Community garden improved through Commissioner’s funding

Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer dropped by Oakenclough Children’s Centre in Wilmslow to see how his Community Action Fund had improved the local community garden.

Operated by local charity Transition Wilmslow, the Wilmslow Community Gardens allow local people to get involved in producing fresh food and honing their gardening skills. At Oakenclough Children’s Centre garden, produce is donated to local foodbanks and is used at the community café.

After looking to expand their operation so more people could get involved in their community, Transition Wilmslow applied to the Community Action Fund for a new polytunnel, which supports the growth of vegetables through retaining heat. As a result they have been able to welcome more volunteers and support more local vulnerable people.

Police and Crime Commissioner, John Dwyer, said:

“I was really pleased to join local volunteers in opening the community garden’s new polytunnel. My Community Action Fund is all about supporting local residents to look out for each other and I’m glad to hear that this is happening in Wilmslow.

“The children’s centre and community garden have been at the heart of many local events and community initiatives and I’m sure they will continue to go from strength to strength.”

In addition to supporting vulnerable people through what they produce, the community garden has begun to take referrals from Social Services for people suffering from loneliness or mild depression, helping them to recover and get involved in positive community action.

Andrew Backhouse, who leads on Transition Wilmslow’s Community Market Garden at Oakenclough said:

“It was lovely to be able to welcome John Dwyer to open the new polytunnel, and we are also grateful to Riverside Housing who have match funded the project. It will make a lot of difference to our ability to work through the winter and to grow more tomatoes and salad vegetables, allowing us to support the community even more.”

For information about Wilmslow Community Gardens, go to: 

www.transitionwilmslow.co.uk/wilmslow-community-market-gardens 

To find out more about the Community Action Fund, see: 

www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-the-commissioner-does/community-funding/community-action-fund/

Pictured - Police & Crime Commissioner John Dwyer (left) with local residents and representatives opening the new polytunnel.