The project wants to grow more fruit bushes and welcome more people by offering picnics and a place to meet outside and in the shade of the polytunnel and to encourage the support of others that are wanting to enjoy gardening and grow crops from their childhood. People can eat and enjoy the fresh produce as well as all the wonderful aromas that are created with the likes of tomatoes, strawberries, dill and mint. Fruit bushes offer more nutrition as well which benefit health and diet.

There is an opportunity for all ages to thrive in this space and enjoy the delights of investigating wildlife and planting and growing. A pond allows for more learning along with all the bugs in the area and the sharing of learning from the beekeepers that are near by. There is a requirement for more pond life and plants that benefit the climate in Edinburgh

There will be learning and sharing as people enjoy the beauty of the earth and its produce. 

There can be crops that are not commonly harvested and food sharing as well as cooking of food and sharing time together.

There is an opportunity to reuse materials and build on what has been established rather than creating something new and many items are recycled and shared 

There is a plan to look at developing education and learning with experts that can talk about growing in Edinburgh.

Tools, plants and cooking materials are required for this project

To develop the community garden site – realising all infrastructure developments over the course of a year: laying paths, constructing a rain shelter and compost bays, establishing a cordoned orchard etc. – whilst overseeing the community garden for its first growing year and preparing for its second. The Development Worker/Gardener will also coordinate the development of a soft fruit and native plant foraging trail. All of these activities will be undertaken with volunteers. In addition to establishing the community garden’s infrastructure and planting, the Development Worker/Gardener will be introduced to users of Walpole Hall, Old Coates House and the A+E project space (all located onsite) – including the NHS Lothian Mental Health Information Station, Edinburgh Cyrenians Recovery Cafe (for those in recovery from alcohol and/or illicit substances), Three Spires Lunch Club (for those over 60), an English Language Class (supporting early asylum arrivals), and Early Days Nursery – to establish links between the community garden and wider grounds (including fork to plate volunteer initiatives, therapeutic gardening and the development of a foraging trail). The Development Worker/Gardener will also liaise with West End Medical Practice (also located onsite) to develop a social prescribing initiative for those who attend the practice. Once established, a social prescribing pathway will be expanded for all Edinburgh residents.     

The bunker is well placed at the north end of Costorphine Hill to be a hub for locals who like to experience nature. We are aware that there is food poverty in the local area and are working with Tummies not Trash to establish a partnership to host weekly meals, and we have joined ECCAN. As we have plenty of outdoor space, we would like to set up a community garden that will simultaneously provide food for volunteers and also give people an opportunity to socialise and interact with the land in a positive way. Ideally, we would run a weekly drop in event that ties in with the live-in volunteers on site who could monitor the progress and keep things going in between sessions. We are a young charity and it is important to us to work in a sustainable way and establish relationships with the local area, filling a need that exists in the community. We could also potentially buy more chickens (we currently have 5) or ducks to provide eggs.

Nearly all Old Town residents live in flats with no access to a garden. EOTDT’s Community Growing Collective aims to partner up keen gardeners with greenspaces that need tending. The project has four main aims:

1. To get more Old Town residents playing an active role in gardening in their community. 

2. To grow fruit, vegetables and herbs for the community to use

1. Skill sharing, civil empowerment, and creating long lasting relationships. 

2. To improve Old Town greenspaces for public accessibility and enjoyment.  

Through previous funding, we have set up partnerships with the West Port Garden and Scottish Veterans’ Residencies. We have had a launch event to inform local organisations of the project, and recruited 20 volunteers so far. We require further funding to purchase gardening resources and equipment, to hire a freelance growing coordinator, and for staff time to organise and evaluate the project. 

Volunteers will work on gardens in weekly slots, planting, tidying, weeding, and doing any maintenance work to improve the spaces. Any food grown will then be used in The Crannie’s free community pantry, and in their weekly cooking group and subsequent community lunch. A focus will be placed on skill sharing and community empowerment, with the Growing Coordinator helping to teach about growing veg in Scotland. Additional focus will be on building community relationships, allowing the participants to enjoy spending time in the gardens and working together.

