First Port is a Scotland wide organisation which supports social enterprises throughout Scotland, from start up to further on in their development. What If…North Edinburgh? is a programme specifically for this area to support the development of social enterprises from idea to action.
I’m Julie Smith, the programme manager and I’m based in the area in North Edinburgh Arts. I want to work with local people who have ideas about helping themselves and their community through developing businesses which do both!
It could be an idea about anything: a gardening service for older people; teaching people a skill; supporting people to get physically active. Whatever it is I want to hear it. Even if it isn’t a business idea, it might be a good project.
One of the issues we have in the area is a lack of space for people to work in. There has been a growth in co-working spaces in the city, but there’s not a lot between South Queensferry and Leith. A co –working space means someone who just needs a desk and broadband connection can share space with others in a similar situation. Some of the spaces can be quite expensive.
The new North Edinburgh Community Resource Centre, housing Community Renewal and Citizen’s Advice on Pennywell Road has some suitable space available to rent.
There’s room for co-working space, a small training/meeting room and access to a kitchen. It would be a great space for people to work in, meet others and for training and workshops to be delivered in.
I would like to find out if there are people throughout North West Edinburgh who would be interested in such a space and developing a vision for it. The local area has never had a business hub where people can get support, can develop ideas and share with others. I think this is a great opportunity.
There is a viewing on Thursday 6th February at 10am – 11am or 6pm -7pm. Contact me at julie@firstport.org.uk if you’d like more information or to sign up for the tour!
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