Group type: The Big Project is a student engagement initiative based at UHI Perth. It operates as part of the college’s community outreach and student services. While not a standalone charity, it is embedded within a constituted educational institution (UHI Perth), which provides governance, accountability, and financial oversight.

Category: Waste & Circular Economy, Engagement, Nature

Project Description: Our project will create an on-campus allotment at UHI Perth, giving students the opportunity to grow fresh vegetables and herbs that will then be distributed free of charge to those most in need through The Big Project. This simple, practical idea tackles both the climate crisis and the cost-of-living challenge head-on.

Waste & Circular Economy
We will reduce food waste by growing only what is needed, sharing surplus fairly among students, and using composting systems to recycle food scraps into nutrient-rich soil. By encouraging a culture of reusing, sharing and circular practice, the project becomes self-sustaining and models good environmental behaviours.

Engagement
The allotment is also a learning space. Students will volunteer, work together, and gain hands-on experience of sustainable food growing. These skills — from planting and composting to water-efficient irrigation — can be transferred into their personal lives, helping them live more sustainably beyond their time at college. It also creates opportunities for workshops, cross-college engagement, and building stronger community ties.

Nature
By introducing raised beds, composting, and pollinator-friendly planting, we will increase biodiversity on campus. Students will be able to see, touch and understand how food grows, fostering a greater respect for nature and the environment. This improved greenspace becomes a living classroom and a wellbeing hub for the college.

Cost of Living Benefits
Nearly one in three students in Scotland skips meals due to financial hardship. Fresh fruit and vegetables are often the first things to be cut from shopping lists when money is tight. By providing free, locally grown produce, the allotment directly reduces food costs for vulnerable students, ensuring healthier diets and easing the pressure on stretched budgets.

Wider Impact
Beyond the immediate benefit of free food, this project promotes mental wellbeing, builds community spirit, and demonstrates that climate solutions can also directly improve lives. Once established, the allotment will be maintained with minimal ongoing costs, thanks to seed saving, composting, and volunteer support, ensuring its sustainability for years to come.

In summary, The Student Allotment – Growing for Good is a climate-conscious, community-driven solution that reduces food miles, cuts waste, improves resilience, and directly supports students struggling with the cost of living.

Community Impact: We estimate that 250–300 students will directly benefit from the allotment each year by receiving free, fresh produce. At least 20–30 volunteers will be actively involved in planting, maintenance, and harvesting, with wider participation through workshops and open days.

The benefits go far beyond food. By providing free vegetables and herbs, the project reduces the weekly shopping costs of students facing financial hardship, directly helping with the cost of living. Access to healthy food improves diet and wellbeing at a time when many young people are skipping meals to save money.

The allotment also reduces social isolation by creating a shared space where students can work side by side. Gardening is proven to support mental health, offering stress relief, exercise, and a sense of achievement. Volunteers will gain transferable skills in teamwork, sustainability, and food growing that they can use at home and in future employment.

For the wider community, the project demonstrates how local food growing can reduce food miles and cut carbon, while building resilience against climate and economic pressures. It strengthens links between UHI Perth and the community by showing that the college is not only a place of learning, but also a hub of practical sustainability and care.

In short, the allotment supports health, skills, community spirit, climate action, and cost-of-living relief, making it a truly multi-benefit project.

Climate Change Impact: The Student Allotment will deliver both direct and enabling climate impacts in Perth City North. Direct impact: By producing fresh vegetables and herbs on campus, we reduce food miles and packaging waste. On average, a kilogram of imported vegetables travels 1,500–2,000 miles. By growing the equivalent of 500–700kg of produce annually, we will save an estimated 0.8–1 tonne of CO₂e per year in transport and packaging emissions. Composting food waste and garden materials will divert around 250kg annually from landfill, avoiding a further 0.5 tonnes of CO₂e. Enabling impact: Students will gain hands-on training in sustainable food growing, composting, and water-efficient practices. At least 30 volunteers per year will develop transferable skills that they can apply at home, multiplying the climate benefits beyond the campus. Educational signage and workshops will engage hundreds more students, raising awareness of sustainable diets and how reducing meat and processed food consumption cuts carbon. Nature-based impact: The allotment will increase biodiversity on campus by introducing pollinator-friendly planting and healthy soils, making the space more resilient to changing climate conditions such as droughts and floods. In total, the project will save 1.3–1.5 tonnes of CO₂e annually, alongside delivering strong enabling benefits through education, skill-sharing, and community behaviour change.

