West End Community Garden
Empowering Communities, Embracing Diversity
2021 – Ongoing
The Greenlaw Community Garden project (also described as Pachedu’s “growing space at Sherwood Greenlaw Church” in Paisley) is an urban gardening and allotment initiative aimed at improving mental wellbeing and community cohesion through horticulture. Pachedu secured four raised beds in a local allotment during 2020 as a pilot. Building on its success, the project expanded with funding to involve more people in growing vegetables, flowers, and herbs. Objectives include teaching gardening skills, encouraging healthy eating, providing therapeutic outdoor activity, and creating an intercultural community space where people from different backgrounds work side by side.
Project Details
Target Beneficiaries
Diverse communities in Paisley, including minority ethnic families and other local residents (neighbours) interested in gardening. It particularly reaches those who may not have their own gardens or who benefit from low-stress outdoor social activity, for instance, individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, or those simply seeking to connect with others post-lockdown.
Outcomes / Impact
The garden has become a vibrant, inclusive space. By 2022, Pachedu’s allotment in Paterson Park (Greenlaw area) was noted among Renfrewshire’s new “green projects” supporting mental health. Participants have reported feeling “proud” of growing their own produce and “in the position to support each other through daily hassles” while working together. The project contributes to local biodiversity efforts as well. To date, dozens of community members have taken part, some through regular gardening clubs and occasional planting days. It has also been linked with Renfrewshire’s wider climate and green initiatives (for example, Pachedu took part in planting trees via Renfrewshire Climate Network). The continued use and maintenance of the allotment signal enduring impact on community wellbeing and environmental awareness.
Funding Sources
The major funding came from the Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund in 2021 – Pachedu received £20,000 earmarked for this “Pachedu Greenlaw Garden” project. These funds covered allotment lease improvements, tools, soil and seeds, workshops led by gardening experts, and volunteer coordination. Additional support has been provided in-kind by Sherwood Greenlaw Church (provision of space/water) and donations of plants from local garden centres.
Collaborators / Partners
Key partners include the Tannahill Centre (community hub) for outreach and volunteer recruitment, and Renfrewshire Council, which oversees allotments. The project is part of a network of green initiatives, collaborating informally with groups like Friends of Barshaw Park and Open Aye CIC (photography mapping of green spaces), as all were concurrent recipients of the mental health fund. Volunteers from the West End Growing Grounds Association (WEGGA) also provided mentorship. This collaborative approach ensures the garden is well-integrated into the local community gardening movement.
