Meet Sonny & Beverley
You may have noticed two new faces at Tribe Porty’s reception desk recently. Over the past month, we’ve welcomed two wonderful additions to your Tribe Porty Team: Sonny, our new Community Support Assistant, and Beverley, our Operations Assistant.
We’re thrilled to officially introduce them and let them share a bit about themselves in their own words.
Meet Sonny – Community Support Assistant
Hiya! I’m Sonny!
I first came across Tribe Porty when my partner came home raving about a brilliant wee place he’d visited while working with Porty Community Energy—he said it was very up my street. A quick Instagram search later, I realised it was the same place where my old yoga client and pal Ellie was working! From the moment I learned about Tribe Porty, I knew it was somewhere I wanted to be involved with—whether that meant applying to join the team (I checked for vacancies more often than I care to admit!) or eventually becoming a co-worker.
It doesn’t take much to make me smile—whether it’s a warm cup of coffee, the sunlight hitting the trees just right, a cuddle with a dog, or spotting someone reading my favourite book. Smiling is just part of who I am. What I love most about Tribe so far is the warmth and life that fills the space. I’m a firm believer that buildings have souls, and you can really feel the soul of Tribe the moment you walk in. And then there are the people (and furry friends)—everyone is incredibly welcoming, which only adds to the warmth of the place.
My Working Life (Alongside Tribe!)
My working life has been delightfully varied, mostly because I’ve been a student up until this past year. I’ve hosted birthday parties at a bowling alley, worked as an admin assistant in San Francisco, slung coffee and doughnuts at Kilted Donut in Leith, played the role of shop witch at Edinburgh’s Black Moon Botanica, and chatted all things contemporary art as a Front of House Assistant at the Talbot Rice Gallery.
For the last five years, I’ve been working on my PhD in History of Art at the University of Edinburgh. My thesis explored the visual culture of a second-wave feminist magazine called Spare Rib. While finishing my degree, I served as Chair of a Doctoral and Early Career Research Committee—organising events, symposiums, and workshops. This past year, I was an Associate Lecturer at Newcastle University, where I supervised 20 undergraduate Fine Art dissertations—an absolute joy! I’m now working on publishing parts of my thesis and figuring out where my research adventures will take me next.
In addition to academia, I’m also a freelance yoga teacher! I teach at Tribe Yoga (mostly in Leith), Yoga’s Got Hot in Stockbridge, and David Lloyd in Newhaven. I’m hoping to bring some meditation sessions to Tribe Porty in the near future—so keep your eyes (and ears) peeled!
Community is the BEST
Since moving to Scotland, one of the things that’s grounded me the most has been the sense of community I’ve found in different places and spaces. Community not only gives us a sense of belonging, but helps us feel connected to something bigger than ourselves. Through various communities I’ve been part of, I’ve met some of my best friends, role models—and even my partner! I’ve built lifelong relationships that are deeply real and meaningful.
What truly drew me to Tribe was its focus on and dedication to building community. As adults, it can be so hard to meet new people—and even harder in this digital age and WFH culture. Coworking spaces like Tribe go far beyond just meeting people as colleagues or deskmates. They offer opportunities for real connection that move past the surface-level nature of traditional office culture—helping to build friendships, foster collaboration, and nurture a thriving, welcoming community.
“The moment we choose to love we begin to move against domination, against oppression. The moment we choose to love we begin to move towards freedom, to act in ways that liberate ourselves and others.” -Bell Hooks
Meet Beverley – Operations Assistant
Hello, I’m Beverley!
I first came across Tribe Porty when I became a part-time home worker – about eight years ago. I wasn’t missing the commute towork (two hours stuck on the Edinburgh by-pass twice a day anyone?) but I also didn’t find sitting in the kitchen – with the leaning tower of ironing winking at me from the corner – all that inspiring. I spotted Tribe Porty and loved the creative space and community feel. However it was not to be. But I did keep an eye on the events and activities that popped up on my social feeds and always felt it ‘was my kind of place’.
Fast forward to April this year, and after over 30 years working flat out running fast-paced brand and communications teams and a stint as Operations Manager helping establish a new Trust, I had the chance to step back and think about what was next for me.
Home & Work Life
I’m officially what’s known as an empty nester – no more ‘what’s for dinner, can you pick me up at 2am I’ve missed the last bus or have you washed my favourite top I’m going out in five minutes’. Both children are now either working or at University and weirdly more than capable of working a washing machine (who knew it was that simple). I’d also had my fill of board meetings, all staff away days and strategy sprints. I wanted to spend some time re kindling my love of all things creative whilst finding my tribe – people who care about connections, creative thinking and doing things because they are the right thing to do not just because someone wrote it in a ten year business plan in a world before COVID threw everything up in the air.
I feel so lucky to finally make it through the doors at Windsor Place and join Dani, Alice and Sonny on the Tribe Porty Team. The role is a part time one – enough to get to know everyone and feel part of the team – but with plenty of free time to flex my creative muscles (they’re not very toned at the moment – a bit like my thighs!).
Something I LOVE
So I’ve recently bought myself a small printing press and turned the attic bedroom into my creative space. Which brings me on to what makes me smile… mixing relief inks, carving out lino for a new linocut print, visiting galleries and talking to experienced printmakers about their amazing work. I’m also happiest in the garden in spring watching the tulip bulbs coming through and sowing climbing beans into little pots loving how fast they break the soil and grow their winding stems.
Finally, my guilty pleasure at the moment is re-watching Mad Men on Netflix which first aired in the UK in 2007. (It feels so much easier to watch now I’m no longer working in advertising!) There’s a quote from Don Draper the main character; ‘ If you don’t like what’s being said, change the conversation.’ It feels so relevant to what’s happening in the world right now.
Say hello!
We’re so excited to have Sonny and Beverley as part of the Tribe Porty family. Be sure to say hello next time you’re in the space—they’re both keen to meet more of our wonderful community! We’ll soon be interviewing them both on our podcast Working For Progress, watch this space!
Thanks for reading,
Your Tribe Porty Team
As always we’d love to connect and hear your thoughts. As we look ahead to the next 10 years, we’d love to know: What would you love to see more of in the future of Tribe Porty? Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with all things Tribe.
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