Community Gardening in Gloucester

We spoke with Janette, a resident in Westgate, Gloucester about a project which has brought the whole community together with a common interest: gardening! She was kind enough to offer us some insight into the project, how it got started and their hopes and plans for the future.

Janette: “We have been meeting since September 2017 as local residents living in Westgate. We came together when myself and a community builder decided to knock on our neighbours doors and invite residents to a coffee and cake afternoon at a local church.”

“We were introduced to a keen gardener living in a nearby sheltered scheme who has offered to help us design and plant flowers in our front facing gardens and also to plant bulbs and seeds in the street planters nearby.

“Soon, residents will be able to support each other with gardening. Our intention is to help residents in planting and maintaining their own gardens, not to do the work for them.

“The newly-formed gardening group will work on the first of the front facing gardens on the street and chat to passing neighbours and residents, while tea, coffee and biscuits will be offered to people to encourage conversations. We will also encourage neighbours to plant their own gardens too.”

“Our group hopes that by working on our neighbour’s gardens it will enable us to know each other better, grow more interest in the area and help us all to feel safer. We are also happy to share our experiences to inspire others.”