We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new podcast, The Beacon Blether!

Join us as we dive into engaging interviews with local figures, share the latest news from the Beacon, and keep you updated with our ‘What’s On’ guide. Whether you’re a long-time resident or new to the community, there’s something for everyone!

**First Episode Out Now!** Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and many more platforms:

Please listen and subscribe/follow the podcast, and leave us a (5*) review!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN IN

#TheBeaconBlether #CommunityPodcast #gorebridge #CommunityCentre

Want to join the community gardeners? Please contact us for more information. Click here.

A few pics from the day:

Are you looking for an office space where you’re not just another tenant, but are part of a great community? That would be the Gorebridge Beacon where you lease supports the charitable aims of the Development Trust. You could be a small business, an artist, a charity, a writer, therapist … the room would suit so many uses. But, if it’s desk space you need. It’s a 4-person room.

Why choose the Gorebridge Beacon?

Community Driven – we are not just a space, we’re a community that supports each other’s growth.

Accessible – fully accessible building.

Modern Facilities – bright, and airy room, small kitchen area. Oh, and let’s not forget the onsite community cafe for you to use (open Tues to Sat 9 until 2).

24/7 Access – work on your own schedule with round-the-clock access to your office.

Transport – 30 second walk to bus services to and from Edinburgh, 5 minute walk from Gorebridge Train Station, onsite parking (free).

Friendly and Accommodating – we are here to support your business/work every step of the way, it’s one of our charitable aims, supporting enterprise.

Collaborative Environment – many of our current tenants love being here because they can get involved in the community.

Affordable Rates – rent with a purpose at a competitive rates, that supports the local community.

It’s more than a space. Contact us today if you would like to pop along for a visit/nosey/look

We do hope you will be able to join us as we reflect over our charitable activities of the last year.

As well as looking back, we will look forward, and inform how the work of the Trust will be taken forward over the next 12 – 18 months.

The AGM is also the occasion where the Board of Trustees is elected by you, its members. If you aren’t already and would like to become a member of GCDT please click here. If you would like to stand as a Trustee at the AGM and play a part in the work GCDT but would like more information first, please do get in touch 01875 816320 or email office@gorebridge.org.uk.

We look forward to seeing you there.

This event is free and open to all members of the community. Only members have a right to vote.

Here are the details of the event:

10:15AM Meet Newbyres Nursing Home

10:30AM Parade Leaves

10.45AM Arrive Memorial Garden at the Gorebridge Beacon & Service Begins

After: Refreshments in the Beacon

Please click here Gorebridge Community Development Trust August Newsletter 23 (1) for our August 2023 newsletter.

Thank you for your continued support.

As part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival* we will be joined by a Storyteller who will be telling the tales of Camp Meg, Annie Swan, the riot at Gorebridge Police Station, the fatal explosion at Gorebridge Gunpowder Works and the life of the Pit Pony.

You can take part in the Daunder Walk where you will learn about Nancy Teuch (yes, that path), the Emily Pit and Baths, the North and South Bings and Laundry Cottages – where you will learn about the most recent find in Gorebridge.

At the heart of the day is the sharing of stories, welcoming people, and kindness.

• 12:30 – 1:30 Heritage Walk, meet at the Beacon at 12:15
• 1:30 – 2:30 Reminiscing Session
• 2:30 – 3:00 Choir
• 3:00 – 4:00 Storytelling with Elaine

So, what’s your story? What do you want to share? What are you bringing to the table?

Let’s come together and share, we will provide the soup and bread to share.

Timings of the day’s events will be posted here soon. Or follow us on Facebook.

Part of:

The Stone Soup Collective – Scottish International Storytelling Festival (sisf.org.uk);

What is/are the role(s)?

• Do you want to make a difference?
• Do you hold the values of equality, diversity and inclusion?
• Do you believe that everyone has the right to lead a meaningful life, making own decisions and choices and living a life of their own making?

If yes, there are employers who are looking for these qualities.

