Stamford Street Community & Sensory Garden

Project Update:

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Community garden fencing

The community garden fencing project has not been completed. This has been completed in conjunction with TCV which is a local volunteer group as well as students from local high school. The fencing enables users to define the boundaries for the community garden as well as creating a safe space for local young people’s groups to bring their children onto the allotment safely and securely. This fencing will also enable the volunteers at the Stamford Street allotment society to engage with local wildlife groups and conservation efforts in order to showcase animals.

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Outdoor classroom

This project is still outstanding. The reason this project has not been completed is because due to the positive impact the site has, local community groups have asked for the community garden itself to maintain its open space for outdoor activity. Instead of building an outdoor classroom, the committee has decided to dedicate the entrance space which is 12 feet by 12 feet space to a community hub/classroom space. We have already started the ground work for this by removing old metal containers and office space with the view to laydown hardcore or concrete. This project will be done in conjunction with the local community college who has offered their students expertise in constructing the site.

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Wheelchair Accessible path to allotment

The aim of this part of the project was to create a community garden that is wheelchair accessible. All areas of the community garden are now considered wheelchair accessible. Where necessary, when the allotment space has been used at night, we have started to light the areas up in order to support who’s with mobility difficulties in accessing the community space. This has been successful with a number of activities and community groups who have already used the space such as the local bonfire night get together.

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Veg/flower beds

All the raised beds have now been completed and filled with soil with the view to start grouping with local community groups within the next few months. This part of the project was designed with the view that local wildflowers will be used to support local wildlife and pollinators. In addition to this, the beds are all raised in order to be wheelchair accessible with the ability to raise and lower veg beds where necessary dependent on use. After listening to the views of our local community groups, we have also decided to look into the possibility of the beds to a cooking space that local community groups can use to cook outside as soon as they have picked their produce.

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Animal Petting area

This part of the project has been successful in establishing links with existing groups such as the local high school who already has access to many animals that can be shown to children within the allotment space.

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Pond area

The community volunteers have recently attended a Wildlife Champions Course with Chester Zoo in order to understand how to create a wildlife haven within our community groups. This has led to further conversation that is still ongoing regarding the best type of pond installation to encourage wildlife local to the community. There is still conversation regarding the possibility to changing the pond into a scrape instead in order harness the high water table of the area.

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About the Project:

The project addresses a need for shared facilities among local community groups. We are actively working to develop an inclusive, wheelchair-accessible allotment site. This site will feature not only essential amenities like a meeting area and toilet but also ample space for gatherings, training, and networking. The primary focus is on ensuring safety and accessibility, with provisions for renewable electricity and other essential services. Stamford Street Allotment Society's commitment is to maintain this site as a free resource, open to any local community group. This invaluable initiative aims to empower charity organizations and grassroots efforts by providing a dedicated space where they can convene, collaborate, and drive positive change within the community. There has already been a number of local groups and schools who have shown their interest in the project and are committed to using the allotment site once it is completed.

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What we aim to deliver:

• Community garden fencing

• Outdoor classroom

• Wheelchair Accessible path to allotment

• Veg/flower beds

• Animal Petting area

• Pond area

 

Why it's a great idea:

The project's impact on diversity is multifaceted. It is driven by a diverse team comprising individuals from various nationalities, sexual orientations, and age groups, all united in their commitment to fostering community cohesion. The primary objective of this project is to establish a communal space that serves as a hub for community socialization. Additionally, it will be an inviting venue for community and school groups to engage in a wide range of activities. Furthermore, the space will be made available as an outdoor meeting place for organisations supporting Ellesmere Port. Some of the allotment plot holders are essential workers who wish to bring their tenants and clients to the allotments for socialization and therapeutic horticulture. Consequently, the space will feature a sensory garden designed to cater to a diverse spectrum of users, including those with mental health challenges, learning disabilities, and individuals seeking a sense of belonging within a community.​

 

The allotment site encompasses a number of ideas and will have a positive impact on many sectors that require improvement within the Ellesmere Port Region. The overarching aim of the allotment site is to increase social mobility for those who are in Ellesmere Port and enable people to meet at a place local to them. During the pandemic, despite many allotments sites closing temporarily, Stamford Street Allotment Society committed to staying open to allow people to network and communicate at this difficult time. The community introduced strict meeting guidelines yet still ensured people felt part of a network. The allotment society has shown the importance of community cohesion and we would like to expand our community to include other local groups and organisations.