In addition to the annual donations to nursing and health charities, the National Garden Scheme (NGS) has been funding community gardening projects since 2011. The NGS Community Awards were set up in memory of writer and journalist, Elspeth Thompson, who died in 2010. Thompson was a great friend and supporter of the NGS and wrote a column in the Sunday Telegraph that often celebrated community gardens. The current programme continues to honour her memory and supports the community gardens she loved.
Since the Community Garden Grants (CGG) began, £1,202,360 has been donated to over 500 community projects. The CGG form part of the wider NGS Gardens and Health programme which in 2024 saw the total funding for Gardens and Health projects exceed £3 million. The charity intends to build in the coming years, not only funding more garden projects in healthcare settings but also in the community for the benefit of individuals and diverse groups.
Funding will be distributed in April 2025 with project updates expected mid-year with completion in 2026. The 2026 Community Gardens Award application process will begin in the autumn.
Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme, George Plumptre said: “This is the first year of our Community Garden Grant funding supported by the Julia Rausing Trust and we’re proud to be providing even more of a helping hand to thousands of people across the UK as they work to create and develop community gardens.
“Many of the applications we received centred on the growing of food for communities and those helping others to learn to grow food. Many cited the benefits to the physical and mental wellbeing of their local community and the dozens support children and people with dementia. Applications also came from a broad spectrum of society, including a number from ethnic minorities.
“Community gardens give people a sense of purpose and hope, so it is easy to see why people get involved. We are delighted to provide ongoing support to so many inspirational projects.”
NGS Ambassador, Danny Clarke added: “Participating in an allotment or community garden can give meaningful social connections which help to reduce loneliness and isolation. I have noticed how these spaces can bring people of all generations, cultures and backgrounds together, to happily share knowledge and traditions. It’s wonderful to see the continuing generosity of the National Garden Scheme Community Garden Grants which are helping to fund these amazing spaces across the country and contributing so positively to social cohesion.”
Community Garden Projects
From social welfare and gardening projects that help isolated, disabled and the disenfranchised to support for community orchards, food banks and social prescribing projects at GP surgeries, the funding provides a much-needed boost to those working on or initiating community garden projects, throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Many of the funded community projects in turn open for the NGS completing a virtuous circle of giving and giving back. Some of these include:
- Pakistan Association Liverpool Wellbeing Garden: Developed during 2022 to create a beautiful, inspirational space for the members to enjoy, grow vegetables, herbs and flowers the garden received a £4,900 Community Garden Grant. The garden has been made from mainly recycled materials and plants, including bricks from the mosque floor and donated plants.
- Stream Walk Community Garden The community garden opens as part of the Whitstable Town Gardens in Kent and received a CGG in 2022. Founded in 2017 this evolving community garden is at the heart of the local community as a resource for everyone, existing to promote the mental and physical health and wellbeing of all through activities which include building skills and knowledge in sustainable food growing, a love of biodiversity and the natural environment.
- Rhubarb Farm, Nottinghamshire: Two-acre horticultural social enterprise that provides training and volunteering opportunities to 60 ex-offenders, drug and alcohol misusers, older people, school students, people with mental and physical ill health and learning disabilities.
- Ponthafren, Montgomeryshire is a registered charity that provides a caring community to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for all. Open door policy so everyone is welcome. The charity received a grant of £2,612 from the NGS for raised beds and a poly-tunnel and water butts for grey watering.
- The TWIGS Community Garden in Wiltshire provides a therapeutic environment in which people experiencing mental health issues can gain new skills and confidence through activities that include gardening, conservation and crafts. They received a grant for £3,887 to design and build a new garden space that all people struggling with their mental health can focus on the positive benefits of growing and tending plants. This garden will also be used to work with people experiencing grief and depression resulting from bereavement issues.
