ACTIVITY
Arran Pioneer Project aims to develop a network of community-led farms and social hubs in all villages around Arran on a permanent basis, within walking distance of every islander within 5 years. This is part of a long-term vision to reduce social deprivation on the island by giving people access to high quality, seasonal and healthy local produce and create opportunities for employment, education, training and apprenticeships for all abilities and backgrounds, leading to partner projects in future regarding affordable, eco rural housing / crofts.
OUTCOME
The Trust agreed to support Arran Pioneer Project with the following benefits:
✓ Contributes to Arran’s self-sufficiency and community resilience by increasing levels of food security on the island and providing opportunities for people to live and work here.
✓ Provides access to social and community support (practical, social and mental health) within outlying villages in a welcoming and trusting environment.
✓ Practical and participatory volunteering will ensure essential knowledge is passed on, with a positive impact on mental health and actively combatting loneliness.
✓ By learning to grow and prepare fresh fruit and vegetables, people will take control of the food they eat and build their long-term health by preventing chronic disease.
✓ Training and employment creation will be integral to the long-term sustainability of the project, helping young people into the workforce and empowering them to impact on our projects and wider island decision making in the long term. This will also tie in with a secondary, developing project to provide sustainable affordable housing built from carbon-neutral local materials so that young people can have the security of tenure to be able to stay on the island in the long term.