The actual job title varies from employer to employer. The Action Group and Thera recruit for Support Workers, Upmo for Project Workers, Enable hire Personal Assistants and ELCAP Support Practitioners.

The title may differ from employer to employer, and the specific tasks and responsibilities (as per job descriptions) but all look for individuals who are able to support others to live to their full potential.

Why should you attend?

1. It’s a great chance to meet employers in an informal setting who can explain more about the role and where you can have any questions answered.
2. You may be thinking about a career where ‘you want to make a difference’ and perhaps have thought about supporting people but aren’t sure where to start.
3. You’ll get the chance to speak to employers about what the role is really like, how you can go about applying for vacancy positions, get tips on your application and ask anything you would really like to know.

What employers are going to be here? 

• Upmo
• Enable Scotland
• ELCAP
• The Action Group
• Thera

Do you need to book? 

No, you don’t. You can drop in anytime November 2nd between 1.30 – 4.30 at the Beacon. However, if you would like to let us know you are coming please complete the form below. That would be helpful to us so we know if it’s going to be busy or not and need to allocate more space at the Beacon for the event.

Do you need previous experience as a Support Worker? 

You don’t need experience in social care to start your career, we recruit people based on their values and transferrable skills. Wherever your journey has taken you up until now, join us, and together we will forge a new path in what could potentially be the most rewarding role you have ever had; at a time when society needs you the most! Enable Scotland

Helping You Before

On the 26th October 1 – 3 at the Beacon we are offering an informal ‘what employers want’ learning session. For two hours you will be able to ask questions about the role of Support Worker and we will give you some great tips on how to prepare for the recruitment event afternoon including:

• Knowing what to expect
• Making the most of meeting employers
• Building your confidence
• The role and what is required
• The application form

If you think this session would be helpful, please book using the form below.

[ninja_form id=25]

Posters from employers who will be attending:

Our (the Trust’s) focus has been elsewhere for the past 10 months. We are so grateful to the people who helped tend the Beacon garden last year during the first lockdown. And it was lovely watching many of you use the garden space at the Beacon in the last months of 2020.

What we (think) we know? Safe, secure, outside, accessible, friendly, community green space will be crucial to us all as we recover from Covid-19: on our physical and mental well-being, and a safe space to meet with others.

We would love to get together with you and plan what you would like to get up to at the Gorebridge Beacon garden in 2021. We are sure you have loads of ideas. Would you like to come? You’re invited. We’ve made it evening call. Thursday 9th February 2021 7.00 – 8.00pm. Registration is required. It’s easy, sign up below.

To join the planning meeting: http://bit.ly/gorebridgegarden

See you in the garden,
Gorebridge Community Development Trust and the Gorebridge Community Garden at the Beacon.

About the walks

The book describes 10 walks, all starting at Gorebridge Rail Station. Nine of the walks are circular in nature, finishing at the station so no transport other than feet is required. Newbattle Abbey (walk 5) finishes at Eskbank Rail Station where you can catch a train back or walk a little further to the Tesco Supermarket and catch a bus. The walks are of varying length and all have a description which includes the distance and will prepare you for the terrain en route. The time each walk takes has been calculated on approximately 2.5 miles/4km per hour with “picnic time” added where the distance is over 5miles/8km. Some of the walks have gates, stiles and steps and need a certain amount of agility to get round. Many have tracks through fields and along paths that can become very muddy in wet weather, so stout walking shoes/boots are essential.

Although the little booklets are like gold dust at the present, now is a great time to make sure they are available to as many people as possible. So we have saved them as individual walks, click here to go to the download page.

Before You Go:

Double check the bus numbers (i.e. the 33 no longer serves Gorebridge although mentioned in the booklet), let us know if a walk is impassable (fencing in place), follow the code (where there are no cows in a field one day, they may be there the next), let someone know you are heading out if walking alone, join the Gorebridge Walkers group and post if you want others to join you.

Go to Download Page