Tag: Greenspace Scotland

New Memorial Garden set to commemorate West Lothian communities Pandemic Experience

Planning permission has now been approved for the creation of a memorial garden, co-designed with West Lothian community members, that will be unveiled in September as the project reaches its final stages.

Remembering Together is a national project that seeks to give each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities the chance to reflect their unique experience of the Covid-19 pandemic with the help of commissioned artists and creative organisations. 

For West Lothian, West Lothian Council and Greenspace Scotland, with funding from the Scottish Government, have joined in collaboration with local arts organisation Bespoke Atelier to create a living memorial for those that were lost to the virus, and a space for community members to gather and reflect on their pandemic experience. 

Ring-fenced funding for the project has been provided by the Scottish Government and Greenspace Scotland.

The garden at Almondvale Park in Livingston town centre has been co-designed with West Lothian community members and is expected to open in Autumn 2024. 

Lead artists from Bespoke Atelier, Marion Parola and Yvonne Elliot-Kelllighan, worked extensively with local groups and communities to generate ideas to inform the development of Covid Community Memorials. 

Open and accessible public consultations were held around West Lothian, including creative workshops in printmaking, paper collage and textile design, as well as themed walks that involved participants sketching their surroundings. 

This aimed to help local residents communicate through creativity, and create a safe space where they could reflect on a particularly difficult time through art.

These in person consultations were then further supplemented with digital surveys made available online to all residents, seeking to discover more about people’s memories of the pandemic – asking questions such as what the pandemic had helped them appreciate more in hindsight.

The final design has been made possible from collaboration with Mike Hyatt of Landscape Architects at Ratho Byres Forge, as well as artist and stone work specialist David Wilson. 

The space aims to reflect that residents felt a renewed sense of appreciation for outdoor spaces and community togetherness following the pandemic, and includes a striking feature piece ‘The Ribbon’ with artistic renderings of plants and flowers that symbolise those from the region who passed away as a result of the virus.

Park Portraits campaign launched to help safeguard our Parks and Greenspaces for the future 

– greenspace scotland announces new photography series to help raise vital funds for Scotland’s parks – 

greenspace scotland is today announcing the launch of Parks4Life: Scotland’s first ever fund for parks and greenspaces, with a goal to raise one million pounds by the end of 2023 to help support Scotland’s parks with a sustainable fund for the future. 

To celebrate the launch of the Parks4Life fund, the greenspace charity is launching Park Portraits, a digital photo gallery bringing to life the stories of a dozen Scottish people and the ways that parks have enriched their lives.

From Aberdeen to Cumbernauld, Edinburgh to Dumbarton, and across to the Hebrides, greenspace scotland has worked with talented Scottish photographer David Anderson to capture soulful portraits of people who exemplify the value that parks provide. 

The funds raised through Parks4Life will be invested to provide an endowment to provide an ongoing source of funds for parks. The endowment will be used by communities across Scotland to support local park improvements, activities and events; making sure local parks from large cities to small towns are nurtured and cherished for the future. 

Parks and greenspaces are amazing places at the heart of our communities. They give us breathing spaces where we can take time out from the stresses of our everyday lives, places where we can relax and spend time with family and friends, and spaces where nature can flourish in the heart of our towns and cities.

Local greenspaces make a huge contribution to our health, our quality of life and our community spirit. And we really love them: each year, Scots make over 162 million visits to local parks and greenspaces.

Free to use, open and available to everyone, parks are great community assets, but not everyone has easy access to quality local greenspaces. 

The Park Portrait series celebrates people from a wide range of backgrounds and uncovers their special reasons for enjoying parks, like Willie Mungall, a veteran Royal Marine Commando who has improved his health with a weekly walking group in Edinburgh’s Saughton Park as part of the ‘Walk with a Doc’ programme led by Health All Round.  

Also featured is Greg Borthwick from Dads Rock, a peer support network for dads in Edinburgh. Greg is thrilled to share his love of the outdoors with other dads and often takes his group to the woods at Roslin Glen.    

Other subjects in the series include ‘fire spinner’ Iga Sobieraj learning her craft in Pilrig Park, a Team Great Britain Paralympian with a pre-competition ritual to clear his head, and three generations of family that visit the park which holds special childhood memories for each of them.  

The Park Portraits gallery is available to view online here. The portraits will also be making their way through some of Scotland’s parks this autumn in a travelling exhibition aimed at inspiring the public to donate to the Parks4Life fund. 

greenspace scotland is inviting park lovers from across Scotland to get involved with Parks4Life by taking their own Park Portrait and sharing their park story here, or by making a donation to the Parks4Life Fund. 

