Projects
Growing Communities supports LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO makE a real difference.
Here are some of the small projects we’re supporting in Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland with a Growing Communities grant. We hope their stories inspire you to start up a community growing or planting project.
If your group would like to apply for a grant please find out more here.
We also fund larger growing projects with six key charities each year which we are proud to call our ‘Partners’.
The Autumn Centre
This vibrant centre for over 50s is in the process of transforming an outdoor space for growing fruit and veg.
Falcon Support Services
Helping vulnerable people to live independently and giving them the opportunity to attend garden therapy.
Root & Branch OUT
Engaging communities in outdoor and nature activities by setting up a shared garden project called ‘Grower’s Row’ in Rutland.
TCV Green gym
An outdoor community growing project and social prescribing initiative in Leicestershire.
Stoney Stanton Library
This well attended community library is transforming their outdoor space into a Grow and Learn garden for all the community to use.
Hallaton 45 Sentinels
Hallaton have planted 45 oak trees in remembrance of 45 young men who gave their lives in the two world wars.
Queensmead Academy
Transforming their grounds into a forest school with an orchard, veg plot, exploration and wild play area.
Yew Tree Avenue
This special 200 year old local site has been restored to it’s former glory and is a fantastic community resource.
C2C Action
Supporting individuals in the criminal justice system with a garden therapy programme at their allotment.
Long Field Academy
A secondary school with a passion for growing. They are creating a shared kitchen garden and orchard for their students and the community.
Northampton hope centre
Hope gardening offers horticultural therapy for people in need. They grow fruit and veg for people on benefits.
GREAT EASTON WALK ON THE WILDSIDE
The village has created a circular walk that will promote health and wellbeing as well as a growing sense of community in the village.
Highfields adventure playground
An inner city adventure playground for children aged 6-15 years old. We are delighted to help fund the creation of a new veg growing area.
measham green gym (tcv)
This community garden is expanding with a new polytunnel to be sited at the local primary school - a community engaged partnership!
HOME-START CORBY
A new nature project to support families to engage with their own outdoor space and to encourage a love for the environment.
st george’s church, leicester
Eight workshops hosted by Buzzing Roots at St George's for local residents and church families to plant spring bulbs and wildflowers.
Grow wild AT Rowan Gate Primary
Grow Wild CIC is transforming a disused allotment at this fantastic SEN school creating an inclusive, accessible and thriving green space.
CLACTON COMMUNITY FRUIT ORCHARD
Unsealed, an eco refill shop has created an orchard to make fruit available to all members of the Clacton and Jaywick communities in Essex.
Ratby Community Orchard
They have 31 trees of different apple varieties and have installed a notice board and interpretation board.
wn community growers
An alliance of community growing projects in West Northamptonshire which aim to grow food sustainably.
exeter nursery
This preschool in Corby has transformed an outdoor space for children and parents to enjoy being outside growing plants, fruit and veg.
ST CATHERINE’S PARISH CHURCH
A tranquil meeting place in the heart of Burbage connecting two parts of the village. The local community are helping to plant a rose garden.
The centre project
A community hub in Leicester providing a safe space for people at risk of isolation to come and get support at a time of crisis.
rushey mead academy, leicester
This secondary school is transforming a green space into a sensory garden - designed and project managed by WildScapes Co-op CIC.
william street community garden
A vibrant community growing space at All Saints Church, Kettering. Local residents grow fruit & veg and run a sensory garden and wild meadow.
Twywell Hills & Dales Project
A community heritage fruit orchard with mixed native hedgerows creating a wonderful habitat for nesting birds.
beaumont leys apiary
A community apiary based at a primary school in Leicester working within the community to connect local people together.
clavering & arkesden
A preschool in Essex advocating outdoor learning with a forest school, outdoor library, woodwork & bird hide.
Headlands primary school
Turning a field into a space that can allow pupils to learn within nature - exploring biodiversity, fostering habitats and boosting mindfulness.
countryside enterprises cic
A group of adults with disabilities transforming two acres of unused land into a conservation area for the local community to enjoy.
Falcon ‘Growing Together’
An allotment project for the homeless and those in need. A second grant for keeping hens and improved protection for growing veg and fruit.
UPPINGHAM COMMUNITY COLLEGE
This school garden will be extended to create an area with a wild meadow, pond, seating, gravel path and trees to provide a calming space.
tHE ALLERTON PROJECT, leicestershire
A community project in Loddington working with residents to launch a hedgehog reintroduction programme.
natural-ise
A local community group dedicated to improving biodiversity and local access on a 20 acre field adjoining Valley Walk Kettering and the Ise River.
coffee & compost gardening group
A close knit community in Great Easton, Leicestershire launched a new gardening group to inspire residents to get out into nature.