Christmas in Porty
It’s here, folks! Christmas season is upon us! If you’ve been around Tribe Porty or chatted with me for more than five minutes in December, you’ll know I love this time of year. Lights? Love them. Tinsel? The more, the merrier. Gift-giving? Bring it on. Wallace & Gromit reruns? Absolutely.
But (and isn’t there always a but?) there are parts of the festive season that make me a bit bah-humbuggy. The tsunami of plastic tatt we’re pressured into buying and giving, the expense of it all and the overbearing need to show off on social media.
For me, Christmas is about the little joys: shared laughter, thoughtful gifts, and seeing our community come together to celebrate and share. So, this year let’s focus on just that— Portobello and all the festive magic it has to offer.
I’ve put together a festive guide full of local events and gift ideas to help you shop sustainably, support small businesses, and soak up all the warm, fuzzy vibes Christmas in Portobello has to offer.
Gift ideas for every kind of friend
For the crafty pal
There are always lots of Wreath Making Workshops available, why not treat you and your pal for an evening out! Here are two of our recommendations:
Wreath Making with Holly Grows
Holly will be at Tribe Porty and other venues in Musselburgh for fun evenings of Wreath Making. The wreaths are made with all eco friendly, sustainable materials. A glass of fizz (or non alcoholic alternative) will be available along with festive treats. You are also welcome to byob.
Wreath Making at Company Bakery
Pyrus specialise in wild and natural foliage, which you will use to create a unique and personal wreath. You will learn how to navigate the design process and listen to your creative instinct, while picking up design tips to help your design stay on track. You will be creating your own wreath alongside a spread of festive sweet and savoury Company Bakery canapes, as well as any hot drink or a glass of bubble.
For the wild friend
A gift for a friend that is willing to give anything a go! Soul Water Sauna is Edinburgh’s first mobile sauna nestled on Portobello’s promenade. Offering a place of relaxation, where you can reconnect with your body, the elements and the coastline. Give your loved ones time to care for themselves, to get cosy and find utter relaxation.
For the friend who needs some TLC
Give the gift of relaxation. Pop into Dook to chat over their range of handmade soaps, cosmetics and bath salts. They also have a lovely selection of hand crafted soap dishes, bath accessories and the most beautiful towels.
Dook make salt soap in small batches using organic ingredients, essential oils and natural colours. Each batch is mixed and poured by hand resulting in distinctive, high-quality hand and body soap.
For the Book Worm
The Portobello Book Shop has a great range of books covering all ages. They also have a fabulous stationary section with other wee gifts. The Portobello Book Shop also has some fantastic events coming up including book launches and creative workshops. The Indigo dyeing winter workshop would make a great gift and evening out for you and your crafty pal.
The Portobello Book shop will also be taking part in the late night shopping evening featuring jazzy festive tunes, complimentary mulled wine and mince pies. They are also offering 10% off everything.
This year the shop will also have a Christmas Giving Tree. They have teamed up with charities, StreetReads, HomeStart, as well as with Ecole du Bon Berger, a school based in Rwanda, to provide books to those who need them the most thanks to our customers’ generous donations.
For the coffee date friend
I’ve got a few friends I haven’t spent nearly enough time with lately. We’re usually pretty good at sneaking in coffee dates, but somehow life has been running away with us recently. That’s what inspired this idea—a little way to reconnect and keep the caffeine-fueled catch-ups alive!
Start with some freshly roasted coffee from Tanifiki—they’ve got a brilliant selection of beans, accessories, and mugs. Build it into a thoughtful coffee nook hamper by adding a sweet treat from Gogo Beets or Babyfaced Baker. Top it all off with a handwritten invite to meet for coffee in the new year—an easy but heartfelt way to make plans that stick.
If you’re feeling extra generous, why not include a few extras like tea, chocolates, or artisanal condiments? You’ll find plenty of options at Gogo Beets which also makes for great stocking fillers – organic and vegan yogi teas, vegan chocolate coins, ocelot chocolates and Gift vouchers. Gogo Beets will also making their annual Christmas vegan treat boxes that have a selection of cookies, cakes and traybakes to be enjoyed on the run up to Christmas Day!
Thoughtful, delicious, and guaranteed to brew up some good vibes!
For the Foodie
I love this idea because it works beautifully as either a gift or an experience to share. Why not create a festive dinner hamper with Aemila’s delicious handmade pasta as the star? Their new festive menu is full of fresh, comforting flavors perfect for a cozy evening in.
If you’re up for hosting, invite your pall over, add some candlelight, festive tunes, and you’re all set. If hosting feels like too much, no worries! Pick up a gift bundle instead, complete with their signature pasta, sauces, and even dessert (yes, they have dessert!), all tucked into a stylish Aemila Tote Bag.
For the Dog lover
Put together a doggy hamper with goodies from The Dog Port and Harry’s Treats. Think toys, treats, and stylish accessories for their four-legged bestie. The Dog Port take pride in curating the finest ethically-sourced natural treats to delight your furry companion’s taste buds. As well as toys galore, at Harry’s Treats you’ll find a range of homemade treats lovingly handmade at their base in Edinburgh, Scotland.
For the Triber
This year for Art Walk Porty Tribe Member Peter Jones painted our wonderful building and would make a great gift for the Triber in your life. You can place an order by contacting Peter directly. We also have lots of gift ideas from our community, if you are still stuck check out:
- 20 Photos
- Bike Packing Scotland, Markus Stitz
- It’s A Race, James Robertson
- Edinburgh Tool Library Memberships
- Gift cards from Portobello Natural Health
- Capturing Dani Prints, email directly for 30×30 prints or postcards
Events and Markets
Origami wreath making
Sunday 1st December @ Portobello Town Hall
I absolutely adore some Christmas Crafts, particularly to spruce up a Christmas gift or to use as part of a Christmas window. Here’s a fab activity to do with a pal or your kids at Portobello Town Hall.
