Community Green Space Grants 2018

Community Orchard Green Spaces

The Orchard Project was awarded £30,000 to create four new orchards at:

• Clitterhouse Recreation Ground, Barnet
• Green Lane Recreation Ground, Kingston upon Thames
• Hornsey School for Girls, Haringey
• Chingford Allotments, Waltham Forest

Four further existing orchards were improved at:

• Agnes Riley Gardens, Lambeth
• Caledonian Park, Islington
• Cranford Park, Hillingdon
• Mitcham Community Orchard and Gardens, Merton

The Orchard Project worked with 21 partner organisations involved across the project, and communities helped to design each orchard and plant new fruit trees. 315 people took part overall, including 123 children.

The space has become a vibrant oasis, with all sorts of fruit trees and bushes. Crucially, we also now have the infrastructure to make it a viable working space for our biweekly community gardening project. Simple things such as seating, tools, and accessible pathways make such a difference.

Patrick Kirwan, Garden co-ordinator, Clitterhouse Project

Energy Gardens

Repowering London were awarded £22,474 to create and improve gardens at six Overground stations across London as part of its Energy Garden project:

• Crouch Hill (Islington)
• Finchley Central (Barnet)
• South Woodford (Redbridge)
• Stoke Newington (Hackney)
• Wood Street (Waltham Forest)
• Kew Gardens (Richmond upon Thames)

Over 100 volunteers were involved in building the new station gardens, which will be maintained by members of the local community.

The garden looks amazing. It has added colour and a nice focal point to the platform which hasn’t gone unnoticed by staff and members of the public alike. It was a great idea to include locals and encourage community engagement. I can’t wait to see how it looks in the summer months!

Station Supervisor, Finchley Central

Beacon Garden

The London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, working in partnership with Create London, was awarded £14,000 to transform a disused car park in Becontree into a community garden, creating 294m² of new green space.

The site will host gardening clubs, educational events, workshops and more. Over 100 volunteers have taken part in the project, and a "Friends of the Beacon Garden" group has been established to help look after the site.

The Chase Nature Reserve: Hedges for Wildlife and Connectivity

Thames Chase Trust, working in partnership with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham, and Thames Chase Trust Conservation Volunteers, was awarded £8,000 to create new hedgerow habitat at Eastbrookend Country Park in Dagenham.

The project planted 3,000 tree saplings to create 276m of new hedgerow, and laid an additional 111m of existing hedgerow. 177 volunteers helped with the project across 12 planting days.

The hedge planting is a way to improve the diversity of the area and of course will be an improvement for wildlife. Doing the work gives great benefit to all members of the volunteer group.

Steve Green, Thames Chase Conservation Volunteers

Pymmes Brook Enhancements

London Wildlife Trust, working in partnership with the Environment Agency, was awarded £49,194 to break a section of stream out of a culvert in Oak Hill Wood.

The project created a natural sustainable drainage feeder stream into the Pymmes Brook, improving water quality and creating new wetland habitat.

St Margaret's Churchyard Development

Edgware Parochial Church Council, working in partnership with Groundwork London, received £19,988 to transform the churchyard at St Margaret’s in Edgware into an accessible green space for the community.

The churchyard has become a safe and sustainable sanctuary for all, with improved natural pathways and new trees, hedges and wildflowers. Over 600 people have been involved, including children from Edgware Primary School and 2nd Edgware Cub Scouts.

As a result of the project a new charity, Friends of St Margaret's Edgware Community, has been established to raise funds for future developments and promote the conservation of the churchyard.

The Farm Garden

Our Yard was awarded £18,500 to transform an area of disused land next to Clitterhouse Farm in Cricklewood into a thriving community garden as part of the wider regeneration of the site.

The garden includes an orchard, raised beds, seating, flower beds and a greenhouse. 40 volunteers were involved in the project, and school groups have participated in workshops at the site.

Thamesmead Canal Habitat Improvement Project

London Wildlife Trust, working in partnership with Thames21, Peabody, Environment Agency, Thamesmead Town Angling Club, and Thamesmead and Marsh Dykes Catchment Improvement Group, was awarded £35,000 to improve 300m of the Thamesmead canal system.

The project installed floating reedbed habitat at four sites, with each 'island' creating habitat for fish and insects, and improving local water quality. The local community were involved in the choice of locations for the reedbeds, and over 40 volunteers helped with the installation.