Julie Procter, Chief Executive of greenspace scotland, said: ““Greenspace is a universal service for all of Scotland’s urban residents – we know that access to these spaces is a massive factor in quality of life, and can be a game changer in creating healthier, happier and stronger communities.  

“The Park Portraits project has allowed us to tell the real stories of everyday park users, from those with fond family memories to the volunteers that enable these greenspaces to provide an oasis for their visitors. It’s been an absolute pleasure to hear how many people have a deep connection with their local park and are keen to share their stories. 

“Our hope is the Park Portraits series will inspire other people who love their parks to support the Parks4Life fund by donating, as well as sharing their own park stories online. Together, we can help keep Scotland’s parks in good heart for our children and grandchildren to enjoy.” 

Development of the Parks4Life Fund has been supported by a grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Using money raised by The National Lottery, the Heritage Fund inspires, leads and resources the UK’s heritage to create positive and lasting change for people and communities, now and in the future. 

Donations to Parks4Life can be made online or by texting PARK to 70450 to make a one-off donation of £5. 

People across Scotland who would like to share their own Park Portrait and park story are invited to post on social media using the hashtag #Parks4LifePortraits and submit to the greenspace scotland page here. 

Venture Scotland calls out for votes to bag a share of Tesco’s community fund

Venture Scotland is bidding for a cash boost from the Tesco Community Grants initiative. Tesco works with community charity Groundwork to run its community funding scheme, which sees grants of up to £1,500, £1,000 and £500 awarded to local community projects.

Three groups in every community have been shortlisted to receive the cash award and shoppers are being invited to head along to Tesco stores to vote for who they think should take away the top grant.

Venture Scotland is one of the groups on the shortlist and is seeking funding to replace their water-based kit. Venture Scotland is a charity operating in Glasgow and Edinburgh which uses nature and the outdoors to spark discovery, development and deep thinking in young people who are struggling with their mental health.

They run a long-term, 4 stage programme, known as The Journey, which focuses on developing mental health awareness, resilience, confidence and practical life skills. Every week, the young people take part in group-based outdoor activity days, such as canoeing, hillwalking and rock climbing, interactive group sessions and 1-to-1 support sessions with staff. 

“Most of our young people have never been outside of their local community and have never experienced the adventure, tranquillity and transformative effect of regular outdoor activity. Our project will help improve the mental and physical health and wellbeing of young people in our communities and improve their chance of a living a happier, healthier and more fulfilled life.”

Voting is open in Edinburgh Tesco stores from early April and customers will cast their vote using a token given to them at the check-out each time they shop.

Tesco’s Community Grants scheme has already awarded over £100 million to more than 50,000 projects across Britain. Tesco customers get the chance to vote for three different groups every time they shop. Every three months, when votes are collected, three groups in each of Tesco’s regions will be awarded funding.

Tony McElroy, Tesco’s Head of Communications in Scotland, said: “Tesco Community Grants help support local good causes but especially those projects supporting young people, those providing food, and local causes close to our colleagues’ hearts.”

Emma Halliday, Community Enabler Coordinator at greenspace Scotland, which supports Tesco Community Grant applicants and successful projects in Scotland, said: “Tesco Community Grants continues to give local projects the boost they need to help their communities thrive.

“By funding services which support young people and reduce food poverty, we hope to facilitate positive change from the ground up across the UK. 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, particularly those helping to provide food and giving children the support they need for a good start in life. Anyone can nominate a project and organisations can apply online.

To find out more visit www.tesco.com/communitygrants.

Commemorating COVID-19

Fund will enable communities to remember in their own way

Communities will be supported by artists to develop projects that help them reflect on the impact of the pandemic, as part of longer term efforts to commemorate those who have lost their lives to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Greenspace Scotland commissioned artists will engage with community groups, faith groups and those hit hardest by the pandemic to shape ideas that benefit communities and reflect local people’s experiences of the pandemic.

The Covid Community Memorial projects, which could include commemorative gardens, memorials or artworks, will be supported with £4.1 million provided by the Scottish Government and administered by Greenspace Scotland.

The First Minister led a minute’s silence at noon today (23 March 2021), marking a year since Scotland first went into lockdown.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “None of us will ever forget this year, which has been like no other. We’ve all made sacrifices which have helped to save lives in the past 12 months, and many of us have lost loved ones – each one a person who can never be replaced and whose loss is greatly mourned.

