Commonwealth woods greener legacy programme 2014 Commonwealth Games

We wrote and delivered marketing strategy to grow local participation in neighbourhood woodlands in parts of Glasgow. Our efforts were focussed on 10 forest destination sites lying mainly in deprived parts of greater Glasgow, plus Cuningar Loop (by the CG2014 athletes’ village). Led by Forestry Commission Scotland then Pagoda PR the aim was to get more people active through increasing … Read More

Meriel YoungCommonwealth woods greener legacy programme 2014 Commonwealth Games

Research and monitoring – Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG)

Scrutiny of the delivery of Gaelic language plans (GLP’s) across five public bodies and local authorities. Working with David Hunter from Not for Profit planning this work involved checking that all the elements within individual GLPs were being delivered. Focus organisations included Historic Scotland, Skills Development Scotland, Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, East Dunbartonshire Council and Highland Council. The satisfaction of delivery … Read More

Meriel YoungResearch and monitoring – Bòrd na Gàidhlig (BnG)

Review of Scottish Access and Technical Information Network (SATIN) and the SNH Outdoor Access Design Guide

This was a joint commission undertaken for Scottish Natural Heritage and Paths for All. The review of SATIN focussed on whether or not to modify the websites content, function and scope in order to better facilitate the needs of technical access planning practitioners. The research included a large scale online survey with practitioners and several half-day practitioner workshops. The SNH … Read More

Meriel YoungReview of Scottish Access and Technical Information Network (SATIN) and the SNH Outdoor Access Design Guide

Reaching New Audiences

We deliver products that motivate inactive people to get more active. We produced audio guides for SMART phone download at two of Livingston’s urban woodland sites. The focus was to engage new audiences and get them taking healthy active recreation in their local woodlands. The content for the audio guides is available for Eliburn Wood and Deans Wood. We integrated … Read More

Meriel YoungReaching New Audiences

Increasing physical activity through interpretation and play motivators

We find ways to drive visitors to sites and undertake return visits. We utilise creative approaches to make all individuals feel more positively connected with their local amenity space. We delivered the play, access and discovery project for the WTS in two parts of West Lothian – where local woodlands are underused. Both involved getting children out to open space … Read More

Meriel YoungIncreasing physical activity through interpretation and play motivators

Transport Behaviour Marketing

We plan and manage large scale events linked to marketing campaigns.   For example: Recently we were commissioned by the City of Edinburgh Council to project manage the  Edinburgh Cycle Choices campaign aimed at getting 24 to 36 year olds (from more deprived areas) cycling more. Take a look at some of our marketing materials at Upright Creative. We added value through … Read More

Meriel YoungTransport Behaviour Marketing

Neighbourhood Regeneration

We undertake site regeneration, landscape planning, consultation and design services. For example: Sustrans commissioned Meriel Young Consulting to produce some design plans for Parkhouse Cutting  (old railway route embankment) in Ardossan. This required ecological, landscape, attitude, consultation and resultant design concept surveys. Large scale community consultation including High School pupils, LA stakeholders, passer-by and participative full public meetings (promoted to … Read More

Meriel YoungNeighbourhood Regeneration

Understanding the Customer

We seek to understand how all local people can enjoy and optimise use of their surroundings. For example: Consulting people as well as site surveys play a big role in helping to understand underuse of urban woodlands. We undertook qualitative research (both at local service points and neighbourhoods) in West Lothian’s urban woodlands to ascertain low use issues. Whilst the … Read More

Meriel YoungUnderstanding the Customer

Practitioner Training in Urban Forestry

We undertake site-based and classroom training on recreation planning,  urban forestry and greenspace design. For example: We led on the FCS contract to teach urban woodland landscape design training for practitioner audiences. We started with a training needs analysis to identify practitioner knowledge gaps. From survey findings we developed priority training needs materials. We then ran a one day training … Read More

Meriel YoungPractitioner Training in Urban Forestry

Interpretation that Motivates Physical Activity

We find ways to drive visitors to sites and undertake return visits. For example: This 250 degree panorama viewpoint board we did for PCWG captures the essence of landscape experience irresistibility. The client felt that the vast landscape views could be more appreciated if walkers were engaged in identifying key landscape features. The text content of the board focusses on … Read More

Meriel YoungInterpretation that Motivates Physical Activity

Increasing participation through education, art and play development

We utilise creative approaches to make all individuals feel more positively connected with their local amenity space. Developers listen up. For example: We delivered the play, access and discovery project for the WTS in two parts of West Lothian – where local woodlands are underused. Both involved getting children out to open space and woods to develop their own play … Read More

Meriel YoungIncreasing participation through education, art and play development

Producing ‘getting people active’ resources and improving economies

We produce any sort of information and orientation resource required, even for whole cities, plus advertising and full marketing strategy. This may be for Rail companies, LA’s, bus companies, BID consortiums, regional transport alliances, ranger services, tourism clusters, etc. For example: We undertook the production of 8 cycle leaflets covering all of the City of Edinburgh Council area. We also … Read More

Meriel YoungProducing ‘getting people active’ resources and improving economies