A NEW community garden that helps to combat social isolation has been officially opened on Leicester’s Saffron Lane estate.
Tenants and residents from a set of 28 bungalows in Meadow Gardens have been working with Leicester City Council and The Conservation Volunteers to create the new space, on a large green plot at the back of the properties.
New benches have been installed and raised beds have been provided for tenants to plant their own fruit, veg, herbs and flowers. The city council has also planted fruit bushes and trees for the tenants to pick fruit from.
The project has involved staff from the council’s public health, planning, grounds maintenance and housing teams, and has been funded with £24,000 from the council’s housing revenue account. The Conservation Volunteers will be working with the tenants to run gardening activities such as bulb and seed planting.
Assistant city mayor Cllr Vi Dempster, who leads on public health and community food growing, said: “Social isolation and loneliness are linked to higher risks for a variety of mental and physical health conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and depression.
“This community garden provides a space for local people to meet up for a chat and enjoy some gardening together – an activity that is great for your health. It’s also a chance for people to grow their own produce, which is a key part of our Food Plan for Leicester. I’m really pleased that we’ve all been able to work together to provide this.”
Deputy city mayor for housing Cllr Elly Cutkelvin said: “We want our estates to be safe, pleasant places for people to live in. Many of the initiatives we undertake are as a result of issues highlighted on estate walkabouts, at ward community meetings, or requests from tenants and residents.
“This garden has been funded by the housing revenue account - money we collect in rent – so it’s being reinvested in the sort of improvements that tenants want to see. We’re very grateful for the help and input of local residents in designing this scheme, and I hope they enjoy the garden for years to come.”
Residents have already grown potatoes in the raised beds provided by the scheme, which have been shared by the tenants of the bungalows on Meadow Gardens. They currently have tomatoes growing in them, which will also be shared out, and are now looking to plant some Brussels sprouts for winter.
The residents have also picked and used mint, rosemary, sage and thyme from the garden, and have made damson jam from the damson trees that have long been planted in the area. Other fruit trees – planted more recently as part of the community garden project - will bear fruit in years to come.
Find out more about community growing in Leicester at www.leicester.gov.uk/allotments
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