Community Roots

Welcome to Community Roots!

We are a grassroots charity based in West Kilbride, dedicated to enhancing food security, promoting sustainability, and improving the mental and physical wellbeing of our community. Our heart is the Community Roots Garden, a once-overgrown space we’ve transformed into a thriving hub of local food production, learning, and social connection. Through our sustainable, pesticide-free gardening practices, we grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs while fostering a sense of togetherness and wellness among our volunteers and visitors.

Our other key project is the Village Larder, which provides affordable and nutritious food to local residents, helping address immediate food security needs. Our work in the garden directly supports this initiative, with fresh produce grown on-site often finding its way to the larder. Together, the garden and larder form a holistic approach to food sustainability, community education, and well-being.

This year, we are excited to take our work to the next level with the creation of the Garden Haven, a multifunctional garden room. The Garden Haven will be a sheltered space where we can host wellness and gardening workshops, hold community events, and provide a comfortable retreat for those who want to enjoy the garden without participating in the physical work. With features like a small kitchen, this space will allow us to prepare and share meals, bringing people together around food and nature.

The Garden Haven will also help us expand our reach, especially in the colder months, offering a year-round space for learning, relaxation, and connection. We believe that this addition will be a vital resource for the community, supporting both mental and physical health, and ensuring that our garden continues to grow—not just in plants but in the relationships we nurture.

We invite you to be part of this exciting project. Through the £50000 award we’ve secured from the National Lottery Community Fund, and £5k from the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund,  we will complete much of the building costs. However, we still need to raise a further £5k to get solar panels and other finishing touches. Your contribution helps us bring the Garden Haven to life, ensuring that our small but impactful garden, alongside the Village Larder, remains a sanctuary for all.