Volunteers Feb 2023

Bucking the trend

by Blog

Tullibody Community Garden is a small, friendly organisation entirely run by volunteers. We aim to promote health and wellbeing – of people, and the planet. We do this through:

  • Growing and cooking fruit, vegetables and flowers using organic methods – and getting others growing and cooking too.
  • Selling produce at affordable prices.
  • Providing a space for people to relax in, and wildlife to thrive.

Opening again after COVID, we ran a big awareness/volunteer recruitment campaign to get more local people involved in Garden activities. Rather than the usual ‘we’re looking for volunteers’ approach, we focussed on the benefits to people. Posting flyers to every household in the Tullibody area proved to be a particularly effective part of our publicity. We kicked off in spring 2022 with 2 ‘Taster’ planting and socialising events. People found out how to get more involved in what we do.

The results? Where many organisations have seen a drop-off in volunteer numbers post-COVID, we increased our gardening Volunteer and Member numbers by 17 and 9 respectively. It’s not just the numbers that are important – but the enthusiasm, friendship and learning that’s going on. The garden is buzzing again!

 

 

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Nature wins

by Blog

Imagine a more biodiverse, greener Scotland for people and the planet. It is possible, and many community food growing sites across Scotland are leading the way in growing with and celebrating nature and climate every day, as recognised by Shettleston Community Gardens’ nomination for the RSPB Nature of Scotland Awards next week.
The Forum’s recent response to the Scottish Government consultation on Biodiversity highlighted the importance of recognising the stewardship role that Shettleston and thousands of other growing sites across Scotland play in creating and supporting local connections with biodiverse, beautiful and nature-abundant spaces in our communities. Local, informal opportunities to connect and grow food with nature on our doorstep can grow micro but profound collective steps for a biodiverse future. So, go Shettleston and all the gardens you represent- we are rooting for you!
Unsure where to get started read the Forum top tips for growing with climate and nature whatever your setting.

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Communities supported to grow food

by Blog

Coordinated by GrowGreen Scotland and partnering with local groups, we are supporting communities local to 40 Tesco stores to participate in and reap the many benefits of growing food.

Learning from groups across Scotland, we know “There is no substitute for tailored advice and encouragement to start and sustain growing so that ‘every seed takes root and grows’, and this funding will support 40 communities to get and keep growing.” Lou Evans, project coordinator.

Through people and projects connecting and learning together, with tailored one-to-one advice, hundreds more people and projects across Scotland can start and keep growing in a nature and climate-friendly way.

Claire de Silva, Tesco’s Head of Community, said: “Tesco Community Grants help support local good causes, especially those projects supporting young people, those providing food, and local causes close to our colleagues’ hearts.”

Tesco Community Grants, run in partnership with greenspace scotland and community-focused charity Groundwork, has awarded grants to thousands of local community projects every year.

Tesco’s Community Grants scheme – previously Tesco Bags of Help – has already provided over £90 million to more than 40,000 projects across Britain.

Emma Halliday, Community Enabler at greenspace Scotland, said: “Tesco Community Grants continues to give local projects the boost they need to help their communities thrive. We are pleased to have been able to help so many local good causes over the years and look forward to seeing what community organisations can achieve in the future with the right resources.”

Funding is available to community groups and charities looking to fund local projects that bring benefits to communities. To find out more visit www.tesco.com/communitygrants.