Scotswood Garden - A Community Growing Together
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
Due to an impending move to new premises we are raising funds for commercial kitchen equipment. Over the last 5 years we have trebled the number of people we work with and our project is continuing to grow. Our extensive green space suits our needs well, however we are incredibly lacking in indoor space. We will begin building works in October 2021 to extend our indoor space. During the 1 year build process we are leasing an abandoned building close to our site that used to house a café. This building will become our offices, kitchen, meeting and workspace. The building has been empty for some time and even the kitchen has been completely stripped out. As an organisation that grows over a ton of food for our community each year a kitchen is essential. We cook every day; this includes: • Making daily meals for our volunteer team many of whom are socially isolated older adults or vulnerable adults with mental health difficulties and learning disabilities. • Cooking meals for our youth group members many of whom are from families with low incomes and often don’t sit and eat together • Basic cooking skills for vulnerable adults • Preserve making to utilise any surplus produce (our preserves are sold at food markets to help fund our valuable work). We need funds for an oven and large hob, stainless steel workbenches and storage as well as a large fridge/freezer. The equipment will be reused in our new extension once the work has been completed. Established in 1995, Scotswood Garden is an award winning environmental community organisation based in Scotswood, Newcastle Upon Tyne - one of the most deprived wards in England. Our stunning 2.5 acre garden includes wildflower meadows, woodland, ponds, heritage orchards, fruit and vegetable gardens designed as Forest Gardens. The Garden is a designated Local Wildlife Site and home to a number of the UK's Biodiversity Action Plan protected species. We are a Learning and Demonstration site for the UK Permaculture Association and a centre of excellence for others to visit and learn from. We have a 26-year track record of using nature-based interventions to improve the lives of marginalised people. We work with 2000- 3000 people a year and deliver a range of support, training and education services for people aged 1-100.
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