A Local Places for Nature project led by BGfm community radio, transforming an unused area into an accessible food-growing garden to support health, wellbeing, and community spirit in Nantyglo.
Key details
- Location: Nantyglo, Blaenau Gwent
- Project Type: Food Growing Garden
- Group: BGfm community radio station
Deprivation index
- Physical: 50% least deprived
- Overall: 10–20% most deprived
Community involvement
- 10 volunteers, 636 volunteer hours
- 35 people benefit from the garden
- Involvement from Growing Space (mental health charity), local farmer, and diverse volunteers
Outputs
- Accessible garden with raised beds, greenhouse, wildlife pond, and habitat boxes
- New footpath and disability ramp
- Fresh produce for volunteers and local food banks
- Social and gardening skills developed
Benefits
- Social: Integration, new friendships, and community engagement
- Health: Improved mental and physical health, access to fresh produce
- Economic: Cost-effective food growing for those facing food insecurity
- Unexpected benefits: Wildlife habitat, local destination for families, intergenerational volunteering
Quotes
“The garden has turned an unused, rundown space into a place where people can come and integrate with other members of the community to work together and enjoy the new surrounds, leading to making new friends and producing vegetables etc. to give back to the community.”
Stephen Bower, BGfm
First year progress
- Garden became a local destination for families
- Volunteers of all ages involved, including through the Kickstarter Programme
- Chickens and hedgehogs now part of the garden’s ecosystem
Top-up and ongoing impact
- Additional raised beds, plants, habitat boxes, and seating added in 2024
- Wildlife pond installed, newts and hedgehogs observed
- Garden nominated for Green Flag Award, now a litter-picking hub
- Employed a gardener via Kickstart Project
- Ongoing partnerships with local groups and plans for further development
