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A short walk round the corner to Trinity and Hancocke House gives us a chance to stretch our legs.
Residents from a number of the 24 flats have requested food growing opportunities in the back garden of their flats, but due to the gardens having open access there are concerns about anti-social behaviour and vandalism if raised beds are put in - some residents have already experienced clothes going missing from washing lines and reported gangs hanging around.
Groundwork is now working with residents to apply for funding to erect fencing that is attractive and secure to provide a garden area for both houses. If the fencing bid is successful residents will then begin food growing. In the meantime a planter has been put at the front of 1-6 Trinity House to offer a growing space to the three households there which have expressed an interest in food growing and they are also being provided with gloves and tools to manage the planter. When we arrive we find an enterprising resident has already stocked up the planter with veg.
Each of the houses has two entrances with porch areas, both of which were looking very run down. Groundwork has supported repairs and a repaint to all four porches, and local children have created designs that will be added to the painted areas. Ornamental and vegetable plants are being grown in the current brick planters and trellises that cover the outside of the porches. The bike sheds have also been fixed and renovated.
The aim of these improvements is to support residents to feel safer, have an improved living environment, get to know their neighbour betters, grow organic food and develop their garden areas. Residents are already planning to hold a Big Lunch event.
Another short walk brings us to Southgate House to meet green-fingered Will, a resident with a passion for gardening. Despite some set backs, the site has been damaged on occasion, he has transformed a dull shared space into a lush garden.
"They'll get bored before I do" is his message to the vandals.
His enthusiasm is infectious too, he is now getting his neighbours involved and is promoting healthier lifestyles -
"Dig it, grow it, eat it. It ticks all the boxes" he tells us.
We'll leave Will to his well earned cup of tea now and head off to see an innovative project turning dead space into an instant community garden.
Will's garden
