Bearwood Community Garden

Located at: St Mary’s.

 

Site

St Mary’s Church Bearwood

Set up

Dec 2019

Team

Ellie Shaw, George Mee, Slina Alvi, Komal Kaur, Kieron Green, Jagjit Padham, Keelea Whitehouse, Medeeha Zeeshan, Miranda Alison, Ann Baldaro, Oliver & Maddy Arnold Richards, Vicki MacWinyers, George Mee, Sarah Eaton, Tash Comfort, Marian Hills, Vanessa Whitaker, Steve Trow, Dani & Jodi Waugh, Sally Taylor.

 

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The building of this garden was very important as a green space was bought up in several community meets and so providing there was a space of over grown plants and brambles around the back of the church we took advantage of this opportunity in order to turn this space into a garden designed by people in the community, the people involved not only got time to be productive but it also allowed them to socialise and spend time outdoors, building their confidence.

“The positive outdoor work really helped my confidence .”
— Young garden volunteer

The community garden had two separate ‘beginnings’ due to the Covid-19 pandemic: at both, local volunteers brought tools and energy to clear brambles, ground elder and debris.  For the second clearance we set up a partnership with The Princes Trust.  Over two weeks in autumn 2020, around 5 -8 young people (depending on the day) worked hard to clear, design, build, plant, paint.

They also fundraised and as a result were able to invest around £500 of equipment and plants.  We had set a brief to them in pre-meetings and the young adults had free reign over what they wanted to do.  We also allowed a small number of regular volunteers to come and join in the efforts, within the social distancing guidelines. 

The garden would not have been created to be the beautiful sanctuary that it is now without Bearwood Hub being clear about its role.

what sorts of roles and jobs did these young people take on?

  • A convenor- Bringing volunteers together to achieve a common goal

  • A partner- Forging new partnerships of mutual benefit, such as that of the Princes Trust. 

  • An income generator for social impact - One recent funding application included funds to install fencing and other key structural elements, and funds for an outdoor playgroup.

  • A delivery partner- Bearwood Hub is working with New Baby Network and Wild Lives Forest School. Our partners are running a popular and impactful Nature Playgroup, whilst the Hub coordinates bookings, promotes and hosts.

 
 

What we’ve accomplished:

 

1.

A dedicated space for adults and children to play, to learn about nature and to spend time in a peaceful space. A space for nature to thrive. All at the heart of Bearwood’s busy high street.

 

2.

Our first in-person project since the start of the pandemic — a Nature Playgroup for 33 families so far, of pre-school children and their parents or carers who have been isolated during the pandemic. Thanks to Wild Lives Forest School and the New Baby Network it’s a playgroup that is deliberately small, attentive to participants and all about fostering connection with each other and with nature.

 

3.

Active partnerships have been developed as a result of having a tangible, impactful space in which to develop social connections. We’ve developed partnerships with local organisations like the Princes Trust, and positive relationships with funders like the Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals Trust.