When I retired I was hoping to do some volunteering, supporting the local community and environment. Volunteering with the London Wildlife Trust and Thames21 for the Thamesmead Reed Beds gave me that opportunity. I firmly believe the reedbeds will enhance the Thamesmead Canals for both the local community and wildlife.

Peter, project volunteer

Sudbury in Bloom

The London Borough of Brent, working in partnership with Sudbury Town Residents Association and Sudbury Court Residents Association, was awarded £20,000 to green Sudbury town centre.

The project created new wildflower meadows on grass verges, planted eight oak trees in Northwick Park, and installed new planters across the neighbourhood. 26 local residents and 16 businesses took part in the project, which will be extended into a second phase thanks to further council funding.

The Greener Crystal Palace Park Partnership

Crystal Palace Transition Town, working in partnership with Capel Manor College, were awarded £7,002 for improvements to Crystal Palace Park. The project planted a new apple orchard, added a landscaped pathway to a community garden, and created a new flower border.

27 horticulture students from Capel Manor college took part in the project, alongside 45 local volunteers. Students and volunteers will maintain the newly planted areas, and it is planned that produce from the orchard will be sold at the local farmers' market.

Volunteering at the garden is a brilliant way to be active and do something good where I live.

Heather, project volunteer

Greenhaven

Castlehaven Community Association, working in partnership with local schools and Clarence Way Estate TMO, was awarded £14,550 to transform Castlehaven Open Space into a new green resource for the community in Camden.

The project included creating a new growing space in the park linked to the existing horticulture hub, which will be used in cooking classes, and to host Active Families sessions.

I’m looking forward to the project teaching kids to make flower beds, raised beds and teaching them the importance of vegetables and herbs

Ian, project volunteer

Broomfield Park Lakes Restoration

The London Borough of Enfield, working in partnership with Thames21 and the Friends of Broomfield Park, was awarded £24,424 to restore the lakes at the heart of Broomfield Park.

The project restored a surface water sewer link to the lakes and planted a new reedbed area, improving the water quality and helping to prevent stagnation. This will complement a larger wetland project in the park in 2019.

Moore Brook Wetlands Green Link

The London Borough of Enfield was awarded £50,000 to create a green link between Firs Farm and Pymmes Park Wetlands by installing new rain gardens along the course of the 'lost' Moore Brook.

400m² of new green space has been created by turning grey to green, and the rain gardens encourage active travel along a new walking and cycling route.

Rise up to Gardening

Mind in Enfield was awarded £5,298 to enhance a community garden in Pymmes Park, Edmonton to make it accessible for people with physical disabilities.

The project installed table planters and benches, and planted fruit trees to enable all users to garden and enjoy being outside. 29 participants took part, and further funding has been secured to continue the project.

Claridge Way Play

Peabody received £49,027 to create a linear park along a currently underused pathway in Thamesmead. Working with local residents and school children, the space includes new benches, exercise facilities, planters, a woodland adventure walk and a wildflower bee road. Over 200 children took part in school planting days, and over 500 people were involved in the project.

Koinonia Federation Peninsula Forest School Tree Project

Koinonia Federation, working in partnership with the Royal Borough of Greenwich, was awarded £13,000 to create a forest school in the grounds of St Mary Magdalene School in North Greenwich.

42 trees were planted to create a woodland area, providing a reflective learning space within the new school campus in an area under major redevelopment.

Overmead Island Rain Garden

The Royal Borough of Greenwich (Eltham South Councillors) was awarded £4,141 to transform a concrete road island into a green rain garden in Eltham.

The project converted 22m² from grey to green by planting shrubs and grasses, and is draining surface water from the road.

De Beauvoir Estate Garden Allotments

De Beauvoir Estate Tenants Residents Association, working in partnership with Groundwork London and the London Borough of Hackney, was awarded £15,750 to transform an area of underused green space into community allotments.

The project created eleven raised bed allotments, as well as vertical herb gardens, a social area and a wildflower meadow, improving 456m² of green space. Residents designed, developed and planted the space, with over 100 people involved, including 40 children.

Finally, a project that brings together people across the estate of all kinds. My world has widened, brightened and found meaning. I love the fact that we’re not just growing veg, but friendships and bonds across ages, class and ethnicities.

Corinne, project volunteer

St Paul's Woodland

St Paul’s CE Primary School, working in partnership with Trees for Cities, was awarded £16,500 to transform their grey school playground into a new woodland garden. It is the first project in Trees for Cities' Planting Healthy Air in Schools programme.

