Edinburgh Local

Volunteer Week: Cultivating community at Lauriston Farm

On 2 May, 23 Edinburgh Innovations staff used their volunteer Day to Make a Difference at Lauriston Farm, a community-based initiative transforming an area of land into an urban food production and community hub.

Our hosts for the day were volunteer coordinators Rob and Lisa who welcomed us with a hot drink and a quick tour of the farm before handing us all a spade and setting us to work on digging out a wildlife pond in the community garden.

After the first layer of the pond was dug out, we stopped for lunch with views across the Forth. Then, more digging - this time down to the clay layer, with the spoils being used to construct a pizza oven. The day was rounded off with a well-earned cuppa and some soft landscaping.

We look forward to seeing the pond come to life in years to come - providing homes, breeding grounds and bathing spots for birds, frogs, newts and insects. We also hope to sample some pizza from that clay oven one day!

Thank you to Charlotte Lee-Woolf for organising a wonderful day - who knew digging all day could be so much fun!

Remember, EI and the University of Edinburgh generously gives all members of staff a paid volunteering day each year, bookable via People and Money. 

More information 

Day to Make a Difference 

Special Leave Policy 

 

EI volunteers at Lauriston Farm
EI volunteers at Lauriston Farm MAy 2023