The Shed puts Inverclyde on the map with national award

Inverclyde Shed, a group in environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Climate and Nature Friendly Communities Network, won the RHS Community Engagement Award in their inaugural UK-wide RHS Community Awards.

Five groups from Keep Scotland Beautiful’s network, including Beautiful Scotland and It’s Your Neighbourhood groups, were nominated to the UK level of the new Community Awards after winning at the Scottish level.

The Inverclyde Shed team works with a host of community groups and schools. (Image: George Munro) Three of the groups won in their respective categories, including Inverclyde Shed, which was presented with the community engagement award at RHS Britain in Bloom ceremony at Old Trafford Centre, Manchester, on Monday.

A spokesperson for the Inverclyde Shed team said: "Well done to the many volunteers, schools, nurseries, churches, other community groups and businesses that support us and the work we do.

"This is just the start; let's make Inverclyde bloom!"

Juliette Camburn, senior officer for community initiatives at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said, “Congratulations to Inverclyde Shed for both being nominated for and, not only winning the Scottish level of the RHS Community Engagement Award, but for also winning the UK level of the award, ahead of groups from all across the UK.

“The group’s excellent efforts were recognised by our judging panel who selected them as our Scottish winner and it’s wonderful to see this recognition extended at a wider level.

“The efforts of Inverclyde Shed, and all involved in their community, to halt biodiversity loss and protect and enhance nature, is truly inspiring, ensuring their local area is not only protected but improved for future generations.

“Once again I’d like to congratulate Inverclyde Shed and all of our Scottish winners for their amazing achievements.”

The Inverclyde Shed team was honoured by the Royal Horticultural Society. It was noted by the judges that Inverclyde Shed supports, enables and empowers individuals, and also praised the group for working with a wide range of people, connecting interest groups together and growing the community.

Keep Scotland Beautiful’s volunteer judges and assessors visited over 230 communities across Scotland over the summer, evaluating their efforts across three pillars: horticultural or gardening achievement, environmental responsibility, and community participation.

Identifying examples of best practice, success, or innovation across Scotland, the volunteers then nominated groups in five categories – with the hope that their stories will inspire others.

A panel of experts, including representatives from NatureScot and local community groups, met to short list and select winners, runners up and highly commended projects at the Scottish level of the competition. The five winners were then nominated to compete against groups from across the UK.

These RHS Community Awards were piloted this year to celebrate the work that groups do in the context of our changing world, including biodiversity collapse, the increasing importance of a connection to nature for wellbeing and the climate emergency.