University renews partnership with Greyfriars Charteris Centre

We are delighted to commit to another 5 years of collaboration with our neighbour, Greyfriars Charteris Centre, a centre for community in Edinburgh’s Pleasance area.

Edinburgh College of Art Textiles students designed new cushion covers for Charteris, which are now being sewn together ahead of installation
Edinburgh College of Art Textiles students designed new cushion covers for Charteris, which are now being sewn together ahead of installation

Partnership history 

In December 2019, we signed our first formal partnership agreement (memorandum of understanding) with Greyfriars Charteris Centre: 

This agreement was not the start but, rather, recognition of the fruitful collaboration already taking place around student social entrepreneurship, learning and teaching about social innovation, digital inclusion, and more. 

Progress to date 

As we all know, a few months after the 2019 agreement was signed, Covid-19 arrived. This changed the direction of some intended work but, still, much has happened, including: 

  • Edinburgh College of Art Textiles students designing new cushion covers for the Centre’s seating 
  • University counselling students using the Centre as a venue for affordable therapy for local residents 
  • Business School students studying Charteris’ work as part of their studies on social change 
  • University staff volunteering with Charteris’ regular user groups 
  • Theology students studying how a church building like Charteris can serve communities 
  • Collaborative work to try to improve internet access in the nearby Dumbiedykes estate (final report) 
  • Use of Charteris as a venue for finishing of the Edinburgh Seven tapestry, involving members of the public along with University staff and students 
The Tapestry, now installed at Edinburgh Futures Institute, commemorates the first women to matriculate at a university in Britain. Image © Dovecot Studios
The Tapestry, now installed at Edinburgh Futures Institute, commemorates the first women to matriculate at a university in Britain. Image © Dovecot Studios

A renewed commitment 

The new partnership commits the University and Charteris to exploring collaboration on: 

  • Experiential learning (University students address real-world community wants and needs as part of their studies) 
  • Social enterprise 
  • Social responsibility 
  • Community building and spaces 
  • Engaged research involving communities and community organisations 
  • Digital inclusion (supporting communities to access the online world)

Charteris and the University have identified these areas as of interest to the communities we work with, both within and beyond our organisations.  

 

Over the last decade, students and colleagues across the University have benefitted from partnership with the Greyfriars Charteris Centre. The Centre’s ethos as a ‘centre for community’, rather than community centre, aligns with the ‘Thriving Communities’ priority of the University’s Community Plan 2025-30. Charteris is a near neighbour to our central and Holyrood campuses; we hope our collaboration will be to the benefit of communities in these areas and beyond, both within and beyond the University.” (Professor Sarah Prescott, Vice Principal and Head of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, The University of Edinburgh) 

Professor Sarah Prescott (signed the new agreement on behalf of the University) Head of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

At Charteris, we recognise the importance of strong connections between our local communities and the institutions around us. The University of Edinburgh is an important anchor institution in the city, and we are pleased to act as a connecting point between the University and the communities, charities and social enterprises we work alongside. 

I see the signing of this agreement as a celebration of those existing connections, as much as a commitment to developing new ones. We believe collaboration is essential to a thriving third sector in Edinburgh. This doesn't always have to mean large projects or formal partnerships; often it's the smaller connections, shared ideas and opportunities to work together that make the biggest difference. Over time, these create an organic network of relationships that strengthen our communities and helps everyone achieve more. 

We're looking forward to building on the relationship over the coming years and finding new ways to connect people, share knowledge and create opportunities that benefit the community.

Daniel Fisher (signed on behalf of the Greyfriars Charteris Centre) Chief Executive Officer

Launch 

In recognition of the aspiration to collaborate on social enterprise, the renewed partnership will be officially launched at the Edinburgh Social Enterprise Network Winter Networking event on Thursday 12 November 2026 by Daniel Fisher, alongside Gemma Gourlay, Head of Social Impact, The University of Edinburgh. 

Get involved 

Are you a member of University staff or a student who wishes to collaborate with Greyfriars Charteris Centre? Please email the University’s Community Team: 

Do you have a connection to the Greyfriars Charteris Centre and wish to collaborate with the University? Please email Daniel Fisher, Chief Executive Officer: 

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