We hope the funding can support the Community Growing Collective becoming a mainstay of our weekly programme, while allowing the local spaces to flourish. The Veterans’ Residencies garden is used by 80 veterans, and West Port Garden is a very central publicly accessible space. We hope that when it has been transformed, it will be an enjoyable place for local residents and passers-by to experience. 

The project aims to be as sustainable as possible, contributing positively to the climate via several avenues: empowering locals to grow their own food, lessening the need for imported supermarket goods, and creating enjoyable accessible greenspaces in the Old Town.

Tuk Tuk Grow and Go is a mobile community food growing and cooking initiative for families in Edinburgh. Using our tuk tuk and soup bike, we’ll visit neighbourhoods, community spaces and schools to deliver hands-on educational sessions that make growing and healthy eating easy, fun and accessible. 

We’ll begin with short sessions that engage families in thinking about what they could grow at home – focusing on simple, low-maintenance options like herbs and easy to grow vegetables that work well in small spaces. We’ll explore what would be practical and enjoyable for each family, considering their needs, available space and interest. 

At each location, we’ll display examples of plants grown from seed and offer Growing Survival Kits – simple starter packs including compost, pots, seeds or seedlings, and easy-to-follow instructions. These kits will be tailored based on family feedback, supporting people to feel confident and capable of growing their own herbs and vegetables at home, all year round. 

Each session will also include a food component: hot soup or a dish using the same herbs or vegetables being promoted. We’ll serve this using our branded soup bike, and share easy, family-friendly recipe cards and optional take-home ingredient packs. 

To connect participants with wider growing opportunities, we’ll offer optional tuk tuk visits to nearby growing sites, creating positive experiences and potential new links for families. 

By bringing everything directly to communities, Tuk Tuk Grow and Go reduces participation barriers and makes food growing visible, social, and engaging. It encourages small but meaningful actions that support climate goals, health, and community resilience. 

Project Title: Grow at Home: Urban Food Growing for All

Project Description

Planetary Healing Centre, in partnership with The FREE Company, will deliver Grow at Home: Urban Food Growing for All-a practical, community-led initiative that empowers adults across Edinburgh to grow their own food, regardless of space or experience. This project will offer twice-monthly, hands-on workshops at The FREE Company’s Cockdurno Farm, led by two experienced facilitators. Each session will welcome up to 16 participants and focus on practical, low-cost methods for growing food in small urban spaces such as buckets, pots, balconies, windowsills, and gardens.

What We Will Do with the Funding The funding will cover facilitator costs, materials (including seeds, containers, and compost), and coordination, enabling us to run 8 free workshops over 12 months. Sessions will cover topics such as soil health, container planting, seasonal growing, composting, organic methods, and seed saving. The programme is designed to be inclusive and trauma-informed, welcoming those with no prior experience and removing financial and knowledge-based barriers to participation.

Who Will Benefit The project is open to all adults in Edinburgh, with a focus on:

People experiencing mental health challenges, who will benefit from the therapeutic effects of growing and group support.

Individuals affected by the cost of living crisis, who will gain skills to grow affordable, nutritious food at home.

Urban residents with limited or no access to green space, especially those in flats or overcrowded housing.

Minority ethnic communities, who are often underrepresented in environmental initiatives.

Socially isolated individuals, including older adults, carers, and people in recovery.

Environmentally conscious individuals seeking practical ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

Total of participants = 8 sessions of 16 people = 128. We usually expect 75% returning, therefore we estimate a total of 96 people will benefit if we count returning people.

Expected Impacts Participants will:

Gain knowledge and confidence to grow food at home, improving access to fresh, healthy produce.

Experience improved wellbeing, reduced social isolation, and increased community connections.

