Edinburgh’s home of charities elevates mission with new roof
A heritage listed building in the heart of Leith has completed a major roofing project, giving Edinburgh's non-profit and community-driven organisations a refreshed space to drive social change.
Charity hub and business centre, Norton Park has completed works on its events and conference venue, which provides a vital space for Edinburgh’s third sector organisations and enterprises to meet and hold conferences.
Covering 1,150m² of roof area, the project saw around 40,000 new slates installed, weighing an estimated 70 tonnes - the equivalent of roughly six double-decker buses. With such a significant amount of roofing being replaced, the works also saw thousands of slates removed from the building's previous roof.
From the outset, Norton Park intended for the old slate to be sold or reused rather than sent to landfill.
Rather than let the slate go to waste, the team actively looked for another solution. That's when they were put in touch with local company, Compass Roofing, which helps deliver the National 5 qualification in Creative Industries Roof Slating.
Working with six schools across Edinburgh, the skills programme sees volunteers from Compass roofing visit classrooms to teach pupils roofing skills. Attending each school three times a week, children are taught how to use the tools to re-dress, size and fit tiles onto a mini roof.
Chief Operating Officer at Norton Park, Yolanda Wringe, said: “When we replaced the roof, we were determined that the old slates would not go to waste. To see them being used in this project is fantastic.
“Not only has it given the slates a second life, but it has also provided local children with the opportunity to learn a trade which may carry them throughout their career. It's wonderful to see how our former school building is now providing opportunities for current Edinburgh pupils."
Lewis Miller, Company Director at Compass roofing, who handles tutoring for the courses, said: “Having organisations like Norton Park provide donations and support our work goes a long way in helping the next generation of Scotland’s workforce learn practical skills.
“Receiving a donation of this type of slate provides a great learning opportunity for the pupils, giving them a chance to showcase their skills and explore different materials. This allows us to ensure the course gives pupils the most expansive education possible which will hopefully aid them in securing jobs in the future.”
The donation means the materials will be used for years to come. Once pupils have successfully completed their mini roofs, the tiles can be removed and reused for the next cohort of children year after year.
With the major roof works now complete, the organisation is turning its attention to the next phase of the venue’s development, exploring how its conference and events space can be reimagined to better serve Edinburgh’s third sector and wider community.
Working with Community Enterprise, Norton Park is inviting organisations, businesses and members of the local community to help shape the future of the space through a public consultation.
Yolanda added: “Now that the works on the conference centre are complete, there is a valuable opportunity to look towards the future and explore new ways it can serve our community.
“We want the conference centre to continue to evolve to support the organisations that use it. I hope that the engagement through our Future Sector Survey gives the people we support the opportunity to have their voice heard and shape how the space is used for future generations.”
Norton Park is renowned as the home of charities in Edinburgh and currently accommodates over 25 third sector organisations.
To take part in the survey, visit Future Sector Survey.