Join the Community

EkaterinaBeing involved in the life of the Centre—as a participant, facilitator, volunteer, filmmaker, and subcommittee member—helps me feel more grounded in who I am and how I connect with others. I am continuously encouraged and challenged to show up fully, to contribute my ideas, skills, and creativity in meaningful ways, and to see the bigger picture through different lenses.
Ekaterina

Our community relies on many people being involved in different ways.

Some are the “pillars” of The Salisbury Centre. You can see them around most days. They actively maintain and develop the structures of the Centre (both physically and metaphorically).

Others participate less regularly, in various ways – from joining events as participants, to volunteering, tending to the Garden, or running groups or workshops of their own.

This page is meant to help you find your way around The Salisbury Centre community. We want to let you know how you can get involved. It’s up to you to decide what the best way is for you to join.

We look forward to meeting you!

Community Empowerment Programme: Our workshops, groups & activities

Adriana“The Salisbury Centre has been a grounding and transformative space for me—both as someone who participates in and facilitates community events. Through Queer Yoga Edinburgh, I’ve had the privilege of holding space for LGBTQ+ folks to move, breathe, and connect in an inclusive and affirming environment. The Centre’s deep commitment to community wellbeing, spiritual practise, and ecological awareness creates a unique atmosphere of care and authenticity. Being part of this vibrant network has nourished my sense of belonging and empowered me to grow in service to others.”
Adriana

Our Community Events Programme (CEP) allows the public to access wellbeing, spiritual, and creative events by donation.

It also empowers new and experienced facilitators to shape their offerings in a way that supports them in their growth and encourages community development.

Twice a year, we open a new round of Community Events applications – once around January/February, and once in August/September. Anyone can apply to run a class, workshop, or group, as long as it is aligned with the Centre’s purpose. We then assess the applications to create as diverse and inclusive events programme as we can for the following six months.

Additionally, facilitators get access to mentoring and other forms of support which allow them to develop their leadership skills and contribute to the growth of our community.

To apply for the next round of the community programme, keep an eye out on this page, or sign up for our newsletter.

To see what events are on offer, check the What’s On page – the community events are marked with (C).

If you have any questions about the Community Empowerment Programme, email [email protected]

We are grateful to our funders who continue to support the CEP, especially the National Lottery Community Fund, The People’s Postcode Trust, and the City of Edinburgh Council. We have had many more funders supporting us in the past – for a complete list, check here.

Community Seasonal Celebrations

Mitra“It has been an absolute delight and privilege to participate (and host!) in seasonal celebrations for the Centre. Being able to connect with the community through these events is incredibly fulfilling. Further, I have been able to share my culture’s celebrations in this safe space, which brings me so much joy, especially seeing my friends and the community celebrate with me.”
Mitra

At the heart of The Salisbury Centre community are the Seasonal Celebrations, happening approximately every six weeks. Originally inspired by the Celtic Wheel of the Year (Spring Equinox, Beltane, Summer Solstice, etc.), they now incorporate traditions and practices from all over the world, representing the diversity of our community.

This is a chance to reconnect with each other for those who’ve been around the Centre for a while – as well as a perfect landing place for newcomers. You can join exciting workshops and classes on the day (often themed according to the season), or just sit around the fire, listening to stories, singing, and celebrating together.

The days for the 2025 Seasonal Celebrations:

  • 1st Feb Imbolc
  • 29th March Holi / Spring Equinox
  • 3rd May Beltane
  • 21st June Summer Solstice
  • 12th July Full Moon Festival
  • 2nd August Lughnassadh
  • 21st September Autumn Equinox

You can come and join on the day, or… help us organise these! There are various volunteer roles, such: helping with set-up or cleaning, welcoming visitors, tending to the Fire, running a workshop or activity… Reach out to [email protected] to learn more!

Silent meditations

Geetam“I see banners saying: ‘Try praying’. Praying is talking to God (whatever your image of God may be). Try listening!”
Geetam

Meditation was a core practice to The Salisbury Centre founders. The first residents in the 1970s had a commitment to practicing together each morning, in a dedicated space arranged in the building’s attic.

