Unemployed people have built a community garden on a patch of Camberwell land that was once a ‘hotspot for fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour’.
The volunteers were taking part in Future Gardeners, a scheme run by Bankside Open Spaces Trust and The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, and finished the garden last month.
The fourteen-week courses see students get a horticultural qualification, with participants going on to prestigious roles at famous institutions including Kew Gardens and Fulham Palace.
Shereen Chung-Blake, programme co-ordinator, said: “The rain poured down but didn’t stop the smiles or fun and we are pleased that the Future Gardeners Students were able to install the new Wildlife Friendly Field kindly provided by Garden On A Roll, wormery, summer bulbs and a recycled tire pond.”
She said the space used to attract unpleasant behaviour but would now be “teeming with wildlife in the summer which local residents are looking forward to be able to enjoy”.
The Camberwell Triangle Garden on the Goschen Allotments Site has a new grass lawn, wildlife plants and a pond that’s slowly filling with rainwater.
The courses attract people young and old, from all walks of life, including a former GP in the current cohort.
70 to 80 per cent of volunteers go on to secure employment in horticulture, aided by the L2 City and Guilds horticultural qualification they get.
“If you go to most prestigious green spaces you’ll find at least one future gardener,” Shereen said.
Relatedarticles
The next course starting in January is now full. If you wish to apply for the course starting in April 2024, please fill out the form below. We will be in touch with you about the next steps in the application process nearer the course start date. If you have any questions please email Louisa at [email protected].
