New community garden project launched in North Lynn
Summer may be just a fading memory, but everything in the garden is lovely as far as Family Action is concerned after it held an open day this week.
The social and therapeutic gardening project has taken delivery of a space behind the Discovery Centre in North Lynn and is aiming to replicate the success it has already enjoyed in Swaffham.
Rhonda Peak, the project administrator, said: “I hope that the garden can bring people with different demographic backgrounds together.”
The garden is open every Tuesday and Thursday, and Rhonda wants to become full-time in the near future. It holds classes and courses for adults, 18 and up and on half term they would run events for the whole family.
It is also hoped to start more cooking class and are now offering accredited horticulture qualifications, overseen by Rhonda.
The open day showed off the skills and classes available at the garden.
That includes willow weaving, apple pressing, and cooking with ingredients growng in the garden.
The garden was created to help people gain confidence, with the help of Volunteering Matters who help people with mental health or disabilities.
In the past Thomas Howard, who is volunteering manager, has worked with projects, said: “They help to provide a space for people to volunteer and socialise and this helps our volunteers greatly.”
Rhonda said: “Family Action is proud to work with Volunteering Matters."
She said that she thought it would be “foolish” not to use the land for her garden project.
Michael Dines, who has had helped to build the garden, said it had made a big difference to him.
“I wouldn’t have made friends if it wasn’t for the Discovery Centre Garden,” he said. “The team feels like a family.”
More than 350 people turned up to see the new garden and sang the praises of Rhonda and the team.
Comments included, “I didn’t even know there was a garden, it was brilliant to find”, “So inclusive” and “Made me feel welcome”.
Annalisa Ellis said “The garden has brought people together and was a great thing to be apart of. The garden is a brilliant place to be.”
Rhonda said: “Thanks to the volunteers have helped this amazing garden, like Michael, Sarah, Annalisa and Tom and a special thanks to Freebridge Community Housing doing up the community centre and the garden.”
If anyone would like to get involved with the project or use the garden get in contact with Rhonda via www.family-action.org.uk/.
