Cotgrave community Garden aims to combat social isolation

A community project has received vital funding from Reach Rushcliffe in order to provide further green space and outdoor activities for local people.

Cotgrave community garden aims to get locals into gardening, while at the same time tackling issues surrounding social isolation and loneliness.

The funds will allow the group to employ a project worker, who will not only promote the initiative to reach those at risk of social isolation within the community, but will also support and recruit volunteers.

Left to right in the photo is: Community garden Project Worker Samie Mathers, Chairperson of the community garden Indy Townsend with son Finn, Deputy Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council Cllr Debbie Mason, Super Kitchen volunteer Margaret Chambers and Project Worker at Cotgrave Super Kitchen Jill Mathers.

The community garden is one of a number of successful applications to the Reach Rushcliffe fund.

Reach Rushcliffe was provided by Rushcliffe Borough Council to help fund and support projects across the area which aim to tackle loneliness and social isolation.

Deputy Leader of the Council Cllr Debbie Mason said: “This community garden will help those at risk of social isolation meet new people and stay active through gardening.

We know that healthy food and exercise is incredibly important and both these aspects can be witnessed when group members meet safely and in a socially distanced manner to grow the fruit and vegetables."