The silent meditations today are a continuation of that tradition, as well as a core spiritual pillar of the community. These sessions are non-denominational, meaning that they aren’t associated with any specific meditation tradition. Each weekday at 8:00 am and 5:30 pm, you can join a 30-minute meditation, open to all, run by volunteers.

More information on these meditations can be found here.

You can also volunteer to hold the space for meditations. Email [email protected] to find out more.

Our Community Garden

Evie“Volunteering at the Salisbury Garden has given me so much joy and motivation to continue my studies of regenerative garnering and soil health with more energy and drive. Living in a city, it is difficult to get access to any kind of land, so having this shared space to grow veggies among a community of people is incredibly special and nourishing.”
Evie

In the middle of the city, The Salisbury Centre has often been referred to as “an oasis of peace.” A big part of this oasis is our abundant permaculture garden, with food growing space run by the community.

If you want to help out, get some food growing space, or learn gardening skills, come to a Community Garden session on Friday, anytime between 10am and 4pm. There’s not much else to it – you’ll get a pair of gloves, tools and a warm welcome by our garden team!

If you have any questions before coming, feel free to email our garden coordinator, Gray: [email protected] or check out this page.

We are grateful to the Awards for All from the National Lottery for supporting our garden project.

Seed Library

Alongside the garden, we also run a seed-saving project. The Seed Library at the Centre was the first community seed project established in Edinburgh in 2021.

Hannah Brazil who has been leading on the whole initiative, says:

Hannah

“Urban seed libraries offer so much more than free seeds. By providing open-pollinated and often locally adapted seeds, as well as the knowledge, skills and tools needed to garden, grow food and reproduce seeds, they contribute to local food security, biodiversity, climate change adaptation and community education. Caring for seeds is an inherently hopeful practice. Seed libraries play a vital role in fostering community resilience by bringing people of all background together to share knowledge, stories, skills and food, remembering cultural practices and recipes that are intrinsically linked to specific plants, fostering nature-connection, ecological understanding and a sense of belonging within our local ecosystems that in turn supports both human and ecosystem wellbeing.If you want to get involved in the running of the Seed Library, come to our workshops, or contribute / source seeds – please get in touch! It’s best to contact Hannah directly at [email protected]“

We are grateful to the Awards for All from the National Lottery for supporting our Seed Library.

Volunteering

Chris“I first began attending workshops at The Salisbury Centre in November 2024, after a crisis in my life. The atmosphere and people at The Salisbury Centre were so welcoming and nurturing that I wanted to find ways to spend more time among the community. I spoke with the volunteer coordinator and since March, I’ve been opening a meditation session each Wednesday morning. It might sound basic for people, but in my current state of recovery, having one day a week where I am responsible for opening the door to others is helping me to rebuild my confidence. On Wednesday mornings, I return home by 9am having cycled for 20 minutes, been silent with others for 30. It is my most nutritious morning of the week.”
Chris

Volunteers are at the heart of The Salisbury Centre. For a big chunk of our 50+ year history, the Centre was run entirely by the volunteers and residents.

Even though we have a staff team to keep up with legal and administration matters, as well as helping organise the programme – the volunteers are still a huge part of the Centre. You can volunteer in five different ways, depending on what you’re looking for:

  • Support established activities at the centre (e.g. meditations, seasonal celebrations, library, garden, etc.)
  • Host and welcome people into the community (e.g. Open Mondays, a befriender role)
  • Run events as a community facilitator (within the CEP programme)
  • Offer accessible community therapies (e.g. massage, somatic, and movement therapies)
  • Help run the organisation (being involved in one of the Subcommittees or the Board of Trustees)

There are many options available! Our volunteer coordinator Marta is here to help you find the right one for you. Please email [email protected] to find out more. You can also check out our Volunteering page  for specific role descriptions.

Community Meals

Maeve“At home we have Shabbat dinner on Friday evening. It’s a special meal in the Jewish tradition which I really appreciate. I’d say the suppers have a similar ritual significance… Breaking bread with strangers is surely a force for good in the world. For me, suppers bring my values – trust, openness, generosity, connection and care, to life in an active, embodied (and delicious!) way”.
Maeve

Community meals are a cornerstone event of our community. We believe in sharing food as a spiritual practice and one of the most universal, ancient ways of celebrating. All our community meals are “bring-and-share” – everyone is invited to bring a vegetarian dish to contribute to the table.