Get into the festive spirit with Makiko in a delightful and relaxing Origami Workshop. Learn to fold beautiful Christmas wreaths and snowflakes—perfect for festive decorations. Suitable for everyone, no experience needed. By the end, you’ll take home your handmade, sustainable, and everlasting decorations.
Makers Christmas Market organised by Support The Makers
Sunday 1st December @ Portobello Town Hall
There’s nothing I love more than a market to source Christmas gifts. Showcasing a selection of handmade products from local makers including art, accessories, jewellery, ceramics, homeware, textiles, houseplants, home-baking, coffee & creative workshops.
Porty Local Market
Saturday 7th December @ Brighton Park
Portobello Local Market is a much loved monthly event for truly local food, drink and crafts.
Porty’s Festive Light Switch On & Late Night Shopping
Thursday 5th December @ the Christmas Tree near the Town Hall
The big light switch on with entertainment from the Throwback Choir and Porty Pop Stars. Most of the shops along the high street will be trading late with festive treats and discounts on offer.
This year, let’s do Christmas differently—together. Shop local, gift thoughtfully, and soak up the community spirit that makes Porty so special. Because honestly, isn’t that what this season is all about?
Happy Holidays Porty!
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Nourishment
To know how to feel nourished is fundamental to our wellbeing. Nourishment comes in many forms, not only physically but mentally and emotionally. On the surface, nourishment can take the form of foods, from the way we eat to where we eat and who with. As well as sustenance, food is a great way to gather people and nurture in person connections.
Community
Beyond food, our sense of community can be one of the most profound sources of nourishment. When you find yourself surrounded by people who support, challenge, and uplift us creates a space for growth and belonging. Whether it’s spending time with family, working alongside colleagues, or participating in shared activities, these connections nourish our spirit. In a world that can often feel isolating or fast-paced, finding and being part of a community is more important than ever.
For others, nourishment comes in the form of quiet moments of solitude and reflection, a time to rest, recharge and refocus. You might find it in a quiet moment of meditation, reading a book that inspires us, or spending time in nature.
Finding nourishment
As we move into the darker months of winter, knowing how to nourish ourselves becomes even more essential. The cold, dark days can feel draining. Many people, especially in places like the UK, associate winter with a reduction in energy and happiness. The shorter days often bring a sense of anxiety or dread. This makes it easy to fall into the trap of doing less and feeling less nourished.
How to Winter: Harnessing Your Mindset to Thrive in Cold, Dark, or Difficult Times suggests that winter can be a season of opportunity if we shift our mindset. It encourages us to embrace winter as a time for restoration, inviting us to transform darkness into an asset. By finding activities to look forward to that align with the season, we can see winter as a season of restoration and opportunity.
“Do something that you can look forward to that takes advantage of the darkness and turns it into an asset”-Kari Leibowitz
Undoubtedly nourishment is about taking care of our minds and souls. What activities help you feel restored? When we prioritize these practices, we acknowledge that our well-being is not just about what we consume, but also how we nurture our inner beings. There’s no right or wrong way to find nourishment; what’s important is understanding your own needs and making the time to practice what brings us joy and fulfillment.
Each of us has different ways to nourish our body, mind, and soul, and this month offers a chance to explore what fills us up in all areas of life.
An invitation to gather
The Story Sessions is back! Tribe Porty is collaborating with Soapbox to bring an evening of storytelling, join us on November 8th from 6pm to gather, to be inspired, to be heard, to tell and to listen to stories.
The theme is Nourishment – How do you feel nourished? Is it through food? Being in community? With family and friends? How do we nourish our body, mind and soul?
This session we will be treated to a menu of canapés from Còmhla, a luxury dining company founded by friends Helena and Joanna in Edinburgh. Brought together over a passion for wild natural Scottish ingredients, Còmhla’s philosophy is to celebrate the seasonal. With a deep-felt desire to sustain both environment and community, all that Còmhla does is driven by creativity, consideration and social-consciousness.
Tickets for this event are pay-what-you-can to feed back in to our communities. Click here to find out more and book your space.
Thanks for reading,
Alice
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Tribe Talks Sustainability
Tribe Talks are starting back up in September, the theme for our first quarter is Sustainability and we will be joined by Boom Saloon, Adam McGibbon, LifeMosaic and WildFish.
The goal of Tribe Talks is to bring together bright minds, and interesting topics, that can help foster inspiration, provoke conversations that matter, and help to educate our community to do better, and be better.
We selected sustainability as our initial focus because many of our members are actively involved in this field. When choosing speakers, we aimed to cover key aspects of sustainability—social, environmental, and economic. Each session includes a Q&A, providing a valuable and actionable way to explore how we can contribute to a better world. The Q&A sessions will encourage group discussions, giving you the chance to delve deeper into each subject. Through this guidance, we hope to to ease any negative feelings towards the subject.
We’ll also steer each talk away from the typical doom-and-gloom narrative often associated with sustainability and climate change. Instead, we’ll emphasize facts and actionable solutions. By covering a variety of topics, we aim to highlight environmental success stories. In addition, we seek to discuss impactful environmental policies and government actions. In turn we hope to help you feel empowered in your personal efforts.
Meet our guest speakers
Rachel Arthur-Boom Saloon
Boom Saloon is a global media movement to democratise creativity for good, driven by international members.
