Co-op champion community garden for Paddington pupils
A Paddington primary school garden has received support from the Co-op Store in Merchant Square, who have adopted the project as part of the Co-op Local Community Fund scheme.
The Community Fund donates 1% of what members spend on Co-op products and services to help charities and community activities in the local area. Funds raised through the sale of plastic carrier bags also contribute to the donation pot.
The lucky project in Paddington is the Edward Wilson Blomfield Road garden. The site, which sits adjacent to the canal in Little Venice, has been adopted from Canal & River Trust. The land is now being transformed into a thriving space for growing fruit and vegetables. The school has employed an Environmental Tutor to lead weekly workshops for pupils; helping to bring classroom learning to life, encourage an appreciation of nature and promote improved physical and mental wellbeing.
The money raised via the Community Fund will be used to purchase gardening tools and plants, to ensure the continued development of the space.
Over the past 18 months the garden has also benefitted from the support of volunteer teams from Paddington companies. Through the Community Programme employees from Heathrow Express, Kingfisher and Laing O’Rourke have helped dig flower beds, prune vegetation and build outdoor seating; whilst the landscaping team at Paddington Central have provided advice on planting and watered the garden throughout the long hot summer. Two teams from Visa are scheduled to visit over the coming months, to help get the garden ready for spring.
Members of the Co-op can select the project as their chosen cause and you can register to become a member of the Co-op here.
If you would like to know more about this project, plans for the space or how you could support its development, please send an emailto our Community Programme Manager. We would love to tell you more.
11.02.20
