The University's Community Access to Rooms scheme was recognised in the Benefitting Society category in the UK and Ireland Green Gown Awards. Launched in 2022, the scheme offers local community groups and organisations University rooms free of charge outside of core business hours, and remains the largest and most systematic space ’meanwhile use’ scheme offered by any UK university. The Scheme is delivered by the University’s Department for Social Responsibility and Sustainability in partnership with the University’s Estates Department. The University's 2020 – 2025 Community Plan pledged to “open up our estate” and had a commitment to “trial opening up some of our buildings to allow community bookings on a cost-free basis”. When the pilot started, just one building, 50 George Square, was available and just to existing University community partners. Since then, the scheme has been carefully scaled up to offer a varied selection of accessible spaces across four different buildings: three in central Edinburgh and one in the south of the city at King’s Buildings campus. “We’re delighted that the Green Gown Awards have recognised our pioneering Community Access to Rooms Scheme, of which we’re incredibly proud. Colleagues from across the University have collaborated to ensure the success of the scheme, and the response from our communities is a testament to our collective efforts.” Gemma Gourlay Head of Social Impact To date, 200 local groups and organisations have used space totalling over 10,500 hours.Examples of groups include:• The Welcoming Association who deliver English language classes for New Scots; • La Leche League who facilitate breastfeeding support groups for mothers;• Black & Brown Book Club, a group of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of colour) individuals who socialise and read books by BIPOC women;• Inclusive NVC Practice Group, a group learning about and practicing Non-Violent Communication;• Bare Productions who create exciting, accessible and inclusive theatre for the Edinburgh community. As well as providing significant financial savings by eliminating room hire fees, feedback from scheme users shows that the scheme has reduced social isolation, strengthened community bonds and supported the local arts sector. 53% of groups reflected that having access to University rooms has led to reduced isolation and enabled them to connect with others and meet more regularly. Users have shared their positive experiences of the scheme: It's not an exaggeration to say that our little company likely wouldn't exist without this scheme. It's offered us exactly what we need but struggle to easily find – a warm, bright, well equipped meeting room. And as a small charity being able to access it for free has been amazing. Allowing us into the University's facilities creates a covenant with the local community. It signals that the University genuinely cares about the people of Edinburgh, not only the students and staff connected to the university. Find out more about Community Access to Rooms Read our Community Plan 2025-30 Community Access to Rooms has been a key commitment of current and past University Community Plans and recognised as a Scottish Government Social Impact Pledge, ensuring long term support for local communities. The Edin Bards are a local theatre company who use University spaces to rehearse. This article was published on Wednesday 5 August 2026
