Granville Community Garden and Allotment, were designed to be an educational and respite space, to demonstrate that it is possible to grow food in small spaces and to provide practical organic food growing training and a place to grow, exercise and relax for the marginalized people of South Kilburn one of the most deprived areas of the UK. Since March 2020 work in the garden and allotment has been limited, but our volunteers are very keen to engage and we would like to build on what we have; improve our soil, buy in more tools, create a better propagation space, increase what we offer volunteers as a result. We will reach out to new groups of residents such as the elderly, the isolated and those who have lost jobs and build capacity so that we can grow food for them and our community kitchen and provide fresh produce for our community meals.

What we'll deliver:

• Buy compost so we can plant healthier plants
• Buy more tools so more volunteers can help us
• Fix and modify our glasshouse
• Buy cold frames so that we can grow more out of season produce
• Design posters to promote the garden and allotment volunteering

Why it's a great idea:

The Community garden and Community allotment will bring a multitude of benefits, both Environmental and social. The social benefits include: - Help toward improved mental health, confidence and wellbeing due to the supportive environment - Improved nutrition and functioning in daily life - Exercise and being outdoors - Creating a space that is open and accessible for everyone in the community - A beautiful space that is a pleasure to be in and to look at - A space that allows volunteers to learn about growing their own food, providing fresh organic produce and increasing their experience and skills at the community garden - A green space that supports people’s wellbeing by giving them access to a safe space outdoors and in nature in an urban environment. - Allowing for social interaction lessening isolation and growing community cohesion. The environmental benefits include: - increasing biodiversity - increasing access to pollinating crops - Zero food miles

Steps to get it done:

• Buying the equipment needed to resource the garden and allotment
• Volunteer sessions organised for April and beyond (Covid dependent)
• Instal Solar panel
• Instal windbreak
• Erect new greenhouse
• Harvest produce

With increased engagement of local residents in volunteering and participation in the community garden we can increase community cohesion and solidarity. We can reach more people in need and achieve more long term outcomes. Increasing awareness of our services for those groups currently under-represented. The project overall, we believe will create better opportunities for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds from the community to come together, share knowledge and skills, participate in training, volunteer or simply enjoy working with others. We also want to build capacity so that we can grow food for our kitchen and provide fresh produce for our community meals.