They explore the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through the lens of creativity, across print publications, online features, newsletters and events. This work supports a series of community projects which inspire and empower people facing challenges.
Rachel Arthur, founder and editor of Boom Saloon invites you to an insightful, behind the scenes talk. She will share how boom saloon has evolved to explore the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals through the lens of creativity – bringing together a global community of members working together to democratise creativity for good.
Adam McGibbon- Oil Change International
Adam McGibbon is a campaigner and strategist. Currently, he works with Oil Change International. His primary focus is on a campaign to end the flow of money from major governments, pledging to take action and shift billions into clean energy instead. Adam has also ran a campaign to get the UK Government to stop using billions of taxpayers money to finance fossil fuels overseas, from 2017-20.
Prior to this, Adam worked as an election campaigns manager for climate-friendly politicians. Adam’s Tribe talk focuses on 2013 when he took up a risky job in becoming Campaign Manager for Caroline Lucus, the UK’s only Green MP. Caroline Lucus was out to defend her Brighton parliamentary seat for the first time in 2015, with a wafer-thin majority. Lucas is re-elected with a large majority over her closest rival, in a huge turnaround that arguably saved the Green Party during a fragile time. Adam’s talk shares the inner workings to reveal how the campaign was won.
Serge Marti-LifeMosaic
Indigenous peoples protect 85% of the worlds biological and cultural diversity, through ancestral knowledge and practices that nurture diversity, spirituality, interconnection and collective approaches. Indigenous peoples and their territories are also under threat, from the high speed growth of giant extractive industries, infrastructure development, homogenous education and belief systems, as well as the spread of internet and social media. On the whole, these processes lead to monoculture, materialism, disconnection, and individualism, all of which are at the heart of the global polycrisis (the great clusterf**k).
LifeMosaic supports movements to defend nature and culture. They particularly support indigenous peoples movements to reflect on and vision their role and contribution at a time of eco-system collapse and climate chaos. As well as sharing some lessons of their work, Serge would love to hear your thoughts about the importance of movements to defend nature and culture, and how best to nurture these in Scotland.
Rachel Mulrenan- WildFish
Wild fish populations are collapsing as their habitats are destroyed faster than anything else. In the UK, most of our rivers fail to reach ecological targets. Open net salmon farming is ravaging wild salmon and sea trout. All fish are threatened by abstraction, barriers, and pollution.
Salmon has become one of the most popular dishes in restaurants and at home, but its popularity has come at a cost for the environment, fish welfare and the health of the planet. Almost all the salmon we eat is farmed. Scotland is one of the world’s largest producers of farmed salmon, but how much do we know about the realities of this industry taking place in our waters?
In this talk, Rachel will give an overview of the Scottish salmon farming industry – what it is, and how it impacts on the health of fish, people and planet. She will give a short introduction to WildFish’s Off the table campaign, which calls on chefs, restaurants and consumers to stop serving, buying or eating farmed salmon, and open a discussion about what a future in Scotland could look like without the salmon farming industry.
Book your space
We hope to see you at one of our Tribe Talks this year. Our mental and physical health, as well as the strength of our communities, is undoubtedly tied to our natural and built environments. Promoting sustainability in any form helps to lay the groundwork for environments in which we can thrive. More importantly, doing so also conserves resources for future generations. We hope that this series can help channel your curiosity and desire for better in a positive and productive way.
You can view the full series of talks and book your space by clicking here. If you have any questions, or would like to book a space to a sold out talk please contact us: more@tribeporty.org or call 0131 258 3471.
Thanks for reading,
Alice
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Hello, how are you?
Friendships and community are integral to our wellbeing and a good conversation can leave us feeling understood, energised and revived.
Losing community
Friendships and community are integral to our wellbeing. Despite this, I’ve noticed a similar narrative amongst friends, coworkers and folk posting online. This is that friendships are hard to come by and even harder to keep. In adult life, friendships require a certain amount of dedication and maintenance. Unfortunately, we often do not have time or even the energy needed to support the functioning of a good friendship.
As we age and grow priorities to shift, we get busier and life provides less opportunities for connection which become harder to come by if we let them slip away. Long term friendships require consistency, an ongoing dance of give and take.
Science has repeatedly studied and proved that friendships bring us a wealth of benefits. From keeping us mentally and physically healthy to improving our creativity and even reducing our blood pressure. So why don’t we value and maintain social connections as much as we should?
Modern life is often fast-paced and demanding, leaving little time for nurturing relationships. The rise of digital communication can create a false sense of connection, reducing face-to-face interactions. The pressures of work and daily responsibilities can make it challenging to invest in social connections, even when we recognize their importance.
Bridging connections
Humans have a fundamental need for interaction. Conversations connect us, sparking new ways of thinking, resonating with our emotions, and building bridges between us. However, we each require different levels of social connections and companionship.
A meaningful conversation blends opinions, experiences, and ideas. When a natural state of flow is achieved, it opens the heart and forges genuine connection. In essence, conversation links us together, and nurturing it involves genuine curiosity. To engage in meaningful conversation it is important to have interest in the people you encounter daily, ask questions, and avoid ending sentences in a closed manner.
By definition, conversation is improvisational. As we engage in dialogue, we uncover new aspects of ourselves. At its best, a conversation bridges the gap between our physical selves and our minds. A good conversation leaves us wanting more, with questions still unresolved. I’m sure I can vouch for many Triber’s that our weekly Social Lunch has left us with this feeling as we often attempt to put the world to rights!