Contribute to Edinburgh’s 2030 Climate Strategy by reducing reliance on high-emission supermarket produce and building local food resilience.

Share their skills and learning with family, neighbours, and wider networks, amplifying the project’s impact.

Alignment with Fund Priorities This project directly supports the Grow Your Own Fund’s aims by:

Creating new, accessible food growing opportunities.

Providing education and training in urban food growing.

Reducing food waste and promoting sustainable, low-carbon lifestyles.

Engaging underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in community growing.

Project Timeline and Budget The project will run for 12 months, with 8 workshops held per year. The grant will be used for:

Facilitator fees (£40 per session x 2 facilitators x 8 sessions)= £1600

Growing materials (seeds, compost, containers, insurance, volunteer expenses, monitoring and evaluation, etc) £800 

Coordination and outreach to ensure the programme is accessible and reaches those most in need. £2000

Total = £4400

Measuring Success We will track participant attendance, collect feedback, and assess skill development through pre- and post-programme surveys. We will encourage participants to report on their home food growing and share stories of impact within their communities. Regular updates will be shared with funders and the wider public through newsletters, social media, and our website.

Summary By making food growing accessible, practical, and inspiring, Grow at Home: Urban Food Growing for All will help build a healthier, more resilient, and climate-conscious Edinburgh-one balcony, bucket, and windowsill at a time.

This description aligns with the Grow Your Own Fund guidelines, clearly addressing what you will do, who will benefit, expected impacts, alignment with fund priorities, and how you will measure success

Gracemount Medical Practice Community Garden Project   Led by Transition Edinburgh South  

Transition Edinburgh South (TES) seeks to transform the underused outdoor space at Gracemount Medical Practice into a vibrant, biodiverse community garden that promotes health, sustainability, and connection. This collaborative project will bring together patients, staff, volunteers, and local residents to co-create a space that benefits both people and planet.

The project is rooted in four key objectives:

1. Enhance Biodiversity:

We will introduce pollinator-friendly planting schemes, wildflower areas, and a diverse range of native plants to support local wildlife. The garden will act as a green corridor for insects and birds, increasing biodiversity in an urban setting.

2. Community Engagement:

Through regular workshops, planting sessions, and seasonal events, the garden will provide a space for people to come together, build relationships, and foster a shared sense of stewardship and pride in their local environment.

3. Improve Well-being:

The garden will offer a calm, accessible space for relaxation and therapeutic activity, supporting both mental and physical health. Patients referred through social prescribing will be able to engage in gentle gardening, nature connection, and group activities tailored to their needs.

4. Build Skills and Knowledge:

Participants of all ages will have the opportunity to learn about gardening, ecology, and sustainable practices. Skills gained will help people feel more confident in caring for green spaces and contributing to a more resilient local environment.

Target Audience  This project is open to:

- Patients of Gracemount Medical Practice, including those referred through social prescribing.   - Local residents of all ages and backgrounds.   - Community volunteers and TES members.  

Planned Activities   We will run a series of inclusive, hands-on activities to bring the garden to life:

Garden Design Workshops:

We’ll invite the community to shape the vision for the space through co-design sessions.    

Wildflower Planting Days:

Participants will learn about and plant native wildflowers to attract pollinators.    

Educational Sessions:

We’ll host practical workshops on biodiversity, composting, and sustainable growing techniques.    

Creative Engagement:

Art, poetry, and storytelling workshops will connect people emotionally to the space, encouraging a sense of ownership and joy.

Outcomes   By the end of the project, we expect:

1. A thriving, biodiverse garden that enhances local ecology and supports pollinators.   2. Stronger community connections through shared, meaningful outdoor activities.   3. Improved well-being for participants, with positive impacts on physical and mental health.   4. Increased awareness and understanding of biodiversity and sustainable living.  

