GRoe Green
Funded by Being Brent, Heritage and Wellbeing Fund. LEAP worked with partner, Roe Green Junior school in Kingsbury, Brent, to repurpose an unused area of land into a garden with a wildflower meadow and edible garden.
During the pandemic many of us spent time outdoors in nature. Research has shown that this improved our wellbeing during lockdowns. However, as health inequalities highlighted, those who did not have gardens or access to green space, were more adversely affected by then pandemic.
Project Aims:
To protect and conserve natural heritage by boosting biodiversity.
Tp provide opportunities for children without gardens to access and engage with nature and green space.
To enhance wellbeing, build skills, learning and confidence.
By participating in regular gardening workshops facilitated by the LEAP team and supported by school staff and parent volunteers, our young gardeners were involved in every stage of the creation of their garden.
Activities included: preparing the ground, sowing seeds for a wildflower meadow, planting for pollinators, creating a vegetable patch and providing food water and shelter for birds.
Through playful drama interactions and group discussion, children learnt about the importance of boosting biodiversity to protect the environment.
Impact
Wellbeing
“The children look forward to going, there is a real sense of excitement from the group!”
Lucy Byrne, Deputy head Roe Green Junior School
“Children have been excited and fully engaged in the activities.”
Manjula Hardji Teacher Roe Green Junior School
Confidence & Social Skills
“A is very quiet in class but is confident and willing to participate fully during our gardening sessions.”
Manjula Hardji Teacher Roe Green Junior School
Language
“K is new to our school and new to English, the project is expanding her vocabulary.”
Lucy Byrne Roe Green Junior School
Teamwork
“S is an autistic child and working alongside others as part of a team is really beneficial to him.”
Lucy Byrne, Roe Green Junior School
New Skills & Learning
“They have learnt lots of new skills – social, key words to do with the project, gardening and physical activities.”
Manjula Hardji Teacher, Roe Green Junior school
Before & After