A gardening project in Aberdeen is helping young people understand more about biodiversity, through maintaining the green spaces at a local sports facility.
When Lead Community Sport Hub Coordinator for Aberdeen, Joe Coleman, came into his role in 2023, he was keen to get out into the community to find out what opportunities were available and what partnerships could be struck.
Head teacher at Kaimhill Primary School, Suzie Webster had been running several partnership breakfasts for organisations to network at the school, which were also used to showcase the work that had been going on within the primary school.
With Joe fresh in his role and supporting the local community sport hub, Garthdee CSH for the area, Joe thought this would be an ideal opportunity to meet some other organisations and get a better understanding of what is happening locally. Little did he know that his support would take the form of a gardening project.
Planting the seed
The day Joe attended was the day teacher, Robbie Skinley and his Primary 3 pupils presented on their in-house gardening project. The pupils had been learning about biodiversity, growing their own plants, and understanding more about edible grown food.
There was a clear passion for getting their hands dirty, but there was a lack of green open space in the playground to work on.
With Adventure Aberdeen Snowsports Centre, a Sport Aberdeen facility, across the road from the school containing an abundance of greenspace, Joe thought that this would be the perfect place for the young people to carry on their newfound interest.
Joe said: “The snowsports centre is literally a stone’s throw away from the school. The centre has loads of grassy areas among the slopes that could be used and I thought that this might be great to connect one of our centres with the local school.
“It allows the young people to apply their new skills, get out into the community and make it more appealing for everyone.”
Within a few weeks and spades in hand, Joe and Robbie took the pupils across the road to let them decide what space they wanted to use, what they wanted to grow and make a start on digging some flower beds.
The young people came up with creative ideas to tie in with the snowsports theme by using old snowboards to border the beds.
Spring is in the air
Due to its seasonal nature, the project was put on hold from October and is due to kick start again this month. To keep the children engaged, they were tasked through the winter to come up with ideas for a name for the garden as well a designing a plaque which would showcase that the primary school maintains the space. There were also a series of engagements to discuss what to do in the spring and summer with a new flower bed being planned.
The young people have since decided to theme the flower beds. One for pollinator flowers to entice wildlife and one for plants that they can eat.
A nutrition student from Robert Gordon University was also on placement within Sport Aberdeen and as part of her work experience she came in to educate the children on growing their own plants and the benefits of certain food types.
Over 20 young people have been involved in the project to date, and it's hoped that this might be expanded in the school to allow other children the opportunity to support. As an incentive for the young people, there is also scope for the centre to put on tubing sessions; travelling down the ski slopes on large rubber rings.
What they said
Joe continued: “I am really stoked on the efforts shown by the young people so far with their garden site and I look forward to seeing the space grow and develop as time goes on. It’s not strictly sport but there is no denying that getting outside and being active in this respect is really beneficial and I hope that the time spent at the facility will inspire them to get involved in the sports on offer.”
Robbie Skinley commented on the project saying: “The children have really enjoyed sharing ideas and using their skills outside the school. I've been delighted by the enthusiasm shown by all learners who are really engaged with the idea of developing an area with different themes. We hope to create an area that is attractive and pleasant to be in and we are grateful to Joe in offering this space.”
Some of the young people said:
“I think it is a great idea because you can see how important plants are and to also engage with nature.”
“I really enjoyed pushing the wheelbarrow with turf in it and I loved planting. It was really exciting and fun.”
“I think it is a good idea as it helps us develop our gardening skills and it also would look good around the ski slope.”
About community sport hubs
Garthdee community sport hub is part of the national sportscotland community sport hub network. A Community Sport Hub (CSH) is a collective of local sports clubs and other community organisations that come together to improve the contribution that sport and physical activity has on a community.
Find out more
Learn more about community sport hubs
