THE CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL COMMUNITY GARDEN IS AN EXCITING NEW PROJECT TO TRANSFORM CHRIST CHURCH SCHOOL’S OUTDOOR AREA INTO A THRIVING COMMUNITY GREEN SPACE IN EAST GREENWICH.
It aims to connect children, families and the elderly living in the East Greenwich community by providing a green hub in which to meet. We are especially keen to draw in the more isolated elderly within this community for whom the benefits of such a space are more marked. The garden and forest school space will allow the community to share knowledge of how to grow food and ornamental plants whilst promoting an understanding of wildlife, all of which can be shared across the generations.
The benefits of our lovely outdoor space will include ‘plant to plate’ food education for children and families, mental health benefits from being outdoors, an opportunity to learn new skills and gain a sense of community from being involved in creating a beautiful green space to connect with others.
A strong local community is better able to look after and protect its people and its environment. Its people have a sense of belonging, identity and purpose. They often campaign effectively for improvements in their local area on issues such as roads, pollution, community facilities and housing. More often, they go ahead and make the improvements to community spaces themselves!
There are very few green spaces in east Greenwich to provide residents with outdoor community facilities where they can meet others. By opening up this space to all, we hope to improve this situation and engender the sense of community that green spaces offer for all generations of residents to enjoy.
We are currently seeking funding for the provision of a large wooden pagoda to use as an outdoor classroom and meeting hub. Children of Christ Church school and others will be able to take classes outside during the school day whatever the British weather throws at them. The wider community will also be able to use the space to hold classes and meetings.
OTHER THINGS ON OUR WISH LIST INCLUDE:
- A greenhouse,
- A complete forest school upgrade and management plan incl. Training for leaders
- A beehive with equipment and training for a keeper
- Cold frames to keep young plants warm at night
- Lots of tools for everyone to use
- An outdoor cooking facility
- Pots, compost, seeds and plants
- Modification to the public access point to make it wider
- Sustainable, eco-friendly pathways to allow easy access for the disabled and elderly
MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL, HOWEVER, WE NEED MEMBERS OF OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY TO GIVE SOME OF THEIR TIME TO HELP CREATE AND RUN THIS WONDERFUL PROJECT.
We will be holding local community meetings across the area to talk about the project, answer questions, listen to the community’s ideas and to collect contact details for people who feel they can give some time to the project or simply want to keep up to date with it.
Details of these meetings will be posted here on the school website.
Flyers will be delivered locally and into school children’s bags at Christ Church, Robert Owen and St Joseph's in the coming weeks.
If you’d prefer to be kept in the loop by email, please email Fiona at ccscommunitygarden@gmail.com so we can update you.
This is an active account so if you’d like to ask questions, offer time or services to the project or even donate something, please feel free to email us to discuss and we will reply. If you’d prefer to chat over the phone, please leave your number with the school office and we will call you back. Tel: 020 8858 3974
YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @GROWINGFORGOLD
Please note: absolutely no previous experience is required, in anything at all. Just whole-hearted enthusiasm!
Below are some recent photographs taken of the community garden.
