Bridgend Farmhouse Community Compost Toilet Build
1
The Pitch
Problem statement
Bridgend Farmhouse is based in South-East Edinburgh. 20 of the data-zones in our area of benefit are within the 20% most deprived communities in Scotland. In a recent community survey with 398 households during the pandemic, we know through this that mental health, more access to outdoor activities, and social isolation are the biggest issues in our community. Also 28% of people in our communities don't have any qualifications and there is a need for more practical training opportunities. Due to the lockdowns and closure of community facilities there is the need to build new wheelchair accessible outdoor facilities that support outdoor and environmental engagement and social activities.
Solution
To help address these needs we want to build a fully wheelchair accessible composting toilet , which will be built by local volunteer trainees.The timber-frame (and green roof) compost toilet build will be a skills development and community building programme led by specialist green build experts. This will allow people and groups of all ages, abilities and disabilities to run group activities in the woodlands, and use our Bothy and outdoor play facilities at all times of the day and night. The compost toilet would of course have the added environmental benefit of using human waste to create compost for our mini-orchard and educating the general public and volunteers about sustainability.
Why are we best placed to deliver?
We are an award winning Community Benefit Society with charitable status that formed in 2011, and in 2015 the community successfully campaigned to take ownership of the land in one of the first urban asset transfers in Scotland. Since then, through voluntary action hundreds of volunteers renovated the old farmhouse into a thriving community hub. We have three sub-groups of volunteers, 5 staff and a Board of 12 trustees. Our track record in delivering a community hub renovation and previous practical training sessions (including stone wall restoration, timber charring, hut building, green woodwork) shows we have the experience, energy and interest to deliver this compost toilet build training
Focus Areas
Delivery plan
Budget breakdown
| Timber and screws for the compost toilet timber frame | £500 |
Beneficiaries
50 people
Expected impact
We anticipate 20 trainees to benefit from the training this funding would enable, who will gain experience, skills, and improved confidence, social networks and positive mental and physical health and well-being, as well as creating this accessible compost toilet facility for outdoor groups and activities 24/7 for the community.Once completed, it can be used by local groups, individuals and families for accessing our outdoor play area, our eco-bothy, the farmhouse and kitchen garden, and Craigmillar Castle Park. We anticipate over 150 children and young people, and over 50 adults, per year, benefiting from using the compost toilet and the activities it will enable that wouldn't have otherwise been able to.We will expect to see at least 30 people report greater understanding of composting and sustainability.
Track record
Bridgend Farmhouse has won various awards including the Voluntary Arts Scotland Epic Award, and commendations in the SCVO Celebrating Communities and SURF community regeneration awards. Over 30 volunteers gained qualifications including REHIS Health and Safety, SQA's and Adult Achievement Awards. A note from our local councillor Maureen Child; The project is an exemplar for the community empowerment and has really come into its own during the pandemic, finding many ways directly to support local people, especially the most vulnerable, during lockdown and continuing their life-enhancing activities in new ways. Bridgend connects people in reality and through social media. They have transformed a completely derelict building into a very vibrant community resource. They touched and transformed the lives of hundreds of people indirectly through their various volunteering opportunities and directly through the service they provide to our communities. I cannot praise them highly enough