Clacton community garden goes from strength to strength

Three years after opening in 2021 the community garden in Kennedy Way Clacton on Sea has gone from strength to strength.

The garden, which offers local people a space to enjoy and get involved in, was opened in October 2021 and went on to receive an award from the BBC One Show and the RHS for community gardening in 2023.

The garden is a collaboration between NHS Suffolk and North East Essex, site owners NHS Property Services and Community Voluntary Services Tendring (CVST).  It is managed by CVST and run by volunteers who oversee the activities and the gardeners.  The gardeners are known as beneficiaries as they benefit from visiting the garden and taking part in the activities. Some of the gardeners are referred by social prescribers who connect people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their health and wellbeing.  Others are local people who heard about the garden and decided to go along and get involved.  The garden also provides opportunities for local school and college pupils to get involved.

Lyn Heaton is a volunteer who has been involved with the Kennedy Way garden for over three years.  Lyn said:”When I was diagnosed with cancer and had to give up my career in health and social care I wanted something to focus on that would keep me going and give me something to look forward to.  Getting involved in the community garden was the ideal way to do this.”

“Now I volunteer three days a week and I thoroughly enjoy it.  I have recently been involved in the wellness group that we run at the garden.  This involves wellness activities including storytelling related to wellness and the outdoors and seated yoga.  We have also just started a medicine bed where we grow plants that have medicinal purposes.”

There is also an outdoor fitness station and a men’s shed at the garden.  At the men’s shed members make a variety of items including bird boxes and tables as well as other items for the garden.  There is also a community hub which offers a space for activities and meetings, and there is a recycling hub.

Lynne Reed-Golden, a community connector for CVST who manages the garden at Kennedy Way, said: The garden is a wonderful place to be, everyone who comes here works so hard and really enjoys being here – there is a real team spirit.  It is a great place to make new friends, work in the fresh air and learn new skills.”

 “It’s a garden like no-other, aimed at really improving the wellbeing of local people. The garden hosts raised beds, vegetable and flower beds, grassed areas with benches and a community hub. We have recently constructed a mosaic in the garden.  There is always lot’s going on for people to come and get involved with.”

Lisa Andrews, deputy chief officer at CVST, said: “In 2021 the garden was still a blank space in the middle of the car park.

“Three years on and we have a community hub that hosts activities such as Dementia friendly singing, a Men’s Shed, an outdoor gym, and in good weather we have outside yoga.

“The garden itself has fantastic volunteers who grow vegetables and beautiful flowers and plants for the public to enjoy.

“Coming to the garden just instantly makes you feel relaxed and peaceful.

“It’s been such a success story and a brilliant example of partnership working – we have created a beautiful community garden by coming together and growing an idea into a thriving but tranquil community garden.”

Jane Taylor, north east Essex Alliance integrated care manager – partnerships team said: “I was involved in this project at the very beginning and it is really rewarding to see how the garden has developed since its launch three years ago and how much it has helped people in the local community with their health and wellbeing.  This is a great example of how a piece of unused land can be turned into something that can make such a difference to the lives of many people. 

The garden is open to the public to visit and can be found at Kennedy Way, Clacton, CO15.

Visit the CVST website for more information about the garden and the activities that take place there.