Volunteers creating a unique community space for all to enjoy - North Devon Homes

I’m so proud of our community garden on Heppenstall Road in Barnstaple. This once unused area was bought to life thanks to the design of Alison Bock of Yeo Valley School.

On this land that belongs to North Devon Homes, which they have kindly let us use, we have been able to create and maintain a truly special community space for everyone to enjoy.

The garden is a lovely, calm and reflective space where people can come and enjoy what has been created. It’s also a great place to meet people, learn new gardening skills and help by getting involved in the running of the garden. There are so many opportunities here.

We also grow our own produce, including potatoes, broad beans, runner beans, garlic, pears, cherries, plums and apples. We work on a fair share scheme where any work volunteers do in the garden, they get paid back in produce. We also sell the produce via social media to the local community and all the money raised goes back into the maintenance and running of the garden.

Everything we grow here is organic and our carbon footprint is tiny, it is fantastic that we have this available to so many people, right on their doorsteps.

Without the group of volunteers supporting the garden, it wouldn’t survive, and we are so grateful to each and every one of them. We are always on the lookout for more volunteers to help out. Gardening is therapeutic and even if people haven’t done any before, we can help get them started.

We have so many supportive and helpful neighbours. As a community space they are all welcome to use the garden and we love to see the younger children getting involved and learning all about growing their own produce. It really helps to build understanding and gain respect for the garden.

We have been very lucky to have been selected as a cause for the Co-op this year. This means that for every £1 that members of the Co-op spend, 2p goes towards their own membership account and 2p goes towards their chosen cause. We would love for more people to know about us and choose us as their chosen cause.

We have recently been able to renovate our raised beds, thanks to money from a Tesco community grant. We are so grateful for everyone who voted for our project as these wins make all the difference to us.

As we move forwards, we would love to see more people involved. They can do as little or as much as they want. We always need help with digging, weeding and watering. The recent hosepipe ban has made it harder to water the garden and whilst we have water butts, the recent lack of rain has meant we have limited water.

We would also like to get other groups involved who would benefit from using the garden. I am a nurse at the local hospital and I volunteer at the garden for my own mental health. I find that I get so absorbed in the garden. It’s lovely to watch things grow, bring stuff on and see the fruits from your labour. I would love for other people to get involved too.

Anyone interested in finding out more about being involved, please contact North Devon Homes on 01271 312500 or email customercare@ndh-ltd.co.uk.

Written by Tanya, Lead Volunteer for North Devon Homes in Heppenstall Road Garden