The idea
It is our ambition to transform a currently unused, empty and uninspiring space into a cultivated, productive and welcoming community herb garden complete with benches and bee-friendly homes and plants.
The space is occasionally used for our fun and activity days two or three times a year, and while we are keen to maintain a functional and useful space for events, we want to establish a community herb garden that will vastly improve the space and encourage interest in healthy eating, gardening and promote community cohesion. We will explore the possibility of establishing a gardening club for the continued maintenance of the garden.
The garden will be a welcoming place for all the community. We hope that it will act as an example and encourage people to take up gardening activities in the spaces available to them at home.
In partnership with Faith Forum of Enfiled Council, we recently (3rd March 2019) planted 2 Olive Trees in the corners of the garden representing peace & harmony
What we'll deliver
- Benches, Picnic Benches, Bug Hotels
- Raised & Elavated Beds for herb plantings
- herbs, seeds and vast number of plants
- Surrounded by tree planted fences and other plants & flowers
Why it's a great idea
This project will help address the compound challenge of a poor healthy lifestyle in Edmonton Green, one of the UK’s most deprived areas (IMD, 2015) by;
Volunteer opportunities for both the creation and maintenance of the garden boosting physical and mental wellbeing. In total we expect the project to create at least 180 hours of volunteer opportunities.
Promoting community cohesion by providing a safe and inviting space for all the community to use.
Encouraging healthy eating. Edmonton Green can be considered a ‘food desert’ with few options for healthy eating. With a garden focused on herbs, we can promote healthy eating to all. The launch and lunch event will make use of herbs from the garden to create simple, healthy recipes that others will be able to take home.
We have a range of partner organisations available to us, including 'Mentorwise' which formed of young people from college & university and regularly have volunteers to help set up projects and implement it.
Steps to get it done
- Design the garden layout,Digging out area with volunteer team, Installing planters and tidying up the garden
As an award winning 4-star organisation,we pride ourselves on our diversity and our ability to work with many different people, especially cultural and ethnic groups.We have a wide age-range of people using our centre, from primary school age right up to retired individuals
With over 12,000 weekly visitors coming to the centre we are confident that we have an inclusive and wide reach.
For this project, we will reach out to our partner and sister organisations to promote what we are doing and encourage them to get involved, especially our neighbours, the Salvation Army. We are registered with 'https://openhouselondon.org.uk'. As an Enfield Heritage site;marvel at the classical features which draw visitors from schools, universities, charities, faith organisations and the public throughout the year. Designed and prioritised to the needs of but not limited to locals but extended to a wider community of Greater London humanitarian aids stretched out internationally.
