Volunteers help Edinburgh’s Crisis Skylight Centre’s garden bloom for spring next year
A GROUP of Specsavers colleagues from across the UK have helped transform a once derelict garden at the Crisis Skylight Centre in Edinburgh into a welcoming space which people experiencing homelessness can enjoy.
The team of 12 spent time planting 400 bulbs at the garden at the Crisis Skylight Centre off Canongate, helping to create a safe and inviting space where people accessing the charity’s services can spend time, relax and enjoy the outdoors.
The volunteering drive was organised by Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT) following a donation from Specsavers to purchase bulbs and plants. The Specsavers’ green-fingered colleagues then spent half a day in the garden planting the bulbs to ensure the garden will bloom in time for spring next year.
The Specsavers team also had the opportunity to tour the Skylight Centre, where they explored the facilities and learned more about how the partnership between Crisis, Vision Care and Specsavers is helping to improve access to essential eye care for people who might otherwise struggle to access these services.
The donation and voluntary hours are part of Specsavers’ ongoing commitment to support the charity which helps people experiencing homelessness across the city.
The partnership between Specsavers and Crisis has already helped improve access to essential healthcare for people facing homelessness. In 2024, Specsavers funded the Wellness Floor at Crisis Skylight Edinburgh, which includes a dedicated eye care clinic run by Vision Care. The clinic provides free eye care for people experiencing homelessness, helping to remove barriers to accessing vital health services.
David Bower, Specsavers Audiology Relationship Managers, says: ‘It’s been such a fulfilling day, we’re so lucky that we get to spend time with the Crisis team and ELGT and to be able to give back to the community.
‘It’s been such a productive morning, as well as planting hundreds of bulbs to ensure the garden flourishes next year, we’ve been able to reflect on why working with invaluable charities like Crisis is so important.
Joni Nettleship, Specsavers CSR Manager, adds: ‘We are a proud partner of Crisis and the important work it does in Edinburgh to support people experiencing homelessness.
‘While access to healthcare remains a vital part of that support, we know that creating welcoming spaces where people can feel comfortable and spend time is important too.
'We’re delighted to have helped fund the bulbs for the garden and look forward to seeing them bloom next spring, bringing a little extra colour and enjoyment to the centre.’
Mark Kennedy, Director of Crisis Skylight Edinburgh, says: ‘We are incredibly grateful to all staff and volunteers who helped transform the garden at our Edinburgh Skylight. Being able to offer a calm, welcoming space for people to spend time in is key to looking after wellbeing while experiencing the trauma and indignity of homelessness.
‘We know that the winter months are incredibly difficult for people without a safe, stable home. That’s why across Great Britain we will be providing warmth, companionship and vital services to people facing homelessness. Seeing the garden bloom in spring will bring renewed hope after navigating one of the toughest, coldest times of year.
‘Together with Specsavers, we can continue to provide vital healthcare and wellbeing support, breaking down barriers and helping people rebuild their lives away from homelessness.’
As part of Specsavers’ commitment to access to care, anyone affected by homelessness can receive free eye and ear care at any Specsavers store in the UK and Ireland through the Charity VIP scheme.
To find out more, visit specsavers.co.uk/news-and-information/community/homelessness.