Garden Group Volunteer

At the Cyrenians’ Royal Edinburgh Community Garden, we endeavour to provide a beautiful, interesting and relaxing amenity space for patients, visitors, hospital staff and the larger community. We also run a range of structured services for patients in the garden, on the wards and use the well-maintained garden and its resources as a base. The gardens have a particular focus on welcoming people who are experiencing mental or physical health problems, disadvantage, isolation or poverty.

To achieve this aim, we seek volunteers to take part in activities under the direction of the Project Coordinators and Group Facilitators.

We run two different groups on a Monday for a small number of participants.

 10am-12pm                  Conservation Activity Group

Participants assist with conservation of the orchard, willow bed and garden hedges. They will learn about biodiversity in and around the garden and take part in wildlife surveys – a physically active group!

 1-3pm                           Green Activity Group

Participants will be able to try a range of nature based activities including conservation and biodiversity, green crafts, mindfulness in nature and gardening activities. This is a rolling 12 week programme.

Your support and encouragement could help the group to:

• Engage with a gardening session to benefit their physical / mental health.
• Relax and de-stress by spending some time in a ‘greenspace’.
• Reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
• Increase self-confidence.