This project will be managed by Transition Edinburgh South in close partnership with Gracemount Medical Practice, with ongoing input from the local community. It builds on our 15 years of experience running community growing projects and supporting local climate action.

Together, we aim to create a welcoming, healing, and life-affirming space — a small oasis where biodiversity and community can flourish side by side.

By concentrating on growing our own fruit and vegetables we aim to decrease our carbon foot print by sourcing as much of our food locally or at least from the UK contributing to the Council's Net Zero target.  In addition we will offer working in a garden environment to volunteers of all ages who will benefit from working with plants and growing food.  Being a Jewish organisation from a security point of view we will not be able to open our doors to the general passing public unless we have prior notice of who is coming through our gates.  Having said that we are already taking Church and local U3A groups round our Biblical Garden which forms part of the general garden. We have connections with the Salisbury Centre next door and St Mary's Cathedral Eco Group. A fruit orchard is the next step in expanding our food growing operation. Volunteers from the wider community are welcome to work with us in the garden. At the moment we a limited amount of edible produce eg leeks, onions, coriander, broad beans as well as non edible plants in the Biblical Garden eg roses, poppies, lily of the Valley. 

We would like to expand our growing vegetable space to accommodate a waist high trug to allow accessibility for older gardeners and cooks who find bending difficult. In anticipation of more volunteer gardeners we need more gardening tools and shed to house the equipment. 

To plant a contained 30-tree community orchard on the boundary of Inch Park and Inch Housing Estate (from hereon: The Inch) with additional planting of 60 fruit and nut trees and 250 other trees and shrubs (varieties could include more fruit and nut trees). The community orchard will act as an outdoor learning and growing space, with further planting throughout Inch Park and possibly The Inch; the latter depending on outcomes generated by the tree planting coordinator and community development worker post (from hereon: TPC-CDW).   

The overall project aims to foster community engagement, educate for biodiversity, food sustainability and climate literacy, whilst enhancing the overall health and well-being of our local communities.

Maintenance and care are key to the survival of urban woodlands and orchards. To this end the project focuses on training a team of Maintenance and Care artists (MCs for the community orchard and wider treescape) drawn from the local community and our partner organisations.

Key Objectives (adapted for wordcount):

1. Community Engagement:
   • Involve local residents in the planning, planting, maintenance and celebration of the orchards and the park’s wider treescape.
   • Host regular volunteer days to foster a sense of ownership and community pride.
   • Collaborate with local schools, community groups, and businesses.
2. Biodiversity and Climate Education:
   • Develop educational programs and materials to inform the community about the importance of biodiversity and climate change.
   • Partner with Edinburgh-based environmental organisations to provide expert-led tours and workshops with a focus on tree care (including orchard care) and companion species.
   • Create interpretive signage to educate visitors on different plant species and their ecological benefits.
3. Health Benefits:
   • Promote physical activity through orchard maintenance and tree care workshops.
   • Improve mental health by providing a serene green space for relaxation, recreation and imaginative play.
   • Provide access to fresh, organic fruit and nuts, encouraging healthier eating habits.

Specifically, regarding this funding bid:

The TPC-CDWs will undertake the planting of the community orchard and 60 additional fruit and nut trees in collaboration with FOIP and the wider community; this will include planting more fruit and nut trees if the community favour extending the food growing focus within The Inch. To maximise engagement the TPC-CDWs will run regular planting days with designated community groups from late September 2025-March 2026. In advance of these planting days (through July-August), and as part of their follow-up and overall engagement, the TPC-CDWs will liaise with partner organisations, local residents, and others (see below) to explore planting locations and food growing initiatives within The Inch. Key to the project’s success will be the recruitment of volunteers committed to the ongoing maintenance, care and celebration of the trees. While some of the volunteers will be members of FOIP, a broader base of community volunteers will be required. The TPC-CDWs role will be to galvanise that volunteer base and to provide a range of tree planting days not limited to the availability of FOIP’s existing members and associates.