Innovation

WUG’s primary innovation is to provide employment and empowerment to students and volunteers. The garden was originally set up as a therapeutic activity; however, it has since developed into a source of income. Plants are now sold during outings, and WUG often collaborates with local communities by offering gardening services in primary schools and council areas.

• SDG 4, “Quality Education” - WUG commits to ensuring their students have fewer barriers to living a fuller life by educating them in terms of housekeeping, sewing, and cooking, providing them with the opportunity for paid employment and a safe place for socialization.
• SDG 10, “Reduced Inequality” - By helping the students learn these basic life skills, it becomes easier for them to integrate into society, helping them to face fewer inequalities during their lifetime.

An additional innovation, "Nursery Needs," was created during the poor economic period before the recession to provide further paid employment for the students. Nursery Needs, now renamed "Baby Steps," collects donations of children’s items such as prams, clothing, and books. These are then refurbished and resold at a reasonable price, which contributes to a reduction in waste whilst helping low-income parents purchase quality goods. Any items donated that are not of high quality are then donated elsewhere.

Students working in the garden.

Inspiration

Watch Us Grow was inspired by a special needs project in Glasgow called "Growing Concern." The organization started with three students, and since then WUG has evolved into offering paid employment to a team of 11 people and has a service-level agreement with the council for up to 24 student places. In 1999, 6,255 people committed suicide in the UK. Ann decided that due to these alarming rates of suicide, she wanted to create a culture where volunteers and students can learn from one another. Volunteers and staff teach skills such as gardening, housekeeping, and cooking, allowing students to live more independently and become functioning members of society.

Overall impact

Although WUG hopes that most of their effects will be long term, short-term benefits are provided, one of which is decreased pressure for the students' individual carers and families. WUG has many long-term effects. Their primary impact is that their students have learned the necessary skills to secure paid employment. Another long-term effect comes in the form of prevention of the waste of baby items, which are either resold in Scotland or shipped to third-world countries, therefore benefiting two countries at once. Ultimately, WUG impacts society in numerous ways as it adheres to various UN Sustainable Development Goals, including Quality Education, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Reduced Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Life on Land.

Business benefit

WUG detailed their primary issue as being “short-term funding.” WUG funds their services through:

• Funding from the health board (which pays for the garden)
• Service-level agreement with the council that pays for 24 places
• Crowdfunding
• Applying for grants
• Selling produce from the garden

Baby Steps is not yet sustainable; however, they hope it will soon be sustainable and provide another source of income.

However, throughout the interview, Ann was unable to provide us with specific statistics and turnover details. WUG at present has 11 official permanent paid employees and 7 students on paid employment in Baby Steps, all being paid the national living wage. As previously stated, WUG has 24 places available to students; the length of time these students stay varies with each individual. Some stay only for a few months and others for a few years.

• SDG 8, “Decent Work and Economic Growth” - WUG provides part-time employment to students, paying the national living wage. This means the students can contribute to the economy, which would not have been possible without the employment WUG provides.

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Social and environmental benefit

In terms of societal advantages, WUG encourages students to think of innovative ideas, increasing their sense of self-belief and worth. This contributes to society by giving students the confidence to find paid employment, decreasing the financial impact on the government and society as a whole and lessening the stress on families and caregivers.

WUG carries out various environmentally beneficial activities, which include:

• Gardening completed within the center uses organic techniques.
• From 2006, the company has been accepting donations of baby necessities, refurbishing the items and then selling them.
• All the environmental work is taught to local schools and nurseries, who come to the center to learn how they can contribute to a greener society.
• SDG 12, “Responsible Consumption and Production” - They do this by reducing future impacts (in terms of cost) on society and by trying to achieve a better quality of life for the students.
• SDG 13, “Climate Action” – By ensuring they reduce unnecessary waste and provide education for the younger generation, they are committing to help target climate change.
• SDG 15, “Life on Land” - Carrying out the gardening work increases biodiversity and helps protect and preserve habitats and small ecosystems within the local community.

Interview

Ann McCulloch, General Manager

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