Case Study - June 2022

This case study has been kindly completed by Elspeth Gracey, who is one of our valued Community Green Team volunteers.

The participant was the original ‘guinea pig’ on the pilot walks - so they have been involved for a year or so.

Improved Health and Wellbeing

They enjoy the opportunity for increased exercise, they “love to walk”. They enjoy the social aspects saying “It’s good to talk to people” “There’s a great mix of people from different backgrounds and it’s a very welcoming group of folk”. “Its good to open your eyes to different points of views from different folk, people from different backgrounds and places.”

“The more I’ve seen of what happens at the Heart of Scotstoun, Knightswood Community Centre and the Kingsway Community Connections the more aware I am of wider community issues.” Health walk participant

Increased Knowledge, Skills and Confidence

They are now aware of more routes for walking “some places I didn’t even know existed.” They were already a very active person and not lacking in confidence.

More connected to the community

“The more I’ve seen of what happens at the Heart of Scotstoun, Knightswood Community Centre and the Kingsway Community Connections the more aware I am of wider community issues.”

More able to take part in Community Life

“The walk leader welcomes people onto the group and encourages them to come out with us.”

“I’m more aware of local community life at the Heart of Scotstoun and what’s available for people.”

Increased Pride in Place

“Yes - I can see what can be done to improve things e.g. litterpicks, community gardens at Heart of Scotstoun and the Secret Garden at Gartnavel. Seeing the marvellous things that volunteers are doing in these places, it’s certainly increased my general awareness of all these things.”

Environmental Impact

“I would always rather walk than use a car or even take the bus. I’ve done more walking since I retired and enjoyed long walks even in the rain throughout the pandemic. Knowing more routes means I can do more.”

“Glasgow Eco Trust really opened my eyes to what’s happening in various ecosystems, e.g. looking at pollution in Norway and Calcutta. I have greater awareness of climate change,  and more aware of growing food. I’m definitely more aware of the surrounding environment and actually what we are doing to the planet.”

“The staff at Glasgow Eco Trust do a marvellous job. They are very proactive about making people aware of pollution, cutting car use. They opened my eyes to food poverty, reducing waste and how to dispose of things properly.”