“Vaccines now offer us hope that we can soon get back to a more normal way of life, and give us confidence that we can start to set dates for when it may begin to return. But as we move forward, and our daily lives begin to return to normal, we will – we must – remember those we have lost, and continue to offer our thoughts, solidarity and support to the bereaved.

“Today, after a year where we’ve been forced to live our lives apart in ways that for many will have been unimaginably difficult, we will come together to mark the first anniversary of lockdown, to pay our respects to those we have lost, and to reflect on everything we have been through as a nation.

“In the years to come, projects supported by this fund will provide spaces that people will visit, and cherish; where people will be able to gather in person to mark the pandemic and to remember those who have died – and to remember the many ways we supported one another as a nation through an extraordinary period.”

Julie Procter, Chief Executive of Greenspace Scotland, said: “The heart-breaking and difficult events of the past year have highlighted more than ever how important it is for us all to have access to greenspace. Somewhere for us to breathe fresh air, meet with friends and family, connect with nature and find solace during challenging times.

“The Covid Community Memorial project will connect with communities across Scotland to create special places where people can come to reflect on this time, remember those who have sadly lost their lives, find healing and hope for a brighter future.”

Greenspace Scotland will issue a call for expressions of interest in April with a view to awarding commissions in June. The aim would be for outputs from the commissions by November 2021 and project design and delivery from November to October 2022.

‘Natural Health Service’: NHS Lothian launches Green Health Strategy

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Scotland’s first health board-led Green Health Strategy has been published by NHS Lothian, Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation and greenspace Scotland.

Greenspace is often described as ‘our natural health service’, with a growing body of research evidence showing its positive benefits for physical and mental health and wellbeing.

The Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace and Health Strategic Framework was prepared by greenspace scotland, on behalf of NHS Lothian and funded by Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation.

The strategy aims to fully realise the potential of the NHS Outdoor Estate and community greenspaces as a community health asset benefiting patients, visitors, staff and communities. It covers a range of Green Health activities, including community and therapeutic gardening, health walks, green prescriptions, Branching Out and Green Gyms, as well as greening the NHS outdoor estate and encouraging access to greenspace close to where people live.

Brian Houston, Chair of Lothian NHS Board, said: “We are increasingly recognising the role and importance of therapeutic interventions in greenspace on our health and wellbeing.

“For several years, the Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation has provided grants to support therapeutic gardening and the development of community gardens at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital and Midlothian Community Hospital.

“We have seen the benefits of these projects for patients, staff, visitors and the wider community – and we recognise the potential to achieve much more through a coordinated and strategic approach. The Greenspace and Health Strategic Framework will play a key role in guiding and shaping our work with partners to realise our vision of Longer Lives, Better Lived through our GreenSpace – Lothian’s Natural Health Service.”

Joe FitzPatrick, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, said: “Green spaces play a vital part in improving our physical and mental health. They provide people with many opportunities to be physically active, and to enjoy the benefits of contact with nature – such as going for a walk, taking part in a gardening project, or active play. 

“Last year we published a comprehensive Physical Activity Delivery Plan, setting out a wide range of actions to support and encourage people to be more active, more often. I welcome NHS Lothian’s Green Health Strategy as a valuable contribution to that aim.”


Julie Procter, Chief Executive of greenspace scotland, said: “Studies repeatedly show the positive impact that greenspace can have on our quality of life and particularly on health and wellbeing.

“Greenspace really is our natural health service: a daily dose of green space could be just what the doctor ordered to keep us active and provide tonic for the soul!

“We were delighted to work with NHS Lothian and a wide range of partners from across the NHS, local councils, voluntary organisations and community groups to develop a clear vision and plan for how the NHS outdoor estate and local greenspaces can improve the health and wellbeing of people across the Lothians.”

The Strategic Framework sets out a Vision of Longer lives, better lived through our GreenSpace – Lothian’s ‘natural health service’, underpinned by a delivery programme with clear priorities for action.

The Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation has provided grants to Cyrenians, TCV and Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust to support early action on new green prescribing schemes, the development of community gardens and active green travel routes.

A Green Health Programme Manager is being recruited to lead the delivery of the Green Health Strategy.

To read more about the Green Health Strategy click here or to find out more about GreenSpace Scotland here

From grim to great: help transform Hermitage Park playground

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Hermitage Park School Association’s Playground Development project has been chosen as one of three community projects to receive funding of up to £12,000 from the Tesco Bags of Help initiative – and they need your vote! Continue reading From grim to great: help transform Hermitage Park playground