Brighter Baillieston is a local organisation of volunteers who want to instil community spirit within the local area. We have taken on an old demonstration garden which is massively overgrown and, with the help of local volunteers, we are making progress with clearing it. We want to bring a corner of paradise to the community by making a woodland walk for the children with hidden surprises like bug hotels, character statues etc, raised beds for our less able residents to get their hands dirty and grow fruit, veg and flowers, social seating area for everyone to congregate with flower planters overflowing with colour, a pergola with climbers and benches and a patio, a sensory garden with wind chimes, lavenders, jasmines, roses and other scented plants surrounding an all weather paved area made up of various textures where schools and nurseries can do nature and wildlife activities and wildflower pockets so that bees and butterflies can visit out garden bringing nature to life.

What we'll deliver:

• Build a patio with a pergola
• Build raised beds
• Buy shrubs and plants
• Buy wind chimes , statues, bird boxes and bug friendly houses

Why it's a great idea:

It is a well known fact that gardening is good for mental health as well as having physical benefits for which we use the 'Green Gym' analogy. Post COVID, the garden will provide an area of beauty and tranquillity in the heart of the community where people can have a quiet lunch break (its near the health centre) or meet friends, other parents, grandparents etc to make memories with their family. It also gives volunteers the opportunity to meet new people and be part of something good right on their doorstep. It will provide an outdoor resource for local schools and nurseries, as well as the broader community, to teach children about nature and the environment. Baillieston is an old mining village where the elderly population often stop to tell us stories of the miners cottage that used to stand on the land. The garden would provide a place for older people to gather and reminisce on that and other things.

Steps to get it done:

• clear the garden site of all debris

The community garden will be a lifeline for all members of the community to enjoy and get involved with. We already have a family of robins who are regular visitors and bring a smile to all who see their cheeky antics. Simple things make people happy and the garden will definitely do that.