The project will involved clearing a site at the top of the park which is currently under used. In the area we will install three raised beds which will be set at the correct height to allow access to wheelchair users. Inbetween the planters we will cover the grass with a substance called 'grasscrete' which will allow easy access for wheelchairs between the planters. In this area of the park there already stands a refurbished Victorian shelter. We will modify this by building a concrete ramp to allow wheelchair access. We hope that this shelter will be a social hub for our over 50 gardening volunteers. We hope that our project will enhance an unused area of the park, create social links and prevent social isolation among the over 50s in Weston Super Mare, after the corona virus isolation period. We will also provide members of the local commuity with free vegetables , encouraging gardening and healthy eating. We hope our over 50s volunteers will benefit both physically and mentally

What we'll deliver:

• Three raised beds
• Grasscrete disabled access area
• Disabled access ramp on Victorian Shelter

Why it's a great idea:

A project that will strengthen community connection for an age group that can suffer from social isolation. Age UK states that 1.4 million older people are chronically lonely. Connection will be especially important after the corona virus lock down. Working in the outdoors has a massive benefit on peoples mental and physical health, factors that people will need to give time and care to as we emerge from pandemic. The project offers people in Weston Super Mare, with a disability , the chance to use an area of the park which previously may have been difficult to access. It also allows them the freedom to volunteer in a central park and have access to a garden. The project will benefit our over 50 volunteers by fostering a sense of achievement and pride which comes from giving back to the local community. It also benefits the local community because an area of their central park which has previously been over grown and subject to vandalism, will become a vibrant community hub.

Steps to get it done:

• Spend time advertising the gardening club using social media and local groups after corona virus lock down.
• Exisiting volunteers prepare land for contractors.
• Contractors come and build raised beds.
• Friends of Grove Park volunteers and N Somerset council grounds team lay grass crete for disabled access.
• Month appropriate seeds/plants planted in beds
• Friends of Grove Park volunteers build ramp to victorian shelter
• Gardening club works on making shelter a social point