Growing Stronger: £230,000 investment to upgrade 14 community food gardens

Upgrade works to 14 community food gardens on council housing estates across Tower Hamlets have been completed in time for the new growing season.

£230,000 was invested to upgrade the gardens, which were all 10-15 years-old and in need of repairs and maintenance work.

On Tuesday, 8 April, Councillor Abdul Wahid, Cabinet Member for Customer Service, Equalities, and Social Inclusion, officially re-opened the Rupali Community Food Garden on the Clichy Estate in Stepney, following its recent refurbishment, alongside local residents and council officers.

He said: “It’s been fantastic to come down here today and meet residents of the estate who use the food garden. It’s clear how much enjoyment and fulfilment this space brings to the local community. For some residents, this is the only time they come out, and it provides a valuable opportunity to meet others in a safe and welcoming environment, which is incredibly important for their health and wellbeing. Long may it continue - with this investment, I hope these gardens will benefit our residents for another 10 to 15 years.”

There are 37 community food gardens on council housing estates. Cranbrook was the first community food garden to be set up in 2009.

They are regularly used by as many as 4,000 residents, all of whom live in flats without a garden. Last year over 6 tonnes of fruit and vegetables were grown in these gardens.

There are many benefits of gardens to the residents who use them and the wider community, including:

• 83% of users reported improved health and mental wellbeing 
• 87% of residents on estates with a community food garden reported improved community cohesion and neighbourliness
• Reduction in loneliness and isolation
• Reduction in anti-social behaviour in many of the sites as a result of community ownership of the space
• Over 10,000 residents benefit directly and indirectly from the gardens and the produce grown in them
• Access to organic fresh fruit and vegetables in an area of high rates of poverty and multiple health inequalities
• Environmental benefits, including improved air quality and biodiversity.

If you are a resident on a council estate and would like to talk to someone about setting up a community food garden on your estate, email communitypartnerships@towerhamlets.org.uk