total to over £10,000. We also chat to Piper (age 9) and her brother Cosmo (age 11) who undertook, with their mother Joanne, an epic 27 Mile Walk and raised £2,200 for the Grassmarket in September this year. Both families are legends and our CEO Jonny Kinross really enjoyed chatting to them. [Apologies for some of the sound-internet connection issues reflected in this recording due to interviewing over people's connection speeds and mics - dont let that put you off and we're working on it]

Just before he nipped away into retirement we had a conversation with Tommy Steel, Senior Manager, Wood workshop Manager and social entrepreneur who co-founded our flagship social enterprise Grassmarket Furniture. Tommy talks about what difference a few hours can make to a person's life and view of themselves as well as how creating the right working atmosphere in the workshop is, balancing a sense of ownership, personal pride and belonging. This is how he has transformed the lives of hundreds of people over 16 years. We thank him for it and we wish him well. 

A more in depth discussion with 3 of our members on their very personal experiences of mental health, recovery and the contribution GCP has made to their well being. [Some listeners may find some of the content upsetting - please ensure that you reach out and seek support and assistance in dealing with any issues that arise for you. We hope you find it useful to know you are not alone and that people care]. 

More interviews with members and exploration of the activities and experiences in our community. This week we feature an interview with Rev Dr Richard Frazer in the beautiful peaceful Hermitage Brae park Edinburgh in the early hours about the history and fiunding of the Grassmarket Community Project charity. 

We launch our podcast with a conversation with our book group attendees and other members of the project telling us what they like about the GCP. Conversations with members and staff who attend the Grassmarket Community Project and we are so grateful to these members helping us kick off our podcasts.