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Story by Bridgend Farmhouse renovation project

website: 
http://bridgendfarmhse.blogspot.com
Project mission: 
Bridgend Inspiring Growth (BIG) is a local community organisation working towards the renovation of the derelict and run-down Bridgend Farmhouse in Edinburgh. The intention is for the facility to become a community owned and led multi-purpose centre promoting sustainable living practices and outdoor learning for the positive development of people and place of Bridgend and the surrounding communities of Inch, Moredun, Liberton and Craigmillar.
Project achievements so far: 
Held 2 large public meetings and consultations since 2010 with over 40 and 80 people attending / Had an active presence at local community events in Bridgend for past 2 years (Potato Day, Winter festival, apple days, summer events, volunteer fairs, school health weeks, etc) / Given out and received back over 60 questionnaires / Established ourselves as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation No SCO42769 / Have maintained a consistent online presence and contact on our blog and via email - bridgendfarmhse.blogspot.com / Had regular committee meetings open to all for 2 and a half years, met with councillors, MP's and MSP's who have all offered their support, met with other charities and organisations in the area too / Met and discussed conditions of ownership and purchase with the current owners; the city council, and the managers of the land; Fields in Trust. / Put on various training events for the committee and other members of the public: Structure and Governance (Greenspace Scotland), SWOT analysis and groupwork (Sus-it-out), Place-based learning (Open Ground) Community-led design (The Glass-house Community Led Design) Study Visit to Moffat CAN / Presented workshops at local nursery (Liberton) and local volunteering fair (Gilmerton) / Created a design and information for a Bridgend wildlife garden on the farmhouse land Had an environsearch report done on the building and developed basic structural plans / Created a booklet of simlar case studies which we have studied and learnt from. / Successfully applied, been granted and administered 5 grants; Forward Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Just Enterprise Scotland, Royal Institute of Architects and the Big Lottery / Raised £500 in donations. / Carried out a Living Memory Project and Farmhouse consultation event with Inchview Residential Carehome and pupils from Liberton Primary school. Created a 40 page A4 final book with these stories and experiences distributed to all particpants and local residents. / Began carrying out a Social Return On Investment on the potential uses of the farmhouse Received £11'000 to begin an options appraisal, feasibility and business plan on the future use of the farmhouse. / Engaged widely with the local community, and established a strong committee of seven people, mostly from the local neighbourhood. /
Sources of funding: 
Forward Scotland, City of Edinburgh Council, Just Enterprise Scotland, Royal Institute of Architects, the Big Lottery and personal and crowdfunded donations.
Sources of support: 
Local residents, interested users of the allotments, friends, family, colleagues, NHS Community health partnership, Malcolm Fraser Architects, David Adamson & Partners Group Ltd University of Edinburgh, Glasshouse Design, Open Ground, Bridgend Growing Communities, Edinburgh Community Connections, Enable, Teensplus, South Edinburgh Health living Initative, Edinburgh Community Food and health project, Carr-Gomm Scotland, Craigmillar Woods Action Group Niddrie Community Youth Group, Garvald Edinburgh, Woodcraft Folk, Royal Caledonian Horticultural society, Councillor Burns, Councillor Hart, Councillor Buchanan, MP Ian Murray, MSP Kenny Macaskill, Development Trusts Association Scotland, Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council, Edinburgh Active sschools co-ordinator, Woodcraft folk, Impact Arts

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