Harvest delight for Cambridge University Botanic Garden’s community gardening tenants

Harvest time in the Schools’ Garden at Cambridge University Botanic Garden (CUBG) – despite the rain– saw CUBG’s community gardening group gather a wheelbarrow full of pumpkins of all shapes and sizes.

Eight tenants from local independent living schemes participated in the first community gardening sessions set up with Cambridge City Council’s Independent Living Service.

Their tasks over the summer have included watering, weeding, and harvesting vegetables like the pumpkins.

The produce, including onions, courgettes, and potatoes, has been used in kitchens across Cambridge.

Olivia from the Council’s Independent Living Service, said: “ It’s been a wonderful project, we’ve all got so much out of it and grown in confidence as well as enjoying delicious meals like potato curry!”

Participants highlighted the social and mental health benefits of the programme, saying, “I come for the company” and “I get a sense of pleasure from being here and it does you the world of good being outside.”

Louise Campbell, CUBG’s community learning co-ordinator, said: “It’s been a joy watching everyone’s confidence grow and seeing connections form.”

The Botanic Garden’s Community Membership Scheme is free for local community groups with a CB postcode supporting those facing barriers to visiting the Botanic Garden.