An update from Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust

Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust is making progress on a number of actions within the Bristol Good Food 2030: A One City Framework for Action, from mapping growing projects to running growing sessions and hosting community feasts. Community Activator Maria Perrett gives an update and shares how you can get involved.

As part of our climate action plan Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust were excited to relaunch the updated Blooming Lockleaze Community Growing Spaces Trail. This beautiful map was designed by a former resident and it’s just one of the ways we support residents to get involved with growing, showcasing these peaceful pockets of green spaces in our community. By providing support and guidance together, we can all learn how to make a difference to food inequality and shape the future of our communities.

We have two supported sessions per week with me, our Creative Facilitator, which include workshops, demonstrations and creative sessions to help residents connect, learn and grow. Residents are able to share their skills and knowledge whilst undertaking practical tasks and have the opportunity to meet new people and, of course, have a cuppa!

To date, residents have harvested strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries, redcurrants, leeks and cabbage. And after a lively ‘banish the bindweed’ session potatoes were planted to harvest in time for Christmas. Our thanks to Sara Venn of Edible Bristol for her support with our seasonal planting plan too! Thanks to a grant from Sports England we have a programme of free walks to utilise the Blooming Lockleaze Map and guide residents to each of the growing spaces and give them the opportunity to give growing a go whilst also supporting and promoting our community partners.

So whether you are waiting for an allotment, looking for ways to get to know your neighbours, or just fancy spending time getting active outdoors, do drop in on Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10-12pm, at The Buzz Community Garden behind No.6 Gainsborough Square.

We have also been exploring more ways to tackle food waste, so in addition to our Community Feasts and soup for the warm and welcome spaces that prevented over one tonne of food from going to landfill, we were very excited to be part of Apple Day and the pilot Bristol Cider Project. Residents donated just over 55kg of apples and are eagerly awaiting their cider next spring!

By being a collection hub and promoting the project we have been able to instigate conversations about creative and rewarding solutions to tackling food waste, inspiring residents to do their bit and be part of a positive movement. Together we are making a difference.

Intrigued? Inspired? Questions? Do get in touch at maria@lockleazent.co.uk. If you would like to find out more please do visit our website, sign up for our newsletter, or find us on social media.