The idea
The project will extend existing activities out from our starting point in Braunstone Gate. The Bede Street community garden and Arch 2 will be used a as hub where residents can access tools to help them grow flowers and food plants in small plots and containers in their neighbourhood and in their own yards.The garden tool library and free seed shop will be open each Wednesday between 10.00 and 2.00 and each Saturday between 2.00 and 4.00. Opening times could be extended if we get more volunteers. The tools available will be suitable for a diverse range of gardeners, including adults, children and adults whose mobility is constrained by a physical disability.
Advice leaflets and taught sessions will be provided on the safe use and maintenance of tools and on growing and caring for plants.
The funding will also enable us to continue to pay for the hanging baskets on Braunstone Gate a welcoming site on this street.
Doctor Bike sessions will be offered on a monthly basis.
What we'll deliver
- Provide garden tools for loan
- Set up a free seed shop and share hub
- Advice on taking on a plot
- Advice on the safe use and maintenance of tools
- Monthly Doctor Bike sessions
- Hanging baskets
- Monthly events at the Bede Street Arches
Why it's a great idea
Any improvement to the immediate environment will be of benefit to the 5,000 households living in their Westcotes ward. Gardening as an activity has been shown to be of benefit for both physical and mental health facilitating this as an activity will therefore provide health benefits for those taking advantage of what the project has to offer.
Advice and help on container gardening will be of specific help for people who do not have gardens, and only have a yard, balcony or windowsill to grow plants. It will also help many private renters in the area who could take their plants with them if they move.
The doctor bike sessions will help both experienced and novice cyclists keep their bikes in good working order and hopefully give them the confidence to use their bikes for local journeys and contribute to Leicester City Council’s healthier streets agenda.
Steps to get it done
- Purchase the tools for tool library
- Purchase the seeds and bulbs for sharing
- The first person borrows a tool from the tool library
- The first person uses the seed library for their seeds
- A new plot outside the existing community garden is created.
- The contract for the Doctor Bike Sessions is agreed
- The first Doctor Bike Session takes place
- The hanging baskets on Braunstone Gate are installed.
