It started with a recovery plan – Scott’s story

Scott was a kid in Possilpark in the 1970s. While he and his friends were growing up, the local economy was rapidly going down. People were losing jobs, stores were closing and times were hard.

The Glasgow region experienced high rates of unemployment when local industries closed. Buildings emptied and became derelict, and drugs became more common. By the 1980s, Possilpark was experiencing severe economic deprivation.

Meanwhile, Scott's home split in two when his mum left his dad. Like many people around him, Scott turned to drugs. "It was a bit of an escape from reality. Drugs came into Possilpark and there's few that avoided that," Scott recalls.

Exposed to drugs from an early age, Scott struggled with addiction into adulthood. At the age of 31, in 1998, Scott embarked on a recovery journey. He underwent rehabilitation programmes at Red Towers and Phoenix House (now Phoenix Futures). And he regularly went on walks in Hamiltonhill Claypits, a local nature reserve.

Scott found friendship and hope with two mentors who helped him change his life. This kindness inspired Scott to become a role model for others. He began working in rehabilitation, a career that lasted 16 years. Alongside this, he dedicated his time to youth and community work.

Scott's connection to the Claypits

Hamiltonhill Claypits had been a constant in Scott's life. As a teenager, it was locally known as the 'Cowp' - an Old Scots term for a midden or rubbish dump. "We would go up there when we were teenagers to escape our parents, to escape from things," Scott says. When he was recovering from addiction, he used to walk the Claypits canal. Helping him to avoid bumping into people taking or selling drugs on the streets.

It was during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, that Scott really connected with the Claypits. Walking there helped people who felt isolated during lockdowns. And then they started looking after the place. "I remember one day we were just walking and I started picking up a bit of litter. Before you know it, I've got a litter picker."

Scott is now a committee member at Hamiltonhill Claypits, which is supported by the Climate Action Fund (CAF). The Fund supports communities across the UK to act on climate change and involve more people in environmental action.

Becoming a volunteer

Scott started to engage with the Hamiltonhill Claypits on a deeper level. This eventually led to him volunteering and joining its board. He has seen how access to the outdoors has helped him and others like him.

"Sometimes, a wee walk and talk and getting at peace with nature - that's all people need. The great outdoors is the best medicine. I'm 59. I remember being 31 and feeling and looking 59. Now I'm 59 and I feel and look 31," he chuckles. "If I didn't use Hamiltonhill Claypits Local Nature Reserve, my mental and physical health would not be as good as it is today."

A new kind of Hamiltonhill Claypits

Thanks to Scott and volunteers like him, the reserve has become a haven for nature and local people. Everyone is welcome here, from dog walkers to kayakers, children and older people. And the nature reserve offers homes for a variety of wildlife.

The reserve has become a free, safe and welcoming retreat for anyone who needs it, and has encouraged mental and physical wellbeing - especially for vulnerable groups in the community.

The volunteers have exciting plans for the future. They want to install solar-powered electricity in two containers on the site to store their tools and run educational nature groups.

This is only the beginning of something bigger.

Get started

We support environmental projects of all shapes and sizes. We offer grants from £300 up to £20,000 through our open Awards for All programme to grants over £500,000 through our Climate Action Fund.

Find out more about environment funding in your area and apply.