At Rubric, we’re team players—always willing to help out and “get our hands dirty”. Quite literally, as we discovered on a recent volunteering day with an Edinburgh conservation charity!
Being an employee-owned company means everyone who works at Rubric has a say in how the business is run. We make important decisions together, based on what’s best for our clients, our colleagues, and our communities. And we all recognized the benefits of taking some time out as a team to support a charity that shares our commitment to sustainability.
Swapping our digital localization tools for litter pickers, trowels, and paintbrushes, we spent a very worthwhile day with the Water of Leith Conservation Trust—a charity working to protect Edinburgh’s river and the natural habitats that surround it. After a warm welcome from the Trust’s knowledgeable staff, the Rubric team set to work cleaning up the beautiful Dean Village stretch of the waterway.
We split into two groups, each demonstrating the impressive teamwork that drives such positive results for our clients every day. One group pulled on waterproofs and waded into the Water of Leith to collect litter, making the river safer for wildlife and more attractive for visitors. The other stayed on dry land, pulling up weeds and painting railings along the walkway to enhance the environment.
Bo-Elise Brummelkamp, Project Management Associate at Rubric, commented:
“Wading the Water of Leith was a fantastic experience. It gave a unique perspective on an iconic part of Edinburgh that I'm personally very fond of, and it was really rewarding to contribute to its upkeep!”
A heritage to be proud of
Although this area was familiar to our Edinburgh colleagues, there was a lot we didn’t know about it. For example, we learned that the Water of Leith is bigger than a burn (a Scots word for stream), but should be low enough in summer for cattle to walk across. We also found out how invasive plants—like the few-flowered leek—can quickly take over from native species, threatening the wider ecosystem if they’re not removed.
It was fascinating to discover the industrial heritage of Dean Village: workers here were well looked after, with a lovely old building called Well Court providing comfortable and affordable housing. This level of care for workers reflects our own values as an employee-owned company that promotes wellbeing, collaboration, and growth in our workplace.
A highlight was exploring St Bernard’s Well, a historical Edinburgh landmark that is usually closed to the public. Inside, we found a stunning mosaic ceiling and a wonderfully preserved hand-pumped well.
The Water of Leith Conservation Trust does a fantastic job of keeping the river environment healthy, enhancing biodiversity in the area, and promoting access to nature for everyone in the city. It’s their hardworking volunteers who make all this possible, and we were delighted to have the opportunity to play our part. To find out more or lend your support, visit the Water of Leith website.
Sustainability in action
Sustainability is not just a buzzword for Rubric. It runs through everything we do, and our ISO certification in Environmental Management is testament to that. Our people are committed to running the business in a responsible way, minimizing waste and reducing our environmental impact. As well as making a positive difference in our world, this will enable us to be there for our clients over the long term.
We’re proud to call Edinburgh home, and it was a privilege to be able to give something back to the community we love. Everyone gave the challenge their all, and it was great fun working together in the open air—particularly on such a lovely sunny day!
It’s not always easy to take time out from the day job, particularly in a busy, client-focused business like ours. But we’re so proud of our colleagues for making the effort: the experience brought us closer together as a team, while helping a charity that matters to us.