Place and time
So how do we in the busy modern day seek physical spaces where we can find ourselves lost in conversation? Social connections require a special kind of place. A place where yourself and others have time, freedom and capacity to get lost in conversation. Third Spaces, a term coined by the sociologist Ray Oldenburg, are spaces beyond work and home. A sacred space where we can interact both freely and casually.
“Life without community has produced, for many, a life style consisting mainly of a home-to-work-and-back-again shuttle. Social well-being and psychological health depend upon community.”- Ray Oldenburg
Modern commodities and capitalism have led to a scarcity of third spaces. A true Third Space is a physical place where you are under no obligation to be there and the presence of a “regular” is more than welcome. Though rare, these spaces are essential to neighborhoods and can significantly enhance quality of life, well-being, and health.
This is why free events, like Tribe Talks, are so vital to Tribe as a community coworking space. We continuously seek new and exciting ways to welcome the wider community into our space because community is at the heart of Tribe. Our commitment to inclusivity and engagement drives us to host a variety of events, workshops, and social gatherings that cater to diverse interests and needs. By doing so, we aim to create a vibrant, supportive environment where ideas can flourish, collaborations can emerge, and everyone feels a sense of belonging.
Finding your community
As with everything, it is about finding a balance but also actively engaging and seeking the types of connections you crave. According to British anthropologist Robin Dunbar, the “magic number” for an individual’s community is 150. That’s 150 connections that make up your social network. Dunbar split’s these connections into different circles, or you could call it communities. The most important circle being the ‘inner’, this includes family and long term friendships. The rings extend outwards from there and include distant friends, fleeting friends, coworkers and folk who you occasionally cross paths with. This could include people met in a pub or coffee shop, people you pass on walks or places of common interest.
“What determines these layers in real life, in the face-to-face world… is the frequency at which you see people,” says Dunbar. “You’re having to make a decision every day about how you invest what time you have available for social interaction, and that’s limited.”
What I appreciate about Dunbar’s theory is its emphasis on the importance of cultivating depth in our communities, friendships and community are integral to our wellbeing . It’s not just about having close friends and deep relationships; the acquaintances and casual connections that come and go in our lives are equally vital to our daily health and happiness. It also highlights the importance of finding and frequenting places to nurture these relationships. Psychologist Holt-Lunstad similarly concluded that being within a large supportive social network reduces the risk of mortality after a chronic illness by an enormous 50%.
Your attention is a gift
Making friends isn’t that different from when we were kids, the only difference is intention. Making new friendships should be both interesting and fulfilling, stay curious! Intention is also important when selecting where to dedicate your time. At the forefront of coworking is community, the beauty of coworking is the people you meet and the connections you make. Creating and actively participating in in-person events can increase a sense of connection. Choose the places you visit with the intention of gravitating towards people and, with some time, social connections will form (and maybe even a new friendship.)
When we talk about curiosity it is also beautiful to remember that our attention is a gift. Engage with conversations actively and ask questions, maybe pop your phone to the side too! Through this self awareness we can become more approachable and friendly, in turn the people we engage with will return the favour.
“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated”-William James
Thanks for reading,
Alice
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Let’s make good things happen
It feels good to gather, connect, share, listen, breathe. Soaking up all the goodness and emotion in real time. We’ve had a wonderful month at Tribe Porty which has seen us gather in many beautiful ways.
Tribe is a connectivity hub which promotes a healthy and happy community. Tribe aims to provide a space for nurture and growth of human potential through supporting local people in work, art and quality of life. This is done through practical opportunities and support and encouraging connections. There is evidence that people-powered health not only brings transformational change, but also economic benefits.
Places for Everyone
June saw the completion of our newly revamped yard space with new seating custom built by Move On Wood, planting by Kerry-Anne Saouter and a wonderful mural from KMG. This project was supported by Sustrans and Artroots. The aim of Places for Everyone is to create safer, more attractive, healthier, and inclusive places which are enjoyed equitably by increasing and diversifying the number of trips made by walking, wheeling or cycling for everyday journeys. Please enjoy and use our new seating, it is through these collective efforts that we can foster a stronger, more connected neighborhood.
It was great to see our outdoor space come alive during our summer party. A heartfelt thank you to all those who came to support us and make donations to Re-Act Scotland. It was fantastic to see some new faces amongst our regular members. We have several bags full to the brim ready to be taken away to Re-Act Scotland. Whilst we are no longer taking donations, you can contribute and support Re-Act Scotland by clicking here.
June also had team member Ellie take on her first event in collaboration with Soapbox and Porty Pride. Her storytelling event brought together a group of humans ready to share with openness, kindness and honesty.
“On Friday evening – popcorn in hand – we gathered for the first Story Sessions event, and it was glorious. Sat together, we listened to three unique stories; celebrating queer love, self discovery and partnership. To be able to connect with others, to gather, and to learn made for a very special evening.”-Ellie
Let’s collaborate
In addition to providing flexible work and coworking spaces, Tribe Porty offers unique and affordable event space for all different kinds of activities which could be ongoing or one-offs. There is a strong community of makers and social shifters who bring brilliant variety to what is on offer here.
Community coworking will always be at the heart of Tribe Porty but in an ever changing and shifting landscape the need for third places grows. We are always seeking collaborations and events that can aid in the bringing together of our community and make good things happen. We have hosted many different kinds of table top workshops, seminars, meetings and markets in this space to date. Partnerships and collaboration are a key part of Tribe and by using our space, you are supporting our work. If you are interested in hiring Tribe, please click here.
