Walsden Street Community Garden

Benefit of community based projects

Volunteering in community projects and performing acts of kindness can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing. There is a small amount of evidence to suggest that getting involved in environmental activities and projects may also have a positive impact on physical health. Community engagement can foster a greater sense of ownership and identification with the local area, which may lead to long-term sustainability. It can also combat social exclusion and empower individuals.

Location

Walsden Street, Clayton M11 4WJ

Project team

Buzz

Hulme Garden Centre

Aim

Bob a local resident from Walsden Street Clayton has turned a derelict plot which was condemned due to subsidence and which was being used as a fly tipping site into a community green space. His hope is to increase the community cohesion by bringing the local community together by offering a green and safe place for local residents to meet and to form lasting relationships.

I met with Bob to discuss a funding opportunity via the Wellbeing Fund as he had expressed an interest in changing the layout and adding a selection of grasses, trees and extending the decking areas to the garden as teens have unrooted some of the plants and kids have trampled the flowers.

I helped Bob complete a plan of the garden and linked him in with Hulme Garden Centre in order for him to order a selection of plants. Moreover, I helped Bob to complete a Wellbeing Fund allocation so he could complete the community garden and address the issues had with the original layout.

Testimonials:

Words from Bob project lead

“The garden has helped to bring the community together”

“We had kid parties, fireworks displays and community get togethers’ on the garden which has helped start new friendships”

“People are saying hello to each other much more now because of this garden”

Evaluation

The project has been an overwhelming success, as it helped to bring the community together. The garden offers a green space which can be accessed by the community and used by the community to hold birthday parties, barbecues and festival events which has had a positive effect on community cohesion by bringing the local community together.

In Bob’s own words he’s met and talked to people who have lived on the estate for over a decade but never interacted with their neighbours until the Walsden Street Community Garden was opened. Ultimately the Walsden Street Community Garden offers a green and safe place for local residents to meet and to form lasting relationships.

The lasting legacy from this project will be the memories and friendships created from the community connecting which have happened so far.

Strategic links to local/national policies

Research/evidence base

Curry et al (2018) Happy to help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of performing acts of kindness on the well-being of the actor. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 76, pp. 320-329

Husk et al; Cochrane Systematic Review (2016) Participation in environmental enhancement and conservation activities for health and well‐being in adults: a review of quantitative and qualitative evidence

NCVO (2018) Impactful Volunteering: Understanding the Impact of Volunteering on Volunteers

Pillemer et al (2010) Environmental Volunteering and Health Outcomes over a 20-Year Period, The Gerontologist, 50 (5), pp. 594-602

Public Health England (2015) A guide to community-centred approaches for health and wellbeing

Contact

Matthew Brown - buzz Neighbourhood Health Worker

Matthew.brown@gmmh.nhs.uk

T: 0161 271 0564