Young people from Aberdeen are raking in gardening experience as they sow, grow and harvest crops grown on-site, thanks to funding from Loganair’s GreenSkies Community Fund.
Camphill School in Aberdeen is one of five recipients of Loganair’s GreenSkies fund, receiving a donation towards a new polytunnel that will provide the young people with opportunity to develop new skills and build confidence.
The £5,000 grant has supported the installation of a third polytunnel in Murtle Garden, a large walled garden on the Murtle Estate in Bieldside, Aberdeen. The space plays a crucial role in the daily lives of students at Camphill School Aberdeen, offering therapeutic, hands-on education in organic growing and sustainable food systems.
For many of the young people who live with learning disabilities and additional support needs, it’s an experience that goes far beyond horticulture.
Garden workshop leader Katherine with Jon, one of Murtle Garden's young people, inside the polytunnel.
“Murtle Garden is quite a magical place. It’s a fully operational walled garden with beautiful apple trees growing along the walls and a thriving programme of crop cultivation,” said executive director Alex Busch.
“We already have two well-used polytunnels, but production is really ramping up as more young people get involved. The new polytunnel, kindly supported by Loganair, means we can grow even more – not just crops, but confidence, connection and knowledge.”
The polytunnel will enable the year-round growth of food, allowing more young people to participate in every stage of the process, from sowing seeds to harvesting produce. Some of the vegetables grown are used in the residential homes on site; others are sold through the organisation’s social enterprise, Murtle Market.
“Sustainability is at the heart of everything we do,” said Alex. “We grow organically - some of the garden is even biodynamic - and our produce is used not just in our houses, but also in our zero-waste refill shop. The young people are immersed in seasonal, sustainable living. They don’t just learn when carrots grow, they learn why that matters.”
Loganair, the UK’s largest regional airline, established the GreenSkies Community Fund to support local sustainability projects across Scotland and beyond. Through the fund, a portion of each ticket purchased contributes to environmental and community initiatives focused on climate resilience and decarbonisation.
Jon, one of Murtle Garden's young people, with Katherine, garden workshop leader.
Rebecca Borresen, director of safety and sustainability at Loganair, said: “We’re proud to support the team at Camphill School Aberdeen, and to play a small part in a much bigger story.
“The Murtle Garden project is a brilliant example of what the GreenSkies fund is all about: practical environmental action that’s rooted in community and built for the long- term.”
Camphill School Aberdeen provides day and residential placements for over 100 young people with complex additional support needs. Around 40 young adults live on the Murtle Estate in five residential houses, and many more travel daily from across the region.
“There’s a strong sense of community here,” said Alex. “That extends to our partners, too. We’re frequent flyers with Loganair – one of our staff members travels regularly to Birmingham – so it’s lovely to have this new connection growing locally.”
For more about the GreenSkies Community Fund, visit: https://www.loganair.co.uk/flying-with-us/greenskies/