Tribe Talks
Tribe Talks are free monthly talks hosted by a Tribe member or friend of Tribe. We’ve see a whole range of talks from astrophysics to coffee tastings and womens health. Whilst Tribe Talks are on a summer hiatus it gives our team time to challenge our perspectives and question the needs of our community. Tribe Talks will be back in September so watch this space! For now, we want to hear from you. Please take a moment to fill out a quick survey about Tribe Talks, we thank you for taking the time. Now let’s make good things happen.
Thanks for reading,
Alice
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An invitation to gather
SHARE
Our ability to tell stories is a uniquely human trait and has always been present in humanity, from cave paintings to podcasts. It is one of the oldest forms of communication and has been used to teach, entertain and influence people for centuries. Sharing stories has always had connection at its core with the unique power to inspire and influence our emotions.
In the modern world storytelling has perhaps lost one of its superpowers which is to gather us, together, in person. Storytelling in Marrakech has rich and ancient roots, there is an old saying, “when a storyteller dies, the library burns”. The stories told in Marrakech only exist in the minds of their narrators who share them at gatherings and take their repertoire to the grave. I keep thinking back to this phrase, it has such depth and meaning but also captures the missing piece to the modern storytelling puzzle.
HUNGER
Stories are used to share our thoughts, feelings and experiences. Ultimately, we make sense of the world through the receiving and giving of stories. However, due to modern technology and the rise of social media apps we are now swamped with stories. At their core, this particular type of story strives to sell you another product, desire or lifestyle. We are in the breadth of an era of quick content, another flash of a story with each swipe. Nothing nourishing, just time spent. The outcome of this is that we are both desensitized and bored. Not only have we become over informed but the substance is missing.
We’re all hungry for authentic connection.
GATHER
Most of the stories we consume in the modern day are recorded and can be listened to anytime, anywhere. They are often rehearsed and edited, this removes the reason or necessity to gather. A story told in person is in itself alive. The story will change from one telling to the next depending on the presence and mood of the storyteller.
“The presence of teller and audience, and the immediacy of the moment, are not fully captured by any form of technology”-Joseph Bruchac
We have had the pleasure of hosting poetry evenings here at Tribe. I am always struck by the mood and presence of the room. How the shared feeling and tension can quickly shift from laughter, to sorrow, to joy and hope. There is a direct and respectful spotlight on the reader with no distractions. There’s no elaborate scenery or props, just a room of like minded people. What we are left with is a collective experience. An experience that cannot be replicated or shared outside of the space. Telling stories leaves the audience with the gift of an empathetic and shared emotional response. The teller and the listener share and experience emotion in real time, a give and take of energy.
Sacred spaces for telling stories in person are rare and more important than ever. Live storytelling gives you the power to cut through the noise and make meaningful connections to both inspire and influence. Let’s slow down. Take some time to sit with us and share stories.
“We tell stories because we are human. But we are also made more human because we tell stories”. –Amanda Gormon
The invitation
Tribe Porty is collaborating with Soapbox to bring you an evening of storytelling. The first of these evenings is in partnership with Porty Pride with the theme of love. Join us at Tribe Porty on June 28th to gather, be inspired, to be heard, to tell (and to listen) to stories.
You can find out more and book your space by clicking here. Tickets will be pay what you can with proceeds going to Porty Pride.
If you’re interested in telling and sharing a story, or know someone who might be, please email soapboxforcreatives@gmail.com with the title ‘The Story Sessions’.
Thanks for reading,
Alice
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Discover the joy of coworking
Tribe Porty brings good people together and makes good things happen. This year for European Coworking day we want to shout about our Tribe, celebrate the joy of coworking and invite you to join our Tribe.
Why coworking?
Do you remember the first coworking space you entered? How many coworking spaces have you tried or been a part of? What makes you stay? A question we ask every year to our coworkers is why do you choose Tribe? A simple question, but it always proves that we are achieving our mission as a community coworking space.
Coworking spaces are fantastic at joining communities together. Personal and professional growth is closely linked to coworking. One thing that coworking spaces all have in common is the desire to bring people together and create a community of like-minded people. Furthermore, when spaces are great at doing this, it can have a significant impact on your health and wellbeing.
Surround yourself with good people
Don’t get us wrong, we can’t beat a day in your PJS in the comfort of your own home on a rainy, windy Scottish day. But at times working from home can feel lonely and isolating. Coworking statistics show that 89% of independently employed people feel happier after joining a coworking space and 83% of people feel less lonely.
Not to mention, you’ll be surrounded by the best and most interesting people that you’ve ever met. I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve said and thought “what, I had no idea that job existed!”. Studies found that 69% of coworkers say that they have acquired new skills or upgraded their current skills due to the people they have worked alongside in a coworking space. It also gives the opportunity to share and develop your work with a fresh set of eyes and ears.
Boost your productivity
As well as the extra social contact, coworking spaces offer a more productive and focused space to work. The same study found that 84% of people feel more motivated and engaged with their work whilst at a coworking space.
Community is important to the way we work. At the heart of our ethos lies a deep commitment to community values, shaping the environment of our coworking space. Tribe’s design is thoughtfully crafted to foster creativity, promoting the collision of diverse individuals and ideas that spur innovation, knowledge exchange, and meaningful connections.
All of this makes coworking spaces an indispensable environment that allows you to balance work, wellbeing, productivity and socialization. Did we miss anything? Not convinced yet? Here’s what our coworkers have to say about coming to Tribe:
“Tribe feels like such a community and it was a really easy environment to get to know people. The vibes were always good and the added social events (Thursday lunch, coffee mornings etc) actively encouraged people to get to know each other. I’ll be honest, a shared office I went to twice a week was the last place I thought I would make friends when I moved to Edinburgh. Upon leaving I can say that I’ve made some excellent pals! I don’t think there’s a single co-working space out there that could hold a candle to Tribe”
“I’ve worked remote for 7 years and coworking spaces keep me sane – and productive! When we moved to Porty, I ditched my place in town within the week and haven’t looked back. It’s just a lovely place to work. Everyone’s super nice and getting to see loads of different jobs, companies and perspectives is inspiring.”
