Sight Scotland Veterans and Cyrenians Collaborate on Historic Walled Garden Project
Sight Scotland Veterans has partnered with Cyrenians to revitalize the historic Walled Garden within its Linburn Centre in West Lothian, creating a therapeutic hub for veterans, families, and the local community.
Cyrenians, a prominent homeless charity, is leading the project, managed by Garden and Volunteer Wellbeing Coordinator Laura Mulcahy. This picturesque Walled Garden, with roots dating back to the 1800s, resides on the grounds of Sight Scotland Veterans’ Linburn Centre in Wilkieston. The Linburn Centre serves as an activity hub for veterans with sight loss, offering a range of enriching activities and outings in beautiful surroundings. Many attending veterans credit their transformed lives to the center's activities and connections made there.
Laura Mulcahy of Cyrenians states, "The Linburn Walled Garden provides an ideal setting to cultivate a nurturing environment for both crops and people. This includes diverse wellbeing activities for veterans, families, and the broader community. Our joint effort aims to establish a space that combines practical horticultural skills such as planting, nurturing, harvesting, and cooking, with opportunities for veterans and their families to forge and rebuild relationships, relish stress-free moments outdoors, and enhance their mental wellbeing."
Mulcahy further adds, "We're thrilled with the garden's progress and extend our gratitude to our dedicated volunteers, whose support has been invaluable. Our journey continues as we work on enhancing accessibility and pathways to ensure veterans' regular use. Ultimately, our vision is for the Walled Garden to blossom into a therapy hub, providing veterans a sanctuary to bask in fresh air, foster confidence, and uplift mental health. It's destined to become an inviting space teeming with activities for the veteran community."
Lorraine Bruce, Hub Coordinator from Sight Scotland Veterans, expresses excitement about partnering with Cyrenians on this transformative Walled Garden venture. She notes, "The garden's astonishing evolution is inspiring, and its completion promises profound benefits for our veterans. As they embrace its regular use, we anticipate an influx of enthusiastic gardeners. Gardening not only encourages physical exercise but also nurtures friendships and bolsters mental wellness."
You may also be interested in
The Art of Combating Loneliness
Art Tutor at Hawkhead discuss how Art can help people with sight loss to communicate, connect and combat loneliness.
Support for veterans
Help us reach a veteran who is not currently receiving our life changing support.
Sight Scotland Veterans Launch Bowling Team
Sight Scotland Veterans has launched a new lawn bowling team which will now compete in the Vision Impairment Bowling Scotland League (VIBS) with matches taking place all over Scotland.
Join Sight Scotland Veterans
We support all Veterans with sight loss. For free support get in touch today