The Kings Scholar Passage (KSP) Community Garden Project began in early 2020 when a small group of neighbours – led by Sarah and Bridget – decided to add some much-needed greenery to the area.
With the support of The Passage CEO, Mick Clarke and the participation of Vivene Malcolm, a Support Worker from our Montfort House accommodation project, the initiative took off.
Clients and staff from The Passage, along with residents of Carlisle Place – including teenagers stuck at home during lockdown – joined the outdoor gardening sessions. The group has benefitted enormously from generous donations of pots, plants, soil and gravel from local residents and businesses keen to support us.
Today, a space that was neglected is brimming with beautiful pots with lush plants that soften the look of the brick walls and lift the spirits.
– Sarah and Bridgit with Viv, centre
Following its success, Viv helped set up raised beds in our roof garden, where Montfort House residents are growing fruit and vegetables.
Boosting wellbeing and strengthening connections
The gardening project has continued to flourish and the people we support are reaping the benefits. There’s a proven link between gardening and wellbeing, and growing things gives our residents an interest outside themselves. By observing the lifecycle of plants, they see the importance of change and how everything has a beginning and an end.
Viv’s ‘adopt-a-plant’ scheme – where clients take ownership for a plant – has proved to be particularly valuable. Steve found adopting strawberries helped him process the death of his mother. Reporting on his strawberries’ progress has helped him to engage with his family in a positive way.
Similarly, Alex has been able to honour the memory of his dad through his adopted chilli peppers – a vegetable his father loved. Jade had a simpler motivation. She loves cooking with potatoes so by adopting them she’s been able to enjoy both life-enhancing hobbies.
Local relationships have thrived too. Working together helped us connect with our neighbours and given them a deeper insight into the work we do.