The Melting Pot E-Bulletin May 2010
More play, less work – it’s good for your Social Capital levels
What do attending a music concert, swap-shop or tree-planting day, playing team sports or chatting over soup at The Melting Pot have in common?
They’re all good for your wellbeing, and build community through opportunities to make connections with people outside your normal circle of acquaintances.
Read more about how TMP members Jolene and David met and worked together below.
TMP's Newsflash!
Apply for FREE Membership of The Melting Pot
Do you have a great idea for a better world?
Could you use some help to develop it?
Are you sick of working from your kitchen table?
Our Assisted Places programme offers free membership of The Melting Pot for six months to start-up social innovators or enterprises.
The Melting Pot is a centre for social innovation providing co-working, meeting and events spaces. Successful applicants will benefit from access to a shared, stimulating, professional workspace, everyday office resources, joining our diverse community of social innovators, skills-sharing and networking events, use of the private meeting room, support, advice – and encouragement!
"I'd particularly recommend it for anyone who's looking to take that next step in terms of project sustainability. Speaking as someone who's made the move out of the home office, having a bright, friendly space to focus, get inspiration and also put boundaries on my work has made a big difference."
Simon Bateson, Take One Action Film Festival
The closing date for applications for the second round is Monday 7 June 2010.
Application pack and more information available here or call 0131 243 2626
Supported by the Scottish Government’s Third Sector Enterprise Fund.
Introducing The Melting Pod
Anais Nin said, "There came a time when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." And here at The Melting Pot we are in full bloom this Spring. With our Scottish Government funding put to good use, and thanks to the expertise of Space Solutions, the space is looking better than ever, with even more desk space, more lockable storage, private desks and a noise reducing phone hood.
The most exciting part of our new look is The Melting Pod!
We've turned the top corner of the office into a sound proof, private meeting room. Free for Members to use, the Pod is yet another reason to join our wonderful community of social / eco-entrepreneurs.
Co-working Jelly Day at TMP - Open Day on Thursday 27th May - FREE
The Melting Pot is hosting the next Edinburgh Jelly. A casual co-working event, Jelly has taken place in over a hundred cities, enabling home workers to come together and work sociably for the day. We will provide the chairs and sofas, tea and coffee, wireless internet, and interesting people to talk to, collaborate with, and bounce ideas off. For more information check out and book online at http://themeltingpotedinburghjelly.eventbrite.com/
The regular Melting Pot Open Days are held on the second Tuesday and last Thursday of each month, the next one is Tuesday 11th May. Enquiries and show-arounds are welcome any day, so to arrange an appointment or for further information please e-mail or call 0131 243 2626
For more details on all of our Members please visit our website
This Month's Members' Spotlight Stories
The Story of Jolene, David and The Melting Pot
"Sometimes an email comes into your box that you don’t recognise so you file it away under ‘deal with that later.’ I almost deleted the email from David Drysdale promoting a workshop to TMP members on the journey of boyhood to manhood. But I wanted to find out more. We met for coffee. Three times!
David is one of those incredibly dynamic people who constantly makes things happen. When he told me he was starting up a new charity for fathers, I knew it would make a great feature for a national newspaper. Read my article about David’s charity Fathers Network Scotland in the Scotsman by clicking here.
It started with a meeting at The Melting Pot. TMP is full of opportunities to meet wonderful people. And it’s one of the perks of being freelance - meeting and working with all kinds of people. But meeting extraordinary people and hearing their stories is the best thing about being a journalist. It’s even better when you get to share their stories through the media."
Jolene is a freelance journalist. She is also a professional copywriter delivering services to charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. If you need help with a newsletter, website, press release, or any other area of communications get in touch with Jolene on 07747 624 458. New website coming soon www.jolenec.co.uk
"I met Jolene Campbell thanks to The Melting Pot’s Members Group Email – something I’ve come to see as a great networking tool alongside The Melting Pot’s office space. Jolene wanted to know more about a course I was running with Men2Mentor – so we met up and it soon became apparent we would work together.
Fast forward three months and Jolene got a double page spread in the Scotsman on one of our charity projects, Fathers Network Scotland. Thanks to the Melting Pot, we were able to make that invaluable connection – and I can see us working together for a long time to come... not least (in case you hadn’t realised) because I think Jolene’s fantastic at what she does." David Drysdale 
For more information please visit http://www.men2mentor.org.uk/
The Melting Pot's Members' News!
Pause for Breath – a leadership retreat, 13-17 September, Scottish Borders
After the huge success of the spring retreat, TMP Member Amanda Ridings will be offering another opportunity for people to escape the pressures of everyday life and take a Pause For Breath.
Amanda will lead you through the frameworks of dialogue and gentle movements from t’ai chi to refresh mind, body and leadership spirit; enabling you to return home with a calm, energised presence and greater resilience for the long term. No previous experience of t’ai chi or dialogue is required!
"I have had deeper insights and more powerful experiences than I have ever had on a course or during my working life. The ripples and resonances from this one week in March will be felt throughout my life.”
