'Populus' - A Nourishing Leith Hub
A Multi-Purpose Community Hub for Leith
Our Vision
We have re-purposed the dilapidated former tennis pavilion into 'Populus' - a home for Earth in Common and a space for our cafe, farm shop, training and events. The transformed building is a dynamic place for community engagement and a special place promoting healthy, inclusive and environmentally sustainable food production and consumption in Leith.
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become a beacon and landmark at the heart of the community;
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create a resilient community by bringing together residents of Leith from a variety of backgrounds and break down barriers;
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increase the skills base amongst people involved by providing
access to/knowledge of, environmental issues, healthy food,
food growing and composting;
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enable people to grow their own food and eat more local
food, thereby reducing food associated carbon footprints;
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increase biodiversity and habitats for pollinating insects;
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maintain rare and heritage seed varieties; and
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address childhood mental and physical health problems e.g.
nature deficit disorder.
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By delivering our vision for an Urban Croft and 'Populus', we aim to achieve the following objectives:
2022: Renovation Beings
Our dream was realised in early 2021 upon receiving funding from the Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) (delivered annually in partnership between the Scottish Government and COSLA).
The awarded funding realised the full vision of the repair, the space providing a community café, a meeting room for community members, a workshop space, an office and an outbuilding.
This building is an essential point to nurture encounters, mutual support and learning across the diverse community of Leith. This increases the communities’ resilience and helps continue the organisation's work to foster well-being, nature connection and biodiversity.
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Excitingly, renovation began in early 2022 and the project was completed by Summer 2023.