Article Source: Dobbies
Last Updated: 9 May 2025 16:56
Dobbies Garden Centres has announced the local charities and community organisations set to benefit from its support this year, helping them to create, enhance, or revitalise their indoor and outdoor green spaces — including schools, nurseries, care homes, allotments and community gardens.
Over 600 groups applied to Dobbies Community Gardens when it opened in March. Each Dobbies’ store selected a local project to support from the nominations that were made. Nominated projects were invited along to their local in-store free Grow How session on Saturday 3 May where the winner was announced.
Dobbies’ Dunfermline store selected Crossgate Primary School to receive donations and support as part of Dobbies Community Gardens. They have a small school garden area which is much-loved by the pupils, and plan to develop a sensory-rich garden space with support from colleagues at the Dunfermline store. This space will help promote positive social interactions and encourage curiosity and learning in nature.
Friends of Courtneys Lodge Sheltered Housing for people with dementia was selected by the Milton Keynes store. The team is made up of staff, residents and their families, who all come together to raise funds for activities to keep their minds stimulated and help prolong independence and a normal lifestyle. Gardening is a great way to alleviate stress, boredom and anxiety, and taking part in physical activity like gardening can stimulate the senses. Dobbies' support will help Friends of Courtneys Lodge Sheltered Housing with tools, equipment and plants for their gardening club.
Jean Todd Close has been selected by the Antrim store to receive donations and support as part of Dobbies Community Gardens. Jean Todd Close is a supported living scheme for adults with learning disabilities and have a communal sensory garden that the service users can enjoy together or use during family visits. This is a place they can give gardening a go, and with Dobbies' support, the team hope to equip the residents with tools, plants and some vegetables for the existing polytunnel, allowing residents can start growing their own produce.
All winning groups will now receive a one-on-one session with Dobbies’ Green Team in their local store to kick-start the activity. The team will support the winning groups throughout their projects with products, tools and plants, along with volunteer hours to help bring each green space to life and keep it thriving.
Katie Coughlin from Courtneys Lodge said: “Gardening can be a great way to alleviate stress, boredom and anxiety for our residents. We are incredibly grateful to Dobbies for their support in creating a community garden and a space for them to come together.”
Nigel Lawton, Dobbies’ Plant Buyer, said: “We are really pleased to have had so many community groups reach out looking for support with their green spaces. We're committed to supporting the local communities around our stores, and the mix of winners showcases the many ways people and communities can benefit from garden living.
“We’re looking forward to seeing these spaces flourish and supporting the groups as they create welcoming green areas for their communities.”
To find out more about Dobbies Community Gardens and see this year’s winners, visit www.dobbies.com/community-gardens
Image: Crossgates Primary School in Dunfermline were selected by Dobbies’ Dunfermline store as this year’s Dobbies Community Gardens winner
Image credit: Stewart Attwood
Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival returns for its 12th edition on the big screen in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling and Inverness from 1st to 19th October 2025.
READ MOREThe development of a new National Centre for Music has reached another key milestone, with the appointment of Carol Main MBE FRC as Chair.
READ MORECineworld is excited to announce the return of 4DX Rewind this September across Cineworld 4DX cinemas nationwide!
READ MOREScotland's greatest running event, the AJ Bell Great Scottish Run, will return to Glasgow next month, and there’s still time to secure your place.
READ MOREMarston's and Michelin-starred chef Tom Shepherd have teamed up once more to serve up The Best Ever Pub Pie to locals across the country.
READ MOREÒran, the award-winning sell-out hit of the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe embarks on its first ever UK tour this autumn as company Wonder Fools take their work to a host of venues across Scotland.
READ MOREIconic movies celebrating key milestones this year are returning to Vue for a limited run - including Steven Spielberg classic Jaws.
READ MOREThe Scottish Homebuilding & Renovating Show will be packed with expert speakers when it returns to the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston on 4th – 5th October 2025.
READ MORELove Loch Lomond will officially launch its new publication, A Taste of Loch Lomond – Stories and Flavours from the Bonnie Banks, at the Loch Lomond Food & Drink Festival on Sunday 7th September.
READ MOREIt might only be September, but the C-word is not too far away, so it's time to start thinking about planning the annual office Christmas shindig before everything gets booked up!
READ MOREBusiness Gateway, Scotland's national business support service, has launched Scottish Start-Up Month, a nationwide campaign to celebrate Scotland's entrepreneurial spirit.
READ MOREVikings, a pie eating competition, new celebrated chef and dog & duck shows set to bring new energy to Loch Lomond Food and Drink Festival this September.
READ MOREThe winners of the 2025 Scottish Bar & Pub Awards were unveiled on the 26th of August at a glittering, Oscars-themed ceremony held at the Doubletree by Hilton, Glasgow.
READ MOREThe Edinburgh Butter Company has announced the return of its ‘Scotland’s Best Croissant’ competition on Monday 13th October.
READ MOREPeople across Scotland invited to take part in national conversation about heritage.
READ MOREA multiple Clan skirmish of epic proportions is on the cards again for mountain bike Enduro riders when Clans @ The Croft, the first team event on the UK's Enduro calendar, returns to Creiff.
READ MOREThe Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo closes the drawbridge on its 75th anniversary Show, as tickets for next year go on sale.
READ MOREScottish shoppers will hardly believe it when they see it today as Primark finally relents on one of its biggest brand debates after 50 years.
READ MOREScotland's best loved family resort, Crieff Hydro, has unveiled details of a specially curated programme of events as it prepares to welcome guests over the festive period.
READ MOREThe shortlist for the Scots Language Awards 2025 has been unveiled, with figures from Scottish literature, theatre, education and business all in the running for awards at the annual ceremony.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centre in Dunfermline is opening its doors to the National Vegetable Society, having been unveiled as the host of the Scottish Branch Championships for 2025.
READ MOREInnis & Gunn has claimed double gold on the global stage, winning best in Scotland for the second year running at the World Beer Awards.
READ MOREFrom exciting encounters with Santa himself to hands-on workshops and joyful family moments, Dobbies is the destination for festive fun this Christmas!
READ MOREOne of the most-watched films on Netflix is heading to Vue next weekend for a special sing-along event – with tickets on sale now!
READ MOREFairmont St Andrews invites golfers to tee off for a cause with the launch of the inaugural Fairmont Golf Open, held in proud collaboration with the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
READ MOREDobbies Garden Centres is inspiring gardeners across Scotland this September with two free-to-attend gardening workshops, Little Seedlings Club and Grow How, suitable for all ages and abilities.
READ MORELights, Pints, Action! Scotland's pubs go for gold at the hospitality industry's very own oscars.
READ MOREStronger Together: Kellogg's pledges pound-for-pound match for Big Scottish Breakfast Fundraiser.
READ MOREThe biggest show of its kind in Scotland returns with Earlybird tickets and a give-away with headline sponsor Border Caravans!
READ MORESteve Spencer cycles 1k miles over 2 weeks, volunteering at all 16 Wave Project UK locations, raising money for the charity, on the eve of his 60th birthday.
READ MORE