Back by popular demand, Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, has launched its 2023 Helping Your Community Grow campaign across Edinburgh and the Lothians. Designed to enhance communities local to its stores, this initiative will see community groups receive gardening product, support and expertise from the Dobbies’ team.
Helping Your Community Grow has sustainability at its core and encourages people across the country to care for, nurture and protect their green spaces and urban communities.
Both the Stockbridge little dobbies and Edinburgh Dobbies store are calling on local groups across Edinburgh and the Lothians that want to help their community space thrive in a sustainable way to get in touch.
Whether it’s a school allotment project that allows kids to learn about the health and environmental benefits of growing fruit and vegetables; a community garden or space, looking to bring the outside in; or a charity looking to create a sensory garden to encourage everyone outdoors, Dobbies wants to positively impact communities through its love of gardening.
This year, Dobbies will offer advice, gardening products and tools to a community group to help them transform their space.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies said: “Community is at the heart of what we do and we’re proud of our Helping Your Community Grow campaign. Entries are now open for this year and we’re especially interested in hearing from projects across Edinburgh and the Lothians with sustainability at their core.
“Riding for the Disabled Association in Glasgow is just one of the many projects we supported in 2022 and highlights the diversity of the projects we aim to collaborate with.”
Lynda McKeeman, Yard Manager at Riding for the Disabled Association Glasgow, was thankful for the support. She said: “Dobbies’ support and funding allowed us to create a bright and fragrant sensory trail through the woodland area and out into the pond circuit which has been great for stimulating the senses of the riders and horses.
“We support over 80 people with disabilities and give them the opportunity to learn to ride or spend time with a horse. Our youngest participant is just 2 years old, and our most senior is in their 70s. Many of our attendees have physical disabilities, psychological problems or just need a confidence boost, and horsemanship is a great way to help rehabilitate them.”
Taking part couldn’t be easier and applications are now open.
Eligible groups must be located within 20 miles of Dobbies’ Edinburgh or Livingston stores or five miles of little dobbies Stockbridge. A shortlist of community groups for each store will be made and Dobbies will call on members of the public to vote for their favourite project.
Based on the public vote, there will be one winner per store, with the project receiving the most votes securing the national winner title. They will receive additional funding and support.
In addition to Helping Your Community Grow, there will be further opportunities for community groups looking for support, with small grants available from their nearest Dobbies or little dobbies.
For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ Helping Your Community Grow campaign, visit Helping Your Community Grow | Dobbies Garden Centres