‘Hugely beneficial’: Stoke Newington volunteers launch £10k crowdfunder to create lively community garden

Head grower Dee in amongst the garden’s flowers. Photograph: Susy L

Volunteers in Stoke Newington have launched a crowdfunding campaign to help them turn a hidden oasis into a thriving community garden.

The team behind Allens Community Garden want to transform the former salad-growing site, tucked behind Bethune Road, into a fully accessible space for events and food-growing.

They are hoping to raise £10,000 to fund the building of paths and entrances, an improved indoor classroom, and the restoration of the pond, orchard, greenhouse and shed.

The money will also go towards workshops focused on growing, sustainability, wellbeing and creativity.

Dee Pascal-O’Mahoney, one of the organisers, said: “With so few open community growing sites in the area, we believe that opening up Allens Community Garden will be hugely beneficial to the physical, mental, and social health of the local community.”

The campaigners have committed to ensuring the space is welcoming to everyone, and particularly those who lack access to green space.

Volunteers survey the garden. Photograph: Jazz Noble

All members of the Allens Community Garden committee are LGBTIQ+, and most have lived experience of mental health and neurodivergence.

Christina O’Sullivan, one of the volunteers, said: “The garden is such a special place to me. When I’m stressed I come here and I always feel better and I can always just be myself here.

“I am really glad we are opening the garden up so more people can come and enjoy the space.”

To raise awareness of the campaign, the team will host a summer solstice celebration and open garden event on Saturday 21 June from 11am until 5pm.

The free, family-friendly get-together will feature live music and poetry, local food stalls, garden tours, crafts for children, tea-tasting and a plant swap.

You can find more about the event and register for free on its Eventbrite page.

To contribute to the Allens Community Garden crowdfunder, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-allens-community-garden-grow.