Ashok's Vision - Youth led Nature and Biodiversity Multi Project!

Ashok’s Vision ( Newham based youth mental wellbeing charity 1193446 )

For a year we have managed to consistently deliver a weekly stall at Woodgrange Market place E7, engaging over 300 young people in PLANTING sessions!

Given the success of our last project, our NEW ‘’Youth Led Nature & Biodiversity Multi Project’’ will be a collaboration between Forest Gate Community Garden, Woodcraft folk, The Gate Library, Aston Mansfield and Magpie Park. We also have a connection with Newham Voices newspaper who will continue to promote our project updates across the borough.

Our statistics have shown that interest has grown in learning about Biodiversity and Nature. We have dozens of local youth who turn up every week to learn about their community and help improve it! Our charity aim is to connect nature and mental wellbeing and ensure All our projects have a strong focus on progression and innovation. Our survey outcomes revealed that Newham Youth WANT to help improve the environment they live in and help make Newham a greener, cleaner, and safer space. 

Multi Project overview and core delivery:

1.     Outdoor weekly learning & planting space at Woodgrange Market place. As well as an Indoor learning workshops relating to biodiversity, nature, cleanliness and environment at Aston Mansfield Community, The Gate library, and Magpie Park Forest Lodge.

2.     Watering solution for existing planters in Forest Gate (working in collaboration with Community Garden and Newham Council)

3.     Introduce new sustainable planters with support of Newham planning team (Earlham Grove )

4.     Seasonal Market Festivals led by youth for the community (raising awareness of cleanliness, climate, and environment issues – Adopting good habits and make Newham a more pleasant place to live)

*Having an indoor workshop space will ensure we are being INCLUSIVE and providing opportunity for all young people who may have access and additional needs to participate*

Please do visit us on a Saturday @WoodgrangeMarketE7 and hear from our resilient youth volunteers about their journey so far and how much they are looking forward to improving Forest Gate as well as enhancing their learning, personal development and most importantly, their mental wellbeing via this project!

Update Feb 2023

Since receiving the funding we are on track with our project time line. Working alongside our stakeholders we are midway between the project cycle.

Our Youth Leaders have done an exceptional job in planning the project. Building and co-ordinating the team, we got to work immediately. Everything youth lead!

• We held outreach events to recruit interest
• 5 interns hold Youth Leadership & training
• Everyone taking on different roles suiting our skills
• We secure our own Project Gardener

Recent surveys outcomes:

Youth volunteers who take park in our project, have not previously had any planting and nature related learning opportunities. They want to help improve the environment they live in and help make Newham a greener, cleaner, and safer space.

We set out to connect nature and mental well-being and ensure All our projects have a strong focus on progression and innovation.

Project spend and updates:

1. Forest Gate Learning Zone (Big planter outside building) Dames Road corner
2. We will maintain in collaboration with Forest Gate Community Garden
3. Outside floor planter (by the side of Wanstead Park Station)
4. Wood grange Road (outside Bereket Supermarket, near Wanstead Park station.
5. Kuhn Way, Outside Forest Gate Community School.
6. 2 New planters to be installed in Earlham Grove Outside Royal Mail Post office

As per our Maintenance agreement we continue to:

1. 1 Planting and replacements as needed
2. 2 Pruning / dead heading etc.
3. 3 Weeding & Watering
4. 5 Litter clearance
5. 6 Clearing fallen fruit
6. 7 Reporting vandalism/maintenance issues

Please come and visit us and continue supporting us in our Vision to make Newham a Greener, Cleaner and safe space to live. And to help us in our plight to positively highlight youth engagement, empowerment, and leadership.