Providence House and Platform 1 Café, Battersea Flower Station
Funded by
Western Riverside Environmental Fund and City Bridge Trust
Year
2016
Location
Providence House, Clapham Junction
Brief
LSx worked with Providence House Youth Centre and local residents to enliven and transform an underutilised walkway and key connection between two youth projects and a high-rise estate into a pocket of green space, aiming to improve the environment and encourage people not to litter there.
44 young people from the youth projects, as well as local residents, were supported and trained over a series of 3 sessions which included a trip to Vauxhall City Farm, so that they could contribute to both the design and maintenance of the area by learning about planting, composting and garden design. The ten month project transformed the neglected outside space into a useful public area that could now be used as a meeting and relaxation place for all nearby residents, complete with benches, bins and wooden planters containing edible and wildlife friendly perennial plants. Local residents now have more opportunities to enjoy more greenery in their neighbourhood and re-connect with nature, and the local young people have built their knowledge in gardening and food growing and have the confidence to pass this on.
Achievement
204m2 of land improved
44 young people and local residents trained in planting, composting and garden design
2 Community Groups supported
80 plants planted
2 worm composts installed in the cafe to provide fertilizer for the garden from food waste
92 hours of adult and youth volunteering given
