Eden Project plants specially designed community garden at Stourport food share to encourage connection

Neighbours in Stourport who run a food share project, crowned as the UK’s friendliest community in the Coronation Communities competition, will receive their prize this week - a specially designed garden by expert horticulturalists from the Eden Project.

Food Share Wyre Forest was recognised for its services to the local community, where many struggle with financial pressures and a lack of green spaces to enjoy. With a brand-new garden to transform their outdoor space installed this January, the volunteer-run project will now be able to provide much-needed access to homegrown food, outdoor opportunities and a boost to social connections.  

This week (24 January), a team of gardeners from the world-famous biome gardens and environmental charity will spend time at the Food Share Wyre Forest to install a specially-designed garden. They’ll be joined by local residents, volunteers and community groups, including a team from Muddy Boots Groundcare CIC, who provide gardening and woodwork opportunities for people with learning disabilities and mental health issues. People of all ages are set to roll up their sleeves and muck in to transform the previously disused outdoor space into a multipurpose garden, with a special Big Lunch planned to bring everyone together.

The build coincides with the launch of new YouGov research from Eden Project Communities, revealing that more than in 6 in 10 (63%) of UK adults say they would like to spend more time outdoors during winter, with a further 72% of the population reporting that spending time in nature with friends, neighbours or their community boosts their wellbeing.

Food Share Wyre Forest was awarded the prize garden after entering Eden Project Communities’ Coronation Communities rewards scheme as part of the Coronation Big Lunch in 2023. Beating off stiff competition from streets and community initiatives around the UK, the food share was recognised for its outstanding contribution to local people, for whom the service has become a lifeline.

Lindsey Brummitt, Eden Project Communities Programme Director, said: “Food Share Wyre Forest is a shining example of what is possible when people come together where they live. Like many other communities, people here are facing a difficult situation, but they’re being incredibly resourceful. Transforming and using what they have, they’re growing a caring local support network that nurtures social connections. We were so impressed that it was a unanimous decision by the panel to reward them as Coronation Communities winners. As well as a small fund to help them hold Big Lunches, their star prize is Eden’s very special garden to encourage people in the surrounding neighbourhoods to connect with each other and with nature in a space they can cultivate, share and enjoy together. It’s the crowning glory they all deserve!”

Food Share Wyre Forest in Stourport, near Kidderminster, was established in 2022 at Walshes Community Centre and is now the beating heart of the deprived community, supported by Community Housing, who own the centre. The Food Share distributes food to over 300 people each week, while also providing a much-needed space for people to meet, chat and volunteer. At its helm is Vel McMillan, who founded the service after noticing an increase in food poverty and levels of social isolation.

People living locally are invited to use the hall where anyone in need can donate a few pounds and pick up essentials each week. Food is sourced from local supermarkets and businesses, who collectively donate around 300 crates of surplus produce a week. As well as distributing it among the community, volunteers use the food to cook a pay as you can hot breakfast each week, on top of a big roast lunch, providing much-needed opportunities for the community to sit down, eat and chat together.

Vel McMillan, Founder of Food Share Wyre Forest, said: “As a food share, we let visitors choose what they can use to provide healthy meals and save huge amounts of good food being binned and wasted. It’s about trying to reduce shame and change the perception of food banks. It’s just as much about reducing waste and sharing food together as it is about supporting people who might be struggling to pay for their shopping.”

From local mums to young men struggling to find work and older people keen to make connections, the food share is a resource used by many. On top of as addressing food poverty, reducing waste and introducing people to a wider range of fresh and healthy food, the project also offers volunteering opportunities - from driving to collect surplus food, supporting visitors with their shopping, making hot drinks or peeling potatoes for lunch.

With the food share’s new garden set to provide even more opportunities for connection, Eden’s Head Horticulturalist Julie Kendall has specially-designed every square inch with communal food growing and accessibility in mind. Each element, from fruit trees and raised beds for herbs, soft fruits and vegetables, to seating, footpaths and rainwater collection, has been designed in so that all abilities and ages benefit. The garden aims to complement the hall, with opportunities for local people to grow, harvest and cook their own produce, while also making new connections.

Vel continued: “This is a project run by the community, for the community and that’s why we’re so excited about our new garden. Lots of people here don’t have their own gardens, so we want to give the community their own shared green space to take care of and feel ownership over. It’s going to start conversations, open up what we do and create a welcoming, peaceful and inclusive space for everyone.”

Lindsey Brummitt who leads Eden Project Communities programme continued: “Since 2010, we’ve been bringing people together to create happier and healthier communities thanks to National Lottery players, who raise £30 million each week for good causes across the UK. The build and planting in January kicked off The Big Lunch 2024 campaign which takes place on 1-2 June and centres on our connections with each other and the natural world - on food, sharing and growing connections together where we live.” 

The Eden Project Coronation Communities rewards was part of the Coronation Big Lunch celebrations in 2023 when more than 14 million people came together. This year The Big Lunch is back, and we’re inviting everyone to join in and share friendship, food and fun on 1-2 June 2024.

To find out how to get involved and sign up for your free pack, go to www.TheBigLunch.com