Pocket allotments are providing real benefits
TOWER BLOCK RESIDENTS GROWING OWN PRODUCE
A TEESSIDE community is growing its own produce and protecting the planet, while making new friends along the way.
Housing company Thirteen has created pocket allotments for residents to come together to grow their own fresh produce, build a social community and reduce their carbon footprint.
Residents fed back to Thirteen that they would like a gardening group, using the area as a space where they can gather and socialise.
Customers living at Kennedy Gardens tower block in Billingham, are set to become gardeners, growing fresh goods in their own community gardens.
Seventy-four-year-old Pat Corbett, who has lived at Kennedy Gardens for 10 years, has worked with colleagues from Thirteen and residents, to shape plans for the garden and said the planters have already become a focal point where neighbours will meet and catch up.
She said: “I’ve always loved gardening. This is a great reason for going out and seeing our neighbours and having a chat. We’re looking forward to the additional community growing spaces taking shape.”
The planters are just the first of a number of new growing spaces that will be installed, with plans to create polytunnels and increased growing areas for customers, as well as enhanced wildlife habitat with bird boxes and feeding stations to promote biodiversity.
The project makes use of the outdoor communal area, providing a pleasant setting for greenfingered residents to enjoy.
As well as gardening, many of the people living in the flats see it as an opportunity to meet with their friends and neighbours.
Environmental specialist John Woods, who is leading the project, said: “Many of our customers talk to us about the way in which gardens and outdoor space can provide them with different social opportunities, so this project really builds on that, creating places where people can come together – as communities – and improve not only their mental health and emotional wellbeing through the connections they make, but also benefit the environment, by reducing their carbon footprint.”