Maryland Grow for All

December 2024 - project has been complted. Read update on project progress below.

Final update

AAP:

• Elderly have something positive to do instead of feeling isolated in their flat and pleased they adopted one of the 14 metal planters. It was noted that it can be very depressing when feeling lonely and therefore, being responsible for one of the planters, planting flowers that blossom, digging and weeding, talking to others who have adopted aplanter and ultimately seeing the outcomes of their hard work, the achievements and the joy, has immensely improved their mental health and well-being as well as physical health.

• The children who now regularly tend a planter with their parent/s and how it has changed their lives.

• The area immediately outside HP entrance was dull, full of weeds and the metal planters were shabby looking, paint peeling off, full of weeds and generally no care and attention. Fast forward and post all the days and hours of sheer hard work by project lead, volunteers and residents the area is totally transformed, makes people smile on entering the flats and feedback is positive. Not forgetting the support from MN whoorganised the removal of the unsightly and unused posts, negotiated the donation and installation of two water butts, moving one of the planters to a more suitable position and the installation of two noticeboards. The area is beautifully transformed and with the installation of an accessible planter, will enable others to join in.

Large planters Leytonstone High Road:

• It’s been encouraging to see different people attending the community gardening events as well as those who regularly attend. The events have proved important in ensuring the maintenance of the planters including weeding and planting seeds and new plants.

• Social media has proved very useful advertising the community gardening events, AAP scheme as well as gaining feedback that includes the following:

• Looking stunning guys, well done!

• We made a difference (volunteer)

• Looks lovely (AAP)

• Great work, well done

• Looking fabulous – well done to all

• This looks so good – so proud of you all and the volunteers (Pics of metal planters)

• Walked past yesterday and it looks so beautiful

• Beautiful

• Amazing

• It was so much fun, and I loved recycling all the boxes (joint event with food bank)

• These look amazing, well done - I’ll come round today and take a look (referring to pictures of the

revamped metal planters)

• Well done

• I have quite a lot of plants to bring (referring to community gardening event) and give away. I’ll

bring them on Saturday.

• Making a difference to so many people's lives and seeing the impact as a result of the changes, is what the main aim of the project was all about. Post project the work continues and use of the WhatsAPP group, project email and Facebook page means communication avenues are in place. Continuation of the work at HP means that communication is key to forging relationships to enable building on what’s already been achieved

Initial proposal

Our project 'Maryland Grow for All' has a focus on greater access to gardening for all with all of its associated health, wellbeing and social benefits.

We aim to :

- install wheelchair accessible planting on Leytonstone Road, close to the existing planters.

- offer sensory planting to make gardening more accessible to people with sensory disabilities

- revitalise the unused metal planters at Henniker Point with opportunities for local people to 'adopt a planter' to bring fresh life, vibrancy and colour and uplift our high street.

The project is to offer inclusive and accessible community gardening opportunities to local families and residents. 

The project will:

• Offer opportunities for gardening for people with disabilities and access needs, as well as people who don't have garden access.
• Improve the area and the high street for everyone, offering an uplifting and inspiring resource -
• Improve the appearance of underused, eye-sore planters outside the flats at Henniker Point
• Build community connections, bringing together local and wider communities, provide and build interaction, wellbeing and community with mental health and social benefits for all.
• Offer an inclusive space for social interaction and build connection.

Community Development and Participation:

We want to increase participation and access to a wider group of people, including people with disabilities, including physical disability and mobility needs by offering inclusive opportunities for gardening in the local area.

We want to engage wider group of people in gardening by offering opportunity to access currently under-used and unsightly planters for people who don't have access to gardens. 

Health and Wellbeing:

The project promotes health and wellbeing by:

Bringing people together in shared community activities

Building connections between people of all ages and backgrounds. Supporting people to develop skills and confidence

Time in nature and gardening has recognised benefits for mental and physical health offering an uplifting and inspiring resource that creates a sense of possibility and empowerment

Community Safety:

Improved cleanliness and amenity as well as building community connections will improve local perceptions and experience of safety when using the high street. 

The planters from the previous year’s project at the start of the project.

January, February 2024:

Completion and submission of mandatory documentation:

Safeguarding policy

Risk assessment

Public Liability Insurance

Project Plan.

February 2024

Seeking permission from Newham departments:

Highways Department for Accessible planter

Housing Department for upgrade and allocation of metal planters in front of Henniker Point.

Community gardening events

Community Gardening Saturday 13th January

Info about success with our application for funding

Ongoing maintenance 4.2.24

 Maintenance 14.2.24

20.2.24

Community planting and gardening event 24.2.24

We planted broad beans, calendula and a rose.

1.3.24

3.3.24

11.3.24 Maryland Community Facebook

Maryland Community Facebook 4.3.24

15.3.24 Maryland Community Facebook plus Community noticeboard at Maryland station.

Maryland Facebook 20. 3.24

Community gardening event 23.3.24

Approximately 500 leaflets printed and distributed:

To all Henniker Point residents (door to door leafleting)

School crossings – Maryland and St Francis

Provide leaflets to Lollipop lady who lives Henniker Point

Leafleting residents around Bow Street

Speaking to local businesses re sponsoring one of the planters; David Daniels,

Bakery shop (donated £5), Maryland Barbers

Leafleting Maryland Station

Notice board Maryland Station

Leaflets placed in Stratford Library

Social Media: Facebook and Instagram

WhatsApp: sent to approximately 50 people

Email: sent to approximately 40 people including local schools

Event attended by 7 adults and 8 children from Henniker point and community :

Potting and seeding completed by children with difficult due to weather conditions   

2 new women from the local community brought their children and donated seeds; tomato and sunflower

Henniker point resident and her son attended and helped with planting seeds

We planted ginger, calendula and poppy seeds.

4 attendees expressed an interest and provided their details to sign up to adopt a planter – 2 from Henniker Point and 2 from the local community.

Maryland Community Facebook 28.3.24

30.3.24

Permission received from Newham Housing Department for metal planters to be painted and to be allocated to Henniker Point and local residents for ‘Adopt-a-planter’ scheme.

Plants donated by resident at Peter Heathfield House

Maryland Community Facebook 2.4.24

Facebook 9.4.24

Maryland Community Group Facebook 11.4.24

Ongoing maintenance

CleangreenE15

8 May  · 

This Saturday pop along and join in the fun! Everyone welcome adults and children. The children love potting seeds and taking them home to water them and watch them grow. Everything is edible.

9.6.24

Wonderful donation of painting equipment from a Maryland resident to support our project: paint brushes and trays, plus a huge bag of paint covers with lots of seeds donated by her work colleague.

Very much appreciated, thank you!!!