Group type: Charity

Category: Resilience, Engagement, Nature

Project Description: The Letham Engagement report identified that participants sought safe spaces and places to play to be their highest priority at 51%, followed by a 36% priority for gardens and shared spaces. The cost of living crisis doesn’t just squeeze budgets—it affects health, stability, and opportunities, with children and vulnerable households often hit the hardest. We have listened to the wants and needs of our community and are committed to developing this community greenspace as a catalyst for environmental sustainability, public health, social connection, economic vitality, and civic pride.

This project has the ability to strengthen nature by creating habitats for wildlife, improving air quality, and increasing climate resilience through trees and planting. It builds community connections by offering an inclusive, safe, and welcoming place where people can come together, volunteer, learn new skills, and take part in shared activities that improve wellbeing and reduce isolation. At the same time, it provides practical everyday support with the cost of living, through opportunities to grow a range of biodiverse plants, share resources such as tools and compost, and enjoy free outdoor community events and activities, all of which ease household budgets while fostering a sense of pride and ownership in the local area.

By simply improving the infrastructure of the greenspace, it can be benefited by dog-walkers, cyclists, runners etc reducing the need for paid gym memberships, and allowing scope for community outdoor fitness programmes led by volunteers.
More than this, this free outdoor space can become a destination- no longer just to be walked through. We can rejuvenate this area to provide a venue for free community events and activities. We already engage with schools at our Swap Shops and Allotments, but this venue would allow us to increase our engagement out into the community, alerting them to the wide range of services that LCC can offer them.

The greenspace itself would not be limited to LCC use but has the potential to be used by visitors of the neighbouring football club, picnickers, child-minders, nursery groups, yoga classes, meditation session, nature- based activities and many more.

According to the Letham Locality Profile 2022, 96% of the Letham population are financially stretched or living in urban adversity. Families have less disposable income as essentials like food, housing and energy leave little budget. Limited funds allow fewer chances for after-school activities, trips, or hobbies, which can affect learning and social development. This project would offer families learning and entertainment without costing them a penny. Families would be out in the fresh air, socialising with friends and meeting other like-minded people and actively participating in nature-based and family friendly activities, improving their mental health and wellbeing. This could save families hundreds a year on expensive days out and entertainment.

Community Impact: Letham’s population is over 5000, and this greenspace is free and accessible to all it’s residents and visitors. We have a team of 35 volunteers who will all impact on this project from planning, to physical labour, to delivery of events.

This project gives the community a voice; they asked for a shared community space. A well-maintained greenspace can be a source of neighbourhood pride and identity, discouraging vandalism and anti-social behaviour. It would be an inclusive greenspace open to all, providing a safe, welcoming place to meet, play, relax, and connect across generations.

Access to nature reduces stress, improves physical activity, and supports mental health. Many locals live in flats without a garden, making this shared greenspace even more valuable. It would support child development offering a safe place to play, explore and be active; encouraging curiosity.
Many people are suffering from isolation and loneliness, so a space for outdoor education, conservation volunteering, and workshops would create new skills, build confidence and foster positive social interactions.

Climate Change Impact: The project offers direct biodiversity benefits by transforming a previously derelict site into a valuable habitat, contributing to pollinator pathways and nature connectivity. Planting will occur in pockets along 300m² with a diverse palette of trees, hedgerow plants, shrubs and pollinator-friendly plants. The greenspace lies between an open grassland and residential gardens. By expanding vegetation cover, this project will strengthen ecological links between these areas, allowing wildlife to move freely across the landscape. The habitat corridors will benefit birds, and small mammals with hedgerows creating safe nesting sites. Flowering trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species with staggered blooming periods, will provide continuous foraging resources throughout Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Introducing bug hotels and bird feeding tables will help improve Winter survival. Monocultures are more susceptible to outbreaks, so a variation of species will be planted to reduce loss due to pests or pathogens. Differing tree varieties differ in growth rate, wood density, and longevity, so diversity will increase the reliability and long-term capacity of carbon sequestration. Trees will also filter pollutants improving the air quality, reducing urban heat, and absorbing rainwater. Cultivated ground is able to absorb and store water from rainfall, thereby reducing runoff during storms and in turn reducing flooding. Tree planting, and soil improvement will sequester carbon over time.

