It’s no secret that being out in nature and getting plenty of fresh air can work wonders for our health and wellbeing, and with gardening being a key way to do both, it’s not surprising that it has many studied benefits. What is it about community gardening specifically though, that is so good for us? In our next few blog posts, we’ll hear from some of our participants about how our community gardening projects, and food hubs, have positively impacted the local people that come along and participate, whether that be in a physical, mental, or social sense. In this first post, we’ll explore how our participants feel their sense of community and social wellbeing has benefitted from our presence in their local areas.
The potential benefits of community gardening are well documented, with one 2016 report from The Land Trust noting that for every £1 invested in local green spaces, there were benefits to wellbeing equivalent to £30. Another study argued that an increase in social isolation and subsequent loneliness across populations (undoubtedly exacerbated by the pandemic) is an issue that community gardening projects can help to alleviate through the provision of spaces and opportunities for positive social interaction between local people, which helps to strengthen community ties. It also stated that;
Community gardening may also promote […] wellbeing by strengthening social resilience and motivating the implementation of other neighbourhood improvements, especially in deprived areas.
Our key aims as an organisation are in line with these points, as through our neighbourhood garden model, we hope to create ‘place,’ and in turn promote community resilience and cohesion through a shared, enjoyable activity. Each garden is, as far as possible, built by local residents with the support of our head community gardener, and are developed in consultation with members of the community in order to foster a sense of ownership over the space. These approaches work to establish a sense of community empowerment, which a report from Farm Garden asserted is a key benefit to promote social wellbeing. Additionally, our Community Picnic event, which launched last year and ran weekly throughout the warmer months, provided an opportunity for participants, and other members of the local community, to come together and enjoy a meal prepared using produce grown in the Murrayburn and Hailesland Community Garden. This event allowed attendees to get to know one another and enjoy a meal together in a neutral and welcoming space, aiding in the reduction of social isolation.
As team members that regularly interact with local people and participants, our Head Community Gardener Steven Pike, and Community Engagement Officer Alan Gordon, each noted the following discernible improvements to social wellbeing and community spirit as a result of our community growing projects;
Steven: ‘Residents just really appreciate having a space where they can meet and talk to like-minded people while working on something they enjoy together.’
Alan: ‘The project has given local people an excuse to come together in a safe space, and where they had formerly walked past each other for years without communicating, they have now discovered they have a lot in common and have subsequently established a good rapport with one another, which is all essential to community building’.
The following responses are drawn from surveys carried out with local residents in Murrayburn and Hailesland, who formerly, and/or currently participant in our projects in the area, including the Murrayburn and Hailesland Neighbourhood Garden. They were surveyed to ascertain their experience of the community, how they felt our projects benefitted them on an individual and community level, and how they feel our projects could be improved or developed. All responses are anonymous.
What is your experience of your local community, a good place to live?
Participant Two: ‘I’ve never felt like Ive really belonged here. I didn’t feel I had many options when I moved to Wester Hailes […] Greig Robertson (Director) then appeared with all his ideas and I thought they were amazing and that’s how I got involved with Edible Estates. All of that is how I began to feel like I had a place in the community. It’s taken since 1997 for me to feel like that. When the garden stuff came I felt it made a big difference to me.’
Participant Four: ‘It’s getting better. The garden is great and my pal loves to come for a walk with her dog around it […] We get to have a good chat doing that. I think the community spirit is getting better.’
What impact have SWEE’s projects had on your household and or your neighbourhood?
Participant One: ‘I kinda of kept to myself for the last 30 years but it was really nice for me to chat to other folk […] I love meeting new people now […] It’s been great to meet new people with Edible Estates. I know more people to speak to now than I’ve ever had in the 30 years I’ve lived here.’
Participant Three: ‘Just by being in the community and having somewhere to go, like the garden has been amazing, my daughter who has come back from abroad to live with me has made a friend in the garden and has gone from staying in the house to coming out and spending time outside which has made me really happy.’
Participant Five: ‘When people are part of the group in the garden you feel protected because everyone is very nice and I feel safe. I’ve really enjoyed making friends with some of the other folk in the group.’
How do you feel about the upcoming 6 months, what would help you feel more positive?
Participant Three: ‘More and more people locally talk to us when we’re in the garden now.’
While these responses happily show a demonstrable increase in sense of community spirit, reduced isolation, and subsequently improved social wellbeing for these participants, the further development of community growing projects and community-focused events are essential in the move to improve social wellbeing across Wester Hailes’ population, and beyond. In next month’s blog post, we’ll explore how community gardening benefits mental wellbeing, and how participants believe our projects have done so for them.
Other posts you might be interested in…
Climate Conscious: How Our Community Projects Help Tackle Climate Change
Team Interview: Steven Pike, Edible Estates’ Head Community Gardener
Team Interview: Alan Gordon, Edible Estates’ Community Engagement Officer