The project is to maintain planters inside and just outside the Hainault station to provide a piece of nature with a colourful and nature-friendly display of flowers all year round and in the process create a nicer environment for people passing and using the station. Volunteers help to water, re-plant, weed and remove litter regularly. The project involves 3-4 times a year maintenance of 15 community planters outside and inside the station. Local residents and volunteers look after them, watering, weeding and picking out rubbish. However, funding is required to get fresh compost, soil feed, seeds, flowers and evergreens. The key times of the year when we need to do this is Autumn to clean, plant spring bulbs, mulch; early Spring to sow summer bedding and add fresh compost and feed, Summer to add plant feed and flowers.

What we'll deliver:

• Plant 5-10 plants/flowers in each planter for summer display
• Clean and re-plant with fresh compost 8 older planters
• Create alpine low light garden inside the station in 5 planters
• Create mini wildflower meadown in 3 planters
• Create informational posters and signs for local kids to learn about plants/habitat

Why it's a great idea:

As this is an existing project we have proven benefits: 1. Reducing litter around the station - people are showing more care with this display and put litter in the bin 2. Lifting of local goodwill and mental health - seeing beautiful display lifts people's spirit. We always get thanks and well-dones and words of appreciation 3. Insects such as bees and butterflies are attracted to the display 4. Gets strangers talk to each other around the display thus increasing local social cohesion 5. Engage younger residents in nature/wildlife from informational posters

Steps to get it done:

• Summer plants, flowers and seeds are planted
• Mid-summer feed applied
• Autumn refresh and spring bulbs are planted

* This project is part of the Community Crowdfunding programme and was funded by Redbridge council through the Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (NCIL). As part of this programme, projects under £500 in value can apply directly for a micro grant where if successful, there is no requirement to crowdfund, as the council can fully fund the project. For projects over £500 in value, organisations will need to actively run a crowdfunding campaign to be eligible. For more information visit spacehive.com/movement/redbridge/about