“I moved up to Portobello from London and was looking for a place to work as my new role is fully remote. I followed Tribe’s instagram page before I moved and heard only great things about Tribe from everyone I met here. I love the people, the working space (especially the garden), the sense of community, the opportunity to chat to people with interesting work and lives while hanging out with the many cute dogs. It is a joy to work here!”
Choose Tribe
Beyond the workspace, we remain deeply connected with our community through various activities such as coffee mornings, social lunches and our monthly free Tribe Talks. At Tribe Porty, community is not just a concept; it’s a lived experience. We look forward to the continued growth and vibrancy of our community.
To our current coworkers, you guys rock and make this place what it is. Thank you for being a part of our Tribe. To those who are yet to visit us, hello! Pop in for a tour and meet our team. You can keep up to date with all of our social events and Tribe Talks by subscribing to our newsletter.
You can view our day pass options and membership packages by clicking here.
We can’t wait to meet you.
Thanks for reading,
Alice
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A warm welcome to Ellie
Exciting news, our team has grown! We are welcoming Ellie to our team and we wanted to take the time to give her a warm welcome and introduction.
Hey, I’m Ellie!
I first came across Tribe when Dani hosted TedxPorty here in 2016 and I volunteered to capture the event. I’d recently moved back to Edinburgh after living in London and it was one of the first community events I was involved with and I loved it. Since then I’ve attended other Tribe events and spent some time co-working. The community at Tribe is so welcoming and inviting that when a role came up it felt serendipitous.
Things that make me smile are a good cup of coffee, spending time with friends and family, hosting Soapbox events, time spent on the beach, dogs in clothes, working at Tribe! I love the community and the environment at Tribe. The way Tribe feels when you come in – everyone is friendly, I really enjoy the art on the walls, it’s a space that breeds belonging and my creativity flows here.
My working life & creative practice
Most of my working life has revolved around connecting with people; as a photographer having the opportunity to meet new people and discover what drives them, what their story is and how they express themselves is what I find endlessly fascinating.
I love, and have spent many seasons, capturing street style at London Fashion Week because I love seeing how people express themselves through personal style. My favourite personal project was one I undertook in 2021 called Love Stories; where I spoke to, and captured, over 100 people about someone, or something, they loved.
I’m currently in the planning stages of my next personal photography project, which I think will revolve around kitchen tables, dinner parties and portraits.
Creating community
My connection to the creative scene led me to CreativeMornings, where I volunteered with the Edinburgh Chapter for a number of years before starting my own event, called Soapbox, last year. We gather on the last Wednesday of every month to blether and meet like minded folk who freelance and are employed in the creative, cultural, tech and digital industries. It’s so lovely to see people come along who are brand new to the creative scene but also have attendees who have been doing it for 20 years. Everyone has something to offer and are there to connect.
Knowing how much being part of a community helped both my personal and professional life was the driving factor in starting Soapbox. Bringing other people together and helping them with their own journey is something that brings me a lot of joy. I’m currently working on the evolution of Soapbox and developing what events, along with our current monthly event, we might host.
I’m really looking forward to hopefully hosting some Soapbox events in collaboration with Tribe, but mostly I’m really happy to be part of Team Tribe and the community that exists here. I really like being part of organisations that are bigger than myself, and that seek to bring community together.
A quote that I love:
“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”- Brené Brown
Thanks for reading,
Ellie
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International Women’s Day 2024
As International Women’s day approaches we wanted to dedicate a blog post to all the fantastic and accomplished women here at Tribe.
Women’s work whether it is paid or voluntary is often hidden or at best undervalued. Not to mention that we are simply far too humble to even consider self promotion. We wanted to take a moment to share and shout about some amazing achievements and work produced by some of our members over the past year.
Anna Moffat- Photographer
Anna Moffat is a photographer based in Edinburgh (and beyond). Her style revolves around capturing authentic moments with creativity and attention to detail and providing emotive and engaging images. Recently, Anna has photographed amazing individuals such as Dr. Merritt Moore who recently conquered her dream of being both a Quantum Physicist and a professional ballet dancer.
Anna has worked with Holyrood Magazine and recently picked up an award from PPA Scotland for her portrait of Labour MSP Pam Duncan.
“Thank you PPA Scotland for the award – I still can’t quite believe it! Also thanks to @holyroodmagazine for the opportunity”
Olivia Furness- Executive Director, Oi Musica 
Olivia Furness is a firm believer in music’s power to make change. She has designed and delivered a wide variety of projects and programmes that have brought benefits to both the community and people involved. In April 2023 Oli was awarded professional development funding to spend 2.5 weeks in Cuba studying various styles of Aforcuban percussion.
In 2023 Brass Blast took home the Community Award from Creative Edinburgh.
“We’re still buzzing after scooping the Community Award for our youth project Brass Blast at the Creative Edinburgh Awards in November! The project is a proactive response to the disproportionately low numbers of disadvantaged young people taking up instruments in East Edinburgh, so we are over the moon to be recognised for the change that Brass Blast is making in our community.”
Jo Tennant-Photographer & Founder, 20 photos
Jo Tennant is an award-winning photographer and founder of 20 Photos, a creative service that curates hundreds of digital photos into 20 beautiful fine-art prints.
