Our Recent Achievements and Feedback

We achieved a wide range of successes in the year ending 31 March 2024, as highlighted in our Annual Report. Here are the key achievements:

 Infrastructure & Strategic Development

• Eco Building Funding Secured: Final funding secured (£418,060 capital + £49,200 revenue) from the Community Ownership Fund for a new eco-building with a training kitchen, classroom, atrium, accessible facilities, and office space.
• 30th Anniversary Planning: Preparations underway to celebrate the garden’s 30th anniversary in 2024/25.

 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

• Developed a 3-year Anti-Racism, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion strategy with community input.
• Working toward Garden of Sanctuary accreditation.

 Volunteering & Training

• 299 volunteering sessions delivered, totaling over 6,000 hours by 83 volunteers.
• Restored an old pond with 20 tonnes of clay, improved paths, and boosted biodiversity.
• Continued partnership with the West End Refugee Service, involving asylum seekers and refugees.

 Canny Plants Nursery

• Grew 125 species of plants in peat-free compost.
• 2,490 plants donated to schools and community spaces.
• Implemented a successful plant pot return and reuse scheme.

 Sticky Business (Social Enterprise)

• Produced 1,553 products and sold 1,709 items despite poor fruit yields.
• Popular products included Blackcurrant & Lime Jam and Rhubarb Chutneys.

 Adult Wellbeing Programme

• Delivered 300+ sessions, reaching 120+ people.
• Outcomes included improved mental health, social connection, nature-based learning, and hands-on project participation.
• Introduced Hen Power project with hens and related art, enhancing wellbeing.
• Hosted Occupational Therapy student placements from Northumbria University.

 Community Pantry

• Saved 6 tonnes of food from landfill.
• Averaged 168 visits per month to the pantry.

 Education & Forest Schools

• Delivered 113 nature-based sessions to 2,413 children and 414 adults.
• Developed Schools of Sanctuary sessions focused on inclusion, reaching 211 children from 8 schools.
• Strong post-visit engagement: students planted, recycled, built bug hotels, and more.

 Youth & Play Programme

• Worked with 326 children, youth, and parents across 7 weekly sessions.
• Introduced Adventure Rangers, Early Explorers, and Art & Music Garden sessions.
• Funded placement via Groundwork UK’s New to Nature resulted in full-time hire.

 Community Events

• Hosted events including Blossom Day, Apple Day, and Winter Wonderland, attracting hundreds of attendees.
• Ran Wellbeing Hubs during winter and celebrated Ageism Action Day.

These achievements show Scotswood Garden’s impactful work across environmental sustainability, community inclusion, education, wellbeing, and food justice. 

Feedback from our users

 Volunteers & Garden Users

“The Garden helps me with my mental health so much.”
“I love attending the sessions – the vibe of inclusivity is really strong. I like having the opportunity to learn about organic gardening.”
“I like to be outside in nature. I’ve made a lot of friends here and learned new skills. I especially like going in the bee hives.”
“Coming to the garden has helped me get a bit of structure and see friendly people every week.”

 Hen Power Participants

“I just love the hens – they calm me and are my friends!”
“Thank you for the eggs. I can’t always afford them. Especially nice to get eggs from happy hens!”

 Adult Wellbeing & Woodland Groups

“It’s good to hang up the mobiles we made in the Garden and know they'll be there all week. It’s like a piece of the garden belongs to us.”
“The garden is amazing. You wouldn’t even know this is all here from the outside. It’s been so nice to see some of the residents engaging with activities and people they wouldn’t normally engage with.”

 Friends Action North East (Adults with Learning Disabilities & Autism)

“Maisie looked forward to the woodland group and came home happy and enthusiastic.”
“Ayesha has been noticeably happier... she is now willing to explore and try new things – something she has never done before.”

 Children in Forest School Sessions

“This is the funnest thing I’ve ever done!”
“I loved making a den.”
“Best day ever.”

 Teachers on Education Visits

“Great consolidation of classroom learning. Hands-on planting and learning about the importance of bees.”
“Many of our inner-city children have no regular access to nature. They were thrilled with the bees, butterflies, and newts!”
“A fabulous opportunity to pond dip and hunt for minibeasts — pure joy!”

 Schools of Sanctuary

“It far surpassed my expectations. It was brilliant for our quieter children, especially those with language barriers, to express themselves and have fun.”

 Forest School Feedback

“At school he wouldn’t communicate with adults or peers... now he talks freely and has made new friendships.”
“There’s been a significant change in his confidence both socially and emotionally.”