Tag: community enterprise

Edinburgh’s third sector urged to shape future conference space

Survey to help shape future of community venue

COMMUNITY groups, charities, social enterprises and other mission-driven organisations across Edinburgh are being asked to help shape the future of an important conference venue serving the city’s third sector.

Norton Park has launched a new survey as it explores investment in, improvements to and potential changes to its conference facilities, with the aim of ensuring the space continues to meet organisations’ needs beyond 2026.

The research will help inform a business case and future plans for the building, with a focus on creating affordable, useful and impactful space for organisations working to make a positive difference in their communities.

Keith Robertson, Chief Executive of Norton Park, said: “Norton Park has a long history of supporting Edinburgh’s third sector and community organisations.

“As needs evolve, it is important that our facilities evolve too. We want to hear directly from the organisations that use these kinds of spaces so we can ensure any future investment is shaped by demand, delivers genuine value and creates lasting impact for the sector.”

The study is being supported by Community Enterprise and Fraser Livingstone Architects, which have been commissioned to undertake research and develop a business plan for the venue’s future.

A key part of the project is understanding what charities, community organisations, social enterprises and other third sector bodies need from conference, meeting, training and event facilities in the years ahead.

The survey is open to charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises and other mission-led organisations operating in Edinburgh. Responses will help identify current needs, gaps in provision and opportunities for future development.

It takes just a few minutes to complete and is intended to give organisations across the city an opportunity to influence future decisions about the conference venue.

The research will also help ensure local organisations are at the heart of decisions about how the building and its facilities could develop in future.

Douglas Westwater of Community Enterprise said: “Third sector organisations are facing increasing pressures, from rising costs to changing ways of working.

“This survey is an opportunity for organisations to tell us what they need from affordable conference, meeting and event space in Edinburgh.

“Whether you are a small community group, a growing social enterprise or an established charity, your views will help shape future decisions about the venue.”

Feedback gathered through the research will contribute to the work being undertaken by Community Enterprise and Fraser Livingstone Architects as they consider the business case and future plans for the venue.

Norton Park is renowned as the home of charities in Edinburgh and currently accommodates over 25 third sector organisations.

To take part in the survey, visit Future Sector Survey.

Help Shape the Future of Norton Park Conference Centre

Community organisations, charities, social enterprises and local residents are being invited to help shape the future of the Norton Park Conference Centre as part of a new study exploring how a bespoke heritage space could better serve Edinburgh’s third sector as well as the local communities round Easter Road.

Norton Park has commissioned a comprehensive options appraisal to identify new and enhanced uses for its Conference Centre, with the ambition of creating greater social impact, stronger community benefit and improved long-term sustainability.

The study will explore how the building could support voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises, local residents and purpose-driven businesses, while respecting the heritage character of the building.

The project is being led by Community Enterprise and Fraser/Livingstone Architects.  A central part of the project is understanding what Edinburgh’s third sector actually needs. The team is keen to hear from charities, voluntary organisations, community groups, social enterprises, networks and public sector partners about the challenges they face, the facilities they currently use, the gaps in provision across the city and the opportunities they would like to see developed.

Keith Robertson, Chief Executive of Norton Park, said: “Norton Park has a long history of supporting the voluntary and community sector in Edinburgh.

“We know there is potential for the Conference Centre to play a much bigger role in supporting organisations and communities across the city. This project is an opportunity to think creatively about the future and ensure that the building responds to real needs.

“We are keen to hear from as many organisations as possible so that any future plans are rooted in evidence, demand and community benefit.”

Norton Park is Edinburgh’s leading third-sector hub, providing affordable, high-quality workspace and a supportive community for charities, social enterprises and community organisations.

The study will examine a range of possibilities, including workspace, meeting facilities, training and event space, partnership working opportunities and other community-focused uses. The findings will help Norton Park identify a preferred option and develop a longer-term vision for the building’s future.

Robin Livingstone, Director of Fraser/Livingstone Architects: “Sitting next to Easter Road stadium in Leith, Norton Park has a legacy in building repair, having rescued a Victorian school building from disrepair.

“This feasibility commission is an opportunity to build on that heritage by transforming the Conference Centre, housed in a makeshift conversion of a neighbouring B-Listed church.

“We will open the building to the community, unlock underused spaces, and improve energy efficiency by enhancing the building fabric to reduce carbon emissions. Creating a retrofit exemplar that supports Norton Park’s charitable purpose.”

Douglas Westwater, Chief Executive of Community Enterprise, added: “Edinburgh has one of the most vibrant third sectors in Scotland, but organisations are facing significant pressures around costs, sustainability and access to suitable space.

“We want to hear directly from the sector about what would make the biggest difference. Whether you are a small community group looking for meeting space, a charity seeking collaborative opportunities, or a social enterprise with ideas for the future, we would love to have a conversation.”

Get Involved

Organisations and individuals with an interest in the space are encouraged to get in touch and share their views.

To discuss your organisation’s needs, opportunities for collaboration, or wider priorities for Edinburgh’s third sector, please contact Douglas Westwater at Community Enterprise, email douglas@communityenterprise.co.uk

Fresh Start Community Picnic at North Edinburgh Arts

Fresh Start Community Picnic

Thursday 11th July from 4 – 7pm

at North Edinburgh Arts

Working with partners across Edinburgh and with volunteer teams, Fresh Start support people previously homeless to ‘make a home’ for themselves in new tenancies. We enable them to resettle in their community, providing volunteering opportunities that offer practical and emotional support, helping them develop life skills, and involving church members and the wider community in our work to end homelessness.

We achieve this by providing essential household goods and decorating services to help people set up home. We also help those who are unemployed gain skills, experience and qualifications that will increase their employability – including gardening, cooking and employability training.

In addition to the practical support we provide, Fresh Start service-users have identified the need for support to help them feel at home in their new community as well as in their new tenancy. They highlighted the advantages that would come from being able to get to know local people, to develop skills and be able to access services and opportunities in a neighbourhood location and be able to get involved in community activities including  in evenings and at weekends.

Fresh Start has been based in North Edinburgh for 20 years and we now have the opportunity to take over some currently unused adjacent premises to create a community hub.

Working with other community organisations, we have been looking at ways in which we can bring this space back into community use. We want to create a hub that will work for the whole community ensuring that people new to the area have access to a space where they can meet with local people, develop skills and make a contribution to the community.

To make sure that this becomes a place where people can feel part of, and connected to, their local community we want to know what you would like to see happening in the Hub.

We would appreciate it if you would complete the questionnaire below.  This should take no more than 10 minutes.
All answers are confidential. If you want more information or additional copies of the survey, please contact Wilma at Community Enterprise – Tel: 01506 862227.
All survey responses (including those collected on paper) are recorded on Survey Monkey whose privacy policy can be viewed here.
Community Enterprise’s privacy policy can be viewed here