Wilder is looking for funding to transform the outside space at The Bridge in Southwark into a wildlife-friendly edible and educational garden. The Bridge aims to reduce inequalities in health by promoting positive health outcomes in Southwark. They run a female-only gym, and offer tailored programmes and projects to promote healthy lifestyles. The outside space would be used to grow food to be used in the kitchen, tying in to the nurturing themes of the wider Bridge project. With volunteers, we will also focus on wildlife-friendly planting. This will lead to greater awareness of the benefits of wilding, as well as show volunteers how to grow nutritious food.

What we'll deliver:

• Plant wildlife friendly shrubs and climbers
• Install 4 raised beds for growing edibles
• Create a bug hotel and bird boxes
• Create educational signs
• Plant a screen of pollution fighting plants
• Plant a green roof, with sedum and wild flowers

Why it's a great idea:

Increased knowledge of the benefits of wildlife gardens Increased knowledge of growing and maintaining plants Increased knowledge of healthy eating Increase in volunteer participation Increase in volunteer activity Enhanced bio-diversity in this very urban and polluted area An increase in wildlife such as foraging bees

Steps to get it done:

• Creating a garden design
• Buying the plants and planters
• Recruiting local volunteers
• Running a briefing session for volunteers
• Creating a wildlife information pack
• Digging and planting beds
• Seeding a green roof

Wilder will work with Katrina Rawson-Mackenzie who is a project manager at The Bridge. We have had several very positive meetings with Katrina, and are confident we can work together constructively on shared goals.