The Blenheim Estate community garden in Brixton, run by community organisation Progress, has been awarded £5,000 through the Tesco’s Bags of Help scheme.
The garden is used to teach local children, teenagers and residents of all ages to grow organic seasonal food and has become a communal space for locals to get to know their neighbours.
The makeover includes beds and new all-weather planters designed to last up to 25 years.
Simon Ghartey, founder of Progress, said “People are over the moon about the revamp of the garden. More people are asking for their own patch than ever before.
“We’re really grateful to Tesco. Without the funding none of this would have happened. This grant has given us a chance to rejuvenate a project that has a huge impact on the people of this estate. The garden is a wellbeing tool that is much needed in the area.”
Bryan Davis, Store Manager at Tesco’s Brixton Superstore, said: “It is wonderful to see this project come to fruition, showing first-hand how a Bags of Help grant can help transform the communities we serve.”
Tesco teamed up with Groundwork to launch the monthly funding scheme. Local outdoor community projects are eligible for grants of £5,000, £2,000 and £1,000 raised from the 5p bag levy.
Tesco’s customers are able to vote for a Bags of Help project every month in store using a blue token given to them at the check-out.
Anyone can nominate a project for Bags of Help funding at any time. Information in store and on the Bags of Help website.
Bags of Help is expected to fund around 7,000 projects across the UK every year.
Last week a man on a bike was seen helping himself to a lot of stuff from the various beds. I wonder who he was?