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The Community Regeneration Outreach Project (CROPS) in Plymouth undertook a consultation exercise with the local community in order to identify needs in the area. During the consultation the group was approached by a number of people who were interested in learning more about gardening.
CROPS operates from a Community Centre which is mainly run by volunteers. In order to move the gardening project forward they applied to Devon Community Foundation for a Neighbourhood Renewal Community Chest grant to enable them to employ a new worker.
The group was awarded a grant of £5,000 to set up the Keyham Community Gardening Project at Keyham Green Space Centre. The Project is based in an area where the majority of residents have no access to a garden and where there is very little contact between generations. This grant enabled local people to take ownership of an area of garden for cultivation, allowing them to work together to maintain the garden and the surrounding grounds of the Centre. Allotments adjoin the garden, the holders of which were keen to volunteer to share their gardening skills and expertise with the participants.
The Project was very positive and brought many people with different social backgrounds together for the first time. Those with gardening knowledge shared their experience and some of the participants have even gone on to enquire about taking on an allotment. Local residents have taken pride in their achievement and now have an open, green space to be enjoyed by all. Our photograph shows the newly landscaped grounds after a snowfall. The picture was used to make Christmas cards for the Centre to sell, with the profits being ploughed back into the organisation.
The gardens, along with the Centre, now provide a focus for the local community. Volunteers regularly attend to weed the ground; the local playgroup brings along the under 5s to teach them about the environment; young mums bring their children to play in the grounds after school; there are plans for events to be staged there. The community now has a valuable resource which is available to be used and enjoyed by all.
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