415m² of tarmac has been removed, to be replaced with 17 trees, beds with herbs and shrubs, and an outdoor classroom. Over 230 children, and 35 adult volunteers have helped to create the garden.

We are incredibly excited by the school woodland that has transformed the concrete playground at St Paul's School. Not only will it enhance the children's playtimes and learning opportunities; we are looking forward to the impact it will have on air quality and the habitat it provides for plants and insects.

Francine Douglas-Home, Chair of Governors, St Paul's CE Primary School

Woodmans Mews Community Garden

Community Gardens Association, working in partnership with Mace and the Education and Skills Funding Agency, was awarded £10,340 to create a community garden at Woodmans Mews in White City.

The project restored 350m² of neglected land, planting hundreds of plants, taking down unsafe structures, creating new raised beds, refurbishing a pergola and installing a greenhouse. A steering group of local residents was formed, who will take on day to day maintenance of the garden.

I have met quite a lot of the neighbours on the estate that I don’t think I would have come in contact with if I hadn’t had the garden to go to. I am looking forward to the summer to be able to use the garden again. I am disabled and have mobility issues so cant do digging etc., but will do what ever I can to help with on going maintenance.

Florri, local resident

The Green Walkway

Highgate Primary School, working in partnership with Blanche Nevile School for Deaf Children and Highgate Primary Family Centre, was awarded £9,000 to create a green walkway in the school playground in Highgate.

The walkway transformed the upper part of the playground by creating a natural space for play, removing 80 m² of tarmac and planting new shrubs, grasses and hedgerow. The project is part of the wider transformation of the school playground into a greener environment for students.

I love the Green Walkway as it is fun to play on the wooden paths. I can’t wait for the plants to grow and to eat the strawberries. I liked helping with the planting and getting muddy, muddy hands.

Student, Highgate Primary School

Growing Ambler

Ambler Primary School was awarded £12,122 to create green spaces to improve air quality in their school grounds in Islington.

The project installed ivy screens between the school and neighbouring Blackstock Road to combat air pollution, and installed bike-lock planters around the school boundary. The school also installed a pergola with new planting in the playground. 15 adult volunteers and 20 children were involved in planting days, with more planned as the new green spaces develop.

“Hops, Herbs, Health and Happiness” Community Garden

Whittington Park Community Association, working in partnership with Octopus Community Network and the London Borough of Islington, was awarded £7,637 to create an intergenerational community garden in Whittington Park.

The project created a vibrant intergenerational community garden, providing space for local residents, including those who are elderly or disabled to grow hops, herbs, vegetables and flowers. Residents have taken part in regular gardening workshops, and fresh produce is used at the neighbouring community centre's weekly lunch clubs. Find out more in Groundwork's case study.

Before I discovered the garden I was lonely at home and hardly went out. I come here every day during the week and enjoy so much seeing it flourishing. Through the gardening workshops as well as the sessions I have gained so much more knowledge about planting and growing and as a vegan I am looking forward harvesting more of the fresh produce we can use in the community café or take home.

Alf, project volunteer

Earl's Court Green Network

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, working with London Underground, St Cuthbert’s Church and School, and Earl’s Court Health Centre, was awarded £7,000 to create four new green spaces in Earl’s Court.

The new sites include planters and trees in neglected locations around the neighbourhood, bringing local residents together to make their neighbourhood greener. 90 residents including 30 children took part in the project, and volunteers will help to maintain the planting sites.

Maxilla Community Gardens

Westway Trust is refurbishing Maxilla Gardens in North Kensington.

The project will increase biodiversity and transform the space from amenity grassland into a valued community asset using the principles of biophilic design.

St Quintin Green Court Garden

Clarion Housing, working in partnership with Groundwork London, received £48,000 to renovate and green a courtyard at St. Quintin Court in North Kensington.

The project has brought the space into community use, added recreational facilities including natural play, and introduce new and diverse planting. Residents were closely involved in the design of the space.

The Residents' Association are really pleased with the project, residents now have access to an attractive space to socialise, relax and play

Pam, Residents' Association

Colour Your Common

Clapham Common Management Advisory Committee, working in partnership with Bandstand Beds and The Spinney, were awarded £5,795 to create new wildflower meadows and planted areas on Clapham Common.

The meadows provide nectar rich plants for pollinators, and bring nature closer to the thousands of people who use the common. Over 120 adult volunteers and 50 children took part in the project: digging over the soil, planting seeds and plug plants, and watering the meadows.