For more information and some participant feedback, see website or contact Amanda Ridings
Book now as places will fill up fast! TMP members get 10% discount if you book before Fri 11 June.
Purple Kite goes Full-Time
Congratulations to TMP member Graeme Robertson who has taken the plunge and committed himself full-time to his new company, Purple Kite Productions, after nearly 12 years as Managing Director of Young Scot (the national youth information and citizenship charity for Scotland.)
The new venture, Purple Kite Productions, specialises in the provision of event management and A/V services to the voluntary and governmental sectors, with a particular emphasis on audience interaction technologies, such as instant response voting pad systems, integrated text / email / Twitter messaging systems and workgroup feedback laptop systems. More information check out the website www.purplekite.co.uk
Rowanbank's Exciting Year
Rowanbank Environmental Education provides innovative workshops, courses and performances that inspire and empower people to make a positive difference to the environment.
Recent and upcoming projects include:
- The development of renewable energy and climate change education materials and workshops for RWE npower renewables.
- Creating 'magical woodland walks' for the Woodland Trust, the National Trust and WOMAD festival; the audience is led through a forest by a storyteller, meeting various theatrical characters along the way, including aerialists and musicians!
- Living willow and oak sculpture workshops, in collaboration with Self Exploding Arts, at Sure Start Centres in Gateshead, Newcastle and with primary school children in Nairn.
- Energy Efficiency 'Training the Trainers' course for Helena Housing Association staff and volunteers.
For more information see www.rowanbank.org.uk
Launch of Flocklocal
Flocklocal, the casual volunteering site, is currently working on a major update with new features and a shiny new design. They will be having a launch party in a month or so, but if you are interested in a sneak preview and to keep up with their latest news, check out their blog , Twitter or Facebook
NGO Media - Media Solutions to the Third Sector
ngo.media is a team of experienced journalists, including TMP Member Jennifer Campbell, who are dedicated to making your life easier through excellent charity writing, editing, publications, training and much more.
Most recently they have worked with WWF International in providing a fresh perspective by writing their annual review. For top tips on writing newsletters subscribe to their FREE e.newsletter at www.ngomedia.org.uk
GET TESTED! Hepatitis C bus tour across Scotland May 17th – May 21st 2010
Lead by TMP Member Petra Wright, The Hepatitis C Trust will make a potentially life-saving bus trip to Inverness, Perth, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Alloa raising awareness about the cancer-causing virus hepatitis C and the need to get people tested. The week-long Scottish national bus tour is part of efforts by millions of patients worldwide on World Hepatitis Day (May 19th).
Famous Scottish faces from music, film and fashion are also lending their support to the cause: music industry mogul Alan McGee said, "I feel personally connected to the cause of helping Scotland battle the spread of hepatitis C. I hope everyone takes this chance to support World Hepatitis Day and to get tested if they think they've been at risk."
An entirely patient-led initiative, World Hepatitis Day in 2010 aims to raise awareness of hepatitis C and hepatitis B. This year is of particular significance as the World Health Organisation will debate a resolution on viral hepatitis for the first time. This could extend the political support for the disease to levels seen in HIV / AIDS, TB and malaria. This would be groundbreakingly positive. For more info please contact Petra.
Job Vacancies
Family Healthy Lifestyle Co-ordinator (Salary: AP4, 27 – 30, £22,519 - £24,927 pro rata)
Part time: 14 hours. Pilton Community Health Project, based in North Edinburgh, are seeking a suitably qualified and experienced worker for this exciting position. For more info visit.
Volunteers needed for Big Tent, Scotland's Environmental Festival - 23rd-25th July
TMP Associate Falkland Centre for Stewardship require volunteers to help with the smooth running of this years Big Tent Festival held on the Falkland Estate in Fife. "Volunteering at Big Tent is a great way to meet new people, learn new skills and experience the festival in a whole new way." Lesley McLaren.
For more information visit www.bigtentfestival.co.uk
Big hearted? Charitable? Passionate? .… why not become an Oxfam Collection Coordinator in Edinburgh?
Voluntary Position. Closing Date: 30 June 2010. For more info visit
Balerno Village Trust is recruiting 4 Project Consultants as part of its Sustain Balerno project.
The project's overall aim is to make a tangible difference to the carbon footprint of Balerno and build carbon-sustainable lifestyles. The main project outcomes are: to increase the availability of locally grown food, to assist people to make sustainable transport choices, to map out and start planting up a community orchard and to leave a lasting legacy of low-carbon lifestyle skills – in producing local food and transport.
Project Manager £32,760 pro rata part-time 7 hours per week - Closing Date 7th May
Food Consultant £30,940 pro rata part-time 21 hours per week - Closing Date 14th May
Transport consultant £30,940 pro rata part-time 14 hours per week - Closing Date 14th May
Consultant Administrator £16,380 pro rata part-time 7 hours per week - Closing Date 14th May
To apply, go to www.balernovt.org.uk
Posts are funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund until 31 March 2011
Simpson House Training Programme Leader & Tutor - Counselling Children & Young People
Self-employed basis. Up to 200 training hours p/a. Opportunity to develop further training at Simpson House.
