Cyrenians developed a community garden in the Royal Edinburgh hospital with help from a Bags of Help grant of £12,000.   The project focussed on building participation from the local community and providing benefits for patients.

This hospital has mixture of psychiatric wards and other wards, including for dementia, learning disabilities and mental health.

Activities include growing fruit and vegetables, cooking and eating together, learning new skills, encouraging biodiversity and providing quiet spaces, as well as delivering workshops on hospital wards.  NHS staff work in partnership with the garden project and a strong team of volunteers are key contributors.

“This funding has made a real difference to the accessibility of the garden and the tables, seats and outdoor kitchen have been used in all weathers by patients, staff, visitors and volunteers.”

- Hugo Whitaker, Gardens Manager, Cyrenians

“the garden benefits the patients really rather a lot…. in terms of giving opportunities for patients and staff and integrating the hospital a bit more in the community, with different groups, school groups, scout groups using it, it normalises mental health within the community.”

-Local NHS stakeholder

Key facts
Location: Edinburgh
Project type: Community Garden
Bags of Help Funding: £12,000
Grantee: Cyrenians
Website: www.cyrenians.scot

View the printable pdf Cyrenians Community_Garden

See all Tesco Bags of Help Case Studies

Up to £2000 is available from Tesco Bags of Help to support a wide range of projects that benefit your local community. Tesco Bags of Help is administered by Groundwork working with greenspace scotland to support applicants and successful projects in Scotland. 
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