Transition Edinburgh South supports Gracemount Community Garden which grows fruit and vegetables in the walled garden in the grounds of the Gracemount Mansion House.
Our newly formed team is in the garden Monday to Friday from 9 till 3pm. We have a range of projects working with people of all ages and offer volunteering opportunities for anyone wanting to get involved.
Currently, we have a core of local volunteers using organic regenerative horticulture. Our volunteers have access to training opportunities and reap the rewards from the crops that they help to grow. If you are interested in volunteering please get in touch.
We provide support to our local schools and at present we have a fun educational programme working with every p5 pupil in our cluster schools. The pupils learn about biodiversity, climate change, growing in the garden and the techniques we use in order to grow great healthy food. We also play games, build dens and have lots of fun.
Our youth work programme on a Thursday sees us working with secondary students. This work is done in partnership with The Scran Academy and Wheatly Homes ‘No One Left Behind Team’. Here the young people get access to alternative curriculum activities and have the opportunity gain qualifications such as: REHIS elementary cooking skills SCQF 4, REHIS elementary food hygiene SCQF 5, Saltire, Dynamic youth and John Muir Awards. The young people learn the concept of ‘fork to plate’ by engaging with what they grow in the garden and transforming these crops into delicious healthy meals.
Our community lunch on a Friday speaks for itself, please come along at 12.30. Everyone is welcome.
In our Forest Adventure Club, Gracemount Primary pupils have the opportunity to explore the biodiversity of Gracemount Garden and the surrounding woodland. We engage in activities such as wood carving, fire building, wild cooking, foraging, as well as natural arts and crafts. Additionally, we construct our own shelter, should the weather require it. This club has a profoundly positive influence on the children, boosting their confidence, enhancing their social skills, improving language and communication, increasing motivation and concentration, honing physical abilities, and expanding their knowledge and understanding.
Gracemount Community Garden was originally set up by a project called Gilmerton, Gracemount & Moredun Grow Stronger funded from November 2013 to March 2015 through the Climate Challenge Fund. The aim is to help tackle climate change by providing access to locally produced, low-carbon food for local people, while creating a pleasant outdoor space and a friendly project for all who want to join in.
Our project manager, Rob, and garden manager, Richard, are happy to introduce new people to the project if you want to find out more, they can be contacted here.
We rely on fundraising and are grateful for the support from: Investing in Communities Fund, The Robertson Trust, Thrive, One City, Community Capacity and Resilience Fund, The Physical Activity and Sports Fund, PDM HUWS & GRAY, Wheatley Group, Miller Homes, Waitrose, The Mushroom Trust.
We have raised funds for our portacabin which gives us access to a kitchen and toilets. We are still waiting for the electricity to be switched on but have been assured that this will be done by December, just in time to heat the place up for winter but, we still need to raise funds to repair the walls. We have made a good start and the south facing wall is close to completion.
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