It helped my fitness because I was physically part of the process. I appreciate beauty and was drawn to walk around the area. My friends and I were encouraged to have a picnic there. My mother came from abroad and I was quick to take her there and show her.

Derrick, project volunteer

Nature's Helper Walls

Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School were awarded £20,000 to create a green “wall” around the school playground in Brixton, Lambeth.

The project installed 24m of ivy screens along the outer fence of the school to reduce children's exposure to air pollution. 20 adult volunteers and over 100 children took part in community planting days to help install the screens. Find out more in Groundwork's case study.

The installation of the green wall will make a lasting impact to the children's health and wellbeing by improving air quality, privacy and a more aesthetically pleasing environment for both the school and the local community. Our community planting days were a great success and were enjoyed by all.

Sandra Ruiz, Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School

De Frene Outdoor Education Centre (Greening Growing Lives)

Sydenham Garden, working in partnership with SLAM and Kids Kitchen, were awarded £5,535 to create an outdoor education centre at De Frene Market Garden in Sydenham.

The project created a 42m² outdoor classroom using natural building techniques, renovated a wildlife pond and planted a combination of native trees, shrubs and hedgerows. 188 people took part in the project, including students from local schools, the SLaM group for Tamil asylum seekers, and attendees of the Growing Lives programme for people suffering from mental ill health.

I really enjoyed the access to nature and being able to work outside in such a green environment. It really lifted my spirits attending the group and being so close to nature. I particularly felt relaxed knowing that I did not have to maintain the allotment alone and this stopped me feeling overwhelmed by tasks which sometimes happens in my own rented garden space.

Project participant, Lewisham LGBTQ+ forum

Greening Holbeach

Friends of Holbeach, working in partnership with Holbeach Primary School, JMC Landscapes and The Mindful Gardener, were awarded £15,500 to green the grounds of Holbeach School in Catford.

The project has transformed the playground with new trees and sensory gardens for students, as well as areas for growing fruit and vegetables. Children and parents were actively involved in creating the garden, and a new school gardening club has been launched to help with maintenance.

My two children have been amazed to see their drawings imagining a greener, calmer, more sensory experience of their playground become reality. My son particularly felt that adults really listened to his request for a ‘sensory garden’ - a place where children can go ‘to feel calm and connected by touching, smelling, and looking at plants.

Liz, Holbeach School parent

Harmony in Manor Park

Hither Green Community Association, in partnership with the Friends of Manor Park, The Arts Café and Come Hither to Hither Green, is improving Manor Park in Hither Green.

The project will create a new central seating and performance area in the park, a community orchard and wildflower meadow, and plant new trees in surrounding streets.

Love Luxmore

Friends of Luxmore Gardens, working in partnership with the London Borough of Lewisham and Glendale, was awareded £20,000 to transform Luxmore Gardens in Brockley.

The project brought a water source to the park, planted up bare beds, installed new seating and a wildlife mural, and created areas for natural play. A large group of regular volunteers has been established, with 80 adults and 110 children taking part in the project.

I have visited the park more often in the last 2 years than I have in the past 30 years! In fact I had forgotten it was even there. The group have rejuvenated the space, brought the local community together and have shown what can be achieved by working together in synergy. Although I was physically unable to assist, I was there to see the planting of the spring bulbs and later the plants and shrubs. It was a wonderful watching young and old working side by side. I now know many wonderful neighbours whom I would probably never had met otherwise.

Sandra, local resident

The Sensory Railway Garden at Crofton Park

Crofton Park and Honor Oak Park Neighbourhood Forum, working in partnership with Crofton Park Railway Gardeners Group, have created a new sensory garden at Crofton Park Station.

The garden has created a place of refuge in Crofton Park town centre on a previously neglected and inaccessible plot of land, as well as an improve environment for wildlife, gardening and socialising. The garden is now open to all members of the community, with regular volunteering days.

I feel very proud to have been part of a project that should make such a difference to the local community. When I first got involved with the garden I never dreamed that the garden could come so far, so fast. And it is so gratifying to see how keen people from the local community are to use the site.

Ben, project volunteer

The Green Station

Create London, working in partnership with the London Borough of Newham, Royal Docks Learning & Activity Centre and Crossrail, are creating a new community garden in North Woolwich.

East Sheen Green Screen

East Sheen Primary School were awarded £30,000 to install a green ivy screen along the perimeter fence of the school playground in East Sheen.

