THE PROJECT

The Edinburgh Forget-Me-Not-Garden Trust was formed in 2015 with the objective of turning the dilapidated lodge and unkempt garden at Lauriston Castle into a hub where help could be sought from volunteer advisors and a tranquil garden could be enjoyed all the year round. The Trust signed a 25-year lease from the City Council in 2019 for the lodge and adjacent garden grounds. With no additional financial support from the Council, the task began to raise the necessary funds to convert the lodge and garden into the vision imagined.

Initial fund-raising paid for fees to obtain planning permission and originate plans for the lodge and garden. Then began the task of raising the funds to carry out the work. The first phase would be designing and constructing the memory garden and this would be carried out as funding became available. The second phase would see the lodge being completely renovated and reconstructed as a dementia support centre and tearoom.

WHERE WE ARE NOW

At the beginning of 2021, sufficient funds have been raised to start work on the garden. You can now see this work in progress at the entrance to Lauriston Castle. However, significant funds are still required to complete the garden and then to start on conversion of the lodge.

WHY THIS GARDEN IS IMPORTANT

One in 6 people in the UK will be affected directly or indirectly by dementia in their lifetime. It is known that a garden has positive effects on improving the physical and mental well-being of dementia patients. This community garden will offer therapeutic benefits by way of sensory planting, gardening activity, reminiscence features and awareness elements. Volunteers will be on hand to offer informal support for people with dementia to access the garden with friends and family, helping to reduce isolation.

We hope that you will support this worthy cause.