Our Working Groups
Bridgend Inspiring Growth is a community-run voluntary organisation. We promote inclusive participation and democratic decision making, and strive to continually improve this to ensure those that are actively involved are able to directly influence our development, services and activities.
To further this we have five distinct working groups, each focusing on a different aspect of our project.
Each working group has a representative from the Board on it, and are generally open to anyone else to attend.
Each of these groups has delegated powers, specific to its role, and meets monthly.
Any decisions affecting the overall direction of the project are referred back to the Board for a final decision.
If you are interested in getting more involved in one of these aspects of the project, please contact us and we can put you in touch with the lead representative for that specific group. We welcome any input and would encourage you to attend one of these working group meetings if you are interested in becoming more involved in the project.
Bridgend Inspiring Growth is a community-run voluntary organisation. We promote inclusive participation and democratic decision making, and strive to continually improve this to ensure those that are actively involved are able to directly influence our development, services and activities.
To further this we have five distinct working groups, each focusing on a different aspect of our project.
Each working group has a representative from the Board on it, and are generally open to anyone else to attend.
Each of these groups has delegated powers, specific to its role, and meets monthly.
Any decisions affecting the overall direction of the project are referred back to the Board for a final decision.
If you are interested in getting more involved in one of these aspects of the project, please contact us and we can put you in touch with the lead representative for that specific group. We welcome any input and would encourage you to attend one of these working group meetings if you are interested in becoming more involved in the project.
The Working Groups (and their board representatives) are:
Building Group (Will)
The Building group is overseeing the renovation works of Bridgend Farmhouse. Its focus is on liaising with our Build Manager, our contractors, and the Design Team, to ensure the renovation work is carried out as intended, and to advise on any design or construction questions. We have helped to co-ordinate arrangements for the Hard-Hat tours, site-meetings, and liaison with partners and capital funders.
Business Group (Claire)
The Business Group is developing all the systems and processes we need for employment and staffing, financial management, good governance, risk management, IT and communications. The Business Group leads on the recruitment of our staff team and on the steps we need to take to become a Charitable Community Benefit Society (CCBS). Group members liaise frequently by email, and share the busy workload.
Food Group (Hazel)
The food group is concerned with how food is grown, its use and how it brings together the community. It’s open to anyone interested in food in general, learning about sustainable food, learning to cook, in community events and how we develop and fund these.
We look forward to an inclusive space where we can be using local produce, where people can find healthy affordable food, and the Bridgend community can address social isolation and be a place to strengthen community involvement.
Bridgend farmhouse café will be a social enterprise giving local people the opportunity to gain training and qualifications through its training kitchen. The café will also be a great asset for community cooking/catering.
Working with Bridgend’s development team the farmhouse community will create innovative solutions to address food poverty.
Land Group (Hilary)
The Land Group works to develop the land of the Farmhouse and to assist our volunteers gain from the proven health benefits of working outdoors.
The development of our kitchen and herb garden includes exploring how to use our herbs medicinally and cosmetically and building a thermal composter to tackle food waste.
We are progressing plans for our perimeter walls and the supplementary ‘garden’ areas they enclose. This also include landscaping and ways we can plant to support the environment – e.g. planting to help tackle particulates. We aim to ensure all ages can enjoy the outdoors with a guarantee of fun - we are building an outdoor pizza oven!
Current work includes working with:
• The RSPB - creating ponds, bird boxes and planting for wildlife.
• Helping Britain Blossom project to create an urban orchard.
• Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust - developing partnerships that encourage use of the Craigmillar Castle Park and its resources.
Workshop Group (Lynne)
The Workshop Group oversees the running, equipping and stocking of our four workshops.
We meet regularly to discuss usage guidelines and future bookings for groups and events, keeping schedules updated.
Proposed income generated and reviewing usage is discussed to put forward to the board meetings.
The group will continuously endeavour to improve, stock and maintain the workshops.
Building Group (Will)
The Building group is overseeing the renovation works of Bridgend Farmhouse. Its focus is on liaising with our Build Manager, our contractors, and the Design Team, to ensure the renovation work is carried out as intended, and to advise on any design or construction questions. We have helped to co-ordinate arrangements for the Hard-Hat tours, site-meetings, and liaison with partners and capital funders.
Business Group (Claire)
The Business Group is developing all the systems and processes we need for employment and staffing, financial management, good governance, risk management, IT and communications. The Business Group leads on the recruitment of our staff team and on the steps we need to take to become a Charitable Community Benefit Society (CCBS). Group members liaise frequently by email, and share the busy workload.
Food Group (Hazel)
The food group is concerned with how food is grown, its use and how it brings together the community. It’s open to anyone interested in food in general, learning about sustainable food, learning to cook, in community events and how we develop and fund these.
We look forward to an inclusive space where we can be using local produce, where people can find healthy affordable food, and the Bridgend community can address social isolation and be a place to strengthen community involvement.
Bridgend farmhouse café will be a social enterprise giving local people the opportunity to gain training and qualifications through its training kitchen. The café will also be a great asset for community cooking/catering.
Working with Bridgend’s development team the farmhouse community will create innovative solutions to address food poverty.
Land Group (Hilary)
The Land Group works to develop the land of the Farmhouse and to assist our volunteers gain from the proven health benefits of working outdoors.
The development of our kitchen and herb garden includes exploring how to use our herbs medicinally and cosmetically and building a thermal composter to tackle food waste.
We are progressing plans for our perimeter walls and the supplementary ‘garden’ areas they enclose. This also include landscaping and ways we can plant to support the environment – e.g. planting to help tackle particulates. We aim to ensure all ages can enjoy the outdoors with a guarantee of fun - we are building an outdoor pizza oven!
Current work includes working with:
• The RSPB - creating ponds, bird boxes and planting for wildlife.
• Helping Britain Blossom project to create an urban orchard.
• Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust - developing partnerships that encourage use of the Craigmillar Castle Park and its resources.
Workshop Group (Lynne)
The Workshop Group oversees the running, equipping and stocking of our four workshops.
We meet regularly to discuss usage guidelines and future bookings for groups and events, keeping schedules updated.
Proposed income generated and reviewing usage is discussed to put forward to the board meetings.
The group will continuously endeavour to improve, stock and maintain the workshops.
