Green space creates happy faces in Edinburgh

(L – R) Link Housing Officer Emma Stevenson presents tenant John Stewart with a £50 Asda voucher, which he plans to use to buy more plants for the community garden.

John Stewart, and other tenants in Jamaica Mews, Edinburgh, decided to transform waste ground outside their homes into a colourful community garden – despite not having any previous gardening experience.

In addition to creating a bright community area, John said he had experienced improved mental health and well-being, regular physical exercise, and a sense of achievement through doing something meaningful to help boost his local area.

He said: “It gives you a purpose to come down every morning, nurturing plants, watering and picking out weeds. Being in this area with people coming through all the time, you get a lot of positive comments about the garden, which make you feel good.”

Link has shown their appreciation by presenting John and the tenants with a £50 Asda gardening voucher and plenty of support.

John added: “Link has given us plenty of encouragement, and the vouchers will contribute towards more plants. It will be fantastic to get more colour because we want to turn the garden around until it is as good as the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh!”

If you love where you live and are thinking of doing something to help your community, please talk to your Housing Officer, who would be happy to help you get things growing.