Vital Regeneration has received funding from the Church Street Ward Councillors to pilot an Open Spaces Project to develop open spaces and communal green areas in the Church Street Ward.  The ward is in an area where 85 per cent of homes are social housing, mainly in high-density blocks.

The project is led by a Community Open Spaces Officer, who will be working with residents to engage them throughout the process, from consultation to completion in order to ensure that their needs are being met.

The projects aim to get people out of their houses, working together and using the spaces in a sustainable and positive way through gardening, sports and community events.  When residents work together towards a common goal, they are likely to have an increased sense of ownership of these areas.

We also hope to encourage people to live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle by providing them with the means to grow their own organic vegetables. 

 The projects will run throughout 2009 and include:

• Developing a wildlife garden in Orange Park to improve the biodiversity of the area and to teach children about their local environment
• Developing a sensory garden for residents living in the shared unit at 60 Penfold Street sheltered accommodation
•  A front garden clearing scheme for residents who are unable to care for their garden
•  Window box scheme, enabling residents to grow vegetables and flowers on patios and balconies
•  An urban food growing project with a local women’s group
•  A summer holiday sports programme for children aged 8-12
•  A community summer block party event