For an application pack please phone 0131 2205996 or e-mail simpsonhousetraining@crossreach.org.uk
Closing Date is 12noon Wednesday 19th May.
Resources and Support
Free Workshops at The Leith Business Hub - FREE
McDonald Road Library is home to The Leith Business Hub and is running a series of free workshops for businesses in the area on Wednesday evenings 5.30pm-7.45pm.
5th May - Customer Care, 12th May - Trading Electronically, 19th May - Time Management, 26th May - Making your Business More Profitable, 2nd June - Negotiating Skills
For more business information check out the Business Gateway Website
CEO - Making Applications & Proposals Workshop - Thursday 20th May 3pm-5.30pm
Cultural Enterprise Office are offering a practical workshop for individuals, working in any artform, on making applications and proposals for funding, commissions and residencies. Making Applications and Proposals workshops have attracted over 400 artists, designers, musicians, filmmakers, performers, writers, photographers and community artists.
The event is free but they do require a £10 deposit to secure your place. To reserve a place, please email events@culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk or call 0844 544 9990. Being held at the Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunk's Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR. For more information check out their website.
Pilotlight Scotland - Change Leadership 'Lunch Bite' Workshops - May/June 12 noon - 2.30pm
Transitioning : The human side of change - Thursday 20th May.
Selling the need for Change - Thursday 10th June.
The value of good process discipline in implementing change. Tuesday 29th June.
This series of ‘Lunch Bites’ sessions will use a dynamic mix of facilitated teaching and group work so that you can relate the learning directly to your organisation, equip you with not only the theory but also the tangible tools to help you ease the process of organisational change and introduce you to the dynamic network of business people and third sector organisations that we work with. For more information please email Sam James or call 0131 2432768.
SCVO - Introduction to Social Enterprise - Wednesday 2nd June (am)
Aimed at voluntary sector organisations that are considering or have just embarked on some form of trading activity. For more information see www.scvo.org.uk/training
CEO - Starting Out Workshop - Tuesday 22nd June 1pm - 5.15pm
Still trying to get to grips with becoming self-employed? Or do you have a few years under your belt but want to check you are on the right track? The Starting Out workshop is specifically tailored for practising creative professionals and has attracted over 1200 artists, designers, musicians, filmmakers, performers, writers, photographers and community artists.
The event is free but they do require a £10 deposit to secure your place. To reserve a place, please email events@culturalenterpriseoffice.co.uk or call 0844 544 9990. Being held at the Scottish Book Trust, Sandeman House, Trunk's Close, 55 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SR. For more information check out their website.
CEiS - Finance for Non-Finance Managers - 23rd June, 22nd Sept & 24th Nov - FREE
Being held here at The Melting Pot, this classroom-based finance workshop is aimed at non-finance managers of Third Sector Organisations. The aim of the training is to improve the capacity of Third Sector organisations to control finances and engage in high-quality financial planning. The workshop offers a mixture of class-based activity, participative learning exercises and peer learning. You can contribute and share ideas and experiences. Alternatively, this course is also available online.
More information from CEiS about 'Finance for Non-Finance Managers'
Clore Fellowships and Bursaries Available
Social leadership programme open to those with substantial sector experience
Applications are being invited from today for up to 15 fellowships, plus bursaries of up to £20,000, to attend the Clore Social Leadership Programme. Fellows will attend two intensive residential courses, including individual tuition and mentoring, and complete an extended placement. Tuition fees will be paid, and the £20,000 bursary will be available to support fellows or their employers. The closing date for applications is 30 June. Successful applicants will be announced in October.
TMP's Favourite Links
The Sashita Challenge
Local charity Sashita have set the target of getting 28,000 people to pay £1 each, so they can provide clean water to the rural village Samuye in Tanzania! For details check out their website on www.sashita.org.uk
“We decided to each ask all our friends, family and supporters to give £1 to SASHITA. It doesn’t seem like a lot but if for example there are 10 of us and we could raise £10, if there are 20 of us £20 and so it goes on. If we can persuade 28,000 people to donate £1 we could raise enough to install electricity and a water tank in the village." Lesley Lynch, Fundraising Co-ordinator and Chairperson, SASHITA SC039954
You can donate directly at www.justgiving.com/lesley-lynch28000
KnowHow NonProfit
This is a new website built solely for people working in not for profit organisations. Completely free and easy to use, it is packed with practical information and resources covering all kinds of topics, from finding funding to strategy planning. ' To find out more go to www.knowhownonprofit.org
And Finally: R.E.S.T
At times we must simply R.E.S.T: Relax, enjoy, sunshine, thankfulness.
Like soil which needs compost, 
our spirits and bodies need REST to thrive, not just survive. Bright ideas become dull when passions are diminished by the length of the journey we’re on. We hope that even the self-employed workaholics amongst our readers will find time to enjoy the spring and the glories of May – when life returns to the surface again.
Claire Carpenter, Founding Director
All the Best
From The Melting Pot Staff
Take a virtual tour of our low carbon space
Our aim is to inspire and support people to realise their ideas for a better world
The Melting Pot: E-bulletin © May 2010