Honoring Your Boundaries

Hello, Boundaries 

The demands placed on us (by ourselves and others) can feel overwhelming. By not honoring your boundaries, you risk burnout, stress, and the downfall of our own identity.

Whether you’re working from home, juggling responsibilities, or navigating the blurred lines of hybrid work, setting intentional boundaries is essential for your emotional and physical wellbeing.

 

“Setting boundaries with others is key in having a strong relationship with yourself.”
 – Philippa Perry, The Book You want everyone you love to read

Understanding Boundaries

The Cambridge Dictionary defines a boundary as “a real or imagined line that marks the edge or limit of something.” Boundaries can be physical, psychological, or emotional. 

 

“If we don’t know where we begin (physically, psychologically and metaphorically), how can we possibly know how to protect our ‘space’ and avoid unwanted encroachment into our territory?” – Dr Jane Booth

 

But why do we struggle to verbalise our work and personal boundaries, especially when they’re crossed?

Questioning your boundaries 

To honour your boundaries you must first understand what they are. Boundaries are multilayered and often shifting, making it important to regularly reflect on the different types and how well we honor each in our lives. Emotional boundaries involve respecting your own feelings and emotional energy. Such as expressing how you’d like to receive feedback, protecting your energy in emotionally draining situations, and resisting the urge to absorb others’ moods. 

Physical boundaries relate to your personal space, comfort with touch, and physical needs. This might look like preferring a handshake over a hug, skipping social events to recharge, or taking a walk when you need a break. 

Mental boundaries protect your thoughts and focus, and include actions like taking time off to recover, setting away messages during deep work, and avoiding the pressure to over-explain your decisions. 

Finally, time boundaries help you value and protect how your time is spent. By declining unnecessary meetings, sticking to your work hours, and clearly communicating when your capacity has been reached. Understanding and maintaining these boundaries is key to safeguarding your well-being and sustaining healthy relationships.

 

 

Tuning In: A Boundary Check-In

When was the last time you checked in with how you honour your boundaries?

Try this:

Boundaries are flexible. They will look different depending on the relationship, context, or stage of life. What’s non-negotiable today might shift next year, or even next week and that’s okay.

 

Fill in the wheel, which are ranked lowest? Why is this, it could be a specific situation or simply how your energy is presenting at this time. Question what actions you could take to bring the score up. This could be as simple as cancelling a plan to free up some mental space or opening up a conversation with someone you have had a miscommunication or disagreement with.

 

Boundaries as a Form of Care

By understanding and respecting our own boundaries, we create environments where we feel safe, seen and respected. It’s fundamental to check in with this every so often. Our boundaries will change for different people, and they may shift over time based on personal circumstances.

Through open communication with ourselves and identifying where we lack in our own boundaries we can in turn honour our limits. In doing so, you can take better care of the core of your wellbeing and infuse more meaning and authenticity into our work and relationships. 

Boundaries aren’t walls. They’re bridges toward healthier and a stronger connection to yourself.

 

Tribe Talks

If you would like to learn more about holding space for yourself and your boundaries our next Tribe Talk is for you. We will be joined by Dr Jane Booth.  Jane has a passion for people and a creatively curious mind. She loves learning, problem solving and supporting her clients with their own development and growth.  Jane can aid in providing the space and time you need to explore solutions and work out the choices ahead of you. Our Tribe Talk will cover the art of creating effective boundaries.

“I fundamentally believe that great people make amazing things happen.  We often lose sight of our potential, however, and this can hold us back from achieving what we really want.  My role is to help you find your path so you can lead yourself, and others, on your chosen journey.”– Dr Jane Booth

 

Thanks for reading,

Alice

 

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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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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Beyond Pride: Spaces at Home and Away

Beyond Pride: Spaces at Home and Away

 

Pride Month is upon us, and I’ve been reflecting. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’ve been spending a lot of time recently thinking about the importance of inclusive, positive, and proactive community spaces.

