Lache Garden Group have been given the opportunity to renovate the courtyard beside Lache Health Centre. Until now, this has been an underutilised space, with much potential. The group plan to renovate the grey, empty space to create a green, environmentally friendly and biodiversity enhancing site, encouraging locals to embrace the green spaces on their doorstep. The gardening group are a bunch of keen locals, wanting to improve the area for people living in Lache, while also creating a more environmentally friendly place for bees and wildlife to thrive. For many members the gardening group has become an unmissable social event in their weekly calendar, with membership open to all who are willing to try their hand!

What we'll deliver:

• • Increased greenery, plants and flowers in the courtyard of the Health Centre, including a seating area.
• • Sustainable planters, pots and trellis to support the increased greenery will be purchased for the courtyard.
• • A water butt to capture rainwater for sustainable watering of outdoor plants.
• • 600 volunteer hours, action days for resident engagement, such as litter picks, raise bed, bug hotel construction
• A more colourful, inviting and sustainable courtyard by the Health Centre

Why it's a great idea:

Summary of proposed benefits: - Enhanced green spaces at the community centre and Lache Health Centre - Improved biodiversity of both sites - Improved mental and physical health of volunteers - Increased awareness of the group and the work they do by a greater presence. Lache has less green space per person than other areas across CWAC. Taking part in gardening, particularly as a group activity, has been shown to improve mental and physical health, as well as reducing social isolation. Gardening is a form of activity that can be altered to fit a person’s physical ability, allowing people of all ages and abilities to take part. The inclusion of raised planters allows a wider demographic to engage. By enhancing the local area, this will increase local pride and interest in the group. It is hoped more residents will take an interest not only in the Lache Garden Group, but in their own gardens too, enhancing biodiversity and 'greeness' of Lache.

Steps to get it done:

• Installing seating area in the courtyard
• Installing an outdoor tap

The visual impact the project will have will be seen by many users to the health centre and community centre. The health centre courtyard has been grey and ‘unloved’ for some time now. The addition of natural plants will make the area more visually pleasing, as well as creating a harmonious place for people to sit and be in nature. There is a theory called the ‘broken windows effect’ which describes how unloved or damaged areas can lead to apathy from residents. By renovating a formally disused area, the gardeners will be showing residents of Lache that the community care how the area looks and that small spaces can be transformed when people work together. Health centres can be anxiety inducing places for people, having a calming area to relax before or after an appointment could make a difference to someone’s experience. The addition of a green space beside the health centre will improve the mental and physical health of local residents, while improving biodiversity.