In 2023 Jo had two family photographs shortlisted for the Scottish Portrait Awards:
“One photo was shot on my phone and the other on a 1980s film camera. Our own personal photos have importance and meaning and should be seen. We should photograph those we love and their idiosyncrasies which we want to remember. This is why I took those photos. Not for the awards- I just submitted the two photos I took this year that I loved the most”
Last year, Jo also had a feature in Stylist magazine about launching her business 20 Photos during the pandemic. She spoke to them about upskilling and taking the next steps. Read the full article here.
Rachel Mulrenan- Scotland Director, Wild fish
Rachel is the Scotland Director of WildFish, an independent charity in the UK campaigning for wild fish and their environment.
A significant area of focus for Rachel is the environmental degradation caused by open-net salmon farming. In collaboration with other like-minded organisations, WildFish calls for an end to this destructive industry. Open-net salmon farming has a hugely detrimental impact on wild fish and their habitats – from the spread of sea lice and disease to the environmental effects of the chemicals and antibiotics used on aquaculture farms.
Rachels work has featured in The Guardian and you can listen to a podcast she featured on about the damaging effects of Salmon Farming here.
Briana Pegado- Author
It would be wrong of us to not mention our host for our International Women’s Day event, Briana Pegado.
Briana Pegado FRSA is an author, fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and festival founder. With nearly a decade’s experience as an award- winning social entrepreneur in the creative industries in Scotland. She works as an anti-racism, governance, and strategy consultant particularly in the creative industries.
Briana acted as a trustee, vice, chair and Chair of the Young Women’s Movement from 2018-2023, then Interim Chief Executive. The organisation supports young women, migrant women, and other marginalised women by providing skills and employability services, advocacy and campaigning, as well as research on the lived experience of young women in Scotland
A central theme in her work is how disrupting systems, processes, sectors, and ways of thinking can facilitate positive change. Her new book Make Good Trouble: A Guide to the Energetics of Disruption launches on 09 April 2024 and is available for pre-order now. Find out more about Briana by clicking here.
Sandy Brindley, Kathryn Dawson and Niamh Kerr
Sandy is the Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn is the Director of Prevention & Training and Niamh Kerr is the Prevention Manager at Rape Crisis Scotland (RCS), Scotland’s leading organisation working to transform attitudes, improve responses and ultimately to end rape and sexual violence in all its forms.
RCS works with a network of 17 independent local Rape Crisis Centres across Scotland who provide trauma-informed support to more than 6000 survivors annually. It runs a national helpline with support and information for anyone affected by sexual violence open daily from 5pm – midnight, 365 days a year. They also support the National Advocacy Project to support anyone thinking of reporting or engaged in the system to navigate the justice process from start to finish. Its Prevention work takes an evidence-based approach. Working with young people in schools and communities across Scotland looking at issues like consent and healthy relationships. It also campaigns to change and challenge the attitudes that underpin sexual violence as well as on specific issues like funding for services and access to justice.
The support Rape Crisis Centres across Scotland offer can be truly lifesaving. When a survivor reaches out for that support, they need to receive it then. Not weeks or months later. But this is the reality facing too many survivors across Scotland. In 2021, the Scottish Government delivered emergency funding to tackle waiting lists. But even with this funding, demand for lifesaving Rape Crisis support is outstripping the resources available to Rape Crisis Centres to serve survivors. This emergency funding is due to run out in March 2024. If it isn’t extended, 28 specialist Rape Crisis support workers will lose their jobs meaning survivors will be forced to wait even longer for support. To support their campaign and find out more click here.
Reema Vadoliya-Founder, people of data
This year Reema joined Tribe as part of the Creative Informatics inclusive innovation working spaces fund. Reema is a tireless advocate for inclusion in data with expertise gained through multiple roles within the data industry and the founder of People of Data. Their mission is to challenge how organisations think about data in order to maximise impact and centralise inclusion.
You can listen to a podcast with Reema where she discusses the importance of looking at data inclusively. Reema emphasises the power of data by telling impactful stories .Click here to listen.
Reema will also be hosting our March Tribe Talks, this is a free workshop and is open to all. Click here to find out more.
Louise Mason- Presenter, producer & Journalist
Louise Mason is a radio presenter, music journalist and producer. She produces the weekly podcast Changes with Annie Macmanus and regularly hosts music radio.
Last year with her cousin Fran she took on a Tuk Tuk challenge where they raced across Sri Lanka to raise money for Childrens Adventure Farm Trust.
“Between all the teams the donations so far have helped over 5500 families and counting”
Louise regularly interviews musicians and artists for radio and at music festivals. You can have watch some of her work by clicking here.
Recently, Louise also presented a show for a project called Peace Frequencies which she co-produced in a small team with broadcaster Gemma Cairney. It was a 24hr broadcast to mark International Human Rights Day. Louise’s own show gave voices to poets and artists who have contributed to the Manchester to Palestine compilation which raised money for Gaza.
You can find out more about Louise, listen to all her shows and donate to her charitable causes by clicking here.
Whilst International Women’s Day serves as an important day to celebrate women’s achievements, it is also a reminder that we must all still strive for gender equity in society. We must not settle. In doing so, workplaces and society at large can gain new perspectives, ideas and inspire inclusion.
Join us in celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8th 2024. We are hosting an evening of poetry and discussion with Briana Pegado. Click here for more information and book your ticket. All proceeds will be donated to Edinburgh Women’s Aid.
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Do good, Feel Good
This January, Tribe Porty has partnered with Vintage Vibes, an award-winning project tackling isolation and loneliness in Edinburgh. Volunteering has enormous benefits to our mental health, our communities and our local economy.