If you don’t have the time or means to cook, bread and hummus are just fine!

There are two meals that you can join – just drop in, no need to book ahead:

  1. Weekly Community Lunch: every Friday from 1-2pm, followed by a Xiang Gong practice in the Garden
  2. Monthly Community Super: a bigger community meal every third Monday of the month from 6:30 – 9:00 pm.

This is your chance to meet community members that you wouldn’t encounter otherwise, share delicious food, and feel at home at the Centre. If you want to join the hosting team, email [email protected] for details.

Open Mondays (PAUSED)

Davinia“Open Mondays have been such a gift. I’ve been using the garden and meditation room as a meeting point to support someone, and the space provided a great balance, connecting in nature and feeling grounded and then retreating inside when needed for a more quiet time. Having access to the library and be able to read books related to spirituality has been a great way to have the space to reflect”
Davinia

Do you ever look for a friendly co-working space, a relaxing green spot to hang out in, a Library to study, or a silent space for your spiritual practice? And all that in the heart of Edinburgh, at a spiritual community centre where you can meet like-minded people?

We started Open Mondays to offer space for all these things – and more! Each Monday from 11am – 3pm, The Salisbury Centre doors are open for you to come and enjoy.

Please note: this isn’t a structured event, but simply an opportunity to do your own thing in the space of The Salisbury Centre. There will be a volunteer on the day who will welcome and show you around, as well as point out places where you can find out more information about our events and offerings.

If you’ve been around for a while and feel at home at The Salisbury Centre, why not host Open Mondays for others? Email Marta at [email protected]

The Salisbury Centre Subcommittees

Damien“Since joining the Community Development Subcommittee I’ve really felt empowered to take forward new ideas. I’ve engaged with the staff, residents and other community members. I’ve helped initiate and set up events and really enabled others to have their ideas also heard and taken forward in the community.”
Damian Tremlett

Following our 2024 Governance Review, The Salisbury Centre has introduced Subcommittees as a way of involving oiur community in the decision making, as well as the overall direction of the Centre.

The applications to join the Subcommittees are open to everyone. We particularly encourage those who have been involved for a while to reach out and contribute your ideas, energy, and perspective to the Centre.

The more input we have from you through the Subcommittees, the more voices from the community The Salisbury Centre can incorporate in its actions and decisions.

Currently, these Subcommittees are running and looking for new members:

Fill out this expression of interest form and we will get in touch.

Community Therapies

We started Community Therapies as a way to make therapy available to all, rather than a luxury only few can afford.

Right now, our offer includes Indian head massage, EFT tapping, chronic pain coaching, hypnotherapy, aromatherapy and more. Our pool of therapists is ever-expanding, so what’s available is changing all the time.

Community therapies usually happen on the last Thursday and Friday of the month – please check this page for updates and bookings. If you’re a therapist wanting to contribute to the project, email [email protected]

Art Exhibitions

“I have not shared the majority of my art with others because it felt too vulnerable. The unwavering support, encouragement and appreciation I have met from Marta, the Centre team and also the community while organising this exhibition has made me realise that others actually enjoy, and want to see, my art. From both a professional and personal stance, this has made me feel appreciated and seen in a new way and makes me realise how much more possibility there is for the future.”
Imogen

I have not shared the majority of my art with others because it felt too vulnerable. The unwavering support, encouragement and appreciation I have met from Marta, the Centre team and also the community while organising this exhibition has made me realise that others actually enjoy, and want to see, my art. From both a professional and personal stance, this has made me feel appreciated and seen in a new way and makes me realise how much more possibility there is for the future.
Imogen

In 2024, we piloted Community Art Exhibitions with The Hands of The Salisbury Centre by Louise Adam. Since then, we realized how many talented artists are part of our community and we now offer exhibition space for those who want to show their paintings, photography, prints, or other forms of 2D visual arts to the public.

The current exhibition is … . For more information, please refer to our What’s On page and exhibition visiting times.

The applications for the next round of exhibition will open next year, so look out for when that happens! You can either email community@salisburycentre.org, or simply sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.