Project Development
The 4.1 acre site occupies an elevated south-facing position with a commanding view across the Dee Valley and the suburb of Cults Aberdeen. Initially developed as the Aberdeen Convalescent Hospital in 1897, it was later used by the International and Waldorf Schools.
Discover our plans for each area of the Compass site as we sustainably refurbish the buildings:
Fundraising Goals & Achievements to date
%
Fundraising Goal Phase 1: £200,000
Sep 2020 – Sep 2021
%
Fundraising Goal Phase 2: £1m
Oct 2021 – Sep 2024
%
Fundraising Goal Phase 3: c. £1.2m
Oct 2024 – Sep 2027
%
Fundraising Goal Phase 4: c. £7m
Oct 2027 –
Phase 1
- Tidy outdoor areas with composting and recycling
- Restore paths and steps
- Survey trees and plan scheduled management
- Increase site security to counter crime and vandalism
- Complete essential building repairs
- Begin sustainable refurbishment and re-purposing of some buildings
- Set up demonstration garden plots
- Appoint project co-ordinator
- Engage with local community
Phase 2: Places
- Complete refurbishment of North Point: a multi-purpose building with new multi-user access
- Create temporary volunteer and staff hub
- Erect polytunnel and two composting toilets for volunteer and participants
- Purchase two volunteer cabins for shelter and social space
- Plan and start refurbishment of enterprise and kindergarten buildings
Phase 2: People
- Increase Compass team from 1 part-time to 5 full-time staff to deliver our community orientated services
- Increase volunteer numbers and volunteered hours by 50%
- Expand volunteering activities
- Establish social prescribing service with therapeutic activities in collaboration with NHS
- Expand Duke of Edinburgh and Saltire Awards volunteering opportunities by 50%
- Increase corporate & school volunteering groups by 75%
- Delivered employability skills opportunities, including 12 dry-stone walling sessions
Phase 2: Produce
- Plant 150 fruit bushes and native tree species
- Expand no-dig organic garden by 100% and increase year on year production: over 3300kg harvested to date.
- Distribute seasonal, organically-grown produce to the local community
- Increase bee colonies from 1 to 12 and establish wild flower areas
- Produced 60 m3 of compost and re-used 150m3 of woodchips/cardboard
- Sustainably recycled over 30m³ of materials / metal
Phase 3
- Deliver sustainable refurbishment and re-purposing of former kindergarten and science buildings to create new East Point Hub with:
- Cafe and play cafe
- Health & Education Hub to support local NHS practices through our social prescribing services and outdoor learning activities
- Extension to current Blue Door charity shop [N. Deeside Road] to support and upcycle larger items
- Zero-waste kitchen for processing onsite produce, education and skills development
- Resurface main driveway and car-parking area
- Finalise masterplan for revitalisation across the whole site
Phase 4
Staged refurbishment of main C-listed building will be a major and exciting aim in phase 4 onwards.
Timing and progress in phase 4 onwards will be dependant on funds raised.