Our Social Impact Report is here!
Last Wednesday, on the 4 year anniversary of the founding of The Circle, and one year on from the last, we released our Social Impact report for 2019/20.
We were joined by supporters, collaborators, funders and beneficiaries for an afternoon of celebration, reflecting on our achievements over the last 12 months, and through the Covid-19 pandemic.
You can access the full social impact report here.
The Circle
Inside The Circle
We’re very proud to still be open and serving our tenants and bookings customers in for essential purposes, and in a COVID secure way, over this difficult period. We take huge pride in in the environment and culture we have cultivated for our tenants, and in fact any individual who walks through the doors here at The Circle. We currently have office spaces available to hire on flexible and competitive terms, one of which includes a fantastic outdoor play area which would be perfect for a nursery or children’s services. To note your interest, discuss further or to arrange a viewing, please contact Paul Hastie on 01382 699990 or email [email protected]
An Ode To…GIFs.
The last few months have been challenging for everyone, with working from home and the challenges that come with it. As a team we’ve kept spirits high through team calls and chats. And nothing has quite brought a smile to our faces like a GIF (a short animated image if you are unfamiliar). Whether it’s to wave goodbye when we clock out for the week, illustrate how we’re feeling or just for the sheer fun of it. These little moving images have brought joy and facilitated conversations transcending the barriers of digital communication, and bring the team together, even when we are miles apart.
Consultancy
Industry Insider
Foundation Scotland’s Responce, Resilience, and Recovery fund is open and in it’s third phase, offering grants from £1000-£5000. The fund is available to groups looking to strengthen their resilience and sustainability in the face of continuing uncertainty. The foundation is accepting online applications now, you can find out how to apply here.
Funding Success
We have secured funding from The Communities Recovery Grant to allow us to expand our team, and offer paid employment to one of our longstanding volunteers. This funding, which was supported by the National Lottery has also helped us to acquire resources for a festive edition of the activity packs which we provided to local children over Summer through The Circle Superstars.
The Circle Academy
“As we approach our final weeks of the programme I just wanted to say a massive thank you to Alvina for her support , patience, encouragement and understanding of us all as individuals and our different business models. I can now see clearly my own vision, culture, and the impact I want to make.
Some inspiring feedback from Lynsey Ramsay, Founder of Cherished Souls, and a participant on Cohort 3 of The Circle Academy.
Thanks to The Circle, I feel I now have the belief , the right team of people around me and the the knowledge in how to bring that vision to life. “Surround yourself with people who want to lift you higher and help you achieve your dreams “…for me The Circle has given me belief, hope and skillsets that are allowing me now to fly even higher than I thought possible.”
After 12 weeks of insights, inspiration and affirmation, Cohort 3 of The Circle Academy will draw to a close this week for the 10 current participants. The More Than Profit business owners taking part will take to the virtual stage this week to pitch their businesses for the first time. This wonderful group of individuals have been incredible ambassadors for the digital Academy programme, and we’re sure you’ll be hearing loads of great things about them and their organisations in the near future.
UnLtd Resilient Communities
On the topic of pitching, Dundee residents were invited to find out about new projects that will benefit their community in an online pitch event in partnership with UnLtd on Monday 7th December. Local social entrepreneurs pitched for up to £5,000 for their ventures at the Resilient Communities Do It Award pitch event, and funding will be awarded to successful pitchers in January.
The Semi Circle Programme
In November we hosted two Squaring The Circle sessions on writing funding applications, and on creating social impact in an increasingly digitalised world. If you missed them, don’t panic, you can access these and curated selection of The Circle Academy speaker sessions and resources by signing up to The Semi Circle Programme. Click here for more information.
Good News
We would like to congratulate Jenny, our Associate Consultant, for reaching a milestone of 6 years within the organisation! having been a member of The team at The Circle since 2019, and at ACK for the 4 years prior to that.
We are also delighted to welcome a new member of staff to the team. Michael a former volunteer here at The Circle has joined us as a new facilities assistant last week.
In House Tip Of The Month
When our 12 week Full Circle Academy Programme started back in September we knew that the online delivery would inevitably result in some ‘Zoom Fatigue’. We shared lots of self care tips with each other to help minimise and manage this carefully and wanted to share our top 3:
- Never feel that you have to stay on video for every minute of every meeting.
- Move around regularly and get fresh air in between calls… try switching off your video for 5 minutes for a stretch if you need to. Just remember to check you are on mute!
- Stay hydrated!
Have You Heard?
You may have spotted in our last newsletter and through social media, that we have made the move to a 4-day working week. You can read a little bit more about the benefits of a 4-day week, and it’s impact on productivity and staff wellbeing in this feature by The Courier.
More Than Profit Of The Month
Dundee’s newest hotspot for art and independent Christmas shopping is a thriving More Than Profit gallery in the heart of Dundee’s artist quarter. The gallery boasts stunning contemporary fine art, photography and ceramics from local artists, and has already run a series of bustling shows and shopping events since opening it’s doors in early autumn. The founder and namesake of the gallery, Kathryn Rattray, was a participant on cohort 2 of The Circle Academy. You can find out more here.
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