Jenny Marra, the Dundee-based MSP, will formally open The Circle on Staffa Place at the community hub’s launch party on Friday 25th November 2016.
The launch party marks the start of trading for the Dundee social enterprise which will provide affordable work space to charities, social enterprises and businesses. At the launch, guests will see the potential of the spaces in the building and hear plans of how it will be developed. 120 guests have registered to come along to the event.
Ms Marra said, “I am delighted to be opening The Circle Community Hub facility in Dundee on Friday. This excellent facility has been the outcome of many weeks and months of hard work from all those involved. The Circle will be of significant benefit to the community; enabling charities, social enterprises and businesses to work together in a shared space for the common good of Dundee. I look forward to seeing and supporting the exciting work that will come out of this project.”
Guests will be invited to look at an archive of materials from the Claverhouse Group’s time in the building including photos, awards and items made in the workshops. Jenna Cook, a 4th year Interior & Environmental Design Student, will use a model of the building made by surplus materials in the workshops to canvas opinions about the work space.
Tenants and partners of The Circle will be on hand to talk about their work. Star Clean, Shackleton Technologies, Fields in Trust, Along Came Kirsty, Prestige Training and Rathbone will all take part in an exhibition.
An exhibition by local photography group, Red Sky Photos, will also be on show. The Faces, Places and Spaces images have previously been displayed on the hoardings at Shore Terrace.
Dundee International Womens Centre mobile crèche team, Rise and Shine, will be facilitating crafts with a global theme for the families attending. Oor Pirate from the Oor Wullie Bucket Trail has also been donated for the event by Millies Beach Huts and Gillies & Mackay.
In the café space, new social enterprise, The Jam Piece will provide a pop-up café for the evening and Red Pepper Events are operating a cash bar at the event.
Former local Tay FM DJ, Sharrel Carroll will be entertaining party goers with a music and MC set.
At the event, Friends of The Circle Membership Cards will also be on sale to those want to support the work of the organisation and receive exclusive benefits.
Founder and CEO, Kirsty Thomson, says the event recognises the hard work that has gone into starting the project so far and kick starts the beginning of an exciting new era for the building. She adds, “The generosity of organisation and people in Dundee to get The Circle going has been tremendously encouraging. The purpose of The Circle is to increase interactions between organisation, and by facilitating appropriate space and opportunities seeing them thrive. With 120 people registered for our launch, we have definitely got off to a great start.”
About The Circle
City charities, social enterprises and businesses are to benefit from the creation of a new community hub in Dundee. Dewar House on Staffa Place, which formerly housed the Claverhouse Group, is to become known as The Circle as it is transformed into office, co-working and event space. The building will be developed in phases.
As well as providing spaces for organisations to work, The Circle, will be host to a social enterprise café, community gardens and event space for community groups.
Along Came Kirsty, Apex Scotland, Ashton McGill, Fields in Trust, Prestige Training and Rathbone are already based in the building. Other groups in the city already hire meeting rooms in the building to run training sessions and meetings.
For enquiries about offices and bookings contact Facilities & Services Development Manager, Nicola Donnelly on Nicola@thecircledundee.org.uk
The Circle
The Circle is an award winning 'More Than Profit' organisation that supports businesses to make a difference to communities by providing affordable consultancy, training and workspaces, within an inclusive and friendly community.