The ivy screen, alongside new planters, will improve air quality in the playground, reduce noise and improve the appearance of the school, which is located on a busy main road. School children and parents have been actively involved in the project, and in monitoring pollution levels.

The green wall has had a very positive effect on East Sheen Primary. Not only is it very environmentally friendly it is also extremely beautiful and calming. Since the wall was put up we have had a lot more protection from the busy road and all of the pollution coming from the vehicles.

Student and green team member, East Sheen Primary School

Richmond Green Gym at Kneller Gardens

The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), working in partnership with Friends of River Crane Environment and the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, were awarded £14,141 to improve biodiversity, connectivity and access to nature around Kneller Gardens in Twickenham.

Improvements included planting new fruit trees and a wildflower meadow, and installing a new pathway and nature trail, as well as renovating the outdoor classroom in Mereway Nature Park. The project created new connections between different sites, and provided volunteering opportunities for over 150 people.

I spend more time outdoors connecting to my environment. Being outside enhances my mood and makes me feel more alive. I meet a diverse group of people I would otherwise not meet and I am more physically active whilst learning new skills.

Michelle, project volunteer

Delawyk Crescent SuDS Retrofit

The London Borough of Southwark, working in partnership with London Wildlife Trust, Thames Water and Delawyk Residents Management Organisation was awarded £50,000 to create sustainable drainage systems across the Delawyk Crescent housing estate in Herne Hill.

The project created 87m² of new green space by depaving, created new rain gardens and installed down-pipe planters to reduce surface water flood risk in the area. 20 residents took part in the project, and helped to shape the design.

As a resident of Delawyk Crescent, I’ve been hugely impressed by the whole process of improving the communal areas to increase the green areas, by remove paving, and planting to improve the ability to soak up rain water...It has now inspired residents that live around it to add further planting to really make it an area for everyone to enjoy.

Nikki, local resident

Keppel Row Garden

Better Bankside, working in partnership with the London Borough of Southwark, was awarded £48,000 to transform the historic alleyway of Keppel Row into a verdant tranquil space.

The project installed permeable surfacing and a rain garden to prevent surface water flooding, and creates an exemplar of how sustainable drainage can be incorporated into the public realm in a challenging context.

The Green Screen Project at Goose Green School

Goose Green Primary and Nursery School was awarded £11,794 to install a green ivy screen around the school playground in East Dulwich.

The green screen has reduced children's exposure to air pollution within the school grounds, with the school's monitoring showing a 48 per cent reduction in pollution levels since installation. 120 people, including 60 children, took part in planting days.

The green screen installation means a great deal to the children at Goose Green, especially children with asthma. We have three boys at the school and they all suffer from asthma, so the installation will definitely be beneficial for them and children like them.

Fong Hoang, parent, Goose Green School

SuDs in Sutton's Schools

The London Borough of Sutton, working in partnership with South East Rivers Trust, was awarded £50,000 to help install sustainable drainage features at Harris Junior Academy, Muschamp Primary School and council offices in Carshalton. Watch the project video.

The project created rain gardens, planters and swales to reduce surface water runoff, with over 400 students and 500 local people helping with planting and awareness raising.

The rain garden makes me feel happy because of all the colours and the flowers and how nice it all looks together and makes me feel calm. I feel delighted because it is better for the environment and it prevents floods!

Participating school student

Whitechapel Healthy Garden

Core Landscapes, working in partnership with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Barts Health NHS Trust, was awarded £40,000 towards transforming vacant land at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel into a pop-up plant nursery and pocket park.

The grant helped to ensure that the project is sustainable, including a new irrigation system, workshop space and moveable planters. The garden is a hub for engagement through horticulture to improve physical and mental health and wellbeing, with 159 community volunteers and 30 referred clients taking part in workshop sessions.

The sense of being integral to something makes me feel really good – being part of this is really nice. The location is unbelievable: immersed in heavy city life you notice the benefits here even more. It’s shown me what kind of things are possible with community growing.

Project volunteer

Greening the Regents Meadow Project

The Lower Regents Coalition, working in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, Moo Canoes, Ragged School Museum, Thames21 and Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, was awarded £5,000 to create a wildflower meadow by the Regents Canal.

The project also planted six new trees, and created a crucial link to other green spaces in the area. As a result of this project and the Coalition's wider work, the site has been awarded a Green Flag Award for the first time. 88 volunteers took part in the project, including 20 children.

