Gentle Growth
Gentle Growth
As we begin a new year, it’s a natural time to pause, reflect and gently welcome growth and positive change. And we really do mean gently. If you’ve been with us for a while, you’ll know we don’t buy into the whole “new year, new me” mindset. But, new year, new changes, new thinking, new rituals…that feels more like us. Meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. It builds slowly, through small habits, intention and a solid foundation, often starting with a bit of inward reflection. At the heart of it all is the connection between body and mind. When you care for one, you’re caring for the other too.
“Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through. Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximising scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency and vanishing from sight; but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible.” – Katherine May, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times
Connecting Body & Mind
Body and mind are deeply connected. They are our homes, carrying our thoughts, emotions and lived experiences. They hold joy, sensation and creativity, but they can also carry stress and pain, past and present. How we move through the world, how we relate to others and how we show up at work or in our communities is often shaped by how these experiences live within us.
Developing awareness of how we look after our body and mind helps us build trust in ourselves and, in turn, in each other. Mindfulness invites us to take responsibility for our time, energy and attention. By becoming more present and intentional, we are better able to act with balance, regulate our emotions and care for ourselves in ways that are sustainable.
“It’s easier to fall into distraction but the rewards of self-knowledge, mindfulness and emotional literacy are vast.”― Emma Gannon, Sabotage
When we feel disconnected from our bodies or ignore our internal voice, it becomes harder to self-regulate. This disconnection can quietly seep into our home lives, workplaces and relationships. Rebuilding that connection supports emotional adaptability, clarity and a deeper sense of wellbeing.
Getting to know you
Recently, I’ve been finding ways to tune into my internal voice. I’ve tried to get to know myself better by revisiting loves and hobbies from childhood. Particularly those that once felt natural and were enjoyed without question or hesitation. For me, this has taken shape through swimming and sewing (not simultaneously.) Swimming helps me reconnect with my body through rhythm and breath, and I now make time before leaving the pool to simply float. It sounds daft, but it’s honestly the best part.
Sewing, on the other hand, is both creative and methodical. It draws my attention into deep focus, and I quickly find myself in a state of flow. Before I know it, two hours have passed and I haven’t picked up my phone once. A double win! Over the past few months, returning to these pastimes has brought a renewed sense of joy, playfulness and ease, reminding me how powerful it can be to listen to what once came instinctively.
“Self-knowledge doesn’t mean solving the mystery of who we are, but learning to sit beside it with curiosity, rather than confusion.”— The School of Life
Well-being and community
At Tribe Porty, we see firsthand how individual well-being shapes collective experience. When people feel grounded, supported and present in both body and mind, communities become more empathetic, collaborative and sincere. Mindfulness is not just a personal practice, but a communal one. How we show up for ourselves directly impacts how we show up for others.
This ethos sits at the heart of our 2026 season of Tribe Talks, which opens with the theme Body & Mind. The series explores how we nurture ourselves and one another through wellness, community and collaboration. Each session is designed to be practical, relatable and accessible, creating space to meet ourselves where we are and to honour how we feel in the moment.
Tribe Talks – Body & Mind
We begin with a session led by Gary Young from the Mindful Enterprise, who will lead an empowering session on self-managing wellbeing, offering tools to support balance, focus and resilience in everyday life.
To mark International Women’s Day, we’re excited to welcome Louise and Kelly, hosts of the podcast Have You Frozen Your Eggs Yet?, for an honest and engaging conversation about womanhood, the intrusive questions we are asked, and navigating the many expectations placed upon us. The evening will close with a poetry open mic, centred on themes of mind, body and womanhood.
In April, we will be joined by Kirsty from Soberbuzz Scotland for a relaxed and uplifting session that champions sobriety and mindful socialising. Together we’ll explore how joy and genuine connection can thrive without alcohol, and how a sober lifestyle can positively impact mental clarity, wellbeing, relationships and self-confidence.
The series concludes with Procrastination Station, experts in ADHD coaching and building thriving workplaces. This session offers valuable insights for both employees and employers, focusing on neurodiversity, productivity and wellbeing at work.
These conversations aim to support greater self-awareness, helping us feel less stressed, more focused and more connected to ourselves, our work and our wider community.
To find out more and book your spot, click here.
As always we’d love to connect and hear your thoughts, let us know what you think and what you want to see more of at Tribe Porty.
Sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with all things Tribe. To find out more about joining Tribe Porty click here.
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Time spent together
Feels like Christmas
Over the past couple of months I’ve hopped up and down the country for various family events, some sad, some happy, some both at the same time. Time was spent catching up, long walks and gathering over big tables of home made food. Something that struck me during this time was the repeated sentence, ‘Blimey, doesn’t it feel like Christmas.’ No presents, no pressure to perform, no decorations or elaborate table settings but still that sacred, lovely christmassy feeling.
