What We Do
Greyfriars Charteris Centre is a place for community, connection and wellbeing, providing a base and support for social enterprises, charities, local groups and activities gathering around interests and issues that include equality, diversity, mental and physical health, faith, culture and the arts, education, local community interests and more.
We seek to provide a warm welcome, serve the community in all its diversity, and support initiatives promoting the care and wellbeing of individuals, communities and environment.
Greyfriars Charteris Centre is one of the four member organisations of the Greyfriars family which also includes Greyfriars Kirk itself, Greyfriars Outreach and Grassmarket Community Project. Greyfriars Kirk is a Church of Scotland congregation at whose initiative they were all formed. Greyfriars Outreach opens the Kirk for visitors and a wide range of artistic and social events while the Grassmarket Community Project works with some of the most vulnerable members of our society, bringing people in from deep social exclusion through volunteering, educational and social opportunities. Together, but to different extents, the family serve our neighbours over four key areas:
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Community: Building our common life together through hospitality, whether in the church congregation or among the many other groups that cross our thresholds
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Compassion: Addressing the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our society
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Commerce: Running social enterprises that generate finance through meeting the needs of our customers while also supporting our members, our staff and our volunteers
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Culture: Using art, music and performance and the insights of Christianity to meet each other’s spiritual needs
Social Enterprise
The Centre operates as a social enterprise, which means it aims to work for the wellbeing of the community and the environment. The Centre offers offices, desks and event spaces in a welcoming and inclusive environment, creating opportunities for connection and collaboration where possible. Take a look at the Event Spaces page to find out about the various spaces on offer, which can cater for all sorts of activities.
In partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council and other grant makers, foundations and donors, the Centre creates paid employment for individuals facing barriers to mainstream opportunities. These create opportunities to develop new or existing skills and gain confidence and resilience. (Find out more about current opportunities here).
Working with Others
Activities and events at the Centre provide opportunities for people living, studying and working in the area to:
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engage with matters of local interest;
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join in with recreational activities in a friendly, diverse community;
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access the arts and culture;
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find support for mental health and wellbeing;
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explore matters of faith and spirituality;
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or simply enjoy a quiet, sanctuary space.
We actively seek opportunities for connection and collaboration to best support the needs of the Centre’s participants, those they serve, and the local community. We're always happy to hear about potential projects to get involved in.
Community & Wellbeing
We are committed to collaborating with others to nurture community wellbeing. We believe that by sharing resources, expertise and efforts, we can all deliver more effective support and services.
The Centre has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Edinburgh to work together, engaging university students and staff in projects to benefit the local community.
Our Centre Manager chairs the Southside Community Council, regularly attends local events, and engages with local councillors and the Dumbiedykes Working Group, to participate fully and share the Centre’s resources and knowledge.
We are part of the following schemes and memberships:
Vision, Mission & Impact
Click here for a snapshot of 2022 at the Charteris Centre.
More coming soon!
Testimonials
Our community says...
‘Scottish Love In Action has been based at Greyfriars Charteris Centre for many years. It's a fantastic resource and helps many charities and community groups. After many years, we’re still here. Why? We have the flexibility of our own offices with the benefits of shared facilities. It's a great location – handy for the city centre, and has views of Arthur's Seat.’
- Jamie (Office user)
'Excellent venue for our meeting, right in the heart of the City Centre, warm and friendly service, no hassle(s) whatsoever! Thank you Greyfriars Charteris Centre!'
- Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society (Centre user)
‘Great venue, lovely place and very clean, the staff have been incredibly helpful and welcoming.’
- Linn (Self-defence instructor / Centre user)
‘The nicest rehearsal venue in Edinburgh.’
- Robin (Pianist / Centre user)
‘It’s got a beautiful amount of light.’
- Craig (Fringe performer / Centre user)
‘I love what has been created from Kirk o’Field. Space, light, and openness.’
- Maggie (volunteer)
‘Brilliant and helpful staff.’
- Babyosseh (Centre user)
Centre Staff
Daniel Fisher, CEO and Centre Manager
Daniel joined the Greyfriars family in 2011 as a Choral Scholar at Greyfriars Kirk. He has been working at the Charteris Centre since October 2016 and became Centre Manager in June 2018. He oversees all aspects of running the Centre, including the completion of the redevelopment.
Daniel has a keen interest in the natural world and enjoys singing in classical choirs.
Alex Alderton, Assistant Manager
Alex has been working at the Centre since April 2022 and has a background in administration as well as climate activism.
They enjoy taking advantage of Edinburgh’s many green spaces and spend a lot of time hiking and cycling.
Board Of Trustees
Richard Frazer, Chair
Richard has been minister at Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh since 2003 and is founder and Chair of the Grassmarket Community Project as well as the founding Chair of the Greyfriars Charteris Centre.
He has a longstanding interest in community development and a passion for social justice and finding alternative pathways towards a viable and humane economy that includes rather than excludes, and enables people and the planet to thrive. He has an interest in and has written on agriculture and pilgrimage walking and loves to cook, walk and garden.
He is married to Kate, a counsellor and psychotherapist, who is founding director of CoCo Counselling in Communities, an affordable counselling practice based at the Greyfriars Charteris Centre. They have three grown up children.
Greig Honeyman, Secretary
Greig studied at the University of Edinburgh and has since worked for a range of top legal
firms. Well known as a ‘man of business’ and trusted advisor around the capital, he now acts as a non-legal advisor to many families, businesses and trusts, including family and charitable trusts.
Greig joined the Charteris Centre Board as Secretary in 2023.
Jo Elliot, Trustee
Jo has a background in finance, latterly as chief executive of the Edinburgh merchant bank Quayle Munro. Since 2010 he has held a number of appointments as non-executive director or trustee in arts, education and social care including University of Dundee, St Mary’s Music School, Scottish Grantmakers, Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Dunedin Consort.
Besides being a trustee of the Grassmarket Community Project and of Greyfriars Charteris Centre he is Session Clerk of Greyfriars Kirk and a board member of the Church of Scotland Social Care Council (Crossreach).
Chloe Kippen, Trustee
Chloe is Director of College Advancement and Health Philanthropy at the University of Edinburgh.
She is delighted to be representing the University of Edinburgh on the board of the Charteris Centre. Her day job is supporting the University by seeking philanthropic funding for research and scholarships and engaging alumni in the University’s work. She is committed to the Centre’s aim of creating a centre for all communities.
A Little History
The Charteris Centre occupies the former Charteris Memorial Church (more recently known as the Kirk o'Field Church) and St Ninians Centre (also known as the Kirk o’Field Centre). The Charteris Memorial Church was opened in May 1912 to commemorate theologian The Very Rev. Professor Archibald Charteris (1835 - 1908), who was a pioneer in establishing the diaconal ministry.
After merging with several local congregations over the years, in 2013 the congregation merged with the Greyfriars Tolbooth and Highland Kirk, with all formal worship activities relocated to Greyfriars Kirk. The enlarged parish forms one of the largest Church of Scotland parishes in Edinburgh.
In June 2016 the Charteris Centre was formed as the outreach arm of Greyfriars Kirk, providing a place of connection with communities of all kinds and aiming to support wellbeing and enterprise in Edinburgh.
A major redevelopment of the building was completed in early 2022, which improved the accessibility, inclusivity, and comfort of our spaces with ramps, lifts, accessible toilets, and improved heating and lighting. The main Kirk o’Field Hall was renamed the Binks Hall, and the Harry Miller Hall was transformed into a Social Enterprise Hub.
For a more detailed history (with a few images and early photographs), click here.