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Our next stop is a refurbished roof garden in Waltham Forest.
Groundwork London has been working with the Forest YMCA housing department in the London Borough of Waltham Forest to improve an area that was underused by both staff and residents, but which had greater potential to be a social space. The veranda, which is also the main entrance for residents, was identified as that space - despite being in a poor state, too hot in summer and often littered with cigarette butts and rubbish.
In partnership with the YMCA and local group Common Sense Growers, Groundwork has supported the residents as over three sessions they transformed the veranda with colourful perennials and climbing plants that will, over time, will have a cooling and sheltering effect for the open air veranda. Plants were selected that are colourful and scented to enhance the mood of those using the space, herbs were also planted which can be harvested by both residents and kitchen staff. In additional to the visual improvements, building maintenance staff have noted a reduction in rubbish and cigarette butts since the work has been carried out.
Following on directly from this project, as part of Well London*, Groundwork has employed a local arts group, The Drawing Shed, to run eight print workshops to create artwork for the outdoor veranda space and for residents’ rooms. This project is working to forge connections between the arts and gardening groups local to the YMCA. As a result of this project, residents will be invited to take part in projects on the local estate, such as making a clay cooking oven and joining in the Big Lunch. The desired outcome of this is to improve relations between the YMCA and its surrounding communities and provide ideas for potential projects for the YMCA residents themselves.
Next we'll take a short stroll round to Trinity and Hancocke House to see how residents a reclaiming a shared space and meet gardening fanatic Will, who is defying the vandals to create a garden retreat for his neighbours.
* Well London is a five year programme that aims to improve people’s physical and mental well being across London. Supported by the Big Lottery Fund, Groundwork is working with the Well London Alliance and local organisations to facilitate access to healthy open spaces.
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