Frendsbury Gardens, which is used by hundreds of local people as a place to learn, and a place to play, is holding an open day on August 14.
It runs therapeutic and wellbeing gardening sessions in twice-weekly ‘Dig It’ groups on Wednesday and Saturday, which enables local people to make new friends, gain horticultural skills and keep the garden looking beautiful.
The sessions are run by a friendly bunch of volunteers, and, as there are invariably many tasks to do in the garden, new volunteers are always welcome.
The gardens are also currently looking for a Vice Chairman, Treasurer, and Fundraiser, so please come along to our open day 11am to 3pm on August 14 to meet the volunteers and find out more.
From wasteland to therapeutic space ….
Frendsbury Garden is a community space and wildlife garden that aims to improve community safety, cohesion and well-being.
The land was previously a fly tipping site, just off Avignon Rd in SE4. But now it is a thriving community garden that offers training courses, and informal workshops on gardening and recycling.
It is situated in an area of social housing where many families do not have access to a garden and have limited access to outdoor play space.
The garden, which receives funding from Lewisham council and is run by a community group, the Friends of Frendsbury Gardens. The group will hold an open day at the garden on Saturday August 14.
Frendsbury aims to offer local people the knowledge and skills they need to manage and maintain their park. It also offers therapeutic and wellbeing gardening sessions for those with mild mental illnesses or suffer from social isolation.
The garden works closely with local schools and voluntary organisations, aiming to provide employment and educational opportunities for local people.
Turnham School’s nature studies class is held in the garden. As part of the schools project, local school children adopted a bed to grow food and learn basic cooking skills.
The garden also encourages volunteering by members of the public on two Saturdays per month.
The garden is one of the Capital Growth campaigns 2012 growing spaces which encourage communities to use land for growing fruit and vegetables.
As part of its work with local people, the garden has arranged for healthy eating and cooking courses for residents to learn what to do with the produce they harvest.
Once we grow the food it is available to be harvested by the community provided theyare considerate to others and only take enough for their personal use.
For the younger locals the garden also hosts the Bug Club once a month, a fun outdoor activity for children and adults to explore Frendsbury Garden. The club goes on bug hunts, makes insect and animal habitats, and does arts and crafts.
It has also hosted severally community based events such as open days, the BigLunch and external visits to other gardens such as Kew Gardens.
Contact Friends of Frendsbury Gardens: friendsfrendsburygarden@gmail.com