Randori Social Enterprises: The Midlothian Dojo with Community at it’s Heart

Randori Social Enterprises, a Community Interest Company founded by Mark Taylor, provide Judo clubs, activities, projects and events within Midlothian. The fantastic team have used lockdown to accelerate their growth plans to create an outstanding community hub Dojo in Hardengreen Business Centre Dalkeith for members and their families, creating a community of informal volunteers that is having a positive impact on families across Midlothian.

Randori Community Hub Dojo

The Randori team’s long-term plan of creating a community hub dojo came to life during lockdown. After receiving keys to their perfect space, it took just 8 weeks for this hardworking, dedicated team of directors, members, local volunteers and local businesses and tradespeople to turn the empty space into a welcoming, fully fitted, operational community hub Dojo. Opening its doors on the 31^st August, all members of Randori Judo have been taken through a transition period, shown the new facility, ensuring all safety measures are followed and creating a comfortable, safe space for their members, families and the community.

Along with holding a Diploma in Sports Coaching and Development and being a fully qualified British Judo Association UKCC Level 3 mat side coach, founder Mark has a degree level in Health & Social Care. After working in residential childcare Mark wanted to ensure the new Dojo had space for everyone, creating a supportive atmosphere to benefit mental health, physical fitness and those with additional needs. This has created a fantastic space with the community at its heart.

Community Spirit

While the new community hub Dojo has taken significant effort, focus and time, this wasn’t all that the unstoppable Randori Social Enterprises team were up to during lockdown. Not only have they created a dedicated community hub but, they’ve spent the last 6 months supporting their members, families and community with a variety of activities online and donated care packages, fruit baskets  and treats (such as delicious ice cream courtesy of Sheer Supreme Ice Cream!)  and pamper packs to key workers, busy families, members and vulnerable people.

The community rallied round this fantastic social enterprise with local tradespeople offering their services, donations from brilliant equipment suppliers and access to funding from local support organisations. From laying flooring to helping paint, ensuring the Dojo is fully ISO hygiene certified to providing the right equipment for members for their practise, locals, members and generous local businesses have created a fantastic space for the local area. A full list of the brilliant businesses who helped is at the end of this article.

Business Support for Randori Social Enterprises

Business Support teams meet at new Randori Community Hub Dojo

Alongside the fantastic efforts of the parents and local tradesmen Randori Social Enterprises also received support throughout the project from Rebecca McKinney of SEAM, Annie Watt of Business Gateway Midlothian and Victoria Pearce of Community Enterprise a national service that works with local communities to make things happen.

Mark, founder of Randori Social Enterprises and Randori Dojo said:

“The continued support for our Social Enterprise from local services has been fantastic. Rebecca from SEAM was able to point us in the right direction for support and helped link us with these groups. Victoria from Community Enterprise ensured we had all we needed to develop our resilience strategy, provided expert funding advice and supported us with planning from the very concept for the Dojo.

“The support provided by Annie Watt of Business Gateway Midlothian allowed us to implement the concept, from planning to rates to additional small funds, and has been invaluable in bringing the Dojo to life. The impact of this collective support can now be seen and felt by our Team, Members, families and Communities."

Annie Watt, Business Gateway Midlothian Lead, said:

“It was an absolute pleasure to work with our partners to provide a holistic support package for Randori Social Enterprises. Involvement in the creation of this valuable asset for the community of Midlothian was hugely rewarding and the finished result is outstanding. The collaborative support ensured that Randori had access to expert knowledge across a range of areas. This collaboration ensures the best possible outcomes for our clients.”

Randori Judo

During lockdown Randori Judo created a private Facebook page for members, posting fitness, nutrition, education, arts & crafts, entertaining videos and information ensuring everyone could still practice at home while continuing the community spirit the club is known for.

With some restrictions relaxed, Randori Community Hub Dojo is now open – please always check with the team to ensure your class is running and to be aware of all the new safety guidance they have in place to protect their valued members. The fantastic 400 square meter facility is incredible and includes the following first class facilities and classes:

• 250 square meter sprung floor Dojo
• Reception
• Private treatment room
• Dedicated coaches area
• Warm up and conditioning area
• RuFit classes
• Randori Ramen Kissaten café
• Randori Odane Kabe (traversing wall) aka the RoK.

The team have invested in members safety and the facility is fully COVID compliant with all touch surfaces ISO Touch Protected.

Located at Hardengreen Business Park, Dalkeith, there is sufficient parking on site and in the surrounding area with excellent transport links via Eskbank Train Station (2 mins walk) and Tesco bus Terminus (5 mins walk).

Community Space in Dalkeith

Join Randori Social Enterprises today and make the safe transition back to Judo or try it for the first time. With some space on both children and adult classes available get in touch with the team today at info@randorijudo.com. They can then send over details about what they have to offer and the joining process which has been adapted to meet new regulations. Randori are excited to work with you and welcome you to their brilliant new space.

Thank you to the fantastic local businesses and support organisations who helped bring this brilliant community hub to life!