The idea
As an inner city-based enterprise which traces its roots back to the COVID-19 pandemic, we know too well how important and transformative even the smallest of gardens can be, but especially so for those facing extreme economic, social and physical challenges in dense urban areas such as here, in Newcastle upon Tyne.
To that end, we are looking to improve the gardens of Stanton Street Lounge, which is a support hub for those who have experienced extended periods of homelessness and severe financial hardship. This summer, we would love to completely transform the current garden area into a vibrant, relaxing and colourful outdoor space, where residents can find a bit of peace and quiet at the end of the day, and experience and interact with nature in an otherwise grey and paved-up neighbourhood.
The lounge is also used by local community groups and the garden could become a fantastic space for residents to meet up and chat in a peaceful, green setting!
What we'll deliver
- Weed, tidy up and remove green waste from 75m of borders
- Create 5 metres of wildlife-friendly hedging in the front garden
- Plant 900 flower bulbs, 30 shrubs, 200 perennials and 5 rose bushes
- Provide horticultural education opportunities for 5 volunteers
Why it's a great idea
Aside from the huge immediate visual improvement of the area, our project will bring nature to the Lounge residents' doorstep. Our plants will be carefully selected to provide stunning colour, year-round interest, maximum benefit to wildlife, and over time will invite birds, pollinators and small mammals.
We want to engage our beneficiaries as much as we can and invite them to work with us where possible, giving them a chance to shape their own space, regain a degree of control over their immediate surroundings and learn valuable gardening skills along the way. Where circumstances do not allow for participation, we will encourage the residents to have a chat and a cuppa with us while we do the work so that anyone in need of a bit of company can feel like they have made a genuine connection with another person that day.
Thanks to our network of volunteers, we will be able to engage additional help to maximise our impact and deliver amazing results in a much shorter amount of time!
Steps to get it done
- Final plant and materials selection
- Planting layout design
- Plant and materials acquisition
- Litter-picking, weeding and ground clearance
- Soil improvement
- Planting up
