News

A disused play space in Wallis Avenue on the Park Wood estate will soon be transformed into a new community garden, thanks to the help of local Golding Homes’ resident James O’Sullivan and his family.

James is one of a team of ‘Growing Buddies’ who have been specially trained to encourage residents to get growing and gardening across estates in Maidstone.  This new initiative, which has been funded by the Golding Homes in collaboration with national charity Garden Organics, aims to help Golding tenants get involved in growing food as part of a healthy, active lifestyle.

Passionate about gardening James is looking forward to inspiring others to have a go at growing their own fruit and vegetables.  He says: “I would like to encourage local families that it’s not as hard as they think to grow food and to show what can be achieved within a small space. Gardening is such as great way to relax and I am hoping that that the new garden will become a real community hub with lots of people benefiting from it.”

Golding Homes has been working with national charity Garden Organic to create a network of Growing Buddies to champion the benefits of healthy, home grown food.  Since April, seven Growing Buddies have been recruited to bring the food-growing message to their neighbourhoods and attending local community events.

Two further locations, owned by Golding Homes, have been selected for a ‘community garden makeover’ including Harbledown House and the YMCA community centre in Tovil.

Helen Collingwood is a resident at Harbledown House and a Growing Buddy.  She explains what inspired her to take on this volunteer role.  “I wanted to take part because I love gardening so thought becoming a Growing Buddy would be ideal for me.  As a child I used to help my dad in the garden and we grew all sorts of vegetables. We were always in the garden helping to sow and weed plants. I lived in the North East and we would have to grow our own vegetables as they were too expensive for my parents to buy, with a family of six children to feed.  I am looking forward to getting the other residents to help to create a community garden.”

Head of Community Development for Golding Homes, Caroline McBride said: “This is a fantastic project which really engages with our residents and inspires them to grow their own food, eat more healthily and get active.  We already have a strong network of volunteers, who are out and about across our estates sharing their knowledge and love of gardening.”

Golding Homes first commissioned Garden Organic in 2015 to work with residents to create a community garden at Walshaw and Telford House in the town centre.  Based on the success of this scheme the ‘Growing Buddies’  project  was set up to spread the organic gardening message to other local communities in Maidstone.

Garden Organic is looking for enthusiastic, outgoing people to become Growing Buddies.  Full training will be offered along with the advice and support from a dedicated project officer.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a Growing Buddy, please contact Liza Scholefield  via email at  lscholefield@gardenorganic.org.uk or call 07584 474778.