The community garden is based on six full sized allotment plots at a central Cambridge site. Our garden comprises of two traditional allotment plots for growing veg, a wildlife area with two ponds, a small orchard, forest skills area with fire pit, a secret bramble walkway, the bee-keeping area with wildflower plots, large social space referred to as ‘The Old Barn’, tool sheds, a polytunnel for growing tomatoes and other veg/ fruit, the pallet-built bike shed and our beach themed show garden. But we always have different planting and/ or building projects going on.

We also have a small off-site gardening group which maintains the Cambridge Cyrenians hostel gardens on a weekly basis.

The gardens are maintained by members of the local community who are homeless, have previous experience of homelessness or are vulnerable to homelessness due to issues such as mental health. Some of the benefits from being involved at the community are: a relief from anxiety and stress from the enjoyment of nature; a sense of community and mutual aid; developing healthy lifestyles through growing, cooking and eating fresh veggie food; a deepening of personal connections with the environment and local wildlife; physical health from general gardening tasks; learning new skills such as bee keeping and forest skills and just having a great time in nature with a trusted bunch of people.

This is what Wayne says about being involved in the gardening group - “Working with the gardening group has been great. I joined early last year as a way of filling up some spare time and it’s been a great way of getting out around the community and meeting new people. I enjoy working on the gardens and it has given me something to look forward to each week”

Jo says - “It’s about more than just a bit of gardening.” And Kim adds - “We all need each other…”

So, watch this space for regular posts about the bee keeping sessions, gardening group, forest skills sessions, allotment growing and lots of exciting projects with some external partners such as Cambridge Botanical Gardens and Cambridge United Football Supporters Trust.