Group type: Charity

Category: Energy, Transport, Waste & Circular Economy, Resilience, Engagement

Project Description: UHI Perth – Community Electric Vehicle Charging Point

Our project will deliver a publicly accessible community electric vehicle (EV) charging point in Letham, addressing the urgent need for low-carbon transport infrastructure in our area. This initiative directly supports the Green Living Fund’s climate change priorities by reducing emissions, promoting renewable energy use, and empowering residents to make sustainable travel choices.
Energy – reducing consumption, promoting efficiency and renewables

The charging point will be supplied by 100% renewable electricity, ensuring that residents who switch to EVs are not only reducing emissions but also actively supporting the growth of clean energy. By enabling efficient charging locally, we minimise unnecessary journeys to distant charging hubs, cutting wasted energy use. The installation will also include energy-efficient infrastructure and smart charging capacity, maximising grid efficiency and lowering peak demand.

Transport – active travel, public transport and decarbonisation
Transport is a significant source of carbon emissions in our community. Many residents are interested in EVs but cite the lack of reliable charging infrastructure as a barrier. By removing this barrier, the project supports the transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles. The charging point will be co-located with cycle storage and near existing bus routes, helping to integrate EV use with active and shared travel modes, rather than replacing them. In the longer term, this investment will complement other sustainable mobility initiatives, helping residents shift to cleaner, more affordable and efficient transport options.

Cost of living
The charging point will help residents who adopt EVs to cut fuel costs compared to petrol and diesel, which is particularly valuable during the current cost-of-living crisis. Where possible, community members will be offered lower-tariff charging periods, encouraging smart energy use and providing affordable alternatives to conventional fuel. Supporting EV adoption also helps shield households from volatility in fossil fuel prices.

Engagement – raising awareness and community involvement
The project will be a focal point for climate action in UHI Perth. Alongside the installation, we will run a programme of community engagement: information events, workshops, and signage that explains how the charging point works and the environmental benefits of EVs. We will also highlight how renewable energy powers the system, linking personal transport choices with global climate solutions. This visible, practical project will increase awareness of climate change locally and demonstrate how communities can take tangible action.

In summary, this project combines renewable energy with clean transport, reduces household costs, and fosters community engagement. It represents a practical, inclusive step toward a low-carbon future for our community.

Community Impact: =
The installation of a community EV charging point in UHI Perth’s car park will benefit a wide and diverse group of people. UHI Perth supports over 5,000 students and staff each year, and the car park is also well used by local residents and visitors accessing nearby services.

The wider benefits are substantial:
• Reducing social isolation: Located at UHI Perth — already a hub for education, culture, and community life — the charging point will bring together students, residents, and visitors. Engagement sessions, workshops and information events hosted on site will encourage participation and connection.
• Improving health and wellbeing: Cleaner air and quieter streets from reduced petrol and diesel use will support physical health. Volunteering and engagement activities will also help strengthen mental wellbeing through learning, purpose, and community pride.
• Reducing the cost of living: Households using the charging point will save substantially on fuel costs compared to petrol and diesel, especially as fossil fuel prices remain volatile. With the facility located centrally, it also reduces unnecessary journeys to distant charging hubs, saving both money and time.
• Education and awareness: By placing the charging point at UHI Perth, the project integrates with the university’s role as an educational leader.

Climate Change Impact: The installation of a community EV charging point in UHI Perth’s car park will make a tangible contribution to local climate action by enabling the shift from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles powered by 100% renewable electricity. Transport is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in Perth and Kinross, and the lack of reliable public charging is a significant barrier to decarbonisation.

By removing this barrier, the project will:

• Reduce carbon emissions: An average petrol or diesel car produces around 1.6–1.8 tonnes of CO₂ per year. The project has the potential to cut 50-150 tonnes of CO₂ per year, with greater savings as usage grows.

• Improve air quality: Replacing fossil fuel cars with EVs reduces local air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and particulates, leading to cleaner, healthier air in the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods.

• Promote renewable energy use: The charging point will be supplied by 100% renewable electricity, demonstrating how everyday activities can be powered sustainably.

