I thought i would share with you all the journey i embarked on in January of this year where i successfully acquired half an acre of disused, overgrown fly-tipped allotments from my local council and set about transforming them into a fully functioning community garden and wildlife corner. Encouraging local resident to grow fresh fruit and vegetables as well as hoping to reduce social isolation and encourage inter-generationa relationships. funding was secured from the national lottery, Greggs, KCC, as well as donations from Gallagher's, Biffa and many other companies. Weekly activities will be held in the newly placed class room as well as coffee and friendship mornings for the elderly residents. History has been made and we have now had a water supply installed to the site. I have learnt so much, meet so many new people and made so many new amazing friends. on this quest to bring the community together.

What we'll deliver:

• create a octagonal seating area with raised sleepers
• purchase a greenhouse that is suitable for wheel chair users.
• large walk in tunnel
• pergola
• raised flower beds for our wheelchair residents so that they can be included
• raised work spaces for wheel chair residents

Why it's a great idea:

Our project has taken shape at such a speed and has gained a lot of interest and attention from the local community as well as businesses. We live in an area of deprivation on a large council estate, this project allows all residents to have the opportunity to learn how to grow there own fresh fruit and vegetables as well as make new friends. We have the local scout group who already attend weekly to do lots of wild life activities and planting. We hope to encourage inter generational relationships as well as transforming the unloved land into a slice of paradise in the middle of a council estate for all who live here. We have loads of slow worms, bats, frogs and foxes in the immediate area and will provide them all with safe habitats. We have removed tons and tons of rubbish and have now successfully had water installed in to the garden.

Steps to get it done:

• a walk in tunnel
• A wheel chair accessible green house ensuring equality
• to create a octagonal seating area with railway sleepers
• to create and provide several wheelchair accesible potting station
• to create and provide wheelchair friendly work benches

We will continue the ongoing transformation of the community garden project. We will hold weekly fun filled activities in the class room which has now been placed. Coffee and friendship mornings for the local elderly residents and will support all those who wish to learn how to grow fresh fruit and vegetables.