Welcome to Edge Woods
Edge Woods is more than just a space — it’s a living, breathing project rooted in community, nature, and growth. Our vision is to create an inclusive environment where young adults who are autistic and/or have other additional support needs (ASN) can learn, thrive, and connect with the natural world.
Our Vision
Edge Woods brings together sustainability, wellbeing, and education — transforming unused land into a vibrant woodland and garden that benefits not only our programme participants, but the wider East Lothian community too.
Our Mission
At Edge, our mission has always been simple: Believe. Transform. Achieve.
Edge Woods is where that comes to life outdoors — blending accredited learning, real-world skills, and therapeutic green spaces.
🌿 Edge Woods
Our on-campus woodland learning environment
Edge Woods provides a dynamic outdoor setting where learning is practical, purposeful, and rooted in nature. Here, individuals develop transferable skills that strengthen independence, confidence, and wellbeing — from teamwork and problem-solving to environmental awareness and community engagement.
Every activity within Edge Woods supports progress towards personal goals and vocational outcomes, building the skills, resilience, and self-belief needed for life beyond Edge.
🥕 Edge-Vedge
Our sustainable horticulture and food-growing project within Edge Woods
Edge-Vedge turns sustainability into hands-on learning. Participants plan, grow, and harvest their own produce — building skills in horticulture, nutrition, enterprise, and environmental responsibility.
From soil preparation to cooking and sharing meals, every stage is designed to promote independence, communication, and work-readiness. It’s learning with purpose — cultivating skills for life, and for the future.
Progress so far…
What we hope to achieve…
Taking Root: The Growth of Edge Woods
Charting our journey from vision to reality — rooted in sustainability, growth, and community.
Securing the Space & Funding
The starting point — gaining exclusive use of the woodland, securing funding from #NOLB and setting the vision for an inclusive outdoor learning space.
Clearing & Preparing the Woods
Teams and volunteers make the area safe, accessible, and ready for transformation — building teamwork and pride.
Building Access & Safety Features
Steps installed, fencing next — improving access and safety to support outdoor learning and exploration.
Planning the Layout
Mapping learning zones and sensory spaces — turning ideas into practical, learner-led design.
Adding Structures & Learning Spaces
Shelters and storage take shape — creating spaces for teaching, teamwork, and enterprise.
Establishing Growing Areas
Through Edge-Vedge, learners cultivate horticultural and life skills from seed to plate.
Community & Enterprise in Action
Local partners and donors help power enterprise projects — connecting learning with real-world opportunity.
Growth in Every Sense
Nature, learning, and community flourish together — growth for the woodland, our young adults, and East Lothian alike.
Can you help?
Every contribution helps Edge Woods grow — from pre-loved tools and materials to other forms of practical support that help us develop this inclusive learning space.
By reusing, repurposing, and sharing resources, you’re helping create opportunities for young adults to build confidence, skills, and independence — while keeping our project sustainable and community-driven.
Unwanted Garden Items
Skills & Expertise
Support Our Growth
Edge Woods exists thanks to the trust and belief of our partners.
Their backing allows us to create a sustainable, inclusive, and innovative resource that will benefit young adults who are autistic and/or have other ASN — and our community — for years to come.
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Edge Woods exists thanks to the generosity and vision of Eskmills, who have granted us exclusive use of this unique woodland space.
Their support has allowed us to reimagine an unused area of land as an inclusive, nature-based learning environment — one that nurtures skills, wellbeing, and opportunity.
We’re proud to call Eskmills our home, and deeply appreciative of their ongoing encouragement as we continue to grow, learn, and evolve within the estate.evolve within the estate.
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Edge Woods has been developed with support from No One Left Behind funding via East Lothian Council, as part of East Lothian Works involvement with the East Lothian Local Employability Partnership.
This funding enables us to deliver meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that help young adults build confidence, develop practical skills, and move closer to independent living and employment.
Together, we’re creating pathways that ensure no one is left behind — and every learner has the chance to thrive.
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Edge Woods has been shaped not only by our partners but by the generosity of our local community across the Lothians.
From garden tools and materials to equipment and supplies, every donation has helped us bring this space to life — turning an empty woodland into a place for growth, learning, and opportunity.
Your contributions are helping us create something truly lasting — a woodland that will change lives and open up new possibilities for the young adults learning within it.