Group type: Charity

Category: Waste and Circular Economy, Engagement

Project Description: School Uniform Bank
We are looking to secure funding to run our School Uniform Bank throughout the year and our Back to School and Nursery project over the summer.
School Uniform can cost families between £150-£200 per child whereas it only costs us £50 per pack to provide nearly everything a child needs. Our project would save our community over £225,000 in school uniform costs which then allows families to redistribute these savings into other household bills, keeping houses warm, children fed and our community thriving.
We have run our Back to School project for the last three years offering free applications to everyone living in Perth and Kinross and attending a school.
2023 – 300 2024 – 647 2025 - 1,034
We have seen a dramatic increase in applications each year, which not only indicates the need for free uniform support, but also our community’s commitment to reducing their fast fashion purchases.
Social Flock has been collecting pre-loved donations from our community across Perth and Kinross for three years. We would like to be able to open applications throughout the year for school uniform to support the ongoing need of growing children and families. Despite receiving 1,003 Back to School pack applications over summer, we continue to receive multiple requests for uniform from individuals, PKC service providers, charities and other community support networks.
In our Back to School packs we provide three days of school uniform, two days of PE kit, a school bag, a pair of school shoes and an additional extra each applicant can select for themselves ranging from school socks to a water bottle.
In our Back to Nursery Packs we provide 5 days of mix and match outfits: 5 bottoms, 5 tops, 5 jumpers and a pair of shoes. We offer 2 additional extras such as sun hats, hair ties, socks, vests and pants.
What else do we offer as part of this service?
Personalised Packs – to reduce waste and ensure the clothing we are redistributing will be used fully we don’t just ask for clothing and footwear sizes. We ask for sensory requirements, a style guide, colour choices and characters that children would love to have on their school bag. Each pack is catered to exactly what each child would like not just what they need.
Free doorstep delivery to each applicant to remove barriers to access across Perth and Kinross including access to travel in rural areas, disability and mental health issues which would limit access to our central Perth Hub.
Community Pop-Up Shops allow people to visit our event and ‘Pick Their Own Pack’ which increases dignity for everyone whilst also promoting wearing preloved, thus reducing the stigma around this within the community.
Community-based Collections – working in collaboration with other community groups, businesses and charities we have run collection points across Perthshire to enable our community to pick up their packs in their local area. Removing emissions from delivery and building community-based action.

Community Impact: Over 3,000 people will be positively impacted by our School Uniform Bank throughout 2026, covering benefits to cost-of-living, mental health and wellbeing, community activism and environmental awareness. Not only do pupils benefit from our packs, but everyone in their home. Households can redistribute uniform savings to other essential household bills like food, heating and fuel costs. Our applicants have told us our packs reduce stress in the household, support positive mental health and wellbeing for adults, excitement for returning to school & nursery for the children, alongside providing items they would otherwise not be able to afford. We work with a team of around 50 volunteers. We have regular volunteers coming into our Hub to organise donations, make up packs, and deliver packs to families across Perth and Kinross. We have volunteers who offer other essential roles for delivering all our projects such as washing and mending. We make sure any volunteering role is free for our volunteers, because we know we couldn’t run Social Flock without their contribution of time and energy. We offer travel costs, provide sustenance throughout their volunteer time. Our Delivery Drivers are provided with fuel reimbursement for their journeys. Our menders and washers are provided with specific supplies anything else they would need to support their volunteering. Keeping volunteering free to our community allows more people to support our services in a way that is accessible to them.

Climate Change Impact: Social Flock perfectly combines anti-poverty and pro-climate action for our Perth and Kinross Community. On a monthly basis Social Flock receives around 1 ton of clothing donations coming directly from our community across the 12 Perth and Kinross wards. We are redistributing between 1 – 1.5 tons of clothing to families across Perth and Kinross. We have also worked with different groups to run workshops to increase engagement with the aim to reuse and recycle clothing and build skills. We partner with AK Bell’s Lend and Mend hub to repair and redesign clothing ensuring we keep items in circulation for as long as possible. We are committed increasing our community’s knowledge on the environmental impact that fast fashion has. In 2025 we launched our Rural School Uniform Climate Challenge. Schools collected donation of preloved clothing and circulated our Back to School application, contributing to their Eco-School Status. In 2026 we would like to expand this into more schools across Perth and Kinross, offering complimentary workshops to further educate pupils on the environmental impact of wearing preloved clothing, embracing changes in their clothing and shopping habits and becoming Clothing Climate Activists. We see an increase in families returning their clothing to us building a cyclical clothing economy. By ensuring our Donation Stations are open and accessible to families across Perth and Kinross we can reduce re-useable clothing being put into our landfills.