ALL THINGS GREEN
Being in nature has SO many proven health benefits (reduced stress, improved mood, increased mindfulness to name a few) and fosters the perfect environment for purposeful, social interaction.
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Our 'green' projects offer an opportunity to get stuck in and create something beautiful, do a little bit for the environment and our communities, all the while improving our own overall well-being.
For a number of years we have run supported outdoor gardening and growing sessions both in the Jubilee Community Garden in the grounds of UHI North, West and Hebrides, and in the spaces outside our own building. These have proved to be very popular and beneficial to everyone involved.
BE GREEN & GROW!
As a result, our office grounds are brimming with colourful flora and fauna despite all the concrete and tarmac that comes with a town centre location! There has been huge demand from participants and volunteers for gardening and growing sessions to continue.
FRANCIS STREET POLYCRUB
Proving that a bit of tarmac is no obstacle to providing growing spaces, we are proud to present to the local community our very own polycrub, built to withstand the Hebridean wild weather, in the grounds of our offices at 30 Francis Street.
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Building on what we learnt from the Jubilee Garden, the polycrub enables us to continue offering to the community the opportunity to take part in horticultural activities.
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Easily accessed by public transport
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Parking close by
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Access to amenities within our building
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Sheltered growing space
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Raised beds making cultivation easier for those with physical health conditions
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Gardening can take place in all weathers!
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To find out more about getting involved with our polycrub, contact the Embark team on ​0795 144 9816
or email​ info@embark.org.uk
JUBILEE GARDEN
From April 2022 to March 2024, Volunteering Hebrides received funding to transform an overgrown garden within the grounds of UHI North, West and Hebrides into a beautiful, tranquil area, growing a variety of fruit, vegetables and flowers and providing a haven for nature and a resource benefitting the whole community.
Feedback from participants and volunteers evidences the wide range of life-changing benefits experienced:
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One elderly lady grew plants from seeds for the first time!
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Accessing accredited training such as First Aid
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Having access to a suitable growing space (many homes in rural areas of the island are surrounded by peat, moorland and rocky areas which are hard to cultivate)
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Increased motivation to leave the house and take part in community activities
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Increased access to 'own-grown' fresh fruit and vegetables
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A sense of pride
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Increased social connections, camaraderie and informal skill-sharing
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Intergenerational friendships formed
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A feeling of being part of a special ‘family’
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Contributing to the local community by creating a beautiful space that everyone can enjoy
SOUPERFOOD
The Souperfood Initiative Western Isles is designed to support communities to do a little bit more to counter food poverty. It is a cross-island, cross-community network of people made up of community groups, employers, individuals and growers/producers who have created, or who would like to create, opportunities for accessing good quality, more affordable or free food.
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Bringing people together around food combats more than just food poverty. It creates community, helps tackle loneliness and social isolation and positively impacts the environment. It provides opportunities for local producers to find outlets for their locally grown produce, reducing food miles and providing high quality, nutritious food to the people who need it.
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BE GREEN & CLEAN!
We have teamed up with Clean Coast Outer Hebrides to host regular health walks with an environmentally friendly twist! As well as getting some wonderful Hebridean fresh air, exploring parts of our coastline you may never have seen before, our groups make a difference to our precious coastline habitat.
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This makes our island not only nicer to look at but safer for our local wildlife. We have previously visited beaches and stretches of coast in locations including Ranish, the Braighe, Tong, Barvas and the Castle Grounds, and plan to cover many more.
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Everyone involved comes away having had a great time and feeling like they've done something worthwhile.
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Woodland Adventures
Right on our doorstep in Stornoway we have the most wonderful Woodland habitat.
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Not only do we run most of our walking and cycling activities in the Castle Grounds but we also offer opportunities to explore this unique enviroment and learn outdoor skills.
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Our Woodland Adventures gives you a chance to learn how to build a fire, craft a shelter, cook outdoors and develop navigation techniques, as well as open your eyes to discover wildlife in places you may usually overlook.
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​To find out more about organising a bespoke session, contact the Embark team on ​0795 144 9816
or email​ info@embark.org.uk
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