Gateside Community Garden & Intergenerational Project Final

Project code: 1190

Amount applied for

£1,000

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Project Summary

The Gateside Parent Council are seeking support to fund seating, an outdoor bookcase and intergenerational projects to enhance our Community Garden, making it more accessible and welcoming for both the school and local community.

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Project Description

At Gateside Primary School, we believe in fostering a strong connection between our pupils, their environment, and the local community. Two years ago, our pupils took the initiative to create a community garden, installing four raised beds in the field beside the school, just outside the Early Years gate. This space has since become a hub for outdoor learning, where children regularly explore nature, develop their gardening skills, and learn about sustainability.

 

Our next step is to encourage further community Involvement through Intergenerational Projects. We will extend opportunities for children, families, and the wider community to work together in projects connected to reading, sustainability, gardening, and nature. These activities will take place after school and at weekends, encouraging participation from across generations. The aim is to strengthen community ties, provide meaningful, real-world contexts for learning, and create shared spaces where children and adults can learn from one another.

 We are seeking support to fund three key improvements:

1. Picnic Bench Seating – £500

In the original garden design, the children hoped to include seating to encourage families and community members to use and enjoy the garden space. However, due to limited funding, this was not possible at the time.

We are now looking to purchase picnic benches that will:

• Provide comfortable, social seating for families and community members
• Offer a place for everyone to sit during our intergenrational projects or whilst enjoying the garden space and what it has to offer.
• Make the garden a more inviting and functional community space for everyone to enjoy and learn in.

2. Outdoor Book Storage – £400

As part of our Eco Schools initiative, pupils have recently created a "Reading Garden" within the community garden. Currently, they transport books to and from school in boxes, limiting accessibility and creating additional work.

We propose to install a secure, weatherproof outdoor bookcase that will:

• Encourage a love of reading outdoors, for both children and adults
• Provide permanent, accessible book storage
• Enhance literacy opportunities in a natural, relaxing environment involving local community members and families.

3. Refreshments for After School and Weekend Groups £100 To encourage participation and make our community activities more welcoming, we plan to:

• Purchase flasks for tea/coffee as well as reusable outdoor cups and mugs.
• Provide a selection of tea, coffee, juice, biscuits and cakes during sessions.

This upgrade will help create a warm, social atmosphere, encouraging even greater use of the garden by both the school and local residents. By making gatherings more enjoyable, we will strengthen community ties and ensure outdoor learning feels enjoyable, meaningful, and fun.

Total Cost: £1,000

We are seeking £1,000 to help bring these enhancements to life.

Impact:

These improvements will:

• Encourage more families and residents to engage with the garden
• Support sustainable outdoor learning for all pupils
• Foster intergenerational community connections
• Make the garden a more inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable space for all

We hope you will consider supporting Gateside Primary pupils in their efforts to create a more welcoming and inspiring community garden for everyone.

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How have young people been involved in shaping this project?

At the heart of our gardening initiative in Gateside is the active participation of young people, who play a central role in promoting their own health and wellbeing through the care of raised beds and outdoor learning. Every child, from early years to Primary 7, contributes to the upkeep of the garden, working collaboratively to cultivate and maintain the space. The project not only provides valuable hands-on experience but also fosters a sense of responsibility, teamwork, and environmental stewardship. During the summer months, the wider Gateside community generously steps in, with local volunteers assisting in the care of the plants, ensuring the garden thrives even during school breaks. Engagement in the Project: The involvement of our young people has been integral from the very beginning of the project. The children have had a hands-on role in every stage, from the initial design phase to the ongoing maintenance of the garden. They began by translating their creative ideas onto paper, working together to design the layout of the raised beds and choosing what plants to grow. In addition, the students took an active role in reaching out to local businesses, demonstrating their initiative and communication skills by seeking donations of supplies such as soil, compost, and materials for the raised beds. Once the materials arrived, the children were fully engaged in preparing the beds: lining them, transporting soil and compost, and planting a wide variety of flowers, herbs, and vegetables. Ongoing Care and Learning: Throughout the week, regardless of weather conditions, the children are out in the garden tending to the plants. Their duties include weeding, watering, and ensuring that the garden remains healthy and productive. This weekly commitment not only nurtures the plants but also strengthens the children's sense of ownership and responsibility for the garden's success. Additionally, the young people have shown great care in managing the garden’s ecosystem. As part of their learning, they are involved in rehoming caterpillars that appear in the garden, observing the life cycle of these insects and learning valuable lessons about nature’s processes. This connection to the environment helps foster a deeper understanding of sustainability and biodiversity. In our recent Pupil Voice discussions, the children shared some exciting ideas about ways to strengthen links with our community. They suggested: Gardening Together – inviting local people to join them in looking after and developing the school grounds. Paired Reading – welcoming adults of all ages into school to enjoy reading alongside pupils, helping to build confidence and share a love of books. Once everything is in place, we aim to run intergenerational activities after school and at weekends. These will include gardening, reading, and sustainability projects, giving children and adults the chance to learn, share skills, and enjoy time together. Conclusion: This project is not just about gardening—it’s about empowering young people to take ownership of their learning, promote their physical and mental health and wellbeing, and contribute meaningfully to their local community. By engaging children of all ages in every aspect of the project, from design to care, we are helping them develop valuable skills that will serve them both in and outside the classroom. We are proud of the positive impact this initiative has already had on our school and community, and we are eager to continue growing and expanding our efforts with the support of this funding.

Location: The Gateside Community is situated in the public field in the village of Gateside. It is accessible to all both during and after the school day every day of the year.

Proposed on behalf of: The Parent Council are applying on behalf of the Rights Respecting Schools Committee.