The core of that feeling came from the gathering and shared experiences we had together. The slightly knackered feeling after a long walk in the countryside followed by a big cup of tea. Shared laughter over sea dipping and silly games. There was something grounding about being together so close to Christmas without the usual seasonal expectations, as though stripping everything back made the sentiment more obvious. It reminded me that so much of what we chase during the festive period is already there, tucked into the ordinary moments, if we take time to notice them.
Supporting our highstreet
During one of the trips we also spent some time along Totnes highstreet. I prefaced this trip by declaring ‘I hate shopping’, but was reassured that I would like this one…Whilst we’ve all gotten used to the same line up of empty shops, vape shops and chain cafes, Totnes is entirely different. It has an abundance of independent cafes, book shops, homeware, it was dreamy. The sort of place where you feel yourself slowing down, actually wanting to peer into windows, wander inside, speak to the people behind the counters.
Even the local market was full to the brim of local traders and makers. I couldn’t help but notice that even on a wet, rainy Friday afternoon the high street was bustling. I can’t imagine how busy the footfall is during tourist season. There’s an energy that comes from seeing a town that still feels genuinely lived in and loved, rather than hollowed out by sameness.
On top of this, some light research shows that the town is consistently praised not just for its drive for independence but for cultivating a community through collaboration, arts, sustainability, and community-led projects. I think it makes sense that a diverse high street that champions the local economy only keeps the high street alive and in turn looks after our local economy. When people feel a sense of ownership or belonging to their high street, it becomes more than somewhere to rush through. It becomes somewhere to spend time, to gather, to support each other’s livelihoods.
“I think it’s a place where people still really appreciate the little things, and I think that the more people support it, the more we can maintain that, and still feel that lovely community.”
Coming home
Whilst inspired, I couldn’t help but compare this to Portobello. Whilst we’re not at the same size of high street, as a community we too desire this way of thinking and living. The only way we can encourage these ideals further as consumers is of course by ditching the chains and shopping locally not just this Christmas season, but throughout the year. It’s easy to assume that buying one coffee or one gift locally doesn’t do much, but the ripple effect is enormous. These tiny choices keep doors open and in turn keep the character of a place intact.
During a recent conversation with Traade, I remarked on how inspiring I found their drive for events and community projects, and we both noted that to thrive shops need to be so much more than a shop in today’s economy. We need to give reasons for people to come into our spaces, whether it be a simple hello from a familiar face or to attend a creative workshop or if you’re a bit bonkers a neighbourhood ultra. The high street becomes a social space again when businesses treat it as a place for people, not just transactions.
Tribe Porty’s Gift Guide
This year, we’ve decided to curate our Gift Guide around experiences that not only fuel our local high street but bring us together with our nearest and dearest. Because at the end of the day, that’s what we remember. The time spent together and the shared moments, the feeling that we’re part of something slightly bigger than ourselves.
You can read the full guide by clicking here
And… something delicious is coming
All this talk of gathering, sharing and supporting our local community has perfect timing, because we’re about to launch something very close to our hearts: the very first Tribe Porty Cookbook.
This little book has grown out of years of shared lunches, potlucks, leftovers reinvented, and those conversations that happen when people sit around a table together. What started as a simple idea, turned into a true community project. Alice lovingly gathered recipes and shaped the book and Beverley filled the pages with beautiful illustrations. And of course, the Tribe community contributed the real heart of it: the meals they make, the stories behind them, and the generosity that has always been part of our culture here.
The cookbook celebrates exactly what this blog is about: the everyday ways we care for each other, the creativity found in good food, and the small choices that keep our community thriving. It’s full of simple, reliable recipes, especially the kind that make great leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
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. To find out more about joining Tribe Porty click here.
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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:
- Rate yourself on each boundary type: Emotional, physical, mental and time (1–5 scale)
- Identify where you feel the most tension or fatigue
- Notice what your body tells you
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
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:
- Updating and enforcing shared policies and common courtesies to foster a harmonious coworking environment.
- In 2025 will plan more creative workshops both during and outside office hours, not only to build our community but nuture the wellbeing of our coworkers.
- Upgrading furniture, ensuring comfort and usability.
- Improving signage for our building and to aid efficient recycling and kitchen cleanliness.
- Installing better lighting in the upstairs coworking space for a more productive and homely atmosphere.
- Community Solar Pannels we are currently liaising with Porty Solar Project to explore the potential for community owned solar panels hosted on our building. These contribute to local funds.
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
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
You can read all of our previous blogs by clicking here. Make sure you’re subscribed to our newsletters by filling out the form below:
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