An oasis of peace... How our community organisers helped Westfield Community Garden bloom
One of the groups we worked with was the Westfield Community Association (WCA). The vision was always theirs, but we were pleased to join them in finding ways to make it a reality, and to make sure the community had everything it needed to keep it thriving long into the future.
Sometimes the best things start in the most unlikely places. For years, a plot of land in Westfield sat derelict, hidden under brambles and weeds. But WCA saw its potential and took up the challenge. Spark supported WCA’s Garden Lead Team to strengthen their ongoing work by assisting in recruiting volunteers, helping organise events and celebrating as they have turned their vision into the award-winning garden you see today.
Securing the space
The first hurdle was making sure the land stayed in community hands. WCA negotiated a peppercorn rent so they could start the work.
An oasis for everyone
Walk through the garden on a sunny morning and you’ll see exactly why it matters. You’ll find Brownies working on their raised beds, volunteers tending the plants and residents simply enjoying a quiet moment. As one local resident, Ian, puts it: “It’s a little oasis of peace on a morning walk… pure joy to see a formerly waste place come alive.”
The garden is designed for everyone to enjoy. It is accessible, has picnic tables, walks and outdoor gym equipment, and plenty of spaces where people can sit and enjoy the benefits of nature. It’s also a haven for wildlife, with slow worms and hedgehogs finding a home among the plants.
Built to last
The real success goes beyond the plants, it’s how residents have supported the garden. From the very start, the goal was to make sure the garden could stand on its own two feet. Focusing on sharing skills and building a strong team of local volunteers is at its heart and the Garden Lead Team rise to the challenge of keeping the garden a self-sustaining part of Westfield life. It has proved to be a great way to make new friends too and find out generally about other good things that are going on in the local community.
Rosie, a member of the Garden Lead Team, notes; “We always welcome new volunteers and encourage people to join us and enjoy being outside with nature.”
Whether it’s a Christmas breakfast for volunteers or a summer picnic for neighbours, the garden has become a place where kindred spirits meet, and community volunteers keep this beautiful space blooming every single day.
Read more about our Community Organising project in our SPF Impact Report.
Thinking of setting up a project or activity for your community? Our experienced team is here to help. Visit our Get support page to find out how.
“It’s a little oasis of peace on a morning walk… pure joy to see a formerly waste place come alive.”
Ian, Westfield resident
