Community Grows
Community Project
Our community growing projects use gardening and outdoor activities to actively tackle health and social inequalities. They receive funding from Futures, our staff initiative program that distributes fundraiser money to projects that need it.
Each project aims to engage people with their community, build skills and confidence, and reduce loneliness and social isolation. We work in partnership with local people and community groups, building relationships with them, listening to what they want to achieve, and working with them to make it happen.
CRAIGMILLAR COMMUNITY GROWS
With a head office in Craigmillar, Edinburgh – we are passionate about supporting both our local community and communities across Scotland. We started development work locally eight years ago.
We fundraise for Craigmillar Community Grows (CCG), which has grown into a highly successful outdoor activity project.
CCG is a pioneering initiative based in one of Scotland’s most deprived communities.
We welcome everyone, regardless of background, to join us for fun, friendship and learning. You can get involved with:
- regular workshops
- weekly walking groups
- cooking classes in partnership with Sandys Community Center
- gardening with adults and children from local schools and after-school clubs.
- Developing new areas of open ground that people can get involved in.
- We have helped to develop a sensory garden at Caring in Craigmillar, helped Sandys outdoor space development, Helped Niddrie Primary school to develop a curriculum-based outdoor space for learning, Helped many organisations to deliver outdoor projects and enhanced their outdoor spaces.
- Helped deliver events with other organisations and fundraised to pay local artists and musicians to be a part of their community.
- We help deliver a small festival at Sandys community centre every year as well as supporting their Xmas events.
Karin is our local community project worker. She’s passionate about Craigmillar, and encouraging people to work together on a joint mission to support the community and those who live in it. We offer people a safe space – somewhere to while away a few hours – a place to build connections and learn.
Futures Funding
Craigmillar Community Grows is supported with fundraised money from our Futures staff initiative, which has been used to buy vital supplies that helps to keep the project up and running.
Outdoor Shelter
Craigmillar Community Grows noticed a need for an outdoor shelter that would allow them to keep projects running through all weather. A suggestion was made to Futures, and CCG received £320 to buy an outdoor tent. The tent has been used as an outdoor shelter on many occasions, including as an outdoor cooking area during the Craigmillar and Niddrie Festival. The tent has had a positive impact on the people who attend CCG and expanded what they can do.
Edible Stories Book
An idea was formed to create a recipe book that incorporated recipes and stories from the local Craigmillar area. The suggestion was sent to Futures, who gave the project £1318 from fundraised money to help make the book a reality.
The money was used to hire a local artist to design the graphics, and 10 local groups, including community groups, schools and nurseries, came together to provide stories and recipes. Overall, the book took over 1 year to bring all the stories together and to be printed.
The Edible Stories Book was a massive success and helped to bring the local community together.
Community working
We work collaboratively with the local community in many different ways. We support and facilitate activities with the local youth club, we help run events, including local gala days and celebrations, and we link in with local GPs, link workers and mental health organisations to support people experiencing loneliness and isolation.
Embracing the outdoors
We want outdoor spaces to be a place of calm and available to all. We do this in various ways; we might help families to grow their own food and herbs, we connect organisations to work together outside, and we develop outdoor spaces into either sensory spaces or growing spaces to create useful spaces for people to be together outdoors.
Developing new skills
Our workshops are for everyone in the community. They provide a space to focus on skills development and having fun.
Recently we have been:
- Developing different environmental and outdoor art with the community in Partnership with Craigmillar Now
- Making Herbal ointments and creams with vulnerable elderly from Caring in Craigmilla, Re-Act and the Welcoming.
- Growing plants with the after-school club at Sandys and using a local community garden with the local Niddrie primary school.
Exploring the local area
Our walking group explores local paths, parks and attractions. Getting to know new people and learning about plants, trees and animals along the way is something we love to encourage. If you or anyone you know is looking to improve your physical and mental well-being, get in touch with Karin.
Cooking to stay healthy
We also love to share recipes and cook together. Our regular cook club goes a long way to tackle loneliness and isolation within the wider Craigmillar community.
Castleview primary discovering their local woods
Futures Funded Shelter for Community Grows
Futures Funded Outdoor Shelter
Edible stories book, funded by Futures
Caring in Craigmillar walks and scones/tea
