Wheatley helps community growing projects to thrive

Wheatley Foundation, the charitable arm of Wheatley, set up the Growing Together fund to help communities improve green spaces and become more environmentally friendly.

The fund, supported by a £15,000 contribution from the Dunedin Canmore Foundation, has supported eight gardening projects so far, with five more in development this year.

Malcolm Court in Dunfermline was one of the first to benefit, with customers using the fund for a water tap and new planters to grow vegetables.

Kevin Lancaster, 71, a Wheatley Homes tenant on the site, said: “The garden wasn’t really used previously, apart from the grass being cut. I spoke to Wheatley’s community engagement Stronger Voices officer about improving it so everyone could enjoy it, and she helped secure funding to make it happen.

“We organised a planting day with residents, and members of the local community garden group in Touch, Dunfermline, also came along.

“The investment has made a massive difference to the community and has been great for everyone’s mental health. Before the garden, we wouldn’t normally talk much, and everyone kept to themselves. Now we have the ideal place where we can all go and mingle together. We are big about community, and we all look after each other.”

Five new projects supported by the fund are now getting underway, including the planting of a community orchard in Granton and the creation of an accessible garden for wheelchair users at Elizabeth McGinnis Court.

Tom Mitchell, Chair of Dunedin Canmore Foundation, said: “We’re delighted to support Wheatley Foundation’s Growing Together fund and to see, first-hand, the positive impact it’s making in communities.

“These projects are bringing residents together to make better use of their green spaces, while creating greener and healthier places to live.”

Professor Paddy Gray OBE, Wheatley Foundation Chair, added: “The Growing Together Fund is already making a real difference in our communities.

“We are incredibly grateful to Dunedin Canmore Foundation for their generous support, which has helped more projects to thrive. These initiatives don’t just improve the environment – they bring people together and support health and wellbeing.”

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Photo caption: Stronger Voices Officers Laura Stevens and David Craigie at Malcolm Court