Bridgend Eco-Bothy Build
2
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. We carried out a piece of community action research with 398 households during the pandemic in these areas. We know through this that mental health, more access to outdoor activities & social isolation are the biggest issues in our community. A key theme emerging from previous consultation was around training needs, which is particularly important to people with no qualifications, estimated as 28% of residents in our area of benefit. Health inequalities are also high in our area, with a need for local social proscribing opportunities
Solution
We would offer a series of sustainable construction weekend training workshops, such as joinery, landscaping, clay rendering, and natural play building for trainees to gain experience, skills, and improved confidence, social networks and positive mental and physical health. The Bothy will provide a venue for the Trees & Seas Outdoor Adventures primary school aged group, and the Very Important People Club for children aged 0-5 with additional support needs, as well as for other community purposes. At 27sqm, the environmentally friendly Bothy will use reused, recycled, natural and locally sourced materials as much as possible. It will be a fully wheelchair accessible community resource
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. The Eco-Bothy Build itself has also won the Voluntary Arts Scotland Epic Award 2020, and was highly commended for the Voluntary arts diversity award. Our track record in delivering a community hub renovation and previous Bothy training sessions shows we have the experience, energy, and interest to deliver this eco-bothy build and training programme.