Research on gardening has shown that 'getting your hands in the soil’ offers multiple health benefits, particularly reducing anxiety and depression. Heather Lodge CIC has received funding from the Scottish Government’s Mental Health and Well-being Fund during the last three years to offer outdoor well-being activities.

Participants in a Therapeutic Gardening Group take part in gardening tasks from spring to autumn with an experienced and qualified Educational Gardener. These sessions take place in the Heather Lodge garden and include learning how to grow flowers, fruit and vegetables using wildlife-friendly methods. The programme accepts referrals from GPs, social workers, OTs and other health professionals. It is also possible for individuals just to self-refer.

In addition to health benefits, participants describe the value of the social contact which this activity gives them. They can also learn how to grow some food for themselves. We would like to offer these benefits more widely in the Arran community.

We already have disabled-friendly raised beds and other parts of the garden for this work. Experience over the last few years has shown that acquiring a greenhouse would expand opportunities for groups by providing a protected area for propagating seeds and young plants, and also offering a sheltered workspace for elderly and disabled participants during periods of poor weather.

We have already prepared a solid base for erecting a greenhouse. We are now seeking to source a 6’ x 10’ greenhouse. Options which are safe and suitable for use by groups and robust enough for an exposed site cost in the region of £1000 including delivery. The CIC envisages being able to meet any costs over £1000, if necessary, from donations or general income. The structure will be erected by volunteers. It will offer a potential working life of 10+ years and should become a real asset for the community.

Arran Rock n Blues Festival is a family friendly music festival hosting live, mostly original bands.   It is a welcoming inclusive festival run over two days with two stages. Opportunities are given to local musicians to perform - a backline and professional sound engineer is provided. To supplement the festival we are hosting a market which showcases local food, drink and crafts supporting our economy.  We also invite local charities to take part for free and offer the tearoom for local fundraising. In addition, this year we are raising funds for Cancer Research UK due to personal experience and our headliner currently undergoing treatment.   We are hoping to be able to add an extra level of interest to our 2025 festival by offering small masterclasses & talks from well know experts which we want to do at a reasonable ticket price in an attempt to encourage guitar skills on the island and to raise some further funds to pay for the artists fees. We would therefore like some support to cover the venue hire of £780 plus the cost of stage, backline and PA equipment for the events in excess of £700.