Local Priority: Safe and accessible pathways/ spaces.  

We are a busy community larder & café based in Lochee. Our aims are to: • fight food poverty by providing a more sustainable food provision model, where community can access and choose free or low-cost food; • fight social isolation by creating a welcoming community café; • and create a safe space that is non-judgemental. We will be using the grant money to resurface the back access to the larder, café, storage units, shops and residents drying area. The area has become very uneven and quite dangerous. Resurfacing it will help ensure the safety of the staff, volunteers, general public and residents. This will also enhance the aesthetics of the area. Whilst we have created a safe and welcoming space inside our larder & café for the local community. The back access area, which is in constant use by our volunteers and delivery drivers during our opening hours, as well as residents and the general public delivering donations to us, has become unsafe. This work has become urgent due to the number of injuries our volunteers have been sustaining, which has a negative knock-on effect to the running of the larder and café.

Over the past 12 months there have been numerous accidents due to the uneven nature of the surface. Volunteers have had to attend A&E, ambulances called and long absences from duties because of injuries. We have had conversations with the neighbouring properties above us, suppliers, general public and the other business in the vicinity. The outcome of these conversations is that everyone is in agreement that the area needs to be resurfaced to enhance and ensure the safety of everyone.

We would like you to know of the issues that have arisen over the years we have been in situ. There have been several accidents to volunteers resulting in damage to their person which have required hospital treatment. As well as the uneven surface, when the loose stones get wet, they become very slippery causing slips and falls. There has also been damage caused to cars due to uneven surface and loose stones which have been repaired at cost to individuals. Some of the injuries have had an impact on the running of the larder & café as volunteers have been out of action for sometimes weeks. One example is a volunteer who was unable to lift any crates for 4 months due to a back injury sustained by tripping over the uneven ground when unloading items from a delivery van. We have recently had the pathway to the rear of the premise which leads to our stock rooms re-laid which in itself has made a big difference to the quality and appearance of the premises. We funded this renovation, with money from grocery sales. We received the quote from Tayside Contracts after we got the council confirmation, and this is the one we would like to proceed with

The funds received will be used to enhance the entrance of the Downfield JFC facility, ensuring it meets the needs of users with disabilities. Currently, the building lacks suitable wheelchair access and electronic doors, which these improvements aim to address.

We are currently working with the trustees of the Kirkton Community Centre Local Management Group with an aim to provide accommodation for several of their community activities while work is underway to establish a new community centre in the area. During this period, they will use our building to host two community cafés, children’s programs, adult groups, fundraisers , holiday and term time provision for family groups and a food larder. To ensure accessibility for all, we have consulted with centre users, committee members, and volunteers to identify necessary provisions. Additionally, we have engaged with a representative from the Dundee Access Group to discuss the project and gather valuable insights on the needs of those with restricted mobility.

Ramp installation £22,500.00 Automatic Doors installed £10,620.00 Planning permission / business warrent costs £1,000

The local priorities this will address are:

- Improve safety, accessibility and equipment in outdoor recreation spaces for families and young people

- Improve community facilities to support wider range of projects

At present our children do not get to achieve their UNCRC article 31 - the right to play in a safe and accessible environment. We would like to enhance their play experiences and widen the activities available to them. Having a basketball court and nets will allow us to have an after school club which we currently can't do due to the lack of facilities in and outside of the building. We will also be able to use the equipment and courts during the school holidays to invite families to holiday camps and competitions run by our SFDW. This would improve community facilities to support a wider range of projects and clubs available. Due to our building we are very limited in what we can offer our families and would like to increase and improve the experiences for all.

Funding will be used to pay for:

Goal post on wall x 2 Professional basketball unit x 2  Basketball floor markings Football floor markings  Activity trail floor markings Wall panels for games Activity frame Wet pour flooring

Due to the age and condition of our building we would really like to develop this project. Our children are missing out on play and social experiences due to this. These facilities would allow us to create more after school clubs as well as inviting families to support sessions during the school holidays.

Local Priority - Improvements to outdoor play and recreation incorporating parks, green spaces and school playgrounds

We hope to install communication boards in four local parks within the Stobswell area of Dundee: Malcolm Street Park, Baxter Park, Crescent Street Park, and Wee Forest. Communication boards are inclusive tools featuring symbols, words, and pictures that help individuals—particularly non-verbal children, people with speech or language difficulties, and neurodivergent individuals—communicate effectively in public spaces.

