A gardening project in Cotgrave that supports adults facing health challenges through community garden activities has received a UKSPF funding boost from Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC) to help deliver weekly sessions that aim to improve people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
The wellness project is supported by Shared Prosperity Funding from the UK Government and is delivered by Trent Bridge Community Trust who have identified two target groups to support through the project which are people living with dementia and women facing mental health challenges.
The Trust is running the free weekly activities for anyone to attend every Tuesday from 1.30pm to 3pm at Cotgrave Community Garden in the village and encourages participants to be active, meet new people and connect with nature.
Activities include planting new seeds using different methods, making bird boxes, picking vegetables and making broths and soups, weeding the garden and planting different flowers.
The weekly sessions are also part of the Borough’s Winter Wellbeing Challenge where anyone can take part in fun activities encouraging people to step outside, embrace the season, and elevate wellbeing through local activities.
In addition to the community garden activities, Trent Bridge Community Trust is working closely with participants to create tailored support plans which include impartial advice, 121s, setting goals, preventative support, referral pathways and more to help address their needs.
RBC’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Business and Growth Cllr Abby Brennan met Trent Bridge Community Trust Deputy Head of Community and Development Ian Dipaolo, Cotgrave Community Garden Project Co-ordinator Samie Mathers and participants at the site to see how the project is benefitting local residents.
Cllr Brennan said: “Through UKSPF, we’ve allocated funding to this wonderful project which has a positive impact on local communities and helps to connect people with nature and create a love of the outdoors.
“The project also offers bespoke support to those living with dementia and their carers and provides opportunities for women tackling specific health challenges to socialise and discuss positive mental health and wellbeing in a safe space.
“The gardening sessions help to reduce social isolation by providing a positive, welcoming environment enabling participants to relax, make friends and form support groups.
“Everyone can take part in the free outdoor classrooms and learn more about growing plants, fruit and vegetables, other gardening techniques, and how to become more environmentally friendly.”
For further details on the weekly wellness sessions which run until the end of June 2024, call Ian Dipaolo on 0115 982 3000 ext 226 or email ian.dipaolo@trentbridge.co.uk
Cotgrave Community Garden
The funding for the project doesn’t go to Cotgrave Community Garden, which is an independent charity that is currently running a crowdfunding campaign to make sure they can continue to deliver a range of nature-based activities as well as foreign healthy, affordable food for local communities.
They host several community groups in support of local schools, volunteer networks and deliveries to their social supermarket. You can help them by donating here:
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/cotgrave-community-garden-fundraiser