My time as a part of the Lower Regents Coalition meadow planting events really made me feel like a valued part of the local community. Working alongside fellow, friendly volunteers, I also learned more about native vegetation and the canal itself than I could’ve been taught in any other environment. My mental health absolutely benefited from the activities and I look forward to continuing to be a part of the Coalition in 2019.

Project volunteer

Limehouse Adoption Group Reedbeds

Thames21, working in partnership with the Limehouse Cut Adoption Group, were awarded £38,154 to install 280m of reedbeds along a stretch of the Limehouse Cut canal.

Sites were selected in partnership with the local community and installed through volunteer events involving 211 people. The project has inspired the creation of a reedbed strategy for the Limehouse Cut, with the aim of installing reedbeds along the whole length of the canal.

Making Meath Gardens

Friends of Meath Gardens, working in partnership with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, were awarded £14,000 to make Meath Gardens more wildlife and community friendly.

The project planted trees in the park, and created a nature trail and planted shrubs. The project has created connections within and beyond the park, catalysing the "Bethnal Green Corridor" initiative, and won the Community Tree Award at the London Tree and Woodland Awards in 2018. Over 200 volunteers took part.

Orchard Project

Roman Road Trust, working in partnership with Public Works, were awarded £18,500 to create a network of pocket orchards and community gardens within the Clarion Housing Estates north of Roman Road.

A new community group, Edible Bow, has been formed to care for the gardens, which include an orchard, herb garden and allotment.

Through the design of a communal garden area we hope that the garden makes it more accessible for residents to take part in the garden. We would love for the allotment to be used by the residents of old age who worked them back in their younger days; new raised beds will facilitate this.

Tracy, project volunteer

R-Urban Poplar - Community Garden

Poplar HARCA, working in partnership with Public Works, was awarded £17,782 to create a community garden near their re-use facility in Poplar.

The project has created 437m² of newly accessible green space in an old car park, with a green wall, raised beds, and planting designed to improve air quality. The new community facility has engaged a wide range of people, including 60 children, and has attracted further funding to maintain and enhance the space.

Leytonstone Art Gardens (The E11 ARTches)

Wood Street Walls, working in partnership with Urben, the Design Against Crime Research Centre and Transition Leytonstone, are improving a green space next to one of London’s first legal street art walls in Leytonstone.

The project will create a new social space and room to plant for local community groups and residents.

Restoring Dagenham Brook

The London Borough of Waltham Forest, working in partnership with Thames21, were awarded £31,400 to restore Dagenham Brook where it flows through Leyton Jubilee Park.

24 volunteers took part in the project, which included removing invasive species, creating a riverside engagement trail, and bank stabilisation and planting. 24 volunteers took part in the project.

St Patrick's Edible Playground

Trees for Cities, working in partnership with St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School, was awarded £15,000 to create an Edible Playground in the school grounds in Walthamstow.

The project has transformed a little used grey area of the playground into a vibrant space for growing fruit and vegetables, with an outdoor classroom, greenhouse and composting area. 439 school students took part in the project.

Rutherford Goes Green

Rutherford House School was awarded £10,000 to create 40m² of new green space on a concrete playground in Balham.

The project created a gardening and outdoor learning area, constructed through volunteer action days and community workshops bringing different generations together, including 100 school children.

It has been a privilege to have been part of the ‘greening’ of Rutherford House School. Our school playground has been transformed into an area filled with colourful flora and fauna and the smell of mint and lemongrass. The children love checking the veg trugs during break times and are enthusiastic about keeping our wildlife alive through regular watering.

Laura Hancock, Teacher, Rutherford House School

Ark Atwood Roof Garden Project (Maya’s Memorial Garden)

Ark Atwood Primary Academy, working in partnership with Clinch Designs and RVint Engineers, was awarded £9,000 to create a new roof garden on the school grounds in Maida Vale.

The garden provides new outdoor learning space for growing fruit and vegetables, and a space of calm and reflection. 50 volunteers, including 20 children have been actively involved in the project.

Wonderful, beautiful garden. Well done for the immense dedication, hard work and love put into the garden. It’s an absolute pleasure to see it, be in it and remember lovely Maya. May you all have the most wonderful time using, learning and relaxing here

Parent, Ark Atwood Primary School

St Peter's Playground: Clean Air Fruit Tree Orchard

St Peter’s Eaton Square Church of England Primary School was awarded £10,000 to green its previously grey playground in Belgravia.

The project installed a green ivy screen to reduce students' exposure to air pollution, as well as new planters and trees.