Green Gown Awards 2014 - Facilities and Services - University of the West of Scotland - Finalist

UWS Community Gardens providing living laboratories, social event space and community engagement

University of the West of Scotland’s (UWS) community gardens reduce carbon through food growing; provide a living laboratory for students; and a social space for UWS staff, students and surrounding communities. UWS is a dementia friendly university and appropriate adaptions have been integrated into the gardens.

The gardens are developed in partnership with the University’s Estates team, Students’ Association, staff, students and the local community who design, build, plant and maintain the gardens. The gardens at the University’s Ayr, Hamilton and Paisley campuses are in their first growing season and to date have reduced emissions by an estimated 10.617 tCO2e. Projected carbon savings by the end of March 2015 are 23 tCO2e.

Student engagement is a key priority and in order to enrich the student experience and enhance employability the gardens provide a range of voluntary and learning opportunities. The gardens have been designed to take into account the teaching needs at each campus.

Top 3 learnings

1 The opportunity the project provided for significant student work experiences
2 The benefit of working collaboratively - incorporation of dementiafriendly adaptations has further increased accessibility and community access
3 The potential for further innovative ways to reduce

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