Ethical businesses and organisations, whether established or just starting up, often face challenges in finding good quality accessible, affordable workspace. But a growing number of people around the country are showing that good workspaces don't just offer a roof over your head and sockets for the company computers, but important opportunities for support, networking and resource sharing.

Claire Carpenter is in the process of opening one of the newest such ethical workspaces, The Melting Pot in the centre of Edinburgh. Having worked in the 'more than profit' sector for many years, Claire had long seen a gap in the market for space which catered to small organisations and ethical businesses, and provided low-cost solutions for those just starting up.

A visit to The Hub, a flexible ethical workspace with sites in London, Bristol, Johannesburg and Sao Paulo, helped to crystallise her ideas and convince her that a similar project could work in Scotland.

“There's such a brain drain from social and ethical enterprises in Scotland,” adds Claire, “and I hope that if people can make their own ideas happen here, they won't feel they need to leave.” Facilities at the Melting Pot include hotdesks, meeting and training spaces and multimedia equipment, but, says Claire, it's also important that the space helps to break down barriers within the not-for-profit and charity sectors, bringing together consultants, service providers and organisations to work together more effectively. And with the environment and social issues in mind, the building is fully disabled accessible, refurbished by eco-designers and has proper bike parking.

“We got funding from Scotland Unlimited and Lottery funds, and quite a bit of smaller sponsorship in the shape of furniture, storage space and the like,” says Claire. “I think this idea is right, and the time is ripe for it to help social innovators realise their visions for a better world.”

But those seeking ethical workspace outside the cities served by The Melting Pot and The Hub needn't feel abandoned. The Ethical Property Company has buildings across the UK, and prospective tenants can sign up online. Its charitable foundation also offers advice and courses to not-for-profit organisations on obtaining workspace, and how to consider sharing premises with other groups.

Another model for inspiration is Manchester's Work For Change, where tenants of the office and arts spaces have gone down the co-operative route, jointly running the building and offering shared resources – such as photocopying and low-rent theatre and meeting space – to cut the costs of running an ethical business, as well as committing to environmental measures such as sourcing all their electricity from renewable sources.

If you are interested in joining the Melting Pot - contact Claire via the website: www.themeltingpotedinburgh.org.uk

Written by Sarah Irving - Sarah Irving is a freelance writer specialising in environmental and social issues, and her work can be seen at www.sarahirving.net. She is also features editor at Ethical Consumer magazine.