Thanks to recent funding from the Just Transition PB Fund, Community & Coast Fund and Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund, driven largely by the energy of site representative Alison, the allotments have a renewed sense of purpose. New additions, like a communal shed, are transforming the space.

Some of those who use the allotments shared their views on why they find the site so meaningful, and the difference the funding has made.

“Just a New Chapter”

Gabriella, who’s been on the site for two years, was new to gardening when she got her plot after a long wait. “Although a lot of this is very new to me, I’ve been lucky to have very nice neighbours who have helped along the way. It’s a great community here,” she says. “People help one another with advice as well as hands on assistance with using tools and materials”.

She speaks warmly about how things have changed with site rep Alison coordinating the space. “We already had a lovely atmosphere here but with Alison putting in the effort to help us access funding and raise money you can feel things are getting even more positive, you can see all the great changes that are happening. It’s like a new chapter in the life of the allotment”. One of the big changes has been the creation of a new communal area.

“Where we are standing, it was originally planned to be divided into smaller sections, but later on, with more funding available, it became a communal space,” Gabriella explains. “We now also have a communal shed – it was a lot of hard work to build it but we all worked together to get it done and everyone contributed in the way they could.”

Funding has allowed the allotment to purchase a series of new items to improve the space including more shared equipment and compost bins alongside the shed, with benches and seating coming soon.

Gabriella says the improvements are already helping bring people closer. “We spend the whole day together working and getting to know each other better. It really helps create that sense of community. I’ve had challenges with my mental health and coming here gives me peace. I can listen to the birds, get fresh air, see friendly faces… I feel safe here.”

A Space to Learn and Belong

Across the site, similar stories emerge. Nadine, born and raised in Torry, shares how what started as a simple idea with her mum – applying for an allotment – has become something so much more. “We just needed something to do,” she explains. “There’s not much to do in the area anymore, so the fact we found this, and it being so local to us, is just perfect”.

The pair were lucky to get a plot within six weeks – a rare opportunity given the long waiting lists in the city. “It was completely overgrown. We didn’t have a clue what we were doing,” she laughs. “But everyone welcomed us straight away. It’s like a little family now.” Thanks to the support and knowledge of fellow gardeners like Alison and Alex, Nadine and her mum began learning the ropes; when to plant, what to grow, and how to care for it all.

“Although they say it’s the most run-down site in Aberdeen, I’d say we’ve got the strongest community spirit,” Nadine says proudly. “We’re all from different walks of life, but we’ve shared so much. Now we support each other through everything at the garden and it’s been great for us to get to know our neighbours better.”

“Torry is classed as an area of deprivation,” says Nadine. “There’s also not a lot of green space that people feel they can access. This allotment, and the community garden nearby, is so valuable, but the truth is, not many people even know they exist so I think raising awareness about what we have on our doorstep is important so more local people can get the benefit of these spaces.”

“It’s not just about feeling part of the community either, there’s the opportunity to learn things like how to grow food, and how important green spaces are. Getting kids involved is especially important. They should be able to get their hands dirty and see where food comes from, how things grow”. Nadine’s own niece has been visiting the plot with her. “She was amazed to see peas growing in a pod – she just couldn’t believe it. That kind of wonder? We need more of that. When the sun’s out and we’re up here on the hill, it’s just the best feeling. Pure freedom,” Nadine adds. “Socially, personally, mentally, spiritually – this space has been beneficial in every way.”

Making a Difference with Funding

When asked about the recent funding the site has received, Nadine is clear: “It’s been good for security. Before, there was damage, theft, people just passing through and trashing gardens. Now we’ve got fencing, and more of a sense of ownership.”

But it also goes far beyond that simple idea Nadine acknowledges, “It’s brought us together. We’re learning more, building things together… laughing at each other, mostly!” she adds with a grin. “Butterfly boxes, new trees, plants. It’s made a difference. Alison spent hours and hours on those funding applications, and asked us what we needed – everyone felt included.”

“People Actually Talk Now”

For Alex, one of the longer-standing allotment holders – or plot holders as he notes is the term used in the North East – the change has been noticeable. “It used to be everyone just did their own thing. Now people actually talk to one another” he says. “There’s more sharing, more helping out. You see people working together.”

He also thinks the improvements have helped people who might not otherwise feel able to take on a whole plot. “Having shared tools and communal space makes it easier for more people to get involved. Sometimes though I just come down here to be outside. Even if I don’t do much, I always feel better when I leave. It’s Alison that’s made all of this possible by applying for the funds. She’s done a tremendous job.”

The Vision Behind the Change

Alison, the site representative, has played a key role in helping the allotment thrive. She downplays her leadership, instead emphasising the collective effort.

“I just wanted to help the site reach its potential,” she says. “We already had something good here. We just needed to unlock it.”

“We didn’t even have a bank account when we started applying for funding,” she says. “I’d never done anything like it before.” With help from fellow plot holders and support from groups like NESCAN, Alison took on the daunting task of writing their first application that would kick-start a wave of change on the site.

“That first one came from the JTPB Fund, and it was an enormous task,” she recalls. “But I was lucky. I met someone from another site who helped guide me through the process, and Jamie from NESCAN re-read everything for me. Sometimes what you write makes sense to you, but you need someone else to say, ‘Hmm, that bit is not quite clear.’”

Finding the right funding was only the beginning. “Then you wait – two months sometimes – and by the time you hear back, prices have gone up,” Alison says. “Now I’ve got to look at planning permission. It’s a constant learning curve but the results have been worth it”

“We’ve now got a community shed, rhubarb and raspberries planted, wildflower seeds, and even a lawn mower and strimmer – battery powered – so we can keep the site tidy ourselves,” Alison says. “There are so many small groups like ours trying to make a difference. A little bit of help and financial support goes a long way.”

The funding hasn’t just supported tools and infrastructure – it’s brought people together. “Building the shed and the fence really pulled us closer. We had a laugh every day. Things didn’t always work out first time, but we figured it out together,” Alison smiles.

This collective spirit has transformed the site. “We help each other with plants, advice, even just a few hours of time,” says Alex. “One of our plot holders hasn’t been well, so we take turns helping with her space. Seeing that in action I think is a real testament to the community we have here.”

Looking Forward

As spring settles in and plots begin to bloom, there’s a sense of

momentum at Tullos Crescent Allotments. The changes brought by funding and community effort are not just cosmetic – they’ve helped grow a stronger, more connected community. Gabriella mentions, “Nowadays everyone can feel lonely. We live isolated lives, more or less. It’s important to connect to people, to get closer to nature, and feel like you belong.”

For Alison, the allotment is more than a place to grow vegetables. It keeps you growing, keeps you learning.” Alex nods in agreement. “You taste the difference when you grow your own food. It’s not just coming out of a plastic bag at the supermarket.”

As Alison mentions in her closing sentiments

“It’s not just about growing food. It’s about learning together, laughing, and having a space that belongs to everyone. People grow here too.”

This article originally appeared in the May 2025 edition of ACVO News, our free monthly digital magazine featuring news and updates for and from the third sector in Aberdeen. Read the latest and past editions, and sign up to have it sent direct to your inbox every month at acvo.org.uk/acvo-news