It's gloves on and spades at the ready for all the fabulous volunteers at Jock Tamson's Gairden who will be gardening from dawn until dusk on Saturday 18th June to raise funds to support this amazing community garden in Edinburgh. The volunteers will be encouraged throughout the day by performers including the Summerhall Singers, U3A Ukulele Band, the Phoenix Choir and dancer, Molly Danter. Our Greens to Go Stall will also be open selling produce, preserves and flowers from the Gairden.

Jock Tamson's Gairden is an open green space, which is home to community gardens in a beautiful parkland setting. The roots of this gairden are in the diligent labours and enthusiasm of a team of volunteers and groups drawn from the community of Edinburgh. The name comes from that well-loved Scottish saying 'we're a' Jock Tamson's bairns' or in English 'we're all John Thomson's children' and celebrates the egalitarian nature of what we do here: it is a garden for the whole community welcoming everyone regardless of age, ability, sexuality or background.

The Gairden plays host to many regular groups (Tiphereth, Upmo and U3A) and provides a peaceful haven for anyone simply popping in. Lizz and the volunteers grow fruit, vegetables and flowers for sale through local outlets and organisations as well as for donation to charitable agencies in the city. We bring together people from diverse backgrounds, e.g. retired people and primary school pupils, to help improve inter-generational communication and alleviate social isolation. We work with organisations such as Community Services Unpaid Work Team and Family Journeys.

People volunteer with us for a wide variety of reasons: mental health problems, seeking new skills to improve employment prospects, social isolation and or loneliness (especially after the pandemic), recovery from alcohol/drug abuse, a desire to give something back to society, a need to be out of doors in nature, those suffering a bereavement, and people who are neuro-diverse and find it hard to fit in with other projects.

Your donation will help us to continue to offer a wide range of volunteering opportunities and will also help to fund special projects throughout the year, such as The Den which will provide a sanctuary space within the gairden for individuals and groups who need peace, quiet and privacy. The Den will include a small, enclosed garden for families, groups and individuals to take part in growing activities.

If you'd like to know more about what we do, we'd love to see you on the day and you can also go to our website https://www.jocktamsonsgairden.org.uk/gardenathon-2022/.