Inclusive Spaces

A couple of weeks ago I went to the launch of Lonely Planet’s new LGBTQ+ Travel Guide. Until recently, if you wanted to know which parts of a city or country were safe, or where you could actually relax and be yourself, you had to rely on word of mouth – tips from friends, stories from the community, or scouring online forums. It always felt like you had to be part detective just to plan a trip. 

So seeing such a major travel brand put out a guide that is packed with practical info and shaped by Queer voices from around the world is huge. What sets this guide apart is each destination is introduced by local LGBTQ+ residents who share personal insights, recommendations for queer-friendly businesses, cultural highlights and must visit spots. It’s not just about where to go, but how to feel safe, seen, and celebrated when you get there. Sitting down with my girlfriend, flipping through these pages and reading about places where our community thrives – it’s a whole new beautiful feeling. 

 

Work & home

And it’s not just about feeling safe when we travel, it’s also about feeling safe on our doorsteps – and that includes at work, and in co-working spaces. When you walk into a workspace you want to know you can bring your whole self to the table without worrying about judgement, discrimination, or having to hide who you are. Safety isn’t just about physical security, it’s about emotional and psychological comfort too. There’s something powerful about being surrounded by people who get it, where you can chat over coffee, lunch, or just get on with work knowing you’re in a space that has your back.

Why does this matter? Because when you feel safe, you’re free to focus on work, be creative and build genuine connections. Studies show that LGBTQ+ safe environments foster a culture where people can embrace their true identities, leading to stronger community bonds, higher job satisfaction and more opportunities for collaboration and growth, unlocking potential. Places that empower LGBTQ+ professionals to thrive, innovate, prioritise inclusivity and safety are vital.

 

Inclusivity in coworking spaces

Coworking spaces, such as our very own Tribe Porty, have the opportunity to not just offer a desk and wifi, but to be real hubs of belonging for the LGBTQ+ community. It’s more than just having flags up in June (although that is lovely!), it’s making sure there are clear policies against discrimination, having gender neutral toilets, hosting LGBTQ+ events, and having staff who genuinely get what inclusion means. Another really important thing is listening to LGBTQ+ members, inviting us into the conversation and being open to change as needs evolve. 

At Tribe Porty, fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community starts with small but meaningful actions. Visible signs of support, like Pride flags, and collaborating with Porty Pride, using inclusive language across our platforms, and having gender-neutral facilities help signal that all identities are respected and celebrated here. We are committed to policies that protect against discrimination based on gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation, and we’re intentional about using gender-inclusive language and inviting members to share pronouns if they feel comfortable.

 

Creating Inclusive Culture

Inclusion also means cultivating a community culture where LGBTQ+ members feel seen, valued, and supported. We aim to reflect diverse voices in our events and storytelling year-round, offering space for conversations, creativity, and connection. We’re always listening and learning, welcoming feedback from our community and making space for continuous reflection and growth. Because true inclusivity isn’t a checklist. It’s an ongoing, collective effort rooted in care.

When spaces do that, they become places where we can all show up as ourselves, connect, create and feel right at home. Which ultimately is what community is all about.

 

Soapbox: Story Sessions 

Soapbox and Tribe Porty are delighted to welcome you to another evening of Story Sessions! Join us on June 6th from 6pm for an evening of storytelling—a space to gather, connect, and be inspired by true stories from our community. Story Sessions is all about sharing real experiences: a place where voices are heard and celebrated.

This month, as part of Porty Pride, we’re shining a light on Queer Joy; a celebration of living authentically, loving boldly, and finding happiness in both the everyday and extraordinary moments of queer life. It’s about the moments that make us feel safe, loved, and empowered, and about the community that surrounds us with acceptance and support.

Storytelling is one of the oldest ways we connect as humans. Stories have the power to make us laugh, cry, reflect, and feel less alone. Through sharing and listening, we make sense of the world and discover authentic connection with each other.

Whether you come to share your story or simply to listen, you’ll find a welcoming community ready to embrace and uplift you.

Click here to find out more and book your spot.

 

Summer Party 2025

Join us for a day of creativity, live music, and great food at Tribe Porty!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, 7th June, as Tribe Porty comes alive with a vibrant mix of workshops, live performances, and delicious food. This free, family-friendly event is open to all. This year, Edinburgh Tool Library will be opening the workshop up for a special pride workshop in support of Porty Pride.

