The Caley in partnership with Coalfields Regeneration Trust
The partnership between The Caley and the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (CRT) is about providing knowledge about growing and nature to communities across Scotland using The Caley’s Grow & Learn in Nature Award (GLiN). You can find out more about the award on our GLiN page. The award is open to all, not just those working within this partnership.
Our mission is to work hand in hand with groups across Scotland helping them to achieve their GLiN Award by providing regular training and support throughout the project.
We ran a successful pilot project in 2022 working with 4 groups. This year we have rolled out the project to 6 new groups. The project began on October 2022 and will run until October 2023 . We will be supporting all 10 groups throughout the year, helping to develop relationships between the groups and to build a GLiN network in their area.
The aim of the project
This project is about bringing gardening and biodiversity skills to local communities in areas where there used to be coalfields using the GLiN Award framework. In our first year the aim was to measure the impact that the GLiN Award had on the participants skill levels, knowledge and understanding of gardening and nature. We also wanted to find out if participants felt they benefitted in other ways; such as having improved physical or emotional wellbeing. We want to do this again this year. Additionally, this year we want to train up the staff and volunteers of our groups so they can run the award on their own in future. They can become mentors to other groups who would like to run a GLiN Award. This is all part of our joint mission to continually bring new skills and experiences to these communities.
GLiN/CRT groups 2022
In 2022 we worked with 4 CRT groups from across Scotland. Our aim was to evaluate The Caley’s GLiN Award. We worked with these groups to help them achieve their GLiN Award.
The projects who took part were;
- Grow West Fife from Culross,
- Cardowan Community Meadow who are based in Stepps,
- MAEDT (Mayfield & East Houses Development Trust) and Lawfield Nursery based in Mayfield,
- The Kennoway Community Shed from Kennoway with the STAND dementia group from Fife.
GLiN/CRT groups 2023
In 2023 we have been working with 6 groups in Midlothian, Leven, Alloa and East Ayrshire. These groups are;
- ACDI Cabin Crew in Auchinleck,
- The Zone – Recovery Support Group in Dalmellington,
- The Danderhall District Guerrilla Gardeners in Danderhall,
- UPMO at The Hive and The Beacon Centres in Gorebridge,
- The Netherthird Community Garden in New Cumnock and
- The STAND Dementia Group based at The Kennoway Community Shed & Garden.
These 6 groups will be working with our Horticultural Educator to develop their GLiN projects, grow food, grow for wildlife, grow for their communities, gain new skills through training and work as a group building a long-lasting legacy. you can find out more about each projects by clicking here.
What impact did we make?
In 2022, 52 participants successfully achieved their GLiN award and pledged to to keep gardening & growing and to also look after and connect with the natural world around them.
We delivered 5 online gardening master classes to 89 participants.
7 monthly online CRT/GLiN networking sessions took place which 84 people attended.
As part of the award, over 1,560 hours of gardening took place that has been beneficial to both people and nature.
When this years project is complete, we will update you on the impact that it has had.
What do people think?
‘People think that when you have early onset dementia your not able to do stuff. Achieving the GLiN Award proves that you are able and you have done it all by yourself. It’s amazing, out of this world.’ Audrey Ross, STAND
‘We were thrilled to take part in the GLiN Award. It really means a lot to us to be involved in a bigger community of garden enthusiasts.’ Pamela Timms, Grow West Fife, Culross
