Volunteers help create community garden in Sunderland
Members of the Prince's Trust working with Groundwork to improve the community garden at Tunstall Allotments in Silksworth.
GREEN-FINGERED volunteers have helped transform a community garden.
Members of the Prince’s Trust joined charity Groundwork North East to clean up Tunstall Allotments in Sunderland.
The two-week project also included tree-planting at Elba Park and Fulwell Quarry Local Nature Reserve, conservation work at the historic monument Fulwell Acoustic Mirror and garden maintenance.
Claire Hutchinson, from Groundwork, said: “We have really enjoyed working with the Prince’s Trust in the past so were happy to do another two-week programme with their young people.
“Everyone has worked really hard and we have achieved loads.
“The young people’s efforts have been focused on supporting the committee at the new community garden at Tunstall Allotments.”
The project, funded by the Sunderland City Council’s Strategic Initiative Budget, aims to create an area where people can come together to learn about horticulture and keeping livestock. It will also include a sensory and quiet zone.
Tunstall Allotments Committee is dedicated to improving the site for tenants and residents interested in becoming involved in the community projects.
David Banks, secretary at Tunstall Allotments, said they are also supporters of the Groundwork Green Activity programme, a health-improvement project funded by the South of Tyne and Wear Teaching Primary Care Trust.
Groundwork staff work alongside people who have been referred by GPs or support agencies, delivering a 10-week programme which focuses on growing and harvesting crops and how to make healthy meals.
“The Groundwork Green Activity programme is a great idea and sits nicely alongside what we are developing at the larger community garden site,” said David.
“We are always looking for new volunteers to support in our shop and on the new garden.
“After participants have finished their 10 weeks with Groundwork, they are encouraged to stay involved in the site longer term through one of the other community projects, ensuring sustainability of the programme and an increase in volunteering locally.”
For more information about Tunstall Allotments, call 0793 291 5768
For details about the free Green Activity programme, which takes place at sites across Sunderland, call 567 2550.
Twitter: @SunderlandEcho
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Monday 20 May 2013
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