Lottery cash to help create new children's community garden

The £20,000 project will transform Suffolks Primary School’s orchard and allotment area into a “welcoming, accessible space”

Suffolks Primary School with (inset) gardener Boyoon Choi

A new lottery funding award will help create an accessible outdoor space where children of all abilities can grow, learn and connect with nature.

Growcrew Community Interest Company (CIC) secured £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund to create an inclusive children’s community garden at Suffolks Primary School in Brick Lane, Enfield.

The project will transform the school’s existing orchard and allotment area into a “welcoming, accessible space” where children and families can enjoy gardening, explore nature and develop new skills together.

It will particularly benefit children with limited access to outdoor spaces and children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

Plans include wheelchair-accessible raised beds, a sensory garden and a polytunnel, providing opportunities to grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers throughout the seasons.

Through regular gardening sessions and seasonal activities, children and young people, alongside their carers, will be able to “build confidence, learn practical skills and experience the physical and mental wellbeing benefits of spending time outdoors”.

Following a successful crowdfunding campaign last year Growcrew CIC launched a gardening project at four Enfield schools, providing a foundation to build on.

Growcrew founder Boyoon Choi said: “We’re really excited to be creating an inclusive children’s community garden in Enfield.

“Through the Enfield School Garden Project, we’ve already started gardening with children at Suffolks Primary School and are working with the school to open its orchard and allotment to the wider community.

“We’re designing the sensory garden with children with Send in mind, creating an accessible space where they can explore nature in their own way.

“We look forward to welcoming local children to gardening sessions where they can develop new skills, build confidence and enjoy the benefits of gardening in a safe, supportive environment.”

However, the news comes amid uncertainty for the future of Suffolks, which has been included as one of three schools on a list of proposed closures by Enfield Council.

Boyoon added: “With the proposed school closure, we are concerned that this valuable community project, along with the garden and beautiful orchard, could be lost.”

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