This grant will fund the design, production, and installation of durable, weather-resistant communication boards in each of the four locations, ensuring a lasting and visible improvement to public spaces in one of Dundee’s most disadvantaged areas.

This project directly supports community inclusion, accessibility, and wellbeing, aligning with local priorities around improving public spaces and supporting vulnerable groups. The communication boards will make these parks more welcoming and functional for a wider range of users, fostering meaningful participation for families, carers, and individuals who are often excluded from full engagement in community life. This initiative is targeted to Stobswell West as highlighted in the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation as experiencing significant levels of poverty and social disadvantage.

The key outcomes of this project will include: Increased accessibility and inclusive use of public spaces Enhanced support for children and adults with communication difficulties Stronger community cohesion through more inclusive design Direct engagement with families living in poverty who may otherwise face exclusion from mainstream services

High ASN prevalence among youth in Dundee According to Scottish Government data, approximately 33.4% of primary pupils and 48.7% of secondary pupils in Dundee are recorded as having at least one ASN. Nationally, about 40.5% of all Scottish schoolchildren have identified ASN. 

Social isolation among young people The Scottish Household Survey (2020) found that 48% of 16–24-year-olds reported feeling lonely at least some of the time. Additionally, the UK’s Office for National Statistics notes that 11.3% of children aged 10–15 say they “often” feel lonely; rates are much higher (27.5%) for those on free school meals. These figures highlight a clear need for initiatives that foster connection and inclusion outside the school environment.

Inclusive play spaces as a solution Installing communication boards in local parks is a practical, low-cost intervention with proven benefits: they support non-verbal or anxious children in expressing needs, understanding park features, and engaging socially. Such enhancements can reduce stress, encourage family outings, and help build peer and community bonds—counteracting both social isolation and exclusion.

Area-specific relevance Our target neighbourhood, Stobswell West, is among Dundee’s most deprived zones (per SIMD). Families here often lack funding for private supports, making improved public amenities vital for young people and those with ASN.

Community-informed need Discussions with local parents, ASN support professionals, and community workers have consistently flagged that recreational spaces lack the visual and communication supports needed for meaningful use by children with ASN. This aligns with both the local demographic reality and national well‑being data.

As the applicant, I bring both professional and personal commitment to this project. I currently work as a Youth Coordinator for a local learning disabilities charity, where I support young people with a range of additional support needs to build confidence, develop life skills, and participate in their communities. I also volunteer with Befriends, a charity that supports children and young people through one-to-one befriending and group activities. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the barriers many families face when accessing public spaces and the importance of small, practical changes that can make a big difference.

This project would directly benefit the young people and volunteers involved in Befriends. Many befriending matches meet in local parks, but for children with communication or sensory needs, these outings can sometimes be overwhelming. Communication boards would provide much-needed support, helping young people express themselves, follow routines, and feel more confident in outdoor environments. They would also give befrienders additional tools to help guide conversations and build relationships.

In addition, this initiative would complement the work being done in local schools, particularly through Enhanced Support Areas (ESAs), where children with significant additional needs receive tailored educational support. Communication boards in the wider community would help reinforce what is being taught in schools and create greater consistency between education and leisure environments.

This project is grounded in lived experience, informed by direct support work, and designed to meet a clear local need. It supports inclusive play, strengthens community connection, and empowers young people with additional needs to take part in everyday life with greater ease and dignity.

We’re excited about the opportunity to deliver a simple but powerful change in our local parks—we believe this project can be a stepping stone toward a more inclusive, welcoming community for everyone.

Local Priority: - Enhanced community facilities.

We are looking to Build a Path to elevate Parking issues in Dryburgh to connect an old entrance to Liff road.

We think this is project will have a real positive impact in Drybrugh for the residents, parking has been a real issue for a number of years and this would eleviate the issue.