During the hands-on workshop you’ll craft your very own pride noise makers. In this 45-minute session, you’ll be invited to create a wooden ratchet noise maker – before painting your creation in brilliant rainbow colours at our decorating station!

Whether you’re a seasoned maker or have never stepped foot in a workshop, this family-friendly activity welcomes everyone to express themselves and join in the Porty Pride celebrations.

Please note: Booking is only required to make a ratchet noise maker. We will be operating a free, drop-in simple bell-and-ribbon wand making session from 10am-2pm which is suitable for all ages, where booking is not required.

Find out more here.

Thanks for reading,

Ellie

 

Thanks for reading. 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?

 

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Celebrating Community

 

14th May marks the third European Coworking Day, a day to celebrate coworking and community, and our impact on individuals and society, through events organised by and taking place in coworking spaces all over Europe.

 

Celebrating 10 years of Tribe Porty

This year also marks a special milestone for us, 10 years of Tribe Porty. Home to over 145 members, we support a diverse community of social entrepreneurs, freelancers, charities, SMEs, and enterprises. From photographers and graphic designers to environmental consultants and translators. We also engage with our wider community through Tribe Talks, community events and workshops. Last year alone an estimated 1,275 folk came to Tribe for an event or workshop.

At Tribe, we believe a supportive environment that sparks creativity and collaboration benefits businesses, individuals, and the wider community. Alongside our coworking spaces, you’ll find like-minded organizations, including The Edinburgh Tool Library, Velow Bikeworks, Portobello Natural Health, Sodak, and The Pilates Studio Edinburgh.

 

More than coworking

For us, coworking is about more than a desk and a chair; it’s about connecting people. Personal and professional growth often go hand in hand in coworking spaces, where communities of like-minded individuals come together. When done right, coworking not only fosters collaboration but can also have a profound impact on health and wellbeing.

So, we’re asking our community: What do you get from coworking here that you don’t get working from home or elsewhere? How does being part of Tribe Porty influence your creativity, your sense of belonging, or even your daily motivation?

At Tribe Porty, we’re proud to create a space where community thrives and individuals flourish. One of the most beautiful aspects of coworking is the friendships that bloom along the way. These connections enrich our lives and our work, making every day a little brighter.

 

Finding your community

Studies show that 84% of people feel more motivated and engaged in a coworking environment. At Tribe Porty, community is central to everything we do, shaping a space where creativity and connection flourish. Dani reflects, “Tribe has become something far greater than I envisioned a decade ago. What started as a place to gather, create, support, and share resources has grown into a true community—a space filled with incredible people and genuine connection. Tribe is more than a coworking space; it reflects what collaboration, kindness, and shared purpose can achieve.”

 

Ten years of Tribe is about more than time passed, it’s about the friendships formed, ideas launched, and the meaningful work that has happened under this roof. Without the people, we are just a building. With that in mind, we wanted to connect with our community to see why they love being a part of Tribe Porty and what brings them back time and again. Here’s what they had to say:


“Since joining Tribe I have the chance to talk to friendly and interesting people during the work day, which is a welcome change! Working remotely, I value the push to get outside and interact with people, as well as the feeling of having greater boundaries between work space and home. Tribe has also been a great place to find encouragement and inspiration to try new things!”

 

“Tribe Porty has a positive affect on my wellbeing; it’s much easier to be here than in my workplace office. I enjoy having people around me and I can bring in my dog Freddie, which is hugely beneficial. People are friendly and coming to Tribe allows me to have a connection in my community that I wouldn’t otherwise have, I look forward to coming here!”

 

“Tribe Porty is so conducive to making new friends. Shared meals, dogs to snuggle, and coming in regularly have all been key for me in making new connections. Over time, I’ve gotten more and more comfortable in the space and familiar with the other ‘regulars’ and I’ve made a number of friends I see inside and outside of Tribe.”

