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.     

We would like to develop the outdoor farm area of Longstone Primary School.  We have so far constructed 5 large raised beds for growing vegetables and further space is available around it.  We would like to add fruit bushes and plants to this.  The area will help develop the children's understanding of where our food originates, allow them to learn how we can grow our own and then enjoy the reward of picking and eating it.  Our goal is to provide further outdoor learning opportunities and a space that the children can be proud to take care of.

How do we hope to spend the money?

We would like to purchase and plant a selection of fruit plants, including raspberries, blackcurrants, strawberries and rhubard.  We would also like a supply of seeds and seedlings for the vegetable area, including herbs for a sensory area.  We would also purchase some child-sized gardening equipment, including gloves, small trowels/forks and watering cans.  Other gardening supplies such as compost, seed pots and growing supports/trellises would also be needed.  We would also look to purchase a folding fire pit and safety equipment so that small groups could be involved with outdoor cooking.

Who will benefit from this project?

The site is accessed by 300 children - 250 from the primary school and 50 from the attached nursery.  This project would provide garden areas accessible to all of these children, giving the option for teachers to incorporate outdoor learning into their classes.  It would also be available for use in extra-curricular activites with a gardening club.  This project is coordinated by the parent council so would also provide volunteering and social activities for the parents and carers willing to help.