We are currently creating our first community food growing space on Castlecroft Road, Westminster Park which includes three large hexagonal planters and two smaller planters which we will be planting up with winter and spring vegetables for the community to harvest. We want to build on this initial activity by increasing awareness of the project, usability of the site and undertaking some forward planning for the next growing season. This includes creation of a great sign which clearly states our project name and gives space for notices and messages to the community such as meeting dates or which fruit/ veg are ready to harvest. We also would like to increase the ability for people to rest and reflect in this area by providing a bench for them to sit on. Looking ahead to next spring, we will be purchasing a water butt, seeds and plants as well as a range of communal tools for volunteers to use in order to create a vibrant and nutritious community space for everyone to use.

What we'll deliver:

• Create permanent signage to identify the space and provide information on activities/ produce
• Provide a bench for rest and reflection
• Purchase seeds, plants, communal tools
• Water butt

Why it's a great idea:

Funding for these items will help increase awareness of our project in the local community, increasing our volunteer base and interest in food growing and healthy living. By engaging more people in volunteering, we can increase community cohesion as well as mental and physical well being and can help reduce issues such as loneliness. The presence of a bench at the project site will enable further benefits to mental health by providing somewhere to rest, reflect and enjoy the vibrancy of a productive area. By ensuring we are planning ahead into next growing season we can continue to increase these community benefits alongside the production of free community food for harvesting and raising awareness of sustainable, organic food production, the buy 'local eat local ethos' and the importance of wildlife in food production.

Steps to get it done:

• Purchase materials for sign creation and install at the site
• Purchase wooden tree bench and install once permission granted
• Purchase water butt and install subject to landowner permission
• Purchase seeds/ plants/ tools ready for next spring activities