Eight groups recognised for commitment to improving places and people’s health and wellbeing
Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful has recognised eight groups from Renfrewshire for their work to improve their communities for climate, nature and people.
Of those eight groups, six received a Certificate of Distinction, presented to groups displaying continuous improvements over a four-year period as part of the It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative.
Erskine Community Garden was recognised with Certificates of Recognition in the NatureScot It’s Your Neighbourhood Pollinator Friendly Award while Lochwinnoch Sustainable Community Garden received a Certificate of Recognition in the Health and Wellbeing Award.
The 2023 Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood annual seminar and celebration event took place virtually on Tuesday 5 December where the passion, commitment, and positive action taken by 208 groups from 27 local authority areas across Scotland to improve their communities for people, climate and nature were recognised.
Juliette Camburn, Senior Community Initiatives Officer with Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Our annual celebration of the inspiring efforts of people across Scotland who work tirelessly to improve their own neighbourhoods and communities is always such a happy event.
“Each and every It’s Your Neighbourhood entrant recognised today has made a lasting contribution, however small or large to combat climate change, restore nature and biodiversity, tackle litter and improve the places they care for.
“I’d like to congratulate and thank all entrants, alongside the 27 volunteers we work with, for all they do to make their community a cleaner, greener and more sustainable place.”
It’s Your Neighbourhood is Keep Scotland Beautiful’s community environmental improvement initiative which is managed in partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). It runs alongside Beautiful Scotland but is non-competitive and is based on the three pillars of community participation, environmental responsibility and gardening achievement.
A full list of entrants and their achievements can be found at: www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/IYN.
| Group Name | Certificate 2023 | Level 2023 | Certificate of Distinction 2023 | |
| Bargarran Primary School | Certificate of Recognition | N/A | ||
| Darkwood Crew – Helping Ferguslie Flourish | Outstanding | 5 | Y | |
| Erskine Community Garden | Outstanding | 5 | Y | NatureScot It’s Your Neighbourhood Pollinator Friendly Award – Certificate of Recognition |
| Evergreen Elderslie | Outstanding | 5 | ||
| Friends of Barshaw Park | Outstanding | 5 | Y | |
| Grow in Glenburn | Outstanding | 5 | Y | |
| Kilbarchan Smile | Outstanding | 5 | Y | |
| Lochwinnoch Sustainable Community Garden | Outstanding | 5 | Y | Health & Wellbeing theme public vote – Certificate of Recognition |
Any group who would like to join Keep Scotland Beautiful’s It’s Your Neighbourhood initiative can email beautifulscotland@keepscotlandbeautiful.org