Comments from both community & environmental groups

MECOPP: Edinburgh


“This trail reminded we all as if we are walking in the Himalayas.”

A 65 year old Nepalese women enjoyed walking uphill with her flip flops carrying lunch pack and water bottle. Power of nature!

An 84 year old man discovered the plants he is familiar with and explained the usage. It was a fern; a useful plant to keep parasites away from the livestock. The group also identified fruits they call it CHUTTRO and its called BERRY in English.

We all had lunch at beautiful water falls and observed a Red Squirrel nest. An Gurkha EX service man explained how they used to watch their enemies from the top of canopy and other warfare tactics.

We all enjoyed the walk in warm and sunny day, singing Nepalese songs in the forest. We all forgot bite of midges.

“You don’t feel lonely when nature is with you”

REDHALL WALLED GARDEN:

At Redhall we had a site meeting and our staff noticed for the first time that people from culturally diverse groups came to our open day ! Excellent discussion on what vocabulary to use
Staff loved group - very friendly

Meeting once a month is great as we can develop lasting relationships. It’s inspiring & exciting. Thanks for the opportunity!

VENTURE SCOTLAND

Is excited that I am reaching orgs we had previously found difficult to make contact with. We are very encouraged by the level of interest from several BME orgs in participating with VS.

I am thoroughly enjoying meeting WWD group members on personal level.


BRIDGES PROJECT

It is hoped that this will be the start of a positive partnership with an agency right on our doorstep, but who we would not have thought to contact unless brought together by this initiative.

I have met so many great people and gained lots of insight and knowledge first hand that I could never have got just from reading annual reports or googling…The group obviously want to meet and I would be very much up for this too.

On behalf of Bridges Id like to say what a fantastic day it was, it had a profound effect on the people who took part.One of them wrote these words and went to go on the biggest personal journey on our Life Skills Course.Id suggest the two were linked.

'' It was a wonderful trip to Clyde Valley. I did not expect it to be so useful but ever since then my mind has been reversed towards the course, I am very excited to have been engaged in the course as i am now aware of my strengths and weaknesses.
The Clyde Valley is a very beautiful place. I was reminded of my home country Zimbabwe. Sight-seeing was something extra ordinary to me. Ever since I came to Glasgow, I had never been out of the city. It is a place where nature still exists. Seeing animals like sheep, goats and the river Clyde was quite an exciting experience which took my memories back to my ethnic origin. I just hope that ,we will be having more trips as to boost our morale and to know more about Scotland.''

G.

"Well what can i say?.. a joy to be with the women.. all kitted out looking the part! Everyone is so enthusiastic and committed to getting the skills and confidence to share their knowledge and experience with their own community!.. Fantastic!!" Pammy

Nic Fluck @ tredz Bike Shops

I enjoyed the experiential this week.

I confess to being sceptical, nervous and full of doubt. At 8.50 in front of the toilet mirror i was asking myself if i really wanted to be here. I had loads to do 'back at the ranch' and this isn't going to help me get those things achieved. Have i really got time over the next 10 months to get all fuzzy about leadership? Have i made a mistake?

Well, i certainly underestimated things. What a great 2 days. What a powerful experience. What a fab bunch of people (on both sides of the fence). And i've come away with tonnes of thoughts about my business and how i might improve it. Some of them are uncomfortable and difficult but that's my problem..

It was well worth the 2 days investment and i didn't hear one comment from anyone saying otherwise.

Pammy's view:..

Fantastic day out dispite the huge impact of the weather.. up until today scotland has been basked in sunshine!!.. today we had torrential rain..yet a fantastic day had by all!!

Sat night about 10pm I got a phone call from Anstruther Ferry (isle of may cruise boat) to inform me that ferry was cancelled due to bad weather! Too late to call the group.. so what do I do??!!.. On the net to find out if incholme cruises were on!.. and they were!!..so quick change of plan!

Met the group in torrential rain on Sunday morning.. they were all happy and raring to go!!..waiting for a day out in glad rags and huge picnic.. they just wanted to get away and be together. Some families had been out and about before, but there were a couple of young families/couples that don’t get the opportunity or have the know how. Many had not been on a boat before – some fearful of the water.

Historic Scotland were amazing- so accommodating and gave us a wonderful welcome/information talk complete with info packs and complimentary and personally signed post card for everyone!

Very engaging day, group were so positive with all the changes and the weather. Everyone was really into the history and archaeology of the site, watching the birds, saw nesting birds, seals and young gulls.

Despite weather we had windows of sunshine both ways on the boat plus a wonderful Asian picnic on the island!.. Lots of singing and dancing on the boat and bus.. just a joy to be around.

What the group had to say:..

“I enjoyed myself yesterday. A really nice, happy bunch of people.......including yourself of course.” Minibus driver!

The group took loads of information leaflets so they can do it for themselves.. “Now we know how to get here ourselves..”
Nila Joshi

“We don’t know where to go!.. unless someone.. a friend @work will show me.. and then it’s fantastic!!” Malhar & Manisha

“We just get on a plane and go somewhere else…Scotland is a bueatiful.. bueatiful country!!” Nila Joshi

“I;ve been here for 6 months and I just want to get in the car, with a map and go and discover the country of Scotland..” Manisha

"What a wonderful day – full of life, wonder, beauty… good food, company and lots of play for everyone! It had a real fiesta feel about it.. with kids running free and women nattering, taking photos, watching the seals, paddling in the sea.. loads of interaction with each other...a real family day out to a special place in the sun." Pammy

Tom & staff were so welcoming, completely themselves and made the group feel at home. Went with the flow and at the groups pace. Lots of binoculars, telescopes, casual conversations about everything: the site, cultures, nature, food.



What the women had to say..:

“I’ve lived here all my life and didn’t know such beauty was on our doorstep.. we always go away out of the country and this is right here!”

“This is like home (Pakistan) – sitting and nattering, sleeping in the sun..love it..”

‘This is his first trip to the beach’, from a mum whose small boy was quite
overawed.

‘I’ve been in Dundee all my life, but I’ve never been here before’.

‘We go all round the world but we don’t visit the beauty that is right
here’.

‘I’ve been here for 28 years and we feel we have to go away to get beauty
like this. I’d no idea this was right on our doorstep!’

‘So relaxing, sitting in the sun.’

What the rangers had to say...:
Tom Cunningham Tentsmuir head ranger

“It was brilliant day, it was terrific to see such a happy group of people ALLsmiles and I'm sure they all got the "Tentsmuir Point WOW Factor"... the FEAST was delicious. :)"


"It was great to see you and see your brilliant methods of delivery, fun and info.” Tom Cunningham

Alex has noticed an increase in families coming to the car park in the last week and a bus trip for families (37) seemingly are going to visit the Kinshaldy Riding Stables. So they must be getting very active, good stuff!

"We all enjoyed the visit by the womans group to tentsmuir and were especially pleased to hear that they planned a visit to the riding stables the other day as well.if I can be of any help in the future please feel free to get in touch" Alex Easson Foresty Commission