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The Garden Classroom Newington Green Community Greenspace Hub: A two year project providing activities which improve community wellbeing and Islington’s precious green space
PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This two-year project will see our existing headquarters and surrounding green space develop as a vibrant, comprehensive Hub for community wellbeing, social connection, and skill-building. This project will formalise Newington Green as an open, single point of access to a wide range of new and existing activities, designed to provide a hope and spark and tangibly improve the physical and mental wellbeing of all those who engage in them. We anticipate that 900 local residents will benefit.

Beneficiaries

  • Children / Young People

    Children can join a free after-school gardening club and community picnic. All sessions will accommodate a wide range of abilities and needs.

  • Elderly / Old People

    Wellbeing walks will be specifically targeted at improving the physical and mental wellbeing of local residents aged over 55.

  • Adults

    Adult Learning Sessions will offer practical evening workshops on topics like food growing, biodiversity, and sustainable living.

  • Marginalised or vulnerable groups

    We will deliver specialised nature-connection sessions in partnership with Islington’s Adult Community Learning (ACL) for resettled adults to aid integration and provide vital mental health support in a non-clinical environment.

  • Unemployed

    We will provide volunteering opportunities for 20 people annually and support them through training and mentoring.

  • Community

    All activities have been designed to engage residents of all ages, fostering a stronger, more connected community.

  • Environment

    Urban green spaces are precious due to their scarcity and the opportunity for health and wellbeing they offer. Our activities will protect and improve Newington Green year-round.

  • Number of beneficiaries - 900

    400 unique Islington beneficiaries year 1, 500 in year 2.

Geographic reach

  • England: Greater London
BENEFICIARIES REACHED ANNUALLY

60

After-school gardening club

SIZE OF PROJECT PER ANNUM

£60,000.00

TIMELINE

Sep 2026 - Aug 2028

BENEFICIARIES REACHED ANNUALLY

30

Wellbeing walks

BENEFICIARIES REACHED ANNUALLY

200

Community gardening, adult leaning sessions, food growing

BENEFICIARIES REACHED ANNUALLY

15

Sessions for resettled adults

BENEFICIARIES REACHED ANNUALLY

20

Volunteers working with TGC

Project Outcome Targets

Building achievement and self-worth: through hands-on activities that provide a sense of achievement

Combating isolation: through activities structured to build supportive networks & combat isolation

Improving urban green spaces for all: through activities that protect & improve local green space

Project Activities

  • An After-school gardening club and celebratory picnic in year 2

  • Adult learning sessions and wellbeing walks for the over 55's

  • Nature-connection sessions with Islington’s Adult Community Learning (ACL) for resettled adults

  • A Community Food Growing course, linked to the nearby St Jude’s Community Garden

  • Volunteering Hub: supporting 20 volunteers annually

Resources Needed For The Project

Resource Description Quantity needed When needed How this donation supports the project (Enabling Actions or KPIs)
MONEY Monetary support will enable us to deliver 93 new free-to-attend activities each year to engage residents of all ages. £20,000 per year x 2 years Flexible We will be able to successfully deliver all activities associated with the project fostering a more connected community.
Project Impact and Partners
IMPACT REPORTING

Bi-annually

March 2021

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS
UN SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
How we monitor the quality and results of our work

We consistently gather data on beneficiary numbers and qualitative feedback from participants.

WHO IS ALREADY FUNDING THE PROJECT?

City Bridge Foundation

City Bridge Foundation fund our Green Guardians community gardening element of this project.

London Borough of Islington

LBI fund plants which are used for community gardening on Newington Green
OTHER PARTNERS

London Borough of Islington

We have a 7 year Service Level Agreement to work on Newington Green and use the park building