Why volunteering is good for your health
There’s a common misconception that volunteering is a completely selfless act and that you are some kind of superhero if you volunteer. It might surprise you to know that volunteering has some surprising major health benefits. Volunteering is good for your health and community. So it is something you might want to consider adding into your self-care routine.
Studies show volunteering helps improve your mental health and wellbeing. Helping other people triggers a release of the hormone oxytocin. This hormone has the effect of boosting your mood and counteracts the effects of cortisol aka the stress hormone in your body. When oxytocin begins to flow, blood pressure decreases, reducing social fears and anxiety.
Giving an hour or so a week can act as a circuit breaker to the everyday stress of work and home life. It can give you a change of scenery, the opportunity to talk to different people, more structure to your week and allow you to build confidence or learn a new skill. It can also help you reset and appreciate what is important in life by giving you more self-awareness when starting to sweat the small stuff.
Vintage Vibes
Nicky Shallcross is the Volunteer Recruiter for Edinburgh based Vintage Vibes, a project working to combat loneliness amongst over 60s by creating 1:1 friendships between volunteers.
Nicky explains her motivation for volunteering…
“After starting my own business in 2022, I started to feel lonely working from home on my own. I’d gone from a busy head office environment to working alone and being all departments. I realised that you don’t have to be elderly or living on your own to feel like this, it’s surprising at how quickly this can happen to anyone. I was familiar with Vintage Vibes and their work from their annual Christmas Card campaign. It made sense to help someone else who was feeling lonely too by becoming a Friendship Volunteer.
I completed my volunteer training, the Vintage Vibes team then set about finding me a “VIP” who had similar interests to me. For the past year I’ve visited my 85 year old friend Sheila every week for an hour or so. We talk about anything and everything and are always giggling. My family live down south so there is something grounding and familiar having someone who is older to talk to. She’s warm, caring and dispenses no nonsense advice just like my Grandparents used to. I always come away from our visits with a sense of calm.
Sheila never ceases to amaze me with her constant curiosity on what’s going on in the world. In the summer she went on a girl’s weekend to Blackpool and enjoyed watching the Glastonbury coverage. Her highlight was Elton John, she said she turned the volume up and had a dance around her living room. Aging is natural part of life; I really hope I’m as sprightly as her when I’m older.
I’ve taken Sheila to local places close to where she lives that she didn’t realise were there. She loves the Edinburgh Printworks and Grow Urban plant cafe. The staff recognise her and chat, it makes her feel seen and included. For Sheila’s 85th birthday we went to Maison De Moggy, sadly she had to give up her beloved cat during the pandemic and misses her dearly. Despite personally not being a big cat lover, we had so much fun! I really felt that feel good feeling seeing her so happy.
Volunteering has personally given me a massive boost to my own mental health and was exactly what I needed. I’ve made a friend and got to meet so many amazing people. It’s even led to a part time job opportunity with the charity so you never know what good things volunteering can lead to.”
Fighting isolation
According to a 2021 study conducted by Age Scotland, more than 200,000 older people in Scotland are lonely. This study found that 10% of people over 50 feel lonely all or most of the time. Age UKs follow up 2022 study highlights that right now in Scotland loneliness among older people is at record levels. 100,000 older people say they feel lonely all or most of the time. Two years of Covid lockdowns and living under restrictions which prevented older people seeing family and friends have left countless older people feeling acutely alone.
The Scottish Government have identified that social isolation and loneliness are significant public health concerns in Scotland. Loneliness is linked to increased risk of poor health and reduced life expectancy. A Connected Scotland – a strategy for building stronger social connections and reducing social isolation and loneliness hopes to address this. Volunteering plays a key part in the plan to help achieve this. Volunteering at Vintage Vibes can supports both health and community.
Community impact
Government funding cuts to services combined with the cost of living and the fallout from the pandemic mean charities are under more pressure than ever. Charities must now deliver critical community support services that local authorities cannot. Volunteers are pivotal to being able to do this.
In addition to the benefits for individuals, volunteering can also have a positive impact on local communities. According to Volunteer Scotland, volunteers contribute an estimated £2.26 billion to the Scottish economy each year. Volunteering can also help build stronger, more connected communities by bringing people of all generations together.
If you’re interested in varying your week, consider volunteering as way to do this as well as making someone else’s. Volunteer Edinburgh is a great resource for finding volunteer opportunities in your area to fit around your schedule and support organisations that align with your values, more information can be found here. If you’d like to find out more about becoming a Vintage Vibes Friendship Volunteer, please visit their website here.
Thanks for reading,
Nicky Shallcross, Volunteering Coordinator at Vintage Vibes.
An evening with Vintage Vibes
For our first Tribe Talks of the year we are collaborating with Vintage Vibes. Join us on 25th January from 18:30 for a fun evening hosted by volunteer coordinator, Nicky Shallcross.
Vintage Vibes is an award-winning project tackling isolation and loneliness in Edinburgh. The project, a partnership between LifeCare Edinburgh and Space at the Broomhouse Hub, started in 2015 as a fresh new way to combat isolation and loneliness among over 60s (called VIPs) in Edinburgh.
Vintage Vibes creates long lasting one-to-one friendships offering support, companionship and the opportunity for lonely VIPs to be more socially connected and active in their local community. Vintage Vibes are looking for volunteers of all ages (17+) from across Edinburgh.
This is a great opportunity to break the ice with Vintage Vibes and find out more about their work as well as how to volunteer. Nicky will introduce you to Vintage Vibes and their work and answer any questions about volunteering or how to refer someone who may benifit from their service.
Join us for a tea and a sweet treat, click here for more information and to register.
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