 

“The team shows such genuine warmth and care for the co-workers, and also keeps the vibe lighthearted and fun at the same time. I’ve attended the seasonal parties, a couple of games nights, most of the coffee mornings and lots of social lunches. I’ve made it to a Soapbox night and a Tribe Talks, too! They’ve all provided the opportunity to connect with some new people or people I may not see that often at the hotdesk table.”

 

To find out more about joining Tribe Porty including our different coworking options, click here.

 

Thanks for reading. 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?

 

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Psst, as part of European Coworking Day we are offering one free day of hotdesking to new coworkers. Spaces are limited, book here. 

More than coworking

Annual Report 24/25

Do you remember the first coworking space you walked into? How many have you tried since? And, most importantly, what makes you stay? Each year, we ask our members a simple yet telling question: Why do you choose Tribe? The answers consistently affirm that we’re achieving our mission as a true community coworking space.

Coworking is about more than shared desks; it’s about connecting people. Personal and professional growth often go hand in hand in coworking spaces, where communities of like-minded individuals come together. When done right, coworking not only fosters collaboration but can also have a profound impact on health and wellbeing. At Tribe Porty, we’re proud to create a space where community thrives, and individuals flourish.

A year in review

2024 has been a great year for Tribe Porty. From receiving the Places for Everyone grant to improve our front yard space to hosting another fun filled summer party. We also relaunched Tribe Talks and kicked off with a series on Sustainability. Tribe Talks welcomed 247 attendees this year—120 more than last year! We’re thrilled to see our efforts making a difference and can’t wait to build on this success. Series 2 launches this February and will focus on women’s health, wealth, and wisdom.

We had 218 day passes booked over the course of 2024. Day passes are an important offering at Tribe Porty as we are not a members only club. We understand that a reccuring membership is not for everyone.

2024 saw us welcome 53 new members, our largest demographic for coworkers remains folks working in the  Arts, Culture & Entertainment sector. Across the board, the mix of sectors in our community has stayed pretty consistent, which shows how balanced and diverse Tribe continues to be.

One of the coolest things? Most of you found us through word of mouth! That speaks volumes about the love and belief our members have for what Tribe offers. It’s more than just a workspace—it’s a community worth sharing. And when new faces join because of your recommendations, it keeps our Tribe collaborative, creative, and full of energy.

 

What’s next?

Each year, we gather valuable feedback from our coworkers to understand their experiences and identify areas for growth. This feedback is used to shape our team meetings. We were already able to action most constructive feedback which includes:

When reviewing the feedback we were overwhelmed by consistent praise for our dedicated team and the social opportunities, which remain highlights of the Tribe Porty experience.

 

Ten years of Tribe Porty

This year we celebrate 10 years of Tribe Porty. The milestone is about more than time passed—it’s about the friendships formed, ideas launched, and the meaningful work that has happened under this roof.

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.

Over the next year, we will continue to grow and strengthen our community by fostering exciting new collaborations with local businesses. We are also developing online programs focused on providing holistic business support for our members. Alongside these online offerings, we plan to launch new networking events designed to facilitate the exchange of knowledge and resources among our members. Additionally, we will nurture and enhance our connection with our community through our podcast, Working For Progress.

 

Thank you to everyone who has been part of our story so far. Here’s to the next chapter and all that we will create together!

 

Read the full Annual Report here

 

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Nourishment

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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Holding Space

Meet Loretta

We wanted to take this month’s blog as an opportunity to introduce you to Life Celebrant, Death Doula and friend of Tribe, Loretta Dunn. Loretta has a special interest in living well and dying well. Her journey so far has included a long career in nursing and midwifery, she is a member of The Institute for the Study of Birth, Breath and Death, and an EASE Facilitator (end of life aid skills for everyone) with the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care. She is passionate about bringing death out of the shadows as a means of helping us to live our best life in the present moment.

Compassion and love are at the heart of her work. Loretta recently reached out to us to express her interest in running The Death Curious Cafe at Tribe Porty. Simply put, this gathering is an open invitation to gather and discuss mortality in a supportive and progressive way. 

 

What is a Death Cafe?