Local Priority: - Improve outdoor play equipment for children

Friends of Clatto is a volunteer group who maintain much of the greenspace, walking areas, wildlife study and information points at the park. We have been working in partnership with Dundee City council Environment team to help enhance Clatto Country park for the local community. The grant will be used to improve the outdoor play equipment for children contributing to the Strathmartine local community plan, by expanding play park equipment to cater for younger children, toddlers and to be more inclusive. The new equipment will include: 1x Pod seat swing 1x Multiplay toddler unit

The Strathmartine Community Empowerment Team undertook extensive community engagement to gather ideas and priorities for the use of a local fund. The engagement process included: • 18 in-person engagement sessions across the Strathmartine ward • 1 online questionnaire made available to local residents • A total of 330 individuals shared their thoughts and suggestions From this process, the second most frequently suggested improvement was the installation of new and improved children's play equipment at Clatto Park. This strong level of community interest highlights a clear desire to enhance the play facilities in this location. Following this, the findings were shared with the Friends of Clatto community group, who agreed to take the project forward into the next stage of development. In addition to the formal engagement, members of the Friends of Clatto group have also conducted informal conversations with families using the park. Many of these families expressed a wish for more inclusive and age-appropriate equipment, particularly for younger children and children with additional support needs. This combined evidence from structured consultation and grassroots feedback clearly demonstrates community support and a locally identified need for enhanced, inclusive play equipment at Clatto Park.

In addition to encouraging healthy lifestyles and physical activity, the outdoor area will foster creativity, social interaction, and a sense of belonging. It will also serve as a vital community hub, strengthening ties among families and contributing to overall community well-being.

This project will address Local Priority: - Urban improvements incorporating environmental seating and shelters

There has been extensive consultations carried out by the Dundee City Council Empowerment Team to identify which projects local people would like to see delivered in the area, public street seating was brought forward through this process.

The locations chosen are on our local shopping street Albert St and in the Stobswell West area of the locality. Streets chosen in Stobswell West include Court St, Arkley Terrace, Sandeman St and Strathmore St, While on Albert St seats would be placed on Albert St itself Eliza St and Craigie St.

The grant will provide funding for the manufacture and installation of eight Albany style bench seats manufactured by P&G Blacksmiths and installed in the Albert St District Shopping Centre and Stobswell West as a result of extensive consultation carrier out by the Dundee City Council Empowerment Team.

Below is the link to the Albany Bench manufactured by P&G Blacksmiths https://pandgblacksmiths.co.uk/street-furniture/benches-seats/albany

Local Priority: - Improve outdoor spaces

Provision of new picnic tables and benches at both Trottick Ponds Local Nature Reserve and Templeton Woods. These seating facilities will improve access for all at these beloved local sites and also enhance the experience of local people to enjoy nature in a walkable setting. This has proven benefits for mental and physical health. This funding would also provide a new dipping platform at the pond within Templeton Woods - a resource which can be used by local community groups and schools. We also propose the refurbishment of signage at Trottick: this will help educate visitors about the historical significance and enhance visits. Also requested is funding to purchase fruit bushes for Templeton Woods will improve the range of species at the site, prove visually appealing and can be used as a food resource by local people. Finally, we would also wish to apply for wildlife cameras for recording at these sites. This record will help to survey the animals in the area and will be used to help educate local groups as to what lives within Strathmartine. This technology is not normally within the financial reach of local people and will also allow children, in particular, to use them and monitor local wildlife both at the sites and potentially within other local areas (such as school grounds). All of these projects will be contributing to the local priorities by improving visitor experiences at accessible green spaces within the ward thereby improving health and wellbeing.

Trottick Ponds Local Nature Reserve and Templeton Woods are both well-used visitor sites within the ward. Provision of facilities improve the experience of accessing nature for all those who visit. The signage at Trottick informs of the historical significance of the site thereby instilling local pride and improving local knowledge of in important part of local history. Visitors have spoken to Rangers about the need for these projects, which will improve nature access to all. The need for more seating was identified by local residents, as relayed to the Ranger Service by Community Workers. Both sites are important cultural icons within the city and serve a wide range of people for pursuits such as dog-walking, cycling, community group activities and relaxation within peaceful settings. Templeton also provides a formal cycling track (Templeton Tangle) and toilet facilities during opening hours. The sites draw visitors from all ages and social grouping; both being placed within commutable distances from some of the most challenged areas of the city. The Ranger Service regularly meets with and provides nature education to visitors from Strathmartine at both sites, including community groups and schools.

