Horatio's Garden

Location: Glasgow

Horatio’s Garden is a charity that creates accessible gardens in NHS spinal injury centres. Leading garden designers develop the stunning sanctuaries for patients. The Mushroom Trust donated funds towards the Scottish National Spinal Injuries Unit at the South Glasgow University Hospital which was designed by James Alexander-Sinclair. Volunteers help to maintain the gardens and to run activities for patients.

Transition Edinburgh South – “Grow Stronger”

Location: Edinburgh

Transition Edinburgh South is a small community led volunteer organisation focusing on helping individuals and communities build sustainable lives. The ‘Grow Stronger’ project responds to interest in access to affordable, locally grown and nutritious fresh food.  With support from the Mushroom Trust, an area of land was transformed into a community vegetable garden.

Butterybank

Location: Coupar Angus

The Coupar Angus Community Woodland project was founded to develop the town’s Butterybank field which had previously fallen into disuse. Many trees, such as ashes, osiers and sauchs (willows), along with fruit trees, were being planted by tenants on Butterybank and neighbouring Beechhill in the 15th and 16th centuries. The field is now home to more than 400 trees and 230 shrubs planted by volunteers over 3 sessions including children from Coupar Angus primary. The site officially opened in 2015 and since then the gates and fencing have been improved, with countryside access sign codes donated to the site by Perth and Kinross Council.  A bench, sited to give access to the wonderful views of the River Isla was made and installed by the ‘Make a Difference Team’ and a time capsule has been hidden for future fun and interest. The project not only provided environmental improvements to the area, it provided a great space for the community.

The Impact

“Butterybank is a 4.5 acre sloping field to the north of Coupar Angus, owned by Perth & Kinross Council and leased to Forward Coupar Angus for development as a Community Woodland in 2016. Since then the neglected and abandoned site has been cleared by a local farmer & paths maintained with a 83cm Cadet field mower, along with new security fencing & gates. These were all funded by the Mushroom Trust grant – our first sponsor. Over 800 trees have since been planted, mainly native broad-leaved & some fruit, with the assistance of community volunteers. The award of a Commendation Plaque and certificate at the Royal Highland Show in 2017 was encouraging for the project group leaders, since it comes from Scotland’s Finest Woods Award scheme & represents prestigious national recognition. Our woodland is testimony to the community of Coupar Angus who have worked together to enhance our local environment for the benefit of future generations. None of this would have even got off the ground without the Mushroom Trust grant, which enabled me start putting the management plan into action back in 2015.”

Iain Bentley , Butterybank Community Project Convener

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