Community garden launches urgent fundraising campaign

The team was founded by local residents 11 years ago and now needs to raise £15,000 through businesses, trusts and community support, which will be boosted by a £10,000 donation from the Big Lottery.

Barbara Bates, development manager, said: “Bulwell Forest Garden (BFG) is an oasis of wildlife and uses organically grown food, harvested and used at our weekly Lunch Club, and shared with the wider community, at a time when affordable food is more important than ever.”

The new garden room will enable more environmental activities, workshops, social meals, and school visits, to provide a “warm hub” for people finding winter a difficult period.

Barbara added: “We need an indoor Garden Room that will provide a community space for years to come.”

Without this building, its activities and volunteer sessions won’t be able to happen on a consistent basis meaning fewer people in the community can improve their mental wellbeing.

One local resident said: “I live alone and really felt the impact this had on my mental health during COVID…the GP referred me to the social prescribing team who introduced me to the community garden.

They added: “I now have good friends I have met through BFG and Fridays are the best part of my week.”

The new room will mean the garden can go beyond their existing seasonal activities and annually deliver 180 more activities, provide 50 more veg packs over winter, making a positive difference through improved confidence, social connections, exercise, diet, or learning new skills.