The Countryside Ranger Service is a well-established service within Dundee City Council's Neighbourhood Services section. Much of our remit is to serve the people of Dundee in educating about nature as well as maintaining the sites we manage as best as possible for the people and other living things there. We have key sites we manage within Strathmartine which are well used by all the people of the area and beyond. These are Green Flag winning sites with a wide range of visitors from all demographics and we feel we can enhance them for local people by the use of the Community Fund. This is a time when the funding within our own department is often hard to access for these sort of projects. It is also a time when people are increasingly under pressure within their own lives and in need of places to relax and enjoy nature. We think that improving the sites and enhancing access to the natural world we are so lucky to have on our doorstep is of paramount importance to the health and wellbeing of our own citizens. The Ranger Service has delivered groups, volunteer events and education to over 600 people already this year within the city. The majority of these have been met within Strathmartine as it is our key area of interaction. With your assistance we can provide more of the same for our sites and for the people of the city.

Local Priority:  New seating and picnic benches across the ward

The Whitfield Garden space is being utilised by more local groups, than just the garden volunteers for various events and would be useful to have 6 metal seated benches and 2 metal picnic table/benches for those visiting and will make the space more accessible in terms of people just wanting to come, sit an enjoy the space. Many residents are elderly and enjoy visiting the garden. In addition, we would be looking for funding to improve access by creating an additional path from the from the front gate to connect to main paths in the garden, so more people can access the space. We are also looking to use this fund to repair damaged fencing to create an enclosed safe space for those visiting, especially children and young people.

We have a lot of local support for the above proposals from local community groups, local authority staff and other stakeholders such as Whitfield changemakers. We have supporting letters to that effect that we are happy to share. When local community workers, engaged with the community for ideas, some of the above was raised as possible improvements.

The garden space is more than the spaces itself, the produce from this donated to the local community larder and community cafe. The space is also utilised by other groups and stakeholders and will submit support letters of support as mentioned above.

Ormiston Play Park is centrally located in the heart of Whitfield, surrounded by the streets of Lufness, Craigievar, Pitcaple, Dunrobin, and Cardoness Walk. Positioned within a social housing development predominantly occupied by families, the park is a vital community asset, offering a safe and accessible space for children, young people, and families to play, gather, and enjoy the outdoors. Despite its popularity, the park’s equipment is outdated and in urgent need of refurbishment. Through recent community engagement and consultation, residents have clearly expressed the need for improvements. Key priorities identified include the installation of equipment suitable for pre-school children, the addition of inclusive and accessible play features, picnic benches to encourage family use of the green space, and repairs to existing well-loved equipment.

The redevelopment will not only improve physical infrastructure but also foster stronger community connections, promote outdoor activity, and support early years development. The inclusion of picnic areas and improved signage will further encourage families to spend time in the park, strengthening social ties and promoting well-being.

This project directly supports local priorities by addressing the significant levels of child poverty in the North East of Dundee, where 36% of children live in poverty, higher than the city average of 31% (SIMD 2020). By enhancing the quality and inclusivity of Ormiston Play Park, we aim to provide a safe, welcoming, and stimulating environment for children of all ages and abilities, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. We have linked with Stakeholders such as Primary Schools, Parent Councils, Tenants Community Empowerment Team, Early Years Educators, to ensure there is no duplication of work and to ensure we are enhancing current assets. Angus Housing Association, a registered charity and the landowner, is committed to supporting this initiative. However, due to financial constraints, we are unable to fully fund the redevelopment independently. We are therefore seeking external funding to bring this community-led vision to life. This project represents a meaningful investment in children, families, and the wider community, creating a more inclusive, engaging, and vibrant public space for all. The association has undergone extensive outreach through a Microsoft Forms questionnaire to gather feedback regarding what equipment and improvements should be made. This included targeted door knocking in the surrounding areas of the play park. We also attended the North East Campus during school finish times to facilitate more engagement and feedback. Additionally, this was sent out on our social media platforms and distributed through emails and text messages to tenants and the wider community for completion. On Monday, May 2nd, which was a school in-service day, we aimed to maximize feedback and engagement while schools were closed. We held a picnic in the park event from 11 AM to 1 PM as another way to engage with individuals. Here, we invited children and families to complete the questionnaire and assist with designing a sign and notice boards for the park, which was successful.

Investing in our proposed play park will not only enhance the community’s recreational offerings but also provide a safe and engaging environment for children and families to thrive. By fostering physical activity, social interactions, and imaginative play, we are nurturing the well-being of our youth and building stronger community bonds. We believe that with your support, we can create a vibrant space that will be cherished for generations to come. Together, let’s make a lasting impact on our community by turning this vision into reality.