Death Cafes first launched in Switzerland in 2004 and have since spread around the world. This has been encouraged through a growing number of folks moving towards death positivity and away from death denial. The key of this is that through understanding and welcoming our own mortality we improve the quality of our lives. As a society, it is more valuable than ever to hold space for conversations about death. A survey by the charity Dying Matters reveals that more than 70 per cent of us are uncomfortable talking about death and that less than a third of us have spoken to family members about end-of-life wishes.

 

Holding Space

In the UK, the topic of death is avoided due to a combination of cultural, psychological, and social factors. Many of us not only fear death itself but the potential pain, loss of control, and uncertainty it brings. Psychologically, people often engage in death denial to shield themselves from these anxieties. 

In the book, Continuing Bonds: New Understandings of Grief, the authors and researchers challenge traditional views on grief which emphasise the need for detachment. The authors argue that grief is not about “letting go”. Rather it is about finding a new way to incorporate the presence of the deceased into one’s life. This could be in the form of personal rituals, keeping mementos and maintaining an inner dialogue with the loved one. 

You can see this approach manifest itself through modern technology with the keeping of ‘memorial profiles’. Continuing bonds and having open dialogue around death has become an essential part of death doulas work and perhaps an important key to reopening the conversation around death and grief. 

 

“The goal of grief is not to sever bonds, but to reweave them into the fabric of life.”-Continuing Bonds

 

The importance of community

There are many cultures that have religious or spiritual rituals that provide the building blocks for both accepting and preparing for death. In the past, even in the UK, death was a communal experience with both community members and family taking an active role in end-of-life care and rituals. Philosophical traditions, such as Stoicism or Buddhism, death is seen as an inevitable part of life, and whether it happens early or late is simply a fact of existence, not necessarily a matter of fairness.

Due to the breakdown of close-knit community structures and families often living far apart, death has been removed from everyday life and conversation. Thus encouraging an environment where it is easier to avoid and therefore removing any sentiment of acceptance or feelings of fairness.

Advances in medical technology have also shifted the perception of death to be something that can and should be delayed. In the UK the percentage of people who died in hospital in 2022 was 43.4%. Arguably this contributes to the notion that death is something to be resisted or “fixed,” rather than embraced as a natural end. 

Of course the practice of guidance is not new and death is not an unknown phenomenon. A certified end-of-life doula, Christy Marek suggests that the lack of community ties in today’s society has led to the lack of conversations around death and resulted in the overwhelming need to contract a trained professional.

 

“In America, a few generations ago, our communities were doing this work,” she said. “The reason the role is showing up in a formalised way now is that we don’t have those community ties any more, not in the same way, and certainly not the same level of responsibility to each other as used to be woven into our communities.”- Christy Marek

 

The place of a Doula

Doulas help to relive these challenges and open up the conversation in a relaxed and informal way. Something we must also consider is that death denial is the overwhelming norm, our individual wishes for end of life care are not considered until late on. The result is that people struggle to have their wishes fulfilled. 

All of the above contributes to a whole host of anxieties, the biggest problem being that we will never achieve a “good death”, one that aligns with our own values, desires and needs. This is a big conversation and one that cannot be fixed into one blog post, but we can certainly hold the space for it.  When we are willing to take responsibility for our life, we can make peace with death. 

 

An invitation to hold space

Join Loretta for our first Death Cafe on 24/10/24, she will also be joining us at Tribe for Social Lunch on 03/10/24. This will be a safe environment for sharing and exploring a deeper understanding of spiritual wellbeing for living well to die well over tea, coffee and cake. This is a pay-what-you-can event with a £5 suggested donation. Click here to find out more and book your space.

 

“Love has triumphed from the enfoldment of my inner circle—my closest friends and family. Engaging in open conversations about life and death has woven tighter bonds among us. Death, a shared human experience often wrapped in silence, has become a pivotal topic of our discussions. Through this, I’ve gained invaluable insights about the inevitable but more so about how to live.”-Dani Trudeau on conversations about death

 

Thanks for reading,

Alice

 

Read more: Exploring the evolution of grief & Living longer

 

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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.

Friendships and community are integral to our wellbeing

 

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. 

let's make good things happen

 

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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