The West Pilton Gardening Group is seeking funding to expand and further develop our existing community garden, increasing access to fresh, locally grown produce for people in our area. Our project supports food security, environmental sustainability, and community wellbeing. By enhancing the garden’s infrastructure and capacity, we will be able to grow food for our local sharing initiatives, involve more volunteers in meaningful activity, and provide opportunities for informal learning and skill-building.

Our community garden is already a valued local resource. With additional support, we aim to increase its impact by producing food, engaging more people, and creating a greener, healthier neighbourhood. Produce grown in the garden will be shared via our Community Sharing Shelf at the PEP Centre and used in our community groups. The project will also promote mental and physical wellbeing by offering regular opportunities for residents to connect with nature, learn new skills, and contribute to a shared purpose.

Project Objectives:

• Expand and improve our community garden to boost food production.
• Provide fresh, sustainable produce to our community groups and local residents, supporting the City of Edinburgh Council’s Net Zero and Anti-Poverty priorities, as well as aligning with the priority goal of Creating Good Places to Live and Work.
• Promote wellbeing and social connection by involving volunteers in growing activities, skill-sharing, and informal education.
• Foster a greater understanding of urban food growing and sustainable practices through hands-on experience.

How We Will Use the Funding: A grant of £4,000 will allow us to:

1. Install Two Greenhouses – These will extend the growing season, support seed propagation, and increase our ability to produce food year-round.
2. Purchase Tools, Equipment, Seeds, and Plants – Essential resources to expand and maintain the garden effectively and sustainably.
3. Employ a Sessional Gardener – We will hire an experienced gardener for 3 hours per week over 6 months (£25/hour). This role will involve planning and overseeing growing activities, supporting volunteers in the Gardening Group, and delivering informal education and skills sessions.
4. Increase Volunteer Engagement – We will involve a diverse group of at least 15 local volunteers, including existing PEP service users, in regular gardening sessions. Funding will help us promote the project widely across the community, making volunteering accessible and inclusive.

This project will be an inclusive, community-led initiative. The garden will serve as a space not only for food production, but for social connection, skill-building, and positive action on climate and health.

Funding Application Statement (Public-Facing):

We are seeking funding to expand community food growing and training opportunities at Lauriston Farm through the installation of a shared polytunnel. The ELREC Organic Gardening Group, made up of local beginner growers, has been cultivating organic vegetables on-site for the past three years, with expert support from volunteer Dr. Sam Page, a specialist in natural pest management with over 30 years of international experience.

Our group currently grows a variety of nutritious crops, including kale, beans, garlic, and squash. However, the short Scottish growing season limits what can be successfully cultivated outdoors. A polytunnel will allow us to extend the season, protect seedlings from early spring weather and pests, and grow a wider range of nutritious crops such as tomatoes, aubergines, and melons.

This project will also significantly expand our capacity to deliver practical horticultural training in both outdoor no-dig beds and the new indoor growing space. Importantly, the polytunnel will be a shared resource, supporting over 20 other local community groups who garden at Lauriston Farm. Funding will help us build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable local food system while offering hands-on learning for people of all backgrounds.

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

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.

We hope to reinvigorate our exiting planters to create a working food garden in a site shared by Tollcross Primary School and Community Centre.   This would radically improve the amenity of the area which is largely  covered in asphalt with only six large trees on the site.   A group of volunteers maintains the existing gardens but overtime the topsoil in the planters has become heavily eroded and some equipment needs replaced  -  At present the only way of watering these planter boxes involves carrying bucket loads of water by wheelbarrow! 

This grant would allow for a reinvigoration of the existing planters allowing us to develop a sustainable and educational  food garden without any further ongoing funding.  We have included costing for one wheelchair accessible picnic table to allow the space to be more accessible for the whole community.

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

The events and activities on offer the chance to take part in gardening and growing workshops, cooking on a fire and wood oven, sessions with music and movement, woodland crafts, planting growing your own food at home and celebration events.  All the activities will be developed around the needs of the community and we plan to be led by their ideas moving forward.

Addressing current barriers preventing the local community from connecting whilst engaging them to develop their own social hub.  A place where they can grow, socialise and enjoy food together.  Helping local people to develop friendships and feel more invested in the area, making it sustainable in the longer term.

ELGT’s team who currently deliver Out & About in and around South Edinburgh, which has been successful for many years, will plan and deliver the programme on behalf of the management committee and centre.  We have collaborated on many programmes over the years with families, kids groups, youth groups and older adults, which have all been very successful.  Their aim is to introduce communities to outdoor based activities in an affordable way, making them more sustainable for the future.  These should be offered in a comfortable and fun way – with lots of positivity to encourage further attendance.

In the longer term aiming to give the local community tools to move forward with a sustainable and achievable plan to improve health and well being.

Collaboratively we will be getting people involved, building relationships and developing trust by using innovative ways to engage with those that are hard to reach.  Using our knowledge and skills to bring the young people we work with along to activities, whilst the team at ELGT will gain referrals through Community Link Workers, GP’s and clinicians, other organisations and key stake holders.  We will also promote these activities thorough our popular social media platforms as well as distributing and displaying promotional materials locally too.

• • Increased food production for community cooking groups and pantry
  • Forming friendships and reducing social isolation
  • Trying new activities
  • Learning new skills
  • Greater connections with community
  • Improved confidence
  • Increased independence
  • Intergenerational opportunities for the community
  • Connected with nature in their local greenspace
  • Increased community participation and volunteering
  • Build strong, inclusive and resilient communities
  • Opportunities that meet community needs to address health inequalities

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.     

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. 

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.